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VEGGIES PREVENT CANCER -- The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is encouraged by a past study finding diets high in plant foods offer many protections against cancer. The study, from the United States National Cancer Institute, was conducted in China and compared diets of patients with early or advanced prostate cancer to those of healthy individuals. Those who ate the most allium vegetables - garlic, scallions, onions, chives, and leeks - were found to have a nearly 50 percent lower prostate cancer risk than those who ate the least. The AICR says the study agrees with the growing mass of evidence from other studies involving allium vegetables and cancer in general.

FEED ON FIBER AND FEEL FULLER -- Put fiber on your plate, and you will feel fuller sooner. A study by nutritionists at the University of California, Davis, has uncovered the molecular reasons why you are likely to satisfy your appetite quickly with a serving of beans or a bowl of bran cereal. The study, published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," indicates increased fiber content in a meal boosts feelings of fullness in women and increases levels of a certain hormone associated with satiety. Previous research has shown the hormone cholecystokinin is released from the small intestine when a fat-containing food is eaten. It is thought this hormone may be the chemical messenger that acts in response to fat to notify the brain the body is getting full. Now it appears fiber can trigger the same signaling mechanism. In the study, groups of male and female volunteers were served three types of breakfast: low-fiber, low-fat; high-fiber, low-fat; or low-fiber, high-fat. The researchers found women eating either the high-fat or high-fiber meals had greater feelings of satiety and significantly higher levels of cholecystokinin than did those consuming the low-fat, low-fiber dishes. In men, however, the two low- fat meals caused greater feelings of satiety, and there was not a significant difference in the hormonal increase among the various meals. "These results indicate that the addition of fiber to a meal can increase a person's feeling of being full," said Barbara Schneeman, nutrition professor and study leader. "It appears this is due not only to fiber creating a greater volume of food in the gastrointestinal tract, but also to fiber promoting the release of cholecystokinin."

WALKING AND TALKING -- Talking while you walk may be bad news for your back. According to back health experts, the body naturally exhales when feet touch the ground to protect the back from impact. However, walking and talking at the same time interrupts this pattern, which could open the door to injury, especially in people with back problems. If you walk with a partner, talk over stretches instead.

AN ORANGE A DAY -- Eating an orange a day may be one of the secrets to living younger longer. According to study results, a mere one extra serving of citrus fruits each day may reduce the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, and stomach by as much as 50 percent. Researchers credit the antioxidant properties of vitamin C-rich citrus fruits for the possible cancer-fighting benefits. Great citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, Clementines, and tangerines. Add an orange to your lunch or a grapefruit to your breakfast for an easy, natural source of daily vitamin C.

CUT CALORIES TO KEEP HEART YOUNG -- University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers say to remain young at heart, cut calories. Writing in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," the team says a study of middle-aged mice that were put on a calorie-restricted diet found signs of a remarkable pick up in heart health in old age. They say it appears restricting calories simply retarded the whole aging process in the heart. The group used powerful molecular techniques to study nearly 10,000 genes at work in the heart, providing new insight into the pat- tern of genetic change that occurs in heart cells as the organ ages. The study also shows genetic pressure points for stemming age-related heart disease, long the leading cause of death in the United States.

DRIVING SAFE -- Americans are clearly doing more behind the wheel than steering: At least 90% of drivers eat, read, talk on their cell phone, or engage in other risky behaviors while on the road, says Drive for Life, a safety education group in Tallahassee, Florida. That is too bad, because being distracted is behind one out of four accidents. To stay safe, save your latte for later. And avoid others on the road who are swerving, obviously talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted.

GUM DISEASE AND PREMATURE BIRTHS -- If you are pregnant and you have gum disease, your risk of delivering prematurely is 3 to 8 times greater than the risk of women who do not have gum disease. To reduce your chances of premature birth, follow these simple rules: See your dentist or periodontist for a routine scaling and root planing, which is a simple super-cleaning of the root surfaces to get rid of plaque and bacterial toxins. In a study of 366 pregnant women conducted by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, the women who had the procedure done reduced their odds of premature delivery by an amazing 84%. Surprisingly, women who got the antibiotic therapy that is typically given after scaling and root planing had more pre-term babies than those who were given a placebo. The bottom line: If you are pregnant and have gum disease, have your teeth scaled and planed, but skip the antibiotic.

FORGETFULNESS: A THING OF THE PAST? -- Scientists note that forgetting your car keys or people's names does not necessarily mean you are on your way to dementia. Forgetfulness in middle-aged women often results from stress, depression, increased responsibilities, or just being out of practice at memorizing, according to the Mayo Clinic "Women's HealthSource." Here are some tips on keeping yourself mentally alert: maintain social contacts and an active lifestyle; stay physically active, even if it means a short walk now and then; challenge your mind by taking classes, learning a new skill or playing chess; limit drinking alcohol; stop smoking - nicotine can affect an older person's mental health; get a physical to make sure you are not developing coronary artery disease or diabetes which can lead to dementia; manage stress - cortisol, the hormone produced by your body in times of high stress, can interfere with your ability to remember words, phone numbers and other details.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Q & A #1:
Is it true that aspirin can help to minimize heart attack risk?

A past study by Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Miami Heart Institute shows that a daily aspirin regimen reduces the risk of a first heart attack by 32 percent. An analysis of the five major randomized clinical trials done on aspirin as a preventive treatment also shows it reduces the combined risk of heart attack, stroke, and vascular death by 15 percent. The study supports guidelines from the American Heart Association that aspirin should be recommended for men and women whose 10-year risks of a first coronary event are 10 percent or greater. The United States Preventive Services Task Force took a similar position, urging aspirin therapy for patients who have a 6 percent or greater 10-year risk of a coronary event.

Q & A #2:
Is there really a condition called "hot tub lung" and if so, what exactly is it?

According to the Mayo Clinic, "hot tub lung" is an uncommon infection and allergic reaction of the lung due to inhaling mycobacterium avium from a hot tub or sauna. M. avium belongs to the same class of bacteria that cause tuberculosis. But it is not contagious. Hot tubs provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, such as M. avium. This is more likely to occur if a hot tub is not cleaned or its filter is not changed as often as recommended. Also, at temperatures above 84 F., added chlorine loses most of its disinfectant properties, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The jets from hot tubs cause bubbles, which may contain abundant bacteria. The bubbles rise to the surface and disperse the bacteria into the air aerolization). Infection with M. avium rarely, if ever, causes just a cough. Signs and symptoms usually include: shortness of breath, fatigue, fever or chills, wet cough, and tightness in the chest. A doctor can make a diagnosis of hot tub lung based on: chest X-rays; computerized tomography (CT) scans of the lungs; removal of lung tissue (biopsy) for microscopic examination and culture; a sample of water from your hot tub also may be tested for the presence of M. avium. Treatment includes: discontinuing use of the hot tub, corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen, in severe cases. The role of antibiotics in the treatment of this condition is controversial. In many cases, the inflammation seems to be a hypersensitivity reaction that improves without antibiotic treatment. The CDC recommends these guidelines for the proper treatment and maintenance of water in hot tubs: 1 to 3 milligrams of chlorine per liter of water; 7.2 to 7.8 pH level; During operation, test the water daily. Also, clean the system and change the water once a month or more often according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Q & A #3:
What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Crohn's disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the small intestine. Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of IBD, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.

Q & A #4:
What causes Crohn's disease and what are its symptoms?

Theories about what causes Crohn's disease abound, but none has been proven. The most popular theory is that the body's immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine. People with Crohn's disease tend to have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or result of the disease. Crohn's disease is not caused by emotional distress. The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn's disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth.

Q & A #5:
Can Crohn's be passed from mother to child when the mother is carrying the child?

Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20% of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can include ulcerative colitis. Most often the relative is a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Most children born to women with Crohn's disease are unaffected. The course of pregnancy and delivery is not normally influenced by the disease. Crohn's disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five but people can develop Crohn's at any age.

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FEATURED ARTICLE

• "Better than the Bean: Tea’s Ancient
  Tradition Is Today’s Modern Medicine"
  by: Sarah Toland

The Dawning of the Leaf

Another cold, foggy day in San Francisco brings morning commuters into the city’s numerous coffee shops and breakfast bars in search of something warm. In years past, orders would have poured in, literally, for coffee - that strong, addictive mistress renowned for cutting bleariness and preventing later-day fatigue. But today, more and more people line up for tea as news of the brew’s health benefits continues to spread. With many attracted to the taste and milder caffeine effects, tea’s popularity has launched a new host of flavors and infusions - and an even larger slew of teahouses, beverage-brewing companies and coffee-cum-leaf connoisseurs.

Although tea may be the latest drink fad to hit San Francisco and a multitude of other cities worldwide, the beverage has been part of mankind’s history for more than 5,000 years. According to popular legend, tea was discovered around 2700 BCE by Shen Nung, emperor of China, who mandated that all water be boiled for hygienic reasons. During an expedition to the countryside, Nung discovered the infusion of tea when dried plant leaves fell into a pot of hot water. The story may be mythical, but many historians believe that the narrative relates a fairly accurate account of how tea drinking first began.

Today, tea is a cultural institution in China; the beverage is also a social necessity in England, a culinary art in India and a traditional delicacy in Russia. From Japan to Peru and in countries all over the world, tea is served and savored - in one form or another. In fact, tea is second in international consumption only to water, and its popularity is growing. In the United States alone, the market for tea is approximately $6 billion. When that figure is compared to the country’s intake of the beverage in 1982, when domestic sales hovered somewhere around a mere half billion dollars, it is clear that tea has come into its own. So why are more Americans and people worldwide turning to the leaf? Undoubtedly, part of the teapot’s appeal can be attributed to the myriad of medical reports and studies that tout tea’s health benefits.

Types of Tea: Beyond Basic Black

If oolong sounds more like street talk than tea to you, do not worry: Learning to discern the four types of tea does not require a degree in botany. In fact, all tea (except herbal) comes from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis. The varietals are processed differently, giving each type of tea its own distinct taste, color and health improving properties.

Black: To produce this most popular form of tea, the leaves are picked, left to wither, fully oxidized and then dried. Black tea naturally contains more caffeine than any other type, and one eight-ounce cup of loose leaf can brew up 23 to 110 mg of stimulation. Black tea produces a dark, reddish hue and has a strong and robust taste, which is why the drink is traditionally served with milk and sugar. Examples of black tea include English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and Chai.

Green: Unlike black, green tea is steamed or heated so that the leaves are not allowed to ferment. The result is a softer flavor and the green or yellow hue that lends this tea its name. The amount of caffeine in green tea ranges from 8 to 36 mg per eight-ounce cup, and the brew is usually taken without milk or sweetening. The beverage contains more antioxidants than black tea, as well as more phytochemicals than a glass of red wine.

Oolong: This Chinese variety of tea is made by allowing leaves to wither and partially ferment before they are heated and dried. A typical eight-ounce cup of loose-leaf oolong delivers 12 to 55 mg of caffeine, making it stronger than green but not as potent as black. Oolong creates a dark, jade-colored infusion, which often tastes slightly fruity, and the beverage is usually described as being a mixture of the essences of both green and black teas.

White: This rare type of tea is produced with very little processing; leaves are simply harvested, put to wither, steamed and then dried without oxidization or rolling. The tea owes its mystical moniker to the pale color of its brew, and it proffers a taste that is both subtle and delicate. White tea contains the least amount of caffeine, with 6 to 25 mg per eight-ounce cup.

Herbal tea does not pass muster as a category of Camellia because the product is not technically a tea but rather is an infusion of herbs, flowers, roots, barks and/or seeds in hot water. Most herbal teas do not contain caffeine and do not possess the same health advantages associated with their Camellia counterparts.

A Hot Water Health Tonic

Among the thousands of international medical journals and publications, not one month passes without an issue, article or study highlighting yet another new health benefit of tea. Nowadays, tea is recommended as part of a number of preventative and therapeutic measures, and it would appear that a simple thing you can do to boost your bill of health is to have a cup of hot water and dried leaves.

Tea has been shown to help support the overall function and response of the body’s immune system. In addition, green tea has been touted for its ability to support the body’s metabolism and help weight loss and weight management. Although most of the scientific studies on tea and its benefits to your health have been conducted on green and black teas, emerging research indicates that oolong and white teas have similar levels of the beneficial compounds and may share many of the same salubrious effects.

Holiday Time is Teatime

Given tea’s numerous health advantages, there is no better time than now, with winter’s chilly weather approaching, to introduce the brew into your daily routine. You can start by making your own holiday loose leaf: add spices and oils to dried tea leaves, which are available for sale at many specialty tea shops. Savor a homemade blend yourself, or package the mixture as gifts for friends and family.

If you do not have time to create your own loose leaf, you can still serve an individual brew by adding traditional holiday spices and flavors to your favorite black tea. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and cranberry can make a fabulous accompaniment to everyday black tea. You can experiment with an assortment of juices, wines, spices and extracts to produce just the right flavor.

If you are pressed for time or feeling uninventive, do not worry: many tea manufacturers sell holiday-specific brews, combining wintertime favorites such as vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and peppermint to capture the best of the season in one blend.

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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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