Committed to Being the Best	WINTER 2006-2007

The Healthy Corner by Karen Kaczmarek

Climbing to New Heights…….  The number of ladder related injuries in the United States has increased by more than 50% from 1990 to 2005 says a study in the May issue of American Journal of Preventative Medicine.  They found that 2.1 million people were treated for ladder related injuries during this time period.  Ladders should be treated with the same respect and caution given to a power tool.   The New Frontier of Super Foods If you are going to have a martini, at least make it a pomegranate one.  This fruit has higher antioxidant activity than red wine and green tea, which may be why studies have shown it may prevent skin cancer and kill breast and prostate cancer cells.  Researchers also found the juice may also help combat Alzheimer’s disease and help keep your body from absorbing bad cholesterol into your immune system cells. Gum Disease  Chronic gum disease could boost a man’s risk for tongue cancer whether or not he smokes a U.S. study finds.  The researchers theorize that periodontal bacteria and viruses may be toxic to surrounding cells and cause changes that lead directly to oral cancer.  They may also cause inflammation that indirectly can contribute to cancer.     Summer is here  So are some fresh ideas for seasonal foods to revitalize your heart. Choose vitamin C rich foods including nectarines, cherries, tomatoes, snap beans, corn and rhubarb all should be available fresh this month.  Eat one grapefruit preferably a ruby red one, they have been shown to lower total and “bad” cholesterol twice as much as white grapefruit.  Experts credit high antioxidant levels in the red variety.