Few Tid Bits

I've started reading a book that hubby let me get a few weeks ago. Yes, I'm a slow starter. I only wish I had started reading it sooner. Because of the neuropathy, and my long desire to be fit and trim, I have to change my eating habits. While attending college a couple years back, I had taken a nutrition class and was all gung-ho, but never followed through. Now I'm digging all the information back out and using it along with "Nutrition for Life: The no-fad, no-nonsense approach to eating well and reaching your healthy weight." Written by Lisa Hard, PhD, RD & Darwin Deen, MD. What I've read so far makes so much sense. I've hopefully talked hubby into reading it too, as the man only eats at night. He can't understand why he's so tired all the time and is so hungry at night. (Yes, I'm sitting here shaking my head).

To give you an idea of what this book is like, the following is the headlined contents, with each one having many categories. It starts out with assessing your health and lifestyle. This is where I am at and find it very intriguing. It's hard to put down. The next part is:
Food for Life
Elements of a Healthy Diet
Eating for the Time of Your Life
The Truth About Weight Control
Food as Medicine
The Food you Buy
& Food Analysis
In the very back is a list of Useful Addresses of various Associations that you can get good information from. I will try to get those listed on my side bar tonight or tomorrow. It is a 336 page book. It was only marked 16.95 at Barnes & Noble. You can never put a price on life. This book I can tell already is going to be well worth it and then some.

There are others that I've recently gotten or in the past that I will post about soon.

Also, the following is to sign up for Prevention e-Newsletter is you would like. Just go to http://www.prevention.com/. If that doesn't get you to the newsletter sign up, then try this: http://www.prevention.com/Newsletter

In the Human Active Outlook Mag. which a co-worker of hubby's loaned me, it had a great article on vitamins. Now my nutritional instructor had told us that if we are eating a balanced diet, getting the required amounts of the food pyramid, then we don't need vitamins. There are some vitamins that we can get too much of. Most aren't harmful, but there are a couple you need to be aware of. I'll have to look that information up again. But this article states the following.

"Women Wasting Money on Multivitamins that Don't Prevent Disease"
"Although
millions of postmenopausal women take multivitamins in the hope they will
prevent cancer, heart disease, and other conditions, there is no scientific
evidence they work." "Researchers recommend that women get their nutrition from
healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains rather than taking
dietary supplements."

This is true no matter what. When we follow the pyramid, we are getting the right amounts of required energy, and nutrients that our body needs. The healthier we eat, the healthier we will be. But keep in mind, diseases are going to happen no matter what. So instead of pumping yourself with more vitamins than your body needs, and it's just going to expel most of the unnecessary vitamins from your body any how, why take them? For one, you don't need them, for another, it will save you money from having to buy them. But on the other hand, if a doctor tells you that you need to take specific vitamins, then by all means do so.

I have a lot more I want to share, but will end for now and will post more tomorrow.

Reference:
Damron, D. CSA, Director. June, 2009. Live it Up! Health and Wellness Information from Humana Active Outlook.

Face Lift

Since there has not been a whole lot to write about lately, I'm going to turn this into a informative health blog. I myself have been dealing with various health issues along with other family members. I've come across some very good information that may be of help to others as well. I do encourage comments on what you think and especially any other information you can add as well.

First off, I came across an article in Jul. - Aug. 2009 Arthritis Today Magazine titled: "Don't Kill Your Pill." This article, written by Camille Noe Pagan talks about certain foods that can have an affect on certain medications. The best thing to do is discuss the issues with your pharmicist. You can discuss it with your doctor as well, but I've come to find that your pharmicist is better equiped to tell you what can counter act and what doesn't. The following are what the author has written:

Milk and yogurt can block iron supplements, antibiotics, thyroid hormones, and many others.
Apples, oranges, and grapefruit juice can block "disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs," "a drug used for severe psoriasis and rhuematoid arthritis." They can also block beta blockers, cancer drugs, an osteoporosis drug, Allegra, and some antibiotics.

Coffee can block penicillan

Alcohol can block antidepressants, especially MAOI's, and SSRI's such as Prozac.

Now keep in mind that this does not mean you have to avoid these items just keep a good few hours between the consumption of the blockers and your medications. The following is a quote as to how long you should wait:

"In most cases, you can consume a potentially pill-blocking food or beverage
aobut three to four hours after you've taken your meds, but it's best to ask you
pharmacist, who can tell you for sure. Plus, [he]/she can check to see if other
medications or supplements you take might further affect how your body absorbs
your medicines."

You can find out more by going here.

Reference
Pagan, C.N. July/August, 2009. "Don't Kill Your Pill" Your health med watch. Arthritis Today Issue p. 56