Can Olive Extract Prevent Bone Loss?

Many postmenopausal women and even some men are affected by osteoporosis - a disease that causes loss of bone density and increases the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis is more common in certain high risk people including those with a family history, people with small bones, smokers, people who have a sedentary lifestyle, and those who dont get enough calcium and vitamin D. Is there a way to prevent bone loss naturally? According to a new study, olive extract could be a natural way to preserve bone health.

Olive Extract for Healthy Bones: Can I Prevent Osteoporosis?

According to a study published in the journal Osteoporosis International, a compound in olives called oleuropein may be important for bone health. Researchers studied the effects of this natural compound found in olives on stem cells from the bone marrow of humans.

Stem cells from the bone marrow produce osteoblasts, cells that make bone. These cells are opposed by osteoclasts, which break down bone - so that theres a constant turnover of bone tissue going on.

When researchers added oleuropein to human stem cells, it caused bone-producing osteoblasts to expand in number. Other studies show that oleuropein has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to inhibit osteoclasts, the cells that break bone down. The combination of these two factors bodes well for healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Olive Extract for Bone Health: Does It Look Promising?

Research is still in the early stages but scientists found similar bone boosting benefits in animal studies. Larger scale studies are still needed in humans, but theres epidemiological evidence to support olive extract. In countries that eat a Mediterranean diet rich in olives and olive oil, there is a low rate of osteoporosis. Theres no proof that its due to the olives, but when combined with this new evidence, it looks promising.

Food manufacturers are hoping to add olive extract to foods to create "functional foods" that would reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Its too early to recommend olive extract for healthy bones, so continue to get enough calcium and vitamin D - and wait for further research.

References:

Nutraingredients.com. "Science strengthens for olive extracts bone benefits"

Storing Vitamins Wrong Reduces Their Effectiveness

More people than ever are taking vitamin and nutritional supplements of some type - and most store them in the kitchen or bathroom to make them more accessible when they need a glass of water to swallow them. On the other hand, according to a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, storing vitamins in the kitchen or bathroom may not be such a good idea. Exposing vitamins to these humid areas of the house can decrease their effectiveness.

Why Does Storing Vitamins in the Kitchen and Bathroom Reduce Their Effectiveness?

University of Purdue researchers found that when vitamin pills are exposed to the high humidity in bathrooms and kitchens, it causes the outer layer of the vitamin to gradually dissolve - a phenomenon known as deliquescence.

This process is accelerated at warmer temperatures which makes the kitchen a particularly bad place to store vitamins since kitchens heat up when stoves and ovens are turned on. So effective is this breakdown process that storing vitamins in areas of high humidity can completely destroy their effectiveness.

Doesnt It Help to Keep the Top On?

Even if you store vitamins in humid areas with the top on the bottle, it still wont their prevent breakdown. Each time you take off the top, the vitamins are exposed to more humidity - and when you close it, the humidity is trapped in the bottle along with the vitamins.

How Can You Tell Whether Your Vitamins are Losing Their Potency?

Check the inside of the bottle and see if any moisture has accumulated along the sides. Another sign are brown spots on the outside of the pills. If you see either of these tell tale signs, discard the vitamins since theyve most likely lost some of potency.

How to Store Vitamins

Its best to store vitamins in a dark, dry area at room temperature with the lids tightly screwed on. Fortunately, even if you take vitamins that have degraded, they wont hurt you. You just wont get the benefits. When storing vitamins, always keep them out of reach of children just as you would with prescription medications - and discard them once they reach their expiration date.

The Bottom Line?

Store vitamins properly to make sure youre getting the full benefits.

References:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181092.php

How to Make Unique Flower Vases You Can Customize for Any Occasion

Vases filled with beautiful flowers are a great way to compliment the d?cor of any home. Instead of buying a different vase to compliment each flower you want to display, why not make your own interchangeable vases that can be customized to meet the needs of any d?cor? Heres how to make unique, customized flower vases for every occasion:

Make unique flower vases: Purchase clear glass containers

To make your flower vases, youll need several clear glass containers in two different sizes. The first group of containers can be the size of your choice. The second group of containers should be slightly shorter and at least an inch and a half narrower in width so they can easily fit inside the larger glass containers. The smaller glass containers can be any type of inexpensive glass container from a drinking glass to an old vase as long as it fits inside the larger glass container with an inch and a half to spare around the edges.

Make unique flower vases: Prepare your flowers and the first glass container

Select your flowers and trim them so the stems are even in length. Bundle them together with a rubber band or other secure cord. Fill one of your smaller glass vases partially with water and place your bound group of flowers inside the smaller glass vase. Add more water if necessary.

Make unique flower vases: Prepare your larger glass container

Place the smaller glass container with the water and flowers into the middle of the larger glass vase.

Make unique flower vases: Time for decoration

The object is to fill the space between the smaller glass container and the larger glass container with small decorative items that compliment the flowers and your d?cor. Its time to use your imagination! Fill the gap with colored sand, pieces of colorful sea glass, brightly colored beads, tiny glass gemstones, or any other objects small enough to fill the gap.

For Valentines Day, fill the container with candy hearts to create a unique "I love you" vase to compliment pretty flowers such as tulips. For Halloween, fill a vase with candy corn. If your home is decorated in neutral shades, fill the container with tiny seashells to compliment white roses. The beauty of this type of vase is you can quickly customize and change the look to fit any occasion. Youll enjoy the flexibility of this type of customized vase that you decorate yourself. Why not give this fun technique a try?

How to Make Your Own Scent Quickly and Easily

Why spend tons of money on expensive perfumes when you can make your own scent? This can be a fun and creative way to get a signature fragrance thats entirely your own.. Plus, its so easy to do that you may find yourself creating a complete wardrobe of scents. Heres how to create your own scent:

Make your own scent: Purchase your supplies

The best place to purchase supplies to create your own scent is at your local herbal or natural food store. These stories carry a large selection of essential oils that can be used to formulate your new scent. When you get to the store, spend some time with the testers, getting a feel for which essential oils appeal to your senses and your personality. Once youve established your scent preferences, buy several bottles to take home with you. Also purchase some safflower oil and small glass containers. Its best to buy containers made of dark glass to avoid exposing the essential oils to light. Youll also need some eye droppers to transfer the essential oils from the bottles as well as some safflower oil to use as a base.

Make your own scent: Experiment with essential oil combinations

When you get home, place some of the safflower oil into a glass bowl and add several drops of essential oils until you come up with a scent that pleases you. Try experimenting with different combinations of essential oils to create unique scents. Once you have your formulations, place them into your dark glass containers for storage.

Make your own scent: Use your newly created fragrances

There are a variety of ways to use your newly created scents. Buy some unscented body lotion and add your essential oil formulations to the lotion. Apply as a moisturizer after a shower. Put your newly created scents into a spray bottle and lightly spray your hair and body before you go out. You can also purchase unscented shampoo and conditioner and add your scents to these products to give your hair a signature fragrance. Try making small sachets out of your fragrance by applying your scent to cotton balls and wrapping them in pretty fabric. Complete the sachet by tying the top with a ribbon. These can be placed in drawers and in your closet to keep your clothing smelling sweet. You can also use your spray bottle to spray a room with your signature scent.

Youll find a variety of ways to use your newly created fragrances and youll have the joy of knowing its completely yours.

What is Vanadium?

There are certain trace elements the body needs only in tiny quantities for health. One of these is an element called vanadium. What is vanadium, and why do you need it in your diet?

What is Vanadium?

Vanadium is a micro-mineral and trace element. Its an element thats shrouded in mystery, because no one really knows exactly how the body uses it - and how much is needed for good health. Its also not clear whether humans really need vanadium for survival, although animals deprived of vanadium have reduced growth rates and lower hemoglobin levels.

It may have some benefits for particular populations though. Some research shows that vanadium helps type 2 diabetics better control their blood sugars by acting like insulin in the human body. Because of this, some type 2 diabetics take vanadium supplements in hopes of lowering their blood sugar levels. Although vanadium seems to have insulin-like activity in the body, large randomized clinical trials havent been carried out to show that its safe and effective for people with type 2 diabetes.

Sources of Vanadium

The best food sources of vanadium are shellfish, vegetables, wine, beer, fruit juice, mushrooms, parsley, dill and whole grains, but the body doesnt absorb vanadium from foods very efficiently.

Is Vanadium Safe to Take as a Supplement?

Some people use vanadium as a sports supplement to enhance performance, but theres little evidence that it works. Vanadium has potential for lowering blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, but to get these effects youd have to take concentrations up to 50 times greater than the upper limit set by the National Academy of Sciences.

Taking large doses of vanadium to control blood sugars isnt necessarily safe since it causes kidney damage in animals at high doses. In humans, high doses cause intestinal upset, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

What is Vanadium: The Bottom Line?

Vanadium isnt a mineral most people have to worry about being deficient in since so little is needed. Type 2 diabetics may benefit from more dietary vanadium or supplements, but there are few good studies to support its blood-sugar lowering effects. Plus, there are questions about its safety at high doses. Its best to get vanadium from food until more is known.

References:

The Nutritionist. Robert Wildman PhD, RD. 2002.

University of Maryland Medical Center. "Vanadium"

A Simple Way to Get Motivated to Exercise

Are you struggling to get motivated to work out? If a lack of workout motivation is coming between you and a buff body, theres a simple solution. Get a workout partner. According to a survey, 83% of people believe having an exercise buddy would motivate them to work out more.

Get Motivated to Work Out with a Fitness Partner

Whats so motivational about having an exercise partner? An exercise buddy makes you more accountable. When you set a date to workout with a partner, youll more likely to stick to it because someone else is depending on you to show up.

An exercise buddy can also be a source of motivation and inspiration, especially if they have an upbeat attitude towards working out. When searching for the perfect exercise partner, dont choose someone who "whines" about each exercise or gives up too easily. This obviously wont help you in your quest to get lean.

Working out with a partner also makes the time go by more quickly. Having someone to talk to during a workout keeps you from looking at the clock every five minutes to see if its time to stop exercising. Still, too much talking can be a distraction, so its important to strike a good balance.

Choosing the Right Exercise Buddy

Look for someone who has fitness goals that are compatible with yours and whos at roughly the same level of fitness you are. Its not going to work if youve just starting to walk, and your partner is a seasoned runner. Talk to a prospective exercise partner and make sure your goals, abilities and personalities are compatible.

How to Find an Exercise Partner

A local health club or YMCA is a good place to start looking for an exercise buddy - or join a walking or running club to hook up with another fitness buff. There are even online sites designed to help you find an exercise partner - but be careful. Check the person out first - and meet them in a public place. Your local church or job can also be a source of potential exercise partners.

If you like the solitude of walking or running outdoors and need a silent partner to keep you motivated, take your dog along. What could be more motivating than a wagging tail? Dogs dont see exercise as work - only fun - and thats motivating in and of itself. Whether you choose a human or canine fitness buddy, dont underestimate the importance of working out.

References:

Club Industry. "Workout Buddies Increase Retention"

Are There High Pesticide Levels in Your Fruit Juice?

Fruits have been shown to have a variety of wonderful health benefits. With their high vitamin and antioxidant content and a relatively low calorie profile, its no wonder more people are adding fruit to their shopping list. While the natural fruit with its fiber intact is generally the healthiest choice, some people turn to fruit juice as a quick and convenient way to get the health benefits of fruit. Unfortunately, a new research study published in the journal Analytical Chemistry may cause fruit juice lovers to think twice. It turns out those seemingly healthy fruit juices may have high pesticide contents.

In a study, carried out in Spain, over one hundred different fruit juice and fruit juice drinks were tested for the presence of pesticides. These fruit juices and fruit drinks came from fifteen different countries throughout the world including the United States. To their surprise, many of the samples contained relatively high pesticide levels of the types that are normally sprayed fruits during the growing process to protect them from insects. Although the levels of pesticides found in fruit juice from the United States was lower than those from Spain and the U.K, the fact that such substantial concentrations were found in some samples is cause for concern. The levels of pesticides in many of the fruit juices tested were much higher than those allowed in bottled waters. Its unclear from this study whether any of the samples tested and found to have high pesticide levels were labeled as organic fruit juice or whether they were all made from conventionally grown fruits.

If you drink fruit juice should you be concerned about these high pesticide levels? Although the long term effects of most pesticides are unknown, it certainly wouldnt seem wise to consume them on a regular basis, particularly in the case of children who may be more susceptible to their effects. If you want fruit juice without the high pesticide levels, buying organic juice may be the way to go. Organic fruit juices are generally sold at natural food markets and some conventional grocery stores. Although theres no guarantee that these juices are pesticide free, they, most likely, will contain much lower levels of pesticides than standard fruit juices. Another option would be buy organic fruit from a trusted source and use a juice extractor to make your own fruit juice. Even better, get your fruit quota by eating the whole fruit so you can take advantage of the fiber.

Back to Basics Green Tea Daily Moisturizing Conditioner: A Quick Review!

Green tea has always been a favorite drink of mine. I love the taste and can appreciate the considerable health benefits. You can imagine my delight when I found Back to Basics Green Tea Daily Moisturizing Conditioner. I loved the idea of using green tea on my hair.

This rather large bottle of conditioner caught my attention when I was visiting our local salon store. The cute little green tea logo on the label caught my eye and I couldnt resist taking a bottle home. The sales clerk assured me I would be pleased my purchase.

Upon arriving home and opening the bottle, the first thing I noticed was the deliciouslybsweet, fruity aroma of the condition. Eager to try it, I shampooed with my regular shampoo and followed up with the Green Tea Daily Moisturizing Conditioner. The light, nongreasy conditioner felt good on my fingertips and the naturally fruity fragrance reminded me of a summer breeze. It made my normal conditioning session feel like a mini spa treatment! But would it improve the look and feel of my hair?

I have color treated hair which presents a dual problem. My hair is dry due to the coloring and needs conditioning to have any sheen at all. Its also fine which means most conditioners weigh it down, giving my hair a lackluster, flat appearance. It really makes finding the right conditioner a challenge! When I rinsed the conditioner from my hair, I noted that it rinsed off cleanly, and left my wet hair with a soft, smooth, nongreasy feel. So far, so good. But, would the effects hold up after blow drying?

After blow drying my freshly washed hair on the high setting, I immediately noticed how light and airy my hair felt with absolutely no trace of the greasiness I had experienced with previous conditioners. My hair actually had lift and body! I was pleased to say the least.

One small complaint, the wonderful green tea scent that was so apparent when I was using the conditioner was difficult to detect now. Maybe my nose had just become desensitized to the sweet scent. Ill have to see how it plays out with future washings. It would be a bonus to hav that scent linger throughout the day!

All in all, I would highly recommend this conditioner to anyone who needs conditioning that wont weight your hair down or cause it to be flat. The price is reasonable and I believe it would be difficult to find a better value for the dollar.

Next time you need a conditioner, give this fragrant formulation a try!

Eating During Labor: Is it Safe?

Women in labor are usually told not to eat or drink anything until after the baby is delivered, but this advice may be outdated in some cases. In the UK, women in hospitals awaiting delivery now have the freedom to eat and drink at will; and a new study shows that drinking liquids and eating food during labor may not be so risky after all.

Why Has Eating and Drinking During Labor Been Discouraged in the Past?

The biggest concern is that women who drink or eat food during labor would be at risk of a condition called Mendelsons syndrome. This syndrome occurs when a person is given anesthesia after eating - usually during a caesarian section. While under anesthesia, a woman may regurgitate food thats been eaten which could enter the lungs and cause a chemical induced pneumonia. This syndrome which is fairly rare occurs most often during obstetrical procedures like a Caesarian section. Women also sometimes vomit during labor - especially if theyve eaten - which is another reason hospitals restrict eating and drinking during labor.

Drinking and Eating During Labor: A New Look at the Issue

A review of five studies involving over 3,000 women found no evidence that drinking or eating during labor caused any health problems. This was true whether the women ate food or drank liquid, and no particular food or drink appeared to be more problematic than any other. The researchers concluded that women should decide whether or not to drink or eat during labor since there are no apparent health risks.

Eating and Drinking During Labor: One Caveat

Women who are at high risk for pregnancy complications and those who may need Caesarian delivery or other obstetrical procedure during labor should avoid eating or drinking because of the risk of Mendelsons syndrome. Some women may be better off without food if theyre nauseous or have a history of vomiting during labor.

Should You Drink or Eat During Labor?

Some hospitals and doctors have a strict policy against eating during labor which should be adhered to. If your doctor gives you the okay to have food and drink, eat lightly. Labor is uncomfortable enough without trying to deliver a baby on a full stomach. The good news? You can celebrate with a real meal once its over.

References:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176576.php

When You Should Avoid Low Fat Foods

Do you look for the label that says "low fat" when you shop for snack items at the grocery store? Like many Americans, you believe that low fat foods can help you loose those last stubborn pounds. Unfortunately, this may not be the case according to new research. Theres some thought that it may be best to avoid low fat foods if you want to promote weight loss. Why might this be?

There is the perception that low fat foods are significantly lower in calories than their full fat counterparts. In reality, low fat foods average only around 10-15 percent lower in calories which is not a significant caloric savings. In addition, its been shown that people who eat low fat foods and snacks actually end up eating more than if they had eaten the full fat version, thus compensating for the small difference in calories.

A study carried out at Cornell University showed that people ate more M & Ms from a container marked low fat than they did from one that was marked as regular M & Ms. It seems most people feel entitled to eat more when they believe theyre eating low fat which usually more than compensates for the small calorie savings. The decision to avoid low fat foods may be a wise one if youre not capable of controlling portion sizes.

Another reason to avoid low fat foods is the sugar content. To compensate for the lack of taste and texture of low fat foods, manufacturers frequently add larger amounts of sugar which can have an adverse effect on insulin levels and potentially promoting fat storage of fat. Certainly if youre practicing a low carb or good carb diet, youll want to avoid low fat foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates.

Does this mean you should avoid low fat foods entirely? Not necessarily. It simply means when you do consume low fat foods, you use the same attention to portion sizes as you do when you eat full fat foods. You should also avoid low fat foods that have added sugar and high carb contents by carefully reading the label on all products you buy. Some substitutions that might be easily made include using low fat cream cheese, low fat sour cream, low fat mayonnaise, and low fat milk in place of their full fat counterparts. These products usually dont have excessively high carb counts which might offset your attempts to lose weight.

It may not be necessary to avoid low fat foods entirely, but make your selections carefully in order to keep you diet and weight loss plan on track.

How to Choose Hair Products for Fine, Oily Hair

Having hair thats both oily and fine can be a double whammy, particularly if you use the wrong hair care products. Fine hair tends to lack body and with the added oils produced by the scalp, it can quickly weigh hair down, causing it to look limp and lackluster. The secret to dealing with this problem lies in choosing products for fine, oily hair that remove excess oils without weighing the hair down.

Choosing a Shampoo for Oily, Fine Hair

When selecting a shampoo for oily, fine hair, choose one designed specifically for your hair type. A clear shampoo is usually the best option since they have fewer ingredients that will weigh hair down.

To make a very effective shampoo for fine, oily hair at home, use castile soap as a shampoo base. Castile soap is an all-natural soap product that lacks the chemicals found in most commercial shampoos. Simply mix one cup of liquid castile soap with one cup of water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of lemon juice to remove excess oil and give additional cleansing benefits. Castile soap based shampoo wont form a rich lather because it lacks the detergents found in commercial shampoo, but it does an effective job of removing excess oils that can weigh the hair down. Its also less likely to strip hair color.

After Shampoo Treatments for Fine, Oily Hair

After shampooing, rinse hair with a homemade vinegar rinse made by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water. Place the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto your hair after shampooing. Comb it thoroughly through your hair using a wide toothed comb and then rinse with cool water. If you have long hair and the ends feel dry, apply conditioner to the ends only. This vinegar rinse can be used twice a week to give additional oil zapping power. An alternative is to use lemon juice. This is a particularly good choice for blondes since it can subtly brighten the color.

Other Tips for Fine, Oily Hair

If you use hair styling products, you may still need to use a clarifying shampoo to remove build-up once a week, but its best to limit the use of hair products that can weigh hair down. Many mousses and gels that are advertised for fine, oily hair actually cause more problems than they correct. With fine, oily hair, the less you put on it, the better.

As you can see, theres no need to buy expensive products to treat fine, oily hair, simple homemade products often work just as well.

The Smallest Dog in the World: Is This the Dog Breed for You?

When it comes to dog preferences, there are those who love the strength and size of large dog breeds such as the Great Dane and St. Bernard, while others prefer the comfort of a smaller, lap dog type such as a Toy Poodle or Bichon Frise. For those who love small dog breeds, theres none smaller than the tiny, but fearless, Chihuahua. Despite their diminuitive size, this popular breed has a great deal of courage and a sense of self importance that belies their size, all without a hint of an inferiority complex. Their small stature has earned them the distinction of being the smallest dog breed and its not always easy being the smallest dog in the world.

How tiny can the smallest dog actually be? The previous record for the smallest dog in the world was held by a Chihuahua living in Slovakia who measured only five-and-a-half inches in height. This dog passed away several years ago. The record for the smallest dog was set to be taken over by Dancer, a five inch high Chihuahua living in Lake County, Florida until two other Chihuahuas ousted the title from him with the record finally going to Boo Boo, a four inch high member of the Chihuahua breed. Sadly, Dancer passed away suddenly about eight months ago after receiving certification as a therapy dog.

Besides being the smallest dog breed, Chihuahuas are often fiercely devoted to their owners and will fearlessly protect them should they perceive a threat. Although theres only so much damage you can do as the smallest dog in the world, the Chihuahua puts on a fierce front which goes to show how attitude is everything. Many Chihuahua owners joke that the breed would be a terror if they weighed as much as a German shepherd.

The smallest dog in the world loves activity, particularly if done with their owner and is not overly fond of being left alone. Therefore, they can be a time intensive breed and are not the ideal dog for an owner who works all day and rarely has time to spend with a pet. Theyre also generally not fond of children and have been known to growl and nip at them if provoked. Having a Chihuahua with children in the house can take some training on the part of both dog and child.

If youre considering the Chihuahua, the smallest dog in the world, as a pet, dont be fooled by the size. Small doesnt necessarily mean less work. Having a Chihuahua will require a considerable time commitment on your part, but with a dog this affectionate and loyal, itll be worth it.