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7:00am:
Sleep is not just important for adults. It's also critical for pre-teens as well.

A new study of children 9 to 12 years old finds insufficient sleep can negatively affect their metabolism as well as their exercise and eating habits predisposing them to obesity. University of Michigan researchers say pre-teens who slept less than nine hours a night were more likely to gain weight than their more rested peers. Sleep affects the secretion of hormones that regulate fat storage, appetite and sugar metabolism. Not enough sleep can change the way the body breaks down sugar and can lead to impaired sugar tolerance... Which can affect weight. In addition to obesity, lack of sleep can cause problems with concentration, mood and learning.

How much sleep should children be getting?

According to the national sleep foundation elementary school children should be getting about 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Researchers say well-rested kids are more energetic. More likely to go out and play.. But tired kids seek food when they become irritable or moody. By the way the impact of sleep deprivation was consistent among all groups regardless of race, sex or socioeconomic status.

In other news, we don't want to get fat, but there's more evidence that a little chocolate can be a good thing.

That's right. It tastes great and it's good for your heart.

Japanese researchers say dark chocolate that's rich in antioxidants called flavonoids actually can improve blood flow to the heart. They gave 39 lucky volunteers dark chocolate and another white chocolate for two weeks and measured the blood flow through their coronary arteries which are the blood vessels that supply the heart... And found that those who ate the dark chocolate had significantly improved blood flow.

Any other benefits?

They also measured the blood pressure, blood lipids and two markers of oxidative stress. There did not seem to be an effect there, but remember guys, this is not a license to pig out on chocolate. Moderation is key. Because chocolate is high in calories and eating too much can of course make you fat. So be cautious.

1. What is the difference between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What are some natural ways to relieve them?
Lori from Ocean, New Jersey

Lori.. There's no way i can answer that in 30 seconds, but in a nutshell, the term arthritis means inflammation of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1 percent of the population. That's about two million people. It can affect children, adults and the elderly. Doctors don't know exactly what causes it.. But for some reason the body's immune system attacks the joints causing the problem. The most common arthritis is called osteoarthritis.. That affects about 20 million Americans, mostly older people with osteoarthritis cartilage breakdown. There can be some overlap with treatments, but there are medications that are specific to rheumatoid.

2. What are some reasons people get heart palpitations? Could it be anxiety or stress, even if I don't feel stressed when it happens?
Bay Shore, New York

There are many different reasons why people get palpitations.. It can come from stress anxiety or a heart rhythm problem. The treatment is aimed at the underlying problem. If you're having palpitations you'll need to speak to your doctor and keep a journal logging where, when and the circumstances surrounding your palpitations. As well as any associated symptoms.. Like sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath. If you're examined by your doctor he may have you wear a special monitor that keeps track of your heart beat. He may also order other tests like an echocardiogram or special electrical heart studies.

3. My questions deals with olive oil ... Is it truly healthy that omega three's will help reduce cholestrol. A diet heavy in olive oil can it be detrimental at all.
Michael from The Bronx

Michael, olive oil is a fat.. But it's monounsaturated fat.. And that's a good fat. Because it lowers your bad cholesterol. It also contains phenolics which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti clotting properties which are also good for the heart. While all this is good for you.. Remember.. Too much of a good thing can be bad for you. With fat comes calories. So don't overdo it. It's recommended that you eat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day.. This way you won't increase your daily calories.

4: What are the long effects of the Gardasil vaccine?
Marion from New York City

Marion, Gardasil is a brand new vaccine that protects women against cervical cancer by preventing infection with four strains of human papilloma virus which can cause cervical cancer. It's given as three injections over 6 months.. And studies show it is safe, however because
It's new there are no long term studies available. For complete information about Gardasil.check out: GARDASIL.COM