• WHAT MINERALS CAN DO FOR YOU? CHROMIUM AND COPPER

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    21 Apr 2009 /  General health

    CHROMIUM

    Functions: part of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) and, as such, helps maintain a normal blood sugar level • helps regulate cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels.

    Deficiency signs and symptoms: abnormalities in the body’s handling of glucose, which can lead to diabetes • arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

    Chromium’s enemies: excessive boiling of food • refining of foods.

    COPPER

    Functions: vital for a healthy immune system • necessary for normal development of bone, connective tissue and the central nervous system • vital for production of RNA • assists in absorption of iron • works with vitamin C in forming elastin (part of the elastic muscle fibers) • plays a role in the manufacture of myelin (the fatty sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers)

    • involved with the birth of red blood cells and hemoglobin • necessary for cardiovascular integrity.

    Deficiency signs and symptoms: an anemia and its associated symptoms (fagitue, weakness, shortness of breath). Copper’s enemies: excess dietary zinc.

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  • IMMUNE FOR LIFE: THOUGHTS CAN RAISE ENDORPHINS

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    21 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Love, of course, isn’t the only good feeling that will increase endorphins. Let me tell you about a study conducted at the University of Tennessee a few years ago. The endorphin levels in the spinal fluid of 32 chronic-pain sufferers were measured; then the participants were given a placebo.

    Placebos aren’t medicine; they’re “sugar pills.” Surprisingly, they work just like real medicine for about one third of patients who suffer from chronic pain. In this study, the 14 patients who responded to the placebo were retested: their endorphin levels had increased!

    It wasn’t the placebo that made their endorphin levels rise; it was their belief. They thought the placebo was real medicine, so they believed it would relieve their pain. They felt so good about it that their bodies started producing extra endorphins, which blocked the pain. From belief to relief: it’s a magical, but very real, process you can learn to use yourself.

    Unfortunately, most of us mass-produce unhappy, unhealthy messages, flooding our bodies with chemical doomsayers. The tens of millions of Americans who are unhappy, depressed, angry, bitter, frustrated, feel inadequate, unloved, helpless and hopeless turn negative feelings into negative hormones into disease. That’s the other side of the coin, the one we want to avoid.

    Where Do Our Thoughts Come From?

    “I’d like to think nice thoughts and have lots of endorphins, Dr. Fox,” some of my patients say, “but everyone keeps making me mad. It’s not my fault. It’s my boss, my kids, the traffic, the economy. It’s all those things that make me mad.”

    We’ve been taught that our thoughts come from outside of us: someone or something imposes them on us. For example, we say: “He makes me so mad!” as if “I” have nothing to do with it; “I” am an innocent bystander.

    “He” doesn’t make you angry, calm, happy, or sad. “He” does nothing but provide a stimulus, some data for your brain. You make yourself angry, or calm, or happy, or sad by reacting to the stimulus.

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  • SUPER FOODS FOR IMMUNE: SPAGHETTI SAUCE AND YOGURT DISHES

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    21 Apr 2009 /  General health

    MAMA FOX’S SPAGHETTI SAUCE

    1 onion 6-8 mushrooms

    2 zucchini 3 cloves garlic, crushed

    1 tsp. olive oil 1-15 oz. can peeled tomatoes (no salt or sugar added) 1/3 cup red wine

    oregano to taste

    Wash and chop onion, mushrooms and zucchini. Saute garlic, onion and zucchini in olive oil. When zucchini is almost soft, add mushrooms. Saute 2 to 3 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked to taste. Add tomatoes, wine and oregano. Use a spoon to gently break up tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until thick. Add water as necessary. Serve over wholewheat pasta or whole grains.

    Makes approximately 3 cups.

    YOGURT DISHES

    Here are a few recipes I devised after buying some nonfat yogurt at the market. These are my favorite kinds of recipes: no cooking and no measurements. Nonfat (skim milk) yogurt is preferred because of its low fat content.

    HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY YOGURT

    1 handful plus 6-8 strawberries, fresh 1 6-oz. container yogurt, plain, nonfat

    Crush a handful of strawberries to get the juice, or juice them lightly in a blender. Strain juice from pulp and reserve. Slice 6 to 8 strawberries into thin slices. Mix the sliced strawberries and yogurt in a dish. Pour the strawberry juice over the mixture. Eat chilled.

    If you prefer, use apples, bananas, oranges or any other fruit. Serves 1.

    RODEO AND WILSHIRE YOGURT

    The combination of ingredients is unusual, but I really like it. 1 tomato

    1 peach, peeled

    1 handful uncooked oatmeal

    1 6-oz. container yogurt, plain, nonfat

    Wash and dice the tomato and peach; mix with yogurt and oatmeal. Eat chilled. Unconventional, but nutritious and tasty. This also works well with a pear, a peach or with a dash of vanilla extract. Why is it called “Rodeo and Wilshire”? Because that’s one of my favorite corners in Beverly Hills.

    Serves 1.

    DR. FOX’S FAVORITE

    1/2 cucumber 1 6-oz. container yogurt, plain, low-fat or nonfat cumin, to taste white pepper

    Dice half of a chilled cucumber and mix into a bowl with yogurt. Sprinkle cumin and a pinch of white pepper over the top. Eat chilled.

    Serves 1.

    TOMATO-TUNA COTTAGE CHEESE

    2 tomatoes

    3 slices onion

    4 tsps. tuna

    3 tbls. cottage cheese, low-fat

    3 tsps. Mama Fox’s Spaghetti Sauce

    cumin (optional)

    curry powder (optional)

    Dice onions and tomatoes, break tuna into flakes and combine with cottage cheese and spaghetti sauce. Try adding a pinch of cumin and curry powder.

    Serves 1.

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  • SUPER FOODS FOR IMMUNE/PARSLEY: NOT JUST A CONDIMENT

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    21 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Parsley is a food that gets very little respect. The sprig that’s set on your plate for decoration is often tossed aside. That’s too bad, because parsley is surprisingly nutritious. Parsley contains a large amount of beta carotene, enough to rank it with carrots as a cancer-fighting Super Food. It also contains plenty of calcium, potassium and vitamin C. You need calcium, of course, for strong bones and for many other biochemical functions. Potassium is important for a healthy heart and for energy. When patients tell me they’re tired and “don’t feel well,” I check their potassium level. I’m not surprised to find low levels of blood potassium in many of these patients. As for vitamin C, well, a healthy “doctor within” depends on plenty of this vitamin.

    Nutrient
    Parsley
    (per 3 1\2 oz)
    (raw)
    Beta Carotene
    8,500.0 IU
    Vitamin C
    172.0 mg
    Calcium
    203.0 mg
    Phosphorus
    63.0 mg
    Iron
    6.2 mg
    Sodium
    45.0 mg
    Potassium
    727.0 mg
    Vitamin Bl
    .12 mg
    Vitamin B2
    .26 mg
    Vitamin B3
    1.2 mg

    So eat lots of parsley, the overlooked and undervalued Super Food. The little bit you occasionally find as a garnish isn’t nearly enough. My wife buys it by the bunch, washes it and refrigerates it. I munch on it whole or chop it up and toss it in my salad. I urge you to do the same.

    *39\80\8*

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  • MOUTH, METALLIC TASTE IN

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    02 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Description and Possible Medical Problems

    If you’ve ever been able to receive radio waves through the fillings ot orthodontute in your mouth, you probably found that the broadcast is usually accompanied by a metallic taste in your mouth.

    Whether or not you fall into this category, if a metallic, slightly bitter taste stays around for a period of time, something besides the radio is causing your symptoms. Indeed, changes in the sensation of taste are usually caused by a recent or progressive change in your physical health. A metallic taste disorder may be due to a vitamin deficiency—most often the B vitamins or the mineral zinc—or to a cold or flu, during which the pus resulting from an upper respiratory infection can taste bitter. A benign or malignant tumor on the tongue can also cause a metallic taste.

    Certain medications such as antihypertensives and any antibiotic can also cause a metallic taste. In some cases, the altered taste will disappear after your body adjusts to the medication; in others, it will remain as long as you’re taking the medication.

    If the metallic taste in your mouth doesn’t go away on its own, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

    Treatment

    Your doctor will diagnose the cause of the metallic taste in your mouth by analyzing any changes in your diet and looking for the presence of a chronic respiratory infection. He will also examine your tongue for signs of a tumor. I had one patient who had a metallic taste that was caused by a tumor of the lung lining; the metallic taste preceded the cancer diagnosis by several months.

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  • NOSE, STUFFY

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    02 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Description and Possible Medical Problems

    You may think your stuffy nose is due to a cold—after all, you’ve never been allergic to anything—but think again. Adult-onset allergies are more common than most people think, especially with the increasing numbers of people who suffer from environmental allergies, in which rugs, furniture, and even hair spray can ttigger an allergic reaction.

    If your stuffy nose is due to an allergy and not to a cold or flu, you’ll probably answer yes to these questions:

    1. Has my clogged or runny nose lasted far longer than a cold usually does?

    2. Do my symptoms seem to appear and disappear without warning?

    Treatment

    Allergies can occur at any time of the year, although spring, when pollen is at its most abundant, and fall, when ragweed is in bloom, are the seasons when allergies and the accompanying nasal discomfort become most severe. At other times of the year, allergies to household mold and dust can cause a reaction.

    When it’s impossible to avoid the offending allergic substances, you can treat your stuffy nose with over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants. Look for antihistamines that don’t make you sleepy, and don’t overdo it with the decongestants, especially the sprays—it’s easy to become hooked on them.

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  • DECREASED SENSE OF SMELL: TREATMENT

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    02 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Though many people start to notice a decline in their ability to smell as early as their 40s, the loss usually doesn’t become pronounced until they reach their 60s. In fact, there are many elderly men and women who can’t smell at all.

    Severe colds, the flu, and infections of the upper respiratory tract can completely take away your ability to smell. In this instance, as well as when medication is causing the decreased sense of smell, you just have to be patient. When you’re better and/or have discontinued the medication, you’ll be able to smell again. And if you’ve recently had major dental work done, your ability to smell will return after you’ve completely healed.

    Occasionally, nasal polyps will result in a loss of smell. If you have trouble breathing due to these obstructions, see your doctor, who will probably recommend surgical removal of the polyps.

    If you lose your sense of smell suddenly, it’s important to keep in mind that the condition is probably reversible. If your loss is more gradual, aging is the culprit.

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  • BODY SIGNAL ALERT VISION, DOUBLE: TREATMENT

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    02 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Sometimes double vision disappears by itself in one to three months, no matter what the cause. But because double vision is often a symptom of a serious medical condition, you should see your physician so she can begin treatment if necessary.

    Treatment for double vision depends on its cause. When an aneurysm is responsible, surgery is the primary treatment, and after the aneurysm is repaired you will need to be closely monitored by your doctor to make sure your blood pressure remains under control. Your doctor will probably recommend that you switch to a low-fat, low-salt diet so that your high blood pressure and/or arteriosclerosis doesn’t worsen. Both conditions can aggravate an aneurysm and cause it to burst.

    If diabetes is causing you to see double, the best thing you can do is to follow the program your physician has recommended to control your diabetes; in this case, your double vision should disappear in a week or two. Double vision caused by diabetes may disappear on its own a month or two after it first begins. Nevertheless, it’s important to see your doctor to make sure you don’t have an additional medical problem—such as high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis—that can make it worse. It’s best to have your doctor monitor your health regularly.

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  • EYELIDS, FLAT YELLOW GROWTHS UNDER

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    02 Apr 2009 /  General health

    Description and Possible Medical Problems

    If you wake up one day and find a flat yellow growth on the underside of an eyelid, the first thing you should do is call your doctor to have your cholesterol checked. This flat yellow growth, called a xanthelasma, is a cholesterol deposit that has gathered under the eyelid. Flat yellow growths can also occasionally occur in diabetics.

    Treatment

    Xanthelasimae are not in themselves a health problem; however, whether or not you’re predisposed to high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, if these flat yellow growths appear under one or both of your eyelids, you should definitely monitor your cholesterol levels and start proper treatment with diet, exercise, and medication.

    If you think the deposits are unsightly, your doctor can remove them on an outpatient basis. They may, however, grow back, especially if you do not treat your high cholesterol.

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  • ADVICES FOR YOUR SKINCARE

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    1) Don’t take chances— there are numerous medical skin treatments used by Americans every day. Some of the treatments are relatively effective, but none is without a certain amount of risk. Even so, some reports indicate that about 100,000 people in North America had collagen injected into their skin to eliminate acne scars and wrinkles on the cheeks and around the eyes. No one can say for certain how long the results of these injections will last— some say six months to a year, and others say not nearly that long. And just recently, many people have begun reporting side effects, ranging from temporary allergic reaction to disease and permanent disfigurement. As of now, the debate continues whether or not collagen injections present a serious risk, But it is a treatment you should investigate as thoroughly as possible before trying.

    Liquid silicone injections are also causing quite a stir. Even though the FDA has not yet given its approval of liquid silicone for dermatological use, some doctors are still injecting it into patients’ skin to smooth out wrinkles and scars. Experts say that since silicone lasts forever, complications such as autoimmune disorders are difficult to correct. Silicone can also swell and harden tissues inside the body, causing permanent disfigurement and damage to internal structures.

    2) Stop smoking— besides all the other health problems attributed to smoking, a study at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center in Salt Lake City suggests that cigarette smoking causes premature facial wrinkles.

    Researchers studied 132 men and women with an average age of 47 and found that those people who had smoked an average of two packs a day for 25 years were 5 times more likely to get facial wrinkles than were non-smokers.

    3) Drink plenty of water— some medical experts recommend that you pay attention to how much water you drink because it can make a difference in the overall appearance of your skin. You should try to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other noncaffeinated fluids every day to help flush out toxins and to help keep your skin moist and young looking.

    4) Exercise— studies show that physical exercise, if sufficiently vigorous, can have a beneficial effect on your skin. Through exercise, your skin receives a better flow of blood, making you look healthier, younger and more attractive. According to researchers, their findings from a study of several age-matched pairs of sedentary and active people show that there is a pronounced difference in skin tone and texture between the two. The skin of those who exercised looked smoother, more supple, and had fewer wrinkles and better color than the skin of those people who did not get regular exercise.

    *223\27\8*

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