THE AMERICAN Heart
Association warns that
heart attacks and strokes are
life-or-death emergencies,
and that every second
counts. If you see someone
with or personally have any
of the symptoms listed
below, immediately call 9-1-1
or your local emergency
response number.
American
Heart Month
February
MANAGING YOUR HEALTH
Foods to protect your immune system
HEART ATTACK
WARNING SIGNS
Symptoms can vary and
are not always experienced
to the same degree. Common
signs include:
• Chest discomfort that
lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and
comes back. It can feel like
uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, fullness or pain
with pressure or spasm radiating to the jaw.
• Pain or discomfort in
other areas of the upper
body: one or both arms, the
back, neck or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold
sweat, nausea or vomiting
By Carl Germano
AT THE MOST
basic level, the
function of the
immune sys-
tem is to pro-
tect us from
the harmful
effects of noxious agents, includ-
ing bacteria, viruses, environ-
mental contaminants and a
whole host of toxic products, as
well as from exposure to various
daily stressors, from disease to
strenuous exercise. So, how do
we protect the immune system?
Here are a few ways.
Whey protein. Whey is
the only protein that contains
powerful substances called
immunoglobulins, or immune
peptides, that play a vital role in
keeping your immune system
ready for action.
Cultured yogurt. Look for
yogurt that contains important
active cultures (aka probiotics)
that line the entire intestinal
tract. Since your intestinal tract is
the largest immune organ in the
body, probiotics play a vital role
in immune response, act as natural antibiotics and help fend off
the bad bugs that keep you sick.
Mushrooms. A good deal
of research has brought new life
to mushrooms, once thought to
be nutrient void. Naturally
occurring antiviral constituents
called polysaccharides are
found in most varieties and
have the ability to support
healthy immune response.
Elderberry. Cooked to make
jam or syrup, or mixed with cran-berries for a special sauce, elder-berries have been shown to
prevent replication of the flu
virus and a few studies have
shown they may help you
recover more quickly from flu.
Garlic. Use garlic judiciously
in your meals as it contains sev-
eral potent constituents, such as
allicin, that have proven anti-
microbial effects. Using garlic to
ward off some of the nasty bugs
you are exposed to can help
prevent flu’s onset and keep
your resistance strong.
Costco member Carl Germano
is a nutritionist, member of
the New York State Board of
Dietetics and Nutrition and
chief science officer of Surgex
(
www.surgexsports.com).
Ditch gluten to
Women may report differ-
ent or additional signs:
• Heartburn or abdomi-
nal pain
• Clammy skin
• Lightheadedness or
dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
STROKE WARNING SIGNS
If one or more of these
signs is present, don’t delay:
• Sudden numbness or
weakness of the face, arm
or leg, especially on one side
of the body
• Sudden confusion, or
trouble speaking or under-
standing
• Sudden trouble seeing
from one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walk-
ing, dizziness, loss of balance
or coordination
• Sudden severe head-
ache with no known cause
For more information,
visit
www.heart.org, or see
www.goredforwomen.org.
drop fat? According to Denver exercise physiologist
Allison Westfahl, author of
The Gluten Free Fat Loss
Plan (
www.allisonwestfahl.
com), anyone can benefit
from going gluten free.
“Almost every
American has at least one
health concern that can be
linked to gluten, and [one
of] the biggest concerns is being
fat,” the trim, petite, yet muscular
Westfahl says. “The link between
eating gluten and being over weight
is compelling. I don’t want to come
across as a zealot. I just urge those
who want to lose weight to try this.”
Westfahl, a Costco member
who holds a master’s degree in
exercise science and works as a per-
sonal trainer and endurance sports
coach, became interested in gluten
seven years ago when her aunt died
of complications of celiac disease.
Westfahl had also been struggling
with various health issues, and she
committed to cutting out gluten for
IT SEEMS AS IF suddenly we’re
preparing special meals for
gluten-intolerant dinner guests
and seeing gluten-free options on
menus. More than 80 food manufacturers in the U.S. offer gluten-free products. Increasingly, we
hear about celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that causes damage of the lining of the small
intestine due to gluten intolerance.
Gluten comprises two binding proteins found in wheat,
barley, rye and possibly oats. It
can be found in such unlikely
sources as chocolate syrup,
ground spices and hot dogs.
Symptoms of true gluten intolerance and/or celiac disease include
abdominal pain, constipation,
chronic fatigue, endometriosis,
depression, mood swings and
frequent infections. (See “A pain
in the gut,” June 2011 Costco
Connection, on Costco.com.)
MEDIA BAKERY
six months. She immediately saw
dramatic results. She lost 20
pounds, was more energetic and
stopped napping, and her frequent
colds and flu symptoms and endometriosis virtually disappeared.
After researching the subject, she
started touting gluten-free eating
to her training clients, and they
also lost weight and body fat.
She cautions that going gluten
free is not the only aspect of getting healthy. It is vital to stay fit
and to have a balanced diet as
well. “Don’t think that just because
[a diet] is gluten free that it is
healthy,” she says. —Irene Thomas
