Fitness Blender

One of the best online workouts around. Period. It rivals even the priciest apps and workout programs with tons of options that include everything from High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to Pilates, yoga and strength training. If you're short on time there are 10-minute ab workouts and if you're super advanced, and if you want to be pushed, their 60 minute "insane cardio workout challenge" is killer and promises to burn roughly 1,000 calories.

There are over 500 free workouts on the site and the no-frills videos feature cute husband and wife team Kelli and Daniel Segars. The website is easily customized so you can pick workouts based on difficulty level, what body parts you want to target and whether you want to use weights or if you prefer a no-equipment option.

Get started: fitnessblender.com

Jessica Smith's motto is exercise should be fun otherwise you won't stick with it. She's the queen of walk and talks online workouts where she marches in places for a mile or two while you chit chat. Her six-week Walk Strong program was so popular that she just released the 2.0 version. Smith's workouts are especially great for beginners, those who need extra motivation or want to feel like they're working out with a friend, not an unrelatable, six-pack ab guru.

Her YouTube channel has more than 250 free workouts that includes Pilates, yoga, strength training and cardio plus workouts specifically targeted for beginners. And since many of her workouts are filmed in her living room, there's usually a few fun shots that include her dog Peanut who likes to get in the way because, hey, that's life.

Get started: youtube.com/user/jessicasmithtv

The UK brand has some of the most coveted workout clothes around but they're also really committed to giving their tribe access to free, fun workouts even if they don't have a gym membership. Workouts in the #GetFit4Free campaign feature everything from HIIT to Pilates.

We really like the 30-minute ultimate bum workout, beach body workout and ballet bootcamp encore. There are even videos taught by celeb teachers like yoga star Cat Meffan.

Get started: sweatybetty.com/us/free-online-workout-videos

Don't be fooled by this pint-sized blonde. Her workouts pack a serious punch. We love her convenient weekly workout schedules that show you the equipment you'll need and gives you three videos to choose from: advanced, no equipment and beginner/low-impact.

This is your best bet when you are short on time since her 15 minute workouts will definitely get your heart pumping. You can pick a six to 12 week program or, if you're advanced, you can follow Light's daily workout schedule which she posts weekly.

Get started:zuzkalight.com

These versatile workouts are especially helpful if you want to use them while traveling or even at the gym. They work well at home too, since the workouts are photo slideshows that breakdown the moves with very specific written instructions and not videos, which means you don't have to worry about audio or the circle of death while your internet is recalibrating.

There's something for all levels here including convenient quickies like their 30-day ab challenge with some videos under 5 minutes. Advanced folks can try the Navy Seal workout, train with Mr. Universe or try the 41 hardest ab exercises routine. And if you're not looking for an entirely new workout program but maybe just a few new moves to add to your routine there's plenty of inspiration, including 10 free weight moves you can try if you're looking to swap out machines or 15 burpee variations.

Get started:livestrong.com/cat/sports-and-fitness

BeFit's YouTube channel has hundreds of videos to choose from. Pick from basics like strength training, ab routines, HIIT, Pilates, beach body or barre workouts. Or try something new like belly dance cardio, surfer girl workout, Krav Maga defense, Ballet Beautiful or channel your inner aerialist at Cirque School.

There are tons of different options if you've only got 10 or 15 minutes or want a full-hour sweat session. BeFit also gives you access to big name trainers like Denise Austin, Jillian Michaels and yoga guru Kino MacGregor.

Get started: youtube.com/user/BeFit/videos

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Your guide to the best free online workouts | Health and Fitness ... - Lincoln Journal Star

Eating well and being physically active are two of the most important things you can do to promote good health, but knowing you should do these things does not always mean it is easy to actually do them. Despite the simplicity of the message eat healthy and exercise, many people struggle with knowing exactly what to do and how to do it. This is largely due to the complicated and ever-changing nature of nutrition and exercise science and the fact that most people receive no education in these areas.

You may even feel like the information you read and hear is designed to confuse you. That may be true, considering that much of the nutrition information we get comes from food companies that are trying to convince us to buy their products. Even scientific research can yield conflicting results, challenging even the most knowledgeable professionals, myself included, to make sense of it, and even if you do decide to make eating or activity changes, the best diet or exercise program claims may make you wonder if you made the right choice.

Given these points, its not your fault if you struggle to understand basic health information and recommendations. However, it is your responsibility to learn as much as you can to make the best choices for you and your family.

This wont be easy, of course. The popular media, as well as social media, promote confusion and false promises about nutrition by making claims that some foods are toxic while others are super foods. The old "good carb," "bad carb" or "good fat," "bad fat" arguments have been given a new life as "eat this," "not that" lists. The problem is that many of these claims are not supported by science. The research that is done often yields complicated or conflicting results that arent explained in a way that actually helps people make good decisions.

The same is true for exercise. No one doubts that exercise and physical activity are essential for good health, but there are conflicting claims about specific benefits of exercise and what the best form of exercise really is. This can lead to the idea that if you arent doing the right exercise, it doesnt count. Nothing could be further from the truth! While there are reasons why some athletes might want specific types of training, the majority of people can benefit from simply spending less time sitting and participating in some activity each day.

So, what can you do? Given the confusing and changing nutrition recommendations, its best to focus on what hasnt changed. That is, eat real food rather than processed, prepackaged foods. Planning meals and snacks to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, meat, eggs, and dairy should give you plenty of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Instead of worrying about the perfect exercise, make it your goal to do something active for at least 30 minutes every day. Beyond that, dedicating time for aerobic, strength, and flexibility training will bring greater benefits. Remember, the best exercise for you is the one you will do! Seek advice from people you trust and credible professionals, but remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Your responsibility isnt to understand all the nutrition, exercise, and health information you hear. Its to try to make a few simple, healthy choices despite that confusing information: Sit less, move more, and eat real food.

Dr. Brian Parr is an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at USC Aiken, where he teaches courses in exercise physiology, nutrition and health behavior. You can learn more about this and other health and fitness topics at http://drparrsays.com or on Twitter @drparrsays.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS: Becoming healthier not as complicated as it seems - Aiken Standard

The health and fitness field offers many career opportunities. Individuals interested in helping others maintain their physical well-being may pursue degree and certification programs in their field of interest. Read on to learn about what it takes to work in the health and fitness industry.

If you're interested in the physical well-being of yourself and others, you may consider an education in health and fitness. Degree and certification programs are available in fields such as nutrition, athletic training, physical therapy or fitness.This training can lead to careers as nutritionists, fitness trainers, personal trainers, aerobics instructors or coaches, among others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals in this field must be outgoing, in good health, organized, have good communication skills and be able to motivate others (www.bls.gov). To further explore education and professional options in health and fitness, take a look at the following Study.com articles.

Depending on your interest, you can undertake a certificate, associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree program. Your coursework may include human anatomy and physiology, business concepts, exercise principles, personal fitness, nutrition and fitness planning. Visit the links below to get additional information on degree options in health and fitness.

Distance learning programs are available at many levels of study within health and fitness. Some courses and programs available online include fitness instructor, exercise and holistic wellness. Below are some options.

If you're interested in improving public nutrition standards, helping people get fit after an injury or just improving a person's overall wellness, a career in health and fitness may be right for you. These jobs include athletic trainer, physical therapy assistant and nutritionist.

Some careers require that you obtain a professional credential after completing a degree program. Obtaining certification or licensure is particularly important for athletic trainers and physical therapists. The following articles cover some of these credentialing options.

The BLS stated the overall employment of fitness trainers is expected to grow by 13% between 2012 and 2022, which is comparable to the national average of 11% for all occupations. Recreation workers should see a growth of 14%, athletic trainers 19% and nutritionists 21%. The anticipated growth is due to aging populations and to an increased emphasis on fitness in society.

As of May 2013, fitness trainers earned a mean annual salary of $37,790, while recreation workers earned $25,560. Athletic trainers made $44,720 a year on average, while nutritionists averaged $56,300 annually, according to the BLS.

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Health and Fitness - Study.com

I have become a huge fan of memes (photos or cartoons with funny or inspirational sayings). You can find them for just about any subject just by typing a topic into Google and hitting enter. For todays column, I typed in funny memes about not exercising. Here are a few of the funnier ones:

Oh so you have no time to work out today? Tell me how many hours you spent on Facebook?

Exercise? I thought you said extra fries?

Oh youre not going to exercise today? That sounds effective.

Recently, I was with my friend, Deborah, doing some business and told her I had to be finished in time to get to my CrossFit class. Her response was that she wished she could get back into it again. What? So far as I know she still has a membership, the gym is in the same place and her car is fully operational. So what is the problem?

Despite our best intentions, many times we fall off the fitness wagon. An injury, job or life change such as a marriage, move or the birth of a child are just some of the reasons we might put our sneakers away. Even though we tell ourselves it is just temporary until things settle down, many times we stay away much longer than planned. The more time passes, the less motivated we become. The thought of getting sore all over again or being slower or heavier than when our gym mates last saw us add another layer of resistance.

Before you get to the point of no return when it comes to your fitness routine, Prevention Magazine has some tips for keeping on track:

Make a date. If you promise a friend you will meet them for a walk or a run, chances are you will not skip. I make it a priority to meet my friends at 5 a.m. three days per week for walking just so they wont give me a hard time.

Pump more iron: As a mineral that helps convert food to energy, iron is essential. We need at least 18 mg of iron per day from foods such as lean meats, legumes and leafy green veggies. In addition, foods that are high in vitamin C will help the iron be absorbed.

Fuel up early: Eating the bulk of your calories in the earlier part of the day will help fuel exercise and keep your energy level high.

Make it fun: Mix up your exercise routine so you dont get bored. That is why I like CrossFit so much. Every day it is a different routine so I dont feel stagnant.

Pile on the rewards: Reward yourself for working out.If your goal is to work out three times per week and you do, get yourself a me gift. Just make sure that gift does not include chocolate syrup and sprinkles. For big milestones like a large weight loss or completing a race or competition, treat yourself to a trip or a spa day.

Create an exercise menu: Have a workout plan for all your rhythms. Tired from your day? Go walking. Stressed out? Go take a high energy class. Need some family time? Grab the kids and dog and head to the park.

By utilizing these tips, you can keep your fitness routine going despite whatever life throws at you. If you do find yourself out of the routine for an extended period of time, dont forget to come back. Your body and your soul will be better for it.

Kathy Hansen

Kathy Hansen has over 30 years of experience in the health and fitness field and hopes to see Deborah back at CrossFit after she reads this column. She can be reached via e-mail at hansen02@srmc.org

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Simple steps help you stay the fitness course - The Robesonian

Dear Doctor: My son has started teething, and I'd like to ease his discomfort. I see that several homeopathic teething products have been recalled. Could they really be dangerous? If so, what are my options?

Dear Reader: It's six months into your baby's first year. Chances are, you've finally got a good parental rhythm going. Your sleep deficit is manageable, and your child is increasingly engaged in the world around him. Just as you're thinking that maybe you've got this parenting thing figured out, here come the joys of teething.

Babies enter the world with 20 primary teeth ready to emerge from their jawbones and through their gums. Six months is the average age at which that momentous first tooth makes its appearance, but it can happen anywhere between 3 and 12 months of age. And while plenty of babies breeze right through with minimal fuss, for others it's prime time for more than a little crankiness.

As the rough surface of the tooth advances, it can make the gums swell and ache. Some babies will drool freely, which can cause skin rash and irritations. And because Mother Nature apparently has a wry sense of humor, the process of tooth eruption that's when the tooth breaks through the gum tends to be more active at night. Say hello again to sleepless nights.

With multiple teething stages to deal with as lower and upper teeth, canines and molars emerge in the next two-plus years, parents want safe and effective ways to smooth (and soothe) this time of transition.

One remedy, available since the early 1900s, has been the herbal teething tablet. However, tests recently performed by the Food and Drug Administration on tablets by Hyland, a well-known maker of homeopathic products, revealed inconsistent amounts of belladonna, sometimes more than was listed on the label. Belladonna is an herbal ingredient with sedative effects that, in excessive quantities, can be toxic. Symptoms include lethargy, muscle weakness, constipation, excessive sleepiness, flushed skin, breathing difficulty and seizures.

The FDA asked Hyland to voluntarily recall its teething tablets and gels, which it did. The FDA has since also warned consumers that all homeopathic teething products may pose health risks for infants and children.

So how can you safely help your teething baby?

Although over-the-counter soothers like Orajel are an option, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that topical preparations wash away within minutes. For extreme discomfort, you may opt for an infant pain reliever. Always check with your pediatrician for proper dosage and duration of use.

After that, it's the age-old basics: pressure, massage, cold and cuddling.

Teething toys: Find an array of smooth, solid (not liquid-filled) toys for your baby to chew on. Rings are a nice option because they're easy for little hands to hold.

Massage: Use a clean finger and gentle pressure on baby's tender gums.

Ice: Freeze the toys for another element of pain relief. A wet washcloth, wrung out and then frozen, offers both cold and texture.

And don't forget the power of a soothing cuddle. Chances are that during the stress of teething time, the benefits will go both ways.

Do you have a great teething remedy to share? We'd love to hear from you!

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

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Tips on soothing your teething baby | Health and Fitness ... - Hanford Sentinel

As someone committed to aging as well as possible and helping others do the same, this is a perfect time to celebrate healthy aging. There are many aspects of aging that people decry as problems or issues, but there are many scientifically proven ways to avoid or minimize these factors.

And truly aging well is the goal of most people rather than the two other bleak alternatives of doing it poorly or not at all.

It is increasingly difficult to keep your body fat level down and your muscle tone up as you age and you are not alone. Middle age and prime time bring with it many physical changes that can lead to weight gain in the form of fat increase and muscle loss (sarcopenia).

One of the ways to offset these changes is to increase the amount of quality protein that you consume. Studies have indicated that adults from the age of 50 to 85 years of age who consume 30-45 grams of protein in each meal develop increased muscle mass and strength and reduce their body fat.

This flies in the face of the vision of many older people who simply have tea and toast or some other convenient junk food for their meals that doesnt provide the protein that they require. I advocate good quality protein shakes for those who want a convenient, good-tasting, economically affordable protein source.

Another dietary consideration for older people is adequate fiber intake. The recommended intake is 25 grams of fiber a day for women and 38 grams a day for men. Studies indicate that adequate fiber intake helps improve satiety (feeling full) digestive health and regularity and also helps reduce belly fat. Most Americans fall far short of their daily fiber needs.

Another issue in aging well is to up your workouts to at least five days a week doing cardio such as walking or swimming, and also include a couple days per week of resistance training such as weight training or resistance bands workouts.

These are recommendations from the World Health Organization as a minimum. Newer research has indicated that upping the intensity of your workouts is associated with longer telomere length slowing the rate of aging at a cellular level.

Of course, increasing your resistance training has many side benefits besides helping you stay youthful. You will get stronger, increase your balance, and you will increase your resting metabolism and therefore burn more calories all the time, which means you can eat more without gaining fat. These factors increase the likelihood that you will be able to live independently and more fully longer into your life.

Quality sleep is essential at all ages and should be a priority for physical, mental and emotional health. Lacking as little as one hours sleep consistently is associated with weight gain and poor general health.

Also important for emotional and mental health is socialization and a positive outlook.

People who enjoy a good laugh and being with other positive, emotionally healthy people live longer, better lives. Good nutrition, a consistent comprehensive exercise program, and good quality sleep all contribute to a feeling of well-being that supports a positive engaging outlook.

To hear and see more about Healthy Aging Month, tune into channel 54 (Hoike) in the month of September to my TV program on Community Camera at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. every weekday to hear Kathy and Randie Peters, local healthy aging Isa-body Finalists, discuss with me their proven strategies for aging well. A hui hou!

Dr. Jane Riley, EdD., is a certified personal fitness trainer, nutritional adviser and behavior change specialist. She can be reached at janerileyfitness@gmail.com, 212-8119 cell/text. ww.janerileyfitness.com

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September is Healthy Aging Month - Thegardenisland.com

1. Up and at it what is your morning routine?

Im awake from about 6.30am and normally get up to do a yoga workout or go for a run. Work can be unpredictable, so I prefer to do exercise before work in case something comes up and I dont get a chance later in the day. My husband leaves for work earlier than I do so I eat breakfast while catching up on the days news on my phone.

2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...

Breakfast? I love porridge with honey on cold mornings. But in the summer, I change it to overnight oats (oats soaked overnight) in apple juice with fruit, yogurt and granola.

Lunch? Lunch is often rushed and, unforgivably, normally eaten at my desk while working. My mum makes fab wheaten bread which I usually have toasted and served with a salad.

Evening meal? It varies my husband is a great cook and quite adventurous with his recipes, so we eat whatever has captured his attention that week. We try to have fish at least twice a week.

3. Is nutrition important to you?

Yes and no. I dont generally give it too much thought, but I know what food makes me feel good and feel positive, so I veer toward that instinctively.

4. Best meal ever?

I recently got married in Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan, which is owned by the chef Richard Corrigan. Our wedding tasting took place in his restaurant in London and was a five-hour affair of incredible food, matching wines and really good craic with very relaxed and lovely staff. It is a really precious memory and the first-class service and food was, thankfully, replicated on the wedding day too.

5. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I love crisps and could happily eat them forever.

6. Have you ever been on a diet?

If so, how did it go? I haven't really been on a proper diet, but if I want to lose weight or tone up, I just do more exercise rather than restrict my food intake.

7. Do you take health supplements?

I have only ever taken protein shakes after long runs when marathon training.

8. How do you relax?

I like to go walking and hiking. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Patagonia, Argentina, trekking in the Andes and it was incredible. It's maybe not everyones idea of a relaxing honeymoon, though, but we loved it.

9. Teetotal or tipple?

Tipple gin and tonic.

10. Stairs of lift?

Stairs I sit at a desk a lot so I like to avail of any opportunity to move about.

11. Do you have a daily exercise regime?

I try to do yoga daily and jog two or three times a week. I ran a few marathons and, although I'm not training for anything at the moment, there is nothing better to clear your head than a run outdoors.

12. Best tip for everyday fitness?

Find some sports activity you enjoy and dont stress if you miss a day or a session pressurised exercise is not fun and therefore not sustainable.

13. On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?

I'm probably about a seven as I'm quite naturally fit, but I would like to be a nine but that would take a lot more concerted effort.

14. Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?

Im very interested in mindfulness and the positive impact of focussing on the present rather than fretting about the past or imagining the future.

15. Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?

I loved sport in school and played in the hockey, tennis and athletics teams. I continued playing hockey through university which was a great way to meet people. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports and it was a good way to channel my competitiveness.

16. Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?

I have very sensitive skin and prone to outbreaks of eczema and hives. Two years ago, through an elimination diet, I recognised that dairy was a contributing factor to my symptoms. After cutting out dairy my skin has been relatively symptom-free. Getting used to oat milk in tea, though, has been a challenge.

17. Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?

My mums mantra is Lots of water, sleep and fresh air and I think if you can achieve that, you should be fairly healthy.

18. Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness / attitude to life?

I love the health and fitness expert Shaun T who created the intense Insanity workout. Normally I dont buy into health fads, but his positivity and enthusiasm is totally contagious.

19. What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?

Im normally in bed for 11pm and I'll read for a while and then sleep soundly until 6.30am or so. Im not much good to anyone on less than seven hours sleep a night.

20. Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?

Yes, at the Childrens Heartbeat Trust we work with children living with complex heart conditions. Seeing the challenges these incredible children and their families overcome everyday with inspirational courage and positivity definitely helps me to keep a rounded perspective on life.

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20 Questions on Health and Fitness: Sarah Quinlan, CEO of Children's Heartbeat Trust - the Irish News

How To Build A Home Gym

You'll find a wide assortment of home workouts designed to meet your wellness goals at QVC. We have exercise routines and workouts used by fitness enthusiasts around the world. Refresh your routine with our extensive selection of home workout equipment. Discover innovative plans that incorporate simple, yet effective items like resistance bands.

To get started, consider your fitness goals and choose from a range of home exercise programs to find one that works best for you. It can be especially helpful to figure out which area of your body you'd like to improve and get a few fitness DVDs that target that specific part.

Don't let the doldrums of the same old workout routine impede your commitment. Keep your routine fresh with a variety of exciting home workouts. Invigorate your exercise regimen with innovative options that combine a workout of your cardiovascular system plus weight lifting. Tone your legs, abs, arms, and more.

Interested in a fun and rejuvenating exercise? Dance your way to fitness with our selection of fun and invigorating workout DVDs. They'll have you on your feet in no time flat. Select exercises contain moves like plies and lunges that can help you burn calories while sculpting your body. No matter which fitness DVD you're looking for, you can find them all at QVC.

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Health & Fitness QVC.com

Virginia Davies believes you can be fit at any age. At 61 years old Davies is in great shape. But it wasnt always that way. Although she was president of the Girls Athletics Association in high school, as her career in law progressed fitness became less of a priority.

At age 49 Davies underwent a radical hysterectomy and it was then that she became concerned about her health. Davies has a degree from Harvard Business Schools advanced management program and a doctorate in law from the University of Toronto. Before founding Fast Twitch Grandma digital media platform, Davies worked as a prosecutor for Canadas Department of Justice, then worked in banking and for the UN Foundation. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Davies has lived in New York City with her husband for 20 years and for the last seven years she has lived part-time in Coronado during the winter while her husband teaches law at USD. She has two daughters and two grandchildren with a third on the way.

Once Davies became an expert in her personal health and fitness she decided to share her knowledge with other experts on the Fast Twitch Grandma site co-founded with Grayson Fertig to help people 50 and over with their fitness journey. Based on her own experience she found out that you dont have to belong to a gym to maintain your athleticism, you can do it at home or with your family. She also realized that trainers did not include speed work for people over 40 years old in the training they offered. Davies decided to change that and started with herself. Davies is now a US Track and Field Level I coach and does sprinting and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to stay strong, healthy and prevent injury. When she is in Coronado she enjoys swimming at the community center pool and doing sprints on the beach.

She explained the reasoning behind Fast Twitch Grandma. It was a very mindful, deliberate way to bring to readers, lay readers, the most up to date information of what scientists in the the field of fitness and exercise and other aspects of well being. We bring the most cutting edge research to readers, she said of the site. For example recently one of the writers was in Germany at a convention and reported on the latest research on back pain. They have developed a new machine in Germany, a new protocol that we dont have here, she said. Davies hopes that once her readers find out about this latest technology they will ask their doctors.

Davies took on the name Fast Twitch Grandma when once she was running on the track and someone said There goes Fast Twitch Grandma. But Davies stresses the fact that you dont have to be a grandma to check out Fast Twitch Grandma.

Readers can sign up for a Fast Twitch Grandma newsletter and the site has no ads because Davies wants to ensure the readers know the integrity of whats being presented. The site has articles and videos by fitness experts. I learned that 20 percent of childrens primary caregivers are grandparents. If they dont have that kind of information how are they going to pass it on to children. I wanted to make it accessible, she explained.

Fast Twitch Grandma offers many tips and information to get started on your fitness journey. No matter where you are, well help you understand the research. Were mentors to support you, so you can get started in your fitness journey, she said.

Davies talks about the five components of health and fitness discussed on Fast Twitch Grandma: speed, strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Think about each one. Not everyone should be a triathlete it has to fit with who you are and where you live, she said.

Fast Twitch Grandma also gives ideas about activities anyone can integrate in their families to be more active and readers can also type in their zip code to search fitness and health events in their area.

Davies explained that just like certain types of exercise is not for everyone and you have to find out what works for you there are also differences between men and women you have to be mindful of. We do try to highlight gender differences, research has shown differences like gender nutrition and in post menopausal women the importance of strength training and repetitions, she said. Other topics covered are concussions for children that parents and grandparents have to watch out for and new studies that indicate that children should practice their math skills while doing jumping jacks.

For more information log on http://www.fasttwitchgrandma.com.

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Fast Twitch Grandma Offers A Platform For Health And Fitness - Coronado Eagle and Journal

Dear Doctor: We live in Orlando, and last year a teenager here was infected with that brain-eating amoeba. Now we're reading that it's in the drinking water in Louisiana. How common is it? Should we be worried about an epidemic?

Dear Reader: There's nothing quite like the words "brain-eating amoeba" to get the news cycle humming. And the reassurance we're about to give you it is extremely, exceedingly rare is not necessarily the most attention-grabbing. But that's where we're going to begin.

Between 2007 and 2016, there have been just 40 cases of the so-called brain-eating amoeba reported in all of the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To put that into even clearer perspective, that's 40 cases in 10 years among 324 million people.

The microscopic creature that's been making headlines is called Naegleria fowleri. Trace amounts of it were discovered in two community water systems in southern Louisiana during routine testing last June. Customers of the affected water facilities were promptly alerted by the Louisiana Department of Health, and disinfection procedures were implemented.

Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism found throughout the world in warm freshwater, like lakes, streams, rivers, ponds and hot springs. It enters the body through the nose, typically when people accidentally inhale water while swimming or diving. The amoeba then travels through the nasal passages and enters the brain via the olfactory nerve. Once there, it begins to destroy brain tissues.

You can't become infected by drinking contaminated water, or by swimming in water that has been adequately chlorinated. There have been no known cases of transmission through water vapor, as during a shower or through a humidifier.

The majority of infections reported since 1962 have been in the southern U.S., with half of those in Florida and Texas. But infections have occurred as far north as Minnesota and as far west as Nevada and California. The specific disease the organism causes is called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM. It's diagnosed using specific laboratory tests that, because the disease is so rare, are not widely available.

Symptoms begin one to nine days after infection, and are divided into two stages. They're similar to those of bacterial meningitis, which adds a level of difficulty to an accurate diagnosis.

The first stage of the disease is marked by a severe headache in the front of the head, often with fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by stiffness in the neck, altered mental state, seizures and coma.

Although in most cases the disease is fatal, the Orlando teenager you're referring to survived. It is believed that a swift diagnosis the infection was identified within hours of the onset of symptoms was key to his beating the odds. So was aggressive treatment, which included an investigational drug, and cooling his body to well below normal body temperature, a process known as therapeutic hypothermia.

Unlike other survivors, who had permanent neurological damage, the Orlando teen recovered fully and is back in school. The hope is that early diagnosis and novel therapeutics may lead to higher survival rates in the future.

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

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Headline-grabbing brain-eating amoeba exceedingly rare | Health ... - Hanford Sentinel