Laughter good medicine for dementia

Laughter may be good medicine for elderly dementia patients -- and best of all, it doesn't have side effects.

Australian humor therapist Jean-Paul Bell was originally a clown doctor working with sick children, but now he makes the elderly laugh through a programme called Play-Up.
Bell was also the key humor therapist in a Sydney-based study into the impact of humor therapy on mood, agitation, behavioral disturbances and social engagement in dementia patients, a study that showed those who took part seemed happier.
"The whole idea behind the Play-Up programme and what we're doing at the Arts Health Institute is encouraging them to play more because we believe that they've got potential to keep playing right until you take your last breath," Bell said.
He set up the Arts Health Institute to train aged-care staff in fostering playful relationships with their patients, particularly those with dementia.
The study, called the SMILE study, took place over three years, involving 36 nursing homes and 400 residents.
Dressed in a bright blue jacket with brass buttons and shoulder tabs, Bell uses a combination of games, jokes and songs -- accompanying himself on a ukulele -- to get the elderly to laugh.
In addition to seeming more content, the dementia patients involved in the study seemed less agitated by 20 percent, said lead researcher Lee-Fay Low at the University of New South Wale's School of Psychiatry.
"Twenty percent sounds like a small effect but it's about the same amount, the same effect as you would get if you gave them an antipsychotic medication -- medication you would use to treat schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder," Low said.
According to the University of New South Wales, dementia rates are expected to double in Australia to about 450,000, mainly due to an aging population.
About 6.5 percent of people over 65 and 22 percent of people over 85 have dementia, an umbrella term used to describe up to 60 different conditions causing similar neurodegenerative changes in the brain.
Best of all, the dementia patients weren't the only ones who benefited from the study.
"The staff were invigorated, they felt that their jobs were enhanced," said therapist Joanne Rodrigues.

Child Face Mask

A child-size, single-use face mask to help prevent the spread of germs in hospitals and other health care settings has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The mask is designed to prevent transmission of bacteria, viruses and other germs by children aged 5 years to 12 years. The product is specially designed for children, who do not breathe as forcefully as adults, the FDA noted in a news release.
The mask comes with important instructions for proper fitting by an adult, the agency said. The product shouldn't be used on children with symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, chest pressure, dizziness or confusion.

Tested in Spain :HIV

A team of Spanish researchers has developed a prototype of a vaccine against the AIDS-causing HIV virus that is 'much more powerful' than those made to date.

The feat was made public Wednesday at a press conference by those responsible for the research -- Mariano Esteban, of the National Biotechnology Center of Spain's CSIC research council; Felipe Garcia, with Barcelona's Clinic Hospital; and Juan Carlos Lopez Bernaldo de Quiros, with Madrid's Gregorio Maranon Hospital.
After showing a high level of efficiency in mice and monkeys, testing was begun in humans a year ago and during the first phase the vaccine was administered to 30 healthy people selected from among 370 volunteers.
The study was 'random and double blind', that is to say that researchers did not decide which subjects would receive the vaccine and which would receive the placebo, and the people in the study also did not know which one they were receiving, said Lopez Bernaldo de Quiros.
Six people received the placebo and 24 the vaccine. The latter experienced 'limited' and 'slight' secondary effects (headaches, pain in the injection area or general discomfort), and so it can be confirmed that 'the vaccine is safe for continuing with the clinical development of the product', the researcher said.
Ninety-five percent of the patients who received the vaccine developed bodily defenses - although the normal rate for prior HIV vaccines has been 25 percent - and also, whereas other vaccines stimulate the production of cells or antibodies, this prototype 'managed to stimulate both', Felipe Garcia emphasized.
In 85 percent of the patients, the defenses generated were maintained for at least a year, 'which in this field is enough time,' he added.
The researchers will now perform a new clinical trial, this time with volunteers infected with HIV, with the aim of learning if the vaccine, in addition to preventing AIDS can also be used to treat it.
The vaccine prototype, patented by the CSIC, is designed to combat HIV's subtype B, the one that is most prevalent in Europe, the US, South and Central America and the Caribbean. The strain that is most widely spread in Africa and Asia is subtype C.

Global Health Habits

From spices to siestas, every culture has their own solutions to staying healthy and managing their weight. To help inspire your healthy living, check out the top 10 global health secrets that could help you stay fit and trim.

Cook with fresh, quality ingredients
Choose fish over meat
Red meat is a staple of many of our diets, which is perhaps one of the reasons for the high levels of heart disease across the world. For a healthier protein option, take inspiration from the Japanese and Icelandic diets and stock up on seafood. Not only is fish good for heart health, but a study has suggested that the Icelandic diet – high in Omega-3-rich fish – may be responsible for their unexpectedly low rate of seasonal affective disorder, or the “winter blues”.
Don’t cut out food groups
Many of us drift from one food fad to another, cutting out carbs one week and fats the next. However, we should take note of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely renowned to be one of the world’s healthiest diets and which embraces the idea of all things in moderation. Not only does the Mediterranean diet feature carbs, dairy and wine, but one of its particular characteristics is its abundant use of olive oil. Rather than cutting out food groups entirely, take inspiration from this diet and try to choose healthier options, such as monounsaturated fats, and eat them in moderation.
Enjoy your food
If you’re prone to eating on the run or in front of the TV, take a lesson from European cultures such as France and Italy where food is savoured and enjoyed in a more leisurely fashion. Taking longer meals and focusing on what you are eating – rather than what’s happening on the TV – will help you to enjoy your food more and cut the risk of overeating. As it takes 20 minutes for your body to register the feeling of being full, this will also help you to eat less. Try also eating with others, which will make you more aware of how much – and how quickly – you are eating.
Stop eating before you're completely full
Taking note of when you start to feel full is one of the most important steps to maintaining a healthy weight. Not only will eating more slowly help you to recognise this feeling, but by stopping eating at the very first signs of fullness you can help to avoid overeating and reduce your appetite. The Okinawans – who are reputed to have the world’s longest life expectancy – traditionally adhere to the practise of eating until they are 80 per cent full; a habit known as hara hachi bu.
Ditch the car
While lots of us hit the gym a couple of times a week, research shows that regular daily activity could be more effective than sporadic workouts - and this is an area where many of us are lacking. While we’re not suggesting you ditch your workout entirely, to boost your health and fitness try taking inspiration from the Netherlands, where it is said there are more bikes than people and where cycling is a popular method of transport. Try squeezing in more everyday activity like walking or cycling to the shops or work, or simply taking the stairs rather than using the lift.
Drink with meals
We all know the dangers alcohol poses to our health, but drinking wine (particularly red) actually has health benefits when drunk in moderation. Rather than binge drinking to get drunk, try adopting Mediterranean habits of drinking wine in moderation and with meals, and try to savour each glass. Not only will this help to cut the health risks associated with alcohol (not to mention the calories) but drinking wine can also help to increase good cholesterol and cut heart disease risk.
Eat more spices
Whether you love Indian dishes or are more partial to Mexican cuisine, eating spicy foods could help you lose weight and boost your health. According to a study conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles, turmeric – a spice found in many curries – could help slow Alzheimer’s, which may explain the low instance of the disease among the ageing population of India. Chilli peppers meanwhile can help you lose weight by speeding up your metabolism and making you eat slowly; thereby giving your brain more time to register fullness.
Take a nap
The Spanish have a long-held tradition of taking an afternoon siesta, and many Japanese have also embraced the idea of power naps to get them through long working days. So, are we missing out by powering through? According to abundant research, the answer could be yes. Sleep can help you live longer, increase weight loss, boost memory and reduce stress. A six-year Greek study has also discovered that those who took a half hour nap at least three times a week had 37% less risk of dying of heart disease, proving that this may well be a health trend we should take note of.
Have some family time
Research findings published in the journal Plos Medicine have indicated that having strong ties to family and friends can help you live longer, which may be one reason for the renowned good health of Italians, who are known for their close-knit families. A survey of people in 11 different countries – including the US, UK and Australia – also revealed that Brazilians spent the most time with their families (an average of 74 hours per week) and had one of the lowest stress levels. So, take a leaf out of their book and schedule in some family time to give your health a boost.Many of us are guilty of turning to pre-prepared, processed foods when we’re in a hurry, but these are often packed with salt, sugar and additives which are damaging to our health. Instead, we should take our lead from countries such as Italy and Japan who rely on fresh, seasonal produce for their healthy cuisines. Try frequenting local markets to pick up fresh goods, or you could even take inspiration from Russia where it is common for families to grow their own food.

Health Food Myths

Wasn't it mom who used to say, "Don't believe everything you read"? Once again, she was right! The wealth of information available pertaining to health and nutrition is pretty impressive and a wonderful resource for us all. Unfortunately, marketing gimmicks and unconfirmed sources to misunderstandings and falsities sneak in. Below, we've set the record straight on 10 common misconceptions about health and diet:

1) Fresh is always better than frozen
Freshly shelled peas contain more vitamins than a bag of frozen ones, right? Not exactly. Frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as good as fresh because they are harvested right at their nutritional peak and immediately frozen. The fresh variety often travel far distances and sit on grocery shelves and along the way heat, air, and water can lead to loss of nutrients. So what to do? Buy both. Keep bags of unseasoned veggies and unsweetened fruits in the freezer—they'll come in handy during a week when you don't make it to the market. But also buy plenty of fresh produce, especially in-season edibles. No matter which you choose, be sure to eat it.
2) Sea salt has less sodium
There are several varieties of salt available these days, but one isn't better for you than the other. Pretty packaging and terms like "natural" can be deceptive. Gram for gram, sea salt contains as much sodium as table salt. However, because of its larger crystals, you may be inclined to use less of it.
Related: One Dish Dinner Recipes
3) Red wine is good for you
Doctors agree that a glass of vino a day is chock-full of health benefits, however there's a key word in that sentence—"A"! Once you drink more than one serving, you may counteract the health benefits you get from one glass. One more note: Most studies show that alcohol in any form—whether beer, liquor or wine has health perks so pick your pleasure. But again, the benefits come from moderate drinking—defined as a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce bottle of beer, or a one-ounce shot of alcohol. Women should stick with one serving; men, as unfair as it seems, are permitted two.
4) Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar
The difference between these two in terms of health is absolutely nothing. Brown sugar is simply white sugar that has had molasses reintroduced to it. Because of its molasses content, brown sugar does contain minerals, however only in small amounts so the health difference is minuscule.
5) 100% fruit juice is best for you
100% fruit juice counts as a serving of produce but ideally, you should opt for whole fruit over a glass of juice. Why? Juice has more calories than a piece of fruit and lacks fill-you-up fiber. On the other hand, a whole piece of fruit provides vitamins, fiber and, tends to reduce intake of other food.
Related: Farm-Fresh & Fabulous Vegetarian Meals
6) Organic food is more nutritious
Organic foods are guaranteed to be grown without synthetic flavors, colors, sweeteners, most preservatives, and toxic or long-lasting pesticides and fertilizers and have not been genetically modified. Are they better for the environment? Yes. Are they more nutritious? Not necessarily. The USDA makes no claims that organic foods are healthier than non-organic foods.
7) I exercised so I need a sports drink
Unless you are exercising intensely for more than an hour or in extreme heat, plain old water is sufficient to quench your thirst and replenish any fluids lost. For your typical 30-minute speed walk or treadmill jog, consuming a sports drink is just added calories!
8) Dark bread is always better than white
A darker loaf of bread does not necessarily mean it's made with whole grains—it could simply just contain caramel coloring or a little extra whole wheat and be no healthier than white bread. Look for the words "whole grain" or "100 percent whole wheat" on the package and that the first ingredient listed is: whole wheat, oats, whole rye, whole-grain corn, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, or brown rice.
Related: Easy Summer Fruit Recipes
9) Eggs with brown shells are more nutritious than white ones
The only thing the color of an eggshell indicates is the color of the feathers of the bird from which it came! The color does not affect nutrition. White eggs are laid by white hens and brown eggs are laid by red hens. Since brown eggs often cost a bit more than white eggs, save your money without sacrificing nutrition.
10) If the label says "All Natural", it must be healthy
Unless it's on meat or poultry (indicating no artificial flavorings, colorings or irradiation), the term "natural" holds no meaning—it's unregulated and undefined.

10 Health Tips For Lazy People

1 : Build exercise into your routine

Many of us think we need to spend hours working up a sweat at the gym to stay fit. However, while intense workouts are beneficial, they can also be extremely off-putting and are not strictly necessary. Research shows that regular daily activity could be more effective than sporadic workouts, so rather than allotting a specific "exercise time" a day, try peppering your day with gentle bits of activity such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, doing the housework, or walking to the shops at lunch.

2 : Make your own ready meals

We all know that eating fresh, homemade produce is good for us, yet many of us are far too tired to be whipping up a culinary masterpiece after a hard day's work. However, rather than falling into the trap of relying on shop bought ready meals which may be lacking in nutritional value, try making your own healthy versions instead. By cooking up healthy meals in large batches at the weekend, you can be sure to have plenty of healthy choices in your freezer for those days when you're too lazy to cook.

3 : Get a pet

If you want big health results without making a big effort, getting a pet could be the way to go. Multiple research studies have shown that pet owners have improved physical and mental health, including lowered blood pressure, better ability to cope with adverse life effects, and lowered stress levels. For those who need encouragement to up their fitness levels, getting a pet dog may also provide you with that push you need to get out and get active.

4 : Exercise while watching TV

Vegging out in front of the TV can be the quickest way to pile on the pounds. However, couch potatoes needn't despair; there are plenty of ways to keep healthy and active in front of the screen. To boost your fitness while watching TV, try squeezing a mini-workout into each commercial break. From situps to skipping or a quick run up and down stairs, there are plenty of ways to introduce activity into your TV-watching schedule. The golden rule is simply to keep moving, with research suggesting that even fidgeting while sitting can burn up to 350 extra calories a day.

5 : Do a crossword puzzle

If you really can't find the energy to put yourself through a workout, take the opportunity instead to work on another area of your body – your brain. Boosting your mental health is just as important as improving your physical wellbeing, and luckily this can be done from the comfort of your couch. Research has found that frequent participation in mentally stimulating activities can reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease, so rather than switching on the TV when you get in from work, give your brain a challenge and reach for a crossword, Sudoku puzzle or book instead.

6 : Have leisurely meals

If there's one instance where being lazy is an advantage, it's when eating your meals. Taking long, leisurely meals – as opposed to eating on the run or multi-tasking – is a great way to look after your digestive system and also help you lose weight. By eating more slowly and focusing on your food, you will enjoy and savor it more and cut the risk of overeating. Also, as it takes 20 minutes for your body to register the feeling of being full, by eating more slowly you will feel full after less.

7 : Order a fruit and veg box

If compiling your own healthy shopping lists feels too much like hard work, save time and energy by letting someone else do the work. Many farms and health food stores now deliver seasonal fruit and veg to local areas on a weekly basis, making it easy to try varied healthy produce without stepping foot out your door. Alternatively, for those who want more and have pennies to spare, several companies now offer the option of having prepared healthy meals delivered direct to your home.

7 : Hit the dance floor

While the idea of a workout fills many with dread, there are plenty of ways to stay fit without it feeling like hard work. If you struggle to get motivated for an organised exercise session, try turning a night out into a workout instead. Hitting the floor for a dance is a great way to get fit, burn calories and tone and strengthen the body. More importantly, unlike with the gym, it provides a fun workout that won't feel like exercise.

8 : Supplement your diet

Keep falling off the healthy eating wagon? Try complementing your diet with a good quality nutritional supplement or "superfood". While it's no substitute for a healthy eating regime, on those days when your good intentions slip by the wayside a good supplement should help tide you over. Try a multi-vitamin complex or a natural "superfood" – such as spirulina, wheatgrass or bee pollen – which is packed with nutrients to help keep your health on track.

9 : Get lots of sleep

While laziness is generally considered to be detrimental to your health, when it comes to sleeping it can actually pay off. Research has found that sleep can help you live longer, boost your memory and reduce stress, while getting less than five hours a night can lead to accidents, weight gain, and increased risk of heart disease. While it's possible to have too much of a good thing, getting a regular eight hour's sleep is a cheap and simple way to boost your health.

Hit the Gym After Finding Out

THOSE MIDDLING MESOMORPHS
WE ALL have friends who seem to be perpetually fit. They visit the gym less often than you and also eat more liberally, yet manage to maintain that hourglass figure or the bulky muscles. Most likely they fall into the category of people called mesomorphs.
EAT THIS: The metabolism of this group is moderate. They put on weight if they remain inactive for a few weeks and lose weight if they workout a little more. Such people should maintain a balanced diet as they can look overweight if they eat too much. A mesomorph diet should contain 30 per cent protein, 40 per cent carbohydrates and 30 per cent healthy fats.
"Eat good amount of protein to build and sustain strong muscles such as tuna, turkey, eggs, salmon, chicken, and whey protein," says Sandhya Gugnani, nutritionist, Ozone – Fitness ' n' Spa.
DO THIS: If you are a mesomorph, you will respond best to weight training and cardio workouts since they will increase your metabolic rate and lead to quicker muscle gain. Do three to five cardio workouts a week at a moderate to fast pace for 30- 45 mins to keep in shape. If you're not interested in getting too muscular, combine yoga and pilates with weights and cardio. Movements, posture and breath control of yoga and pilates provide muscular conditioning in a routine less likely to create a bulky look. Lightto- moderate weight training done 2 to 3 times a week will help enhance tone, not size.

SOFT & ROUND ENDOMORPHS
ENDOMORPHS have round and soft bodies, and their arms and legs are short in length. They find it very easy to gain weight, but a lot of the mass is fat and not muscle. While endomorphs have a harder time than other body types in losing fat, this can be done with some extra effort.
EAT THIS : Your metabolism is sluggish and you put on weight easily. You are sensitive to insulin too. Ideally a diet higher in lean protein than in carbohydrates would suit you the best. Go for lean meats, poultry and fish which are good sources of protein. Eggs, seeds, nuts and legumes are also healthy sources of protein. Go for whole, complex and fibrous carbs such as vegetables, beans, brown rice and oatmeal. Divide your daily diet into 25 per cent carbohydrates, 35 per cent protein and 40 per cent healthy fats. Most importantly, eat healthy fats like olive oil, foods rich in Omega 3 and avocados.
Also, add Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA, which reduces body fat and increases lean body mass, to your diet. CLA is available in pill and tablet.
Natural food sources of CLA are dairy foods such as yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese and eggs.
DO THIS: Since this group of people usually carries extra fat around the lower abdomen, hips and thighs, they need to get onto a programme that burns calories instead of a lot of strength training. Go for low impact cardio workouts like walking or biking every day for at least 45 minutes. Your cardio workouts should generally be done at a moderately intense level. You can include total body weight training routine three times a week to emphasise those glorious curves by adding muscle tone. Perform two sets of weight training per body part with 10- 15 repetitions per set using a moderate to light weight.

LEAN & MEAN ECTOMORPHS
LEAN, lightly muscled and small-shouldered people are called ectomorphs.
They have delicately built bodies and flat chests. Their bones are light and the joints are small, and they find it difficult to gain weight because of a high metabolic rate that burns up calories quickly.
EAT THIS: If you fall into this group, you have a high metabolic rate and use up carbs quickly. So the first diet rule is to have more calories than you burn. So, 55 per cent of your diet should come from carbohydrates, 25 per cent from protein and 20 percent from fat. Try to have smaller and frequent meals every 2 to 3 hours, to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Ectomorphs have difficulty gaining muscle mass and the chances of muscle breakdown are also higher. So eat a high protein diet with plenty of dairy foods and soya. It's a good idea to eat before and after a workout as this helps in muscle recovery. Lastly, ectomorphs should be careful not to eat junk food just because they won't gain weight.
Also, take multivitamin supplements as they would help in protein absorption and overall functioning of the body.

DO THIS: The goal for a thin body person is to gain tone or muscle mass. Focus on muscle growth through heavy weight training with fewer repetitions ( 4- 6). It will be ideal for ectomorphs to do short heavy workouts to tear down the muscle while preserving as many calories as possible for growth and repair. The weight training session should not exceed 45 minutes and they can do away with the cardio workout to begin with.
Ectos looking for more curves should take up swimming because the water provides resistance and the body will often provide extra fat insulation for skinny bodies that do regular pool workouts.
Resistance training can also help build both muscle tone and bone density, which is important for ecto women, who often have small fragile bones prone to osteoporosis.

Smoking Risk

Obese adolescent girls have more than twice the risk for high-level nicotine addiction in young adulthood, according to a new study. Smoking is just one of the problematic behaviors that appeal to some teens, along with delinquency, drug use, alcohol use and early or unprotected sexual activity. Some of the risk factors that could lead teens to engage in these behaviors include low self-esteem, depression and poor academic performance. Obese teenage girls in the study were more likely to report each of these risk factors. "As we address the issue of obesity, it is important to prevent poor medical outcomes, but we must also recognize the risk for these psychosocial outcomes and support and counsel teens appropriately," said lead author Aliya Esmail Hussaini, M.D., of the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation in Austin, Texas. The authors analyzed data from a group of more than 4,000 U.S. adolescent girls who responded to three waves of surveys over a six-year period. The findings regarding obesity and nicotine addiction held true regardless of socioeconomic status, age, race, parental smoking and many other factors. It is also important to point out that obesity might not be a stand-alone risk factor for heavy smoking, Jessor said. Instead, similar psychosocial risk factors might lead to a "syndrome" of problem behaviors that includes both obesity and heavy smoking.