1) Curb your addiction to e-mail.
One of Morgenstern's mantras: Break the mindless e-mail habit. So basically, stop checking e-mail every 10 seconds! "Every time you're bored, every time you're facing something difficult, you're like 'Let me just check my e-mail first.' You're using e-mail and even the Internet as a kind of procrastination device. If you can eliminate that habit from your day, I guarantee you will regain a minimum of an hour of productivity a day. Minimum." To kick the habit, she suggests setting regular e-mail check times, as well as not checking your e-mail for the first hour you're at work, when possible.
2) Set aside time for social networking.
Assign yourself time to check your Facebook, MySpace, Linked In and other social networking sites. They are tremendous procrastination devices, as well as easy entertainment. "But they're like TV," says Morgenstern. "You turn it on and three hours pass, and then you're like 'Where did my day go?'" By carving out set times to spend on them, you'll be more productive when you're focusing on other tasks.
3) Pick out your clothes the night before.
You would think that choosing your outfit would take the same amount of time in the morning as it does at night. Not so, says Julie Morgenstern, author of When Organizing Isn't Enough: Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life. "You actually take less time deciding the night before because you're not as stressed. I think when we're stressed, we freeze, we get paralyzed, we can't think, we start making mistakes and keep repeating them." She recommends going as far as hanging the planned outfit -- down to underwear and jewelry -- outside your closet.
4) Find your go-to outfits.
You probably have a go-to LBD in your closet that always makes you look and feel fabulous. Morgenstern suggests you find a few more fail-safe fashion choices that work for daytime, too. "Invest a couple of hours one weekend or one evening coming up with four or five standard outfits that you know always work," she says. "You do that for work outfits, and you should do that for going-out outfits as well."
5) Buy nice hangers.
Your closet is a reflection of you, says Morgenstern. "It's where you start and end your day, and you want to feel good when you reach for something and when you put it away." In her own closet, she uses slender wooden hangers. "I think they bring an elegance to your closet that makes it exciting to open your closet and motivate you to hang things up again."
6) Make your coffee to go.
Pay attention, Starbucks addicts. "We waste a lot of time going and getting coffee somewhere," says Morgenstern. "If you invest in a coffeemaker with a timer, you can set it the night before and wake up to the smell of coffee." Stock up on a few cute refillable travel mugs and you'll save time by avoiding that coffee-shop line . Or, if you always forget your mug at the office, consider buying to-go cups and lids to keep at home.
7) Organize your home by the way you think.
Organizing your mess of a closet can save you at least a half hour per day, but that doesn't mean you have to color-code your clothing like your type-A friend does. "You should organize your clothes in the way you reach for them, the way you think," says Morgenstern. "Not everybody thinks the same way, and I believe the zones of your closet should reflect your unique association. When some people go to get dressed, they think in terms of garments; others think of their clothes more by occasion: work clothes, weekend clothes, dress-up clothes."
8) Create a last-minute checklist.
There are few things more satisfying than ticking off items on your to-do list. Get that feeling every time you leave the house by creating a cool-looking checklist to keep right by the door. On it, put all the things you need for the day: wallet, gym clothes, phone charger, iPod, etc. It will save you time trying to remember everything and running back every time you forget something, says Morgenstern. Plus, once you've mentally crossed each thing off, "you'll leave feeling like a million bucks and full of energy."
9) Go to the digital supermarket.
If you can, order your groceries online so you don't have to go food shopping, says Morgenstern. "It will cut time from your weekly errands and chores, and the program will save your shopping list -- a big, really helpful time-saver for the household stuff."
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tips for who wants to change careers in 2009
,
1) Network effectively
"Expand your network inside and outside your company. Many workers are caught flat-footed when they lose their jobs; they have to start networking from scratch to find another position. Smart people keep in touch with contacts in their industry and use their spare time to volunteer for projects that build skills and credibility." -- Candace Moody, WorkSource Corporate Communications
"Schedule a weekly coffee date with somebody new. Contact somebody with whom you would like to build a professional relationship. Call that person and be sincere in your request to simply meet for a short, mutually beneficial sharing of ideas, thoughts and strategies for career success. Ask them questions and listen. For a $3 coffee, you can learn incredible information and build powerful connections for future career opportunities." -- Mark Mikelat, speaker and founder of Building Aspirations
"Join the professional association that serves the job type you want to move to. Get active. Show your character and competence. Listen generously. Absorb the language and culture of your new career cohorts so when you get a job interview you come off like an insider." -- Lynne Waymon, co-author of "Make Your Contacts Count" and co-founder of Contacts Count
2) Spread the word
"Activate your network and get the word out. What good is a contact if you don't contact them? When you are on the job hunt, work the phone from eight to five just like a full-time job." -- David Lewis, author of "The Emerging Leader: Eight Lessons for Life in Leadership"
"Everyone should have a personal business card for networking -- they're relatively inexpensive to have professionally printed. Carry them with you wherever you go -- you never know who you will meet where. People change jobs more often than they change residences so if someone has your personal contact info, they will always be able to get in touch with you." -- Donna Cardillo, author of "The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses"
3)Make a great impression
"In a tight economy there is no room for error. Competition is fierce. Your résumé and cover letter must be flawless -- no typos, no form letter, etc. You must be well-prepared for all interviews and networking meetings -- know the company, their business and current events and have specific questions prepared." -- Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA career center at Northeastern University's College of Business Administration
Here is my advice for making a great impression when you are changing careers:
To avoid being seen by employers as a "wannabe," learn as much as you can about the career before you start applying. Some ways to learn about a new career include: arranging informational interviews with people working in the career, attending meetings of professional associations, taking courses and reading books about the career.
Then get some hands-on experience related to the career. Don't worry about the job-hunter's dilemma (to get a job you need experience, but to get experience you need a job). There are ways to get experience before you get the job. In fact, having experience will help you move into the career you want much more quickly at a higher rate of pay.
Ways to get experience before you start applying for your dream job include: volunteer your services (to a department in your company, family and friends, or a nonprofit organization), do an internship (even if you are an older worker), take a part-time, entry-level position or start your own part-time business.
4) Ask the right people for advice
"If you're thinking about changing jobs, the last person with whom you should consult is someone who loves you. They'll want to hold you tight and protect you from taking any risk." -- Irena Chalmers, author of "Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers"
"Do your friends keep you down? Do your friends consistently come up with reasons why you shouldn't change careers? A bucket of crabs doesn't need a lid on it because as one crab nears the top, the other crabs will pull it back down. Sometimes your best career strategy is to begin to hang out with more positive people and limit your time with Debbie Downer." -- Jennifer Loud Ungar, president, Career Moves
"Find a mentor. Contact mentorship organizations and your alumni association to interview (yes, interview) prospective mentors to guide you through your transition. Just because someone has great credentials doesn't mean they're going to make a great mentor. They must exude passion for their work and be able to effectively communicate their expertise to you." -- Brian Kurth, founder of VocationVacations and author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love"
"Expand your network inside and outside your company. Many workers are caught flat-footed when they lose their jobs; they have to start networking from scratch to find another position. Smart people keep in touch with contacts in their industry and use their spare time to volunteer for projects that build skills and credibility." -- Candace Moody, WorkSource Corporate Communications
"Schedule a weekly coffee date with somebody new. Contact somebody with whom you would like to build a professional relationship. Call that person and be sincere in your request to simply meet for a short, mutually beneficial sharing of ideas, thoughts and strategies for career success. Ask them questions and listen. For a $3 coffee, you can learn incredible information and build powerful connections for future career opportunities." -- Mark Mikelat, speaker and founder of Building Aspirations
"Join the professional association that serves the job type you want to move to. Get active. Show your character and competence. Listen generously. Absorb the language and culture of your new career cohorts so when you get a job interview you come off like an insider." -- Lynne Waymon, co-author of "Make Your Contacts Count" and co-founder of Contacts Count
2) Spread the word
"Activate your network and get the word out. What good is a contact if you don't contact them? When you are on the job hunt, work the phone from eight to five just like a full-time job." -- David Lewis, author of "The Emerging Leader: Eight Lessons for Life in Leadership"
"Everyone should have a personal business card for networking -- they're relatively inexpensive to have professionally printed. Carry them with you wherever you go -- you never know who you will meet where. People change jobs more often than they change residences so if someone has your personal contact info, they will always be able to get in touch with you." -- Donna Cardillo, author of "The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses"
3)Make a great impression
"In a tight economy there is no room for error. Competition is fierce. Your résumé and cover letter must be flawless -- no typos, no form letter, etc. You must be well-prepared for all interviews and networking meetings -- know the company, their business and current events and have specific questions prepared." -- Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA career center at Northeastern University's College of Business Administration
Here is my advice for making a great impression when you are changing careers:
To avoid being seen by employers as a "wannabe," learn as much as you can about the career before you start applying. Some ways to learn about a new career include: arranging informational interviews with people working in the career, attending meetings of professional associations, taking courses and reading books about the career.
Then get some hands-on experience related to the career. Don't worry about the job-hunter's dilemma (to get a job you need experience, but to get experience you need a job). There are ways to get experience before you get the job. In fact, having experience will help you move into the career you want much more quickly at a higher rate of pay.
Ways to get experience before you start applying for your dream job include: volunteer your services (to a department in your company, family and friends, or a nonprofit organization), do an internship (even if you are an older worker), take a part-time, entry-level position or start your own part-time business.
4) Ask the right people for advice
"If you're thinking about changing jobs, the last person with whom you should consult is someone who loves you. They'll want to hold you tight and protect you from taking any risk." -- Irena Chalmers, author of "Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers"
"Do your friends keep you down? Do your friends consistently come up with reasons why you shouldn't change careers? A bucket of crabs doesn't need a lid on it because as one crab nears the top, the other crabs will pull it back down. Sometimes your best career strategy is to begin to hang out with more positive people and limit your time with Debbie Downer." -- Jennifer Loud Ungar, president, Career Moves
"Find a mentor. Contact mentorship organizations and your alumni association to interview (yes, interview) prospective mentors to guide you through your transition. Just because someone has great credentials doesn't mean they're going to make a great mentor. They must exude passion for their work and be able to effectively communicate their expertise to you." -- Brian Kurth, founder of VocationVacations and author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
How marketable are you ?
,
Whether you're looking for work or wanting to hold on to the job you have, maintaining your marketability for the long term requires that you continually invest in yourself. You are the product you're selling, but you must be proactive to remain competitive. Here are five ingredients for a winning strategy: work that serves your goals, networking, lifelong learning, staying current with your skills and industry knowledge, and maintaining balance.
Use this checklist to test your marketability. If you find any areas wanting, use your answers to create an action plan to improve them.
1. My education, certification, and training are current.
Lifelong learning is the key to staying marketable. Prepare for varied options.
Do I need a degree or certification to keep up with my present employment, get promoted, or land a new job?
Do I regularly attend professional association meetings, workshops, seminars, and continuing education classes?
Tip: To find programs, start with local educational institutions. Explore CareerOneStop, a site rich in resources for job seekers.
2. My current employment serves my goals.
Measure your current or prospective situation against short- and long-term goals. Aside from financial reward, do you gain in these ways:
Do my responsibilities sync with my strongest capabilities?
Am I developing relevant skills and meeting the right people?
Is there room to grow? Or is this a good stepping stone?
Tip: Maximize your experience by looking for opportunities to increase your value within your company.
3. My networking and communication activities are constant.
Strategic networking helps cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. Word-of-mouth is the most powerful tool to gain opportunities and referrals.
Do I routinely develop new contacts, nurture existing ones?
Do I meet in person with people most important to me rather than relying on email threads?
Do I make weekly connections through online groups and social networking (Yahoo! Groups, LinkedIn)?
Tip: Networking is about quality, not quantity. It's about being a helpful resource, a relationship builder.
4. My life and work are in balance.
Long-term marketability relies on a healthy balance between life and work -- emotionally, physically, intellectually, financially, and spiritually.
Do I follow sound self-care practices?
Do I give equal attention to relationships and work?
Tip: Difficult to do, but maintaining balance and perspective are key to surviving and thriving.
5. My skills and industry knowledge are up to date.
Staying current is a prerequisite for ongoing employment. Could you qualify for an equivalent position with a competitor -- or do you readily qualify for the upgrade you seek? If not, what do you need to do?
Am I technically proficient in the latest software?
Do I know my industry's trends and major players?
Do I read trade publications and industry blogs? Join discussion groups?
Tip: Check current requirements by reading employer posts on job boards and company sites.
Use this checklist to test your marketability. If you find any areas wanting, use your answers to create an action plan to improve them.
1. My education, certification, and training are current.
Lifelong learning is the key to staying marketable. Prepare for varied options.
Do I need a degree or certification to keep up with my present employment, get promoted, or land a new job?
Do I regularly attend professional association meetings, workshops, seminars, and continuing education classes?
Tip: To find programs, start with local educational institutions. Explore CareerOneStop, a site rich in resources for job seekers.
2. My current employment serves my goals.
Measure your current or prospective situation against short- and long-term goals. Aside from financial reward, do you gain in these ways:
Do my responsibilities sync with my strongest capabilities?
Am I developing relevant skills and meeting the right people?
Is there room to grow? Or is this a good stepping stone?
Tip: Maximize your experience by looking for opportunities to increase your value within your company.
3. My networking and communication activities are constant.
Strategic networking helps cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. Word-of-mouth is the most powerful tool to gain opportunities and referrals.
Do I routinely develop new contacts, nurture existing ones?
Do I meet in person with people most important to me rather than relying on email threads?
Do I make weekly connections through online groups and social networking (Yahoo! Groups, LinkedIn)?
Tip: Networking is about quality, not quantity. It's about being a helpful resource, a relationship builder.
4. My life and work are in balance.
Long-term marketability relies on a healthy balance between life and work -- emotionally, physically, intellectually, financially, and spiritually.
Do I follow sound self-care practices?
Do I give equal attention to relationships and work?
Tip: Difficult to do, but maintaining balance and perspective are key to surviving and thriving.
5. My skills and industry knowledge are up to date.
Staying current is a prerequisite for ongoing employment. Could you qualify for an equivalent position with a competitor -- or do you readily qualify for the upgrade you seek? If not, what do you need to do?
Am I technically proficient in the latest software?
Do I know my industry's trends and major players?
Do I read trade publications and industry blogs? Join discussion groups?
Tip: Check current requirements by reading employer posts on job boards and company sites.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A new baby boom in the United States
,
THE US teen birth rate rose for a second straight year in 2007 after a long decline and more babies were born to all mothers than even at the peak of the baby boom after World War II.
The total of 4.3 million babies born in 2007 was the most ever recorded in the United States, topping even the peak of the baby boom in 1957, according to a report by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's National Centre for Health Statistics.
Behind the number is both good and bad news. While it shows the U.S. population is more than replacing itself, a healthy trend, the teen birth rate was up for a second year in a row.
The birth rate rose slightly for women of all ages, and births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend that started years ago. More than three-quarters of these women were 20 or older.
For a variety of reasons, it's become more acceptable for women to have babies without a husband, said Duke University's S. Philip Morgan, a leading fertility researcher.
Even happy couples may be living together without getting married, experts say. And more women — especially those in their 30s and 40s — are choosing to have children despite their single status.
The new numbers suggest the second year of a baby boomlet, with U.S. fertility rates higher in every racial group, the highest among Hispanic women. On average, a U.S. woman has 2.1 babies in her lifetime. That's the "magic number" required for a population to replace itself.
Countries with much lower rates — such as Japan and Italy — face future labor shortages and eroding tax bases as they fail to reproduce enough to take care of their aging elders.
While the number of births in the U.S. reached nearly 4.3 million in 2006, mainly due to a larger population, especially a growing number of Hispanics, it's not clear the boomlet will last. Some experts think birth rates are already declining because of the economic recession that began in late 2007.
"I expect they'll go back down. The lowest birth rates recorded in the United States occurred during the Great Depression — and that was before modern contraception," said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.
The 2007 statistical snapshot reflected a relatively good economy coupled with cultural trends that promoted childbirth, she and others noted.
Meanwhile, U.S. abortions dropped to their lowest levels in decades, according to other reports. Some have attributed the abortion decline to better use of contraceptives, but other experts have wondered if the rise in births might indicate a failure in proper use of contraceptives. Some earlier studies have shown declining availability of abortions.
Cultural attitudes may be a more likely explanation. Morgan noted the pregnancy of Bristol Palin, the unmarried teen daughter of former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The young woman had a baby boy in December, and plans for a wedding with the father, Levi Johnston, were scrapped.
"She's the poster child for what you do when you get pregnant now," Morgan said.
Teen women tend to follow what their older sisters do, so perhaps it's not surprising that teen births are going up just like births to older women, said Sarah Brown, the chief executive for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Indeed, it's harder to understand why teen births had been declining for about 15 years before the recent uptick, she said. It may have been due to a concentrated effort to reduce teen births in the 1990s that has waned in recent years, she said.
The statistics are based on a review of most 2007 birth certificates by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers also showed:
- Cesarean section deliveries continue to rise, now accounting for almost a third of all births. Health officials say that rate is much higher than is medically necessary. About 34 percent of births to black women were by C-section, more than any other racial group. But geographically, the percentages were highest in Puerto Rico, at 49 percent, and New Jersey, at 38 percent.
- Among the states, Utah continued to have the highest birth rate and Vermont the lowest.
- The pre-term birth rate, for infants delivered at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, declined slightly. It had been generally increasing since the early 1980s. Experts said they aren't sure why it went down.
CDC officials noted that despite the record number of births, this increase is different from occurred in the 1950s, when a much smaller population of women were having nearly four children each, on average. That baby boom quickly transformed society, affecting everything from school construction to consumer culture.
Today, U.S. women are averaging 2.1 children each. That's the highest level since the early 1970s, but is a relatively small increase from the rate it had hovered at for more than 10 years and is hardly transforming.
"It's the tiniest of baby booms," said Morgan in agreement. "This is not an earthquake; it's a slight tremor."
The total of 4.3 million babies born in 2007 was the most ever recorded in the United States, topping even the peak of the baby boom in 1957, according to a report by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's National Centre for Health Statistics.
Behind the number is both good and bad news. While it shows the U.S. population is more than replacing itself, a healthy trend, the teen birth rate was up for a second year in a row.
The birth rate rose slightly for women of all ages, and births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend that started years ago. More than three-quarters of these women were 20 or older.
For a variety of reasons, it's become more acceptable for women to have babies without a husband, said Duke University's S. Philip Morgan, a leading fertility researcher.
Even happy couples may be living together without getting married, experts say. And more women — especially those in their 30s and 40s — are choosing to have children despite their single status.
The new numbers suggest the second year of a baby boomlet, with U.S. fertility rates higher in every racial group, the highest among Hispanic women. On average, a U.S. woman has 2.1 babies in her lifetime. That's the "magic number" required for a population to replace itself.
Countries with much lower rates — such as Japan and Italy — face future labor shortages and eroding tax bases as they fail to reproduce enough to take care of their aging elders.
While the number of births in the U.S. reached nearly 4.3 million in 2006, mainly due to a larger population, especially a growing number of Hispanics, it's not clear the boomlet will last. Some experts think birth rates are already declining because of the economic recession that began in late 2007.
"I expect they'll go back down. The lowest birth rates recorded in the United States occurred during the Great Depression — and that was before modern contraception," said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.
The 2007 statistical snapshot reflected a relatively good economy coupled with cultural trends that promoted childbirth, she and others noted.
Meanwhile, U.S. abortions dropped to their lowest levels in decades, according to other reports. Some have attributed the abortion decline to better use of contraceptives, but other experts have wondered if the rise in births might indicate a failure in proper use of contraceptives. Some earlier studies have shown declining availability of abortions.
Cultural attitudes may be a more likely explanation. Morgan noted the pregnancy of Bristol Palin, the unmarried teen daughter of former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The young woman had a baby boy in December, and plans for a wedding with the father, Levi Johnston, were scrapped.
"She's the poster child for what you do when you get pregnant now," Morgan said.
Teen women tend to follow what their older sisters do, so perhaps it's not surprising that teen births are going up just like births to older women, said Sarah Brown, the chief executive for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Indeed, it's harder to understand why teen births had been declining for about 15 years before the recent uptick, she said. It may have been due to a concentrated effort to reduce teen births in the 1990s that has waned in recent years, she said.
The statistics are based on a review of most 2007 birth certificates by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers also showed:
- Cesarean section deliveries continue to rise, now accounting for almost a third of all births. Health officials say that rate is much higher than is medically necessary. About 34 percent of births to black women were by C-section, more than any other racial group. But geographically, the percentages were highest in Puerto Rico, at 49 percent, and New Jersey, at 38 percent.
- Among the states, Utah continued to have the highest birth rate and Vermont the lowest.
- The pre-term birth rate, for infants delivered at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, declined slightly. It had been generally increasing since the early 1980s. Experts said they aren't sure why it went down.
CDC officials noted that despite the record number of births, this increase is different from occurred in the 1950s, when a much smaller population of women were having nearly four children each, on average. That baby boom quickly transformed society, affecting everything from school construction to consumer culture.
Today, U.S. women are averaging 2.1 children each. That's the highest level since the early 1970s, but is a relatively small increase from the rate it had hovered at for more than 10 years and is hardly transforming.
"It's the tiniest of baby booms," said Morgan in agreement. "This is not an earthquake; it's a slight tremor."
Jazz musician Terence Blanchard records new album in New Orleans
,
Jazz musician Terence Blanchard honed his musical gift in the streets and clubs of his hometown New Orleans and received music's highest honor for an album about the city's darkest hour — Hurricane Katrina.
But in a career spanning nearly three decades, roughly 50 film scores and more than a dozen albums, the 47-year-old trumpeter had never recorded an album in New Orleans.
After making an appearance on this year's Grammy Awards show in a special segment celebrating New Orleans music, Blanchard said there was no better place to record his latest album, "Choices," than at home.
"I was so proud to represent the city like that," he said of leading the Dirty Dozen Brass Band onto the Grammy stage.
But Blanchard didn't want the celebration of his hometown to end there. This month he got to work on "Choices" with his five-piece band and guest artist, Bilal, a hip-hop and jazz singer from New York.
While Blanchard's last album, the Grammy-winning "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)," stemmed from the storm's pain and destruction, this one would be a celebration of all that has survived Katrina, he said.
That's why Blanchard chose to record from the Patrick F. Taylor Library, a building dating back to the late 1800s that has survived more than a century of hurricanes and decades of neglect.
"Being in this building, in this city, creating something here. ... It's a powerful thing, and it's something we can all be proud of," he said.
Blanchard said not recording an album in his hometown wasn't intentional. He was either living or working elsewhere, he said.
Katrina's destruction — including the flooding of his mother's home — inspired "A Tale of God's Will," the album that earned Blanchard a Grammy in 2007 for best large jazz ensemble album. It included 13 emotional songs with such titles as "Levees," "The Water," "In Time of Need" and "Funeral Dirge."
Blanchard was nominated that year for best jazz instrumental solo for "Levees," the track he composed for Spike Lee's HBO documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts."
While he could never forget Katrina, which struck in 2005, Blanchard said he was ready for an album focused on growth, change and the celebration of "how far we've come."
Terence Oliver Blanchard was born March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the only child to parents Wilhelmina and Joseph Oliver. Terence began playing piano at the age of five and then the trumpet at age eight upon hearing Alvin Alcorn play. Blanchard played trumpet recreationally alongside childhood friend Wynton Marsalis in summer music camps but showed no real proficiency on the instrument. Then, while in high school, he began studying at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) under Roger Dickerson and Ellis Marsalis, Jr.. From 1980 to 1982, Blanchard studied under jazz saxophonist Paul Jeffrey and trumpeter Bill Fielder at Rutgers University, while touring with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1982, Wynton Marsalis recommended Blanchard to replace him in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and until 1986, Blanchard was the band's trumpeter and musical director. With Blakey and as co-leader of a quintet with saxophonist Donald Harrison and pianist Mulgrew Miller, Blanchard rose to prominence as a key figure in the 1980s Jazz Resurgence. The Harrison/Blanchard group recorded five albums from 1984-1988 until Blanchard left to pursue a solo career in 1990.[1]
In the 1990s, after a laborious but successful embouchure change, Blanchard was as busy as ever. He recorded his self-titled debut for Columbia Records which reached third on the Billboard Jazz Charts. After performing on soundtracks for Spike Lee movies, including Do the Right Thing and Mo' Better Blues, Lee wanted Blanchard to compose the scores for his films beginning with "Jungle Fever" (1991). Blanchard has written the score for every Spike Lee film since including, Malcolm X, Clockers, Summer of Sam, 25th Hour, Inside Man. In 2006, he composed the score for Spike Lee's 4-hour Hurricane Katrina documentary for HBO entitled When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Blanchard also appeared in front of the camera with his mother to share their emotional journey back to find her home completely destroyed.
Blanchard has also composed for other directors, including Leon Icasho, Ron Shelton and Kasi Lemmons. With over forty scores to his credit, Blanchard is the most prolific jazz musician to ever compose for movies. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed Blanchard "central to a general resurgence of jazz composition for film." Yet in a 1994 interview for Down Beat, Blanchard was quoted as saying, "Writing for film is fun, but nothing can beat being a jazz musician, playing a club, playing a concert," [2]
All the while, Blanchard has remained true to his jazz roots as a trumpeter and bandleader on the performance circuit. He has recorded several award-winning albums for Columbia, Sony Classical and Blue Note Records, including In My Solitude: The Billie Holiday Songbook (1994), Romantic Defiance (1995), The Heart Speaks (1996), Wandering Moon (2000), Let's Get Lost (2001) and Flow (2005), which was produced by pianist Herbie Hancock and received two Grammy Award nominations.
Terence Blanchard's 2001 CD Let's Get Lost was his most commercially successful album to date. It features new arrangements of classic songs written by Jimmy McHugh and performed by his own quintet along with the leading ladies of jazz vocals: Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves, and Cassandra Wilson.
In 2005, Blanchard was part of the ensemble that won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for his participation on McCoy Tyner’s Illuminations, an award he shared with Tyner, Gary Bartz, Christian McBride and Lewis Nash.
But in a career spanning nearly three decades, roughly 50 film scores and more than a dozen albums, the 47-year-old trumpeter had never recorded an album in New Orleans.
After making an appearance on this year's Grammy Awards show in a special segment celebrating New Orleans music, Blanchard said there was no better place to record his latest album, "Choices," than at home.
"I was so proud to represent the city like that," he said of leading the Dirty Dozen Brass Band onto the Grammy stage.
But Blanchard didn't want the celebration of his hometown to end there. This month he got to work on "Choices" with his five-piece band and guest artist, Bilal, a hip-hop and jazz singer from New York.
While Blanchard's last album, the Grammy-winning "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)," stemmed from the storm's pain and destruction, this one would be a celebration of all that has survived Katrina, he said.
That's why Blanchard chose to record from the Patrick F. Taylor Library, a building dating back to the late 1800s that has survived more than a century of hurricanes and decades of neglect.
"Being in this building, in this city, creating something here. ... It's a powerful thing, and it's something we can all be proud of," he said.
Blanchard said not recording an album in his hometown wasn't intentional. He was either living or working elsewhere, he said.
Katrina's destruction — including the flooding of his mother's home — inspired "A Tale of God's Will," the album that earned Blanchard a Grammy in 2007 for best large jazz ensemble album. It included 13 emotional songs with such titles as "Levees," "The Water," "In Time of Need" and "Funeral Dirge."
Blanchard was nominated that year for best jazz instrumental solo for "Levees," the track he composed for Spike Lee's HBO documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts."
While he could never forget Katrina, which struck in 2005, Blanchard said he was ready for an album focused on growth, change and the celebration of "how far we've come."
Terence Oliver Blanchard was born March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the only child to parents Wilhelmina and Joseph Oliver. Terence began playing piano at the age of five and then the trumpet at age eight upon hearing Alvin Alcorn play. Blanchard played trumpet recreationally alongside childhood friend Wynton Marsalis in summer music camps but showed no real proficiency on the instrument. Then, while in high school, he began studying at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) under Roger Dickerson and Ellis Marsalis, Jr.. From 1980 to 1982, Blanchard studied under jazz saxophonist Paul Jeffrey and trumpeter Bill Fielder at Rutgers University, while touring with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1982, Wynton Marsalis recommended Blanchard to replace him in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and until 1986, Blanchard was the band's trumpeter and musical director. With Blakey and as co-leader of a quintet with saxophonist Donald Harrison and pianist Mulgrew Miller, Blanchard rose to prominence as a key figure in the 1980s Jazz Resurgence. The Harrison/Blanchard group recorded five albums from 1984-1988 until Blanchard left to pursue a solo career in 1990.[1]
In the 1990s, after a laborious but successful embouchure change, Blanchard was as busy as ever. He recorded his self-titled debut for Columbia Records which reached third on the Billboard Jazz Charts. After performing on soundtracks for Spike Lee movies, including Do the Right Thing and Mo' Better Blues, Lee wanted Blanchard to compose the scores for his films beginning with "Jungle Fever" (1991). Blanchard has written the score for every Spike Lee film since including, Malcolm X, Clockers, Summer of Sam, 25th Hour, Inside Man. In 2006, he composed the score for Spike Lee's 4-hour Hurricane Katrina documentary for HBO entitled When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Blanchard also appeared in front of the camera with his mother to share their emotional journey back to find her home completely destroyed.
Blanchard has also composed for other directors, including Leon Icasho, Ron Shelton and Kasi Lemmons. With over forty scores to his credit, Blanchard is the most prolific jazz musician to ever compose for movies. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed Blanchard "central to a general resurgence of jazz composition for film." Yet in a 1994 interview for Down Beat, Blanchard was quoted as saying, "Writing for film is fun, but nothing can beat being a jazz musician, playing a club, playing a concert," [2]
All the while, Blanchard has remained true to his jazz roots as a trumpeter and bandleader on the performance circuit. He has recorded several award-winning albums for Columbia, Sony Classical and Blue Note Records, including In My Solitude: The Billie Holiday Songbook (1994), Romantic Defiance (1995), The Heart Speaks (1996), Wandering Moon (2000), Let's Get Lost (2001) and Flow (2005), which was produced by pianist Herbie Hancock and received two Grammy Award nominations.
Terence Blanchard's 2001 CD Let's Get Lost was his most commercially successful album to date. It features new arrangements of classic songs written by Jimmy McHugh and performed by his own quintet along with the leading ladies of jazz vocals: Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves, and Cassandra Wilson.
In 2005, Blanchard was part of the ensemble that won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for his participation on McCoy Tyner’s Illuminations, an award he shared with Tyner, Gary Bartz, Christian McBride and Lewis Nash.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Black male children may have a greater risk of having a food allergy
,
Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the body’s immune system.
Allergic reactions to food can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death. Therefore, if you have a food allergy, it is extremely important for you to work with your healthcare provider to find out what food or foods cause your allergic reaction.
The national survey included 8,203 people, from infants to seniors who tested positive for the allergen antibody linked to possible issues with eggs, milk, peanuts and shrimp. The sensitivity levels to these potential food allergens was then tested in all participants.
Based on their analysis, the researchers estimated that 2.55 percent of the general population has food allergies, most often to shrimp and peanuts. But they found that the odds were much greater among blacks, males and children - especially young black boys.
The study was to be presented in Washington, D.C., at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's annual meeting.
When looking at having just a sensitivity, rather than a more serious allergy, to foods, the most likely to have sensitivities were children, males, non-Hispanic blacks and people of lower income. About 17 percent were had food sensitivities, the study found, with about 4 percent sensitive to eggs, 6 percent to shrimp or milk and 8 percent to peanuts.
Males and children had nearly twice the risk for food allergy as others, blacks had triple the risk, and black children were four times more likely to have food allergies.
Allergic reactions to food can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death. Therefore, if you have a food allergy, it is extremely important for you to work with your healthcare provider to find out what food or foods cause your allergic reaction.
The national survey included 8,203 people, from infants to seniors who tested positive for the allergen antibody linked to possible issues with eggs, milk, peanuts and shrimp. The sensitivity levels to these potential food allergens was then tested in all participants.
Based on their analysis, the researchers estimated that 2.55 percent of the general population has food allergies, most often to shrimp and peanuts. But they found that the odds were much greater among blacks, males and children - especially young black boys.
The study was to be presented in Washington, D.C., at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's annual meeting.
When looking at having just a sensitivity, rather than a more serious allergy, to foods, the most likely to have sensitivities were children, males, non-Hispanic blacks and people of lower income. About 17 percent were had food sensitivities, the study found, with about 4 percent sensitive to eggs, 6 percent to shrimp or milk and 8 percent to peanuts.
Males and children had nearly twice the risk for food allergy as others, blacks had triple the risk, and black children were four times more likely to have food allergies.
Diabetes increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease
,
Doctors long suspected diabetes damaged blood vessels that supply the brain. It now seems even more insidious, that the damage may start before someone is diagnosed with full-blown diabetes, back when the body is gradually losing its ability to regulate blood sugar.
In fact, the lines are blurring between what specialists call "vascular dementia" and scarier classic Alzheimer's disease. Whatever it's labeled, there's reason enough to safeguard your brain by fighting diabetes and heart-related risks.
"Right now we can't do much about the Alzheimer's disease pathology," those sticky plaques that clog patients' brains, says Dr. Yaakov Stern, an Alzheimer's specialist at Columbia University Medical Center. But, "if you could control these vascular conditions, you might slow the course of the disease."
New research indicates a more evidence link diabetes to Alzheimer's risk. The link has staggering societal implications: More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and cases already are projected to skyrocket in the next two decades as the population ages. The question is how much the simultaneous obesity-fueled epidemic of Type 2 diabetes may worsen that toll.
There are about 18 million Type 2 diabetics who are considered to have at least two to three times a non-diabetic's risk of developing Alzheimer's. Still, Type 2 diabetes often leads to heart disease and other conditions that kill before Alzheimer's typically strikes, in the 70s.
Don't panic if you're diabetic, stresses Dr. Ralph Nixon of New York University, vice chairman of the Alzheimer's Association's scientific advisory council. Genetics still are the prime risk factor for dementia.
"It by no means means that you're going to develop Alzheimer's disease, and certainly many people with Alzheimer's don't have diabetes," he cautions.
But the latest research strengthens the link, and has scientists asking if diabetes and its related "metabolic syndrome" increase risk solely by spurring brain changes that underlie Alzheimer's — or if they add an extra layer of injury to an already struggling brain, what Nixon calls "essentially a two-hit situation."
Among the findings:
Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of insulin resistance, as the body gradually loses sensitivity to this hormone that's essential for turning blood sugar into energy. A similar effect in the brain helps explain the dementia link, Dr. Suzanne Craft of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System concludes in a research review also published in that journal. Insulin influences memory in a variety of ways, and an insulin-resistant body in turn affects brain cells' insulin-related activity.
Brain functioning subtly slows as Type 2 diabetics' blood-sugar rises, well before people have any obvious memory problems.
In a major national study, doctors gave a battery of cognitive tests to nearly 3,000 diabetics. Every 1 percentage point increase in their A1C score — an average of glucose control over a few months — meant small but meaningful drops in memory, the ability to multitask, and other cognitive tasks, Wake Forest University scientists wrote last month in the journal Diabetes Care.
The government-funded study is testing whether better treatment to lower those A1C scores in turn improves brain function.
At Columbia, Stern is co-directing a powerful study: Hundreds of aging New York City residents agreed to regular testing while they were still healthy, allowing scientists to catch the earliest signs of dementia. Stern tracked yearly changes in 156 who developed Alzheimer's, and found that those who had a history of diabetes and high cholesterol worsened faster, he reports this month in a special issue of Archives of Neurology dedicated to the link.
Other factors — such as brain inflammation and cell-damaging oxidative stress — may play a role, too. But clearly more affected is a silent dysfunction of glucose control, not something that suddenly begins after diabetes is diagnosed.
"You want to think of it more as a continuum than just whether or not you have diabetes," Stern says.
While scientists sort out exactly what's going on, the research does point to some common-sense protections: If you have diabetes, closely follow your doctor's advice for controlling it. Try to lower high cholesterol and blood pressure that can harm the brain's blood supply and exacerbate memory problems.
And if you're still healthy, Nixon advises "hedging your bets against Alzheimer's" with the same steps that help prevent both diabetes and heart disease — a good diet and plenty of exercise.
In fact, the lines are blurring between what specialists call "vascular dementia" and scarier classic Alzheimer's disease. Whatever it's labeled, there's reason enough to safeguard your brain by fighting diabetes and heart-related risks.
"Right now we can't do much about the Alzheimer's disease pathology," those sticky plaques that clog patients' brains, says Dr. Yaakov Stern, an Alzheimer's specialist at Columbia University Medical Center. But, "if you could control these vascular conditions, you might slow the course of the disease."
New research indicates a more evidence link diabetes to Alzheimer's risk. The link has staggering societal implications: More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and cases already are projected to skyrocket in the next two decades as the population ages. The question is how much the simultaneous obesity-fueled epidemic of Type 2 diabetes may worsen that toll.
There are about 18 million Type 2 diabetics who are considered to have at least two to three times a non-diabetic's risk of developing Alzheimer's. Still, Type 2 diabetes often leads to heart disease and other conditions that kill before Alzheimer's typically strikes, in the 70s.
Don't panic if you're diabetic, stresses Dr. Ralph Nixon of New York University, vice chairman of the Alzheimer's Association's scientific advisory council. Genetics still are the prime risk factor for dementia.
"It by no means means that you're going to develop Alzheimer's disease, and certainly many people with Alzheimer's don't have diabetes," he cautions.
But the latest research strengthens the link, and has scientists asking if diabetes and its related "metabolic syndrome" increase risk solely by spurring brain changes that underlie Alzheimer's — or if they add an extra layer of injury to an already struggling brain, what Nixon calls "essentially a two-hit situation."
Among the findings:
Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of insulin resistance, as the body gradually loses sensitivity to this hormone that's essential for turning blood sugar into energy. A similar effect in the brain helps explain the dementia link, Dr. Suzanne Craft of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System concludes in a research review also published in that journal. Insulin influences memory in a variety of ways, and an insulin-resistant body in turn affects brain cells' insulin-related activity.
Brain functioning subtly slows as Type 2 diabetics' blood-sugar rises, well before people have any obvious memory problems.
In a major national study, doctors gave a battery of cognitive tests to nearly 3,000 diabetics. Every 1 percentage point increase in their A1C score — an average of glucose control over a few months — meant small but meaningful drops in memory, the ability to multitask, and other cognitive tasks, Wake Forest University scientists wrote last month in the journal Diabetes Care.
The government-funded study is testing whether better treatment to lower those A1C scores in turn improves brain function.
At Columbia, Stern is co-directing a powerful study: Hundreds of aging New York City residents agreed to regular testing while they were still healthy, allowing scientists to catch the earliest signs of dementia. Stern tracked yearly changes in 156 who developed Alzheimer's, and found that those who had a history of diabetes and high cholesterol worsened faster, he reports this month in a special issue of Archives of Neurology dedicated to the link.
Other factors — such as brain inflammation and cell-damaging oxidative stress — may play a role, too. But clearly more affected is a silent dysfunction of glucose control, not something that suddenly begins after diabetes is diagnosed.
"You want to think of it more as a continuum than just whether or not you have diabetes," Stern says.
While scientists sort out exactly what's going on, the research does point to some common-sense protections: If you have diabetes, closely follow your doctor's advice for controlling it. Try to lower high cholesterol and blood pressure that can harm the brain's blood supply and exacerbate memory problems.
And if you're still healthy, Nixon advises "hedging your bets against Alzheimer's" with the same steps that help prevent both diabetes and heart disease — a good diet and plenty of exercise.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Your job search in 2009
,
Will companies lay off more people? Will the economy get worse before it gets better? Can I still find a new job?
Any answer is, of course, an educated guess at best. You shouldn't assume that tight budgets and slowed job growth - if they continue - mean everyone is tied to their current jobs forever. People will still leave jobs and others will come in to replace them.
Career switches, retirements, relocations, births- the many reasons workers have left jobs in the past will continue through this year. You should expect a little more competition for these open positions, but your job search shouldn't stop.
The way you conduct a job search isn't going to change dramatically this year. If you're currently employed and plan to change jobs soon, don't up and quit without a plan. You don't want to find yourself jobless with no prospects if you can help it -- regardless of the economy. Employed or not, be aggressive in your tactics.
"The market is tougher: There are fewer jobs, more candidates and hiring authorities are being more careful," says Tony Beshara, author of "Acing the Interview." "So a candidate has to really distinguish himself or herself even more from the competition. He or she must go above and beyond the average interview."
Job hunting is about getting noticed by employers. You don't want to blend in with every other person who responds to a job posting or walks into an interview. That's as true now as it was a decade ago. If you're a good employee, you'll be a good addition to the team - but they'll never know that if you're just another faceless name in a pile of résumés.
To stay ahead of the pack, Beshara encourages you to research the hiring manager online - use Yahoo or MSN Live Search and social networking sites. If you have mutual contacts, drop their names during conversation so you become memorable. If you're lucky enough to get an interview, be just as prepared.
"Carry a portfolio of reports you have written demonstrating your skills or a 30-60-90 day plan as to what you would do the first 90 days of your employment. Do extra research on the company and the person you are interviewing, and maybe speak to their customers and find out how they are perceived," Beshara suggests.
Because companies don't have the budgets they had a year or two ago, they can't afford to waste time or money on finding a replacement who's anything less than perfect - or at least close to perfect. Many employers aren't replacing vacation positions that aren't vital to operations. If they're willing to spend on a new hire, they want a qualified candidate who will stick around for a while. They also know that they have many job seekers for far fewer positions. The pressure is on you to be the best potential employee they'll come across in the hiring process.
"Everything, and I mean everything, in your interview matters - your speech, your dress, your manners - and employers can be very unforgiving in this market, especially when they still have plenty of candidates to choose from," Beshara warns. "It simply takes lots more practice and, since you can expect fewer interviews in the current market, practice really makes a difference."
A résumé with typos or unprofessional attire in an interview rarely bodes well for a job seeker. In 2009 such a misstep is guaranteed to get your name crossed off the list of potential candidates. Here are some things to consider during your 2009 job hunt.
Résumés
The incessant warning to avoid typos probably gets annoying and seems like redundant advice, but hiring managers repeatedly cite typographical errors as a top pet peeve. Think about it this way: You can't control whether the hiring manager ever picks up your résumé, whether your personality clicks with his or hers and whether you ultimately get the job. Conversely, your résumé is your creation. You went out of your way to type it up and send it to the company. What kind of message are you sending if you don't take responsibility for one of the few factors entirely within your control?
Don't get lazy
Browse job boards, search the classifieds, walk around the neighborhood -- look for jobs wherever you can. Some employers don't want to spend a lot of money advertising a job opening, so reach out to companies that might not have a job opening listed, as they might be quietly searching for new employees.
Interviews
The interview is a two-way street, where you need to sell yourself to the hiring manager and he or she needs to sell the company to you. Let the company do its part and focus on yours. You always want to prove to the employer that you're looking for longevity - in a competitive job market, it's vital. Explain that a position where you can learn, grow and be a team member for longer than a few months is your ideal situation. If the hiring manager gets the feeling that you're desperate to find any job just to earn a paycheck, you'll be out the door before you set your bag down. Employers don't want to spend the money training someone they'll be replacing in four months.
Network
Your connections, both social and professional, are invaluable resources during a job hunt. Even friends of friends you've only met at a cocktail party are worth touching base with during a job hunt. When you let people know that you're looking for a new job, they'll keep you in mind if they run across an open position at their workplaces or if they hear about one at a friend's company. You can cover more ground than if you search alone.
Any answer is, of course, an educated guess at best. You shouldn't assume that tight budgets and slowed job growth - if they continue - mean everyone is tied to their current jobs forever. People will still leave jobs and others will come in to replace them.
Career switches, retirements, relocations, births- the many reasons workers have left jobs in the past will continue through this year. You should expect a little more competition for these open positions, but your job search shouldn't stop.
The way you conduct a job search isn't going to change dramatically this year. If you're currently employed and plan to change jobs soon, don't up and quit without a plan. You don't want to find yourself jobless with no prospects if you can help it -- regardless of the economy. Employed or not, be aggressive in your tactics.
"The market is tougher: There are fewer jobs, more candidates and hiring authorities are being more careful," says Tony Beshara, author of "Acing the Interview." "So a candidate has to really distinguish himself or herself even more from the competition. He or she must go above and beyond the average interview."
Job hunting is about getting noticed by employers. You don't want to blend in with every other person who responds to a job posting or walks into an interview. That's as true now as it was a decade ago. If you're a good employee, you'll be a good addition to the team - but they'll never know that if you're just another faceless name in a pile of résumés.
To stay ahead of the pack, Beshara encourages you to research the hiring manager online - use Yahoo or MSN Live Search and social networking sites. If you have mutual contacts, drop their names during conversation so you become memorable. If you're lucky enough to get an interview, be just as prepared.
"Carry a portfolio of reports you have written demonstrating your skills or a 30-60-90 day plan as to what you would do the first 90 days of your employment. Do extra research on the company and the person you are interviewing, and maybe speak to their customers and find out how they are perceived," Beshara suggests.
Because companies don't have the budgets they had a year or two ago, they can't afford to waste time or money on finding a replacement who's anything less than perfect - or at least close to perfect. Many employers aren't replacing vacation positions that aren't vital to operations. If they're willing to spend on a new hire, they want a qualified candidate who will stick around for a while. They also know that they have many job seekers for far fewer positions. The pressure is on you to be the best potential employee they'll come across in the hiring process.
"Everything, and I mean everything, in your interview matters - your speech, your dress, your manners - and employers can be very unforgiving in this market, especially when they still have plenty of candidates to choose from," Beshara warns. "It simply takes lots more practice and, since you can expect fewer interviews in the current market, practice really makes a difference."
A résumé with typos or unprofessional attire in an interview rarely bodes well for a job seeker. In 2009 such a misstep is guaranteed to get your name crossed off the list of potential candidates. Here are some things to consider during your 2009 job hunt.
Résumés
The incessant warning to avoid typos probably gets annoying and seems like redundant advice, but hiring managers repeatedly cite typographical errors as a top pet peeve. Think about it this way: You can't control whether the hiring manager ever picks up your résumé, whether your personality clicks with his or hers and whether you ultimately get the job. Conversely, your résumé is your creation. You went out of your way to type it up and send it to the company. What kind of message are you sending if you don't take responsibility for one of the few factors entirely within your control?
Don't get lazy
Browse job boards, search the classifieds, walk around the neighborhood -- look for jobs wherever you can. Some employers don't want to spend a lot of money advertising a job opening, so reach out to companies that might not have a job opening listed, as they might be quietly searching for new employees.
Interviews
The interview is a two-way street, where you need to sell yourself to the hiring manager and he or she needs to sell the company to you. Let the company do its part and focus on yours. You always want to prove to the employer that you're looking for longevity - in a competitive job market, it's vital. Explain that a position where you can learn, grow and be a team member for longer than a few months is your ideal situation. If the hiring manager gets the feeling that you're desperate to find any job just to earn a paycheck, you'll be out the door before you set your bag down. Employers don't want to spend the money training someone they'll be replacing in four months.
Network
Your connections, both social and professional, are invaluable resources during a job hunt. Even friends of friends you've only met at a cocktail party are worth touching base with during a job hunt. When you let people know that you're looking for a new job, they'll keep you in mind if they run across an open position at their workplaces or if they hear about one at a friend's company. You can cover more ground than if you search alone.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Many baby and child-care products contain contaminants
,
Many children's bath products contain the chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, both of which have been linked to cancer and various skin conditions, a new report contends.
But the chemicals aren't listed on the labels of bubble bath, shampoo and other common products, according to the report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use.
"Companies can obviously do better, and we need to demand that they do better," said Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use and co-author of the report, released Thursday. "Many companies are already making great products that don't have any of these chemicals and many companies in the natural products industry have reformulated to get rid of that problem. We also know many companies are using preservatives that don't use formaldehyde."
Both formaldehyde and dioxane are considered "contaminants," Malkan said.
A contaminant "is a chemical that is not intentionally added to the product but is a byproduct," she said. "Those are all exempt from labeling laws ... Companies don't even have to know themselves."
According to the authors, the report, called No More Toxic Tub, is the first to document contamination of children's products with these chemicals. The Environmental Working Group was involved in the analyses.
Dioxane is a byproduct of chemical processing and formaldehyde is released from some of the chemicals that are used as preservatives, Malkan said.
John Bailey is chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, a national trade association for the cosmetic and personal care products industry. Responding to the report, he said, "These are issues that have been around for many, many years, so it's not new news. The thing that impressed me was the low levels of dioxane that were found in these products, which indicates to me that the industry is doing its job in keeping this potential contaminant down to a low level."
Bailey also said there were wasn't enough information in the report to gauge how accurate the determinations of formaldehyde levels were.
Malkan and her co-authors tested 48 bubble baths, shampoos and other baby and children's products for dioxane and 28 of those products for formaldehyde. The testing was done by an independent laboratory, Analytical Sciences in Petulama, Calif.
Among their findings:
American Girl shower products had the highest levels of dioxane among products tested.
Almost two-thirds of the 28 products contained both chemicals, including Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash. Eighty-two percent of products tested contained formaldehyde; the highest levels were found in Baby Magic Baby Lotion.
"The good news is that there are great products without any of these chemicals," Malkan said. "The challenge is you have to do some research to find them. It's not a simple matter of looking at the label."
According to Malkan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture "organic seal" indicates that none of these chemicals are present.
"The best advice for consumers is that simple is better, products with fewer ingredients overall," she said. "There are things consumers can do to make better choices at the store but we also need to change regulations and require companies to list all ingredients in the products and to make the safest products they can, especially products for babies."
Harmful chemicals and contaminants in children's products is a subject of continuing controversy. Earlier in March 2009, it was announced that baby bottles made with the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) will no longer be sold in the United States by the six largest manufacturers of the products.
BPA, which is found in a wide range of products, mimics the hormone estrogen and may disrupt the body's endocrine system. The chemical poses a particular threat to fetuses, infants and children because it can interfere with cell function when their bodies are still developing, public health experts say. The chemical has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, cancer and developmental delays in children.
But the chemicals aren't listed on the labels of bubble bath, shampoo and other common products, according to the report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use.
"Companies can obviously do better, and we need to demand that they do better," said Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use and co-author of the report, released Thursday. "Many companies are already making great products that don't have any of these chemicals and many companies in the natural products industry have reformulated to get rid of that problem. We also know many companies are using preservatives that don't use formaldehyde."
Both formaldehyde and dioxane are considered "contaminants," Malkan said.
A contaminant "is a chemical that is not intentionally added to the product but is a byproduct," she said. "Those are all exempt from labeling laws ... Companies don't even have to know themselves."
According to the authors, the report, called No More Toxic Tub, is the first to document contamination of children's products with these chemicals. The Environmental Working Group was involved in the analyses.
Dioxane is a byproduct of chemical processing and formaldehyde is released from some of the chemicals that are used as preservatives, Malkan said.
John Bailey is chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, a national trade association for the cosmetic and personal care products industry. Responding to the report, he said, "These are issues that have been around for many, many years, so it's not new news. The thing that impressed me was the low levels of dioxane that were found in these products, which indicates to me that the industry is doing its job in keeping this potential contaminant down to a low level."
Bailey also said there were wasn't enough information in the report to gauge how accurate the determinations of formaldehyde levels were.
Malkan and her co-authors tested 48 bubble baths, shampoos and other baby and children's products for dioxane and 28 of those products for formaldehyde. The testing was done by an independent laboratory, Analytical Sciences in Petulama, Calif.
Among their findings:
American Girl shower products had the highest levels of dioxane among products tested.
Almost two-thirds of the 28 products contained both chemicals, including Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash. Eighty-two percent of products tested contained formaldehyde; the highest levels were found in Baby Magic Baby Lotion.
"The good news is that there are great products without any of these chemicals," Malkan said. "The challenge is you have to do some research to find them. It's not a simple matter of looking at the label."
According to Malkan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture "organic seal" indicates that none of these chemicals are present.
"The best advice for consumers is that simple is better, products with fewer ingredients overall," she said. "There are things consumers can do to make better choices at the store but we also need to change regulations and require companies to list all ingredients in the products and to make the safest products they can, especially products for babies."
Harmful chemicals and contaminants in children's products is a subject of continuing controversy. Earlier in March 2009, it was announced that baby bottles made with the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) will no longer be sold in the United States by the six largest manufacturers of the products.
BPA, which is found in a wide range of products, mimics the hormone estrogen and may disrupt the body's endocrine system. The chemical poses a particular threat to fetuses, infants and children because it can interfere with cell function when their bodies are still developing, public health experts say. The chemical has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, cancer and developmental delays in children.
Overweight children raise their cardiovascular disease risk
,
A new research shows that overweight preschoolers can begin to show signs of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
About 24 percent of U.S. children aged 2 to 5 are overweight, defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or above for their height and age. That number rises to 33 percent among children aged 6 to 11, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Using data on 3,098 children aged 3 to 6 taking part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol and C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation that can warn of cardiovascular disease.
They found that children with high BMIs and large waist circumferences were more likely to have elevated levels of C-reactive protein and lower levels of HDL cholesterol than children of normal weight. Data on LDL, or "bad," cholesterol was not available.
"Overall, as waist circumference and body-mass index increases, HDL cholesterol decreases and C-reactive protein increases," said study author Sarah Messiah, a research assistant professor at the University of Miami. "It's pretty clear that even at this young age, these cardiovascular risk factors are in motion."
In the study, researchers noted that links between children's weight and levels of cholesterol and C-reactive protein varied according to ethnicity, gender and race.
Elevated BMI and waist circumference significantly predicted higher C-reactive protein levels in white girls and in black and Hispanic boys.
High BMI and waist circumference predicted lower HDL cholesterol in Hispanic boys and girls, while a high BMI was linked to elevated total cholesterol in black boys.
Researchers said the differences could have to do with the children's diets, genetics or other lifestyle factors.
But researchers stressed that the key message of the study was that all children should have their BMI and waist circumference monitored, and if the numbers are found to be creeping up, doctors and parents should intervene.
"It's frightening," Messiah said. "We are in uncharted territory. We have never had this number of children this heavy so young. We don't know the cumulative effect of all of these years of having all of your organs -- heart, kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas - under stress from being overweight."
While worrisome, the findings are not surprising, said Dr. Ronald Krauss, director of atherosclerosis research at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute. In adults, the relationship between obesity and elevated LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein has been well-established.
"It reinforces how serious it is and how much of an effort it's going to take to reduce the risk by going back to early childhood," Krauss said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended children as young as 2 start having their cholesterol levels screened if they have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, and that screening should start no later than 10.
They also recommended, controversially, that children as young as 8 be given cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Both Messiah and Krauss are opposed to children aged 3 to 6 taking statins; the focus should instead be on better nutrition and more physical activity.
About 24 percent of U.S. children aged 2 to 5 are overweight, defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or above for their height and age. That number rises to 33 percent among children aged 6 to 11, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Using data on 3,098 children aged 3 to 6 taking part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol and C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation that can warn of cardiovascular disease.
They found that children with high BMIs and large waist circumferences were more likely to have elevated levels of C-reactive protein and lower levels of HDL cholesterol than children of normal weight. Data on LDL, or "bad," cholesterol was not available.
"Overall, as waist circumference and body-mass index increases, HDL cholesterol decreases and C-reactive protein increases," said study author Sarah Messiah, a research assistant professor at the University of Miami. "It's pretty clear that even at this young age, these cardiovascular risk factors are in motion."
In the study, researchers noted that links between children's weight and levels of cholesterol and C-reactive protein varied according to ethnicity, gender and race.
Elevated BMI and waist circumference significantly predicted higher C-reactive protein levels in white girls and in black and Hispanic boys.
High BMI and waist circumference predicted lower HDL cholesterol in Hispanic boys and girls, while a high BMI was linked to elevated total cholesterol in black boys.
Researchers said the differences could have to do with the children's diets, genetics or other lifestyle factors.
But researchers stressed that the key message of the study was that all children should have their BMI and waist circumference monitored, and if the numbers are found to be creeping up, doctors and parents should intervene.
"It's frightening," Messiah said. "We are in uncharted territory. We have never had this number of children this heavy so young. We don't know the cumulative effect of all of these years of having all of your organs -- heart, kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas - under stress from being overweight."
While worrisome, the findings are not surprising, said Dr. Ronald Krauss, director of atherosclerosis research at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute. In adults, the relationship between obesity and elevated LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein has been well-established.
"It reinforces how serious it is and how much of an effort it's going to take to reduce the risk by going back to early childhood," Krauss said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended children as young as 2 start having their cholesterol levels screened if they have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, and that screening should start no later than 10.
They also recommended, controversially, that children as young as 8 be given cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Both Messiah and Krauss are opposed to children aged 3 to 6 taking statins; the focus should instead be on better nutrition and more physical activity.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Salary secrects
,
What are the best-kept secrets when it comes to salary decisions at most companies?
Let's take a look.
1. For most companies, 3.9% is the average budget increase for salaries.
Yes, sad but true. According to the 35th annual WorldatWork Salary Budget Survey, the "actual increase in salary budgets was 3.9% in 2008." The number is expected to stay the same in 2009.
This means, that for most U.S. workers, the average raise will be about the same, with "high performers" receiving about a 5% raise, and "low performers" receiving 2% or less, the survey authors note.
"When people are looking for 6-8%, well, very few people are getting it," says Rebecca Mazin, co-founder of the HR consulting firm Recruit Right and author of "The HR Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals."
Knowing this can make it easier to stomach a 4% raise -- while it may not equal big money, it actually means your employer values you. Anything more means you're likely considered a top performer, and anything less means you may be underperforming.
2. Most managers have a short memory.
Raises are given annually, and so it's important to keep track of all your achievements within the past year -- don't expect your boss to remember your big project from eight months ago. Using a spreadsheet or a special email folder, keep track of your accomplishments as they happen, so when the time comes, you have a strong case for a raise.
Accomplishments that show you've either saved the company money or earned the company money are the best ones to highlight, especially if you can specify an exact figure. If that's not possible (which is the case for most employees), take note of any extraordinary praise you received from managers or fellow coworkers, any special thanks from clients, and any other ways that demonstrated you went above and beyond your normal job duties.
3. Your employer (or future employer) may not know the current salary averages.
Just because a whole wealth of salary information is online these days doesn't mean your company has any idea what the normal salary is for a person in your field and in your city. If you do your research and discover your salary is abnormally low, it can be a great negotiation tool when you talk to your boss about your annual raise -- or when you're accepting a new job offer. He or she will realize they could easily lose you since many competitors nearby are paying better.
"You need to go in with some data behind you; you at least need to know what the going rate is," says Dawn Rosenberg McKay of About.com Guide to Career Planning. "[That way] you'll know if you're being outlandish or asking for something ridiculous."
4. Your manager probably has little influence over your salary.
Decisions about salary increases for all employees at a company are often made at a high level of management. So, even if you follow all the tips above, your manager may have minimal control over your raise. Case in point: Mazin recently worked with a nonprofit organization whose board decided to give every employee the exact same raise.
There's not a lot you can do in this situation, but if it leaves you feeling dissatisfied or taken for granted, it may be time to look for a new job.
5. Threatening to quit can result in a big wage increase (but it's risky).
If you're hoping for a big raise, or were disappointed by a recent raise, you may want to start job searching. For most people, the biggest salary jumps they have in their careers occur when they get a new job or threaten to quit because of a tantalizing job offer.
Sometimes, telling your current employer about your new gig can be a potent bargaining chip -- they may be willing to match the new offer just to keep you. But not always, as Mazin points out, so don't let your plan backfire. Make sure you really want that new job -- and are ready to quit your current one -- before threatening to quit.
"If you do decide to do it, do it for the right reasons," Mazin says.
Let's take a look.
1. For most companies, 3.9% is the average budget increase for salaries.
Yes, sad but true. According to the 35th annual WorldatWork Salary Budget Survey, the "actual increase in salary budgets was 3.9% in 2008." The number is expected to stay the same in 2009.
This means, that for most U.S. workers, the average raise will be about the same, with "high performers" receiving about a 5% raise, and "low performers" receiving 2% or less, the survey authors note.
"When people are looking for 6-8%, well, very few people are getting it," says Rebecca Mazin, co-founder of the HR consulting firm Recruit Right and author of "The HR Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals."
Knowing this can make it easier to stomach a 4% raise -- while it may not equal big money, it actually means your employer values you. Anything more means you're likely considered a top performer, and anything less means you may be underperforming.
2. Most managers have a short memory.
Raises are given annually, and so it's important to keep track of all your achievements within the past year -- don't expect your boss to remember your big project from eight months ago. Using a spreadsheet or a special email folder, keep track of your accomplishments as they happen, so when the time comes, you have a strong case for a raise.
Accomplishments that show you've either saved the company money or earned the company money are the best ones to highlight, especially if you can specify an exact figure. If that's not possible (which is the case for most employees), take note of any extraordinary praise you received from managers or fellow coworkers, any special thanks from clients, and any other ways that demonstrated you went above and beyond your normal job duties.
3. Your employer (or future employer) may not know the current salary averages.
Just because a whole wealth of salary information is online these days doesn't mean your company has any idea what the normal salary is for a person in your field and in your city. If you do your research and discover your salary is abnormally low, it can be a great negotiation tool when you talk to your boss about your annual raise -- or when you're accepting a new job offer. He or she will realize they could easily lose you since many competitors nearby are paying better.
"You need to go in with some data behind you; you at least need to know what the going rate is," says Dawn Rosenberg McKay of About.com Guide to Career Planning. "[That way] you'll know if you're being outlandish or asking for something ridiculous."
4. Your manager probably has little influence over your salary.
Decisions about salary increases for all employees at a company are often made at a high level of management. So, even if you follow all the tips above, your manager may have minimal control over your raise. Case in point: Mazin recently worked with a nonprofit organization whose board decided to give every employee the exact same raise.
There's not a lot you can do in this situation, but if it leaves you feeling dissatisfied or taken for granted, it may be time to look for a new job.
5. Threatening to quit can result in a big wage increase (but it's risky).
If you're hoping for a big raise, or were disappointed by a recent raise, you may want to start job searching. For most people, the biggest salary jumps they have in their careers occur when they get a new job or threaten to quit because of a tantalizing job offer.
Sometimes, telling your current employer about your new gig can be a potent bargaining chip -- they may be willing to match the new offer just to keep you. But not always, as Mazin points out, so don't let your plan backfire. Make sure you really want that new job -- and are ready to quit your current one -- before threatening to quit.
"If you do decide to do it, do it for the right reasons," Mazin says.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Chili peppers and msucle pain
,
In a study appearing Tuesday in the journal PLoS Biology, University of Buffalo scientists found that capsaicin flips on nerve-ending receptors that sense both pain and heat.
"The receptor acts like a gate to the neurons. When stimulated it opens, letting outside calcium enter the cells until the receptor shuts down, a process called desensitization," study leader Feng Qin, an associate professor at the university's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said in a news release issued by the institution.
The flood of calcium changes the levels at which the receptors detect pain signal. "In other words, the receptor had not desensitized per se, but its responsiveness range was shifted," Qin said.
While capsaicin has been used in folk medicines for generations, knowing how it works in relation to PIP2 may lead to developing other analgesics that ease pain without first causing irritation on their own, the team said.
"The receptor acts like a gate to the neurons. When stimulated it opens, letting outside calcium enter the cells until the receptor shuts down, a process called desensitization," study leader Feng Qin, an associate professor at the university's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said in a news release issued by the institution.
The flood of calcium changes the levels at which the receptors detect pain signal. "In other words, the receptor had not desensitized per se, but its responsiveness range was shifted," Qin said.
While capsaicin has been used in folk medicines for generations, knowing how it works in relation to PIP2 may lead to developing other analgesics that ease pain without first causing irritation on their own, the team said.
A basic program for losing weight
,
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 3 sets of 10-15 squats using your body weight
- 3 sets of 10-15 sit ups on a stability ball
- 3 sets of 10 push ups (go on your knees if you have too)
- 3 sets of side skater lunges, 8 per side
- 3 sets of 10-12 bicep to shoulder press using 2 to 10 pound dumbbells.
Remember only do what feels safe and go as low in each move as you can. Only use the amount of weight and perform the number of reps that reflect your fitness level. It's not a competition.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Get out there and walk, bike, swim or any other activity that you can handle for 20-45 minutes. Do your best to safely break a sweat and if you can only go for 15 minutes, so be it. Just get moving. You can always increase your time as the weeks go on.
Sunday
Sunday is a rest day. Now if Sunday is a better day to train, then rest on another day. Create a schedule that works for you.
Food
Keep a food journal. That means write down everything you eat and drink during your day. Try to not eat a heavy dinner or eat too late.
Eat only until you are full (for most of us that is about eating half of the food we already consume). If you need to, just get it off your plate right away.
Don't wait to eat until you're starving. This leads to overeating.
Always carry a healthy snack to help you get to the next meal: handful of almonds, some fruit, or even a mini sandwich. No snack foods (chips, candy, fast food, fries, cookies, etc.).
Only drink water and your beloved coffee without all the other ingredients that turn it into a milkshake. This means no juices or sodas of any kind.
Choose your one night to have alcohol if you must, and it's better to have wine rather than beer or sugary cocktails (mojitos and martinis with sexy names).
Don't nuke it! Make your food yourself.
If you are feeling frisky then avoid food made of wheat (pasta, bread, and all baked goods of course). Be mindful that sugar and wheat can really impact your body weight.
On Sunday, eat what you want. This is not a license to go crazy - this just means that you can relax, and get that much more fired up for Monday.
The beginning is always the toughest time, but if you are serious about wanting to make a change, this is a really simple way to do that. Lets stop talking about change and begin making it happen today.
- 3 sets of 10-15 squats using your body weight
- 3 sets of 10-15 sit ups on a stability ball
- 3 sets of 10 push ups (go on your knees if you have too)
- 3 sets of side skater lunges, 8 per side
- 3 sets of 10-12 bicep to shoulder press using 2 to 10 pound dumbbells.
Remember only do what feels safe and go as low in each move as you can. Only use the amount of weight and perform the number of reps that reflect your fitness level. It's not a competition.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Get out there and walk, bike, swim or any other activity that you can handle for 20-45 minutes. Do your best to safely break a sweat and if you can only go for 15 minutes, so be it. Just get moving. You can always increase your time as the weeks go on.
Sunday
Sunday is a rest day. Now if Sunday is a better day to train, then rest on another day. Create a schedule that works for you.
Food
Keep a food journal. That means write down everything you eat and drink during your day. Try to not eat a heavy dinner or eat too late.
Eat only until you are full (for most of us that is about eating half of the food we already consume). If you need to, just get it off your plate right away.
Don't wait to eat until you're starving. This leads to overeating.
Always carry a healthy snack to help you get to the next meal: handful of almonds, some fruit, or even a mini sandwich. No snack foods (chips, candy, fast food, fries, cookies, etc.).
Only drink water and your beloved coffee without all the other ingredients that turn it into a milkshake. This means no juices or sodas of any kind.
Choose your one night to have alcohol if you must, and it's better to have wine rather than beer or sugary cocktails (mojitos and martinis with sexy names).
Don't nuke it! Make your food yourself.
If you are feeling frisky then avoid food made of wheat (pasta, bread, and all baked goods of course). Be mindful that sugar and wheat can really impact your body weight.
On Sunday, eat what you want. This is not a license to go crazy - this just means that you can relax, and get that much more fired up for Monday.
The beginning is always the toughest time, but if you are serious about wanting to make a change, this is a really simple way to do that. Lets stop talking about change and begin making it happen today.
Thai chicken and vegetable curry recipe
,
Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1- to 2-inch-long julienne strips
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons red curry paste, or to taste
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup "lite" coconut milk
1 tablespoon fish sauce or reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups baby spinach
1 tablespoon lime juice
Lime wedges
Cooking direction
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion; cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and curry paste; stir to mix. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, coconut milk, fish sauce (or soy sauce) and brown sugar; bring to a simmer. Add cauliflower, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and lime juice; cook just until spinach has wilted. Serve immediately, with lime wedges.
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1- to 2-inch-long julienne strips
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons red curry paste, or to taste
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup "lite" coconut milk
1 tablespoon fish sauce or reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups baby spinach
1 tablespoon lime juice
Lime wedges
Cooking direction
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion; cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and curry paste; stir to mix. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, coconut milk, fish sauce (or soy sauce) and brown sugar; bring to a simmer. Add cauliflower, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and lime juice; cook just until spinach has wilted. Serve immediately, with lime wedges.
Strategies for couples to get connected
,
1. Indulge his inner Superman.
Every man secretly longs to play superhero and save the day. That's why one of the best ways to get him talking is to ask for his help in solving a problem, whether it's a work snafu or a friendship crisis, says Tina Tessina, Ph.D., author of How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free. Try: "Can you help me figure out what to do about X?" Even if you're not looking for a solution, make him feel important, and he'll be pumped to problem-solve.
2. Really listen.
Hey, it's only normal to zone out after "How was your day?" But focus and you'll catch a tidbit that opens into a convo. One easy trick that will help you stay totally tuned in at that critical moment: Repeat your husband's answer as a question. "Your trial got postponed again?" Saying his words aloud forces you to register their meaning, and lobbing a question back at him practically guarantees he'll elaborate.
3. Dream big together.
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of life and forget to talk about big things like your innermost dreams. (Remember those?) But it's super-bonding to talk and think about the future you're building together.
4. Chat him up in the car.
Ever notice how your most surprising conversations happen on the interstate? It's no accident — guys are most likely to free-associate when they're partly occupied (even if it's just killing time until they get into the range of a good radio station). There's a reason: "Men are more likely to open up when they don't have to make eye contact," says Love. "In the male world, eye contact is confrontational. Looking straight ahead makes him feel more comfortable." But save the soul chat for the open highway — no one wants to speculate about the afterworld when they're bumper-to-bumper in a holiday jam.
5. Drop a juicy tidbit.Here's a get-closer move you really wouldn't expect: Share a hot piece of gossip with him before you tell any of your girlfriends. While most men pretend not to care about other people's private lives, a recent study from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that guys actually eat gossip up more than we do. The reason: Your divulging the tidbit to him first can make your husband feel looped in (i.e., loved).
6. Play "What if?"
Want to get to know him on a whole new level? Run a personality-revealing question by him. A few of our favorites: "If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you choose?" or "If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Who knows, you may even pick up an insider gift tip or fresh date-night idea. He'd be happy eating nothing but seafood? Go online and order that guy a clambake (to be devoured on beach towels on your living room floor).
7. Bring up five happy things for every problem.Sure, it's important to get problems out in the open. But the happiest couples dwell much more on what's right in their little world than what's wrong, according to Redbook Marriage Institute expert John Gottman, Ph.D. Gottman's research has found that the strongest couples actually make five times as many positive statements to and about each other and their relationship as negative ones. No need to keep a tally; just remember to keep the complaints to a minimum on a daily basis. And make a habit of hitting happy notes instead: Praise your guy's grill skills ... admire his abs ... let him know you're madly in love with your home, leaky roof and all.
Feel-Good MovesWhy get hands-on with your man? "Touching causes a physiological reaction — it gets oxytocin, the hormone that creates feelings of connection, flowing," says Tessina. Here's how to cram more contact into your day.
8. Plan a top-secret, super-confidential date.
If you're like us, we bet one of you is always picking the movie or calling to make the dinner reservations. So bust out of the rut: Every Friday or Saturday for the next month or two, trade off surprising each other with hush-hush romantic outings. Don't leak a single detail ahead of time — he'll never see the karaoke duet coming. Shocking each other — in a good way — lets you explore new and exciting sides of yourself and each other. Oh, and there's a bonus in it for you: "Most men thrive on competition, so your husband will probably go all out for it," says Love.
9. Go on a date in broad daylight.
When was the last time you and your husband browsed through an art museum, faced off in golf or tennis or even grabbed lunch at a mall food court without kids in tow? Exactly. "Once you have kids, going out alone as a couple in the middle of the day seems naughty. And being naughty together is bonding," says Love.
10. Share your parental pride.When you spy your little one doing something only you two would find profound — "He's putting the rubber ducky on his head!" — flash your husband that look. You know, the one that says, "I can't believe we created such an amazing, perfect creature." Just try not to feel goosebumps.
Every man secretly longs to play superhero and save the day. That's why one of the best ways to get him talking is to ask for his help in solving a problem, whether it's a work snafu or a friendship crisis, says Tina Tessina, Ph.D., author of How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free. Try: "Can you help me figure out what to do about X?" Even if you're not looking for a solution, make him feel important, and he'll be pumped to problem-solve.
2. Really listen.
Hey, it's only normal to zone out after "How was your day?" But focus and you'll catch a tidbit that opens into a convo. One easy trick that will help you stay totally tuned in at that critical moment: Repeat your husband's answer as a question. "Your trial got postponed again?" Saying his words aloud forces you to register their meaning, and lobbing a question back at him practically guarantees he'll elaborate.
3. Dream big together.
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of life and forget to talk about big things like your innermost dreams. (Remember those?) But it's super-bonding to talk and think about the future you're building together.
4. Chat him up in the car.
Ever notice how your most surprising conversations happen on the interstate? It's no accident — guys are most likely to free-associate when they're partly occupied (even if it's just killing time until they get into the range of a good radio station). There's a reason: "Men are more likely to open up when they don't have to make eye contact," says Love. "In the male world, eye contact is confrontational. Looking straight ahead makes him feel more comfortable." But save the soul chat for the open highway — no one wants to speculate about the afterworld when they're bumper-to-bumper in a holiday jam.
5. Drop a juicy tidbit.Here's a get-closer move you really wouldn't expect: Share a hot piece of gossip with him before you tell any of your girlfriends. While most men pretend not to care about other people's private lives, a recent study from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that guys actually eat gossip up more than we do. The reason: Your divulging the tidbit to him first can make your husband feel looped in (i.e., loved).
6. Play "What if?"
Want to get to know him on a whole new level? Run a personality-revealing question by him. A few of our favorites: "If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you choose?" or "If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Who knows, you may even pick up an insider gift tip or fresh date-night idea. He'd be happy eating nothing but seafood? Go online and order that guy a clambake (to be devoured on beach towels on your living room floor).
7. Bring up five happy things for every problem.Sure, it's important to get problems out in the open. But the happiest couples dwell much more on what's right in their little world than what's wrong, according to Redbook Marriage Institute expert John Gottman, Ph.D. Gottman's research has found that the strongest couples actually make five times as many positive statements to and about each other and their relationship as negative ones. No need to keep a tally; just remember to keep the complaints to a minimum on a daily basis. And make a habit of hitting happy notes instead: Praise your guy's grill skills ... admire his abs ... let him know you're madly in love with your home, leaky roof and all.
Feel-Good MovesWhy get hands-on with your man? "Touching causes a physiological reaction — it gets oxytocin, the hormone that creates feelings of connection, flowing," says Tessina. Here's how to cram more contact into your day.
8. Plan a top-secret, super-confidential date.
If you're like us, we bet one of you is always picking the movie or calling to make the dinner reservations. So bust out of the rut: Every Friday or Saturday for the next month or two, trade off surprising each other with hush-hush romantic outings. Don't leak a single detail ahead of time — he'll never see the karaoke duet coming. Shocking each other — in a good way — lets you explore new and exciting sides of yourself and each other. Oh, and there's a bonus in it for you: "Most men thrive on competition, so your husband will probably go all out for it," says Love.
9. Go on a date in broad daylight.
When was the last time you and your husband browsed through an art museum, faced off in golf or tennis or even grabbed lunch at a mall food court without kids in tow? Exactly. "Once you have kids, going out alone as a couple in the middle of the day seems naughty. And being naughty together is bonding," says Love.
10. Share your parental pride.When you spy your little one doing something only you two would find profound — "He's putting the rubber ducky on his head!" — flash your husband that look. You know, the one that says, "I can't believe we created such an amazing, perfect creature." Just try not to feel goosebumps.
How to rev up your romantic routine
,
Tell the truth: Did your date nights vanish years ago, along with sleeping in, Sunday brunches, and reading the newspaper over coffee?
You're likely due for a refresher. Couples should give special time together a high priority, because it not only helps you stay connected, the latest research reports, but it also makes both partners happier. "Date night is one of the best ways couples have to pull back from the fray and remember there's an 'us' hidden in the swirl of their daily lives — and really focus on maintaining and celebrating their connection to each other," says Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of Washington in Seattle.
To help keep your marriage strong, date night should be fun — of course — but you should also make it novel in some way, or you'll grow bored with your time together and, possibly, with each other, says Arthur Aron, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook who researches couples' interactions. That doesn't mean that you have to give up your beloved French film nights or ballroom dancing sessions and start bungee jumping just for the sake of novelty. Rather, you should simply make the effort to think creatively about how to spend your time together. "My wife and I love the ballet," says Aron, "and my sister gave us a backstage tour at the local dance company, so we got a different perspective on something we already enjoy."
You're likely due for a refresher. Couples should give special time together a high priority, because it not only helps you stay connected, the latest research reports, but it also makes both partners happier. "Date night is one of the best ways couples have to pull back from the fray and remember there's an 'us' hidden in the swirl of their daily lives — and really focus on maintaining and celebrating their connection to each other," says Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of Washington in Seattle.
To help keep your marriage strong, date night should be fun — of course — but you should also make it novel in some way, or you'll grow bored with your time together and, possibly, with each other, says Arthur Aron, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook who researches couples' interactions. That doesn't mean that you have to give up your beloved French film nights or ballroom dancing sessions and start bungee jumping just for the sake of novelty. Rather, you should simply make the effort to think creatively about how to spend your time together. "My wife and I love the ballet," says Aron, "and my sister gave us a backstage tour at the local dance company, so we got a different perspective on something we already enjoy."
Third generation tissue-cultured smallpox vaccine
,
A third-generation tissue-cultured smallpox vaccine shows promise, Japanese researchers report.
"The threat of smallpox bioterrorism has prompted reconsideration of the need for smallpox vaccination," the researchers noted. "Serious events associated with first-generation vaccines #133; have raised obstacles to vaccination campaigns in the United States."
Second-generation vaccines also cause a high rate of serious side effects, they said.
"Developing a vaccine that is safer than first-generation vaccines yet highly immunogenic is crucial to constructing a prevention plan in the event of bioterrorist attack," they added.
The researchers studied the clinical and immunological responses to the LC16m8 vaccine in 1,692 adults who had previously been vaccinated against smallpox and 1,529 adults who had not been vaccinated. LC16m8 is a live, attenuated (reduced in strength) vaccine.
Participants were examined 14 days after being vaccinated. The researchers found that antibodies developed in about 90 percent of those who had not been previously vaccinated, and an effective booster response occurred in 60 percent of those who had previously been vaccinated. None of the participants suffered serious side effects.
The study "offers supported evidence for the safety of LC16m8 vaccine in adults," wrote Dr. Tomoya Saito, of Keio University in Tokyo, and his colleagues."LC16m8 vaccine appears to be a viable alternative to first-, second- and other third-generation vaccines in a smallpox preparedness program."
"The threat of smallpox bioterrorism has prompted reconsideration of the need for smallpox vaccination," the researchers noted. "Serious events associated with first-generation vaccines #133; have raised obstacles to vaccination campaigns in the United States."
Second-generation vaccines also cause a high rate of serious side effects, they said.
"Developing a vaccine that is safer than first-generation vaccines yet highly immunogenic is crucial to constructing a prevention plan in the event of bioterrorist attack," they added.
The researchers studied the clinical and immunological responses to the LC16m8 vaccine in 1,692 adults who had previously been vaccinated against smallpox and 1,529 adults who had not been vaccinated. LC16m8 is a live, attenuated (reduced in strength) vaccine.
Participants were examined 14 days after being vaccinated. The researchers found that antibodies developed in about 90 percent of those who had not been previously vaccinated, and an effective booster response occurred in 60 percent of those who had previously been vaccinated. None of the participants suffered serious side effects.
The study "offers supported evidence for the safety of LC16m8 vaccine in adults," wrote Dr. Tomoya Saito, of Keio University in Tokyo, and his colleagues."LC16m8 vaccine appears to be a viable alternative to first-, second- and other third-generation vaccines in a smallpox preparedness program."
Folic acid and prostate cancer
,
A 10-year study has found that men who took folic acid supplements faced more than twice the risk of prostate cancer as those who didn't take the supplements.
But the incidence of prostate cancer in the study was slightly lower in men who simply got adequate amounts of folate in their diet, according to a report in the March 10 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"What we think is that perhaps too much folate is not necessarily beneficial, whereas adequate levels may be," said study leader Jan Figueiredo, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California.
Folic acid is a synthetic version of folate, a basic nutrient found in green, leafy vegetables. In the study, which followed 643 men for slightly more than a decade, the estimated prostate cancer risk was 9.7 percent for the men who took the daily 1-milligram supplements, and 3.3 percent for men who took a placebo.
"Folate plays an important role in cell growth and division, and cancer cells often uprate their folate receptors," Figueiredo noted. "Folic acid, the synthetic version, has more bioavailability, meaning that the effective dose in the cell is higher than what you get from natural sources."
Dietary sources of folic acid in the United States now include cereals and other grain products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required folic acid enrichment of those foods since 1996, in part to reduce the incidence of birth defects affecting development of the central nervous system.
"Since we fortified, the amount of folate we consume from fortified foods is probably more than sufficient," Figueiredo said.
The newly reported results resemble those of a study done several years ago by Victoria Stevens, strategic director of laboratory services at the American Cancer Society, who specializes in research on folate metabolism.
That study of folate intake and prostate cancer "found that it really didn't have much effect," Stevens said. "Our study actually suggested that folate might be protective for men with advanced prostate cancer, a group that wasn't included in this study."
The study is the latest to throw cold water on the hope that supplements can reduce the risk of cancer. Two studies reported late last year that supplements containing selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C had no effect on the incidence of prostate cancer.
One of those studies included more than 35,000 men aged 50 and over who were followed for more than five years, and the other included almost 15,000 male physicians aged 50 and over who were followed for an average of eight years.
"It is safe to conclude that cancer prevention is not going to be as simple as recommending high-dose micronutrient supplements for middle-aged and older adults," said an editorial accompanying the latest report.
Detailed studies to understand how diet and supplements affect biological mechanisms of cancer in humans are needed, as well as large-scale epidemiological studies looking for ways in which diet can reduce risk, according to the editorial by Alan Kristal of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and Dr. Scott Lippman of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
"There is no evidence that supplements of any type reduce cancer risk, and increasing evidence that they may increase the risk for some cancers in some people," said Kristal, who is a professor of epidemiology and associate director of the cancer prevention program at Fred Hutchinson. "The only exception is calcium for recurrence of colorectal polyps, where there is solid evidence that calcium can reduce risk."
But the incidence of prostate cancer in the study was slightly lower in men who simply got adequate amounts of folate in their diet, according to a report in the March 10 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"What we think is that perhaps too much folate is not necessarily beneficial, whereas adequate levels may be," said study leader Jan Figueiredo, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California.
Folic acid is a synthetic version of folate, a basic nutrient found in green, leafy vegetables. In the study, which followed 643 men for slightly more than a decade, the estimated prostate cancer risk was 9.7 percent for the men who took the daily 1-milligram supplements, and 3.3 percent for men who took a placebo.
"Folate plays an important role in cell growth and division, and cancer cells often uprate their folate receptors," Figueiredo noted. "Folic acid, the synthetic version, has more bioavailability, meaning that the effective dose in the cell is higher than what you get from natural sources."
Dietary sources of folic acid in the United States now include cereals and other grain products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required folic acid enrichment of those foods since 1996, in part to reduce the incidence of birth defects affecting development of the central nervous system.
"Since we fortified, the amount of folate we consume from fortified foods is probably more than sufficient," Figueiredo said.
The newly reported results resemble those of a study done several years ago by Victoria Stevens, strategic director of laboratory services at the American Cancer Society, who specializes in research on folate metabolism.
That study of folate intake and prostate cancer "found that it really didn't have much effect," Stevens said. "Our study actually suggested that folate might be protective for men with advanced prostate cancer, a group that wasn't included in this study."
The study is the latest to throw cold water on the hope that supplements can reduce the risk of cancer. Two studies reported late last year that supplements containing selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C had no effect on the incidence of prostate cancer.
One of those studies included more than 35,000 men aged 50 and over who were followed for more than five years, and the other included almost 15,000 male physicians aged 50 and over who were followed for an average of eight years.
"It is safe to conclude that cancer prevention is not going to be as simple as recommending high-dose micronutrient supplements for middle-aged and older adults," said an editorial accompanying the latest report.
Detailed studies to understand how diet and supplements affect biological mechanisms of cancer in humans are needed, as well as large-scale epidemiological studies looking for ways in which diet can reduce risk, according to the editorial by Alan Kristal of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and Dr. Scott Lippman of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
"There is no evidence that supplements of any type reduce cancer risk, and increasing evidence that they may increase the risk for some cancers in some people," said Kristal, who is a professor of epidemiology and associate director of the cancer prevention program at Fred Hutchinson. "The only exception is calcium for recurrence of colorectal polyps, where there is solid evidence that calcium can reduce risk."
Understand the natural course of insomnia
,
Insomnia is a persistent condition for many people, a new study finds.
Canadian researchers found that about 75 percent of those with insomnia experience the condition for at least a year, and almost half experience it for three years.
Over a three-year span, the researchers evaluated insomnia persistence, remission and relapse in 388 people, who averaged about 45 years old. They compared 269 people with insomnia symptoms with 119 people who had what they termed insomnia syndrome -- meaning they had insomnia symptoms at least three nights a week for at least a month, causing substantial distress or daytime drowsiness.
"Of the study sample, 74 percent reported insomnia for at least one year, and 46 percent reported insomnia persisting over the entire three-year study," wrote the researchers, who were from Laval University in Quebec.
People with insomnia syndrome had a higher insomnia persistence rate (66.1 percent) than those with insomnia symptoms (37.2 percent). About 54 percent of everyone in the study went into insomnia remission, but 26.7 percent of them eventually relapsed.
Of the 269 people with insomnia symptoms at the start of the study, 38.4 percent were classified as good sleepers after a year, 48.7 percent still had insomnia symptoms, and 12.9 percent had insomnia syndrome. Among the 119 people with insomnia syndrome at the start of the study, 17 percent were good sleepers after a year, 37 percent still had symptoms of insomnia, and 46 percent still had insomnia syndrome.
About 30 percent of adults report symptoms of insomnia, and 6 percent to 10 percent meet diagnostic criteria for an insomnia disorder, according to background information in the study. Insomnia risk factors include being female, older, having anxiety or depression, and experiencing pain. Insomnia has been linked to depression, hypertension, disability, work absenteeism and higher health-care costs.
The findings were published in the March 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
"This study provides preliminary evidence to better understand the natural course of insomnia," the authors wrote. "Additional studies are needed, however, to identify moderating and mediating factors of persistence, remission and relapse."
Canadian researchers found that about 75 percent of those with insomnia experience the condition for at least a year, and almost half experience it for three years.
Over a three-year span, the researchers evaluated insomnia persistence, remission and relapse in 388 people, who averaged about 45 years old. They compared 269 people with insomnia symptoms with 119 people who had what they termed insomnia syndrome -- meaning they had insomnia symptoms at least three nights a week for at least a month, causing substantial distress or daytime drowsiness.
"Of the study sample, 74 percent reported insomnia for at least one year, and 46 percent reported insomnia persisting over the entire three-year study," wrote the researchers, who were from Laval University in Quebec.
People with insomnia syndrome had a higher insomnia persistence rate (66.1 percent) than those with insomnia symptoms (37.2 percent). About 54 percent of everyone in the study went into insomnia remission, but 26.7 percent of them eventually relapsed.
Of the 269 people with insomnia symptoms at the start of the study, 38.4 percent were classified as good sleepers after a year, 48.7 percent still had insomnia symptoms, and 12.9 percent had insomnia syndrome. Among the 119 people with insomnia syndrome at the start of the study, 17 percent were good sleepers after a year, 37 percent still had symptoms of insomnia, and 46 percent still had insomnia syndrome.
About 30 percent of adults report symptoms of insomnia, and 6 percent to 10 percent meet diagnostic criteria for an insomnia disorder, according to background information in the study. Insomnia risk factors include being female, older, having anxiety or depression, and experiencing pain. Insomnia has been linked to depression, hypertension, disability, work absenteeism and higher health-care costs.
The findings were published in the March 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
"This study provides preliminary evidence to better understand the natural course of insomnia," the authors wrote. "Additional studies are needed, however, to identify moderating and mediating factors of persistence, remission and relapse."
How to get a beautiful smile
,
1. Establish good habits. "It's important to follow a three-step, consistent routine as early as possible for your smile to age beautifully," says New York City dentist Michael Apa. "Everyone should brush for two minutes twice daily as well as floss and rinse." Use an electric toothbrush like Oral-B Pulsonic ($69.99), which removes more plaque than manual brushes. Plus, look for a toothpaste and mouthwash that provide health and whitening benefits. Try Crest Whitening Expressions ($3.99) and Rembrandt Whitening Mouthwash ($7.99).
2. Choose the right makeup. A sun-kissed complexion is an easy way to make teeth look whiter. Brush on a bronzer if your skin is looking sallow, but "avoid ones with gold sparkle, which can enhance yellow," says Carmindy, makeup artist from TLC's What Not to Wear. We like By Terry Bronze-Expert in Sun Kiss ($55). Certain lip colors can also brighten your smile. Look for reds, berries, and pinks that have cool undertones. "If your gloss has shimmer, make sure it's silver, not gold," Carmindy advises. Try Sally Hansen Smile Brightening Lip Treatment (available in five shades; $6.95 each). And for a quick whitening fix, chew on Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum ($4), which uses Calprox to remove stains.
3. Try at-home treatments. "When you reach your 40s, your teeth begin to change color and darken," says New York City cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg. At-home whitening products are an easy way to brighten your smile. "Research shows using a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide that remains on your teeth for a minimum of 20 minutes works best," he says. "Strips or trays allow the gel to take hold, and you should see whiter teeth in three or four days." Try Aquafresh White Trays ($34.99). "If you have crooked teeth, strips won't stick on evenly," notes Lowenberg, so opt for a brush-on treatment like Go Smile Whitening System ($89).
4. Go to a professional. If you're willing to invest money (about $400), "customized trays give you whiter teeth in the least amount of time," notes Apa. "You'll see a difference in just one day and full results within a week because they contain a 20 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide, as opposed to the 5 percent in at-home treatments." If your teeth are sensitive, ask your doctor about at-home Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme ($100 to $200), which uses trays with 10 percent hydrogen peroxide but still provides quick results.
5. Retain your white. "At this age, stains are deeply embedded and it's more difficult to get your teeth white," says Lowenberg. "You need a combination of trays and in-office power bleaching, like Pola Office+ [$600 to $1,200]. It takes only 30 minutes and can easily be maintained by using Pola at-home whitening gel once a month for half an hour." If you need a touch-up, try iWhite Maintenance Stick ($14.99) for an instant boost.
2. Choose the right makeup. A sun-kissed complexion is an easy way to make teeth look whiter. Brush on a bronzer if your skin is looking sallow, but "avoid ones with gold sparkle, which can enhance yellow," says Carmindy, makeup artist from TLC's What Not to Wear. We like By Terry Bronze-Expert in Sun Kiss ($55). Certain lip colors can also brighten your smile. Look for reds, berries, and pinks that have cool undertones. "If your gloss has shimmer, make sure it's silver, not gold," Carmindy advises. Try Sally Hansen Smile Brightening Lip Treatment (available in five shades; $6.95 each). And for a quick whitening fix, chew on Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum ($4), which uses Calprox to remove stains.
3. Try at-home treatments. "When you reach your 40s, your teeth begin to change color and darken," says New York City cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg. At-home whitening products are an easy way to brighten your smile. "Research shows using a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide that remains on your teeth for a minimum of 20 minutes works best," he says. "Strips or trays allow the gel to take hold, and you should see whiter teeth in three or four days." Try Aquafresh White Trays ($34.99). "If you have crooked teeth, strips won't stick on evenly," notes Lowenberg, so opt for a brush-on treatment like Go Smile Whitening System ($89).
4. Go to a professional. If you're willing to invest money (about $400), "customized trays give you whiter teeth in the least amount of time," notes Apa. "You'll see a difference in just one day and full results within a week because they contain a 20 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide, as opposed to the 5 percent in at-home treatments." If your teeth are sensitive, ask your doctor about at-home Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme ($100 to $200), which uses trays with 10 percent hydrogen peroxide but still provides quick results.
5. Retain your white. "At this age, stains are deeply embedded and it's more difficult to get your teeth white," says Lowenberg. "You need a combination of trays and in-office power bleaching, like Pola Office+ [$600 to $1,200]. It takes only 30 minutes and can easily be maintained by using Pola at-home whitening gel once a month for half an hour." If you need a touch-up, try iWhite Maintenance Stick ($14.99) for an instant boost.
Six steps to look 6 years younger
,
Step 1: Shun the Sun
Why this works: Repeated sun exposure eventually leads to brown spots, fine wrinkles, deeper creases, and sagging skin. If you need proof, just look at the skin on the underside of your arm where the rays are less likely to reach. Does it look smoother and less blotchy? "What the sun does is fast-forward your aging clock," says Doris Day, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. "Around age 40, you cross that line — your collagen and elastic tissue have experienced enough damage to really start showing a change. You look in the mirror, and uh-oh, you can no longer ignore it or easily cover it up." Protecting your skin year-round will help prevent you from further accelerating your age.
What to try: To start, make sure you always have broad-spectrum protection with an adequate long-wave UVA shield, says Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Those UVA rays give you the wrinkles and the muddy skin tone that ages you," he says. Dr. Glogau recommends UVA filters like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which provide longer-lasting protection. Try Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 90+ ($9.49, drugstores) or Lancôme UV Expert 20 Sunscreen SPF 20 ($35, department stores). Also use a product — like these — with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect against burns. Get even better coverage by including antioxidants like vitamins C and E and pomegranate extract in your protection. "Antioxidants boost the benefits of sunscreen. They help neutralize the damage caused by UV light," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist at Boston University Medical Center. Try C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Day Lotion SPF 25 ($19.50, Bath & Body Works), which contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidant-rich berry extracts, and UV protection. Of course, behavior counts, too: Whenever possible, avoid midday rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses (less squinting). If you want some color, try self-tanner. We like Jergens Natural Glow Health Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($9, drugstores). Or go with your own glow. "It will definitely help you look younger," says Dr. Day.
Years younger: 5. Within six months, your sun-protected skin should appear smoother and more even-toned, says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Youth Equation. The catch: You have to continue protecting skin daily and avoiding the harsh rays, or you'll redo the damage.
Step 2: Smooth Lines with Retinoids
Why this works: In studies dating back over the past 20 years, they have been shown to help soften the look of fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production and normalizing skin-cell activity. "These vitamin A derivatives have a better-established track record than any other wrinkle-reduction creams," says Dr. Glogau. Even the milder, nonprescription-strength retinol may reduce the effects of chronological aging — albeit more gradually. When University of Michigan researchers applied a .4 percent retinol lotion to one of the study participants' upper inner arms as many as three times a week for 24 weeks, skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm.
What to try: The biggest challenge with retinoids is dealing with the potential side effects, such as redness and peeling skin. Your skin will, however, build up a tolerance, usually within six to 12 weeks. Retin-A is still the gold standard in prescription strength, though there are several less-irritating options — costing $100 per tube on average — including Retin-A Micro, Differin, Avage, and Tazorac. Researchers continue to seek ways of making retinoids more tolerable; one theory currently being tested at the University of Michigan is that using an ultra-mild facial cleanser and moisturizer will help calm the irritation. (The study findings are still a few years away.) Dermatologists also suggest you ease into using one: Apply a pea-size amount at night (sun exposure makes retinoids less effective), and try it every second or third night until your skin handles it better. If that's still too irritating, go with an over-the-counter retinol. These formulas are less potent, but are still effective. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Creme ($20, drugstores) or DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol 1.0 ($75, Sephora).
Years younger: 6-7. You should start to see an improvement in a matter of weeks with a prescription formula, but don't stop there. "Keep using it," says Dr. Dover, who claims he can always spot a woman on a prescription retinoid because her skin looks "too good" for her age. Over-the-counter retinol converts to the active form, called retinoic acid, at a lower concentration — but the benefits will start to show up after a few months if you stay with it.
Step 3: Load Up on Antioxidants
Why this works: Antioxidants act as scavengers that neutralize free radicals — the particles that, in skin, cause sun damage and wrinkles, and can lead to skin cancer. They can also help protect against damage from environmental assaults like pollution and smoking, says Dr. Hirsch. Though there is still some debate about whether they can reverse sun damage, at the least they deliver modest skin brightening, says Dr. Dover, since better-protected skin appears more even-toned.
What to try: Some foods are loaded with antioxidants that are beneficial to the body overall, "but most people don't eat enough of them to benefit skin," says Dr. Hirsch. She recommends ingesting them and applying them topically. Look for vitamins C and E, pomegranate, idebenone, soy, green tea, niacinamide, and coenzyme Q10 in the top half of a product's ingredient list to get the most benefits from these often-pricey potions. Try Vichy Liftactiv CxP Bio-Lifting Care ($43, drugstores) or Desert Essence Organics Age Reversal Pomegranate Face Serum ($15, Whole Foods).
Years younger: 1-2. If your skin immediately radiates youthfulness after slathering on an antioxidant-rich cream, thank your moisturizer; antioxidants won't work that fast. You have to keep using them for five or six months, says Dr. Dover, to see the benefits. After that time, not only should your skin tone be more even, but some of the fine lines may smooth out, and drier-looking skin will appear revitalized.
Step 4: Sleep Well
Why this works: Lack of sleep definitely saps your glow, instantly aging you (think puffy, red eyes). But it also affects your skin in stealth ways: Fatigue causes cortisol, the stress hormone, to rise sharply. "If cortisol is chronically high, it can age you by breaking down collagen in skin," says Amy Wechsler, M.D., dermatologist, psychiatrist, and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Just one nighttime sleep disruption can prompt your immune system to turn against healthy organs and tissue: When researchers at UCLA interrupted volunteers' shut-eye from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., they found that sleep loss triggered the body's inflammation response; curiously, this effect was found in women only.
What to try: "The one thing that seems to ring true for everyone is to pick a bedtime, and then an hour beforehand, no more BlackBerry-ing, e-mailing, or TV news," says Dr. Wechsler. "Instead, read a novel, watch something funny on TV, or have sex." Cortisol is at its lowest when you're sleeping, during exercise, and after sex, she says. Then, if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep, do something that bores you, like reading your least favorite section of the newspaper (hello, sports page).
Years younger: 2-3. If your skin is aging due to lack of zzz's, improving your sleep habits will definitely give it a youth boost. "It's hard to know exactly how much younger you will look by sleeping more," says Dr. Dover, "but when someone who doesn't get enough sleep or tends to stress a lot comes back from a relaxing holiday, she almost always looks a few years younger."
Step 5: Exfoliate Gently and Often
Why this works: At-home peels or even a simple face scrub can make your complexion look much more youthful and radiant and may also boost collagen production, says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. "It's one of the best ways to see a quick difference," she says. As you age, skin tends to be drier and dead cells cling to the surface, giving it a rougher texture. When you shed those dead cells with a scrub or peel, it enhances the functioning of your skin: Water-retaining cells come to the surface, and active ingredients in your skin care — like antioxidants and retinoids — penetrate better. "Regular exfoliating is also therapeutic if you have acne-prone skin," says Dr. Glogau. One caveat: People who have sensitive complexions or rosacea should skip this step — or at least exfoliate less often — since those dead cells actually shield skin from irritation.
What to try: The most effective, least expensive options are grainy scrubs that have small, round particles. Try St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion ($7, drugstores) or SkinEffects Cell2Cell Anti-Aging Exfoliating Cleansing Scrub ($10, CVS). "The particles should be smooth and feel like sugar in your hand," says Dr. Baumann. If they are too big or rough, they can tear skin. At-home chemical exfoliators work more slowly and may cost more, but they too help loosen dead cells. If manual scrubs are too harsh for your skin, choose a chemical wash with glycolic acid, or try a gentler salicylic acid formula (it may also treat acne). Try Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser ($35, aveda.com). And if you're also using a retinoid, try sloughing skin twice instead of three or four times weekly.
Years younger: 2-3. There are two provisos, say experts. First, you've got to stick with it to keep seeing improvement. You'll get even better results by also doing monthly doctor's-office peels (glycolic acid or microdermabrasion), which remove the upper layer of skin and may stimulate collagen production. Second, you'll benefit the most if you combine this step with one (or more) of the others listed here.
Step 6: Add Moisture
Why this works: By menopause, the majority of women need a daily moisturizer. "It's what gives skin that smooth, radiant look," explains Dr. Glogau. In fact, most skin care that promises to improve the look of wrinkles in just a few weeks is probably doing it by moisturizing.
What to try: Effective hydrators include those, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw water into the skin, and others that prevent water from escaping, such as petrolatum and lanolin. Try Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ($7.49, drugstores) with glycerin. Natural moisturizers, like olive, sunflower, and coconut oils, can also hydrate skin; skip them, though, if you're prone to acne. Try: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($21, Whole Foods) with sunflower and grapeseed oils. What won't work: drinking more water. There's little evidence that staying hydrated internally can do anything to reduce wrinkles, though if you're dehydrated, water will definitely give your skin a smoother look.
Years younger: 2-3. Though they have to be reapplied in order to keep up the benefits, moisturizers can help you look a few years younger almost immediately, says Dr. Glogau.
Can light make you look younger? Handheld LED machines — scaled-down versions of the ones in dermatologists' offices and spas — promise to stimulate collagen, improve skin texture and tone, and smooth fine lines when their red and/or infrared light is directed at your face. True? The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put five recently introduced devices and their anti-aging claims to the test. Volunteers followed each manufacturer's protocol, using the handheld gizmos daily to once a week for four to six weeks. But with very few exceptions, testers' fine lines and wrinkles were unchanged after the prescribed periods. The bright spots: Evis M.D. Platinum Red LED Rejuvenating Facial Light ($295, department stores) and Tända Regenerate Anti-Aging Starter Kit ($275, Sephora) improved sunspots, pores, and skin texture in lab evaluations. The bottom line: Though you may get some skin benefits from at-home LED devices, these costly, time-consuming treatments appear no more effective than a good face cream at turning back the clock.
Why this works: Repeated sun exposure eventually leads to brown spots, fine wrinkles, deeper creases, and sagging skin. If you need proof, just look at the skin on the underside of your arm where the rays are less likely to reach. Does it look smoother and less blotchy? "What the sun does is fast-forward your aging clock," says Doris Day, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. "Around age 40, you cross that line — your collagen and elastic tissue have experienced enough damage to really start showing a change. You look in the mirror, and uh-oh, you can no longer ignore it or easily cover it up." Protecting your skin year-round will help prevent you from further accelerating your age.
What to try: To start, make sure you always have broad-spectrum protection with an adequate long-wave UVA shield, says Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Those UVA rays give you the wrinkles and the muddy skin tone that ages you," he says. Dr. Glogau recommends UVA filters like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which provide longer-lasting protection. Try Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 90+ ($9.49, drugstores) or Lancôme UV Expert 20 Sunscreen SPF 20 ($35, department stores). Also use a product — like these — with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect against burns. Get even better coverage by including antioxidants like vitamins C and E and pomegranate extract in your protection. "Antioxidants boost the benefits of sunscreen. They help neutralize the damage caused by UV light," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist at Boston University Medical Center. Try C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Day Lotion SPF 25 ($19.50, Bath & Body Works), which contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidant-rich berry extracts, and UV protection. Of course, behavior counts, too: Whenever possible, avoid midday rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses (less squinting). If you want some color, try self-tanner. We like Jergens Natural Glow Health Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($9, drugstores). Or go with your own glow. "It will definitely help you look younger," says Dr. Day.
Years younger: 5. Within six months, your sun-protected skin should appear smoother and more even-toned, says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Youth Equation. The catch: You have to continue protecting skin daily and avoiding the harsh rays, or you'll redo the damage.
Step 2: Smooth Lines with Retinoids
Why this works: In studies dating back over the past 20 years, they have been shown to help soften the look of fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production and normalizing skin-cell activity. "These vitamin A derivatives have a better-established track record than any other wrinkle-reduction creams," says Dr. Glogau. Even the milder, nonprescription-strength retinol may reduce the effects of chronological aging — albeit more gradually. When University of Michigan researchers applied a .4 percent retinol lotion to one of the study participants' upper inner arms as many as three times a week for 24 weeks, skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm.
What to try: The biggest challenge with retinoids is dealing with the potential side effects, such as redness and peeling skin. Your skin will, however, build up a tolerance, usually within six to 12 weeks. Retin-A is still the gold standard in prescription strength, though there are several less-irritating options — costing $100 per tube on average — including Retin-A Micro, Differin, Avage, and Tazorac. Researchers continue to seek ways of making retinoids more tolerable; one theory currently being tested at the University of Michigan is that using an ultra-mild facial cleanser and moisturizer will help calm the irritation. (The study findings are still a few years away.) Dermatologists also suggest you ease into using one: Apply a pea-size amount at night (sun exposure makes retinoids less effective), and try it every second or third night until your skin handles it better. If that's still too irritating, go with an over-the-counter retinol. These formulas are less potent, but are still effective. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Creme ($20, drugstores) or DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol 1.0 ($75, Sephora).
Years younger: 6-7. You should start to see an improvement in a matter of weeks with a prescription formula, but don't stop there. "Keep using it," says Dr. Dover, who claims he can always spot a woman on a prescription retinoid because her skin looks "too good" for her age. Over-the-counter retinol converts to the active form, called retinoic acid, at a lower concentration — but the benefits will start to show up after a few months if you stay with it.
Step 3: Load Up on Antioxidants
Why this works: Antioxidants act as scavengers that neutralize free radicals — the particles that, in skin, cause sun damage and wrinkles, and can lead to skin cancer. They can also help protect against damage from environmental assaults like pollution and smoking, says Dr. Hirsch. Though there is still some debate about whether they can reverse sun damage, at the least they deliver modest skin brightening, says Dr. Dover, since better-protected skin appears more even-toned.
What to try: Some foods are loaded with antioxidants that are beneficial to the body overall, "but most people don't eat enough of them to benefit skin," says Dr. Hirsch. She recommends ingesting them and applying them topically. Look for vitamins C and E, pomegranate, idebenone, soy, green tea, niacinamide, and coenzyme Q10 in the top half of a product's ingredient list to get the most benefits from these often-pricey potions. Try Vichy Liftactiv CxP Bio-Lifting Care ($43, drugstores) or Desert Essence Organics Age Reversal Pomegranate Face Serum ($15, Whole Foods).
Years younger: 1-2. If your skin immediately radiates youthfulness after slathering on an antioxidant-rich cream, thank your moisturizer; antioxidants won't work that fast. You have to keep using them for five or six months, says Dr. Dover, to see the benefits. After that time, not only should your skin tone be more even, but some of the fine lines may smooth out, and drier-looking skin will appear revitalized.
Step 4: Sleep Well
Why this works: Lack of sleep definitely saps your glow, instantly aging you (think puffy, red eyes). But it also affects your skin in stealth ways: Fatigue causes cortisol, the stress hormone, to rise sharply. "If cortisol is chronically high, it can age you by breaking down collagen in skin," says Amy Wechsler, M.D., dermatologist, psychiatrist, and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Just one nighttime sleep disruption can prompt your immune system to turn against healthy organs and tissue: When researchers at UCLA interrupted volunteers' shut-eye from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., they found that sleep loss triggered the body's inflammation response; curiously, this effect was found in women only.
What to try: "The one thing that seems to ring true for everyone is to pick a bedtime, and then an hour beforehand, no more BlackBerry-ing, e-mailing, or TV news," says Dr. Wechsler. "Instead, read a novel, watch something funny on TV, or have sex." Cortisol is at its lowest when you're sleeping, during exercise, and after sex, she says. Then, if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep, do something that bores you, like reading your least favorite section of the newspaper (hello, sports page).
Years younger: 2-3. If your skin is aging due to lack of zzz's, improving your sleep habits will definitely give it a youth boost. "It's hard to know exactly how much younger you will look by sleeping more," says Dr. Dover, "but when someone who doesn't get enough sleep or tends to stress a lot comes back from a relaxing holiday, she almost always looks a few years younger."
Step 5: Exfoliate Gently and Often
Why this works: At-home peels or even a simple face scrub can make your complexion look much more youthful and radiant and may also boost collagen production, says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. "It's one of the best ways to see a quick difference," she says. As you age, skin tends to be drier and dead cells cling to the surface, giving it a rougher texture. When you shed those dead cells with a scrub or peel, it enhances the functioning of your skin: Water-retaining cells come to the surface, and active ingredients in your skin care — like antioxidants and retinoids — penetrate better. "Regular exfoliating is also therapeutic if you have acne-prone skin," says Dr. Glogau. One caveat: People who have sensitive complexions or rosacea should skip this step — or at least exfoliate less often — since those dead cells actually shield skin from irritation.
What to try: The most effective, least expensive options are grainy scrubs that have small, round particles. Try St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion ($7, drugstores) or SkinEffects Cell2Cell Anti-Aging Exfoliating Cleansing Scrub ($10, CVS). "The particles should be smooth and feel like sugar in your hand," says Dr. Baumann. If they are too big or rough, they can tear skin. At-home chemical exfoliators work more slowly and may cost more, but they too help loosen dead cells. If manual scrubs are too harsh for your skin, choose a chemical wash with glycolic acid, or try a gentler salicylic acid formula (it may also treat acne). Try Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser ($35, aveda.com). And if you're also using a retinoid, try sloughing skin twice instead of three or four times weekly.
Years younger: 2-3. There are two provisos, say experts. First, you've got to stick with it to keep seeing improvement. You'll get even better results by also doing monthly doctor's-office peels (glycolic acid or microdermabrasion), which remove the upper layer of skin and may stimulate collagen production. Second, you'll benefit the most if you combine this step with one (or more) of the others listed here.
Step 6: Add Moisture
Why this works: By menopause, the majority of women need a daily moisturizer. "It's what gives skin that smooth, radiant look," explains Dr. Glogau. In fact, most skin care that promises to improve the look of wrinkles in just a few weeks is probably doing it by moisturizing.
What to try: Effective hydrators include those, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw water into the skin, and others that prevent water from escaping, such as petrolatum and lanolin. Try Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ($7.49, drugstores) with glycerin. Natural moisturizers, like olive, sunflower, and coconut oils, can also hydrate skin; skip them, though, if you're prone to acne. Try: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($21, Whole Foods) with sunflower and grapeseed oils. What won't work: drinking more water. There's little evidence that staying hydrated internally can do anything to reduce wrinkles, though if you're dehydrated, water will definitely give your skin a smoother look.
Years younger: 2-3. Though they have to be reapplied in order to keep up the benefits, moisturizers can help you look a few years younger almost immediately, says Dr. Glogau.
Can light make you look younger? Handheld LED machines — scaled-down versions of the ones in dermatologists' offices and spas — promise to stimulate collagen, improve skin texture and tone, and smooth fine lines when their red and/or infrared light is directed at your face. True? The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put five recently introduced devices and their anti-aging claims to the test. Volunteers followed each manufacturer's protocol, using the handheld gizmos daily to once a week for four to six weeks. But with very few exceptions, testers' fine lines and wrinkles were unchanged after the prescribed periods. The bright spots: Evis M.D. Platinum Red LED Rejuvenating Facial Light ($295, department stores) and Tända Regenerate Anti-Aging Starter Kit ($275, Sephora) improved sunspots, pores, and skin texture in lab evaluations. The bottom line: Though you may get some skin benefits from at-home LED devices, these costly, time-consuming treatments appear no more effective than a good face cream at turning back the clock.
Parkinson's Treatment Drugs levodopa and pramipexole
,
Two drugs -- levodopa and pramipexole -- used to treat early stage Parkinson's disease each have advantages and disadvantages, but their overall impact appears to even out over a long period of treatment.
That's the conclusion of a new study that included hundreds of patients in Canada and the United States.
"Clinicians and patients often struggle with what is the right initial approach to treating Parkinson's disease. This study tells us that, over the long haul, patients on the different drugs end up at roughly the same place in terms of their level of disability and quality of life," lead author Dr. Kevin Biglan, a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said in a school news release.
The two drugs use different mechanisms to counteract the decline in the production of dopamine in the brain that causes Parkinson's symptoms. Levodopa is an amino acid that the body metabolizes into dopamine. Pramipexole binds with dopamine receptors on cells in the brain and mimics dopamine's molecular function.
Levodopa is considered better at treating motor control problems in Parkinson's patients but is also associated with side effects such as dyskinesia (involuntary movements), and the effectiveness of the drug can wear off over time. Pramipexole is less commonly associated with dyskinesea and wearing off, but is less effective in treating motor control problems and more often causes sleepiness, according to background information in the news release.
Doctors often prescribe pramipexole first, because it extends the length of time a patient can benefit from levodopa before its effect wears off.
The initial study included 301 patients at 22 sites who were followed for two years. A subset of 222 of those patients was followed for an additional four years. At the start of the study, half the patients were randomly selected to receive levodopa and half to receive pramipexole. After six years of follow-up, 90 percent of patients were taking levodopa.
Patients initially treated with levodopa were more likely to develop motor control complications such as dyskinesia and wearing off, but these complications didn't have a significant impact on patients' quality of life or disability, the researchers found.
The study, published online March 9 in the journal Archives of Neurology, was funded by Pharmacia Corp. and Boehringer Ingelheim.
That's the conclusion of a new study that included hundreds of patients in Canada and the United States.
"Clinicians and patients often struggle with what is the right initial approach to treating Parkinson's disease. This study tells us that, over the long haul, patients on the different drugs end up at roughly the same place in terms of their level of disability and quality of life," lead author Dr. Kevin Biglan, a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said in a school news release.
The two drugs use different mechanisms to counteract the decline in the production of dopamine in the brain that causes Parkinson's symptoms. Levodopa is an amino acid that the body metabolizes into dopamine. Pramipexole binds with dopamine receptors on cells in the brain and mimics dopamine's molecular function.
Levodopa is considered better at treating motor control problems in Parkinson's patients but is also associated with side effects such as dyskinesia (involuntary movements), and the effectiveness of the drug can wear off over time. Pramipexole is less commonly associated with dyskinesea and wearing off, but is less effective in treating motor control problems and more often causes sleepiness, according to background information in the news release.
Doctors often prescribe pramipexole first, because it extends the length of time a patient can benefit from levodopa before its effect wears off.
The initial study included 301 patients at 22 sites who were followed for two years. A subset of 222 of those patients was followed for an additional four years. At the start of the study, half the patients were randomly selected to receive levodopa and half to receive pramipexole. After six years of follow-up, 90 percent of patients were taking levodopa.
Patients initially treated with levodopa were more likely to develop motor control complications such as dyskinesia and wearing off, but these complications didn't have a significant impact on patients' quality of life or disability, the researchers found.
The study, published online March 9 in the journal Archives of Neurology, was funded by Pharmacia Corp. and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)