The study, which followed 4,000 normal weight people aged 30 to 59 for three decades, suggests that over the long haul, 9 out of 10 men and 7 out of 10 women will become overweight. "You cannot become complacent," observes lead author, Ramachandran Vasan, Associate Professor of Medicine at BU, "because you are at risk of becoming overweight."

The BU findings suggest that obesity may be a greater problem in the U.S. than previously thought, as earlier estimates focused on a single point in time – not the overall likelihood that a person will become overweight or obese. Such so-called "snapshots" have delivered a 7 out of 10 rate for men (vs. the "overall" 9 out of 10) and a 6 out of 10 rate for women (vs. the "overall" 7 out of 10) of being overweight.

Excess weight raises general health risks for a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis. It also poses gender specific risks such as higher rates of ovarian, breast, cervical, and uterine cancer in women, as well as an increased risk of stomach and prostate cancer in men. Since men carry their extra weight in the midsection, they may also fare worse than women in terms of carbohydrate intolerance and diminished exercise endurance.

If vitality and vanity aren't enough to keep you motivated in the fight against fat, how about a better sex life or cash incentive? Avid DNN readers may remember that dropping pounds can lift your libido and possibly fatten your wallet as well. 

Yoga has long been recognized as a path to greater peace. Now this ancient premise gets modern proof with research revealing a drop in levels of the stress hormone cortisol after just one yoga session. While cortisol levels have been linked to increased abdominal fat, the claim that yoga can aid weight management has remained mostly anecdotal...until now.

A Seattle study, involving over 15,000 subjects, found that yoga practice helps check middle age spread. Overweight subjects who did yoga at least once a week over the course of a decade lost eight pounds – while their non-yoga practicing peers gained an average of fourteen pounds during the same time period. This result bolstered findings from a previous, smaller University of Pittsburgh study of 59 obese women who lost more weight (an average of 27 pounds) after four months of yoga, walking and a low-fat diet than those who did strength training or just walking alone.

While this research should encourage you to incorporate yoga into your exercise routine, it doesn't mean that 'Downward Dog' is all you need to do to stay fit. Researchers from Texas State University found that while some of the more vigorous moves, like Sun Salutations, burn up to 4 calories a minute (the equivalent of a brisk walk), most yoga disciplines fall short of delivering the overall cardio benefits you'll get from traditional aerobic exercise (e.g. biking, jogging, swimming, etc.). Your best bet is to strive for a varied regimen that will yield the full range of fitness benefits: endurance, strength and flexibility.

Bonus: Yoga might even help you rest easier. Participants in an eight week Harvard Medical School study, who did yoga for 30-45 minutes a day, fell asleep 30% faster and woke 35% less than the control group. So greet the day with yoga to find yourself saying "namaste" at night.

PUMPKIN FOR YOUR PEEPERS
Halloween Superfood For Eyes, Lungs, Joints

While jack-'o-lanterns light the trail of trick-or-treating, regular consumption of pumpkin could help you see better in the dark. One cup (116g) of raw pumpkin contains over 170% of the Daily Value of vitamin A – a powerful nutrient needed for night vision – plus other eye-healthy phytonutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, making pumpkin a powerful Superfood for your eyes.

The alimentary abundance of the orange orb doesn't stop there. It offers one of the best sources of beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid linked to lower lung and prostate cancer risk, as well as improved joint health. In fact, a recent British study found that people with the highest intake of beta-cryptoxanthin had half the risk of developing polyarthritis (inflammation that affects at least two or more joint groups) compared to those with lower consumption levels.

Pumpkin also provides a good source of potassium (to help regulate blood pressure) and vitamin C (to help promote collagen formation) – all for only 30 calories per cup of raw. Haven't got the patience to gut that gourd? Pop a tin of canned pumpkin – one half cup of which provides nearly 400% of your daily vitamin A needs, plus a quarter of your daily vitamin K needs, for just 42 calories!

If these health benefits aren't motivation enough to put pumpkin on your menu, how about getting in the "food for love?" As discussed in a previous DNN, researchers at the Chicago-based Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation exposed male subjects to a variety of different aromas – among which the scent of pumpkin pie turned out to turn men on.

So, try our featured Superfood recipe, Pumpkin Pineapple Mousse Pie, to improve your health – and spice up your love life.

LOVE YOUR LIVER
Top Ten Tips for Liver Health

While many know that alcohol abuse can damage the liver, a new study from Johns Hopkins University found that eating loads of sugar and fat could also put your liver at risk. The animal research suggests that liver function already compromised by injury is further undermined by high-fat, high-sugar diets. This news represents further progress in the fight against what is rapidly becoming one of the nation's most serious public health problems – liver disease, which includes hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer.

The largest intestinal organ, liver detoxifies the blood, stores glycogen for energy needs, and secretes bile that aids fat digestion (just to name a few of the liver's more than 500 functions). So how do you keep this vital organ in optimum health? We've assembled a top ten list of dietary tips to "love your liver." After all, while moderns associate "love" with the heart, Elizabethans looked to the liver as the seat of passion. Follow this list, and your liver will likely love you back:

1) An Apple for Your Innards: Cornell University researchers found liver cancer cells treated with 50 mg of apple extract decreased cancer cell growth by 57%.

2) Make Time for Tea: Compounds contained in green tea may help rehabilitate livers damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, according to animal studies conducted at the University of Chapel Hill. Another study from the University of Hong Kong found green tea catechins could reduce inflammation and free radical damage in the event of liver injury.

3) Eat Your Greens: A team of UK and Japanese researchers report that those who eat green vegetables regularly (daily or almost daily) were significantly less likely to die from liver cancer. Try arugula, spinach, kale or romaine lettuce.

4) Avocado is King: In one Japanese animal study, avocado beat out 22 other fruits as the best defense against liver damage. Another study from the same researchers found avocados appear to lessen the liver damage caused by hepatitis C in rats.

6) Plum Healthy: Research shows that a phytonutrient found in plums, chlorogenic acid, may block the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines during digestion and reduce the risk of liver cancer. Other top sources of chlorogenic acid include cherries, apples, and blueberries.

7) Onions – Stronger the Better: Cornell University researchers found that strong flavored members of the onion family – such as New York Bold, Western Yellow, and shallots – are the best varieties for inhibiting the growth of liver cancer cells.

8) Astounding Artichoke: European researchers found that a flavonoid called silymarin, found in certain artichokes, could help reduce mortality rates among alcoholics with cirrhosis of the liver.

9) Reduce Alcohol Consumption: When you overload your liver with alcohol, all of the organ's resources are going to burning off the booze. This can lead to a fatty liver, reducing the liver's ability to filter out toxins, which eventually spill over into the bloodstream. Women in particular must limit liquor consumption because they experience liver damage earlier than men.

10) Lose Weight: Not only can liver toxicity lead to excess weight – excess weight can lead to liver problems, significantly increasing your risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Another weight related ailment, diabetes, may also increase the risk of liver diseases. NIH researchers found the incidence of chronic liver disease and cancer of the liver in diabetics was about twice that of patients without diabetes.

1 can (8 oz) DOLE Crushed Pineapple
2 cans (6 oz. each) DOLE Pineapple Juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 ½ tablespoons granulated sucralose sweetener or sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin pie mix
1 cup frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed
1 low-fat Graham Cracker Pie Crust*

DRAIN pineapple well; reserve juice.
COMBINE reserved juice with pineapple juice in measuring cup. Add water to make 2 cups. Combine juice mixture and gelatin in saucepan. Let stand 1 minute.
STIR over low heat until completely dissolved. Stir in sweetener. Pour into bowl. Chill just until starts to set, about 1 hour.
FOLD in pineapple, pumpkin and whipped topping. Pour into graham cracker crust. Chill 4 hours or overnight.
SERVE with nondairy whipped topping and ground cinnamon, if desired.

LOW-FAT GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST

2 tablespoons soy butter
2 tablespoons apricot jam (preserves)
1/3 cup POST GRAPE NUTS Cereal
PAM Olive Oil Cooking Spray
3/4 cup KEEBLER GRAHAMS Low Fat Cinnamon Crisp Graham Cracker Crumbs

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees.
MELT together soy butter and apricot jam in small saucepan.
COMBINE cereal and cracker crumbs. Drizzle soy butter/apricot jam mixture over dry ingredients and mix with a fork.
SPRAY 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
PRESS mixture firmly into bottom and up sides of pie pan.
BAKE 5-7 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on wire rack.

* Even though this pie crust is a healthier option you may substitute a low-fat ready-made 9-inch graham cracker crust.

Per Serving: 350 calories, 8 g fat (5 g sat.), 0 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 62 g carbohydrate (6 g dietary fiber, 25 g sugars), 9 g protein, 80% vitamin A, 15% vitamin C, 6% calcium, 20% iron, 5% potassium, 8% folate

PUMPKIN PEDICURE

Courtesy of Donna Maria Coles Johnson, founder and president of Handmade Beauty Network.

"This fresh and creamy concoction pampers your feet to perfection and smells good enough to eat!"

Yield: 1 application
Prep Time: 5 min.
Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated.

3 tablespoons canned pumpkin pie filling
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 drop vanilla absolute

Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir well.

"To use, sit on the edge of the tub or by a large pan of water big enough to fit both feet into. Spread a towel under the pan to catch any spills. Gently massage Pumpkin Pedicure into calluses and around the cuticles of your nails and all over your feet to smooth away dry skin. Rinse well with warm water and dry lightly. Apply rich moisturizer while feet are still slightly wet. Enjoy!"

Recipe reprinted with the permission of www.makeyourcosmetics.com. For hundreds more recipes in several categories (like scrubs, powders, baby products, creams, balms and soaps), plus suppliers for the ingredients to make them, visit www.makeyourcosmetics.com today!