MAIL BAG!

It's been a while since we've reached down into that deep bag of letters here at JoP. We at Jar of Paperclips value each and every hand-written and electronic mail item we receive. The amount of incoming mail is so extensive that it is difficult to answer each and every one. We've picked a few in the category of "Health and Diet" which we thought might be of particular interest to our audience. Here we go!

Dear JoP,

I don't eat a lot of meat and I'm worried about getting my 0mega-3 fatty acids. I can't sleep at night...what can I do???

Thanks,

Omega-less in Omaha

p.s. Don't tell me to take a vitamin!

An excellent inquiry! The primary source of most of the omega 3's for Americans is through animal products, like meat and dairy, fish being the best source. If you don't eat a lot of these why not incorporate ground flax seed in your diet? Flax is growing in popularity in America for its great health benefits. It's a great heart-healthy way to get your omega-3's. Many people often find it to be a great laxative as well.

I hear its important to a) grind it up, and b) grind it up right before you use it. Say, in a coffee grinder. If you don't grind it up it will apparently pass through your system and not break down, and you won't get as many benefits. Then add to oatmeal or hot cereal, anything you are baking, pancakes, yogurt, really the list goes on and on. It adds a bit of a nutty taste. Great question, you are smart in being concerned about getting these brain sharpening omegas!

Next...

Dear Jar of Staples,

I HATE exercise. And when I say "HATE" I mean "HATE". It just seems like, so stupid, but I know its healthy, and I've gained a few pounds in the past couple years. Do you have a diet plan that works?

Got a gut in Greenville

Dear Gut,

First off, its Paperclips, not Staples. Think about it this way, our current culture has enabled us to be extremely inactive if we so choose. This is a contemporary problem, and perhaps was once only a problem for the extremely wealthy. I've heard it said many times before, "If there was a pill that could encapsulate the many benefits of exercise, everybody would be taking it" or something like that.

The point is this, get active! I don't think its possible for anyone to hate exercise, its just a mind game. You don't have to run ten miles right now, just go on a walk. Slowly build up, and walk more and more. If you do this every day, you can build up to almost anything you want to athletically if you are in good health. With food its simple math. Eat what's healthy, watch the calories. The calories you take in, you also get rid of by being active; its simple math. Remember this, exercise not only helps the physical body, but your emotional well-being as well.

Dear JoP,

I've had some strange digestive problems over the past few years. I've also developed migraine headaches, skin rashes, and just don't feel as good as I used to. I'm tired of treating each of these symptoms individually. What's up with my body???

Thanks,

Crappy in Calcutta

Dear Crappy,

I'm sorry for all of your problems. I'm not a doctor, so I can't say for sure. But I can suggest something! It is estimated that 1 in 100 people suffer from Celiac's disease whether they know it or not. This is also known as being gluten-intolerant, and the patient can't consume wheat, rye, or barley. It is responsible for a wide variety of symptoms, including some of the ones you mentioned. Try for yourself! Go off gluten for a couple weeks and see if there are any differences. It may be difficult at first, but there are some great gluten-free rice products out there!

DISCLAIMER: these statements have not been written by a doctor and therefore do not eat anything or exercise without first speaking with your doctor.