Potatoes and Human Health, Part I

Potatoes: an Introduction

Over 10,000 years ago, on the shores of lake Titicaca in what is now Peru, a culture began to cultivate a species of wild potato, Solanum tuberosum. They gradually transformed it into a plant that efficiently produces roundish starchy tubers, in a variety of strains that suited the climactic and gastronomic needs of various populations. These early farmers could not have understood at the time that the plant they were selecting would become the most productive crop in the world*, and eventually feed billions of people around the globe.

Wild potatoes, which were likely consumed by hunter-gatherers before domestication, are higher in toxic glycoalkaloids. These are defensive compounds that protect against insects, infections and… hungry animals. Early farmers selected varieties that are low in bitter glycoalkaloids, which are the ancestors of most modern potatoes, however they didn’t abandon the high-glycoalkaloid varieties. These were hardier and more tolerant of high altitudes, cold temperatures and pests. Cultures living high in the Andes developed a method to take advantage of these hardy but toxic potatoes, as well as their own harsh climate: they invented chuños. These are made by leaving potatoes out in the open, where they are frozen at night, stomped underfoot and dried in the sun for many days**. What results is a dried potato with a low glycoalkaloid content that can be stored for a year or more.

Nutritional Qualities

From a nutritional standpoint, potatoes are a mixed bag. On one hand, if I had to pick a single food to eat exclusively for a while, potatoes would be high on the list. One reason is that they contain an adequate amount of complete protein, meaning they don’t have to be mixed with another protein source as with grains and legumes. Another reason is that a number of cultures throughout history have successfully relied on the potato as their principal source of calories, and several continue to do so. A third reason is that they’re eaten in an unrefined, fresh state.

Potatoes contain an adequate amount of many essential minerals, and due to their low phytic acid content (1), the minerals they contain are well absorbed. They’re rich in magnesium and copper, two minerals that are important for insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health (2, 3). They’re also high in vitamin C. Overall, they have a micronutrient content that compares favorably with other starchy root vegetables such as taro and cassava (4, 5, 6). Due to their very low fat content, potatoes contain virtually no omega-6, and thus do not contribute to an excess of these essential fatty acids.

On the other hand, I don’t have to eat potatoes exclusively, so what do they have to offer a mixed diet? They have a high glycemic index, which means they raise blood sugar more than an equivalent serving of most carbohydrate foods, although I’m not convinced that’s a problem in people with good blood sugar control (7, 8). They’re low in fiber, which could hypothetically lead to a reduction in the number and diversity of gut bacteria in the absence of other fiber sources. Sweet potatoes, an unrelated species, contain more micronutrients and fiber, and have been a central food source for healthy cultures (9). However, the main reasons temperate-climate cultures throughout the world eat potatoes is they yield well, they’re easily digested, they fill you up and they taste good.

In the next post, I’ll delve into the biology and toxicology of potato glycoalkaloids, and review some animal data. In further posts, I’ll address the most important question of all: what happens when a person eats mostly potatoes… for months, years, and generations?

* In terms of calories produced per acre.

** A simplified description. The process can actually be rather involved, with several different drying, stomping and leaching steps.

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Some Super Diet Shake Recipes To Lose Weight

Nothing can be quite as delicious and satisfying as a great diet shake.
Here are five tried-and-true diet shake recipes. Give them a whirl
in your blender:

Strawberry-Orange-Banana Diet Shake Recipes
• Some orange juice – about 2 cups or so
• Some sliced bananas – 1 or 2
• Some strawberries — a cup or so
• Some ice – about a cup
• A container of strawberry-banana low fat yogurt

Mandarin-Mango Diet Shake Recipes
• Some mandarin orange pieces – 2 cans or so
• Some cut up mangoes – 2 mangos is about right
• Some ice – about a cup
• Protein supplements from the nutrition store—follow the label directions
• A container of mango-flavored low fat yogurt

Berry Berry Special Diet Shake Recipes
• Some cranberry juice – about half a cup
• Some apple juice — about half a cup
• Some strawberries
• Some blueberries
• Some raspberries
• A banana
• A container of strawberry or blueberry low fat yogurt

Banana-Chocolate-Vanilla Diet Shake Recipes
• A cut up frozen banana
• A teaspoon of vanilla
• A cup of skim milk
• A teaspoonful of Splenda
• A teaspoonful of cocoa powder
• A container of low fat yogurt—plain or vanilla

Coffee-Mocha Diet Shake Recipes

• One teaspoon instant coffee
• One teaspoon cocoa powder
• One teaspoon of Splenda
• Ice
• A container of vanilla or plain low fat yogurt
• A powder protein supplement if you like

Regardless of which of the diet shake recipes you are making, the procedure is the same. Just pop all the ingredients into your blender and turn it on. Run the blender until the shake is the desired consistency, pour into a beautiful glass, and enjoy your homemade, healthy, nutrient-dense, diet shake recipes. Not only will it help with your weight loss; it taste delicious.Enjoy!

P.S. Anybody have any other healthy shake ideas out there? Please feel
free to share them, thanks.

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Is There A Need For Hydrochloric Acid In The Stomach?

Last week Dr. Joseph Mercola made several statements concerning the negative affects of drinking alkaline water.

According to Dr. Mercola drinking alkaline water is of no value because it will be minimized by the hydrochloric acid of the stomach.

That’s exactly the point Mercola! You want to minimize the hydrochloric acid residues in the stomach!!!!

Of course what Mercola does not explain is the biochemistry of the digestive system and especially the stomach. The facts are that for every molecule of hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach an equal amount of sodium bicarbonate is produced by the cover cells. The equation is as follows: NaCl + H20 + Cl = NaHCO3 + HCL.

The stomach pulls sodium, chloride, water and carbon dioxide to make sodium bicarbonate, an alkalizing compound with the waste product of hydrochloric acid.

The stomach will always produce sodium bicarbonate to alkalize the food we eat or the liquids we drink to prepare the food and drink for biological transformation into stem cells in the crypts of the small intestine. The more acidic the food or drink the more sodium bicarbonate will be produced to buffer the acids of the food or drink. This of course leaves you with a belly full of acid which leads to all sorts of stomach disorders including the acidifying of the blood and then tissues.

The stomach does not need to produce any sodium bicarbonate when we are eating or drinking alkalizing foods or alkaline drinks, including electron rich alkaline water.

The key here to remember is this: the stomach is NOT an organ of digestion but an organ of contribution and its main contribution is to alkalize the food and drink we ingest.

You want to drink electron rich alkaline water to neutralize or buffer the hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

The stomach is NOT an organ of digestion but an organ designed to alkalize the acids from food and metabolism.

Bottom-line the best thing you can do to support the stomach is to drink electron rich alkaline water with a pH of at least 9.5 or better. You will be preventing serious stomach disorders and preparing the food and drink for its ideal pH in the small intestine at 8.4 for biological transformation into stems cells in the crypts of the small intestine.

My best advise is to drink at least 1 liter of 9.5 pH alkaline electron rich water for every 50 pounds of weight. You will be hydrating, alkalizing and energizing your body. There is nothing more important than drinking alkaline electron rich water other than the oxygen you breath.

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Young Black women self-harm more but get less help

Young Black women in the U.K. are significantly more likely to harm themselves than people from other ethnic groups but slightly less likely to receive specialist psychiatric assessment and access to follow-up services. Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Oxford studied 14,997 people who attended emergency departments in Derby, Oxford and Manchester after having harmed themselves. They found that the rate of self-harm among young Black women in Manchester was 10. 3 per 1,000 compared to 6.6 per 1,000 in the White population. The rates of self-harm were not significantly higher among young Black men. The young Black women were slightly less likely to receive a specialist psychiatric assessment after self-harming than White ones.

You can find out more about this research by clicking on the title of this post.

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Children with autism’s progress over time

Children with autism have different cognitive skills and weaknesses to other children. They find it harder to assess other people’s thoughts and feelings and have problems controlling their behaviour but can be better at noticing details. However, there has been little research into how these skills and weaknesses change over time. Researchers from the Institute of Education in London studied 68 children when they were aged 5-6 and again three years later. 37 of the children had autism and 31 were unaffected. The children were tested on their ability to predict other children’s behaviour based on their mental state (theory of mind), their ability to plan ahead and show flexibility (executive function), and their ability to make patterns from wooden blocks and search for shapes hidden in pictures (central coherence). The study showed that the strengths and weaknesses of the autistic children did not change much over time. However, not all of the autistic children had similar patterns of weaknesses with some being weak in just theory of mind while others were weak in theory of mind and executive function. The study also found that most of the children’s skills in these areas improved over time – they were better able to plan, regulate and control their thoughts and actions and had a better appreciation of other people’s thoughts and actions.

You can find out more about this research by clicking on the title of this post.

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Diaries take the trauma out of intensive care

On average 1 in 10 patients who stay more than two days in intensive care will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The fragmentary nature of people’s memories, which might include isolated moments of clarity between delusions and hallucinations make it difficult for patients to remember what happened to them and make them more likely to develop PTSD. Researchers from the University of Liverpool have been studying the effectiveness of diaries in reducing PTSD. The diaries are compiled by staff and close relatives and feature information about a patient’s stay in intensive care, accompanied by photographs. The researchers studied 352 patients from 12 hospitals in six different European countries. 162 of them had the diaries kept for them and these people were found to have half the risk of developing PTSD. The diaries were time consuming for the staff involved but the researchers pointed out that given the cost of treating PTSD this was still cost effective.

You can find out more about this research by clicking on the title of this post.

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Misery in the mountains

Living at high altitude could increase people’s risk of committing suicide. Researchers from the University of Utah studied suicide rates in different US states. Those with the highest average altitudes – Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon – were all in the top 10 for suicide rates. Although these states both have high levels of gun ownership and sparse populations (both risk factors for suicide) this did not explain the whole of the increased rates of suicide. A similar study in South Korea found that suicide rates increased by 125% in areas over 2,000m in altitude. Other research has shown that lack of oxygen at higher altitudes can lead to worsening mood which can last for up to 90 days – something which might be significant in people already suffering from mood disorders.

You can find out more about this research by clicking on the link in the title of this post.

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How do you treat GERD?

I have GERD, I lifted my bed, quit, stopped drinking caffiene and stop eating something that I am not aloud, and every day I feel like I have much icky thing in the throat, which makes it difficult to breathe. How do I get rtid that somebody knows?

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Is it okay to ask my doctor give me cardiologist if he told me I dont have cardiovascular disease?

I made the ECG and the result is good, but I still think I have cardiovascular disease, it's good to ask my doctor give me a cardiologist?

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Ephedrine

Our human bodies are for the most effective activities in normal weight. If we happen to have some additional unwanted pounds, we are a constantly growing list of risk factors for health. Here is one risk factor to think about our heart is responsible in the blood pumping through all arteries, which narrow the capillaries in the limbs, before blood starts, reverting back through Vienna. Capillaries are very small tubes, allows only a single red blood cells during travel. Each pound of fat contains incredibly nine miles from the capillaries. This is normal as we in our normal weight, but if we carry around talking additional 50 pounds of fat, i.e. additional 450 miles of tubing. This overhead may become worse when we age of atherosclerosis, which is the arteries. Hardened walls loses elasticity and to heart with additional pressure must be overcome.

This is the main cause of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If left hypertension treatment, then heart has no choice but to work that adds muscle mass in your heart. But there is no place for an enlarged heart, so that's all. Heart eventually collapses under load with normal awkward result. Getting older brings an environment like this, but in many cases, the effect is compounded by the additional pounds of fat we wrap around. How to understand and make some effort to get back to near normal weight. THE FDA announced that in ephedra or ephedrine weight loss is dangerous to use. This is a very good info, because we always want to take risks.There is a new replacement ephedrine now seamlessly. EphedrineReplacement .info

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Skin Problem??

They are not sensitive skin, but when I pimple, and I started from scratch, this pimple included blackish and my forehead fulled of pimple! Some of them are blackish too, can you give me some tips too remove it, I'll give you some hit solve my problem: well I probably dandruff and infect my skin too, I don't know, this is for you. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! : )

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Is it possible to people with COPD around a child with Leukaemia?

My mom has COPD and my grandchildren Leukemia.

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I have a dog Britney Spaniel, and whenever he is outside it can't keep my eyes open. Maybe a sleep disorder?

He makes it in, but not so much.
I have a room with a veterinarian next Monday, but hoped that earlier study, if he had a real problem.He's a dog from a humane society, middle age, so I don't know too much about it other than it is a real sweet and very good. I had a lot of dogs, never one thought that they could not keep my eyes open outside.

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This speed And permanent?

Classical economists found that nominal income is determined by the cash mass has confidence that speed PY/M can be considered reasonably constant l whether or not it is reasonable to assume that the speed is constant? The answer to that question, let's take a look at Figure 2. 1, which shows that in the year 1915-change speed in 1996 (nominal income represents the nominal GDP and the money supply (m) and Af2).

What we see in Figure 1 is that even in the short term, the speed changes too much to be seen as a constant. Before 1950 speed exhibited fluctuations of the up and down. This reflects a significant economic instability in this period that includes two world wars Audemar Piguet replica watches and the great depression.(Actually decreases the speed, or at least growth decreases during recessions occur.)After 1950 the speed seems to be more moderate vibrations, but there are significant differences in the growth rate from year to year.

Percentage change in the aft speed (GDP/MI) from 1981-1982, for example, was 2.5%, whereas in the period 1980-1981 speed increased in size 4. 2%. This difference of 6-7% means that the nominal GDP grew by 6. 7 per cent less than it would if the rate is increasing at the same rate as in 1980-1981. (l) drop enough to take account of the serious decline that occurred in 1981-1982.After 1982 MI speed seems to have become even more volatile, a fact which has puzzled researchers when reviewing the empirical evidence on the demand for money 2 and speed are more stable than M speed of 1982, as a result of the Federal Reserve System dropped his purpose in 1987 and started to pay more for a goal. However, volatility MHz speed in the early 1990s led to THE FED'S announcement in July 1993, that it did not believe that any monetary aggregates, including A/2, is a reliable guide for monetary policy.

Before the great depression economists do not recognize that the speed is Cartier Santos replica during the severe economic downturn.Why classical economists does not recognize this fact when it is easy to see from pro-depression in Figure 1?Unfortunately accurate data on GDP and money supply did not exist before the second world war.Only after the war, the Government began collecting this data. no Economists know that their opinion about the speed as a constant was manifestly false. slow down during the great depression was so great, however, even the raw data for economists, but suggests that speed is not a constant. This explains why, after the great depression, economists started looking for other factors affecting the demand for money, which may help explain variations in speed.

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What sociological theory fall issue of diabetes?

m doing a project for my class sociology and need help on my theme diabetes problems with sociological theory (e.g. conflict, feminist, functional, etc.) can anyone help me out here to select one that fits?

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can anyone tell me if this should happen?

I feel like IM going to the bathroom to pee, its not like THE OAB, but as every hour or so. Its like anytime I drink something every 30 minutes later I have to go pee. Now I know what thats kinda what should happen. but isnt some water is supposed to stay in your system?
This happened to me on how doproishodit week or so, and then next week, I feel very dehydrated and drink plenty of water, but I dont pee so much.
has it occured to you?

and no im not pregnant, I dont and UTI or STD

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There is something rare in the recent study on omega-3... enriched margarine

Published on August 31, 2010

He has been much reports a study released Sunday in the New England Journal of Medicine [1], and will be focus blog hoy.Aquí, in brief, is the design of the study: nearly 5000 men and women who had previously had a heart attack were allocated at random to include in your diet, one of the four food:

margarinemargarine enriched margarine (omega-3 fats found in fish) EPA and DHA, enriched with ALA (alpha-linolenic acid - a form of omega-3 fats found in plant foods such as flaxseedmargarine, enriched with the EPA, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, and ALA)

During a follow-up period of 40 months, consumption of EPA and DHA or ALA was not associated with a reduced risk of 'cardiovascular' events such as heart attacks and stroke or death accidents by these things. There seems to be some benefits for diabetics margarine omega-3 enriched, but taken together, the results were rather disappointing.

In general, this study has been reported as evidence that shows that ' perhaps the omega-3 fats are not as healthy as we facts believe '. It is certainly an interesting shot, seeing as fat omega 3 they were testing aquí.Pero omega-3 fats are added to the margarine.The question here? Well, margarine in a meal of plastic, chemicalised, highly processed, that evidence relates to the adverse effects on the salud.Ver more on this here.

Now, imagine for a moment that omega-3 fats are supremely healthy. Would make sense eating them in conjunction with a non-food that may have toxic effects on health? do fall vitamin C into a glass of arsenic before it chugging down?

What is interesting about how this study is being reported is that journalists have immediately jumped at the idea of omega-3 leaves querer.Pero what with margarine? No conventional publication which is questioning the value that you can have the margarine is not found.The authors of this study do not welcome this possibility.

It is a pity that this study used not enriched margarine as a placebo.negative authors of this study actually lost a trick here because a placebo better not, in my opinion, margarine at all. While this would not have been a true placebo, which, however, would have been interesting view how those who ate margarine fared in comparison to those who did not.

Other potential fault in this study related to the amount of omega-3 additional consumed by participants that derives from the margarine.This proved to be 376 mg of EPA and DHA.And appearance even in conventional recommendations, which is unlikely to be sufficient to have the real benefit (recommendations for people with cardiovascular disease often have 800 to 1000 mg per day).

Another curious thing about the study is this phrase in the section of summary results:

"The prespecified subgroup of women, ALA, versus placebo and EPA-DHA itself, was associated with a reduction in the rate of major cardiovascular events that approached significance (risk ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.03; P = 0.07)".

Here the limits of confidence (0.51 to 1.03) cover 1, and what this means is that you there is not a statistically significant reduction of risks associated with the consumption of ALA in women.Therefore, why even suggest? this is similar to desperate authors find something positive in a study that was generally quite negative.

In such circumstances, it can sometimes be useful to find out if there was any participation in the study of the 'industry'. and guess what - there! judgment was supported by, among other organs, Unilever (a major manufacturer of margarine, including omega-3 had enriched the).

Could this fact, one could ask, have nothing to do with the fact that we have not heard a Word from the dissent of margarine and authors seem to be grasping at straws in terms of its interpretation of the data? and might have something to do with the fact that the design of the study does not include a group who do not eat margarine to everyone?

References:

1. The Kromhout D, et to the.n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction-Alpha Omega first group NEJM on August 29, 2010

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Published on August 31, 2010.Filed under: food and medical news, healthy eating, eat unhealthy!

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Study links improved physical function with lower risk of death

Published on September 10, 2010

Sitting at the dinner with friends last night, arose the question of the exercise. I believe that one of my fellow diners had a perfectly valid point when commented that exercises, such as running and cycling are particularly effective when it comes to weight loss.I have supported its view citing some science on the subject (see here for some evidence thereon) .Otra person dinner last night it continued with a comment that went along the lines of "Whenever I got a shot of health and run myself to an impasse on a treadmill several times a week that has never made any significant difference to my weight".

Another person in attendance, I know, very active, fit and healthy, got quite had animated about this 'rhetorical anti-exercise' and strongly pointed out that the exercise is not only the loss of weight, as promised it advantages with regard to physical and mental health and self-esteem incluso.Le said that it could not agree more. (I only think that we need to be honest with what aerobic exercise you can do with weight loss).

This conversation is extracted in my head at the reading of this morning in a study published today in the British Medical Journal on physical function and overall risk of death [1] reading.This study examines all relevant studies that assessed measures of physical function as a grip strength, walking speed and balance and overall risk of death in older people.

It is that for each marker of physical function evaluated, was the best individuals were less likely to die.

Now, called ' ' epidemiological of this nature cannot be concluded that the best physical feature takes protection of mortality, only two things are asociadas.Como brought authors, one possible explanation is that a better health (and lower risk of death as a result) fare better in terms of physical function.

To test the "causation" need called 'intervention' studies where individuals are assigned at random to 'exercise' and 'no-ejercicio' groups, and then followed by long periods of tiempo.Yo I can't find a study of this nature in the scientific literature and really doubt that one will never be.

Thus, everyone is epidemiological data, which, as a whole, points strongly to the activity and exercise is good for our health and the overall risk of the muerte.Haga click here for a post about another study that supports this idea.

References:

1 Cooper R, et to the.objectively measured levels of physical ability and mortality: systematic review and analysis are gathered. BMJ 2010; 341:c4467

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Published on September 10, 2010.Filed under: General

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Increased intake of saturated fats found to be associated with a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease

The idea of eating more saturated fats will increase our risk of heart disease is intended to be established in accordance with the most nutritional commentators. The fact is that you as disclosed not here, there is really any convincing evidence to support this claim. Three important exams recently could not find evidence demonstrating saturated fats cause heart disease. Getting doctors, dietitians, and Governments to release their understanding of this concept has not been easy. Sympathize, there was a time believed with all my heart fat saturated caused heart disease. Note that I write 'with all my heart'. My head I knew nothing, and the reason was simple: at that time had never intended to verify the facts. Such was the certainty that I had told the 'history of heart disease of saturated fat causes,' happens even to me to look at the evidence. When I did, was truly appalled at what I discovered.

I had another moment today, revelation in a study published online reading and due to appear in the next month the American clinical nutrition magazine Edition [1] .this study had followed more than 58,000 Japanese for a period of 14 years adults and assessed the relationship between his death intake and risk of a variety of ' cardiovascular ' saturated fat.

Advancing, back on some terminology. Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term that covers essentially stroke or heart-related conditions. Heart-related causes of death include attacking the heart (heart attack), cardiac arrest (heart stop) and heart failure (when the heart becomes too weak to support life). Strokes come in two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are the most common types of stroke and are caused by a blockage of one or more blood vessels in the brain.On the other hand, hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the cerebro.estos come in two main forms, 'intraparenchymal' and 'subarachnoid haemorrhage'.Well, enough of the technicalities.

For each of these conditions, the authors of the study compared to the risk of death to the intake of fats saturadas.Este is a summary of what they found:

Compared with those eating saturated fats at least, those eat more were found to:

To NO increased risk of death due to heart attack, heart failure or heart failure.

No increased risk of death due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

REDUCED risk of death due to bleeding intraparenchymal (52 percent reduced risk)

REDUCED risk of death due to ischaemic stroke (42 percent reduced risk)

REDUCED risk of death due to an accident (all types of squeegee stroke) stroke (31 percent reduced risk)

And wait for it ….

Increased intake of saturated fat were found to be associated with a REDUCED risk of death from CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (18 percent reduced risk)

Now, at least some of these findings should be no surprise to fans of literature científica.Sabemos that consistently saturated fat has not been linked to the risk of disease cardíaca.Además, several previous studies have linked higher intake of fat saturated with a lower risk of stroke, mainly stroke hemorrágico.Una theory here, presented by the authors, is that low levels of cholesterol (perhaps secondary to the low content of saturated fat intake) leads to thin and weak blood vessels in the brain (which are more prone to hemorrhages).

However, the fact that this study linked higher intake of fat saturated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease was a bit of a shock to mí.Mientras finding is in the table of results of the paper, I can't find any mention of it in other authors lugares.Los make this comment, however: "assuming that the inverse association between SFA [saturated fatty acid] and stroke mortality is causative, however, be inappropriate to recommend an increase in the consumption of products containing the SFA to all Japanese people because it can increase the levels of the population of total cholesterol and the risk of IHD [coronary heart disease]."

The authors have right to express any opinion they like, but this is simply not compatible with their own data. According to its conclusions, if the Japanese were increasing their consumption of saturated fats, deaths from heart disease will remain the same, stroke deaths would go down, and would be so deaths due to cardiovascular disease in general.

References:

1 Yamagishi K, et to the.dietary intake of saturated fatty acids and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Japanese: the study cohort collaboration of Japan for the assessment of risks to cancer (JACC) study Am J Clin Nutri 2010; 92 (4): 759-765

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Walking in later life found to boost brain function

Many individuals with impatience to live at a mature age, except that remain in a decent state of health. Ideally, our later years should be vibrant and not too tinted with signs of mental or physical decay. There are several factors of lifestyle that can help to ensure a healthy ageing, including diet, sleep, and the sunlight exposure. Other, of course, is exercise.

Traditionally, the Office has been promoted for their physical health benefits. Regulate has partnered with a risk of a variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.But health is not only about the body: is too much on the brain. what, if any, makes exercise of influence have in brain function?

Well, there are 'epidemiological' research that links to levels higher activity with improved brain function.The problem with this research (such as virtually all epidemiological research) is only tells us that the activity and improved function of the brain are asociados.No might be the case that the activity actually increases or helps preserve brain function. Perhaps those who are active eat better and smoke less, and these factors (no activity) benefits to the brain.

To establish whether the exercise benefit actually brain what we really need is 'intervention' studies.Studies where individuals are put on some type of exercise program while his brain function is evaluated.

This study was recently published in magazine frontiers in neuroscience Aging [1] .in this study, a group of sedentary individuals 59 - 80 years old had their brain function evaluated. They were then randomized to one of two exercise regimes:

walking (at one own pace) for 40 minutes, exercises three times a weekregular stretching and toning

Subjects were re-assessed after of 6 and 12 months.

Evaluation took more than a form.A test used was 'functional magnetic resonance imaging' (fMRI) .Esto try brain activity.A part of the brain, researchers were particularly interested is known as the 'default network'. this part of the brain by more active when individuals inwardly focused, but becomes naturally more quiet once someone has to focus on its external environment for some reason.

Previous research has shown that individuals more shaped have greater 'connectivity' at its default network and also tend to be better in a range of mental tasks including planning, prioritize and strategising.Sin however, this work is epidemiological, so let's go back to the study of intervention that is our approach here.

At the end of the study (12 months), compared with those who had been stretching and toning, those on walking regime were, on average, an increase in network mode predeterminado.También connectivity saw increased activity in another part of the brain (known as the 'fronto-Executive network') assists individuals to perform complex tasks.

Crucially, however, walkers on a range of cognitive tests too, especially those which are sometimes called 'Executive control tasks' (e.g., planning, scheduling, deal with ambiguity and multi-tasking) is these abilities, which incidentally, tend to have a bit of a hit when we age.

What we have here is a study of intervention that show that the activity in the form of walking, even in later life, has the ability to help improve brain function especially in terms of features that are likely to decline as they age.

For more information about what walking can be the ideal exercise while age, see here.

References:

1 Voss MW, et to the.plasticity of the brain in a trial randomised intervention training exercise in adults mayores.Frontera in neuroscience Aging networks doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2010.00032

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Something unhealthy rebranding cannot make it healthy

Published on September 17, 2010

Variously, I wrote about body now quite voluminous and growing research which demonstrates the fructose has a considerable potential to harm the salud.Ver here, here, here and here to see examples of research that involves fructose as a potential causative factor in a wide range of health issues, including cancer and weight gain.

So extensive is the evidence that even some government agencies are taking a look longer, harder to fructosa.En this blog entry, I wrote about how the American Heart Association has shown fructose links with health problems such as resistance to insulin, type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. It is not so much fructose per is that has received bad press the scientific establishment, but something known as (HFCS) high fructose corn syrup.

This sweetening agent is a highly processed sweetener derived from corn and consists of different relative amounts of fructose and glucose. I suspect that the idea of the brand in high fructose corn syrup was an effort to insist on a supposedly 'healthy' sugar content. However, if this is the idea, has dramatically failed as evidence increasingly more comes in that reveals the fructose to be potentially very toxic.

HFCS industry is predictable interested in your product to remain popular and acceptable.But as I refer to here, HFCS makes a feature of their content of heavy fructose and fructose appears to be uniquely unhealthy mean that industry is fighting a losing battle.I have suggested that some rebranding could be due in a way that it might be "less vocal about the fact that this sweetening agent is high in fructose".

I learned this week that this is precisely what has ocurrido.La U.s. Corn Refiners Association is presenting a request of the FDA in order to change the name as «sugar corn» high fructose corn syrup (note the absence of any mention of its high content of fructose here!)Of course, replace HFCS name does not change its features health and certainly do not any less toxic for the salud.Y likewise, admittedly, as the sweetener aspartame artificial, as their (Ajinomoto) manufacturers are rebranding as 'AminoSweet'.

Consider these rebranding exercise as a tacit admission by the manufacturers that their products have won quite unhealthy reputation for themselves (and for good reason, I think).

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Published on September 17, 2010.Filed under: medical policy and unhealthy food to eat!

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Water appears to aid weight loss. How?

Published on August 26, 2010

My blog yesterday focused on a study reported in the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, which links to eat berries with the potential for brain 'of-ageing'. other study reported in this meeting that caught my attention, partly as a result of the fact that was widely reported in the press, one that seems to show that drinking more water facilitates weight loss.

As the study of Berry, we have many details to be activated. But it seems that a group of people were put in a low calorie diet for 12 weeks. Half of them were educated to drink 16 ounces of liquid (mls 1 pint/437) water within each of your meals.The other half were not instructed to make esto.El group drinking water lost an average of 15 kg, compared to 15.5 kg, compared to an average of 11 pounds in the other group. I am assuming the way in which this study has been reported that the difference was statistically significant.

If so, what is the explanation of this phenomenon? the obvious explanation is that people who drink water before a meal of eat less during the meal. Here, says a report of this study, preliminary work has found that individuals who drink water before a meal tend to eat less during the misma.No doubt that this effect could in fact help promote weight loss.

However, is the only possible explanation for this phenomenon? as reported here last year, there is some evidence that improved hydration may actually promote through weight loss help keep metabolism and also helping the cells to renounce its fat.

Found that cells that are dehydrated not take glucose very efficiently [1] - something that could cause to the metabolism of stall.Also, studies show that when the blood becomes more diluted, fat breakdown (lipolysis) body is improved [2.3] .this evidence suggests that there is some support for the notion that keep well hydrated can help in our search for shed fat.

And then another thought occurs - and again see people who themselves hydrate properly improved report energy.This in itself might be a sign of metabolism mejorada.Pero even if it isn't, I think it is fair to speculate that individuals tend to move a little more if you have a little more energy. This, in theory at least, could contribute to drink more water weight loss effects.

For information about how to maintain adequate hydration especially in the heat, see this recent post.

References:

1 Thornton SN, et to the.Hydration increases metabolism international celular.Revista obesity [epub ahead of print publication on January 20, 2009] Int J OBEs (Lon) 2009; 33 (3): 385

2. The Mathai ML, et to the.selective reduction of mass and body fat 32:1576?1584; J OBEs (Lon) 2008 ratas.Int angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition-induced plasma leptin.

3. The Schliess F, et to the.Cell hydration and dependent on the mTOR signalling. Act Physiol (Oxf) 2006; 187: 223 - 229.

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Published on August 26, 2010.Archivada in: healthy eating, weight loss

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Evidence suggests vitamin D has a direct impact on the risk of a wide range of diseases

Higher levels of vitamin D and/or increased exposure to the sun light has partnered with little of a wide variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease (disease where the immune system reacts against the tissues of the body, as in type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis) risk and various forms of cancer. However, the associations not prove causality. For example, it is possible that individuals with higher levels of vitamin D which they enter the Sun more often are essentially healthier and more likely to be free of the disease than those who do not leave much.

It was essentially this point that was made in an editorial in the archives of Internal Medicine [1] .the authors of this study wrote:

"... it seems intuitively unlikely that a single hormone could play an important role in preventing or alleviating the diverse range of diseases that have been linked to low levels of vitamin D."A more plausible and prose for the conclusions of the observational studies of vitamin D explanation is the presence of coincidences common. levels of vitamin D are directly related to exposure to sunlight and physical activity and inversely associated with adiposity. It is likely that less healthy individuals, who are more likely to experience subsequently morbid events, will be heavier, less active, and most deprived of sunlight to the healthier and therefore have lower levels of 25 (OH) D [vitamin D] "."

This can or cannot be cierto.Sin however, a fact which supports the idea that vitamin D can directly affect risk of disease is that vitamin D receptor widely exist around the body, including the adipose tissue, adrenal gland, bone, brain, breast, cartilage, colon, hair follicles, intestine, skeletal muscle (muscle attached to bones, such as the legs and arms), cardiac muscle (heart), kidney, liver, ovarian, pituitary gland, retina, sperm, thyroid and uterus (womb). The importance of this? Well, the presence of a recipient of a substance in a tissue is usually one track quite well to the fact that this substance exerts no influence over the structure or function of that tissue.

A study published this week adds to evidence that vitamin D could directly affect health and risk of disease [2]. This research looked at the link of vitamin D in the DNA of cells. The study found vitamin D had the ability to bind to almost 3000 sites of DNA.Also had the ability to affect the activity of 229 genes, partners with multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and diabetes type 1 - all conditions that the risk of that is linked to vitamin D levels and exposure to the Sun.

Interestingly, the study found instances where vitamin D joins genes more commonly found in Europe or Asia (as opposed to, say, Africa) decent. why could it be?Some have suggested an evolutionary explanation.When our ancestors migrated out of Africa to other parts of the world, would reduce the exposure to the Sun, and would therefore D.Bajos vitamin levels vitamin D levels may have lead to bone of issues, including a more narrow pelvis and channel of labour for women, which reduces the chances of success of the reproduction. However, those with a genetic composition made better use of any provision of vitamin D could be less prone to this and is more likely to pass their genes to the next generation.

This most recent investigation together with our knowledge in which binds vitamin D for virtually every tissue in the body, provides very good evidence that this substance has a direct and important role in health and disease.Links between higher levels of vitamin D and/or the display of sunlight appear might at least in part, to the fact that healthy people, more in shape are more likely to go to the Sun.However, this seems to be away from the full story.

References:

1.?A gray, et to the.Vitamin D - a place in the Sun? Arch Intern med 2010; 170 (13): 1099-1100

2 SV, ChIP-following al.Un et Ramagopalan definition the entire genome of vitamin d receptor binding map associations with the disease and the evolving. genome RES 2010 August 24.[EPub ahead of print]

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A simple tip that can snuff out 'mindless eating' as a light

What I write about in this blog was inspired by a variety of things, including published research and policy issues that arise in the area of food and health in general. Another source of inspiration are customers that I see in practice. And yesterday, I spoke to more than one person during which specifically asked for how much of the nuts is a snack. The problem with these people was found themselves eating endless amounts of nuts, stopping often only once the bag is empty (however great it!). When, during a short period, more than one person has such a specific query below, is seen as a sign is a relatively common problem that I maybe I should be writing about.

As a general rule, tend not to advise 'portion control' for individuals who want to eat healthily and even those looking to lose weight. My reasoning is that people benefit from responding to what their bodies are telling them about on how much you should eat.The diet 'primal' advocate general, it is common that individuals not to have to exert any conscious in terms of volume, as still losing weight very eficaz.Uno reason is usually are generally good to satisfy the appetite 'primary' food, moderation, and individuals tend to not eat too much them.

However, to recognize what and how much we eat are not governed always exclusively by hunger and appetite.Portion of other factors, such as social settings and the availability of food, can play a role demasiado.Yo, for example, eating a generally very healthy diet, but at least has part due to the fact that usually do not I much in the way of unhealthy food in my house. If I did, my suspicion is that my diet would not be as good.

On the other hand, I strongly recommend keep healthy foods like nuts quite close at hand, as snacks on these can be genuine sate hunger and dramatically reduce the risk of the someone will eat garbage later (once you have only 'too much hunger'). I was on a radio show recently with someone who had lost weight with success following the principles outlined in my latest book, elimination of waist.Had taken on board the message that "hunger is the enemy ' and was regularly snacks in nuts, including the day of the radio broadcast."

Before going into the air, the producer of the show was tempting us eat their scones homemade with mermelada.Ambos us politely declined because we were, frankly, not tempted by what was on offer.I am sure that the scones were fine - is that none of us had hunger.

Therefore, on the one hand we want something like nuts at our disposal and use them to avoid eating later uncontrolled, but don't want munch them indiscriminately any. What do?

Here is my Council to prone to just eat behavior…: keep nuts available, but are not visibles.Usted needs to know is there if you need, but is not visible, and certainly they are not, say, ahead of you on the desktop.

Ideal storage sites would be inside of a kitchen cabinet, a desk drawer, a purse, briefcase or laptop bag or glove in a car.Now, if we peckish, we are free to take some nuts and eat them.I recommend a few on hand tipping and return the bag which is usually stored in Palma.Once they eat nuts, the fact that the nuts are not in front of us usually give our body some time to check that food.If we are hungry even after a while, we can take some dried fruits more.

How crucial is that if someone is properly provided, there is generally any tendency to go dig up the nuts again.Keep your food out of sight is generally sufficient for senseless snuff to eat like a light.

Now, this tendency to consume things 'nonsense' not always is a bad thing and can be used for our ventaja.Por example, suggest that individuals would generally do better to drink enough water to keep their urine pale yellow in the standard advice which I here día.El is 'just keep water for you'. this, for most people, it will be a bottle of water and a glass in his time there, escritorio.Una people generally quaff water merrily and even inconscientemente.De result for these people, after rare dehydration is a problem.

For more information about eating mindless, I recommend the book by Professor Brian Wansink, which is appropriately titled 'Mindless Eating'. for more information about the work of Professor Wansink and the book, see here.

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Study shows that women need exercise for hours 77 for losing a kg of fat and therefore knowing this can really help to maintain the motivation to exercise

Evidence suggests that eating berries has benefits for the brain

Eat a diet varied reasonably, I believe, but there are a few 'stock items' repeating my overall food intake. An example of this is a breakfast commonly eaten (10 percent of fat), Greek yogurt, berries and nuts. The last couple of in the morning I had the pleasure of some freshly shelled nuts. And while I sometimes use fresh berries, story for most of the year with frozen mixed berries you buy at the local supermarket. Berry, including blackberries and redcurrants, can be a little thinner tongue, so I myself indulge with drizzle a bit of honey-enough as to take the edge off.

This breakfast tick a series of pictures for me. In the first place and what is important is relatively low in carbohydrates.It is certainly much less carbohydrate forage normal breakfast as toast and cereales.También is a fairly nutritionally rich set: yogurt, berries and nuts are relatively different nutritional attributes I think and together make up something that is relatively complete from a nutritional point of view.

I also like the facts that is United to prepare and, for me anyway, nice comer.Un additional bonus and it is important that even a relatively small bowl of this material will usually extend me (and other) either input the morning. This relatively simple breakfast has real staying power is something to do, I suspect, it has relatively mild release of sugar in the blood stream, along with a decent content of proteins and fats.

One of the reasons for the choice of this particular breakfast has to do with one if its ingredients - berries.Not as a bunch of fruta.hace some years decided to do a bit of a 'Detox juice' during a weekend and ended up hungry and a few pounds more heavy. Since then, I made of fruit does not adapt to my metabolism particularly well, suspicion that has something to do with the fact that usually is loaded with sugar. Although eating much veg (no starch).

Berries are relatively low carbohydrates, but also very rich in nutrients, especially in what is known as 'polyphenols'. polyphenols are known to have antioxidant capacity, which means that they can help to neutralize the ' radical free '-harmful, destructive chemical entities associated with the disease.Action of the antioxidants in foods can be measured and expressed as something known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) cast then presented some ORAC values generally decent food.You will see that the Berry ORAC values are generally high.

I was interested to read about some research today here that suggests that part of the body polyphenols may have particular benefit is the brain.This research presented this week at the national meeting of the American Association of chemistry, found that Berry polyphenols help maintain and normalize the function of the cells in the brain called 'microglia'.

One of the functions of these cells is removed and recycled biochemical debri that if you leave that they accumulate in the brain, could damage it and interfere with the function measure cerebral.A ageing, microglia can become increasingly less efficient in doing their work, and this may increase the risk of degeneration in the structure and function of the report of this study cerebro.En seems as if Berry polyphenols help to maintain the function of microglia in terms of its role as 'clean'.

By the look of things, this study was conducted in rat brain cells grown in the laboratory which is quite far from human nutrition worldwide real.Sin however, we have other means of proof that demonstrates that rats with extracts of Berry power has the ability to improve motor function and cognitive function, including memory [1].

We simply do not know if eating berries has similar properties of preservation of brain humanos.Pero beings nature relatively low sugar and highly nutritious means that you continue to use them as a stock item at breakfast, wherever possible.

References:

1 Joseph JA, et to the.regressions of declines with age on neural signal transduction, cognitive and motor performance deficit with blueberries, spinach or Strawberry supplements dietéticos.J Neurosci 1999; 19: 8114-8121

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British Medical Journal highlights unhealthy links between doctors and drug industry

There is a growing trend in medicine to treat to essentially healthy people. Perhaps the most obvious example is people with cholesterol 'causes'. You could be healthy, fit and active, healthy weight, a non-smoking, eating a healthy diet, but that doesn't necessarily mean that no you purchase on a drug to lower cholesterol.

The threshold for cholesterol in or through considering the possibility that treatment doctors is 5.0 mmol/l (about 190 mg/dl). Here you can read the UK average cholesterol levels are 5.7 mmol/l (220 mg/dl). Cholesterol is an essential constituent organ, is present in the membranes of all cells in the body and is the 'steroids' essential building block hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone.As well as vitamin D.Por therefore do this straight - according to many physicians and scientists have a component of essential in normal body levels endanger persons threatening disease, it is something that requires treatment.

Don't forget also that treatment essentially healthy people with Statins do not save lives.

But the desire that some have to medicating people health does not end with the treatment of normal levels of colesterol.Ahora is expanding in the conditions referred to in things like 'pre-diabetes' and 'pre-osteoporosis'. Calls are coming from certain factions community medical for people deemed at risk of developing conditions be treated in an effort to prevent the actual condition. The theory is that you will help treat individuals 'risk risk'.

British Medical Journal in the this week contains an article by Ray Moynihan [1] and Publisher that accompanies it [2] that addresses some of the issues and policies surrounding 'pre-hypertension' (in the high-end normal is not so high as to be classified as raised blood pressure). While many physicians recognize that this is not a condition itself, there are many people who would like to see this 'precondition' most widely recognized and treated.On what basis? since treatment may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) - a condition that in turn is associated with increased risk of health such as stroke, and kidney problems.

Testing support that comes from this concept, at least in part, as released in 2006 which found candesartan drub antihypertensive taken two years aid to reduce the risk of developing hypertension people. However, as noted by Ray Moynihan, part 7 of 11 authors of this study stated multiple ties with the pharmaceutical companies, and one was actually employed by Astra-Zeneca (which make candesartan). What this study does not tell us, however, is if you deal with pre-hypertension helps really nobody in terms of risk of illness or death.

Drug company ties are relative to the pharmaceutical industry is to very well out of the sale and processing of preconditions.It is estimated that you one in three adults has 'pre-hypertension', amounting to more than 50 million people in the United States itself only.

However, not everyone, as noted by Ray Moynihan, is so enthusiastic about the concept of pre-hypertension and the concept of treating it. In his piece, Moynihan CITES Curt Furberg, Professor of public health in the Wake Forest University in the United States as saying "is a form of markets more and more pharmaceutical companies".In the 1990s, Professor Furberg sat in the Commission responsible for drawing up guidelines for the treatment of hypertension in the United States.His desire was for the members of the Commission to declare their financial interests conflict.When this was not mandatory, resigned Professor Furberg.Las guidelines were published in 2003, and found that 11 of the 12 members of the Committee had multiple ties to the drug industry.

Moynihan finishes his work with the following paragraph:

"Until now the definition of what constitutes a condition, or prerequisite and guidelines for treatment, have been largely to senior members of the medical profession and its companies estimated, often gathered at company-sponsored drug as the forthcoming Conference in Vienna forums."But for people as Professor Furberg, the profession has been too the industria.Él wondered if it may be time for society in general to take more than one function to decide who should be classified as enfermos.Claramente, prevention of the devastating effects of a heart attack, strokes, and hip fractures is in everyone's interest, but if the problem of billions of healthy people with predisease label is the best way to go requires vigorous debate between a much wider group of voices."How to be more independent and widely representative panels that can deliberate well out of the long shadows of drug industry may be an issue worth reflecting."

In his editorial, Fiona Godlee, BMJ editor writes:

"What" so it time for society in general to take a role in deciding who should be classified as more sick"? unless the profession can recover its independence from commercial influence, my answer is Yes."

I think that it is a real shame that the medical profession that has close commercial médica.En industry links the plus side, however, there is no doubt that these unhealthy ties are getting more and more, exposure and welcome Ray Moynihan and BMJ for his part in esto.Hubo time, perhaps not so long ago, where clear conflict of interest, such as those detailed here would be disclosed or not unheard of.

References:

1 Moynihan r. who benefit from the treatment of hypertension? BMJ 2010; 341:c4442

2 Godlee d. we are at risk of being a risk? BMJ 2010; 341:c4766

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The researchers give mammography another vote of no confidence

Published on September 24, 2010

Mammography is a tool designed to diagnose breast cancer detection of what others would be, that should lead to earlier, better and more effective treatment. Well, that is the theory anyway. But as in the case of many things, theory is not always gently translated into practice.There have been some doubt now growing years on the value of the charges that have been made by some researchers mamografía.Dos is mammography really is not very effective in saving lives and at the same time leads to more women to be submitted to the research and treatment for breast that would have never been a problem if left alone.

And it has been a critical, that women generally not have been fully informed about the pros and cons of the mamografía.Esto means that most women have simply not received the opportunity to make truly informed decisions on whether or not a mammogram. For more information about issues with mammography, see here and here.

This week saw the publication of a study that sought to measure the effectiveness of mammography. The study, published in the New England Journal of medicine, assessed the results of more than 40,000 women with breast cancer.Access detection partnered with one of 28 percent reduction in the risk of dying of mama.Los cancer results from this looks quite good in the face of it. However, breast cancer is a condition for treatments have improved quite considerably in recent times.This means that at least some of the benefits associated with the mammogram can come from improvements in the treatment of breast cancer that have coincided with the mammography screening.

This study found that women who were not revised, breast cancer mortality fell considerably demasiado.Resulta that only about one-third of the of 28 percent reduction in the risk of death associated with mammography was pressured to mammography per is. In other words, this study found mammography was associated with reduced risk of death from around 10 per cent breast cancer.

10 percent might sound worth the penalty, but how big the real benefits are dependent on how likely that women are dying of breast cancer.If, say, risk for a woman to die from breast cancer for a period of 10 years is 10 percent, then mammography (according to this study) is expected to reduce this to 9 per cent (reduction of 1 per cent).

An editorial companion [2] puts the actual figures in some perspective.If 2,500 women older than 50 were reviewed with mammography, ONE will only prevent the possibility of dying of breast cancer.Now, many of these women (many as 1000) will have to bear the potential of being told by his doctors stress that there is something suspicious on your mamograma.Y more than 500 of these will have a biopsy - an invasive procedure, around which there are usually significant result ansiedad.Como biopsy, it is estimated that 5 and 15 women between are treated unnecessarily to a condition that was never going to bother them.

While the mammography has still burning support in some sectors, mounting evidence suggests really less beneficial and more dangerous is that women have been trafficked believe.

Out of curiosity recently asked my mother 77 years of age (a retired doctor) If you ever had a mammogram. «»No, she replied, and in a manner that said 'what I want to to do that?'.Perhaps the mothers know best, sometimes.

References:

1 Kalager M, et to the.effect of screening mammography in mortality from breast cancer in Noruega.N Engl J Med 2010; 363: 1203-1210

2 Welch HG. what mammography screening - A Long Run for a slide of the Short? N Engl J Med 2010; 363: 1276-1278

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Published on September 24, 2010.Filed under: health policy, health of women and food

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Eating fish associated with reduced risk of death from prostate cancer

Published on September 16, 2010

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in the Western world. However, many of these cancers are growing slowly and not be fatal. Indeed, many men will die with cancer prostate which never showed when they were alive.However, prostate cancer can and kill frequently enough to take seriously this condition. Y can some men want to do what they can to reduce the risk of developing this condition and eventually succumb to it.

I was interested to read that a study published yesterday that assessed the relationship between a factor diet - fish eating - and the risk of prostate cancer there has been previous evidence linking increased consumption of fish with lower risk of prostate cancer. This latest study was a 'meta-analysis' of relevant studies (together accumulation of more than one study available data) [1].

This review of the evidence found an association between the consumption of fish and the risk of prostate cancer. However, and perhaps crucially, find that increased fish consumption was associated with reduced risk of death from prostate cancer.In general, the protective effect associated with the consumption of fish was 63 per cent (a lot).

This finding is interesting and potentially relevant as one could argue that where refers to prostate cancer, is more important to reduce the risk of death in this condition, rather than further reduce the incidence of this cancer.As mentioned earlier, a significant percentage of men get the disease but mueren.La suggestion is that increased consumption of fish could protect against aggressive tumors that are more likely to be fatal.

Now called 'epidemiological' l studies of this nature can only really be used to judge the cosas.No partnerships can use to confirm 'causality' - in this case, eating fish causes a lower risk of prostate cancer, however, if the link be causal, what could be eating fish exercising their protective effect?

Some species of fish (so-called ' blue fish', such as mackerel, herring, salmon, sardine, and trout) contain an abundance of fat 'omega-3's, mainly in the Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) form.As the authors of the review, these fats have an anti-inflammatory effect within the cuerpo.La importance of this is that inflammation is a potential underlying factor in the development of cancer, along with other pathogenic processes that can go along with it, such as cell proliferation and angiogenesis (the production of new blood vessels that can 'feed' cancer).

The authors also point to research found that in animal studies, omega-3 fats have some capacity to reduce the progression of cancer cells.

We have all the answers in relation to the omega-3 and cancer, including prostate cancer.However, the fact that omega-3 fats have known anti-inflammatory effects helps explain its links with not only a reduced risk of cancer, but with a lower risk of other conditions, including diseases of the heart and dementia.

Another nutritional tactic worthy of consideration to quell inflammation in the body is cut carbohydrates which tend to disrupt the blood sugar and insulina.Para levels learn more about this, see here.

References:

1 Szymanski KM, et to the.fish consumption and prostate cancer risk: a review and analysis of the J Clin Nutr 15 September 2010 meta.AM [epub ahead of print]

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Published on September 16, 2010.Archivada in: healthy eating, the restriction of baja-carbohidratos / carbohydrates, men's health

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More evidence that a diet rich in protein helps to satisfy the appetite

Conventional dictates that to lose weight we must eat less and exercise more. Traditionally, this leads people to trim the what they eat and perhaps upping their exercise too. Studies show that exercise, however, is not particularly effective for the purpose of weight. See here for a recent blog post about this. And only an unwanted cut food side effect is hunger, which can make for quite untenable diet. Addition, many studies and experiences of countless people have been testament to the fact that an approach based on calories for weight management simply does not work in the long term.

For successful weight, sustained is critical, in my view, to keep appetite very well under control.This tactical one generally allow people to eat healthily and lose excess fat very important fácilmente.Tan is control of appetite, which devotes a whole chapter of my last book, elimination of waist to it.

In this chapter, I suggest to avoid food or additives that can enhance appetite (e.g. MSG, artificial sweeteners).In terms of what to eat, I stress the value of protein, as shown by several lines of evidence that higher protein diets satisfy appetite naturally, then can be a brake eating without hunger.

I was interested to read a study recently published in men with overweight and obesity, fed on separate occasions, energy restricted diets which differed in terms of protein content [1] .a diet provides a 14 per cent proteins, calories while another higher protein diet was a 25 per cent protein.

Eating a higher protein diet, men felt most complete during the day, had less desire to eat late at night and were less likely to be preoccupied with thoughts on the power this is what we expect from previous studies that show that compared to carbohydrates and fat, protein has powers of shedding me higher appetite.

However, there was another element for this study. Tested the effect of each diet fed either greater than 3 or 6 smaller meals each day. In the phase of eating less protein, there were no differences in terms of hunger and fullness between two patterns of eating (3 or 6 meals).

However, in the phase of eating more high content of proteins, eating 3 times a day produced superior results in terms of feelings of fullness in the afternoon and evening. The authors of this study concludes: "data of... these supporting consumer intake HP [high protein], but not an increased frequency of eating for better appetite and satiety in overweight and obese men during weight loss induced by restricting energy control".

Obviously I agree with the bit about eat high protein, but I am not so comfortable with the idea of an increased frequency of power have no benefits. The reason is simple: in the real world, many people get too hungry before meals and as a result tend to overeating healthy no-para-alimentos (like a load of starch carbohydrates). And one of the reasons people may get too hungry before a meal that has been allowed too long a period of time between food stops.

The study discussed here, food 3 strategy separate day meals by 5 hours.Most individuals, in my experience, you will be able to go 5 hours without spinning out of control, while eating right, satisfying foods when comen.Ahora, not uncommon in the real world of 5 hours or perhaps a little more of time that elapses between breakfast and lunch.However, for many people, is a completely different story between lunch and dinner.

I regularly meet or I queried by people who eat lunch at 12: 30 pm, but (usually due to the work) sit to 7.30 dinner or posterior.Y here is the truth about this: for most people this is too long to go without food without ramp appetite to a degree that you can eat moderate amounts of healthy foods in imposible.Incluso if individuals manage to stop themselves, it is often difficult for them to do this (and there is no need for life to be difficult).

In practice, it seems to me that individuals can usually last happily from breakfast to lunch, without the need for more food.This is rarely the case between lunch and dinner.Therefore, I suggest a snack in the afternoon afternoon or early evening to suppress appetite and make healthy eating at night a task easy, pleasant and sustainable.

To what to eat, I raced for nuts (assuming no allergy problems) .Nueces typically do a very good job of usually evolve me apetito.Frutas (another favoured Botana), is not así.Para more tips on how snack in a manner that reduces the risk of overeating, see this recent post here.

References:

1 Leidy HJ, et al.Los effects of consuming protein meals FAQs, higher appetite and satiety during the weight loss in overweight / obese Men.Obesidad (Silver Spring).16 in September 2010.[EPub ahead of print]

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Some simple strategies to boost brain function

At the beginning of this week one of my blogs analyzed recent research that links walking with 'enhanced' brain connectivity. "This finding, seems to have a particular meaning to the ' brain aging ', as walking appeared to mitigate changes in brain activity that can come with aging and may harm the life experience.

One simple reason that exercise can improve brain function is that probably helps boost blood supply to the brain. Tissue, usually including brain tissue function more optimally when there are more blood to it.But another part of this is of course what is bringing the sangre.Buenos levels of oxygen and nutrients will also help to ensure the optimum function of whatever that blood is delivered to.

I was interested to read about a recent study that tested the effects of taking a multivitamin and minerals on certain aspects of brain function and the effects of mental state of mind and fatigue testing.The study, published in the journal Human psychopharmacology, took 215 women 25-50 years of age and random to take a multivitamin and mineral preparation (Supradyn brand name) or a placebo over a period of nine weeks [1] .at start and at the end of the study, women had their brain function assessed through a variety of tasks, including the assessment of the ability to 'multitasking'.The impact of these tests on mood and energy levels were also assessed.

Women who had been taking the Multivitamin and mineral found, in general, to perform better in terms of multitasking and also it performed better in other evaluations too including brain function matemática.Además, transforming these women gone better in terms of mood and energy of mental testing levels.

This research provides good evidence that nutrient supplementation has the potential to improve function cerebral.Aquí, no order in particular, are some other things that can help to keep our brains in good working conditions:

1 Hydrate properly

In practice, the dehydration can cause a serious fell into energy mental.Beber enough water every day to maintain the color of pale yellow urine.

2 Eat a diet 'primal'

It is a diet rich in meat, fish, shellfish, nuts, seeds, veg no starch and some frutas.Esto help ensure supply constant fuel for the cerebro.Además, protein provides the amino acids that are the building of neurotransmitters in the brain blocks.

3 Keep a good intake of omega-3 fats

Omega-3, as EPA and DHA seem to be important for the function fats optimal brain. are found in fish (particularly oily fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon and trout) and as supplements.

4 Get sleep

Sleep deprivation can cause quite rapidly deteriorating cerebral.En function search of 8 hours (depending on the need) and consider going in bed a little earlier, wherever possible.

5 Be active

A walk once or twice a day, especially in some 'green space' can be enough to improve morale and momentum of brain function.

6 Get lot of sunlight

Lack of sunlight in the winter is one of the main causes of low state of mind and low energy mental.Incluso on a boring day makes sense to get some sun light directly to the ojos.Algunos may consider investing in a device that simulates the rays of the Sun.

References:

1 Haskell CF, et to the.effects of supplementation of multi-vitamin and minerals in cognitive function and fatigue during multitasking extendida.Humana psychopharmacology 2010; 25 (6): 448-61

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Dealing With A Migraine Headache

Knowing what you are actually dealing with when dealing with a migraine headache can help minimize its effect on your wellness.

Do you have to deal with a migraine headache at times? If you do, you know that it can be very painful and debilitating.  What you may personally experience in a migraine headache episode, however, may be unique to you.  The reason is that causes and symptoms vary greatly between individuals.

I have been dealing with a migraine headache for the past three days. My personal symptoms began three mornings ago after getting up from sleep.  I felt something weird going on in my head.  By the time I was done brushing my teeth I was feeling very dizzy and nauseated.  Pain started to develop in my head, from the back of my head on the right side near the base of my skull.  The sharp pain seemed to go from there through my head to my forehead especially on the right side.  I could go nowhere but back to lie down on my bed.  Speak about debilitating!

The first day I could do nothing but lie down and make it as dark as I could in my bedroom.  My wife supplied me with a hot wet wash cloth to put over my eyes.  I could not drink anything during the day, let alone eat anything.  My nausea ended up in vomiting, really dry heaves, as it is called.  By the evening I felt a little better and I ate some crackers with a little tea.  However, soon after I vomited that too.

One of my daughters sent over some Excedrin Migraine capsules. It seemed to help a little and I was able to go to sleep, although still with a throbbing headache.

The second day I was able to get around a little better and began drinking tea. My youngest daughter, who is a massage therapist, came over and massaged the muscles and fascia at the base of my head.  I did feel a little better and was able to get up and around.  She also had me role up a hot wet towel and put it at the base of my head to relax the muscles and tendons at that point as I lay on my recliner.  My nausea and dizziness subsided and I was able to eat a little.  I was able to sleep better the second night.

The third day I awoke feeling better and was able to go through my morning routine of getting myself ready for the day.  But, I still had a pain at the base of my skull and felt a pressure at the back of my right eye as well as throughout my forehead.  I was still dealing with a migraine headache.  However, I was able to eat lightly, my dizziness and nausea were basically gone and I was able to leave the house to visit one of my nephews who came down from Michigan and was visiting one of my daughters.

From a number of conversations with my own family members, I found out that various ones of my own family have been dealing with migraine headaches.  A son-in-law gets them quite frequently but he does not get dizzy or nauseated.  My married son’s wife also gets migraine headaches quite often and has all those symptoms I just had but not as severe.  My nephew’s wife also gets frequent migraine headaches, but she told me she takes some sort of herbal remedy at the very outset and that seems to keep her migraine episode down to a few hours.  (She said that she would send me the name of the herbal remedy when she gets back home.)  Also, my son-in-law who gets migraine headaches said that he has a friend who gets severe episodes of migraine headaches and has to stay in bed for at least three days, especially because of the throbbing, dizziness and nausea.

WHY AM I SHARING ALL THESE DETAILS?

It was an eye awaking experience to not only have a migraine headache episode myself, but also to hear that so many in my family get these migraines.  Those of you who also are dealing with migraine headaches might appreciate that you are not alone.  And, for those that do not, perhaps you will have greater empathy and sympathy for those that do.

I have been able to do some research on dealing with migraine headaches as this third day is winding down and I hope to post it tomorrow.  Here is some information that may help you as I hope that it will help me—should I continue dealing with a migraine headache in the future.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS REGARDING MIGRAINE HEADACHES.

A migraine headache episode can last from four hours to 72 hours, with the average being 18 hours, according to reports from those actually dealing with a migraine headache.The swelling of the blood vessels in the head causes migraine headaches.  Recent tests show that certain foods contain chemicals that can cause these headaches.  Foods such as chocolate, bananas, nuts, wine, cheese, hot dogs, and the food seasoning monosodium glutamate are suspect.  Many other things can cause migraines, but if other causes have been eliminated, the migraine sufferer might consider eliminating these foods from their diet.The problem of migraines appears to be technically a chemical one and not an allergy.The word “migraine” is derived from a French word meaning “half a head” and is appropriate because, in most cases, the ache affects only one side of the head.In contrast to a tension headache, the pain from a migraine headache soon becomes throbbing or pulsating in kind due to its origin mainly in overdistended arteries outside the skull.  There is often a feeling of nausea or other digestive disturbance, and the pain may be so intense as to interfere with work and compels the individual to lie down.There may be more than one in the family who suffer from migraine headaches, because the tendency to develop migraine is inherited.In cases of “classical” migraine headaches as opposed to common migraines, an attack may be heralded by a preheadache warning or “aura,” such as spots or flashes of light before the eyes.

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS IN DEALING WITH A MIGRAINE HEADACHE.

In the immediate treatment of your migraine headache, the simplest remedy that circumstances may permit is self-medication with an analgesic or pain-relieving drug.  However, preparations that contain amidopyrine or phenacetin may be harmful and are best avoided.  It is safer to use a simple drug, for example aspirin in its soluble form, or if aspirin gives you indigestion, then paracetamol is an effective alternative.However, a caution is necessary.  It has been found that the more such pain relievers are taken, the more often headaches of any type may occur.  This is known as medication misuse headache (MMH).  When the analgesic effect wears off, the medication can cause a headache that the patient mistakes for a normal headache or a migraine.  The patient takes more painkillers, thus repeating the cycle.When circumstances permit, alternative procedures may bring relief with or even without the use of analgesic drugs.  If you can interrupt your routine activities and can lie down for a half an hour or so in a quiet, semidarkened room you will feel the benefit.  Heat applied locally to the head and neck by means of hot towels or radiant heat, and even a warm bath can also be beneficial.  Also, if you can find someone to apply a gentle massage or traction to the muscles of the neck for just ten or fifteen minutes this will greatly assist in relaxing the muscles.  This is especially true of those tension headaches.These similar measures may be effective in the immediate treatment of your migraine headache attack.  However, instead of locally applied heat, you may find that you get much more relief from cold compresses or even ice packs applied to the head.  Such compresses help to reduce the overdistension of the arteries that give rise to this type of headache.Repeated cups of strong tea or coffee may also bring relief by a similar effect on the blood vessels due to the action of caffeine.Your migraine headache may be so severe as to compel you to lie down, and all you may want to do is “sleep it off.”  Under such circumstances it is wise to submit to the body’s demands.

AND A FINAL WORD ON THE AFFECT OF STRESS

IN DEALING WITH MIGRAINE HEADACHES.

Migraine headaches can also be induced by fatigue, stress, anxiety and overexcitement. In fact, excitement and emotions rank high on the list of predisposing factors.  Commenting on this, Dr. Oliver W. Sacks, in his book Migraine:  The Evolution of a Common Disorder (1970), writes this:

“Violent emotions exceed all other acute circumstances to provoke migraine reactions, and in many patients—especially sufferers from classical migraine—are responsible for the vast majority of attacks experienced…we find, in practice, that sudden rage is the commonest precipitant, although fright (panic) may be equally potent in younger patients.  Sudden elation (as at a moment of triumph or unexpected good fortune) may have the same effect.”

Is there a bottom line as far as dealing with a migraine headache? From what my own experience tells me and from what the above research reveals, there may be things that we each can personally do to prevent or minimize the effects of migraine episodes in our life.  For our own wellness sake we definitely should consider them.

Taking a good long hard look at our emotional reactions and attitude and being careful about our diet and the foods that may lead to a migraine are a must.  The more I read and research I find that it is evident that a “quiet and mild spirit,” learning to remain unruffled when people or circumstances tend to irritate should be a priority.  Also, if you can come to appreciate the value of contentment in contrast to the demanding and never-ending quest for material possessions and pleasures, you will come a long way.  And, if you can develop an unselfish concern over the welfare of others and not be overly concerned about yourself, you will indeed have gone a long way toward eliminating those emotional stresses and strains that so often result in tension or migraine headaches.

Tags: dealing with a migraine headache, headache, migraine, migraine headache, migraine headaches, tension headache, throbbing headache, wellness

This entry was posted on September 12, 2010 at 11:22 am and is filed under Wellness Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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Does Stress Really Affect Your Digestion and Wellness?

Sometimes it takes a serious health issue to accept that stress is really behind, not only our digestive problems, but also behind our lack of well-being.

“What!?”  “Why?”  That was my first reaction to my youngest daughter’s suggestions. She said, “Dad, please do not watch any TV from now (around 6:00 PM) to the time you go to bed tonight.  Instead, take a warm 20-30 minute bath with Epson salts and then read a book before going to sleep.”

I know that she was concerned about my well-being when she suggested that. But I asked her, “Why?” anyway.

As a massage therapist, she had just finished the last of a series of three massage therapy sessions which she gave me over a period of a week or so.  She had been especially concentrating on the tense muscles and tendons at the back of my head and back; this session taking almost 2 hours.  She was trying to help me deal with some migraine headaches that have been re-occurring for me.  (You can read about that in a past blog post on this site.)

Her answer to my question was to the point and given with a bit of authority, which brought a smile to this dad’s face.  She said, “Because TV is a stimulant!  It arouses the “fright, fight, and flight” reactions in our body.”  She continued, “These migraine headaches you are having could very well indicate that you are already under a lot of stress and your body needs to regroup and reconnect with the healing effects of the massage that I just gave you.  Otherwise, you will lose the benefits of it and it could even affect other systems in your body.”  (She also was aware that I had been dealing with some indigestion issues.)

Since I definitely wanted to get relief from the migraine headaches and keep the benefits of all the hard work of her massage sessions, I humbly obeyed.

And I am glad I did. That night, after a nice warm bath in Epson Salts and after reading a nice book, I enjoyed a very nice night’s sleep with only a slight headache remaining.

The book I chose to read (actually re-read in parts) had to deal with the effects of stress and toxins on our body.  That point my daughter made about stress also ‘affecting other systems in your body’ stuck with me that evening.  I had been dealing with quite a bit of indigestion along with those migraine headaches and I sure wanted to get to the bottom of the distresses that I had been dealing with.

The book (which I inherited from my mother) is entitled:  “The Mysterious Cause of Illness” by Dr. Jonn Matsen N.D.  and was published in 1987.  (I looked for it at Barnes and Noble’s website and couldn’t find it.  But I did locate a copy at Amazon’s site.)    The author’s theme is to show “how to overcome every disease from constipation to cancer.”  He mainly deals with our entire digestive system and how it works and how to eliminate or minimize the bad effects of the toxins that our body has to deal with.  It is very informative.

I wanted to remind myself of what this doctor said about the effect of stress on digestion and wellness. In fact, that is the title of the last section (Part IV) in this book.  Interestingly that section begins by quoting Henry David Thoreau from his book “Walden.” Here is the quote:

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment;

That if one advances confidently in the

Direction of his dreams, and endeavours to

Live the life which he has imagined, he will

Meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

I thought about that quote for a while.  Finally, I believe, I got the point, especially as it related to “Stress and Digestion.”

I hope that in your seeking wellness together you will get a copy of that book and find it beneficial to you.  Otherwise, I hope to quote from it here in this blog from time to time.  It has a lot of information about the conditions which I deal with, especially at this point with my stress and indigestion and my migraine headaches.  (As you get to know me on this post, you will no doubt discover that I deal with stress a lot and am always looking for ways to relieve that stress and its effects, not only on my digestion but also on my entire well-being.)

The bottom line, at least to me, in answer to our question here, is that stress can and does affect, not only our digestion, but it also affects all of the systems of our “whole body.”  My own experiences testify to that.

So, whatever we can do to minimize that stress promises to get the good results that we are looking for as we seek wellness together.  Your comments about your own experiences in all this can be very helpful to all those of us who are seeking wellness.  We hope that you will share them with us.

Tags: dealing with stress, digestion, digestive problems, digestive system, indigestion, stress, toxins, well-being

This entry was posted on September 22, 2010 at 2:39 pm and is filed under Wellness Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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