Want To Prevent Peanut Allergies? EAT PEANUTS

IF YOU WERE ever worried that treating your four-month-old nephew to peanut butter might have been a health hazard, you ( and he) may be safe: New research casts doubt on the notion that infants and new mothers should avoid eating peanuts to prevent the development of a food allergy.

The study, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reveals that children who were not given peanuts during infancy and early childhood were ten times more likely to develop peanut allergy than children who were exposed to peanuts.

While the researchers suggest dietary guidelines that advise against peanuts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and infancy could be linked to the higher number of peanut allergies in recent years, they caution that further evidence is needed before recommendations are changed.

The Nose Knows

Do you prefer the whiff of frying bacon or freshly mown grass?

It seems certain aromas have the power to stir up strong emotions and even change our mood. A new study of 4000 people in the UK looked at the scents that appeal to us most. Freshly baked bread topped the list. Interestingly, while women claim certain smells make them happy because they're homely or remind them of someone they love, guys prefer exciting and invigorating aromas. Still 94% of men admitted they wanted their homes to smell nice.

According to Dr. Pamela Dalton, the link between smell and memory is very strong. "Smell has the power to revive the past and transport us to a happy time or place, or remind us of a special person, evoking feelings of nostalgia comfort,"

TOP SMELLS THAT MAKE US HAPPY

1. Freshly baked bread
2. Clean sheets
3. Freshly mown grass
4. Fresh flowers
5. Freshly ground coffee
6. Fresh air after rainfall
7. Vanilla
8. Chocolate

Bottoms Up For Your Bones

Move over, milk: One study of men and post-menopausal women found those who drank one to two glasses of beer or wine daily had bones that were up to 8% more dense than those of teetotallers. Lead researcher Katherine Tucker of Tufts University says beer is very high in silicon, a trace mineral that promotes bone formation, and wine's full of resveratrol, an antioxidant shown in animal studies to protect against bone loss. But remember: Excess alcohol can harm your bone - and the rest of you.

Don't Like Fish?

It's a top source of omega-3 fatty acids, which studies show can reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart attack - but what if you don't like the flavour of fish?

A study from England suggests that you may get nearly as much benefit from plant foods that contain alpha-linolenic acid, a substance that your body converts into omega-3. Blood tests on women who eat fish and those who don't suggest that fish-avoiders become more efficient at converting alpha-linolenic acids into omega-3, boasting and omega-3 count only 10% lower than fish-eaters. The best sources of this acid? Canola and soybean oils, walnuts, tofu and flaxseed.

Simple Tips for Better Vision

Our eyes are two of our most precious possessions yet, all too easily, we can take good eyesight for granted. Protect your peepers with these low-effort actions:

1. Always wear eye protection when swimming or doing carpentry.

2. Aim your car vents down at your feet, not at your eyes. Air-conditioned air, which is dry, sucks moisture out of the eyes like a sponge, so direct the airflow away from your face. Serious dryness can lead to corneal abrasions and even blindness

3. Eat fish twice a week. Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids proven to reduce the risk of dry-eye syndrome. If you can't stand fish, try fish-oil supplements.

4. Cook with red onions, not yellow. Red onions contain more quercetin that is thought to protect against cataracts.

5. Wear a large hat or cap along with your sunglasses. A wide-brimmed hat will block roughly 50 percent of UV radiation and reduce the UV rays that may enter your eyes from above or around the shades.

 6. Put on sunglasses when ever you leave the house. Not only will they block out the harsh glare of the sun, but they'll also protect your eyes from the drying effects of wind.

A Jab for Your Gums

Gum disease is one of the most common diseases globally, but with a vaccine on the horizon, this figure is likely to be slashed. A CSL vaccine - a world first - has been in development for the past ten years and has just enetered trials. An antibiotic gel to treat those with existing infection is being developed alongside the vaccine.

Professor Eric Reynolds, head of the University of Melbourne's dental school, said being able to prevent the disease will be a huge step forward for oral health. "Periodontitis is a serious disease and dentists face a major challenge in treating it, because most people will not know they have the disease until it's too late and the infection has progressed to advanced stages."

Hidden Cost of Gum Disease

New link found to head and neck cancer
The dangers of gum disease go beyond the mouth. It has been linked to heart disease, and more recent studies suggest it may also be a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, and now head and neck cancers. When researchers at the State University of New York examined X-rays of patients with periodontitis, they found that for each millimetre of alveolar bone (the ridge of bone that surrounds the roots of teeth and holds them in place) lost, the risk of head and neck cancer increased more than fourfold. "Gum disease causes chronic inflammation in the oral cavity," says Dr Mine Tezal, who led the research. "inflammation causes genetic changes in the mucosa (the tissue lining the mouth) and can ultimately lead to cancer."

Why Dads Can't Dance

OLDER MEN now have the perfect excuse when they make fools of themselves on the dance floor. Dr Peter Lovatt, a UK psychologist - and dancer - compared the dance style and confidence of almost 14,000 people. He found that the way we dance changes as a function of our age and gender. While the dancing confidence of men rises steadily through the late teens and 20s before plateauing in the early 30s, once over the age of 60 confidence levels suddenly shoot up. Plus middle-aged men typically use larger, less coordinated movements than their younger counterparts. Why? Dr. Lovatt suggest it's because they are past their natural reproductive age and the awkward moves keep fertile young women at bay (not to mention clear the way for younger men). "From an evolutionary perspective it's not ideal for younger women to fin them attractive."

Meanwhile, "Dr Dance" is conducting a follow-up study to investigate why some people are confident on the dance floor, while others refuse to even wiggle their hips. So if you are a bit shy, what's the good doctors advice?" Dancing is a natural expression of who you are. Don't try to copy the movements of others. Just relax, move freely and, most of all, have fun."