Recently, some researchers have suggested that two long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), abbreviated DHA and AA, be added to infant formula because they are found in human breast milk. These PUFAs are thought to be important for brain and nervous system development of infants, and some proponents claim that they are responsible for the slightly higher IQs of breast-fed versus formula-fed infants.

It is not clear, however, whether there is any difference in IQ between breast-fed and formula-fed babies that cannot be accounted for by differences in factors other than formula composition. In the United States, the typical breast-feeding mother is slightly older, more highly educated, and wealthier than mothers who choose not to breast-feed. These factors, rather than the precise composition of breast milk, may explain the slightly higher IQ of breast-fed infants.

Researchers conducted a combined analysis of 11 studies that examined infant feeding practices and cognitive or mental development. After factors like those mentioned above were taken into account, the difference in IQ score between formula-fed and breast-fed babies was only 3 points.

There is little information on whether any long-term benefit (or harm) would result from adding DHA and AA to infant formula. Most studies of PUFA supplementation and infant development have been short-term — not lasting more than 24 months at most.

In some European and Asian countries, consumers have a choice between formula that is supplemented with AA and DHA and formula that is not. In the United States, though, no commercial baby formula has yet had either DHA or AA added to it.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely monitors the composition of infant formulas. An expert panel convened by the FDA in 1998 recommended against formula supplementation with DHA and AA, in part because panel members thought that the evidence of benefits was inconclusive. They recommended that the issue be reevaluated after five years, so that additional research in this area could be completed.

Dr. Gilbert M. Ross, medical director of the American Council on Science and Health, agrees with the FDA position. “We should wait until we have solid evidence that DHA and AA supplementation will actually benefit babies before changing infant formula composition,” Ross said. “Current formulas support excellent growth and development; we shouldn’t alter them without a strong reason to do so.”

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This is not to say that commercial clubs regard exercise adherence among their members as unimportant. It is merely not as much of a pressing issue.

Nonetheless, recent estimates by the U.S. Public Health Service suggests that 90 percent of adults do not get sufficient exercise.

1 (And this figure probably includes people who belong to health and fitness clubs around the country!)

This means that we, the health club staff, need to consistently encourage our members to lead a more healthful lifestyle through regular exercise.

Incentive game programming is a good way to encourage exercise motivation and adherence from members.

Another respondent feels it it the duty of the fitness facility to keep members from wanting to take time off: “Forget this ‘but the contract states’ stuff. If we are in the exercise support business, and we know that few members will be able to succeed over any length of time without … directed help, then we must be compensated based on how we facilitate our members’ success. If they fail, we have failed, and we should not be compensated for such…. I realize that this will put most ‘equipment renters’ out of business…. The fitness industry will gain some credibility for doing more than providing a facility in which only the few will succeed. The way things stand now,… our failures are charged to our members…. Revenues should be based on our performance in areas we claim to be experts in….”

Good referrals, say some respondents, make up for the money “lost” when allowing members to not pay for unused months. “If your service is what you say it is,” says one such respondent, “your referrals will be more than the members who want or need to leave. At my club, I even give a money-back guarantee if [members] are not happy in the first month. I’ve never been asked for a refund in eight years of business, and probably never will be. That is the No. 1 selling point to all who come in….”

Another facility also receives more referrals because of this service: “We have a small rehab/fitness center, and a great deal of our clients travel. We give them credit for the time they are gone. We also give them credit if they are unable to come for health reasons. This fosters a great deal of good will that translates into dedicated clients and solid referrals.”

One respondent finds that allowing members time off is both a service to the members, and the facility: “After 10 years of offering the option to ‘freeze’ memberships, I feel it has helped in two ways. First, we are providing better customer service/flexibility. Second, [we] let members find out what happens when they stop their [exercise] routine. After taking a couple months off for the beach, they find the only way to stay fit is to exercise regularly…. [We all] need to remain in shape to enjoy [our] activities.”

THE NEXT MEMORY STRENGTHENER

Huperzine A: This herb may work even better than the mega-selling memory enhancer, ginkgo. Used for centuries in China to combat dementia, it’s derived from moss and usually sold in capsule form.

How It Works: It prevents the deterioration of a brain chemical responsible for memory and cognition.

Why It’s Hot: Several animal studies have found huperzine A to be a more effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease than either of the two FDA-approved prescription drugs, tacrine and donepezil, with fewer adverse effects. Other research shows it may help enhance short-term memory and protect the brain from normal nerve damage associated with aging.

Keep In Mind: No clinical studies have looked into its long-term effects on humans yet. Short-term side effects may include dizziness or nausea.

Worth A Shot?: Until studied further, it’s only for people over age 55 who show signs of mental deterioration, says Alan Kozikowski, Ph.D., professor of pharmacy at Georgetown University’s Institute of Cognitive and Computational Sciences in Washington, D.C. (and the scientist who first synthesized the extract).

THE NEXT SEX ENHANCER

Maca: A plant found in the Peruvian Andes, has long been revered there as a herbal aphrodisiac. Its protein-packed root is also used in folk remedies for fatigue and infertility, and it’s often served in local dishes. As a supplement, maca is sold in capsule or powder form.

How It Works: Scientists believe compounds in maca root may help regulate sex hormones by acting upon the pituitary gland. Maca’s large amounts of amino acids, calcium and iron may also increase energy by stimulating and supporting the adrenal glands.

Why It’s Hot: Unlike ginseng, the current star virility herb, maca’s got some science backing it up. A study published this year in the journal Urology found that maca significantly increased sexual function in male and female rodents, and boosted conception rates.

Keep In Mind: Though maca’s been safely consumed as food for centuries, there are no studies on humans that confirm its safety as an extract.

Worth A Shot?: Maca might enhance your libido, says the Continuum Center’s Dr. Allan Warshowsky, but at this point, you’re better off sticking with more closely studied remedies like natural testosterone.

THE NEXT HEALTHY-HEART HERB

Guggul: A tree resin used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and consumed throughout India, has been proved to not only lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but also increase “good” HDL cholesterol. It’s sold in capsule form as an extract called “guggulipid.”

How It Works: Some research suggests that guggul reduces the liver’s production of cholesterol. It may also stimulate the thyroid, which may help lower cholesterol.

Why It’s Hot: At least one Indian study found guggul just as effective in lowering cholesterol levels as the prescription drug clofibrate, and much better at increasing HDL levels. Other studies have demonstrated the herb’s safety and effectiveness for humans.

Keep In Mind: Garlic, the other big cholesterol-lowering herb, is more extensively studied, not to mention affordable and popular. Plus, garlic’s benefits extend beyond its cholesterol-reducing properties: It helps ward off infections and some cancers.

Worth A Shot?: Sure, especially if you’re a garlic avoider. Leading herbalist Varro Tyler, Ph.D., dean emeritus of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, recommends guggul. But he thinks the herb has one major hurdle to overcome: “It has a horrible name!”

AND… THE NEXT HERB TO AVOID

Aristolochia: It may be the next ephedra (the herbal diet aid linked to heart problems and stroke). Earlier this year, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that aristolochia (Chinese name: guan fang ji)—touted as a treatment for skin and respiratory conditions—caused more than 100 cases of kidney damage and 18 incidents of cancer at a Belgian clinic. The FDA has placed an import alert on products containing any of the 14 known aristolochic acids, but some supplements and teas with the herb still linger on American store shelves. Watch out for names like guang mu tong, birthwort, Dutchman’s pipe and Virginia snakeroot.

For many long-time members, working out, especially indoors, has become boring. Club members who used to come in to work out for workout’s sake now have more specific goals for “training.” Many are part-time athletes who allocate time to train. Some only come to the club for a specific group activity each week. Many, in general, have some sort of physical injury or limitation that forces them to modify or specialize their fitness activities. The health club is becoming a reliable place to find not just a workout, but an education about health and fitness.

“Beyond weights and aerobics, the challenge for health clubs is to create programs that offer special interest activities appealing to athletes, kids, families — all ages, all goals and accommodating all limitations,” says industry analyst Dave LeCompte. He calls this transformation the “multi-sport club movement.” The mission of this “movement” is to sell the concept of the ultimate cross-training experience, with everything under one roof similar to Sports Nation in Portland, Ore.

A renovated warehouse, Sports Nation allows members to choose from a variety of sports and fitness activities, including an indoor climbing wall, an elaborate weight-training area, group fitness classes, water fitness and even an indoor soccer/hockey rink.

Long before many clubs offered this type of “alternative” programming, Crunch Fitness went out on a limb to offer innovative group programs for one reason: because members wanted them. Classes like Gospel Aerobics, inline skating and a new basic athletic training class called Firefighter Training (taught by fire fighters) provide variety, both indoors and out. According to Crunch spokesperson Lisa Mortman, regardless of the program, group exercise classes emphasize diversity, fun and the right teaching staff. “We were founded by average, everyday folks — not bodybuilders or models,” says Mortman. “Slightly out of shape people … that’s our roots. All of our instructors are completely approachable, care about member experiences and have a wide variety of expertise; many are professional athletes and coaches.”

To get its message across, the club launched a full-scale health-promotion campaign, using the “If What?” slogan as its premise. A full-size billboard located at one of the busiest intersections in its market displayed the following message: “Fifty-eight percent of the dying population dies from heart disease … and 85 percent of most medical problems are a result of stress … what have you done for yourself lately?” The billboard was placed at one of the longer traffic lights in town, enabling potential members to read, think and become aware.

“At Excel Fitness Center, we believe each of us is responsible for our own actions and bodies,” says Lisa Lynn, president of Pro-Fit Services, a consulting and management division of Excel. “One of the best things about this campaign were the people who would call up and say, ‘Now what exactly were those statistics?’ It’s great because they really want to know.”

Beyond increasing memberships, Lynn says first and foremost, the campaign is about education. “You can turn a deconditioned market into a ‘get-fit’ market, but it’s a very gradual process that needs to start with education and continue with commitment. That’s our whole focus,” she says.

To further saturate its market, Excel launched a direct-mail campaign. Tri-fold brochures featured the following excuses printed boldly on the cover: “If I have time… If someone doesn’t call… If it doesn’t rain … If my project gets done… If the car starts… If it doesn’t snow… If my clothes are clean… If I get around to it…. Inside, prospective members found the words “If What?,” and an invitation to receive a two-week VIP pass to the fitness center. According to Lynn, Excel mailed about 2,000 promotional mailers per month, and received about a 10-percent return. “Building our membership has really been a slow-but-steady process,” she says, adding that since 1989, the club’s membership has grown from 2,500 to 8,000 members. “I think it’s better that way — building gradually. It’s certainly easier to service your clients when you’re not having huge ups and downs in membership.”

But because of a paucity of research on the condom’s effectiveness in preventing other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the panel said it remains unclear just how useful condoms might be in preventing the spread of infections such as human papilloma virus, genital herpes and syphilis.

After reviewing a total of 138 studies, the panel of scientists, convened at the behest of Congress, conclude that men who said they “always” used condoms during sexual intercourse reduced their risk of transmitting HIV to either a male or female partner by 85%.

Consistent condom use was also credited with reducing risks for gonorrhea infection by between 49% to 100%, according to the panel.

However, published data is “insufficient to draw meaningful conclusions” regarding the effectiveness of condom use in preventing a group of STDs characterized by genital ulcers–such as syphilis and genital herpes, the experts say.

It is also unclear how effective condoms might be at preventing transmission of human papilloma virus, which causes genital warts and is also strongly linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.

You understand from experience that erectile dysfunction can destroy a relations, but there’re strong, safe remedies for premature ejaculation now. Rapid ejaculation or PE is the most widespread type of sex dysfunction in men younger than 35 years.

“The clubs involved had different operating systems, so the management company chose a single club operating package and converted all member data into one central file server,” says LifeStart president Darren Hodgdon. “Each individual club has its own file server. Through the areawide network, each is linked to a larger central file server where all accounts payable, accounts receivable and membership files are updated.”

Members also benefit from LifeStart’s computerized innovations. According to Hodgdon, each receives a card designed to interact with software tailor-made for the LifeStart Wellness Network. The card comes equipped with a barcode that, when scanned, reveals a video photograph of the member as well as all data relevant to his or her status as a club member. The card also includes medical and insurance information.

Centralization makes it possible for members to access their accounts quickly and efficiently. Health history is also available through the use of a password known only to the member.

Because the clubs have individual owners, each database is designed to stand alone. This fail-safe device insures that the information in the system is not co-mingled or compromised.

“Most owners with multiple club locations or management companies responsible for different sites have not made the effort to consolidate their accounting efforts,” Hodgdon points out. “However, all can benefit from the savings and control it affords.”

Specifically, this study questions whether smaller-framed women are at greater risk for fractures of the pelvis, rib, arm, elbow, ankle, wrist and foot. Results indicate that women with a small body size, compared to women with a large body size, are at a higher risk for certain fractures.

Researchers from Minnesota and California analyzed data on 8,059 non-black women age 65 and older. The women were followed for an average of 6.4 years. Measurements recorded during this time included body size (weight, weight change since age 25, body fat and body mass index) and bone mineral density, or BMD (an index of the amount of calcium in bone). Participants were also periodically asked whether a fracture had occurred.

Women classified as “small body size” weighed less than 127 pounds and women classified as “large body size” weighed more than 161 pounds.

Bones contain minerals, such as calcium, and these minerals are the building blocks that enable us to bear weight. Bone thinning, or osteoporosis, occurs when calcium is depleted from the bone. This bone thinning increases one’s susceptibility to fractures.

The present study’s BMD measurements are important because when a woman enters menopause, she produces a significantly lower level of the hormone estrogen. This lower level of estrogen negatively influences the body’s calcium level. Post-menopausal women, therefore, are at an increased risk for calcium depletion, a lower BMD and subsequent fractures.

Findings from this study show that women with small body sizes had the highest risk for hip, pelvis and rib fractures, but not for the other parts of the body examined. The authors concluded that if a BMD measurement is not available, a woman’s total weight is a useful measure for assessing her risk for hip, pelvis and rib fractures.

“Our results suggest that measurements of other attributes of body size or composition do not provide clinically relevant information about risk for hip, pelvis and rib fracture beyond that provided by weight,” the study authors noted. “Our findings support current recommendations to include low weight as a risk factor for these fractures in screening and treatment decisions.”

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Using a Walt Disney-type approach, The Jungle Club was designed with the idea that children would have an “experience,” not just a babysitter. A huge fantasyland, children enter a rain forest and proceed through a three-stage check-in which assures parents that their children will be safely returned to them.

The Jungle Club also uses mats as flooring for additional safety, and has separate areas for playing, eating and sleeping. Each hour features different activities which are posted on a board for parents to see.

To increase retention, The Jungle Club offers one hour free for every 15 hours a child spends there.

Using children as the marketing strategy to lure adults has been a successful marketing approach, and has helped to not only bring in new members, but also retain existing members.