Why is it important for a doctor or a health care facility to choose the right surgery lights? Let’s get to know them:

• They can prevent malpractice suits.

A lot of states mandate their health care professionals, especially doctors, to have a malpractice insurance policy. This assures them they can have something to use just in case they get sued by their patients for omission or commission of errors, including wrong diagnosis or result of operation.

However, there are times when even the malpractice insurance couldn’t really save you. One of these is when you show clear negligence on your mistake. For example, you operated on a patient with no adequate surgical head lights.

Just to save you the trouble and your reputation, use surgery lights.

• They make your life so much easier.

Through the years, modifications have been done to improve the functions and features of surgery lights. For instance, you can already find some surgical lights that can be worn, which save you the hassle of moving the stand or the podium just to obtain the proper illumination. This saves you time too.

Moreover, a lot of the surgical lights can already reduce shadows. Shadows can interfere during operations as doctors may find it hard to distinguish body parts and vascular tissues.

• They increase trust among patients.

Majority of the patients are scared to undergo operations. They would become even more frightened if they feel the health care facility doesn’t really have enough equipment to properly operate them. With the best surgery lights installed, you can make them feel more comfortable and trusting.

How to Choose Your Surgery Lights

1. Prefer the surgical headlights, the ones you wear, so the focus can follow that of your eyes.
2. Make sure the headlights don’t interfere with your vision.
3. See to it that they don’t produce bad shadows.

Today’s report of seemingly innocuous things that could lead to your early tragic death involves sitting for more than six hours a day, if you’re female.

Are you sitting down for this? Well, you’d better get up. According to a study by the American Cancer Society, sitting for more than six hours a day suppresses hormones that inhibit heart disease. “Oh,” you might say, “well, I happen to exercise and eat right when I’m not working my ass off at a desk.” It doesn’t matter. Even amongst regular gym rats, there was a 37% increased risk of death amongst heavy-sitters, and that risk skyrockets to 94% if you don’t exercise ever.

“Even if you are active, sitting for long periods of time will impact your health, and you’ll have a shorter life span,” said Alpa Patel, the study’s lead author. “Whether a person is sitting at a desk, or sitting on a couch, sitting for long periods of time is harmful.”

The study, which followed 123,216 people for 14 years, showed much lower risk rates for men. 17% of otherwise active men incurred the sitting related health problems, and 48% of lazy-ass couch potatoes who are male were more “prone to death.”

When was the last time you went through a period of stress? Can you remember the way your body reacted? Chances are you didn't feel quite like yourself. Health experts say that stress can come with some pretty surprising symptoms-from forgetfulness to nausea to skin rashes. Is your body sending you an S.O.S. that you shouldn't ignore? Read on to find out if stress is taking a toll on you-and what you can do to reverse the effects.

1. Tweaked Muscles
The pain in your neck that you attributed to long hours at the computer could actually be a symptom of stress. "Stress definitely affects our musculoskeletal system, resulting in tight, contracting muscles and/or spasms in muscles," explains Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, MS, PT, a psychologist and physical therapist in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. "It gets us ready for fight-or-flight, although unlike our cavewomen ancestors, we don't actually need our bodies to react like this." If you're experiencing what you believe to be stress-related muscle symptoms, try this exercise: Take 5 to 10 deep breaths and focus on relaxing the tense area of your body, says Dr. Lombardo. For the neck, try gentle neck rolls or enlist your husband to give you a quick shoulder rub.

2. Eye Twitching
Have you ever had an eye twitch? The often temporary condition can be annoying and worrisome, and for some, can be triggered by stress. "This condition is known as blepharospasm," explains Debbie Mandel, MA, a stress and wellness expert and author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7-Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. "Closing your eyes and visualizing your happiest place on earth will help." Also, avoid stress-related eye issues by giving your peepers a break now and then. "If your eyes get stressed from detailed work at the computer, 'stretch' them every 20 minutes by looking out the window at a larger landscape," suggests Mandel. "If you have no view, close your eyes and imagine a panorama."

3. Ragged Cuticles
Do you have ragged, unkempt cuticles or nails? Their condition could be the result of a stress-induced nervous habit. "Nervous habits like nail-biting are how we channel our stress by distracting ourselves with what is known as oral satisfaction," says Mandel, adding that picking nails and cuticles is also a common way for women to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. If you take stress out on your hands, consider keeping a stress ball in your desk drawer-something you can squeeze or knead when on the phone with a difficult client, for instance. This helps "squeeze the stress out of your body," says Mandel.

4. Cavities
We all know that slacking off on dental hygiene is the first way to get cavities, but stress can also be a culprit, say experts, especially when you're grinding your teeth at night or during the day. Mandel explains teeth grinding, which many women do, as "chewing over the day's stressors." The problem, however, is that this bad habit can erode dental work, damaging your teeth and making them more susceptible to cavities. Mandel suggests redirecting your anxiety to pen and paper. "Set aside time to write down your problems to see them objectively in black and white, and then jot down some solutions," she says. But, she adds, "If teeth grinding is severe, see a dentist about getting a mouth guard."

5. Rashes
It sounds strange, but your skin can be a pretty good barometer of your stress level. "Stress can cause a rash, usually raised red spots or hives on the stomach, back, arms and face," notes Dr. Lombardo. "While we don't know why it occurs, some experts believe that it has to do with the adverse effects of stress on the immune system-histamine is released, causing these itchy bumps." Deep breathing may keep rashes at bay, or from developing in the first place. So, next time you feel your stress level rising, place your hand right above your belly button. "Every time you inhale, you want your hand to rise; with each exhale, it lowers. Take 5 to 10 deep breaths periodically throughout the day."

6. Nausea
Have you ever been worried about a loved one's (or your own) health condition, Googled it and suddenly felt nauseated? "Stress can upset the stomach, and nausea can be a byproduct of worry," says Mandel, who warns against playing "Google MD." Worrying about your health or a loved one's is normal, but obsessing about it is unhealthy. If your anxiety is causing nausea, try this trick that Mandel swears by: Let tepid water run over your fingers; it's believed to keep nausea at bay.

7. Sleepiness
Feeling sluggish? It could be stress. "Stress hormones cause your body to surge with adrenaline and then crash into sleepiness," says Mandel. "Stress will also ruin the quality of your sleep, so you wake up tired and irritable." What to do? Go to bed earlier, says Mandel, or catch a 30-minute nap midday, and don't feel guilty about doing so. "There is great productivity in rest," she says. "You come back more focused!"

8. Forgetfulness
Ask any woman who is trying to do it all and she'll admit to a few slip-ups in the memory department (forgotten appointments, lost keys, missing cell phone-ring a bell?). "Research shows that chronic stress can literally shrink the size of the hippocampus, which is responsible for some memories," says Dr. Lombardo. "Luckily, its size will go back to normal once your stress level reduces." Want to keep your brain functioning at an optimal level? Combat the first signs of stress with exercise, she says: "Go for a walk, run up a flight of stairs or dance around to the newest Black Eyed Peas tune." Exercise, she adds, keeps your brain sharp and may even help you be more prepared for future stressful moments.

9. Confusion
You can't decide what to make for dinner, what to wear to work or which exit to take off the freeway. Stress causes distraction and lack of focus, says Mandel. "Stress hormones lodge longest in the brain," she says. To restore focus, take a walk, she says. "Move the stress out of your body by exercising large muscle groups like the legs. You will gain clarity. Walk out in the light and you'll reset your natural rhythm while you move out the stress. Sunlight helps the body release serotonin to improve mood, and vitamin D helps you improve your immune system-a great perk."

The bad news: Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. The good news: You can reduce your risk by 82 percent if you make the healthy lifestyle choices of being active, not smoking, eating well and managing stress. To help, we've gathered a list of some of the heart-healthiest foods out there. Bonus: They're yummy, too.

Grilled Salmon: The omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish like salmon and trout may reduce your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Experts recommend eating at least two four-ounce servings of fish a week.

Curry: Turmeric, the herb that gives curry powder its color, has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the body. So why should you care? Inflammation has been shown to play a role in the development of heart disease.

Beans: There's a ton of fiber in beans, which can help ward off high cholesterol, a major risk factor for cardiovascular problems. (Black-bean burrito? Yes please!)

Pomegranates: Step aside, green tea! Pomegranate juice has four times the antioxidants of the much-lauded tea. All the better to fight heart disease, my dear.

Dark Greens: Folate, found in foods like broccoli and spinach, can slash your risk of high blood pressure. See, your mom knew what she was talking about.

Olive oil: Everyone loves butter, but in order to keep the richness in your food while also protecting your heart, try frying eggs and sauteing veggies in olive oil instead. The monounsaturated fats will serve your whole body better!

Eating and drinking vegetables is necessary for good health and for keeping your skin free from acne. Most people don't eat enough vegetables and seldom drink their juices. Here is a list of vegetables and their juices that you need to eat and drink daily to help eliminate your acne.

Vegetable juices

Vegetable juices are absorbed quickly into your bloodstream. As a result, your cells are quickly provided with nutrients that feed them and that wash away waste. Vegetable juices give you the opportunity to get quick relief from various body conditions such as acne, skin disorders, and constipation.

Eating and drinking vegetables provide you with minerals and nutrients that build your blood, tissue, bones, and cells. It is minerals that build every part of your body. It is minerals that keep your body's pH at the required level. It is minerals that keep your body alkaline by neutralizing body acids. Concentrate on putting minerals into your body by eating and drinking plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Carrot apple juice

Drink carrot juice every day. I like drinking carrot juice mixed with apple juice. My stomach can handle this combination better.

Carrot juice contains many vitamins and minerals. It is high in beta-carotene. Carrot juice will enhance your skins health and help you eliminate acne.

Carrot, spinach, and apple juice

A combination of carrot, spinach and apple juice is a powerful drink for cleaning the colon, relieving constipation and improving your skin conditions.

To make this drink, juice 3-4 carrots and a bunch of spinach. Then add juiced apples to make this drink more drinkable.

Vegetables

The word phytochemicals is used frequent here. Phytochemicals are all of the chemicals that exist in vegetables and fruits. There are so many phytochemicals that scientists have yet to investigate and learn about all of them.

Here are the vegetables that you should be eating the most of, so you can support the cleansing of your face and eliminating acne.

* Carrots - contain a rich source of vitamin A-like carotenoids. These phytochemicals have been shown to enhance the health of skin and repair it when it is damaged.

* Cabbage - helps to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals from the air and food additives.

* Celery - helps to reduce nervous tension. It contains many minerals that help to neutralize body acid waste and is high in fiber

* Cucumber - helps to reduce acne problems because it is high in silicon and sulfur. It is also a diuretic which helps flow more water through the kidney to clean out your blood

* Broccoli - is rich in beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which is good for the skin

* Garlic - is a natural antibiotic and will help relieve skin bacterial infections

* Green pepper - The nutrients in green peppers are good for liver health and constipation. Its minerals are good for neutralizing acid waste.

* Radishes - help to digest your food. Good digestion is necessary to avoid constipation and to keep the liver and pancreas strongSprouts - provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, which help to reduce body acids

* Watercress - helps to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies at the skin surface. It provides Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, iron, manganese, copper, and calcium.

Look this list of vegetable over, make a list of them, and head for your favorite store, or farmers market. Concentrate in eating and drinking these natural products and you will see results in your health and a decrease in your skin disorders.

Acne scars can often be the final reminder of a bad time in the life of a person's skin. Though acne is one of the most common skin disorders, most former patients feel no need to display their scars like war wounds from a hard won battle, and once sufferers have achieved the clear skin they have longed for so long, they move swiftly into a new fight - how to remove, or at least lessen, their acne scars.

Just as there are different types of acne, there are also different types of acne scar. While the painful cyst type acne usually leaves scarring of some kind, some former patients find themselves with minimal damage after suffering with this type of the condition, while others who have had more superficial blemishes find that they scar badly. Scars are caused by both the build-up of excess tissue and by the loss of tissue due to acne, and the type of treatment that is appropriate will vary from patient to patient. But medical advances have led to a number of new developments, which means that there is even an effective treatment for deep acne scars available.

Most types of the skin condition leave indented acne scars, which are difficult to conceal using makeup. Thankfully, there are available treatments for these deep acne scars, which can even out the appearance of the skin. Chemical peels can be used for shallower acne scars, while dermabrasion can penetrate the skin at a deeper level. One of the most recent developments in this field is the use of laser treatment for acne scars, which uses the energy of a laser to penetrate the skin and improve its appearance. Different types of laser have different healing properties - a consultation with a dermatologist will help determine which laser treatment for acne scars will have the best effects on your skin.

Scars, particularly acne facial scars, can be a daily reminder of a time you are very glad to see the back of, but thankfully there are treatments available to help you achieve the skin you deserve. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and find out how you can say good bye to those acne scars for good.

Each of us has got a dream to have beautiful white teeth and wants to know how to whiten them. Not all of us feel a sudden urge to visit the dentist immediately. There are some rules for whitening your teeth that can be followed at home and condition of your teeth will improve.

Although the color of our teeth is genetically-induced the stains may appear as a result of several factors, smoking, drinking tea or coffee. The best option is to visit the specialist but there are also several ideas you can implement at home.

1. Whitening toothpaste - they manage to remove the outer layer of your discoloration, they won’t help for permanent stains.

2. Whitening straps - they are used for around a week, the results last for around a month. All you have to do is to apply the straps with a gel into your teeth.

3. Or the cheapest method - strawberries combined with baking soda manage to whiten stains from coffee, red wine, smoking or dark drinks.

You don't have to spend a fortune on supplements when food provides all the nutrients you need to have clear skin. Herbs and supplements that provide support for clean skin typically offer the following benefits:

Boost the immune system
Enhance stress management
Cleanse the blood and liver, and
Aid in skin repair

A well-chosen diet can prove just as advantageous as supplements and herbs.

*Foods that boost the immune system

-Vitamin C
Oranges, grapefruits, papaya, green peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli

-Vitamin E
Almonds, sunflowers seeds

-Zinc
Wheat germ, black-eyed peas, lean beef, crab, oysters

*Foods that enhance stress management

-Vitamin B6
Legumes, whole grains, chicken, pork, bananas

*Foods that cleanse the blood and liver

-Garlic, onions, turmeric, cayenne pepper, aloe vera juice, watermelon

-Bulk-producing foods
Oatmeal, apples, oranges, bran cereals

*Foods that aid in skin repair

-Protein
Nonfat dairy, beans, meat, poultry, fish, nuts

-Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, walnuts

-Selenium
Onion, garlic

Although herbs and dietary supplements offer a broad spectrum of benefits to the skin, it's no fun looking fabulous if you can't afford to go anywhere. So, save some cash and eat you way to clear skin.

1. Cleaning

Wash your face and hands even eight times a day, use a gentle soap. That will remove bacteria from your skin and prevent skin pores from being blocked. Keep your hands far from your face and don’t try to squeeze the pimples, dirty nails will worsen the situation.

2. Exercising

Take some cotton gym equipment and go for some sweating. Lycra clothes tend to keep bacteria close to your skin so loose clothes will certainly be better. Exercising improves blood circulation, your skin will look brighter and healthier.

3. Healthy diet

Drink plenty of water, all the stars do it. Tom Cruise claims he drinks 5 liters of water every day, and it isn’t dictated by his scientology religion, believe me. Your skin will look fresh and smooth for sure. Nourishment is essential, too. Make sure you eat good food, reduce fats and sweets from your diet. Vitamins are responsible for your skin condition, so eat foods full of vitamin A, E, C and B complex. Zinc and L-Carnitine are proven to enhance your skin condition.

4. Cosmetics

Use oil-free, alcohol-free delicate lotions and creams. Exfoliate your face to remove dead cells and clean skin pores. There are plenty of cosmetics on the market that are supposed to combat acne. Remember that cosmetics are only one part of acne treatment, healthy lifestyle is important as well. If you go to the dermatologist he can prescribe salicylic acid, antibiotics or oral contraceptives.

5. De-stressing

Stress triggers chemical reactions of your body that may result in pimples and spots, so try to relax and calm yourself down. Read books, listen to music, take a walk or go to the gym. You’ll regain your self-esteem and fight acne with much more vigour.

Hong Kong's top health official says that three dead chickens found at a farm have tested positive for bird flu and 80,000 chickens would be slaughtered.

Official York Chow said Tuesday that chicken imports would immediately be suspended for 21 days. He says the three birds that tested positive had the H5 virus. Further tests are being done to see if the birds had the deadly H5N1 strain.

Hong Kong's biggest bird flu outbreak was in 1997, when the H5N1 strain jumped to humans and killed six people. That prompted the government to slaughter all 1.5 million poultry in the territory.

As fall begins and the temperature starts to drop, many people may also notice a change in their complexions.

Many people develop drier skin during the colder months. Cold temperatures, low humidity, winds and indoor heat can lead to skin that is dry, flaky, scaly, cracked or irritated. People may attempt to relieve their dry skin by applying more moisturizer or washing their face less often. However, this may lead to additional skin problems.

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), alterations in skin care routines and additional moisturizing can lead to an increase in breakouts and redness during the transition into the colder months.

To help people avoid an increase in acne this fall, and keep the skin looking healthy year-round, the ASDS recommends the following tips:

* Follow all directions for prescribed medications. Laser treatments and oral medications that fight bacteria and lighten excessive oil production are a few ways to phase out blemishes. Maintaining an appropriate skin regimen helps them be effective. This includes following directions and schedules prescribed by your doctor. Be patient—it may be six to eight weeks before you see improvements with prescription or over-the-counter remedies.

* Eat a balanced diet. Research shows there is no direct link between eating greasy or sugary foods (including chocolate) and breakouts. However, food allergies may trigger acne for certain people. For these people, avoiding such foods may help to reduce pimples. Healthy lifestyle choices such as a balanced diet, exercise and stress management will really help your skin.

* Relax. The hormone that the body produces in response to stress is a known acne trigger and can cause a flare up. Try to develop techniques to help manage stress and avoid last minute deadlines.

* Choose oil-free cosmetics. When choosing cosmetics it's important to find the right kind for your specific skin type. Look for the words "non-comedogenic" on the label, choosing products that are oil-free and won't clog pores will help prevent future problems. Some concealers even contain benzoyl peroxide, which helps to fight acne while also disguising it.

* Don't fight acne alone. If you have tried to get rid of acne on your own and you're just not getting the job done, get help. A dermasurgeon can help to get you on the road to clearer skin.
Don't scrub. Many people associate acne with a dirty face, so they scrub their face with harsh soaps that sometimes contain irritating detergents that can increase breakouts. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soap and water and pat dry.

* Don't pop pimples. Popping a pimple increases the chance of further infection. Squeezing pimples actually pushes bacteria further into pores, which causes redness and swelling and may cause permanent scarring.

* Don't let scars get you down. Acne scarring can be emotionally devastating. Fortunately, treatment options continue to evolve.

Do you ever find yourself wishing your acne would just go away!

We wish for a lot of things that just never seem to happen. I wish I were independently wealthy. I wish I could lose some weight. I wish I had a better job. These are common refrains that end in frustration for many.

Well, as far as acne goes unfortunately it just does not go away by itself, no matter how hard you wish. In the case of acne care treatment, like most things in life, you have to be proactive. Whether it’s eating a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, staying away from junky sugary foods, drinking lots of alkaline water, exercising or using a quality skin care product line… you have to be doing something. Of course you know these things are important but are they enough to battle this stubborn condition? To a degree yes, but what more can you do?

Believe it or not the answer may be light. Recent discoveries in the area of phototherapy have been applied to the problem of acne skin care with astonishing results. Photo or light therapy has been growing in popularity for various skin care issues and it has been found to be very effective in restoring skin to a more youthful state. Those using light therapy with acne have seen some great results even though the particular devices used were not specifically made to handle acne. They worked because they strengthened the underlying integrity of the skin. Now however, there are LED based devices that utilize the latest discoveries in this field and have been able to target acne blemishes by incorporating a very particular kind of light. As far as acne treatment products go, the right type of light is essential. This particular light is in the blue area of the light spectrum. These blue lights are lethal to acne causing bacteria. Once these bacteria are addressed the body no longer has to produce an immune response (red bumps) in the skin, allowing it to heal. To long time acne sufferers this is an absolute miracle since most have tried every lotion and potion to no avail. This new acne skin care treatment shows great promise and gives hope to millions.

So what do you have to do to take care of your acne? The answer may be simply… light.

What causes acne?
Acne occurs when the hair follicle pores become blocked. The oil called sebum builds up inside the pore and becomes infected with bacteria. When the infection remains under the skin surface, it develops into a whitehead. When the infection partly reaches the surface and changes color, it develops into a blackhead.

Shouldn't I just try to eliminate sebum from my body?
No. When it isn't blocked in your pores, sebum helps keep your skin healthy.

Why does acne usually start at puberty?
No one knows for certain. What is known is that the sebaceous glands that produce sebum get much larger at puberty than they were before.

Why does the skin around a pimple turn red?
This redness is caused by the body's inflammatory response. Inflammation is a sign that your immune system is working to fight an infection. However, the inflammatory response doesn't always work perfectly, and can even be the cause of scarring.

If my skin turns red, does that mean that I'm going to have scars?
Usually, no. Even when there will be no permanent scar, the aftereffects of the inflammatory response can leave the skin red for months, sometimes for more than a year.

What are free radicals?
Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation in your body. We all need oxidation to occur as part of our life process, but there is concern that the buildup of unrecycled free radicals contributes to many conditions, including skin damage.

I already have the exercise part down, so on my quest for a fountain of youth I’m paying more attention to research on how to eat to age healthfully. The best information I’ve found? 7 anti-aging super foods and recipes to enjoy them in, from Peter Jaret’s James Beard Foundation award-winning article in EatingWell Magazine, “The Search for the Anti-Aging Diet.”

Read on to find out more about the 7 foods to keep you young:

Chocolate
The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

Get sweet satisfaction in seconds with delicious chocolate recipes, such as Chocolate & Nut Butter Bites (which include two of the 7 anti-aging super foods!):

Chocolate & Nut Butter Bites

8 1/4-ounce squares of bittersweet chocolate
4 teaspoons almond, cashew or pistachio butter

Top each chocolate square with 1/2 teaspoon nut butter of your choice (almond, cashew, pistachio). Two sandwiches make one serving.

Per serving: 79 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 12 mg sodium; 20 mg potassium. What you get: Magnesium, copper, chromium. 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving. Exchanges: 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 fat.

Blueberries
In a landmark study published in 1999, researchers at Tufts University’s Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging fed rats blueberry extract for a period of time that in “rat lives” is equivalent to 10 human years. These rats outperformed rats fed regular chow on tests of balance and coordination when they reached old age. Compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in memory and motor function. Eat more blueberries with healthy blueberry recipes.

Fish
Thirty years ago, researchers began to study why the native Inuits of Alaska were remarkably free of heart disease. The reason, scientists now think, is the extraordinary amount of fish they consume. Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms. Eat some tonight with a healthy fish recipe.

Nuts
Studies of Seventh-Day Adventists (a religious denomination that emphasizes healthy living and a vegetarian diet) show that those who eat nuts gain, on average, an extra two and a half years. Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They’re also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants.

Wine
Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Any kind of alcoholic beverage seems to provide such benefits, but red wine has been the focus of much of the research. Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that likely contributes to its benefits-and, according to animal studies, may activate genes that slow cellular aging.

Olive Oil
Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.

Yogurt
In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains “good bacteria” that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.

By Michelle Edelbaum

Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing,
she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.

1. Start the day right. Yes, that means breakfast. Combine a whole grain with fruit, skim dairy, or soy milk, and even add some lean protein to the mix to sustain energy levels throughout the morning. Cooked oatmeal with yogurt and a banana or Lite Mueslix with soy milk and blueberries are good choices.

2. Have a mid-morning snack. Combine a protein and a carbohydrate. It is fine to be hungry mid-morning, so honor your hunger and give your body fuel when it is asking for it. Try yogurt with a peach, low fat string cheese with an apple, or cottage cheese and grapes.

3. Eat lunch on time. Don't push back lunch until you are ravenous. Instead, eat your mid-day fuel right on time to keep your blood glucose levels nice and steady.

4. Boost your mental energy. Nature's nutrition for the brain are omega-3 fatty acids. Add light tuna or salmon to your lunchtime food choices, in addition to walnuts, tofu, and canola oil. Healthy fats keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, so add small amounts to meals and snacks. Some good choices include avocado and almonds.

5. Start the day with moderate caffeine levels and keep caffeine intake modest. While it does increase mental energy, too much caffeine may lead to energy highs and then lows, and can interfere with quality sleep.

6. Limit processed foods high in sugar. Avoid the office candy jar, treats, and vending machine whenever possible. Processed foods do not provide sustained energy and can result in low-energy moments during the day.

7. Consume foods high in folate. Higher levels of blood folate have been associated with faster and better thought processing. Good sources include lentils, chickpeas, black beans, asparagus, broccoli, avocado, and orange juice. Also important are vitamins B6, found in bananas and spinach, and B12, found in lean proteins and skim dairy products.

8. Have an afternoon snack. If dinner is late or if you have an evening workout scheduled, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat yogurt provide energizing carbohydrates.

9. Consume complex carbohydrates that contain fiber. The fiber allows the carbohydrates to be released more slowly, providing sustained energy. Opt for whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and whole grain cereals.

10. Stay hydrated. About two-thirds of our body is water, and dehydration can contribute to reduced energy levels. About 80% of the fluid we consume comes from the fluids we drink, and the other 20% comes from foods. Always drink when you are thirsty, and have water available during the day to hydrate regularly.

By: Monique Ryan, MS, RD