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The latest trend in nutrition isn't a fad diet or newly discovered supplement; it's your DNA.

Unlocking the secrets of one's genetic code used to be confined to the laboratory, but increasingly, the big business of DNA is now going after your eating habits.

Scientists already know that variations in our genes determine how well our bodies metabolize certain compounds for example, people with a variation of the CYP1A2 gene metabolize caffeine more slowly, and are at an increased risk of heart attack and hypertension if they drink more than a couple of cups of coffee a day.

Companies now want to take the buzz over DNA testing one step further and market the tests as a way to determine how peoples bodies handle nutrients. And tech firms are stepping up to fill that demand. More and more genetics startups are getting into nutrition, with tests that claim to help people choose the best food to eat to feel good and even lose weight.

Genetic testing service 23andMe has genotyped more than 2 million customers to determine ancestry and genetic health risks, and Nutrigenomix offers tests designed to help medical professionals make recommendations for a person's intake of sodium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and yes, caffeine.

Ahmed El-Sohemy, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto and the founder of Nutrigenomix, points to research that shows the "one-size-fits-all model of nutritional guidance" is not the most effective way for people to eat healthily or lose weight.

"There's research now showing that people who get DNA-based dietary advice are more likely to follow recommendations. So not only are people getting more accurate dietary advice, but they are more likely to follow it," said El-Sohemy.

Now, there's a new kid on the block: Oakland-based personalized nutrition company Habit.

"We think we're going to disrupt the diet industry," Habit founder and CEO Neil Grimmer told NBC News. "When you think about moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to food to something that's highly personalized, it changes everything. It changes the way you shop. It changes the way you eat. And quite frankly, it even changes the way you think about your own health and well-being."

Habit's home testing kit containing DNA cheek swabs, three finger-prick blood tests, and a special shake. The bloodwork is designed to show how your body metabolizes the huge amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the shake. Chiara Sottile

At Habit, it's not just DNA data they're using to make diet recommendations. For $299, Habit sends customers an at-home test kit containing DNA cheek swabs, three finger-prick blood tests, and a "metabolic challenge shake loaded with 950 calories. Users take one blood test prior to drinking the shake, and two more timed blood pricks afterwards. The bloodwork is designed to show how your body metabolizes the huge amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the shake.

"You layer in your blood work, your fasting blood work, and you layer in your metabolism, and all of a sudden you have a really clear picture of what's going on inside yourself," said Grimmer.

The Habit test kit also asks you to measure your waist circumference and provide information about your weight and activity level. Users send in the DNA swabs and blood sample testing cards sealed in a pre-paid envelope, and then get their results back a couple weeks later.

Health-conscious San Francisco resident Michelle Hillier was introduced to Habit through a friend. When she received her test results, she was surprised to learn she is a diet type Habit calls a "Range Seeker" meaning she should eat about 50 percent of her daily calories in carbohydrates, about 30 percent from fat, and 20 percent from protein.

"You hear so much about how you need so much protein, and I'm a pretty active person so I had been really upping my protein. And to find out that I'm supposed to have more carbs than anything else was really surprising to me," said Hillier, who is not affiliated with the company.

She also learned that she has genes that are impactful for lactose and caffeine sensitivity, something she had suspected. Like all Habit users get for the $299, after she received her test results, Hillier had a 25-minute phone consultation with a registered dietitian from the Habit team.

Michelle Hillier, pictured, learned she is a "Range Seeker," which means she should eat about 50 percent of her daily calories in carbohydrates, about 30 percent from fat, and 20 percent from protein. Chiara Sottile

The Habit test kit is now available nationally (except in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, because of regulatory restrictions). In the San Francisco Bay Area, Habit users get an added perk: the company will cook you fresh meals in their Oakland kitchen based on your diet recommendations and deliver them to your door weekly.

Hillier receives about three dinners a week costing between $10 and $15 a meal and she can choose her meals with Habit's online dashboard.

For Hillier, the Habit meals have been a positive addition to her already healthy lifestyle, though she admits: "The shake was awful," referring to the metabolic challenge shake. "It was like drinking seven coffees, four avocados, and a scoop of ice cream," said Hillier with a laugh.

Blood pricks and a "Challenge Shake" that lives up to its name could be barriers for some people but, Hillier says, it was well worth it for her.

"I've noticed that my clothes are looser on my body, I feel better. I noticed that I have more energy, honestly, since I started doing the meal plans," said Hillier in an interview, noting she's lost about seven pounds since she started receiving the Habit meal plans in May.

Kristin Kirkpatrick is a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, where they offer DNA testing kits from Nutrigenomix.

"Many of my patients have mentioned to me that it [nutrigenomics] has truly changed the way that they eat. But I don't think it's the first step. I think seeing a professional and going over what those important goals and barriers are is definitely what you want to do first, said Kirkpatrick in an interview with NBCs Jo Ling Kent.

As some urge potential consumers to do their homework and speak with their own healthcare professional before they take the plunge into their genetics, the market for DNA-based products is racing ahead. Just last month, Helix, a personal genomics company, launched the first online "marketplace."

Customers who have their genome sequenced with Helix get access to a slew of services from other emerging genomics companies ranging from Vinome,which aims to pick wine for you based on your genes, to EverlyWell, which offers food sensitivity and metabolism tests.

"People are very interested to go beyond the generalities that they've seen and get more specific to what's actually impacting their genes," said Kirkpatrick, though she warns this kind of testing "may not be ready for primetime."

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics agrees, writing in a 2014 opinion paper that, "...the use of nutrigenetic testing to provide dietary advice is not ready for routine dietetics practice." In the same paper, the Academy did also characterize nutritional genomics as insightful into how diet and genes impact our phenotypes.

"I don't think it's going to answer every single question that you may have about your health and it's definitely not going to answer things that are very specific to health ailments that you may have," Kirkpatrick told NBC News.

"Will it put you in the right direction towards knowing what foods you need to increase? What foods perhaps you should have less of and what's the best source of protein or fat related to weight loss? Absolutely," Kirkpatrick continued.

By 2020, the genomics market is expected to generate a staggering $50 billion globally, and diagnostic tools, health tech, and wireless wearables are expected to boom from $2 billion to $150 billion globally, according to one analysis.

"I think this is the start of a highly personalized future," said Habit CEO Neil Grimmer. "What we really hope to do is actually dispel a lot of the myths, get rid of the fad diets and actually get something that's personal to you."

Michelle Hillier says her Habit "nutrition coach," a registered dietitian, also advised her that she should consider factors beyond just her test results.

"She said take the results with a grain of salt, because you have to first see how you feel when you eat this way. It's not meant to be the 'end all be all,' but it is a guide like anything else," said Hillier.

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Trying to Find a Healthy Diet? Look to Your Genes - NBCNews.com

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If youre suddenlyhearing the word Hadza a lotespecially from your gut-healthy friend who turned you on to apple cider vinegarand is basically your probiotic conciergeheres why.

It turns out, we could all stand to learn a lot, gut-health-wise, from the Hadza people in Tanzania, where a few hundred of them live as hunter-gatherers, only eating what they find in the wild.

Because of the highly processed Western diet, were losing important bacteria varied microbes that keep our well-being in check.And according to a new study, paying close attention to theHadza diet could help us get it back.

After comparing 350 stool samples collected from the Hadza withones from 17 other cultures, researchersnot only found that the Hadza peoples bacteria was muchmore diverse than those found in samples from theWestern diet, but it also differed season to season, depending on what they were eating.

The Hadza get 100 or more grams of fiber a day in their food, on average. We average 15 grams per day.

While they ate mostly meat and tubers in the dry seasons, they ate more berries and honey in the wet seasonsand each season had a specific set of gut bacteria. Whats interesting, though, is that thedry-season microbesthat disappeared in the wet season, for instance, returned for the following dry season.

What does this mean for Americans? Our range of gut bacteria isnt nearly asdiverse, but researchers think this study shows what were missing might not be lost forever. Since the Hadza people have beenable to re-harnesscertain microbes depending on what they were eating, a shift in our diets could work the same way.

I think this finding is really exciting, Lawrence David, PhD, told NPR. It suggests the shifts in the microbiome seen in industrialized nations might not be permanentthat they might be reversible by changes in peoples diets.

Not to worry, this doesnt mean you need to quit your day job to take up thehunter-gatherer lifestyle.You might just have to up your intake of fiber.

Fibers all thats left at the very end of our digestive tract where these microbes live, so theyve evolved to be very good at digesting it, Justin Sonnenburg, PhD, professor atStanford University, said in a statement. The Hadza get 100 or more grams of fiber a day in their food, on average. We average 15 grams per day.

Along with upping fiber, its also a good idea toonly eat minimally processed foods andalways have in-season fruits and veggies on hand, Samuel Smits, PhD, professor at Stanford University, told Seeker.

That extra bacteria will give your gut a nice boostand when our microbes arehappy, were happy.

Try this gut-friendly ice cream float for dessert tonight. And be careful that youre not doing these three everyday things that can destroy your microbiome.

Continued here:
Why the Hadza Diet is being touted as gut-health #goals - Well+Good

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MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Aug 25, 2017) - (Family Features) When it comes to advice about healthy living, there are opinions nearly every place you turn. Unfortunately, a great deal of that information is based on fad diets and trendy workouts that may deliver quick results but don't promote a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

The medical community generally agrees that slow and steady is the way to win the race toward healthy living. Adopting a broad set of healthier habits can deliver results over time and foster a new way of living that promotes your overall health and wellbeing.

Aim for balance. A diet that combines healthy levels of protein and carbohydrates from all the food groups is the surest way to deliver your body the vitamins and nutrients you need for optimal health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for an eating plan that is centered on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and reduced-fat dairy foods, rounded out by lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts for protein. When planning your meals, be sure to limit saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugar.

Know when to say when. Building a healthy lifestyle is about more than eating the right foods. It also means keeping your calorie count in check. That means keeping the amount you eat and the portion size in mind. Work with your doctor or a nutritionist to determine your body's true caloric needs, which can vary depending on numerous factors such as your age, activity level and overall health. Then get smart about the portion sizes that will help you stay within those parameters. Initially, you may want to weigh out portions but soon you'll be able to recognize and adjust your portions on sight.

Set your body in motion. Increasing your activity level not only helps burn calories and boosts your metabolism, it also helps tone your muscles and improve overall body condition by promoting healthy blood flow. The exact amount of exercise you need will vary depending on your goals, age and physical ability. You may need to work up to the optimal level, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week for most adults.

Replace what you lose. A strong workout may help you shed calories, but it also can deplete your body of essential fluids. Staying hydrated is crucial to keep your body functioning properly, from regulating your body temperature to providing the lubrication your joints and muscles need to keep you in motion. Rehydrating during and after exercise is important for getting the most out of your workout. For example, try incorporating an electrolyte beverage, such as Propel Electrolyte Water, which helps replace what is lost in sweat and supports hydration by stimulating thirst and promoting fluid retention. The 10 flavors contain no calories and provide B vitamins to support metabolism as part of a daily diet and antioxidant vitamins C and E. Learn more at PropelWater.com.

Give yourself a break. Most experts agree it's OK to indulge and enjoy your favorite treat occasionally. Skipping a day at the gym won't end your efforts either. The key is to make those allowances an exception rather than the norm, skipping one day instead of three or eating a sliver of pie, not a giant slice. Rewarding yourself within reason is a good way to stay motivated and create a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free -- with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information.

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Healthy Living Habits that Work - Benzinga

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Researchers are looking into the connection between what you eat and how you smell and whether that is attractive to the opposite sex.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Turns out it may also make you smell good.

A new study, conducted by a group of psychologists at Macquarie University in Australia, looked at how diet influences body odor.

And how, potentially, body odor influences attraction.

Researchers said the goal was to determine whether human body odor axillary sweat is judged to have more positive attributes when a persons diet is richer in fruits and vegetables and therefore richer in carotenoids.

Carotenoids are plant pigments of red, yellow, and orange hues.

To test the hypothesis, the researchers recruited 45 men and nine women between the ages of 18 and 30.

The men were instructed to log their diets for two days. During that time, the only shirts they were allowed to wear were white T-shirts.

The men were also encouraged to work out. But they couldnt use soap when they showered. Nor could they use deodorant.

When the experiment was over, the men sent their T-shirts back to the lab along with a list of the foods they ate.

The women were then asked to rate the odor of each T-shirt based on pre-selected descriptive language.

Researchers said the men who consumed more plant-based foods produced a more pleasant, sweat-smelling odor.

Ian Stephen, PhD, one of four authors in this study, said the research group wasnt that surprised by the findings.

Collectively, the group has conducted years of research on the connection between diet, attraction, and attractiveness.

What people find attractive is related to underlying health, Stephen told Healthline. People who eat more fruits and vegetables have slightly yellow skin, and people with that higher level of color change [in their skin] tend to look more healthy and more attractive.

The women added that the diets that relied heavily on meat, carbohydrates, and cheese, produced stronger smelling, less pleasant odors, according to the study authors.

Once the women categorized the odors, the researchers cross-referenced the diets with those T-shirts deemed to have more pleasant-smelling odors.

The researchers also used a skin spectrometer as part of their analysis to measure the amount of yellow tint in the skin of each man.

The carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables show up in skin in the form of an underlying yellow tone, according to Stephen.

The men who checked off eating more fruits and vegetables in their diet also had more yellow in their skin tone, further corroborating their theory, he added.

The mens skin tones also predicted the good smell, Stephen said.

Its no secret that certain foods can produce strong body odors.

Garlic is likely the first thing to come to mind. Then theres asparagus.

But can eating strawberries make a person smell sweeter?

Dr. Zhaoping Li, a professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Clinical Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles, said its not that simple.

While its true that certain things we eat can produce specific odors, another important component in that equation is the bacteria that live on our bodies.

We are swimming in an ocean of microbes, Li told Healthline.

And not all human oceans are the same.

What one person eats can end up smelling differently once they start to sweat. It all depends on their microbes.

Li said the report presents an interesting hypothesis.

Eat more fruits and vegetables to prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, she said. And it may also make you smell better. I have nothing against that message.

But shed like to see a more controlled study before any conclusions can be drawn. A scenario where people are eating the same thing, living in the same conditions would be ideal, she said.

Stephen agreed.

At the moment, this a correlational study, he said. You cant say definitely one causes the other.

Stephen also noted that if the study were conducted in another part of the world, the outcomes likely would be different.

Thats because ecological conditions have influence over what is considered attractive.

For example, in a country with an obesity issue, such as the United States, people considered thin are deemed more attractive.

But in a country where the population is overwhelmed with food insecurity issues, people who carry a little more weight on their bodies are often considered more appealing.

Stephen hypothesized in that kind of setting where malnutrition is an underlying issue the body odor from a diet rich in meat and cheese may be deemed more appealing.

Stephen also noted that the group would like to replicate the study in various parts of the world, but they dont have any definitive plans yet.

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Hey, Guys Women Might Think You Smell Better If You Eat Fruits and Vegetables. - Healthline

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Grant-funded feeding trials assess potential methane mitigates and use of additive nitrates and bismuth subsalicylate in high-sulfur cattle feeds, says researcher.

Funding for the multi-year grant project was announced by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture program. The $467,500 award was one of 40 grants presented totaling more than $15.7m in funding.

The project includes a series of related feeding trials looking at ways to improve high-forage cattle diets, use of nutrients and to reduce the amount of methane cows produce, said Nicolas DiLorenzo, assistant professor in animal sciences at the University of Floridas North Florida Research and Education Center.

The overall idea of the project is to search for alternatives for high-forage diets, he told FeedNavigator. Sulfur and nitrates are both interventions that seems to have potential and then the bismuth comes into play to mitigate the effect of high sulfur [and] nitrates may be a potential replacement of urea in diets that are low in protein.

Adding sulfur may offer a way to reduce the methane produced by a cow, he said. Limiting production of gas is the goal because it has been identified as a greenhouse gas, he added in the grant proposal.

A diet that has high sulfates may lead to a reduction in methane, and that happens because the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide is more favorable than the production of methane, said DiLorenzo. Its an alternative route to reduce the hydrogen in the rumen and maybe reroute that toward other compounds and then mitigate the negative effects of high-forage diets so [we are] supplementing the high forage diet to see if has an influence on methane and then bismuth subsalicylate should mitigate the effects of high sulfur.

The project also examines the use of added nitrates in the diet to offer an alternative protein source and potentially limit the production of methane while improving performance, he said.

Were combining the two and looking at the option of one or the other and seeing if makes any difference, and if we can reduce methane, and enhance cattle growth and alleviate the negative effects of high sulfur, he said.

The feed ingredient examination includes a series of feeding trials, said DiLorenzo. The work is building off in vitro studies looking at methane reduction.

Initial steps in the project involved doing gas capture work to check cows for methane production, which was followed by a digestibility study, he said.

The current feeding trial involves use of diets that include warm season grass hay and supplemental bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and nitrates, he said. Were trying to mimic producer strategy in Florida and some of those hay samples can be quite high in sulfur, he added.

The cattle involved get an experimental diet and may see an increase in BSS, nitrates or both in their diet and a negative control group received a feed with no added nitrogen, he said. The feeding trial runs for 70 days and involves 100 cattle.

The researchers are also tracking liver development to see if the present amounts of sulfur in the diet are altering how minerals bind, said DiLorenzo.

The final step of the project will be a feedlot-based feeding trial, he said. Similar doses of the feed additives are expected to be used in all the feeding trials so results can be compared across the trials.

In completing the feeding trials there are a number of objectives the project is looking to address, said DiLorenzo in the grant proposal.

These include assessing the interaction of BSS with nitrates on ruminal fermentation, metabolism, the microbial ecosystem and methane production when cows are fed a low-quality forage diet, he said. And understanding the role of BSS when fed with nitrates on the performance of cattle.

The group hypothesized that cattle getting the feed additives along with the high-sulfur, low-quality forage diet will demonstrate improved performance and mineral use, he said in the proposal.

The final object was to understand the use of BSS and nitrates in diets for feedlot cattle getting a grain-based diet with high-sulfur byproducts, he said.

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USDA awards $467k for work to cut cow GHG emissions, improve diets - FeedNavigator.com

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Thursday, 24th August 2017 at 6:29 pm

BBC1 is to examine recent research into whether crash diets work as part of a new season of programmes examining Britains obesity epidemic.

Crash Diet Revolution will see Britains top nutrition scientists put crash dieting to the test andwill examine current research that suggests they are actually effective.

Could they offer an answer to the obesity crisis and save billions for the NHS?

Another show in the season will see Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall challenge the people of Newcastle to lose 100,000lbs in a year.

The three-part series, which doesnt yet gave a name, will see the presenter launching the social experiment which has the co-operation of Newcastle city council.

He will encourage people to make changes to their diet and get involved in physical activities to achieve the target.

Fearnley-Whittingstall said: The fact is that as a nation we need to do something about our increasing weight its doing too many of us too much harm. I think that galvanising a whole city to take responsibility for their collective health, by coming together to lose weight, could be an amazing way to make progress in the fight against obesity. Its not going to be easy but I am confident that the people of Newcastle are up to my challenge.

Also featured is The Truth About Obesity, in which presenter Chris Bavin will seek out the latest scientific research on why the problem exists.

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Do Crash Diets Work? BBC to investigate new idea that they do ... - Radio Times

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When my first marriage hit the rocks a quarter century ago, my now ex-wife and I started seeing a marriage counselor. He began, Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce. Of those that dont, 90 percent end in boredom. Do the math. If youre in a long-term happy, supportive, loving relationship, youre in a very fortunate five percent.

August 27 is my 17th anniversary. I think one indicator that we were meant to be is that, ironically, its also my wifes 17th anniversary. (Rim shot please) The really cool thing is that not only do we still love each other but we still like each other, placing us securely in the five percent.

I realize there are couples that have been together longer than have we. I saw on a Sunday morning news program a story of several siblings who have all been in happy marriages for 40, 50, or even 60 years. God willing and the creek dont rise, Im looking forward to those milestones. Yet our relatively short happy marriage doesnt deplete a few lessons Ive picked up along the way that Id like to share.

First and most importantly, if you want a good long-term relationship, pick the right partner. Do not make the giant mistake of thinking, Its just a small thing, I can change him (or her) after were married. If he or she has annoying habits, either learn to accept them or dont get involved. It might be that he changes for the better years later; consider that an unexpected bonus. Dont plan on it. (By the way, remember you have your own idiosyncrasies too.)

Dont live as a couple until youve been together at least a full year, allowing you the opportunity to see each other through every season with the associated ups and downs along the way. After 12 months, shes let down their guard, allowing you to know the real person. If major barriers still exist, consider it a warning.

Communication is the bedrock of a good relationship. You need to talk when things arent going as you want and complement when they are. Remember that even the best relationships cause some pain. Youre two separate souls; sometimes bumping into each other. Thats okay; talk about it, always keeping respect and love as your touchstones.

When disagreements arise and they will ask yourself, Would I rather be right or would I rather be happy? Most times, youll opt for the latter as most times its not the big stuff anyway. Relatedly, once youve reached resolution, its done. Dont harbor grudges nor bring up old arguments.

This next notion might come off as counter-intuitive. Know that there are three not two entities in every healthy relationship. Theres you. Theres me. Theres us. Each needs its time. Sure, the we needs time or why would you couple? As essentially, each of you needs your own time. Avoid co-dependence as well as too much independence; seek inter-dependence.

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When we first considered moving in, we looked for a mother-in-law unit/house combination. In that manner, we could be together as wanted, yet still have our alone time. Friends were skeptical, If youre moving in together, either make the commitment or dont. You cant have it both ways.

Which leads to the next tip: Your relationship is your relationship, based on what the two of you want, not what others say you should do. What they do or dont do is right for them. Dont bend to suit others ideas of what your relationship should look like unless its something you want for yourselves. Otherwise, theyre running your life, giving them two sets of lives and you have none and thats not fair.

Finally, find reasons to say I love you as often as possible. It cannot be said too often. Mean it when you say it.

Scott Q Marcus is a nationally known weight loss expert for baby boomers and the CRP Chief Recovering Perfectionist of http://www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.com. His new book, co-written with his sister, The Busy Baby Boomers Motivational Guide to Weight Loss is at http://www.BabyBoomersGuides.com.

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Scott Marcus: Happy long-term relationships - Red Bluff Daily News

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Added by Indo American News on August 25, 2017.Saved under Community, Current Stories, Headlines, ReligionTags: Baytown, Clear Lake, Cypress, Desi news, Greater Houston, Houston, Houston Desi news, India, Indian American community, Indian News, Indians in America, Indo-American News, Katy, NRI, pearland, south asia, South India, Sugar Land, Texas, USA

Photos: Thejas Rajaram and Nagaraju Nagalla

HOUSTON: Last Tuesday was a night unlike any other as ISKCON of Houston and Hindus of Greater Houston came together to celebrate Janmastami, which marks the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna. As one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance worldwide as a testament of love, life, happiness and devotion to the Supreme Lord with millions gathering in nearly every town and village to commemorate this special occasion.

This year saw the citys biggest and most boisterous celebration yet as thousands upon thousands of well-wishers and devotees gathered at the ISKCON of Houston temple to worship, feast, dance and sing the night away on August 15th. Usually celebrated in several different ways in Houston, one of the most famous being the Hindus of Greater Houstons (HGH) George R Brown Convention center Janmastami, many wondered why it was not celebrated there this year. HGH President said: We should not frame as HGH moved the venue to ISKCON but rather, Bringing Hindus together concept encouraged us to join hands with the devotees at ISKCON of Houston. This years Janmastami coincided with several significant events by key supporting organizations and holding this event in convention center would have divided the attendance and therefore HGH decided to rather partner with one of its supporting organization ISKCON for this year. This way HGH could uphold its motto and the community itself could come together to mark this important occasion and come together it did.

Evening Aarti Altar

From 4 pm to 2 am, nearly eight thousand people came through the temple doors, joined in the amazing kirtan (holy chants), joyfully witnessed the worship of the Lord, enjoyed the outdoor activities and milled through the booths set up by various organizations and nonprofit centers in Houston. In the hall opposite the temple, they observed the adorable childrens costume contests, various cultural performances and one of the most anticipated dramas of the year put up by the ISKCON of Houston youth, The Pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna. A very special attraction at the holy grounds this year was Go (cow) puja. ISKCONs very own, Mangala (the cow) was enjoying devotees worship her and feed her fruits and vegetables. Of course, the popular attractions included bathing and swinging of Baby Krishna Gopal.

Costume contest group picture

The collaborative celebration of Janmastami was a great and pleasant experience for HGH. HGH celebrated ISKCON 50 last year and in line with Bringing Hindus Together theme are planning to hold their Hindu Youth awards next year.

Ecstatic Chanting of kirtan in temple

All this is but a spark of this splendorous festival, and to truly experience it, we invite you to join us next year.

For more information please visit https://iskconhouston.org/

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Janmastami 2017 ISKCON of Houston - Indo American News

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Shares ofBoot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT) aremoving on volatility today3.85% or $0.32 from the open.TheNYSE listed companysaw a recent bid of $8.63 and197633shares have traded hands in the session.

For the average investor, figuring out how to best approach the stock market can be challenging. Many investors have probably seen at least one of their prized stocks take off in the last year, and they may be wondering which one is next. With the stock market still trading at super high levels, investors may be worried that a major shift will occur in the near future. Looking back over the first part of this year, investors may not have too much to fidget within the portfolio. If the stock market decides to reverse course and take a turn for the worse, investors may start questioning their strategy and become somewhat worried. Drastic shifts in the markets happen from time to time. Investors who are prepared for volatile market environments may be much better suited to weather the storm than those who are not. Crafting a plan that accounts for the regular ups and downs of the market may be a wise choice for the individual investor. This may mean shifting the mindset to be on the lookout for opportunities when they become available. Investors who have done the research and planning might be more secure in their stock choices should turbulent times arise.

Deep diving into thetechnical levels forBoot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT), we note that the equitycurrently has a 14-day Commodity Channel Index (CCI) of 21.97. Active investors may choose to use this technical indicator as a stock evaluation tool. Used as a coincident indicator, the CCI reading above +100 would reflect strong price action which may signal an uptrend. On the flip side, a reading below -100 may signal a downtrend reflecting weak price action. Using the CCI as a leading indicator, technical analysts may use a +100 reading as an overbought signal and a -100 reading as an oversold indicator, suggesting a trend reversal.

Boot Barn Holdings Incs Williams Percent Range or 14 day Williams %R currently sits at -33.54. The Williams %R oscillates in a range from 0 to -100. A reading between 0 and -20 would point to an overbought situation. A reading from -80 to -100 would signal an oversold situation. The Williams %R was developed by Larry Williams. This is a momentum indicator that is the inverse of the Fast Stochastic Oscillator.

Currently, the 14-day ADX for Boot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT) is sitting at 20.33. Generally speaking, an ADX value from 0-25 would indicate an absent or weak trend. A value of 25-50 would support a strong trend. A value of 50-75 would identify a very strong trend, and a value of 75-100 would lead to an extremely strong trend. ADX is used to gauge trend strength but not trend direction. Traders often add the Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) and Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) to identify the direction of a trend.

The RSI, or Relative Strength Index, is a widely used technical momentum indicator that compares price movement over time. The RSI was created by J. Welles Wilder who was striving to measure whether or not a stock was overbought or oversold. The RSI may be useful for spotting abnormal price activity and volatility. The RSI oscillates on a scale from 0 to 100. The normal reading of a stock will fall in the range of 30 to 70. A reading over 70 would indicate that the stock is overbought, and possibly overvalued. A reading under 30 may indicate that the stock is oversold, and possibly undervalued. After a recent check, the 14-day RSIforBoot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT) is currently at 57.51, the 7-day stands at 60.53, and the 3-day is sitting at 79.25.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) shares are moving today onvolatility0.33% or $0.10 from the open.TheNYSE listed companysaw a recent bid of $30.58 and197524shares have traded hands in the session.

Traders may be going deeper into the playbook in order to scoop up profits in the current stock market environment. The first half of the year has produced plenty of big winners. Investors will be closely monitoring the most recent earnings releases to hopefully spot the next big mover. Traders may be looking to more closely define some major trends in order to identify which way the momentum is going to carry the stock market into the close of the calendar year. Keeping track of all the financial news and global happenings can be a tall order, even for the most seasoned investors. Staying the course while following a sound investing plan can help the individual investor become prepared for whatever lies ahead. The optimists still believe there is much more room for growth in the markets while the pessimists are calling for a major reversal in the near future. Traders and investors will be closely tracking the major economic news to help come to a solid conclusion about which way the markets are headed. Staying up on the fundamentals as well as the popular technical indicators may help the investor sort through the maze and prepare for the next stage.

Hartford Financial Services Group Incs Williams Percent Range or 14 day Williams %R currently sits at -42.86. The Williams %R oscillates in a range from 0 to -100. A reading between 0 and -20 would point to an overbought situation. A reading from -80 to -100 would signal an oversold situation. The Williams %R was developed by Larry Williams. This is a momentum indicator that is the inverse of the Fast Stochastic Oscillator.

Currently, the 14-day ADX for Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) is sitting at 19.72. Generally speaking, an ADX value from 0-25 would indicate an absent or weak trend. A value of 25-50 would support a strong trend. A value of 50-75 would identify a very strong trend, and a value of 75-100 would lead to an extremely strong trend. ADX is used to gauge trend strength but not trend direction. Traders often add the Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) and Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) to identify the direction of a trend.

The RSI, or Relative Strength Index, is a widely used technical momentum indicator that compares price movement over time. The RSI was created by J. Welles Wilder who was striving to measure whether or not a stock was overbought or oversold. The RSI may be useful for spotting abnormal price activity and volatility. The RSI oscillates on a scale from 0 to 100. The normal reading of a stock will fall in the range of 30 to 70. A reading over 70 would indicate that the stock is overbought, and possibly overvalued. A reading under 30 may indicate that the stock is oversold, and possibly undervalued. After a recent check, the 14-day RSIforHartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) is currently at 44.87, the 7-day stands at 49.17, and the 3-day is sitting at 63.15.

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Boot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT) and Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) Seeing Increased Volatility in Session - The Times

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Shares ofHartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) aremoving on volatility today0.07% or 0.02 from the open.TheNYSE listed companysaw a recent bid of 30.50 and56660shares have traded hands in the session.

With the stock market trading at current levels, investors may be tossing around ideas about how to trade the next few quarters. As we slip further into the second half of the year, investors may be assessing the latest earnings reports and trying to calculate the future prospects of certain stocks. Finding bargain stocks at current levels may be much harder than spotting hidden gems when markets are down. Plowing through the fundamentals may help sort out some of the questions that investors may have that come along with trading at these levels. Investors may have to do a little more homework in order to identify that next great trade, but the rewards may be well worth the extra time and effort.

Now letstake a look at how the fundamentals are stacking up for Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH). Fundamental analysis takes into consideration market, industry and stock conditions to help determine if the shares are correctly valued. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc currently has a yearly EPS of 1.80. This number is derived from the total net income divided by shares outstanding. In other words, EPS reveals how profitable a company is on a share owner basis.

Another key indicator that can help investors determine if a stock might be a quality investment is the Return on Equity or ROE. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) currently has Return on Equity of 3.88. ROE is a ratio that measures profits generated from the investments received from shareholders. In other words, the ratio reveals how effective the firm is at turning shareholder investment into company profits. A company with high ROE typically reflects well on management and how well a company is run at a high level. A firm with a lower ROE might encourage potential investors to dig further to see why profits arent being generated from shareholder money.

Another ratio we can look at is the Return on Invested Capital or more commonly referred to as ROIC. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) has a current ROIC of 4.05. ROIC is calculated by dividing Net Income Dividends by Total Capital Invested.

Similar to ROE, ROIC measures how effectively company management is using invested capital to generate company income. A high ROIC number typically reflects positively on company management while a low number typically reflects the opposite.

Turning to Return on Assets or ROA, Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) has a current ROA of 0.31. This is a profitability ratio that measures net income generated from total company assets during a given period. This ratio reveals how quick a company can turn its assets into profits. In other words, the ratio provides insight into the profitability of a firms assets. The ratio is calculated by dividing total net income by the average total assets. A higher ROA compared to peers in the same industry, would suggest that company management is able to effectively generate profits from their assets. Similar to the other ratios, a lower number might raise red flags about managements ability when compared to other companies in a similar sector.

When putting hard earned money at risk, investors will want to look at all the angles in order to make sure that no stone is left unturned when building the stock portfolio. With so many different stocks available to trade, investors may need to figure out a way to make the selection process manageable. Some investors may choose to start with industry research first and eventually filter down to individual stock picks. Others may want to start at the individual stock level and go from there. Whatever the approach the investor chooses, putting in the time and effort might greatly help the long-term performance of the stock portfolio.

By Sparta Contributor

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Taking a Deep Dive into Technical Levels for Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HGH) - Sparta Review

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