Alcohol and Breast Cancer Research

In a recent newsletter published by the National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF), researchers find links between the occurrence of breast cancer and the consumption of alcohol. Here is an excerpt of their report and a link to the NCSF website for more info:

While breast cancer risk is impacted by several lifestyle choices (body weight, physical activity and breastfeeding), research shows that it may be less affected by dietary choices than some other cancers, such as the cancers of the digestive tract. The major exception to this fact is a female’s alcohol consumption. According to the latest report on diet and cancer risk published by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) there is convincing evidence that alcohol intake increases an individual’s risk for breast cancer. An analysis of the research compiled by AICR found that breast cancer risk increases 6% - 10% for every 3 ounces of wine, 9 ounces of beer, or 1 ounce of 80-proof liquor consumed each day. Subsequent research supports these figures, noting a 3% - 15% increased risk for similar daily consumption. Alcohol may exert its impact in several different ways and researchers are working to identify which individuals may be most at risk. Many of the potential hypotheses involve mechanisms that foster DNA damage and can trigger the process of cancer development. For example, alcohol may disrupt absorption and use of folate, a B vitamin needed for production and repair of DNA. (Although some experts suggest that women who meet daily folate recommendations are less at risk, this is not seen consistently.) Another possibility is the breakdown of alcohol into acetaldehyde in the body, a compound that can react with cells' DNA and has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Lastly, when alcohol is metabolized, free radicals form; these highly reactive substances can cause DNA damage as well. << NCSF website here >>

Happy Food and the Good Mood Diet

I'm an optimist. Is my rather cheerful mood and unrelenting optimism due to my diet? The foods I eat can positively affect my mood according to researchers, which claim certain foods, when eaten right, can improve your mood.

Research studies by Richard Wurtman, MD, and Judith Wurtman, PhD, at MIT have shown that snacking on readily digested carbohydrates, such as those in a bagel or cookie, can raise the brain's level of serotonin. Raising the levels of serotonin is one of the benefits sought after while taking modern antidepressant medications according to medical experts.

Here are a few of the diet related recommendations and the original resources to check out:

From Prevention Magazine and republished in a recent WebMD article, The Good Mood Diet:

• Include protein in each of your three meals. This will raise blood levels of tryptophan, a chemical that eventually turns into serotonin. The best sources of tryptophan are poultry, seafood, and lean meat.
  
  
• Have a small carbohydrate snack about 3 or 4 hours after each meal and about 1 hour before your next one. Make sure that your stomach is empty and that you eat no protein between meals. The carbohydrates should be easily digestible--such as one or two oatmeal cookies, a third of a bagel, a slice of whole wheat bread. This will cause tryptophan in your blood to enter the brain, where it is metabolized into serotonin. Elevated serotonin will improve your mood within 20 to 30 minutes. (Full article here)
  

The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight is a book published by author Dr. Susan Kleiner. It is a culmination of 25 years of her work in the field of nutrition, fitness and health. The Good Mood Diet nourishes your brain and your body. The Good Mood Diet is also a philosophy, an approach to life and food. Put together, it will give you more mental and physical energy, enhancing your mood and giving you greater mental focus. You can even feel great while you lose weight. You can visit Dr. Kleiner's blog here.

So what now? Eat, drink and be merry!

Family Sues YMCA After Son Drowned

HUNTINGTON, NY -- The family of a high school senior who drowned at the Huntington YMCA (New York) last February has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages, according to Newsday.

The YMCA of Long Island oversees the Huntington facility and they were named as one of the defendants as well. The summons and complaint was filed on Sept. 11 in New York State Supreme Court, according to Newsday. The other defendants named are two lifeguards who were on duty at the time of the drowning, a third lifeguard on the premises at the time and the aquatics coordinator, also on the premises at the time of the accident.

The newspaper reported that Marc Dawson, a lifeguard at the Huntington YMCA, drowned in a 4-foot deep lap pool as he practiced holding his breath for SEAL training. He died a week after the accident, which occurred on February 18.

Also according to the newspaper report, the complaint alleges the defendants were “reckless, careless, and negligent in the ownership, operation, management, maintenance, control, life guarding and supervision of the subject premises.”

“What the family wants is justice,” Michael Perrotta, the lawyer representing the Dawson family, tells the newspaper. “They want the Y to be held responsible for the death of their son.”

It appears the family wants a boat load of money as well as justice.

Fitness Industry Improve Retention and Sales Articles

Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro has an online how-to section that provides articles for industry fitness professionals interested in improving retention, increasing sales, energizing group exercise programming, etc.
Visit their site here to read articles from industry fitness experts.

Summary of their October "Step by Step" online section:

Step by Step: Clubs
Jenny Dell, marketing director for Legend Fitness, shares seven tips for retaining employees and heightening workplace morale.

Step by Step: Personal Training
Brian Grasso, CEO for the International Youth Conditioning Association, explores opportunities for trainers to work with youth.

Step by Step: Marketing
Don Jones, executive director of the Fitness Centre & Day Spa, offers tips about how to successfully hold a fitness sampler event.

Step by Step: Design
Kurt Broadhag, president of 23D Gym Design and K Allan Consulting, explains how to go green with environmentally friendly flooring.

Step by Step: Vendor Viewpoint
Peter Sheldon, vice president of Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System, describes the best ways to clean fitness facilities.

You can also participate as a columnist - contact Jennipher Shaver at:
Email: jennipher.shaver "at" penton.com
Send Jennipher a mug shot, a one-paragraph bio and three topic ideas (you'll be writing 750-word how-to articles).