Nicotine in cigarettes has long been a powerful appetite suppressant and many smokers have taken on the habit to lose weight. Now scientists have discovered the way that the substance works are hoping to create a new weight loss drug by harnessing the power that nicotine has.

A study done at Yale University reported that nicotine attaches itself to brain receptors that influence the desire for food. The researchers termed the pathway the hypothalamic melanocortin system. This was discovered through mice experiments.

Smokers generally have a lower body mass index and only gain 5.5 pounds when they quit the habit. Nicotine is known to have long term weight loss associated with it, according to the reports.

“In surveys, the number one reason teenage girls start smoking is to stay lean,” Marina Picciotto, lead author on the study said.
The study was published in the journal Sciece.

Vitamin D, known as the Sunshine Vitamin, is a vitamin that is produced naturally in the body in response to sunlight. Besides sunlight, Vitamin D is also found in foods like fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks, fortified dairy and grain products. Essentially, it helps the body absorb calcium from your food which in turn helps strengthen bones.

What you don’t know is that most people do not get enough Vitamin D, especially those who avoid the sun, are vegetarians or have milk allergies. Other little known factors affecting vitamin D absorption include darker skin pigment, obesity, if the kidneys are unable to convert vitamin D to its active form, if the digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D. Some of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include bone pain and muscle weakness. Furthermore Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children and cancer. Alternatively, research suggests that Vitamin D can help prevent conditions including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is one of the best ways to test for deficiency. If your are interested, ask your doctor for more information. As for the recommended amount of Vitamin D, the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies established the following: for children and men and women up to age 50 is 5 micrograms (mcg) or 200 international units (IU); 10 mcg (400 IU) between ages 51 and 70; and 15 mcg (600 IU) after age 70.

To get more Vitamin D, simply get a little bit of sunlight every day. If you can’t tolerate sun (SPF actually blocks Vitamin D), then supplements are the best way to ensure you get the proper amounts of Vitamin D.

If you are a runner, whether it be a beginner or expert runner, the question of when to buy new sneakers is very important. That is because worn out sneakers is one of the major contributors to running injuries. Your running shoes absorb the shock of the ground and cushion your feet, giving them the stability they need to run safely. If your sneakers have lost their shock absorption, you are more prone to stress injuries in your legs and joints.

Looking for wear on your shoes is not the best way to determine whether they need to be replaced. That is because the mid sole (the part that actually provides the cushioning and stability for your feet) breakdown before the bottom soles show any signs of wear. The best way to determine if you need to replace your running sneakers is if you’ve been feeling more muscle fatigue, shin splints or joint pain in your legs or knees, especially if your running regimen has not changed drastically. This is a sure sign that your sneaker is no longer providing the appropriate cushioning for your feet.

A good rule of thumb is to replace your running sneakers every 300 – 400 miles. The factors in determining whether or not you change them at 300 or 400 is mainly your body weight and the surface on which you run. If you are a smaller runner, you can go toward the 400 mile mark but if you are a heavier runner, stick to the 300 mile mark. Same goes for the surface in which you run. If you run on pavement, replace your shoes toward the 300 mile mark. If you run on a treadmill, you can go toward the 400 mile mark.

Be sure to buy your new running shoes before you get to the 300 or 400 mile mark as you want to have a good two weeks to wear them in before you start running in them.