How healthy will I be if I eat an apple a day?
One of the most popular quotations of the 19thcentury was “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Before the 20th century, there was no food pyramid orsomeone to announce the importance of five servingsof fruits and vegetables every day. People simplyrecognized the healthy attributes of the apple.
Easy on the digestion, apples contain malic andtartaric acids that inhibit fermentation in the intestines.Their high fiber content adds bulk that aids the digestiveprocess, making elimination natural and comfortable.
Apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that encouragesthe growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.Apples also contain flavonoids, antioxidants thatimprove immune function and prevent heart diseaseand some cancers.
What is ear wax and what is its purpose?
Ear wax is a sticky liquid secreted by cerumenglands. It isn’t really wax in the “candle wax” sense(paraffin). Cerumen glands are found only in the skinof the ear canals.
Ear wax, sticky stuff that it is, traps anything foreignthat flies, crawls or is blown into the ear canals. Dirt,tiny bits of plant material, small insects, bacteria andso forth are immobilized by wax. Think of wax as thesticky stuff on a No Pest Strip. The primary purpose ofear wax is to protect your ear canal and ear drum fromsuch foreign materials.
Is knowing your cholesterol level important forsomeone between the ages of 18 and 24? And whatdo they test for?
Getting a cholesterol test is an important step infighting heart disease and may even save your life.
Everyone over 20 years of age, regardless ofprevious high cholesterol history, should have ablood cholesterol test at least every five years.
If youhave been diagnosed with high cholesterol and arecontrolling it with diet, you should be tested everyyear. Individuals taking prescription medications tocontrol cholesterol levels, like statin drugs, may needto get their cholesterol tested at least twice a year tocheck cholesterol levels and check liver function.
Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is manufacturedby your liver. You need cholesterol in order to helpyou produce certain types of hormones. However, toomuch cholesterol circulating through the blood canlead to heart disease.
Licia Johnson is a health educator at De Anza. Ifyou would like your health question answered in Licia’sHealth Corner, e-mail features@lavozdeanza.com. La Voz cannot guarantee that every questionwill be answered or printed. Licia can be reachedconfidentially at 408-864-8732.