Issue Date: February 24, 2008
5 proven food remedies
 Soybeans reduce the frequency of hot flashes.
|
CRANBERRIES VS. URINARY TRACT INFECTION: Drinking cranberry juice decidedly reduces recurrent urinary tract infections in women, reports a British analysis of 10 studies. Most common recommended dose: a glass of juice twice a day. Undecided: whether cranberry capsules or tablets are as effective.
OATMEAL VS. CHOLESTEROL: Proof that oatmeal can lower cholesterol is stronger than ever, says a new review by University of Kentucky researcher James Anderson, M.D. He concludes that eating whole-grain oatmeal not only cuts total and "bad" cholesterol but also lowers risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
SOYBEANS VS. HOT FLASHES: A new blockbuster study by Harvard's George Blackburn, M.D., finds that a compound in soybeans slashed the frequency of hot flashes by 52% in a group of menopausal women. The study used a soy extract called AglyMax, which is like human estrogen but without the negative effects, the researchers say.
LEGUMES VS. DIABETES: Eating more legumes (peanuts and dried beans, especially soybeans) may cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than 40%, says a new Vanderbilt study of 64,000 middle-aged Chinese women. Possible reason: All legumes suppress spikes in blood sugar.
FISH OIL VS. BRAIN DAMAGE: Much evidence shows that omega-3 fish oil, especially its DHA component, protects brain cells. In a new UCLA study, DHA helps prevent damage that leads to the onset of Alzheimer's. Eaters of fatty fish are less apt to get Alzheimer's.
Contact Jean Carper at jeancarper.com. Scientific sources are at usaweekend.com
Go to top
Products designed by moms and dads
When it comes to helpful products for parents, who better to inspire them than moms and dads themselves? (Think Baby Einstein DVDs.) "It's the stuff that comes out of your life that makes you the experts," says editor Janet Chan of Parenting, which features parent-inspired products in its magazine and as "Daily Faves" on its website. A few of the best:
Built-in shields keep the nipple clean if this pacifier falls to the floor.
|
Keep-it-Kleen Pacifier (razbaby.com, $3.95-$7.99). Closes instantly when Baby takes it out of her mouth or it's dropped on the floor.
Baby Light & Clip (babylightandclip.com, $14.99). Combines a flashlight and clippers to take the guesswork out of cutting little ones' nails.
Tag-Mates (mabel.ca/mabel.php, $21). Cute and easy way to label clothes without sewing or ironing.
ReliaDose (reliadose.com, $11.95). A dual-purpose baby bottle that delivers an accurate dose of liquid medicine to an infant along with a favorite drink.
FoodCuber (foodcuber.com, $7.49 for one tray/lid, $19.95 for three). Stackable storage containers that hold pre-portioned amounts of food for quick and easy meal preparation.
Go to top
Mortgage tax tips for 2007 filers
Rules ease housing dip pain.
|
Feeling the mortgage meltdown pain? These developments could help:
Did you take out a mortgage in 2007? If you paid for mortgage insurance, a fee that cushions the lender against default of the loan, you can treat it -- through 2010 -- as an itemized deduction under the new Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction. It significantly reduces tax liability. For example, taxpayers in the 10% tax bracket can save up to $100 for each $1,000 paid, according to Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.
If you lost your home, you'll get a pass. The debt-relief bill Congress passed in December keeps you from paying taxes on mortgage debt that has been forgiven due to a foreclosure, short sale or loan restructuring. Usually, forgiven debt is taxable income, but from Jan. 1, 2007, to the end of 2009, those who had debt canceled will not have to pay taxes on it on their federal returns.
Go to top
Combat child obesity
Nearly one-third of our nation's kids are overweight or at risk of becoming so. "While kids are overfed, they are undernourished," says Arthur Agatston, M.D. "This, [plus] exercise being taken out of schools, has created a disaster."
Agatston, a cardiologist, heads the Healthier Options for Public School-children Study to test and implement healthy lifestyle programs in grade schools. This weekend, he presents a new report at "Fun and Fit as a Family" in Miami.
His tips: Make fruits and vegetables available to kids, and help them be active by limiting TV and computer time.
|
