Facing Facts on Sugar

Don't miss any of HealthyWoman from Bottom Line. Add our address, HealthyWomanfromBottomLine@ebhw.bottomlinesecrets.com, to your Address Book or Safe List. Learn how here. January 2, 2011  Don't Let Your Computer Ruin Your Posture New Treatment Reverses 82% of Deadly Cancers... Without Chemotherapy, Radiation or Surgery Time to Get Real About Sugar Blast Away High Cholesterol. Lose 67 Points in Just 28 Days Moxibustion for Menstrual Cramps   Don't Let Your Computer Ruin Your Posture Sitting at my desk at the end of a long workday, I caught sight of myself in a mirror -- and I did not like what I saw. My rounded back and hunched shoulders made me look downright decrepit. I’ve always struggled with my posture, but that evening I realized that the problem was getting worse. I’m hardly alone. The fact that so many of us spend time sitting in front of computers, whether for work or leisure, has led to an increase in the number of posture-related concerns, according to physical therapist and posture expert Gregory Thielman, PT, EdD, of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "We slump or hunch our shoulders as we work, and we sit in unnatural positions. The design and placement of our desks, chairs and computers may not be doing us any favors, either, encouraging us to position our bodies incorrectly," he told me. The potential consequences cannot just be shrugged off -- because they can affect our comfort, health, safety and quality of life as we get older. Dr. Thielman explained that poor posture can contribute to chronic neck, back and shoulder pain... headaches... muscle stiffness, tension and fatigue... joint degeneration... and kyphosis, an excessively rounded or humped upper back. Self-defense: If you sit at a computer for hours, at home or at work, here’s what to do to protect your posture... WORKSTATION MAKEOVER Dr. Thielman has conducted numerous workstation evaluations for fellow university employees and found that many posture-related problems can be minimized or prevented with some simple adjustments. He said, "The goal of these adjustments is to keep the body in a comfortable and neutral position, leaning neither too far forward nor too far backward." Take a look at your office and home workstations with the following recommendations in mind. If any of your furniture or equipment doesn’t pass muster, adjust or replace it. Check your... Desk chair seat and arms. At the proper seat height, your thighs are parallel to the ground... your knees are bent at a 90° angle so that they are directly above your ankles... and both your feet are flat on the floor (as they ideally should be to minimize the stress on your joints). The chair seat should be long enough to support three-quarters of the thigh (yet still allow feet to be flat on the floor) when your hips are all the way back in the chair. The chair should have armrests that allow the elbows to be supported when bent at 90°. Chair back. This should come at least three-quarters of the way up your back. Exception: If you have chronic neck pain, the chair back needs to be high enough and the headrest aligned in a way that allows you to sit with your neck straight and the back of your head resting against the headrest. Computer monitor height. The top of the monitor should be at your eye level so you don’t have to sit with your neck bent too far forward or backward to see the screen, Dr. Thielman said. If your monitor is too low, put a book underneath it to raise it. If it is too high and has no mechanism for adjusting it, you may need to get an adjustable monitor or a lower desk. Keyboard position. As you type, your upper arms should hang straight by your sides from shoulder to elbow... elbows should be bent at about a 90° angle and supported by the armrests of the chair... and your forearms should be roughly parallel to the floor. If your desk is too high for this, you can affix a keyboard tray to the underside of the desktop. Laptop users: As Dr. Thielman pointed out, people tend to use laptop computers when they are in a relaxed position, paying no mind to body mechanics -- so at least use a lap desk to hold the computer at an appropriate height, and try to remain conscious of the recommendations above. OFFICE-FRIENDLY EXERCISES When you spend hours sitting at a computer, it is important to periodically stop what you’re doing and change your position, Dr. Thielman said -- gently roll your shoulders, turn your head from side to side, stretch your arms overhead, stand up and walk around for a minute. Also, every hour or so, do these easy exercises... Chin tuck. This helps counteract the tendency to sit with your head jutting forward. Sit up straight in your chair. Put your index finger on your chin, and gently push straight back, so that your entire head moves back and realigns with your spine. Continue pressing your chin back for three seconds... relax... do 10 times. Pelvic tilt. This strengthens the abdominal muscles that help support the spine. Sit up straight in your chair and place a tissue at the small of your back... then use your abs to tilt the bottom of your pelvis forward, so that your lower back presses the tissue firmly against the back of the chair. Hold for three seconds... relax... do 10 times. Back stretch. This helps combat a tendency to slump forward. Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on your lower back. Gently arch your back so that your hips come forward a bit, keeping your head aligned with your spine and taking care not to push too far so you don’t strain your neck or back. Hold for 10 seconds... relax... do 10 times. Source: Gregory Thielman, PT, EdD, is an assistant professor of physical therapy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Dr. Thielman’s research focuses on posture and movement as well as on upper-body rehabilitation in stroke patients. He conducts regular workstation analyses at the university and teaches a workshop called Body Mechanics and Back Care, which is designed to prevent posture- and work-related back pain and injury. New Treatment Reverses 82% of Deadly Cancers... Without Chemotherapy, Radiation or Surgery Lung cancer? Everybody knows that’s usually a death sentence. TV’s Peter Jennings died just a few months after announcing he had it. But you won’t hear that gloomy outlook from some very fortunate cancer patients. They were treated with a startling new medical cure that harnessed the cancer-killing power of their body’s T-cells. These warriors of your immune system usually ignore cancer. But researchers recently found a way to trick T-cells into destroying deadly cancers. How? With a dose of the patient’s own tumor cells! Read on... Time to Get Real About Sugar With some foods, sugar occurs naturally, such as in fruit and milk... with other foods, sugar or syrup is added during processing or preparation. Can you guess how much of this added sugar the average American consumes per day? Answer: 355 calories’ worth -- or more than 22 teaspoons! There’s nothing sweet about the potentially dangerous consequences of so much sugar, which include an increased risk for high blood pressure, high triglycerides, obesity, metabolic abnormalities and other heart attack and stroke risk factors. Good guideline: The American Heart Association recently issued new guidelines advising women to consume no more than 100 calories’ worth of added sugar per day. This equals about six teaspoons (or 25 grams if you’re looking at food labels) -- roughly the amount in two-thirds of a can of nondiet soda or half of a large cookie. Source: Rachel K. Johnson, PhD, RD, is associate provost and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont in Burlington, and lead author of a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Blast Away High Cholesterol. Lose 67 Points in Just 28 Days The big drug companies don’t want you to know about the alternative cures that can make their drugs obsolete. The alternative medicine believers think drugs and surgery are bad ideas. Guess what? They’re both dead wrong. Finally, a maverick M.D. has dared to identify the world’s best cures from both sides of the medical aisle. These are the real forbidden cures you want... Read on... Moxibustion for Menstrual Cramps Q: My daughter wants to try moxibustion to relieve menstrual cramps. What is this? Is it safe? A: Moxibustion is very safe if used correctly. This traditional Chinese technique uses moxa-wool made from the dried leaves of the mugwort plant. In addition to relieving menstrual cramps and regulating menstruation, it can reduce pain from injuries, such as sprains, and ease muscle spasms or weakness associated with chronic fatigue. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that moxibustion also could help "turn" unborn babies who were in breech position prior to delivery. The moxa-wool is rolled up in special paper to create a moxa stick that resembles a cigar. One end is lit and then the smoldering tip is held an inch away from the painful area or associated acupuncture points, without touching the skin, for five to 10 minutes. According to Chinese medicine traditions, when moxa is burned, its unique vapors enter the body via the skin and acupuncture points, opening the meridians (energy pathways). This regulates blood and qi (the body’s life energy), expels cold and dampness, warms the uterus and increases circulation specifically to the pelvic area. Also, the warmth of the smoldering moxa relieves stagnation or cold in the blood and improves the flow of qi. For maximum effectiveness and safety, your daughter should see a licensed acupuncturist, who will direct the moxa stick at specific acupuncture points, depending on the diagnosis. Thereafter, she can do moxibustion on herself as needed by pointing the moxa stick at the exact area of pain -- though she should stop immediately if the skin turns pink or feels very hot. Moxibustion is not recommended for anyone who is overheated or running a fever. Moxa sticks are sold at Chinese medicine stores and on www.Amazon.com starting at about $7 for a box of 50. Source: Xiaoli Chen, OMD, LAc, is an associate professor of classical Chinese medicine at National College of Natural Medicine and a private practitioner, both in Portland, Oregon. She also is the author of three books on Chinese medicine. Tamara Eberlein, the editor of HealthyWoman from Bottom Line, has been a health journalist for nearly three decades. An award-winning author of four books, she is committed to helping other women in midlife and beyond live healthy, fulfilling lives. She is also the "chief health adviser" to her husband of 25 years, college-age twins and teenaged son. BOTTOMLINESECRETS.COM Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy About Us Contact US Bottom Line Publications | 281 Tresser Boulevard, 8th Floor | Stamford, CT 06901 You received this free E-letter because you have requested it. You are on the mailing list as healthwellness82@gmail.com. Or... a friend forwarded it to you. Click here to easily unsubscribe. To change your e-mail address click here. 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Erase Tumors in 2 Months

Don't miss any Bottom Line Secrets. Add our address, bottomlinesecrets@ebls.bottomlinesecrets.com, to your Address Book or Safe List. Learn how here. January 2, 2011 Erase Tumors in 2 Months How to Harness the Power of the Placebo Why Don't These Doctors Get Sick? A Master Chef's Simple Secret to Sharpening Knives Prescription Drugs to Avoid Like the Plague Dear healthwellness82@gmail.com, Mind-body medicine -- if that sounds frivolous to you, it shouldn’t. Research has verified the strong connection between your beliefs about medical treatments and how well they work -- and this is information that you can use to improve your outcome no matter what condition you may have. Harvard professor Richard L. Kradin, MD, author of The Placebo Response and the Power of Unconscious Healing, explains how to do this -- and also shares surprising information on how your doctor’s personality can shape your healing response as well. How much attention do you pay to the health of your knives? Seriously -- hone your sharpening skills with these tips from Michael J. Moran, head chef instructor at Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, to give yourself an edge in the kitchen! All the best, Jessica Kent Editor BottomLineSecrets.com Erase Tumors in 2 Months "Within two months, every tumor had shrunk, dried up and fallen off," said Tom to Dr. Gary Null about the miraculous disappearance of his rapidly spreading cancer. Tom had already gone through surgery once for skin cancer on his forehead. Unfortunately, his skin cancer was melanoma. Just 10 days after the operation, the cancer was back with a vengeance. It reappeared on his forehead, and quickly spread to his arm, upper body and chest. Four doctors all agreed: There was nothing they could do to cure this cancer. They all still wanted to operate. But Tom wanted to live -- not just get sliced up. Read on to learn what Tom did to save his life... How to Harness the Power of the Placebo Richard L.  Kradin, MD Massachusetts General Hospital Researchers at several American institutions recently reported that half of 679 American doctors who had been surveyed said they regularly prescribed placebos to their patients. This news came as a shock to many people -- and raised serious ethical questions. Everyone knows what placebos are -- “sugar pills” or “dummy pills” that masquerade as medication. But is it that simple? There’s a lot more to the question than meets the eye, according to Richard L. Kradin, MD, one of the country’s foremost experts on the use of placebo treatments. To learn more, Bottom Line/Health recently spoke with him... What exactly is a placebo? It’s any type of therapeutic intervention -- for example, a fake or unproven medication, a sham surgical procedure or a talk with the doctor -- that, in and of itself, is judged to have no therapeutic capacity. When it works, the success is attributed to an activation of what’s called the “placebo response.” How is the placebo response believed to work? Before there were any scientific medical treatments, people got sick and got well. In species such as ours, some of these responses involve the body’s ability to soothe itself and to restore states of physical and mental well-being. This self-soothing process is key to the placebo response. Certain memories are probably involved. For example, children are usually soothed by their parents. Their mothers kiss minor hurts to make them better. They are given pills and told the medicine will make them well. When adults are sick and receive care from someone who’s supposed to help them, the situation can reawaken this capacity to be soothed. After a visit to the doctor, some people report that they feel better right away. Can a person who has a serious illness be healed by the placebo response? There are people who appear to have been cured of cancer by what might be termed the placebo response. In one case, an experimental chemotherapy drug -- later shown to be inactive -- was highly effective in a patient as long as he believed it was capable of curing his cancer. But that scenario is quite rare. Placebos seem best able to restore well-being when problems are minor, such as a headache or stomachache. It’s important to remember that the placebo response isn’t necessarily separate from real therapeutic responses brought about by effective treatment, but part of them. If you take a drug that works, the placebo response may make it work better. Many of the factors involved in the placebo response have been scientifically confirmed in a number of studies on the topic. Do placebos do more for some people than for others? In most clinical trials, one-third of patients who receive a sugar pill feel better. But it’s hard to predict which people will respond positively to placebo treatment. Trust and expectation increase the chance of a positive response. If you believe that a drug or treatment is likely to help you, the odds are that it will work as a placebo. If the doctor or other caregiver conveys a sense of competence and authority, and the visit to the doctor’s office promotes relaxation and trust, these factors also seem to elicit the placebo response. The doctor’s ability to listen and make patients feel that they’re understood is important. If the doctor doesn’t convey his/her own belief that the intervention will work, the chances are good that it won’t work. Can a placebo have harmful effects? Negative, or so-called nocebo, responses are quite common. For example, about 25% of participants in clinical trials report side effects after receiving a harmless pill. Similarly, a certain proportion of adverse reactions to prescribed medications are no doubt due to the nocebo response. Here, too, expectation plays a role. Nocebo effects commonly occur after a patient reads the drug package insert that lists, often in alarming detail, a medication’s potential side effects. The health-care provider can elicit the nocebo response, too. People sometimes leave the office of a brusque, uncaring doctor feeling much worse, and getting little benefit from the medication the doctor prescribed. If a caregiver expresses too many doubts about the treatment, patients detect that as well. Is it ethical for a doctor to prescribe a drug as a placebo without the patient’s consent? In many situations, with many types of people, conveying the entire truth, including doubts surrounding the treatment, may not be in the patient’s best interest in terms of therapeutic outcome. On the other hand, if a doctor is caught prescribing a placebo, he risks losing his credibility. Most placebos are prescribed unwittingly by doctors who prescribe a medication “off-label” -- for an unapproved use -- in the belief that it will help. By the same token, when I talk in detail with a patient about a particular drug’s potential side effects, as mandated by law, I can see fear well up in his face. Is that the role of a healer? I’m not so sure. Can medical consumers harness the power of their own placebo responses? Yes. In choosing a health professional, you should try to find someone you can trust and have confidence in. Don’t go to anyone who doesn’t evoke this trust. It’s possible for a doctor to be brusque and still convey the confidence that a patient needs. Some people respond well to that kind of personality. Know yourself. If you leave a treatment situation feeling doubtful and not reassured, you’re probably in the wrong place. How can you minimize nocebo effects? I suggest to my patients that they read the medication package insert only if they experience a side effect, to check whether it is a common one. I believe it’s better to stay modestly informed -- and to recognize and respect the expertise of the doctor or other health professional. Important: Any side effect that is not short-lived should be reported to your physician so that potentially serious adverse reactions are not missed. You should be a working partner in your treatment and have some idea of what’s going on. But when people start involving themselves in the fine details, it tends to have a disturbing effect on mind-body processes -- either resulting in a nocebo response or limiting the advantages of the placebo response. Bottom Line/Health interviewed Richard L. Kradin, MD, a pulmonologist, internist, anatomic pathologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston. He has written more than 150 medical articles and serves as codirector of Harvard Medical School’s postgraduate study on Mind/Body Science. Dr. Kradin is the author of The Placebo Response and the Power of Unconscious Healing (Routledge). Why Don't These Doctors Get Sick? They work impossible hours, hang around in germ-infested hospitals, and treatment rooms filled with sick people all day -- yet they don't fall ill themselves. Why? We asked hundreds of leading doctors this question and their answers may shock you. They're secretly using blacklisted alternative therapies themselves! Now let more than 250 acclaimed MDs and scientists show you how to... Cure acute infections in 2 to 6 hours... Stop heart disease cold in 2 seconds... Halt angina in one little minute... Become 100 times more cancer-resistant... Shrink hemorrhoids with the astonishing orange cure... Zap back pain in 3 minutes (this can even be used for anesthesia)... Read on... A Master Chef's Simple Secret to Sharpening Knives Michael J. Moran Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management You might think that a dull knife is less dangerous than a sharp knife. Not so, says Michael J. Moran, head chef instructor at Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. He told our food reporter, Linda Gassenheimer, that a dull knife requires too much pressure to use and can slip rather than cut. Here is the best way to sharpen knives... SHARPENING The simplest way to sharpen a knife that has a smooth, nonserrated blade is to use a sharpening stone, available at Bed Bath & Beyond and other cooking-equipment stores. Average cost is $45. The easiest way to use the stone is to place a cutting board on a counter and put the stone on the board. (Put a wet dish towel under the stone to keep it from moving.) Drag the knife along the stone at a 22.5° angle (most new knives have a factory edge with a precise 22.5° angle), starting at the tip of the knife and ending at the handle. Do one side, then the other, for a total of 20 passes. A knife has a sharp edge when it easily can cut an onion or tomato without pressure. On average, a knife needs to be sharpened two to three times a year. This, however, depends on how often the knife is used and how it is handled. Alternative: The Chef’s Choice electric sharpener has guides that keep the knife at the proper angle. There are several different models, ranging from about $40 to $170. It is available at most kitchenware stores and online. To sharpen serrated knives: Sharpening a serrated knife is different from sharpening a straight knife. Each groove must be sharpened separately. There is a special small file for this purpose called a sharpening hone. It looks like a small screwdriver and is available online for $15 to $20. You may just want to replace a serrated knife whenever it seems dull or about every five years (unless your knife is a very good one). Some electric knife sharpeners, including some models of Chef’s Choice, sharpen serrated knives. KEEPING IT SHARP Before or after every use, draw the knife across a knife steel. This is a steel rod with a handle. It usually comes with a knife set, or you can buy one separately for about $15. Hold the knife at a 22.5° angle, and draw it against the steel about four to five times on each side. This hones the blade. If you look at a knife with a magnifying glass, you will see hundreds of microscopic teeth. Each time a knife is used, the teeth become crooked and honing the blade straightens them. It keeps the knife sharp and reduces the need to sharpen it. STORAGE Keep edges protected. If the knives are loose in a drawer, they may bump against one another or other utensils, which could dull or damage the knives. Store knives on a magnetic bar attached to a wall. They are readily available so that you can quickly select the one you need. A knife block is another good alternative. Make sure that the knives are dry and clean before placing them in the block -- otherwise, bacteria can develop. Wooden drawer inserts made for knives are also good. It is always best to hand-wash knives. Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Michael J. Moran, head chef instructor at Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, North Miami, Florida. One of the many classes he teaches is kitchen management, which includes how to sharpen knives and how to carve. Chef Moran was the official chef to the King and Queen of Jordan. Prescription Drugs to Avoid Like the Plague Some drugs are just so bad that you should avoid them at all costs. If your physician won't prescribe a safer alternative -- or let you use a natural remedy -- then run (do not walk) to one who will. What kinds of drugs? Widely used antibiotic so dangerous to your kidneys that up to 28% of people who use it develop some impairment. This former rat poison is now touted as a cure-all for everything from dental problems to bone loss. Banned in Japan and Europe, it's unavoidable here in the US -- unless the proper precautions are taken. Widely prescribed drug for high blood pressure that is so dangerous, it should be used only as a last-ditch effort if nothing else works for you. Popular osteoporosis drug is just a rehashed version of an older one that built bone of such poor quality, the number of breaks actually increased, not to mention side effects, such as permanent damage to the esophagus and kidneys, stress, diarrhea, constipation, fever, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, rashes, headaches and muscle pain. Read on... Important: Help your friends get much more out of life -- forward this E-letter to them. Better: Send it to many friends and your whole family. This is a free weekly e-mail service of BottomLineSecrets.com and Boardroom Inc. Boardroom Inc. 281 Tresser Boulevard Stamford, CT 06901-3229 ATTN: Web Team You received this e-mail because you have requested it. You are on the mailing list as healthwellness82@gmail.com. Or... a friend forwarded it to you. Disclaimer: Bottom Line Secrets publishes the opinions of expert authorities in many fields. But the use of these opinions is no substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. Bottom Line Secrets is a registered trademark of Boardroom Inc. Subscribe |  Unsubscribe | Update My E-mail Preferences Change My E-mail Address | Contact Us | Privacy Policy Copyright (c) 2011 by Boardroom Inc.