You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE, INC. 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118-0110 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID North American Address Service Requested Precis Syndicate, Inc. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2409 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Keeping Joint Problems In Check (NAPSA)—While many tend to associate daily exercise programs with energetic lifestyles, the truth is that adults are often just as active when they’re engaged in hobbies, vocations and their regular routines. For the 66 million Americans, young and old, who experience stiffness and joint discomfort, the physical activity associated with tasks such as house and garage cleaning, cooking, shopping, decorating and entertaining can present a real challenge. The good news is that with a little bit of planning and foresight, you can organize everything and still keep yourself shipshape and moving. Here are some tips from Move Free Advanced, a leader in joint health supplements: • Plan ahead. Organize tasks in ways that conserve energy and are less likely to promote joint discomfort. For example, break your projects down by floors and focus on all the projects you need to tackle on each floor of your house in turn. • Turn big jobs into smaller ones. Do a load of laundry every other day instead of trying to do all the laundry in a single day. • Eat right to feel right. Many believe that eating a balanced diet can help to prevent achy joints from occurring. That’s because a balanced diet can provide the body with natural vitamins and nutrients required by the body’s joints. • Keep moving. Moderate exercise can help to strengthen joints and promote flexibility. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight can also help to lessen the stress or strain on the joints, especially the knees. Stopping Children From Smoking (NAPSA)—Understanding what motivates children could be the first step towards keeping them from smoking. Dr. Michael Popkin, author of “Taming the Spirited Child,” says that may be particularly true in the case of “spirited” children who are innately more intense and challenging for parents—and who are proven to be more likely to smoke. Popkin, who is also spokesperson for Lorillard Tobacco Com- Proper diet, moderate exercise and the right dietary supplements can help manage joint discomfort. • Consider a dietary supplement to round out your diet and exercise regimen. Since the GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, endorsed glucosamine and chondroitin as an alternative treatment for sore joints, they have been widely recommended for relief of joint discomfort. Glucosamine and chondroitin are used by the body to help make and maintain cartilage, providing skeletal support and improving joint mobility. One of the latest developments in the category is Move Free Advanced, a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin and two unique ingredients. These special ingredients protect joints and cartilage from breaking down and also replenish your joints, signaling the body to produce more fluid. To learn more, visit www.keep movingwithmovefree.com. It’s important to talk about the dangers of smoking. pany’s Youth Smoking Prevention Program, says that among other things, spirited children are curious, adventurous, powerful, persistent and sensitive. Taking into account these personality traits, Popkin suggests parents put together a plan on how they will talk with their child about the dangers of smoking. Parents are encouraged to visit www.keepkidsfromsmoking.com to help prepare them for the conversation. The site features talking tips, warning signs, age-specific advice, further parenting advice from Dr. Popkin and more. A free, practical how-to guide can also be downloaded at the Web site. Putting The Freeze On Heating Costs (NAPSA)—A few simple steps could help you cut energy use and save on heating costs. In fact, heating and cooling, along with ventilation, refrigeration and water heating, are responsible for about 75 percent of residential energy use. That’s why something as easy as setting thermostats to 68F during the day and 60F at night could add up to big savings. Similarly, checking that return vents, radiators and baseboards are not blocked by furniture or other objects will maximize airflow and the efficiency of your system. Try these additional tips. They come from heating experts at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)—an international nonprofit technical engineering society. Heating Systems • Clean or change furnace filters in forced hot air systems once a month or more often as needed. • Have your heating system maintained and serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Dirty filters, coils and fans reduce airflow throughout the system, which decreases performance and could cause damage. • Check heating ducts for air leaks from joints and holes. Check the hardware store for proper UL-certified mastic or tape for repairs. • Insulate your hot water tank with an insulating jacket Using a programmable thermostat and checking ducts for leaks could help cut heating costs. according to the manufacturer’s instructions. • You can comfortably turn down the thermostat in rooms that are unoccupied and can be closed off from the rest of the house, or that have their own heating zones. However, do not do this if it adversely affects the rest of your system, as it could lead to frozen pipes. Windows And Doors • Install caulking or weather stripping or use spray-in foams around exterior windows and doors or in spaces between heated and unheated areas (garages, basements, crawl spaces, etc.). Just be sure to read the instructions on the product you use. • Keep draperies and shades open during the day on your southern-facing walls to allow sunlight to enter. Keep them closed at night to reduce heat loss. For more tips and information, visit www.ashrae.org/consumer.
