A comparison of 94 young adults found those subjected to prenatal stress tended to have white blood cells with shorter telomeres, the protein caps that prevent chromosome tips from fraying when cells divide.

Whether telomere shortening is a cause of aging’s ravages, or if age-related deterioration causes telomeres to shorten, isn’t known. Either way, shortening is linked to chronic disease risk and diminished longevity.

White blood cells of prenatally stressed adults “had aged the equivalent of approximately 3.5 additional years,” wrote researchers led by University of California, Irvine fetal development specialists Pathik Wadhwa and Sonja Entringer in an August 2 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study.

Many studies have linked health problems to physical and psychological stresses, response to which wears down our body’s immune and metabolic systems. Studies have also linked adult health to maternal stress: A mother’s stress responses are passed on to her infants, making them more vulnerable to chronic diseases.

Connecting mother, fetus, and ultimately baby in stress are a variety of mutually inexclusive, as-yet-partially understood factors: stress hormones, oxidation pathways and metabolic pathways. Epigenetic programming — the heritable, on-the-fly form of gene regulation that allows for rapid adaptation to circumstance — is also important.

The latest findings reinforce the researchers’ suspicion that telomere biology plays a role, too. In earlier studies of the same group, telomere length tracked with immune system problems and metabolic dysregulation.

The 94 people in this group are all young adults, carefully selected for demographic comparability. When their telomeres were read for this latest study, they were 25 years old. The extra 3.5 years of white blood cell aging in prenatally stressed people hides a gender difference: In women, prenatally stressed telomeres were shorter by the equivalent of about 5 years’ wear and tear.

Whether short telomeres cause the problems or just reflect them remains to be determined, but a basic pattern is clear: Stress in the womb can set up “a long-term trajectory at birth,” write the researchers.

Note: Several of the paper’s authors are co-founders of Telome Health, a company that offers health-related telomere testing (though not longevity-related testing).

By Brandon Keim

Top image: Menno Hordijk/Flickr.

Average Gas Prices Are Only Going Up

Gasoline prices have been rising fast following unrest throughout the Mideast. The political instability in Libya, Egypt and other key nations in the oil supply chain highlights one of the clearest reasons for investing in renewable and alternative energy supplies, including electric cars. In the long-term, shrinking supplies, increasing demand and (possibly) new climate change regulations promise, ultimately, to drive oil prices higher.

Here are five^* road-tested ways to save money on gas. Of course saving money isn’t the only goal: the more gas we save, the less pollution we create, and the less beholden we are to those who control the oil supply.

^* Plus one bonus tip (no extra charge).

Pay $3.19: Take Public Transportation

By one estimate, the public transportation system in the United States saves 3.4 billion gallons of oil a year (and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 26 million tons).

Get your fair share of the savings by looking up the local bus route or climbing on the subway. (After all, as a taxpayer, you’ve already invested in the service.)

Sure, it costs money to take the bus or subway. But consider this: The average U.S. commute is 16 miles, and at these prices the average U.S. passenger costs $2.26 to go 16 miles ($2.80 for an SUV), and that’s roughly the cost of a typical public transit fare. It’s a wash.

Plus, you’ll save wear and tear on your car, a hefty hidden cost of driving.

Pay $2.55 Per Gallon: Drive Smarter

If all else fails, you can at least drive the car you own to greater fuel-efficiency. By one estimate, you can improve fuel economy 20% by reversing bad habits. That’s like spending $2.55 per gallon instead of $3.19.

The gravy: Changing bad driving habits and scheduling regular vehicle maintenance lessens the pollution your car produces by burning fossil fuel. That means less smog, less asthma, less acid rain and less of a contribution to global warming. All in all, not a bad outcome from saving a few dimes.

Start by inflating your tires to the recommended level. Visit your mechanic for a tune-up if you’re due. Be sure to have your tires aligned, your air filter checked and your oil changed if needed.

When making trips, combine errands so that the trip home from work also includes the trip to the grocery store (and thereby cuts your gas bill in half). When you’re on the road, drive smoothly, accelerate slowly and don’t speed. The biggest savings are in your right foot.

For more tips, see The Daily Green’s 10 Ways to Save 20% on Gas Every Day.

Pay $0.80-$1.60 Per Gallon: Carpool

You can cut your gas bills in half, right now. Share your trip to work with one other person and split the bill. That’s like paying $1.60 for gas that costs $3.20 at the pump. (It’s been a decade sine the actual pump price hovered in the $1.60-per-gallon range.) With a full car of four people, the cost per gallon is just $0.80! Now that sounds like real savings.

If you’re looking for help getting started, consult with Divide the Ride, eRideShare, RideCheck, Carpool World or other Web-based tools designed to help like-minded commuters find each other.

Pay $0.80 a Gallon: Trade in Your SUV

If you must drive, replace your gas guzzler with a fuel-efficient model. The most fuel-efficient car, several years running has been the hybrid Toyota Prius, which gets 50 mpg. But new electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt get the equivalent of 100 mpg. The least fuel-efficient 2011 SUVs, the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon, get about 12.

If you swapped that gas-guzzler for an electric car, it would be like shaving more than $3,000 from your annual fuel bill. The cost of an average commute in a Prius is about $1 at current gas prices, versus about $4 in one of those SUVs. In other words, you’ll go almost four times as far on a tank of gas in the Prius, so the $3.19 you pay to fill your SUV is like paying $0.80 in the Prius.

If you’re buying a new car, consult The Daily Green’s list of the most fuel-efficient cars and SUVs, or invest in a reliable fuel-efficient used car.

Save $2 a Gallon: Walk, Bike or E-Bike

Keep your wallet fat and your pants loose. Whenever possible, walk or bike. If your commute is a little too long to manage, try an electric bike, which provides an electric boost.

Every mile you pedal or stride saves you gas, saves you money and helps you stay in shape. If you trade in a trip in the average car, you’d save about $2 per average commute. (Use the money to buy a new umbrella for rainy days.)

During the hot summer months, though, be sure to check the air quality forecast in your area. Particulates, ozone and other components of smog can make it unhealthy to exercise outdoors on some hot, sunny days, particularly during the evening commute. Those with asthma or other lung or heart ailments are most at risk.

Invest in the Future: Support Smart-Growth Planning

Bonus Tip (no extra charge)

This tip won’t save you a dime today. But it’s well worth it for what it will save your children and grandchildren.

Gas prices are the most painful for folks in the suburbs, where there’s often no viable option but to drive from home to school, to work, to the grocery store, etc. Sprawling development gives each family God’s green acre, but it makes them pay in oil.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Legions of planners, advocates and a young generation of home buyers are reinvesting in city and village living. New development can be clustered around existing public transportation infrastructure, integrated with employment, schools and shopping, and connected by sidewalk into walkable neighborhoods. Another advantage: This pattern preserves outlying farms, which can supply local food, and nearby forests, where urbanites can take a hike.

Tax money can be used to invest in new public transportation routes. Local laws can be written to counteract sprawl. If you want to see the next generation have an easier time dealing with high oil prices (and there’s little reason to expect the price of oil will drop significantly), then start thinking about the bigger picture. Tell your representatives in Congress, the statehouse, at the county commission and town council to plan for the next building boom now, while housing starts are low.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/your-money-today/staticslideshowdg.aspx?cp-documentid=28949499&GT1=32078

Renton Chiropractor Reviews | Baze Chiropractic, PLLC

Dr. Baze will be covering the office from 9 am – 12 pm

and Dr. Long will continue to cover the office from 2:30 pm – 6 pm.

Hope to see you there!

the office will be closed Monday, July 4th,

but will remain open on Saturday July 2nd from 9am to 11am.

We hope everyone has a fantastic holiday

Banish germs and excessive

By Angela Pirisi

When your sick child needs antibiotics to teat a diagnosed case of strep throat, for instance – the medicines can bring quick, welcome relief.  Unfortunately, antibiotics today are overprescribed and also put into everything from livestock feed to toys, lunch boxes, and upholstery.  Overuse has helped create strains of bacteria that resist antibiotic treatment, raising serious concern globally.

Experts caution to use antibiotics only when necessary – after test resultsdetermine the specific type of bacterial infection – and exactly as prescribed (for example, finish all medication) so they’ll work when you really need them.

The best backup plan: prevention.  These natural immunity boosters can ward off bacteria and viruses – or help clear up common infections faster.

PROBIOTICS

These “good bugs” improve microbial balance in the gut, helping fight off stomach bugs and boosting immunity overall.  Children in day care who consumed drinks with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei had significantly fewer gastrointestinal and upper-respiratory infections, according to a recently published study.  Also look for the effective L. reuteri strain in supplements, says Jenn Dazey, ND, who teaches botanical medicine at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

Dose:  For prevention, regularly feed kids probiotic-rich fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and miso.  During antibiotic treatment, give probiotic capsules or powder at a different time of day from antibiotics.  For infants, 100 million organisms may be enough; for older children, start with 1 billion organisms daily and gradually work up to 5 billion.  Continue for two to four weeks after finishing the antibiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria.

ELDERBERRY

This honeysuckle family member can help shorten the duration of flu symptoms and may reduce mucus in sinus infections.  ”It’s antiviral, including against type A and B influenza viruses,” says Linda B. White, MD, professor of herbal medicine at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Dose:  Elderberry is available in syrup, tincture, capsule, and lozenge form.  Children can take 2 tablespoons and adults 4 tablespoons daily of elderberry syrup in divided doses.

VITAMIN D

Adequate vitamin D levels may reduce risk for cold and flu viral infections in adults and for severe asthma attacks in children, according to studies.  ”Vitamin D boosts the immune system by helping white blood cells recognize and attack germs,” says Bob Sears, MD, author of The Autism Book (Little, Brown, 2010).

Dose:  For children, the recommended daily intake is 400 IU.  That may not be enough if they’re deficient, says Sears: A blood test can assess your child’s vitamin D needs.  Adults can take 1,000-2,000 IU daily.

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT

This antioxidant-rich extract may help prevent or shorten the duration of upper-respiratory infections.  ”It’s very antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory,” says Dazey.  Take at the first sign of cold or flu.  Gargling olive leaf tea helps sore throats.

Dose:  Available as tea, tincture, or capsules.  For prevention, take 1 capsule or drink 1 cup of olive leaf tea daily.

XYLITOL

Best known as a low-glycemic-index sweetener, xylitol is especially effective against Streptococcus mutans, which causes tooth decay.  Using xylitol gum, mints, or nasal spray makes it harder for germs to adhere to the mucosae of the throat and nasal passages, where many infections start.

Dose:  Xylitol is available in gums and mints, as well as in powder, syrup, and saline-spray forms.  For prevention in children ages 2 and older, give small doses throughout the day, up to 8 grams total.  Excess may cause diarrhea.

ASTRAGALUS

Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TM), this antiviral and antibacterial herb boosts immune function.  Avoid giving to a child with a fever because, according to TCM, it may prolong it.

Dose:  Though also sold as dried slices, astragalus is easiest to take in capsules or as an extract.  Potencies vary; follow label directions.  Take daily as a preventive, or when you’re feeling run-down, says White.

For info on childhood illnesses that usually require antibiotics, go to deliciousliving.com/nov10.

Seven simple ways to calm down – and lift mood and energy levels – during hectic times.

We may not have the same stressors that our ancient ancestors did – substitute a volatile economy in place of a rampaging woolly mammoth – but our bodies don’t know that, says integrative medicine practitioner Charles A. Moss, MD.  When stressed, we still go into fight-or-flight mode, complete with sweaty palms, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing.  The response starts with a shot of adrenaline, followed by high levels of the hormone cortisol, which helps us perform by moving blood from the digestive tract to the muscles and raising blood sugar levels toincrease energy.

Once a short-term stressor is removed, cortisol production shuts down, says Moss, author of Power of the Five Elements (North Atlantic, 2010).  The problem is, many modern stressors – job worries, for instance – tend to linger, leading to chronically elevated levels of cortisol.  Research has linked excess cortisol to blood sugar-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes, along with lowered immunity, depression, allergies, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.

ENJOY A CAFFEINE KICK, IN MODERATION

Jitters and caffeine seem to go hand in hand, but a moderate amount of this natural pick-me-up can actually counteract the effects of anxiety by sharpening mental focus and reducing fatigue, says nutritional biochemist Shawn Talbott, PhD.  Of course, too much caffeine can make you tense and irritable.  ”The tipping point tends to be about 200 to 300 mg a day, as noted in studies of caffeine use in stressed subjects,” says Talbott, author of Vigor (GLH,2010).

Do this: Limit yourself to two 8-ounce cups of coffee a day.  And try alternating lattes with cups of green tea.  L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, has a “nonsedating, calming effect that overrides the stimulation of the caffeine in the tea,” Talbott says.

SKIP REFINED CARBS

When you’re stressed, junk food canoffer emotional comfort, but it has the opposite physiological effect.  The refined carbohydrates in these foods seem to keep cortisol levels hight, says Rashmi Gulati, MD, medical director of Patients Medical, a holistic wellness center in New York City.  How? Simple carbs such as sugar and white flour break down into glucose, which the body uses for energy.  But if glucose levels are too high, the body perceives a state of stress and produces more cortisol, Gulati says.

Do this: Don’t avoid all carbs, which research shows actually can support mood by stimulating the production of serotonin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.  But do choose complex carbs such as whole-grain oats or whole fruits such as apples, which contain enough fiber to slow digestion and reduce impact on blood sugar.  Gulati recommends eating low-starch vegetables such as artichokes, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, and salad greens – along with some protein and healthy fats.  ”Balancing your meals will even out your mood and blood sugar levels and lessen your anxiety,” she says.

SOAK UP MAGNESIUM

Spike your bathwater with Epsom salts.  Research shows the skin can absorb these natural magnesium sulfate crystals, boosting your body’s levels of this key mineral.  Magnesium helps regulate serotonin; in fact, magnesium deficiency has been linked to anxiety, hyperexcitablility, apprehension, nervousness, and insomnia, says Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, author of The Complete Natural Guide to Women’s Health (Robert Rose, 2005).

Do this: Add two cups of Epsom salts to bathwater and soak for at least 12 minutes, up to three times a week.  Alternatively, take 250 mg of magnesium daily as a supplement, Dean says, or eat magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, halibut, spinach, and whole-grain cereal.

OPTIMIZE REST

Your night-owl schedule might not be as much a factor on your stress levels as how you spend you time when you’re awake, says Matthew Edlund, MD, author of The Power of Rest (HarperOne, 2010).  ”Rest is the process where the body rebuilds, resets, and renews itself,” he explains.  ”But unlike sleep, rest can be an active process where you consciously direct that rebuilding.”  People who are rest-deprived end up with overloaded emotions, minds, and nervous systems and feel sluggish and tired no matter how much they sleep.  ”We’ve forgotten what it feels like to be truly refreshed,” Edlund says.  ”Fortunately, there are simple things we can do throughout the day to rest that fit into even the busiest schedules.”

Do this: Try these four restful techniques.

1. Focus your attention on one muscle, releasing any tension.  Then do the same with another muscle.  ”You can actually feel your blood pressure and heart rate go down as you relax each muscle,” Edlund says.
2. Consciously connect with something outside your everydayphysical or mental environment.  ”Look around wherever you are and imagine, ‘What was this place like ten years ago, a hundred years ago, a billion years ago?’  It gives you a little sense of wonder and helps you relax,” he says.
3. Socialize with friends who put you at ease.  This can be as easy as walking to lunch with a colleague.
4. Clear your senses. Start by closing your eyes and putting your index fingers in your ears deep enough to stop the noise; then quickly pull out your fingers.  Open your eyes and look around you.  First, look just in terms of color; a second time, lookat forms; and a third time, focus on sounds.  ”Spend five to ten seconds on each one of these.  It gives you a perceptual rest of your visual and auditory systems when you feel like you’re losing it and allows you to come back to yourself,” Edlund says.

MAKE A “TO-DON’T LIST”

In our multitasking culture, you may find yourself becoming addicted to getting things done and subsequently taking on more than you’re physically able to do.  ”People lose touch with how to relax and put the BlackBerry aside and just enjoy the moment,” Gulati says.

Do this: To reverse the cycle, once a week swap your to-do list for a list of things you’re either not going to do at all, that you can delegate, or that you can do another day.  Spend the time you saved doing something you find relaxing – guilt free.  A great way to start, says Gulati: Take a “technology holiday” at least one day per week.

STEP DOWN YOUR EXERCISE

Sure, a good workout reduces your emotional stress by boosting your endorphins, but keep in mind that intense exercise is also a physical stress on your body.  A half-hour walk is actually better for your cortisol levels than an hour-long step class, Gulati says.  Likewise, it may not be a good idea to start a new exercise class or learn a new workout routine when you’re feeling anxious.  ”For instance, yoga is good for stress, but if you’ve never done it before, it could actually add to your stress because you may be worried you don’t know how to do it,” says Pete McCall, exercise physiologist for the American COuncil on Exercise.

Do this: For optimum stress reduction, aim for 20 to 30 minutes of low- to moderate-intensity exercise daily.  ”Focus on exercises like biking, walking, or hiking, where you don’t have to do a lot of heavy thinking,” says McCall.

SING A HAPPY TUNE

Or any tune – studies show that belting out a ballad not only decreases cortisol levels but also is a more effective stress reliever than just listening to one.  Why? Debbie Mandel, author of Addicted to Stress (Jossey-Bass, 2008), theorizes that singing makes us feel better on a variety of levels.  ”We’re creatures of rhythm, so anything that introduces rhythm to our lives calms us down.  We have comforting memories associated with songs, and singing distracts you and breaks you out of your worry loop,” she says.

Do this: Turn up your favorite tunes and sing along in your car or while cleaning the house.  With any luck, the traffic – and maybe even the mess – will soon feel less like a big problem and more like just another little bump in your daily road.

By Vicky Uhland

Top Supplements for Stress and Anxiety

5-HTP. This amino acid helps build serotonin, the brain’s feel-good chemical.  Dose: 100-400 mg daily

GABA. This natural neurotransmitter has calming, anti-anxiety effects. Dose: 500-2,000 mg daily

L-THEANINE. Found in teas, especially green tea, this amino acid can relieve anxiety and increase mental focus.  Dose: 100-200 mg daily

MAGNOLIA BARK. Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this antioxidant is a powerful anxiety combatant and also fights depression.  Dose: 200-400 mg daily

PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE. Made naturally in the body, this chemical (derived from cabbage or soy in supplements) helps maintain cellular function in the brain and can reduce anxiety and depression.  Dose: 100-200 mg daily

RHODIOLA. This adaptogenic herb, also known as golden root, helps balance the adrenal glands, which produce the stress hormone cortisol. Dose: 200-400 mg daily

Sources; Shawn Talbott, PhD; Kent Holtorf, MD.

*Consult your health car provider before starting any new supplement.