|
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.
The Milk Debate Keeps Churning
Milk and dairy products are very nutritious and the chief source of calcium in the American diet. They offer many benefits as part of a heart-healthy diet and are an essential component of the DASH diet, designed to control blood pressure. After decades of research, we know a great deal more now about milk. But legitimate questions, plus a number of myths, have multiplied. The arguments are highly politicized, with the dairy industry on one side and milk opponents on the other. Still, there is plenty of well-designed research. Here are answers to questions you may have. Full
Story
Beta Than Drugs for the Prostate?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in older men. There are prescription drugs that can shrink the prostate, and recent research has shown that two of these (finasteride and dutasteride) may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Still, many men search for nonprescription remedies. One of the leading supplements is beta sitosterol, a plant chemical found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is also found in plant products promoted as treatments for BPH, notably saw palmetto, stinging nettle, rye pollen, and pumpkin seeds.
Cellulite: Now You See It . . . Now You Still See It
Cellulite is the nonmedical term for pockets of fat, separated by bands of connective tissue, that protrude into the skin layer. Women are more prone to it than men because they have thinner skin and a less-even fat distribution under the skin; they also tend to accumulate more fat on their thighs and buttocks, where cellulite typically occurs. Anti-cellulite treatments—creams, supplements, injections, seaweed wraps, and laser procedures—are big business. Many promise "sleeker" thighs in just a few weeks. What’s lacking is credibility—the small studies cited are usually poorly designed, unpublished, and/or done by researchers with financial ties to the manufacturers. We give you the skinny on cellulite treatments.
Legs With a Mind of Their Own
If you experience an inexplicable yet irresistible urge to move your legs on a regular basis, you may have restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS is typically accompanied by uncomfortable sensations—creeping, pulling, tugging, fidgeting, burning, even aching pain—deep inside the legs. It may feel like insects are crawling inside your legs or like your bones are itching. Sometimes arms are affected, too. Moving your limbs may, at least temporarily, suppress the discomfort. What causes RLS is still somewhat of a mystery. Here’s what we do know, plus some steps that can help you manage the symptoms.
Is Cortisol a Key to Weight Loss?
Among the countless weight-loss products on the market are supplements claiming to reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, such as Cortislim. A few years ago the Federal Trade Commission ordered the marketers of these products to stop making unsubstantiated weight-loss claims. These supplements are still on the market, however, with the claims toned down a bit. The pills are now said to be part of a "healthy lifestyle," and only the testimonials on the websites claim weight loss. Is there anything to the notion that controlling cortisol will help you lose weight?
What Your Heart Beat Is Telling You
Your heart rate during exercise, as well as at rest, can tell you a lot about how fit you are—and perhaps even some other things about your health. Here’s the lowdown on your heart rate.
ASK
THE EXPERTS
Our readers ask: What are natural flavorings, and how are they different from artificial flavorings? Do nutritional supplements with omega-3s marketed for dry eyes really work? I’m trying to avoid white sugar—is molasses a better choice? What’s the difference between apple juice and apple cider? Is unpasteurized cider or apple juice safe? Full
Story
WELL & INFORMED
Tips, Short Takes, and Other News You Can Use
Pomegranate claims get pummeled . . . Why part-time smoking equals full-time risk.
WELLNESS TIPS
• If you’re trying to lose weight, watch out for overeating on weekends. People eat about 100 extra calories a day on weekends, on average, with the greatest increases among people age 25 to 35 and those who are very overweight, according to a recent study.
• If you suffer from migraines, you should make a special effort to deal with any risk factors for cardiovascular disease you may have, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Researchers have found that migraine sufferers are twice as likely to have a heart attack and 60% more likely to have a stroke than other people.
• If you’re looking for a good, inexpensive source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats, don’t overlook squid (calamari). It has about 600 milligrams in 4 ounces (you should aim to get at least 500 milligrams of omega-3s a day, on average). Squid is also a good choice environmentally—generally abundant and caught in ways that don’t harm the ecosystem.
• Keep away from cigars and pipes—they can take your breath away. Cigar and pipe smoking raises the risk of cancers of the mouth, lip, throat, and lungs, as well as heart disease. Now a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that it also more than doubles the risk of decreased lung function and breathing problems, which contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• If you drink sugary sodas, the new "mini" Cokes may help you cut back on calories—if you don’t mind the highly inflated price. These smaller cans (7.5 ounces) have 90 calories, compared to 140 in a 12-ounce can. But ounce for ounce they can cost twice as much or more.
• Don’t worry about the ingredients sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin-care products. Rumors that these common ingredients cause cancer have been circulating on the Internet since 1998, but there is no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer or any other adverse effects other than occasional irritation and perhaps increased risk of canker sores.
|
