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YOUR HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE
February 2003
http://www.healthyperspective.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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-Alzheimer's Disease and Diet
-Fat
-Cholesterol
-Inflammation
-Prevention
-Healthy Perspective in the News
-Fast food & colon cancer
-Coffee and stillbirth
-He who helps others helps himself
-The Best Shopping on the Web
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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DIET
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The February "Archives of Neurology" reported two recent studies, both showing a strong correlation between diet and Alzheimer's disease. A diet rich in vegetables lessens the risk of the disease, while a diet high in meat and dairy more than doubles the risk.
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Fat
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A study, from Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital, followed 815 Chicago residents, aged 65 and over. The participants who ate relatively large quantities of saturated fat (from meat and dairy) and hydrogenated fat (hardened - margarine, shortening, etc.) had twice the risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared to those who consumed very little of these fats. But those participants consuming large quantities of polyunsaturated fats (found in vegetables and nuts) enjoyed a 70 percent reduction in Alzheimer's risk.
This study illustrates another twist in the "good fat" vs. "bad fat" debate. Eating "bad fat" (from animal products) doubles the risk of Alzheimer's, while eating "good fat" (from veggies and nuts) reduces the risk by 70 percent!
[http://www.nbc11.com/health/1985965/detail.html]
[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews%2Fnews%2F030219c%2Easp]
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Cholesterol
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As published in the January "Archives of Neurology," researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland found elevated levels of cholesterol may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This confirms earlier findings.
[http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/conditions/01/20/alzheimer.gene.ap/index.html]
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Inflammation
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According to a September 2002 CNN article, anti-inflammatory agents were found to help, or even prevent, Alzheimer's disease.
A study in Utah looked at more than 3,000 people with early signs of Alzheimer's. Those people taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, long term (longer than 2 years, 4 times a week) had a 45 percent risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease!
One theory is that Alzheimer's disease may be caused, or worsened, by an inflammatory process in the brain. Another reason may be that anti-inflammatory agents help break down amyloid plaque, found in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers.
[http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/conditions/09/24/otsc.alzheimers.aspirin/index. html]
Before you start popping aspirin and Advil, however, you may want to consider some natural anti-inflammatory solutions. Dr. Julian Whitaker, nutrition-savvy MD, in his article, "What's on Your Plate for Arthritis Relief?" states that while aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen and naproxen curb inflammation, they also do damage to the body. The gastrointestinal side-effects of these drugs are well known. But these drugs can also damage the cartilage cushioning the body's joints, worsening the very condition they "treat!"
Here are some natural anti-inflammatory agents:
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids (found in flax seeds and fish oil).
(For flax seed info, go to http://www.healthyperspective.com/drwhitaker.html.)
- Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, a powerful enzyme that "significantly reduces the joint swelling associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis." It also promotes the healing of wounds, bruises, sprains, and other injuries. And it tastes good too!
- Cherries contain anthocyanins, powerful inflammation fighters. Dr. Whitaker states that 20 fresh or frozen cherries contain sufficient anthocyanins to achieve an anti-inflammatory effect equal to one or two aspirin tablets! Anthocyanins are also found in blueberries, blackberries, and hawthorn berries. And ditto on the tasting good!
- Green drinks, with a base of barley or wheat grass juice, are powerful weapons against inflammation. These are loaded with chlorophyll, antioxidants, enzymes, and phytochemicals that combat free radicals and reduce inflammation.
(AIM BarleyLife is an excellent green drink. Go to http://www.healthyperspective.com/barleylife.html for more info.)
[ http://www.drwhitaker.com/nc/news_arthritis4_02.asp]
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Prevention
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Dr. Julian Whitaker has written another excellent article entitled, "Alzheimer's Disease: Are You at Risk?" Here are some of Dr. Whitaker's suggestions for Alzheimer's prevention:
- Eat a low fat diet, high in fruits and vegetables
- Take an antioxidant supplement.
- Get regular exercise to improve blood flow to the brain.
- Exercise your brain often. Read books, write letters, solve puzzles, listen to complex music, learn new skills, travel, volunteer, etc.
[You may read the full article at http://www.drwhitaker.com/nc/news_alzheimer2_02.asp.]
You may have noticed that all these suggestions are good for heart disease and cancer prevention as well. What a bonus!
According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's disease affects 10 percent of people over age 65, and nearly 50 percent of people age 85 or older. In other words, if you live long enough, you have a 50/50 chance of getting this dread disease. Start prevention now.
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HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE IN THE NEWS
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Fast Food & Colon Cancer
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A major study, following 75,000 American women over a 12 year period, found that a woman who eats hamburgers, french fries, and sweet desserts for lunch increases her risk of colon cancer by 50 percent! The good news is that a change in diet can change those odds!
[from "Paul Harvey News" 2-15-03]
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Coffee and Stillbirth
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A study, reported in the British Medical Journal, followed 18,478 women over a period of 7 years. They found that women who drank 8 or more cups of coffee per day doubled their risk of stillbirth.
[from "Paul Harvey News" 2-21-03]
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He Who Helps Others Helps Himself
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According to University of Michigan research, older Americans who contribute to the lives of others - helping other people - extend their own lives. The researchers concluded that people who provide no help to others are more than twice as likely themselves to die sooner.
[from "Paul Harvey News" 11-14-02]
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THE BEST SHOPPING ON THE WEB
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http://www.healthyperspective.com/discountscurrent.html
Don't forget to check in with your discount page (link above). We update frequently to bring you some of the web's best bargains.
And check out the main shopping page at http://www.healthyperspective.com/shopping.html. Notice the left side-bar. It's absolutely loaded with new store links, representing millions of items at scores of stores (and growing almost daily)! You'll enjoy "window shopping" with a click of the mouse (bringing a whole new meaning to "just browsing!"). We are certainly enjoying being able to present you with some of the world wide web's best merchandise at the lowest prices!
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"'When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.' Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven'.... 'But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.'"
Luke 21:9-11 & 18-19 (NIV)
God bless you!
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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