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Up to 15 percent of all U.S. women of childbearing age are deficient in iron— needed for healthy blood—and zinc which is necessary for immunity. According to medical experts, correcting those deficiencies can also lead to memory improvement.

A two month study at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, tested the effect of supplements on the memories of 34 iron-and zinc- deficient women whose ages ranged from 18 to 40. Eleven other women who had normal levels of both iron and zinc served as a control group. Each subject had a normal memory range and took a vitamin supplement. Some of the subjects who were deficient in iron and zinc took 30 extra milligrams of iron and/or zinc. At the end of eight weeks, the iron and zinc deficient women who had taken one of the supplements had improved their memory test scores by as much as 20 percent. Women who had taken both iron and zinc showed only a slight improvement in memory, while those who took just a common multivitamin experienced no improvement at all. The researchers explain the disparity by pointing out that iron and zinc can interfere with each other’s absorption when they are taken as supplements. There is no such interference when the two are part of a balanced diet.

The best source of both nutrients is red meat, and not eating enough red meat is a typical cause of iron and zinc deficiencies. Iron and zinc can also be found in chicken, fish and beans, but in lesser amounts than in red meat.

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Dr. Leonard Cohen of the American Health Foundation states ” You might reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by 50% — just by following the right diet.”

Several studies suggest that diets high in saturated fats could increase your risk of breast cancer. This type of dietary fat woman’s estrogen levels and this could increase breast tumors.

Thus a suggested diet to reduce the risk of breast cancer would include:

(1) Only small amounts of saturated fats.

(2) Plenty of vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, corn, beans, lentils, kale, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

(3) 2 -3 servings of fruit each day.

(4) Use whole grain breads and pasta.

Some researchers have claimed that taking large daily doses of certain vitamin mixtures can cure or prevent cancer. However, most medical experts agree that megadoses of vitamins have not been proven to be a cureall.

In fact too much of certain vitamins can be very harmful to your body. At this time the best advice is not to overdo it when it comes to taking vitamins.

A number of studies have shown that physically fit people have a lower chance of getting cancer. One study revealed differs between women college classmates. Women who were active in sports and exercise had lower breast cancer rates than those who exercised little if any. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise.

Another study indicated that people who have some form of weekly exercise have 50% less chance of getting colon cancer. This indicates that you should at least get some form of mild weekly exercise.

Numerous studies have shown much greater cancer risks for smokers. Therefore, you can easily reduce this risk by not smoking. This increased risk is not just for lung cancer but also for many other types of cancer as well as other diseases. Many of the chemicals produced by burning are known to be strong irritants or cancer producing agents.

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Even though one American president publicly admitted he didn’t like it, many scientific studies suggest that eating broccoli, as well as Brussels sprouts and other yellow and green vegetables, may lower the risk of colon and other cancers. Although scientists are not certain why, recent evidence indicates that several substances in these foods, such as fiber, beta carotene and vitamin C, all have a part in protecting the body from carcinogens. And recent research at Johns Hopkins University may have uncovered another vital substance in these foods.

The substance, called sulforaphane, is present in significant amounts in broccoli. It appears to promote increased production of special enzymes in the body’s cells. The enzymes in turn neutralize cancer-causing agents. More testing needs to be done to determine sulforaphane’s true potential for certain kinds of cancer prevention, but the latest evidence is encouraging.

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CRAVING

For many people, weight control is a battle against cravings for fats and sweets. The cravings may be difficult to deny because when sweets or fats are consumed the body produces “pleasure chemicals” called opioids. And while experts say that there is no cure for food cravings in the forseeable future, they may have taken a step toward just such a solution recently.

In a study at the University of Michigan, researchers injected nine women with the drug naloxone, which is also used to prevent heroin from being absorbed by the brain when people have taken overdoses. The drug, known as a “pleasure killer” stopped cravings for fats and sweets.

Researchers say naloxone worked in their test because it effectively blocks opioids from delivering their message of pleasure to the brain. Once the message of pleasure has been eliminated, the craving ceases to exist.

To confirm their initial findings, the researchers reversed the experiment. Another group of women were injected with “extra” pleasure chemicals with the drug butorphanol. The women injected with this drug reported an increase in pleasure when eating fats and sweets.

Even though naloxone was successful in blocking food cravings in the controlled study, it is not available to the public for that purpose. Scientists say its effects are only temporary and wouldn’t make much of a difference. However, continuing research using the information uncovered in the University of Michigan study could lead to an eventual solution to food cravings and a significant victory for many people battling weight problems.

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Sleep on your side with your knees bent and with a pillow between them. This not only will relieve pressure on your back muscles, it will also prevent you from overstretching your hip muscles during the night. Other Back Pain Relief Tips:

It is important that you stand up straight with your head up, your shoulders back, and your weight resting equally on both feet. Always avoid standing in one position for longer than a few minutes. If you can’t avoid standing in one position, try shifting your weight from foot to foot. This will prevent any single area from being subjected to excessive stress. You can also try putting one foot up on a stack of books or a stool to keep your back from arching. And always try to avoid wearing shoes that have high heels, because they can place unnecessary strain on your lower back.

When you pick something up, you should squat in front of the object, keeping your back straight while holding the object close to your body. You should then rise slowly by straightening your knees. This allows your legs to do most of the work.

When carrying something relatively heavy, such as luggage, always try to keep the load balanced with equal weight in each hand. You should never twist at the waist when carrying a heavy object— rather move your feet instead.

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