Normally HHDC updates every Monday through Friday. Mrs. Tut and myself will be taking several sweet, sweet days off to re-charge our batteries and practice deep relaxation techniques I won’t go into at the moment. When we get back, I will resume our regular schedule and get out the first of our monthly newsletters. Please sign up now to receive our monthly digest.
Until then, be well…
-Mister Tut
1 comment April 29th, 2005
HealtheTech is the manufacturer of the MedGem and BodyGem, a pair of devices that test a person’s breath to report on the state of his or her metabolism. The two devices- just entering the market in the UK- seem fairly similar. The BodyGem is marketed to fitness professionals to help determine their client’s optimal exercise needs. The company seems to offer extensive training in the use of the BodyGem, as well as a software tool for analysis of BodyGem data.
The MedGem seems to be the identical item (but in white) with a different marketing base- the health-care industry. The product description for the MedGem actually uses the word “calorimeter”, but otherwise the descriptions seem consistent. The MedGem requires a prescription.
These devices appear to be currently available in the US, as the MedGem is FDA-approved.
Thanks to Medgadget and the Daily Mail.
Add comment April 28th, 2005
In the Bizarro Universe, Russell Simmons is a Yoga guru. Um, wait, no…
Continue Reading Add comment April 27th, 2005
Foot-operated mouse says goodbye to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. BTW, ever heard of TARSAL Tunnel Syndrome?
Continue Reading Add comment April 26th, 2005
South Beach Diet author Arthur Agatson has finally gotten the licensing bug and has done a deal with Kraft. What hath they wrought? Let’s see…
Continue Reading 5 comments April 25th, 2005
You’ve been sitting at a dual head display for four hours. Your head goes back and forth again and again. Your neck is in spasm. What DO you do? Quick, man! Think!
Continue Reading Add comment April 22nd, 2005
Following a sprain or strain people often are told to apply ice for several days. Almost instinctively, parents apply ice to a child’s bumps and bruises. What is less known, however, is how effective ice can be long after the initial injury.
The common belief is that one should apply ice for the first few days and then apply heat. In truth, ice can be helpful for decreasing swelling and inflammation as well as pain reduction long after the original injury. When swelling is present (as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), heat is not appropriate.
“-Itis” means inflammation, and painful conditions such as tendinitis and bursitis tend to respond extremely well to cold treatments such as application of cold packs or ice massage. This inexpensive pain control tool has minimal side effects beyond cold wet skin. When used regularly it can have dramatic effects on pain and function.
Ice is most effective when used regularly and when one does not wait until pain has escalated to reach for it. A good rule of thumb is at least 3x/day and up to every 2 hours until pain subsides. The moral of the story - whether it’s been a few days or a few years - ice an itis.
-Eve Kennedy-Spaien, OTR/L
1 comment April 21st, 2005
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have had some interesting findings. According to their studies, people who are overweight, but are not “clinically obese” (as determined by the Body Mass Index) are the healthiest in terms of mortality. Being underweight or the “perfect” weight were not found to be as advantageous. The test did not factor in concerns such as quality of life, or even disability and disease.
These results are not particularly surprising, as the BMI has been controversial. It does not differentiate between those who are “overweight” due to body fat versus body builders with extra muscle tissue. Likewise it does not care if you are a man or a woman. BMI is simply calculated by correlating your height with your weight.
See an in depth article on this research in the NYT.
This is perhaps the ultimate in YMMV.
Add comment April 20th, 2005
The USDA has just released a new version of the “Food Pyramid”. This is interesting news for those whose diets are based on this concept. Oddly, the USDA has given up any sense of a “pyramid” aside from the name.
The old Pyramid had a heirarchy with those things you need the least of (by their reckoning, fats) at the top, or “small” end, with the things you need the most of (According to them, grains) at the foundation, or “large” end.
The new construct simply has the categories proportionally sized, stacked next to each other from left-to-right in no obvious order (Grains, Vegetables, Fruit- I see the logic so far -Oils, Milk, Meats and Beans), then jammed into a triangle.
The current philosophy of the USDA diet is this:
While many have issues with the preference this diet gives to Carbohydrates, it must be said that if followed, it should improve the health of many US citizens, as most do not get the fruits and vegetables they need while still eating plenty of low-fiber carbs. Other diets may yield even better results, especially for weight-loss.
There is a diet tracker available here.
Thanks to Medgadget for the link.
Add comment April 20th, 2005
About.Com has 2 articles on finding the right gym/health club.
The first one covers the following points:
The second article covers:
Read the articles for the full text. There are redundancies between the two, but each has some info the other lacks as well.
Add comment April 19th, 2005
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