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LOWER YOUR BAD CHOLESTEROL -- Here are some tips that have been found to naturally lower bad cholesterol in the body: 1. Eat a fiber-rich diet. Foods high in fiber include oatmeal, oat, and rice bran. 2. Switch to whole grains. Choose whole-grain breads instead of white breads. 3. Eat garlic. Garlic contains compounds proven to lower cholesterol production. 4. Eat foods containing vitamins A and C, such as cantaloupe, broccoli, peanuts, strawberries, sunflower seeds, and sweet green peppers. 5. Eat plenty of fruit daily, especially blueberries, apples, and citrus fruits. 6. Reduce fat. Make sure that less than seven percent of your daily calories come from those nasty saturated fats.

CHECK YOUR SKIN -- Monitoring changes in freckles and moles may help you catch skin cancer in its early stages, but only if you know what to look for. Researchers found that one out of four study participants was not able to spot an obvious increase in the size of an existing mole. Experts advise that, in addition to self examinations, you have a skin examination by your doctor annually, or twice per year if you are particularly fair-skinned or have a family history of skin cancer.

JOB STRESS AND YOUR HEALTH -- An occasional bad day at work is like an occasional bad hair day. There is nothing to worry about and things are normal. But when the job stress starts affecting your life on a regular basis, it may be time to step back and examine the situation. Keep things in perspective. Do not let little things ruin your day. Talk to your supervisor about your stress. Many companies have counseling help available through employee assistance programs. Identify the triggers of the stress and avoid them if at all possible. Take a break and take a walk. Take a vacation or a long weekend. Remember why you are working - but find pleasure in all you do.

EAT BETTER, BREATHE EASIER -- Adding apples and tomatoes to your diet may help protect against respiratory disorders, says a new study from the University of Nottingham in England. Subjects who ate at least five apples or three tomatoes a week were better able to expel air from their lungs, a way to check for asthma and other breathing problems.

SEARCHING FOR FOLATE -- When searching for folate, a B vitamin that is crucial for heart health and preventing birth defects, do not rule out canned beans. Though canning lowers levels by about half, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, chickpeas, navy beans, pinto beans, and red kidney beans still provide 15 percent to 20 percent of your daily requirement of folate. As an added bonus, canned beans are loaded with soluble fiber, which may become even more soluble (and therefore more useful) during heat processing.

MUSCLE CRAMPS -- If you are suffering from muscle cramps shortly into your workout, there are some simple ways to address the problem. You should treat these cramps seriously because your muscle it trying to tell you something. Continuing the workout at full power without first taking steps to fix the cramps can be dangerous and can lead to muscle problems and intense soreness later. Most cramps that occur during workouts are caused by lack of water in the system. A common misconception is that cramps are caused solely by a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. While this is common for cramps that spring up after the workout is complete, lactic acid usually is not responsible for cramps that show up during workouts. Lactic acid is mostly from intense muscle workouts. If you are suffering from cramps during the workout, it is most likely from low water levels in the body. Other steps you can take other than upping you daily water intake are taking a potassium supplement and increasing your stretching routine prior to working out. Water, potassium, and stretching will likely cure most of the cramps you may suffer from during a workout.

EXERCISE CUTS FALLING RISK -- Seniors can gain strength and balance by following a relatively simple exercise routine, a pilot project has found. Researchers said 19 seniors who participated in the initial studies showed significant improvements in physical and mental health. The 60- to 90-year-olds exercised three times a week for 40 minutes each using elastic bands and exercise balls. After ten weeks, the seniors had improved their strength and balance as well as "good" cholesterol levels. The study, conducted by University of Arkansas researchers, suggests that strength and flexibility training could reduce the number of falls taken every year by the elderly - falls that cost tens of billions of dollars a year for hospitalizations and rehabilitation.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Diabetes effects over 15 million people in the Unites States. An estimated 10 million of these people have been diagnosed, while over 5 million people are not even aware they have the disease. If not treated, diabetes can cause serious health complications - even death. Here is some general information regarding the disease:

** Q & A #1:
What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease which results in elevated blood sugar levels in the blood stream. The goal of treatment is to keep the blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. The complications of diabetes are caused by these elevated blood sugar levels.

** Q & A #2:
What are the different types of diabetes?

The two major types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin and occurs most often in persons under the age of 20. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance, which is an inability to properly use or produce enough insulin. Between 90 and 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. There is a third type of diabetes called gestational diabetes that occurs in two to five percent of all pregnant women. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes.

** Q & A #3:
What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Risk factors include being overweight, a family history of diabetes, and not exercising regularly. Members of certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, are at higher risk. Women who develop gestational diabetes, or who gave birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more are also at risk.

** Q & A #4:
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms or do not recognize them because they develop very slowly. The symptoms are frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, and recurring skin, gum or bladder infections.

** Q & A #5:
Is type 2 diabetes curable?

No, type 2 diabetes is not curable, but it is controllable. Learning to control your diabetes usually requires making some lifestyle changes and this is difficult for many people. The physician determines the form of treatment, but it is up to the patient to follow through with the treatment plan. Patients need to be educated in order to manage their diabetes effectively.

** Q & A #6:
What is the treatment for diabetes?

The treatment for persons with type 1 diabetes will always involve insulin injections since they do not produce insulin, and insulin is necessary for survival. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is more varied. Some people are on diet alone, others need to take one or more medications to keep their blood sugars under good control. Exercising is an extremely important part of a treatment plan since it offers a number of important benefits. Everyone with diabetes needs to follow a diabetic diet but this diet needs to be individualized for each person.

** Q & A #7:
What complications can arise without proper treatment?

People with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease and/or suffer a stroke. Elevated blood sugar levels cause damage to the inside of the blood vessels which can result in cardiovascular diseases. Other complications include neuropathy, foot problems, kidney disease, and blindness.

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THE HERBAL CORNER

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Ginkgo Biloba is a perfect example of the marriage of folklore and modern science. Few herbal remedies better typify the vast potential of plant medicines within the standards of modern medicine. Ginkgo biloba is one of the most promising and highly studied natural botanicals. It is also one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in Germany and France and is very popular throughout the world, especially in the Orient.

In the last 30 or so years, more that 300 studies have given clinical evidence that Ginkgo may help to prevent many problems throughout the entire body. Ginkgo is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum. It is also used as a treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation problems. Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

A sufficient daily dose of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) may provide substantial positive health effects. GBE works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen.

Benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction time, and improved mental clarity. Supplements containing GBE are often given to elderly persons with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or evidence of cerebral insufficiency. Cerebral insufficiency is a general term for a collection of symptoms that include difficulties of concentration and memory, absentmindedness, confusion, lack of energy, depressive mood, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. Ginkgo has also been used to relieve tension and anxiety and improve mental alertness, elevate mood, and restore energy.

GBE possesses two groups of active substances, flavonoids and terpene lactones, including ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide, quercetin, and kaempferol. The ginkgolides have been shown to control allergic inflammation, anaphylactic shock, and asthma.

Ginkgo Biloba also acts as a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia. Antioxidants also protect the eyes, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system. The Ginkgo herb may also help control the transformation of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries, and can relax constricted blood vessels.

Negative side effects are rare with use of the standardized GBE. Mild gastrointestinal upset occurs in less than one percent of patients in clinical studies. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, irritability and restlessness may occur with very large doses. Do not take if you are already on anti-coagulant medication as Ginkgo diminishes the ability for the blood to clot. There are no known contraindications to the use of Ginkgo during pregnancy or lactation.

For additional information please see http://www.aomega.com/ahs/b6104a.htm - This page presents details regarding "Brain Formula" - a unique, high-quality nutritional formula that provides special nutrients (including GBE) for improved brain and central nervous system function.

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PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH

• DAILY BIOBASICS

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A one month supply of DAILY BIOBASICS costs just $55.00 regular price (or just $49 for AutoShip members which includes FREE shipping!) Please e-mail us for more details about the AutoShip program or request that we register you as an ASAP Member by indicating that in the COMMENTS field located at the bottom of our secured online order form. Additional details about DAILY BIOBASICS can be found on our web site at http://www.aomega.com/ahs/d6132a.htm To ORDER online, by phone, or by mail, please see http://www.aomega.com/ahs/ordering.htm (if you are already a Life Plus member, please remember to reference your member PIN on your order).

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HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH