Smoking Now Even Riskier
Smoking has never been a good idea, but it might be even riskier for lung health to smoke American cigarettes today than it was a few decades ago. New research blames techniques now used in American cigarette production for increases in a certain type of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma.
A study presented by Dr. David Burns of the University of California, San Diego, to a meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco showed that adenocarcinoma rates are higher in the U.S. than in Australia. The most likely explanation, Burns said, is that cigarettes sold in Australia contain lower levels of nitrosamines, a known carcinogen, than those sold in the U.S.
Interestingly, it also appears that low-tar filtered cigarettes may contribute to adenocarcinoma, by stimulating smokers to inhale more deeply to get their desired nicotine “hit.” This drives smoke deeper into small air sacs in the lungs, where adenocarcinoma tends to grow.
Dr. Burns pointed out that this evidence is circumstantial and more research is needed, but I can tell you now with absolute confidence that there’s no need for smokers to wait for such confirmation before they quit. Smoking any kind of cigarette is bad for you; subtle distinctions in potential lethality should not influence your personal decisions in this regard. If you smoke, stop. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Protecting Your Immune System
Do you know which supplements and herbs can help support and protect your immune system? Find out at Dr. Weil’s Vitamin Advisor. Learn how different vitamins can benefit your lifestyle and get a free recommendation based on your health history. Make your first purchase today and save up to 25%!
Vitamin E May Help Alzheimer’s Patients
High doses of vitamin E combined with prescription drugs may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. What’s more, the benefits appear to increase over time. This news comes from a study involving 540 patients with probable Alzheimer’s, all of whom were taking drugs used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in learning and memory. Of the total number of patients in the study, 208 took 800 IU to 2,000 IU of vitamin E daily; 49 patients took anti-inflammatory drugs but no vitamin E and 177 patients took vitamin E plus anti-inflammatories; 106 patients took nothing. After five years, the researchers reported a “small to medium” slowing of functional decline among the patients on vitamin E alone, and a “small” slowing of the decline among patients taking anti-inflammatories but no “E.” Those taking both vitamin E and anti-inflammatories had the best results of all. The safety of taking large doses of vitamin E wasn’t assessed in this study. Results were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Geriatrics Society in May 2009.
Continue to Expand Your Mind Throughout Your Life
Making time for your mind is an important part of healthy aging. At Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging we cover ways to exercise your mind, techniques for improving your memory, and nutrition suggestions to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Expand your mind - start your 14-day free trial now!
Why We Crave Salt … Maybe
A new theory of why we use so much salt - even though we know it sometimes increases blood pressure - is that it acts as a natural anti-depressant. This latest sprinkle in the salt story comes from the University of Iowa where psychologist Kim Johnson and his team found that rats deprived of sodium chloride are less interested in activities they normally enjoy, a symptom of depression. The investigators didn’t diagnose the rats’ moodiness as full-blown depression, but they said that the animals’ response to sodium deprivation suggests that salt may act in some capacity as a natural anti-depressant. If so, this could explain cravings for salty snacks and why the average worldwide salt intake per individual is about 10 grams daily, much more than the 1,500 mg of sodium the body needs. (Salt is 40 percent sodium.) Johnson and his team also have found changes in brain activity in rats deprived of salt that are the same as those seen when addicted animals are cut off from their drugs, an indication that salt cravings may be linked to brain pathways involved in drug addiction.
Healthy Living Tips
From simple advice on diet and exercise to in-depth coverage of mind-body approaches to health and lifestyle, Dr. Weil’s Optimum Health Plan has what you need to stay healthy and happy. See what you can achieve in just eight weeks - visit today!
Featured Recipe
Citrus Salad Dressing
This tart, sweet salad dressing is wonderful on dark, leafy salad greens like romaine or leaf lettuce tossed with orange segments, black olives and red onion slivers.
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Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging
Seasonal Foods: June - Cantaloupe
With a relatively low calorie count per serving, cantaloupe is a sweet and satisfying way to get your vitamins during the summer months, especially your beta-carotene and vitamin C. To tell if a cantaloupe is ripe smell the stem end - a ripe cantaloupe will have the distinctive aroma of cantaloupe flesh - and press your finger into the stem end as a gentle yielding is an indication of ripeness.
Featured Discussion:
“How can I relieve my dog's allergy symptoms?” asks march baby.
My 13-year-old Australian Shepherd has recently shown signs of seasonal allergies. The vet put him on Benadryl, which does not seem to work very well. He is starting to chew his hair down to the skin. I have (put)… colloidal silver in his water and have recently started to give him krill oil. I have also started him on a liver cleanse. Any other suggestions?
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What's New
Dr. Weil Speaks at Hollyhock 2009
Cortes Island, B.C., Canada, June 14-19
Dr. Weil will be a guest speaker at this retreat that brings together the most progressive thinkers of our time Featuring creative role-play, community relationship building, meditation and integrative breath exercises, become empowered to be the empower change you wish to see in the world. For leaders, healers and activists. Registration information.
Dr. Weil at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival 2009
Napa, California, August, 28-30
Celebrate at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival with three days of empowering programs and activities that purify the body, educate the mind, and renew the spirit all in the beautiful setting of Napa, California. Join Dr. Weil, and world-renowned wellness and eco-conscious living experts for inspiring lectures and activities devoted to outdoor experiences, yoga, nutrition, fitness, eco-conscious awareness, meditation, wine tasting, music, and more.Learn more.
Healthy Aging Workshop, Miraval Resort
Tucson, Arizona, October 25 -28, 2009
Join us for this special educational offering featuring Dr. Andrew Weil and the faculty and directors of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at Miraval Resort and Spa, in Tucson, Arizona. This unique four-day healthy aging workshop was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and will feature the latest information from leading experts in the field of integrative medicine. For rates, reservations and availability for this event, visit the Miraval website.
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