January 2007
HEALTH NEWS
from
THE OLIVE BRANCH
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Featured in this month's issue:
1. HEALTH BYTES: Facts and Tips for Better Living!
2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
3. FEATURED ARTICLE - "7 Keys To Better Relationships"
by Patricia Wagner
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1. HEALTH BYTES
* Facts and Tips for Better Living
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FUN WATER FACTS -- It is estimated that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This likely applies to half of the world population. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
Source: HDR's SDWA Safe Drinking Act Newsletter
WALNUTS MAY PROTECT AGAINST DIABETES -- An Australian study shows for patients with type-2 diabetes, a whole foods diet including walnuts can reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol by 10 percent. The findings, published in "Diabetes Care," also show more than 65 percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Some 18.2 million Americans, or 6.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. The World Health Organization reports at least 171 million people world-wide have diabetes, a figure is likely to more than double by 2030, reaching 366 million. Linda Tapsell of the University of Wollongong says walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats, omega oils, and vitamins. Tapsell says her research suggests including eight to 10 walnuts a day delivers the fats and fatty acids that might help the body address one of the problems associated with early stage type-2 diabetes - insulin resistance - which hinders absorption of glucose from the bloodstream into human cells.
HOT COCOA ANTIOXIDANTS -- This winter that hot cup of cocoa provides a delicious warm-up and a big dose of healthy antioxidants after sledding or other outdoor winter activities. Researchers at Cornell University demonstrate that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea. Antioxidants, which have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease, and aging, are found in abundance in cocoa, and the heat of the liquid tends to release them in greater quantity, said researcher Chang Yong Lee. He said that "Although we know that antioxidants are important for good health, nobody knows the exact daily amount required per person. Nevertheless, a cup or two of hot cocoa every once in a while can provide a delicious, warm, and healthy way to obtain more antioxidants." Soy milk and an herbal sweetener can be used as a substitute for milk and sugar.
TOP 10 FOODS FOR GOOD HEALTH -- Tomatoes, olive oil, red grapes, nuts, whole grains, salmon and other fatty fish, blueberries, garlic, spinach, and tea.
HOLIDAY BLUES OR DEPRESSION -- Winter weather can bring on gloomy moods and depression or sad feelings. Holiday stress and the change of seasons can lead to holiday blues, which is a temporary state of feeling low and that could go on for several days or perhaps a week. However, when sadness or loss of interest in things that used to be pleasurable goes on for several weeks, it could be clinical depression. "Treatments like talk therapy and certain anti-depressants are useful in treating clinical depression," says Dr. Jonathan Alpert of the Harvard Medical School. People who suffer from on-going depression should seek help.
COOL YOUR TEMPER -- Are you a hot head? A less hostile outlook may help keep your heart rhythms steady. Studies in men revealed that men who are generally hostile or often openly angry may have as much as a 30% greater risk of developing irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for stroke. Instead,try to keep calm and under control even if something makes you irate. Taking a walk, counting to 20, practicing some deep breathing, and doing so stretching can all help to relieve the tension you may want to let out. Instead of yelling
or getting worked up, recognize that something is making you angry and do what you can to either eliminate it or avoid it. If you can keep your temper under control, you could be saving your heart hundreds of unnecessary beats. Finding ways to keep calm could also help reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease. Early research into Alzheimer's disease and stress levels revealed that there may be a relationship between them. In a study of older adults, the people who reported themselves to be the most stressed, tensed, or jittery of the group also were most likely to develop the disease.
GINGER -- For extra anti-cancer benefits, spice up stir-fry dishes, soups, and fresh fish with ginger. Ginger possesses two anti-carcinogenic compounds, 6-gingerol and 6-paradol. Studies show that these compounds may help inhibit certain cell transformations that could lead to cancer. The 6-gingerol content of processed ginger may vary greatly, so choose fresh ginger whenever possible. Be careful when serving foods with ginger to guests or visitors. Some people have an allergy to ginger - fresh or processed. Always ask before you add ginger to any dish to make sure it is ok for all to eat safely!
SIGNS OF CATARACTS -- For those over the age of 50 experiencing vision problems, the cause may be a cataract, says Dr. Alan Carlson of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Cataracts develop inside the eye, gradually clouding a lens behind the pupil and the most common cause is aging, says Carlson, chief of the Corneal and Refractive Surgery Service at the Duke University Eye Center. "Many patients notice a decreasing ability to drive at night, also an increased problem with glare, bright sunlight, and oncoming headlights," he says. If the problem can't be corrected with glasses, a specialist can surgically remove the cataract and replace it with a tiny intraocular lens implant in minutes, with patient recovery in just a few days.
VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY LINKED TO SMOKING -- Benzopyrene, a common carcinogen found in cigarettes, creates vitamin A deficiency in rats exposed to cigarette smoke, Kansas researchers find. "When the lung content of vitamin A was low, the score of emphysema was high," says study leader Richard Baybutt. "So, the hypothesis is that smokers develop emphysema because of a vitamin A deficiency." Baybutt also fed rats exposed to cigarette smoke a diet with higher levels of vitamin A and the areas of emphysema were reduced, reports the< "Journal of Nutrition." "The implications are that those who start
smoking at an early age are more likely to become vitamin A deficient and develop complications associated with cancer and emphysema," he said. "And if they have a poor diet, forget it." Smoking does not support a healthy lifestyle, Baybutt adds.
HEART ATTACK CLUES -- Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, yet most people do not know how to recognize a heart attack, a key to surviving it. There are some symptoms that differ in each gender, and some that are seen in both men and women, says Dr. Prediman Shah, director of the Division of Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He says classic symptoms include: squeezing chest pain or pressure; shortness of breath; sweating; tightness in chest; pain spreading to shoulders, neck or arm or jaw; feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting; and, sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness. Symptoms more likely to be experienced by women include: indigestion or gas-like pain; dizziness, nausea or vomiting; unexplained weakness or fatigue; discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades; recurring chest discomfort; sense of impending doom. Doctors advise that if you experience these symptoms or see someone else with these symptoms, call 911 as soon as possible.
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2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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** Q & A #1:
It seems to take me two or three times longer to recover from any kind of illness compared to other people. Does this indicate a depressed immune system?
People do vary in their recovery rates - from anything from colds to minor operations. Some fortunate souls just bounce back, while others do take longer to get back to normal. It must also be said, though, that some people say they feel better than they really do - and it is quite normal for just a cold to make you feel under the weather for a couple of weeks. Recovery times can depend on your underlying state of health, and also your nutrition - if you are eating sensibly, and get plenty of sleep before you are ill, then you are likely to recover more quickly than if you are overtired, stressed, and eating badly. So take a look at your general lifestyle - improve that, and not only will your general health get better, but you will most-likely recover more quickly from illness.
** Q & A #2:
I've read that eating processed meats can lead to diabetes - is this true?
As you are probably aware, processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, and bacon are not very healthy. New research suggests that eating processed meats can increase your chance of getting diabetes. A study of more than 40,000 male health professionals over a 12-year period published in a past issue of the medical journal "Diabetes Care" reports that men who consumed processed meats two to four times per week had a 35% increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, those who consumed processed meats five or more times per week had an almost 50% higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes! The investigators also found that total and saturated fat consumption was associated with a higher risk of type-2 diabetes. Avoid processed meats and instead eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
** Q & A #3:
I have fair skin, so how can I safely use a tanning bed to improve my chances of not getting sunburn?
Sorry, but the quick answer is there is really no safe way to use a tanning bed. The UV rays from sun beds can damage your skin and can certainly increase your risk of skin cancer. They also accelerate the aging of your skin, and are a good way to get premature lines, sags, and wrinkles. To protect your skin, the best thing to do is to use a high factor sunblock (at least 15 plus), and limit your exposure to the sun. It may sound boring, but not only will it save you the unpleasantness of sunburn, but will also help preserve your beauty for the years to come!
** Q & A #4:
Is it true that "quercetin" can help fight or prevent prostate cancer?
A chemical found in foods such as apples, onions, tea, and red wine could help prevent and treat prostate cancer. Scientists have studied the compound, quercetin, for the last 30 years and have found it safe, with a relatively low toxicity. Physicians currently use quercetin to treat allergic and inflammatory conditions such as asthma, hay fever, eczema, and gout. Investigators at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found that quercetin stops the growth of prostate cancer cells by blocking male hormone activity. The scientists will study quercetin's effects on lab mice next. Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer killer of men in the United States, and nearly 200,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year.
** Q & A #5:
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue like that found lining the womb is found outside the womb. The usual place is around the other pelvic organs, especially on the ligaments that support the womb, and in behind the womb, but occasionally deposits are found further away, and sometimes even inside the bowel or the bladder. Just like the womb lining, the deposits of endometriosis change in response to the< cycle of hormones produced by the ovary, and then, when you have your period, they bleed too, just like the womb lining. Except unlike the womb lining, which is shed to the outside via your vagina, the blood inside your pelvis has no where to go - instead it irritates the surrounding tissues, causing pain and inflammation. This is why the classic sign of endometriosis is severe period pain, which starts a couple of days before the period, and is usually at it's worst on the first couple of days of bleeding. Endometriosis cannot be diagnosed by either a pelvic examination or an ultrasound scan - the only way that it can be properly diagnosed is by a laparoscopy, when the deposits are actually seen, via a small telescope that is passed into the pelvic cavity (and this requires a general anesthetic). Though the birth control pill can help with endometriosis, there are other, more effective treatments. It may be worthwhile for you to see a gynecologist. Some women with endometriosis do have problems getting pregnant, but it is not known for sure whether the endometriosis is to blame.
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3. FEATURED ARTICLE
* "7 Keys To Better Relationships"
by Patricia Wagner
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Would you like to enhance the quality of your life and increase your personal happiness? If you answered "yes," the information in this article could change your life!
Isn't it easy to get stuck in the "everydayness" of life? We can get so busy making a living and getting ahead financially that the really important things fall through the cracks!
That can happen to all of us. However, when people come to the end of their lives, they don't wish they had spent more time making money. When all is said and done, we want our family and friends to be with us then!
So let us try to focus on developing better relationships instead of acquiring more things. Think of your circle of family and friends as a lovely garden to water and cultivate. The book of Proverbs teaches this crucial truth: "A man that has friends must show himself friendly" (Proverbs 18:24).
Here are 7 keys that will help your relationships to bloom:
1. Spend time with your friends and loved ones.
Although this is obvious, we need to intentionally set aside time in our schedules for them no matter how busy we think we are. Put appointments with friends and family into your daytimer or palm pilot. If you don't do this, you may forget and months and even years can go by without seeing these special people. The sad fact is that those relationships can dry up and wither away from neglect.
Many marriages fail for just this reason. People are often too busy to spend enough time with each other and one or both of the partners can't take the neglect. If you want your relationships to bloom, you have to water them with quality time. How long would a rose garden be lush and beautiful if no one watered it for days without end?
2. Genuinely appreciate the special people in your life.
Tell them how much they mean to you. Mention their good qualities and how special they are. For example, if you need to correct your children's behavior, be sure to spend twice as much time appreciating their positive qualities than reprimanding their negative ones.
3. Learn to say, "I was wrong. Please forgive me."
This will do wonders for your relationships. Humility is a beautiful quality in any person. Someone who thinks he or she is always right can be impossible to live with. If your habitual attitude is "I'm ALWAYS right," that is a poisonous plant that will spread and ruin your entire garden. Apologizing and asking for forgiveness when we have done something wrong does not degrade us. Instead it shows that we are maturing.
4. Be quick to forgive and do not hold grudges.
Bury the past. Bitterness never helped anyone. It only hurts the bitter person. Do not let the aggressive weeds of unforgiveness spoil your garden. Try not to crush tender relationship plants by being harsh and unforgiving.
5. Learn to say "thank you" a lot.
Everyone loves to be appreciated for what he or she has done instead of being taken for granted. You may be thrilled by the vibrant blossoms of encouragement that will result from taking time to say "thank you."
6. Listen more than you talk.
In a game of tennis it would be very strange for one of the players to bounce the ball up and down on his or her side instead of hitting the ball back to the other player. The same could be said for the game of ping pong. These games teach a powerful lesson. If you are always talking and other people do not have a chance to get a word in edgewise, you won't be very popular for long.
7. Go out of your way to help others in practical ways.
If a friend is in the hospital, go visit him. If a neighbor is going through a difficult financial time, bring groceries over to help tide him or her through the crisis.
If you follow these simple but powerful suggestions for nurturing your relationships, you yourself will also reap benefits in the form of increased happiness, pep and vitality. That's because our relationships are far more important to our wellbeing than how much money we make or how well we're doing climbing the corporate ladder.
Why not take a personal inventory of your life today? Put these suggestions into practice and become more effective in cultivating your special relationships. Happy gardening!
Copyright 2004 by Patricia Wagner
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Please note: the information contained herein has been compiled from various sources. The above statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We make no claims, either expressed or implied, that any products mentioned in this newsletter will cure disease, replace prescription medication, or supersede sound medical advice.