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Pistachios: Good for the Heart All types of nuts lower cholesterol but pistachios do even more to protect the heart. A study at Penn State University found that pistachios lower the amount of oxidized “bad” cholesterol, believed to be more deadly than simply elevated cholesterol, because it speeds up deposits of plaque in arteries. Oxidized cholesterol is somewhat like cooking oil turned rancid but antioxidants in the blood can have a refreshing effect, so to speak, reducing the rancidity. In the study, blood tests of 28 people who ate about 1.5 ounces of pistachios (approximately 75 nuts) daily for four weeks showed higher levels of antioxidants, as well as less oxidized cholesterol. The antioxidants in pistachios include lutein and zeaxanthin. Both are known to protect vision and reduce risk for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in this country. Pistachio Benefits: • In other research at Penn State University, eating 1.5 ounces of pistachios daily for four weeks reduced the effects of stress on blood pressure. During the study, stress was induced in two ways: having young men do a math test and having them put one foot in a bucket of ice water for two-and-a-half minutes. In both situations, stress induced rise in blood pressure was significantly less among men who were regularly eating pistachios. • A study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that eating 2 ounces of pistachios daily for at least three week significantly increased blood levels of vitamin E, helping to reduce the risk of lung, prostate, and other cancers. • Studies at the University of Toronto have found that pistachios help to control blood sugar, which reduces the odds of weight gain and diabetes. • When researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, compared the effects of pistachios and pretzels in a weight-loss diet, they found that equal calories of both foods produced equal weight loss. However, pistachios lowered triglycerides, blood fats that affect risk for diabetes and heart disease, whereas pretzels did not have this beneficial effect. • In animal research, pistachios decreased chronic inflammation, thereby decreasing risk for diabetes and heart disease. Ways to Eat Pistachios If you snack while watching television, eating pistachios in the shell can keep you busy for a while. You have to work harder for the calories than with chips, and unlike chips, the nuts contain about the same amount of potassium and fiber as an orange, as well as a host of other minerals, vitamins, and beneficial fats. Compared to many other snack foods, pistachios are more versatile. You can add them to salads or stir-fried dishes, sprinkle them on pasta, crush them to coat fish, add to rice dishes or French toast batter, or make your own nut butter from shelled pistachios in a food processor. For recipes, visit www.thegreennut.org. 8 Potent Foods for Healthy Aging Not only did we list these foods as Cancer fighting on our page, we wanted to let you know with the addition of one more (nuts) they are also perfect for fighting the aging process. Read more as to how they help the aging process below. Ponce de Leon never found the legendary Fountain of Youth, and modern man still searches for the magic potion that will delay aging. According to recent studies, at least part of the answer is as close as your next meal. Many common foods have been shown to contain substances that help delay the onset of age-related diseases. Some of the most powerful anti-aging foods include:
Berries.
Blueberries, raspberries, and other deeply colored berries contain phytochemicals known as flavonoids. These antioxidants fight oxidation which leads to aging, and have been shown to improve brain function and slow the growth of some cancers. Many berries contain ellagic acid, which slows tumor growth.
Broccoli.
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts contain a compound called glucosinolate, which, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of The Blaylock Wellness Report, can help neutralize the cancer-causing effects of pesticides and herbicides. Eating them raw will help maintain their cancer-fighting enzymes.
Fish.
Oily fish are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation. People who eat fish regularly have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease. A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that omega-3 fatty acids keep the DNA of heart patients from unraveling. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish each week.
Garlic.
A study found that women who ate a clove of garlic at least once a week lowered their risk of developing colon cancer by 50 percent, and a study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that people who eat garlic have half the risk of stomach cancer and two-thirds the risk of colorectal cancer when compared to people who avoid it. Other studies have found that garlic reduces cholesterol levels, and an Indian study found it thins blood more effectively than aspirin.
Grapes.
Rich in an antioxidant called resveratrol that is an anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant, red grapes have been shown to extend the life span of test animals. Grapes also contain the bioflavanoid quercetin, which works with vitamin C (also found in grapes) to fight cancer, including cancers of the breast and colon.
Nuts.
Nuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that lower inflammation and are great for your heart as well as your brain. They also contain B vitamins and minerals, including selenium and magnesium. Studies show that nuts lower cholesterol and also aid the skin's elastin and collagen to keep skin looking young.
Tomatoes.
The generous amounts of the antioxidant lycopene in tomatoes help skin maintain its youthfulness, and may reduce the risk of developing heart disease, as well as several cancers, including breast, lung, and colon. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that men who ate 10 servings of tomato-based foods each week lowered their risk of developing prostate cancer by 45 percent.
Tea.
Green and white teas contain large amounts of EGCG, a powerful antioxidant linked to a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous types of cancer. In addition, tissues in the eye absorb antioxidants from tea called catachins that may protect aging eyes from glaucoma.
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Welcome to XLPharmacy Health Blog, Monthly Newsletter and Health Videos, a collection of up-to-date Monthly Health Articles, News, and Health Videos. In each current months issue XLPharmacy Health Blog / health news provides a wealth of up-to-date medical news and videos we hope you find helpful and informational. At XLPharmacy we care about you and your family and we believe that everyone should have fast and reliable access to affordable high quality medications in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staying in touch with the latest in health news is only part of what we do. Be sure to stay up-to-date by reading and watching XLPharmacy's health blog, news, and health videos so you don't miss a single issue, video or health news story in today's ever-changing world of health care. XLPharmacy Health Blog and Health Articles will discuss everything from Medicare to Social Security, Weight loss, Cancer to New Cancer tests, Erectile Dysfunction and Medications like Viagra for Sexual Health, Herpes, HIV, AIDS, Smoking, Women's Health, Mental Health and so much more...
Getting a Handle
on Male Menopause
As men and women
age, it is only natural that there are certain changes to their
bodies. With age come fluctuations to hormones in both the
female and the male. Until recently, a disorder in men similar to menopause was not recognized. But the truth is, men begin to lose their main male hormone — testosterone — beginning about age 50. By age 60, about 60 percent of men have low testosterone levels. The levels of free circulating testosterone are highly variable, with some men in their 70s having levels as high as a 20-year-old and some with barely detectable levels. The reason most men do not experience the dramatic symptoms many women experience with menopause is that their hormonal decline is often slower, allowing the body and brain to adjust. Yet, some men will have dramatic changes. Unfortunately, most doctors still do not recognize andropause in men and just assume their male patients are getting old. Low testosterone in men is associated with loss of vigor, early fatigability, a loss of muscle mass, and development of breast tissue, fat gain, and problems with thinking. Another common symptom in both men and women is insomnia. Replacing testosterone can increase muscle mass, reduce fat levels, improve mood and mental energy, prevent bone loss, and improve brain function — but only if given in doses that bring the levels up to those seen in 30-year-olds. High doses can be harmful and even increase brain degeneration. Connected to testosterone loss is an age-related decrease in another hormone called DHEA. Levels at age 30 are five times higher than at age 85, with the fall beginning progressively in the late 40s. Studies seem to indicate that supplementing with DHEA-S (the functional form of DHEA) prevents obesity, reduces one’s risk of diabetes (improves insulin resistance), lowers the risk of certain types of cancer, reduces heart attack and stroke risk, and improves immune function. DHEA also improves mood and motivation and gives a sense of well-being. In addition, I have found that taking it one hour before bedtime greatly improves sleep. Oral DHEA is quickly converted by the body into functional DHEA-S. While a fear of inducing breast or prostate cancer is often cited by the medical profession, millions have taken DHEA for decades. As far as I know, there has never been a case of an induced cancer.
Coffee Keeps the Brain Young Many studies have shown that coffee does a lot more than perk you up. It lowers risk for diabetes, colon cancer, gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver, depression, and neurological and other disorders. The brew contains antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients but caffeine, in particular, is good for the brain. Caffeine prevents deterioration of memory and overall mental function as we age and protects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, according to a collection of studies published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Coffee is one of our chief sources of caffeine. Soda is another one but despite its caffeine content, no one — not even the world’s brightest marketing minds — has been able to associate it with any health benefits. And despite its empty calories, soda doesn’t deliver all that much caffeine: less than half to one-quarter the amount in regular brewed coffee. Many energy drinks also contain caffeine along with liberal amounts of sugar calories. Their caffeine content varies dramatically, ranging from two or three times that of coffee to a small fraction, and some contain no caffeine. Isn’t Caffeine Bad? Caffeine is a controversial substance. The expert jury is still somewhat hung on whether or not it’s truly addictive, contributes to bone loss (adding milk to coffee can counteract this potential problem), or is bad for the heart. However, the health impact of coffee is not quite as murky. Quite a bit of research shows that, for most people, coffee is beneficial. As an example, several years ago, the Harvard School of Public Health teamed up with a medical school in Madrid to analyze 20 years of coffee-related data on more than 128,000 men and women who participated in the Framingham Heart Study. They found that filtered coffee (and any type of tea) did not increase risk for heart disease. The “filtered” part is important because there are two substances in coffee (cafestol and kahweol) that may increase cholesterol. These remain in paper filters when coffee is brewed. Given that most coffee we drink in this country is filtered, this is good news. Many people have been scared away from coffee by advice to “limit caffeine.” For anyone who finds caffeine induces jitters, a rapid heartbeat or insomnia, limiting or eliminating it makes sense. But for the rest of us, coffee offers health benefits and pleasure. How Much Is Good? Studies have found that somewhere between one and four 8-ounce cups daily is beneficial. However, in diabetes research, six cups daily lowered risk for the disease by 54 percent among men and by 30 percent among women, compared to abstainers. The amount of caffeine per cup will vary, from around 100 to 200 milligrams, depending on the coffee bean, the roast (darker ones contain less caffeine), and the strength of the brew. Amounts of caffeine aren’t listed on food or beverage labels, but you can compare quantities of different brands on the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s website.
Coffee’s a Lifesaver for Women More good news for coffee drinkers: A newly published prospective public health study, from Japan, offered further proof that regular coffee consumption may have long-term health benefits (at least for half of the population). The results of this large Japanese study appear in the current issue of the “Journal of Nutrition.” In this study, 18,287 men and 19,455 women (between the ages of 40 and 64 years) were prospectively included in the Miyagi Cohort Study, which began in 1990. All of these volunteers were without any clinical history of cancer, heart disease, or stroke when they entered into the study. After an average of more than 10 years of follow-up, 2,454 of the volunteers died from various causes, including 426 cases of fatal cardiovascular disease and 724 fatal cases of cancer. These volunteers were categorized and analyzed according to their self-reported daily consumption of coffee: “never-drinkers,” “occasional-drinkers,” one to two cups per day, and three or more cups per day. Other known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) and cancer were also factored into the analysis of the risk of death associated with coffee consumption for each volunteer. Among the women in this study, increasing levels of daily coffee consumption were associated with a decreasing risk of death, due to any cause. (This “dose-dependent” relationship between daily coffee consumption and risk of death strongly suggests a direct clinical relationship between increased coffee consumption and a decreased risk of death.) When compared to the women who did not drink coffee at all, the women who drank three or more cups of java per day were 25 percent less likely to die from any cause during this decade-long public health study. The coffee-associated reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease was even more powerful (and also appeared to be “dose-dependent”), as the women who downed three or more cups of coffee per day experienced a whopping 55 percent decrease in the risk of death due to cardiovascular causes! Finally, there was an apparent modest decrease in the risk of dying from colorectal cancer among the female coffee drinkers, but no other reduction in the risk of dying from cancer was observed in association with regular coffee consumption among these women volunteers. Unfortunately this study did not identify any apparent beneficial health effects of regular coffee consumption in men. The reason for this gender-related disparity is not clear, although it is well known that there are major differences in both the incidence of cardiovascular disease between men and women, and differences in the way that cardiovascular diseases (and heart disease, in particular) manifest themselves in women versus men. It is, therefore, possible, that cardiovascular disease factors that are more unique to women are directly impacted upon by regular coffee consumption. (At least no adverse effects of regular coffee consumption on male mortality were observed in this study.) So, ladies, keep the favorable results of this clinical research study in mind whenever you order that next cuppa Joe!
Sniff
Could Replace Dentist's Needle Modern dental techniques have eliminated much of the pain associated with a trip to the dentist, but one remains — the dreaded shot of local anesthetic. Now that, too, may soon be a thing of the past, as scientists say that a common anesthetic can be administered through the nose as a nasal spray or nose drops where it travels up the main nerve in the face and collects in the teeth, jaw, and other structures of the mouth. The discovery could lead to a host of new intranasal drugs that could be noninvasive treatments for dental pain, migraine, severe facial pain, and other conditions, says William H. Frey II, Ph.D. of Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. Until now, scientists never checked to see if drugs that were administered through the nose and passed through the trigeminal nerve, which brings feelings to the face, nose, and mouth, might reach the teeth and gums. Researcher Neil Johnson found that Xylocaine or lidocaine traveled down the trigeminal nerve when sprayed into the mouths of rats, and collected in teeth, jaws, and mouths at levels 20 times higher than those in the blood or brain. Want to keep teeth strong and healthy and not have to worry about anesthetics? WebMD and About.com offer these six tips: • Don't use your teeth to open bags of chips, chomp ice, or to loosen knots. • Gently brush your teeth with a "soft" toothbrush twice a day. • Throw away a brush after three months. • Brush teeth after eating sugar. If you can't brush, chew sugarless gum. • Floss every day. • Visit your dentist twice a year.
Tips for a
Healthy Vacation You have thousands of choices when planning your summer vacation, but getting sick is one way guaranteed to ruin your trip. Although you may not be thinking about bacterial infections and viruses when you map out your perfect vacation, you can plan ahead to avoid having your trip spoiled by an illness you could have prevented. A priority should be to pack a healthy travel kit that will help you deal with chronic illnesses as well as any unexpected ailments, says Dr. Scott Weisenberg, director of the Travel Medicine Service of the Division of Infectious Diseases at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Your supplies should include: • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Keep these over-the-counter meds handy for mild fever or pain. However, consult a physician immediately if you have high fever, severe pain, or bloody diarrhea. • Imodium for diarrhea. To avoid diarrhea, eat meat that is thoroughly cooked, don't eat raw vegetables, and avoid dairy products sold by small vendors. • Sunscreen. A severe sunburn can spoil any vacation, so always keep sunscreen — with at least a 30 SPF — in your travel kit. • Bandages and antibiotic cream. Keeping these on hand for minor scrapes will keep you from spending time hunting a pharmacy. • Regular medications. You should bring all of your medications in their original pharmacy containers. Be sure to pack extras so you won't run out. • Travel-related meds. Bring motion sickness medications if you're going to be on a ship. And if you are traveling to a region where malaria is a problem, taking preventive medications can reduce the chance of infection. You should also see a doctor experienced in travel medicine for advice on vaccines against illnesses such as yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A. "There are 229 countries in the world, and there are different diseases in every country," Dr. David Freedman, professor of geographic medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and director of UAB's Traveler's Health Clinic, told ABC News. • Insect repellant. Insect repellents reduce the chances becoming infected with insect-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Those with DEET are best. • Water purification tablets. If you are traveling outside the United States in areas where tap water is unreliable, bring water purification tablets, and don't use tap water in any form, including ice in drinks, and avoid brushing your teeth with tap water. • Emergency contact information. Have copies of emergency contact numbers and contact information and addresses for local embassies. For a healthy flight, stand and stretch at regular intervals to avoid blood clots that can form in your legs. Also, drink bottled water or fruit juices to prevent dehydration on long flights.
Ingredients Time: 3 Hours
Herpes Support Herpes Support Group Addresses and Telephone Numbers by State Erectile Dysfunction Videos What Treatment Options are there for Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile Dysfunction Causes and Treatments
The 14th Annual HIV / AIDS Drug Guide
AIDS INFORMATIVE
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Food Makers Drop the Fat
Holy fish sticks! Scientists finally have some good news about fat in our foods.
Contrary to fears, most food manufacturers and restaurants did not just swap one bad ingredient for another when they trimmed artery-clogging trans fats from products and menus, an analysis finds.
Even the french fry, a longtime dietary scourge, got a healthier remake. But there's still room for improvement, particularly for some items sold in supermarkets, which replaced heart-damaging trans fat with its unhealthy cousin, saturated fat.
A Harvard researcher and a consumer advocacy group examined 83 foods that had a makeover since 2006. That year the federal government began requiring food labels to list the amount of trans fat in packaged products, and New York City became the first of several cities to phase them out in restaurants.
Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to liquid oils to harden them for baking or to extend shelf life. With trans fat under attack, food makers and restaurants tinkered with various cooking oil and fat substitutes, trying not to compromise taste and texture. But how healthy are the reincarnations?
Harvard researcher Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian and the Center for Science in the Public Interest checked grocery products and restaurant chow for fat content. Items studied included margarine, junk food, baked goods, and fast food from five popular chains.
The researchers did not do their own chemical testing, but instead used Food and Drug Administration databases, nutrition labels, and industry brochures to determine trans fat and saturated fat levels.
Results were published in a letter in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.
Nearly all of the foods analyzed were free, or mostly free, of trans fat. And many companies and restaurants did not spike their saturated fat content when they cut trans fat — 65 percent of supermarket products and 90 percent of restaurant fare contained saturated fat levels that were lower, unchanged, or only slightly higher than before.
"Companies almost always can reformulate their food to have a healthier balance of fats," said CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson.
The researchers declined to provide details about the winners and sinners because they said they plan to publish the full results later. But they gave three examples:
• Large order of McDonald's french fries: Trans fat dropped from 7.25 grams to zero; saturated fat went from 5.5 grams to 3.5 grams.
• Gorton's Crunchy Golden Fish Sticks: 3 grams of trans fat per serving to zero; saturated fat unchanged at 4 grams. The package lists six sticks per serving.
• An Entenmann's Rich Frosted Donut: 5 grams of trans fat to zero; saturated fat more than doubled from 5 grams to 13 grams.
Just because trans fat is gone from foods doesn't mean they're healthy, said Dr. David Heber, who heads the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.
"Trans fat or not, a doughnut is still a doughnut. Even Homer Simpson will back me up on that," said Heber, who had no connection with the research.
The American Heart Association recommends that people limit trans fats to less than 2 grams per day and less than 16 grams of saturated fat, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
The report was funded by two foundations. CSPI, which made headlines as the "food police" targeting movie theater popcorn and fettuccine Alfredo, has pushed for government restrictions on trans fat.
Tips to Stretch Your Healthcare Dollars
Tips to Stretch Your Healthcare Dollars
A lousy economy combined with rising health costs are causing many Americans to think twice before seeking healthcare or filling a prescription. Even people with health insurance are paying more as premiums rise and employers pay less of the bill.
The Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers tips to save money by working closely with care providers, being informed about insurance, price shopping for prescriptions, avoiding hospital stays when possible, and taking steps to stay well. Try these money saving ideas:
With providers:
• Ask in advance about fees, including an estimate of the total expenses for your care. Check with the insurance company about what's covered.
• Ask the doctor to be a partner in reducing costs. The care provider might avoid duplicating tests or suggest lower-cost treatment options.
• Use nurse lines. Many health plans, hospitals, and some medical practices offer services where patients can call for medical advice. Talking with a nurse may be especially helpful when it's unclear if a medical appointment is needed.
On insurance:
• Pay premiums annually. Many policies offer discounts when premiums are paid on time and in full.
• Read the benefits information to make sure the insurer is paying for everything that's covered. If it appears that a claim has been denied in error, appeal the decision.
• Look for special services and extras, such as discounts on gym memberships, weight-loss programs, and medical equipment rental.
On medications:
• Choose generic. They have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and cost less.
• Shop around. Prices vary from one pharmacy to another.
• Split pills if possible. The co-pay may be the same for higher-dose pills that can be cut in half as for a prescription of lower-dose pills.
On hospital care:
• Avoid the emergency room unless it's absolutely necessary. Instead, consider a nurse line or urgent care. For those without insurance, try to find a clinic with sliding-scale fees.
• Use outpatient services when possible. Tests and procedures that can be done without an overnight hospital stay cost less.
On staying well:
• Maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent and control serious and costly health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
• Give up expensive and unhealthy habits. Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable death and illness in the United States. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
• Make the basics for good health a priority. Floss and brush teeth daily. Use seat belts and bike helmets. Wear sunscreen. Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Nine Foods to Help Fight Cancer - Heart Disease
"Let your food be your medicine," said Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine (460-377 B.C.). His wise words are as true today as they were more than 2,400 years ago. Hippocrates knew that nutrition played a major role in good health, and modern science has found that specific foods can help fight one of modern man's most feared diseases — cancer. Most of the following foods also fight heart disease. Keeping your heart in tiptop shape doesn't necessarily mean popping a cholesterol-lowering statin tablet each day. One strategy, like eating foods that have been proven to fight heart disease, is prescription-free and delicious, and can keep your heart healthy without risky side effects.
Add these foods to your cancer-fighting arsenal:
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