Dr Weil's Daily Health Tips

Definition of Health (Video)

Dr. Weil — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:12 +0000

Health is far more than the absence of illness. Dr. Weil discusses his positive conception of health, and how that can inform the process of achieving and maintaining a healthy body and brain.

What does health mean to you?

Looking for more videos? Check out Dr. Weil's YouTube channel for a great selection.

Why Happy Marriage is Risky

Dr. Weil — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:43:58 +0000

The problem is not what you would expect: new research has shown that happier marriages seem to foster a tendency to gain weight. These findings were a surprise because earlier research has shown that happy marriage is beneficial to health in that these couples more likely to take medications on time and to schedule annual physicals, according to study leader Andrea Meltzer, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Southern Methodist University in Texas. But Meltzer noted that the role of marital satisfaction and actual health is less clear. In this study, the couples who kept their weight in check were those who were dissatisfied with their marriages and potentially would consider divorce and the need to attract another mate. This indicates that these couples viewed weight in terms of appearance, rather than health. The investigators tracked 169 newlywed couples for four years. The couples checked in with the research team twice a year reporting on their marital satisfaction and steps, if any, toward divorce. They also reported on their height and weight. The investigators concluded that happy newlyweds should be encouraged to think about their weight as a health issue. The study was published online on March 11, 2013 by Health Psychology.

Source:
Andrea L. Meltzer et al, “Marital Satisfaction Predicts Weight Gain in Early Marriage”. Health Psychology. March 11, 2013. [Epub ahead of print]

This May Add Years to Your Life

Dr. Weil — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:03:48 +0000

Here’s more good news about fish oil. We’ve known for some time that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon and other cold water fish, is good for the heart. New research has now shown that seniors whose omega-3 levels are highest outlive those whose levels are lowest by an average of 2.2 years. Researchers from Harvard and the University of Washington reported study findings that elderly adults with the highest blood levels of omega-3s may reduce their risk of death by up to 27 percent and cut their risk of death from heart disease by about 35 percent.

What’s Your Preferred Source of Fat? (Poll)

Dr. Weil — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:24:44 +0000

A recent Q&A discussed incorporating coconut oil into your daily diet and new research associated with the source of fat: New View of Coconut Oil? Check out the article and tell us what source of fat your prefer to include in your diet!

Beware Black Henna

Dr. Weil — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:21:34 +0000

This warning comes from the FDA, which has been receiving reports of serious and long lasting reactions to black henna, the dye sometimes used for some temporary tattoos. Adverse reactions reported to the agency include redness, blisters, raised red weeping lesions, loss of skin pigmentation, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and even permanent scarring. The reactions can develop immediately after getting a temporary tattoo or up to two or three weeks later. Not everyone who gets these tattoos is affected. “Black henna” is often substituted for traditional red henna (which has been safely used for centuries) to create darker and longer-lasting tattoos. In addition to reactions to black henna, you should be aware that some inks sold as black henna may be combinations of red henna plus coal-tar hair dye containing p-phenylenediamine (PPD), an ingredient known to sometimes cause dangerous skin reactions. Sometimes, tattoo artists may use a PPD-containing hair dye alone. By law, PPD is not permitted in cosmetics intended to be applied to the skin. States have jurisdiction over tattoo parlors and regulations differ from state to state (some may not have any regulations). If you develop a reaction to a temporary tattoo, see your doctor and also report the reaction to the FDA’s MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Source:
“Temporary Tattoos May Put You at Risk”, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, accessed March 28, 2013, http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm343932.htm

2013 Nutrition & Health Conference (Photos)

Dr. Weil — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:15:33 +0000

Seattle, Wash., played host to the 2013 Nutrition & Health Conference. I am delighted that the conference completed its tenth year and is stronger than ever!

(Next year's conference will be in Dallas, Texas. Find out more from the Nutrition & Health Conference's website.)

Check out the delicious recipes found in this photo album:

Walking Away from Hot Flashes

Dr. Weil — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:14:24 +0000

Get moving if you want to dial down the effects of hot flashes. New research from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation at the University of Pittsburgh tracked 27 white and 25 African American menopausal women ages 54 to 63 who were dealing with hot flashes and night sweats. The women wore sleep monitors when they went to bed, kept diaries and completed questionnaires on their daily activities including household chores and the amount of physical effort each required - light, moderate or vigorous. They also reported on the amount of exercise they performed and their participation in sports. The results showed that more activity meant better sleep, despite the hot flashes. The exercise the women reported was mainly related to household chores, not sports or exercise. Improved sleep occurred most often in white women who were not obese. The investigators said that more research is needed to see why African-American women and obese women didn’t seem to get the benefits of physical activity connected with housekeeping and caregiving. The study was published online March 25, 2013 by the journal Menopause.

Source:
Maya J. Lambiase, Rebecca C.S. Thurston, “Physical activity and sleep among midlife women with vasomotor symptoms.” Menopause, March 25, 2013 doi: 10.1097/GME.0b013e3182844110:

Easy Path to Meditation

Dr. Weil — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:19:41 +0000

The benefits of meditation make it well worth learning the basics. Practiced regularly, it can help lower stress, reduce blood pressure, slow a racing heart, increase blood flow, and promote relaxation. The good news is that you may be able to put yourself in that enviable space with a simple walk in the park, according to a new study from the U.K. Researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found that the brain enters a meditative state when you’re in "green space."

How Would You Describe Your Diet? (Poll)

Dr. Weil — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:37:02 +0000

A recent Q&A discussed the possibility that carbohydrates may influence mental decline: Can Carbs Cause Alzheimer's? Check out the article and tell us how you would describe your daily diet!

Greek Coffee for Longer Life

Dr. Weil — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:03:24 +0000

Residents of Ikaria, an island off the coast of Greece, are famous for living long and healthy lives. A team of researchers from the University of Athens looking for the key to the longevity on Ikaria suspect that it may be the Greek coffee the islanders boil and drink daily. Other studies have shown that coffee has a beneficial effect on the endothelium, the cells lining blood vessels, and that regularly consuming coffee may reduce the risks of heart disease. To investigate the effect of coffee on the health of seniors who have spent their lives on Ikaria, the research team randomly selected 71 men and 71 women from 673 islanders over the age of 65. To account for possible contributing factors, they checked the participants' blood pressure, determined whether they had diabetes or other medical conditions, tested their endothelial function and gathered health and lifestyle information via questionnaires. The investigators found that 87 percent of their study participants drank boiled Greek coffee daily and that those who did had better endothelial function than participants who reported drinking other kinds of coffee. More studies will be needed to determine exactly how Greek coffee benefits cardiovascular health, the researchers wrote.