Sounds synced with brain waves could help enhance memory during sleep, study suggest
A small study published in the journal Neuron shows that when sounds are played during sleep that go along with the slow oscillations in brain waves that occur during sleep, it actually helps to enhance memory.The findings show "a straightforward tool for clinical settings to enhance sleep rhythms," study researcher Dr. Jan Born, of the...Cinnamon Challenge: Doctors issue warning against dangerous trend
CHICAGO — Don't take the cinnamon challenge. That's the advice from doctors in a new report about a dangerous prank depicted in popular YouTube videos but which has led to hospitalizations and a surge in calls to U.S. poison centers.The fad involves daring someone to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds without water....Sitting too long is bad for your health
Whether you have a desk job or otherwise sedentary lifestyle, prolonged periods of sitting may be unavoidable for you. Chances are you are sitting as you read this article.New research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and other journals shows that sitting for long stretches can be detrimental to your health, contributing to...Michigan recognizes Minority Health Month with a series of discussions across the state
LANSING — In recognition of National Minority Health Month, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health Section (HDRMHS) will feature a series of statewide events throughout the month of April. The 2013 theme is “Assuring Access to Care: There’s something in it for...How to make your garden more environmentally friendly
Spring is here, which means it’s time to slip those green thumbs into some gardening gloves. And if you want to feel truly good about what you grow, consider upgrading your garden to be more planet-friendly. Here are some ideas to consider:Grow Your Own Dinner Grow the vegetables, herbs and flowers that you would normally...Three super foods that can improve your health
In a world where fatty, fried and frosted foods are often the cheapest, quickest and most readily available options, it can be easy to forget the true purpose of eating -- to healthfully fuel our bodies. “The higher-quality fuel you put in your body, the better you will function. The right diet can potentially prevent you from...Grow what you eat; cook what you grow
Cooking from the garden is not like cooking from the store. There’s nothing more tasty, nutritious and satisfying than fresh, homemade meals made from the fruits, vegetables and herbs you grew yourself. Experts say that even with modest amounts of time and space, you can grow an organic garden plot that feeds your family all year...Facing the rest of your life alone
Aging Arab Americans: The Invisible Elders DEARBORN - It is 3:00 pm on the first Saturday of the year. January’s sun makes this cold afternoon more inviting for a social family visit. But the traffic in front of the Kennedy Center building on Bingham Street in East...Morning smokers have higher cancer risk
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. —The sooner a smoker lights up upon waking in the morning, the more likely he or she is to acquire lung or oral cancer, U.S. researchers say.Steven Branstetter, assistant professor of biobehavioral health at Pennsylvania State University, said NNK (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1--1-butanone) induces lung tumors in several...CDC campaign returns with powerful stories, Michigan resident to help others quit smoking
LANSING — Continuing with the success of last year’s landmark national tobacco education campaign, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is airing a second series of ads featuring real people who are living with the effects of smoking-related diseases. The newest ads in the “Tips from Former Smokers” campaign...ADA urges all to take risk test
LANSING — March 26 was American Diabetes Association Alert Day. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are encouraging Michiganders to learn about their risk for diabetes, as well as to take the Diabetes Risk Test and share it with everyone they care about —friends, family...Signs your teen is in trouble and what to do about it
Being a teenager is never easy, but for some kids, it is excruciating. For parents, being able to tell the difference between normal growing pains and real trouble is crucial.From drug abuse to depression to more serious physical or mental abuse, it’s important to recognize when your teen is in trouble.“Young people don’t always...Studying music can help kids do better in school
From higher test scores, to enhanced coordination, to improved time management skills, the benefits of music education are numerous, say experts. Unfortunately, many school music programs nationwide are facing cutbacks.Parents can help budding musicians learn outside a traditional classroom by investing in properly-sized, quality...Great tips to turn kids into regular readers
With all the gizmos, gadgets and electronic media available these days, it can be tough for parents to get kids to sit down with good old-fashioned books. But regular reading, done for fun, is linked to better school performance and can expose kids to a world of knowledge.Experts advise parents of reluctant readers to, above all, keep...Is it important to feed kids organic food?
The nutritional choices you make for your children are crucial, setting the stage for good health and good habits for years to come. So if you’ve heard about the benefits of organic food, you may be wondering if it’s worth the extra expense, especially if you’re on a budget.According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which......
During National Nutrition Month, enjoy foods that suit your budget, needs and tastes
LANSING – Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) encourages Michiganders to renew their appreciation of healthy eating through National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” emphasizes the inclusion of foods people already enjoy as...BCBSM suggests Mediterranean diet to reduce heart disease
A five-year study published online this week by the New England Journal of Medicine found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events by 30 percent. The Mediterranean diet originates from the culture and traditional foods found in the area bordering the......
Eight tips to stay healthy this flu season
Flu season is upon us, bringing with it new strains of the virus. So now is the time to brush up on all the flu-fighting facts.Here are eight wellness tips to help keep you and your family in tip-top shape – from what behaviors to avoid, to how homeopathic treatment can help:1. Know your risk: Seniors, children under age 5 and pregnant...Aging Arab Americans: The invisible elders
The decision to apply for the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowship last summer was not difficult. As an Arab American journalist with a keen interest in community affairs and empowerment, I know that the elderly segment of the Arab American population is, like the entire community, in need of more resources, services...Your One Life: Why Your Health is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
It’s the time of year for contemplating and I’m asking you to join me. I’ve been thinking about the wonderful holiday weekend my family enjoys annually and how much fun it is each year for me to watch everyone open the Christmas gifts that I carefully plan, purchase and wrap. Each gift is truly...Tips for eating healthier during the holidays
The holidays are here! That joyous time of year when people come together, surrounded by decorations, gifts, music and, of course, lots of food. While eating is perhaps the most popular holiday activity, the average weight gain during the six-week period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is less than one pound.“While the statistic......
Dentists link oral hygiene to overall health, raising awareness locally
DEARBORN — Contemporary Dentistry, located on Schaefer Rd. in Dearborn has been persistent on linking oral health to the overall health of the human body, hoping to spread awareness on preventive healthcare with new data that the average person might not be aware of.Dr. Rima Bazzi from Contemporary Dentistry and a few other hygienists...
Greenland Wellness focuses on preventive healthcare with halal vitamins
December 8th, 20120 DEARBORN — With health issues such as diabetes, blood pressure control and cholesterol on the rise in the U.S., a few initiatives focusing on alerting the Arab American community have been set in place this year. The main focus of these initiatives is preventive healthcare, with the idea of alerting and educating locals on how......
FDA pressured to crack down on energy drinks after reports of deaths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation towards two energy drinks that are sold at convenience stores nationwide. The two energy drinks, 5-Hour Energy and Monster Energy, have both been linked to recent reports of deaths, heart attacks and illness over the past year in the U.S. First it began in...
Shisha kills: Study deals scientific blow to defenders of water-pipe
August 31st, 20120 Iranian research shows water-pipe smoking is as bad as deeply inhaling cigarette smoke when it comes to causing respiratory problems. PARIS — Water-pipe smoking is as bad as deeply inhaling cigarette smoke when it comes to causing respiratory problems, according to a study published on Thursday.Researchers led by Mohammad Hossein......