The scientific link between writing and improved health isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed that writing eases stress which improves the immune system. Makes perfect sense to me. I’ve journaled off and on in the past, and recently carried out a commitment to daily journaling (although for five minutes a day only …well, you gotta’ start somewhere). I intend to assess my stress level and see if I notice a difference!

It’s widely known that Americans consume a lot of pop. So much so that some commentators fear we are making a significant and negative public health impact.

Sugar is the main ingredient of pop, of course. So much sugar is being consumed in pop, that it is virtually impossible to counteract it with good dietary habits to achieve a “balanced diet.” According to the April 2007 edition of American Journal of Public Health, a review of published studies shows that a study of higher intake of sugary sodas goes hand-in-hand with a lower intake of milk, calcium and other essential nutrients, a lower intake of fruit and fiber, and a higher intake of carbohydrates. According to Reuters Health, the review also concluded a direct link between sugary pop consumption and an increased risk of obesity AND diabetes!

And then there are the other ingredients. According to Steve Edwards of beachbody.com:

Beyond the simple sugar rush, these acids and phosphates [also found in pop] alter your body’s pH levels and inhibit absorption of other nutrients. Then there are the effects of certain artificial coloring agents. For example, yellow #5, commonly used in soft drinks, has been linked to attention deficit disorder, hives, asthma, and other allergic reactions in some children.

As for diet sodas, a study released last year showed that drinkers of diet soda gained weight, rather than losing it! Edwards says:

[T]he true effects of these ingredients have not been thoroughly studied. Despite their no-calorie status, diet sodas have been linked to assorted illnesses [and] there is little doubt that the pH balance of diet sodas hinders the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

We can each make our own effort to STOP the POP. There are good tasting, summer-appealing alternatives that even hydrate instead of dehydrating (as pop does)! Click here for one that contains no artificial ingredients, provides 67% more muscle fuel than the leading commercial sports drink, is low in sugars, and provides the optimal balance of electrolytes. It comes in orange and lemon-lime flavors…very yummy!

HealthDay News tells us: “In an analysis appearing in the May/June issue of Health Affairs, researchers compared half a dozen risky drugs to various occupational, recreational and transportation activities, with sometimes surprising results. For instance, few people know that aspirin carries a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.”

It amazes me how readily some folks pop meds, especially the OTC variety. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again —- I believe the power of advertising plays a large role here. Which is fueled, of course, by money. Where is the focus on individual health and wellness??

Of course, high blood sugar levels increase the risk of diabetes and even heart disease. And now,Reuters Health reports on a study in the March 2007 issue of Diabetes Care that points specifically to an association between cancer and high blood sugar levels in non-diabetics.

Like I’ve said before, the body is a unit…what ails one part, is naturally prone to ail the rest. So, maybe the news isn’t all that “big” after all. Maybe I should call it exciting! – there is so much we can do to prevent degenerative disease!! Eat right. Get moving. Lose weight, if needed. And, for some additional help, we can even supplement with a natural blend of minerals, botanicals and antioxidants proven to help retain normal blood sugar levels!

Want some proof? I’ve just learned about this great resource, the National Institutes of Health Library of Medicine Household Products Database. What a mouthful! But what you’ll read there is a real eyeful! You can search almost any brand of cleaner you may use, or the ingredients found in the cleaners under your sink, and learn about the dangerous health effects. I looked under “Health Studies” for a couple of common household product ingredients and was shocked by what I found!

We do NOT have to expose ourselves to this toxic brew and live in a toxic, unhealthy home. And we do NOT have to compromise on cleaning product performance to get the job done with natural, safe alternatives. Are you surprised? I was. But trying is believing, as they say .

Think they’re calling for new forms of ventilation? Pumping out infected air? High-tech solutions? Nope…just open the windows.

That’s right! Retuers Health reports that researchers concluded: “Opening windows and doors maximizes natural ventilation so that the risk of airborne contagion is much lower than with costly, maintenance-requiring mechanical ventilation systems.”

Isn’t there some “old wives’ tale” about opening the windows and airing out the house? Seems like those old wives were right (again ).

Of course, the social ramifications of these statistics are horrendous. And then there are the financial consequences. The Reuters Health report of the research cited researchers as saying: “The cost of caring for aging Americans will add 25 percent to the nation’s health care bill by 2030 unless people act now to stay healthy”. An addition we can scarcely afford.

I’m glad to see that researchers are emphasizing healthier lifestyles and prevention as key in dealing with this situation, looking specifically at physical inactivity, poor nutrition, obesity and smoking. They seem like a good place to begin. There have been many studies linking these lifestyle choices to ill health, and more are being released all the time. Consider research in the February 2007 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluding that “Nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease who participate in a moderate exercise program have a significantly slower deterioration than those who receive routine medical care.” (Reuters Health)

These age-related declines are NOT inevitable! But we DO have to be responsible for our own health and wellness. That means making informed decisions about regular exercise, supplementation and healthy eating. Doctors do not make us well. We can often, though, impact our wellness by the choices we make. Yes, it takes time, effort and self-discipline. But isn’t it totally worth it?

Also in the Feb. 2007 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is a study which found that women between the ages of 72 and 85 with completely intact mental function were less likely to have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure (Reuters Health).

I certainly want to do all I can to live out my senior years with maximum function, both mental and physical, don’t you?

In research recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, study of the skin on the forearms of six healthy people revealed 182 species of bacteria! But don’t be alarmed. Researcher and microbiologist Dr. Martin Blaser of New York University School of Medicine says “”We think that many of the normal organisms are protecting the skin. So that’s why I don’t think it’s a great idea to keep washing all the time because we’re basically washing off one of our defense layers.”

Soap seems particularly hostile to the “good” bacteria that provide the first layer of protection on our skins…it is alkaline. Using a PH balanced skin wash does not strip the acid mantle on the skin, yet provides the “clean” we all want.

According to the Reuters Health report of this research, new technology has enabled researchers to identify more bacteria than previous study had revealed. May be one of those supports for the “ignorance is bliss” theory

According to Dr. Steve Chaney, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at Univ. of North Carolina medical school, individuals may have no actual symptoms of this syndrome, yet it can be deadly! In the Jan. 30 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers reported on an exhaustive review of studies on this issue to conclude that metabolic syndrome is a strong indicator of increased risk of heart disease.

I actually just heard Dr. Chaney last weekend speak about diabetes prevention and metabolic syndrome. He stated that in addressing metabolic syndrome, drugs are not as effective as what he calls a design for healthy living, which includes weight control and exercise, a diet low in fat and high in fiber, and a supplement program. Feel free to contact me if you’d like more details about the supplements recommended for metabolic syndrome.