Hollywood, Los Angeles County rank 28 in California health survey

Community health

Big names like Hollywood and Los Angeles are what people think when they are talking about California. However, big cities like these are not the best places in California when it comes to health issues.

A recent health report ranked the Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood, 28^th, among 56 ranked counties. This was behind San Diego county (18) and San Franciso county (24). The first place went to Marin County in northern California. The report, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps for 2012 summarizes the state of health nationwide.

Breast Cancer and Parabens connection

Breast cancer and parabens

The cosmetics and consumer products we use everyday may contain harmful chemicals. 

A recent research study examined women being treated for primary breast cancer. Breast cancer tissue samples form all 40 women examined found the presence of Parabens esters. 

Although it does not prove them to be the cause of cancer, it does suggests caution when it comes to using products containing these chemicals, parabens.

Facebook maybe bad for your body

Facebook fat people

Facebook is a craze, not a necessity. Now it seems, Facebook followers may be falling flat on their face and fat bodies. According to a report by The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Maryland, Facebook may be fueling the fire of Body and weight obsession. 

The Center’s survey found that a vast majority of Facebook users feel they are fat compared to the pictures of their friends on Facebook.

Doctors, smart phones, iPads and danger to patients

Doctor cell phone

Kaiser Health News has an article about how use of mobile technology devices by the doctors may be endangering their patients at work.

The article quotes example of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. Beth Israel is considered one of the most technically advanced hospitals in the country.

Philippines mandates pregnancy test before cosmetic surgery

Pregnancy, cosmetic surgery

 Cosmetic surgery can be beneficial to an individual but it also exposes people to various health risks. 

Philippines have passed a law that makes pregnancy testing mandatory for all women of childbearing age who plan to undergo plastic surgery. Exception will apply to women who have been medially found to be incapable to reproduce.

Brazil’s booming cosmetic surgery business

Brazilian beauty

 Brazil is known for its Rio Carnival, beautiful tanned women and warm climate. However, Brazil also enjoys booming cosmetic surgery business for rich and poor alike.  In fact, barely clad, samba dancers in Rio Carnival are often a display of surgically enhanced breasts and buttons and such results are not by accident.

Brazils is considered a pioneer in plastic surgery and a destination of choice for cosmetic surgery tourism. In fact, Brazil performs over 11 million cosmetic surgery operations a year, second only to the Untied States.

iPad heat and your health

iPad 3

iPad3 is in the market and, all indications are, it is going for record breaking sales.

A recent study published by the Consumer reports caused a bit of concern when it claimed iPad can heat up to 116 degree Fahenheit. Is heating really a concern and is iPad bad for your health and safety?

The study claimed that new iPad can get significantly hotter than the earlier iPad2 model only when plugged in and continually running a action game.

Happy 100 birthday to Mr. Universe, Manohar Aich

Manohar Aich, 100 birthday

An Indian man, Manohar Aich, celebrated his 100th birthday in March, 2012. 

The man is only 4 foot 11 inches tall but he was a body builder and won the title of Mr. Universe in 1952. At age 100, he still got muscles but no teeth.

Manohar Aich credits his longevity to his ability to stay tension free during difficult times. In addition, he maintains a simple diet of vegetables, fruits, milk, fruits, rice, lentils and fish. He never smoked nor drank alcohol.

Starbucks Evolution juice store will take all the juice from your wallet

Starbucks Evolution juice

Starbucks is opening its first Evolution Fresh juice store in Bellevue, Wash. The store is an extension of Starbucks’ $30 million purchase of Evolution Fresh Inc., of California. Evolution Fresh was founded by Jimmy Rosenberg after he sold his previous company, the Naked Juice.

Starbucks claims Evolution Fresh has an advantage over other juice brands because it uses high-pressure pasteurization instead of heating

Los Angeles Marathon, March 18, 2012

Los Angeles marathon took place today. It was cold, windy with occasional sunny periods but it did not rain.

More pictures available at:

LA MARATHON

 

 

 

 

 

Red Bull drink creator is finally dead at 89

Red Bull

Red Bull, in blue-silver cans, is as a popular energy drink and is sold in about 70 countries. Red Bull is supposed to gives wings to people who want to be mentally and physically active and have a zest for life.

Red Bull Energy Drink is claimed to be “for people who want to have a clear and focused mind, perform physically, are dynamic and performance-oriented whilst also balancing this with a fun and active lifestyle.”

The original drink was sold in Asian countries as a "tonic drink" under the name Krating Daeng ("Red Bull"). The drink which kept

Cell phone radiation may be detrimental to pregnancy

cell phone radiation

Study in mice indicates that exposure to radio frequency radiation from cell phones during pregnancy may be detrimental for the offspring.

The researchers at the Yale School of Medicine conducted psychological and behavioral tests on adult mice that were exposed to cellular radiation as fetuses. 

Mice exposed to cell phone radiation in the womb showed behavioral problems resembling Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a developmental disorder associated with brain.

Tallest man, Sultan Kosen, stops at 8 feet, 3 inches

Sultan Kosen

Sultan Kosen, 29, from Turkey is world’s tallest men at 8 feet, 3 inches. For the last three years in a row he has been named the world's tallest living man by Guinness World Records. He appear to have grown one inch taller each year.

His unusual growth is a result of a tumor in his pituitary gland. That tumor is not cancerous or hereditary but it produced excess growth hormones.

In 2010, he went under radiosurgery at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Recently, it was announced that finally Sultan’s height has stabilized as his tumor has stopped growing as well as the overproduction of growth hormone.

Kobayashi sets grilled cheese sandwich eating record

 

Kobayashi, new cheese record

VIDEO Kobayashi Eats 13 Grilled Cheeses

Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi, 33, 128 pounds from Japan is world top competitive eater and is known as “the Babe Ruth of eaters.”

He has set another record, this time by eating 13 grilled cheese sandwiches in one minute. That means 13 slices of cheese and 26 pieces

Coke, Pepsi recipes and cancer warning for 4-MEI

Coke, Pepsi

Coke and Pepsi caramel coloring contains a chemical, 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), that is a potential carcinogen.

4-MEI has been known to cause cancer in laboratory mice and rats and could be potentially risky to humans as well. 

State of California has included this chemical, 4-MEI, in the list of carcinogens. California Prop 65 law requires that a product label should warn consumers if it contains a substance that is known to cause cancer. In January 2012, Brazilian Blowout, a hair care products company, paid $600,000 in a settlement over such labeling issues in California.

Arizona sheriff’s pink-underwear on male inmates may be illegal

Sheriff Arpaio. pink underwear

Arizona’s Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio is known for a number of controversial actions, especially against immigrants and hispanics, by detaining without crimes and punishing without conviction.   

The U.S Justice Department has found that Arpaio and his department has violated civil rights laws.  

Sheriff Arpaio likes to show his toughnesss by housing inmates in open air tent cities and, further, humiliates male inmates by forcing them to wear pink underwear.

The sheriff was sued after 2001 death of a mentally ill man who was forced to wear pink underwear.

Lytro camera does not require focusing

Lytro camera

Video - Lytro camera

Health and fitness enthusiast will find use for a new interesting and handy camera. Lytro, introduced by Mountain View, California based company.

Lytro is a small, compact camera, known as the first Light Field Camera because it captures the entire light field as opposed to single light field in the traditional cameras.

Brazilian Blowout blows $4.5 million in settlement

Brazilian Blowout

Brazilian Blowout is a popular hair straightening treatment sold to stylists. 

The product ran into controversy because it seems to emit formaldehyde and there were complaints that it caused problems such as, eye irritation, breathing discomfort and nosebleeds.

Japan’s unusual health problem, too many thin women

Weight problem

Japanese diet, rich in fish and vegetable, has been responsible for keeping Japan among the thinnest industrialized nations. However, now Japan is concerned about too many young women getting too thin. According to the Health Ministry, an estimated 29% of Japanese women in their 20s are underweight which could have adverse effects on fertility rates.

The issue is considered a national health problem because Japan has an aging population and it also happens to have one of the lowest birthrates in the

Mark Miller, Honest Real Estate and Mortgage Broker, Los Angeles

Mark Miller, Real Estate and Mortgage Broker

A picture is worth a thousand words but a picture of words is definitely worth a lot more.

This post qualifies for a blog on sports, health and wellness. The banner shown in the picture was found at a Children’s baseball field in Westwood, West Los Angeles. The field is where West LA Little League (www.wlalittleleague.org) plays baseball.

The picture tells the whole story of honest real estate and mortgage broker, Mark Miller:

"If your mother, father,

Brother, sister, aunt,

Uncle, niece, nephew,

Cousin, grandparent or

Friend isn’t a real estate

or mortgage broker,

call me

Barcode Properties

Mark Miller – 310 860 7595"

---

Also check out West LA Little League
www.wlalittleleague.org

Ice Cream Bar for Health and Fitness – StrongBody Bars

StrongBody Bars

Health and fitness enthusiasts can now have their ice cream bar and eat it guilt free without worrying about excessive junk calories.

StrongBody Bars is a Health & Fitness ice cream product developed by Booozah LLC, in partnership with Royal Ice Cream of Manchester CT. This product will provide good calories and would appeal to people concerned about  obesity, weight management, health and fitness.

StrongBody Bar has only about 130 calories and weighs 4 oz (82g) which

Zombies Run, A Fitness Game with Audio Adventure

Zombies Run

Now, there is a fitness exercise game with audio adventure for people who are into tech, computers and cell phones.

Zombies Run, is an immersive cell phone game that will make you exercise and stay fit by running. The game is for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android where you help rebuild civilization after a zombie apocalypse.

The goal is to make running thrilling with a game and a story delivered through your headphones and it can be done anywhere - in a park, along a beach, in the city, even on treadmills.

Man celebrates 100th birthday, sets cycling record

Robert Marchand

 

Video:Robert Marchand sets world cycling record 

On February 17, 2012, Frenchman Robert Marchand set a world record by cycling non-stop for one hour at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) velodrome in Aigle, Switzerland.

He rode about 25 kilometers in an indoor track. There wasn’t a lot of competition around as he was the first-ever and the only performer in 100-years-plus category. You can say, the competition was virtually dead in his category.

Marchand spent about a week preparing for the event. After the event Merchand said that he could have rode faster but he didn’t because he is not trying to be a champion. He just wanted to celebrate his 100^th birthday.

Apparently, he still rides but likes to keep it less than 100 kilometers a day.

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY to Robert Marchand
=========
Reference

Reuter: Frenchman, 100, sets record for one hour cycle,

Grand Canyon bans bottled water sales, March 10

Grand canyon

Plastic used in bottled water is one of the biggest wastes created by humans. Despite efforts to recycle the material, an enormous amount of plastic waste causes handling problems.

Our national parks are having their own share of headaches due the plastic bottles brought and discarded by people visiting these parks. 

The National Park Service (NPS) will ban sales of bottle water in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, starting March 10, 2010. NPS has spent about

Deep discount for boob jobs at SociallySexyDeals

SociallySexyDeals

Groupon style deals are being taken a step further by people offering cosmetic surgery. 

A new website SociallySexyDeals.com, started March 1 in Toronto, Canada, calls itself “The world’s first Deal Site dedicated to Cosmetic Enhancement and Beauty where you can Save up to 90%.”

The site negotiates discounts for a number of cosmetic enhancement products and services from

Los Angeles Doctor charged with murder for prescribing drugs

Prescription drug death

Prescription drugs, especially pain killers, are addictive and deadly killers. A number of Celebrity deaths have brought to light the danger of prescription drugs. 

Most recently, it was Whitney Houston and before that Michael Jackson who died due to prescription drugs. Michael Jackson’s doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Now, Los Angeles County District Attorney has filed murder charges against a doctor for over prescribing drugs like Xanax and OxyContin,

Iowa law to criminalize documentation of animal abuses

animal cruelty

Iowa legislation has passed a bill, House File (H.F.) 589, which would prevent private citizens from documenting (filming or photographing) a farm without the farmer’s consent. 

The bill supported by the big agricultural concerns is aimed at preventing undercover work that would expose animal abuses in the factory-farming industry. The idea is to keep consumers from knowing abuses taking place in the industry. In the past such exposure by animal rights activists has led to conviction for abuse or neglect of factory-farmed animals.

National Nutrition Month – March

National nutrition month

National Nutrition Month (NNM) is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The theme for March 2012 is "Get Your Plate in Shape."

Tooth Friendly Foods and Drinks

Healthy teeth

Our bodies are what we eat and what we eat depends on our teeth and how well we chew. Therefore, good healthy teeth are an important contributor to overall good health.  Generally, some foods that are good for general health are also good for teeth.

Acid is the cause of all the damage done to teeth. Acid may come from acidic food and drink or produced from sugar by oral bacteria. This acid acts on the enamel on teeth and causes decay. Therefore, it is important to consume food and liquids that will suppress the affect of tooth-harming acids, provide minerals and vitamins that will maintain healthy teeth and stimulate the flow of saliva.

Amazon stops selling whale and dolphin meat

Amazon Japan, whale meat

 Amazon is not just for books anymore. It turns out, keeping up with its name, Amazon has been selling a number of amazing things. 

Recently, it was reported by The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the International Humane Society that Amazon Japan has been selling hundreds of products from whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetacean food products).

They called on Amazon to stop supporting commercial whaling by immediately and permanently banning the sale of such products. This

Cultured meat - meat grown in laboratory test tubes

Test tube burger

At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver, it was announced that the scientists are working to produce meat in the laboratory to, potentially, replace conventional farm-animal meat production. The idea of “test tube” meat is to cope with the growing demand for meat but limited land resources.

Animal meat, as a source of protein or simply for taste, is an important part of diet for a large number of people. However, keeping the health issue aside, the cost of producing meat is significantly higher compared to
plain plant based food. It takes more than 2400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat, while growing 1 pound of wheat only requires 25 gallons.

Porn industry in Los Angeles faces tough choice with condom law

Condom Law Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for Hollywood, the home for billions of dollar in movie production. Lesser know is the fact that Los Angeles area is also the top producer of pornographic movies.   

Most of the adult film business is located in San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles county and rivals regular movie business in revenue. Pornographic film business in Los Angeles is estimated to generate over $4 billion a year and employs over 20,000 people.

The US Adult movie business is unhappy with the new condom law

National Pancake Day by IHOP

IHOP, Pancakes

National Pancake Day was started in 2006 by the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant chain. IHOP offers a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes on February 28. 

Pancakes are not really free because, in return, the guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. 

Since the beginning of National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $8 million to support charities

Citrus fruits cut stroke risk – It is not a lemon deal

citrus fruit

We have heard the saying, when you get lemon make lemonade.  Recent reports suggest that may not be necessary. A research study published in the Journal Stroke indicates that the citrus fruit (orange, grapefruit) may reduce the risk of stroke.

The study, a joint effort of researchers at Harvard (USA) and Norwich Medical School, Norwich, UK, studied and analyzed data from 69 622 women over 14

Rhode Island sees health benefits of smoking ban

no smoking

A number of states prohibit smoking in public places. In the city of Los Angeles, California, even outdoor parks are designated as no smoking zones. 

In Rhode Island (RI) similar smoking ban took place under “Smoke-Free Public Places and Workplaces Act” in 2005. The good news is RI is seeing health and financial benefit from such smoking ban.

A new study from the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) has announced that Rhode Island hospitalization rates for heart attack, and associated costs have been declining since the smoking ban took place in 2005.

Canker Sores and SLS free Toothpastes

SLS free toothpaste

Recently, while browsing Craigslist, I came across an interesting post emphasizing “I'm not selling anything.” The post was about Canker sores and it got me interested in further research on this subject and the benefits of  SLS free toothpastes. I rarely develop canker but I have compiled a LIST of SLS free Toothpastes.

But, first, here is the POST from the Craigslist:

los angeles craigslist > westside-southbay > community > general community

Do you get Canker sores "mouth ulcers"? (I'm not selling anything)

Dog ear cannot be glued back

Dog, animal health

The health of our animal friends is as important as ours and should be treated as such. Often precautions must be taken the same way as one would think about children safety. 

I have heard of a neighbor who let his friendly German shepherd hang around while he was mowing the lawn. The dog screamed when his long waging tail got sucked in the lawn mower. The dog was saved but lost his tail.

In a recent incident in Hawaii, after a grooming trip to Petco, the dog

Healthy Vending Machines of Santa Monica

Healthy vending machines

Obesity is a problem in the U.S. and it can lead to several health problems such as diabetes. The problem is worldwide and even countries like Brazil and China have begun to experience the issue of obesity and its adverse consequences.

A Santa Monica company, H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending, is taking a healthy look at food vending machine business. H.U.M.A.N. in company name stands for helping unite man and nutrition (h.u.m.a.n.). The company states its mission is to eradicate childhood obesity through education and healthy eating and 10% of profits are donated to charities that fight obesity and malnutrition.

The company claims, traditional Vending machines in schools usually only sell foods high in sugar, fat, and sodium--which leads to worse-

Health Secrets of Ron Paul, the Presidential Candidate

Ron Paul, Rand Paul 1960's

Republican presidential candidate, Congressman Ron Paul is 76 years of age but he is full of energy and keeps up with competitors younger than him. During one of the presidential debates in January, Dr Paul emphasized his good health by stating that he does not mind showing his health records because it is hardly a half page long. In addition, Dr, Paul challenged other presidential candidate for a 25 mile bike ride in boiling hot weather.

Ron Paul is a physician by training. As a physician he has delivered more than 4, 000 babies. Apparently, Dr. Paul was even offered a track