Veto Port Ambrose LNG Project for New York Governor Cuomo

Links Below! Sample Comments and Site to Post Them!! Deadline March 16th, 2015



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Years of life lost due to obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Years of life lost due to obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease

At a Glance

A new study provides a quantitative analysis of the impact of obesity on shortened life spans and on years of healthy life lost to obesity. Men who are 20-39 years of age with a BMI greater than 35 are likely to lose 8.4 years of life and 18.8 years of health based on these statistical models.

Read more about this research below. 

It is well established that excess bodyweight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. To go along with all the research studying and detailing this association, a study published in The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology developed a meaningful metric to determine the effect these diseases have on quality of life and length of life.

A disease-simulation model was developed to estimate the annual risk of type 2 diabetes diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality for individuals based on their BMI classification. The data was compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 3992 individuals over a period of seven years (2003-2010)

As seen in previous studies, this study also showed that excess bodyweight was positively associated with increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Years of life lost as a result of these conditions ranged from 0.8 to 5.9 years in obese (BMI = 30 to <35) men and 0.9 to 8.4 years in very obese (BMI ≥ 35) men, increasing with age. Years of life lost ranged from 1.6 to 5.6 years in obese (BMI = 30 to <35) women and 0.9 to 6.1 years in very obese (BMI ≥ 35) women, increasing with age. Losses were smaller, but generally similar for overweight (BMI = 25 to <30) men and women. Healthy life-years (years free from premature disease) also decreased as a result excess bodyweight, with totals ranging from two to four times higher than the total years of life lost.

While these results already reveal a lot about the potential impact of obesity on life expectancy and quality of life, they are actually conservative estimates. As they only take into account the risk factors associated with obesity on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the future, additional considerations must also be made for cancer, respiratory disease, hepatic disease, renal disease, and other diseases impacted by excess bodyweight.

Controversial:Is Milk Good or Bad? The Living Connection with Ekayani Ch...

Dietary supplements and fortified meal replacements help ensure nutritional adequacy during weight-loss diets.

Macro and Micro Nutrients are a Must January 14, 2015 Dietary supplements and fortified meal replacements help ensure nutritional adequacy during weight-loss diets. At a GlanceResearch shows that people incorporating fortified meal replacements are more likely to have adequate essential nutrient intakes compared to a group following a more traditional food group diet. Read more about this research below.    A frequent problem with weight-loss diets is that in the process of reducing total caloric intake, individuals also reduce their intake of essential micronutrients. This presents a need for weight-loss strategies that are both safe and effective to reduce the rate of the current obesity epidemic. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition compared the macronutrient and micronutrient levels in the foods chosen by women following two different weight reduction programs. Ninety-six generally healthy overweight or obese women randomly placed into two treatment groups: Traditional Food Group (TFG) or a Meal Replacement Group (MRG). The MRG included the use of 1-2 meal replacement drinks or bars per day. Both groups aimed to restrict energy levels to approximately 1,300 calories per day. After one year, weight loss was not significantly different between the groups, and both groups had macronutrient (Carbohydrate:Protein:Fat) ratios that were within the ranges recommended. Both groups experienced an improved dietary pattern with respect to decreased saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, with increased total servings/day of fruits and vegetables. However, the TFG had a significantly lower dietary intake of several vitamins and minerals compared to the MRG, and were at greater risk for inadequate intake. Although both groups successfully lost weight while improving overall dietary adequacy, the group incorporating fortified meal replacements tended to have a more adequate essential nutrient intake compared to the group following a more traditional food group diet. This study supports the need to incorporate fortified foods and/or dietary supplements while following an energy-restricted diet for weight loss. Ashley JM, Herzog H, Clodfelter S, Bovee V, Schrage J, Pritsos C. Nutrient adequacy during weight loss interventions: a randomized study in women comparing the dietary intake in a meal replacement group with a traditional food group. Nutr J. 2007 Jun 25;6:12. At a GlanceResearch shows that people incorporating fortified meal replacements are more likely to have adequate essential nutrient intakes compared to a group following a more traditional food group diet. Read more about this research below.

Alert! Port Ambrose LNG Port A Health Hazard for NY and NJ Beaches

Kim Frackek is the Outreach Coordinator for the Sane Enery Project

My role as a blogger for health is to bring your attention to a wide variety of issues that go beyond our usual obsessions. This post concerns the infrastructure being built at an alarming rate to export fracked gas in the New York Harbor. Have you heard of the proposed LNG port proposed for New York Harbor? Do you know where Port Ambrose is and why Jones Beach, Robert Moses Beach and all beaches in the vicinity the locations where you like to take your family may no longer be safe come this summer? Did you know Governor Chris Christie vetoed this project? Did you know that once liquified natural gas starts burning it cannot be extinguished? If you have ever seem someone have the misfortune of trying to flambe rum and have it travel up there are in a flash you have an idea what kind of misfortune this could turn into in New York on a grand scale with our aging and decrepit pipes. If you haven't heard about any of this you are not alone. The gas and oil interests who have brought you fracking have made hearings scant and times and locations to attend at the most inconvenient possible far way from the communities that would be directly affected. I offer you testimony from last weeks hearing (and so far the ONLY hearing) by Kim Frackek one of 300 persons who attended to speak out. At the end of this post see links to make comments and learn more about this very real threat that Governor Cuomo can veto. Please encourage him to do so. I for one would like to continue going to the beaches I grew up on, don't  you? 

With Concern - Ekayani Chamberlin

Testimony dated January, 2015
JKK Hilton Public Hearing on Port Ambrose LNG Project

"My name is Kim Fraczek, I am a resident of Brooklyn, NY and work as the Outreach Coordinator for Sane Energy Project as well as work with several diverse community groups in our region as an arts educator and organizer.
I am here today wishing to address several issues about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, but with respect to time, I will focus on just a few points, and submit a more lengthy comment in my written testimony. I understand you have accepted our request for an additional hearing in New York, but declined our request to have a hearing in central Manhattan. This already poses a problem for our state. It tells me that you don’t want to hear what the public has to say about this LNG Port, given the complicated location and time today. I know several parents and hundreds of working people who would like to participate in this process, but cannot because of this difficult location where we had to spend money to rent cars and coordinate expensive busses just to be present. I request that you push to hold hearings in every borough as well as surrounding NY and NJ counties, who will also face environmental impacts from the LNG Port, that is near easy public transportation. If you need help finding locations, I can assure you, anyone in this room would be glad to assist you. Further, I appreciate the 30 day extension on the comment period, however 90 days to review 25 lengthy volumes of information about this LNG port while the public is busy working to pay their bills and feed their families is nowhere near sufficient time to possibly digest this this information and formulate meaningful comments.
Per the DEIS, I am concerned about the health impacts this is going to have on my human, marine and plant/food community. I see there is insufficient information about how air quality monitoring is taking place to establish a base reading. I quote from the DEIS, “No air quality monitoring stations are located in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Port facilities as no offshore data are collected;” When mentioning studying ambient air quality, from the shore line, “Monitoring is performed primarily for pollutants, known as criteria air pollutants…These pollutants include nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide,” Given that Liquefied Natural Gas will emit high doses of Methane, how are you monitoring this? We would like a base reading of Methane from the immediate vicinity as well as the shoreline and inland. Why should this be too much to ask? Liberty Natural Gas wants the financial benefits from our location to turn profit, so we want to make certain we are not suffering health impacts. Can we feel safe about relaxing on our famous beaches that bring loads of economic value to our neighborhoods? According to U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, “If LNG spills into water, it explodes. If LNG spills on the ground, it turns into rapidly expanding clouds of vaporizing methane that can asphyxiate by displacing oxygen and flash-freeze human flesh.” According to the Congressional Research Service, “If ignited at the source, these vapors become flaming “pool fires” that burn hotter than other fuels and cannot be extinguished. Highly volatile LNG cannot be odorized, so there is no warning of a leak”
I would actually like to ask you to sit with those thoughts and images for a few moments and imagine if your family and friends were to be affected by a very possible leak on a nice summer day, enjoying the beach.
Why should we have to bear the risk and the definite air quality issues that come with a giant refrigerator housing volatile gas near our homes when there is such a possibility and future with renewable energy sources that can come from the wind, the tide and our ever-giving sun. Creating clean energy systems that work in harmony with our planet, can provide exciting jobs and careers for our union members here.
Companies like Liberty Natural Gas is part of the largest industry our planet has ever known. They will put their profits before our labor forces safety, our food supply, our water supply, the safety of our homes and the safety of our future to sustain life on this planet. And life is a pretty great gift that we have. Please work together with us to deny Port Ambrose and build an efficient, clean and profitable future for everyone, including our local communities.

Thank you."

Coverage in New York Newsday
Sane Energy Project How to Submit Comment Info:

High Dietary Fiber Intake Linked to Reduced Body Weight

Note the very bottom of article: Increase your intake for fruits and vegetables for fiber. Fiber first!

January 7, 2015 Higher dietary fiber intake is linked to reduced body weight At a Glance Studies show that in addition to its established role in supporting overall health, higher dietary fiber consumption may play a significant role in weight loss and obesity.  Read more about this research below.    Dietary fiber plays many important roles in the body, and intake has been linked to cardiovascular health and a lower risk of certain cancers. Additionally, evidence from observational studies has linked fiber intake to body weight, showing that obese men and women are likely to consume significantly less dietary fiber than lean individuals. One particular cohort study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included 89,432 European participants, aged 20–78 years, who were initially free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Participants were followed for an average of 6.5 years. Results indicated that total dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with weight and change in waist circumference during the study period. At 10 grams/day higher total fiber intake, there was an estimated 39 grams/year weight loss and waist circumference decreased by 0.08 cm/year. A 10 grams/day fiber intake from cereals alone results in 77 grams/year weight reduction and 0.10 cm/year reduction in waist circumference. Fruit and vegetable fiber was not associated with weight change but had an effect similar to total and cereal fiber intake on reduced waist circumference.  In another study, a review article published in the journal Nutrition suggests that dietary fiber helps prevent obesity in several different ways. It promotes satiation by slowing gastric emptying, altering glycemic or insulin response, decreasing absorption of macronutrients, and by altering the secretion of gut hormones linked to hunger. Over the last decade many the most popular weight-loss diets have trended towards high-protein and low-carbohydrate intakes to lose weight. Unfortunately, in an effort to lower carbohydrate intake, these diets often have very low fiber intake as well. Analysis of low carbohydrate diets reveal that in some cases dietary fiber intake is as low as 1.6 grams/day and is almost always less than 10 grams/day. The author of this review suggests that regardless of dieting method that individuals choose to follow, they should consider the addition of fiber to aid their weight-loss. Dietary fiber can be increased through increasing consumption fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, or through a fiber supplement. Huaidong Du et al. Dietary fiber and subsequent changes in body weight and waist circumference in European men and womenAm J Clin Nutr Vol. 91, No. 2, 329-336, February 2010. Slavin J. Dietary fiber and body weight. Nutrition 21(2005);411-418.

New Year New You Tour Stops & How High Intensity Exercise Suppresses Appetite!

It can be so discouraging trying to get your weight under control if you don't have the scientific knowledge on how your body actually works.This  fabulous weekly Essentials of Health Bulletin courtesy of Usana Health Sciences sheds light on how High Intensity Exercise helps your body regulate eating and food selection. Yes! By now you may have heard that the RESET Challenge launches Monday January 5, 2015 running right through to March 29th , 2015. In support of that the New Year New You Tour with Dr. Brian Dixon and colleagues is making a nation wide tour beginning in New York Sunday, January 10h and it is free. To lean more go here! Dates and Times and Languages posted! El Habla Espanol!

To Your Health Goals!

- Ekayani

  
December 31, 2014

High-intensity exercise may influence appetite regulation and food selection

At a Glance

Increased physical activity is associated with long-term successful weight maintenance due to mechanisms more complex than just increased energy expenditure. A study using MRI imaging has shown that intense exercise not only affects energy output, but may also influence how people respond to food.

Read more about this research below.

 Short periods of intense exercise are known to suppress hunger through appetite regulating hormones. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition compared the effects of high-intensity exercise on central (brain) response to visual food stimuli. 

The researchers recruited 15 healthy lean men in their early twenties. The study participants completed two 60 minute tests: exercise (running at 70% maximum aerobic capacity) and a resting control. After each test, images of high- and low- calorie foods were viewed and the brain response to the foods was measured using an MRI.     

After the exercise session, thirst and core body temperature were increased while appetite response was significantly suppressed. Exercise significantly suppressed ghrelin (an appetite stimulating hormone) and enhanced the release of peptide YY (an appetite reducing hormone). When compared to the resting control, neural (brain) response in the brain’s reward related regions were stimulated in response to viewing the images of low-calorie foods, but suppressed upon viewing images of high-calorie foods. 

This study found that high intensity exercise increases neural responses in reward-related regions of the brain in response to images of low-calorie foods, and suppresses activation during the viewing of high-calorie foods. These central responses are associated with exercise-induced changes in peripheral signals related to hydration and appetite-regulation.

Exercise is a well-known important component of a healthy lifestyle. This study provides further evidence that exercise can do more than just providing a caloric deficit, it may also influence you to make healthier food choices.  

Crabtree DR, et al. The effects of high-intensity exercise on neural responses to images of food. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb;99(2):258-67. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.071381. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

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