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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Healthy Update Marks One Year of Publication
Healthy Update, the bi-monthly newsletter of HealthWorld Online, marks one year of publication today, with publication of Volume 1, Issue 26. The newsletter, available in both email and HTML formats, serves to update the public and professionals on the best information and resources for Self-Managed Care and the latest information on "world medicine" and the emerging field of Integrative Health.

Study Profiles Users of Alternative Care
The millions of Americans who use alternative medicine are likely to be more highly educated, sicker, or have a more holistic approach to health than those who use only conventional Western medicine, according to a national study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found that few chose alternative medicine because of dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, whereas previous research has suggested that dissatisfaction was a major factor in the growing popularity of alternative medicine.

Herbal Extracts Spicing Up Nutritional Supplements Markets
There's a revolution under way in the U.S. vitamin industry, with implications as broad for the unassuming supplements business as the Internet has been for computers. Herbal extracts, which barely registered among vitamin and over-the-counter drug makers five years ago, have become the category's fastest-growing segment. Fueled by the enthusiastic and largely unexpected public embrace of products such as echinacea, St. Johnswort and ginseng, the herbal segment has experienced double-digit expansion each of the last four years and is expected to reach sales of nearly $2 billion annually by the end of the century.

Natural Medicine Research Update
It is well established that reducing serum lipid content is beneficial in those who have cardiovascular disease. There are several pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways to reduce serum lipids. One popular way is using the B vitamin niacin, which has been found effective in reducing serum lipids, including cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. However, niacin has unpleasant side effects--many patients flush and itch within an hour of swallowing the pill. This often leads to a marked reduction in the compliance of patients to the niacin regimen. In this column, Aspirin Halts the Niacin Flush, Dr. Sahelian reports on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, done at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at Auburn University in Alabama, in which the symptom scores for flushing, itching, tingling, and warmth were all significantly reduced in individuals who took aspirin for four days prior to ingesting niacin. The researchers concluded, "An aspirin regimen of 325 mg is effective in suppressing niacin-induced cutaneous reactions."

The Healer Within
One of the self-healing methods of the ancients that is easy and inexpensive yet absolutely profound is breath practice. In his column this week, Dr. Roger Jahnke reveals a breath practice that is quite remarkable, "Exhale to Compress the Organs".

This method takes the exhalation of the full chest and abdominal breath, that Dr. Jahnke discussed in earlier columns, to a radical extreme that dramatically shifts the pressure in the pelvic, abdominal and chest cavities. The exhalation continues, until it feels as if the body and organs are compressing toward the center.

This practice has a profound effect on the nervous system and the lymphatic elimination of waste from the tissues. It unleashes a powerful healing energy. It takes just a few moments, costs nothing is always with you, just a breath away.

Keeping Fit with Dr. Wayne Westcott
During the past few years there has been considerable interest in the aging process, and several studies have examined strategies for delaying various degenerative responses. Perhaps the most obvious and misunderstood aspect of the aging process is the undesirable change in body composition and physical appearance. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of Americans are sedentary and that 75 percent of adults are overweight, and there would appear to be a strong association between doing too little exercise and having too much bodyweight. In this column, "Strength Training for Older Adults," explains that with respect to reversing body composition problems, strength exercise is effective for adding muscle, losing fat, raising resting metabolic rate, and increasing daily energy expenditure. Dr. Westcott further provides guidelines for proper strength training for the older adult population.

Children's Health Update
Measles is a serious, highly contagious viral infection of childhood. Symptoms of measles include fever, malaise, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. The seriousness of measles lies in the potential for complications following the illness itself. Ear infections are one common complication. Pneumonia and encephalitis (an inflammation of the lining of the brain) are also possible, and more serious, complications. If your child's fever climbs to a very high level, if she has a seizure, or if you notice any changes in her level of consciousness or mental function, seek medical advice immediately. These may be symptoms of encephalitis, which can be fatal.

In her article "Measles," excerpted from her book, Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, Dr. Janet Zand outlines a comprehensive program for helping to deal with measles, including guidelines for prevention, conventional treatment as well as dietary guidelines and recommended nutritional supplements, herbs, and homeopathic remedies.

Bookstore
New Audio Library in Mind/Body Medicine" The Mind/Body Medicine Library from Audio Renaissance is a unique series of programs for specific health conditions produced by William Collinge, Ph.D., author of "Subtle Energy" and "The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine." Each two-tape program is designed for home-use as part of a comprehensive self-healing regime, and includes: (1) an informative and inspiring talk on the interactions of mind, body and behavior in the specific condition; (2) specific guided healing imagery; (3) a guided breathing exercise to induce the relaxation response; and (4) a safe and gentle hypnotic journey to contact a source of inner guidance. Inaugural programs are for Cancer, Heart Disease & Hypertension, and Stress Reduction. REVIEW COPIES are available for program administrators, group leaders, and reviewers for print and electronic media from Dr. Collinge at http://www.healthy.net/collinge/tapes.htm.

Association Network -- Hot Pick
The National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (NAOMA) is the national professional membership association representing the diversity of practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental medicine across the United States. As the national clearinghouse for the profession, it provides referrals to consumers, supports state and national legislation, provides accurate information to the media and the public, distributes publications, etc.

Visit the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance.

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

Comprehensive Cancer Care: Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies. June 12-14, 1998, Arlington, VA -- Jointly sponsored by: Center for Mind-Body Medicine, James S. Gordon, MD, Director, National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), and the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center Medical School of Nursing - 800-805-3976. For more information visit Center for Mind-Body Medicine

Eighth Annual ISSSEEM Conference: The Future of Energy Medicine: Integrating Science & Spirit. June 18-24, 1998, Boulder, CO -- presented by International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine - 303-425-4625

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