|
Sorry we're a little slow getting
this to you this month. Your writer needed her brain to be
jump started after the holidays. There's something groggy
about having some time off…it's like coming back to a
fog that surrounds your desk. You know you are in there somewhere!
I'd like to start the year with one of my favorite quotes
- it's from the invincible Jack
LaLane (bless him and his juicer):
"The number
one thing is exercise. Exercise is king, nutrition is queen.
Put them together and you have a kingdom."
I just love the idea
of one's body as her kingdom…it naturally follows that
it deserves royal treatment(s), like fine dinners and massages.
It also cleverly leads to the some of the interesting news
this past month… one of the reports out of the Women's
Health Initiative (WHI) that studied HRT is that it's never
too late to exercise and reduce the risks of breast cancer.
A separate study finds if you work out with a partner there
are some added benefits other than spending time together.
Really big news and surprising in this political environment
is that an FDA panel favors a non-prescription 'morning after'
pill. In our industry, the FDA has decided to take ephedra
off the market - I'll give you the insiders opinion on that
one. And finally, what can you do to keep away that cold(s)
that you don't have time for?
NEVER TOO LATE
There goes that excuse! Researchers reported back from analyzing
data from the WHI study that exercise at any age will help
reduce the risk of breast cancer, no matter when they begin.
Since age is a factor of increased risk, this is really good
news for women that are post menopausal. The decreased risk
is about 20%, which is not insignificant. Moderate exercise
such as swimming or cycling five times a week had the greatest
impact. For the abstract on the study go to: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/10/1331
Also, if you exercise
with a reliable partner, it's not only built in "show
up" motivator but will most likely increase your performance.
I know that a lot of runners do this. Alive magazine reported
a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
that studied mothers and daughters. They showed up for 70-77%
of their sessions (the 70% is if they worked out at home)
and mothers increased performance on all levels from muscle
strength to endurance to flexibility. Daughters improved their
muscle endurance. For more information go to:
http://www.alivepublishing.com/home/index.php?page_type=
article&topic_id=144775&article_id=6593&site_id=24&go_id=2&take_id=6
THE MORNING AFTER PILL
An advisory board of the FDA has recommended by an overwhelming
majority to make the "morning after" pill available
without a prescription. Known as "Plan B" women,
who fear an unwanted pregnancy could take immediate protective
measures on their own without consulting a health-care professional.
It is that process that many women described in testimony
as cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming. Plan B consists
of 2 progestin pills that work best taken within 72 hours
of intercourse at 12 hour intervals. It reduces the risk of
pregnancy by 89%. Scientist believe that the resulting surge
of hormones interferes with ovulation or prevents the embryo
from implanting into the uterus. FDA often follows the advice
of its advisory board and the final ruling is due in early
February. For google search results, go to
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22
morning+after%22+pill+and+FDA
FIRST HERBAL SUPPLEMENT
IS BANNED
The FDA has ruled to remove ephedra from the market citing
the risk of heart problems and strokes. In the supplement
industry this is seen as a positive action -- not only because
the evidence points to its harmfulness but also because the
FDA is exercising the authority that it has to enforce current
laws. The firms that make Ephedra and similar products in
my opinion are not firms that are focused on wellness and
play into our weaknesses of a "quick fix". Substances
like ephedra may help person lose weight in the short run,
but at what cost for whose ultimate benefit? Practically speaking,
I can't see these substances staying on the market long because
insurance companies will not cover them. I can tell you where
the industry and the laws are heading and we support this.
There will be mandatory reporting of adverse side effects
for herbal supplements in the future.
On a slightly different
note, I had written to Hillary Clinton's office who was sponsoring
a bill that didn't make much sense. Along with some other
folks in the industry, I also visited her office in October.
That bill #S 722 could take any supplement off the market
with just one ill effect - a level of scrutiny that is simply
unwarranted. She has since written me back, along with the
millions of others who wrote her, and it appears she has changed
her mind in support of another bill #S1538 - one that we support.
#S1538 provides the FDA with more resources to enforce the
law and requires them to file annual reports to Congress on
their progress in regulating supplements. I've attached her
letter if you are interested and note her urging towards mandatory
reporting of adverse reactions. See ladies, we can make a
difference.
For more on ephedra go to:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/ephedra/december2003/
To read the bill #S1538 go to:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/useftp.cgi?IPaddress=162.140.64.21
&filename=s1538is.txt&directory=/diskb/wais/data/108_cong_bills
I HAVE NO TIME FOR
THIS
I always say that when I get a cold or a flu - as if any one
does have time for it. Well, if you are trying to ward off
a cold or flu, or feel as if you are most of the season, there
are a group of herbs you should know about. They are called
adaptogens. To be in the adaptogen class of herbs, the herb
must be safe and not put any further strain on the organs.
It must also help to restore balance to the system regardless
if a condition has depleted the system or there is an excess
in the system. Scientists believe that these herbs work by
supporting the adrenal glands and thus helping to access more
energy to eliminate toxic byproducts. A lot of them also seem
to work with an or enhance white blood cell counts. My favorites
are ashwgandha, Echinacea, Astragalus and Reishi mushrooms.
I'm also a big fan of Vitamin C. For a full explanation of
these herbs and more on adaptogens go to: http://www.herbsforhealth.com/10_03/adaptogens.html
That's it for this month! As always,
check out our website for lots more information at www.oonahealth.com. In Good Health,
The Oöna Team
Questions or comments? Write valerie@oonahealth.com
|
