Health Podcast: Parsing Pinterest; Early Alzheimer’s Warnings.

In this episode we feature:

It’s okay to be lazy (sometimes).

Music makes you eat.

Mental health decor.

And more ways you can improve your health today!

For more information, and to sign up for our private coaching, visit tesh.com

Our Hosts:
John Tesh: Instagram: @johntesh_ifyl facebook.com/JohnTesh
Gib Gerard: Instagram: @GibGerard facebook.com/GibGerard X: @GibGerard

Transcript

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Gib. Hello and welcome to another episode of the podcast. I'm Gib Gerard, here with another special intelligence for your health with Connie Celica. Episode of the show. This is where we take our weekly intelligence for your health. Radio Show. We pull out the music and just give you the information that helps you live your healthiest life. That's what we're all about, getting you from the place you are to the place you want to be, to help you be the healthiest version of yourself, the best version of yourself. So here we go, without further ado, here is intelligence for your health with Connie Celica, here are some of the hottest health and wellness trends from Pinterest. Pinterest analyzed search results and saved pins for more than 250 million users, and this is what's trending on the health front, elderberries. Elderberries are on the rise thanks to their anti inflammatory effects. Searches for elderberry recipes are surging nearly 700% searches for ginger oil and ginger recipes also jumped more than 600% that's because it's an anti inflammatory and it aids digestion. I love it. Research from Columbia University says just one teaspoon of ginger ignites fat burning. It also reduces gas bloat, nausea and excess fluids that contribute to water weight. Another trend on Pinterest sobriety. Searches for sober living are up over 700% and one of the top diet trends on Pinterest is vegan, part paleo, part vegan. Searches for eating vegan are up over 300% it was originally created by Dr Mark Hyman from the Cleveland Clinic, and is based on the best aspects of both diets, since their main principle is the same, paleos and vegans both focus on eating whole, fresh, unprocessed foods when people are starting to get on your nerves, do this smile. A study by the University of Kansas found that making a happy face when you're upset or tense, even if nobody sees it, can physically reduce your body's response to stress and leave you feeling much more relaxed. Guys, if you live alone, it may be time to get a roommate, because men who live alone aren't doing their waist lines any favors, according to research from Queensland University of Technology, men who live alone tend to have the worst eating habits because no one is watching. They also get lazy and are the least likely to cook because they have no one to share a meal with. Bottom line, single guys tend to eat more junk food and fast food, fewer fruits and vegetables and less fish. That's compared to men who share their living space with another human being. Here is a little body language, 101, to show you're interested in someone on a date. Rest your hand on the table with your fingers pointing in the other person's direction. Match.com. Calls this move the reach, and it's more subtle than literally reaching out and touching them, but you're alluding to it. Here's a body language move to help you bond with your co workers. Go for the high five, because even a quick, friendly hand slap boosts the team vibe, like we're all in this together. It raises levels of oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Finally, use this body language. Move when you're watching what you eat. Flex your arm muscles when you're deciding what to order at a restaurant or what to choose from the vending machine, because flexing your muscles sends a signal of strength to your brain, increasing willpower. Okay, listen to this. Have you ever seen an old surfer dude and he still looked pretty good for his age? That's because surfing is a low impact sport that has a lot of health benefits, and one of the biggest benefits is that it makes your bones rock solid. In fact, researchers found that people who surf regularly have up to 22% more bone density in their arms, ribs and spines than the average person. That's because paddling around and balancing on a surfboard uses muscles in a way that triggers bones to thicken. Atopic dermatitis, or ad it's one of the most common forms of eczema or dry skin affecting an estimated one in 10 adults and one in eight children. And until recently, the condition was mostly blamed on a defect in one's inflammatory response, which causes the oil producing sebaceous glands in the skin to stop working. But a new study from the University of Texas Medical Center looked much deeper into atopic dermatitis and traced it to a specific gene. Simply put, researchers found that when they manipulated this gene to be active, sebaceous glands switched off and skin became drier, but when they manipulated the gene to be less active, sebaceous Gerard. Glands switched back on and began producing up to 60 times more oil. The upshot being that future treatments for ad may focus on drugs that target this specific gene and trigger the skin to produce its own moisturizing oils and lipids. In fact, there's a new anti inflammatory drug being tested on patients with severe ad, and it is extremely effective. You can also treat dry skin as it occurs, with moisturizers recommended by your dermatologist, and that's atopic dermatitis or AD. Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? Write it down and post it somewhere. You'll see it all the time, like your bathroom mirror or on the fridge. Research from Beth, Israel Deaconess Medical Center says people who do this are 50% less likely to feel down in the dumps, even on bad, stressful days. To make life lighter and easier, let go of a grudge, it turns out that emotional baggage weighs us down physically, making exertion feel harder. That's according to the journal Social Psychological and Personality science, the researchers found that when people forgave someone, they found running easier than people who still dwelled on being hurt. So letting go of bitterness or resentment can lighten your burden, the emotional one on your heart and the physical one on your body. So you go to a restaurant and the music is thumping, do you order a salad, or do you order a cheeseburger? Well, science says you're more likely to order the burger. Research from the University of South Florida found when diners are exposed to loud music, they tend to order more unhealthy food. In fact, when loud music was playing, 20% more restaurant customers ordered fatty, high calorie food. So what's going on? Well, the volume of music affects our levels of excitement. It raises our heart rate and stress level, and to soothe ourselves, we'll order a greasy burger and fries, softer music has a calming effect, making people more mindful of what they order, and restaurants and supermarkets are using that knowledge to influence people's buying habits. For instance, major restaurant chains have installed specially designed sound systems that make customers spend as much as 10% more. They also play music that inspires positive emotions in customers, because it increases customer satisfaction. And when customers feel good, they buy desserts and side dishes. So if you're trying to eat healthier, be aware of the music that's playing and how loud it is, because if an upbeat song is blasting, you're more likely to splurge on unhealthier food and more of it. Okay, listen to this if you'd like to cut your arthritis pain in half, add flax seeds to your diet, the omega three fatty acids and flax seed walnuts and wild salmon reduce inflammation and protect our collagen and cartilage nature's shock absorbers from wearing down. In fact, just two tablespoons of ground flax a day in cereal yogurt or smoothies can reduce the swelling and soreness from arthritis, stop the disease from getting worse, and cut joint pain in half. This is intelligence for your health, and I'm Connie Celica. What's five times germier than the average toilet seat? Your winter gloves. In an experiment, random people's winter gloves were swabbed for bacteria, and the study revealed Winter Gloves are covered in germs, and they're rarely washed, if ever. Polyester gloves were the worst culprits for accumulating germs, followed by fleece, leather and wool and similar bacteria levels were found on both the inside and outside of the gloves, meaning people aren't washing their gloves or their hands. And synthetic materials are worse because they create an electrical charge that attracts dirt, germs and pollen. So should we be worried? According to Professor Val Curtis from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, as long as you don't take your gloves off by biting the fingertips, wipe your runny nose with your gloves or eat with them on, you should be okay, but definitely wash your bare hands regularly, and if you can't remember the last time you laundered your gloves, wash them or spray them with disinfectant. Here is a science backed way you can give yourself a mental health boost every day, change the way you walk, according to researchers at Queen's University in Canada, people who were encouraged to walk in a more sad style, with their shoulders hunched forward and less arm movement, experienced worse moods than those who were encouraged to walk in a happier style, swinging their arms head up with a spring in their step. Here's an email I received at Connie at intelligence for your health.com, and. Comes from Mike guest, who writes, I quit smoking. Four months ago, I replaced smoking with sucking on a small lollipop so I still have the hand to mouth motion of smoking. So far so good. I've been smoking since age 15. I never thought I'd be able to quit, but having a replacement really helps. Wow. Way to go. Mike, keep up the great work, because that's a technique proven to make new habits stick. According to psychology professor Dr Art Markman from the University of Texas. He says, Don't replace something with nothing. Studies show the hardest goals to achieve are negative or when we're forced to give something up, like dessert or smoking. So if you're giving something up, swap it out with a substitute so you don't feel completely deprived. For example, if you're quitting smoking, you can try sucking on lollipops, as Mike did, or chewing sugar free gum. Or if you're giving up dessert, replace it with an after dinner cup of tea with honey instead. Thanks for your email, mic and great suggestion. Okay, listen to this. The easiest way ever to feel more energized is to sit up straight, and you only have to do it for five minutes to feel the effects. That's according to a study in the Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. The research found that straightening your spine for as little as five minutes can reduce feelings of fatigue by a whopping 122% that's because it increases production of hormones that stimulate the thyroid, giving you more energy. Plus, when your posture is slumped over, it reduces lung capacity by up to 30% that can result in fuzzy thinking. So if your energy is flagging, sit up straight for just five minutes. This is intelligence for your health, and I'm Connie solika to be more productive. It helps to make time for being lazy and unfocused. That's according to Chris Bailey, a productivity expert and author of hyper focus. How to be more productive in a world of distraction, Bailey's idea of lazy is things like taking a walk, relaxing on your deck or patio, people watching in the park, or enjoying a long shower. Because research shows when your brain is unfocused, some amazing things happen. First when you do something you don't need to think about something habitual, like taking a shower, it restores cognitive energy and allows you to focus more deeply when you need to also when your mind wanders. You're 14 times more likely to think about the future and your long term goals compared to when you're focused on getting something done. And being unfocused allows you to think more creatively, because a relaxed brain is more likely to make obscure connections and have flashes of insight. So by occasionally making time to be lazy, you're more likely to stumble upon creative solutions that help make you more productive. If you have trouble sleeping right before bed relax in a rocking chair. A lot of us live high stress lives, which means we have chronically elevated levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that triples our risk of restless sleep and even full blown insomnia. And researchers found that an easy way to get the sleep we need is to spend time relaxing in a comfortable rocking chair just before lights out. It works because the gentle, rhythmic rocking motion stimulates our brain to produce calming alpha waves, the same ones that are produced during meditation that can almost instantly cut our cortisol production by at least 25% and it lulls us into a calm, meditative state that makes it much easier to fall asleep. Do you have a friend you know so well you can finish each other's sentences, or you tell stories about remember when, and they remember as many details as you do according to the Journal of personal and social relationships, those are sure signs of a friendship that's built to last. So why is being able to finish a friend's thoughts so important? Researchers say it's a sign of a transactive memory system, which refers to shared memories, like when you both went to homecoming together or went on vacation together. And in a study, researchers found that those with the strongest friendships were the most likely to have these transactive memories, and studies show the more close friends we have, the healthier we are emotionally and physically. Okay, listen to this. If you hate the very idea of exercise, it's time to change your definition of it. Behavioral Scientist Dr Michelle Seeger says, if you think it only counts, if you run three miles and sweat like crazy, you're less likely to exercise while people doing activities they find fun, are more active. Think hiking with your dog or playing tennis with friends, because time flies when the goal isn't to push. Self as hard and as long as possible. Bottom line, if you hate exercise, Dr Seeger suggests looking for ways to make it something you look forward to, and you'll be much more likely to make exercise a regular part of your life. This is intelligence for your health. And I'm Connie solika, one way to help promote good mental health is to use interior design to feel calmer, safer and more supported. So here are some evidence based design tips from Cornell's College of Human Ecology. First focus on your view. Of course, we'd all love to gaze out our window at purple mountain majesties or crashing ocean waves, which are both proven to calm the mind and lower cortisol levels. But the fact is, any exposure to nature is helpful, even if it's just a potted plant in the corner, and whenever possible, fill your environment with plants like rosemary and lavender. Those scents promote relaxation. Also when it comes to your bedroom, the rule is, the quieter the better. For example, most new hospitals have strict limitations on medical equipment in patients' rooms, since the extra lights and beeping noises add stress that delays healing. So take the same approach in your bedroom by making it a strict no gadget zone. And mental health experts recommend having smaller bedrooms and larger communal rooms. The thinking is your bedroom should provide a quiet sanctuary when you need it, but it should never be a multi functional room. Osteomalacia, that's the adult version of rickets, otherwise known as softened or deformed bones. It's caused by a severe lack of calcium and vitamin D, either from one's diet or not getting enough sun exposure. And according to the Lancet, the condition is surprisingly common, impacting nearly one in four adults. At some point, it also strikes women more than men, since women tend to have weaker bones as they age due to hormonal changes. And while osteomalacia can be hard to detect in its early stages, the longer it progresses, the higher your risk is for experiencing pain, weakness and fractures, particularly in weight bearing bones like your legs, hips, ribs and spine. That's why health experts recommend taking any consistent pain you experience after walking very seriously. The good news is osteomalacia is fairly easy to cure. Just get plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet, and bones should harden back to healthy levels within months and to avoid developing the condition in the first place, the Mayo Clinic recommends always including some weight training in your workouts, since that's proven to not only build muscle, but also strengthen your bones, and that's osteomalacia. If you're speaking with your parents or grandparents and they have trouble remembering the right word, do you need to worry about Alzheimer's? Dr Diana Kerwin is a neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer's disease, and she says, No, those tip of the tongue moments are usually a symptom of stress, not dementia, but losing knowledge of objects, what they're called and what they're used for, is an early symptom of dementia. However, Dr Kerwin says we shouldn't just focus on memory, because one of the best early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease is shaky handwriting. That's because Alzheimer's hurts the brain's ability to send electrical signals through nerve cells, so it often limits the brain's ability to send instructions to the hands before it causes memory decline, which means seeing the doctor at the first sign of a shaky signature could make a big difference in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's. Where do you feel safer driving on a highway filled with speeding cars, or in a parking lot where most vehicles barely move faster than five miles per hour. The National Safety Council says parking lots are one of the most dangerous places to drive. One in five crashes happen in parking lots and garages, and the crashes cause a whopping 80,000 injuries each year in North America alone. How is that even possible? Well, researchers say it's because an estimated two thirds of parking lot drivers are distracted. Also, the National Safety Council says slower speeds actually give us a false sense of security, and there are many cases of people looking at their phone while driving in a parking lot and slamming into pedestrians or baby strollers, others roll into oncoming traffic or other parked cars, causing serious damage. So instead of paying less attention when we pull into a parking lot, we should actually pay just as much attention as we would on a road or highway. Okay, listen to this to be. Happier start going to bed earlier so you can wake up earlier. That's the upshot of research by the University of Toronto. It found that night owls who switched things up and became early birds felt less grumpy, blue and out of sorts, compared to when they stayed awake late. The reason because people who are up half the night, are more prone to so called social jet lag, where their biological clock is out of sync with the rest of the world, and when they're asleep, when others expect them to be awake and vice versa, night owls gradually began to feel out of the loop and lonely. This is intelligence for your health. And I'm Connie salaka, here's a quick way to snap out of a bad mood. Look at the last loving text you were sent, and blow up the font like you're really far sighted, according to research, reading upbeat positive messages can lift us out of a funk, but by blowing up the font to 28 points or larger, we can make those positive feelings last 20% longer. That's because our brain interprets larger words as more important. So those loving text messages will have a more powerful effect. The next time you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed and anxious, adopt this body language. Sit with your hands on your knees, palms facing up, shoulders down, belly relaxed, feet flat on the floor. That comes from clinical psychologist Dr Lara fielding she says that's a body position you'd never adopt if you were in real danger, because it leaves you too exposed, and because of that, it sends a safety signal throughout the body, so the next time you're stressed, sit that way for as long as you can to suppress the urge to react in an unproductive way. Here's an email I received at Connie at intelligence for your health.com. It comes from Stephanie Boyette, who writes, it seems like my migraines always start in the morning. Is that my imagination, or are we more prone to them earlier in the day? Stephanie, that's a good question. It is exactly what happens to me, and a study has found that half of all migraines do start in the morning, unlike other head pain, like tension headaches, and it's often strong enough to wake us up from sleep. That's why migraines are often nicknamed alarm clock headaches. Internist Dr Richard Liebowitz from Duke University says between four and 8am our natural painkillers reach rock bottom levels. Meanwhile, we have sky high adrenaline levels, which help us wake up, but they also shrink blood vessels and create the perfect recipe for severe head pain. So talk to your doctor about taking headache medication as soon as you wake up so you can avoid alarm clock headaches. Thanks for your email. Stephanie, I hope this helps. Okay, listen to this if you'd like to sleep better go to bed wearing soft flannel PJs and fuzzy socks. Yale University scientists found snuggly fabrics activate touch sensitive nerves in our skin, which prompts our brain to produce the calming cuddle hormone oxytocin. In fact, being surrounded by soft fabrics helps us relax into a calm, restful state in as little as 12 minutes, which, in turn, can help us get an extra 30 minutes of deep, restorative sleep every night, plus keeping our feet warm while our body's core temperature declines while we sleep, helps produce a steady stream of sleep, inducing melatonin. This is intelligence for your health, and I'm Connie solika. That's it for our show today, our special intelligence for your health with Connie Celica, edition of the podcast. I'm Gib Gerard. Don't forget to rate comment and subscribe on Apple podcast. Spotify, wherever you get your podcast. It helps us out a lot, and also you can reach out to us on social media. All of our links are listed down in the show notes, we try to respond to every DM, every mention of the show, because ultimately, we do the show for you guys. So thank you so much for listening. You.