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Data which can track our psychological behavior is "something very powerful" and could be the key to tackling unhealthy habits, according to the CEO of a fitness app.

British firm Earthmiles incorporates elements of the Quantified Self, a movement that aims to use the data acquired from aspects of an individual's daily life from what they eat to their state of mind to inform them more about their daily habits.

"At the core of Earthmiles is a kind of psychological engine that helps you make healthier choices," Earthmiles CEO and Co-Founder Megha Prakash told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Friday.

The app rewards customers with discounts and other offers with each mile of activity they undertake.

But Prakash added: "Financial rewards is just a part of it; it actually works on many different levels. For the consumer it's this fun, feel-good platform where, as you work out, earns earth miles the way you would earn air miles if you flew, and then with that you can earn rewards."

She said that collected data, when processed into information, could help consumers form healthier lifestyle choices.

"This is actually combined with several quite powerful tools like the Quantified Self movement which, as you know, helps us become more aware of activities, and thereby improve information broken down into the form of smaller, healthier lifestyle choices; and underlying all of it, the behavioral psychological cues which are emotional, social, financial, (and) which ultimately results in positive behaviors."

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Data can shape psychological behavior and solve unhealthy habits, says fitness app CEO - CNBC

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Plus: New app available for school news; public invited to weigh in on universal pre-kindergarten

By Bethany Rodgers

Published: 2017.08.18 03:49

Newport Mill Middle School students and teachers are looking forward to getting a new fitness center, complete with a visit from the man behind Body by Jake.

The Kensington school was one of three in Maryland to land a $100,000 workout center through the National Foundation for Governors Fitness Councils, which is chaired by Jake Body by Jake Steinfeld. The schools principal expects the equipment to arrive shortly after classes begin in September.

With this fitness center, the impact will be immediate, and it will last for a very long time, said the schools physical education director, Matthew Slatkin.

School staff and students in May applied for the award by writing an essay and filming a video that described why they could use the new workout center.

The schools principal, Panagiota Tsonis, said the schools current fitness center is outdated. Slatkin said only 10 pieces of equipment are working and students quickly tire of the limited options in the weight room.

Slatkin said the new center will have at least 33 pieces of equipment, including about 10 for cardio workouts and others for strength training and flexibility exercises. There wont be any free weights, which arent recommended for use until students reach high school-age, he added.

Gov. Larry Hogan picked Newport Mill Middle, Buck Lodge Middle School in Adelphi and Vanguard Collegiate Middle School in Baltimore as Marylands fitness center winners.

These schools have each demonstrated fitness excellence and will now benefit from state-of-the-art fitness centers that both the students and community can utilize to incorporate fitness and wellness into their daily lives, Hogan said in an Aug. 2 news release.

Steinfelds health campaign through the Fitness Councils uses partnerships with companies to pay for the workout centers, according to the release.

Tsonis said Steinfeld will drop by the school to train staff on the new equipment and will return for a pep rally and ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 9.

MCPS advertises new app for getting school news

Montgomery County Public Schools is encouraging parents to download the school systems new phone app before classes begin Sept. 5.

The app lets users get MCPS news, access the districts tip line and directory, and receive notifications from schools. MCPS wrote in a tweet that the applications are available for iPhone and Android devices.

Forum planned for discussion of universal pre-kindergarten

County Council member Craig Rice and MCPS Superintendent Jack Smith are hosting an Aug. 23 community forum on universal pre-kindergarten.

The officials want to gather input about early childhood education and what community members think of expanding it to all preschool children, according to a news release. The meeting will start 6:30 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville.

A county report released in February estimated that offering universal pre-K could cost the county up to $128 million annually. However, it also found that early-learning programs pay off by reducing child welfare and criminal justice costs, lowering spending on special education and school support, and increasing future income for participants.

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School Notes: Kensington School Wins New Fitness Center, Visit from 'Body By Jake' Guru - BethesdaMagazine.com

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Chicagoans is a first-person account from off the beaten track, as told to Anne Ford. This week's Chicagoan is Sunny Akhigbe, 44, bodybuilder, fitness model, trainer, and actor.

I grew up in a very remote village in Nigeria where you have no cars, no road, no water. I was rejected by my own family and left to live with my grandmother. I was molested, I was abandoned, I was rejected. I just wanted to have a big hug from a dad, and I never had it.

I could not find a therapy to help me feel better about myself. So doing bodybuilding was therapy for me. I was training with bricks and engine blocks. Each time I lifted bricks and ran, I felt better. I didn't even know what it was; I just knew that whenever I exercised, there was part of me that was happy: "This thing is making me feel better. This thing is making me be a normal human being."

Eventually I moved to a city in Nigeria about the same size as Michigan City, Indiana. I was online one day, and a lady reached out and said, "My name is this. I'm a Christian. Do you believe in God? This is my e-mail." So I reached out to her: "Hey, my name is Sunny, I live in Africa." Then I gave her my phone number, and we started talking. She flew to Nigeria, and she found out that everything I talked to her about was real. She told me she's gonna bring me to the United States, and she did. We did all the documentation, and before you know it, I was here and we were married. That was in 2004.

I started working and training at a YMCA in LaPorte, Indiana. My body started transforming. People started saying, "Why don't you go compete?" I said, "What does that mean?" I never heard about it. So I started training heavily and eating right, and I went to compete. I didn't know what I was doing, but I was ready. So when I stepped onstage, I won the whole show, I won the division, I won overall. Now I am an [International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness] pro.

I was like, OK, this is my calling, and I became a fitness model and personal trainer. My targeted audience is the business owner who doesn't have time for themselves, so I help them create a program that's gonna regain their health. I talk to all my clients every day, and they have to meet with me once or twice a week. Between eating and exercising, it's gonna take you two hours per day to take care of your health and wellness so you feel good.

I'm also an actor; I just finished with Chicago P.D., the TV series. I wrote a book called A Boy and His Dream, and I have a foundation to help every child who is going through adversity like I did. Here in Chicago, I go from school to school talking about life skills.

Fitness is my therapy. It gives me life. The trauma that chased me, it helps me to control it. When I embraced fitness, I became complete, I was well. I became healed from my trauma. Without fitness, I wouldn't be able to focus. Yes, fitness gave me life. I'm healed. v

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This fitness guru triumphed over childhood trauma through bodybuilding - Chicago Reader

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There is a lot of pressure in our society to fall within a certain weight range. The best way to reach a healthy size is by mindful eating and reasonable amounts of exercise. Unfortunately this pressure doesnt magically disappear with pregnancy- it often gets worse. Many moms to be struggle with weight concerns during pregnancy. And if you are anything like me, and you gained 40-50 lbs while pregnant,your doctor may be concerned. And you might want to know: can you lose weight while pregnant?

Most professionals agree dieting to lose weight is not advised while pregnant. A desire to do whats best for both your baby and yourself might level you with questions. What if your weight gain has lead to health concerns? One of the most common is likely How to safely lose weight when pregnant?

Reasons for weight concern during pregnancy

You might be considering losing weight during pregnancy if you were in an unhealthy weight range prior to pregnancy. Or experienced rapid weight gain, like I did.

Weight issues before giving birth often led to labor complications like higher instances of cesarean section, gestational diabetes, and hypertension. Severe weight issues during pregnancy are also linked to premature births and long term consequences.

Talk to a medical professional about how much weight you can safely gain during pregnancy. decisions involving diet or weight loss during pregnancy.This figure is on a sliding scale based upon how close you are to healthy weight range.

Instead of telling women to aim for weight loss, women who are obese are told to reduce weight gain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that weight loss during pregnancy might be a consequence of holistically changes like eating and exercise but not the goal.

The National Institute of Diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases also provides healthy tips for pregnant women. Among those are suggestions of how to manage weight in a healthy way.

Speak to a nutritionist

A nutritionist is a wonderful source of information on diet and weight during pregnancy. After scheduling an appointment, you will discuss short, manageable lifestyle changes that wont hurt you or your baby.This is done by evaluating where you are vs. where you can get within a reasonable amount of time. Nutritionists and dietitians are also an excellent resource for developing eating plans.Your nutritionist will inform you of changes to make like reducing calories. You can reduce your daily calorie intake significantly by eating smaller portions more frequently and cutting out bad fats.

Eating healthy

During pregnancy, it is important that you have a wide variety of nutrient-filled foods. Increasing the amounts of fruits and vegetables whole grains vitamin D and protein that you have from day today is an important part of establishing a balanced diet during pregnancy.

Limiting salts solid fats and sugar sweetened foods and drinks will increase the amount of nutrients you are getting while decreasing the amount of fat filled calories you are getting from day to day.

Incorporating reasonable amounts of exercise

Adding 30 minutes of physical activity each day can make a significant difference in weight related issues. Exercise during pregnancy does not have to be Hardcore gym workouts. Light walks swimming and yard work are all examples of acceptable forms of physical activity.

Many weight-related pregnancy concerns can be resolved by avoiding pregnancy myths. An example of this is that once you become pregnant, you are eating for two- This is not accurate and the number of extra calories required per day increases gradually depending on what stage you are in your pregnancy. The first three months of pregnancy many women dont require extra calories at all, and for some, the same applies during the last few weeks.

Can you lose weight while pregnant? Yes, however, it is important that this is done with the intention of long-term health changes as opposed to short, intense diet plans with the goal of using large amounts of weight. If you wonder if you should lose weight while pregnant, always speak with your doctor first. Together, you can determine your best course of action.

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(Image: iStock /adrian825)

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Is It Safe to Lose Weight While You're Pregnant? - Mommyish (blog)

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Friday, August 18, 2017 12:16 p.m. CDT

By Lisa Rapaport

Reuters Health - Doctors are doing fewer weight-loss procedures to implant adjustable bands around the stomach and more operations to remove the devices or alter them, a U.S. study suggests.

Researchers focused on a type of weight-loss surgery known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing an inflatable belt around the upper portion of the stomach that reduces the amount of food it can hold. People are advised to eat portions about the size of a shot glass post-surgery.

Nationwide, a total of 28,202 patients underwent procedures to implant laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands (LAGB) from 2007 to 2015, the study found. Over that same period, 12,157 people had gastric bands removed, or explanted.

Starting in 2013, though, surgeons did more procedures to take bands out than to put them in, the study team reports in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

A newer alternative in weight-loss surgery known as a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy that appears to be safer and more effective may be driving this trend, said senior study author Dr. Ninh Nguyen, chief of the division of gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.

Compared to the adjustable gastric banding, the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is associated with improved weight loss and lower incidence of late complications, Nguyen said by email. The late complication rate requiring revision (procedures) after sleeve gastrectomy is one-fourth that of gastric banding.

More than half of weight-loss procedures done today use the sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the stomach to the size of a banana, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Procedures to remove or adjust gastric bands were associated with longer hospital stays, a greater number ofserious complications and more admissions to intensive care units compared withoperations to implant the devices, the study found.

Researchers didnt find any difference in death rates or costs between implantation procedures and operations to remove or fix the bands, with both types of surgery costing an average of $11,600 to $12,000.

One limitation of the study is that researchers only examined procedures done at academic medical centers, although the authors suggest that trends might be similar at community hospitals.

Another drawback is the lack of data explaining why bands were removed. That makes it impossible to say if the removal happened after complications or because patients elected to switch to a different, newer alternative such as the sleeve gastrectomy to see if they could achieve more weight loss.

Most often, when the gastric bands are removed its either because patients couldnt tolerate the devices being tightened or because they didnt lose enough weight, said Dr. Anita Courcoulas, chief of minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Because the sleeve is still relatively new, however, its too soon to say whether it will achieve better weight loss or fewer complications over the long term, Courcoulas, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

Enthusiasm for the sleeve as a replacement for the band should be tempered with the knowledge that longer-term outcomes are still sorely lacking, Courcoulas added. It will take time, patience, and a dynamic evaluation of the evidence as it evolves to draw more final conclusions about the longer-term comparative effectiveness of bariatric procedures.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2vL18Pf Journal of the American College of Surgeons, online July 25, 2017.

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Surgeries to remove weight-loss devices on the rise - KFGO

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Stocks have been extremely strong, with the market having seen impressive results over the past eight years since the financial crisis. Yet some individual stocks have crushed the overall market with outrageous gains. Weight Watchers International (NYSE: WTW), Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ESPR), and Health Insurance Innovations (NASDAQ: HIIQ) have all managed to quadruple or more in just 12 months. Investors who've seen these stocks for the first time recently want to know if they can score any further gains from these companies. Below, we'll look more closely at them to see whether there's anything left in the tank for these high-flyers.

Weight Watchers gains momentum

Weight Watchers International has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, notably from the presence of high-profile investor Oprah Winfrey. Yet even though Winfrey's initial investment earned a lot of exposure for the company, Weight Watchers has continued its upward momentum purely from business results.

In the first quarter of 2017, Weight Watchers reported an impressive 16% rise in subscribers, reaching the 3.6 million mark and rising for the sixth straight quarter. The positive sentiment from a rising audience and an increase in paid weeks for weight loss programs offered by Weight Watchers continued into June, lifting the stock still higher, and the second quarter brought even better results. Looking ahead, Weight Watchers has a new CEO, plans to update its programs, make enhancements to its digital offerings, and expects to make meetings more useful for its members. That's a potential recipe for success going forward, and it's why investors are excited about Weight Watchers right now.

Image source: Weight Watchers.

Esperion gets to the heart of the matter

Esperion Therapeutics has focused its attention on developing drugs to battle cardiovascular disease, and like most biopharmaceutical companies, Esperion needs to show successes in its pipeline in order to make progress toward reaching its long-term goals. Back in February, investors started bidding up the stock after a similar treatment from a rival drugmaker raised the chances that its cholesterol-lowering treatment, bempedoic acid, would eventually gain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

That excitement got stronger heading into spring, as Esperion specifically said that it expected the FDA to accept a New Drug Application for the treatment based on data from the trials it was conducting, with an anticipated timeline of 2019. Fears about the ability for Esperion to have strong pricing power moderated those gains somewhat, but favorable trial results released earlier this month gave bullish investors reason to celebrate again. With a long timeline ahead of it, Esperion shares could see volatility in either direction, but if the trials keep going well, then further gains are quite possible.

Health Insurance Innovations sees strong demand

Finally, Health Insurance Innovations is the big winner on this list, having jumped more than 500% in the past year. The provider of short-term health insurance and hospital indemnity plans has seen a big jump in demand for its policies, and the corresponding rise in revenue and profits made the stock extremely intriguing. Just about the only hiccup in its share-price advance came in March, when company founder Mike Kosloske sold about $42 million in stock in a secondary offering.

Further gains have come due to the flexibility of Health Insurance Innovations' plan offerings compared to traditional health insurance. Even as healthcare reform efforts have moved forward in fits and starts, Health Insurance Innovations has catered to those who need supplemental coverage to their regular insurance or need specialized products like dental insurance. No matter whether Obamacare or Trumpcare end up being the law of the land for healthcare, Health Insurance Innovations seems poised to be able to tailor its offerings to meet its customers' needs.

Stocks like these inevitably appear in long bull markets, and each of the three companies has a lot going for them. As long as the favorable conditions that have spurred their respective gains remain in place, the potential for further share-price appreciation will be there for investors looking to get into these stocks now.

10 stocks we like better than Weight Watchers International

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Weight Watchers International wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 1, 2017

Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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These Stocks Have Quadrupled Since Last Year - Madison.com

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Amal Clooney is being body-shamed two months after giving birth to twins. Celebrities and notable figures are often ridiculed for not losing weight quickly after having children. But a certain webloid is calling out the human rights attorney for being too skinny.

In a sensational headline, RadarOnline is blaring on Friday, SHOCKING PHOTOS: Extreme Diet? Amal Looks Skeletal Just Weeks After Giving Birth To Clooney Twins! Alongside pictures of Clooney taking a walk with her actor husband after a tennis match in Italy, the site writes, Amal looked thin as ever, just weeks after giving birth to twins Alexander and Ella. Prompting rumors that she may be on an extreme post-baby weight loss diet, the human rights lawyer boasted a flawless yet oddly thin frame on her latest sporty outing with her famous hubby.

Oddly, Amal looked slim and frail in her sporty ensemble. No remaining baby weight was apparent in her now stick-thin frame, the outlet continues, noting, George too seemed off, as he flashed a shocked, cold look at the cameras while walking with his wife. The duo seemed to want to avoid attention as they left the court.

You think? Like most famous couples, the Clooneys dont like being followed by paparazzi. Its no wonder George appeared unhappy. As for his wife, there was nothing odd about her appearance, despite the online publication using that description twice. While this story is written as if Clooney only gave birth just a few weeks ago, the twins actually arrived on June 6, nearly 12 weeks ago. Thats more than just a few. And at nearly three months post-partum, it is not unreasonable that the attorney is back to her normally slim frame.

She by no means look skeletal, and there is nothing shocking about the photos. RadarOnline shamefully wanted a clickbait approach to the latest snapshots of the couple, and grossly decided Clooneys body should be the angle. The webloid even asks readers at the end, What do you think of Amals extreme weight loss? Do you think the pair is doing okay after welcoming their twins? Heres another question: Why would random people on the Internet know whether the Clooneys are doing okay?

For the record, they are. But at issue is the sites fake concern. The outlet didnt post these photos because they were genuinely worried Clooney was on an extreme post-baby weight loss diet. They wanted traffic. And if the lawyer was still on the heavier side, the publication wouldve claimed she was struggling to lose weight. Theres no way to win. This is the same webloid that body-shamed Tori Spelling for gaining weight after body-shaming her for being too skinny. RadarOnline remains disgusting.

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Amal Clooney Body-Shamed Two Months After Giving Birth To Twins - Gossip Cop

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Today is National Ice Cream Pie Day. (Its also the third week of National Crayon Collection Month, but whos counting?) You know whose arteries ice cream pie is good for? No one. Plain and simple. But Habit, one of the latest disrupters in the food tech sector, suggests we rethink the very notion of foods that are good for everyone or bad for everyone. Its part of a movement toward what is called personalized nutrition.

Habit, based in the San Francisco Bay area, tests for biomarkers and genetic variants using samples you provide, then generates a personalized report about how your body responds to food. Its your unique nutrition blueprint. Then the company pairs you with a nutrition coach and offers you custom-made meals, containing your ideal ratio of carbs, fats and protein, delivered to your home. All in the name of sending you on the path to a new you.

[Breakfast was the most important meal of the day until America ruined it]

I had to see for myself. So I endured the home test and shipped off my blood and DNA samples. (Gulp.) Then the companys chief executive walked me through the results of my newfound eater identity, and I observed how the diagnosis began to affect my relationship with food. Heres what happened and what it could mean for the future of eating in America.

Digesting the news

The Habit home kit is not for the faint of heart. After fasting for 10 hours, you answer lots of deeply personal questions, scrub DNA samples from your cheeks and puncture your fingertips with a self-pricking button (technical term: lancet). This sounds rough, but my lowest moment is actually chugging their special Habit Challenge Shake. It clocks in at 950 calories, 75 grams of sugar and 130 percent of daily saturated fat intake. It has a taste and smell I can only liken to Kahla. It makes me feel god-awful while drinking it nose pinched, pinkie out, face scrunched and even worse afterward. It was bad enough I had sacrificed my Saturday morning frittata ritual.

By the third blood sample, my dining table looks like a crime scene. Ive got bandages on two fingers, mini disinfectant pads strewn around, and cherry red blood dripping down my forearm. Im angling my elbow like a helicopter hovering over the little blood collection card, just trying to fill the darn box one last time so I can move on with my day. Finally, I pack it up and mail it all off in a rather alarming biohazard bag. The whole ordeal takes about three hours and costs $309.

[No food is healthy. Not even kale.]

Im told Ill receive my results in a few weeks. While I wait, I wander back to the Habit website and take a closer look at those pages and pages of fine print. I start to have second thoughts at sentences like, You may experience stress, anxiety, or emotional or physical discomfort when you learn about health problems or potential health problems.

Then theres this: Recommendations regarding diet provided to you may or may not be beneficial to you and may cause or exacerbate certain medical problems.

Say what?

Thankfully, when the results come in, I get labeled a Range Seeker. In official Habit-speak, it means you can be flexible with your macronutrient intake and thrive on a range of foods. Well, thats a relief.

[Heres how much giving up beef helps or doesnt help the planet]

There are seven Habit types, each with dozens of more specific sub-variations, varying from Slow Seeker (best suited for foods rich in fiber and carbs that are absorbed slowly) to Fat Seeker (fat is a valuable fuel source for you). Along with receiving your tribal designation, youre assigned a personalized eating plan, depicting your ideal plate, suggested nutrient goals and daily calorie target.

Id be lying if I said the results havent been affecting my food choices, or at least the way I feel about my food choices. For instance, since being told I have a genetic risk variant associated with slow production of omega-3s, I have been seeking salmon like a grizzly bear. Apparently, Im also genetically predisposed to caffeine sensitivity. Many a morning, this news has me sitting at my desk thinking I must be tripping out on my cup of joe despite the fact that I have consumed the exact same amount of coffee every day of my adult life.

Conviviality, an endangered species

On the face of it, personalized nutrition makes sense. Why wouldnt I want to understand the unique dietary yearnings and land mines of my own DNA? Many people seem to feel that the existing national dietary guidance of one-size-fits-all has failed them. Theyre sick, and theyre confused about what to buy and what to order.

But in reducing food to individualized nutrient optimization equating food with fuel, really what are we sacrificing? What are the implications for our food culture and the future of dining? Oh, gosh, Id love to go out for sushi with you, but I have to scurry home to my prearranged Range Seeker box in the fridge.

[Why your humble bowl of oatmeal could help feed a growing planet]

Neil Grimmer, Habits founder and chief executive, recognizes that food is social. He tells me that it knots us together culturally, so Habit is in the process of facilitating online communities for people with the same Habit type. Through a private Facebook page, they could share tips and the like. Its better than going it alone, I guess, but a far cry from actually sharing a meal.

Remember the $300 you put down for the home test? It includes a coaching session, so a nutritionist helps you put all your information into practice. During my session, Jae Berman, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and head coach of Habit, is a great help. But things dont look so rosy when I ask her how Im supposed to integrate Habit into regular life.

The family conversation has been one of the most common questions we have gotten, she says. It doesnt occur to me as a problem because I just want people to take ownership of their story ... have the empowerment to say, This is what my plate looks like; thats what your plate needs to look like, and move on. Even, she says, if that means everyone at the table eating something different. Have you ever tried being the short-order cook in that scenario? It all but requires outsourcing the meal making.

Imagine, Berman says, a mom whos stressed out, with kids running around, a husband who is a rail, all the while she has no time for herself, is struggling with her weight, and trying to figure out what on earth to cook for dinner. Most people dont want to talk about uncomfortable things, Berman says. But let your kids eat mac and cheese, let your husband do what he needs, and let you have this plate for your dinner. You dont need to do anything its going to show up at your door.

This desire to customize our food experiences stems from the uniquely American trait of individualism. Often subconscious, its a desire to be exceptional, distinct from those around us, as opposed to being part of a larger collective. By contrast, many other cultures around the world are characterized by interdependence. It turns out, individualism shapes our eating habits in stunning ways, from the rise of solo dining to customization as a firmly expected attribute of eating out.

Habit is the latest example of a new technology enabling that innate premium on personalization, and over time, these tools are pulling us further and further from the table. Think smartphones making us feel less alone while eating alone, and mobile ordering apps allowing us to tailor our meal delivery times and our restaurant orders with greater precision. With roughly half of all eating occasions now taking place when were by ourselves, were getting less and less practiced at eating with others.

This reality has major implications for our food culture, and for the rising rates of social isolation in the United States. You know what the single greatest predictor of happiness is? Social connectedness. And guess what: Its one of the greatest predictors of longevity, too.

Of course I want people to eat food thats right for them. But we also have to ask ourselves: Which is really going to make us live longer, and live better? The ability to pay more granular attention to our triglyceride levels, or the more holistic benefits of eating with family and friends?

My grandmother turned 100 this year. Between the birthday parties and the bridge club, her standing dinner dates and the three times a day she picks up her neighbors in their retirement home hallway to take their walkers down to the dining hall, a thriving social life is Almas secret to a long life. Whether Im chomping on my salad, face glued to my iPhone, or waving off her breakfast offer by citing the low-glycemic Kind bar I just finished off, she tells me time after time: Shed take the cake and the friendships any day.

Egan is author of Devoured: How What We Eat Defines Who We Are (William Morrow/HarperCollins), recently released in paperback.

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I sent in my DNA to get a personalized diet plan. What I discovered disturbs me. - Washington Post

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At 75 years young, Annette Larkins says the key to radiant youthfulness and physical vitality is a raw vegan diet.

"I know that I'm not going to live forever, but I'm forever trying to live well," Annette said.

She's been a vegetarian for 54 years, but over the last 30 years she has perfected her raw vegan diet. Her plant-based diet does not include any animal products. The food she eats is unprocessed and uncooked. Her dishes include vegetarian nut loaf, zucanni chips, and savory okra crisps. Annette says it's never too late to reap the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

"If you eat something in it's natural raw state, opposed to processing it and cooking it, I think it stands to reason that you'll get more nutrients, Annette said. Your enzymes are intact. That's why I eat the way I do. I may not be considered vegan in all areas because I do consume honey."

Annette has written three journey to health books and appeared on multiple television and radio shows, including "The Steve Harvey Show" and the "Tom Joyner Morning Show."

"I don't consider it a secret. It's my lifestyle," Annette said.

Most of her vegetables and cooking ingredients are grown in her backyard in Miami-Dade County. Growing season in South Florida is from October to May. During this time Annette's garden is full of lettuce, tomatoes, and ginger. Caring for her garden keeps Annette busy.

"You know, I get in like 1,800 steps per day," Annette said.

Amos Larkins is Annette's husband. At 84 years old he takes medication for high blood pressure and diabetes. He only recently caught the vegan bug after 58 years of marriage. Amos wishes he started decades ago after noticing a big difference.

"Oh my God, everything is better. My blood pressure everything," said Amos.

Published 4 hours ago | Updated 2 hours ago

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75-Year-Old Woman Defies Aging Process With Raw Vegan Diet - NBC 6 South Florida

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krutar/shutterstockIts no secret by now that eating too much salt can wreak havoc on your body.But what the heck is iodized salt, and should you be buying it?

For starters, iodine is an element that regulates your thyroid glands, stimulates brain development, and naturally detoxes your body.Most adults need about 150 mcg of iodine per day in order to avoid a deficiency, according to experts.Thankfully, the National Institutes of Healths Office of Dietary Supplements say that Americans and Europeans arewhats called iodine sufficient, meaning their dietis varied enough to provide the necessary levels of iodine. Thats true even if they dont use iodized salt, according to the Institutes research.

But dont relaxjust yet. Iodine deficiencies can be pretty scary, and if you are pregnant, you need to be particularly cautious. The need for iodine increases during pregnancy, because low iodine levels can endanger your babys mental development. Doctors often advise pregnant women to eat dairy products and take vitamin supplements, but you should see your own doctor before making any radical changes to your diet. (Still, you can safely stick with these snacks to eat while pregnant.)

For everyone else, you need not worry too much about your iodine levels. And while its true that you can get your daily intake of iodine from iodized salt, thats not alwaysthe healthiest solution. To reach the recommended level, you would need to eat more than half a teaspoon of iodized salt a day, which is two-thirds of the daily amountof sodium (1,500 milligrams) recommended by the American Heart Association. (These are thesigns youre eating too much sodium.)

Experts recommend gettingyour iodine from food, instead.Good sources of iodineother than iodized salt, of courseinclude fish, dairy products, grains like bread, and fruits and vegetables. Multivitamin pills and seaweed are also rich in iodine. Make any or all of these foods a staple in your diet, andrest assured youre well on your way to an iodine-sufficient life.

Now that your mind is in the kitchen, check out the real difference between baking power and baking soda.

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Iodized Salt Is No Longer a Required Part of a Healthy DietHere's Why - Reader's Digest

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