Cheerios, Total, Wheaties and Shredded Wheat - These four cereals are probably the best in the marketplace today.  Why?  Low in sugar, high in fiber and they actually taste pretty good.  I like these cereals sprinkled with a dash of Stevia and either unsweetened soy, rice or almond milk. 

Remember 100% whole grain has to be the first ingredient for cereal to be healthy and please don’t fall for the gimmicks that are so prevalent in today’s advertising. One gimmick is yogurt in the cereal – it’s not really yogurt according to Jayne Hurley, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, rather by using yogurt powder, the good benefit of yogurt is destroyed and all you’re eating is palm kernel oil, sugar and dextrose.  In other words, these cereals have really no nutritive value.

Health writer Herb Weisbaum keeps his finger on the pulse of our health and welfare; his business is to look out for the people.  His focus is to keep consumers aware that some advertising is misleading…consider these next two paragraphs regarding juice drinks: 

“Juice drinks can be especially misleading. The product may not be all juice, and it may not be the juice you’d assume it to be. For example, Tropicana's Peach Papaya drink does not contain any peach or papaya juice. It’s mostly water, sweeteners and some pear juice. Last August  parent company PepsiCo settled a lawsuit by agreeing to call the product “Peach Papaya flavored juice drink.” It has also removed the claim “made with REAL fruit juice.” And yet the package still has pictures of peaches and papayas on it.

Remember, if a juice product is called a “beverage,” “drink” or “punch,” you can bet it is not 100 percent juice. It probably contains a large amount of water, sweeteners and white grape juice, which is cheap and not very nutritious. The only way to know for sure is to check the ingredient label…That means you, the shopper, need to look past the big bold claims on the front of the package. Check for the fine print that modifies that claim. Most importantly, read the nutrition label to get the true picture of what’s in that product. Remember, ingredients are listed from highest amount to lowest amount.”          http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11620548/
 

Kirsty Alley’s weight loss story was featured in People Magazine where she shared that she had been eating up to 6,000 calories some days before her relationship with Jenny began!  Wow, that’s a lot of fuel!  Kirsty loves being a mom and enjoys cooking for her kids, unfortunately all that "kitchen time" found her eating to excess.  Now she's learning what it takes to reshape her attitude and her body.

Most of us feel that we would easily like to drop 5 – 15 pounds; portion control plus eating too much saturated fat is at the very heart of losing that weight.  According to an article by Karen Collins, RD, “There are many ways to achieve reduction. Each time you exchange a deck-of-cards-sized portion of a higher-fat red meat for lean red meat, seafood or skinless chicken, you cut at least 5 grams of saturated fat. If your meat portions are larger than a deck of cards, reducing them to this size will eliminate even more. For each ounce of regular cheddar or other high-fat cheese you replace with low-fat cheeses, you slash saturated fat by 5 grams. A cup of 1 percent or skim milk instead of whole milk will save you 3 to 5 grams. Two teaspoons of soft margarine or olive oil instead of butter will get rid of more than 3 grams.  To reach the recommended levels of saturated fat, on average Americans need to cut 5 to 10 grams of it from their daily food choices.”

Saturated fats and Trans Fats are found in vegetable shortening, some margarines (stick margarine is the worst), packaged food, soups, fast food, some frozen foods and in manufactured baked goods (cookies, cakes, chips and snacks).  Become a label reader so you know.

Kirsty looks beautiful, healthy and happy.  We congratulate her!

William Campbell Douglas II, MD, editor of “Daily Dose” wrote an interesting article recently describing how “more drugs equal less health”.  Dr. Douglas is referring to mainstream medicine, “…the pill and scalpel way we most often attempt to heal disease here in the western world...”

Conventional medicine also known as “allopathic medicine does not attempt to cure disease by eliminating its causes. Instead, it seeks only to mask or counteract a given disease's symptoms. The only thing this kind of medicine ensures is that NO TRUE HEALING WILL HAPPEN, only a continuation of treatment, ad infinitum,” says Douglas.

Dr. Douglas’s definition of Allopathic:  “N. Of or pertaining to allopathy, the treatment of disease with drugs (see also: dangerous synthetic chemicals) having opposite effects to the symptoms.”

Watch an eye-opening allegorical short film of the “far-reaching effects of the whole modern day allopathic medicine quagmire” at Dr. Joseph Mercola’s site:  http://www.mercola.com/

Subscribe to “Daily Dose” at: http://www.healthiernews.com/dailydose/dd200409/dd20040917.html )
  

If you are still carrying those extra pounds and find yourself adding more as the years go by, watch out!  You may be adding risk as the scale increases!  Experts say that you could be heading for the “BIG C” if you don’t make better diet and exercise choices.

Carrying extra pounds can cause different types of cancer and these include lymphoma, breast cancer, kidney, pancreas and more!  Most scientists believe that this connection may occur because the body’s inability to process insulin is compromised by how much weight our body carries.  Are you obese?  If so, you’re at risk!

Just how overweight is “obese”?  Obese is defined as being excessively fat (a lukewarm definition from Webster Collegiate).  What weight were you at 20?  At 30? 40?  A BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 is considered obese; years ago a similar rule of thumb was 30 pounds of excess weight was considered obese.  Calculate your BMI now to determine the finding.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htm
  

Applying sun screen for maximum protection requires that you allow it to bind to your skin for about 30 minutes before sun exposure.  It’s tempting to just slather it on and dash out the door but you really need to give yourself time for those ingredients to actively protect your skin.  Facial Magic’s Mineral Sun Crème was discovered in a plastic surgeons office – it’s pure, natural and hydrating for your skin. Especially effective for face, neck, hands, chest and back of neck so make it a part of your morning routine. Safe for the entire family!
 

Gloria came into the office today complaining that she had awakened twice during the night from severe leg cramps; she has not been taking diuretics but as we talked about her day yesterday, she disclosed she had worn high heels for a better part of the weekend.  I handed her an article written by Joe and Teresa Graedon, authors of www.peoplespharmacy.com.  In their recent column, they discussed three remedies for leg cramps:  drinking low-sodium V-8 juice (even this low sodium variety has dangerously high levels of sodium so if you’re prone to heart disease or high blood pressure, please check with your doc before consuming), pinching the upper lip for a few seconds and putting a bar of soap under the bottom sheet.  "A very useful, natural medicine is vinegar", says Jamison Starbuck, ND, Missoula, MT. "Simply eat a salad with a vinegar-based dressing whenever you can."  Some leg cramps can be relieved by taking a combination of magnesium, calcium and zinc.  If you have a remedy, send it to us and we’ll pass it to our readers.
 

According to the Bottom Line Yearbook 2006, Dean Focht III, MD, Cincinatti, OH writes that placing duct tape over warts is more effective at eliminating them than conventional medical therapy.  Dr. Focht conducted a study with two groups - both groups had warts on their fingers, palms, heels or soles.  One group used tape over their warts for six days, then scraped them with emery boards. After 12 hours, they reapplied the tape and continued this treatment for two months.  The other group had their warts removed by a doctor using cryosurgery, a freezing technique.  The result:  "After just two months, 85% of those using the tape had gotten rid of their warts, versus only 60% of those who had received the standard freezing treatment."  These little imperfections are caused by a virus.  Maybe that duct tape will work for you!
 

Breaking the Food-Depression Cycle

All too often, depression can literally feed on itself. Such is the case for the approximately eight million Americans who suffer from atypical depression, a variety of depression in which sufferers have an increased appetite leading to weight gain, sleeping too much, excessive lethargy and hypersensitivity to interpersonal rejection. Although atypical depression symptoms are quite apparent and they account for about 42% of the 19 million Americans who suffer from clinical depression, the problem frequently goes undiagnosed.

RECENT RESEARCH CAN HELP

The good news for these people is that John P. Docherty, MD, CEO of Comprehensive NeuroScience Inc., and adjunct professor of psychiatry at Weill Medical College, Cornell University in New York City, headed a recent study that looked at the role of chromium salts in helping to control blood sugar, and in turn, cravings. I spoke with Dr. Docherty who says that the carbohydrates that patients overindulge in the most are not surprising -- baked goods and pasta, both ranking high as comfort foods. But the resulting weight gain adds to patients' depression, and can be a sort of double-whammy since a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) -- antidepressant medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) -- is weight gain, as well.

The 113 participants in the eight-week study, all people with atypical depression and a mean body mass index (BMI) that was borderline obese, were randomized into a group taking up to 600 mg of chromium picolinate a day or a placebo group. The findings showed that the chromium picolinate group had a significant improvement -- 65% versus 33% in the placebo group -- in terms of decreased appetite and lowered carbohydrate craving.

Dr. Docherty says we don't know exactly why chromium picolinate works to decrease carb cravings, but it probably has to do with the fact that it seems to enhance insulin regulation. (Many people with diabetes type 2 take it for this reason.) Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, however, adds that chromium seems to increase the sensitivity of chromium receptors, which in turn increases its effect on insulin regulation. The picolinate form of chromium was used in the study not because it's the most effective form to use, but because it is the most widely available form. Chromium is abundantly available in whole-grains, seafood, green beans and broccoli, among other foods, though it can be safely supplemented with physician oversight. Diabetics especially should never start chromium supplements without medical supervision.

This research team will soon be doing further studies to understand chromium and carbohydrate craving, but in the meantime, Dr. Docherty stresses that it is important for all family members, friends and doctors to pay close attention when an individual starts to gain weight and seems unusually lethargic. These may well be signs that the person is suffering from depression and should be evaluated.

Bottom Line Health News

Hoodia has certainly been in the news and all over the Internet; now I understand that an infomercial is soon to roll out.  Here's one account from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/2947810.stm
 

Fish Oil - A Medical Miracle!

1)  Fish oil improves memory, I.Q. and helps obliterate age related memory lapses.

2)  Fish oil is a very potent anti-oxidant.

3)  Fish oil improves personality, mood, and mental disorders! It is a potent natural anti-depressant!

4)   Fish oil improves memory.

Bananas – They’re good for you!

Now that the carb craze has abated, bananas have once again returned to the OK list.  Bananas are beneficial to good health and unless you’re diabetic, you might want to consider eating one or two a day to boost your vitamin intake.  If you are diabetic, please check with your doc to see what is recommended.

Bananas truly are nature’s health food because they contain anti-oxidants, potassium and vitamins – a powerhouse of nutrition that provides instant energy and boosts your immunity.  They’re low in calories and help keep your body and brain fit.

What got me thinking about bananas?  In a recent article I read that bananas were exceptional as a skin mask.  Just mash a couple of ripe bananas, apply directly to a clean face and allow the mixture to sit for ten minutes before washing.  The author of this piece stated that bananas can mask wrinkles.  If you try this, let me know how it worked for you.

Vitamin C – Take it and wear it!

Vitamin C helps form collagen, a glue-like fibrous protein in bone, cartilage, tendons and other connective tissue. Vitamin C helps give structure and maintain such body parts as bones, cartilage, muscle, veins, capillaries and teeth. It is well known that citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, limes, mandarins and others contain vitamin C.  In fact, vitamin C comes almost exclusively from fruits and vegetables. Other good sources are tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, peppers, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, rutabagas, cantaloupe, kiwi, papayas, and watermelon. Many other fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of vitamin C, too.

How powerful is Vitamin C? Listen to what the experts have said about this remarkable nutrient. Dr. James Enstrom of UCLA has been quoted as saying that "A thirty-five-year-old man who eats Vitamin C-rich foods and takes Vitamin C supplements will slash his chances of heart disease death by two thirds and live 6.3 years longer". And according to the late Dr. Linus Pauling--a two-time Nobel Laureate and perhaps history's strongest advocate for the benefits of Vitamin C--supplemental doses of Vitamin C could add as much as twelve to eighteen years to our lives (Dr. Pauling also held the belief that ascorbic acid held the cure to the common cold).

Vitamin C functions as an anti-inflammatory, and helps the body fight inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. A multitude of other conditions may be improved, including angina, bronchitis, bruises, canker sores, constipation, diabetes, eyestrain, gingivitis, glaucoma, hangover, infertility, joint pain, rashes, rosacea, shingles, sore throat, sprains, sunburn, and yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and scurvy. Because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, it is also useful in treating iron deficiency and anemia.

Topically, Vitamin C in the form of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, the stable and potent form of Vitamin C, is absorbed directly into the interior of skin cells, neutralizing free radicals and other harmful, wrinkle-causing agents. You will see immediate lightening and brightening in your skin as fine lines and wrinkles plump up.  Our unique formula helps to nourish new skin cells and revitalize old ones. 

I suggest that you apply Vitamin C Serum twice daily on clean skin, once in the morning and again at night.  Allow this preparation to penetrate the skin before applying creams or other treatments.

Since milk and other dairy products are not necessarily the best sources of calcium, Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, suggests other good dietary sources of calcium, such as broccoli, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens. As far as vitamin D is concerned, it's actually one of the easiest vitamins to get -- only 10 to 15 minutes a day outdoors in the sunshine will enable your body to manufacture all of this vitamin you need.  Sun exposure is perhaps the most important source of vitamin D because exposure to sunlight provides most humans with their vitamin D requirement.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also works  with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones to promote bone mineralization. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
 

Source: www.nutritiondata.com

Prunes and walnuts are two wonderful foods that provide nutrition and health benefits and I like to eat them almost daily.  Here in California we have Trader Joe's; this fabulous grocer stocks healthy foods, usually organic and they're reasonably priced.  I love their Mixed Dried Fruit - 4 pieces are only 110 calories and the prunes are rich in magnesium, sodium, phosphorous and potassium. Prunes clean and unclog the liver, aids the digestive system and helps to overcome infections and intestinal upsets. Eating walnuts helps maintain a healthy heart and studies show  that people who ate walnuts had a lower risk of coronary heart disease because these nuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and have a high concentration of nutrients.
 

Hot Flash Remedy - DONG QUAI + EVENING OF PRIMROSE + BLACK COHASH

Plagued by hot flashes so severe your makeup slides off your face?

Rather than ingest potentially dangerous chemicals that hide in over-the-counter and prescription drugs to treat the symptoms of menopause, why not try this potent combination of all natural supplements to suppress those hot flashes?

Dong Quai has been used for centuries in Asia for reliable menopause treatment. Recommended dosage 600 mg – 1200 mg daily

Evening of Primrose, “the King’s cure-all” is praised by millions of women for a host of ailments including depression, bloating and even arthritis.  I also believe our skin, hair and nails improve taking this supplement; this includes rosacea and acne. Recommended dosage:  500 mg daily

Black Cohash mimics estrogen; this all natural supplement alleviates vaginal dryness, hot flashes and stress incontinence.  Recommended dosage 40-200 mg daily.

Always check with your healthcare provider to make certain that this or other drugs do not interact adversely together.

I’ve had two inquiries regarding nail fungus on the fingernails and toenails.  Two at-home remedies have been found that that are worth mentioning and both were discovered at www.peoplespharmacy.com. 

One remedy to consider is using one drop of white vinegar on a q-tip; just apply to the affected nail after showering and see how the nail looks as it grows out. 

The second remedy was found in the August 29^th Long Beach Press Telegram, suggesting that cornmeal mixed with hot water had worked for one of their readers.  This is a quote from the article, “Put about an inch of cornmeal in a plastic dishpan.  Pour in hot water, stir it so the cornmeal gets dissolved, and when it is cool enough not to hurt, soak your feet for an hour.  Done regularly, this will get rid of the fungus.”

Other natural remedies include oregano oil, tea tree oil, and Vicks VapoRub.  Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil and thymol, both reputed to have anti-fungal properties.

One of our readers inquiring about natural methods of curing this fungus stated she had already invested $700.00 in prescribed medications over two months that included oral and topical preparations plus primary care physician fees.  Her insurance company paid $50.00 towards the treatment because the treatment was considered cosmetic because there was no pain.  Now she has discovered that liver enzymes and blood work must be completed every three months to check for damage to her internal organs. 

There are side effects to every drug and these can include itching, hives, indigestion, headache, diarrhea, and skin rash.

Dr. David Thayer, Board Certified Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy and Chiropractor, based in Illinois believes this is an accepted medical practice for weight loss.

“Acupuncture staples are medical staples made of surgical steel that are placed into the inner portion of the ear at specific Acupuncture points. The staple can be left in for up to a year. The staples are used for the treatment of weight control, smoking control, drug addictions, alcoholism, and stress. The staples have an 80% success rate. For example, with the weight loss staple, the average weight loss is 2 pounds per week, appetite and cravings are decreased and metabolism is stimulated. The stop smoking staple aids in the decrease of addiction to nicotine and withdrawal symptoms.” http://www.doctorthayer.com/auriculotherapy.html

In 1987, The National Council Against Health Fraud disparaged commercial weight-loss or control programs that promote unproven or spurious weight-loss aids such as HCG, starch blockers, diuretics, sauna belts, body wraps, passive exercise, ear staples, acupuncture, Electric muscle stimulators, spirulina, phenylalanine, arginine, etc.  http://www.ncahf.org/index.html

There are pros and cons regarding this type of therapy so if you decide to explore getting your ear stapled, please do lots of research and ask for a list of user testimonials to substantiate any claims.

"If you want to be on the safe side (I do), box up the non-stick cookware and break out that old, seasoned cast-iron skillet and stainless steel pots and pans. (Just one caveat - if you have any sort of iron metabolism problem, don't use iron cookware.) And instead of lubing them up with PAM or other spray-on vegetable oils that'll clog up your heart, try good old-fashioned butter - or better yet, lard.

That way, you'll get all the great taste AND all the peace of mind."   William Campbell Douglass II, MD
 

One of my private clients expressed her fear that she had neglected her skin so long, it might never look younger and fresher.  NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

A workshop attendee needed confidence that her skin would look alive again, she felt hopeless, like it was too late.  NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

If you are feeling blue because your face is seldom complimented and nothing seems to make a difference, let me give you a tip:  there are three things that you can do at home that will give you beautiful skin! 

1) Exfoliate regularly.  Those tired, lifeless, dead skin cells disguise your skin.  Get rid of them!   Daily Lift, for those new readers, is a gentle alpha-hydroxy; it will help your pores look tighter and your make up will sit beautifully on your face because it smoothes and tightens surface skin.

2) Use Vitamin C Serum.  Plump up your skin with our Vitamin C Serum!  Not only will your skin look immediately lighter and brighter, fine lines and wrinkles will appear diminished. This potent anti-oxidant is essential for collagen formation.  I recommend using it twice daily on clean skin and to let it penetrate fully before using a moisturizer or other treatment.

3) Sun Block:  There are two ingredients that block harmful rays:  Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.  Both are in our Natural Mineral Sun Cream.  Aloe Vera is prominent in our formula; Aloe Vera has excellent hydrating, softening and soothing properties, and helps build collagen in the skin. A truly fabulous product!

After application, wait one minute, and then apply foundation.

Three little steps to help you have better looking skin!  NEVER GIVE UP!

• Mammograms are safe. In fact, they're not. Compression of the breast may prompt cancer to spread. And then there's the radiation: A mammogram delivers about 1,000 times more radiation than a chest x-ray and carries a risk of cardiovascular damage.
• Mammograms catch cancer at an early stage. In fact, if a tumor is large enough to be detected by a mammogram it's most likely already in an advanced state.
• Mammograms save lives. In fact, studies have shown that women who have mammograms suffer about the same rate of death due to breast cancer as women who do not have mammograms.

For many more details about these three myths, you can find the e-Alert "Easy as 1...2...3" on our web site at hsibaltimore.com.

While visiting New York, my friend Roberta handed me a letter she had received regarding lead in lipstick.  I was immediately suspicious of this information and began to investigate the claims.  According to Truthorfiction.com the information is FICTION:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/lipstick.htm.
 

What I Learned Watching Oprah

Oprah's show on May 2, featured Dr. Mehmet Oz discussing his new book, "You: The Owner's Manual" that was co-written by Michael Roizen, MD.  Unfortunately, I missed the first portion of the show and subsequently learned that elimination was discussed - whew, off the hook on that one.

Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen offered very interesting information regarding food, vitamins and advice to help us feel better and look younger but most importantly their new book discusses how to prevent disease in our bodies.  The following is from my notes that were taken during the show:

Your blood pressure reading is vitally important to know; the ideal reading is 115/75.

Eating the right type of food is paramount to better health.  There are many, many healthy choices that will keep us slimmer and provide us with healthier organs.

Dr. Oz suggested for optimum health to eat food that comes out of the ground and that isn't altered in any way:  watermelon, spinach, leafy vegetables (the darker, the better), broccoli, cabbage and onions were mentioned.  In addition to these, he discussed adding garlic, walnuts, salmon and red wine to our diets.  Nuts were discussed; almonds and walnuts seem to top their list of heart healthy edibles.

Dr. Roizen discussed a five handful recommendation:  five handfuls each daily of fruit and vegetables.  Whole grain breads were also said to have many benefits.

Foods high in fiber include oatmeal, blueberries, brown rice, strawberries, carrots, beans, and peas.  You need these for a healthier colon.

There were five types of fish recommended to keep us heart healthy.  These can be enjoyed three times a week:  salmon, tilapia, flounder, cod and mahi mahi. Oprah enjoys lots of salmon in her eating regimen and affectionately refers to this delicious fish as "Sammy".

Cooked tomatoes (tomato sauce, paste - spaghetti and marinara sauce came to my mind - and it is suggested to add a little olive oil to it to further enrich the lypocene and anti-oxidant benefits.

Red wine was recommended as well as eight glasses of water and some skim milk for daily fluid into our body.  Coffee was also touted as a daily fluid because it can stave off Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's and cancer.

Supplements were also discussed:  Four very important ones recommended daily are Folate 800 mcg  (folic acid), Vitamin D 400 ius, Calcium 1200 mg with at least 400 mg magnesium. (Calcium must be taken throughout the day as only 600 mg can be absorbed at a time – the magnesium helps our body absorbed calcium).

Baby aspirin was discussed by both physicians and they recommend 162½ milligrams daily not only for heart protection but to stop inflammation in the skin, your facial skin particularly.

When Dr. Roizen was asked about the two most important skin preparations today, he specifically suggested regular use of alpha hydroxyl and baby aspirin!

Our office has ordered "You" and I look forward to reading it.
 

Scientists reveal Low-Carb Diets reduce Appetite

  Red Flag for Eczema Creams!

On March 10, 2005, the FDA issued a public health advisory to inform consumers that the use of two topical eczema creams - Protopic and Elidel - may pose a cancer risk. Both of these products address eczema by suppressing the immune system.

Foot Pain? Vitamin and supplements may help  

My friend Lynn has been experiencing the pain and agony of a Morton's Neuroma.  Morton's Neuroma is a common foot problem associated with pain, swelling and/or an inflammation of a nerve, usually at the ball-of-the-foot between the 3rd and 4th toes. 

Some foot problems are not curable:  if you have burning or numbness in your feet, you may have a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition indicates damaged nerves anywhere on the feet.  If you have these symptoms from an injury or from wearing high heels, you might want to consider adding vitamins and supplements to your diet.  Alpha-Lipoic acid, L-Carnatine, Evening of Primrose and Vitamin B-12 show evidence of being effective in the treatment of neuropathy.  I recommend that you check with your podiatrist for further treatment options.

Dying to look younger?  Some health professionals believe that premature death is possible if you use HGH, Human Growth Hormone, even if you are deficient. 

Naturally, our bodies produce this amazing, interesting secretion from the pituitary gland and that HGH secretion is why we enjoy brain function, bone strength and energy.  As production of this hormone begins to wane, we see the effects of declining HGH production with increased body fat, decreased sexual desire and performance, wrinkles and cellulite.  UGH!

The National Enquirer ran the headline "Deadly Anti-Aging Drug Scandal" with photos of several actresses including Madonna, Goldie Hawn and Jessica Simpson among others in their February 7, 2005 issue.  They report that many A-List celebrities regularly have the prescribed substance injected at a cost of $2,000 a month.   Prescribed HGH is a100% synthetic growth hormone.  Read the full story here:  http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=63095

Not all health professionals agree that HGH injections are safe.  Some cite the drug can damage the liver and kidneys, cause diabetes and worsen existing cancers; when the user regularly stops using the drug to protect the kidneys, the body bloats and acne can become rampant.

Is there a safe alternative?  One that can provide the user with the benefits of HGH without the side effects or the huge cost?  Rather than introduce more HGH into the body, can you can stimulate your own pituitary gland to produce more HGH by using HGH enhancers?  Over the past few years, non-drug oral supplements have been developed to trigger HGH release.  FYI, real HGH is not sold over the counter so beware of ads that tout that real HGH is in their formulas.

Diet, exercise and lifestyle all have an impact on HGH levels. Certain foods, low carbohydrates, especially, can spike HGH levels and exercise leads to an increase in HGH. In addition, something as simple as getting more sleep can increase your HGH levels. Our pituitary gland produces HGH while we are in deep sleep. Therefore, the more we sleep the more opportunity we have to produce HGH.  This method does not require a prescription.

http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ea2004/ea_040816.shtml

http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ea2002/ea_020314.shtml

1.      Perform Facial Magic regularly.  Many beauty experts offer tips to camouflage droopy eye lids, laugh lines and wrinkled foreheads with advice like tilt your eyeliner at the outside of the corners of your eyes or run to find the latest and greatest injection.  Well, this advice makes for interesting reading; however, as we become more sophisticated and savvy, we realize that these methods are temporary at best.  Why not put an end to this not so merry go round and make a promise to exercise your face several times a week.  Your face will thank you.

2.      Drink green tea.  We have all heard the numerous, countless benefits of adding green tea to our lifestyle and I believe each of us could improve our health if we included at least two cups of this delicious beverage per day.  My sister, after learning that Oprah was going to substitute green tea for coffee, called to say she was drinking her three cups per day.  Candace said she felt relaxed and serene knowing that green tea would help curb her appetite and has dropped a few pounds.

3.      Get regular massage and chiropractic adjustments.  Massage reduces your heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow.  Massage gives your skin a wonderful glow and the relaxation one feels after that one hour of bliss is priceless.  Chiropractic manipulation can help head off neck pain, headaches and backaches.  Dr. Sheila Homer recommends monthly adjustments to align the spine so one can move at full range and balance the central nervous system that controls every function of your body.  I always feel really well when I have had my adjustment.

4.      Pamper your skin.   There are four categories to good skin care:  Gentle Cleansing, Exfoliation, Nourishment and Protection.  How you care for yourself daily, like washing your face, eating clean burning foods, exercising and taking certain vitamins will certainly help you maintain better health.  When you feel good, you look good.  Exfoliation, sloughing off old dead skin that dull and dry the skin's surface, and following with a dose of vitamin rich moisturizers will greatly enhance not only your facial skin but your entire body.  Remember to wear your sun block every day; this is crucial for less wrinkles.

5.      Whiten your teeth.  There are many avenues for teeth whitening: toothpaste, gum, strips and your dentist.   I think all of my close girlfriends whiten their teeth and it just makes them look younger.  One helpful hint when using strips, use a toothpick to nestle the strip into your tooth crevices.  Avoid dark teas, coffee and colas for whiter teeth.

6.      Get moving.  Whether it is a walk, a jog, a trip to the gym, your body needs exercise to fully function.  Yes, most of us think that losing a few pounds would help us look better but the real motivation is how exercise affects our general health.  If you neglect exercise, you lose your edge.  Exercise enables you to walk more gracefully, enjoy better posture and keeps your figure trim.  So get out there and get moving a few minutes each day.  You most likely will discover that you have less pain, more mobility and better circulation.

7.      Think colorful foods.  Think about it, if you continually bombard your system with chemicals, preservatives and other suspected carcinogens you run the risk of damaging your cells and inviting disease. Poor food choices over time weaken your immune system and that can open the door to conditions you can avoid by adjusting what you ingest.  Rather than eating processed foods, saturated fats, artificial colorings and preservatives, or canned foods, choose to add fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables to your diet.   Orange, green, yellow, red, these colorful foods prevent disease and provide most nutrients.

BOTOX Suspected in Botulism Scare

 http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11543044%5E1702,00.html

FDA Warns of Permanent Makeup Ink

Swelling, blistering, and cracking skin around the lips and eyes are just a few of the side effects associated with a popular brand of "permanent makeup" ink used in tattooing the lips and eyes.

While the FDA disclosed it had more than 50 reports of adverse reactions, Sandi Hammons, President of Premier Pigments stated, "Allergic reactions to pigment are a risk associated will permanent cosmetic and tattoo procedures."

If you are considering permanent makeup, you might want to check out the suspect shades first. Go to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-tat2.html.

An Apple a Day Is Smart Advice

Ever wonder why your Mom insisted you eat an apple a day?  The old adage, "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" was good advice because Quercetin, an antioxidant compound—found in apples, tea, red wine, and other foods—has been studied for possible health benefits. 

Recently I read an article from the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry on WebMD suggesting that apples may protect you from unstable molecules that damage our cells.  Quercetin, a plant pigment is a powerful antioxidant that may have anti-cancer effects and it may help fight heart disease, prostate challenges and improve lung function.

Oddly enough, Quercetin is not recommended as a supplement because absorption rates can vary depending on its source and no one knows what long-term effects high doses may have.

There is no downside to eating fresh apples and they certainly curb my appetite (it seems slim women eat a lot of fruit); red apples generally have more of this antioxidant than green ones so have a red, delicious one every day.

Read the full article online at http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/97/104093.htm

Cherries Impact Joint Inflammation

Cherries are hailed as the new wonder fruit according to Dr. Russell Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Dr. Reiter conducted a five month study and found that tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin, a hormone produced in the pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process, fighting insomnia and jet lag.

The key is in the fruit's skin and pigmentation where antioxidants called anthocyanins are found.  A 1999 study at Michigan State University found that the antioxidant activity of tart black cherries is greater than that of Vitamin E, according to the Moss Report, a cancer treatment and referral service that I highly recommend.  Learn more at www.cancerdecisions.com

Heartburn, Acid Reflex

Nighttime acid reflux may be more than an annoyance; it might cause more damage than daytime heartburn because when you are lying down your body cannot easily clear the esophagus. 

It all boils down to having chest discomfort or burning symptoms due to the acid fumes from your stomach coming in contact with your digestive organs.

People experience heartburn, acid reflux etc. because the stomach acid fumes come in contact with the lesions on their esophagus. When acid fumes or acid come in contact with the lesions in your esophagus they will cause pain, or a burning sensation in the chest area.

There are several things you can do to control heartburn such as chewing gum, sipping ginger ale and drinking certain teas.  Maybe you have tried all types of antacids, over the counter measures or even been prescribed pharmaceuticals. It has been reported that 98.5% of all pharmaceutical drugs do not heal or cure; they just mask or "hide" the symptoms! You'll still have the problem and it will only get worse unless you fix it.

There are risks involved with every medication and those used in the treatment of heartburn, acid reflux disease, GERD and all the other names given to this condition, have draw backs.  In fact, according to the Health Science Institute e-Alert newsletter, several popular heartburn medications may sharply increase the risk of pneumonia.  Use of the drugs doesn't cause pneumonia, but rather sets the stage for stomach acid to create problems.

HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D. explains, "When acid is reduced (which makes you feel better for awhile), it also loosens the gastroesophageal (GE) sphincter, the 'door' that's supposed to close between the stomach and the esophagus when digestion is going on (or trying to, anyway). The body is trying to insulate the esophagus from the acid. But if there's no longer much acid, why waste all that energy and effort?

"So, the sphincter loosens, permitting what little acid remains to slip up into the esophagus. This is where the 'heartburn' and esophageal damage (Barrett's esophagus) come from, and the subsequent need for more 'anti-acid' therapy. See where this is headed over the long run?

There is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to treat gastroesophageal problems without suppressing acids.  Subscribe to the free HSI Newsletter and learn how to treat this annoying challenge.

http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/hsi/freecop

Court Case Threatens Botox

The New Zealand Herald headline: "Case threatens frown lines over Botox use" in their September 25-26^th Weekend Edition.  David Usborne wrote a very compelling article outlining how a high-profile medical damages trial (Irena Medavoy vs Allergen and Arnold Klein, MD) is throwing doubt on one of the world's most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.

Ms. Medavoy is alleging that after Klein injected botox into her temples and neck in March 2002 to help alleviate her migraines, her headaches increased and her health declined.  She could not hold her head up and her neck muscles could not adequately support her head.  She felt tortured, sleep was impossible and her friends say she could hardly speak.

We will continue to monitor this trial and keep you updated on the results.  Just two years ago the drug received government approval in America as a treatment for wrinkles.  Knowing that these toxins injected into nerves may make you sick, it is no wonder one would become shy about the continued usage of it.

http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20020314004/tscript.htm 

The above is a USA Today interview with Arnold W. Klein, dermatologist, Beverly Hills, CA.

BATHROOM

Even if you wear gloves when cleaning the toilet or tub, it's a good idea to wash your hands afterward. This eliminates bacteria from water that may get on your hands as you take off the gloves. Also...

Clean the bathtub at least once weekly with scouring powder or a solution made with one-half cup of bleach and one gallon of water.

Sweep the bathroom floor at least once weekly and clean with a basic cleaner, such as Lysol, or a solution made with one gallon of hot water... two tablespoons of borax... one teaspoon of dish detergent... and five drops each of patchouli and lavender essential oils. These oils contain effective natural disinfectants.

Wipe the bathroom sink and counters after every use. Once a week, use a disinfectant made with one-quarter cup distilled white vinegar and one-half teaspoon of dish detergent in two cups of warm water. The bathroom sink is a bacterial hot spot because germs on your hands can spread to faucets.

Disinfect the toilet bowl, seat and outer surfaces weekly with a commercial cleaner or with a solution made with one-half cup of baking soda... one-half cup of borax... one-quarter cup of distilled white vinegar... one teaspoon of dish detergent... three drops of sweet orange essential oil... and two drops of patchouli essential oil. Let it soak for an hour, scrub then flush.

Wipe and disinfect the handle daily because it's frequently touched by unwashed hands.

Close the toilet lid when you flush. During flushing, bacteria disperse into the air and can land on any surface within six feet -- including toothbrushes.

Aspertame Warnings

http://www.newswithviews.com/BreakingNews/breaking25.htm.   

L Lysine = collagen promoter

L Lysine is an essential amino acid that cannot be manufactured by the human body.

Our only source of L-Lysine is through diet or supplementation.

The human body benefits from L-Lysine because it promotes absorption of calcium, collagen formation, and production of enzymes.

L Lysine is known as an essential building block for all protein.

Safer Home Environment

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch Oprah interview a woman who had a multitude of bacteria hidden in her kitchen sponge that she had not replaced in ages, towels so thin you could read the newspaper through them and her daughters thought it was time someone intervened.  Recently one of our newsletter readers forwarded an email outlining how we can keep our homes safer and I thought I would pass this information to you.

The sink is the most germ-ridden space in the house -- and often contains more fecal matter (from washing meats) and E. coli bacteria than the average toilet.

Rinse the sink with hot water after every use. Clean it twice a week with a scouring powder, such as Ajax or Comet. Disinfect it weekly with a mild bleach solution -- one tablespoon of bleach mixed with one cup of hot water. Also...

Replace sponges once or twice a month -- and run them through the dishwasher each time you use it. They're a perfect breeding ground for harmful germs.

Stock up on dishtowels... and change them every other day to prevent germs from passing among members of the family. Washing them in hot water -- and running them through the clothes drier -- will kill bacteria as well as viruses.

Use separate cutting boards for meats, poultry and seafood -- and scrub them with dish detergent, such as Joy or Dawn, and hot water after each use. Clean plastic cutting boards in the dishwasher.

1.     Vitamin C

2.     Alpha Lipoic Acid

3.     Omega 3

4.     Calcium + Magnesium

5.  Vitamin/Mineral Supplement

1) Within twenty minutes of your last cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse rate begin to return to normal.  Circulation to hands and feet improves.

2) Within eight hours of your last cigarette, the carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in the blood drops to normal.

3) With twenty fours hours of your last cigarette, the risk of heart attack decreases.

4) Within forty-eight hours of your last cigarette, nerve endings begin to re-grow meaning your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

5) Within seventy-two hours of your last cigarette, your bronchial tubes relax, making breathing easier.  Your lung capacity starts increasing.

       Enjoy high quality balanced protein that is more usable than most other foods.

        Eggs are nearly perfect amino acid food for your brain and glands.

     The yolk has lots of nutrients and you can safely eat 3-4 yolks per week.

Six Smart Tips For Sustained Weight Loss

Your metabolism is nothing short of life sustaining. It keeps your lungs inhaling and exhaling, your kidneys filtering waste and your body converting food to energy. It even helps keep your temperature constant.

The rate at which you digest food and the rate at which your body combines nutrients and oxygen is to some degree inherited, but you can influence it. Rather than bemoaning your fate and ordering in pizza, consider what you can do to chivvy your metabolism along, which is quite a lot.

Start early: a bowl of cereal or oat bran first thing in the morning gives your stomach something to do, basically. It means your metabolism has to get going. In the name of all that is nutritious, don't go off to work on an empty stomach, because you'll find that by 11am you're buying a custard slice the size of Stewart Island from the bakery downstairs.

Graze: the very worst thing you can do if you're hoping to lose weight is not to eat. It slows your metabolism from a canter to an idle. At the beginning of each day equip yourself with an array of substitutes for the lunchtime blowouts that your chunky colleagues have come to regard as a ritual. Try fruit, rice cakes, low fat yogurt or fresh veggies with hummus. Six small meals a day is a good benchmark. Bingeing just messes you up.

Work out: cardiovascular exercise requires your body to produce energy. Strangely enough it's also an appetite suppressant. What's more, carrying extra muscle burns fat. Work out in the morning and your metabolism speeds up and stays that way for several hours afterwards. Exercising in short, 15-minute bursts throughout the day can jumpstart it when it slows down.

Be a protein pro: digesting food rich in protein gives your digestive system work to do, which is useful unless you're eating a quarter pounder with cheese. Look for low-fat protein: many swear by ostrich, which is very lean. Unfortunately it's now also expensive. An alternative? Try turkey - it's lean and you can do a lot with it, from curries to kebabs. There's always tofu, but there are alternatives, too.

Pay your food a condiment: some spices can speed up your metabolism. Cinnamon - that fragrant stuff sprinkled on pancakes by your granny is reported to speed it up by around 20 times.

Get chilled: you need to quaff eight glasses of water a day. Make it ice-cold water and your metabolism has to work, because it takes effort to keep you warm inside.

William Smook
Health24/New Zealand

Strange remedies…

Headache?  Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately--without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers."   

Stuffy nose? Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of ‘curiously strong' Altoids peppermints.  They'll clear up your stuffed nose. 

Sore Throat?  Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day.  The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Safer Driving in April Showers

A 36-year-old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas, she was traveling between Gladewater and Kilgore.  It was raining, though not excessive, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air.  She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence.

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know --

NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON.

She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe, consistent speed in the rain.  But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane (when your tires lose contact with the pavement), your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane.  She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.  We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane.

Health Benefits of Sex

1. Sex is a beauty treatment. Scientific tests find that when women make love they produce amounts of the hormone estrogen, which makes hair shine and skin smooth.

2. Gentle, relaxed lovemaking reduces your chances of suffering dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. The sweat produced cleanses the pores and makes your skin glow.

3. Lovemaking can burn up those calories you piled on during that romantic dinner.

4. Sex is one of the safest sports you can take up. It stretches and tones up just about every muscle in the body. It's more enjoyable than swimming 20 laps, and you don't need special sneakers!

5. Sex is an instant cure for mild depression. It releases endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and leaving you with a feeling of well-being.

6. The more sex you have, the more you will be offered. The sexually active body gives off greater quantities of chemicals called pheromones. These subtle sex perfumes drive the opposite sex crazy!

7. Sex is the safest tranquilizer in the world. IT IS 10 TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN VALIUM.

8. Kissing each day will keep the dentist away. Kissing encourages saliva to wash food from the teeth and lowers the level of the acid that causes decay, preventing plaque build-up.

9. Sex actually relieves headaches. A lovemaking session can release the tension that restricts blood vessels in the brain.

10. A lot of lovemaking can unblock a stuffy nose. Sex is a natural antihistamine. It can help combat asthma and hay fever.

• Both have the same amount of calories.