Health And Wellness Fun Tips And Facts - Part 1

Glutamine is produced by the body, yet stress and exercise can deplete the body's reserves. It is the most abundant single amino acid in the blood and in muscle tissue. Glutamine is an amino acid which is a key factor in detoxification, immune and digestive support. It also aids in the biosynthesis of vital DNA and proteins.

"Clinical data says that only about four in 100 women who receive chemotherapy for breast cancer actually benefit." [source]

Enzymes do far more than help us to digest food. More than 3,000 different enzymes control every function of the human body. In fact, the body's ability to maintain health and function properly is directly related to the number and strength of its enzymes. Unfortunately, our diets do not provide all of the enzymes we need. Our own enzyme production slows as we grow older -approximately 13% for every decade after age 20. This can lead to a sluggish metabolism, low energy, and inefficient digestion and utilization of foods.

Fatal occupational injury rates by industry division in 2002 were

• highest in mining (23.5 per 100,000 workers),
• followed closely by agriculture, forestry, and fishing (22.7),
• then construction (12.2), and finally
• transportation and public utilities (11.3).

The rate for all private industry was 4.2 per 100,000 workers. [source]

Someone at Reuters Health apparently wants you to stop taking antioxidant supplements. Why? The reason seems clear. Just look at this recent Reuters headline: "Antioxidants more likely to raise cancer risk."

There you go. You don't want cancer, do you? Then don't take antioxidants! Simple. Just one problem: This provocative headline is wildly misleading.

The Mayo Clinic web site notes that the adverse effects of beta-carotene "do not appear to occur" in smokers who eat foods high in beta-carotene content. Hmm. The adverse effects "do not APPEAR to occur"? That's a roundabout way of saying, "We have no clue."

To be on the safe side, should smokers avoid dietary sources of beta-carotene? The best sources of beta-carotene are dark orange, yellow, and green vegetables, and yellow fruits. So - carrots, spinach, and peaches - should these be taken off the smoker's shopping list? Or should the cigarettes get pitched in favor of antioxidant-rich foods? When it comes down to a choice between a peach and a cigarette, I'm guessing all smokers know which one will do them good and which will increase their cancer risk.

Before leaving office, President Bush signed an energy bill that will make it illegal to manufacture or sell incandescent light bulbs as of 2014. So if you prefer incandescent light, too bad for you. Not long from now, every home in the U.S., including yours, will be lit with little glowing swirls of mercury.

Mercury is a neurotoxin. What a fantastic idea! Let's fill fragile tubes with a neurotoxin and place them all over the house! (sarcasm intended here)

According to a U.S. Navy web site, fluorescent tubes in landfills create the second largest source of mercury pollution. You have to imagine that CFLs will only contribute to the problem.

Disturbing new government statistics reveal that approximately 3.1 million people between ages 12 and 25 have used over-the-counter cough medicine to get high. That means that more kids are abusing cough medicine than those abusing methamphetamines!

According to at least one study, if you take one of the bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs (like Actonel or Fosamax), your chances of developing bone necrosis are three times higher than if you avoided their so-called protection. While it is relatively rare, bone necrosis rates are increasing. Could it be thanks to prescription drugs like these that are meant to protect the very bones they are destroying? Makes one wonder...

 Click Here for More Fun Facts for Health And Wellness in our Articles Section

 Be sure to Subscribe to BLV Health Watch for a monthly dose of Fun Facts for Health and Wellness.