Health in the News
Worried about diabetes? Go nuts!
Women who reported frequent consumption of nuts and peanut butter were less likely to develop type-2 diabetes, according to reviews of data from 83,818 non-diabetic women followed over 16 years. Of course, it is best to have whole fresh nuts in limited quantities to avoid weight gain. The other foundation of prevention to avoid developing diabetes is exercise. All Americans should walk one hour daily. Other cultures routinely walk after dinner, visit with their neighbors, and breathe fresh air.
Source: Nurses’ Health Study [JAMA 288{20},2554-60,2002]
Prevention for the Care Giver
Repeated studies of elderly caregivers of individuals with severe or multiple chronic illnesses, such as caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease, show that the caregiver’s immune system is significantly impaired from the stress. One study looked at salivary cortisol levels (an adrenal hormone). This study found that with an eight week 60-90 minute stress reduction program the participants’ antibodies to a vaccine increased four-fold over the control participants. A very interesting finding was that the cortisol had not changed after the sessions, so this may support the direct connection between the mind (neurologic) and the immune system. T he take home message? All caregivers need planned relaxation, just like they need food and water.
Sunburn/Sunbelt?
Pop quiz! Which states have the highest rate of sunburn? Not Southern states, according to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Of course Southern states such as Arizona promote prevention, but tea also seems to be an important ingredient. Tea drinking states have lower skin cancer rates than those where coffee drinkers predominate, as in the Northwestern state of Washington. (ACA News) And… according to the National Academy of Sciences 2003, drinking tea boosts the immune system to blunt or fight off bacterial infections. The experiments tested a component called ethylamine, which is produced when the threanine, a tea ingredient, is broken down in the liver. Tea may also protect against viruses, parasites, and certain cancers.
Source: Reuters Health
Free Nutritional Tools
You can now download a free National Nutritional database containing up to 117 different nutrients, with important information on trans fatty acids, as well as calories, carbohydrate, vitamin, and mineral content. This information comes from over 600 foods in 22 food groups by generic and some brand names, and is to be updated annually. This information may be obtained free at www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp.
Compiled by Margaret Arthur, M.D.
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