Health and Fitness

There are over 2000 cancer-causing chemicals in tap water, according to studies completed by the Ralph Nader Research Group.  If you currently drink tap water that has not been run through a good point-of-use or home filtration device, you are increasing your risk of cancer every time you take a sip.   It’s not really surprising that there are chemicals in tap water.  It was kind of surprising that there are so many different one’s, at least at first.

But, then I realized that everything in the environment eventually ends up in our surface and groundwater.  Industrial pollutants and farm run-off are the biggest culprits, but everyday citizens like you and me are also responsible, as is your local public treatment facility.   Facilities in several cities of the US are encouraging their citizens to drink tap water more often.  Buy bottled water less often.  I believe that’s a very good suggestion, since the bottled water industry is responsible for a large amount of the environmental pollutants that are poisoning us, while wasting freshwater by the gallon, every time they fill up a bottle.   But, I also believe that, regardless of where you live, you should not drink tap water without filtering it first.  It’s a simple and inexpensive step that could save your life.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has published their concerns about cyst contamination on their website.  Cysts are parasites that are resistant to chemical disinfection.  They may be present in anyone’s supply and even in bottled brands.   The chemicals in tap water kill you slowly, by building up in your organs and tissues over time.  Cysts can kill you quickly, if you have a weak immune system.  They cause flu-like symptoms that can easily dehydrate someone who has been ill.   Cysts can only be removed through sub-micron filtration.  A purifier must be certified to filter down to one micron in order to guarantee their removal.  Watch out for inexpensive systems that claim to purifier.  Most of them will not remove cysts.

Some people don’t like to drink tap water because of the taste and smell of chlorine.  It is one of the chemicals in tap water that is added by treatment facilities to kill bacteria and control algae growth in the pipelines.

It’s not the most hazardous chemical, but it is a known allergen and constant exposure probably causes numerous health problems.  The worst thing is that chlorination releases byproducts that have been shown to increase your risk of bladder and colorectal cancer.   For many years, respected publications would not release studies concerning the risk.  They feared the public would call for an end to chlorination, which would end up causing outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, all over the world.  We’re not really that stupid.   We know that in order to drink tap water, bacteria and other microbes must be killed.

But, if we had known sooner about the cancer risks, we might have been able to better protect ourselves.  Now that you know about the cancer-causing chemicals in tap water, your next step is to buy a home filtration device.  Live longer and prosper.

Has the use of aromas and herbs, only recently been appreciated for their healing, and recuperative qualities? Most certainly not.

Aromas had been used for medicinal, spiritual, and magical purposes going back as far back as Egyptian times 3000 B.C. Even further back in time 5000 B.C. the Tassili cave paintings showed women wearing fragrant flower garlands. There are frequent mentions of the use of potions throughout history – Pliny the 1st century Roman historian, mentions in his Natural History narrative, 32 remedies prepared from roses, 21 from lilies, 17 from violets, and 25 from pennyroyal. Ancient Indian cultures used sandalwood for genito-urinary infections.

Nostradamus, at the age of 21 received a licence, having studied in Montpellier France, to practise medicine. One of the formulae which he used as a remedy for several conditions, has survived to this day, and was compounded of rose petals, cloves, lignum aloes, and the dried roots of iris and sweet flag.

The ancient Greeks also contributed to the origins of herbal medicine. Dioscorides, a military doctor was the author of De Materia Medica a book on herbal medicine, which was the foundation of all subsequent books for a further 1600 years. Galen another Greek doctor also wrote a major book on herbal medicine De Simplicibus in the 2nd century which was used up to the middle ages by the Islamic physicians.

The word of herbalism was carried to Europe via the crusaders, and the texts were translated into Latin, which when printing was developed, the information became more widespread, though only if you could read. So herbal folklore passed on from generation to generation, by word of mouth. In the 16th century John Gerard published in 1597 the “Herbal or General Historie of Plantes”. He had been greatly influenced by the great medical scholar Paracelsus.

Now in recent time the medical fraternity is becoming aware of the benefits of some of these ancient methods, and in the United Kingdom some areas are becoming available on the National Health System.

What outdoor activities did you do this past summer? Maybe you went on a vacation to the beach. Maybe you spent some time playing your favorite sports such as baseball, golf, or tennis. Maybe you went swimming or had a barbeque in the backyard with family and friends. Regardless of the outdoor activities you did over the summer, most likely you were aware that it was important to protect yourself from sun while outdoors.

Now winter is approaching. I am turning my attention to putting away my summer items to make room for the winter ones; long sleeve shirts for short sleeve ones, corduroy pants for shorts, and boots for sandals. Most of the sports equipment I have been using is going to get put away as well. But what about those items I have been using to protect myself from the sun? Things like my sunscreens, sunglasses, and sun protective hats and clothing.

You may be putting these items away and not using them during the winter. The National Council of Skin Cancer Prevention reported in their January 2003 newsletter that research shows only 3 percent of Americans routinely wear sunscreen during the fall months, and only 2 percent during the winter months. However, you can still get a sunburn and snow blindness during these months. The colder temperatures do not block the UV rays and reflections off the snow and higher altitudes can make matters even worse. You may be causing yourself significant, long-term damage by not properly protecting yourself.

How do you protect yourself from the winter sun (or any other season)? Follow these simple sun safety action steps recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency:

1. Limit Time in the Midday Sun – The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours.

2. Wear a Hat – A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck – areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.

3. Cover Up – Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

4. Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV Radiation -Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.

5. Always Use Sunscreen – Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher liberally on exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours, or after working, swimming, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend extended periods of time in the water.

6. Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors – The light source from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes. It’s a good idea to avoid artificial sources of UV light.

7. Watch for the UV Index – The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and EPA, the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities across the United States.

I am going to keep my sun protective items out to use this winter. I am trusting that you will do the same so that you can enjoy the outdoors while in the cold, on the ice, or in the snow. Have a terrific and safe winter!

Is Bottled Water the Answer?

Nothing is more important to our health than drinking lots of pure water. All of the complex biochemical functions in our bodies depend on this key substance. Along with regulating the many micro-processes in our cells, it’s essential in absorbing and transporting all nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. It’s equally critical in eliminating wastes and toxins from the body. At a time when we are exposed to increasing levels of environmental toxins from our food, air, and water, the conventional wisdom to “drink 6 to 8 glasses of clean water per day for optimum health” is more important than ever before.

Unfortunately, as most people now know, most sources of drinking water are also contaminated with a wide variety of toxins. As a result, increasing numbers of people are now using water filters and are spending large sums of money annually on bottled water.

It is not so widely known, however, that an FDA survey has stated that 31% of the 52 brands of bottled water tested were tainted with bacteria. Similarly, a study conducted by the National Resources Defense Council on 103 brands of bottled water found that about one-third of them contained levels of contamination–including synthetic organic chemicals, bacteria, and arsenic. Moreover, there is growing evidence that xenoestrogens can leach out of the plastic bottles into the water when they are stored for long periods in either hot or very cold environments.

So many Americans, in spite of spending over $1,000 a year on bottled water, may still be exposing themselves to a significant level of toxins. These two facts taken together provide a major incentive for considering a new alternative to bottled water. It’s called “WELLNESS WATER.”

A Brief History of Wellness Water

Around 30 years ago, Haru Naito left Japan to attend the State University of New York. After winning the NCAA swimming championship there, he returned to Japan to coach Japan’s National Swimming Team. Through his devotion to improving the performance of his swimmers, he became involved in the emerging field of sports medicine. This led him to start investigating the unusual levels of health, vitality, and longevity of certain ethnic groups, including the Hunza of Pakistan.

As a result of his extensive research with this group, he concluded that their extraordinary health and longevity was largely due to their water supply. Through careful analysis of this water, he discovered that it had certain unique features as a result of being filtered through minerals of volcanic origin.

During the following years, he continued to investigate the effects of filtering water through similar volcanic minerals in Japan until he developed water with properties very similar to those he had discovered with the Hunza. The final result of his ongoing research was the development of the “Wellness Filter.”

Following the circulation of many anecdotal reports throughout Japan about the health benefits of drinking water that had been conditioned by this special filter, the Japanese Ministry of Health conducted rigorous scientific testing of this filter. This resulted in an unprecedented governmental endorsement of the filter. It has now been installed in over 100 government hospitals in Japan, and one of its mineral components has been licensed in Japan as a medicinal mineral.

It was introduced into the U.S. for the first time in 2000. Research here has added further documentation of the many health benefits of this enhanced “wellness water,” not only for humans, but also for chickens and cows. (A link to an extensive online summary of this research can be found by clicking on the URL provided at the end of this article.)

How to Have Your Own Portable Supply of Wellness Water

Very recently, the “Wellness Filter” has become available in a 16 oz. Wellness Sport Enhanced Water Bottle. Through the use of this unique bottle, ordinary tap water is instantly transformed into purified ENHANCED water. Not only is this water at least as pure as the best bottled water, it also alters the water so that it: 1) increases the ease of absorption, helping your body absorb nutrients and rid itself of toxins; 2) adds trace minerals for cellular health; and 3) adds reduced ions for an anti-oxidant and anti-aging effect.

In additon to being superior in all of these ways to bottled water, Wellness Water is also much less expensive. Depending on the particular brand of bottled water used as a price comparison, the savings can range from $160 to over $1,000 per year.

Finally, using this Wellness Sport Enhanced Water Bottle as an alternative to bottled water eliminates the expense and burden on the environment of disposing of approximately 1,000 plastic bottles per person each year.

The Wellness Sport Enhanced Water Bottle is now being distributed in the U.S. exclusively by only one American company. To get further information, including how to purchase it, please click on the URL below.

Suffering from hemorrhoids can be very painful and disturbing. There are lots of causes for hemorrhoids it could be from having chronic constipation, straining or diarrhea. Pregnant women as well as old people are very prone to this condition. Also, being overweight can cause hemorrhoids as this will inflame the rectum. So, if you’re suffering from hemorrhoids, it is better to treat it as early as possible

There are lots of natural treatments for hemorrhoids. Applying crushed ice placed in a baggie wrapped in a clean cloth can be applied to the affected area, you can leave it on for 15 minutes every hour. This could stop minimize the swelling since ice when applied on the skin helps contract our blood vessels, this could also relieve the pain.

Below are other effective treatment methods for hemorrhoids.

1. You can opt for surgery; the affected part will be removed. This treatment is known as Hemorrhoidectory.
2. Take foods that are rich in fiber like vegetables since it helps loosen up the waste during bowel movement.
3. Another treatment option is through ligation. This is a process in which the hemorrhoid is wrapped by a material to block blood circulation in this area.
4. Another option is to inject a chemical in the affected area which could shrink the hemorrhoids.
5. You can also apply Aloe vera in the inflamed area to reduce the pain and the swelling.

To prevent hemorrhoids you must keep yourself hydrated by drinking a lot of water everyday. This will also allow you to have easy bowel movement. One of the causes of hemorrhoids is sitting in one place for a long period of time. It is advisable to take some breaks from sitting from time to time.

Another factor that can also cause hemorrhoids is your lifestyle. Stress, smoking and lack of exercise are amongst those unhealthy lifestyle that my cause hemorrhoids. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to help avoid hemorrhoids. If you already are suffering from hemorrhoids eating them would help prevent the hemorrhoids to get worst.

One symptom of hemorrhoids is having an itchy feel in the affected area. Be sure not to scratch it as this could lead to swelling and bleeding to the affected area. You must have a proper hygiene especially in your body’s sensitive area which includes the anus.

In case your suffering from severe hemorrhoids, it is better to talk to a doctor. Prevention is always better than cure, therefore eat nutritious foods and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid having hemorrhoids.

“Optimum health is not just the absence of disease but the presence of wellness in mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social areas. Some would also include financial health.”

Introduction

Optimum health is essential at all levels, from the individual to the society we live in to the environment around us. We have to start thinking of wealth not just in terms of possession of money and properties but also the possession of mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being.

Mental Health

The truth is mind is the forerunner of all states.

With a proper mindset, a poor man can still be happy. Conversely, if the mindset is not right, no matter how much material possessions you may have, you may still be a very unhappy person. Thus, Gandhi said, “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for even a single person’s greed.”

So a healthy mind is one that possesses a mindset that can lead to happiness and contentment with self and the world around us. It provides clarity of thoughts, good insight and the ability to see things through an unbiased mind.

To be able to see things through an unbiased mind is no small feat. It is extremely difficult to note or observe the unfolding of events and phenomena without judging. We habitually associate emotions or feelings to events, and allow such emotions to direct our actions. Our likes for certain things and dislikes for others are closely associated with our emotions.

Emotional Health

It is our emotions that lead us to act impulsively at times. Thus a high level of self-awareness in this area is extremely useful. In fact, it is essential to our well-being. After all, things and relationships that may take us years to build can be destroyed in a moment of anger.

There are positive and negative emotions. Positive emotions such as love, compassion and joy should be cultivated, while negative emotions such as fear, anger and hate need to be eradicated.

When asked about this, a wise sage of India once illustrated with a story:

An old man said to his grandson, “Boy, I have two tigers caged within me. One is love and compassion. The other is fear and anger.”

The young boy asked, “Which one will win, grandfather?”

The old man replied, “The one I feed.”

At times, it may seem that we have no control over our emotions. This is not true. The truth is how well we manage our emotions depends on how aware we are of our emotions, particularly on the arising of our emotions. The earlier we are able to note the arising of our emotions, we better we can manage them.

More and more researches are showing that our well-being is closely linked to our emotional and mental health. Our body’s immune system is generally enhanced by positive mental outlook and emotion. Conversely, it is depressed by negative mental and emotional states. Thus, stress, worry, anger and fear are some states that may lead to physical illnesses such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, peptic ulcers, depression and a host of other ailments.

Physical Health

To maintain an optimum physical well-being, therefore, requires us to focus not only on our body but also our mind and emotions.

On a physical level, our body can be kept healthy through adequate sleep and rest, proper nutrition, regular exercises and a healthy environment that is free from pollution.

Spiritual Health

Throughout the ages, wise men have consistently informed and taught us that we are essentially spiritual beings.

Although medical science has not been able to reveal to us our spiritual nature, there are many indirect evidence that we would be foolish to ignore. Stories from people who had gone through a near death experience (NDE), or dying people with heightened nearing death awareness, or simply a cure from an ‘incurable’ disease all suggest that there is more to life than just the physical state.

Major religions of the world all based their teachings on the belief that we are essentially spiritual beings. According to these teachings, our physical existence is secondary.

While it may be true that we should focus our life more on our spiritual nature than our physical nature, it would be difficult for the majority of people to do so, at least not immediately. Things cannot change overnight. Mindset, however, can, and that is perhaps the best place to start.

Financial Health

However, on a more mundane level, most people are still stuck on how to survive from day to day, where to get the next cheque to pay for the house installment, so on and so forth.

Practically, therefore, we need to look into ways to achieve a financial state that would theoretically free us from the constrain of ‘forced’ work. This is where the concept of financial freedom is so attractive. According to this concept, one should strive for a state where we have one or more than one source of income that can be generated passively, that is, even when we don’t work.

This is what Robert Kiyosaki termed as ‘passive income’.

According to him, passive income can only be achieved by becoming an investor or a business owner, not a sole proprietor or an employee. To become an investor or a business owner, you must spend the time and money to acquire financial intelligence. Unlike IQ or EQ, you can acquire financial intelligence through self education.

To get a financial health check-up, consult an accountant, a banker or a financial planner you can trust.

Healthy Relationship

“No man is an island, entire by itself.”

As a medical doctor, I am in a unique position to confront and comfort dying patients. One of the most important thing that I have observed is that dying people do not ask about their money or possessions. Instead, they focus their remaining energy and strength on trying to heal wounded relationships. It is as though there is an inherent need to get a proper closure to a relationship.

Thus, forming and cultivating a healthy relationship is important for our well-being. Unfortunately, this is something we often ignored until it is too late. If there is any forgiving to be done, or the need to be forgiven, leaving things to the last minutes may end up with an unfulfilled desire for a closure.

Knowing this now, shouldn’t we spend more time and effort in improving our relationship with our loved ones, especially with our parents, spouse, children and siblings?

by:Dr Tim Ong

We are all aware of the need to balance our financial portfolio so that in times of hardship or when disaster strikes — stock market drops, pink slips, etc — we will be affected by financial challenges as little as possible. Having a substantial bank account allows us many opportunities that people with lesser financial savvy and preparation must for ego.

Perhaps you are at a “comfortable” financial level, able to pay off bills and credit cards timely, and have enough disposable income to enjoy a good quality of life. Perhaps you enjoy an “extremely high” financial level, with unending “toys”, travel when and where you want, and other opportunities for the “good life”. Either way you are able to handle sudden financial challenges and able to take advantage of financial opportunities as they come your way. Feels good, doesn’t it?

But what about your health portfolio? When faced with challenges such as a cold, flu season, children’s ear infections, etc. do you just accept them as part of life? What about when disaster strikes in the form of a serious health challenge to you or a family member. Is your health bank account equipped to fight back?

In the United States, the average age of disability (when quality of life becomes so poor that you need help for daily activities of living) is 65 years old. Modern medicine is providing miracles in keeping us alive longer — increasing our “lifespan”. But what about the quality of our lives? If we want to continue our “healthspan” along with our “lifespan”, it is imperative to raise the level of our health bank account as well as balance our health portfolio.

If you think the cost of health care has gone through the roof now, wait until the majority of baby boomers reach the “age of disability”. Now is the time to take a serious look at your own health bank account and ask “Do I have all the energy I need each day?”, “What is my ‘cushion’ in case of serious illness?” and “Does my health portfolio need balancing?”

Heart Protection Nutritional Supplement Guide:

Following a heart-healthy diet can do a lot to reduce risk, but for many people, it’s not enough. Heart-protecting drugs usually come with troublesome side effects, such as fatigue and the possibility of liver disease. For some risk factors, like homocysteine and low-density lipoprotein prescriptive drugs are not available.

HEART HEALTH FACTORS TO BE AWARE OF:

I. Total Cholesterol: Desirable cholesterol is below 200; borderline high is between 200 and 239; high is 240 and above.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:

Plant sterols. Beta-sitosterol and other plant sterols have a chemical structure similar to that of cholesterol, which enables them to reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. Several studies have found that plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels by an average of 6 to 8 percent. Take sterol supplements 2 to 3 times a day, products labeled plant sterols, phytosterols, or beta-sitosterol.

Niacin: This form of vitamin B-3 has been known since the 1950′s to reduce cholesterol levels. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration for lowering cholesterol, it is sold both by prescription and over the counter. As effective as niacin is, it triggers the release of histamine, which often will turn the skin beet red and tingly for about an hour. If you keep taking niacin, the intense flushing episodes should eventually ease. Start at 100 mg. once or twice a day and work up to 500 to 1,000 mg. three times a day.

Coenzyme Q10: People who must take statin drugs should also take 100 to 200 mg. of CoQ10 a day because statins can deplete the body’s natural supply.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Small, dense LDL globules are far more likely to cause blood clots than are larger, less dense ones. And when a person’s antioxidant intake is low, LDL oxidation increases, which appears to be a key step in the development of heart disease. If total LDL is high, it may be wise to have an additional blood test to find out which type predominates.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements: Plant sterols can lower LDL levels by an impressive 8 to 14 percent. Take sterol supplements 2 to 3 times a day, products labeled plant sterols, phytosterols, or beta-sitosterol.

Vitamin E: Won’t lower LDL, but will curb its tendency to promote heart disease. Contrary to common thinking, LDL is not entirely bad – it’s needed to transport fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, throughout the bloodstream. Vitamin E and other fat soluble antioxidants prevent LDL oxidation. Take 400 to 800 IU of natural-source vitamin E.

Dietary Options: To lower LDL, reduce your intake of saturated fat (in fatty meats and dairy products) and avoid processed foods containing trans fats such as most shortenings, partially hydrogenated oils, and most cookies and crackers on the market.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: HDL is widely considered the “good” form of cholesterol, mainly because it helps transport the LDL or bad cholesterol to the liver where the LDL is then processed for excretion. The higher your HDL levels, the lower your risk of heart disease.

Ideal HDL levels are 55 mg./dL or higher for women and 45 mg/dL or higher for men.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:

L-carnitine: A component of protein, is highly recommended.

Fish Oil “Omega 3″ Supplements: Contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – both essential dietary fats that boost HDL. They’re also potent blood thinners so they prevent clotting, and they help to regulate heart rhythm.

Niacin: A form of vitamin B-3, will raise HDL levels. You may experience an intense one-hour flushing sensation after your take it. Aim for 500 to 1,000 mg. three times daily.

Dietary Options: To boost HDL, don’t skimp too much on fats, particularly heart-healthy fish oils and olive oil. Low-fat diets, long recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease, actually lower HDL levels. Cut back on refined carbs, which can decrease HDL.

Triglycerides: Triglycerides actually account for most fat found in the blood and in body fat. A higher ratio of triglycerides to HDL has been associated with a significant increase in heart attack risk.

Anything under 150 mg./dL is considered normal. Aim for 100 mg. or less. Levels of 150 to 199 mg. are borderline high, and 200 mg. and above are considered high.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:

Fish Oil Supplements: Can lead to impressive reductions in triglyceride levels. In some studies, plant sterols have also been shown to reduce triglycerides.

Dietary Options: Triglyceride levels are directly related to the quantity of refined carbohydrates you eat, so reduce your intake of table sugar, white bread, cookies and other sweets, refined pasta, and bagels, and focus instead on whole grains.

Homocysteine: Homocysteine is normally a short-lived byproduct of protein metabolism – it’s only when levels become elevated that they cause trouble. If you eat lots of veggies, particularly those that contain folic acid such as spinach, romaine lettuce, and other greens, there’s a good chance your homocysteine is at healthy levels.

The American Heart Association considers normal levels to be from 5 to 15 micromoles per liter of blood. Ideal levels are under 7.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:

Three B Vitamins are particularly helpful in breaking down homocysteine: folic acid (1,000 to 5,000 mcg. daily), vitamin B-6 (25 to 50 mg. daily), and vitamin B-12 (2,000 mcg. daily.)

Dietary Options: Load up on leafy greens: spinach, romaine lettuce.

V. Glucose Tolerance

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements: Many supplements can help lower and stabilize glucose and insulin levels, but if you already take glucose-regulating drugs, be sure to work with your physician to adjust their dosage.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: An antioxidant, is widely used in Germany to treat peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disease caused by diabetes. Studies have found that it can lower both glucose and insulin levels. Take 100 to 300 mg. daily.

Chromium Picolinate: An essential mineral, has been shown to lower glucose and cholesterol levels. Take 400 to 1,000 mcg. daily.

Cinnamon: Can lower fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Ginseng Supplements: 1 to 3 grams of American ginseng (Panax quinqufolius L.) significantly reduced the rise in blood sugar.

Silymarin: The antioxidant-rich extract of milk thistle, is well known for increasing liver activity. Italian researchers found that 600 mg. of silymarin daily reduced several key measures of glucose tolerance, including fasting glucose and insulin, over the course of a year.