Weekly Health Tips for the month of July
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July 3, 2005- The Road to Independence
Make an extra effort to buckle up and drive safely this weekend.

In the United States, the Fourth of July holiday is the most dangerous driving time of the year, according to government reports. Help everyone stay safe by buckling up, sticking to the speed limit, and driving defensively. If you notice an erratic driver, exit the highway and call the authorities.

Although most people think of winter and spring as presenting the most dangerous driving conditions, research reveals that more people die in road accidents in the United States during summer and fall, which tend to be busier travel times. Also, most fatal crashes occur between 9 P.M. and 3 A.M. You can't control all driving conditions, but you can help everyone stay safe by asking your passengers to buckle up, locking the doors, staying within 5 miles per hour of the speed limit, and driving defensively. This means not only driving responsibly, but also being aware of other drivers. If you notice an impaired driver or suspect a nearby driver is under the influence, use the nearest exit to get off the highway and notify the police.

Source: Injury Prevention, ©2005

July 10, 2005- Herb of the Hour
A popular herb may help make cooking red meat safer.

Cooking meats may create carcinogenic compounds, especially if the meat is cooked at a high heat. However, a recent study reveals rosemary may minimize those compounds. In the study, adding a bit of rosemary extract to hamburger patty mixtures before cooking helped reduce the formation of the harmful substances.

Cooking beef, chicken, pork, and fish at high temperatures results in the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), compounds that can cause genetic mutations that may increase the risk of colorectal, esophageal, prostate, and breast cancers. In a recent study, researchers compared the effects of rosmarinic acid and rosemary extract antioxidant powder on the formation of HCAs in ground beef patties fried at different temperatures for different amounts of time. Researchers found that antioxidants in both rosmarinic acid and rosemary extract reduced the formation of HCAs. To make cooked meat healthier, use the lowest temperature possible to raise the meat's temperature to the appropriate point to kill all food-borne pathogens. Turning the meat often on the skillet, grill, or broiling pan will help reduce the risk of overcooking and creating harmful compounds. Avoid eating overcooked or charred meats.

Source: Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, ©2005

July 17, 2005- Sights Unseen
If you wear hydrogel lenses, be particularly vigilant about taking them out at night to avoid serious infections.

Although wearing any type of contact lenses overnight can increase a person's risk of eye infections, certain lens types may make that risk higher. In a study, people who wore hydrogel contact lenses were five times more likely than people who wore silicone hydrogel lenses to experience serious eye infections if the lenses were left in overnight.

A recent study found that people who wore extended-wear hydrogel lenses overnight were five times more likely to experience severe keratitis than people who wore extended-wear silicone hydrogel lenses overnight. People who wore soft daily-wear lenses were least likely to experience keratitis -- an inflammation of the cornea that can lead to blindness when left untreated. Regardless of the type of lens you choose, follow your healthcare provider's instructions for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses. Many eye infections occur when dust, dirt, or bacteria become trapped underneath the contact lens.

Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology, ©2005

July 24, 2005- A Chewy Treat for Teeth
Research reveals that chewy raisins may provide special benefits to your choppers.

Phytochemicals in raisins appear to help fight cavities by inhibiting the growth of certain types of oral bacteria. Raisins also prevent the bacteria from sticking to teeth. Keep your teeth healthy by brushing and flossing every day, having regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings, and choosing smile-friendly snacks.

Raisins are high in heart-healthy nutrients called flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that also may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and some forms of dementia. A recent study suggests raisins may have dental health benefits as well. Researchers isolated compounds in raisins shown to inhibit bacteria such as cavity-causing S. mutans as well as P. gingivalis, which play a role in periodontal disease. Other beneficial compounds in raisins prevented S. mutans from sticking to teeth, which also could help thwart cavities. More research is needed to confirm these findings. In the meantime, munching on raisins is not a substitute for good oral hygiene. Stay on top of regular brushing, flossing, and dental screening visits to keep your mouth healthy.

Source: American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA , ©2005

July 31, 2005- ICE Your Cell Phone
To its owner, the cell phone is an indispensable lifeline at times of crisis, reuniting loved ones separated by unforeseen events at the touch of a button. But for members of the emergency services making life-and-death decisions, the cell poses a conundrum: Which of the numbers stored in its electronic address book should they call to reach a casualty's next of kin?

Now a simple initiative, conceived by a paramedic in Britain, has gained momentum on both sides of the Atlantic to try to solve this problem. Cell users are being urged to put the acronym ICE -- "in case of emergency" -- before the names of the people they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book, creating entries such as "ICE -- Dad" or "ICE -- Alison."

Paramedics, police and firefighters often waste valuable time trying to figure out which name in a cell phone to call when disaster strikes, according to current and retired members of the emergency services, who said they must look through wallets for clues, or scroll through cell address books and guess. Many people identify their spouse by name in their cell, making them indistinguishable from other entries.

Source: cbsnews.com, ©2005

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