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

PEANUTS HELPS REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK -- Researchers have found that peanuts can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease without the risk of weight gain. "(Peanuts) are a rich source of monosaturated fatty acids, magnesium and folate, vitamin E, copper, arginine and fiber, all of which have cardiovascular disease risk-reducing properties," said Richard Mattes, professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. The problem is that this popular legume seed is often thought to be unhealthy due to its high fat content. However, peanuts do not seem to threaten a person's waist line. One of the groups in the study continued on their regular diet but added an extra 500 calories of peanuts a day. Their risk for heart disease went down, and their weights did not change significantly.

ANOTHER REASON TO DRINK GREEN TEA -- Recent research suggests chemicals in green tea shut down a key molecule that contributes to cancer. Researchers at the University of Rochester looked at the effects of green tea components on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a molecule that often plays a part in turning on harmful genes. Two green tea chemicals were found to shut down the AH receptor. In cancerous mouse cells, the chemicals stopped AH activity. Other results suggest the same is true for human cells. However, the researchers said what they see in the lab is not necessarily what will happen in the body. "Right now we do not know if drinking the amount of green tea that a person normally drinks would make a difference, but the work is giving us insight into how the proteins work," said graduate student Christine Palmero. The results were published in the journal "Chemical Research in Toxicology."

FLU NUMBERS - THE REAL STORY -- The cold winter months and "flu season" have sent many Americans into the state of panic. Perhaps it has something to do with this overstated statistic: 36,000 die annually from influenza. However, despite these overwhelming numbers, researchers have discovered that the flu is not the lone cause behind these deaths. So why the flubbed stats? Part of the problem lies in the fact that the flu is not a direct killer, but a fatal contributor to a group of factors leading to one's death. Another reason for these skewed figures is that the system for obtaining this death toll number is complex, imprecise and anonymous. In fact, in 2002, city health officials estimated there was roughly 2,500 deaths in New York caused by the flu virus. The actual number of deaths caused by the flu was only 2. Further, according to city health records, not a single death certificate from 2001 listed the flu as the culprit.

Here is where the numbers come from: The health department and the CDC start by looking at the average number of pneumonia deaths during a given period of time. If the flu is present at that time, the marked increases in the number of pneumonia deaths are noted. All deaths that exceed the initial average number of pneumonia deaths are classified under the flu. The annual influenza-caused deaths are a "best guess," according to an epidemiologist with the New York City Health Department. There are many factors that can complicate the severity of the flu. With the virus changing every year, it is likely the flu will find victims who cannot fight it. This year the virus is said to target children under 2, adults 65 and older, and those with chronic health problems such as asthma. These groups are most at risk because one of two problems may occur: the flu can get into the lungs or it may cause secondary infections.

Due to the shortage of doses, many doctors may begin prescribing anti-viral medications. One doctor explains that he prescribes such medications regardless if his patients have received a flu shot or not. His belief is that there are several anti-viral drugs that can be effective in saving lives. To determine if one is suffering from the flu, this doctor saves his patients up to $5,000 (the cost to administer tests) by relying on good old-fashioned observation. The symptoms are proof enough: very high fever (102.8 degrees or more) and too sore to move.

FLU PREVENTION -- The following are some simple things you can do to avoid catching the flu.

1. Avoid Sugar. Since sugar works by breaking down the functions of the immune system, it is especially important to eliminate it from your diet in order to keep your immune system running strong and capable of fighting viruses such as the flu.

2. Get Enough Rest. Getting the proper amount of sleep will help build up your resistance against potential invaders. When your body becomes over fatigued, it is more difficult to fight the flu.

3. Address Stress. Everyone deals with some type of stress on a daily basis. Our bodies lose the ability to fight off the flu and other illnesses when we let stress overwhelm us. As a matter of fact, reports show that up to 90 percent of illness and disease are stress-related.

4. Exercise. Exercise helps your immune system by improving circulation throughout your body. When the components of your immune system circulate properly, the immune system is better equipped to detect an illness before it gets a chance to spread.

5. Eat Garlic Regularly. Eating fresh garlic each day will help keep the flu at bay. The antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal components of garlic are destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic. Therefore it is best to eat fresh garlic, as garlic pills are virtually worthless.

6. Wash Your Hands. Good hand washing will help decrease the likelihood of spreading viruses to your nose, mouth, or other people. If your immune system is strong, it should be able to fight off the virus if it does enter your body, but washing your hands provides that extra barrier of protection.

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

WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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

** Q & A #1:
Is orange juice really that good for me?

It depends. Usually, that answer is yes. The only downside to drinking larger quantities of orange juice is that, like all fruit juices, it contains carbohydrates. If you are trying to restrict your carbohydrate intake, for weight or insulin management purposes, you may want to avoid the juice. On the other hand, citrus juices contain lots of valuable nutrients including vitamin C, calcium, and other minerals. One benefit from orange juice is that it may boost the level of HDLs (good cholesterol) in your bloodstream. Studies have shown that drinking at least three cups per day is required to increase your HDLs by 21 percent. So, it is a trade-off and you should do what is best for you.

** Q & A #2:
Is swimming a good exercise for losing weight?

Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise. It uses almost all the major muscle groups, and places a vigorous demand on your heart and lungs. It develops muscle strength and endurance, and improves posture and flexibility. The buoyancy factor makes it especially useful for people who are overweight, pregnant, or with leg or lower back problems. It is a great sport for people of all ages and all proficiency levels. In order to lose weight, you might want to keep your swimming regime (speeding up your pace a little bit and increasing the length of your swimming sessions, if necessary), and supplement it with some good-paced, arm-swinging walks. Researchers on swimming and weight loss, however, have produced inconsistent and contradictory results. Studies have found that swimmers lost weight (and body fat), gained a few pounds, and had no weight changes at all. In most of the cases where swimmers gained weight, it was lean body mass (muscle) and not fat. If your primary reason for swimming is to lose weight, cut down on your calorie intake. In addition, speed up your strokes and increase your duration - sometimes, people do not swim fast enough or long enough. At a slow pace, twenty laps may burn only fifty calories - little more than simply staying afloat. On the other hand, a swimmer doing a brisk forward crawl will often burn as much as eleven calories per minute!

** Q & A #3:
What is Hyperglycemia and what are its symptoms?

The basic defect in all patients with diabetes is the decreased ability of insulin to induce cells of the body to remove glucose (sugar) molecules from the blood. Whether this decreased insulin activity is due to a decreased amount of insulin produced (e.g. Type-1 Diabetes), or from the insensitivity of the cells to a normal amount of insulin, the results are the same: blood glucose levels which are too high. This is termed "hyperglycemia" which means "high glucose in the blood."

Classic symptoms include: Polyphagia (frequently hungry), Polyuria (frequently urinating), and Polydipsia (frequently thirsty). Other symptoms might include: blurred vision, fatigue, weight loss, poor wound healing, dry mouth, dry or itchy skin, impotence (male), and recurrent infections such as vaginal yeast infections, groin rash, or external ear infections (swimmers ear). It is important to remember that not everyone with diabetes will have all these symptoms. In fact, many people with Type-II diabetes may not have any of them.

The classic symptom of being hungry frequently stems from the fact that the diabetic can not utilize glucose well as an energy source within cells. The glucose is circulating in the blood, but the cells cannot absorb it to use it as a fuel. The excess blood sugar molecules also "spill" into the urine, meaning that as the blood filters through the kidneys, some of the sugar comes out of the blood and is not reabsorbed. The extra sugar which is now in the urine causes water molecules to follow (a normal physics principle) and therefore the diabetic urinates frequently (the second classic symptom of diabetes). This obviously leads to the third classic symptom which is frequently being thirsty. The body can sense that excess water is being lost because of the frequent urinating and the normal response is to become thirsty.

** Q & A #4:
Do all over-the-counter pain relievers work the same way?

Although the various over-the-counter pain relievers are all designed to relieve mild discomforts, some are better than others for certain problems. Aspirin, the oldest pain reliever of the group, suppresses the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins that regulate body temperature, blood vessel constriction, and blood clotting. Aspirin can cause stomach problems in some people. Acetaminophen also relieves mild-to-moderate pain, much like aspirin, and also reduces fever. It is less effective on muscle strains and sprains. Acetaminophen is easier on the stomach, but it can be harder on the liver--especially in those who drink heavily. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, like aspirin, inhibit prostaglandin production. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are stronger on menstrual cramps, mild arthritis, soft-tissue injuries, and toothaches. Stomach problems can occur from frequent use of these types of pain relievers. Individuals with bleeding problems or who are on blood thinners should not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium unless instructed by a health care professional.

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

THE HERBAL CORNER

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

Did you know that the ECHINACEA herb is useful for:

• boosting the immune system?
• fighting eczema and rashes when used topically?
• purifying the blood?
• fighting candida yeast infections?
• athletic recovery and tissue repair?

Laboratory testing shows that it contains echinacoside, an ingredient that may have antibiotic effects. Another ingredient, echinacein, is believed to block some mechanisms that enable infectious viruses or bacteria to invade body tissue. In the laboratory, echinacea seems to bolster the immune system's white blood cells in their battle against foreign microorganisms; it may increase the production of T-cells, which join other white blood cells in the fight against infectious agents. Echinacea can also be effective as a topical medicine for the following: eczema, hives, and other skin problems; snake and insect bites and stings; boils, cysts, and abscesses; burns, cuts and wounds.

Echinacea should not be used by individuals who are allergic to plants in the sunflower or daisy families. Effectiveness may diminish over time if echinacea is used continually. Pregnant or nursing women, and persons with autoimmune disorders, should consult their health care provider before using pure echinacea.

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

HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH