Wild Blueberries Are "Healthiest Superfood"

In recent good news for health-conscious consumers, Health magazine has named Wild Blueberries high on its list of “America’s Healthiest Superfoods for Women.” The feature, running in the magazine’s January/February 2010 issue, singles out Wild Blueberries’ impressive variety of potential health benefits, including preventing memory loss, improving motor skills, lowering blood pressure, and fighting wrinkles (see http://tinyurl.com/yzrsndg).

“If berries are nutritional treasures, Wild Blueberries are the crown jewels…truly one of nature’s ultimate antiaging foods,” according to the feature, which gave Wild Blueberries the #2 slot on its Superfoods list. Health editors recommend that readers mix in Wild Blueberries with their daily berries servings “as much as possible” for their many health benefits, and point readers to the frozen fruit aisle of supermarkets for the healthy frozen version available every season of the year.

A native North American berry, Wild Blueberries (www.wildblueberries.com) grow naturally in Downeast Maine and Canada. The state of Maine is by far the #1 producer in the world, growing over 90 million pounds in recent years. Sweet and tangy Wild Blueberries – as opposed to their cultivated counterpart – have been found to have a higher level of antioxidants than most other fruits by USDA research findings and by such respected publications as the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, having long been prized for their nutritional properties. The delicious, pearl-sized berries may help boost immune systems and help guard against cell damage associated with cancer, heart disease, damage from stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and the effects of aging for both men and women.

The recent Health article on America’s Healthiest Superfoods further builds on Wild Blueberries’ stellar reputation in the health and flavor arena. The magazine reports that when Cornell University scientists recently devised a new method of testing the antioxidant activity in foods, Wild Blueberries scored the highest marks.

“This is impressive. Wild Blueberries have become a bona fide icon for healthy foods, plain and simple,” noted Dr. Steven Pratt, M.D., senior staff ophthalmologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, world-renowned nutrition authority, and author of the best-selling SuperFoods Rx series of books. “Of particular interest has been watching the rise of frozen Wild Blueberries (http://www.wildblueberries.com/frozen_landingpage/index.php), where the frozen version of the fruit is every bit as nutritious as the fresh off the field.”

Dr. Pratt’s observation helps explain why nutrient-rich, frozen Wild Blueberries are changing how many shoppers are beginning to view the frozen food aisle in their local supermarkets.

Nutrition Advisor Susan Davis, MS, RD agrees: “Wild Blueberries really are leading the charge in the frozen fruit aisle,” she said. “For starters, you’ve got all of the antioxidant-rich nutritional properties remaining intact when fresh Wild Blueberries are flash-frozen. But add to that the unique fact that Wild Blueberries perfectly retain their structural integrity and sweet flavor when frozen, and health-conscious shoppers who want Wild Blueberries year round are presented with a ‘home run’ fruit.

“This is an especially valuable dynamic when you consider that the majority of Americans still aren’t eating the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables,” Davis added. “Frozen Wild Blueberries can really help people reach the next healthy-eating level, and that’s a promising development.”

A growing number of headlines over the past few years have drawn attention to the many benefits of Wild Blueberries’ high antioxidant value. One such national example is AARP The Magazine’s “Healing Foods” feature, which reported that when Tufts University researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging reviewed disease-fighting antioxidant activity of 40 fruits and vegetables, Wild Blueberries beat the pack by a wide margin. Study results indicated that the benefits of eating just one serving of Wild Blueberries equaled those of eating two to three servings of other fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, apples, and broccoli. A wide range of news outlets ranging from CBS News and Yahoo! Health to The New York Times Magazine similarly have promoted the natural fruit’s benefits and growing appeal.

“Wild Blueberries are viewed as a superfood for a reason, and more and more Americans are coming to realize that,” added Dr. Pratt. “It’s interesting that this very different sort of fruit can provide so many real benefits to such a wide range of people interested in healthy options – whether aging Americans, younger couples, or their kids – but can go about doing so in such a simple, delicious and convenient way.”

The Wild Blueberry Association of North America sees the inherent nutrition and convenience value of frozen Wild Blueberries, as well, and is aligned with the Produce for Better Health Foundation in support of its “Fruits and Veggies More Matters” campaign. The campaign seeks to educate Americans that all forms of fruits and veggies – frozen, fresh, canned and dried – count toward meeting daily fruit and vegetable consumption goals.

Is America Dealing With Its Homeless People?

This week, communities across the country will rally elected officials, service providers, and volunteers to conduct local homeless counts – a measure of the number of people experiencing homelessness. This year’s count marks the first opportunity to assess the impact of the federal stimulus program aimed at preventing and ending homelessness in the face of the recession.

As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), President Obama created the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). This program is intended to help the most financially vulnerable avoid or escape homelessness. The $1.5 billion program provides help paying for housing and negotiating with landlords,, as well as case management and other services to help families get back on their feet. . The National Alliance to End Homelessness (Alliance) projected that, without federal intervention, another 1.5 million people would experience homelessness over the course of two years as a result of the recession; HPRP is expected to help 600,000 people.

“Prior to the recession, we had turned the corner on homelessness, finally beginning to reduce the number. That has now changed,” said Nan Roman, president of the Alliance. “High unemployment and increasing deep poverty are driving the number of homeless people up in many places. These counts will help us understand the national picture, and what the impact of HPRP has been. Certainly the counts are a reminder that this is a problem far from solved – and there has never been a more urgent time to address this great American tragedy. As all Americans struggle through this recession, we must not forget those most vulnerable to the instability of the economy. “

Homeless counts are required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) every other year, though many communities count annually. From 2005 – when the first count was federally mandated – to 2007, homelessness declined by an average of ten percent. From 2007 to 2008, homelessness stayed flat. An evaluation of the 2009 counts is expected from HUD by this summer, which could serve as the first insight into the effect of the recession on the state of American homelessness.

The Alliance has produced an interactive map which includes all community counts officially submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The map tracks increases and decreases in homeless numbers, as well as changes to the community’s size. The map is available on the Alliance website: http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/data/interactivemaps/mycountsmap.

Brain Abnormalities in Parkinson's Patients Develop Before Symptoms Occu

Scientists who have identified brain networks damaged in Parkinson's disease have new evidence that these systems become abnormal a few years before symptoms appear. And what's more, parts of the network appear to respond in a last ditch attempt to rescue the brain.

"We were surprised," said Chris Tang, MD, PhD, a Parkinson's investigator at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (www.feinsteininstitute.org) in Manhasset, NY, and an author of the study, published this month in the Journal of Neuroscience. The Feinstein scientists have been following people with Parkinson's disease for decades. They have had a unique opportunity to take snapshots of the brain over the course of four years in 15 patients and an equal number of normal volunteers. The group initially identified two discrete abnormal networks, one that was involved in mediating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and the other that regulates the cognitive dysfunction that develops in many patients with this illness.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease initially occur on one side of the body, which provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study the brain scans at multiple times and compare the symptoms to changes in the brain networks over time. The idea for the latest study was to watch the activity of the network on the side of the brain that controls the side of the body that's free of symptoms. As the disease progresses, both sides of the body ultimately become involved.

The motor network that governed the side of the body with initial symptoms was the first to become abnormal. Scientists under the direction of David Eidelberg, MD, head of the Feinstein's Center for Neurosciences, found that the motor network on the other side of the brain was also abnormal, even though symptoms appeared only two years later. The brain network that governs cognition began showing abnormalities after two more years had passed, which was four years after their diagnosis. The average age of the patients in the study is 58 and no one has yet to develop cognition problems.

The brain scans measure glucose and dopamine, the chemical that is depleted during the disease process. By using these scans to understand what the brain is doing before symptoms emerge, investigators are characterizing new therapeutic targets to slow or actually prevent the onset of clinical disability in Parkinson's disease and related neurological illnesses.

About The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Headquartered in Manhasset, NY, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (www.feinsteininstitute.org) is home to international scientific leaders in cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, human genetics, neuroimmunology, and medicinal chemistry. Feinstein researchers are developing new drugs and drug targets, and producing results where science meets the patient, annually enrolling some 10,000 subjects into clinical research programs.

Sexy Tips For Losing Weight

Surveys of women across America reveal that 43% of women suffer from some form of sexual inadequacy due to low desire or performance issues. Most women today identify stress, fatigue and poor body image due to weight gain as their silent sex lives saboteur. Many complain that they are too stressed for sex because their to-do lists are often longer than the number of hours in a day.

Genie James, M.M.Sc. author of the newly released book "In the Mood Again," says if you feel this way it is no wonder when he reaches for you at night and you are dead tired, or in the morning when you are in a deep sleep, that you are simply not in the mood. Her suggestion (that has worked for thousands of women) is to add sex back into your to-do list and simultaneously check off those things you have been trying to put on your daily schedule to help you stress-less, lose weight and increase feelings of intimacy with your partner.

Here are a few tips:

1. Feeling stressed, overwhelmed and just plain blue, forgo the anti-depressant and hop in the sack: Medical studies show that a big health benefit of having regular sex (3 or more times per week) is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction. Sex also causes the body to release more of the hormone oxytocin which stimulates feelings of relaxation and well being.

Try this idea for de-stressing while you get in the mood:

-After dinner and the kids are in bed, ask your partner to give you ten minutes alone in the bathroom, then to come on in. Draw a warm bath, add scented oils if you like, dim the lights and light some candles. Go ahead and get in the tub to start to unwind. The ten minutes alone will give you a chance to clear your head and, also, allow you to focus on preparing a space and time for feeling sensual and connected. The time apart will tease and excite him. When he joins you, perhaps take turns sitting with your backs in the curve of the other's chest and massage arms, necks...let your time together unfold from there and the splashes begin.

2. We all know that exercise reduces stress but somehow busy women too often find that the half hour they allotted for exercise gets squeezed out of their day. Guess what? Sex is great exercise and it can promote weight loss. It is good for your heart and you can burn 200 calories in 30 minutes of sex. James says to think of how you can incorporate exercises like the plank that strengthens your core, pelvic tilts that tighten your tush and your favorite yoga pose into a menu of exciting sexual positions.

Want to get in the mood and trim your tummy and tone your tush at the same time, try these ideas:

-Don't be bashful but don't fully disclose your intention. This means setting aside time for sex (just like you would going to the gym). As your warm up, talk about trying new sexual positions and give ideas (he will love you for this slightly naughty dialogue). Two things: let him think this is a new-found passion burst for you, rather than an alternative to your aerobics class. Also, James encourages you to use anatomical descriptions such as "what would it feel like if I put my leg on your shoulder" vs. intimidating Cosmo-like descriptions: "Let's try the upside-down portable pulley." Your sexual partner will most likely become your most avid and available personal trainer.

3. Take "what's for dinner" off your list for a night. Send the kids to grandma's or a sleep over and plan a finger-food dinner full of sexy treats.

Get in the mood by preparing a tray of raw oysters, smoked salmon, vegetable crudités, a little cheese and a few bits of chocolate (all contain sexy-healthy vitamins and minerals). Put on some flowing lingerie, tight-fitting yoga pants or jeans with a flattering top (whatever makes you feel relaxed and pretty), pop in a CD and put a blanket and some pillows on the floor. Open a bottle of red wine (also has health benefits) but be sure and pour only one glass for you and two at most for him or it could be lights out before the fireworks have a chance to start. Feed him. Let him feed you. Make it a game of intimacy: Take your time, talk and really listen. Let your fingertips linger as you pass and touch. Punctuate a laugh with an impromptu kiss. See where it goes from there...The dishes can wait till morning.

Rembember to Get Your Flu Shot

With flu experts predicting another wave of H1N1 flu, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) reminds its members that the H1N1 vaccination is now readily available and covered by your BCBSMA health plan. BCBSMA members are able to receive the H1N1 vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared January 10 through January 16 National Influenza Vaccination Week (www.cdc.gov/flu/Nivw/) to highlight the importance of ongoing influenza vaccination and to encourage greater use of flu vaccine. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts joins the CDC by urging its members to get vaccinated. Anyone six months of age and older is eligible for the vaccine.

Dr. John Fallon, Chief Physician Executive of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts said, "Though this has been an unprecedented year in terms of the number of people who have received seasonal flu shots, many have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine. Now that the vaccine is readily available and with the risk of another H1N1 wave this winter or spring, we encourage everyone to get the H1N1 vaccine as the best way to prevent infection.”

More information regarding the flu, vaccines and covered benefits is available for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members on line at www.bluecrossma.com/membercentral.

Most weight loss programs are marketing scams, author says

People looking to lose weight and get in shape this new year now have a new, scientifically based method to do so with the release of the new book “Bermuda Triangle Diet” from fitness and nutrition expert Derek Alessi, Ph.D. In "Bermuda Triangle Diet," Alessi reveals the inside intentions of the marketing companies behind various weight loss plans, while teaching readers how to take control of their own fitness through exercise and nutritious eating.

“The health and fitness market in the United States is a $40-billion-plus industry, and for the most part, it’s a Ponzi scheme. A successful infomercial product can generate more than $40 million in sales in just three months,” Alessi says. “Eager exercisers and dieters never achieve the results they are looking for because of one common reason: They are being deceived and lied to by the best marketing companies in the game.”

Many have gone through the motions of joining a gym, purchasing home exercise equipment or going on a diet, only to feel frustrated and depressed when they fail to attain the shape, lose the weight or meet the results the product claimed. Alessi takes the guesswork out of becoming fit, providing readers useful, scientifically-based exercise techniques and vital information for nutritious eating.

The marketing companies for food manufacturers, diet drugs and fitness infomercials are two steps ahead of the gullible public. People so desperately want to believe what they’re being told: that losing weight and getting in shape is quick and easy, and that a company’s products work like magic. “Bermuda Triangle Diet” reveals all the tricks of the fitness industry and warns the public using fitness comedy with a new literary style. Through the use of comical pop-culture stories, this book teaches how the deceptive health and fitness industry employs psychology to prey on the emotions of the general public. Armed with this knowledge, readers can avoid buying into the hype and can focus on actual proven weight loss methods.

Through the “Bermuda Triangle Diet,” readers will learn how to exercise in minimum time for maximum efficiency and how to incorporate supportive nutrition into a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, the book teaches readers how to take control of their metabolism and increase it naturally.

Concerned with the shape of today’s youth, Alessi is now conducting seminars for parents who would like to know more about the complexities of helping their children lead a healthy life in today’s challenging environment. For more information, or to purchase “Bermuda Triangle Diet,” visit http://bermudatrianglediet.com/.