Featured in this month's issue:

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

2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

3. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH: Purslane & Tomato Soup

4. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH: MSM Plus - Biological Sulfur Dietary Supplement Supports Immune and Skeletal Systems

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Protect Your Heart with Vital Nutrients!

HEART FORMULA is specially designed to provide your body with the many vital nutrients it needs to maintain a healthy cardiovascular and circulatory system.

HEART FORMULA

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1. HEALTH BYTES - Facts and Tips for Better Living

FAT SALAD -- Think you are getting off "light" by having a salad for lunch? Well, think again. According to a study at the University of Mississippi, students who went through the salad bar at mealtime consumed more fat and calories than students who went through the regular cafeteria line. Wonder why? A salad just is not what it used to be. All the non/low-fat good things in a salad - lettuce, celery, shredded carrots, tomatoes, and onions - are now supplemented by considerable amounts of crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, olives, and other high-fat, high-sodium stuff. And there is the dressing. An envelope of packaged salad dressing at a fast food restaurant has to give you nutrition information per serving. They will tell you a serving of dressing is one ounce, but read the fine print - there are two ounces of dressing in each packet. Are you going to measure out one ounce? You can fill up on salad without having to loosen your belt a notch by adding bean sprouts, sliced beets, kidney beans, and even hard-boiled eggs, a source of fat but also of high-quality protein. As for dressing, if there is one you can see through, go for it. Otherwise, look for the oil and vinegar cruets.

PURSLANE HERB -- The succulent, fleshy leaves of the Purslane plant have a tart vinegary taste and are reported to contain more omega-3 fatty acids than any other green, leafy vegetable. Purslane is good in soups, salads, and on sandwiches as a substitute for sprouts.

POOR EATING & CALORIES REVISITED -- Poor eating habits are usually established during childhood, so sometimes it is difficult to judge the calories in food. For instance, a can of regular soda contains more sugar than a slice of cake. Being more aware of what you put in your mouth can stop the calories from mounting. It takes burning 3,500 more calories than you consume to lose a pound of body weight.

LOSING HAIR? -- It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs each day, but if you are worried about hair loss, here are some ideas to provide nutritional support for your scalp. Include brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts in your diet; they are good sources of biotin. Lie head down on an inclined board 15 minutes a day to allow the blood to reach your scalp. Massage also improves circulation; a few drops of vitamin E oil massaged into the scalp can strengthen fragile hair. Use natural hair-care products, such as a pure bristle hairbrush, and allow your hair to dry naturally rather than using a hair dryer. Do not wash your hair everyday.

OUTSMARTING JET LAG -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UTSMC) sleep researchers suggest an easy way to outsmart jet lag. "Travelers should follow three easy steps to help reset their bodies' clocks after a dramatic time change," says Dr. John Herman, of the UTSMC and director of the Sleep Disorder Clinic at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Herman suggests taking 6 milligrams of melatonin when it is 11:30 p.m. in the time zone of the travel destination and when arriving at the travel destination get as much sunlight as soon as possible. One hour before bedtime on the night of arrival, Herman says to take another 3 milligrams of melatonin.

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2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

** Q & A #1: I find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time while studying and have heard that certain essential oils can aid concentration - is this true?

Yes, certain oils are known as cephalic (of the head) - they clear the mind and stimulate mental activity. Some of these oils are derived from basil, grapefruit, rosemary, and thyme. Our personal favorite is basil. Put six drops of the essential oil of basil in a burner with water and place in the room where you study.

** Q & A #2: I have just been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Does that mean I have to have open-heart surgery?

Most coronary artery disease can be managed without surgery. If your doctor has told you that you have coronary artery disease, it means you have plaques (deposits) on the lining of your coronary arteries causing partial narrowing. A stress test can estimate how narrow your arteries have become and the amount of heart muscle affected. If this test shows a low risk, there are a number of things you can do to prevent these plaques from getting worse. Start with a low saturated fat diet and regular exercise program of 30 minutes of walking or bicycling a day, five days a week. According to medical experts adding cholesterol lowering medication will also lower your bad cholesterol and stabilize the lining of your arteries, making it less likely for your plaques to progress. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are suppose to stabilize the heart and the coronary arteries. Diabetes and hypertension also need to be controlled. Sometimes plaques can break open, allowing clots to form on top of them. It has been suggested that this situation can be prevented with aspirin. Talk to your doctor first, because aspirin is not for everyone. When a stress test shows an intermediate or high risk, that person may benefit from balloon angioplasty to open up a narrowed coronary artery. This is followed by inserting a metal coil called a stint to prop open the artery and avoid re-narrowing. You then need to follow the above risk factor modification techniques, including not smoking, to keep further plaque progression from occurring. Some people also integrate natural supplementation into their treatment plan. It is always a good idea to give a healthy diet, supplement regimen and exercise program an opportunity to support health or assist in a recovery program.

** Q & A #3: What is Saint John's Wort?

Also known as Hypericum, this herb is best known for its calming or soothing and healing powers. It has antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oil of St. John's Wort can be taken in supplement form or applied topically when used for massage. It may prove beneficial in relieving pain in joints, muscles, and nerves and it can also be used to treat minor burns and insect stings.

** Q & A #4: Our teenage son has recurrent cold sores - is there a natural treatment?

Tea Tree Oil is a natural anti-viral treatment and is reported safe for all ages. For best results it must be applied at the onset of the cold sore when tingling occurs. Soak the end of a cotton swab in the oil and apply to the affected area every three to four hours. Lip balm containing Tea Tree Oil can be used daily and will help to prevent recurrence.

** Q & A #5: What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and how do I know if it is right for me?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) given by perscription is the supplementation of estrogen and a synthetic progestin. Estrogen and Progesterone naturally occur in the body. After menopause, these natural hormones decrease in women. Most doctors advise women who have had a hysterectomy to take estrogen. The benefits of HRT may diminish symptoms that can occur during menopause, some of which include hot flashes, irritability, and vaginal dryness. Other benefits could include the prevention of osteoporosis, which leads to fracture reduction and to a lesser extent prevention of colon cancer. However, it would seem that the risks of taking HRT outweigh the benefits. HRT can increase the risk for venous blood clots, coronary heart disease, and stroke. If taken for longer periods of time, it can also increase the risk for breast cancer and gallstones. Recent findings suggest it may contribute to dementia. Be aware of the risks and benefits of this treatment. Also be aware of alternative therapies which tend to have a more natural effect on the body. This might include natural hormone sources, dietary supplements and lifestyle changes. Each individual should research their options, get medical advice and make a decision only after careful consideration.

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3. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH * Purslane & Tomato Soup

See Recipe Here

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4. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH
MSM PLUS - Natural Biological Sulfur Supplement
Supports Immune and Skeletal Systems

MSM PLUS from Life Plus contains pure, organic, biological sulfur in its natural form. MSM (or Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) is used by your body to support growth and maintenance of connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bones. MSM is found in many foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, eggs, and lean meat. However, processing, heat, and long term storage can diminish the amount of MSM contained in these foods or even cause it to disappear altogether! Although you may be eating a well-balanced diet, you may need additional supplementation of MSM to ensure proper levels in your body. Not only does MSM support your joints and connective tissue, it also supports your immune system and just about every other part of your body. MSM can be effective against certain inflammations associated with the skeletal and respiratory systems of the body. Life Plus uses only the highest grade MSM, manufactured according to the patented process of the scientists who initially studied MSM's health-supporting properties.

MSM PLUS is available in tablet form and a moisturizing lotion and additional information is available at MSM

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For more information, see AQUA DOME

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Information sites:
About us - http://www.theolivebranch.com/who.htm
Why Life Plus - http://www.theolivebranch.com/why.htm

Other Health Resources:

Health Books - http://www.theolivebranch.com/amazon/health.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

Water Filters - http://www.theolivebranch.com/water/mp.htm

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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.

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Please do all you can to Be Healthy and we pray you will 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.