endometrial biopsy

Hard to believe it’s been so many months since I’ve posted anything :(  It’s been “that kind” of year!  So very many things I should’ve been writing, but for one reason or another … just have NOT had the time to.

This afternoon I had my very first biopsy.  It was unbelievably painful and absolutely the most invasive procedure I’ve ever experienced.  I don’t look forward to ever doing that again.  I’ve never had a baby ~ so I can’t really compare, but that’s what it reminded me of for some reason.

They’ll call me with results ~ by Friday, June 27th at the latest.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything’s “okay” down there.  In the meantime, I can look forward to bleeding for a day or two.

 

Pour Another Cup

If you just can’t get going in the morning without that cuppa joe, don’t worry. That coffee you crave is packed with more than just caffeine. It’s actually good for you. In fact, recent studies gathered by the National Coffee Association from the research arms of universities, such as the Harvard School of Public Health and the Department of Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, suggest that coffee can combat or stave off a number of ailments, include type II diabetes and Parkinson’s. So, here’s to your health–and the health benefits of coffee.

Coffee Fast Facts:
Mega Boost: Coffee contains more powerful antioxidants than green tea and red wine.
Quick Step: Coffee increases stamina and can reduce muscle pain during exercise.
Write On: Coffee can improve your handwriting and help you write more quickly.
Think Big: Coffee has been shown to improve memory.

SOURCE: National Coffee Association, coffeescience.org

Source: Thrivent, Winter 2008

 

Goodbye Guilt

Sure, we all have our guilty moments. But when you allow those feelings to flourish unchecked, you could be putting your health at risk. Medical research shows that harboring guilt taxes the immune system, leading to a host of health problems, including depression auto-immune disorders, and chronic fatigue. So next time you’re about to do something that’s guilt-worthy, think twice–or utter c’est la vie and move on with your day.

Source: body+soul, January/February 2008

 

6 stay-healthy foods

• tomato juice It’s rich in vitamin C, which may help ward off or reduce the severity of colds and can inactivate histamine, the substance that makes your nose run. Tomato juice also has beat-carotene, which bumps up production of infection-fighting cells, says Lisa A. Mosing, M.S., R.D.

• sunflower seeds A quarter-cup has almost a full daily dose of vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help fight colds and respiration infections, and keep certain immune system cells strong when you’re stressed out.

• garlic This herb revs up the activity of two key immune system cells, the natural killer and T-helper cells.

• yogurt A year-long study at the University of California showed that adults who ate 3/4 cup of yogurt a day had 25 percent fewer colds than those who didn’t. Some research shows that yogurt kicks up production of gamma interferon, a compound that your body makes to stop viruses from reproducing.

• steak Lean beef is an excellent source of zinc, a nutrient essential for disease-fighting white blood cells.

• tuna It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which increase the activity of white blood cells and reduce inflammation. Tuna is also a good source of zinc, vitamin E and selenium–a mineral that increases your supply of natural killer cells.

• water It doesn’t fend off germs in itself, but all vitamins, minerals and nutrients require water to be properly absorbed, says Dr. Tierno.

Source: Woman’s Day, December 4, 2007

 

The Healthiest Drinks

If you choose wisely, you can reap health benefits from your favorite beverages.

CRANBERRY JUICE Because of compounds that combat E. coli bacteria, cranberry juice may be as effective as antibiotics in preventing urinary tract infections and tooth decay, say scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

HOT COCOA People who drink three to four cups of antioxidant-rich cocoa daily are less likely to have high blood pressure, say Harvard researchers. To get the most antioxidants, choose unsweetened natural cocoa powder and blend it with milk and sweetener as desired.

COFFEE A variety of studies have shown that java junkies may be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, gallstones, colon cancer, liver disease and Parkinson’s disease.

~ Amy Capetta

Source: Woman’s Day, December 4, 2007

 

Tea!

TEA IS BOTH the most popular beverage in the world and one of the healthiest. It’s loaded with compounds called flavonoids, which may act as antioxidants, antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories.Tea drinkers have less risk of heart attack and stroke, and some compounds in tea appear to have anticancer properties. While green tea has gotten lots of press, black, oolong and white tea are loaded with flavonoids, too. (All four types are made from the same plant.)One up-and-coming star in the tea galaxy is yerba mate. Made from a different plant than the teas mentioned above, it’s been found to have even more antioxidant power than green tea. It also contains caffeine.

Bottom line: The best tea is the kind you brew at home, but ready-made varieties (preferably unsweetened) are great in a pinch.

Source: Remedy

 

hold the phone

Another incentive to stop the constant cell phone chatting: A recent study found that it can cause inner ear damage and hearing loss, especially if you use your phone for more than an hour a day. Denver otologist Robert S. Feehs, M.D., says that more rigorous research is needed before we can definitively say whether cell phones are truly dangerous to our inner ears. In the meantime, it probably can’t hurt to cut back–strangers in restaurants and on public transit will thank you–and remember to see your doctor if you have ringing in your ears (a possible sign of hearing loss).
~ Eleanor Gilman

Source: Woman’s Day, January 1, 2008

 

Soda Warning

You know sugary soda is hard on your teeth, but what may surprise you is that all soft drinks–even diet/sugar-free varieties-have enough acidity to damage tooth enamel, resulting in weaker teeth, sensitivity, and cavities, according to a study in the journal General Dentistry. Researchers found that while colas and diet colas such as RC Cola and Diet Cherry Coke had the highest average acidity levels, it was the noncolas such as Squirt and 7-Up that caused the most damage. Why? Citrus flavor additives (which include citric and malic acids) are even more corrosive to teeth than the phosphoric acid in most sodas. The safer choice: Mug Root Beer, a soda that contains neither phosphoric nor citric acids. Although the study didn’t account for toothbrushing and saliva production (which combat erosion), it proves that over time acidic drinks can cause enamel loss–an irreversible process, says Laura Murcko, D.M.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. To keep teeth healthy, avoid soft drinks, or at least use a straw so that harmful acids have less contact with your teeth. –Monique Reuben

Source: Redbook, October 2007

 

Big News About Your Shoes

Sounds crazy, but it’s true. Stilettos may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to Larrian Gillespie, M.D., a Beverly Hills urologist. High heels make the pelvis tilt forward and the back curve out. This causes lordosis, a condition that creates pressure on the sensory nerves in your lower spine, explains Dr. Gillespie. When the nerves are compromised, your bladder can’t empty properly, and the next things you know, you’ve got a UTI.

Before you resign yourself to wearing flats for life, take this test to see if your shoes are too high. Put on your heels and check your side view in a full-length mirror. If you have an arch in your back, you’re setting yourself up for problems, says Dr. Gillespie.

If you can’t forgo heels, start working on strengthening your stomach and back muscles, which help stabilize your pelvis. Go to www.fitnessmagazine.com/workouts for exercises that can help. –Rachel Sturtz

Source: Fitness, October 2007

I’ve never cared for high heels ~ and they always make my feet hurt. I prefer flats ~ and I’m glad there’s a healthy reason to wear them

 

Get Fit, Get Healthy

(even in a month of extra-large portions and extra-long to-do lists!)

1 Walk your way happy. Inspiration? “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” –Friedrich Nietzsche 2 Embrace your age. Learn from Mind, Body & Spirit superstar, Brooke Shields, who, at 42, tells FITNESS, “I feel younger than I am. Like life is just beginning for me.” Amen to that. 3 Cook for optimal health–and satisfaction. As humorist Doug Larson says, “Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if vegetables smelled as good as bacon.” 4 Tap into your secret energy source. (That would be working out and eating right!) “Careful grooming may take 20 years off a woman’s age, but you can’t fool a long flight of stairs.” –Marlene Dietrich

Source: Fitness, October 2007