I am a slow reader. Veeeerrry slow, actually. I've always been amazed at people who can tear through a 500-page novel in a few days. I think my problem is that I read the words in real time, whereas I think more adept readers are somehow able to speed things up like the Micro Machine Man.

Because of my slow reading speed, even some of the lightest pieces of literature can sometimes feel like a ponderous tome. For this reason, I generally don't go back and read a book a second time. However, on some rare occasions I do, and one such instance involved the book "YOU: Staying Young" by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen. In rereading it, I was reminded of many important facts (the good and the bad) about some well-known vitamins, herbs, and medications. Here's a few I thought were worth mentioning:

Vitamin E: People who consume the RDA of this vitamin have been shown to have a 43-percent less chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Vitamin B: The authors suggest 400micrograms of folic acid, 800 micrograms of B12, and 40milligrams of B12, stating that B vitamins help your neurotransmitters work more effectively.

Ginko Biloba: Although the authors point to some promising research, there is nothing conclusive yet regarding ginko biloba's alleged brain-boosting benefits.

Aspirin: The authors state that people who take 162mg of aspirin per day have been shown to have a 40-percent decrease in arterial aging, which contributes greatly to memory loss.

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The results of a recent study show that an aspirin taken at bedtime lowered the blood pressure of pre-hypertensive patients, whereas an aspirin taken in the morning didn't have the same effect. While the exact reasons are unknown, researchers suggest that nighttime aspirin usage could slow the production of clot-producing hormones and other substances that are typically generated at night.

The three-month study followed 244 adults with blood pressure that hovered just below the 140/90 mark. (Consistent readings greater than 140/90 are considered high blood pressure (HBP). Readings that are just below that threshold are considered pre-hypertension -- a warning that the patient is at risk of HBP. The group was divided into thirds: one group followed a blood pressure reducing diet, the second took a 100 mg aspirin at bedtime, the third took an aspirin in the morning.

The group that took the aspirin before bedtime saw the best results -- an average drop of 5.4 points in systolic pressure and 3.4 points in diastolic pressure.

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Right before stressful events I often get a big zit. Then I can't keep my hands off from squeezing it. By the time the self-carnage is over I'm left with a thick scab that intermittently cracks and bleeds until it heals.

Next time I'm faced with a nasty pimple before an important event I may try these techniques from dermatologist, Dr. Jason Green:

• Mix a crushed aspirin (anti-inflammatory) with a little water and apply it to the pimple overnight to lessen redness. Also, soaking a swab in Visine (anti-red eye drops) and applying it for 15 seconds may help, too.

Anyone ever tried these methods? Any other quick zit fixes you recommend?

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Girls, we've all been there. 'The time of the month' is not only a nuisance, it's a pain -- literally. Hands up: how many of you have missed work or school because of severe cramps? Now, I can't see your hands, but I'm willing to bet most of you raised them--myself included. Popping a pain killer is always an option after your period has hit, but is there any way to prevent cramps?

WebMD says yes, and they've even put together this video on how to nip menstrual cramps in the bud. There are a few things you can do:

• A few days before your period starts, take a mild over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug like Advil, aspirin or ibuprofen
  
• If you're not trying for a family, consider taking oral contraceptives. They'll help make your period lighter and less painful.
  
• Applying heat to the area will help -- use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
• As always, eating well and exercising lots will go a long way to help prevent pain.
  

Want more tips? Watch the video, and be sure to let us know if you have any 'secret weapons' against the pain of periods.

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Pain Killers are a staple in almost every person's medicine cabinet. Aches or pains? We pop a pill with nary a thought towards what we're putting into our body. But it's important to know what you're putting into your body. Here's a quick run-down of the popular pain killers on the market:

• Aspirin can reduce fever, pain and swelling, and it's also been proven to help prevent blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. However, it's not right for everyone--it can cause Reyes syndrome in teenagers--so talk to your doctor first.
  
• Ibuprofen can reduce fever and mild pains, but in some cases, it has been shown to cause stroke and heart trouble. It's also hard on the stomach.
  
• Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is good for relieving mild fever and pain, but be sure to adhere to the dosage guidelines, especially when giving it to children.
  

Want more info on pain meds? Click here.

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Researchers believe that the coating on aspirin may impede absorption, thereby making coated aspirin less effective than the uncoated versions.

This conclusion was arrived at after 71 healthy people were given two different kinds of aspirin once a day for 2 weeks. The researchers then tested the participants' blood for thromboxane, a substance that contributes to blood clots. Levels were found to be 87 percent lower in those taking plain aspirin than those taking the coated pills.

Doctors involved in the study suggest taking a 75-milligram uncoated pill to ensure that you receive all of the aspirin's desired benefits, without worrying about any issues related to absorption.

Aspirin is a known combatant against heart attack and stroke -- yet only 41 percent of Americans over the age of 40 regularly take it.

Researchers involved in a study, which was published in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, were admittedly surprised to find that such a low percentage of aspirin users. Stephen Wesimana, PhD, one of the lead researchers in the study, stated "We expected to see greater than 70% utilization rates."

Aspirin should not be taken by everyone, particularly by people who are allergic or are at high risk of serious bleeding. It can also sometimes cause gastro problems in some people, something to discuss with your doctor before beginning a regular regimen of aspirin use. Speaking of doctors, the study to which I have been referring also revealed a link between discussions with physicians about aspirin use and its actual use. Falling somewhere in the ballpark of 88 percent, this many Americans who take aspirin did so after chatting with their doctor about it.

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The first randomized trial evidence revealing the dangers of taking ibuprofen and aspirin together was recently released by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The research suggests that the ibuprofen inhibits the blood thinning properties of aspirin, leaving patients at a reported nine-times higher risk of heart attack. The cardiovascular health of 18,523 patients who are over 50 years old and had osteoarthritis (which is why they were likely taking the ibuprofen) was reviewed by the researchers involved with this study.

The researchers concluded that doctors should seriously reconsider ever giving patients, who are at risk of cardiovascular problems, ibuprofen to deal with pain.

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If your male and undergoing hormone therapy as part of your prostate cancer treatment, don't be popping baby aspirin as a heart protectant.

At least, according to new research that says aspirin could be deadly is taken while undergoing cancer treatment involving hormone therapy.

The research concluded that baby aspirin interacts with the hormone therapy and results in lifting liver-function tests. End result: a possibly deadly combination.

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You might recognize the name Michael Roizen, M.D., and you're probably even more likely to recognize his website RealAge.com. According to this article from the Seattle Times, Dr. Roizen has been spending his time reviewing 35,000 scientific studies to find out exactly why and how we age. He's used that knowledge to come up with 12 ways that women can reduce their "real age" in as little as a 3 months -- wow!

Interested in learning what they are? Click on the gallery below to read more about Dr. Roizen's tips for a younger you. You may find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with Dr. Roizen's suggestions -- I know that taking vitamins has been an especially controversial issue lately, for instance -- so if you have an opinion, we'd love to hear about it in comments!

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For many of us, "work out clothes" are any pieces of casual wear that we deem too old and tattered to wear when we're not sweating like crazy -- so the fact these items will probably develop some unsightly pit stains isn't a problem. However, if you're the sort of person who likes to look a little more refined while you're getting in shape, you should know that those perspiration stains are easy to remove -- with aspirin.

Apparently you just take two aspirin, half of cup of warm water, plus a little elbow grease, and that discoloration comes right out.

And that's not all. According to Gomestic, there's a number of surprising uses for the painkiller -- including de-itching mosquito bites, and de-dandruffing your head. Awesome!

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Several years ago I picked my niece up from the orthodontist. I handed her a Tylenol to help with the pain of having her braces tightened. Before she had a chance to swallow it the receptionist told me that naproxen (found in Aleve and generic versions) is a better choice for relieving pain from dental work. It took me by surprise. At that time, I had no idea that one type of over-the-counter pain medication was better than another for certain types of pain.

This chart breaks down which pain relievers are the best choices for different ouches, bumps, aches, and bruises. Not only is each pain reliever medication effective for different types of pain, there are different lengths of time the medication lasts, possible side effects, and cautions to remember.

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Say what you will about George W. Bush, but the man takes care of himself -- If there is something we can all agree to about, it is his excellent physical shape.

And because we are nearing the end of Men's Health Week, I thought our 40-plus male audience might be interested in taking example from the 'head honcho'. If you are looking for a regiment of nutritional supplements, he's your man. Some of you (and you know who you are) have cabinets full of supplements when really you could narrow that down a bit. Taking 15 nutritional pills a day is a bit much -- don't you think? Or maybe you're not taking any at all -- let's see what we can do about that.

President Bush turned 60 years old last October and his health is in the "superior" fitness category for men his age -- greater than the 99% percentile!

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Preeclampsia affects 5-8% of all pregnancies. The condition is marked by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in urine. Hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia, are the cause of an estimated 76,000 deaths per year. In addition, preeclampsia is a leading cause of premature births.

A University of Sydney research team conducted a study that indicates prophylactic aspirin use could greatly reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. However, doctors are responding to this study with words of caution. Pregnant women should never self-medicate with aspirin as there are risks involved with long-term aspirin use. The decision to use aspirin during pregnancy should only be made after consulting with your doctor and weighing the benefits and risks involved.

For more information on preeclampsia, visit the Preeclampsia Foundation.

With all the reports on sapirin being or not being good for human health, which do you believe? Some say that a daily aspirin is great for long-term health, while other believe it can be deadly.

In the latest "edition," research states that swallowing one aspiring each day for a year poses the same health risk as fighting red-hot blazes in collapsing buildings. Wow -- that's a tad provocative!

I'm not sure I believe the daily benefit of aspirin, although I know many people who swear by it (with rather subjective reasons, I might add). Are you a fan? Why or why not?

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