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MORE WATER, LESS HEART ATTACKS -- Drinking more water and less of other beverages may lower your risk of having a heart attack, according to a study published in a recent issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology." The investigators examined data from a lifestyle survey sent to more than 20,000 men and women in 1976. They found that during the six year study period, women who drank more than five 8-ounce glasses of water each day had a 41% less chance of dying from a heart attack when compared to those who drank two or fewer glasses each day. Men who consumed large amounts of water demonstrated a 54% reduction in their chance of dying from a heart attack. The opposite correlation was seen for participants who drank larger quantities of non-water fluids. Water is an essential calorie-free part of your diet. It is generally recommended to drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Consume even larger quantities when exposed to warm temperatures and during periods of physical exertion.

CHICKEN SKIN -- The American Heart Association recommends removing the skin from chicken, turkey, and other poultry before cooking, except when roasting. When roasting, the skin should be removed before the meat is eaten. The reason for removing the skin is to lower the fat (especially saturated fat and cholesterol).

CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE -- Carbohydrate intake should come mainly from complex carbohydrates - vegetables, fruits and grains - rather than the simple carbohydrates found in sugars. Complex carbohydrates add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the diet than foods high in refined sugars. Foods high in complex carbohydrates are usually lower in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Substituting carbohydrates for fats may increase triglyceride levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol in some people. But this is not always the case. Population groups such as vegetarians who eat a high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet usually have normal triglyceride levels. Diets high in fiber do not seem to lower HDL as much.

ASPARAGUS FACTS -- Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It leads nearly all produce items in the wide array of nutrients it supplies in significant amounts for a healthy diet. Asparagus, is one of natures most perfect foods. It is low in calories, only 20 per 5.3 oz. serving, less than 4 calories per spear; contains no fat or cholesterol; very low in sodium; a good source of potassium; a source of fiber (3 grams per 5.3 oz. serving); an excellent source of folacin, thiamin, and vitamin B6; one of the richest sources of rutin, an antioxidant which strengthens capillary walls. Asparagus also contains glutathione (GSH). GSH is one of the most potent anti-carcinogens and antioxidants found within the body. Asparagus should be eaten fresh as it will lose flavor. Store in plastic bags in the crisper section of your refrigerator.

CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST -- A cardiovascular stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen and the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

A person taking the test:

• is hooked-up to equipment to monitor the heart.
• walks slowly in place on a treadmill. Then the speed is increased for a faster pace and the treadmill is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill.
• may be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple of minutes.
• can stop the test at any time if needed.
• afterwards will sit or lie down to have their heart and blood pressure checked.

Stress tests are normally recommended for people who have been inactive for a long period of time; have a history of family heart disease; are over 40; are smokers; are overweight; or have abuse alcohol or drugs. The results of the test can help a doctor prescribe an exercise program for you that will reduce the heart risks. If you complete the test with no abnormal ECG changes or unusual elevated blood pressure, than you have a low risk for coronary heart disease.

EPISODIC ACUTE STRESS -- This type of stress is apparent in those individuals that are always in a hurry, always late for appointments, always overtaking the other cars on the road. They take on too many responsibilities, and their interpersonal relationships can suffer. They may be ceaseless worriers and be prone to having aggressive personalities. It is common for people with acute stress reactions to be over aroused, short-tempered, irritable, anxious, and tense. Often, they describe themselves as having "a lot of nervous energy." Always in a hurry, they tend to be abrupt, and sometimes their irritability comes across as hostility. Interpersonal relationships deteriorate rapidly when others respond with real hostility. The work becomes a very stressful place for them. One major difference between episodic acute stress and acute stress is that sufferers may not even realize the significance of the problem. Their habits and personality traits may be so ingrained that they cannot escape their stressful lifestyle. Symptoms of this type of stress may take the form of persistent tension headaches, hypertension, migraines, chest pain, and possibly even heart disease.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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** Q & A #1:

Can you provide me with some general information on how the heart works?

The normal heart is a strong, hardworking pump made of muscle tissue. It is about the size of a person's fist. The heart has four chambers. The upper two chambers are the right atrium and left atrium, and the lower two are the right ventricle and left ventricle. Blood is pumped through the chambers, aided by four heart valves. The valves open and close to let the blood flow in only one direction. The four heart valves are: the tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and the right ventricle; the pulmonary (pulmonic) valve, between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; the mitral valve, between the left atrium and left ventricle; the aortic valve, between the left ventricle and the aorta. Each valve has a set of "flaps" (also called leaflets or cusps). The mitral valve normally has two flaps; the others have three flaps. Dark bluish blood, low in oxygen, flows back to the heart after circulating through the body. It returns to the heart through veins and enters the right atrium. This chamber empties blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps the blood under low pressure through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery. From there the blood goes to the lungs where it gets fresh oxygen. After the blood is refreshed with oxygen, it is bright red. Then it returns by the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. From there it passes through the mitral valve and enters the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the red oxygen-rich blood out through the aortic valve into the aorta. The aorta takes blood to the body's general circulation. The blood pressure in the left ventricle is the same as the pressure measured in the arm.

** Q & A #2:

Which kind of meat is the lowest in fat?

Skinless turkey breast is about as low-fat as it gets. A regular three-ounce serving has less than one gram of fat. When you calculate the total calories it represents of 120, then the fat percentage is only five percent. However, be careful of processed turkey meats such as cold cuts. Even though they may be promoted as low-fat, many of them contain added fat to make them smoother to the taste. Read the labels before you buy.

** Q & A #3:

What exactly is "heart disease?"

Heart disease describes a variety of disorders and conditions that can affect the heart. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. The word "coronary" means crown, and it is the name given to the arteries that circle the heart like a crown. The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. Coronary heart disease develops when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the blood to the heart become narrower than they used to be. This happens because of a buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the wall of the blood vessel, affecting the blood flow to the heart muscle. Deposits of cholesterol and other fat-like substances can build up in the inner lining of these blood vessels and become coated with scar tissue, forming a bump in the blood vessel wall known as plaque. Plaque build-up narrows and hardens the blood vessel, a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Eventually these plaque deposits can build up to significantly reduce or block blood flow to the heart. Many people experience chest pain or discomfort from inadequate blood flow to the heart, especially during exercise when the heart needs more oxygen. Without an adequate blood supply, heart muscle tissue can be damaged. Although we typically think of atherosclerosis as a disease of old age, the process begins as early as childhood, making prevention of coronary heart disease a priority for everyone. It is not easy to tell if you have coronary heart disease, since the disease rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. That is why it is important to see your physician regularly and evaluate your diet and lifestyle habits. Your physician can detect early warning signs of CHD, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.

** Q & A #4:

How does anger increase my chance of heart attack?

New information now exists showing that anger tends to increase blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid resulting from the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. Homocysteine is much more damaging to our arteries than cholesterol. So controlling anger, especially anger that you may tend to harbor, even unconsciously, can have an effect on your homocysteine levels. This can ultimately effect the health of your cardiovascular system. In addition, the consumption of foods rich in folate and vitamin B-12 such as orange juice, spinach and beans help to control homocysteine levels. It is a good idea to have your homocysteine levels checked periodically.

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THE HERBAL CORNER

Great for the heart and immune system!

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Did you know that the CAT'S CLAW herb:

• improves immune system function?
• nutritionally supports the circulatory system?
• possesses anti-inflammatory properties?
• fights infections, allergies, pain, and other disorders?

Research began on Cat's Claw in the early 1970's. In 1989, when the plant's alkaloids were isolated and tested, six primary oxindole alkaloids were found to be most prevalent in the Cat's Claw bark: isopteropodine, pteropodine, mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, ryncophylline, and isorynchophylline. Three of these have been proven to be effective immuno-stimulants or immune system boosters. Ryncophylline has been shown in laboratory testing to display an ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis. This means that this alkaloid may be useful in the prevention of stroke and reducing the risk of heart attack by lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, and inhibiting both the formation of plaque on the arterial walls and formation of blood clots in the vessels of the brain, heart, and arteries.

In addition to these alkaloids, Peruvian and Italian researchers have discovered other beneficial phytochemicals inherent in the plant, including proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, triterpines, and the plant sterols beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. These might explain the antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties attributed to this herb.

In 1991 there was a new study to isolate the chemical compounds found naturally within the plant that would be responsible for anti-inflammatory principles. This led to "the isolation and characterization of a new quinovic acid glycoside called glycoside-7 as one of the most active anti-inflammatory principles to be uncovered."

Many species of the genus Uncaria exist in nature - more than 30. However, it is the Uncaria Tomentosa species that offers the most promise as a therapeutic agent. Uncaria guianensis is frequently confused with Uncaria tomentosa therefore consumers should check the Cat's Claw bottles they buy for "Uncaria tomentosa" and choose from a reputable company. Cat's Claw is available in capsules, extract, and the raw bark for brewing tea.

Cat's Claw may prove useful in combating certain symptoms of Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, leaky bowel syndrome, colitis, hemorrhoids, fistulas, gastritis, ulcers, parasites, intestinal flora imbalance, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, environmental toxic poisoning, organic depression, those infected with the HIV virus, and more.

For additional information about Cat's Claw and to read about a nutritional supplement, called CAT'S CLAW PLUS made with premium cat's claw extract, please visit http://www.aomega.com/ahs/c4040a.htm

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PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH

• CIRCULATION FORMULA
  Supports a Healthy Circulatory System

February is "American Heart Month" and in honor of that, we present to you CIRCULATION FORMULA from Life Plus. Researchers won the Nobel Prize for proving that the main ingredient in CIRCULATION FORMULA, L-Arginine, produces "NO" in your body. "NO" stands for nitric oxide and is actually what your blood vessels use to stay dilated (open) so your blood can flow through them more easily and efficiently. CIRCULATION FORMULA is a premium-quality supplement that also contains synergistic B-vitamins and effective herbal extracts - including Ginkgo biloba, Horse Chestnut seed, and Butcher’s Broom - which support healthy arteries, veins, and circulation, as well as Muira Puama from the Amazon that promotes and supports healthy sexual function. The organs in your body for which optimal blood flow is most critical are your heart, brain, and sex organs. For optimum blood flow, heart and circulatory system function try a bottle of CIRCULATION FORMULA today! Additional details about CIRCULATION FORMULA can be found on our web site at http://www.aomega.com/ahs/c6133a.htm. To ORDER online, by phone, or by mail, please see http://www.aomega.com/ahs/ordering.htm (if you are already a Life Plus member, please remember to reference your member PIN on your order).

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HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH