Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
I firmly believe in the notion of aging gracefully. Thats why in this weeks Monday Edition of Health News Weekly, Im going to tell you about the top two things you can do to help protect yourself from premature death and disability.
plus, you may be surprised to find outdespite the seemingly healthy variety of foods available on grocery shelveswhy the nations food supply could be vulnerable to an attack.
Lets not waste another minute
FDA Cuts Food Safety Inspections
Despite Recent Scares!
Food contamination has taken center stage in the American news media recentlywith frightening reports of E. coli tainted spinach and salmonella in peanut butter. Despite these food scares, the federal agency responsible for issuing food recalls has decreased its number of food safety inspections!
According to an Associated Press report, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety inspections dropped 47% between 2003 and 2006. Whats more, agency statistics show the number of safety tests for foods produced in the United States has plummetedfrom 9,748 in 2003 to just 2,455 last year.
The agencys number of food inspectors has dropped by 12% as well. At the urging of Congress, the FDA increased its number of food inspectors after the September 11 attacks. As fears about the vulnerability of the nations food supplies subsidedthe number of food inspectors and inspections decreased as well.
FDA food inspectors check for filth, decomposition, and contamination from chemicals, pesticides, insects or rodents. The AP report notes that companies producing foods with a high risk of contaminationsuch as fruits and vegetablesshould be inspected every year.
When the FDA finds violations with a food product, it asks companies to fix the problems voluntarily. The agency can also request a recall of unsafe products or ask law enforcement officials to seize a product.
Tommy Thompson, former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, says the dwindling ranks of food safety inspectors leave the nation vulnerable, especially to problems with imported food. According to the report, agency inspectors examined just 1.3% of food imports last yearabout three quarters as much as in 2003.
The Top Two Ways to Avoid
Premature Death and Disability
A whopping 80% of older Americans live with a chronic disease, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Merck Company Foundation. Seniors can lower their risk of premature death and disability by adopting healthier behaviors and getting recommended health screenings.
The report entitled State of Aging and Health in America 2007 says nearly 95% of health care expenditures are for treating chronic health conditions in older adults. The report concludes that the challenges of dealing with chronic diseases will increase as a significant percentage of the baby boomer population ages. By the year 2030, the number of older Americans is estimated to reach 71 millionwhich is projected to cause a 25% increase in health care spending!
The report contains 15 key health indicators for older adults grouped in 4 areas:
- Health statusincludes number of physically unhealthy days, frequent mental distress, oral health and disability.
- Health behaviorsrefer to physical inactivity, nutrition, obesity and smoking.
- Preventive care and screeningincludes getting flu and pneumonia vaccines, mammography, colorectal cancer screening and cholesterol checks.
- Injuriessuch as hip fracture hospitalizations.
According to the report, much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic illness can be avoided with known prevention measures such as regular physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use. The report also recommends the use of early detection practices, such as screening for cancers, diabetes and depression.
The majority of states have met national goals for four key health indicators: current smoking status, mammogram within the past two years, colorectal cancer screening and cholesterol checked within the past 5 years. No states have met national targets related to increasing physical activity eating recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables and getting recommended flu and pneumonia vaccines. Only Colorado, Hawaii, and New Mexico have met the target for reducing obesity.
Although there is room for more progress in meeting other key health indicatorsthe report concludes its never too late to implement healthier behaviors.
Fast Fact
Did you know you can cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer? Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantlyeven though the product has never been advertised for this use.
Arthritis Sufferers Are on
Pins and Needles in Search of Relief!
A group of German scientists say recent study results support acupuncture as an effective way to ease the pain of inflamed joints. According to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, researchers at Charite University of Medicine in Berlin reached this conclusion after studying 712 arthritis sufferers. Heres what happened
One group of 357 participants received immediate acupuncture treatment. A second group of 355 people started treatment three months later. Both groups received anti-inflammatory drugs along with the acupuncture treatments.
Researchers measured the results on the widely used WOMAC osteoarthritis index. This scale measures stiffness, joint performance and the severity of arthritis pain.
All patients scored about 50 on the scale at the beginning of the treatment. The group that received 15 acupuncture sessions scored about 30a 36% improvement! The untreated groups scores remained around 50.
Whats more, when researchers administered acupuncture to the untreated groupthey showed the same level of improvement after a three-month treatment!
Some skeptics raise issues with scientists choice to use less experienced acupuncturists. They also criticize researchers for failing to conduct a double-blind study. The scientists maintain the study results demonstrate the usefulness of acupuncture as a pain treatment.
Health E-Hints
Heres How to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn!
Despite repeated warnings, thousands of folks will spend hours soaking up sun rayswith little or no skin protection! This can often result in painful, stinging sunburn that can make you feel miserable!
If those extra hours in the sun have left you beet red and feeling blue try a couple of these quick remedies to soothe your sore skin:
- Use cool compresses made with equal parts of milk and water. You can also use a compress made with Burow solution from the local drugstore. Just dissolve a packet in one pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it, then gently wring out the cloth. Apply this compress to your sunburned areas for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to change the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.
- Aloe vera gel straight from plant leaves is a Godsend for sunburn relief! If this plant doesnt happen to grow in your garden, aloe-based lotion is a great substitute. Ask your drugstore pharmacist for some recommendations.
- Cool baths may helpas long as you avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes that may cause a reaction in sensitive skin. Use soft towels to pat yourself dry, making sure not to rubOUCH!
The lastand perhaps most obvious tipis to stay out of the sun while youre sunburned! After you heal, be sure to use sun block lotion whenever you plan to spend prolonged time in the sun. These simple steps can save you days of soreness and painand reduce the chance for more serious skin problems down the road!