==========================================

Featured in this month's issue:

1. HEALTH BYTES: Facts and Tips for Better Living!

2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

3. THE HERBAL CORNER: Goldenseal - "Fight Colds, Boost Immune System Function"

4. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH: Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

==========================================

1. HEALTH BYTES - * Facts and Tips for Better Living

==========================================

OATMEAL HEALTH FACTS -- Oatmeal is best known for a soluble fiber called beta-glucan. A meta-analysis (meaning the results of many studies were combined to look at total results) of 10 studies show that 3 grams of beta-glucan daily can decrease cholesterol of 5 to 6 mg/dl. This may seem like a small amount but the 5 to 6 mg/dl was an average for all participants. The individuals with very high cholesterol had much larger results. The cholesterol-lowering effects was present even among individuals who were already following a low-fat diet. So how do oats lower cholesterol? Beta-glucan forms a gel in the gut which absorbs cholesterol-rich bile. Bile is a digestive juice your intestine normally reabsorbs back into the body in the lower gut (after it has done its job of digesting fats). Since the bile is now stuck on the soluble fiber (now you know why they wanted to rename it viscous), it leaves the body. This helps remove some of your natural cholesterol. The liver now needs to make more bile so it pulls cholesterol from your blood to make it. This helps your blood cholesterol drop. Other factors besides soluble fiber may also be involved in the health benefits of oats. An amino acid (building block of protein) in oats has a lysine:arginine ratio that may protect the cardiovascular system. There are also antioxidants in oats, primarily vitamin E-like compounds and a substance, avenanthramides, unique to oats. Oats do more than lower cholesterol. There is research indicating it assists in maintaining a healthy blood pressure, improving satiety (your sense of feeling satisfied when you eat) and maintaining a healthy blood glucose level. This does NOT mean someone with diabetes should eat all the oatmeal they want. The total carbohydrate content has to be calculated into the calorie and carbohydrate allowance. Eating too large a bowl, just as eating too much of any food containing carbohydrate, can increase blood sugar. A half of a cup of cooked oatmeal contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates. A packet of the sweetened oatmeal contents exceed 30 grams. Oatmeal is a whole grain, whether it is old-fashioned, instant, or quick-cooking. The grain is just ground finer in the varieties that cook faster.

GIVE US OUR DAILY ORANGE JUICE -- Throw back three shots of orange juice every day for maximum health benefits. Drinking orange juice morning, noon, and night can help raise and keep antioxidant levels consistent in your bloodstream. This, in turn, may help keep you protected from free-radical damage all day. It is not just the vitamin C in the juice that is beneficial; the less-touted carotenoid cryptoxanthin in OJ has been associated with a 15 percent to 31 percent reduced lung cancer risk.

HEART WARNING SIGNS -- If you or a family member has heart failure, chances are you have already made a trip to the emergency room, or at least spent some time in the hospital. You can decrease the chances of another hospital stay by getting in touch with your doctor right away if any of these warning signs appear:

1. Sudden weight gain (three or more pounds in one day, five or more pounds in one week, or whatever amount you were told to report).

2. Shortness of breath not related to exercise or exertion.

3. Increases in swelling of the lower limbs (legs or ankles).

4. Swelling or pain in the abdomen.

5. Trouble sleeping (waking up short of breath, using more pillows).

6. Frequent dry, hacking cough.

7. Increased fatigue. If caught early, these symptoms may just require an adjustment in medication, which often can be explained over the phone. Post the phone numbers for the primary care physician and cardiologist by your telephone, along with a list of current medications, other medical conditions and allergies. That way you can get in touch quickly if the condition changes.

MOST WORRIED ABOUT RETIREMENT -- A majority of United States residents are worried about funding their retirement, and do not believe Social Security will pay required benefits. A New York Times / CBS News poll found two-thirds of respondents said Social Security, the government's 70-year-old pension program, mattered "a lot" to them personally, and 80 percent said providing "a decent standard of living for the elderly" was the government's responsibility. However, 51 percent overall and 70 percent of respondents under 45 said they did not believe Social Security would be strong enough financially to pay benefits when they retire. When asked if they believed their savings would be their primary source of money during retirement, 45 percent answered yes - despite the fact that almost half of those polled reported saving less than 5 percent of their income in the previous 12 months, and 68 percent reported difficulty keeping up with bills and saving for retirement.

CHERRIES FOR GOUT -- To fight gout, eat cherries. Even frozen ones. Even cherry jam is reported to assist in the clearing up of the uric acid deposit fairly quickly. Some believe it is better than any medication, and in dozens of cases, not one failure reported. Even better, keep it in your diet, and you may never never experience any more gout.

BANANAS BUILD A YOUTHFUL STOMACH -- Experts say that bananas and plantains strengthen the surface cells of the stomach lining, forming a sturdier barrier against noxious juices. Bananas are also great for helping to lower cholesterol because of their high pectin content. One medium banana has as much pectin as a medium size apple. Unripe, green plantains are super potent against ulcers. The bigger the better as they contain more of the active chemical that protects the stomach. Eat unripe green plantains boiled or baked and if you do fry them, use organic, unrefined coconut oil as it does not break down in high heat. Oils that break down in high heat are toxic in the body and cause free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can tear into your cells and start nasty chain reactions that can leave behind extensive damage, including alteration of your genetic code (DNA) and formation of cancer cells. That is one reason why you need to stay away from fried foods if you are serious about fighting the aging process.

==========================================

2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

==========================================

Q & A #1: I have heard that injecting "Hylan" into the knee can stop the pain and help me move better. Is that the best treatment for me? I am 60 and a bit heavy, but I try to keep active.

Losing some weight and increasing your activity is the more natural and the best approach. But if your doctor has suggested a series of injections into the knee, here is what you can expect: Hylan, or Synvisc® (hyaluronan, a shock-absorbing fluid found in joint cavities) injected once a week for 3 weeks. It is likely that you will experience some improvement which will last for several months - up to 6 months as claimed by some experts. Also, a single injection into the joint of a steroid, betamethasone, is reported to produce the same results. Both the steroid and Hylan have been shown in clinical studies to be better than a dummy injection (placebo), but the results are not miraculous, by any means. Talk again to your doctor - it may be that exercise and diet, with judicious use of pain-killers, can produce considerable improvement. Remember that all medications have the potential for side effects.

Q & A #3: Some labels I have read indicate that "grapefruit juice should not be used with this product" - I believe calcium and Cipro were two of the items. Why is this? And does it mean you have to leave grapefruit totally out of your diet or just not have it in the same time frame?

Research has shown that there is a component in grapefruit juice that appears to interfere with the liver's ability to clear some drugs from the body. Consequently the levels of the drugs in the blood could build to a toxic level. However, it is fine to drink grapefruit juice at times when you are not taking your medications - i.e. a few hours later. We have heard of some people experiencing a rash when drinking grapefruit juice and taking calcium. But, neither calcium or Cipro appear to have an important grapefruit juice interaction. To learn more of the effects of grapefruit on drug absorption, visit Grapefruit

Q & A #4: Is small cell lung cancer a form of mesothelioma?

There are different types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma. People often confuse mesothelioma with true lung cancer, especially because the cause of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure, can cause both diseases. In fact, mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung, heart, or abdominal lining. Layers of specialized cells called mesothelial cells line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium. The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium. Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma of the lung is caused by exposure to asbestos, also called asbestos cancer. Asbestos diseases are said to follow the trail of exposure. That means that wherever people have received asbestos exposure, regardless of their trade, age, sex or race, they are at risk of cancer and other diseases.

Q & A #5: I want to start a fitness program. What are some of the common exercise myths that I should be aware of?

Consumers are constantly bombarded with fitness information and "expert" advice from questionable sources. According to a recent American Council on Exercise (http://www.acefitness.org) survey, the following are the top responses from more than 1,500 ACE-certified fitness professionals, regarding exercise myths that they most commonly hear from their clients:

- Women who lift weights will get bulky muscles - Women usually do not have the genetic potential to develop large, bulky muscles because they do not have enough of the hormone, testosterone, needed for the development of muscle bulk. While steroids and other artificial means may cause some women to bulk up, strength training will not.

- Spot reducing is possible - Spot reducing is not possible. The concept is based on the flawed notion that it is possible to "burn off" fat from a specific part of the body by selectively exercising that area. However, numerous studies have refuted this claim. Only regular exercise training (aerobic and strength) and a sensible diet can eliminate excess body fat.

- No pain, no gain - Many incorrectly assume that exercise must hurt to be beneficial, when in fact exercising to the point of pain can do more harm than good. A sensible exercise program might be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. It should put a reasonable demand on the cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal systems to improve their function, without significantly increasing the risk of injury.

- Exercise requires a hefty time commitment - Any amount of regular exercise contributes to better overall health and well-being. A total of at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended to maintain health and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Individuals desiring to lose weight and keep it off are advised to accumulate 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

- If you exercise, you can eat whatever you want - A sound nutrition program goes hand-in-hand with a sound exercise regimen. If the goal is to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, consumers should add more fruits and vegetables to the diet, avoid processed high-sugar foods, and control portion size.

- There is a magic bullet or quick fix out there somewhere - There is no quick fix. Many nutritional supplements are marketed using deceptive, misleading, or fraudulent advertising. A well-balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is still the safest and most effective way to achieve weight loss or performance goals.

- With the abundance of available information sources, it is easy to pick up erroneous fitness advice, said Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist and vice president of educational services for the American Council on Fitness. The key is looking to qualified, fitness professionals or reputable organizations for health and fitness advice to safely sort through the ever-increasing maze of misinformation.

==========================================

3. THE HERBAL CORNER - * Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) "http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/golden.htm"

==========================================

GOLDENSEAL is the dried, yellow rhizome and rootlets of a small woodland-floor plant (Hydrastis canadensis) native to eastern North America. The herb’s growing popularity has made it increasingly rare in the wild, leading a number of states to list the plant as "endangered."

Goldenseal root was used by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Iroquois, as a yellow dye and for health conditions ranging from topical inflammations, debility, cancer, and dyspepsia to whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever and sour stomach.

For more information, see - "http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/golden.htm"

==========================================

4. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH - * Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes http://www.theolivebranch.com/recipes/sweetpotato-baked.htm

==========================================

==========================================

Special Topics - http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/special.htm

Herbs - http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/index-h.htm

Recipes - http://www.theolivebranch.com/recipes/list.htm

==========================================

Buy 6 of any one product featured on our Life Plus site and get 1 FREE!

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you know that might benefit from any of the above information - or refer them to this site http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/jan2005.htm

==========================================

Be Healthy, Be Happy!

The Culbreths

HOME: http://www.theolivebranch.com/

==========================================

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