"Brain training" is a multi-million dollar industry. These activities are intensive computerized training exercises designed to improve your cognitive ability — to grow your brain.
In a recent issue of Nature, researchers recruited more than 11,000 participants and divided them into different study groups. These groups had "brain training" several times each week on tasks that were supposed to improve reasoning, memory, planning, eye-hand coordination and attention span. Each participant was tested on basic mental function before and after the six weeks of training.
Kevin Smith, a well known actor/director, was kicked off a Southwest Air flight on Saturday, February 13, 2010 because he didn’t fit comfortably into the airplane seat. He was too fat to fly.
In a recent post I examined some of the ways that excessive use of electronic media can be a danger to young people. But how does media exposure affect children's school performance? 
Concern is spreading over children's excessive media use such as Internet, violent video games, and online gambling and pornography. Today's young people grow up in a media-saturated culture.
Ask any 10 or 12 year old about this issue and they will probably not understand why anyone would consider it a problem. After all, today’s kids don’t know any life without an abundance of electronic devices. Electronic stimuli are simply part of the world they were born into.
While there is much concern about the potential damage of all this, there has not been sufficient research in the past. But new vast quantities of research are emerging. We are now learning the risks (and the occasional benefits) of what is going on.
Many people today, even in church lobbies, are selling high-priced nutritional supplements through network marketing schemes.
Remember the Bible story of Naaman (I Kings 5)? He was an important man in the Syrian army, and he had leprosy. Every Syrian treatment had failed, including all the alternative methods. But then a little slave girl suggested the prophet of God who lived in Israel, an enemy country. Naaman's king gave him permission to visit this healer, and sent along fabulous gifts.
Did you ever wonder about the relationship between parents using alcohol and other substances, and the use of these substances by their children? Logic says that they ought to be connected, but what does research say? 
In the mid 1990's, research was conducted on substance use in Christian high schools. Students were asked if they had ever used drugs of several varieties. The questionnaire also asked whether they had a parent who used alcohol, tobacco or marijuana.
If you pay attention to trends among people working with adolescents, one word you'll hear frequently is "mentor".
A mentor is an individual, usually older and always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development without having a goal of personal gain.
Some professions have "mentoring programs" where newcomers are paired with more experienced employees who advise and guide them as they advance. Schools sometimes offer mentoring programs to new students, or to students having difficulties.
Jesus says “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23 NKJV) This means that, according to Scripture, all true, actual, practicing, growing, followers of Christ will practice self-denial. Right?
Right. And sometimes that means making difficult choices.
So your doctor, or someone you know, has been urging you to try expensive nutritional supplements. The problem? The supplements they suggest are far more expensive than you can afford. How badly do you need them? Will you endanger your health without them?
The American Dietetic Association says a healthy diet will give you all the nutrients you need. Of course there are rare exceptions, such as when people have a disease or an acute deficiency. But if you want a little nutritional "insurance", a good multi-vitamin from your local pharmacy is just fine.
Everyone says that family is important. But have you ever wondered just how much family connectedness helps kids survive the pressures of life? Good question. 
Being connected to the family is actually the most protective factor in reducing negative outcomes for young people. In the US, young people who feel connected to at least one parent are less likely to be involved with every risk behavior than their disconnected peers. Read that line again.
Being connected to the family is huge. Maybe even greater than huge.
The material in this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness, metabolic disorder, disease or health problem. Always consult your physician or health care provider before beginning any nutrition or exercise program. Use of the programs, advice, and information contained in this website is at the sole choice and risk of the reader.