Healthy Update is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter from HealthWorld Online providing you the latest information, news and resources from the world of natural health. All summaries in Healthy Update link to full articles or expanded resources and services in HealthWorld Online: http://www.healthy.net

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HealthWorld Online Commands Strong Presence at World Whole Health Forum in Los Angeles
The World Whole Health Forum March 25-28 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles made a powerful statement for the future of Integrated Health Care with nearly 100 sessions, workshops and keynotes and an unprecendented collection of over 70 leading expert presenters. HealthWorld Online had a strong presence at the conference, sponsoring the popular Internet Pavillion as well as a high-energy reception for speakers, press and key figures in the area of integrative health in the high-tech "Cyber Suite" of the Century Plaza Hotel. On the final day of the conferenceHealthWorld Online co-founders Dave Robertson and James Strohecker spoke on "Promoting Integrative Health via the Internet". The strong response HealthWorld Online received at the conference reinforced our original vision of the role of the Internet as a primary force in accelerating the shift into a more holistic and global paradigm of health.

Overprescription of Antibiotics Is Cited
Forty-four percent of the time US children go to the doctor for treatment of a common cold, they end up with an antibiotic prescription. In 46 percent of the childhood cases of other upper respiratory tract infections, doctors prescribe antibiotics. "Colds, upper-respiratory infections, and bronchitis accounted for over 20 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions," in 1992, the most recent data available, researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But there is no evidence that antibiotics improve outcomes in these illnesses, which are almost invariably caused by viruses that don't respond to antibiotics, they noted.

Vitamin C Reduces Sun Damage to the Eyes, Study Says
New findings offer more evidence that vitamin C may help ward off cataracts. According to an animal study, high levels of vitamin C in the eye appear to protect against the cataract-inducing effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The Michigan researchers said they knew that diurnal animals -- ones that are more active during the day -- have higher levels of vitamin C in their eyes than nocturnal animals. So they speculated that this concentration of vitamin C in the aqueous humor -- the fluid between the eye's lens and the cornea -- might protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation in sunlight known as UV-B rays.

HealthWorld Online is proud to announce the addition of the new "Healer Within" Column from Dr. Roger Jahnke, a highly respected expert on qigong, tai chi and other Self-Applied Health Enhancment Methods as well as a doctor of oriental medicine and an acupuncturist. Look for more columns in the future in HealthWorld Online.

The Healer Within
The presence of special breathing practices in the ancient cultures has always been a mystery to people in the Western world. In this first column, Breathing Practices, Dr. Jahnke explains the numerous beneficial physiological mechanisms that are triggered when we turn our attention to the breath and then increase it's volume. When volume, rate and attention level are all altered, dramatic physiological, and even emotional, changes can occur. As it turns out, unknown to science until very recently, the action of the lungs, diaphragm and thorax are a primary pump for the lymph fluid, a lymph heart. This mechanism may be more important to the lymph heart than body movements. In addition, the breath is the source for oxygen which is the key element in the body's ability to produce energy. And the act of relaxed, full breathing moves the function of the autonomic nervous system towards balance or homeostasis. Subsequent columns will focus on specific breathing practices to enhance your health.

Keeping Fit with Dr. Wayne Westcott
During the past few years more and more studies have shown that sensible strength training produces many health and fitness benefits. Key researchers, such as Dr. William Evans and Dr. Ben Hurley, have provided a wealth of data on the positive physiological ret sponses to basic programs of strength exercise. In this column "Tw elve Reasons Every Adult Should Do Strength Exercise ," Wayne Westcott, Ph.D. enumerates twelve reasons why every adult should perform regular strength exercise.

Children's Health Update
An immunization, or vaccination, is an injection of weakened or killed bacteria, viruses, or, in some cases, deactivated toxins that is given to protect against or reduce the effects of certain infectious diseases. When your child receives an injection of, for example, a small amount of tetanus toxoid, her immune system produces antibodies to fight this foreign substance. Should your child later be exposed to tetanus, her body's defense system will remember and rapidly form antibodies against the bacteria, thus preventing the disease from gaining a hold within the body.

However, any immunization can produce an adverse reaction. Some of the more common reactions include irritability, malaise, low-grade fever, and soreness or irritation at the site of the injection. These discomforts can be treated simply, at home, with the natural remedies outlined in this entry. More rare, but more serious, reactions include allergic reactions, seizures, neurological problems, and "screaming syndrome," persistent screaming that lasts for three or more hours. After your child receives a vaccination, keep a watchful eye out for any possible reaction. If your child develops a fever higher than 102°F, screams inconsolably, goes into shock, has a seizure, or becomes fretful and irritable after an immunization, call your doctor or seek emergency treatment immediately. These symptoms could indicate a dangerous reaction to a vaccine.

In her article "Immunization-Related Problems," excerpted from her book, Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, Dr. Janet Zand outlines a comprehensive program for helping your child deal with problems arising from immunizations, including guidelines for conventional treatment, as well as recommended nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies and Bach Flower Remedies.

Alternative Medicine Center Update
Integrating Alternative and Complementary medicine with mainstream allopathic medicine is a key focus today in the health care arena. HealthWorld Online has been on the forefront of providing the definitive writings, research and resources to help speed the process of integration. Our resource center "Integrating Alternative and Mainstream Medicine," provides leading articles and interviews from leaders in this field such as Andrew Weil, M.D., James Gordon, M.D., Leo Galland, M.D., Elliott Dacher, M.D., and Marc Miccozi, M.D.

Association Network -- Hot Pick
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website offers resources and information regarding disease prevention, health restoration, curricula and contacts for naturopathic medical education, affiliated state associations, naturopathic physician referral database, political action, and links to other organizations that share the AANP mission to transform the medical paradigm to a true health car delivery system.

Visit American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks
ACAM Spring Conference/ Nutritional Intervention in Cancer Prevention Treatment: Shifting the Paradigm. April 30-May 3, 1998, Fort Lauderdale, FL -- presented by American College for the Advancement in Medicine. For more information visit American College for Advancement in Medicine

21st Annual Scientific Conference of the American Holistic Medical Association:/Holistic Treatment of Chronic Disease: Successful Outcomes. April 29-May 2, 1998, Kansas City, MO -- presented by American Holistic Medical Association.

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Editor, Healthy Update: James Strohecker

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To subscribe to email version of Healthy Update, send email to: [email protected] and type just the word "subscribe" in the body text of the email.