March 2011

Cloves an aromatic spice for healing in hebal medicine

Cloves an aromatic spice that consists of the dried early flower buds of an evergreen tree that grows in the Far East, including the Molucca Islands and southern Islands and southern Philippines. They have a strong distinctive flavour. Whole cloves are used and the volatile oil derived from them. They are used in cooking and for healing in herbal medicine.

It contains several active compounds in a volatile oil.

Oil of cloves was formerly widely used to ease toothache. The oil has antiseptic and local irritant properties. In herbal medicine, cloves are given as a powder, infusion or oil to treat nausea, vomiting wind, indigestion or as digestive stimulant. They also act as an expectorant to relive bronchial congestion. Clove oil is often combined with other compounds and is also widely used in commercial remedies.

The compound eugenol from cloves has been found to be a potent platelet inhibitor (prevents blood clots).

Cloves for Diabetes

USDA’s Richard Anderson reports that bayleaf, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric all can treble insulin activity, hinting that as little as 500 mg might be enough to have some effect. A tea of 500 mg each of these spices, with coriander and cumin, should be enough to treble insulin activity, possibly helping in late-onset diabetes.

Whole cloves are used as a flavouring, especially in mulled wine, punch, etc.

Ground cloves may be combined with other spices and used to flavour cakes, puddings etc.

Varicose veins: Effective Treatment and Prevention

There are several topical preparations on the cosmetic shelves aimed at minimizing the appearance of spider veins and broken capillaries.
The majorities of creams has vitamin K as a major component and are able to form a transient clot in the vein. This improves the outer shell temporarily. However, the clot in time dissolves and the vein comes back.

Treatments for Varicose veins:

There are several strategies available for repairing varicose veins. The goal of each strategy is to destroy all or part of the vein and to detour blood flow through healthier blood vessels. These strategies include:

• Compression stockings have been shown to improve blood flow in leg veins

• Injection therapy (sclerotherapy) is recommended for patients with small varicose veins

• Laser surgery may be used for treatment of certain varicose veins

• Ambulatory phlebectomy can be used to remove smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures under local anesthesia

• Vein ablation, also called saphenous vein ablation, is a catheter-based procedure that uses laser or radio frequency energy to close off varicose veins

• Vein stripping is a surgical treatment reserved for large varicose veins such as the greater saphenous vein of the leg

• Endoscopic vein surgery is typically reserved for advanced cases of vascular disease involving leg ulcers

Try to wear compression stockings which are often the first approach before to trying other treatments. These stockings are worn all day and steadily squeeze the legs as well as help the veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. Make sure when you buy those stockings, they fit you properly.

Other means of treatment are as follows:

• Sclerotherapy - In this treatment, the doctor injects small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution and then after a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade. However, it may need several sessions for the same vein to be injected more than once. Sclerotherapy does not need anesthesia and can be done in the doctor's office.

• Laser surgeries - This works by sending strong bursts of light into the vein, which results to fading and disappearance of the varicose veins.

Make sure that you also watch what you wear and avoid wearing high heels. Try to wear low-heeled shoes because it helps to work calf muscles more that are better for the veins. Do not wear tight panty-leg girdles because it can cut off blood flow. Another is, as much as you can, avoid sitting or standing for long periods and try to move around for every 30 minutes.

source: mdinfo

What causes your baby to become weak? Your baby may be suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a type of disease caused due to decreased intake of food and deficient protein in the food most commonly seen in children and to the debilitated and uncared.

Protein energy malnutrition is a disease of the poor , undernourished and chronically ill patient characterized by the imbalance between the supply of nutrient and energy and the body’s demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance of health and function of the body.

This condition occurs as a result of a relative or absolute deficiency of energy and proteins. It may be primarily due to inadequate food intake or secondary, as a result of other illness. Treatment of severe malnutrition is a slow process requiring great care. Initial efforts should be directed at correcting fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and infections.

The treatment should be stared immediately after diagnosis.

The initial treatment depends on correcting the fluid and electrolytes imbalance for first 24-48 hrs and to start energy and protein rich food appropriate for the grade of malnutrition and given under a nutritionist guidance supplementing the macronutrient deficient orally as soon as possible.

After 1 week, intake rates should approach 175 kcal/kg and 4 g/kg for the children to be started and a multivitamin tablet also to be started with zinc paste for wounds to heal and child is monitored continuously with a growth chart the improvement and the necessary intervention.

How nails can point to health problems

Take a look at your nails. Are they telling you something? If they appear discolored or otherwise unhealthy, they may be warning you of an underlying medical condition. That condition could be something as simple as a fungal infection - or as serious as heart disease or skin cancer.

Common nail conditions

The following nail conditions are common. Most often, they are limited to the nail bed and are not a sign of a serious health problem. But keep in mind that sometimes they could be a sign of something more serious than a nail problem. Talk to your doctor if any of these conditions persists.

* "Splinter" hemorrhages. These are small red or reddish-brown lines that appear under your nail and look like splinters. Sometimes they are caused by an injury to the area. Certain medications or other medical conditions can cause them, too. They are often seen with a heart valve infection.

* White spots. If you pinch your finger in a door or have a similar injury, you might see white spots when you look at your nail. They usually grow out and don't require treatment. But they can also be caused by infection or another medical condition. If you don't recall injuring your nail, or if they don't go away, have your doctor examine them.

* Discoloration and abnormal growth. These are often signs of a fungal infection and appear more often in toenails than fingernails. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor, who may prescribe prescription medication.

* Redness, swelling, and pain around your nail, with possible green discoloration. Injury or too much water or chemical exposure to the area may lead to bacterial infections. This condition is also possible if you wear artificial nails. It requires medical attention.

* Cysts. If you develop a small, painful, clear bump with secretions at the base of your nail, see your doctor.

How nail color and shape can point to health problems

Did you ever wonder why your doctor often looks at your nails when you have a health complaint? That's because many health problems affect the appearance of your nails.

If you notice these changes, it's possible they could point to a serious health condition:

* Long dark brown or black bands under the nail could be a sign of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

* Wart-like lesions could indicate squamous cell carcinoma, another form of skin cancer.

* Reddish-brown discoloration of the nail bed may be a sign of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Nails may also separate from nail beds and crumble or split. Swelling and redness of the surrounding skin may go along with this.

* White nails could come from malnutrition, kidney failure, liver disease, diabetes, or hypothyroidism.

* "Half and half" (half pink, half brown) nails may be a sign of kidney disease.

* Red or bluish purple nail beds may be linked with various heart conditions or circulation problems.

* Yellow, thickened nails may accompany different types of lung disease.

* Yellow nails with "blush" at the base are often seen in people with diabetes.

* Pale nail beds could indicate anemia.

Other characteristics that may signal disease

* Clubbing is a thickening of tissue under the nail plate. It can be a sign of lung disease, cancer, heart disease, cirrhosis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

* "Spoon-shaped," concave nails can indicate anemia, Raynaud's syndrome, or lupus.

* Pitting of the nail can often be seen in psoriasis as well as other diseases, such as sarcoidosis.

If you notice changes in the appearance of your nails, talk to your doctor. Whether you have a common nail condition or something more serious, talking to your doctor is the first step toward treatment.

source: noco5

Dieting can make people aggressive Exerting enough effort to stick to a healthy diet can make you irritable and even give you a taste for more violent films, says a study

Hamlet or Romeo & Juliet?

The researchers recruited 239 undergraduates (72% of them female) to test the effect of snack choice.

Students chose between an apple and a chocolate bar and were also asked to select one of eight films, divided between plots that featured anger and revenge and those that did not. For instance, participants could either chooseHamlet, in which Shakespeare's young Prince plots revenge for his murdered father, or the Shakespearean Romantic tragedy Romeo & Juliet.

Other matched film choices were Anger Management and Billy Madison; Falling Down and The Game; and Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

One group were asked to make their viewing choice before selecting a snack, while the others chose between an apple and some chocolate after they had decided which film to watch.

Anger and revenge

The researchers found that 64% of apple-choosers went on to select a violent film, compared with only 55% of those who made their film choice before choosing an apple.

In contrast, those who went for the chocolate bar did not have their choice of film distorted to the same degree. 64% chose a violent film after choosing chocolate compared with 66% who decided on a film before choosing a chocolate snack.

In another study, participants who chose a healthy-option gift voucher for a supermarket rather than one for an enjoyable day out at a spa were more likely to take an interest in pictures of people with angry expressions.

Writing in The Journal of Consumer Research, authors David Gal and Wendy Liu say: "Given that most individuals are frequently engaged in self-regulation throughout any given day-whether it be resisting the urge to mock one’s boss, to yell at a screaming baby, to eat an extra slice of chocolate cake, to save instead of spend, or to play instead of work-our findings suggest that anger-related behaviour might be more prevalent than previously assumed or reported."

Dieting: Does it have to be like this?

So does this research have any important implications for people on diets? Does choosing healthy rather than unhealthy food mean we are destined to be angry and irritable?

Not necessarily, says dietician Sian Porter. "There's a lot of research which shows that people who lose weight and keep it off exercise something called flexible restraint," says Porter, a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. "It means that eight times out of 10 you will say no to the chocolate and choose the apple, but every now and then choose the chocolate because otherwise you will get frustrated," she tells us.

Porter says that in her clinical experience those who choose healthier foods are often in a better frame of mind. "Lots of them say their mood improves because they feel like they've got more energy and they feel re-energised because they say they're thinking about what they eat, they've lost weight and it's easier for them to move around".

Where people do go wrong, Porter says, is in the realm of 'crash diets' where dieters cut out whole food groups and avoid eating for large parts of the day. "We would recommend that if people were cutting back because they wanted to lose weight that they had small regular meals and snacks," she says.

source: webmd.boots

Incredible Hidden Health Fruits To Possess Nirvana

The human body needs foods to provide energy for all life processes and for growth, repair and maintenance of its cell, tissues and organs.

In recent years, attention has been increasingly focused on a number of 'super' food substances, which appear to have particular health-enhancing properties.

Fruits contain carbohydrates and a small amount of protein, but very little, if any, fat. (Most fruits contain less than one gram of fat per serving. Avocados are an exception, with about 31 grams per fruit.) Carbohydrates (starches and sugars) and fats are the primary sources of energy (calories) in the diet.

The following are some hidden health fruits for good health:

1. Clementines
Clementines is a popular citrus fruit that is a cross between a tangerine and an orange. They are cultivated in Israel, Spain, Morocco, Cyprus and some Mediterranean countries.

Health Benefits of Clementines

2. Goji Berries
Though it’s tiny, red berry fruit yellowish has extraordinary properties for the body. Even in China, Mongolia, and the Himalayas, this fruit has been used more than 6000 years to treat various health problems.

Health benefits of Goji Berries

3. Figs
Figs are reddish-green or black fruits of the fig tree, which is native to the Middle East but widely cultivated since ancient times. they are available fresh and dried, and used for culinary purposes and in herbal medicine.

Health benefits if Figs

4. Honeydew Melon
Honeydew Melon a yellow-skinned melon in the shape of a rugby ball, with sweet, succulent, green to yellow white flesh. Honeydew is a popular fruit not just because of its delicious delicately sweet taste but also because of its many health benefits.

Health benefits if Honeydew Melon

5. Kumquats
Kumquats is a small, orange citrus fruits from China in which both skin and flesh are edible. An average Kumquat tree can produce up to fifty fruits per one year. Usually people like to enjoy Kumquats in a raw form. They have a sweet, delicate flavour. They are only occasionally available.

Health benefits of Kumquats

6. Cucumis Melo
'Cucumis Melo' or Musk Melon is a native to central asia. It is grwon in the tropical regions for a very long time. Musk melon is widely known as 'Cantaloupe'.

Health benefits of Cucumis Melo

7. Saw Palmetto Berries
Saw Palmetto Berries is a fruit of a bush of the North Atlantic coast of the USA and southern California. The berries have long been used for healing in traditional medicine and recent medical trials have tended to confirm their therapeutic use on urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland.

Health benefits of Saw Palmetto Berries

Also read:
Great health benefits of eating fruits empty stomach

Sciatic Nerve Pain: Key Causes and Home Remedies

Sciatic nerve pain (commonly called just sciatica) is usually experienced as a shooting or burning pain in the low back or buttock that radiates down the back of the leg.

Causes of sciatica include:

* Compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower spine or buttock from a herniated (slipped) disc
* Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the space around the spinal cord)
* Traumatic injury
* Arthritis of lower spine

In many cases, no obvious cause can be found.

Common "home remedies" for sciatica include:

* Losing excess weight
* Applying ice
* Stretching and exercising, with the goal of strengthening the muscles of the abdomen and low back
* Avoiding sitting too long, especially on a hard surface
* Changing your mattress to one that is firmer and more supportive
* Massage
* Yoga

Avoid staying in bed too long. Prolonged best rest is unhelpful and may even make things worse.

Standard medical approaches to treatment include:

* Rest, balanced with stretching and exercise (often with a physical therapist)
* Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen
* Drugs for nerve pain, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or gabapentin (Neurontin)
* Injections of corticosteroids near the area of the compressed nerve
* Surgery to repair a slipped disc or to decompress spinal stenosis (though surgery is generally considered a treatment of last resort and only in cases in which a surgically correctable abnormality is present)

If you are bothered by sciatica, talk to your doctor about your treatment options, including home remedies.

source: intelihealth

How Cancerous Lymph Nodes are Developed?

Lymph nodes serve a protective function by helping to prevent the dissemination of germs, toxins, and foreign materials throughout the body. When an infection develops in a certain part of the body, the lymph nodes that serve this part will become inflamed. Lymph nodes, which normally are too small to be noticeable, now become enlarged, tender, and painful. If the infection is severe, the involved lymph nodes may form abscesses, and these may break through to the surface, causing a draining sinus.

Scalp infections cause enlargement of the nodes at the back of the neck. Those of the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, and pharynx involve the nodes beneath the jaw and in the sides and front of the neck. Infections of the hand or the breast activate the nodes in the armpit.

Infection of the lower extremities and of the genital organs involves the inguinal nodes in the groin. Infection which affects lymph nodes may be caused by bacteria, viruses, spirochetes or fungi. When an infection is generalized, as in such diseases as measles, scarlet fever, and infectious mononucleosis, the lymph nodes of the entire body are affected. The lymph nodes become involved, of course, in the diseases of the lymphatic tissues like leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease.

Many types of cancer are carried to other parts of the body by the lymph stream. This explains why the lymph nodes located in the path of lymph drainage from a cancer often become cancerous. Lymph nodes so involved usually feel more firm than those activated by infection.

source: mdinfo

Vegan Diet for Kids: Is it Safe?

MUNCIE, IN - There are many who believe that a strict vegan diet is a wonderful way to stay healthy for adults, but many are starting to question whether a strictly vegan diet is good for children under the age of 18 years old.

Children need quite a few vitamins and minerals as they are growing up and their bodies need certain things to stay healthy. While some may say that you can get everything you need from a strictly vegetable diet, this may not be the case.

On the other hand, vegan diets typically have lots of fruits and vegetables as their base. These are things kids with a "normal" diet usually don't get enough of every day. So when you weigh this, there may be a pro side to vegan diets for children.

The most important thing is to consult with a health professional and make sure that your child is getting everything their body needs as they grow. If you do this, you are going to make sure that they are happy and healthy growing up - no matter what type of diet they have.

Some parents wouldn't think of having their children follow an all vegan diet, but others would have it no other way. When it comes down to it, the safety of the child should be the most important thing.

Some even go as far as to avoid all dairy products for various reasons, which raises concerns that children may not be getting everything they need - if they don't take vitamin supplements at least.

According to the Guardian UK, "Vegan children can be deficient in vitamin D, calcium, iron and possibly vitamin B12, so they need supplements.”

Sometimes, however, the best thing is to get nutrients from natural foods.

Whatever you decide for your child, just make sure that they are getting everything their body needs to thrive. A vegan diet for a kid might not be the worst thing in the world if you go about it smartly. Eating more vegetables is definitely a good thing.

Information is really the key to making sure your child is safe no matter what type of diet they have. From vegan to a typical American diet, there are few that eat as healthy as they should. For growing kids, eating healthy is extremely important.

source: munciefreepress

Melanoma skin cancer treatment approved by FDA Yervoy (ipilimumab) which is marketed by New York City-based Bristol-Myers Squibb gained the US Food and Drug (FDA) approval for treatment of late-stage metastatic melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2010, there were around 8,700 people that died from melanoma skin cancer.

Yervoy is the first therapy treatment to show that it has extended the life of people diagnosed with last-stage melanoma and to be approved by the FDA. The Yervoy drug treatment is given intravenously.

The trial study found that melanoma patients taking Yervoy along with an experimental tumor vaccine gp100 had lived an average of 10 months, while the group that received only the experimental tumor vaccine lived an average of 6.5 months.

Side effects of Yervoy reported were fatigue, diarrhea, skin rash, endocrine deficiencies (gland or hormone), and inflammation of the intestines (colitis). There were patients that suffered severe to fatal autoimmune reactions in 12.0 percent who received Yervoy. The treatments were stopped for those melanoma patients during the study. It took several weeks for the patients that did respond to the Yervoy treatment to see improvements.

BY: N Wilson

Causes and Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs. In less common cases, the heart and abdomen can also be affected by mesothelioma cancer. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are terminal since no cure has been discovered.

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis. However, a patient’s prognosis is affected by several factors, including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.

Causes
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, which occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in human tissue, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was once widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries.

When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline. More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.

Types of Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 75 percent of cases being pleural in origin.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Comprising approximately 20 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.

Testicular Mesothelioma: Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.

How regular one should go for a comprehensive medical check up?

Once a year is enough for a comprehensive medical check up. Unless you have a medical condition that needs a scheduled visit to your doctor.

In the comprehensive medical check up, every system is being checked. The early detection and early prevention are it’s main advantages

Comprehensive medical check ups are being administered for at least once a year for people age 40 years old below. Experts suggest that for those who age above 40 years old are required to have twice checked up within a year.

Person who follows such schedule would benefit in terms of awareness of the latest medications and vaccines available, they can also have the privilege to ask questions regarding any health concerns as well.

Syndrome X - big belly disease A quarter of a century ago, Professor Gerald Reaven of Stanford University tried to explain to the medical community that the combination of abdominal obesity, blood sugar and cholesterol imbalance along with high blood pressure are not separate conditions but a single basic disorder that he called 'syndrome X'.

Today, this common group of symptoms is known as the metabolic syndrome, but despite this important insight doctors have continued to treat these lifestyle-related problems with loads of powerful drugs. It is not uncommon for a patient with metabolic syndrome to be on 10 or more medications.

Most people have never heard of this condition, although up to one third of the population may be suffering from it. Studies have shown that people with metabolic syndrome triple their risk for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Further, those with metabolic syndrome have a quadrupled risk of developing diabetes. Some experts consider the metabolic syndrome a form of pre-diabetes.

Do you have it

Look out for these symptoms and features: Type II diabetes, elevated blood pressure, central obesity (overweight with fat deposits mainly around the waist), abnormal cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels. Other associated diseases include high uric acid levels in the blood (gout), fatty liver, polycystic ovaries, excess iron (iron overload); and a severe darkening of the skin (acanthosis nigricans). A study in the medical journal - Archives of Internal Medicine - suggests that the metabolic syndrome is escalating in young adults in their 30s. In this younger age group, more men than women are affected.

The causes - insulin poisening

Research indicates that the metabolic syndrome is caused by a hormonal disturbance called insulin resistance. Insulin is a very important hormone that plays a major role in controlling blood sugar levels. If you eat foods that cause your blood sugar levels to get too high (processed carbohydrates, starches and sugars), the body responds by releasing insulin into the bloodstream to bring the sugar down. If your blood sugar is always being elevated (wrong foods, stress, no exercise), the body starts overproducing insulin. After awhile, the cells of your body begin to resist the action of insulin and you end up with high levels of insulin in your blood even though your blood sugar is not controlled. This is called insulin resistance and is the underlying cause of metabolic syndrome.

All the various components of the metabolic syndrome are caused by too much insulin. Too much insulin makes you fat around the waist. Too much insulin raises your blood pressure, elevates your cholesterol, your triglycerides and your uric acid levels. Too much insulin damages your blood vessels, promotes heart attacks and strokes, eye disease, blindness and kidney failure. Too much insulin even makes your skin darker and encourages growths and cancer.

An even greater disaster is that many people with metabolic syndrome are being treated primarily with daily insulin injections - prescribed by their doctor! It is like trying to extinguish a fire by pouring kerosene oil on it. Of course, it means that more prescriptions then need to be written for the high blood pressure, the high cholesterol, the heart disease, the poor circulation and the gout. Later, multiple eye surgeries are needed for the cataracts and the bleeding in the eye. As the kidneys begin to fail you are warned by the specialist to make sure to take all your medicines including your insulin until renal dialysis or kidney transplant is needed.

An ounce of prevention

This common medical disaster can be prevented. Start with a careful self-evaluation. Do you show any signs of any of the conditions mentioned above? Use your tape measure: If your waist measurement is approaching 40 inches for men or 34 inches for women, you are at very serious risk. Look out for signs of any other hormone imbalances: Ladies are you getting hairy or having menstrual problems? Men are you losing muscle mass or having erectile dysfunction?

Do a routine medical evaluation and ask your doctor to have your blood tested for the abnormalities mentioned above. Additional tests like a glucose tolerance test and blood insulin levels may be indicated.

TREAT THE CAUSE

The metabolic syndrome is primarily a lifestyle disorder that, in my experience, is prevented and corrected by lifestyle changes. The earlier you start, the better.

CHANGE YOUR DIET

This is most critical as what you eat dramatically influences how much insulin your body produces. To correct the problem, take a holiday from the simple carbohydrates - all the starches and sugars. You should eat generous quantities of healthy proteins combined with lots and lots of vegetables and non-sweet fruits. The Cellular Nutrition Programme is an excellent plan in which you simply replace one or two meals each day with nutritionally balanced soy protein shakes. This has an amazing impact on this problem.

EXERCISE DAILY

Exercise powerfully enhances the benefits of proper nutrition. Start with 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more days per week. Deliberately increase your level of daily physical activity. While at it make sure to increase your exposure to sunshine as optimal levels of vitamin D are important in correcting the metabolic syndrome.

TAKE SUPPLEMENTS

Specific supplements powerfully enhance recovery from this disorder. They include multivitamins, the B vitamins, the omega 3 fatty acids, the antioxidants vitamins A, C, E and selenium, chromium and magnesium. The spices cinnamon and curcumin are also very useful.

MANAGE STRESS

Chronic stress promotes and worsens all aspects of the problem as the stress hormone cortisol fans the flames of the metabolic syndrome. A very important part of the successful correction of this problem involves learning healthy stress- management strategies.

The metabolic syndrome is at its core a lifestyle disorder with many faces. Correct the cause and the symptoms disappear.

You may email Dr Tony Vendryes at tonyvendryes@gmail.com, or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. His new book 'An Ounce of Prevention' contains his dietary guidelines.

SOURCE: jamaica-gleaner

Is sex heart-healthy or heart-hazardous?

New Study Finds Spike in Risk During and Right After Sex, but Overall Benefit

It has become a Hollywood cliché -- the older man who clutches his chest and keels over mid-way through having sex -- but is it as real as people think? New research from Tufts Medical Center suggests that sex does increase the risk of a heart attack, but the risk is still small and only rises during and soon after doing the deed.

Researchers analyzed past studies in which heart attack victims, mostly men in their 50s and 60s, were questioned about their activities just preceding and during their coronaries to see if sex served as a trigger for their cardiac events.

While they found that sexual activity caused a 2.7 increased risk of heart attack, the overall risk of heart attack was quite small and should not dissuade those with heart disease from indulging in a little bedroom action -- especially since several other studies show that regular sexual activity (usually defined as two or more times a week) actually decreases one's risk of heart attack over time.

Lead author Dr. Issa Dahabreh says people shouldn't take the new report to mean the sex is harmful for those with heart disease "because the absolute risk is really small."

What's more, patients could battle this increased risk by being physically active on a regular basis. Regular exercise made sex and other types of physical exertion less likely to be a trigger for heart attack, the study found.

"We saw a 45 percent reduction in the relative risk of heart attack with every additional weekly exercise session," says co-author Jessica Paulus, an epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health.

"The main take-home [is that] regular exercise training, which we should be promoting anyway as a means to improve cardio respiratory fitness…will markedly reduce the risk associated with both acute exercise/exertion as well as sexual activity," says Dr. Chip Lavie, medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute.

The Coitus Conundrum

Many heart disease patients have fears of returning to normal types of physical activity following a heart attack or stroke. Given that sex carries the double whammy of physical exertion and emotional excitement, patients can be particularly apprehensive about returning to an active sex life.

And conflicting information on whether sex is heart-healthy or heart-hazardous doesn't make the situation any easier. The Tufts study, published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, isn't the first identify sexual intercourse as a potential trigger for a cardiac event -- and anecdotally, there are many stories of people succumbing to a heart attack in coitus.

"Anything that increase heart rate and blood pressure puts strain on your heart and those who are not used to being physically fit are at higher risk of a cardiac event," says Dr. Philip Ragno, president of Island Cardiac Specialists in Garden City, N.Y.

"Emotional arousal [during sex] will also increase adrenaline and get heart rate going even in the absence of physical exertion," he adds.

While the risk could actually triple during and in the two hours following intercourse, as Tuesday's study finds, cardiologists urge that it's important to remember that the overall risk of such an event is rather small.

In a 2010 study published in the Lancet, for instance, researchers found that sex served as a trigger in only 2.2 percent of heart attacks. By comparison, indulging in a heavy meal was connected with triggering 2.7 percent of heart attacks.

What's more, the emotional and physical benefits of sexual satisfaction have been linked in several studies to overall health and specifically cardiac health.

In a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, men between the ages of 50 and 70 were followed for 16 years and quizzed about sexual activity. Researchers found that sex twice a week reduced the risk of heart disease in these men by up to 45 percent, compared to their peers who had sex once a month or less.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, heart surgeon and host of the "Dr. Oz show," is also famous for recommending frequent sex (three times a week) as a way for men decrease their risk of heart attack and stroke by 50 percent.

So the exertion of a romp in the bedroom may briefly increase the risk of heart attack, but the cardiovascular and emotional benefits of regular sexual satisfaction far outweigh the downside, especially in those who are regularly active in other ways as well.

"The bottom line is that people should not fear sexual activity, but should fear sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity," says Lavie.

source: abcnews.go

Watch out for the food you eat: Japan

Radioactive iodine -- exceeding the limit considered safe for infants -- has been detected in Tokyo's tap water amid mounting concerns over food safety in tsunami-hit Japan, which is struggling to contain an atomic crisis at its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The detection of high radiation was made at a water purification plant in the Japanese capital, prompting the Tokyo metropolitan government to issue a warning on Wednesday that babies should not drink tap water.

Tokyo authorities said infants in the central 23 wards, plus five adjacent cities, should refrain from drinking tap water, national broadcaster NHK reported.

Premier Naoto Kan, meanwhile, warned consumers against eating leafy vegetables such as spinach harvested in Fukushima, as radioactive material far exceeding legal limits were found in vegetables in the region devastated by the March 11 earthquake of magnitude 9 and massive tsunami.

The disaster has killed thousands while many others are still missing.

Kan instructed Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato to ask people, including the prefecture's own residents, to refrain from eating vegetables such as cabbage, the 'komatsuna' leaf vegetable, broccoli and cauliflower.

The order, which is based on findings by the health ministry, will take effect "for the time being," government officials said.

This is the first time the government has issued a restriction on food intake to deal with the nuclear disaster in Japan, whose Pacific coast in the northeast was shaken again by strong earthquakes on Wednesday, including one measuring 6 on the Richter Scale.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the warning was issued by the prime minister as a precautionary measure and denied that radiation levels could pose an immediate risk to human health.

Seeking to allay growing concerns about food safety, Edano said Japan has a "strict safety standard" compared to other nations and will seek a "rational response" from them after explaining the facts.

Premier Kan asked Masaru Hashimoto, governor of Ibaraki, a prefecture bordering Fukushima, to suspend shipments of raw milk and parsley produced in his region.

The United States Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that it will ban imports of dairy products and vegetables from areas near the crisis-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant, citing "radionuclide contamination."

The measure will cover milk, milk products, fresh vegetables and fruit from Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures, the FDA said, adding the US will not allow imports unless they are confirmed safe.

At the troubled Fukushima nuclear power station, black smoke was seen rising again from the No.3 reactor, its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company said on Wednesday.

TEPCO said workers were evacuated from the No.3 and No.4 reactors after the smoke was first reported at 4:20 pm local time. However, no blaze was seen, Kyodo reported.

Quoting the police, NHK reported that 9,408 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 15,000 are missing after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan.

A total of 5,714 of the victims died in Miyagi Prefecture and nearly 5,200 people are unaccounted for in the region. In Iwate prefecture, 2,875 people were confirmed dead and over 5,000 are missing.

In Fukushima Prefecture, 762 people died and nearly 4,500 are missing following the worst natural disaster in Japan since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that claimed more than 100,000 lives.

Strong earthquakes jolted the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan on Wednesday morning, following which the Meteorological Agency issued warnings about the possibility of strong aftershocks, saying they could trigger more tsunami.

A quake of magnitude 6.0 jolted Fukushima prefecture at around 7:12 am local time, followed by a magnitude 5.8 tremor about 20 minutes later.

Authorities, meanwhile, estimated that the economic cost from the March 11 quake on seven affected prefectures would be up to 25 trillion yen ($309 billion) and warned that Japanese exports and industrial output could halt recoveries due to the disaster.

source: rediff

FDB cautions public against Morindy Noni Juice he Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Tuesday warned the public against Morindy Noni Juice drink which its promoters say has medicinal values.

It said in a statement signed by Dr Stephen Opuni, Chief Executive Officer, that its Post-Market Surveillance activities had revealed that Raddom Marketing Services Limited, a local marketing company and its distributors were engaged in practices that posed "serious threat to public health".

It said the company and its distributors were distributing unregistered Morindy Noni Juice drink and advertising (with leaflets) the products to have medicinal values.

"Raddom Marketing Services Limited is misleading the general public that their product (Morindy Noni Juice drink) can treat life threatening conditions and certain chronic diseases like Cancers, Stroke, Diabetes, arteriosclerosis, Fibroid, Waist Pain, Asthma, Heart Diseases, Hypertension, Infertility and Impotence," FDB said.

It warned: "Patients with the above mentioned disease conditions can develop severe life threatening complications if they decide to use Morindy Noni Juice drink for treatment instead of seeking proper medical care."

FDB said this action of Raddom Marketing Services Limited contravened Section 14 of the Food and Drugs Law, which states: "Any person who labels, packages, sells or advertises any drug, cosmetic, medical device or household chemical in contravention of any regulation made under this law or in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive as regards its character, constitution, value, potency, quality, composition, merits or safety commits an offence."

Additionally, Section 15 of the Food and Drugs Law, PNDCL 305 B states that "No person shall advertise any drug, cosmetics, medical device or household chemical to the general public as a treatment, preventive or cure for any of the diseases, disorders or abnormal physical states specified in Schedule 2 of the law.

This includes Sexually Transmitted Diseases, other forms of genito-urinary diseases, AIDS, diseases connected with the human reproductive functions. The rest include Cancers, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Goitre, Heart Diseases, Hernia, Leprosy, Pneumonia, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Smallpox and others.

Meanwhile, it said, the two distributors who were engaged in selling and misleading consumers on the false medicinal claims of the unregistered Morindy Noni Juice drink at Kaneshie Market (Akutu Junction), had been arrested by the Police CID and were assisting the Police in their investigation. The products found at the premises have been seized.

The FDB advised the general public to patronize approved health facilities whenever they were ill for proper diagnosis and treatment and not to allow themselves to be misled to rely on food products with false medicinal claims since this can only lead to serious health complications.

The FDB assured the general public of its readiness to ensure public health and safety at all times and appealed to the general public to give any information on persons suspected to be in any practice that compromised public health and safety through any of the following contacts; 0244337235, 0244337252, 0244337247, 0246809509 or 0208204968.

SOURCE: ghananewsagency.org

Chicory an effective herbal body cleanser

Chicory an effective herb to boost inner health

Chicory a wild herb with ragged leaves and blue flowers. The leaves can be eaten as a salad vegetable and the root is used in herbal medicine. The dried, roasted, ground root is used to make chicory coffee. Chicory root tea is considered to be one of the most effective natural remedies for body cleansing.

Chicory is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals (especially C), minerals (particularly potassium) and beta carotene.

Health benefits:
It contains vitamins and minerals essential for good health and disease prevention.
The ancient Egyptians are believed to have consumed chicory in large amounts, to purify blood and eliminate toxins from the liver.

Beta carotene has powerful antioxidant activity. In herbal medicine, a decoction of the root is used to treat liver problems, jaundice, gout and rheumatism.

Fresh leaves may be used in salads and the dried, roasted ground root is used as a hot drink.

Nutritional Value of Chicory

Amount of Chicory (raw): 1 cup
Total Weight of Chicory (raw): 29 g

Flossing your teeth could save you from a stroke

Tooth loss increases the risk of a stroke many years later

Flossing may be a bore but this kind of fastidious teeth-cleaning might be a lifesaver

Tooth loss increases the risk of a stroke many years later, according to a new Japanese study, and underlying gum disease may be to blame.

Researchers have calculated that those with fewer than 24 of their own teeth (adults should have 32) are 60 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke.

Stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood supply to the brain.

The most common type is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel that normally delivers oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked.

An haemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding into the brain.

In any stroke the nerve cells in the affected area of the brain may die within minutes of being denied oxygen, leading to impairment of bodily functions. An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in Britain each year, leading to about 53,000 deaths annually.

In the new study, researchers at Hiroshima University looked at the dental conditions of 358 patients and found that stroke patients in their 50s and 60s had significantly fewer remaining teeth than did patients in the same age groups who had been treated for other conditions.

The number of teeth remaining was also significantly lower among stroke patients in their 50s than in the general population of the same age.

The researchers then analysed results from four separate studies. They found that having 24 or fewer teeth increased the risk of stroke by 57 per cent compared with those with 25 or more teeth. The researchers also took into account a range of other risk factors associated with stroke, including smoking habits, obesity and alcohol use.

'This review suggests that tooth loss may be related to both ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes,' says Dr Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, who led the study.

Some studies have suggested a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Periodontal diseases range from gum inflammation to diseases that damage the tissue and bone that support the teeth. Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss after the age of 40.

The mouth is brimming with bacteria, which contributes to the sticky, colourless plaque that binds to teeth. Brushing and flossing helps get rid of plaque.

Research into heart disease has shown that micro-organisms associated with gum disease have been found in atheromas - accumulation of calcified material - in the arteries of patients. It has been suggested that toxins in these micro-organisms damage cells in the lining of the arteries.

One theory is that periodontal disease may cause inflammation in the arteries and brain tissues, and cause greater amounts of compounds involved in clotting.

Dr Sharlin Ahmed of The Stroke Association says: 'It is believed that oral bacteria can contribute to the furring up and narrowing of artery walls, which could result in a stroke. Oral bacteria could also attach to fatty deposits in the arteries, which can lead to a blood clot and could result in a stroke.'

source:dailymail

Cancer Killing Device Helps Get Rid of Tumors

The Neurological Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee to the FDA has given its backing to a new device that may help to kill cancer cells and break up brain tumors.

Patients want the FDA to give complete approval to the new device, called a NovoTTF(tumor treating fields)-100A, which they say seems to give them a better quality of life. The machine is non-invasive and produces alternating electrical fields produced by unique insulated electrodes which are put on the scalp of the head.

The device was made by Novocure Ltd, which operates out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as well as at a center in Haifa, Israel that is used for research. Researchers said they weren’t sure the device actually helps to prolong life, but said it was a safe procedure to use it. The device changes a cancer cell’s components making it so that it is unable to divide, and thus multiply.

The original purpose of the device was to use it during therapy after everything else had been done for patients that had been treated for a cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adults over the age of 21. GBM is a malignant brain cancer that is usually fatal within five years of being discovered.

Normally, it is treated by doctors removing the part of the tumor that can be operated on and then using radiation, chemotherapy and a drug called Avastin, which prevents blood veins from being able to provide nourishment for the growing tumor.

The group from the FDA voted 7 to 3 that the benefits of the device outweighed any risks, even though they admitted they weren’t sure that it actually stops the disease, but said that they all believed the device was safe.

source: healthaim

Diet: Eating Fish Found to Ward Off Macular Degeneration

A new study reports yet another good reason to eat fish: women whose diet was rich in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish were at significantly lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

The Harvard Women’s Health Study, which followed 39,876 women in midlife, had participants fill out detailed food-frequency questionnaires at the start of the study in 1993. After an average 10 years of follow-up, 235 of the women had developed macular degeneration, a progressive eye disease that is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly.

But the analysis, in Archives of Ophthalmology, found that women who had reported eating one or more servings of fish per week were 42 percent less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who ate less than a serving each month. (Researchers adjusted the data to control for other factors linked to the disease, including smoking.) Eating canned tuna and dark-meat fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, bluefish and swordfish appeared to have the most benefit.

“We know that inflammatory processes are involved in A.M.D., and the omega-3 long-chain fatty acids do have an anti-inflammatory effect,” said the lead author, Dr. William G. Christen, an associate professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

source: nytimes

Breakthrough in delivering drugs to the brain A new way of delivering drugs to the brain has been developed by scientists at the University of Oxford.

They used the body's own transporters - exosomes - to deliver drugs in an experiment on mice.

The authors say the study, in Nature Biotechnology, could be vital for treating diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Muscular Dystrophy.

The Alzheimer's Society said the study was "exciting" and could lead to more effective treatments.

Research barrier

One of the medical challenges with diseases of the brain is getting any treatment to cross the blood-brain barrier.

The barrier exists to protect the brain, preventing bacteria from crossing over from the blood, while letting oxygen through.

However, this has also produced problems for medicine, as drugs can also be blocked.

In this study the researchers used exosomes to cross that barrier.

Exosomes are like the body's own fleet of incredibly small vans, transporting materials between cells.

The team at Oxford harvested exosomes from mouse dentritic cells, part of the immune system, which naturally produce large numbers of exosomes.

They then fused the exosomes with targeting proteins from the rabies virus, which binds to acetylcholine receptors in brain cells, so the exosome would target the brain.

They filled the exosomes with a piece of genetic code, siRNA, and injected them back into the mice.

The siRNA was delivered to the brain cells and turned off a gene, BACE1, which is involved in Alzheimer's disease.

The authors reported a 60% reduction in the gene's activity.

"These are dramatic and exciting results" said the lead researcher Dr Matthew Wood.

"This is the first time this natural system has been exploited for drug delivery."

Customised

The research group believes that the method could modified to treat other conditions and other parts of the body.

Dr Wood said: "We are working on sending exosomes to muscle, but you can envisage targeting any tissue.

"It can also be made specific by changing the drug used."

The researchers are now going to test the treatment on mice with Alzheimer's disease to see if their condition changes.

The team expect to begin trials in human patients within five years.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "In this exciting study, researchers may have overcome a major barrier to the delivery of potential new drugs for many neurological diseases including Alzheimer's.

She said the blood-brain barrier had been an "enormous issue as many potential drugs have not been properly tested because you couldn't get enough of them into the brain."

She added: "If this delivery method proves safe in humans, then we may see more effective drugs being made available for people with Alzheimer's in the future."

Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This is innovative research, but at such an early stage it's still a long way from becoming a treatment for patients.

"Designing drugs that cross the blood brain barrier is a key goal of research that holds the promise of improving the effectiveness of Alzheimer's treatments in the future."

source: bbcnews

Healthy Muesli Diet Benefits Heart and Nervous System

Muesli is a cereal food and is a popular breakfast made from uncooked rolled oats, nuts, and fruits. It was actually introduced by a Swiss physician for his patients. This cereal is available as a packaged dry form or it can be made fresh.

All of it's ingredients are considered as important elements of having a healthy diet. Muesli is often served with milk which is high in calcium and protein.

Here are the Health benefits of Muesli:

• Muesli is packed with nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables that can reduce the risk of cancer.

• The oat content of Muesli helps lower cholesterol concentration and the risk of atherosclerosis.

• Some of its nuts content like walnuts is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which is also good for the heart and development of the nervous system.

* The presence of manganese in Muesli along with low saturated fats keeps your heart safe.

* It reduces the risk of cancer and other age-related diseases.

* It lowers glycemic index which controls diabetes.

Fulfills the daily fiber requirement: In this age of processed food, very few people are able to achieve their daily fiber requirement through regular meals. Muesli being a very rich source of dietary fiber - both soluble and insoluble - helps in lowering the blood cholesterol level. The soluble fiber (beta-glucans) in muesli helps in avoiding dramatic changes in blood sugar level. It also relives constipation by improving the bowel moment in the intestinal tract.

Muesli in general is a very good start to the day.

Fantastic health benefits of reading books

Most people are so busy with their daily activity in life that they don't have enough time to read books, people prefer to watch movies, television or play computer games in their spare time. These people should know that reading not only enriches your knowledge but is also beneficial for human health.

Often reading can make people rich in knowledge and information. Besides that, reading is also beneficial for the brain and health.

There are at least 5 benefits of reading for health, according to Lifemojo.

1. Training the brain
One advantage of reading books is an exercise of the brain and mind. Reading can help the brain in order to always perform its functions perfectly. While reading, the brain is required to think more so it can make people more intelligent. But for this brain exercise, reading books should be done routinely.

2. Relieve stress
Stress is a risk factor for several dangerous diseases. the beauty of language in writing have the ability to calm and reduce stress, especially reading fiction books before bed. This method is considered good to cope with stress.

3. Avoid risk of Alzheimer's disease
Reading really can immediately increase the power of brain tissue. When reading, the brain will be stimulated and the stimulation regularly can help prevent brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Research had shown that brain exercises such as reading books or magazines, playing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, etc. can delay or prevent memory loss. According to researchers, these activities stimulate the brain cells to connect and grow.

4. Develop healthy sleeping patterns
If you're used to reading books before bed, then it acts as an alarm for the body and sends signals that it is time to sleep. This will help you sleep soundly and wake up refreshed in the morning.

5. Increasing concentrations
People love to read will have a brain that is more concentrated and focused. Because of this focus, the reader will have the ability to have full attention and practical in life. It also develops skills of objectivity and decision-making.

So do not just spend hours watching television or play computer games, but also take time to read books. It is a good habit that will not only refreshes your mind but also provide benefits for health and life. -- Courtesy of Medicmagic

Also Read:

* Health Benefits of Cutting Salt From Your Daily Diet

* Health Benefits of Vitamin D on Brains And Bones

Condition that causes weakning of heart

Many toxic substances can cause weakening of the heart muscle. The most common is excessive alcohol intake, which can result in severe dilated cardiomyopathy. In some instances, this can be reversed if alcohol intake is stopped. The most common problem occurs when the heart muscle is scarred and the heart is dilated because of a previous heart attack or heart attacks, in which case the damage is irreversible.

Cardiomyopathy is the umbrella term for various conditions that cause the heart muscle to become enlarged, thicken or stiff.

Not every person with cardiomyopathy has noticeable symptoms, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says, so it's important to learn the major risk factors.

* Having other family members with a history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.

* Having another condition that can lead to cardiomyopathy, such as a prior heart attack, heart disease or heart inflammation due to a viral infection.

* Being diabetic, having a metabolic disorder or being severely obese.

* Having had a disease that causes heart damage.

* Being a long-time alcoholic.

* Having had high blood pressure for a long time.

Treatment of Cardiomyopathy

Treatment depends on the patient's symptoms, age, general health, and the specific type and severity of cardiomyopathy. If a treatable underlying cause, such as alcoholism can be identified, it should be treated.

Depending on the type of cardiomyopathy, certain drugs may be prescribed to decrease the heart's workload, regulate the heartbeat, help prevent blood clot formation, and help prevent fluid accumulation in the body. These drugs include vasodilators, digitalis (digoxin), ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") and diuretics ("water pills").

Congestive and dilated cardiomyopathies often respond well, at least initially, to medical therapy. Treatment of some cardiomyopathies that result from viral infections may not be effective. Therapy for those with restrictive cardiomyopathy may be particularly limited. If end-stage heart failure develops, heart transplantation may be necessary.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Cardiomyopathy

Is it a heart muscle problem?

What is causing the symptoms?

What type of cardiomyopathy is it?

Has there been any permanent damage to the heart?

Are further tests necessary?

What treatment do you recommend?

Can medication help?

source: healthscout

Diabetes drug Avandia may harm heart A report in the British Medical Journal looked at the results of 16 studies that involved the use of Avandia or a similar diabetes medication Actos.

The researchers found a modest but significant increase in the odds of certain heart conditions in those who took Avandia.

U.S. health officials restricted the use of Avandia back in September.

Studies in recent years have differed about whether it boosts the risk of heart disease and death.

Those involved in this recent report say patients should talk to their doctors about the risk versus the benefit of taking the drug.

source: abclocal.go

Sesame seeds inhibits colon cancer, effective in most diseases

Sesame seeds are effective in eliminating most diseases and conditions

Sesame seeds are tiny, oil-bearing seeds of a plant native to tropical Asia. They are widely used in food manufacturing. For instance in breads and biscuits, and in vegetarian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The oil is also extracted commercially and used as a cooking oil. The seeds have nutty flavour.

Sesame seeds are an excellent source of protein, fibre, polyunsaturated oils, vitamins (especially E and B group) and minerals (particularly calcium).

Health benefits
It provides protein for tissue growth and repair. Fibre promotes regular bowel function and may help to prevent disease of the digestive system, including some cancers. They also supply polyunsaturated fats that are essential for health and which may help to lower blood cholesterol levels, if eaten in moderation. Eat some sesame seeds would remove worms from your intestinal tract.. Sesame seeds provide vitamins and minerals valuable for good health and protection against disease.

Sesame seeds protect our body from free radicals. Phytic acid present in these seeds inhibits colon cancer.

Breast enlargement – The seeds are found to be effective in enlargement and firming the women’s breast. The seeds can be consumed in food and its oil can be externally applied over breasts.

Half cup of sesame seeds contains 3 times more calcium than half cup of whole milk.

Sesame seeds may be eaten plain or roasted, added to vegetarian or other savoury and sweet dishes. They are used to make a Turkish sweetmeat called Halva – a form of honey and seed cake and the creamy sauce called tahini. The seeds are often used as a coating on bread or are toasted and sprinkled onto cereal.

Nutritive Value : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A : 15 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine 1.07 mg.;
• Niacin : 2.7 mg.;
• Also contain Vitamin E : amount unknown
• Calcium : 580 mg.
• Iron : 5.2 mg.
• Phosphorus : 308 mg.
• Potassium : 360 mg.
• Fat : 24gm.
• Carbohydrates : 10 gm.
• Protein : 9 gm.
• Calories : 280

Disadvantages: High in calories.

More on Health Foods

Drinking water while eating, good or bad?

It's safe to drink water along with a meal. Nearly all of the Internet discussions about water drinking along with a meal has focused on the issue of stomach acid, and whether the very acidic fluid in our stomach becomes too diluted (insufficiently acidic) when we drink water along with a meal.

There is a realistic amount of scientific research in this area, most coming from hospital settings where researchers measured stomach acid levels in patients who either fasted and were given drinking water, or given drinking water along with a meal either before or after a surgery. Though it's not normal to be staying in a hospital or to be dealing with a health problem like a surgery, it's still helpful to have high-quality studies that measure stomach acid changes in a carefully controlled way.

The proof from all of these studies suggests that stomach pH is not significantly altered by water drinking, even when a person consumes the water following an overnight fast. The quantity of water consumed by patients in these studies varied, but typically fell into the 5-10 ounce range.

Although natural stomach acid levels were not upset by drinking water in these studies, some individuals may definitely prefer to minimize or eliminate drinking water during meals, and may experience better digestion by doing so. Keep in mind that digestion is a complicated process that depends on many factors for a healthy and comfortable outcome. These factors comprise: not overeating, not eating too much fat at one meal, eating in a relaxing atmosphere, and truly appreciating your food.

In the condition of drinking water with meals takes away from your enjoyment of the meal, or leaves you feeling too full too quickly, it makes sense to treat your water intake as a between-meal activity.

Nevertheless, if you enjoy water with your meals, I believe that there is research to support you in this practice. Don't disregard that the quality of your water is extremely important. In addition, nitrates, trihalomethanes, heavy metals, tetrachloroethylene, and pesticide residues found in unfiltered tap water have been associated with increased cancer risks in repeated research studies.

Make it a point that you keep your drinking water clean, either by purchasing a high-quality natural mineral water, filtering your own tap water with a high-quality carbon block filter, reverse osmosis system, and/or micro filtering process.

There are practical benefits of drinking water because it helps in the elimination of body wastes and toxins. It also maintains the body's Ph balance to prevent and cure diseases, it acts as a lubricant in the internal organs and joints. It keeps both moist and permit the passage of nutrients and wastes between the blood vessels and the rest of the body.

It also aids in keeping the eyes healthy and lose weight. Drinking water helps in the prevention of water retention by shedding excess water weight in the body. Other benefits of water in the body are for transportation of oxygen to the cells, it also maintains muscle tone and helps in the regulation of body temperature. Lastly, it helps prevent dehydration which is the failure to drink water or due to other forms of illnesses.

Milk powder or pure liquid milk, which is best?

Both milk formulas are okay and safe to use. However, there are advantages of using powdered milk versus liquid milk.

Powdered milk are much easier to store and convenient since it has longer shelf-life compared to it’s liquid form. At the same time, it is a readily available source of protein and vitamin D and also high in calcium that is good for pregnant, nursing and those people suffering from osteoporosis. Powdered milk contains no fat and is low in calories and cholesterol-free.

It has a far longer shelf life than liquid milk and does not need to be refrigerated , due to its low moisture content. Also it helps reduce its bulk for economy of transportation. Available as Dry Whole Milk , it is most commonly produced as Non-Fat Dry Milk , also known as Dried Skim Milk.

On the other hand, non-fat dry milk can go rancid anytime since it contains fat. Liquid milk tastes much better than it’s counterparts. Others still prefer drinking fresh milk because of it’s flavor, quality and freshness.

It is important to note that whether it is a powder milk or liquid milk, still they have pretty much the same amount of vitamins A and D, as well as calcium. All of them will provide us our need for continued growth and strengthening of the bones.

Multiple childbirth ups breast cancer risk

A new study has found that the more times a woman gives birth, the higher her risk of 'triple-negative' breast cancer, a relatively uncommon but particularly aggressive subtype of the disease.

However, women who never give birth have a 40 per cent lower risk of such breast cancer, which has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer and does not respond to hormone-blocking therapies such as tamoxifen.

"Unlike most breast cancers, triple-negative tumours don't depend on hormonal exposures to grow and spread, so our assumption going into the study was that reproductive factors would not be associated with a woman's risk of this cancer subtype," said Amanda Phipps, a postdoctoral research associate in the Public Health Sciences Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

While never giving birth appears to be protective against triple-negative breast cancer, the researchers found that women who remain childless have about a 40 per cent higher risk of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer – the most common form of the disease.

For the study, which was based on data from the Women's Health Initiative, Phipps and colleagues analysed the detailed reproductive histories of some 150,000 postmenopausal women, more than 300 of whom went on to develop triple-negative breast cancer.

"We do know that the hormones of pregnancy induce certain changes in the cellular structure of the breast. Overall, those changes seem to make the breast less susceptible to cancer. It is possible, however, that the increased risk of triple-negative breast cancer we found in women who had given birth may be due to some abnormal response of their breast tissue to the hormones of pregnancy," said Phipps.

"Another possibility is that pregnancy somehow makes the breast more susceptible to certain carcinogens even while reducing breast cancer risk overall," she said.

"This particular study is significant because it is one of the largest studies ever conducted on the impact of reproductive history on triple-negative breast cancer," she added.

Triple-negative breast cancer, which refers to any breast cancer that does not express the genes for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) or Her2/neu, accounts for only 10 per cent to 20 percent of all breast cancers, and only in the past decade have researchers become aware that this cancer subtype exists.

"This research reinforces the notion that breast cancer is not just one disease," said Phipps said.

"More research is needed to better understand the causes of the most aggressive and lethal forms of breast cancer. While this study adds to our knowledge base, it should not change women's approaches to breast cancer screening," she added.

The findings are published online ahead of the March 16 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

source: zeenews

Dangers of Japan radioactivity entering food chain

Radioactive materials spewed into the air by Japan’s earthquake-crippled nuclear plant may contaminate food and water resources, with children and unborn babies most at risk of possibly developing cancer.

Experts said exposure to radioactive materials has the potential to cause various kinds of cancers and abnormalities to fetuses, with higher levels of radiation seen as more dangerous. But they said they needed more accurate measurements for the level of radioactivity in Japan, and the region, to give a proper risk assessment.“The explosions could expose the population to longer-term radiation, which can raise the risk of cancer. These are thyroid cancer, bone cancer and leukaemia. Children and foetuses are especially vulnerable,” said Lam Ching-wan, chemical pathologist at the University of Hong Kong.

“For some individuals even a small amount of radiation can raise the risk of cancer. The higher the radiation, the higher the risk of cancer,” said Lam, also a member on the American Board of toxicologists.

Radioactive material is carried by minute moisture droplets in the air. It can then be directly inhaled into the lungs, get washed down by rain into the sea and onto soil, and eventually contaminate crops, marine life and drinking water. Cow’s milk was also especially vulnerable, experts said, if cows graze on grass exposed to radiation.

Lee Tin-lap, toxicologist and associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Medical Sciences, said water around Japan must be measured for radioactivity. “No one is measuring the levels of radiation in the sea,” Lee told Reuters.“Steam that is released into the air will eventually get back into the water and sea life will be affected. Once there are rains, drinking water will also be contaminated."Emily Chan, a frontline emergency relief expert and public health assistant professor at the Chinese University, said radiation exposure has also been linked to miscarriage and infertility to both men and women.

Experts agree that growing children and foetuses are most at risk because their cells divide at a faster rate than adults. They also consume more cow milk than adults, putting them at further risk, said a Japanese scientist who treated victims of the atom bomb explosion in Hiroshima.

“Cows are like vacuum cleaners, picking up radioactive iodine that lands over a wide area of pasture, and then those particles very easily are concentrated and pass into the milk,” said the expert, who declined to be identified.

“This was what happened in Chernobyl, and unfortunately, information about the risk had not been supplied to parents,” he added.

Asian countries like Thailand, South Korea and Singapore have begun checking Japanese food products for traces of radiation.

In Hong Kong, authorities began monitoring radiation levels from ten air monitoring stations able to detect radioactive isotopes such as iodine 131 and caesium 137, characteristic of nuclear power station leaks.

Leung Wing-mo, assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory, said the risk of radiation to Hong Kong was “very, very low” as wind and weather patterns would help disperse any radiation eastwards. However, he warned that radiation could be concentrated in liquid or solid form, so people should avoid rain or snow in the affected areas if at all possible.

source: DNA

Revealed: How protein breaks apart cancer cells! Melbourne, Mar 15 (PTI) Scientists claim to have found how a protein works to break cells apart and in turn increases the spreading of cancer cells in the body, a finding which may pave the way for an effective treatment against the disease.

A team at the University of Queensland has found the method in which the HGF protein that "glue" cells together to form healthy tissues can come unstuck. The HGF protein is often spotted in cancer.

"We examined a protein called HGF that is often found in cancer. HGF regulates cell growth, shape and movement and aids cancer cells in migrating to other tissues and spreading through the body.

"Scientists have long known that HGF disrupts the junctions where cells join together, but the exact mechanism of how this occurs hasn''t been understood until now," Sabine Mangold, who led the team, said.

The team made by the discovery by examining the molecular machinery that binds cells. One key component is a protein called E-cadherin, which forms the adhesive to hold cells together.

E-cadherin associates with a scaffold found inside the cells, made of a protein called actin. Normally, actin links into a meshwork with cadherin to make strong contacts between cells. .

source: news.in.msn

What causes brain attack or stroke?

A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or bursts. The brain cannot store oxygen, so it relies on a network of blood vessels to provide it with blood that is rich in oxygen. A stroke results in a lack of blood supply, causing surrounding nerve cells to be cut off from their supply of nutrients and oxygen. When tissue is cut off from its supply of oxygen for more than three to four minutes, it begins to die.

Types of stroke

Strokes can appear as hemorrhagic strokes, ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks.

* Hemorrhagic stroke — This type of stroke takes place when a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures. A hemorrhage, or bleeding from the blood vessel, occurs suddenly. The force of blood that escapes from the blood vessel can also damage surrounding brain tissue. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most serious kind of stroke.

* Ischemic stroke — This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain develops a clot and cuts off the blood supply to the brain. A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel in the brain is called a "thrombus." A blood clot that forms in another part of the body, such as the neck or lining of the heart, and travels to the brain is called an "embolus." Blood clots often result from a condition called "atherosclerosis," the build-up of plaque with fatty deposits within blood vessel walls.

* Transient ischemic attack (TIA) — A TIA should be treated as seriously as a stroke. A TIA occurs when blood flow to a certain part of the brain is cut off for a short period of time, usually 15 minutes or less. Although TIA is a painless episode, it is an important warning sign that a stroke may follow.

What lasting effects can a stroke cause?

The effects of a stroke depend on the extent and the location of damage in the brain. Among the many types of disabilities that can result from a stroke are:

* Inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
* Weakness in part of the body
* Numbness in part of the body
* Inability to speak or understand words; difficulty communicating
* Difficulty swallowing
* Vision loss
* Memory loss, confusion or poor judgment
* Change in personality; emotional problems

Why does a stroke affect different parts of the body?

Nerve cells in the brain tissue communicate with other cells to control functions including memory, speech and movement. When a stroke occurs, nerve cells in the brain tissue become injured. As a result of this injury, nerve cells cannot communicate with other cells, and functions are impaired. If a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body is affected, and vice versa.

How can stroke be prevented?

If you want a to prevent a stroke, you must understand the risk factors that lead to stroke as well as the strategies that are used to reduce stroke. Make sure that you know the stroke signs! If you see stroke warning signs, call 9-1-1 or seek medical attention right away. Most of the stroke warning signs are painless:

* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
* Sudden difficulty understanding or speaking. May have slurred speech or confused speech.
* Sudden difficulty seeing in one eye or both eyes.
* Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or ability to walk.
* Sudden, severe headache, the cause of which is unknown.

source: clevelandclinic.org

More on Brain Health

Optimism good for the heart health

Patients with coronary heart disease who expect they will do well despite their diagnosis live longer than their pessimistic counterparts.

It has been known for a long time that a person's beliefs about their disease have an impact on certain aspects of recovery, such as going back to work and resuming a normal lifestyle. Studies have shown that the expectations of patients regarding their prospects for recovery predict subsequent physical and social functioning. Evidence regarding the impact of expectations on clinical outcomes, however, is limited.

American researchers questioned 2,818 heart disease patients (mean age 62 years) with significant obstructive coronary artery disease who had just undergone coronary angiography about their expectations for recovery while still in the hospital. They were given a psychological questionnaire and asked about their belief in their ability to recover from the illness and return to a regular routine. The patients' functional status was assessed at baseline and then annually for 15 years. During that time, 1,637 of the patients had died with 885 (54 percent) deaths due to heart disease.

After controlling for a number of variables, including age, gender, disease severity, co-morbid conditions, social support, depressive symptoms, and functional status, the researchers found that moderately optimistic individuals who felt that they would be able to get better and return to a normal lifestyle had a 30% better chance of surviving than pessimistic individuals.
The above study is unique because it shows that patients’ attitude toward their disease not only impacts their ability to return to a normal lifestyle but also their health over the long term and ultimately their survival.

Optimists may more effectively deal with their condition, such as closely following their treatment plan, while pessimists may experience more tension and stress, which can have damaging effects on the body.

This study extends that knowledge that a person's beliefs actually have an effect on their future health and survival. But given the magnitude of effect that optimism has on heart health and survival, more research is needed to unveil the pathways underlying this phenomenon.

source: doctor.ndtv

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