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Editors Note: In order to help communicate with the citizens of Moore County, Health Department Director Robert Wittmann has partnered with Dr. Paul Kuzma to prepare a series of articles meant to inform the public about COVID-19 and public health.

There has been a lot of information about COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it. Less has been written about how to protect yourself at an individual level.

While there is no way to completely eliminate your risk of contracting COVID-19, or to ensure that you dont get a severe case, there are steps you can take to improve your odds of staying healthy. Here are a few simple ways to reduce your risk while improving your health.

n Optimize your pre-existing health conditions.

It is widely recognized that people with significant medical conditions have worse outcomes and higher death rates if they develop COVID-19. These conditions include: obesity; chronic kidney disease; type 2 diabetes; serious heart disease; COPD; cancer; immune suppression; and sickle cell disease.

While it is not possible to eliminate these diseases in most people, it is possible to optimize them. It is more important than ever to work with your health care providers to get yourself in the best condition possible.

Think of it like preparing to play a big game or run a marathon. The better condition you are in at the start, the better you will fare during the event, and the quicker you will recover afterward. So make sure you see your providers, take your medicines and get your health as optimized as possible. It is safe to go to your doctors office, so dont delay necessary health care.

The most important things you can do for your health are:

n Exercise. Lose excess weight. Stop smoking.

Exercise is probably the single most important thing that anyone can do for their health. Our bodies are machines that are meant to be used. Walking is the easiest and best exercise for most people. If you are able, 30 to 60 minutes of walking at as brisk a pace can work wonders. For those that cant walk, there are exercises that can be done while seated or standing in your home.

Exercise helps with weight loss, diabetes, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, immune function and mental health.

We are fortunate in Moore County to have excellent resources for exercise. If you need professional guidance, there are physical therapists and personal trainers in our community, and FirstHealth has a program called Exercise is Medicine that can help you get started.

n Improve your nutrition with a healthy diet and vitamins.

There have been some interesting findings on the role of vitamin and nutritional deficiencies and their role in the risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe disease. Some deficiencies can impair the normal functioning of our immune system.

Most vitamin and mineral deficiencies are best managed by eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since it is not always possible to meet all of our nutritional needs this way, you may want to consider vitamins. Some suggestions:

Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an important modulator of immune function and a number of researchers recommend optimizing Vitamin D levels to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease. This may also reduce the risk of influenza.

Our body naturally produces Vitamin D when we are exposed to sunlight. It is present in foods, is added to most milk, and is available as a nutritional supplement. The recommended upper limit of daily Vitamin D supplementation is 600-800 international units (15-20 micrograms). High doses of Vitamin D can cause side effects and should be taken only under medical advice.

Zinc. Zinc is available as a supplement and in lozenge form. A review in 2013 found that zinc supplementation reduces the duration and severity of the common cold, which is caused by a corona virus. Correction of zinc deficiency may reduce the severity of COVID-19.

Since zinc has direct antiviral activity, it may be prudent to suck on a zinc lozenge immediately if you feel the beginnings of a sore or scratchy throat. This may inhibit the virus before it can get a foothold in your body. High levels of zinc can cause side effects, so high dose zinc supplementation is not recommended.

Selenium. Selenium is an element that is necessary for cellular function. Research has demonstrated an increase in certain viral infections in people with selenium deficiencies. In China, people who lived in areas with low natural selenium levels had worse outcomes with COVID-19. Selenium is present in some foods and is in many multivitamins. Excess selenium can be toxic so high doses are not recommended.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C is available through diet and supplements. While there is no direct evidence of reduced infection with COVID in people who take Vitamin C supplementation, it plays an important role in immune modification, the bodys inflammatory response, and has antiviral activity.

So do these simple things today to reduce your risk of developing severe COVID-19. Exercise. Eat a healthy diet and include some fresh fruit and vegetables. Consider taking a multivitamin and address any vitamin deficiencies. Suck on a zinc lozenge at the first sign of a sore throat. Get out in the sunshine. Quit smoking. Work with your doctor on your overall health. Take your medicines as prescribed.

It isnt difficult to take some concrete steps today to reduce your risk of severe COVID disease. In fact, these steps are the foundations of good health.

Dr. Paul Kuzma has practiced medicine in Moore County for more than 20 years and is currently completing his Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins University.

Excerpt from:
Column: Simple Things Can Be Done To Guard Against COVID Illness - Southern Pines Pilot

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Casey L. Bradley1, Ph.D.; Tsung Cheng Tsai2, Ph.D.; Richard Mudarra2; Thomas Shau Shieh1, Pharma D.

1 Vitech Bio-chem Corp.; 2University of Arkansas

In modern day nutritional programs for livestock, protein is formulated in respect to bioavailable amino acids and ratios of the essential amino acids to lysine; while at the same time understanding the animal has a defined need for nitrogen or crude protein, beyond these essential amino acids. Historically protein nutrition has evolved down this path primarily due to analytical capabilities of the time.

To meet the nutritional needs of protein and/or amino acids, formulas contain protein-rich feedstuffs, synthetic amino acids and exogenous enzymes to promote digestibility of the feedstuffs. For younger animals, highly digestible protein sources are utilized due to the immature digestive system. Many of these specialty proteins naturally contain peptides, a group of smaller molecular proteins. Peptides are defined as short chains of two to 50 amino acids as oligopeptide, whereas protein is considered any branched chains of amino acids, in a tertiary structure.

As for now, diet formulation for both younger and older animals still remains focused on digestibility of amino acids and ratios, while there is mounting evidence that a balanced approach of peptide to amino acid to protein considerations should be considered, which could enhance digestibility of the diets, and potentially the efficiency or growth of the animal. This review will highlight the evolution of our understanding of protein nutrition.

The evolution of protein nutrition

Protein requirements were recognized in the 1700s by Albrecht von Haller, regarding the need of animal flesh in diets and in 1838 Gerardus Johannes Mulder introduced the term "Proteine." Before the 1950s, protein absorption was "hypothesized" that protein is completely digested into free amino acids and then absorbed or diffused as such. In 1951, Mathews and Smyth found that the absorption of L-amino acids was preferred by energy dependent amino acid transport carriers. Further work found that this "active absorption" was saturable and competitive among different amino acids. Continued research indicated that peptides were absorbed through different mechanisms than free amino acids, which was also found to be more rapid. Advancing analytical technologies also allowed for the observation that digestion in the gastrointestinal tract resulted in mainly small peptides then followed by free amino acids, which is different than earlier studies. Through this continued research, nutritionists can move beyond the "classical hypothesis" of only free amino acids are absorbed and apply the current knowledge of the peptide to amino acid model to meet the animal's protein requirements in diet formulation.

How are peptides absorbed differently than free amino acids?

The peptide absorption mechanisms are 1) cation dependent, energy required peptide transporters, PepT1 and PepT2; 2) endomembrane peptidase that hydrolyze di-, tri-peptides and transport the free amino acids into cell; 3) pinocytosis that envelope the larger peptide molecule and absorbs it intact into the blood stream; and 4) passive diffusion, which as much as 10% to 19% of oligopeptide molecules are absorbed in this manner. Whereas majority of free amino acids will compete with other free amino acids for specific transporters.

Interestingly, it has been demonstrated that feeding a peptide mixture with free amino acids can increase the overall absorption of amino acids. Peptides appear to reduce the competition for specific amino acid transporters, while increasing the speed and overall amount of free amino acids that are absorbed. These effects have been demonstrated in swine, poultry and ruminants.

Classification of peptides

Peptide molecules can be divided into two groups, nutritional and bioactive peptides, or previously known as functional peptides. Nutritional peptides are molecules that are digested further into amino acids. These amino acids are being used for protein synthesis or as an energy source. Bioactive peptide molecules possess biological or physiological functions. These molecules can exert their biological function locally or throughout the body.

Locally active bioactive peptides include antimicrobial peptide in the gastrointestinal tract; exorphine peptide can act on gastrointestinal tract to affect motility, gastric emptying time, satiety, etc.; phosphopeptide can chelate with minerals to enhance their absorption. Other peptides exert their function in the body to lower blood pressure, act as a growth hormone (insulin-like growth factor, glucagon-like growth factor, epidermal growth factor, etc.), counteracting endotoxin effects, modulating immune system. Research is ongoing to further discover biological and physiological functions of peptides in the body, especially for pharmaceutical applications.

Peptide-rich feedstuffs

A wide range of plant and animal protein sources have been used to supply protein in animal feeds, such as soybean meal, canola meal, fish meal and other animal byproducts. A group of proteins that are rich in peptides are spray-dried plasma, spray-dried eggs, dried whey protein and porcine intestinal mucosa. These products are commonly used in livestock feeds for neonates and aqua species, with different levels of inclusion. Not only are these ingredients rich in peptides, but are highly available protein sources, most likely due to their naturally higher percentage of peptides to amino acids.

An evolution of peptide-rich feedstuffs, for both nutritional and health benefits, are classified as bioactive peptides and can be considered as pronutrients. There is a plethora of research involving bioactive peptides for humans and the database is growing for animals as well. Research has shown that plant or animal protein can generate various bioactive peptides by enzyme hydrolysis and other processing techniques, similar to the digestive action of the gastrointestinal tract. Utilizing different types of feedstuffs, one can generate several types and/or amounts of bioactive peptides to be utilized in formulation. Therefore, their use and inclusion rates can vary dependent on the mode of action and animal species or subgroup. Some commonly processed feedstuffs to produce bioactive peptides include milk products, egg products, fish products and soybean meal.

There has also been an evolution of methodologies to generate these nutritional or bioactive peptides. These methods include acid or basic hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, bioengineering and chemical synthesis. For the animal feed industry, the most cost-effective methods are enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation or bioengineering. Acid or basic hydrolysis has many undesirable byproducts that may limit its use without further refining. Chemical synthesis is still cost-prohibitive. Many fermentation byproducts also contain peptides and can be used in feed.

In summary, there is mounting evidence to suggest a different approach to understanding bioavailability or digestibility of protein sources, which include both peptides and free amino acids. The inclusion of peptides has both nutritional and physiological capabilities that could benefit the sustainability of animal production. But further understanding on these modes of actions are needed to optimize the use and acceptance of peptides in animal nutrition.

Read more from the original source:
Are peptides the missing link in protein nutrition? Part 1. - National Hog Farmer

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The world is hurtling toward an unprecedented hunger crisis.

As many as 132 million more people than previously projected could go hungry in 2020, and this years gain may be more than triple any increase this century. The pandemic is upending food supply chains, crippling economies and eroding consumer purchasing power. Some projections show that by the end of the year, COVID-19 will cause more people to die each day from hunger than from virus infections.

What makes the situation unmatched: The massive spike is happening at a time of enormous global food surpluses. And its happening in every part of the world, with new levels of food insecurity forecast for countries that used to have relative stability.

In Queens, New York, the lines snaking around a food bank are eight hours long as people wait for a box of supplies that might last them a week, while farmers in California are plowing over lettuce and fruit is rotting on trees in Washington. In Uganda, bananas and tomatoes are piling up in open-air markets, and even nearly give-away prices arent low enough for out-of-work buyers. Supplies of rice and meat were left floating at ports earlier this year after logistical jams in the Philippines, China and Nigeria. And in South America, Venezuela is teetering on the brink of famine.

Well see the scars of this crisis for generations, said Mariana Chilton, director of the Center for Hunger-Free Communities at Drexel University. In 2120, well still be talking about this crisis.

COVID-19 has exposed some of the worlds deepest inequalities. Its also a determining force in who gets to eat and who doesnt, underscoring global social divides as the richest keep enjoying a breakneck pace of wealth accumulation. Millions of people have been thrown out of work and dont have enough money to feed their families, despite the trillions in government stimulus thats helped send global equities to all-time highs.

On top of the economic malaise, lockdowns and broken supply chains have also created a serious problem for food distribution. The sudden shift away from restaurant eating, which in places like the U.S. used to account for more than half of dining, means farmers have been dumping milk and smashing eggs, with no easy means to redirect their production to either grocery stores or those in need.

Don Cameron of Terranova Ranch in California took a hit of about $55,000 this year on his cabbage crop. Almost half the loss $24,000 came because Cameron decided to donate to local food banks after demand from his usual customers dried up. He had to pay for the labor needed to do the harvesting and truck loading. He even needed to cover the cost of some bins and pallets to get supplies moved. It wouldve been a lot cheaper to just let the crops rot in the field.

We know other parts of the country need what we have here. But the infrastructure has not been set up, as far as Im aware, to allow that. There are times when there is food available and its because of logistics that it doesnt find a home, said Cameron, who still ended up destroying about 50,000 tons of the crop since nearby food banks can only take so much cabbage.

Initial United Nations forecasts show that in a worst-case scenario, about a tenth of the worlds population wont have enough to eat this year. The impact will go beyond just hunger as millions more are also likely to experience other forms of food insecurity, including not being able to afford healthy diets, which can lead to malnutrition and obesity.

The effects will be long lasting. Even in its best-case projections, the UN predicts that hunger will be greater over the next decade than forecast before the pandemic. By 2030, the number of undernourished people could reach as high as 909 million, compared with a pre-Covid scenario of about 841 million.

The current crisis is one of the rarest of times with both physical and economic limitations to access food, said Arif Husain, chief economist with the UNs World Food Programme.

By the end of the year, as many as 12,000 people could die a day from hunger linked to COVID-19, potentially more than those perishing from the virus itself, charity Oxfam International estimates. Thats calculated based on a more than 80% jump for those facing crisis-level hunger.

Projections for increased malnutrition also have a profound human toll. It can weaken the immune system, limit mobility and even impair brain functioning. Children who experience malnutrition early in life can see its impact well into adulthood.

Even the mildest forms of food insecurity have lifelong consequences, said Chilton of the Center for Hunger-Free Communities. Problems with physical and cognitive development in children and adolescents can hamper the chances of staying in school or getting a job, continuing a cycle of poverty.

Government programs, food charities and aid organizations have mobilized across the globe, but the need far outstrips their reach. The UNs WFP aid group alone needs a record $13 billion for the year to deliver food in 83 countries, and at the start of the second half faced a shortfall of $4.9 billion to meet the goal.

Hunger can spark seismic shifts in the political landscape. Going back to the days of the French Revolution, food insecurity has sent people into the streets demanding better conditions. Surging food prices were part of the economic crisis that helped fuel recent protests in Lebanon and demonstrations over shortages erupted in Chile earlier this year.

Deep-seated inequalities along gender and racial lines also correspond to disproportionate impacts from hunger. In the U.S., for example, Black Americans are two-and-a half times as likely as their White counterparts to have low or very low access to enough food for an active and healthy life. Globally, women are 10% more likely to be food insecure than men.

We have to make sure that were addressing gender inequality if the international community is not doing that, we will fail to avoid the worst of the hunger crisis, said Tonya Rawe, a director at hunger relief and advocacy group Care.

Data from the UN show that throughout the world, there are more than enough calories available to meet every individuals needs. But even in the U.S., the richest country in the world, almost 2% of the population, or more than 5 million people, cant afford a healthy diet (one that protects against all forms of malnutrition). More than 3 million Americans cant afford to even meet basic energy needs. In India, 78% of people cant afford healthy diets thats more than 1 billion people. Those figures dont even take into account the pandemic and its lasting effects.

Costs and logistics prevent food surpluses from being easily shifted to areas without. Thats the dilemma faced by potato farmers in Belgium. When freezers filled during the pandemic, most of their spuds werent fit for food banks or grocers. The main variety thats grown to meet demand from places like the countrys famous fry shops get black and blue spots after just a few days, said Romain Cools of industry group Belgapom. Sales to supermarkets quickly stopped after complaints, and a bulk of the regions 750,000-ton surplus was instead used for animal feed or biogas.

Its hard to take surplus milk in Wisconsin and get it to people in Malawi its just not realistic or practical, said William Moseley, a geography professor at Macalester College who serves on a global food-security panel.

Despite the abundant supplies, food is growing more expensive because of bungled supply chains and currency devaluations. Costs are up in parts of Africa and the Middle East and theyre also rising in developed countries, with Europeans and Americans paying extra to stock their fridges.

Even within major food-producing countries, being able to afford groceries is never a given.

Latin America, an agriculturally rich region that exports food to the world, is leading this years surge in hunger, according to the UNs WFP.

In Brazil, a huge cash-distribution program has helped millions and driven poverty rates to historic lows. But that hasnt met all the need. In the countrys northeast, Eder Saulo de Melo worked as a guard at parties until the virus arrived. With events suspended, he hasnt been paid in months. Hes been locked out of the emergency cash program and the 130 reais ($25) he gets in regular monthly aid goes to energy, water and gas bills, leaving little to feed his three children. Baskets of non-perishables, vegetables, bread and eggs from a non-governmental organization are the familys main sustenance.

I needed to stop buying fruit and meat, he said. Instead of a slice of chicken, I buy offal to make a soup.

The hunger estimates for this year have a high degree of uncertainty, and the diseases devastation is largely unknown, the UN cautioned about its figures.

The UNs Food and Agriculture Organization began tracking global hunger in the mid-1970s. Current data cant be compared past 2000 given revisions in methodology, said Carlo Cafiero, team leader for food security statistics. But general trends can be observed, and they show that hunger moved lower over the past several decades until a recent reversal started in 2015, spurred by by climate change and conflicts.

The increases in the last few years are nothing like what is forecast now even the best-case of the UNs tentative scenarios would see hunger surge in 2020 more than the past five years combined. And when looking at other notable periods of need in the world, such as the Great Depression, the level of food surplus that exists today is without comparison thanks to the advent of modern agriculture, which has seen crop yields explode.

Its impossible to look at the situation and not think we have a problem, said Nate Mook, chief executive officer of food-relief group World Central Kitchen. This pandemic has really exposed the cracks in the system and where it starts to break down.

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Hunger may kill more people than COVID this year - Press Herald

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Written by Jayashree Narayanan | Pune | Published: September 2, 2020 5:30:26 pmMira Rajput Kapoor bears it all in an interaction with indianexpress.com. (Source: Mira Rajput/Instagram; designed by Gargi Singh)

Mira Rajput Kapoor needs no introduction. The young mother, who often shares parenting tips to favourite recipes and skincare routines on Instagram, has managed to create a niche following for herself. Recently, Mira shared her kitchen secrets as part of Tata Sampanns #SpiceUpYourHealth campaign where she was seen alongside chef Sanjeev Kapoor, nutritionist Kavita Devgan, and Dr Manoj Nesari, advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of AYUSH, talking about her belief on kitchen spices for health and well-being and how she and her family make it a point to incorporate them in their everyday lives.

She said, I have always been health-conscious, but with the current pandemic, immunity and health have become more important than ever! My go-to spice for immunity-building is haldi. It is such a versatile ingredient and has been known for its immunity-building properties for centuries it blends so well in any kadha. I ensure my family has immunity-boosting haldi-kadha daily I believe it helps spice up our health from within and also the natural oils present in spices further add to their goodness.

From spices to diet and fitness for women, Mira shared a bit more in an email interaction with indianexpress.com.

Excerpts:

How have you been spending your time during lockdown?

I have used this time to bond with everybody at home and I think everybody is spending time in the lockdown doing all the things around the house that we never necessarily gave importance to. Whether it is cooking food, keeping your house a certain way, or spending time with your family; these are things I am enjoying. What I am also enjoying is learning new recipes, cooking food, and spending time with kids, teaching them how to cycle and watching movies/series with Shahid (Kapur; husband), and also catching up with relatives.

What do you enjoy cooking the most?

I cook for my family out of love, and these days it is more often than it used to be before. Its just simple home food every day. Once in a while, we cook pizza with cheese. But I have started to enjoy cooking simple wholesome Indian food.

ALSO READ |From Ayurvedic kadhas to herbal meals: Immunity boosters are now serious business

Your take in common kitchen spices.

I think spices are integral to the Indian way of cooking and associate them with taste. But they also have numerous medicinal properties, and the way Ayurveda explains the uses is far more medicinal than taste. My favorite spice is haldi, because it has got so many benefits and there are so many different ways you can use it. You can use it in your tadka, you can add it to your kadha, you can add it in your milk and even apply it on your skin. The second most important thing for me is the seasoning salt and nothing is more essential than adding salt to your food. Also, I prefer salty food over sweet food so thats why my second favorite ingredient is salt.

Have you been using these spices to build immunity during the pandemic?

One kadha that I have in the morning is made using haldi, ginger, and black pepper in hot water. It helps me spice up my health and boost immunity. It is also extremely refreshing and detoxing.

Can you elaborate on your fitness mantra?

These days people are more worried about immunity, eating wholesome, and staying healthy. For me, fitness is important in all aspects mind, body, and soul. It is a combination of working out, going for a walk, playing with kids, meditation, yoga. All of these things make you physically and mentally fit and sound.

Which is your favourite cuisine?

Most of the time I enjoy eating home food. But whenever I want something different, then I really enjoy Thai food. It is definitely my favourite.

ALSO READ |Lockdown diet: Feel sluggish and have digestive troubles? Avoid these foods

Juggling multiple roles, people tend to overlook me-time. Whats your take?

Me-time is something you should never give up on. And I do not think it applies to only women. Each person needs me time to recharge. But many times women are multi-tasking a lot more and amongst it all, we often forget to have me-time and thats when you realise you are snapping or your mood swings happen and you are not looking at yourself. Me-time allows you to maintain mental and physical balance, which is very important. It allows you to maintain a sense of equilibrium, helps to remain positive and happy. So whether you enjoy exercise, watching a movie, chatting with your friends or maybe look-out for some interesting pieces of jewellery. Anything that you do for yourself, and with yourself is very important. Make sure that your fitness is not restricted to your body but extends to your mind as well and is combined with your diet.

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Excerpt from:
From immunity to diet and fitness: Mira Rajput Kapoor reveals it all - The Indian Express

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"Imagine just not thinking about your body. You're not hating it. You're not loving it. You're just a floating head. I'm a floating head wandering through the world," Jameela Jamil, an actress on NBC's "The Good Place," said during a September 2019 Glamour interview.

The actress, known for calling out the Kardashians for their promotion of diet products, was describing "body neutrality." The concept began in 2015, when former college fitness instructor Anne Poirier created a Body Neutrality Workshop in Vermont.

It's a mindset that challenges the feel-good movement of "body positivity," the concept of loving your body no matter what it looks like. Founders of the fat-acceptance movementof the 1960s coined the term "body positivity" to promote the idea that all bodies, not just ones that fit a slim and Euro-centric standard, are beautiful.

Body neutrality, in contrast, values the facts of what your body does for you over how it looks.

It is a welcome mindset for people who find it impossible to unequivocally love their bodies 24/7, Elizabeth Wassenaar, a psychiatrist and medical director of the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado, told Insider.

Body positivity, Wassenaar said, "can be sometimes a stretch for people because we live in an environment that does not necessarily encourage women feel positive about their bodies." Neutrality feels more attainable and sustainable.

Someone practicing body positivity might say, "I love my body," or, "I feel happy with how my body looks." A person practicing body neutrality might say, "My body can carry me through my favorite hiking trail," or, "I'm able to pick up my child."

It's the personal promise, "even if you're wanting some things to be different, to accept your body as it is today," Wassenaar said. And to do that takes time, patience, and practice.

Think about your values and the life you envision for yourself, Wassenaar said.

A person who loves to be in nature can notice how their body carried them to the top of a trail with a great view of nature, rather than focusing on what their body looks like throughout the hike, or what it might look like after five hikes.

Athletes or gym-lovers who have performance-based goals can use body neutrality to avoid pushing themselves too hard. "Listening to your body to take a rest day or get a massage and observing, 'My body worked really hard and that was important to me to achieve that fitness goal. Now I'm going to observe that my body needs to rest,'" will help, Wassenaar said.

When it comes to eating, do so intuitively, according to Wassenaar. "Intuitive eating requires that you are listening to your body and its cues, and responding to what your body is telling you that it wants," in that moment, she said, whereas a specific diet requires a person disconnect their mind from their body to meet a set of rules they've imposed upon themselves.

Even people who seek change in their bodies through plastic surgery or a regimented diet and exercise plan can work towards a body-neutral mindset, according to Wassenaar.

She said body neutrality is difficult to navigate when we're taught physical beauty can create happiness. But if a person recognizes a smaller physique or nose job won't instantly make them happier, they can find body peace both before and after they change their body.

"When people become overly invested in changing their bodies to change their experiences of the world, it becomes a really dangerous sort of thing that perpetuates itself," Wassenaar said. "Because oftentimes I find that you can't ever change your body enough to make yourself happy."

She said diet and fitness plans that require restriction or pushing your body past its boundaries aren't body neutral. Those plans force a person to hold the diet or fitness plan's specific rules above their body's natural cues for hunger or physical activity.

Before-and-after photos of diet and fitness plans train people to focus on their future selves and make it difficult to feel at peace with your body in the present moment.

Instead, focus on mindfulness for a few minutes every day to promote a mind-body connection, which will help you keep a body-neutral mindset for the long term, Wassenaar said.

She suggested taking brief pauses throughout your day to ask yourself, "What is my body telling me right now?"

Perhaps you'll realize you're thirsty and need a drink of water, or that you're hunching over your computer and would be more comfortable in an upright position.

"The more that you do that, the more that you'll be able to develop that practice and become more tuned to your body and learn how to live at peace in your body. Your body will be more at peace because it's getting what it wants or needs," said Wassenaar.

When your body feels peaceful, you're better able to focus on your personal goals and self-worth, rather than on others' opinions and perceptions of you.

Reaching that state is challenging, but freeing, Wassenaar said.

"It is a tremendous struggle, and it's actually an act of rebellion to say, 'I am going to accept my body as it is and I'm going to work to find peace in my body,' because every message we are getting from society is that we need to change our body in some way, our body is not enough as it is," she said.

Read the original here:
What is body neutrality? The mindset can help you find inner peace - Insider - INSIDER

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energy central

Oil & Gas 360 Publishers Note: Paul writes an excellent article, and the world needs a balanced diet of solar, wind, nuclear, and fossil fuels to get the lowest kWh to all people around the world to help stop poverty.

The US is the worlds largest producer of nuclear power, accounting for more than xx% of worldwide nuclear generation. But that energy option has lost traction. In the past few decades, few plants have been built, and the number coming offline grows. What does the future hold for this energy option?

Nuclear has alluring features. A key one being that its lack of CO2 emissions offers energy providers an alluring alternative to traditional fossil fuels

The Seabrook nucler power station in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy Jim Richmond/ChNPP/Wikipedia

Construction Plans are Stymied

Yet in the past few decades, construction of new US plants has largely ceased. Many existing facilities have been aging, neared the end of their lifecycle, and been closed. New construction has largely ceased because of complex regulations and resistance from opponents, who fear this energy option because of its checkered past.

One example of the challenges is the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia. Two new reactors were supposed to be in commercial operation by the spring of 2016 and 2017 but the project has run into a series of challenges, delays, and problems. The Georgia Power project is reportedly more than $1 billion over budget and new power is not expected to be operational until November 2021 at the earliest.

The South Korean Model

Consequently, its share of the power generation has been shrinking, but it has been making inroads in other countries. For instance, South Korea is now the worlds fifth largest generator of nuclear power, despite being a country that is the size of Indiana.

In 2019, South Koreas nuclear fleet generated 139 Terawatthours (TWh) of electricity, making it the fifth-largest nuclear power producer in the world and accounting for 26% of the countrys total electricity generation. With 24 operating nuclear reactor units, South Korea has the highest density of nuclear reactors (defined as the number of reactors per square mile) in the world.

Most of South Koreas nuclear reactors are located at two complexes in the densely populated southeastern part of the country, near the cities of Gyeongju, Ulsan, and Busan, which are major electricity demand centers and home to many heavy manufacturing plants.The country has four reactors under construction at two other sites, Shin Kori and Shin Hanul, which will add another 5.3 GW of nuclear generation capacity.

What Next?

Nuclear power has the potential to act as a CO2 bridge from traditional fossil fuels to renewables. However, the option in the US has been stymied by project delays, cost overruns, regulatory constraints, and public resistance. What do you think the future for nuclear in the US?

See original here:
Does Nuclear Fit in the Future Grid? - It should be part of the balanced diet of power - EnerCom Inc.

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The only way to achieve something in life, is through single-minded devotion to that particular goal, and constant hard work to help you reach it. A workout regime is no different. There is a reason why it is referred to as the fitness lifestyle and not just a fitness hobby. Sometimes, however, its hard to stay motivated all the time, especially when the world is in the throes of a global pandemic that has stranded everyone at home. Most public places have remained closed during the coronavirus-led lockdown, particularly gyms and sports clubs.

For motivation, we can look to some of the most recognisable faces in the Hindi film industry, who despite being 40 or above have not let themselves slack for even a moment. Not only do these actors excel in their craft, they are all family men who not only inspire their children but us as well, to keep pushing and working hard for our fitness goals. Their Instagram pages are littered with their workout pictures and regimes that are certain to keep anyone motivated.

Akshay Kumar

The actor may be 52 but he has never been fitter in his life. He is easily one of the most good looking and fittest of all Bollywood celebrities. He sets such fitness goals for himself that he is the only one capable of pulling them off. From performing his own stunts, swimming with weights, working out with wooden beads, doing gymnastics, and training in martial arts, Akshay Kumar has done it all and then some. His diet is completely vegan and consists of only home-cooked meals.

Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar has gone through many body transformations for his various roles. For his upcoming role as a boxer in Toofan, he once again gained 15 kilos in 6 weeks. With abs that could cut glass and rock-hard biceps, he is the epitome of fitness currently. In an interview, Farhan Akhtar also commented, For me, fitness is a way of life and not just a routine. Irrespective of my craft, I choose to live a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. Ive always refrained from indulging in things that could have adverse effects on my body.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan has been the talk of the entire industry in terms of his physique and dancing abilities since his debut in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000). And there has yet to be a moment where he has disappointed. Roshan works hard and eats right to ensure that his body keeps looking the way it does and even though the actor turned 46 this year, he definitely does not look it. His work out regime includes high intensity cardio and weight training and he is a firm believer in eating small meals at regular intervals to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor is keeping as fit at the age of 63 as he was at 33. The actor can be spotted at the gym various times in a week through his Instagram and he is looking finer by the day. To such an extent that it is often hard to believe that he is the father of 35-year-old Sonam Kapoor. People often joke about how he looks younger than this son-in-law, Anand Ahuja. If you are looking for inspiration to get your own body transformation under way, look no further than Anil Kapoors Instagram page.

Saif Ali Khan

At the age of 49, Saif Ali Khan is still giving all of us not just fitness but lifestyle goals. Saif Ali Khan is not just a man of many talents but also a doting father to his 3 children, and a fourth on the way. To keep in shape for his roles in Laal Kaptaan and Sacred Games, Saif followed a balanced diet that includes rice, dal and vegetables and mixed it up with yoga and cardio when it comes to working out. A behind-the-scenes video of Laal Kaptaan was shared by the makers, showcasing just how hard he worked to get into the skin of his character.

Arjun Rampal

There are very few men who look as dashing as Arjun Rampal does, even at the age of 47. Of the many things he is known for in Bollywood, his ripped physique is certainly on the top of the list. He keeps himself fit through various outdoor exercises like running, swimming, playing sports like football and even practising karate. He is not that much of a stickler when it comes to his diet as he is a complete foodie. He also commented that thanks to his good metabolism, his unwanted fat intake is easily burnt away.

Sonu Sood

Sonu Sood is one person who goes above and beyond to maintain his fitness and also encourages others to do the same. On his birthday, the actor gave away free gym memberships to fitness enthusiasts in Mumbai, Nagpur, Delhi, and Punjab. In an interview he also said that, It makes me happy when they send me pictures of themselves getting fitter, and a lot of their health problems healed. These are the things that give me a high and feel that Im doing something good.

Suniel Shetty

Another gym enthusiast, even at the age of 58, Suniel Shetty is looking fitter than ever. For him fitness has always been a priority and his workout routine includes a bit of everything, like yoga, weight training, cardio and other outdoor activities. He also recently joined a nationwide wellness campaign called WIN (Wellness Indoors Now) that encourages people to stay fit and improve their lifestyle from the comfort of their homes. He also did a TVshow called Indias Asli Champion a few years ago, a reality stunt show to find the fittest Indian.

Shahid Kapoor

Though this talented actor may not be 40 yet, he certainly is on the right track when it comes to overall fitness. The 39-year-old actor may have started his career in Bollywood as a fresh-faced sweetheart but has quickly transformed into the heartthrob we know and love today. Shahid loves to experiment with his workout regime which include planks, push-ups, dead-lifts, cardio and weight training. He works out for more than 2 hours a day for 6 times a week and if that is not dedication, we dont know what is.

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Bollywood Dads: Celebrity fathers over 40 who are setting lockdown fitness goals - Hindustan Times

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Ancient grains, which are described by the advocacy group Whole Grains Council as those that have been largely unchanged over the last several hundred years, have become quite the contemporary commodity. Over the past decade, grains like buckwheat, spelt, millet and, of course, the ever-present quinoa have become starchy staples on wellness-minded restaurant menus as well as many personal grocery lists.

Given the many nourishing qualities attributed to ancient grains, its ironic that the grain packing the most powerful punch when it comes to health benefits happens to be the smallest in actual size and the newest available on the U.S. market fonio.

Adam Bartos

Fonio is good for your health.

Ancient grains, in general, are coveted for their nutritional value. Much more beneficial to the body than some of the most widely used varieties of rice, corn and wheat which have undergone centuries of breeding ancient grains offer an abundance of advantageous vitamins and nutrients.

DJ Blatner, a Chicago-based registered dietitian, nutritionist and winning trainer on the 2016 ABC competition series My Diet Is Better Than Yours, recommends adding ancient grains to your diet for their stress-fighting B vitamins, magnesium for muscle health, blood-building iron, and fiber for regularity and gut health. She advises that ancient grains can help feed good bacteria in our gut and healthier gut bacteria can help with everything from digestion to immunity to mood. Ancient grains are also known to be relatively high in protein, which is beneficial for anyone on a plant-based diet.

But fonio, specifically, goes above and beyond most ancient grains in many nutritional categories.

Native to West Africa and considered the seed of the universe by ancient Egyptians, fonio has been grown in that region for over 5,000 years and is likely Africas oldest cultivated grain. This tiny member of the millet family is much more nutritious than its larger kin and most other grains, for that matter. Its a great source of complex carbohydrates. Fonio is also a gluten-free grain with a low glycemic index, making it ideal for gluten-sensitive eaters and those who monitor their blood sugar.

Osarieme Eweka via Getty Images

Fonio also fares much better than its fellow grains in calorie count. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of cooked fonio has 140 calories vs. 216 calories per cup of brown rice, 300 calories per cup of wheat pasta and 222 calories per cup of quinoa. Fonio is also high in the amino acids methionine and cysteine, both of which promote healthy hair, skin and nail growth but are not present in any other grain.

Its good for the planet, too.

As beneficial to the body as fonio is, how its grown helps the environment as well. Fonio is generally a product of climate-smart agriculture that is, farming practices that sustainably increase productivity while reducing greenhouse gases.

Pierre Thiam, co-founder and president of Yoll Foods (a Brooklyn, New York-based fonio brand available at Whole Foods and Thrive Market), explained that fonio seeds are typically broadcast in soil, meaning theyre scattered by hand over soil that has been lightly prepared. Growing the grain requires no deep plowing, which is harmful to the soil.

The resilient little seeds also tolerate a wide variety of soil types, varying rainfall levels and assorted elevations. Fonio is part of a traditional crop rotation in countries like Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal, which are among the largest producers of the grain.

Thiam, who is a New York-based chef, seeks not only to return fonio to its original glory that had been stifled by colonization, but also to ensure that the regions that produce it, like his native Senegal, benefit long term from the grains global expansion.

Like quinoa, fonio has the potential to be a huge economic boon for the small farms that grow it. But Thiam cautioned, We are hoping to avoid quinoas disruptive boom and bust cycle, which posed problems for growing communities. He said his company contracts with farmers to buy their crops at attractive prices while also working with them to help them increase their productivity and thus their profits.

What it tastes like and how to eat it.

If fonios nutritional benefits, environmental advantages and potential to financially assist the economy of African nations isnt enough of a draw, the grains taste and texture, coupled with its foolproof and speedy preparation, should definitely seal the deal.

Thiam described fonio as light and fluffy with a slightly nutty, earthy flavor. He said that it soaks up spices and sauces beautifully and that it can replace any grain in your favorite recipes ... you can even use it in baked goods.

The recipe below should give you perfectly cooked fonio in approximately 6 minutes. However, all is not lost if for some reason it doesnt go to plan. Thiam said its a very forgiving grain: Fonio never embarrasses the cook!

His advice: If it comes out too soggy, leave it on the heat for a little bit longer to cook off the liquid. If its dry, add a spoonful of water, cover, and cook for one minute.

How to cook fonio.

In a pot with a lid, coat 1/2 cup fonio with 1 tablespoon oil. Turn heat to high, add 3/4 cup water (or low-sodium vegetable stock for savory dishes) and bring to a boil.

Add a pinch of salt, stir, cover and turn heat to low for 1 minute.

Turn off heat and let sit covered 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve hot or cold.

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Fonio: Try This Nutrient-Packed Ancient Grain When You're Over Quinoa - HuffPost

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"Expanding into new markets has been a goal for a long time and we are confident were taking all the necessary measures and steps to move forward"

ST. LOUIS St. Louis-based Pilates studio PLNK is expanding outside the metro area with fitness studios to open later this year and 2021.

Founder Brooke Meek will open PLNK in Omaha, Nebraska, on Oct. 3 and Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Oct. 10. More fitness studios are slated to open in Memphis; Des Monies, Iowa; and northwest Arkansas in 2021.

The new studios will employ 8-10 instructors and 10-15 part-time support staff. The Omaha studio will have 2,200 square feet with 12 Lagree Method Megaformer machines, private bathrooms and a kids area while Tulsa will have 2,400 square feet with 14 Megaformer machines, private bathrooms and a kids area.

We chose markets with similar demographics as St. Louis, said Meek, adding that PLNK (pronounced "plank") is on target to record annual revenue of $2 million by the end of 2021.

The Omaha and Tulsa studios were slated to open in July but production delays due to Covid-19 on the Pilates machines PLNK uses pushed back the opening dates, Meek said.

"Opening a business (or) new location is always risky and even more risks have been tossed in due to the pandemic. Expanding into new markets has been a goal for a long time and we are confident were taking all the necessary measures and steps to move forward," she said.

Meek opened PLNK in 2016 and has locations in Frontenac and the Central West End. PLNK specializes in the Lagree Method of fitness which offers a low impact, high-intensity Pilates-inspired total body workout.

The U.S. fitness industry is a $32 billion market, according to a 2019 report from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

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St. Louis-based PLNK fitness studio to expand to new locations - KSDK.com

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By Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor

Raleigh, N.C. With indoor gyms currently closed due to the coronavirus, many people are seeking ways to still be active while being socially distant.

That's where fit RDU comes in. The company offers outdoor fitness classes in three Raleigh parks.

"We're a one stop shop for all types of fitness," fit RDU founder Libby Burton said.

Classes are held at Lions Park (516 Dennis Ave.), Midtown Park at North Hills (100 Chowan Cir.) and north Raleigh at Honeycutt Park (1032 Clear Creek Farm Drive).

People need to bring their own towels, water bottles, exercise mats and light weights (1 to 5 lbs). And if you don't have weights, no problem.

"We've had people bring gallons of water. We've had people bring cans of stuff. Things that they were doing in virtual classes to the park with them to use for a little extra strength training," Burton said.

Classes include fitYOGA, fitYOGA SCULPT, fitCORE and fitHIIT. More classes are being added in the coming months.

Workout stations are placed eight feet apart and masks are required before and after classes and anytime social distance cannot be maintained.

Burton said all fitness levels are welcome.

I want to remove the shame that is so often connected to exercise; there arent before and after photos or talk about bikini bods here, she said. Its beneficial for all of us physically and mentally to get out and move our bodies, especially right now with everything going on in our country. We should be able to do that with only positive self-talk. The body you have right now, is exactly the body youre meant to have today. And getting up, getting motivated to attend a class, thats amazing. Lets focus on and celebrate that."

People can see the class schedule and sign up for classes via the fit RDU app. The app also allows customers to "friend" each other so they can sign up for classes together.

"We need to connect with one another now more than ever. And so the app actually lets you friend each other," Burton said.

Individual classes can be booked and there is also unlimited class membership available.

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New business focuses on outdoor fitness in the Triangle - WRAL.com

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