LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Fitness at the Beach: Hot Off The Press |
by Rick Moore |
Recently, there have been many new breakthroughs in the health field. It=s very easy to miss many of these, because many of them appear in newsletters, newspapers, or different types of magazines. Some of them are interesting, may make your jaw drop open, or give you a chuckle. I always find that anything that can educate me on health is worth reading. Joint Pain Chances are, you=ve never heard of the disease hemochromatosis, but it was the subject of an article in the November 16th issue of Newsweek. Many people complain of joint pain in the knees and hands, combined with a lack of energy, but the cause could be this disease instead of depression or stress. Hemochromatosis is caused by a genetic defect which results in the build-up of too much iron in the body, which collects in the joints. Typically, it gets mis-diagnosed as arthritis. The big surprise is that 1 in 10 people carries the gene, ranking it as the nation=s number one genetic disorder. The cure is quite simple, and resembles something out of the 17th century. Patients have to give a pint of blood periodically to maintain a normal iron level. Leeches may have killed George Washington, but they would probably be helpful for this disease. Just a thought! Tea and Cancer Just today, I was talking with Susan, one of our gym members, about tea. She remarked that she had spent a large amount of money on a very exotic tea. She said she especially likes a variety of tea, especially green tea. I asked her if she had seen the article about teas that protect against cancer. A new study from China showed that precancerous lesions in the mouth could be healed by tea. Other studies have shown that tea may slow the growth of lung and colon cancers, and may protect against heart disease and stroke. What=s responsible for this? Probably the antioxidants contained in tea. They stop the free radicals, which are harmful disease-causing compounds that can damage cells. By the way, the tea can be either hot or cold, so enjoy it both ways. Potassium and Stroke A recent study published in the September 22, 1998, issue of the journal Circulation, showed that a diet high in potassium, magnesium, and cereal fiber may reduce the risk of stroke (see last month=s column about cereal.) The men with the highest potassium intakeCthose who consumed about nine servings of potassium-rich foods a dayChad a 38 percent lower risk of stroke than the men with the lowest intake. Because too much potassium can be harmful, especially for people with kidney problems, the study's authors recommended that potassium supplements be taken only under a physician's supervision. Sensible Shoe Syndrome Here=s one for all you ladies and drag queens. Although it probably isn=t news to you, The medical journal The Lancet just published a study that said high-heeled shoes put an extra strain on the knees and increase the risk of osteoarthritis. High heels prevent the ankles from flexing properly, forcing the knees and hips to compensate, straining the tendons and wearing down the cartilage. If you wear heals higher than two inches, you=re at risk. Hey James, isn=t it ironic that we were just talking abut this? I told you those stilettos could be deadly. Is it microwave safe? You probably don=t give a second thought when putting a plastic bowl in the microwave, but you should know that not all plastic is Amicrowave safe.@ Unless the bowl specifically says it=s OK to use in the microwave, switch to glass or ceramics instead, like Pyrex or Corning Wear. The reason is that cheap plastic, like old margarine tubs, can release chemicals into your food when heated. Plastic wraps can do the same thing, especially if the food gets really hot. You may store your leftovers in margarine tubs, but don=t reheat in them. Microwave safe cookware could be a good Christmas gift. Frying for Fitness You know I always recommend plenty of deep frying. Just kidding!!! But with the holidays fast approaching, many of us will be in the kitchen cooking our little hearts out. You may even get more ambitious than the usual defrosting of a gas station hot dog. So let=s get down to chewing the fat. Frying is fatty, but you can cut the fat somewhat if you follow these handy dandy helpful hints. Use canola oil instead of lard, because it=s high in beneficial monounsaturated fat. Don=t add food to the oil until it=s hot. This seals the surface of the food and prevents it from soaking up oil. You can also soak up excess grease by laying down a bed of paper towels, putting your food on top, and dabbing it dry. Like Martha says, AIt=s a good thing.@ Merry fitness and happy new year. Last but not least, why not treat your friends and loved ones to a membership at a gym or fitness center to start their new year off on the right foot. See you in the spring. Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. He believes in common-sense, drug-free training. Visit him at Ricks Fitness & Health, Inc., in beautiful downtown Milton. Check out his website at http://www.enrapt.com/ricksfitness, or give him a call at (302) 684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 15, November 20, 1998. |