==========================================

FAT SALAD -- Think you are getting off "light" by having a salad for lunch? Well, think again. According to a study at the University of Mississippi, students who went through the salad bar at mealtime consumed more fat and calories than students who went through the regular cafeteria line. Wonder why? A salad just is not what it used to be. All the non/low-fat good things in a salad - lettuce, celery, shredded carrots, tomatoes, and onions - are now supplemented by considerable amounts of crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, olives, and other high-fat, high-sodium stuff. And there is the dressing. An envelope of packaged salad dressing at a fast food restaurant has to give you nutrition information per serving. They will tell you a serving of dressing is one ounce, but read the fine print - there are two ounces of dressing in each packet. Are you going to measure out one ounce? You can fill up on salad without having to loosen your belt a notch by adding bean sprouts, sliced beets, kidney beans, and even hard-boiled eggs, a source of fat but also of high-quality protein. As for dressing, if there is one you can see through, go for it. Otherwise, look for the oil and vinegar cruets.

PURSLANE HERB -- The succulent, fleshy leaves of the Purslane plant have a tart vinegary taste and are reported to contain more omega-3 fatty acids than any other green, leafy vegetable. Purslane is good in soups, salads, and on sandwiches as a substitute for sprouts.

POOR EATING & CALORIES REVISITED -- Poor eating habits are usually established during childhood, so sometimes it is difficult to judge the calories in food. For instance, a can of regular soda contains more sugar than a slice of cake. Being more aware of what you put in your mouth can stop the calories from mounting. It takes burning 3,500 more calories than you consume to lose a pound of body weight.

LOSING HAIR? -- It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs each day, but if you are worried about hair loss, here are some ideas to provide nutritional support for your scalp. Include brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts in your diet; they are good sources of biotin. Lie head down on an inclined board 15 minutes a day to allow the blood to reach your scalp. Massage also improves circulation; a few drops of vitamin E oil massaged into the scalp can strengthen fragile hair. Use natural hair-care products, such as a pure bristle hairbrush, and allow your hair to dry naturally rather than using a hair dryer. Do not wash your hair everyday.

OUTSMARTING JET LAG -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UTSMC) sleep researchers suggest an easy way to outsmart jet lag. "Travelers should follow three easy steps to help reset their bodies' clocks after a dramatic time change," says Dr. John Herman, of the UTSMC and director of the Sleep Disorder Clinic at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Herman suggests taking 6 milligrams of melatonin when it is 11:30 p.m. in the time zone of the travel destination and when arriving at the travel destination get as much sunlight as soon as possible. One hour before bedtime on the night of arrival, Herman says to take another 3 milligrams of melatonin.

==========================================

WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

==========================================

** Q & A #1:
I find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time while studying and have heard that certain essential oils can aid concentration - is this true?

Yes, certain oils are known as cephalic (of the head) - they clear the mind and stimulate mental activity. Some of these oils are derived from basil, grapefruit, rosemary, and thyme. Our personal favorite is basil. Put six drops of the essential oil of basil in a burner with water and place in the room where you study.

** Q & A #2:
I have just been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Does that mean I have to have open-heart surgery?

Most coronary artery disease can be managed without surgery. If your doctor has told you that you have coronary artery disease, it means you have plaques (deposits) on the lining of your coronary arteries causing partial narrowing. A stress test can estimate how narrow your arteries have become and the amount of heart muscle affected. If this test shows a low risk, there are a number of things you can do to prevent these plaques from getting worse. Start with a low saturated fat diet and regular exercise program of 30 minutes of walking or bicycling a day, five days a week. Adding cholesterol lowering medication will also lower your bad cholesterol and stabilize the lining of your arteries, making it less likely for your plaques to progress. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors stabilize the heart and the coronary arteries. Diabetes and hypertension also need to be controlled. Sometimes plaques can break open, allowing clots to form on top of them. This situation can be prevented with aspirin. Talk to your doctor first, because aspirin is not for everyone. If your stress test shows that you are an intermediate or high risk, you may benefit from balloon angioplasty to open up a narrowed coronary artery. This is followed by inserting a metal coil called a stent to prop open the artery and avoid re-narrowing. You then need to follow the above risk factor modification techniques, including not smoking, to keep further plaque progression from occurring.

** Q & A #3:
What is Saint John's Wort?

Also known as Hypericum, this herb is best known for its soothing and healing powers. It has antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oil of St. John's Wort can be taken in supplement form or applied topically when used for massage. It may prove beneficial in relieving pain in joints, muscles, and nerves and it can also be used to treat minor burns and insect stings.

** Q & A #4:
Our teenage son has recurrent cold sores - is there a natural treatment?

Yes there is. Tea Tree Oil is a natural anti-viral treatment and is safe for all ages. For best results it must be applied at the onset of the cold sore when tingling occurs. Soak the end of a cotton swab in the oil and apply to the affected area every three to four hours. Lip balm containing Tea Tree Oil can be used daily and will help to prevent recurrence.

** Q & A #5:
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and how do I know if it is right for me?

Hormone replacement therapy is the supplementation of estrogen and progesterone (two hormones that naturally occur in the body). This usually occurs during or after menopause as these hormones decrease in women's bodies at that time. Women who have had a hysterectomy will only need estrogen. Currently, the benefits of HRT are that it may diminish symptoms that can occur during menopause, some of which include hot flashes, irritability, and vaginal dryness. Other benefits are prevention of osteoporosis, which leads to fracture reduction and to a lesser extent prevention of colon cancer. For many women, however, it is felt that the risks of taking HRT outweigh the benefits. HRT can increase the risk for venous blood clots, coronary heart disease, and stroke. If taken for longer periods of time it can also increase the risk for breast cancer and gallstones. Recent findings suggest it may contribute to dementia. Be aware of the risks and benefits of this treatment. Also be aware of alternative therapies either through other prescription medications, natural or dietary supplements, or lifestyle changes. HRT needs to be considered on an individual basis after reviewing one's medical history.

==========================================

FEATURED ARTICLE

==========================================

Many of us know that herbs and other botanicals can lead to substantial improvements in health. But why all the fuss today about an unusual fruit called the mangosteen? How can a single fruit offer so many benefits? And why is it being introduced to the United States now though it has been a part of natural health in the Orient for centuries?

Read on for some intimate knowledge about what mangosteen could do for your health.

The mangosteen fruit is grown in southeast Asia and has been used for centuries to relieve digestive, inflammatory, skin, and other ailments. It is roughly the size of a tangerine with a dark purple rind or pericarp that is thick and tough. Encased within this protective coating is a snow-white fruit that separates into wedges, much like a citrus fruit.

The taste of the fruit's flesh is exquisite. It is often referred to as the "Queen of Fruits" in areas where it is grown.

The raw mangosteen is fragile and the United States forbids its importation. So why does this mysterious fruit merit such praise and recent scientific attention?

WHAT ARE XANTHONES?

The mangosteen contains a large number of active substances including vitamins, catechins (potent antioxidants), polysaccharides, etc. However, modern science has examined the mangosteen, and the phytonutrients that receive the most scientific attention are xanthones which are biologically active, natural molecules found in a few plants.

Science has identified approximately 200 xanthones. The mangosteen contains an amazing 43 - some herbs and plants like St. John's Wort might contain one or two but no plant compares with the quantity and vibrancy of xanthones in mangosteen. In fact, mangosteen is the best known source of these powerful phytochemicals.

Each xanthone has a unique chemical formula that enables it to perform specific biologic functions in the human body.

For example, alpha-mangostin serves as an anti-oxidant, gamma-mangostin as an anti-inflammatory and garcinone E as an anti-tumor agent. Xanthone derivatives show other beneficial properties . . . antiallergic, antiviral, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, etc.

Xanthones, possibly in conjunction with other biologically active substances mentioned above, are responsible for the wide range of medicinal benefits experienced by people who consume the mangosteen.

MAJOR HEALTH BENEFITS

Recently, research and clinical observations have confirmed some of the health benefits of mangosteen's xanthones:

1. Anti-inflammatory - gamma mangostin, one of the xanthones in mangosteen, dramatically slows the production of the COX 2 (cyclo-oxygenase) enzyme, the major precursor to inflammation, without negative side effects. Some physicians have noted that mangosteen can be as effective as leading anti-inflammatory medications without serious side effects typical with drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra.

For example, Vioxx, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor, was withdrawn from the market because it caused blood clots and an increased incidence of heart attacks. In experimental data, mangosteen did not affect blood-clotting mechanisms yet had all the anti-inflammatory benefits.

2. Anti-oxidant - the xanthone gamma mangostin was found to be a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E.

3. Anti-cholesterol - the bad cholesterol, LDL, first must be oxidized before it can cross the artery's endothelial wall and become part of an atherosclerotic plaque. Oxidized LDL is one of the causes of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Scientists from Australia and Thailand concluded from in-vitro studies that mangosteen xanthones inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

4. Anti-tumor - Scientists in Taiwan tested Garcinone E against human cancer cell lines for primary liver, stomach and lung cancers. Garcinone E was capable of killing all cancer lines but one and it was more efficient than several anti-cancer medications commonly in use today.

5. Anti-diabetic - Some xanthones tend to reduce insulin resistance, the core defect in type II diabetes according to a leading clinician. Additionally, the Germans treat peripheral neuropathy with antioxidants based on the belief that diabetic complications can involve free radical damage.

AVAILABILITY OF MANGOSTEEN JUICE

Only recently has the fruit become commercially available in North America as a beverage so that anyone can evaluate its healing power.

While the mangosteen pericarp is rich in xanthones, it tastes very bitter. Additional natural fruit juices are usually added to create an appealing taste.

Most brands contain about 2 grams of natural sugar per ounce, making it possible for diabetics to consume the juice and in many cases, to lower blood sugar levels and reduce reliance on medication.

This delicious juice has already influenced many lives and will continue to benefit people searching for natural alternatives to better health.

Copyright © 2006 by Jim Kosglow

Jim Kosglow is a frequent contributor to health publications about informative tips on living a more natural wholistic lifestyle. He lives in Aspen, Colorado and can be contacted at jimkosglow@aol.com or by phone toll-free 866 831 5539 MST regarding any questions or comments you may have regarding this article or mangosteen.

==========================================

HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH