Anne Hathaway Super Thin After Grueling Catwoman Workouts

I eager to see the new catwoman movie. Do you know why? It is because of Anne Hathaway. Hahaha. She has work hard for this movie. Let us read the article below. Enjoy!!

By Celebrity Health & Fitness,

 

Anne Hathaway looked like she was in the best shape of her life when she appeared yesterday (Aug. 8) in an Alexander McQueen bustier dress at the New York City premiere of her new film, “One Day.”

Hathaway, 28, says she’s working out five days a week during filming of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the latest in the Batman series to keep up with all the physical action.

“They’ve given me a martial arts exercise that I have to do all the time to teach me grace and proper stance and fluid movement,” she said in a recent interview.

Check out Anne’s svelte figure; click the photos to enlarge.
 

“It looks so gentle, but when you’re actually doing fight choreography it’s ‘Oh my gosh, that’s actually a block.’ Oh, I’m hitting somebody’s throat right now.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been a new challenge. I’d really like to do a lot more of it. It’s not something I ever thought I’d do.”

She plays Catwoman, and an early glimpse of her costume in photos released by Warner Bros. drew some hoots on the Internet.

“What I am happy to say is if you didn’t like the photo, you only see about a 10th of what that suit can do. And if you did like the photo, you have excellent taste,” she joked about the reaction.

Hathaway’s body-hugging black dress also raised eyebrows at the premiere because of her tiny waist and thin limbs, causing some to speculate she may be going overboard with the workouts.

But the 5’8″ actress, who is undergoing stunt training and strength exercises followed by 90 minutes of dance for her physical role, seems to realize that being skinny isn’t sustainable or enjoyable.

“I’ve hit the point in my life where I understand that being skinny is not sustainable, advisable, [or] enjoyable,” said the vegetarian.

“My identity used to be shaped on my appearance so much,” she said. “I don’t think I was shallow; I just think I was young. I focus on other things a lot more now.

Anne says she’s also not fazed by aging despite working in an industry that worships youth and physical perfection.

“I find the passing of time very liberating,” Hathaway told reporters on the red carpet.

“I feel more confident every, well not every single day, but most days I feel better than I did the day before, and that’s a good thing.”

Anne, who’s dating but has no intention of marrying or having children anytime soon, says she’s living life one day at a time.

“For every generation where traditional rules don’t apply, you don’t have to have things figured out by 22 and have four kids by the time you’re 30,” she says.

“We have a lot more time to figure out who we are.”

Reese: Save Time Exercise With Friends

By Celebrity Health & Fitness, 

 

Reese Witherspoon has a solution to solve time-crunch problems and socialize more while keeping her weight in check.

Because the 33-year-old actress struggles to find the time to work out and socialize, she arranges meetings with her pals at the gym.

“I try to exercise every day. I like to run for about an hour, and I’m big into working out with girlfriends,” she told InStyle magazine.

Reese has battled to overhaule her life since her divorce from actor Ryan Phillippe, who fathered children Ava, 10, and five-year-old Deacon, in 2007.

The split encouraged the “Monsters Vs. Aliens’”actress to take more time out from work and do things she enjoys.

“You just have to keep going, you have to keep it together for your kids and yourself too. I’m trying to learn from the things that have happened in my life, live more in the moment, and have more fun,” she said.

She says she’s spending a lot of her free time with boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal at her farmhouse outside Los Angeles.

“Jake is a great cook, he does a lot. We spend the weekends at my farmhouse. We have chickens and we grow cucumbers and tomatoes. It reminds me of where I grew up in Tennessee,” she said.

Famous Celebrities Who Were Institutionalized

Famous Celebrities Who Were Institutionalized

Checking in the loony bin to get help for mental illness can be a double-edged sword. On one side you are improving your chances of bouncing back. On the other side people denigrate you for being so much as associated with a mental facility.

When famous persons get committed to a mental institution, this inconvenience is multiplied tenfold. Their immediate social circles are not the only one in the know; the entire planet is. Before long the blogosphere is already roasting them alive. This is how fame collects its dues.

Fame may have brought these celebrities there in the first place. Mental conditions seem to dovetail well with popularity, as many people in this list would demonstrate.

Britney Spears

2007 – pop culture pundits remember this as the year Britney Spears literally went lady gaga. Coming from a divorce the year before, the pop superstar cranked up the crazy and shaved her head. It has been a downward spiral since.

In 2008 Spears finally checked into the psychiatric ward of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The weeklong meds there may have done her some good as she released a well-received album later that year.

Carrie Fisher

No one would have thought Carrie Fisher’s nerves would be having a Star Wars of their own. Decades after her star turn in that saga, Carrie Fisher latched on to drugs and alcohol to treat a looming insanity.

At 40, she finally entered a mental institution for bipolar disorder. There, she would not sleep for days on end and think persons on the TV screen were directly talking to her.

With the right meds however, she was able to turn her life around. To this day, the erstwhile Princess Leia is undergoing treatment, including electroshock therapy.

MindSoothe – promotes balanced mood, emotional health and feelings of well-being

James Taylor

James Taylor is unique in this list for positively seeing through his nine-month stay in the funny farm. He even sounds grateful for it on his hit song “Fire and Rain.” Apparently the stay kept him from serving in the Vietnam War, thereby saving him.

James was near graduating from high school when a deep depression set in, forcing him into Massachusetts’ McLean Hospital in 1965. Making the most of his time there, he continued studying through the facility’s partner school, Arlington.

Joey Ramone

Punk rock king Joey Ramone endured schizophrenia and social anxiety while growing up. But he did not enter a mental hospital for years – until he brandished a knife at his mother and sibling. He remained there for a month.

In the years thereafter, Joey reformed himself as a rock god, worshipped by thousands of sad boys like him.

SocialFear Relief - relieves social fear, anxiety, nervousness, shyness and stage fright

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was as famous for her feeble mental state as she was for her blonde bimbo act. In hindsight it was her genes that directed her fate. Her mother also has a mental illness and perished during institutionalization.

Historians know Marilyn grew sick of being used like a rag by men in high places. She also yearned to be treated right by Hollywood, to be given roles that showcased her acting range. In 1961, a doctor misled her into checking into a mental hospital, the very place she was scared of.

Life was not any better after she got out. Men in power continued passing her around until her untimely demise.

Margot Kidder

Fans of the Superman movies would never forget that scene in which a nutty, nude Lois Lane hides around a woodpile.

In a curious case of life imitating the art, the actress who portrayed her, Margot Kidder, was committed to a mental facility in 1996 for manic depression.

Melancholy Lift - relieves feelings of melancholy, sadness, grief and weepiness

Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh’s legendary beauty belies her brain’s disarray. Even during the peak years of her popularity, she languished in manic depression. But no one in the movie-going public had any idea. Doctors were notorious then for covering mental illnesses up and employing crude treatments for them.

Vivien was winning Academy Awards even as the mental disease continued hounding her. It came to a head with an admission to a mental facility plus sessions of electroshock therapy. Hollywood urban legend has it that the sessions burned parts of her head.

Winona Ryder

Her 1990 stint in a mental hospital foreshadowed her performance in 1999’s Girl, Interrupted. Exhausted, anxious and depressed, at a time when she had just withdrawn from The Godfather: Part III cast, Winona was institutionalized.

She checked out after only a few weeks. In interviews afterwards, she said her confinement was for naught, that it offered nothing in the way of denouement to her troubles. Years later, Winona was embroiled in a shoplifting incident.

SAD Soother - relieves depression related to seasonal affective disorder

Yoko Ono

John Lennon’s paramour attempted suicide after divorcing her first husband in the US. Yoko’s parents were so concerned they returned her to Japan to be institutionalized.

She remarried afterwards but that relationship also went up in flames, although not before it gave her a bundle of joy.

***

By Healthy Lifestyle Blogzine

Report: Lady Gaga Is 'Sick and Obsessed with her Weight'

A shared article By Kiki Von Glinow  

 

Forget the 'Edge of Glory,' according to a report from Star magazine (via Radar Online), Lady Gaga is on a dangerous edge when it comes to her health. From her eating habits to her extreme self-scrutinizing, apparently it is just a matter of time before Gaga's unhealthy lifestyle catches up with her.

"Those who have worked with her on tour reported to me that Gaga barely ate for weeks at a time to fit into her costume," investigative journalist, Ian Halperin told Star. "She is sick and obsessed with her weight. One friend told me, Gaga will stare at herself in the mirror for hours on end, analyzing and critiquing her body. It's an unhealthy obsession."

But fitting into her outrageous and often barely there get-ups isn't the only reason Gaga is so concerned with her body -- according to Halperin, she uses her outlandish wigs and perfectly toned body to distract from the side affects of her Lupus -- a disease she has publicly admitted to battling. The disease has reportedly caused the mother monster to lose hair and break out in red blotches all over her body.

But Halperin who has been investigating Gaga for the past 12 months explains that her disease and her weight problems are not her only demons.

"Her drug use started young," he explained. "From heroin to cocaine and ecstasy, her friends say that she has done every drug conceivable. You name it she has done it. She's morphed into this caricature called Lady Gaga, who isn't even a real person. The girl known as Stefi to her friends and family has all but disappeared."

Although we imagine that it's only human to be somewhat self-scrutinizing when you're performing in front of millions, we hope that Gaga can take her own 'Born This Way' advice.

10 health benefits of stopping smoking

Many of us still didn't realise the benefits of not smoking.  Most of us still choose to be a smoker even though many Bad article about smoking has been produced. Why does it happen? Is it because they not afraid of being sick? For me, i think it is more meaningful if we motivate them rather than blame them. So today, i will share about the benefit of not smoking. Enjoy!! 

Smoking’s bad for your health, but exactly how does quitting make life better?

Better sex
Stopping smoking improves the body’s bloodflow, so improves sensitivity. Men who stop smoking may get better erections. Women may find that their orgasms improve and they become aroused more easily. It’s also been found that non-smokers are three times more appealing to the opposite sex than smokers (one of the advantages, perhaps, of smelling fresh).

Find out more tips for having good sex.

Improved fertility
Non-smokers find it easier to get pregnant. Quitting smoking improves the lining of the womb and can make men’s sperm more potent. Becoming a non-smoker increases the possibility of conceiving through IVF and reduces the likelihood of having a miscarriage. Most importantly, it improves the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby.

Younger looking skin
Stopping smoking has been found to slow facial ageing and delay the appearance of wrinkles. The skin of a non-smoker gets more nutrients, including oxygen, and can reverse the sallow, lined complexion that smokers often have.

Watch this video to find out how smoking can ruin your looks.

Whiter teeth
Giving up tobacco stops teeth becoming stained, and you'll have fresher breath. Ex-smokers are less likely than smokers to get gum disease and lose their teeth prematurely.

Find out more about dental health.

Better breathing
People breathe more easily and cough less when they give up smoking because their lung capacity improves by up to 10% within nine months. In your 20s and 30s, the effect of smoking on your lung capacity may not be noticeable until you go for a run, but lung capacity naturally diminishes with age. In later years, having maximum lung capacity can mean the difference between having an active, healthy old age and wheezing when going for a walk or climbing the stairs.

Longer life
Half of all long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Men who quit smoking by 30 add 10 years to their life. People who kick the habit at 60 add three years to their life. In other words, it’s never too late to benefit from stopping. Quitting not only adds years to your life, but it also greatly improves the chance of a disease-free, mobile, happier old age.

Less stress
Scientific studies show that people's stress levels are lower after they stop smoking. Nicotine addiction makes smokers stressed from the ‘withdrawal’ between cigarettes. The pleasant feeling of satisfying that craving is only temporary and is not a real cure for stress. Also, the improved levels of oxygen in the body means that ex-smokers can concentrate better and have increased mental wellbeing.

Improved senses
Kicking the smoking habit gives your senses of smell and taste a boost. The body is recovering from being dulled by the hundreds of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes.

More energy
Within 2 to 12 weeks of stopping smoking, the circulation improves. This makes all physical activity, including walking and running, much easier. Quitting boosts the immune system, making it easier to fight off colds and flu. The increase in oxygen in the body makes ex-smokers less tired and less likely to have headaches.

Healthier loved ones
By stopping smoking you'll be protecting the health of your non-smoking friends and family.

Passive smoking increases a non-smoker's risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. Second-hand smoke makes children twice at risk of chest illnesses, including pneumonia, croup (swollen airways in the lungs) and bronchitis, plus more ear infections, wheezing and asthma. They also have three times the risk of getting lung cancer in later life compared with children who live with non-smokers.

Quitting is good for their health as well as yours.

 The quitting timeline

• After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal.


• After 24 hours your lungs start to clear.


• After two days your body is nicotine-free and your sense of taste and smell improve.


• After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases.


• After two to 12 weeks, your circulation improves.


• After three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing improves.


• After one year your heart attack risk is  half that of a smoker.


• After 10 years your lung cancer risk is half that of a smoker.

Sources : NHS

Enjoy the Freedom of Electronic Cigarettes

If there’s any legal product that has received negative press, the tobacco cigarette stands at the forefront. Maybe, just maybe, the E cigarette can change this. The E cigarette, also called the Electronic Cigarette or E Cig, is just what the name implies – an electronic cigarette. It doesn’t burn, and it’s 100% litter free. The E Cig is a “clean” alternative to cigarette smoking.

First, let’s look at exactly what an E cigarette is, and how it works. Generally, an E Cig looks just like a regular, rolled cigarette. Smokers like the feel of a cigarette in their hand and mouth, and the manufacturers of E Cigs have obliged their target customers with a familiar feeling product. The E Cig contains a liquid solution, aptly named “e-liquid” or “e-juice.” The solution may or may not contain nicotine, and can be flavored to taste like tobacco, menthol, coffee, vanilla or “energy drink” (as well as a host of other flavors). When activated, the E Cig heats up and vaporizes the liquid, creating an aerosol-like mist that is inhaled. There is no smoke to exhale, nor is there any waste to dispose of.

As the electronic cigarette is electronic, it requires some sort of power source. This can come in the form of disposable batteries, but the best E Cigs are rechargeable. The best of the best have an “on the go” charging pack, and can be “juiced up” anywhere. The E Cig is all about convenience, and they have made it pretty darned easy to take these on the road with you.

In this day and age, it’s virtually impossible to find a place that allows smoking, but the E Cig gives the user more freedom. As electronic cigarettes don’t release any smoke or carcinogens, they can be used anywhere, from a restaurant to movie theater. Some even have blue LED lights on the tips, so that others won’t think that you are smoking in a prohibited place. The E Cig allows the user to get what they want, when and where they want it – talk about convenience!

BV Cigs electronic cigarettes all have built-in atomizers, and one cartridge gives the same amount of puffs as a pack of cigarettes. Their flavor offerings are tobacco, menthol, coffee, vanilla and “energy drink.” As these are premium products, they come with the blue, LED tip, so that others don’t think you are breaking a “no smoking” rule, as well as an on-the-go charger, which can be plugged in to a wall outlet or USB port.

Electronic cigarettes are the new wave for smokers. They maintain the look and feel of smoking, but don’t burn carcinogens or leave second-hand smoke. As they are so clean, they can be used anywhere, inside or out. When it comes to look, feel, taste and convenience, e cigarettes, from BV Cigs, are the choice to go with.

Smoking in front of children can make them addicted to nicotine

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

 

Most smokers are very aware of the damage they are doing to their own health – and know that others can also suffer though passive smoking. But a worrying new study reveals that smoking infront of children not only passes on the harmful effects of the smoke in the air – it can also get them hooked on cigarettes. A Concordia and University of Montreal study published in the Oxford journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, found that tweens who repeatedly observe a parent, sibling, friend or neighbur consuming cigarettes are more likely to start smoking themselves.

‘Kids who see others smoking are more likely to take up the habit because they don’t perceive cigarettes as unhealthy,’ says lead study author Simon Racicot, of Concordia University’s Department of Psychology.

‘We found that kids who’d never smoked who were exposed to tobacco use were more likely to hold positive beliefs about the killer habit. These are the kids who are more likely to start smoking as teenagers.’

This new investigation builds on previous studies examining the negative effects of being surrounded by smokers.

Senior author Jennifer J. McGrath, a professor in the Concordia University Department of Psychology said around 60 per cent of children are exposed to secondhand smoke across North America.
‘Greater exposure to smokers is largely associated with greater exposure to nicotine,’ she said.
‘Children exposed to the same amounts of secondhand smoke as adults absorb higher doses of nicotine.
‘Early findings suggest that secondhand smoke exposure could possibly trigger addiction in the brain – before kids actually start smoking themselves.’

For the study, 327 11-13 year olds enrolled in French-language public schools were questioned about their smoking habits, the number of smokers in their entourage and the situations where they observed smoking.

‘Preteens who were surrounded by more smokers believed that there are greater advantages to smoking,’ says Racicot.

‘Therefore, smoking by parents, siblings, and friends increases risk factors for later smoking.’
The researchers argue that new prevention efforts must be tailored to children who are highly exposed to secondhand smoke – ensuring they are aware of the risks.

The general public also needs to be informed about how smoking around youth normalizes the dangerous habit.

‘When it comes to smoking around kids, the best thing a parent can do is to avoid exposing their kids to cigarettes and to secondhand smoke,’ says Racicot.

‘A parent should step outside of their home or car to smoke. And the addictive habit should remain out of sight, out of breath and out of mind.’

Miley Cyrus smoking cigarettes? Who cares?

Do you really care that Miley Cyrus is a smoker? Does anyone really care that she smokes cigarettes? What is the big deal? I simply don’t get it. People seem to be up in arms about the fact the Miley Cyrus smokes cigarettes. They claim that because she is a role model that she has some sort of responsibility to the children to be a good example to them. Give me a break. 

Miley Cyrus is not a role model. She has never been a role model. Cyrus has been an anti role model since she was 15 years old. We are talking about a girl who posed basically nude for a magazine when she was 15, has been caught smoking a bong, taken partially nude pictures of herself and allowed them somehow to get online, and humped a pole in front of young kids at the Teen Choice awards. This is the person everyone says is a role model?

Any parent who allows Miley Cyrus to be a role model for their children should have their children taken away from them because they obviously are not fit to be a parent.

Parents should sit down with their young children and let them know that what Cyrus does is not appropriate and should never be emulated under any circumstances. 

Parents should be their children’s role models not people like Miley Cyrus. People should leave Cyrus alone and let her live her life in peace and spend more time with their own children so people like Cyrus don’t have the influence over them that we all fear they do.

More Picture : here
More News : Cigarettes Flavour

Goodness of MilK

Taken from Dutchlady.com.my


I am worried about the sugar level in my child’s Growing Up Milk

1. I didn't know that Growing Up Milk need to have sugars. Why?

First of all, we need to understand that children of growing up age needs some source of energy to help them grow. Main sources of energy are carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates are important, because it is the main source of energy which is needed for good growth and development of the body and the brain, especially for growing up children.

Sugars are a type of carbohydrates. Milk which is a natural product in itself also contains sugars known as lactose. It is this sugar (lactose) in milk which helps your child to grow. Therefore, all Growing Up Milk will contain some form of sugars.

2. Tell me about the sugars in Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk.

First of all, at Dutch Lady Malaysia we have developed a well balanced formula which is optimal for growing up children in Malaysia. All Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk products are fully in compliance with Malaysia's draft standard of Formulated Milk Powder for Children, Malaysia's Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) 2005 and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2003 recommendation.

There are two types of sugars most commonly found in Growing Up Milk powder. First, the naturally occuring sugars in milk which are called lactose. Second, there are added sugars which are natural plant sugars.

Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk has a combination of lactose and added plant sugars. This is because, at Dutch Lady Malaysia we always strive to develop Growing Up Milk products which can help bridge the nutritional gap of the children. By providing an optimally and nutritionally balanced Growing Up Milk coupled with a healthy daily meal, it will help your child to achieve a nutritionally balanced diet which is important for his/her growth.

3. So, why does Dutch Lady need to have 'added sugar' in their Growing Up Milk powder ?

Dutch Lady's growing up milk is nutritionally designed using a combination of naturally occurring sugars in milk i.e. lactose and also added natural plant sugars in order to maintain the natural ratio of lactose in milk. Based on years of research, we found that it is important that our Growing Up Milk is optimally formulated. Our research reveals that products which are not optimally formulated, for example those with high lactose are not well tolerated by Malaysian children. Some children who consume high lactose milk may develop the following complications such as diarrhea, bloating (due to too much gas) as a result of the inability of their body to metabolise the excess lactose.

4. I am concerned about my child's sugar intake from his Growing Up Milk powder. How does the sugar content in Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk compare with the other brands who claims 'no added sugar'?

Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk has approximately 15% to 32% less total sugars (per 100g milk powder) versus brands who claims 'no added sugar'. In fact, the sugar levels in Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk is well within the recommended Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) 2005 level as well as within the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2003 recommendation.


Lactose and 'added sugar' which is the natural form of plant sugar, are all sugars.

Total sugar of Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk product is approximately 15% to 32% less (per 100gm of milk powder) than brands who claim they have 'no added sugar'.



5. I read some brands that 'have no added sugar' implied that other brands like Dutch Lady have a lot of 'added sugar' in their Growing Up Milk and this is unhealthy for my child. Is this true?

Growing Up Milk brands that claim 'no added sugar' only talk about 'added sugar' (which we explained are plant sugars). However, they do not talk about the overall total sugar content in their milk. Parents should look at the total sugar content in their child's Growing Up Milk.

Total sugar includes both the naturally occurring sugar in milk which is lactose and the added natural plant sugars. Even though Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk products has added natural plant sugars in our Growing Up Milk, our Growing Up Milk powder has a much lower total sugar content compared to brands who claim that they have ‘no added sugar’.

6. Is my child getting too much sugar from DL growing up milk?

Rest assured that your child is not getting too much sugar from our Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk as all our Growing Up Milk products are made in full compliance with Malaysia’s draft standard of Formulated Milk Powder for Children, Malaysia RNI 2005 and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2003 recommendations.

7. In terms of sugar intake, what should I really be concerned about?

We understand that parents are worried about the effect of excessive sugar consumption in your child's diet which could lead to tooth decay, childhood obesity as well as diabetes.

If you are worried about this, apart from ensuring that your child minimise the intake of high in sugar food or snacks such as that occasional bar of chocolate, you will also will need to look at total sugar level in your child's Growing Up Milk and not the added sugar level.

There is no difference in terms of calorific value between lactose and other added natural sugars.

8. I came across a website in Malaysia where it provides a model to calculate sugar by looking at Carbohydrate content of Growing Up Milk's nutritional information. When I key in Dutch Lady's Growing Up Milk's carbohydrate content, your product would have 7-10 teaspoons of added sugar. Please explain.

We are not at liberty to explain how the website makes its calculation. We believe that possibly the calculation method is factually misleading.

In terms of total sugar content, Dutch Lady’s Growing Up Milk has approximately 15% to 32% less total sugars (per 100g milk powder) versus brands who claims 'no added sugar'.

9. Is Dutch Lady planning to reduce its added sugar in its Growing Up Milk products?
We firmly believe that the added natural plant sugars in our Growing Up Milk is necessary to ensure optimally balanced formulation so that it provides adequate carbohydrate (energy source) for a growing child. The level of the total sugars in our Growing Up Milk are not excessive. It is well within the recommended Malaysia Recommended Nutritional Intake (RNI) 2005 and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2003 recommendations.

Secondhand Smoke May Increase Risk for Nicotine Addiction

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
 

Moderate secondhand smoke exposure results in occupancy of brain α4 β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which may increase vulnerability to smoking and nicotine addiction, new research shows. Study investigators found that after 1 hour of exposure to secondhand smoke in an enclosed space, a substantial amount of nicotine reaches the brains of nonsmokers and binds to receptors that are normally targeted by direct exposure to tobacco smoke — a finding that has important implications.

“We know that secondhand smoke exposure results in exposed individuals being more likely to become smokers and to have a harder time quitting smoking [if they are already smokers],” first author Arthur L. Brody, MD, from the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and the University of California, Los Angeles, told Medscape Medical News.

“Our study presents further evidence for the need to limit exposure to secondhand smoke in vulnerable individuals,” he added.

The study was published online May 2 in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Priming the Brain

In laboratory rats, long-term exposure to cigarette smoke leads to nicotine dependence and an upregulation of nAChR levels in the brain. Yet, “brain nAChR occupancy from secondhand smoke exposure has not yet (to our knowledge) been demonstrated,” the researchers write.

In the study, 11 moderately dependent cigarette smokers and 12 nonsmokers underwent positron emission tomography with the radioligand 2-(18)F-FA-85380, which permits visualization of brain α4 β2 nAChRs, one of the most abundant nAChR subtypes in the brain.

Each participant underwent 2 scanning sessions during which they sat in the passenger seat of a car for 1 hour and were exposed to moderate secondhand smoke or to no secondhand smoke.

During the smoke exposure condition, the mean air carbon monoxide level was 7.4 parts per million (ppm) — significantly higher (P < .001) than during the control condition (0.5 ppm).

For the entire group (smokers and nonsmokers), moderate secondhand smoke exposure led to an average 19% brain α4 β2 nAChR occupancy, the researchers say.

Evidence Supports Public Smoking Ban

“These results show that even limited secondhand smoke exposure delivers enough nicotine to the brain to alter its function,” Nora D. Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who was not involved in the study, noted in a statement.

“Chronic or severe exposure could result in even higher brain nicotine levels, which may explain why secondhand smoke exposure increases vulnerability to nicotine addiction,” Dr. Volkow added.

The researchers also found that smokers had a 23% increase, on average, in craving with secondhand smoke exposure, and they saw a correlation between nAChR occupancy and craving alleviation with subsequent cigarette smoking. This finding suggests that moderate secondhand smoke exposure delivers a priming dose of nicotine to the brain that contributes to continued cigarette use in smokers, they say.

“This study,” Dr. Brody said, “gives concrete evidence to support policies that ban smoking in public places, particularly enclosed spaces and around children.”

Sources : Daily Mail

Wales could be the first to ban smoking in cars

WALES could be the first European country to ban smoking in cars carrying children, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced yesterday. Mr Jones said legislation could be considered if children’s exposure to second-hand smoke did not reduce as a result of a campaign. A ban would be designed first and foremost to protect children from second-hand smoke as well as encouraging adults to give up smoking, he said.

 

The First Minister said that it would be the next logical step following the ban on smoking in offices, pubs and restaurants.

He said: “Wales was the first UK country to vote in favour of a ban on smoking in public places and if necessary we will not shy away from considering the introduction of progressive legislation to further protect children from second-hand smoke.”

It was not entirely clear how any such move would be policed. Mr Jones told the Western Mail that no new road traffic offence would be created, although he suggested there was “plenty of scope for joint working” with the police.

Legislation will not be considered until the end of a three- year campaign warning drivers about the dangers to children in the car of lighting up while driving.

Mr Jones said: “Children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke, especially in vehicles where a confined space means there is no respite from the harm of the toxic chemicals in cigarettes.

“Our manifesto committed us to take tough action to tackle inequalities in health, particularly the harm caused by tobacco use and its effect on children.

“The law already requires any vehicle that is used by more than one person in the course of paid or voluntary work to be smoke free and an extension is the next logical step.

“We will mount a renewed campaign to tackle smoking alongside other interventions such as quit programmes, but will consider pursuing legislative options if children’s exposure to second-hand smoke does not start to fall within the next three years.

“There is a growing public consensus on the social unacceptability of being exposed to second-hand smoke and introducing legislation would be a powerful statement of intent about our commitment to the health of our children,” he added.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said: “Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of smoking, and with no escape from second-hand smoke are more likely to develop long- term conditions such as asthma at an early age, which will affect them for their rest of their lives.”

The move from the Welsh Government comes less than two weeks after the British Medical Association called for drivers to be prevented from lighting up in their vehicles.

In June the BMA’s conference in Cardiff passed a motion calling for legislation to be introduced by all governments in the UK to tackle the issue of smoking while driving, to protect the health of other passengers and to increase the safety of other road users.

Delegates heard that smoking in a car was more damaging to a person’s health than breathing in exhaust fumes, because particle concentrations were 27 times higher than in a smoker’s home and 20 times higher than they used to be in a pub, when smoking was allowed.

That made it safer to have the exhaust pipe on the inside of the car than to smoke cigarettes in terms of fine particulate matter.

Research by the British Lung Foundation found that more than a third of children with a parent who smoked said the parent smoked in the car while the child is a passenger.

The United States of Workaholics: 10 Telling Stats You Should Know

i've recently read an article about this after being recommended by a friend. So i would like to share with all of you about this great articles.This article is not only applicable to american, it aslo for the rest of the world. enjoy!!

National Workaholics Day fell on July 5th, and while many may look at the title with a bemused smile, others take it as an opportunity to educate the world about a serious psychiatric disorder. Although workaholism (rather than merely working hard) carries with it the very same psychological, physiological, emotional and mental symptoms as alcohol, drug and other addictions, it's the only one society actually rewards. Legitimizing such risky habits by throwing money and promotions at them renders the condition nearly impossible to treat. The following statistics reflect the sad reality of workaholics and their loved ones both in the United States and beyond its borders. Understanding the ugly side of "go-getting" makes for the best strategy towards combating the serious toll it takes on individuals and families alike.

1. Thirty-four percent of American adults don't take their vacation days:

   Employed American adults, anyways. Expedia.com ran a survey in 2009 revealing just how many gave up their average of 13 vacation days every year. Their reasoning varies, with 11% saying they receive financial compensation for missing out, 10% unable to properly schedule time off in advance and 10% can't sync their plans with significant others. From there, a staggering 19% ended up either postponing or outright canceling their vacations thanks to work obligations. And 30% find themselves unable to fully relax and enjoy what time they do get off thanks to overarching career-related stress.

2. Workaholic marriages suffer disproportionately more than others:

   The divorce rate amongst couples with no workaholic spouse sits at around 16%. By contrast, workaholic marriages crumble at a 55% rate, owing to alienation and a sense that jobs control the family unit far more than…well…the family unit itself. The affected spouses — not just those "chained to the desk" — reported a higher rate of estrangement, both physically and emotionally, which ends up leaving the both of them awash in negativity, ambivalence and apathy. Not exactly factors for a healthy life together.

3. Sixty-plus work-hour weeks are not uncommon:

   In fact, over 10 million Americans have to keep such grueling hours, though admittedly clinical workaholism isn't always the motivating factor. But considering the fact that the United States is "the only developed nation without mandatory vacation time," even those more concerned with economics than satiating compulsions still have to suffer similar filial, emotional, mental and even physical side effects. Some of these people, unfortunately, serve beneath the tutelage of control freak workaholics and end up forced into the very same patterns if they hope to keep their jobs.

4. The average amount of hours worked per week is steadily increasing:

   Between 1970 and 2006, the average number of hours in a working year skyrocketed by 200! What makes workaholism such a difficult issue to address is the fact that it's one of the only addictions where sufferers receive rewards and validation. Being perceived as a "go-getter" and financial compensation both legitimize such behavior in a way denied alcoholics and drug addicts, though the effects of workaholism might very well prove almost (or just) as physiologically and psychologically destructive. Until the corporate world starts taking the issue seriously — which it won't, because PROFITS! — families across America just might start seeing Mommy and Daddy putting in even more time at the office as time ticks forward.

5. Workaholics have a higher rate of heart disease:

   Although a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine analyzed the effects of workaholism on the body using British, Finnish and French subjects, what it discovered impacts the career-minded worldwide. Individuals working 11 hours a day or more suffer from 67% chance of coronary heart disease than those with about seven or eight. Ten hour days saw an increase of 45% — and it's easy to see the correlation. Exhaustion, poor sleeping habits, minimal exercise, stress, a compromised diet and other hallmarks of overwork all contribute to the startling statistics. In Japan, a phenomenon known as karoshi sees workaholics drop dead of heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms and other medical conditions stemming directly from their professional habits.

6. Lunch breaks are (voluntarily!) shrinking:

   Huffington Post conducted an informal poll taking a look at how respondents used up their lunch hours — and the results proved rather depressing. Around 60% said they spend 20 minutes or less eating, and 20% take 10 minutes or less, and a further 25% reported never even bother leaving their desks. At least 75% of participants say they eat lunch at their desk around two to three days per week, though whether or not their reasons were entirely workaholic in nature remain unclear. After all, they could just sit there and watch Hulu while noshing on Lean Cuisine.

7. Workaholics perceive time differently:

   Once again, studies from abroad still speak volumes about workaholism's American impact. Statistics Canada reports that 86% of self-identified workaholics feel like they have to rush through their day, compared to 73% of their more low-key peers. It also discovered that they are more likely to think they haven't accomplished much throughout their day, with 56% reporting as such. Only 44% of non-workaholics made the same claim. When it comes to time management, 56% of workaholics don't believe they have a sufficient amount of fun, and 1/3 of affected Canadians are putting forth more of an effort to slow themselves down over the next year.

8. More severe workaholics can't even relax on vacation without getting sick:

   Researchers in The Netherlands recognize a rare but serious condition they like to call "leisure sickness." Roughly 3% of workaholics succumb to its grip, which can include anything from migraines and headaches to exhaustion and an overall flu-like feeling. And it happens on vacation, while they're making an honest effort to relax. Their bodies grow so accustomed to the stress that the very act of alleviating it leads to physiological discomfort! Such a phenomenon obviously occurs outside The Netherlands, along with "weekend headaches." An estimated 1/3 of migraines and 1/6 of tension headaches come about because of the body's inability to enjoy its time off.

9. Workaholics Anonymous hosts around one thousand members:

   Yes, a 12-step program exists to help individuals afflicted with workaholism slough off their addiction. At least 50 different recovery communities exist worldwide, congregating either in person, online or over the phone. It launched in 1983, well before the mainstream media started dissecting the workaholism phenomenon. Today, about one thousand people take advantage of the organization's offerings.

10. Workaholics are more likely to suffer a job-related injury or illness:

    It really is common sense here. The more time one spends working, the more susceptible he or she is to end up sick or injured as a result. Chronic overtimers face a 61% increased risk over those without such habits. Anyone working 12 or more hours a day is 37% more vulnerable, and faces a 23% increase at 60 or more hours a week. Jobs requiring overtime are 38% more likely to see an employee succumb to injury or illness than their more low-demand counterparts.

Sources : Insurancequotes.com

So remember, eventhough you have a lot of work need to be done, but, please don't forget to take some rest for your health.

The United States of Workaholics: 10 Telling Stats You Should Know

i've recently read an article about this after being recommended by a friend. So i would like to share with all of you about this great articles.This article is not only applicable to american, it aslo for the rest of the world. enjoy!!

National Workaholics Day fell on July 5th, and while many may look at the title with a bemused smile, others take it as an opportunity to educate the world about a serious psychiatric disorder. Although workaholism (rather than merely working hard) carries with it the very same psychological, physiological, emotional and mental symptoms as alcohol, drug and other addictions, it's the only one society actually rewards. Legitimizing such risky habits by throwing money and promotions at them renders the condition nearly impossible to treat. The following statistics reflect the sad reality of workaholics and their loved ones both in the United States and beyond its borders. Understanding the ugly side of "go-getting" makes for the best strategy towards combating the serious toll it takes on individuals and families alike.

1. Thirty-four percent of American adults don't take their vacation days:

   Employed American adults, anyways. Expedia.com ran a survey in 2009 revealing just how many gave up their average of 13 vacation days every year. Their reasoning varies, with 11% saying they receive financial compensation for missing out, 10% unable to properly schedule time off in advance and 10% can't sync their plans with significant others. From there, a staggering 19% ended up either postponing or outright canceling their vacations thanks to work obligations. And 30% find themselves unable to fully relax and enjoy what time they do get off thanks to overarching career-related stress.

2. Workaholic marriages suffer disproportionately more than others:

   The divorce rate amongst couples with no workaholic spouse sits at around 16%. By contrast, workaholic marriages crumble at a 55% rate, owing to alienation and a sense that jobs control the family unit far more than…well…the family unit itself. The affected spouses — not just those "chained to the desk" — reported a higher rate of estrangement, both physically and emotionally, which ends up leaving the both of them awash in negativity, ambivalence and apathy. Not exactly factors for a healthy life together.

3. Sixty-plus work-hour weeks are not uncommon:

   In fact, over 10 million Americans have to keep such grueling hours, though admittedly clinical workaholism isn't always the motivating factor. But considering the fact that the United States is "the only developed nation without mandatory vacation time," even those more concerned with economics than satiating compulsions still have to suffer similar filial, emotional, mental and even physical side effects. Some of these people, unfortunately, serve beneath the tutelage of control freak workaholics and end up forced into the very same patterns if they hope to keep their jobs.

4. The average amount of hours worked per week is steadily increasing:

   Between 1970 and 2006, the average number of hours in a working year skyrocketed by 200! What makes workaholism such a difficult issue to address is the fact that it's one of the only addictions where sufferers receive rewards and validation. Being perceived as a "go-getter" and financial compensation both legitimize such behavior in a way denied alcoholics and drug addicts, though the effects of workaholism might very well prove almost (or just) as physiologically and psychologically destructive. Until the corporate world starts taking the issue seriously — which it won't, because PROFITS! — families across America just might start seeing Mommy and Daddy putting in even more time at the office as time ticks forward.

5. Workaholics have a higher rate of heart disease:

   Although a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine analyzed the effects of workaholism on the body using British, Finnish and French subjects, what it discovered impacts the career-minded worldwide. Individuals working 11 hours a day or more suffer from 67% chance of coronary heart disease than those with about seven or eight. Ten hour days saw an increase of 45% — and it's easy to see the correlation. Exhaustion, poor sleeping habits, minimal exercise, stress, a compromised diet and other hallmarks of overwork all contribute to the startling statistics. In Japan, a phenomenon known as karoshi sees workaholics drop dead of heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms and other medical conditions stemming directly from their professional habits.

6. Lunch breaks are (voluntarily!) shrinking:

   Huffington Post conducted an informal poll taking a look at how respondents used up their lunch hours — and the results proved rather depressing. Around 60% said they spend 20 minutes or less eating, and 20% take 10 minutes or less, and a further 25% reported never even bother leaving their desks. At least 75% of participants say they eat lunch at their desk around two to three days per week, though whether or not their reasons were entirely workaholic in nature remain unclear. After all, they could just sit there and watch Hulu while noshing on Lean Cuisine.

7. Workaholics perceive time differently:

   Once again, studies from abroad still speak volumes about workaholism's American impact. Statistics Canada reports that 86% of self-identified workaholics feel like they have to rush through their day, compared to 73% of their more low-key peers. It also discovered that they are more likely to think they haven't accomplished much throughout their day, with 56% reporting as such. Only 44% of non-workaholics made the same claim. When it comes to time management, 56% of workaholics don't believe they have a sufficient amount of fun, and 1/3 of affected Canadians are putting forth more of an effort to slow themselves down over the next year.

8. More severe workaholics can't even relax on vacation without getting sick:

   Researchers in The Netherlands recognize a rare but serious condition they like to call "leisure sickness." Roughly 3% of workaholics succumb to its grip, which can include anything from migraines and headaches to exhaustion and an overall flu-like feeling. And it happens on vacation, while they're making an honest effort to relax. Their bodies grow so accustomed to the stress that the very act of alleviating it leads to physiological discomfort! Such a phenomenon obviously occurs outside The Netherlands, along with "weekend headaches." An estimated 1/3 of migraines and 1/6 of tension headaches come about because of the body's inability to enjoy its time off.

9. Workaholics Anonymous hosts around one thousand members:

   Yes, a 12-step program exists to help individuals afflicted with workaholism slough off their addiction. At least 50 different recovery communities exist worldwide, congregating either in person, online or over the phone. It launched in 1983, well before the mainstream media started dissecting the workaholism phenomenon. Today, about one thousand people take advantage of the organization's offerings.

10. Workaholics are more likely to suffer a job-related injury or illness:

    It really is common sense here. The more time one spends working, the more susceptible he or she is to end up sick or injured as a result. Chronic overtimers face a 61% increased risk over those without such habits. Anyone working 12 or more hours a day is 37% more vulnerable, and faces a 23% increase at 60 or more hours a week. Jobs requiring overtime are 38% more likely to see an employee succumb to injury or illness than their more low-demand counterparts.

Sources : Insurancequotes.com

So remember, eventhough you have a lot of work need to be done, but, please don't forget to take some rest for your health.

DIET AND NUTRITION : PINK GUAVA

Pink guava somehow is very sweet compared to ordinary guava. It taste very nice and it provide a very good nutrition and benefit as follows:

1. Preventing Cancer

Guava contains cancer-fighting antioxidant, lycopene. Lycopene in guava is more readily absorbed than those from tomatoes because of differences in cell structure. Lycopene consumption is quite influential on the reduced risk of prostate cancer in men. All types of guava contain high antioxidant, especially in the red fleshy guava.

2. Reduce hypertension

Guava is a fruit that should be consumed regularly if you want to avoid heart attacks. The fruit is a hypoglycemic in nature and rich in fiber is beneficial for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, a medium-sized guava can provide 20 percent of the body’s daily requirement of potassium. Research also suggests regular consumption of potassium can lower blood pressure.

3. Treating diarrhea

Guava plants having astringent, a chemical that will shrink the tissue. This is why the gums will feel harder and refreshed after we chew guava. Besides guava leaves also contain antibacterial substances that can prevent the growth of bacteria when exposed to dysentery. Other bacteria killer in this fruit is karetinoid, vitamin C and potassium.

4. Cough and flu

Guava leaves that eaten raw or uncooked fruit juice made ??trusted for generations as a drug treating coughs and colds. This herb works by reducing the formation of mucus and create respiratory tract infection-free. Guava fruit is also rich in vitamin C and iron are effective to inhibit influenza virus infection.

5. Skin care

The content in guava astringent will improve skin texture and tighten the skin starts sagging. Not only that guava also contains vitamins A, C and potassium, which has a function as antioxidants. These nutrients will help the detoxification process and keep skin healthy and wrinkle free.

6. Prevents constipation

High fiber content in guava effective to prevent constipation or constipation. Guava fruit medium containing 36 percent of the recommended fiber. In addition seeds of this fruit is also a powerful laxative that works to help clean the intestinal disposal system.

7. diabetes

According to research conducted in mice, both fruit and leaves of guava may help lower blood sugar levels.

8. Lose weight

This fruit has the components necessary to lose weight, such as fiber, protein and vitamins. It also makes the stomach feel fuller. Guava is a medium-sized diasup at lunch is enough to block the stomach until dinner.

9. Sprue abdominal

Vitamin C in guava four times higher than the vitamin C found in oranges. In addition, this fruit is also a powerful medicine for stomach ulcers, a disease characterized by swollen and bleeding gums.

10. Caring for teeth

Consumption of guava juice to treat the gums, swollen and bleeding gums overcome.

Translate from :- IbuPrita

DIET AND NUTRITION : PINK GUAVA

Pink guava somehow is very sweet compared to ordinary guava. It taste very nice and it provide a very good nutrition and benefit as follows:

1. Preventing Cancer
Guava contains cancer-fighting antioxidant, lycopene. Lycopene in guava is more readily absorbed than those from tomatoes because of differences in cell structure. Lycopene consumption is quite influential on the reduced risk of prostate cancer in men. All types of guava contain high antioxidant, especially in the red fleshy guava.
2. Reduce hypertension
Guava is a fruit that should be consumed regularly if you want to avoid heart attacks. The fruit is a hypoglycemic in nature and rich in fiber is beneficial for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, a medium-sized guava can provide 20 percent of the body’s daily requirement of potassium. Research also suggests regular consumption of potassium can lower blood pressure.
3. Treating diarrhea
Guava plants having astringent, a chemical that will shrink the tissue. This is why the gums will feel harder and refreshed after we chew guava. Besides guava leaves also contain antibacterial substances that can prevent the growth of bacteria when exposed to dysentery. Other bacteria killer in this fruit is karetinoid, vitamin C and potassium.

4. Cough and flu
Guava leaves that eaten raw or uncooked fruit juice made ??trusted for generations as a drug treating coughs and colds. This herb works by reducing the formation of mucus and create respiratory tract infection-free. Guava fruit is also rich in vitamin C and iron are effective to inhibit influenza virus infection.
5. Skin care
The content in guava astringent will improve skin texture and tighten the skin starts sagging. Not only that guava also contains vitamins A, C and potassium, which has a function as antioxidants. These nutrients will help the detoxification process and keep skin healthy and wrinkle free.
6. Prevents constipation
High fiber content in guava effective to prevent constipation or constipation. Guava fruit medium containing 36 percent of the recommended fiber. In addition seeds of this fruit is also a powerful laxative that works to help clean the intestinal disposal system.
7. diabetes
According to research conducted in mice, both fruit and leaves of guava may help lower blood sugar levels.
8. Lose weight
This fruit has the components necessary to lose weight, such as fiber, protein and vitamins. It also makes the stomach feel fuller. Guava is a medium-sized diasup at lunch is enough to block the stomach until dinner.
9. Sprue abdominal
Vitamin C in guava four times higher than the vitamin C found in oranges. In addition, this fruit is also a powerful medicine for stomach ulcers, a disease characterized by swollen and bleeding gums.
10. Caring for teeth
Consumption of guava juice to treat the gums, swollen and bleeding gums overcome.

Translate from :- IbuPrita

Hand washing: Do's and don'ts

Hi everyone. Today i wanna share with you an interesting article by Mayo Clinic staff about the guideline of how to wash your hands. Enjoy!!

Hand washing is an easy way to prevent infection. Understand when to wash your hands, how to properly use hand sanitizer and how to get your children into the habit.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water. Find out when and how to wash your hands properly.

When to wash your hands

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food
• Eating
• Treating wounds or giving medicine
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet
• Changing a diaper
• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

How to wash your hands

It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
• Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
• If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future. 

How to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to soap and water. If you choose to use a commercially prepared hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Then follow these simple steps:

• Apply enough of the product to the palm of your hand to wet your hands completely.
• Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces, for up to 25 seconds or until they're dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are another option, although they're not as effective as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Kids need clean hands, too

Help your children stay healthy by encouraging them to wash their hands properly and frequently. Wash your hands with your children to show them how it's done. To prevent rushing, suggest washing their hands for as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. You might place hand-washing reminders at children's eye level, such as a chart by the bathroom sink for children to mark every time they wash their hands. If your children can't reach the sink on their own, keep a stepstool handy.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are OK for children and adolescents, too, especially when soap and water isn't available. Make sure the sanitizer completely dries before your child touches anything. Store the container safely away after use.

Hand washing is especially important for children in child care settings. Young children cared for in groups outside the home are at greater risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, which can easily spread to family members and other contacts. Be sure your child care provider promotes frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Ask whether the children are required to wash their hands several times a day — not just before meals. Note, too, whether diapering areas are cleaned after each use and whether eating and diapering areas are well separated.

A simple way to stay healthy

Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health.