Healthy World Digest, Issue #004, July 2009

Welcome to our 4th issue of Healthy World Digest. Subscribe to HWD by filling in email on upper left tab. In this issue...

* Chinese herbs for arthritis

* Just finished a marathon? Congrats, you've just made yourself sick.

* Hey, that's why kids don't get canker sores.

* KING of Vitamins

* Best athletic shoes

* It's summer, make certain your kids don't dehydrate

* How to choose vitamins for your regimen

* Why worry about excess mercury?

* Two Chinese home remedies for arthritis

Cinnamon, which the Chinese call Rou Gui, is an excellent Chinese herb for arthritis. The bark is particularly good for blood flow and health of the spleen and kidney. Improving blood flow is helpful because it helps relieve pain and inflammation in many types of arthritis.

Ginger, called Gan Jiang by the Chinese, is also used as an anti-inflammatory. You can use the fresh roots as a tea or compress.

Combining the two in a scrumptious tea with a little raw honey would be ideal.

Click for more Chinese herbs for arthritis

* Finished a marathon? Congrats, now go see a doctor

Exercise is the best thing for you but not marathon running. But, if you insist on running marathons, well, it's not against the law, not yet anyway.

Running a marathon is genuinely bad for your health. It can cause many injuries and health problems and even death.

However, training for a marathon without ever actually running it is good for you. So go ahead and train for that next marathon. Then on the day of the marathon, watch it on the TV.

* Okay, that's why kids don't get canker sores

A study finds that licorice root extract can remedy canker sores. This delightful herb is a good, all natural solution to this vexing problem. Your pharmacy may carry CankerMelts which is made from licorice root. You can also ask your health food shop for a recommendation.

Oh, just kidding about the licorice candy. Those licorice Twizzlers wont do a thing for your canker sores.

* KING of Vitamins

Vitamin C continues to be the top per penny nutrient on the market. Add diabetes as the latest disorder that C seems to correct or prevent. Vitamin C: Inexpensive and safe. Get it in fruits and vegetables and supplements. Just get it.

* Best sneakers

As warm weather is upon us and many of you determine to hit the outdoor exercise venues, our friends at Consumer Reports have come out with their rankings on athletic shoes.

Briefly, for men, the top rated sneaker was Asics, GEL-150 TR at $65. Their best buy was Champion, Amp 2 (Payless) for $45. (My unpaid commercial: I love Payless! If you turn your nose up at this discount shoe store, well too bad for you.)

For women, the top rated athletic shoes were Asics GEL-150TR at $65 (just like for men). Next highest rated was Ryka Core Strength XT at $70. The best buys would be Avia A104W at $45 and Champion C9 Rocksie (Target).

* It's summer, make sure your kids don't dehydrate

A Madison Wisconsin news station reinforces that very significant point that we can't stress too much. Especially significant for growing children to be fully hydrated. Following are some excerpts from article:

Kids are at the point, depending on their age, they're playing, they're thirsty, but they're not going to stop and get some water.

Kids are more susceptible to dehydration because their bodies are less efficient when it comes to perspiring.

What I do with my kids -- I have a bottle with each of their names on it. I fill it up with ice, and they have to finish it by the end of the day..

Just to reinforce the most important point in the article - It's especially vital that kids be hydrated because growth requires a good deal of healthy water. There's no predicting the harm that could be done to children if they don't have access to the necessary nutrients and water.

* How to select vitamins for your personal regimen

Ever notice how supplement websites and books often list illnesses and suggest a bunch of herbs, vitamins & supplements you could take for that condition?

Well, after looking at a list of supplements, then what? How do you decide which ones to get?

What you should do is get 1 - 2 of the suggested supplements, try them out and continue if they help. If not, substitute with other options. You don't just go eat all 23 supplements and make them into a side dish. You don't just buy the cheapest ones.

Click for the complete item on taking the right vitamins

* What to do about mercury

Mercury is deadly to us. Unfortunately, it is found in a slew of the mostly healthy seafood we consume, not to mention the water we use.

Here's the good news. Green or black tea may block the toxins in seafood from entering your bloodstream. So, be sure to sip tea on your next seafood binge.

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