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A LESSON FROM THE ESKIMOS -- Eskimos have remarkably low incidences of heart disease. Unlike Western man, Eskimos also have very low blood cholesterol levels. As you know, increased blood cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis, a condition responsible for one out of every two deaths in the United States. Why do Eskimos have such good blood chemistry? One reason may be something called Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. It is also known as the omega-3 fatty acid found in the oily, coldwater fish that the Eskimos love to eat. EPA has been shown to significantly lower blood cholesterol. It also triggers a major drop in triglycerides, another blood fat linked to heart disease. Eating fish, particularly mackerel and salmon, once or twice per week could reduce your risk of heart attack.

DO YOU HAVE HEMOCHROMATOSIS? -- What is the most common genetic disorder in the United States? Hemochromatosis, a disease characterized by the buildup of excessive iron in organs such as the liver and pancreas. The American Hemochromatosis Society offers a variety of information about this disorder on its web site at http://www.americanhs.org. The disease afflicts an estimated 34 million Americans, most of whom do not know they have it. Symptoms include fatigue, impotence, sterility, arthritis, diabetes, disorders of the heart, liver, or thyroid, and eventually (if the disease goes untreated), death.

GARLIC -- One of the top 10 healthy foods you can eat, this herb is packed with nutrients known to help fend off cancer, heart disease, aging, and other health problems. Garlic has prolonged cancer survival time and extended animal lifespans by about 5%, which in humans might add about four years, German researchers have found. A tip from researchers at Penn State: let crushed garlic "rest" about ten minutes before cooking it, to preserve its disease-fighting agents. More information about garlic appears in "The Herbal Corner" section below.

BREAKFAST AND WEIGHT CONTROL -- Believe it or not, taking the time for this oft-missed meal can actually help you to lose weight. If you are a breakfast-skipper, it could be contributing to a higher number on the scale.

EAT THIS SUPERFOOD -- Oats have been a part of Scottish and Irish breakfasts for centuries. Those ancient cultures knew the benefit of the grain in delivering strength. Only recently have scientists begun to ascertain how oats deliver the goods. Treat yourself to a bowl of oatmeal every day, and you will spoon in heaps of disease-fighting antioxidants, while your lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating oats will protect you against the ill effects of high-fat foods. The gem is the whole, unrefined grain. Proven in study after study, consuming oatmeal makes you less vulnerable to heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. So wake up, and eat high levels of protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and vitamin E.

SEEING THE LIGHT ON THE ROAD -- Aging drivers need to take special precautions on the road, taking into account the changes that occur in the eye with the passage of time, researchers say. These include difficulty in focusing on near tasks such as reading and in distinguishing colors and contrast and the need for more light. As longevity increases, so does the number of people affected by age-related vision shifts and by such eye disorders as macular degeneration and glaucoma, said Kent Higgins, vice president for vision science at Lighthouse International in New York, a nonprofit group that provides resources for vision impairment and rehabilitation. Drivers 60 and older should keep in mind they are operating with only one-third of the light they had when they were 20 due to naturally-occurring changes within the eye, Higgins says. Also, they cannot process and respond to visual information as quickly and efficiently as they were in their younger days. They should also be aware of the effect of some medications on their ability to react to road hazards. Night-time driving, with its bright, fleeting glare, presents a particular challenge. To minimize the glare, older drivers should not look directly at the headlights of oncoming vehicles but rather direct their gaze down the road and toward the right side of the lane in which they are driving. They need more time to adjust to light changes such as when entering a darkened tunnel from bright sunlight, a problem that can be solved with a pair of sunglasses that can be flipped up inside darkened areas. Older drivers should stay within familiar areas and avoid driving at night, in bad weather and during busy rush hours, the group advises.

WALKING FIGHTS PANCREATIC CANCER -- Researchers have determined that walking or hiking at least four hours a week cuts the risk of pancreatic cancer in half. Inactivity and obesity may significantly increase your chances of developing this difficult-to-treat disease that kills nearly 29,000 Americans each year.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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** Q & A #1:
Is it true that breast cancer can be caused by using underarm deodorant or antiperspirant?

No, it appears that breast cancer is not linked to using deodorants or antiperspirants. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle did a case-control study of 813 women who had breast cancer and 793 who did not, to look at any possible link between women using any type of antiperspirants under their arms and the subsequent development of breast cancer. There was no increased risk among those who used the deodorants, those who used the products and shaved under their arms or those who applied an antiperspirant within an hour after shaving. The researchers say there are no published reports to support such a hypothesis and no epidemiologic studies that indicate concern is warranted. They say even though cancer centers have emphatically stated there is no link, rumors about antiperspirants continue to circulate periodically.

** Q & A #2:
What is the difference between calcification of the artery and plaque?

Among the main culprits in coronary artery disease are low density lipoproteins (LDLs), the so-called "bad" cholesterol. LDLs can damage the cells lining the inside wall of arteries. These areas of cell damage provide a magnet-like attraction for other fatty substances (e.g., triglycerides), sticky, blood-clotting materials (e.g., fibrin and platelets), and white blood cells. The waxy accumulation of these materials is known as plaque. Not all plaque are alike, researchers explain. Some plaque have a thinner, more brittle coating and a thick core of fatty materials and white blood cells. A surge of blood flow, for example, can break off this coating. This can rupture these unstable plaque and free the fatty particles from their core into the bloodstream, where they can cause artery damage elsewhere. The site of the plaque rupture can, in turn, bring on a blockage (thrombosis) in an artery. Some plaque are more resistant to rupture. They have a comparatively thicker, harder coating formed by calcium deposits from the blood that have attached to the walls of the artery. This is called calcification. The presence of such stable, calcified plaque does not necessarily mean there is blockage. However, calcification is the main cause of hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) and, if severe enough, may be associated with blockages.

** Q & A #3:
I have been hearing the term "omega-3 fatty acids" a lot lately - just what are they and do they really improve health?

Fatty acids are components of every human cell, and they help determine biological properties of cells. These acids are the basic units of fat molecules, arranged as chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Contrary to popular myth, the body does need fat. It must be the right kind however. There are two basic categories of essential fatty acids (EFA), designated omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-6 EFAs, which include linolenic and gamma-linolenic acids, are found primarily in raw nuts, seeds, and legumes, and in unsaturated vegetable oils. Omega-3 EFAs - the more beneficial of the two types - including alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are found in fresh deepwater fish, fish oil, and certain vegetable oils.

A myriad of research suggests that eating fish high in omega-3's on a regular basis can help reduce the level of triglycerides in your blood, cut the risk of blood clotting by making the blood less sticky, and help to lower blood pressure. In addition, polyunsaturated fats (like the omega-3's) and monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) can help reduce the amount of "bad" cholesterol in the blood when consumed as part of an overall diet that is low in total fat and saturated fat. In addition, the brain needs omega-3. About sixty-percent of the brain is fat, and it requires more omega-3 than any other part of the body. The brain uses fat cells to transmit messages, and if omega-3 is not available, your brain will use whatever is handy - probably omega-6 - which does not work as well. In essence, it makes the brain stiffer and less able to relay messages or important chemicals like seratonin.

Great sources of omega-3 fatty acids are from the "oily fish" category including: tuna, sardines, mackerel, and salmon, although all seafood contain some. Most seafood is also low in saturated fats and generally low in cholesterol. Another highly potent source of omega-3s can be found in select, premium-quality dietary supplements. For additional information on two such products, plus more information about omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, please see the following: EPA PLUS, LYPRINEX

** Q & A #4:
What is glaucoma and is there a cure?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steals sight without warning and often without symptoms. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires and is responsible for carrying the images we see to the brain. It was once thought that high intraocular pressure (IOP) was the main cause of this optic nerve damage. Although IOP is clearly a risk factor, we now know that other factors must also be involved because even people with "normal" IOP can experience vision loss from glaucoma. The two main types of glaucoma are open angle glaucoma, or primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle closure glaucoma.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma. Glaucoma is a chronic disease that must be treated for life. However, much is happening in research that makes us hopeful a cure may be realized in our lifetime. There is exciting work being conducted by scientists all over the world in the areas of genetics, neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. These areas of study deal with the origins and pathology of glaucoma as opposed to managing symptoms.

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THE HERBAL CORNER

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GARLIC, otherwise known as the "stinking rose," is one of the most valuable foods on this planet. If the term "wonder drug" can be applied to any healing herb, Garlic certainly deserves that distinction. It is the world's second oldest medicinal herb, after ephedra, and is still the best. Within the Allium genus - which includes onions, challets, leeks, chives, and scallions - Garlic is the most powerful of these bulb root herbs and probably the most thoroughly researched.

The health benefits of garlic were praised by both the ancient Greeks and Egyptians and now supported by modern research. Its health advantages are wide-ranging because of its chemical makeup and active ingredients, including: volatile oil with sulphur-containing compounds (notably allicin, alliin, and ajoene), enzymes, B vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. Garlic is available as cloves, essential oil, and in tablets, capsules, teas, and tincture forms, and may possess the following therapeutic properties:

1. Antibiotic action against infectious agents. Garlic may be effective in subduing a range of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, such as influenza, colds, cold sores, gastroenteritis, candida yeast infections, among others.
2. Reduces blood cholesterol. Many studies confirm that eating two fresh garlic cloves a day can decrease blood cholesterol levels by about 10%.
3. Helps blood flow freely. Studies show that garlic helps dilate blood vessels and reduces the risk of blood clots, which can block blood vessels, leading to heart attack or stroke.
4. Lowers high blood pressure. Several studies confirm that garlic helps fight hypertension and that valuable drops in pressure can be produced by moderate amounts of garlic intake.
5. Lowers blood sugar levels. This may especially be beneficial to diabetics and those who suffer from hypoglycemia.
6. Anti-cancer agent. Chinese population studies have shown that those who usually ate the most garlic had less than half the risk of stomach cancer of those who at the least garlic.

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HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH