New guidelines stress the need for proper calcium intake for bone health
By Ed EdelsonHealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics has a new attitude about consumption of milk and milk products by children with lactose intolerance: Hey, give it a try.
New guidelines say the academy "supports use of dairy foods as an important source of calcium for bone mineral health and of other nutrients that facilitate growth in children and adolescents." Specifically, it does not recommend eliminating dairy products to treat lactose intolerance.
In practical terms, said Dr. Melvin B. Heyman, a member of the committee that wrote the guidelines, the new advice is for parents of children with lactose intolerance, in collaboration with pediatricians, to "test the system and see how much milk, cheese and ice cream they can tolerate."
One reason for the new advice, said Heyman, who is a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, is that "we have more information about what people will tolerate. We know that children who have lactose intolerance have a tendency to tolerate some dairy products."
At least an equally important factor is the need for the calcium in dairy products, he said. "Young people have to get as much calcium as they can to lower the risk of problems with bones as they get older," Heyman said.
The new guidelines were published in the September issue of the academy's journal, Pediatrics.
An estimated 30 million to 50 million Americans have some degree of intolerance to lactose, the main sugar found in milk and other dairy products. They have a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the sugar, and can experience unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea if they ingest too much lactose.
The condition is relatively rare in whites, but as many as 75 percent of blacks, 90 percent of Asian-Americans and nearly 100 percent of Native Americans suffer from it. Symptoms generally start appearing after the age of 2.
When symptoms do appear, the first step should be to make sure that they are not caused by another condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, an infection or parasites, Heyman said.
If lactose intolerance is the problem, it's important to remember that the condition does not do bodily damage, however unpleasant the symptoms might be, he said. Careful testing can help determine which products affect an individual and which are a lesser problem. "Some people might tolerate yogurt but have problems with milk," Heyman said.
The important point is that young people get an adequate amount of calcium, he said. The guidelines note that the National Medical Association, an organization of black physicians, "recently recommended that black people consume three to four servings a day of low-fat milk, cheese and/or yogurt."
"If lactose-free diets are used for treatment of lactose intolerance, the diets should include a good source of calcium and/or calcium supplementation to meet daily recommended intake levels," the guidelines state.
More information
Visit the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for more on lactose intolerance.
SOURCES: Melvin B. Heyman, professor, pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco; September 2006 Pediatrics
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Nutritional supplement users better nourished and informed
A report published in the August, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association concluded that individuals who use dietary supplements have different attitudes concerning nutrition, are less likely to have an inadequate intake of a number of vitamins and minerals, and are more likely to recognize the importance of following a healthful diet than those that do not use supplements.
For the current research, Rhonda S. Sebastian and her associates at the United States Department of Agriculture examined data obtained between 1994 and 1996 in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey of 4,384 men and women aged 51 and older. Results of 24 hour dietary recall questionnaires completed by the participants were used to divide the subjects into 1,777 daily nutritional supplement users, 428 infrequent users, and 2,179 nonusers.
The team found that nonusers of supplements were less likely to meet the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) from food alone for vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, zinc, and magnesium, and only half of both users and nonusers of supplements met the requirements of folate, vitamin E and magnesium from food. Regular supplement use reduced the percentage of participants with inadequate intakes of most nutrients by at least 75 percent. When dietary intake combined with supplement use of specific nutrients was examined, at least 80 percent of men and women who used supplements met the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamins A, B6, B12, C and E, folate, iron and zinc. Supplements particularly improved vitamin E and folate status.
Supplement users’ intake of vitamin E and folate from food was inadequate for 96 and 57 percent of this group, yet supplement use reduced these inadequacies to 17 and 6 percent.
While increased age and education were better predictors of supplement use among men, Caucasian race, residence in the western region of the United States and nonsmoking status emerged as stronger predictive factors for women. The only factor found to be a significant predictor of supplement use for both genders was a belief in the personal importance of consuming a diet consistent with Dietary Guidelines recommendations.
“A large proportion of older adults do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods alone,” the authors conclude. “Supplements compensate to some extent, but only an estimated half of this population uses them daily. These widespread inadequacies should be considered when developing recommendations for supplement use for clients in this age group. Modifying dietary attitudes may result in a higher rate of supplement use in this at-risk population.”
For the current research, Rhonda S. Sebastian and her associates at the United States Department of Agriculture examined data obtained between 1994 and 1996 in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey of 4,384 men and women aged 51 and older. Results of 24 hour dietary recall questionnaires completed by the participants were used to divide the subjects into 1,777 daily nutritional supplement users, 428 infrequent users, and 2,179 nonusers.
The team found that nonusers of supplements were less likely to meet the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) from food alone for vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, zinc, and magnesium, and only half of both users and nonusers of supplements met the requirements of folate, vitamin E and magnesium from food. Regular supplement use reduced the percentage of participants with inadequate intakes of most nutrients by at least 75 percent. When dietary intake combined with supplement use of specific nutrients was examined, at least 80 percent of men and women who used supplements met the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamins A, B6, B12, C and E, folate, iron and zinc. Supplements particularly improved vitamin E and folate status.
Supplement users’ intake of vitamin E and folate from food was inadequate for 96 and 57 percent of this group, yet supplement use reduced these inadequacies to 17 and 6 percent.
While increased age and education were better predictors of supplement use among men, Caucasian race, residence in the western region of the United States and nonsmoking status emerged as stronger predictive factors for women. The only factor found to be a significant predictor of supplement use for both genders was a belief in the personal importance of consuming a diet consistent with Dietary Guidelines recommendations.
“A large proportion of older adults do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods alone,” the authors conclude. “Supplements compensate to some extent, but only an estimated half of this population uses them daily. These widespread inadequacies should be considered when developing recommendations for supplement use for clients in this age group. Modifying dietary attitudes may result in a higher rate of supplement use in this at-risk population.”
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Many Older Americans Have Active Sex Lives
(HealthDay News) -- Many older Americans aren't letting age slow down their sex lives, a new study shows.
The first comprehensive national survey of the sexual attitudes, behaviors and problems of U.S. adults age 57 and older finds many are having sex often. In fact, the frequency of sexual activity dropped only slightly between the late 50s up to the early 70s.
And more than half of those in the oldest age group -- 75 to 85 -- who were sexually active reported having sex at least two to three times per month, and 23 percent reported having sex at least once a week.
"This gives us, for the first time, the most comprehensive and nationally representative data on sexuality for men and women and makes a particular contribution with regard to knowledge of older women's sexuality," study lead author Dr. Stacy Tesser Lindau, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of medicine-geriatrics at the University of Chicago, said at a Monday teleconference.
Lindau is lead researcher on the study, which is published in the Aug. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
"This is of extreme importance and a landmark study that hopefully will get the medical community and society focused on this in a less taboo way. It's a great start," said Dr. Barbara Paris, director of geriatrics at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. "For most people, it's a shock to hear that people are having sex in their 70s," she said.
"This is a premier study," added Marcia G. Ory, professor of social and behavioral health and director of the Aging and Health Promotion Program at Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. "It debunks some myths that sex and old age don't go together, and it places this in the context of health and health problems."
According to the study authors, little is known about sexuality among older people in the United States, despite this group being the fastest growing segment of the population.
"I'm a gynecologist, and, for me, there was a tremendous void of information to be able to provide people the information they needed to make health care decisions and to be prepared for changes," Lindau said. "With the right information, people might be able to cope better."
For this study, the University of Chicago's National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) researchers interviewed 3,005 U.S. adults (1,550 women and 1,455 men), aged 57 to 85 in their homes.
Three-quarters of those approached agreed to participate and were remarkably forthcoming about their sex lives.
Researchers found that the prevalence of sexual activity did decline with age, with 73 percent of respondents aged 57 to 64 reporting sexual activity, 53 percent among those aged 65 to 74 and 26 percent among those aged 75 to 85.
Women were less likely to be sexually active than men in age groups. More than three-quarters (78 percent) of men aged 75 to 85 had a spouse or other intimate relationship, only 40 percent of women in that age group had a partner.
Women were also more likely to rate sex as "not at all important" (35 percent versus 13 percent of men).
"There do seem some gender disparities," Lindau said. "Men overall are more likely to have partners in later life and are more likely to be sexually active with their partners."
"Older ages really are different for men and women," added Linda Waite, senior author of the paper and the Lucy Flower Professor in Urban Sociology at the University of Chicago. "Men tend to be married until they die, and women tend to spend their final years as widows." In addition, men tend to have younger partners and women older partners, which translates into fewer opportunities for sexual intimacy for women.
About half of both men and women who were sexually active reported sexual problems. The most prevalent among women were low desire (experienced by 43 percent of respondents), vaginal dryness (39 percent) and inability to climax (34 percent). The most common problem reported by men was erectile dysfunction (37 percent).
Fourteen percent of all men reported using medication or supplements to help improve sexual function. "That was a high number," Lindau said.
Health more than age tended to affect people's sex lives; men and women who said their health was poor were less likely to be sexually active.
"The linkage with sexual health is closer to other health issues and is not so tied directly to aging per se," said Edward Laumann, co-author of the study and the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor in Sociology at the University of Chicago. "Sexual health, when it begins to deteriorate, may be an important warning sign, because it may be an early warning sign of more profound health problems." Lindau was co-director of the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey which surveyed persons aged 18 to 59.
Despite difficulties, only 38 percent of men and 22 percent of women reported having discussed sexual health with a doctor since the age of 50.
Many people found ways to stay sexually active, even if their overall health was declining. This included oral sex (the prevalence being about 50 percent among those under 75) and masturbation (more than half of men and 25 percent of women said they masturbated, regardless of whether they had a partner).
That being said, vaginal intercourse was often predominant.
"The vast majority said that vaginal intercourse is always part of sexual behavior; that declines slightly as people age, with more cuddling and kissing and snuggling as the primary activity," Waite said.
The researchers also collected physiological specimens such as saliva and vaginal swabs, the results of which will appear in follow-up studies. The samples will provide information on hormone levels, prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.
While this research will pave the way for far more information in the future, for the present, it may help open the doors of communication.
"For physicians, it really gives us a wake up call that you should be asking about sexual function," said Dr. Laurie Jacobs, chief of geriatric medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
More information
For more on aging and sex, head to Cornell University.
The first comprehensive national survey of the sexual attitudes, behaviors and problems of U.S. adults age 57 and older finds many are having sex often. In fact, the frequency of sexual activity dropped only slightly between the late 50s up to the early 70s.
And more than half of those in the oldest age group -- 75 to 85 -- who were sexually active reported having sex at least two to three times per month, and 23 percent reported having sex at least once a week.
"This gives us, for the first time, the most comprehensive and nationally representative data on sexuality for men and women and makes a particular contribution with regard to knowledge of older women's sexuality," study lead author Dr. Stacy Tesser Lindau, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of medicine-geriatrics at the University of Chicago, said at a Monday teleconference.
Lindau is lead researcher on the study, which is published in the Aug. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
"This is of extreme importance and a landmark study that hopefully will get the medical community and society focused on this in a less taboo way. It's a great start," said Dr. Barbara Paris, director of geriatrics at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. "For most people, it's a shock to hear that people are having sex in their 70s," she said.
"This is a premier study," added Marcia G. Ory, professor of social and behavioral health and director of the Aging and Health Promotion Program at Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. "It debunks some myths that sex and old age don't go together, and it places this in the context of health and health problems."
According to the study authors, little is known about sexuality among older people in the United States, despite this group being the fastest growing segment of the population.
"I'm a gynecologist, and, for me, there was a tremendous void of information to be able to provide people the information they needed to make health care decisions and to be prepared for changes," Lindau said. "With the right information, people might be able to cope better."
For this study, the University of Chicago's National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) researchers interviewed 3,005 U.S. adults (1,550 women and 1,455 men), aged 57 to 85 in their homes.
Three-quarters of those approached agreed to participate and were remarkably forthcoming about their sex lives.
Researchers found that the prevalence of sexual activity did decline with age, with 73 percent of respondents aged 57 to 64 reporting sexual activity, 53 percent among those aged 65 to 74 and 26 percent among those aged 75 to 85.
Women were less likely to be sexually active than men in age groups. More than three-quarters (78 percent) of men aged 75 to 85 had a spouse or other intimate relationship, only 40 percent of women in that age group had a partner.
Women were also more likely to rate sex as "not at all important" (35 percent versus 13 percent of men).
"There do seem some gender disparities," Lindau said. "Men overall are more likely to have partners in later life and are more likely to be sexually active with their partners."
"Older ages really are different for men and women," added Linda Waite, senior author of the paper and the Lucy Flower Professor in Urban Sociology at the University of Chicago. "Men tend to be married until they die, and women tend to spend their final years as widows." In addition, men tend to have younger partners and women older partners, which translates into fewer opportunities for sexual intimacy for women.
About half of both men and women who were sexually active reported sexual problems. The most prevalent among women were low desire (experienced by 43 percent of respondents), vaginal dryness (39 percent) and inability to climax (34 percent). The most common problem reported by men was erectile dysfunction (37 percent).
Fourteen percent of all men reported using medication or supplements to help improve sexual function. "That was a high number," Lindau said.
Health more than age tended to affect people's sex lives; men and women who said their health was poor were less likely to be sexually active.
"The linkage with sexual health is closer to other health issues and is not so tied directly to aging per se," said Edward Laumann, co-author of the study and the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor in Sociology at the University of Chicago. "Sexual health, when it begins to deteriorate, may be an important warning sign, because it may be an early warning sign of more profound health problems." Lindau was co-director of the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey which surveyed persons aged 18 to 59.
Despite difficulties, only 38 percent of men and 22 percent of women reported having discussed sexual health with a doctor since the age of 50.
Many people found ways to stay sexually active, even if their overall health was declining. This included oral sex (the prevalence being about 50 percent among those under 75) and masturbation (more than half of men and 25 percent of women said they masturbated, regardless of whether they had a partner).
That being said, vaginal intercourse was often predominant.
"The vast majority said that vaginal intercourse is always part of sexual behavior; that declines slightly as people age, with more cuddling and kissing and snuggling as the primary activity," Waite said.
The researchers also collected physiological specimens such as saliva and vaginal swabs, the results of which will appear in follow-up studies. The samples will provide information on hormone levels, prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.
While this research will pave the way for far more information in the future, for the present, it may help open the doors of communication.
"For physicians, it really gives us a wake up call that you should be asking about sexual function," said Dr. Laurie Jacobs, chief of geriatric medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
More information
For more on aging and sex, head to Cornell University.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
FDA Updates Prescription Guidelines for Blood Thinner
(HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday a labeling update for the widely prescribed blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), advising doctors that patients' genetic makeup can affect how they respond to the drug.
Responses to warfarin depend on a patient's variants of the genes CYP2C9 and VKORC1. About 30 percent of patients -- many of them heart patients -- who take warfarin have these gene variants.
These variations can determine how fast warfarin is metabolized, Larry Lesko, director of the FDA's office of clinical pharmacology at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during a teleconference. "Patients with these variations may need lower doses of warfarin than patients with the usual forms of these genes.
"The label change explains that certain people are likely to respond very differently to the drug if they happen to carry variations of two of their genes," Lesko said. The label updates are based on recent studies that found patients' response to the drug depends on these gene variations, he added.
In the United States, some 2 million people start taking warfarin every year to prevent blood clots, heart attacks and stroke, according to the FDA. Warfarin is tricky to use, because the correct dose varies and depends on risk factors, including diet, age, and other medications the patient is taking.
If the warfarin dose is too high, there is the risk of life-threatening bleeding. If the dose is too low, there is a risk of developing blood clots. Dosing is particularly important when starting the drug, the FDA said.
The FDA isn't mandating that doctors obtain genetic tests before prescribing warfarin but suggests that it is something doctors may want to consider when prescribing the drug.
"Doctors and other health-care professionals may well decide to incorporate genetic information along with more traditional risk factors in estimating their patient's warfarin doses," Lesko said. "It may improve the safe use of warfarin."
Lesko noted that genetic tests for the gene variants can cost $125 to $500. The tests may not be readily available in some parts of the United States, he said.
Dr. Janet Woodcock, the FDA's deputy commissioner and chief medical officer, noted during the teleconference that there isn't enough data to make genetic testing a mandate when prescribing warfarin.
"We have to test how good it will be to use genetic information versus the current methods, which are not perfectly satisfactory, but work to initiate warfarin therapy. Then we will have an answer to that question," Woodcock said.
Warfarin is the second most common drug to blame for emergency room visits for adverse drug events, after insulin, the FDA said.
Currently, patients need to have several blood tests over several weeks to determine their optimal warfarin dose.
Patients taking warfarin need to have their blood checked monthly to see if the drug is working properly. The test is called the PT -- or prothrombin time -- test, which evaluates the blood's ability to clot. The results are measured in seconds and compared with the expected value in healthy people.
The changes to the label will be made by manufacturers of warfarin, the generic version of Coumadin. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., of Princeton, N.J., is the manufacturer of Coumadin, the FDA said.
More information
For more on warfarin, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Responses to warfarin depend on a patient's variants of the genes CYP2C9 and VKORC1. About 30 percent of patients -- many of them heart patients -- who take warfarin have these gene variants.
These variations can determine how fast warfarin is metabolized, Larry Lesko, director of the FDA's office of clinical pharmacology at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during a teleconference. "Patients with these variations may need lower doses of warfarin than patients with the usual forms of these genes.
"The label change explains that certain people are likely to respond very differently to the drug if they happen to carry variations of two of their genes," Lesko said. The label updates are based on recent studies that found patients' response to the drug depends on these gene variations, he added.
In the United States, some 2 million people start taking warfarin every year to prevent blood clots, heart attacks and stroke, according to the FDA. Warfarin is tricky to use, because the correct dose varies and depends on risk factors, including diet, age, and other medications the patient is taking.
If the warfarin dose is too high, there is the risk of life-threatening bleeding. If the dose is too low, there is a risk of developing blood clots. Dosing is particularly important when starting the drug, the FDA said.
The FDA isn't mandating that doctors obtain genetic tests before prescribing warfarin but suggests that it is something doctors may want to consider when prescribing the drug.
"Doctors and other health-care professionals may well decide to incorporate genetic information along with more traditional risk factors in estimating their patient's warfarin doses," Lesko said. "It may improve the safe use of warfarin."
Lesko noted that genetic tests for the gene variants can cost $125 to $500. The tests may not be readily available in some parts of the United States, he said.
Dr. Janet Woodcock, the FDA's deputy commissioner and chief medical officer, noted during the teleconference that there isn't enough data to make genetic testing a mandate when prescribing warfarin.
"We have to test how good it will be to use genetic information versus the current methods, which are not perfectly satisfactory, but work to initiate warfarin therapy. Then we will have an answer to that question," Woodcock said.
Warfarin is the second most common drug to blame for emergency room visits for adverse drug events, after insulin, the FDA said.
Currently, patients need to have several blood tests over several weeks to determine their optimal warfarin dose.
Patients taking warfarin need to have their blood checked monthly to see if the drug is working properly. The test is called the PT -- or prothrombin time -- test, which evaluates the blood's ability to clot. The results are measured in seconds and compared with the expected value in healthy people.
The changes to the label will be made by manufacturers of warfarin, the generic version of Coumadin. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., of Princeton, N.J., is the manufacturer of Coumadin, the FDA said.
More information
For more on warfarin, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Health Tip: Heat Cramps Shouldn't Be Ignored
(HealthDay News) -- Heat cramps occur in people who are exerting themselves during periods of significant heat and humidity. They shouldn't be ignored, because heat cramps can be the first signs of more serious conditions, including heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The American Red Cross suggests these steps if you get heat cramps or additional warning signs of heat-related illness:
If you have heat cramps or more serious symptoms of heat-related illness, immediately stop all activity and rest. Go to an air-conditioned or shady place, if possible.
Symptoms of more serious heat-related illness include: moist, pale skin; headache, dizziness, weakness, exhaustion or nausea.
Drink cool water or a sports drink slowly and in small amounts.
Stretch the cramped muscles, and hold the stretched position for about 20 seconds. Repeat the stretching until the cramps have stopped.
If symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention. Resume activity only if you no longer have any symptoms. But be very careful of overexertion and overheating.
The American Red Cross suggests these steps if you get heat cramps or additional warning signs of heat-related illness:
If you have heat cramps or more serious symptoms of heat-related illness, immediately stop all activity and rest. Go to an air-conditioned or shady place, if possible.
Symptoms of more serious heat-related illness include: moist, pale skin; headache, dizziness, weakness, exhaustion or nausea.
Drink cool water or a sports drink slowly and in small amounts.
Stretch the cramped muscles, and hold the stretched position for about 20 seconds. Repeat the stretching until the cramps have stopped.
If symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention. Resume activity only if you no longer have any symptoms. But be very careful of overexertion and overheating.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Start the Day Stress-Free
"The Maharishi Ayurveda approach to stress is unique because it is a total approach, and includes mental, physical and emotional aspects," says Vaidya Agrawal. Many of these approaches are included in the ayurvedic daily routine, called Dinacharya. When you begin the day with a routine, it sets you up for a stress-free day by helping to keep Vata in balance.
Vaidya Agrawal suggests creating a schedule to make it easier to plan your time. If you have to leave for work by 8:30 a.m., for instance, it's easy to fit these steps in if you wake up by 6:00 a.m.
Schedule for the Ayurvedic Morning Routine
Wake up in the morning before 6:00 a.m.
Empty bowel and urine
Wash your face, giving special attention to the eyes.
Brush your teeth, scrape your tongue and rinse your mouth. This is also a good time to drink a cup of water.
Perform abhyanga (ayurvedic oil massage).
Because it's best to wait an additional 10-15 minutes for the oil to soak in between your massage and bath, to save time you might want to spend this time shaving, flossing your teeth, or starting your Surya Namaskara or Yoga Asanas.
Bathe or shower. Use warm rather than hot water.
Perform Yoga Asanas and Surya Namaskara (Salutation to the Sun Exercise).
Practice deep breathing or Pranayama.
Practice Transcendental Meditation® for twenty minutes
Have breakfast -- a stewed apple or pear and warm cereal is ideal.
Take herbal food supplements and Rasayanas
School or work.
Vaidya Agrawal suggests creating a schedule to make it easier to plan your time. If you have to leave for work by 8:30 a.m., for instance, it's easy to fit these steps in if you wake up by 6:00 a.m.
Schedule for the Ayurvedic Morning Routine
Wake up in the morning before 6:00 a.m.
Empty bowel and urine
Wash your face, giving special attention to the eyes.
Brush your teeth, scrape your tongue and rinse your mouth. This is also a good time to drink a cup of water.
Perform abhyanga (ayurvedic oil massage).
Because it's best to wait an additional 10-15 minutes for the oil to soak in between your massage and bath, to save time you might want to spend this time shaving, flossing your teeth, or starting your Surya Namaskara or Yoga Asanas.
Bathe or shower. Use warm rather than hot water.
Perform Yoga Asanas and Surya Namaskara (Salutation to the Sun Exercise).
Practice deep breathing or Pranayama.
Practice Transcendental Meditation® for twenty minutes
Have breakfast -- a stewed apple or pear and warm cereal is ideal.
Take herbal food supplements and Rasayanas
School or work.
Monday, August 06, 2007
How to do an ayurvedic spa treatment in your own home
Day spas are becoming more and more popular. They provide an oasis in our buzzing world, where you can get away for a few hours or a day of relaxation, rejuvenation and beautification. If there isn't a spa around, or if you'd rather enjoy the benefits in your own home, try this ayurvedic do-it-yourself routine, which will only take a couple of hours. Spend an evening or weekend afternoon pampering yourself and restoring your mental, physical and emotional energy.
Ayurvedic FacialThis ayurvedic facial both nourishes and exfoliates your skin. Milk softens and cools the skin and loosens up pore-clogging particles. Hot steam opens your pores and the Youthful Skin Clay removes impurities. The Youthful Skin Oil and Cream restore the lipid and moisture levels of the skin.
Cleanse face and neck with Massage
•SPA Youthful Skin Cleansing Gel to remove makeup and impurities.
Apply several drops of Youthful Skin Oil on fingers and gently massage the face and neck. Repeat three times.
Slowly bring half a cup of organic milk to a boil, add a few drops of rose water and beat until a thick layer of foam appears. Massage milk foam onto the face and neck. Repeat three times.
Use a facial steamer for five minutes or until the skin perspires. Make a tent for yourself using a towel or sheet.
Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Clay to the face and neck. Leave on for three to five minutes or until the skin begins to feel tight.
Remove clay with remaining organic milk and then rinse milk off with warm water. Use natural sponges for removal of clay.
Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Oil to the face and neck. Dab off excess with a tissue.
After one hour, apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Cream to the face and neck.
Anti-stress self-massageAfter you have treated your face, it's time to administer an ayurvedic self-massage. Abhyanga (warm oil massage) should be practiced every morning preceding your shower. For this spa treatment, extend the massage to make it a relaxing, luxurious experience. Massaging your whole body with oil feeds your skin and helps release toxins that accumulate in the body and skin over time. It also improves circulation, relaxes the mind and the body, and nourishes all the tissues and organs. For the home spa treatment, try Maharishi Ayurveda Relaxing Massage Oil, which contains almond oil to lubricate your skin and Frankincense essential oil to calm your physiology.
Steps for Abhyanga
Fill a small plastic bottle with oil and place it in a glass of hot water for a few minutes to heat the oil.
Apply a small amount of oil to the body starting with the scalp all the way down to you toes.
Start massaging your scalp slowly with firm pressure. After two minutes, move down to your ears and face using small circles. (If you have just done a facial, skip the face)
Then start with the left shoulder in circular motion. Follow with long strokes on the upper arm, circles on the elbow and long strokes on the forearm. Circle around the wrist and do long strokes on the hand. Repeat with the other arm.
Use circular strokes on the chest and the stomach and upward strokes on your lower back.
Continue on to the left leg, by doing circles on the joints and long strokes on the limbs. The feet should get special attention, which we will detail in the next section.
Foot massage
We use our feet all day, but they are often the most neglected parts of the body. Therefore, foot massage is a very important part of Abhyanga. A foot massage not only benefits the feet but revitalizes the whole body. It increases energy, balances emotions, and improves blood and lymph circulation. By massaging the nerve endings in your feet, you can release stress and relieve aches and pains.
First wash your feet thoroughly with soap and warm water. The Neem Cleansing Bar is especially beneficial due to the antibacterial properties of Neem. Wipe your feet dry and sit in a comfortable position so you can easily reach your feet.
Apply oil to one of your feet for lubrication.
Start by gently rubbing the base of your first (little) toe.
Continue at the base of the second toe.
Next, apply slight pressure between the first and second toes.
Then, rub between the third and forth toe.
Next, massage, stretch and pull the big toe gently and rub each side of the nails.
Finally, massage the ball of your foot in a circular motion, followed by circling around your ankle joint with both hands in a clockwise motion. This improves circulation and the energy level of the body. Repeat the same steps on your other foot. You can do this foot massage in the evening, a couple of times a week to give your tired feet a break.
The perfect bathThe perfect bath should stimulate all the five senses, provide relaxation and a feeling of emotional fullness. After your full body massage, you should let your skin absorb the oil for at least 15 minutes before you get into the tub. During this time, you can assemble everything you will need for a full sensory experience.
Taste: It's important to remain hydrated while you are cleansing and detoxifying your body. For a soothing drink, try one of Maharishi Ayurveda's herbal teas. Worry Free Tea is specially designed to calm the mind. For an energizing beverage, you can add a few teaspoons of Almond Energy Drink. Ayurveda does not recommend drinking coffee and alcohol because they stimulate the body instead of soothing it.
Sight: For a peaceful atmosphere, light a few candles and turn off the lights. Maharishi Ayurveda Aroma Candles can further improve the ambience with their soothing scents. Make sure you place the candles in a secure place, where you can't knock them off while bathing.
Sound: To help you focus on your spa experience, turn off your phone and mute the answering machine. Put on your favorite soothing, low-volume music. You can also listen to Maharishi Gandharva Veda music, the pacifying melodies of nature, which will help revitalize your body, mind and spirit. If you have a portable CD player, you can place it in the bathroom but away from the bath tub for safety reasons.
Smell: Now you are ready to fill your tub with warm water. Do not bathe in hot water because it dries your skin and depletes your energy. Make sure to use a filter if the tap water is heavily chlorinated. Soften and scent your bathwater with one of Maharishi Ayurveda's Bath Salts, which come in seven different aromatherapy combinations such as relaxing, rejuvenating or energizing. The epsom salts relax your muscles and the natural aromas uplift your spirit. If your are planning to soak for a while, you can use bath pillows to cushion your head and neck.
Touch: The oil massage has already stimulated your sense of touch. Now it's time to exfoliate. Use natural sponges or scrubs such as loofah, to soften rough elbows and knees, and pumice stone to scrub calluses on your feet. Instead of petroleum-based soaps, use Maharishi Ayurveda's vegetable glycerine soaps to cleanse your skin or try the Massage
•SPA Youthful Skin Body Cleanse.
After you have soaked for up to 30 minutes, wipe your body with a soft warm towel. Apply a rich lotion, such as the M
•SPA Youthful Skin Advanced Lipid Support Body Glow, to moisturize your skin.
Whether you do this entire routine or just parts of it, don't rush. You gain more benefits if you focus on the procedures and take your time. If you follow the instructions, you will release stress, nurture your skin and uplift your mood.
Ayurvedic FacialThis ayurvedic facial both nourishes and exfoliates your skin. Milk softens and cools the skin and loosens up pore-clogging particles. Hot steam opens your pores and the Youthful Skin Clay removes impurities. The Youthful Skin Oil and Cream restore the lipid and moisture levels of the skin.
Cleanse face and neck with Massage
•SPA Youthful Skin Cleansing Gel to remove makeup and impurities.
Apply several drops of Youthful Skin Oil on fingers and gently massage the face and neck. Repeat three times.
Slowly bring half a cup of organic milk to a boil, add a few drops of rose water and beat until a thick layer of foam appears. Massage milk foam onto the face and neck. Repeat three times.
Use a facial steamer for five minutes or until the skin perspires. Make a tent for yourself using a towel or sheet.
Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Clay to the face and neck. Leave on for three to five minutes or until the skin begins to feel tight.
Remove clay with remaining organic milk and then rinse milk off with warm water. Use natural sponges for removal of clay.
Apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Oil to the face and neck. Dab off excess with a tissue.
After one hour, apply a thin layer of Youthful Skin Cream to the face and neck.
Anti-stress self-massageAfter you have treated your face, it's time to administer an ayurvedic self-massage. Abhyanga (warm oil massage) should be practiced every morning preceding your shower. For this spa treatment, extend the massage to make it a relaxing, luxurious experience. Massaging your whole body with oil feeds your skin and helps release toxins that accumulate in the body and skin over time. It also improves circulation, relaxes the mind and the body, and nourishes all the tissues and organs. For the home spa treatment, try Maharishi Ayurveda Relaxing Massage Oil, which contains almond oil to lubricate your skin and Frankincense essential oil to calm your physiology.
Steps for Abhyanga
Fill a small plastic bottle with oil and place it in a glass of hot water for a few minutes to heat the oil.
Apply a small amount of oil to the body starting with the scalp all the way down to you toes.
Start massaging your scalp slowly with firm pressure. After two minutes, move down to your ears and face using small circles. (If you have just done a facial, skip the face)
Then start with the left shoulder in circular motion. Follow with long strokes on the upper arm, circles on the elbow and long strokes on the forearm. Circle around the wrist and do long strokes on the hand. Repeat with the other arm.
Use circular strokes on the chest and the stomach and upward strokes on your lower back.
Continue on to the left leg, by doing circles on the joints and long strokes on the limbs. The feet should get special attention, which we will detail in the next section.
Foot massage
We use our feet all day, but they are often the most neglected parts of the body. Therefore, foot massage is a very important part of Abhyanga. A foot massage not only benefits the feet but revitalizes the whole body. It increases energy, balances emotions, and improves blood and lymph circulation. By massaging the nerve endings in your feet, you can release stress and relieve aches and pains.
First wash your feet thoroughly with soap and warm water. The Neem Cleansing Bar is especially beneficial due to the antibacterial properties of Neem. Wipe your feet dry and sit in a comfortable position so you can easily reach your feet.
Apply oil to one of your feet for lubrication.
Start by gently rubbing the base of your first (little) toe.
Continue at the base of the second toe.
Next, apply slight pressure between the first and second toes.
Then, rub between the third and forth toe.
Next, massage, stretch and pull the big toe gently and rub each side of the nails.
Finally, massage the ball of your foot in a circular motion, followed by circling around your ankle joint with both hands in a clockwise motion. This improves circulation and the energy level of the body. Repeat the same steps on your other foot. You can do this foot massage in the evening, a couple of times a week to give your tired feet a break.
The perfect bathThe perfect bath should stimulate all the five senses, provide relaxation and a feeling of emotional fullness. After your full body massage, you should let your skin absorb the oil for at least 15 minutes before you get into the tub. During this time, you can assemble everything you will need for a full sensory experience.
Taste: It's important to remain hydrated while you are cleansing and detoxifying your body. For a soothing drink, try one of Maharishi Ayurveda's herbal teas. Worry Free Tea is specially designed to calm the mind. For an energizing beverage, you can add a few teaspoons of Almond Energy Drink. Ayurveda does not recommend drinking coffee and alcohol because they stimulate the body instead of soothing it.
Sight: For a peaceful atmosphere, light a few candles and turn off the lights. Maharishi Ayurveda Aroma Candles can further improve the ambience with their soothing scents. Make sure you place the candles in a secure place, where you can't knock them off while bathing.
Sound: To help you focus on your spa experience, turn off your phone and mute the answering machine. Put on your favorite soothing, low-volume music. You can also listen to Maharishi Gandharva Veda music, the pacifying melodies of nature, which will help revitalize your body, mind and spirit. If you have a portable CD player, you can place it in the bathroom but away from the bath tub for safety reasons.
Smell: Now you are ready to fill your tub with warm water. Do not bathe in hot water because it dries your skin and depletes your energy. Make sure to use a filter if the tap water is heavily chlorinated. Soften and scent your bathwater with one of Maharishi Ayurveda's Bath Salts, which come in seven different aromatherapy combinations such as relaxing, rejuvenating or energizing. The epsom salts relax your muscles and the natural aromas uplift your spirit. If your are planning to soak for a while, you can use bath pillows to cushion your head and neck.
Touch: The oil massage has already stimulated your sense of touch. Now it's time to exfoliate. Use natural sponges or scrubs such as loofah, to soften rough elbows and knees, and pumice stone to scrub calluses on your feet. Instead of petroleum-based soaps, use Maharishi Ayurveda's vegetable glycerine soaps to cleanse your skin or try the Massage
•SPA Youthful Skin Body Cleanse.
After you have soaked for up to 30 minutes, wipe your body with a soft warm towel. Apply a rich lotion, such as the M
•SPA Youthful Skin Advanced Lipid Support Body Glow, to moisturize your skin.
Whether you do this entire routine or just parts of it, don't rush. You gain more benefits if you focus on the procedures and take your time. If you follow the instructions, you will release stress, nurture your skin and uplift your mood.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Progesterone Prevents Preterm Birth for Some Women
(HealthDay News) -- The hormone progesterone may help prevent preterm birth in some women, but it doesn't work for everyone.
A pair of studies in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that progesterone didn't help prevent preterm birth for women carrying twins or triplets, but it was helpful in women carrying a single baby who also had a condition known as short cervix.
"The phenomenon of preterm birth is complex and there are probably multiple pathways involved so, ultimately, we will probably have to have multiple solutions," said Dr. John Thorp, a co-author on the twin study and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Preterm birth is defined as birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. About 12 percent -- or one in eight -- of babies born in the United States are born preterm, according to the March of Dimes. The earlier a baby is born, the more likely it is that the baby will have health or developmental problems.
In the first study, researchers randomly assigned 661 women who were pregnant with twins to receive weekly injections of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) or a placebo injection. The injections began at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation and ended at 35 weeks.
The researchers found that 17P was not effective in preventing preterm birth. Delivery or fetal death before 35 weeks' gestation occurred in 41.5 percent of the pregnancies in the 17P group and in 37.3 percent of the pregnancies receiving placebo. Serious adverse events to the baby occurred in 20 percent of the 17P group and 18 percent of the placebo group, according to the study.
"This therapy that we hoped would be a magic bullet in the prevention of preterm birth was not effective for twins," Thorp said.
In the second study, researchers compared the use of vaginal progesterone to a placebo in women with a short cervix. A short cervix develops sometime during early to mid-pregnancy, according to Dr. Robert Welch, chairman and program director of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John's Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich. Experts aren't sure exactly what causes a woman to develop a short cervix, but it's not something that can be predicted ahead of time, he noted.
For this study, British researchers measured the cervical length of nearly 25,000 pregnant women. They found 413 (1.7 percent) had a short cervix. From that group, they randomized 250 of the women to receive either 200 milligrams of vaginal progesterone, administered nightly, or a placebo.
In this population, researchers found a significant benefit from the progesterone therapy. Delivery before 34 weeks of gestation occurred in 19.2 percent of those receiving progesterone vs. 34.4 percent of those on placebo.
"This study certainly gives hope to women diagnosed with short cervix," said Welch, who added that progesterone is a fairly inexpensive treatment, generally costing less than $100 for therapy throughout pregnancy. And, he said, it appears to be safe to use in pregnancy.
As to why one study showed a benefit while the other didn't, Thorp said it's likely that there are likely numerous pathways or mechanisms that lead to preterm birth, and there will likely have to be numerous therapies to prevent each type of preterm birth. It could also be that one study used injectable progesterone, while the other was administered vaginally, or it might be that twins or triplets need higher doses of progesterone.
"There are a lot of things we try to prevent preterm birth, but few are effective. In women with a history of preterm delivery, preliminary studies have shown progesterone can reduce preterm birth and there are no birth defects associated with it. We don't have anything else to offer women with a history of preterm birth. And we haven't had really had anything to offer women with a short cervix up to this point. Unfortunately, it looks like with twins, we still don't have a lot to offer," Welch said.
More information
To learn more about preterm labor and birth, visit the March of Dimes.
A pair of studies in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that progesterone didn't help prevent preterm birth for women carrying twins or triplets, but it was helpful in women carrying a single baby who also had a condition known as short cervix.
"The phenomenon of preterm birth is complex and there are probably multiple pathways involved so, ultimately, we will probably have to have multiple solutions," said Dr. John Thorp, a co-author on the twin study and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Preterm birth is defined as birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. About 12 percent -- or one in eight -- of babies born in the United States are born preterm, according to the March of Dimes. The earlier a baby is born, the more likely it is that the baby will have health or developmental problems.
In the first study, researchers randomly assigned 661 women who were pregnant with twins to receive weekly injections of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) or a placebo injection. The injections began at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation and ended at 35 weeks.
The researchers found that 17P was not effective in preventing preterm birth. Delivery or fetal death before 35 weeks' gestation occurred in 41.5 percent of the pregnancies in the 17P group and in 37.3 percent of the pregnancies receiving placebo. Serious adverse events to the baby occurred in 20 percent of the 17P group and 18 percent of the placebo group, according to the study.
"This therapy that we hoped would be a magic bullet in the prevention of preterm birth was not effective for twins," Thorp said.
In the second study, researchers compared the use of vaginal progesterone to a placebo in women with a short cervix. A short cervix develops sometime during early to mid-pregnancy, according to Dr. Robert Welch, chairman and program director of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John's Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich. Experts aren't sure exactly what causes a woman to develop a short cervix, but it's not something that can be predicted ahead of time, he noted.
For this study, British researchers measured the cervical length of nearly 25,000 pregnant women. They found 413 (1.7 percent) had a short cervix. From that group, they randomized 250 of the women to receive either 200 milligrams of vaginal progesterone, administered nightly, or a placebo.
In this population, researchers found a significant benefit from the progesterone therapy. Delivery before 34 weeks of gestation occurred in 19.2 percent of those receiving progesterone vs. 34.4 percent of those on placebo.
"This study certainly gives hope to women diagnosed with short cervix," said Welch, who added that progesterone is a fairly inexpensive treatment, generally costing less than $100 for therapy throughout pregnancy. And, he said, it appears to be safe to use in pregnancy.
As to why one study showed a benefit while the other didn't, Thorp said it's likely that there are likely numerous pathways or mechanisms that lead to preterm birth, and there will likely have to be numerous therapies to prevent each type of preterm birth. It could also be that one study used injectable progesterone, while the other was administered vaginally, or it might be that twins or triplets need higher doses of progesterone.
"There are a lot of things we try to prevent preterm birth, but few are effective. In women with a history of preterm delivery, preliminary studies have shown progesterone can reduce preterm birth and there are no birth defects associated with it. We don't have anything else to offer women with a history of preterm birth. And we haven't had really had anything to offer women with a short cervix up to this point. Unfortunately, it looks like with twins, we still don't have a lot to offer," Welch said.
More information
To learn more about preterm labor and birth, visit the March of Dimes.
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