Health insurance just became more affordable for some people with preexisting conditions, we hear from health insurance expert Ankeny Minoux. The Dept. of Health and Human Services slashed premiums for its Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan by up to 40% in many states, effective July 1. This plan is available only to US citizens and legal residents who have been without insurance for at least six months. Some states run their own preexisting condition insurance plans. For information, go to www.pcip.gov.
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Men should not change their diets despite recent findings that omega-3 fatty acids INCREASE risk for aggressive prostate cancer...and trans-fatty acids REDUCE risk, says Theodore M. Brasky, PhD. These findings are contrary to what researchers would have expected, because omega-3 fatty acids typically are good for the heart...and trans-fatty acids are linked to inflammation and heart disease. REALITY: Men's risk of dying from heart disease is so much greater than their risk of dying from aggressive prostate cancer that a diet high in omega-3s and low in trans-fatty acids still is best for most men.
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Did you know that laughing may be as good for you as exercise? It lowers stress hormones and cholesterol...enhances the immune system...and releases hormones and other chemicals that make you feel good. Watching 20 minutes of a funny video can provide these benefits.
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Hair-loss treatment can have sexual side effects. FINASTERIDE, the treatment for male-pattern hair loss sold as Proscar or Propecia, can cause reduced sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, decreased arousal and problems with orgasm. The effects usually reverse when finasteride is no longer taken -- but in some cases, they can persist for three months or more.
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Dating Web sites for people with health problems: DATING4Disabled.com is a community site and dating service for people with disabilities. NoLongerLonely.com is for adults with mental illnesses. POZPersonals.com is for people who are HIV positive. Prescription4Love.com has communities dedicated to sexually transmitted diseases, physical disabilitis and even diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's. All these sites are free.
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Coronary calcium scans help lower heart disease risk. The non-invasive test gives patients important information about the amount of plaque in their coronary arteries and motivates them to make lifestyle changes that lower their risk for heart disease. Cost for the test: $185 to $300, rarely covered by insurance. Men over age 45 and women over age 55 who have at least one risk factor other than age for coronary artery disease, such as family history, cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or obesity, should consider having a coronary calcium scan.
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Five vehicles most likely to be stolen: Cadillac Escalade SUV; Ford F-250 crew cab pickup; Infinity G37; Dodge Charger HEMI; and Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Least likely to be stolen: Volvo S80; Saturn Vue; Nissan Murano; Honda Pilot; and Subaru Impreza.
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Clean your hotel room's TV remote, alarm clock and ice bucket before using them. These items are rarely cleaned by housekeepers, as are bedspreads. Also likely to be covered in germs: The steering wheel and gearshift of a rental car.
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Did you know that smoking may prevent you from being hired? Many hospitals and other organizations are enacting anti-tobacco policies for employees. Job applications may ask if you're a smoker, and answering "yes" could be reason for you not to be hired. BUT: It is not yet clear if such policies are lawful in all states. Employers can prohibit employees from smoking on company property or time, but many states don't allow employers to discriminate against employees for smoking during off-duty time away from work premises.
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There's a new erectile dysfunction drug which works faster than Viagra or Cialis. AVANAFIL, made by Vivus, is effective in as little as 15 minutes and works for up to eight hours. Viagra takes an hour to work...Cialis, two hours. Clinical trials of Avanafil have been completed, but FDA approval may take a year or two.
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The risk for skin melanoma in later life rises by 75% when tanning beds are used before age 30. The International Agency for Research on Cancer places UV tanning beds in its highest cancer-risk category, labeling these "carcinogenic to humans."
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Discounts for older consumers have become more common, more generous and more available, even to people in their 50s. Most Banana Republic stores offer 10% off for those 50 and older who request a senior discount at the register, although some individual stores may hve different policies. In many cases, you have to ask whether so-called senior discounts are available. Most stores don't have signs or brochures featuring senior discounts. And only rarely do employees volunteer the information, perhaps because they don't want to offend customers. With discount offers frequently reaching 10%, 20% or more, it's worth asking in most places if a discount for seniors is available.
An increasing number of supermarket chains now offer senior discounts, in part to lure older shoppers away from low-priced Walmart. Many local food co-ops offer senior discounts as well. Among the chains with discounts...
* Earth Fare organic supermarkets typically offer a 5% discount on "select days" to those either age 55 and older or 60 and older.
* Fred Meyer stores offer those age 55 and older 10% off select goods on the first Tuesday of each month and on every Tuesday in November and December.
* Fry's Food Stores Senior Rewards Program offers customers age 55 and older a 10% discount on most purchases on the first Wednesday of each month.
* Harris Teeter's progam offers those age 60 and older a 5% discount on Thursdays.
* Kroger supermarkets often offer customers who are either at least 55 years old or at least 60, depending on each store's version of the policy, either 5% or 10% off most purchases on one day each week or month.
* Shop 'n Save supermarkets often offer a 10% discount one day a week to shoppers age 55 and older.
Several major auto-care chains offer seniors discounts in at least some of their branches...
* Jiffy Lube service centers often offer a 10% senior discount on parts and/or service. At some Jiffy Lubes, the discount is available to those as young as 50, but at others, customers must be at least 60.
* Midas service centers in many locations offer 10% senior discounts on parts and/or service. The minimum age requirement ranges from 50 to 60.
* STS Tire & Auto Centers Silver Club provides a 5% discount on tires, services and accessories to customers age 55 and older.
Certain retail chains offer senior discounts on specific days of the week...
* Kohl's stores typically offer 15% discounts every Wednesday to shoppers age 60 or older, but they may not cover marked-down items.
* Bealls stores offer hefty discounts to people as young as age 50, but the terms vary depending on which Bealls store you shop in.
* Dressbarn stores typically offer 10% off to those age 55 and older, often on Tuesday or Wednesday.
* CJ Banks plus-size women's clothing stores offer 10% off to those age 60 and older every Wednesday.
* Ross Dress For Less stores, which sell clothing and footwear, offer 10% off every Tuesday to those age 55 and older.
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Beware of any sweepstakes that require you to wire money or accept a check in return for wiring money. These are scams. Never pay insurance, taxes, or shipping to claim what you are told that you won -- legitimate sweepstakes do not require this. Ignore claims that a government agency is sponsoring a sweepstakes -- federal agencies do not sponsor or oversee these types of contests. Never agree to act immediately -- any legitimate offer allows you to take time to consider what to do.
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Drinking orange juice made from concentrate lowers cholesterol levels. A recent study of people with both high and normal cholesterol found that those who drank three cups of orange juice from concentrate daily had a significant improvement in HDL "good" cholesterol levels. Those with high cholesterol also had a drop in their LDL "bad" cholesterol levels. Other types or orange juice besides concentrate were not studied.
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Mutivitamins for vegetarians and vegans. Look for a vegetarian formula -- it will not have a gelatin capsule. Check the formula of vitamin D -- vitamin D-2 is derived from yeast and D-3 is derived from the lanolin in woool. Look for vitamin-only brands that do not contain minerals. Most vegetarians get enough minerals from food. Calcium supplements often are unneccessary for people with diets high in leafy green vegetables and certain legumes -- but talk to your doctor if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
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High-heel protectors. SOLEMATES slip onto the heels of high-heel shoes. They slightly widen the base of the heels to protect them. They also protect heels from getting stuck in gaps in decks, grates, etc., and sinking into grass. Available in clear, black, gold and silver. Cost: %9.95 a pair. SoleMates LLC; 877-356-3443; www.TheSoleMates.com
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GPS tracking on almost anything. Attach Garmin's GTU 10 to a backpack, purse or pet collar, and you can track it with a smartphone or computer. You can create up to 10 virtual boundaries, and if the tracker crosses one of these, you are alerted with an e-mail or text message. GTU 10 signal runs for up to a month when fully charged. The device measures 1.34" x 3" x0.79". Includes attachment case with carabiner clip. Cost: $200. Garmin International; 800-800-1020; www.Garmin.com
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1|1|Thanks for posting, very informative and interesting.|lv2qpon|jcummins1@rochester.rr.com|16:26:50|08/05/2011|
:) 2|1|Amazing Cancer Stoppers....|inthesticks|inthesticks@windstream.net|07:32:17|08/06/2011|
Specific nutrients and foods can help prevent or correct cellular, hormonal and other imbalances that may lead to cancer. The supplements mentioned here are available at health-food stores and some supermarkets.
FISH OIL -- The most common nutritional deficiency in Americans is low eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). It is one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in the oil of fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna. A healthy diet has a 1:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids (found in vegetable oils). The typical American diet has a 1:16 ratio. EPA helps prevent cancer by improving cell membrane dynamics -- the ability of each cell to receive hormones and signals from other cells while absorbing essential nutrients and expelling waste products. EPA also boosts immune function and lowers levels of hormones, such as estadiol, that contribute to breast and other cancers. Recommendations: One tablespoon of fish oil daily. For capsules, follow dosage recommendations on lables. Carlson Laboratories, Dr. Sears, Nordic Naturals and Pharmax brands are reliable. Take it in the middle of a meal to avoid "fishy" belching or reflux.
CLA -- Another fat that helps prevent cancer is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), found in the meat and milk of grass-eating animals, such as cattle, sheep and goats. CLA helps build healthy cell membranes, allowing cells to absorb nutrients, process hormones and expel waste. It's hard to find CLA-rich foods in markets because most livestock in America are fed grain, not grass. Recommendations: Three grams of CLA a day. You can get that from an eight-ounce serving of grass-fed beef. Look for such brands as Lasater Grasslands Beef, available at specialty food stores. On days when you don't eat grass-fed red meat, you can take a CLA supplement --three one-gram soft-gel capsules a day.
VITAMIN D -- People living in Boston have, on average, double the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancers, compared with residents of San Diego. Why? Many scientists think it's because Bostonians, like other northerners, don't get enough vitamin D, which is produced when skin is exposed to sun. Vitamin D is one of the most powerful anticancer nutrients. It facilitates the absorption of calcium, a mineral that not only builds strong bones but is also critical for "telegraphing" messages between cells. Poor cell-to-cell communication can contribute to cancer. Studies show that levels of vitamin D in fortified foods rarely equal the claims made on the labels. There is a debate as to whether synthetic vitamin D -- the kind found in supplements -- provides the same cancer protection as the naturally produced variety. Recommendations: During the summer, get 15 minutes a day of midday sunshine with no sunscreen (without burning) on your face and bare arms. The body stockpiles vitamin D in the liver, so you're set for the rest of the year.
VITAMIN C -- In a report published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 33 of 46 studies showed that vitamin C protects against cancer. Cancer feeds on blood sugar (glucose) -- and lowering chronically high blood sugar is crucial to preventing cancer. When you get enough vitamin C, you cut in half the amount of blood sugar that enters cells. Recommendations: 500 to 1,000 mg. of vitamin C a day, in three divided doses, taken with meals. Cancer patients may need higher doses, which usually are given intravenously. Other ways to normalize blood sugar levels include regular exercise, weight loss and a diet that emphasizes lean meats, beans, nuts and produce. Five daily servings of fruits and vegetables nets you 300 mg. of vitamin C.
SELENIUM -- In the four-year Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial, scientists gave 1,312 participants either 200 micrograms (mcg) of the trace mineral selenium or a placebo. The results showed that selenium lowered the risk of prostate cancer by 63%, colon cancer by 58% and lung cancer by 46%. Selenium strengthens the immune system, helps repair DNA damage and protects cells against toxins. Recommendations: 200 mcg of selenium a day. Look for selenomethionine -- selenium bound in yeast -- which is absorbed the best. A particularly good food source is Brazil nuts (four nuts provide 200 mcg). CAUTION: More is not better in this case. Selenium supplements in doses of 2,000 mcg or higher can be toxic.
GREEN TEA -- Literally hundreds of studies have proven that green tea and its various extracts can prevent and, in some experiments, reverse cancer. These extracts work by different mechanisms, among them apoptosis ("programmed cell death"). In other words, green tea orders cancer cells to commit suicide. Recommendations: Drink three eight-ounce cups of green tea a day. If you don't like the taste, take supplements of green tea extract, available in capsules, following the dosage recommendation on the label.
KILLER CONSTIPATION -- Chronic constipation creates toxemia in the colon. Cancer-causing chemicals from the environment are ingested but not expelled quickly. Normally friendly food-digesting bacteria then produce toxins that end up in the bloodstream. Recommendations: To ensure a daily bowel movement, get plenty of high-fiber foods...drink 64 ounces of filtered or bottled water a day...and exercise regularly. Prune juice and figs often relieve constipation. Or try a gentle herbal laxative, such as psyllium (Metamucil), following the dosage recommendation on the label.
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Taking an Advil or Motrin tablet might help save your life. Ibuprofen -- the active ingredient in these over-the-counter pain medicines -- may protect against breast cancer. In a recent study, women who took two or more ibuprofen tablets every week for more than 10 years decreased breast cancer risk by 49%, compared with a 28% reduction for women who took aspirin. CAUTION: Long-term use of ibuprofen or aspirin may cause stomach trouble -- consult your doctor.
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Everyone knows tht excessive sun exposure is dangerous, yet up to 50% of people over age 65 are diagnosed with melanoma or some other type of skin cancer. Why? Even health-savvy individuals remain confused about the best ways to adequately protect their skin. Here are three of the most dangerous myths...
MYTH #1: A beach umbrella keeps you safe from the sun. REALITY: When you're at the beach, a large percentage of ultraviolet (UV) light bounces off the sand onto your skin, even if you're under an umbrella. Water and snow have the same reflective effect. When boating or sitting beneath a beach umbrella, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas, including your face and neck -- even if you're wearing a brimmed hat. When skiing, apply sunscreen to your face and neck.
MYTH #2: Sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 45 is three times more effective than SPF 15. REALITY: Most doctors recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. A higher SPF will not give you much additional protection. A sunscreen with an SPF of 45 is only about 5% more protective than an SPF 15 sunscreen. The higher-rated sunscreen doesn't last any longer, either. All sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours --and whenever you're exposed to water. This includes "waterproof" sunscreens, which provide some protection while swimming but still must be reapplied. Make sure your sunscreen is labeled "broad spectrum" -- meaning it blocks both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Look for titanium dioxide or Parsol 1789 in the list of ingredients on the label.
MYTH #3: Sunscreen provides complete sun protection. REALITY: While sunscreen is essential, there are other steps you should also take. The most important is to minimize sun exposure between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's rays are most intense. Hit the beach in the early morning or late afternoon instead. To protect commonly neglected areas, wear...
* UV-protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher.
* A hat with a three-inch brim. Baseball caps don't protect the ears or the back of the neck -- common skin cancer sites, especially for golf and tennis players.
* UV-protective sunglasses. UV exposure can cause cataracts.
* Sun-protective clothing. UV rays can pass through many fabrics, including cotton. If you hold a garment up to a light and can see the shape of the bulb shining through, it's not providing adequate sun protection. Many companies now offer lightweight, tightly woven garments designed for comfort and maximum protection. EXAMPLE: Solumbra 30+ SPF sun protective clothng; 800-882-7860; www.sunprecautions.com. If you will be outdoors and don't have any special clothing, be sure to wear sunscreen under your shirt.
3|1|bumping...|inthesticks|inthesticks@windstream.net|00:41:20|08/08/2011|
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