Beware the Online Quack

Beware;

Make intelligent Internet health decisions

Here are some of the warning signs to watch out for;

• Sweeping claims that most diseases are caused by diet or can be cured with vitamin and mineral supplements.
• Pseudo-medical jargon, such as offers to "detoxify" or balance" your body.
• Anyone claiming that doctors, drug companies or the government are trying to suppress their find.
• "Secret cures"-quacks only keep them secret to stop others proving they don't work.
• Products claiming to work against unrelated diseases.
• Encouragement to ignore established scientific thinking and " think for yourself."
• Testimonial or (often misquoted) scientific references.
• Approaches that seem to focus on people whose judgement may be clouded by desperation.

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Eat Away at PMT

No one really knows what causes premenstrual tension, but changes in lifestyle - more exercise, sleep and a healthy diet - have been known to ease the symptoms.
Here are some potential dietary saviours:

MINERALS about 90 per cent of women don't get enough magnesium, which may lead to water retention, anxiety, irritability, cravings and muscle cramps - common PMT symptoms. Whole grains, nuts seeds and beans are good sources. Calcium and zinc may also help.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid, this anti-inflammatory may help PMT symptoms. Ask your doctor.

AGNUS CASTUS also know as chasteberry, this herb is thought to affect female hormones.

CARBOHYDRATES some doctors believe frequent small meals (up to six a day) high in carbohydrates keep blood sugar up, which can also help to reduce PMT symptoms.

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Acid Test For Your Teeth

We think of fruit and yogurt as good for you, but a diet high in these acidic foods, or fruit juice, wine pickled products or fizzy soft drinks, can erode your tooth enamel.

Normally saliva helps restore the ph balance after acidic food, but if you eat a lot the mouth can't keep up and your teeth may suffer. You can help by rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after eating these foods and chewing sugar free gum to stimulate saliva flow.

acid test teeth acid test teeth

Super Soup

Move over, chicken noodle:

Gazpacho is the real healing soup. A recent Tufts University study found that people who ate soup loaded with raw tomatoes, cucumbers and green capsicums for two weeks had significantly higher levels of vitamin C in their blood.
Vitamin C plays a vital role in protecting the body against oxidative damage.
It helps fight heart disease and high blood pressure by lowering LDL (bad) Cholesterol and boosting HDL (good) cholesterol.
Since cooking reduces the heart-healthy benefits, it may be time to try cold soup.

Start with the recipe:

Gazpacho With Croutons

1/2 cup coarsely red onion
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 can no-salt-added tomatoes
1/4 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
2 green capsicums, chopped
2 red capsicums, chopped

Homemade or purchased croutons

1. Pulse onion and garlic in blender. Add half of tomatoes and all juice. Puree. Add next six ingredients. Blend. Pour in nonreactive bowl.

2. Chop remaining tomatoes. Stir into puree with half of cucumbers and half of green and red capsicums. Refrigerate one hour. Ladle into bowls. Top with remaining cucumber and peppers. Garnish with croutons. Serves four.

per serving: 1.04 kilojoules; 5 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 6 g fiber; 8 g protein' 730 mg sodium; 46 g carbohydrate.

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