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• organic food
• natural foods
• organic food store
• eat organic
• shop organic
• environmentally-friendly
• pesticides
• fresh

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

If your idea of an organic meal consists of dry tofu and a handful of nuts, then think again. It is no longer a world of unconvincing fake meat and alfalfa sprouts. World-class beef, produce, dairy products, even chocolate and coffee are organically made. Shopping and eating organic is not only good for you, it's good for the planet. Below is a crash course on organic and natural foods that may have you eating better before you can say “environmentally-friendly free-range chicken”.

If you haven't noticed the increased quantity and variety of organic foods and organic food stores then it's a safe bet that you need to get out more. This trend may have you wondering if organic foods are healthier or safer. Are they worth the extra money and how do they taste? And what does “free-range”, “grass-fed”, and “fair-trade” even mean?

To meet the organic standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture an organic food is one that is grown without pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients, herbicides, antibiotics, bioengineering, hormones, or ionizing radiation. Organic animal products come from animals that are fed 100% organic feed products, receive no antibiotics or growth hormones and have access to the outdoors. In addition, for a product to be labeled organic, it requires inspection and approval from a government-approved certifier to ensure that the farmer followed all the rules necessary to meet the USDA's standards. The certifier also ensures that the farmers use renewable resources that conserve the soil and water. Any company that handles the food in between must be certified organic as well.

According to kidshealth.org in order for foods to be labeled “organic” they can be:

100% organic: They're completely organic or made of all organic ingredients. Organic: They're at least 95% organic. Made with organic ingredients: The food contains at least 70% organic ingredients but can't have the organic seal on its package

In contrast, natural foods are minimally processed but don't have to adhere to the same meticulous standards that organic foods do. Natural foods normally have no artificial ingredients or preservatives and the meat and poultry is also minimally processed and free of artificial ingredients.

The USDA does not officially claim that organic foods are safer or more nutritious than those that are not considered organic. According to WebMD a large scale study conducted by the Consumers Union found that organically grown crops consistently had about one-third as many pesticide residues as conventionally grown crops. Organic foods are also far less likely to contain residues of more than one pesticide. However, experts agree that the best way to safeguard yourself from harmful pesticides is by thoroughly rinsing all fruits and vegetables regardless of if they are organic or not.

Besides lack of harmful pesticides there is another nutritional certainty of eating organic food and that is its freshness. If you want to get the most from your food, eat it while it's fresh. Nutrients such a vitamin C oxidize over time so the longer your food sits in the refrigerator or the longer it takes to ship to you, the less nutritional benefit it has. Organic farms tend to be smaller operations and sell their products closer to the point of harvest which results in fresher and more flavorable foods.

Regardless of proven nutritional value or health benefits more and more people are becoming fans of organic foods and are buying more and more of it. Sales have risen more than 20% every year in the past decade and the Food Marketing Institute says that more than half of Americans buy organic food at least once a month.

It's easy to find a well-rounded selection of organic products. Grocery stores offer organic produce, juices, cereals, baby food, dairy products, and more. In addition, many stores are 100% organic or natural. Oftentimes these stores are more expensive than your run of the mill grocery but it's up to the individual to decide if it's worth the extra money to ensure organic and natural food.

• kids and caffeine
• caffeine
• stimulant
• energetic
• nervous system
• caffeine consumption

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Most adults start off their mornings with a big steamy cup of caffeine- oh I mean coffee- just to get moving. We wouldn't even think about passing that same steamy cup of coffee to our kids but often times we pass around sodas and other sugary drinks without a moment's pause. So how exactly does caffeine affect our kids and how much is healthy?

The United States hasn't developed official guidelines to monitor caffeine intake for our kids but recommends that we keep our kids' caffeine consumption to a minimum. Canadian guidelines recommend that preschooler get no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine per day. 45 milligrams is equivalent to the caffeine found in an average 12 ounce can of soda or one 1.5 ounce chocolate bar.

Caffeine is officially referred to in the medical community as a drug due to its stimulating effects on the nervous system. Coffee is a stimulant that affects adults and kids similarly. At low levels it can make most people feel alert and more energetic. However, if too much caffeine is consumed by an adult or a child it can cause jitteriness and nervousness, an upset stomach, headaches, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure.

Below is a compilation from kidshealth.org of other reasons it's a good idea to limit your kid's caffeine consumption:

Kids who consume one or more 12-ounce (355-milliliter) sweetened soft drink per day are 60% more likely to be obese.

Not only do caffeinated beverages contain empty calories (calories that don't provide any nutrients), but kids who fill up on them don't get the vitamins and minerals they need from healthy sources, putting them at risk for nutritional deficiencies. In particular, kids who drink too much soda (which usually starts between the third and eighth grades) may miss getting the calcium they need from milk to build strong bones and teeth.

Drinking too many sweetened caffeinated drinks could lead to dental cavities (or caries) from the high sugar content and the erosion of tooth enamel from acidity. Not convinced that sodas can wreak that much havoc on kids' teeth? Consider this: One 12-ounce (355-milliliter) non-diet, carbonated soft drink contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar (49 milliliters) and 150 calories.

Caffeine is a diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water (through urinating), which may contribute to dehydration. Whether the amount of caffeine in beverages is enough to actually cause dehydration is not clear, however. It may depend on whether the person drinking the beverage is used to caffeine and how much caffeine was consumed that day. To be on the safe side, it's wise to avoid excessive caffeine consumption in hot weather, when kids need to replace water lost through perspiration.

Abruptly stopping caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms (headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability), especially for those who are used to consuming a lot.

Caffeine can aggravate heart problems or nervous disorders, and some kids may not be aware that they're at risk.

One thing that caffeine doesn't do is stunt growth. Although scientists once worried that caffeine could hinder growth, this isn't supported by research.

According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration kids can be exposed to caffeine in any of the following forms: coffee, tea, chocolate, coffee ice cream, frozen yogurt, pain relievers and other over-the-counter medicines. The best way to cut caffeine from your child's diet is to eliminate soda. Instead of serving your kids soda try to stick with water, milk, flavored seltzer or 100% fruit juice. It's alright to serve the occasional soda or tea, just try to make it non-caffeinated. It's OK to let your kids indulge in a piece of chocolate cake at birthday parties or a cup of tasty hot cocoa on a cold day- these treats don't pack enough of a caffeine punch to be harmful. As with everything, moderation is the key to keeping your kids' caffeine consumption under control.

• cancer
• HPV
• HPV vaccine
• gardisil
• chemotherapy
• vaccination

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question. Following a period of much hype and speculation, in June 2006 The Food and Drug Administration approved Merck's human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine, otherwise known as Gardisil for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. A myriad of health professional groups including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially recommended the vaccine which also helps prevent cervical cancer. However, despite all efforts statistics show that only two out of every 10 women in the approved age groups have gotten the vaccine and now a new debate is popping up around the country regarding whether school systems should require girls and young women to get the HPV vaccine.

But let's start at the beginning. HPV or human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections on the planet- as many as 80 percent of women will be exposed to HPV at some point in time in their lives. According to Newsweek the virus usually causes no symptoms, is harmless and goes away on its own. However, certain varieties of HPV (there are about 100 altogether) are particularly aggressive. Two varieties- HPV 16 and 18- cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Caught early, the disease can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. If untreated, it can be painful and fairly gruesome. Until the Pap smear was introduced in the 1940's, cervical cancer was the No. 1 cancer killer among women. Since then routine screenings have made enormous strides in radically decreasing the number of cases in the United States. But the disease is far from eradicated. It's still the second most common cancer in women and according to the 2003 World Cancer Report every year, half a million women are diagnosed with the cancer and close to 250,000 die from it.

The vaccination referred to as Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, protects against the two aggressive strains of HPV- strains 16 and 18- that lead to cervical cancer. In clinical trials involving about 21,000 women, the vaccine showed notable results- nearly 100 percent protection from HPV 16 and 18, which cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Gardisil also protects against 90 percent of genital warts in men and women which are caused by another HPV strain. It also appears to prevent lesions that could lead to vaginal and vulvar cancers.

To be most effective it must be administered to girls before they are sexually active and it's not beneficial for women that already have HPV. It's been approved for those as young as 9 years old. And it is now up to individual states to determine if immunization should be required in school. But many religious and conservative groups that advocate abstinence oppose mandatory HPV vaccinations. Other reasons that may explain the low number of people being immunized also include the high cost and inconvenience- it typically costs $360 for three shots taken over six months, a lack of awareness regarding HPV and cervical cancer, the low number of regular physician visits among the age group (females age 9-26), and parent's unease over immunizing their kids against a disease contracted through sexual activity.

It's essential that vaccinations among tweens increase so that they are immunized before they may be exposed to the virus. Currently, health officials are trying to target tweens with the concept of an "adolescent platform" of vaccinations that includes Gardasil. Preferably, preteens would get immunizations including the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (or MCV4), the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine (or Tdap) and the HPV vaccine.

At this juncture it's still too early to tell if or when immunity may wane and whether women will need to get booster shots later in life. But according to Newsweek, levels of the antibody to HPV appear to stay high for at least five years. Even if another dose is needed later in life, health officials are confident that multiple doses of the HPV vaccine are safe. Dr. Amanda Dempsey of the University of Michigan explains, “It's not biologically possible to get HPV from the vaccine, which contains no live or killed virus and no virus like particles.” The most common side effect has been pain at the injection site.

• healthy
• symptoms
• sleep disorder problems
• sleep disorders
• quantity and quality of sleep
• chronic

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Sleep disorder problems haunt a vast number of people nightly. Chronic sleep disorders can be the result of a specific event or health condition, or they can surface for no apparent reason. But we all know that when we're not sleeping well, just a few rough days can trigger a downward spiral.

It's important to look at both the quantity and the quality of sleep to detect a problem. As found on health.com when it comes to sleep quality, problems aren't always obvious to the people who suffer from them. An insomniac who lies awake at night can easily tell that something is wrong, but someone with sleep apnea who repeatedly stops breathing in his sleep might have no idea there's a problem.

The most significant sign of a sleeping disorder is how you feel during the day. If you generally wake up alert and refreshed, you're a healthy sleeper. If you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable, and unfocused and stay that way throughout the day, you may have a sleep disorder.

"No matter what is bothering you, whether its difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, snoring, restless legs, fatigue and exhaustion during the day these conditions are not normal; they're not just something you should have to live with," says Gary Zammit, PhD, director of the Sleep Disorders Institute in New York City. “You don't have to wait until a sleep disorder destroys your life before you get help.”

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if you may have a sleep disorder problem:

Am I experiencing performance or concentration problems during the day? Have my mood and social capabilities suffered? Do I feel refreshed and rested most mornings, or am I fatigued and not looking forward to starting the day?

Below is a list of some of the more common sleep disorders and symptoms associated with each according to health.com.

Insomnia The medical term for difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is insomnia. Insomnia can include: Difficulty getting to sleep (taking more than 45 minutes to fall asleep). Frequent awakenings with inability to fall back to sleep. Early morning awakening. Feeling very tired after a night of sleep.

But insomnia usually is not a problem unless it makes you feel tired during the day. If you are less sleepy at night or wake up early but still feel rested and alert, there usually is little need to worry. Fortunately, home treatment measures successfully relieve occasional insomnia.

Occasional insomnia may be caused by noise, extreme temperatures, jet lag, changes in your sleep environment, or a change in your sleep pattern, such as shift work. Insomnia may also be caused by temporary or situational life stresses, such as a traumatic event or an impending deadline. Your insomnia is likely to disappear when the cause of your sleep problem goes away.

Short-term insomnia may last from a few nights to a few weeks and be caused by worry over a stressful situation or by jet lag.

Long-term insomnia, which may last months or even years, may be caused by:

• Advancing age. Insomnia occurs more frequently in adults older than  age 60.

• Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, or mania.

• Medicines. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause sleep problems.

• Chronic pain, which often develops after a major injury or illness, such as shingles or back problems, or after a limb has been amputated (phantom limb pain).

• Other physical problems, such as asthma, coronary artery disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Alcohol and illegal drug use or withdrawal.

• Cigarettes and other tobacco use.

• Drinking or eating foods that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, or soft drinks (for example, Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew).

Sleep apnea Sleep apnea is one of several sleep disorders. Sleep apnea refers to repeated episodes of not breathing during sleep for at least 10 seconds (apneic episodes). It usually is caused by a blockage in the nose, mouth, or throat (upper airways). When airflow through the nose and mouth is blocked, breathing may stop for 10 seconds or longer. People who have sleep apnea usually snore loudly and are very tired during the day. It can affect children and adults. See pictures of a normal upper airway during sleep and a blocked upper airway.

Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that has distinct symptoms, including: Sudden sleep attacks, which may occur during any type of activity at any time of day. You may fall asleep while engaged in an activity such as eating dinner, driving the car, or carrying on a conversation. These sleep attacks can occur several times a day and may last from a few minutes to several hours. Sudden, brief periods of muscle weakness while you are awake (cataplexy). This weakness may affect specific muscle groups or may affect the entire body. Cataplexy is often brought on by strong emotional reactions, such as laughing or crying. Hallucinations just before a sleep attack. Brief loss of the ability to move when you are falling asleep or just waking up (sleep paralysis).

Parasomnias Parasomnias are undesirable physical activities that occur during sleep involving skeletal muscle activity, nervous system changes, or both. Night terrors and sleepwalking are two types of parasomnias. Sleep can be difficult for people who experience parasomnias. While "asleep," a person with parasomnia may walk, scream, rearrange furniture, eat odd foods, or pick up a weapon.

Parasomnia can cause odd, distressing, and sometimes dangerous nighttime activities. These disorders have medically explainable causes and usually are treatable.

Restless legs syndrome Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that produces an intense feeling of discomfort, aching, or twitching deep inside the legs. Jerking movements may affect the toes, ankles, knees, and hips. Moving the legs or walking around usually relieves the discomfort for a short time.

The exact cause of restless legs syndrome is not known. The symptoms of restless legs syndrome most often occur while a person is asleep or is trying to fall asleep. The twitching or jerking leg movements may wake the person up, causing insomnia, unrestful sleep, and daytime sleepiness.

When a sleep problem or lack of time keeps you from getting a good night's sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness may occur. While almost everyone experiences daytime sleepiness from time to time, it can have serious consequences such as motor vehicle accidents, poor work or school performance, and work-related accidents. Sleep problems can also be a symptom of a medical or mental health problem. It is important to consider whether a medical or mental health problem is causing you to sleep poorly. Treating a long-term sleep problem without looking for the root cause may conceal the real reason for your inadequate sleep.

Visit your doctor if you suspect any type of sleep disorder problem. Besides disrupting your schedule, they may carry serious long-term health risks including depression, substance abuse, high blood pressure, and heart disease. With lifestyle changes, therapy, or medications, sleep disorders are largely manageable. The right treatment can largely enrich your days and your nights.

• How much sleep should I get
• how much sleep is needed
• guidelines for sleep
• sleep quality and quantity

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Sleep is one of the richest and most studied topics in science today. The necessity for all living things to submerge into a daily state of subconscious in order to live well and thrive- it's fascinating. Scientists have been examining the guidelines for sleep for decades and unlocking the answers to an array of questions along the way- why we need it, why it can be hard to get, how much we need and how it affects our lives. So how much sleep should I get?

According to health.com there's no normal number of hours that quantifies a good sleep, just like there's no normal shoe size. Most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Others seem to manage just fine with six hours of sleep a night. A British study conducted in 2007 found that people who slept the same amount of time, seven hours each night lived longer than people who adjusted their schedules to either add or subtract ‘hours from their nightly slumber.

“Finding your own ideal sleep/wake cycle and staying consistent is key to healthy sleep,” explains Dr. Carol Ash, medical director of the Sleep for Life center in Hillsborough, N.J.

Daniel, Kripke, co-director of research at the Scripps Clinic Sleep Center in La Jolla, CA has been studying guidelines for sleep according to the Time Magazine website and is helping to answer the question, ‘how much sleep should I get?' In 2002, he compared death rates among more than 1 million American adults who, as part of a study on cancer prevention, reported their average nightly amount of sleep. His studies show that people, who sleep between 6.5 and 7.5 hours a night, live the longest. And people who sleep 8 hours or more, or less than 6.5 hours a night don't live quite as long. He believes that just as much risk is associated with sleeping too long as with sleeping too short.

It's possible to get too much sleep. Spending an excess amount of time in bed can even be a sign of other health problems such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome. Morbidity and sickness is “U-shaped” in the sense that consistent very short sleep and consistent overly long sleep are associated with many illnesses including depression, obesity, and heart disease.

“I think we can speculate about why people who sleep from 6.5 to 7.5 hr. live longer, but we have to admit that we don't really understand the reasons. We don't really know yet what is cause and what is effect. So we don't know if a short sleeper can live longer by extending their sleep, and we don't know if a long sleeper can live longer by setting the alarm clock a bit earlier. We're hoping to organize tests of those questions,” Kripke explains.

But don't sell yourself short, that doesn't mean that you can shave off hours of much needed rest without consequence. In the same British study mentioned above, scientists found that people who are consistently sleep deprived (defined as sleeping five hours or less a night) are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems- especially women.

Insufficient sleep also raises your risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and automobile accidents. Plus, a 2007 University of California:Berkeley study confirmed the obvious: Sleep deprivation directly affects areas of the brain that deal with mood and concentration, leaving tired people grumpy, overly emotional, and unable to focus.

As with anything in life, moderation is essential. Red wine is good for the heart, but it's important not to overdo it. Exercise if good, but in moderation. Guidelines for sleep are much the same. So how much sleep should I get? Getting either too much or too little sleep can have health complications. Try getting between 6.5 and 8 hours of sleep per night. Try to avoid getting less than 6.5 hours, nor more than 9 hours a night. And try to get the same amount of sleep most nights.