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Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Sudden awakening at night? Time to watch your wrists
(Staff Reporter)
18 June 2011
DUBAI - If pain and numbness in the hand awakens you several hours in the middle of the night and is accompanied by a burning sensation and numbness in the hand that is relieved by exercise then its most likely a condition known as a carpal tunnel syndrome.
Such painful condition develops due to the compression of the median nerve of the hand at the level of wrist, according to Dr Saleh Mohammed Kagzi, Orthopaedics Surgeon at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai.
This occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 to 60 years, he said. Physically inactive, older as well as obese or overweight patients are most likely to develop this problem. Pregnant women as well as women at menopause are also most likely to develop such syndrome.
The cause of this syndrome is the compression of the median nerve at wrist due to the overcrowding in the space occupied usually by the nerve. For example swelling from infection, or injury, tumors, ganglion, lipoma etc
Systemic conditions like obesity, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid dysfunctions are other causes. Occasionally, sleeping posture at night when wrist is kept in bent position for long hours can also result in this syndrome.
Labourers using vibrating machinery are at risk as are office workers, especially typists and data entry clerks who spend long hours with wrist flexed.
Clinically this condition is identified because of its peculiar symptoms which wake the person from deep sleep and relief is only after moving the wrist. Diagnosis of the condition is mostly clinical but sometimes confirmatory tests like nerve conduction or MRI of the wrist is required. Simple X-rays may be required if a bone related disease or malunited fracture of the radius is suspected as the cause.
This syndrome should be carefully differentiated from other conditions with similar symptoms like cervical spondylosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, or median nerve compression at the higher level. Treatment starts with the precautionary measures which include prevention of the risk factors and reductions of the compression on the median nerve by avoiding frequent bending of the wrist.
Medications like analgesics, and splinting of the wrist particularly at night can greatly relieve the symptoms. In advanced stage or chronic neglected cases surgery may be required to release the carpal tunnel.
If the condition is not treated adequately it may result in permanent damage to the nerve of the hand and results in loss of muscle power hand grip weakness, thinning of the hand.
In order to have complete cure it is very essential to not only diagnose the condition but also to recognise or not to overlook the associated factors which will also require treatment for eg diabetes, overweight, thyroid disorders, alcoholism, obesity, ganglion and inflammatory diseases like gout, rheumatoid arthritis.
[FONT="]--[email protected][/FONT]
[FONT="]Dr Saleh Mohammed Kagzi, Orthopaedics Surgeon at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai[/FONT]
(Staff Reporter)
18 June 2011
DUBAI - If pain and numbness in the hand awakens you several hours in the middle of the night and is accompanied by a burning sensation and numbness in the hand that is relieved by exercise then its most likely a condition known as a carpal tunnel syndrome.
Such painful condition develops due to the compression of the median nerve of the hand at the level of wrist, according to Dr Saleh Mohammed Kagzi, Orthopaedics Surgeon at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai.
This occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 to 60 years, he said. Physically inactive, older as well as obese or overweight patients are most likely to develop this problem. Pregnant women as well as women at menopause are also most likely to develop such syndrome.
The cause of this syndrome is the compression of the median nerve at wrist due to the overcrowding in the space occupied usually by the nerve. For example swelling from infection, or injury, tumors, ganglion, lipoma etc
Systemic conditions like obesity, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid dysfunctions are other causes. Occasionally, sleeping posture at night when wrist is kept in bent position for long hours can also result in this syndrome.
Labourers using vibrating machinery are at risk as are office workers, especially typists and data entry clerks who spend long hours with wrist flexed.
Clinically this condition is identified because of its peculiar symptoms which wake the person from deep sleep and relief is only after moving the wrist. Diagnosis of the condition is mostly clinical but sometimes confirmatory tests like nerve conduction or MRI of the wrist is required. Simple X-rays may be required if a bone related disease or malunited fracture of the radius is suspected as the cause.
This syndrome should be carefully differentiated from other conditions with similar symptoms like cervical spondylosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, or median nerve compression at the higher level. Treatment starts with the precautionary measures which include prevention of the risk factors and reductions of the compression on the median nerve by avoiding frequent bending of the wrist.
Medications like analgesics, and splinting of the wrist particularly at night can greatly relieve the symptoms. In advanced stage or chronic neglected cases surgery may be required to release the carpal tunnel.
If the condition is not treated adequately it may result in permanent damage to the nerve of the hand and results in loss of muscle power hand grip weakness, thinning of the hand.
In order to have complete cure it is very essential to not only diagnose the condition but also to recognise or not to overlook the associated factors which will also require treatment for eg diabetes, overweight, thyroid disorders, alcoholism, obesity, ganglion and inflammatory diseases like gout, rheumatoid arthritis.
[FONT="]--[email protected][/FONT]
[FONT="]Dr Saleh Mohammed Kagzi, Orthopaedics Surgeon at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai[/FONT]
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Cell phones can reduce fertility
(IANS)
20 June 2011
Cell phones, even when not in use, can reduce fertility in males by as much as 30 percent, a recent study has revealed.
The latest warning comes after the World Health Organisation said cell phones could cause cancer. Conducted in Canada by the Queen’s University, the study says that men with poor sperm quality and less sperm count could have been spending too much time on cell phones and were being harmed by the electromagnetic waves emitted by them.
”While cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality in terms of motility and concentration thereby decreasing the chances of fertility,” said the survey.
Interestingly, the researchers believe that cell phones may cause damage while in stand-by mode too as they make regular transmissions to maintain contact with the nearest radio masts.
So, users should avoid carrying phones in a belt holster or trousers, and rather carry them in a bag or a briefcase away from physical contact and absolutely avoid them when not in use, suggested the study.
Putting the study in an Indian context, Shivani Sachdev Gour, director and fertility consultant at Isis fertility clinic in south Delhi, said that about 30 couples with infertility visit her every month and in around 35-40 percent of such cases, it is the male who has the problem.
”Most of the time the reason for this is unknown. Several postulated reasons related to male infertility were environmental toxins,” said Gour.
”Further research is required on cell phones being one of the factors because it is a day to day activity with quite alarming implications,” the survey quoted her as saying.
According to the study, the British government has already advised its citizens to prefer text messages and hands-free over direct calls to avoid the possible negative effects.
(IANS)
20 June 2011
Cell phones, even when not in use, can reduce fertility in males by as much as 30 percent, a recent study has revealed.
The latest warning comes after the World Health Organisation said cell phones could cause cancer. Conducted in Canada by the Queen’s University, the study says that men with poor sperm quality and less sperm count could have been spending too much time on cell phones and were being harmed by the electromagnetic waves emitted by them.
”While cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality in terms of motility and concentration thereby decreasing the chances of fertility,” said the survey.
Interestingly, the researchers believe that cell phones may cause damage while in stand-by mode too as they make regular transmissions to maintain contact with the nearest radio masts.
So, users should avoid carrying phones in a belt holster or trousers, and rather carry them in a bag or a briefcase away from physical contact and absolutely avoid them when not in use, suggested the study.
Putting the study in an Indian context, Shivani Sachdev Gour, director and fertility consultant at Isis fertility clinic in south Delhi, said that about 30 couples with infertility visit her every month and in around 35-40 percent of such cases, it is the male who has the problem.
”Most of the time the reason for this is unknown. Several postulated reasons related to male infertility were environmental toxins,” said Gour.
”Further research is required on cell phones being one of the factors because it is a day to day activity with quite alarming implications,” the survey quoted her as saying.
According to the study, the British government has already advised its citizens to prefer text messages and hands-free over direct calls to avoid the possible negative effects.
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Food allergies affect 1 in 12 children
(Reuters)
21 June 2011
One in 12 children in the United States may have a food allergy, with more than a third of those having severe allergies, according to a study.
The study, published in Pediatrics, also showed that allergies were more common in minority children.
What I hope this paper will do is open this awareness to how common (food allergy) is and how severe it can be, and develop policies for schools and sporting events and any activities that kids participate in to make it clear that everybody is looking out for these kids, said lead author Ruchi Gupta, from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Previous studies have estimated that anywhere between 2 and 8 percent of children in the United States has a food allergy, but most of these were studies that asked participants many different health questions, with allergies only one of many concerns, Gupta said.
Other studies have looked at emergency room trips for allergic reactions, or evaluated doctors diagnoses in records.
But Gupta and her colleagues wanted to design a study focused solely on the rate and severity of food allergies. They surveyed a nationally representative sample of almost 40,000 US adults who lived with a child under 18.
Those adults filled out an online questionnaire about allergies based on a single child in their household, reporting whether or not the child had any signs or symptoms of a food allergy, had ever been diagnosed with an allergy by a doctor, and had ever had a severe allergic reaction to food.
The results showed that 8 percent of children, almost 6 million, had a diagnosed food allergy or convincing symptoms that indicated an allergy. The most common ones were peanuts, milk and shellfish.
One of our big findings was that 2 in 5 kids who had allergies had a severe reaction or a life-threatening reaction, she added.
Severe reactions were more common in older children, possibly because young children with allergies are more likely to be monitored by parents to make sure they stay away from potential allergy triggers.
Gupta and her colleagues also found that black and Asian children had higher chances of having a food allergy than white children, but that they were less likely to have that allergy diagnosed by a doctor.
That disparity needs to be addressed, said Scott Sicherer, an allergy researcher at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who was not involved in the study.
The family is saying that their child had convincing reactions and yet they werent really evaluated to confirm that with a doctor, said Sicherer.
Is that because theyre not getting the health care they need? Is that because theres not an appropriate amount of concern? I would be worried that the next reaction could be severe and theyre not prepared for it.
Both Gupta and Sicherer said they thought food allergies were becoming more frequent, but added that researchers werent sure why. Gupta said perhaps there might be something in the environment driving the increase.
As a clinician, I see it a lot more, she added.
[FONT="]SOURCE: http://bit.ly/jsoh2P [/FONT]
(Reuters)
21 June 2011
One in 12 children in the United States may have a food allergy, with more than a third of those having severe allergies, according to a study.
The study, published in Pediatrics, also showed that allergies were more common in minority children.
What I hope this paper will do is open this awareness to how common (food allergy) is and how severe it can be, and develop policies for schools and sporting events and any activities that kids participate in to make it clear that everybody is looking out for these kids, said lead author Ruchi Gupta, from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Previous studies have estimated that anywhere between 2 and 8 percent of children in the United States has a food allergy, but most of these were studies that asked participants many different health questions, with allergies only one of many concerns, Gupta said.
Other studies have looked at emergency room trips for allergic reactions, or evaluated doctors diagnoses in records.
But Gupta and her colleagues wanted to design a study focused solely on the rate and severity of food allergies. They surveyed a nationally representative sample of almost 40,000 US adults who lived with a child under 18.
Those adults filled out an online questionnaire about allergies based on a single child in their household, reporting whether or not the child had any signs or symptoms of a food allergy, had ever been diagnosed with an allergy by a doctor, and had ever had a severe allergic reaction to food.
The results showed that 8 percent of children, almost 6 million, had a diagnosed food allergy or convincing symptoms that indicated an allergy. The most common ones were peanuts, milk and shellfish.
One of our big findings was that 2 in 5 kids who had allergies had a severe reaction or a life-threatening reaction, she added.
Severe reactions were more common in older children, possibly because young children with allergies are more likely to be monitored by parents to make sure they stay away from potential allergy triggers.
Gupta and her colleagues also found that black and Asian children had higher chances of having a food allergy than white children, but that they were less likely to have that allergy diagnosed by a doctor.
That disparity needs to be addressed, said Scott Sicherer, an allergy researcher at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who was not involved in the study.
The family is saying that their child had convincing reactions and yet they werent really evaluated to confirm that with a doctor, said Sicherer.
Is that because theyre not getting the health care they need? Is that because theres not an appropriate amount of concern? I would be worried that the next reaction could be severe and theyre not prepared for it.
Both Gupta and Sicherer said they thought food allergies were becoming more frequent, but added that researchers werent sure why. Gupta said perhaps there might be something in the environment driving the increase.
As a clinician, I see it a lot more, she added.
[FONT="]SOURCE: http://bit.ly/jsoh2P [/FONT]
riverblue
MPA (400+ posts)
How to Get Rid of Halitosis?
Having bad breath, or halitosis in the medical field, is one of the most embarrassing things that could turn people off. It should not be taken lightly for it could be a symptom of a systemic or non-oral medical condition. People have developed a fear of halitosis due to this possibility and the greater risk of being under a humiliating situation that will probably haunt them for the rest of their lives. This may sound as an exaggeration, but this fear has fed the development of a billion-dollar industry. Science, technology, corporations, and even the entertainment business have all provided ways of getting rid of halitosis. Some of these are relatively cheap but ineffective ways of solving the odorous problem. Others are effective enough but are a little too expensive for the majority. And many of these ways are sadly only temporary. So here’s how to get rid of halitosis once and for all.
Probably the most obvious and helpful way of preventing halitosis is cleaning your mouth regularly and thoroughly. Mouth odor is mainly caused by bacteria and food particles left in the mouth. To keep the bacteria from feeding on these food particles and creating a smelly odor, remember to floss, brush and scrape. Every after meal, make sure to remove food that is stuck in between the teeth. Also use a tongue scraper to keep the tongue clean. After brushing, flossing, and scraping, do not forget to rinse.
The next tip in avoiding halitosis is to keep your body hydrated and your mouth moisturized. Keeping the body hydrated will help keep your mouth from having skin cells that are dying out. Mouth with inadequate moisture promotes the accumulation of these dead cells. These dead cells then serve as food for the bacteria that cause the unfavorable odor from your mouth. Having dry mouth simply means having stinky mouth.
Avoiding strong tasting food can also minimize chances of having halitosis. Strong tasting food develops a strong odor in the same way that alcohol leaves a noticeable stink from a drunken person. Noxious smelling chemicals from the food could find their way into the bloodstream. Once the blood reaches the lungs, these chemicals are released into the air, bringing with them the smell of whatever it is you have just eaten.
Regular gargling of mouthwash, or even saltwater, can greatly help in reducing bad breath. The tonsils can also be a source of bad breath. Rinsing them by gargling for at least 30 seconds will definitely help keep the bacteria population at a low. So remember to gargle and rinse your mouth with water to keep all the unwanted smelly stuff out.
Another helpful tip is to chew and choose the proper gum. Chewing gum helps in producing more saliva that keeps mouth moisturized; and as mentioned earlier, a moisturized mouth prevents halitosis. However, there are gums that are more able in fighting bad breath compared with others. Gums with xylitol, a substance that acts as a sugar substitute, keep bacteria in the mouth from replicating. Other gums that have cinnamon flavor also seem to reduce bacteria counts.
Eating a banana also helps prevent halitosis. Low-carb diets promote ketone breath. When fats are broken down by the body instead of carbs, ketones are created and released in the mouth. Ketones actually smell bad and they definitely affect the odor of your breath. So if your diet keeps you focused on burning fats, throwing in a healthy carb-rich snack like a banana, is recommended to keep everything balanced and to prevent halitosis.
If none of these tips and tricks will do, this could mean that you have a medical condition that needs to be attended. Seeing your doctor is definitely the best option left to solve your halitosis issue.
Having bad breath, or halitosis in the medical field, is one of the most embarrassing things that could turn people off. It should not be taken lightly for it could be a symptom of a systemic or non-oral medical condition. People have developed a fear of halitosis due to this possibility and the greater risk of being under a humiliating situation that will probably haunt them for the rest of their lives. This may sound as an exaggeration, but this fear has fed the development of a billion-dollar industry. Science, technology, corporations, and even the entertainment business have all provided ways of getting rid of halitosis. Some of these are relatively cheap but ineffective ways of solving the odorous problem. Others are effective enough but are a little too expensive for the majority. And many of these ways are sadly only temporary. So here’s how to get rid of halitosis once and for all.
Probably the most obvious and helpful way of preventing halitosis is cleaning your mouth regularly and thoroughly. Mouth odor is mainly caused by bacteria and food particles left in the mouth. To keep the bacteria from feeding on these food particles and creating a smelly odor, remember to floss, brush and scrape. Every after meal, make sure to remove food that is stuck in between the teeth. Also use a tongue scraper to keep the tongue clean. After brushing, flossing, and scraping, do not forget to rinse.
The next tip in avoiding halitosis is to keep your body hydrated and your mouth moisturized. Keeping the body hydrated will help keep your mouth from having skin cells that are dying out. Mouth with inadequate moisture promotes the accumulation of these dead cells. These dead cells then serve as food for the bacteria that cause the unfavorable odor from your mouth. Having dry mouth simply means having stinky mouth.
Avoiding strong tasting food can also minimize chances of having halitosis. Strong tasting food develops a strong odor in the same way that alcohol leaves a noticeable stink from a drunken person. Noxious smelling chemicals from the food could find their way into the bloodstream. Once the blood reaches the lungs, these chemicals are released into the air, bringing with them the smell of whatever it is you have just eaten.
Regular gargling of mouthwash, or even saltwater, can greatly help in reducing bad breath. The tonsils can also be a source of bad breath. Rinsing them by gargling for at least 30 seconds will definitely help keep the bacteria population at a low. So remember to gargle and rinse your mouth with water to keep all the unwanted smelly stuff out.
Another helpful tip is to chew and choose the proper gum. Chewing gum helps in producing more saliva that keeps mouth moisturized; and as mentioned earlier, a moisturized mouth prevents halitosis. However, there are gums that are more able in fighting bad breath compared with others. Gums with xylitol, a substance that acts as a sugar substitute, keep bacteria in the mouth from replicating. Other gums that have cinnamon flavor also seem to reduce bacteria counts.
Eating a banana also helps prevent halitosis. Low-carb diets promote ketone breath. When fats are broken down by the body instead of carbs, ketones are created and released in the mouth. Ketones actually smell bad and they definitely affect the odor of your breath. So if your diet keeps you focused on burning fats, throwing in a healthy carb-rich snack like a banana, is recommended to keep everything balanced and to prevent halitosis.
If none of these tips and tricks will do, this could mean that you have a medical condition that needs to be attended. Seeing your doctor is definitely the best option left to solve your halitosis issue.
Last edited:
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
If you thought that only fresh greens did the job of helping you lose those extra pounds, think again. It has been found out by a new research led by an Indian scientist that tea can help you shed those extra pounds as it contains antioxidants but only if taken without milk. Milk can neutralize the fat-fighting capability of tea.
Theaflavins and thearubigins are antioxidants that are present in tea and it can help gut absorb lesser amount of fat and also aids in lowering your cholesterol level.
It was seen that when rats were given a high fat diet, obesity was prevented in them with the compounds that were given by researchers at the Tea Research Association in Assam, India.
It was added that protein contained in cows milk can cancel the benefits of tea when added to it.
Devajit Borthakur, a scientist at the Tea Research Association , said, When tea is taken with milk, theaflavins and thearubigins form complexes with the milk protein, which causes them to precipitate. Therefore, it is always advised to take tea without milk.
http://www.columnpk.com/tea-without-milk-helps-to-reduce-weight-study/
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
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). What’s 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. It’s rich in fibre, too, and is an effective anti-rheumatic. But that’s 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 it’s wholemeal cereals we’re 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.
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
- Mangoes contain phenols, this phenolic compound have powerful antioxidant and anticancer abilities.
- Mango is high in iron, pregnant women and people with anemia are advised to eat this fruit regularly.
- Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.
- It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion.
- Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates.
- Mango is a rich source of vitamin A(beta-carotene), E and Selenium which help to protect against heart disease and other ailments.
- Kidney problems including nephritis.
- Fever
- Respiratory problems
- Constipation
- Vitamin A : 6,350 I.U.
- Vitamin B : Thiamine .06 mg.;
- Vitamin C : 41 mg.
- Calcium : 9 mg.
- Phosphorus : 13 mg.
- Protein : .7 gm.
- Calories : 66
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Small habits cause weight creep
(Reuters)
23 June 2011
CHICAGO - Just a few bad habits — watching TV, eating potato chips, having a sugary soda at lunch or staying up too late at night — can add up to a steady creep of pounds (kg) over the years, US researchers said on Wednesday.
While most studies on diet focus on changes needed to help obese people lose weight, the study by the Harvard team showed tiny changes in diet and lifestyle can make a big impact.
The study focuses on specific lifestyle choices — foods, activity, sleep habits — that slowly pack on the pounds (kg). The researchers stressed that the quality of food choices, and not just calories, are key to maintaining a healthy weight.
“These small choices add up,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, whose study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Because the weight gain is so gradual and occurs over many years, it has been difficult for scientists and for individuals themselves to understand the specific factors that may be responsible,” Mozaffarian, who led the effort, said in a statement.
To get at this, the team analyzed data on 120,877 US women and men from three large studies of health professionals that tracked changes in lifestyle factors and weight every four years over a 20-year period.
All study participants were normal weight and healthy when they started. Over time, they gained an average of 3.35 pounds (1.59 kg) during each 4-year period for a total average weight gain of 16.8 pounds (7.6 kg) at the end of the 20-year study.
Foods that added most to weight gain over a four-year period included daily consumption of potato chips (1.69 lbs or 0.76 kg), potatoes (1.28 lbs or 0.58 kg), sugar-sweetened beverages (1 lb or 0.45 kg), unprocessed red meats (0.95 lbs or 0.43 kg) and processed meats (0.93 lbs or 0.42 kg).
More than a third of adults and nearly 17 percent of children in the United States are obese, increasing their chances of developing health problems including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease and some cancers.
Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of US medical spending, or an estimated $147 billion a year.
Food that should be called bad
Mozaffarian said understanding ways to keep people from becoming obese may be more effective than getting people to lose weight as US policymakers attempt to turn the tide.
Those in the study who lost or maintained their weight over time tended to eat minimally processed foods.
“Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts — if you increase their intake, you had relative weight loss, presumably because you are replacing other foods in the diet,” Mozaffarian said.
The study contradicts the notion that all foods are good for you in moderation.
“The idea that there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods is a myth that needs to be debunked,” said Frank Hu of Harvard, who worked on the research.
Mozaffarian said different foods have a different effect on the body. “You can’t just say a calorie is a calorie. It doesn’t address your feelings of fullness, your blood glucose levels, your blood insulin levels and the other biological responses in your body,” he said.
In the study, dietary changes appeared to have the biggest impact on weight gain over time, but other lifestyle changes also were a factor.
For example, watching one hour of TV per day added 0.31 pounds (0.14 kg) over a four-year period.
Sleep also played a role. People in the study who got between six and eight hours of sleep were less likely to gain weight over the study period. But people who got less than six hours or more than eight hours tended to gain weight.
And when people increased their physical activity, they tended to gain less weight during the study period.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June50.xml§ion=health&col=
(Reuters)
23 June 2011
CHICAGO - Just a few bad habits — watching TV, eating potato chips, having a sugary soda at lunch or staying up too late at night — can add up to a steady creep of pounds (kg) over the years, US researchers said on Wednesday.
While most studies on diet focus on changes needed to help obese people lose weight, the study by the Harvard team showed tiny changes in diet and lifestyle can make a big impact.
“These small choices add up,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, whose study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Because the weight gain is so gradual and occurs over many years, it has been difficult for scientists and for individuals themselves to understand the specific factors that may be responsible,” Mozaffarian, who led the effort, said in a statement.
To get at this, the team analyzed data on 120,877 US women and men from three large studies of health professionals that tracked changes in lifestyle factors and weight every four years over a 20-year period.
All study participants were normal weight and healthy when they started. Over time, they gained an average of 3.35 pounds (1.59 kg) during each 4-year period for a total average weight gain of 16.8 pounds (7.6 kg) at the end of the 20-year study.
Foods that added most to weight gain over a four-year period included daily consumption of potato chips (1.69 lbs or 0.76 kg), potatoes (1.28 lbs or 0.58 kg), sugar-sweetened beverages (1 lb or 0.45 kg), unprocessed red meats (0.95 lbs or 0.43 kg) and processed meats (0.93 lbs or 0.42 kg).
More than a third of adults and nearly 17 percent of children in the United States are obese, increasing their chances of developing health problems including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease and some cancers.
Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of US medical spending, or an estimated $147 billion a year.
Food that should be called bad
Mozaffarian said understanding ways to keep people from becoming obese may be more effective than getting people to lose weight as US policymakers attempt to turn the tide.
Those in the study who lost or maintained their weight over time tended to eat minimally processed foods.
“Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts — if you increase their intake, you had relative weight loss, presumably because you are replacing other foods in the diet,” Mozaffarian said.
The study contradicts the notion that all foods are good for you in moderation.
“The idea that there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods is a myth that needs to be debunked,” said Frank Hu of Harvard, who worked on the research.
Mozaffarian said different foods have a different effect on the body. “You can’t just say a calorie is a calorie. It doesn’t address your feelings of fullness, your blood glucose levels, your blood insulin levels and the other biological responses in your body,” he said.
In the study, dietary changes appeared to have the biggest impact on weight gain over time, but other lifestyle changes also were a factor.
For example, watching one hour of TV per day added 0.31 pounds (0.14 kg) over a four-year period.
Sleep also played a role. People in the study who got between six and eight hours of sleep were less likely to gain weight over the study period. But people who got less than six hours or more than eight hours tended to gain weight.
And when people increased their physical activity, they tended to gain less weight during the study period.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June50.xml§ion=health&col=
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Vitamin D lowers heart risk in men
(Reuters)
27 June 2011, 7:44 AM
NEW YORK - Men who consume the recommended amount of vitamin D are somewhat less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those with low vitamin D, according to a US study.
The study, which followed nearly 119,000 adults for two decades and was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that men who got at least 600 IU of vitamin D per day, the current recommended amount, were 16 percent less likely to develop heart problems or stroke than men who got less than 100 IUD per day.
But there was no such pattern among women, wrote lead research Qi Sun at the Harvard School of Public Health.
“These observations suggest that a higher intake of vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in men but not in women,” Sun wrote.
But Sun and the other authors said the findings don’t yet prove that vitamin D, which is found in fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil, deserves the credit for the lower risk found in men.
“The evidence is not strong enough yet to make solid recommendations,” Sun added.
The current study was observational, based on data from two long-term projects that have followed two large groups of US health professionals since the 1980s: the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Out of 45,000 men, there were about 5,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease over the study period, marked by a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.
It’s not clear why the finding in men wasn’t matched by a similar pattern in women, but Sun said one possibility is that women may have less active vitamin D circulating in the blood.
Vitamin D is also stored in fat, and women typically have a higher percentage of body fat than men do.
But more research is needed, Sun said, adding that more answers are expected from an ongoing randomized trial evaluating whether a high dose of vitamin D (2,000 IU per day) can cut the risk of heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June66.xml
(Reuters)
27 June 2011, 7:44 AM
NEW YORK - Men who consume the recommended amount of vitamin D are somewhat less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those with low vitamin D, according to a US study.
The study, which followed nearly 119,000 adults for two decades and was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that men who got at least 600 IU of vitamin D per day, the current recommended amount, were 16 percent less likely to develop heart problems or stroke than men who got less than 100 IUD per day.
“These observations suggest that a higher intake of vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in men but not in women,” Sun wrote.
But Sun and the other authors said the findings don’t yet prove that vitamin D, which is found in fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil, deserves the credit for the lower risk found in men.
“The evidence is not strong enough yet to make solid recommendations,” Sun added.
The current study was observational, based on data from two long-term projects that have followed two large groups of US health professionals since the 1980s: the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Out of 45,000 men, there were about 5,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease over the study period, marked by a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.
It’s not clear why the finding in men wasn’t matched by a similar pattern in women, but Sun said one possibility is that women may have less active vitamin D circulating in the blood.
Vitamin D is also stored in fat, and women typically have a higher percentage of body fat than men do.
But more research is needed, Sun said, adding that more answers are expected from an ongoing randomized trial evaluating whether a high dose of vitamin D (2,000 IU per day) can cut the risk of heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.
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Eat quality food to lose weight
(IANS)
24 June 2011
There is a simple way to stay slim. Eat quality food instead of worrying about the amount of food you eat, say experts.
[FONT="]Consuming bigger amounts of healthier food rather than smaller amounts of poor quality produce is the key, the express.co.uk reported quoting experts on Thursday. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Experts at the Harvard School of Public Health in America revealed that small lifestyle changes can make all the difference to *staying in shape.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
They said focusing on calories alone would not keep you slim. Instead, the best way to stay at a healthy weight is to eat nutritious and filling foods of good quality.[/FONT]
[FONT="]They recommend that people watching their weight need to cut out fizzy, sugar-sweetened drinks, potatoes and refined grain foods like white rice and low-fibre breakfast cereals.[/FONT]
[FONT="]And they should eat a lot more “natural” foods, like fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and yoghurt, while avoiding anything processed.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“Small dietary and other lifestyle changes can together make a big difference - for bad or good. This makes it easy to gain weight unintentionally, but also demonstrates the tremendous opportunity for prevention,” the report quoted Dariush Mozaffaria, study co-author as saying.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Nutritionist Angela Dowden said: “This research singles out once again the benefits of minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and yoghurt.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“As well as being nutrient-dense they are satiating and their fibrous nature also require slightly more energy to digest.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It is not so much that calories don’t count - they definitely do - it’s more that a healthy pattern of eating makes it easier for you to feel full on fewer of them.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]The findings, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, also showed the right amount of sleep helped people maintain a healthy weight.[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June52.xml§ion=health&col=
(IANS)
24 June 2011
There is a simple way to stay slim. Eat quality food instead of worrying about the amount of food you eat, say experts.
[FONT="]Consuming bigger amounts of healthier food rather than smaller amounts of poor quality produce is the key, the express.co.uk reported quoting experts on Thursday. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Experts at the Harvard School of Public Health in America revealed that small lifestyle changes can make all the difference to *staying in shape.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
[FONT="]They recommend that people watching their weight need to cut out fizzy, sugar-sweetened drinks, potatoes and refined grain foods like white rice and low-fibre breakfast cereals.[/FONT]
[FONT="]And they should eat a lot more “natural” foods, like fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and yoghurt, while avoiding anything processed.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“Small dietary and other lifestyle changes can together make a big difference - for bad or good. This makes it easy to gain weight unintentionally, but also demonstrates the tremendous opportunity for prevention,” the report quoted Dariush Mozaffaria, study co-author as saying.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Nutritionist Angela Dowden said: “This research singles out once again the benefits of minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and yoghurt.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“As well as being nutrient-dense they are satiating and their fibrous nature also require slightly more energy to digest.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It is not so much that calories don’t count - they definitely do - it’s more that a healthy pattern of eating makes it easier for you to feel full on fewer of them.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]The findings, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, also showed the right amount of sleep helped people maintain a healthy weight.[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
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Your bodies resist weight loss efforts
(IANS)
25 June 2011
If you’ve been trying to lose weight and suspect your body is working against you, you may indeed be right.
“When obese people reduce their food intake too drastically, their bodies appear to resist their weight loss efforts,” said Gregory G. Freund, professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
“They may have to work harder and go slower in order to outsmart their brain chemistry,” added Freund, who led the study.
He particularly cautioned against beginning a diet with a fast or cleansing day, which appears to trigger significant alterations in the immune system that work against weight loss.
“Take smaller steps to start your weight loss and keep it going,” he said, the journal Obesity reports.
In the study, the scientist compared the effects of a short-term fast on two groups of mice. For 12 weeks, one group consumed a low-fat diet (10 percent fat); the other group was fed a high-fat diet (60 percent fat) and had become obese, according to an Illinois statement.
The mice were then made to fast for 24 hours. In that time, the leaner mice lost 18 percent of their body weight compared to five percent for the obese mice.
Beginning a weight loss programme in a depressed frame of mind and with decreased motivation doesn’t bode well for the diet’s success, Freund noted.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June59.xml§ion=health&col=
(IANS)
25 June 2011
If you’ve been trying to lose weight and suspect your body is working against you, you may indeed be right.
“When obese people reduce their food intake too drastically, their bodies appear to resist their weight loss efforts,” said Gregory G. Freund, professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
He particularly cautioned against beginning a diet with a fast or cleansing day, which appears to trigger significant alterations in the immune system that work against weight loss.
“Take smaller steps to start your weight loss and keep it going,” he said, the journal Obesity reports.
In the study, the scientist compared the effects of a short-term fast on two groups of mice. For 12 weeks, one group consumed a low-fat diet (10 percent fat); the other group was fed a high-fat diet (60 percent fat) and had become obese, according to an Illinois statement.
The mice were then made to fast for 24 hours. In that time, the leaner mice lost 18 percent of their body weight compared to five percent for the obese mice.
Beginning a weight loss programme in a depressed frame of mind and with decreased motivation doesn’t bode well for the diet’s success, Freund noted.
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Prolonged sitting raises risk of death
(IANS)
26 June 2011
People who sit for extended periods are more likely to die early than those who spend less time sitting. It raises the risk by 40 percent in women and 20 percent in men, a study has found.
[FONT="]
Sitting down for extended periods increases the risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and obesity, according to American Cancer Society researchers who looked at 123,000 people’s health over 14 years.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The finding, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, puts sitting down for extended periods of time in the same bracket as smoking, Daily Mail reported quoting the study Saturday.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Diabetes experts point out that sitting is not bad for us in moderation but can be addictive and harmful in the long-run.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The American Cancer Society is concerned that public health guidelines do not say enough about time spent sitting down.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Government exercise recommendations suggest at least 30 minutes on five days per week of ‘moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity’.[/FONT]
[FONT="]They also say 20 minutes of ‘vigorous-intensity’ activity for at least 20 minutes on three days per week would produce similar benefits, according to the Mail.[/FONT]
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(IANS)
26 June 2011
People who sit for extended periods are more likely to die early than those who spend less time sitting. It raises the risk by 40 percent in women and 20 percent in men, a study has found.
[FONT="]
[FONT="]The finding, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, puts sitting down for extended periods of time in the same bracket as smoking, Daily Mail reported quoting the study Saturday.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Diabetes experts point out that sitting is not bad for us in moderation but can be addictive and harmful in the long-run.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The American Cancer Society is concerned that public health guidelines do not say enough about time spent sitting down.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Government exercise recommendations suggest at least 30 minutes on five days per week of ‘moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity’.[/FONT]
[FONT="]They also say 20 minutes of ‘vigorous-intensity’ activity for at least 20 minutes on three days per week would produce similar benefits, according to the Mail.[/FONT]
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Kiwifruit
This tiny, nutrient-dense fruit packs an amazing amount of vitamin C (double the amount found in this fruit), has more fiber than apples and beats bananas as a high-potassium food. The unique blend of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals found in kiwifruit helps protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer (commandments to prevention) and respiratory disease. Kiwifruit's natural blood-thinning properties work without the side effects of aspirin and support vascular health by reducing the formation of spontaneous blood clots, lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that kiwifruit not only reduces oxidative stress and damage to DNA but also prompts damaged cells to repair themselves.
In Chinese medicine they are used to accelerate the healing of wounds and sores.
How much: Aim to eat one to two kiwifruit a day while they're in season, for the best taste and nutrition. California-grown kiwifruit are in season from October through May, and New Zealand kiwifruit are available between April and November.
Tips: Kiwifruit contain enzymes (what are those?) that activate once you cut the fruit, causing the flesh to tenderize. So if you're making a fruit salad, cut the kiwifruit last.
Bing bonus: Get recipes that utilize the powerful fruit.
The riper the kiwifruit, the greater the antioxidant power, so let them ripen before you dig in.
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Cherries
Cherries boast a laundry list of healing powers. For starters, they pack a powerful nutritional punch for a relatively low calorie count. They're also packed with substances that help fight inflammation and cancer. In lab studies, quercetin and ellagic acid, two compounds contained in cherries, have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and even cause cancer cells to commit suicide. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Anthocyanin (what's that?), another compound in cherries, is credited with lowering the uric acid levels in the blood, thereby reducing a common cause of gout. Researchers believe anthocyanins may also reduce your risk of colon cancer. Further, these compounds work like a natural form of ibuprofen, reducing inflammation and curbing pain. Regular consumption may help lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
In Chinese medicine, cherries are routinely used as a remedy for gout, arthritis and rheumatism (as well as anemia, due to their high iron content). Plus they're delicious.
How much: Aim for a daily serving while they're in season locally. And keep a bag of frozen cherries in your freezer the rest of the year; frozen cherries retain 100 percent of their nutritional value and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal.
Bing bonus: Find out how to cook with the good-for-you cherry.
Tip: Buy organic, since conventionally grown cherries can be high in pesticides.
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Diabetics receive blood vessels grown in lab
(AP)
27 June 2011, 10:32 PM
MILWAUKEE For the first time, scientists have given several diabetic patients blood vessels grown in a lab from donated skin cells.
[FONT="]The work is a key step toward creating a supply of ready-to-use veins and arteries that could be implanted in dialysis patients, soldiers with damaged limbs, children with heart defects, people having heart bypass surgery and others. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The blood vessels are made by a California company, Cytograft Tissue Engineering Inc. Three dialysis patients in Poland have received them so far, and they are working well two to eight months later. A larger study in Europe is planned. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The research is considered so promising that the American Heart Association featured it Monday in the first of a new series of webcasts about cutting-edge science.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...xfile=data/health/2011/June/health_June70.xml
(AP)
27 June 2011, 10:32 PM
MILWAUKEE For the first time, scientists have given several diabetic patients blood vessels grown in a lab from donated skin cells.
[FONT="]The work is a key step toward creating a supply of ready-to-use veins and arteries that could be implanted in dialysis patients, soldiers with damaged limbs, children with heart defects, people having heart bypass surgery and others. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The blood vessels are made by a California company, Cytograft Tissue Engineering Inc. Three dialysis patients in Poland have received them so far, and they are working well two to eight months later. A larger study in Europe is planned. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The research is considered so promising that the American Heart Association featured it Monday in the first of a new series of webcasts about cutting-edge science.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
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Shockwaves can heal broken bones
(IANS)
27 June 2011
LONDON - Those suffering from unyielding bone fractures faced a stark choice—painful surgery, followed by months of rehabilitation or a lifetime of pain and immobility. But not anymore.
A new, non-invasive treatment using ultrasound shockwaves is revolutionising the way these fractures are healed.
The Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System is a battery-powered device roughly the size of a mobile phone that emits low intensity soundwaves through the skin to the fracture. These pulses stimulate the bone to heal, reports the Daily Mail.
Clinical studies have put Exogen’s success rate at 86 percent, although Mark Phillips, senior orthopaedic consultant at King’s College, London, says it is not a miracle cure for everyone.
In most cases, fractures heal naturally, usually with the help of a splint or cast to keep the bone in place, over a period of weeks or months.
However, in around five percent of fractures, a gap remains between the two broken ends, usually a result of damage to the blood supply to the bones or infection.
”Any break which hasn’t demonstrated progressive healing for three months is classified as non-union,” says Phillips.
Previously the only option was a bone graft. A fragment of bone from another part of the body - usually the pelvis, is removed, ground down and used to fill in the gap.
This healthy bone is meant to stimulate the production of substances called growth factors that help broken ends to grow.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June68.xml§ion=health&col=
(IANS)
27 June 2011
LONDON - Those suffering from unyielding bone fractures faced a stark choice—painful surgery, followed by months of rehabilitation or a lifetime of pain and immobility. But not anymore.
A new, non-invasive treatment using ultrasound shockwaves is revolutionising the way these fractures are healed.
The Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System is a battery-powered device roughly the size of a mobile phone that emits low intensity soundwaves through the skin to the fracture. These pulses stimulate the bone to heal, reports the Daily Mail.
Clinical studies have put Exogen’s success rate at 86 percent, although Mark Phillips, senior orthopaedic consultant at King’s College, London, says it is not a miracle cure for everyone.
In most cases, fractures heal naturally, usually with the help of a splint or cast to keep the bone in place, over a period of weeks or months.
However, in around five percent of fractures, a gap remains between the two broken ends, usually a result of damage to the blood supply to the bones or infection.
”Any break which hasn’t demonstrated progressive healing for three months is classified as non-union,” says Phillips.
Previously the only option was a bone graft. A fragment of bone from another part of the body - usually the pelvis, is removed, ground down and used to fill in the gap.
This healthy bone is meant to stimulate the production of substances called growth factors that help broken ends to grow.
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Diabetes vaccine stumbles at second hurdle
27 June 2011
PARIS — An experimental vaccine to prevent progression of Type 1 diabetes failed at the second step of the three-phase trial process, doctors said on Monday in a study reported online by The Lancet.
[FONT="]The vaccine sought to protect insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas from the body’s immune system. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Its formula is based on an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which the over-sensitised immune system targets — and in doing so destroys the precious beta cells. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The idea was that by vaccinating patients with GAD, this would teach the immune system’s T cells to tolerate the enzyme. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The trial was carried out on 145 patients aged three to 45 years living in the United States and Canada who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes within the previous three months. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The volunteers were given either the vaccine; the vaccine plus a standard immune-system booster; or just the booster alone. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Patients in all three groups experienced similar progression in the disease, with no difference among them in side effects. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The paper, led by Jay Skyler of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was presented at a conference of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego, California. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Despite the setback, the investigators called for more research to see if the formula might work when administered sooner or as part of a combination therapy. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The number of adults with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled since 1980, with almost 350 million now affected, according to data reported earlier at the conference. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Diabetes is caused by poor blood sugar control and can lead to heart disease and stroke and damage the kidneys, nerves and eyes. [/FONT]
[FONT="]High blood sugar levels and diabetes kill three million people across the world each year. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The surge is attributed to longer lifespan and excess weight, especially among women. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Type 1, a condition that affects about five to 10 percent of people with diabetes, was previously known as juvenile diabetes because it typically shows up in children or young adults. Patients have to take daily insulin shots for the rest of their lives and follow dietary guidelines and exercise. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In Type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or cells are resistant to the hormone. The condition is managed by diet, exercise as well as insulin shots if need be.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June67.xml§ion=health&col=
27 June 2011
PARIS — An experimental vaccine to prevent progression of Type 1 diabetes failed at the second step of the three-phase trial process, doctors said on Monday in a study reported online by The Lancet.
[FONT="]The vaccine sought to protect insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas from the body’s immune system. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Its formula is based on an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which the over-sensitised immune system targets — and in doing so destroys the precious beta cells. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The idea was that by vaccinating patients with GAD, this would teach the immune system’s T cells to tolerate the enzyme. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The trial was carried out on 145 patients aged three to 45 years living in the United States and Canada who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes within the previous three months. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The volunteers were given either the vaccine; the vaccine plus a standard immune-system booster; or just the booster alone. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Patients in all three groups experienced similar progression in the disease, with no difference among them in side effects. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The paper, led by Jay Skyler of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was presented at a conference of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego, California. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Despite the setback, the investigators called for more research to see if the formula might work when administered sooner or as part of a combination therapy. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The number of adults with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled since 1980, with almost 350 million now affected, according to data reported earlier at the conference. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Diabetes is caused by poor blood sugar control and can lead to heart disease and stroke and damage the kidneys, nerves and eyes. [/FONT]
[FONT="]High blood sugar levels and diabetes kill three million people across the world each year. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The surge is attributed to longer lifespan and excess weight, especially among women. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Type 1, a condition that affects about five to 10 percent of people with diabetes, was previously known as juvenile diabetes because it typically shows up in children or young adults. Patients have to take daily insulin shots for the rest of their lives and follow dietary guidelines and exercise. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In Type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or cells are resistant to the hormone. The condition is managed by diet, exercise as well as insulin shots if need be.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
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TV junk-food ads do boost kids appetites
(Reuters)
28 June 2011
Television ads for junk food really do make children hunger for those treats, especially if they watch a lot of television, according to a study.
[FONT="]The findings, published in Pediatrics, come amid growing calls to ban junk food advertisements aimed at children in order to combat obesity most recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which issued a policy statement on junk food ads on Monday. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In tests with 6- to 13-year olds, researchers led by Emma Boyland of the University of Liverpool in the UK found that a DVD featuring commercials for fast food and junk food seemed to whet childrens appetites for sweet and high-fat fare. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Exposure to television food commercials enhanced high television viewers preferences for branded foods and increased reported preferences for all food items (branded and unbranded) relative to the low television viewers, she wrote. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The children involved in the research reported a greater desire for sweet and fatty foods after viewing the junk-food ads compared to days when they watched commercials for toys. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This was especially true for children who usually watched a lot of TV in their everyday lives, with a lot defined by the researchers as over 21 hours a week. [/FONT]
[FONT="]On average, kids wanted more high-carb, high-fat foods after watching food commercials. [/FONT]
[FONT="]But researchers said the effects of the food ads were modest, making only a small difference in the average number of food items the children said they wanted right now. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In real life, as well, a lot of other factors would be at work, including parents willingness to buy those foods. [/FONT]
[FONT="]It will never be possible to demonstrate in an experimental study that food advertising contributes to obesity. There are simply too many variables to take into account, Boyland wrote in an email to Reuters Health. [/FONT]
[FONT="]On the other hand, a number of studies have no shown that children tend to want more, and eat more, tasty treats after seeing ads for them. [/FONT]
[FONT="]With older children, who often make their own food choices, that could translate into more french fries and chocolate bars. Even young children have pester power, with studies suggesting they are more likely to use that power if they see a lot of food commercials. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This study confirms the cumulative, sustained effect of food marketing on TV: the more children watch TV, the more susceptible they are to advertising, said Lori Dorfman, who directs the Berkeley Media Studies Group in California and has studied food marketing to children. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This might not be so bad if food marketers put their best foods forward, but they dont, Dorfman, who did not take part in the study, told Reuters Health by email. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dorfman noted that children now watch TV on their computers and mobile gadgets as well as at home on TV, which can add up to a lot of hours. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dorfman said that parents should limit TV time, but added that they need help. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Its simply not fair to expect parents alone to counter the $2 billion food companies spend each year targeting their kids with fun, irresistible ads for sugary, high-fat, salty foods, she added.
[/FONT]http://www.khaleejtimes.com/display...11/June/health_June71.xml§ion=health&col=
(Reuters)
28 June 2011
Television ads for junk food really do make children hunger for those treats, especially if they watch a lot of television, according to a study.
[FONT="]The findings, published in Pediatrics, come amid growing calls to ban junk food advertisements aimed at children in order to combat obesity most recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which issued a policy statement on junk food ads on Monday. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In tests with 6- to 13-year olds, researchers led by Emma Boyland of the University of Liverpool in the UK found that a DVD featuring commercials for fast food and junk food seemed to whet childrens appetites for sweet and high-fat fare. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Exposure to television food commercials enhanced high television viewers preferences for branded foods and increased reported preferences for all food items (branded and unbranded) relative to the low television viewers, she wrote. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The children involved in the research reported a greater desire for sweet and fatty foods after viewing the junk-food ads compared to days when they watched commercials for toys. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This was especially true for children who usually watched a lot of TV in their everyday lives, with a lot defined by the researchers as over 21 hours a week. [/FONT]
[FONT="]On average, kids wanted more high-carb, high-fat foods after watching food commercials. [/FONT]
[FONT="]But researchers said the effects of the food ads were modest, making only a small difference in the average number of food items the children said they wanted right now. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In real life, as well, a lot of other factors would be at work, including parents willingness to buy those foods. [/FONT]
[FONT="]It will never be possible to demonstrate in an experimental study that food advertising contributes to obesity. There are simply too many variables to take into account, Boyland wrote in an email to Reuters Health. [/FONT]
[FONT="]On the other hand, a number of studies have no shown that children tend to want more, and eat more, tasty treats after seeing ads for them. [/FONT]
[FONT="]With older children, who often make their own food choices, that could translate into more french fries and chocolate bars. Even young children have pester power, with studies suggesting they are more likely to use that power if they see a lot of food commercials. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This study confirms the cumulative, sustained effect of food marketing on TV: the more children watch TV, the more susceptible they are to advertising, said Lori Dorfman, who directs the Berkeley Media Studies Group in California and has studied food marketing to children. [/FONT]
[FONT="]This might not be so bad if food marketers put their best foods forward, but they dont, Dorfman, who did not take part in the study, told Reuters Health by email. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dorfman noted that children now watch TV on their computers and mobile gadgets as well as at home on TV, which can add up to a lot of hours. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dorfman said that parents should limit TV time, but added that they need help. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Its simply not fair to expect parents alone to counter the $2 billion food companies spend each year targeting their kids with fun, irresistible ads for sugary, high-fat, salty foods, she added.
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Foods to Avoid when you have Hyperacidity
Hyperacidity is a very uncomfortable condition to have, especially as it seems to affect just about every area of your life. Not only will you have trouble eating certain foods that you enjoy, certain amounts may also become intolerable.
Hyperacidity is a very uncomfortable condition to have, especially as it seems to affect just about every area of your life. Not only will you have trouble eating certain foods that you enjoy, certain amounts may also become intolerable. Extreme cases of hyperacidity can bring about nausea or dizziness that can even keep a person from performing as optimally as he can at an otherwise healthy moment. It can also sometimes manifest as heartburn that you may worry about a more serious condition behind it.
In any case, if ever you suspect yourself to have hyperacidity, it will be best to steer clear of the following foods, at least until it seems to have cleared:
1. Acidic fruits – Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are high in ascorbic acid, which can irritate your stomach all the more. It would be best to avoid these fruits, including their juice form. Mangoes and apples are also slightly high in acid content. Fruits that are relatively easy on a tummy with high acid levels are bananas and cantaloupes. Grapefruit, cranberry, and tomato juice are also a strict no-no. Other fruit like blueberries, peaches, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, and apple cider may be consumed, but preferably with discretion, as too much of these can also trigger heartburn.
2. Certain vegetables – Raw onions are found to be a big trigger of gas and hyperacidity. When cooked, onions may be consumed but only in limited quantities. Garlic, scallions, and leeks should also be taken with discretion. However, Asian studies show spring onions to help a lot with improving hyperacidity.
3. Hot and spicy foods – If you are a fan of hot and spicy foods, this may be the best time to say a temporary farewell to your palate’s best friends. Spicy foods are known to trigger the release of acids in your stomach, and during severe hyperacidity it would be best to avoid eating much of them.
4. Dairy products – Certain dairy products have been linked to worsening heartburn symptoms, likely because they are a bit more difficult to digest. When you are suffering from symptoms of hyperacidity, it would be best to reduce or avoid intake of sour cream, milk shakes, ice cream, and cottage cheese. Dairy products like yogurt, skim milk, and low-fat cottage cheese may be taken, but not in large quantities.
5. Heavy grains and similar by-products – Pasta is typically difficult to digest when one has hyperacidity. As such, meals like macaroni and cheese or spaghetti would best be avoided. Muffins and granola cereals may also pose a risk when taken in large quantities, as is garlic bread.
6. Sweets or desserts – While hyperacidity does not mean you need to fast, you may need to steer clear of high-fat and high-sugar treats like brownies, chocolates, doughnuts, corn chips, and potato chips.
7. Alcoholic beverages, sodas, coffee, and tea – Although some people recommend teas for clearing an upset stomach, in reality, tea is on the same plane as liquors and coffee in terms of not being friendly to hyperacidity. As much as possible drink plenty of water instead, as it seems nearly all beverages offered in this generation are high in acid, from colas to coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks.
8. Great quantities of food – In this case, it is no longer the nature of the food but rather the quantity of food in question. Hyperacidity means your stomach is releasing more acid than usual, so during this time, please refrain from indulging too much in food as it will be difficult for your stomach to digest the large quantities. If anything, give your stomach time to rest between meals, and preferably take small servings across the day instead of having three big meals.
Of course, this list is just a guide to help you make wise choices. The main thing to consider if you really cannot avoid eating some of these foods is to make sure you don’t overdo consumption of any of the items on this list. Also, if your hyperacidity persists, be sure to consult your doctor, as serious cases might require prescription of antacids or similar medication.
http://medsavailable.com/articles/foods-to-avoid-when-you-have-hyperacidity
Hyperacidity is a very uncomfortable condition to have, especially as it seems to affect just about every area of your life. Not only will you have trouble eating certain foods that you enjoy, certain amounts may also become intolerable.
Hyperacidity is a very uncomfortable condition to have, especially as it seems to affect just about every area of your life. Not only will you have trouble eating certain foods that you enjoy, certain amounts may also become intolerable. Extreme cases of hyperacidity can bring about nausea or dizziness that can even keep a person from performing as optimally as he can at an otherwise healthy moment. It can also sometimes manifest as heartburn that you may worry about a more serious condition behind it.
In any case, if ever you suspect yourself to have hyperacidity, it will be best to steer clear of the following foods, at least until it seems to have cleared:
1. Acidic fruits – Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are high in ascorbic acid, which can irritate your stomach all the more. It would be best to avoid these fruits, including their juice form. Mangoes and apples are also slightly high in acid content. Fruits that are relatively easy on a tummy with high acid levels are bananas and cantaloupes. Grapefruit, cranberry, and tomato juice are also a strict no-no. Other fruit like blueberries, peaches, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, and apple cider may be consumed, but preferably with discretion, as too much of these can also trigger heartburn.
2. Certain vegetables – Raw onions are found to be a big trigger of gas and hyperacidity. When cooked, onions may be consumed but only in limited quantities. Garlic, scallions, and leeks should also be taken with discretion. However, Asian studies show spring onions to help a lot with improving hyperacidity.
3. Hot and spicy foods – If you are a fan of hot and spicy foods, this may be the best time to say a temporary farewell to your palate’s best friends. Spicy foods are known to trigger the release of acids in your stomach, and during severe hyperacidity it would be best to avoid eating much of them.
4. Dairy products – Certain dairy products have been linked to worsening heartburn symptoms, likely because they are a bit more difficult to digest. When you are suffering from symptoms of hyperacidity, it would be best to reduce or avoid intake of sour cream, milk shakes, ice cream, and cottage cheese. Dairy products like yogurt, skim milk, and low-fat cottage cheese may be taken, but not in large quantities.
5. Heavy grains and similar by-products – Pasta is typically difficult to digest when one has hyperacidity. As such, meals like macaroni and cheese or spaghetti would best be avoided. Muffins and granola cereals may also pose a risk when taken in large quantities, as is garlic bread.
6. Sweets or desserts – While hyperacidity does not mean you need to fast, you may need to steer clear of high-fat and high-sugar treats like brownies, chocolates, doughnuts, corn chips, and potato chips.
7. Alcoholic beverages, sodas, coffee, and tea – Although some people recommend teas for clearing an upset stomach, in reality, tea is on the same plane as liquors and coffee in terms of not being friendly to hyperacidity. As much as possible drink plenty of water instead, as it seems nearly all beverages offered in this generation are high in acid, from colas to coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks.
8. Great quantities of food – In this case, it is no longer the nature of the food but rather the quantity of food in question. Hyperacidity means your stomach is releasing more acid than usual, so during this time, please refrain from indulging too much in food as it will be difficult for your stomach to digest the large quantities. If anything, give your stomach time to rest between meals, and preferably take small servings across the day instead of having three big meals.
Of course, this list is just a guide to help you make wise choices. The main thing to consider if you really cannot avoid eating some of these foods is to make sure you don’t overdo consumption of any of the items on this list. Also, if your hyperacidity persists, be sure to consult your doctor, as serious cases might require prescription of antacids or similar medication.
http://medsavailable.com/articles/foods-to-avoid-when-you-have-hyperacidity
