Thursday, December 2, 2010

Cousin Jimmy syndrome

By JOHN HALAMKA

I have great respect for my colleague in which IT Branche.Es is a demanding profession, a blend of technical knowledge, skills and emotional stability to customer dissatisfaction, if technology does not require.


There is however a detriment to be an IT Profi.Egal how much experience you have or what can be your reputation, many customers are unable to distinguish between a polished IT groupie industry experts and support.  


I call this the "cousin Jimmy syndrome".    


   Here's how it happens.Join a meeting to a huge IT project to diskutieren.Sie talk about topics such as security, disaster recovery, to change management, training and support.


  Then someone says: "Oh yes, we have doing, cousin Jimmy the."   Or Bob lives in his parents basement.Or Carol, who know how to use Excel and serves as the technology go-to guru.


  Unfortunately, when Jimmy, Bob and Carol have an opinion, your colleagues can appear nimble confidence about you as professional IT organizations less you less concentrated, less responsive than local experts dedicated to.  


Does not imply that IT professionals are perfect in large organizations, have your Fehler.Gute administration and supervision but usually creates a culture where there is Division of labor, escalation and some single points of human failure.Cousin Jimmy do not know what he does not know.  Its solutions may quickly or cheap, but ultimately you are untenable, maintainable and unbearable.


How should the IT professionals deal with cousin Jimmy syndrome?


1. Allow cousin Jimmy error - it may take a while, but finally there is a big failure, security breach, or data loss.Although this can feel temporarily as a victory, it really is a loss for the customers.It is a win the battle, losing the war tactics.


2. Make cousin Jimmy part of your team - this sometimes works and it is an attempt.Success has a 1000 fathers, so if you feel of the team in create can Jimmy gets all the credit, but others do all the work, so be it.Customers win. of course, it's hard to take the credit for what you did Jimmy but I've learned over the years that everything is possible if you are willing to give the credit for success to others.


3. Offer a service as well, so cheap and so reliable that Jimmy finally moved on - this much of the time works.I believe that hard work, innovation and honesty finally pay off and the game to gewinnen.True, sometimes politics triumph over expertise but the naysayers überdauern.Durch who selflessly focusing on customers, the technology and your employees are you dealing with that is really hard a service, at any price to schlagen.Jimmy may be omni-present, but he have to keep a difficult time until how technology developed.


So if the sessions are embarrassing, keep your serenity, keep to your principles, and customers first setzen.Neun time of ten suggest finally cousin Jimmy syndrome.


If you need inspiration, you can always Verizon commercials view, where the polished FIOS cable guy wins the meddlesome Ingenieur.Das next time you cousin Jimmy technology are discussed, just think of it as the Cable Guy!


Great article! his very true make this choice in health insurance isen don't simply but very important!


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The conservative way forward on health care

The landslide Republican victory, the House and the choice can some strong conservative in the Senate as a mandate to reduce government spending and especially ObamaCare lift are interpreted as these questions clearly behind the large turnout were.  It is still a very real possibility for the Supreme Court unconstitutional the "individual mandate" to buy private insurance.  When this provision is raised, it is difficult to see how the law survived because the mandate is necessary to finance it.


Now a conservative alternative vision for real reform is our health care delivery an excellent time to konstruieren.Da the current problems with the health care system by Government stem, a conservative plan should look to reduce their role. 


It goes without saying that the patient protection and affordable care must act since be lifted, as all the laws passed by this administration, it does exactly the opposite of what his name andeutet.Durch massively increase health care bureaucracy at the expense of the actual providers of care, make it more difficult and expensive care access.  Early retirement takes many doctors and the great physician shortage is exacerbated. 


The law is too large and complex to waste time to save food items. There is a large risk left behind hidden mandates and rules, which harmful werden.Besser be scrap the whole thing.Running Democratic Senators fear for their jobs in 2012 it is possible that the Senate for lifting (Harry Reid notwithstanding) würden.Aber vote not even the most generous view Barack Obama's ideological flexibility has given him signing a waiver is Bill, and a veto override in question for now. 


  It can be possible to adopt positive measures making ObamaCare irrelevant.Here are some common sense, free market proposals, of which many were proposed and discussed, but ignored by the President and the Congress leadership in leading to the adoption of ObamaCare. 


   1. Transfer the tax deduction for the health care expenditure by employers to individuals.  This the absurdity would purchase health insurance on the "company store," a practice, the limits of individual choice and freedom, nourishes a sense of dependency and the overuse of care promotes policy beenden.Diese an accident which was WW II wage and controls, the "original sin" in health care financing;  Away with it would empower consumers to shop for the best plan for their families, reduce premiums. 


   2. Remove barriers, the interstate sale of Krankenversicherung.Es wide consensus on this statement.  It would mandate that drive you to choice and competition between insurers and reducing premiums increase by effectively stopping State.


  3. Deregulate and allow greater contributions to health savings accounts. This fabulous tax havens give individuals more control over your health spending, and paired with a cheap insurance to cover the catastrophic disease (i.e. true insurance) are all most people need.Hampered by returning immediately slow down most purchasing decisions for consumers, health care expenditure is and prices.This conservative, free market is already tested and proven way to "The cost curve stoop." 


  4. Consequences you the recommendations of the bipartisan Breaux Commission giving Medicare beneficiaries a means-tested scholarship, private insurance to kaufen.Diese solution came during the Clinton era, but was also free market place with Bill and Hillary passed. With Medicare it should return moments from bankruptcy a bipartisan consensus to reform these giants.


  5. Transfer (gradually) all Medicaid responsibility in the Staaten.Federal allows support for Medicaid much bigger issues than usual occur.It forces economical States lavish coverage in New York, California, and elsewhere to subventionieren.Staaten your Medicaid systems along their own priorities in Exchange should complete freedom for lose maybe five years have organized federal subsidy. This would encourage countries, innovative ways of providing of health insurance for the poor, such as individual health accounts or subsidies, buy private insurance.


The latter the mammoth would two points to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, be mothballed, allow although Medicare expensive, chronic diseases could keep a role as an insurer of last resort for those with already existing.


  6. Institute a "Loser Pays" system for medical malpractice to cut frivolous litigation.The ability to start a court action (and this applies in addition medical malpractice) with minimal financial risk is the reason for the explosion of misconduct litigation with all the associated costs.Reform at the federal level would require tort trial veto, to override lawyers that could be a problem.This reform should be pushed at the State level.


7. Finally, for true patient protection, let us guarantee a constitutional amendment to the individual the right to contract private medical Versorgung.Dies will eliminate time for all the threat to the private practice of medicine and assure that no matter what system is set up, patients always be allowed their own money for maintenance.


The above points are clear, simple and practical solutions. you authorize each and significantly reduce malicious government influence and the taxpayer to entlasten.Es is the conservative way forward on health care.


Richard Amerling, MD is a nephrologist City.Er practice in New York is an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Albert Einstein College of medicine in New York and Director dialysis at Beth Israel medical patient Center.Dr.Amerling studied medicine at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, graduating cum laude in 1981.Er graduated from a medical residency in wrote New York Hospital Queens and nephrology fellow at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.Er and taught extensively on health care issues and is a Director of the Association of American physicians and Surgeons.Dr.Amerling Declaration of independence (http://www.aapsonline.org/medicare/doi.htm) is the author of the doctors.


It's hard top believe that Medicaid take responsibility best practice in various health programs search wird.Seine before you reach this position.


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Announcing the health 2.0 2011 conference planning

We are pleased you introduce our exciting conference schedule for 2011! In San Diego on March 21-22 our spring fling Conference will take place. This event focuses itself on three topics where health 2.0 can make a big difference: making health care cheaper; the future of research; and prevention, wellness, exercise and eating. For our fifth annual fall health 2.0 Conference we are again in San Francisco on September 26-27.


Innovative health 2.0 technologies that affect our three topics present our spring fling the "lower cost health", "Research" and "Prevention". We are highlighted also winner of the Health 2.0 Developer Challenge. See the AGENDA for more details.To get your Earlybird registration tickets click here!Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are now available! 


 Our fifth annual Conference the case provide a wide overview of health 2.0 in our landmark event of the year.For more information click here and wait tickets to your regular Earlybird registration TODAY!See available sponsorship and Exhibitor-options!


Offer we temporarily early bird rate currently offer for Both conferences most A low Earlybird price.The special $2199 combined registration rate saves you don't have to register hundreds of regular registration Preise.Warten - soon raise prices!Get your tickets now click here and choose the San Diego early bird combined 2011 (includes San Francisco 2011) registration pricing option.  


Health 2.0 offers a wide range of Sponsorship opportunities for your company in the healthcare before our influential and varied audience, including exhibitors unable to erhalten.Wir help the best level for your organization to gain the maximum exposure find. for more details and information see San Diego and San Francisco sponsorship brochure.


And if you not Yet…the videos from the annual health 2.0 case conference in San Francisco had seen last month you are up on Health 2.0 TV!


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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Best of red wine cancer connection

Red wine has a mixed reputation in the medical community. Some health authorities cite evidence that indicates it may be the one form of alcohol that provides actual health benefits. Generally speaking, the positive research regarding red wine has to do with its impact on cardiovascular health. In recent years, scientists have begun to analyze the specific chemical make up of this popular beverage. In doing so, they’ve discovered several phytochemicals that could be the reason why fermented grapes discourage heart disease. Furthermore, some of these substances have exhibited benefits in other arenas, such as anti-cancer activity in animal models and in-vitro (test tube) experiments. However, these laboratory findings are often at odds with population studies that find negative associations between alcohol consumption and cancer incidence. Today I’ll examine the most recent findings regarding the alcohol cancer connection.


The decision about whether to include red wine in your daily diet is an important one. There is considerable evidence that demonstrates its cardiovascular benefits. Since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of premature mortality, we need to do all we can to prevent it. But breast and prostate cancers are significant health threats as well and it’s also vital to limit risk factors for those diseases. This is why the pros and cons of red wine need to be carefully evaluated. (1,2,3,4,5,6)


Several recent studies have specifically examined the role that red wine may have in the promotion of breast cancer. Here is a summary of those findings:

The March 2009 Issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention - Over 6,300 women with breast cancer (BC) and 7,500 without were interviewed about their alcohol intake and other potential risk factors such as family history of the disease, age of first pregnancy and the use of hormone replacement therapy. The women who drank 2 or more alcoholic drinks a day were 24% more likely to have breast cancer. No differences were found in terms of what form of alcohol was consumed. The primary author of the study concluded that, “We found no difference between red or white wine in relation to breast cancer risk. Neither appears to have any benefits”. (7,8)The March 2009 Issue of the European Journal of Cancer - A study carried out by the oncology department at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center examined the effects of beer, liquor and wine in over 2,800 women with BC. They discovered a dose-dependent increased risk of breast cancer for those who drank alcohol on a daily basis. This proposed threat did not seem to be influenced by the type of alcoholic beverage. (9)

These two recent studies are supported by previous research dating back over a decade. In 2001, over 61,000 women were followed for almost 10 years. About 1,300 of the participants developed breast cancer during that time frame. The older women who drank the most were 31% more likely to contract BC. A 1997 investigation in premenopausal French women likewise discovered an association between even small amounts of alcohol (60 calories per day) and breast cancer risk. Red wine was the predominant form of alcohol used by the trial subjects. (10,11)


This topic is controversial for several reasons: 1) Population studies are observational and not controlled. Often times, the conclusions found in such research doesn’t translate to real world results; 2) Other experiments indicate that red wine may actually combat the formation of dense breast tissue, which is also associated with increased BC risk; and 3) certain antioxidants in red wine (polyphenols and resveratrol) have exhibited protection against breast cancer growth and spread in animal and test tube studies. (12,13,14,15,16,17,18)


Alcohol Consumption, Benign Breast Disease (BBD) & Breast Cancer


Source: Breast Cancer Research 2005 7:R555 (a)


Breast and prostate cancers are linked by a few key features. Both diseases are influenced by sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and tend to manifest themselves in middle age or senior years. However, the connection between red wine and prostate cancer (PC) incidence is not as clear as in the case of breast cancer. Several epidemiological studies that have examined this proposed link:

The April 2007 Issue of the International Journal of Cancer - A group of over 45,000 men were analyzed based on their “average consumption of red wine, white wine, beer and liquor”. Over the course of 16 years, about 3,300 were diagnosed with with prostate cancer. Drinking more than 4 glasses of red wine weekly seemed to slightly increase PC risk. But the change was so small and inconsistent that the authors concluded that, “red wine does not contribute appreciably to the etiology of prostate cancer”. (19)The March 2007 Issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch - This report proclaimed that men who drank an average of 4-7 glasses of red wine per week were 52% less likely to develop PC. It also stated that an inverse association was found between red wine consumption and “advanced or aggressive cancers”. (20)Nutrition and Cancer 2006 - 34,565 men (aged 50-76) were monitored for two years via questionnaires. 816 of them were diagnosed with PC during that period. White wine consumption was associated with prostate cancer, but red wine was not. (21)The January 2005 Issue of the International Journal of Cancer - 753 middle aged men with PC were compared to 703 men who were disease free. Interviews about “lifetime alcohol consumption and other risk factors” were conducted with each participant. Overall, no link was found between total alcohol intake and PC. However, there was a 6% decrease in “relative risk” discovered for “each additional glass of red wine consumed per week”. The authors of the study commented that this may imply, “a reduced risk associated with increasing levels of red wine consumption”. (22)

A 1999 study in the journal Cancer Causes and Control determined that “fortified” and white wines appeared to increase PC risk, but red wine did not. It’s possible that resveratrol, an “antioxidant in red wine”, has an anti-PC effect. Resveratrol is being aggressively studied as a possible adjunct in the fight against PC and as a preventive aid. (23,24,25,26,27,28)


The question that begs to be answered is, “What is it about alcohol and/or wine that may spur the growth of cancer?”. A presentation given at a recent American Physiological Society annual meeting offers one possible explanation. A group of rats with breast cancer were fed diluted alcohol or pure water in order to replicate what may occur in a human model of BC. Over the course of 4 weeks, the researchers found that the rats that were fed the alcohol had tumors that were nearly twice the size of those in rats that were fed only water. It seems that the alcohol increased blood flow to the tumors (via microvessel growth), perhaps because of increased levels of a pro-cancer protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). (29)


If it’s the actual alcohol in wine that is the problem, then using a dealchoholized red wine may be an option. New evidence presented in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry has determined that removing alcohol from red wine does not adversely impact the level of beneficial substances. In fact, the dealcoholized red wines generally exhibited higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than the traditional red wines. In this analysis, Merlot reds were the top source of the highly esteemed resveratrol. (30)


There are many questions still left unanswered in this debate. However, based on the preponderance of the evidence, it might be wise to limit alcohol consumption (including red wine) if breast cancer is a significant concern. If you choose to include small to moderates amounts of alcohol in your diet, then perhaps a dealcoholized red wine could be a viable alternative. The connection between red wine and prostate cancer seems to have a rosier tint. I’ll be sure to look out for more details that will hopefully confirm a positive end to that story. In closing, I’d like to remind you that there are plenty of biodynamic and organic wines available at many health food stores and online. These products are free of pesticides and added sulfites (preservatives). This is the variety of red wine that we stock in our home.


Update: November 2010 - The correlation between cancer incidence and alcohol/wine consumption has been a frequent topic in the medical literature of late. Over the past several months, researchers spanning the globe from Zhejiang, China to Oakland, California have amassed summaries on the effects of various forms of alcohol and malignancy rates. Here are some of the key findings: a) wine appears to afford minor protective activity (-15%) in relation to bladder cancer occurrence; b) consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks per week seems to increase the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence and cancer-related mortality in women diagnosed with “early-stage breast cancer”; c) wine was not associated with an elevated risk of endometrial cancer in a meta-analysis involving “20 case-control and seven cohort studies”; d) moderate red wine intake (2 glasses/day) didn’t impact colorectal cancer prevalence in a large “prospective, mutliethnic cohort (study) of middle-aged men”; e) having up to 3 alcoholic drinks daily is unlikely to influence prostate cancer risk, but heavier consumption of 7 or more drinks daily may contribute to “excess risk for this disease”. When it comes to alcohol/cancer connection, it’s becoming quite evident that avoidance or moderation is generally the best way to go. But it’s important to stay abreast of the latest research, as the knowledge base in this field is constantly evolving. Doing so may allow you to use alcohol in the safest possible way, if it enhances your lifestyle. (31,32,33,34,35)



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Hospital price dispersion

By DAVID DRANOVE

A study by the Center for studying health system change, which frees Tolday shows that hospitals different prices for the treatment of the same diseases erhalten.Center President Paul Ginsburg says that the disclosure:


"Variation in hospital pricing found (sic) are incompatible in this study with competitive markets - at least for markets outside health care," said HSC President Paul B. Ginsburg, Ph.d.;


Hospital markets may not hard-fought, but this argument is silly. "("One could also say "Is (not) the variation in automobile prices" are") with highly competitive markets incompatible." But it would be wrong in both cases.


Vertical quality differentiation (i.e., some vendors are better than others) generated in competitive price dispersion. It is only in the most basic treatment of competition - in the first week of the intro economics course, vertical differentiation is ignored. Observed price dispersion is not incompatible with competition.


In addition it is severity dispersion within Diagnostics (such as some hospitals get the sickest patients within DRGs). Medicare ignored this when the prices set. But private insurers need not ignore this and can calibrate prices accordingly.Hospitals can get higher prices getting sicker patients.Also, this is not incompatible with competition.


So, what have we learned from this study? the different hospitals have different prices?We see price dispersion for authors and for dry cleaning and electric pencil sharpeners, for crying out loud.This is not news, and there are no political implications that that drawn from the study werden.Aber is health care, so I cover in the New York will this trial times, predict even if it fails, say anything we don't already know.


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Best of fenugreek research

Very few health conditions are brought about by genetic factors alone. Some people may be prone to elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity or type 2 diabetes. But it’s extremely uncommon that such health concerns are solely influenced by a familial predisposition. More often than not these conditions are influenced by diet and lifestyle choices that are less than optimal. A pertinent analogy for this might be that genes are like a field. If you eat well, exercise regularly, practice stress reduction and supplement wisely, you will, in effect, encourage lush green plant life to grow. However, if you don’t take proper care of yourself, the field will become dry and lifeless. When ash or a spark comes drifting your way, which type of a field would you rather be?


On many occasions I’ve emphasized that supplements are not a replacement for healthy lifestyle choices. But the fact of the matter is that many people fall short of their dietary and exercise goals. Another reality is that some people have stronger genetic hurdles to overcome. In both of these instances, supplements can often play a more prominent role in managing wellness naturally.


According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) was first mentioned in “an Egyptian papyrus” dating back to 1500 B.C. This culinary herb has traditionally been used to support milk production in pregnant women, healthy digestion and even to reduce inflammatory conditions relating to the skin. However, in recent years scientists have focused on fenugreek’s ability to counter several maladies that are extremely common in the 21st century. (1)


Two recent studies on fenugreek indicate that it may play a valuable role in the arena of hunger management. The first trial was published in the November 2009 issue of Phytotherapy Research. It involved 18 “healthy obese subjects”. Each of the participants ate three breakfasts that were supplemented with varying levels of fenugreek fiber – 0 grams (used as a “control” or comparison), 4 grams or 8 grams. Dietary records were kept that detailed the food consumed in meals and snacks following the experimental breakfasts. Several significant findings were noted:

The meals containing 8 grams of fenugreek fiber supported a greater feeling of fullness and satiety.This reduced level of hunger decreased subsequent food consumption on the days when the 8 gram dosage was administered.The caloric intake in the groups receiving 4 and 8 grams of fenugreek also dropped during lunch time meals. (2)

A study from the October 2009 edition of the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology explains that fenugreek seeds have been shown to reduce “feeding behavior in animals, but strong clinical data (in humans) are lacking”. In order to remedy this information gap, a group of 12 healthy male volunteers were enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. On three separate occasions, the men were given either a placebo, 588 mg of a fenugreek seed extract or 1,176 mg of the extract. There was a “washout period” of 14 days between each test in order to rule out any competing influence. The results of this experiment indicate that the higher dosage of fenugreek significantly reduced fat and total caloric intake while having no ill effect on nutrient levels. (3)


If a reduction in appetite was all that fenugreek could accomplish, I probably wouldn’t devote an entire column to it. But it also appears to provide some valuable benefits with regard to blood sugar disorders and cardiovascular health. Here are some of the key findings that I discovered while sifting through the most recent scientific data:

A new Iranian study examined the effects of 10 grams of “powdered fenugreek seeds” in a group of 24 type 2 diabetics. The fenugreek powder was either “soaked in hot water” or mixed into yogurt and fed to the diabetics over the course of 8 weeks. The subjects who were in the “hot water” group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in fasting blood sugar, VLDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. But those receiving the fenugreek-enhanced yogurt showed no such benefits. This research suggests that certain water soluble fractions of fenugreek may be responsible for its therapeutic activity. (4)Several animal studies provide a basis for the lipid-modifying effects of fenugreek exhibited in the previous study. An Indian trial from the October 2009 issue of the journal Obesity, discovered that fenugreek could assist the body in processing LDL cholesterol and decrease fat accumulation in mice. These results may help explain why other recent animal studies demonstrate fenugreek’s ability to reduce plaque formation in the arteries of rabbits and even reduce the likelihood of cholesterol-based gallstones in mice receiving a high cholesterol diet. (5,6,7)Fenugreek Fiber (Galactomannan) and Blood Sugar ControlSource: J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2008 November; 43(3): 167–174. (a)

Perhaps the biggest question about fenugreek that’s currently being examined is how and why it works as well as it does. As I write this, there are food scientists fast at work trying to find a way to incorporate fenugreek into our modern food supply. An October 2009 study in the Journal of Medicinal Food tested the use of a proprietary fenugreek flour which was added to a commercial bread mix. The experimental bread contained 5% fenugreek flour. Testing on 8 “diet-controlled diabetic subjects” found that the fenugreek bread helped to manage blood sugar and insulin more successfully than a 100% whole wheat bread. Another important finding was that the taste of the fenugreek bread was “indistinguishable from the whole wheat bread control”. (8)


A substance by the name of 4-hydroxyisoleucine is believed to be at least partially responsible for the blood sugar balancing effect of fenugreek. This “atypical branched-chain amino acid” has been shown to reduce insulin resistance in the liver and muscles, and stimulate insulin secretion by the pancreas. The weight loss demonstrated in certain animal studies is postulated as being one more way in which fenugreek can cause a decline in blood sugar and plasma insulin concentrations. This evidence recently prompted a group of Canadian researchers to remark that, “4-hydroxyisoleucine, a simple, plant-derived amino acid, may represent an attractive new candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia, all key components of metabolic syndrome”. Other scientists report that even long term exposure (in animal models) to 4-hydroxyisoleucine does not damage the liver and appears to improve certain cardiovascular risk factors such as HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. (9,10,11)


The truth of the matter is that researchers are often left wondering exactly how natural “medicines” work. Herbal extracts are frequently comprised of hundreds, if not thousands, of naturally-occurring chemicals. Most prescription medications are synthesized in a laboratory and contain only one, isolated chemical. This is partially why it’s not yet clear whether the healing properties of fenugreek are due solely to 4-hydroxyisoleucine, water soluble phytochemicals or possibly even a viscous form of fiber known as galactomannan. The overall potential of fenugreek is also not entirely clear. Preliminary research indicates that it may benefit aspects of health that extend far beyond blood sugar, cholesterol and weight. In recent years, scientific trials point to fenugreek as a possible analgesic (pain reliever), a liver protector and a memory enhancer. There is even a study underway to verify its time tested ability to safely support lactation in women who have difficulty producing adequate breast milk. Fenugreek has indeed come full circle. But now, that circle is expanding. We’re learning more about this valuable spice each day and the information is becoming available just in the nick of time. (12,13,14,15,16,17)


Update: November 2010 - The October 2010 edition of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reveals yet another side of fenugreek – as an ergogenic aid. A group of forty-nine “resistance trained men were matched according to body weight and randomly assigned (in a double blind trial) capsules containing 500 mg of a placebo or fenugreek”. Over an 8 week period, the participants engaged in an identical 4-day a week resistance training program. Measurements pertaining to body composition, exercise performance and strength were taken at baseline, after 4 weeks and at the end of trial. Several noteworthy differences were detected between the fenugreek and placebo groups: a) the fenugreek subjects lost more body fat: -2.3% vs. -1.4%; and b) significantly greater gains in bench- and leg-press exercises were recorded in those receiving the fenugreek capsules. A variety of blood tests were conducted on both groups as well. No alterations in clinical safety data (complete blood count, kidney and liver function, lipids, etc.) were detected in any of the study volunteers. The findings of this pilot trial indicate that this proprietary fenugreek extract (Torabolic) has “a significant impact on both upper- and lower-body strength and body composition”. Longer term studies are now needed to expand upon and verify these preliminary results. (18)



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Expressive writing

Expressive writing is encouraged a stress management technique that individuals make emotional and/or traumatic events from their past. This sometimes cathartic experience is generally within 3 to 5 sessions, which take 15-30 minutes. In the process some patients find that you more about your feelings control and develop more confidence in dealing with stress resulting in positive results in a variety of health conditions. Three recent studies of expressive writing document favorable results in different patient populations: men and women with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome); Students with eating disorders; and issues to test living with psoriasis.


Researchers from the Boston University School of medicine are the latest report success with a modified expressive writing Protocol. A total of 103 IBS patients participated in the study. The majority (82) engaged in four, 30 minute writing exercises described "Your deepest thoughts, feelings and beliefs concerning the disease and their perception of the impact". The rest of the participants (21) served as a peer group. A battery of IBS tests were conducted at baseline, symptom severity 1 month post treatment and 3 months after conclusion of the study performed. The writing abusive exercises experienced significant improvements in IBS results at 1 and 3-month mark.Benefits in cognitive performance were also noticed.(1)


September October issue of the European Journal of Dermatology focused on the potential of "emotional writing disclosure" as a complement to conventional care. In this study, researchers evaluated its impact on patients with skin disease which psoriasis .Vierzig psoriasis patients were treated all UV-B (UVB)-Exposition and one of the three add on treatments: 1) expressive writing Protocol; 2) writing about "great life objectives";3) no write/control group. Study volunteers who participated in an expressive writing routine "a longer remission after Phototherapie.Dies offers first indications that such a simple and inexpensive tool a role in improving the effectiveness of treatment and QoL (quality of life)". play (2)


The expressive illustrate the previous two examples the potential in writing under the terms of a physical nature. Some psychological disorders such as eating disorders, also appear to take write on emotional.This statement is präsentiert.Eine 8 week investigation of two experimental writing tasks in the May 2010 issue of the magazine European eating disorders review and a control task showed that expressive writing "specific functions associated with eating disorder presentation" treated, that "therapeutic writing for this vulnerable population of value can be". The conclusion of the study encourages other mental health professionals confirm and extend these preliminary results. (3)

Expressive writing may reduce short-term fear and DepressionMean and standard deviations for that-21 and SF-12 subscales at baseline and two weeks follow up (n = 14). source: harm day j. 2006. 3: 34. (a)

A research abstract from the publication of advances in psychiatric treatment provides an example for a step-by-step guide to the one of the most basic forms of expressive writing. The authors DRS. Karen A. Balkie and Kay Wilhelm, offered the following general instructions. "For the next 4 days, I want you to write your very deepest thoughts and feelings about the most traumatic experience your entire life or an extremely important emotional issue that has affected you and your life." Write in your would you really let go and explore your deepest feelings and thoughts. Could your theme to your relationships with other countries, including parents, lovers, to bind friends or relatives; Your past, your present or your future;or, you have that you want to be who or who are you jetzt.Sie can same general problems or experience every day write about every day of writing or on various subjects.All of your writing will be absolutely confidential.Don't you worry about spelling, grammar or sentence structure."Ride the only rule that is once you start writing, until the time has expired."(4)


The common thread that connects the studies already mentioned is that expressive writing as supportive therapy, professional care employs habe.Niemand proposes a way to express your emotions a panacea for every physical or psychological challenge which humanity faced ist.Eine more accurate and realistic view may deny or suppress, experiences and feelings that accompany a deterioration in health kann.Da Body-mind of expressive writing for almost all of us easily accessible, I believe, it is thought within a comprehensive treatment Protokolls.Wenn you are interested, please consult determine team with your health care, whether appropriate obsolete.you could it in your particular case also try the works of the expressive writing Pioneer Dr. James W. Pennebaker.(5)



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