What Your Hair Says About Your Health

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 9, 2011  What Your Hair Says About Your Health No Plunger? No Problem. Secret to Unplugging Your Toilet Good News for Your Stomach? Arthritis Vanishes in Minutes Highly Nutritious Hemp Seeds   What Your Hair Says About Your Health I know from personal experience that a series of bad hair days usually signals nothing more serious than a lousy haircut or inappropriate styling product. But: Sometimes troubles with tresses suggest an underlying health problem, according to Stefan Kuprowsky, ND, a professor at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Canada -- and a new stylist or styling technique won’t help when the real reason for your hair problem lies inside your body. Dr. Kuprowsky told me, "When the 100,000 or so hairs on your head are unhealthy, chances are that you are unhealthy, too. That’s why it is important to include hair problems in your discussions with your doctor as part of an overall assessment of your health." Here’s what you need to know if you have... Thinning hair. An adult woman typically loses up to about 100 hairs a day, Dr. Kuprowsky said, and it is normal for this number to go up with age. Even so, no matter what your age, you should tell your doctor if there seem to be more hairs than usual in your shower drain, if your hairstyle feels skimpier than it used to or if your scalp becomes more visible -- because there may be an underlying medical cause. Possible conditions your doctor may investigate include thyroid problems... an autoimmune disorder... low iron stores in the body... starting or discontinuing birth control pills or hormone therapy... or use of certain medications, such as beta-blockers, the blood thinner warfarin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Treating the underlying cause or switching medications often halts or reduces hair loss. Also: With a condition called telogen effluvium, a sudden severe stress or shock (for instance, from a serious illness, major surgery or childbirth) triggers hair loss that begins a few weeks after the event. Fortunately, hair usually starts to grow back after about six months. Bald patches. When clumps of hair fall out and leave bald patches, the condition is called alopecia areata. Often, women who experience this have a family history of the problem. An autoimmune disorder may be to blame. In most women, hair grows back on its own. In some cases, the condition later recurs... minimizing stress may reduce this risk. Hair breakage. This could signal a protein deficiency. Possible causes for such a deficiency include a strict vegan diet... impaired ability to properly digest and absorb proteins and other nutrients... or low levels of stomach acid (as can occur when taking antacid medication for heartburn). Your doctor can assess your diet and medication use and order blood work and other tests to help pinpoint the problem, Dr. Kuprowsky said. Dry hair. This suggests a dietary deficiency of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Recommended: Boost your omega-3 intake by eating more oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds and/or by taking fish oil supplements. Flaking, itchy scalp. This can signal an allergic reaction to hair products, so if you recently tried a new shampoo, gel or other product, stop using it and see if the flakes go away. If you also have a painful and/or inflamed scalp, see your doctor -- this may signal a severe allergic reaction or chronic inflammatory condition (such as seborrheia dermatitis) that could result in hair loss. Another possible cause for flaking is a topical yeast imbalance on the scalp, which also may be accompanied by an internal yeast imbalance in the digestive tract. This often is triggered by oral antibiotic use. According to Dr. Kuprowsky, additional possible symptoms of a yeast imbalance include excessive sugar cravings, gas, bloating, skin rashes and fatigue. To restore balance, ask your doctor about taking daily supplements of live probiotics, caprylic acid or grapefruit seed extract. If these natural yeast inhibitors aren’t strong enough, the antifungal medication nystatin, for oral or topical use, is an option. Topical help: Use an antifungal shampoo containing selenium sulfide, such as Selsun Blue. Very oily hair. If your hair "gloms" together and you need to shampoo frequently, you might be ingesting too much saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) or trans fat (found in many processed foods). These fats not only are unhealthy for your heart, but they also tend to make hair greasy, Dr. Kuprowsky said. His recommendation: Cut back on saturated and trans fats, focusing instead on foods with healthful unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, flaxseed oil and hemp seed oil. Your hair (and your heart) will be better for it. Source: Stefan Kuprowsky, ND, is a professor at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, and a private practitioner with the Vancouver Naturopathic Clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a board member and chairman of the Quality Assurance Committee of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC. www.VancouverNaturopathicClinic.com No Plunger? No Problem. Secret to Unplugging Your Toilet "My toilet was stopped up. My guests were on their way. And I couldn’t find a plunger!" Lucky for me, I’d learned the secret: Just squirt some liquid dish detergent, wait 15 minutes, and my home and guests were good to go. How often have you been caught in a situation like this -- or any of thousands of other household mishaps? Spills, breaks, lost items -- family heirlooms nearly ruined. Too often, right? Joan and Lydia Wilen, better known to TV viewers as "The Wilen Sisters," have the secret to saving the day on these and thousands of other potentially disastrous mishaps. Learn more... Good News for Your Stomach? The gastric bacterium H. pylori infects half of Americans over age 60 and is becoming antibiotic-resistant. This bacterium can weaken the stomach’s protective coating, damaging cells and leading to chronic inflammation -- which in turn increases risk for ulcers and stomach cancer. Recent finding: Among lab animals infected with H. pylori, those that were fed a diet rich in the amino acid glutamine for 20 weeks had less stomach inflammation than those fed a standard diet. This suggests that extra glutamine in the diet could protect against gastric damage caused by H. pylori. Next: Human studies are needed to determine whether supplements (sold in health-food stores as L-glutamine) protect against stomach maladies, including ulcers and cancer. In the meantime, talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of glutamine-rich foods, such as eggs, dairy, fish, chicken and beef. Source: Susan Hagen, PhD, is associate director of surgery at Harvard Medical School and associate vice chair for research in the department of surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, both in Boston, and lead author of an animal study. Arthritis Vanishes in Minutes Huh? How can a recipe for gin-soaked raisins qualify as the arthritis remedy of the century? Hey, this was your decision! In the past few months, savvy readers like yourself have been writing in stunned with amazement about their personal results from the Wilen Sisters’ secret raisin remedy. But we can understand your skepticism. So, rather than tease you any longer, we’re reproducing a short version of the recipe right here... Learn more... Highly Nutritious Hemp Seeds You might think that I’ve been smoking "funny" cigarettes when I tell you about a new trend in nutrition -- eating hemp seeds. Yup, these seeds come from the same plant as marijuana... and while they don’t get you high (they are nonintoxicating), adding them to your diet can give you an extra nutrient boost. Mitzi Dulan, RD, coauthor of The All-Pro Diet, told me that hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (for heart health)... vitamin E (an anti-inflammatory)... protein (to build healthy tissues)... fiber (for good digestion)... and phosphorus and magnesium (to strengthen bones). Hemp seeds have a mild, nutty flavor. They typically are sold with the hard shell already removed... can be purchased in health-food stores and online... and can be eaten raw or lightly toasted, whole or crushed. Easy: Sprinkle hemp seeds over yogurt or cereal... fold them into whole-grain muffin batter... or toss them into a salad or stir-fry. Source: Mitzi Dulan, RD, is a nutritionist in private practice in Leawood, Kansas, and coauthor of The All-Pro Diet (Rodale). 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. To update your e-mail preferences click here. © 2011 by Boardroom Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Add Delight to Your Day

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 9, 2011 25,000% Gains From the Biggest Story... Ever? How to Reduce Stress in Tough Times New INSTANT Cure for Extra High Cholesterol -- Cholesterol Drops 100 Points or More Safer Driving in a Blizzard Marge Couldn't Remember Her Phone Number... But Now Her Brain Is 20 Years Younger... Dear healthwellness82@gmail.com, January can be a tough slog with the holiday buzz behind us and most of winter still ahead... but that’s why this is the ideal time to focus on bringing more joy and positive energy into your life. John Ryder, PhD, author of Positive Directions: Shifting Polarities to Escape Stress and Increase Happiness, shares five easy mental exercises that help train your brain to overcome stress, work efficiently and get better at unearthing moments of pleasure even during stressful times. Many parts of the country already have seen lots of snow and rain this winter -- how are your bad-weather driving skills? William Van Tassell, PhD, manager of driver-training for AAA’s national office, tells how to drive safely in cold weather, even in a blizzard! All the best, Jessica Kent Editor BottomLineSecrets.com 25,000% Gains From the Biggest Story... Ever? According to this shocking new presentation, we’re on the verge of the biggest wealth advances in history. Fast 5,000%, 10,000% -- even 25,000% gains could be the norm in this wealth wave. The best part is -- the stocks leading this wave are cheap. They’re solid. They’re sprouting profits even as I write. Get the Full Story Here. How to Reduce Stress in Tough Times John  Ryder, PhD We’ve been through tough economic times here in America and it’s not over yet. A study from the American Psychological Association reported that well over half of Americans are still suffering anger, irritation and insomnia as a result of economic pressures and all that is understandable. We don’t need to feel helpless, however. We can all work to achieve mental fitness by opening our "locks," which are behaviors or habits that prevent us from finding solutions to problems and keep us from reaching our full potential. Example: One of my clients coped with his high-stress job by eating too much and drinking heavily after work. These negative strategies (his locks) eased his stress momentarily but did nothing to increase his overall resilience and, in fact, undermined his mental fitness. People who handle stress well use a series of skills, or “keys,” to overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential. The main ones... DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION Your brain can focus on one issue at a time (the laser mode), or it can expand its attention to everything around you (glow mode). Both skills are useful. An air-traffic controller, for example, has to keep track of fast-moving and constantly changing situations. He/she needs to be comfortable with the glow mode. But when you’re dealing with a specific problem, the laser mode is more efficient. Many of us have a hard time meeting deadlines not because we have too much to do, but because too many things compete for our attention. We jump around from thought to thought and task to task. We’re mentally scattered, which means we excel at nothing -- and stress builds. What to do... Decide what has to be done first. The process of prioritizing requires that we rank tasks along two dimensions -- what is most important and what is most urgent. Maybe there’s a project that you have to finish by the end of the day or a meeting later in the week to prepare for. Establish these as your one or two priorities, nothing more. Then selectively ignore everything else. Keep communication flowing when others are involved, and let them know where they are on the waiting list. Create reminders. Jot down your immediate goal on an index card. Keep the card somewhere in your field of vision. If your attention begins to wander, seeing the card will remind you to stay on target. Some people also find it helpful to set an alarm or cell phone to ring every 15 or 30 minutes as a reminder to focus on the goal. STAY ALERT We all get distracted when life is stressful. We forget to pay attention to what’s going on around us. That’s when we do stupid things, such as forget where we put our car keys or bounce a check because we forgot our account balance. People who handle stress well almost always are observant. They watch what’s going on around them in order to acquire information and choose the best course of action. What to do: Practice observing every day. When you put down your car keys at home, for example, notice the whole environment, not just the spot where you put them. Notice the table you put them on, the lighting in the room and so on. Not only will you find your keys more quickly, you’ll sharpen your ability to acquire new information. KNOW THE OBJECTIVE YOU We all have two visions of ourselves. There’s our subjective self-image, which often is colored by self-doubt and insecurity. Then there’s the objective self, which usually is closer to reality. Many experienced people with impressive résumés fall apart when they lose their jobs and have to find new ones. They’re paralyzed with self-doubt because all they see is their subjective (inferior) self. It’s the equivalent of stage fright. Even though they have done the same type of work a thousand times, an inner voice tells them that they’re not good enough. What to do: Do a reality check. Suppose that you have spent three months looking for work without success. Before doubting yourself, get objective verification. Show your résumé to different people in the field in which you’re applying. Ask them what they think about your qualifications. Maybe you’re not qualified for the jobs you’re applying for. More likely, you’ve just had a run of very bad luck. Trust your objective history of accomplishment. BOOST WILLPOWER This is one of the most vital skills during difficult times. Someone with strong willpower, for example, will find it relatively easy to cut back on spending. Most people think that willpower just means resisting temptations. It’s much more than that. It’s a set of skills that you can use to achieve specific goals. Example: Suppose that you’re in debt and know you need to create a budget and stick to it, but you’ve never been very good at that. Willpower means knowing your weakness... identifying ways to correct it... and then taking the necessary steps to improve it. These might include taking a personal finance class at a community college or getting a book on that topic from the library. What to do: Some people naturally have more willpower than others, but everyone can develop more. The trick is to start small. Maybe your goal is to save 10% of your paycheck each month, but the first step is to reduce your credit card debt by paying off 10% more than the minimum payment each month. REPLACE NEGATIVE PATTERNS We’re creatures of habit. Any behavior that’s repeated a few times can become an automatic pattern. These patterns can be positive (such as arriving at work on time) or negative (thinking you’re going to fail). Negative patterns are particularly hard to manage because they’re often internalized -- we don’t always know that we have them. People often have an inner voice that says things such as, I can’t succeed... I’m not smart enough... It’s not worth my trouble. Negative self-talk has real-world effects because it guides our behavior and prevents us from coping effectively with difficult situations. What to do: Pay attention to the thoughts that go through your mind. Are they helpful and affirming? Or do they inspire fear and anxiety? When your thoughts are negative, create opposite mental patterns. When you think, I’ll never get this project done, consciously come up with a positive alternative and say it aloud if you can or to yourself if the situation warrants. Be specific. Rather than something general, such as I can do it, say something such as, I’m glad to be completing this project with pride, on time. Say it three times. This might sound like a gimmick, but our brains like routines. Focusing your mind on positive outcomes -- even if it seems artificial at first -- causes the automatic part of the brain to build more positive thought patterns that enable us to achieve more. The key is to constantly monitor yourself. Are you aiming at the center of the target? If not, refocus on the bull’s-eye. Bottom Line/Personal interviewed John Ryder, PhD, psychologist in private practice in New York City. He has been an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and is a psychological consultant to executives, athletes and celebrities. He is author of Positive Directions: Shifting Polarities to Escape Stress and Increase Happiness (Morgan James). New INSTANT Cure for Extra High Cholesterol -- Cholesterol Drops 100 Points or More Do you have stubborn high cholesterol? Would you love to get your count under control without having to depend on expensive prescription drugs? Changing your diet can help, of course. But here’s something better. This breakthrough new therapy instantly filters excess cholesterol from your body. And it’s completely safe. This new therapy takes only a matter of minutes and lowers unhealthy cholesterol like no drug known to science. At the same time, it triggers a reduction in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, substances that can increase the risk for blood clots. Patients who receive the therapy report a rapid reduction in cardiovascular symptoms such as angina. Learn more... Safer Driving in a Blizzard William  Van Tassel, PhD American Automobile Association If snowfall is so heavy that you cannot see, pull over to the side of the road as quickly as you safely can. Keep your seat belt on in case you get hit from behind. Do not attempt to drive through snowdrifts -- your car might become stuck or you might hit something hidden underneath the snow. Avoid driving during the first snowstorm of the season. Many drivers, lulled by months of good weather, fail to drive as conservatively as they should. Helpful: Polarized sunglasses can reduce glare and improve visibility in a blizzard. Bottom Line/Personal interviewed William Van Tassel, PhD, manager of driver-training operations at AAA’s national office, Heathrow, Florida. www.aaa.com Marge Couldn't Remember Her Phone Number... But Now Her Brain Is 20 Years Younger... "I used to have a great memory," Marge told Dr. Ray Sahelian. "All my life I've worked with numbers," this former bookkeeper explained... "But now I can't remember simple phone numbers... it's so frustrating!" She'd lose things right after she put them down -- it was demoralizing. She was only 71, but she felt like a useless antique. Other doctors might have shrugged and said, "Sorry Marge, you're getting old... " But Dr. Ray Sahelian reversed her frightening decline almost immediately. Soon Marge's memory picked up dramatically, and she was focused all day. Marge now says she hasn't thought so clearly in 20 years... Learn more... 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.

Rub it on Anywhere it Hurts and Feel the Difference -- Within Minutes

Don't miss any Bottom Line Secrets. Add our address, bottomlinesecrets@ebls.bottomlinesecrets.com, to your Address Book or Safe List. Learn how here. Brought to you by Daily Health News. January 8, 2011 Special Offer The Pain Reliever Doctors Use to Relieve Their Pain ... in Seconds! Dear Daily Health News Reader, Ssshhhhhh ... you're about to learn about the secret pain reliever that doctors use -- but you couldn't have it until now. This inexpensive natural discovery has been shown to go to work on pain instantly -- whether it be back pain ... headache pain ... joint pain ... arthritis pain ... knee pain ... migraines ... pain from sports injuries ... restless leg syndrome ... neck pain ... or any physical pain. This pain remedy was discovered over 20 years ago -- and its astonishing powers have been praised by The New York Times, showcased on 60 Minutes ... and shown safe and effective in over 1,200 scientific publications. But information about it was immediately suppressed because vested interests launched a campaign to discredit it. That was over 20 years ago, and the hush-up was so effective that, to this day, it's hard to find at any pharmacy or health food store. But now it's finally back -- in a new pain breakthrough that's 12 ways more powerful. It virtually erases pain on contact. In the time it takes you to open a bottle of pain pills and reach for a glass of water, the pain would've already been whisked away just by rubbing a drop or two of the "miracle compound" at the site of your pain. The moment the first drop hits your skin, it's almost like watching a magic trick. It goes straight to the trouble area -- within 45 seconds! America's Nutrition Physician, Dr. Allan Spreen, has uncovered the truth behind this incredible compound ... and explains exactly how it works and how to get it. Be prepared to be PAIN-FREE in just 45 seconds -- guaranteed or your money back -- by watching this short video presented by Dr. Spreen. And make sure your speakers are turned on. Sincerely, Karen M. Reddel Vice President, NorthStar Nutritionals P.S. Don't delay. Once the secret behind this underground solution gets out, it probably won't be long until we'll be forced to take this presentation down. So be sure your speakers are turned on, and go here now: https://web-purchases.com/650SSOO/L650LA18/landing.html. Bottom Line’s Daily Health News 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) 2010 by Boardroom Inc.