Knowledge is Healing

30 Apr 2009 12:27 PM

Given that you can't work out when you are sick, it's a good idea to do what you can to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.

In a previous blog I noted that germs can cause anything from a runny nose to a life-threatening disease. To avoid falling ill and compromising your regular fitness routine, consider the following tips to keep bacteria at bay:

Filthy Fridge

When was the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? Not just to throw out spoiled food, but to deep clean the frosty kitchen appliance from top to bottom? A recent survey found that 83 percent of Americans neglect to clean the seal around the refrigerator door, which studies show is a haven for all kinds of mold. What's more, those molds spread every time you open the fridge door, and contaminate food, which in turn can make you sick. To avoid this from happening, be sure to wipe your fridge seals with a diluted bleach solution or spray on a disinfectant, at least once a week.

Vicious Vacuums

Most people think that using their vacuum on a regular basis is a great way to cut down on dirt and bacteria, and stay healthy. Unfortunately, vacuums are huge hiding places for germs. In fact, a leading microbiologist once referred to vacuums as "meals-on-wheels" for bacteria, and that includes the bags and brushes.

It makes sense if you think about it. All those crumbs dropped on the carpet, plus the other foreign gunk left behind by your kids, continually spin around in the vacuum cleaner bag. This is one of the main reasons you should change the vacuum bag frequently, and do it outside if possible. Doing so will help bacteria from spreading around your home. In addition, consider purchasing vacuum bags with anti-bacterial linings. If you use a bagless vacuum, clean the cavity with diluted bleach and let it air dry.

Finally, don't forget to clean your vacuum brushes. A new study found that 13 percent of all vacuum cleaner brushes tested positive for E. Coli, which means you could be spreading around dangerous bacteria every time you use your vacuum.

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29 Apr 2009 12:10 PM

Most people take a break from their fitness routines when they are sick. Then, there are those who power through and risk getting even sicker. Ideally, you wouldn't get sick at all, but that's not reality. On the bright side, studies show that people who follow a regular fitness routine lower their risk of contracting colds and other common communicable diseases.

Still, germs are everywhere. While most are harmless, experts say, roughly one percent of germs can cause life-threatening infections. To avoid upsetting your fitness routine, consider the following simple steps to help you stay healthy:

Beware of Dirty Mats

Welcome mats house millions of unwanted guests. Most welcome mats are placed just outside the front door, which is one of the dirtiest spots in and around your home. A recent study found that nearly 96 percent of shoe soles carry traces of coliform, which includes fecal bacteria. Once the germs get into your mat, any time you walk on it, you give bacteria a free ride into your home. Ditto for shopping bags that are placed on the front mat while you fish around for your keys or balance kids on your hips. Those bags are then brought inside and placed on countertops, where germs then transfer and prosper. To avoid getting sick from these unwanted houseguests, remember to never to put your shopping bags on your countertops. You can eliminate bacteria on your welcome mat by spraying it once a week with Lysol or another disinfectant spray. Also, take your shoes off before entering your home.

Dish Towel Danger

A recent study found that about seven percent of kitchen towels are contaminated with a type of staph bacteria that can cause life-threatening skin infections. Dish towels also rate high for dangerous strains of E. Coli and other bacteria. That said, if you use dish towels as opposed to paper towels, you might consider making a switch. Experts recommend that you use paper towels to clean countertops, and save the towel to dry clean dishes. Even then, you should wash your dish towels in hot water and bleach at least twice a week to keep them germ-free.

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29 Apr 2009 10:34 AM

I once drove 120 miles to get my hands on a pair of discontinued running shoes. For some reason Nike constantly gets rid of the shoes that I perform best in. Seriously. Every single pair of Nike running shoes I've completed marathons in has been yanked from store shelves leaving me to scour the Internet for leftovers.

When it comes to exercise and footwear, most people are quite loyal to their stomps. However, I recently considered straying from my beloved Nikes to try out a pair of performance enhancing EasyTone shoes by Reebok. The popular show manufacturer recently debuted its version of the MBT Anti-Shoe, which is supposed to help you burn more calories per workout.

Reebok's website claims that by wearing the EasyTone shoes an exerciser can experience 28 percent more action in the gluteus maximus muscle, 11 percent more activation of the hamstring, and 11 percent more calf activation, and all you have to do is walk.

The reason: Balance Pods. The high-tech, built-in "pods" reportedly create instability with every step you take, so your muscles have to work harder. Think: walking on a sandy beach. The shoe will set you back about $110 and comes in a rainbow of colors. Fortunately for fitness fashionistas, the EasyTone doesn't look anything like a traditional orthopedic shoe.

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of Reebok's new addition. However, fitness experts, who have tested the new sneaker, say that unofficial studies show that the EasyTone mirrors some of the same benefits as the MBT, in that the shoes affect many small muscles crossing the ankle joint complex, as well as larger leg muscles.

I probably won't ditch my running shoes for a pair of EasyTones, unless someone discovers that the high-tech inserts have magical powers that would produce the same results as running six miles per day.

What about you? Would you be willing to drop $110 on a pair of EasyTones?

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28 Apr 2009 12:48 PM

I started lifting weights in college. My boyfriend at the time was training for a bodybuilding competition and the gym was one of the few places he enjoyed being. Needless to say, he became my trainer, of sorts, during the early part of our relationship.

In the years following our break-up I continued to lift weights and also started running. I never considered getting a trainer for running until I registered for my first marathon. I met a local physician through work, who had completed more than a dozen marathons, and he took me under his wing.

I finished the Chicago marathon and was thrilled. I then went back to running on my own, but never did as well as when I was being pushed by Dr. Z. Having experienced this I was not the least bit surprised to read a new study, which claims that training, if done correctly, is the ultimate performance enhancer.

According to the study, the effects of proper training can dwarf those of illegal drugs and legal stimulants, such as caffeine. Researchers say most people who want to run, swim, cycle or row faster can do so with the right training, and trainer.

As one researcher put it: "If your goal is to finish, you just need to skate enough so that you can cover the distance. If your goal is to be faster, you have to train."

While training programs are easily accessible (especially online), experts say that amateur athletes looking to improve their performance need guidance from experienced coaches.

An exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, gave this example of what training can do for a mediocre male runner: "A man who has been running but not training might run a 5K race at a pace of 7:45 a mile. If he trained for six months, he could get his pace down to 6:10."

I believe it.

Do you workout with a trainer?

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Our community was created by and for hair loss patients to share experiences, evaluate hair restoration physicians, and offer input on hair loss treatments that really work. For over 10 years, our discussion forum has enabled balding men and women to share the good, the bad and the ugly.

Today, over 350 patients have authored weblogs to share their hair restoration experiences and hair transplant photos with you. Below we introduce you to just a few of the patients whose hair restoration dreams became reality and the doctors who made it happen.

Join the ranks of these hair restoration super stars and create your own free hair loss weblog to share your experience and photos.

• Blogger “Wantego” came to us with a receding hairline looking for real ways to restore his hair. His research on our discussion forum led him to surgical hair restoration with Coalition member Dr. Rahal. Receiving 4374 follicular unit grafts, he’s been able to restore his “true” hair density and no longer shows any signs of balding. View his blog for a detailed account of his experience with photos.

• After receiving two previous hair transplants, “Phoneguy” found Coalition member Dr. Cooley by researching our community. Bothered by hair loss in the frontal half of his scalp, Dr. Cooley placed 1947 follicular unit grafts into the areas of thinning hair, eliminating signs of baldness. “Phoneguy” has quickly learned why other Dr. Cooley patients refer to themselves as “Cooleyfied”. You can read his experience and view his photos on his blog.

• Blogger “PC” started to lose his hair in the front when he was 19 years old. After extensive research a few years later, he became highly impressed with Coalition member Dr. Alexander and opted to undergo hair transplant surgery. 2500 grafts and 8 months later, he is thrilled to be getting compliments on his hair again. Take a look at his photos and offer your input on his hair loss weblog.

• “TomA” had extensive baldness from front to back. And though it never bothered him very much, he desperately tried to avoid being photographed from upper angles unless he was wearing a hat. After doing some research, he learned that a handful of surgeons were performing ultra refined densely packed hair transplants and he wanted in. His research led him to Dr. Pathomvanich of Thailand, Asia. 3300 grafts later, he is thrilled with his new head of hair and as his photos suggests, is living a very glamorous life. View his blog and photos to congratulate him on his new head of hair.

• “Pompadore” had his hair transplant of 2700 grafts with Dr. Bill Parsley and is very happy with his results. He has done an excellent job sharing his impressive transformation and detailed photos and has garnered a great deal of support from other bloggers.  View his blog to see his life changing transformation.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor