(HealthDay News) A shopping trip-a-day may help keep the doctor away, not to mention the Grim Reaper, a new study from Taiwan suggests.

Researchers there found that elderly people who go shopping daily live longer than their less shopping-prone peers…

"Frequent shopping among the elderly is related to increased walking -- a low-impact physical activity that can improve heart health as well as balance and coordination," said Kelly D. Horton, a research and policy specialist at the Center for Healthy Aging in Washington, D.C.

"Shopping provides an enjoyable activity and helps older adults feel included in their community," continued Horton. "In addition to physical activity, frequent shopping among older adults has also been related to improved nutrition intake."

This last point may simply be because more trips to the store means more healthy food in the house, said the authors.

Read more.

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(University of Western Ontario) New research from The University of Western Ontario has discovered a substance in tangerines not only prevents obesity, but also offers protection against type 2 diabetes, and even atherosclerosis, the underlying disease responsible for most heart attacks and strokes. Murray Huff [and a colleague] studied the effects of a flavonoid in tangerines called Nobiletin…

[M]ice were fed a "western" diet high in fats and simple sugars. One group became obese and showed all the signs associated with metabolic syndrome: elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood levels of insulin and glucose, and a fatty liver. These metabolic abnormalities greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The second group of mice, fed the exact same diet but with Nobiletin added, experienced no elevation in their levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin or glucose, and gained weight normally…

"The Nobiletin-treated mice were basically protected from obesity," says Huff… "And in longer-term studies, Nobiletin also protected these animals from atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This study really paves the way for future studies to see if this is a suitable treatment for metabolic syndrome and related conditions in people."

Read more.

Community: I found two supplements that claim to contain Nobiletin: Sytrinol and PureWay C. They’re probably not available at your local grocery store. I buy my supplements online, anyway. They’re much cheaper.

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(Science Daily) Eating strawberries may be a way to help people at risk of esophageal cancer protect themselves from the disease, according to a new study…

Previously published research by [Dr. Tong] Chen and colleagues found that freeze-dried strawberries significantly inhibited tumor development in the esophagus of rats. Based on these results, the researchers embarked on a phase Ib clinical trial in China to investigate the effects of freeze-dried strawberries on patients with esophageal precancerous lesions.

"We found that daily consumption of strawberries suppressed various biomarkers involved in esophageal carcinogenesis, including cell proliferation, inflammation and gene transcription," Chen said.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Despite international guidelines that suggest cutting caffeine to counter urinary incontinence, a new study finds that coffee or tea may not have much effect on the condition.

In a study of more than 14,000 Swedish twins, researchers found that drinking tea did not significantly increase the odds of having a leaky bladder. When age was taken into account, coffee drinkers had a somewhat decreased risk of the urinary disorder.

Read more.

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(Andrew Weil, M.D.) A good source of vitamins K and C, potassium and folate, asparagus is a perennial with 20 edible varieties. A springtime favorite, it may help support heart health, healthy fluid balance and prevent birth defects. Asparagus is prized worldwide as a gourmet vegetable, yet it is easy to grow, fairly inexpensive to buy and simple to cook…

When selecting asparagus, look for stems that are thin and firm, with closed tips that are deep green or purple in color. When preparing to eat, an easy way to determine where to cut the ends of asparagus stems is to hold one stalk and break it - wherever the break naturally occurs is your guideline for trimming the rest of the stalks.

Read more.

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Cooking Light:

Best Spring Menus
Enjoy the best menus of the season—al fresco entertaining, Easter celebrations, easy picnics, and family meals.

MyRecipes.com:

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens
Introduce your taste buds to Vietnamese cuisine with this quick and easy soup. The rich broth, aromatic herbs, and tender steak will leave you wanting more.

Quick and Spicy Asian Noodle Salad

Asian Beef and Noodle Stir-fry

Thai Chicken Supper

EatingWell:

Spring Chicken & Blue Cheese Salad
This main-dish chicken salad has bright flavors of tarragon in a creamy blue cheese dressing with just a touch of sweetness from honey.

Pear & Blue Cheese Flatbread

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken & White Bean Salad

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(SouthBeachDiet.com) Here’s a tip from budget-conscious cooks: Take advantage of sales and maximize your freezer by buying food in bulk. Not only can this save you time, but it can also save you money — especially when buying meat. Just follow these tips for thawing frozen food, since leaving it out to defrost all day is dangerous.

The key to defrosting foods is to keep them at a safe temperature during the thawing process. As soon as food begins to defrost and become warmer than 40°F, bacteria can start to grow and spread. That’s why food should never be thawed and kept on the kitchen counter or placed in warm water.

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(Science Daily) A new pathway has been discovered that links a common dietary lipid and intestinal microflora with an increased risk of heart disease, according to a Cleveland Clinic study…

When fed to mice, lecithin and [its metabolite] choline were converted to a heart disease-forming product by the intestinal microbes, which promoted fatty plaque deposits to form within arteries (atherosclerosis); in humans, higher blood levels of choline and the heart disease forming microorganism products are strongly associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk…

[Said Stanley Hazen, M.D., Ph.D.,] "These studies suggest we can intelligently design a heart healthy yogurt or other form of probiotic for preventing heart disease in the future. It also appears there is a need for considering the risk vs. benefits of some commonly used supplements."

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) People with high blood pressure and impaired glucose tolerance seem to fare equally well when given two separate types of heart drugs, new research suggests.

Although an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and a calcium channel blocker were both effective in this patient population, one difference did emerge…: People taking Diovan (valsartan), an ARB, had a lower incidence of being hospitalized for congestive heart failure.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) By giving more intensive chemotherapy along with drugs designed to boost the body's own immune system, researchers were able to roughly double survival time for patients with advanced, metastatic colorectal cancer compared to patients receiving standard chemotherapy alone.

In fact, the trial, results of which are being presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando, was stopped early because of the promising findings.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Research … has found that metformin, a drug treatment used to treat diabetes and also in women with polycystic vary syndrome (PCOS), may potentially provide protection against endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract and the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK and the US.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Poor overall health seems to be associated with worse outcomes for breast cancer survivors, according to the results of a new study…

Women with poor physical health scores had a 27 percent increased risk of experiencing either a recurrence of their breast cancer or a new breast cancer, and a 65 percent increased risk of death from any cause, the researchers said.

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(UPI) Omega-3 fatty acids -- fish body oils -- may be a safe and beneficial booster for tamoxifen therapy for women with breast cancer, U.S. researchers say…

The study found omega-3 fatty acids produced a sign of lower cancer severity, compared to corn oil, but the combination of fish oil and tamoxifen reduced the expression of genes linked to tumor growth and spreading of cancer.

"If a tumor was being treated with tamoxifen, the addition of an omega-3 fatty acid diet seemed to make the tumor, at least at the molecular level, more benign and less aggressive and responsive to tamoxifen," [Dr. Jose] Russo says in a statement.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) In a large multi-center clinical trial, a new PSA test to screen for prostate cancer more accurately identified men with prostate cancer -- particularly the aggressive form of the disease -- and substantially reduced false positives compared to the two currently available commercial PSA tests, according to newly published research from Northwestern Medicine.

The only currently available Food and Drug Administration-approved screening tests for prostate cancer result in a high number of false positives and lead to unnecessary biopsies and possible over-detection and over-treatment of indolent cancer which never would have caused suffering or death.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of medications that are commonly prescribed to treat type-2 diabetes, while fibrates are a structurally-related class of medications that are prescribed to modulate lipid levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. These drugs work by binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)…

Another effect of TZDs and fibrates is to raise leptin levels, an effect that may reduce appetite. Recent studies also suggest that PPARs are expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in brain regions implicated in reward.

Two papers … now suggest that drugs that stimulate two different subclasses of PPARs … may play roles in the treatment of nicotine and alcohol addiction …

It is important to note that these exciting initial findings are only the beginning steps in a line of research that will need to be undertaken before TZDs or fibrates could be used in a clinical setting to treat people with addictions.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A device designed to treat people with resistant hypertension helped lower blood pressure by 33 points, a substantial drop that would otherwise require patients to take an additional three or four drugs, on top of this subgroup's usual regimen of up to five drugs, to control their difficult-to-treat condition…

Though the therapy led to a considerable drop in blood pressure and had a good safety profile, it did not meet all of the study goals. Another, more focused trial testing the device is needed before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider approving the treatment, according to physicians who led the study.

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(Science Daily) Devices which could be used to rehabilitate the arms and hands of people who have experienced a stroke have been developed by researchers at the University of Southampton…

Three tactile devices were developed and tested on patients who had had a stroke and on healthy participants. The devices were: a 'vibration' tactile device, which users felt provided a good indication of touch but did not really feel as if they were holding anything; a 'motor-driven squeezer' device, which users said felt like they were holding something, a bit like catching a ball; and a 'shape memory alloy' device which has thermal properties and creates a sensation like picking up a cup of tea.

Dr [Geoff] Merrett adds: "We now have a number of technologies, which we can use to develop sensation. This technology can be used on its own as a stand-alone system to help with sensory rehabilitation or it could be used alongside existing health technologies such as rehabilitation robots or gaming technologies which help patient rehabilitation."

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Patients prescribed higher doses of powerful painkillers are more likely to die of an accidental overdose on those drugs, according to a new study.

The finding is the latest addition to the debate in the medical community over how to balance the needs of patients in severe pain against the high potential for misuse and abuse of opioid drugs, which include Oxycontin and Vicodin.

Read more.

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(UPI) More people have died because of human hatred than from any other human cause, a U.S. professor says.

"Yet we still do not know enough about how hatred works and how to prevent and combat it," John Shuford, director of the Gonzaga University Institute for Hate Studies, in Spokane, Wash., said in a statement.

The Gonzaga University Institute for Hate Studies is hosting the Second International Conference on Hate Studies Wednesday through Saturday in Spokane.

The conference purpose is to foster better understanding of the nature of hatred, develop more effective models and approaches for combating it and consider the implications for practice across many fields, Shuford said.

Read more.

Community: There seems to be in humans some built-in fear of the “other”, or anyone outside the clan or tribe, but according to Robert Sapolsky, writing in Foreign Affairs in 2006, “Humans may be hard-wired to get edgy around the Other, but our views on who falls into that category are decidedly malleable.” So there’s hope that we can overcome hatred and its consequences. But we have to have the will to do it.

In the current climate, some people are promoting hatred, for their own political benefit. Sadly, we all lose when they succeed.

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(Science Daily) It's been a puzzle why our two closest living primate relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, have widely different social traits, despite belonging to the same genus. Now, a comparative analysis of their brains shows neuroanatomical differences that may be responsible for these behaviors, from the aggression more typical of chimpanzees to the social tolerance of bonobos.

"What's remarkable is that the data appears to match what we know about the human brain and behavior," says Emory anthropologist James Rilling, who led the analysis. "The neural circuitry that mediates anxiety, empathy and the inhibition of aggression in humans is better developed in bonobos than in chimpanzees."

Read more.

Community: We are more closely related to bonobos than to chimpanzees, though strongly related to both. This research adds to knowledge about the genetic bases of some of our behaviors. I’d write a book about these built-in drives and how they might benefit us all, if I could ever find a publisher.

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(Science Daily) The Heart of New Ulm Project, which is merging environmental, peer leadership and individual interventions across an entire rural Minnesota community with the assistance of a healthcare system, worksites and the general community to prevent coronary heart disease, has shown a 24 percent reduction in the number of acute heart attacks in a five-quarter period, compared with the previous five-quarter period of evaluation…

"Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project is a 10-year initiative seeking to prevent the occurrence of heart attacks among a population of approximately 10,000 adult residents who reside in the region of New Ulm, Minnesota," said study co-author Jackie Boucher, MS… "This project is unique in that a healthcare system is supporting a community-driven project that encourages a large population to embrace lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and improved nutrition that could improve long-term heart health, with the assistance of local employers and innovative healthcare technology."

"Research, such as a 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, has shown that preventive care is the number one factor responsible for reducing cardiovascular mortality in the United States over the past 20 years," explained Thomas Knickelbine, MD.

Read more.

Community: A similar project in Canada reduced strokes.

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(Reader's Digest) Making a few small changes to your eating style can help you understand portion control, which will help you consume fewer calories and lose weight.

1. Switch to 10-inch plates
You can reduce calorie consumption by about 20 percent and lose nearly 2 pounds per month by switching from 12- to 10-inch plates. In a study conducted at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, diners choosing bigger plates took 52 percent more food and ate 45 percent more of it than those using smaller plates.

2. Shift to 6-inch bowls
Same logic. Teenagers studied at a camp cafeteria consumed 16 percent more cereal when given a bigger bowl.

3. Use smaller spoons
Ice cream is one of the foods dieters miss most. But you don’t have to give it up in order to lose weight. Study participants given 2-ounce spoons ate 14.5 percent less ice cream than those handed 3-ounce spoons. When a smaller spoon was combined with a smaller bowl, people at 57 percent less ice cream overall. This strategy holds true for soups, chili, and stews as well.

4. Wield a smaller knife.
Can’t resist cream cheese on your bagel or butter on your bread? Use a smaller, hors d’oeuvres knife to spread it. You’ll tend to use less.

Source

Community: And if you’re used to big servings on big plates and bowls, when you make the change to smaller portions you might benefit from eating more slowly and mindfully, enjoying each bite.

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(RealAge.com) Stuff your baked potato with the right tasty toppings and you might live longer. We're talking avocado, chopped broccoli, sunflower seeds, and other vitamin B-rich treats.

Specifically, you'll want to choose toppings high in vitamin B6 and B9 (folate), two nutrients that may downsize your risk of dying from stroke or heart disease, according to a recent study.

In the large 14-year Japanese study, men's intakes of B6 and B9 (folate) were linked to a lower risk of dying from heart failure; women's intakes were associated with a lower risk of dying from stroke, coronary disease, and cardiovascular disease. Seems B vitamins may help lower blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory substance that can damage the heart and the arteries if levels get too high.

Read more.

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MyRecipes.com:

Tarragon Chicken
Brighten up the flavor of basic chicken breast halves with fresh tarragon and lemon juice and cook in the skillet for about 7 minutes for quick weeknight dinner.

Chicken and Shiitake Marsala

Chicken Scaloppine over Broccoli Rabe

Chicken and Summer Vegetable Tostadas

EatingWell:

Grilled Tuna, Orange & Jicama Salad with Red Onion Dressing
This dinner salad is anything but ordinary! Crunchy jicama, sweet oranges, grilled tuna and a Mexican-inspired dressing combine to really fire up your taste buds.

Skewered Tuna Niçoise

Seared Tuna & Watercress with Scallion-Ginger Relish

Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad

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(HealthDay News) No doubt timed to coincide with the collective angst about the upcoming swimsuit season, a best-selling book detailing a trendy new diet made famous by the French is due out in the United States later this month.

Already, The Dukan Diet has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, according to the Web site of Random House, which is publishing the book here…

Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, calls the Dukan diet "Atkins reincarnated."

A diet with phases injects some fun, she said, "but the very limited nutrient intake makes this a poor diet to choose for healthy weight loss."

Diekman said the limits on carbohydrates aren't supported by science…

"A much better approach," Diekman added, "would be to choose smaller portions of whole grains, vegetables and fruits with lean protein, and low-fat dairy while limiting the amount of calories from added fats and sugars."

Read more.

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(Los Angeles Times) For patients who are obese and have Type 2 diabetes, gastric bypass can be a remarkable cure: After such surgery, more than three-quarters of such patients can significantly reduce or discontinue their diabetes drugs within a year, studies show… How to deliver benefits of bariatric surgery without the risks of major surgery?

One proposal: a 2-foot gastrointestinal "sleeve" that can be implanted through the mouth and that lines a small part of the large, or upper, intestine, just below the stomach…

The gastric sleeve "seems to capture some of the effect" by which gastric bypass surgery improves metabolic function in diabetics, said [Dr. Lee Kaplan, a consultant to GI Dynamics, the company that developed the gastrointestinal sleeve]. By lining a 2-foot portion of the intestine, it alters the complex mix of hormones secreted in the gut that affects appetite, digestion and metabolism.

Read more.

Community: I’m constantly amazed at the lengths to which people will go to avoid simply making the lifestyle changes (click the link and read the commentary below the article excerpt) that we know will reduce diabetes.

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(Science Daily) Researchers have identified a molecular switch that appears to be a common feature in the development of fatty liver disease. The discovery made in mice is consistent with data from human patients, suggesting that it may provide an underlying explanation for the development of fatty liver in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome…

"Fatty liver may be one reason for the further development of insulin resistance," [researcher Stephan] Herzig said. "It appears to contribute to some of the long-term complications and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular complications."

Read more.

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(UPI) Metabolic syndrome, conditions which increase heart disease and diabetes risk, may also increase liver cancer risk, U.S. researchers suggest…

The study found people with metabolic syndrome may be at increased risk of developing … two types of liver cancer.

"The prognosis for liver cancer is only marginally better than the prognosis for pancreatic cancer, with a five-year survival of approximately 10 percent," [Katherine] McGlynn says in a statement. "Prognosis is more favorable, however, when liver cancers are diagnosed at early stages when they are small and localized to the liver."

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(HealthDay News) In the latest analysis from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, researchers report that risks to postmenopausal women who were taking estrogen-only hormone therapy faded rapidly after they ended the treatment.

The study found that when women stopped taking estrogen, the risk of stroke and blood clots, which were elevated while they were on estrogen, dropped quickly in several years of follow-up after treatment…

"I think the findings are very reassuring. It doesn't appear that women have to be concerned about an increased risk of breast cancer from short-term use of estrogen therapy, and they might have a decreased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and even dying," said the study's lead author, Andrea LaCroix.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Breast cancer screening that includes MRI scans might help find cancers at an earlier stage in high-risk women, reducing the likelihood that the tumors will become advanced before they're diagnosed, a new study suggests.

Whether discovering tumors earlier means women at high genetic risk for breast cancer will live longer isn't clear yet, however.

"I think the main take-home message for women is that there are choices, and we have data to support them," said Dr. Monika L. Burness

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Some breast cancer survivors fear that eating foods containing soy will increase the risk of a cancer recurrence, but new research suggests that those worries appear to be unfounded.

"We did not see any evidence that soy intake after breast cancer increases the risk of recurrence or deaths [from breast cancer]," said Dr. Xiao Ou Shu…

"Our study indicated that soy food intake among breast cancer survivors is safe and may reduce the risk of recurrence," she said.

She emphasized she is talking about soy foods, such as tofu and soybeans, not soy supplements.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A nutrient found in carrots and sweet potatoes may prove key to fighting breast cancer at early stages, according to a new study…

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, could be a promising cancer therapy because it affects cell growth, proliferation, and survival. Although it is being tested in a number of clinical trials, so far its success at combating cancer has been inconsistent. However, Fernandez and her colleagues have now pinpointed critical aspects of retinoic acid's mode of action -- a potentially important step toward developing successful treatments for patients.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Extreme weight gain increases breast cancer survivors' risk of cancer recurrence and death, but moderate weight gain has no effect on outcomes, a new study finds…

"Most women are not gaining a large amount of weight following breast cancer diagnosis. But our analysis of the pooled data showed an association with poorer outcomes overall for those who do," lead researcher Bette Caan … said.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A Purdue University biochemist has demonstrated a process using nanotechnology to better assess whether cancer drugs hit their targets, which may help reduce drug side effects.

W. Andy Tao, an associate professor of biochemistry analytical chemistry, developed a nanopolymer that can be coated with drugs, enter cells and then removed to determine which proteins in the cells the drug has entered. Since they're water-soluble, Tao believes the nanopolymers also may be a better delivery system for drugs that do not dissolve in water effectively.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Oxford University scientists have developed a new method for delivering complex drugs directly to the brain, a necessary step for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Motor Neuron Disease and Muscular Dystrophy…

The team has successfully switched off a gene implicated in Alzheimer's disease in the brains of mice by exploiting exosomes -- tiny particles naturally released by cells. The exosomes, injected into the blood, are able to ferry a drug across the normally impermeable blood-brain barrier to the brain where it is needed.

Although this is a significant and promising result, there are a number of steps to be taken before this new form of drug delivery can be tested in humans in the clinic.

Read more.

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(UPI) Adherence to guideline-recommended outpatient therapies for heart failure significantly lowered the death rate of these patients, U.S. researchers found…

The [guidelines] include:

-- Three types of heart failure medications -- beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.

-- The use of cardiac resynchronization therapy, a device that helps coordinate heart contractions.

-- Anti-coagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation, to prevent clot formation in patients with an irregular heartbeat.

-- The use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices to deliver electrical shocks if potentially fatal heart rhythm abnormalities occur.

-- Heart-failure patient education.

Read more.

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(RealAge.com) "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, gosh darn it, people like me." Turns out a positive mantra like this is no joke. It might even be key to staying stress- and illness-free…

A recent study revealed that high self-esteem may help dampen the body's stress response. That in turn can mean less wear and tear on the heart and immune system…

So, bottom line, loving yourself more may mean your body is armored against stress. And how, exactly, can you love yourself more? Let us count the ways: For starters, spend lots of time with supportive friends and family members. Research suggests that a supportive social network is good for self-esteem. You can also use positive self-talk to help yourself feel better (really, it works!) And a journal or diary, where you write down your positive qualities and good deeds done, is a great self-esteem-builder as well. If you have trouble getting happy on your own, enlist the help of a therapist, a support group, or a counselor. (Check out these five simple steps to loving your life.)

Read more.

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(Reader's Digest)  What could be more basic than breathing? Inhale, exhale, repeat…right? Not exactly. While Western science and medicine focuses on breathing as a bodily function integral to survival, Eastern health sciences approach it as nourishment for both body and spirit. The Chinese believe that mindful breathing, or “breathwork,” has numerous benefits, including improved focus and efficiency, increased positivity, and greater physical and mental energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Alex Tan suggests following these steps to get started:

1. Get comfortable…

2. Observe your breath…

3. Concentrate on inhaling and exhaling…

4. Breathe through your nose…

5. Keep your mind present…

Breathwork can be practiced any time, but Tan recommends doing it early in the morning to prepare your body and mind for the day ahead. Wait at least an hour after eating to begin, and don’t drink anything cold for a half an hour after you’ve finished a session. No matter what time of day you choose for mindful breathing, Tan advises making it a regular practice at the same time each day as regularity is important to overall wellness.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) People who are compulsive eaters show similar activity in the same brain regions as people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to new research.

In particular, exposure to certain food "cues" -- in this case, pictures of a chocolate milk shake -- activated the brain's reward circuitry.

"This confirms that addiction to food is tied into reward centers," said Bonnie Levin… "It's a biologically driven process, not just a behavioral problem."

Read more.

Community: We’ve been talking about food addiction for quite a while here at Many Years Young.

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(Reuters) Seeing a milkshake can activate the same areas of the brain that light up when an addict sees cocaine, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

The study helps explain why it can be so hard for some people to maintain a healthy weight, and why it has been so difficult for drugmakers and health experts to find obesity treatments that work.

"If certain foods are addictive, this may partially explain the difficulty people experience in achieving sustainable weight loss," Ashley Gearhardt of Yale University in Connecticut and colleagues wrote…

"Ubiquitous food advertising and the availability of inexpensive palatable foods may make it extremely difficult to adhere to healthier food choices because the omnipresent food cues trigger the reward system," they wrote.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) The substance ghrelin plays an important role in various addictions, such as alcoholism and binge-eating. It also impacts on sugar consumption, which is due, in part, to genetic factors, reveals new research…

The researchers are now a step closer to understanding what happens in the brain and the body in different types of addictive behavior. Understanding these mechanisms means that new drugs can be developed to block the ghrelin system and used to treat patients who are addicted to alcohol or who suffer from binge-eating disorders.

Read more.

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MyRecipes.com:

Grilled Lamb Chops and Mint Chimichurri
Complement pan-grilled lamb chops with chimichurri, a sauce made of fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil.

Bistec Argentino al Chimichurri (Steak with Chimichurri Sauce)

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Chops with Chimichurri Sauce

Grilled Chicken and Veggies with Chimichurri Sauce

EatingWell:

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
Most of the good stuff in a Philly cheese steak, from thin-sliced steak to onions, peppers and mushrooms, is still here but we opt for slightly-less-gooey but more flavorful provolone cheese in place of Cheese Whiz. We adore spicy banana peppers as a topping.

Portobello "Philly Cheese Steak" Sandwich

Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Calzones

Chicken Parmesan Sub

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(Andrew Weil, MD) If you've been hearing more about quinoa lately, it's not a surprise. Considered a "super food," quinoa, ("keen-wah") is a relative of beets, spinach and Swiss chard, but its seeds resemble a whole grain and are prepared and eaten in much the same way. Available in light brown, red and even black varieties, quinoa is light yet filling and has a mellow flavor.

So what makes quinoa so nutritious? It:

1.    Is high in magnesium - magnesium helps relax blood vessels, which may result in fewer headaches for migraine sufferers and decreased risk of hypertension and stroke.

2.    Is a good source of manganese, iron, copper, phosphorous, vitamin B2 and other essential minerals.

3.    Has the highest protein content of any grain (it is especially high in lysine, an amino acid that is typically low in other grains). Quinoa's protein is complete, containing all nine essential amino acids - a rarity in the plant kingdom.

4.    Is gluten-free and easy to digest.

Once available only in health food stores, quinoa is becoming more mainstream by the day and is easily found in major grocery stores as well.

Read more about quinoa and other whole grains.

Source

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(HealthDay News) It may be time to add a long workday to the list of risk factors for heart disease.

A new study has found that office workers in England significantly increased their chances of having a heart attack by working more hours than their peers.

The study, conducted by researchers at University College London, found that employees who regularly worked 11-hour days or longer were 67 percent more likely to develop heart disease than those who worked seven- or eight-hour days.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) People with low incomes are more likely to suffer mental illness, a new study suggests.

It also found that a decrease in income is associated with increased risk of anxiety, substance abuse and mood disorders…

Participants whose household income dropped between interviews were also at an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders and substance abuse compared to participants whose income didn't drop.

The research did not show that poverty or a drop in income causes mental illness, only that people with low incomes are more likely to experience it than those with higher incomes.

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