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Each month we feature one full
article from the current issue of the WELLNESS LETTER, plus our
Ask the Experts column, in addition to brief summaries of the
other articles, listed below.
Foreignceuticals: Our Medicines Go Global
U.S. pharmaceutical companies are buying increasing amounts of drugs and ingredients for drugs from other countries—billions of dollars worth. It’s estimated that 80% of active ingredients and 40% of all finished drugs are now imported. And the percentages have been rising every year. Of course, the biggest drug companies are still located in North America, Europe, and Japan. But India and China are striving to catch up. They have a big advantage to offer—lower prices . . . . If you have a right to know where your socks and TV set were manufactured, and where your fish comes from, surely you have a right to know where your medicines were made. Full
Story
Are These Claims Kosher?
More people are turning to kosher foods despite their higher prices—not for religious reasons but because they think these foods are safer, healthier, and of better quality. Kosher foods are produced in accordance with strict religious dietary laws, at specialized facilities under rabbinical supervision, but does this make them better for you in any way?
A Quiz to Get Your Teeth Into
What you eat and drink is a big factor in the health of your teeth and gums. Your diet affects your teeth and gums globally—that is, by supplying the nutrients your body, including your teeth, need. But perhaps the most important effects happen locally—in the mouth before you even swallow. See how well you do on the following quiz.
Strontium and Your Bones
Strontium, a chemical element, is not classified as a nutrient, but the human body can absorb it and use it as if it were calcium. There is plenty of scientific interest in strontium as a possible treatment for osteoporosis, the severe loss of bone density that occurs in many older people. A French osteoporosis drug made called Protelos is a combination of strontium and ranelate, and is already prescribed for women in Europe and other countries, but not the U.S. Large-scale clinical trials have shown that strontium ranelate can delay bone breakdown and promote bone growth; it also reduces hip and vertebral fractures in older women. And there’s evidence it is safer than bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax.
Smile (If You Can), you’re on Botox
We can’t turn back the clock on aging. But millions of people get Botox injections, which can temporarily reduce some kinds of facial wrinkles. Here are the facts you should know if you’re considering the procedure.
Saving Your Neck
Neck pain is rarely disabling, but like low-back pain it is a leading cause of lost work days. Two out of three people, according to researchers, will have neck pain at some point. It’s difficult to come up with accurate numbers, because most people don’t seek medical care for the pain. We tell you how to head of neck pain, plus what you need to know about whiplash.
ASK
THE EXPERTS
Our readers ask: Are potato skins nutritious? What if they have green spots? Is it okay to use metal bottles for water in order to avoid chemicals in reusable plastic bottles? What’s better—a snack food with less saturated fat but some trans fat, or a food with more saturated fat but no trans fat? Should I stop exercising when I have a cold? Full
Story
WELL & INFORMED
Tips, Short Takes, and Other News You Can Use
Uprooting couch potatoes . . . When should you throw away moldy food?
WELLNESS TIPS
• One more reason to handle raw poultry carefully: Fresh chicken is more contaminated with bacteria today than six years ago, according to tests by Consumers Union.
• To consume more vitamin C, think beyond the orange. The following contain even more C than an orange: one cup of strawberries, one bell pepper (red and yellow ones have the most), one kiwifruit, one cup of broccoli or Brussels sprouts, or half a papaya.
• For a nutty, nutritious boost, add chia seeds to cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods. These small gray seeds from Mexico are one of the best sources of alpha linolenic acid—a healthy omega-3 fat—and also provide lots of fiber. By forming a gelatinous mass when digested or mixed with a liquid beforehand, chia seeds may slow the absorption of sugar, help eliminate cholesterol from the body, and make you feel full.
• Don’t take a pain reliever before or during exercise or sports in hopes of preventing pain and improving performance. This can inhibit the body’s ability to adapt to challenging workouts and interfere with healing, besides increasing the risk of stomach bleeding and possibly cardiovascular problems. If you feel pain when exercising, your body is telling you to stop for a reason—and you don’t want to mask this warning sign.
• If you have sleep apnea, be sure to get regular eye exams, including glaucoma screening. In a review of studies, Mayo Clinic researchers found a link between apnea and glaucoma, as well as other eye disorders. Conversely, if you have any of these eye disorders, you should talk to your doctor about sleep apnea.
• Don’t hesitate to bring flowers when visiting a sick person in the hospital for fear of health hazards. It’s a myth that flowers compete for patients’ oxygen, and there’s no evidence that contaminated flower water can cause hospital infections, according to a recent article in BMJ.
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