ARTICLES, STORIES & EXCERPTS
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Health
CAN SOY PROTEIN HELP WITH ARTHRITIS?
By Jolyn Wells-Moran, Ph.D.
Soy protein and isoflavones show promise for sufferers of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis among over one hundred conditions designated as arthritic. Since osteoarthritis is caused by loss of bone density, resulting in small bone degradation and hairline fractures that cause tissue inflammation and pain, it makes sense that bone health is critical to controlling it. Soy protein and soy isoflavones have gained attention in the past few years in relation to maintaining and building bone density of women (
Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) appear to be improved by soy protein and soy isoflavones, particularly in women beyond menopause (Chen et al, 2004). One isoflavone in soy, diadzein, has been shown to increase the production of osteoblasts, the bone minerals responsible for density (Jai, 2003). Isoflavone-enriched soy powder has been found especially effective in preserving lower spine density loss in perimenopausal women (Alkel, et al, 2000).
Not only are protein, calcium and isoflavones in soy important to bone density, but magnesium is essential to calcium absorption and soy contains this too. As for pain, although we don’t know yet whether soy may have some other pain control benefits, Simon (2003) reminds us, in a literature review on bone density, that protein helps control pain.
It should be noted that protein is lost during the inflammatory process, and one study indicated that high amounts of protein might be protective. If people choose to eliminate meat and dairy products, they should eat fish or be sure their diets are rich in vegetable proteins, such as soy products. In fact, a recent animal study suggests that a soy rich diet may actually bring pain relief.
Still in question are: the optimum amount of soy protein: in what form the soy should be taken; whether soy should be enriched with further isoflavones; at what age soy is most beneficial; and gender concerning these variables. Some further research regarding these questions is underway, as is research to determine the long-term effects of soy. For now, though, increasing your soy protein is likely to be a good move.
References
Alekel, D. L., St. Germain, A., Peterson, C. T., Hanson, K. B., , Stewart , J. W. and Toda, T. (2000). Isoflavone-rich soy protein isolate attenuates bone loss in the lumbar spine of perimenopausal women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72, 3, 8844-852.
Blum, S. C., Heaton, S. N., Bowman, B. M. Hegsted, M. Miller, S. C. (2003) Dietary soy protein maintains some indices of bone mineral density and bone formation in aged ovariectomized rats. Journal of Nutrition. 133, 5:1244-9, May 2003. URL: www. nutrition.org
Chiechi L.M., Secreto G., D'Amore M., Fanelli M., Venturelli E., Cantatore F., Valerio T., Laselva G., Loizzi P. (2002). Efficacy of a soy rich diet in preventing postmenopusal osteoporosis: the Menfis randomized trial. Maturitas. 42, 30, 4:295-300.
Chen, Y.M., Ho, S.C., Lam, S.S., Ho, S.S., & Woo, J.L. (2004). Beneficial effect of soy isoflavones on bone mineral content was modified by years since menopause, body weight, and calcium intake: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, Menopause. 11, 246-254.
Jia, T. L. (2003). Daidzein enhances osteoblast growth that may be mediated by increased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) production, Biochemical Pharmacology. 65, 5:709 -15, URL: www.amedeo.com/medicine/leu/biph.htm
GETTING HEALTHY WITH YOGA
You don’t have to give up your religion or be in good physical shape to practice and benefit from yoga. You can start from wherever you are, as long as you take it slowly. There are several styles of exercise yoga, called Hatha Yoga; Kundalini, Kripalu, Sivananda, Ivengar and various permutations, some of which have been adapted to maximize therapeutic value for specific conditions. Hatha yoga includes mild stretches, postures, breathing and may include some meditation. The asanas, or exercises, are performed slowly and with grace and concentration. While the claims for yoga include scores of physiological, biochemical and psychological benefits, modern medicine is just beginning to research and recognize some of these.
General fitness and improved relaxation, energy, posture, alignment, balance and flexibility are well recognized benefits of yoga. Research has verified that asthma, arthritis, obsessive compulsive disorder and chronic back pain, among other problems, can be effectively treated with regular practice (Parker-Pope, 2002). The benefits of Ivengar Yoga for bones and joints has been well researched (Garfinkel, 2006). With the growing interest in alternatives to traditional medical solutions, we can expect further research results.
Whether you choose yoga for preventive or therapeutic purposes should determine the type of instructor you select. Find a yoga instructor well trained in a therapeutic discipline designed to address your particular physiological issue if you’re looking for a specific improvement. If you’re looking for the more preventive or general benefits of yoga, select an instructor trained in one or more of the Hatha yoga disciplines. If any yoga stretch or posture hurts, modify it until it doesn’t cause pain. If the instructor doesn’t attend to your breathing and posture, or pushes you to endure any pain while practicing, find a new instructor. At the very least, you should notice increased relaxation and improved posture, balance and flexibility.
Bibliography
ABC-of-Yoga (ND). Health benefits of yoga - Why yoga exercise is good for you; Retrieved March 9, 2007 from http://www.abc-of- yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogabenefits.asp
Garfinkel, M. Yoga as a complementary therapy, Geriatrics and Aging. 2006;9(3):190-194: Retrieved March 9, 2007 from the Medscape web site under Geriatrics and Aging at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/525187_1
Parker-Pope, T. Doctors study the health benefits of yoga, The Wall Street Journal. July 23, 2002: Retrieved March 9, 2007 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/ news/ archive/2002/07/23/ financial1008EDT0072.DTL
Humor
Choppers
(Excerpt)
By Jolyn Wells-Moran
Gramma’s new choppers made a loud suckin’ noise and flew across the yard quick as a bat outa dark cave, makin’ a high pitch whistle I ain’t yet been successful at duplicatin’ when I telled the story to folks. They landed shy, though.
See, Gramma’s gums was still feelin’ pretty sorely when the dentist give her them new choppers. He said the swellin’ would reduce and they’d fit a whole lot better later on. Gramma wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t neither when I saw ‘em. Looked to me like they’d made ‘em for a giant gorilla. They was bigger’n her face or there ‘bouts.
I was feelin’ pretty near ‘sponsible for the whole damn thing, since I’d tole Gramma she otter git herself a reward for puttin’ up with all that teeth pullin,’ somethin’ big to take her mind off’n all her pain and sufferin.’ Seemed to me like she needed somethin’ to feel real good about. Gramma said that was the best idee she heared in a long while. I felt kinda puffed up about that, havin’ such a good idee, but din’t let on. Pride afore a fall, ye know, like Gramma always said.
I admit now that mebbe it weren’t the best idee to go shoppin’ fer her reward under the influence, but I cain’t take the guilt fer Gramma goin’ shoppin,’ under them ‘ticular ones at least. That was Grampa come up with it.
Magazines
Send your Child off to College with
Mama's Words of Wisdom
By Jolyn Wells-Moran
We mothers tend to bite our tongues against the advice and warnings we feel we should be voicing when a fledgling is about to make that first clumsy test flight from nest to college. We know full well our words will fall on deaf ears or cause doors to slam. We all know we couldn’t have possibly taught them everything they’ll need once they’re on their own. Here’s an idea to alleviate some of your qualms, mark that vitally critical transition and maybe even touch their hearts. Type a list of the things you think will be most helpful to them in college and life, along with some of your sentiments, a few photos and some addresses and phone numbers of dear relatives and then have it bound professionally as a going away gift. Think of the giving of this book as a rite of passage, a symbol due this significant step towards adulthood and commemoration of the importance of this event. Who knows, maybe it will become a family tradition.
You’ll probably have some ideas of what to include in your book, but here are 12 guidelines to ensure that your gift won’t get left at the first stop on the way to college.
§ Try to make sure you include as much fact as possible. Your child probably already knows your opinions.
§ Instructions on how to do laundry won’t be out of order if you’ve always done it for your child. Include real life practicalities, like always having health insurance, storing valuables in a safe deposit box, carrying condoms (unless you know they’ve made strict vows of chastity), not falling for every credit card deal they get in the mail and making sure to change the oil in the car every three or four months.
§ Remember to state or imply that you trust your child to dig for the details, if needed. One to four lines on each topic should suffice.
§ Remember what you really needed to learn about how to be on your own that no one taught you at home or in school. You can even make it a little story about you, if you think they’ll get the message better that way. Don’t include trivia unless you know they’ll appreciate the information or find it humorous.
§ Try not to include what you’ve told your child over and over (and over?) again. Somewhere in that lovely young head, the information is already there when they need it.
§ Use humor where it fits. You want your child to enjoy the gift and feel like using it, so it needs to be a good read and not too heavy.
§ If you haven’t said it yet, as many times as you want to or clearly, tell your child exactly what it is about them that you love, how proud you are and what you will miss now they’re going away. Don’t make the child weep or nauseous before they even have a chance to feel homesick on their own, though.
§ Think objectively about what you really believe will be particular challenges for your child. Gear some of your words of wisdom towards addressing these with solid advice, and without implying that you think the child is deficient in some way.
§ Avoid reminding them of their manners, their shortcomings and your fears for them, and don’t use your book to set down rules or demands. This isn’t the place and probably wouldn’t be heeded anyway.
§ Include some family, pet and friend photos they will appreciate. You may never hear about it, but if they feel adrift in their new surroundings as many do, they’ll find these comforting.
§ Write in a few phone numbers, email and post mail addresses of family or even friends that might otherwise be mislaid in the chaos of moving and setting up a dorm room, frat room or apartment for themselves.
§ If your child will be living where there are cooking facilities, you might want to include a few recipes for your child’s favorites. If your child is disinclined to ever actually cook, maybe a few brand names of their favorites will do.
Give your book with grace and composure and you’ll be giving that child powerful assistance in making a successful flight from the nest, a memory worth holding close and a reference to meet many of the new challenges of living in the world as an adult. You might gain too, by resting a little easier, knowing you really have given your best and didn’t fall to pieces when you waved goodbye.
Do not copy without permission of the writer.