Botanica West

• Active Kids Get Better Grades

  Any kind of physical activity seems to boost kids’ school performance, according to a recently published international analysis. Researchers reviewed 14 studies that compared kids’ physical activity with their grades or test scores. Ten of the studies included in the analysis were “observational” – researchers asked parents, teachers and the kids themselves how active they were and then tracked the youngsters’ academic performance for months or years. The other four studies compared the test scores of groups of kids who attended extra physical education classes or other types of exercise against the test results of those who didn’t get any additional exercise. Here, again, the kids who performed the most exercise scored higher on tests. The investigators concluded that kids may be better behaved and better able to concentrate on schoolwork when they get enough exercise. Another theory: exercise improves blood flow to the brain and improves mood. The study was published in the January 2012 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

• Summer Gardening in Canada (Photos)
  These photos are from the organic garden at my summer home in British Columbia.

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• Vitamin D and Heart Disease

  Taking supplements to overcome a vitamin D deficiency may cut the risk of dying by more than half compared to people who remain deficient. This finding comes from a University of Kansas analysis of data on more than 10,000 patients. The researchers first found that 70 percent of patients in the population they studied were deficient in “D” and were three times more likely to die of any cause than those whose vitamin D levels were normal. The risks of death dropped by more than half after the deficiencies were corrected with supplements. At the initial evaluation of the data, the investigators found that patients with low levels of “D” were twice as likely to have diabetes, 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and about 30 percent more likely to have cardiomyopathy (a diseased heart muscle) than those who weren’t deficient in “D”. The study doesn’t prove that a vitamin D deficiency is the cause of the illnesses seen – other factors could play a role. The study was published online Nov. 7 by the American Journal of Cardiology.

• What is Your Preferred Cooking Method? (Poll)

  A recent Q&A discussed sautéing as a way of cooking: Sautéing for Our Health? Check out the article and let us know your favorite way of cooking!

  What is your preferred cooking method?

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Originally posted 2011-12-31 17:30:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Ideal Weight: Something to Die For?

  Here’s new and somewhat shocking evidence of how big an issue weight remains for some women. A survey at 20 colleges in Britain revealed that women students would be willing to reduce their lifespan by a year in order to achieve and maintain their ideal body weight. Even worse: 10 percent of these women said that they would give up two to five years of life in order to be thin, and three percent were willing to give up 10 years or more. Most of the women were young – under 25 – but some were as old as 65. Of the 320 women who participated in the survey, 78 percent were within or under a healthy weight range but four out of five still said they wanted to weigh less. Five percent reported having had some type of cosmetic surgery and 39 percent said they would have a cosmetic procedure if they could afford it. The survey also showed that 25 percent of the women would give up more than $8,000 of their annual salary, a promotion at work, spending time with their families and even their health to meet their ideal of slimness. The survey was sponsored by England’s Succeed Foundation and led by Professor Philippa Diedrichs of the University of the West of England. The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness of eating disorders and support people affected by eating disorders.

  My take? Unfortunately, this survey suggests than an unhealthy preoccupation with weight is still prevalent. This new information indicates that even after adolescence (when girls are most at risk of eating disorders) women remain focused on what may be unrealistic weight goals. These aspirations are influenced by socio-cultural factors including the powerful influences of the entertainment and fashion industries, which have fostered the perception that beauty and sexual attractiveness equate with being ultra-thin. The danger is that some of these preoccupations with weight and body image will escalate into full-fledged eating disorders. I hope that with maturity, the young women surveyed will put their weight and body image into perspective and strive instead for good health.

• My 69th Birthday

  For my birthday today, my web team surprised me with this video album of my life and a kind message. Thank you!

  Dr. Weil was born on June 8th, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then he has pioneered the field of integrative medicine and now, at age 69, is an exemplar of the healthy aging he advocates. Happy Birthday, Dr. Weil!

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Originally posted 2011-06-09 17:31:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• What Kind of Tea Do You Prefer? (Polls)

  A recent Q&A discussed sassafras and it’s safety: Sassafras Tea Safety? Check out the article and let us know your favorite type of tea!

  What kind of tea do you prefer?

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Autumn is almost here… welcome to the start of the harvest season! Even though September is mostly a summer month, the shift into fall occurs on the 23rd, and that means noticeably shorter days and longer crisper shadows. Read more »

Originally posted 2010-09-06 17:24:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter