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Featured in this month's issue:

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

2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Key Info About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

3. THE HERBAL CORNER: "Ginger"

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1. HEALTH BYTES Facts and Tips for Better Living

PARENTS FAIL TO SEE OBESE CHILDREN -- Many parents are failing to recognize obesity and overweight problems in their children, a British study finds. Researchers surveyed the parents of 277 children in Britain and found only a quarter recognized when their offspring were overweight. When children were obese, 33 percent of mothers and 57 percent of fathers thought their sons and daughters were "about right," according to a study in the British Medical Journal. In addition, parents were less likely to recognize overweight boys than girls in the study. The study authors say the findings also reveal some parents showed a lack of concern toward their children's weight problems.

TIPS FOR SAFE TEEN DRIVING -- A Maryland public health expert says the ultimate responsibility for safe teen driving rests with parents and guardians. "Parents need to do a much better job of monitoring and restricting the driving privileges of their teens," says Ken Beck. Research shows parents who set restrictions and monitor their children have teens who are significantly less likely to report a variety of high-risk activities, including unsafe driving. Driving restrictions should include: when - not late at night; where - not on high-speed and dangerous roads, and with whom - not with multiple passengers in the car, Beck said. His study, conducted for the state of Maryland, shows the vital role parents play. Beck includes other tips on the web site http://www.parentsofyoungdrivers.com

HEALTHY DRESSING -- Fat-free dressing may not be the most nutritious choice for your salads. A bit of healthy fat can help raw veggies pack a more powerful nutrient punch, according to research. In a new study, people who ate salads with dressings that had some fat in them absorbed more carotenoids from the vegetables compared to people who used non-fat dressing. Carotenoids are a family of potent antioxidants. Carotenoids protect against cancer and give fruits and veggies their bright red, orange, and yellow hues. Carotenoids are fat-soluble, which means they require fat in order to be absorbed in the small intestine. Remember, however, that fat is high in calories, so use fat-containing products such as salad dressing in moderation. Also, choose salad dressings with healthy fats, such as olive oil or canola oil, which are unsaturated and have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels. In a study, people who consumed salads with equal amounts of spinach, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and carrots absorbed more alpha carotene, beta carotene, and lycopene from the salads when they used fat-containing salad dressing.

UPBEAT NOW, HEALTHY BEATS LATER -- More and more research is suggesting that depression can impact heart health. Now a recent study in postmenopausal women revealed that even a mild case of the blues may increase the risk of developing heart disease down the road. When you feel a blue mood coming on, cut it short by spending time with good friends or going for a brisk walk. Short bouts of exercise can improve mood. Exercise helps to release mood-boosting hormones into the bloodstream. Exercise also helps you to foster a positive self-image. In a study, a group of women who began an exercise program felt better about their body image regardless of whether they lost weight.

ENERGY DRINKS AND ALCOHOL DO NOT MIX -- While energy drinks like "Red Bull" are a common choice these days, Health Canada says drinking them excessively and mixing them with alcohol can have serious health effects. Here's how to minimize your risk: Limit your consumption of energy drinks to 500 mL, or two cans per day. Do not mix energy drinks with alcohol. Rehydrate your system with water after intense physical activity or exercise. If you have an adverse reaction to energy drinks, seek medical attention.

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2. WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The bird flu strain that has devastated flocks and killed dozens of people in Asia has been confirmed in tests on birds from Romania, the Romanian agriculture ministry announced Saturday. The ministry said lab tests in Britain showed that the flu detected in wild birds found dead in the Danube delta is the H5N1 strain. That is the strain authorities around the world fear could mutate into a form that can be passed among people, leading to a global pandemic, the Associated Press reported. The announcement comes a week after H5N1 was discovered on a farm in Turkey, prompting the European Union (EU) to ban poultry imports from both Turkey and Romania. Meanwhile, the International Herald Tribune reported that EU health officials unveiled tough new measures to help eradicate the virus, including keeping poultry indoors to prevent contact with wild migratory birds that are bringing the disease westward from Asia. But the organization's top veterinary officials sought to temper growing alarm and stressed that the bird flu outbreak did not currently pose a public health risk. "Recent information from the outbreaks of this week in Romania and Turkey suggests that the disease remains confined to poultry and wild birds, and at this stage no human cases have been confirmed," the organization said in a statement. "Therefore, at present, avian influenza does not represent a risk to the general public."

Key facts about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus (excerpted from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

Q & A #1: What is avian influenza (bird flu)?

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Q & A #2: Do bird flu viruses infect humans?

Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.

Q & A #3: What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.

Q & A #4: How does bird flu spread?

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.

Q & A #5: What is the risk to humans from bird flu?

The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia and Europe is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. In rare instances, limited human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus has occurred, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person. It is important to note that this virus can mutate into another strain that could be highly contagious.

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3. THE HERBAL CORNER - * Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

More information on ginger at: http://www.theolivebranch.com/herbs/ginger.htm

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Get Your own NSF Certified Water Filter - filters water at about 4 to 7 cents a gallon!
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Be Healthy, Be Happy!

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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.