DIABETES QUOTE FROM COUNTRY MUSICIAN BEN RUE

Country music artist Ben Rue is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at the age of 14. Even though he is often on the road, he keeps check on his blood sugar readings and takes his medication. He is also a spokesman for Accu-Chek. He happily states, "There is life after diabetes. It's not something that should set you back. You can accomplish anything you want to." Let that be an encouragement to go after your dreams.

Accu-Chek Photo

ANTI-COLORECTAL LIFESTYLE PART II

More changes you can make in your lifestyle to help prevent colorectal cancer.  See part I below.

• Limit alcohol.  If you drink, cut way back.  Studies have shown that people who average 2 to 4 drinks a day have a 23% higher risk than those averaging less than 1 drink a day.  (Personal note:  I have never drunk alcohol, but still had colon cancer.  Again, I have serious digestive system issues which probably caused mine.)
• Exercise.  Sedentary people are about twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as highly active exercisers.  Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderately intensive exercise a day.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don't smoke.  Researchers have enough evidence to conclude definitively that smoking tobacco contributes to colorectal cancer.  Women appear to be more susceptible to precancerous polyps from smoking than men, according to a study published online in July 2011 in the Journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences.

Trust me, this is a disease you don't ever want to deal with.  Do what you can to prevent it!

DR. OZ COMMENTS ON MEAT

In an interview a few years ago, Dr. Oz was asked if he thinks meat is demonized in this country.  His answer:  "I do.  I don't think how we grow meat is ideal.  But grass-fed, organic beef has a fair amount of omega-3 fats.  It has iron.  It has lots of B vitamins.  It has nutrients that our bodies need desperately."    He also said that when he eats meat, probably around once a week, he eats a high-quality steak.

 

Note: File Photo

MRSA

MRSA is a deadly, antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that can be very dangerous and is becoming more and more prevalent.  I found this study about coffee and MRSA to be interesting:  2.5 million Americans apparently carry MRSA in their nasal passages without showing symptoms of the bacteria.  People who drink hot coffee and/or tea were found to be 50% less vulnerable to the bacteria.  It is assumed that the protection probably stems from the antimicrobial properties in the coffee and tea.  But beware, I said people who drink HOT coffee and/or tea.  The same protection was not found when drinking the beverages cold or iced.

Note: This study was published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

This is a mild, early picture of MRSA. It can quickly become much worse and can actually be deadly in some cases.