According to some nutrition research, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt have a protective effect on your immune system. One study found that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt reduced susceptibility to colds by 25%.

Researchers think the beneficial bacteria may kick the immune system into high gear to fight off viruses.

(Care 2 Healthy Living Newsletter, Nov 20,2011)

CUCUMIN AND BLACK PEPPER FOR MEMORY

Curcumin is know for its anticancer properties but this compound (found in the spice turmeric) is also making waves in Alzheimer' s patients. Alzheimer's patients who took 1 g. of curcumin with food reduced the buildup of plaque in their brains. However, curcumin tends to be poorly absorbed so you will need to mix it with black pepper to increase its absorption up to 2000%

RELEASE TENSION IN YOUR NECK AND UPPER JAW

Start sitting or standing with your spine straight and neck tall. Lean the back of your head against your hand ( you can also lean it on a chair cushion or, if you are lying down, a mattress). Press your head back. Hold for a few seconds. Release. Repeat 3 or 4 times. Then do the same thing pressing your head to both sides and forward.

HOW TO READ IN BED WITHOUT STRAIN

Supporting the weight of a book while you are lying down can put excess stress on your joints of your hands and arms.
Position a couple of pillows behind you to support your back, shoulders and neck. Place two standard pillows underneath your knees to prop up your legs. Then rest your book on your thighs to support its weight. Avoid looking down when you are reading as it can strain your upper body by altering the natural curve of your neck.

AN APPLE A DAY

An apple a day really does keep the doctor away. In fact, it keeps the dentist away too!
Apples , high in Vitamin C and antioxidants have been linked to preventing brain disease recently. Apples are also great for your teeth. By munching on a single apple, 80% of cavity causing bacteria in your mouth is destroyed.

HOW TO TREAT A BEE STING

1. Scrape the stinger out as quickly as possible - do not pull or squeeze the stinger out as this may release more venom
2.Clean with Soap and water

To reduce pain and swelling
-ICE - lessens swelling by constricting vessels and reducing flow of venom in the blood- and the numbing effect soothes pain and itching
BAKING SODA - make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to sting site - the alkaline nature of the baking soda helps to neutralize the acidity of the venom
VINEGAR- when stung by a wasp, vinegar is the soother of choice. Remember baking soda for bees ( both at the beginning of the alphabet) and vinegar for wasps ( both starting letters at the end of the alphabet).
TOOTHPASTE - This is a great remedy which works on the same alkaline/acidity as baking soda. The presence of small amounts of glycerin in the toothpaste may also soothe.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
-if swelling in other parts of body especially face or neck
-if person has been stung in the nose ,mouth or throat which might interfere with breathing.

LEAN BACK RATHER THAN FORWARD

Sitting up straight may be the cause of those nagging aches and pains in your back. Lean Back and relax. Doctors in Scotland used MRI to scan people while they were seated in different postions. Sitting hunched over or really straight ( with thighs at a 90 degree angle to the body) compressed the disks, placing strain on muscles of the lower back.

But when people sat with a cushion with their hips slightly higher than their knees - the trunk and thighs were at a 135 degree angle- the spine remained close to its natural alignment, easing pressure on the disks and keeping muscles relaxed.

Try raising your chair high enough to put your hips above your knees, or sit on a cushion and recline slightly .

Sit with a slight backward tilt to alleviate pain.

BE A STEADY SIPPER

The secret to all day energy is fluid, fluid, fluid....All of our metabolic reactions happen in water so it is important to stay hydrated to keep energy levels at their peak.

Studies show that even being a little dehydrated can hamper your brain's ability to function.

Apparently it is not enough to chug a glass or two a few times a day. Instead, sip fluids in small amounts all day long, so they are easier for your body to absorb and you don't end up just peeing them out.

(Chatelaine, Sept 2010)