JANUARY 7, 2008

WRITE THESE DOWN:

• The power of produce: Plant foods contain natural disease fighting compounds called phytochemicals and antioxidants. These substances can enhance your immune system. Therefore, everyone should eat vegetables and fruits at least 5 times a day, preferably 7-9 times.
  
• Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise will stimulate the fighting T cells to do their job--attacking foreign invaders like germs and viruses. Everyone in the family should be active most days of the week.
  
• Healthy Lifestyle: To improve your immune system and resistance to disease, commit to these guidelines: do not smoke, sleep 7-8 hours (or more) each night, eat a nutritious diet that includes breakfast, and avoid (or take steps to reduce) mental stress.
  
• Germs: To avoid the spread of germs, wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water (for at least 20 seconds), and do not share cups or food.
  Water: Drink 8-12 cups of water every day. Water helps to cleanse the body and remove toxins, including germs. By keeping body systems, especially the respiratory system, well-hydrated, you can enhance your virus-fighting potential. (SparkPeople)
  

IMPORTANT "Lack of information could cause a patient to miss signs that a drug is causing more harm than good--or even overdose," notes lead study author Derjung M. Tarn, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of family medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. When you get an Rx, ask your doc or your pharmacist these crucial questions:

• When and for how long should I take it?
  
• Are there any side effects, and what should I do if I experience them?
  
• Are there any foods, beverages, medications, or herbal supplements I should avoid while taking this drug?
  
• What should I do if I miss a dose? (Prevention)

SUPPLEMENTS If you’re not being mindful of the foods you put into your body, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that you could have a mild-to-moderate nutrient deficiency. Luckily, statistics show that more and more adults are taking a daily multivitamin to help avoid any potential problems. Supplements can never fully achieve what a balanced diet can, but it’s pretty unrealistic to expect the average adult to follow a perfect diet. Are you eating your 5-9 servings of veggies and fruits a day? How much dairy have you had today? Enough to supply the 1,000 milligrams of calcium you need every day? You may not be getting all the nutrients your body needs, and if not, you could benefit from taking a daily multivitamin. Choose a supplement that supplies all of the essential vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, and K) and minerals (calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, etc.) that your body needs on daily basis. (LifeScript)

For comments, questions or suggestions . . . please email Allen