A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers.

The researchers are now embarking on a new trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen among people with chronic low back pain.

“This is the first robust evidence to support the beneficial effects of Tai Chi. Our study proves that Tai Chi relieves pain and disability among people with arthritis and shows a positive trend towards effects for overall physical health. We now want to see if these benefits are the same for people suffering from low back pain”, said author Dr Chris Maher at The George Institute. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

Tags: Amanda Hall, arthritis, Australia, Author, back pain, China, Chris Maher, exercise therapy, George Institute, George Institute for International Health, low back pain, north America, pain, Tai Chi

Brisk walking, jogging and weight training are the most effective forms of exercise to improve bone and muscle strength, Australian experts say on World Osteoporosis Day.

It is estimated that one in two women and one in three men over the age of 60 in Australia will suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis – the loss of bone tissue – research from the University of Melbourne shows.

However, regular exercise can reduce that fracture risk by up to 50 per cent. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Australia, Federal Minister, guide co-author, head, Judy Stenmark, Justine Elliott, Maria Fiatarone Singh, osteoporosis, Osteoporosis Australia, University of Melbourne

A little late in posting this but tomorrow is another week of Biggest Loser Couples so better late then never.

Well after all the beating up that the boys did over the last few weeks this last week was a bit of a surprise. I am amazed every season how I blink and suddenly these people on the Biggest Loser go from unhealthy looking exaggerations of people to thin fit looking, healthy looking people that are 10 years younger. This week was that week. It reminds us that success seems to build up steam and then suddenly arrive when we have working all that time in the dark not seeing any results.

Dan with his new haircut looks a lot like Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys but that may just be because the Backstreet Boys were on Celebrity Apprentice, which we are also watching. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ali biggest loser, Australia, Backstreet Boys, basketball, Biggest Loser, Canada, celebrity apprentice, Dan, dan biggest loser, Kelly, kelly biggest loser, nick carter

I just found about about this show called I Can Make You Thin starting in a couple of weeks on TLC. My wife was watching LA Ink and saw a commercial. She is intrigued and I always like getting fitness tips from TV, it is nice and quick and easy to understand. I have heard of Paul McKenna before actually he is a self help guy that is popular in England and Australia but not so much in America. This show is starting on March 7 and is based on the book to the left here called I Can Make You Thin.

Maybe I should turn this blog into a TV show, or at least do some podcasting. *Note to self*, get a better video camera

Watch this show and you will lose weight – the world’s most extraordinary interactive TV show. Through the TV set, British self-help expert Paul McKenna, PhD will help viewers program their minds to lose weight. It’s not a diet, there is no will power required, no belief necessary – as you watch you will transform your relationship with food and see others do the same. This show has already been a smash hit the UK and McKenna’s system has changed the way millions of people lose weight in Europe. Now he’s coming to America!

I will let you know when I find out more.

Tags: America, Australia, diet, Europe, food, interactive TV, LA Ink, paul mckenna, tlc, tv show, United Kingdom, Weight Loss

If you are thin and fit or even fit and fat you will cost your medical program more on average then a smoker or fat couch potato. Does that make any sense at all? Well it is true. A dutch research study shows that people in bad shape will die earlier costing less then fit people who will eventually have diseases of the aged which cost more.

Dutch researchers have found that smokers and the overweight actually cost the public health system less than healthy people because they live longer and the taxpayer has to deal with the cost of “lingering diseases of old age such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons”.

The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and Environment found that while “a person of normal weight costs on average $458,000 over their lifetime”, a smoker clocks up just $359,000 and the obese run up an average $407,000 bill.

The study led by Pieter van Baal found: The underlying mechanism is that there is a substitution of inexpensive, lethal diseases towards less lethal, and therefore more costly diseases.

Smokers cost the least because they tend to die younger. And being overweight lowers medical bills because it raises the risk of diseases such as diabetes which decrease life expectancy.

But Dieticians Association of Australia nutrition expert Clare Collins said the study was no reason to lay down – or light up.

“They are trying to prove that if you are healthy you cost more but that is just the health care system not personal cost and does not consider how much the person contributes to the tax system,” she said.

Tags: Australia, Clare Collins, couch potato, diabetes, Dieticians Association of Australia, dutch research, medical program, Pieter van Baal, The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and Environment, USD

Sylvester stallone has been in the news this week as at the age of 61 he is starring in a new Rambo movie and again talking about the benefits of taking human growth hormone.

As you may or may not know human growth hormone, also known as HGH is a supplement that raises your testosterone level and  is also suspected of creating side effects like cancer and lower natural testosterone output.

Sylvester Stallone has spoken out in defence of human growth hormone, saying it has increased his quality of life, and everyone over 40 should use it and says it “increases your quality of life”.

The 61-year-old action star – who was convicted in May 2007 for importing human growth hormone product Jintropin into Australia – insists the substance is “not a steroid”, and claims “everyone over 40″ should try it.

He told Time magazine: “Human growth hormone helped me to get up to 209lbs for the new Rambo movie, which is 40lbs heavier than I was for the last one 20 years ago.

“Human growth hormone is nothing. Anyone who calls it a steroid is grossly misinformed. Testosterone to me is important for a sense of well-being when you get older. Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases your quality of life.

“Mark my words, in 10 years it will be available over the counter.”

Tags: Australia, cancer, growth hormone product, hgh, human growth hormone, human growth hormone product, quality of life, sylvester stallone, testosterone

Put aside the white bread and pick up an apple. A diet of foods less likely to spike blood sugar levels helps dieters lose more weight, according to a new systematic review from Australia.

“Losing weight is very difficult and many people are unable to sustain a weight-loss diet. The low glycemic index diet is satisfying and has proven benefits,” said review co-author Elizabeth Elliott, Ph.D., professor at the University of Sydney, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate-rich foods based on their effect on blood sugar levels. Compared to high GI foods such as white rice and French fries, low GI foods, such as lentils, sweet potatoes and apples produce more consistent blood glucose levels. Previous studies have indicated that keeping blood sugar levels steady throughout the day may stimulate more weight loss in obese people.

Researchers evaluated randomized controlled trials that compared weight loss in people eating foods low on the glycemic index to weight loss in people on higher GI diets or other types of weight loss plans.

Six trials, involving 202 adults from Australia, France, South Africa, Denmark and the United States were included in the review. The diets lasted from five weeks to six months.

The review appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing medical trials on a topic.

The review found that dieters focused on eating low GI foods dropped significantly more weight — about 2.2 pounds more — than participants on other diets. Low GI dieters also experienced greater decreases in body fat measurements and body mass index.

None of the studies reported adverse effects associated with consuming a low glycemic index diet.

“Compared to other diets, the low GI diet is more satisfying — people are less inclined to feel hungry. One advantage of this type of diet is that it is more likely to be maintained than other strict diets on which people feel hungry,” Elliott said.

Low glycemic diets appear to be effective even in obese people who need to lose considerable amounts of weight, the authors said.

In the two studies that evaluated only obese participants, low GI dieters lost about 9.2 pounds, compared with about 2.2 pounds shed by other dieters.

Low glycemic index diets might also benefit heart health.

In the three studies that measured cardiovascular risk factors, people eating low GI foods experienced greater improvements in total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. High levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increase the risks for heart disease.

After reviewing the findings, Lawrence Cheskin, M.D. said, “There’s surprisingly little in the way of studies to draw any hard and fast conclusions.” Cheskin is director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center and associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. He was not involved with the review.

Low glycemic index diets can be effective for weight management, Cheskin said, but the success of low glycemic diets lies with an individual’s willingness to comply with its nutritional principles.

“There aren’t many people who need to lose weight who are willing to eat lots of vegetables and whole grains. If they did, they wouldn’t have a weight problem in the first place,” Cheskin said.

Nevertheless, he said, choosing foods low on the glycemic index does have value for overweight or obese people who want to lose weight.

“It uses a lot of the generally healthful principles, such as eating lots of vegetables and high fiber and avoiding very energy-dense foods that are high in simple sugars and simple carbohydrates,” Cheskin said.

Tags: associate professor, Australia, Baltimore, Children�s Hospital, Denmark, director, Elizabeth Elliott, energy-dense foods, France, heart disease, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, Lawrence Cheskin, professor, said review co-author, South Africa, The Children�s Hospital, The Cochrane Collaboration, The Cochrane Library, United States, University of Sydney

A huge review of studies on pain relievers has found that a widely-used medicine may confer cardiovascular risks as serious as those found with Vioxx, an arthritis medicine that was withdrawn from the market two years ago.

Diclofenac, marketedas Voltaren, Cataflam, Solaraze and Arthrotec, an older non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been on the market for decades and is one of the most-widely prescribed anti-inflammatories in the world especially in Europe. At commonly prescribed doses, it was found to increase the risk of cardiovascular events primarily heart attack and sudden death by 40%.

The good news from the study is that there are alternatives. “European consumers would be better off switching [from diclofenac] to naproxen,” says David Graham, a safety official at the US Food and Drug Administration, who authored an editorial1 accompanying the published review. Naproxen was found to neither increase nor decrease cardiac risk.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: American Medical Association, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Australia, David Graham, David Henry, Europe, heart attack, heart disease, New South Wales, Newcastle Mater Hospital, pain, Patricia McGettigan, safety official, the Journal of the American Medical Association, University of Newcastle in New South Wales, US Food and Drug Administration, vioxx, Waratah

Food and eating have always been an issue for me. I have at times been a few pounds overweight but always my exercise and metabolism have taken care of me. Food is a very emotional issue in our society, we eat because we are depressed, we eat when we are happy, parties are all about food and drink. I have been thinking a lot lately about my feelings and attitudes about food and thought that I would share them now as my weight slowly creeps up over the last few weeks.

I have always had a big appetite and a fear of a lack of food. I have never gone hungry, well maybe for a couple of weeks traveling in Australia when I lived on Mars bars and Coca Cola, but I have also eaten poorly very often. When I first moved to Calgary my wife and I were quite poor and she promised me that we would always have food, and we have. So I have to wonder why whenever I am packing for work I need about 3000 calories of food. I ride a bike to work everyday but that amount of food I put away is crazy.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Australia, calgary, Coca-Cola, food, little food, starvation

Now that Tea Tree Oil prices have dropped and the hype has hopefully worn off. I thought it would be nice to research a little more as to what kind of benefits we can get from the little herb that was such a wonder drug just a few years ago. It seems that there have been a few studies although many of them are inconclusive of the effect that Tea Tree Oil has on the body, although as you will see in this list there are many many claims to what Tea Tree Oil can do for you.

My advise is to get a larger bottle of Tea Tree Oil and test it out yourself for a month or two and see how it works out. From my experience I have found it to work great for my skin and use a Body Shop brand tea tree oil soap every day. Here is a list of the information and uses for you to try out.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a multi-purpose herb that traces its roots to the Aboriginal people of Australia. For thousands of years, they used the leaves as an antiseptic and antifungal by crushing the leaves and making a mudpack. The Australian government considered tea tree oil a World War II essential for their armed forces’ first aid kits. After the war, increased use of pharmaceutical antibiotics decreased tea tree oil’s appeal everywhere except in Australia. Tea tree oil started to regain its popularity in 1960, with a recharge in its research around the world. Today, Melaleuca alternifolia is also grown in California.

Properties of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil’s properties are contained in the oils of its leaves. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and then tested for chemical properties, which can number between 50 and 100. This may explain tea tree oil’s many beneficial uses. The main active components are terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene and other turpenes. Its aroma is distinct and very floral although sharp.

General use
Tea tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts and infections, by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. The oil contains constituents called terpenoids, which kill fungus and bacteria.

Acne – Some research in humans suggests that applying tea tree oil to acne lesions on the skin may help acne to clear up faster and may also cause fewer adverse effects (skin dryness, itching, stinging, or redness) than do other commonly prescribed acne drugs..

Infections – Tea tree oil has been studied for treating a variety of infections. Early studies have found that tea tree oil may kill toenail fungus, fungal infections in the mouth and skin, athlete’s foot, some bacterial infections, vaginal infections, and herpes infections. However, there are no clear answers in these areas because studies have been small and low quality. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Gingivitus – Early study suggests that tea tree oil may help gum inflammation and reduce plaque when used in mouthwash. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Other uses
Athlete’s foot
Minor injuries
Vaginitis
Thrush
As an antiseptic
Boils
Lice
Psoriasis
yeast infection

Antibacterial
The most promising new function of tea tree oil is to counter methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), also called the hospital super bug. In United States and European hospitals, MRSA grew from under 3% in the 1980s to 40% in the late 1990s. This super bug attacks people who have wounds, such as post-operative infections , and a depressed immune system. MRSA resists conventional antibiotics, except Vancomycin. A Thursday Plantation in vitro study, at East London University, comparing Vancomycin and tea tree oil, shows the latter as a powerful alternative. This study corroborated the University of Western Australia study by Thomas Riley and Christine Carson. Because the spread of MRSA occurs mainly by hands, one London hospital uses tea tree oil soap for staff and patient hygiene. The first study using real patients with MRSA, is currently in progress at The John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle New South Wales. The undertaking looks at tea tree oil as a topical alternative.

Tea tree oil works as an expectorant when inhaled or taken internally and has a soothing effect; therefore, it can be used for throat and chest infections, and clearing up mucus. It is also effective against earaches, cystitis, and gingivitis. Inhaling steaming hot water with 5 drops of tea tree essential oil added can not only soothe coughing and plugged noses, but doing so at the start of the infection might stop it from spreading. For sore throats, gargle with 6 drops of tea tree oil in a glass of warm water.

Common Doses
Tea tree comes in cream, ointment, lotion, and soap forms It can also be found as a pure oil. Tea tree oil has been used as a spot treatment for acne, for fungal infections of the toenails, and diluted as a mouthwash for oral yeast (thrush). When gargling, the solution is never swallowed after use

Recipes – Steam Inhalations
2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head and inhale for
5-10 minutes. To relieve congestion and fight infection.

Recipes – Massage with Tea Tree oil
Add 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30ml of base oil and massage in for rheumatic
pain. Twice daily.

Recipes – Bathing with Tea Tree oil
As a disinfectant measure add approximately 3-5 drops to the bath water. Helps
with skin infections.

Immune System Treatment
Massage once weekly with a blend of 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30ml of base
oil. To help strengthen the immune system.

Interested in a proven method to rid you of your acne? Then visit the Acne no more site. Or another product is the herbal acne treatment called Acnezine.

Tags: acne, antibiotics, athlete, Australia, Australian government, bacterial infections, base oil, brand tea tree oil soap, California, chemical properties, chest infections, Christine Carson, Cover head, cystitis, earaches, East London University, fight infection, first aid, fungal infections, Gingivitis, herpes infections, inflammation, itching, John Hunter Hospital, London hospital, Massage, oil, pain, pharmaceutical antibiotics, post-operative infections, pure oil, skin cuts, skin infections, sore throats, Tea Tree, tea tree essential oil, Tea tree oil, tea tree oil soap, Tea tree oil works, The John Hunter Hospital, Thomas Riley, thrush, tree oil, United States, University of Western Australia, vaginal infections, Western Australia