Fru-Gal Column November 4

The internet has opened up access to medical information from many different resources. How can you distinguish between sound medical advice and unproven, untested, fraudulent, and even dangerous information? If you’re reading about a medical product sold on the Internet, be sure to look for warning signs. The following red flags on a product’s Web site could indicate that the product may not be trustworthy. When you see products making the claims scientific breakthrough, miracle cure, and secret ingredient they are usually fakes. Another ploy is to claim that a single product is effective against a range of conditions and diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Be especially wary of products saying they are the cure. If a website uses a lot of scientific languages it is often using words to hide the fact that the product isn’t backed by scientific research. Fraudulent Web sites also tend to feature quotations from individuals claiming to have achieved phenomenal results. Personal testimonials sometimes seem promising but they don’t have the same weight as information based on science and reviewed by experts. Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any new treatment. A new product, even if it is described as natural may interfere with medicines that you are currently taking. How do you tell if information on a website is reliable? Start with the suffix of the website. For example, if the domain name is a www. and .com that usually stands for a business site. For purposes of finding medical information, the three suffixes that are most likely to indicate reliably are .edu, .org and .gov. Edu is a suffix for educational institutions; .gov is reserved for government agencies and .org for nonprofit groups or scientific societies. The Medical Library Association is a nonprofit organization for health information professionals, maintains a list called the “Top 100 list of Health Websites you can trust” at http://caphis.mlanet.org/consumer/index.html. Ultimately, the best ways to ensure you’re acting on reliable medical information is use your own common sense and to get feedback from your doctor.

· Free Health Test at select Walgreens. Friday, November 12 and Saturday November 13 from 10am to 6pm at select locations. Find out if you’re at risk for diabetes. Stop in for a quick finger-stick test. Free blood glucose and A1C testing. A Walgreens pharmacist will personally consult with you about your results. Visit Walgreens.com/findastore or call 1-877-926-3968.

· Stop by Meijer on Saturday, November 6th from 11am to 1pm for a Preventing and Managing Diabetes event. Pick up your FREE Meijer booklet containing delicious recipes and lifestyle tips on preventing and controlling diabetes. Enjoy sampling and coupons. Free glucose testing in the Pharmacy compliments of LifeScan.

· Join RiteAid for diabetes support and expert advice at select RiteAid locations November 4. Stop in for a chance to win a $50 RiteAid gift card, free blood glucose, total cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings available. Free samples, savings and more. Call 1-800-RITEAID to find a participating location near you.

Need help in slashing your medical bills-
· Fill prescriptions at internet stores for savings. Check nabp.net for legit businesses.
· Go to caregiversmarketplace.com to receive money back on vitamins, skin-care products, and more.
· Local Pharmacies often have savings clubs. At Walgreens, a $20 to $35 enrollment fee gets members a 90 day supply of any of more than 400 generic meds for less than $1 per week.
· AAA and AARP members get lower rates on eye-care cost- AAA deals include 30 percent off exams and glasses.
· Dental Schools offer cut-rate care- University of Kentucky Dental School offers many services to the public at reduced prices. http://www.mc.uky.edu/dentistry/patients/index.html

· FamScape is a new online game from Humana that offers families real rewards for healthy living. Rewards like bikes, music, and more. www.myfamscape.com/bhg

· What to do with all your Halloween candy? Find a dentist that is participating in the Halloween Candy Buy Back Program. Local dentists are buying back Halloween candy from neighborhood kids for $1 per pound, then they are sending it to the troops overseas. http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/


· Who says exercise can’t be fun? With an EA SPORTS Active 2 Fitness through Fun House Party you can get the motivation you need to stick with a program. Apply now to be selected as a host and they will send you your FREE party pack that contains EA SPORTS Active 2 fitness product ($99 value), towels, coupons for your guests and other goodies. http://houseparty.com/fitnessthroughfun

Doing good things can help you feel good inside and out. Log in, and say Thanks with these social networking sites, a daily gratitude boost is just a mouse click away.
· Thanksometer.com is a way to highlight nice things people do for each other every day. This site allows visitors to anonymously thanks friends or relatives for a kind gesture or simply gets inspired by others’ stories.
· Graceinsmallthings.com encourages members to list five things they’re grateful for every day. To get started, GiST lets you create your own blog to chronicle this 365 day journey.
· Facebook.com/aogp.org is set up to function like an online gratitude journal; The Attitude of Gratitude Project encourages members to answer the question “What are you grateful for today?”

· Groupon has hit Lexington. This is a daily buying site that offers some great deals on area restaurants, spas, sporting events, theatre and more. Sign up to have the deals sent right to your inbox. www.groupon.com
· Request your free Ham Serving Guide from Sugardale http://www.sugardalefoods.com/Serving.aspx
· Design your very own Folgers Canister. If you are a Folgers users save your red cans to decorate for the holidays with Folgers own templates designs. http://www.folgers.com/promotions-activities/can-decorator.aspx?utm_source=October-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wakinupclub
· Sign up for your FREE Betty Crocker 2011 Calendar containing wonderful recipes http://freecalendar.bettycrocker.com/BC2011Calendar/Default.aspx
· Call A-1′s automated service at 1-888-217-8325 and press “2″ to enter your address and receive a free A-1 Steakhouse Favorites Recipe Booklet.
· Conan Obrien is giving away 1,000 t-shirts a day until 10,000 are gone. http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/10000-free-conan-t-shirts/
· Sign up your child 8 to 14 for the young reviewer to receive free books http://www.smartpopbooks.com/young-reviewer-signup
Coupons.com just added some DVD coupons just in time for the holidays. Just enter zip code 12345.
$2/1 The Sound of Music DVD+BLu-Ray
$2/1 Ice Age Meltdown DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Miracle on 34th St DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Horton Hears a Who DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 A Christmas Carol DVD or Blu-RAy
$2/1 Home ALone DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Jingle All the Way DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Night at The Museum Collection on Blu-Ray
$2/1 Night at the Museum Battle at the Smithsonian DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Alvin and the Chipmuncks DVD or Blu-Ray
$2/1 Mac and Me or Little Monsters on DVD
$5/1 Robo Cop Trilogy on Blu-Ray
$5.00 Rebate on purchase of Toy Story 3 DVD with purchase of any two Rayovac Alkaline Batteries http://myfrugaladventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/MFA-Toy-Story-3-Rebate.pdf
$5.00 Rebate on purchase of Toy Story 3 plus 3 participating Campbell soups or Spagettios http://www.campbellskitchen.com/Resources/pdf/11202CSC_Disney_Kids_Rebate.pdf
$8.00 coupon for Toy Story 3 DVD Blu-Ray Combo Pack http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/ts3lptw-coupon?cmp=dmov_dmr_url_ts3lptw_-coupon_print
Save $6 at Kroger with in-store coupon when you buy Toy Story 3, Kraft 5 pack Macaroni and Cheese and 10 pack Capri Sun .
Buy Toy Story 3 at Meijers get one Toy Story Character vehicle free. While supplies last.
Taste your favorite Thanksgiving specialties along with some new items at Whole Food Lexington Green on November 4th 5pm to 7pm.