Health Front
News That's Good for You
July 2008
Reprinted with permission from Taste For Life
Hot, Hot, Hot
THE MERCURY IS RISING. Infants and children under four years of age, anyone with a chronic medical condition, people over 65, and women who are pregnant are most at risk for heat-related problems.
Check your local weather regularly, and on red-alert days, don’t exercise outdoors—even if you’re healthy. If your commute or work keeps you active on hot days, you’ll lose valuable minerals when you sweat.
Drink frequently (at least hourly) to prevent dehydration. In addition to pure water, sip energy and sports drinks, herbal teas, juices, and vegetable broth to help replace electrolytes—but keep an eye on the sugar and sweeteners they may contain. Dissolve a packet of instant miso soup in water, and keep fresh fruit handy. Bitter orange tea not only maintains electrolyte balance but may also help prevent heatstroke.
Take cool baths or showers, and apply cold compresses periodically. Run a washcloth under cold water, sprinkle on a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oils, and apply to your forehead, temples, or pulse points.
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- “Are You at Risk?” 4/23/08
- “Health Dangers from a Warming Planet,” 4/9/08, www.edf.org
- “Effect of Heat Acclimation on Sweat Minerals” by T. D. Chinevere et al., Med Sci Sports Exerc, 5/08
- Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC ($23.95, Penguin Group/Avery, 2002)
- The Traveler’s Natural Medicine Kit by Pamela Hirsch ($12, Healing Arts, 2001)
How Much H2O?
A cool glass of water not only quenches thirst but also moistens bodily tissues, cushions joints, regulates body temperature, helps deliver nutrients, and flushes out waste. To get the benefits, you need eight glasses a day, right? Not necessarily, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD. Liquids other than water, such as juice, milk, soups, and tea, all work toward hydration. Coffee counts as well, though caffeine is dehydrating, so go easy on the espresso. In addition, water-rich fruit and vegetables help you stay hydrated. At least half of your daily fluid intake should be pure water, Krieger says.
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- “Eating and Exercise: Time It Right to Maximize Your Workout,” www.mayoclinic.com, 12/26/06
- “Water Is Vital, but How Much Should You Drink?” by Linda Saether, www.cnn.com, 5/19/08
Bountiful Berries
Berries help prevent cardiovascular disease in at least three ways, according to a recent study. Researchers at the National Public Health Institute in Finland asked middle-aged men and women with cardiovascular risk factors to eat five ounces of berries each day. At the end of eight weeks, the group consuming berries had significantly higher HDL (healthy) cholesterol concentrations, lower systolic blood pressure, and reduced platelet aggregation compared to the control group. Researchers attribute the cardiovascular benefits to the berries’ polyphenols, also found in red wine, chocolate, and tea. Enjoy the benefits—and taste—of berries now, while they’re in season.
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- “Favorable Effects of Berry Consumption on Platelet Function, Blood Pressure, and HDL Cholesterol” by I. Erlund et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2/08
Did You Know?
Eating two to three kiwifruit a day significantly reduces blood clotting and lowers triglyceride levels, according to a study at the University of Oslo. The research suggests that the fruit may help prevent strokes, deep vein thrombosis, and cardiovascular disease.
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- “Effects of Kiwi Fruit Consumption . . . in Healthy Human Volunteers” by A. K. Duttaroy and A. Jorgensen, Platelets, 8/04
