A Healthy Take
Commuters exposed to
pollution in car
If you live a relatively healthy life
and don�t smoke, chances are the unhealthiest part of your day is your
daily commute, researchers say. A study by
University
of
Southern California
(www.usc.edu) and the California Air Resources Board (www.arb.ca.gov) found
that up to half of
Los Angeles
residents� total exposure to harmful air pollutants occurs while people
are traveling in their vehicles. Although the average driver in
Los Angeles
spends only about 6 percent of their day on the road, that period of time
accounts for between 33 percent and 45 percent of their total exposure to
diesel and ultrafine particles (UFP), the researchers say.
�Urban dwellers with long commutes are
probably getting most of their UFP exposure while driving,� says Scott
Fruin, assistant professor of environmental health at USC. Ultrafine
particles are of concern because they tend to be more toxic than larger-size
particles, he says. �Shortening your commute and spending less time in the
car will significantly reduce your total body burden of harmful
pollutants.�
Rosemary is good for
your brain
The herb rosemary contains an ingredient
that fights off damage to the brain. The active ingredient in rosemary can
protect the brain from stroke and neurodegenerative conditions such as
Alzheimer�s, and also from normal aging, a collaborative group of
researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (www. burnham.org)
say. The ingredient, carnosic acid, protects the brain cells from free
radicals. The findings were originally reported in The Journal of
Neurochemistry and Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Rosemary comes from a shrubby evergreen
bush with needlelike leaves. It has trusses of flowers that can be white,
pink, purple or blue. Rosemary derives its name from the Latin rosemarinus,
which translates as �dew of the sea.� Rosemary has a long history as a
memory aid. It was also used in the past at weddings to symbolize love and
loyalty.
More veggies, less
alcohol
A new report by the World Cancer
Research Fund (www.wcrf.org) has found that dietary changes are essential to
reduce the risk of cancer. Here are the recommendations based on the Food,
Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Per�spec��tive
(2007) report.
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Be as lean as possible without
becoming underweight. |
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Be physically active for at least 30
minutes every day. |
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Limit consumption of energy-dense
food (foods high in fats and/or added sugars and/or low in fiber) and
avoid sugary drinks. |
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Eat more of a variety of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains and pulses (the edible seeds of legumes � peas,
beans and lentils). |
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Limit consumption of red meats (such
as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats. |
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If consumed at all, limit alcoholic
drinks to two for men and one for women per day. |
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Limit consumption of salty foods and
foods processed with salt (sodium). |
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Don�t use supplements to protect
against cancer. |
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It is best for mothers to breastfeed
exclusively for up to six months and then add other liquids and foods. |
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After treatment, cancer survivors
should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention. |
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Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
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