healthbriefs
Acupuncture Relieves Depression During Pregnancy
at this year’s Soci- ety for Maternal- Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting showed that acu- puncture can be a safe and effective treatment for de-
A
pression during pregnancy. This is especially good news because expectant women are naturally reluctant to take medications and understand that the use of antidepressants during gestation poses risks for the developing fetus. About 10 percent of pregnant women meet criteria for major depression and almost 20 percent report increased symptoms of depression during pregnancy. The eight-week study involved 150 participants, in which half received depression-specific acupuncture treatments.
new study presented
Allergy Prevention Tips
W
hen pollen counts and other allergy
risks are high, these prevention tips can help. Avoid using lip- stick, perfume or any scented product that may irritate eyes; get plenty of rest, when the body replenishes natural cortisone, its own anti-inflam- matory; avoid iced beverages and instead drink lots of warm liquids to stimulate nasal cilia, especially hot green tea, be- cause it’s high in antioxidants that can help reduce allergy symptoms; blow the nose gently, so as not to force mucus into healthy sinuses and ear canals; and keep a sweater or jacket handy to avoid getting chilled, which can contribute to allergy flare-ups.
Source: Dr. Murray Grossan, consulting physician, department of otolaryngology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
Cautionary Note on Low-Carb Diets
what about the long-term effects? A first-time study by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has now revealed that following a low-carb diet for three months or more may increase atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. Mice placed on a 12-week, low-carbohydrate/high-protein
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diet showed a significant increase (15.3 percent) in plaque in their hearts’ arteries and a decreased ability to form new blood vessels in tissue deprived of blood flow, as might occur during a heart attack. Interestingly, the study also found that standard markers of cardiovascular risk, such as cholesterol levels, were unchanged in the animals fed the low-carb diet. The researchers suggest that even if low-carb/high
protein diets have proven successful in helping individuals rapidly lose weight, a more balanced approach to weight management, such as moderate, balanced food intake, coupled with exercise, is probably best for our heart and overall health.
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
18
Broward County
http://FtL.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com
ome people swear by a low-carbohydrate diet, but
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