June 4, 2000-Kids and Injuries

Bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates make for a great outdoor fun, but injuries associated with these sports can be serious.  Medical research shows that nearly 90% of brain injuries sustained in bicycle accidents could be prevented with the use of a helmet.  For a helmet to do its job, it must fit well and be properly adjusted.

Other outdoor injuries occur on the playground when children fall from equipment like a jungle gym or slide.  Make sure outdoor play equipment is in good condition, and supervise young children while there are playing.
SOURCE:  Unity Hospital Healthy Communities Newsletter, ©2000

June 11, 2000-Beat calf cramps with tonic water
If running gives you nighttime cramps in your calves, drink tonic water before you go to bed. It contains quinine, a plant
extract that acts as a muscle relaxant. The FDA banned over-the-counter quinine pills for leg cramps because large doses (above 260 milligrams) can be toxic. But 8 ounces of tonic water contains only 27 milligrams. That's enough to alleviate muscle cramps in some people, says Paul Davidson, M.D., of the University of California. Add lemon to the tonic water or mix it with orange juice to reduce its bitterness.
SOURCE:  University of California, ©2000

June 18, 2000-Blast Cholesterol at Breakfast
Have you ever wondered which fiber is the best pick for your breakfast bowl?
As it turns out, if your breakfast cereal contains soluble fiber, such as oats and barley, it can help you battle cholesterol. In a study, researchers found that the people who ate a cereal that contained soluble fiber significantly lowered total and LDL (bad) cholesterol compared to people who consumed a wheat-based cereal.

So, next time you're at the market, be sure to choose a breakfast cereal that contains soluble fiber.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Systems, ©2000

June 25, 2000- Chew you water
Tired of chugging down 8 glasses of water per day? Then entice your taste buds by eating your water, too.

Fruits and vegetables are great sources of water--providing one more way to stay hydrated during the hot summer months. And, of course, nobody has to remind you of the myriad benefits of these nutrient-packed, low-calorie foods. The most waterlogged fruits and vegetables? Watermelon, oranges, apples, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes.

Eating a diverse diet--including 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables--can help act as antioxidants and reduce the chance of many diseases.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Systems, ©2000