It’s well known that the Japanese have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease than Americans, and we know that they eat less fat and more carbohydrates than we do.

However, there’s got to be a bit more to it than that. There’s a subtlety to their eating habits that can’t be considered in the same light as “dietary guidelines.” It’s the social aspect of family togetherness that dominates Japanese eating habits.

According to one researcher at Southern Illinois University, the Japanese eat their meals in a family setting and the meals prepared specially for the family are generally more nutritious. Americans tend to “eat on the run” and such meals are less nutritious. Low nutrition convenience foods are believed to dominate in meals not shared with a family.

Aspirin And Heart Attacks

By now most people have heard that aspirin can prevent heart attacks. Some have even begun to take aspirin as a “precaution.” Just what is really known about aspirin therapy and heart disease at this time?

Most studies so far have concentrated on persons who have already suffered the first attack. Statistically, 22 out of 100 of them will suffer a second heart attack within a year of the first. The results of six different studies on some 11 ,000 first time heart attack victims are quite promising. They indicate that a daily dose of aspirin can reduce the incidence of a second attack by better than 20 percent. The University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter reports that the present recommended dosage is one single-strength (300mg) tablet per day. Optimum dosage is yet to be determined.

The question obviously arises: is aspirin advised for those who have not suffered a first attack and want to try to prevent one? The answer is that preliminary studies involving persons who have experienced symptoms (such as angina) or who have identifiable circulatory problems seem to suggest that aspirin can be helpful in these cases. So far, no evidence has been found to suggest that aspirin therapy is helpful for those with no indication of heart disease.

Some recent evidence suggests that aspirin has a residual effect for 14 days on platelets so currently many people are advocating 300mg once per week or even two weeks. Interestingly there seems to  be a reduction in colon cancers in the group that takes the 300mg every week. Many physicians recommend 80mg dosages.

Use of aspirin for the purpose of preventing a heart attack should be done only under the care of a physician.

10 best foods for your health

Broccoli and carrots: Loaded with vitamin A, high in fibre – nutrient bargains. (Tip: Cooked carrots are better absorbed by the body than raw ones.)

Oats: The value of a Cadillac for the price of a Ford. Good source of fibre and protein.

Cabbage and its family: Natural cancer-preventers for colon cancer, a major killer.

Potatoes: Surprise. Lots of vitamin C, iron, thiamine, niacin, phosphorus and magnesium. Only 100 calories a tuber.

Yogurt: Calcium plus. But don’t use preflavoured. It’s loaded with sugar.

Pasta: Indulge. Just watch out for the sauce! Even white pastas have lots of nutrients and few calories. Try buckwheat for variation. The concern with all very dense carbohydrates is a spike in  insulin levels — better to limit pasta to a smaller amount and get the nutrients — the same with bread and potatoes in the view of some.

Fish: Cold water varieties lower blood cholesterol, helping to protect against heart disease. Broil or poach and use herbs and lemon instead of fatty, high-calory sauces.

Bread: The staff of life. Jane Brody thinks the reason millions of people limp around all day is because they don’t eat enough bread. Eat bread in which the first ingredient listed is either oats or whole wheat.

Lentils: Try them in soups, salads and casseroles. One of the best sources of vegetable protein.

Fresh fruit: Fibre, vitamins and minerals. The whole fruit is better than the juice because it is more slowly absorbed by the body.

Academy of General Dentistry:- http://www.agd.org/

Arthritis Foundation:- http://www.arthritis.org/

Canadian Health Network:- http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/

CDA-ADC:- http://www.cda-adc.ca/

Cyberdiet:- http://www.cyberdiet.com/

Dr Laura:- http://www.drlaura.com/

Dr Koop:- http://www.drkoop.com/

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center:- http://www.edreferral.com

Family Medicine:- http://familymedicine.about.com/health/familymedicine/

Health Canada - Santé Canada:- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Human Anatomy On-line:- http://www.innerbody.com/

Niagara Peninsula Dental Association:- http://www.vaxxine.com/npda

Ontario Dental Association:- http://www.oda.on.ca

OncoLink - A University of Pennsylvania Cancer:- http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/

US National Library of Medicine (NLM):- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

The music, Barbara Allen, ©2000 LLERRAH, Inc is sequenced and performed by Margi Harrell and is used with her permission. If you wish to use Ms Harrell's music you must contact her at http://www.llerrah.com/ where you will find many wonderful midis as well as CDs for sale!

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