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I am thankful for the abundance that is mine.

Add Color to your Diet for Healthy Eating

Eat five colorful fruits or vegetables each day to boost your anti-oxidant level.  Mangoes, strawberries, papaya, apples, a dark leafy green salad – all provide vitamins and protection.  Iceberg lettuce is practically worthless so buy romaine and spinach. 

Eating an apple in the morning and an orange in mid-afternoon can help you avoid low blood sugar, energy sapping doldrums.  Everyone needs some protein at every meal to store more long-term energy.

The Importance of Breakfast

You're in a hurry, you're not hungry and you're trying to cut calories anyways. Once again, breakfast gets pushed off of your "to do" list.

It may seem harmless, but skipping this morning meal can have consequences that last all day. Here are a few good reasons to make time for breakfast every morning:

It satisfies. The major reason for overeating is under eating, says Katherine Tallmadge, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). When you deprive your body in the morning, you're more likely to indulge unhealthful cravings later.

"There's nothing like a nice full tummy in the morning to give you the willpower to pass up a cookie tray at the mid-morning office meeting," Tallmadge explains.

It motivates metabolism. Research shows that people who skip breakfast have lower metabolisms, Tallmadge says. If you don't give your body enough fuel, it slows down its systems to conserve fuel. And when you finally do eat, your body will hold on to the calories with a vengeance. That means they're less likely to be used for energy and more likely to be stored as fat.

You'll feel better. When you wake up in the morning, odds are you haven't eaten for eight to 12 hours. Your body and brain need food for fuel.

You'll have more energy, a longer attention span and a better attitude if you have a healthful breakfast.

It helps you get nutrients. People who eat in the morning tend to have healthier diets overall, according to the ADA. Many common breakfast foods—such as oatmeal, cold cereal, fruit and whole grain breads—are high in nutrients and fiber.

If you skip out on these nutrients in the morning, you may not make up for it later.

Your waist will thank you. Eating breakfast can help you manage your weight, according to the American Heart Association. A study of nearly 3,000 people who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept them off for at least a year showed that 78 percent ate breakfast every day of the week (Obesity Research, February 2002).

Regular breakfast eaters also tend to eat less fat during the day, according to the ADA.

Quick and simple

A little planning goes a long way toward a good breakfast habit. Tallmadge recommends stocking up on quick, healthful breakfast foods each week so they'll be at your fingertips every morning.

On your next shopping trip, keep these easy, healthful breakfast ideas in mind:

  • Cold cereal with a sliced banana and yogurt.
  • A bran muffin and yogurt with berries.
  • Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk.
  • A slice of pizza and orange juice.
  • Oatmeal with raisins and shredded cheese.
  • A whole-wheat waffle topped with fruit and yogurt.

Tallmadge recommends eating one-third of your day's calories at breakfast. Try to include whole grains, protein and a fruit or vegetable, she says. A bit of healthful fat (peanut butter, nuts, seeds, lox) will help you feel full longer.

Also, try to stick with whole foods instead of processed breakfast bars. Even if the bar has added vitamins, you'll still get more nutrition from an apple with peanut butter, Tallmadge says.

Use Glass in the Microwave

I thought this was pretty important, since most of us use the microwave at some time or another...

I just wanted to pass some information on to you. When I was watching Hawaii Channel 2, they featured Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle Hospital on the program. He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital. He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should NOT be heating our food in the microwave using PLASTIC containers. This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results without the dioxins.

So such things as TV dinners, instant soups including ramen, etc. should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. Just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Pass this on to your friends

As a seventh grade student, Claire Nelson learned that di(ethylhexyl)adepate (DEHA), considered a carcinogen, is found in plastic wrap. She also learned that the FDA had never studied the effect of microwave cooking on plastic-wrapped food. Claire began to wonder: "Can cancer-causing particles seep into food covered with household plastic wrap while it is being micro waved?"

Three years later, with encouragement from her high school science teacher, Claire set out to test what the FDA had not. Although she had an idea for studying the effect of microwave radiation on plastic wrapped food, she did not have the equipment. Eventually, Jon Wilkes at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas, agreed to help her. The research center, which is affiliated with the FDA, let her use its facilities to perform her experiments, which involved micro-waving plastic wrap in virgin olive oil.

Claire tested four different plastic wraps and "found not just the carcinogens but also xenoestrogen was migrating [into the oil]...." Xenoestrogens are linked to low sperm counts in men and to breast cancer in women. Throughout her junior and senior years, Claire made a couple of trips each week to the research center, which was 25 miles from her home, to work on her experiment. An article in Options reported that "her analysis found that DEHA was migrating into the oil at between 200 parts and 500 parts per million. The FDA standard is 0.05 parts per billion. "

Her summarized results have been published in science journals. Claire Nelson received the American Chemical Society's top science prize for students during her junior year and fourth place at the International Science and Engineering Fair (Fort Worth, Texas) as a senior. "Carcinogens -- At 10,000,000 Times FDA Limits" Options May 2000. Published by People Against Cancer
News on Hormone Use

May 28, 2:00 AM (ET)

By The Associated Press

A new study that says hormones can increase the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia has raised new questions for women deciding whether to take supplements. Here is what some experts say:

_Wake Forest University researcher Sally Shumaker, the study's lead author, says the results suggest women 65 and older should not take estrogen-progestin supplements for any reason. Those who strongly feel that they would benefit should consult with their doctors, Shumaker says.

_The National Institute on Aging says the findings show that combined supplements should not be prescribed for older postmenopausal women to maintain or improve mental function. The mental risks and benefits from hormone supplements in younger women are unknown, the NIA says.

_The Food and Drug Administration notes that hormone use remains approved for younger women to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Younger women should consult with their doctors about hormone use and, if it is deemed appropriate, should take the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration, the FDA says.

Agency officials are reviewing the hormone-dementia data to determine whether additional warning labels are needed. The FDA earlier this year issued requirements for new labels highlighting the increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer.

Note from Cynthia:  What worked for me: I learned firsthand that the combination of Dong Quai, Black Cohash and Evening of Primrose stopped hot flashes.  Insofar as being more comfortable while you sleep, invest in a pedestal fan and keep it directed at you!

Use Glass in the Microwave

I thought this was pretty important, since most of us use the microwave at some time or another...

I just wanted to pass some information on to you. When I was watching Hawaii Channel 2, they featured Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle Hospital on the program. He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital. He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should NOT be heating our food in the microwave using PLASTIC containers. This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results without the dioxins.

So such things as TV dinners, instant soups, etc. should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. Just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Pass this on to your friends

As a seventh grade student, Claire Nelson learned that di(ethylhexyl)adepate (DEHA), considered a carcinogen, is found in plastic wrap. She also learned that the FDA had never studied the effect of microwave cooking on plastic-wrapped food. Claire began to wonder: "Can cancer-causing particles seep into food covered with household plastic wrap while it is being micro waved?"

Three years later, with encouragement from her high school science teacher, Claire set out to test what the FDA had not. Although she had an idea for studying the effect of microwave radiation on plastic wrapped food, she did not have the equipment. Eventually, Jon Wilkes at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas, agreed to help her. The research center, which is affiliated with the FDA, let her use its facilities to perform her experiments, which involved micro-waving plastic wrap in virgin olive oil.

Claire tested four different plastic wraps and "found not just the carcinogens but also xenoestrogen was migrating [into the oil]...." Xenoestrogens are linked to low sperm counts in men and to breast cancer in women. Throughout her junior and senior years, Claire made a couple of trips each week to the research center, which was 25 miles from her home, to work on her experiment. An article in Options reported that "her analysis found that DEHA was migrating into the oil at between 200 parts and 500 parts per million. The FDA standard is 0.05 parts per billion. "

Her summarized results have been published in science journals. Claire Nelson received the American Chemical Society's top science prize for students during her junior year and fourth place at the International Science and Engineering Fair (Fort Worth, Texas) as a senior. "Carcinogens -- At 10,000,000 Times FDA Limits" Options May 2000. Published by People Against Cancer
The Importance of Breakfast

You're in a hurry, you're not hungry and you're trying to cut calories anyways. Once again, breakfast gets pushed off of your "to do" list.

It may seem harmless, but skipping this morning meal can have consequences that last all day. Here are a few good reasons to make time for breakfast every morning:

It satisfies. The major reason for overeating is under eating, says Katherine Tallmadge, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). When you deprive your body in the morning, you're more likely to indulge unhealthful cravings later.

"There's nothing like a nice full tummy in the morning to give you the willpower to pass up a cookie tray at the mid-morning office meeting," Tallmadge explains.

It motivates metabolism. Research shows that people who skip breakfast have lower metabolisms, Tallmadge says. If you don't give your body enough fuel, it slows down its systems to conserve fuel. And when you finally do eat, your body will hold on to the calories with a vengeance. That means they're less likely to be used for energy and more likely to be stored as fat.

You'll feel better. When you wake up in the morning, odds are you haven't eaten for eight to 12 hours. Your body and brain need food for fuel.

You'll have more energy, a longer attention span and a better attitude if you have a healthful breakfast.

It helps you get nutrients. People who eat in the morning tend to have healthier diets overall, according to the ADA. Many common breakfast foods—such as oatmeal, cold cereal, fruit and whole grain breads—are high in nutrients and fiber.

If you skip out on these nutrients in the morning, you may not make up for it later.

Your waist will thank you. Eating breakfast can help you manage your weight, according to the American Heart Association. A study of nearly 3,000 people who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept them off for at least a year showed that 78 percent ate breakfast every day of the week (Obesity Research, February 2002).

Regular breakfast eaters also tend to eat less fat during the day, according to the ADA.

Quick and simple

A little planning goes a long way toward a good breakfast habit. Tallmadge recommends stocking up on quick, healthful breakfast foods each week so they'll be at your fingertips every morning.

On your next shopping trip, keep these easy, healthful breakfast ideas in mind:

  • Cold cereal with a sliced banana and yogurt.
  • A bran muffin and yogurt with berries.
  • Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk.
  • A slice of pizza and orange juice.
  • Oatmeal with raisins and shredded cheese.
  • A whole-wheat waffle topped with fruit and yogurt.

Tallmadge recommends eating one-third of your day's calories at breakfast. Try to include whole grains, protein and a fruit or vegetable, she says. A bit of healthful fat (peanut butter, nuts, seeds, lox) will help you feel full longer.

Also, try to stick with whole foods instead of processed breakfast bars. Even if the bar has added vitamins, you'll still get more nutrition from an apple with peanut butter, Tallmadge says.

Don't Sweeten Your Coffee, Supplement It!

You've heard that maybe those pink packets and blue packets might not be healthy for you day after day, year after year…Well, here's a product that sweetens without danger.

SteviaPlus® Fiber is a naturally delicious, highly beneficial product that can be sprinkled on or used in preparing fruit, cereal, cookies, cakes, etc., and into any beverage. It is stable in both heating and freezing.  Stevia is a natural herb native to Paraguay and is 30 times sweeter than sugar in its unprocessed form.  SteviaPlus® contains the extract of Stevia leaves and a nutritional supplement called  Frutafitâ.

Just four SteviaPlus® Fiber packets contain as much fiber as a bowl of whole grain cereal.  Perfect for diabetics, 0 calorie, 0*carbs, 0 glycemic index

  • Improves regularity
  • Cleanses the colon
  • Assists and strengthens the immune system
  • Supports liver health
  • Prevents overgrowth of Candida albicans (yeast)
  • Helps control the formation of free radicals

Does not adversely affect blood sugar

Potassium

Recently my Dad experienced a situation with potassium and wanted to know what foods were high or low in this mineral that is involved in both electrical and cellular functions in the body.  I learned that in the body potassium is classified as an electrolyte that assists in the balance of acid and water in the body.  Not only is it necessary for muscle building and normal body growth, it is a very necessary property that aids in the functioning of our brain and nerve cells throughout our bodies.

What foods are high in potassium?
The following table lists foods that are high in potassium:


High-Potassium Foods

Fruits

Vegetables

Other Foods

Apricot

Artichokes

Bran/Bran products

Avocado

Beans, dried

Coffee (limit 2 cups/day)

Banana

Broccoli

Chocolate

Cantaloupe

Brussels Sprouts

Coconut

Casaba

Celery

Granola

Dates

Escarole

Ice Cream (limit 1 cup/day)

Dried fruits

Endive

Molasses

Figs

Greens (swiss chard, collard, dandelion, mustard, beet)

Nuts/seeds

Honeydew

Kale

Orange flavored soda

Mango

Kohlrabi

Salt substitutes

Nectarine

Lentils

Snuff/chewing tobacco

Orange

Legumes

Tea (limit 2 cups/day)

Papaya

Lima Beans

 

Plums

Mushrooms

 

Prunes

Parsnips

 

Raisins

Potatoes (french fries, baked, sweet)

 

Rhubarb

Salt-free vegetable juice

 

Juice of these fruits

Tomatoes

 


What foods are low in potassium?
The following table lists the foods that are low in potassium:


Low-Potassium Foods

Fruits

Vegetables

Other Foods

Apples

Alfalfa sprouts

Rice

Blackberries

Asparagus

Noodles

Blueberries

Beans, green or wax

Bread & bread products

Boysenberries

Bean sprouts

Cereals

Cherries

Beets

Cake

Cranberries

Cabbage

Cookies

Gooseberries

Carrots

Pies (no chocolate or high-potassium fruit)

Grapes

Cauliflower

 

Loganberries

Corn

 

Mandarin oranges

Cucumber

 

Pears

Eggplant

 

Pineapple

Lettuce

 

Raspberries

Mixed vegetables

 

Strawberries

Okra

 

Tangerines

Onions

 

Watermelon

Parsley

 

Juice of these fruits

Peas

 

 

Radish

 

 

Rutabagas

 

 

Squash (summer, zucchini)

 

Stress Relief Just For Fun  

Just in case you've had a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological texts. The funny thing is that it really works... 

1. Picture yourself near a stream.

2. Birds are softly chirping in the cool mountain air.

3. No one but you knows your secret place.

4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called "the world."

5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

6. The water is crystal clear.

7. You can easily make out the face of the person you're holding underwater.

Claire
Facial Magic office

Health News on Milk Thistle

Liver cleanliness…Liver protection.  For over 2,000 years, Milk Thistle has been used to treat a variety of health conditions.  From varicose veins, to menstrual problems and kidney ailments, this herb may have positive anti-aging effects.

The active chemical component in this herb is silybin, which functions as an antioxidant and a potent liver protector.  The effects of environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs and chemotherapy may possibly be alleviated with this valuable herb.

Naturalized in the U.S. but grown for centuries throughout Europe, it is a common weed in California, it's beautiful, but still…the good news is there have been no reports of toxicity in this long used herb.

The Skinny on Sunburns

Ever wonder why people with light skin are at greater risk of skin cancer? 

The Journal of Experimental Medicine has an explanation.  In addition to causing sunburn, ultraviolet light also reduces the immune function in the skin, and that's what leads to skin cancer. 

Researchers at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine in London report that one hour of sun exposure can reduce the immune response of light skin by as much as 80 percent.  By comparison, people with darker skin – or those who tan well--only have their immune response reduced by about 40 percent under the same conditions. 

The researchers conclude that it's the reduced immune response- not the sunburn itself- that increases the risk of skin cancer. 

 iWon Today

Gallstone Prevention 

Keep your gallbladder healthier by eating one tablespoon of unsalted butter a day.  This may sound surprising but Larrian Gillespie, M.D., author of The Menopause Diet and the forthcoming You're Not Crazy, it's Your Hormones, says your gallbladder can become sluggish and not drain bile as well as it could.  The trick is to add the tablespoon of butter to a favorite green vegetable.  She recommends that you eat the butter all at once to cause complete emptying of the gallbladder. 

If you've ever had a gallbladder “attack”, most likely you are in miserable and usually surgery is indicated!  Some symptoms leading to an attack are pain in the upper right side of your back, gas and bloating, indigestion. 

For a healthier gallbladder consider cooking with cold-pressed olive oil and guess what, sugar is at the top of the list of “No, No's” along with processed and fast foods.  Meats and high protein foods will probably aggravate your discomfort, as will greasy and fatty foods such as eggs, mayonnaise, salad dressings, dairy products, and pastries. It's also a good idea to avoid spicy, seasoned foods and eliminate junk food, sodas, fried foods, and hydrogenated fats totally from your eating plan.

Dr. Ronald Hoffman, New York, recommends the following for the prevention of gall bladder disease:

~ Lose excess weight. But don't crash diet! Rapid weight loss contributes to the formation of gallstones.

~ Eat a healthy diet. A diet that is low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in sugar, and high in fiber will help prevent gallbladder disease. Fat, cholesterol, and sugar all contribute to gallbladder disease.  And eat more vegetables!  A British study showed that vegetarians have a lower incidence of gallbladder disease.

~ Take fish oil and nutrients. Omega-3 oil, found in fish, may block cholesterol formation in bile. People with a tendency toward gallstones can take a higher dose than normal: four to six 1000-milligram capsules of fish oil a day. Lecithin has an emulsifying effect on bile, and taurine, an amino acid, binds to bile salts and accelerates their elimination.
 

Dr. Ronald Hoffman is Medical Director of the Hoffman Center in New York City and host of Health Talk, a syndicated radio program heard weeknights in New York on WOR (710 AM) from 9:00 to 10:00 pm, Saturdays noon to 2:00 pm. He is author of several books, including Intelligent Medicine (Fireside, 1997). Dr. Hoffman's website contains useful health information

Yeast Could Be The Problem

Do you sometimes feel sick all over?  It could be that if you're irritable, fatigued and worried that something is going on and you're the last to know, consider that those symptoms just could be a yeast infection that is permeating your body.  That's right, yeast. 

Here are a few symptoms: 

·        Feel sick all over

·        Crave sugar

·        Irritable

·        Frequent headaches

·        Digestive problems/indigestion

·        Fatigued 

Self help treatment:  Avoid sugar, antibiotics and processed foods.  Increase the use of fish, poultry and eggs in your diet and add fresh vegetables to every meal.  And, last but not least, drink more water! 

Again, sugar is a culprit that wreaks havoc in our bodies, our emotions and our quality of life. 

From Women's Health Access

12 Snacks You Think Are Healthy

by Sabrina Rogers

If you're trying to lose those love handles, you've probably been avoiding cheesecake and fries. Although this is definitely a good start, there are many other foods out there that may seem "safe" when, in fact, they are actually very high in calories or fat. Don't be fooled; the following 12 foods are actually not as good for you as you may have thought.

You may notice that I recommended a few of them, such as popcorn and frozen yogurt, in my article on 20 Snacks Under 200 Calories. But the point here is that, since many foods come in high and low-fat versions, you really have to read the labels to ensure that you're choosing the right

1. Frozen yogurt
In this case, you really have to read the label. While some brands are relatively low-calorie, others have even more calories than light ice cream. Thanks to a ton of added sugar, some premium brands pack up to 185 calories per half-cup.

The right choice: Make sure that no matter what kind of low-fat frozen dessert you choose, it has no more than 120 calories per half-cup.

2. Falafel
Keep in mind that vegetarian doesn't necessarily mean that what you're eating is healthy. The chickpea-and-herb balls are fried and covered in creamy dressing, which means that a falafel pita can contain up to 550 calories and 32 grams of fat. The only good news is that Middle Eastern foods are generally low in saturated fat and high in iron, calcium and fiber.

The right choice: Choose hummus in a whole-wheat pita and you'll save 280 calories and 26 fat grams.

3. Fat-free snacks
Most of these seemingly healthy snacks have almost no fiber and are easy to eat in huge quantities because they're not satisfying. Many even have more calories per serving than the regular version in order to compensate for the lack of tasty fat. The result? You could end up consuming a lot more calories than if you just ate a reasonable portion of the high-fat food you were craving in the first place.

The right choice: Simply choose a healthier snack such as veggies and fat-free dip or buy fat-free snacks in small quantities in order to avoid stuffing your face.

4. Popcorn
At the movies, you should definitely skip the popcorn. The smallest child-size bag, without the extra butter, packs up to 300 cals and 20 grams of fat. The microwave kind can be even worse; many brands have almost 400 cals and 26 fat grams per bag.

The right choice: Air-pop it or choose a reduced-fat microwave version. If you wish, season with garlic chili powder, or sprinkle Tabasco sauce to add flavor.

5. Olive oil
With less than two grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, olive oil is healthier than most vegetable oils and it may even reduce your risk of heart disease. However, keep in mind that it's still oil; one tablespoon contains 120 cals and 14 grams of fat, so go easy if you don't want to sabotage your diet.

The right choice: Use only a small amount for cooking or try olive oil cooking spray. A one-second spray has only seven calories and less than one gram of fat.

6. Frozen diet meals
They may be convenient, nutritious and low in fat and calories, but most are full of sodium, which can raise both your blood pressure and risk of heart attack. Plus, the minuscule portions are not satisfying enough for most men, which can lead to overeating later.

The right choice: Don't eat more than one prepared food that contains more than 600 milligrams of sodium per day. And look for the word "healthy" on labels; it can't be used if the food has more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving.

7. Protein bars
These were designed for hard-core athletes, so drop that bar if you're not one of them. Although they're not bad for you, they can contain up to 300 calories and more protein than you need in an entire day. Now is that really necessary?

The right choice: Before you work out, have a piece of whole-wheat toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter (180 calories) or a fat-free yogurt and half a banana (220 calories).

8. Fast-food grilled chicken
Although grilled is definitely better than fried, most fast-food grilled chicken sandwiches are full of fat due to all the cheese and creamy toppings they're smothered in. For example, Burger King's BK Broiler chicken sandwich contains 530 calories and 26 fat grams.

The right choice: Ask them to hold the sauce or simply opt for a healthier restaurant. A good choice is Subway's six-inch chicken sub, which has only 332 calories and six grams of fat.

How to feel younger…

    1)    Lay off the salt and sugar.  Your blood pressure will drop!

2)    Avoid refined foods.  Fiber helps you feel satisfied longer.

3)    Eat fish and beans.  Improves your mood and complexion.

4)    Walk.  Try to get out there for 30 minutes at least 4x a week.

5)    Drink water.  Keep your body hydrated and avoid thirst.

Green Tea 

Free radical destroyer – Green Tea – long heralded for reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, shows evidence that it may help prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure.  Drinking several cups or glasses of green tea per day will greatly improve your complexion while providing anti-oxidant protection.

i won-Health
PMS Theories 

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) may be linked to back problems. 

A group of Australian chiropractors examined a group of 50 women who suffered from PMS and compared them with a control group.  They found that the women with PMS had almost twice the rate of:  neck and low back tenderness, low back muscle weakness and limited neck motion. 

The chiropractors' suggestion, according to the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics:  Try spinal manipulation for PMS. 

Alpha Lipoic Acid with L-Carnitine

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an incredible anti-oxidant (this ingredient is in our Ultra-Antioxidant Complex) that holds free radical quenching properties.  Lipoic Acid, in its reduced form in the body, acts as both a fat and water-soluble antioxidant, supporting Vitamin C and E at the cellular level. 

L-Carnitine is an amino acid like substance that occurs naturally in the body.  The benefits have shown to include the following:   

1)     Aids in weight loss and fat reduction.

2)     Helps defend against cardiovascular disease

3)     Protects against muscle disease

4)     Promotes muscle development

5)   Helps prevent a variety of illnesses such as liver and kidney disease, or diabetes.

6)   Relieves symptoms of several diseases including neurological diseases associated with aging, immune system dysfunctions, and diabetic complications.

The article suggested that Co Enzyme Q10 be added if you decide to include the above in your daily vitamin/supplement regimen.

 Check with your health care provider if you are under their care.  Pregnant and nursing mothers are cautioned not to take these supplements.

Self Examination

Two of my girlfriends discovered suspicious looking marks on the underside of their upper arms and in both cases the "marks" were melanoma! So many of us wear our robes or dressing gowns when we've finished with our showers and baths; these cover the arms so that when we blow-dry our hair or apply our makeup, we cannot see our hidden areas. So, check today to make certain there are no discolorations on the underside of your arms. Stand in front of your mirror and give your nude body "a once-over" - be certain to raise your arms and look for anything out of the ordinary - it could save your life!

Both of these gals were "baby oil sun worshippers" in their youth and were totally shocked to discover the discolorations in an area that typically was not over exposed to the sun.

The American Academy of Dermatology offers the following Sun Safety Tips:

1) *Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or greater, even on cloudy days.
2) Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, especially if you're swimming or sweating.
3) Wear protective, tightly woven clothing. Dark colors give more protection.
4) Wear a 4-inch wide broad brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protective lenses.
5) Stay in the shade whenever possible.
6) Avoid reflective surfaces, which can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun's damaging rays.

*Expensive sunscreen is not necessarily better. Although a costly brand may feel or smell better, it isn't always more effective.

Best resolution statement I've seen yet from Salome's weekly e-letter.

This new year, instead of making the usual resolutions, resolve to transform your life into an expression of the Divine within you. Seek to express your beauty. Do not focus on your shortcomings. Seek to help lighten the load for others. Do not burden others with your judgments of them. Seek to recognize the Divine in all things. Do not condemn, for there is much that is beyond your understanding. Seek to unconditionally love yourself. Seek to unconditionally accept yourself. Seek to embrace every aspect of the world, even the painful parts…for it is in this embrace that you will find truth and in this truth, there is awakening. May all beings know peace and may it begin with you.

Let's make a pact…to remember this…to become this! One day at a time…

 

Ignorance is Bliss

Want to be happy in your old age?

Don't pay attention to any one else's advice.

That's the word from the International Journal of Aging and Human Development, by way of a study done at Hofstra University in New York.

Researchers studied the "inner ages" of various volunteers-in other words, how old they felt, regardless of what their drivers' licenses said.

They found that the signs of a happy, youthful inner age were: being venturesome, giving advice and keeping fit.
But the signs of being old and unhappy were: taking advice, being a homebody and having health worries.

Flying tips 

Flying in an airplane can quickly dehydrate your skin. Try to avoid drinking coffee, orange juice and soft drinks while in the air. Instead, drink plenty of water and keep your moisturizer in your carry on so that you can use it frequently. On long flights, get out of your seat and walk the aisle once an hour.

Important Drug Alert

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.  Please pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting the use of these medications.  The FDA states the problems were not found in men but recommends that children and women seek alternative medicines.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant Plus Dietary Supplements

Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control

Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (cherry or orange)

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine Effervescent

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent

Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine Effervescent

BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder

BC Sinus Cold Powder

Comtrex Deep Chest Cold & Congestion Relief

Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief

Day & Night Contac 12 Hour Caplets

Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus

Dexatrim Caffeine Free

Dexatrim Extended Duration

Dexatrim Gelcaps

Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free

Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets

Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels

Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir

Dimetapp Elixir

Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels

Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets

Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets

Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops

Permathene Mega-16

Robitussin CF

Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion

Triaminic DM Cough Relief

Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head Congestion

Triaminic Syrup Cough & Could

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)

3D Cold & Cough Berry

3D Cough Relief

Yellow 3D Expectorant 

If you have any of these items in your medicine cabinet, call 800-548-3708 with the lot number so that you may receive a refund.

 
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