TheState.com: Health and Fitness

Tickling not a laughing matter for some

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:36 EDT

Question: Why do people laugh when they’re being tickled? For me, it’s definitely not an enjoyable experience!

— A.T., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Answer: Tickling is no laughing matter! The laughing associated with tickling is actually a response to a painful stimulus of sorts.

It is said that tickling was a form of medieval torture, where prisoners died at the hand of a feather through the unrelenting tickle.

The withdrawal response to the light touch of a tickle is believed to be a primitive protective mechanism against spiders and bugs. That’s why the most vulnerable body areas — the feet, armpits, abdomen and ribs, are typically the most ticklish.

Lucy helps youngsters learn about nutrition

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:36 EDT

It’s summer, and Lucy has a job to do. Her teacher has given her an assignment to pick out and learn about healthy foods. Her adventures are captured on video, and as she learns, she also is teaching young South Carolinians a thing or two about good nutrition.

Lucy is a character on a nutrition education DVD, “Lucy’s Tasty Treasures,” produced by Clemson professor Katherine Cason. The DVD won a Telly award in March for outstanding film and video.

Cason’s daughter Melissa plays the DVD’s title character and stars alongside Emory and Georgia Childress, Rosio Antunez and Mary Lewis as they learn about a variety of topics such as germs, making smoothies, harvesting corn and growing peaches.

The DVD is being used in schools across South Carolina as a tool to fight childhood obesity by teaching children about how food is grown and produced, and how to make smart food and physical activity choices.

To learn more, watch video clips, order the DVD, get recipes or play a nutrition game, visit www.clemson.edu/lucystastytreasures.

Vital signs

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:36 EDT

• Alzheimer’s dinner and symposium

• Doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and their spouses are invited to a “Dinner and Education” event, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. August 14 at The Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St., the evening before the Alzheimer’s Association symposium in Columbia.

Speakers are Dr. James Burke of Duke University, Dr. Warachal Faison of the Medical University of South Carolina, and Dr. David Johnson of Palmetto Health’s Palmetto Senior Care.

Presentation topics include new diagnostic tools and care options, current research, and community resources.

For more information and to register, call Adelle Stanley at (803) 791-3430, (800) 636-3346 or (803) 269-9285.

Keeping your cool

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:59 EDT

Avid outdoor athletes will tell you when it comes to exercising on a hot sticky day, cotton is rotten and replenishing electrolytes is crucial.

Sporting goods manufacturers annually launch lines of high-tech clothing, footwear, gadgets and nutrition to keep athletes cool and comfy, replenished and energized.

Some products are designed specifically for one sport, while others can be used for multiple ones.

A New Balance running skirt, for instance, also has been tailored for tennis players. A pair of Sugoi triathlon shorts have just enough padding for cycling, but not so much that they’ll chafe in the running segment. And everything, it seems, is built to move moisture away from the skin and keep air circulating.

Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, REI and several other sporting goods manufacturers produce shirts and cargo shorts that keep you cool and protect against ultraviolet sun rays.

Stressed out? Take your aggression out on this little ball

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:59 EDT

Flying this summer? Committing to carry on all your stuff has drawbacks, too.

What a drag pouring all your creams, potions, lotions, gels, shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, colognes and clarifiers into teeny, tiny little bottles to get past those stringent terrorist-fighting requirements.

Before leaving the house, you checked to make sure the flight is on time (It is. Hooray.), so you’re entitled to feel a little antsy once you join the long, slow-moving line at the airport security checkpoint.

Bet you wish you’d remembered to wear decent socks as you send your shoes through the X-ray machine.

Padding barefoot through the metal detector is bad enough, but now your underwire bra sets the machine off. Even worse: the embarrassing pat-down to make sure there’s no gun tucked in your uplift.

The Diet Detective: Vegetarian diets are great, if carefully planned

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:59 EDT

Is a vegetarian diet always best in terms of health and weight control?

The fact is that “a vegetarian diet contains the fundamentals for reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity,” says Joan Salge Blake, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., registered dietitian and nutrition professor at Boston University and author of Nutrition & You (Benjamin Cummings, 2007).

In general, “vegetarians do not consume animal flesh, such as beef, pork, chicken, fish or seafood. Lacto-ovo vegetarians consume both milk and eggs, in addition to eating a plant-based diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Lacto vegetarians will eat milk products, such as cheese, milk and yogurt, in addition to their plant-based diet, but they do not eat eggs. Vegans consume no animal products whatsoever, which means no eggs, milk, butter or gelatin,” explains Anne VanBeber, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., associate professor and chairwoman of the department of nutritional sciences at Texas Christian University.

One of the main reasons vegetarian diets are healthier is that they’re typically lower in fat and cholesterol, higher in fiber, and more moderate in protein and calories than other diets. Plus, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts contain a variety of antioxidants known to promote health and prevent the onset or promotion of disease.

However, simply eliminating meat and animal products from one’s diet does not mean it’s automatically lower in fat and calories or higher in health-promoting nutrients, according to VanBeber.

How to train to improve your balance

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:43 EDT

Good balance is something many active people take for granted. Consider sports such as skiing, hiking, climbing and biking. They all are built on the concept of core stability and good balance. Without the ability to sense your location relative to gravity, you would not be able to carry a pack, kayak, ski or do most outdoor activities.

But just like our hearing declines as we age, our balance can suffer as well. The good news is that you can train to improve your balance.

Here are some suggested exercises to improve your balance. Of course, sport-specific exercises should include some work on balance and agility, so a trainer is a good place to get sport-specific exercises.

One-leg stands are a great place to start. Do open-eye postures at first and progress to closed eyes.

Sit-to-stand exercises once or twice a day can increase ankle, leg, hip and spine strength while helping the body adjust to changes in position. Start by sitting straight in a firm chair with your arms crossed. Do not lean against the back of the chair. Then stand straight up and sit down as quickly as you can without using your arms. Build up to 10 repetitions. You can confuse your co-workers by doing this at your desk. When you can, do these with your eyes closed.

Tattoos still have stigma in workplace

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:43 EDT

The popularity of tattoos and piercings has boomed in the past 10 years, but even those with body art have their limits when it comes to what’s appropriate in the working world.

Bias against people with tattoos and piercings in the office often is assumed but is based mostly on hearsay and anecdotal evidence.

Brian Miller, an assistant professor of management at Texas State University, said he and his colleagues have done “a sound, scientifically tested study” that proves the stigma still is there despite the growing popularity of body art.

The 2008 study surveyed 18- to 24-year-olds and found that they would rather not work with someone who has visible body art in situations where face-to-face contact with customers is necessary or sales commissions are shared.

“They don’t want their pocketbook to be affected by someone else’s negative appearance,” Miller said.

The Diet Detective: Kid pastimes can boost fitness

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:43 EDT

Here are two inexpensive, fun ways to get in shape.

HULA HOOPS

Benefits: “Great transverse (rotational) and frontal (side-to-side) plane movement, which are important for reducing injury. Develops static balance, ... improves core/trunk conditioning and flexibility,” says Fabio Comana, an exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise.

Plus, it requires “considerable abdominal or ‘core’ muscle activity, and promotes balance, adds H. James Phillips, School of Graduate Medical Education, Seton Hall University. Good for pelvic flexibility.

Only problem is that it’s not much of a cardio challenge unless you do it for a sustained period, says Mieke Scripps, a physical therapist for the Miami City Ballet.

Super foods to help you feel super good

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:43 EDT

We see such lists all the time: the good-for-you or bad-for-you synopses of foods.

While we are drawn to many of them, we are eerily enamored with those from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which made us think twice about eating movie popcorn or Chinese food.

That said, we offer you its list of Super Foods for Super Health.

1. Sweet potatoes and grape tomatoes. The first: “One of the best vegetables you can eat.” The second? Vitamins C and A, phytochemicals, convenience and (drumroll) taste!

2. Skim or 1 percent milk and broccoli. The first has calcium, vitamins and protein, but not artery-clogging fat and cholesterol. The second? Folic acid, vitamin C and carotenoids.

Diet Right: Carbohydrate quiz

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:33 EDT

Carbs tend to go in and out of favor from a nutrition standpoint. What’s the latest? Here’s a quiz based on information from the Harvard School of Public Health to find out how savvy you are about carbohydrates in your diet. Answer “true” or “false.”

1. Carbohydrates provide the body with fuel for physical activity and organ function.

2. Carbohydrates come from all types of foods, including bread, dairy, grains, fibers, starches and sugars.

3. During digestion, the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar).

4. The glycemic index measures how quickly food is converted into blood sugar.

Into Gear: Exercise for fun

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:43 EDT

“Yoga Weight-Loss Workout for Dummies” (Starz/Anchor Bay, $14.98) is a DVD that shows you how to burn extra calories as you build stamina, strength and flexibility with two beginner-level, 20-minute yoga workouts: one with standing poses and one that is mat-based.

The user-friendly, easy-to-follow guide makes yoga relaxing and fun, even for beginners. Instructor Chris Freytag offers basic and more challenging options so you can move at your own pace, and it keeps you moving so you burn more calories. This isn’t a new DVD, but it’s an excellent way to start getting in shape for swimsuit season.

Available: amazon.com, bestbuy.com and target.com ($12.99)

Carolyn Poirot, McClatchy Newspapers

Inner Workout: Listen with intent

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:33 EDT

Part of communicating and developing good relationships is being able to listen, a skill most of us need to develop better.

Good listeners pay close attention to your words and communicate that they understand what you’ve been saying. On the other hand, poor listeners are often distracted, pay little attention and give almost no feedback or misinterpret what you were trying to say.

In most cases, you’ll find it’s the good listener with whom you have a better relationship. Fortunately, developing such skills isn’t difficult.

One key to good listening is simply to listen more than you talk. Avoid the impulse to interrupt with your own stories and experiences.

You also want to show you’ve understood what’s being said. If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification. Show you’ve been paying attention by summarizing key parts of the conversation.

Keep up on pest protection this season

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:40 EDT

Spring rains leave plenty of stagnant water in the usual places — pails, children’s toys, empty tires. And they make a nice home for mosquitoes.

Prime time for West Nile disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, is June to September. Mosquitoes are active all day but particularly around dawn and dusk.

DEET, found in the majority of repellents, remains effective, says Michael Merchant, an entomologist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Newer products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (Repel brand) and picaridin (Cutter Advanced and others), both work as well as DEET, Merchant says, but for shorter periods. “DEET has an oily feel and smell that some people don’t like,” Merchant says. Repel and Cutter would be fine if you are outside for no more than 30 minutes or so.

Worried about applying chemicals to your skin? Several products containing plant-based Geraniol or other nontoxic ingredients are available. They come in the form of plastic bracelets, patches and wipes.

Healthy alternatives to keep the summer pounds off

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:40 EDT

Ah, summer. Picnics and ball games and potato salad and milkshakes and hot dogs — enough to give winter calories a little competition. But during spring and summer, you can’t camouflage the resulting poundage with jackets and overalls.

That said, we present, for your gastronomical pleasure, five of summer’s most fattening foods, plus suggestions for making them healthier. We found these on www.webmd.com.

1. Ice cream. Even more than the cold treat, it’s the waffle cones, waffle cones with sprinkles and waffle cones with sprinkles dipped in caramel sauce that’ll get you. Oh, yeah, and the extra chips and candy-bar chunks and whipped cream.

Order ice cream plain and in a cup. Even better? Try sorbet or frozen yogurt. At home, go for low-fat versions of ice-cream sandwiches and ice-cream bars.

2. Hot dogs. Yummy as they are, they’re also full of fat and sodium. If you’ve got to have one (and at a baseball game, who doesn’t?), have one. As in ONE. With relish, mustard and onions. Skip the cheese and chili.

Lengthy runs beckon extreme athletes

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:40 EDT

Jennifer Frahm’s first couple of laps went pretty well. “It was like a normal, nice little run,” recalled the 28-year-old.

On the next couple of laps, Frahm tried to think more about the run itself — until she found herself singing children’s songs. “‘The Wheels on the Bus,’ ‘Bingo’ — to take my mind off things.”

Mile 68 or so, midway into her fifth lap in an endurance race in Raleigh, N.C., after she’d been running 14 hours and it was starting to get dark was when the pain started kicking in (“My feet were burning”). On the seventh lap, phantom trails tried to lure her into the forest. By the eighth and final lap?

“I swore up and down all during the eighth lap that this was the craziest thing I’d ever done,” said Frahm, who holds a doctorate in chemistry. “Why would anyone ever want to do this again?”

“This” being to run 100 miles. At one time. Without stopping.

The Diet Detective: Peanuts pack power

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:40 EDT

Peanuts are impressive nutrient powerhouses — in fact, they have more than 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. They’re unusual because the peanut flowers above the ground, but its fruits are below the ground.

Whether shelled or unshelled, peanuts are usually dry-roasted. Raw peanuts would taste like a bitter, soft bean, and the roasting process also helps to kill the naturally occurring bacteria associated with being grown in the dirt.

Dry roasting is a process by which the peanuts are placed in an oven and subjected to forced hot air for about 15 minutes. They may be plain-roasted or seasoned and roasted in the shell. “To season peanuts in the shell, they are washed prior to roasting. After that, the seasonings, which are dissolved in water, are forced through the shells by a pressure process. Then, when the peanuts are dried during roasting, the seasonings remain inside the shells,” says Lisa Agostoni, a spokeswoman for the National Peanut Board.

Peanuts also can be oil-roasted in cookers that take a steady stream of peanuts through hot oil for about five minutes.

There are several types of peanuts: Runner, Spanish, Valencia and Virginia. Almost 80 percent of the peanuts produced in the United States are Runner — most often used to make peanut butter.

Health and Fitness: Diet Right, Into Gear, Your Inner Workout

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:40 EDT

Diet Right: Shop without sugar

Nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman offers tons of practical tips on low-sugar shopping, cooking and dining in “Get the Sugar Out: 501 Simple Ways to Cut the Sugar Out of Any Diet” (Three Rivers Press, $13.95).

Twelve years ago, she wrote, “Get the Sugar Out,” revealing that sugar contributes not only to weight gain but also to mood swings, weak immunity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

In this updated and revised book, she again looks at health problems caused by sugar, in addition to the pros and cons of artificial sweeteners and the nutritional value of energy bars and exotic fruit juices. She also includes recipes and a week of low-sugar menus.

CAROLYN OLSON, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Vital Signs: Free family summer workshops

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:13 EDT

Parents and others who care for children younger than 10 are invited to bring their children to free Friday workshops at Columbia Marionette Theatre 2:30-4 p.m. on:

• June 20 and 27

• July 11, 18 and 25

• August 1

The “Families Discover” series is sponsored by Palmetto Healthy Start, a program of Palmetto Health.

Flat feet usually not a problem

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:13 EDT

Question: Can anything be done to correct “flat feet”?

— M.S., Eau Claire, Wis.

Answer: “Flat feet,” or “fallen arches,” are terms used to describe a loss of the normal foot arch. No treatment is needed unless there is discomfort.

Having a minimal arch or none at all is common, and most folks who have it suffer no symptoms.

The reason for having a foot arch in the first place is to keep the knee joint in place while standing or walking. Many folks who require total knee replacement surgery are flat footed.