As if it wasn't enough to deal with the emotional upheaval of a once-in-a-lifetime financial tsunami, the just-released results of two studies show that stress can cause physical illness. And black women are particularly vulnerable.

One study found that stress triggers spikes in blood sugar among African American women who carry extra weight around their middles. ...

While the mainstream media drones on and on with minute-by-minute coverage of the 'Stimulus Bill' cross-party volley, millions of lives are being ravaged by our faltering economy. Lives are being torn apart in both loud and quiet ways; so it's not unexpected that medical treatment is way out of reach for many. I feel queasy thinking of the million former Cancer patients who beat the disease only to realize that they can't afford the medicines and treatments that can keep them healthy. According to Science Daily:

More than a million cancer survivors living in the United States are foregoing what they believe is necessary medical care due to the cost, and Hispanics and African-Americans are twice as likely to go without services, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference on the Science of Health Care Disparities. Source

If you eat a lot of fat and chemical filled junk food, you step into a vicious cycle. And it appears, if you are black, food advertisers see you as an easy mark for just such a proposition. From the Los Angeles Times:

In a review of 22 studies published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health, researchers found that advertisers specifically target blacks with unhealthy food messages. In television and print, high-fat, high-calorie foods are more heavily promoted to blacks.

Television shows that are popular among black audiences run a greater number of food commercials than do general-audience shows. And food ads in black-oriented magazines are dominated by low-cost, energy-dense, low-nutrition foods - think doughnuts, potato chips and Twinkies.

There is nothing magical about losing weight. If you take in fewer calories than you burn off, you will lose weight. And the more fat and less nutrients you take in, the worse you'll feel and the less likely you are to feel motivated to exercise properly and take care of yourself. ...

D'zhana Simmons is a walking, talking, medical miracle. For 118 days, this strong willed teen lived without a heart as she awaited a suitable transplant to replace her damaged one:

"It was like I was a fake person, like I didn't really exist. I was just here," she said at Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami, "But I know that I really was here."

The modern science miracle began last spring when Simmons learned that her enlarged heart was too weak to pump enough blood, a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Surgeons at the hospital performed a transplant on July 2, but two days later the heart malfunctioned and had to be removed.

"In the past, this situation could have been lethal," said Dr Marco Ricci, director of pediatric cardiac surgery at the University of Miami.

Instead, Dr Ricci modified the Thoratec Corp-made ventricular-assist device, which are commonly used for only hours at a time, into a long-term artificial heart.

"She essentially lived for 118 days without a heart, with her circulation supported only by two blood pumps," Dr Ricci said.

A second transplant on October 29 was successful.

Ah China, where the keys to longevity are early morning Tai Chi, the ancient healing art of acupuncture and hip-hop dancing.

*Sound of needle scratching across record*

Hold up! Hip-Hop dancing? Absolutely! You see Wu Ying, now 70, discovered hip hop music and dancing in 2003 while watching a dance competition. Wu was immediately hooked. She started teaching hip-hop dancing in the gym and then took it to the next level.

Wu then had a vision that she and a bunch of other older ladies would get together and form a hip-hop dance troupe. Wu not only taught the moves, but encouraged all the participants to get down with the freeing attitude at the heart of all the best of hip-hop. Now, with the youngest member aged 45, these 30-odd rap-dancing retirees have performed all over China and collected dozens of awards shaking their booties to the beats and baselines of hip-hop.

See these Hip-Hop Grannies for yourself. ...

It takes reading, writing and endurance to be successful in college. Truth is, all-nighters are as common as keg parties in campus life. Back in the day caffeine and cigarettes were the "stay awake" weapons of choice. But today's angry sounding arsenal shouts names like Red Bull and Monster. In other words, juiced up college kids are relying on energy drinks to get through the night. These students make up a significant part of the $3 billion energy drink market.

But for many of those who consume these jet fueled concoctions, there's a problem. Research has uncovered a link between heavy energy drink consumption and substance abuse and risky sexual behavior – except if you're black. ....

Milk is a recommended, highly valued staple in the nutritional life of babies and children. But these days milk allergies are common and up to 90 percent of Asians and 95 percent of blacks are lactose intolerant according to some studies.

Complicating matters even more is the need to address the lactose intolerance while also making sure that kids get the calcium and Vitamin D essential to strong, healthy development. Many children are not getting what they need.

So what's a parent to do to protect kids who have to make complicated cafeteria choices all by themselves? One company, Ganeden Biotech may have some tips that are useful. And keep reading to take the lactose intolerant quiz too! ...

If there is anything I struggle with, it's keeping weight off. For the past ten years or so, I have pulled off the pounds only to gain them back.

Some months ago, after listening to Dr. Ian Smith on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, I decided to join State Farm's 50 Million Pound Challenge and have made some real progress. And thanks to a recent medical study, I've got new weight loss tools in my arsenal: a pen and paper.

I have committed to writing down every single thing I eat for the next 4 weeks. And I am not doing it on some whim, or just because I like to write. ...

A bill before Congress would give control of tobacco products to the Food and Drug Administration.

The bill would ban flavor additives such as mint, clove and vanilla, which appeal to young people. But menthol flavored cigarettes would still be available. Since 75% of black people who smoke choose menthol, you might say that this bill excludes blacks from a protective benefit.

And for that reason, some say it's racist . On the other hand, supporters of keeping menthol available ask what could possibly be racist about giving grown black folks access to the flavor of poison they prefer?

And why do black folks smoke menthols anyway? There's no certain answer, but Radar magazine took an entertaining stab at tackling the question: