Online course to explore the amazing biological systems that keep us alive

The Physiological Society, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, have designed a free online course: ‘Physiology: the Science of Life’ to explore the amazing biological systems that keep us alive. The course is open for enrolment now and starts on 25 September 2017.

The course is designed for anyone who wants to gain an insight into how our bodies work. It will be of particular relevance to 16-19 year olds studying biology, and considering a subsequent undergraduate degree such as medicine, dentistry or the life sciences. Students will boost their understanding in key areas including cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems and explore career opportunities. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge of how the body works and learn about cutting-edge science.

Learners will have the opportunity to discuss the material with fellow participants, giving everyone the chance to become part of a community of thousands and interact with other learners from across the globe.

The course is hosted by online learning platform FutureLearn. It lasts three weeks and material each week takes around four hours to complete, which learners can complete at their own convenience in bite-sized chunks.

Physiologist Dr Terry Gleave, programme director for Human Physiology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool and lead educator of the course, said:

“I love physiology as it is all about investigating how things in nature work. If we are to design effective new treatments, then we must first understand the detailed workings of the human body all the way down to the cellular and molecular processes. This innovative programme has been built in-house by our Centre for Educational Development and Support Team. We have used state of the art technology to create a fun and engaging programme packed with videos, quizzes and resources including timelines of the histories of each of the systems covered. “

The Physiological Society’s Dr Sarah Hall said:

“This exciting course will enable learners to explore the fascinating physiological systems that keep us alive. It is ideal for young people considering studying physiology, as a resource for teachers, or for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of how the body works.”

Nigel Smith, Head of Content at FutureLearn said:

“At FutureLearn, we want to help everyone fulfil their potential by transforming access to education. We’re thrilled that The Physiological Society and the University of Liverpool are making such an interesting and complex topic accessible to all, whether it’s those looking to enhance their understanding of life sciences in preparation for university, or simply anyone with an interest in life sciences and how the body works.”

As with all FutureLearn courses, learners can study the course for free, or there is the option to upgrade for a fee to get extra benefits including a Certificate of Achievement when you complete the course.

Link to course: bit.ly/physiologymooc

                          Will cosmetic surgery actually help my confidence?

In Australia plastic surgery has become commonplace over the past several years, and people are turning to plastic surgeons more and more often now in the hopes of solving their self-esteem issues. Unfortunately, many people do not consider the mental and emotional toll that making a significant change to their bodies can have.

There are instances when plastic surgery can have a positive impact on your self-image, but it is important to be objective when you are deciding whether or not plastic surgery is right for you. This post will cover some of the positive and negative outcomes for people who have had procedures done to help you decide if cosmetic surgery will boost your confidence.

What the Research Says

Because of cosmetic surgery's booming popularity, psychologists have taken a more serious interest in the mental and emotional well-being of post-operative patients.

The American Psychological Association, or APA, conducted an analysis of 37 studies done on people who have had cosmetic procedures. These studies focused on how patients felt and functioned both before and after their surgery.

The research showed mixed results. Overall, many of the participants had positive outcomes, which means that they felt better about their appearance, had greater confidence in themselves and got an overall boost in their quality of life. In fact, one study showed that cosmetic surgery can potentially reduce the symptoms of depression in some people.

However, there were quite a few people who experienced problems adjusting to their new look, and this led to worsening depression, anxiety and social isolation. Many patients underestimate the difficulty of having to spend a significant amount of time recovering, so be sure that you fully understand how your recovery will progress before committing to a procedure. It is also very helpful to have a strong support system in place to keep your spirits up and help you through any difficulties you may experience.

How to Get the Most From Your Cosmetic Procedure

Luckily, all of this research has exposed a common thread between patients who experience the best outcomes post-surgery.

The key factor in all of this research is expectations. Psychologists have found that those with realistic expectations are the most likely to receive the confidence boost they are looking for and experience few, if any, negative feelings.

The Clinical Psychological Science journal has published research that shows that people who have realistic expectations when going under the knife have higher self-esteem, feel healthier overall and experience less anxiety than people who have never had plastic surgery.

Every cosmetic surgeon will do his or her best to help you achieve your goals, but it is also the surgeon's job to keep you grounded in reality so that you can be as happy with your new self as possible.

You should also carefully and honestly consider your emotional state when you are making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. In Australia plastic surgery consultations and "cooling-off" periods are part of the process, which can help you make sure that you are in a healthy place mentally before you make a drastic change to your appearance.

Whether you want a Brazilian butt lift, a lip injection or fat reduction, it is important to think through the reasons why you want these procedures. Any change to your appearance should be done because it is what you want and not because of someone else's opinion of you.

If you don't think you can be objective, it is perfectly normal to discuss these things with someone you trust or even with your cosmetic surgeon during your initial consultation.

Will Cosmetic Surgery Actually Help My Confidence?

This is something that you and your cosmetic surgeon must decide together. Remember that changing your outward appearance is usually not going to solve emotional problems or change how a person feels about you, so you must carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if changing your appearance is what you want.

If you're hoping that a Brazilian butt lift will help you feel sexier or that getting rid of some stubborn fat will let you fit into the bikini of your dreams, then there is a good chance that those procedures will give you the happiness and confidence boost you are looking for.

Altering your appearance to better fit the mental image you have of yourself can be a rewarding and confidence-boosting experience as long as you are honest with yourself and keep realistic expectations about what a cosmetic procedure can and cannot do for you.

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1851945/

[2] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/crackdown-on-cosmetic-surgery-includes-cooling-off-periods/7394774

[3] http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep05/surgery.aspx

[4] http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/plastic-surgery-boosts-happiness-unreasonable-expectations-article-1.1286078

We all love a good quiz!  So, in honor of PCOS Awareness Month (September) and to bring attention and answers to the 116 million women living with distressing symptoms of irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, infertility, acne, hair loss, increased facial hair growth--vastly because of hormone imbalances, Dr. Fiona McCulloch has created a quiz that will help pinpoint your symptoms to determine which factors are most important to treat in your presentation of PCOS.

The quiz is available online and in her book, 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS. Sample portions are below. 

A veteran speaker and easy-to-understand academic, in an educational and eye-opening interview, a PCOS sufferer herself, Dr. McCulloch can also discuss:

• What the main signs are of PCOS and how a woman would know if she has it
• What the best diet is for a woman with PCOS
• How PCOS changes through a woman’s lifespan and it looks like in teenagers, reproductive years or after menopause
• What the different types of PCOS are and how to know which one you have
• If women with PCOS can get pregnant and what is unique about their reproductive health
• If there are any supplements or natural treatments that can work for PCOS

SAMPLE SECTIONS OF THE PCOS QUIZ:

Inflammation Quiz

Inflammation is a key factor. All women with PCOS have it. As you’ll see below, you will either have moderate or severe inflammation.

1. I have pain in my body, such as neck pain, back pain, knee pain, or headaches.

2. I have skin rashes, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or allergic dermatitis.

3. I have chronic digestive problems, such as bloating, diarrhea, ulcers, reflux, or indigestion.

4. I have asthma or allergies.

5. I’m constantly tired and lethargic.

6. I eat a diet that is not based on whole foods and contains many processed foods and sugars.

7. I have a family member with an autoimmune disease.

8. I have been formally diagnosed with PCOS.

If you have answered yes to five to eight of these, it’s likely you have severe inflammation. If you’ve answered yes to one to four of these, it’s likely you have moderate inflammation.

Hormone Balance Quiz

1. My cycles are or have been thirty-five days or longer for significant periods of time in my life.

2. I’ve had polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.

3. I ovulate late in my cycle—around day eighteen or later.

4. I’ve needed to take medications to help me ovulate.

5. The medications intended to help me ovulate didn’t work on at least one occasion.

6. I’ve had a high anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) reading on a blood test.

7. I’ve had a high luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio on a day-three blood test.

8. I have had low progesterone readings on bloodwork.

If you have answered yes to any of these, you have the ovulation factor to a significant

degree.

Thyroid Quiz

1. I feel cold compared to others around me.

2. I feel tired a lot or exhausted without reason.

3. I do not lose weight easily, despite dieting and exercising.

4. I am constipated.

5. I have dry, flaky skin.

6. I’m losing hair: It is brittle, coarse, and dry. Or, I am losing the outer

eyebrow hair.

7. My nails are brittle.

8. I’m depressed or anxious.

9. I have chronic muscle and joint pains.

10. I feel pressure or swelling in my neck, have difficulty swallowing, and my voice has become hoarse.

11. I have a family member with thyroid disease or an autoimmune disease.

12. I have high cholesterol that does not respond to diet changes or medication.

13. I have unexplained changes in my weight, unrelated to my lifestyle.

14. I have changes in my memory and concentration.

15. I have had abnormal thyroid testing results (including autoimmune thyroid antibody testing) or am taking thyroid medication already.

If you have answered yes either to number fifteen alone, or to ten to fifteen of these, you have a significant thyroid factor. If you haven’t been tested, you should be. If you have answered yes to five to nine of these, you have signs of a moderate thyroid factor and lab testing is warranted. If you have answered yes to one to four of these, you have some signs of a thyroid factor and lab testing is warranted.

Toronto, August 31st, 2017 - This Autumn, PANDORA reveals ‘DO See The Wonderful’, a multifaceted campaign set to inspire women to see the wonderful in their everyday. To bring this concept to life, PANDORA reveals the results of its partnership with three renowned photographers – Sandra Semburg, Liz Sunshine and Meredith Jenks. Triggered by a global research study that found 80% of women are inspired by photography which celebrate life’s everyday triumphs, these photographers were challenged to capture candid imagery of women from all over the world enjoying everyday moments. The campaign launches in conjunction with the Autumn 2017 collection – a selection of beautiful, hand-finished jewellery designed to mark the wonderful in women’s lives. The images are now showcased  on  PANDORA.net,  @theofficialpandora  social  channels  and in stores worldwide.

Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) launching month-long campaign for Arthritis Awareness Month

SOURCE Arthritis Research Canada

Canada's National e-Prescribing Service Launching Soon

SOURCE Canada Health Infoway

Media Advisory: FMCG Industry Heads to Centre Mont Royal, Montréal for Sustainable Retail Summit

MONTRÉAL AND PARIS, August 30, 2017 – The Consumer Goods Forum, the global association that brings together consumer goods retailers and manufacturers with the ambition of driving positive change and improving consumer trust, will hold its 2^nd Sustainable Retail Summit at the Centre Mont Royal in Montréal from 2^nd-3^rd October 2017.

Journalists can register for free by contacting Lee Green, Director, Communications at The Consumer Goods Forum. The event will also include a limited number of media partners. For further information, please contact Lee Green.

WHO: The Consumer Goods Forum, FMCG industry and external stakeholders, including government and NGO representatives. The event is also open to FMCG companies who are not members of The Consumer Goods Forum.

Speakers include senior executives from international companies that include Ahold Delhaize, Burt's Bees, Campbell Soup Company, Danone, Grupo Bimbo, Kellogg's, Marks and Spencer, METRO, Nestlé S.A., Sainsbury's, PepsiCo, Tesco, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever and Walmart. Meanwhile, several Canadian companies will be joining their international peers as they look to showcase how the consumer goods industry in Canada is delivering on its responsibilities to protect consumers and the planet. Local speakers include:

• Darrell Jones, President, Save-On-Foods
• Shelley Martin, President & CEO, Nestlé Canada Inc.
• Michael Pilato, GM, The Clorox Company of Canada Ltd.
• François Tasmowski, Senior Director, Global Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, McCain Foods Limited
• Marie-Claude Bacon, Director, Corporate Affairs, Metro Inc.
• Alain Brandon, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Government Relations, Loblaws;
• Scott Tudor, Director, National Procurement, Sobeys Inc.; and
• David Wilkes, Senior Vice President, Retail Council of Canada

WHAT: The 2^nd Sustainable Retail Summit, following on from the successful Paris edition.

WHEN: October 2-3, 2017

WHERE: Centre Mont Royal, 2200 Rue Mansfield, Montréal, QC H3A 3R8, Canada

WHY: The consumer goods industry is facing a clear call to action. People are demanding sustainable products and want to live healthier lives, and they expect the industry to deliver. At the same time, the UN Sustainable Development Goals demand co-ordinated industry action. These demands, together with an uncertain political environment and ever-more complex supply chains, mean it's harder than ever to know how to implement strategies and actions that will secure the long-term, sustainable growth of your business.

However, thanks to The Consumer Goods Forum and its Sustainable Retail Summit, there is now a unique opportunity to learn first-hand how companies are taking positive actions and collaborating to overcome today's biggest industry challenges. From eradicating forced labour, reducing and measuring food loss and waste to supporting healthier diets and lifestyles, the Sustainable Retail Summit provides practical sessions on how to implement change and meet these challenging demands head on.

'Carnivore-approved' recipe book The Edgy Veg
turns traditional vegan cuisine upside down with delicious twists on classic comfort foods & fast food favs

The Edgy Veg cover

Sick Cows

The Grass-fed Antidote

“Most beef cattle in the U.S. are morbidly obese and likely suffer from diabetes and fatty livers,” said Mark A. Kastel, Cornucopia’s senior farm policy analyst. “Very few would survive to old age if not sent to slaughter.”

Like people, a cow’s diet and environment strongly influences its health. The conventional U.S. beef production system depends on a network of farmers and ranchers who raise cattle on grain, with access to pasture, for the initial portion of their lives. But the final “finishing” months of a beef animal’s life is invariably spent wading through manure and mud on massive, crowded, grass-free feedlots, where thousands of other animals are fattened on GMO corn-based feed.

“These animals have evolved to eat grass and other fresh plants. High production grain-based rations, along with routinely administered drugs to promote growth and stave off the inevitable illness from their unnatural diet and living conditions, makes factory-produced animals sick,” added Cornucopia’s Kastel, who narrates the video. “Sadly, this conventional beef is what many will be grilling up on Labor Day weekend.”

But Americans don’t have to eat meat from sick animals. There is a more humane, healthy alternative: 100% grass-fed organic beef, available at your local co-op, specialty retailer, or farmers market.

While both USDA certified organic and grass-fed beef offer significant benefits compared to products produced by cows confined to a feedlot, these two labels are different. USDA certified organic cattle must be fed entirely certified organic feed, which means the pastures must be certified along with any grain and hay the cattle are fed. None of the feed, including the pastures on which the cattle graze, can be sprayed with dangerous pesticides or herbicides. In addition, organic beef cattle cannot receive antibiotics, growth-promoting hormones, or other drugs banned in organic farming.

Also, unlike conventional ruminants, organic cattle must comply with certain minimum grazing requirements. If beef carries a “100% grass-fed” label, it usually means that the cattle were fed exclusively grass, hay, and other forage. However, beef that carries a grass-fed label, but not the USDA organic seal, may receive antibiotics and hormones, and could be fed grass and forage that was sprayed with synthetic pesticides.

Consumers seek out both organic and grass-fed products because of their benefits to human health, animal welfare, and the environment. A high percentage of green forage in a beef animal’s diet imparts much higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the meat, and animals grazed on fresh green forage produce beef with more conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) as compared to grain-fed cows. These fatty acids have proven human health benefits. Eating grass-fed meat and dairy is among the most effective ways for humans to increase the amount of these beneficial fatty acids in their diets.

As ruminants, cattle evolved to eat mainly grass and other fresh vegetation. The microbiome in the rumen, a part of their digestive systems, excels at breaking down fiber to provide the animal with easily absorbed nutrients. Despite this, for economic reasons, most beef produced in the U.S. is grain-fed. Eating grain disrupts the normal digestive process, changing the pH in the rumen, resulting in physiological stress. This “acidosis” from grain-based diets facilitates the growth of harmful microorganisms, including dangerous strains of E. coli, and metabolic disease in animals. Feeding cattle a diet composed primarily of grass not only prevents acidosis and its associated health problems, but grazing promotes cattle’s overall physical and mental health and creates safer meat.

But consumers should be aware, greenwashing tactics are common with grass-fed labeling. A simple “grass-fed” label without any other qualifiers can just mean that the product was derived from livestock that received some portion of its diet from grass. That animal could have still received some grain, and may have been completely “finished” on grain, which negates many of the health benefits associated with prior grass feeding. However, a label with “100% grass-fed” language should close this loophole, due to basic laws regarding truthfulness in food labeling.

“One of the reasons we recommend organic certification for meat and dairy labeled ‘100% grass-fed’ is the benefit of independent, third-party oversight and federal law assuring the accuracy of the claims,” Kastel said.

“Looking for the organic seal also ensures that you know what you are getting. There is a high percentage of grass-fed meat being imported from countries that might not uphold the same high standards as the U.S. ‘100% grass-fed,’ certified organic, and locally produced is the gold standard when shopping,” Kastel added.

Consumers interested in the threefold benefits to human, environmental, and animal health and welfare, should look for beef that carries both the USDA organic seal and a 100% grass-fed label. 100% grass-fed organic beef from local farmers ensures the greatest nutrition and minimizes exposure to agrichemicals, antibiotics, and growth hormones. A cooking tip for Labor Day barbeques: 100% grass-fed beef naturally has less fat, so don't overcook on the grill to enjoy that perfect, juicy, beefy burger taste.