dailyhealthpost--2020-10-05--Most Hated Food In The U.S. Offers Unsurpassed Protection for The Heart, Study Finds

We often talk about cardiovascular problems in the U.S. and that ’ s understandable given the death statistics related to heart disease in recent years .
According to the CDC , cardiovascular problems are the # 1 cause of death in the U.S. accounting for 20-25 % of the deaths in the country .
Yet , for something we talk about all the time , cardiovascular problems are still understated given their magnitude .
One of the key things people often forget is that heart problems don ’ t just lead to 20-25 % of the deaths – they also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
Alzheimer ’ s disease , dementia , and diabetes , for example , are some of the other “ Top 10 ” causes of death but they are also significantly affected by cardiovascular problems .
Even Covid-19 has been shown to be significantly deadlier for people with heart conditions or even just with a predisposition for developing such problems .
Given that nearly half ( 48.5 % ) of adult Americans , around 121.5 million people , have heart conditions this is definitely something that needs to be talked about even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news .
A recent study published in the Mayo Clinic has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are even more effective at preventing heart disease than previously thought .
The study is an in-depth analysis of 40 clinical trials that looked into the effectiveness of Omega-3 fatty acids .
According to the result , the increased intake of Omega-3 fatty acids in combination with a healthier diet and regular exercise lead to vastly improved cardiovascular protection .
The study and the trials looked at the two most common types of Omega-3 fatty acids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) .
According to the results , a regular intake of 1,000 to 2,000 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per day can reduce the risks of the following heart-related conditions : The Mayo Clinic study and related trials are not the only ones pointing to the effectiveness of Omega-3 either .
Another study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health also showed nearly identical results .
All studies agree that Omega-3 is best taken through food and not supplements .
The latter can also be effective enough if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convenient .
If possible , the following foods are the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids : • Fish and seafood .
The best choices would be salmon , tuna , mackerel , sardines and herrings , and other seafood .
For farmed salmon , 150 grams ( 5 ounces ) of farmed salmon meat contains 1.8 grams ( 1,800 mg or a good daily dose ) of EPA and DHA .
• Nuts and seeds .
The easiest and best options here are cashews , walnuts , almonds , peanuts , flaxseeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is worth noting that these are sources are plant-based ( ALA ) Omega-3 and not EPA or DHA .
On average , 30 grams ( 1 ounce ) of walnuts provide ~2.5 grams ( 2,500 mg ) of ALA Omega-3 .
• Plant oils .
Sunflower oil and flaxseed oil are the best examples here .
They are on-par with fish oil for Omega-3 contents per gram but they contain ALA Omega-3 rather than DHA or EPA .
• Fortified foods .
These include anything from milk , eggs , yogurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even infant formula .
According to the USDA standard reference database , 244 grams ( eight fluid ounces ) of 3.25 % fat milk contain 0.183 grams ( 183 mg ) of ( ALA ) Omega-3 which is ~10 % of an adult ’ s recommended daily intake .
When talking about these different sources and the amounts of Omega-3 they provide , it should be pointed out that a balanced diet includes all three of the main Omega-3 sources – ALA , EPA , and DHA .
So , the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of your daily ALA Omega-3 doesn ’ t mean you should drink 2,500 grams of milk daily .
Rather , look for a mix of all of the above .
That ’ s also why most good Omega-3 supplements on the market also contain a mix of different Omega-3 fatty acids .
Given that fish , seafood , nuts , and seeds are the best and healthiest options for Omega-3 , it ’ s common for people to not be able to get enough Omega-3 from food .
In those cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacement but getting more fish and nuts in your diet is strongly recommended for the long-term .
Why is it so important that we take Omega-3 fatty acids ?
Regular Omega-3 intake is very important because our bodies don ’ t naturally produce any type of Omega-3 .
So , taking Omega-3 from our diet is much more than just complementing some momentary deficiency in our systems – we need Omega-3 to stay healthy , regardless of what our current condition is .
We ’ ve evolved eating Omega-3 regularly as nuts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our diets for hundreds of thousands of years .
Fish and seafood have also been a part of our diet for a long time , yet many people today skip both Omega-3 sources .
What other benefits does Omega-3 offer in addition to improved heart health ?
Cardiovascular health is more than enough reason to look into your Omega-3 intake as we covered above but there other reasons for improving your diet with Omega-3s : • Adequate Omega-3 intake during pregnancies is crucial for the cognitive development and even birth weight of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even been shown to help with breast cancer and colorectal cancer prevention .
Given that all cancers taken together are the second biggest cause of death in the U.S. after cardiovascular problems , this is more than significant .
• Omega-3 also improves our cognitive functions and helps prevent Alzheimer ’ s disease and other types of dementia .
• Inflammation reduction is another benefit of Omega-3 which is crucial for lots of immune-related conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis .
• Omega-3 even helps to maintain our eyes ’ health and prevents eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @

We often talk about cardiovascular problems in the U.S. and that’s understandable given the death statistics related to heart disease in recent years. According to the CDC, cardiovascular problems are the #1 cause of death in the U.S. accounting for 20-25% of the deaths in the country.
Advertisement
Yet, for something we talk about all the time, cardiovascular problems are still understated given their magnitude. One of the key things people often forget is that heart problems don’t just lead to 20-25% of the deaths – they also play a role in other diseases and conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and diabetes, for example, are some of the other “Top 10” causes of death but they are also significantly affected by cardiovascular problems.
Advertisement
Even Covid-19 has been shown to be significantly deadlier for people with heart conditions or even just with a predisposition for developing such problems. Given that nearly half (48.5%) of adult Americans, around 121.5 million people, have heart conditions this is definitely something that needs to be talked about even more.
Fortunately, there is some good news.
A recent study published in the Mayo Clinic has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are even more effective at preventing heart disease than previously thought.
Advertisement
EPA + DHA
The study is an in-depth analysis of 40 clinical trials that looked into the effectiveness of Omega-3 fatty acids. According to the result, the increased intake of Omega-3 fatty acids in combination with a healthier diet and regular exercise lead to vastly improved cardiovascular protection.
The study and the trials looked at the two most common types of Omega-3 fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
According to the results, a regular intake of 1,000 to 2,000 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per day can reduce the risks of the following heart-related conditions:
Advertisement
Fatal myocardial infarction by 35%
Myocardial infarction by 13%
Coronary heart disease events by 10%
Mortality due to coronary heart disease by 9%
The Mayo Clinic study and related trials are not the only ones pointing to the effectiveness of Omega-3 either. Another study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health also showed nearly identical results.
All studies agree that Omega-3 is best taken through food and not supplements. The latter can also be effective enough if adequate food sources are not available or convenient. If possible, the following foods are the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids:
Fish and seafood. The best choices would be salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and herrings, and other seafood. For farmed salmon, 150 grams (5 ounces) of farmed salmon meat contains 1.8 grams (1,800 mg or a good daily dose) of EPA and DHA.
Nuts and seeds. The easiest and best options here are cashews, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds. It is worth noting that these are sources are plant-based (ALA) Omega-3 and not EPA or DHA. On average, 30 grams (1 ounce) of walnuts provide ~2.5 grams (2,500 mg) of ALA Omega-3.
Plant oils. Sunflower oil and flaxseed oil are the best examples here. They are on-par with fish oil for Omega-3 contents per gram but they contain ALA Omega-3 rather than DHA or EPA.
Fortified foods. These include anything from milk, eggs, yogurt, juices, and soy milk to even infant formula. According to the USDA standard reference database, 244 grams (eight fluid ounces) of 3.25% fat milk contain 0.183 grams (183 mg) of (ALA) Omega-3 which is ~10% of an adult’s recommended daily intake.
When talking about these different sources and the amounts of Omega-3 they provide, it should be pointed out that a balanced diet includes all three of the main Omega-3 sources – ALA, EPA, and DHA. So, the fact that 250 grams of fat milk contain 10% of your daily ALA Omega-3 doesn’t mean you should drink 2,500 grams of milk daily. Rather, look for a mix of all of the above.
Advertisement
That’s also why most good Omega-3 supplements on the market also contain a mix of different Omega-3 fatty acids. Given that fish, seafood, nuts, and seeds are the best and healthiest options for Omega-3, it’s common for people to not be able to get enough Omega-3 from food. In those cases, food supplements can be a good short-term replacement but getting more fish and nuts in your diet is strongly recommended for the long-term.
Why is it so important that we take Omega-3 fatty acids?
Regular Omega-3 intake is very important because our bodies don’t naturally produce any type of Omega-3. So, taking Omega-3 from our diet is much more than just complementing some momentary deficiency in our systems – we need Omega-3 to stay healthy, regardless of what our current condition is.
We’ve evolved eating Omega-3 regularly as nuts and seeds have been a natural part of our diets for hundreds of thousands of years. Fish and seafood have also been a part of our diet for a long time, yet many people today skip both Omega-3 sources.
Advertisement
What other benefits does Omega-3 offer in addition to improved heart health?
Cardiovascular health is more than enough reason to look into your Omega-3 intake as we covered above but there other reasons for improving your diet with Omega-3s:
Adequate Omega-3 intake during pregnancies is crucial for the cognitive development and even birth weight of the baby.
Omega-3 fatty acids have even been shown to help with breast cancer and colorectal cancer prevention. Given that all cancers taken together are the second biggest cause of death in the U.S. after cardiovascular problems, this is more than significant.
Omega-3 also improves our cognitive functions and helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Inflammation reduction is another benefit of Omega-3 which is crucial for lots of immune-related conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3 even helps to maintain our eyes’ health and prevents eye problems like macular degeneration and others.


dailyhealthpost--2020-10-06--Eating Blue for Your Gray Matter: Single Dose of Blueberries Boost Memory, Focus and Reaction Times

We ’ ve all heard that eating chocolate temporarily improves our brain function .
There are even studies done about it , determining that moderate and short-term intake of chocolate improves the brain blood flow and oxygen levels thanks to flavanols – plant-based substances in cocoa that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects .
Of course , the problem with chocolate is that it brings as many negatives as it does positives .
Enter blueberries .
A recent placebo-controlled and double-blind study determined that eating a cup of blueberries can also have a drastic positive effect on the cognitive performance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 and 65 years .
The study was conducted by doctors Adrian R. Whyte , Sajida Rahman , and others , and it was published in the European Journal of Nutrition .
The study is called “ Improved metabolic function and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults following a single dose of wild blueberry ” and its findings support previous research in the 24-30 year age groups which reached similar conclusions .
Other studies also share these findings for healthy children , teenagers , and young adults .
The purpose of the study was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be observed in healthy older adults as well .
The goal of the study isn ’ t to find treatments of cognitive ailments but to determine how healthy adults can improve their cognitive potential in an easy manner .
To do that , the study used a small dose of blueberries .
As per the study ’ s description , they used : “ The wild blueberry beverage consisted of 25 g freeze-dried whole wild blueberry ( WBB ) powder ( ~1-cup fresh weight ) [ … ] The WBB powder was mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unsweetened Kool-aid for color and flavoring .
The placebo beverage was matched as closely as possible for energy and macronutrient content using the same ingredients minus the WBB powder.
” How well was the study conducted ?
The study worked with 35 participants between 40 and 65 years ( average of 50.9 ) .
23 were female and 12 were male , all of them were in good health and didn ’ t have any diagnosable cognitive impairments .
Despite the relatively small sample size , the study was very well conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and double-blind .
This means that the participants were given two doses of powder over a period of time – one was the study ’ s freeze-dried wild blueberry WBB powder and one was a simple placebo .
Additionally , the administration of the blueberry powder and the placebo were randomized .
Neither the participants nor the researchers knew when and who was given the placebo and when – the blueberry powder .
This ensured that there wouldn ’ t be any bias from either side .
Before and after the ingestion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the participants went through a series of psychological tests .
The tests aimed to assess both the executive abilities and the memory of the participants .
There was also an Auditory Verbal Learning Task which measured the learning , recall , and recognition abilities of the participants .
A cued Go/No-Go task assessed the participants ’ reaction times and response inhibition while a Modified Attention Network Task examined their susceptibility to response interference , i.e .
how easily distracted they were after eating the blueberry powder and after eating the placebo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have positive cognitive effects in all participants and in almost all cognitive tests .
There were also no observed negative side-effects which could be viewed as a possible mistake in the study but that ’ s unlikely given the very small amount of blueberries ( 25 g ) ingested .
As the researchers summarize the results : “ WBB cognitive performance was improved in comparison to placebo on delayed recognition memory and aspects of executive function .
Importantly , these benefits were found on more demanding elements of the tasks where some form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also observed improvements in the and the sustained attention capabilities of all participants .
The results are very promising as blueberries present a nearly drawback-free way of improving one ’ s cognitive abilities in/before cognitively demanding situations , regardless of age .
“ … different cognitive domains appear affected following acute flavonoid/polyphenol interventions dependent on the age of the participants tested with memory improvements generally being observed in children and older adults , executive function improvements in children , younger , and middle-aged adults , and working memory improvements more typically observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The researchers concluded that “ The findings provide further support for the efficacy of wild blueberry on improving cognitive outcomes within this age group , particularly where there is increased cognitive demand.
” Should we just consume blueberries freely for cognitive improvement ?
Blueberries are a well-known type of fruit that has no recorded negative side-effects when taken in acceptable doses .
As with any other fruit or food , overeating with them may lead to some blood sugar and digestion issues but there ’ s no need to overeat with blueberries if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ~25-30 grams are more than sufficient for that .
Furthermore , when taken in adequate amounts , blueberries also have a lot of other well-documented benefits : • Blueberries are high in nutrients but low on calories .
They are exceptionally rich in vitamins C and K , as well as on Manganese and fiber .
• Lots of antioxidants .
One of the many reasons why blueberries are effective for improving our cognitive performance seems to be that they ’ re rich in antioxidants .
This has many other benefits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhancement .
• Heart disease prevention is another thing blueberries seem very helpful with .
A study of 93,600 nurses has determined that those with regular intake of anthocyanins ( the main antioxidant in blueberries ) had a 32 % lower risk of heart attacks .
• The antioxidants in blueberries are also believed to help prevent diabetes .
Multiple studies show that blueberries have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity which can be very beneficial .
• A small serving of 50 g blueberries per day also lowers LDL “ bad ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The same study also shows that a small daily dose of blueberries can help lower blood pressure in both obese people and postmenopausal women .
• Blueberries reduce oxidative DNA damage which helps prevent both aging and cancer .
So , while blueberries are certainly no panacea , a regular moderate intake of this small , bush-growing super-fruit offers a lot of benefits !

We’ve all heard that eating chocolate temporarily improves our brain function. There are even studies done about it, determining that moderate and short-term intake of chocolate improves the brain blood flow and oxygen levels thanks to flavanols – plant-based substances in cocoa that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Advertisement
Of course, the problem with chocolate is that it brings as many negatives as it does positives. Enter blueberries.
A recent placebo-controlled and double-blind study determined that eating a cup of blueberries can also have a drastic positive effect on the cognitive performance of healthy adults in the age range between 40 and 65 years. The study was conducted by doctors Adrian R. Whyte, Sajida Rahman, and others, and it was published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Advertisement
The study is called “Improved metabolic function and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults following a single dose of wild blueberry” and its findings support previous research in the 24-30 year age groups which reached similar conclusions. Other studies also share these findings for healthy children, teenagers, and young adults.
The purpose of the study was to find out if these effects can be observed in healthy older adults as well.
The goal of the study isn’t to find treatments of cognitive ailments but to determine how healthy adults can improve their cognitive potential in an easy manner. To do that, the study used a small dose of blueberries. As per the study’s description, they used:
Advertisement
“The wild blueberry beverage consisted of 25 g freeze-dried whole wild blueberry (WBB) powder (~1-cup fresh weight) […] The WBB powder was mixed with water, frozen lemonade concentrate, and unsweetened Kool-aid for color and flavoring. The placebo beverage was matched as closely as possible for energy and macronutrient content using the same ingredients minus the WBB powder.”
How well was the study conducted?
The study worked with 35 participants between 40 and 65 years (average of 50.9). 23 were female and 12 were male, all of them were in good health and didn’t have any diagnosable cognitive impairments.
Despite the relatively small sample size, the study was very well conducted. It was randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind. This means that the participants were given two doses of powder over a period of time – one was the study’s freeze-dried wild blueberry WBB powder and one was a simple placebo.
Advertisement
Additionally, the administration of the blueberry powder and the placebo were randomized. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew when and who was given the placebo and when – the blueberry powder. This ensured that there wouldn’t be any bias from either side.
Before and after the ingestion of both the placebo and the blueberry powder, the participants went through a series of psychological tests. The tests aimed to assess both the executive abilities and the memory of the participants. There was also an Auditory Verbal Learning Task which measured the learning, recall, and recognition abilities of the participants.
A cued Go/No-Go task assessed the participants’ reaction times and response inhibition while a Modified Attention Network Task examined their susceptibility to response interference, i.e. how easily distracted they were after eating the blueberry powder and after eating the placebo.
Advertisement
The results?
The wild blueberry powder was determined to have positive cognitive effects in all participants and in almost all cognitive tests. There were also no observed negative side-effects which could be viewed as a possible mistake in the study but that’s unlikely given the very small amount of blueberries (25 g) ingested.
As the researchers summarize the results:
“WBB cognitive performance was improved in comparison to placebo on delayed recognition memory and aspects of executive function. Importantly, these benefits were found on more demanding elements of the tasks where some form of additional cognitive effort was required.”
Advertisement
They also observed improvements in the and the sustained attention capabilities of all participants. The results are very promising as blueberries present a nearly drawback-free way of improving one’s cognitive abilities in/before cognitively demanding situations, regardless of age.
“… different cognitive domains appear affected following acute flavonoid/polyphenol interventions dependent on the age of the participants tested with memory improvements generally being observed in children and older adults, executive function improvements in children, younger, and middle-aged adults, and working memory improvements more typically observed in younger and middle-aged adults …”
The researchers concluded that “The findings provide further support for the efficacy of wild blueberry on improving cognitive outcomes within this age group, particularly where there is increased cognitive demand.”
Advertisement
Should we just consume blueberries freely for cognitive improvement?
Blueberries are a well-known type of fruit that has no recorded negative side-effects when taken in acceptable doses. As with any other fruit or food, overeating with them may lead to some blood sugar and digestion issues but there’s no need to overeat with blueberries if your goal is cognitive enhancement as doses of ~25-30 grams are more than sufficient for that.
Furthermore, when taken in adequate amounts, blueberries also have a lot of other well-documented benefits:
Blueberries are high in nutrients but low on calories. They are exceptionally rich in vitamins C and K, as well as on Manganese and fiber.
Lots of antioxidants. One of the many reasons why blueberries are effective for improving our cognitive performance seems to be that they’re rich in antioxidants. This has many other benefits for our overall health in addition to cognitive enhancement.
Heart disease prevention is another thing blueberries seem very helpful with. A study of 93,600 nurses has determined that those with regular intake of anthocyanins (the main antioxidant in blueberries) had a 32% lower risk of heart attacks.
The antioxidants in blueberries are also believed to help prevent diabetes. Multiple studies show that blueberries have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity which can be very beneficial.
A small serving of 50 g blueberries per day also lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol by 27% in obese people.
The same study also shows that a small daily dose of blueberries can help lower blood pressure in both obese people and postmenopausal women.
Blueberries reduce oxidative DNA damage which helps prevent both aging and cancer.
So, while blueberries are certainly no panacea, a regular moderate intake of this small, bush-growing super-fruit offers a lot of benefits!
Advertisement


dailyhealthpost--2020-10-07--How to Sync The 2 Hemispheres of Your Brain for Better Protection and Performance

Imagine you ’ re in the groove—ideas flow , obstacles dissolve , everything clicks—all the time .
Most of us have been there at least once in our lives : our flow state , where everything seems to effortlessly fall into place and your mind creatively works to build cohesion among all factors of the environment ( both internal and external ) .
It ’ s a marvelous place to be .
Some psychologists say it ’ s the key to a happy life .
What if we told you that there ’ s a way to put yourself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s easy to imagine how much more productive , effective , and content you would be in every part of your life .
Well , there is a type of brain exercise you can do that can get you there if you practice it regularly .
We know that the brain is separated into two halves ( hemispheres ) and that each area is primarily responsible for certain functions .
The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa .
The halves are connected at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thick bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum , the vehicle by which a constant stream of information crosses between the left and right brains .
Some of the body ’ s functions are stimulated in both hemispheres ( with one side predominant ) and some in only one .
For those functions that are bilateral , it therefore makes sense that the stronger the communication between the hemispheres , the better your brain will perform .
This is known as “ cross-crawl ” .
Certain physical activities like crawling , swimming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brain to work together toward a common goal ; an example is moving your left leg and right arm at the same time while walking .
Regularly exercising this type of cross-brain activity has been found to improve attention , concentration , and brain processing speed .
It does this by stimulating neurotransmitters to move back and forth between the hemispheres .
Carla Hannaford , PhD is a biologist , neurophysiologist , educator , and learning consultant .
She explores the scientific evidence that movement is critical to learning in her book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All in Your Head : “ Cross-lateral movements , like a baby ’ s crawling , activate both hemispheres in a balanced way .
These activities work both sides of the body evenly and involve coordinated movements of both eyes , both ears , both hands and both feet as well as balanced core muscles .
When both eyes , both ears , both hands and feet are being used equally , the corpus callosum orchestrating these processes between the two hemispheres becomes more fully developed .
Because both hemispheres and all four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightened and ease of learning increases.
” In Smart Moves , Dr. Hannaford describes a case study in cross-crawl with a student she calls Todd .
At sixteen years old , Todd couldn ’ t read and his physical co-ordination was difficult .
This was heartbreaking for Todd ’ s family because he was an intelligent boy whose future options were severely diminished by his inability to read .
Todd ’ s parents learned about Hannaford ’ s “ Brain Gym ” and cross-crawl exercises and began to perform them twice a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing short of astounding : in six weeks , Todd was reading at grade level !
Furthermore , Todd joined the basketball team ( he couldn ’ t dribble a ball before he started brain exercises ! )
and went on to graduate from college with a degree in biology .
This story provides evidence to the theory that not only is physical movement directly related to mental/cognitive ability but that improving cross-lateral communication between brain hemispheres has a profound effect on even the most basic body functions at any age .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate from the body , as Hannaford finds : “ Through the advances of science we are realizing the importance of whole body/mind integration and the effect of coherent functioning not only on learning and memory , but also on all the people we come in contact with , and on the world at large…we are finally coming to grasp that movement and sensory experiences are the fertile soil for continual brain development and growth for a lifetime—and that these experiences actually cause the brain to constantly transform itself in unimaginably plastic ways.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ describe the brain ’ s ability to learn and create new neural pathways .
Until fairly recently , it was thought that this kind of development slowed after adolescence and then stopped entirely .
Not so .
In fact , creation of new brain cells ( neurogenesis ) can occur at any age .
In addition to the correlation between brain activity and brain health , we know that physical exercise is important for optimal physical health .
Brain Exercises You Can Do Without Breaking a Sweat Exercises like cross-crawl can help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here are a few to get you started—mix ‘ em up !
No need to do these for more than one to two minutes or thirty repetitions at a time ; these aren ’ t intended to be a work-out but a physical reset and brain stimulator .
Start with one set in the morning before work or school and one set in the evening after dinner and before bed .
Feel free to add reps during the day , as needed .
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the floor .
• Shift your weight to your left foot , lift your right knee , and touch your right knee with your left hand while moving your right arm backward .
• Return to the starting position and switch to the other side .
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms straight out at the shoulders , parallel to the floor .
• Shift your weight to your left foot , lift your right knee , and touch your right knee with your left elbow while moving your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the starting position and switch to the other side .
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms straight out at the shoulders , parallel to the floor .
• Shift your weight to your left foot , lift your right foot , and bring it behind your left leg .
Touch your right ankle with your left hand while keeping your right arm straight out at the shoulder for balance .
• Return to the starting position and switch to the other side .
• Alternate between left and right and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some music .
( Music also enhances cognitive function and improves mood ! )
• Breathe fully and evenly through the exercise .
You can find more cross-lateral exercises found to be specifically beneficial for improving children ’ s attention and focus at the Integrated Learning Strategies Learning Corner here .
If you ’ re up for a bit of a challenge , try doing an everyday task with the opposite ( not dominant ) hand or foot , like brushing your teeth , using a computer mouse , or putting on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not all activities to promote a bilateral brain are easy !
Daily stress can impede your ability to perform at your best .
When there ’ s a free exchange of information between your brain ’ s hemispheres , you can achieve levels of creativity and mental acuity you might have previously thought impossible .
Try these exercises alone , with your family , or with your remote work team on a regular basis to clear the interference , get the midline highway flowing and move into the fast lane !

Imagine you’re in the groove—ideas flow, obstacles dissolve, everything clicks—all the time. Most of us have been there at least once in our lives: our flow state, where everything seems to effortlessly fall into place and your mind creatively works to build cohesion among all factors of the environment (both internal and external). It’s a marvelous place to be. Some psychologists say it’s the key to a happy life.
Advertisement
What if we told you that there’s a way to put yourself in a flow state at will? It’s easy to imagine how much more productive, effective, and content you would be in every part of your life. Well, there is a type of brain exercise you can do that can get you there if you practice it regularly.
Strengthening the Brain Bridge
We know that the brain is separated into two halves (hemispheres) and that each area is primarily responsible for certain functions. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. The halves are connected at “the midline” primarily by a thick bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum, the vehicle by which a constant stream of information crosses between the left and right brains.
Advertisement
Some of the body’s functions are stimulated in both hemispheres (with one side predominant) and some in only one. For those functions that are bilateral, it therefore makes sense that the stronger the communication between the hemispheres, the better your brain will perform. This is known as “cross-crawl”.
Certain physical activities like crawling, swimming, and walking force the halves of the brain to work together toward a common goal; an example is moving your left leg and right arm at the same time while walking. Regularly exercising this type of cross-brain activity has been found to improve attention, concentration, and brain processing speed. It does this by stimulating neurotransmitters to move back and forth between the hemispheres.
Link Between Cross-lateral Physical Activity and Mental Function
Carla Hannaford, PhD is a biologist, neurophysiologist, educator, and learning consultant. She explores the scientific evidence that movement is critical to learning in her book Smart Moves – Why Learning is not All in Your Head:
Advertisement
“Cross-lateral movements, like a baby’s crawling, activate both hemispheres in a balanced way. These activities work both sides of the body evenly and involve coordinated movements of both eyes, both ears, both hands and both feet as well as balanced core muscles. When both eyes, both ears, both hands and feet are being used equally, the corpus callosum orchestrating these processes between the two hemispheres becomes more fully developed. Because both hemispheres and all four lobes are activated, cognitive function is heightened and ease of learning increases.”
In Smart Moves, Dr. Hannaford describes a case study in cross-crawl with a student she calls Todd. At sixteen years old, Todd couldn’t read and his physical co-ordination was difficult. This was heartbreaking for Todd’s family because he was an intelligent boy whose future options were severely diminished by his inability to read. Todd’s parents learned about Hannaford’s “Brain Gym” and cross-crawl exercises and began to perform them twice a day as a family. The results were nothing short of astounding: in six weeks, Todd was reading at grade level! Furthermore, Todd joined the basketball team (he couldn’t dribble a ball before he started brain exercises!) and went on to graduate from college with a degree in biology.
This story provides evidence to the theory that not only is physical movement directly related to mental/cognitive ability but that improving cross-lateral communication between brain hemispheres has a profound effect on even the most basic body functions at any age. We can no longer consider the mind as separate from the body, as Hannaford finds:
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“Through the advances of science we are realizing the importance of whole body/mind integration and the effect of coherent functioning not only on learning and memory, but also on all the people we come in contact with, and on the world at large…we are finally coming to grasp that movement and sensory experiences are the fertile soil for continual brain development and growth for a lifetime—and that these experiences actually cause the brain to constantly transform itself in unimaginably plastic ways.”
“Plasticity” is used to describe the brain’s ability to learn and create new neural pathways. Until fairly recently, it was thought that this kind of development slowed after adolescence and then stopped entirely. Not so. In fact, creation of new brain cells (neurogenesis) can occur at any age.
In addition to the correlation between brain activity and brain health, we know that physical exercise is important for optimal physical health.
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Brain Exercises You Can Do Without Breaking a Sweat
Exercises like cross-crawl can help to reduce stress while they improve brain function.
Here are a few to get you started—mix ‘em up! No need to do these for more than one to two minutes or thirty repetitions at a time; these aren’t intended to be a work-out but a physical reset and brain stimulator. Start with one set in the morning before work or school and one set in the evening after dinner and before bed. Feel free to add reps during the day, as needed.
1. Cross-crawl Exercises
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Cross Crawl A
Watch this video on YouTube
2. Hand Touch
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms straight out at the shoulders, parallel to the floor. Shift your weight to your left foot, lift your right knee, and touch your right knee with your left hand while moving your right arm backward. Return to the starting position and switch to the other side.
3. Elbow Touch
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms straight out at the shoulders, parallel to the floor. Shift your weight to your left foot, lift your right knee, and touch your right knee with your left elbow while moving your right arm backward. Return to the starting position and switch to the other side.
4. Behind-the-back Ankle Touch
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Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms straight out at the shoulders, parallel to the floor. Shift your weight to your left foot, lift your right foot, and bring it behind your left leg. Touch your right ankle with your left hand while keeping your right arm straight out at the shoulder for balance. Return to the starting position and switch to the other side.
With each version:
Alternate between left and right and repeat in a rhythmic way—try flipping on some music. (Music also enhances cognitive function and improves mood!) Breathe fully and evenly through the exercise.
You can find more cross-lateral exercises found to be specifically beneficial for improving children’s attention and focus at the Integrated Learning Strategies Learning Corner here.
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, try doing an everyday task with the opposite (not dominant) hand or foot, like brushing your teeth, using a computer mouse, or putting on your pants with the opposite leg first. Not all activities to promote a bilateral brain are easy!
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Daily stress can impede your ability to perform at your best. When there’s a free exchange of information between your brain’s hemispheres, you can achieve levels of creativity and mental acuity you might have previously thought impossible. Try these exercises alone, with your family, or with your remote work team on a regular basis to clear the interference, get the midline highway flowing and move into the fast lane!


dailyhealthpost--2020-10-09--Rare and Gorgeous Black Leopard Caught on Camera Hunting Deer in Indian National Park

Black leopards and jaguars , usually called with the common term “ black panther ” , are often seen in modern pop-culture .
There ’ s something almost magical about these gorgeous big cats and their pitch-black coats that just hits harder than their traditional yellow-brown spots .
When it comes to the real black panthers , however , they are not as common .
Melanism , as is the official name of their condition is caused by a recessive genetic mutation .
This mutation occurs in about 10 % of leopards .
Given that the worldwide population of wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 12,000 to 14,000 as of 2014 ) makes black leopards even rarer .
As with all rare things , however , seeing a black leopard in the wild nowadays is even more special .
This is exactly what happened to 24-year-old Anurag Gawande in the Tadoba National Park in India .
The young man stumbled upon the animal accidentally on a dirt road in the middle of the park .
The leopard was hunting a deer at the time so Anurag didn ’ t have much time to photograph the animal but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few good shots .
The end result was several absolutely stunning photos .
Anurag is not a part of the national park ’ s staff – he was just a visitor in the park , on a safari there with his mother and brother .
So , stumbling on the beautiful animal was definitely a highlight for him – he described the encounter as “ unique ” and “ like finding a needle in a haystack ” .
The Tadoba National Park is officially dubbed a tiger reserve and is the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India .
However , it ’ s also the home of a big number of leopards – of the 1,500-2,000 estimated black leopards still in the wild today , a large portion live in the tropical forests of South-East Asia and in India .
What exactly is melanism ?
Out of the different “ common ” mutations seen in wild big cats , melanism is probably the most well-known from the general public .
It ’ s seen in 13 out of the 37 different species of wild cats and can be either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somewhat partial , as is the case with the leopard seen by Anurag Gawande .
Curiously enough , melanism is caused by different recessive genetic mutations in different cats , research shows .
For example , in leopards , melanism is caused by the recessive form of their ASIP gene while in jaguars it ’ s caused by the dominant form of their MC1R gene .
So , while both are called “ black panthers ” , not only are the two species of black cats completely different but even the mutation they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by entirely different mutations .
Why is melanism so popular in some cats ?
As rare as black panthers are , 10 % is still technically a very high percentage for a random mutation .
This means that melanism is not just a matter of chance but it ’ s also affected by natural selection , i.e .
it offers some benefits to the cats ’ survival .
Scientists have speculated about several possible advantages of melanism : Camouflage is an easy and intuitive conclusion that almost doesn ’ t need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live and hunt in rain forests where shade is often abundant and a black coat can help them blend with their surroundings .
Parasite resistance and thermoregulation are less intuitive evolutionary advantages but they are also fairly likely given the research done up until now .
Wild leopards can be found both in Africa , India , South-East Asia , and even China but black leopards are especially common only in South-East Asia and parts of India – in most other wild leopard habitats black panthers are much rarer .

Black leopards and jaguars, usually called with the common term “black panther”, are often seen in modern pop-culture. There’s something almost magical about these gorgeous big cats and their pitch-black coats that just hits harder than their traditional yellow-brown spots.
Advertisement
When it comes to the real black panthers, however, they are not as common. Melanism, as is the official name of their condition is caused by a recessive genetic mutation. This mutation occurs in about 10% of leopards. Given that the worldwide population of wild leopards is in the low 5 digits (12,000 to 14,000 as of 2014) makes black leopards even rarer.
As with all rare things, however, seeing a black leopard in the wild nowadays is even more special. This is exactly what happened to 24-year-old Anurag Gawande in the Tadoba National Park in India. The young man stumbled upon the animal accidentally on a dirt road in the middle of the park. The leopard was hunting a deer at the time so Anurag didn’t have much time to photograph the animal but, fortunately, still managed to get a few good shots.
Advertisement
The end result was several absolutely stunning photos. Anurag is not a part of the national park’s staff – he was just a visitor in the park, on a safari there with his mother and brother. So, stumbling on the beautiful animal was definitely a highlight for him – he described the encounter as “unique” and “like finding a needle in a haystack”.
The Tadoba National Park is officially dubbed a tiger reserve and is the largest tiger reserve in the Maharashtra region in India. However, it’s also the home of a big number of leopards – of the 1,500-2,000 estimated black leopards still in the wild today, a large portion live in the tropical forests of South-East Asia and in India.
What exactly is melanism?
Out of the different “common” mutations seen in wild big cats, melanism is probably the most well-known from the general public. It’s seen in 13 out of the 37 different species of wild cats and can be either complete (fully black coat) or somewhat partial, as is the case with the leopard seen by Anurag Gawande.
Advertisement
Curiously enough, melanism is caused by different recessive genetic mutations in different cats, research shows. For example, in leopards, melanism is caused by the recessive form of their ASIP gene while in jaguars it’s caused by the dominant form of their MC1R gene. So, while both are called “black panthers”, not only are the two species of black cats completely different but even the mutation they have “in common” is actually caused by entirely different mutations.
Why is melanism so popular in some cats?
As rare as black panthers are, 10% is still technically a very high percentage for a random mutation. This means that melanism is not just a matter of chance but it’s also affected by natural selection, i.e. it offers some benefits to the cats’ survival.
Scientists have speculated about several possible advantages of melanism:
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Camouflage
Parasite resistance
Thermoregulation
Camouflage is an easy and intuitive conclusion that almost doesn’t need to be discussed – both leopards and jaguars live and hunt in rain forests where shade is often abundant and a black coat can help them blend with their surroundings.
Parasite resistance and thermoregulation are less intuitive evolutionary advantages but they are also fairly likely given the research done up until now.
Wild leopards can be found both in Africa, India, South-East Asia, and even China but black leopards are especially common only in South-East Asia and parts of India – in most other wild leopard habitats black panthers are much rarer.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-10--Neuroscience Reveals: Gratitude Literally Rewires Your Brain to be Happier

When you say “ thank you ” , do you really mean it or is it just politeness to which you give little attention ?
Neuroscientists have found that if you really feel it when you say it , you ’ ll be happier and healthier .
The regular practice of expressing gratitude is not a New Age fad ; it ’ s a facet of the human condition that reaps true benefits to those who mean it .
Psychologists Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California at Davis and Dr. Michael McCullough of the University of Miami published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the physical outcomes of practicing gratitude .
One third of the subjects in the study were asked to keep a daily journal of things that happened during the week for which they were grateful .
Another third was asked to write down daily irritations or events that had displeased them .
The last third of the group was asked to write down daily situations and events with no emphasis on either positive or negative emotional attachment .
At the end of the 10-week study , each group was asked to record how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The gratitude group reported feeling more optimistic and positive about their lives than the other groups .
In addition , the gratitude group was more physically active and reported fewer visits to a doctor than those who wrote only about their negative experiences .
( 1 ) Other research into the physical effects of gratitude report even more tangible results .
Focusing on the positive and feeling grateful can improve your sleep quality and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression .
( 2 ) Furthermore , levels of gratitude correlate to better moods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of heart failure , even for those who are susceptible .
( 3 ) The reasons why gratitude is so impactful to health and well-being begin in the brain .
In a neurological experiment conducted by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles , brain activity was measured using magnetic resonance imaging as subjects were induced to feel gratitude by receiving gifts .
The areas of the brain showing increased activity were the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex—those associated with moral and social cognition , reward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the conclusion that the emotion of gratitude supports a positive and supportive attitude toward others and a feeling of relief from stressors .
( 4 ) Gratitude activates the hypothalamus as well , with downstream effects on metabolism , stress , and various behaviors .
( 5 ) The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain and regulates hormones responsible for many critical functions , such as body temperature , emotional responses , and survival functions like appetite and sleep .
One of the neurochemicals associated with the parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dopamine , a pleasure hormone .
The positive influence of gratitude on mental health continues past a particular event if the emotion is relived : “ …a simple gratitude writing intervention was associated with significantly greater and lasting neural sensitivity to gratitude–subjects who participated in gratitude letter writing showed both behavioral increases in gratitude and significantly greater neural modulation by gratitude in the medial prefrontal cortex three months later.
” ( 6 ) In fact , this lasting effect is psychologically protective .
In adolescents , feelings of gratitude have shown an inverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( 7 ) Gratitude affects brain function on a chemical level and its practice promotes feelings of self-worth and compassion for others .
We can perceive and experience gratitude and its many characteristics in a very broad spectrum .
( 8 ) Openness and willingness to experience gratitude affects not only the individual but her/his interpersonal relationships ; a common strain in relationships is caused by repeated negative feedback by one or both partners without off-setting gratitude .
( 9 ) 3 Steps to Becoming More Grateful In times of hardship or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful .
But if you really think about it , we all have something to be grateful for .
If you engage in only one prayer , let it be simply a heartfelt “ thank you ” .
Here are three easy ways to put yourself in the mindfulness of gratitude .
• Keep a daily journal of things you are grateful for—list at least three .
The best times for writing in your journal are in the morning as your day begins or at night before sleep .
• Make it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you appreciate about them on a daily basis .
• When you look in the mirror , give yourself a moment to think about a quality you like about yourself or something have recently accomplished .
Through the power of gratitude , you can wire your brain to be optimistic and compassionate , making you feel good .
The more you look , the more you can find to be grateful for .
This positivity can extend to those around you , creating a virtuous cycle .
( 10 )

When you say “thank you”, do you really mean it or is it just politeness to which you give little attention? Neuroscientists have found that if you really feel it when you say it, you’ll be happier and healthier. The regular practice of expressing gratitude is not a New Age fad; it’s a facet of the human condition that reaps true benefits to those who mean it.
Advertisement
Psychologists Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California at Davis and Dr. Michael McCullough of the University of Miami published a study in 2015 that looked at the physical outcomes of practicing gratitude.
One third of the subjects in the study were asked to keep a daily journal of things that happened during the week for which they were grateful. Another third was asked to write down daily irritations or events that had displeased them. The last third of the group was asked to write down daily situations and events with no emphasis on either positive or negative emotional attachment. At the end of the 10-week study, each group was asked to record how they felt physically and generally about life.
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The gratitude group reported feeling more optimistic and positive about their lives than the other groups. In addition, the gratitude group was more physically active and reported fewer visits to a doctor than those who wrote only about their negative experiences. (1)
Better Physical Health
Other research into the physical effects of gratitude report even more tangible results. Focusing on the positive and feeling grateful can improve your sleep quality and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. (2) Furthermore, levels of gratitude correlate to better moods and less fatigue and inflammation, reducing the risk of heart failure, even for those who are susceptible. (3)
Gratitude and Your Brain
The reasons why gratitude is so impactful to health and well-being begin in the brain. In a neurological experiment conducted by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles, brain activity was measured using magnetic resonance imaging as subjects were induced to feel gratitude by receiving gifts. The areas of the brain showing increased activity were the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex—those associated with moral and social cognition, reward, empathy, and value judgment. This led to the conclusion that the emotion of gratitude supports a positive and supportive attitude toward others and a feeling of relief from stressors. (4)
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Gratitude activates the hypothalamus as well, with downstream effects on metabolism, stress, and various behaviors. (5) The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain and regulates hormones responsible for many critical functions, such as body temperature, emotional responses, and survival functions like appetite and sleep. One of the neurochemicals associated with the parts of the brain affected by gratitude is dopamine, a pleasure hormone.
The positive influence of gratitude on mental health continues past a particular event if the emotion is relived:
“…a simple gratitude writing intervention was associated with significantly greater and lasting neural sensitivity to gratitude–subjects who participated in gratitude letter writing showed both behavioral increases in gratitude and significantly greater neural modulation by gratitude in the medial prefrontal cortex three months later.” (6)
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In fact, this lasting effect is psychologically protective. In adolescents, feelings of gratitude have shown an inverse correlation with bullying victimization and suicide risk. (7) Gratitude affects brain function on a chemical level and its practice promotes feelings of self-worth and compassion for others.
We can perceive and experience gratitude and its many characteristics in a very broad spectrum. (8) Openness and willingness to experience gratitude affects not only the individual but her/his interpersonal relationships; a common strain in relationships is caused by repeated negative feedback by one or both partners without off-setting gratitude. (9)
3 Steps to Becoming More Grateful
In times of hardship or stress it might seem difficult to be grateful. But if you really think about it, we all have something to be grateful for. If you engage in only one prayer, let it be simply a heartfelt “thank you”. Here are three easy ways to put yourself in the mindfulness of gratitude.
Advertisement
Keep a daily journal of things you are grateful for—list at least three. The best times for writing in your journal are in the morning as your day begins or at night before sleep. Make it a point to tell people in your life what you appreciate about them on a daily basis. When you look in the mirror, give yourself a moment to think about a quality you like about yourself or something have recently accomplished.
Through the power of gratitude, you can wire your brain to be optimistic and compassionate, making you feel good. The more you look, the more you can find to be grateful for. This positivity can extend to those around you, creating a virtuous cycle. (10)
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-11--“Rapid Evolution” Means That People are Now Being Born Without Wisdom Teeth and Smaller Faces

What if you were told that human evolution is actually moving along much faster in recent decades than it used to in the past several centuries ?
A recent study published in the Journal of Anatomy by Dr Teghan Lucas and professors Maciej Henneberg and Jaliya Kumaratilake , of Flinders University in Adelaide has determined that humans are undergoing a “ rapid evolution ” at the moment .
According to the research , more and more babies are born without wisdom teeth and with shorter faces due to people ’ s ever decreasing lack of need for strong jaws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many have had to deal with dental problems caused by wisdom teeth .
“ This is happening in time as we have learned to use fire and process foods more .
A lot of people are just being born without wisdom teeth , ” Dr. Teghan Lucas said .
There ’ s also an increase of people born with additional bones in their arms and legs , as well as with some abnormal connections in two or more bones in people ’ s feet .
There ’ s even an increase of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their arms compared to data from the 19th century .
The additional artery is curious as it ’ s something that commonly forms in babies while they ’ re still in their mothers ’ wombs to supply blood to the forearm and the hands .
However , under a “ normal ” course of development of the fetus , this artery is supposed to disappear during gestation and get replaced by ulnar and radial arteries .
“ Since the 18th century , anatomists have been studying the prevalence of this artery in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s clearly increasing , ” Dr. Lucas said .
She went on to elaborate exactly how significant the increase is .
“ The prevalence was around 10 % in people born in the mid-1880s compared to 30 % in those born in the late 20th century , so that ’ s a significant increase in a fairly short period of time when it comes to evolution.
” “ This increase could have resulted from mutations of genes involved in median artery development or health problems in mothers during pregnancy , or both actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If this trend continues , a majority of people will have a median artery of the forearm by 2100.
” The main takeaway from the study is that humans are now evolving at a much faster rate than at any other period during the last 250 years of the recorded history of human anatomy .
According to the authors , this is a matter of simple natural selection – as our world and lifestyle change more and more , so do the ways in which we select our life partners .
We may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnatural ” ways we ’ ve been changing our species ’ development in recent decades but from an evolutionary point of view , it ’ s all just natural selection .
As to where all that would lead – it remains to be seen .

What if you were told that human evolution is actually moving along much faster in recent decades than it used to in the past several centuries?
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A recent study published in the Journal of Anatomy by Dr Teghan Lucas and professors Maciej Henneberg and Jaliya Kumaratilake, of Flinders University in Adelaide has determined that humans are undergoing a “rapid evolution” at the moment.
According to the research, more and more babies are born without wisdom teeth and with shorter faces due to people’s ever decreasing lack of need for strong jaws. This is good news because for centuries, many have had to deal with dental problems caused by wisdom teeth.
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“This is happening in time as we have learned to use fire and process foods more. A lot of people are just being born without wisdom teeth,” Dr. Teghan Lucas said.
There’s also an increase of people born with additional bones in their arms and legs, as well as with some abnormal connections in two or more bones in people’s feet. There’s even an increase of people born with an additional median artery in their arms compared to data from the 19th century.
The additional artery is curious as it’s something that commonly forms in babies while they’re still in their mothers’ wombs to supply blood to the forearm and the hands. However, under a “normal” course of development of the fetus, this artery is supposed to disappear during gestation and get replaced by ulnar and radial arteries.
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“Since the 18th century, anatomists have been studying the prevalence of this artery in adults and our study shows it’s clearly increasing,” Dr. Lucas said. She went on to elaborate exactly how significant the increase is.
“The prevalence was around 10% in people born in the mid-1880s compared to 30% in those born in the late 20th century, so that’s a significant increase in a fairly short period of time when it comes to evolution.”
“This increase could have resulted from mutations of genes involved in median artery development or health problems in mothers during pregnancy, or both actually,” Dr. Lucas added. “If this trend continues, a majority of people will have a median artery of the forearm by 2100.”
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The main takeaway from the study is that humans are now evolving at a much faster rate than at any other period during the last 250 years of the recorded history of human anatomy. According to the authors, this is a matter of simple natural selection – as our world and lifestyle change more and more, so do the ways in which we select our life partners.
Forearm artery reveals humans evolving from changes in natural selection
Watch this video on YouTube
We may be used to talking about the “unnatural” ways we’ve been changing our species’ development in recent decades but from an evolutionary point of view, it’s all just natural selection. As to where all that would lead – it remains to be seen.


dailyhealthpost--2020-10-12--Marijuana Treats Migraine Pain Better Than Prescription Medication, Study Finds

Marijuana research shows no signs of slowing down .
Its latest find ?
A study presented at the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology has confirmed that the active compounds in cannabis can reduce the frequency of acute migraine pain .
These compounds actually work better than prescription migraine medication and have fewer side effects .
The study involved 127 participants with chronic migraines or cluster headaches .
Cluster headaches are characterized by severe headaches that occur on one side of the head , particularly around the eye ( 1 ) .
On the other hand , migraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and affects both sides of your head ( 2 ) .
The oral medication used in the study contained two cannabis-derived cannabinoids : 19 % tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) and 9 % cannabidiol ( CBD ) .
THC , or course , is psychoactive and creates the famous “ high ” recreational users crave .
It ’ s also incredibly healing .
CBD , on the other hand , isn ’ t psychoactive and is the best known for treating cancer and managing seizures in epileptic children and adults ( 3 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants suffering from chronic , acute migraines a variety of doses of THC-CBD drug .
The group that received a daily dose of 200mg of the drug for three months experienced a 55 % decrease in pain .
Lower doses also reduced pain , but not to the same extent ( 4 ) .
The second phase included 79 participants suffering from cluster headaches and well as chronic migraines.Participants suffering from migraines were split into to groups and given either 200mg of the THC-CBD drug or 25 milligrams of amitriptyline .
Amitriptyline is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat migraines ( 5 ) .
On the other hand , headache-afflicted participants were given either the THC-CBD drug or 80 milligrams of verapamil .
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker prescription pharmaceutical given to patients with cluster headaches ( 6 ) .
In both groups , the THC-CBD medication came on top .
For migraines , THC-CBD was slightly better at lowering the frequency of attacks and m reduced migraine pain by 43.5 % .
For cluster headaches , the THC-CBD medication was also helpful at reducing pain .
However , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood history of migraines .
What ’ s more , participants reported fewer side effects with THC-CBD than traditional treatment .
Participants reported fewer stomach aches , muscle pains , and incidences of colitis than their prescription-taking counterparts .
The THC-CBD groups did , however , report some drowsiness and difficulty concentrating .
The study confirms research published in 2016 in the Journal of Pharmacotherapy that found that medical marijuana reduced the frequency of migraines ( 7 ) .
Other studies have also suggested that cannabis is much safer to use than prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addiction rate .
Further research is currently underway to determine whether or not cannabinoids may replace over-the-counter opioids for pain relief .
It may be a long time before we see widespread marijuana legalization and cannabis-based medicines , but the research is certainly a step in the right direction .
Of course , as with all pharmaceuticals , cannabis-based drugs isolate active compounds , but set aside all the other beneficial cannabinoids and nutrients that work with CBD and THC to heal and benefit the body .
The results can be devastating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get your medicine straight from the plant and make your own cannabis juice and oil .

Marijuana research shows no signs of slowing down. Its latest find? A study presented at the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology has confirmed that the active compounds in cannabis can reduce the frequency of acute migraine pain. These compounds actually work better than prescription migraine medication and have fewer side effects.
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The study involved 127 participants with chronic migraines or cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are characterized by severe headaches that occur on one side of the head, particularly around the eye (1). On the other hand, migraine pain often entails light sensitivity and nausea and affects both sides of your head (2).
Cannabis for Migraines
The oral medication used in the study contained two cannabis-derived cannabinoids: 19% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 9% cannabidiol (CBD). THC, or course, is psychoactive and creates the famous “high” recreational users crave. It’s also incredibly healing. CBD, on the other hand, isn’t psychoactive and is the best known for treating cancer and managing seizures in epileptic children and adults (3).
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The two-phase study began by giving 48 participants suffering from chronic, acute migraines a variety of doses of THC-CBD drug. The group that received a daily dose of 200mg of the drug for three months experienced a 55% decrease in pain. Lower doses also reduced pain, but not to the same extent (4).
The second phase included 79 participants suffering from cluster headaches and well as chronic migraines.Participants suffering from migraines were split into to groups and given either 200mg of the THC-CBD drug or 25 milligrams of amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is a common antidepressant medication also used to treat migraines (5).
On the other hand, headache-afflicted participants were given either the THC-CBD drug or 80 milligrams of verapamil. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker prescription pharmaceutical given to patients with cluster headaches (6).
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In both groups, the THC-CBD medication came on top. For migraines, THC-CBD was slightly better at lowering the frequency of attacks and m reduced migraine pain by 43.5%. For cluster headaches, the THC-CBD medication was also helpful at reducing pain. However, it worked best for participants who had a childhood history of migraines.
What’s more, participants reported fewer side effects with THC-CBD than traditional treatment. Participants reported fewer stomach aches, muscle pains, and incidences of colitis than their prescription-taking counterparts. The THC-CBD groups did, however, report some drowsiness and difficulty concentrating.
Nothing New
The study confirms research published in 2016 in the Journal of Pharmacotherapy that found that medical marijuana reduced the frequency of migraines (7). Other studies have also suggested that cannabis is much safer to use than prescription pain medications, which has a high addiction rate. Further research is currently underway to determine whether or not cannabinoids may replace over-the-counter opioids for pain relief.
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It may be a long time before we see widespread marijuana legalization and cannabis-based medicines, but the research is certainly a step in the right direction.
Of course, as with all pharmaceuticals, cannabis-based drugs isolate active compounds, but set aside all the other beneficial cannabinoids and nutrients that work with CBD and THC to heal and benefit the body. The results can be devastating. As such, it’s better to get your medicine straight from the plant and make your own cannabis juice and oil.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-13--The Dracula Parrot – a Bird that’s Both Terrifying and Captivatingly Beautiful.

If you like to read fantasy you ’ re familiar with all the cross-breed monsters and animals fiction authors like to create .
The Avatar : Last Airbender universe is especially well-known for all its hybrid animals – lion-turtles , penguin-seals , antelope-cats , and so on .
Well , what if we told you about a real-life vulture-parrot that both looks amazing and is almost endangered ?
Nicknamed “ The Dracula parrot ” this species ’ actual name is Pesquet ’ s parrot .
Its body resembles that of most other parrots and has bright red and black coloring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly devoid of any feathers , exposing its dark skin which continues with ominous black feathers down the bird ’ s neck .
Almost as if it has come out of a Hayao Miyazaki film , the Dracula parrot actually lives in the cloudy forests of New Guinea .
It ’ s a mid-sized parrot that measures ~18 inches when full-grown and spans almost a meter from beak to tail in flight .
Why does it look this way ?
Most parrots are fully covered with colorful feathers so why does this vulture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t 100 % sure but the widely accepted explanation is that it ’ s to compliment the bird ’ s dietary habits .
See , the Dracula parrot doesn ’ t feed on the blood of Romanian virgins but on New Guinean figs .
And because these fruits are a bit messy to eat , especially without a full set of teeth and a napkin , the parrot is believed to have evolved a feather-less head to be more hygienic .
If the parrot had a full set of feathers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and need cleaning – with its full-shaven look , however , that ’ s not an issue .
The problem with this theory is that it ’ s not clear if a bit of messiness would have hurt Pesquet ’ s parrot ’ s survival chances that much .
As we know , evolution doesn ’ t work by fully optimizing everything but simply be helping the individuals of a species to survive long enough to pass their genes .
Still , it is possible that a feathery head full of fig juice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of survival against raptor birds and snakes , hence why the theory stands as the most likely explanation for their naked heads .
Any other reasons for the “ Dracula ” moniker ?
As a matter of fact – yes .
In addition to their ominous look , the Dracula parrots also have a very terrifying call .
As parrots.org describes it , the Pesquet ’ s parrot has a call that ’ s “ harsh and rasping ; also described as growling .
Also drawn out scream given frequently in flight.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean , vulture-like head , it ’ s no surprise that people have dubbed this bird “ the Dracula parrot.
” Not only are these vulture parrots nothing more than harmless fruit-eaters , however , they are also near-endangered .
According to the Red List , there are currently only between 20k and 49k adult parrots in the wild .
That ’ s not too bad , compared to other species , however , the ongoing trend is of a rapid decrease .
The Red List outlines two main reasons for this steep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Deforestation and pushing out of habitat It turns out that even though most people are initially freaked out by the Dracula parrot ’ s look , they still want to purchase its gorgeous red feathers .
Together with deforestation and expanding urban zones , the parrot ’ s habitats are constantly shrinking .
“ Hunting for feathers has increased with population growth .
Current rates of decline due to hunting are uncertain but could be relatively minor , and the species appears secure in large areas of suitable habitat in central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of which occurs in rugged terrain in areas with a low human population density.
” It remains to be seen if human intervention will be required for the preservation of this unique species should they ever fall below the “ endangered ” line .
Hopefully , it won ’ t come to that .

If you like to read fantasy you’re familiar with all the cross-breed monsters and animals fiction authors like to create. The Avatar: Last Airbender universe is especially well-known for all its hybrid animals – lion-turtles, penguin-seals, antelope-cats, and so on. Well, what if we told you about a real-life vulture-parrot that both looks amazing and is almost endangered?
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Nicknamed “The Dracula parrot” this species’ actual name is Pesquet’s parrot. Its body resembles that of most other parrots and has bright red and black coloring. Its head, however, is mostly devoid of any feathers, exposing its dark skin which continues with ominous black feathers down the bird’s neck.
Almost as if it has come out of a Hayao Miyazaki film, the Dracula parrot actually lives in the cloudy forests of New Guinea. It’s a mid-sized parrot that measures ~18 inches when full-grown and spans almost a meter from beak to tail in flight.
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Why does it look this way?
Most parrots are fully covered with colorful feathers so why does this vulture parrot have a naked head? Scientists aren’t 100% sure but the widely accepted explanation is that it’s to compliment the bird’s dietary habits.
See, the Dracula parrot doesn’t feed on the blood of Romanian virgins but on New Guinean figs. And because these fruits are a bit messy to eat, especially without a full set of teeth and a napkin, the parrot is believed to have evolved a feather-less head to be more hygienic. If the parrot had a full set of feathers on its head they would constantly get messy and need cleaning – with its full-shaven look, however, that’s not an issue.
The problem with this theory is that it’s not clear if a bit of messiness would have hurt Pesquet’s parrot’s survival chances that much. As we know, evolution doesn’t work by fully optimizing everything but simply be helping the individuals of a species to survive long enough to pass their genes.
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Still, it is possible that a feathery head full of fig juice might have lowered the parrots’ chances of survival against raptor birds and snakes, hence why the theory stands as the most likely explanation for their naked heads.
Any other reasons for the “Dracula” moniker?
As a matter of fact – yes. In addition to their ominous look, the Dracula parrots also have a very terrifying call. As parrots.org describes it, the Pesquet’s parrot has a call that’s “harsh and rasping; also described as growling. Also drawn out scream given frequently in flight.”
With a screech like that and a clean, vulture-like head, it’s no surprise that people have dubbed this bird “the Dracula parrot.”
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Endangered?
Not only are these vulture parrots nothing more than harmless fruit-eaters, however, they are also near-endangered.
According to the Red List, there are currently only between 20k and 49k adult parrots in the wild. That’s not too bad, compared to other species, however, the ongoing trend is of a rapid decrease.
The Red List outlines two main reasons for this steep decline in the bird’s population:
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Constant and unregulated hunting
Deforestation and pushing out of habitat
It turns out that even though most people are initially freaked out by the Dracula parrot’s look, they still want to purchase its gorgeous red feathers. Together with deforestation and expanding urban zones, the parrot’s habitats are constantly shrinking.
“Hunting for feathers has increased with population growth. Current rates of decline due to hunting are uncertain but could be relatively minor, and the species appears secure in large areas of suitable habitat in central and western mainland Papua New Guinea, much of which occurs in rugged terrain in areas with a low human population density.”
It remains to be seen if human intervention will be required for the preservation of this unique species should they ever fall below the “endangered” line. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-14--2 hours in nature per week can lead to drastic health benefits

There are a lot of famous wellness regimes and fitness programs that help people be more active and healthy .
Amidst all of these options , however , one simple tip seems to have been overlooked – spending even just 2 hours in nature per week can lead to drastic health benefits .
Whether we ’ re talking about physical health or mental health , there are almost countless studies that show how beneficial it is to spend time in nature – to reduce anxiety and depression , to lower blood pressure , to boost cognitive abilities and creativity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut the risk of a myriad of diseases – 2 hours in nature each week can do all that .
This was further supported by a new study from the UK which surveyed nearly 20,000 people ( 1 ) .
The study tracked all their activities for a week and determined that those who spent 2+ hours per week in nature ( whether at once or at smaller increments ) reported significantly better health results .
The effects were even more significant for people who spent over 200-300 minutes in nature per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of studies in this area , this is one of the first to try and quantify exactly how much time should people spend outdoors and in nature for the most efficient result possible .
It was conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School ( 2 ) because the doctors there were frequently asked by patients exactly how much time they should spend in nature .
“ They ’ re coming to us and saying ‘ Doctor , how long do I have to spend ?
’ ” says Mathew White who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior lecturer at the university .
“ And doctors are saying , ‘ We don ’ t really know.
’ So what we ’ re trying to do here is give doctors and patients the kind of evidence base that they can say , why don ’ t you try two hours a week ?
’ Naturally , it ’ s easy for any doctor to tell their patients to spend “ As much time as possible in nature ” but that ’ s inconclusive and ultimately – ineffective advice as most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any time in nature .
Instead , being able to give an exact number is much more effective .
“ We were really relieved it was two hours and not 12 hours , ” Mathew White also added .
“ Two hours is doable .
This could be accumulated over the week : A half-hour here , half an hour there , and before you know it , you know , you ’ ve achieved two hours .
Still , 60 % of our sample weren ’ t getting out in nature for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If your first instinct is to count up how much time you ’ ve spent on the street or in your backyard this week , keep in mind that this is not the type of environment the study is talking about .
Instead , the study recommends that people look for “ open spaces in and around towns and cities , including parks , canals , and nature areas ; the coast and beaches ; and the countryside including farmland , woodland , hills , and rivers.
” Doctors elsewhere have also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time – the positive effects of time in nature are intuitively known to all of us .
However , studies such as this one really help make these prescriptions more effective since they help raise awareness of how important it is to spend time in nature .
And as Mathew White concludes : “ What we really need is a longitudinal cohort of a few thousand people that we monitor for a few years to see what happens when they change their exposure to nature and what happens in the period afterward—months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

There are a lot of famous wellness regimes and fitness programs that help people be more active and healthy. Amidst all of these options, however, one simple tip seems to have been overlooked – spending even just 2 hours in nature per week can lead to drastic health benefits.
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Whether we’re talking about physical health or mental health, there are almost countless studies that show how beneficial it is to spend time in nature – to reduce anxiety and depression, to lower blood pressure, to boost cognitive abilities and creativity, to improve your overall fitness, and to cut the risk of a myriad of diseases – 2 hours in nature each week can do all that.
This was further supported by a new study from the UK which surveyed nearly 20,000 people (1). The study tracked all their activities for a week and determined that those who spent 2+ hours per week in nature (whether at once or at smaller increments) reported significantly better health results. The effects were even more significant for people who spent over 200-300 minutes in nature per week.
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While there have been a lot of studies in this area, this is one of the first to try and quantify exactly how much time should people spend outdoors and in nature for the most efficient result possible. It was conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School (2) because the doctors there were frequently asked by patients exactly how much time they should spend in nature.
“They’re coming to us and saying ‘Doctor, how long do I have to spend?’” says Mathew White who is an environmental psychologist as well as a senior lecturer at the university. “And doctors are saying, ‘We don’t really know.’ So what we’re trying to do here is give doctors and patients the kind of evidence base that they can say, why don’t you try two hours a week?’
Naturally, it’s easy for any doctor to tell their patients to spend “As much time as possible in nature” but that’s inconclusive and ultimately – ineffective advice as most people end up continuing to not spend any time in nature. Instead, being able to give an exact number is much more effective.
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“We were really relieved it was two hours and not 12 hours,” Mathew White also added. “Two hours is doable. This could be accumulated over the week: A half-hour here, half an hour there, and before you know it, you know, you’ve achieved two hours. Still, 60% of our sample weren’t getting out in nature for that amount of time a week.”
If your first instinct is to count up how much time you’ve spent on the street or in your backyard this week, keep in mind that this is not the type of environment the study is talking about. Instead, the study recommends that people look for “open spaces in and around towns and cities, including parks, canals, and nature areas; the coast and beaches; and the countryside including farmland, woodland, hills, and rivers.”
Doctors elsewhere have also been recommending time in nature for a long time – the positive effects of time in nature are intuitively known to all of us. However, studies such as this one really help make these prescriptions more effective since they help raise awareness of how important it is to spend time in nature. And as Mathew White concludes:
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“What we really need is a longitudinal cohort of a few thousand people that we monitor for a few years to see what happens when they change their exposure to nature and what happens in the period afterward—months and years—to their health and well-being,”
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-15--Morning Staple Reduces Colon Cancer Risk by 36%, Study Finds

Cancer is universal .
No matter where you ’ re from or who you are , everyone hates the disease equally .
It ’ s one of those rare things that humanity as whole can agree with ; cancer is bad .
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally , and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018 .
Globally , about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer .
If you or someone you know was affected by this sickness , then you know just how challenging and scary daily life becomes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with colon cancer , which is the 2nd deadliest type of cancer .
Mainstream medicine such as chemotherapy , radiation or surgery are rendered useless when faced with this disease .
In some cases , they can make you sicker because they weaken your body ’ s natural immune system and that sometimes can cause the cancer to spread .
Fortunately , not all hope is lost .
There ’ s a simple thing you can do to reduce your risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 36 percent .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably already enjoy and if that ’ s not the case , you ’ ll want to start taking it .
Can you guess what it is ?
If you guessed coffee , then you ’ re correct .
Believe it or not , recent research actually found that drinking coffee regularly can help reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer .
The study published in JAMA Oncology had 1,171 participants with advanced colorectal cancer .
The researchers founds that mild coffee drinkers ( 2-3 cups/day ) had an 18 percent reduction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And those that took four cups of coffee a day had a 36 percent reduction of death and a 22 percent reduction in cancer progression .
In addition , the protective benefit of coffee held , regardless of whether patients drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee .
There are many other coffee studies that have shown its protective properties against colorectal cancer .
While coffee is a great start and easy enough to implement , it ’ s clearly not the only way to support your body against cancer .
1 .
Vitamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various cellular functions of your immune system .
2 .
Ginseng is an herb that has numerous studies demonstrating its cancer fighting properties .
3 .
Turmeric is also an herb with anti-cancer properties and has been shown to help with breast cancer , bowel cancer , stomach cancer , and skin cancer cells .
4 .
Mushrooms are known for their immune-modulating and anti-tumour properties .
They are naturally rich in beta-glucans , which is responsible for the immune-modulating effects .
5 .
You can never get enough fiber .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but will also feed the good bacteria living in your gut .
6 .
Throwing away junk food is probably the most obvious item on this list .
The less processed foods you eat , the better your gut health .

Cancer is universal. No matter where you’re from or who you are, everyone hates the disease equally. It’s one of those rare things that humanity as whole can agree with; cancer is bad.
Advertisement
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.
If you or someone you know was affected by this sickness, then you know just how challenging and scary daily life becomes. Even more so, if you had to deal with colon cancer, which is the 2nd deadliest type of cancer.
Advertisement
Mainstream medicine such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery are rendered useless when faced with this disease. In some cases, they can make you sicker because they weaken your body’s natural immune system and that sometimes can cause the cancer to spread.
Fortunately, not all hope is lost. There’s a simple thing you can do to reduce your risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 36 percent. It’s a morning staple that you probably already enjoy and if that’s not the case, you’ll want to start taking it.
Can you guess what it is?
If you guessed coffee, then you’re correct. Believe it or not, recent research actually found that drinking coffee regularly can help reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Advertisement
The study published in JAMA Oncology had 1,171 participants with advanced colorectal cancer.
The researchers founds that mild coffee drinkers (2-3 cups/day) had an 18 percent reduction in risk of dying over the study period. And those that took four cups of coffee a day had a 36 percent reduction of death and a 22 percent reduction in cancer progression. In addition, the protective benefit of coffee held, regardless of whether patients drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.
There are many other coffee studies that have shown its protective properties against colorectal cancer. While coffee is a great start and easy enough to implement, it’s clearly not the only way to support your body against cancer.
Advertisement
6 Anti-cancer Gut Health Tips
1. Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of your immune system.
2. Ginseng is an herb that has numerous studies demonstrating its cancer fighting properties.
3. Turmeric is also an herb with anti-cancer properties and has been shown to help with breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer, and skin cancer cells.
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4. Mushrooms are known for their immune-modulating and anti-tumour properties. They are naturally rich in beta-glucans, which is responsible for the immune-modulating effects.
5. You can never get enough fiber. This will not only help with regular bowel movements, but will also feed the good bacteria living in your gut.
6. Throwing away junk food is probably the most obvious item on this list. The less processed foods you eat, the better your gut health.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-10-16--With a Wingspan of 7 Feet, the Harpy Eagle Looks like a Person Wearing a Bird Costume

Harpy eagles have to be one of the biggest eagle species out there .
With a wingspan of around 7 feet , 5-inch long talons , and enough strength to exert 110 pounds of bone-crushing pressure , they truly are the kings and queens of the sky .
That is unless they get shot down by a poacher .
This is Antonio Fernandini Guerrero and a female harpy eagle he personally nursed back to health from a gunshot wound .
The eagle had been previously rehabilitated in captivity before she was released into the wild .
The hopes were that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , hunting , mating , and helping her species .
Unfortunately , the feathery giantess was shot by a poacher .
She survived with the help of Antonio but is now blind in one eye and can ’ t be released in the wild again .
Antonio has taken it entirely upon himself to take care of the eagle and to feed her and house her on his own .
Harpy eagles are one of the largest species of eagle , significantly bigger than most of the other 100+ eagle species worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounds and is even bigger than the average harpy .
The males are about twice smaller than the females .
These gorgeous birds are native to Mexico and most South American countries going as far south as Northern Argentina .
They do need lots of open space and large trees to hunt and nest .
They use only the highest trees in the rainforest jungles to build their giant nests out of branches , sticks , plants , animal fur and bones , and anything else they can find .
The harpy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , birds , iguanas , snakes , and almost anything else they can get their claws on .
A full-grown harpy eagle has no problem killing prey that ’ s as heavy as the bird and then flying away with it .
When they hunt , the harpies can stalk their prey from over 220 yards and chase it down with a speed of over 50 miles per hour .
When they mate and nest , the harpies do so with the same partner for life .
The harpy eagles also lay eggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years , with the young eagles hanging around their parents for as much as two years before the fly away .
All this explains why the harpy eagles have been facing difficulties maintaining their population .
Between the deforestation , loss of habitat , constant hunting , and their slow breeding , these magnificent birds may find themselves in real danger soon .
They ’ re not officially endangered yet , fortunately , but with their progressively dropping numbers , they might find themselves on the Red List of endangered species soon @

Harpy eagles have to be one of the biggest eagle species out there. With a wingspan of around 7 feet, 5-inch long talons, and enough strength to exert 110 pounds of bone-crushing pressure, they truly are the kings and queens of the sky.
Advertisement
That is unless they get shot down by a poacher. This is Antonio Fernandini Guerrero and a female harpy eagle he personally nursed back to health from a gunshot wound. The eagle had been previously rehabilitated in captivity before she was released into the wild. The hopes were that she would successfully return to her natural life, hunting, mating, and helping her species.
Unfortunately, the feathery giantess was shot by a poacher. She survived with the help of Antonio but is now blind in one eye and can’t be released in the wild again. Antonio has taken it entirely upon himself to take care of the eagle and to feed her and house her on his own.
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Harpy eagles are one of the largest species of eagle, significantly bigger than most of the other 100+ eagle species worldwide. This particular beauty weighs over 20 pounds and is even bigger than the average harpy. The males are about twice smaller than the females.
These gorgeous birds are native to Mexico and most South American countries going as far south as Northern Argentina. They do need lots of open space and large trees to hunt and nest. They use only the highest trees in the rainforest jungles to build their giant nests out of branches, sticks, plants, animal fur and bones, and anything else they can find.
The harpy’s usual prey includes monkeys, sloths, birds, iguanas, snakes, and almost anything else they can get their claws on. A full-grown harpy eagle has no problem killing prey that’s as heavy as the bird and then flying away with it. When they hunt, the harpies can stalk their prey from over 220 yards and chase it down with a speed of over 50 miles per hour.
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When they mate and nest, the harpies do so with the same partner for life.
The harpy eagles also lay eggs quite rarely – once every two or three years, with the young eagles hanging around their parents for as much as two years before the fly away. All this explains why the harpy eagles have been facing difficulties maintaining their population.
Between the deforestation, loss of habitat, constant hunting, and their slow breeding, these magnificent birds may find themselves in real danger soon. They’re not officially endangered yet, fortunately, but with their progressively dropping numbers, they might find themselves on the Red List of endangered species soon.
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