From the pens of sufferers
Chronic pain – Fibromyalgia … Read on
Cholesterol Drugs
Heart health guidelines call for wider use of statin drugs. Read on The commonly used drugs are Zocor and Lipitor. The new risk group suggested to be added to use these drugs is those who do not have cardiovascular disease but have higher risk of a heart attack or stroke over next decade.
Cholesterol – New view
The US top nutrition advisory panel has decided that cholesterol in the diet need no longer be considered as a “nutrient of concern” to increase the risk of heart disease. The greater danger in this regard lies in products such as eggs, shrimp, or lobster, which are high in cholesterol, but in too many servings of foods heavy with saturated fats such as fatty meats, whole milk and butter. Read on
The cholesterol reversal shows the need for skepticism
Where science falls short…Read on
Nutrition and Global Warming
Nation’s top nutritional panel – and Global warming panel, should they overstep? Probably not or may be! Read on
Antibacterial Soap
Then manufacturer of antibacterial soap have to provide evidence on their claim that it as a matter of fact better than the ordinary hand washing soaps. Read on
New Research on Cancer and Diabetes
Laron Dwarf Community immune to cancer and diabetes. Read on
Diet & exercise may fight against cancer Click Here
Should Sugar be categorized as Narcotics?
Sitting 8 hours day looking at a computer screen!
We know sitting too much is bad, and most of us intuitively feel a little guilty after watching TV or at a computer terminal. Here is a detailed chain of problems from head to toe.
Ten nutrients that can increase happiness, quell anxiety, and change depressive feeling
A healthy cognitive system is essential to regulating mood, and certain nutrients have a profound impact on maintaining normal brain function. Researchers have studied the association between foods and the brain and identified 10 nutrients that can combat depression and boost mood: calcium, chromium, folate, iron, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and zinc.
(In the following write up units used: Mg=milli-gram, Mcg=micro-gram)
Calcium – maintains strong bones and healthy blood vessels, and reduces Type 2 diabetes)
Food sources of calcium :
?Collard greens,frozen (1 cup): 357 mg
?Ricotta, part skim (1 / 2 cup): 308 mg
?Yogurt, plain/low fat (3 / 4 cup): 310 mg
?Milk, low-fat(1 cup): 305 mg
?Kale, frozen (1 cup): 179 mg
Chromium -metabolizes food
Food sources of chromium:
?Broccoli (1 / 2 cup): 11 mcg
?Grape juice (1 cup): 8 mcg
?Whole-wheat English muffin (1 piece): 4 mcg
?Potatoes, mashed (1 cup): 3 mcg
?Turkey breast (1 / 3 cup): 2 mcg
Folate – also known as B9 or frolic acid
Food sources of folate:
?Spinach (1 / 2 cup): 131 mcg
?Black-eyed peas(1 / 2 cup): 105 mcg
?Asparagus (4 spears): 89 mcg
?Brussels sprouts (1 / 2 cup): 78 mcg
?Avocado (1 / 2 cup): 59 mcg
Iron – transports oxygen
Food sources of iron:
?Fortified oatmeal, instant (1 package): 11 mg
?Soybeans(1 cup): 8.8 mg
?Lentils (1 cup): 6.6 mg
?Beef Ribeye(5-oz. fillet): 3.8 mg
?Turkey, dark meat (1 / 3 cup): 2.0 mg
Magnesium – a mineral that plays 300 roles in maintaining and protecting body’s health. Deficiency can cause irritability, fatigue, mental confusion etc.
Food sources of magnesium:
?Almonds (1/8 cup): 79 mg
?Spinach (1/2 cup): 78 mg
?Cashews: (1/8 cup): 74 mg
?Peanuts: (1/4 cup) 63 mg
?Edamame: (1/2 cup) 50 mg
Omega-3s – plays an important role in brain health and contributes up to 18 percent of the brain’s weight. The body does not naturally produce omega-3, so it needs to be consumed from outside sources. Deficiency symptoms include fatigue, mood swings, memory decline and depression.
Food sources of omega-3:
?Chia seeds (1 / 8 cup): 4,915 mg
?Atlantic salmon(1 / 2 fillet): 3,982 mg
?Chinese broccoli(1 cup): 227 mg
?Atlantic herrin(5-oz. fillet): 3,171 mg
?Spinach(1 cup): 381 mg
Vitamin B6 – helps the production of neurotransmitters(which send messages from the brain to the rest of the body). Deficiency in B6 can cause short-term anemia; long-term effects include a weakened immune system, confusion and depression.
Food sources of B6:
?Chickpeas, canned (1 cup): 1.1 mg
?Yellowfin tuna (1 / 3 cup): 0.9 mg
?Salmon(3-oz. fillet): 1 mg
?Chicken breast, skinless and boneless (1 piece): 0.5 mg
?Fortified breakfast cereals (3 / 4 cup): 0.5 mg
Vitamin B12 – it is an essential element that aids in the creation of red blood cells and nerves. Lack of it can cause fatigue etc.
Food sources of B12:
?Rainbow trout (1 fillet): 9 mcg
?Sockeye salmon(3-oz. fillet): 17.6 mcg
?Swiss cheese(1 / 8 cup): 4.4 mcg
?Mozzarella cheese (1 / 8 cup): 3.0 mcg
?Tuna, in water(3.5-oz. can): 2.5 mcg
Vitamin D – it helps regulate cell growth, plays an important role in maintaining the immune system and (when paired with calcium) protects bones.
Food sources of Vitamin D<strong:
?Cod liver oil (1 tablespoon): 1,360 IU
?Salmon(3-oz. fillet): 646 IU
?Swordfish (1 / 3 cup): 566 IU
?Chanterelle mushrooms(1 cup): 114 IU
?Milk (1 cup): 115-124 IU
Zinc – Zinc is found in almost every cell and plays an important rolein supporting a healthy immune system and helping the body protect the gut from damage. Low levels of zinc in the diet can lead to a variety of ailments, including a weakened immune system, loss of appetite, anemia, hair loss and depression. Vegetarians need as much as 50 percent more zinc than non-vegetarians due to the body’s lower absorption rate of plant-based zinc.
Food sources of zinc:
?Roasted pumpkin seeds(1 cup): 9.5 mg
?Cashews, dry roasted (1 cup): 7.67 mg
?King Alaska crab (1 leg): 10.2 mg
?Pork loin(6-7 oz.): 3.5 mg
?Swiss cheese(1 / 8 cup): 1.2 mg
Caution on eating fruits and vegetables
Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to pesticides…..Eat_fruits_vegetables_caution
Study dispels diabetic ‘obesity paradox’
The “obesity paradox” – the controversial notion that being overweight might actually be healthier for some people with diabetes (for extra metabolic reserve) – seems to be a myth, researchers report. A major study finds there’s no survival advantage to being large, and a disadvantage to being very large. Read on
Pros and cons of protein intake
Protein, an essential nutrient, frequently has been touted as a cure-all: Use it to boost your energy, build strength, lose weight or enhance your athletic performance, the ads say. But most adults in the United States already get more than enough protein, and the benefits of eating even more aren’t especially clear.
The jury is out on how worried we all should be about our protein intake, and more than 400 clinical trials are underway studying the effects of dietary protein. While researchers continue their work, Consumer Reports combed through the previous studies to help you learn whether you’re getting enough and suggest the easiest way to get your daily dose. Read on
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs
Millions more Americans could end up taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs under new recommendations released November 2013 that advocate a dramatic shift in the way doctors assess and treat cardiovascular risk. Just as any other drug, there are both benefits and risks of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs (Lipitor, Zocor, and Atovastatin, to name a few). Statin drugs have been prescribed by doctors for lowering cholesterol which can lead to heart attacks. The new FDA recommendation allows doctors to prescribe it for people who are at risk of heart disease in addition to that. Current patients, considering withdrawing from statin, worried about its risks, should not do that without consulting their physicians because of statin’s expanded benefit to combat heart disease. Read on
Animal-based Proteins
Could too much protein put you on the path toward an early grave? For middle-aged people who consume lots of meat, milk and cheese, the answer could be yes, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Cell Metabolism. Read on
Can what you eat affect your mental health?
Research exploring the link between diet and mental health is a very new field… Read on
Why an addict craves more and more?
Study: Daily stresses of poverty take mental toll. mental_toll_on_poverty_stricken
Big Potato Bad Time
Heart-risk Predictive Model limits
Doctors are cautioned about use of such tools in treatment decisions. Read on
Genetically engineered Apples, Potatoes are approved by FDA
Potatoes that won’t bruise and apples that won’t brown are a step closer to grocery store aisles, but some food suppliers say they don’t want any part of it and others are staying silent. Read on
For salt (sodium chloride) cravers
There may be some “not so bad news” on its behalf. An article published in The Washington Post concludes, “Cut your sodium intake if your health condition requires it and your doctor recommends it, but don’t look at salt as an evil that should be banned from your plate completely: There may be valid reasons why your body craves it.” Read on
2015 Nobel prize for Physiology or Medicine
Winners are William C. Campbell and Satoshi ?mura for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites and to Youyou Tu for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria. Notable here is that Tu worked on Traditional medicine. Read on
Head Lice
You may scratch your head when you read this. It is here now. Read on
Fats good/bad?
Studies show ‘healthy’ fats are just fine. Read on