Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
Health Experts say a proposed national tax on soda and other sugary drinks of 1 cent per ounce could aid the United States' obesity epidemic, while generating $14.9 billion the first year alone.
The tax could help fund programs to prevent obesity, say a group of prominent researchers in an article in the Sept. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The authors believe such a tax would deter people from buying non-nutritious sweet drinks, thereby helping Americans to lose weight and reduce their health risks.
The tax would increase the cost of a 20-ounce soft drink by 15 to 20 percent. Researchers suggest the increased cost would lead to a minimum reduction of 20 calories a day per person from sweetened beverages. The revenue collected would benefit individual states and the federal government.
The concept of levying a "Twinkie tax" first gained attention in 1994, when Yale University psychology professor Kelly D. Brownell made the proposal in a piece in The New York Times.
Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said such taxes could help cover the cost of overhauling the U.S. health care system.
Meanwhile, studies continue to link consumption of beverages sweetened with sucrose (regular sugar), high-fructose corn syrup or fruit-juice concentrates to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, not to mention dental decay.
One such study found that each additional serving of sugar-sweetened beverage increased the risk of obesity in middle-school students by 60 percent.
In another study involving 100 high-school students, eliminating such drinks led to a significant decrease in body weight.
While the tax strategy has reduced cigarette and alcohol use, there's no guarantee it would work with food.
The beverage industry opposes a soda tax and also disputes the connection between consumption of sweetened drinks and obesity.
"Excise taxes on soft drinks simply do not reduce obesity rates," the American Beverage Association said in a statement issued Wednesday. "West Virginia and Arkansas are two prime examples -- both have excise taxes on soft drinks, yet rank fifth and sixth highest in the nation for obesity rates, " it said.
What are your thoughts on the proposed tax? Leave a comment and let us know.
Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Wed, Sep 16, 2009
We all know the current life expectancy of those fortunate enough to live in the USA. According to the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, a US resident born in 2004 has a life expectancy of 77.9 years. Of course most of us hope to live even longer so we can watch our generations of family grow as we age. Studies suggest that taking natural supplements can help us live long and healthy lives. So, what have we got to lose? Improving the quality of our life, however long it may turn out to be, is a big bonus.
The following are 5 supplements known to support longevity and the reasons why they are great for aiding a long and healthy life.
- Omega-3 is proven to promote a healthy heart. It also lubricates joints, which are going to get a lot of wear in your potential 100 years of active life. It is difficult to get sufficient Omega-3 in your natural diet, so take a supplement of at least 420mg of EPA and 280mg of DHA. Choose a well-established and respected brand which uses sustainable sources of fish.
- A Vitamin B complex that includes B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) as well as folic acid, B12, pantothenic acid and biotine. Each of the B-vitamins is essential to good health and this family of natural supplements work together to be even more effective when taken together.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid 400mg taken daily is heralded as ‘the universal oxidant’ shown to protect the integrity of our cells, from the brain to the liver. Dr Nicholas Perricone is a staunch advocate of this natural supplement and the role it plays in the body’s defense network, the repair of collagen damage and the control of inflammation.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine supports mental energy, improves mood and slows the aging of the cells, particularly brain cells.
- Vitamin D is high on the list of health supplements for long life. It is associated with a decreased risk of many health problems and is important for maintaining natural calcium levels. It is particularly important for those who do not live with year-round sunshine.
There are of course many more all-natural supplements which help to enhance our health, but the above products have a bias towards a longer life. Here’s to many more birthdays for us all!
If you would like more information on herbal supplements for a healthy lifestyle, visit HealthyChoiceNaturals.com
Posted by Healthy Choice Naturals on Wed, Sep 16, 2009
Giving up smoking is likely to be one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do in your life. You want to quit smoking and you know you should, for your health, for your family and to save money, but although your mind is willing, your long-term willpower may be weak. Quitting smoking is tough, and some find it almost impossible to do. Nicotine is a powerful addict, and although many people choose to start smoking of their own free will, most people do not continue to smoke because they want to, but because they are addicted.
Many wise smokers do not want to add more drugs to their body, so they choose to quit smoking naturally. If you are serious about wanting to quit smoking naturally, use some or all of our tips and make this the time you succeed!
5 Tips to Help You Quit Smoking Naturally
- Add exercise to your new lifestyle. It occupies your mind and gets you through those moments of weakness. When you really, really want a cigarette, put on your running gear and take off.
- Add low-fat, high-fiber foods to your diet to speed detoxification and maintain energy. These foods also help avoid weight gain.
- Tell your non-smoking friends and work associates that you have quit smoking. The thought of them catching you smoking and mocking you may be just enough to stop you taking that first backward step.
- Put your cigarette money in a jar, then treat yourself to a reward - a beauty treatment, a good book or a weekend away will give you the pat on the back you deserve.
- Look for an all-natural formula of products which work together to help reduce the cravings and desire to smoke. There are some excellent stop-smoking packages which include several aids to help you quit smoking naturally. Natural products such as echinacea are known to help your body resist cravings, whilst sarsaparilla helps prevent the dreaded weight gain and passion flower helps reduce tension and feelings of anxiety. Add to this burdock root, kelp and hyssop which are all known to cleanse the body of nicotine deposits, making you feel healthier and livelier. The package may also include an aromatherapy oil to be used at times when the urge to smoke becomes almost irresistible. Rub the oil under your nose; the action and the vapor together will help you overcome the urge safely and naturally. One final component in the package is a low-dose formula to help you maintain your new status as a non-smoker.
No-one can do it alone; we all need a little help. Natural formulas are very safe, affordable and effective in helping to overcome the urge to smoke. Making the decision to quit smoking naturally is the first step in your successful bid to quit smoking for life.
For more information on ways to quit smoking naturally, visit healthychoicenaturals.com.
Posted by Ian Ibbetson on Tue, Sep 01, 2009
Krill Oil’s Top 3 Benefits
Few people have heard of krill oil and are unaware of the potential benefits of including this all-natural product in their diet. Krill are tiny shrimp-like crustaceans which are 1-6cm long. They live on phytoplankton and are in turn eaten by whales, seals, penguins, squid and other fish. They are primarily fished in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. The oil is extracted and used as a natural health supplement. It is usually taken in capsule form, like other fish oil supplements.
Here are the top 3 benefits of this little known health supplement.
Krill Oil is a Powerful Anti-Oxidant
We are well aware of the benefits of taking fish oil, but in terms of Oxygen Radical Absorptancer Capacity values, krill oil was found to be 48 times more potent than other fish oils. It contains Vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D and canthaxanthin, which is similar to astaxanthin which makes it an incredibly potent anti-oxidant and an excellent all-natural supplement which should be considered as part of any daily health regimen. Antioxidants protect our body cells from free radicals, substances believed to be a contributing factor in some chronic diseases.
It protects against Ultra-Violet Rays
The algae which the krill eat produce a red pigment called astaxanthin which give lobsters and shrimps their red colour. The astaxanthin found in this all-natural product has been found to provide excellent protection against harmful ultra-violet light which causes skin damage.
Excellent Source of Omega 3’s
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) include both Omega-3 fats and Omega-6 fats. EFAs are called essential because your body cannot make them. Therefore, EFAs must be obtained through your diet. Americans consume a dangerously insufficient amount of Omega-3 acids, while our intake of Omega-6 is too high.
Seafood is a good source of omega-3 fats. However, many people are concerned about eating fish because of concerns to exposure to mercury and toxic substances. Krill is an excellent source of omega-3-fats and because krill are at the bottom of the food chain, they are not be as heavily exposed to marine pollutants, making them a safe substitute for seafood.
When looking for a krill oil supplement, make to look for krill that are harvested in the Antarctic which is held as the gold standard. Antarctic krill oil is derived from remote, deep-water seas. This ensures that the krill to be processed are not heavily contaminated by industrial pollutants and are processed through a cold extraction method.
Healthychoicenaturals has more information on the incredible benefits of Krill Oil.
Healthy Choice Naturals