Home-delivered meals reduce feelings of loneliness among seniors

           

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Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Published: Tuesday 8 December 2015 at 3am PST

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Homebound seniors who have home-delivered meals report significantly less loneliness than those who do not, according to a study published in Journals of Gerontology, Series B.

There was a significant reduction in self-reported feelings of loneliness among homebound seniors who had home-delivered meals, compared with those who did not.
Image credit: Michael Cohea/Brown University

The pressure to cut costs brings with it the possibility of overlooking the less tangible benefits when seeking alternative models in the provision of a public service.

Nutrition service providers are no exception, and the new study – conducted as a randomized, controlled trial – shows that home-delivered meals do more than nourish physical well-being; they also have a positive emotional effect in the lives of older people who are stuck at home.

It appears that the regular knock on the door, with the opportunity to exchange some friendly words with the person delivering the meal, goes a long way to reducing feelings of loneliness in older people in need.

Lead author Kali Thomas, assistant professor (research) of health services, policy and practice at Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, RI, says:

“This continues to build the body of evidence that home-delivered meals provide more than nutrition and food security.”

Prof. Thomas, a former volunteer for Meals on Wheels, believes the study is one of only a few that has rigorously examined the long-presumed psychological benefits of home-delivered meal service. It is certainly the first randomized, controlled trial to measure the effect on loneliness, she notes.

Many participants socially isolated

The trial participants were 626 older adults from eight American cities who were on waiting lists to receive Meals on Wheels. They were randomly assigned to three groups.

In one group, the participants received a daily fresh meal, in another they received a weekly delivery of frozen meals, and in the third group they remained on the waiting list – this was the control group.

The trial ran for 15 weeks. All participants were interviewed at the start and end of the period.

 

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Researchers from California University in Berkeley say studies show great nature and art boost the immune system

          

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The Telegraph

Art does heal: scientists say appreciating creative works can fight off disease

 

People visit the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York Photo: Getty

By Agency

4:15PM GMT 10 Feb 2015

The healing power of art and nature could be real after scientists discovered they boost your immune system.

Seeing such spine-tingling wonders as the Grand Canyon and Sistine Chapel or listening to Schubert’s Ave Maria can fight off disease, say scientists.

Great nature and art boost the immune system by lowering levels of chemicals that cause inflammation that can trigger diabetes, heart attacks and other illnesses.

^{Monet’s Water Lily Pond paintings}

In two separate experiments on more than 200 young adults reported on a given day the extent to which they had experienced such positive emotions as amusement, awe, compassion, contentment, joy, love and pride.

 

Samples of gum and cheek tissue – known as oral mucosal transudate – taken that same day showed those who experienced more of these – in particular wonder and amazement – had the lowest levels of the cytokine Interleukin 6 which is a marker of inflammation.

Psychologist Dr Dacher Keltner, of California University in Berkeley, said: “That awe, wonder and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines suggests the things we do to experience these emotions – a walk in nature, losing oneself in music, beholding art – has a direct influence upon health and life expectancy.”

 

 

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Diseases display a variety of symptoms, but curiously enough, there is a common denominator! Oxidative stress and inflammation.

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Is This The Common Denominator Of All Disease?

Posted on:

Monday, November 2nd 2015 at 8:45 pm

Written By:

Capt. Randall

Diseases display a variety of symptoms, but curiously enough, there is a common denominator!

The Truth About “All Disease”

A recent series presented via GreenMedInfo, “The Truth About Cancer” could have been more accurately titled, “The Truth about All Disease.” The elements of cancer protocols: nutrient/mineral correction, detoxification, helpful supplements, various energy therapies and lifestyle choices, really apply to healing all chronic disease. The idea of personal empowerment applies to all disease as well. Survivors emerged from the shock of a cancer diagnosis, stepped away from conventional treatments and “willed” their healing, which proves once again the critical importance of mental states and the reality of placebo-nocebo effects. Yes, it can be done!

We get misdirected by complex medical studies and lose sight of the common denominator in chronic disease; all are symptoms of oxidative stress and inflammation. Every symptom that ever occurs starts with a shortage of cellular bio-energy: electrons. Colds, bronchitis, indigestion, high blood pressure, bleeding gums or depression are first signs of inflammation and a progression toward heart disease, arthritis and cancers that arrive decades later. The fooler is that symptoms may appear in different locations in the body, yet reflect a predictable correlation with a range of specific insults. So cut to the cure, identify the root causes that come from toxins, wrong nutrition, poor lifestyle choices and negative personality traits/emotional stress/fear of death. Take appropriate steps at this seed level.

The public is not only convinced pharma-medicine is “real” medicine, but is deprived of accurate information and even the very idea of alternative treatments…and doctors have little time to coach patients on self-care. The best interests of the patient would be better served by a Nurse Advocate (schooled in CAM) offering personal instructions rather than a quick prescription. Leave the allopathic paradigm of a drug for every symptom…behind. Natural health proponents borrow the same pigeonhole framework by substituting an herb or supplement for a drug, repeating the idea that there is a specific silver bullet for each malady. Not so! Basic oxidation-reduction (redox) chemistry, though it seems foreign to medical thinking, is the most certain scientific and holistic point of view that goes to the root of health and healing.

 

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Resonance Beings of Frequency (the Documentary)

 

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The Luminary

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Published on Sep 3, 2014

Hidden Knowledge: the frequency of humans, animals, and our planet. The hidden and harmful effects of EMR and Microwaves (cell phones)

Frankincense Has Been Proven to be a Psychoactive Antidepressant

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Nov 9, 2015

 

Burning Frankincense in the form of incense has been a big part of religious and other cultural ceremonies for a millennium.  The resin from the Boswellia tree also known as Frankincense or olibanum is believed to be an aroma that will help your soul reach spiritual exaltation.

Frankincense resin is mentioned in many different ancient texts including the old and new testament and is said to have mystical capabilities, a belief that has been carried forward to the spiritual practices of today.

Recently a team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem did a study to see what the effects were of this age-old practice.  They studied Frankincense to determine why it has psychoactive effects.

In order to conduct the study and observe the effects of Frankincense on the mind, the researchers administered a primary Boswellia resin incensole acetate to some mice.  The team found that the ‘incensole acetate’ influences the areas of the brain which regulate emotions.

Specifically the insense activated the protein TRPV3 which is common in all mammal brains.  This protein is already known to help play a role in our skins perception of warmth.  The effect on the mind, however,  has a strong anti-depressant and anxiolytic effect which can leave you feeling open and relaxed.  Frankincense helps your mind to rest and simply perceive the world around it.

 

 

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Big Pharma Caught Manipulating Antidepressant Drug Trials Putting Teenagers in Grave Danger

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Paxil , Wkimedia.org

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Activist Post

Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program

October 23, 2015

 

By Kristen Anderson

The FDA requires each new drug to undergo rigorous testing and stand up to scientific scrutiny, a process that is designed to protect consumers by thoroughly examining the effects of new medications before they are available to the public. But few people stop to realize that these studies which are mandated by the FDA, are actually funded by the drug companies themselves, clearly a conflict of interest.

Big Pharma has so much influence in the field of scientific research, that the professionals who depend on peer-reviewed studies, i.e. doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, etc., prefer to read meta-analyses as a way to ensure objectivity. These meta-analyses combine evidence from multiple studies to weed out studies that produced irregular or uncommon results. In this way, the meta-analysis is regarded as the purest form of research and is heavily relied on by medical professionals. But, again, if Big Pharma has essentially infiltrated the research industry to the point that the majority of studies are being skewed, even a meta-analysis is unreliable.

Take for example Study 329. GlaxoSmithKline funded Study 329 between 1994 and 1998 and the results showed that Paxil was safe for teenagers. This study was published in 2001 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), a well-respected and peer-reviewed journal. It was later found, however, that the authors had downplayed the negative findings and that GlaxoSmithKline had actually hired a PR firm to ghost write the article! Paxil actually clearly increases suicidal thoughts and impulses among teenagers and this effect was downplayed in the article and not even addressed in the conclusion (the most-read section of a scientific study).

 

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How To Make Lavender Lemonade To Get Rid Of Headaches & Anxiety

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Collective Evolution

 

So many people suffer from anxiety and headaches these days. I believe this to be a mixture of our lifestyles and many of the changes that are taking place in our world that are pushing people to question what we’ve been doing as a society repetitively for many years. You know what I mean… that feeling that there is something more than just going to work, making money, coming home, eating and repeating it all. It may sound cliche, but it’s evident.

Deep down we can feel it, that something isn’t quite “right” with our world anymore and there’s a certain sense of freedom from it all that is calling us from deep within ourselves. Not knowing what that feeling is exactly or what to do, we sometimes will feel anxiety or overwhelm as we look at our lives. How do we deal with these things? There are a number of actions we can take to address the core issue which you can explore here.

It’s important that we begin to explore this feeling inside. That knowing that things can be different, that our world doesn’t have to be the way it is. Whether it is people getting fed up with the 9 – 5, feeling disconnected from themselves and others or feeling the desire to do what we love and are passionate about, our patience with avoiding these things is continuously growing thin. It’s time, it’s time to explore it!

Other than inspiring people to begin that exploration and letting them know “you’re not crazy, many people are feeling this too,” I also wanted to share something simple that can aid us while we are making more long-term adjustments.

 

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Celery Juice- Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, Dissolves Calculus And Natural Aphrodisiac

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NaturalNews

Celery is one of the most nutritious foods you could ever consume, but in order to get the benefits of its nutrients, it should not be cooked. Raw celery is extremely high in fiber and fluids, making it ideal for hydrating the body, prevent Alzheimer’s disease, dissolves calculus, natural aphrodisiac, aiding in digestion, and even helping with chronic illnesses and diseases.

Nutritional Value of Celery

Celery are high in Vitamin A, and its stem are excellent source of Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C. Celery nutrition also includes potassium, calcium, folic acid, phosphorous, and essential amino acids. It contains many other active compounds that promote health and well-being.

Health of Benefits of Celery Juice

Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

The Luteolin in celery juice has also been shown in studies to be helpful in combating dementia. The reason for this is that it helps to reduce inflammation in the brain. These studies have suggested that eating celery or drinking celery juice can be a preventative measure and possibly a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Electrolytes

Celery juice is great for athletes, because celery juice contains good electrolytes that are important to replace when you sweat.

Dissolves Calculus

Celery in vegetable form and celery seed are great urine-promoters and kidney tonics. Regular use of celery seed, as a spice or as a tea, may prevent kidney stone formation.

Insomnia

Minerals and aehthereal oils in celery juice have a tranquillizing effect on the nervous system, which is useful for people who suffer from insomnia. The high level of magnesium will help You to relax and sink into deep and calm sleep.

Natural Aphrodisiac

celery is the “sexiest” substance on Earth. It has a combination of Vitamin E, magnesium, niacin, potassium and zinc, which are all required for optimum sex. Celery also contains arginine, which is an amino acid that expands blood vessels the way Viagra is supposed to do.

Celery Juice Recipe

Ingredients:

3 stalks of celery
3 apples
1 stem broccoli (optional)
1/2 lemon (optional)

Directions:

-Wash the fruit and vegetables using water and a stiff vegetable     brush. Keep the leaves on the celery.
-Core the apples.
-Cut the peel off the lemon – some people like to leave this on but I find this makes the juice too bitter.
-Slice the fruit and vegetables to fit your juicer.
-Juice and enjoy.

Sources and reference:

globalhealingcenter.com

rawjuicecleanserecipes.com

8top10.com

More by author:

Tried & Tested- Juices That Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally

8 Highly Effective Headaches Solutions Without Pills

 

About NaturalNews

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‘Hidden Dangers’ of Mammograms Every Woman Should Know About

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Posted on:

Tuesday, July 16th 2013 at 12:30 pm

Written By:

Sayer Ji, Founder

Millions of women undergo them annually, but few are even remotely aware of just how many dangers they are exposing themselves to in the name of prevention, not the least of which are misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis and the promotion of breast cancer itself. 

A new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine titled, Long-term psychosocial consequences of false-positive screening mammography, brings to the forefront a major underreported harm of breast screening programs: the very real and lasting trauma associated with a false-positive diagnosis of breast cancer.[1]

The study found that women with false-positive diagnoses of breast cancer, even three years after being declared free of cancer, “consistently reported greater negative psychosocial consequences compared with women who had normal findings in all 12 psychosocial outcomes.”

The psychosocial and existential parameters adversely affected were:

• Sense of dejection
• Anxiety
• Negative impact on behavior
• Negative impact on sleep
• Degree of breast self-examination
• Negative impact on sexuality
• Feeling of attractiveness
• Ability to keep ‘mind off things’
• Worries about breast cancer
• Inner calm
• Social network
• Existential values

What is even more concerning is that “[S]ix months after final diagnosis, women with false-positive findings reported changes in existential values and inner calmness as great as those reported by women with a diagnosis of breast cancer.”

In other words, even after being “cleared of cancer,” the measurable adverse psychospiritual effects of the trauma of diagnosis were equivalent to actually having breast cancer.

Given that the cumulative probability of false-positive recall or biopsy recommendation after 10 years of screening mammography is at least 50%,[2] this is an issue that will affect the health of millions of women undergoing routine breast screening.

Read More Here

One Whiff of These 10 Scents Can Relieve Stress Almost Instantly

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 by APRIL McCARTHY

Ever wonder why some scents make you feel relaxed or energized? It’s no coincidence and we have our olfactory system to thank for its intimate relationship with the brain, which affects both our memory and mood. Here are 10 scents which will enhance this system with just one whiff.

 

1) Lemon
Promotes concentration and allows the mind to calm especially when angry, anxious or very exhausted. Lemon boosts the body’s immune system, improving circulation and is known to reduce anxiety and depression.

 

2) Cinnamon
The stimulating properties in cinnamon can help fight mental fatigue and improve concentration and focus. Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit University studied participants and found that those who took a whiff of cinnamon improved in cognitive functions like visual-motor response, working memory and attention span.

 

3) Lavender
Lavender helps calm the mind and body almost instantly. But perhaps its most useful benefit is its ability to help treat insomnia. This essential oil has calming ands sedative properties that help control emotional stress. Lavender has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve nervous tension and depression as well as treat headaches and migraines.

 

4) Rain
After a rainstorm, especially a rain storm that breaks a long dry spell, the world smells different. The clean scent after a rainfall is partially caused by ozone cleaning away some of the scents we take for granted. The smell of rain can literally relieve stress and improve your mood by over 60%

 

5) Fresh Cut Grass
Scent researchers found that a chemical released by a newly-mowed lawn can make people feel joyful and relaxed. The smell apparently is so powerful that neuroscientists came up with a perfume and air fragrance that matches it so the lawnless can also reap the benefits of the feel-good scent.

 

6) Peppermint
Try peppermint when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking. Smelling peppermint is linked to greater cognitive stamina, motivation and overall performance

 

7) Vanilla
In a study published in the Proceedings of ISOT/JASTS 2004, researchers found that taking a whiff of vanilla bean elevated participants’ feelings of joy and relaxation. The results were measured through mood mapping, which included emotions ranging from happiness and stimulation to apathy and irritation.

 

8) Rosemary
The stimulating effect of rosemary may enhance certain aspects of mental function. People who work in rosemary-scented cubicles have better long-term memory than those who worked in unscented cubicles. Rosemary improves long-term memory, alertness and has properties that fight physical exhaustion, headaches and mental fatigue.

 

9) Pine
Pine decreases anxiety and alleviates stress. In one Japanese study, participants who went on a walk through pine forests reported significantly lower depression and stress levels. The research also discovered that anxious subjects had a greater feeling of relaxation after indulging in the scent.

10) Jasmine
Like lavender, jasmine it is also used to calm nerves, but this oil is also commonly used as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism and revitalized energy.

 

15 Effective Foods For Mood and Happiness