A newly released study begun in 1987 measured height, weight, thigh, hip, waist circumference & body composition of subjects. After 13 years it was found people with thighs <45cm>60cm these benefits were lost. Bigger thighs, but not overweight, carry more muscle so are less likely to become insulin resistant and devleop diabetes.

When you exercise, happiness hormones are released by the body, giveing you a natural high. However, research at the University of Oxford shows that your pain tolerance is higher if you exercise with a friend or in a group, producing greater production of feel-good endorphins!

A surgeon has discovered that almost 100% of people with MS have a narrowing, twisting or outright blockage of the veins that are supposed to flush blood from the brain, allowing excess iron to accumulate in the brain. Zamboni called the vein disorder he discovered CCSVI, or Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency. Of all the patients upon whom they have performed endovascular surgery, there was a decrease in the number of new MS attacks, a big reduction in the number of brain lesions that define MS, and improved quality of life. Because the surgery freed the blood flow, the team have called the procedure "The Liberation Treatment." To read more, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/W5_liberation_091121/20091121?s_name=W5

In the past five years, there's been an explosion of products marketed as "green" & good for the environment. But some of these green claims are far from accurate. Critics call the marketing practice "greenwashing" - a way to attract customers by labeling products as eco-friendly when they may not be. Examples include 1. Hyping what has been taken out of a product eg. One shaving cream product, for example, claims it has no CFCs -- chlorofluorocarbons. But CFCs were actually banned in 1978; if the product did contain CFCs, it would be illegal; 2. Not providing proof eg. a brand of drinking glasses claims recycled content - but fails to explain how much , or what the source is; 3. Environmental trade-offs, eg. One type of water bottle does use 30% less plastic than other bottles but the product is imported from overseas; 4. Self-made seals, from companies that put their own stamps on their packages instead of one awarded by a neutral third party eg.brand of cleaner has a green leaf seal but all it means is that the symbol has been put there by the company; 5. Products that are not up to environmental standards eg. One company advertised a refrigerator as Energy Star compliant, but then acknowledged it was not.

Extracts from green tea may prevent the formation of mouth cancers in people with risk signs of the disease, according to a new study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. To read more, http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/2/11/931

Swimming in a chlorinated pool may boost the odds that a child susceptible to asthma & allergies will develop these problems. Chlorinated pools irritate the airways of swimmers, exerting a strong additive effect on the development of asthma and respiratory allergies such as hay fever & allergic rhinitis. The impact of chlorinated pools on the respiratory health of children & adolescents appears to be much more important -- at least by a factor of 5 -- than that associated with second hand smoke. Pediatrics October 2009;124(4):1110-8

In USA numerous people have reported serious side effects after receiving the Swine Flu vaccination including the development of Guillian-Barre Syndrome which involves muscle paralysis and inability to walk. Swedish, Japanese, and Chinese health officials have also reported a number of serious side effects, including deaths of people who received the H1N1 vaccine. Among those inoculated so far, more than 1,200 have complained of side effects ranging from sore arms, rashes, and headaches, to anaphylactic shock and sudden drops in blood pressure. To read more, Time November 15, 2009, ABC News November 17, 2009, The Japan Times October 25, 2009,The Digital Journal October 28, 2009, NBC Washington News November 26, 2009
MSNBC November 12, 2009

According to a study from the United States, "Breast cancer relapse and death occur more often and sooner among young pre-menopausal women. Breast cancer resected during luteal phase cures about a quarter more women than if the operation is performed during follicular phase." To read more, Oh et al. Discovery of candidate genes and pathways that may help explain fertility cycle stage dependent post-resection breast cancer outcome. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2009;118(2):345-359. do:10.1007/s10549-008-0253-5).

A randomised, double-blind trial conducted in Australia involved 100 late-perimenopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. The women received MediHerb Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and MediHerb St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) or placebo for 16 weeks. Preliminary results suggest they relieve PMS-like symptoms in late perimenopausal women.

Controversial guidelines on ADHD have been pulled by the Federal Government following claims drug company payments to a doctor cast doubt over the draft's validity after one of the psychiatrists, whose research into anti-psychotic drugs helped form the guidelines, was accused of failing to reveal payments from drug companies. US-based child psychiatrist Dr Joseph Biederman is under investigation in America by authorities who have uncovered $1.6 million in payments. The US Congress investigation has found Dr Biederman failed to declare where all the money came from & has breached federal and Harvard University research laws.