Stop Yourself from Feeling Old – Issue 28


Dear Health-Conscious Friend,

Researchers around the globe are discovering ways to keep you healthy—and even slow down the aging process. One recent finding shows decreasing your risk of heart problems may be as simple as getting more sleep each day!

Today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™ will explain the results of this study and other research findings. You’ll discover new ways to protect your health—and stop yourself from feeling old before your time!


Catch More Z-Z-Zs for a Healthier Heart!

Layne Lowery

People who don’t get enough sleep are more than twice as likely to die of heart disease, according to findings of a recent British study.

Researchers said lack of sleep appeared to hike blood pressure levels—a condition known to raise the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

The study involved a 17-year analysis of the sleep patterns of 10,000 government workers. The participants’ ages ranged from 35 to 55 years.

Researchers examined sleeping habits at two points in participants’ lives—from 1985 to 1988 and from 1992 to 1993—then tracked their mortality rates until 2004.

The study panel then adjusted results to consider other possible risk factors such as initial age, sex, smoking and alcohol consumption, body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Francesco Cappuccio, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Warwick’s medical school, said these findings highlight a danger in busy modern lifestyles. Cappuccio spoke at the annual conference of the British Sleep Society in Cambridge.

Previous research has highlighted the potential health risks of shift work and disrupted sleep. But the study by Cappuccio and colleagues, which was supported by British government and U.S. funding, is the first to link duration of sleep and mortality rates.

“In terms of prevention, our findings indicate that consistently sleeping around seven hours per night is optimal for health,” Cappuccio said.


Court Orders Hefty Refunds in Crackdown
on Bogus Pain Relief Product!

Roz Roscoe, Staff Writer

If you’re one of the hundreds of folks who purchased Biotape for pain relief—you may have a little extra dough coming back to you!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lodged charges against Biotape’s marketers who claimed the adhesive tape provides significant, permanent relief from severe pain.

Agency officials say the product is a scam and a federal district court has ordered promoters to pay up to $2.5 million in consumer refunds!

Many older Americans suffer medical conditions which cause persistent pain. FTC officials assume seniors may represent a significant customer base for the Biotape’s two marketers: Smart Inventions, Inc. and Jon Nokes.

A federal district court ruled that a third defendant—product inventor Darrell Stoddard who appeared in the product’s nationally televised infomercial—violated federal law and must surrender $86,000 he received from infomercial sales.

The FTC charged all three defendants with making deceptive claims that Biotape provided significant, permanent pain relief. They also claimed it was superior to other pain-relief products.

An agency release said the product infomercial claimed Biotape was “a space age conductive mylar that connects the broken circuits that cause… pain.”

The FTC’s settlement with Smart Inventions, Inc. and Jon D. Nokes, bars them from making such claims about Biotape, or any other substantially similar pain-relief product.

The order also forbids Smart Inventions and Nokes from making claims about the health benefits… performance… efficacy… or safety of certain products. This includes any drug or device—unless the claim is true and backed up by credible scientific evidence.

The whopping $2.5 million judgment against Smart Inventions, Inc. represents the net consumer sales of Biotape. The judgment is suspended as long as they fulfill their obligations to provide funding for consumer refunds.

The defendants must also recall or repackage and re-label all products already on the market that violate this order.

The redress administrator will send forms to all Biotape purchasers. They must fill out and return the form indicating they want redress to receive money back.


Fast Fact

The secret to beautiful hair is only skin deep! Hair follicles extend deep into your skin to be nourished by its abundant supply of oxygen-rich blood.

This means healthy blood circulation and a body with the correct nutrient balance produces healthy hair! If the root cells at the base of your hair follicles contain the correct oils and pigments, the hair will also contain them. Remember healthy cells are the key to beautiful, healthy hair!


Can Common Painkillers Aggravate
A Swollen Prostate?

Tonia Beverly, Contributing Editor

Ibuprofen and naproxen may CAUSE pain rather than relieve it in men with enlarged prostates, according to a report in the Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

Recent evidence suggests nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), may worsen urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition common to older men is often called prostate enlargement.

BPH is not cancerous—but it does cause its share of worrisome symptoms such as a frequent need to void… difficulty with emptying the bladder completely… and painful stinging urination.

Doctors already know that some medications—usually cold and allergy remedies—can aggravate BPH symptoms. But the new study adds NSAIDs to the list of possible irritants, according to the Harvard publication.

Using data from 5,900 men age 45 and older, researchers found that men using NSAIDs were twice as likely as non-users to develop acute urinary retention—a sudden inability to empty the bladder.

In men who already have BPH, the painkillers may worsen urinary symptoms because they block production of chemicals called prostaglandins.

Your bladder produces prostaglandins to enhance muscle contractions. Blocking this process may make it even harder for men with BPH to empty their bladders.

All men should use NSAIDs carefully, following the label directions unless a doctor tells them otherwise.

Men with BPH should pay attention to whether their symptoms increase when taking an NSAID. If this does happen, inform your doctor.


Health E-Hints

The Fabulous Five Heart-Healthy Foods!

If you’re looking for foods to help protect and improve your cardiovascular health—WebMD has compiled a “best of the best” list. They worked with The Cleveland Clinic and the American Dietetic Association to compile a list of the top 25 heart healthy foods.

The list contains foods that weigh in as top-performers for protecting your heart and blood vessels. The top 5 foods from the list—all of which contain an abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids—are as follows:

  1. Salmon—high in protein and low in saturated fat!
  2. Flaxseed (ground)—a rich source of fiber and phytoestrogens to help regulate cholesterol levels and protect bone density in postmenopausal women!
  3. Oatmeal—full of magnesium… potassium… folate… niacin… calcium… and plenty of soluble fiber!
  4. Black or Kidney Beans—a great source of B-complex vitamins… niacin… folate… magnesium… and fiber!
  5. Almonds—contain plant-based omega-3 fatty acids… vitamin E… heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats… and phytosterols to help regulate cholesterol levels!

Try to use some of these delicious, healthy foods in your daily diet. They can help keep your heart beating longer and STRONGER!