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SIX MEMORY TIPS -- 1. Increase pure water consumption to one gallon per day; 2. Stop drinking any other liquids; 3. Eliminate dairy products; 4. Increase high fiber foods; 5. Get some sun 20 to 30 minutes per day at minimum with as much skin exposed as is safe. Do not use sun blocks. Start with shorter times if you are in hot sun area; 6. Get mild exercise. Start with 10 minutes of walking and build additional minutes each day until you can walk for 60 minutes. After as little as 15 days you will experience improvement. Continue for 60 days. An even better resource for memory problems appears at http://chetday.com/memoryloss.htm

UNDONE PORK COULD CAUSE ILLNESS -- Whether serving ham or a pork roast for dinner, it is important to cook it properly, says the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Pork not cooked to an internal temperature of at least 155 degrees Fahrenheit is underdone and could still harbor disease-causing parasites, according to food experts. Undercooked pork can result in trichinosis, an illness that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, muscle soreness and pain, and swelling around the eyes. Dr. Vickie Vaclavik, assistant professor of clinical nutrition, says it is a bad idea to eat any meat that is still red around the bone.

PURPLE BERRIES HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS -- Scientists say purple berries, such as black currant, are up to 50 percent higher in antioxidants than other varieties. The dark-skinned group, which also includes elderberry and chokeberry, is thus thought to have greater potential to provide more health benefits, such as protection against cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's, than even blueberries and cranberries, say scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture. The berries soon will be used as part of a growing number of specialty health foods, drinks, and nutraceuticals, they say in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry."

SNACKING -- Feel guilty when you sneak a snack? Don't - between-meal munching actually may be good for you. A University of Toronto study found that people who ate the equivalent of three meals divided into five or six mini-meals and snacks throughout the day had significantly lower blood cholesterol levels and a lower heart disease risk than people who ate the same amount of food in three sittings. Snack selection counts, of course, so skip the chips and candy bars, and opt for the healthy stuff, such as fruit and other complex carbs, and lean protein.

CALCIUM EASES KIDNEY STONES -- Eating high-calcium foods may be an easy way to avoid painful kidney stones. Studies have shown that diets high in certain nutrients, such as calcium, may inhibit the formation of kidney stones. Dairy products are one of the best sources of dietary calcium. Choose low-fat dairy products to reduce saturated fat intake. Non-dairy sources of calcium include soymilk, kale, spinach, and canned pink salmon. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet, try adding a calcium supplement to your routine. Choose one that also contains vitamin D, which aids in the absorption of calcium. For optimal calcium absorption, split your calcium intake into two 600-milligram doses taken 8 to 12 hours apart. Although spinach and kale are sources of calcium, people who are prone to oxalate-containing kidney stones should limit their intake of spinach and kale. Both contain oxalates.

CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT -- Control your environment for the better every chance you get. Of course, you cannot always be in complete control as you have to breathe the air around you, but you can play a good defense. Avoid second hand smoke and harsh chemicals when possible. One place you can be in total control is your home. Today, most homes are loaded with chemicals that are not supportive of good health. Get rid of them! Replace them with environmental friendly products. Does it make any sense to keep products under your sink or in your laundry room that may be harmful when there are other environmental friendly and less harmful ones available? Why risk the exposure if it is not necessary? Any little amount you can eliminate is just that much better and you will feel the difference in time.

VARIETY BETTER FOR YOUR BODY -- Doing more than one form of exercise will help engage all your muscle groups. Walking tends to work the muscles of the calves and shins more intensely than the thigh muscles or muscles of the upper body. Adding another form of exercise to your workout routine can help to target other body areas and also help you increase your total physical activity time each week. Choose another activity you find enjoyable and which fits into your lifestyle and schedule. Options to consider include swimming, biking, hiking on steep terrain, dancing, martial arts, bowling, golf, and racquetball.

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FEATURED ARTICLE

• "Surprising Health Benefits For Pet Owners"
  by Patricia Wagner

Did you know that there are key health benefits that can result from owning a pet? Having one can enhance your physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

1. How can a pet help your physical health?

Owning a dog, for instance, will encourage you to get more exercise. With your faithful friend at your side, you're much more likely to go for a walk. Walking is one of the best health activities you can do. While walking you're also more likely to socially interact with your neighbors because your special pal often acts as an ice-breaker.

Research led by Dr. Karen Allen at the State University of New York at Buffalo shows that pets can help lower blood pressure. Stockbrokers with high blood pressure were studied to see what happened when they adopted a pet dog or cat. Researchers concluded that having a pet nearby helps control increases in blood pressure due to stress.

In his studies Alan Beck, ScD (Professor of Animal Ecology, Purdue University) found that the simple act of petting your dog slows your heart rate and causes your blood pressure to drop.

An added health advantage from pet ownership is that patients may live longer after heart attacks. Some doctors recommend that a heart attack survivor adopt a dog because research has shown that a faithful canine companion can help prolong an owner's life.

2. How Can A Pet Improve Your Mental Health?

Sharing your life with a cat may help your mental health. A study conducted at Australia's University of New England found that people who own feline friends may experience fewer psychiatric disturbances than those without cats.

Pets can help their owners overcome depression through their companionship and unconditional love. They seem to possess the natural ability to help you relax and enjoy life more.

Pets can also help when you experience times of loneliness. English poet, Alexander Pope, has stated that histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends. According to a Chinese proverb, dogs have so many friends because they wag their tails, not their tongues.

When you take care of a pet you have to develop a routine of getting out, buying food, and providing exercise. This can help fight off depression and loneliness. The simple responsibility of pet care can help you get your mind off yourself and your problems.

3. How can a pet enhance your wellbeing in the area of relationships?

AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) President, Link Wellborn, believes that pets are more than just a member of the family - they're central to a healthy lifestyle.

Pets help lessen tension between family members and add a lot of fun and unconditional love to the homes where they live. When pets do cute and funny things - which they often do - family members react by laughing and being more relaxed.

If you don't have a pet yet, consider making one part of your family, but make sure you have the time and resources necessary to provide a stable loving home for your new friend.

If you choose a dog as your new pal, remember this wise old saying. "A dog is man's best friend." That's true in more ways than one. You'll get unconditional love, companionship, loyalty, and relaxation in return for your investment of time and material resources. What a bargain!

Copyright © 2005 by Patricia Wagner

Patricia Wagner offers informative tips on living a more energetic lifestyle at http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com. She is also an artist and you can view her original paintings at http://www.artbywagner.com

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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** Q & A #1:
I have developed an allergy to the sun. I have been told it may be due to prolonged use of the birth control pill. I have also become sensitive to sun screens and have tried dozens of different sunscreens. Can you suggest any naturopathic solutions to this agonizing problem?

Antioxidants decrease the potential for sunburn so taking selenium, grape seed extract and vitamins A, C, E may be useful. If the process is truly an allergic response, quercetin may decrease the intensity of the reaction. I assume you have also tried antihistamine type medications which are commonly prescribed for allergic skin conditions. Milk thistle, an herb that aids liver metabolism is sometimes helpful for allergic conditions as it allows the offending compounds to be processed and eliminated more quickly. It is conceivable that you are reacting to compounds produced in your body as a result of ultraviolet (sun) exposure. Birth control pills are known to deplete B vitamins so you may want to take a B-complex supplement in case that is an issue. You will definitely want to stay away from Saint John's Wort which increases sensitivity to the sun. Some tanning pills have high amounts of beta-carotene. These pills (or drinking lots of carrot juice) can give you a fake (orange) tan that may reduce your sun sensitivity slightly. However, taking enough beta-carotene to turn orange is generally not thought to be a good idea.

** Q & A #2:
I have been told that supplements containing glucosamine sulfate can cause or worsen diabetes, is this true?

The amount of glucose in glucosamine (even at a high dose of 4,500 mg. per day) is negligible compared to the glucose in your diet. It is therefore very unlikely that glucosamine sulfate will have any significant effect on your blood sugar, much less cause diabetes.

** Q & A #3:
I am 60 years old and have had slight stomach pains. My doctor says it might be diverticulitis. What is the complementary treatment for this condition?

Diverticulosis is a condition with abnormally dilated pockets of the intestine that bulge outward. If food is trapped in these pockets and an infection develops diverticulosis becomes diverticulitis. These infected pockets can rupture and a number of serious complications are possible. Therefore antibiotics are the treatment of choice for diverticulitis. Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove or drain the pockets of infection. The role of complementary therapies in diverticulitis are just that - complementary, adjuncts to the conventional treatments, not replacements. Probiotics (friendly bacteria like acidophilus) or a probiotics supplement - http://www.aomega.com/ahs/d6122a.htm - can be used to replenish the normal intestinal microflora after they have been seriously disrupted with the use of antibiotics. It is generally recommended that popcorn, nuts, and seeds be avoided in the diet to prevent recurrences of diverticulitis. A diet high in fiber is also thought to be beneficial for prevention of diverticulitis in patients with diverticulosis.

** Q & A #4:
I recently read a news article that said St. John's Wort may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives. Is this true?

St. John's Wort stimulates a set of liver enzymes responsible for processing a number of different prescription drugs. As a result, the drug levels decrease and the effectiveness of the drugs is diminished. This effect has been measured and/or reported with a number of drugs including antiretroviral drugs (used to treat HIV infection), cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection), and yes, birth control pills.

** Q & A #5:
Is it true that eating nuts regularly may help prevent or lower the risk of diabetes?

It appears to be the case. Harvard School of Public Health officials say nuts and peanut butter can help lower the risk of type 2, adult-onset diabetes in women. The research, in a past issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," says earlier studies have linked components of nuts with added risk of type 2 diabetes, but nuts actually are high in unsaturated fat and other nutrients that may improve glucose and insulin stability. The researchers analyzed almost 84,000 cases from the huge Nurses' Health Study, which was begun in 1976 and included 121,700 female nurses aged 30 to 55 years. They found the risk for developing type 2 diabetes for four levels of nut consumption - a 1-ounce serving - were: never/almost never, no change in risk; less than once per week, 8 percent lower risk; 1-4 times per week, 16 percent lower risk; and 5 or more times per week, 27 percent lower risk. When researchers made adjustments for intake of dietary fats, cereal fiber, and other dietary factors, the results did not change.

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PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH

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Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you know that might benefit from any of the above information - or refer them to http://www.aomega.com/ahs/newsletters/nl030405.htm - we would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Archangel Health News and may God bless you and your HEALTH!

Darrin and Sandi Quiles
Archangel Health and Nutrition Store

Three Ways to Order: http://www.aomega.com/ahs/ordering.htm

Buy 6 of any one product featured on our site and get 1 FREE!

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Copyright © 2005 by Sandi and Darrin Quiles. All rights reserved.