Health News

REPORTING POINT 01-00

AEROMEDICAL NEWS

“Live healthy...live well”

HEALTH NEWS

by Larry Kline

SWAPA Voice Mailbox 511/email lwkline@compuserve.com

BEWARE OF “EPHEDRA” - some herbal supplements used for weight loss contain the herbal supplement ephedra, also known as ma huang. It can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure or a heart condition. There have been several dozens of deaths linked to the amphetamine-like substance over that last few years. Texas recently proposed a ban on all supplements containing natural ephedra, but ran into industry opposition. Also, the FDA has proposed restrictions, but so far has taken no action. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 10/99.

MUSCLE SORENESS RELIEF - ibuprofen may not effectively relieve muscle soreness. In a Ohio University study, eighty subjects exercised to the point of muscle soreness. They then were given either 400 mg ibuprofen four times a day, 800 mg four times a day, a placebo, or no treatment. Over a six day period, none of the subjects reported less pain. Ibuprofen works by blocking prostaglandin - chemicals that cause inflammation. The researchers believe that the soreness may be caused by some other mechanism. They suggest trying naproxen, which works in a different way to block pain. Men’s Health 10/99, Health 9/99.

ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO QUIT SMOKING - NOW UNCLE SAM WILL HELP - the IRS recently decided that cessation programs, doctors’ bills, and prescription drugs for quitting smoking are no different from tax-deductible efforts to treat alcoholism or drug addiction. Nonprescription items such as nicotine patches or gums are not deductible. As always, your total medical bills must be 7.5% of your adjusted gross income to qualify as an itemized deduction. If you paid for a quit-smoking program within the last three years, you can even file an amended return to claim these costs. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 10/99.

BEST WAY TO QUIT SMOKING - EXERCISE! The largest ever study about smoking and quitting has found that those that were physically active and exercised were twice as likely to have quit smoking as non-exercisers, even those that attended lectures on nutrition and disease prevention to help them quit. Over the course of one year, those who worked out were most likely to remain smoke-free and also avoided significant weight gain. Health 10/99.


ATTENTION DESERT HIKERS - a decapitated rattlesnake’s head can bite for up to an hour after death. Even if the snake has been fatally bludgeoned or shot, it may still bite, according to two doctors from Phoenix. They stated that 15% of the people they treated for rattlesnake bites were attacked by “dead” snakes. Infrared sensors in the head allow the reflex-action bites. Best course, avoid the snakes and respect their habitat - they usually only attack when provoked. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 10/99.

STRENGTH TRAINING CAN LOWER CHOLESTEROL - you already know that weight training builds muscle mass, boost metabolism, and builds bone. Now researchers have found that lifting weights can also lower cholesterol. In a recent test, volunteers, after 14 weeks in the gym, lost body fat, gained overall strength, and dropped total cholesterol levels by 10 percent (14 percent drop in LDL cholesterol and no change in HDL). Health 9/99.

HAIR DYE WARNING - there have been some recent rumors concerning the safety of hair dyes. Current scientific evidence does not suggest a cancer link. However, different dyes contain different ingredients. Some “progressive” dyes such as Grecian Formula, Youthhair Creme, and Grecian Plus, contain lead. Though these dyes are regarded as safe by the FDA, pregnant women should avoid them, and users should take care not to expose young children to these products. Hair dyed with these products can shed lead. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/99.

BEST TIME TO TAKE A VITAMIN - it’s a good idea to take a multivitamin with a meal to help your body absorb it more readily. Vitamin E is fat-soluble, so taking it with something slightly fatty, like a small glass of milk, will aid absorption. Calcium may be taken with a meal, as long as spinach, green beans or wheat bran is avoided as these block absorption. Also the tannins in some teas will lessen the amount of vitamin C absorbed. Health 10/99.

MARGARINE’S “DARK SIDE” - a recent study confirmed that stick margarine is even worse for your heart than butter. Choose a tub spread that has no trans-fatty acids. In numerous studies these fats have been shown to boost heart disease risk by raising LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowering HDL (good cholesterol). Some of the trans-fat free spreads currently on the market: Promise Spread, Promise Buttery Light, Saffola, Smart Balance Buttery Spread, and Smart Balance Light. Health 9/99

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HEART ATTACK FIRST AID - symptoms of heart attack, such as chest pain, should be treated immediately by chewing and swallowing one adult aspirin tablet (325 mg), while seeking medical help. If only baby (low-strength) aspirin is available, chew four. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter 4/99.