December 2009 Archives

By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe

(NAPSA)-When it comes to heart health, there are few things as controversial as cholesterol, and few substances about which there is more confusion.

For instance, fewer than 10 percent of people with high cholesterol actually require medication to keep levels in check.

This is probably a shock to most people, considering that cholesterol-lowering statins are some of the most prescribed drugs in North America today. But the fact is, 900 out of 1,000 people can control their cholesterol levels with dietary changes and nutritional supplements alone.

That means for most people, the prescription for better heart health is simple: See your doctor, exercise, eat lean sources of protein along with plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains, and learn about heart-healthy supplements. Sytrinol(r), for example, supports healthy cholesterol levels naturally, and has been shown, in a published study, to improve total cholesterol by up to 30 percent in 30 days. 

Sytrinol is a patented formula derived from citrus bioflavonoids and palm tocotrienols. It helps to not only reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol, but also boosts HDL, or "good" cholesterol.

Of course, stress levels play a role in heart health as well. In fact, stress itself is toxic for the heart. (Panic attacks are often mistaken for heart attacks, highlighting this very fundamental connection.) Fortunately, there are various anti-stress and mental health strategies you can employ to control stress throughout the day. Be certain to find the technique that works best for you. Your heart will thank you.

For further information, visit www.drbvitamins.com or call (800) 333-6977.

•            Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS, is a woman's health expert who has been writing on the subject of nutritional medicine for over 25 years.  For information on her new book, "Your 30 Day Heart Smart Solution," visit www.healthyimmunity.com.

(NAPSA)-More than 23 million Americans have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you or someone you care about has diabetes, the story of one woman may prove inspiring.

Joann Wappel has lived with diabetes for 50 years and refuses to let diabetes control her life. Recently awarded the Joslin 50-Year Medal and a Certificate of Achievement, Joann urges others with diabetes to manage their disease, keep active and do everything they can to live a healthy life.

A Scary Diagnosis

When Joann was just 8 years old, she began experiencing weight loss, frequent urination, extreme thirst and fatigue. Consequently, she was hospitalized for a couple of weeks.

During that time, Joann's parents received the news that diabetes was responsible for her symptoms. "At that time, there was very little information available about diabetes, including how to treat it," says Joann.

 (NAPSA)-Osteoarthritis (OA), the breakdown of cartilage in the joint, is the most common form of arthritis among Americans today. The disease primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the knee. Although a variety of conditions can result in knee pain, it is important to pay careful attention to your symptoms to determine if your pain is a result of OA. Dr. Robin West of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center answers a few questions to help you better understand knee OA and the available treatment options.

What are some of the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?

The most common symptoms of knee OA are pain, swelling and stiffness of the knee. As the disease progresses, other symptoms may include limitations in range of motion and clicking or catching of the joint. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor to determine which treatment is best for you.

(NAPSA)-Diabetes causes more new cases of legal blindness among working-age Americans than any other disease. If diabetics are monitored regularly by their ophthalmologist, this vision loss is almost always avoidable. Yet, tragically, more than half of all people living with diabetes do not get the recommended annual dilated eye exam. As the number of people with type 2 diabetes rises in the U.S., the CDC projects that the number of adults with diabetic retinopathy will double by the year 2050. Yet 90 percent of diabetic eye disease can be prevented simply by proper regular examinations and treatment and by controlling blood sugar.

This November, during Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) through its EyeSmart(tm) campaign, is reminding the public that an annual dilated eye exam can help prevent vision loss in people with diabetes. To promote awareness of the need for an annual eye exam, the Academy has launched EyeSmart: EyeCommitted, a social media campaign to encourage people with diabetes to pledge to get an annual eye exam. 

(NAPSA)-Did you know that in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more people in the United States died from pneumonia than the flu? Some people may be at increased risk for pneumonia and don't understand the seriousness of the disease.

Recently, William Schaffner-M.D., president-elect of The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and chairman of The Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine-stated that during flu season, it is important that adults also recognize their personal risk for pneumonia. He also added that pneumonia is sometimes life threatening, and it is essential to be able to identify its symptoms and take preventive measures. 

(NAPSA)-Controlling your weight may seem simple: Eat less and exercise more. But it's harder than it sounds. Researchers have recently found several factors influencing your weight that you might not be aware of. Once you identify the things that affect your weight, you can start changing those habits.

You probably have a pretty good idea what a healthy diet is. Unfortunately, studies show that Americans are not eating enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains. And we're eating too much fat and salt. So where are we going wrong?

Part of the problem, according to Dr. Andrew Rundle of Columbia University, is that so many things around us influence the seemingly simple balance between how many calories we eat and how many we burn. "I've often thought that the obesity epidemic is an epidemic of a thousand paper cuts," he says. "So many things prod us throughout the day to raise our calorie intake and lower our energy expenditure."

Here are some things to think about:

Don't guess at calories. Use nutrition labels, and make sure to look at the number of portions. That muffin might seem like it has 150 calories, but if the serving size is 1⁄3 of a muffin, it really has 450. At restaurants, ask for nutrition information or check the Web site before going.

Watch your portions. Super-sized dishes aren't a good value if they get you to eat more than your body needs. Order smaller dishes, share larger ones or set aside a portion to take home with you before you even put a bite in your mouth. At home, try serving food on smaller plates and bowls.

Think about the whole meal. Don't just focus on the main course. Everything you put in your mouth counts.

Cut the sugar. Don't let sugary sodas and other sweets crowd out healthy foods and drinks.

Get enough sleep. People who get less sleep have a higher risk of obesity (along with other health problems).

Don't eat out of habit. Mindless eating at work or in front of the TV, especially when you're sleepy, can pack on the pounds.

Keep track of how much you're eating. Keep wrappers, empty containers and bones nearby to remind you of how much you've eaten.

Get active. Look for opportunities to add physical activity to your daily routine.

Do it together. Family, friends and coworkers can all help each other make healthy changes to their lives.

-Adapted from NIH News in Health, a publication of the National Institutes of Health (newsinhealth.nih.gov). 

(NAPSA)--Most of us know about protecting our skin from winter's cold and dry weather, but our eyes are just as vulnerable to the changing weather.

Extreme cold temperatures, wind and low humidity can lead to the feeling of constantly having sand in your eyes, itchiness, redness, blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These signs are often symptoms of dry eye, a disease affecting an estimated 20 million Americans.

Dr. Marguerite McDonald, a cornea/refractive/anterior segment specialist with the Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island and a clinical professor of ophthalmology at NYU School of Medicine in New York, says that during winter months, men and women can guard against dry eye symptoms at home, at work and when traveling by following these simple tips:

•            Tip No. 1: Keep moisture in and smoke out of your home and your eyes--Invest in a home humidifier and use it every time you turn on the heat. Doing so will help prevent dry eye symptoms. Avoid direct contact with hot air from heaters, fireplaces and smoke because these can be especially aggravating to eyes.

Here's something to think about: You need to exercise your brain just as you do your muscles. Mental stimulation improves brain functions and actually protects against cognitive decline, say neuroscientists from the Brain Plasticity Institute. According to a recent survey by the Institute, respondents said as they age, they are more worried about their brain health than they are about physical fitness, adult children concerns or retirement money.

Exercising the brain with challenging activities ignites the receptors that lead to new neuronal pathways, making you feel more aware-thinking faster, focusing better and remembering more.

Many people have found improvement by training their brains in stimulating ways such as:

•            Learning to play a musical instrument such as the piano;

•            Taking classes at the local community center or college;

•            Studying a new foreign language like Spanish or Japanese;

•            Meditating for 20 minutes a day;

•            Training the brain with brain fitness software.

Training the brain with computer software? Yes. Brain research has caught up with interactive technologies to produce game-like exercises that actually help people improve their quality of life. A software package called The Brain Fitness Program from Posit Science helps improve how your brain processes what you "hear," allowing you to remember information better and later use details of a conversation or repeat a person's name. InSight brain fitness software improves the quality and quantity of the information your brain processes from what you "see." Studies prove the training speeds up brain processing, allowing the user to notice more and react quicker, as well as:

•            Improving memory by the equivalent of 10 years;

•            Decreasing threat of tripping and falling;

•            Reducing risk of car accidents by 50 percent;

•            Tracking multiple objects such as a tennis ball during a match;

•            Discerning language patterns such as rapid speech.

The easy-to-use software was developed from clinical research and testing by scientists at major health institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and University of Southern California. To learn more, visit www.PositScience.com or call (866) 599-6463.

Courtesy of ScienceNOW Daily News:

Obesity is a disease of excess, but a new study suggests that a few obese patients are actually lacking something--a piece of one of their chromosomes. The loss might remove a gene that helps the body manage blood sugar and appetite.

Obesity runs in families, and researchers have identified several genetic variants that seem to boost the odds of becoming obese. However, these variants only explain a minority of cases. In the last decade, researchers have discovered that genetic differences among people can stem from lost or duplicated sections of chromosomes, called copy number variants (CNVs). Because of CNVs, for example, you and your neighbor might carry different numbers of copies of particular genes. Previous studies have implicated CNVs in disorders such as autism that slow mental development or cause learning disabilities. Autistic patients sometimes have an extra segment on chromosome 15 or are missing a section of chromosome 16. Such patients are often heavy as well, suggesting a connection between CNVs and weight.