GENERAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2008 

Happy New Year - may it be peaceful and special for you.  Usually at this time of year (December actually) I like to offer something special to my subscribers, so this year I thought I’d offer you something in January instead of December as a New Year’s treat.  Every month we send out many paid subscribed newsletters in a PDF file (a 12-month subscription costs R350 per year).  I’d like to offer you a free copy (the Jan copy) this month and this offer will remain open until 20^th January.  All you need to do is email Colleen at our offices (office@sallyanncreed.co.za) to receive your copy. Please note the password for the member site will not be included unless you subscribe, but you will have the benefit of receiving January’s newsletter.  (NB: Please don’t phone us for this special offer – it’s an offer to be requested via email only.)  See the end of this letter for what’s in the subscriber newsletter this month. 

I’ll be launching the second e-Nuts & Bolts No Sweat Nutrition Course (Part II) in response to the relentless requests of some people who have done Part 1, so we’ll have the second one ready by February.  I’m thrilled the response has been so great, and that you have enjoyed it so much – thank you for your lovely letters.  I hope you’ll find Part II as enjoyable as Part I!  Part 1 is still available for those wishing to do it – just let us know, and we’ll fill you in. 

Amazing Properties of Fish Oil
Over 3,000 studies have been done on fish and fish oils and their role in the prevention or treatment of heart disease. A review in the British Medical Journal recommends fish or fish oil supplements to prevent heart attacks, particularly in people with vascular disease. How omega-3 fats reduce heart disease is not known, but they are known to lower blood triglycerides and blood pressure, prevent clotting, are anti-inflammatory and reduce abnormal heart rhythms. 

Omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain against Parkinson's disease according to a study by Universit Laval researchers published in the online edition of the FASEB Journal, the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.  In particular the important EFA from fish called DHA (which only comes from fish, not seeds, and which the body cannot make from any other substance) of which we are recommended to take in at least 250mg. (Follow this link to read the rest of the medical report.) 

Guard your Baby’s Health
Did you know that bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can adversely affect behaviour and brain development, leaches out of plastic bottles into the liquid in the body? Now new data reveals that the problem doesn't stop there. BPA is also used to line formula cans and leaches into both liquid and powdered formulas. Take these steps to protect your baby from BPA:

• Use a glass bottle.
• Choose a powdered formula in a can with as little metal as possible.
• Avoid all ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans.
• Best of all – breastfeed as long as you can, and then get your baby onto solid food at the right time.

The US Environmental Working Group found that there were 27 chemicals never tested for safety, present in baby products – chemicals responsible for allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system, and cancer.  They recommended avoiding the following:

• 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1, 3-DIOL - allergen that forms cancer-causing chemicals
• BHA - causes skin depigmentation
• DMDM HYDANTOIN - allergen that forms cancer-causing chemicals

• OXYBENZONE - allergen; forms free radicals to damage skin

• TRICLOSAN - may disrupt growth hormones from the thyroid
• BORIC ACID & SODIUM BORATE - unsafe for infants according to industry experts

• DIBUTYL PHTHALATE & TOLUENE - found in nail polish/play makeup; hormone disruption, cancer concerns

If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot - Italian Proverb 

Fast Fact: 75% of physicians fail to inform their patients about the potentially toxic side effects of the drugs they prescribed - in many cases because the doctors themselves are unaware of them. (The Big Black Book) 

FUN THERAPY
See below some of the 2006 winners of the Washington Post Mensa Invitational which asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Some are hysterical – more in the subscriber letter this month. 

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying (or building) a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which only lasts until you realize that it was your money to start with.
Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people, which stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.  

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Bars
Use all organic ingredients for these bars
1 cup Creeds peanut butter
1 T minced, fresh ginger
2 T sesame seeds
1 cup raisins
2 T Creeds honey 

Mix peanut butter with honey till well blended (use food processor), then press into a square tin to give you a thickness of approx 1cm.  Chill in fridge till firm, cut into squares and enjoy!  Makes 8-12 bars. 

God bless you all this year – have a really wonderful one!