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, integrative medicine and Self-Managed Care™. 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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Research Points to Fish Oil For Mental Illness Therapies
Fish is good for the head as well as the heart, say medical researchers reporting at a recent National Institutes of Health workshop on omega-3 essential fatty acids. Eating more fish holds promise in the prevention and treatment of a number of devastating mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the scientists said last week.

Researchers Assess Light Therapy for Winter Depression
While light therapy can relieve symptoms of winter depression, it also can cause mild side effects in many patients, according to a new study. But the good news is that these side effects are temporary and do not interfere with treatment, researchers report.

Magnets Are Used to Form New Cartilage
Damaged cartilage in joints can be regenerated by pulling cells into the affected area with a magnet, says an orthopedic surgeon in Michigan. Alan Halpern, a surgeon in private practice in Kalamazoo, believes that his technique could provide a cheaper, less invasive way of repairing cartilage, the tough resilient tissue that buffers the bones in joints.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
If you're like most people who own a computer, you spend ninety per cent of your time indoors and indoor air quality may have a more profound effect on your health than outdoor air pollution, contributing to respiratory problems, headache, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, poor concentration, and even promoting cancer. Several types of pollutants may cause Sick Home Syndrome. Your exposure--and your family's--can be readily controlled by a number of simple, inexpensive and potentially life-saving steps according to Dr. Leo Galland in his column, Living Safely in a Polluted World: Your Home Should be a Haven .

Mind Body Health Newsletter
Patients often only communicate symptoms such as pain, wheezing, swelling, itching. Physicians often remain unaware of how the symptoms impact the patient’s life. Similar symptoms may have very different importance for different patients. It is critical that you communicate not only your symptoms but how important that symptom is to you and what it means to you. How much does the symptom interfere with your life, work, recreation, relationships, and plans? Your doctor isn’t a mind-reader, notes Dr. David Sobel in his column, Tips for Communicating with Your Doctor. Even if he or she doesn’t ask (and it would be great if every doctor did), express your concerns, especially how the symptom limits your daily life. Be as specific as you can. Help your physician see the world through your eyes. The meaning of the symptom for you will help guide your doctor’s advice and actions.

Natural Medicine Research Update
Ringing in the ears is a common condition that temporarily afflicts most individuals at one time or another. Common causes include excessive aspirin consumption, or the aftereffects of attending a loud rock concert. Tinnitus refers to the perception of sounds, most often ringing, in the absence of a normal external stimulus. When chronic, it can be extremely frustrating and sometimes incapacitating. Researchers at the Ear Research Foundation in Sarasota, Florida performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the role of supplemental melatonin in the therapy of tinnitus. This was performed on outpatients in a private neurology practice and showed very promising results, notes Dr. Ray Sahelian in his column, Melatonin for tinnitus?

The Healer Within
The traditional systems of medicine from the Asian cultures have always had some type of massage stimulation to the ears. When you work on your ears you will notice that within 4-5 minutes of vigorous massage your ears get hot. This is cause by the increase of blood flow to that area. The Chinese say, "When the blood is increased to an area the Energy (Qi) is increased to that area as well." If you have someone else rub your ears you will notice that your ears are extremely sensuous. This is because the ears are heavily enervated. The combination of the presence of the nerves, the effect of the pressure and the heightened circulation causes stimulation to the reflexes of the Microsystems of the ear, notes Dr. Roger Jahnke in this column, Self-Applied Massage of the Ears. Through this reflex Microsystems all parts of the body can be influenced through pressure massage to the ear.

Keeping Fit with Dr. Wayne Westcott
During the past several years, many studies have highlighted the health value of strength training for aging adults. Research at the University of Maryland has shown that strength training is effective for improving glucose metabolism, increasing bone mineral density, and speeding up gastrointestinal transit. Studies at Tufts University have demonstrated that strength exercise adds lean tissue, increases resting metabolism, and reduces arthritic discomfort. Extensive work at the University of Florida has shown that strength training increases low back strength and alleviates low back pain. While all of these health and performance factors are important, perhaps the most compelling concerns for most seniors are the three "Bs"-body weight, blood pressure, and body composition, says Dr. Wayne Westcott in his latest column, As Young As You Feel .

Children's Health Update
Do you have questions about vaccinations for your children? In his article About Vaccine Choices, excerpted from his book, The Vaccine Guide: Making an Informed Choice, Dr. Randall Neustaedter addresses choosing vaccines, the adverse side-effects of vaccines, legal requirements and exemptions, as well as alternative vaccines. More more information visit our web site on Vaccination & Immunization coordinated by Dr. Neustaedter.

Your Voice is Urgently Needed!

In 1994, millions of Americans wrote Congress asking for passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). One of DSHEA's key victories allowed you more scientific information about using supplements to maintain health. Now FDA has proposed regulations that will prevent you from getting information on how to use vitamins, minerals and herbs to prevent disease.

Unless FDA hears from you and 100,000 other Americans, these proposed regulations will become law. You must respond by September 25, 1998 to be heard. Please email a copy of this information to all your friends and internet associates. This is very important.

You can easily "email" your comments to FDA by visiting Email the FDA

For complete text of the proposed FDA regulations

For more information,
contact Citizens For Health
at 1-800-357-2211
Citizens for Health Web Site

Association Network -- Hot Pick
Psychosynthesis is a holistic type of psychology that includes the healing of the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual parts of each of us. Psychosynthesis International offers a three-year Independent Study Program in which one is taught to apply the healing principles of Psychosynthesis to oneself and one's exterior world. "A very cathartic and enlightening experience."

Visit Psychosynthesis International.

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

European International Conference on Quality of Life and Longevity Medicine. September 24-26, 1998, Brussels, Flemish Brabant, Belgium -- presented by European Academy of Quality of Life and Longevity Medicine - 011 32 2 732 39 69

American Herbalists Guild Symposium: Clinical Herbalism - the emerging profession. October 1-4, 1998, Seattle, WA -- presented by American Herbalists Guild - 888-238-4261

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Myofascial Pain Conference: Am Exploration of Practical, Usable Solutions for Myofascial Pain Management - With Leon Chaitow, ND, DO, Judith (Walker) DeLany, LMT, John C. Hannon, DC, Cert. Feldenkrais Practitioner, Thomas Myers, Certi. Advanced Rolfer, Benny Vaughn, LMT. October 23-25, 1998, Berkeley, CA -- presented by The International Alliance of Healthcare Educators - 561-622-4334 ext 4548

1998 Clinical Herbalism Case Conference: Case-based education in medical herbalism. October 23-25, 1998, Boulder, CO -- presented by The Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and the Medical Herbalism Journal - 303-442-6861

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