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Man’s Card Declines $110 Before A Stranger Shows Kindness

November 20, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Do you ever feel like kindness is an exception and not a rule in society today? Just when you think negative thoughts, someone restores your faith in humankind.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” ~Dalai Lama

In fact, we all lose our faith in humanity from time to time. Today on CNN, here were the three of the current topics of the day (November 20, 2019):

Drugs Found in Home of NFL Player After Woman’s Apparent Overdose
Two More Witnesses Offer Stunning Testimony in Presidential Impeachment Hearings
Prince Andrew to Step Back from Public Duties

Compared to most days – and other media news outlets – the three abovementioned headlines aren’t that bad. News outlets are run by individuals who understand that “We’re drawn to depressing stories without realizing,” psychologist Tom Stafford says.

Perhaps thinking like this helps reinforce the misperception that basic human goodness, kindness, compassion, and love are going by the wayside. You know, the kinds of thoughts that bring CNN, NBC, ABC, Fox News, News Corp, and others billions of dollars in profits.

But there are beautiful displays of humanity every day – some reported and some not. In this article, we discuss the type of story that helps to restore some of the dwindling faith in the human race.

A Man’s Life Changed Because of the Kindness of One Stranger

When Tyson Crawley’s debit card declined $110 worth of gas, he was a bit freaked out. He recalls his reaction:

“(My) dog was barking wildly, I had to get to work, and I was starting to freak.”

“I tried using one that had a joint account to it but I could not for the life of me remember my PIN number! After searching through my iPhone bank app to figure out how to reset my pin, I had failed.”

$110 worth of fuel isn’t exactly something that most gas stations forgive. As it would turn out, they wouldn’t need to.

“Do you need some money?”

When a kind stranger walked up and asked, “Do you need some money?” before swiping his card, Mr. Crawley was shocked. The humanitarian didn’t ask “How much?” or even wait for Tyson’s response.

As expected, Crawley offered to pay the man if he could get his phone number. So, he took the receipt and gave it to the man who proceeded to write down what Crawley believed to be his phone number. Crawley took a photo with the man, who then simply went on his way.

“John Pass it on”

When Crawley opened up the folded receipt, he didn’t find a phone number, bank account number, or address. He found just four words: the name “John” and the three words “Pass it on” written underneath.

Of course, this made a huge impression on Crawley. He shared his picture with the man, who is flashing a slight smile and giving a thumbs-up sign.

Tyson Crawley/Facebook

Tyson would soon make a visit to Facebook to share his experience with the world, concluding his post with the following message:

“(Please) be beautiful people, and remember, it’s not about keeping up with the Joneses, having the biggest house, most expensive car, the largest bank account, but work with each other. After all, what is money compared to the quality of human life?”

Final Thoughts on the Kindness in Helping Others…Even a Stranger

It’s easy to get caught up in the consumerism that permeates our society. And, it’s tempting to base one’s worth on income, possessions, education, and other “status symbols.”

Additionally, it’s convenient to be pessimistic about the future of humankind – and sometimes it even feels like it makes sense.

But perhaps Mahatma Gandhi (as he often does) can provide some insight:

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

Let’s not lose faith in kindness–or in humanity. As the anonymous man showed Tyson Crawley, there remains plenty of clean water in the ocean.

Mental Health Experts Explain 14 Health Benefits of True Friendship

November 17, 2019 by Power of Positivity

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love,” Hubert Humphrey once said. And he was correct, in more ways than one. Of course, we all know that spending time with friends makes us feel good. But not as many people know that having supportive friends has been scientifically shown to benefit our well-being and health in a multitude of ways.

A plethora of psychological and scientific research has revealed a significant and essential relationship between having good friends and good health. Therefore, we now know that our friends have a tremendous impact on our health. Research has shown the living in a state of loneliness and isolation can have fatal consequences.

Evidence proves that having quality friendships plays a vital role in promoting better mental and physical health. But what beneficial outcomes are associated with having real friends, in particular? Furthermore, what does a healthy relationship with a true friend look like? Read this article to learn more about the many benefits of true friendship. In addition, you’ll see what healthy friendships look like and how to develop and maintain them.

IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

The people that you surround yourself will affect you, for better or worse. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to friends. Much research proves that having unhealthy friends and unhealthy relationships with friends can bring you harm. This study, this study, and this one are a few among the studies that underscore the adverse effects of unhealthy friendships.

Thus, having a few real friends that you can count on is much better than having many low-quality friends. But what makes someone a true friend? Here are some of the essential aspects of true friendships:

Respect.
Honesty.
Reciprocity.
Appreciation.
Truly listening
Genuine kindness.
Emotional support.
Ability to be yourself.
Empathy and sympathy.
Meaningful conversations.
Openness and vulnerability.
It encourages personal growth.
Want what is best for one another.
Trustworthy character and behaviors.
Willingness to compromise and sacrifice.
Mutual enjoyment of spending time together.

14 Health Benefits of True Friendship From Mental Health Experts

In addition to improving our lives on a day-to-day basis, our friends can also have a life-saving impact on our health. Here are some of the many ways in which having true friends is beneficial to mental and physical health:

1) Lessens Stress:

The authors of this study examined how a person’s friends influence their well-being and health. Data revealed that having frequent contact with friends directly links to less stress and better health.

Another study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry evaluated whether social support can “mitigate the harmful effects of stress.” Researchers found that individuals with social support had lower cholesterol levels and higher immune functioning. Based on the findings, the authors concluded that social support could mitigate the harmful effects of stressful stimuli.

2) Friendship Elongates Life:

This study assessed the link between social isolation, loneliness, and mortality. Based on an in-depth analysis of 6,500 people, researchers determined that socially isolated and lonely individuals had significantly higher mortality rates.

Another study followed breast cancer patients for 12.5 years to evaluate the impact of close personal relationships on their survival. Researchers found that “increased contact with friends post-diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of death.”

3) Increases Happiness:

This study examined if, and how, having a supportive network of friends increases happiness. Researchers found that people with a supportive network are happier and that “social support plays a mediating role.” Another study revealed that “friendship quality predicted happiness above and beyond the influence of personality and number of friends.”

4) Decreases Depression:

This study analyzed the strength of participants’ friendships as a predictor of change in their depressive symptoms. Results revealed that the strength of friendships “predicted decreases in depressive symptoms.” The authors of this impactful study evaluated the effect of social support on depression in individuals who survived childhood abuse. Researchers found that having friends who provide social support “protected against adult depression.”

5) Lowers Blood Pressure:

This ground-breaking study used longitudinal data spanning the course of years to evaluate the relationship between having friends and measures of health. The authors found that “a lack of social connections more than doubled the risk of high blood pressure.” Another study published in Psychology and Aging reveals that loneliness “is a unique predictor” of elevated blood pressure.

6) Improves Overall Health:

This study used longitudinal data to assess the association between social relationships with objective measures of health. Researchers found that a lack of friends increased inflammation to the same degree as physical inactivity. Additionally, the data revealed that “the effect of social isolation on hypertension exceeded that of clinical risk factors such as diabetes.” This research review examined the lives of over 300,000 individuals to analyze the link between social relationships and health. Researchers discovered that people with serious medical conditions who had stronger relationships had a 50 percent higher chance of survival. Having friends predicted survival more than twice as much as exercise did and at the same rate as quitting smoking. Indicating that strong friendships improve overall health.

7) Friendship Increases Confidence:

recent research reveals that interacting with members of different social groups can increase self-confidence. Authors of this review of research discuss how and why intergroup contact promotes enhanced self-confidence among participants.

This groundbreaking study evaluated the effect of participating in a friend-making program on participants with severe mental illness (SMI). The program matched individuals with SMI with a community volunteer to participate in weekly one-on-one social activities together. Clients with SMI who participated in the friend-making program showed significant increases in self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth.

8) Decreases Risk of Obesity:

This study revealed that “overweight youth were twice as likely to have overweight friends.” This effect works both ways. An individual’s willingness to adopt healthy eating and exercise behaviors are highly related to the behaviors of their friends.

An additional study assessed the differences in weight loss between two groups of individuals. Individuals who participated in a weight-loss intervention alone were compared to individuals who participated in the intervention with friends. Only 76% of those who participated in the program alone finished the intervention, and 24% maintained their weight loss. Comparatively, 95% of those who participated in the intervention with friends completed the program. With 66%, or about twice as many of the participants with friends in the program maintaining their weight loss.

9) Assist in a Better Aging Process:

In this pivotal study, nearly 2,761 aging participants were followed for 13 years. The goal of the study was to examine the relationship between social activity and survival. Results demonstrated that social activity was independently predictive of survival when controlling for all individual and health factors. Based on results, researchers drew the following conclusion: “Social and productive activities that involve little or no enhancement of fitness lower the risk of all causes of mortality as much as fitness activities do.”

Another study assessed whether social networks predict better mental health in 1,669 adults aged 60 and older. Results revealed that depressive symptoms were lowest for participants with a diverse network of friends and highest for those without friendships.

10) Can Aid in Smoking Cessation:

A study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors examined the relationship between smoking habits of participant’s friends and smoking cessation. Research data for more than 6,000 adult smokers who were attempting to quit smoking was collected over several years. Results revealed that smokers who had friends that quit smoking were significantly more successful in their attempt to quit smoking.

This review of research aimed “to provide an overview of the role of social support in smoking cessation.” Data revealed a significant increase in participants’ ability to quit smoking in interventions that included social support.

11) Improves Coping Abilities and Resilience:

Authors of this study investigated if, and how, having one supportive friend improved coping and resilience in at-risk individuals. Researchers found that participants with a supportive friend developed a more “constructive coping style.” Data also revealed a significant link between having a supportive friend and resilience. Furthermore, the authors indicated a clear relationship between the presence of a supportive friend and increased coping skills and resilience.

Another study showed that the quality of the participant’s relationship with their best friend was positively associated with “mastery coping.”

12) Decreases Risk of Mortality from Heart Disease:

This longitudinal study assessed the impact of social connections on the risk of heart disease in more than 9,000 participants. Results revealed that participants who lacked social connections “had a two times higher risk of death from heart disease.”

In an additional longitudinal study, researchers evaluated the relationship between social connections and mortality rates in participants with coronary heart disease. Researchers reported the following findings.

“Those who are socially isolated are at 2- to 3-fold increased risk of death over 5 to 9 years when compared to those most connected.”

13) Decreases Risk of Developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease:

The authors of this study examined the role that loneliness plays in the onset and development of dementia. Results revealed that participants who felt lonely developed dementia more often than those who did not.

Another pivotal study followed 823 aging participants for four years to determine if loneliness impacted whether they developed Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). None of the participants had an Alzheimer’s diagnosis at the start of the study. After the study, data revealed that the “risk of AD was more than doubled in lonely persons.”

14) Reduces Relapse Risk in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder:

This consequential study evaluated mediators for the effects that self-help groups had on 2,337 veterans suffering from substance abuse disorder (SUD). The findings demonstrated that “enhanced friendship networks predicted reduced substance use at 1-year follow-up.”

Additionally, another study assessed whether participating in a peer-support community program would reduce relapse rates in individuals recovering from SUD. Results revealed that “a significant reduction of risk of relapse was found in clients who participated in the peer-support program.”

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO CULTIVATE AND STRENGTHEN FRIENDSHIPS

There are many steps that you can take to develop and strengthen your relationships with friends. Thus, here are some of the things that you can do to cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime:

Volunteer
Join a team.
Take a class.
Walk your dog.
Visit local hangouts.
Join your alumni association.
Carpool to work or class.
Participate in a support group.
Attend local events of interest.
Unplug and interact with the people around you.
Explore your neighborhood and meet your neighbors.
Invite a neighbor, co-worker, or classmate to do something fun.
Finally, re-connect with old friends and acquaintances using social media.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON CULTIVATING FRIENDSHIPS

This article demonstrates how incorporating positive social interactions with real friends into your self-care routine can improve your health in many ways. Not only that, but having quality friends could save your life.

Of course, it can be challenging to find the time to maintain quality friendships in the busy world that we live in. But it is never too late, and you are never too busy to take the necessary steps to better your life. So you can begin building a great relationship with someone today. Whether it be finding a new friend or reconnecting with an old one, potential friends are everywhere.

Research has revealed that having true friends is as important as anything else you do to take care of yourself. By working to have great relationships with friends, now, you can avoid the multitude of harmful effects of loneliness later in life. Remember, investing time in finding and keeping quality friends is spending time in your own health, as well. So why wait? Get out there and start developing and strengthening your friendships today!

15 Foods That Arthritis Sufferers Should Avoid

November 17, 2019 by Power of Positivity

If you suffer from arthritis, you know the pain and tenderness that comes with the condition. Fortunately, there are at-home remedies that can help alleviate your discomfort. One of the best ways to calm the pain is by eating a healthy diet of non-inflammatory foods.

Arthritis is a prevalent health condition, with approximately 91 million Americans struggling with one form or another of this disease. This condition manifests by swelling and tenderness around your joints that typically worsen with age. The two most common types of the disease are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. However, there are more than 100 types, including:

Rheumatic Fever
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Gout
Fibromyalgia
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Scleroderma
Tendinitis
Back pain

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in bones begins to break down, whereas rheumatoid X is a disease that occurs when the immune system attacks your joints. Treatment depends on the type of condition you have, but the main focus of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life.

A key part of treatment is preventing inflammation from flaring up, as more inflammation means more pain. What can you do? A great first step is avoiding whole foods scientifically linked to chronic inflammation, such as refined sugars and fried foods. Making simple changes to your diet can help relieve some health symptoms, like pain and swelling.

If you think you may suffer from arthritis, make sure you consult a healthcare professional to determine the best action plan for you. But if you’re ready to take back some control, keep reading for 15 foods you should always avoid.

Foods to Avoid When Coping with Arthritis Pain

1. High-Sodium Freezer Meals

Corticosteroids are a standard treatment used to treat inflammation, and doctors often prescribe them for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis. These corticosteroids can cause your body to retain more salt. A regular intake of excess sodium can contribute to inflammation in the body. Experts recommend limiting your daily intake of sodium to 1,500 milligrams.

2. Soda

Sugar connects back to inflammation in the body, and research shows that sodas sweetened with sugar link to increased arthritic symptoms in women. A study revealed that consuming a single sugary soda daily increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by a whopping 63 percent. Most sodas have a high sugar content exceeding the recommended daily amount.

3. Sugary Fruit Juice

If sugary sodas are bad for you, then that means that sugary fruit juices are also just as bad. Fruit juices that have a high sugar content are key drivers for inflammation. The microglial activation and central sensitization process substantially affect chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Sugar is a key driver in facilitating this process, substantially amplifying arthritic pain.

4. Ice Cream

Ice cream contains saturated fats and added sugars, the perfect inflammation mixture. Saturated fats are one of the biggest culprits of inducing inflammation. However, evidence from a rat study indicates that casein, the primary protein found in dairy foods, can potentially minimize swelling by quelling inflammation. The only way to know how dairy affects you is to experiment by cutting it out of your diet. If your symptoms do not improve, then maybe a scoop or two will not hurt.

5. Baked Goods

Speaking of desserts, baked goods that contain partially hydrogenated oil are a group of foods that anyone suffering from inflammation in the body must avoid at all costs. Partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fats – an ingredient you should always avoid. Trans fats can trigger inflammation and regular consumption of trans fats:

Increases “bad” LDL cholesterol
Lowers “good” HDL cholesterol
Increases the risk of developing heart disease

6. Margarine

Since we’re talking about trans fats, it’s important to note that margarine, your favorite butter substitute, is also a no-no. Margarine is typically made from trans fats associated with heart disease, cancer, and inflammation. This group of foods also includes vegetable oils, which undergo a hydrogenation process that changes its chemical properties.

7. Polyunsaturated Cooking Oil

Polyunsaturated cooking oils, such as soybean, safflower, corn, sunflower, and canola oil, are commonly found in restaurants and homes. These cooking oils are rich in omega-6 fatty acids but lack omega-3 fatty acids. Most adults do not ingest enough whole foods containing omega-3s, and an imbalance of these acids can cause inflammation, worsening symptoms of pain and inflammation throughout the body.

8. Fried Foods

As a general health rule, you should stay away from fried foods. This advice is because fried foods are often fried in oils that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which disturbs the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the body. This addition to your diet can cause more inflammation to occur and worsen arthritis symptoms.

9. Full-Fat Cheeses

Cheese is one of America’s most prized ingredients. But before you indulge in a bowl of your favorite four-cheese tortellini, it is essential to remember that most cheeses load you up with saturated fats. These fats are scientifically proven to be a trigger for inflammation in the body.

10. White Flour

A study found in The Journal of Nutrition revealed that white flour is a huge driver for inflammation. It can emphasize omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in the body, which significantly impacts joint inflammation by subduing prostaglandin E3. Omega-3s are important for preventing diabetes and heart diseases, protect your brain, and combat inflammation.

11. Pizza

Errr…hate to be the bearer of bad news. But if pain and inflammation are a health concern, then you may want to put down that extra cheesy slice of pizza. Pizza is one of the biggest sources of saturated fat due to the cheese and meat toppings. The saturated fats found in the cheese can trigger inflammation in the body, which can worsen symptoms and cause heart disease.

12. White Rice

Refined carbohydrates like white rice can cause your blood sugar to spike, increasing markers for inflammation in the body. White rice lacks the nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Instead, you should opt for whole grains like brown rice, whole-grain barley, whole-wheat couscous, freekeh, buckwheat, rye, whole oats, bulgur, and quinoa.

13. Pretzels

Pretzels are an all-time favorite snack. However, several studies link a sub-optimal microbiome to inflammation. Pretzels are a form of refined grains, and healthy microbiomes do not like these grains. Healthy guts prefer whole foods that are rich in fiber such as pistachios, chickpeas, quinoa, fruit, and oatmeal.

14. Canned Fruit in Heavy Syrup

Although fruit is an essential part of any healthy diet, you should avoid canned fruit packed in heavy syrup. That is because the added sugars in the syrup may prompt proteins called cytokines to release into the body. Cytokines link to increases in inflammation. However, this only applies to canned fruit that is in heavy syrup. Dried or canned fruits with no sugar added are perfectly fine to eat.

15. Sausages (and Other Processed Meats)

Processed foods are usually advised against due to their high salt and fat content. Processed meats are rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are triggers for inflammation and can worsen your symptoms. AGEs are present in every type of meat, but there are higher concentrations of AGEs in processed meats. So if sausages are a must-have in your meal plan, look for organic or all-natural products.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding Inflammatory Foods to Calm Your Arthritis Pain

What a list. As more people aim to become more health-conscious, it is essential to pay attention to our foods. Everything you ingest affects you and your body, whether positive or negative.

It may seem you are giving up all of your favorite foods (how can anyone say no to a slice of pizza?). However, these things tend to become less important as your body begins to feel better over time. Plus, who said you have to give everything up forever? A scoop of ice cream or a slice of pizza is okay in moderation, but they should not be staples in your diet – especially if you are suffering from chronic pain and inflammation.

Inflammation is a common symptom of several diseases. Therefore, the severity of pain caused by inflammation depends on several factors, and your lifestyle choices are one of the largest contributors. To combat chronic pain and inflammation, avoid foods that are high in sodium, sugar, or trans fats. Instead, opt for whole fiber-rich foods like whole oats, fruits, and organic meats.

Making simple changes to your diet can significantly impact your well-being and overall quality of life. By avoiding these trigger foods, the severity of your arthritis symptoms could lessen, and your life will become yours again.

Researchers Reveal How Probiotics Protect Honeybees From Fatal Disease

November 17, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Probiotics and honeybees, two subjects that each have been great topics of conversation since 2005 and later. Bees became a matter of concern due to a sudden population loss which couldn’t be explained. Rumors of cell phone usage being the cause of their deaths were rampant. In the end, it was related to multiple reasons but primarily pesticide usage. As for probiotics, they are an essential factor in gut health. Thus, they prove to be a potential variable related to many other illnesses or diseases. Now, researchers reveal how probiotics can protect bees against a fatal disease.

A bit about honeybees

The honeybee is not native to the North American continent. Settlers brought them over here from Europe. However, Italians were the first people to domesticate the honeybee. Humankind has depended upon them for their honey and beeswax for over 9000 years.

Domesticated honeybees are used to make honey and to pollinate certain fruit trees, blueberries, alfalfa, and almond, as examples. Pollination, in general, accounts for 1/3 of the food produced, and science recognizes honeybees as one of the biggest contributors. There are multiple types of honeybees, each with their own strengths or weaknesses in regard to making nectar, pollination, and survival rates.

Honeybees, like people, are social creatures who work together to survive. From 20, 000 to 80,000 bees can live in one hive together. In a manner, they have a hierarchy. There is the queen bee of the hive whose sole responsibility is to lay eggs to make ready for the winter months when the larvae will feed off of the stored honey and pollen. The other female bees are the worker bees.

It is their job to get pollen and nectar, construct and maintain the hive, and clean and circulate air within the hive. The drone bees are the male bees who leave the hive for the winter months in order to ensure the others, and the larvae, have enough food.

American Foulbrood: The fatal disease of the honeybee

Honeybees can be affected by bacteria, just like humans. The bacteria called Paenibacillus larvae is a spore-forming bacteria that attacks the bees in their pre-pupal or pupal stages. The disease is called American Foulbrood. It can kill most, if not all, of a colony. There is no cure that can be given to the bees. A few various techniques have been attempted to treat hives or the bees in either a preventive measure or post-treatment:

Treating the bees with antibiotics
Using breeding techniques which alter hygienic behavior
Therapy using bacterial viruses to attack the bacterial spores
Utilizing the application of bioactive essential oils such as lemongrass and spearmint. Many varieties of essential oils can boost immune systems, as well as rid bees of fungus, parasites, pathogens and help with stress.
Giving the bees synthetic indoles, or molecular signals, to decrease the spread of the bacteria

Unfortunately, these methods have not proven to be very effective.

How American Foulbrood infects honeybees

Adult bees will not get infected, but they can act as carriers by bringing the spores to other areas. These spores can live on and infect for 50 years regardless of extremes of temperatures.

American Foulbrood is spread by the nursing bee having the spores on their mouth and spreading it while feeding the larvae of the young. It requires only 10 spores to contaminate a one-day-old larva. Once the larvae have been capped, the bacteria spread rapidly, killing the brood during its developmental stages of pre-pupal and pupal.

After the death, billions of spores remain on pupae and the dried scales remaining of the larvae. The spores become further spread as the hive attempts to clean out the remains. As the hive continues to weaken, they are subject to robbing bees, who then continue the cycle of spreading the spores outside of the hive.

The immune system line of defense for bees

Bees, like humans, do have a robust immune system. Also, like humans, they are social creatures. There are three roles of the bees in a hive and they don’t just function to pollinate, make nectar, or feed the young. They also have a role called social immunity.

The first line of defense

Social immunity is when a collective group each does individual tasks in order to maintain the health of the group. The worker bees, for example, are responsible for ridding the hive of deceased adult bees and diseased or parasitized brood. They may also utilize a heat regulation system to rid the hive of certain pathogens that are sensitive to the heat. The worker bees literally go into a “social frenzy” to increase the heat to rid the hive of the pathogens. Other adult bees, who are aware they are infected, will purposely attempt to leave the hive to die outside of the hive.

The hive or nest itself is comprised of plant resins, which are water-resistant and airtight to prevent bacteria and viruses from forming around the nest.

The second line of defense

Bees also have a second form of immunity, “individual immunity.” Their first line of defense is the exoskeleton cuticle and the lining of their digestive tract, which are designed to prevent pathogens from sticking to their bodies or gaining entry inside. Should the pathogens still gain entry, the bees have an automated immune system response, which is just as diverse as humans. They release their own pathogens to attempt to surround the pathogen.

It has been proven that it is essential that bees are able to intake enough nutrition and calories in order for their immune system to operate at its fullest. Bees are very sensitive to stress, and it will affect their immune response.

Probiotics as a treatment for bees carrying a fatal disease

As we know about gut bacteria, certain strains of bacteria kill off other strains of bacteria. It is essential that the “good bacteria” counters the population of the “bad bacteria” in a check and balances system. Maintenance of this balance allows for proper digestion, proper assimilation of vitamins and minerals, and colon regularity.

Recently, scientists applied this principle toward the treatment of the American Foulbrood disease, which affects bees. Scientists at the Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute recently published a study in The ISME Journal Nature, addressing the benefits of probiotics on bees exposed to the American Foulbrood disease.

The scientists had already reviewed various other model studies using probiotics and their findings. Such as:

Inducing an immune response and resistance to the infection in Drosophila melanogaster.
A decrease in pesticide toxicity
Further protection from other microorganisms.
Antibiotics showed a decrease in their resistance

An additional bonus to using probiotics was that its schedule did not require the hive to be disturbed for long periods of time to show effectiveness.

The study

In the study, the scientists chose to test lactobacilli by adding it to a nutritious patty they called a Bio-Patty. In a natural outbreak of the American Foulbrood, they wanted to test the ability of the lactobacilli to suppress Paenibacillus larvae. There were two hive groups, and they both received the Bio-Patty, but only one group had the healthy bacteria laced Bio-patty. The results of the study were positive. It demonstrated that the laced Bio-patty:

Improved the survival of the honeybees
Increased the hives’ resistance against the Paenibacillus larvae
Showed a decrease in the amount and activity of the bacterium in the larvae of the honeybees.
An increase in the honeybees natural immune system to create related proteins to resist being infected

Researchers confirmed these results by performing in vitro tests on the honeybees.

Final Thoughts on Using Probiotics to Protect Honeybees

Bees are an important contributor to the pollination of many flowers, plants, and crops. We are finding that they are far more complex than we realized and yet equipped with a robust immune system, of both a social and independent nature. Being sensitive to changes and stresses can compromise their immune system.

This is why it is so important for scientists to find the least intrusive method to help them in combating the various pathogens which can infect them. Researchers revealing the use of probiotics in the protection of bees against one of their most fatal diseases is a crucial first step in minimal intrusion with potentially optimal results. The studies using probiotics on bees are relatively new, but the preliminary studies look hopeful.

Foods to Eat and Avoid to Decrease Arthritis Pain

November 17, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Arthritis is a medical term physicians use to describe over 200 health conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints and the tissues around them. More surprising to many is that the foods we eat can impact the condition.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. According to a study published by arthritis.org, it affects the lives of more than 30 million Americans. Osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness in any joint. However, it usually occurs in the feet, knees, hips, lower back, neck, or fingers.

Along with prescription and over-the-counter medication, tweaking your diet can help ease painful osteoarthritis symptoms. Also, the same advice applies to other forms of this degenerative joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

HOW DOES OSTEOARTHRITIS LEAD TO JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS?

Today we’ll detail some of the foods that can help ease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. First, let’s take a moment to familiarize ourselves with how the disease impacts the joints.

Osteoarthritis is the result of overuse. Thus, joints that people use frequently are the ones most likely to feel the impact of the condition. The most common occurrences arise in the following joints:

Feet
Knees
Hips
Lower back
Neck
Fingers

Osteoarthritis destroys the cartilage that normally cushions the bones in the joints in the body. This damage leads to bone-on-bone contact. The longer these bones rub against one another, the more damage they do to the muscles and connective tissues in the joints. Moreover, this series of events leads to severe stiffness, inflammation, and pain commonly associated with osteoarthritis.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder with an unknown etiology, osteoarthritis is far better understood. According to most physicians, scientists, and researchers, the following factors can significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis:

Age – According to a study published by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), doctor-diagnosed arthritis, which includes osteoarthritis, is highest among individuals who are age 65 and over.

Gender – While there is no scientific data that clearly explains why there is a disparity, multiple studies have found that women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis.

Obesity– Not surprisingly, being overweight or obese can place a tremendous amount of strain on weight-bearing joints, causing them to become worn that much faster. That said, the more you weigh, the more likely you are to develop osteoarthritis that affects the knees, hips, and feet.

Genetics – For 35 to 65 percent of the U.S. population, osteoarthritis is caused by 1 of 9 genes that are associated with the disease, according to a study published by ScienceDaily, an online resource that provides information related to science, health, the environment, and technology.

It is also worth noting that joint injuries can cause osteoarthritis as well. To help substantiate this claim, we need only look to a study published by the National Institute of Health. The study revealed that 80 percent of American professional football players with a history of knee injuries showed signs of osteoarthritis. That said, it is entirely possible to develop osteoarthritis even at a young age.

FOODS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT OR EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

Now that we have a better understanding of arthritis and who is most at risk for developing the condition, let’s take a moment to go over some of the foods that can help ease or possibly prevent arthritis pain:

1 -FATTY FISH

If you’re a fan of fish, you will be happy to know that adding sardines, salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish to your diet can go a long way toward easing and possibly preventing arthritis pain. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fats with anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate the pain, stiffness, and inflammation synonymous with osteoarthritis. Further, these healthy fats have been shown to minimize the degradation of cartilage in the joints, which may reduce the chances of developing the disease in the first place. Along with fatty fish, flaxseed oil and certain nuts, such as almonds, macadamia nuts, and walnuts, are also excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well.

2 – NON-FAT DAIRY

Adding more non-fat dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt to your diet is yet another great way to combat the pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with arthritis. Collectively, the protein, calcium, and vitamin D in these foods can help strengthen bones. And, it helps your body to build long, lean muscles to ease and potentially prevent arthritis pain. Also, opting for the non-fat variant can go a long way toward helping you maintain a healthy weight.

3 – OILS

Along with fatty fish and non-fat dairy, using extra virgin olive oil in place of vegetable or corn oil is also a great way to ease many of the symptoms synonymous with osteoarthritis. There is even evidence suggesting that this dietary change may also help to prevent the disease. Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural phenolic compound that has many of the same properties found in popular over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, including ibuprofen. Also, according to the National Institute of Health, this same compound may offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease as well as certain cancers.

4 – LEAFY GREENS

Dark leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, and kale can strengthen the immune system as they are rich in vitamin D and antioxidants, both of which help ease osteoarthritis symptoms while making you less prone to illnesses and infections. It may also be a good idea to sprinkle a little bit of garlic over your vegetables as well. According to an article published by Medical News Today, garlic contains diallyl disulfide, a compound that has been shown to help combat the enzymes in the body that would otherwise target and destroy cartilage.

5 – GREEN TEA

While not technically a food per se, green tea contains polyphenols, plant-based compounds that offer various health benefits, as well as antioxidants that can fight off free radicals in the body. These ingredients have been shown to minimize the breakdown of cartilage and also relieve painful inflammation.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:

While many of the foods listed in this article have been proven to help prevent arthritis; they may not be as effective in lowering the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis as it is an autoimmune disorder, meaning it is not a byproduct of normal wear and tear of cartilage as in the case of osteoarthritis. Nonetheless, these foods can help ease pain, stiffness, and inflammation brought on by this form of arthritis as well.

FOODS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID TO DECREASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

Along with the food that can help ease and possibly prevent osteoarthritis, there are some that you will want to avoid as they can trigger or intensify arthritis pain:

1 – GRANULATED SUGAR

Granulated sugar triggers the release of cytokines, small proteins that play a critical role in cell signaling in the body. Thus, food and drinks that contain a lot of granulated sugar may prove to intensify inflammation.

2 – SATURATED FAT

Those who have osteoarthritis or are at risk of developing the disease should avoid eating food that is high in saturated fat, such as red meat, dark chicken, and high-fat dairy products, for example. A diet rich in saturated fats can lead to obesity and also trigger inflammation in fat tissue. Of course, both conditions can cause osteoarthritis. And for those who already have the disease, it can make matters even worse by intensifying pain and other symptoms.

3 – SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES

Similar to granulated sugar and saturated fat, a diet high in simple carbohydrates can also trigger or worsen arthritis pain. That’s because they contain advanced glycation end oxidants, harmful compounds that can cause numerous health problems, including inflammation. Simple carbohydrates consist of the following type of foods:

Potato chips
White bread
White pasta
Candies
Sodas
White flour

If you have the option, it is always best to choose whole-grain carbohydrates as they offer more nutritional value. And, they can improve your health by contributing to the following:

Helps regulate and stabilize blood glucose levels
Help regulate appetite
Better digestive health

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE LINK BETWEEN ARTHRITIS AND THE FOODS YOU CONSUME

If you’re struggling with arthritis pain caused by osteoarthritis, make small changes to your diet. New eating habits can go a long way toward reducing your chances of suffering pain or provide some much-needed relief.

Of course, these changes won’t prevent rheumatoid arthritis. However, they are still worth implementing. That’s because a healthy diet can help ease the pain and inflammation associated with this form of arthritis.

Researchers Reveal What Happens to Your Brain With Music Therapy

November 17, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Music speaks to your heart and soul. It can get your feet tapping, make you feel energized, or sad. Regardless of which style of music you prefer, it is speaking to you or expressing something from within yourself. It might be telling a story you can relate to or invoking an image and feelings you desire in your life. No matter what, music creates a strong response in us. While this isn’t news to anyone, it has only been within the last 10 years or so that music therapy has been recognized as a legitimate alternative. Researchers reveal what happens to your brain with music therapy and the scope of therapeutic uses.

What is music therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is:

“The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

The AMTA goes on to clarify that music therapy is designed to assist in the emotional, cognitive, and social needs of the client. Therapy may include:

Creating music
Singing
Moving to the beat of the song
Listening to music

The goal of this therapeutic treatment

The goal of music therapy is for the client to build upon the skills learned or strengthen current skills and be able to apply it in everyday life. Some of the general areas in which music therapy can be beneficial are:

Communication and expression of one’s feelings. This can apply to clients and their families.
Physical rehabilitation and encouraging movement
Motivation
Reduce and teach coping methods for stress
Decrease pain
Improve memory
Improve muscular capability related to speech

Anyone working in a sales-related field or writers of self-help programs or books is likely familiar with how music, audiobooks, or videos are recommended as a method to motivate, decrease stress, visualize, or meditate. In a small way, you are utilizing the benefits of music therapy when you do this. You are using music, or verbal speaking, to alter your mood. You can even apply this to working out with music playing. None of the above are technically therapy without the guidance and plan of a therapist. However, it does show how, in those capacities, music has a strong effect on our mood and mind.

Who can music therapy help?

It is easy to understand how music can affect our mood and increase motivation, but it has other uses that you may not think of.

1 – Brain damage and music therapy

In 2010, a report called The Cochrane Collaboration was published, displaying how music therapy could be beneficial for those who are experiencing brain damage. The particular brain damage studied was acquired brain damage, such as from an accident or a stroke, as opposed to degenerative brain damage. The group gathered a collection of reports over the previous years, examining the results from the music therapist. It consisted of 184 cases.

Acquired Brain Damage can result in various challenges such as: movement or motor skills, speech, social skills, pain, and overall emotional wellbeing. They looked at different methods for each challenge;

rhythm to aid in movement,
singing to support in speaking and enhance voice quality,
listening to music to reduce pain and
music improvisation to help with mood and overall mental and emotional health.

Their analysis resulted in showing that rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), or coordinating movement to the beat and rhythm to the music, was beneficial in improving walking ability related to stride, cadence, symmetry, and strength of the movement. In regards to the other challenges faced by those experiencing acquired brain damage, the results were inconclusive due to limited cases. Recommendations were made that further studies be performed for more accurate conclusions.

Another study demonstrated that improvement in the movement was not restricted to your legs. In this study, individual stroke victims were taught how to play an electric piano or drum. These individuals had limited hand dexterity and movement as a consequence of the stroke. With 15 sessions over 3 weeks, they showed significant improvement in speed, accuracy, and ease of movement.

An example of success

While the Cochrane Collaboration was unable to prove that music can help those with acquired brain damage to speak, it doesn’t rule it out. In the case of Gabrielle Gifford, a Congresswoman who had been shot in the head, music therapy was instrumental in aiding her in recovery. She had lost many abilities, including the ability to speak. She was able to communicate by singing or chanting within 4 years.

2 – Music and the autism spectrum

Music therapy has played a significant role in helping individuals within the autism spectrum to learn social skills, communication, and emotional expression and recognition. Some reports claim that music therapy is not necessarily more effective than traditional therapy. However, patients with ASD enjoy it more. Moreover, that love for this therapy can aid in facilitating cooperation.

The original theory regarding the association with autism and music was that an individual with autism would be unable to respond to music emotionally. This proved to be false. They do show difficulty in finding words for what they are feeling. Music therapy is useful in teaching them how to interpret facial emotions by correlating “happy” music with a happy face and sad music with a sad face. This aids in teaching empathy.

With the relatively new studies correlating motor skills with acquired brain damage, scientists are now theorizing if the same methods can help autistic spectrum individuals with their motor skills and attention difficulties.

3 – Music therapy and Parkinson’s Disease

Similarly to patients with acquired brain damage, aiding patients with Parkinsons or Alzheimers is also being researched. People with Parkinson’s can have incidences where their ability to move is “frozen”. They cognitively know they need to move, such as to go to the bathroom, yet their body will not respond. Some studies on music therapy prove it to be beneficial in this regard. The patient learns a song, usually of their choosing, and they walk to it while they sing it. Then, when they are in a situation where their body freezes, they start to hum the song, and the body will begin to move accordingly.

4 – Music Therapy and other benefits

The study of music therapy as therapy is relatively new and many studies are ongoing prove its actual impact. This includes treatment on Alzheimer’s, ADHD, Pain, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and more. Scientists are also studying how it interplays with our brain, and as they gain a more in-depth understanding, the focus may become more fine-tuned toward specific issues.

How does music therapy affect the brain?

The study of the effect of music and our brain is proving to hold more significance than researchers originally thought. There are a few different thoughts in relation to how music therapy is able to be beneficial. Most have to do with brain plasticity or the flexible way in which our brain can open different learning pathways.

1 – Release of dopamine.

Studies show that when one listens to certain music, it creates a feeling of excitement. This correlates with a release of dopamine. Not only is dopamine important in helping those with depression and anxiety, but also in motivation through a reward sensation. This release of dopamine also corresponds with an increase in blood circulation.

2 – Hebbian Theory.

Hebbian or Hebbs Theory is the study of how if two neurons are fired off at the same time, they learn at the same time. For example, when we listen to music, usually we also move our feet, body, or hands. We associate the sound of music with the rhythm, which creates a simultaneous movement, and our heartbeat and breathing will match the beat. It is this theory that explains how we can teach motor and breathing to those with certain disabilities.

3 – Noise versus music in plasticity.

Music has positive results on our brain in learning new things and memory. Conversely, noise, defined as unorganized and disordered sound, has actually shown to have a negative impact on our stress levels, memory and capability to learn.

4 – All brain is encompassing.

The biggest attribute to music’s effect on our brain is that it stimulates multiple areas of our brain. Our brain responds in regions that include listening, emotions, memories, physical movement, and visual imagery.

Researchers Reveal What Happens to Your Brain With Music Therapy

Final Thoughts: Connecting the Brain and Music Therapy

Historians believe that we (Homosapiens), learned how to make music as a form of communication before we could speak. Furthermore, it crosses language barriers between people, which in most cases, makes it universally appreciated. So there may be cultural differences, or personal preferences, in appreciation of various forms of music. However, everyone has a positive response to music.

Researchers revealed some of the theories associated with what happens to your brain with music theory. And, it appears that our brains might learn best through music. While music as therapy is still relatively new, it has already shown strides in areas. In fact, it aids in maintaining positivity in the patients by inspiring a positive mood while getting treatment.

Our emotions and attitude can be our biggest detriment to recovery. Allowing therapy to be a positive experience is a significant first step to quicker and more complete recovery.

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A Man’s Life Changed Because of the Kindness of One Stranger

“Do you need some money?”

“John Pass it on”

Final Thoughts on the Kindness in Helping Others…Even a Stranger

IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

14 Health Benefits of True Friendship From Mental Health Experts

1) Lessens Stress:

2) Friendship Elongates Life:

3) Increases Happiness:

4) Decreases Depression:

5) Lowers Blood Pressure:

7) Friendship Increases Confidence:

8) Decreases Risk of Obesity:

9) Assist in a Better Aging Process:

10) Can Aid in Smoking Cessation:

11) Improves Coping Abilities and Resilience:

12) Decreases Risk of Mortality from Heart Disease:

13) Decreases Risk of Developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease:

14) Reduces Relapse Risk in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder:

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO CULTIVATE AND STRENGTHEN FRIENDSHIPS

FINAL THOUGHTS ON CULTIVATING FRIENDSHIPS

Foods to Avoid When Coping with Arthritis Pain

1. High-Sodium Freezer Meals

2. Soda

3. Sugary Fruit Juice

4. Ice Cream

5. Baked Goods

6. Margarine

7. Polyunsaturated Cooking Oil

8. Fried Foods

9. Full-Fat Cheeses

10. White Flour

11. Pizza

12. White Rice

13. Pretzels

14. Canned Fruit in Heavy Syrup

15. Sausages (and Other Processed Meats)

Final Thoughts on Avoiding Inflammatory Foods to Calm Your Arthritis Pain

A bit about honeybees

American Foulbrood: The fatal disease of the honeybee

How American Foulbrood infects honeybees

The immune system line of defense for bees

The first line of defense

The second line of defense

Probiotics as a treatment for bees carrying a fatal disease

The study

Final Thoughts on Using Probiotics to Protect Honeybees

HOW DOES OSTEOARTHRITIS LEAD TO JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS?

WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING OSTEOARTHRITIS?

FOODS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT OR EASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

1 -FATTY FISH

2 – NON-FAT DAIRY

3 – OILS

4 – LEAFY GREENS

5 – GREEN TEA

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:

FOODS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID TO DECREASE ARTHRITIS PAIN

1 – GRANULATED SUGAR

2 – SATURATED FAT

3 – SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE LINK BETWEEN ARTHRITIS AND THE FOODS YOU CONSUME

What is music therapy?

The goal of this therapeutic treatment

Who can music therapy help?

1 – Brain damage and music therapy

An example of success

2 – Music and the autism spectrum

3 – Music therapy and Parkinson’s Disease

4 – Music Therapy and other benefits

How does music therapy affect the brain?

1 – Release of dopamine.

2 – Hebbian Theory.

3 – Noise versus music in plasticity.

4 – All brain is encompassing.

Final Thoughts: Connecting the Brain and Music Therapy

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