Photo credit: www.wastrongbones.org

Osteoporosis Med Blocks Bone Growth

A drug that could actually slow the growth of new bone is the exact opposite of what I’d call an effective treatment for osteoporosis — yet that’s exactly what one leading medication may do, according to the latest research.   And that means millions of women could be quietly suffering from the bone-wrecking side effects of their medication right now, and most of them don’t even know it.

In the new study of 40 postmenopausal women given either zoledronic acid (aka Reclast) or a placebo, the ones on the drug had higher levels of sclerostin, a biomarker that in essence stops new bone from forming.

On the plus side, the study finds the drug does in fact slow the thinning of the bone that marks the disease. But that’s almost an afterthought here — because if it’s preventing new bone from forming at the same time, then there’s no chance your condition will ever truly improve. And there’s every chance it could get worse.

Besides, that’s not the only risk of this medication.  The FDA has warned of potential kidney damage linked to the use of this drug. It’s also part of a class of medications known as bisphosphonates, and these drugs have been linked to esophageal cancer, necrosis of the jaw, and more.

Even worse, bisphosphonates can actually cause breaks in the very bones they’re supposed to protect, especially after long-term use.  Fortunately, there are safer and more natural ways to prevent, treat, and even reverse osteoporosis — and it starts with understanding what causes the disease in the first place.

Despite what you’ve heard, it’s not aging. Not by itself, anyway. Osteoporosis is largely a disease of lifestyle — one caused or worsened by poor diet and bad habits. In many cases, hormonal imbalances can also play a role.  A holistic physician can test you for the possible causes of osteoporosis and get you started on a natural treatment.

Source:  House Calls

The Mineral that Prevents Heart Disease 

It’s one of the leading nutritional deficiencies in the nation, if not the planet — a mineral so difficult to get from diet alone that even many health-conscious people fall well short.

It’s magnesium, and your body uses it the way teens use their cell phones…twenty-four seven.

It’s critical to more than 350 functions in the body, including some of the most essential of all — like powering your heart.

Nutrients just don’t get any more important than that, and new research confirms what happens when you fall short:  Low levels of magnesium can increase your risk of ischemic heart disease by 60 percent and death from ischemic heart disease by 70 percent.

These aren’t just the risks of the lowest-of-the-low levels you see in cases of extreme deficiencies.

They’re the risks of all-too-common levels — so common that they were found in a full fifth of the 7,664 Dutch men and women who took part in the new study. And I’m sure you’d find those low levels in a fifth (or more) of the population here in the United States right now.

That adds up to a lot of people facing a lot of risk, because magnesium is critical to blood vessel function, clot prevention, and even the very rhythm of your heart — which is why low levels of magnesium will cause arrhythmias and other serious heartbeat problems.

It’s so essential to heart health that another recent study found that magnesium levels alone are the single best predictor of future cardiac problems.

That’s right — better than cholesterol levels, dietary fat intake, family history, or any of the other usual suspects.  Yet most mainstream doctors don’t test for it routinely.

You don’t have to wait for your own doctor to get wise to this. You don’t even need to be tested — all you need to do is increase your own magnesium intake.

The best dietary sources include leafy greens such as spinach, but the best way to make sure you get what you need every day is by taking a supplement. (Just be sure to check with your holistic doctor about adding in a supplement.)

Don’t rely on your multivitamin alone, it won’t have enough — you’ll need a separate magnesium capsule instead. I recommend magnesium glycinate, which is more easily used by your body than other forms of magnesium.

(Heart health isn’t all magnesium is good for. If you, or someone you care about, suffers with migraine headaches, find out how magnesium may be the pain-relieving miracle you’ve been looking for.)

Source:   House Calls

If you’re looking to protect your brain, start with the heart.

The health of one depends on the other — and the two are so closely related that the same risk factors for heart disease are also risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

And in some ways, those heart disease risk factors might actually be better at predicting your long-term dementia risk than the more commonly used measurements of that risk.

In one new study, 7,830 men and women with an average age of 55 at the start were assigned “scores” based on their risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

Their heart risk scores were based on common risk factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking habits, age, and diabetes. The stroke score was based on similar numbers along with the patients’ history of heart disease and heartbeat problems.

Similarly, their dementia scores were based on commonly accepted dementia risk factors such as age, education levels, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol levels, and exercise as well as a genetic test.

Over the next decade, the volunteers were given cognitive tests three times — and the dementia scores they had been given at the start were actually pretty good at predicting who was most likely to suffer declines on those tests over the years.

But the heart risk scores were even better.

People with the highest heart risk scores were most likely to suffer cognitive decline than even people with the highest dementia risk scores, according to the study in Neurology. In addition, both heart and stroke risk scores were good indicators of decline in just about every cognitive measure tested except for actual memory.

Since just about all the risk factors for heart problems are within your control (except, of course, for age), take action today to protect it as best you can. You’ll slash your risk of heart disease and stroke. And you can help protect your brain at the same time.

Probiotics can do more than stop disease-producing bacteria and toxins in your body.  They also absorb minerals and vitamins like B vitamins and vitamin K. AND they can help regulate your digestive process by slowing down absorption of nutrients, which prevents the high and lows in blood-sugar levels. This levels your appetite and help curb sugar cravings. allowing you to maintain your weight.

Probiotics occur naturally in fermented dairy foods, vegetables, and fruit — like yogurt, kefir, pickles, miso, sauerkraut, and even wine. 

A healthy gut  is something that many people overlook when it comes to weight loss. Check with your local health food store to find out what is best for you…then watch for the amazing difference!!

Around the world, people eat far too much salt — so much that many people get between double and triple the limits recommended by health authorities.

One new global survey finds that the average person gets 3,950 mg of salt a day, including a 3,600-mg-a-day habit here in the United States.

Compare that to the 2,000 mg limit recommended by the World Health Organization and the more restrictive 1,500 mg daily limit set for most people by the American Heart Association, and you’ll see just how high those levels really are — and why a new Harvard study blames excess sodium for 2.3 million deaths around the world in 2010 alone.

The problem isn’t that people just love salt and can’t stop using it. It’s that huge amounts of salt are dumped into all the processed and packaged foods people eat daily — and not just obvious stuff, like fast food and potato chips.

You’ll also find it hidden in bread, cereal, cottage cheese, and even pancakes.

That’s why the best way to remove excess sodium from your diet isn’t by switching to low-salt foods or carefully reading package labels. It’s by getting rid of all processed and packaged foods and eating fresh foods instead.

One note of caution here: Watch for hidden salt in the so-called “fresh” meats in the supermarket. Chicken and pork are often soaked in a solution of water, broth, and (of course) plenty of salt.

This is to add weight, so you pay for salt water along with your meat. While it’s usually listed on the package, you’ll need a magnifying glass to find it — so to make things easy, stick to fresh, whole cuts of organic meat from an organic butcher.

By switching to fresh and organic foods, you won’t just cut back on your salt — you’ll also reduce or eliminate your exposure to chemicals, preservatives, and other unhealthy ingredients you just don’t need.

Source:  House Calls

Jennifer’s wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her

excitement — not even her parent’s nasty divorce. Her mother had found

the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the Best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father’s new young

wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!  Jennifer asked her

father’s new young wife to please exchange it, but she Refused.

‘Absolutely not. I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I’m wearing it,’ she replied.

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, ‘Never mind sweetheart. I’ll get another dress. After all, it’s your special day.’

A few days later, Jennifer and her mother went shopping and found another gorgeous dress.  When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother,  ‘Aren’t you going

to return the other dress? You really don’t have another occasion where you could wear it.

Her mother just smiled and replied, ‘Of course I do, honey. I’m wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.’

NOW I ASK YOU -

IS THERE A WOMAN OUT THERE, ANYWHERE, WHO WOULDN’T ENJOY

THIS STORY?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Women are like phones:

They like to be held, talked to, and touched often.

But push the wrong button and you get disconnected!

A poll of 750 employees noted that 1/3 of them said they rarely or never took a lunch break and the other 1/3 said they ate at their desks.  Not a good idea, said a top Risk Management group.

If you’re scarfing down a sandwich at your desk – STOP!

If you’re grabbing a bag of chips and a soda from a vending machine – STOP!

These temporary fillers are not the solution.

The idea that you have to be the world’s best mult-tasker actually does more harm than good. By trying to do everything, you’re setting yourselves up for a possible disaster. You’re also missing out on the need to replenish – refuel your body to refocus, and give your brain a chance to rest to remain productive for the remainder of the day.

We all have deadlines and projects, but not taking a real lunch break is bad for your health.  If you can – a good way to keep balance in your day is to also take a walk if your environment allows you to do so.  When you have a well-balanced lunch and are able to get some fresh air, you are preparing the remainder of your day to be mentally and physically charged.

• 4 Ounces dried whole wheat rotini pasta
• 1/4 Cup lime juice
• 1/4 Cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 Pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 Cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 Cup finely chopped red onion (1 large)
• 1 Medium mango, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 Medium avocado, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3/4 Cup chopped yellow sweet pepper (1 medium)
• 3/4 Cup chopped red sweet pepper (1 medium)
• 1 Fresh jalapeno Chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped*

• Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

2. Meanwhile, for dressing, in a blender combine lime juice, cilantro, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until well mixed. Set aside.

3. Lightly coat the rack of an indoor electric grill with cooking spray. Preheat grill. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place chicken on grill rack. If using a grill with a cover, close lid. Grill until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F). (For a covered grill, allow about 6 minutes. For an uncovered grill, allow 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling.) Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.

4. In a large bowl combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, red onion, mango, avocado, sweet peppers, and jalapeno pepper. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. If desired, serve with lime wedges.

• ·         NOTE; Because Chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. When working with Chile peppers, wear plastic or rubber gloves. If your bare hands do touch the peppers, wash your hands and nails well with soap and warm water.