The Saturday post a tad early

I will be traveling on Saturday so here's a little good new early

Blood test may be able to predict heart attack
By Amanda Stewart, 1/10/2014

Scientists at the Scripps Research Center in California have developed a simple blood test that could detect a heart attack before it happens.

According to Healthline, the test identifies particular cells in the bloodstream that are found after heart attacks. These cells circulate due to build up of plaque in the arteries.

The test only requires a millimeter of blood. Then a doctor would place identifiers in the blood to mark the cells that will predict a heart attack.

The new test was given to 79 people and 25 people who are well and seven that live with a vascular disease. Heart attack patients had a higher number of these cells in their bloodstream, according to the Science World Report.

Identifying the risk by finding these cells in the bloodstream could make it possible for doctors to administer the right medication to avoid a heart attack right away. It can also do the opposite, in which someone with chest pain is given the test and the doctor can avoid hospitalization if the person shows no signs of a heart attack.

This test could potentially save many lives and many people unneeded hours in the emergency room.

The study was published in the Physical Biology journal.

It is Friday!

Happy Friday everyone,
It has been a long, cold, bad weather, miserable week in my world! The weather appears to be warming up. I am hoping for sunshine soon. Are you ready for spring? Personally, I do better with sunshine! Dreary weather makes me tired and cranky.

Don't forget we are having iPad training next Saturday at the Center. Call Krystal! I need to know how many to expect. Mr. Earl will be making multiple trips due to increasing numbers. Get your ride request in early to get a seat!

I have a very busy weekend planned. I really need the weather to improve! Lots of clients and driving....

Take care,
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Interesting concept for a timepiece

Using Universal Design to Create A Time Piece for Everyone

I have always been one of those people who needs to know what time it is. I had many watches throughout my childhood, and when I was no longer able to read a watch, I knew that a talking watch was not for me. I got my first braille watch in college, and when it died, I made sure to get another braille watch. Even though I love my braille watch, I can understand that it's not the best option for everyone. Unfortunately, the braille watch used to be the only option if you wanted to check the time without everyone knowing. This is where the Bradley time piece comes in. This project, inspired by a Paralympian that lost his sight in Afghanistan, has resulted in a time piece that will appeal to both the sighted and non-sighted. One of the inherent drawbacks to the braille watch is that it can be easy to move the hands. If you're checking the time, you don't want the hands to move because then it's no longer accurate. This was just one of the challenges that the team at Eone Time Pieces had to solve. Their solution was to eliminate the hands all together. The Bradley has two ball bearings that move around the face of the watch. The inner ball bearing tells the minute, and the outer ball bearing tells the hour. It even has a built in fail safe so that if you move the ball bearing while checking the time or if you're sleeve bumps it, you only have to shake your wrist to get it to go back to where it belongs. In July of last year, the Eone Time Pieces team had a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of The Bradley. Their goal was to raise just $40,000, but the project was so popular that they ended up raising almost 600 thousand dollars. Far surpassing their need, the company has now started accepting pre-orders for the watch. If you choose to pre-order The Bradley, you can get it for $50 less then what it will normally cost. I recently chatted with a friend who was one of the backers of the campaign and who just received his Bradley. He is very pleased so far with how easy it is to tell the time and how easy it was to set up. He was also impressed with the fact that there are braille instructions for how to use the Bradley included in his box. To learn more about the Bradley and how to pre-order your own, visit the Eone Time Pieces website: http://www.eone-time.com. 

Thursday' January 9

Good slippery morning,
It appears the weathermen are getting better at predicting the messy stuff. Sure enough, there is quite a bit of ice in my area. Sounds like Margaret may have the brunt of the bad stuff but it is enough here to delay schools. If you have to step outside, please be careful. We are at the 30-33 degree range statewide and you can't tell wet from ice!

If you are a cane user, be very careful. This type of weather is the worst! Steps, driveways and sidewalks are treacherous and dangerous for all of use. Be sure you put that cane down with force!

Johnye has found a great article which I will post.
Stay in, stay warm and check on each other!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Happy hump day!

Good morning world,
It is slightly warmer today but...the weatherman assures us it will get worse! Maybe as early as this afternoon. If you need to run errands, stock up on food, etc you probably should dash to the store this morning. Sounds like we all want to be home and snuggled in by dark with rain for the next several days.

Johnye has been finding great articles for the blog this week. I am posting them as I find a few minutes so be sure you scroll down to read them. These are really helpful for those of you who don't subscribe to a news feed. I probably should do a class on news feeds if only I could add a few hours to each day!

Make all those pit stops today and stay warms!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

For those with more money than most of us.......

These days, it seems just about every imaginable thing is "connected. There's connected thermostats , locks, refrigerators, forks , and so many more. And now, add toothbrushes to the list. Today at CES, Kolibree unveiled what it calls the world's first connected electric toothbrush. Whether anyone actually needs such a device is very much up in the air, but the startup believes that it can help people brush smarter -- and as a result, have healthier teeth. The concept is simple. Users download Kolibree's mobile app on their smartphone and then connect to the toothbrush via Bluetooth. Then, every time they brush their teeth, the brush will record a set of relevant data, which can later be viewed and analyzed via the mobile app. Essentially, the brush records how someone cleans their teeth. It keeps track of how long the brushing lasted, and how rigorous it was in terms of reaching each and every tooth, and the gums. There's a bit of gameplay built in, which challenges users to do better next time, and the company has created an API, hoping that third-party developers will come up with additional apps that will inspire users to brush more, and more effectively. Kolibree is planning on releasing several different models of its toothbrush, ranging from $100 to $200, in the third quarter of 2014, with a Kickstarter campaign starting things off. The app can record data from multiple brushes, meaning every member of a family can see how everyone else is doing. The data can also be easily shared with friends, and even the dentist. On the surface, it's hard to imagine a lot of people deciding they need something like a connected toothbrush. But with individual health getting more attention than ever, it's certainly possible people will see the benefit of something that keeps a close eye on how well they're treating their teeth, and which challenges them to do better.

Healthy habits for the new year!

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2014 01 07

It's a brand new year, and we all want to get a jump on eating healthy. But sometimes we focus too much on counting grams of fiber or protein, or we focus in on specific nutrients. An easier (and definitely more fun) approach is to simply add more color to your meals and snacks. In Eating in Color: Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Your and Your Family , I share recipes and tips for bringing more color to your table in a fun, stress-free way. The book highlights the entire spectrum and inspires you to add health-boosting fruits, veggies and whole grains to your diet by adding as many colors to your plate as possible. Fruits and vegetables contain compounds that reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, some cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity. Most of us don't get enough fruits, veggies or whole grains, so adding a couple of extra servings a day will go a long way to making us all healthier. Here's a guide to "Eating in Color" and the benefits that each color family provides. Reds This bold and beautiful family of fruits and vegetables is certainly physically attractive, but it also boasts a wide range of heart-healthy nutrients. Many members of the red family contain high levels of the antioxidant vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Vitamin C helps fight damage caused by free radicals throughout the body. Potassium is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and keeps your heart beating regularly. And soluble fiber, found in many red fruits, helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol. Foods to try: pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, radishes, tomatoes, beets, red peppers, radicchio, rhubarb, cherries, cranberries, red apples, red onions Oranges The orange family ranges from delicate apricots to sturdy winter squash, but one thing they all have in common is a very special nutrient: beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body and is needed for skin and eye cell growth. It's also vital for a healthy immune and reproductive system. Foods to try: pumpkins, orange peppers, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, mangos, oranges, apricots, peaches, cantaloupe, carrots Yellows The yellow family ranges from fragrant Meyer lemons to earthy yellow beets and is a little tough to categorize. This sunny group finds common ground in its wealth of antioxidant-rich compounds, which help fight chronic diseases including cancer and heart disease. Foods to try: yellow beets, star fruit, yellow figs, lemons, yellow bell peppers Greens Green is Mother Nature's favorite color. She uses it to color everything from leafy herbs to creamy avocados to refreshing cucumber. Most members of the green family are super slimming, with less than 50 calories per 'cup', so it makes sense to load up your plate with them. They also offer up antioxidants for longevity-boosting benefits. And many greens are a great vegetarian and vegan source of iron, as well as the B-vitamin folate, which is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Foods to try: arugula, kiwi fruit, avocado, broccoli, spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, kale, fennel, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, edamame, mustard greens, sugar snap peas, herbs, lime, watercress Blues, Indigos and Violets It's good to have the blues. This family of foods delivers high amounts of anthocyanins - a type of antioxidant that fights inflammation and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. And certain members of this gorgeous crew may also help keep your memory sharp and boost brainpower. Foods to try: purple cabbage, blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, plums, prunes, figs, eggplant, purple potatoes, grapes, purple carrots Blacks and Tans This group may not be colorful in the traditional sense, but they still bring a lot to the table. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, these whole grains, legumes, fruits, fungi and seeds add big flavor and texture to meals and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Also, it includes everyone's favorite - chocolate. Foods to try: coconut, mushrooms, olives, chocolate, chia seeds, hemp seeds, barley, flax seeds, quinoa, black rice, freekeh, black beans Frances Largeman-Roth is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a nationally recognized health expert. In addition to Eating in Color, she is the best selling co-author of The CarbLovers Diet and Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom's Healthy Eating Guide. For tips and healthy recipes, you can follow her on Twitter @FrancesLRothRD and visitwww.franceslargemanroth.com .