Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, et al.
JAMA. 1999 Oct 6;282(13):1233-1239.
http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/WomensHealth/journal/2000/v05.n03/ca-wh0512.02/ca-wh0512.02.html

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WHO Endorses Exclusive Breast-Feeding
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The annual assembly of the World Health Organization is expected on Monday to accept a resolution recommending infants be exclusively breast-fed for 6 months.

The resolution urges member states of the World Health Organization to "support exclusive breast feeding for 6 months as a global public health recommendation...and to provide safe and appropriate complementary foods, with continued breast feeding for up to 2 years or beyond."

Dr. Audrey Naylor, President of Wellstart International, said: "This is a key moment, and not just for the developing world. The scientific evidence continues to confirm the importance and value of exclusive breast-feeding, and this will help our efforts to achieve optimal maternal and infant health everywhere."

GENEVA (Reuters Health) May 18, 2001
http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/05/05.21/20010518plcy002.html

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Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut?
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Give into that craving - and live longer!

In a large medical study of Seventh-day Adventists in California, it was found that frequency of nut consumption had a substantial and highly significant inverse association with risk of myocardial infarction and death from ischemic heart disease (IHD).  The Iowa Women's Health Study also documented an association between nut consumption and decreased risk of IHD. The protective effect of nuts on heart disease has been found in men and women and in the elderly. These results were the same in both vegetarians and nonvegetarians.

The study found that frequent nut consumption may not only offer protection against heart disease, but also increase longevity.  So go a little nuts!

Nut Consumption, Vegetarian Diets, Ischemic Heart Disease Risk, and All-Cause Mortality: Evidence from Epidemiologic Studies
Sabate J.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):500S-503S.
http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/WomensHealth/journal/2000/v05.n03/ca-wh0512.02/ca-wh0512.02.html

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Cantaloupe Warning
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According to a May 17, 2001 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, California State health officials are warning cantaloupe lovers to to scrub melons before eating them.  This warning follows an outbreak of salmonella that killed an elderly woman and sickened others, including a 5-year-old boy.  The agency has recorded 18 more cases of salmonella poisoning since the outbreak began last month.  Thirteen other cases have been reported in other states, including New York, Oregon and Washington, the Health Department said.

The outbreak involved a rare type of bacteria called Salmonella poona. Because of the rough texture of its skin, cantaloupe can be contaminated in the field by human or animal waste. Health officials say consumers should use a brush to scrub melons clean before cutting and serving.

Grant Hunt, former chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, says,

"To understand the degree of risk, one has to understand that in any one week you are talking about millions of cantaloupes being sold," he said. "In this outbreak you can see that it is an infinitesimally small ratio. But that is not acceptable to any of us in the industry."

"We want people to eat their fruits and vegetables, but we want to remind them to wash them first," she said.

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WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
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   In anticipation of summertime activities, screams of "I'll never be able to squeeze into my bathing suit!" are resounding throughout the countryside.  A winter of indulgent eating and little physical activity does take its toll.  Of course beginning a weight reduction program in June will yield only modest rewards toward looking svelte in that summer swim suit.  But there's more at stake here - your health, and perhaps your life.

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The Problem
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   Obesity is a major health concern, reaching epidemic proportions globally.  More than 50 percent of Americans are overweight, with at least 22 percent qualifying as obese!
   You probably know that obesity is a risk factor or an aggravating agent in many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, respiratory illnesses, arthritis, cancers, low-back pain and type II diabetes.  In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a study issued in August 2000, reports that the risk for diabetes increases 4 percent for every pound of excess weight!

   Of course, most of us have dieted at one time or another, sometimes seemingly successfully, only to find ourselves in the ranks of the overweight yet again.  We desperately don't want to be fat, so why is half the population in this condition?!

   Part of blame has to be put on the media.  We are bombarded with images of what we are "supposed" to look like, our "ideal" - stick thin models and celebrities.  Ironically, on TV and in print, these "role models" are often eating cheese and meat-laden pizzas; greasy hamburgers, french fries, and soft drinks; candies; cookies; ice cream; etc.  In reality, these images don't jibe!  Not only are these foods high in calories, but chronic consumption of these highly processed foods, laden with simple sugars and starches, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients, and lacking in any real nutritive value actually causes our metabolism to get "out of whack," not able to properly metabolize and burn fat!

   And then there's the "weight loss industry."  This is a multi-million-dollar business, preying on our desperation.  They believe you want to lose as much weight as possible as quickly as possible, no matter the long-term consequences.  And in our desperation, we've been willing to risk our health, our lives, for the promise of that perfect body.  Remember the recent Phen-Fen fiasco?  Drug store type diet pills are far from health-producing either.  Even some of the highly advertised "natural" or herbal preparations contain dangerous stimulants.
   And how about the highly touted meal replacement shakes and bars?  Read the label.  They may help us reduce our calorie intake, but the formulas are usually full of simple sugars or artificial sweeteners, artificial flavorings, and other chemical additives - some of the same stuff that got us here in the first place!  That's not a reasonable long-term solution.
   Most of the diet programs we see advertised promise results.  We are provided with height and weight charts, suggesting unrealistic expectations.  Then we are starved.  While on a diet that severely restricts calories, the body increases the production of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase.  This enzyme takes fat out of the bloodstream and sends it to fat-storing cells - it creates more fat!  No wonder we gain back the weight (and often more) when we quit starving!
   But that's not all.  When losing weight on one of these starvation diets, you will lose muscle mass as well as fat.  This is significant because lean muscle is one of our "motors."  It helps us burn fat.  The less lean muscle we have the less fat we can burn.  The amount of muscle you have also affects your metabolism.
   Our bodies are not stupid.  When we starve them on a restrictive diet, they think, "Uh-oh, not enough food.  I'd better start conserving and storing the little energy I have."  To conserve energy the body will become "efficient" by reducing the function of the thyroid gland, which results in a metabolism that burns fewer calories.  Then it becomes focused on fat saving (fat is stored energy).  Now our metabolisms are really messed up  - we gain weight more easily than ever, and have increasing difficulty losing it!  And each new diet attempt only worsens this condition.

   And then there's the emotional component.  The April-May 2001 issue of Partners magazine has a good piece entitled, "Emotional Weight."

   Being overweight can result from more than too much food and too little exercise.  Eating may be the expression of problems.
   All too often, we eat to soothe an emotional problem or stress in our lives.  The behavior we laugh at - I had a bad day at work so I went home and ate a quart of ice cream - are oftentimes all too real reactions.  This is why when we want to manage our weight, we need to examine our emotions as well.
   To do this, take a hard look at the things that may be bothering you.  Do you eat more sweets after a particular emotional event?  Do you head for the refrigerator when the kids misbehave?  The first thing to do is identify the pattern in your eating behavior.
   Once you have identified it, work to change it.  Stop yourself from using food for emotional support and change the things in your life that cause stress.
   To make such big changes, you may need the support of others. Talk to those around you and make sure they understand that you want to lose weight.  Find friends to call when you are upset, and do this rather than eating.  Find ways to relieve stress.
   Stress and emotional issues are at the heart of weight management and you have to find ways to deal with them.

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The Solution
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The AIM SlimMetrix (tm) Weight Loss Partnership
   We told you last month that we are quite excited about a revolutionary new weight loss system.  It addresses nutritional, metabolic, and emotional issues.  It's truly a holistic approach - acknowledging the whole person to achieve long term health as well as weight loss.
   The eating plan is beautiful in its simplicity, and flexible to fit into your lifestyle.  You are given broad guidelines; not a strict diet.  You make the program your own - something you will enjoy living with.  And no starvation allowed!  Remember, you are building good health first - the weight loss comes as a wonderful benefit.

The AIM SlimMetrix (tm) Products
   The two SlimMetrix products target important but often neglected aspects of weight loss:  Getting adequate fiber and protein, boosting metabolism, supporting blood sugar, and targeting body composition.  Although these products are best used together and in conjunction with the AIM SlimMetrix (tm) Weight Loss Partnership, they can be used on their own.
 

The AIM SlimMetrix (tm) Smoothie
   The SlimMetrix smoothie combines 8 grams of vegetable protein, 9 grams of fiber, and 1/2 cup of blueberries per serving for a product that helps balance blood sugar levels, increase energy, and manage weight.
   Unlike many popular diet powder mixes that use unhealthy chemical additives and simple sugars or artificial sweeteners, our product is 100 percent fiber, protein and fruit, with no added sugar - and it tastes great!  The sweetness comes from grains and fruit, and the flavor comes from the natural blueberries (rich in nutrients and antioxidants).

   -Fiber
   North Americans generally consume only about 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day, while most health practitioners recommend between 20 and 35 grams per day.  Adequate fiber is important for weight loss for several reasons.
   First of all, it gives you a feeling of fullness, so you are apt to eat less.  It may also help with weight loss by "pushing" calories out of the digestive tract before they are absorbed in the body.  Fiber also contributes indirectly to weight loss by helping clean the digestive tract and ridding the body of toxins.  This helps "tune" the body for the better foods and supplements you will use as a part of AIM's Weight Management Program.
   Fiber also plays an important role in blood sugar (glucose) levels.  Fiber slows the digestive process and because of this the carbohydrates we eat are converted less quickly to blood sugar.  This results in a steadier rise in blood sugar levels.  When blood sugar levels are steady, we use the energy produced more efficiently and there is less left to be turned into fat.  We also do not feel as hungry.

   -Protein
   Although protein is not considered of primary importance in many weight management programs, it does play an important role.  Protein forms muscle, and muscle is the body's premier fat burner.  Simply put, the more muscle we have, the easier it is for us to burn fat.  Adding more protein to your diet, combined with performing strength-training exercises, can help you build the muscle you need to burn fat.
   Most North Americans get their protein from meat.  This isn't a healthy choice for a number of reasons, one of them being that meat is full of saturated fats.  The protein in the SlimMetrix smoothie is derived from healthy soy protein isolate.  Unlike proteins from animal sources, the body is able to digest 97 percent of this soy protein for direct use in muscle building and strengthening.
 

   -Oligosaccharides and Fructan
   The SlimMetrix smoothie contains a special blend of oligosaccharides and fructan, which are interrelated types of fiber and prebiotics - this is the "food" that our "good bacteria" consumes.  These fibers pass through the digestive tract into the large intestine where they are digested by the resident good bacteria, and in doing so, help restore our bacteria balance (which can also indirectly aid in metabolism, digestion, and elimination).  They also provide sweetness without increasing blood sugar levels.  This may also curb cravings for sweet snacks.

[AIM also produces a low protein version of the SlimMetrix smoothie, with all the fiber and goodies of the original formula.   Those who are working on maintaining a healthy weight, or those who continue to eat meat while dieting, may wish to choose this product.]
 

The AIM SlimMetrix (tm) Booster
  In addition to the SlimMetrix smoothie the Weight Management Program also includes an easy-to-use product to get you down your weight loss road faster.  To lose weight you must burn energy, and to burn energy, you need a healthy metabolism.  The SlimMetrix booster combines the amino acid tyrosine, a proprietary herbal formula, and the minerals chromium and manganese to target metabolism, blood sugar, and body composition.
   Just as the SlimMetrix smoothie, the SlimMetrix booster is healthy and completely safe to use.  It contains no harmful ingredients or stimulants, just nutrients and herbals that have been used safely for centuries.

   -The Thyroid and Metabolism
   The thyroid gland - a small butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam's apple - plays an important role in weight management.  This gland releases the hormone thyroxin, which plays a vital role in regulating the body's overall metabolism.  If the thyroid gland releases inadequate amounts of thyroxin, the basal metabolism - the minimum amount of energy needed to breathe, digest food, and so on - slows.  If this slowing is severe enough, it is known as hypothyroidism.  A person with hypothyroidism burns fewer calories, which makes it difficult for them to expend more calories than they consume.  This can make it extremely difficult to lose weight.
   The thyroid and hypothyroidism are often overlooked in weight loss because the symptoms of a poorly functioning thyroid and lower basal metabolism - always feeling cold, feeling rundown and weak, having dry skin, gaining weight, and experiencing depression - mimic other concerns, or are just chalked up to "the aging process."  As many as 5 to 13 million Americans may suffer with hypothyroidism, and the problem is more prevalent in women; up to 10 percent of women have it, and possibly one in five women has some degree of it.
   For weight management to be successful, it is important to maintain a healthy thyroid.
   Getting proper nutrition through the consumption of "whole foods" (fresh foods which are not processed), including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, is important in maintaining good thyroid function.  Less "mainstream" care for the thyroid includes supplementing with the amino acid tyrosine (which is used by the thyroid to produce thyroxin) and using herbs.  Certain herbs have a long history of use in supporting the metabolic rate, largely because of their nutritive capabilities and because they contain iodine.  These are the herbs in the SlimMetrix booster's proprietary herbal formula:  Irish moss, parsley, kelp, gentain, watercress, and capsicum.

   -Testing Your Thyroid
   Your doctor can test you for an underachieving thyroid; however, you can also accurately test it yourself.  This is done through the Barnes Basal Temperature test.
   In this test, you take your temperature immediately upon waking in the morning.  Before getting out of bed, place a thermometer in your armpit for ten minutes.  Perform the test two days in a row.  Premenopausal women should take the test when not menstruating or on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle.
   If your temperature is 97.8 - 98.2 degrees F (36.5 - 36.7 degrees C), your thyroid function is probably normal.  If it is below 97.8 degrees F (36.5 degrees C), there is a chance that you are hypothyroid, especially if you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned symptoms.

   -Blood Sugar and Body Composition
   The minerals chromium and manganese in the SlimMetrix booster add to overall weight management support.  Both of these minerals help stabilize blood sugar levels, a key to weight loss.  They do this by binding to cells and increasing their sensitivity to insulin.  This helps the cells take in blood sugar, which, in turn, promotes stable blood sugar levels and reduces the production of fat from excess blood sugar.  This blood sugar stabilizing effect may also help reduce the desire to eat.
   Chromium has been studied for its effect on body composition; that is, the ratio of fat to muscle.  In the abstract of one study (Int J Bios Med Res 11 (1989): 163-180), the results of two studies are summarized.  In both studies, fat-free mass was gained.
   The June 1998 issue of Current Therapeutic Research reports that in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study, 122 moderately overweight individuals took chromium and showed an average loss of 6.2 pounds of body fat compared to only 3.4 pounds in those in the placebo group.
   This supports an earlier report in the same magazine (57, no. 10 (October 1996): 747-765.) which noted, "These data suggest that supplementation with chromium picolinate can lead to significant improvements in body composition when a BCI (body composition index) is used as the outcome criterion that represents a sum of the net gains in nonfat mass added to the sum of the net losses of body fat."
 

-In Conclusion
   Summertime is actually a great season to establish a healthy weight management program.  With the wonderful variety of fresh fruits and veggies summer affords, there is no reason to go hungry while losing weight and gaining health.
 

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SPECIAL DISCOUNT
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Interested in trying this new approach to weight loss AND saving some money?  Go to http://www.healthyperspective.com/SMdiscount.html for details.
 

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HEALTHY RECIPE
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-Green Goodness Veggie Dip-
8 oz. rice or soy "cream cheese"
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot or green onion (about 1 shallot)
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon AIM Barleygreen (tm)*
1 teaspoon "It's A Dilly" seasoning blend
2 teaspoons Bragg Liquid Aminos (tm), or to taste**
contents of 1 AIM Bear Paw Garlic (tm) capsule*
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard

Mix all ingredients together.  Serve with your favorite veggies.  Great on whole grain crackers or bagels too.  Enjoy!

*can be purchased at http://www.healthyperspective.com/order.html

**a healthy alternative to salt - can be purchased at most health food stores
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"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Matt. 7:7 (NIV)

God bless you,
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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The material in this file is provided for informational purposes only. We do not prescribe nor diagnose. If you use the information in this file without the approval of a health professional, you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional right, but the author(s) assume no responsibility.
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Copyright (c) 2000, 2001 by Clarence Russell . All rights reserved. As long as this file is left intact, permission is granted for use on web sites or in newsgroups or mailing lists.