Gazette Healthy Challenge
Sports Performance is participating in the Gazette's Healthy Challenge. Watch the transformation of the lucky winner. Better yet, come to Velocity Sports Performance for the most unique, befeficial, and enjoyable Boot Camp Program for Adults. This is nothing like you've ever experienced!

Stop spinning your wheels at the Health Club. Train in semi-private groups under the supervision of strength and conditioning coaches for 1/ 3 the cost of a personal trainer. These are the same coaches who have helped some of the country's most demanding college, elite, and professional athletes reach their goals.

Read the important article: "Doctor's See a Big Rise in Injuries to Young Athletes"

See the great article about Velocity Sports Performance in the Gazette

OILS- WHICH ARE BEST?
1. Olive Oil. This is the best all around oil because it is most monounsaturated fat which means it will help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). It is also high in anti-oxidants. It is best used for salad dressing and marinades. Buy only extra-virgin varieties with a fruity aroma.

2. Canola. This oil is obtained from the rapeseed, a mustard relative cultivated in Canada, hence the name Canola (Canadian oil). It also contains mostly monounsaturated fats. This oil handles heat a bit better than Olive oil so it is good for cooking and baking as well as for salad dressings. Buy organic.

3. Grapeseed. This is pressed from grapes after wine has been made. It has more polyunsaturated fats than monounsaturated fats, but handles high heat better than other oils. It is best for high-heat cooking like stir-frying and sautéing.

4. Sesame. This is mostly polyunsaturated, but the dark-roasted oil is richly flavored and part of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Use in dressings and in small amounts with stir-frying.

5. Peanut. Peanut oil is 50% polyunsaturated and 30% monounsaturated so it should be used occasionally. Buy only expellar pressed varieties.

6. Corn. High in polyunsaturated fats. Avoid using this oil for deep-frying since it foams and smokes at high temperatures. The fumes are highly toxic.

7. Soybean. This oil is used commercially as "vegetable oil" and it is high in polyunsaturated fats. It is found in store bought salad dressings, mayonnaise, and restaurants. Better to not use it.

8. Coconut. This oil has the highest percentage of saturated fats of all vegetable oils, but is being highly touted in recent diet books. The claim is that it has medium chain fatty acids, which may increase metabolism and are digested more easily and absorbed differently than other dietary fats. The jury is still out on this oil.

One final note: please don't dunk your bread (you should be eating minimal bread anyway) in olive oil and think that this is better than butter. Each tablespoon of oil has about 120 calories! Use them wisely.
Self Healing, p.3 2/05

GLUCOSAMINE UPDATE
This is still the best supplement I have found for arthritic joints. It is very safe and research has not shown any significant side effects. I always recommend that you check with your pharmacist if you are taking any medications. One frequently asked question is which form of glucosamine is better: sulfate or hydrochloride? There is no clear answer on this except to say that the sulfate form is better studied. I recommend Cosamin DS as this is the best-studied brand and I have been using it since 1996 with consistently good results. I have found the best price at Costco.

BLOOD SUGAR, CHOLESTEROL, TRIGLYCERIDES - NEW NUMBERS
Blood Sugar: In April 2004 the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases announced that 40% of US adults have "pre- diabetes," which means that fasting blood sugar is between 100 and 125, over 125 is considered diabetes. The old cut-off for pre-diabetes was 110.

Blood Pressure: In May 2003, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute declared that about 22 million Americans have pre-hypertension, blood pressure over 120/80. High blood pressure is considered over 140/90.

Triglycerides: Under 200 used to be "normal." Now normal ends at 150 and "borderline high" is 150 - 200.

HDL (good cholesterol): Low used to be 35, now it is 40 or less for men and 50 or less for women. The lower your HDL, the higher the risk for heart disease.

LDL (bad cholesterol): The "Optimal" number is now below 100. "Above optimal" is 100 to 129 and "borderline high" is 130 to 160.