Giving up on
HRT
Women over the age of
60 don’t want to take HRT for more than a year.
That’s the findings of a study of more than 3000 women prescribed the
treatment between 1989 and 1997. Less
than half the sample were still on HRT after a year, and after 4 years only 20% remained on it.
The situation was
different for younger women, who may have had a premature menopause through illness,
hormonal problems or surgery. They were much
more likely to continue with long-term therapy, perhaps because their symptoms were more
severe or because early menopause also increases risk of osteoporosis without hormone
treatment.
The benefits of power napping
I’ve been arguing
on this with my husband for ages: if you feel
sleepy after lunch, you don’t need an hour’s siesta to get over it. A ten-minute nap works just as well. Jim Horne of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University
confirms that sleeping too long in the afternoon leaves you feeling groggy and reduces
sleep quality at night.
He also says that
reading, watching television or even chatting are equally restoring activities, though I
have to admit that reading can make me more drowsy and chatting has the opposite effect.
Best of all, however, is ‘relaxed wakefulness’ -
the kind of thing practised at the end of a yoga class.
You just lie quietly, preferably on your back on the floor, making sure your whole
body is relaxed from the toes and feet up to the head.
Ten minutes of that, and you should be ready for action.
Folic acid: the
heart connection
Folic acid is
something we connect with pregnancy. It
is recommended to prevent neural tube birth defects.
But it's possible that folic acid supplementation may also cut the rate of heart
disease, by reducing blood levels of a potentially harmful amino acid called homocysteine.
High levels of
homocysteine occur through a genetic defect, something people can inherit. In these people, the amino acid can build up abnormally high and
become toxic to blood vessels, resulting in atherosclerosis and heart attack or stroke. Only a minority of people - 5 to 7 % of Americans - carry a single copy of
the defective gene, but they are specially vulnerable to cardiovascular disease by early
middle age.
Now there is evidence that even people who have no genetic
inheritance may have slightly elevated levels of homocysteine and be at increased risk for
cardiovascular disease. In 1992, findings from the US longterm Physicians' Health Study of
15,000 men showed that those whose homocysteine levels were just 12% above the high end of
the normal range had three times the risk of heart attack.
Studies since then
have shown that consuming folic acid, either alone or in combination with vitamins B6 and
B12, can significantly reduce homocysteine levels.
The research is by no means complete, and it has yet to be
proven that this reduction will lower the risk for heart attack and stroke. But scientists
at the center of Human Nutrition in the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygience and
Public Health are saying that adding a daily multivitamin containing at least 0.4
milligram of folic acid would be prudent, particularly for those with a family history of
cardiovascular disease.
For folic acid in
natural foods, go for green beans, fortified breakfast cereal, fresh orange juice,
spinach, avocado, asparagus.
Viridian is a new company
producing a high-quality range of vitamins, minerals and herbs. It donates 50% net profit each year to charity and
was named as Best Buy in the most recent Ethical Consumer magazine vitamin review for its
commitment to 100% active ingredients, charity donation and recycling programme. Viridian
products can be found in health food stores through the UK and Eire. For your nearest
stockist call 01327 878050 or check out www.viridian-nutrition.com.
 365 ways to energize mind, body and soul
Before readers
reach for that next cup of coffee, they should reach for this fun and useful book by
natural health and beauty guru Stephanie Tourles
 Age-proof your body
Accurate,
understandable information on aging and nutrition
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Sun on older skin
Most of us know the
dangers of sunbathing and in any case prefer the shade with the wisdom of age. This is just as well, since older skin
is especially vulnerable to a condition known as solar keratosis.
You may not know
the expression, but you may well have come across the signs of it: rough, pale patches of skin often seen on bald
areas on the head, sometimes on the face and hands.
The condition often disappears but in some people it
recurs and needs treatment as it could become malignant.
Fortunately, there’s a new gel called Solaraze, which dermatologists are using
to treat solar keratosis. They advise that anyone with the condition should have it
checked regularly.
New thoughts on drinking water
There has been a
change of view among the experts who tell is to drink plenty of fluids. No longer do we have to stick to water or
herbal teas or fruit juice to avoid dehydration. New
research suggests that we can include caffeine drinks like tea and coffee, or even cola,
as part of our fluid intake, as well as soups and juicy fruit. Even low alcoholic drinks are counted in.
Evidence comes from
professor Robert Lindman of University of Mexico and is supported by the British Nutrition
Foundation who say that there is no evidence that water can help detoxify the body or
boost the immune system.
High alcohol intake can induce dehydration, and drinking
caffeine when you’re hydrated may make things worse.
But otherwise, you can drink what you like and don’t have to worry about
forcing down the previous recommendation of 6 large glasses of water.
However - just a word of warning - if you are undertaking
any exercise, have a drink beforehand, even if you are not thirsty, and drink again during
and after.
Preferably in this instance, make it water.
Vitamin C - danger
or false alarm
Recent newspaper reports about vitamin C have been truly scary. Megadoses could cause
cancer, say some experts, in direct contradiction to most research which suggests that
vitamin C can protect against cancer.
A new study for the university of Pennsylvania has based its argument on test-tube
experiments that indicate possible damage to DNA in cells. There is no evidence apparent
in humans or animal experiments, and the study focussed on very large doses, not the
amounts you get in the average tub of multivitamins, which contain around the recommended
daily allowance of 40-60 mg.
Some people take a daily megadose (anything from 500 mg upwards) at the first sign of a
cold, and usually after a few days. If you feel unduly worried, don't go for any more
megadoses. But there's no need to panic about a daily dose of 60 mg, which is around the
same as a large orange. Of course, you can get all your vitamin C from fresh fruit and
vegetables, but remember that modern mass production and long storage mean that foods may
be vitamin depleted by the time you buy them. And slicing as well as cooking reduce
vitamin C content.
If in any doubt about any of the
information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.
In edition
15:-
All that
rich food
Feel bloated, nauseous and suffer from stomach discomfort after eating?
Sex and the
older woman
A new study on how older women feel about their sexual experiences reveals
many gaps in knowledge and in help available
Socks for
safer flying
Next time you take a long-haul flight, look out for people flaunting their
kneesocks
Coming soon(ish)
A round-up of promises from medical science which are on the horizon, some
more distant than others...
A tomato a day
The magical medicinal properties of the tomato grow and grow.
Index to all previous
Healthwise editions
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from
laterlife, you generate money for Charity.
Jenergy
Jenni Rivett's guide to fitness, aimed solely at women, is a winner.
 The Complete Book of Men`s Health
This
constructive guide provides information on health-related topics, exercise, diet, and
personal grooming.
 A Woman`s
"Diagnose it Yourself" Guide to Health
Think there's more to life than hanging around in waiting rooms reading
old copies of Hello? Then try this book
 Is it
me or is it hot in here? should be compulsory reading. Not just for women
needing help and advice on the complexities of the menopause, but also for men trying to
understand why women are so complex at this time
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