Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
Most folks would agree that a tuna fish sandwich or a dollop of tuna on a bed of lettuce sound like healthy eating choices.
In todays Monday Edition of Health News Weekly, Ill tell you why some types of tuna may be TOXIC to your healthand which fish might be a healthier alternative to tuna
plus youll find out how a few sit-ups and leg lifts might bring some unexpected arthritis pain relief!
This edition is full of great health hints for you and your family. So, lets get to it!
Arthritis Pain Relief May Be
Just a S-T-R-E-T-C-H Away!
Many people with arthritis shy away from exercise for fear of irritating their inflamed jointsor possibly causing more damage. The truth is, the right kinds of exercise can help relieve pain and fatigue and help to preserve your joints.
Exercise can also help you:
- Maintain normal joint movement
- Increase muscle strength and flexibility
- Maintain body weight to reduce pressure on joints
- Strengthen bone and cartilage tissue
- Improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness
The stiffness, pain and swelling of arthritis can severely limit the motion in your joints. Avoiding physical activity because of pain or discomfort also can lead to significant muscle lossand excessive weight gain.
Three types of exercise can relieve the symptoms of arthritis and even protect joints from further damage. A balanced exercise program should include these exercises:
Range-of-motionalso called stretching or flexibility exercises; involves gently straightening and bending the joints in a controlled manner as far as they comfortably will go.
Strengtheningbuilds muscle tissue to support your joints; strength exercises may include muscle flexing, repetitions and use of objects for light resistance.
Endurancealso known as aerobic activity; increases your heart rate for a prolonged period to help circulate oxygen build stronger muscles and help control your weight.
If you have arthritis and are ready to start a new exercise program experts recommend that you start with range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. You can add endurance exercises gradually, after you feel comfortable with your current fitness level.
Be sure to discuss your exercise options with your physician. When you do start an exercise programmake it a part of your daily routine. A consistent exercise program is a great way to minimize the damaging effects of arthritis and boost your overall health!
Heres How to Keep Toxic Tuna off Your Plate!
Health officials worry that somethings fishy in the food chain as a new report raises fears about high levels of mercury pollution in seafood. The report published in Ambio, the Journal of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, warns that children and women of childbearing age should be especially careful about the amounts and types of fish they eat. This is because mercury interferes with brain developmentand can reduce childrens intelligence levels, especially if theyre exposed during fetal development.
If fish truly are up to their gills in harmful mercurythis can pose a major health risk for consumers of ALL ages. Thats because many folks rely on fish as an excellent source of proteinand of health-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. So how are fish absorbing all these toxins?
The by-products of burning coal and gold mining are two ways mercury can invade the atmosphere. These contaminants change into a form called methylmercury when they hit the air and water. This toxin can easily build up in fishwhich ultimately moves into the food chain as animals eat each other.
According to the latest research, scientists estimate that about 3 times more mercury is falling from the sky than before the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago. Although the United States, Canada and Europe have issued strict controls on mercury emissionsreleases from the developing world have offset these restrictions. This means concentrations of the metal in the environment have not changed significantly worldwide.
The report lists some ocean species such as shark, swordfish, and tuna as types of fish more likely to be swimming in mercury. Researchers say youre better off choosing cold-water fish and those with high amounts of fatty acids, such as such as salmon. Canned light tuna also tends to contain lower levels of mercury than canned albacore tuna because it is a mix of different types of fish.
A simple change in the fish you choose to eat can help protect your brain from harmful heavy metalsand keep you thinking sharp as a tack!
Fast Fact
Heres a sweet remedy for skin blemishes Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it.
Honey kills the bacteria keeps the skin sterile and speeds healing
And whats more, it works overnight!
Heart Doctor With Vision Problems ResignsAFTER Performing Unnecessary Surgeries!
A cardiologist at a Maryland hospital resigned his staff privileges when officials began investigating whether he performed unnecessary stent procedures to prop open clogged arteries.
Hospital officials found at least 25 of Dr. McLeans patients received arterial stents last yeareven though they did not meet the medical criteria for these procedures!
Stents are small wire tubes used to prop open arteries after theyve been cleared of fatty plaque. American College of Cardiology guidelines generally call for stents when artery blockages reach 70%. The range of blockage in Dr. McLeans 25 patients in question ranged from only 35 to 60%.
According to an Associated Press report, Dr. John R. McLean cited vision problems as his reason for resigning from the Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury, MD.
Dr. Tom Lawrence, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for PRMC, said Dr. McLean suggested a recently diagnosed eye condition may have caused him to misread some patients diagnostic images. Dr. Lawrence said none of the 25 patients contacted has experienced any medical complications.
Health E-Hints
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for Americans to visit a doctor or licensed acupuncturist. If you occasionally experience backaches, a few lifestyle changes could provide some much-needed relief. AARP recommends these simple solutions:
- Switch to a firmer mattress or desk chair with more support
- Improve your posture by straightening your back and shoulders
- Replace high heels with flats or low-heeled shoes
- Shed extra pounds if youre overweight
- Try meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress
- Stretch before and after any physical activity
- Add abdominal exercises to strengthen stomach muscles and relieve back pain
You might be surprised how making a few simple lifestyle changes can make a BIG difference in relieving nagging back pain!