Fructose Sweetener Eyed As Cause Of US Obesity Epidemic: Study
A corn sweetener that has been used to sweeten food and soft drinks since the 1970s may be partly to blame for the United States' galloping obesity epidemic. Researchers noted that the introduction of the high-fructose corn-based sweetener dovetailed with the beginning of the sharp rise in obesity rates which has set alarm bells ringing among public health officials. The conventional wisdom is that poor diet, over-sized portions, and a lack of exercise are to blame for Americans' expanding waistlines, but a new study suggests that empty calories in this food sweetener may be more of a factor than previously thought.

Support For All Parents...At Last
Raising children is very challenging and parents can use all the help they can get. Learn about the recent phenomenon that is helping parents survive the daily stresses of being....well, a parent. AboutMyKids.com is an interactive web site that matches expert coaches with parents to help them manage the stress that goes along with being a mom or dad. Educational materials, parenting goals and links are all part of the individualized plan that each parent receives.

MORE HEALTH NEWS...
To keep up-to-date with news in the world of health and medicine, visit our Healthy News and our Healthy News Archive.

ALL NATURAL HERBAL SWEETENER - ZERO CALORIES, ZERO CARBOHYDRATES, ZERO GLYCEMIC INDEX, AND ZERO CHEMICALS!

Artificial sweeteners are born in a test tube˜Stevia is born in a rain forest. Used worldwide as an no-calorie herbal sweetener, the leaves of the Stevia plant has a refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. SweetLeaf SteviaPlus is now available in convenient packets or powder form. Also try SteviaClear liquid for sweetening beverages and cooking.

Simply Well
In "Create a Bigger Picture of Health" John W. Travis, M.D., M.P.H., cautions against overconcern for personal health, as obsession with health can be every bit as wasteful of your human potential as ignorance and carelessness can be. He advocates creating a bigger vision where you put your personal concerns in perspective, and are subsumed and fulfilled by a greater need, a greater possibility, a greater love.

Keeping Fit
Although all athletic activities carry some risk of injury, spring sports seem to be particularly problematic with respect to injury potential, says Dr. Wayne Westcott in "Enjoying The Spring Sports Season." This is partly due to the abrupt action components of the most popular spring sports such as golf, softball and tennis, and partly due to insufficient levels of physical conditioning.

Healthy Computing
Do you reach forward and bend your wrists so that you can type at the keyboard of your computer? In "Split Keyboard" Erik Peper, Ph.D. and Katherine Hughes Gibney explain how this reaching forward or around often increases tension in your neck and shoulders and may result in uncomfortable sensations down your arms. When you use a split keyboard, you avoid bending your wrists and allow your arms to more naturally hang at your sides.

PROTECT YOUR CHILD DURING FLU SEASON
with ChildLife's "Immune Support Kit"

ChildLife Essentials offers doctor-developed nutritional formulas you can trust. Our "Immune Support Kit" provides your child with the nutritional support of First Defense & Echinacea to stimulate natural immune responses and defend the body and Vitamin C for immune support. The Immune Support Kit includes:

* First Defense - (4 fluid oz)
* Echinacea 4 Kids - (1 fluid oz - Orange Flavor)
* Liquid Vitamin C - (4 fl oz)

From Fatigued to Fantastic
In "Q and A on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia with Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. - #11" Dr. Teitelbaum reports that determining which treatments are needed by any given individual and then teaching them how to use them can be very difficult and time consuming (even for doctors that are very skilled in treating these syndromes. When needed, a computer program is available that can guide almost everyone with these syndromes back to health!

Healthy Alternatives
Keeping your immune system strong is very important if you want to stay healthy. Your body is constantly eliminating toxins, but sometimes it gets overwhelmed. When it gets out of balance, you can support the natural self-correcting response. In "Boosting Your Immune Response - Helpful Suggestions" David L. Hoffmann, B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H. and Jacquelyn J. Wilson, M.D. suggest that you make sure that your body's natural exits for toxins are kept open, pay attention to your diet, and take appropriate homeopathic remedies.

Healthy Man Update
Times are changing in the field of men's health. "Prostate" is now a household word when barely a decade ago men didn't even know they had one. And the notion that a man may also experience "hormonal changes" is new to many. "Optimal Prostate Health With Natural Medicine" by Janet Zand, O.M.D., L.Ac. and Whitfield Reaves, O.M.D., L.Ac. offers a sampling of the many options available for men interested in the treatment and prevention of prostate problems. This era in medical care is very exciting for many men who now have the opportunity to take better care of their health.

Find an Alternative Healthcare Professional
The Professional Referral Network contains searchable directories for 20 leading professional associations in complementary and integrative health care, with over 17,000 professionals. Looking for a healthcare professional specializing in progressive treatment of the eyes? The Vision Care/Vision Training section includes the Optometric Extension Program member database.

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE CHALLENGES & BENEFITS OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

August 14-18, 2004
Wailea Marriot Resort, Maui, Hawaii

The conference features Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Eisenberg, Director, Division of Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard, Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School.

This CME Accredited Medical Professional Program addresses the major trend to integrate complementary and traditional medicine and puts this emerging area of treatment and investigation into focus in order to enable physicians to better provide patient care in a meaningful, safe manner. Includes session on Hawaiian cultural and spiritual ceremonies and healing techniques.

Produced by HealthQuest Travel & Maui Wellness Institute
800-874-1996
imcinfo@healthquesttravel.com
www.healthquesttravel.com

Healthy Tips for High-Level Wellness
One of the most important groups of nutrients in our diet—as important as vitamins and minerals—are the essential fatty acids (EFAs). Research indicates they may be as important to our health as taking our daily multi-vitamins. In "Essential Fatty Acids and Your Health" Cherie Calbom, M.S. explains the symptoms that result from a deficiency of essential fatty acids, provides a surprising list of EFA thieves, and offers suggestions for replenishing EFAs.

DRUMMING - YOUR MUSICAL PRESCRIPTION FOR WELLNESS

Drumming is recognized for its value as a tool for stress- reduction, relaxation, exercise and personal expression. Check out Remo's Personal Percussion Kit, Buffalo Drums, Djembes, and more.... For both individual & group drumming. Learn the secrets of creating a successful drum circle. Discover drumming.... Find the rhythm already within you!

Echoes of Silence
A koan is a riddle, the solution to which can only be found by going completely beyond all conditioning and thought. In "The Koan of Leadership" Robert Rabbin states that leadership principles must give way to awareness and refinement through reflection and inquiry.

Music and Wellness
In "Sounds Like Silence: And Chronic Pain" Barry Bittman, M.D. reminds us of the importance of having music in our lives, along with laughter and joy. This is particularly important for those following an integrated, whole person approach to control of severe and chronic pain. One day in the near future, instead of just receiving a few pain pills, you might be surprised with a healthy dose of music therapy.

Healthy Bookstore - Sacred Contracts

We all come into this world with "Sacred Contracts." According to Caroine Myss in "Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential," we all have a life mission, calling or sacred contract. "In short, a Sacred Contract is an agreement your soul makes before you are born," Myss explains. "You promise to do certain things for yourself, for others, and for divine purposes. Part of the Contract requires that you discover what you are meant to do." Herein lies the rub. Decoding our Sacred Contract requires us to become fluent in the language of symbols and archetypes so that we can interpret dreams, understand the meaning behind "coincidences," and learn to follow our intuition. This is why Myss offers an extensive lesson on helping readers recognize their personal archetypes.

All HWOL Books 10% off!

"WORLD'S BEST CHOCOLATE" - CNN/Money

Dagoba Organic Chocolate creates the purest, most exquisite chocolate products available by melding ancient principles and modern methods. Our premium organic chocolates are infused with exotic ingredients and blends to enhance the already divine qualities of chocolate, creating uncharted flavor landscapes for the palate. Only the purest ingredients are used.

Dagoba also helps create a better world through organic/ sustainable agriculture, fair trade philosophies and eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Try our gift boxes, organic chocolate bars, chocolate drops, hot chocolate and cacao powder.

WELLNESS INVENTORY - A TOOL FOR MANAGING CLIENT WELLNESS
Are you looking for a tool to determine your client's readiness to change various lifestyle behaviors? The Wellness Inventory not only assesses your client in 12 key areas of wellness, but also assesses their motivation to change in these areas, guides them in creating a wellness plan and provides resources to meet their goals. For more information, visit: wellnessinventory.net

Botanical Medicine Sourcebooks & Textbooks

Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine
The ninth annual conference on botanical therapies for chronic conditions
Tempe, AZ USA
April 3-4, 2004
Contact: Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences - 800-252-0688

Integrative Pain Medicine
New York, NY USA
April 16-17, 2004
Contact: Columbia University/Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine - 212-342-0101

The Sixth International Conference on Science and Consciousness Consciousness Exploring Itself
Albuquerque, NM USA
April 23-28, 2004
Contact: The Message Company - 505-474-0998

Mind/Body Training in Positive Psychology Training presents a mind/body/spirit approach to cognitive restructuring, emphasizing strategies to increase patients' ability to cope with suffering
Boston, MA USA
April 26-29, 2004
Contact: Harvard Medical School and the Mind/Body Medical Institute - 617-384-8600

First International Symposium on the Science of Touch Towards an Integrative Medicine
Montreal, Quebec CANADA
May 12-15, 2004
Contact: International Symposium on the Science of Touch - 514-272-2254

Seduction of Yoga - Yoga Teacher Training
The Chopra Center at La Costa Resort & Spa
Carlsbad, CA USA
May 25-29, 2004
Contact: The Chopra Center - 888-424-6772 ext. 1111

Medicines from the Earth Herb Symposium
Twelfth Annual Conference on Botanical Medicine
Black Mountain, NC USA
June 5-7, 2004
Contact: Herbal Educational Services - 800-252-0688