Obesity Worldwide Infographic

From health blog

According to research, for the country to realize goals set by the federal government for lowering childhood obesity rates by 2020, kids in the US will have to eliminate an average of 64 excess calories daily.

Obesity has emerged as a leading public health concern in the US. It’s been well established that individuals who’re obese have elevated risks of death from heart disease, stroke, and a number of cancers. Presently, two thirds of US adults are overweight or obese. Even more of a concern, 17 % of women and 11 % of men are severely obese.
Read the full story here: Ideal Body Mass Index for Optimal Health

Vitamin C - Extracted from Loyola University's Health Library

If you have health related questions, check out Loyola University's Health Library.
Below is an example of definition of Vitamin C extracted from LU's health Library.


Vitamin C

DEFINITION
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development.

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.

ALTERNATIVE NAMES
Ascorbic acid; Dehydroascorbic acid

FUNCTION
Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to:

Form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
Heal wounds and form scar tissue
Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth
Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are made when your body breaks down food or when you are exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation.
The buildup of free radicals over time is largely responsible for the aging process.
Free radicals may play a role in cancer, heart disease, and conditions like arthritis.
The body is not able to make vitamin C on its own, and it does not store vitamin C. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.

For many years, vitamin C has been a popular remedy for the common cold.

Research shows that for most people, vitamin C supplements or vitamin C-rich foods do not reduce the risk of getting the common cold.
However, people who take vitamin C supplements regularly might have slightly shorter colds or somewhat milder symptoms.
Taking a vitamin C supplement after a cold starts does not appear to be helpful.

FOOD SOURCES

All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of vitamin C.

Fruits with the highest sources of vitamin C include:

Cantaloupe
Citrus fruits and juices, such as orange and grapefruit
Kiwi fruit
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries
Watermelon

Vegetables with the highest sources of vitamin C include:

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower
Green and red peppers
Spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and other leafy greens
Sweet and white potatoes
Tomatoes and tomato juice
Winter squash

Some cereals and other foods and beverages are fortified with vitamin C. Fortified means a vitamin or mineral has been added to the food. Check the product labels to see how much vitamin C is in the product.

Cooking vitamin C-rich foods or storing them for a long period of time can reduce the vitamin C content. Microwaving and steaming vitamin C-rich foods may reduce cooking losses. The best food sources of vitamin C are uncooked or raw fruits and vegetables.

SIDE EFFECTS
Serious side effects from too much vitamin C are very rare, because the body cannot store the vitamin. However, amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day are not recommended because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.

Too little vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency, including:

Anemia
Bleeding gums
Decreased ability to fight infection
Decreased wound-healing rate
Dry and splitting hair
Easy bruising
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Nosebleeds
Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism
Rough, dry, scaly skin
Swollen and painful joints
Weakened tooth enamel
A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, which mainly affects older, malnourished adults.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflects how much of each vitamin most people should get each day. The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.

How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender. Other factors, such as pregnancy and illnesses, are also important.

The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins, including vitamin C, is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods.

Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin C:

Infants

0 - 6 months: 40* milligrams/day (mg/day)
7 - 12 months: 50* mg/day
*Adequate Intake (AI)

Children

1 - 3 years: 15 mg/day
4 - 8 years: 25 mg/day
9 - 13 years: 45 mg/day
Adolescents

Girls 14 - 18 years: 65 mg/day
Pregnant teens: 80 mg/day
Breastfeeding teens: 115 mg/day
Boys 14 - 18 years: 75 mg/day
Adults

Men age 19 and older: 90 mg/day
Women age 19 year and older: 75 mg/day
Pregnant women: 85 mg/day
Breastfeeding women: 120 mg/day
Smokers or those who are around secondhand smoke at any age should increase their daily amount of vitamin C an additional 35 mg per day.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who smoke need higher amounts of vitamin C. Ask your doctor what amount is best for you.

CDC Details Use of Sleep Meds

From Medpagetoday.com

CDC Details Use of Sleep Meds

Published: Aug 30, 2013

By John Gever, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today

Some 4% of American adults used prescription sleep medications in the past month, government survey data showed, with the highest rates among women, the elderly, whites, and the college-educated.

Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2010 indicated that 4.1% of respondents 20 and older said they had used a prescription sleep aid in the previous 30 days, according to a new data brief from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.

The report represents the first large, nationally representative survey on prescription sleep drug use not reliant on administrative claims data, the authors indicated.

Among NHANES respondents 80 and older, the use rate was 7.0%, compared with 1.8% for individuals in their 20s and 30s (P<0 .05="" age="" for="" p="" trend="">
Women reported use of the agents at a rate of 5.0% versus 3.1% in men (P<0 .05="" among="" and="" blacks="" by="" categories="" followed="" highest="" in="" mexican-americans="" non-hispanic="" p="" racial-ethnic="" rate="" report="" said.="" the="" was="" whites="">
The report also showed a significant association between increasing education and use of prescription sleep drugs, with 3.0% of respondents with less than high school education reporting use versus 3.9% of those with only a high school diploma or the equivalent, and 4.4% of those with some college experience (P<0 .05="" for="" p="" trend="">
Read more >>

What to Expect from Key Stock Indices After Labor Day

From Profitconfidential.com

Friday, August 30th, 2013
By Michael Lombardi, MBA for Profit Confidential

What kind of return should investors expect from the key stock indices the day after the last weekend of summer?

Here’s some insight.

In the 23-year period from 1990 to 2013, the highest return achieved by the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend was on September 6, 2005, when the index rose 1.35%. The lowest return it has provided to investors was a loss of 4.05% on September 3, 2002. (Source: Stockcharts.com, “Past Data,” last accessed August 29, 2013.)

If we take out the top and the bottom returns for the day, then the average return for the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend on the Dow Jones Industrial average is actually flat.

In the last 23 years, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has provided positive returns on 13 Tuesdays after Labor Day weekend and negative returns on 10 of them. Hence, there is only a probability of 56% that investors will see positive returns by investing in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this coming Tuesday—not worth the risk at all.

Dear Reader; the returns provided on the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend shouldn’t be your focus. But this weekend is very important to key stock indices in another way.

The period between Labor Day weekend and the Thanksgiving holiday is considered to be the busiest for the stock market…and one of increased volatility for key stock indices. Trading volume pours in as those who were away for vacation usually come back and traders get serious. Most of the major moves in key stock indices we have seen over the past 23 years have been during this time.

Over the summer, many risks have built up for key stock indices.

Read more >>

Life With Loren: Episode 27 - 2013 International Convention

"It is my hope that by the end of this convention you'll say I believe anything is possible. I see opportunity when others see impossibility. I take risk. I am focused. I know that nothing is unrealistic. I will contribute to something bigger than myself. 
I create.
I learned. 
I grow. 
I do. 
I can.
I will 
...and it is never too late to start living your dream because I'm an entrepreneur. 
That's what you are."

Judith Snow - Her Story Will Move You!

From BeingJRRidinger.com

JR Ridinger, CEO of Market America, receives all kinds of mail from MA Distributors, Shopping Consultants as well as customers. Below he shares an inspiring testimonial from a new distributor:

Every once in a while I read a testimonial that really strikes a chord with me, and I recently came across an email from an UnFranchise Owner that really had a profound impact on me. Please take a moment to ready Judith Snow’s incredible testimonial about our produces and our business, and how they’ve had an impact on her life.

Judith’s message really resonated with me, because she is a person not concerned with excuses. Rather, Judith is all about making the most of her time and building a better life – something that I think we can all relate to. Please take a moment to read Judith’s incredible story below, and be sure to share it with anyone you know who may benefit from hearing about her incredible experiences.

Keep Growing!

-JR Ridinger

 ***

I became interested in Market America Isotonix® supplements primarily because many of the products are consumed as liquids and are easier for me to consume as I have difficulties swallowing. I soon discovered that the health benefits of Isotonix are equal or superior to the supplements I have been taking for years as well as being cost beneficial. I also started using the Autoworks™ High Performance Auto Care Fuel Enhancer and find myself getting better gas mileage, with a great monthly savings for me. I have been a Market America Distributer for eight months now and am well on my way to making enough retail profit to cover the costs of my supplements and of being in the business.

I never expected to become an Internet Shopping Consultant. At 63 years of age I am a visual artist and an international consultant on Inclusion – Valuing Diversity.

I have lifelong quadriplegia from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a genetic condition which causes my muscles to remain as weak as a baby’s. I was not expected to live past 4 years old, then 30. First my parents, then I myself took on figuring out ways I could live, get educated, and then live as an autonomous adult contributing to society around me.

Along the way I have worked with others in Canada and around the world to develop ways for people with physical and cognitive differences to be supported so they can be fully contributing citizens. I am known for ground breaking work in support circles, person centered planning, inclusive education and personal assistance.

Those of us who practice Inclusion do not work from the presumption of disability. Rather we believe that valuing and supporting diversity is good not just for the individuals with challenging differences but for all of society, bringing greater accomplishment, abundance and peacefulness!

In 2009 I was travelling in the US researching the connection between Inclusion and peace when I acquired an E-coli infection, which affected my health and my career. On top of this the stock market crash of 2008 ate up my financial stability as no one was hiring consultants for several years.

One last element of the back story – as a wheelchair user keeping an accessible car is crucial to my employment. My father paid my car costs when I was sickest in 2010 and 2011. He passed away in 2012 leaving me a small inheritance.

A close friend and member of the Canadian Chinese community became a Market America Motives® consultant early this year, mostly because her cousin encouraged her. My interest was piqued when I heard about Isotonix®. But I have been “burnt” in network marketing before and although I could use steady income I wanted to be certain there was more than one product I could both get enthusiastic about and also sell to others. I became a distributor in January, half prepared to quit in six months or so.

Unexpectedly, it was Autoworks™ High Performance Auto Care Fuel Enhancer that first proved its worth to me. Tied as I am to my car, a monthly saving on gas mileage can really add up. That is something I definitely have been able to sell!

I was most afraid to try Isotonix® Digestive Health Formula with Probiotics. Why? The product I was using had a great impact on my life. (And, yes, I did check everything out with my doctor.) Eventually I went for it and found to my great amazement that the Isotonix product works better than its competitor and is also cost comparable.

I am sold on Market America. Quadriplegia alone takes five hours out of my day and I will never stop working on building Inclusion. So it may take me a bit longer to build my Market America organization but I am on my way.

–

“The next step is the first step.”

-Judith Snow

The Best in the Business: Elizabeth Weber

"People are shopping on the internet. It is no longer about click and mortar, it is about click and order. More and more people are looking for better deals and they are looking at the internet...."

High Blood Pressure: Lifestyle changes

Mayo Clinic recommends lifestyle changes to lower and prevent high blood pressure. Here is what to do:

Healthy Diet:
Take the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, emphasizing less fatty food,  more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods.

Decrease salt in take:
Reduce sodium level to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day,  for people 51 years of age or older. For healthy people aim for 2,300 mg a day or less.

Watch your weight:
If overweight, lose even 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) can lower your blood pressure.
Increased physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and maintain your weight - aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Less alcohol:
Alcohol can raise your blood pressure - drink in moderation.

Don't smoke:
Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and hardens the arteries.

Lower stress:
Reduce stress. Learn to relax. Getting plenty of sleep can help, too.

Monitor your blood pressure at home:
Monitor blood pressure at home to keep closer tabs on your blood pressure, show if medication is working, and to alert you and your doctor to potential complications.

Practice relaxation and breathing techniques:
Practice taking deep, slow breaths to help relax. 

Power Profile: Nancy Stasiak

From thepowerprofiles.com

Nancy Stasiak
"I look for people who have been victimized by the 45-Year Plan."

For over 16 years, I was an accountant in the defense industry. I worked on top-secret programs that reported directly to Congress. I had a great job!

When Congress awarded a top-secret contract, I got on a plane and flew across country to the subcontractor's location that was building the major portion of the defense project. I was the highest paid woman, traveling across the country with an unlimited expense account, single and driving my jazzy sports car. I loved my job. Every year I got the highest reviews and the highest salary increases. I told everyone I would retire, in style, from this job.

Unfortunately, the government executed massive spending cuts in the space and defense industries. What I didn't foresee was that the ones who did the eliminating would be given their pink slips after the rest of the dirty work had been done. When the defense industry finally crashed, I crashed with it. It was an awful time in my life. I was out of a job for one year, nine months and six days. I will never forget that time as long as I live. I lost almost everything I had ever worked for: my credit, the bank repossessed my car and foreclosure on my home had begun.

At this point in time, Bob Pepe called. He asked, "How's the defense industry treating you?" He was not surprised at the story I told him. He did say, "Now you have no choice. The only way to improve your immediate cash flow problem and secure your financial future now is in network marketing."

After just a few weeks I found that I could really be successful in the business. I enjoyed eight months of some wonderful part-time income. In August 1995, Market America entered my life. Now, I look for people with a burning desire to change the quality of their lives. I look for people who have been victimized by the 45-Year Plan. Our products, Plan and system have allowed me to be successful. But my success is rooted in the achievement of so many other people in the Company. Market America is an amazing vehicle.

My message is, if I can do it, anybody can do it. Just go out and do it. Never, ever, ever quit!

Iron and Age, a Combo for Alzheimer's?

From medpagetoday.com

Iron and Age, a Combo for Alzheimer's?
Published: Aug 22, 2013

By Chris Kaiser, Cardiology Editor, MedPage Today
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Iron helps repair myelin damage in the brain, but accumulation of the element with aging may bring on iron toxicity, particularly in the hippocampus, a region affected early in Alzheimer's disease, researchers suggested.

MR imaging showed that Alzheimer's patients had increased levels of ferritin iron and tissue damage in the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus, a region affected only later in the disease, according to George Bartzokis, MD, of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, and colleagues.

In addition, higher levels of iron in the hippocampus were associated with worse tissue integrity, they reported in the August issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Although iron is critical for cell function, too much can lead to oxidative damage. Levels of iron in the brain increase with age and are "abnormally elevated in gray matter structures in age-related degenerative diseases," researchers noted.

Read more >>

The effect of Pycnogenol on blood cells

The effect of Pycnogenol on blood cells.

See for yourself what healthy blood cell sample looks like versus unhealthy blood cell samples.
And see what most people have never seen before....blood cells before Pycnogenol and after
taking Pycnogenol.

The Power of Protein

From everydayhealth.com

The Power of Protein
Protein is one of the building blocks of a healthy diet to fuel and repair the body. But not every protein-rich food makes a good choice.

By Diana Rodriguez
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

Protein is an essential element of a healthy diet. You may only think of meat when you think about protein, but this important nutrient actually comes in a number of different forms. Choosing a variety of protein-rich foods while still paying attention to your fat and cholesterol intake are the keys to healthy eating.

Why We Need Protein

Sure, protein tastes good, but why is it so good for the body? "It's an essential nutrient," says Anne Wolf, RD, registered dietitian and researcher at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Protein serves as a critical building block for cells and tissues throughout our body. "We need it for every function in our body — for healing purposes and for building muscles," explains Wolf.

Make sure you give your body what it needs, but don't overload on protein or make it your primary food source. Remember that a healthy balance of foods is your best bet for a healthy diet. Wolf says most women only need about 50 grams of protein per day, while men may need 60 to 70 grams — that works out to between two and three servings. Athletes, seniors, and pregnant women need a little more than that. But most people, notes Wolf, eat more than 120 grams of protein a day — more than twice what we generally need!

Read more >>

From addictedsuccess.com

Kim Kiyosaki’s Advice For A Successful Life
 By Joel on August 9, 2013

The highly successful business woman and wife of Robert Kiyosaki, “Mrs. Kim Kiyosaki” shares her valuable advice for success in life and in the business world. Kim just jumped off her “Live Rich Dad Q&A Chat” to answer a handful of bugging questions from her followers and fans. Kim Kiyosaki started the Q&A with explaining the importance of finding communities of people with similar goals, passions and drive.

Here is some more golden advice from the beautiful and remarkably successful, Kim Kiyosaki.

Kim Kiyosaki’s Advice

1. How to present a deal to a lender or investor?
There is a rule that says “Money follows management.”

And there are 3 things that you have to keep in mind when bringing an offer to the table.

1. Project
You have to have a great project, what is the investment?
2. Partners
Who are your partners, who are the people who are going to make this happen?
3. Management
Experiences, have they done this type of investment before?

2. Staying  away from the debt trap?
Good Debt: Buying a duplex rental property, putting down 15 – 25%, the money you borrow is good debt, after you pay off your loan you end up with cash-flow.

Bad Debt: When you are using money out of your own pocket.

Look for the investments with good cash flow. I would borrow money all day long if it will bring in good cash flow.

The trick is to always have someone else pay for your debt.

Read more >>

Goldman: "Without The Boost From Housing, Real GDP Growth Would Fall Below 1% This Year"

From zerohedge.com

Goldman: "Without The Boost From Housing, Real GDP Growth Would Fall Below 1% This Year"
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 08/13/2013 09:37 -0400

Wonder why the Fed and the banks are so desperate to reflate the second housing bubble, to the delight of flippers and taxpayer consequences (deja vu) be damned? Simple: as Goldman points out in a note released last night, "without the boost from housing, real GDP growth would fall below 1% this year." That's the revised GDP by the way, the one that now includes iTunes song sales and underfunded pension plans in the sumtotal. Which in reality means that ex housing, GDP would almost certainly be negative. So the bigger question is what happens to housing which has already seen a shock to the system following the surge in interest rates in the past month and which hobbled both homebuilders and mortgage applications? This is what Goldman sees there: "On house prices, we have started to see the first signs of deceleration and expect a slowdown from the 10%+ pace observed over the past year. Our bottom-up house price model projects 4-5% annual growth rate in the next two years." Alas, since prices moves from top and bottom inflection point never happen in a straight line as everyone rushes to buy, or sell as the case may be, resulting in a skewed and pronounced move, once the reality seeps in that the artificial housing 'recovery' is over, watch what happens when everyone rushes for the door. That goes for GDP as well.

More from Goldman on housing's contribution to GDP:

How much will housing contribute to GDP growth?

Housing contributes to GDP growth in three ways: (1) the direct effect through residential investment; (2) the consumption impact through housing wealth and active mortgage equity withdrawal (MEW); and (3) the multiplier effect through increases in housing-related employment and easing of bank lending standards in a stronger home price environment. Using the same framework outlined in prior research, we project the contribution of housing to real GDP growth through late 2014.

Read more >>

Your mouth is a window to your overall health.

From DoctorOz.com

Your mouth is a window to your overall health. Nutrition plays a critical role. If your body doesn’t get the proper nutrition, it can show up on various places in your mouth – your tongue, your gums, and the soft and hard tissues of the mouth. Very often, when something flares up, loosens, or simply looks different within your mouth, it’s your body’s way of asking for some type of nutrient it doesn’t have enough of. Your Oral Health Coach can help identify which vitamin deficiency you may have and offer you healthy, safe ways to incorporate them back into your system.

• Loose teeth, premature tooth loss, softening of teeth, and bleeding of gums are all signs that you need more calcium. We suggest having more milk, yogurt, cheese, tofu, canned sardines or salmon, and spinach.
• Inflamed gum tissue is a sign that you need more magnesium and you can find it in halibut, artichokes, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tofu, cashews, and sunflower seeds.
• Shiny red lips and a sore tongue are signs that you need more vitamin B2, which can be found in almonds, broccoli, spinach, kale, and lentils.
• Red and/or swollen tip of tongue with dry, smooth edges, and general mouth pain are signs that you need more vitamin B3. Try eating more avocados, potatoes, lean ground beef, liver, and shrimp.
• A sore burning mouth or a smooth tongue shows a lack of vitamin B6 in your diet. You can fix this by adding more bananas, watermelon, broccoli, spinach, tomato juice, acorn squash, white rice, and chicken breast.
• Sores at the edge of the mouth can mean you are missing a multitude of nutrients such as vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. A more well-rounded diet including almonds, potatoes, lean ground beef, bananas, and poultry will help to fix this.
• Bad breath, a bright red tongue that may have fissures, loss of taste, dry mouth, numbness and bleeding are signs that you need more vitamin B12, which you can find in poultry, fish, shellfish, meats, milk, and eggs.
• Bleeding gums, lowered immune response, infections in the mouth (such as a yeast infection), and impaired taste shows a lack of vitamin C or A in your diet. Add more spinach, broccoli, red bell peppers, snow peas, kiwi, mango, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberries, carrots, kale or other green leafy vegetables, papaya, peaches, red pepper and winter squash to your diet.
• Softening of teeth, increased bleeding, and yeast infections of the mouth are signs of a lack of vitamin D and can be found in egg yolk, fortified milk, liver, and fatty fish.
• Loss of sensation in the tongue, loss of taste, dry mouth, and susceptibility to gum disease are all signs of a lack of zinc in your diet and can be solved by adding more spinach, green peas, lentils, tomato juice, turkey (dark meat), lean ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese and ricotta cheese.

If you notice any sudden changes in your mouth, contact your dentist and make an appointment. If you notice white or red patches in your mouth, lumps or bumps, or unexplained bleeding in the mouth, you may be experiencing some signs and symptoms of oral cancer. Schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately.

Eating a healthy balanced diet will make you feel better, increase your energy level, is good for your dental health, and will make you smile more often.

A Glut of Antidepressants

From NYTimes.com

THE CONSUMER AUGUST 12, 2013, 2:53 PM 

A Glut of Antidepressants
By RONI CARYN RABIN

Over the past two decades, the use of antidepressants has skyrocketed. One in 10 Americans now takes an antidepressant medication; among women in their 40s and 50s, the figure is one in four.

Experts have offered numerous reasons. Depression is common, and economic struggles have added to our stress and anxiety. Television ads promote antidepressants, and insurance plans usually cover them, even while limiting talk therapy. But a recent study suggests another explanation: that the condition is being overdiagnosed on a remarkable scale.

The study, published in April in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, found that nearly two-thirds of a sample of more than 5,000 patients who had been given a diagnosis of depression within the previous 12 months did not meet the criteria for major depressive episode as described by the psychiatrists’ bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or D.S.M.).

The study is not the first to find that patients frequently get “false positive” diagnoses for depression. Several earlier review studies have reported that diagnostic accuracy is low in general practice offices, in large part because serious depression is so rare in that setting.

Read more >>

BMW drivers really are jerks, studies find

From Marketwatch.com

August 13, 2013, 10:56 AM
By Tom Bemis

Drivers of BMWs frequently come in for anecdotal criticism for habits on the road that are perceived as aggressive.

Now, a couple of studies, one in the U.S. and another from the U.K., appear to provide statistical evidence that BMW drivers are, to be polite about it, complete jerks.

In the older study, by researchers at the University of California, BMW drivers were far less likely to stop for a pedestrian who had just entered a crosswalk, the New York Times notes.  ”Fancy cars were less likely to stop,” researcher Paul K. Piff told the paper, adding, “BMW drivers were the worst.”

Drivers of BMWs and other high-status cars (including Prius hybrids) were also more likely to cheat at four-way-stop intersections, according to the research.

In the second study, in the U.K., motorists were asked to identify the make and color of the car from which they have most frequently suffered road-rage incidents, the Daily Mail reports.

The study found men between the ages of 35 and 50 driving blue BMWs were  most likely to be reported as having engaged in road-rage behaviors such as aggressive driving and swearing.

10 Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss

From AARP.com

Ask the Pharmacist
10 Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss
Are you having trouble remembering things? One of these meds may be the problem
by Dr. Armon B. Neel Jr., AARP, May 10, 2013

En español l For a long time doctors dismissed forgetfulness and mental confusion as a normal part of aging. But scientists now know that memory loss as you get older is by no means inevitable. Indeed, the brain can grow new brain cells and reshape their connections throughout life.

Most people are familiar with at least some of the things that can impair memory, including alcohol and drug abuse, heavy cigarette smoking, head injuries, stroke, sleep deprivation, severe stress, vitamin B12 deficiency, and illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.

But what many people don't realize is that many commonly prescribed drugs also can interfere with memory. Here are 10 of the top types of offenders.

Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss 1. Antianxiety drugs 2. Cholesterol drugs 3. Antiseizure drugs 4. Antidepressant drugs 5. Narcotic painkillers 6. Parkinson's drugs 7. Hypertension drugs 8. Sleeping aids 9. Incontinence drugs 10. Antihistamines

1. Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines)

Why they are prescribed: Benzodiazepines are used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders, agitation, delirium and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Because benzodiazepines have a sedative effect, they are sometimes used to treat insomnia and the anxiety that can accompany depression.

Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).                  

How they can cause memory loss: Benzodiazepines dampen activity in key parts of the brain, including those involved in the transfer of events from short-term to long-term memory. Indeed, benzodiazepines are used in anesthesia for this very reason. When they're added to the anesthesiologist's cocktail of meds, patients rarely remember any unpleasantness from a procedure. Midazolam (Versed) has particularly marked amnesic properties.

Alternatives: Benzodiazepines should be prescribed only rarely in older adults, in my judgment, and then only for short periods of time. It takes older people much longer than younger people to flush these drugs out of their bodies, and the ensuing buildup puts older adults at higher risk for not just memory loss, but delirium, falls, fractures and motor vehicle accidents.

Read more >>

MAIC2013: A Magic Moment

From BeingJRRidinger.com

The Greensboro News & Record published an amazing piece last week from Jonnelle Davis, about the 2013 Market America International Convention, and the amazing impact we have with this event. The passion, energy, and excitement shared for the UnFranchise business was overflowing this weekend with over 20,000 entrepreneurs on hand to learn and grow with us at this huge event.

Below you’ll find an excerpt from Jonnelle’s great article, along with a link to the full article that you can use to share with your friends and family. Jonnelle said this event felt more like a concert than a convention, and I would have to agree with her. We always bring incredible energy to this event, and I think this year’s International Convention was no exception.

A New Company, A New Opportunity, A New You | JR Ridinger

High Blood Sugar Linked to Dementia

From NYTimes.com

August 9, 2013, 12:27 pm

High Blood Sugar Linked to Dementia
By PAULA SPAN

People with diabetes face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, a connection scientists and physicians have worried about for years. They still can’t explain it.

Now comes a novel observational study of patients at a large health care system in Washington State showing that higher blood glucose levels are associated with a greater risk of dementia — even among people who don’t have diabetes. The results, published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, “may have influence on the way we think about blood sugar and the brain,” said Dr. Paul Crane, the lead author and associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington.

The researchers tracked the blood glucose levels of 2,067 members of Group Health, a nonprofit HMO, for nearly seven years on average. Some patients had Type 2 diabetes when the study began, but most didn’t. None had dementia.

Over the years, as they saw doctors at Group Health, the participants received blood glucose tests. “It’s a common test in routine clinical practice,” Dr. Crane said. “We had an amazing opportunity with all this data. All the lab results since 1988 were available to us.”

The participants (average age at the start: 76) also reported to Group Health every other year for cognitive screening and, if their results were below normal, further testing and evaluation. Over the course of the study, about a quarter developed dementia of some kind, primarily Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

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MAIC2013: A Life Changing Event

Market America (MA) International Convention 2013 and its hashtag #MAIC2013 is now a memory, but what a memory! It is a life changing event! Many first timers to this convention will return home energized and enthused after witnessing how ordinary folks from all walks of life made it - succeeding in overcoming self-doubt, all kinds of obstacles, negativity both from family and friends to become time independent and free from financial worries for the rest of their lives!

More than 20 thousand entrepreneurs from across the continent and around the world convened in Greensboro, NC to learn, recharge and expand their business in new markets. These MA shop consultants not only learn how to create their own economy but during these 3 days, they injected more than $20 million into the Greensboro economy!

Excerpts from JR Ridinger, CEO & President of MA, at the finale:

"The theme for this year’s International Convention has been A New Company, A New Opportunity, and A New You. I hope that each one of you make the most of the amazing opportunity you’ve been given, and leverage the amazing power of the life-changing UnFranchise Business.

If I can leave you with one message, may it be this. If you’re not working for your dreams, you’re working for someone else’s – so chase your dreams with passion and tenacity, and one day you’ll be a hopeless success too!

I’d like to thank everyone for coming to the 2013 Market America International Convention and taking part in this incredible event with us. The energy you’ve brought here has made MAIC2013 an event to remember, and I hope each one of you leave Greensboro with a renewed sense of purpose, and a clear plan of action to help you reach your goals!"


Below is a testimony of Jacki Blasko, 2012 Jerry Siciliano award winner, shared by JR Ridinger:

Here’s Jacki's amazing message:

In 1996 I attended a Market America Leadership School in San Diego, CA. as a guest of a friend from High School.  When I said yes to attend, I was simply doing my friend a favor and thought I would see just another company with hype and a lot of promotion for the “latest & greatest DEAL”!!  I was pleasantly surprised to see a company with a heart that offered the BEST business model and system of training for owning a home business!  When I returned home to the Minneapolis area I found a great system of training in place that I could plug into and bring others who also wanted change and a system that would give us what we needed!

At the next International Convention in Greensboro I brought 21 other distributors and guests with me!  I took a bus with 10 people from Wisconsin & Illinois and others from Minneapolis and Chicago flew!  It was a powerful training and 10 of us heard JR talk at the Gala about the 10 Magic Moments of Market America!! Our belief in this company & what we could do with the knowledge we gained soared to a high!  We hit the ground running sharing what we learned doing Home Events and attending the NMTSS Events in the areas we lived in!

We were the “Midwest Miracles” with a mission!  (note the buttons on the last picture!)  As I look back I am so glad I was “too dumb to doubt”!  We had a BEEP Philosophy…Belief, Enthusiasm, Effort/Empower, Persistence!

Our income soared as did the incomes of the distributors we were helping!  We became Directors in just 18 months and most of those 10 that we brought to the Gala became 6-figure money earners in record time!!  Because of a GREAT team I was the “Fastest Growing Distributor in our Region” the next year!  Several of our Million Dollar Club members also were born at the 1996 first International Convention.  Now today my belief and passion to help more people have what we have because of MA is greater than ever!  Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share what I believe in!

Blessings,

Jacki Blasko

Mass Psychosis is Why Fed Has Been Able to Create Biggest Bubble of All Time

"The stock market continues to move upward. The market value of all US stocks is $22 trillion, a whopping $13 trillion increase from the March 2009 low and roughly equal to the all-time peak reached in October 2007. The more the stock market has gone up the more investors, economists and financial commentators, all firmly believe that the U.S. economy is on the verge of rapid growth."

What the Sudden 25% Collapse in Homebuilder Stock Prices Tells Us

From the profitconfidential.com

What the Sudden 25% Collapse in Homebuilder Stock Prices Tells Us
By Michael Lombardi, MBA for Profit Confidential

Homebuilder stocks are heading into dangerous territory and investors need to take note—even if they don’t own these stocks—because the move to the downside for this barometer of activity in the U.S. housing market is significant.

The most important factor that sets the fate of the homebuilder stocks is the housing market. If the housing market has growth potential ahead, then you can bet on homebuilder stocks to provide a stunning performance to the upside. If it’s the opposite scenario, with the housing market looking shaky, then homebuilder stocks usually tank. In other words, homebuilder stocks are very fickle, but they are also a great indicator of future activity in the housing market.

Right now, the U.S. housing market is being threatened by the mixed messages the Federal Reserve is sending to the marketplace.

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80% of students work at least part-time

From Marketwatch.com

Aug. 8, 2013, 7:35 a.m. EDT

80% of students work at least part-time
Many students are flipping burgers for tuition or spending money

“Having come of age during the Great Recession of 2008, many of today’s students have experienced a financial wake-up call...”

By Quentin Fottrell

Students are working hard, a new study finds, taking on part-time and even sometimes full-time jobs to avoid racking up more debt while in school.

Nearly four out of five U.S. students — including those in high school, community college, online college, or traditional college or university — work while in school, a survey by Citigroup and Seventeen magazine found, with the average working student putting in 19 hours a week during the school year.

“Having come of age during the Great Recession of 2008, many of today’s students have experienced a financial wake-up call,” says Linda Descano, a managing director at Citi. They saw the havoc the recession wreaked on their parents’ lives, adds Ann Shoket, editor-in-chief of Seventeen magazine. “Students are starting blogs and video production companies,” she says. “They want to start their careers before they leave college.”

Another possible explanation: Parents are kicking in less of money for college. Parents still pay for most of the average family’s total college expenses. But their contribution, including from savings, income and loans, averaged 37% in 2011, down from 47% the year before, according to the “How America Pays for College” survey by student-loan company Sallie Mae. “Kids used to rely on the bank of mom and dad,” Descano says. “So many families are trying to work themselves out of the financial impact of the Great Recession.”

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Why You Should Take Hypertension Seriously

From everydayhealth.com

Why You Should Take Hypertension Seriously
More Americans than ever have high blood pressure, and even children are developing the condition at an alarming rate. 
Called the “silent killer” because it’s usually symptomless.....

By Dr. Sanjay Gupta

The most common diagnosis Dr. Mark Stephan makes in his medical practice isn’t diabetes or arthritis — it’s high blood pressure, or hypertension. More than 76 million Americans have high blood pressure, but only half have it under control and many don’t know they have it at all.

Called the “silent killer” because it’s usually symptomless, hypertension can cause serious health problems such as heart failure, stroke, aneurysm, and kidney damage. According to the American Heart Association, it’s responsible for 350,000 deaths each year, and that number is likely to climb as more adults and even children are diagnosed with it.

“There’s a rise in prevalence of high blood pressure across the country. It’s getting diagnosed a lot more than it did 25 years ago,” said Dr. Stephan, director of family medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. “We think it correlates with the rise of obesity and sedentary lifestyle.”

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the artery walls as the heart pumps. The more blood pumped and the narrower the arteries, the higher the pressure. Most doctors consider normal blood pressure to be a systolic number (the pressure when the heart beats) under 120 and a diastolic number (the pressure between beats) under 80. A systolic pressure of 140 or more and a diastolic number of 90 or more are considered high.

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From Unfranchise.com newsletter

Starting this Wednesday, August 7, MeetON.com will spotlight a select few stage presentations and breakout sessions!

The Live Meets begin with Andrew Weissman and Jim Winkler on Wednesday as they preview the upcoming 2013 International Convention in Greensboro, N.C, and give a sneak peak of the backstage rehearsals. It’s an event not open to the public, but MeetON has a front row seat reserved for viewers nonetheless!

Nothing can replace being at International Convention in person — there are hours upon hours of important presentations that only ticket holders will experience — but these Live Meets are going to perfectly demonstrate why this is an event that’s not to be missed.

Click here to view the full list of streaming presentations and their broadcast times.

Five Tips for Building a Winning Team

From MarketAmericaBlog.com

Five Tips for Building a Winning Team
"Surround yourself with motivated people.'

When I was in college I rowed on a crew team. Interestingly enough, rowing crew is a sport that not only requires an incredible ability to power through tough times (like 4 a.m. practice), but additionally is the ultimate test of teamwork. If one team member has an off day (or even an off moment), everything is thrown off balance.

Sometimes, in my career, I think back to my days of rowing crew and I am reminded of the moments when I rowed on a team that totally jived. Being part of a winning team was an incredible experience, as we’d often reach a state of flow and I would literally feel like I was flying across the water. We were fast, the water was smooth, and in those moments, nothing else mattered. The spirit of teamwork equaled winning results, and the winning results inspired the team. The cyclical process was amazing.

In building a business as an entrepreneur, it seems only fitting to surround yourself with a winning team, figure out how to find that sense of flow and achieve the results you desire.

Here are five tips for building the foundation of a winning team:

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July Jobs Report Masks Real Problems In U.S. Labor Market

The July unemployment report on August 2nd was downright disappointing. It gets worst when one looks at previous months' reports which were revised downwards - jobs added to the U.S. economy for the month of May was revised down from 195,000 to 176,000, and June's employment numbers were revised down from 195,000 to 188,000. That adds up to 26,000 jobs that were vapor jobs - they never happened! And it is not encouraging when most of the new jobs added were in low paying sectors such as retail, trade, leisure and hospitality, specifically in food services and drinking establishments.

From HuffingtonPost.com

July Jobs Report Masks Real Problems In U.S. Labor Market
Posted: 08/02/2013 8:31 am EDT  

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has said the official U.S. unemployment rate could mask the real problems in the labor market. He got proof of that in July's jobs report.

The unemployment rate dipped to 7.4 percent in July, the lowest rate since December 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday, down from 7.6 percent in June.

But payroll growth was anemic, wages dropped and more discouraged workers headed for the sidelines, continuing the slowest job-market recovery since World War II.

"The U.S. job market appears to be stuck in the slow lane," Adam Hersh, economist at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, wrote in a statement. "Despite the modest gains in this report, we’re still not moving fast enough to repair the unemployment hole or to deliver a pay raise for the majority of workers in America."

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The Event That Changed Our Lives

From MarketAmericaBlog.com

Tony & Michele Molinaro: The Event That Changed Our Lives
"Our lives changed the moment we walked into the arena"

August 3, 2013

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been sharing some incredible stories with you from our top influencers in the field. Ryan Stack shared the story of attending his first event, Jacki Blasko talked about her BEEP philosophy, Alice Chiou looked back at the event that made her team grow stronger, and many members of the Advisory Council spoke about past events that made an impact on their business.

Our recent Shop Consultant Spotlight interviewees Tony & Michele Molinaro also talked to us about attending events and here’s what they had to say:

       “Being in the restaurant business and even with our Internet business we always had people 
         try to sell us something, whether it was advertising or a new product that we couldn’t live 
         without. That always made us hesitant about investing our money and time. We were very 
         new in the business, maybe a few months, and we were told that if we wanted to be  
         successful with Market America we would need to attend the World Conference. Our 
       experience as business owners taught us that training is the key to success, 
       so we decided it was in our best interest to attend.

         During our drive to World Conference we were trying to figure out what we could expect 
         to see. When we arrived at the arena, we could not believe all the people that were there. 
         Our lives changed the moment we walked into the arena. It was at that moment 
         that we realized that we were part of something much bigger than we ever imagined. 
         We were now part of this huge company that allowed us to still be in business for 
         ourselves but no longer by ourselves. Attending World Conference allowed us to see 
         the corporate team in action. It gave us the belief we needed that they were not trying 
         to sell us anything. They were a high speed train moving forward, with or without us. 
         We like to say that we were the bullet in the chamber on our ride over, and once we 
         arrived at the event we were able to pull the trigger. There was nothing that could 
       stop us. We hit the Master Coordinator PIN level and achieved our first Presidents 
         Challenge four months later. Getting the training to grow ANY business is vital to 
         its success, which is why going to events like International Convention and World 
         Conference is so important.”

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Suzanne Somers Drops a 'Bombshell' on Aging

From everydayhealth.com

Suzanne Somers Drops a 'Bombshell' on Aging
"No one back then thought about making a plan for aging well.

We plan for nearly everything else in our lives. Think about all the energy you put into planning a vacation, or any major event. But aging is put out of our minds; we don’t want to acknowledge it; we choose not to “see” the end point. Aging is just something that “happens” and is something we want to avoid. And rarely do people think the fate they see all around in others is going to happen to them."


I just turned 65!

I’m excited about it. Never thought I’d feel this upbeat about an age that many keep secret.

Like so many people, a couple of decades ago, before I “saw the light,” I dreaded aging. And why not? I never saw an aging person who was happy about it. My late then-90-year-old auntie Helen said it so well: “It sucks to get old, Sue!”

And who could blame her. Once “full of bullets” as they say — energetic, mischievous, outspoken, confident, and funny — my aunt spent her last years in a nursing home, unable to perform the simple tasks of life. “The food sucks in here,” she would say. “I miss being able to cook for myself.” Forgetful, with unsteady feet that couldn’t feel the ground from neuropathy and bones so brittle that the wrong moves could snap them in two, she was right. It sucked.

Back when I was a kid, 65 was ancient. Now I see it as young. But I can remember being at family weddings looking at my old aunts (in their sixties), all of whom had their legs wrapped in support hose to hide their varicose veins and swollen ankles, their feet propped high on chairs to take some of the pressure off them. They had swollen bodies and pendulous breasts, and there was a seeming sexlessness to them. Youth was gone, bones were brittle, memories were foggy; they appeared to be living back in the “I remember whens.”

Next, I noticed that the pills started, tackle boxes full — for memory, for blood pressure, for cholesterol, for bones. Soon my aunts became the ones in the wheelchairs, stooped over, shaking, confused, not quite remembering who they were and, worse, not remembering who they used to be. We patted their heads, kissed them, and told them we loved them. They responded to the affection, but it could have been from anyone, because now in a haze of drugs and loss of self, just being touched and acknowledged, by anyone, felt nice.

When I was a kid and my parents and relatives were still young and full of fun, I remember them partying till all hours of the morning. I was supposed to be in bed, but I would sit with the door cracked open, watching, listening. They had such a good time, laughing nonstop, drinking, and playing cards all night long, then stumbling out of the house hugging and kissing one another good-bye. They were in their forties then; their sixties, seventies, and eighties were coming, but none of them gave it a thought. No one back then thought about making a plan for aging well.

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Arthritis and Vitamin D: What's the Connection?

From everydayhealtth.com

Arthritis and Vitamin D: What's the Connection?
Research shows that people with arthritis are likely to be deficient in the so-called sunshine vitamin, but these easy strategies can help.

By Marie Suszynski
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

Vitamin D got its nickname, "the sunshine vitamin," because sun exposure helps promote vitamin D production in the body. This essential nutrient is also found naturally in a few foods such as oily fish (mackerel, salmon) and is used to fortify milk, baby formula, cereal, and juice. But changing lifestyles and diets mean that many of us are lacking in vitamin D. In fact, it's estimated that about 75 percent of American teens and adults don't get enough vitamin D, and studies suggest that this may play a role in several chronic diseases, including arthritis.

Just what role does vitamin D play in arthritis and arthritis symptoms? "It's hard to know at what level it's working," says Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, the Maui, Hawaii-based medical director for the Nutritional Magnesium Association and author of Future Health Now Encyclopedia. Vitamin D may affect arthritis pain by affecting the joints directly or by interacting with the immune system, she adds.

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Tired All the Time? It Could Be Your Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com

Tired All the Time? It Could Be Your Diabetes
Fatigue in people with diabetes is often attributed to blood sugar fluctuations, but stress and emotional concerns can be major contributors. Learn coping strategies that can help boost energy and mood.

By Beth W. Orenstein
Medically approved by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

If you’re coping with diabetes and feel wiped out all the time – the kind of fatigue that isn’t helped by eating or getting a little extra sleep – your doctor might tell you that your blood sugar levels are to blame. But new research shows that the duo of diabetes and fatigue could have other causes. In a study published in The Diabetes Educator, researchers Cynthia Fritschi, RN, PhD, and Laurie Quinn, RN, PhD, of the University of Illinois College of Nursing, found that stress, depression, body mass index (BMI), and lack of physical activity can all be significant contributors to fatigue in people with diabetes.

The study looked at 83 women ages 40 to 65 with type 2 diabetes. The women completed questionnaires about their health, fatigue levels, diabetes symptoms, depression, emotional distress, physical activity, and how they were managing and coping with diabetes. Some of the women wore a continuous glucose monitor for three days to assess the changes in their glucose (blood sugar) levels.

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Diabetes Now NYC Public Enemy #2

From the medpagetoday.com

Diabetes Now NYC Public Enemy #2
Published: Jul 31, 2013
By Elbert Chu

Roughly one in nine New Yorkers carries a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, a rate that carries grim consequences as every 90 minutes a resident of the "city that never sleeps" dies from diabetes-related causes.

Those statistics topped a new report from the New York City Health Department's Community Health Survey that reported a record 5,695 diabetes-related deaths in 2011.

"The numbers are pretty startling," said Sanjay Gupta, MD, editor of MedPage Today's Gupta Guide. "I approach this as a journalist, as a doctor, but also as a friend of someone who has diabetes and have seen first hand and recognize how devastating it can be long term."

Gupta moderated a panel at MedPage Today's parent company, Everyday Health, to discuss the rise in type 2 diabetes with New York Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, MD, and Joel Zonszein, MD, director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center.

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