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FEBRUARY 2002
SLAINTE - TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Men, Love and Supplements
SEATTLE NEWS UPDATE
By
MAUREEN KEANE
IN THE PAST few months, Slainte has received several anonymous questions about the herbal or "natural" Viagra supplements that are hawked on the Internet and advertised in men's magazines.
Are these products safe? Do they work? With St. Valentine's Day almost upon us, Slainte decided this was the time to answer questions about men, love, and supplements.
As you probably suspected, there is no such tiling as natural, herbal or plant Viagra. Yes, I know the stuff is sold all over the Internet. Yes, I've seen the slick magazine ads filled with the faces of smirking, sated customers bragging of love lives that are...well... presidential in magnitude.
But these Viagra wannabes are still not Viagra and they will not have the same effect as Viagra. The only thing they will expand is their manufacturer's pocket book.
The most common ingredients in these natural Viagra-like products are an amino acid called Arginine (also called L-Arginine) that is found in all protein foods, and an herb called Yohimbe.
The research on Yohimbe is sparse. There have been a few very small studies that have found it has a staUstically significant effect (which is not always noUce-able to users) but there have also been studies that showed it had no effect. The latter is never mentioned in ads. With no proof that it works I would not waste any money on it.
Arginine is another matter.
The most common cause of male sexual problems stems from lack of blood flow. The very same diet that blocks the flow of blood to the heart will also block the flow of blood to the male reproductive organs.
Without a sufficient volume of blood, the male reproductive organs will not rise to the occasion when the need occurs. Therefore problems in the bedroom are also a warning flag that the heart might not getting all the blood it needs.
A small molecule called nitric oxide (NO) relaxes the arteries so that more blood is able to flow through them. Arginine is the raw material from which NO is made. Add Arginine to the diet and NO levels rise.
Israeli researchers gave 50 men with erectile problems either 5000 mg/day Arginine (5 grams) or a placebo and measured im-
provement after six weeks.
Of the 29 men taking Arginine, nine reported significant improvement. All nine responders also had low NO levels. A longer Ueat-ment period might have led to even better results.
Where Viagra works within hours, Arginine must be taken every day and the results will only be noticeable after a few weeks of regular supplementation.
Arginine also has no effect on men with blood-flow problems not related to low NO levels. Ask your doctor whether Arginine is appropriate for you.
Forget the Viagra wannabes if you want to try Arginine. Many formulas do not contain enough Arginine to have an effect.
They also contain other useless herbs that pump up the price and increase the likelihood of toxic side effects. Instead buy a bottle of plain L-Arginine capsules. You will also find Arginine in supplements for heart problems.
Can't swallow capsules? I can endorse a new product developed by doctors for their heart patients - the Heart Bar. Two of these tasty snack bars supply six grams of Arginine. You can find more information about the Heart Bar at www.cookepharma.com.
The type of fat that is stored in the abdomen is the kind that blocks arteries all through the body including the heart and reproductive organs.
Therefore a diet that causes your gut to droop over your belt is going to cause other areas of your body to droop as well.
There is evidence that certain nutrient deficiencies contribute to reproductive problems. So men should take both a balanced comprehensive multivitamin and mufti mineral supplements.
Make sure it contains zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Magnesium is another mineral necessary for muscle relaxation.
To summarize, more exercise, a lot more produce, fewer calories, and a bit of Arginine will get both your gut and your love life back where they belong.
As always never take a supplement or herb without first discussing it with your physician. Give a list of all supplements and herbs you take to both your doctor and pharmacist.
Nutrients and herbs can interact with foods, drugs, and other medications, and not every supplement (including Arginine) is appropriate for every person.
Slainte!
Maureen Keane is a best selling author, nutritionist, and whole foods expert. She has authored 13 books on health and nutrition including the best selling Juicing for Life, What to Eat If You Have Heart Disease and What to Eat If You Have Cancer.
If you have a question or comment regarding nutrition or health that you would like to see addressed in this column, email it to Maureen@ keanenutrition.com.
IRISH WEEK 2002 - This year's St. Patrick's Day Parade and many of the important Irish Week 2002 events in Seattle will this year be held on Saturday, March 16, rather than on the big day itself, St. Patrick's Day, Sunday March 17.
The IHC website at www.irishclub.org has been updated with detailed information on dates and times for all the planned events. More volunteers are urgently needed to help with ;all the organizing.
Volunteer meeUngs are scheduled for February 15, and March 1, at 7 PM at the Safeco Jackson Street Center, 306-23rd Avenue South, Suite 200 (above Hollywood Video). For information, call (206) 241-2960 or email Gabby@irishclub.org.
The Irish Week 2002 Official Schedule of Events includes the following:
MARCH 6 THROUGH MARCH
9 - Irish Reels Film Festival, Seattle Art Museum & 911 Media Arts Center.
MARCH 9 - Irish Soda Bread Contest, 1 PM, T.S. McHugh's.
MARCH 10 - Matt Talbot Shelter Dinner, F X McRory's Restaurant, 6 PM
MARCH 14 - Catholic Seamen's ■Club St. Patrick's Labor Lunch-,eon, Noon
MARCH 15 - Irish Week Proclamation Luncheon, F X McRory's Restaurant, Noon
FRIDAY - Green Stripe Laying On 4th Ave, 7 PM
MARCH 16 - Mass For Peace, Plymouth Congregational, 6th and University, 10 AM
SATURDAY - Irish Flag-Raising, 12:20 PM
SATURDAY - St. Patrick's Day Parade on 4di Ave from Jefferson, 12:30 PM
SATURDAY - Irish Week Festival, Seattle Center, Noon - 6 PM
SATURDAY - An Irish Cabaret, Everett, 7 PM
SATURDAY - Friends Of St. Patrick Banquet, Westcoast Grand Hotel, Seattle, 7 PM
MARCH 17, ST. PATRICK'S
DAY - St. Patrick's Dav Dash, 9 AM
SUNDAY - Irish Week Festival, Seattle Center, Noon - 6 PM
For more detailed information on any of the events, you can also visit www.irishclub.org or call (206) 223-3608.
CONSUL'S VISIT - The new Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco, Donal Denham, will visit Seattle to attend the Seattle Gaels Awards Banquet on February 9, and will also have a courtesy meeting with Seattle's new Mayor, Greg Nickels on February 8. The Seattle Galway Sister City Association and the Friends of St. Patrick will also host a lunch in the Consul's honor on February 8, at 12 NOON at F X McRory's, Occidental and S King St.
SEATTLE GAELS AWARDS -
The Seattle Gaels Awards Banquet on February 9, at the Irish Emigrant, 5260 University Way NE, is a private party affair. While the Gaels will close down the Emigrant for their Banquet, everyone is invited, but there will be ticket sales in advance only.
By JOHN KEANE
GERRY ADAMS
The special guest is Irish Consul General Donal Denham visiting from San Francisco, who will present awards to the Men's and Women's MVP, as well as to the Club Person of the Year. For more information, call (206) 721-7779 or Gaels@irishclub.org.
PIPERS TIONOL - The Irish Pipers Club's West Coast Tionol will be in Seattle on February 15, 16, and 17, with featured Uilleann piper Brian McNamara and other special guests. Tionol is a Gaelic word meaning Assembly, and those who "assemble" in Seattle can be assured of a great weekend of traditional Irish music, song and dance.
Classes on Uilleann piping, reed-making, Irish flute, tin whistle, Irish fiddle and Irish language will be held Saturday and Sunday at Seattle's St. Benedict School, 4811 Wallingford Avenue North, from 10 AM - 5 PM each day.
There will be a House Party on Friday evening at 3616 Burke Avenue, a concert and ceili on Saturday at 8 PM at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard, and a Sunday evening session and recital at Conor Byrne's in Ballard. For all the details, visit www. irishpipersclub.org/
GERRY ADAMS VISIT - Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams will be in Seattle on March 14, for a Reception and Dinner at Seattle's Westin Hotel.
For 18 years Gerry Adams has been the undisputed leader of Ireland's republican movement through war and the peace process and has never faced a single serious challenge to the direction in which he has taken Sinn Fein and the IRA.
Indeed, he has been a key figure for over 30 years. In 1972, at the age of 24, he was already considered important enough to be released from jail by the British to join the IRA delegation that met the BriUsh government in London that year.
More recently, Adams' role was crucial in the IRA's 1994 ceasefire and Northern Ireland's subsequent 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement. Adams will also be talking at the University of Wash-
ington earlier on March 14, with a time and place yet to be announced.
Dinner tickets cost $150 and special donors are also invited to a private reception with Adams. Tickets and more information are available from Sean O'Rawe at (206) 719-4667 or e-mail seanorawe@msn.com.
NEW PUB - A new Irish Pub and Restaurant has opened in Renton, just south of Seattle. The Giant's Causeway is at 201 Williams Avenue South, at Second Street, in downtown Renton just off 1-405.
The proprietor is "Big Jason," otherwise known as Jason Mcllroy, and we wish the Belfastman every success in the future. For more information, call (206) 267-0303.
BLOODY .SUNDAY COMMEMORATION - The 30 th Anniversary of Derry's Bloody Sunday was celebrated on January 27 at the Ethnic Cultural Theater in Seattle's University district.
One of the speakers was William Rukeyser, a photographer and eyewitness to the events in 1972 and the event included music and readings. On Bloody Sunday, January 30, 1972, the British army killed 13 civilians during a civil rights march in Derry.
SET DANCING - The Northwest Irish Dancers, with instructor Cathy Gill, start a series of Irish set dancing classes on February 5, at the Phinney Neighborhood Center and another series in March through Discover U. No experience is needed. For more information, call (206) 722-NWID or email nwid@msn.com.
RIVERDANCE - The highly acclaimed Riverdance - The Show will be at Seattle's Paramount Theatre from April 2 to 7, with additional matinees on the Saturday and Sunday.
It was on April 30, 1994 that a seven-minute Riverdance performance first electrified an audience and 300 million TV viewers watching the Eurovision Song Contest live from Dublin.
The hugely popular celebration of Irish music, song and dance has since touched millions more around the world. Tickets are g 28-g64 at all Ticketmaster outlets.
OLYMPIA PARADE - The second annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held in Olympia on March 16 at 11 AM. If you're interested in being involved or want more information, email Kevin O'Sullivan at Osullik@co.thurston.wa.us.
CONDOLENCES - Sincere sympathy and condolences to Seattle Gaels player and supporter Laura Costello who has just returned from Indiana following the death of her father. Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anam dhtlis - May his soul rest at God's right hand.
MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS DINNER - A crowd of almost 40 people attended our celebration of Nodhlaig na mBan or Mother's Christmas, on January 6, at The Celtic Bayou in Redmond.
Everyone appeared to have a very enjoyable evening, with great food, great entertainment and great company. At the dinner, there was a free drawing for tickets to the January 19 Chieftains concert and the lucky winners were David Jacobsen and Tom Beirne.