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Quoteboffin.co.uk Welcomes New Research on the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s

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A study published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology has suggested that the eating habits of those suffering from Alzheimer’s may have an effect on their cognitive abilities.

The research involved two groups of mice being fed two different diets over the course of 5 months. A precious study had shown that foods rich in methionine – an amino acid – were able to increase the symptoms of dementia within mice, and as a result scientists deduced that it may be effective in the increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

The most recent study sought then to determine if the methionine induced effects could be counteracted and even reversed. For 3 months one group of mice was fed a methionine filled diet, whilst the other group ate a healthy, balanced diet. The mice on the methionine diet were then introduced to a healthy menu, and the results were analysed after another 2 months.

The scientists found that the negative effects suffered following the 3 month period eating the amino acid had been reversed. The discovery demonstrated the capability of the brain to counteract the damaging effects it has endured. However, the study is far from conclusive, not least due to the fact that the test subjects were mice.

There is uncertainty regarding the applicability of such results to humans.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research Trust commented on the findings, reminding us that:

“This research is on mice, but the Alzheimer’s Trust is supporting work looking at the effects of this type of diet on people. We look forward to the results but at the moment we don’t yet know if this type of diet could have beneficial effects for people with Alzheimer’s.”

Health insurance comparison site Quoteboffin.co.uk have given their backing to the research findings, insisting that:

“Any investigation into the causes and potential treatments for this disease are crucial, as research is the main tool we have in the battle against Alzheimer’s.”

Another piece of research carried out recently, revealed that people with larger craniums possess better cognitive abilities, including memory and thinking skills. 270 patients were recruited for the trials, the results of which were published in the Neurology journal.

Via EPR Network
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Long Term Care Insurance Still Possible

There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it—senior citizens will need some kind of long term care at one point in their life, 75 percent to be exact. The problem, however, is that coverage can cost upwards of $70,000 a year, a sum many seniors don’t possess. Fortunately, a recently published article on InsuranceAgents.com reveals that there are ways to still obtain affordable long term care insurance.

Long term care consists of a wide array of health and support services such as personal care and assistance with all daily living activities. The cost of such services depends on many factors, particularly the type and amount of care needed, the healthcare provider and the area in which a person resides in.

The sooner a person obtains long term care insurance, however, the more affordable it will be. The article, “Long Term Care Insurance: How To Save Big,” suggests to senior citizens seven different ways they can save on long term care. Some of them include:

1. Obtaining health insurance quotes for long term care and comparing policies, rates and providers

2. Applicants should apply with a spouse, as many providers will offer a major discount for couples who seek coverage together.

3. While the cost is as low as it’s going to get, try to get as much coverage as possible—weigh benefits against cost and remember that maximum coverage will come in handy down the road.

4. An applicant’s membership in a group—like AAA, or a homeowners association or alumni organization, for examples—may get lower rates, too.

5. Seeking tax credits or tax deductions. The federal government rewards those who invest in long term care insurance.

Senior citizens on the hunt for affordable but extensive long term care insurance should first and foremost obtain free health insurance quotes online before sitting down with a health insurance agent.

Via EPR Network
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Avoid Pregnancy Financial Complications with Maternity Health Insurance

Couples who are expecting to embark on their journey of starting a family should purchase pregnant health insurance sooner than later. Thanks to the failing economy, it is becoming harder and harder for pregnant women to obtain a private maternity health insurance policy. A recently published article on InsuranceAgents.com recommends couples expecting or planning on having children purchase a quality policy as soon as possible if they’re interested in saving money.

“Raising a child (or multiple children) can be infinitely rewarding, but it is also expensive,” the article, Maternity Health Insurance: What Does It Cover?, states. “Prenatal care, doctor checkups, ultrasounds, delivery, etc., can all drain your savings if you don’t have sufficient maternity health insurance to cover the expenses.”

So how and what do couples benefit from with maternity health insurance? On top of covering the expenses of doctor’s visits, ultrasound exams, hospital stays, tests, prenatal care, anesthesia and newborn check-ups, a quality policy will also cover the baby delivery charge, which can cost between $6,000 and $10,000 alone.

Couples who come across a policy that doesn’t cover the cost of the listed expenses should consult with their health insurance agent on how they can customize it. It is silly to obtain a policy that doesn’t protect against a newborn delivery charge that can place a couple in a financial hole for many years following the pregnancy.

Women who have not yet become pregnant still have time. Start comparing maternity health insurance quotes online today to find the most affordable and convenient policy and ensure a safe pregnancy.

Via EPR Network
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UK Enjoys Highest Net Income in Europe but Life Quality is Poorest

The UK and Ireland are the worst places in Europe to live, according to the latest uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index. While the UK enjoys the highest net household income in Europe, quality of life is the poorest, proving that there is more to good living than money. Long working hours, lower holiday entitlement and a high cost of living all contribute to a poor quality of life in the UK – and it’s not much better for the Irish either:

•Best quality of life can be found in France and Spain. The worst can be found in the UK and Ireland
•Depressing: UK workers can expect to work 3 years longer and die 2 years younger than their French counterparts
•Cost of living: consumers in the UK are paying above the European average for fuel, food, alcohol and cigarettes
•Health and education: the UK’s spend on healthcare and education is below the European average. Only Ireland and Poland spend less on healthcare, but Ireland has more doctors and hospital beds and Poland has more beds than the UK
•Longer life: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden all enjoy longer life expectancy than the UK
•Retirement age in the UK has dropped, but it is still the 4th highest in Europe
•UK enjoys highest net household income, but workers in the UK get lowest holiday entitlement in Europe.

The latest uSwitch.com European Quality of life Index reveals that people in the UK are still getting a raw deal compared with their European neighbours. Despite the fact that the UK enjoys the highest net household income in Europe – GBP35,730 a year, which is more than GBP10,000 a year above the European average – this does not translate into a good life. Instead, people in the UK can expect to work longer, die younger and enjoy lower standards of healthcare and education.

The uSwitch.com study examined 17 factors in order to understand where the UK sits in relation to nine other major European countries. Variables such as net income, taxes and the cost of essential goods, such as fuel, food and energy bills, were examined along with lifestyle factors, such as hours of sunshine, holiday entitlement, working hours and life expectancy to provide a complete picture of the quality of life experienced in each country.

The findings show that people in the UK and Ireland have the poorest quality of life, while the French and Spanish enjoy the highest. The UK gets the lowest number of days holiday per year, pays the highest prices for diesel and food and spends below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on health and education. It also has the 4th lowest life expectancy in Europe and workers retire later than most of their European counterparts.

France, which topped the league, enjoys one of the lowest retirement ages, has the longest life expectancy in Europeand spends the most on healthcare Its workers also benefit from 34 days holiday a year – compared with only 28 in the UK – and it comes only behind Spain and Italy for hours of sunshine.

Spain, which topped the league last year, enjoys the most sunshine – but it has more to smile about than just that. The Spanish can expect to live a year longer than people in the UK, enjoy the highest number of days holiday in Europe (41 days a year) and pay the lowest fuel prices. And as if that’s not enough to celebrate, they are paying the lowest prices for alcohol too.

This year’s index does not reveal the full impact of the recession – this can be expected to show next year. However, France officially went into recession in May 2009 and has already emerged again (August 2009). This quick turnaround could see it maintaining a high quality of life despite the economic difficulties facing most European nations. Spain entered recession in February 2009 with no official announcement as to when it is likely to exit. Poland is the only country in the study not to have gone into recession and it is widely expected to avoid it throughout 2009.

Out of the two countries experiencing the lowest quality of life, Ireland went into recession first in September 2008 while the UK officially went into recession in January 2009. Both are yet to exit and the impact on the UK is expected to be severe and long lasting. Unemployment has already hit a 14 year high at 2.47 million workers or 7.9% of the workforce – the highest rate since 1995. Even with the UK due to start recovery shortly, the jobless toll is still expected to rise with the British Chambers of Commerce predicting numbers exceeding 3 million next year.

Importantly, as politicians start to plot a way out of the financial mire, quality of life in the UK could suffer even more. This is because public spending is likely to be reined in so that the amount spent in the UK on education and health could fall. The Labour Government has already indicated GBP2 billion of cuts to come on education but it has so far rejected advice from management consultants to cut the NHS workforce by 10% over the next 5 years. The UK is already spending below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on both health and education.

Health

The UK is spending below the European average (as a percentage of GDP) on both education and health. The largest shortfall is on health though, where the UK is spending 8.2% of GDP compared with the European average of 9%. Only Poland and Ireland spend less on health than the UK. France is the biggest investor, spending 11% of GDP on health, closely followed by Denmark and Germany.

The UK has 2.1 doctors per 1,000 people and 3.9 hospital beds. In contrast, France has 3.4 doctors and 7.3 beds. Poland, which spends less than the UK on health, has more hospital beds – 5.2 beds per 1,000 people. While Ireland spends less than the UK, but achieves a greater number of doctors per 1,000 and a higher number of hospital beds (2.9 doctors per 1,000 and 5.6 beds).

Lower spending on education and health could also be a contributing factor to the UK’s lower than average life expectancy, which is 4th lowest in Europe. There is some evidence to suggest that people who are better educated live longer and in better health than those who are less educated. This link between education and health cannot be explained by behavioural differences alone and has led scholars to suggest that having the right educational policies could improve a nation’s health considerably.

As well as shorter lives, people in the UK can expect to work for longer than most of their European neighbours too. The average European retirement age is 62 years old, however UK workers can expect to carry on working for 6 months longer than this. Poland has the lowest retirement age at just over 59 years old, closely followed by France. In real terms, these differences mean that UK workers can expect to work 3 years longer and die 2 years younger than their French counterparts.

Well being

Workers in the UK put in an average of 37 hours a week. Spain, France, Italy and Poland all work longer hours, but they also benefit from more days off. While workers in the UK get the lowest holiday entitlement in Europe – 28 days a year – the Spanish benefit from 41 days a year, the highest entitlement. As a result, UK workers can expect to work an average of 5 days more a year than their European counterparts and 13 days a year more than their Spanish counterparts. Over a lifetime of work (45 years) a Spanish worker could expect to have over 5 years off as holiday, while a UK worker could expect to have just over 3 years off.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “There is more to good living than money and this report shows why so many Brits are giving up on the UK and heading to France and Spain. We earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but this level of income is needed just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm. It’s giving us a decent standard of living, but it’s not helping us achieve the quality of life that people in other countries enjoy.

“For too long the focus in the UK has been on standard of living rather than quality of life. As a result we have lost all sense of balance between wealth and well-being. The recession could prove to be a turning point, forcing us to re-evaluate our way of life, get back to basics and to the things that really count. Consumers are already beginning to do this – the Government and its policymakers would do well to follow suit.”

Via EPR Network
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The Young Are Being Hit Hardest By The Strains Of Modern Life

PruHealth has revealed that the old adage of ‘being over the hill’ in later life may need to be revised as it seems the stresses and strains of modern life are hitting the younger generation the hardest.

The latest research from PruHealth, the health insurance provider that rewards policyholders for being healthy, has found that today’s 20-somethings feel three years older than their birth certificate states and the average 30-something feels their actual age, but the average Brit aged 40+ feels 11.5 years younger than their actual age.*

However, 20-30 somethings seem to have energy levels closer to those of retirees. More people in their 20s and 30s have a dip in their energy levels throughout the course of the day than any other age group, while 12% of 30-somethings don’t feel energetic at any point during the day at all – compared with only 6% of people in their 60s.

The research highlights how people in their 20s and 30s live unhealthier lifestyles than those in their 40s and 50s, which could be the reason for the younger generation’s sluggish energy levels and feeling older than their years. The top three reasons for lower energy levels were identified as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and not getting enough sleep. However, little action appears to be being taken to counteract this with only 47% saying they eat a balanced diet, 18% never exercise, and a quarter sleep for less than 6 hours a night.

The older generation tends to follow a more balanced diet, eats less unhealthy foods such as takeaways, and participates in a similar level of exercise compared with the younger generation. However, as the over 40s require less calories than the under 40s** this could be the key to their youthfulness.

Interestingly, people of all ages who feel younger than their real age are more likely to feel most energetic in the morning, while those who experience a peak in energy levels in the afternoon are more likely to feel older than their actual age.

Shaun Matisonn, CEO, PruHealth, said: “While it’s wonderful to see that the older we get, the better we feel, the energy levels of those under 40 clearly needs more attention. This age group need to get more exercise – and more sleep – eat healthily and follow more active lifestyles to help boost their energy levels.

“Finding time in your 30s to exercise and eat healthily can be especially difficult while you’re juggling a career and looking after a young family, but incorporating small steps in your daily routine, such as getting off the bus a stop early and snacking on fruit rather than crisps, can help make all the difference.”

Via EPR Network
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InsuranceAgents.com – Finding The The Right Health Insurance Policy For You

When it comes to purchasing health insurance, you generally have three options: group, state, or individual. Individual insurance can be a bit misleading because it covers not only you, the policyholder, but also your spouse and any dependents you may have. The best way to find optimum health insurance is to go online and compare health insurance quotes.

The pros of individual health insurance include the ability to claim tax benefits and the ability to keep it as long as you pay your premiums. According to the article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, “Generally, an individual health insurance policy is more costly than a group health insurance policy, since the policyholder is responsible for all premium payments.”

However, group insurance has its own benefits. “The most preferred type of health insurance is typically group health insurance,” the article continues. “Most commonly this means employer-sponsored group health insurance. Through a person’s job, he or she can receive health benefits for themselves as well as their entire family.”

Possibly the most attractive attribute of group health insurance is that it is generally cheaper than an individual policy. This is because your employer pays a portion of the premium and it also provides a greater variety of coverage. However, if you are unemployed or if your employer does not offer health benefits then your only option is individual.

Visit InsuranceAgents.com for expert articles and insurance quotes from up to five local agents.

Via EPR Network
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Brits Could Be Waiting Too Long To Do Something About Their Health – Reports PruHealth

PruHealth’s bi-annual Vitality Index* – which tracks the nation’s health trends across stress, exercise, diet, smoking, health knowledge and check-ups – has shown that it would take being diagnosed with a health condition to encourage the 79% of people in the UK to improve their health and fitness.

The Vitality Index also shows a distinction between what UK adults consider the biggest health concerns facing the nation and their own individual health concerns. For example, while obesity was considered the biggest health issue facing the nation, from an individual standpoint, cancer was the greatest health concern nationally. Inability to stop smoking and alcohol abuse made it into the top 5 biggest health issues facing the nation; however these concerns were replaced by stress and Alzheimer’s disease on the list of individual health concerns. Conversely, poor diet and nutrition was considered one of the biggest health concerns facing the nation by almost one fifth of UK adults (19 per cent), but only 8 per cent saw it as an individual health concern.

Although people in the UK appear to be clear on the big issues that are facing the health of the nation (with 81 per cent of people knowing what they should and should not do to be healthy), when it comes to translating this knowledge into healthy behaviours, people appear to be struggling. Only a fifth exercise the recommended 5 days a week or more, and just under a quarter eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Shaun Matisonn, CEO at PruHealth, said: “The most concerning figure here is undoubtedly the 79 per cent of people who will wait until they are diagnosed with an illness before making any attempt to improve their health and fitness, rather than making a lifestyle change now in order to prevent being diagnosed with an illness in the future.

“Finding a way to motivate a change in lifestyle is the biggest hurdle we face as a society, but using incentives to encourage people to look after their health and wellbeing is an extremely powerful motivator.”

Commenting on the findings, Dr David Grainger, Senior Fellow, Cambridge University, said: “Even though three-quarters of people see the health of themselves and their loved ones as a key priority, for the majority it would take diagnosis of ill health to motivate any significant change of lifestyle. It is hard to over-estimate how big a hurdle this is to promoting change. It is disappointing to see that only 13 per cent of respondents had regular health checks, despite the emphasis of the public health message on prevention rather than cure.

“Interestingly, though, more than half of the population say they would change their lifestyle in response to rewards and incentives. Giving serious thought to incentives for a healthy lifestyle must therefore move higher up the public health agenda.”

*The research was carried out on behalf of PruHealth, the insurer that rewards policyholders for engaging in healthy behaviour, by Ipsos MORI. A nationally representative sample of 3,034 GB adults were questioned online in January 2009. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population. Seasonal variations may affect some responses.

About PruHealth
PruHealth was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa. Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly. It now covers over 190,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages policyholders to look after their health.

Via EPR Network
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Alternative medicine, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Obesity, Psychologist, Public Health, Society, Weight loss

Expert Reveals Simple Secrets To Lifelong Weight Loss

You can finally lose weight and keep it off forever… just by thinking like a fit person. That’s the promise of a new book, Die Fat or Get Tough: The 101 Differences in Thinking Between Fat People and Fit People by Steve Siebold. It’s a new approach to helping two thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese.

“It’s about learning and using mental toughness to stick to a diet and exercise program,” says Siebold, an internationally recognized mental toughness expert who lives in North Georgia and South Florida. “It’s so simple that anyone can use mental toughness. This will be the last book you’ll ever need to read on weight loss.”

The author was recently a “fat tub of lard with a large pot belly.” The information in the book helped him lose 40 pounds in 12 weeks, and he hasn’t had a problem since.

Here is a question and answer session with Steve Siebold:

What is the book about?

“It’s not about the fact that diets don’t work or getting fat wasn’t your fault. Of course, it was your fault. Someone wasn’t stuffing pizzas and doughnuts down your throat. You did. It’s not all about diet or weight loss or exercise.

“It’s about learning and using mental toughness to stick to a diet or exercise program. It’s about thinking – consciousness. Mental toughness is about taking mental and emotion control of your life, and it begins with self-discovery. But mental toughness can get you thin and healthy.”

What do you mean by the title, Die Fat or Get Tough?

“Overweight people have only two options in life. Die fat or get tough! Two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, says the federal government, and the number is increasing rapidly. This is a giant health problem.”

So is mental toughness the secret to losing weight?

“Yes. Dieting is not easy, but it is simple. Just pick a world-class diet and exercise program and develop the mental toughness to stick to it. It’s the only effective way to shed unwanted pounds. You can develop mental toughness by understanding the 101 differences in thinking between fat and fit people explained in the book.”

What’s so different about this book?

“There’s a million diet books out there. But this book is a new approach to losing weight and getting fit that is so simple that anyone can use it. And it will be the last book you ever need to read on weight loss. You’ll think about being fat like you never have before. That’s why I believe my book is so unique and effective.

“It’s really hard-hitting. It will eliminate every excuse you’ve ever made for being fat. It will force you to see yourself as others see you. You will learn that getting fat is really your fault – completely your fault. And it will help you emerge victorious over your weight problem. You will begin to believe you can do anything – that you can live a long, healthy life, filled with boundless energy and super self confidence.”

Who is the book written for?

“If you are 10 or more pounds overweight and ready to get fit, this book can be the answer. It’s for anyone who really wants to lose weight, wants to get tough, do it and solve it for once so it never comes back. I’m not talking about some fad diet where you lose some weight and gain it back. I’m talking about wiping out all excuses and solving your weight problem once and for all.

“The people who really work hard at controlling their weight have a mindset – it’s mental toughness. And you can adapt this mindset and understand how fat people think versus how fit people think. If you catch yourself thinking like a fat person, you’ll know how to change it to a fit person’s thinking.

Why did you write this book?

“I wrote it to shock people out of the psychological delusion that keeps them fat, sick, and unhappy…and into reality about what it takes to get fit forever. People are suffering needlessly, getting sick and dying too young because they’re fat. This book has the power to change that, if the reader is tough enough to grow up and accept objective reality.”

How did you gather the information in the book?

“I did five years of research and interviewed hundreds of fat and fit people across the United States and dissected their core beliefs and philosophies around diet and exercise. What I found were fit people have completely different beliefs and philosophies in this area, and these beliefs and philosophies drove their eating and exercise habits. The differences in thinking are so extreme I decided to write a book about it.”

I understand that the book has been called “disturbing.”

“One of my colleagues called my book a disturbing masterpiece. This book will shock you. It will grab you by the throat and not let you go. I’ve had people tell me they get mad at the book, toss it aside for a while and then pick it back up. I’m known for being direct, but this book is borderline offensive. People all over the world say they are shocked with the approach or offended but couldn’t disagree with anything I wrote.”

What is your background?

“I am an internationally recognized expert in mental toughness, and I once was a fat slob! I train sales management teams of Fortune 500 companies, address some 60 live audiences a year and rank among the top 1% of income earners among professional speakers worldwide. I have written two books on mental toughness. The late Bill Gove, the father of public speaking, and I formed the Gove-Siebold Group, based in Boynton Beach, Florida. I co-starred in the movie “Beyond the Secret”, which is to be released June 23, 2009.

“I live in South Florida and in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area with my wife Dawn, a dog and two sugar gliders.”

How can someone get this book and your other books?

You now can get five chapters of the eBook for free at www.diefatbook.com. The print soft cover edition of Die Fat or Get Tough is scheduled for release in mid-July 2009. You can order copies in advance at www.diefatbook.com, starting about mid-June.

More at http://www.mentaltoughnessblog.com and www.diefatbook.com, 

Via EPR Network
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PruHealth, The Health Insurance Company That Rewards Policyholders For Being Healthy, Found That People Expected Their January Health Kicks To Last For, On Average, 123 Days.

Research conducted by PruHealth, the private health insurance company that rewards policyholders for being healthy, found that people expected their January health kicks to last for, on average, 123 days. This therefore means that Monday 4 May was the day most people fell off the health wagon.-private health insurance company

Whether it’s down to stronger willpower, more pressure to have celebrity bodies, or simply cutting back on calorific treats in the credit crunch, the average Brit’s New Year health kick has lasted 45 days longer this year than in 2008, with dieters sticking to their diet and fitness regimes for over four months in 2009.*

Of those still sticking to their diets, the vast majority of dieters (55%)** plan to keep up their new healthy lifestyle forever, suggesting that ‘quick-fix’ fad diets such as Beyonce’s maple syrup diet are well and truly out of fashion.

Nearly two-thirds of Brits (61%) planned to embark on a new diet or fitness regime at the start of the year. PruHealth, private medical insurance company, also found that nearly half (48%) of these dieters saw it as an ongoing, permanent lifestyle change rather than an attempt to quickly lose those extra pounds.

However, by the end of April, 30% of dieters had already abandoned their diets, with over a quarter (26%) of people caving in after less than a month on the salads and gym classes.

When it comes to sticking to resolutions, resisting the lure of sugary snacks is the biggest challenge for sweet-toothed dieters, with 22% rating this as the hardest hurdle to overcome. A further 10% admitted giving up alcohol was their biggest health regime challenge.

Katie Roswell, Marketing Director, PruHealth, said: “The nation appears to be taking a step in the right direction and maintaining a healthy lifestyle on an ongoing basis, rather than opting for more dangerous crash diet or exercise plans. The key is finding a routine that incorporates a nutritionally balanced diet and regular exercise into your lifestyle, and not completely denying yourself the occasional treat for doing well, as this can help keep up the motivation.”

Worryingly, for 21% of dieters this year it took the shock of a health scare to inspire them to take action and embark on a new, healthier lifestyle. But messages about the health of the nation appear to be hitting home, as the majority of dieters (54%) simply wanted to follow a healthier lifestyle.

The information here is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions. Full consumer product information can be found at www.pruhealth.co.uk.

Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
* Opinium Research online poll of 2,233 British adults carried out 23rd – 30th December 2008.
** Opinium Research online poll of 2,200 British adults carried out 17th – 20th April 2009.

About PruHealth 
PruHealth health insurance was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa. Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly. It now covers over 190,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages policyholders to look after their health.

Via EPR Network
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Stressed Lifestyles Increasing During Recession

PruHealth’s bi-annual Vitality Index* – which tracks the nation’s health trends – has revealed that the health of the nation has declined by two points since July 2008 to a health rating of just 59%. Nearly one in five (18%) Brits now admit they live unhealthy lifestyles, an increase of four per cent in just six months.**

In the last six months the percentage of Brits saying they are under a significant amount of stress has increased from 38% to 40%. As confidence in the economy has decreased it is perhaps of little surprise that almost half (44%) of Brits report their stress levels have increased.

Half (50%) of these adults disclose that stress is affecting their personal life, with many of those surveyed now considering stress the greatest health risk to the nation (10%). Two in five (41%) people suffering from the condition put their increased stress levels down to money worries while 22% say an increased workload is the main reason for their stress. The same number also cited redundancy worries as a large contributing factor to their levels of stress.

The Vitality Index showed that those in poor health have seen the most significant rise in their stress levels, up from 56% to 64%. Those in good health cited only a slight rise from 32% to 34%.

The problems of increased stress are exacerbated by a lack of exercise. According to PruHealth, the number of people reporting that they never exercise has increased from 11% to 14%, with more than a quarter (28%) of adults blaming work commitments.

Commenting on the findings, Dr David Grainger, a senior fellow of the University of Cambridge, said: “In just six months there has been a marked widening of the ‘health gap’ as lifestyle improvements evaporate. Replicated across the entire adult population of the UK, these findings suggest a staggering two million more people have an unhealthy lifestyle than six months ago. The most likely cause? Economic recession.”

Almost half of Brits (47%) say they struggle to eat the recommended “five-a-day” servings of fresh fruit and vegetables; only 24% manage to eat their five portions on a daily basis and alarmingly a fifth (21%) only get their daily intake of fresh fruit and veg once a week or less.

Primarily, it’s the perceived cost of exercising and eating healthily that is driving more people to cut exercise and healthy eating out of their daily routines. More than half (56%) of Britons feel they cannot currently afford the added expenses associated with being healthy, such as gym memberships and super-foods, and over one in three (37%) say they find it hard to take care of themselves due to their busy schedule. Sixty one per cent of people simply feel healthy foods are more expensive than the unhealthy alternatives.

 

The information contained in Prudential UK’s press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions. Full consumer product information and a personalised health insurance quote can be found at www.pruhealth.co.uk

*The research was carried out on behalf of PruHealth by Ipsos MORI. A nationally representative sample of 3034 GB adults was questioned online in January 2009. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population. Seasonal variations may affect some responses. 
**4% of 48million UK adults is 1.9million people

About PruHealth
PruHealth was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa. Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly. It now provides health insurance cover for more than 190,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages health insurance policyholders to look after their health.

Via EPR Network
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Child health, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Public Health, Society

4th Annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Nearly everyone knows a couple who has divorced and used a child against the other parent. But not many people know there’s a name for such behavior–and fewer still know it is a particularly damaging form of child abuse.

The 4th Annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day on April 25, 2009 is set as a day for families around the Globe to help raise awareness about this rampant global issue. Many countries, states, provinces, and cities have already proclaimed April 25 to be Parental Alienation Awareness Day, and many educational and family events are set to take place in cities in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Parental Alienation is defined as a set of behaviors exhibited by a parent or an adult the child trusts, that puts the child in a very damaging loyalty bind between the people they love. These behaviors can be as mild as the occasional badmouthing of a parent, but in extreme cases may lead to parental Abductions and even Parental Homicide.

Research shows that children exposed to Parental Alienation may suffer a lifetime of low self esteem, and depression as well as substance abuse, anxiety, and difficulty trusting anyone or forming lasting relationships.

“A pattern of alienation usually begins without any malicious or conscious intent to harm the relationship between the other parent and the children,” explained Sarvy Emo, Founder of Parental Alienation Awareness Day. “Parents are often unaware of how subtle behaviors and comments can put children in a loyalty bind that is not only harmful to their emotional and mental health, but may affect their relationship with the targeted parent.”

“… the hurt, the anger, the shame and the pain would never go away. I could numb it and put it in the back of my mind but it never went away. It comes out in how I am as a mother, a spouse, a friend. In the decisions I’ve made, in almost everything I do.” Says an adult who experienced Parental Alienation as a child.

Parental Alienation Awareness Organization urges family members, and the people that surround a child’s life to watch for the children perceiving one parent as causing the other parent’s financial problems, showing a sudden negative change in attitude around one parent or being uncharacteristically belligerent around a parent or other authority figure.

To learn more about PA and Parental Alienation Awareness Day, visit paawarenessday.com

To learn more about Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting, visit www.paawareness.org

Via EPR Network
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Assistants, Diseases, Healthcare, Healthcare Services, Healthcare Solutions, Public Health, Society

The Npower Health Through Warmth Scheme Has Been Commended In A National Report After Helping Nearly 2,000 Vale Of Glamorgan Residents With Cold And Damp Related Illnesses

The npower scheme has been referenced as an example of best practice by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) in a report prepared for the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes.

The Vale of Glamorgan is just one of 14 areas of England and Wales where the Health Through Warmth scheme operates, providing practical help, information and advice for vulnerable people who have inadequate heating and insulation, and whose health is adversely affected by their cold, damp living conditions.

Health Through Warmth is managed locally by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and relies on community workers such as health visitors, district nurses and housing officers, who observe cold and damp conditions first-hand, to refer people at risk.

Gary Ford, Health Through Warmth co-ordinator for the Vale of Glamorgan scheme, said: “It’s fantastic recognition to be referenced by a national body such as CSE. To date, the scheme has improved the levels of warmth, comfort and quality of life for nearly 2,000 people in the local community and we would like to remind residents that we are here to help.”

Health Through Warmth assesses each referral on an individual basis and accesses funding from a variety of sources including government grants, charitable funds, and the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund.

Since the scheme launched in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2002, Health Through Warmth has facilitated more than £2,000,000 worth of heating and insulation measures in vulnerable people’s homes across the area.

*Figures from the Help the Aged and Age Concern research

About npower:
npower is one of Britain’s largest electricity supplier and supplies gas, electricity and related services to 6.6 million customers across the UK. npower is a market leader in renewable energy and sources the green energy for juice directly from renewable sources, at no extra cost.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark from Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

Via EPR Network
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Alternative medicine, Fitness, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Medicine, Public Health, Society

Pruhealth Vitality Index reveals clear gap between Britons’ perceptions of what it means to be healthy and having a real understanding of the impact of lifestyle

The new PruHealth Vitality Index has revealed a clear gap between Britons’ perceptions of what it means to be healthy and having a real understanding of the impact of lifestyle, diet and fitness levels on current and future health. The Index – which will be repeated on a biannual basis to track the nation’s health trends – provides a comprehensive analysis of general health and wellbeing in Britain.

The report reveals that 69%* of people in Britain claim they are in a good state of health. However, when lifestyle and fitness choices are scrutinised the reality paints quite a different picture as a significant proportion of those who feel they are in a good state of health do not follow a healthy lifestyle:

– only 58% feel they actually follow a healthy lifestyle
– 47% describe their fitness levels as ‘good’
– 24% eat their recommended five a day of fruit and veg
– two thirds think they are overweight
– 21% of Britons smoke
– only a fifth of Britons don’t feel under any stress
– only 14% go for regular screenings or check ups with their GP

Dr David Grainger, Senior Fellow, Cambridge University, said: “This report makes clear that people listen to and understand the public health message. Lifestyles are improving and disease rates are falling. But there is plenty more to do.”

He continued, “If half of current smokers managed to stop smoking tomorrow, we estimate that nearly a million years of lost life would be saved from heart disease alone. Regular health checkups are particularly useful, and it is disappointing to see that only 14% of respondents had regular health checks, despite the emphasis of the public health message on prevention rather than cure.”

Dr Grainger believes, “The Vitality Index is a valuable new indicator of attitudes and behaviours that promote a healthy lifestyle. The Index balances the importance of a number of different areas to provide an interesting snapshot of lifestyles across the UK, and has the potential to predict future trends in public health. This focus on balance, rather than over-emphasis of the importance of one particular element of a healthy lifestyle, conveys exactly the right message at a time when we are in danger of being overwhelmed with guidance on staying fit and healthy.”

The majority (81%) of Britons say they know what they should be doing in order to follow a healthy lifestyle, but many simply aren’t putting this into action, with lack of motivation, cost and lack of time clear barriers to living a healthy lifestyle. More than half (53%) of respondents feel free access to exercise and swimming classes would help tackle national obesity, and 49% claim cheaper fruit and vegetables would have an effect.

*The research was carried out on behalf of PruHealth by Ipsos MORI. A nationally representative sample of 3,034 GB adults were questioned online in July 2008. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population.

About PruHealth:
PruHealth was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa. Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly. It now covers approximately 190,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages policyholders to look after their health.

Via EPR Network
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Anti-aging, Business of Medicine, Cosmetics, Dermatology, Healthcare, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Online, Pharmaceuticals, Public Health, Skincare, Society

It is necessary for the public to be replete with information about the dominating cosmetics, anti ageing, and facial beauty products sold in the market today

The numbers of beauty products sold in the market have mushroomed and will continue to grow in unison with the latest discoveries of ingredients and ways of reverting the skin’s ageing.

“These products are created to be beneficial for us, but if not properly chosen and used, these can cause detrimental effects on a person’s physical appearance, emotional responses, and social interaction.”

Since BeautifulReview.com was established, it has provided product reviews including companiesmarketing beauty products, beauty services, and top selling cosmetic and anti ageing items sold to the public either online or through local stores.

The following are latest reviews conducted by the company:

Restylane: Restylane is labeled to contain hyaluronic acid, a component normally found in many tissues such as the skin and cartillage. It is recommended to prevent and cure severe skin damages and could be administered to the patient through injection therapy. A doctor’s prescription is needed before anyone will be allowed to purchase Restylane.

Precaution Against Imitation: Packing of the finished product does not contain any complete ingredients label as a precautionary measure to prevent any prospective consumer from procuring these ingredients individually, thereby assuring that no unauthorized production or imitation is undertaken by anybody or any entity.

Indication: Side effects of Restylane may include red or swollen skin that normally last up to seven (7) days.

StriVectin-SD: Strivectin-SD, manufactured by Klein-Becker, prevents skin wrinkles and lessens stretch marks caused by pregnancy. Klein-Becker strongly recommends a patch test before applying the product for regular use. Among the products manufactured by Klein-Becker are StriVectin Eye Cream and other age-defying medications for both men and women.

Packing and Label: StriVectin-SD products are packed and shipped without any label and complete list of ingredients to prevent any imitation or unauthorized production. On the manufacturer’s website, the product is said to have passed clinical tests, however no actual test results are presented on the website.

Thermage: Thermage is a reputable company marketing skin-care techniques for women. The procedure is said to trigger “heat” to the Collagen Strands causing it to tighten. A skin treatment session can last from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the area of concentration.

Indications: The company strongly recommends the procedure to be done only on women aging 35 to 60 years old. It is known to be costly and the company does not offer a money back guarantee.

Youthful Essence: Youthful Essence is a home microdermabrasion system marketed by Guthy-Renker. The package contains a Vitamin-Enriched Resurfacing Cream, two sponge applicators, and a watertight resurfacing tool. It is advertised to be applicable for you for facial and body treatments.

Side Effects: The company does not provide free trial products to interested individuals. In addition, the abrasive crystals produced after the application may irritate sensitive skins.

Youthology: Youthology is a product brand used in various skin care and anti-ageing products. Among the company’s products are the Nighttime Nourisher and Daytime Nourisher effective to moisturize skin and prevent it from ageing.

Disadvantage: Most of the company’s products do not contain Matrixyl 3000®, a combination of Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide – 7, as compared to other skin care products.

About the Company:
Beautiful Review is an independent company committed to providing the public with unbiased reviews about general cosmetics widely sold in the market today and their manufacturers. Reviews are written by hand and products are tested and examined by human editors. The company can be reached through their website at http://www.beautifulreview.com/.

Via EPR Network
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