Courses for the spring

Things didn't go exactly how I had planned for the spring. I had applied for an english course (for international healthcare) but I found out a couple of days ago that I didn't get in. It doesn't really matter though because I got in on everything else I had applied to, included 3 courses I applied to "just in case".
I got in on the physiology+anatomy course which is the only one of the courses I REALLY wanted to take so I'm very happy for that :) The second course I will take will, instead of the english course, be sport and health psychology! I'm getting more and more excited about that course too so I believe everything turned out very good.

This means that I will only study 75%, so more time for working too :)

One week left until I know about the exchange year..

Updates

I haven't given you an update in a while now, so here are a few things..

With only two and a half weeks left on this year, I won't complete my goal of running 1000 km that I put up in the end of February. I have 349,6 km left of those and I have had problems with my knee since the end of June and it's still not good so unfortunally I haven't been able to run much at all since then. It's okay though, there are plenty of other things to do :)

Life has been hectic this semester, which I knew it would be before it started. It has been really nice studying something harder and more challenging than the course I took last spring. Or it hasn't really been harder, it has just been so much more to study. For the next spring, I will be taking a physiology and anatomy course which will be half time studies. I also applied for a course in english for international healthcare but I found out today that I'm not accepted into that one (yet), but I'm one of the reserves.. It doesn't look very promising, considering the reserve number I got, but in case I don't get in, I still have three other smaller courses that I got accepted at.This all means that I will quit my program after the course I'm currently taking and from now on put together the rest of the program myself as I don't believe the original program is good enough and won't take me where I want to get.

I will find out by the end of next week if I got in on the exchange year in America or not. I have applied for University of Texas, Purdue University and University of Miami - all three has really good nutrition courses. There has never been so many people applying for the exchange year in North America as this time but I know I have done everything I could so now it's all in God's hands. If it doesn't happen then I am certain that God has something else that he rather wants me to do so a no will not make me sad in any way. I overheard a few people in school talking about the application and one of them had got an interview with the international office at the University about it and the other one said that it's probably a good sign as it will only be about 10 people that will get accepted without going to an interview.. I didn't get an interview so if those people were right, I need to be one of those 10 people in order to get accepted.

Last weekend I went to a manifestation for Israel and against how the newspapers write about Israel. It was extremely good and I would really encourage you to read the speaches that they had there:

http://kimmilrell.com/2012/12/11/enough-is-enough-dmitri-vassermans-tal/

http://kimmilrell.com/2012/12/11/enough-is-enough-llya-meyers-tal/

And pictures:

http://kimmilrell.com/2012/12/09/manifestation-stockholm-2012-12-09/

As many of you know, Israel is so close to my heart. It was very touching to be a part of the manifestation and it was very hard not to cry as I saw so many people holding Israeli flags. And speaking of Israel, I have a friend from Israel who is coming here in two weeks which I am super excited about :)

Health research

Aged garlic ‘effective and tolerable’ for blood pressure benefits

Daily supplements containing aged garlic extracts may reduce blood pressure in people with uncontrollable hypertension, says a new study from Australia.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Aged-garlic-effective-and-tolerable-for-blood-pressure-benefits

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Flaxseed shows blood pressure-lowering potential: Study

Daily consumption of flaxseed-fortified bakery products may reduce blood pressure levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), suggests new data presented at the November American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Flaxseed-shows-blood-pressure-lowering-potential-Study

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CLA shows anti-inflammatory potential for Crohn’s patients

Daily supplements of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may benefit intestinal health, suggests new data from a study with Crohn’s disease.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/CLA-shows-anti-inflammatory-potential-for-Crohn-s-patients

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‘Evidence is strong’ for omega-3’s heart health benefits: Linus Pauling review

The evidence supporting the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is strong, despite ‘less conclusive’ recent studies, says a new review from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Evidence-is-strong-for-omega-3-s-heart-health-benefits-Linus-Pauling-review

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Vitamin D may slow pre-cancer growths, find researchers

Vitamin D may help to battle cancers by blocking cell growth and slowing the progression of pre-malignant to malignant states, say researchers.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Vitamin-D-may-slow-pre-cancer-growths-find-researchers

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Calcium supplements safe for heart health: Harvard study

Supplements of calcium do not increase the risk of arterial hardening, says a new study that used state-of-the-art CT scans of over 1,200 men and women.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Calcium-supplements-safe-for-heart-health-Harvard-study

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Low vitamin D status linked to higher risk of diabetes

Deficiency in vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to new research.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Low-vitamin-D-status-linked-to-higher-risk-of-diabetes

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Protein supplements effective for muscle mass boosts in young and old: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of 22 clinical trials shows that protein supplements are effective for boosting muscle mass and strength gains during resistance exercise in both younger and older subjects.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Protein-supplements-effective-for-muscle-mass-boosts-in-young-and-old-Meta-analysis

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Omega-3 backed for postpartum depression

Increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help to battle postpartum depression, according to a new review.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Omega-3-backed-for-postpartum-depression

Coffee

I think quite a lot of people believe coffee is unhealthy, however, it is actually quite the opposite. I started drinking coffee last spring since I learned how many benefits it actually has and how it can lower the risk for a list of diseases. We talked often about coffee on the herb course I took (did I ever mention I finished - and passed it about a month ago by the way?) and looked at many interesting research articles that showed how good coffee actually is. It can be dangerous to drink too much but 3-5 coffee cups per day is a good dose for preventing a lot of diseases. Here are a few benifits:

• To put it simple - Coffee is good for the digestion. Coffee stimulates the production of gastrin and CCK which are digestive hormones. Gastrin stimulates the production of gastric acid (which stimulates production of other digestive hormones as well that has other benefits) which stimulates growth of the mucous membrane of the stomach, small intestine and colon. CCK will help the gallbladder to release bile (so that it can release toxins from the liver as well as digest fat) and it makes the intestines motility work better. 
• Coffee intake is associated with lower rates of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C
• An increased consumption of coffee may reduce the risk of liver cancer
• Coffee contains a lot of antioxidants (reduces oxidative stress etc.)
• Lower risk for heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes and infections (N Engl J Med. 2012 Jul 19:367(3):285)

If you don't have a gallbladder then coffee is not that good to drink because of the increased production and release of bile.

Health research

Many interesting articles this time!

Should we revise how calories are measured?

The current method of measuring the calorie content of foods could be flawed, says Professor Martin Wickham of Leatherhead Food Research.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Should-we-revise-how-calories-are-measured

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Vitamin D backed to boost diabetic heart disease risk

Low levels of vitamin D may be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease among diabetic people developing clogged up arteries, according to new research.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Vitamin-D-backed-to-boost-diabetic-heart-disease-risk 

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Green tea extract shows potential sperm benefits: Lab study

Extracts from green tea may boost the quality of sperm, says a new study from Italy, but there too much of the extract may confer a negative effect.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Green-tea-extract-shows-potential-sperm-benefits-Lab-study

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Do organic beat conventional vegetables for immune system support?

Organically grown carrots may stimulate the immune system, with ‘more’ organic carrots have more of an effect, says a new study that adds to the debate on the health benefits of organic produce.

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Science/Do-organic-beat-conventional-vegetables-for-immune-system-support

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'Our probiotic science will lead to an EFSA health claims approval': DuPont VP of marketing

Recent studies using DuPont’s HOWARU strain combination, combined with a better understanding of ‘the rules of the game’, will lead to positive health claims in Europe, DuPont’s Scott Bush has confidently predicted.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Our-probiotic-science-will-lead-to-an-EFSA-health-claims-approval-DuPont-VP-of-marketing

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Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Probiotics-may-help-cut-body-fat-levels-RCT-data

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Pycnogenol shows benefits for asthmatics: Study

Daily supplements of the French Maritime Pine bark extract Pynogenol may improve symptoms of asthma, according to results of a clinical trial. 

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Pycnogenol-shows-benefits-for-asthmatics-Study

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Probiotics may ease eczema for children: RCT data

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 may improve eczema in children, says a new study from South Korea.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Probiotics-may-ease-eczema-for-children-RCT-data

Jame Oliver talks about the importance of eating healthy

I don't remember if I've posted this video before but if I have, it's worth posting again.

Best start of a Swedish November ever!

November in Sweden is known for being a month that we'd rather just skip.. It's when we are starting to wonder if "summer" is an illusion, the sun ignores us and it's already in the beginning of the month completely dark outside at around 4 pm (with another 1½ months left when it's getting darker and darker for every day).

BUT! I am actually thankful for November, and the rest of the winter. Sure, we have long, dark winters but I don't know anyone that appriciates the spring and the summer better than Scandinavians. And the darkness is really nice too in it's own way. I mean, who would want to have Lucia in the sun?

Our course finished last week and we got a few days off before our next course that starts today. I think we wrote about 11 different papers on the last course, plus a bunch of other stuff, so it has been intense. Writing has always been my weak point so I'm glad I got to practice it. From today, we are going to learn about accounting and calculations which I am super excited about! It has been (VERY) nice to have a few days off but I can't go too many days off without missing school and all it's crazyness. Something that makes it even more fun is that I finally have lights on my bike! :D

Our church had our annual youth conference this weekend and one of my very good friends from Iceland came with his youth group. I went to bible school with him 6 years ago so I haven't seen him in 5 years so it was very emotional to see him again!

The application to an exchange year in America is almost done now as well.. Only half that applies gets to go so I don't know if I'll be able to go but I think I have a good chance. My first "dream" choice has, for two years now, been University of Texas in Austin. I looked through all the american Universities I can apply to and this one was also the one with the best nutrition courses! So we'll see hopefully in a few weeks what happens with that.

Hopefully I get to write more about nutrition very soon here :)