FROM THE EDITOR'S KEYBOARD

In our last issue, we devoted considerable space to the benefits of proper nutrition in the context of heart disease. However, most of us don't want to change the way we eat--or the way we do anything, for that matter! We are content with our lifestyles--we enjoy the things we enjoy and don't want to change.

This characteristic of human nature is what allows the pharmaceutical industry, the vitamin distributors and the herb promoters to thrive. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that a vitamin or herb--or even a drug--may not be the best thing we know to address a given situation. What I am saying, is that often lifestyle changes can accomplish more than any pill we can pop--regardless of how "natural" or "unnatural" the pill.

In this issue, we'll first focus on material that reminds us that "all drugs have side effects." (Many vitamins and herbs when used for therapeutic purposes share this characteristic.) Then we'll go on to look at some issues relating to breaking free from one of the world's most popular legal drugs--nicotine.

Readers of WEJ will not uncommonly see material here about the dangers of smoking or the challenges that individuals face in stopping smoking. Our goal is not to harass the confirmed smoker who has no thoughts of quitting. Instead, we are seeking to help the literally millions of smokers who research tells us are "in the valley of decision." Any information that we can share to help individuals decide that now is the time to "call it quits," can make a dent in the leading preventable cause of death in our nation.

I know first had the mental battle over nicotine is intense for many. Our most popular program at Living Springs continues to be our one week intensive live-in stop smoking program. Last night I was speaking with a young lady attending our program. She said that she had been waiting for two years for a "convenient time to stop smoking." After those two years she finally realized a convenient time would never come. So she took that big step, came to our program, and is now smoke free.

If what we share in this or future issues, can help just a few more take that same step a year or two sooner, lives may be saved. Smokers have a dramatically increased risk of sudden death, a risk that decreases rapidly after stopping smoking.

With the desire to help all our readers follow a lifestyle that not only prevents disease, but gives you optimal vitality, mental clarity and well being--we present this edition of the WellnessWise Electronic Journal.

--DJD

SECTION II:

Medications--beware of side effects. I'm Dr. David DeRose. In a moment we'll look at "Side Effects of Common Drugs" on WellnessWise.

Many are asking: "How can I increase my brain power and boost my productivity?" The answer may lie no farther away than your medicine cabinet.

Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs have the potential to affect our mental health and our physical performance. Of specific concern from a productivity

standpoint they can:

	1	decrease mood
	2	decrease performance
	3	increase the risk of injury
	4	cause side effects that lead to absenteeism
	5	lead to insomnia or nightmares
	6	cause major psychiatric syndromes such as mania, 
			hallucinations, and  paranoia

Several years ago The Medical Letter, reviewed some 100 references and implicated a number of commonly prescribed drug classes in impairing optimal mental function in some individuals. These include the following drug classes:

	1	Asthma medications [-- Beta-agonists]
	2	Blood pressure medications [-- Beta Blockers, 
			Calcium channel Blockers, Centrally acting
			 agents (Reserpine, Methyldopa, etc.)]
 	3	Tranquilizers and sleeping pills [--benzodiazepines]
	4	Antidepressants [(Note:  tricyclic antidepressants 
			are also used for headaches, insomnia, etc.)]
	5	Anti ulcer pills [-- H2-Blockers]
	6	Anti-inflammatory drugs [-- NSAIDS]
	7	Pain relievers, narcotics
	8	Cold and allergy medications [-- antihistamines
			 (also used for insomnia, etc.), 
			decongestants (especially in children)]

If you think your performance is suffering from one of these drugs, don't abruptly stop the medication. Talk to your pharmacist and the physician who prescribed them. See if there aren't some non drug options that could give you the same benefits.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose

Reference: The Medical Letter, December 29, 1989 (31: 113-118) [Note: this "script" has been supplemented with additional material that was not presented in the original radio broadcast]

WEIGHT GAIN WITH SMOKING CESSATION--PART I

Weight gain--it's one of the greatest fears about stopping smoking. I'm Dr. David DeRose. In a moment we'll look at stopping smoking without gaining weight on WellnessWise.

There are a number of studies that have observed the tendency for a smoker to gain weight when he or she quits. Current estimates are that nearly 80% smokers gain weight when they stop smoking. The weight gain however is moderate in the range of 4-6 pounds. Furthermore most smokers lose some of the excess weight they put on during the early phase of quitting. Only 40% of smokers gain and retain more than 2 kg (or about 4 and a half pounds).

Sure, we all know those horror stories about individuals who put on a huge amount of weight. Such cases are not rare--but they are uncommon.

Although we hear a lot about the health consequences of obesity, there is no question that a person who stops smoking dramatically decreases her risk of heart disease and cancer. The relatively small amount of weight that the average person gains does not cancel these important health effects.

But lets face it--most people don't even want to gain one more pound let alone 4 or more.

Well, the good news is: you don't have to gain weight when you stop smoking. The key factors that will help you be successful are:

(1) Not substituting eating for smoking; (2) exercising regularly; and (3) eating more fruits, grains, and vegetables.

In our next program we'll look more at weight control following smoking cessation.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

References: Kenneth A. Perkins, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1993; 61(5):768-777 Daughton DM et al. Confronting cigarette addiction: A guide to efficient clinical intervention. IM; pages 68-79, September 1994.

WEIGHT GAIN WITH SMOKING CESSATION--PART II

Avoid weight gain when you stop smoking. I'm Dr. David DeRose. We'll have that information in a moment on WellnessWise.

About a year ago a gentleman came to our one week residential smoking cessation program at Living Springs.

He was obviously motivated to stop smoking. But he was very vocal in expressing his disinterest for behavioral strategies to help prevent weight gain and other causes of relapse.

I next heard from him some 5 months later. Yes, he had remained a successful

nonsmoker. However, he was now more interested in behavioral strategies. Why? He had gained some 50 pounds. The reason? He had substituted eating candy bars for smoking cigarettes.

His case is unusual. The average smoker only gains 4 to 6 pounds as a result of quitting--and as many as 20% do not gain any weight. Besides avoiding the tendency to eat as a substitute for smoking--what else can make the difference?

1. Get on a regular exercise program. First check with your doctor for which type of exercise is best for you. Exercise helps to control stress and cravings--and it speeds up your metabolism--an important point since metabolism slows when you quit smoking.

2. Eat more fruits, grains and vegetables--and less meats, fats, and sugars. Plant foods "fill you up" with less calories.

These lifestyle changes can prevent the tendency to weight gain when you kick the habit.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

SECTION III

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

We really appreciate Phylis Austin, an Emory University research librarian and author. Phylis continues to allow us to reprint portions of back issues of her bimonthly periodical called "Science/Health Abstracts."

Phylis Austin is an Emory University medical research librarian and author who allows us to reprint portions of back issues of her bimonthly periodical called "Science/Health Abstracts." I include selections from her work in the same spirit in which I post my radio scripts: the spirit of stimulating inquiry--not necessarily of establishing fact. I try to select from "Science/Health Abstracts" material that is not getting much current coverage (even though the articles in some cases may have first been published some time ago). If you are interested in purchasing a subscription to current issues of her publication, feel free to e-mail me at the address below. --DJD

Many young children who suffer from nervousness, fatigue, and poor school performance are hauled into doctors offices to determine the cause. A recent report suggests that the first thing the physician should evaluate is whether or not the child eats breakfast. Dr. Lynn McIntyre, assistant professor of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University of Halifax, points out that children are far less able to tolerate long periods without food because of their higher metabolic rates. Several studies have shown that children who do not eat breakfast perform less well on tests than those who eat breakfasts. Physical abilities are also impacted by the lack of nutrition, and the child is often tired, apathetic, and irritable. Other recent studies suggest that people who skip breakfast may suffer long-term adverse effects on their glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels. (Canadian Medical Association Journal 143(3)210-213, 1990)

SECTION IV PARTING WORDS

THANKING OUR SPONSORS

Our primary sponsor continues to be Living Springs Lifestyle Center (phone: 1-800- SAY-WELL). Located less than one hour from Manhattan, Living Springs offers residential preventive medicine programs such as weight control, smoking cessation, cholesterol and blood pressure reduction, etc. The facility includes spa services, vegan diet, health lectures, exercise sessions, cooking classes, and more.

We continue to distribute The WellnessWise Electronic Journal free of charge via Internet E-mail to all subscribers. Please address subscription requests and any other correspondence to my preferred address: docderose@aol.com. (Alternate address is 74532.622@compuserve.com.)