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Study Says Healthy Habits Can Replace Gym Workouts
Science has come to the rescue of all who can't imagine themselves wearing Spandex and sweating in a gym. Two recent studies show that no-sweat, no-equipment activities squeezed into busy everyday lives produce equal health benefits. Improvements in fitness, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight loss, amount of body fat and mood were no greater among individuals randomly assigned to vigorous aerobic programs than among comparable people who engaged in dribs and drabs of moderate-intensity "lifestyle" exercise such as brisk walking, taking the stairs instead of elevators, and doing household chores.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
Iron is unique among essential minerals, because there is no mechanism for its excretion once absorbed into the body. Whatever iron is absorbed must either be used or stored and excessive storage of iron in the body promotes the generation of free radicals. In this column, "Dangers of Iron Supplements," Dr. Galland reports that excess dietary iron has been implicated by some scientists as a cause of cancer and heart disease, and that it also increases the risk of bacterial infection. "No one should ever take iron supplements unless iron deficiency is present, says Dr. Galland, "with the possible exception of pregnant women."

Mind Body Health Newsletter
For most of us, the modern-day world seems to be spinning faster and faster. Computers, faxes, pagers, car phones and automated tellers, far from saving time, seem to add pressure. According to a Harris survey, in 1990, the average American had 37% less leisure time than in 1973. "Leisure" time is crammed full of activities, commitments, and responsibilities. Even our children feel the pressure of a chock-full day: school, music lessons, soccer practice, and homework, reports Dr. David Sobel his latest column, Rx: Halting Time Pressure.

Natural Medicine Research Update
Evidence continues to accumulate regarding the antioxidant benefits of melatonin. In laboratory studies, melatonin has been found to stimulate natural antioxidant systems such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, in addition to offering protection to the DNA present within cells. While these effects have been observed primarily using pharmacological (very large) doses of melatonin, in a small number of experiments melatonin has been found to have antioxidant properties in small, physiological doses as well, reports Dr. Sahelian in his latest column, "Melatonin as an antioxidant ."

Chinese Medicine Newsdesk
The managed health-care industry in the United States can be considered one of the most revolutionary of its time. In its short, 10-year history, it now covers 75% of the insured American working population, providing an alternative to higher-priced traditional fee-for-service insurance (The Economist, 1998). It may also be one of the most reviled of industries. From its earliest days, it has been criticized for cutting costs to the point of impairing quality. However, over the past months, a new twist on the news has emerged, notes Laurel Skurko Kao in her latest column, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Managed Health-care: Setting an Agenda. Starting in a significant way in January 1997 (Stern, 1997) major managed care companies are introducing a new benefit to help attract new customers and appease wary investors: complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The Healer Within
The presence of special breathing practices in the ancient cultures has always been a mystery to people in the Western world. In this column, Extending the Inhalation, Extending the Exhalation," explains that even with deep breathing there is still some lung capacity left following the exhalation. In this method the fullest extent of filling and emptying of the lungs is enacted. Breathe in until you think the lungs are filled. Then take in 3 more short breaths, to full lung capacity. Following the emptying of the lungs on the exhalation, expel three additional breaths. At both extremes, inhalation and exhalation, the benefit may be multiplied by briefly holding the breath.

Medical Cybrarian Service
Free Health Collection on Fibromyalgia from our Cybrarian Service! The other Health Collections will basically follow this form and function. Out of the hundreds of web sites now available, the Cybrarian Service has gleaned those thought to be most helpful to you for a general inquiry on a healthcare or medical topic. Hot Beds will include annotated URL's that point to newsgroups, news services, and consumer and professional sites. They will offer selected Medline citations. Whether you are a parent, patient, practitioner, administrator or professional, there will be something here for you.

Healthy Travel
Need to book a flight, hotel, or rental car for an upcoming trip? Tired of waiting on the phone with one airline after another to try and find a low fare to your destination? See the fares and schedules of ALL airlines in Healthy Travel's convenient online booking engine and book your ticket with just one click!

Online Discussion Forums
HealthWorld Online's discussion forums provide you with the opportunity to participate in discussions and find answers to a wide range of health concerns. Visit our forums on, "Vaccination," "Mind/Body Approaches to Chronic Illness," "Issues in Integrated Health Care," "Legal/Legislative Issues," and Qigong." Interact with our other visitors and forum leaders: Elliot Dacher, MD; William Collinge, PhD, MPH, Emmett Miller, MD; Randall Neustaedter, OMD; Roger Jahnke, OMD; and William Dailey, Esq.

Children's Health Update
Every year, over 10 million children in the United States are treated for ear infections. Chances are that by the time a child reaches the age of six, he will have suffered otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. Ear infections are most common in children between the ages of six months and three years. In her article "Ear Infections", excerpted from her book, Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, Janet Zand, LAc OMD, outlines a comprehensive program for Ear Infections, including guidelines for conventional treatment, as well as dietary guidelines, recommended nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies.

Association Network -- Hot Pick
The California Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CAAOM) is a professional organization of Licensed Acupuncturists and supporters of Oriental Medicine dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the practice of Oriental Medicine in a caring and ethical manner in order to enhance the health and well-being of the general public.

Visit the California Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Global Health Calendar -- Hot Picks

3rd Annual International Congress on Bioenergetic Medicine with National Institute of Oriental Medicine, Florida School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, Instituteof Quantum & Molecular Medicine. 2/5/-2/7/99. Orlando, FL. Institute of Quantum & Molecular Medicine - 800-476-6149.

1999 International Somatics Congress. Body Wisdom. 2/25-2/28/99. Arrowhead Springs, CA. Association for Humanistic Psychology - 415-339-8606.

Alternative Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice: State-of-the-Science-Symposia. 2/28-3/3/99. Boston, MA. Harvard Medical School, Department of Continuing Education - 781-279-9887.

45th Annual Meeting of the American Society on Aging. San Francisco, CA. 3/4-3/7/99. American Society on Aging - 800-537-9728.

Natural Products Expo West. Natural and Organic Products Trade Show. 3/11-3/14/99. Anaheim, CA. New Hope Communications - 303-939-8440.

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Editor, Healthy Update: James Strohecker

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