You may have heard whispers about coconut water—the liquid touted to replace electrolytes, increase metabolism, and rejuvenate. Self Magazine, via Yahoo! Health, looked into these claims this week.  Coconut water makes you thin, or fat. Both myths are contradictory, according the article. Althogh low in calories (unlike its relative, coconut milk), it doesn't boost your metabolism. On the otherhand, it beats calorie-heavy insulin-pumping sports drinks. It is nature's sports drink. Sodium and potassium are both lost when you are very active or sweat, but mostly sodium (salt). Coconut water is …

While it is true that winter holidays hold the title for busiest travel days, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that summer travel starting Memorial Day Weekend holds a large chunk of travel as well.  The bureau reports that 90 percent of travel covering 50 miles or more is done in cars, but more air travel is being utilized as well. Travel is done more for leisure, too. Summer vacations have been the subject of several movies and comedy routines, but stresses of unfamiliar environments, exposure to lots of germs in small spaces, and limited access to nutritious food can …

There are lots of things we know we should do for our health, but they seem hard. And who wants to do something like that?  Women's Health Magazine released 101 health tips, most of which are good for both genders- and meant to make health within reach.  Although there are 101 listed, the Patch talked to several people participating in fitness activities at Castlewood State Park on today's clear, afternoon about the top 10 and whether they were practiced by these health-conscious localites. The top 10 include: protecting hearing by wearing earplugs when exposed to loud concerts or other …

May is Better Sleep Month, and local experts are giving tips for foods to aid sleep, in addition to sharing their thoughts on a new treatment for sleep apnea that doesn't require a mask. The Center for Disease Control calls insufficient sleep a "public health epidemic" with lack of sleep affecting concentration, memory, driving, and finances. In addition, people with sleep problems are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, contributing to the leading causes of death in the U.S. The CDC estimates 50-70 million are affected by sleep disorders and the …

Methamphetamines may have seemed like a rural problem removed from our localities, but recent events like the meth lab explosion in Manchester and Ellisville City Council's debate and subsequent ban of pseudoephedrine (a main ingredient for meth production) recently have brought it into the local spotlight. Eastern Missouri's battle with methamphetamines has brought national attention from USA Today, Reuters news service outlets, and several specialty programs.  Banning of substances used to make the drug in the rural counties has increased sales of those substances in St. Louis county, and …

A recent study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that in their studied population of 256 Minnesotan 18 to 39-year-olds, melanoma rates have jumped dramatically.  The median age of diagnosis was close to 30-years-old. The most common area of melanoma was the lower extremities. Among the 179 woman, diagnosis rates increased 8 times, and among the 77 males, diagnosis rates increased 6 times. The study was conducted from 1970 to 2009.  According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) melanoma is a skin cancer that develops from the pigment skin cells. It is less common than other skin …

This weekend in St. Louis, amid smells of spray tan and the gleam of muscle glaze, participants in the NPC Midwest Championship from the area got the chance to show off the work several months in the making. The NPC, or National Physique Committee, is the amateur regulating body for the International Federation of Body Building (or IFBB), though Saturday's contest also had a professional portion. To compete as a pro, athletes must first place in their class at a nationally qualifying show, and then compete at the higher level and place in order to compete professionally.  As some readers may …

This week, as we continue our focus on National Nutrition Month, I'm going to take the reigns. As a Master’s student in nutrition, Doctor of Chiropractic student, amateur body builder and your faithful Health & Fitness columnist, I enjoy the benefit of picking up quite a few tips and tricks on ways to select the right foods at the right time—and how to stave off cravings for bad foods in the process. I often get asked how I stick to my competition diet and stay lean. Here is my advice: Inside first. First, before changing your diet, focus on your motivations and obstacles. You need to …

Fast winds aren't the only thing March brings to Ballwin and Ellisville. This month also marks National Nutrition Month, and Patch talked to nutritionists serving the area about what they'd like to see the public do to better their nutrition habits.  St. Luke's Hospital has several registered and licensed dieticians on staff who  specialize in the effects nutrition has on recovering from illness. Ballwin also has several experts at its own Nutrition Clinic, which emphasizes whole food nutrition.  Marcie Barnes, a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician at St. Luke’s, said simply recognizing the…

Doctors in several states are targeting obesity in children in the hopes of preventing dangers associated with the condition such as diabetes and even heart attacks from occurring. Pediatricians in California are leading a study in which, in addition to receiving nutritional advice, children who are overweight or at risk of obesity are prescribed servings of fruits or vegetables, according to an article in The Bay Citizen. The hospital program also required vegetable preparation classes for participants to better equip them to use their new foodstuffs.  Similar programs exist in places such …

Before dishing out punishment for little Johnny's tiff at school, take a look at what he had for breakfast, says a new book. A recent article from Business Insider reviewed a book called Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, which analyzed the link between blood sugar and acting out. Researchers have found that children who got more breakfast misbehaved less, and after a morning snack good behavior dramatically increased. In addition, researchers have tested the personalities of diabetics and found they respond to stress less well than non-diabetics, likely because of the lack…

Whether you've recently sworn off unhealthy foods or perhaps still have a sweet tooth, Valentine's Day may seem like an affront to your senses, second only to Halloween. You may have steered clear of the 3-tiered boxes of chocolates and mounds of cupcakes at office parties. Still, here are a few reminders on what to avoid while still being able to enjoy good food and company. 1. Organic doesn't mean healthy. While it may be free of pesticides, the chocolate, cream, and flour in the cake has just the same amount of saturated fat as its conventional counterpart. Don't take "organic" as a …

I recently read an article highlighting a study done by the UT Southwestern Medical Center that said my 'dirty little secret' is not mine alone.  Hoarding a thousand cats? Wearing silky bloomers? Nope. I'm among the shameful masses that don't clean their contact lens properly.  In a survey of more than 400 contact lens wearers, the study found that only 2 percent followed rules for safe contact use. The worst offenses were swimming or showering in contact lenses, sleeping in them, or using them after they've started to wear out.  Check. Check. And Check.  But, I thought, there is no way that …

Plus Model magazine, a publication that supports plus size models in the fashion industry, devoted part of their January 2012 issue to comparing modern model standards to the average woman. The photos include plus-size model Katya Zharkova in artful nude along with a striking photo of Zharkova embracing a standard sized runway model. The photos received over 6,000 shares on Facebook and 1,000 Tweets. Editor's Note: To view the complete photo layout, click here. Warning: Photos contain partial nudity. Francesca Bell, 25, works in communications for a Ballwin car dealership. Bell is naturally …

I remember going into a nightclub in California several years ago, when the smoking ban had recently been put in place. When parts of St. Louis put a smoking ban in effect, it felt as if Missouri was catching up with the health initiatives of the rest of the country. Not so, according to the American Lung Association’s annual report on smoking-related issues, as reported in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Missouri is one of five states who failed in all four categories: Cigarette taxes, tobacco prevention funding, smoke-free laws and insurance coverage to help people quit smoking; the other …

January may be the official month celebrating soup, oatmeal and hot tea, but how do you keep those toasty-treats healthy? Like many of the healthy recipes we discuss, the key is knowing what's been added to these dishes. Soup is a great way to get a variety of vegetables and protein in a new presentation; oatmeal is part of a heart-healthy diet; and hot tea often offers antioxidants. But make sure you don’t cancel these benefits with added sugars and saturated fats. At home, you can control what gets added to your food. Avoid pre-packaged oatmeal packs and most canned soups, which are filled …

I would usually not consider myself a very superstitious person. Yes, I lift my feet going over railroad tracks, and throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it, and perhaps read my horoscope. But that's pretty much the extent of my superstitious streak.  However, most of us get a little push in the magic department when Friday the 13th comes along. According to Corsinet.com, an internet trivia site that’s been in place since the 1990s, both Friday and the number 13 are considered unlucky for several reasons. These include associations with Norse myths, witches, capital punishment, torture, …

The Biggest Loser television show is in its thirteenth season, and the hit series has spawned contests in offices, gyms, and clubs across the nation. So perhaps it was only a matter of time before our own fair city decided to bring some of the show's enthusiasm to its residents. The City of Ballwin is putting on their version of the contest, called "Lose to Win". Several years ago, The Pointe had enough teams for a contest and found it to be very successful for their members. Monday, The Pointe held an informational meeting for what they hope to be another run of the program. "I think nothing…

Drinking less alcohol, eating healthier, getting in shape, managing stress, quitting smoking -- these are all some of the most popular New Year's resolutions, according to USA.gov. Over and over again. So why are we back to the same old habits by Spring? Let's talk about ways to ensure that you don't stay on track.  1. Hang out with the same people, at the same places, with the same temptations. Even for myself, this is one of the biggest challenges I face in staying in line with my goals. Places and people can trigger bad behavior, as anyone who has hung out with "that" friend can tell you. …

Many risk factors for drug use have been identified, and youth have been targeted for anti-substance abuse campaigns for decades.  One emerging factor most recently identified in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, however, just might surprise you. Those tested in a high IQ group were much more likely to try marijuana by age 16. At age 30, high IQ women were twice as likely as low-IQ women to have used cocaine or marijuana in the previous year. Men with high IQs were 46% more likely to use methamphetamines, and 65% more likely to use ecstasy than their low IQ peers.  What may be…