This is the everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-as-healthy-as-possible newsletter, brought to you by Kristy Russ, pharmacist and health consultant. I have close to 20 years experience in helping people improve their health. I specialize in nutritional medicine, which is the secret of "true" preventative medicine. Yes, if I'm successful in getting people to follow my advice, I will put myself out of a job.

For even more information go to www.antioxidants-make-you-healthy.com

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Sun Smart...
Sunscreen...
blah blah blah

Listen up! It's more important than you think!

Well, I'm back from my summer vacation :( It was gloriously hot and sunny and I could definitely get used to hanging out on the lake all day every day. As a confirmed Olympic junkie, I'm pretty excited to be immersed in the Olympics right now though. The skill is incredible and seeing people reach their goals is very inspiring I find. Plus the national pride is great to experience... Go Canada!

In the last e-zine I explained how to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing damage due to sun exposure. After seeing many people suffering from sunburns since that time, it occurs to me that perhaps I need to stress the reason why it’s so important, since no one seems to be overly concerned...

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in North America (yes! The MOST common- strange it's never talked about, isn't it?) And it's the fastest growing, with a 4-5% increase every year. About 80,000 Canadians were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2005 and it's estimated that 1 in 7 people born today will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

While skin cancer may be the most common cancer, the frustrating thing is it's also one of the most preventable: 60-70% of cases could be prevented if people adopted safer lifestyles.

The most difficult problem is changing everyone’s mindset from 80 years of thinking that a tan is not only a symbol of wealth and beauty, but also of health and youth. Many people seek out a tan to make themselves look young and healthy, when exactly the opposite is true: tanned skin eventually becomes wrinkled, saggy, leathery and blotchy. Ironically, these are the same people spending lots of money on creams later in life to undo the damage that tanning caused so they can look healthy and youthful again.

Perhaps sunscreen should be thought of as the ultimate anti-aging cosmetic....

Sun exposure damages skin- plain and simple. It has been proven without a doubt, whether it results in cancer or just premature aging. Children and young adults are particularly vulnerable, since 60% of lifetime exposure occurs before the age of 18 and the protective pigment in their skin is not fully developed until 3-4 years of age. Unfortunately, this is the hardest generation to convince, since they can’t imagine themselves ever being “that old” to worry about such things.

Although anyone can develop skin cancer, there are some factors that increase your risk:

• fair hair/eyes/skin
• history of sunburns early in life
• family or personal history of skin cancer
• large number of moles and/or freckles
• skin that always burns/never tans
• accumulation of sun exposure over time (it ALL adds up-even that 5-10 minute walk to the store- another good reason to use a moisturizer with built in sunscreen, so that incidental exposure doesn’t accumulate)

Basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 70-80% of all skin cancers usually begins as a clear or flesh-colored, blister-like bump that eventually becomes crusted over. They grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma grows more quickly and can spread if not treated promptly. It usually appears as a red, scaly, thickened spot or lump, which may be tender or bleed easily.

Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer, and the major cause of death from the disease. It may appear on previously normal skin or as a birthmark or mole that changes in appearance. It usually has irregular edges and an overall asymetrical shape as well as two or more colors. Get to know your skin and check it regularly for changes.

So there you have it- the sun, which is so important for life, can also be pretty harmful. So please take my advice from the last issue for enjoying the sun responsibly and really keep yourself young and healthy.

Because Laughter Really IS Good Medicine...

It's soooo hot...

My change melted into a medallion in my purse

The Statue of Liberty has pit stains

You learn (the hard way) that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.

All the corn on the stalks is popping.

I saw squirrels fanning their nuts.

My Reese peanut butter cups turned into Reese peanut butter shooters

The potatoes cook underground and all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs.

The cows are giving evaporated milk.

Satan decided to take the day off.

I just saw a bum with a sign that said "Will work for shade"

The birds have to pick up the worms with potholders.

The trees are fighting over the dogs

You've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

What's New at
Antioxidants-Make-You-Healthy.com

Not only is eating a low glycemic diet the healthiest way to eat, it is truly the most effective AND, more importantly, permanent weight loss diet you could ever do.

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Antioxidant Discussion Forums

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Nutrition News

When Sodium Leaves The Body, It Takes Calcium Along With It, Potentially Depleting Calcium Stores In The Body

Food In Smaller Pieces May Help Control Weight

Effective Weight Loss - Keep A Food Journal, Don't Skip Meals, Don't Eat Out

Explosive Leg Strength And Waist Size In Kids Predicted By Hours Watching TV

Smokers' Lung Function May Be Protected By Vitamin D Intake

See you next month...

Good Health to You,

Kristy Russ, BScPharm
Pharmacist and Health Consultant

P.S. Give your body the best nutrition possible. You'll not only feel better now, but you'll also have that quality of life in the future that you've always imagined for yourself. Click here to find out more.