Everyone’s parents probably told them when they were younger that carrots improve their eyesight. I always believed that my parents told me this just to get me to eat my vegetables. As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself liking vegetables more and more and have learned the importance the nutrients found in vegetables really are. I’d like to note that different vegetables contain different nutrients. So how can a carrot, for example improve my eyesight?

Is it true that by increasing my intake of carrots, that my vision will improve? Can a vegetable really make me see better? I know that certain vegetables contain certain vitamins that our bodies need for certain things. Vitamin A is found in Carrots which is important in maintaining good vision. It has been found that countries that don’t eat a lot of foods rich in these vitamins, mostly vegetables, lack the benefits. For example, countries that can’t afford to eat carrots, have poorer eyesight(O’Connor).

A study shows that over time carrots improve eyesight(Maron). I think that they can be effective but it’s not something that is going to happen overnight by binge eating carrots. While carrots contain a large amount of Vitamin A, that we can only get from certain vegetables and fruits, I think it could be just as effective to take Vitamin A supplements. It’s important to note that carrots have not been found to improve eyesight, yet, but they do help us maintain it. Another important piece of information to remember is that carrots aren’t the only vegetable containing Vitamin A; most orange pigmented fruits and vegetables do as well. (Winkler).

This wives tale is not definitely a tale; we know that carrots contain the vitamins necessary to maintain eyesight. For now, we should continue to eat carrots and other vegetables for all of their nutrients and other benefits. Be careful though, too many carrots and other orange-pigmented fruits and veggies can cause skin to turn orange, but it’s harmless(Winkler). I won’t get into that now that, I’ll save that fact for another blog post.

Works Cited

1. Maron, Dina Fine. “Fact or Fiction?: Carrots Improve Your Vision.” Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., 23 June 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

2. O’Connor, Anahad. “The Claim: Eating Carrots Improves Your Eyesight.” The New York Times. N.p., 3 May 2005. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

3. Winkler, Sarah. “Carrots and Eye Health.” HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

I recently wrote a post on the proper procedure for hand washing, in everyday routine. For anyone who watches Grey’s Anatomy, you are probably aware of the many scenes where the surgeons are found “scrubbing in” and “scrubbing out” of their surgeries. In one particular episode, Dr. Bailey is accused of not properly “scrubbing in” and giving her patient an infection that led to a few of her patients’ deaths.

After writing my last post about everyday hand washing and thinking about how important it is for surgeons to properly scrub, in order to avoid situations like Dr. Bailey’s, I wanted to look into all of the logistics of hand washing. Medscape goes through the step by step process of scrubbing in. In most cases, each scrub should last about 5 minutes on average depending on certain protocol(How To Perform Surgical Hand Scrubs). A surgeon should time their scrub and follow the guidelines.

Since we know that germs cannot be 100% removed, I was curious to see the effectiveness of timing for surgical scrubbing. A study has found that it is most effective to scrub for at least 5 minutes, but anything more than 5 minutes, is not any more effective. They compared someone who scrubbed for 5 minutes to someone who scrubbed for 10 minutes and found that the 10 minute scrub was equally as effective(Result Filters).

Surgical scrubs are very important to any surgery. Doctors are exposed to many germs throughout their time in a hospital and have to take many precautions to prevent spreading the germs and prevent taking germs away with them. It’s important to understand these precautions before having surgery done.

 Works Cited

George, David A. “Medscape Log In.” Medscape.com. Medscape, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

“How To Perform Surgical Hand Scrubs.” How To Perform Surgical Hand Scrubs. Infection Control Today, 1 May 2001. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

“Result Filters.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Sept. 1977. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

When I was little, I remember my mom always told me to sing happy birthday twice to myself while I washed my hands. She told me that when I was done singing, I would be done washing my hands. As I got older, I became very particular about my hand washing routine. First, I crank the paper towel dispenser, to avoid returning germs to my hands after washing them. Then I turn on the hot water and run my hands underneath. I then apply soap, and start washing. I still sing happy birthday in my head as I scrub away but I’m still very curious about the effectiveness and how much time is necessary to wash hands.

In highschool, I was the President of our Health Careers Club. One of the many activities we take part in is teaching kindergardeners the proper way to wash their hands. We would use a special lotion and apply it to students hands. They’d do their usual hand washing ritual and then return to us. We’d shine a black light on their hands to so that all of the “germs” they missed, would be visible to them. (The germs weren’t actually being shown, but it would be the lotion that was not properly washed off, representing the germs they missed). The kids were always disgusted by the amount of “germs” leftover, and very interested in learning the importance of properly clean their hands.

It’s important to know how long to properly wash hands, in order for it to be effective. According to the CDC, it’s important to scrub your hands after applying soap, for at least 20 seconds.() After looking into it, this is about the same amount of time it takes to sing happy birthday, twice. My mom was right. An article published on Huffington Post, states that only 5% of people wash their hands for the proper amount of time; most people only wash for 6 seconds.

No wonder so many people get sick from colds and the spread of germs! If more people take into account, the importance of proper hand washing, then we could definitely reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Works Cited

1. Chan, Amanda L. “Proper Hand-Washing: Only 5 Percent Of Us Do It Right, Study Finds.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 11 June 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

2. “Handwashing: A Corporate Activity.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

3. “Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

We don’t know a specific cause for cancer, though we do know that there are many risk factors. As we’ve discussed in class, there are many correlations and third variables that can effect our risk for cancer. “Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. Cancer cell growth is different from normal cell growth. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells”(What Is Cancer?).

Many people are skeptical over microwave ovens and whether or not they cause cancer. I am one of the people who believes it is a possibility but I would like to see more evidence to know the truth behind this theory. Microwaves use radiation to cook the food in which we consume(Microwaves, Radio Waves, and Other Types of Radiofrequency Radiation). I believe that the more we use microwaves, especially in excess, we increase our risk of cancer. When we are putting these radiated foods into our bodies, I think we are raising the chances of abnormal cells to rapidly grow. Our food isn’t meant to be cooked with radiation waves, therefor it’s questionable whether or not microwaves are safe for our bodies. I like to think that they are only unsafe when used excessively, but I feel like more studies need to be done before we can say.

It is important to note the importance in checking that containers being heated in the microwave are labeled microwave safe. If they aren’t, we increase the risk of chemicals from the container, contaminating the food we consume(Cancer). It might not directly be the microwave causing the cancer. It’s important to note that a third variable, such as the container, that could be the cancer causing factor.

Works Cited

1. “Cancer.” Causes: Popular Myths about the Causes of Cancer. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

2. “Microwaves, Radio Waves, and Other Types of Radiofrequency Radiation.” Microwaves, Radio Waves, and Other Types of Radiofrequency Radiation. The American Cancer Society, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

3. “What Is Cancer?” What Is Cancer? American Cancer Society, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

As a runner, I am always looking for new forms of energy to boost my race performance and everyday energy. I drink at least 8 bottles of water daily, to sustain my hydration. I have never really been a fan of the super sweetened sports drinks that taste like pure sugar. A large amount of my friends are sports drink addicts. I wanted to look into the effects, both negative and positive to see how worth it can drinking these be.

I never drink soda, or really even juice for that matter. I’ve never found the taste of the sugary drinks to be appealing. Sports drinks have that same sugary taste to me but are claimed to replenish electrolytes and other nutrients we need when we exercise. I strongly believe that there isn’t a better way to get these things through the food we eat, naturally. We need water to keep our bodies hydrated. Something that I didn’t think much about before looking into this, was the calories that are in these drinks. We are basically giving ourselves more calories than we are probably burning by drinking sports drinks. “A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that the taste of the drinks along with salt and other ingredients found in them actually cause people to drink more. So while you may be keeping yourself hydrated, you’re also consuming more calories than likely intended”(9 Negative Effects of Sports Drinks).

People will drink these just because they like the taste. People will drink them during or after a short workout, and others during or after a long workout. According to the MayoClinic, people should only drink sports drinks if they are working out for an hour and anything more than that. Otherwise, they only need water(Fitness). We know that sports drinks contain a lot of sugar that will give us short term energy, but there is a possibility of energy crashing. That’s why people should only drink it during a longer workout and after a long workout to replenish and keep them going.

While I believe that water is the best way to stay hydrated, it is good to know that sports drinks can have benefits for people who are already dehydrated. This article from Men’s Health Magazine, has great tips and information about drinking water vs. sports drinks.

Works Cited

1.”9 Negative Effects of Sports Drinks.” Leons Restaurant RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.

2. “Fitness.” Sports Drinks: Better than Water? Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.

Since I was little, my mom has always taken me to get a vaccination against the flu. For a very long time, I would get the flu shot until my doctor started offering me the FluMist. My mom greatly believes that the vaccination helps to prevent the flu, while my father refuses to be vaccinated. He believes that his body can naturally fight off the flu, itself and that the flu vaccine always makes him sick. I agree with my mom that everyone should be treated with the flu vaccine. I have started to wonder which vaccine is more effective: the shot or the mist. I have also been curious about how effective the vaccine is.

I hate needles, so I am all for any treatment that allows me to be vaccinated without a needle. From what I understood before looking into it, the FluMist contains the live flu virus. This raised some concern to me because I didn’t understand why we’d give ourselves some of the virus if we were trying to protect ourselves against this. According to WebMD, “Injected flu vaccines only contain dead virus, and a dead virus is, well, dead: it can’t infect you. There is one type of live virus flu vaccine, the nasal vaccine, FluMist. But in this case, the virus is specially engineered to remove the parts of the virus that make people sick”(Griffin). I now understand that the virus is so weak that we can’t get the flu from receive the FluMist but, people with a weakened immune system, should not receive the FluMist. “People with a weak immune system might get the vaccine and then, within a few days, get sick with an unrelated cold virus. However, they blame the innocent flu vaccine, rather than their co-worker with a runny nose and cough”(Griffin). People will get the flu vaccine and then will start to see the side effects. They think that this is the flu but it’s not. It’s important to know that the side effects aren’t the flu itself. There are more risk factors associated with the FluMist than the flu shot but if people are aware of them, and they meet the qualifications of both, then it comes down to their opinion. This link, from the CDC, goes into detail about the effectiveness of each form of vaccination.

Many people are unsure which form of the vaccination to get, while others question whether or not to receive the vaccine at all. Though flu vaccines aren’t promised to protect 100%, “a flu shot is between 60 and 70 percent effective in warding off influenza in all age groups combined,”(Influenza (flu)). In this case, I agree that we should all be vaccinated because it lowers our chances of getting the flu. There is no way to prevent the flu but there are precautions we can take, including getting the vaccine.

Works Cited

1. “Flu Vaccine Effectiveness: Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Nov. 2013. Web. 04 Oct. 2014.

2. Griffin, Morgan R. “13 Flu Myths: Myths About the Flu Vaccine, Treatments, and Prevention.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.

3. “Influenza (flu).” Flu Shot: Your Best Bet for Avoiding Influenza. Mayo Clinic, 7 Sept. 2013. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.

You go to the beach on a blazing hot day but you apply sunscreen multiple times to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Does sunscreen really work? How does sunscreen protect your skin from the harms of the sun?

Ultraviolet radiation is a common cause of skin cancer, and a form of radiation that is emitted from the sun. We use sunscreen with SPF to protect against these rays with hopes of preventing cancer. According to Yale Scientific Magazine, the SPF is an indicator of how long the screen will protect the skin before the skin will be harmed(Isguven). 

The Skin Cancer Foundation shows through research, that our bodies need protection from both types of UV rays, UVA and UVB; Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen helps to protect against both forms of radiation(Epstein). Now that I understood more about how sunscreen protects and what it protects us from, I wanted to know how well it protects.

In a recent study in the UK, scientists have found that sunscreen does not completely protect us from the sun’s harmful rays. “The scientists found that sunscreen could not stop solar radiation causing a mutation in the skin’s ‘guardian gene’ which produces proteins that protect against UV”(Spencer). I would definitely agree with this because there is no way to shield ourselves from the radiation, other than completely not exposing ourselves to it. It makes sense that sunscreen doesn’t completely protect us, because if it did then no one would have skin cancer. It is interesting and important to know that sunscreen does help to slow the process of cancer.

I now know how important it is to protect myself as much as possible from the harms of the sun. Though it’s not possible to completely avoid the sun’s harmful rays and prevent cancer, we can try our best to limit the risks by covering up as much as possible, limiting our time in the sun, and reapplying when necessary. We might not know what causes the cancer, but we are more aware of ways to lower our risks.

Works Cited

1. Epstein, John H., MD, and Stephen Q. Wang, MD. “Skin Cancer Foundation.” Understanding UVA and UVB. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
2. Isguven, Selin. “How Does Sunscreen Protect You?” Yale Scientific Magazine. N.p., 9 May 2012. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
3. Spencer, Ben. “Wearing Sunscreen May NOT Prevent Skin Cancer, Study Claims.” Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 12 June 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.

I feel like as time progresses, parents have become more strict about their children’s time spent in front of the TV. With all of talk about the negative effects that too much screen time has on children, I wanted to know more about the topic. Does too much screen time really have negative effects? What causes these effects?

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should receive no more than 2 hours of screen time per day because too much time spent in front of the television can result in issues like obesity, irregular sleep, behavior problems, and many others(Mayo Clinic Staff).  I can see how obesity can become an issue because the time that children spend watching TV is time that they could be playing and staying active. Kids eat more when they are watching TV, as this is often snack time. With the number of commercials that kids are viewing about food and drinks, they are drawn to snacking because the advertisers know how to make children want to ask their parents for the junk food being shown. This increases the risk of obesity(How TV Affects Your Child).

I was interested in the idea of irregular sleep and I’ve heard that it is because it takes our minds more time to wind down before we fall asleep when we watch certain programs. This was supported by WebMD, “As your brain revs up, its electrical activity increases and neurons start to race — the exact opposite of what should be happening before sleep”(Feature). 

I now have a better understanding of why too much television has negative effect on children’s health. I’d like to see more studies about how the brain and development are effected by TV,  but I’ve learned that too much screen time can be detrimental.

Works Cited

1. Feature, Heather HatfieldWebMD Magazine -. “How TV, Internet, and Other Electronic Devices Impact Sleep.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
2. “How TV Affects Your Child.” KidsHealth – the Web’s Most Visited Site about Children’s Health. Ed. Steven Dowshen. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
3. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Children’s Health.” Children and TV: Limiting Your Child’s Screen Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.

I feel like a majority of us can relate to an experience where our intention was to take a quick power nap that turned into waking up 3 hours later, confused about where the time went. In fact, I can say that this happens to me on a weekly basis. I wake up sometimes, more tired than I was when I fell asleep, often when I nap for a long period of time. I started to wonder, are shorter naps more beneficial?

Naps are taken often to relax, and increase alertness throughout the rest of the day. According to the Mayo Clinic, the shorter a nap is, the less likely you are to feel groggy after. It is important to keep naps between 10-30 minutes(Mayo Clinic Staff). I found this really interesting but still wondered, why? A theory that I pondered is actually quite simple. I believe once our bodies enter a deep sleep, that anything after an hour of napping, it is more difficult to jump back into a normal daily schedule. I think this is why we feel groggy when we wake up and it can be difficult to adjust.

I decided to look further into this to see if this idea was supported in any way. I found out that, “The 20-minute power nap — sometimes called the stage 2 nap — is good for alertness and motor learning skills[…] Slow-wave sleep — napping for approximately 30 to 60 minutes — is good for decision-making skills[…] Getting rapid eye movement or REM sleep, usually 60 to 90 minutes of napping, plays a key role in making new connections in the brain and solving creative problems”(Soong). I agree with this statement, that napping for long periods of time can interfere with nighttime sleep, and in the long run this can have many negative effects on health. I like to nap around 3 p.m. because this is when I start to feel tired and worn out. By napping at this point in the day, I am able to sleep at night as well as I would if I didn’t nap.

Overall, if naps are taken correctly, they can really benefit attention span, alertness, and performance on certain tasks. Take it from someone who likes to call them self an expert at napping, if you do it right, you will never go another long day without a peaceful rest to perform your best.

 Works Cited.

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Adult Health.” Napping: Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Adults.Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
2. Soong, Jennifer. “Power Naps: Napping Benefits, Length, and Tips.”WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.

I always find myself facing the struggle between eating what I should, and eating what tastes good. If someone were to hold up a salad and a slice of pizza in front of me, of course I’d pick the slice of pizza. I know that the pizza contains no where near the nutrients that a salad does but it’s what I love. I find myself wondering, why is it that humans know they shouldn’t eat unhealthy, but that’s the type of food that we’re drawn to? We know the food like pizza, potato chips, ice cream, and candy are not beneficial and have little to no nutrients. Yet no matter what we do, most people find themselves more likely to pick junk over healthy food. Cravings often drive me to make unhealthy choices with food.

Whether I’m in a hurry, on the go, or just looking for a quick meal, junk food is a simple choice. Most times, it’s easy to grab something on my way out the door so I don’t run late. I often grab a granola bar or something to try to keep me full throughout the day. I believe that it’s hard to package something healthy, that can last over a long period at a reasonable price. I believe that we have grown used to reaching for something quick to eat that is often not healthy and it has become habit due to convenience.

Our bodies know when we need food, this is why we receive cravings. When we need calories to sustain a nutritious diet, our body craves foods with many calories. “From an evolutionary point of view, junk food cravings are linked to prehistoric times when the brain’s opioids and dopamine reacted to the benefit of high-calorie food as a survival mechanism. We are programmed to enjoy eating fatty and sugary substances, and our brains tell us to seek them out”(Smellie). I agree with this statement because it shows how our brains often think for our stomachs. I still continue to wonder why though. Why are we programmed in such a way that we are drawn to fatty, sugary substances?

In a recent study performed on rats, it was found that over time when rats grow used to eating fatty and sugary substances, they are more likely to crave them and face withdrawal when having them taken away from them(Bryan). Though this is not a human study, demonstrating why we are more likely to crave junk, it does point us in a direction that there is a correlation leading us to more information on craving addictions. Though, in this case, correlation does not equal causation, we can see that there is more reason to look further into this topic.

Works Cited

1. Bryan, Derek. “Reasons People Eat Junk Food Instead of Healthy Food.”LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
2. Smellie, Alice. “Why We Crave Sugary Snacks… and Not Fruit and Veg.”Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 1 May 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.

Walking into my first yoga session, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never been interested in trying yoga because I’ve always been the type of person who needs an intense workout to relieve all of my stress. To my surprise, I was more sore the day after my first session, than any other time I’ve exercised. Ever since the first class, I’ve always been so interested in yoga and the ways it benefits the entire body. I’ve started to question how breathing, posing, and stretching could be as beneficial, if not more beneficial, than the 3 mile run that has always been apart of my everyday routine. “With any style of yoga, you can improve your strength, flexibility, and balance”(Which Style of Yoga Is Best for You?).

The benefits of yoga touch the mind, body, and soul. Over time, benefits are more easily identified as they build off of one another. For example, after a class someone might start to feel less stressed and maybe, after a month of taking yoga, that could lead to a decrease in anxiety and possibly even lower blood pressure(Budig). Check out this link to see the possible benefits of yoga over different time frames. In the long term, yoga is beneficial to all parts of the body.

Yoga plays a huge part in the mind and brain function. There are over 20 types of yoga and variations that incorporate different movements to enhance all aspects of the body, not just physically but mentally too. Hatha yoga has been observed to enhance memory and other functions of the brain(Budig). Many people notice a huge difference in their memory and brain function, for example, “In one study, people scored higher on cognitive tests after 20 minutes of yoga”(Gregoire). The brain is positively effected by yoga because it helps to relieve stress. I agree that yoga does help brain function because it also takes your mind off of so many things and focuses on balance, strength, and breathing. In more ways than not, yoga can create a balance between the mind, body, and soul.

According to Women’s Health, yoga improves the brain, the nervous system, heart and lung functions, hormones, the immune system, and balance(Gregoire). In more ways than one, yoga improves performance in other activities because it works on breathing skills. In certain conditions, yoga can even be considered cardio; check out this link if you’re interested in finding out more. I definitely noticed a great difference in my breathing during other forms of exercise, after practicing yoga for just only a month! I believe that everyone can take something from trying yoga due to its many benefits, so give it a try!

*Photograph from: Rachel Brathen Yoga Lifestyle©

*Photograph given credit to Rachel Brathen*

Works Cited

1. Brathen, Rachel. “Photo Gallery – Rachel Brathen.” Rachel Brathen Photo Gallery Comments.Rachel Brathen Yoga Lifestyle, n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
2. Budig, Kathryn. “What Happens to Your Body When You Do Yoga.” Womenshealthmag.com. Women’s Health, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
3. Grannell, Rachael. “Why Your Brain Loves Yoga.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 06 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
4. Gregoire, Carolyn. “How Yoga Changes Your Body, Starting The Day You Begin (INFOGRAPHIC).” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.
5. Newell, Lori. “Is Yoga a Cardio Workout?” LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 18 Dec. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.
6. “Which Style of Yoga Is Best for You?” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.

Hi everyone! My name is Meg Moyer and I am a freshman planning to study Public Relations. I am from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. I took this course because my adviser recommended it and told me that she has heard many great things about it. I also was required to take a gen-ed course and this fit my schedule. I have never enjoyed science and I have found it to be very challenging in the past.