In a small town in Ontario, Canada a small, but healthy war is raging. A healthy food cafeteria in a school is trying to out-do a junk-food cafe in the same school.
It appears to have met with some sucess.
Thanks, Ben Powers!
Category: Health
Asian Countries Agree on Flu
Agricultural Ministers in South East Asia have agreed on a plan to wipe out avain flu.
“The three-year plan includes provisions for a disease surveillance and alert system, vaccinations, improving diagnostic capability and the establishment of disease-free zones.”
Musicians Have Good Hearts
A new study led by Italian and British researchers shows that music lovers experience reduced levels of stress and could be less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The faster and more complex rhythms the participants listened to the more sped up the breathing and circulation was while slower music had an opposite effect. Responses were most evident in those with musical training as they seem to have been trained to synchronise breathing with musical phrases.
The British Heart Foundation has made similar findings also showing associations between emotions and signs of good heart health. Dr Charmaine Griffiths, spokesperson of the BHF also added “One person’s Mozart may be someone else’s Madonna and it may be that different people find relaxation in different types of music”.
The researchers suggest the effects of slow rhythms and pauses could be helpful in preventing or treating heart disease and stroke. But if you personally find relaxation in hardcore techno or Megadeth that just may do the trick as well!
Previous research has also shown that music can improve athletic performance, improve movement in neurologically impaired patients, and even boost milk production in cattle! All signs point to KEEP ON GROOVIN!
Puppy miraculously survives!
A 6 month old puppy from Florida somehow managed to swallow a 13 inch serrated knife! Whats most miraculous about this story is not that the dog just managed to get it down, but that she survived! The Saint Bernard puppy, named Elsie, had the blade between her esophagus and stomach for about FOUR DAYS before it was removed earlier this week in a 2-hour operation. With only an 8 inch scar left on her tummy the puppy is now home safe and sound with her family (who is now wrapping their sharp objects in towels and placing them in high places).
Canadian Government increasing support for Addicts
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced yesturday that $851,000 in federal funding will be spent to help curb the crystal meth abuse by first nations across Canada. More than 340 aboriginal addictions counsellors and health workers will be trained in how to counsel addicts of methamphetamine. Measures to help prevent the use of crystal meth will also be part of the 30 hour certification program that the counsellors will learn at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
“By training these skilled and experienced community workers in the prevention of crystal meth abuse, we are strengthening our response to this very serious health threat.” Dosanjh says.
Dosanjh has also reaffirmed Health Canada’s plan to spend, over the next three years, more than $6 million of its $29-million Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund on anti-drug programs geared to the West, considered to be one of the worst areas for meth and heroin addiction. Raising awareness and creating better support for users of meth and other debilitating drugs is a much needed step towards minimizing serious chemical dependancy in our communities.