Sometimes it's hard to know when to see a doctor when you have pain.

 

It's an easy decision when you have severe, unrelenting pain, but at times you just don't know. And with a bad economy, perhaps you are trying to avoid seeing a doctor because you cannot afford it. According to Gundersen Lutheran, there are pains you shouldn't ignore. Here are five pains that deserve your attention:

1. Chest pain
If you have pain or discomfort in your chest, pay close attention to the following symptoms:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest -- especially associated with shortness of breath.
• Sweating or nausea. 
• Discomfort in one or both arms, neck or jaw.

These are common signs of a heart attack, and you should seek medical attention immediately. Chest pain also can be a sign of other medical conditions -- reflux disease, a stomach ulcer or other heart-related issues.

2. Stomach pain
Abdominal pain is not uncommon, but sometimes it needs to be checked out by a doctor. See your doctor if:

• The pain is something you've never had before.
• The pain worsens or doesn't improve. 
• You are unable to pass gas. 
• You cannot keep fluids down. 
• There is blood in your urine or stool.

3. Headache
If anything about your headache is different than normal, take notice. Ask yourself, "Is this the worst headache of my life?" or "Is this headache different than one I've had before?" If yes is the answer, don't delay seeking treatment, especially if it's associated with numbness or weakness, vision troubles or difficulty speaking or understanding speech. A severe headache can be a sign of a serious problem, including stroke, aneurysm or new onset migraines.

4. If it wakes you up
It is common to fall asleep with pain -- in your shoulder, for example -- that is still there in the morning. But if you experience pain that is so severe that it wakes you up at night, make sure you make an appointment to see your primary-care provider. Pain that wakes you up is not normal and should be evaluated by a medical professional.

5. If it won't go away
If your health-care provider gives you a treatment plan for your pain, make sure you ask how long it should be before you see improvement. If your pain doesn't improve during that time, it's time for another appointment. Your clinician may need to re-evaluate your pain or injury.

One Brazil nut contains 120 mcg of selenium, which is twice the recommended daily allowance. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that may damage your eyes. This powerful trace mineral may help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

Annual checkups and tests such as colonoscopies and PSA assays are important, but it's not a good idea to rely on tests alone to protect you from cancer. It's just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that's different, odd, or unexplainable. (You should also listen to those close to you, such as a wife or partner, because others sometimes notice things we're unaware of -- or don't want to admit.) You don't want to join the ranks of cancer patients who realize too late that symptoms they'd noticed for a long time could have sounded the alarm earlier, when cancer was easier to cure.

1. Upset stomach or stomachache: One of the first signs colon cancer patients remember experiencing when they look back is unexplained stomach aches. Those with pancreatic cancer describe a dull ache that feels like it's pressing inward. Many liver cancer patients say they went in complaining of stomach cramps and upset stomachs so frequently that their doctors thought they had ulcers. Liver cancer patients and those with leukemia can experience abdominal pain resulting from an enlarged spleen, which may feel like an ache on the lower left side.

If you have a stomachache that you can't attribute to a digestive problem or that doesn't go away, ask your doctor to order an ultrasound. Finding a liver or pancreatic tumor early can make all the difference in treatment.

2. Chronic "acid stomach" or feeling full after a small meal: The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like gas or heartburn. It may be aggravated by eating, so that you feel full when you haven't actually eaten much. What's particularly confusing is that the pain can be relieved by antacids, confirming your conclusion that it was caused by acid in the stomach, when it's more than that. An unexplained pain or ache in lower right side can be the first sign of liver cancer, known as one of the "silent killers." Feeling full after a small meal is a common sign of liver cancer as well.

If you have frequent bouts of acid stomach, an unexplained abdominal ache, or a full feeling after meals even when you're eating less than normal, call your doctor.

3. Unexplained weight loss: If you notice the pounds coming off and you haven't made changes to your diet or exercise regime, it's important to find out why. Unexplained weight loss can be an early sign of colon and other digestive cancers; it can also be a sign of cancer that's spread to the liver, affecting your appetite and the ability of your body to rid itself of waste.

4. Jaundice: Pancreatic cancer, another one of the "silent killers," is often discovered when someone notices jaundice and asks the doctor to do a battery of tests. Jaundice is most commonly thought of as a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, but darker-than-normal urine that's not the result of dehydration is also a sign. Clay-colored stools are another little-known sign of jaundice. Oddly, jaundice can also cause itching, because the bile salts in the bloodstream cause the skin to itch. Some people with pancreatic cancer say they noticed the itching before they noticed the jaundice itself.

5. Wheezing or shortness of breath: One of the first signs lung cancer patients remember noticing when they look back is the inability to catch their breath. "I couldn't even walk to my car without wheezing; I thought I had asthma, but how come I didn't have it before?" is how one man described it. Shortness of breath, chest pain, or spitting blood are also signs of testicular cancer that's spread to the lungs.

6. Chronic cough or chest pain: Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. One way to tell the difference: The problems persist, or go away and come back again in a repeating cycle. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that extends up into the shoulder or down the arm.

7. Frequent fevers or infections: These can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, which crowd out healthy white cells, sapping the body's infection-fighting capabilities. Doctors sometimes catch leukemia in older adults only after the patient has been in a number of times complaining of fever, achiness, and flu-like symptoms over an extended period of time.

8. Difficulty swallowing: Most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, having trouble swallowing is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too. Men diagnosed with esophageal cancer look back and remember a feeling of pressure and soreness when swallowing that didn't go away the way a cold or flu would have. Consult your doctor also if you have a frequent feeling of needing to clear your throat or that food is stuck in your chest; either of these can signal a narrowing of the esophagus that could mean the presence of a tumor.

9. Chronic heartburn: If you just ate half a pizza, heartburn is expected. But if you have frequent episodes of heartburn or a constant low-level feeling of pain in the chest after eating, call your doctor and ask to be screened for esophageal cancer. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- a condition in which stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing heartburn and an acidic taste in the throat -- can trigger a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which can be a precursor of esophageal cancer.

10. Swelling of facial features: Some patients with lung cancer report that they noticed puffiness, swelling, or redness in the face. The explanation for this is that small cell lung tumors commonly block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely from the head and face.

11. Swollen lymph nodes or lumps on the neck, underarm, or groin: Enlarged lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system, which can be a sign of cancer. For example, a lump or an enlarged lymph in the neck or underarm is sometimes a sign of thyroid, head, or throat cancer. A painless lump on the neck, underarm, or groin can be an early sign of leukemia.

12. Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn't stop: This symptom usually suggests something abnormal happening with the platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukemia. One man with leukemia noticed that his gums bled when he brushed his teeth; another described bruising in strange places, such as on his fingers and hands. The explanation: Over time, leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing the blood's ability to carry oxygen and clot.

13. Weakness and fatigue: "I had to stop halfway across the yard and sit down when I was mowing the lawn," said one man when describing the fatigue that led to his discovery of pancreatic cancer. Generalized fatigue and weakness is a symptom of so many different kinds of cancer (and other ills) that you'll need to look at it in combination with other symptoms. But any time you feel exhausted without explanation and it doesn't respond to getting more sleep, talk to your doctor.

14. Rectal bleeding or blood in stool: "I thought it was hemorrhoids" is one of the most common statements doctors hear when diagnosing colorectal cancer. Blood in the toilet alone is reason to call your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy. Another sign of blood in the stool many people miss is stools that are darker in color.

15. Bowel problems: Constipation, diarrhea, and changes in stools can all be signs of cancer. As with many other cancer symptoms, the way to tell if this is cause for concern is if it goes on for more than a few days without a clear cause, such as flu or food poisoning. People diagnosed with colon cancer say they noticed more frequent stools, as well as a feeling that their bowels weren't emptying completely. One of the early signs of pancreatic cancer is fatty stools, which can be recognized as frequent, large stools that are paler than normal and smelly. This is a sign that your body's not absorbing your food normally, and it should be brought to your doctor's attention.

16. Difficulty urinating or changes in flow: Hands-down, the most common early sign of prostate cancer is a feeling of not being able to start peeing once you're set to go. Many men also report having a hard time stopping the flow of urine, a flow that starts and stops, or a stream that's weaker than normal. Any of these symptoms is reason to call your doctor for an exam and a screening test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

17. Pain or burning during urination: This symptom can also indicate a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted disease, of course, but in any case it warrants an immediate trip to the doctor. This symptom is often combined with the feeling that you need to go more often, particularly at night. These same symptoms can also indicate inflammation or infection in the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia, the name for what happens when the prostate grows bigger and blocks the flow of urine. However, you need to get checked out to tell the difference.

18. Blood in urine or semen: Men are often warned about blood in the urine, but they may not realize that blood in semen is also a danger sign for prostate cancer. Blood in the urine or semen isn't always visible as blood; urine may just be a pink, dark red, or smoky brown color, while blood in the semen may just look like a pinkish streak.

19. Erection problems: As prostate cancer progresses, another very common sign is difficulty getting or sustaining an erection. This can be a difficult subject to talk about, but it's important to bring it to your doctor's attention. It could be a sign of sexual dysfunction with another cause, of course, but it's a reason to have an exam and a PSA test.

20. Pain, aching, or heaviness in the groin, hips, thighs, or abdomen: One sign of prostate cancer is frequent pain in the hips, upper thighs, or the lowest part of the back. Men with testicular cancer report noticing a heavy, aching feeling low in the belly or abdomen, or in the scrotum or testicles themselves. They sometimes describe it as a feeling of downward pulling or as a generalized ache throughout the groin area. Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes often makes itself known as discomfort in the pelvis or swelling in the legs.

21. Testicular swelling or lump: The lumps that indicate testicular cancer are nearly always painless. It's also common for a testicle to be enlarged or swollen, but lacking any specific lump that you can see or feel. Some men report feeling discomfort from the enlargement, but not an outright pain.

22. Unexplained back pain: Back pain can mean all sorts of things, of course -- most often pulled muscles or disc problems. But unexplained, persistent back pain can be an early sign of cancer as well, so get it checked out. Pain in the lower back and hips can be a sign of prostate cancer, while pain in the upper back can signal lung cancer. A pain in the upper abdomen and back is one of the few early signs of pancreatic cancer.

23. Scaly or painful nipple or chest, nipple discharge: Men do get breast cancer; they also get a condition called gynecomastia, which is a benign lump in the breast area. Breast cancer is usually detected as a lump, but if it's spreading inward it can also cause chest pain. Other signs of breast cancer include patches of red, scaly, or dimpled skin or changes to the nipple such as turning inward or leaking fluid. Bring any lump, swelling, or skin or nipple problem, or any chest pain, to your doctor's attention.

24. A sore or skin lump that doesn't heal, becomes crusty, or bleeds easily: Most of us know to watch moles for changes that might indicate skin cancer. But other signs, such as small waxy lumps or dry scaly patches, are easier to miss. Familiarize yourself with the different types of skin cancer -- melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma -- and be vigilant about checking skin all over the body for odd-looking growths or spots.

25. Changes in nails: Unexplained changes to the fingernails can be a sign of several types of cancer. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer, while newly discovered "clubbing," which means enlargement of the ends of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips, can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can be an indication that your liver is not functioning properly, sometimes a sign of liver cancer.

 

A beautiful powerpoint!

Thanks to Jeri in Deerfield Beach, FL for sending it over

To my own Mother, Peggy, and all the other wonderful mothers out there!

Clck on the HUG below to read the history of Mother's Day!

1. Quit idling "To save gas, UPS drivers plan their routes to avoid tie-ups at left turns. So now I plot out my errands so I'm not zigzagging around." —Sue Foster, Titusville, Florida

2. Hoard your Lincolns "I tuck the $5 bills I get back in change in my favorite piggy bank. At the end of the month I deposit them in my '$5 Account' at the bank. I'm able to save anywhere from $150 to $300 a month. It's always a blessing to know that if an unexpected repair or expense comes up, you have a little stash to use instead of a credit card." —Janet Sinclair, Boston, Massachusetts

3. Drive a search engine "I am very fond of Google Product Search, which lets you sort the results from low price to high. And I have always saved a ton of money by buying on eBay." —Teri Beahm, Cypress, Texas

4. Send less down the drain Low-volume showerheads aren't the only way to cut water bills. "My kids were always letting the faucets run when doing dishes, brushing teeth, and shaving. But underneath the sink is a shutoff valve that lets you reduce water flow." —David Rutter, Needham, Massachusetts

5. Split the bills "My husband and I don't generate a lot of trash, so we split the garbage-collection bill with a neighbor." —Debra Larrison, South Bend, Indiana

6. Split the pills "I have my doctor prescribe a double-strength dose of my pills, and then I cut them in half. That's one copay for twice the medicine." —Elmont Hollingsworth, Mount Pleasant, Iowa [Search "pill splitting" at aarp.org for more details. —Ed.]

7. Put the work in workout "I figure I save $40 a week by mowing my half-acre yard myself, $125 a week by cleaning house, and $175 a month grooming my four dogs. Plus, doing all these chores keeps me so active, there's no need to join a gym!" —Bev Nord, Round Rock, Texas

8. Hairdo it yourself "Every month my husband colors my hair and I cut his, saving us $540 a year." —Sharon Wadel, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

9. Cross the border for a doctor "For major dental work I go to Costa Rica to an internationally known dental clinic and save thousands. All payments can be made on a major credit card, or you can pay cash for a 5 percent discount." —Jack Fennig, Dallas, Texas

10. Give yourself more than credit "I use a cash-back credit card, and I don't carry a balance. I get 5 percent back on gasoline purchases!" —Jeff Roberts, Yorktown Heights, New York

11. Get free firewood "Check with local tree services to see if you can come to a worksite and collect trimmed branches. You get free heat, and they save on hauling and dumping fees." —Patricia Hayward, Phoenix, Arizona

12. Rig a flush light "Each night I have to make several trips to the bathroom. To save electricity, I bought a battery-powered push light for a dollar and used small screws to attach it to the bottom of the toilet seat. Now I just tap the light after raising the seat and whoop-ee!" —Joe Reber, Webster, New York

13. Round up on the ledger "When writing a check, I deduct to the next biggest $5, so a check for $11.87 would be entered as $15. When I get to $100 extra, I transfer it to savings." —Diane Guichard, Metairie, Louisiana

14. Hide your COLA "If you are retired, you get a cost-of-living adjustment every year from Social Security. Don't record the new amount in your checkbook—continue to use the old amount. You can always find out your exact balance by checking your bank statements." —James Hill, Olympia, Washington

15. Make saving your vice "I don't smoke but pretend I do by putting away $25 every two weeks 'for a carton.' "—Trisha Grether, Mason, Ohio

16. Shop consignment stores "Most small towns have resale shops. I recently bought a wool winter coat, stylish and like new, for $7. And I pay around $4 for dresses and $2.50 for tops and skirts." —JoLynn Gates, Fairfield, Iowa

17. Postpone the "doughnut hole" "Don't include generic prescriptions in your Medicare Part D purchases. Pharmacies offer a wide range of generics (Walmart has them for $4), whereas most Part D plans claim the 'average retail price,' which is much higher." —Jim Rogers, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

18. Turn down one thermostat… "Keeping your water heater at 100 degrees Fahrenheit is adequate for most households, yet most settings are 125 degrees. I lowered mine, and I'm saving about $30 a month." —William [last name withheld], Highland Park, Iowa

19. …And raise another "My greatest money saver is keeping my air conditioner at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which has lowered my monthly electric bill from about $400 to $125." —Louise Daly, Boca Raton, Florida

20. Share the mower "Never buy anything yourself that is used seasonally. Instead, form a co-op with friends to purchase a lawn mower and other equipment." —Charles [last name withheld], Lettsworth, Louisiana

21. Seal in freshness "I have used a $25 vacuum-packing 'food saver' system for ten years; it maintains the freshness of meats, breads, vegetables, and more, saving about $1,000 a year by taking advantage of 'Buy one, get one free' deals and 'family packs,' and eliminating waste and freezer burn. Also, a full freezer uses less energy." —Rick Meiers, Bradenton, Florida

22. Freeze your assets "I put money into a plastic container with water and freeze it. When I see something I want, I know that by the time the money is defrosted, I won't want that item anymore." —James Kipp, Tonawanda, New York

23. Tap the tap "You don't need to buy bottled water; just turn on the faucet." —Mike Shipplett, Sierra Vista, Arizona

24. Make the oven multitask "By cooking smarter, I have saved on propane gas and groceries. When I heat up the oven, I fill it completely with meat entrées, cookies, cakes, and biscuits, then freeze some for later use." —Angela Braun, Jackson, Michigan

25. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!

26. Sweat the small stuff "I save money by keeping track of everything I buy. I keep an envelope in my purse for receipts. At the end of the day I see where it's all gone. It's amazing how much you can spend without realizing it." —Pat Roesch, Weston, Connecticut

27. Trim your premium... "Taking an inexpensive refresher course in driving safety earned me a 5 percent discount on my car insurance." —Robert DeBellis, Aventura, Florida [For a course near you, go to aarp.org/drive. —Ed.]

28. ...Or comparison-shop it "I had been with my auto-insurance company for 13 years and had no tickets or accidents. But when I went on the insurer's website as a new customer, the quote came back for $250 below my current rate. I was so mad I went with another company and saved $600!" —Joy Dove, West Jefferson, North Carolina

29. Clean with shampoo "I use an inexpensive brand for scrubbing tubs and tiles. It's nontoxic, smells good, and costs a lot less than cleansers." —Lourdes Cortez, Staten Island, New York

30. Clean with vinegar "Forget about expensive name-brand cleaning products. You can do a lot with white vinegar and salt, and they are not toxic." —Heidi Ross, Centennial, Colorado

31. Get a radio discount "Some stations have coupons worth 30 to 75 percent off the regular price for dining, lodging, massages, and getaways." —Dorothy Baker, Boyne Falls, Michigan

32. Get a loyalty discount "I register as a frequent diner with various restaurants to receive coupons and unadvertised specials." —Linda Granzow, Mesa, Arizona

33. Get the "I asked" discount "Always ask if an establishment has a discount for people over 50. Many do, but they won't offer it unless you ask." —Cliff Johnston, China Spring, Texas

34. Print your own greeting cards "I use the computer." —Beatrice O'Kelly, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CLASSIC ADVICE

Many of you offered these timeless gems

35. Set a budget.

36. Clip coupons.

37. Buy in bulk.

38. Take the bus.

39. Avoid moochers.

40. Grow your food.

41. String a clothesline.

42. Swap stuff.

43. Always pay cash.

44. Save on sirloin "Ask your supermarket manager which day is best for discounts on meat. I have purchased beautiful cuts for about one-fourth the original price, and I have never gotten spoiled meat." —Barbara Stanley, Blairsville, Georgia

45. Dust off the pressure cooker "Its speed saves energy, and, to my surprise, some dishes even taste better, like the lentil soup I make with a quick ham-hock broth." —Beverly Wilson, Lincoln, New Mexico

46. Bank online "I have my paycheck direct-deposited and save on driving." —Sue Hibler, Angola, Indiana

47. Think "junk" "I have had enough yard sales, and made enough Goodwill donations, to know that many things aren't really necessary or are impulse purchases that will sit on a shelf. So I generally do not buy anything without then giving two items to Goodwill." —Shelley Edmondson, Sedona, Arizona

48. Procrastinate "Whenever I'm tempted to buy an unplanned item I see at the store, I delay getting it until my next shopping trip. I usually don't buy it then, either." —Donald Clement, Frankford, Delaware

49. Learn a skill "Rather than hire a plumber, I go to the library to research a problem so I can do the repair myself. With a computer and Internet access, it's easy to get an answer to any question." —Hubert Neubauer, Los Angeles, California

50. Muzzle the media "I mute the television during commercials and seldom read magazines, thereby avoiding ads and articles that encourage consumerism." —Diana Joubert, Florence, Alabama [Glad AARP The Magazine is the exception! —Ed.]

Before the 1980s, few people had heard of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). But as computer use proliferated, CTS seemed to proliferate right along with it, going from being nearly unknown to being the wrist and hand injury du jour.

To get the latest information about CTS I called hand surgeon Roy Meals, MD, clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and former president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Meals told me that CTS is eminently treatable and that computer use is no longer the most common cause of the problem. The previous problem was that people used the keyboard with their wrists in a flexed position and "flexing causes CTS because it stresses the nerve," says Dr. Meals. Today computer users are much savvier about positioning their hands correctly -- arms parallel to the floor and wrists straight when using the keyboard. Dr. Meals says you can achieve this position by adjusting the height of the chair or the keyboard... whichever is easiest and feels best.

SLEEP POSITION MAY CAUSE CTS

CTS is common in people over age 50, mostly because of health conditions that bring hormonal shifts (such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis)... menopause... and especially mechanical stress. All of these make the nerve more vulnerable to irritation. Repetitive motions that flex and extend the tendons in the hands and wrist such as job tasks on an assembly line or in carpentry, for instance, continue to be common causes. Surprisingly, Dr. Meals told me one of the most frequent triggers of mild CTS is when people sleep in the fetal position, flexing their wrist and curling up with the back of the hand under the chin, which puts hours of stress on the median nerve.

You should suspect CTS if you find yourself shaking your hands most mornings to get rid of numbness and tingling.

To help primary care doctors screen for CTS -- and with it provide proper referral to diagnostic tests and/or orthopedic hand specialists -- a group of researchers has now developed a simple screening questionnaire. It includes seven questions, but three of them were found to be especially important:

• Is tingling present in at least two of the first four digits?

• Do symptoms worsen at night or on awakening?

• Does shaking your hand cause symptoms to recede?

Researchers found that "yes" to at least two of these questions correctly predicted CTS by 97%, as was proven in follow-up electro-diagnostic tests.

Dr. Meals says it is fine to treat a mild case of CTS at home. Purchase a wrist splint at the drugstore and wear it at night for several weeks in order to break the habit of flexing your wrist in sleep and irritating the nerve. When symptoms are serious, though, including not being able to fasten buttons, put on earrings or even touch the thumb to the little finger, it indicates that the nerve is degenerating. 

Initial treatment from the doctor may be a cortisone injection to reduce inflammation in the area, but Dr. Meals says that about 25% of his patients end up needing surgery. Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery is used by some surgeons today, though Dr. Meals says he prefers open surgery -- the wrist area, unlike the abdomen, he notes, is tiny and difficult to see well with an endoscopy camera. Following surgery (of either kind, endoscopic or open) patients are generally almost immediately able to perform ordinary tasks involved in getting dressed and the like and return to desk activity in a few weeks... although participation in forceful grip and pinch work and athletic activities typically takes six to eight weeks. Fortunately, even nerves that have degenerated considerably will heal, says Dr. Meals, but it can take from six to 12 months.

NATURAL TREATMENT

Before resorting to surgery, natural treatments may be helpful in addition to lifestyle changes. Acupuncture has become a popular way to treat CTS, says Yi Hung Chan, LAc, DPM, who has a private practice in West Orange, New Jersey. Dr. Chan says that acupuncture needles can relieve the pain caused by CTS and also quiet irritation in the nerve. Some people also find that acupressure, in which hand pressure (rather than needles) is applied to certain areas of the hands and arms, is helpful as well. Obesity is known to contribute to CTS, so losing weight can have an effect. When performing activities that stress hands and wrists, be sure to take frequent breaks and try to avoid positions that cause extreme flexion or extension of the wrists, all of which will help keep your median nerve pain-free and working smoothly.

Source(s):

Roy Meals, MD, clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and former president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Want more from your first meal of the day than a way to keep your stomach from growling through your 8 a.m. meeting? Adding certain foods to your plate, bowl or baggie can lower your blood pressure (and jump-start your metabolism and get you out the door so quickly that it looks like you got up on time). Here's how:

Sprinkle flaxseed on your cereal. Your whole-grain cereal (only 100 percent whole grains should be on the label -- sorry, Cap'n Crunch) lowers blood pressure, and ground flaxseeds give pressure an extra kick. They contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a nutrient that relaxes blood vessels.

Stir chopped walnuts into oatmeal. These are loaded with ALA, and their protein and healthy fat profile pushes blood sugar, blood pressure and lousy (LDL) cholesterol down. Plus, the fiber in this combo stops raid-the-vending-machine hunger later in the day.

Whip berries into your smoothie. One study recorded a seven-point dip in systolic (the top number) pressure from a daily dose of berries. And no study needs to be done to prove they make smoothies taste great.

Toss a tomato onto your egg-white omelet. The lycopene in cooked tomatoes has a talent for tamping down blood pressure. No time to cook? Watermelon and pink grapefruit are richer in this nutrient than Bill Gates is in dollars (maybe not quite; just making sure you were still reading).

Grab a yogurt. Making nonfat, no-sugar-added dairy products such as yogurt (look for ones containing probiotics) a regular part of your diet can reduce hypertension risk by 30 percent.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/med_healthbeat_swine_flu_q_a.html

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Want to make your environment better for you without having to petition to move the freeway or shut down a coal plant? It's not that difficult. Use these simple steps to make a big difference:

Enact your own area-wide secondhand-smoking ban. Nonsmokers who hang out with smokers effectively become smokers themselves, and inhale cigarettes' more than 4,000 chemicals -- including arsenic, cyanide and DDT. The best way to purify your environment -- and take down your risk of lung, cervical and other cancers as well as heart disease, wrinkles and erectile dysfunction -- is to keep smokers 500 feet away from you and from any entrances you walk through. You'll have a 25 percent lower risk of plaque rupture (a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes) than people who routinely walk through secondhand smoke on the way in and out of buildings.

Move away from the printer. In one study, researchers found that a third of the office printers they tested spewed out high amounts of particles. Tiny particles not only are a hazard to your lungs, where they can lead to breathing problems, especially in people who have asthma or a weakened immune system, but they may also be linked to bad artery health.

Clean yourself. We mean your clothes. If drycleaning is optional, spare yourself the bill and the chemicals and hand wash those items. Drycleaning chemicals (trichloroethylene and perchloroethelyene, or PERC) have been linked to kidney and nervous system damage as well as cancer. If you must dryclean, remove your clothes from the plastic wrap and let outdoor air circulate around them for one hour.

========

The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Thanks to Lyn for forward this incredible photo!

It's amazing that this photo, taken so many years ago, actually still exists! And now, someone has put it online for all of us to see.

This INCREDIBLE picture was taken in 1918. It is 18,000 men preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge, in Iowa--EIGHTEEN THOUSAND MEN!!!!! What a priceless gift from our grandfathers! Notice the scale...the men look smaller in the torch and larger nearer the camera. At first glance the entire artwork looks proportional. Note the numbers on men in the parts of the Liberty Figure at the end.

FACTS: Base to Shoulder: 150 feet Right Arm: 340 feet Widest part of arm holding torch: 12 1/2 feet Right thumb: 35 feet Thickest part of body: 29 feet Left hand length: 30 feet Face: 60 feet Nose: 21 feet Longest spike of head piece: 70 feet Torch and flame combined: 980 feet Number of men in flame of torch: 12,000 Number of men in torch: 2,800 Number of men in right arm: 1,200 Number of men in body, head and balance of figure only: 2,000 Total men: 18,000

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Is the pen mightier than the Botox needle? If you use it to write about your relationship, it might be (and it might help your relationship, too).

Couples who penned (or typed) their deepest thoughts about their relationship (for just 20 minutes, three or four days in a row) were more likely to be together months later, compared with couples who were told to write about their daily activities. The relationship writers also were more likely to use positive emotion words in instant messages to their partners in the days after journaling than were people who just wrote about ordinary things (a possible reason why those people stuck together).

How does all this make you look better? The feeling of being connected to someone is a key to feeling happy. Happiness boosts your health, so you look and feel radiant. And it naturally gives you the joy and confidence you need to be beautiful. On every level, love is the biggest beauty boost of all.

Not in a relationship? You need the pen and paper, too. Writing about your emotions can help produce beauty-making clarity and calm in other aspects of your life. Jot down your deepest thoughts about your career, your family, your dreams for the future -- anything. Or write a thank-you note to a past mentor, teacher or even a sister or brother. The simple act of focusing on those important things may help you feel more enthusiastic or positive -- or at least less anxious. So here's to a prescription for inner and outer beauty that you can truly write yourself.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Dr. David Lipschitz

Recently, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine compared coronary artery bypass graft surgery with angioplasty in patients with severe coronary artery disease. This included patients who had blockage of the left main coronary artery, or the "widow-maker," as well as patients with blockage of multiple coronary arteries, also known as multivessel disease.

A quick read of the bottom line and the conclusion would lead one to believe that bypass is the treatment of choice for patients with significant coronary artery disease. But not so fast! A little more investigation reveals a slightly more complicated story. In fact, in the very same issue were accompanying editorials and experts' comments that brought up serious questions.

In examining the effectiveness of bypass versus angioplasty, this new study compared four main statistics: the subsequent number of deaths, strokes, heart attacks and whether arteries became blocked again and required more intervention.

The risks of heart attack and death were the same with both procedures, and there was a modest increase in the risk of stroke in the bypass group; but differences noted were of little clinical significance. The only major finding was a higher risk of recurrent blockage, also known as restenosis, in the angioplasty group. In the context of these four concerns, researchers claim that bypass is the preferred choice.

Here is the key question: Should bypass be the treatment of choice for coronary artery disease merely because angioplasty presents a higher risk of restenosis? In other words, is the more invasive procedure better simply because the less invasive option might need to be repeated? For me, the answer is not clear-cut.

First, this report did not consider quality of life following surgery or that memory loss occurs in as many as 50 percent of patients undergoing bypass. Second, these patients were followed for only one year. There was no information presented about how the two procedures affect long-term prognoses.

And what about the age of the patient, the presence of other serious disease, and declines in the ability of the heart to pump adequately? All of these factors complicate the determination of what the ideal course of treatment is.

In addition to the varying results, the wide mix of patients' symptoms complicated the study's findings. A fraction of the patients with severe coronary artery disease were totally asymptomatic, while the remainder had chest pain. Of those with pain present, some had "stable angina," a condition in which pain is present but not increasing in frequency or severity. Here, current consensus indicates that the treatment choice should be between an angioplasty and aggressive management with medications. Most results indicate that medical management one year after initiation of treatment is equally as effective as angioplasty. For these patients, a case could be made that bypass should not be the first choice.

A subgroup of participants was diagnosed with a condition called "unstable angina," in which chest pain occurs more frequently or more severely. These symptoms are harbingers of an impending heart attack, and a rapid intervention by bypass or an angioplasty can save a life. For this group, aggressive care is essential.

Finally, some patients were evaluated because of atypical chest pain, which is almost always mild. Testing was needed to determine whether the pain was caused by the heart or something else. In these cases, too, bypass is open to debate.

Deciding how to treat coronary artery disease remains a difficult decision for patients and their families. Current information is confusing, and there is little consensus, even among experts. Based on these facts, here is the best advice: Make sure that you choose a cardiologist whom you totally trust and who has an impeccable reputation. Seek advice from your primary care physician. Do your research and ask around.

Luckily, President Barack Obama's health care plans provide some hope for the future. In the coming years, researchers will receive substantial funding to undertake the extensive comparative studies necessary to determine which approach is truly best. Given the seriousness of our health problems, the rising health costs and the aging of the baby boomers, this research is vital. It will ensure patients get the highest quality of care, leading all of us to find rational solutions to a difficult problem.

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Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.DrDavidHealth.com.

Together
Everyone
Accomplishes
More

Check it out here.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of Influend-brand cough and cold products sold in Alabama on or after May 30 due to a health risk. The FDA said ION Labs Inc. of Clearwater, Fla., initiated the voluntary recall because the products weren't tested in conformance with company specifications and, therefore, might be super potent.

Possible complications can include Tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias, cardiovascular collapse with hypotension, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, restlessness and nervousness. Consumers who have questions can contact the company at 877-990-4466.

Harmony Center Note: Does anyone else find this scary? We recommend doing everything you can to keep your immune system running optimally. Personally, we do that with this product AND beta glucan.

NEW YORK (UPI) -- The switch to summer footwear can result in "flip flop tendinitis" and other foot problems, a U.S. podiatrist warns.

Adapting to flip flops or sandals from closed shoes creates stress on the shin muscles as they try to balance the shoe on the foot, says Dr. Tzvi Bar-David of New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. He advises transitioning gradually and giving muscles a chance to adapt to avoid painful shins or tendinitis.

After a long winter there may also be a lot of enthusiasm for returning to the outdoors to exercise, but Bar-David advises taking time to get proper footwear and to stretch muscles.

Sneakers should have a rigid heel counter and flexible ball of the foot. All shoes should have a comfortable toe box, be well padded and have a cushioned sole.

"Heel and arch pain can occur when starting to exercise without proper stretching," Bar-David says in a statement.

Bar-David encourages stretching calf muscles for several minutes every day as well as before exercising.

"Stand two to three feet behind a counter or wall placing your hands there," Bar-David says. "Keep your heels planted on the ground firmly and bring your body forward thus stretching the back of the calf. Hold for one minute and repeat several times."

This site has a lot of free audios to listen to or download - www.learnoutloud.com. (You just register for a free account.)

This week's selection...


Marianne Williamson's MiracleThought Podcast

In this daily podcast released in conjunction with Oprah.com, spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson provides a daily uplift for hard times. With each episode, Williamson addresses how to deal with fear, anxiety, loss of faith, romantic hardship, financial worries and other big issues that may be impeding personal growth. Presented with a soothing yet urgent voice, these daily inspirations manage to distill Williamson's unending belief in the power everyone has to unleash their innate potential. Try out this daily podcast from Marianne Williamson.

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

You use it to make windows and mirrors sparkle, to restore shine to your hair, to add extra zing to your endive and watercress salad and whatever else you can think of. But apple cider vinegar -- the Swiss Army Knife of household products -- has another important use: keeping blood sugar stable.

Having two tablespoons of vinegar at or near the start of a meal may clamp down on blood sugar spikes from eating starchy carbs like potatoes and pasta. Just two tablespoons of the stuff can do the trick. The vinegar slows absorption of the sugar from these foods by delaying stomach emptying, and it also makes insulin more effective. Essentially, insulin is like a mailman taking the glucose mail from your bloodstream and putting into your cellular mailbox. Both effects -- slower absorption into your bloodstream, and faster removal of sugar from your blood into cells -- keep blood sugar levels lower and more stable in diabetics.

Keeping blood sugar from surging can even cut your diabetes risk in the long run. There are quick-return benefits, too, including stymieing hunger pangs. That keeps pounds off, which makes your insulin mailman even more effective at getting sugar out of blood and into cells. That, in turn, keeps your energy level up, making it more likely you'll stay physically active (which cuts diabetes risk, too). So try splashing new potatoes and vegetables with red wine vinegar instead of mayo. Or start a meal with a mix of fresh greens and vegetables dressed in oil and vinegar. It may even help you feel satisfied all the way through an errand marathon.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Note from Harmony Center - just keep moving! Join our online SuperGym for free by clicking here.

By Jeff Hansel

When Not Paying Attention Makes You Remember More
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

There's a good reason to take a paper notepad instead of your laptop next time you're headed to a potentially boring meeting. The doodles you make on paper may help you remember more.

That's what happened when 40 people listened to a long and boring taped message about who was and wasn't going to attend a party. Half were told to doodle while they listened, the other half didn't. Doodlers not only took the information down more accurately, but they also remembered more later. The lead researcher, from the University of Plymouth in the U.K., suspects that doodling may keep your mind occupied enough during boring tasks to make you efficient and prevent you from slipping off the mental focus path and all the way into daydreaming (which doesn't improve performance).

Of course, the ultimate way for you to remember more is to have more interesting meetings. But until Mercury freezes over, you'll have to stack the deck. Try this in addition to doodling: Bring a cup of tea. The amino acid called theanine in this brew -- doesn't matter if it's green, black or oolong -- is believed to help activate a part of the brain's circuitry that's tied to attention span. Coffee works for at least one of us, too. Or, bring peppermints for everyone: Its scent helps people work more thoroughly and accurately, so you can get back to your desk and find out who's posted what on Facebook while you were gone. Or best yet, remove the chairs from the meeting room. Standing meetings go faster, so you won't have time to be bored.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Around the world.

What a great bunny drawing from M. L. Smith. Watch for more of her work on this blog and click on the bunny to be taken to the Easter site we have chosen this year.

Thanks to Bob Crum the Great Garuda, in CA for forwarding this on. You can follow Bob and his interesting tweets at www.twitter.com/greatgaruda.

href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741">Click here and crank up your speakers for a great show!

And He departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him.  For He departed, and behold, He is here. - Augustine

Click on the eggs below for some neat tips and tricks and even how to create custom colors! When you get to the first page click on Easter Eggs on the right side.

(First Tip - Colleen - you have to boil them first )



Check out this page for the story of the Easter egg, and there's even a link for the Easter bunny on the left.

http://www.holidays.net/easter/eggs.htm

Incredible!

Thanks to Jay in Fort Lauderdale for passing this on, Click here to visit Jay's site, and click on the train below to be transported to Miniatur Wunderland!

In today's entry, because we hear about it everyday, we are again pointing out that diabetes 2 - formerly known as Adult Onset Diabetes - can no longer be called that as it is afflicting younger and younger ages these days - even children! We are excited that Kathy Smith has joined forces with the American Diabetes Association to get us moving! This is not just for diabetics; it's good for anyone too sedentary who need to get started to stop type 2 diabetes from occurring. Click here for more information!

Now from the Docs!


Easy Steps To A Better Memory
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Wish you could remember yesterday like it was only yesterday? Then take a 30-minute walk today. And every day. No excuses.

A recent study found that a little less time than that -- a mere 20 minutes of physical activity -- helped counter faltering memories in people over age 50. But there are plenty of important reasons -- including your heart, your blood pressure, your stress level, your mood and your joints -- to extend that to at least 30 minutes a day.

How well can moving your body turn your mind from sieve to steel trap? One group of adults whose memories were starting to slip saw improvements after doing an extra 20 minutes of activity (on top of a normal day's physical activity) every day for just six months. Why it works: It's likely that the blood flow from activity nourishes brain tissue and stimulates the generation of neurons, synapses and blood vessels. The exercise might even help delay Alzheimer's disease in people who already have mild cognitive decline.

You don't have to win any race-walking medals to see the benefits. People who did low-key workouts, including swimming and ballroom dancing, also sharpened their minds. Even better, the improvements tended to stick around for a year; some lasted up to a year and a half. That's a huge return on a 30-minute investment.

This is just one more piece of evidence that the easiest step you can take to better physical and mental health is putting one foot in front of the other. Track your steps with a pedometer (we do), then call or text a buddy daily to tell him or her your step totals. Do it today.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Wishing you a very blessed day and many more!

You may have seen this before, but enjoy the ride!

Thanks to Jeri in Fort Lauderdale for sending this along.

http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

You know us at Harmony Center; we only recommend what our research shows us to be the best products that we use ourselves. Click here for the Omegas we suggest. They are the only capsules we have found that have the addition of rosemary and lemon essential oils, so there is no fishy after taste.

In addition, they are the only one we have found that includes Oemga 5 from the pomegranate.

And now from the Docs...

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Beautiful skin doesn't start in a jar or at the dermatologist's office. It starts with what you have for breakfast. Gets better with a smart lunch choice. And a delicious dinner helps keep skin smooth and breakout-free.

We've always said that what's on your plate can influence what pops up on your nose the night before a big presentation. And new preliminary research agrees. It found that people on a low glycemic-index diet -- meaning they ate vegetables, lean poultry and fish, and 100 percent whole grains rather than refined and sugary foods that spike blood sugar -- saw their acne improve. And more than 90 percent of people taking acne treatments decreased the dose or the amount of treatments they were using while on this diet.

That's no surprise to us. One culprit in breakout-prone skin is inadequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids. So when you trade sugar (and meat) for avocados, walnuts and fatty fish, you boost those valuable fats -- and help control acne.

It's unlikely that you have to be perfect about a low-GI diet to see your skin change. Most of the people whose acne dimmed said they only followed that diet's general principles anyway. The key is following the rules we recommend in our YOU Diet and in this column: Enjoy and celebrate good, healthy whole foods. That means nixing sugars and syrups and increasing produce, 100 percent whole grains, nuts and lean protein, especially fish like salmon and trout that are high in omega-3 fats, or taking supplements containing DHA.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

• Physical activity improves longevity
• Insufficient vitamin D may cause adolescent girls to have weaker muscles
• Health benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric

Physical activity improves longevity (Harmony Center link)
A Swedish study recently published in the British Medical Journal has given those who have reached or passed middle age hope and encouragement to begin a new healthy lifestyle, having discovered that starting a solid exercise regime after the age of 50 can raise one's level of longevity to that of those who have been exercising regularly all along.

With the onset of middle and then old age, health, wellbeing and vitality deteriorate as the bodily engine begins to wear out; to some extent, this is an unavoidable process, part of the natural cycle of mortal existence. Yet, the truth is, due to degenerate lifestyle and dietary habits, our bodies are failing much faster than they should be. And, unfortunately, most people embrace age-correlated health decline too readily and easily, without realizing that there is a lot more we can do to slow and even reverse the trend. The truth is, we can reverse the damage done earlier, and raise our level of health to that of those who have been living healthily throughout the years.

Details of Study

The said exercise was a population-based cohort study carried out in the Swedish municipality of Uppsala. It had looked at 2,205 men, first surveying them from 1970 to 1973 when the men were 50 years old. The study subjects were categorized into four groups based on their level of physical activity - sedentary, low, medium or high, and they were followed up on at the ages of 60, 70, 77 and 82. The basic aim of the study was to find out how post-middle age changes in levels of physical activity affect mortality rates.

Findings of Study

Not surprisingly at all, the study team found that more physical activity translated to lower mortality rates - for those in the low, medium and high level groups, the absolute mortality rates were 27.1, 23.6 and 18.4 per 1,000 person years respectively.

What was more significant was the researchers' discovery that those who raised their levels of physical activity while they were aged between 50 and 60 experienced improved mortality rates, reaching the rates of men who had all along carried out high levels of physical activity. This is certainly excellent news for late-starters.

In fact, the reduction in mortality for those who increased their level of physical activity, as compared to those who continued to only carry out low levels of physical activity, was so pronounced that the study team found that it matched the effects of stopping smoking. With smoking being strongly associated with many dangerous diseases and premature death, this is a very significant comparison indeed.

There is, however, a catch. The abovementioned improvement in mortality rate was observed 10 years after the change in habit. For the first 5 years of follow-up, men who had raised their levels of physical activity continued to experience higher mortality, as compared to those who had carried out high levels of physical activity throughout the years. This suggests that a sustained period of regular physical activity (at least 5 years) would be necessary for the low-level-exercisers to "catch up" with the high-level ones in terms of longevity.

"Increased physical activity in middle age is eventually followed by a reduction in mortality to the same level as seen among men with constantly high physical activity. This reduction is comparable with that associated with smoking cessation," wrote the study team.

Physical Activity Improves Health and Longevity, and It's Never Too Late to Start

The link between regular physical activity and good health and longevity has been repeatedly and firmly established in countless studies. While the Uppsala study concentrated on middle-aged men, the benefits apply to both genders of all age groups.

For example, using information from the Shanghai Women's Health Study which ran from 1997 to 2004, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology had found that exercise, walking, cycling as a mode of transportation, as well as non-exercise physical activity in general helped to improve women's average lifespan. It showed that both exercise or an overall active lifestyle, or a combination of the two, can bring about the said benefit.

With about half of middle-aged men in Western nations failing to undertake a regular exercise regime, perhaps some with the mentality that it would not make much difference anyway, the findings of the recent study in Sweden would provide some encouragement that it is never too late to start an exercise program.

Insufficient vitamin D may cause adolescent girls to have weaker muscles

NaturalNews) Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D may cause adolescent girls to have weaker muscles, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The research team was composed of scientists from Longsight Health Centre in Manchester, the University of Manchester, Saint Mary's Hospital for Women & Children in Manchester and Novotec Medical GmBH in Pforzheim, Germany.

"We know vitamin D deficiency can weaken the muscular and skeletal systems, but until now, little was known about the relationship of vitamin D with muscle power and force," lead researcher Kate Ward said. "Our study found that vitamin D is positively related to muscle power, force, velocity and jump height in adolescent girls."

The researchers measured vitamin D blood levels from 99 girls between the ages of 12 and 14, all of them students at the same inner city, multi-ethnic Manchester school. They found that 75 percent of the participants had vitamin D levels lower than optimal, although none were yet exhibiting any symptoms of deficiency.

Deficiency of vitamin D is well known to lead to hampered calcium absorption, which can cause the weakening of bones and lead to fractures and osteoporosis. Newer research suggests that it may also increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders.

The researchers also measured each participant's muscle strength and force through a variety of jumping exercises. They found a direct correlation between vitamin D blood levels and the girls' performance on the muscle strength tests.

"These data highlight the importance of vitamin D status on muscle function in adolescent girls. Sub-optimal force might have implications for long-term bone development," the researchers wrote.

Scientists and medical professionals believe that vitamin D deficiency is widespread, particularly among darker skinned people living far from the equator, whose bodies cannot synthesize enough of the vitamin from the weak winter sunlight. Recent studies suggest that as many as 55 percent of apparently healthy U.S. adolescents might be vitamin D deficient.

Health benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric

(NaturalNews) Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in many curries. In India, it has been used for centuries to help treat various health conditions while, at the same time, it is also widely used in Chinese Medicine. In a recent study conducted at Michigan University, it was found that curcumin, the bright yellow pigment present in turmeric, can help boost cell health by improving the behavior of their membranes.

Curcumin is the known active compound in turmeric. In the said study, the researchers had found that curcumin helped improve the "orderliness" of cell membranes, which in turn made the cells more resistant to infection and malignancy.

"The membrane goes from being crazy and floppy to being more disciplined and ordered, so that information flow through it can be controlled," wrote study leader Professor Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has long been lauded for its healthful properties. Useful nutrients contained within the herb are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. More specifically, it is a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Turmeric is said to help boost appetite, lower blood pressure, improve bile secretion and reduce pain; it has anti-inflammatory effects, too.

Under the Ayurvedic system of healing, turmeric has been prescribed to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, menstrual problems, arthritis, infections, jaundice, coughs and rheumatic pains. It is also used to cleanse the body. In Chinese medicine, turmeric is used to deal with liver and gallbladder issues.

More recently, the positive effects of turmeric against cancer have been proven using modern scientific protocols. In one specific study which was conducted on smokers, it was found that turmeric supplements helped to significantly lower the excretion of certain possible cancer indicators. In another study conducted on skin cancer patients who could not be helped by the conventional cancer protocols of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, turmeric supplements or ointments helped to markedly lower the severity of their symptoms; this included factors such as itching, pain levels and even the size of skin growths.

Health Benefits of Curcumin

Zooming in, curcumin, too, has a number of known beneficial effects. It is an anti-inflammatory compound which also helps to protect against stomach ulcers. Further, curcumin is a strong antioxidant which helps to protect cell DNA from damage. In addition, it has immune boosting effects.

Significantly, curcumin has strong inhibitive effects on cancer cells, preventing or slowing the onset as well as growth of tumors. In fact, laboratory studies conducted on animals have shown curcumin to be poisonous to tumor cells.

Conclusion

Antioxidant properties, healthier cells, detoxification, reduction of pain, anti-inflammatory effects, and even protection against cancer, among others -- with such a long list of important health benefits, you may want to consider making turmeric a regular part of your health-promoting diet.

Source: Natural news

Harmony Center Note: We saw so many people this past year struggle with more than just the common cold. The underlying theme seemed to be the undue length of time to get well. Touch wood, no one is our household has been ill for a very long time. We credit to our daily cleansing of toxins and immune system builders like colostrum. Click here for more information, and be healthy!

WASHINGTON -- The drug-resistance of the widely circulating type A H1N1 flu virus highlights the need for new flu drugs and faster tests, U.S. researchers said. Type A H1N1 is resistant to Tamiflu, the anti-viral that until now been the first choice for treating both seasonal flu and bird flu, USA Today reported Monday. Tamiflu is still effective against most cases of bird flu, the report said. Doctors
still have options for treating type A H1N1 influenza.

Relenza, also known as zanamavir, is in the same class as Tamiflu but the inhaled powder is difficult for some people to use. Older anti-virals, amantadine and rimantadine, will also work against that particular strain. The problem is that doctors don't often know which flu strain is making their patient ill.  The other two common flu viruses this season, type A H3N2 and type B, are not resistant to Tamiflu but H3N2 is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine and won't work against type B flu. Rapid flu diagnostic tests can't
identify type A subtypes and a viral culture test takes nearly a week to identify the flu type, USA Today said.

Click on the banner below for the history behind Happy April Fool's Day!

As Dad always said... Beans, beans, the musical fruit The more you eat the more you toot The more you toot, the better you feel So, eat your beans for every meal! Now from the Docs... By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Whether you call it cheap, frugal, penny-pinching or prudent, we call saving money smart, especially when it involves eating one of the cheapest sources of protein, fiber and flavor available. Humble, tasty beans have an impressive portfolio of benefits. Here's what you'll cash in on when you eat them:

--A healthier heart. Beans reduce your levels of C-reactive protein, a likely indicator of heart disease risk. How? Probably due to their fiber. Black beans contain 7 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving, which gets you well on your way to the recommended 25 grams a day. Remember to add Beano, an enzyme that helps you break down the beans without the side effect of gas, so you don't clear out every elevator you get into.

Legumes also may reduce your lousy LDL cholesterol. In fact, LDL dropped when people ate a half-cup of cooked pinto beans every day for 12 weeks. (Any beans would probably do the trick).

--Lower blood pressure. Get your protein from plants and your blood pressure may be lower than if you got protein from animal sources. Their amino acids (building blocks of protein) and magnesium and other nutrients may help keep arteries relaxed. Some beans even contain more protein per serving than lean meat. Example: Kidney beans have 16 g of protein per cup; turkey holds 12 g in 3 ounces.

--A smaller waist. Bean eaters weigh as much as 6.6 pounds less than non-bean-imbibing folks do. Makes sense when you consider beans are not only full of satisfying fiber and protein but low in calorie-laden fat.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Wow! Bad news! Click here to learn how to cleanse those impurites out daily! This is truly the missing link to weight loss.

Our featured article...

MISHIMA, Japan (UPI) -- Two Japanese researchers say it is "plausible and provocative" to associate the obesity epidemic with chemical triggers present in the modern environment.

Taisen Iguchi and Yoshinao Katsu of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan say the rise in obesity in humans over the past 40 years parallels the increased use of industrial chemicals during the same period.

The researchers note the chemical Tributyltin is used as a wood and textile preservative in paints for boats, as a pesticide on high-value food crops and many other applications.

Tributyltin affects sensitive receptors in the cells of animals, from water fleas to humans, at very low concentrations -- one-thousandth that of other pollutants known to interfere with sexual development of wildlife species.

The study, published in the journal BioScience, finds the harmful effects of the chemical on the liver and the nervous and immune systems in mammals are well known, but its powerful effects on the cellular components known as retinoid X receptors in a range of species are a recent discovery.

When activated, retinoid X receptors can migrate into the nuclei of cells and switch on genes that cause the growth of fat storage cells and regulate whole body metabolism, the researchers say.

Thanks to Celia in San Diego, CA  for this beautiful powerpoint. Click here and take a few minutes to enjoy the photography and soothing flute music. Just click open if you don't want to save this file on your hard drive. This flautist is a little more advanced than Celia and I with the flutes we brought back from the amazing Lijiang .

View more from Lijiang by clicking here.

WOW! And right after posting the above, we received this amazing powerpoint from Eltricia in Fort Lauderdale. FL.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Did somebody say 50???

At Harmony Center we realize how difficult it is for working people to fit in all the recommended servings of vegetables everyday without supplementing, so we recommend the best greens available. More information here.

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Buying produce and then not cooking it right is like paying for 172 cable channels (including 18 ultimate premiums) and only using three regular channels: It's kind of a waste. Here's how to get the most from your produce:

--Steam them. Boiling, sauteing or roasting can rob some vegetables of vital nutrients, while steaming helps keep nutrients in. It may lower lousy LDL cholesterol (it did with steamed beets, okra, carrots, eggplant, green beans, asparagus and cauliflower). Spice them up with garlic, turmeric, onion, basil or whatever herbs, flavors and spices you love.

--Oil them up (sparingly). A little olive oil or canola with DHA adds flavor and helps your body absorb their vitamins, phytonutrients and minerals. Much of the good stuff needs to be hitched to a little fat for the intestinal wall to welcome it in.

--Sauce them. Cooking a tomato boosts its level of lycopene, a nutrient that may reduce your risk of heart disease. Like them raw? Dice or puree them; the more you process them, the more lycopene you unleash.

--Put away the peeler. Skins contain health-giving phytochemicals, but can harbor pesticides -- especially potatoes (one of the most pesticide-ridden vegetables). If you love the skins, it's worth putting out for organic spuds. Other veggies: Wash them in the salad spinner three times.

--Reach into the freezer. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are picked before peak ripeness (and peak nutrition) to withstand transport and storage. From there, they start losing nutrients quickly. Fruits and vegetables intended for the freezer are usually picked closer to their ripeness peak and are flash-frozen immediately. The processing does deplete some nutrients, but locks in most of the rest for 12 months.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

If your cough -- or your child's -- is letting you get as much sleep as a late-night double espresso does, then reach into your kitchen cupboard and grab some honey.

Research shows that this favored home remedy for sore throats also can silence nighttime hacking. That's particularly good news, since some drugstore cough suppressants may inhibit your own ability to clear the junk that gets into your lungs.

A little honey goes a long way to silence the hacking. One and a half to 2 teaspoons, depending on age, is enough. (Caution if you're trying this at home: Never give honey to children under a year old, due to the risk of botulism. For anyone over age 1, choose honey from North America: overseas versions have been found to be contaminated by an old antibiotic that can interfere with your immune cell production). The honey the researchers used was North American buckwheat honey, a dark variety rich in phytochemicals, and it was better at suppressing coughs -- and even at helping the parents of coughing kids sleep better -- than an over-the-counter cough suppressant or than no treatment at all.

We YOU Docs and our families often use honey with green tea for the extra throat lubrication that helps keep coughing on mute. Honey's power may go beyond keeping nighttime peace: It may fight bacteria and sinus infections (albeit, the best evidence of that is still in a petri dish). But you can capitalize on what we know right now about honey: It's easy for kids (and you) to swallow. But just a little and only with coughs; don't wear out its effectiveness.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Are you feeling stressed? Exercise is a great stress reducer; physical activity releases endorphins which will improve your mood.

Want to drop that gym membership expense, don't want to use gas to get there, or just don't have time any more?

Don't lose the benefits of exercise - they're too vital - but make it fit your schedule without leaving home! More information here.

Brain Injury Victims Can Seem OK, Symptoms Delayed

At Harmony Center, we are very concerned about the increase of Diabetes 2, the lifestyle diabetes, and its occurrence at younger and younger ages - it can no longer even be called "adult onset diabetes." That's why we've teamed with Kathy Smith and the American Diabetes Association to get the word and help out to those who need it! Click here for more information. And, in line with their article below, go to this site to see how workouts truly can make you wealthy!

Now from the Docs...

Can Workouts Make You Wealthy
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
The best way to keep your job might be to leave your desk. That's right: The less time you spend sitting on your bottom, the better it might be for your -- and your company's -- bottom line.

In a study of entrepreneurs, people who worked out regularly also had companies that performed well. In fact, those who ran regularly were better at meeting their personal goals and their companies had better sales than those owned by nonrunners. (The researchers didn't ask about walkers.) People who stuck to a strength-training regimen were also better at meeting their personal goals than people who didn't lift weights, but their businesses weren't doing off-the-charts better.

Researchers suspect that the boost in confidence and energy that people get from regular exercise may spill over into their careers, giving them an edge. Plus, getting into shape often means developing a mindset that accepts and embraces hard work -- a definite perk when it comes to moving a business through tough times and beyond.

If your boss likes to see you in your chair and nowhere else, remind her that people who exercise have less anxiety, tension and stress. And that means you can think clearly, and probably even talk nicely to the shrill-voiced client who called 37 times before lunch.

Ultimately, taking time to work out may actually help you get more done during the work day. The best time to work out? Whenever you'll do it. But we recommend setting your alarm 30 to 60 minutes earlier than usual and getting moving first thing.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

A feel good clip, but you might cry first.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=06717b0cba7de01ee4b9&mui=53f4e1211972be157af4e8eb78640f78

Don't forget someone else loves you no matter what... Click here to read a short e-book in .pdf format from the Dog Whisperer.

Click here for more information on EFT or here for more information on the class.

Thanks to Jay (www.Jays-Art.com) in Fort Lauderdale for passing this Kim Komando video of the day on.

Please comment on this one for sure! We'd love to hear your take on it

This computer-animated video features a man creating a world from scratch. But why would he do this? Who is he doing it for?

Bruce Branit created this award-winning short. The footage was shot in one day. But the visual effects took almost two years.

All that work really brought this world to life. Almost nothing in this video is really there.

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

Click here to watch the short but informative video and be sure to note the support telephone numbers at the end.

Thanks to Michael in Fort Lauderdale for passing on this important information.

Click on the leprecaun to be taken to a site with great videos and more on the history of HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Shot from Pompano Beach, FL 

Shuttle March 15, 2009, 7:46 PM EST

Click here to view.

Wishing you a year of peace and happiness

Subscribe to subjects that interest you here.

And, don't forget our tip on Google Alerts. Google scours the web for you and send you emails with links pertaining to your choosen interests. We use it for health updates, but you can enter any key words - from soup to nuts. Check it out here.

Of course, you can easily unsubscribe from either of the above at any time.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning
consumers not to eat certain Queso-brand Mexican style cheese
because of possible contamination. The FDA said Quesco Fresco
Fresh Mexican Style Soft Cheese and Queso Cotija Molido
Mexican Style Grated Cheese manufactured and distributed by
the Peregrina Cheese Corp. of New York might be contaminated
with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause
serious and sometimes fatal infections. The Queso Fresco Fresh
cheese is sold in 14-ounce foil wrapped packages marked with
lot number 4469 or 4477 affixed to each package on a white
sticker. The Queso Cotija Molido cheese is packaged in 15-
ounce clear plastic bags that are marked with UPC number 8
17424 00027 7 and "Plant # 36-1388," but do not contain a lot
number or production date. Both products were distributed to
retail stores in the New York City area and in Scranton and
Hazelton, Pa., in early February. Consumers with questions
can contact the company at 718-456-2391.


         Salmonella outbreak spreads to five states

MINNEAPOLIS -- The U.S. Center for Infectious Disease Research
& Policy says a Nebraska salmonella outbreak with sprouts as
the possible source has spread to five states. Approximately
50 cases in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and South Dakota
have been linked to the outbreak as federal and state
officials await the results of laboratory tests that could
confirm whether the cause was sprouts. CIDRAP officials at
the University of Minnesota said the rare Salmonella SaintPaul
subtype is the same as in last year's outbreak that involved
jalapeno and Serrano peppers, but the genetic fingerprint is
different. SunSprout Enterprises Inc. of Omaha voluntarily
recalled its alfalfa, onion and gourmet sprouts with "best
if sold by" dates from of March 2-14 after the initial out-
break was unofficially linked to sprouts.

Click here for more information.

Don't have time to drive to the gym? Don't want to use your gas driving to the gym? Don't want to spend your money on a gym membership you may not even use? Check out our online alternative!
Now from the Docs
 
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Crazy commute? No problem. To-do list longer than the tax code? Bring it on. Mini work crisis? Easy.

The surprising thing that lets you shrug it all off is a little bit of weight training. See, people with a good amount of muscle mass have an easier time recovering from mental stress.

Whether you use dumbbells, machines, resistance bands or your own body weight to build muscle (think pull-ups, invisible chairs and push-ups), you can stay one step ahead of stress. In fact, when stress brings trouble to your door, muscles let you turn it around with the effortlessness of an aikido master.

Lean body mass (that's muscle, not fat) makes your blood pressure normal more quickly after a mentally stressful event. That's because a fit body does a better job of ridding itself of sodium. And that takes a big load off your heart and arteries, especially when you think you have more work than time or more problems than solutions.

Until you buff yourself up (and even after you do), try this to calm down from stress faster: black tea. Men who drink tea are able to reverse the nasty side effects of stress, including increased blood pressure and heart rate, better than those who don't sip the stuff. Even better: Invite someone to share that tea with you (and why not have him or her lift weights with you, too?). Laughter and spending time with friends also send stress and its baggage packing.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Harmony Center Note: Click here to see the very best way to get your B-12 and so much more! Ask us about adaptogens, for instance . Send an email or call 800.878.1840.

Now for our featured article...

Even those among us who'd like to slim down a little might be understandably upset at the thought of losing weight in our brains, but it seems our brains do shrink as we age. Decreases in brain volume are associated with cognitive impairments such as memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The good news is that British researchers recently found that some brain shrinkage may be associated with low levels of B-12 -- which suggest that perhaps supplementing might be a preventive strategy.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH

Several studies have linked B-12 deficits with cognitive decline and dementia. A. David Smith, DPhil, FMedSci, and his colleagues at the University of Oxford, set out to learn more about the association by measuring the amount of bioavailable B-12 in older people. In a five-year longitudinal study, they followed 107 individuals of both genders (mean age 73) with no mental impairments at the start of the study. Participants were given yearly exams that included cognitive tests, MRI scans and blood tests to track the amount of bioavailable B-12.

The researchers found two things. First, those whose B-12 levels were lowest at the start of the study had the most -- and fastest -- brain shrinkage over the five-year period. In addition, brain shrinkage occurred even in those whose plasma B-12 levels were still considered to be within a normal range.

TO SUPPLEMENT OR NOT TO SUPPLEMENT?

The RDA for B-12 is 2.4 micrograms, which can generally be obtained from the effective digestion and uptake of foods like meat, milk, eggs, fish and vitamin-fortified cereals.  However, poor diet and, unfortunately, the effects of aging itself lead to depleted B-12 levels.

Now, Dr. Smith and his colleagues are turning their attention to the obvious next question of whether B-12 supplements can reverse or halt the loss of brain volume once it has begun, with a study of elderly people they hope to conclude later this year. Though there is little consensus among the medical community about when B-12 supplements should be prescribed, Dr. Smith believes people over age 50 should have B-12 levels checked every five years or so, and take supplements if the levels are in the low-normal range. Have your B-12 levels checked right away if you notice symptoms of deficiency, which can include tingling and numbness in the extremities in addition to poor memory. Vegetarians and pregnant women and nursing mothers are also at higher risk for low B-12 status, so they too should discuss with their doctor whether supplementation might be advisable. Other people who might have low B-12 levels are those who take proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists for prolonged periods.

Source(s):

A. David Smith, DPhil, FMedSci, is professor emeritus of pharmacology, founding director of Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA) and honorary associate director, MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, at University of Oxford in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Thanks to Jeri in Deerfield Beach, FL for sending this on.

Amazing Grace from the Coliseum in Rome - check out the bagpipes!

Click on the bagpiper below and be sure your speakers are on

Doesn't it seem like this is early this year?

Don't forget to spring your clocks forward an hour tonight!

Spend 15 minutes with me tomorrow morning - it could change your life!

http://EFTweeklyClasses.com

Lavender essential oil is a natural sedative. It promotes relaxation in your nervous system.. At times when you feel stressed or your confidence is low, place 3 drops of pure lavender oil on a soft cloth and inhale deeply. This is probably why it's so effective at lowering blood pressure. For quality lavender oil and 15% off (enter Harmony at check out) just click on the picture of lavender below.

Start your week with a free download of a 20-minute meditation on world peace, love, and harmony. Patrick Porter, Ph.D. leads you on this guided visualization meditation with soothing music. The meditation provides many affirmations for achieving inner peace and for visualizing your participation in creating peace in your world. This title was published through our TeachOutLoud service and is available on free MP3 download.

World Peace, Love and Harmony Meditation

 

Harmony Center Note: If you stop and think about how many servings of greens you are getting a day, I bet they don't measure up. That's why we recommend Isa Greens every day! Click here for more information, and contact us for wholesale pricing 1.800.878.1840.



By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

You know that kid in your office who keeps stepping onto your work turf and sucks up to the boss to boot? Here's how to turn him into a problem the size of a fungus gnat: Spinach.

Seriously, filling up on that green can keep your brain so sharp that you're the one who wins the million-dollar account, solves the global-warming problem and keeps doing the Saturday crossword puzzle in pen.

Eating three or more servings of spinach and other leafy greens (such as kale and collard greens) slows mental decline due to aging by as much as 40 percent. Spelled out another way: Leafy greens can make your brain function more like the brain of someone who's FIVE years younger! (And we don't mean cracking up at gas jokes or thinking it's a good idea to do a handstand on your skateboard.) By the way, the omega-3 DHA may do the same thing, but more of that in another column.

What makes these veggies so super for saving your smarts? Probably brain-friendly nutrients, including carotenoids and flavonoids.

Keep extra power in your spinach by keeping it as cold as you can. This allows it to hold onto carotenoids better. And don't let it linger in the fridge. If you store it longer than four days after you buy it, it loses another valuable nutrient, folate. Can't use it that quickly? Buy frozen. It's packaged so quickly after harvesting that the nutrients stay locked in. Now hide this column before the kid learns your secret.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Lots to learn, but still Twitterin

Click here to see the 23rd Psalm in action. This was a favorite of my father, and we recited it at our family service honoring him following his passing in June of 1997. Today's entry is from the King James Version, and we hope you enjoy it as we all remmeber those who have passed with love and happiness.

According to a Cleveland Clinic Research Study, listening to upbeat music can ease symptoms of depression by 25%.
Combining music and exercise is one of your best defenses against depression.

When you get finished exercising, be sure to log your work out to win cash! More info here.

And, when you're done with all that have a relaxing, romantic dinner accompanied by classical guitar. Check it out here.

Want to get mentally cleansed with me and mastermind through Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich? GREAT! It's by telephone and FREE including an e-copy of the book. Check it out here http://www.30daycleanse.com.

And I'm all a-twitter!

Click on the twitter bird below to check it out for yourself and if you want to see what I'm up to follow me

BarbAddison
BarbAddisonEFT
BarbAddisonSOC
BarbCoach.

By Leo Babauta
One of the problems in our daily lives is that many of us rush through the day, with no time for anything ... and when we have time to get a bite to eat, we gobble it down.

That leads to stressful, unhealthy living.

And with the simple but powerful act of eating slower, we can begin to reverse that lifestyle immediately. How hard is it? You take smaller bites, you chew each bite slower and longer, and you enjoy your meal longer.

It takes a few minutes extra each meal, and yet it can have profound effects.

You may have already heard of the Slow Food Movement, started in Italy almost two decades ago to counter the fast food movement. Everything that fast food is, Slow Food is not.

If you read the Slow Food Manifesto, you'll see that it's not just about health - it's about a lifestyle. And whether you want to adopt that lifestyle or not, there are some reasons you should consider the simple act of eating slower:

1. Lose weight. A growing number of studies confirm that just by eating slower, you'll consume fewer calories - in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. The reason is that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we're full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we're full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we're full, and stop on time. Now, I would still recommend that you eat healthier foods, but if you're looking to lose weight, eating slowly should be a part of your new lifestyle.

2. Enjoy your food. This reason is just as powerful, in my opinion. It's hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. In fact, I think it's fine to eat sinful foods, if you eat a small amount slowly. Think about it: you want to eat sinful foods (desserts, fried foods, pizza, etc.) because they taste good. But if you eat them fast, what's the point? If you eat them slowly, you can get the same amount of great taste, but with less going into your stomach. That's math that works for me. And that argument aside, I think you are just happier by tasting great food and enjoying it fully, by eating slowly. Make your meals a gastronomic pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.

3. Better digestion. If you eat slower, you'll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you'll have to do in your stomach. This can help lead to fewer digestive problems.

4. Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to our eating, can be a great form of mindfulness exercise. Be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next. When you eat, you should eat. This kind of mindfulness, I believe, will lead to a less stressful life, and long-term happiness. Give it a try.

5. Rebel against fast food and fast life. Our hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives - the Fast Life - leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. This is a lifestyle that is dehumanizing us, making us unhealthy, stressed out, and unhappy. We rush through our day, doing one mindless task after another, without taking the time to live life, to enjoy life, to relate to each other, to be human. That's not a good thing in my book. Instead, rebel against that entire lifestyle and philosophy ... with the small act of eating slower. Don't eat Fast Food. Eat at a good restaurant, or better yet, cook your own food and enjoy it fully. Taste life itself.

Leo Babauto is the author of The Power of Less, and the creator of Zenhabits.net.

Harmony Center Note: Click here to learn more about the Missing Link to Weight Loss.

This is a Charlie Parker quote sent to us by Chet at EarthRain Meditations, but before we get to that, check out the romantic dinner music we listen to here. (You can hear actual full recordings of some of the CD cuts.)

Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out your horn.

Your life is an on-going symphony of music, but I bet you've rarely slowed down and been still enough to realize
it.

Well, it is, and I'm going to prove it to you right now.

Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath. Hold for a few seconds. Exhale slowly.

Repeat until you've slowed down enough to feel the shift into awareness of what really is.

Now become aware of each pause between inhalation and exhalation of breath.

Listen very intently.

Hear the silence in that pause.

Feel the silence.

That is your music.

And mine.

And Charlie Parker's.

See, Charlie was right. If you don't live it, it don't come out your horn.

So breathe and be at peace and live your music.

Wow.

Chet

Chet Day
Editor, EarthRain Meditations
http://meditation101.com

Click on Elvis to sing it along with him!




For more lyrics, click here.

Keeping with yesterday's thread, try sending a real card (not e-card) for free on us to a special client, friend or love one by clicking here.

We usually stay on the topic of health, motivation, and spirituality on this blog, but today we want to bring your attention to a very cool contact manager, calendar, to do organizer, email organizer, auto responder and more that we have just found! You can even create your own landing pages with customized forms for visitors. Check it out here

Lots of fun. Find out what classic movie you are like, or what great leader you are most like.

Click here to take the test

If you'd like to see my results, based on 45 questions, here they are

A lot of people sent this one in - thanks to Ruth Ann, Colleen and Bob!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco&feature=email

More than 2,000 years ago, Greek physician Hippocrates explored the mind-body connection and determined that our state of mind greatly influences our physical health. Since then, a growing body of scientific evidence has supported his claims. It turns out that those who see the glass half-full live longer, healthier lives.

"A positive attitude and laughter increase the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters cause us to feel good, get things done, resist sugar and other carbohydrate temptations and sharpen our minds," said neurologist Vincent Fortanasce, author of "The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription: The Science- Proven Plan to Start at Any Age" ($26, Gotham Books).

On the converse, those who see the glass as perpetually half-empty are at a greater risk for long-term illness and serious health problems.

"Anxiety and depression have been linked to poorer health and shorter lives," said Kate Flanigan Sawyer, co-author of "Longevity Made Simple: How to Add 20 Good Years to Your Life" ($14, Williams Clark Publishing) and director of the Heart and Health Prevention Center in Denver, Colo.

"Personality traits such as anger, hostility, irritability and gloominess increase the amount of stress in our lives, which can lead to a higher incidence of hypertension and heart disease," Sawyer explained.

When anxious or stressed, the nervous system releases hormones like adrenaline, which raises blood pressure and increases heart rate, and Cortisol, a stress hormone that suppresses the immune system.

"Even though the exact mechanism connecting the mind and physical health is not completely understood, we do know it's just as important to pay attention to the health of your mind as it is your body for a long, happy life," Sawyer said.

So find your happy place. Frequent mental stimulation, a strong social network and regular stress-reducing exercise are the keys to maximum joy -- and maximum health.

Use It or Lose It
Give your brain a daily workout. Regardless of age, the brain can continue to grow new neurons and dendrites and make new connections, which improves mental fitness, according to Fortanasce.

"You must use it or lose it," he said. "Seniors can ensure their minds stay sharp by knowing facts and doing the common uncommonly."

Challenge yourself. Solve the daily crossword puzzle, memorize birthdays and phone numbers, eat and write with your non-dominant hand, take a class, learn a new language or just improve your vocabulary -- anything that offers novelty and the chance to practice the unfamiliar will improve memory and mental acuity.

Close Connections
Though the exact link between social ties and better health is not completely understood, evidence shows that those with a strong social network tend to live longer.

"Factors such as wealth and status do not seem to be important indicators of one's happiness," Sawyer said. "People who have satisfying marriages, have good friends and participate in religious or community organizations are generally happier and more satisfied and enjoy better health."

Spend more time with close friends and family, join a civic organization, take a class, volunteer for a local charity or just get out and meet your neighbors. According to Fortanasce, frequent social interaction boosts dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters essential to maintaining a good mood.

"Socialization engages the brain in such a way that it is not allowed to grow stagnant," he said. "Social networks are also support systems that allow us to vent problems, are a source of happiness and pleasure and are a community in which we can gain advice or aid in overcoming our troubles."

Work Out Your Mind
Need another reason to get out for a daily walk? In addition to the obvious physical benefits, routine exercise helps ward off symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress with a dose of feel-good endorphins -- the hormones released by the body in response to pleasure and physical activity.

From aerobic activities like walking and swimming to anaerobic strength training and meditative tai chi and yoga (when done properly), any exercise is good for the brain.

"Exercise raises the levels of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain," Sawyer said. "Exercise improves self-esteem and self- image, releases muscle tension, improves sleep and reduces levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. It also increases body temperature, which may have calming effects."

Source: YellowBrix, Washington Jewish Week

Harmony Center Note: Work out with us here!!!

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY! Click on the White House picture below to use your mind to learn more about the Presidents. (This picture is actually of the White House rose garden. If you're up north, hang in there, spring's around the corner

Click here for a different perspective Great music too! Thanks, Jeri, in Deerfiled Beach, FL.

Great Information for Valentine's Day! Hope yours is filled with love!






Click on the picture to see what those flowers really mean





And now from the Docs...

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Still steamed at your dad for tossing your tadpole down the toilet when you were 10? Miffed at your best friend for spilling the beans?

Whatever's got you feeling slighted, it might be time to forgive, if not forget. You see, holding onto resentment may cause more than relationship tension. Your heart health suffers, too.

Some injustices are hard to let go of. You'll have to be the judge of which ones you're able to move past and which ones you just can't. But keep in mind that not letting go may do extra damage. For example, college students' blood pressures rose when they described a time that a parent or friend deeply hurt or betrayed them. And for the students who were unable to forgive, it took longer for their blood pressures to return to normal.

When your cardiovascular system has trouble stabilizing after stress -- be it physical or emotional -- that's bad news for your heart. It could mean high blood pressure, heart disease or a trip to one of our hospitals' catheterization laboratories is in your future. No need to make us busier. (We need all the time we can get to write these columns!)

So, what to do to keep time our free time free (if you don't care for yourself, at least care for our free time!)?

First, do whatever it takes for you to stress less.

Second, get fit. Fit peoples' heart rates return to normal more quickly. (Harmony Center note: Get FIT with us here!)

Third, forgive someone. Not only is it good for the heart, but people who let go of a grudge may experience less pain, anger, anxiety and depression than people who are unable to forgive. Forgiving does not mean condoning people or situations that have caused you distress or pain. It just means resolving your feelings and not letting upsetting experiences affect your emotional and physical health.

The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home.

(c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

BOSTON (UPI) -- In the absence of existing joint injury there is no increased risk of osteoarthritis from exercise, U.S. and German researchers said.

Although exercise is widely promoted as being beneficial for weight control, disease management in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as psychological well-being, there is a perception that exercise is potentially deleterious to one's joints, lead researcher Dr. David Hunter of New England Baptist Hospital said.

Researchers from Boston and Ainring, Germany, reviewed existing studies on the relationship between regular exercise and osteoarthritis.

"We found that in elite athletes where there was more likelihood of obtaining sports injuries, there was an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the damaged joints, but in most people vigorous, low-impact exercise is beneficial for both its physical and mental benefits," Hunter said in a statement.

"The largest modifiable risk factor for knee osteoarthritis is body weight, such that each additional kilogram -- 2.2 pounds -- of body mass increases the compressive load over the knee by roughly 4kg -- 8.8 pounds."

The findings are published in the Journal of Anatomy. 

Harmony Center Note: Join us for online accountability and lots of fun as we get fit!

Click on the cake to enjoy a short movie. We appreciate you!

Thanks to Jeri in Deerfield Beach, FL for sending this on to us!

A masterpiece! It's a song written by Keith Carradine and performed by artists from all over the country. It has a powerful message, just listen to (and read) the words. Enjoy!

Click on the flag to view...

Is it in us? Most definitely! Most people we talk to understand that we are all exposed to many toxins in our environment, (unless we live in a bubble) every single day, but some don't see it. Read below if you're not there yet! Click here to find out how we handle this ongoing threat to our health. Call us for more information at 800.878.1840 or email Barb@HarmonyCleanse.com.

Household chemicals linked to infertility

LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Chemicals used in food packaging, pesticides, clothing, upholstery and carpets may be associated with infertility in women, U.S. researchers said.

The study, published in Human Reproduction, found that women who had higher levels of perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate in their blood took longer to become pregnant than women with lower levels.

First author Dr. Chunyuan Fei of the University of California, Los Angeles, said that blood samples were taken at the time of the women's first antenatal visit -- between four and 14 weeks into the pregnancy -- so that concentrations of perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate could be measured.

The researchers also interviewed the women at around the 12th week of pregnancy to find out whether the pregnancy was planned or not and how long it took them to become pregnant.

Infertility was defined as a time to pregnancy of longer than 12 months or infertility treatment to establish the current pregnancy.

The researchers found compared with women with the lowest levels of exposure, the likelihood of infertility increased by 70 percent to 134 percent for women in the higher three quartiles of perfluorooctane sulfonat exposure and by 60 percent to 154 percent for women in the higher three quartiles of perfluorooctanoat exposure.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Harmony Center Note:
Here's the thing... Your weight loss won't be safe and effective unless you address the missing link to weight loss. Click here to read more.

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Long-term complications from weight-loss surgery deserve more attention because the number of U.S. procedures is booming, advocates say.

Even as stomach-shrinking, or bariatric, surgery has become a standard of care for those with weight-related health issues, no one is yet sure why some bariatric patients fare better than others, or why some even face disastrous side effects, McClatchy Newspapers reported Sunday.

Some 200,000 weight-loss surgeries are being performed in the United States each year to cope with epidemic levels of obesity, providers say. They have proven effective in helping people who suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and other issues.

But complications are common, with between 30 and 40 percent of patients suffering problems with the bariatric connections, hernias, infections and pneumonia, the news service reported, noting post-surgery problems send 18 percent of patients back to the hospital, sometimes for costly re-admissions or corrective surgery.

"Anytime you can cut into the intestine, you have a risk of complications," William Encinosa, lead author of a federal weight-loss surgery study, told McClatchy. "Clearly there are benefits for people who are morbidly obese, but these patients need to know what they are getting into."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Joel Osteen gives examples here. (Be sure to scroll down and watch the video

Personal:
Exercise & SMILE!
Enhance your exercise routine by choosing an essential oil such as Grapefruit or Orange Wild, when inhaled it just may bring a smile to your face!
Use: Apply diluted to skin and inhale!
Lotion, 10-15 drops of essential oil to 2 oz. all natural unscented lotion.
Tissue, 1-3 drops of essential oil on a tissue and tuck in your top.
Towel, 3-6 drops on your work out towel so when you wipe your head and body during your work out you get the wonderful aroma.

Home:
All Natural Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaner
1/4 C Baking Soda, add all natural liquid soap until it is a soft paste consistency. For a whitener add 1/4 C Borax to the above recipe.
Add your choice of essential oil or blend.
Use: Cleans tile, kitchen sinks, countertops and toilets.

Office:
Andrews warehouse scrub down!
Use: Add Revitalize (available here) in the rinse water! A great way to end cleaning jobs on an Up note.

We love essential oils. Click here to see our source and enter Harmony at check out for 15% off!

According to a recent study, researchers found people who consistently engage in moderate exercise five times a week improve their immune function and keep colds away. Get moving here!

Wow - stepped on to my balcony yesterday afternoon about 3 PM and there was the moon! And then a plane flew by it - hope you can see in the photo below

The Gerbera Daisy can clean the air in your office or home. These plants help eliminate toxic pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, which are found in many household products.

 

Harmony Center Note: We know how difficult it is to get all the required daily servings of fruits and that is why we depend on IsaFruits, available here.


COLLEGE STATION, Texas (UPI) -- One relatively inexpensive plum contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a handful of more expensive blueberries, U.S. researchers say.

Dr. Luis Cisneros, AgriLife Research food scientist, and Dr. David Byrne, AgriLife Research plant breeder, judged more than 100 varieties of plums, peaches and nectarines and found them to match or exceed the much-touted blueberries in antioxidants and phytonutrients associated with disease prevention.

"People tend to eat just a few blueberries at a time -- a few on the cereal or as an ingredient mixed with lots of sugar," Cisneros said in a statement. "But people will eat a whole plum at once and get the full benefit."

Knowing that we had all these varieties with high levels of antioxidants, then the possibility of preventing these diseases would also be high with their consumption, so we went to the next step -- how these compounds could actually inhibit chronic diseases," Cisneros said.

One benefit the team found was that the phytonutrients in plums inhibited in vitro breast cancer growth without adversely affecting normal cell growth, Byrne noted.

"We suggest that consumers take seriously the recommendation to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables -- or even more -- every day and to make sure that plums are part of that," Byrne said.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International

and confirmed by the Docs

The Wrinkle That's Good For You
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

This is one wrinkle you want in your morning oatmeal: dried plums. They used to be known as prunes before they got a marketing team behind them, but by either name, adding them to your hot cereal may have huge advantages for your heart.

Fiber-rich oatmeal protects your heart by helping you control your bad blood fats (not all fats are bad). Dried plums are no slouches in the fiber department, either (delivering 1 gram per fruit). But what makes them such a great addition to your morning meal is that they're also chock-full of polyphenols. These are the compounds that have a reputation for stopping bad things from happening in your arteries -- like plaque ruptures that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

After berries, plums are one of the fruits that have the highest levels of beneficial polyphenols. They win hands down over grapefruit, oranges and even purple grapes. They're easy to find all year, and they serve up additional nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and food-based vitamin A (vitamin A from food does not seem to have the harmful effects of extra vitamin A in vitamin pills).

Limiting dried plums to breakfast is like never driving a racecar over 55 mph. Take advantage of this fruit's flavor, texture and versatility by trying it in other dishes, such as salads, with wild or brown rice and toasted nuts or in chicken dishes. Theyimpart a pleasantly sweet taste, and fortunately, their sugars appear to be safe for blood-sugar watchers.

The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home.

(c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Oh - oh - our buddy, Wiarton Willie, saw his shadow - 6 more weeks of winter!

His Shadow Did Appear

There was a shadow on the ground Which means that spring will not come round. Six more weeks of winter fun. Hopefully we’ll see some sun. Children laugh as they ride on their sleds Blankets warm us while we curl up in bed Fires will roar while the tea kettle steams Arenas awake as hockey fans scream Snowflakes fall from the sky up above Valentine’s Day it’s the season of love. Soup, casseroles, chili, homemade bread Perhaps you prefer a restaurant instead We have lots of great one’s from which you can choose So get in your car you’ve got nothing to lose. Head for the North, South, East, or West Which ever direction will bring you the best. Four seasons of fun is what you get here. With plenty to do throughout the whole year. There are just two things that you really must do Visit our Willie and bring a camera too. C. Wyonch

By a fellow Canadian, Anne Murray, and thanks to Colleen in Newmarket, Ontario for sending this in!

Click here to hear Anne and view the accompanying video.

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

What you think can make you healthy. Or not. Especially when it comes to what you think about your body. It turns out that the higher percentage of weight you want to lose -- even if you're not overweight in the first place -- the more mentally and physically unhealthy days you have every month. BMI, or actual weight, doesn't have that much to do with it, researchers at Columbia University found. But the desire to lose weight does affect how healthy you are.

How? It's likely that distorted ideas about what an ideal weight is lead to stress, and that stress precipitates bad-health days. And distorted ideas are common, especially in women. Only 41 percent of normal weight people say they are happy with their weight (only 20 percent of overweight and 5 percent of obese people do).

So what can you do? If you want an objective view of your body, don't rely on only your eyes. Instead, focus on how you feel. Use your eating habits, exercise patterns and other lifestyle choices to help you feel strong and energized. And keep reminding yourself of all the things your body can do when you are fit and well nourished.

Not working? Try strength training. In one study, women felt more confident about their bodies after a 12-week weight-training program even if they gained weight during it. So stop overthinking your body. Save your brainpower for the important stuff, like work, your shopping list and your fantasy basketball league.

The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home.

(c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Harmony Center Note:
In dealing with cancer patients we ntoe that many have lwo self esteem. Click here to see our upcoming self-esteem teleclasses.

Harmony Center Note: We know from our own busy lives how very difficult it is to get the optimal number of servings of vegetables each day, and that's why we rely on supplementation - but only the best! Click here to see what we use and recommend. And now from the Docs...

Winter Vegetables That Boost Your Health
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

You can add color to your next dinner party by inviting the eccentric with the orange hair who lives two doors down. Or you can do it a far quieter and healthier way: By bringing winter squash to the table. This golden-orange vegetable helps you live longer and better (even if it won't offer to do the dishes). Here's just part of its healthy resume:

It reduces the rate of aging of your arteries. Varieties such as acorn and butternut are high in potassium, which is part of what makes your nerves and muscles contract when you want them to. It also helps regulate blood pressure, allowing your heart and kidneys to function properly. One cup of cubed squash contains almost 900 mg of this mineral, which gets you a long, tasty way toward the 3,000 mg a day we recommend.

It keeps your knees (and hips) moving. Winter squash is high in beta cryptoxanthin (you don't have to spell it; just eat it) and vitamin C, two nutrients credited with helping save joints.

It helps control your appetite. Squash is low in calories (if you don't douse it in butter and brown sugar, which you don't need for great taste) and high in fiber, so you eat fewer calories and feel fuller longer.

Our favorite ways to get it on your plate:

--Serve as a side dish: Puree butternut squash with a bit of olive oil, lime juice and nutmeg.

--Add cubed or mashed squash to stews, casseroles and stir-fries.

--Cut it into the shape of French fries. Mix with a lot of garlic and a little olive oil and roast. This is a great treat while watching the game, and the taste can be so similar to fries that most guys don't even know that they're eating something that isnfried and is so darn healthy that it could really help them go out and play.

========

The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2009 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Thanks to Gary right here in Pompano Beach, FL for sending this in. Click here for the  video.

Have you heard the song? Click here to be taken to a page where you can hit a button to play it

Right up there with growing hair and playing basketball, urination can get more difficult for many men over 50. After first ruling out a serious diagnosis such as prostate cancer, conventional doctors often attribute this and other associated symptoms to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Their solution typically involves prescription drugs or, in severe cases, surgery.

In his naturopathic practice in Southbury, Connecticut, Daily Health News contributing medical editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, takes a different view. He believes that all issues involving pelvic-abdominal function, which includes not only urination but also defecation and sexuality, are related. He prescribes botanical medicines and other natural modalities to resolve difficulties by bringing the system back into balance.

IT'S ALL CONNECTED
A specialized nerve system located in the front of the sacrum or tailbone and ascending to the spinal cord and brain controls many functions in the pelvic-abdominal area, Dr. Rubman explains -- this nerve distribution center is called the sacral plexus. The close relationship among these nerves, organs and processes means that multiple factors can influence urine flow, so male urinary tract symptoms can be affected by nervous system issues in the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder, urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder) and/or reproductive organs.

According to Dr. Rubman, the culprit behind many urinary problems is inflammation. This complex process, which scientists increasingly point to as the root cause of many disparate medical conditions, can result from poor nutrition. The connection to one another via the nervous system means that inflammatory events in one part of the pelvis can impact the function in another -- for instance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be associated with urinary incontinence and vulnerability to urinary tract infections (UTIs).

When it strikes, inflammation disturbs the balance of microbial colonies that normally populate the genital-urinary and lower gastrointestinal tracts. These outlets are close together, so microbial disturbances easily migrate from one to another. Often the result is the emergence of a significant underlying infection, typically due to fungus such as Candida albicans.  Antibiotic use can spark or stoke this problem by indiscriminately suppressing, often killing, good bacteria along with the bad, which opens the door to fungal overgrowth. The resulting imbalance affects not only the community of beneficial organisms in the large intestine, but those in the urinary tract as well.

Conventional physicians typically prescribe drugs such as tamsulosin (Flomax), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (UroXatral) and doxazosin (Cardura) to improve urination in men whose problems stem from an enlarged prostate. These "alpha blockers" work by relaxing prostate and bladder muscles so urine can pass more easily. Yet Dr. Rubman warns that an enlarged prostate is often only part of the problem. These drugs may be helpful in the short term, but he points out that they fail to resolve the microbial disturbance and inflammation at root. Another issue: Alpha blockers potentially have significant, occasionally serious side effects, such as dizziness and low blood pressure.

THE NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO PELVIC HEALTH
For patients with difficulty or discomfort with urination, bowel movements or ejaculation, Dr. Rubman may prescribe the following, in addition to treating any underlying candidiasis problem...

• Kegel exercises. Contrary to popular opinion, Kegel exercises are not just for women. To enhance pelvic muscle control and prevent dribbling, Dr. Rubman recommends incorporating daily Kegel exercises to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles (PC) muscles, which help control urine and semen release.

How to perform Kegel exercises: Isolate PC muscles by purposely interrupting urine flow at your next bathroom visit. This helps you understand where and what these muscles are. Clench and then relax them five to 10 seconds... relax for one full deep breath... and repeat. A similar movement strengthens the area around the rectum, drawing the muscle back up toward the colon and releasing. You can do these exercises as you sit in your car or office -- no one will be the wiser.

• Proper regulation of blood glucose levels. Glucose and other sugars and polysaccharides can pass into the urinary tract, which can in turn lead to inflammation and infection.

• An anti-inflammatory diet. Cut back on refined carbs (white bread, sugary desserts) that lead to glucose peaks and valleys... decrease your intake of grain glutens, dairy proteins, homogenized fats (which are most commonly found in homogenized dairy products), trans fats and fried foods... and eat protein and healthy fats at every meal to slow the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream.

• Cold-water fish such as salmon or tuna. Incorporate fish into your menu two to three times a week. These are rich in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't eat fish, your health care provider may prescribe a fish oil supplement.

• Dietary supplements. In his practice, Dr. Rubman often prescribes saw palmetto for men with urinary problems and/or an enlarged prostate. Numerous studies show that saw palmetto improves symptoms such as nighttime urination, urinary flow and overall quality of life.

More beneficial supplements: Depending on his assessment of an individual's nutritional deficiencies, Dr. Rubman may prescribe additional supplements such as selenium, germanium, anthocyanidin antioxidants, vitamin E and zinc. To bring microbial colonies back into balance, he prescribes probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Caution: Once more, don't take these on your own. Supplements should be used only with your ND's prescription.

• When you need to go, go! This holds true with both urination and bowel movements. If you fail to respond promptly, over time your body gradually loses its ability to generate and recognize critical biological urges, and problems will worsen.

By carefully customizing these treatments, Dr. Rubman said he often hears reports from his middle-aged patients that they're feeling like teenagers again -- at least when it comes to urination. Next month we will explore pelvic-abdominal health problems for women. There are obvious differences, both in structure and chemistry, but surprising similarities, too. Though you may feel very alone with problems like these, you aren't -- and though the solutions aren't unisex, there are plenty, for both genders.

Source(s):

Andrew L. Rubman, ND, director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.

Presented by www.bottomlinesecrets.com 

Harmony Center Note: We know we have found the best source for supplements. Contact us at 800-878-1840 or directly at 954-235-7900 for more information.

If you're no longer as young as you used to be and you don't already have arthritis in your knees... count your lucky stars and consider making it a priority to keep it that way. Osteoarthritis of the knee is among the most common orthopedic complaints and one that, according to current estimates, will cause discomfort for about half of us by the time we reach our 80s. The "cure" is knee replacement surgery, but it's a major procedure and a painful one, which requires numerous weeks of arduous physical therapy. Clearly a better path is to do what you must to protect your knees now to assure their long-term health.

For information on natural ways to prevent knee osteoarthritis and keep them strong, I called Thom Rogers, ND, who taught orthopedics at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. He told me that unfortunately, osteoarthritis is very often a byproduct of the aging process. It's caused by erosion of the cartilage between the ends of bones, so they no longer are cushioned from rubbing together. Not to despair however, he says -- there is much you can do to slow that development and protect your knees even when some arthritis has already set in.

SHED WEIGHT
The biggest gift you can give your knees is to normalize your weight. "Any excess weight you carry increases pressure on the knees," says Dr. Rogers. Normal weight is ideal, but losing even a few pounds will help. A 2005 study from Wake Forest University demonstrated that each pound lost in total body weight reduces pressure on the knee by four pounds (which means conversely that every extra pound you carry loads on four additional pounds of pressure). Meanwhile a 2008 study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed that 46.9% of overweight people were at risk for having knee osteoarthritis in their lifetime, and that rate soared to 60.5% among obese people, compared with 30.2% among normal-weight people. 

Harmony Center Note: For the most effective way to lose weight and keep if off, you must realize the missing link to weight loss. Click here to learn more!

EXERCISE ADVICE
Exercise can help protect the knees, but it can be a double-edged sword. Dr. Rogers says that for many, intense sports are a set-up for knee arthritis. Sports that twist the knee, such as skiing and tennis, put great demands on the ligaments and joint capsule. Furthermore, he said, rotating the thigh bone (femur) while keeping the shin bone (tibia) stationary or vice-versa (again, think skiing) is challenging. "It grinds away on the meniscus, the tough cartilage tissue in the middle of the joint," he says. High-impact sports that involve running and jumping, such as basketball and jogging, put compression on the joint -- it's better to get your aerobic workout in low-impact ways such as cycling, elliptical machines and/or swimming.

In addition to avoiding exercise that pounds your knees, Dr. Rogers says it is good to strengthen the surrounding muscles -- the quadriceps in the front of the thigh and the hamstring muscles in the back. Find exercises that don't put weight on the knees -- for instance, squats are out. Weight training is good: An Australian study in 2008 evaluated 18 studies that totaled 2,832 patients with knee osteoarthritis and found that regular practice of weight training (upper body exercises and lower body resistance training) decreased joint pain and improved physical function and balance. Note: Dr. Rogers suggests using equipment that keeps your feet off the floor, such as a Nautilus for hamstring curls and quadriceps extensions, since doing so removes gravitational compression to the knees. 

Harmony Center Note: We have found that accountability and community really helps keep us on track. Click here for more information on our online SuperGym. In addition, to strengthen your body, check out this information in .pdf format, and call us for more information at 800-878-1840.

FOODS THAT HELP, FOODS THAT HURT
Chinese medicine advises eating marrow soups for prevention of arthritis, says Dr. Rogers -- it's easy to make a stock with a turkey or chicken carcass, which is a good, natural way of getting glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are the "building blocks of cartilage." Also crucial are fruits, vegetables and grains. These whole foods have minerals, including copper, iron, zinc and manganese, which help synthesize the cartilage material.

Glucosamine supplementation has also been shown in many clinical trials to relieve pain while having fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Although it won't work as quickly, over the long term glucosamine has been shown to be as effective as NSAIDs (such as Aleve) in reducing arthritis pain, but without risk to the liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract.

You may have heard that nightshade vegetables -- potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers -- can aggravate arthritis. According to Dr. Rogers, these contain a kind of alkaloid that can cause a problem for people having an arthritis flare-up. He says that more than half of his patients benefit by avoiding nightshade vegetables during these times, noting they find it makes a significant difference in pain intensity.

FISH OIL FOR OJAS
One supplement Dr. Rogers often prescribes is high-quality fish oil for the omega-3s that reduce inflammatory chemicals in our bodies. Aging dries out the body and we start to lose the "juice" (or the quality of soft elasticity of the tissues found in youth) that in Ayurvedic medicine is called "ojas." Ojas keep the body functioning smoothly and our joints supple and strong. The best way to maintain ojas is not only with omega-3s, says Dr. Rogers, but also by eating healthy foods every day and getting proper exercise. While it is true we can't totally avoid losing our ojas, he adds, we can certainly modify the process -- and in doing so retain some of its life-giving force. 

Harmony Center Note: For the absolute Rolls Royce of fish oil supplements, including Omega 5s in the form of pomegranate oil and rosemary and lemon oils for palatability, click here.

Source(s):

Thom Rogers, ND, formerly taught orthopedics at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, and is a primary care naturopathic physician at Whidley Island Naturopathic in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Click here to see a short flash video based on the Beatitudes.

Thanks to Karen in NY for this site!

And, Happy Birthday to Herb!