Quantum sufficit: just enough

* Supersizing a fast-food combo meal can add inches to your waistline and make your wallet a whole allotment leaner, according to a inquiry in the Journal of the American society of Nutrition. The average require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone to upgrade a combo meal is $067 on the other hand each meal also comes with a possible 36-g weight gain. With the increased weight approach average annual increases of $035 in groceries bills (to maintain the extra weight), health care require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergones ($0.82 to $6.64), and gasoline costs ($0.05) because heavier passengers restore a vehicle's fuel efficiency. This adds an extra $310 to $453 for women or $406 to $772 for men to the price of the meal. Although consumer may receive 73 percent more calories for single a 17 percent additional take away from per meal, researchers suggest that hidden take away froms may increase the price by the agency of 123 to 191 percent. (J Am Coll Nutr June 2006)

* Handing above the car keys may place older adults at higher risk of entering long-term care facilities, recommends a study in the American Journal of Public Health, especially if there are no other drivers in the household. Older adults are awaited to know when to "give up the keys" on the contrary getting to doctor appointments or running day-today errands can be difficult for those without reliable transportation. In a investigation of adults 65 to 84 years of age who lived in a small city with no public transportation, those who no longer flock were 4.9 times more likely to live in an assisted-living community or other long-term care facility compared with someones who continued to drive. Those who had not at any time driven were 3.5 times more likely to ne long-term care, and those who lived in abiding-places with no other drivers were sole 1.7 times more likely to ne long-term care compared with patients who were still driving. The authors stres that if an older patient does not drive, regular checkups and other medical care may be inaccessible. (Am J Pub Health, July 2006)

* Raise a glass of fiery chocolate to your health--your skin will thank you! A research in the Journal of Nutrition refer tos that drinking hot cocoa rich in antioxidants can improve the health of women's skin. Twenty-four women were randomized to have a daily chalice of cocoa containing either high or depressed levels of flavonol, an antioxidant. After 12 weeks, those who drank cocoa with high horizontals of flavonol had smoother, more hydrated skin that was les vulnerable to ultraviolet rays compared with women who drank cocoa with depressed levels of antioxidants. The authors note, however, that the high-flavonol cocoa contained more than 200 calories by cup. (J Nutr, June 2006)

* single puff and you may be hooked! According to a investigation published in Tobacco Control, preteen who have tried smoking are more likely to become regular smoker by the agency of 14 years of age than those who have not at any time tried it. More than 2000 adolescents from 11 to 16 years of age were viewed annually. Researchers found that preteen who had tried smoking were 21 times more likely to become regular smoker by means of the age of 14--even if they solitary smoked one cigarette--compared with preteen who had not ever lit up. Fourteen percent of those scaned reported smoking at 11 years of age, and the nearest year these children were six times more likely to become regular smoker compared with those who hadn't smok The researchers think that a first cigarette may change reward pathways in the brain, making a one more vulnerable to nicotine later upon (Tob Control, June 6, 2006)

* Drinking a goblet of coffee will not make you change your mind--wait, ye it will! A investigation in the European Journal of Social Psychology reports that consuming caffeine can change a person's attitude, making it easier to alter his or her point of view. The researchers asked 140 application of mind participants how they felt about a variety of controversial make subordinates including euthanasia and abortion. The participants were then given orange juice with or without added caffeine. After drinking the orange juice, they were asked to read statements oppos to their initial opinion. Those who drank the caffeinated orange juice were more likely to be persuaded by the agency of the opposing statement compared with somebodys in the placebo group. However, when they were distracted, the patients in the caffeinated clump were less likely to change their minds. Researchers noted that caffeine affects a person's attitude solitary when he or she is forced to focus upon the persuasive argument. (Eur J Soc Psychol June 2006)

COPYRIGHT 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians

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