FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS
Are They Contaminated with Mercury
"ConsumerLab.com and independent testing service, recently evaluated 41 fish-oil supplements. None of the products contained detectable levels of mercury, unsafe levels of PCB’s or dioxins. One liquid product tested was spoiled, while a soft-gel supplement contained only half of it’s claimed ingredient. For more information go to the web site, although the full report is available only to subscribers.

Given the concerns about mercury and PCB concentrations in fish, many consumers wonder if it would be safer to get their heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids from supplements instead. The Berkeley Wellness Letter, a leading provider of information on vitamins and supplements, advises that the best source of omega-3s is still fish, not fish oil capsules, except for those with heart disease or autoimmune disorders. The concern is that the pills contain omega-3s, but not the other healthful ingredients in fish. In addition, fish displaces meat on the dinner plate-so the worry is that those who get their omega-3s from supplements instead of fish, will end up eating more meats high in saturated fat.

The exception is people with certain health problems. The American Heart Association recommends that people with coronary-artery disease ingest one gram a day of omega-3s. People who have elevated triglycerides may need two to four grams. People with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders may be helped by about three grams of daily omega-3s. ideally all omega-3s would come from fish but it would take 12 ounces of canned tuna or seven ounces of flounder to supply the body with just one gram of omega-3s.

Many experts advise limiting fish consumption to two or three servings a week because of the risk of mercury exposure. The Heart Association notes that the recommendations are likely too difficult from fish alone, so patients with health problems that might require higher levels of omega-3s should talk to their doctor before starting a fish-oil supplement. The supplements aren’t recommended for everyone because they can interfere with blood clotting, increase risk for bleeding, affect weakened immune systems, and cause side effects like nausea and diarrhea."
From the Wall Street Journal 3/14/06, p. D4

TO STRETCH OR NOT TO STRETCH
I am often asked about when and how to stretch. The jury is still split on the subject, but here is what I have gleaned from the research that I have read: The most current studies state that too much stretching before athletic activity can actually negatively affect performance. This is not to say that stretching isn't a good idea, but that spending your warmup on long static stretches is probably counter-productive. Think about it - when you hold a stretch for awhile, you relax and lengthen the muscle being stretched. Then, you are going to ask that muscle or group of muscles to contract quickly and forcefully in an athletic manner. That is esentially confusing to the muscles and the contraction is not as complete or forceful as it could be, had it not been lengthened so much beforehand.

While research is ongoing, the current suggestion is to include full-body range of motion movements, targeting the muscles that will be working in the activity to follow. "Active" stretches, where they are held for 2 seconds at a time and repeated several times while moving. It is also suggested that a full body warmup precedes any stretching. The warmup should include small practice moves that mimic the sport to come.

Until we know for sure, the anecdotal evidence is strong for sustained static stretching following a workout or sport. Combine the stretches with breathing slowly and concentrate on the muscles fatigued. This is the appropriate time to work on increasing your muscle length and flexibility. Remember that if you were born as the "Tin Man", you will never be the "Scarecrow", but at least you will move with more ease. As we age, we lose our flexibility, whatever it is, so now is the time to slow this process.

THEY"RE SLY: THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET ABOUT OFFICE GERMS
From Ergoweb.com 2/27/06
It turns out that health-conscious employers and employees have more to worry about than whether the office furniture is a good ergonomic fit. Experts who count the kind of germs that lead to sick days, absenteeism and reduced productivity say disease-causing microbes lurk in unexpected places, and the average desk is home to 400 times more germs than the toilet.

The term "germs" covers bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites. Not all cause disease, but many are bad news in the workplace. Studies show the average desk surface has 20,961 germs per square inch, according to a Canadian company promoting anti-bacterial office products. Citing experts in their February press release, the Grand & Toy company explained that under the right conditions bacteria concentrates on keyboards, mice and telephones, and particularly on shared equipment.

Their experts counted more than 49 microbes per square inch on toilet seats, 69 microbes per square inch on photocopiers, 1,676 microbes per square inch on mice, 3,295 per square inch on keyboards and 25,127 microbes per square inch on telephones. And there are other germ hot spots. Charles "Dr. Germ" Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, counts more germs on bathroom door handles and on bathroom faucets than on toilet seats. In an interview with Delaware On Line in February, he suggested workers also need to be wary of shared pens, elevator buttons, vending machine buttons, chair armrests, escalator and elevator handrails. The water cooler may be the worst site of all. Public health organization NSF International counted 2.7 million germs per square inch on some water spigots.

Unlike toilets, which tend to be cleaned regularly, our keyboards, phone receivers and desks rarely receive a wipe-down, Gerba said. He's even found E. coli in candy bowls. For shared workspaces, Gerba recommends using disinfecting wipes on any exposed hard surface, especially the phone, which is the top offender for cold and flu bugs. Plain antibacterial wipes won't do because they don't kill cold and flu bugs, he said.

Employers concerned about the high cost of an unhealthy workplace have introduced ergonomically- friendly furniture, cleaner air and better lighting to address some of the threats. Against infectious diseases they need a different arsenal. Anti-bacterial wipes and desktop items coated anti-microbe chemicals are available for the purpose. Germ counting experts regard awareness of the places germs concentrate as a particularly solid defense against illness, combined with frequent hand washing to flush off microbes before they can cause trouble.

RAINSHOWER CHLORINE FILTER HEAD
How do your care for your hair and skin? Do you buy expensive hair care and skin care products? Did you know the best way to care for your skin and hair is to remove the chlorine from the water (and use sun screen on your skin) while showering?

Chlorine is still used as the primary method for disinfecting municipal water supplies, swimming pools, and whitening laundry. Chlorine can leave your hair dry and brittle and make your skin flaky and itchy. It can also trigger negative reactions in children, the elderly, and people with chlorine-sensitivity. Not only is chlorine absorbed through the skin, but also vaporizes in the shower, inhaled into the lungs and transferred directly into the blood system. In fact, chlorine exposure form one shower is equal to an entire day's amount of drinking the same water.

Regular exposure to chlorinated water promotes the aging process of the skin. Moreover, chlorine may actually enhance the aging effects of ultraviolet radiation by reinforcing the process of cell deterioration. Another skin factor to be considered with the destruction by chlorine of the natural bacteria balance on our skin. Our skin has an ecology, all of its own, which needs to be preserved in order to maintain healthy skin and its associated beauty.

Try Rainshower Manufacturing's Chlorine Filter Shower Head. It is regularly $50.00 The filter will last about one year and, unlike other chorine filter shower heads, can be replaced without disposing of the shower head. For the next 30 days, save 20% and buy the filter for just $40.00!

Installation is as easy as screwing off your existing shower head and screwing on the Rainshower Chlorine Filter Shower Head.