Dermatologists are warning that the henna tattoos, sold everywhere from beachside stands to carnivals to cruise ships, may contain a harmful chemical known as para-phenylenediamine, or PPD. Used to make the temporary tattoos last longer, PPD has been associated with major skin problems including rashes, blistering and even permanent scarring.
At the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting 2008 in Chicago, dermatologist Sharon E. Jacob, M.D. of the University of California at San Diego pointed out that henna used for temporary tattoos is made from the lawsonia inermis plant. Temporary coloring of the skin with natural henna is considered harmless and only lasts for a few days. To darken the tattoo (making it more visible and long-lasting) some henna tattoo artists are adding PPD, usually used for black hair dye, into the henna mix.
The FDA prohibits direct application of PPD to the skin because of its known health risks. However, since the tattoo industry is not regulated, people, including children, are still getting black henna tattoos and potentially exposing themselves to serious medical problems.
Dr. Jacobs advised that if you do choose to get a henna tattoo, do so only if you can be sure that only vegetable henna is used. I agree: if there is a shadow of a doubt, do without.
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A Vitamin to Fight Alzheimer’s
High doses of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, appear to prevent memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Studies have been so encouraging that researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have launched a human trial. In the mice, nicotinamide lowered levels of a protein that leads to development of a brain lesion characteristic of Alzheimer's. The researchers added nicotinamide to the mice's drinking water and then tested the animals' short and long-term memory over time. The Alzheimer's mice given nicotinamide performed as well as normal mice in the water-maze and object recognition tests. When given to normal mice, the nicotinamide slightly increased their cognitive abilities, a finding that led one of the study leaders to suggest that the vitamin might improve some aspects of normal memory in humans. (While nicotinamide is generally safe, it can be toxic at very high doses.) The study was published online November 5, 2008 in the Journal of Neuroscience. The researchers are recruiting volunteers for Alzheimer's patients 50 years of age or older for their human study. Participation involves taking the vitamin or a placebo twice a day for 24 weeks.
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Pare Pounds with Brisk Walking
Better yet, if you walk as much as recommended you can also reduce a dangerous type of fat found deep in the abdomen. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center recruited more than 200 men and women ages 40 to 75, and divided them into two groups. One group was to do 60 minutes of physical activity daily six days a week. The other group was given no specific recommendation. No dietary changes were recommended for either group. Results showed that women who upped their activity level by 3,500 steps per day lost five pounds during the year; men who did the same amount of exercises lost 8.5 pounds. Those who actually exercised for an hour six days a week reduced their belly fat by 10 to 20 percent and overall body fat by 10 to 15 percent without losing muscle mass. Fat cells deep in the abdomen are considered dangerous because they produce chemicals that contribute to inflammation and a number of diseases. The study results were presented at the 2008 meeting of the Obesity Society.
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Potato Gnocchi
Gnocchi (pronounced "nyo-kee" and derived from the German word for "knuckle") are tasty little dumplings, and one of Italy's oldest pastas, dating back to the 12th century. Traditional ingredients vary from region to region, with recipes including potatoes, flour, semolina, ricotta cheese, spinach, and even bread crumbs. Potatoes are packed with complex carbohydrates, plenty of potassium, vitamins C and B6, and lots of great minerals. When making gnocchi (a relaxing activity in itself), pinch each one to create an indentation to hold the sauce. Immediately let it fall to the floured surface so you handle the gnocchi as little as possible. Cook them right away if you can. Toss the dumplings into the bubbling water and savor the scented steam. Your gnocchi will emerge light and delectable.
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Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr.Weil on Healthy Aging
Healthy Holiday Food: Winter Squash. A delicious and versatile meal option for the colder months, winter squash comes in many varieties, all with plenty of healthful nutrients: winter squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and provides good amounts of potassium, dietary fiber and folate. They also provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and have been associated with the prevention of variety of diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, lung cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes-related health issues, and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and osteoarthritis.
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