Red Wine - Heart Health benefits?

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD

(HealthCastle.com) Does red wine protect against heart disease? Maybe. Many studies investigated the benefits of red wine suggested that moderate amount of red wine (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) lowers the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by ~ 30 to 50 percent. It is also suggested that alcohol such as red wine may prevent additional heart attacks if you have already suffered from one. Other studies also indicated that red wine can raise HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol) and prevent LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) from forming. Red wine may help prevent blood clots and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Indeed, studies showed that people from the Mediterranean region who regularly drank red wine have lower risks of heart disease

What's in Red Wine that are good for heart?

Red wine is a particularly rich source of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics, so many studies to uncover a cause for red wine's effects have focused on its phenolic constituents, particularly resveratrol and the flavonoids. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and prevent blood clotting. Flavonoids, on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.

Should I start drinking more red wine now?

The answer is No. Studies showed that alcohol drinking may increase triglycerides (another Bad blood lipids) and result in weight gain due to its empty calories. Other studies also suggested that alcohol consumption is associated with cancer risk. Read Alcohol and Cancer. The American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol. If you already drink alcohol, do so in moderation. AHA recommends one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (A drink is one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.)

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10 Life Lessons from Cartoon Characters

By Paul Asay

Smash! Blam! Kablooie!

For some of us of a certain age, those were the soul-soothing sounds of Saturday mornings. We'd snuggle up in our footie PJs and with our chocolate-frosted sugary cereal, turn on the telly, and watch hours of delicious, nutrient-free television. Was this stuff good for us? Sure – just the same way our sugary cereals were "part of this balanced breakfast." Our cartoons – and the syndicated weekday animated fare that followed – were as tasty as a spoonful of saccharine, and just as nutrition-free.

Or so it seemed. Looking back, it turns out we learned quite a few valuable lessons from some of our favorite cartoon characters while glued to the tube.

Pour yourself another bowl of cereal, press the arrow key, and take a walk down Memory Lane with us.

The first life lesson is…

Help Those in Distress - Dudley Do-Right

A regular contributor to the long-lived "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," Dudley Do-Right was as good a do-gooder as ever did a good deed. Outrageously thoughtful, polite, brave, and stupid, the Canadian Mountie rarely rode through an episode without rescuing his beloved Nell from an oncoming railroad train. Or a huge radial saw. Or perhaps from a subprime mortgage scam.

While he may have lived in northern Canada, the chin-clefted, overgrown Boy Scout was perhaps a little too good to be exactly cool. But we can't argue with his sense of right and wrong—and we'd sure rather emulate him than the mustachioed, green-tinged Snidely Whiplash. We only wish Dudley could've wrapped the evildoer in a wad of aluminum wrapping. Then Snidely would really be foiled again.

You Can Be Quiet and Confident - The Pink Panther

The Pink Panther never said much during his animated "The Pink Panther Show." In fact, he never said anything. Never mind the fact that he might, in any given episode, be assaulted by large-nosed neighbors, supercilious narrators, or out-of-control power tools. Nothing ever rattled The Pink One enough to make him squeal. Or, at least, squeal intelligibly.

For the quieter lads and lasses—the children who never raised their hands in class, never were picked first for kickball, and sometimes wore mismatched socks to school—the cartoon Panther may have been an inspiration. Here was a character who always wore pink but never had his manhood questioned. Here was someone who, no matter how many times he tripped over his own tail, survived to see another Saturday morning. Here was someone who never had to say anything to be the coolest cat on the dial.

Respect Your Elders - The Smurfs

Smurf Village is loaded with scads of colorful (i.e. blue) characters: There's Brainy Smurf, who never met a slide rule he didn't like. There's Jokey Smurf, who loves to hand out firecrackers. There's Handy Smurf and Grouchy Smurf and Poet Smurf and scads of other smurfs who represent every personality or professional trait you can imagine. Surely, if the "The Smurfs" were remade today, we'd hear about Blogger Smurf—though we'd never see him because he'd never leave his little Smurf house.

But the only one who seemed to know what he was doing most of the time was Papa Smurf, the bearded, red-hatted patriarch of the whole Smurfin' clan. Whenever something would go awry—as it often did—we could count on Papa Smurf to make everything right again— sometimes through magic, but more often through a little sage wisdom.

Women Can Do Anything - Electra Woman and Dyna Girl

Protagonists of a short-lived segment on The "Krofft Supershow" (the DC-powered duo lasted only one season), Electra Woman and Dyna Girl fought evil with lycra and technology, wielding two of the most formidable wrist-worn crime-fighting devices— called "electracomps"—ever conceived.

But, as nifty as their multifaceted electracomps were ("No! Not the Electra-Degravitate!"), the show's main claim to fame (such as it is) was its campy salute to girl-power—done at a time when most folks assumed that boys were what made the Saturday morning world go 'round. Here were two women who kicked the butt of evil as efficiently as any guy—and who, with their before-its-time Electra-Car, were carbon-neutral to boot.

TV Can Teach Morals - Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

Back in the 1970s, a lot of parents made a stink about what a values-free wasteland Saturday morning TV was. In response, the networks tried to bring some merit to their cartoon-laden lineups. Some just threw an "educational" label onto their unchanged offerings and left it at that. Others made a valiant stab at bringing some morality to the tube—which is why, in the mid 1970s, the "Super Friends" started telling its audience how to make tie-dyed shirts.

But "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" was all about morality from the get-go—and the show didn't even need prompting from the networks. Turned out, comedian Bill Cosby's brand of moralizing was a runaway hit, and the show ran for 12 values-rich seasons, exploring everything from skipping school and cheating to violence and racism. You might say the show made hay-hay-hay.

'Knowing Is Half the Battle' - G.I. Joe

"G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" actually never aired on Saturday morning. Indeed, syndicated shows like "Joe" spelled the end of cartoon-centric Saturday morning TV as we knew it. But while the time slot was different, the vibe was still the same. These soldiers were all about teaching lessons, all right: teaching America's enemies a lesson in respect. Yo, Joe!

But for a show based on a series of action figures, "G.I. Joe" did have some redeeming qualities. After each episode, soldiers would offer a brief public service lesson for its young viewers—what to do if you get lost, what to do if your house is on fire—most of which would invariably end with the tagline, "And knowing is half the battle."

And you thought this show was all about selling toys.

Don't Trust Strangers - Scooby Doo and the Gang

Zoinks! In his decade of 1970s Saturday morning dominance, Scooby and the gang solved more mysteries on "Scooby Doo, Where Are You!" than James Rockford, Colombo, and all six Charlie's Angels combined. Of course, once they figured out the formula, it wasn't all that tough: They always knew the ghost would wind up being a guy in a rubber mask.

The tricky part was to figure out who wore the mask: Was it the creepy gardener who spoke in monosyllabic grunts? Or was it the kindly grandmother who cooked a big pot of stew for the crew? They—and we—were never quite sure until the credits rolled, which proved to telegraph a timely message for kids: Never trust strangers completely, even if they offer you a Scooby Snack.

Materialism Doesn't Pay – The Road Runner

Warner Bros.' "The Road Runner Show" cartoons were a staple on Saturday morning television in the 1970s and '80s. And while the shorts are unquestionably the most violent form of entertainment this side of the "Saw" franchise, they're among the most educational, too.

Wile E. Coyote was the show's primary professor, and he taught his young students dozens of pragmatic lessons: Don't horse around near dizzying precipices. Don't strap yourself to large explosive rockets. Don't paint false train tunnels onto the faces of cliffs. But, through his boundless trust in (and inexhaustible account with) the Acme Corporation, Mr. Coyote also offered an important, if little heeded, message: You can't catch happiness through the accumulation of "stuff," no matter how much of it you buy. Sure, sometimes it'll seem tantalizingly close…but it'll always speed away again with a "beep-beep" and tongue waggle.

Be Nice to Others - Sigmund and the Sea Monsters

It's not easy being green. Or slimy. Or burdened with a bunch of curly, useless tentacles. Just ask Sigmund, the lovable sea monster from "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" who never seemed particularly comfortable in his own skin.

Sigmund came from a troubled home whose parents really wanted Sigmund to scare things—particularly those loathsome, pink humans. But Sigmund doesn't find humans that loathsome at all—particularly Johnny and Scott Stuart, who kindly hide Sigmund in their playhouse.

Sigmund, who was particularly abused by his brothers, Blurp and Slurp, might well have been the Saturday morning hero of younger siblings everywhere. Sigmund was an underdog everyman— albeit one with fake googly eyes.

The Importance of Teamwork – Superman and His Super Friends

He can fly. He can see through walls. He can breathe underwater, survive outer space and clean the clock of any earthbound being around. As the prime hero on Saturday morning TV, the Man of Steel threatened to turn "Super Friends" into Superman and the Superpips. I mean, is there anyone in the Hall of Justice who can even challenge this guy in a game of chess?

But Superman never got snooty with anyone on the team—even Aquaman, whose (let's face it) ability to talk with dolphins was pretty lame. Superman liked his Justice League pals, and he often needed them, too: Rarely did an episode end without someone whipping out a chunk of Kryptonite. This show taught us this simple but often forgotten truth: Better to have friends than a whole host of super powers.

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How To Avoid Hidden Prescription Drug Risks

by Rebecca Ruiz

These simple steps will help prevent complications from drug use.

To many patients, the notion of doing more harm than good with a prescription drug is a passing thought. After all, medication is dispensed by doctors and pharmacists who are well-versed in treating conditions with drugs. Keeping up with the latest research on risks and benefits of the use of prescription drugs--a $291 billion industry--also seems like a task best left to the professionals.

It's no surprise then that Americans seem to be dangerously undereducated about the risks of prescription medicine, particularly when combined with over-the-counter drugs and supplements. A study published in December 2008 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that one in 25 adults surveyed, who were between the ages of 57 and 85, were at risk for a major potential drug-drug interaction.

"Patients need to ask questions about their therapies," says Cynthia Reilly, director of the practice development division at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, a professional association. This common sense approach can be supplemented with other strategies, like scaling back on unnecessary medications, consulting reputable online resources and treating minor issues with lifestyle changes instead of another prescription.

In Depth: How To Avoid Hidden Prescription Drug Risks

What Causes Complications?
Patients often struggle to identify adverse drug interactions or side effects, Reilly says, because there may be no physical symptoms.

For example, hypertension patients who take medication to control blood pressure may render the drug less effective when simultaneously treating a common cold with a nasal decongestant, which increases the heart rate with stimulants. The effect subsides when the patient stops taking the decongestant, but it's possible to not even realize the interaction occurred unless one monitored blood pressure levels daily.

In more serious cases, an adverse interaction can cause life-threatening complications. Combining the anti-coagulant Warfarin with aspirin, for example, can lead to an increased risk of bleeding, which is particularly hazardous for patients recovering from surgery. Each individual has a unique response to an adverse interaction, but Reilly says patients should contact a pharmacist or physician if they experience a rash or difficulty breathing.

Research has also shown that risk increases with the number of prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and supplements used. The JAMA study found that 68% of the 3,000 older adults surveyed were using all three concurrently; previous studies have shown that the use of five medicines or more at once has increased in recent years.

Reilly traces the trend to at least three factors: More people are living longer with chronic diseases, patients have many more over-the-counter options for treatment, and studies have shown evidence for the effectiveness of combined prescription drug therapies.

How to Avoid the Risks

While these developments have been beneficial to patients, some experts argue that patients and doctors need to be more discriminating.

Dr. Gordon Schiff, associate director of the Boston-based Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice, co-authored an article last month in JAMA urging physicians to reconsider the use of prescription drugs. Patients can easily incorporate some of his suggestions, including using just a few drugs well and pursuing alternative approaches like diet changes, exercise and physical therapy.

Salina Wong, director of clinical pharmacy programs for Blue Shield of California, says that while patients should always discuss medication with a pharmacist or physician, those who have new questions or feel uncomfortable in the public setting of a pharmacy, can take advantage of online resources.

Blue Shield offers members a free chat service with pharmacists who answer questions within two days of receiving an inquiry. Health Net ( HNT - news - people ), a pharmacy benefits manager, created a similar program last year.

If your insurance provider doesn't offer this resource, there are reputable Web sites that give consumers information about potential drug interactions. Medscape is a free peer-reviewed Web site that contains information on uses, dosage and potential interactions. Blue Shield of California also maintains a Web site accessible to anyone, not just insurance members.

It's essential to know the risks, says Wong, but she also urges patients to adopt a new mindset about prescription drugs that may not be necessary.

"When you add drugs, you're adding more complications," she says. "It's important to try to resolve issues without a pill."

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7 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Life

by Amy Fontinelle

Are you worried about how a recession might affect you? You can put your fears to rest because there are many everyday habits the average person can implement to ease the sting of a recession, or even make it so its effects aren't felt at all. In this article, we'll discuss seven ways to do just that.

No. 1: Have an Emergency Fund
If you have plenty of cash lying around in a high-interest, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured account, not only will your money retain its full value in times of market turmoil, it will also be extremely liquid, giving you easy access to funds if you lose your job or are forced to take a pay cut. Also, if you have your own cash, it won't be an issue if other sources of backup funds dry up, such as a home equity line of credit.

No. 2: Always Live Within Your Means
If you make it a habit to live within your means each and every day, you are less likely to go into consumer debt when gas or food prices go up and more likely to adjust your spending in other areas to compensate. Debt begets more debt when you can't pay it off right away - if you think gas prices are high, wait until you're paying 29.99% annual percentage rate (APR) on them.

To take this principle to the next level, if you have a spouse and are a two-income family, see how close you can get to living off of only one spouse's income. In good times, this tactic will allow you to save incredible amounts of money - how quickly could you pay off your mortgage or how much earlier could you retire if you had an extra $40,000 a year to save? In bad times, if one spouse gets laid off, you'll be OK because you'll already be used to living on one income. Your savings habits will stop temporarily, but your day-to-day spending can continue as normal.

No. 3: Have More Than One Source of Income
Even if you have a great full-time job, it's not a bad idea to have a source of extra income on the side, whether it's some consulting work or selling collectibles on eBay. With job security so nonexistent these days, more jobs mean more job security. If you lose one, at least you still have the other one. You may not be making as much money as you were before, but every little bit helps.

No. 4: Have a Long-Term Mindset With Investments
So what if a drop in the market brings your investments down 15%? If you don't sell, you won't lose anything. The market is cyclical, and in the long run, you'll have plenty of opportunities to sell high. In fact, if you buy when the market's down, you might thank yourself later.

That being said, as you near retirement age, you should make sure you have enough money in liquid, low-risk investments to retire on time and give the stock portion of your portfolio time to recover. Remember, you don't need all of your retirement money at 65 - just a portion of it. The market might be tanking when you're 65, but it might be headed to Pamplona by the time you're 70.

No. 5: Be Honest About Your Risk Tolerance
Yes, investing gurus say that people in certain age brackets should have their portfolios allocated a certain way, but if you can't sleep at night when your investments are down 15% for the year and the year isn't even over, you may need to change your asset allocation. Investments are supposed to provide you with a sense of financial security, not a sense of panic.

But wait - don't sell anything while the market is down, or you'll set those paper losses in stone. When market conditions improve is the time to trade in some of your stocks for bonds, or trade in some of your risky small-cap stocks for less volatile blue-chip stocks. If you have extra cash available and want to adjust your asset allocation while the market is down, however, you may be able to profit from infusing money into temporarily low-priced stocks with long-term value.

The biggest risk is that overestimating your risk tolerance will cause you to make poor investment decisions. Even if you're at an age where you're "supposed to" have 80% in stocks and 20% in bonds, you'll never see the returns that investment advisors intend if you sell when the market is down. These asset allocation suggestions are meant for people who can hang on for the ride.

No. 6: Diversify Your Investments
If you don't have all of your money in one place, your paper losses should be mitigated, making it less difficult emotionally to ride out the dips in the market. If you own a home and have a savings account, you've already got a start: you have some money in real estate and some money in cash. In particular, try to build a portfolio of investment pairs that aren't strongly correlated, meaning that when one is up, the other is down, and vice versa (like stocks and bonds).

No. 7: Keep Your Credit Score High
When credit markets tighten, if anyone is going to get approved for a mortgage, credit card or other type of loan, it will be those with excellent credit. Things like paying your bills on time, keeping your oldest credit cards open, and keeping your ratio of debt to available credit low will help keep your credit score high.

Conclusion
The best part about these habits is that they won't only serve you well during times of recession - they'll serve you well no matter what's going on in the market. But if you implement these financial strategies, a recession is less likely to have a significant effect on your financial situation.

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