How to Get Sh!t Done Working from Home, and other Weekend Reads

by Helen Lamanna

Here are this week's reading diversions for your personal enlightenment. Have a splendid weekend!

Mediterranean Diet Can Cut Heart Disease, Study Finds - NYTimes.com

About 30 percent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in people at high risk if they switch to a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, and even drink wine with meals, a large and rigorous new study has found.

*****

Taking vitamin D and calcium WON'T prevent broken bones, say leading experts | Mail Online

If an older person has a vitamin deficiency or bone-thinning osteoporosis, doctors often prescribe higher-than-normal doses

*****

25 Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease - Health.com

There are many other causes of memory loss, including vitamin B12 deficiency, and brain, thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders. However, having several other symptoms could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recognizing the signs of dementia can help lead to a quicker diagnosis.

*****

Resveratrol May Protect Against Harmful Effects Of Hearing Loss, Animal Study Shows

Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine and red grapes, has long been hailed for its antioxidants -- and now, a new animal study shows it could also protect against the harmful biological effects of hearing loss.

*****

HowStuffWorks "10 Completely Wrong Ways to Use Commas"

Commas, in fact, are some of the most often misused punctuation marks, and with good reason. The rules that guide when and when not to insert a comma can be a bit clouded in terminology and exceptions. So often, though, it comes down to one question: Is it essential?

*****

Nutrition Month 2013: A Tip For Every Day Of The Month

With an eye toward better meal planning and grocery shopping, there's plenty to learn from the experts who take their food, and its impact on our bodies, seriously. After all, we now know it's not merely a matter of cutting carbs to lose weight or taking in as many superfoods as possible to stay healthy.

*****

Red wine and cancer prevention - Health - redOrbit

Red wine is a rich source of biologically active phytochemicals, chemicals found in plants. Particular compounds called polyphenols found in red wine-such as catechins and resveratrol-are thought to have anti oxidant or anticancer properties.

*****

Andropause - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis - Health - redOrbit

It is unlike menopause in that the decrease in testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in women. Approximately 30% of men in their 50s will experience symptoms of andropause caused by low testosterone levels. A person experiencing andropause may have a number of symptoms related to the condition and could be at risk of other serious health conditions such as osteoporosis without proper treatment.

*****

Do Eggs Cause Heart Disease? | LIVESTRONG.COM

It takes a lot to get me to react to any health headline. I'm used to them. I'm immune to the sensationalism, over-stated conclusions, and twisted information that comes with almost any new study abstract.
So I won't downplay my reaction when I read the following:
"Eggs Are Nearly As Bad For Your Arteries As Cigarettes."

*****

Cold vs. Allergies: How Can You Tell? | Greatist

Cold and allergies share many symptoms, so it may be tricky to know what’s causing those sneezy, sleepy, stuffed up feelings. Luckily, there are some key signs that help determine a diagnosis to help get on the right road to recovery. Just remember: We’re no doctors, so if something just doesn’t feel right, see a medical professional to get everything sorted out.

*****

Beat Back Stress with Regular Exercise | Greatist

The runner’s high isn’t an urban legend — working out can lead to relaxation by releasing endorphins and burning the stress hormone cortisol. And although working out isn’t a panacea for mental health, studies show that regular exercise can reduce depression and anger, in addition to keeping us physically healthy.

*****

How to Get Sh!t Done Working From Home | Greatist

Before abandoning the office, consider whether telecommuting is right for you. It takes strong self-discipline and motivation to produce results on the job when there’s no one else around. Here are some general guidelines to follow when working outside (or inside) the office:

*****