In This Week's Issue:
The Healthiest Places to Live
If you want to live in a really healthy place, move to Vermont. Once again, the Green Mountain State ranks number one in overall health in the U.S. Other New England states are in the top five: New Hampshire came in second, Connecticut, third, and Massachusetts, fifth (fourth was Hawaii) in the annual health-ranking of the 50 states by the United Health Foundation. At the bottom of the list: Mississippi. Rankings are fun to read, but the overall conclusions of this year's report are pretty dismal: too many of us still smoke: 17.3 percent of the U.S. population, down just slightly from 17.9 percent last year. And while there were fewer preventable hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths nationwide, the health assessment that underlies the rankings found that 27.5 percent of the population is obese, up 37.5 percent since 2001 (for the first time, the prevalence of obesity topped 20 percent in all 50 states). Diabetes prevalence was up, too - a 42.6 percent increase since 2001, and the number of children living in poverty continued to rise, 21.5 percent in 2011, a 33.5 percent increase since 2001.
My take? Clearly, as a nation we have urgent health problems, but on an individual level, where you live doesn't matter as much as how you live. It's up to you to protect and maintain your body's innate capacity for health and healing. If you're in the habit of making New Year's resolutions, consider adding one (or all) of these to your list: adopt an anti-inflammatory diet to hellp head off the chronic inflammation that underlies so many serious diseases; plan snacks ahead of time; relax and reduce stress by learning breathing exercises; consider a personal trainer to get your 2012 fitness program off to a good start; take tea breaks to lower stress and improve your health; and volunteer - it's more satisfying than donating money. Happy New Year!
Are You Getting the Right Supplements?
Find out - get your free personalized supplement evaluation from Dr. Weil's Vitamin Advisor. Based on your health history and lifestyle, it provides science-based recommendations for supplements and vitamins. Visit today and get your free recommendation!
Starch and Breast Cancer Recurrence
Too many starchy carbs seem to be associated with breast cancer recurrence. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego divided 2,651 breast cancer survivors into four groups based on their daily carbohydrate intake. Over the course of a year, the study revealed an average daily increase of 2.3 grams of carbohydrates among the women whose breast cancer recurred compared to an average decrease of 2.7 grams among the women whose cancer did not recur. The researchers found that changes in starch consumption accounted for 48 percent of the differences in carbohydrate intake. Among the women whose cancer did not recur, starch intake dropped by 8.7 grams a day compared to a decline of only 4.1 grams a day among the women whose cancer did return. Overall, the rate of breast cancer recurrence over one year was 9.7 percent among women whose starch intake dropped the most compared to a 14.2 percent recurrence rate among those whose starch intake increased the most. The investigators suggested one possible explanation for this effect: starchy foods boost insulin levels and elevated insulin levels have been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
Want Women's Health Information?
If you are a woman, you know that your health needs are different than men's. From gender-related health concerns and managing stress to finding balance and eating healthfully, our Women's Interest Newsletter has simple tips that provide the perfect base for improving your overall health and wellness. Click here to learn more about this free weekly newsletter!
Mindful Eating to Fight Fat
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that mindful eating plus stress reduction can prevent weight gain. In fact, the combination may even result in loss of dangerous fat you can't see - deep abdominal fat linked to the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The research team divided 47 chronically stressed, overweight and obese women into two groups. One group received mindfulness training and practice; the other served as a control group. The women's psychological stress, fat and cortisol (stress hormone) levels were tested before and after the four-month study. At the end, the researchers found no significant weight changes between the women in the stress reduction group and the controls. The investigators noted, however, that the most significant reductions in abdominal fat occurred among women who had shown greater improvements in listening to their bodies' cues, and in those who had greater reductions in stress or cortisol levels. The researchers said their results must be confirmed by follow-up studies.
Healthful Foods for a Healthy Life
Whether you are at risk for cancer, diabetes, arthritis or heart disease, certain foods can have positive effects on your physical health. Join the Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online guide for recipes that can benefit your lifestyle. Start your two-week free trial today.
Recipe: Chili and Cilantro Cornbread Muffins
These muffins are moist and chewy, spicy and sweet. When you make them, they won't last long! They are excellent eaten alone warmed with some butter, or as a side dish to a Southwestern entree.
Try this recipe today: Chili and Cilantro Cornbread Muffins
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What's New
Spontaneous Happiness Talks With Dr. Andrew Weil at Miraval
Jan. 24th, Mar 6th & 20th, 2012, Tucson, Arizona
Join Dr. Andrew Weil for an exclusive opportunity to delve into the research behind his new book Spontaneous Happiness. Dr. Weil offers advice on lifestyle, behavior, and dietary changes to help you assess your emotional wellness and build a personalized step-by-step plan to manage your moods. There will be a Q&A portion of these lectures giving you the opportunity to have your health and wellness questions answered by Dr. Weil himself! Miraval guests must reserve the lecture with reservations, and must book a three-night stay or more to attend (at prevailing rates). For more information and how to register: www.miravalresorts.com
Town Hall Distinguished Speaker Series
Feb. 1st, 2012, Naples, Florida
Town Hall Distinguished Speaker Series, at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples is pleased to announce Dr. Weil as the keynote on Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 2012 8:30-9:15 pm. For more information: www.naplestownhall.org
35th Annual Psychotherapy Network Symposium
March 22-25, 2012, Washington, DC
Dr. Weil will keynote at 35th Annual Psychotherapy Network Symposium, "Creating a New Wisdom" in Washington DC on Friday, March 23, at 12 noon. More information from Psychotherapy Networker.
9th Annual Nutrition & Health Conference
April 15-18, 2012, Boston, Massachusetts
Expanding on the growing success of previous Nutrition and Health conferences, the 9th annual meeting, co-directed by Dr. Andrew Weil, will assemble an outstanding faculty of internationally-known scientific researchers, skilled clinicians, innovative chefs, and best-selling authors whose work focuses on the interface between nutrition and healthful living. This conference will provide essential information for health professionals who address issues of food and nutrition in their clinical practices, including the latest research findings, practical recommendations for clinical care, and challenging discussions of public policy. Registration information: www.nutritionandhealthconf.org
DrWeil.com Newsletters
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