Happy Day my Friends!

Yesterday was the 4th of July!!! What a great day to commemorate the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America! Remembrance of a time in which the nation felt strong enough, capable enough, to break free from external impositions and take charge of our own history.
 

I often wonder what the members of the Committee of Five would say about the state of governance in our country today. Would Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston feel proud of how we are conducting ourselves? Do they believe we are still upholding the values they cherished?
 

Like many, I believe our nation is divided, but not merely along party lines of Republicans and Democrats, that is only a distraction for the masses. The true division lies between those who accept the current circumstances, trapped in the "system," and those who have opened their minds to new possibilities. Those who believe there could be a better way, who know that as a nation, we are capable of greatness, and that our collective actions can restore our former glory.
 

I remember when we were America, the land of opportunities!!! I remember when people from other nations had glimmering eyes at what we represented for them, wanting to emulate us... Somewhere along the way, we lost our sense of identity, and we are crumbling... The great empire is falling down, falling down... What will we, as American citizens, do to prevent this? How will we reinvent ourselves? One thing is certain—it won't happen through division, but through UNITY and COLLABORATION.
 

Our founding fathers didn’t achieve independence by fighting amongst themselves or focusing on their differences; they came together with PURPOSE.
 

American people, we know we will never accomplish UNITY from our government. Those now in power act like clowns and are moved like puppets. At this moment we can’t count on them for true change. We, the people, have to decide how will shape the future of this nation, and it starts with each one of us individually. 
 

I am a witness of change… change is coming from all corners of our society… change starts  from within ourselves, as we discover that we are more than the system would have us believe. As we get in touch with our true self,  we discover we are more than our economic status, more than the color of our skin or our ethnicity, more than our religion or our life philosophy, more than our gender or sexual preference, more than any chronic health condition, more than any imposed or perceived limitation. 
 

To achieve UNITY, we must begin the process of healing. The first step is acknowledging that the system has corrupted us as a nation—it has tainted our values, our nation’s soil, and our health... But we can reclaim control by making conscious decisions, by refusing to simply go along with the status quo, and by striving to become the best versions of ourselves.
 

As we let the above words simmer into our consciousness, let’s take a look at what you will find in this newsletter.
 

In this newsletter, you'll discover June's blog articles: "Failing versus Learning How to Make It Happen ” and "The Toolkit of Excitement". The first blog explores the idea that setbacks are not failure but learning opportunities. By adopting Thomas Edison's mindset of persistence and innovation, we can turn unsuccessful outcomes into steps toward success. The second article explores the "Toolkit of Excitement" introduced by Bashar, emphasizing the power of acting on what excites you to achieve your goals. Additionally, you'll find insightful articles and studies highlighting new health technology, extraordinary benefits of the papaya plant and the relationship between aerobic exercise training and cardiovascular health.
 

I trust you'll find this information intriguing, exciting and valuable, fostering awareness and inspiration to embark on the journey to WellBeing.
 

With Gratitude, 

Coach Edna

Latest News

Health Science: Thermal Facial Image Analyses Reveal Quantitative Hallmarks of Aging and Metabolic Diseases

This article contributes to the growing field of digital health technologies by illustrating how thermal imaging can provide critical insights into human aging and metabolic health. The study involved 2,811 Han Chinese individuals aged between 20 and 90 years. Thermal facial images and parallel two-dimensional (2D) images were collected and analyzed using an image processing method called ThermoFace. Deep learning algorithms were then employed to generate thermal age and disease prediction models.

The study reveals the following important discoveries:

• Facial Temperature and Aging: Facial temperature distributions offer valuable insights into aging and metabolic states. The study demonstrated that facial thermal images could be used to predict biological age and metabolic diseases.

• Model Accuracy: The ThermoFace deep learning model has a mean absolute deviation of about 5 years in predicting thermal facial age, which correlates with metabolic parameters and gene expression pathways in the blood transcriptome.

• Disease Prediction: ThermoFace disease predictors can forecast metabolic diseases such as fatty liver with high accuracy (AUC > 0.80). The predicted probability of disease correlates with metabolic parameters.

In summary, the ThermoFace method represents a significant advancement in non-invasive, rapid assessment tools for aging and metabolic health. It provides a practical approach to monitor aging rates and detect metabolic disorders based on thermal facial imaging.

Nutrition: Papaya Seeds Benefits

During my nutrition research time to write this section, I came across an article (link here) that itemizes and describes the benefits of eating papaya seeds. The benefits include digestive health, liver detoxification, anti-parasitic properties, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, antibacterial and antiviral properties, kidney, heart & skin health, weight management & cancer prevention. After learning about this amazing and health empowering list, who wouldn't want to eat this gift from Mother Nature?

Born and raised on a tropical island, I remember my grandparents making papaya desserts, smoothies, and eating it as a snack. As we grew up, my family continued eating this fruit occasionally. However, I don’t recall ever eating the seeds. 
 

As I continued reading the article, I noticed there were no references to research articles or studies. This prompted me to investigate further to determine the validity of these claims.

My preliminary search on PubMed revealed that the papaya seeds are indeed safe to consume orally, although the toxicity levels, if any, need further research. The same study indicates that the seeds do have antioxidant properties but more studies are necessary.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38161939/

Another study investigates the antidiabetic mechanism of papaya seeds extract due to its antioxidant properties. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32258473/
 

Additionally, a different study revealed that the papaya leaf (not the seed) extract has strong medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities. It seems that the properties of the papaya leaf extract has received more attention than the seed, as there are more studies about it.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32367410/
 

Other studies mentioned that the entire papaya plant (bark, leaves, fruit and seed) have health and medicinal properties. My personal conclusion is that, given all the benefits this amazing plant offers and backed up by scientific research, I will definitely include it in my regular eating habits.

Fitness: Training for a First-Time Marathon Reverses Age-Related Aortic Stiffening - ScienceDirect

Repeatedly, we hear the recommendation for preventing cardiovascular disease: eat a healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity, among other advice. Arterial stiffness has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality, independent of traditional risk factors. Arterial stiffness increases with age, contributing to higher cardiovascular risk. Regular exercise, especially endurance activities like running, can reduce arterial stiffness, effectively promoting vascular health.
 

This study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explores how training for a first-time marathon impacts age-related aortic stiffness. The study involved 138 untrained healthy individuals who underwent six months of marathon training.

Key Points:

1. Objective: The study aimed to determine if real-world exercise training for a marathon can reverse age-related aortic stiffening.

2. Methodology: Participants underwent six months of training for the London Marathon, with assessments conducted pre-training and post-marathon.

3. Results: The training led to significant reductions in aortic stiffness, particularly in the ascending and descending aorta. The biological "aortic age" of participants was reduced, indicating a reversal of age-related changes in the aorta.

4. Health Implications: Marathon training can effectively reverse some aspects of vascular aging, emphasizing the importance of sustained and intensive physical activity for cardiovascular health.

5. Study Conclusion: Training for and completing a marathon even at relatively low exercise intensity reduces central blood pressure and aortic stiffness—equivalent to a 4-year reduction in vascular age. Greater rejuvenation was observed in older, slower individuals. 
    

Do we all need to run a marathon to prevent and reduce vascular age? Probably not. As the study title suggests, the training for the marathon had the most significant impact, not necessarily running the marathon itself. Participants engaged in six (6) months of training with a schedule of 6 to 13 miles/week. The study suggests that incorporating regular aerobic exercise into one's routine could be a viable strategy for promoting arterial health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with aging.

Other Facts and Events

Month Observance Days:

1. Canada Day (July 1) - This day commemorates the anniversary of the formation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. This day marks the union of the three original provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada (which later split into Ontario and Quebec)—into a single country within the British Empire. It celebrates Canadian history, culture, and achievements with festivities including fireworks, parades, concerts, and other patriotic events.

2. Independence Day (July 4) - This day, also known as the Fourth of July, marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On this day, the Thirteen Colonies declared their independence from British rule, leading to the formation of the United States of America. It is celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and various patriotic displays and activities honoring American history and traditions.

3. Bastille Day (July 14) - This day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event at the beginning of the French Revolution. This day symbolizes the end of the absolute monarchy and the birth of the sovereign nation. Celebrations in France include military parades, fireworks, parties, and various public and private events reflecting the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

4. Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18) - This day honors the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president and a key figure in the struggle against apartheid. Celebrated on his birthday, July 18th, the day encourages people to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to helping others, representing the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for justice, equality, and human rights. It is a global call to action to promote peace, reconciliation, and community service.

5. Space Exploration Day (July 20)  - This day commemorates the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. This day celebrates the achievements of space exploration and scientific discovery, highlighting humanity's quest to explore and understand the universe. It often includes events such as space-themed exhibitions, educational programs, and observances honoring the contributions of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

For additional observance and celebration days during July month follow this link:​ Reader's Digest​.