Health Related articles updated on daily Basis.
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Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Deaths no higher in coffee lovers
(Reuters)
13 June 2011, 9:17 AM
NEW YORK - Women with heart disease who down a few cups of coffee each day tend to live as long as those who avoid the beverage, according to a study.
The results, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to already mixed findings on whether caffeinated coffee is a hazard for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems.
The study, which followed nearly 12,000 U.S. nurses with a history of heart disease or stroke, found that those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were no more likely to die than non-coffee drinkers during the study period, which spanned more than 20 years for some participants.
In fact, no link was found between a womans coffee intake and her risk of death from heart attack, stroke or any other cause and this was true of even of women who drank four or more cups of coffee each day.
Our results suggest that coffee drinking is okay for patients with cardiovascular disease, but it would be desirable to replicate our results in other populations, said lead researcher Esther Lopez-Garcia, of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain.
The results came from the long-running Nurses Health Study, which began tracking more than 100,000 female nurses in 1976. The researchers focused on 11,697 women who developed heart disease or had a stroke sometime between 1976 and 2002.
Of those women, 62 percent continued to drink caffeinated coffee after their diagnosis.
Overall, 1159 women had died by 2004. That risk was no greater among coffee drinkers than non-drinkers, including women who drank at least four cups a day.
One possibility is that women in relatively worse health might choose to avoid caffeinated coffee, the study authors noted. But they found no evidence that changes in womens coffee intake after their heart complication or stroke explained the findings.
They also accounted for factors like age, weight, high blood pressure and diabetes, and still found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of death.
The findings, Lopez-Garcia said, support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee dont have to give it up.
But she noted that one problem with the current study is that all of the subjects were nurses, so they might not be representative of women with heart disease in general.
The study also cant discount coffee as a possible cause of cardiovascular problems, at least in some people.
What this study shows is that, in a general population, theres no obvious harm, or benefit, to consuming coffee after a heart attack, said Ahmed El-Sohemy, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who has studied coffee intake and cardiac health.
What this study doesnt tell us is who might coffee be harmful to, and who might benefit from it.
Some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who are naturally slow metabolizers of caffeine. But the reverse pattern has been seen in people who quickly process caffeine more coffee, lower heart risks.
Recent studies have pointed to the importance of genetics, El-Sohemy added, cautioning that its hard to make individual recommendations on coffee intake because of these genetic variations in metabolizing.
I dont see how any results can be interpreted from studies that dont take this genetic difference into account.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June28.xml
(Reuters)
13 June 2011, 9:17 AM
NEW YORK - Women with heart disease who down a few cups of coffee each day tend to live as long as those who avoid the beverage, according to a study.
The results, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to already mixed findings on whether caffeinated coffee is a hazard for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems.
In fact, no link was found between a womans coffee intake and her risk of death from heart attack, stroke or any other cause and this was true of even of women who drank four or more cups of coffee each day.
Our results suggest that coffee drinking is okay for patients with cardiovascular disease, but it would be desirable to replicate our results in other populations, said lead researcher Esther Lopez-Garcia, of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain.
The results came from the long-running Nurses Health Study, which began tracking more than 100,000 female nurses in 1976. The researchers focused on 11,697 women who developed heart disease or had a stroke sometime between 1976 and 2002.
Of those women, 62 percent continued to drink caffeinated coffee after their diagnosis.
Overall, 1159 women had died by 2004. That risk was no greater among coffee drinkers than non-drinkers, including women who drank at least four cups a day.
One possibility is that women in relatively worse health might choose to avoid caffeinated coffee, the study authors noted. But they found no evidence that changes in womens coffee intake after their heart complication or stroke explained the findings.
They also accounted for factors like age, weight, high blood pressure and diabetes, and still found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of death.
The findings, Lopez-Garcia said, support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee dont have to give it up.
But she noted that one problem with the current study is that all of the subjects were nurses, so they might not be representative of women with heart disease in general.
The study also cant discount coffee as a possible cause of cardiovascular problems, at least in some people.
What this study shows is that, in a general population, theres no obvious harm, or benefit, to consuming coffee after a heart attack, said Ahmed El-Sohemy, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who has studied coffee intake and cardiac health.
What this study doesnt tell us is who might coffee be harmful to, and who might benefit from it.
Some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who are naturally slow metabolizers of caffeine. But the reverse pattern has been seen in people who quickly process caffeine more coffee, lower heart risks.
Recent studies have pointed to the importance of genetics, El-Sohemy added, cautioning that its hard to make individual recommendations on coffee intake because of these genetic variations in metabolizing.
I dont see how any results can be interpreted from studies that dont take this genetic difference into account.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June28.xml
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Health Benefits of Bananas
Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy
Reducing Depression :
Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood
Anemia:
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function
Constipation and Diarrhea:
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.
Eyesight Protection:
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
Healthy Bones:
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.
In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently
Healthy Kidney:
About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year.
Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.
Blood Pressure:
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Ulcers:
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.
Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function
Mosquito Bites:
Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling
Stress Relief:
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs
Stroke Risk:
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%
http://bananasweb.com/bananas/Health+Benefits+of+Bananas
Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy
Reducing Depression :
Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood
Anemia:
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function
Constipation and Diarrhea:
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.
Eyesight Protection:
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
Healthy Bones:
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.
In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently
Healthy Kidney:
About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year.
Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.
Blood Pressure:
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Ulcers:
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.
Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function
Mosquito Bites:
Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling
Stress Relief:
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs
Stroke Risk:
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%
http://bananasweb.com/bananas/Health+Benefits+of+Bananas
Last edited:
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Please read all about RLS on this site: http://www.rls.org/Page.aspx?pid=477
In the meantime; I will Insha'Allah post some Diet, Vitamins and minerals related material soon.
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
'You can quit smoking and stay slim'
(AFP)
12 June 2011
WASHINGTON US scientists have figured out exactly how nicotine acts as an appetite suppressant in the brain, a finding that could one day help in the fight against obesity, researchers said.
Smokers tend to be thinner than people who dont smoke, and the study led by Yale University and published in the journal Science describes how nicotine activates certain neurons in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Those neurons tell the body when its had enough to eat, according to senior author Marina Picciotto, a professor of neurobiology and pharmacology at Yale.
Many people say they wont quit smoking because theyll gain weight. Ultimately, we would like to help people maintain their body weight when they kick the habit and perhaps help non-smokers who are struggling with obesity.
Researchers made the discovery by studying mice, but are hopeful that similar receptors can be isolated in humans, too.
A research scientist in Picciottos lab was studying nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are on the surface of neurons, to see if an experimental drug to treat depression would have any effect.
He noticed that mice given the drug ate less than those not on the medication, said the study, which led to a wider investigation with researchers at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and the University of Hawaii.
A series of experiments showed that the drug could turn on a certain nicotine receptor which then told a subset of neurons in the hypothalamuscalled pro-opiomelanocortin or POMC cellsthat dinner time was over.
The receptor was also independent of the ones that trigger the craving for nicotine in smokers.
This suggests it is possible to get the effect of appetite suppression without also triggering the brains reward centers, Picciotto said.
Identifying this receptor is important for the understanding of the mechanisms related to addiction, weight and smoking.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June26.xml§ion=health&col=
(AFP)
12 June 2011
WASHINGTON US scientists have figured out exactly how nicotine acts as an appetite suppressant in the brain, a finding that could one day help in the fight against obesity, researchers said.
Smokers tend to be thinner than people who dont smoke, and the study led by Yale University and published in the journal Science describes how nicotine activates certain neurons in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Many people say they wont quit smoking because theyll gain weight. Ultimately, we would like to help people maintain their body weight when they kick the habit and perhaps help non-smokers who are struggling with obesity.
Researchers made the discovery by studying mice, but are hopeful that similar receptors can be isolated in humans, too.
A research scientist in Picciottos lab was studying nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are on the surface of neurons, to see if an experimental drug to treat depression would have any effect.
He noticed that mice given the drug ate less than those not on the medication, said the study, which led to a wider investigation with researchers at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and the University of Hawaii.
A series of experiments showed that the drug could turn on a certain nicotine receptor which then told a subset of neurons in the hypothalamuscalled pro-opiomelanocortin or POMC cellsthat dinner time was over.
The receptor was also independent of the ones that trigger the craving for nicotine in smokers.
This suggests it is possible to get the effect of appetite suppression without also triggering the brains reward centers, Picciotto said.
Identifying this receptor is important for the understanding of the mechanisms related to addiction, weight and smoking.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June26.xml§ion=health&col=
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Symptoms of vitamin b-complex deficiency
by Sarah E. Sanuth
The Vitamin B Complex contains eight different vitamins, all water soluble. Each different B vitamin has its own different symptoms of a deficiency, but none should be taken lightly.
Vitamin B1 Thiamine
This vitamin helps to metabolize carbohydrates. The average person should consume about 1.5 milligrams per day. Signs that you might be Thiamine deficient include: muscle weakness, heart swelling and leg cramps. Other issue can arise from a deficiency, such as beriberi, Wernicke's encephalopathy, irregular heartbeat, edema and heart failure. In extreme cases, a deficiency can result in death.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
This vitamin metabolizes fats, some proteins and some carbohydrates. The average person should consume 1.3 milligrams per day. Skin lesions, such as cracks on your lips, seborrheic dermatitis or light sensitivity might indicate a deficiency. There are many other illnesses that could ensue, such as angular cheilitis.
Vitamin B3 Niacin
This vitamin can help reduce cholesterol as well as many others. The average person should consume about 14 milligrams per day. The signs of deficiency would include: swollen tongue, diarrhea, confusion and irritability. Also aggression, insomnia and in extreme cases can lead to dementia. On the other hand, overdose can happen which would result in liver damage.
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid
This vitamin also helps to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The average person should consume about 10 milligrams per day. Deficiency signs would include allergies, nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue. Deficiency can also result in acne.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
This vitamin does many things such as metabolize amino acids and fats and helps to produce red blood cells. Many of the side effects of a deficiency include anemia, convulsions, kidney stones, skin issues and dizziness. Side effects of a deficiency also include depression, dermatitis and high blood pressure. The average person should consume about 1.3 milligrams per day.
Vitamin B7 Biotin
This vitamin is essential to forming fatty acids and helps to release energy from carbohydrates. Good for us, a deficiency in this is rare, but symptoms include neurological disorders and improper growth, especially in infants
Vitamin B9 Folic Acid
This vitamin is essential in producing hemoglobin. Pregnant women should always ensure that they consume proper amounts of this vitamin as it prevents birth defects. The average person should consume 400 micrograms per day; pregnant women should consume 600 micrograms.
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin
This vitamin is responsible for the assisting the functions of the nervous system and forming red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is the result of poor absorption of this vitamin. Its only comes from animal sources. In some, but rare cases, paralysis can result. A deficiency in this is more common in the elderly, because as we age, we are unable to absorb as much.
There are more vitamins included in the infamous vitamin B complex. However, some of them have been found to not have any nutritional value or no nutritional value to humans, some are important to the growth and development to animals.
It is important that a person consumes what they needs on a daily basis because the body does not store any of the extras.
None the less, vitamins and minerals that are essential to the growth and development of the human body need to be taken seriously. It is very important to our bodies well being that we make sure we intake everything we need, and remove those that we don't.
http://www.helium.com/items/1753548-symptoms-of-vitamin-b-complex-deficiency
by Sarah E. Sanuth
- Created on: July 09, 2008
The Vitamin B Complex contains eight different vitamins, all water soluble. Each different B vitamin has its own different symptoms of a deficiency, but none should be taken lightly.
Vitamin B1 Thiamine
This vitamin helps to metabolize carbohydrates. The average person should consume about 1.5 milligrams per day. Signs that you might be Thiamine deficient include: muscle weakness, heart swelling and leg cramps. Other issue can arise from a deficiency, such as beriberi, Wernicke's encephalopathy, irregular heartbeat, edema and heart failure. In extreme cases, a deficiency can result in death.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
This vitamin metabolizes fats, some proteins and some carbohydrates. The average person should consume 1.3 milligrams per day. Skin lesions, such as cracks on your lips, seborrheic dermatitis or light sensitivity might indicate a deficiency. There are many other illnesses that could ensue, such as angular cheilitis.
Vitamin B3 Niacin
This vitamin can help reduce cholesterol as well as many others. The average person should consume about 14 milligrams per day. The signs of deficiency would include: swollen tongue, diarrhea, confusion and irritability. Also aggression, insomnia and in extreme cases can lead to dementia. On the other hand, overdose can happen which would result in liver damage.
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid
This vitamin also helps to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The average person should consume about 10 milligrams per day. Deficiency signs would include allergies, nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue. Deficiency can also result in acne.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
This vitamin does many things such as metabolize amino acids and fats and helps to produce red blood cells. Many of the side effects of a deficiency include anemia, convulsions, kidney stones, skin issues and dizziness. Side effects of a deficiency also include depression, dermatitis and high blood pressure. The average person should consume about 1.3 milligrams per day.
Vitamin B7 Biotin
This vitamin is essential to forming fatty acids and helps to release energy from carbohydrates. Good for us, a deficiency in this is rare, but symptoms include neurological disorders and improper growth, especially in infants
Vitamin B9 Folic Acid
This vitamin is essential in producing hemoglobin. Pregnant women should always ensure that they consume proper amounts of this vitamin as it prevents birth defects. The average person should consume 400 micrograms per day; pregnant women should consume 600 micrograms.
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin
This vitamin is responsible for the assisting the functions of the nervous system and forming red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is the result of poor absorption of this vitamin. Its only comes from animal sources. In some, but rare cases, paralysis can result. A deficiency in this is more common in the elderly, because as we age, we are unable to absorb as much.
There are more vitamins included in the infamous vitamin B complex. However, some of them have been found to not have any nutritional value or no nutritional value to humans, some are important to the growth and development to animals.
It is important that a person consumes what they needs on a daily basis because the body does not store any of the extras.
None the less, vitamins and minerals that are essential to the growth and development of the human body need to be taken seriously. It is very important to our bodies well being that we make sure we intake everything we need, and remove those that we don't.
http://www.helium.com/items/1753548-symptoms-of-vitamin-b-complex-deficiency
Last edited:
M_Adnan.L
Councller (250+ posts)
I suffer from conjunctivitis followed by formation of a stye on my upper eyelid! It started 2 years ago with formation of a simple stye.....i treated it with polyfax eye ointment and reciting kalma and rubbing finger on hand and applying its heat onto the eye! after few days the infection would wear off only to return after few weeks and each time with more intensity! I consulted an eye specialist he recommended eye drops but the infection would return after few weeks! Especially during exams when study load is high! In January, the infection took a severe turn! It followed by severe conjunctivitis with blood oozing out of the stye and my eye got swollen like a bee had stung me! I went to the same specialist again and this time he said infection has worsened and he prescribed me combination of cephalosporins and ofloxacin....since the medicine was potent....infection subsided! after that till now i have a small bead like formation on my upper eye lid ( reminder of that last encounter with infection) and every morning my eye is swollen and all day my eyes are sticky! Each day i fear that the infection might return! Some one told me that honey is also good for stye treatment!!!
I am a Pharmacist by occupation and so i have some know how about the pharmacology so i know that antibiotics are not good if taken frequently!
I would be eternally grateful if you help me find a remedy!
Thanks in advance! :)
I am a Pharmacist by occupation and so i have some know how about the pharmacology so i know that antibiotics are not good if taken frequently!
I would be eternally grateful if you help me find a remedy!
Thanks in advance! :)
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
No one should treat or prescribe medications without seeing the patients.
I would advise you to go to an Eye Specialist locally and follow his/her instructions.
Sometimes the Antibiotics are given for a longer time period, depending on the severity of the infection.
Here is a nice link; please do read it section by section.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sty/article_em.htm
I would recommend discussing this with your eye specialist and if he/she is prescribing antibiotics, do take them for prescribed period of time. Then make an appointment again at the end of that time frame. They may want to add few more days of treatment.
The washing of hands during this infection period should be more frequent, use sterile cotton or swabs to wash the the eyes. Do not use the same swab from one eye to the other. Use of clean and boiled water (after cooling down) is highly recommended.
Do not touch the stye with bare hand. When administering the eye ointment or eye drops use caution not to touch the applicator to the affected area.
May Allah Give you complete Shifa. (Ameen).
Please do follow your local healthcare professional's instructions and treatment plan.
Wassalam
I would advise you to go to an Eye Specialist locally and follow his/her instructions.
Sometimes the Antibiotics are given for a longer time period, depending on the severity of the infection.
Here is a nice link; please do read it section by section.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sty/article_em.htm
I would recommend discussing this with your eye specialist and if he/she is prescribing antibiotics, do take them for prescribed period of time. Then make an appointment again at the end of that time frame. They may want to add few more days of treatment.
The washing of hands during this infection period should be more frequent, use sterile cotton or swabs to wash the the eyes. Do not use the same swab from one eye to the other. Use of clean and boiled water (after cooling down) is highly recommended.
Do not touch the stye with bare hand. When administering the eye ointment or eye drops use caution not to touch the applicator to the affected area.
May Allah Give you complete Shifa. (Ameen).
Please do follow your local healthcare professional's instructions and treatment plan.
Wassalam
riverblue
MPA (400+ posts)
jazakAllah! i havent been able to find any solution for it..... and whenever ive asked around nobody takes it seriously............ sometimes its very disturbing and does cause some serious sleep deprivation as suggested in the link u posted....... ive been told serum potassium levels should be checked?!
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
The Link I posted should give you some answers.
The potassium levels should definitely be checked.
Vitamin B-Complex is also recommended.
Bananas are known for good source of Potassium.
http://bananasweb.com/bananas/Bananas+Nutrition+Facts
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Genes linked to migraine discovered
(IANS)
13 June 2011, 9:30 PM
Los Angeles - US scientists have discovered three gene variants linked to migraine, a move that could help understand the cause of severe headaches.
Inheriting any one of the three gene variants raises risk of severe headaches by 10 to 15 percent, the researchers said in a study published online by the journal Nature Genetics.
The three genes are TRPM8, LRP1 and PRDM16. The first plays a role in sensitivity to cold and pain, while the second is involved in the transmission of signals between neurons, Xinhua reported quoting the study Sunday.
While migraine remains incompletely understood and its underlying causes difficult to pin down, identifying these three genetic variants helps shed light on the biological roots for this common and debilitating condition, said lead author of the study, Daniel Chasman, assistant professor in the preventive medicine division at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
The researchers based their findings on analysis of genetic data from more than 23,000 women, including over 5,000 migraine sufferers.
Although the researchers said the findings are encouraging, they noted that more research is needed to better understand exactly how each of these genes is associated with migraine.
Migraine headache, an abnormality in the response of nerve cells to stimuli, is characterized by recurring severe headaches, which often result in nausea as well as sensitivity to light and sound.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June29.xml
(IANS)
13 June 2011, 9:30 PM
Los Angeles - US scientists have discovered three gene variants linked to migraine, a move that could help understand the cause of severe headaches.
Inheriting any one of the three gene variants raises risk of severe headaches by 10 to 15 percent, the researchers said in a study published online by the journal Nature Genetics.
The three genes are TRPM8, LRP1 and PRDM16. The first plays a role in sensitivity to cold and pain, while the second is involved in the transmission of signals between neurons, Xinhua reported quoting the study Sunday.
While migraine remains incompletely understood and its underlying causes difficult to pin down, identifying these three genetic variants helps shed light on the biological roots for this common and debilitating condition, said lead author of the study, Daniel Chasman, assistant professor in the preventive medicine division at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
The researchers based their findings on analysis of genetic data from more than 23,000 women, including over 5,000 migraine sufferers.
Although the researchers said the findings are encouraging, they noted that more research is needed to better understand exactly how each of these genes is associated with migraine.
Migraine headache, an abnormality in the response of nerve cells to stimuli, is characterized by recurring severe headaches, which often result in nausea as well as sensitivity to light and sound.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June29.xml
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Deaths no higher in coffee lovers with heart disease
Reuters Yesterday
The results, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to already mixed findings on whether caffeinated coffee is a hazard for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems. Reuters Photo
The results, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to already mixed findings on whether caffeinated coffee is a hazard for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems.
The study, which followed nearly 12,000 U.S. nurses with a history of heart disease or stroke, found that those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were no more likely to die than non-coffee drinkers during the study period, which spanned more than 20 years for some participants.
In fact, no link was found between a womans coffee intake and her risk of death from heart attack, stroke or any other cause and this was true of even of women who drank four or more cups of coffee each day.
Our results suggest that coffee drinking is okay for patients with cardiovascular disease, but it would be desirable to replicate our results in other populations, said lead researcher Esther Lopez-Garcia, of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain.
The results came from the long-running Nurses Health Study, which began tracking more than 100,000 female nurses in 1976.
The researchers focused on 11,697 women who developed heart disease or had a stroke sometime between 1976 and 2002.
Of those women, 62 per cent continued to drink caffeinated coffee after their diagnosis.
Overall, 1159 women had died by 2004. That risk was no greater among coffee drinkers than non-drinkers, including women who drank at least four cups a day.
One possibility is that women in relatively worse health might choose to avoid caffeinated coffee, the study authors noted. But they found no evidence that changes in womens coffee intake after their heart complication or stroke explained the findings.
They also accounted for factors like age, weight, high blood pressure and diabetes, and still found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of death.
The findings, Lopez-Garcia said, support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee dont have to give it up.
But she noted that one problem with the current study is that all of the subjects were nurses, so they might not be representative of women with heart disease in general.
The study also cant discount coffee as a possible cause of cardiovascular problems, at least in some people.
What this study shows is that, in a general population, theres no obvious harm, or benefit, to consuming coffee after a heart attack, said Ahmed El-Sohemy, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who has studied coffee intake and cardiac health.
What this study doesnt tell us is who might coffee be harmful to, and who might benefit from it.
Some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who are naturally slow metabolizers of caffeine. But the reverse pattern has been seen in people who quickly process caffeine more coffee, lower heart risks.
Recent studies have pointed to the importance of genetics, El-Sohemy added, cautioning that its hard to make individual recommendations on coffee intake because of these genetic variations in metabolizing.
I dont see how any results can be interpreted from studies that dont take this genetic difference into account.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/06/13/deaths-no-higher-in-coffee-lovers-with-heart-disease.html
Reuters Yesterday
NEW YORK: Women with heart disease who down a few cups of coffee each day tend to live as long as those who avoid the beverage, according to a study.The results, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add to already mixed findings on whether caffeinated coffee is a hazard for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems.
The study, which followed nearly 12,000 U.S. nurses with a history of heart disease or stroke, found that those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were no more likely to die than non-coffee drinkers during the study period, which spanned more than 20 years for some participants.
In fact, no link was found between a womans coffee intake and her risk of death from heart attack, stroke or any other cause and this was true of even of women who drank four or more cups of coffee each day.
Our results suggest that coffee drinking is okay for patients with cardiovascular disease, but it would be desirable to replicate our results in other populations, said lead researcher Esther Lopez-Garcia, of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain.
The results came from the long-running Nurses Health Study, which began tracking more than 100,000 female nurses in 1976.
The researchers focused on 11,697 women who developed heart disease or had a stroke sometime between 1976 and 2002.
Of those women, 62 per cent continued to drink caffeinated coffee after their diagnosis.
Overall, 1159 women had died by 2004. That risk was no greater among coffee drinkers than non-drinkers, including women who drank at least four cups a day.
One possibility is that women in relatively worse health might choose to avoid caffeinated coffee, the study authors noted. But they found no evidence that changes in womens coffee intake after their heart complication or stroke explained the findings.
They also accounted for factors like age, weight, high blood pressure and diabetes, and still found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of death.
The findings, Lopez-Garcia said, support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee dont have to give it up.
But she noted that one problem with the current study is that all of the subjects were nurses, so they might not be representative of women with heart disease in general.
The study also cant discount coffee as a possible cause of cardiovascular problems, at least in some people.
What this study shows is that, in a general population, theres no obvious harm, or benefit, to consuming coffee after a heart attack, said Ahmed El-Sohemy, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who has studied coffee intake and cardiac health.
What this study doesnt tell us is who might coffee be harmful to, and who might benefit from it.
Some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who are naturally slow metabolizers of caffeine. But the reverse pattern has been seen in people who quickly process caffeine more coffee, lower heart risks.
Recent studies have pointed to the importance of genetics, El-Sohemy added, cautioning that its hard to make individual recommendations on coffee intake because of these genetic variations in metabolizing.
I dont see how any results can be interpreted from studies that dont take this genetic difference into account.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/06/13/deaths-no-higher-in-coffee-lovers-with-heart-disease.html
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
The basics of a healthy diet
By HELLO! Magazine
Published: June 12, 2011
Olive oil, pulses, fish, fruits, vegetables... why are they so important in our diet?.
LONDON: Good health is the foundation of beauty, and a healthy diet is the foundation of good health. By watching our diet to ensure it includes certain foods, we can make sure that the foundation is as sound as possible, as well as preventing certain illnesses and slowing ageing.
Many studies indicate that the Mediterranean diet and some of its key foods in particular can serve as a solid basis from which to plan your diet.
Here we take a look at some of those ingredients and the health and nutrition aspects that make them the mainstay of a healthy diet:
Olive oil
Containing monounsaturated oleic acid, olive oil lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and strengthens good cholesterol (HDL). Whats more, the high fatty acid content reduces blood hypercoagulability a tendency for the blood to clot too quickly thereby lowering the risk of thrombosis, arteriosclerosis hardening of the arteries and heart attack.
Garlic
Small in size, but an essential ingredient in many dishes, garlic is rich in vitamins A, B and C, as well as certain minerals, including potassium; this means it helps lower blood pressure, and is an excellent diuretic. Its rich in fibre, too, and is an effective anti-rheumatic. But thats not all: It also helps reduce LDL cholesterol, and regular consumption appears to decrease the incidence of stomach cancer and lung cancer.
Onions
High in flavonoids, onions helps reduce the risk of heart disease. They also promote blood sugar control and reduce LDL cholesterol levels, as well as having diuretic and expectorant properties and helping to lower blood pressure.
Cereals
Nutritionists consider this group, which includes rice, pasta, bread and corn, irreplaceable in a balanced diet. Cereals add complex carbohydrates to the diet, and are a good source of energy. They also provide lots of fibre, and contain vitamins, especially from the B and E groups. Remember that its wholemeal cereals were talking about here, as it contains the full nutrients of the cereal rather than the less beneficial subset available in refined and processed varieties.
Eggs
The balance of amino acids in eggs allows the body to use them to form cells, which is why doctors consider their protein to be of particular importance.
Legumes (pulses)
Lentils, chickpeas, peas and beans (fresh and dried), are high in proteins and carbohydrates and are irreplaceable in a balanced diet. They are best eaten together with cereals, as the combination provides an almost perfect protein.
Walnuts
Studies show walnuts to be useful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A word of warning though: Their high calorie count means they should not be eaten in excess.
Oily fish
Polyunsaturated fatty acids from the Omega family 3 are the key to the importance of oily fish in our diet, as they help protect against heart disease. Nutritionists recommend their inclusion four or five times a week in small amounts (100 to 200 grammes is sufficient per portion). The group, which includes tuna, salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines, also contributes useful minerals, especially iodine and calcium.
Vegetables and salads
Along with its known antioxidant properties that help to slow skin aging, carotene or provitamin A helps protect against cancer of the lung, oesophagus and larynx. Salads and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, too, of course, as well as folic acid, mineral salts and fibre, all of which play an important role in a healthy diet.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2011.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/187502/the-basics-of-a-healthy-diet/
By HELLO! Magazine
Published: June 12, 2011
Olive oil, pulses, fish, fruits, vegetables... why are they so important in our diet?.
LONDON: Good health is the foundation of beauty, and a healthy diet is the foundation of good health. By watching our diet to ensure it includes certain foods, we can make sure that the foundation is as sound as possible, as well as preventing certain illnesses and slowing ageing.
Many studies indicate that the Mediterranean diet and some of its key foods in particular can serve as a solid basis from which to plan your diet.
Here we take a look at some of those ingredients and the health and nutrition aspects that make them the mainstay of a healthy diet:
Olive oil
Containing monounsaturated oleic acid, olive oil lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and strengthens good cholesterol (HDL). Whats more, the high fatty acid content reduces blood hypercoagulability a tendency for the blood to clot too quickly thereby lowering the risk of thrombosis, arteriosclerosis hardening of the arteries and heart attack.
Garlic
Small in size, but an essential ingredient in many dishes, garlic is rich in vitamins A, B and C, as well as certain minerals, including potassium; this means it helps lower blood pressure, and is an excellent diuretic. Its rich in fibre, too, and is an effective anti-rheumatic. But thats not all: It also helps reduce LDL cholesterol, and regular consumption appears to decrease the incidence of stomach cancer and lung cancer.
Onions
High in flavonoids, onions helps reduce the risk of heart disease. They also promote blood sugar control and reduce LDL cholesterol levels, as well as having diuretic and expectorant properties and helping to lower blood pressure.
Cereals
Nutritionists consider this group, which includes rice, pasta, bread and corn, irreplaceable in a balanced diet. Cereals add complex carbohydrates to the diet, and are a good source of energy. They also provide lots of fibre, and contain vitamins, especially from the B and E groups. Remember that its wholemeal cereals were talking about here, as it contains the full nutrients of the cereal rather than the less beneficial subset available in refined and processed varieties.
Eggs
The balance of amino acids in eggs allows the body to use them to form cells, which is why doctors consider their protein to be of particular importance.
Legumes (pulses)
Lentils, chickpeas, peas and beans (fresh and dried), are high in proteins and carbohydrates and are irreplaceable in a balanced diet. They are best eaten together with cereals, as the combination provides an almost perfect protein.
Walnuts
Studies show walnuts to be useful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A word of warning though: Their high calorie count means they should not be eaten in excess.
Oily fish
Polyunsaturated fatty acids from the Omega family 3 are the key to the importance of oily fish in our diet, as they help protect against heart disease. Nutritionists recommend their inclusion four or five times a week in small amounts (100 to 200 grammes is sufficient per portion). The group, which includes tuna, salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines, also contributes useful minerals, especially iodine and calcium.
Vegetables and salads
Along with its known antioxidant properties that help to slow skin aging, carotene or provitamin A helps protect against cancer of the lung, oesophagus and larynx. Salads and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, too, of course, as well as folic acid, mineral salts and fibre, all of which play an important role in a healthy diet.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2011.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/187502/the-basics-of-a-healthy-diet/
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Battle of bulge: Read food labels right
By IANS
Published: June 1, 2011
Water is the only true zero calorie food that occurs naturally; so food items that label themselves as "less trans fat, less calories or zero-calories" are deceptive and misleading. PHOTO: FILE
Wondering why all your gym sessions and health food are not making any difference to your expanding waistline? The problem may be your reading skills!
Experts say that getting the true meaning of food labels and culling precise facts from them is often the difference between flab and fit.
Ritika Samaddar, chief dietician at Max Healthcare, points out the trap most of us fall into while reading a food label.
You will find the serving information listed right at the top of the nutrition facts label in any product. This is where the people are misled, because they assume the information given is for the entire product and they end up happily finishing it, Samaddar told IANS.
Explaining this, Samaddar said: Take your regular namkeen bhujia packet. It says in a serving there are 56 calories and per serving is equal to one tablespoon or 20 grams. But if you are eating the entire packet, which is 400 gms, you will end up eating 1,120 calories!
So this is where reading a food label smartly is applied. A lot many people are deceived by this and it is a common problem, she added.
Water is the only true zero calorie food that occurs naturally; so food items that label themselves as less trans fat, less calories or zero-calories are deceptive and misleading.
For the marketing people, they will talk about their product in such a manner that it looks appealing to the consumers. So we cant blame them. The average consumer needs to be on guard against preservatives, added fat, colourings and calories in the label, said nutrition consultant Geetu Amarnani.
Samaddar also points out that reading the calories count on the food label is just one part of the process; one also has to understand the source of these calories.
For any person who is aiming to lose weight, the best sequence is to follow a diet high on protein, then carbohydrates and then fats. But again, one has to see whether the carbs are coming from simple sugar or complex sugar? she said.
Complex sugar takes time to be absorbed by the body, whereas simple sugar is absorbed quickly, hence one puts on weight. Well, we dont expect people to know so much complexities, but one has to know these things as our nation is battling obesity, she added.
So how can one get educated on this?
While you meet a nutritionist, dont just ask them about diet plans or what to eat, insist on knowing how to read food labels, she said.
VLCC Health Care Ltds head of preventive health care Anju Ghei said while one shouldnt avoid outside food altogether, knowing what you are eating is vital.
We believe fitness is a state of mind and one should not count calories all the time. We educate our clients on how smartly they can choose options from the menu while dining outside as we believe one cant stay away from eating outside.
We also teach them how to read food labels, because this is from where uncounted calories come in picture, Ghei told IANS.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/180175/battle-of-bulge-read-food-labels-right/
By IANS
Published: June 1, 2011
Water is the only true zero calorie food that occurs naturally; so food items that label themselves as "less trans fat, less calories or zero-calories" are deceptive and misleading. PHOTO: FILE
Wondering why all your gym sessions and health food are not making any difference to your expanding waistline? The problem may be your reading skills!
Experts say that getting the true meaning of food labels and culling precise facts from them is often the difference between flab and fit.
Ritika Samaddar, chief dietician at Max Healthcare, points out the trap most of us fall into while reading a food label.
You will find the serving information listed right at the top of the nutrition facts label in any product. This is where the people are misled, because they assume the information given is for the entire product and they end up happily finishing it, Samaddar told IANS.
Explaining this, Samaddar said: Take your regular namkeen bhujia packet. It says in a serving there are 56 calories and per serving is equal to one tablespoon or 20 grams. But if you are eating the entire packet, which is 400 gms, you will end up eating 1,120 calories!
So this is where reading a food label smartly is applied. A lot many people are deceived by this and it is a common problem, she added.
Water is the only true zero calorie food that occurs naturally; so food items that label themselves as less trans fat, less calories or zero-calories are deceptive and misleading.
For the marketing people, they will talk about their product in such a manner that it looks appealing to the consumers. So we cant blame them. The average consumer needs to be on guard against preservatives, added fat, colourings and calories in the label, said nutrition consultant Geetu Amarnani.
Samaddar also points out that reading the calories count on the food label is just one part of the process; one also has to understand the source of these calories.
For any person who is aiming to lose weight, the best sequence is to follow a diet high on protein, then carbohydrates and then fats. But again, one has to see whether the carbs are coming from simple sugar or complex sugar? she said.
Complex sugar takes time to be absorbed by the body, whereas simple sugar is absorbed quickly, hence one puts on weight. Well, we dont expect people to know so much complexities, but one has to know these things as our nation is battling obesity, she added.
So how can one get educated on this?
While you meet a nutritionist, dont just ask them about diet plans or what to eat, insist on knowing how to read food labels, she said.
VLCC Health Care Ltds head of preventive health care Anju Ghei said while one shouldnt avoid outside food altogether, knowing what you are eating is vital.
We believe fitness is a state of mind and one should not count calories all the time. We educate our clients on how smartly they can choose options from the menu while dining outside as we believe one cant stay away from eating outside.
We also teach them how to read food labels, because this is from where uncounted calories come in picture, Ghei told IANS.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/180175/battle-of-bulge-read-food-labels-right/
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Sunscreens reduce skin cancer risk
(Reuters)
14 June 2011
CHICAGO - Sunscreens that claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer will need to protect against both ultraviolet A and B rays and have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, according to new US rules issued on Tuesday.
The long-awaited labeling changes by the US Food and Drug Administration are aimed at giving consumers more information on how to protect themselves from the risk of skin cancer and early aging, as well as prevent sunburn.
Sunburn is primarily caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, while both UVB and UVA radiation contribute to skin cancer and early aging.
Were establishing a standard for the United States, Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation at the Food and Drug Administration, said in a news briefing.
The new rules ensure that all sunscreens that claim to be broad spectrum pass a standardized test for both UVA and UVB protection. And the proportion of protection from UVA and UVB rays must increase in proportion to increases in SPF levels.
Sunscreens that meet the new test for broad spectrum protection and also are SPF 15 or above can for the first time include the statement: Used as directed can reduce the risk of early skin aging and skin cancer when used with other sun protection measures.
Those measures include wearing protective clothing and seeking shade when possible.
The changes will affect sunscreen manufacturers, including Merck & Co Inc, maker of the Coppertone brand; Johnson & Johnson, maker of the Neutrogena brand; and Energizer Holdings, maker of the Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic brands.
The FDA has been considering updating sunscreen regulations since 1978. The agency released a proposed rule in 2007 that included a separate star system for UVA radiation, but Woodcock said many manufacturers and others worried that system would be too confusing for consumers.
She said the broad spectrum label is intended to assure consumers of adequate protection from both types of radiation, and the SPF factor gives them a sense of how long they are protected.
All sunscreens will also be required to include a drug factbox, which may include a warning to consumers if a sunscreen does not meet the minimum standards of sun protection.
Waterproof out; water resistant in
The FDA also said sunscreens will no longer use the term sunblock and waterproof because those claims are misleading. Instead of waterproof, sunscreen makers may use the term water resistant as long as they indicate the length of time the product resists water.
Woodcock said consumers will begin to see label changes no later than the summer of 2012, but many manufacturers are expected to start making them sooner.
The agency also addressed concerns that the ingredients of sunscreens contain ultra tiny nanoparticles.
Woodcock said animal tests done by the FDA found no evidence that sunscreens that contain nanoparticles of ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide pose a threat.
We found the particles do not penetrate the skin, Woodcock said, If we were to determine any active ingredient does not meet safety standards for drugs, the FDA will notify the public and remove them promptly.
In addition to the final rule, the FDA released other documents to give industry an idea of additional changes it is considering.
The FDA is proposing a rule that would prevent sunscreens from claiming a higher SPF rating than 50 because ratings higher than 50 do not add a significant additional benefit.
And the FDA intends to study whether aerosol sunscreens offer adequate protection and whether inhaling the product poses any safety concerns.
These products are often used on children because they are easier to apply. Woodcock said until then, parents should ensure that children hold their breath while the sunscreen is being sprayed.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June31.xml§ion=health&col=
(Reuters)
14 June 2011
CHICAGO - Sunscreens that claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer will need to protect against both ultraviolet A and B rays and have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, according to new US rules issued on Tuesday.
The long-awaited labeling changes by the US Food and Drug Administration are aimed at giving consumers more information on how to protect themselves from the risk of skin cancer and early aging, as well as prevent sunburn.
Sunburn is primarily caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, while both UVB and UVA radiation contribute to skin cancer and early aging.
Were establishing a standard for the United States, Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation at the Food and Drug Administration, said in a news briefing.
The new rules ensure that all sunscreens that claim to be broad spectrum pass a standardized test for both UVA and UVB protection. And the proportion of protection from UVA and UVB rays must increase in proportion to increases in SPF levels.
Sunscreens that meet the new test for broad spectrum protection and also are SPF 15 or above can for the first time include the statement: Used as directed can reduce the risk of early skin aging and skin cancer when used with other sun protection measures.
Those measures include wearing protective clothing and seeking shade when possible.
The changes will affect sunscreen manufacturers, including Merck & Co Inc, maker of the Coppertone brand; Johnson & Johnson, maker of the Neutrogena brand; and Energizer Holdings, maker of the Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic brands.
The FDA has been considering updating sunscreen regulations since 1978. The agency released a proposed rule in 2007 that included a separate star system for UVA radiation, but Woodcock said many manufacturers and others worried that system would be too confusing for consumers.
She said the broad spectrum label is intended to assure consumers of adequate protection from both types of radiation, and the SPF factor gives them a sense of how long they are protected.
All sunscreens will also be required to include a drug factbox, which may include a warning to consumers if a sunscreen does not meet the minimum standards of sun protection.
Waterproof out; water resistant in
The FDA also said sunscreens will no longer use the term sunblock and waterproof because those claims are misleading. Instead of waterproof, sunscreen makers may use the term water resistant as long as they indicate the length of time the product resists water.
Woodcock said consumers will begin to see label changes no later than the summer of 2012, but many manufacturers are expected to start making them sooner.
The agency also addressed concerns that the ingredients of sunscreens contain ultra tiny nanoparticles.
Woodcock said animal tests done by the FDA found no evidence that sunscreens that contain nanoparticles of ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide pose a threat.
We found the particles do not penetrate the skin, Woodcock said, If we were to determine any active ingredient does not meet safety standards for drugs, the FDA will notify the public and remove them promptly.
In addition to the final rule, the FDA released other documents to give industry an idea of additional changes it is considering.
The FDA is proposing a rule that would prevent sunscreens from claiming a higher SPF rating than 50 because ratings higher than 50 do not add a significant additional benefit.
And the FDA intends to study whether aerosol sunscreens offer adequate protection and whether inhaling the product poses any safety concerns.
These products are often used on children because they are easier to apply. Woodcock said until then, parents should ensure that children hold their breath while the sunscreen is being sprayed.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June31.xml§ion=health&col=
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Olive oil lovers have lower stroke risk
(Reuters)
16 June 2011
NEW YORK - Older people who include olive oil in their diet may have a lower risk of stroke, a French study said, raising the possibility that the well-known connection between olive oil and heart disease may extend to strokes as well.
The study, which followed older French adults for five years, found that people who regularly used olive oil were 41 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who never used it.
These results suggest a protective role for high olive oil consumption on the risk of stroke in older subjects, wrote study leader Cecilia Samieri of the French national research institute INSERM, in Neurology.
The study included 7,625 adults age 65 and older who reported on their diets and other lifestyle factors. People who said they used olive oil for both cooking and as a dressing were considered intensive users.
After analysis, with adjustment for other diet habits, exercise levels and major risk factors for stroke, heavy olive oil use was tied to 41 percent reduction in the odds of stroke.
Samieris team also took blood samples from another 1,245 older adults, measuring their levels of oleic acid an acid found in olive oil, as well as oil made from a number of nuts.
The one-third of participants with the highest oleic acid levels were 73 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than the one-third with the lowest levels.
Further research is needed, said Nikolaos Scarmeas, with Columbia University in New York, who wrote an editorial published with the study.
We need to remember that this is an observational study, he told Reuters Health, warning that while the research showed a correlation between olive oil and stroke risk, that doesnt necessarily translate into cause-and-effect.
People who eat a lot of olive oil may be very different from people who dont, he said, adding that they may have higher incomes, eat better overall or exercise more often.
Samieris team tried to adjust for those differences. But still, olive oil was still linked to a lower stroke risk.
Scarmeas said that its impossible to fully account for all those variables outside of a randomized trial, and called for more study into olive oils potential health benefits.
Previous studies have found that a so-called Mediterranean diet one that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, vegetable oils such as olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and fish can shield people from heart disease and help heart patients stay healthy.
Studies have also said the diet may help people lower their risk of adult onset diabetes.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June34.xml§ion=health&col=
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
(Reuters)
16 June 2011
NEW YORK - Older people who include olive oil in their diet may have a lower risk of stroke, a French study said, raising the possibility that the well-known connection between olive oil and heart disease may extend to strokes as well.
The study, which followed older French adults for five years, found that people who regularly used olive oil were 41 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who never used it.
The study included 7,625 adults age 65 and older who reported on their diets and other lifestyle factors. People who said they used olive oil for both cooking and as a dressing were considered intensive users.
After analysis, with adjustment for other diet habits, exercise levels and major risk factors for stroke, heavy olive oil use was tied to 41 percent reduction in the odds of stroke.
Samieris team also took blood samples from another 1,245 older adults, measuring their levels of oleic acid an acid found in olive oil, as well as oil made from a number of nuts.
The one-third of participants with the highest oleic acid levels were 73 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than the one-third with the lowest levels.
Further research is needed, said Nikolaos Scarmeas, with Columbia University in New York, who wrote an editorial published with the study.
We need to remember that this is an observational study, he told Reuters Health, warning that while the research showed a correlation between olive oil and stroke risk, that doesnt necessarily translate into cause-and-effect.
People who eat a lot of olive oil may be very different from people who dont, he said, adding that they may have higher incomes, eat better overall or exercise more often.
Samieris team tried to adjust for those differences. But still, olive oil was still linked to a lower stroke risk.
Scarmeas said that its impossible to fully account for all those variables outside of a randomized trial, and called for more study into olive oils potential health benefits.
Previous studies have found that a so-called Mediterranean diet one that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, vegetable oils such as olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and fish can shield people from heart disease and help heart patients stay healthy.
Studies have also said the diet may help people lower their risk of adult onset diabetes.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June34.xml§ion=health&col=
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Nasal spray helps stop diabetes
(IANS)
16 June 2011
In a significant breakthrough, scientists have developed a nasal spray vaccine that could stop children from developing diabetes, a media report said.
The spray can stop the bodys immune system from attacking insulin-producing cells, the express.co.uk reported.
Childhood diabetes, or type 1 diabetes, can shorten life and cause blindness, heart disease and kidney failure. Diabetes affects about 350,000 people in Britain, including 25,000 children under the age of 15, the report said.
The condition is incurable and sufferers require multiple daily insulin injections or pump infusions.
Australian researchers have found that the spray suppressed the immune response to insulin in 52 new type 1 diabetes patients, providing the first proof it works in people, the report said. The spray is not intended as a treatment for people who already have diabetes.
Immunologist professor Len Harrison, of Australias Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and his team at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, are currently testing the spray on young people, the report said.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the bodys immune system attacks and kills the beta cells that make and release insulin. Insulin, a vital hormone that moves glucose from the blood stream into the bodys cells, itself is a target of the immune attack that kills the beta cells.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June35.xml§ion=health&col=
(IANS)
16 June 2011
In a significant breakthrough, scientists have developed a nasal spray vaccine that could stop children from developing diabetes, a media report said.
Childhood diabetes, or type 1 diabetes, can shorten life and cause blindness, heart disease and kidney failure. Diabetes affects about 350,000 people in Britain, including 25,000 children under the age of 15, the report said.
The condition is incurable and sufferers require multiple daily insulin injections or pump infusions.
Australian researchers have found that the spray suppressed the immune response to insulin in 52 new type 1 diabetes patients, providing the first proof it works in people, the report said. The spray is not intended as a treatment for people who already have diabetes.
Immunologist professor Len Harrison, of Australias Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and his team at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, are currently testing the spray on young people, the report said.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the bodys immune system attacks and kills the beta cells that make and release insulin. Insulin, a vital hormone that moves glucose from the blood stream into the bodys cells, itself is a target of the immune attack that kills the beta cells.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June35.xml§ion=health&col=
karachiwala
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
Unclean Teeth can cause arthritis
karachiwala
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
