Anybody who has a long daily commute knows the frustration of sitting in long lines of traffic with no ability to do anything but wait. Now, a study suggests that long commutes can take away more than just precious time. They negatively impact measures of fitness and health. Previous research has linked longer commutes with obesity. But this new research is believed to be "the first study to show that long commutes can take away from exercise time,” explained lead investigator Christine M. Hoehner of Washington University in St. Louis. Long commutes are associated with "higher weight, lower fitness levels and higher blood pressure, all of which are strong predictors of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers,” she said. One discovery that Hoehner found a little surprising was how “being exposed to the daily hassles of traffic can lead to higher chronic stress and higher blood pressure.” Here's how the research was conducted: Scientists studied 4,297 residents from the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, metropolitan areas. They documented their commuting distances, body mass indices, and metabolic risk, including waist circumference, fasting glucose and lipid levels and blood pressure. Participants reported their physical activity for the previous three months. What did scientists learn?  Commuters who said they drove longer distances also reported they took part in less moderate or vigorous physical activity. They had lower cardiorespiratory fitness, greater body mass index, waist circumference, and higher blood pressure. For a little historical perspective – as obesity rates have increased – so have the number of American commuters and the length of commute times. Between 1960 and 2000, workers commuting in private vehicles jumped from 41.4 million to 112.7 million, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. And as suburbs have sprawled across the nation since the 1950s, commuter miles have increased too, along with the time drivers spend sitting behind the wheel. according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For many commuters, moving closer to work isn't an option but Hoehner said there are solutions that can lead to more exercise. Commuters should find ways to work physical activity into their work days said Hoehner, by doing things like walking during work breaks. Employers could also help, she said, by encouraging fitness break and by offering schedule flexibility to commuters, if possible. Filed under: Fitness , Obesity , Stress Tagged: Ann J. Curley – CNN Medical Assignment Manager

iStockphoto Here’s what’s making health news this morning: Texas Ends Planned Parenthood Funds (WSJ): The state adopted new rules cutting off funds to clinics “affiliated” with abortion providers after a U.S. appeals court paved the way for the move. Herbalife’s Surprise Plunge (WSJ): The fall in the stock of the nutrition and weight-loss products maker came after hedge-fund manager David Einhorn pressed in a call for details about its distributor-based sales model. Mixing Weight Training and Aerobics (NY Times): Recent studies from Canadian and Swedish researchers suggest mixing aerobic and anaerobic exercise on the same day can be done without compromising the results of either. Testosterone Chases Viagra in Libido Race as Doctors Fret (Bloomberg): New testosterone drugs by Eli Lilly, Abbott and others are designed to help men enhance their sexual experiences, but potential side effects worry doctors. Dr. Otis Brawley: ‘The System Really Is Not Failing … Failure Is The System’ (Kaiser Health News): The head of the National Cancer Society said in a recent speech that we all contribute to the overuse of the healthcare system.

Anthony Youn, M.D., is a plastic surgeon in Metro Detroit. He is the author of “In Stitches,” a humorous memoir about growing up Asian American and becoming a doctor. I cringe every time I see a patient for a breast lift who is a smoker. I’m deathly afraid that despite my warnings, she will smoke before or after surgery and cause her nipples to turn black and fall off. Yes. Smokers who undergo breast lifts are at great risk of losing their nipples. I’ve seen it before. The nicotine in cigarettes and the carbon monoxide contained in cigarette smoke can diminish blood flow to various parts of the body. These toxins act as a virtual tourniquet. If the blood flow to a particular body part becomes greatly reduced or halted, that body part dies. In my memoir “ In Stitches ,” I told the story of a smoker whose nipples turned purple while undergoing a breast lift surgery. Purple is the precursor to black. Black is the precursor to falling off. To save the patient—and her nipples – we turned to the only treatment available. We went medieval. We used leeches. Because of the mechanics of blood flow, when the blood supply is inadequate, which occurs with smoking, the tiniest veins often fail. This insufficiency results in a backup of old (venous) blood in the body part, causing it to turn purple. If the backup of old blood is serious enough, the purple color may eventually turn black. That’s when we know the body part – toe, finger, or nipple – is dead. We use leeches to literally suck out the excess venous blood from the body part, acting as an attachable vein. The leech drains the old blood, causing it to turn from unhealthy purple back to healthy pink. We place leeches intermittently until the body part grows new blood vessels to do the leeches’ work. This can take several days. Not long ago, during a consultation for a breast lift, a patient, Susan, admitted to being a pack-a-day smoker. I informed her that smoking can cause difficulty in healing and instructed her to quit smoking at least one month before surgery and to stay off cigarettes for at least a month afterward. Several months later, when she arrived at the hospital for her breast lift, she smelled like an ashtray. “Susan, I thought you quit smoking.” “I did. OK. For a while. It’s really hard to quit, Dr. Youn.” “I know,” I said. “But this is a big deal. There could be major healing problems if you smoke before or after surgery.” “I understand. But I want to go ahead with the surgery anyway. It’ll be fine.” She wasn’t hearing me. I needed to get through to her. “Susan, listen to me. If I operate on you, your nipples could turn black and fall off.” Her eyes widened. “You mean… I’d have no nipples?” “No nipples. That’s what smoking can do.” Susan flushed. She raised her voice. “Dr. Youn, I took a week off work for this surgery. I had to put my whole life on hold for an entire week. If you told me I’d lose my nipples from smoking, I would’ve quit for good. This is your fault.” Yes. Seriously. Susan blamed me for the inconvenience. Thanks to her, I’ve changed my policy. In addition to the Surgeon General’s Warning that appears on cigarette packages, I now offer the Plastic Surgeon’s Warning to all my patients who smoke: If you are having a breast lift or reduction and you smoke, your nipples could turn black and fall off. If you are having a tummy tuck and you smoke, you may get an infection resulting in a big gross open wound that will take three months to heal. If you are having a facelift and you smoke, the skin of your cheek could turn black and slough off, leaving exposed fat. Imagine yourself looking like “Two-Face” from “Batman: The Dark Knight.” And do you really want me to reach for the jar of leeches? Smokers, you have been warned.

MRI machines allow doctors to see inside your body and diagnose what’s wrong with you, but if mistakes are made, they can hurt or even kill you. “If administered properly, it’s one of the safest exams that have ever been invented,” says Tobias Gilk , an MRI safety advocate. But accidents do happen. “Most errors are a combination of human error and bad timing,” says Dr. Emanuel Kanal , a professor of radiology and neuroradiology at the University of Pittsburgh. Faulty training and lax rules about who can be around the machine also contribute. There are four main ways MRI machines can pose dangers. Projectiles: The M in MRI stands for magnetic, and  magnets are very powerful. Gilk’s website, mrimetaldetector.com , shows photos of metal objects, including a bed, a floor polisher and a chair forced against the MRI machine. If someone is being scanned when these devices fly into a machine, they could face serious injuries. A child in New York was killed in 2001 when the MRI machine sucked an oxygen canister into the machine where he was being scanned. “Projectiles usually happen when there are breakdowns in policies and procedures and proper training wasn’t performed,” says Frank Shellock , an adjunct clinical professor of radiology and medicine at the University of Southern California. He points out that MRI magnets don’t just turn on when they are scanning. They are always energized and there is no visual cue the magnetic field is present. Newer MRI machines can be even more powerful. Burns : MRIs use RF transmitters and those can cause heat. “Burns happen, usually because a patient wasn’t prepared properly,” Shellock says. “Usually this is related to misuse of equipment.” “Generally it is supposed to be gentle, like a heat lamp,” says Gilk. “If there are electrical conductors like an EKG lead (on the body) it becomes an antenna and can pick up the RF and concentrate it.” Touching the side walls of the MRI tunnel can also lead to burns, Shellock says. MRI operators should put material between the patient and the wall if there is a risk of the patient coming in contact with it. Some burns have been so severe patients have required skin grafts. Hearing loss: MRI machines can be quite loud. Gilk compares getting a scan to standing near a  jet aircraft. He says patients and anyone else near the machine should be given adequate earplugs or protective earphones. “Scanner technology is improving and machines are getting quieter,” Gilk says, but “anyone in the room could get hearing loss.” Implants and medical devices: People with metal in their bodies, including medical devices like aneurysm clips and pacemakers, can face increased risks. The MRI’s powerful magnetic fields could move the device or cause damage. “Most medical device manufacturer's products made in the last five years will be OK,” says Gilk. But, “if, for example, you had an aneurysm clip that is 15 years old, you should be particularly cautious.” Shellock says he has studied 3,500 implant devices over about the last 25 years and the devices that are labeled as appropriate for use in an MRI should be fine. In addition to the medical metal inside the human body, some patients require external devices to keep them alive or monitor their condition. Those devices need to be specifically designed to function around an MRI. The federal government doesn’t regulate the use of MRIs and state regulations for the machines vary. “Many states have more stringent requirements for hair colorists than who runs an MRI center,” Gilk says. So what can patients do to make sure they are safe when they get an MRI? 1. Fill out MRI questionnaire : “Patients should fill out a screening form and ask the MRI technologist if they have questions,” Shellock says. It’s important that patients go over the questions with the technician to make sure they understand what is being asked. Kanal says honest answers are essential. He gives the example that a patient might not want to reveal they have a wig, but it’s important for the operator to know. Details about any metal that may be in the body, including bullets, medical devices like aneurysm clips, stents or pacemakers should also be shared with the operator. 2. Remove metal: Since magnetic metal poses such a risk in an MRI, it is essential patients and anyone near the MRI remove it. 3. Use hearing protection: Make sure you and anyone else in the room with you are given proper ear protection and make sure it fits. 4. Look for open doors:  MRI facilities should be secure. Gilk says open doors could be a sign the facility isn’t as careful about access as it should be. 5. Look for wires: Make sure there are no unexpected wires or metallic objects like left over EKG sensors on your body. Some devices may be safe for an MRI, but others can be dangerous. 6. Don’t touch the side walls: Coming in contact with the inside of the MRI tube can lead to burns.

No reason to turn on the oven! FitSugar reader livewell360 has a Mexican-inspired salad recipe, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe group . Fresh figs with smoky grilled corn, red onion, thinly sliced radishes, and a sweet citrus dressing - all served over a bed of peppery arugula. This is a colorful, quick, and flavorful salad that is sure to wow your taste buds. See the recipe after the break!

Here’s a healthy dip that you can nosh on this weekend! FitSugar reader sprint2thetable posted this recipe for a butternut squash dip in our Healthy Recipe group . Is a hummus without garbanzo beans still hummus? This recipe contains tahini. It has a hummus-like texture. It involves lemon and a little olive oil. Who cares – it is good and It’s mine, so I’m deeming it worthy of the title “hummus.” Learn how to make this recipe after the break!

Allergy season is in full force. For many sufferers, this time of the year is marked by runny noses, watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus pain, and headaches. An estimated 40 million to 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies – so what can we do about them? According to Dr. Oz, an allergic response to pollens is actually the sign of an active immune system , but before we go and toast to our runny noses, here are some natural solutions that often help conquer those pesky symptoms. Heat therapy . Warmer temperature is a great way to relieve congestion because it helps get the fluid and congestion in your face and chest moving by helping to think it out. Try exercising more or investing in a humidifier . Local honey . Many folks I know take a tablespoon of honey a day to combat allergies. The belief is that ingesting local pollen from honey builds resistance to the surrounding fauna. And while it may work for some people, remember that it’s a home remedy that might not work for everyone, but is worth trying. If it doesn’t help with your sniffles and sneezing, you’re still getting vitamins B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Honey also contains antioxidants and vitamin C. All that and it tastes good, too! Keep reading for more tips and helpful suggestions.

Perimenopause or Premenopause , as it is also known, is the period of a woman’s life that precedes actual menopause and the end of the fertile period of life. At this time, several premenopausal symptoms will manifest themselves, owing the huge hormonal and physical changes that the woman’s body undergoes. Premenopausal symptoms could be physical and psychological and need to be addressed properly to avoid exacerbation of the symptoms. Premenopausal symptoms are marked by unpredictability and instability due to the many changes and upheavals going on within the body. For the most part premenopausal symptoms are not so severe as to need treatment, and in most cases can be managed and the following methods could be used to manage them- Dietary Changes Making the shift to healthier eating options that include more fresh produce and fewer refined and processed things can help deliver a number of vital nutrients to the body making it more able to counter these symptoms. Eating soy and soy protein is also thought to help relieve these symptoms. Also premenopausal women should include plenty of low fat dairy products in their diet – items such as yoghurt, cheese and milk can help. Increasing intake of calcium rich foods is known to not only reduce bone loss, it cal also protect from other premenopausal symptoms such as mood swings and heart disease. Cutting out sodas, and other sugary and beverages and replacing them with either water or fruit, can also help manage symptoms. Nutritional Supplements If the premenopausal symptoms include joint aches, hot flashes, and depression or heightened anxiety, certain supplements could be used to counter them. Vitamin E, bioflvonoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12 and Folic acid, are seen to alleviate these symptoms. Glucosamine, borage oil and chondroitin could also be useful. Calcium supplements and calcium fortified food or low fat dairy can help protect women from bone loss that could lead to osteoporosis and brittle bones. Herbal Supplements Black Cohosh is one of the most widely used supplements to manage premenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Ginseng is also known to help by elevating energy levels and helping manage tiredness and fatigue and help women cope better with stress, both physical and mental. Studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavones can help to reduce and manage menopause symptoms. Red clover isoflavones are also seen to offer benefits in the management of the symptoms. In addition, herbal remedies involving Wild Yam, Dong Quai, Licorice, Chaste Tree, Kava Kava, Sage, and Hops are also seen to benefit, when taken in different combinations and proportions, as per individual requirement and symptoms. Exercise For a number of reasons exercise is a vitally important component of managing premenopausal symptoms. This helps reduce anxiety and depression, makes joints and bones stronger, and less susceptible to breakage and other problems. It helps keep weight gain in check, which is another one of the common premenopausal symptoms. Exercise also helps restore the hormonal balance in the body, by helping to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and increasing levels of the happy hormones or endorphins. Digg this! Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on del.icio.us Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Share this on Blinklist Buzz up! Post on Google Buzz

Also: two senators seek an early state opt-out of individual mandate; Novartis plans ahead; prostate cancer drug shows promise in early study.

Recent research has shed light on the types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that are responsible for most of the cases of cervical cancer . Cervical cancer is the second most common kind of cancer among women and is expected to kill 328,000 women this year, so hopefully this research will have significant impact on vaccine development for this cancer. A large scale study spanning 60 years and data from 38 countries and more than ten thousand cases of invasive cervical cancer has been conducted by an international team of scientists led by Silvia de Sanjose of the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Barcelona. As a result of this, it has been possible to identify the 8 types of HPV responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Researchers found that it was types 16, 18, 45, 33, 31, 52, 58, and 35 (in descending order of frequency) that were responsible for cervical cancer in 90% or more cases. This research will make existing vaccines more efficacious against cervical cancer.  The trend of vaccinating girls before they become sexually active to prevent HPV infections and hence cervical cancer, is already present in developed counties, however this is not the case in poorer nations. Digg this! Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on del.icio.us Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Share this on Blinklist Buzz up! Post on Google Buzz