Health tips

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Jan 24, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- NAILS AS MIRROR OF YOUR HEALTH

Nails often give the first indication of an underlying disease, a New York dermatologist says. Dr. Joshua Fox, founding director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, says changes in the appearance of nails can point to an array of ailments, from a mild nail-bed infection to heart disease. He says dark lines beneath the nail may indicate the skin cancer melanoma; white nails may point to liver diseases like hepatitis; half-white, half-pink could mean kidney malfunction; red may suggest heart disease; yellowing, thickening nails, with slowing growth, may mean lung diseases such as emphysema; whitish nail beds might spell anemia; a slight blush at the base could be a warning of diabetes; and, irregular red lines at the base may be a sign of lupus or connective tissue disease. "Pitting" or rippling in the nail surface may signify psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Painful lumps at the matrix or under the nail surface may indicate a wart or tumor.

TWO INACTIVE DAYS RAISE ILLNESS RISK

Even two days without activity can raise the risk of developing a serious illness as the body's efficient use of insulin drops, U.S. scientists say. The University of Missouri, Columbia, researchers report in the Journal of the Physiological Society rat studies show the longer the inactivity, the greater the decrease in insulin sensitivity -- which may lead to diabetes and other disease. Frank Booth, professor of biomedical science and director of the Health Activity Center, writes, "The less efficient your insulin is, the greater risk you have of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension."

FIVE HEALTHY REASONS TO FORGIVE

One of the healthiest New Year's resolutions you can make is to learn to forgive more easily, the Harvard Women's Health Watch advises. Forgiving your detractors can improve your mental and physical wellbeing and benefit you more than the transgressor, the experts write. Studies show forgiveness can reduce stress, benefit the heart by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen relationships, reduce pain, and increase happiness.

CLARIFYING CARB CONUNDRUM

Low-carb foods may not necessarily be healthier than those with higher starch levels, says Women's HealthSource from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. The experts say there is no standard definition of "low-carb" food. They note low carb does not mean low fat or low calorie and recommend reading labels carefully. They say total carbs are calculated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by subtracting the grams of protein, fat, water and ash -- the nonburnable part of food that includes minerals -- from the total weight of the food. That number is listed as total carbs. Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber, glycerin and sugar alcohols. The theory is fiber, glycerin and sugar alcohols -- all forms of carbohydrates -- don't raise blood sugar and shouldn't be included when counting carbs. Sugar alcohols, however, may raise blood sugar, which can add calories, the Mayo experts say. They also point out almost everything can be eaten in moderation. Some foods, such as sugar, offer no nutritional, so could be labeled "bad carb." On the other hand, whole grains such as brown rice or oatmeal provide vitamins, minerals and fiber that promote good health, giving them a "good carb" reputation.

(Editors: For more information about NAILS, contact Melissa Chefec at mchefec@optonline.net. For ILLNESS, (573) 882-4430 or BasiC@missouri.edu. For FORGIVE, Christine Junge at (617) 432-4717 or Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu. For CARB, Lisa Lucier at (507) 284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu)