Dr. Woliner's weekly health tip

[Guest guest]

Docs:

Here is Dr. Woliner's weekly health tip.

Lyndon McGill, D.C.

EvolvHealth Wellness Advisory Council Member

Salem, Oregon

www.SalemSpineClinic.com

www.EvolvingDaily.com

Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Other Summer Health Traps

Back in 1931, the playwright Noel Coward wrote “Mad dogs and

Englishmen go out in the noonday sun.” It’s a reference to a bad

habit of British colonials.

In India – where summer heat really can fry an egg on the

sidewalk – the natives avoided the heat of the day. But not the

Brits, who kept to their schedules regardless of weather.

So the saying was that “only mad dogs and Englishmen” braved the

heat of the day.

But the British developed one smart summer habit. In India, they

regularly drank hot tea in the heat of the day. They thought the

hot tea would help them acclimate to the heat of the Indian

summer.

It didn’t. But it was a good idea. The hot tea kept

them hydrated… without causing stomach cramps.

You see, when your body is very hot, icy cold drinks may feel

good going down. But the radical temperature difference can cause

your stomach to cramp up.

You’re much better off drinking cool or room temperature liquids

in the hot weather. They’ll curb your thirst just as effectively

as an ice cold drink, but without the stomach pain.

And as tempting as they are, cold beer and soda are about the

worst choices you can make for summer drinks. That’s because

alcohol and sugary drinks can actually cause your body to lose more

fluid. So you’ll end up worse off than you were before you had

that cold drink.

Of course, you’re losing fluid because you’re sweating. And

getting sweaty leads us to do something else in the summer heat.

We wash more often.

Now, I’m all for staying clean and comfortable. But our washing

habits have taken a turn for the dangerous.

The problem is antibacterial soaps, gels and wipes. And new study

from s Hopkins links them to a new health threat.

The researchers looked at 860 children and found that the use of

antibacterial products was linked to a greater sensitivity to

pollens and foods.1

Since there’s no evidence antibacterial soaps and gels are any

more effective than good old-fashioned soap and water, they’re an

unhealthy waste of money.

I’m sure everyone around you will appreciate the fact you’ve

taken an extra shower on a hot, sweaty day. But stay away from the

antibacterial cleaners.

Antibacterials aren’t the only products we use more in the

summer. Chances are you break out the bug spray, too.

And the chances are good that bug spray contains a chemical

called “DEET.”

The government says DEET is perfectly safe. But the EPA also has

a dozen caveats for its use. Such as “Do not apply over cuts,

wounds, or irritated skin,” and “Use just enough repellent to

cover exposed skin and/or clothing.”

Can you picture yourself carefully measuring out a precise amount

of bug repellant while you’re being swarmed by mosquitoes?

The government’s advice is also based on studies done in the

1990’s. And only considered “acute” – short-term – exposure. New

research paints a darker safety picture for DEET.

A 2009 study discovered that DEET is a neurotoxin – a poison that

attacks the nervous system.2 And no one’s sure what the long-term

effects may be.

The oil from the lemon eucalyptus tree is an effective insect

repellent. Studies have found it can remain effective up to 7

hours. But it’s not safe for children under 3 years old.

For younger children, try a soy-based repellant. Studies have

found soy-based products are as effective as DEET… without the

risks.

Yours in continued good health,

Dr Woliner, M.D.

1 Savage, J.H., et al, “Urinary levels of triclosan and parabens

are associated with aeroallergen and food sensitization,” Journal

of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. June 14, 2012. Published

online before print.

2 Corbel, V., et al, “Evidence for inhibition of cholinesterases

in insect and mammalian nervous systems by the insect repellent

deet,” BMC Biology 2009; 7: 47.