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Welcome from Vantage Business Support & Insurance Services
As an added benefit to our customers and associates VANTAGE is publishing a semimonthly newsletter with information, interactive tools, podcasts and other resources to help you live healthier. We will explore topics on total health and resources for you and your family, including fitness, nutrition, mental and physical health, weight management and more.
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This is just a sampling of what we feel would be important to you. We have much more to offer. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at 877-886-8277 or click the link below.
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6 useless body parts explained
 Every day, people have their tonsils, appendix, and wisdom teeth removed--and after the pain subsides, they proceed without a hitch. The truth is, it's not all that apparent why many parts of your body are there, or what they actually do.
"Evolution moves toward features that are advantageous over others, so at some point all anatomical features were important to our early ancestors," says Anthony Weinhaus, director of the University of Minnesota's Human Anatomy program. Some of these still serve a purpose--just not necessarily a function crucial to our survival anymore.
Here are real explanations for these seven seemingly pointless body parts.
1. Nipples
Let's get the biggest news out of the way: All men start off as women. "All embryos begin female, and if it masculinizes, it becomes male but keeps much of the same anatomy," says Weinhaus. Nipples are the same in men and women, but without an influx of hormones like estrogen, they're simply chest ornaments on men.
Did you know that prolonged exposure to BPA could give you man boobs? Find out how this chemical promotes abnormal breast growth in boys and adult men.
2. Armpit Hair
There's no definitive story for underarm hair, but its location offers a clue. There are two types of sweat glands in your body: eccrine and apocrine, the latter of which are mostly in your armpits, explains Daniel Lieberman, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. You use apocrine for sexual signaling. Presumably, the hair holds on to the secreted odors so they'll stay around long enough for a potential mate to catch a whiff, he explains.
3. Eyebrows
The evolutionary purpose of eyebrows is debatable: In one camp, scientists believe brows keep sweat and rain off your eyes, which would help in primitive hunting and navigation. Lieberman favors the hypothesis that eyebrows serve to communicate your emotions, but they may also communicate your identity: Behavioral neuroscientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that people were less likely to recognize pictures of celebrities without their eyebrows than without their eyes. The researchers speculate that eyebrows have remained because they're crucial to identifying faces and navigating social circumstances.
From the common to the uncanny, here are 9 Horrible Things That Can Happen to Your Eyes.
4. Appendix
The appendix is a vestigial organ, which means it has lost most of its ancestral function. "One idea is the human appendix is remnant of what used to be a larger fermenting chamber in our gut," Lieberman says. Since humans stopped eating uncooked or low-quality foods like grass, this chamber is no longer useful. Recent research, though, suggests the appendix might be an essential hangout spot for healthy bacteria. "Your microbiome is very important to digestive tract function, so this reservoir would allow microbes to recolonize your gut after inflammation or digestive issues," he explains.
5. Tonsils
Tonsils are technically lymph nodes--part of the lymphatic system, which is vital to your immunity. "Your oral cavity is an entryway to your body, so immune cells in your throat can help you fight respiratory infections," Lieberman explains. Sometimes your tonsils get inflamed and infected, which is when they're removed. Your lymph nodes are incredibly important, but there's some redundancy, so if a pair is taken away, you can survive without them, Lieberman adds.
Don't wait until you're in a dentist's chair. Inspecting your tongue may help detect serious issues in your mouth and body.
6. Wisdom Teeth
Like monkeys, men have three permanent sets of molars. Until recently, wisdom teeth were never an issue for humans: "Teeth don't change size. They're grown before you use them, and then they erupt to the surface," says Lieberman. Jaws are bone and, like the rest of your body, need to be supported and used in order to grow properly. Since humans now eat soft, cooked foods as children, our jaws don't grow to the full capacity.
Source: Rachael Schultz
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DID YOU KNOW???
Carrots
 Carrots are a favorite vegetable in cultures all over the world. They're great as a healthy raw snack, juiced, or cooked with other vegetables in soups and stir fries, but the best thing about carrots is how good they are for us.
Here are 7 health benefits of carrots:
Cancer Prevention
The high levels of antioxidants in carrots help to lower the risk of cancer. Studies have found that carrots may help to prevent three of the most common types of cancer: breast, lung, and colon cancer. They are one of the only food sources of falcarinol, a natural pesticide and fatty alcohol that research has found may prevent cancer.
Better Digestion
Carrots are a great source of fiber, which is important for keeping the digestive system running properly. It also helps to keep you feeling full so you end up eating less.
Healthy Eyes
Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body and is essential for eye health. It improves night vision and prevents age-related eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Anti-Aging
The vitamin A in carrots helps the skin by helping to get rid of damaged cells and regenerating new ones. Vitamin A also keeps the skin protected from harmful UV rays, retards aging, prevents acne, helps dry skin, and improves the complexion.
Heart Health
One study found that heart disease risk was lowered by 32% in people who ate just .88 ounces of carrots per day. Another study that tracked seniors found that those who ate a cup of carrots or squash each day lowered their heart disease risk by a whopping 60 percent. Some studies also show a link between beta-carotene consumption and reduced risk of heart problems.
Cholesterol Levels
The fiber in carrots helps to lower cholesterol levels. The magnesium in carrots also helps to regulate cholesterol.
Weight Loss
Carrots are high in nutrition and low in calories, which means that you can fill your stomach without eating too many calories. Additionally, carrots help improve the function of the metabolism because they contains nicotine acid to break down the lipids and fats that are present within the body.
SOURCE: Health Diaries |
Here's your "QuoteAction" for this issue:
"A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half-empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half-full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty."
Communications Consultant, G. Donald Gale Your action for today is to extend your help regarding a task to a friend, co-worker or family member.
Have an extraordinary day!
SOURCE: Betty Jo Waxman
Productive Learning & Leisure, LLC |
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Disclaimer of Liability
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
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| CONTACTS |
Please contact one of our VANTAGE professionals for assistance or click on the help picture. Paul White 510-595-0904
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