Health and Fitness Tip of the Day Are You Nuts? You don't have to be nuts to eat nuts. As a matter of fact, eating nuts on a regular basis may actually be good for you. According to a study of more than 21,000 US male physicians published in the June 24, 2002 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, participants who ate two or more one-ounce servings of nuts each week cut their risk of dying suddenly from a heart attack by nearly 50% compared to men who rarely ate nuts. The researchers stated that the nuts themselves might not be the entire reason for the reduced chance of having a fatal heat attack, because those participants who reported eating nuts regularly also tended to be younger, exercise regularly, not smoke, and not have high blood pressure. So before you chow-down on a family-size bag of nuts, remember that further research is needed to determine exactly why this association was found between consuming nuts and a decreased chance of dying from a heart attack.

- M. Ellman

Dieting Tip of the Day HIGH PROTEIN DIETS, PART 1 Dieters seem very interested in several of the high protein diets described in any of the several popular diet books currently available. Among the most famous books are DR. ATKINS NEW DIET REVOLUTION, PROTEIN POWER, and SUGARBUSTERS, all of which advocate high protein and negligible carbohydrate intake. Most of the authors agree that refined sugar and white flour products are the culprits in the almost never-ending struggle against obesity.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Day Eye Protection Sight is precious. Protecting your eyes is extremely important as accidents can happen when you least expect. While you probably know that you should always wear safety goggles when doing any type of construction work, you probably don't think of goggles while engaging in less intense activities such as painting or gardening. Safety goggles are relatively inexpensive, but can be priceless if they save your sight.

Why Fish is Good for the Heart We have already highlighted studies that have shown that a diet rich in fish may be associated with a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease such as a stroke or heart attack. Researchers now believe that leptin, a substance produced by fat cells, may be part of the link. For a study published in the July 16, 2002 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers measured leptin levels in two tribes in Tanzania. While both tribes have many similar attributes, they differ in that one tribe lives near a lake and therefore consumes freshwater fish on a regular basis, while the other lives inland and follows a mainly vegetarian diet. The researchers found that the fish-eating tribe had lower blood levels of leptin than their vegetarian counterparts. Previous research has demonstrated that lower levels of leptin may be associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. While further research needs to be done, we already have plenty of evidence to support eating fish regularly as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Day Exercise To Lower Cholesterol Exercising just 30 minutes each day may help lower your cholesterol, according to a study published in the May 15, 2002 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. Researchers examined 21 men and 6 women with heart disease who were already on a cholesterol-lowering diet. Over half of the participants were taking prescription cholesterol-lowering medications, but kept their dose constant during the study period. The participants then started a daily exercise regimen of moderate exercise such as brisk walking or using an exercise bike for an average of 30 minutes each day three to six times per week. Six months later, 89% of the participants had lowered their LDL, or "bad," cholesterol to "acceptable" levels. Most participants also had a reduction in triglycerides, another "bad" compound found in the blood. This research provides yet another reason why a nutritious diet and regular exercise can keep you healthy.

Changing Insurance In today's health care climate, people are often forced to change health insurance. For this reason, you may need to find new doctors if your current doctors do not accept your new insurance. If this happens to you, notify your usual physicians that you must switch offices and that you would like a copy of your medical records for your new doctors. Then, call your new physicians to make a "new patient" appointment. Try to have your old records at the new offices prior to your first visit.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2002