Insight Books: Sites:

Check out these books, sites and studies to keep your health on track

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By Rebecca Skloot

Skloot describes the impact this poor tobacco farmer unknowingly made on the science world with her cells. HeLa, or immortal cells, have been used to create the polio vaccine and have led to breakthrough cancer discoveries. After Lacks’ death 60 years ago, her resting place remained unknown, as did her contribution to the medical world, until her descendants learned of it 20 years later.

My Fitness Pal

www.myfitnesspal.com

Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer

By Shannon Brownlee

Journalist Shannon Brownlee’s novel exposes the dirty little secrets of America’s health care system. Brownlee discusses the downfalls of medicinal practices within the U.S. and also provides her solution to not only control costs, but improve the quality of Americans’ health care.

The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids!

By Edward Miller Miller’s

book provides a new, fun and easy way for kids and their parents to fight back against the increasing incidence of obesity. The book includes descriptions of each food group, explains the redesigned food pyramid and makes facts about different foods fun to capture the attention of any age group.

Good Food Near You

www.goodfoodnearyou.com

Studies:

My Fitness Pal is the workout buddy you’ve never had –and it’s free. This website and the corresponding apps for iPhone and Android allow users to track food intake with a food and activity diary. The program will also make suggestions to you over time as it learns about your eating and exercise habits. The My Fitness Pal database contains nutrition and calorie information for more than 1 million foods.

Are Afternoon Vaccines Better?

A recent study at the University of California shows that 2-month-old babies are more likely to sleep following vaccines received in the afternoons. After testing more than 70 infants, the scientists concluded that even if a baby receives a dose of acetaminophen or Tylenol, he or she is less likely to slumber in the morning hours. Painkillers have shown to have no influence on the amount of sleep that an infant has. These findings may be useful considering that a few hours of rest after a vaccination may increase its effectiveness and response to the immunization.

Whether you’re in a new place and have no idea what restaurant to choose, or you’re in a familiar place and have no clue what the healthiest food option is, Good Food Near You is the solution. This website and app are easy for parents, teens and children to use. Just type in a location or restaurant, and a list of healthy dining choices and foods will present itself. The website’s functions are free of charge and supply access to local menus and nutrition information of restaurants, grocery and convenience stores near you.

Does Wi-Fi Kill Sperm?

A report in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility indicated that placing semen under a functioning laptop with Wi-Fi for about four hours killed more sperm and caused more DNA damage to remaining sperm compared to a laptop without Wi-Fi. About a quarter of the swimmers were killed, probably due to the electromagnetic radiation from wireless technology – but scientists are quick to point out that this finding may or may not have any impact on real-world fertility.