NOVEMBER 29, 2010 TACTFULNESS and RESVERATROL

" Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy." - Howard W. Newton

Thanks Karen

Learning to be tactful is an art. A great British politician, Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) has two great quotes regarding tactfulness.

" Without tact you can learn nothing. Tact teaches you when to be silent. Inquirers who are always questioning never learn anything. "

"Perseverance and tact are the two great qualities most valuable for all those who would climb, but especially for those who have to step out of the crowd."

You are not born with tact. You learn tact through all of your life experiences. There are times when tactfulness is necessary. I have to be tactful when dealing with an addict patient. I sometimes have to be tactful when dealing with sensitive subjects with patients, friends and family. Hopefully with your own life partner you can speak freely, but sometimes tactfulness is also necessary. I am fortunate to have an open communication line so tactfulness is not always used. I believe that like , common sense, you are either born with it or not. For me, common sense and tactfulness was not inherited but learned. It was a good learning process. Do you have tactfulness ?

One of the most important will discussed anti-aging nutrients is resveratrol. It is found in red wine, the skin of unripe young red grapes, grape seeds and even in peanuts. It is also found in two herbs, one, is Polygonum cuspidatum and the other is Senna quinquangulata. These are Chinese and South American, respectively. Polygonum cuspidatum, is also known as Japanese knot weed The flowers are valued by some beekeepers as an important source of nectar for honeybees, at a time of year when little else is flowering. Japanese knot weed yields a mono floral honey, usually called bamboo honey by northeastern U.S. beekeepers, like a mild-flavored version of buckwheat honey . See everything comes back to the bees.
The young stems of knot weed are edible as a spring vegetable, with a flavor similar to mild rhubarb.If you a history of kidney stones I would caution you since this plant contains oxalates. Oxalates can be a cause of your kidney stones. This plant can also aggravate rheumatism, arthritis, gout, or hyperacidity.
Is your resveratrol from grapes or knotweed. Check the label. Both Japanese knot weed and giant knot weed are important concentrated sources of resveratrol, replacing grape byproducts. Many large supplement sources of resveratrol now use Japanese knot weed and use its scientific name in the supplement labels. The other source, is Senna quinquangulata. Senna is a genus of flowering plants containing at least 260 species, although only about 50 species are commercially important. Most species are native to tropical regions of the world, but a few grow in temperate regions. Herbalists most often prescribe senna leaf tea as a laxative. S. quinquagulata is the another source of resveratrol. The various research studies on resveratrol are impressive. It is a powerful anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and some have used it against some cancers. Resveratrol even has an anti platelet effect. I have seen other doctors use resveratrol for cholesterol lowering effects. I use plant sterols, guggulipids, policosinol, green tea and red rice yeast for their cholesterol lowering effects. New studies indicate that resveratrol reduces the risk of colorectal cancer . Other studies state resveratrol can slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. More studies need to be completed. What is the correct dose for resveratrol ? Who knows. I suggest doses greater than 250 mg.

Stop aging. Follow the anti aging tips and take one resveratrol per day.

Until tomorrow...

I do not know if Benjamin Disraeli had tactfulness. Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield,(21 December 1804 – 19 April 1881) was a British Prime Minister, parliamentarian, Conservative statesman and literary figure. He served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He served under Queen Victoria. I can tell you the actor who portrayed Disraeli in 1929 was none other than the most tactful artist, George Arliss ( 1868 - 1946) Mr. Arliss was one of the oldest actors on the screen during the 1920's and 1930's. He was the first British actor to win an Academy Award. He also defeated himself in the Best Actor category. It was a time when actors were nominated mroe than onc e in different roles. You probably do not know who George Arliss was. If you are a Bette Davis fan you should. If it wasn't for Arliss recommending Ms. David to Warner Brothers for "The Man who Played God" we would never have had Bette, nor the her make up king Perc Westmore. Fromt hat first movie because of Arliss< Ms Davis spent 18 years at Warner Brothers. Thank you Mr. Arliss.

Top Photograph: George Arliss
Bottom Photograph: Prime Minister Disraeli