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Each month we feature one full
article from the current issue of the WELLNESS LETTER, plus our
Ask the Experts column, in addition to brief summaries of the
other articles, listed below.
The Urge to Purge
The idea that stagnation and decay in the colon produce toxins that poison the body is an ancient one, sometimes called "auto-intoxication." Down through the ages people have used strong laxatives, enemas, and other colon "cleansing" practices as cures for almost every medical complaint, as well as for spiritual benefits. These ideas and practices have long ago been discredited, but the Internet has given them new life. The most casual online search will reveal dozens of clinics listed state by state, as well as sites selling expensive home kits or inviting you into Internet support groups. Celebrity endorsements abound. Full
Story
The Cold That Doesn’t Go Away
Your nose is stuffy and runny, and you have a crushing headache. You might think you have a cold, but it might instead be sinusitis, a condition that’s easy to confuse with a common cold. There are some telltale differences—most notably, sinusitis lasts longer—but early on, even doctors may have trouble distinguishing between the two. We tell you how to clear the confusion, and how to soothe your sinuses.
On the Half Shell
If you’re looking for seafood that’s good for both you (with some safety caveats, see below) and the environment, you may be surprised to know that oysters are a good choice. These bivalve mollusks, in the family Ostreidae, have been eaten raw (meaning alive) or cooked (steamed, baked, broiled, stewed, fried) for centuries as both a poor person’s food and a luxury item, as well as for their supposed—though never proven—aphrodisiac powers. Here’s the nutrition lowdown, the environmental angle, and the safety issues of oysters.
What Arginine Can Do
Arginine is an amino acid (a building block of protein), produced in the body and found in many foods—especially those rich in protein. One of its most important jobs in the body is as a precursor for nitric oxide, which is vital for cardiovascular health and the healthy functioning of blood vessels. Arginine is sold as a dietary supplement, usually in a form called L-arginine. The supplements have been seriously studied as treatment for heart disease, erectile problems, headaches, and a host of other ills. Marketers also claim that arginine will improve liver function, build muscles, and enhance exercise performance, among other things. To clear the fog of claims and counter-claims, here’s a summary of what is known.
The Itching Hour
Your skin comprises about one-seventh of your total body weight and is a "sophisticated and dynamic organ," in the words of a recent scientific paper. The skin is a barrier between you and the outside world. Among other essential functions, it helps maintain your body temperature and is a first line of defense for your immune system. It is also the most visible indicator of age—a fact that gives rise to much anxiety and a huge sector of the cosmetics industry. And as you grow older, your skin becomes thinner, produces fewer oils, and retains less moisture—and thus is more likely to become dry and itchy. Here are some smart ways to deal with dry skin.
Thinking Outside the Cookie
If your only experience with figs has been as cookie filling, you’re missing out. Figs, from ficus trees, are delicious, especially if you can find them fresh. And they offer lots of fiber and potassium, as well as some calcium, magnesium, iron, and other nutrients. Plus, they’re especially rich in antioxidants. A 2005 study scored dried figs (and apricots) as highest in overall nutrients, compared to other dried fruits.
When Exercise Takes Your Breath Away
Millions of Americans are affected by exercise-induced asthma (EIA), including most people with chronic asthma and perhaps one-third of people with allergies, such as hay fever. The symptoms—tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing—usually begin during exercise or shortly afterwards. Aerobic exercise is most likely to set off an attack, especially when the air is cold and dry. Some people are able to continue exercising after an EIA attack abates, but others have to end their workouts and/or take medication. Some may get discouraged or scared and simply give up on exercise. You don’t have to stop exercising if you have EIA. Here are steps that can help.
Ginger For What Ails You?
Used in cooking and herbal medicine around the world, ginger is the rhizome (underground stem) of Zingiber officinale. It contains many interesting compounds. The best known of these are called gingerols, which produce the hot sensation in your mouth, as well as the pungent flavor and aroma. Fresh or powdered, pickled or candied, ginger adds a unique zest to any dish. Like many herbs, it does great things in the lab, but its proven medicinal effects, in real life, remain limited. Here are some recent findings.
ASK
THE EXPERTS
Our readers ask: Is it true that eating lots of green vegetables interferes with anti-clotting drugs such as Coumadin? Can CoQ10 help treat high blood pressure? What does the term "organic" on cosmetics mean? Does aloe juice have any health benefits—and does it have unwanted laxative effects? Full
Story
WELL & INFORMED
Tips, Short Takes, and Other News You Can Use
Cookbook recipes get supersized . . . candle with care.
WELLNESS TIPS
• To find out how many servings of fruits and vegetables you should eat, go to the CDC’s special website. The government has replaced its old five-a-day program with new personalized advice based on your age, sex, and level of physical activity.
• If you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), getting more omega-3 fats from fish may slow its progression, suggests new research from the large clinical trial called AREDS, which followed 1,800 people who already had AMD. Those who consumed the most omega-3s (mostly from seafood) were about 30% less likely to show a worsening of the disease over a 12-year period than those who consumed the least.
• Don’t count on black cohosh or red clover to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. They work no better than a placebo—in fact, a placebo works better, according to a new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago, published in Menopause.
• If you have arthritis of the knee or diabetes, consider tai chi. In a recent study, people over 65 with knee osteoarthritis who took tai chi exercise classes twice weekly for 12 weeks experienced less pain and had improved physical function. A second study found that a tai chi program helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar and manage the disease.
• You don’t need special diets or supplements to lower the acidity or boost the alkalinity of your blood. Many articles, websites, and ads claim that the typical American diet increases blood acidity and that this causes most diseases, from cancer and arthritis to depression and premature aging. The claims are farfetched or even nonsensical.
• If you like to cycle but find it too vigorous because of hills, wind, and the seemingly endless trip home, consider using a power-assist bike. The pedals are the main form of propulsion, but a motor (usually battery-powered) kicks in to supply extra power when needed. A recent study found that they can provide a moderate-intensity workout, as defined by exercise guidelines.
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