Goodlatte Testifies about Casino Malaysia Anti-Gambling Bill

Rep. Bob Goodlatte on Thursday told the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime that his revised gambling bill was designed to succeed where earlier efforts had failed.

The new piece of legislation, titled H.R. 3215, reaffirms states’ control over their own lotteries, in addition to taking a hands-off approach to Indian gaming and the horse racing industry.

The bill is tied in to Rep. Jim Leach’s bill (H.R. 556) – which was approved last month – that would prohibit persons or organizations engaged in ‘illegal Internet gambling’ from accepting credit card, check, or debit card payments.

Financial institutions such as banks and credit card companies would be responsible for monitoring and blocking transactions at illegal gaming sites.

Goodlatte’s bill also gives law enforcement agencies the power to move against groups that enable Internet gambling.

Critics and opponents of the bill have suggested that while the legislation is a step in the right direction, it is unlikely to have any real effect on the offshore companies that operate the majority of online gambling sites.

Online gambling advocates, most notably Frank Catania, former director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, continue to suggest that the U.S. government regulate the industry rather than prohibit it.

They also cited the financial benefits of legalizing and regulating online casinos within the U.S.

Eating Smart and Playing to Win

It stands to reason that a healthy diet keeps the mind sharp. But recent studies show that foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are your best bet against memory loss associated with the aging process.

And that means choosing the right mix of foods and supplements may help you to stay in the game a little longer when you’re gambling online.

Your brain shows signs of wear and tear and your memory starts to fade as early as age 25. This is what happens when you don’t feed your brain the antioxidants it needs to defend itself against damage and disease caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are in the air, cigarette smoke, and fried foods; they’re also brought on by stress. To fight these free radicals, the body uses an army of antioxidant-rich nutrients (including vitamin C, E and beta carotene).

You can also help by eating foods that are rich in Casino Malaysia antioxidants, like green peppers, fresh-squeezed orange juice, blueberries, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, prunes, broccoli, collard greens, carrots, and spinach.

With fifty percent of the brain made up of highly unsaturated fat, it needs fatty acids like omega-3s to maintain healthy functioning. Unfortunately, alcohol and smoke deplete the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in your brain, so try not to drink alcohol or smoke when you’re playing a little 5 Card Stud.

To make matters worse, you can only get Docasahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the main omega-3s, from food. The best way to get your omega-3s is to eat foods rich in them, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, flaxseed, almonds, and walnuts.

There are lots of other ways to boost your brainpower and get the most out of your game, even if you don’t like fish. Here are a few suggestions:

Supplements: Choline supplements or eating choline-rich foods (like wheat germ and eggs) will improve your thinking; B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) will keep you out of the mental doldrums; iron will improve your hand-eye coordination; niacin will improve your short-term memory; and a little ginkgo biloba goes a long way to increasing the flow of oxygen to your brain and protecting it against those pesky free radicals. Always talk to a doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Caffeine: One cup of coffee (not pots of it) will speed up your reaction time and enhance your ability to concentrate.

Daily exercise: A good workout gets the brain to release chemicals like epinephrine and norepinephrine, which keep you alert and on your toes.

Self-nurturing activities: If it feels good, do it! Early research indicates that playing video games (like online Video Poker, perhaps?) can solve a myriad of mental health problems.

A Healthy Breakfast: Mom was right. Statistics show that people who regularly eat breakfast are mentally sharper than people who don’t.

Obviously, it takes more than a few low-fat breakfast sausages or a light lunch at the sushi bar to win big online. But eating smart may save you from losing your mind – as well as your bankroll.

For more information on eating smart, check out the Health page at ABCNews.com. And for a scoop of health food ‘to go’, pick up a copy of Food and Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best by Elizabeth Somer at Amazon.com.