New England Health Advisory

By Inger Pols

In last Thursday’s issue, I discussed the importance of sleep to our health and wellness. Whether you are concerned about heart health, diabetes or healthy blood sugar levels, weight gain, healthy brain function or overall quality of life, getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of being healthy.

We all need a good night’s sleep, but it’s not uncommon to struggle with getting one. It’s estimated that one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. Most of us will experience short-term insomnia, which is caused by stress or a short-term disruption in sleep patterns, like travel, a sick child, noisy neighbors or excitement about an upcoming event. Long-term insomnia, which is defined as continuously broken sleep patterns lasting more than four weeks, can be a sign of clinical depression or another serious medical condition that you should discuss with your doctor.

Insomnia can manifest either through an inability to fall asleep or the inability to stay sleep through the night. Either way, normal healthy sleep patterns are altered and this has a measurable effect on health. It’s important to correct any short-term sleep disruptions as soon as possible to prevent permanent sleep pattern alterations or long-term deterioration of health.

Today I’ll look at what you can do to ensure you get the sleep your body needs to heal, repair, restore and grow.

Environment and Routine

Get in a routine. Just as bedtime routines are important for children, research shows that establishing a consistent bedtime routine can also help adults transition to sleep more smoothly. Going to bed at the same time every night and doing something relaxing before bed to help you release stress can help your body prepare for sleep.

Create a comfy space. Keep your bed and your bedroom for activities that belong there: sex and sleeping. Don’t watch TV or eat snacks in bed. Create a comfortable, soothing bedroom escape with cozy blankets, soft sheets and a comfortable mattress. If your mattress is lacking, consider a memory foam mattress topper. It’s an inexpensive way to make a less than top-notch mattress incredibly comfortable and inviting.

No TV or work. Don’t watch TV, especially violent TV crime shows or the news, before you go to sleep (in bed or anywhere else). Doing this will put your mind into an agitated state and disrupt the pineal gland, which will make it harder to fall asleep. Also put away any work at least an hour or two before bed so your mind is not still thinking about work-related challenges or trying to solve problems as you head into bed.

Listen and read. Listening to relaxing music such as nature sounds, new age or soft classical music can help, as can reading something spiritual or an uncomplicated book. (My mom is an avid reader and often tackles challenging reads, but keeps a few light romance novels by her bed and reads a chapter or two of those before sleeping because they don’t stimulate her as she is trying to wind down.)

Release stress. Journal, meditate or do deep breathing before bed; if you are holding onto any tense or anxious thoughts, sleep will be difficult. Some people also find progressive muscle relaxation therapy to be helpful. (This involves lying down and tensing each muscle group for eight seconds as you inhale and then slowly relaxing the same muscle group for eight seconds as you exhale slowly and release all tightness and tension. You can hit every muscle head to toe, or pick four major areas of face, neck/shoulder/arms, abdomen and chest, and finally buttocks, legs and feet.) Some readers have told me that they struggle with meditation because they fall asleep, but this is the perfect opportunity to use your meditation techniques to help bring about sleep.

Take a bath. Build a warm bath with Epsom salts, sea salts and/or baking soda into your routine. If you dislike baths, take a hot shower or a sauna instead. When you are wound up or stressed, get a professional massage or ask your partner to give you one to relax. Use essential oils (many have medicinal purposes and some even target insomnia) or other fragrances that calm you.

Cool down and warm up. Pay attention to room temperatures and keep yours below 70 degrees. In cooler months, consider wearing socks to bed. Feet have the poorest circulation and will feel the cold first. One study showed wearing socks to bed can reduce waking at night.

Block out light. Sleep in complete darkness and/or wear an eye mask. Sleeping in as close to total darkness as possible is important because darkness increases the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the body’s sleep cycle. It’s believed to help people fall asleep more quickly and to sleep more soundly. Studies show that if you are exposed to light while sleeping, your melatonin level will not rise high enough to do its necessary work. Even a night-light can cause disruption.

No more liquids. If you wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and you struggle to return to sleep afterward, be sure to empty your bladder before bedtime and avoid liquids for 90 minutes before bedtime to reduce the likelihood of waking to urinate.

Don’t just lie there. And lastly, if you’re tried these techniques and you still struggle with falling asleep, don’t stare at the clock and stress about what time it is! Get up and out of bed and do something to relax you: read, listen to music, clean something, tackle a project and go back to bed when you feel more relaxed, tired and ready try again.

Diet, Supplements and Exercise

Try magnesium. When I experienced sleep disruptions from hormonal imbalances many years ago, I read about magnesium as a potential solution. Magnesium and calcium need to be eaten/taken together in balance and many of us are calcium heavy and magnesium deficient, which can disrupt sleep.

I bought magnesium and found it let me sleep continuously through the night. I have since recommended it to many people who have reported great success. At the time, I bought whatever I could find at the store. Now more research has been done and one doctor has achieved amazing results using a specific form of magnesium known as magnesium chloride.

Dr. W. Davis, an author and cardiologist practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reported that “sleep was induced rapidly, was uninterrupted, and that waking tiredness disappeared in 99% of the patients. In addition, anxiety and tension diminished during the day” after supplementation with magnesium chloride.

Identify food sensitivities. As we noted in the previous article, food additives, chemicals, artificial dyes and flavorings can affect sleep patterns. Many people have food sensitivities or allergies they are unaware of. Poor digestion, impaired liver detoxification and food sensitivities can keep you from a good night’s rest by causing gas, gastrointestinal distress, excess congestion, apnea, and other symptoms.

Eliminate food sensitivities. The most common food sensitivities that affect sleep are corn, wheat, dairy, caffeinated products and sugar. If you have never tried an elimination diet, you might consider one. These diets involve removing a questionable food from your diet for a week or two and then introducing it back in and seeing how your body reacts. Another option is to have a food allergy test. While you may not be allergic to a food, many of us are sensitive to it and never know it. If you are sensitive to corn or gluten or dairy, for example, eliminating or reducing these foods will help you sleep better; if you can’t eliminate them, try taking a digestive enzyme before meals.

Eat sleep-inducing foods. Eating a balanced diet with healthy fats, protein and fiber will help keep your digestive system balanced. Chlorophyll-rich foods like leafy greens and microalgaes like chollera and spirulina are not only healthy, they are sleep inducing. Sugars, spices and stimulants will have the opposite effect.

Don’t eat before bed. Avoid eating immediately before bed, especially grains or sugars, as they raise blood sugar, and later when it crashes, you may wake up and find it difficult to return to sleep. Because digestion takes a lot of effort, avoid eating any big heavy meals later in the evening as well. Leave at least a couple hours between your last meal and bedtime.

Avoid caffeine after noontime. Caffeine isn’t metabolized well and even an afternoon cup of coffee, tea or some chocolate can disrupt nighttime sleep patterns if you are sensitive. Alcohol can also disrupt sleep patterns as we mentioned in the prior newsletter; while it helps you relax and fall asleep, it often results in nocturnal awakenings that disrupt deep sleep cycles where healing occurs.

Avoid prescription medications where possible. Many have side effects that can disrupt sleep. Rather than treating the symptom, work with your doctor on changing the diet and lifestyle habits that can help get at the underlying cause.

Get an adrenal function test. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism published a study connecting insomnia to adrenal stress. Your doctor should test your adrenal function if sleep is an unresolved concern. Similarly, hormonal balance can disrupt sleep patterns, so women in perimenopause or around menopause should get a hormone panel done to rule out imbalances as causes of sleep disruptors.

Try melatonin. I mentioned melatonin earlier as controlling sleep schedules. Melatonin, or its precursors L-trytophan or 5-htp, may be helpful as a supplement if other underlying causes are ruled out. (Tryptophan has to be combined with carbohydrates in order to reach the brain but can be consumed through things like turkey or received as a prescription from your doctor. 5-htp seems to be more effective in those who have underlying depression as well as a sleep concern.)

Get some exercise. Exercise has been shown to be one of the most effective means of combating insomnia, so if you struggle to sleep at night, be sure you get out and get active for at least 30 minutes during the day. A Stanford University study showed that after 16 weeks of moderate exercise, participants fell asleep 15 minutes earlier and slept 45 minutes longer than they had before.

I hope there are some easy changes on this list that you can make to help bring about sleep with greater ease. If you suffer from bigger sleep troubles, work with your doctor to discover the cause and the best relief. Whatever you do, don’t ignore your sleep troubles, as sleep deprivation over time will prevent your body from performing its necessary healing functions and will subtract years and quality from your life.

To your health!

Inger Pols
Editor of New England Health Advisory

By Inger Pols

This is part three of a five-part series on the five supplements I think every adult should take. Earlier this week, I sent you parts one and two, which focused on whole-food based multivitamins and ubiquinol. You can read them by clicking here.

Fiber is commonly known for keeping people regular, but did you know that it also helps prevent heart disease and Type 2 diabetes? Fiber is best delivered naturally by eating plant foods, grains and legumes, but most of us don’t eat enough fiber and are deficient in this vital nutrient. It’s not only important to eat enough fiber, but to eat it at the right time as well.

Fiber is a carbohydrate that our body does not digest or absorb. Fat, protein and other types of carbohydrates are broken down and then absorbed, fiber passes through your stomach, small intestine, colon and ultimately out of your body, intact. There are two kinds of fiber necessary for healthy digestion: Soluble, which means it dissolves at least partially in water, and insoluble, which does not dissolve in water.

Insoluble fiber helps with movement through the digestive system. It also increases stool bulk and can assist with regularity. Wheat bran, nuts, vegetables and whole-wheat flour are some sources of insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves into a gel-like material and helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Carrots, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, oats, barley and psyllium are examples of soluble fiber sources.

Fiber helps with regular bowel movements and in maintaining bowel health. Some evidence suggests that a high fiber diet can lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids and diverticular disease (when small pouches develop in your colon).

But fiber does more than just keep us regular, it also helps with weight loss and weight maintenance. It slows the absorption of sugar, which helps control blood sugar levels for those with diabetes and has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Fiber also helps with heart health by lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure.

With all these great benefits, fiber is definitely something we should get more of. But many experts say we are a fiber-deprived nation. According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, men under age 50 need at least 38 grams of fiber a day and women of the same age need at least 25 grams. Men over age 50 need at least 30 grams a day, and women need 21. It’s important to note that recommendations are tied to overall caloric intake, so if your daily calorie intake is higher, you need more fiber. And overall, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, more fiber is better.

The typical American consumes 15 grams of fiber a day or less, so most of us have some catching up to do on our fiber consumption. Fiber levels vary significantly by food source, so it’s important to look at what you’re eating to assess how much more fiber you need to consume. Refined or processed foods have little fiber content because the process of grain refinement strips the outer coat or the bran from the grain. Taking the skin off fruits or vegetables will also yield less fiber.

Studies show that whole-grain cereal fibers such as wheat and oat bran have good amounts of fiber, but there’s less research seen on vegetables because it’s easier to brand an oatmeal product than a banana. We often think of bread or whole wheat as a good fiber source, but one slice of whole-wheat/whole-grain bread has only 1.9 grams of fiber, while whole-wheat spaghetti brings in 6.2 grams per cup.

A medium banana or orange yields about 3 grams of fiber, while a cup of raspberries contains 8 grams. A medium carrot contains 1.7 grams and an ounce of almonds (about 23 nuts) contains 3.5 grams. But the real bounty lies in vegetables and beans. A cup of peas comes in at 8.8 grams, a medium artichoke at 10.3 grams, a cup of black beans has 15 grams, lentils 15.6 grams and a cup of split peas packs 16.3 grams of fiber.

In addition to making sure you’re getting the correct overall level of fiber, it’s important to consume fiber with every meal to balance blood sugar levels and to inhibit weight gain. This occurs in several ways: Fibrous foods take more time to chew and so allow time for the signal to reach your brain indicating you are full and should stop eating. Fiber rich foods also tend to make you feel fuller longer, so you eat less.

Fibrous foods tend to have fewer calories by volume than non-fiber rich foods, so eating the same portion size of a food rich in fiber will likely mean you’re eating fewer calories than in a low fiber food. Any time you eat food with high sugar content in isolation, it’s more likely to be stored directly as fat than if it is eaten in the context of a balanced meal. If you eat on the run a lot and find it hard to eat fresh vegetables or beans with your meal, keep a fiber supplement handy and take it with your meal.

It’s important to keep in mind that some of the fiber sources listed above are also high in sugar content. Bread and pasta—even whole-wheat versions—are higher on the glycemic index, as are many fruits and even a few vegetables, meaning they will raise blood sugar level. While they are certainly better than empty calorie processed foods, it’s better to focus more on beans and vegetables, particularly green vegetables, as fiber sources. If you do eat a lot of bread or fruit, try consuming them in combination with vegetables, beans or a fiber supplement.

In America, we often drink our meals, whether it’s a smoothie, a rich coffee drink or alcohol, all of which are high in sugar content. If you’re having a liquid meal or drinking anything with high sugar content without an accompanying meal rich in fiber, you should take a fiber supplement along with your beverage to mitigate blood sugar spikes and to inhibit that sugar from being stored in your body as fat.

Every time I eat a meal or snack, or drink anything with sugar, I either eat or take in supplement form a small amount of protein, fiber and healthy fat, like omega-3s. I also keep extra fiber handy to supplement anytime I eat something not fiber rich. Ensuring that my body has that healthy combination of protein, fat and fiber helps manage blood sugar, keep hormones balanced, and maintain my weight, even if I indulge.

When possible, try to eat a diet rich in fiber from a variety of sources. We tend to eat the same foods over and over again—our go-to favorites—but variety in type and source of fiber, as with all nutrients, is important. So mix it up, but also supplement as needed with capsules or powder containing both soluble and insoluble fiber to ensure your meals and snacks are balanced.

Fiber pills are handy to take when away from home and easy to swallow along with whatever liquid you are consuming. I prefer fiber in pill form, as I can take my base dose in the morning with my other supplements and have additional pills on hand for any time my meal or snack is imbalanced.

Powder forms are another option, as they are readily available, inexpensive and they work fine when you mix them into a smoothie or a liquid you are already drinking.

One caveat: When increasing fiber consumption, do so gradually over the course of several weeks as overloading your body too rapidly can cause gastrointestinal distress. And to be most effective, fiber needs water, so be sure you adequately hydrate as you increase your fiber intake.

To your health!

Inger Pols
Editor of New England Health Advisory

Welcome Readers!

What is Stress?

Just Breathe

Welcome to your first issue of New England Health Advisory! I’m pleased that you’ve decided to join us on our journey toward a happier, healthier and longer life. Today, I’m going to talk about stress, something that we in New England have had a lot of experience with lately.

Last week, we had a severe storm in New England that knocked out power lines across the region. I lost my power on Thursday evening and the kids and I did homework by candlelight. It was kind of fun sitting together in the dark without the normal daily distractions. We talked about a lot of things, including what it must have been like for kids years ago to eat and do homework by candlelight with no TV, radio, Nintendo DS or Wii.

While some in the area began to get their power back on Friday, we remained without power until late Sunday afternoon. Over the weekend, I had planned to write this newsletter and some other pieces as well. Instead, I dealt with water in my basement and no heat, electricity or water where I needed it! So this week, as we talk about managing stress, I can assure you I have practiced what I will preach in this issue.

It has been estimated that 75%-90% of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related concerns. Stress was called the “Epidemic of the Eighties” by Time Magazine and was referred to as our leading health problem at that time. But many studies confirm that Americans today believe they are under even more stress now than they were a decade or more ago. Stress is pervasive in our busy lives and stress definitely affects our health.

But it doesn’t have to. There are simple techniques I will explore in this newsletter that you can use to release stress in order to find peace in the moment–and to restore balance to your body over time.

So many of my friends tell me they are stressed out: No time, running around in circles, feeling they are always behind, feeling like there is no time for themselves. One friend told me she got a gift certificate to a spa from her partner for Valentine’s Day, a break she sorely needs. But she was certain it would remain unused–at least until summer–because she simply had no time to fit in such an indulgence.

We want to be super moms and amazing dads while still holding down our jobs and fulfilling all of our commitments and obligations. But as the flight attendant on the airplane instructs you, in case of an emergency situation, you should put the oxygen mask on yourself first before assisting any other passengers. And that is equally true in life.

If you are run down and exhausted, stressed and tired, you cannot truly give of yourself until you re-charge and re-fill your own gas tank.

According to Brian Luke Seaward, a leading expert in managing stress, “In Eastern philosophies, stress is considered to be an absence of inner peace. In Western culture, stress can be described as a loss of control. Noted healer Serge Kahili King has defined stress as any change experienced by the individual. This definition may be rather general, but it is quite correct.”

I am not sure which of the definitions I like best.  While they are all accurate, and perhaps in the end, all the same, the way each is expressed evokes different thoughts and responses in me.

What is Stress?

The actual term for stress came from endocrinologist Hans Selye. He found that all animals undergo a similar series of reactions to stimuli. It begins with alarm, during which adrenaline will flow to try to generate what has come to be termed as the “fight or flight response.”

Resistance comes next, as the body tries to find a way to cope with the stressor. At first the body adapts, but then over time, resources are depleted. The final stage is exhaustion, wherein the body is no longer able to maintain normal function. If the final stage is extended, long-term damage can be done to systems and glands, particularly the adrenal gland and the immune system.

Extended periods of stress wreak havoc on our bodies. But so does the repetition of moving through these phases over and over again.

Our ancestors knew no real stress other than the occasional wild animal chase, whether they were the hunter or hunted. We seem to experience it on a daily or weekly basis. The challenges of the daily commute, work deadlines and family responsibilities did not exist in the way they do now. The human body is experiencing something very new in our lifetimes, and we may not have the physiology to support it.

Stress and Wellness

Stress results in inflammation in the body. Inflammation is only just beginning to get the medical recognition it deserves, but many experts already believe that inflammation is the underlying cause of many chronic illnesses.

While many people can be confronted with stress and remain healthy, extensive research shows that stress contributes to disease. Stress has been shown to contribute to cancer, suppression of the immune system, heart disease, flu and viruses, colds, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers and colitis, asthma, tension and migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, obesity and myriad other medical issues.

While we may be able to remove some, we cannot eliminate all of the stressors in our lives. But what we can do is change the way we react to them and how we deal with their effect on our bodies.

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Breathing

It is generally recognized that we do not breathe as we should. We take short shallow gulps from our lungs instead of long deep inhales and exhales emanating from our diaphragms. While some modern Western physicians, among them Dr. Andrew Weill, have written extensively about breathing, many ancient cultures recognized proper breathing as an essential component of a healthy life.

These cultures not only believed in the importance of proper breathing, they have structured rituals and physical exercise programs around the power of the breath. Yoga and tai chi are two effective ways to integrate physical movement with breath, and as a result, to combat stress. Integrating physical exercise with breathing is especially helpful for stress release, since it combines two powerful stress release tools–breathing and exercise–into one activity.

However, simply taking a few moments to take a deep breath, or two or three, can be a quick de-stressor. I was taught a method years ago as a means of bringing heart rates down rapidly after exercise. But I found it has the same beneficial effect when a driver cuts you off or your boss says he needs that report today.

Close your mouth and breathe in through your nose slowly for a full count of four seconds. Hold the air for another full count of four seconds. Then slowly release the air out through your mouth for a full count of eight seconds, trying to ensure that you have enough air to get all the way to eight. It may take some practice! Doing that three times in a row will bring a rapidly racing heart down 10-15 beats per minute, so it’s an immediate coping strategy for a stressful situation.

Meditation

I probably will write an entire newsletter on the health benefits of meditation, but for today, I’ll give a basic overview. Meditation has been shown to improve a very long list of conditions and concerns and bring more peace and joy into your life. But despite the volumes of evidence on its behalf, many people tell me they struggle with it.

I think that’s because they have ideas about what it means or how it should be done that might get in the way. Some tell me they can’t quiet their mind or they fall asleep and that makes them even more stressed because they feel like they are doing it wrong!

But there is no wrong when it comes to meditation.

Meditation is about taking time to just be. Time to focus on your breathing and to quiet your mind.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes when you have a quiet moment, whether it’s in the shower or in the car, that an idea comes through or you suddenly remember something you’d forgotten? That quiet space in between is where we release stress and heal, where we find ourselves again, where we touch base with our inner dreams and yearnings, and get great ideas about everything from what to make for dinner to how to solve a problem that has been perplexing us.

And we usually emerge from that moment inspired, peaceful and happy.  How do you meditate?

How to Meditate

There are so many different practices and there are different forms of meditation depending on what you want to achieve. But when I teach people to meditate, I tell them to forget about all of that and not to worry about what they think or heard it should be.

Start by sitting or lying down and getting really comfortable. If it’s possible, wear loose clothing and take off your shoes. Close your eyes and just focus on your breath going in and out. Hear it, feel your abdomen rise and fall as the air moves through. Try to block out everything else around you except your breath.

If being this still just isn’t working for you, try adding some music to help calm and focus you. I’ll be writing more about this type of music therapy in the future.

If thoughts come into your head, that’s fine. Allow them in; they want to be heard. But don’t follow them or attach to them. I like to use the analogy of each thought being a red balloon. As thoughts come through, assign them a red balloon and then set that balloon free. Thank the balloon if you want to. But let it go and watch it float away.

At first the thoughts may be very mundane, such as I have to pick up milk. Over time, the thoughts will be deeper and more insightful, such as I have to forgive my mother. Or I want to take up painting to express myself.

It doesn’t matter what the thoughts are or how many there are: Just accept what comes, assign it a red balloon, and set it free. The goal over time will be–with practice–to see if you can expand the space in between the thoughts. To slow down the rate at which those thoughts come popping in and leave more stillness in between them.

While many people extol the praises of meditation for an hour or more in the morning and an hour or more at night, that is not realistic for–and would be challenging for–most of us. If you can do that, great! Otherwise, start with what’s manageable. Can you take a minute for yourself? Are you worth that? Remember the oxygen mask!

Could you take 10 minutes before the kids get up or after the alarm goes off before you get in the shower? Could you find time during lunch or in between meetings? While you wait to pick up your kids at soccer practice? Instead of listening to the radio or doing work, take a few quiet moments for yourself and close your eyes and breathe. Even one minute will make a difference, and with practice, as with everything, you get better.

If possible, try to find even just a few moments before you start your day and somewhere near the end.  If you finish your quiet time with a moment of gratitude, finding a way to give thanks for the good things in your life–even if you have to really stretch to find them in that moment–your life will become more peaceful and more joyful over time.

Other Options

There are many other stress management therapies, including humor, art and music therapy, behavior modification, progressive muscular relaxation, exercise, nutrition, visualization, resource management, communication skills, creative problem solving, massage, and journaling.

Until we get a chance to cover them, I encourage you to try breathing and meditation. It takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t come easily at first. If one technique doesn’t work for you after several tries, try another one. Your physical body deserves a few moments of peaceful rest and your soul is craving a quiet moment to reconnect with you. They will both thank you.

To your health!

Inger Pols
Editor of New England Health Advisory

P.S. Please send us your feedback by commenting on this issue. We’d love to hear what you think of New England Health Advisory so far and how we can improve it to better serve your needs.

Dear Reader,                                                                     March 2, 2010

Nearly 40 years ago, in October 1970, my father published the first issue of Cabot Market Letter, driven by a sincere desire to help people become better investors. I joined the company full-time in 1986, and took the reins when my father retired in 2004.

Over the decades, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of investors, while becoming a trusted authority on investing.

But while investing was (and is) my father’s major passion, my interests are broader, and if you’ve been reading Cabot Wealth Advisory a while, you know that. Over the years, I’ve used the freedom of my position to learn about–and write about–topics as diverse as The Pig War, Columbus Day, Bison and rowing across the Atlantic.

But in all my writings nothing has stirred my readers like my writings on the health of Americans.

Last November, I pointed out that the debate over a national health care bill was all about money, and not about health, writing, “What we really need, as I’ve said before, is a focus on health … on staying healthy through diet, exercise and education. And quite possibly a big tax on junk food. But no one with big money is lobbying for those changes.”

In response, a reader wrote, “I think the fundamental issue is that we as a nation have lost the habit of eating a ‘whole foods diet’ that is plentiful in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Then to add insult to injury, we drive around in our metal boxes every day and only a small fraction of us take the time to stop at the gym for some exercise. It is no wonder that most patients when they first meet with me simply want an ‘herb or supplement’ to help them with whatever is ailing them … a quick fix to go along with their fast-paced lives. Like the fast-food industry, the health-food industry is FULL of fancy theories and expensive products to be sold on the basis of such theories. There is BIG MONEY in this industry and it is leaving our nation overdrawn in our bank accounts and costing us our health.”

Last June, when I wrote about the insanity of our health care system, one reader commented “ … and look at Lipitor. 20mg costs exactly the same as 40mg. 10mg costs about $5 less and 80mg about $5 more than the 20mg or 40mg, which runs about $120/month. So the annual cost for 20mg is $1,440. Or I could buy 80mg for $125/month and split it into fours. Now my cost is $375/year. Or I could diet and exercise and maybe not need it at all.”

And when I wrote about health care last March, a reader wrote, “This is the FIRST VOICE OF REASON I’ve heard on how to fix our health care system, beginning with what you’ve said about nutrition and preventative health care and through to the last about the health care insurance companies. Now please get Obama’s ear with these ideas.”

What I learned from these letters–and hundreds like them–is that you care. You care about fixing our country’s health care system. You care about the misplaced incentives that direct more money to treating sickness than maintaining health. Most of all you care about maintaining and improving your own health.

You want to know the truth about cholesterol medications like Lipitor. Does it really increase the risk of diabetes?

You want to know if a daily dose of fish oil is beneficial for everyone, or if a regular healthy diet is enough.

You want to know if the cardiac benefits of running outweigh the risks of knee and hip damage.

And you want to know if going to the hospital to get a flu shot is worth the trouble … or if it’s better to stay away from the sick people who will be there.

In short, you want honest guidance on how to live the longest, most productive life possible.

Well, that’s what I want, too, and I’ve decided to do something about it.

I’m starting a new enterprise called New England Health Advisory. Its mission is to provide you with the information and advice that’s most beneficial to your health and wellness. And I’d like you to join me as a Charter Reader.

It’s free, just like this Cabot Wealth Advisory.

It arrives in your email inbox, just like Cabot Wealth Advisory.

But it won’t come as frequently, at least to start. You can expect to hear from us once or twice per week.

Furthermore, unlike Cabot Wealth Advisory, it’s not written by me. You see, I don’t feel qualified to be your health and wellness guru. Sure, I can write an occasional article, but I’ve always been more comfortable with hard science like computers and communications and energy, and a little mystified by what I call “squishy” science.

Plus, I already have a job that keeps me pretty busy.

So I looked long and hard and I found just the right person to lead this new venture.

Her name is Inger Pols (that’s an amalgam of Swedish and Dutch). She has an MBA from Columbia University. She’s a mother of two. And she’s devoted her life in recent years to untangling the conflicting claims about health and nutrition, so that she can make all of America healthier, while raising her family in the healthiest way possible.

(Also, she has a good hearty laugh, and that’s a big plus in my book.)

Inger’s main job in New England Health Advisory is to discover and communicate the truth about health and wellness in an interesting way.

When news comes out about a new medical study–the recent ill-received advice on mammograms is a perfect example–she’ll give you the straight truth.

When a pharmaceutical company comes out with a new drug, she’ll tell you if it’s worth looking at … or if the company is just trying to make money.

She’ll tell you the truth about broccoli; is raw really more healthful than cooked?

And if you send her a question by email, she’ll answer … just like we do at Cabot.

It costs nothing to join the group, and there’s no obligation. In fact, after you join, if you change your mind, you can ask to be taken off the list at any time.

But I think you’ll stay, once you start reading Inger’s weekly emails and start implementing her advice.

Because at bottom, her advice will be well informed and sensible. You’ll find no fad diets, no junk science, and no scare tactics. Just useful information and advice.

And to get you started, Inger is giving away a free new Special Report called “The Truth About Sugar: It’s Not all Equal,” which you’ll receive in the first issue of New England Health Advisory.

We are consuming more sugar than ever before; the average Westerner consumes 142 pounds of sugar a year. Most of us know there is too much sugar in our diets, but what you may not know is that not all sugars are the same. Just as cholesterol comes in a good form and a bad form, sugar comes in different forms as well. One of these forms is the basis of energy for all our cells, the other can be metabolized in our body like a poison. Learn the truth about sugar in this free Special Report.

If you’re wondering, “What’s the catch?” I completely understand. So let me be absolutely clear. New England Health Advisory is a no-cost service. What’s more, I can assure you that your confidentiality will be completely respected. Your email address will never be passed on to anyone else.

Bottom line: If you care about your own health and wellness, you owe it to yourself to try New England Health Advisory.

To get started, click this sign up link.

Yours in tireless pursuit of wisdom,

Timothy Lutts

Publisher of Cabot Advisories

P.S. Sign up for New England Health Advisory now and receive your free Special Report, “The Truth About Sugar: It’s Not all Equal,” in the very first issue. Simply click to sign up.

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