The Olive Branch Health Newsletter
~~~March 2003~~~
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Featured in this month's issue:

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

  2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

  3. THE HERBAL CORNER: Celery Seed

  4. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH: Circulation Formula
      Promotes Healthy Circulatory System Function

  5. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH: Squash-&-Pear Bisque

  6. PAST SPECIAL EDITIONS:

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1. HEALTH BYTES - Facts and Tips for Better Living
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SELENIUM LOWERS CANCER RISK -- New scientific findings have revealed that selenium activates a tumor-suppressing gene called p53, which seems to work by causing abnormal cells to die or preventing them from replicating. The p53 gene is mutated or inactive in many types of cancer. Although it has been known that selenium can lower the risk of certain types of cancer, the exact mechanism has been unknown. Researchers estimate that the average American diet provides only 50 mcg of selenium daily, and that a multi-vitamin containing selenium is a good idea for most people. They also recommend about 200 mcg of selenium per day for cancer prevention. Antioxidants such as selenium neutralize free radicals, natural but dangerous byproducts of normal body processes that can damage healthy cells and lead to many chronic diseases. The findings were published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition."

FYI -- Raw hazelnuts contain a substance called paclitaxel, a potent cancer fighter also found in yew tree bark, which is the source of the anti-cancer drug Taxol.

ANTIBIOTICS AFTER A TICK BITE? -- The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children with deer tick bites DO NOT get treated with antibiotics unless they develop the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease. Some studies report that "preventive" antibiotics are not effective in preventing Lyme Disease, and may cause side effects from the medicine. Even in areas where Lyme Disease is common, the risk of developing Lyme Disease may not happen after a tick bite. If the tick is removed immediately, the risk of Lyme Disease could be eliminated. Preventing contact with tick infested areas and quick, proper removal of ticks is by far the best course of action. Click on the following for:
Lyme and Tick borne illness Newsletter

STRESS AND GRAY HAIR MYTH -- Does worry and stress really turn your hair gray? According to Dr. Kitha Griffinan, an Atlanta dermatologist, pigment-producing cells called melanocytes are genetically programmed to stop producing hair pigment at a certain age regardless of how much stress you have in your life. Other sources insist that lack of particular nutrients are to blame. In any event, worry and stress does do damage to the body as well as the mind. Practice stress reduction and get proper nutrition.

WATCH YOUR PHONE POSTURE -- We are all familiar with the image: a busy person holds a phone between ear and shoulder, keeping his or her hands free for another task. As it turns out, people who do that for more than 10 minutes at a stretch could be risking a stroke, says a report in the Canadian medical Association Journal. An Ontario doctor recently treated a 63-year old man who suffered a stroke after a 56-minute telephone conversation. The man had kept his head bent to the right side the entire time. This compressed an artery in his neck, which blocked the flow of blood to the brain and brought on the stroke. Crooked phone posture is particularly dangerous for older people, as well as those who arteries are already damaged by heart disease or high blood pressure. Anyone who spends a lot of time on the phone should switch ears frequently and try to avoid bending the neck. An even better remedy is to invest in a hands-free headset. Besides the issue of Stroke, the stress factors on the muscles of the neck can cause moderate to severe pain until those muscles are stretched/worked or repositioned back to normal.

CONDITION YOUR HEART -- Depending on your age, level of conditioning, and your fitness goals, you should train in a particular heart-rate zone. Beginners should try to elevate their heart rate to 50%-60% of their maximum while intermediates and advanced should shoot for 70%-85% of their max. The higher your heart rate, the more calories you will burn and the more fit you can become. To figure your maximum heart rate, simply subtract your age from 220. For example, if you are 30 years old, you would have a maximum heart rate of 190. To work at 70% of your maximum heart rate, you would shoot for a heart rate of approximately 133 beats per minute (0.7 x 190). You can also count beats-per-minute in 10-second increments and then multiply by six.

TAKE YOUR VITAMIN E -- Take Your Vitamin E Supplement even if you think you do not need it - unless you are on medications that your doctor feels would not do well with Vitamin E. Recent research concludes that antioxidants may indeed be protection against free radicals that contribute to diseases such as cancer and even arthritis. Exact recommended daily allowances are still in contention but a normal amount of Vitamin E is about 400 IU (International Units) daily. A good health regimen should include an assorted variety of antioxidants which might include Vitamin C and OPCs.

OVERACTIVE BLADDER -- More than 17 million Americans, mostly women, have an "over-active bladder," yet 80 percent of them are doing little about it because of embarrassment, ignorance, or lack of diagnosis, researchers say. The condition can be serious and debilitating, both physically and socially, they say. It can intrude on a person’s work, sleep, travel, sex life, and social activities. Most of those with overactive bladder are younger than 65, said Dr.Scott MacDiarmid, associate professor of urology and director of the Bladder Control and Pelvic Center at the University of Tennessee. The condition is characterized by an urgent need to urinate immediately, wetting accidents or the need to urinate at least eight times in a 24-hour period. Treatments include behavioral therapy and biofeedback, medical devices that use electrical stimulation to cause contraction of the striated pelvic muscle, surgery, used as a last resort, and medications.

OTHER SOURCES OF CALCIUM -- Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth and it also helps regulate the heartbeat. So what about all of those out there who are lactose intolerant or those who just do not like to drink that much milk? There are other sources of calcium that can help you get the daily recommended dose. Here is a list of some foods that are high in calcium and the mg of calcium per serving. While some of the top ones are a little obscure, some of the others are easy to add to your diet to boost your calcium intake: dried agar 625; carob flour 359; dried figs 269; frozen or raw rhubarb 266; raw tofu 258; canned sardines (with bones) 250; winged beans 244; oysters 195; instant oatmeal 163; hummus 124; raw spinach 122; almonds 75. Some forms of calcium need other nutrients to absorb well and if you prefer an easier way to get the recommended amount, then supplement.

OREGANO OIL KILLS RESISTANT BUGS -- Two new experiments suggest that oil from the common herb oregano may be an effective treatment against dangerous and sometimes drug-resistant bacteria. Comparing the antibacterial effects of oregano oil to those of standard antibiotics, including penicillin, on staphylococcus bacteria, which cause a variety of severe infections and are showing increasing antibiotic resistance. The oil inhibited bacterial growth in test tubes as well as the antibiotics, and was as effective as the drug vancomycin at treating mice infected with staphylococci. The ability of oils from various spices to kill infectious organisms has been recognized since antiquity. Natural oils may turn out to be valuable when antibiotics are not the best choice.

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2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

** Q & A #1: What chocolate is healthiest for the heart?

A review of recent studies finds that real dark chocolate is good for your heart. Researchers say the flavonoids in cocoa and chocolate can lower your risk of heart disease. The main ingredient of both chocolate and cocoa, cocoa butter, has plenty of saturated fat, but the remaining fat may make up for some - or possibly all - the negatives, say the researchers. Unsaturated fatty acids found in cocoa butter are full of flavonoids, nutrients that have been reported to decrease LDL "bad" cholesterol, thereby reducing risk of heart disease, writes researcher Francene M. Steinberg, PhD, RD, in a recent issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association." But then, eating candy at increased rates may not be good either.

** Q & A #2: Can you provide me with some guidelines as to which nutrition bar to choose?

When you are choosing and trying out nutrition bars, a number of factors may influence your selection. Look for a bar that is low in fat (less than 5 grams of fat). When evaluating the fiber content of bars, aim for 3 to 5 grams of fiber. Particularly if you are watching your weight, check the calories listed on the label. For example, while a "Luna Bar" contains 170 to 180 calories, a "MET-Rx 100-Gram Food Bar" has 340 calories. If you are shopping for a meal-replacement bar, choose one that has about 15 or more grams of protein, along with some fiber, and fortified with about 35% of the RDAs for vitamins and minerals. Meal-replacement bars tend to be larger than other bars, with proportionately higher levels of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Consume some real food along with the bar such as grape tomatoes or a piece of fruit. If you consume multiple bars per day, make sure you are not biting off more vitamins and minerals than you should chew. For example, a fortified bar might provide 50% of the RDA for zinc. If you are eating several bars a day, plus a multi-nutrient supplement and a bowl of fortified cereal like Total, you could be getting much more zinc than you need, which might interfere with the absorption of other minerals, and even weaken your immune system.

** Q & A #3: Are there any differences between brand-name drugs and their generic counterparts?

Well, for starters, the names are different - a generic drug is called by its chemical name, while a manufacturer assigns a brand name. Also, the price of the generic drug is usually lower than that of a brand-name drug. Both generic and brand-name products have the same active ingredients. Overall, the generic drug is just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. However, generics are not necessarily made in an identical manner to its corresponding brand-name drug. Because of that, there can be occasional differences in individual side effects. There can also be occasional differences in an individual's response to a generic drug compared with the brand-name drug, since formulation differences can affect factors such as how much actually enters the bloodstream after oral administration. Newer drugs are protected by patents and are supplied by only one company. However, when the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce its generic version. Currently, about half the drugs on the market are available in generic form. Ask your pharmacist for as much information as possible on your prescriptions. Be especially cautious when using any newly approved drug and get all the facts.

** Q & A #4: What is blood pressure? Blood pressure indicates the pressure on the walls of the arteries. Example: Blood pressure 150/80. The first number (150) is the systolic pressure and indicates the amount of pressure on the artery walls when your heart beats, pushing blood out of the heart. The second number (80) is the diastolic pressure and indicates the pressure against the artery walls when your heart is relaxed (in between beats). When your blood pressure is too high (140/90 or greater, consistently), the workload on the heart and arteries is increased. High blood pressure means the heart is working harder to pump blood to all your vital organs (brain, kidney, lungs, liver) causing the heart to become enlarged. Also, cholesterol deposits may narrow the walls of the arteries, which makes it more difficult for the blood to travel to these vital organs. The higher pressure and smaller arteries can lead to heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure. Have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. For more information, contact your health care professional or at 1-800-AHA-USA1 or click on the following:
the American Heart Association

** Q & A #5: I am a diabetic; is it okay to exercise?

As a matter of fact, almost everyone benefits from exercise, but prior to beginning any exercise program, you should consult your doctor, especially if you are under a doctor's care for any reason. If you do get the go ahead from your doctor, you may find that by exercising and remaining active, you burn up glucose (sugar) in the muscles, which can help the elevated glucose levels after a meal get out of the blood stream and into muscle tissue or be used up by the exercise itself. After all, anything you can do to help yourself is good. The traditional evening walk after supper is great and, for this purpose, may be better than a walk in the morning. Again, check with your healthcare professional.

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3. THE HERBAL CORNER - * Celery Seed

Celery seeds come from the same plant whose stalks we have all eaten and cooked with. Recent scientific studies have shown that certain chemicals in celery seed may actually help problems such as high blood pressure, arthritis, anxiety, etc.

More information - Celery Seed

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4. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH - * CIRCULATION FORMULA

Supports a Healthy Circulatory System

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Researchers won the Nobel Prize for proving that the main ingredient found in CIRCULATION FORMULA, L-Arginine, produces "NO" in your body. "NO" stands for nitric oxide and is actually what your blood vessels use to stay dilated (open) so your blood can flow through them more easily and efficiently. CIRCULATION FORMULA is a premium-quality supplement that also contains synergistic B-vitamins and effective herbal extracts - including Ginkgo biloba, Horse Chestnut seed, and Butcher’s Broom - which support healthy arteries, veins, and circulation, as well as Muira Puama from the Amazon that promotes and supports other healthy functions. The organs in your body for which optimal blood flow is most critical are your heart, brain, and other organs. For optimum blood flow, heart and circulatory system function try a bottle of CIRCULATION FORMULA today! Additional details about CIRCULATION FORMULA can be found on our web site at http://www.theolivebranch.com/circulat.htm or CLICK HERE

========================================== 5. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH - * Squash-&-Pear Bisque

A perfect soup for a chilly evening. You can substitute chopped, dried pears in place of the fresh with very tasty results. You can also top it with a little bit of grated, reduced fat sharp white cheddar cheese, which will add a nice balance to the sweetness of the squash and the pear. If you've never had this type soup, you will be pleasantly surprised!

More information - Squash & Pear Bisque

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8. PAST SPECIAL EDITIONS:

We have several Special Editions that we issued on particular Health Issues or on Complimentary/Alternative Botanicals. You can view them from the following index:
http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/special.htm

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Be Healthy,

The Culbreths

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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.