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OUR THANKS TO:

Dr. Darren Weissman...
our Guest Speaker for May. Dr. Weissman is a holistic physician and author of the book The Power of Infinite Love and Gratitude. He is also the creator of The LifeLine Technique, which has been described as using the power of love to create wellness within each of us. His technique combines a variety of healing modalities and is a common sense approach to achieving wellness.

Louise Hay...
author and spiritual teacher, for her inspiring words about welcoming in the month of May: "The garden is starting to grow, and new people are coming into your life. Wonderful experiences are coming your way, so be open and receptive to all of them. Have positive expectations, and know that all is well and you are safe." For more about Louise and her inspiring books visit www.hayhouse.com.

Note: If you'd like to see an example of nature's magnificence and unique beauty check out the photo of a transparent butterfly I've included with My Blog entry this week...it's amazing!

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FOOD CHOICES THAT HELP REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF AGING...

Is it possible that the food we eat can help to slow down the aging process?

In an Orlando Sentinel article, Dr. Michael Roizen (author of You Staying Young:The Owner's Manual For Extending Your Warranty) says that food and lifestyle choices can add years to your life, and that it is never too late to begin,
"Aging is reversible, it's never too late until you are 6 feet under!"
and believes positive changes take place within a matter of months.
A recent study affirms this as they found that people who eat
five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, drink moderately, exercise
and quit smoking live an average 14 years longer than people who
adopt none of these behaviors.

So what should you be eating? Here's the list of foods that will help you to improve your health and slow down the aging process:

• Salmon and other fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help decrease inflammation and may lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. These good fats have been found to reduce depression and boost the production of a protein known to destroy the plaques associated witIh Alzheimer's disease. Aim for at least two servings of fish per week or consider omega-3-fortified foods and fish oil supplements.
• Whole Grains can potentially reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers as they are high in fiber and other disease-fighting nutrients. The Iowa Women's Health Study found that at least one serving of whole grains a day (such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa) lowered the risk of dying by 15% during a nine-year period.
• Broccoli and other dark-green vegetables offer carotenoids, folate and viatamin C. Carotenoids might be a powerful weapons against cancer. Folate is good for your heart and brain. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce stroke risk by as much as 42%. Some studies indicate that Vitamin C might slow skin wrinkling.
• Tumeric is a spice that contains a compound called curcumin that might help keep the brain young. Older adults in Singapore who ate turmeric-rich curry often were half as likely to suffer from mental decline. Other studies suggest tumeric helps improve memory.
• Cinnamon appears to have insulinlike properties that might help control blood-sugar levels. Just as little as 1/4 teaspoon a day was found to be beneficial.
• Beans, peas and lentils are packed with soluble fiber that soaks up cholesterol like a sponge and escorts it out of your body. Low in fat, legumes are loaded with protein and folate, a B vitamin that helps lower blood levels of homocysteine, a type of amino acid linked to heart disease and stroke. Tulane University researchers found that people who ate legumes at least four times a week or more had a 22% lower risk of heart disease.
• Berries and cherries bright blue and red colors are responsible for the health-promoting properites of these mighty fruits. The hue signals hte presence of anthocyannis, powerful phytonutrients that may reduce inflammation and offer protection agains heart disease and cancer. Some studies show that they can help slow the decline in brain function as we age.
• Calcium and Vitamin D are vital to maintaining bone density that declines as we age. Vitamin D helpf the body absorb calcium, but newer studies also suggest that this "sunshine" vitamin also lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. A genetic study found that people with the lowest levels of Vitamin D experienced changes equivalent to five years of aging.
• Red Wine in moderation may be beneficial due to a compund called resveratrol that is found in red-grape skin. Some studies indicate it has anti-cancer effects and makes the immune system younger. "Moderate" drinking is considered to be one glass a day for women, two for men.
• Almonds are paced with protein, Vitamin E and good fats Studies indicate that an ounce a day (about a handful) can help lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels.

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HEALTH QUESTIONS ABOUT HARD PLASTIC

There have been a number of news stories lately about the potential toxic properties that may be found in plastic. In an article for The New York Times,Tara Parker-Pope reported the following information on this subject:

A chemical used to make baby bottles, water bottles, and food containers is creating increased scrutiny by health officials in Canada and the United States.

The substance in question is bisphenol-a, or BPA, which is widely used in the marking of the hard, clear and nearly unbreakable plastic called polycarbonate. Studies and tests show that trace amounts of BPA are leaching from polycarbonate containers into foods and liquids.

The concern is not only for children's products like clear plastic bottles and canned infant formula, but also for food-storage containers, clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

FAST FACTS ABOUT BPA:

• All of the evidence that BPA is harmful comes from animal studies. Rat pups exposed to BPA through injection or food, showed changes in mammary and prostate tissue, suggesting a potential cancer risk.
• BPA migrates into food from polycarbonate plastic bottles or epoxy resin coatings that line canned food.
• The 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found detectable levels of BPA in 93% of urine samples collected from more than 2,500 adults and chilren older than 6.
• The typical adult ingests an estimated 1 microgram of BPA for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight.
• Babies who use polycarbonate bottles and formula from cans get more, an estimated 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.
• Any product made of hard, clear plastic is probably made from polycarbonate unless the manufacturer states specifically that it is PBA-free. One way to check is to look for the triangle stamp on or near the bottom - polycarbonate plastics shoudl have the numeral 7 in the triangle, sometimes with the letters PC. Unfortunately 7 can also be a catchall "other" category for a variety of plastics.
• Most exposure occurs through the lining of canned foods. Canned beverages appear to contain less of the chemical than canned foods such as soup, pasta, fruits and vegetables, which are often processed at high temperatures. Almost every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA. One brand, Eden Organic Baked Beans, says it uses a BPA-free can.