a HelloMD infographic comparing and contrasting the Ebola virus with the HIV/AIDS virus. Photo: HelloMD.

Recently the head of the Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Tom Frieden, said “the only thing like this [Ebola outbreak] has been AIDS.”

The total number of Ebola cases in West Africa during this recent outbreak has topped 8,000, according to the CDC. Over 4,000 deaths have been reported. Former CDC Acting Director, Dr. Richard Besser says that Ebola is similar to the HIV/AIDS virus in some ways, but in others, it differs.

An obvious way the viruses are similar–they are spread through blood and other bodily fluids and also have high fatality rates. There have been no approved vaccines developed to prevent the two viruses, both of which originate in Africa.

Besser warns that the international community needs to address the issue and its risks and understand that any disease can easily become everyone’s problem, “…many people are [acting like] that’s just an African problem, this is a problem that we don’t have to jump on board. It’s something that someone else will take care of.”

In that manner, he explains, Ebola and AIDS are similar catastrophes. The international community will certainly have to act in order to help these West African countries, since they do not have the capabilities to do so independently.

Ebola vs. AIDS: How they differ

-A key point in the difference between AIDS and Ebola is their visibility and latency.

-AIDS, or the virus that causes it, HIV, is more of a silent, unseen killer that has a long latency period. The global community did not immediately see the deadly effects of HIV or AIDS, but they do see the ghastly, short-term effects and quick-acting symptoms of Ebola.

-The symptoms of the HIV virus can be latent for months and even years.

-Ebola, on the other hand, has no latency period. Ebola has an incubation period of two to 21 days, more commonly presenting symptoms between 8-10 days of infection. Since Ebola shows extreme outward symptoms, it is easier to identify who is infected and how to isolate them and thus contain the virus.

-With HIV, many will not even know they are infected until years down the road, after they may have unknowingly infected others.

The Ebola symptoms? Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, profuse bleeding, etc. This in itself could possibly be the necessary evil to a global realization and subsequent action in the fight against Ebola.

A HelloMD infographic detailing where Ebola has made its mark during the current outbreak. Photo: HelloMD

The message that the global community should take from comparing AIDS and Ebola is that the health of all human beings is globally connected. No matter how large or small the risk, every country faces the threat of Ebola until the outbreak has been completely stopped or it has run its course and “burned itself out,” whichever comes first.

Blog contributed by HelloMD, www.hellomd.com.

Follow Metro Boston on Twitter: @MetroBOS

Follow Metro New York on Twitter: @Metronewyork

Follow Metro Philly on Twitter: @MetroPhilly

The post Ebola vs. AIDS: A look at key differences appeared first on Metro.us.

Singer loves the men’s silver puffer, sweatshirt and coat— which she says is perfect to share with her three sons. “I live in an apartment, and it cuts down closet space,” she says.

We caught up with Sally Singer at the Alexander Wang x H&M press conference this morning, where the Vogue Digital Creative Director moderated a conversation between Wang and H & M Creative Director Margareta van Bosch on the upcoming collaboration, which hits stores on Nov.6.

During the convo, Wang said the idea for the sexy, sporty 61-piece line — which consists of exclusive new designs; no greatest-hits re-creations here — came about because he loves ”this idea of sports at night.”

Not actually playing sports, because Wang, like us, doesn’t really do that. What he means is being comfy at the club or gym or just when you’re grabbing drinks with friends and want to look effortless but still cool. His printed leggings, scuba sweatshirts and crop tops would totally do the job.

After the talk, we hit the clothing racks with Singer to make our future picks. Here’s what’s on her shopping list.

“I bike, so this would be fun — even though it’s neoprene,” jokes Singer about the material, notorious for making wearers look bigger than they really are.

The long socks are on her list.

The post Sally Singer on the Alexander Wang X H&M pieces she’s buying appeared first on Metro.us.

Lose weight in the way that’s sustainable for you.
Credit: Fuse

Contradicting long-standing advice from doctors and nutritionists worldwide, a new study found that effective weight loss isn’t determined by how quickly you burn fat.

Dr. Joseph Proietto and his team at the University of Melbourne established that slow and steady weight loss does not reduce the amount or rate of weight regain when compared to rapid weight reduction.

Why slower weight loss is the golden rule

“Around the world, most dietitians advise patients to lose weight gradually because they believe the quicker you lose it, the quicker it will be regained,” Proietto said. “This is based on the belief that obesity is largely due to poor lifestyle, so if you lose weight gradually it gives you time to change your habits and hence keep the weight off.”

Methodology and results

The scientists monitored 200 obese adults (BMI 30–45) who were randomly assigned to either a 12-week rapid weight loss program on a very low calorie diet (450–800 calories per day); or a 36-week gradual weight loss program that reduced participants’ calories by 500 per day, in line with current dietary weight loss guidelines. Participants who lost more than 12.5 percent of their body weight were then placed on a weight-maintenance diet for three years.

The participants who lost weight faster were more likely to achieve their goal: 81 percent, compared to 50 percent of the slow-burn group. More surprisingly, the researchers found that weight regain was similar — around 71 percent — in both groups after the subsequent weight maintenance period.

Why the diets had different outcomes

Limiting carbohydrates as part of a very low calorie diet can promote a greater feeling of fullness by inducing ketosis: a metabolic state that forces the body to burn fat, leading to the production of ketones, the broken-down products of fat burning that are known to suppress hunger. Participants might also be more motivated to continue with the diet if they see rapid results.

Scientists at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana added: “Efforts to curb the speed of initial weight loss might hinder [patients’] ultimate weight loss success.”

The danger of diets

Very low calorie diets should always be started under the supervision of qualified experts, as they are aware of the most efficient methods to provide adequate protein and essential micronutrients while maintaining patients’ weight loss goals.

The post The most basic rule of weight loss is wrong appeared first on Metro.us.

The pizza at Nicoletta took practice too.
Credit: Facebook

These four chefs will be showing off their skills and competing for bragging rights at the New York City Wine & Food Festival’s La Sagra Slices event. But, since the event is sponsored by Ronzoni pasta and will launch the Bongiovi line of sauces, we got them to give a few pointers for home cooks on how they can improve the taste of their food.

Joey Campanaro, The Little Owl: Use quality ingredients — go to a specialty Italian food store and source really great olive oil from Tuscany, or Parmigiano-Reggiano from Emilia-Romagna. It will cost you a little more, but it makes all the difference in the end product.

Ryan Hardy, Charlie Bird: When putting food together, think of the whole package. Drinking great wine out of plastic cups, eating exquisite food of paper plates and trying to be intimate in a noisy warehouse all feel wrong! Put as much effort in the lighting, the music, the wine and the table as you do on the food, and you’ll enjoy your meal infinitely more.

The majority of home cooks need three upgrades when I walk into their kitchen: good salt, top-quality olive oil and better cookware. Next time, throw away the iodized, spend as much on a bottle of olive oil as you do on a bottle of wine, and splurge on cookware — it can last a lifetime.

Danny Ye, Harlow: Utilize a mortar and pestle to make salsas and sauces, and toast your dry seasonings/spices before using them.

Mike Cariglio, Nicoletta: Don’t feel constrained to the recipe; they are just guidelines, so don’t get stressed out if you are missing an ingredient. Just wing it; cook with love. You are cooking for your family – they will love whatever you make, and if not don’t get down. Most dishes that are eaten in restaurants are on their third or fourth rendition before the guest eats it. Have fun; the more you cook the better you get.

The post 5 tips to elevate your home cooking from NYC chefs appeared first on Metro.us.

Beat your case of the Mundays at a free yoga class in Brooklyn.
Credit: Joshua Bright/Metro

Get some fresh air to benefit lung cancer research

The first-ever Brooklyn Free to Breathe Run/Walk will take place Oct. 26 at Cadman Plaza Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a welcome rally and group warm-up. The organization is working to double lung cancer survival by 2022, and all proceeds from this 5K event will benefit Free to Breathe, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization. To get involved, visit www.freetobreathe.org. Register online for $30 before Oct. 22; there will be no onsite registration.

Take a free yoga class

Don’t let your week start off with stress. Unwind from your Monday at a free hourlong yoga class suitable for all levels at JackRabbit’s Brooklyn location (151 Seventh Ave.) It’s BYO mat, and be sure to arrive a few minutes before class starts at 7 p.m. RSVP to custserv@jackrabbitsports.com.

221,314 reasons to say no to sugar

Maybe you’ve cut sugar from the foods you eat. Good for you! But a major source of sugar in most diets is from beverages, from sodas to, yes, the fruit juices that are supposed to be the healthier alternative. To see how much sugar the average family of four will typically eat over a lifetime, visit Brita and Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s cityscape built of sugar cubes, on display at the Tea Salon (75 Ninth Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Sugar Buildings exhibit will include 28 buildings between 3 and 7 feet tall, weighing about 7,000 pounds. Think about that the next time you’re thirsty.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

The post Health News: 5K for lung cancer, free yoga, sugar city appeared first on Metro.us.

If you exude joyful energy, others will be drawn to you.
Credit: ThinkStock

For the last decade, I’ve been writing self-help books and preaching the Gospel of Gabby to audiences throughout the world. And no matter what country I’m in, these three questions are always coming up. 

“How do I release my fear?”

This is the most popular question I get, and my response is the same no matter what the person may fear: All of our fears are rooted in the stories we choose to believe in. When we get stuck in negative stories (“I don’t have enough,” “I’m unsafe,” “I’m not good enough” and so on), we give them continuous energy to feed on.

By no means am I belittling our difficult, even traumatic, experiences. Instead, I’m offering the suggestion that we learn to release them so they don’t hold us hostage for the rest of our lives.

Begin to heal your fears right now simply by acknowledging them. We tend to put a lot of effort into ignoring our fears; try examining them instead. Upon looking at your fear, say, “I choose to see peace instead of this.” This simple choice shifts your perspective and begins a new pattern of releasing the fear rather than gripping it tightly.

Stay committed to this statement: “I choose to see peace instead of this,” and trust that you are creating a new story. A shift in perspective may seem subtle, but it is infinitely powerful.

“How do I attract a romantic partner?”

This question is relevant even if you’re attached!

Attracting (or keeping) a romantic partner has everything to do with the energy you emit. If you give off a low vibe, you are deflecting romance — your energy basically tells other people to back off. But if you choose to dwell in an energy of joy, you become super attractive.

The simple tool here is to lean into what is joyful. If you make joy and inspiration a priority in your life, you’ll become a magnet for attracting all kinds of relationships. Pay close attention to how your good attitude brings forth more love.

If this feels new and weird to you, start with your interactions with friends, colleagues or even strangers. Share kindness and joy, and see how it changes your everyday encounters.

“How do I meditate?”

People are becoming more and more comfortable with the concept of meditation. Folks can easily identify that they are stressed and anxious, and the way out of that mindset is through meditation.

The simplest way to begin a meditation practice is through your breath. You have a minute to spare, right? One minute a day spent in stillness can change your life. Commit to one minute a day and use the practice to silence your mind and calm your energy.

The One-Minute Breath

Practice this technique for one minute every day:

• Breathe in for 5 seconds
• Hold your breath for 5 seconds
• Release for 5 seconds
• Hold for 5 seconds
• Repeat

If you like my answers to these common questions, you can get more! Tune in to my upcoming episode of “Help Desk” on the Oprah Winfrey Network on Oct. 26 at noon.

The post Gabby Bernstein: The 3 questions I always get appeared first on Metro.us.