Vaginal Microbicides Might Help More Men Than Women (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, July 10 ( HealthDay News) -- A new study questionswhether vaginal microbicides being developed to help protect women againstHIV infection buy creatine ethyl ester malate lead to new drug resistance from the virus that causesAIDS.

We all have reasons for why we pick a dog food. Perhaps a friend recommends it, our dog loves the taste, or it's packaged attractively. But do you really know what you're buying? Read on to learn a few simple tips for picking a healthy food for your dog.

The power of complete protein. The American Association of Feed Control (the organization that sets guidelines for what dogs need in their food) advises dog food should have at least 18% protein. If your dog is pregnant or lactating the percentage should be higher...at least 22%.

Also, keep in mind working dogs require more protein. This could be your cattle dog, search and rescue dog, or any other canine that gets a high level of activity.

And pay careful attention to where the protein is coming from. Read the food label to ensure the primary source of protein isn't coming from corn gluten meal, soybean meal, or soy flower. These ingredients aren't a good primary protein source because dogs don't have adequate enzymes digest these well.

Is cheap dog food really bad for my dog? Typically, foods that are a little more expensive, have a higher percentage of digestibility (82-86%). If you buy the cheapest dog food, you'll often see the digestion rate drop to about 75%.

A good way to check the digestibility percentage is to call the manufacture and ask. They will provide this information upon request; however I wouldn't expect to find it on the bag.

The benefits of omega fatty acids. You may have heard about the excellent benefits of omega fatty acids for humans...but guess what, they're good for your dogs too!

Benefits may include a reduction in allergies, less skin problems and a decrease in pain experienced from arthritis. The important thing to remember about omega fatty acids is to make sure your dog is getting a balance of both omega 3 and 6.

The ingredients you should look for are safflower oil or corn oil (for omega-6) and fish oil or fish meal (for omega-3). Some dog food manufactures will actually list the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 oils (very helpful!).

Making sure your dog's food is giving him the necessary nutrients will payoff. You can prevent potential health problems which will save on vet bills, plus make your dog happier.

For more helpful tips, visit http://www.dog-health-info.net

Medicare changes don't affect cancer care: study (Reuters)

Reuters - Legislation that cut fees doctors receive for giving chemotherapy to Medicare patients has not affected care so far, researchers reported on Tuesday.

What's worse, getting paid less because you are overweight, or not getting paid at all because you're sick from being overweight and can't make it into work?

I'm sure you wouldn't want either option, but the bad news is that many overweight people are dealing with both situations.

A study from Europe, published in the prestigious journal, Obesity, found being overweight and obese were accurate predictors of sick days from work.

Obese individuals were found to have more long sickness-related absences from work even in young men and women. Chronic obesity resulted in the longest sick leaves, particularly in men.

In order to avoid missing work and sacrificing profits, it's a good idea to control your weight with exercise and nutrition. I truly believe nutrition is the most important factor in determining fat loss, and in terms of improving your health.

Fortunately, it's easy to eat for fat loss and health. Stick to...

1) Whole, natural foods, avoiding any processed foods that come in a bag or a box

2) Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day

3) Don't avoid healthy fats, so eat almonds, walnuts, fish, and olive oil to get healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats.

4) Substitute green tea and water in place of sodas, juices, and other high- calorie beverages.

5) Exercise with strength training and short interval training workouts. Don't waste your time on long cardio workouts that just leave you weaker and hurt from overuse injuries. Strengthen your body the right way.

This simple nutrition guideline will keep you lean and alert at work, so that you won't miss any crucial workdays due to illness.

Obesity 15:1554-1564 (2007)
BMI, Obesity, and Sickness Absence in the Whitehall II Study
Jane E. Ferrie*, et al.

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Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked bodysculpting workouts have helped thousands of men and women with weight loss and fat burning in less than 45 minutes three times per week. Craig Ballantynes fast fat burning workouts help you lose fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment. Craig's home exercise programs help you lose fat without any equipment at all.