September 3, 2000- Let's Ear It for Corn
Here's a kernel of information you'll appreciate: That corn on the cob you're cooking on the barbecue comes with a bushel of health benefits.  For starters, the yellow-hued veggie contains soluble fiber, which helps get rid of artery-clogging cholesterol.

Corn also is a supreme source of lutein, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of colon cancer and age-related vision problems. And, as with beans, corn contains an abundance of the B vitamin, folate, which helps prevent birth defects. Best of all, a single ear of corn contains only 80 calories.

Reducing your total cholesterol to 160 mg/dl or lower can help reduce your chance of cardiovascular disease.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Information Systems, ©2000

September 10, 2000- Apples and Your Air Supply
An apple a day . . . could help you breathe easier.

It's true. Researchers in London found that study participants who ate five or more apples a week had significantly better lung function than those who ate none, regardless of whether they smoked or exercised. Another study revealed similar findings and also suggested that an antioxidant flavonoid called quercetin, which apples have in abundance, may be responsible for the effect.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Information Systems, ©2000

September 17, 2000- Up With Down Pillows
Contrary to popular belief, feather pillows actually have fewer allergens than synthetic pillows. Tests by researchers in England revealed seven times more cat allergens and eight times more dog allergens in synthetic pillows than in feather pillows. A previous study also found higher levels of dust mites in synthetic pillows. The tightly woven casing of the feather pillow, which keeps feather particles in, acts as a barrier against allergens, says Adnan Custovic, M.D., the lead researcher. If you don't want to give up your synthetic pillows, try slipping nonallergenic covers over them.
SOURCE:  Men's Health Information, ©2000

September 24, 2000- Get Your Honey's Worth
A University of Illinois study found that dark, thick honey is high in antioxidants. Researchers measured 14 types of honey and found higher levels of antioxidants in dark, thick varieties. Antioxidants, which include vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are believed to help prevent cell damage that can lead to certain cancers and heart disease. By using honey exclusively instead of sugar, you can significantly increase your daily intake of antioxidants, says May Berenbaum, Ph.D. The top types of honey: buckwheat, sunflower and Christmasberry. Look for them at health-food stores.
SOURCE: University of Illinois Medical Center, ©2000