Humpday Humor

by Steve Kelley, originally uploaded by the Health Advocate.

It is simply undeniable, our diets really do affect our health and overall risk for disease. This week, cartoonist Steve Kelley reminds us.

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National Cancer Control Month

Featured Health Observance. April is Cancer Control Month. Since 1938, this annual proclamation has given Americans an opportunity to focus on advances against cancer, as well as, rededicate themselves to fighting the disease both through pioneering research and prevention. President Obama observed:

“As researchers work daily to better understand this disease, Americans can take steps to decrease their risk of developing cancer. Individuals of all ages should seek regular and appropriate check-ups.

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How Do You Take Your Tea? Sugar, Honey or HFCS

common question to tea drinkers has been sugar or honey? But if your tea is already sweetened and comes in a can or a bottle it is most likely sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Competition from companies like Honest Beverages forced Snapple to re-evaluate its own ingredients list recently. High-fructose corn syrup is an artificial sweetener and preservative that is created when one of the sugars contained in cornstarch is converted from glucose to fructose. The result is a sweetener that is made up of both glucose and fructose. This extremely sweet substance extends the shelf life of processed foods. And it is these two characteristics that have helped high-fructose corn syrup become such a widespread food ingredient since the late 1970s.

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March 12, 2009 is World Kidney Day

Tomorrow, March 12 is World Kidney Day. Last month we discussed how heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. Unfortunately, too few Americans realize, however, that chronic kidney disease is another life-threatening illness that often goes undetected until it reaches very advanced stages.

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A Forray into Veganism

First Friday in First Person. As we observe National Nutrition Month, I have chosen to share my journey with a vegan diet. Last year about this time, I initiated a fast and decided to take on a vegan diet. I thought lent would be an excellent time because it would give me a definite beginning and ending to my experiment, if you will. For those of you who don’t know, a vegan is someone who refrains from eating animals and all animal products. They not only abstain from eating meat, pork, poultry, and fish but also foods that are byproducts of animals. That means they also refrain from eating eggs, as well as, butter and milk. I made this choice not so much because of politics or activism but mainly because I wanted to reap the health benefits.

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Eat Right

Featured Health Observance. National Nutrition Month® is an education and information campaign created by the American Dietetic Association. This makes the month of March a good time to focus our attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits. Diet and exercise create a solid foundation for our health and wellness. You may not be fully aware, however just how much diet and exercise also contribute to the presentation and progression of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

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