The flu season is an annual time period where flu breaks out in the winter. This year the flu season has been serious, with over 2,500 hospitalizations reported. The spread of flu and flu-like illnesses in this season is rapid. With viruses circulating, we wonder what we could do to prevent these outbreaks.

When the weather is unstable, the body cannot adjust right away to falling temperatures. The immune system weakens and we fall sick. A good example of this is when people go to warm countries during spring break for a vacation, but then end up falling sick. This is because the drastic temperature variations, the change in food and the environment is abnormal for the body. The change is too fast for our bodies to adjust to, and hence the flu virus infects us.

Get Fresh AirToday’s environment that we live in is a sophisticated urban jungle; our lifestyles have also become a lot busier than before. Buildings today are sealed with little ventilation. When people get sick at an office, the virus will be spread through the enclosed ventilation system.

Another thing is, we are not spending as much time outdoors as we are supposed to. I would suggest us to ventilate our houses at least every couple of hours for fifteen minutes. Do not live an indoors lifestyle being at home, at work or in the car all day long. If you do not have time, find time to be outdoors for at least thirty minutes or an hour each day.

Eat Fruits and VegetablesAmerican biochemist Linus Carl Pauling, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954, promoted vitamin C could prevent colds or even treat cancer. Recently, a 2009 review pointed out that Pauling’s views on high dose vitamin C as an effective anticancer agent could have merit. At the time when he released this research, the medical community deemed it as mere quackery.

Today it does not come as a surprise when we hear of vitamin C boosting the immune system. However, we do not need to rush to the health food store to buy supplements, there are tons of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C in abundance. Either juice these natural ingredients or eat them in abundance.

Be well and have a wonderful March break.

March• 2014Volume 6 Number 6

In This IssueHealth in Motion director Natan Gendelman

talks about ways to not catch a flu

Good Health NewsWays to Not Catch a Flu................................Page 1

Stroke Prevention Tips forWomen ................................Page 2

Subway Takes out Controversial Chemical ................................Page 3

Here's What People Have to Say about LIFE ................................Page 4

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Good Health News • March• 2014

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recently released new guidelines to address stroke risks faced by women on Feb. 6, 2014.

Compared to men, women share many of the same risk factors when it comes to heart and stroke diseases, howeverwomen are also influenced by gender-related factors such as hormones and pregnancy.

These six recommendations include:

I. Before pregnancy, women with a history of high blood pressure should be considered for low-dose Aspirin and/or calcium supplements.II. Women who have pre-eclampsia (a medical condition characterized by high blood pressure and significant amounts of protein in the urine of a pregnant woman) have twice the risk of stroke and a four-fold risk of high blood pressure later in life. Therefore, it should be treated early.III. Pregnant women with moderately high blood pressure (150-159 mmHg/100-

109 mmHg) may be considered for blood pressure medication. Expectant mothers with severe high blood pressure (160/110 mmHg or above) should be treated.

IV. Before taking birth control pills, women should be screened for high blood pressure because the combination raises stroke risks.V. Women who have migraines with aura (symptoms including dizziness, ringing in their ears, seeing zigzag lines, and being sensitive to light) should stop smoking to avoid higher stroke risks.VI. Women over the age of 75 should be screened for atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), because it is linked to higher stroke risks.

The Canadian best practice guidelines for stroke do not include a separate section for women.

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death for men and the third-leading cause of death for women.

General Health ∂ The Newly Issued Six Stroke Prevention Tips for Women

In the News

General Health

Study Reveals Added Sugars Raise Risks of Heart Fatality

In the JAMA Internal Medicine journal issued in February 2014, a study done by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reveals that consuming too much sugar can increase the risks of premature death from heart disease. In the study, they describe a normal adult consumption of 2,000 calories a day, drinking a bottle of pop would exceed the level of sugar intake that could raise the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

The researchers analyzed national health and diet surveys between 1988 and 2010 of more than 30,000 Americans with an average age of 44. They found that the risk for heart fatalities increased once their added sugar intake surpassed 15 per cent of their total calories intake.

Sugar used in processed or prepared foods, such as beverages, dairy desserts, candy, ready-to-eat cereals and yeast breads, has been linked to increased risks for heart problems. Natural sugars in fruits are not included in this category.

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Good Health News • March• 2014

Food blogger Vani Hari led a campaign asking sandwich restaurant chain Subway to remove azodicarbonamide from its bread. The chemical is found not only in its bread, but also in yoga mats, shoe soles and rubber caps. It is used as a flour bleaching agent and it makes the dough easier to work with. Research by the European Food Safety Authority found that the chemical agent, when heated, could produce a substance associated with causing cancer in animals.

The online petition made waves across the Internet with more than 65,000 signatures. Hari pointed out that the chemical has already been banned across Europe, as well as in Britain and Australia, which is the reason why Subway is not using it in sandwiches distributed in those regions. However, North American Subway chains still use this chemical in their food products.

Hari decided to petition Subway after she learned that Michelle Obama, the U.S. president’s wife, would be representing the company to promote its sandwiches as a healthy food choice for children.

Hari noted that “The bottom line is that they save more money using this ingredient because they can produce the bread faster and cheaper.”

In a statement on Feb. 5, 2014 to the Associated Press, Subway said, “The complete conversion to have this product out of the bread will be done soon.” They have not provided a timeline in the press release.

Subway Takes Out Controversial Chemical In Face of Protest∂

New Study Tackles Seven Obesity Myths

The New England Journal of Medicine published in their January 2014 issue seven obesity-related myths that are constantly seen in the media and public health materials.

These myths include:1. To lose weight over the long term, we have to sustain small changes in exercising or eating habits.2. Do not set lofty goals for losing weight, otherwise the frustration becomes an obstacle.3. Large, sudden weight loss cannot be sustained as well as slow, gradual weight loss.4. Being ready for a diet change is important for people who want to lose weight.5. Physical-education classes in their current format are important in preventing children becoming obese.6. Breastfeeding prevents obesity.7. Having sex burns 100 to 300 calories for each person involved.

These myths were all tackled with the latest research, one of them showing that a bout of sexual activity only burns less than 50 calories. Moreover, there were more factors that tie into successful weight loss than merely readiness for a diet change, including medical conditions, sleep habits and more.

Marion Nestle, a New York University professor of nutrition and food studies says, “The big issues in weight loss are how you change the food environment in order for people to make healthy choices, such as limits on soda sizes and marketing junk food to children.” In other words, simply introducing regular exercise classes in school would not work.

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Good Health News • March• 2014

Want to subscribe?Good Health News publishes articles about current health issues. The material in this newsletter is not copyrighted, and may be reproduced and shared with family and friends. Articles in GHN are for informational purposes only. If you have a health condition, please consult your physician or health care provider before following any advice. Good Health News is published by the Health in Motion Rehabilitation Clinic, Toronto, Ontario, (416) 250-1904, info@healthinmotionrehab.com. Previous issues of Good Health News are posted at: www.healthinmotionrehab.com. If you would like a subscription, or a copy of past issues, feel free to contact us. We hope you enjoyed this issue!

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Claire Dempsey, Dublin, Ireland ∂ Nothing can be built up on disability.

Mini ProgramFor: kids 0-12 & 12-15 with CP, ABI or stroke Frequency: 1-3 times a week, 2-3 hours/dayDuration: Ongoing as needed

Maxi ProgramFor: kids 0-12 & 12-15 with CP, ABI or stroke Frequency: 5 times a week, 3-5 hours/dayDuration: 4 weeks

Contact us if you are interested in booking for 2014.

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"We entered this programme on a recommendation from a friend so I already had an idea of what to expect, but halfway through the four weeks it is exceeding all my expectations. Natan is amazing with Finn, he knows exactly what to do with him & how to handle him. Already I am seeing a huge improvement with Finn and he is delighted with all the new things he is learning to do. For the first time since Finn has been diagnosed I am excited about what he is going to achieve."

Learning Independent Function Everyday. That's LIFE.

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Good Health News • March• 2014