Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.

FYI in HEALTH MATTERS! Eat Nuts for Good Health. Did you know that walnuts, almonds, pecans and other nuts have been shown to help lower cholesterol? "Nuts are also packed with selenium, vitamin E and chromium, which work with insulin to help your body use glucose effectively," says Jeannette Jordan, American Dietetic Association spokesperson in Charleston, S.C. "Nuts are also great for protein." Sprinkle nuts on a salad or in your morning cereal. Keep them handy in your car or purse for snacks and avoid the temptation of junk foods like candy bars and chips. (Keep moderation in mind!)

No Energy? No Problem!

Got the blahs? It's easy to figure out when you're dragging, but less easy to figure out why. "Lack of sleep, too little exercise and poor nutrition are the biggest energy-drainers in most people's lives," says Susan McQuillian, a registered dietitian in New York City. If you find yourself wondering, "Why am I so tired?" Try the following tips.

Eat properly. Eat a healthy breakfast and snack every three to four hours. To maintain proper metabolism, "never drop below 10 times your weight in the number of calories you consume," says Leslie Bonci, a registered dietitian and director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar. Drink plenty of water.

Exercise frequently. Try five-to 10-minute walks to relieve stress and boredom, two notorious energy drainers. Shoot to walk regularly three times a week. And when you're up to par, go for at least 30 minutes per session.

Stay in touch with yourself. Other sources of fatigue may be thyroid and adrenal malfunction, anemia, yeast infections and depression. Pay attention to your body and mood, and talk to your doctor about changes.

Sleep. Try napping during the day. Take a 10- to 20- minute catnap- any longer and you may end up groggy. (I call them "power naps"!)

Control your condition. Make sure fatigue isn't related to your disease. Check with your doctor to make sure your condition is under control. Talk with your doctor about your medication(s), which may be causing you to experience some negative side effects.

Heart-Healthy Hot Chocolate. Listen up chocolate lovers! When the weather turns chilly in the early spring, don't hesitate to cozy up with a big mug of hot chocolate. According to a study by Carl L. Keen, MD, head of the department of nutrition at the University of California, cocoa can be good for your heart. The study revealed that chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which can help prevent atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteriesby balancing the different types of cholesterol in your body. Consider adding low-fat whipped cream for a special treat without too many extra calories.

Are You Wasting Your Vitamins?

It's true that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs- such as ibuprofen and naproxen) can cause vitamins, as well as herbs and other nutritional supplements, to be broken down more quickly, which means they won't be as effective. NSAIDs can also reduce absorption in the stomach.

To help minimize interactions, take your supplements approximately two or three hours before or after taking an NSAID. Research has not shown the optimal spacing between NSAIDs and vitamins or supplements, but the idea is to wait for one to be ingested and absorbed from the stomach before taking the other. This process may vary depending on your age and medical condition. People with any form of arthritis or a related condition can benefit from getting the proper nutrients. Vitamins and supplements can help, but only if you time them so your body can use them.

There are so many different vitamins- there are volumes written about most of them. However, I want to mention only one at this time- one that all of us have neglected getting adequate amounts. More serious recent research is showing that we are a nation of vitamin D deficient individuals! We need to watch for more information on this subject. Be sure that your calcium tablets have vitamin D included.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains. You may contact Claudia at yhm@windstream.net .