Enhancing Performance and Health Outcomes with Optimal Exercise and Nutrition Programming

Exercise and nutrition, when used as a mode to improve health outcomes is well-researched and accepted by researchers and clinicians, alike. Numerous health organizations have developed general recommendations such as physical activity and exercise to inform the public how to improve health outcomes. More often than not, these guidelines are vague and do not suggest how to achieve optimal health via exercise and nutrition. These guidelines also fail to consider physiological and psychological variability for patients and individuals aiming to follow such guidelines. For example, current recommendations include exercise intensities based on low, moderate, and vigorous activity and many people may not understand the physiological cost of such exercise intensities. Presently, accessible consumer-grade technology allows for accurate measurements of relative heart rate, exercise time, distance, and estimated caloric expenditure which is presumed easy for any person to understand. Therefore, creating guidelines that target specific and measurable variables, such as relative heart rate may be more advantageous for individualized health optimization.

Interactions between Human Gut Microbiome Dynamics and Sub-Optimal Health Symptoms during Seafaring Expeditions

Systemic and chronic diseases are important health problems today and have been proven to be strongly associated with dysbiotic gut microbiome. Studying the association between the gut microbiome and sub-optimal health status of humans in extreme environments (such as ocean voyages) will give us a better understanding of the interactions between observable health signs and a stable versus dysbiotic gut microbiome states.

Factors affecting test anxiety: a qualitative analysis of medical students’ views

Background Medical students are vulnerable to test anxiety (TA), which impacts their professional lives and jeopardizes the optimal health care of their patients. The qualitative exploration of TA among medical students is crucial to understanding the problem. Hence, this study examined medical students’ insights into TA and their suggestions on how to reduce it. Methods We conducted a phenomenological study on medical students at a public university. We utilized focus group discussions (FGDs) to investigate their experiences of TA. The FGDs were transcribed verbatim, and these transcripts were analyzed using Atlas.ti software. The thematic analysis followed the recommended guidelines. Results Seven FGD sessions were conducted with 45 students. Three major themes emerged: the students, their academic resources, and the examiner. Each theme comprised mutually exclusive subthemes. The “students” theme was divided into negative vs. positive thoughts and self-negligence vs. self-care, “academic recources” into heavy curriculum vs. facilitative curricular aids, and “examiner” into criticism vs. feedback and strict vs. kind approaches. Conclusion This study provides a solid foundation for policymakers and decision makers in medical education to improve current assessment practices and student well-being. Medical students will be able to significantly alter and reduce TA if they are provided with additional psychological support and their examiners are trained on how to deal with examinees.

Yoga for Preventive Health: A Holistic Approach

Yoga has been prevalent for over 5000 years; it originated in India and has become an essential lifestyle ingredient for achieving optimal health. The goal of this article in lifestyle modification is to increase awareness about the benefits of yoga and how its practice can reduce the overall risk of chronic diseases. Yoga has been proven to be therapeutic for enhancing immunity and support management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine disorders, obesity, cancer, and metabolic syndrome. Yoga techniques called asanas, such as pranayama for breathing regulation and dhyana for meditation, boost innate immune response, interrupt inflammation, and thereby prevent the manifestation of chronic diseases. Yoga also provides symptomatic relief for chronic arthritis by increasing joint flexibility and microcirculation. Yoga and meditation regulate neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, hormones, and cytokines that mediate interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system. These techniques reduce the psychological and physiological effects of chronic stress. Serotonin, oxytocin, and melatonin released directly due to practicing yoga have been shown to better manage anxiety and fear, especially during the pandemic. We believe the current trends of chronic disease management will become more effective with the implementation of lifestyle changes using yoga.

Experimental possibilities for industrial ventilation

The activity of evaluation and verification of industrial ventilation installations has a strong preventive role in terms of explosion risk mainly due to the fact that of the three determining elements that can lead to an explosion phenomenon, ventilation installations can determine the presence of two elements namely the presence of fuel (gases, vapours, dusts, mists) and the source of initiation (hot surface, flame, sparks of mechanical origin, electrical sparks, static electricity, etc.). The development of experimental systems on„ which particular hazardous aspects that may occur during the operation of industrial ventilation systems can be studied are vital to avoid dangerous situations in the current operation of ventilation installations. Knowledge of the dynamics of formation of explosive / toxic / asphyxiating environments is achieved by analysing explosive mixtures in relation to specific explosive intervals and is one of the most important priorities in ensuring optimal health and safety at work in industrial activities. The information obtained by analysing the dynamics of the formation of explosive / toxic / asphyxiating atmospheres is extremely useful for personnel responsible for health and safety at work, because with their help relevant decisions can be made to ensure safety and health conditions at the level of industrial premises. The paper presents an experimental equipment usable for the study of industrial ventilation systems.

Empowering health cadres in managing maternal and child health in the Covid-19 pandemic era

The covid-19 pandemic has hampered the access of mothers and children to optimal health services. The decreasing number of visits to maternal and child health services has created new nutrition and health problems. However, the Posyandu as one of the health services for mothers and children in several locations were forced to close during the covid-19 pandemic, such as Posyandu RW 07, Cipayung Village. The purpose of this community service is to increase the capacity of the integrated services post (Posyandu) cadres to cadres for maternal and child health responses during the covid-19 pandemic. Service activities are carried out through 3 stages of activity which was starting with discussions with partners about the importance of re-activating the Posyandu for infants and toddlers during the covid-19 pandemic, then increasing the capacity of health cadres for babies and toddlers health services, then handbook creation and evaluation. The method used combines several approaches, such as discussions, socialization, workshop, and evaluation. The result is an increase in the capacity of health cadres and the guidebooks for services and the Posyandu visits during the covid-19 pandemic.

Recent Advances in Applications of Bioactive Egg Compounds in Nonfood Sectors

Egg, a highly nutritious food, contains high-quality proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This food has been reported for its potential pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, immunomodulatory effects, and use in tissue engineering applications. The significance of eggs and their components in disease prevention and treatment is worth more attention. Eggs not only have been known as a “functional food” to combat diseases and facilitate the promotion of optimal health, but also have numerous industrial applications. The current review focuses on different perceptions and non-food applications of eggs, including cosmetics. The versatility of eggs from an industrial perspective makes them a potential candidate for further exploration of several novel components.

An Alternate Approach to Military Rations for Optimal Health and Performance

ABSTRACT Introduction Operational ration packs are the sole source of nutrition when military personnel cannot access fresh food and field kitchens due to deployment and training in remote and hostile locations. They should be light, durable, nutrient rich, and contain sufficient energy to ensure that the personnel can carry out the expected duties. The macronutrient composition of rations has remained relatively unchanged despite escalating concerns related to the health and operational readiness of personnel globally. Currently, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) provides the personnel with a 24-hour ration pack. The aims of this study were to (1) analyse the nutrient content, cost, and weight of the NZDF-supplied ration pack and (2) develop and analyse an alternate ration pack. The alternate ration pack was designed with the intention of improving overall quality and macronutrient distribution ratio, to align with optimal health and performance outcomes. Materials and Methods Nutrient and weight analyses of the NZDF and alternate ration packs were conducted using nutrition analysis software Foodworks V. 10 (Xyris software). The ration packs were costed using information from the NZDF and from commercial online shopping websites (particularly Countdown supermarket and an online shop, iHerb). Data from nutrition panels were entered into Foodworks V. 10 (Xyris software). The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author. Results The NZDF-supplied ration pack cost 37.00 NZD and contained an excessive amount of sugar (636 g or 46% total energy) and marginally insufficient protein (118.7 g or 9% total energy) to sustain physically active military personnel. Comparatively, the alternate ration pack was more costly (63.55 NZD) and contained significantly less sugar (74.6 g or 7.2% total energy) and exceeded protein (263.1 g or 26% total energy) requirements for physically active military personnel. Furthermore, the alternate ration pack was significantly lighter (0.71 kg) than the NZDF ration pack (1.4 kg). In summary, the alternate ration was nutritionally superior and lighter when compared to the currently supplied NZDF ration, but more expensive when purchased as a one-off. Conclusions This work highlights the shortcomings of currently supplied military rations packs (i.e., excessive sugar and marginally inadequate protein) and proposes a novel alternate approach to ration pack formulation. This approach would significantly reduce sugar and increase protein and fat content in military rations. Although this work indicates that the alternate approach (which would produce lighter and nutritionally superior rations) is more costly, this cost could be reduced significantly through bulk purchasing and purpose-built rations and food items. Considering these findings, field user-testing of the alternate ration pack is recommended and subsequent reformulation of guidelines for ration pack development, as appropriate.

Designing the careful and kind clinic: an evidence-based approach

BackgroundThere is evidence that creating a ‘healthy workplace’ can be of profound importance for clinicians, team members and patients. Yet there have been few papers that have proposed mechanisms to take decades of research and translate this into a practical list of options for leaders and managers to take into account when structuring a clinic based on care and kindness to achieve optimal health.EvidenceWe bring together 20 years of scholarship linking care of the caregivers with outcomes for caregivers and patients. The data are used to support both structures and cultures that will result in satisfied and thriving healthcare team members, as well as satisfied and healthy patients.ResultsThe clinic based on care of the caregivers will be structured to address key aspects of worklife that are known to cause either satisfaction or burnout. Aspects of care, such as time pressure, chaotic environments and worker control of their workplace, will be taken into account in clinical design; organisational culture will be supportive and cohesive, emphasising quality, values and communication. Experiences based on gender and race will be measured and continuously improved; and performance will be evaluated in a new, human-centred manner.OutcomesThe careful and kind clinic will be a remarkable place to work; in contrast to industrialised healthcare, this will be an environment where health can indeed be optimised, for both workers and patients.

Experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need for prescriptive authority in KwaZulu-Natal

Background: Nurse prescribing has become a global and transformational practice to ensure the achieving of optimal health outcomes, including advanced psychiatric nurses. Despite the transformational practice globally, South Africa seems to lag behind because nurses do not have permission to prescribe medication.Aim: To describe the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need to prescribe medication treatment in KwaZulu-Natal.Setting: The study took place in three mental healthcare institutions in KwaZulu-Natal in inpatient units.Method: The qualitative, descriptive design was used to collect the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the need for prescriptive authority. Six focus group interviews were conducted to gather information. The seven steps of Colaizzi’s method were used to analyze the data.Results: The study found two primary themes and two sub-themes. The findings highlighted the necessity for advanced psychiatric nurse role recognition and prescribing. Insufficient use of skilled psychiatric nurses caused delays in addressing mental health patients in emergencies.Conclusion: The two themes, prescribing role of advanced psychiatric nurses and role recognition, revealed that granting advanced psychiatric nurses’ autonomy to prescribe remained a challenge. Advanced psychiatric nurses are expected to provide high-quality care, but they are limited in their abilities. Because advanced psychiatric nurses are not used to prescribe in KwaZulu-Natal, they rely on psychiatrists to manage psychotic patients.Contribution: The evaluation of policies and procedures that guide advanced psychiatric nurses in prescribing psychotropic medications.