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

COMBAT COLON CANCER THOUGH YOUR DIET -- Your secret weapon to stop colon cancer is calcium. Calcium is thought to help by binding with bile and fatty acids, which can stimulate colon cells to divide rapidly, increasing the risk of cancer-causing mutations. Thus, eat low-fat dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and canned salmon (with the bones) to prevent colon cancer. You should eat at least three low-fat or non-fat calcium-rich foods such as yogurt to reach a target of 1000 mg a day.

TIPS FOR PROPER WOUND CARE -- A national study from Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., finds that many Americans have misconceptions about treating cuts. For instance, nearly half of those surveyed did not clean their cuts, and 72 percent mistakenly think it is best to let a wound air out and form a scab. Physician Linda Franks said a simple three-step process of cleaning, treating, and protecting is essential. Clean the wound with a gentle antiseptic wash, or soap and water, to flush away irritants and kill germs. Allow excess moisture to evaporate and treat the wound with an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Protect the wound with an adhesive bandage or gauze dressing to keep the wound moist, which prevents it from drying out and forming a scab. Scabs can impede healing and increase the chance of scarring. "Many people believe that wounds need air to 'breathe,' but what wounds really need is oxygen, which they obtain from the body's blood supply," Franks said.

BEARD LICHEN -- Beard lichen (Usnea barbata) can be used externally for fungal infections. You can apply extracts or tinctures of this plant to wounds and cuts to prevent or treat infections.

DESTROY FATIGUE WITH YOUR DIET -- Are you suffering from fatigue? Almost everyone knows that carbohydrates are converted into glucose, which is in turn converted to energy. But that still doesn't equate to a constant blood-sugar level. Mixing carbohydrates with protein and fat slows the absorption of glucose, which prevents the spikes and dips in blood glucose level. So, you should eat meals that combine carbohydrates, proteins, and some fat. When determining what meals stabilize your energy, remember that it is quality, not quantity. Examples of good, balanced meals include: Whole gain cereal with skim-milk or a banana dipped in peanut butter for breakfast; a ham and cheese sandwich on whole-wheat bread with an apple for lunch; and for dinner, a skinless chicken breast, broccoli, wild rice, and a salad.

COLD HANDS? -- Tell your doctor if your hands always seem to be cold. It might be a sign of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). One function of the thyroid gland is to regulate body temperature. When it is not doing its job, the body becomes tired and less tolerant of the cold. The signs of hypothyroidism can be vague, so be sure to mention even mild changes to your doctor.

TOOTHACHE PAIN HOME REMEDIES -- For toothache pain try Clove Oil. Using a Q-tip, dab some clove oil on and around the gum line of the tooth that is bothering you - it does not taste all that great but it works wonderfully. Something else that works very well is "Spirit of Cloves" which is a flavoring for cooking found in many supermarkets. It is also available in pharmacies and does a great job for a short term remedy until you can see a dentist.

SORE THROAT AND ANTIBIOTICS -- Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which are not treatable with antibiotics. Yet, a study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" reports that approximately 73% of patients who see a doctor for a sore throat are given a prescription for an antibiotic. If your throat is sore, see your physician. However, do not be disappointed if he or she does not feel that an antibiotic is appropriate. Antibiotics should be reserved for bacterial infections only. Inappropriate use of antibiotics could lead to the growth of resistant organisms.

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

WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

Cardiovascular Cocktails? The Latest on Alcohol and Heart Health

Let us raise a glass to heart health. Or should we? We have been hearing about medical studies that ascribe health benefits to moderate alcohol consumption, especially a glass of wine or two every day. Some researchers have reached conclusions like these:

1. Daily or near daily servings of alcohol may protect men from heart attacks.
2. Alcohol increases HDL ("good") cholesterol, and may be an anti-platelet agent, which would reduce the chance of blood clots.
3. In post-menopausal women, a first drink may help reduce triglycerides and LDL, and a second drink may help boost HDL.
4. Women aged 25 to 42 who have a half a drink daily may reduce high blood pressure. (However, after one and a half drinks, the risk of high blood pressure went up.)
5. Post-menopausal women who have two drinks a day may lower insulin levels and insulin sensitivity, therefore possibility reducing the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes and heart disease.

To help make sense of these findings, Gary Rogal, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at the St. Barnabas Health Care System in Livingston, New Jersey, responds to the following questions:

** Q & A #1:
What do all these studies mean to people who are concerned about their cardiovascular health?

The very first thing I should say is that alcohol is a small component to the whole diet issue. Moderate alcohol intake probably does confer some cardiovascular benefits and reduction in cardiovascular events like chest pains or heart attacks - but that is just a small piece of the whole picture. On the flip side of the coin, we know that there are also long-term problems involved with excessive alcohol intake.

** Q & A #2:
Are the studies conclusive?

No. What we are lacking are real long-term studies, over decades. It is great to say you will improve cardiovascular health and fitness over a few years - but what happens with chronic alcohol ingestion over decades? We need more insight into these issues. We also do not know a heck of a lot about dosing. There is really no clear cutoff where the studies would say, you will get greater cardiovascular benefit at this level, but at that level you will start having other complications. Because, for instance, we know that alcohol affects the heart muscle in negative ways over a long period of time.

** Q & A #3:
But is it not pretty much proven that alcohol increases HDL, which would be good for cardiovascular health?

Yes. There are only a couple of things that do increase HDL: exercise, the right genetic makeup, and ingesting alcohol. But I am concerned about making that recommendation over the long run, because modest alcohol use can lead to increased amounts and then there could be other negative side effects.

** Q & A #4:
What negative side effects concern you most?

Drug interactions. A huge unknown is the interaction between alcohol and a very important class of drugs called statin drugs. These are medications such as Lipitor, Pravachol, Mevacor, and Zocor, which lower total cholesterol by bringing LDL down and bumping HDL up. One of the big side effects of statin drugs is liver toxicity, and alcohol is also liver toxic. We do not really have any evidence that documents the safety of using these drugs and alcohol in combination. And since some patients are on very high doses of statin drugs, we have to be cautious.

** Q & A #5:
Besides statin drugs, are there any other interactions that people should worry about?

Yes. Americans consume a huge amount of non-regulated dietary supplements - herbs and vitamins, and the interactions with alcohol have never been studied. At this point, nobody has a clue.

** Q & A #6:
So it sounds like, even though a glass or two of wine may be safe or even helpful, you really cannot make a blanket recommendation that everyone have a drink or two every night.

It is very individual. I think it is safe to say that a glass of wine a night is probably not going to hurt the great majority of people, but there are caveats to this. I cannot stress the interaction issue enough. So much depends on the medications and supplements you are taking, and whatever other medical problems you have.

** Q & A #7:
Getting back to what you said earlier, even if alcohol is good for you, why is it only a small piece of the picture?

It is only a small piece of the things people have to do to promote cardiac health. Other factors such as exercise and diet modification are tried and true and actually do work.

** Q & A #8:
Another downside to alcohol is that it adds empty calories to your diet, and it can even increase your appetite. So, I guess I would be better off adding a few miles of walking to my weekly exercise routine than adding a few glasses of wine to my weekly diet?

Yes. Simply walking is one of the best things we can do. You would be better off doing some extra exercise, and then, if you want, add a glass of wine at night as your reward.

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

FEATURED ARTICLE

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

Want to enhance your health in surprising ways? Drink green tea.

We are not talking about a new health discovery here. This beverage has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese. It has proved itself for centuries as worthy of being included in our diet for its health properties.

Not only has this drink been endorsed for ages, but modern science also has discovered astonishing facts about what it may be able to do for your health.

There are a lot more benefits to drinking green tea than are listed below, but here are seven:

1. Drink it to help shed extra pounds.

   A study published by the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in November, 1999, is encouraging. It shows that this drink may enable people to burn more calories.

2. This ancient brew may help combat signs of aging.

   That is because it contains large amounts of vitamins E and C which are antioxidants. Antioxidants have the reputation of being able to combat free radicals that damage cells. Cancer, heart attacks, and diabetes can result from damaged cell membranes.

   In April, 1999, researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland revealed that green tea may ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. This drink may help asthma sufferers.

   Because it contains theophylline (a muscle relaxant), it can help the muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax. This helps asthma sufferers to breathe with less restriction.

4. Green tea may help lower blood pressure.

   High blood pressure makes you susceptible to heart attack and stroke. This ancient brew may also keep blood clots from forming.

5. Green tea has been reported to help in the fight against cancer.

   Doctors from the prestigious Mayo Clinic found that green tea extract given to four leukemia patients seemed to help three of them experience regression of the disease. And even the fourth patient showed some improvement. The reason the doctors tried green tea extract is that a 2004 test tube study showed that leukemia cells were killed by the extract.

   By the way, in Japan there are fewer reported cancer deaths. Could it be because the Japanese drink a lot of green tea?

6. Drinking this beverage my help lower cholesterol.

   Lowering cholesterol with no side effects has been reported in studies using green tea. Your ability to fight heart disease and ward off stroke is tied in with your cholesterol count.

7. This brew may help your body fight infections.

   The "New York Times" reported in April of 2003 that the immune system's ability to fight disease may be strengthened by drinking green tea. Microbiologist Milton Schiffenbauer, professor at Pace University (New York) stated, "Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time we are destroying the organisms then it makes sense to drink more tea."

Copyright © 2006 by Patricia Wagner

Patricia Wagner offers informative tips and a newsletter to help you live a more energetic lifestyle. Check out A to Z Wellness at http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com/healthy-foods.htm. She is also an artist and you can view her original paintings at http://www.artbywagner.com

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

HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH