January 2011

Food Substances That Affect Weight Control Efforts

In our endeavor to develop healthy eating habits, many of us may be well aware of the need for a balanced diet including eating nutritious foods and generally avoiding fatty foods. All this is great for an overall healthy diet, however food substances and additives tend to be overlooked. If taken in excess, they can be detrimental to health and weight control.

The following are worth considering:

Salt: Taken to excess, salt can cause blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of heart attack or stroke. Salt can also result in water retention. Eating too much salt has been known to cause fatalities especially for young children. The recommended adult quantity per day is no more than 6g. Processed, tinned and carry out foods, can contain high quantities of salt that one needs to be mindful of when considering daily intake of salt.

Sugar: A diet that is high in sugar can be as detrimental as that which is rich in fat; for in both cases the body stores the excess energy resulting in increase in weight. Sugar is found naturally in fruit and in vegetables like carrots, peas and dairy products. High concentration of sugar is also found in fruit juices and fizzy drinks. It is advisable to eat the fruit rather than fruit juice whenever possible. One needs to be aware of sugar content in foods and certainly to aim at reducing sugar in drinks like coffee and tea.

Preservatives: Food preservatives are added to some foods to prolong life. Most foods are preserved with salt, chemicals and vinegar. While it can necessary and convenient to eat preserved food, it is certainly healthier to eat the food fresh.

These are only three of food substances that may appear to be of no consequence but could prove detrimental to health taken to excesses over a prolonged period of time. Actively reducing intake of these will be beneficial to weight control and healthy diet.

source: technorati

Hot Flashes may be Your Protection Against Breast Cancer

Women who are troubled by night sweats and hot flashes can take heart, as a new study finds these to be beneficial in warding off some common forms of breast cancers. Experiencing menopausal symptoms cuts the risk of breast cancer by 50%.

A study undertaken on 1,437 women between the ages of 55 to 74 showed that those who experienced night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular menstruation, anxiety and depression, all symptoms of menopause, were at reduced risk of developing breast cancer as compared with women who had none. The study showed postmenopausal women experiencing severe symptoms had the lowest risk the most common forms of breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Even after taking into account other factors like obesity, smoking, and hormone replacement therapy, the benefits of menopausal symptoms and reduced risk of cancer held ground.

As women go through menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone are reduced and so are ovarian functions. The link of hormones with breast cancer risk was known all along and women who took hormone replacement therapy were found to be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

This research was the first of its kind, studying the relation between menopausal symptoms and breast cancer risk and the findings need to be confirmed by study that is more detailed.

Though the current study confirms the suspicion about increased levels of estrogen enhancing the risks for breast cancer, Dr. Stefan Gluck, breast cancer oncologist and professor at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, states, “But we did not have proof that if (women) had less estrogen they have less breast cancer. If you have menopausal symptoms, understand it’s a natural process and it might reduce the risk of breast cancer,” Gluck said. “So, it is something biologically good.”

source: healthaim

Mini-strokes create lasting damage to the brain A new research has suggested transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke, creates lasting damage to the brain. The stroke research team, led by Lara Boyd, of the Brain Research Centre at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia, studied 13 patients from the Stroke Prevention Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital and compared them against 13 healthy study participants.

The patients were studied within 14-30 days of their episode, and showed no impairment through clinical evaluation or standard imaging (CT or MRI).

Participants then underwent a unique brain mapping procedure using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with profound results.

"The brain mapping capabilities of the TMS showed us that TIA is actually causing damage to the brain that lasts much longer than we previously thought it did. In fact, we are not sure if the brain ever recovers," said Boyd.

In the TIA group, brain cells on the affected side of the brain showed changes in their excitability - making it harder for both excitatory and inhibitory neurons to respond as compared to the undamaged side and to a group of people with healthy brains.

These changes are very concerning to the researchers as they show that TIA is likely not a transient event.

"We know that TIA is a warning sign of future stroke. We treat every TIA as though it will result in a stroke, but not every person goes on to have a stroke. By refining this brain mapping technique, our hope is to identify who is most at risk, and direct treatment more appropriately," said Philip Teal, co-author of the study.

The findings were reported in Stroke, the journal of the American Heart Association.

source: sify

How to keep your mouth healthy?

Your teeth can reveal a lot about your overall wellness—research has linked poor oral health to conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and autoimmune disorders.

The issue is twofold. If you already have one of these conditions, some signs may show up in your mouth: People with uncontrolled diabetes, for example, are more likely to have gum disease, cavities and oral infections.

On the flip side, gum disease can increase your risk of developing health issues in the first place. That’s because the bad bacteria in your mouth (a cause of inflammation) can actually make their way into the rest of the body, causing other areas to become inflamed.

“The cardiovascular connection is known to be especially strong,” says New York City–based periodontist James Jacobs, DMD. For example, one British study showed that people who brush infrequently were 70 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease than those who brush twice a day.

Maybe you’re thinking, I brush. I floss—at least sometimes. Isn’t that enough? Probably not, considering that a whopping 85 percent of American adults suffer from gum disease, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. But it’s not too late to reform your ways. Here, we address your top concerns so you can keep your pearly whites in peak condition. Your good health depends on it.

Read: 10 Oral Health Questions—Answered

Irregular bowel movement should be taken seriously by Dr. Timothy Moore
Ph.D., N.M.D., C.N.

The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both diseases have one thing in common: They have an abnormal response to the body’s immune system.

When dealing with the digestive system, one question stands out: “What is a normal bowel movement.”

Regular means not going to the restroom after each meal. And an irregular bowel movement can have a serious and dangerous affect on your life. Hence, Crohn’s disease and colitis must be taken seriously because of their dire complications.

What is Crohn’s disease?

It’s a condition of chronic inflammation in the gastric intestinal tract. One of the main points that sufferers make is that they don’t seem to have a regular bowel movement. A bowel movement is a normal way of life, but not to those who can’t have one for weeks at a time.

Irregular bowel movement can cause health-related problems such as pimples, unexplained rashes, headaches, achy joints, hair loss and irritability. Some of these health-related problems are caused by toxins that build up in the intestines. Pressure has to be released somewhere, and usually it is released through the body in a way that is not pleasant.

Some symptoms are abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, weight loss (or weight gain), and diarrhea, which may be bloody and may not be visible to the naked eye. Even though Crohn’s is an infection, it is not clear what really causes the infection.

Crohn’s disease normally appears in people age 20 to 40 years old. It also has been known to appear in children and older adults. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 people suffer from the disease. When it strikes teenagers, there usually is a need for emotional counseling, because teenagers do not really understand the severity of the disease, and there is the pressure of just wanting to be just a normal teenager.

What is ulcerative colitis?

It’s the inflammation of the lining of the colon. Some of the noticeable signs are headaches, stomach pains and diarrhea, which is associated with blood in the stool. There is usually some correlation between colitis and lifestyle. Depression or anxiety and some degree of emotional stress could be signs of the severity of colitis or Crohn’s disease.

A therapeutic diet for these conditions varies from person to person. But recent studies have shown that some foods tend to irritate or inflame the intestines: wheat products, dairy, red meat, citrus fruits, cauliflower, cabbage, spices, fish, poultry, saturated fats, flour, yeast, sugars, and sugar substitutes.

Various juices that are squeezed from peaches, pears and apples, which contain fructose, also can irritate or inflame the intestines. Pastries sometimes can have the same affect on irritable bowel sufferers.

The best way to find out which foods are good for you is to eliminate the foods that you suspect cause the flareup or an issue with your digestive system or bowels. Be not dismayed. There is hope. But there must be a lifestyle change in order to overcome many of the health issues that sufferers endure when grappling with colitis or Crohn’s disease.

For example, sufferers must drink pure fresh water daily to allow the system to flush toxins out of the body. The lack of water intake on a daily basis could prove detrimental. Juices, tea and sodas are not substitutes for water either.

Another key component is exercise. Exercising is important in helping the body improve its digestion. It also helps to relieve stress, which can and usually is a major component when grappling with colitis or Crohn’s disease.

When eating food that’s not processed but prepared fresh with all the salt and fat substances removed, the body has the capability of healing itself. A plant-based diet coupled with a stress-free lifestyle is just as important in the healing process.

When faced with colitis or Crohn’s disease, the outcome does not have to be embarrassing. The key to healing is a lifestyle change and knowing what to eat and what not to eat. Remember to listen to your body; it has the answers.

source: tri-statedefenderonline

Home remedies to cure piles

Piles or haemorrhoids is one of the most common ailments today. It is a varicose and often inflamed condition of the veins, inside or just outside the rectum. If you have been suffering long on this painful ailment of piles and are fed up with the medicines that have proved ineffective, it’s time to check out the boxes in your kitchen for a few natural and homemade remedies.

Let us know about a few natural remedies and home remedies for piles that are easy to prepare, more effective and free of cost.

You can treat piles in a very short duration if you follow this home remedy for piles. All you need is black mustard, yogurt and buttermilk. Blend a mixture of black mustard in yogurt and eat this while chomping mustard in your mouth. Drink buttermilk after this recipe. A yet another natural remedy for curing piles in short time is by boiling pomegranate in water and drinking this water in the morning as well as in the evening.

There are a number of other home remedies for piles which can be very efficient if followed regularly. In case you are going through the agony of bleeding piles, then a short term home remedy is to put coconut oil on the affected areas.

Natural remedies and those made at home can be much effectual in curing your pain as well as eliminating the problem altogether. The home remedies for piles can have a number of positive therapeutic effects.

source: onlinehealthtips

Easy Healthy Diet Chicken Recipes

Break free from the fact that weight loss recipes cannot be tasty recipes. You will be surprised to know that your recipes can taste the best even without the high calorie ingredients. Maintaining fitness is not only about exercising but eating the right food also accounts for a healthy living. Here are some easy diet recipes which are not only simple, healthy but are just perfect for quick weight loss. Take a look at how to prepared the easy diet recipes.

Diet Recipes - Baked Chicken Thigh recipe

These easy diet recipes are only 200 calories and can taste best with rice.

Ingredients:

1.Chicken thighs

2.1/2 cup soya sauce

3.Garlic powder

4.Salt to taste (optional)

5.Parsley (chopped)

6.Vegetables of choice (chopped, boiled)

Method:

1.Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F

2.In a baking pan, place chicken thighs side up.

3.Add a pinch of garlic powder. Salt can also be sprinkled over chicken but better if avoided.

4.Add a teaspoon of soya sauce on each piece.

5.Bake chicken for about 1 hour or until brown and crisp.

6.Garnish with parsley and vegetables. Tasty chicken thigh recipe ready to eat.

Diet Recipes - Pineapple Chicken Breast Recipe

Ingredients:

1.Chicken breasts (boned)

2.Pepper powder

3.Paprika

4.20 ounces pineapple (unsweetened tidbits, drained and dried)

5.2 tsp mustard

6.Soya sauce

7.Garlic pods (finely chopped)

Method:

1.Arrange Chicken breast in a cooker. Sprinkle chicken breasts with pepper powder and paprika

2.Combine soya sauce, pineapple and mustard together and pour over the chicken breasts.

3.Add chopped garlic and cook (on crock pot for atleast 3 to 4 hours on high flame) (or pressure cooker until three whistles). Tasty Pineapple chicken breast recipe ready to serve.

Try preparing these easy recipes, stay healthy and live lengthy!

Best medication for Cerebral Palsy? Medicine therapy is used to help control some of the symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP), prevent or minimize complications, and treat other medical conditions related to CP. Medication choices include:

1. Antispasmodics. It can help relax tight muscles and reduce muscle spasms. Antispasmodics are usually taken orally and it includes:

* Diazepam (such as Valium).
* Baclofen (Lioresal).
* Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium).

2. Anticonvulsants are used as treatment for persons with CP who have seizures. Most commonly used anticonvulsants are:

* Gabapentin (Neurontin).
* Lamotrigine (Lamictal).
* Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal).
* Topiramate (Topamax).
* Zonisamide (Zonegran).

3. Anticholinergics help a person with CP who have uncontrollable body movements (dystonic cerebral palsy) or who drool frequently. Examples of which are:

* Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin).
* Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet).
* Glycopyrrolate (Robinul).
* Procyclidine hydrochloride (Kemadrin).
* Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride.

4. Stool softeners and mild laxatives may possibly help treat constipation, which is a common complaint of people with CP.

More Information on Cerebral Palsy

SOURCE: mdinfo

New UVic's machine detects host of cardiovascular woes

A new machine has made it possible for a simple blood test can check for cardiovascular disease.

VICTORIA — A new, high-tech machine — the first in Canada — is signalling the start of University of Victoria research into how a simple blood test can check for cardiovascular disease.

The $500,000 Agilent ion funnel 6490 mass spectrometer will be used to check simultaneously for up to 150 different proteins that research has identified as potential markers of the onset of cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer in Canada.

Christoph Borchers, director of the UVic-Genome B.C. Proteomics Centre, said he plans to use the machine to develop a comprehensive protein profile — that is, the presence and quantity of various blood proteins in given blood samples — to reflect the presence of cardiovascular disease.

Borchers said in the past, the limits of the old mass spectrometry technology meant one test had to be performed for each protein. Even then, all the tests could offer was yes or no for the mere presence of the protein.

Along with allowing researchers to test for 150 different proteins at once, the new machine can test for protein concentrations. And it can do this with an analysis requiring only about 30 minutes.

“In the past, it would have taken us years to do it and cost thousands of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, millions of dollars,” Borchers said.

Genome B.C. was founded in 2000 and is funded primarily by the federal and provincial governments. It operates as a catalyst for genome-driven life science research performed collaboratively by government, industry and universities.

Since it began, Genome B.C. has been involved in research worth more than $450 million. Project areas include aquaculture, wild fisheries, forestry, agriculture and human health.

Borchers’ research will be conducted in co-operation with researchers at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver in the PROOF (Prevention of Organ Failure) Centre.

Dr. Bruce McManus, director of PROOF, said in the past doctors relied upon testing for single proteins, like cholesterol, when examining for cardiovascular conditions like hardening of the arteries, heart-muscle failure or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from smoking.

But the human body and its various components work in much the same way as people do in social networks. They influence each other, interact with each other and stimulate each other.

If you want to find out what is happening in a social network, it’s best to look at a number of individuals.

Likewise, if you are examining a person’s medical conditions, as indicated by their blood chemistry, it’s best to examine a variety of different components instead of just one.

“If we can sample multiple proteins that reflect related or interacting pathways and networks in one sample, we can quickly get a better picture of whether they are really healthy or whether they are at risk for disease or have disease,” McManus said.

This analysis is complex and requires collaboration among people who understand mass spectrometry, biology, clinical conditions and how to analyze big chunks of complex data.

But with the arrival of the new Agilent technology, these tests can be performed on small, droplet-sized blood samples.

Borcher’s research into protein profiles is offering a way to make complex clinical examination easier for everyone.

“The idea is to simplify the detection of risk, make it non-invasive, so the patient is more comfortable,” McManus said.

source: vancouversun

Blocking "rogue gene" may stop cancer spread British scientists have discovered a "rogue gene" which helps cancer spread around the body and say blocking it with the right kind of drugs could stop many types of the disease in their tracks.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia said their findings could lead within a decade to the development of new medicines to halt a critical late stage of the disease known as metastasis, when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.

The culprit gene, called WWP2, is an enzymic bonding agent found inside cancer cells, the researchers explained in their study, published in the journal Oncogene Monday.

It attacks and breaks down a naturally-occurring protein in the body which normally prevents cancer cells from spreading.

In tests in the laboratory, the UEA team found that by blocking WWP2, levels of the natural inhibitor protein were boosted and the cancer cells remained dormant.

Surinder Soond, who worked on the study, said it was a "novel and exciting approach to treating cancer and the spread of tumors which holds great potential."

"The challenge now is to identify a potent drug that will get inside cancer cells and destroy the activity of the rogue gene," said Andrew Chantry of UEA's school of biological sciences, who led the research.

He said this was "a difficult but not impossible task" and one that would be made easier by the better understanding of the biological processes gained in this early research.

Chantry said in a telephone interview the findings mean drugs could be developed in the next 10 years that could be used to halt the aggressive spread of many forms of cancer, including breast cancer, brain, colon and skin cancer.

If a drug was developed that deactivated WWP2, he said, conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy could be used on primary tumors with no risk of the disease taking hold elsewhere.

He said his team is now working with other scientists to try to design a drug which could interrupt the gene's activity.

SOURCE: reuters

Arrowroot: A food plant effective in healing wounds

The Arrowroot plant is a native to the West Indies Caribbean islands and Central America. It is also grown in India, Java, the Philippines, Mauritius and West Africa. The root (rhizome) is the part used, either dried (for culinary and medicinal purpose) or fresh (as a food plant and for healing in tribal medicine).

The powdered root is a good source of starch.

Health benefits
It can be used safely to sooth an infant or build up the health of a convalescent, for instant, as a jelly or a sauce flavoured with sugar or fruit. It is a powerful antidote for vegetable poisons. In tribal medicine, arrowroot is used as a poultice on wounds caused by poisoned arrows or scorpion, spider and snake bites to draw out toxins. It is also used to prevent gangrene.

It is widely used as a medicine by people having dietary restrictions.

Can you get infection from a toilet seat?

Toilet seats are not usually the common transmissions of infections. There are some organisms that you can get for a toilet seat such as the streptococcus (most common cause of sepsis or blood infection) that we always carry in our skin.

It's possible that you can be one of the carriers after sharing a toilet seat on a public restrooms. Risk of transmission is very small.

Some infections spread in restroom areas other than toilet. One of which is believed to be the used towel rollers and touching of contaminated door knobs and faucets that causes colds and flu.

New device (Ambulight) to zap skin cancer

The Ambulight costs just £100 - about half the price of the average hospital outpatient appointment

Skin cancers can now be treated at home - thanks to a revolutionary light- emitting sticking plaster.

The device, called the Ambulight, is a form of photodynamic therapy (PDT), an established alternative to surgery for many forms of skin cancer that uses laser, or other light sources, combined with a light-sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells.

PDT treatment avoids the scarring associated with surgical removal of the tumour and the need for a hospital stay.

The Ambulight consists of a disc-shaped pod about an inch in diameter that houses medical-grade red LED lights. The light source is attached to a controller the size of a mobile phone.

Photosensitising cream is rubbed on to the skin, and the pod is attached to the skin with a plaster. The cream takes three hours to penetrate the skin, then the pod turns on. Three hours later the light switches off and the device can be disposed of. Patients can move freely during treatment.

The machine costs just £100 - about half the price of the average hospital outpatient appointment.

PDT treatment is used to treat non-melanoma-type skin cancers, which affect around 15 per cent of the UK population. The most common types are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers do not commonly spread, but they are still considered malignant.

Ambulight developer James Ferguson, Professor of dermatology at Dundee University, hopes the treatment will eventually be offered at GP surgeries.

'Trials have shown it to be up to 90 per cent as effective as hospital treatment and it's a lot gentler,' says Prof Ferguson.

Muriel Lowe, 59, who lives in St Andrews, Scotland, with golf photographer husband Iain, 61, underwent the treatment after being diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma in February last year.

'I noticed a pink patch around the size of a 5p piece above my left breast,' she says. 'It wasn't painful - in fact I only asked my GP to look at it while I was seeing him for another reason.

'He referred me immediately to Prof Ferguson's clinic at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, where I had a biopsy. The results came back a week or so later and it was cancer.

'They explained I was eligible for this new treatment that would just involve wearing a sticking plaster. The nurse rubbed cream into the area and then attached the contraption. After that, Iain and I went for lunch, and after three hours, it turned itself on.

'There was a slight niggling pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. After three hours it turned off, and I returned to the hospital where they took it off and checked there hadn't been any bad reactions. I felt very tired afterwards, but that was it.'

A week later Muriel had her second treatment. After three months she returned for tests and was told the cancer had gone.

The Ambulight plaster has just received a European licence and is now being rolled out to NHS hospitals nationwide.

source: dailymail

How to maintain eye health in the office

Staring at a computer all day can take a toll on the eyes and chances are you’re on a computer a fair bit, so I thought I’d share these helpful tips my optometrist gave me on dealing with the eyestrain that accompanies office work.

• Take eye breaks. Be sure to look away from your screen every 15 minutes — if not more. Look at something close up (check out your cuticles) and something far away, to help exercise your depth perception. It’s especially smart to look out a window when searching to focus your eyes on something in the distance.

• Remember to blink! When staring at a computer screen we tend to blink about five times less than usual. Blinking might seem like an unimportant activity, but it lubricates eyes so they
work smoothly.

• Eye-exercise. Eye exercises look silly, but they help. A private place to do them is in the bathroom; take a minute to do eye circles, diagonals and long blinks. Yep, you can alleviate some eyestrain by working out your baby blues. Unfortunately, these moves don’t count as strength training.

I hope your eyes don’t feel too strained because I have plenty more tips, so continue reading.

• Keep eye drops handy. Especially in the winter when the heaters are going, eyes are prone to drying out. You should do drops a few times a day.

• Adjust your workstation so the words you are reading are at eye level — you shouldn’t have to look up or down to see your screen. The screen should be about an arm’s length away. Your back should lay flat against the back of your chair. Sitting well will also help prevent neck strain.

• Take real breaks. Go outside. Breathe fresh air. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while for a quick catch-up. Get your blood flowing. These short activities are great for your body and mind, in addition to your eyes.

• Eating a well balanced diet can help your eyes, too. Include eggs, carrots and kale and yummy avocados. All these foods are high in nutrients, like lutein, which is great for your eyes.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you drink coffee in the morning. Caffeine dries out the eyeballs.

• As for home laptop use, try to create a workspace with a desk and the positions mentioned above. It’s nice to sit on a couch and take a good break, but don’t do it for over an hour (it can cause neck strain). Make sure you’re not working in the dark.

Kidney cancer linked to mutated gene A mutated gene has been found in a third of patients with the most common form of kidney cancer.

The researchers said the discovery of a second major gene linked to renal cancer was a major advance.

The study, published in the journal Nature, shows the gene is involved in packaging DNA in the body's cells.

The Institute of Cancer Research said the study provided a better picture of how the cancer formed and paved the way for future therapies.

Kidney cancer is incredibly good at evading detection; in around half of cases the sufferer has no symptoms.

In 2008, nearly 4,000 people in the UK died from the illness.
Completing the picture

Scientists have been gradually unravelling the genetic nature of kidney cancer for years.

The main gene involved, the tumour suppressor VHL, is mutated in eight out of 10 patients, but is not the whole picture.

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have discovered several other genes which play a part, but have now discovered a gene, PBRM1, which is mutated in around a third of cases.

Professor Mike Stratton, director of the Sanger Institute, said: "Our discovery is a major advance.

"We think we may have an almost complete understanding of the set of abnormal genes which drive this cancer.

"This insight will provide us with many new therapeutic directions."

Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in men and the ninth in women.

Dr Elizabeth Rapley, Institute of Cancer Research, said: "This cancer has a poor prognosis with fewer than 50% of patients surviving their disease for more than five years.

"The research provides a better and more complete picture of the genetic changes needed for renal cancer to develop.

"It highlights the importance of genes that wind and unwind DNA in renal cancer and paves the way for the development of personalised cancer therapies that exploit these mutations."

SOURCE: bbc news

Kids who get good sleep least likely to be obese

Parents, here's another good reason to make sure your kids get enough shut-eye: Children who get sufficient sleep are less likely to be obese, a new study shows.

Other research shows sleep affects kids' academic performance, mood and attention span.

For the latest study, scientists at the University of Chicago and the University of Louisville compared the sleep patterns of 308 children, ages 4-10, with their body mass index, a number that considers height and weight. The children wore special wrist-band devices for a week to track the amount they slept.

Some of the kids had blood work done to look at their glucose, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, which are markers for the risk of type 2 diabetes and future cardiovascular disease.

The study, out online today in Pediatrics, shows:

•Kids slept an average of eight hours a night. This is far less than the nine or more hours recommended for this age group.

•Kids who slept at least 9½ to 10 hours were the least likely to be obese or to have unhealthy blood work.

•The children who slept the least and had the most irregular sleep schedule (they didn't go to bed at a set time) had a substantially greater risk of being obese and having unhealthy blood work.

•Those who got caught up on sleep on the weekends somewhat reduced their risk of being obese or having unhealthy blood work.

•Obese children were less likely to get caught up on their sleep on the weekends.

"Good sleep routines and sleeping the right amount is the best healthy proposition," says lead author David Gozal, chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Chicago.

About one-third of children and adolescents in the USA weigh too much, putting them at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and other health problems.

Previous research shows that not getting enough sleep may contribute to weight gain partly because it affects hormones that control hunger and feeling full.

source: usatoday

Laparoscopy for Diverticular Disease Laparoscopic colectomy has been demonstrated a safe technique in patients with colon and rectal cancer.

Up to 25% of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis with morbidity approaching 60% for those with recurrent attacks. The goal for operative management of diverticular disease is to electively resect the at-risk colon before an emergent colostomy is required. The question of whether to approach these elective operations laparoscopically or open remains controversial.

Randomized controlled trials including COST, COLOR and CLASICC have reinforced the safety of this approach in patients with cancer. Diverticular disease poses unique challenges, though, given the inherent inflammatory changes associated with the disease.

In 2009, results of the SIGMA trial were published; a multi-center, randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open elective operation for diverticular disease. This study found a significantly decreased length of hospital stay, less post-operative pain and a better quality of life after laparoscopic operation. Additionally, a 15.4% reduction in major complications (leak, bleeding, myocardial infarction and pulmonary emboli) was found in the laparoscopic group. A 2010 meta-analysis of available literature similarly demonstrated a decrease in complications with laparoscopic operation.

As surgeon and institutional experience with laparoscopic colectomy expand, continued reduction in complication and conversion rates can be expected. Further, as comfort with more advanced minimally invasive approaches such as single incision laparoscopic surgery increases, adaptation of these procedures may increase as well.

Dr. Jeremy Lipman, colorectal surgeon, has joined MetroHealth Medical Center and is accepting new patients. Dr. Lipman specializes in utilizing single-incision laparoscopic techniques on a full range of conditions including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and cancer.

SOURCE: mdnews

Congo hemorrhagic fever: Key facts, symptoms and preventive actions

What is Congo hemorrhagic fever?
A person with Congo hemorrhagic fever has a viral infection that is transmitted to humans by ticks. The illness can cause a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a rash. The illness can progress to become life threatening. Congo hemorrhagic fever occurs in Europe, the Mediterranean, China, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and India.

What are the symptoms of Congo hemorrhagic fever?
Congo hemorrhagic fever causes a flu-like illness that starts within one week of the tick bite. The initial symptoms are mild, but may become severe very quickly. The most common initial symptoms of Congo hemorrhagic fever include abdominal pain, back pain, body aches, fever, joint pain, nausea and vomiting.

How does the doctor treat Congo hemorrhagic fever?
Treatment for Congo hemorrhagic fever may include rest, fluids, antiviral medications, and acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and fever control.

Risk factors for congo hemorrhagic fever include:

* Elderly
* Travel to undeveloped country
* Any condition that causes a weakening of the immune system such as:
* Diabetes
* Organ transplant
* Chemotherapy
* AIDS

Congo hemorrhagic fever causes a flu-like illness that starts within one week of the tick bite. The initial symptoms are mild, but may become severe very quickly.

The most common initial symptoms of congo hemorrhagic fever include:

* Abdominal pain
* Back pain
* Body aches
* Fever
* Chills
* Severe headache
* Joint pain (multiple joints)
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Anorexia
* Fatigue
* Malaise
* Red eyes
* Flushing
* Red throat

After 3-5 days, signs and symptoms of hemorrhage may occur, including:

* Rash:
* Skin lesions that look like bruises or broken blood vessels in the skin
* Skin lesions may be on the palate
* Blood in the stool
* Blood in urine
* Black stool
* Nosebleed
* Abdominal swelling:
* Liver enlargement

Symptoms of severe congo hemorrhagic fever include:

* Coma
* Confusion
* Lethargy:
* A condition of excessive sleepiness or drowsiness.
* Low blood pressure

Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Treatment
Treatment for Congo hemorrhagic fever usually includes rest, fluids, antiviral medications, and acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and fever control.

Treatment for congo hemorrhagic fever may include:

* Acetaminophen for pain
* Ibuprofen for pain
* Plenty of fluids
* Rest
* Antiviral medications:
* Ribavirin (Rebetol)

Prevention of congo hemorrhagic fever includes:

* Avoid areas where outbreaks occur.
* Avoid wooded areas where ticks live.
* Wear long sleeve shirts and pants, and a hat.
* Wear insect repellent clothing.
* Use tick repellents on clothing and exposed skin.
* Tick repellents that contain DEET
* Tick repellents that contain permethrin
* Check your skin and clothing for ticks after being outdoors.
* Shower after going into the woods.
* See your doctor within 4 hours if you are unable to completely remove a tick from the skin.
* Treat pets for fleas and ticks.

source: freemd

First case of "Congo Fever" hits Mumbai

First case of viral haemorrhagic fever in Mumbai

Days after three cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were detected in Ahmedabad, a 48-year-old resident of Thane has shown clinical symptoms of the viral haemorrhagic fever and is critical.

Doctors at Jaslok Hospital where Sampat Jain was referred to earlier transferred him to the BMC-run Kasturba hospital on Friday morning.

The disease, also known as Congo fever, has so far claimed three lives in Ahmedabad in the last few days and has resulted in health authorities screening thousands of people. The mortality rate from CCHF is approximately 90%, say doctors, with death occuring in the second week of illiness.

Consulting physician at Jaslok, Dr Pratik Samdhani told DNA, “Sampat was referred to me last night. He had high fever and was disoriented. He was not responding to the treatment given by the local physician for 6-7 days. His MRI scan revealed that he was bleeding in the brain. Besides, he has a low blood platelets count. His kidney and liver were deranged.”

Jain, whose dengue, malaria and leptospirosis tests were negative, is on ventilator.

“Since patients with CCHF have already been detected in Ahmedabad and the disease is infectious, Jain needed to be kept under fourth degree of isolation. Since Jaslok does not have this facility, we decided to shift him to Kasturba Hospital,” explained Samdhani. “There is no improvement in his condition.”

Jain is a vegetarian and had no contact with livestock. His last visit outside the city was to Shirdi some days ago. “We have recommended Kasturba to give him Ribavarine,” Samdhani said.

Jaslok Hospital also gave the medication to 47 of its employees, including Dr Samdhani, as a precautionarymeasure. The move has cost the hospital around Rs1.5 lakh.

“Jaslok has also instructed Kasturba Hospital to send secretion samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV). This includes nasal swab and sputum,” said Dr Samdhani. Samdhani said the the viral infection could either be arboviral or adenoviral.

Dr GT Ambe, executive health officer, BMC, said he is not aware about the development. Doctors say that the disease is fatal. Unless it is detected at an early stage, and treated aggressively, the patient dies immediately after.

Congo fever was successfully identified by the NIV few days ago. The disease is endemic in many countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. In 2001, cases or outbreaks were recorded in Kosovo, Albania, Iran, Pakistan, and South Africa, according to WHO.

Doctors said after the virus strikes the patient, there is a breakdown of blood and blood products. The tissues get damaged. Thereafter one gets fever and develops a rash that leads to bleeding. It can rapidly deteriorate to headaches, seizures, convulsions and eventually lead to coma. The patient may also experience irritability, and photophobia (irritation to light).

source: dna

Congo Fever, some fascinating facts

Most effective ingredients to treat a hangover

New research points away from eating a large breakfast or gulping down a Caesar as effective treatments for a hangover. Neither of these helps eliminate levels of acetate in your bloodstream.

Put down the Bloody Mary, back away from the McDonald’s drive-through, throw the sausages out of the frying pan. None of them is going to cure that hangover.

All you really needed is a cup of coffee and aspirin — at least if you’re a rat with a soft spot for ethanol.

Professor Michael Oshinsky, of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, induced headaches in rodents by injecting them with small doses (about the equivalent of one drink in humans) of ethanol.

Ethanol, like more common bar drinks, produces acetate in the body when it is metabolized, and it is here, Oshinsky believes, where the cause of our post-drink head pain resides.

“People in the past thought acetate was innocuous because you have high levels of it in your body to begin with,” said Oshinsky in an interview with the Star.

But in drunk rats, acetate alone brings on throbbing heads.

How can you tell if a rat has a headache? “The skin around its eyes becomes sensitive to touch,” says Oshinsky.

The severity of a headache depends on the individual or, in this case, the not-so-hard-partying rat, but the cure for all of Oshinsky’s specimens was the same: caffeine and anti-inflammatories.

Oshinsky insists that none of the commonly cited causes of hangovers could have caused the headaches in his lab rats. Because the rats were injected with ethanol, they were not dehydrated. The pure alcohol used was also free of the toxins and additives often blamed for hangovers brought on by mass-produced booze.

“The work had never been done in the past (to isolate the cause of headaches), it was mostly conjecture” says Oshinsky.

“Dehydration is not necessary to induce the headaches” he adds. “I’m not saying that dehydration is not a cause (of headaches), I’m just saying that in alcohol it is not the only issue.”

This rules out drinking water instead of caffeine to rehydrate your body and eliminate a throbbing head.

Oshinsky’s research also seems to detract from the benefits of a full English breakfast or a quickly gulped Caesar — neither of these helps eliminate levels of acetate in your bloodstream.

And don’t blame the colour of the drink special for keeping your head on your desk, says Oshinsky.

“There is nothing available in alcohol in terms of impurities that is toxic enough to induce a headache.”

source: thestar

Cayenne pepper most effective natural and purest stimulants

Cayenne pepper (African pepper, bird pepper) is a dried, ground, brick-coloured, hot spice which is a native of Zanzibar but cultivated in most tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is used for culinary and healing purposes in herbal medicine.

It contains several active, volatile substances.

Health benefits
It is said to be one of the purest and most effective natural stimulants in herbal medicine. It produces natural warmth and is said to promote blood circulation and aid digestion. It is added to tonics and is thought to help prevent infections, especially colds and fevers.

Cayenne pepper can also be used to treat chilblains.

Many from around the world recount amazing results from using cayenne pepper. It improves circulation, rebuilds blood cells, lowers cholesterol, emulsifies triglycerides, removes toxins from the bloodstream and improves overall heart health. It's even a great insect repellent.

As mentioned, it can also heal ulcers, which seems contradictory considering its native calidity or heat. It immediately equalizes blood pressure in your system, shrinks hemorrhoids, and heals the gall bladder too.

Cayenne pepper is added sparingly to curries, etc.

More on Health Foods

How to prevent severe joint pain attack?

Issues about attacks of arthritis during weather changes are common. There hasn’t been a good research that would tell that weather affects or damage joints. There are also one arthritis specialist conducted a study in which he created a climate chamber and resulted that high humidity combined with low pressure were associated with increase joint pain. But, the strength of the study is criticized by many because of limited numbers of participants.

There are cases wherein patients don’t experience pain with weather changes and there are some who experience severe pain. There are also cases wherein they can predict if it will rain based on their symptoms.

Here are some measures to manage the pain during attacks:

• Try heat and cold therapy. Cold compress numb the sore area and reduce inflammation and swelling especially if caused by flare. Heat packs relax your muscles and stimulates blood circulation.

• Consider massage. Massage can bring warmth and relaxation to the painful area.

Tips for Massage:

1. When doing massage, stop if you feel any pain.

2. Don't massage the joints when there is severe swelling and pain.

3. When giving yourself a massage, you can use lotion

4. If you use menthol gel for massage, always remove it before putting heat treatments to prevent burns.

5. If you have massage therapists, make sure he has experience working with people who have arthritis.

• Practice relaxation. Relaxation can provide you a sense of control and well-being that makes it easier to manage pain and stiffness.

• Consider surgery. When other treatment methods are not effective, or when you have problems in moving and using your joints, surgery may be necessary.

• Learn about other treatments.

1. Biofeedback. It uses sensitive electrical equipment to help you be more aware of your body's reaction to stress and pain.

2. TENS (Trans-cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). Involves a device that directs electric pulses to nerves in the painful area.

3. Acupuncture. It uses needles to stimulate nerves to block the pain signal

mdinfo

Heart healthy advantage of organic milk

Researchers from Newcastle University say milk collected following cooler, wetter weather may be bad for your health.

The paper appears in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Researcher Gillian Butler says higher saturated fats and lower beneficial fatty acids were discovered in milk produced during these poor British summer and harsh winters.

Among the conventional brands, scientists found healthy omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids were lower when saturated fat products derived from palm oil was fed to the cows.

Vitamins, minerals, protein, antioxidants and some mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk have benefits to our body, but saturated fatty acids are considered unhealthy.

Researchers suggested changing to organic milk because it is consistently contains more healthy fatty acids, despite the weather conditions.

Butler thinks the organic advantage boils down to a lower reliance on grazing on nitrogen laced fertilizer meant to suppressed clover on conventional farms.

Since weather affects the cows’ behavior, the cows may graze less and produce less milk.

In order to avoid the shortage of milk product, farmers may need to supplement with concentrated feeds.

Organic products rely on foraging red and white clover, which help to alter the fatty acid composition of milk.

"We should consume less saturated fats and switch to organic milk and dairy products for a healthy way to get desirable fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants.", Butler suggested. "By choosing organic milk you can cut saturated fats by 30-50 percent and still get the same intake of beneficial fatty acids, as the omega-3 levels are higher but omega-6 is not, which helps to improve the crucial ratio between the two."

If the weather conditions continued, dairy management would have to adapt to maintain long term milk quality, researchers suggested.

The researchers, who are part of the University's Nafferton Ecological Farming Group and its Human Nutrition Centre, looked at the quality of milk in supermarkets across North East England at varying times of year over a two-year period.

Stephen Lau and editing by Aimee Keenan-Greene

source: foodconsumer

Also Read:
* Strong Health Benefits of Drinking Milk

* Skim milk provide the same nutritional value as whole milk?

* Whats so good about organic foods?

Healthy diet 'key' to avoiding degenerative eye conditions

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight is key to avoiding degenerative eye conditions, it has been claimed.

Being overweight increases the risk of suffering from threatening eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or cataracts, according to the Eyecare Trust.

Charity chairman Dharmesh Patel advised that regular exercise and eye tests should be complemented by a healthy diet "rich in fruit and vegetables", as well as avoiding smoking.

His comments follow research by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia, which indicated that there could be a link between iron overload caused by hemochromatosis and the wet form of macular degeneration.

This lends further support to suggests that diet plays a key role in eye health.

Researchers indicate that, in order to avoid the most serious consequences of the disease, patients may need only to donate blood a couple of times a year.

Lead researcher Dr Vadivel Ganapathy also suggested that the findings may prove key to future screening for macular degeneration.

Written by Angela Newbury

source: mediplacements

Some chromosomes trigger cancer quicker

A UK scientist has discovered that a single event can release a chain of hundreds of mutations, and trigger cancers much more quickly than usual.

Peter Campbell at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, spotted that a chromosome had apparently been smashed into hundreds of fragments and stuck back together, Humpty Dumpty-like.

The result was a random mosaic of genetic material containing a number of cancer-causing mutations.

"The first patient was a chance finding and we didn't know what to make of it," the New Scientist quoted Campbell as saying.

After sequencing genomes from over 700 people with a range of cancers, Campbell and his team found the same pattern of damage in around 2 to 3 per cent of them.

Such serious damage would result in cell suicide but instead some cells appeared to have stitched the chromosome fragments back together. In some cases there were up to three cancer-causing mutations, suggesting those cells have taken a "significant leap on the road to cancer", said Campbell.

One single event has made these cells take a significant leap on the road to cancer

The team are unsure what causes these chromosomes to become "completely pulverised", but speculate that radiation could be to blame.

The study has been published in journal Cell .

source: TOI

Healthy habits relieve anxiety for busy students A full course-load, a part-time job, an internship and a social life, can get in the way of working out and eating right. It is possible to obtain, however, and having a healthy lifestyle can make college stress much easier.

Exercising and keeping my diet in check helped many aspects of my life.

After struggling with an eating disorder in high school, I realized being healthy and happy was not about being thin or fitting into a double zero; it definitely wasn’t about calorie-counting or exercising into exhaustion. It was about treating my body with the respect it deserved.Cary Carr a healthy balance

I had that attitude as a freshman and promised to make time for the gym no matter what was going on. But now as a sophomore, I manage to find a variety of outlets for exercise, as well as healthy alternatives to late-night pizza and the ever-so-temping Insomnia Cookies.

I usually visit the IBC Student Recreation Center to workout. I try using group fitness programs as often as possible because there are a variety of classes that combine both cardio and weight training. The instructors make exercising less boring by constantly switching up the routines.

On days when I can’t fit in a class, I head over to the Temple University Fitness Center because it is significantly less crowded than the IBC. There, I combine cardio, weight-training and abdominal exercises in intervals.

But like most people, I get sick of the gym and the same old routine, so I use other outlets. I love to dance – ballet, jazz, modern or hip-hop – so I found my No. 1 go-to for classes: the Koresh School of Dance, located near Rittenhouse Square.

It requires some extra time and money to get to Koresh, but it’s worth it. Dancing allows me to do what I love while still working up a sweat.

I am also a member of the Angels Dance Team for the Philadelphia Wings Lacrosse Team. We practice twice a week, which includes choreography for our performances at the Wells Fargo Center but also boot-camp style workouts to keep us in shape for games and performances.

While I work out six times per week on average, eating a balanced diet is essential, but is difficult to get on a college campus.

My freshman year, I usually visited the food court in the Howard Gittis Student Center to utilize my meal plan. It is full of savory, yet greasy, options such as Burger King and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, but there are healthier choices. I tended to go for the salad bar where I combined broccoli, nuts, cheese and tofu or chicken to make a filling lunch. I also enjoyed sushi – especially the California roll with brown rice.

Now I buy my own groceries at the Fresh Grocer, which has a ton of options. I buy Lean Cuisines in bulk because they offer so many varieties, ranging from chicken and rice to pizza dishes.

Instead of cutting out treats completely, I try to find alternatives such as low-fat and low-sugar ice cream, whole-wheat pizza and pasta and dark-chocolate.

Although I try not to obsessively count calories, I keep a ballpark estimate of how much I’m consuming on a daily basis. Sometimes food may appear healthy, but some nutrition labels show otherwise.

It can be a challenge to keep up with a healthy diet and workout plan. Once you get started, classes will seem less stressful and that daunting workload will get done easier with the added energy you gain.

source: temple-news

What happens when you overdose on insulin?

For people with diabetes who require insulin in order to control blood sugar, the benefits of insulin far outweigh the risks of side effects from using insulin.

Taking more insulin than you need can lead to low blood sugar. This is called a hypoglycemic reaction.

Low blood sugar can lead to any of these symptoms:

* From a sugar shortage in the brain

o Headache
o Dizziness
o Blurred vision
o Difficulty concentrating
o Poor coordination
o Confusion
o Weakness
o Fainting
o Tingling sensations in the lips or hands
o Confused speech
o Abnormal behavior
o Convulsions
o Loss of consciousness
o Coma

* From an adrenaline "surge" (your body releases the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine in an emergency like low blood sugar)

o Sweating
o Tremors (feeling shaky)
o Rapid heartbeat
o Anxiety
o Hunger

Injecting insulin can lead to swelling or the formation of a nodule under the skin at the injection site.

The primary side effect of taking large doses of insulin over a long period of time is weight gain. A few people develop antibodies against insulin, which makes these people resistant to insulin's effect.

source: intelihealth

Expectant Mothers Exposed to Many Harmful Chemicals

Pregnant womens are exposed to a number of banned and harmful chemicals, which could prove hazardous to both the baby and their health.

Tracey Woodruff, Director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) told that their team analyzed data on 268 pregnant women and 163 chemicals. It was found that 43 of 163 chemicals were there in over 99% of pregnant women.

Those chemicals were either banned for decades or came from flame retardants, sunscreens and non-stick cookware. They included phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), perchlorate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzophenone-3.

The findings of the research appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives. The discovered chemicals in pregnant women could be associated with disorders such as brain development and fertility problem in child.

Bisphenol A, though has been banned, still used as a liner inside metal food and beverage cans was discovered in 96% of the pregnant women. This chemical can cause hormonal disturbance and adverse brain development.

Woodruff stated that since the formation of the U. S. Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, it has never been updated, which is allowing use of some harmful chemicals in some products.

"We need to be re-examining the laws because chemicals are not being sufficiently tested and regulated", says Woodruff.

source: topnews.us

Gene Found Responsible for Brain Cell Destruction in Alzheimer’s Disease The death of brain cells causes the Down syndrome and the patients are vulnerable to get affected by the Alzheimer's disease. In a recent study by a group of researchers at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute identified the gene that is responsible for the destruction of the neuron cells.

The report tells, "Alzheimer's burden to increase as population ages. A new report from a Minnesota legislature working group says the state must prepare now for the significant costs and medical demands associated with Alzheimer's disease as baby boomers retire."

The disease has a link way past in the history. During the World War II, the soldiers returned to their anxiously waiting wives and they were in a hurry to compensate the lost days in war by starting the family to grow. These baby boomers gave birth to a significant section of today's America.

There were about 3.4 million new-born babies in 1946 and this stretched till the next 2 decades. So a great part of the population is going to reach the age of 65 years or has reached already who are vulnerable to be affected by this disease.

The researchers said that this discovery will enhance the study of a possible treatment or even prevention of both Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease though that may take another decade.

source: topnews.us

Specific Blood Type May Protect Against Heart Disease

Patients with a specific blood type may have reduced susceptibility to coronary artery disease, while the American Heart Association calls for less salt.

n a new research report printed in The Lancet on January 15, 2011, ("Identification of ADAMTS7 as a novel locus for coronary atherosclerosis and association of ABO with myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis: two genome-wide association studies")scientists from the University of Pennsylvania's Cardiovascular Institute are claiming to have identified a gene locus which raises the risk for heart disease.

What makes this study so interesting is the additional finding that those with the O blood type may have a better chance of possessing myocardial protective properties. In previous research, findings have lead to a belief that type O blood may provide increased heart protection, but it wasn't until the current study was released that a definite link could be established.
Summary of the Study

Researchers placed study participants in two groups. Both groups consisted of patients with coronary artery disease, but in one group, all participants were heart attack survivors, while in the other group, participants had never experienced a myocardial infarction. When looking at the genetic make-up of these two groups, scientists discovered a common gene, called ADAMTS7. The presence of this gene related to an increased risk of heart disease. Those participants with blood type O reported fewer heart attacks than those of other blood types.
New Treatment Options for Heart Disease

Understanding the impact that ADAMTS7 has on the health of the cardiovascular system will add a new set of options for the treatment of heart disease. New gene therapies will focus on combating this disease on a very basic DNA level. These new treatments may need to be patient specific as each person’s genetic makeup is unique, causing each to react in different ways to a particular therapy.

Does Blood Type O Prevent Heart Attacks?

Quite simply, the answer is no. While there were several more participants in the study who had suffered a heart attack even though they had been diagnosed with heart disease, this is not a license for those with type O blood to neglect their health. It is still a necessity to practice healthy living regardless of blood type. Patients with type O blood have less of a chance of developing heart attacks, but the protective properties are not full proof.

American Heart Association New Sodium Restriction Call to Action

The latest news coming out of the American Heart Association (AHA) this week ("Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: The Importance of Population-Wide Sodium Reduction as a Means to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Call to Action From the American Heart Association") concerns reducing salt intake. The AHA reports that in 2009, over 400 billion dollars was spent treating heart disease issues. To help combat the problem, they are taking a hard stance on salt intake and calling for medical professionals to take action and educate patients on the benefits of salt reduction.

Protect Your Heart Health

Those that are concerned about heart health should consult their licensed health care provider for information on cardiovascular wellness. General guidelines for heart health can be found at the American Heart Associate website and include many of the following:

Follow a daily exercise routine.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a healthy diet.

Decrease stress levels.

source: suite101

Coffee may guard against type 2 diabetes University of California at Los Angeles researchers think they can explain why coffee consumption protects against the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The researchers found coffee increases plasma levels of a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin or SHBG which regulates the biological activity of the body's sex hormone, testosterone and estrogen.

The protein has been thought for long to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dr. Simin Liu, Professor at the UCLA School of Public Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA reported in the journal Diabetes that women who drank more than four cups of coffee a day were more than 50 percent less likely to develop diabetes, compared with those who did not drink coffee.

In the United States, about 20 million men and women suffer from diabetes, 90 to 95 percent is type 2 diabetes.

Earlier studies showed an inverse association between coffee intake and risk for type 2 diabetes and it was assumed that coffee may improve the body's tolerance to blood sugar by increasing metabolism or improving its insulin tolerance.

Earlier, Dr. Liu and colleagues had identified two mutations in the gene coding for SHBG, one increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the other reducing the risk of the disease depending upon the level of SHBG in the blood.

A large clinical study revealed the important role of sex hormones in the development of type 2 diabetes, and it’s known that SHBG not only regulates the sex hormones, but may also directly mediate the signaling of sex hormones.

"It seems that SHBG in the blood does reflect a genetic susceptibility to developing type 2 diabetes," Dr. Liu said.

"But we now further show that this protein can be influenced by dietary factors such as coffee intake in affecting diabetes risk — the lower the levels of SHBG, the greater the risk beyond any known diabetes risk factors."

For the current study, the researchers identified 359 new diabetes cases matched by age and race with 359 apparently healthy controls selected from among nearly 40,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Study, which was originally designed to evaluate the benefits and risks of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Women who drank four cups of caffeinated coffee each day were found to have higher amounts of SHBG than non-drinkers and were 56 percent less likely to develop diabetes than non-drinkers.

And the coffee consumption also benefits the protective copy of the SHBG gene.

However, after adjustment for blood SHBG levels, the decrease in risk associated with coffee consumption became insignificant, indicating it is SHBG that mediates the decrease in risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, Liu said.

Co-author Goto said consumption of decaffeinated coffee didn't have any association with the SHBG level, nor diabetes risk.

Stephen Lau and editing by Aimee Keenan-Greene

SOURCE: foodconsumer

New breakthrough in fight against aids

Dr A H Bandivdekar, senior scientist and deputy director of the National Institute of Research in Reproductive Health (NIRH)

In the global battle against the spread of HIV/AIDS, a major victory has been scored in a rather non-descript lab in a narrow, crowded lane of central Mumbai.

Dr A H Bandivdekar, senior scientist and deputy director of the National Institute of Research in Reproductive Health (NIRH), has developed a compound that blocks the virus from growing and multiplying inside a woman's body in cases where it has been sexually transmitted.

The path-breaking discovery, almost certain to shake up the anti-HIV/AIDS research across the world, can take the risk of HIV infection out of the lives of commercial sexworkers, thus putting a brake on its alarming proliferation. It can also help women married to HIV+ve men lead a normal life.

However, entering Dr Bandivdekar’s third-floor office-cum-lab at NIRH’s Parel facility on Saturday afternoon, one did not get any sense of history being made.

Dressed in a faded polo shirt and loose-fitting khakis paired with floaters, he treated with utter contempt any questions on how soon his discovery could be made commercially available. He’d rather, he said, focus on the ongoing in-vitro trials. “Commercial availability of this anti-dote is not my focus...it’s not even my lookout,” he said.

But Dr Bandivdekar is already the talk of the small anti-AIDS research community. On Friday, he made a presentation in Panaji in Goa to a “very appreciative set of scientists” from across the world. His research, in its various stages, has already been published in three annual reports of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

What the ‘Bandivdekar compound’ (he will not discuss its composition till the patent is cleared) does is it tames Mannose Receptor, a protein found in women’s vaginal epithelial cells that binds with the virus and helps it grow and invade others parts of the body. When the Mannose Receptor is controlled at a certain level or is eliminated completely, the HIV virus, in absence of a carrier, is rendered ineffectual.

The beginning

Till 2003, when Dr Bandivdekar was in very initial stages of his research, the only protein that was known to bind with HIV and make it grow and multiply was CD4, found in abundance in blood cells. But that related to HIV transmission through blood. There was very little clarity on sexually transmitted HIV.

His research first showed that the male sperm is CD4 negative. He later found that the vaginal epithelial cells too were CD4 negative.

Now, a big question loomed - if CD4 acts as a carrier when HIV enters a human body through blood, which protein plays the role of CD4 when HIV is sexually transmitted?

The answer, that came to Dr Bandivdekar after many years of research and experiments was - Mannose Receptor. And then began the race to find an anti-dote. “The compound is ready now. We have no doubts about its efficacy. Clinical trials will begin this year in the US, when we will use it on rhesus monkeys,” he said.

During his research, Dr Bandivdekar looked at 40 sexually active, discordant couples (HIV+ve males and HIV-ve women) and found that very low percentage of vaginal epithelial cells in these women had Mannose Receptor. “Since Mannose Receptor is responsible for carrying the virus beyond the vagina and then letting it multiply, these women have been free of HIV even after regular, unprotected sexual contact with their husbands,” he said.

A 40-year-old TV actor, who was part of this study, tested positive in 2004. He was married and had a 10-year-old son then. However, to his relief, tests showed his wife and son both were free of HIV.

It was later revealed that less than 10 per cent of his wife’s vaginal epithelial cells had Mannose Receptor. “Though I tested positive, the knowledge that my wife and son were safe gave me strength. The news gave me confidence to fight this disease, now I am doing well with my family’s support,” he said.

Mixed reaction

Within the scientific and medical community, there is mixed reaction to Bandivdekar’s discovery. One of the major concern is HIV’s propensity to mutate. “There are lots of other factors involved in the non-transmission of HIV from one partner to the other. In HIV, there are three sub types - A, B and C.

In discordant couples, we have found type C virus not getting transmitted to the partner. However, we need more detailed studies,” said Dr Preeti Mehta, head of microbiology, KEM Hospital.

“Of course these findings give us new hope, it will take our research to another level. But it’s too early for us to let our guard down. In counselling, we still ask discordant couples to use protection when having sex

The virus mutates very fast and that is a constant worry,” said Dr Alka Deshpande, head of Anti-Retroviral Therapy at JJ Hospital.

Dr Amita Joshi, head of microbiology at JJ, offered a similar reaction. “It will be difficult to be able to comment on this research at this stage. This is quite interesting, but I need to go through details,” she said.

source: mumbaimirror

What Causes Fever?

Fever is defined as a temperature above 37 deg Celsius, and high fevers are under 103 deg Fahrenheit. Fever can be a symptom of an underlying disease or infection. It happens when your body's defense system is fighting against bacteria and viruses (they can't survive in a high temperature).

Fever is not considered medically significant until body temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Anything above normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is considered a low-grade fever. Fever serves as one of the body's natural defenses against bacteria and viruses which cannot live at a higher temperature. For that reason, low fevers should normally go untreated, unless accompanied by troubling symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of fever includes: chill if the brain increase the body's thermostat. The body then shivers to raise the temperature. When the fever is gone the person starts sweating. Fever can be due to lots of conditions like infections, flu, pneumonia, arthritis, tumors or even cancer. A person with high fever (greater 106 Fahrenheit) is at risk of having dehydration, brain damage and it can even be a cause of death.

What is Exercise Stress Test?

Exercise Stress Test (also called stress test, exercise electrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test, stress ECG)

Definition:
A test used to provide information about how the heart responds to stress. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while the electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.

Your doctor uses the stress test to:

•determine if there is adequate blood flow to your heart during increasing levels of activity

•evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan

•determine the likelihood of having coronary artery disease and the need for future testing

To prepare:

•Do not eat or drink anything except water for four hours before the test.

•Ask your doctor what medications should be taken on the day of your test. If you use an inhaler for breathing, bring it to the test. If you are diabetic, ask your physician...

More Information

Coconut oil works its way into healthy diet

Unlike many other "healthy" oils, unrefined coconut oil is a great option for cooking and frying.

Long vilified for its heavy saturated fat content, coconut oil seems to be staging a comeback.

The latest health darling is popping up in whole food stores, in recipes and on the Internet.

Does coconut oil - extracted from the meat of the mature coconut and used for generations by people living in tropical climes - have a place in a healthy North American diet?

Yes, say some local health experts. Registered dietitian Samara Felesky-Hunt says coconut oil shines as a cooking and frying oil - not that people should be frying, she hastens to add.

"When you're cooking with fat, you have to be careful. We're now worried about the dangerous effects of heating oils at high temperatures," says Felesky-Hunt.

She explains that when many healthy oils - flax, canola and olive oil, for example - are heated to their "smoke point," not only do they lose nutritional value, they burn and break down into toxic compounds, essentially making them carcinogenic.

"This is why we're now seeing a movement back to coconut oil. It has a higher smoke point and because it's a medium-chain fatty acid, it's harder to break down. You can take it up to a higher temperature and you're not going to damage this fat," she explains.

"If you aren't frying your food, you could simply use extra-virgin oil olive all of the time, but if you're taking the temperature in a pan up high and you want that crispy chicken, you might want to look at coconut oil."

Other pluses: it's a boon to vegans who don't consume any animal products, and people are rarely allergic to it, says Felesky-Hunt.

Dr. Shaun Riddel, a naturopath with the Calgary Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, also recommends his patients use unrefined coconut oil - sometimes sold as raw or virgin - for cooking. A naturally occurring saturated fat, it comes in a solid form at room temperature, "looks like hard Crisco" and doesn't require refrigeration, he says.

(Processed or partially hydrogenated coconut oil is another matter. It's a trans fat often found in snack foods and, like all trans fats, should be avoided.)

"The nice thing about coconut oil is that it's stable at high heat so it's good for things like stir-fries," says Riddel.

But what about its saturated fat, something that's been long been fingered as a link to heart disease? After all, one tablespoon (15 mL) of coconut oil contains 12 grams of saturated fat, about 58 per cent of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat.

For one thing, nutrition science has changed its tune. We've been told for years to cut down on saturated fats from meat, high-fat dairy and tropical oils. But a stunning report this spring in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found there's no evidence linking saturated fat to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Riddel cites some earlier research that looking a Polynesian populations and coconut oil: "One in particular looks at a specific island population that got 30 to 60 per cent of their total caloric intake from it, and they had virtually no cardiovascular disease."

Plus, not all saturated fats are the same. "Yes, coconut oil is super high in saturated fat, but it's coming from a plant source so you're not going to get the cholesterol," says Felesky-Hunt, who says small amounts of saturated fat are essential for proper brain and body function. The key is to eat a mixed-fat diet.

"We need to balance our diet and balance our fat intake. We need all of our fats: our monounsaturated fat (olive, avocado, nuts and seeds), our polyunsaturated fats (omega 3s, flaxseed oil, canola, fish oil, hemp and chia seeds) and our saturated fats (meat, dairy, butter and coconut oil)."

Also read: Most Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water Empty Stomach

source: calgaryherald

Prion disease can spread through air You catch flu by inhaling germs – now it seems you can catch prion diseases that way too.

Prions are misshapen proteins that cause brain degeneration in conditions such as mad cow disease and scrapie in animals, and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans. They can get into you if you eat infected meat or receive infected blood, but it was thought they couldn't spread through air.

Now Adriano Aguzzi of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich reports that mice exposed for 10 minutes to aerosols containing as little as 2.5 per cent brain tissue from mice with scrapie all developed the disease within months. The prions didn't need processing by the immune system first, as some other research has suggested, but entered the brain directly through nasal nerves.

"We were amazed at how efficiently they spread," says Aguzzi. He warns that this doesn't mean animals or people with prion diseases actually transmit them through the air: there have been no unexplained cases of disease transmission which suggested this. But workers in mills that process potentially infected carcasses may need more respiratory protection.

Labs that test for prions routinely make 10 per cent suspensions of brain tissue, and any handling – pipetting, for example – creates aerosols. Prion labs are not required to use safety equipment that protects workers from aerosols. Aguzzi, who tested his aerosols at the highest level of protection, thinks those labs may now need to rethink safety measures.

source: newscientist

Botox helps to relieve Parkinson's symptoms

LOS ANGELES -- Botox helps millions of people erase wrinkles and frown lines, but now doctors are finding new ways to take advantage of the muscle-paralyzer. This well-known wrinkle remover can help relieve the pain and tremors that often come with the movement disorder Parkinson's disease.

For five years, 61-year-old Doug Eshelman had to fight to stand, walk, or even sit. He wasn't in control -- Parkinson's disease was.

"Well, I tripped a lot," said Eshelman. "Because I dragged my right leg, I just subconsciously -- you just don't pick it up, so I dragged it, and I mean I could literally trip over a line on a basketball court."

Help came from something he never expected.

"Doctor walks in the room, said, 'I want to try Botox on you,' and we laughed. We both thought Botox was basically a cosmetic drug," said Eshelman.

At the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, patients with Parkinson's and other muscular disorders get multiple targeted injections of botulism toxin, guided by electromyography (EMG).

The neurotoxin in Botox can release the grip of muscle spasms, tremors and pain.

"The Botox, what it does is it goes into the nerve terminals and then makes those nerve terminals fire less, and by firing less the muscles or the limbs return to their original or more normal position," said Dr. Guillermo Moguel-Cobos, a neurologist at the center.

"He gave me nine shots in my leg and within a week, that inside muscle relaxed and my foot went back into place and I walked fine," said Eshelman. "Sometimes I cry when I think about it, like right now. My whole life is back."

An active man taking control of his Parkinson's disease one step at a time.

Botox is FDA-approved to treat Parkinson's patients. Injections are administered about every 90 days. It's not a cure, but doctors say by relieving some of the worst symptoms, Botox therapy can help patients avoid surgery.

BOTOX FOR PARKINSON'S

BOTOX: "Botox" is the brand name for a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. As the last part of that term suggests, the toxin can cause botulism - a condition that is known to lead to bad cases of food poisoning. It can also lead to paralysis in extreme cases, and this is a factor which scientists have been able to leverage. Finding that the toxin could weaken muscles, the FDA approved Botox's treatment of conditions such as belpharospasm (uncontrollable blinking) and strabismus (also known as "lazy eye") in the late 1980's.

Since then, Botox has been implemented for cosmetic procedures such as wrinkles and frown lines. Botox works by preventing nerve signals from reaching muscles, thus eliminating muscle contractions. It is administered via injection in a very short procedure, and requires a period of three to seven days for the toxin to affect the specific area. This area will be affected for anywhere from four to six months, until muscle action is able to fully resurface.

TYPES OF BOTOX: The medical use of botulinum toxin has two classifications - Botox and Botox Cosmetic. The former designates strictly medical uses of the toxin and the latter refers to its implementation as a facial procedure. Typically, both are referred to as just Botox.

RISKS OF BOTOX: Botox procedures have a reputation of being very safe when performed by a trusted doctor. However, there are a variety of conditions that can occur after the procedure has been completed. Mild symptoms such as bruising, pain, redness, itchiness, nausea, headache and abnormal body sweat should be reported if they do not subside. Rarely the botulinum toxin can spread to other areas and cause botulism-like complications such as a weakness of the muscles in all parts of parts of the body, visual impairment, difficulty with speaking, breathing and swallowing, and bladder control loss

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Parkinson's disease (PD) refers to a collection of motor system disorders which result from a decrease in the brain cells that produce dopamine. PD victims suffer from bodily tremors, facial and limb trembling, uncontrollable rigidity in posture, limb and lower-body stiffness, delayed movement, as well as poor balance and coordination. Often seen in individuals over the age of 50, PD can advance gradually or quickly. There is currently no way to screen for or diagnose PD, so diagnosis is reliant upon past medical information and a neurological examination. Lab tests and brain scans can be requested to rule out the possibility of other diseases

TREATMENT: Currently, no cure for PD exists, but there are a variety of treatments to help patients with the symptoms. A common prescription is a combination of levodopa and carbidopa, which helps the nerve cells to restore the brain's amount of dopamine. This treatment is unable to relieve all of a patient's symptoms, so other treatments such as anticholinergics are also prescribed to control bodily tremors and rigidity. There are also drugs like bromocriptine, which mimic the functions of dopamine in order to trick the necessary neurons to respond as they would to dopamine.

source: abclocal.go

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