August 4, 2002- Boost your Back
Building up your back muscles may help keep your spine feeling fine.

According to research, back exercises may help protect against spinal fractures. In one study, older women who regularly engaged in exercises aimed at strengthening their backs were significantly less likely to experience spinal fractures compared to women who did not perform the exercises.

Spinal strength training can help reduce your chances of future spinal injuries.
SOURCE: Texas Back and Neck Institute, ©2002

August 11, 2002- Cognition Ignition
If you want to keep your mind sharp well into your golden years, add a vitamin E supplement to your diet.

In a study, people who reported the highest intakes of vitamin E from food and from supplements experienced the least cognitive decline over time. Although there are several foods that are natural sources of vitamin E, such as avocados and nuts, most people need a supplement to get adequate amounts.

Getting 400 IU of vitamin E per day can help keep your nervous system sharp and your cardiovascular system healthy.
SOURCE: Texas Back and Neck Institute, ©2002

August 18, 2002- With Onions
Whether you're stacking a turkey sandwich or dressing a burger, including a few slices of onion may add cancer-fighting power to your meal.

Recent research reveals that certain compounds found in onions may have the ability to help prevent the spread of some types of cancer. In lab tests, quercetin, a polyphenol found in onions, was shown to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in cell and animal studies. Not a big fan of onions? Quercetin also is found in the skins of apples.

Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can help reduce your risk of many types of cancer.
SOURCE: Real Age Health Systems, ©2002

August 25, 2002- Allergen-Free Auto
Vacuuming your car regularly could help keep your allergies under control.

A recent sampling of automobiles revealed that the amount of pet allergen contained in the seats was plentiful enough to potentially cause symptoms in sensitive people, even when the car's owner did not have pets at home. Researchers speculate that clothing may transport allergens from a variety of sources and deposit them in car seats.

Protecting your immune system can help reduce your chances of sickness throughout the year.
SOURCE: Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, ©2002