Kris Allen --

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10 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100

Source: http://health.yahoo.com Dated: 04-21-09

By Deborah Kotz

The biggest factor that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A new study published in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits by following these 10 habits.

1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," stresses Perls.

3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community.

9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.

10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."

What Your Birth Says About You

Source: www.aolhealth.com Dated: 04-20-09

If You Were Born in Late Summer or Autumn...

You're probably taller and stronger than winter- and spring-born babies, according to research from the University of Bristol as part of the Children of the 90s Project. Of the nearly 7000 10-year-olds studied, those born to mothers with the highest sun exposures during the last three months of their pregnancy were a half centimeter taller on average and had nearly 13 squared centimeters of extra bone area due to increases in bone width compared with children born during darker months. Researchers believe that these differences are attributable to higher Vitamin D levels as sunlight is the average person's main source of this nutrient that is key to growth.

If You Were a Chubby Baby...

Your odds of anxiety and/or depression may be lower than smaller babies, according to a study conducted by the University of Alberta, the University College London Medical School and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge.

If You Were Born During Spring or Summer...

You may be more likely to commit suicide than those born in other seasons, according to a 2006 study published in the "British Journal of Psychiatry." The researchers from Liverpool University found the risk of suicide increased 17 percent for people born in spring to early summer, compared with those born in autumn to early winter. Women had a higher risk -- raised 29.6 percent versus men's 13.7 percent. The study's authors note that their findings are consistent with the prevalence of people born during spring and summer suffering from seasonal affective disorders and alcoholism, both of which represent about 10 percent of total expected annual suicides in England and Wales. Summer-born babies also have a higher risk of nearsightedness with the highest rates occurring in babies born in June/July, according to findings in the April 2008 issue of "Ophthalmology." Spring-born babies may be more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, according to a new report from the American Diabetes Association.

If You Were Born During October Through December...

You may live longer than those born in April through June, according to the study "Lifespan Depends on Month of Birth" conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany. And, autumn-born babies may be more active than spring-born babies, according to a study published in a 2007 issue of the "British Medical Journal." The researchers found that fall babies activity surpassed spring-born ones by 9 percent.

If You Were Born During Winter or Spring...

You may be at a higher risk for schizophrenia and mania/bipolar disorder, according to several epidemiological studies, says the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In fact, there are about five to eight percent more cases of schizophrenia with winter or spring birthdays than other seasons. Spring-born babies may also be at a higher risk for autism and depression. This may be due to maternal infections, such as the flu, during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Contracting just one infection during the second trimester may increase the baby's risk of schizophrenia by three to seven times. Familial history of the disorder, as well as urban birth, and perinatal and postnatal illnesses are also risk factors.

If You Were Premature...

You have a greater risk of cerebral palsy, autism-spectrum disorders, mental retardation, blindness, low vision, hearing loss, and epilepsy as well as disorders of psychological development behavior and emotion, according to a July 2008 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine." Norwegian researchers found that babies born prematurely had almost 9 times greater risk for cerebral palsy, compared with full-term babies. The risk of mental retardation was 0.4 percent for full-term babies, versus 4.4 percent for babies born between 23 and 27 weeks. They also reported that premature babies are more likely to need to receive disability payments later on in life. Another study published in "Pediatrics" found those born early were less likely to leave home, live with a romantic partner or be sexually active as adults.

If You Were a Short Baby Boy...

You may be at a greater risk for suicide. A study published in 2008 issue of the "British Medical Journal", found that male newborns of less than 47 cm were more likely to attempt suicide as adults, no matter their adult height, compared with average length babies. Smaller length more than doubled the risk of a violent suicide attempt as opposed to a non-violent one.

If You Were Small and/or Poor...

By the time you reach your 30s and 40s you may have the health of someone 12 years older than you, according to a 2007 study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. The study found that a birth weight of 5.5 pounds or less increases the probability of being in fair or poor health as an adult by over 70 percent. Low income during pregnancy increases the likelihood of negative birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, but it can also increase the harmful effects of the poor birth conditions, and have an impact on future health, according to the study.

If You Were Born to a Teen Parent...

You may have a raised suicide risk if your mom was a teenager. And, if your dad was a teenager you may have the health problems associated with low birth, according to two different studies. A study from "Human Reproduction" found that children fathered by teenagers were more likely to be born prematurely, have a low-birth weight and be less healthy at birth. The second study, from 2004, found that having a mother who was 19 or younger at birth was a significant predictor for suicide attempt and suicide risk.

If You Were Born Caesarean...

That may explain why you have allergies and/or asthma. Babies born by C-section have a 50 percent increased risk of developing asthma compared to natural birth, according to a 2008 study published in the "Journal of Pediatrics." Not being exposed to the mother's bacteria during birth may impede the development of the immune system. This kind of birth can also affect lung function in the long term. Another 2008 study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference found a similar link between immune system development and allergies in babies born by c-section.

If You're the Oldest...

You may have a higher IQ than your younger siblings, but you're also more likely to have allergies and asthma. A Norwegian study of over 240,000 males found that eldest children had average IQ scores about 3 percent higher than second-born and 4 percent higher than third-born children. Firstborns have higher odds of developing asthma and allergies because of different conditions they experience in the uterus, according to research from the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, presented at the American Thoracic Society's 2008 International Conference.

If You're the Youngest...

You may have a lower IQ than your eldest sibling, but you may get off easier on punishments. New findings suggest that parents are more likely to withdraw financial support from older children who drop out of high school or get pregnant than younger children who end up making similar life decisions, according to a new study from researchers at Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland.

If You Were Born Using In Vitro Fertilization...

You may have better odds of being healthier if you were born from a thawed frozen embryo, as opposed to a fresh embryo, according to a recent report at the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Children born from frozen eggs had a higher birth weight -- or healthier birth weight. Low birth weight, along with premature birth, are associated with many adult health conditions.

If Your Mother Smoked,Used Drugs or Drank...

You may have or may later develop a wide range of health problems. Drug and/or alcohol use during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight, small head size, hyperactivity and attention problems, learning and memory disabilities, deformity and issues with social and emotional development. Children born to women who smoke during pregnancy have about 30 percent higher odds of being born prematurely and are more likely to be born with low birth weight, increasing their risk for illness or death, according to the CDC. Plus, secondhand smoke exposure as a child may mean a variety of health problems including bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms and slowed lung growth.

Dealing with a Flirtatious Flirting Partner

SOURCE: WWW.IN.COM DATED: 4-20-09


Flirting is a fun, social and healthy human behavior. It is a way we introduce our existence to others, express our self-confidence and let others know that we find them attractive. Even though it is an overall harmless behavior, flirtation seems to be a problem in most relationships. People find it offensive and disrespectful, as well as causing them to feel jealous. There are ways you can deal with your partner’s flirtatious ways without having to end the relationship or argue on a regular basis, by understanding the reasons and meanings behind your partner’s flirting.

Okay, so you would rather have your partner not flirt at all. This may be what you want, but not necessarily what you are going to get. We all want to feel special and like we are the only one our lover has eyes for, but the truth is, your partner’s eyes have a right to explore whatever or whoever it is around them, as do you. Being in a relationship never means that you own your partner or can start changing things about them, which is why it is so essential that you study your partner’s personality, attitudes and habits while you are still in the dating process and before you decide to have an official relationship.

What you should focus on is the reasons behind your partner’s flirting. It could very well just be that your partner carries a high and self-confident personality, and chooses to express that confidence through flirting, as many people do. If this is the case, then you were probably already aware of your partner’s confidence when you met him or her, but just grew less fond of it as you grew more emotionally attached. In these cases, it would be best to get in touch with your own self-confidence to prevent insecurity, and learn to accept your partner’s personality.

Maybe your partner’s flirting has a deeper meaning behind it other than just a high self-esteem. Unfortunately, sometimes our partners will flirt because they really are attracted to other people and it could damage your relationship, depending on how much it bothers you. Being attracted to other people does not necessarily mean that your partner wants to go and cheat on you with all those people. Being attracted to others could mean that your lover is simply acknowledging the good looks that another person carries and stops it at that point. Attraction does not always create a temptation to cheat and you should allow your security to grow on this fact.

amazing pic picked

Lighthouse on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Lighthouse on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Bantayan trip (first day)

About 6 in the morning of March 21,2009 - the group ride on the ceres liner bus going to Hagnaya port. they sat sitting by pair.On the bus- the worst mistakes that the group had made was that- when they gave the contribution to the collector whom is assigned to Janskie- what makes it a mistake is that they had it infront of the other passengers- I whom sitted beside Janskie, I really feel so concious for something bad may happen- since everyone was bit hungry - one of the kabarkada had shared their food- but when it comes to our seat-when I'm about to have one-it was not that good for me since the box of donut spilled - the rest of the friends laugh- and then picked the donuts and put it back to the box- and no one had ask for some-since they loss and feel shy on eating the spilled donuts, though got a negative thinking on that time and had a bad start, still we had a great land trip.

When we reach the to stop-over, it was around 7:30 am, some of the kabarkada bought snacks- when the bus start it engine, Janskie remembered that they had prepared some snack so that the group will no longer spend some money for snacks-but what happen was that its too late- we arrive BOGO at 9:00 in the morning and I was really enjoyed the beauty of the province- I really like to stay long but cant have since we are on our way to bantayan.While on the road going to Hagnaya, I seen some places which I had seen in some pictures of my Auntie Vivian- WE arrived Hagnaya at 9:30. We bought the 30 pesos per ticket which will depart at 10:00 am to Bantayan Island.

While waiting for the ship to ride, we took a break, cause everyone seems tired from the road trip- after a while the ship docked- but we don't know if it is the ship already- because we doubt-we ask for many times to the personnel who are in-charge in the ticket area - and so at last we are on the ship.