Natural Health Newsletter
Issue # 479, August 14-15, 2008

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Natural Health and Alternative Medicine Newsletter
Issue #479, August 14-15, 2008
Publisher: David Riklan - http://www.naturalhealthweb.com

In this issue:

-- Top Natural Health News Story of the Week
-- Recommended Product of the Week
-- Other Health News from Around the World
-- Brain Health Item of the Week
-- Health/Safety Tips & Articles for the Week (Dietary Supplements; Nutrition; Personal Training)
-- Book Review: Loved Back to Life: Everything Everyone Needs to Know About Alcoholism & Drug Addiction - By Amy "AJ" Crowell, M.B.A.
-- Healthy Recipes: Cucumber Seaweed Salad
-- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe from this Newsletter

Current Subscribers – 125,853 subscribers.
Removal instructions are listed at the end of the newsletter.

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*** Top Natural Health News Story of the Week ***
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* Low Level of Vitamin D Ups Death Risk *

Very low levels of vitamin D are linked to increased risk of death, according to a new study.

Michal Melamed, MD, MHS, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and colleagues report their study in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The research team analyzed a diverse sample of 13,000 men and women participating in an ongoing national health survey and compared the risk of death between those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D to those with higher levels.
 
Go here for the complete news story.

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*** Recommended Product of the Week ***
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*** Other Health News from Around the World ***
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* Can You Be Fat and Healthy? Depends Where You Are Fat *

Is it possible to be fat and healthy? Two major new studies published this week in Archives of Internal Medicine suggest the answer is "maybe," depending on where the fat lurks in your body. In normal and overweight people, those with belly fat are at greater risk of heart disease and diabetes than those with extra padding in the buttocks or thighs.

But for the obese, the ultra-high-risk spot may be fat accumulation in the liver.

Go here for the complete news story.

* Soy-based Foods May Lower Sperm Count *

Eating a half serving a day of soy-based foods could be enough to significantly lower a man's sperm count, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.

The study is the largest in humans to look at the relationship between semen quality and a plant form of the female sex hormone estrogen known as phytoestrogen, which is plentiful in soy-rich foods.

Go here for the complete news story.

* Regular Running Slows Aging Process, Study Says *

If you want to stay young, lace up those sneakers and hit the pavement.

New research suggests regular running slows the effects of aging, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Researchers tracked 500 older runners for more than two decades. What they found was that elderly joggers have fewer disabilities, remained fit for longer than non-runners and are half as likely to die early deaths.

Go here for the complete news story.

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*** Brain Health Item of the Week ***
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* The Definition of Positive Psychology *

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on improving the mental functioning of human beings above that of normal mental health. Researchers in this rapidly growing field investigate what makes human beings happy and how an individual can lead a fulfilling and satisfying life. As a field of inquiry, its purpose is to understand and foster the factors that allow individuals, communities, and societies to flourish (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), adapting what is best in the scientific method to the unique problems that human behavior presents.

Martin Seligman's book Authentic Happiness discussed positive psychology and how a human being's happiness can be created, focusing not only on what is broken in an individual but what facilitates growth and wellness. Researchers in the field address empirical studies of positive emotions and how to be content, find meaning, and remain engaged with life despite external conditions. They examine how people optimally experience, forecast, and savor the positive feelings and emotions that are part of healthy living.

To read the complete article by Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D., the Official Guide to Positive Thinking, go here.

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*** Health/Safety Tips & Articles for the Week ***
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* Dietary Supplements *

Although well known as a pleasant tasting cooking spice, it is not so widely known that ginger has been used for thousands of years, worldwide, for its numerous potent healing benefits. Ginger is an especially wonderful ally because its healing benefits are particular to so many of our daily health concerns. Probably best known as a superb digestive aid and nausea reliever, ginger also helps heal ulcers, supports cardiovascular health, reduces pain and inflammation, and speeds recovery from colds and flu while reducing fevers.

Additionally, the National Cancer Institute has recently identified ginger as one of the top ten foods offering the highest levels of anti-cancer activity. Most importantly, ginger accomplishes all these without the side effects associated with drugs.

To read the complete article, entitled "Ginger is Much More Than A Spice!" - By Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH, the Official Guide to Dietary Supplements, go here.

* Nutrition *

Vitamin K turns out to be the "Rodney Dangerfield" of bone health vitamins -- "it don't get no respect" and no one talks about it. Instead, we talk about calcium and magnesium and vitamin D which of course are all very important, but the lesser acclaimed vitamin K is critically important for building strong bones as well.

Neither vitamin D nor calcium however can produce healthy bone mineralization without adequate supplies of vitamin K. Bone is a complex living structure comprising cells, mineral crystals and thick matrix proteins that hold the entire bone together like glue. Vitamin K actually activates a compound -- called osteocalcin -- that acts like studs inside the walls of a house. It’s a structural framework that helps hold calcium in the bones that anchors calcium molecules inside the bone. Vitamin K makes sure that you get that calcium into the bone where it belongs.

To read the complete article, entitled "Vitamin K: New Discoveries Put This Neglected Vitamin On The Map" - By Dr. Jonny Bowden, the Official Guide to Nutrition, go here.

* Personal Training *

If muscle building is your goal then you need to pay attention to your recovery. After all, this is where muscle is built. A great training program will put you on the right path, but if you don’t take measures for optimal recovery then don’t expect to be stronger or bigger at your next training session.

Of course, the main factors involved in good recovery are proper nutrition, sleep, and supplementation. But there are some other things that can be done to speed up the recovery process and allow you to build muscle and strength at a faster rate.

To read the complete article, entitled "The Best Muscle Building Secrets For Fast Recovery" - By Tony Schwartz, go here.

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*** Book Review: Loved Back to Life: Everything Everyone Needs to Know About Alcoholism & Drug Addiction - By Amy "AJ" Crowell, M.B.A. ***
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A valuable asset to the addiction therapist's toolbox. I highly recommend this inspiring true story that will bring inspiration and hope to parents, educators, addicts, and especially young people who think, "It will never happen to me."

"Loved Back to Life" is an honest, humble reflection of Amy Crowell's descent into addiction and her courageous journey to sobriety. Relating to the painful struggles of others who have been through similar situations can motivate and inspire those caught in the pain of their own addiction. I utilize this book in bibliotherapy with clients of all ages, as well as those who love them, to understand the tight grip of addiction. Parents and educators will appreciate the straightforward chapters on detecting drug-use, addicts will be grateful for Amy's insight into the "ins and outs" of recovery, and everyone will appreciate her strength-based approach.

Whether working to make changes in their life or merely thinking about it, readers will recognize themselves in the thought-provoking pages of this book and become empowered to embrace an existence that is free of addiction and full of possibilities. --Dr. Victoria Palmisano, PhD, LMHC

*****
When you order Amy Crowell's book, you'll receive FREE bonus gifts from over 50 experts! Go now to http://www.lovedbacktolife.com/bestseller.html.

The list price of this book is $14.99. To purchase it from Amazon.com, go here.

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*** Healthy Recipes ***
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If you are having difficulty adding seaweed (sea vegetables) into your Healthiest Way of Eating, try this cool summer salad for an easy way to enjoy all of the extra minerals they have to offer.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 TBS dried arame or hijiki*
• 3 cups cucumber, peeled, seeds scooped out, and sliced
• 1 medium tomato, seeds and excess pulp removed, sliced
• 1 TBS minced scallion green or green onions
  
  Dressing
• 3 TBS rice vinegar
• 2 TBS soy sauce
• 1/2 TBS finely minced fresh ginger
• 1/2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt and white pepper to taste

*For more on the safety of sea vegetables such as hijiki, go here.

Directions:

1.   Rinse and soak arame or hijiki in warm water while preparing rest of ingredients.
2.   Peel cucumber and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds with a small spoon and slice thin.
3.   Cut tomato in half crosswise and squeeze out seeds. Quarter and cut out excess pulp. Cut into slices about 1/4 inch wide.
4.   Whisk rest of ingredients together. Squeeze out excess water from seaweed. Chop if necessary. You don't want seaweed pieces to be too large. Toss everything together and serve immediately.

Healthy Cooking Tip:
This salad is best salted right before serving. The salt will draw out the water from the cucumbers and dilute the flavor.

Recipes are from the www.whfoods.org website, a very popular website which comes up #1 on a "Google" search for "healthiest foods" and "healthiest recipes." The website provides unbiased information with no commercial interests by the not-for-profit George Mateljan Foundation. George Mateljan is the founder of Health Valley Foods and author of six best-selling books on the Healthiest Way of Eating.

** Do you have a healthy recipe? Email editors@naturalhealthweb.com
 

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