Health News - November 2002

The Olive Branch

Featured in this month's issue: 

  1. HEALTH BYTES:
      Facts, Tips, & News for Better Living!

  2. FEATURED ARTICLE: "Bipolar Disorder"

  3. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

  4. THE HERBAL CORNER: Burdock -
     "Natural Diuretic, Appetite Stimulant"

  5. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH: MSM Plus -
      Biological Sulfur Dietary Supplement
      Fights Joint Pain, Allergies, Asthma
      Supports Immune and Skeletal Systems

  6. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH:
      Rice Pancakes

  7.  PAST SPECIAL EDITIONS

1. HEALTH BYTES - Facts, Tips, & News for Better Living

STROKE AWARENESS -- If you think you or someone near you is having a stroke, which is characterized by weakness or numbness on one side of the body, a sudden slurring or loss of speech, and dimness or loss of vision in one eye, call an ambulance immediately. Strokes result from blocked blood flow to part of the brain, and often the symptoms are either ignored or seeking medical help is delayed. A clot-busting drug called TPA can restore the flow and the drug, Citicoline, appears to revive dying brain cells, but only if administered promptly. Please do not ignore the above symptoms, call a medical professional immediately.

ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO EAT HEALTHIER -- Studies have shown that people with the highest levels of vitamin B6, B12, and folate in their blood did better on memory tests than those who had lower B-vitamin levels. Foods high in these vitamins include: mussels, oysters, chicken, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, spinach, oranges, bran cereal, and whole wheat bread. An added bonus: adequate folate, B6 and B12 levels have been associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes.

PREVENT CATARACTS NATURALLY -- A diet that includes plenty of broccoli, carrots, collard greens, spinach, and squash can help prevent cataracts. These vegetables contain chemicals that enhance eye pigments which help filter out ultraviolet light, a major cause of cataracts.

KNOW YOUR JUICE -- Quite a few juice drinks on the market now are so diluted that most contain as little as 5% to 10% juice. These products are mostly water, sugar, flavorings, and additives. When buying juice, choose only those with no preservatives or added sweeteners. When reviewing the ingredient panel, the product should have juice listed as the first ingredient. Products with a lower percentage of juice list water first. The best choice is 100% juice.

GOOD SLEEP IS IMPORTANT -- Many people do not get an adequate amount of sleep to carry them through the day. This affects their work and those people around them. When someone is sleep-deprived, they are less productive and more likely to make mistakes. They are also more likely to be irritable with their family and coworkers. Some hints on getting a good night's sleep: One hour before bedtime, begin to relax with some calming activities, either reading or listening to music. Avoid caffeine within six hours of bedtime. Avoid alcohol since it tends to disturb the sleep in the latter part of the night. If snoring is a problem: Lose weight, even losing a few pounds can make a difference. Avoid alcohol within two hours of bedtime. Sleep on your side. If you are still experiencing problems after three weeks, if you find yourself falling asleep in the daytime, or if you experience sleep apnea (disrupted breathing during sleep), you should seek proper medical treatment.

2. FEATURED ARTICLE - "Bipolar Disorder"

Over two-million people in the United States, and millions of others worldwide, suffer from manic-depressive illness, otherwise known as bipolar disorder. Left untreated, it may lead to substance abuse, depression, behavior problems, mood swings, depression, or even suicide.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression or manic-depressive illness, is a mental condition involving episodes of serious mania and depression. The person's mood usually swings from overly "high" and irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, with periods of normal mood in between. Some of that behavior may include "wild spending sprees" that imposes a further stress on that person who is ill or other family members. Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades. Effective treatments are available.

Bipolar disorder tends to run in families and is believed to be inherited in many cases. Despite vigorous research efforts, a specific genetic defect associated with the disease has not yet been detected. Bipolar illness has been diagnosed in children under age 12, although it is not common in this age bracket. It can be confused with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so careful diagnosis is necessary.

Bipolar disorder involves cycles of mania and depression. Signs and symptoms of mania include discrete periods of:

Signs and symptoms of depression include discrete periods of:

It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in manic-depressive illness as a spectrum or continuous range. At one end is severe depression, which shades into moderate depression; then come mild and brief mood disturbances that many people call "the blues," then normal mood, then hypomania (a mild form of mania), and then mania. Some people with untreated bipolar disorder have repeated depressions and only an occasional episode of hypomania (bipolar II). In the other extreme, mania may be the main problem and depression may occur only infrequently. In fact, symptoms of mania and depression may be mixed together in a single "mixed" bipolar state.

Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a health care professional skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Mental health professionals, can assist in providing the patient and his or her family with resources and approaches to treatment. Help can often be found at university or medical school-affiliated programs; hospital departments of psychiatry; private psychiatric offices and clinics; health maintenance organizations; offices of family physicians, internists, and pediatricians.

There are varying approaches to a health issue of this type. Careful attention to nutritional needs should always be a part of a health program. Foods are a big influence in the brain's behavior. Chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, do respond to the foods we eat. This also has an important impact on mood. One of the most commonly talked about neurotransmitters is serotonin and the amino acid tryptophan helps process it in the brain to assist in easing stress. Complex carbs are the general supplier of this amino acid to increase serotonin production. Protein rich foods with essential fatty acids are more beneficial for alertness. Food allergies can be a cause or contributing factor to mental health problems. Artificial sweeteners contain phenylalanine which is reported to cause potential allergic chemical reactions in those who suffer from depression. Exposure to sun or other bright light is also healthy to regulate the production of melatonin in the body which is a part of avoiding those depressive moods. Colors can also create a behavior response, so pick colors that you use in rooms and in clothing with that in mind. It is wise to research all the options and put a program in place that offers the best chance for consistent improved health.

People with manic-depressive illness often need help to get help. Many times people with bipolar disorder do not recognize how impaired they are or blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness. People with bipolar disorder need strong encouragement from family and friends to seek treatment. Family physicians can play an important role for such referral. If this does not work, loved ones must take the patient for proper mental health evaluation and treatment. If the person is in the midst of a severe episode, someone may need to take charge for the patient's own protection and treatment. It is important for patients and families to understand that bipolar disorder is a serious problem.

Ongoing encouragement and support are needed after the person obtains initial treatment, because it may take a while to discover what therapeutic regimen is best for that particular patient. Some people receiving treatment may also benefit from joining mutual support groups. It may include a church or congregational group. This will often help the person get a new perspective on their own life and find encouragement toward better health. There are also sponsored groups from organizations like the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and the National Mental Health Association. Families and friends of people with bipolar disorder may also benefit from mutual support groups.

Online Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - http://www.ndmda.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - http://www.nami.org
National Foundation for Depressive Illness - http://www.depression.org
National Mental Health Association - http://www.nmha.org

3. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

** Q & A #1: What is collagen and why all the interest in it today?

Collagen is the most prevalent protein in our body, a major part of the structure holding us together. It is important to both maintain our collagen levels with good nutrition and protect existing collagen with antioxidants. As more and more research is done, scientists and clinicians are becoming even more aware of how important collagen really is in such areas as circulation.

** Q & A #2: Is it true that turkey actually contains more fat than ham?

In general, no. Animal fat, be it from turkey, pork, or beef is animal fat. It is saturated fat and when cooked, especially with an open flame as when barbecuing, can produce carcinogens - avoid them like the plague. Turkey is one of the leaner meats, especially if you eat the white meat and avoid the skin and fat under the skin. Some ham is leaner than others, but generally contains more fat than does turkey. Eat more grains, fruits and vegetables!

** Q & A #3: What causes heartburn?

Heartburn really has nothing to do with your heart. It is a burning sensation resulting from stomach acid backing-up into your esophagus. What usually happens is the valve at the upper end of your stomach (the cardiac end) becomes weakened and does not always close as well as it should. Then, when an abundance of hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach, some gets out and causes irritation to the tissues of the esophagus. The lining of the stomach is designed to deal with the acid, but other tissues cannot, so a burning sensation is produced when these tissue are exposed.

** Q & A #4: Does cooked fruit still contain antioxidants?

Usually some, but not many. All phytonutrients, including antioxidants, are sensitive to heat. So the more you cook them, the more you destroy their antioxidants.

** Q & A #5: Is rice healthier than potatoes?

It depends on the type of rice you use. Both foods contain a lot of starch. If you eat whole grain rice that is not overcooked, it will contain more protein and usually more minerals. For a vegan, a dinner of brown rice and beans makes a very healthy meal that will offer a complete protein with the vital amino acids. Red potatoes offer a better nutritional choice than white potatoes because it metabolizes better in the body.

4. THE HERBAL CORNER - Burdock (Arctium minus)

Natural Diuretic, Appetite Stimulant Inflammation Fighter & More! Burdock has been used by herbalists worldwide to treat a variety of illnesses, including pneumonia, abscesses, acne, fever, dandruff, and throat infections, as well as inflammation. Scientific research done nearly 50 years ago showed that burdock root has some antibiotic properties.
More information - http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/burdock.htm

5. PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH

* MSM PLUS - Natural Biological Sulfur Supplement
-----Fights Joint Pains and Allergies
-----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 has been used by those with arthritis, bursitis, and other inflammations associated with the joints. It is also established as a safe, natural product for many other types of pain and inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and chronic back pain. 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.

More information - http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/msm.htm
MSM Source - http://www.theolivebranch.com/msm.htm

6. HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH
* Rice Pancakes - http://www.theolivebranch.com/recipes/ricepan.htm

7. PAST SPECIAL EDITIONS:

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

We are always happy to correspond with our subscribers. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

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.

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