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DUST MITES -- If you are allergic to dust mites and suspect that your area rugs make you sneeze and itch, place them outdoors in direct sunlight. For one study, Australian researchers placed mite-infested rugs upside down on an outdoor concrete surface during a summer day. After four hours, no live mites or eggs survived. Airing rugs and other household items outdoors dries and warms them, a process that kills mites.

COUNSEL AGAINST SMOKE -- Medical students rarely receive formal training for tobacco cessation techniques, although 90 percent of students interviewed think they should, a recent study shows. The survey questioned third-year medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy students in 10 countries. The study found between 87 and 99 percent of the students believed they should have a role in counseling patients to quit smoking; however, only 5 to 37 percent of these students had actually received any formal training.

HEARTY POMEGRANATE JUICE -- Men and women with heart conditions who drink one glass of pomegranate juice daily may support blood flow to their heart, according to researchers from the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, and California Pacific Medical Center. Three months into the study, blood flow to the heart improved in the pomegranate juice group but worsened in the comparison group. Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols and other naturally occurring antioxidants.

MAKING HOME SAFE FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS -- One way to help make your home safe for allergy and asthma sufferers is to encase mattresses and box springs in a mite-proof cover. Terri Dobey, University of Missouri, Columbia, clinical instructor of respiratory therapy, says sufferers try to escape allergens in the spring by heading indoors - where air pollution may be two to five times worse than outdoors. Dobey's other tips: wash all bedding in hot water once a week; never allow pets in the bedroom; wash stuffed animals regularly or ban them from sleeping quarters; wash shower curtains frequently; remove bathroom mold by washing with a solution of one-fourth cup of bleach in a gallon of water; do not use wall-to-wall carpeting in the bathroom; take precautions in handling personal hygiene products, such as aerosols and fragrant perfumes, which can cause respiratory irritation.

PAIN RELIEVER WARNING -- When taking more than one over-the-counter medication, checking all the labels for extra analgesics is a good way to guard your health. Getting more than the recommended dose of certain over-the-counter pain relievers can increase your risk of harmful side effects. However, straight pain relievers are not the only medications that may contain analgesics. Some multiple formulation products, such as certain cold medicines, may contain them, too, so check all labels.

CHERRIES EASE OA PAIN -- Recent studies by USDA researchers revealed that fresh Bing cherries may contain anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially help ease osteoarthritis pain. In the study, people who had eaten cherries for breakfast had lower blood levels of C-reactive protein and nitric oxide, both of which are markers of inflammatory disease. The causes of arthritis are unclear. However, people who are over the age of 65 are most likely to have osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease characterized by the wearing away of protective joint cartilage. Several lifestyle factors may increase the risk of arthritis or arthritis pain. These include excess weight, weak thigh muscles, excessively heavy physical activity, and joint injury or stress. Having a family member with osteoarthritis also may slightly increase your risk of developing it.

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE -- Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, meaning that they have low levels of the enzyme required to break down lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. The degree of intolerance varies widely, however, and being lactose intolerant does not rule out eating all dairy products. In fact, foods such as hard cheeses and yogurt will not cause symptoms. That is important to remember so you still get the needed amount of calcium for your body. People can have varying degrees of intolerance. A lot of it has to do with individual sensitivity; that relates, in part, to how much actual lactase is in their intestines. For example, some people can have a glass of milk and get symptoms of bloating and diarrhea, and for others a tablespoon in their coffee, for example, can cause problems. It just depends on their personal threshold. Individual variation also affects how quickly symptoms develop; they can occur soon after eating or the following day.

DRINKING ALCOHOL INCREASES PANCREATITIS -- Drinking alcohol has been on the rise in Britain, and as a result so has the rate of acute pancreatitis, doctors say. A study published in the British Medical Journal finds acute pancreatitis has doubled over the past 30 years, particularly among young adults. Acute pancreatitis, mainly caused by alcohol abuse and gall stones, can cause a sudden attack of severe upper abdominal pain, often with nausea and vomiting lasting for about 48 hours. Pancreatitis has a poor prognosis and death rates since 1970 have not improved because there have been no major innovations in treatment. The study finds death rates in the first month after hospital admission were 30 times higher than in the general population of the same age.

U.S. BEACH WATER QUALITY STILL BAD OVERALL -- A study of beach water quality in the United States, by the Natural Resources Defense Council, shows 2007 was the second worst year since studies began 18 years ago. "Some families cannot enjoy their local beaches because they are polluted and kids are getting sick - largely because of human and animal waste in the water," said Nancy Stoner, director of the NRDC's clean water project. Using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, the report rates more than 100 popular U.S. beaches with a five-star rating guide based on the cleanliness of the water, as well as monitoring and public notification practices. Some of the nation's cleanest beaches are on the California coast and in Hawaii. On the east coast, one Maryland beach earned a five-star rating - Ocean City at Beach 6 - and in New Hampshire, Hampton Beach in Rockingham County was awarded five stars, as were three Duluth, Minnesota, beaches on Lake Superior. But in the entire Great Lakes area, 15 percent of beach water violated health standards with the highest level of contamination of any continental U.S. region. Nationally, seven percent of all beach water samples violated health standards, showing no improvement from 2006.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Q & A #1:
What are the similarities or differences between mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr Virus?

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a viral infection. The most common cause is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Signs and symptoms of mono include fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. Mono usually is not serious. But the virus remains in your body for life. Some people with mono have minimal symptoms, and the infection goes undetected. When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, it causes mononucleosis in up to 50 percent of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EBV is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common viruses that affect humans. Most people have been exposed to EBV by age 35 and have developed antibodies to it. As a result, they are immune and rarely get it again. It was once thought that EBV may cause chronic fatigue syndrome, which is similar to chronic mononucleosis. But doctors no longer believe this is true.

Q & A #2:
A nurse told me not to heat baby bottles in the microwave. Do you know why?

This is primarily a safety issue. Although microwaves are convenient, they can heat liquids unevenly. As a result, there may be hot spots that can burn your baby's mouth - even though the outside of the bottle or a few drops of the liquid may feel only warm. Many babies prefer warmed bottles of formula or breast milk. But feedings do not have to be warmer than body temperature. Most babies do just fine with feedings warmed to room temperature. Older babies may readily drink cold liquids. The best way to warm a bottle is to place the filled bottle in a bowl or pan of hot water and let it stand for a few minutes. Shake the bottle after warming it to distribute the warmed milk evenly. Then turn it upside down and allow a drop or two of the liquid to fall on your hand or wrist. It should feel comfortable or barely warm.

If you must use the microwave method, follow these precautions: 1. Keep the bottle upright and uncovered (no nipple) during heating to allow heat to escape. 2. Heat 4-ounce bottles at the high setting for no longer than 30 seconds and 8-ounce bottles for no longer than 45 seconds. 3. Turn the bottle upside down at least 10 times. This evens the temperature difference between the top and bottom and eliminates hot spots. 4. Always test the formula's temperature before feeding it to your baby. It should feel cool to slightly warm. 5. If you need a bottle warmed in a restaurant, ask how they warm baby bottles. If they use a microwave, you will want to follow these same precautions.

Q & A #3:
When a mosquito bites me, I get big, nickel-sized welts. Is this normal?

The normal reaction to a mosquito bite is a small area of swelling, itching, and redness at the site. This typically goes away within 24 hours. Some people are highly sensitive to mosquito bites and develop larger local reactions. This type of reaction may last for several days. But it is usually not serious. Rarely, an individual may have a serious reaction to mosquito bites, which results in swelling in the throat, hives, and wheezing. This is a life-threatening condition (anaphylaxis) and requires immediate medical attention.

If you are sensitive to mosquito bites, the best advice is to avoid getting bitten. Follow these common-sense precautions: Avoid areas, such as marshes, where mosquito activity is highest. Avoid going outside when mosquito activity is highest, such as at dusk and dawn and after rain. Wear protective clothing when outside. Use insect repellent. To relieve the itching of a bite, apply a lotion containing calamine. If you have a large local reaction, consider taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl to see if it helps.

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LEAN BODY MASS

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One of the most common terms used in current weight management literature is "lean body mass." However, most people do not know exactly what that means. Lean body mass is often misunderstood to mean only muscle mass, but it is actually comprised of much more than that. Simply put, lean body mass consists of everything in your body aside from fat and water. This "lean" mass is mainly muscle, bone and connective tissue such as tendons, ligaments and skin. It also includes tissues lining vital body parts like the heart, lungs, bladder, liver, and eyes.

Because the majority of tissue that makes up lean body mass is muscle, the more lean body mass you have, the stronger and healthier you will be. Lean body mass is generally represented as a percentage of total body mass. Problems occur when the proper balance between lean body mass and total body mass is lost and body fat percentages rise too high.

This should not suggest that if a little fat is good then no fat must be better. The body requires fat to maintain healthy functions. Inadequate amounts of fat in the body can result in poor vitamin absorption, feelings of tiredness and intolerance to cold. Fat is even necessary to keep the immune system functioning. Because the body requires fat to function properly, a balance must be maintained.

Most experts agree that the male body should be only about 15% body fat, but the average man today has around 23% body fat. It is recommended that women have a slightly higher average of about 22% body fat to be healthy, but they actually average around 32%. These numbers show that most people in the world today would benefit from increasing their lean body mass.

To maintain good health it is vital to maintain lean body mass. A higher percentage of lean body mass means more muscle is present, which is the body's sole source of strength. A person's balance, agility and coordination depend on muscles, and muscles, and therefore lean body mass, are the only place in the body where calories are burned. In order to lose weight we must take care of our muscles.

The two biggest factors in building and maintaining muscle mass are proper nutrition and regular exercise. Protein intake is especially important because muscles need certain amino acids found only in protein to maintain, build and repair themselves after a workout. Furthermore, any serious weightlifter will tell you that without adequate protein intake, during an intense workout the body will use the protein in its muscles as fuel, making it impossible to increase lean body mass.

Calorie intake is also important, though it should be carefully regulated. Just as the body needs fat to function, it also needs calories. Dieters who try to lose weight by caloric restriction alone will find that a significant amount of their weight loss is actually lost muscle tissue. Because muscle is the part of the body that is capable of burning calories, as it is lost so is the ability to efficiently burn calories, making it harder and harder to lose weight.

Regular exercise is the second major factor in increasing lean body mass. There are basically two types of exercise - aerobic and resistance. Aerobic exercise burns fat, while resistance exercise is used to build muscles. As we already learned, muscles are a must for burning calories, and both of these types of exercise play an important role in creating lean body mass. Aside from burning fat, aerobic exercise also provides a major benefit to the circulatory system - most notably the heart. Running, jogging and other types of aerobic exercise should be included in everyone's life, even if you are not overweight.

When most people think of resistance, or weight training, they picture hulking muscle-bound men pumping iron at the gym. This does not have to be the case. Resistance training is simply exercise that builds muscle mass. It does not even have to take place in a gym. You can purchase home gym equipment or even just a simple set of dumbbells. To reduce the risk of injury, always consult a professional trainer before attempting any form of resistance training. Aside from building calorie burning muscle and increasing lean body mass, resistance training is now known to play an important role in maintaining bone density and even deterring diabetes.

Through proper nutrition and regular exercise, it is possible to increase your lean body mass while simultaneously losing "those extra inches" around your waist, leaving you looking and feeling better. Taking care of your body is key to living a longer, healthier and ultimately happier life. Increasing lean body mass is a great way to accomplish this.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER

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Imagine being stranded on a desert island and you can have the one thing that you cannot live without. What would it be? A box of matches to build a warm fire? Enough steak and eggs to last until a raft is built? Companionship with a celebrity for witty conversation?

The answer is crystal clear: It is water. Our survival depends on it.

Water is essential to our bodies. On a daily basis we require water for a number of bodily functions:

- For digestion (to transport nutrients and remove waste products)
- To lubricate body parts (such as the eyes and mouth)
- To cushion joints as a shock absorber
- To maintain blood volume
- To control body temperature

So much in this world is related to nature that it is important to maintain balance with nature. Interestingly, the ratio of sodium to potassium in human blood is exactly the same as it is in ocean water, and the ratio of potassium inside the body's cells to the amount in the blood is nearly identical to the ratio of potassium in the earth's crust relative to the amount in the oceans, says Dwight McKee, M.D.

Water is one of the most important nutrients for everyone, including children and older adults. It not only keeps us healthy but also may help us to perform better, both physically and mentally. And, as people age, the balance between the need for water and thirst for water shifts - the less water older adults drink, the less thirsty they become, leaving them open to the risk of serious dehydration and other complications.

Thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration. By the time we get thirsty, it may be too late - and we may reach for a beverage that does not replenish the body, such as soda pop, coffee, tea, or alcohol. Sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger; we think our body is asking for food, but what it really wants is water.

We might not drink enough water if we are in the habit of drinking iced or refrigerated water, Dr. McKee says. Drinking water at a temperature of less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44 degrees Celsius) slows its absorption from the stomach and upper intestine; the body has to warm the water more than 60 degrees (15 degrees Celsius) to get it up to body temperature before it takes it into the bloodstream. He recommends drinking water at room temperature. When water is consumed at room temperature or slightly above, it is able to move from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream much more rapidly, allowing the consumption of larger quantities of water over a shorter period of time.

The quality of water is another important factor to consider. He says most tap water is disinfected with chlorine or other chemicals that can be potent oxidants that kill bacteria and viruses but may be damaging to our bodies. This practice has helped to dramatically reduce the incidence of waterborne infectious diseases. But the problem with drinking chlorinated tap water is that residual chlorine and its by-products such as chloramines can also kill the beneficial bacteria that live in our intestines as well as increase oxidative stress (free radicals) in our bloodstream, placing a greater demand on the body's antioxidant reserves. That is why the demand for bottled water and water filtration systems has increased.

It is a good habit to drink water throughout the day whether we feel thirsty or not. But how much water should we drink? Recommendations vary:

In Australia, an accredited practicing dietitian nutritionist at Sydney's Lidcombe Hospital recommends drinking two liters of water a day and increasing this amount from a half liter to one liter in humid weather. In Britain, the British Dietetic Association guidelines state that an average adult should consume two and one half liters of water per day and increase the intake during hot weather or during and after physical activity. In Canada, two to three liters of fluid each day is recommended. More water is necessary when eating large amounts of salt, sugar, fiber or protein; when the environment is hot and/or humid; and when we are physically active. In Ireland, www.irishhealth.com suggests that each adult drink at least one pint of water a day in addition to the water derived from all other sources, including fruits and vegetables, milk, juices, soups and soft drinks. In Japan, the average person drinks 12 liters of mineral water a year besides regular water consumption. Water containing vanadium (said to support low blood sugar levels) is very popular, and water containing silicon (said to support low cholesterol) is on the rise. In the United States, the Institute of Medicine recommends that men consume three liters of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters. Dr. McKee believes that a trial of drinking six pints of water daily for several months can tell you whether any of your health problems may have been related to chronic dehydration. His recommendation is that you drink according to the following schedule: one pint of water immediately upon waking; one pint of water shortly before breakfast; one pint of water shortly before lunch; one pint of water shortly before dinner; and two pints of water throughout the course of daily exercise routine.

"If the problems were related to dehydration, you will be a confirmed water addict for life," he says. "If a few months of such increased water intake make no difference to how you feel or function, you can rest assured that you have been getting enough water."

Your body may require more than average amounts of water when you are: more physically active; on a high-protein or high-fiber diet; having diarrhea or vomiting; exposed to hot or humid conditions; or pregnant or breastfeeding (consult your physician about how much water you should be drinking).

Drinking enough pure, clean water - along with regular exercise; a diet of whole, natural foods; high-quality food supplements; and some form of regular stress management practice - is one of the best possible investments you can make in your health and quality of life.

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PRODUCT-OF-THE-MONTH

• CIRCULATION FORMULA
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Researchers won the Nobel Prize for proving that the main ingredient in CIRCULATION FORMULA, L-Arginine, produces "NO" in your body. "NO" stands for nitric oxide and is actually what your blood vessels use to stay dilated (open) so your blood can flow through them more easily and efficiently. CIRCULATION FORMULA is a premium-quality supplement that also contains synergistic B-vitamins and effective herbal extracts - including Ginkgo biloba, Horse Chestnut seed, and Butcher’s Broom - which support healthy arteries, veins, and circulation. It also contains the herb "Muira Puama" from the Amazon rainforest that promotes and supports healthy sexual function. The product is also suitable for use by vegetarians. For optimum blood flow, heart and circulatory system function try a bottle of CIRCULATION FORMULA today. Additional details about CIRCULATION FORMULA can be found on our web site at http://www.aomega.com/ahs/c6133a.htm.

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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

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