The Telangana Science Journal, January 2006, Issue 98

Contents

Diet and Exercise	Miscellaneous	Recipes	Financial Health
Yoga and Stress Red Meat Causes Cancer Green Tea Reduces Cancer Risk Coffee and Diabetes Total Calories Oranges and Grapefruits Diary Products Cause Ovarian Cancer Soy with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Grape juice Potatoes Broccoli Sprouts Organic Foods McDonald's Fries Contains Allergins Canola and Olive oils are better Heart Healthy Foods Calcium and Exercise for Kids Exercise	Mother’s Smoking Parental Fighting Impact on Kids Helmets Help Skiers!	BalckBeansRice Stewed Berries	Credit Cards Retirement Plan, You Must Long Term Care NASD Investor Education Foundation

Diet and Exercise

Yoga and Stress
When it comes to dealing with stress, a number of Americans turn to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating and smoking for relief and don't exercise, according to a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA). But those choices, as you would expect, lead to increased health problems that ultimately make stress worse. Regular exercise enhances emotional well being. Medical studies have shown that people who engage in a steady program of physical activity report a more cheerful mood, higher self-esteem, improved sleep and less stress. People who remain active and physically fit are less likely to develop clinical depression. So it's no surprise that exercise can be useful in the treatment of depression.
Indian authorities say yoga sessions are helping ordinary soldiers and officers, who daily face extreme danger operating in difficult terrain and in freezing temperatures, reduce mental and physical stress. "Any battalion which is inducted in the Kashmir valley for CIOPs (counter-insurgency operations) first has to undergo yoga classes at corps battle school," Lieutenant Colonel V.K. Batra, an army spokesman told media in February. Amid Kashmir's mountains and passes infested by Islamic terrorists, stress can kill. Long hours on duty, living away from home under constant threat to their lives are causing heavy stress. The security forces are trained by yoga teachers from the Mumbai-based Art of Living Institute, run by one of India's leading spiritual gurus, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, which also works with prison inmates and young people in Kashmir. The Art of Living Institute is a world wide organization having centers in more than 150 countries including America.

Red Meat Causes Cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in developed countries. Scientists found a reason why eating red meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer. By studying cells from volunteers eating different diets, they discovered that red meat raises levels of compounds in the large bowel, which can alter DNA and increase the likelihood of cancer. They found that red meat consumption was linked to increased levels of substances called N-nitrosocompounds, which are formed in the large bowel. The compounds may stick to DNA, making it more likely to undergo mutations that increase the odds of cancer. The DNA damage may be repaired naturally in the body, and fiber in the diet may help the process.
More than 940,000 cases are diagnosed each year and about 492,000 people die from the illness, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in Lyon, France. A diet rich in fat, animal protein and refined carbohydrates and lack of exercise are risk factors for the illness. Most cases are in people over 60 years old and about 5 percent of them are inherited. Health experts estimate that about 70 percent of colorectal cancers could be prevented by changes in diet and nutrition. Diarrhoea, constipation and rectal bleeding can be symptoms.

Black Tea May Cause Cancer, but Green Tea Reduces Cancer Risk
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for European women. Over one million new cases are diagnosed every year worldwide, with the highest rates in the Netherlands and the US. China has the lowest rates. The anti-cancer effects of tea have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent. The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin. Epidemiological and laboratory studies have linked green tea to reduced risks of breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer. As a result, green tea sales have been steadily increasing in Europe and the US. The meta-analysis, published on-lined in the journal Carcinogenesis (doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgi276), draws on three cohort and one population-based study for green tea, while five cohort and eight case-control studies were analyzed for a link between black tea and breast cancer. The global tea market is worth about €790 (£540, $941) million. Green tea accounts for about 20 per cent of total global production, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) accounts for about 78 per cent.

Coffee and Diabetes
Coffee consumption, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a research team reports in the medical journal Diabetes Care in February. The reduction in risk was 13 percent with one cup of coffee per day, and as much as 47 percent with four or more cups. The reduced risk of type 2 diabetes was limited to filtered coffee and instant coffee, the report indicates, whereas consumption of espresso or percolator coffee did not significantly reduce the risk.

Total Calories
According to a study published in the February 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, just by cutting fat or switching to low fat foods while loading up on sugars or refined carbohydrates, the incidence/risk of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, heart disease or stroke can not be reduced. In this study, low-fat group took 24% of calories from fat, while high-fat group took 29% of calories from fat. The difference between low fat and high groups in terms of fat intake is insignificant. Accordingly, there was no significant difference in the cancer risk between the two groups. The study also didn't distinguish between good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids and vegetable oils and bad fats such as animal fats.

Oranges and Grapefruits
DNA repair prevents cancer since it prevents the proliferation of mutations in the cells. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. As men get older, their cells become more susceptible to oxidative stress, which in turns leads to increased DNA damage. Grapefruit and oranges contain flavonoids, which have received much attention because of their ability to scavenge free radicals. American and Chinese researchers have now reported that one specific flavonoid, naringenin, has anti-cancer effects beyond that of an antioxidant. The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 17, pp. 89-95, looked at the effect of naringenin on DNA repair in human prostate cancer cell cultures. In another study, Israeli scientists showed that eating a red grapefruit daily could lower blood cholesterol by 15 per cent, in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published on-line.

Diary Products Cause Ovarian Cancer
There is an association between ovarian cancer and the consumption of milk products, Swedish researcher report in the International Journal of Cancer. Animal studies and ecological studies have suggested a positive relationship between dairy foods and ovarian cancer.

Soy with Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain and the eye. Just like calcium is essential for building strong bones, DHA is vital for optimal brain and eye function. Yet, despite its importance, natural food sources of DHA are limited primarily to fatty fish (that may cause metal poisoning), making it difficult for many people to get enough DHA in their diets. Martek Biosciences announced its Martek DHA(TM) is featured in the new Odwalla Soymilk, the first soymilk in the U.S. to contain DHA. Numerous scientific studies have shown DHA to be vital for brain and eye development in infants and for ongoing brain and eye function in adults. With 32 mg of vegetarian source DHA per 8 fl. oz. serving, which is 20% of the 160 mg Daily Value for DHA, Odwalla Soymilk is considered an excellent source of DHA.

Grape juice
According to a new study, published in the journal Nutrition (Vol. 22, pp. 295-302), Concord grape juice is a rich source of polyphenols, potent antioxidants that ‘mop up' harmful reactive oxygen species that have been identified as key to the aging process. Previous research has linked polyphenols, such as catechins, epicatechins, and anthocyanins to protecting against various cancers and heart disease. The Concord grape juice has been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Potatoes
A new potato has been developed after nine years of research and breeding. Producers say the potato, known as the Vivaldi, also has more than a third less carbohydrate than usual. Allied Laboratory Services tests suggest that on average it has 26% less carbohydrate and 33% fewer calories, a perfect solution for those of us who like to eat more but gain less.

Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts have previously been shown to reduce blood pressure in rats with hypertension due to the presence of a compound called glucoraphanin (Grn+). Sprouts are the richest source of Grn+, containing up to 50 times more than mature broccoli. Eating 200 grams of broccoli sprouts every other day during pregnancy could protect the next generation from heart disease, suggest results of an animal study published on-line in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The feeding of females with broccoli sprouts during pregnancy was not merely a temporary effect but had profound physiological changes in the offspring. In December British researchers announced the development of Super Broccoli, which contains three times the levels of sulforaphane than normal mature broccoli, but still less than that found in the three-day old sprouts.

Organic Foods
Kids should be eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, regardless of whether they are organically grown, because the benefits greatly outweigh the risk. Foods that are especially vulnerable to pesticide residue include strawberries, nectarines, peaches, apples, pears and cherries. Foods, such as bananas and oranges, aren't as vulnerable. If you are looking to banish pesticides from your child's diet, new research suggests that organic food will do the trick for two common pesticides. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in St. Louis.

McDonald's Fries contain not only beef, but allergens also
Not long after disclosing that its French fries contain beef tallow and more trans fat than thought, McDonald's Corp. said that wheat and dairy ingredients are used to flavor the popular menu item, an acknowledgment it had not previously made. McDonald's had said until recently that its fries were free of gluten and milk or wheat allergens and safe to eat for those with dietary issues related to the consumption of dairy items. But the fast-food company quietly added, "Contains wheat and milk ingredients" this month to the french fries listing on its Web site. The company said the move came in response to new rules by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the packaged foods industry, including one requiring that the presence of common allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, fish or peanuts be reported. As a restaurant operator, Oak Brook, Ill. based McDonald's does not have to comply but is doing so voluntarily.

Canola and Olive oils are better than Corn Oil
A common fat found in corn oil appears to increase the growth of prostate cancer tumors, researchers report. Omega-6 fatty acids appear to cause human prostate tumors to grow twice as fast as tumors not exposed to omega-6 fats, according to the researchers at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center. One particular omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, turns on a gene that leads directly to tumor growth, the researchers found in a report in the Feb. 1 issue of Cancer Research. Since the early 1960s, Americans have been consuming more and more corn oil about 25-fold more of this than we were eating at the turn of the century. Omega-3 fatty acids are good and omega-6 acids are not as good, although we need some omega-6. Olive oil and canola oil have a better ratio of Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids. Other sources of omega -3 include fax, urad, green vegetables etc.

Heart Healthy Foods
The bad news from a new report on heart failure is that the debilitating condition continues to rise among older Americans. The findings appear in the Feb. 7 issue of Circulation. Another report in the same issue of the journal signaled the need for better watch over cardiovascular risk factors for people of all ages. The study, the first of its kind, looked at 50,000 50-year-olds and predicted that more than half of all men in the United States, and nearly 40 percent of women, will develop cardiovascular conditions during their lifetimes. After looking at the known risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes etc., the researchers said men whose risk factors were all "optimal" were at a significantly lower risk of facing cardiovascular troubles problems in the years ahead, compared to those with multiple risk factors.

When it comes to eating for your heart, whole foods are the best. Try to eat foods that are closest to their original state — not processed. Eating whole foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and a number of cancers. You'll feel better and have more energy when you add the heart-healthy foods to your diet.

High fiber cereals and breads — Besides packing a solid punch of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals, whole grain cereals and breads have been shown to help control diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses. Whole-grain foods also help lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Common Whole-Grain Foods
-Whole-wheat bread and rolls
-Whole-grain cereals, such as oatmeal, bran flakes, and shredded wheat
-Whole-wheat pancakes and waffles
-Whole-grain tortillas
-Whole-grain pasta
-Brown rice, barley, corn, and oats

Nuts (almonds and walnuts) — Omega-3 fats: Essential fatty acids got their name because they're essential for health but can't be made by the body; they must be obtained from foods. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are essential fatty acids that need to be obtained from food. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health-promoting fats found in olive oil. Green vegetables, walnuts and flax are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Legumes (beans and peas) — Legumes are a great source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. Fiber also prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making legumes an especially good choice for people with diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypoglycemia. Combine beans with whole grain rice for a virtually fat-free, high quality meal.
Skim milk — Milk promotes strong bones by being a very good source of vitamin D and calcium and a good source of vitamin K. Also, B vitamins found in milk prevent cardiovascular disease.
Blueberries — Full of nutrients and flavor, blueberries are very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University discovered blueberries top the list of 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Antioxidants prevent cells from forming free radicals, which can damage your body's healthy cells.
Apples and oranges — Apples contain both insoluble and soluble fiber that can lower cholesterol levels — reducing your risk of hardening of the arteries, heart attack, and stroke. Oranges provide healthy doses of vitamin C for antioxidant protection and support for immune systems.
Carrots — Carrots are the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. They also promote good vision — especially night vision.
Tomatoes — A great source of potassium and a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, and folate, tomatoes help lower high cholesterol levels. Diets rich in potassium can lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease too. Lycopene in tomatoes helps prevent heart disease and protects against a growing list of cancers.
Spinach and kale — Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale provide more nutrients calorie-for-calorie than any other food. Spinach may protect from osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases.

Avoid the following worst foods: Avoid full-fat meats such as prime rib, bacon, deli meats, hot dogs, and regular ground beef. Avoid whole milk, yogurt, cheese, cream cheese, and ice cream are high in saturated fats and calories, too. Milk and other dairy products are the most common calcium sources in traditional Western diets, but there's no evidence that they are superior to other sources, such as broccoli, Swiss chard and collard greens, a report said in the journal Pediatrics in February. Avoid lard, palm oil, coconut oil, margarines and vegetable shortening, are hydrogenated and contain trans fats. Avoid foods that list hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils on the labels. This type of fat is found in crackers and snack foods, baked goods like cookies and donuts, french fries, and stick margarine. Look for soft margarine in a tub that lists liquid oils such as safflower, soybean, or canola oil as the first ingredient. Avoid cheeseburgers, burgers with sauces and high-fat dressings, hot dogs, french fries, and onion rings are high in saturated fats, trans fats, and calories. Also, be aware that the "healthy salad" option available at many fast food chains is healthy as long as you don't drown it in a fatty salad dressing. Avoid donuts, pastries, pies, and cakes, are high in processed white flour, trans fats, and refined sugars. Avoid potato chips, crackers, cookies, and breakfast foods such as cereals, breakfast bars, and toaster pastries are typically made with partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), artificial additives, high sodium, and refined sugars. Avoid sodas, punches, and fruit drinks, contain artificial dyes, refined sugar, and corn syrup.

After menopause, women have heart disease as often as men do. But, for women, the symptoms, reactions, and outcomes are often different. According to www.familydoctor.org, American women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer. Women develop heart problems later in life than men, but they're less likely than men to survive a heart attack. Women can lower their heart disease risk by as much as 82 percent just by leading a healthy lifestyle. So, no matter how young or old you are, take steps to improve your heart health.

Calcium and Exercise for Kids
National data show that most American children over age 8 don't get enough calcium, a deficiency that increases their risks for developing osteoporosis in adulthood, the academy said in a report released in the journal Pediatrics in February. The bone-thinning disease is associated with aging and afflicts 10 million Americans, mostly older women. National data show it is responsible for more than 1.5 million bone fractures each year. There's also evidence suggesting that fractures may be on the rise in U.S. adolescents, perhaps because calcium-deficient diets and little exercise already have weakened their bones even if they haven't yet developed osteoporosis. Calcium is needed for bone formation, and weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones. For children, it could include soccer, basketball, football, running -- essentially any repetitive activity in which the arms or legs bear the body's weight. Milk and other dairy products are the most common calcium sources in traditional Western diets, but there's no evidence that they are superior to other sources, such as broccoli, Swiss chard and collard greens, the report said.

Exercise
Finnish researchers report in British Journal of Sports Medicine, Feb. 2006, that good flexibility in the teen years for boys can lower the risk of tension neck in adulthood. Good endurance strength may do the same for girls. Flexibility is tested by measuring participants' ability to reach forward while sitting with straight, outstretched legs. Endurance is measured by how many sit-ups they could do in 30 seconds. It was found that men who were most flexible as teens were half as likely to have tension neck as those who were the least flexible, while women with the greatest endurance strength in adolescence had a 34 percent lower risk of tension neck than those with the least endurance strength. Physical activity during the teen years also appeared to cut risk of later low back pain. Moderate activity in adulthood resulted in reduced likelihood of low back pain for women, while the risk of tension neck and low back pain increaded as body mass increased for both men and women. Greater BMI increased women's risk of knee injury. It was found that men with the greatest endurance strength in their youth had the greatest risk of knee injury in later life. Most probably because these men probably played more sports, increasing the risk of knee injury and damage.

Miscellaneous
Mother’s Smoking causes Deformities and Obesity in Children
The habit, researchers say, may raise the risk of having a baby with extra, missing or webbed fingers and toes. Using information from a national database on U.S. births, researchers found that babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy were 31 percent more likely to have such birth anomalies as babies of non-smokers. And the more a woman smoked, the greater the risk. The findings were reported in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It's well known that prenatal smoking can have serious consequences such as miscarriage, premature delivery and low birth weight. In addition, a large U.S. study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology has found children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may be at risk of becoming overweight by the age of 8. The findings add to evidence that although prenatal smoking can cause low birth weight, it may raise the odds of excessive weight gain in childhood.

Parental Fighting Impact on Kids
Recently, researchers have been studying how parental interaction affects children. Two new studies in Child Development suggest that even moderate amounts of parental conflict can wreak havoc on the lives of children, disrupting their sleep and causing negative feelings in their day-to-day lives. One study finds that kids even feel distressed when parents give each other the "silent treatment." Even moderate amounts of parental conflict -- including angry outbursts and belittling comments -- can disrupt children's sleep. Kids in families with moderate to severe levels of conflict lost about 30 minutes of sleep per night. In another study, it was found that children were more likely to suffer from emotional difficulties if their parents engaged in what the researchers described as "hostile or indifferent" interactions with each other.

Helmets Help Skiers!
If you didn't know or didn't care, here is an obvious commonsense tip: wear helmet! Wear a helmet, even if you're not an elite skier or snowboarder -- especially if you're not. Helmets greatly reduce the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders, a Norwegian study found. The study found that while risk takers were more likely to wear helmets, helmet wearers overall were 60 percent less likely to suffer head injuries. It also found a lower risk of neck injuries with helmet wear, but that finding was not statistically significant, meaning it could have been due to chance.

Recipes
Balck Beans and Rice
1 lb dry black beans, 7C water, 1 medium green pepper, coarsely chopped, 1-1/2 C chopped onion, 1Tsp vegetable oil, 2 bay leaves, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vinegar, 6 c rice, cooked in unsalted water, 1 jar (4 oz) sliced pimento, drained, 1 lb lemon cut into wedges.

Pick through beans to remove bad beans. Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse. In large soup pot or dutch oven stir together beans, water, green pepper, onion, oil, bay leaves, garlic, and salt. Cover and boil 1 hour. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 3-4 hours or until beans are very tender. Stir occasionally and add water if needed. Remove about 1/3 of the beans, mash and return to pot. Stir and heat through. Remove bay leaves and stir in vinegar or lemon juice when ready to serve. Serve over rice. Garnish with sliced pimento and lemon wedges.

Stewed Berries in Red Wine Sauce With Yoghurt Cream

Ingredients: 12 berries, 100 ml water, 150 g sugar, 100 ml red wine, 40 g icing sugar, 100 g hung yoghurt (curd tied in a muslin cloth and the whey drained out), 50 ml cream

Direction: Cut the fruits into quarters. Add water and sugar and cook for five minutes. Add the red wine and slowly bring to a boil. Lower the flame and simmer till the fruit is soft. Remove the berries form the sauce and simmer the sauce for two more minutes. Fold the cooked berries into the boiling sauce and allow and chill.

To prepare the yoghurt cream: Mix together icing sugar, hung curd and cream and mix well. Refrigerate the yoghurt mixture for two hours. Serve chilled, garnished with berries.

Financial Health
Credit Cards
It’s not a crime to have multiple credit cards, if you can pay them all off on time. But if the balance increases beyond the cardholders means then it’s time to consolidate the balances or make a few financial sacrifices. The bottom line: use credit cards wisely, they’re supposed to be a privilege not a life sentence.

Anyone can be tempted to get a credit card at their favorite clothing store if it gives them 10 percent off their purchase. However, that’s the best time to turn it down. Having these additional cards will only add to your credit card balance, unless you plan to pay them off immediately.
http://www.military.com/Finance/content/0,15356,86394,00.html?ESRC=finance.nl

The credit score can work for you or against you. Those three little numbers can determine the fate of a job, credit card application, or your ability to buy a home. If your credit is less than perfect, you’re not alone. Credit scores can rage from 300 (very poor) to 850 (excellent), most Americans hover around the 500 mark, according to published reports. However, you don’t have to stay at the bottom of the barrel, there are ways to leave bad debt behind. If you’re diligent about building good credit, the job, house or car of your choice is not far behind. Jean Chatzky, the financial editor of the “Today” show and editor-at-large for Money magazine, developed four ways to help clean up your and get your financial life back on track: http://www.military.com/Finance/content/0,15356,86396,00.html?ESRC=finance.nl

Retirement Plan, You Must
A 2001 poll asked savers and non-savers alike if they felt "very confident" about their retirement prospects. Some 60% of those polled felt "behind schedule" when it came to saving for retirement. If you feel behind, start saving today — it can do wonders for your outlook.

Here are nine retirement planning tips from Money Magazine:
1. Begin saving as early as you can, but don't give up if you get a late start: You can pad your retirement if you begin saving as soon as possible. For example, if you begin saving $100 a month at age 30 you'll have $216,000 in the bank when you're 65 (that's assuming there is an 8 percent annual return). If start saving at age 40, you'll have close to $91,000.
2. Create a retirement plan — Americans who have done a retirement calculation have nearly five times the savings of those who haven't, according to the American Savings Education Council.
3. Get the most of your 401(k) — If you have a job in the private sector that provides a 401(k), make sure that you use it. Taking full advantage of the tax benefits and employer plan is key to building a successful retirement. Additionally, don't make the same mistake 20 percent of Americans do by not contributing to this plan.
4. Take advantage of other savings plans — Think in terms of multiple retirement savings plans such as IRAs, TSPs, Roth IRAs, Simple IRAs, SEP-IRAs and Keoghs. The more you save now the bigger your nest egg will be.
5. Take a retirement job — Working during retirement might feel like a paradox but here are two good reasons to work: finances and emotional benefits. Income from a part-time job can make your retirement nest egg last longer. And, working offers emotional benefits from interacting with people.
6. Don't be afraid to improvise — With unexpected expenses popping up and depleting your savings, it might seem impossible to actually save money. But there are ways to improve your financial situation. Those options include: delaying retirement, taking out a reverse mortgage, or relocating to an area with lower living expenses. Be resourceful and think adventurously.
7. Monitor you progress regularly — Once you formulate a retirement strategy, try to review the plan at least once a year and make adjustment as necessary.
8. Plan an exit strategy — Set a reasonable withdrawal rate from your retirement account. Figure out whether to pull money from tax-advantage or taxable accounts first. You goal: manage your assets so you don't run out of money before you run out of time.
9. Instill passion into your retirement planning — Think about how you would like to spend your retirement years and what activities are likely to challenge and excite you. And when you finally do retire, pay attention to your finances but don't obsess over them.
Contact you financial adviser or a Primerica representative for details. Check your yellow pages for a list of offices near you.

Long Term Care
Long-term care insurance is coverage for care or assistance in a nursing facility, in a home, or in a community environment. Purchasing long-term care insurance makes sense if you want to:
Protect assets from being used up by long-term care costs.
Stay independent financially as you age.
Protect family members from paying for your long-term care.
Maintain choices in selecting long-term care.
Provide "peace of mind" if there's a family history of chronic illness.

You should think about long-term care insurance sooner rather than later, as you are likely to qualify for better rates when you are younger and in better health. A good time to consider long-term care insurance is when you're about five to 10 years from retirement. Most long-term care insurance providers offer choices that can be tailored to fit your needs, such as options that allow spouses to share benefits or ones that ensure your benefit increases every year. Make sure you work with a company you trust to get guidance on what choice is right for you, since the options can be confusing. Many factors go into determining long-term care insurance premiums, including your age, health, and family history. To give an example of what costs to expect, a comprehensive policy purchased at age 55 will average about $100 a month in premiums. Assuming still in good health, that same policy purchased at age 70 will cost more than $500 a month.

Ask your insurance company or agent if they offer long-term care insurance, or you might be able to purchase it through a civilian employer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about LTCI. Understanding this benefit is important to you and your family.

NASD Investor Education Foundation
The NASD Investor Education Foundation is a natural outgrowth of the NASD's long standing mission to protect investors and uphold the integrity of the markets. Investors need a better sense of what they are doing and why. The NASD Investor Education Foundation, established in 2003, supports innovative research and educational projects that give investors the tools they need to better understand the markets and the basic principles of saving and investing. The Foundation has awarded more than $3.7 million in grants for educational programs and research projects targeting the underserved segments of the population. For details about grant programs and other new initiatives of the Foundation, visit www.nasdfoundation.org.

This material contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial, tax, medical or health care advice. For information about specific needs or situations, contact your financial agent or physician.
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Source: The primary sources cited above, New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), Mercury News, Bayarea.com, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Intellihealthnews, Deccan Chronicle (DC), the Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, AP, Reuters, AFP, womenfitness.net etc.

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