In new study published this month, a research team claims to have found evidence that a contagious virus can contribute to obesity.
The team found that a specific human adenovirus Ad-37 seems to trigger obesity in chickens. Previous studies had linked other adenoviruses — Ad-36 and Ad-5 — to obesity in animals.
These and other adenoviruses cause colds and other common illnesses in people. There are about 50 of them, according to the team leader, Leah D. Whigham of the University of Wisconsin. Three have now been linked to obesity, and Whigham says the others need to be studied for similar effects.
“There is quite a bit of already published data with Ad-36 and its association with obesity,” she said. “If you look at obese people, more of them have antibodies to Ad-36 than lean people. ”
The report is in the January issue of the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology – http://ajpregu. physiology. org
One of the long term objectives of researchers is to create a vaccine that would combat the effects of these viruses. This would, presumably, help people fight obesity.
Traditional Causes of Obesity
Not surprisingly, other experts in the field of obesity are sceptical of the quest to pin the cause on viruses. According to the traditional view of obesity, its primary cause is quite simple. A person gains weight when he or she consumes more calories than they burn.
This involves two important factors — diet and activity level. In countries like the U. S. where obesity has reached epidemic proportions, common diets are oozing with more fat and sugar than ever before. People are also generally less acitve and involved in sedentary activities such as sitting in front of computers all day, and in front TV screens all night.
Some Facts about Obesity
Generally speaking, a person is considered “obese” when his or her health is endangered by the amount of fat stored in his or her body endangers. Here are some recent OECD statistics that show just how widespread the problem of obesity is:
Percentage of Population ( 15 years old) who are obese
U. S. A. – 30. 6%
Mexico – 24. 2%
U. K. – 22. 4%
Australia – 21. 7%
New Zealand – 17%
Canada – 14. 9%
Germany – 12. 9%
France – 9. 4%
That means, almost 1 in 3 Americans and about 1 in 5 Australians are so severely overweight that they have health problems because of their weight.
Obesity is now the most significant contributor to ill health worldwide.
Researchers and health officials have attributed a wide range of illneses to obesity. These include type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, asthma, back and lower extremity weight-bearing degenerative problems, depression, and even certain types of cancer.
In the United State overweight and obesity have become an epidemic. Recent statistics show that approximately 127 million adults are overweight, 60 million are obese, and 9 million are severely obese.
This is a trend that has been accelerating at least since the 1970s. In just 24 years (1976 to 2000) the percentage of overweight adults in the U. S. went from 46% to 64. 5%. And in just 12 years (1988 to 2000) the percentage of severely obese adults in the U. S. went from 2. 9% to 4. 7%.
Archive for December, 2009
Study Says Obesity May Be Caused By Virus
December 31st, 2009Homeopathy College: Studies in America
December 31st, 2009Find Homeopathy College programs in the United States and Canada. If you’re interested in alternative medicine and would like to pursue a natural healthcare education, then enrolling in a homeopathy college might be a good choice for you.
At a homeopathy college, students will learn a broad spectrum of natural healing modalities including comprehensive coursework in the history and philosophy of homeopathy. Classes will often encompass studies in the origins of homeopathy, Law of Similars, remedies (including material medica: plant, mineral and animal substances), case receiving and analysis, pharmacy, potency and dosage guidelines, and practice management. In addition, students at a homeopathy college will engage in clinical training where they will gain a better understanding in how to effectively analyze and apply homeopathic remedies in a practical setting.
Other subject matter provided through a homeopathy college will commonly include studies in biotherapies, human anatomy and physiology, and natural health. Students who successfully graduate from a homeopathy college can work toward attaining certification and/or licensure. To become certified, graduates will have to take a certification exam that contains theoretical, practical, case submission and oral interview parts. * (According to the Council for Homeopathic Certification) Furthermore, certification exam candidates must have acquired at least 500 hours of formal training through a homeopathy college or school, in addition to being current in CPR certification, as well as college level education in anatomy and physiology. While licensure is not always necessary, some states do require practicing homeopaths to be licensed by a state board.
Professional physicians, such as MDs, Dos, and other primary healthcare providers may opt to enroll in a homeopathy college where they can take a homeopathy course designed for the professional practitioner in mind. These courses are generally geared toward homeopathic remedies that lessen the need for doctors to use traditional medicines and antibiotics.
Doctors of Homeopathy and homeopathic practitioners who have completed all required coursework and practical training through a homeopathy college will have gained the ability to use non-toxic, natural medicines to help support and enhance natural healing processes. Common conditions that can be helped with homeopathy include acute and chronic health problems such as eczema, digestive disorders, insomnia, allergies and many other health issues.
With the growing demand for natural health alternatives, students who opt to enroll in a homeopathy college can gain the skills and education necessary to become part of an ever-expanding field of the medical industry.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding a homeopathy college, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you. Homeopathy College: Studies in America
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Holistic Programs – Popular Studies
December 31st, 2009Find Holistic Programs in the United States and Canada. If you’re pursuing a career in the healing arts, it’s time to explore some of the many holistic programs. In addition to holistic healthcare courses, students can apply to programs in natural health, energy healing, spiritual counseling, herbology, iridology, massage therapy, and more.
Some of the more popular holistic programs include training in herbalism. Typical subject matter involves anatomy, physiology, wild crafting, medical botany, herbal medicine formulation, preparation/dosing; ointments, lineaments, basic nutrition, Bach flower remedies, herb cultivation, diet and organic foods, supplements and minerals, aromatherapy, Chinese herbal medicine, and first aid. These particular holistic programs are designed for treating the “whole person,” often resulting in a certificate or diploma of completion. However, holistic programs in herbalism are frequently part of acupuncture and Oriental medicine school curricula, as well as naturopathic studies.
Other popular holistic programs include hands-on training in various massage therapies. These courses are usually between 300 and 500 hours in length; but in some healing arts schools, advanced massage programs run well beyond these training hours. General education entails anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and the history and philosophy of massage. The difference between massage courses is each one of these holistic programs covers its own set of bodywork modalities. In standard massage programs, students will learn massage techniques like deep tissue massage and Swedish massage; in more comprehensive curricula, students gain practical training in these disciplines, as well as geriatric massage, Trigger point therapy, craniosacral therapy, infant massage, and Thai massage, among 80+ additional methods.
Some compelling holistic programs focus on nutrition and wellness. In a holistic healthcare practitioner program, students learn about herbal remedies/therapies, bodywork techniques, ear candling, iridology, spiritual counseling, meditation and visualization methods; energy healing therapies (i. e. , Reiki, chakra balancing, harmonic balancing), and other mind-body-spirit medicines.
Generally, holistic programs involve natural healing therapies designed to help support and enhance the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Students who fulfill all educational requirements of the respective course are awarded a certificate of completion, and in some instances – as with massage therapy – graduates can become Nationally certified upon meeting all eligibility requirements. In addition, there are a number of holistic programs geared toward the professional medical provider, like holistic nursing. These courses involve aforementioned studies, in addition to other relative subject matter; and specifically created for nurses and nurse practitioners seeking to broaden professional healthcare treatment options.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding holistic programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore holistic programs near you. Holistic Programs – Popular Studies
© Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights ReservedNOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.
