Play It Safe in the Sun--Wear Those Shades!Written by Larry Denton
As you rub in sunscreen to protect your skin this summer, don't forget sunglasses to protect your eyes. With thinning ozone layer, it's not just skin cancer you have to worry about. Your eyes are vulnerable to effects of Ultra Violet (UV) rays as well. This same radiation that damages skin can also increase your risk of developing eye problems, such as cataracts--a clouding of eye's lens which develops over years. Sunglasses are no longer a simple fashion accessory but a health conscious necessity. Sunglasses are a vital, and often under-appreciated part of eye care in outdoor environment. Legend has it that sunglasses originated in China and were created by tinting glass lenses with smoke from open fires. As far back as fifteenth century, Chinese judges wore these tinted lenses so as not to reveal partiality when examining evidence place before them. However, sunglasses really came into their own during World War II, when fighter pilots made good use of them as they flew in bright, cloudless skies. The sunglasses (aviator glasses today) allowed them to see objects in sky that otherwise would have been difficult to spot due to glare of sun.According to eye experts, correct pair of sunglasses is best defense against cataracts, macular degeneration and cancerous growths on eye and eyelid--the three leading causes of vision loss. Everyone is at risk for eye damage from sun year-round. The risk is greatest from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fishermen, farmers, skiers, beach-goers and others who spend extended periods of time in full sun are at highest risk. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight comes in two parts--UVA and UVB, and your sunglasses should block both forms. Do not assume that you get more UV protection with more expensive glasses or those with a darker tint. Look for a label that specifically states that glasses offer 99 percent to 100 percent UV protection.
| | Good Fats Prevent Chronic DiseaseWritten by Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D.
Essential fatty acids are number one recommendation for anyone who has, or wants to prevent common chronic diseases today, such diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. And they are very helpful in improving immune system function to increase energy and reverse some of damage seen in diseases such as lupus, fibromyalgia, and MS. What types of fat are in your diet?If you have dry skin, stiffness, concentration problems, or hormonal imbalances you may be lacking in a type of fat that is essential to health. Essential fatty acids are those fats that body needs; yet cannot synthesize itself. Many types of fat are unhealthy fats, yet some are beneficial and necessary. In fact, cutting all fat from diet is actually harmful to health. Essential fatty acids are needed to metabolize other types of fats that are not good for us. Saturated fat is a harmful fat that is found in many types of red meat and dairy foods. Yet, worse types of fats are partially hydrogenated oils found in snack foods. These types of fats, found in most processed foods, are converted to trans-fatty acids when heated, or oxidized. So when you make boxed cakes or brownies you create trans fats when you bake these partially hydrogenated oils that are included in mix so that box can sit on your shelf indefinitely. These are types of fat that increase cholesterol in arteries. The good fats, called essential fatty acids, are important in many metabolic processes, including energy production. Since body cannot produce them, they must be consumed in diet to optimize health. The essential fatty acids are omega-3 (linoleic) and omega-6 (linolenic) polyunsaturated fatty acids. Every cell in body is like a tiny factory, taking in raw materials from surrounding fluid and sending out various chemicals. Everything going into or coming out of cell has to pass through cell's membrane. The membrane depends on essential fatty acids to remain fluid and flexible. Without them, membrane becomes stiff and unable to do its job. Essential fatty acids are also important to bring vital oxygen to muscle cells and they enable cells to more easily absorb nutrients needed for recuperation. In one study of 63 patients with fibromyalgia, essential fatty acid supplementation resulted in a 74% reduction in pain in patients after 1 month, and 85% after 3 months.
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