HONEY BEES

 Two reports about loss in numbers of honey bees came on the news today.  One suggested the loss of the honey bee population was due to the use of a common pesticide that was used mainly in the growth of corn and similar other food products that could cause a worldwide famine.  The use of a common pesticide in growing the corn is thought to be damaging the brains of the bees causing them to be unable to find their way back to their hives.  The other report suggested that hives situated near the area of telephone towers were running into the same problem.

LOSING WEIGHT IMPROVES EMOTIONAL HEALTH

 People with type 2 diabetes who lost an average of 9.2 pounds reported improved self esteem, work performance, and quality of life compared with those who gained weight, according to a survey of more than 14,900 adults.  That is significant, since more than 85 percent of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese, researchers said.

STROKES AND MEMORY DECLINE

 Your risk for a stroke might also be a good indicator of your risk for memory loss and other cognitive problems, according to a recent study that tracked 23,752 adults over four years.  Fifteen percent of the people who scored at the top of a scale used to measure stroke risk also had cognitive problems compared with just 3 percent of those who had the lowest stroke-risk scores.  Advanced age, high blood pressure, and a thickening of the heart muscle were strongly linked to cognitive decline.  The findings appeared in the Nov. 8, 2011, issue of Neurology. 

GETTING A GRIP ON IMPROVED HEALTH

  Dumbbell wrist curl leads to better strength.  Using a light dumbbell in each hand kneel beside a chair, resting your arms on the seat, turn palms up and bend your elbows about 80 degrees, placing wrists at the chair’s edge, slowly bend your wrists, moving the weights downward, pause, then slowly roll your wrists up.  Squeeze the weights hard during both movements. 

Try this exercise with palms facing down.  Aim for 10 to 15 repetitions.