How Love Lifts Us Over the Hurdles of Life

Like our first steps into the New Year, the game of life begins with a single breath. Each breath we take says "Yes!" to life. It fills our lungs with optimism and hope. And then that breath is released.



There is a pattern to life, and a pace. A successful person learns how to live fully in each moment and see it for what it is, not what they want it to be. They know that life is not a race, that comes with "overnight" success.



Like an athlete training for a race, they know that life is more like a marathon. That each hurdle they face and overcome, strengthens them. They grow stronger. They know that it is the pace, not the race, that helps them achieve success in any endeavor they choose.



Like them, we can apply the lessons of a long distance marathon runner to set and achieve high goals. We can assess our strengths and weaknesses. We can set higher goals, again and again. Looking forward, it is our resolve to grow, learn, and breath in life more fully, that fills us with hope.





In each moment, as we learn to pace ourselves to handle the ups and downs of life, we grow stronger. When we learn to live a fully authentic life in each moment, to "be all we can be" in every moment, then when a hurdle seems too high to surmount, messages from the heart, delivered through the spoken voice, the written word, the healing touch of a hand, and even a simple act of kindness will lift us up and over the tragedies, suffering, or painful moments of life.



These "teachable" moments that some might view as setbacks are also one way that life reminds us to slow down and take a deeper breath, to pace ourselves. Renewed, we stand up once again. Once again, we speak up about things that matter most in life to us.



A love of life itself, lifts us higher.



ALEXIA PARKS is a Virtual Mentor with the United Nations, author, and one of Newsweek's "50 People Who Matter Most On The Internet." In the lineage of women's history, her contribution to the field is the New Science of the female brain. (This blog is dedicated to the memory of Nema, which means "blessing" in Mandinka the local language in The Gambia. And, thanks to Caroline Eader for the image.)



from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1HpeEW8

Thank You Notes: The 5 Essential Life Lessons

There is no greater gift for parents to give their children or for any of us to give our friends and family than the gift of gratitude, and that begins with thank you notes. If you have not already done so, take a quiet moment to think about the blessings of the season and write a thank you note to everyone who made it special for you.



This is one communication that can only be done old school -- no emails or texts. It has to be on paper, in an envelope, and mailed. The experience of writing a thank you note does as much for the sender as the receiver.



There are at least five essential life lessons from thank you notes.



1. Everyone can write a thank you note. Even a toddler can make some lines on paper, help pick out a pretty stamp, and lick the envelope. This helps create a sense of ownership, confidence, contribution, and autonomy.



2. Thank you notes develop empathy. At this time of year we think a lot about what we want and how we feel about what we get. It is important to learn to think about the feelings of those who take the time to try to please us. As we write our thank you notes, we imagine their point of view. That helps us to become more compassionate and thoughtful.



3. Thank you notes strengthen communication skills. In school, in the workplace, and in relationships with friends and family, no skill matters more than the ability to communicate clearly, sincerely, and thoughtfully. A prompt, well-written note on nice stationery with specific details and Impeccable grammar and spelling is like showing up neatly and appropriately dressed or demonstrating excellent table manners. It conveys maturity, reliability, confidence, and thoughtfulness. And those are the qualities that inspire those around you to trust you, respect you, and want to help you.



4. Thank you notes remind you about what matters. There is no better way to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and increase your own sense of joy. It is easy to notice what we do not like about a gift when it is not what we hoped or or when it seems to communicate a lack of understanding or even disapproval. And maybe the gift was thoughtless. But when we sit down to write a thank you note we have to locate within ourselves some way to be grateful and find some way to express it, an exercise ideally suited to centering and expanding the soul. We do not find happiness in what we get. We find happiness in being grateful for what we have.



5. Thank you notes are a delight to receive. In the midst of junk mail and bills, it is a rare and very great pleasure to see an envelope with a familiar return address and know there is a real letter inside. Taking the time to send a real letter shows that the gift and the giver mean something important to you. There is no other way to convey this message that comes close. You can even write to people you do not know. If a performer or a politician or someone in business does something you like, write a note. It will let them know they are appreciated and supported and encourage them to do more.



A good thank you note must have specific details about what is most appreciated. Not, "Thank you for the sweater. It is cool," but "Thanks for the sweater! That bright red is perfect with my favorite jacket and it is just what I need to stay cozy when we go to football games." Not, "Thanks for the game," but "We had a blast playing that game. My brother won the first time but then I discovered a strategy and had the great satisfaction of coming out ahead four times in a row." Not "Thanks for having us for dinner," but "It was so nice of you to remember how much I love those cheese biscuits. it was all I could do to leave some for everyone else." I enjoy writing thank you notes for gifts I love, but I have had the most fun coming up with creative ways to say thanks for some gifts I can only describe as outlandish or downright weird.



The best thank you notes include a sentence or two about what is going on in your life and some thoughts about the addressee as well. "We're all looking forward to some quiet days at home before school starts again a week from Monday. I hope to see you soon and get an update on your new job."



There are a lot of places to help you learn to write better thank you notes. In Washington, D.C., the National Archives hosted a thank you note writing contest for children on Dec. 30, 2014. Children had the opportunity to learn and practice their thank you note writing skills, as a part of the Making Their Mark: Stories Through Signatures exhibit.



But the best way is to read some correspondence from people you admire. The all-time champion might be former President George H.W. Bush, whose thousands of thank you notes over the years showed that he noticed and appreciated a wide range of contributions and accomplishments. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's 2014 new year's resolution was to write at least one thank you note every day. I hope as he announces his 2015 resolution, he gives us an update on his experience, and I hope he keeps sending thank you notes.



I'm guessing Zuckerberg has discovered, as I have, that the more thank you notes you send, the more you become aware of how much there is to be grateful for, and how good it feels to let people know you appreciate them.



from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1rPftUu

5 Yoga Poses for Endurance Winter Sports

By Yoga Journal




Use this practice as a warm-up or cross-training sequence to lengthen and strengthen your body for skiing and snowshoeing.



As you head out into the snowy wonderland for winter endurance sports like skiing and snowshoeing, be sure to bring yoga with you. Yoga helps you develop the focus, breath awareness, and balance you need to stay present and healthy all winter. The repetitive, rhythmic movement of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing helps you develop dharana, single-pointed concentration. (Try using a mantra as you move.) The movement of your body coordinates with the movement of your breath, and the entire trek can become a meditation in motion.



Asana will help, too. The following poses lengthen and strengthen your body for better performance and enjoyment of winter sports. This sequence releases your upper body and builds stability in your lower body. It focuses on the glutes, which power your pushoff; the hip flexors, which initiate the next step; and the lower leg, which has to stay stable and engaged over uneven surfaces inside winter boots.

Two Ways to Use This Practice

1. HOLD Include each of the following poses as part of your home practice. To develop strength, hold each of one for several breaths at a time.





2. PULSE You can also practice the sequence dynamically as a warm-up before you head outdoors. In that case, cycle through several rounds for each pose, alternating sides where necessary.

Sidebending Mountain Pose

Parsva Tadasana

From Mountain Pose (Tadasana), inhale and lift your arms overhead. Exhale and lean to one side.



To hold, stay five to 10 breaths, then switch sides.

To pulse, inhale to lift to center, exhale to lean to the other side.

Chair Pose

Utkatasana

Exhale and sit your hips down as you lift your arms to shoulder height or overhead (choose what feels best in your body) for Chair Pose. For more challenge, sink lower. Keep your knees and toes facing forward and extend your spine long, instead of arching too much.



To hold, stay 10 to 15 breaths.

To pulse, inhale to mountain pose, exhale to chair.

Revolved Chair Pose

Parivrtta Utkatasana

From Chair Pose, exhale and twist to one side. For a sweeter twist, take a hand to the opposite knee and reach your other arm behind you. For a spicier twist, take your hands in prayer and hook your elbow across the opposite knee. Either way, aim to keep your knees in line, so the twist comes from the waist up.



To hold, stay five to 10 breaths.

To pulse, exhale to twist, inhale to center, and exhale the other direction.

Extended Leg + Arms Prep Pose

From Chair Pose, inhale and lift one leg. Exhale, stand tall, and straighten both legs, pushing your hands away from center for a bonus wrist stretch. Keep your shoulders over your hips, and keep your raised leg as high as you can with good form—this develops strength in the abs and hip flexors.



To hold, stay 5-10 breaths.

To pulse, exhale to standing, and inhale to Warrior III.

Warrior III

Virabhadrasana III

Next, swing your raised leg behind you and your arms alongside your ears as you lower your chest. For less work, lean just to a diagonal line; for more challenge, reach your arms, torso, and raised leg parallel to the floor.



To hold, stay five to 10 breaths.

To pulse, enter on an exhalation from Crane Pose and inhale back to Mountain Pose.





About Sage Rountree

Sage Rountree is the author of The Athlete's Guide to Yoga and The Athlete's Guide to Recovery. She works extensively with runners, cyclists, NBA and NFL players, Olympians, and college athletes. Sage also teaches vinyasa flow and meditation in North Carolina, onYogaVibes, at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and at festivals and conferences around the country.









To practice all five poses with Sage Rountree, watch our video on YogaJournal.com.



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Respect

I wish many things for 2015, but one in particular is "Respect for others." The basic concept of respect covers a large spectrum of subjects; I am mentioning only a few in hopes that my comments will stimulate your thinking. Perhaps together we can come up with a list of things we all need to do to help make respect for others more prevalent in 2015.



In my opinion respect for others starts in the home with young children. Parents need to teach and practice respect for themselves and other members of the family. I am appalled at how some parents talk to their children and allow their children to speak to them. I witness some parents and children shouting at one another, and sometimes using foul language. This is teaching disrespect that goes far beyond the family. Parents need to teach children early on how to disagree with another person without shouting and yelling and name-calling.



I see parents at parks and at restaurants checking their cell phones and texting instead of interacting with their children, sometimes even reprimanding their children for interrupting their texting. Again, this teaches disrespect for others. When parents take their children with them to have fun, their first priority should be paying attention to their children.



I hear teachers in public and private schools talk about how difficult it is to discipline children--and to make it worse parents tend to side with their children instead of supporting the teachers. This fosters a general disrespect for authority. Also, I fault school administrators and teachers for allowing bullying in their schools. Alert teachers, coaches, and administrators should know who the bullies are and should do something about them. And some coaches teach disrespect by stressing winning at all costs.



Many separated and divorced parents teach their children disrespect for other people by using their children as pawns in negotiations to get what they want. It would be very interesting if judges would let the children stay in one house and require the parents to move in and out a couple of times a week, having to take from house to house their clothes and computers and what have you. How would that work?



Teaching respect for others starts at home and in schools. As the Bible says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:06, RSV)



We need to put aside racial barriers, and all of us need to have respect for those of other races and treat them accordingly. We certainly have seen police use excessive force, but we also have seen people not obey police. Again, this starts in the home. All children -- black and white and all other colors -- should be taught to respect the police and do what they ask us to do at the time; we can argue about whether or not what they ask us to do is fair or just at a later time. When they are doing their duty as police officers, we need to obey them. And they need to respect us for respecting them. It works both ways!



People have every right to demonstrate in peaceful ways. But destroying other people's property, breaking windows, and turning over cars is not showing respect for other people, especially when most of these people have no reason to be demonstrated against. Blocking traffic so parents cannot get home to their children or causing people to miss work, many of them who live from paycheck to paycheck, is treating others with disrespect. We need to respect the fact that any person has the right to disagree with another person or a group of persons, but it merely causes more misunderstanding when we disagree in disrespectful ways.



Breaking into a house or car or store, stealing someone's purse or wallet, or taking anything from another person without their knowledge is an act of disrespect. No one has a right, regardless of the circumstances, to take something that belongs to someone else. Just because some people have more than we do does not give anyone the right to take from them unlawfully.



I see a lack of respect for the property of others by the ways some families treat toys in toy stores or how people look at clothes in clothing stores; many times people pay no attention to how they leave things after looking at them. Although these may be stores and not people, stores belong to people, and such disregard for how we treat items in stores is disrespectful of the property of others.



Governments on all levels show their disrespect for the people they govern in many ways. People in government routinely spend public money in ways that they would never spend their own. We need more bipartisan effort to reduce unnecessary expenditures instead of habitually spending more and raising taxes. Every organization or agency wants more money, but how are the people to come up with more money time and again?



When the government finds ways of making more and more money available for students to borrow instead of focusing on the causes of the routine increases of college tuition, it shows a lack of respect for people. Student debt is entirely out of control. Many people retire and still owe on their student loans. Paying back large student loans is a terrible burden on people, and those who are responsible for making burdensome loans available -- college administrators, the U.S. Secretary of Education, and members of the U.S. Congress -- are showing a complete disrespect for other people.



I have touched on only a handful of examples of disrespect for people. I hope what I have mentioned stimulates your thinking about respect for, and treatment of, other people. In 2015 one of my primary wishes is that all of us will concentrate on treating other people with respect. I have just scratched the surface; I encourage you to give this entire matter some very deep consideration. Perhaps you can encourage your friends to join the effort. But only thinking is not enough; we need to engage in constructive action.



from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1D3c74i

10 Ways to Give Your 'Resolutions' a Fighting Chance for Success

Photo credit: Bonjour, Beau. via photopin cc




Here we are entering into a bright and shiny New Year and many of us are overflowing with tons of inspiration and motivation for making it the BEST year yet. We have big plans, amazing dreams, and we have resolved to make them come true in 2015. We have planned, schemed, and outlined exactly how to succeed only to find a few weeks into the New Year, things get difficult and our inspiration and "resolutions" fall by the wayside. Below are 10 ways to give your big dreams, deep desires, and "resolutions" a fighting chance.



1. Set intentions instead of resolutions. Resolutions often feel so definite and leave little room for error. You are human and are bound to have a cookie, skip a workout, or let fear creep in and cause you to procrastinate a bit. Instead of setting 'resolutions', consider setting an intention to eat more veggies, to get to the gym a few times a week, or to find a mastermind group or coach to help you stay focused and motivated. Simply changing the word you use can make your goal feel less rigid and can greatly improve your chances of succeeding.



2. Start small. Intentions for the New Year don't have to be made in big bold moves. They can be as simple as trying a new healthy recipe each month or doing a bit of research into hiring a coach or finding a tribe to help support you as you start your business or write your book. Too often we think we need to hit the ground running with huge changes and giant leaps. Remember a series of small steps add up to create successful change, one step at a time.



3. Make it fun. When goals feel super serious, they can also feel quite restrictive. I guarantee you are less likely to make lasting change if you hate every single step along the way. Why not find a way to make it fun? If you want to get healthy, find a fun exercise class or a group of friends to join you. Want to write a book? Join a writing group or class to get your creative juices flowing. While we are adults, most of us are also very playful at heart and are much more likely to stick to our intentions when we can have a bit of fun with it.



4. Be kind to yourself. Remember that lasting change takes time. You are human and there are bound to be times when you slip up on your intentions, and when you do be gentle with yourself. Don't judge or demean yourself if you have a less than productive day or you find yourself doubting your abilities. It happens. Simply regroup, refocus, and revisit your intentions and begin again. You truly only fail when you quit trying.



5. Find support. A lot of times this comes in the form of friends and family members, but it can also come in the form of a coach or other professional. There is no shame in seeking a bit of help with your intentions. In fact, people who have accountability partners are more likely to succeed than those who do not. So find someone you mesh with and who will remind you of #4. You don't need a drill sergeant to whip you into shape as much as you need someone to inspire you to just keep going when you want to quit.



6. Focus on how you want to feel. Far too often we get incredibly attached to the outcome whether we want to lose 10 pounds, create a successful business or find our soul mate. Staying overly focused on the outcome can restrict the flow of energy and can make the process quite miserable. When you focus on having fun, feeling energized, and inspired the end result not only happens faster, but you enjoy the process of becoming even more. Life is all a process and should be enjoyed every step of the way. The same goes for your New Years intentions.



7. Keep reaching. Life is a massive growth opportunity and after we achieve one goal or master our intentions we are able to then expand our vision and purpose to embrace more of who we are. The amazing thing about this journey is that there is always something else to reach for, something else to create, and more joy to be had. So keep dreaming and keep reaching for more amazing experiences. You deserve it!



8. Celebrate the small stuff. It can be far to easy to focus on the things that aren't working out as quickly as we would like, but when we do, we forget the wins along the way. Celebrate each step you take that pushes you closer to your big dreams and intentions for this year. Make it a big deal and celebrate your progress. Doing so will not only help you keep your momentum up, but also attract to you more to celebrate.



9. Look for the magic in every situation. Regardless of what you want to create in the coming year, there is magic to be experienced in every situation. Look for it, celebrate it, and notice how often it comes. There will be things that seemingly don't work out only because they are making way for something even better. That is the magic I am talking about. Be open to it and enjoy the adventurous twists and turns that may come as make your dreams a reality.



10. Be grateful. Gratitude is an amazing tool that can turn any situation around. Be grateful for all that you experience (the ups and the downs) and every one you meet along your path. Make gratitude part of your daily practice and watch as all of your intentions (and even things you hadn't quite thought about) come true quickly making way for more expansion and growth.



2015 is going to be an amazing year and I promise it is only the beginning. Remember to have fun and be kind to yourself as you set your intentions for what you want to achieve this year. You were meant to do great things and it all starts with a single step, so keep dreaming, keep reaching, and when you feel like quitting, just keep going!



I'd love to hear from you. What is your big intention for 2015?



Lamisha Serf-Walls is a life coach for women who are ready to live an amazing life on their own terms, but feel held-back and frustrated in how to make that happen. Her mission is to create a community of empowered, free flowing, lovers of life who live a life of freedom with ease and inspire others to do the same. You can learn more about Lamisha and her work by visiting her Online, on Facebook, or Twitter.



from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1wMfnJ6

5 Movies to Jumpstart Your End-of-Life Conversations

Recently more people than ever before have begun to take a look at their hopes and desires for the end of life and are even putting those wishes into writing. Through movements such as Aging With Dignity and The Conversation Project, individuals of all ages are being encouraged to talk about that day when their own life will come to an end and to express their thoughts and feelings about it with their loved ones.



As a society we are waking up to the fact that we need to tell others what we want for our final days of life in order to make it happen. However, once we figure out how we feel about our own death and dying, the next step we must take -- initiating the conversation with our loved ones -- is often the most difficult step to complete.



(Read "Tips for Talking With Your Loved Ones About the End of Life.")



But here's an idea for you if you are struggling to find a creative way around the barriers to an end-of-life conversation: host a "movie night" and feature a film that will introduce the subject for you and get your loved ones in the "mood" to talk about death and dying. A movie can inspire your imagination, stir up your emotions and provoke your deepest thoughts, so it's an excellent way to introduce a difficult topic and start a conversation.



There are many excellent movies that address the end of life, including some recent independent films and documentaries, but these are my top five recommendations for commercial films that can be used to lead into an end-of-life discussion. Choose one that best fits your situation:



1. The Bucket List

This movie focuses on the joys of living life fully, even up to your final days, rather than on dying itself. The two main characters Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) both learn that they have only one year left to live and decide to help one another fulfill their "bucket lists" before they die, leading them to many adventures and learning experiences.



Think of The Bucket List as "End-of-Life Lite" since it doesn't directly deal with dying as much as it emphasizes living. But it can be a gentle introduction to the subject, providing just enough humor and conflict to be entertaining without causing much discomfort for the viewers. You could show this movie to loved ones of all ages and then embark on a discussion by asking: "What's on your bucket list?" When you share your own list, be sure to include your wishes for your final days, e.g., "I want to be at home for my last days of life and have my family nearby." You'll be planting a seed with each person in the room and opening the possibility for deeper discussions in the future.



(Read the full review of The Bucket List.)



2. Beaches

This popular film from 1988 focuses on the unlikely friendship between two women, C.C. Bloom (Bette Midler) and Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey), as it evolves over many years. The movie provides some humor, plenty of relationship issues and conflicts, and cathartic emotional appeal -- especially for women viewers. But the story ends with Hillary's death and that's what makes it a good candidate for an end-of-life movie night.



Like The Bucket List, Beaches gently introduces the subject of death and dying and helps open the viewers emotionally and prepare them for the conversation that will follow. This movie would work best with adult audiences and seems most suitable for women, but men would be touched by the story as well.



(Read the full review of Beaches.)



3. Marvin's Room

This powerful film from 1996 centers on the relationship between two sisters with very different lives, Bessie (Diane Keaton) and Lee (Meryl Streep), who must deal with the challenge of providing suitable care for their elderly father and aunt. Bessie has cared for them by herself for the previous 17 years but now faces a terminal diagnosis of her own. The movie beautifully portrays the suffering within a dysfunctional family, but shows the healing and redemption that are possible as well.



Marvin's Room provides a compelling look at the challenges faced by family caregivers and would be an excellent stimulus for a conversation about where and how to care for our elderly when they become ill. This is a serious movie that requires an audience comfortable with looking at deeper emotions, family conflict and the challenges of caregiving, but the ending provides catharsis and inspiration for all viewers.



(Read the full review of Marvin's Room.)



4. Life As a House

This 2001 film is one of my all-time favorites and I have watched it many times. The story centers around George (Kevin Kline), an architect who decides to build a house on his family's property after he receives a terminal diagnosis. The primary conflict in this story is between George and his teenage son Sam (Hayden Christensen), who eventually heal their estranged relationship by working together on the house. The building of the house throughout the movie serves as a metaphor for finding meaning and purpose at the end of life.



Since the father-son relationship is central to this film, Life As a House can appeal to both men and women and is suitable for a younger audience, as well (teenage and up). The movie teaches us about the opportunities for transformation that dying can offer and opens up possibilities for a discussion of how to live your life with meaning.



(Read the full review of Life As a House.)



5. The Barbarian Invasions

This French-Canadian film is an intelligent and cynical look at various aspects of the end-of-life, which focuses on Remy, a radical socialist professor during his final days battling cancer. The story is provocative and controversial and ends with Remy choosing to die by a lethal dose of heroin while surrounded by his family and friends.



The Barbarian Invasions is a challenging film and would be best for an audience already open to the subject of death and dying and willing to engage in discussion about some of the controversies facing the end-of-life movement, such as physician-assisted death. This thoughtful and disturbing movie raises many questions for the viewer and should lead to animated discussions amongst audience members.



(Read the full review of The Barbarian Invasions.)



Of course there are many other movies that deal with death and dying so don't limit yourself to this small list (also check out Stepmom , Dying Young , My Life , and Terms of Endearment ). Think about who you want to invite and what issues you would like to discuss and choose a film that best suits your needs. Have some snacks and beverages on hand, comfortable seating and plenty of tissues, since tears may flow freely. No matter how you begin, this conversation about the end-of-life is one worth having -- you will feel relieved and supported once you get started and make your wishes known!



For more ideas on planning for the end-of-life you might enjoy listening to interviews at End-of-Life University - a free online educational series. Just go to http://ift.tt/1amTVT4 to learn more and register. About the Author: (Dr. Karen Wyatt is a hospice and family physician and the author of the award-winning book "What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying." She is a frequent keynote speaker and radio show guest whose profound teachings have helped many find their way through the difficult times of life. Learn more about her work at www.karenwyattmd.com.)



from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1xgSS48

Seeking Swifter Action in E-Cigarette Regulation

A new revelation has added to the ongoing controversy over the health risks of e-cigarettes. Some commentators have viewed the use of this electronic delivery system for nicotine as a way for smokers to cut down on tobacco cigarettes or quit the habit altogether. Others have contended that e-cigarettes can be a "gateway" to smoking, and may actually increase the use of tobacco. Still others maintain that the jury is still out on the risks of nicotine inhaled through "vaping." And cases have been reported of young children ingesting the colorful nicotine liquids, posing serious risks to health and life.



E-cigarettes: A danger in the making

A new danger was revealed in an article in the New York Times on December 13: the unregulated manufacture of e-cigarettes in China poses significant health risks to consumers. The article notes that heavy metals, carcinogens and other dangerous compounds, such as lead, tin and zinc, have been detected in some e-cigarettes. The suspicion is that shoddy manufacturing practices contribute to this contamination.



The article notes that more than 300 million e-cigarettes from China are expected to be shipped to the United States and Europe this year. Some of the Chinese manufacturing plants are legitimate operations that produce name brands, while others are operated by counterfeiters. The industry is entirely unregulated in China at present, and in the U.S. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving slowly toward issuing rules that would require producers of e-cigarettes to provide details about ingredients and the manufacturing process.



Who should regulate e-cigarettes?

Despite the views of politicians who have strongly supported deregulation of industry in the United States, regulatory agencies exist to protect the health of the public. The FDA is responsible for overseeing the safety of many foods and all drugs, medical devices and biologicals; since 2009 the agency has also regulated the tobacco industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is in charge of monitoring the safety of meat, poultry and eggs. The Environmental Protection Agency has had the mandate to ensure safe drinking water in the country for the past 40 years. These agencies conduct activities that it would be impossible for consumers to carry out on their own. Without the scrutiny and actions of governmental regulatory agencies, public health would suffer a devastating blow.



The need for speed

This new information about risks posed by e-cigarettes from the manufacturing process underscores the need for the FDA to move swiftly. Recent studies have shown a significant rise in the use of e-cigarettes by high school students even as their use of tobacco cigarettes has declined. While such studies can help determine whether vaping increases, decreases or has no effect on the rate of tobacco consumption among young people, it is an open question whether the risks from poor manufacturing of e-cigarettes will reach the majority of users or prompt them to change their behavior.



The wheels of bureaucracy grind slowly in Washington, but we can only hope that the FDA can meet this new challenge with timely action to regulate the importation of e-cigarettes containing ingredients that are known health hazards.



This post was originally featured on The Doctor's Tablet, the blog of Albert Einstein College of Medicine.



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