Health News

Walking to Prevent Cancer

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What's The 411?'s Ruth Morrison checked in with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church's Temple Ministry as the members were making preparations for its annual walk-a-thon. The event was held at Herbert Von King Park in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

 

Bedford Stuyvesant Food and Family Day Brings Out the Community

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What's The 411's Ruth Morrison covered the Bedford Stuyvesant Food and Family Day, a summit that brought together local residents, food justice advocates, urban farmers and gardeners, local businesses, educators and community organizations to examine wellness and access to healthy foods in Bedford-Stuyvesant. There were workshops, walking tours of community gardens, cooking demonstrations and entertainment. Bedford Stuyvesant Food and Family Day was a partnership of the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant (CIBS), Council Member Albert Vann and the Brooklyn Community Foundation.

The video captures the essence of healthy foods, and interviews with Joel Berg, Executive Director, New York City Coalition Against Hunger; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Cheryl Smith, Food Network Host and Chef/Owner, Cheryl's Global Soul Restaurant; Colvin W. Grannum, President and CEO, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; and Lockie Andrews, President, Catalyst Consulting and Catalyst Cares.

Other notables in attendance, but not appearing in the video, were: Craig Samuels, Chef/Owner, Peaches, Peaches Hothouse Restaurants; Avis Richards, Owner Birds Nest Productions and Producer, NYCLunchTV; and Lisa Suraino, Owner, Veggiecation.

 

Study Shows Parents Do Care About Movie, TV and Video Game Ratings

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A recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics reported the findings of a research study about the present rating systems in the U.S. for movies, TV, and video games and looked at whether parents felt they were helpful.  There were three separate surveys and over 2200 U.S. parents participated.  The results of the study found that parents do care about having a ratings system, but felt the systems could be better. Of those surveyed, 48 percent use the rating system for movies, 34 percent use it for video games, and 31 percent used TV ratings. The biggest concern for parents was that they would like more detailed content information such as: warnings about sexual behavior, nudity, illegal substance use, physical violence, offensive language, and antisocial and disrespectful behaviors. 

Walnuts: The Super Nut

Walnuts may be the No. 1 nut for heart health, according to a researcher who presented his findings at the American Chemical Society annual meeting.  Walnuts were found to have more antioxidants -- and better-quality antioxidants -- than other popular nuts tested, says Joe Vinson, PhD, a researcher at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. 

In case you haven’t been listening to Dr. Oz, antioxidants protect cells against damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals. The damage can play a role in heart disease and other health conditions. 

''Nuts are good for your heart," Vinson says. They can lower cholesterol, reduce the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals, and decrease unhealthy inflammation, he added. 

“There’s another advantage in choosing walnuts as a source of antioxidants,” Dr. Vinson continued. “The heat from roasting nuts generally reduces the quality of the antioxidants. People usually eat walnuts raw or unroasted, and get the full effectiveness of those antioxidants.”

When Vinson analyzed the amount of antioxidants found in walnuts and a variety of other nuts, walnuts took the No.1 spot. 

Cell Phones and Cancer

The debate over whether cell phones cause cancer rages on.  About a month ago, scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report citing that radiation from cell phones can cause cancer. The WHO now lists cell phones in the same category as pesticide, lead, DDT and gasoline engine exhaust. 

Now, a new study says no, cell phones do not cause cancer. An article in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives says there is growing evidence mobile phones don't increase the odds for getting brain cancer. 

Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, err on the side of caution; keep your cell phone away from your body.

What's The 411?
What's The 411?