Make your own Vitamin Water!

Here's one you might like! How to make your own Vitamin Water! - Dr. K.

The Easiest, Cheapest, Safest Flu Fighter: Vitamin C

This year, there’s even more fretting than usual about how best to fight flu, thanks to the questions and concerns surrounding H1N1. But there’s one time-tested approach that seems to be overlooked... a sure-fire flu-fighting strategy that has long been embraced by both the natural and mainstream medical communities as an effective immune booster. It’s safe and inexpensive and even tastes good enough that children don’t object. What is it? Good old vitamin C. let us go to Daily Health News contributing medical editor Andrew Rubman, ND, to tell us why this simple and classic strategy can be so effective at fighting off flu.

Strengthen Immunity the Natural Way

In understanding how flu spreads, it’s critical to remember that most people will be exposed to a flu virus this season, observes Dr. Rubman. Whether or not you succumb depends in large part on the integrity of your immune system. If you are in robust health -- if you eat well, get a proper balance of rest and exercise, manage stress in a positive fashion and practice good hygiene -- the odds are better that you will successfully stave off microbial invaders. Where does vitamin C fit in? It provides some extra-strength protection, particularly important this worrisome season. According to Dr. Rubman, this nutrient is one of the most important for human function, and it’s also one of the most thoroughly studied. He believes it protects the body from cold and flu viruses more effectively than other supplements and medications because of its ability to build immunity, attack disease-causing organisms, reduce congestion, and strengthen cells and tissue. It does all this by fortifying two particular functions...

• Collagen construction and maintenance. Vitamin C supports collagen, a vital protein that strengthens the cell walls of the body’s circulatory system. Intact collagen protects the resiliency of tissue in the respiratory and digestive tract, repelling infiltration by dangerous germs. Healthier tissue is less likely to be vulnerable to infection.

• Antioxidant protection. Vitamin C also is a powerful antioxidant that quenches reactive oxygen species and prevents cell damage from free radical molecules. Vitamin C renders mucous membranes and underlying tissue less vulnerable to penetration and replication of the virus. Some research suggests that it reduces the duration and severity of colds.

How Much to Take?

Generally speaking, the more debilitated you are, the more vitamin C you need, notes Dr. Rubman. Cautioning that this should never be done without a physician’s oversight, he told me that he sometimes prescribes 3,500 mg to 4,000 mg vitamin C daily to his patients for prevention. (Ask your health care provider about the most effective course for you.)

For those who already have chills, aches, fever or other telltale signs of the flu, a physician trained in the use of nutritional supplements may go even further, and prescribe doses as high as 7,000 mg to 8,000 mg a day until symptoms abate. Be aware though that doses over 2,000 mg/day can cause stomach upset, diarrhea or other acute symptoms. Dr. Rubman says this is one of the reasons it is so important to take this and other supplements under medical supervision. Also if you are taking large doses, ask your doctor whether it’s best to taper off gradually when you feel better, rather than stop all at once.

Make Your Own Vitamin Water

To make it easy to get your vitamin C, Dr. Rubman suggests that you make your own "vitamin water." What you make at home is far superior to most products available commercially, which are often adulterated with sugar or other additives. Buy vitamin C as ascorbic acid (not mineral ascorbate or ester C) in bulk powder form, which is as effective as, but less expensive than, tablets. Depending on whether your objective is prevention or treatment, dissolve the appropriate amount of vitamin C in one quart of a 50/50 juice/water mix. This will retain its potency a week or more if refrigerated. Dr. Rubman told me that his favorite recipe is to use four teaspoons per quart of Eclectic Institute’s Nutrigenomic Berry Powder. That, he says, "sweetens and strengthens the value of the vitamin C." If you like, you can make it sweeter yet by drizzling in honey or maple syrup to taste. Vitamin C tends to neutralize stomach acid, so it’s best to drink this in divided doses away from mealtime -- for instance, take a few swigs of your vitamin water every hour or so between meals.

While many experts consider vitamin C nothing less than miraculous, Dr. Rubman warns that it’s not magical. It won’t undo poor health habits, nor will it be helpful if you pair it with a poor diet. Instead, eat lots of flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables (citrus fruits, strawberries, cabbage, turnip greens, etc.), which help the body absorb and utilize vitamin C more efficiently. Also, consider taking vitamin C with synergistic supplements that support its use while adding in their own healing benefits. For example, pair vitamin C (which protects the watery parts of cells) with vitamin E (which defends their fatty parts). Vitamin D, selenium and zinc are likewise beneficial.

Source(s): Andrew Rubman, ND, medical director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.www.naturopath.org.

11 Ways to Live to 100

We all want to live longer right! But remember it's not just quanity of life, it's quality as well! Were here to keep you health so you can enjoy your longer life! Here are very good suggestion! Dr. K

Our modern day version of the search for a fountain of youth takes place in Big Pharma's research and development labs, as they vie to make the pill or potion that will stave off the ravages of age. Is there a better, more natural way? We have been seeing lots of great research focusing on secrets to longer life. Here are some of the best that I've found. These very simple and low-tech steps can make enormous impact on your health and longevity.
1. Run for Your Life
People who run in midlife and beyond live longer, report researchers in the August 11, 2008, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The authors concluded that vigorous exercise such as running at middle and older ages was associated with reduced disability in later life and a higher survival rate. Older runners (50 years and over) remained more fit than older people who did not run, and were about twice as likely to be alive after 20 years. Especially as we grow older, exercise is essential to keeping the body strong and supple, boosting blood supply to the brain, maintaining bone density and controlling stress and anxiety. Of course, any physical activity is better than none -- and the more, the better. Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise -- brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, dancing -- most days of the week.
2. Daily Brain Training
It's not just physical exercise that pays dividends over time -- successful aging requires a commitment to brain fitness as well. To stay sharp and stave off cognitive decline, challenge your mind as well as your muscles, urges Robert N. Butler, MD, president and CEO of the International Longevity Center and author of The Longevity Revolution: The Benefits and Challenges of Living a Long Life. His suggestions for good brain workouts include learning a new language or playing a musical instrument. Other ideas include doing daily puzzles, such as crossword or Sudoku, and joining discussion groups on books, current events, religion or other topics you find stimulating. Also useful -- a growing number of electronic programs, ranging from a Nintendo game system called Brain Age (www.brainage.com) to a computer program by Posit Science called Brain Fitness Program Classic (www.positscience.com).
3. Food for Thought
Specific substances shown to help fight aging include resveratrol (in grapes, grape juice and red wine) and other similar polyphenols (in blueberries, raspberries and cranberries). These help discourage inflammation, which is believed to lie at the root of cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and more. Other youth-enhancing foods and beverages include walnuts, strawberries, pomegranate juice, green tea, sweet potatoes and spinach. These will fortify wellness and longevity.
4. Flaxseed, Fish and Other Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids support heart, brain, joint and skin health and more. One of them -- docosahexaenoic acid or DHA -- may help prevent cognitive decline, and in animal studies shows promise in limiting development of the amyloid plaques in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Good food sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish (salmon, tuna, herring, etc.), flaxseeds and walnuts. Supplements are another way to go -- . 
5. Turn to Turmeric
Like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric confers cognitive benefits -- its main biologically active phytochemical component is antioxidant-rich curcumin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage and improve learning and memory. Interestingly, Alzheimer's disease is rarer in India, where curry is frequently consumed, than in other cultures.
6. Cut Calories
Research indicates staying slim may add years of healthy living to your life. Excess weight has been shown time and time again to lead to all sorts of life-threatening diseases. In contrast, calorie restriction has been known to slow aging in animals, and a new study in the June 2008 issue of Rejuvenation Research suggests that it may have the same impact on humans. According to researchers at Washington University, reducing your intake by just 300 to 500 calories a day (skip the extra slice of pepperoni pizza for lunch or forego the chocolate cake for dessert) may slow the aging process by lowering levels of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine. Learn more about this approach at the Web site of the Calorie Restriction Society (www.calorierestriction.org).
7. Let the Sunshine Vitamin In
Vitamin D plays an ever more important role in our health as we age -- yet an increasing number of Americans are deficient in it, says Daily Health News contributing medical editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND. It's a phenomenon he blames on the sun avoidance urged by dermatologists and sunscreen marketers, which has the unintended result of blocking our ability to synthesize vitamin D from the sun. Lack of the sunshine vitamin may not only harm the bones, it may influence your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. One study in the June 9, 2008, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine linked low levels of vitamin D to increased heart attack risk, and another in the June 23 edition found that a vitamin D deficiency more than doubled the risk of death from any cause. For protection against vitamin D deficiency, Dr. Rubman suggests 15 minutes of sunshine daily (hold the sunscreen). Dietary sources of vitamin D include salmon, tuna, eggs and enriched dairy products. If your doctor orders a vitamin D test and your levels are still low, he/she may also prescribe up to 2,000 IU/ daily.
8. Attack Anxiety
Anxiety is the enemy of longevity. In one study, conducted in part at Purdue University, and which included more than 1,600 men aged 43 to 91, researchers used personality tests to identify "neurotic" individuals -- those who worried too much and reacted to stress negatively. After 12 years, only half the men who measured "high" or "increasing" (meaning their anxiety levels were going up, not down, as they aged) on the neuroticism scale were still alive, as compared with about 80% of the others. These results were published in the May 2008 edition of Psychological Science.
9. Work for Living
Purpose and passion are essential. Older people need to define goals, keep busy and continue to give themselves a good reason to get out of bed each morning, Dr. Butler emphasizes. In his view, people who like their work would most likely enjoy happier and healthier lives if they postponed retirement, or perhaps just cut back to part-time. Alternatively, there are ways to keep your hand in, even after retirement. For example, retired journalists can teach classes at city colleges and bankers may volunteer to help people with their finances at public libraries.
10. Friends for Life
Socializing, including staying in touch with your friends and family, as well as being part of some kind of community, grows more important as you age. In fact, social isolation in seniors is a risk factor for stress, health problems and even early death. The stress hormone cortisol contributes to damage of the hippocampus (the part of the brain essential to the formation of memories, and the region most impacted by cognitive decline).
11. Take Time to Play
While work is important, so is play. There's truth in that old saying: It's important to stop and smell the roses. Throughout life, make time to take vacations, enjoy lazy weekends, laugh with friends, play with grandchildren and continue to build the memories that go into making a long life a good one.

Source(s): Robert N. Butler, MD, president and CEO of the International Longevity Center and author of The Longevity Revolution: The Benefits and Challenges of Living a Long Life (PublicAffairs). Dr. Butler was the founding director of the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, which he directed from 1976 to 1982.

Tendon Rupture, a Little-Known Side Effect of Antibiotics

Here's an article that will make you think! It's scary to find out what some of these so called "safe" drugs have as side effects! Watching your back, Dr. K

Tendon Rupture, a Little-Known Side Effect of Antibiotics

Here's one more for the long list of tales about how the drugs we take to heal us can end up causing harm: The FDA has announced that it will now require a "boxed warning" (its strongest warning on a label) about the risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture associated with use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics -- such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) -- along with mandated distribution of a newly detailed medication guide to be dispensed by pharmacies with the drug.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro and Proquin XR), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin) are commonly prescribed for upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections (UTIs). FDA-approved labeling for these drugs mention the risk of tendonitis, but clearly public awareness is not widespread as the FDA continues to receive reports of tendon-related adverse events related to them. The FDA has received more than 400 reports of tendon rupture plus more than 1,200 of tendon problems, and, it's possible this represents only the tip of the iceberg since it's suspected that just a small fraction of cases are reported to the FDA.

In going to Sidney Wolfe, MD, director of The Health Research Group at Public Citizen, an advocacy group based in Washington, DC, which has been pushing the FDA on this point since 2006. In his view, these requirements are better than none, but far from complete. "This accomplishes two of the three steps we've urged," he said. "We've also requested that the FDA require drug companies to send a warning letter to physicians, clearly describing possible adverse reactions, such as tendon pain, so patients can be switched to alternative treatments before tendons rupture." Many doctors remain unaware of drug warnings like these until they receive such letters, Dr. Wolfe said. He advises consumers to be aware of the risks and attentive to early signs of trouble in order to protect themselves from serious repercussions.

WHO'S AT RISK?

Although anyone who takes fluoroquinolone drugs is at risk, the likelihood of having tendon problems is higher if you are over 60, taking steroids (corticosteroids), or are a kidney, heart or lung transplant recipient. Symptoms of tendonitis include pain, swelling, inflammation and tearing, all found most commonly in the Achilles tendon, shoulder or hand. Ruptures can occur without warning (some patients report feeling a "snap" or "pop" soon after starting treatment), but more typically patients feel pain or inflammation for days or weeks before the tendon actually ruptures. Another symptom is easy bruising right after an injury in a tendon area. These problems can occur during or after taking fluoroquinolones -- even months later, according to the FDA.

If you develop tenderness or other such problems, avoid exercising or overuse of the area. Any such symptoms should be immediately reported to your doctor in conjunction with your request to be switched to another antibiotic of a different class. Most serious problems may be avoided if you pay attention to the first signs of trouble. Source(s): Sidney Wolfe, MD, Director of The Health Research Group at Public Citizen and editor of www.worstpills.org, in Washington, DC.