A systematic review of published data reported in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine finds there may be a positive link between physical activity and academic performance of children in school: the ones who are more physically active seem to do better in class.

self-help guide - diet tips, recipes

However, the authors are cautious about the certainty of this finding because too few of the studies they reviewed were of sufficiently high quality. They call for further research using more robust measures of physical activity.  This is cause to implement more physical activities in socially challenge areas to see if we could improve their lot in life.

In the UK more than 2.9 million individuals live with diabetes, making the condition one of the largest health challenges the UK face. Please check out this post for an interesting study on Konjac root.

self-help guide - diet tips, recipes

In order to continue to increase awareness of early diagnosis for Type 2 diabetes, and to make sure those living with the condition receive the appropriate level of care, leading health charity Diabetes UK will collaborate with the NHS as well as other influential groups this year in 2012.

Barbara Young, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, explained: “We are all feeling positive about the year ahead at Diabetes UK. This is another disease that could be prevented with more public education and with an emphasis on prevention as opposed to treatment of the disease only.

Heart failure continues to be the most prevalent reason for acute hospital admission, although it is stubbornly resistant to treatment. Mortality and morbidity rates remain high, despite prognosis for the condition slightly improving by the launch of innovative medical treatments in recent years.

A Natural Diet Guide

However, according to large-scale clinical trials, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves symptoms and reduces mortality among heart failure patients. American and European guidelines now recommend CRT for the treatment and prevention of this condition.

While breakthroughs this CRT is welcomed news, we still need to practice more prevention in North American health care.  If we would begin to build-in preventive care in our health care provision, we would reduce costs by at least 50% or more.  Prevent the disease and we wouldn’t have to treat it, is this too much to ask?

Those interested in making money from this industry will continue to make large sums of money – it would just be shifted to another area of health care.

A study published in the January 4 issue of JAMA shows that U.S. patients who experienced a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram after a heart attack, were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital at 30 days after the heart attack compared with patients in other countries.

The findings were discovered during a data analysis from over 15 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and many European nations. Approximately 29 to 38% of all heart attacks are due to ST-segment elevation.  A large number of European nations have some kind of state paid for and/or run health care and their costs are significantly lower than the health care cost in the USA. Perhaps, this aspect of health care should be further examined by US officials.

A new anti-inflammatory drug used by patients with type 2 diabetes improved their kidney function during a year-long study involving researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center.

self-help guide - diet tips, recipes

The study findings, reported in today’s New England Journal of Medicine, mark the first time a drug therapy has led to improved kidney function for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Previous studies have identified drugs that slowed the deterioration of kidney function, said Dr. Robert Toto, director of the Houston J. and Florence A.

Diabetic patients would be well advised to consume healthy amounts of garlic and ginger as both are natural anti-inflammatory with the added benefit of keeping your blood thin for improved peripheral circulation and reduced heart disease.

#tweetyourdiettips: If you have Type 2 diabetes add 1/4 tsp cinnamon daily to your diet to improve blood glucose.

self-help guide - diet tips, recipes

#tweetyourdiet-tips: A study by the American Diabetes Association of people with type 2 diabetes found that as little as 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon daily added to the diet is enough to reduce blood glucose levels.

After 40-days, cinnamon consumed in amounts of 1, 3 or 6 grams daily reduced serum glucose 18-29%, triglyceride 23-30% and cholesterol 7-27% thus proving that adding cinnamon to your diet, if you are diabetic can significantly reduce the risk factors associated with diabetes (care) and heart disease.

Severe anxiety can leave its sufferers paralyzed with debilitating worry, uncontrollable fear and clinical depression. Although anxiety is the most common mental health problem in the U.S., many affected by anxiety don’t know how to treat their problem or even how to seek help.

Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, PhD, author of more than 25 self-help books and founder of The Center, has written a new book, “Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear,” aimed at providing more than 40 million Americans with the anxiety help they need to learn how to live an anxiety-free life.  This is good news for people living with the added stress of anxiety.

For one the technique of relaxation will refresh, restore and recharge you so that you can do all you need to with more power and vigor than before.  Anything that needs to be done can be done better if you learn how to relax.