Entries for month: December 2011
More Light on the Mediterranean Diet
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Lifestyle , Diet , Health
We have discussed the Mediterranean Diet befor but this new study is very copmelling. The LA Times articlebellow is very well written and informative. If you missed my
video on the Mediterranean Diet (where I question the notion that it is a diet), here is the link: VIDEO One of the Mediterranean diet's "champions, Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos of Harvard University, calls the Mediterranean way of eating 'possibly the best ever.'" One "analysis, published in 2011 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, pooled the results of 50 studies (including 35 clinical trials) with more than a half-million total participants. It found that consumers of the Mediterranean diet were less likely than others to develop high blood pressure, high insulin levels, too much fat around the waist and unhealthful cholesterol levels, or all of these clustered together (a condition known as metabolic syndrome)." A separate Los Angeles Times 
(11/22, Ravn) article also discusses the health benefits of Mediterranean-style diets.
Cheers! To Your Health!
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Wine , Health
Happy Holidays! We usualy say these words holding a glass of champagne or other wine. And if you are following this website or have seen my Wine Fundamentals DVD,
you know that the moderate consumption of wine is benefitial to your health in many different ways. The key word here is MODERATE. The overconsumption of alcohol leads to a cornucopia of health problems on the long run and may have very bad, sometimes fatal immediate consequences. So how do we define "moderate drinking? Find out by clicking Read More.
Get Off Your Butt!
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Lifestyle , Diet , Science , Health , Exercise
Research published in the American Journal Of Physiology-Cell Physiology found that the pressure put on areas of the body used for sitting or lying down produces up to
50 per cent more fat in those parts. And "even those with healthy diet and exercise habits will be affected if they spend long periods sitting behind a desk." Dr. Jim Levine of the Mayo Clinic found obese people sit an average two and a half hours more each day than thinner people." The story concludes: "Take some pressure off your own bottom line and stand up
Survey Finds Americans' "Ideal Weights" Have Risen
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD
The Los Angeles Times (11/29, Healy) "Booster Shots" blog reports, "In Gallup's annual Health and Healthcare Survey, the nation's leading polling organization has asked Americans yearly how much they weigh and what their ideal weight would be. Compared to Americans' answers to those questions in 1991, both numbers -- actual weight and ideal weight -- have risen, although 'ideal' weights have not quite kept pace with actual weight gains." Interestingly, "as our actual weight drifts upward, so do our perceptions of what our 'ideal; weight would be," with men and women averaging 15 and 22 pounds more than their respective ideal weights. The blog adds, "Gallup's findings help paint a grim picture of mass delusion in the United States about its rising weight and the spate of health problems that come with it."
The CDC recently reported that obese people use more prescription drugs than normal weight people for diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc. Duh?1
Cranberry Juice Fights Bacterial Infections
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Lifestyle , Diet , Science , Health
Cranberriy juice has been known to fight E. Coli infection which causes urinary tract infection. Previous studies have suggested that a particular flavonoid antioxidant
(proanthocyanidins or PACs) were responsible for this antibacterial function. A new study demonstrates not only that PACs alone are much less efficient than whole cranberry juice, but also that raedily available commercial cranberry juice is just as protective. This brings me back to the point that whole foods are always better than individual components or extracts.
Stress Relief
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Lifestyle , Stress Relief
It is scientifically proven that music is an effective destressor. It also is an an antidepressant and has many other healing properties. These effects are enhanced by pleasant images. Just in time for the "holidays blues" we have released a short film that will take the stress away and lift your spirits. The music is by a a good friend, very talentedl guitarist Andre Feriante (www.andreferiante.com). And ladies, take note - Andre was voted one of the sexiest bald men.
Take a look at the video and make sure to download it to your computer and/or mobile device. When you feel overwhelmed or down, get to a quiet place, sit down, relax your muscles and play it. Watch and listen. You will
feel the effect right away. Repeat as needed. Click on the picture to play the video. Now also available in HDVideo (recommended for faster connections).
The Stress of the Holidays
Posted by Dobri Kiprov, MD | Tags: Stress Relief
Many people experience a significant amount of stress at this time of the year. These should be happy times but some people actualy get very unhappy around the Holidays. There is plenty of advice out there of how to deal with this phenomenon. The Everyday Health web site even has announced a "happiness month". In that spirit, they have interviewed a media darling doctor with the help of a well known alternative medicine promoter. Check it out at http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/how-happy-is-dr-oz.aspx