Bi- Weekly Health Tips and TRIVIA

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR CONDITION, NUTRITION, ETC . . .

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TRIVIA OF THE WEEK:

Simple precaution to prevent colds and flu?

I will send the first; ten right E-mail answers, a COUPON FOR 20 % OFF.

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Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before taking or changing any medication.

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WEEK: September 28, 2009

Probiotics Supplement May Help After Gastric Bypass Surgery

In study, patients lost weight faster and avoided vitamin B deficiency

Taking a probiotics supplement after gastric bypass surgery helps patients lose weight faster and avoid vitamin B deficiency, a new study finds.

Probiotics are the "good" bacteria found in yogurt and in dietary supplements that aid digestion.

The Stanford University School of Medicine study included 44 patients who had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and were randomly assigned to either a probiotics group or a control group. Both groups received the same bariatric medical care and nutritional counseling and both were allowed to consume yogurt, a natural source of probiotics. Patients in the probiotics group also took one pill per day of a probiotics supplement.

After three months, the probiotics group had a 47.6 percent weight loss, compared with 38.5 percent in the control group. Patients in the probiotics group also had higher levels of vitamin B-12 three months after surgery than those in the control group -- 1,214 picograms per milliliter as opposed to 811 picograms per milliliter, a significant difference since B-12 deficiency is common after gastric bypass surgery.

The study appears in the July issue of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.

SOURCE: Stanford University, news release, July 13, 2009

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WEEK: AUGUST 17, 2009

Teens, Young Adults Need More Calcium

Consumption of bone-building dairy products declines in late teens, research shows

Young people tend to cut down on bone-strengthening dairy products as they enter their 20s -- just when their body needs it most, new research finds.

In a study by researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, a majority of the 1,500 participants reduced their calcium intake in high school and the years immediately following high school. More than half of the males and more than two-thirds of the females consumed less than the daily recommended level of calcium at the end of each of those time periods, the researchers found.

The study findings are published in the July issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

Because human bone mass peaks when a person is in their 30s, consuming sufficient amounts of calcium, protein and vitamin D -- all found in dairy products -- during the teen and young-adult years is considered key to lowering the risk of osteoporosis and some other health issues in later life. According to nutrition experts at Harvard University, calcium can also be found in certain greens, fortified soymilk, and supplements.

About 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day is recommended for high school-aged children and 1,000 milligrams a day for young adults, according to a news release from the journal.

Increased availability of milk at mealtime, a proper attitude and approach to weight, health and nutrition, and a taste for milk were linked to greater consumption of calcium during these critical years, the study authors noted. Excessive television watching and lactose intolerance were tied to lower calcium levels.

SOURCE: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, news release, June 15, 2009

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WEEK: AUGUST 3, 2009

Get Enough Dietary Protein - Here's how

Protein helps your body replace damaged cells and make new ones. Women who are pregnant, children and teens should be especially careful to get enough protein.

Meat is a good source of protein, but because it's often high in cholesterol it shouldn't be relied on as the only protein source, the agency states. Fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, whole grains, soybeans, peas and dairy products are also fine sources of protein.

Most adults need between two and three servings of protein a day, but it can vary based on your health needs and age. One serving of protein is about two or three ounces (picture a deck of playing cards to estimate size) of cooked meat, chicken or fish. One-half cup of cooked dried beans, an egg, an ounce of cheese or about two tablespoons of peanut butter will also meet a serving of protein.

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WEEK: JULY 20, 2009

Pack a First-Aid Kit When Traveling

Make room for a few essentials

You don't want a minor injury or medical problem to derail your travel plans. So be sure to make room for a first-aid kit with some basic essentials, especially if you're traveling internationally.

A list of items to take with you on your next trip:

· Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

· Antihistamine, motion sickness, cold and cough, and anti-diarrhea medications.

· Bandages in different shapes and sizes, as well as gauze pads, tape and an elastic bandage.

· Tweezers, scissors and safety pins.

· Antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, hydrocortisone cream and bug spray.

· A pair of rubber gloves and a thermometer.

· A chemical cold pack for burns or sprains.

· A bottle of sunscreen.

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WEEK: JULY 6, 2009

Lack of Vitamin D Can Cause Rickets

Make sure your child gets enough

Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium and build strong, healthy bones. The vitamin is particularly important for growing children, who need plenty of calcium for good bone health.

Lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition characterized by soft or weak bones, pain or tenderness in the limbs or spine, and bone deformities such as bowlegs. A child with rickets may also have dental problems including abnormal tooth formation and cavities.

Treatment usually involves dietary changes to include more vitamin D-rich foods -- such as fish, liver and milk -- and increased exposure to sunlight.

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WEEK: JUNE 22, 2009

Get Enough Dietary Protein

Protein helps your body replace damaged cells and make new ones. Women who are pregnant, children and teens should be especially careful to get enough protein.

Meat is a good source of protein, but because it's often high in cholesterol it shouldn't be relied on as the only protein source. Fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, whole grains, soybeans, peas and dairy products are also fine sources of protein.

Most adults need between two and three servings of protein a day, but it can vary based on your health needs and age. One serving of protein is about two or three ounces (picture a deck of playing cards to estimate size) of cooked meat, chicken or fish. One-half cup of cooked dried beans, an egg, an ounce of cheese or about two tablespoons of peanut butter will also meet a serving of protein.

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WEEK: JUNE 08,2009

Too Much Cola Can Cause Muscle Problems

Drop in potassium levels may lead to mild weakness or temporary paralysis, study finds

Drinking too much cola can increase the risk of a muscle problem called hypokalemia, experts warn.

In people with hypokalemia, a drop in blood potassium levels results in problems with vital muscle functions. Symptoms can range from mild weakness to serious paralysis, say Greek researchers who conducted a review of people who drank between two to nine liters of cola a day.

Two of the patients were pregnant women who were admitted to hospital with low potassium levels. One was a 21-year-old woman who drank up to three liters of cola a day and complained of fatigue, appetite loss and persistent vomiting. An electrocardiogram revealed she had a heart blockage, and blood tests showed she had low potassium levels, the researchers explained in a news release.

The second pregnant patient, who'd consumed up to seven liters of cola a day for 10 months, had low potassium levels and was suffering from increasing muscular weakness, the researchers noted.

Both patients made a rapid and full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and took oral or intravenous potassium. The case studies are described in the June issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

"We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before, and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralization and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes," and there's increasing evidence that excessive cola consumption leads to hypokalemia, Dr. Moses Elisaf, of the University of Ioannina, said in the news release.

Elisaf said the three most common ingredients in cola -- glucose, fructose and caffeine -- can contribute to hypokalemia.

"The individual role of each of these ingredients in the pathophysiology of cola-induced hypokalemia has not been determined and may vary in different patients," Elisaf said. "However, in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role. This has been borne out by case studies that focus on other products that contain high levels of caffeine but no glucose or fructose."

However, "caffeine-free cola products can also cause hypokalemia because the fructose they contain can cause diarrhea," Elisaf said.

SOURCE: International Journal of Clinical Practice, news release, May 19, 2009

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WEEK: MAY 25, 2009

Suggestions for Better Sleep

If you're frequently groggy, here are things you can try.

If you're struggling to get a good night's sleep, your sleep environment and bedtime habits may need changing.

These suggestions may help you sleep better:

· Go to bed and try to wake at the same time each day.

· Prepare for bed with a relaxing routine, such as taking a bath or reading.

· Make sure your bedroom is quiet and dark.

· Use a firm but comfortable mattress, and lots of plush pillows.

· Never perform work-related duties in your bedroom.

· Don't eat for at least two hours before you go to bed.

· Exercise each day, but never just before bedtime.

· Skip caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in the hours before bedtime.

* try some of my sleepy teas...................

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WEEK: MAY 11, 2009

Prevent Osteoporosis

Start taking care of your bones

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become brittle, fragile and break easily. Fractures from osteoporosis typically occur in the hip, spine or wrist. The condition affects mostly women over age 50, but can also affect men.

There are rarely obvious symptoms associated with osteoporosis, but tests can be done to check for bone mass and density. Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed when a weakened bone breaks from a fall or injury.

Prevention should begin early -- even as young as childhood. Diets rich in calcium and vitamin D can help strengthen bones. Getting plenty of exercise and avoiding smoking and alcohol also are important in preserving bone health.

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WEEK: APRIL 27, 2009

Why am I Losing my Hair?

Things that can trigger hair loss

It's common for both men and women to lose hair or experience thinning hair as they near middle age. But sometimes hair loss -- either temporary or permanent -- can occur at younger ages.

Temporary hair loss may be caused by stress triggered by serious illness, for example. Hair loss may also be attributed to hormonal changes or imbalances, such as an over- or under-active thyroid, or pregnancy. Correcting these hormonal imbalances can restore hair growth. Hair loss also can be triggered by certain medicines like blood thinners, drugs that treat cancer, an excess of vitamin A, medicines for gout, some birth control pills, and antidepressants. These types of hair loss are usually temporary.

Damage to the hair, caused by styling that pulls or chemically treats the hair, may cause a type of hair loss called alopecia. In these cases, hair loss may be permanent if the hair follicles are damaged.

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WEEK: APRIL 13, 2009

Cherry Juice May Ease Muscle Pain

Exercise-induced injuries may respond to antioxidants in the juice, researchers say

Drinking cherry juice after exercise may reduce muscle strain-linked pain, according to the results of a small industry-funded study.

Researchers at the University of Vermont in Burlington studied 14 volunteers who exercised for a period of seven days. Participants drank either a cherry/apple juice combination drink or a drink with no cherry juice for three days before they exercised, and for another four days after they exercised.

Exercises consisted of arm muscles that were flexed and tensed 20 times in only one arm. After two weeks, the process was repeated, with participants who previously drank cherry juice -- which contained the juice from about 50-60 cherries -- switching to the other drink mixture and vice-versa. The arm muscle exercised was also switched. The participants were asked to identify the pain and soreness in their muscles on scale of one to 10, and the researchers also analyzed muscle strength and range of motion.

Participants who drank the other juice mixture experienced a 22 percent loss in muscle strength, while those who drank the cherry juice mixture only lost 4 percent of their muscle strength. Their reported pain rating was also much lower, at 2.4 percent compared to 3.2 percent for those who drank the other juice. After 96 hours, the cherry-juice drinkers even gained some muscle strength.

Results of the study, which was funded by Cherrypharm Inc., of West Hartford, Conn., were published Wednesday in the online edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

SOURCES: British Journal of Sports Medicine, news release, June 21, 2006

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WEEK: MARCH 30, 20009

Your Teeth Are Discolored

Foods and medications are likely culprits

Stains on the teeth are often caused by foods and drinks, Red wine, coffee and tea can discolor teeth, as can foods such as blueberries, and smoking cigarettes.

The best prevention is to brush and floss regularly -- especially after eating or drinking something known to stain teeth. Natural Whitening toothpastes may help by exfoliating the teeth and removing food particles that cause stains.

Foods and drinks aren't the only culprits, however. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments also may cause tooth discoloration, as can medications to prevent malaria, some antibiotics, and some acne and rheumatoid arthritis treatments.

Taken long-term, some high blood pressure medications, antihistamines and antidepressants could stain your teeth. If you think medications may be causing tooth discoloration, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.

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WEEK: March 16, 2009

Do I Have a Cold or Flu?

They may have similar symptoms, but flu is more severe

If you're sneezing, coughing and have a fever, do you know how to tell whether you've caught a cold or have the flu?

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of cold symptoms, and how to tell them apart from symptoms of the flu:

• In general, cold symptoms are milder and come on slowly, while symptoms of the flu tend to occur very suddenly.

• It's probably a cold if you have a fever no higher than 102 degrees. The flu usually causes fevers higher than that.

• It's probably a cold if you have symptoms including a congested or runny nose, sneezing and coughing, watery eyes, and a sore throat.

• Symptoms of the flu often include nausea, chills, sweats, vomiting, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.

E-mail me for an immune enhanced program.

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WEEK: March 2, 2009

When Arthritis Affects the Hands

Signs that you may need treatment

Arthritis in the hands can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. While the condition can be managed with proper medical care, first you must recognize its common warning signs.

• Dull or burning pain in the fingers and hands, especially after you've been holding tightly to an object for an extended period.

• Swelling and warmth in and around the joints.

• A feeling of being able to move the joints less easily.

• A feeling that the joints in your hand are grinding together.

• A feeling that your joints are loose, or not as stable as they once were.

• Cysts or small bumps that appear around the joints of the fingers.

E-mail me maybe I can help.

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WEEK: FEBRUARY 16, 2009

Health Tip: Log Your Exercise

Suggestions for keeping an activity journal

You may have tried tracking what you eat, but how about logging your daily exercise?

Keeping tabs on your activity routine may even inspire you to do more.

I offer these suggestions on what to track in your exercise journal:

• Write down every physical activity that you do each day, including what you do and how long you spend doing it.

• Don't just log going for a run or lifting weights. Everyday chores that burn calories count, too. Track activities such as cleaning and vacuuming, or even walking the dog.

• Keep the journal with you, so you can write things down before you forget.

• Commit to entering information in the journal every day.

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WEEK: FEBRUARY 2, 2009

Prevent Headaches During Pregnancy

Suggestions to ward off the pain

Headaches among pregnant women are a common complaint, but in many cases they can be prevented.

I offer these suggestions:

• Make sure you're getting enough sleep, and take some time to relax.

• Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks. Low blood sugar can lead to headaches.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Get regular exercise.

• Rid your life of as much stress as possible, which can help prevent tension headaches.

• Pay attention to posture.

• Watch your caffeine intake. But don't stop all caffeine suddenly -- which in itself can cause withdrawal-related headaches.

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WEEK: JANUARY 5, 2009

Not All Dementia Is Called Alzheimer's

Vascular cognitive impairment impedes ability to organize thoughts, but it is preventable

A common form of dementia often mistaken for Alzheimer's can be prevented with good health habits, a new report says.

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), the second most common cause of dementia, occurs in up to 4 percent of Americans over age 65 and up to 20 percent of those with some form of dementia. Brain damage from multiple small strokes, which can occur from narrowing or blocked arteries in the brain, are often the cause of VCI.

An overview of the disease, published in the December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, notes that people can greatly reduce their risk of developing the disease by lowering their blood pressure, quitting smoking, and keeping diabetes and cholesterol levels under control.

VCI shares Alzheimer's symptoms such as confusion, agitation, language and memory problems, and unsteady gait and falls. However, the first symptom of VCI usually is the declining ability to organize thoughts or actions. In Alzheimer's, memory problems are usually the first sign of the condition.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, December 2008

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WEEK: DECEMBER 08, 2008

Dry Skin? Don't Let Winter Win

Here are tips for keeping supple in the cold season

Dry winter air can cause your skin to crack, chafe, itch and develop dry patches, but there are a number of things you can do to protect your skin.

During cold spells, your skin is constantly bombarded, dried out, and increasingly susceptible to infection. Here are a number of winter skin care tips:

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day, because when we're properly hydrated, our skin lubricates itself from the inside.

• Don't take long, hot showers. Instead, take shorter, warm showers. The steam and heat associated with long, hot showers can draw out moisture on the skin and cause dryness.

• Use lotions and creams to create a barrier that protects your skin against dryness. For best results, apply a product with ingredients such as shea butter and petrolatum immediately after a shower or bath, when your skin is still moist.

• Exfoliate regularly. This not only removes rough dry patches, but it promotes new cell growth and enhances the absorption of skin care products. Apply a moisturizer after exfoliating so that moisture brought to the surface doesn't immediately evaporate.

• Don't use harsh soaps or cleansers, which contain preservatives, fragrances and lye that can irritate skin. Instead, use products that contain glycerin, which traps and maintains moisture.

• Use a humidifier to counter the dry air created by furnaces and other heating devices. A humidifier in the bedroom can help combat dry skin.

It's best to start taking care of your skin early in the winter, before dryness has a chance to set in.

While we often neglect our skin, or only treat it for cosmetic reasons, it's important to remember that our skin is an organ, part of the body just like anything else, and requires constant care.

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WEEK: DECEMBER 1, 2008

Blood Pressure Too High?

Suggestions on how to bring it down

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease -- so to help your heart, you should get your blood pressure under control.

While medications can help, I offer these additional suggestions to help lower your blood pressure:

• Stop using any tobacco products.

• Boost your diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

• Reduce your consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

• Stick to a low-fat, low-sodium diet.

• Get plenty of regular exercise.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

• Try relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

• E-mail me for a customized program.

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WEEK: NOVEMBER 17, 2008

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Suggestions to help prevent regaining lost pounds

Maintaining the pounds you've lost through diet and exercise involves watching what you eat, and how much.

Suggestions:

• Plan on four or more daily servings of whole grains -- including whole wheat breads, pastas, crackers and cereals. Servings should be spread throughout the day.

• Get five or more servings each day of fruits and vegetables, which may include frozen, dried or canned fruits and veggies.

• Keep protein servings to two or three per day, and stick to lean proteins such as skinless chicken or turkey, eggs, fish or dried beans.

• Have at least two servings of low-fat dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt or cheese. If you're pregnant or breast-feeding, raise the amount to three or four servings per day.

• Limit fats, oils and sweets to only a small amount each day.

If you have any questions please E-mail me. ________________________________________________________

WEEK: NOVEMBER 10, 2008

Allergies and Your Eyes

What to do to improve symptoms

Allergens such as dust, animal dander, pollution and pollen can cause allergic conjunctivitis, a non-contagious condition that results in red, watery and itchy eyes.

Suggestions to help prevent these symptoms:

• Apply a cool washcloth across your eyes. You can make a chamomile tea, soak a cotton ball in it and lay it on your eyes.

• If you wear contact lenses, stop using them and wear glasses until symptoms clear.

• Try eye drops specifically made to treat allergic conjunctivitis. Some may require a prescription.

• Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, sometimes called "artificial tears," to soothe the eyes.

• Take an antihistamine that's been approved by your doctor. Better start taking honey from your region every day a spoon full.

• More questions e-mail me.

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WEEK: OCTOBER 27, 2008

Make Time for Breakfast

Start the day with a healthy meal

Your mother probably urged you to eat a healthy breakfast, noting it was the day's most important meal.

She was right! How to refuel your kids to begin their day:

• Keep your kitchen full of healthy, quick and easy breakfast choices.

• If morning time is at a premium, try to prepare for breakfast the night before. Set out dishes, prepare and cut up food, etc.

• Wake your family 10 minutes earlier than usual to allow time for breakfast.

• Encourage your child to help decide what to have for breakfast. The child can even help prepare it.

• Have on-the-go breakfast options ready for mornings when you're running late, including fresh fruit, yogurt, trail mix, and individual boxes of cereal.

• Pack a nutritious snack for your child if he or she isn't hungry first thing in the morning. __________________________________________________________

WEEK: OCTOBER 20, 2008

Regular Hand-Washing Can Prevent Against Colds, Flu, but fewer people taking this simple precaution

Fewer people are regularly washing their hands, even though it's one of the best ways to prevent colds and flu.

"Americans should prepare for the onslaught of the cold and flu season. Cleaning your hands regularly throughout the day can help keep you out of the doctor's office or the emergency room."

Here are some of the findings at a national survey:

• Only 85 percent of respondents said they washed their hands after going to the bathroom, down from 92 percent in 2006.

• 46 percent said they wash their hands 15 seconds or less. Fifteen to 20 seconds of hand washing with soap is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• 39 percent of respondents said they seldom or never wash their hands after coughing or sneezing, compared to 36 percent in 2006.

• 35 percent said they don't wash their hands before eating lunch, compared to 31 percent in 2006.

• 37 percent wash their hands fewer than seven times on an average day.

• Only 56 percent of respondents knew that hand washing is the most effective way to prevent colds.

Source: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

How to wash hands to effectively remove germs:

• Wet hands with warm running water before applying soap.

• Rub hands together to make a lather. Do this away from running water so the lather isn't washed away.

• Wash the front and back of your hands, between your fingers and under the nails. Wash for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

• Rinse hands well under warm running water.

• Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.

• Hand sanitizers or hand wipes are useful alternatives if soap and water aren't available for washing your hands.

• See my natural handmade soaps and shampoos.

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WEEK: OCTOBER 13, 2008

Ease PMS Symptoms

Suggestions that may help you feel better

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women before the start of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms can include moodiness, fatigue, insomnia, upset stomach, and joint and muscle pain, among others.

Suggestions to help alleviate PMS symptoms:

• Take a daily multivitamin with folic acid, and a calcium supplement with vitamin D.

• Get plenty of exercise.

• Stick to a healthy diet, including lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, before and during your period.

• Avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and smoking, especially when you have PMS symptoms.

• Try to get eight hours of sleep every night.

• Alleviate stress by talking to friends, exercising or keeping a journal.

• Try an herbal pain reliever to ease sore breasts, muscle pain, headaches or painful cramps.

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WEEK: OCTOBER 06, 2008

Controlling Hot Flashes

Keep your cool

Hot flashes are a common side effect of hormonal changes that occur during menopause.

Here are suggestions on how to prepare for hot flashes, especially at bedtime:

Keep your bedroom cool, and keep a nearby fan on while you sleep.

Wear light, cotton pajamas.

Put cotton or "t-shirt" sheets on the bed to help absorb sweat.

Have an extra clean pair of pajamas and sheets near the bed, so you can quickly change them if they get too damp.

Before heading to bed, take a warm bath or shower.

E-MAIL ME FOR SOME HERBAL RELIEF

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WEEK: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Give Heartburn the Heave-Ho

Some tips: Loosen your belt at dinner, and sleep on your left side

Millions of Americans are plagued with heartburn, but a few easy lifestyle changes can help reduce or eliminate symptoms.

Here are some tips from the May issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter:

Eat smaller meals. This helps reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, the ring of muscles that normally keeps digestive acid in your stomach.

Avoid "trigger" foods. Most people have specific foods that cause heartburn. These may include fatty or fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onion, tomato-based foods, spicy foods, citrus, caffeine, or nicotine.

Loosen your belt. Tightness around your waist pressures the lower abdomen and lower esophageal sphincter.

Don't lie down after eating. Wait at least three hours after you eat before you go to bed or stretch out on the couch.

Quit smoking. Smoking can increase stomach acid. Swallowing air during smoking may also aggravate acid reflux.

Stay slim. Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for heartburn.

Elevate during sleep. For example, use bricks or blocks to raise the head of your bed about six inches, in order to get a bit of help from gravity in keeping stomach acid where it belongs. You can also insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Using an extra pillow to elevate your head isn't sufficient.

Turn left. Sleeping on your left side may help your stomach empty better.

If heartburn continues to be a problem, discuss it with your doctor or holistic health practitioner. Treatment options include dietary supplements and herbal preparations.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, April 26, 2006

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WEEK: SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

Health Tip: Eating a Brain-Healthy Diet

Nutritional suggestions to help keep your mind sharp

What you eat can go a long way toward keeping your brain sharp and efficient.

Brain-healthy nutritional suggestions:

• Vegetables -- Eat as many as you can, of all different colors, shapes and varieties.

• Antioxidants -- Found in vitamins C, E and beta carotene, you should get plenty of these substances. They occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables.

• Omega-3 fatty acids -- They are found in fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, whitefish, tuna and sablefish.

• A B vitamin -- Take one daily.

• A multivitamin -- Also take one daily, but never exceed recommended dose. Taking more vitamins doesn't make it healthier -- doing so could be dangerous.

>E-MAIL ME I CAN HELP

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WEEK: SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

Eating Less May Slow Aging Process

Cutting just 300 calories a day slows metabolism, tissue failure, study says

Cutting just 300 to 500 calories a day from your diet could be the key to slowing the signs of aging and living longer, according to a new study.

Studies have long shown that reducing calorie intake slows the aging process in rats and mice. A popular theory is that fewer daily calories decreases production of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue aging.

A new study, by Saint Louis University researchers, found this hormone decrease occurs when humans regularly skip rich desserts or substitute a turkey sandwich for a Big Mac and fries every day.

"Our research provides evidence that calorie restriction does work in humans like it has been shown to work in animals," study lead author Edward Weiss, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences, said in a prepared statement. "The next step is to determine if this in fact slows age-related tissue deterioration. The only way to be certain, though, is to do a long-term study."

The findings, published in the June 2008 issue of Rejuvenation Research, are based on a study of healthy but sedentary, non-smoking, 50- to 60-year-old men and post-menopausal women. For a year, the volunteers participated in either: a calorie-restriction group that cut their daily calorie intake by 300 to 500 calories per day; a group that stayed on their regular diet and exercised regularly; or a group that maintained its normal routine.

While those in the calorie-restriction and exercise groups both lost body fat mass, only those in the calorie restriction group also had lower levels of the thyroid hormone.

Although a long-term study is still needed to determine if reducing T3 levels through calorie restriction does indeed slow the aging process, Weiss said cutting back on calories is a good idea.

"There is plenty of evidence the calorie restriction can reduce your risks for many common diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," Weiss said. "And you may live to be substantially older."

Weiss warned that while cutting calories, people need to maintain a healthy diet by eating nutrient-rich foods. He noted that long-term slowing of the metabolism could also make people more prone to weight gain over time.

The key to maintaining a healthy weight, Weiss said, is keeping a consistent diet and exercising regularly.

SOURCE: Saint Louis University Medical Center, news release, July 2, 2008.

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WEEK: SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

Monitor the Mercury in Your Food

Pregnant women and young children should be especially cautious

Mercury is found in many types of fish and shellfish. Because significant amounts of mercury can harm unborn babies and young children, women who are or may become pregnant, those who are nursing, and young children should avoid some kinds of seafood.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers these guidelines:

• Avoid eating fish that contain high levels of mercury, including swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish.

• It's OK to eat up to 12 ounces per week of low-mercury fish and shellfish -- including shrimp, salmon, canned light tuna, pollock and catfish.

• Albacore tuna and tuna steak have more mercury than canned light tuna, so don't eat more than 6 ounces of albacore or tuna steak per week.

• Before you eat any fish caught locally, be aware of any advisories about the safety of local fish.

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WEEK: SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

Pain Reliever Side Effects

Know potential risks before you take them

Before you take a pain reliever for conditions such as headache, sinusitis, muscle or joint pain, make sure you know about the potential side effects.

You should talk to your doctor about these potential risks of pain medications:

• Liver damage can occur in people who take large quantities of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), or in those who already have liver problems.

• Gastrointestinal problems -- such as ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding or upset stomach -- can occur in people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for long periods. NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen.

• Kidney damage, if NSAIDs are used frequently for long periods.

• NSAIDs may interact with medicines that people take to combat high blood pressure.

• NSAIDs can also elevate blood pressure on their own.

• In rare cases, people can be allergic to pain medications.

• THEY ALSO TAKE VITAL VITAMINS OUT OF YOUR BODY.

• E-MAIL ME I CAN HELP

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WEEK: AUGUST 25, 2008

Help Control Irritable Bowel

Diet changes can help prevent symptoms

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic illness of the digestive tract. There are two main types: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Suggestions to help keep IBD under control:

• Take certain nutritional supplements. Discuss options with your doctor or Holistic Health Practitioner.

• Reduce the amount of dairy products in your diet.

• Eat a low-fat diet recommended by your doctor or Holistic Health Practitioner.

• Stay away from foods high in undigestible fiber, as well as highly seasoned foods.

• Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

• E-mail me I can help.

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WEEK: AUGUST 18, 2008

Prevent Back Injury

Suggestions on how to lift things properly

Lifting or carrying objects -- even light ones -- can cause injury and pain if you don't follow the proper techniques.

Suggestions to help prevent back injuries:

• Take the time to stretch your legs and back before doing a lot of carrying or lifting.

• Wear safety protection on your hands and feet.

• Use a stool or sturdy ladder to reach objects that are seated above your shoulders.

• Keep your feet solid. Lift with your legs, not your back. Carry the object close to you.

• Always get help carrying very heavy objects.

• Keep your stomach pulled in and use those muscles to support your back.

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WEEK: AUGUST 11, 2008

Health Tip: Prevent Dehydration

Drink before you get thirsty

It's easy to get dehydrated if you're not careful. A stomach bug, sweating outside in the hot weather, and just not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, a serious condition.

Stay well-hydrated with these suggestions:

• Drink plenty of fluids -- especially water -- each day.

• When exercising or sweating, and during hot weather, be sure to drink more water.

• Elderly people, children and people who are sick need to be carefully monitored to prevent dehydration.

• Drink plenty of fluids if you are vomiting, have a fever, or have diarrhea.

• If you think you may be starting to get dehydrated, contact your doctor at once -- before you start to have symptoms.

• Warning signs of dehydration may include: not producing tears, sunken eyes, little or no urine output for eight hours or more, rapid heartbeat, listlessness, and dry skin, mouth or eyes. _________________________________________________________

Week: AUGUST 04, 2008

Prevent Heartburn

Stay clear of foods that cause symptoms

Foods that trigger heartburn in many people include chocolate, fatty and spicy foods, and dairy products.

Avoiding foods and beverages that trigger your symptoms is paramount, but you can also do other things to prevent the onset of heartburn:

• If you are overweight, come up with a plan to lose those extra pounds.

• Don't smoke.

• When you lie down, make sure your head is about 6 inches higher than your feet.

• Don't lie down for at least two hours after you eat.

• E-Mail me I can help

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WEEK: JULY 21, 2008

Rid Your Home of Dust Mites

And help prevent asthma and allergy symptoms

Creating a clean environment will help rid your home of dust mites, making breathing easier in people with allergies and asthma.

Try these suggestions for getting rid of the microscopic insects from your home:

• Ensure that the humidity level of your home is below 50 percent. During the summer months, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.

• Wash all linens every week in hot water, in a temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Use protective airtight coverings over mattresses, and apply tape over the zippers.

• Avoid carpeting. Use washable rugs instead.

• Damp mop and dust your home often.

• Use washable curtains and window coverings, and clean them regularly.

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WEEK: JULY 14, 2008

Staying Emotionally Healthy

Suggestions to maintain a sound mind

People who are emotionally healthy handle stress well, have a positive self-image, and are able to sustain healthy relationships.

Suggestions to help you stay emotionally healthy:

• Establish what you are feeling, and what's causing those feelings.

• Be open with yourself and others about your emotions, instead of keeping the sources of stress and anxiety to yourself.

• Focus on the positive things in your life instead of dwelling on the negative. Deal with what's bothering you, but don't let it overwhelm you.

• Try relaxation methods, including meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises.

• Take care of your physical self with a healthy diet, regular exercise and a good sleep schedule.

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WEEK: JUNE 23, 2008

Symptoms of Computer Strain

Signs that you may have an injury

Frequent computer use -- especially when it involves poor posture or keystroke repetition -- can damage nerves, muscles, tendons or ligaments.

Here are common symptoms of computer-related injury:

** Numbness of the fingers.

** Pain or soreness in the lower back, neck, shoulders or wrists.

** Headache.

** Dryness, redness and soreness of the eyes, or blurred vision.

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WEEK: JUNE 16, 2008

Reduce Your Risk of Anemia

Women are more likely than men to become anemic

Anemia occurs when there aren't enough red blood cells in your blood, or they are deficient in a protein called hemoglobin. This means your red blood cells don't carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body.

Women and people with chronic disease are at greater risk of becoming anemic.

Suggestions to help prevent anemia:

• Get plenty of iron in your diet by eating such foods as leafy green vegetables, lean red meats, iron-fortified breads and cereals, fish and dried fruits.

• Consume foods with plenty of vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to help your body absorb more iron.

• Avoid restrictive or fad diets that prevent a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals.

• Don't drink coffee or tea with meals. They make it more difficult for your body to absorb iron.

• Get tested for anemia every five to 10 years while in your childbearing years. If your doctor tells you that you're at greater risk of anemia, the physician may recommend annual testing.

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WEEK APRIL 28, 2008

If You Have Sinus Problems

Know what triggers your pain

Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, can lead to a sinus infection.

Knowing what triggers your sinusitis can help you prevent -- or at least prepare -- for the problem.

Factors that can cause sinus problems:

• Exposure to air pollution or cigarette smoke.

• Diving or swimming.

• Excessive use of nasal decongestants.

• Exposure to an allergen or another foreign substance that enters the nasal passages.

• Undergoing an abrupt change in altitude, such as when flying.

• Having certain medical conditions, including GERD, pregnancy and asthma.

• Having dental work or suffering a head injury.



ASK ME ABOUT SOME HELPING HERBS OR TRY

Bioforce Sinus Relief Tablets (to order : look at herbal teas etc.)

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WEEK: APRIL 21, 2008

EARLY-STAGE ALZHEIMER'S

How to maintain some independence

People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may fear losing their independence and being reliant on someone else.

Here are suggestions on how to maintain independence longer, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:

• Hire a service or ask a friend to help with activities, such as paying bills, cooking meals, cleaning the house or going to the grocery.

• Write instructions on how to work appliances, place labels on items you frequently forget, and compose notes to help you remember to perform certain tasks.

• Help keep your home safe by reducing the risk of slips and falls. For example, install grab bars in the bathroom. Also, make sure appliances have automatic shutoffs.

• Enroll in a safety alert program, so you can immediately get help if you need it.

• If you can't drive, get a bus schedule, have a cab company's phone number handy, or ask friends and family to drive you.

• Try to stay as physically and socially active as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

ASK ME ABOUT SOME HELPING HERBS........

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WEEK: APRIL 14, 2008

HAVING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Are you at risk?

Having high blood pressure puts you at higher-than-normal risk of heart disease and stroke, among other medical problems.

Here are risk factors that may make you more likely to develop high blood pressure:

• Being significantly overweight or obese.

• Eating a diet that's too high in sodium (salt).

• Drinking alcohol to excess, or too frequently.

• Getting insufficient exercise.

• Feeling too much stress or anxiety.

• Having a family history of high blood pressure.

• Being African-American.

• Being age 35 or older.

ASK ME ABOUT SOME HELPING HERBS.....

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WEEK: APRIL 07, 2008

TAME TENSION HEADACHES

How to help prevent and control them

Tension headaches are often triggered by stress or anxiety, causing pain and muscle tension in the head and neck.

Here are suggestions to help keep tension headaches at bay:

• Help control stress and anxiety with exercise, meditation, yoga or other stress-relieving methods.

• Get plenty of sleep each night.

• If you have muscle soreness in the upper back, neck or head, gently massage the muscles in these areas.

• Know what causes headaches for you, and try to prevent the condition. For example, if cold temperatures tend to cause your headaches, try to keep warm.

• Try sleeping with a different pillow, or sleeping in a different position.

• Maintain good posture. Exercise the neck and shoulders often, especially when typing, reading or working at a computer.

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WEEK: MARCH 31, 2008

AVOIDING CELLULITE

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Cellulite is fat that collects just under the surface of the skin, and causes a dimply appearance. It appears most often on the hips, thighs and buttocks.

Here are suggestions to help prevent cellulite:

• Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber in your diet.

• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well-hydrated.

• Maintain good muscle tone and strong bones with regular exercise.

• Try to stay at a healthy body weight, and avoid frequently gaining and losing weight.

• Don't smoke.

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WEEK: MARCH 24, 2008

IF YOUR CHILD IS A VEGETARIAN

Make sure the child gets the right nutrients

If your child is a vegetarian, it's important to make sure that he or she eats a varied, balanced and healthy diet.

Here are some guidelines:

• For children up to age 1, breast milk or a fortified, soy formula should be the primary source of nutrition.

• Do not limit dietary fat for children younger than age 2.

• Young children should drink plenty of milk or a fortified substitute to make sure they get enough calcium, protein, vitamin D and riboflavin.

• Give your child a vitamin B12 supplement if no animal products are eaten.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of iron from foods such as spinach, raisins, iron-fortified cereals and whole grains, prunes and prune juice.

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WEEK: MARCH 10, 2008

ANTIBIOTICS DO LITTLE FOR INNER EAR INFECTIONS

No reason to give them to kids to try to prevent fluid buildup, analysis shows

Antibiotics don't significantly reduce fluid buildup in young children with inner ear infections, a new analysis shows.

Whether such drugs work in this regard has been a matter of conjecture, with one recent study suggesting a benefit in children aged 2 and under. So, Dutch researchers did a meta-analysis of several previously published studies and found the results don't support the use of antibiotics for the fluid buildup that can accompany inner ear infections.

"Due to the marginal effect and the known negative effects of prescribing antibiotics, such as the development of antibiotic resistance and side effects, we do not recommend prescribing antibiotics to prevent middle ear effusion," said lead researcher Maroeska M. Rovers, from the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care at the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands.

Ear infections are very common among infants and children. They can lead to fluid buildup in the ear, which is known as otitis media with effusion. This buildup can result in hearing loss, which can affect language development, cognitive development, behavior and quality of life, according to the researchers.

The report was published in the February issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

In the study, Rovers' team collected data on 1,328 children aged 6 months to 12 years with acute middle ear infection. These children had participated in five studies that compared treating ear infections with antibiotics to a placebo or no treatment at all.

Among the children in the studies, 44 percent were younger than 2. Of these children, 51.8 percent had recurrent ear infections. It was in this group of children that the risk of fluid buildup was the greatest.

Rovers' group found that the children taking antibiotics were 90 percent as likely to develop fluid buildup as children who weren't taking the medications. However, this difference was not statistically significant. "No difference in the development of effusion could be detected between the placebo and the antibiotics group," Rovers said.

"More research is, however, needed to identify relevant subgroups of children that have middle ear effusion that might benefit from other treatments," Rovers added.

One expert noted that doctors do not routinely prescribe antibiotics to prevent fluid buildup in ear infections.

"To the best of my knowledge, physicians generally don't prescribe antibiotics for acute otitis media in order to prevent middle-ear effusion; they prescribe them to bring about more prompt resolution of the infection and of its symptoms, especially pain," said Dr. Jack Paradise, a professor of pediatrics and otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The question of prescribing to prevent middle-ear effusion has become a non-issue over the past decade, Paradise said. "Asymptomatic middle-ear effusion is extraordinarily common and has been shown to be essentially harmless under ordinary circumstances," he said.

SOURCES: Maroeska M. Rovers, Ph.D., University Medical Center Utrecht, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Jack Paradise, M.D., professor, pediatrics and otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and pediatrician, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; February 2008, Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

MAYBE YOU WANT TO TRY A MORE NATURAL APPROACH, TRY THE EAR DROP OIL OR E-MAIL ME.

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WEEK: MARCH 3, 2008

VITAMIN D MAY CURB FALLS IN HIGH-RISK OLDER WOMEN

Supplementation tied to a 23% reduced risk of falling in winter, spring

Vitamin D2 supplements may help reduce the risk of falls among high-risk elderly women, Australian researchers report.

"Approximately one-third of women older than 65 fall each year, and six percent sustain a fracture as a result of the fall. In addition, fear of falling is a major problem in older people," according to background information in the study, conducted by Dr. Richard L. Prince, of the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, Australia, and colleagues.

Because the body produces vitamin D in response to sun exposure and because this study was conducted in a sunny climate, the researchers recruited women with blood vitamin D levels below the median for the area (24 nanograms per milliliter). All the 302 women in the study were aged between 70 and 90 and had a history of falling in the previous year.

For the study, all the women received 1,000 milligrams of calcium citrate per day. Half of the women also received 1,000 international units of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) while the other half received a placebo.

During the study period, 80 women (53 percent) in the vitamin D2 group and 95 women (62.9 percent) in the control group fell at least once. After accounting for other factors, the researchers concluded that taking vitamin D2 reduced the risk of having at least one fall by 19 percent.

"When those who fell were grouped by the season of first fall or the number of falls they had, ergocalciferol treatment reduced the risk of having the first fall in winter and spring but not in summer and autumn, and reduced the risk of having one fall but not multiple falls," the study authors wrote.

The vitamin D supplementation, added to high calcium intake, was associated with a 23 percent reduced risk of falling in winter/spring -- to the same level as summer/autumn.

"It is interesting that the ergocalciferol therapy effect was confined to those who were to sustain one fall but not those destined to have more than one fall," they wrote. "Older people who fall frequently tend to have more risk factors for falling, including greater degrees of disability and poorer levels of physical function."

Boosting vitamin D levels may not be sufficient to prevent falls in these people, the authors said.

The study was published in the Jan. 14 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, Jan. 14, 2008 _________________________________________________________

WEEK: FEBRUARY 25, 2008

GET PLENTY OF POTASSIUM

A DEFICIENCY CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING

Potassium is a dietary mineral that's vital to the body and healthy cell function. A big drop in the body's potassium levels can be life-threatening.

List of common symptoms of potassium deficiency:

• An abnormal heart rhythm (particularly in people with heart conditions).

• Constipation.

• Fatigue.

• Weakness in the muscles, or muscle spasms.

• Paralysis, including paralysis of the lungs.

**Order your Nutri-Body-Analysis to make sure you are not deficient.**

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WEEK: FEBRUARY 18, 2008

SMALL LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN BOOST LONGEVITY

Not smoking, exercising, moderate drinking, eating veggies could add 14 years, study says

People with four healthy lifestyle behaviors -- not smoking, physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and eating five servings of fruit or vegetables a day -- live an average of 14 years longer than people with none of those behaviors, a new British study contends.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research Council looked at 20,000 men and women, aged 45-79, who filled out a questionnaire about the four health behaviors. The participants, none of whom had known cancer or heart or circulatory disease, filled out the questionnaire between 1993 and 1997 and were followed until 2006.

For each of the four healthy lifestyle behaviors, a participant received one point.

After they factored in age, the researchers found that participants with zero points were four times more likely to have died over an average period of 11 years than those with four points.

In addition, the study authors concluded that participants with a score of zero had the same risk of dying as someone 14 years older with a score of four. This was independent of body-mass index (BMI) and social class.

While the findings need to be confirmed in other populations and an analysis of how these combined health behaviors affect quality of life is needed, the researchers said the results suggest that these four healthy lifestyle behaviors could markedly improve the health of middle-aged and older people.

The study is part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), conducted in 10 European countries. EPIC is the largest-ever study of diet and health.

There is strong evidence that individual lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet and physical activity influence health and longevity, but there has been little research into their combined impact, according to background information in a news release about the study.

SOURCE: PLoS Medicine, news release, Jan. 7, 2008

(NEED HELP TO FIND YOUR RIGHT LIFESTYLE, E-MAIL ME)

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WEEK: February 11, 2008

'COUCH POTATO' LIFESTYLE HELPS DRIVE DIABETES

Lack of exercise ups the risk for the disease; study finds

A new study offers another compelling reason to get up off the sofa and exercise.

The research shows that people with type 2 diabetes, or those at risk for the obesity-linked disease, are less likely to be physically active than those who are not at risk.

The benefits of physical activity in preventing diabetes are well-documented, but the message does not seem to be getting through, people don't think of inactivity as abnormal.

An estimated 20 million U.S. children and adults have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, although some are not yet aware they have it. Most -- about 95 percent -- have the obesity-linked type 2 form of the illness, but a minority has type 1 diabetes, an inherited condition in which the body fails to produce enough insulin.

In a study, evaluated data from a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population called the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which included more than 23,000 adults. Respondents answered questions about whether they engaged in moderate or vigorous activity 30 minutes or more at least three times a week. They found that just 39 percent of adults with diabetes were physically active, compared to 58 percent of those without diabetes.

Among those who did not have the disease but had risk factors for it, the researchers found that the more the risk factors, the less likely the people were to be active. As the number of risk factors [for diabetes] increased, the proportion of people saying they are active decreases.

Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes -- in which the body does not properly use insulin, the hormone which allows glucose to enter cells -- include being 45 years of age or older and having a body mass index of BMI of 25 or higher, the threshold for being considered overweight. If people had four risk factors, for instance, only 42 percent were active.

While consumers, especially those with diabetes or at risk for developing it, need to take charge and become active, health care providers should be more pro-active about encouraging exercise, too.

We, as clinicians, have to be much more assertive. I suggested that health care providers need to question patients more, asking them such things as, "Are you dancing?" "Are you walking?" "Are you parking in the back of the parking lot?"

SOURCES: Cathy Nonas, M.S., R.D., certified diabetes educator and director, obesity and diabetes program, North General Hospital, New York City, and spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association; Elaine Morrato, M.P.H., Dr.P.H., assistant professor, pediatrics and preventive medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine and assistant professor, clinical pharmacy, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Denver; February 2007, Diabetes Care

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WEEK: FEBRUARY 04, 2008

BAD BREATH ISN'T ALWAYS A HARMLESS PROBLEM

Sometimes it can indicate a serious condition

Although halitosis (bad breath) usually is nothing more than a harmless reflection of what you've eaten, sometimes it's a sign of a serious dental or medical condition, the American Dental Association says.

Halitosis could indicate chronic bronchitis or sinusitis, postnasal drip, gastrointestinal illness, and liver or kidney disease, the ADA warns.

If watching the foods you eat and brushing and flossing regularly do not control halitosis, the ADA recommends talking to your dentist about any other conditions that may be responsible, including periodontal disease. If your dentist doesn't find a cause, you should talk with your doctor.

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WEEK JANUARY 28, 2008

OMEGA-3s GUARD AGAINST TYPE 1 DIABETES

High-risk kids who ate more fatty acids were less likely to develop diabetes, study says

Youngsters at high risk for developing type 1 diabetes might be able to prevent the disease by eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a new study suggests.

Reporting of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from the University of Colorado found that high-risk children with the highest omega-3 intake had up to a 55 percent reduced risk of type 1 diabetes.

"The kids with more omega-3 in their diets were about half as likely to develop type 1 diabetes than those with less," said study author Jill Norris, a professor in the department of preventive medicine and biometrics at the Barbara David Center for Childhood Diabetes at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, walnuts and certain plant oils, such as canola and olive. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and are believed to help reduce the incidence of heart disease.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the islet cells in the pancreas. Insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, is produced by the islet cells. In past research, scientists discovered that Norwegian children who were regularly given cod liver oil supplements, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, had a lower incidence of type 1 diabetes. It wasn't clear, however, whether the vitamin D or the omega-3 was responsible for the reduced risk.

To assess the affect of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on the risk of type 1 diabetes, Norris and her colleagues recruited 1,770 children who were at high risk for developing type 1 diabetes, either because they had a family member with the disease or because they had genetic markers that put them at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes.

Parents began periodically reporting dietary intake when the children were a year old. The average age at follow-up was 6.2 years. During that time period, 58 children developed type 1 diabetes, according to the study.

The researchers found no statistically significant differences in the rate of diabetes based on omega-6 consumption, however, there was a 55 percent reduced risk in those who reported consuming the most omega-3 fatty acids.

Because self-reported dietary information isn't always the most reliable indicator of actual consumption, the researchers conducted an analysis that included 244 children and measured a biomarker of omega-3 consumption from the blood. In this subgroup, the researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid consumption reduced the risk of type 1 diabetes by 37 percent.

Norris said the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s may be behind this potentially protective effect. "Inflammation is part of the very early process of diabetes," she explained.

"In type 1 diabetes, there is an inflammatory response that causes [islet] cell destruction, and it may be that omega-3 is a modulator of that inflammation," said Dr. Stuart Weiss, an endocrinologist at New York University Medical Center. Weiss cautioned that this effect may not be permanent, however. "It may just be that omega-3s have delayed the onset of the disease, but the longer those cells function, the better."

Weiss said he hopes the findings prompt a large, randomized, controlled study to confirm whether or not omega-3 consumption can truly prevent diabetes.

Norris said it's too soon to recommend that children, even those at high risk of diabetes, consume more omega-3s for the prevention of diabetes.

Weiss said that omega-3 fatty acids are often already part of a healthy diet since they're found in fish, fish oil and plant oils.

More information

SOURCES: Jill Norris, M.P.H., Ph.D., professor, department of preventive medicine and biometrics, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center; Stuart Weiss, M.D., endocrinologist, New York University Medical Center, and clinical assistant professor, New York University School of Medicine, New York City; Sept. 26, 2007, Journal of the American Medical Association

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WEEK: JANUARY 07, 2008

DRUG AND FOOD INTERACTIONS

Ways to help prevent them

Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can negatively interact with foods, supplements or other drugs.

Here are guidelines to help prevent food-drug interactions, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Check prescription and over-the-counter drug labels to see if they contain any warnings.

• Follow directions on all medications carefully.

• Unless you get your doctor's OK, never break up pills and mix them with food, and never empty capsules into food.

• Take medications with a whole glass of water, unless your doctor has given you other instructions. Never take medications with alcohol.

• Don't take your medications at the same time as you take vitamins or dietary supplements.

• Don't mix medications in a hot drink, as the heat may affect the medication.

IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS REGARDING INTERACTIONS PLEASE E-MAIL

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WEEK: December 17, 2007

HANGOVER HELP

Suggestions for holiday revelers

If you've overindulged at the office party and are nursing a holiday hangover, I offer these helpful do's and don'ts:

• Don't have another drink the next day to make yourself feel better.

• Coffee, greasy food or a cold shower won't help your body metabolize the alcohol any faster.

• Do eat foods high in complex carbohydrates, like bread or crackers, that may help prevent low blood sugar and may soothe nausea.

• Do get plenty of sleep to help feel more rested.

• Do drink plenty of water or fruit juice -- but nothing caffeinated -- to help rehydrate yourself.

• Don't take acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) to help your hangover, as it may harm the liver when combined with alcohol.

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WEEK: December 10, 2007

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES

Some helpful tips if the season is less than joyful

With the holidays just about here, so, too, are the comforting seasonal images of cheer -- family get-togethers, lavish dinners, and the bustle of shopping and gift-giving.

But for some, the holidays are a source of sadness. The period from Thanksgiving to New Year's can offer unwanted reminders of loss -- perhaps the death of a loved one or a recent divorce.

A number of factors can contribute to the "holiday blues," including troubled family relationships, stress, fatigue, lack of sunlight, unrealistic expectations, images in the media, and financial constraints. The holidays also come at the end of the year, when people tend to evaluate what they have done in the previous year. If they feel like they haven't made sufficient progress, they may feel a sense of loss.

People struggling with the holiday blues may experience feelings of sadness, tension, and stress; changes in sleep patterns; a lack of energy; diminished interest in favorite activities; or excessive drinking or eating.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope.

Maintaining healthful lifestyle patterns and getting together with others is especially important during the holidays. I suggest making a special effort to get as much sunlight as possible, exercise regularly, eat a healthful diet, and keep up social connections during the holiday season.

If you're feeling sad, stressed, or tense during the holidays, do the following:

*Set reasonable goals. To avoid overextending yourself during the holidays, plan ahead, avoid chaotic situations, and stick to a budget.

*Have reasonable expectations. If your holidays aren't perfect, that's OK. Prioritize what is and isn't important for you to do.

*Get enough rest. Set aside time for yourself to relax and sleep during the busy season.

*Avoid dwelling on the past. If you find yourself focusing on unpleasant thoughts, find something else to do, such as taking a walk or visiting a friend.

*Focus on the positive. Instead of worrying about what you haven't done in the past year, talk with someone about all the positive things that have happened during that time.

*Don't overindulge in alcohol or food. Enjoy holiday meals in moderation, because excessive food and drink will just make you feel worse.

Fortunately, the symptoms of depression associated with the holiday season usually don't last. The holiday blues should lift within a couple of weeks after the holiday season ends.

But get help if you think you need it. If you have a marked change in your sleep or energy patterns, or struggle with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek the help of an experienced mental-health practitioner.

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WEEK: December 03, 2007

ORANGE JUICE BEST AT STOPPING KIDNEY STONES

It outperformed lemonade and other citrus juices, study found

An independent study finds that orange juice beats lemonade and other citrus fruit juices in helping to keep kidney stones at bay.

Experts have long known that potassium citrate -- found in citrus juice -- can slow stone formation in people with a history of the condition.

But this study, by a team from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, found that other components can affect a juice's ability to prevent stones.

Thirteen volunteers (some with a history of kidney stones and some without) took part in the multi-phase trial, which was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. For one week, participants drank distilled water, for another week orange juice, and then lemonade for another week. There was a three-week interval between each of these weeks.

During each phase, the participants drank 13 ounces of orange juice, lemonade or distilled water three times a day with meals. They were also put on a low-calcium, low-oxalate diet, which also helps cut stone formation.

The study found that orange juice increased levels of citrate in the urine and reduced the crystallization of uric acid and calcium oxalate, the most common components of kidney stones. Lemonade did not increase citrate levels.

"One reason might be the different constituents of various beverages," study lead author Dr. Clarita Odvina, assistant professor of internal medicine at the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, said in a prepared statement.

Odvina noted that the citrate in orange and grapefruit is accompanied by a potassium ion while the citrate in lemonade and cranberry juice is accompanied by a hydrogen ion. While hydrogen ions counteract the beneficial effects of high citrate content, potassium ions do not.

SOURCE: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, news release, Aug. 31, 2006

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WEEK: November 26, 2007

HOLIDAY DEPRESSION AND STRESS

The holiday season can be a time full of joy, cheer, parties and family gatherings. But for many people, it is a time of self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures and anxiety about an uncertain future.

What Causes Holiday Blues?

Many factors can cause the “holiday blues”: stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s family and friends. The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension. People may also develop other stress responses such as headaches, excessive drinking, over-eating and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let down after January 1. This can result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded by the excess fatigue and stress.

Coping with Stress & Depression during the Holidays

• Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities.

• Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Don’t put the entire focus on just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day). Remember that it’s a season of holiday sentiment, and activities can be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.

• Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.

• Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”

• Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some of your time to help others.

• Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, going window shopping or making a snowperson with children.

• Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.

• Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.

• Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends, or contact someone you haven’t heard from in a while.

• Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others share in the responsibility of planning activities.

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

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WEEK: November 19, 2007

HOLIDAY STRESS CAN BE NAVIGATED

Forget media images and set a course for practicality.

For many people, stress, exhaustion and depression are as much a part of the holiday season as turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

There are media images of attractive friends and family gathering for the holidays. They all look like they are having more fun than you.

This can breed a sense of discontent about your life, is it any wonder that many people feel seriously depressed at this time of year?

We offer some suggestions on how to keep stress at bay during the holidays.

First, have realistic expectations: We shouldn't expect week upon week of unending happiness during the holidays. There will be ups and downs just like during the rest of the year. Nor should we expect our homes, families and ourselves to look and behave like the mythic creatures on television and in magazines.

Reach out to other people: In attempting to keep up with our long list of 'shoulds,' it's very easy to get focused only on ourselves or the needs of our immediate families. You may come away from the holidays feeling like you haven't 'measured up.' Sometimes the best antidote for this self-focus is reaching out to someone who truly has less.

Make decisions about which holiday activities/rituals you want to participate in: Be honest with yourself. Do you really enjoy baking? Or holiday cards? Or matching outfits for everyone? Or home decorations that look like Martha Stewart is stopping by? If your answer is yes, then by all means continue. If the answer is no, then think about dropping the activities you don't like, or assigning them to someone else.

Take care of your body: we suggest that you don't eat or drink too much. Get enough sleep and exercise.

It is possible for us to get through the holidays with a sense of sanity and balance. Let's all resolve to make conscious choices about how much we want to do this year. Everyone in our lives will notice a difference. And, maybe this year, the holidays can be fun.

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WEEK: November 12, 2007

TEMPTING HOLIDAY TREATS CAN BE HARD TO SWALLOW

Fatty foods, alcohol and overeating are triggers for acid reflux

The holiday season can be hard to stomach for the estimated 15 million Americans with chronic heartburn, otherwise known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for people with GERD, the large amounts of food we eat during the holidays, and the types of food served during the holidays -- especially fatty and caffeinated foods -- can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers.

People with GERD have a relaxed or weakened lower esophageal sphincter -- the muscular valve between the stomach and the esophagus. This type of weakened valve doesn't properly block stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.

After they eat, people with GERD often experience a burning feeling in their chest and a sour taste in their mouth. Some GERD symptoms can be relieved by making lifestyle changes, such as not eating certain kinds of foods and avoiding large meals.

I offer the following holiday tips for people with GERD:

•Don't overeat. - Large amounts of food distend, or stretch the stomach, which can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and release acid back up through the esophagus.

•Avoid caffeinated beverages and foods that can aggravate GERD symptoms.

•Don't eat fatty, greasy foods. - Excessive fats in foods work to slow the process of food leaving the stomach. If food isn't emptied from the stomach, it can back up into the esophagus. Fatty and greasy foods also promote relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

•Don't drink red wine, which as been shown to cause heartburn. White wine can also be a problem.

•The time of day can affect GERD symptoms. - Gravity actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day. So, when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux. People who tend to have GERD symptoms at night should not eat or drink anything for three to four hours before bedtime.

More information : The American College of Gastroenterology has more about GERD. SOURCE: University of Michigan Health System, news release, November 2006

E -mail me I can help.

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WEEK: November 5,2007

THE IMPORTANCE OF CALCIUM

It's crucial to get enough at a young age

Calcium is a necessary mineral to build and preserve strong bones, strong and healthy teeth, and healthy muscles and tissues.

Plenty of calcium at a young age -- particularly in adolescence -- is very important to protecting bones later in life and preventing osteoporosis.

Bone mass continues to grow until about age 30 or 35. Calcium in milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products will help build bone mass. The mineral can also be found in leafy green vegetables, dried beans and fruits, and nuts like almonds.

Because the cells in bones are constantly being destroyed and reproduced, the body needs to take in more calcium than what it processes. If enough calcium isn't consumed, more bone tissue is destroyed than is created and bones are weakened.

The Harvard School of Public Health recommends about 550 milligrams of calcium per day, but that quantity can vary by age. The recommendation is 1000 milligrams a day for people between the ages of 19-50, and 1,200 milligrams a day for people aged 50 and older.

To utilities calcium efficiently you may consider a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D complex dietary supplement.

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WEEK: October 29,2007

RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Lifestyle is a major player

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn't properly process the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This form of diabetes is controlled with medication and/or dietary supplements, proper diet and exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse lists common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

• Being overweight.

• Being over age 45.

• Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.

• Giving birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds).

• Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

• Having a history of heart disease.

• Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and getting little or no exercise.

E-MAIL ME AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON A LIFESTYLE PROGRAM FOR YOU

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WEEK: October 22,2007

AS SUNLIGHT FADES, LOOK OUT FOR SAD

Seasonal affective disorder sets in in the fall

If your mood, energy level, and motivation decline in November but bounce back to normal in April, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

“SAD is thought to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain brought on by lack of light due to winter's shorter days and typically overcast skies," says Dr. Angelos Halaris, chief of the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at Loyola University Health System.

As many as 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans may experience a mild form of SAD, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Certain people may have a genetic vulnerability to developing the condition, which affects more women than men and tends to start appearing in the teen years.

This condition, characterized by depression, exhaustion and lack of interest in people and regular activities, interferes with a person's outlook on life and ability to function properly.

You can take steps to reduce the risk of developing SAD.

If at all possible, get outside during the winter, even if it is overcast. Expose your eyes to natural light for one hour each day. At home, open the drapes and blinds to let in natural light.

If you do develop SAD, it can be effectively treated with light therapy, antidepressant herbals, like ST. JOHN’S WORT TEA and /or ST. JOHN’S WORT EXTRACT. The latest treatment is a headband containing mounted lights that delivers light to your retina whether you are inside or outdoors.

SOURCE: Loyola University Health System, news release, Sept. 20, 2007

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WEEK: October 15,2007

GUM DISEASE CAN TRIGGER HOST OF PROBLEMS

Left untreated, it can contribute to ills ranging from diabetes to heart trouble

When people think about poor oral hygiene, problems like decaying teeth, bad gums and offensive breath typically come to mind.

But experts say an unhealthy, bacteria-filled mouth can also lead to a host of problems throughout the body, such as heart disease, diabetes, blood infection and even low birth-weight babies.

And the culprit, more often than not, is gum disease.

When you're looking at people who have gum disease, they are suffering from a chronic low-grade infection; your whole body is a little bit compromised.

A growing body of research is finding that gum disease -- sometimes called periodontal disease -- can exacerbate a wide array of health problems. And it's not something that just affects a small segment of the population. Four of every five Americans suffer from some form of gum disease, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Gum disease is suspected of contributing to ailments through the bloodstream. Bacteria from the mouth flood into the circulatory system and travel to other parts of the body, causing widespread inflammation.

Another possibility is that oral infections trigger the immune system, producing inflammation elsewhere in the body.

If you had an infection in your finger and you left it, it eventually would affect the rest of the body. It's the same with your mouth.

Recent studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in people with gum infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk appears to increase with the severity of the infection.

Gum disease produces a tremendous amount of bacteria, if you have a valve problem with your heart, the bacteria can invade and infect the heart.

There also appears to be a link between gum infections and diabetes, as people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease, according to the CDC. Researchers are now looking into whether there's a two-way connection between the conditions to see if diabetes can be better controlled through treatment of gum disease.

Other researchers have found that women with moderate-to-serious gum disease are twice as likely to give birth to premature babies. Problems ranging from low birth-weight to birth defects can result. If you are pregnant and you have gum disease, there may be problems in your pregnancy and with birth.

Gum disease ranges from gingivitis -- a mild and common form that causes inflammation of tissues around the teeth -- to more serious forms like periodontitis, where the inflammation affects the connective tissue supporting the teeth. An estimated 20 percent of Americans have periodontitis, and it's the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.

Regular and thorough brushing and flossing is the first line of defense against gum disease. A good diet that avoids sugary snacks and sodas is another. People who are drinking soda for breakfast and then drink it all day long, even with diet soda, you have acid in the soda that can attack the teeth and gums. People should limit the number of snacks eaten throughout the day. They should also keep in mind that the recommended five-a-day helpings of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables have oral health benefits as well, stimulating salivary flow to aid remineralization of tooth surfaces with early stages of tooth decay.

Parents should take care not to share drinks with their children, particularly if the adults have gum disease. Even an act as simple as blowing on food to cool it can pass oral bacteria from parent to child. It's a bug thing, and the bugs can be transmitted from caregiver to child.

You should avoid tobacco -- smokers have seven times the risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers -- and limit alcohol intake.

Visit the dentist regularly. Check-ups can provide early detection of oral problems, and lead to treatments that can prevent further damage.

If you get an inflammation in your mouth, don’t wait. Try a water solution of CHAMOMILE EXTRACT and rinse your mouth with it, or take a Q-tip and dip the CHAMOMILE EXTRACT directly on the inflammation.

SOURCES: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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WEEK: October 8,2007

PREVENT YEAST INFECTIONS

Things you can do to thwart fungal growth

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus that thrives when a woman's body changes because of a period, pregnancy or medication she may be taking.

Here are suggestions to prevent these infections.

• Avoid underwear and pants that are made of synthetic fibers. Stick to all-cotton underwear.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.

• Avoid wearing pantyhose daily.

• Remove wet swimsuits, clothing, or underwear immediately.

• Avoid artificially fragranced or colored products such as sprays, tampons, pads, douches, or bubble baths, as they can affect the area's acid balance, which can promote symptoms of a yeast infection.

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WEEK: October 1, 2007

POTBELLIES CAN TRIGGER BACK PAIN

Puts a strain on the muscles

If you're suffering from backache, your potbelly may be to blame.

The weight of a bulging tummy increases the curvature of the back, which places greater strain on the vertebra and lower back muscles. It's also difficult for the weakened, distended abdominal muscles to support the spine.

So, if there is no medical explanation for your aching back, try eating less and exercising more. Swimming, especially backstroke, is an excellent way to exercise and strengthen your abs. You can start with a good DETOXIFICATION PROGRAM to get rid of the accumulated waste you have in your colon and cleanse your entire body of all unwanted toxins.

E-mail me I can help.

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WEEK: September 24,2007

SOOTHING A COUGH

Suggestions to stop the hacking

Children often develop a cough due to the common cold or a respiratory infection.

Here are suggestions on how to soothe an itchy throat and help calm your child's cough:

• Try cough drops and natural cough syrups to soothe the throat and break up congestion. Check with your pediatrician to find out if your child is old enough to begin taking cough medicines.

• Warm beverages, especially lemonade, herbal tea, like my COLD AND RESPIRATORY TONIC TEA and apple juice, may loosen congestion and relax your child's breathing.

• A humidifier can help soothe a dry cough.

• Don't let your child exercise or overexert him/herself while he/she's sick, as it can exacerbate a cough.

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WEEK: September 17,2007

YELLOW PIGMENT IN VEGGIES MAY PROTECTS AGAINST EYE DISEASE

Carotenoids in corn, squash and leafy greens cuts risk of age-related vision loss in older women

Yellow pigments found in some vegetables, including corn and squash, may help protect older women against age-related vision loss, a U.S. study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison studied 1,787 women ages 50 to 79. The study found that those younger than 75 who ate a diet rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin appeared to have a lower risk of intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. There is no cure, and current treatments only slow the progression of the disease.

Carotenoids are found in corn, squash, egg yolks, broccoli, peas and leafy green vegetables. Previous studies have suggested that carotenoids may reduce risk of AMD.

SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, Aug.14, 2006

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WEEK: September 10,2007

START BUILDING IMMUNE HEALTH NOW FOR COLDER SEASONS AHEAD

Fall is almost here. Cool and inclement weather are on the way. Of course, with colder weather there's a clear increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections and the common cold. With this in mind, I thought it'd be apropos to start the health tip off concerning possible remedies for this common ailment.

While the weather itself doesn't cause illness, more time spent indoors during the fall and winter months allows germs and viruses to spread more easily from person to person. Besides practicing common sense basics, like avoiding contact with sneezing, coughing individuals and washing your hands frequently, there are some nutritional supplements that may help. A recent study showed remarkable beneficial effects of the herb Echinacea in regards to the common cold.

At the recent annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers reported on the use of Echinacea and the common cold. Dr. Shah, from the University of Connecticut, indicated there are approximately 1 billion colds reported annually. He noted that about 20% of patients reported using various Nutraceuticals for symptom management, the most commonly utilized being Echinacea. Dr. Shah, along with other colleagues, pooled analysis of 14 randomized trials involving over 1,300 patients. The team reported the use of Echinacea cut incidence of the common cold by 58% and shortened duration of the cold by 1.9 days compared to those who didn't use this supplement.

My family and I have always relied on Echinacea along with several thousand mgs per day of Vitamin C, and elderberry at the first sign of a cold, which I have found to be generally helpful.

With the colder weather coming, I'd recommend you stock up on Echinacea, Sambucol/Elderberry and Vitamin C, and of course plenty of my COLD AND RESPIRATORY TONIC TEA.

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WEEK: September 3, 2007

MAKE TIME FOR BREAKFAST

Start your day with a healthy meal

Many people don't eat breakfast because they say they don't have time or think it's a way to save on calories and lose weight. But breakfast can be a very healthy way to start your day.

People who eat breakfast, especially children, tend to eat healthier throughout the day and often weigh less than people who skip the day's first meal.

What you eat is important, so you should make healthy choices for breakfast. Try to eat lots of fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eggs, fruit smoothies, and whole-grain pancakes, waffles, oatmeal and cereals are healthy choices for breakfast.

If you're in a hurry, I suggest quick snacks like yogurt, fruit, or whole-grain muffins. For a healthy snack, try mixing cereal, pretzels, nuts, and dried fruit as opposed to prepackaged breakfast pastries or doughnuts that are high in fat and sugar.

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WEEK: August 27, 2007

REDUCING ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Ragweed Season Doesn't Mean Suffering

There are ways to minimize the risk indoors and outdoors

Ragweed season, which lasts from about mid-August to October in many parts of the United States, can bring misery to the estimated 36 million Americans with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, swollen, itchy watery eyes are so severe that they disrupt a person's ability to function normally at work or school. Many people with seasonal allergies suffer from sleep problems, resulting in daytime fatigue and poor concentration.

Some tips on how to reduce exposure to ragweed:

• Avoid areas where ragweed plants thrive, such as ditches, roadsides, riverbanks, vacant lots, and the edges of wooded areas.

• Keep windows closed during ragweed season in order to prevent pollen from getting into your home. Use air conditioning, which cools, cleans and dries the air.

• Keep your car windows closed.

• Minimize your exposure to other allergens during ragweed season. Hay fever symptoms are often the result of cumulative exposure to multiple allergens. Make sure your home is thoroughly and regularly cleaned. Mold, dust and other allergens can build up in the linens, furniture and air ducts.

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when pollen counts are high.

• After you spend time outside, take a shower to wash pollen from your skin and hair before you go to bed.

• Start taking allergy prevention 10 to 14 days before peak ragweed season in your area.

I recommend NETTLE TEA or NETTLE EXTRACT. Nettle is a natural antihistamine. The ALLERGY SEASON TEA BLEND and VAPOR TREATMENT assists with the discomfort and symptoms associated with allergy season. Taking a spoon of Honey (everyday) harvested from your region where you live, can be helpful. (DON'T GIVE HONEY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF ONE.)

• Get up-to-date pollen information from the National Allergy Bureau (www.aaaai.org/nab).



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WEEK: August 20, 2007

TREATING FIBROMYALGIA

Combination of lifestyle changes and dietary supplements may reduce symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that affects more adult women than men, but can strike any gender, age or race.

The disease is characterized by musculoskeletal soreness and stiffness, pain or sensitivity, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. While pain most often occurs in the neck, back, shoulders, hands and pelvis, any area of the body may be symptomatic.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include migraines, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, lack of coordination, anxiety and depression. Pain is typically described as either shooting or a consistent aching, numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation.

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by analyzing certain criteria and symptoms, but is not currently diagnosed by any test or procedure. Treatments for the condition are often holistic and address both medical and lifestyle changes.

Pain relief medication -- such as over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or prescription non-narcotics -- may alleviate discomfort. Sometimes, anti-depressants are prescribed, as well.

A regular sleep schedule also is usually part of the treatment, including a quiet, comfortable sleep environment. Support groups, counseling, physical therapy, chiropractic, herbal supplements, therapeutic massage, yoga and other alternative therapies have also proven to be effective in helping patients with fibromyalgia feel better and lead normal lives.

E-mail me I can help.

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WEEK: August 13, 2007

SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

How to read your body's signs

Menopause, a natural process that may take between five and 15 years, occurs when a woman's monthly ovulation cycle ends, resulting in the cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle. Most women experience menopause somewhere around age 50.

Due to the dramatic changes in hormones in a woman's body during menopause, there are a variety of symptoms she may experience. To help identify the onset of menopause, here is a list of these common symptoms:

Hot flashes, cold flashes, night sweats and clammy skin. Moodiness, depression, anxiety, irritability and unexplained crying. Sleep disturbances or insomnia. Irregular menstrual cycles, including unusually light or heavy bleeding or unusually short or long cycles. Difficulty concentrating, remembering or paying attention Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle aches, gastrointestinal problems, or tender breasts. Lost or thinning hair on the scalp or an increase or thickening of facial hair.

E-mail me I can help.

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WEEK: August 06, 2007

UNDERSTAND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Sleep doesn't help you feel more rested

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by a feeling of extreme tiredness that lasts more than six months and cannot be explained by another medical condition.

CFS does not improve with bed rest, and typically gets worse with physical activity.

Other symptoms of CFS include muscle pain or weakness, and difficulty with memory or concentration. CFS affects far more women than men, and most people are between the ages of 40 and 50.

There are no laboratory tests or procedures that can officially diagnose the condition, the CDC says. Treatments usually focus on easing symptoms, and preventive measures to reduce stress and overexertion. Dietary changes and physical therapy also may be in order.

E-mail me I can help.

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WEEK: July 30, 2007

IF YOU HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Anti-inflammatory herbs can help

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that primarily affects the joints.

Pain may start in any joint, but occurs most often in the fingers, hands and wrists. Other symptoms may include stiffness, flu-like aches, fever, and muscle pain.

In RA, pain often is symmetrical, meaning that if it hurts on the left hand, the same joint will hurt on the right one.

Drugs called NSAIDs are frequently prescribed to reduce joint inflammation. Other medicines may be prescribed specifically for pain. But before you get these drugs, try some Turmeric,and/or my ARTHRITIS AND MORE SALVE, or Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSN.

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WEEK: July 23, 2007

ST.JOHN'S WORT COULD EASE BLADDER WOES

Study finds it controls pain linked to interstitial cystitis

The herbal supplement St. John's wort may help control pain linked to hypersensitive bladder disorders such as interstitial cystitis (IC), according to a new study.

Bladder hyperactivity -- characterized by frequent contractions -- is a significant cause of bladder irritation and pain.

They found that the treatment resulted in longer intervals between bladder contractions.

Prior research found that neural control of the lower urinary tract is controlled by serotonin- and norepinephrine-emitting neurons. These are similar to neurons that play a role in anxiety and depression.

"St. John's Wort is an herbal supplement that has been used for years to treat symptoms of mild depression, while urologists often use antidepressants to treat interstitial cysts," researcher Dr. Michael B. Chancellor, a professor of urology and gynecology, said in a prepared statement.

"Given that the supplement and the drug work on the same systems, it makes sense that St. John's wort could help treat this painful disease," Chancellor said.

IC affects an estimated 700,000 Americans (90 percent of them women), according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

So, try some ST.JONH'S WORT TEA and/or ST. JOHN'S WORT EXTRACT.

SOURCE: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, news release, May 23, 2006

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WEEK: July 16, 2007

CARING FOR YOUR STICHES

Keep the area clean, dry and protected

If you've just had surgery or a procedure that required an incision and stitches, here are a few tips on helping the wound heal:

• Change your bandage the day after your procedure. Many incision sites won't need bandaging after a few days, but follow your doctor's instructions on when to stop covering the stitches.

• Some redness is normal. However, if the incision is very red and painful, and redness extends more than a half inch from the site, call your doctor. You may have an infection that requires an antibiotic or other treatment.

• Don't take a shower or bath for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Keeping the incision site clean and dry is key to avoiding infection. After 24 hours, you should be able to take a shower or sponge bath, and gently pat the area dry.

• Monitor your physical activity after surgery to reduce the chances of pulling apart your stitches. Strenuous physical activity, including sports, should be avoided for about a month after surgery. Lifting and straining yourself also should be avoided.

• Use ST.JOHN'S WORT OIL for treatment and post-therapy of your incision, incl. nerve damage, pain, swelling, bruises, and other types of trauma to the skin.

• If you're out in the sun, use sunscreen or cover your incision site with tape for several months after your procedure. Scars that have been exposed to the sun are more likely to darken and become more noticeable. Use some BABY OIL.

Your stitches may dissolve on their own, or they may need to be removed by your doctor within a week or so after surgery.

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WEEK: July 09, 2007

SOOTHING A SORE THROAT

If you've got a nagging sore throat that isn't caused by a serious illness like tonsillitis or strep, here are some suggestions to alleviate the pain and irritation:

• Drink lots of fluids, eat frozen treats like popsicles, and suck on lozenges or hard candy.

• Gargle with some CHAMOMILE TEA or CHAMOMILE EXTRACT, or with warm salt water a few times a day, using one teaspoon of salt per cup of water.

• Use a humidifier

If your symptoms don't ease or you've got a fever or other signs of a more serious illness, see a doctor at once.

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WEEK: July 02, 2007

THE IMPORTANCE OF POTASSIUM

The mineral is essential for cell and tissue function

Potassium is a mineral that the body uses to help muscle growth, and to maintain proper function of cells and tissues.

Potassium is found in fish like salmon, cod, flounder and sardines. Leafy green vegetables and broccoli, peas, potatoes (including skins) and tomatoes are also good sources. Other potassium-rich foods include citrus fruits, apples, bananas and apricots.

Are you getting enough potassium? Muscle weakness, fatigue, decreased heart rate, and slow reflexes are signs that you may need to increase the potassium in your diet.

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WEEK: June 25, 2007

SUMMERTIME IS HIGH TIME FOR KIDNEY STONES

Protect yourself by drinking lots of water.

What do picnics, baseball and kidney stones have in common? They're all much more common in summer.

Kidney stones are more prevalent in summer because they're linked to water consumption, and many people don't drink enough water to compensate for hotter temperatures.

I offer the following tips for reducing the risk of kidney stones:

• Drink at least four to eight glasses of water a day and double that amount in hot weather.

• Reduce your meat intake. A diet high in animal protein increases the risk of kidney stones, eating a vegetarian diet two days a week or cutting your meat intake by 30 percent.

• Cut back on the salt. Most of the salt in our diets comes from prepared foods, not from salt we add at the table. If you're eating fast food more than twice a week, you're getting a lot of salt in your diet.

• Lower your intake of caffeine, which is a diuretic that can leave you dehydrated. Try to switch to decaffeinated beverages.

• Put slices of fresh lemon in your water or tea. Lemons are high in citrate, which helps to inhibit kidney stones.

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WEEK: June 18, 2007

RISK FACTORS FOR SUNBURN

The young and fair-skinned are at greater risk

Certain people are more susceptible to sunburn than others because of age, skin type or medications they are taking.

These factors increase a person's risk of sunburn:

• Babies and children have skin that is more sensitive than adult skin, so they are more likely to be badly sunburned if unprotected.

• People with fair skin are more likely to get a sunburn than people with darker skin -- although all skin types and complexions can burn.

• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and birth control pills, can increase the likelihood of a sunburn.

• Using a tanning bed can cause dangerous sunburns.

• Being outside during the sun's peak hours -- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- and being on reflective sand or water can increase one's risk of severe sunburn.

Use a natural sunbscreen, a sunburn soother and/or a good after sun lotion/oil like the ST.JOHN'S WORT or BABY OIL.