February 28, 2011

Play Pretend for Grown-Ups

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March 1, 2011
Bottom Line's Daily Health News
In This Issue...
  • Arthritis Abolished in Minutes by Doctor's Astonishing Speed Cure
  • Find Your Best Self in Acting Class -- It's Not Only Fun -- It Can Be a Transcendent Experience
  • Are You or Your Loved Ones Taking Any of These Highly Prescribed Medicines?
  • Should You Be Screened for Uterine Cancer?
  • Insider Tips for Dog Owners and Wannabes

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Arthritis Abolished in Minutes by Doctor's Astonishing Speed Cure

People fly in from all over the world to visit the famed California clinic of Dr. Mark Stengler. His naturopathic speed cures are the stuff of medical legend -- sought after by film actors, sports stars and mega-millionaire CEOs. Legions of patients can attest to the power of this amazing new botanical "nano-cure." An NFL hero was stunned by its speed, as it eased his chronic hip pain in minutes! Better still, the relief "held" for days.

Read on...




Find Your Best Self in Acting Class

"Now you are to bark like a dog."

Bark like a dog -- are you kidding? No, her acting teacher wasn’t kidding at all... and since she had been promised that taking an acting class would dramatically improve her performance in other aspects of her life, life coach and Daily Health News contributor Lauren Zander stood up to face the class and began yapping like a bichon... growling like a Rottweiler... and letting loose with a few woofs in the deep, resonant tones of a lumbering Lab.

How about being a fireman? The very petite Zander (who couldn’t be more unlike a macho male firefighter) rose to that challenge, too, "dragging" fire hoses behind her as she stomped across the stage in invisible heavy boots.

She laughed as she told me about these impersonations, acknowledging that she no doubt "looked like a complete moron" but, she said, her experience with this acting class was "life-changing."

Act I -- Setting the Stage

Her own coach (yes, she has a coach, too!) had told Zander that she was faltering in her group presentations and that learning to act would help her feel more relaxed and, ironically, allow her to more naturally be herself. Since she respected the advice giver, Zander agreed -- but admitted to me that she dragged herself to the first class feeling resentful and perplexed about how "a lesson in being fake" could possibly help her be more herself! It did that -- and much, much more. In fact, Zander told me that she now believes that we all should consider taking an acting course because, she says, it offers "a profound and intimate discovery of who you are."

Act II -- All the World’s a Stage

The thing is, we’re actors already, Zander said. "We all manage our personalities for others," she pointed out, noting you may be a joker with friends, a wise adult with kids and a somber congregant at the church or temple. At the core of these quick changes is a belief that adapting yourself to different people and situations gets more effective results than being your real and unedited self. While that can be quite true, Zander told me that in her experience, taking these acting lessons was a fast and effective way to learn how to really relax into being just who she actually is... and that not only felt better but worked better in her life, too!

Act III -- Character Acting

Zander recounted her experiences in class, where the students portrayed many characters utterly unlike themselves -- different sex, age, place in life and more -- and they did this, she said, "without squirming or making fun of it even though others were watching."

For all the discomfort involved, momentarily turning yourself into a wide range of characters becomes a journey across the human spectrum. It becomes a way to discover parts of yourself that you may not have realized you had. Releasing your shy, awkward and uptight feelings connects you to a bigger world that includes the wide range of feelings, moods and personalities you portray in class -- and, Zander said, the only way you can play them is to locate where they exist within you.

A transcendent experience: There’s another benefit, too. Standing in front of an audience and barking like a dog -- in fact several different kinds of them -- helped Zander transcend her anxiety about needing to present herself "correctly" and worrying about what others thought.

At the end of her seven-week class she was different, Zander told me -- her personality had actually shifted. Acting had given her a new comfort level with herself and helped her to become better at telling stories and at listening to others... and she also became more playful in her day-to-day life. "Ultimately acting was about me being me and learning that what I am is enough."

Act IV -- The Play’s the Thing

You can reap some of these benefits by doing something as simple as playing charades (and really cutting loose when you do), but Zander strongly encourages us all to try the real thing -- acting classes. They’re easy to find no matter where you live -- community colleges and community centers, local theater and even some church groups all offer classes and workshops for acting novices. These classes offer the additional benefit of encouraging you to meet and work with people of all ages and from many backgrounds -- and you can bet that the shared experiences of portraying a chimpanzee... a clown... a finicky old man... and other characters will make you some new friends. These challenges will lead you to places within yourself that are new, vital and exciting to find.

Source(s):

Lauren Zander, cofounder and chair, The Handel Group, www.TheHandelGroup.com.

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Are You or Your Loved Ones Taking Any of These Highly Prescribed Medicines?

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Calcium... St. John's Wort... Glucosamine... Echinacea... Coenzyme Q10... Saponin... Vitamin B-6... Vitamins C or E... Melatonin... Vitamins A or D... Epigallocatechin Gallate... Chondroitin Sulfate... Diallyl Disulfide... Ginkgo Biloba.

If so, please read on...




Should You Be Screened for Uterine Cancer?

A test for an insidious, lethal cancer isn’t used very much even though it has been around for years and has a very high success rate of detecting risk. Why is that?

The cancer is uterine cancer, which sometimes can progress quickly and dangerously. So I wanted to know why this test is not being recommended as a screening for all postmenopausal women, who are the most likely to get uterine cancer.

And who should get the test? For answers to these questions, I turned to Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta.

Thick and Thin

Also known as endometrial cancer, since it begins in the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), uterine cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, affecting more than 43,000 women and causing nearly 8,000 deaths in this country each year.

You may not realize that one physiological characteristic that a gynecologist is attuned to is the thickness of your uterine lining. It’s normal for the lining of a woman’s uterus to atrophy and grow thin with menopause, Dr. Saslow explained. There are several reasons why a woman might have a thickened uterine lining, but cancer is one of them, so the condition should be monitored. A test called transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is one way this can be done. How it works: A technician inserts a specially designed ultrasound probe into a woman’s vagina and captures an image, which is sent to a display, enabling the technician to measure the thickness of the uterine lining. Though it can be somewhat uncomfortable, this test is not painful.

Researchers in the UK administered TVS to nearly 37,000 postmenopausal women, measuring the thickness of their uterine linings and then following them for a year to see how many developed cancer. The study, which was published in The Lancet, found that women with a uterine lining that was 5mm or thicker were indeed at about 80% higher risk for uterine cancer within a year.

Even so, the study authors oppose using TVS for mass screening and, said Dr. Saslow, so does the American Cancer Society. One reason, she said, is that the risk of a false-positive result is high. Nearly 15% of women who undergo TVS and are found to have abnormally thick uterine linings will then end up having to endure an uncomfortable (and expensive) biopsy, with all the accompanying mental turmoil that brings -- but they will not have cancer. Meanwhile, she said, the vast majority (90%) of women who do have endometrial cancer also will have abnormal bleeding as an early warning sign. These factors have led the researchers and other experts to conclude that it is unlikely there will be much benefit to screening asymptomatic women. "We found that there is no proof that detection through screening improves outcome over detection from symptoms (vaginal bleeding)," Dr. Saslow explained.

Are you a candidate?

While TVS is not a routine test, it is widely available. Risk factors for uterine cancer include obesity... never having been pregnant... and exposure to synthetic estrogens, such as hormone replacement therapy, or tamoxifen (for breast cancer). Dr. Saslow told me that at present the American Cancer Society is focused on limiting the number of false-positives and therefore recommends screening only for women with a rare hereditary disease called Lynch syndrome that increases the risk for both uterine and colorectal cancers.

Cancer screening tests remain a controversial topic, and this story sheds light on the complexities that make it so difficult -- the risk-versus-benefits equation does not always present a clear case for making a recommendation. The one thing that every woman absolutely should know is that the most important warning sign of uterine cancer is vaginal bleeding after menopause -- if you experience this symptom, call your doctor immediately.

Source(s):

Debbie Saslow, PhD, director, Breast and Gynecologic Cancer, American Cancer Society, Atlanta.

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Insider Tips for Dog Owners and Wannabes

I love my family's dog, but whenever people tell me that they are thinking about getting a dog, I find myself responding a bit sourly and even trying to discourage them. Why would I act that way when I love dogs? I guess I'm projecting my own mixed feelings about ownership -- because no matter how cute and fun they are, dogs are a lot of work and a lot of money.

Read on...


Be well,


Carole Jackson
Bottom Line's Daily Health News


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Required Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well-being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The information and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the authors. However, readers who rely on information in this publication to replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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February 27, 2011

New Clue to Controlling Hypertension

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February 28, 2011
Bottom Line's Daily Health News
In This Issue...
  • Forever Young
  • New Clue to Controlling Hypertension -- Hormone Fix for Treatment-Resistant High Blood Pressure
  • Perfect Painkillers...
  • Cortisone Shots Make Tendon Injuries Worse, Not Better

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Forever Young

Getting old can be awful. Aches... pains... illness... constant bouncing from doctor to doctor. We all dread it.

You can't stop the clock, but you can banish the miseries that sometimes come with it.

  • Bulging belly
  • Cholesterol-choked arteries
  • Brain failure and fatigue
  • Weakness and impotence
  • Frozen joints or back pain
  • Spotted, decrepit skin
  • Tumors taking over your body
  • Parkinson's tremors
  • Menopausal miseries
  • Fading, cloudy vision
  • And all other indignities of aging!

Read on...




New Clue to Controlling Hypertension

You may never have heard of aldosterone -- many people haven’t -- but this hormone is vital to your body’s healthy function. Produced by the adrenal glands that sit atop the kidneys, aldosterone conducts a veritable symphony of body functions, speeding up and slowing down changes in levels of potassium, sodium and other electrolytes in your blood, all in order to keep blood pressure from fluctuating too much.

For many, many people, aldosterone does its job admirably, never causing a missed note or reason for concern -- but if you are among the millions of people who have high blood pressure, you should pay careful attention to this story. We know from lots of research that aldosterone may play a role in what’s known as resistant hypertension -- blood pressure that is extremely difficult to control. And now a new study sheds more light on why that is and provides insights that may help solve the problem.

Your Aldosterone, Your Brain and Your Heart

For more information on aldosterone, I called the study author, Wanpen Vongpatanasin, MD, associate professor of internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Until lately, she told me, it was believed that the problems caused by elevated levels of aldosterone occurred primarily in the kidneys. New research demonstrates, however, that the hormone also affects many parts of the brain, which then in turn interact with the cardiovascular system.

Dr. Vongpatanasin’s study examined how aldosterone affected specific areas of the nervous system where chemicals signal the brain to constrict blood vessels. After measuring these signals in patients with high aldosterone levels, researchers found that there was heightened activity that led to greater vessel constriction and hence elevated blood pressure.

While there are several causes for elevated aldosterone, for the most part, people who have this condition remain unaware of it unless, or until, it affects their blood pressure. Among the causes of high aldosterone are several rare genetic conditions... age... certain illnesses (heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney failure)... and having a tumor (usually a benign one) on the adrenal gland.

What to Do?

If you have hypertension that proves resistant to treatment, you may want to ask your doctor to test your aldosterone level, because that’s the cause in an estimated 10% to 20% of people with this problem. Knowing that you are among them will allow you and your doctor to address and possibly correct the problem.

Here are the steps that Dr. Vongpatanasin typically recommends...
  • Get tested for aldosterone. The starting point is a blood test that specifically checks your aldosterone level. If this test establishes that there is a problem, you will need to do a 24-hour urine catch to determine more precisely how high your aldosterone level is. This is called a salt-loading test because you consume a lot of dietary salt for five days beforehand. Why? Excess dietary salt normally shuts down aldosterone production, but this doesn’t happen in people who produce too much of the hormone. As a result, people with this problem tend to retain excess sodium.
  • Have a CT scan to learn whether you have an adrenal tumor. For reasons unknown, tumors on the adrenal gland trigger a hyperactive mode for aldosterone production. Ninety percent of the time, these tumors are benign and surgical removal of them solves the problem. Malignancies, of course, may require more complex treatment.
  • Consider whether you need medications to control aldosterone. In people who don’t have a tumor, the drug spironolactone (Aldactone), which blocks aldosterone from its receptors in the brain and the kidney, is useful, says Dr. Vongpatanasin, noting that it’s also helpful for those with a tumor who aren’t candidates for surgical removal.
  • Reduce dietary sodium, and increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. Cutting sodium helps bring aldosterone levels back in line. For most people, the general guideline for salt intake is now about one teaspoon per day, according to the National Institute of Medicine, but for those who are more sensitive (including people who have high aldosterone), the recommended upper limit should be no more than half that amount. And Dr. Vongpatanasin told me that research shows that while people who live in places without lots of processed foods have high aldosterone levels at the same rate as the rest of the world, they don’t tend to develop elevated blood pressure. It’s likely that the lower sodium intake from their fresh- and whole-food diets deters hypertension.
This adds an important and newsworthy bit of information to the quest to learn better ways to control blood pressure!

Source(s):

Wanpen Vongpatanasin, MD, associate professor of internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

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Perfect Painkillers...

Work in seconds, cost 23 cents and heal your gut!

We're all trying alternatives now that painkilling drugs are proving so deadly. There's got to be a better way! And now there is, thanks to a brilliant physician named Dr. Mark Stengler. In a famous case that's making fellow doctors gasp in admiration, Dr. Stengler's patient, Todd, could barely believe how fast his arthritis agony disappeared after all those drugs had failed him.

Read on for more details...




Cortisone Shots Make Tendon Injuries Worse, Not Better

If you’ve ever complained about a painful "tennis elbow" or other tendon injury, it’s likely that someone urged you to get a cortisone shot for immediate relief. The belief has been that this works because inflammation accompanies an injured tendon -- and, since cortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid, it reduces the inflammation and banishes the pain. But there have been some interesting developments regarding this "sure-fire" cure!

Researchers discovered a few years ago that most tendon injuries actually do not involve inflammation. Instead what happens is that these injuries occur over time... and as that happens, vital tendon tissue is gradually replaced with scar tissue (the process is called "micro-tear formation"). Ultimately, it is the built-up scar tissue that brings the intense pain and not the inflammation surrounding it.

Name Change Is a Game Changer

Accordingly, doctors changed the name of tendon injury from tendonitis (the "itis" ending referring to inflammation) to "tendinopathy," which literally means "disease of the tendon."

When researchers examined data from 2,672 tendinopathy patients, they discovered that, in the long run, those who had been treated with cortisone shots ended up with more pain and less healing! While the shots did ease pain at first (for as long as eight weeks), the pain came back -- worse. After six months to a year, these patients hurt more... had a lower rate of full recovery... and had a 63% greater risk for relapse.

I spoke with Karim Khan, MD, PhD, a professor in the department of human kinetics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, who was coauthor of a commentary on the study, both of which were published recently in The Lancet.

Why did cortisone soothe pain at first? Dr. Khan told me that cortisone curbs pain in the early weeks because it influences local pain receptors, but it doesn’t actually help heal the tendon. He said that research shows that it takes six to eight weeks for the local pain receptors to get back to normal, and then the spiral of pain begins anew.

Try This Instead

According to Dr. Khan, there is a more certain path to healing tendon injuries, but, alas, it takes longer. Here are his up-to-date recommendations for treating tendon injuries:
  • Move quickly to ice the injury -- at the first hint of tendinopathy pain. If you catch it relatively early, icing for 15 minutes twice a day can help to minimize the long-term effects of a tendon injury... but, said Dr. Khan, the unfortunate truth is that tendon problems often sneak up gradually, so this advice may not prove so helpful.
  • Exercise the injured tendon, adding weight gradually. Previous advice emphasized complete rest for the joint, but doctors now know that exercise will repair the tendon and rebuild strength. Seek advice from a physical therapist to learn the proper exercises to bring about gradual healing.
  • Make a modified return to the activity that triggered your injury. Most tendon injuries are caused by repetitive sports, such as tennis or golf, or other activities (like gardening) that strain the joints. Dr. Khan said it is often helpful to continue the activity, but at a greatly reduced level. For example, if you injured yourself playing tennis, hit the ball gently but for only about 10 to 20 minutes a day. Focus on how the injury feels, Dr. Khan suggests, and stop the activity if pain reaches what you’d consider a "five" on a pain scale of one to 10.
  • Consider medication for pain relief. Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs. If you need a pain reliever, Dr. Khan considers acetaminophen (Tylenol) a good choice.
  • Identify and correct the problems that caused the injury in the first place. This is most important, according to Dr. Khan. If a sport is the cause, work with an instructor to identify and correct your form... and if it’s just a life activity that gives you tendon pain, see a physical therapist to learn how to avoid straining your joint. Be patient. Dr. Khan said this process may take three to six months if started early and as many as eight to 12 months for "chronic" problems that have been painful for six months or more.

Source(s):

Karim Khan, MD, PhD, professor in the department of human kinetics at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. He is coauthor of the textbook Clinical Sports Medicine (McGraw-Hill).

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Be well,


Carole Jackson
Bottom Line's Daily Health News


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Required Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well-being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The information and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the authors. However, readers who rely on information in this publication to replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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Fatal Flu Misdiagnosis


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February 27, 2011 
Is It the Flu... Or Could You Have "Q Fever"?
Shocking #2 Cause of Cancer
Fascinating Facts...
Mind-Boosting Secrets
Easy Aromatic Tisanes Give an Instant Energy Boost
  The Best of Mainstream and Natural Medicine
Tamara Eberlein, Editor

Is It the Flu... Or Could You Have
"Q Fever"?

Fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches... sounds like an obvious case of the flu, doesn’t it? But: Recently, I learned about a masquerader called Q fever, which causes symptoms so similar that even doctors often mistake it for the flu.

Therein lies the danger. Although Q fever is easy to cure if properly diagnosed early on, left untreated it can lead to pneumonia, heart damage, hepatitis or even death. And here’s a scary fact -- you can catch it from your dog or cat, even if your pet seems perfectly healthy.

You’ve never heard of Q fever? Neither had I. And neither have many doctors... so you may need to bring up the subject with your physician if you ever develop possible symptoms of the disease.

Thankfully, Q fever is rare -- though no one knows just how rare because it is underreported, I was told by infectious disease specialist Edward A. Dominguez, MD, of Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Here’s how to protect yourself...

JUST WHAT IS IT?

Q fever was first reported in Australia in the 1930s. The Q stands for query, because nobody knew what the disease was or how to treat it.

Unlike flu, which is caused by influenza viruses, Q fever is caused by a germ called Coxiella burnetii. "It’s not a bacterium, virus or fungus. Instead, it is a rickettsia, an infectious parasitic microorganism similar to those that cause typhus or Rocky Mountain spotted fever," Dr. Dominguez said.

Q fever is a zoonotic infection, meaning that people get it through contact with infected animals, such as horses, goats, cows, sheep, rabbits, cats and dogs. People most likely to be exposed are veterinarians, breeders, ranchers and others who work with animals, but pet owners may be at risk, too.

The likelihood of transmission is highest when an infected animal gives birth or is killed. (Dr. Dominguez recalled a group of poker players who all contracted Q fever after an infected cat gave birth in the same room.) The disease most often is caught when a person inhales air contaminated with this type of rickettsia, so poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces (small rooms, sheds) pose a greater risk than outdoor areas. But Q fever also can be transmitted through food if a person drinks milk or eats meat from an infected animal.

WHY AND HOW TO GET HELP

About half of people who get infected develop no symptoms and experience no short-term or long-term problems. For the other half, symptoms typically develop within three weeks after exposure and last one to two weeks. Warning signs of acute infection: High fever (up to 104° or 105°!)... chills and/or sweats... severe headache, joint and muscle aches... sore throat, cough, chest pain... nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30% to 50% of patients with a symptomatic infection develop pneumonia... and in 1% to 2% of acute cases, the disease is fatal.

Long-term danger: When the acute form of the disease does not get successfully treated or clear up on its own, patients may develop chronic Q fever. Serious complications can include hepatitis, an inflammatory condition of the liver, and endocarditis, inflammation of the heart lining and/or valves. For chronic Q fever patients, the CDC reports a death rate as high as 65%.

I asked Dr. Dominguez whether people who recover from acute Q fever might later develop the chronic form. He said, "If recovery was induced by antibiotics, no. If the infection went away on its own, chronic infection is unlikely -- but not impossible."

Self-defense: Of course you must see your doctor if you have symptoms that suggest Q fever. But: Since physicians often do not recognize Q fever in patients with flulike symptoms, Dr. Dominguez said, you also should tell your doctor about any recent animal exposure and ask, "Could this be Q fever?"... request blood tests to check for antibodies to the rickettsia and other evidence of Q fever’s effects on the body, such as thrombocytopenia (reduced blood platelets), electrolyte imbalances and abnormal liver function... and ask for a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia.

When acute Q fever is caught early, it generally responds well to a 15- to 21-day course of oral tetracycline antibiotics (since the rickettsia, like bacteria, is vulnerable to antibiotics). Sulfa drugs or quinolone antibiotics also can help. Note: If your doctor does not prescribe antibiotics because your initial blood test for Q fever was negative, yet you still feel ill two weeks later, ask to be retested. It can take several weeks for antibodies to build up to detectable levels.

Chronic Q fever may require daily intravenous antibiotics for eight weeks or longer. If the infection causes heart valve damage, valve replacement surgery may be necessary.

Prevention pointers: The Q fever vaccine used in other countries is not approved in the US because it can trigger a severe skin reaction if the rickettsia is already present. Research is under way for a better vaccine, but for now the best bet is to minimize your risk of exposure to Q fever. Dr. Dominguez’s advice...

  • Stay outdoors or in well-ventilated areas when around farm animals.
  • Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat raw meat.
  • To reduce your pet’s risk of being infected with the rickettsia (and thus reduce your risk of catching it from your pet), limit your pet’s exposure to animals who live on farms, on ranches or in the wild. It also is a good idea to get a veterinary evaluation for your pet, especially if it is pregnant.

Source: Edward A. Dominguez, MD, is the medical director of Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases at Methodist Dallas Medical Center and a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.


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Shocking #2 Cause of Cancer

An official at the American Cancer Society said that it’s easy to avoid half of all cancers.

However, an adviser to the American Institute for Cancer Research was even more optimistic when he said that nine out of 10 cancers are related to factors we control.

Of course, their #1 piece of advice is "stop smoking." We all know that. But I bet you don’t know the #2 cause of cancer. It’s something totally under your control -- it’s much easier than quitting cigarettes -- and it’s the last thing you’d ever expect. I’ll tell you about it in a moment.


Keep reading...

Fascinating Facts...

3%... US adults who understand that CT scans increase a person’s lifetime risk for cancer. Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine.

17%... Americans who get sick each year from eating tainted food. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

50%... US women age 50 and older who will break a bone from osteoporosis during their remaining lifetimes. Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation.


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Mind-Boosting Secrets

Ray Sahelian, MD, put the medical world in an uproar with his discoveries that turn ordinary people into super-brains -- and rapidly reverse "incurable" mental decline. Thousands of patients are proving now that his powerful therapies work, and skepticism is yielding to thunderous applause.

Reverse age-related memory loss with stunning speed... even say good-bye to Alzheimer’s disease -- with Dr. Sahelian’s astonishing cure in a can...


Learn more...

Easy Aromatic Tisanes Give an Instant Energy Boost

Tisanes, aromatic tealike beverages made from herbs or spices, provide a gentle yet immediate surge of mental and physical energy, we heard from Mao Shing Ni, PhD, DOM, LAc, an expert on traditional Chinese medicine and author of Secrets of Longevity.

He explained that smelling and tasting the pungent volatile oils in such infusions transmit signals to your nervous system that increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain and vital organs and boost production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule known as the "energy currency" for cells throughout the body. Results: Increased alertness and energy that typically last at least an hour, depending on your levels of blood sugar, stress hormones and neurotransmitters, Dr. Mao said.

To make a tisane: Pour eight ounces of very hot water over one or more of the herbs and spices mentioned below... cover your mug and steep for no longer than five minutes so the volatile oils do not dissipate... strain... and be sure to inhale the aromatic steam as you drink.

"Have a cup first thing in the morning to get yourself going, in the late afternoon 'witching hour' when energy often fades, and any other time you want a pick-me-up," Dr. Mao recommended. Other advantages: Tisanes also help settle the stomach... do not interfere with sleep the way caffeinated beverages can... and have no harmful side effects (with the possible exception of a garlic tisane, which can trigger heartburn for some people when used in excess).

Almost any herb or spice with a strong aroma will work equally well, Dr. Mao said, so experiment to see which individual one or combination you like best. Try...

  • One tablespoon fresh or one teaspoon dried cilantro, dill, mint, parsley or sage.
  • One teaspoon fresh or one-half teaspoon dried chives.
  • Three to five fresh or dried bay leaves.
  • Two sticks cinnamon or one teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • One quarter-sized medallion fresh ginger.
  • One stalk green onion, cut to fit into your mug.
  • One whole clove garlic (remove skin but do not crush or cut the clove).

Concerned about getting bad breath from the onion and garlic? Combine them with cilantro or parsley.

Source: Mao Shing Ni, PhD, DOM (doctor of Oriental medicine), LAc (licensed acupuncturist), is chancellor and cofounder of Yo San University in Los Angeles and cofounder of Tao of Wellness, an acupuncture and Chinese medicine center in Santa Monica, California. He is the author of 12 books, including Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100 (Chronicle). www.TaoOfWellness.com


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Tamara Eberlein, the editor of HealthyWoman from Bottom Line, has been a health journalist for nearly three decades.
An award-winning author or coauthor of four books, she is committed to helping other women in midlife and beyond live healthy, fulfilling lives. Her latest book is the updated, third edition of When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads (HarperCollins). She is also the "chief health adviser" to her husband of 25 years, college-age twins and teenaged son.
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