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AVOIDING ACID REFLUX -- Protect the lining of your stomach and esophagus by tossing your saltshaker. Too much salt in the diet may mean a greater chance of developing acid reflux disease, according to new research. Acid reflux disease causes chronic heartburn symptoms. In a study, people who always used extra table salt were almost twice as likely to develop acid reflux disease compared to people who never used extra table salt. In addition to cutting back on table salt, other ways to lower your risk of developing acid reflux disease include not smoking or quitting smoking if you smoke; exercising regularly; and getting adequate amounts of fiber in your diet. Symptoms associated with acid reflux include heartburn, chest pain, coughing while lying down, and trouble breathing while you sleep. A more serious, though fairly rare, potential consequence of untreated acid reflux is esophageal cancer. Foods to avoid if you have chronic heartburn include fatty and fried foods, chocolate, alcohol, mint, citrus, and tomato products. These items may exacerbate symptoms. Effective medications also are available for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux disease.

KITCHEN INSECT REPELLENTS -- Strings of garlic bulbs and bundles of chili peppers hung from the ceiling of a kitchen have more than just cosmetic appeal. Flies and other pests do not care for them. Aromatic herbs will also keep away kitchen pests. Try growing sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, or one of the mints in your kitchen windows. Rue, a fast-growing bushy plant with blue-tinged leaves, will work against both flies and fleas. An aromatic herb such as rosemary will also counter microbial activity in meats, if sprigs of the herb are tucked into the meat. If you have a problem with ants in your kitchen, find their point of entry and sprinkle cayenne pepper around it. And finally, a couple of bay leaves in your jars of flour, cereals, beans, or rice will deter weevils.

WASHING SHEETS REDUCES ALLERGENS -- If someone in your household has allergies, a recent study shows that a few simple steps can reduce the presence of dust mite allergens in the bedroom and possibly make the allergic person more comfortable. Through their study of 39 homes in Seattle, Washington, the investigators found that allergen-proof covers and meticulous laundering of bedding reduced the allergen level in beds. Vacuuming, with or without dry steam cleaning, reduced the levels in carpets. These measures helped lower allergen levels below those necessary to trigger an asthma attack, although not enough to prevent the development of allergies altogether. Wash sheets at least once a week - more often if the allergies are bad. It is best to change them at mid-day so any allergens that are sent airborne during the sheet ruffling can settle in time for a comfortable evening but not so early that the new sheet have all day to gather a new set of allergens.

EAT YOUR BEANS! -- Colorado researchers say antioxidant-rich beans, long touted for nutritional benefits, also may help fight cancer and diabetes. The scientists are investigating the antioxidant properties of 15 varieties of beans that may help fight cancer and possibly protect against diabetes. The project, funded with $187,000 from the Bean Health Alliance, may serve as a model for food and crop research that can be used by farmers to determine what varieties of crops to plant and by consumers to decide what foods to eat. "Antioxidants are found to be important to people for fighting cancer and also for battling diabetes," said Henry Thompson, professor and director of the Cancer Prevention Laboratory at Colorado State University. "We know that there is an association between cell oxidation and diabetes, because we have seen this behavior as part of the pathology of diabetes."

EAT YOUR WALNUTS TOO! -- Scientists from Pennsylvania State University report eating walnuts can help reduce inflammatory markers for cardiovascular disease. They found an effect on C-reactive protein and harmful plaque adhesion molecules, they report in the "Journal of Nutrition." Many people look to fish, such as salmon, for healthful omega-3 fatty acids, notes investigator Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition. "The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts were converted to the same omega-3 fatty acids found in marine sources and had a similar effect on inflammation," she says. "Reducing inflammation can help decrease the process of arteriosclerosis - the development and build-up of plaque in the arteries." She says a walnut-rich diet may protect against multiple heart disease risk factors, rather than just one, thus potentially having a greater impact on coronary health.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Q & A #1:
What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Be aware that these indicate that you might be at risk and not that you will get colorectal cancer. Routine screenings are the most important thing you can do for yourself.

• Colon cancer can occur at any age, but people over the age of 50 are at higher risk than those who are younger
• Having polyps in your colon
• Having a personal history of other cancers
• Having a blood relative, especially a parent, sister, brother or child, who has had colorectal cancer
• Having had an inflammatory disease of the colon
• Eating a low fiber, high fat diet
• Lack of exercise
• Being overweight

Q & A #2:
Can you provide me with some general information regarding the health benefits of using MSM as a dietary supplement?

In the last couple of years, MSM has become a very popular dietary supplement useful for fighting allergies, inflammations, and the pain associated with arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and more.

MSM or methyl-sulfonyl-methane is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound, believed to help regulate the normal healthy function of controlling pain impulses perceived by the brain. Sulfur is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body after calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It is essential for the body's growth and repair mechanisms.

The sulfur in MSM plays a role in the formation of keratin, a vital protein for skin, hair, and nail growth. It is also involved in the health structure of collagen, keeping it flexible. It helps, too, in producing immunoglobulins, important antibodies for normal immune function.

MSM is most abundant in raw, non-pasteurized milk and can be found in lesser amounts in garlic, grains, raw meat, eggs, and fish. It is also found in fresh, raw vegetables such as broccoli, peppers, Brussels sprouts, onions, asparagus, and cabbage. Getting enough MSM is difficult, however, because it is water-soluble and evaporates easily. The nutrient is lost once food is cooked, steamed, smoked, or processed in any way. Fortunately, most experts agree that MSM in supplement form is very safe.

To learn more about MSM and the product we offer called "MSM Plus," please visit the following web page: http://www.aomega.com/ahs/m6127a.htm - there you will find links to even more details, the other products we offer on our web site, and ordering information / instructions.

Q & A #3:
I have read that swimming may be a great exercise, but not for weight loss? Is this true?

Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise. It uses almost all the major muscle groups, and places a vigorous demand on your heart and lungs. It develops muscle strength and endurance, and improves posture and flexibility. The buoyancy factor makes it especially useful for people who are overweight, pregnant, or with leg or lower back problems. It is a great sport for people of all ages and all proficiency levels. In order to lose weight, you might want to keep your swimming regime (speeding up your pace a little bit and increasing the length of your swimming sessions, if necessary), and supplement it with some good-paced, arm-swinging walks.

Researchers on swimming and weight loss, however, have produced inconsistent and contradictory results. Studies have found that swimmers lost weight (and body fat), gained a few pounds, and had no weight changes at all. In most of the cases where swimmers gained weight, it was lean body mass (muscle) and not fat. If your primary reason for swimming is to lose weight, cut down on your calorie intake. In addition, speed up your strokes and increase your duration - sometimes, people do not swim fast enough or long enough. At a slow pace, twenty laps may burn only fifty calories - little more than simply staying afloat. On the other hand, a swimmer doing a brisk forward crawl will often burn as much as eleven calories per minute.

Q & A #4:
How much sodium is in fresh tomatoes?

Fresh tomatoes are very low in sodium and are an excellent summer food choice for most people. A whole fresh tomato only has 10 mg. Compared to the recommendation of keeping sodium levels to less than 2,400 mg a day, this is a small amount. Canned tomatoes can have a significant amount of sodium. One half cup of canned tomatoes, if packed with sodium, can have 370 mg.

Q & A #5:
What is the sodium content of a teaspoon of salt?

A teaspoon of salt contains approximately 2,300 mg of sodium.

Q & A #6:
Is it okay to eat bananas on a daily basis and is that too much potassium?

A normal healthy person excretes any extra potassium in his diet, so eating bananas every day is not too much potassium. A banana is very nutritious and only between 100 to 150 calories, depending on size. Also, one should not stop eating bananas just because of weight concerns. It is much preferred for an individual to reduce those foods low in nutrient density, like most desserts, if they want to reduce their weight.

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FEATURED ARTICLE #1

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Most parents want their children to stay safe and healthy. We teach them about the dangers of talking to strangers when they are small, and later, hopefully talk with them about the dangers of drugs, sex, and alcohol. But many parents are forgetting something important when it comes to teaching their children how to live a happy and healthy life. They forget to teach them how to be healthy eaters.

With reports of childhood obesity epidemics making the news almost daily, parents need to educate their children to become healthy eaters. But what can busy parents do to help turn off their children’s hunger switch?

"Education of parents and children is key to helping America’s young people achieve and maintain a healthy weight," said Julie O’Sullivan-Maillet, who is the American Dietetic Association president and registered dietitian.

But do parents have time to educate their children? When their own lives are so busy, they sometimes fail to eat a healthy meal themselves. "Parents can encourage healthy eating habits in their children by being a good role model," said Rallie McAllister, M.D., who specializes in weight loss and wellness, and the author of "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom’s Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim."

"Make it difficult to eat poorly. Kids eat what is available to them. Make the kitchen kid-friendly - stock the fridge and cupboards with nutritious foods that are tasty and fun to eat," Dr. McAllister said. "Designate a shelf or two as the ‘kids’ section. Put wholesome foods front and center, where kids can see them and reach them. That is what folks at grocery stores have been doing for years."

Here are some additional ways parents can help to turn off their children’s hunger switch:

1. Reduce Fat - Set a goal of cutting back on the number of fatty foods your child eats. Be aware of the fat content in fast-food menus these days, and teach your child that moderation is the key.

2. Cut Out Sweets - This may send some parents into denial, but it is possible to cut the sugar intake of your child. Start slowly by substituting high-fat / high-sugar desserts with alternatives like applesauce, fruit salad, and grapes. The trick is to offer something that will pique the child’s interest, for example, a bowl of applesauce with raisins in the shape of a smiley face.

3. Push Protein - Most parents think once they remove bad foods from their children’s diets, everything will be okay. But they must remember to replace those bad foods with good foods. For example, encourage your child to eat more lean protein, fruit, whole grains, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

4. Encourage Exercise - Parents must lead the way and become exercise role models. Encourage your child to be more active on a day-to-day basis, and join him or her in walking, doing yard work, swimming, bike riding, etc. Children learn by example, and when parents set a good example by exercising, everyone wins.

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FEATURED ARTICLE #2