Hyvin
A Natural Health and Wellness Blog

We know that processing of any kind impairs the nutritional content of food.

However, a new study reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that even refrigeration qualifies as “processing”!

The Yahoo News report of the study concludes that:

[I]ce-cold watermelon may be refreshing, but it can be less nutritious than watermelon served at room temperature.

Personally, I’ve always preferred room temperature fruit. Maybe I was onto something without even knowing it .

Want to be sure you’re getting an accurate blood pressure reading?

New research published this month in the American Journal of Hypertension suggests that you should be seated and at rest for at least 10 minutes prior to having it taken!

Read the full Reuters Health report here. And… please be seated!

I came across an article recently about the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of purse bottoms. That’s right: the bottoms of ladies’ purses, which are placed on all kinds of unsavory surfaces.

The results are about what you might expect: gross!

Microbiologist Amy Karren of Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake discovered that the average purse bottom had all kinds of harmful bacteria, from e-coli to staph infection to (you guessed it) human feces.

I try to hang my purse from hooks in restrooms, set it on seats at restaurants instead of the floor, and keep it on a shelf at home. I also watch where I put my purse, but I’m sure it’s been on my desk top at least once .

I’ve never before, though, cleaned the bottom of my purse. Not sure why I haven’t thought of it … I have a spray disinfectant that I really like that will kill all those bugs – and it’s non-toxic. You can even add a little to the wash for cloth purse cleaning. So that’s what I’ll do. How about you?

There has again been press recently about the chemicals in plastics and the potential health hazards created when they leach into food or water.

A recent ABC News report revealed that:

Last month, San Francisco banned a type of sturdy, hard plastic made with a molecule known as bisphenol A, or BPA. Any toys, bottles and pacifiers made with BPA must be replaced, according to the law the mayor signed in June.

This is just another reminder of the incredibly toxic world in which we live in this day and age.

Why adopt natural health and wellness principles to support my immune system? Why regularly take food supplements? Why try to use personal care products and household cleaners that are non-toxic?

Because, as the ABC News article states:

BPA, like many other man-made chemicals, is now detectable in most people’s bloodstreams and could cause dangerous hormonal changes in children.

And our bodies were NOT designed to house BPA!

New sleep research shows that sleep helps memory recollection of recently learned facts and events. The HealthDay News account of this research, published in the July 11 issue of Current Biology, states:

This new finding may be particularly important for people with mentally demanding lifestyles, such as doctors, medical residents and college students, who often do not get enough sleep, the researchers say.

So, if you’re learning something new, go ahead and sleep on it: you may remember it better in the morning!

Reuters Health reports that research shows more linkage between glucose intolerance (a precursor to diabetes) and stroke (from the June 2006 issue of Stroke). This increased stroke risk was demonstrated for those who had already had a mini-stroke (also called a TIA). Maintaining proper glucose levels is an important health consideration.

The July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that women in their 50’s who took in more than 500 milligrams of calcium daily in supplements gained 4 pounds less over 10 years than women who didn’t use supplements

Why? Dr. Alejandro J. Gonzalez of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle told Reuters Health the most likely explanation may be “studies showing that low calcium intake boosts the amount of calcium contained within cells, which in turn switches on genes involved in fat formation while inhibiting fat breakdown.” So, calcium supplementation would have the opposite effect and the fat-forming genes don’t get initiated.

I’ll take every help available in the battle of the bulge… how about you? The many other benefits of calcium supplementation make this an easy one!

Changing the type of fat given to babies and young children who must have prolonged feeding via IV has been shown to avoid the serious liver damage that can be triggered by the practice. According to a Yahoo news account the July issue of Pediatrics reports that the typical IV solution is high in omega-6 fatty acids and when researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston used another solution high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, the often fatal liver damage of two infants was reversed!

There have been many reports of late of the various health benefits of essential omega-3’s. The post on AMD prevention and omega-3’s earlier this week is yet another example. We can get the omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flaxseed oil and canola oil. And if we don’t get enough in the diet, ultra pure, potent, uncontaminated, pharmaceutical grade fish oil capsules are available.

So, change the fat!

Here’s another “eye” (aye) for omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil: Studies just published in the Archives of Opthamology suggest that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurred less often in those who ate fish once or twice a week. And this was true even for smokers (who have a much higher risk of AMD).

According to the Yahoo news account of these studies:

Researchers don’t yet know why eating fish seems to protect the eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids may neutralize free radicals in the eye, preventing the formation of new blood vessels, reducing inflammation or all three, [National Eye Institute's Dr. Emily] Chew said.

You may want to consider omega-3 fatty acid capsules to maximize chances of AMD prevention. Be sure to get pure fish oil that is contaminant-free.

An article in the July/Aug. issue of Positive Thinking Magazine relayed that recent published studies demonstrate the health benefits of helping others.

The article concludes that, according to the studies, “…giving help is a better predictor of health among older adults than receiving help.”

Not surprising, is it? Doing good makes us feel better.

So add being altruistic to your check-list of what it takes to be hyvin (well)!