FitSugar

LA Wants to Ban Fast Food For a Year

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Fast food joints are everywhere. It seems you can't drive a few miles in a city without seeing a Burger King, Taco Bell, or Mickey Ds. I've never had a personal problem with these establishments because I feel that people can make their own decisions about what they eat. It seems that Los Angeles doesn't want to give people the option though. South LA wants to ban fast-food restaurants for one whole year in the poorer neighborhoods. "Fast food" is being defined as those places that don't offer table service, and serve pre-prepared foods or ones that can be heated up quickly. Since obesity is becoming a huge problem, and there's a shortage of access to quality foods, the city wants to give other healthier restaurants a chance to move in. This ban has people's health in mind, but the restaurant industry thinks this idea is unfair. One restaurant owner said, "What's next - security guards at the door saying 'You're overweight, you can't have a cheeseburger'?"

So what do you think about this proposed ban? Do you think it's long overdue? Are you for the elimination of fast-food joints? Or do you think these types of restaurants should be allowed to remain open, being that people are responsible enough to make decisions about their own bodies? Tell me your opinion in the comment section below.

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Top 10 Cities With the MOST Smog

FitSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Ozone pollution, more popularly known as smog, is a big problem. Smog can inflame and damage the lining of the lungs, which can lead to swelling and restricted airways. Inhaling smog is like getting a sunburn on your lungs. This inflammation can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest pain. It can also aggravate asthma and bring on attacks.

According to the American Heart Association, chronic exposure to air pollution has been linked to heart disease and stroke. The EPA says that exposure to smog can also affect your immune system's ability to fight off bacterial infections.

High levels of ozone, the main ingredient in smog, can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, even in the average person. Bad levels of ozone are formed when heat and sunlight warm certain pollutants from cars and smokestacks from buildings.

Since summer is coming up, it's something we really need to watch out for. If you exercise outdoors in a place that's heavily smoggy, you may notice that it's more difficult to catch your breath. So on high alert days, you may want to workout inside.

Want to see which cities have the most smog? Then read more

Los Angeles, California
Visalia-Porterville, California
Bakersfield, California
Fresno, California
Houston, Texas
Merced, California
Sacramento, California
Hanford, California
Knoxville, Tennessee
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

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What's the Deal with The Nip Tuck Workout?

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Did you ever watch Nip/Tuck? I sure did, which is why I was a bit horrified when I heard about the Nip Tuck Workout. Turns out the name is the only real similarity between the show and the diet.

In The Nip Tuck Workout -- Exercise through the Eyes of a Plastic Surgeon ($15.99), Dr. Bruce Nadler has created an exercise program based on the plastic surgical principles of proportion and symmetry. It combines careful ongoing analysis with an individualized exercise prescription all without going under the knife. Sounds funky having a plastic surgeon tell you how to exercise, I know. However, Dr. Nadler is a little different because aside from practicing for 28 years, he is also a personal trainer certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and the International Sports Sciences Association, a competitive body builder and a NPC bodybuilding and figure competition judge. So you could say he knows his stuff.

The program incorporates precise body shaping with core stability training using natural kinesthetic patterns of movement. His medical background allows him to modify the training to adapt to the physical restrictions many people have felt prevented them from exercising.

To learn the first five steps of getting started as well as where to buy the book, read more

Eliminate all refined sugars (yes, this means chocolate)
Sugar creates insulin surges that store fat and cause inflammation in the body.
Divide your food into 5-6 meals daily (Ignore your mother, you should eat between meals). This is another way to prevent those insulin surges.
Eliminate all starchy carbohydrates (i.e. bread, potatoes, pasta etc.) but maintain fibrous carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables) and lean protein (eat fruit when you crave sweets).
Determine appropriate portion size based on intensity of physical activity (be sure to eat sufficient protein).
Add proper nutritional supplements as necessary depending on exercise phase.

Still interested? You can buy the book from Amazon.com. If you live in the LA area, you can train with Dr. Nadler in person, just visit NipTuckFitness.com for more details on how.

Battle of the Frozen Yogurt Hot Spots

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

Every once and a while something comes around that grabs the attention of Hollywood's hottest A-listers. What is it this time?

Frozen yogurt. Yup, Hollywood is bringing frozen yogurt back (yay). Not one, but two hot spots are attracting quite the following of folks looking for a sweet treat that is actually good for you and not jam packed with calories.

Berri Good Kosher Frozen Yogurt is rich in calcium, but there is so much more. It also claims to "boost immune system, prevents acne and builds clear skin, builds strong bones and teeth, prevents bacteria in intestine and promotes good digestive system." Berri Good is not only Kosher, but also eco-friendly. Among others, Leonardo DiCaprio and girlfriend Bar Rafaeli are serious Berri Good followers. Berri Good says that it's, "Probably the best tasting non fat frozen yogurt in this world." Probably, if Leo eats it, I bet it's more than probably the best.

One ounce of the other yogurt in Tinseltown, pinkberry, has only 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 35 mg of sodium and 6 grams of carbs. Some of the locations are known for their hour long lines -- Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, David Hasselhoff and many others have been spotted picking up some yogurt from here. Pinkberry says, "Pinkberry is yogurt, pure and simple."

Anyone tried either? Which do you prefer?

Leo and Bar images courtesy of Celebrity Babylon

They're Bringing Skating Back: Urban Inline Skating Groups

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 13:05:00 -0800

Looking for something a little more active to do next Friday night?

Think about joining Friday Night Skate, which is a weekly group that meets every Friday night for a 10 mile skate (at a fairly easy pace), through some of the best streets in Santa Monica and West LA, then once a month through Hollywood including the Sunset Strip. What's more? There is music on the skate, usually in the form of a sound system strapped to one brave skater.

The best part is that you don't have to be an advanced skater to join our group, but you should have some experience. Along the skate, there are lots of cool rest stops which allows everyone to catch their breath and stay together. The last rest stop is usually where the skate dancing takes place (yup, skate dancing). Don't worry if you're not up on your skate dancing skills (I am not sure I would even have any), this is the part where the really talented skaters take stage and put on a good show.

Another cool skating group is Pari Roller, which is an 18.6 mile Friday night skate in Paris. In comparison to LA's skate group, Pari Roller is typically a group of over 5,000 skaters (complete with police escorts). It's a very cool site to see (pictured above).

Don't live near LA or Paris? Find weekly skate groups near you at inline.com.

Fit's Tip: To really impress your skating group, show up with a pair of Land Roller skates.

What's the Diff: Omega-3s vs. Omega-6s

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:10 -0800

Omegas are all the buzz right now, and it seems like everywhere you turn, new foods are being enhanced with this essential fatty acid, or labeled as an excellent source. What people don't know is that there are different types of omegas, and eating too much of one kind can actually be harmful to your body.

Omega-3s are found in flax seeds, walnuts, cod liver oil, and fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna, and salmon. Fish are the best sources because they are high in two particular fatty acids that are crucial to good health, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

Then there are omega-6s. These fats are found in eggs, nuts, chicken, and vegetable oils such as corn, soy, safflower, and sunflower oil. Omega-6s are high in LA (linoleic acid), which is converted by the body into GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), and then further broken down to AA (arachidonic acid).

Do you know which type of omega fatty acid we should be eating more of? To find out, keep reading

Amanda Peet: So in Love

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

Amanda Peet is undoubtedly feeling great. She's starring in the number one film in the country, and in the December issue of Self the actress shares that nothing brings her more joy than hanging at home with her hubby and baby girl. In fact, the actress credits her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, as being her healthiest habit. Oh, true love!

The 37-year-old actress is not without her envies, though - she wants "boobs, a gentle six-pack, and a perky butt." And when it comes down to it, she secretly wishes for a bod like Gisele Bündchen's or Jennifer Aniston's. Outside of a little admiration, especially since Peet strives to live a life full of balance and a lot of laughs.

To hear Peet's take on health, read more.

Amanda is a big fan of moderation:

"To me, staying healthy means doing everything in moderation. Eat a lot of greens, but in moderation. Exercise, but in moderation. Drink wine, but in moderation. Sleep as much as you can. And have people around you who are very funny."

At the end of the day it all comes back to love for Peet, who says that her 2-year-old daughter is the reason why she stays healthy.

"I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!"

Check out more shots of the hot mama and visit lilsugar to read more about Amanda on mothering. Also, see lots more photos, quotes on Self.com.

View 5 Photos ›

LA Ranks Number One For Dirty Air

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0700

The recently released State of the Air report ranks Los Angeles as the nation's dirtiest city, a spot that LA has unfortunately held for a decade.

The report, commissioned by the American Heart and Lung association, found that 186.1 million people, more than half the US population, live and breathe in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution. The rest of California did not fare so well either; the report found that the number of estimated premature deaths due to poor air quality, particulate matter specifically, has tripled. It is not surprising that three other metropolitan areas in California - Bakersfield, Visalia-Porterville, Fresno-Madera - rank among the nation's dirtiest.

To see the American cities that have the cleanest air, read more.

Made famous by the Cohen brothers movie, Fargo, North Dakota should also be famous for its great air quality. It is the only city to pass all three air pollution tests: ozone pollution, year-round particle pollution, and short-term (24-hour) particle pollution. Other cities to rank high in at least two out of the three tests are: Billings, MT; Cheyenne, WY; Colorado Springs, CO; and Honolulu, HI. You can check the state of your state's air quality at the State of the Air web site. How did your state rank?

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Guaifenesin/phenylephrine (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:12:06 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Guaifenesin (gwye-FEN-e-sin), Phenylephrine (fen-il-EF-rin)

Treats cough and stuffy nose caused by hay fever or the common cold. Also thins mucus to make a cough more productive. This medicine is a combination of an expectorant and a decongestant.

Brand Name(s)

PhenaVent LA, Donatussin, Deconex, PhenaVent D, GFN 1200/Phenylephrine 40, WellBid-D, WellBid-D 1200, Crantex, Lusonex, Entex LA, PhenaVent PED, Xpect-PE, Duomax, Deconsal II, Xedec

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to guaifenesin or phenylephrine, or to other cold medicines, diet pills, or medicines to treat asthma, bronchitis, or attention deficit disorder. You should not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. You should not use this medicine if you have high blood pressure, heart or blood vessel disorders, or overactive thyroid. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 2 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

How to Use This Medicine

Long Acting Tablet, Tablet, Syrup, Liquid, Solution, Long Acting Capsule, 12 Hour Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
You may take this medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze the liquid form of this medicine.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a beta-blocker such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, Inderal®, or Toprol®. Tell your doctor if you are using digoxin (Lanoxin®), guanethidine (Ismelin®), mecamylamine (Inversine), methyldopa (Aldomet®), or reserpine. Your doctor should know if you use medicine for depression such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or a history of heart disease.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
Do not give this medicine to a child under 12 years of age, unless your doctor tells you to.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
Feeling extremely confused, fearful, or anxious.
High fever, skin rash, sore throat, ongoing headache.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
No improvement in your symptoms after using the medicine for 7 days.
Seizure, hallucinations, vomiting.
Shallow breathing, pale skin.
Unusual weakness, tremors, or shaking.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Anxiety, fear, depression, nervousness.
Dizziness, trouble sleeping.
Feelings of excitement, elevated mood, or increased energy.
Loss of appetite.
Mild fever or headache.
Nausea.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Source Doc: 45_5487

Dexamethasone (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:53:37 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Dexamethasone (dex-a-METH-a-sone)

Treats symptoms of many conditions such as joint disease, skin conditions, allergies, swelling, eye disease, and stomach or bowel disease. Also used to test for adrenal gland problems. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s)

Cortastat LA, Dexasone L.A., Cortastat, Cortastat 10

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to dexamethasone or sulfites, or if you have a fungal infection.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein, or directly into one of your joints.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Medicine that is mixed in an IV bag should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours after mixing. Do not freeze.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using amphotericin B (Fungizone®, Ambisome®, Abcelet®), thalidomine, diuretics (water pills), aspirin, or blood thinners (Coumadin®). Tell your doctor if you use medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, phenobarbital), indinavir (Crixivan®), rifampin, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), erythromycin (E.E.S.®, E-Mycin®), indomethacin (Indocin®), or ephedrine (Primatene®).
You may need to change your diet (such as lowering salt intake) while you are using this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Talk to your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you are receiving dexamethasone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, herpes infection of the eye, tuberculosis, asthma, or allergies to other medicines. Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis, stomach problems, mental illness, myasthenia gravis, strongyloids (threadworm), liver disease, kidney disease, or thyroid problems.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have high blood pressure or congestive heart failure, or if you have ever had a heart attack.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
It may be easier for you to get an infection while you are using this medicine. Avoid crowds and people who are sick. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. Dexamethasone can change the results of some medical tests.
If this medicine is injected into one of your joints, follow caregiver's instructions about resting the body part, even if it feels better.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Behavior changes, unusual thoughts.
Black, bloody, or tarry stools, with severe stomach pain.
Changes in vision, trouble seeing, eye discomfort or discharge.
Diarrhea.
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches.
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Unusual weakness or tiredness.
Worsened joint pain, swelling, or stiffness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Changes in menstrual periods in women.
Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
Restlessness, anxiety, mood changes, trouble sleeping.
Skin changes, bruising, redness, sweating.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_0650