Health
News – July 2006
The Olive Branch |
Featured in this month's issue:
1. HEALTH BYTES: Facts and Tips
for Better Living!
2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
3. THE HERBAL CORNER: Goldenrod -
Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Microbial Herb
4. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH:
Tomato, Basil, and Feta Pasta
5. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH: PROANTHENOLS
Most Potent Antioxidant Available
Supports Immune Function; Fights Aging
6. INFORMATION Sites
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1. HEALTH BYTES - * Facts and Tips for Better Living
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LEAD POISONING STILL A PROBLEM -- Despite efforts to remove lead from many
products, such as gasoline and paint, some children still are at risk for lead
poisoning. A study from researchers at the University of Michigan Health System
found children at greatest risk for lead poisoning, and those identified
through screening as having elevated blood lead levels, are least likely to get
the critical follow-up testing needed to prevent problems. The study showed the
likelihood for follow-up testing was lower for Hispanic or non-white children,
children living in urban areas, and children with a high risk for lead
exposure. The results are published in the "Journal of the American
Medical Association."
IN CPR, CHEST COMPRESSION IS KEY -- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions
given over the phone by emergency dispatchers should focus on continuous chest
compressions. That is more important than the traditional ABCs - "airway,
breathing, circulation," says Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of emergency
medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Pepe, along
with international colleagues from the Council of Standards for the National
Academies of Emergency Dispatch, made the recommendation for resuscitation. The
recommendations were based on studies showing the "compression-only"
approach improved survival, scientists say.
STRONG BREAKFAST HEALTH COMBO -- For a powerful, arterial health-boosting
combo, pair-up orange juice and oatmeal at breakfast. Phenolic compounds in oats work synergistically with vitamin C to
inhibit a key step in the formation of arterial plaques, research has revealed.
Stir vitamin C-rich fruits such as strawberries, cantaloupe, or papaya into
your homemade oatmeal, or serve it with a side of orange juice, to help keep
your arteries clear. In addition to strawberries, cantaloupe, papaya, and
oranges, other good sources of vitamin C include red and green bell peppers,
grapefruit, and mangoes. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and keeps arteries
young by inhibiting the formation of plaques. Phenolic compounds in oats are
antioxidants that prevent blood cells from sticking to arterial walls. When
oats and vitamin C-rich produce are served together, the vitamin C and
phenolics work together to inhibit LDL oxidation, thus slowing a step that
initiates the build-up of arterial plaques. Other ways to help keep your
arteries clear are to exercise regularly and eat a proper diet that includes
healthy monounsaturated fats and plenty of fruits, vegetables, and soluble
fiber.
STOMACH KEY TO EASING BACK PAIN -- Many people who experience back pain are
under the mistaken impression that they need to "strengthen" their
backs to ease the painful condition. In reality, they would get much better results
by strengthening their stomach muscles. The stomach, like the back, plays a
very important part in keeping us upright. However, we have less opportunity in
our ordinary daily activities to perform movements that affect the stomach
muscles. On the other hand, in walking, standing, bending, and even sitting, we
are constantly using our back. Consequently, the back muscles get stronger than
the stomach. When the imbalance becomes exaggerated, back pain is sure to
occur. There are many easy ways to strengthen the stomach:
1. Sitting in a chair with armrests, bring your feet off the floor,
straightening your legs, and hold your legs out as straight as you
can for 10 seconds. Do this several times throughout the day.
2. Lying down flat on your back, bend your knees and keep
your feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms in front of your chest
and bring the upper half of your body up off the floor, in a partial
sit-up, holding for two seconds. Do 10 reps, several times a day.
3. Same position as in #2, arms flat by your sides. Try to push your
lower back down into the floor. You will automatically flex the lower
part of your pelvis upward, thereby tightening your stomach. If you
keep your stomach strong, you will automatically eliminate most back
problems.
MOST NOT MONITORED FOR DRUG SIDE EFFECTS -- About half of patients taking
chronic medications received the recommended laboratory tests to monitor drug
side effects, a New Mexico study finds. Published in the "Journal of
General Internal Medicine," the study examined almost 100,000 patients
taking medications for chronic illnesses over a period of three years. Nearly
half did not receive one or more recommended tests, though the findings varied
based on the type of drug, according to researcher Floyd Frost. The Lovelace
Respiratory Research Institute team says although lapses in drug safety
monitoring in the outpatient setting are common, further research is needed to
determine to what extent this failure results in actual medical problems.
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2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Q & A #1:
How much water should I drink during hot weather?
Through perspiration, a person can lose about two quarts of water an hour. That
is a significant amount of fluid. To replace that loss, you need to drink about
a glass of water every 10 to 20 minutes. Studies have shown that drinking to
satisfy thirst only replenishes two-thirds of the amount of water a person
should drink when working or playing in the summer sun. So thirst is not a good
indicator that you need to drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you are
already well on your way to dehydration. A better indicator of hydration is
urine output. If you urinate your normal amount and frequency, the body is
well-hydrated, provided you do not have kidney disease. If you urinate small
amounts of dark-colored urine, you need to drink more water until the urine is
consistently pale-colored. Other signs of water depletion include dry lips and
tongue, dry-looking skin that has lost its elasticity, increased heart rate and
breathing, dizziness and confusion. Signs of salt depletion as well include
lethargy, headache, cramps and pallor. In general, plain water is better than
other fluids. Drinks containing caffeine or alcohol, which are natural
diuretics, cause more fluid loss by increasing the amount of water lost in the
urine. Sweat contains far more water than electrolytes, which many sports
drinks contain. But if you lose a lot of sweat for hours then you will need to
replace the electrolytes as well. Remember, the primary issue is hydration, so
start drinking before you feel thirsty.
Q & A #2:
I am having trouble remembering things, but tests have ruled out Alzheimer's
and dementia. What should I do?
Most of the time, memory difficulties are due to stress, anxiety and having our
circuits "overloaded." Problems remembering names and events from
long ago (long-term memory loss) are more indicative of this overload
phenomenon. Short-term memory loss is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and
other forms of dementia. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy memory
throughout your life:
- Lifelong learning. Keep an active mental life with reading,
puzzles, volunteer activities and other interests - "use it or lose
it."
- Exercise. Regular physical activity increases blood supply to the brain
and has been shown to increase test scores in many cognitive areas.
- Daily activities. Participate in social activities and follow a
daily schedule, especially after retirement.
- Stress reduction. Stress is a major cause of poor concentration.
Take up some form of daily stress reduction for 20 minutes once or
twice a day.
- Sleep. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. If you
cannot, consider a 20-minute nap from 1pm to 2pm, which equals about
an hour of nighttime sleep.
- Emotional stability. We know from the Alzheimer's study of nuns by
David Snowdon, PhD, (author of "Aging with Grace") that depression
contributes to significant memory loss. Emotions like fear, anger,
loneliness, and confusion also lead to memory changes, while love,
happiness, gratitude, contentment and altruism help sustain long-term
and short-term cognitive vitality.
- Nutrition. Dementia is an inflammatory process, so eat
anti-inflammatory foods rich in ginger and curry, for instance. Eat a
balanced diet with lots of antioxidants (5 to 10 servings of fruits
and vegetables a day) and rich in folic acid and the B vitamins to
protect against stroke.
Q & A #3:
Are inhaled corticosteroids safe for my child with asthma? I hear they can
stunt growth, cause osteoporosis, and slow the body's production of its own
natural steroids.
Steroids, whether man-made or natural, are powerful compounds with tremendous
potential for both benefit and harm. All the side effects you mentioned are
possible and have been seen in children who use inhaled steroids. However,
there are some important factors to consider, and many reasons to be reassured,
about the proper use of inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma.
Two large published studies showed normal growth in children with asthma who
are taking inhaled corticosteroids, with proper use. The first studied 1,041
children ages 5 to 12 in the United States who received either an inhaled
steroid (311 children), an inhaled non-steroid asthma drug (312 children) or a
placebo (418 children) for 4 to 6 years. They were evaluated very frequently
for side effects and asthma symptoms. While there was a brief period of slower
growth in the children receiving the steroid, children in all three groups grew
at the same rate over the entire study period. The other study, in Denmark,
compared 142 young adults with asthma who received inhaled corticosteroids for three
to 13 years (average 9.2 years) with 51 of their non-asthmatic siblings and 18
young adults with asthma who had not received inhaled steroids. All had
completed their growth. There was no difference in height among the groups. The
U.S. study monitored bone density in addition to growth, and the children
taking inhaled corticosteroids showed no evidence of osteoporosis.
Recently, there have been reports that suppression of natural steroid
production, which occurs frequently in children and adults taking oral
corticosteroids, is happening more frequently than previously thought with the
use of inhaled corticosteroids. Close review of these reports actually has been
somewhat reassuring in that this problem has been occurring only in individuals
on very high doses and, in several cases, in children who received both inhaled
and oral corticosteroids. Still, children on higher-than-average doses should
be watched closely for this problem.
The risk for potential side effects is directly related both to dosage and
failure to take steps to reduce unwanted absorption of the medicine through the
gastrointestinal tract by swallowing rather than inhaling. It is important to
keep the dose at the lowest level that controls symptoms, use a spacing or
holding chamber device, and rinse the mouth or brush the teeth immediately
after taking inhaled corticosteroids. Keep in mind that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective
treatment for asthma currently available. With proper use, they not only
restore a child's ability to play, attend school and be active, but also
prevent serious illness and even death from asthma. So, even if these medicines
did impact growth, the alternative would be unacceptable. As a recent medical
journal
editorial stated, "No one ever died from being short."
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3. THE HERBAL CORNER - * Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)
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European Goldenrod is a perennial often found along roadsides and in open
fields with single woody stems that grow to heights of 3 to 7 feet. Its yellow
flowers, which generally appear in August and September, are only about 1-inch
wide but come in profuse clusters. Leaves alternate between toothed and smooth
edges. Because goldenrod has an unusual ability to crossbreed with other
plants, there are at least 130 recognizable species of goldenrod in the United
States alone. This herb is native to Europe and has spread to Asia, the Azores,
and both North and South America.
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause hay fever. Its pollen
grains, which are meant to be carried by insects, are much heavier than those
of ragweed and other plants with airborne pollens that may be associated with
allergies or hay fever. The above ground parts of the plants are dried and used
for medicinal purposes.
Historically, Goldenrod, also called European Goldenrod, has been used
topically for wound healing; in fact, the name Solidago means "to make
whole." Today, goldenrod is primarily used as an aquaretic agent, meaning
that it promotes the loss of water from the body (as compared to a diuretic,
which promotes the loss of both water and electrolytes such as salt). It is
used frequently in Europe to treat urinary tract inflammation and to prevent or
treat kidney stones. In addition to wound healing, goldenrod has traditionally
been used externally to relieve inflammation of the mouth and throat. It may
also ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
The ability of goldenrod to flush water from the body, combined with its
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, has caused it to be reported as
useful for a wide range of conditions including:
- Inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract
- Kidney stones
- Influenza
- Upper respiratory congestion
- Arthritis
- Periodontal disease
- Some gastrointestinal disorders
Topical applications have been used as an aid in wound healing and skin
conditions such as eczema. Some reports indicate that Goldenrod may also be
used as a gargle for laryngitis or sore throats.
Goldenrod may be taken in a variety of forms, including tea, tincture, or fluid
extract. Goldenrod is generally considered safe and has no known negative side
effects. However, you should not use this herb if you have impaired heart or kidney
function. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult with your
physician before taking any medication, including herbs. There are no
scientific reports to date about the use of Goldenrod in children.
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4. EALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH
* Tomato, Basil, and Feta Pasta
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4 medium ripe tomatoes chopped (3 cups)
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces radiatore pasta (radiator-shaped pasta)
1 package (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1. Mix tomatoes, basil, oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Cook pasta as directed on package then drain.
3. Toss pasta with tomato mixture and feta cheese. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 servings.
Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories 250; Total Fat 9g;
Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 320mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g;
Dietary Fiber 2g; Protein 9g
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5. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH
* PROANTHENOLS - http://www.theolivebranch.com/opcs.htm
Potent, Safe, and Effective Antioxidant
Supports Immune Function; Fights Aging
Certified Authentic Masquelier's OPCs
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Life Plus PROANTHENOLS are a powerful, super-antioxidant supplement -
50 times more potent than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C!
The product contains choice OPCs (OligomericProanthoCyanidins), from select
grape seed and maritime pine bark extracts, which help protect your body
against "invaders" that can damage cells resulting in disease, aging,
and cancer. These are the most effective antioxidants available! PROANTHENOLS
are effective at strengthening your immune system and supporting joints,
connective tissue, and the collagen in your skin. PROANTHENOLS can act as an
anti-inflammatory substance and it has helped many people fight arthritis and
even some auto-immune disorders like lupus and fibromyalgia!
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6. INFORMATION SITES:
Health Books - http://www.theolivebranch.com/amazon/health.htm
Water Filters - http://www.theolivebranch.com/water/mp.htm
Herbs - http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/index-h.htm
Recipes - http://www.theolivebranch.com/recipes/list.htm
News Archives - http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/index.htm
Special News Topics - http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/special.htm
About us - http://www.theolivebranch.com/who.htm
Why Life Plus Vitamins - http://www.theolivebranch.com/why.htm
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Buy 6 of any one product featured on our Life Plus site and get 1 FREE!
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Be Healthy, Be Happy!
The Culbreths
HOME: http://www.theolivebranch.com/
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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.