This is the 12th edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every weekend.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 12th edition:

1. Fast-food-loving Kuwaitis fight fat with stomach stapling -- CNN -- Thanks to its large reserves of oil, the small Gulf state of Kuwait has transformed over the decades from a humble pearl-farming backwater into one of the world's richest countries per capita. But too much of a good thing, as many of Kuwait's 2.6 million inhabitants are discovering, can be problematic. Kuwaiti waistlines have swollen to make them among the most obese people on the planet. Nearly 70% of Kuwaiti males over 15 are overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization. For women, the figures are even worse -- slightly over 80%. People in Kuwait consider McDonalds and Burger King as full meal restaurants -- not junk food.

2. Healthy Snacking: What Do Nutritionists Eat Between Meals? -- Huffington Post -- Americans with the healthiest overall eating habits were twice as likely to snack as their less-healthy counterparts. But to be a healthy snacker, that doesn't mean eating candy bars all day. Here's a good list of what nutritionists eat in between meals.  

3. Guava, the "poor man's fruit" -- The Bahamas Weekly -- "There is a long list of fruits that help a healthy balanced diet that our bodies need, and can help fight against viruses our bodies may encounter. People like myself are shouting out in the wind and are being unheard when we say 'EAT LOCALLY' or eat in 'SEASON.' -- While this article is specific about local food in the Bahamas, it brings up some interesting health benefits of Guava, and drives home the reasons you should eat local food in season, because that's when they are packed with the most nutrients.   

4. 5 Tips To Making Thanksgiving Dinner Gluten-Free -- HealthCastle.com -- This is a fairly simple article, but it lists some good tips for those concerned about gluten at Thanksgiving. 

5. The Importance of Play for Adults -- PsychCentral -- We focus most of our attention on what to put into our bodies to stay healthy. In many cases though, what happens to our brain's health is just as important. This article has some great reminders, backed with evidence, about why play is important to our overall health. Our society tends to dismiss play for adults. Play is perceived as unproductive, petty or even a guilty pleasure. The notion is that once we reach adulthood, it’s time to get serious. And between personal and professional responsibilities, there’s no time to play. But play is just as important for adults as it is for kids. 

Your Turn

Note: This article is being reproduced for its educational value only. It is not intended to promote a particular manufacturer or brand of dietary supplement.

This is the 11th edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every weekend.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 10th edition:

1. Land of a Billion Vegetables -- The New York Times -- Everyone eats food from California's Central Valley. In one week, massive operations in this valley individually process enough produce that can circle the Earth. If you took all the carrots one company grows in a year, it would equal the weight of the Empire State Building. That's six million pounds of carrots a day. It may be our greatest food resource. However, this area is in danger and is already becoming less productive. This writer adresses how diseases, the organic movement, GMOs, labor, contaminated soil, regulations and other issues are affecting this area. 

2. Who is the Fittest President -- Huffington Post -- As election nears, we need a little diversity and turn our attention to presidential fitness. From marathons, basketball, swimming, tennis, volleyball with a medicine ball, boxing and cowboying, these men managed to keep a workout routine while leading the free world. If they can do it, we sure as can, right?  

3. Short Bursts of Intense Excercise Can Fight Weight Gain -- HealthDay -- "Is lack of time your excuse for not exercising? New research finds that just a few minutes of intense activity interspersed between less intense stretches of exercise will burn excess calories all day long." 

4. Can Genetically Engineered Foods Harm You? -- Huffington Post -- "Genetically engineered (GE) foods are in the headlines again. Last month, a controversial French study claimed that a particular strain of GE corn causes cancer in lab rats. And in next week's election, Californians will vote on Proposition 37, which aims to require labeling for all genetically engineered foods."

5. Nutrient Density is the Key to Good Health -- Dr. Fuhrman -- Nutrient rich foods, and raw foods, can be the key to healthly living and to weight management. In this video, Dr. Fuhrman explains why and shows a list of the highest nutrient value foods you can eat. 

Your Turn

Note: This article is being reproduced for its educational value only. It is not intended to promote a particular manufacturer or brand of dietary supplement.

This is the 10th edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every weekend.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 10th edition:

1. Vote for the Dinner Party; Is this the year that the food movement finally enters politics? -- The New York Times -- "One of the more interesting things we will learn on Nov. 6 is whether or not there is a “food movement” in America worthy of the name — that is, an organized force in our politics capable of demanding change in the food system. There is growing sentiment in favor of reforming American agriculture and interest in questions about where our food comes from and how it was produced.

"And we can see an alternative food economy rising around us: local and organic agriculture is growing far faster than the food market as a whole. But a market and a sentiment are not quite the same thing as a political movement — something capable of frightening politicians and propelling its concerns onto the national agenda. California’s Proposition 37, which would require that genetically modified (G.M.) foods carry a label, has the potential to do just that — to change the politics of food not just in California but nationally too ..." 

2. No Accounting for Mouthfeel  -- New York Times Book Review -- Fast food is an inescapable part of the modern world, and this author thinks that's a very bad thing. A quote in this article talking about the fast-food industry illustrates some of these problems:  

"What's interesting about the fast-food industry is there was a decision made at some point in the growth of this industry, in the early 1960's probably, when the industry could have relied on a small group of well-paid and trained workers, or could create a business model instead based on large numbers of unskilled and untrained workers with a high turnover rate, and there was real decision made to go the latter route. And the success of the fast food industry had tremendous influence within the service sector. And other companies saw that they could have the same sort of work force, a work force that received little pay and no benefits ..." -- not to mention the health problems the fast-food industy has inflicted upon society. 

3. Dough Rolls Out to Fight 'Engineered' Label on Food -- Wall Street Journal -- California's Proposition 37, if it passes, would require that most foods containing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, be labeled as such on their packaging at grocery stores. "It also would mandate that food companies stop marketing as 'natural' any products containing such ingredients," the article reads. As such, many companies are fighting against it, including Kraft, Coca-Cola, Whole Foods Market, and others. With 94% cotton, 93% of soy, 90% of canola and 88% of corn being GMO, this is a serious issue that puts our health and the wealth of other companies at odds. 

4. Physical Activity Trumps Mental Activity for Protecting Aging Brains -- WebMD -- "Staying mentally sharp as you age may have more to do with working out than working on crossword puzzles, new research suggests."

5. Organic Food Really is Safer For Children -- HAARETZ -- "Anyone who needs to be convinced that eating organic food prevents exposure to the harmful effects of pesticides should hear Harvard University Prof. Chensheng Lu. Lu, who last week attended the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Science's annual conference, presented new research findings showing how consumption of organic foods leads to a significant reduction in exposure to pesticides."

Your Turn

Note: This article is being reproduced for its educational value only. It is not intended to promote a particular manufacturer or brand of dietary supplement.

This is the 7th edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every weekend.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 7th edition of our links of the week:

1.  Brain Health Dietary Supplements: This Is Your Brain on Phospholipids -- Nutritional Outlook -- "Obviously, the brain’s structural health is key to such functions as memory and cognition, including mental energy, focus, and concentration. Maintaining structural integrity includes keeping brain cells healthy: ensuring cell walls remain fluid so that they can effectively regulate nutrients coming in and waste going out, and supporting signal-transmitting chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters." This is a large, comprehensive article covering a wide array of supplements for your brain.

2. The Health Benefits Of Weightlifting And The New Science That Supports Strength Building -- Forbes -- 'Weightlifting has been controversial in the fitness industry, in medicine, and in social discourse. However, new scientific research on the health benefits of weightlifting is beginning to debunk many myths about working out with weights ..." 

3. What Do 300 Calorie Meals Look Like? -- DietBlog -- What we think is 300 calories and what really is 300 calories can often be at odds. This gallery shows what your diet would look like if you actually ate 300 calories in a meal. 

4. Foods That Look Like Body Parts They're Good For -- Woman's Day -- "Every child has heard the healthy-eating mantra 'You are what you eat.' But there may be a closer resemblance between good-for-you grub and your body than you thought. We found 10 foods that mirror the body parts they provide nutrients for—for example, brain-boosting walnuts actually look like a brain. Coincidence? Maybe. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas."

5. How 14,983 China Children Got Access to Clean Water -- NicJah.com -- "Zhongwei is located in the desert region of the Ningxia Province of China. The local people live very poorly which an average annual income of $535 per household. It is extremely difficult for them to get water, let alone clean water. Households typically collect rainwater and store it in dirty underground cellars. When the rainwater is gone, they must travel a full day to collect water from a polluted nearby river."

Your Turn

This is the 7th edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every weekend.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 7th edition of our links of the week:

1. Mediterranean dieters kept weight off for six years -- Los Angeles Times -- For dieters, the hard part is often not losing pounds. It’s often about keeping them off.  The Mediterranean diet is known for its health benefits. This study compares moderately obese people that have tried different diets. Those on the Mediterranean has significantly better results. Just another reason to go Mediterranean.  

2. Franken-COW? GM cow designed to produce milk without an allergy-causing protein -- The Guardian -- The actual creation of a genetically modified cow (her name is Daisy)by scientists in New Zealand gives a completely new definition to the term GMO.  Daisy's milk lacks a substance that causes allergic reactions in people, and may be beneficial for many people that can't drink milk. But at what costs? 

3. Study: Omega-3 Supplements May Actually Affect Aging -- The Atlantic -- In an Ohio State University study, those in the "fish pill groups" had a 15 percent reduction in oxidative stress, the disease-causing condition behind science's much-enthused over endorsement of red wine and dark chocolate. Interesting study that points to possibly even more health benefits of fish oil. 

4. How to limit exposure to toxins in foods -- Fox News -- Our modern diet is often full of toxins, chemicals, pollutants, processed foods, pesticides and many other invasive substances. It's why our Clean Start kit is one of our highest-selling produts. This is article comes shortly after a new study by Consumer Reports revealed that arsenic is present in a wide range of rice products, from cereal to baby food, and of course, in regular old rice itself. Good read to help you keep toxins out of your food.

5. Look Homeward, Bayele -- NicJah.com -- This story is a little different than most of the links we share every week. But the story, told from someone living in Ethiopia, is inspiring and gives us hope and inspiration in overcoming our own obstacles. The first part of it reads, "When Bayele was 10 years old his mother gave him 15 birr ($2 USD), wrapped a portion of bread in a towel and made her son promise not to eat it until he arrived ... His mother believed sending her prepubescent son away would most certainly lead him from little boy to man. His father was dead and not coming back. She feared what he might become if he stayed and hoped for what he might become if he left. Nevertheless, floating above her head, this emotional dilemma took place in an imaginary dialogue bubble, which constantly reminded her of the possibility she would never see her first born child again."

Your Turn

Today is the fourth edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out at the end of every week.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 4th edition of our links of the week:

1. The soda ban passed in New York -- Diets in Review -- The controversial New York City soda ban is now more than just talk. The city's board of health approved banning the sale of sugary beverages exceeding 16 ounces. Unless it's overturned by a judge, in 6 months you won't be able to get a super-sized soda in New York City. It'll be interesting to see where this goes. 

2.  Not All Calories Equal, Study Shows -- The Wall Street Journal -- If you ask world-class athletes about their diet, many of them will tell you, it's not about the calories, it's the type of calories. This study brings hard numbers to this philosophy. The quote, "We should avoid severely restricting any major nutrient and focus on the quality of the nutrient," is the basis of this article. 

3. Increased Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Improves Children's Reading and Behavior -- ENews Park Forest -- A new study by the University of Oxford has shown that daily supplements of omega-3 fatty acids (Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA) improved the reading and behaviour of underperforming children in mainstream primary schools.

4. Food Companies Will Go Non-GMO if CA Laneling Law Passes -- The Organic & Non-GMO Report -- Here's hope for those who fear GMOs in our food. Major food manufacturers are likely to switch to using non-GMO ingredients in their products sold nationwide if California’s initiative to label GM foods—Proposition 37—passes this fall, according to food industry experts.

5. Got Chronic Pain? The Top Conditions That Cause It -- and How to Get Relief! -- iVillage -- About 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. From fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and Lupus to back pain, carpel tunnel and chronic fatigue syndrome, this is a great list to help you diagnose and treat chronic pain.

Your Turn

Today is the third edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every Friday morning.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 3rd edition of our links of the week:

1. The Case for Organic Food -- The L.A. Times -- The media has been publishing a recent Stanford study that organic food has no extra nutritional value than the regular commercial food. While the study focused on nutrition, it ignored things like pesticides and their affect on our food. This well-written editorial in The L.A. Times makes it clear that what was omitted in the study (an examination of processed foods) means that we're missing a true, comprehensive research on the totality of what we eat.

2.  Detoxify Yourself: 101 Tips to Remove the Poison from Your Body and Your Life -- NursingSchoolSearch.com -- Detoxification is getting a lot of attention lately. Detox supplements are one of our best-selling products with good reason. With air pollution, harmful pesticides and an unhealthy diet, your body is probably full of chemicals and poisons that you don’t even think about. If you want to detox your entire body, mind, spirit and life, turn to this list, which has over 100 ideas from medical professionals for removing the poison. 

3. World’s Oldest Person Turns 116 -- Extreme Longevity -- The oldest person in the world needs a little attention whenever she has a birthday. Here lifestyle choices of careful diet, physical activity, and low-stress-rural living are commonly found among supercentenarians.

4. Reprogram Your Brain to Improve Relationships and Heal Past Wounds -- PsychCentral -- We talk a lot about consuming the right nutrition and supplements to make sure you're living a healthy life. But it's not just what we put into our bodies, we also need to mix a healthy habit with healthy thought patterns and "reprogram our brain." This article has some great ideas to help influence your subconscious mind towards minddulness, health and well-being. 

5. New Imaging Technology Using Collagen-Seeking Synthetic Protein Could Discover Tumors -- Medical News Today -- Johns Hopkins researchers have created a synthetic protein that, when activated by ultraviolet light, can guide doctors to places within the body where cancer, arthritis and other serious medical disorders can be detected. Exciting stuff.

Your Turn

Today is the second edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" that we're putting out every Friday morning.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. If you've read some interesting articles on health or supplements, please share with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Enjoy the 2nd edition of our links of the week:

1. Links Between Nutrients, Genes and Cancer Spread -- Medical News Today -- More than 40 plant-based compounds can turn on genes that slow the spread of, according to a first-of-its-kind study by a Washington State University researcher. Gary Meadows, WSU professor and associate dean for graduate education and scholarship in the College of Pharmacy, says,  "We're always looking for a magic bullet," he says. "Well, there are lots of magic bullets out there in what we eat and associated with our lifestyle. We just need to take advantage of those. And they can work together."

2.  The Real Health Care Bill Is Passing in Silence -- Huffington Post -- The real health care bill is sailing through Congress without public knowledge or debate. It's called the Farm Bill, or the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012. Each year, the average American eats  1,996 pounds, or nearly one ton, of food -- food that has a real and direct impact on their health. More than any other piece of legislation, the Farm Bill influences what America grows -- and ultimately eats.

3. Health Groups Sue U.S. for Failing to Protect Food Supply -- Reuters -- Two U.S. health and environment organizations sued the federal government on Wednesday for what the groups say is a failure to implement and enforce a new food safety law that could help prevent thousands of deaths caused by food-borne illnesses each year. 

4. Healthy Food: 20 More Of The Best In The World -- Huffington Post -- A great list of 20 foods (including apricots, asparagus, bananas, basil, black pepper, and jicama) you might want to be eating regularly.

5. Vitamin D Shows Eye Health Benefits -- Nutra Ingredients USA -- I"ve seen a lot of Vitamin D information lately, this one was based on research in the UK showing that Vitamin D3 may boost visual function in lab mice. Researchers say that it might have more significant impact on the aging human retina than on rodents. Interesting read that may reveal even more benefit from the sunshine vitamin. 

Your Turn

Today is the first edition of the "Health Stories of the Week" post we'll be putting out every Friday morning.

We'll post links to articles regarding health and nutrition, and occasionally something off topic that's interesting. Here's our first edition, and please share anything else interesting that you've seen this week.

Enjoy the first edition of our links of the week:

1. Scientists Clear a Path to the Fountain of Eternal Youth -- Gizmodo -- Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered an efficient and totally safe method to turn adult blood cells "all the way back to the way [they were] when that person was a 6-day-old embryo. The discovery, scientists say, could be the key to cure the incurable — from heart attacks to severed spinal cord to cancer — and open the door, some day, to eternal youth.


2. Protect Your Brain From Ageing wirth Plant Polyphenols -- BrainBlogger -- This article goes into detail about how plant polyphenols may reverse damage caused by ageing, stress, trauma, substance abuse and keep Alzheimer's at bay. It turns out, mom was right. Eat your vegetables!


3. The Bright Side of the Drought [video] -- CBS News -- If you haven't noticed, there's been a serious drought killing crops across the country this summer. But the drought is also bringing something sweet. The lack of water is producing fruit and vegetables that are juicer and sweeter. Interesting video that explains why. 


4. Americans Throw Away 40% of Their Food -- Opposing Views -- A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council says Americans throw away about 40% of its food supply annually, worth about $165 Billion! A family of four chucks out more than $2k worth of food every year, which is 10 times more than someone living in Southeast Asia. Grocery stores throw away $15 Billion in fresh produce. Those stats affect many other things such as wasted freshwater to produce wasted food, wasted oil, methane and other natural resources. After reading this, you'll think twice about letting leftovers go to waste. 


5. When Eating Healthy Becomes Unhealthy -- Atlanta BlackStar -- For some people, a dedication to eating "right" can cross over into a disorder called orthorexia, an extreme fixation on health food. This condition starts with good intentions, but someone starts to cut out all fats, salt or a particular food group, they can be at ris for nutrient deficiencies, social anxiety, depression or other problems. This article talks about the real consequences of orthorexia and distinguishes what is healthy and what is not. 

Your Turn