Various Health-related Articles
VARIOUS HEALTH RELATED ARTICLES WRITTEN OR COLLECTED BY REZA GANJAVI A LONG TIME AGO (This file is not kept up to date with latest research, however, some of the content is still very pertinent).
Nothing on this page provides medical or health advice. Consult your doctor for medical advice.
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID IS A GREAT ANTI-OXIDANT -- I take it regularly -- something around 300 to 600 mg a day.
Best form is R-Lipoic Acid.
Conclusion: take R-ALA bound to soldium is good
https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/r-lipoic-acid
Alpha-lipoic acid occurs naturally as a 50/50 mixture of R-lipoic acid (R-ALA) and S-lipoic acid (S-ALA). R-lipoic acid by itself functions as an essential cofactor for many enzymes involved in energy production.* It also has characteristics, including significant antioxidant effects, that contribute to liver, brain, nerve, and eye health.* Studies indicate that supplements containing only R-lipoic acid appear to be better absorbed than supplements containing both R-lipoic acid and S-lipoic acid, with results showing twice as much ALA appearing in the bloodstream after an oral dose of R-Lipoic acid.* Because R-Lipoic acid is the form best utilized by the body, Thorne provides R-lipoic acid bound to sodium, providing it in its most stable, absorbable form.*
Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid, was discovered in 1951 as a molecule that assists in acyl-group transfer and as a coenzyme in the Krebs Cycle. In the 1980s, the scientific community realized that alpha-lipoic acid is also a powerful antioxidant.* What sets ALA apart from other fatty acids is that it's an antioxidant in both fat- and water-soluble environments, and it's also an antioxidant in both its oxidized and reduced forms.* This is unlike vitamin C, for instance, which is a water-soluble antioxidant, as well as vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant. ALA also increases intracellular glutathione and CoQ10 levels.* Its other mechanisms of action include promoting normal protein glycosylation and inhibiting the enzyme aldose reductase, which in turn inhibits conversion of glucose to sorbitol.*
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https://www.performancelab.com/blogs/energy/r-lipoic-acid-vs-alpha-lipoic-acid
There are two main forms of lipoic acid that you’ll see: R- and S-enantiomers 1. These enantiomers are mirror images of each other, but only the R-form is synthesized by the body and bound to proteins but also found in food sources. In supplements, you’ll generally find only R-lipoic acid or a 50/50 mix of S-lipoic acid and R-lipoic acid.
However, the therapeutic effect of supplemental lipoic acid is often attributed to its role as an antioxidant. Both DHLA, the reduced form of lipoic acid, and lipoic acid itself possess metal-chelating capacity and scavenge ROS, but DHLA can also regenerate endogenous antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione) and repair oxidative damage 2.
But the one super beneficial thing about lipoic acid as an antioxidant is that it’s both water-soluble and fat-soluble—whereas most other antioxidants are either or—which makes it a powerful radical scavenging agent in virtually every cell and tissue in the body 3.
While both forms of lipoic acid offer health benefits, we gravitate towards bioenhanced R-lipoic acid like what’s found in Performance Lab® Energy.
20-Dec-2022
Common food dye can trigger inflammatory bowel diseases, say McMaster researchers
Long-term consumption of Allura Red food dye can be a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, says McMaster University’s Waliul Khan.
The dye directly disrupts gut barrier function and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone/neurotransmitter found in the gut, which subsequently alters gut microbiota composition leading to increased susceptibility to colitis.
B12 100 mcg of B12 a day or mcg once a week
Sleep deprivation increases chances of alzheimer.
Protein: .35 grams per pound of body weight per day -- 55 grams for 155 pound person (70 kilos).
K2 is important too - if you eat enough fat you don't need as much K2 to supplement vitamin D.
Synthetic perfumes
Most commercial perfumes use synthetic perfume which is not healthy -- so best not to wear it on skin but only on clothes -- or use natural perfumes. There are some very nice natural perfumes that use natural essential etheric oils -- or some essential oils by themselves are wonderful perfumes.
"Many synthetic chemicals in fragrances are petroleum-based and can be harmful to human health. Chemicals found in fragrances include phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens benzophenone and styrene."
"A National Academy of Sciences points out some vital facts: About 95 percent of chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum (crude oil). They include benzene derivatives (carcinogenic), aldehydes, toluene and many other known toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. "
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A lack of problem-solving skills and rigid thinking linked to vaccine refusal, study finds
A new study published in Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that individuals who struggle with problem-solving and demonstrate absolutist thinking, political conservatism, and xenophobia are more likely to refuse to get vaccinated.
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The Benefits of Grounding: An Interview with Clint Ober : https://neurohacker.com/the-benefits-of-grounding-an-interview-with-clint-ober
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Cloves have antioxidants that help in fighting free radical damage to the body and boost our immune system. 2. Cloves also have antiseptic, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that keep common infections, cold, and cough at bay.
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People who spent “even small amounts of time in more vigorous activities — as little as 6 to 9 minutes — compared to sitting, sleeping or gentle activities had higher cognition scores,” s
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Clove may be good but it usually contains heavy metals - https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=109766
The concentration of selected heavy metals (Chromium-Cr, Cadmium-Cd and Lead-Pb) collected from different sites of Unguja and Pemba were determined using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). The findings showed that Cr ranged from 10.3 to 16.25 ppm, Cd from 3.39 to 8.00 ppm and Pb from 0.35 to1.18 ppm for Pemba Island. For Unguja Island Cr ranged from (6.65 to 12.3 ppm, Cd ranged from (2.61 to 6.00) ppm and Pb ranged from (0.52 to 0.80 ppm). Significant elemental correlation (p ≥ 0.05) for all three metals detected from Unguja sites. The metal levels found from both sides of Islands were above standard limits set by FAO and WHO. The results of this study suggest that the levels of toxic metals detected from Zanzibar spices have potential risk to public health.
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In recent years, there is an increasing involvement in observance heavy metals
contamination in various spices which are commonly consumed by people in-
cluding cloves. These toxic levels on human wellness and the environment have
attracted considerable attention in recent years [3]. The toxic metals concentra-
tion level is due to their long persistence and accumulation behavior in the en-
vironment and ecosystem [4]. Heavy metals contaminate clove trees through
soils and atmospheric deposition.
https://www.scirp.org/pdf/oalibj_2021060816243788.pdf
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Carrots are a great source of important vitamins and minerals. A half-cup can give you up to:
• 73% of your daily requirement of vitamin A
• 9% of your daily vitamin K
• 8% of your daily potassium and fiber
• 5% of your daily vitamin C
• 2% of your daily calcium and iron
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-carrots
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A 1/2-cup serving of sliced, cooked okra contains 32 micrograms of vitamin K. This amount supplies about 27 percent of the daily vitamin K intake that the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends for adult men over 19 years old. For a woman, eating a 1/2-cup serving of okra fulfills 36 percent of her recommended daily requirement.
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/vitamin-k-okra-6392.htm
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Are you overly sensitive to noise? You could be a certified genius
A new study by scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois, has found that an inability to filter out irrelevant sounds in people is indicative of greater creative prowess
Inspired geniuses in their field that were famously intolerant of noise include Johann Goethe, Charles Darwin, Anton Chekov and Franz Kafka.
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Thyme is excellent for disinfecting and cough / chest issues but might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use thyme.
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Viva California - About Artificial Colors
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/23/1165526938/california-red-dye-3-food-ban
California could ban certain food additives due to concerns over health impacts
Under Assembly Bill 418, Red Dye No. 3, as well as titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben would be outlawed in the manufacturing, distribution or sale of foods in the state.
"Californians shouldn't have to worry that the food they buy in their neighborhood grocery store might be full of dangerous additives or toxic chemicals," said Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat. "This bill will correct for a concerning lack of federal oversight and help protect our kids, public health, and the safety of our food supply."
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Looking across multiple studies, vegetarians were found to have a 9% lower risk of death overall, 29% lower risk of death from heart disease, and 18% lower risk of cancer vs. non-vegetarians.
Men with the highest plant-based diet score had a 19% lower risk of fatal prostate cancer vs men with the lowest diet score.
Eating a healthful plant-based diet was linked to a lower risk of being diagnosed with localized prostate cancer.
Some effects of diet differed by age. For example, among men under age 65 at diagnosis, eating a more plant-based diet was linked to a 42% lower risk of advanced prostate cancer.
https://www.pcf.org/c/plant-based-diets-and-prostate-cancer/
In men, being a fish-eater or a vegetarian was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer (0.80, 0.65–0.99 and 0.69, 0.54–0.89, respectively)
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https://prostatecancerinfolink.net/2009/02/03/celibacy-and-prostate-cancer-risk/
In addition, Michalek et al. identified only 12 deaths from prostate cancer as compared to a projected number of 19.8. This represents a prostate cancer mortality experience that was actually 39 percent lower than that of the general, non-celibate population.
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An 18-year Harvard study of nearly 30,000 health professionals determined that risk of prostate cancer was reduced by 20 percent for men who ejaculated 21 times a month, compared to men who ejaculated four to seven times a month.
A similar Australian study found the risk was reduced by 36 percentTrusted Source when men ejaculated seven times a week.
https://scitechdaily.com/how-intermittent-fasting-extends-life-spans-time-restricted-eating-reshapes-gene-expression-throughout-the-body/
time-restricted eating improved the health of firefighters, who are typically shift workers.
70 percent of mouse genes respond to time-restricted eating
“By changing the timing of food, we were able to change the gene expression not just in the gut or in the liver, but also in thousands of genes in the brain,” says Panda.
“Circadian rhythms are everywhere in every cell,” says Panda. “We found that time-restricted eating synchronized the circadian rhythms to have two major waves: one during fasting, and another just after eating. We suspect this allows the body to coordinate different processes.”
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Faster walking pace is indeed likely to lead to a younger biological age as measured by telomeres."
April 2022
Trout, Mice, Rats, and Humans All Agree: Brussels Sprouts Can Prevent Cancer Dietary indoles are found in cruciferous vegetables and are part of their cancer-fighting properties. Indoles can fight the effects of the carcinogens that are present in the food you may already be eating!
May 2022
Children With Vegetarian Diet Have Similar Growth and Nutrition Compared to Children Who Eat Meat
https://neurosciencenews.com/vegetarian-diet-growth-20513/
Study: Left-Handed Snails Have Advantage
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Left-handed snails are better than righties at defending against predators, according to a new study that suggests lefties have the same competitive advantage in nature that they enjoy on the baseball diamond or in the boxing ring.
Women Get Paternal Clues in Men's Faces
"This study suggests that women are picking up on facial cues that are perhaps related to paternal qualities," said
"Women make very good use of any information they get from a man's face,"
"Depending on what they want and where they are in their lives, they use this information differently."
"What this study illustrates is that there are genetic programs that increase survival of the species because there are hormones in women that are cuing their reactions to the hormones of the men"
"It seemed that the men who picked more infants in that test had a happier or more content look on their face,"
Vitamin D lowers cancer risk: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cancer researchers urged people on Wednesday to take more vitamin D to lower their risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancer, saying studies showed a clear link.
Vitamin D is found in milk, as well as in some fortified orange juice, yogurt and cheeses, usually at around 100 international units (IU) a serving.
People might want to consider a vitamin supplement to raise their intake to 1000 IUs per day, Garland said, adding that it was well within the safety guidelines established by the
How Long Does It Take for Formaldehyde & VOCs to Off-Gas From Your Home?
Fortunately, scientists in Hong Kong did real-world tests. They tested for formaldehyde and other VOCs in homes and then compared new/remodeled homes with older apartments. The data showed formaldehyde fell 48% one year after remodeling.
The data suggests it takes about two years for formaldehyde in newly built or remodeled homes to off-gas down to levels of the average home. However, higher humidity and temperatures can make VOCs off-gas faster.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-formaldehyde-part-two/
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excerpt from a great article by Corinne, I am a Certified Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping people create healthy homes. https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/blog-page_24
She does consulting on mold etc etc - https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/contact-me
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnesegura/
Corinne Segura
Her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCayzVkOxoJTQbjdZQoHk4qg
Chemical Composition of Laminate Floors – Are Laminate Floors Toxic?
HDF (High Density Fibreboard) Core:
Softwood and hardwood fibers – around 75-85%
Urea-formaldehyde, or melamine urea-formaldehyde as the binder – around 11-13%
Paraffin – is added as water repellant – around 4% or less
Ammonia – sometimes added as a formaldehyde scavenger (to reduce formaldehyde levels)
Polystyrene is added in one brand (Duravana) to the core
Many laminate brands are GreenGuard Gold certified. This means they offgas no more than 0.0073 ppm formaldehyde. The outdoor level of formaldehyde in urban areas is 0.0015 – 0.047 ppm (source).
Laminate Flooring Brands that are Certified GreenGuard Gold Include:
Swiss Krono USA
Shaw
Duravana from LL Floors looks like your typical laminate but the core seemed a little different to me so I asked the company about it. The core has polystyrene added to it (it also contains the usual wood fiber and melamine urea formaldehyde) which makes it more inherently waterproof than other brands. It does not have more offgassing than other brands.
Traffic Master
Pergo used to have Greenguard Gold certification before they were bought out by Mohawk. I don’t think the glues have likely changed, Mohawk simply doesn’t use Greenguard. Judging from the samples I received, this uses the same glue the others.
How Long Does it Take Laminate Flooring to Fully Offgas
Lynn Baker, an air pollution specialist with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) says “you’ll get a fairly large amount that off-gasses early on, and then it starts to become less over a period ranging from months to a couple of years depending on the amounts contained in the product” Source.
Years ago, high formaldehyde products like MDF made with urea-formaldehyde could take 7+ years to offgas but products with lower levels of formaldehyde and products made from phenol or melamine-formaldehyde offgas less and take much less time.
In my observation, laminate flooring is mostly offgassed in the first few months and is usually fully offgassed within a couple of years.
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2021/01/laminate-flooring-what-does-it-offgas.html
Safety of Colloidal Silicon Dioxide in Food and Supplements
With the wide usage and frequent inclusion of colloidal silicon dioxide, you may be worried about your exposure or consumption to it. Is silicon dioxide safe? The FDA considers colloidal silicon dioxide as generally safe, and most research shows that the silicon dioxide that we ingest via food and supplements is safe.
In fact, it has been found to not accumulate in the body. Excess silicon dioxide is flushed out via the kidneys according to the World Health Organization.3 Furthermore, researchers have found no link or association between silicon dioxide added to food and an increased risk of organ damage, disease, or mortality.4
Is silicon dioxide safe during pregnancy? Thus far, existing research has not found any evidence to suggest that additive silicon dioxide has any effect on birth weight, bodyweight, or reproductive health in general. This suggests that silicon dioxide is safe for pregnant mothers.4
https://drformulas.com/blogs/news/is-colloidal-silicon-dioxide-safe
ESSENTIAL OILS / SPF...
Peppermint Oil and Olive Oil have highest SPF (around 8) - maybe together it's 16? Good level is 30+ but all natural 16 is good.
Peppermint Oil
25 Healing Peppermint Oil Benefits For Skin
https://www.alyaka.com/en-us/blogs/alyaka-magazine/25-healing-benefits-peppermint-oil
https://juicychemistry.com/blogs/skincare-blog/peppermint-oil-for-skin-benefits-and-how-to-use
Vetiver Oil
Vetiver essential oil is hailed for its use in skin cell regeneration and boosting the growth of new cells. It facilitates wound healing, effectively reduces scars, blemishes, and marks due to acne, burns or pox by removing dead skin cells from the body and hence bestows a radiant skin.
7 SKIN BENEFITS: https://vedix.com/blogs/articles/vetiver-benefits-for-skin
Top 5 Healing Benefits Of Vetiver For Skin
https://mycocosoul.com/blogs/ayurvedic-skin-care/benefits-of-vetiver-for-skin
https://www.kamaayurveda.in/blog/vetiver
Vetiver for Skin: Fade the Appearance of Dark Spots
Vetiver is classified under ‘varnya’ or skin brightening herbs in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. It contains numerous phytochemicals that exhibit the ability to suppress melanogenesis [1] by decreasing tyrosinase (an enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis) activity.
https://www.annmariegianni.com/vetiver-fade-the-appearance-of-dark-spots/
PROSTATE
looking across dies, vegetarians were found to have a 9% lower risk of death overall, 29% lower risk of death from heart disease, and 18% lower risk of cancer vs. non-vegetarians.
Men with the highest plant-based diet score had a 19% lower risk of fatal prostate cancer vs men with the lowest diet score.
Eating a healthful plant-based diet was linked to a lower risk of being diagnosed with localized prostate cancer.
Some effects of diet differed by age. For example, among men under age 65 at diagnosis, eating a more plant-based diet was linked to a 42% lower risk of advanced prostate cancer.
https://www.pcf.org/c/plant-based-diets-and-prostate-cancer/
In men, being a fish-eater or a vegetarian was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer (0.80, 0.65–0.99 and 0.69, 0.54–0.89, respectively)
Coffee Tea Cacao Chocolate Antioxidant (but Cacao Contains Heavy Metals)
I generally avoid stimulants because they cause stress. But they have antioxidant properties that help especially in high RF_EMF areas (cell towers, wifi etc.) - so when I'm in polluted areas I take a small piece of very dark organic chocolate like 94 to 100% cacao. But never 2 days in a row because sugar and caffeine are highly addictive and give a kick to the brain (which is very nice) but downside is not nice. So brain / body needs to be free from it to find equilibrium.
Black tea and coffee are supposed to help reduce risk of stroke etc. but I am not so convinced. Anyway, here's comparison:
"Cocoa contained much higher levels of total phenolics (611 mg of gallic acid equivalents, GAE) and flavonoids (564 mg of epicatechin equivalents, ECE) per serving than black tea (124 mg of GAE and 34 mg of ECE, respectively), green tea (165 mg of GAE and 47 mg of ECE), and red wine (340 mg of GAE and 163 mg of ECE).
Flavanols found in cocoa have also been shown to increase the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and thus blood pressure reduction.
The majority of prospective studies have reported a weak inverse association between moderate consumption of coffee and risk of stroke. However, there are yet no clear biological mechanisms whereby coffee might provide cardiovascular health benefits. Awaiting the results from further long-term RCTs and prospective studies, moderate consumption of filtered coffee, tea, and dark chocolate seems prudent.
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Dark Chocolate (cacao) has toxic heavy metals: lead and cadmium according to a new study. Even organic cacao has it so I just avoid it. Even low levels of cadmium is cancer-causing and have been linked to kidney cancer and fragile bones. Lead is linked to memory loss, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, low moods, brain / CNS damage in children.
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HALF-LIFE OF LEAD
The half-life of lead varies from about a month in blood, 1-1.5 months in soft tissue, and about 25-30 years in bone (ATSDR 2007). Lead in bone is considered a biomarker of cumulative exposure because lead accumulates in bone over the lifetime and most of the lead body burden resides in bone.
Among lead's well-known developmental health effects is stunting of skeletal growth in children. Moreover, lead is known to delay fracture healing and may contribute to osteoporosis.
WEIGHT LOSS TIPS BY REZA GANJAVI
add to misc health maybe
If you want to lose weight, here are 4 golden tips (by Reza Ganjavi)
[PLEASE KEEP IN MIND I AM NOT AN EXPERT AND YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION AND NEED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. I AM MERELY SHARING MY EXPERIENCE HERE AND WHAT YOU READ HERE IS NOT EXPERT OPINION BUT ONLY MY OPINION.]
- Do not eat meat
- Do not eat sugar
- Go for walks
- If you're still overweight try Yoga (but there's a lot more to yoga than just this... some info in yoga.html).
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Pasta
Pasta is good. Whole grain is even better. Left over is even better. "When pasta is cooked and cooled, some of the carbohydrates convert to resistant starch. This starch gets its name from being resistant to digestion, so it contributes less energy and is better for blood sugar levels. So, your leftover pasta, even if you reheat it, is lower in calories than the night before.
Coffee Tea Cacao Chocolate Antioxidant
I generally avoid stimulants because they cause stress. But they have antioxidant properties that help especially in high RF_EMF areas (cell towers, wifi etc.) - so
Cocoa contained much higher levels of total phenolics (611 mg of gallic acid equivalents, GAE) and flavonoids (564 mg of epicatechin equivalents, ECE) per serving than black tea (124 mg of GAE and 34 mg of ECE, respectively), green tea (165 mg of GAE and 47 mg of ECE), and red wine (340 mg of GAE and 163 mg of ECE).
My Experience With Inclined Bed “Therapy” (IBT)
by Reza Ganjavi
I am a Yogi. One of the first principles that you learn in yoga is that yoga reverses gravity and that is a good thing. Gravity is a major factor in aging. And it's always pulling you down.
This is more than a theory. If I don't do yoga for a few days I really feel it. I feel the effect of gravity. And doing something like forward bend or a shoulder stand or head stand you really feel all the blood coming down (up) and the gravity pulling your cells, your fascia, everything, in a different direction than normal. And this is very rejuvenating.
I came across a so-called therapy called inclined sleeping. The idea behind it is that because food goes downwards in your system, and because trees are always standing yet they have life in the upper branches etc., therefore when we lay down flat that just defeats the purpose of gravity in sending the food down your system.
I also watched a bunch of videos from people who are doing this therapy. And none of them looked particularly impressive. I decided to try it myself. So I raised the head of my bed but it was terrible because again from being sensitive to gravity I felt my legs were deprived from a reduction of gravity that happens from lying flat, and change of direction which is a form of reduction from the vertical effect of gravity.
So I woke up without getting proper rest, and I really missed that lying flat and a break from the usual direction of gravity. Therefore, I will not do it again. It was very clear for me that it's not right for me.
As for the arguments for the therapy, regarding movement of food in the system, I believe this should not be an issue if a person stops eating let's say 3 or 4 hours before sleep, which is the intelligent thing to do which is not always what I do when I have too much charity work dropped on my head or I'm otherwise out of tune, food serves as a quick shot of happiness. However, I only eat very healthy food, organic, vegetarian, top quality. But still, I have thought that eating close to bedtime should be criminal or forbidden by scriptures or … :-)
Because during sleep your system should be resting. And not digesting or passing things through your belly and then gravity issue and so on. Also when there’s air in the belly or other pressure this can affect the GPCR receptors in the brain which are connected to that area for satiety measurement, etc., so when triggering those receptors can lead to strange dreams.
Also, what really helps is to do some yoga before sleep because that gets rid of the excess air, and provides general relaxation.
I like to try the opposite to IBT. It’s quite restful to have legs up for example. Why not the whole body?
Reza Ganjavi, 24 May 2021
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Bitter almonds contain glycoside amygdalin. sweet almonds contain amygdalin which turns into cyanide which is a toxin. The level is not high in sweet almonds therefore eating them without soaking is safe but if almonds are soaked the amygdalin gets rinsed out so it's even better 🙂
Fat Cells Communicate with Nerve Cells
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have discovered that fat cells have the ability to communicate with nerve cells outside the brain and may have more control over their own destiny than previously thought. The investigators found that the fat cells sent a chemical signal to the nerve cells to increase production of neuropeptide Y (NPY). NPY is a chemical known to signal the brain to stop burning fat and to start eating.
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"Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied. If you think of your appetite as a gauge ranging from empty (0) to full (10), my recommendation is to eat when you are really hungry (at a level 2 to 3) and stop when you are comfortably full but not stuffed (6 to 7).
By not filling your stomach to capacity, you will allow your digestive power to work at an optimal level."
-Dr. Deepak Chopra, bestselling author
"Exercise every day for at least 10 minutes, drink lots of water and maintain good posture."
-Denise Austin, host of "Denise Austin's Daily Workout" on Lifetime TV
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"It's all about maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. When I lost 245 pounds, I not only incorporated sandwiches from Subway's "7 Under 6" menu (seven subs with six grams of fat or less) into my diet, but I walked every day. Now that I've shed the weight, I continue to eat low-fat meals (including lots of fresh veggies and water) and stay active. A healthy diet coupled with regular exercise will transform your body, increase your confidence and rejuvenate your spirit."
-Jared Fogle, lost 245 lbs. on "The Subway Diet"
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"Permanent weight loss is easy as long as you control your insulin levels. All you have to do is to balance your plate at every meal. Start by dividing your plate into three equal sections. On one-third of the plate, put some low-fat protein that is no bigger or thicker than the palm of your hand. On the other two-thirds of the plate, fill it until it is overflowing with fruits and vegetables. Finally, add a dash of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like olive oil, slivered almonds or guacamole. Do this every time you eat, and you will keep your insulin levels in the Zone for a lifetime."
-Dr. Barry Sears, bestselling author of The Zone
"Try to limit your intake of white products including salt, sugar, white flour and fat. Also, stay away from carbohydrates after 6 PM."
-Karen Voight, fitness authority and trainer to the stars
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Obesity pandemic engulfing world: experts
SYDNEY (AFP) - Obesity has reached pandemic proportions throughout the world and is now the greatest single contributor to chronic disease, an international conference was told here.
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Study: Losing Weight Can Help Sex Life
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer
40 minutes ago
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Losing a little weight can do wonders for your sex life. So says Duke University psychologist Martin Binks, who presented a study Monday at a meeting of The Obesity Society showing that shedding a few pounds can improve things in the bedroom by making people feel better about their bodies.
"You reap a lot of benefit from a moderate weight loss of 10 percent," Binks said. "It's a wonderful message. You don't have to reach some ideal weight to be healthy and happy."
EGGS
"The amount that one egg a day raises cholesterol in the blood is extremely small, so small in fact that the increase in risk in heart disease related to this change in serum cholesterol could never be detected in any kind of study," said Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard's School of Public Health."Elevations in LDL of this small magnitude could easily be countered by other healthy aspects of eggs." Based on the research, my recommendation is if you eat a healthful diet, go ahead and eat an egg a day. (My interview on CNN summarizes the key reasons why.)
Protein. Eggs are considered the gold standard that other proteins are measured against. Because of the superior amino acid mix, an egg's six grams of protein are absorbed easily and efficiently used by the body. The egg is also low-calorie (74 calories).
Choline. Yolks are one of the best sources of this essential nutrient. Choline is needed for brain development in a growing fetus and may also be important for brain function in adults.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin. These two, important, beneficial phytochemicals found in egg yolks (as well as kale and spinach) help prevent eye diseases, especially cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. While eggs contain less lutein and zeaxanthin than greens, these phytochemicals are more absorbable because of the presence of fat in the yolk.
Vitamin D. Eggs are one of the few natural sources of Vitamin D, important for the bones and teeth. Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium, which is important for the heart and colon, as well.
https://www.livescience.com/39353-eggs-dont-deserve-bad-reputation.html
DISTILLED WATER OR NOT
Many of my friends just drink distilled water. I am not convinced. Anyway, I was looking into it. Boiling doesn't make it. Machine is too noisy and consumes about €600 of electricity extra per year according to someone who measured it. To make it myself in another way is too cumbersome. So best is to buy low mineral water if at all. I'm still researching the topic.
"I opened my eyes because about two years ago I started hearing from long-term distilled water drinkers who had been consuming only distilled water and who had developed troubles with their hair either thinning or falling out in clumps. I've subsequently learned that hair loss is a condition often associated with various mineral deficiencies."
https://www.mercola.com/article/water/distilled_water_2.aspx
VITAMIN C - FROM PAULING INSTITUTE 2017
Reza,
I don’t think fluctuating vitamin C intake is particularly harmful. Some might argue that the longer you go without a particular dose, levels in your body fall to accommodate the new level you are taking. However, I don’t think the change in your blood stream – for example – would be large.
People who have gone a long period of time taking vitamin C at a high level and suddenly stop find themselves feeling tired (although I think this takes weeks) because the body is excreting large amounts of vitamin C to compensate for the large intake level.
Dr. Pauling’s recommendations of taking 18 grams or more per day is a little high for most people. So far, nobody has demonstrated any difference between someone take 2 grams, 5 grams, or 20 grams per day.
If there are any more questions that you have, just let me know.
Alex
---
Reza,
Sorry, I probably wrote my response in haste. What I meant to say is that the levels of vitamin C in your blood stream will change to reflect the amount of vitamin C you are taking. Change the level of vitamin C you consume, and the levels in your blood (and tissue) will change accordingly.
However, when people take large amount of vitamin C – for the sake of argument let’s say 10 grams/day – and then drop it down to a lower level – say 1 gram/day – the change in blood concentrations of vitamin C are not as severe as someone who was taking 1 gram/day and then stopped taking it.
These changes take time, however, and this has to do with how the body processes vitamin C in the kidneys. When people take large doses (anything above 500 mg is considered a “large dose”), most of what goes into the blood stream ends up in the urine. Therefore, blood levels of vitamin C may be high for a while, but 12 hours or 24 hours after taking that dose, they will drop to a level the kidney finds appropriate.
After the levels in the blood reach about 60 micromolar, the body stops filtering vitamin C to the urine. After that point, blood concentrations of vitamin C will continue to drop if you don’t take any more but the loss takes place over the course of days or weeks – not hours
There is a known phenomenon of when people who were taking doses above 2 grams per day suddenly stopped supplementation and felt very tired. Some people thought this was blood levels of vitamin C dropping very fast because the kidneys were accustomed to excreting vitamin C. Unfortunately, we don’t know too much about this phenomenon – but the tiredness was something I have heard from many people for many years.
I currently take 1-2 grams of vitamin C per day, but sometimes I miss a day. I haven’t noticed any issues when I skip, however.
Alex
---
Alexander J Michels Ph.D.
Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
RED / KIDNEY BEAN TOXICITY
"Even after an overnight soak, it is important to boil kidney beans at a high temperature to destroy toxins. To deactivate PHA, boil them for at least to 10 to 30 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius, says the FDA. It also recommends an initial soak of at least five hours in water, which should then be discarded and replaced with fresh water for cooking.
If the beans are cooked at a lower temperature, such as in a slow cooker or combined with other ingredients in a casserole, the toxic effect is increased. Research from the Toxicology Reports has found that beans cooked at 80 degrees Celsius are five times as toxic as raw beans."
https://www.livestrong.com/article/511807-red-kidney-beans-health-risk/
~~~
"You can reduce legumes’ phytic acid content through several methods, including soaking, sprouting, and fermentation (12, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source)".
"Soaking them overnight and boiling them at 212°F (100°C) for at least 10 minutes degrades phytohemagglutinin and other lectins (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source)."
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/legumes-good-or-bad
~~~
Cooking kidney beans safely
Kidney beans contain a natural toxin called lectin. This can cause stomach aches and vomiting. The toxin is destroyed by proper cooking.
§ soak the dried beans in water for at least 12 hours
§ drain and rinse the beans, then cover them with fresh water
§ boil them vigorously for at least 10 minutes, then simmer the beans for around 45 to 60 minutes to make them tender
Cooking soya beans safely
Soya beans contain a natural toxin called a trypsin inhibitor. This can stop you digesting food properly. The toxin is destroyed by proper cooking.
§ soak the dried beans in water for at least 12 hours
§ drain and rinse the beans, then cover them with fresh water
§ boil them vigorously for 1 hour, then simmer the beans for about 2 to 3 hours to make them tender
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/beans-and-pulses-nutrition/
FLAX SEEDS / OIL
One meta-analysis included in that publication reviewed nine studies that revealed a possible association between flaxseed oil intake or high blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid and increased risk of prostate cancer.
But ground flax seeds can help prevent prostate cancer. BUT flax contains heavy metals.
I basically avoid flax seeds and flax seed oil.
Our tests revealed a concerning amount of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in several flaxseed products that contained up to 4 to 5 times as much cadmium as other products.
~~~
Cadmium, a heavy metal found in soil, can accumulate in flaxseeds.
~~~
In conclusion, dietary FXO supplementation ameliorated PbAc-induced specific metabolic alterations and oxidative damage by empowering antioxidant defense mechanism and improving BBM integrity and energy metabolism.
~~~
Contaminated water and soil with toxic metals is a critical environmental problem, and there is a need to adopt useful methods for the rehabilitation of our environment. Earlier studies showed that flax is appropriate for the phytoremediation of soil and wastewater. Moreover, it can tolerate harsh environments, and uptake, accumulate, and translocate a broad range of diverse metals. Flax is characterized within fiber crops by a genotype for heavy metal tolerance or accumulation. It was also observed that many species are vulnerable to petroleum contaminants but flax has a unique property to tolerate an excessive amount of hydrocarbons and is capable of accumulating a large amount of it in their organs.
~~~
Comparative analysis of cadmium uptake and distribution in contrasting canadian flax cultivars
genotypic differences in Cd accumulation in flax seeds may be partly due to differences in the redistribution of Cd to the seeds during maturation.
flax contains very small amounts of cyanide compounds, especially when consumed raw. Heat, especially on dry flax seeds, breaks these compounds down.
Flaxseed & Cancer Risk https://www.drfabio.com/healthblog/flaxseed-cancer-risk
Heavy Metals in Seeds
We at Rapunzel are aware of the problem of cadmium in oilseeds and have oilseeds regularly analysed for heavy metals by recognised laboratories.
The legal limits for cadmium are <0.1mg/kg for oilseeds in general. Exceptions are linseeds and sunflower seeds, where it is <0.5mg/kg.
The values of Rapunzel linseed are mostly in the range <0.3mg/kg
The same values and limits apply whether linseed or linseed oil is used.
BLOOD TYPE
Your Blood Type May Predict Your Risk Of Having A Stroke Before 60, Says Study
Those who carried the gene for blood group O1 had a 12 per cent lower risk. The higher risk of stroke among those with type A blood, according to the researchers, is minimal, thus there is no need for additional screening or monitoring.
Out of 10 U.S. births out of wedlock
ATLANTA - Out-of-wedlock births in the United States have climbed to an all-time high, accounting for nearly four in 10 babies born last year, government health officials said Tuesday.
Pollution exposure linked to childhood cancer
Exposure soon after birth, or even before, to combustion gases and particularly engine exhaust, is strongly linked to the development of childhood cancers like leukemia, according to a report from the UK.
Panel Affirms Radiation Link to Cancer
Even very low doses of radiation pose a risk of cancer over a person's lifetime, a National Academy of Sciences panel concluded. It rejected some scientists' arguments that tiny doses are harmless or may in fact be beneficial.
The findings, disclosed in a report Wednesday, could influence the maximum radiation levels that are allowed at abandoned reactors and other nuclear sites and raises warnings about excessive exposure to radiation for medical purposes such as repeated whole-body CT scans.
"It is unlikely that there is a threshold (of radiation exposure) below which cancers are not induced," the scientists said.
While at low doses "the number of radiation-induced cancers will be small ... as the overall lifetime exposure increases, so does the risk," the experts said.
Even common X-rays pose some risk of adverse health effects, the scientists found, although the panel said there was not enough information available to accurately estimate the cancer risk from X-rays. Nevertheless, the report said, there is evidence that per unit of absorbed radiation, X-rays may be more dangerous than other radiation.
Wheat Protein
Nutritionally, seitan is a nearly complete, high quality protein (more protein per serving than tofu), provides a modest amount of B vitamins and iron and contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. A 3 1/2 ounce (100 gram) serving contains 118 calories, 18% protein and less than 1% unsaturated fat. The same amount of beef has 207 calories and 32.2% protein and is high in saturated fats. As recent studies have shown, our need for protein is much lower than previously believed and any opportunity to remove saturated fats from our diet is a welcome improvement.
It isn't a complete protein, though, unlike soya fake meats. It is deficient in lysine, so having a good source of lysine with it may be a good idea.
Good sources of lysine are beans, lentils, watercress, some spices.
On Plastic
By Dr. Colleen Huber, NMD
Plastic polycarbonate bottles such as Nalgene are still popular as drinking water bottles. However polycarbonate releases a chemical known as bisphenol A also know as BPA. Whereas plastic industry safety studies find no significant health effects from typical daily doses of bisphenol A, a full 90% of government studies found harmful health effects [1] especially to children and expecting moms, [2] but also for male sexuality and reproduction as well. [3]
The problem is that bisphenol A acts as a "xenoestrogen," which just means it's like the female hormone estrogen, except for two things: 1) it's foreign to the body, which is what "xeno" means, and 2) it is way more harmful than our natural estrogen for everyone, male and female. Breast cancers are much more of a risk in women who carry a high burden of xenoestrogens, and both sexes are subject to a huge range of other harmful health effects. The most far-reaching effects are birth defects and miscarriages. Another effect is a disruption of beta cell function in the pancreas, which creates a pre-diabetes type condition of high blood insulin and insulin resistance.
~~~
Professor vom Saal said recent studies have shown that BPA is extremely harmful, even in very low doses. The chemical acts like the female hormone estrogen and interferes with the body's natural processes. BPA has been linked to adverse effects on male reproduction, altered immune system function, behavioral changes, learning disabilities, brain damage and an increased chance for certain cancers. Researchers are most concerned about the exposure of babies to the chemical. "The science is clear and the findings are not just scary, they are horrific," vom Saal said. "When you feed a baby out of a clear, hard plastic bottle, it's like giving the baby a birth control pill."
~~~
In two studies funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia have demonstrated that two plasticizer compounds, BPA and BBP, are environmental estrogens capable of affecting gene expression in the mammary glands of young female laboratory rats exposed to the compounds through their mothers' milk.
Coffee and cocoa are good anti-oxidants but not without a heavy cost
1) They are metabolic stimulants. I hate being chemically stimulated.
2) Most coffee contains contaminants like Ochratoxin A, Acrylamide, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Yeast, Pesticides, and toxic heavy metals like Cadmium and Lead can cause long-term health consequences like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
So I would rather get anti-oxidants from safer sources.
~~~
The Benefits of Grounding: An Interview with Clint Ober
https://neurohacker.com/the-benefits-of-grounding-an-interview-with-clint-ober
Cloves have antioxidants that help in fighting free radical damage to the body and boost our immune system. 2. Cloves also have antiseptic, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that keep common infections, cold, and cough at bay.
People who spent “even small amounts of time in more vigorous activities — as little as 6 to 9 minutes — compared to sitting, sleeping or gentle activities had higher cognition scores,” s
CLOVE
Clove may be good but it usually contains heavy metals - https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=109766
Abstract
The concentration of selected heavy metals (Chromium-Cr, Cadmium-Cd and Lead-Pb) collected from different sites of Unguja and Pemba were determined using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). The findings showed that Cr ranged from 10.3 to 16.25 ppm, Cd from 3.39 to 8.00 ppm and Pb from 0.35 to1.18 ppm for Pemba Island. For Unguja Island Cr ranged from (6.65 to 12.3 ppm, Cd ranged from (2.61 to 6.00) ppm and Pb ranged from (0.52 to 0.80 ppm). Significant elemental correlation (p ≥ 0.05) for all three metals detected from Unguja sites. The metal levels found from both sides of Islands were above standard limits set by FAO and WHO. The results of this study suggest that the levels of toxic metals detected from Zanzibar spices have potential risk to public health.
In recent years, there is an increasing involvement in observance heavy metals
contamination in various spices which are commonly consumed by people in-
cluding cloves. These toxic levels on human wellness and the environment have
attracted considerable attention in recent years [3]. The toxic metals concentra-
tion level is due to their long persistence and accumulation behavior in the en-
vironment and ecosystem [4]. Heavy metals contaminate clove trees through
soils and atmospheric deposition.
https://www.scirp.org/pdf/oalibj_2021060816243788.pdf
~~~
CARROT
Carrots are a great source of important vitamins and minerals. A half-cup can give you up to:
• 73% of your daily requirement of vitamin A
• 9% of your daily vitamin K
• 8% of your daily potassium and fiber
• 5% of your daily vitamin C
• 2% of your daily calcium and iron
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-carrots
VARIOUS
Prostate Cancer
The article discusses the relationship between prostate cancer and dairy consumption, indicating that there is a significant connection between the two. The article references multiple studies that have found a greater likelihood of developing prostate cancer in men who consume dairy products in large quantities. To decrease the risk of prostate cancer, the article advises men to limit their consumption of high-fat animal-based foods and instead consume mostly plant-based foods. Additionally, the article points out the link between milk consumption and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is thought to be a major contributor to the development of prostate cancer.
Loud music threat to the young
A new survey conducted by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People reveals alarming statistics about the negative impact of loud music on young people. The survey found that almost 50% of individuals aged 16 to 34 experience hearing issues after being exposed to loud music. This poses a serious risk of creating a generation that will have hearing problems in middle age due to greater exposure to loud music. Interestingly, 80% of young people who attend clubs and concerts regularly do not seem to be concerned about this issue. Reports of tinnitus have increased threefold since the early 1980s, and this is largely due to concerts and nightclubs producing sounds up to 120 decibels. In response, the RNID is launching a Safer Sound campaign aimed at raising awareness and providing advice to young people on how to reduce the risk of hearing damage.
Breast-Fed Babies Handle Stress Better Later in Life: Study
A UK-based research has revealed that breast-fed children are more capable of coping with stress in their later life than those who are bottle-fed. The study was conducted on a sample of around 9,000 children at the time of their birth, 5 years old and 10 years old. The data was collected from various sources, including parents, teachers, health professionals, and midwives. The research found that breast-fed children whose parents had divorced or separated were almost twice as likely to be highly anxious, whereas bottle-fed children were more than nine times as likely to be highly anxious than their counterparts. The study authors warn that the results are not conclusive evidence of a direct link between breast-feeding and stress management in later life. Instead, the findings suggest that breast-feeding could be an indicator of other maternal or parental factors that influence a child's response to stress. The quality of physical contact between a mother and child in the first few days of the child's life may also impact the development of the child's neural and hormonal pathways.
TV found to be a painkiller for children
Researchers at the University of Siena in Italy conducted a study that discovered children who watched cartoons during medical procedures experienced less pain compared to those who did not watch TV. The study involved 69 children, aged between 7 to 12, who were asked to rate their pain level after being pricked with a hypodermic needle for a blood sample. The children were separated into three groups- those who watched TV cartoons, those who were comforted by their mothers, and those who did not receive any form of distraction. The children who watched TV reported 50% less pain than those who were comforted by their mothers. Compared to children who only sat in a hospital room with mothers who did not provide any comfort, the TV watchers reported one-third of the pain. Carlo Bellieni, a neonatologist and pediatrician who authored the study, emphasized that while television can distract children during medical procedures, it should be controlled and regulated.
Eating slowly really does make people eat less
According to a study carried out by Dr. Kathleen Melanson and her team at the University of Rhode Island, women ate about 70 fewer calories when they savored their pasta and sauce meal slowly than when they ate it quickly. The women also reported that they enjoyed the meal more when they ate it slowly. The study involved 30 young women who were given a large spoon to eat quickly on one occasion and a small spoon on another occasion, with instructions to take small bites and chew each bite for 15 to 20 times. The women consumed an average of 646 calories in nine minutes when they ate quickly, but when they ate slowly, they consumed 579 calories in 29 minutes. Eating slowly could aid in weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight, as someone who eats three relaxed meals could consume 210 fewer calories per day than someone who eats quickly.
Berries belong to cancer-fighting superfoods: study
A small study on rats has shown that the berry antioxidant pterostilbene may protect against colon cancer by reducing pre-cancerous lesions and inhibiting certain genes involved in inflammation. The compound also has a cholesterol-lowering action, which could be beneficial given the link between colon cancer and high levels of saturated fats and calories in Western diets. Additionally, Ohio State University has begun clinical trials on humans to test whether blueberries can prevent the development of esophageal and colon cancer. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Alabama found that chemicals in grape seed extract may protect against skin cancer by inhibiting the suppression of the immune system caused by ultraviolet light exposure.
Study says soccer is better than jogging
The Danish scientists have found that playing soccer burns off more fat and builds more muscle than jogging, according to a study conducted on 37 men. The researchers compared the results of the soccer players and joggers after a three-month-long study, which consisted of exercise periods lasting one hour, three times a week. The study found that the soccer players' body fat percentage dropped by 3.7%, compared to 2% for the joggers, and the soccer players increased their muscle mass by almost 2 kilograms (4.5 pounds), whereas the joggers didn't have any significant change. The soccer players and joggers had the same average heart rate, but the soccer players got a better workout due to the intense bursts of activity. The researchers also found that the soccer players felt less tired after exercising than the joggers because they were having more fun. However, the researchers warned that sedentary people shouldn't jump-start their bodies with a dose of intense exercise but rather ease into their fitness regime with some moderate activity.
Vegetables may help keep brains young
A six-year study of almost 2,000 Chicago-area men and women aged 65 and over has suggested that those who ate more than two servings of vegetables each day appeared about five years younger mentally than those who ate few or no vegetables. The findings add to mounting evidence suggesting that vegetables can reduce mental decline. Green leafy vegetables, particularly spinach, kale and collards, were found to be the most beneficial because they contain healthy levels of vitamin E, an antioxidant that combats chemicals produced by the body that can damage cells. Vegetables are also often eaten with healthy fats such as salad oils, which can help the body absorb vitamin E and other antioxidants, and which can keep cholesterol low and arteries clear, both of which contribute to brain health. The study did not examine whether any of the study participants developed dementia.
Organic fruits have right stuff for health
A study by scientists at the University of California, Davis, has shown that organic fruit has higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidant activity than conventionally grown fruit. Polyphenols have been shown in other studies to reduce cholesterol and improve blood circulation, and some research has indicated that they may help prevent certain cancers. The authors suggest that the difference in polyphenol levels may be due to the negative impact of chemical farming. The study also found that the organic plants produced more of these beneficial compounds, as they were thrown onto their own defences against disease and predators, and therefore more “stressed”. Organic yields were smaller, averaging 22.5 tonnes per hectare (nine tonees per acre) compared with 26.9 tonnes per hectare (10.75 per acre) for conventionally grown fruit.
Aging nation faces growing hearing loss
By 2050, up to 50 million people in the US may have hearing loss, with young people having a rate of impaired hearing 2.5 times that of their parents and grandparents due to loud music and noise. While damage to outer ear cells can be helped by hearing aids, damage to inner ear cells cannot be repaired and causes deafness. However, research is being done on restoring damaged hearing cells using ear stem cells and gene therapy, although it is still at the beginning and a long road. Scientists are experimenting with drugs to spur the growth of hearing cells in young mice, but something still prevents cell development in the inner ear.
Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks
Older adults with high onion and garlic intake have a lower risk of colon, ovarian and throat cancers, according to a study of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The findings suggest that the anti-cancer benefits of these vegetables are not just limited to Asian populations. It is not certain that onions and garlic have a direct effect on cancer risk, but the potentially protective substances include sulfur compounds found in garlic and antioxidant flavonoids in onions. Experts recommend that people eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day for overall health.
OKRA
A 1/2-cup serving of sliced, cooked okra contains 32 micrograms of vitamin K. This amount supplies about 27 percent of the daily vitamin K intake that the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends for adult men over 19 years old. For a woman, eating a 1/2-cup serving of okra fulfills 36 percent of her recommended daily requirement.
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/vitamin-k-okra-6392.html
SENSITIVITY TO NOISE - SIGN OF GENIUS
Are you overly sensitive to noise? You could be a certified genius
A new study by scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois, has found that an inability to filter out irrelevant sounds in people is indicative of greater creative prowess
Inspired geniuses in their field that were famously intolerant of noise include Johann Goethe, Charles Darwin, Anton Chekov and Franz Kafka.
DRINK WATER
Every day drink 1 liter of water per 25 kg of weight.
Killer Fastfood
Eeating fast food can increase the likelihood of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which causes fat to build up in the liver.
While regular fast food consumption has been linked to obesity and diabetes, researchers say this is one of the first studies to demonstrate a negative impact on the liver as well.
one meal a day fasting is a bad idea -- When participants ate just one meal per day, they saw a greater reduction in their body weight and fat mass. However, participants also had greater reductions in lean mass and bone density when eating just one meal a day. This could lead to reduced muscle function and greater risk of bone fractures if the diet was to be followed for a longer period.
~~~
Sourdough
I usually don't eat sourdough because in principle alkaline is better. But here's an article research:
~
Weisenberger, author of “Prediabetes: A Complete Guide,” specializes in diabetes and prediabetes care. Because of this, she recommends sourdough as a healthy bread for those managing their blood sugar levels. A study from the University of Guelph in Canada found lower glycemic responses compared to those of whole wheat breads.
Sourdough’s low pH and long fermentation time means the bread is more digestible than those fermented with baker’s yeast because the nutrients in sourdough have more time to break down. Sourdough also has increased minerals for the gut to absorb, according to Colorado State University. Unlike commercial baker’s yeast, sourdough organisms can quickly break down phytate complex, a molecule that sequesters calcium, sodium, zinc and magnesium.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/04/16/what-is-the-healthiest-bread/11551845002/
~~~
"As a walker, you should aim for at least 30 minutes per day, or a total of 150 minutes per week," breaking it up into three short, 10-minute sessions will give you all the same health benefits Michael Fredericson, MD, director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation division of Stanford University "Studies have shown that regular brisk walking can be just as effective as running in reducing the risk of heart disease and improving overall levels of fitness." https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/03/22/how-many-miles-should-walk-day-step-counts-you-need-how-do/11507805002/ A new study by the London School of Economics and Political Science has found that a brisk 30-minute walk (roughly 3000 steps) is more effective at weight control than running, swimming or going to the gym.
Similarly SPF values for volatile oils were found to be in between 1 and 7. Out of these essential oils taken, the SPF value of peppermint oil and tulsi oil was found to be around 7; lavender oil, around 6; orange oil, around 4; eucalyptus oil, around 3; tea tree oil, around 2; and rose oil, around 1.
SEEDS
Hopefully organic sesame seed doesn't have heavy metals?
The concentrations lead and cadmium metals for the
sesame samples under study were 0.0130-0.0214 mg/kg
and 0.0121-0.0319 mg/kg, respectively, the concentrations
of these two elements in all samples were slightly higher
than the acceptable limits (0.01 mg / kg) (CODEX, 2011),
the contamination of some crops with lead and cadmium
can be closely related to contaminants in irrigation water,
soil and pesticides as well as pollution from highways
traffic
http://plantarchives.org/19-2/3217-3222%20(5133).pdf
~~~
Black Sesame Seeds on Heavy Metal Cleanup
Lignans in black sesame seeds are responsible for heavy metal binding. L
Great article
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/black-sesame-seeds-on-heavy-metal-cleanup
SLEEP
Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D.
This week I learned from a sleep expert that if we go to sleep 1-2hrs later than usual we get none (zero) of the normal in-sleep bolus of growth hormone that night, regardless if we sleep in. In other words, keeping regular to-sleep times is as important as sleep duration.
Maltodextrin
Cleveland Clinic researchers found that maltodextrin alters gut bacteria. The additive with the normal digestive process causes the bacteria to adhere to the layers of cells that line the intestines – a characteristic of IBD.
5 Min Walk or Exercise Every 30 Minutes
To reduce the harmful health effects of sitting, take a 5-minute light walk every half-hour. That's the key finding of a new study that my colleagues and I published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
RAW POWER GREEN SMOOTHIES
By Reza Ganjavi
My life changed after reading The Queen of Green Smoothies, Victoria Boutenko's excellent book on green smoothies. Ever since I've been making green smoothies every day and feeling their benefit.
I would strongly recommend a visit to Victoria's site: www.rawfamily.com
Check out Victoria's song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN1X0zchLiw
Here's an extract from her site, reprinted with permission:
"In , we experienced an intense decline in health. Faced with our numerous health problems, (juvenile diabetes, obesity, hyper thyroid, chronic fatigue, arrhythmia, arthritis, asthma, and allergies) we began researching nutrition. After switching over to a healthful way of eating we were able to fully reverse our symptoms and regain vibrant health. Since that time our family has been dedicated to helping people around the globe learn about natural healing and nutrition by writing books, making films, and presenting health lectures. We are here to inspire you to take your health into your own hands. On this site you will find an abundance of free information and research about acquiring naturally radiant health.
We invite you to browse our extensive newsletter archives and follow our raw food journey as we discovered the healing power of greens and introduced green smoothies to the world. Greens are the most nutritionally dense food available on the planet. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and phytonutrients. What better way to consume them than in a delicious green smoothie? The fresh ripe fruits dominate the flavor of the greens and the absence of any fats maximize the absorption of the nutrients. These two factors make the green smoothie the most epic nutritious concoction the world has seen to date. Adding even one cup of green smoothie a day to one’s existing diet can dramatically improve anyone’s health. And the best part is, nearly everyone already has what they need to make a green smoothie sitting around in their kitchen right now!"
She recommends using a Vitamix blender. Click here for more information on Vitamix blenders (link to be updated).
Have a Green Day
Reza Ganjavi
October 2010
Alcohol
DALLAS, Dec. 5 – Consuming low to moderate amounts of alcohol may be linked to decreased brain size in middle-aged adults, according to a new study published in today’s rapid access issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
The new study also showed that low to moderate alcohol intake did not lower their stroke risk, as some previous studies found.
Alcohol shrinks the brain
The bad news is that every drink is associated with greater brain shrinkage, a condition called atrophy, says lead researcher Kenneth J. Mukamal, M.D., M.P.H., an instructor at Harvard Medical School and associate in medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Researchers studied 3,376 individuals over age 65, who were part of a nationwide study called the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS).
Alcohol and the Brain
It is a supposed scientific fact that alcohol kills brain cells. And presumably, those who would suffer this damage the most would be drinkers in their 70s and 80s who had been at it for decades.
But a new Australian study of 209 elderly men, 178 of whom used alcohol, revealed not a single sign of intellectual impairment or brain atrophy that could be related to the amount of alcohol they regularly consumed.
[RG: YES, BUT HOW WAS THEIR MOOD, AND EXPERIENCE OF HAPPINESS?]
Alcohol abuse shrinks, lightens the brain
Researchers have been able to map the damage caused to the brain by chronic consumption of alcohol and the results are not encouraging to alcoholics.
New research is beginning to explain how the brains of alcoholics become smaller and lighter compared to those of non-drinkers, and what functions may be lost due to chronic drinking. Scientists believe a number of factors — including alcohol’s toxic byproducts, malnutrition, even cirrhosis of the liver — interact in complex ways to cause brain damage. ... Alcohol appears to be particularly damaging to the “white matter” or “hard wiring” — fat-insulated nerve fibers that allow brain cells to rapidly communicate with other parts of the brain... “The most important permanent structural change is nerve-cell loss,” Harper said. “Some nerve cells cannot be replaced — those in the frontal cortex, the cerebellum and several regions deep in the brain.”...
...continuous drinking for as little as eight weeks can produce deficits in learning and memory that continue for up to 12 weeks after drinking stops. ... “Drinking doesn’t just produce a hangover,” said D. Allan Butterfield, a professor of biological and physical chemistry at the University of Kentucky. “Chronic drinking may lead to permanent cognitive deficits,” he added, noting that the findings should be of particular concern to college students who engage in binge drinking.
Brain Cells Killed During Binge Drinking Episodes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A few days of binge drinking can lead to the almost immediate death of brain cells, new research conducted in laboratory animals confirms. "Very high alcohol consumption, even for a short period of time, damages the brain," study lead author Dr. Fulton T. Crews, professor of pharmacology and director of the center for alcohol studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Reuters Health.
Studies of alcoholics have found that heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to neurodegeneration, death of brain cells and reduced brain tissue mass, and subsequent damaging effects such as a lack of impulse control and difficulty in setting goals. However, "people promoting an individual who just turned 21 to have 21 drinks (should realize) that this might have permanent long-term damage.
"It might not just be a one-day celebration," he warned. "Once you've lost these brain cells, they're probably gone forever--how would you ever know?"
Experts Downplay Heart Benefits of Wine
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A panel of physicians urged doctors Monday to downplay the potential heart-healthy effects of red wine and encourage patients to exercise and eat more fruits and vegetables.
But it remains unclear whether components in wine or the heart-healthy lifestyles of wine lovers are behind this boost in cardiac protection, say researchers writing in the January 23 issue of Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association (news - web sites) (AHA).
``Alcohol is an addictive substance and adverse effects of drinking occur at more moderate levels in some
individuals,'' write Dr. Ira J. Goldberg and colleagues, who serve on the AHA's nutrition committee.
Doesn't help
Although moderate alcohol consumption has been consistently associated with reductions in coronary heart disease risk, it is not yet clear whether red wine polyphenols confer any additional risk reduction. Interestingly, studies that administered alcohol-free red wine to rodents noted improvements in various parameters related to cardiovascular disease (93, 94), and a placebo-controlled human study found that heart disease patients administered red grape polyphenol extract experienced acute improvements in endothelial function (95).
Booze Blocks Action of Immune System Protein
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Alcohol consumption suppresses an
immune-system protein involved in fighting pneumonia, which may
explain why alcoholics have an increased risk of the lung infection, a
study in mice suggests.
Alcoholism Changes Brain's Genetic Wiring
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Using the latest DNA technology, scientists in Texas have found that alcohol abuse can alter genes in the brain.
Out of more than 4,000 genes analyzed in brain tissue, about 4% differed by at least 40% between alcoholics and nonalcoholics, researchers report in the December issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
``Just as a computer virus can change the programming of specific functions, our data show that chronic alcohol abuse can change the molecular programming and circuitry of the frontal cortex,'' the study's lead author, Dr. R. Adron Harris, of the University of Texas at Austin, said in a statement.
~~~
Researchers followed documented avocado consumption of around 110,000 people over a 20-year period. The team found participants who ate two or more servings of avocado each week were at 16 percent lower risk than those who rarely consumed the fruit to develop cardiovascular disease. They were also at 21 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease.
~~~
Adults should get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, according to the World Health Organization. But people who surpass those levels live longer than those who don't.
~~~
weight in pounds divided by 2 = number of ounces of calorie-free liquid per day. For 155 pound person = must take 2.5 liter water / tea (no sugar) every day
~~~
Brain Scans Show Impairments in Young Alcoholics
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Alcohol dependency may impair certain brain regions in young women, results from a small study suggest. The findings indicate that even at a young age, alcohol abuse may take a toll on mental functioning.
The 10 alcoholic women performed more poorly on the tests and showed functional differences in certain brain regions compared with the 10 healthy women.
Alcohol's effects on fetal brain revealed
By Merritt McKinney
NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters Health) -- For the first time, researchers have discovered how drinking alcohol during pregnancy damages the brain of a fetus.
According to a report in the February 11th issue of the journal Science, getting drunk just one time during the final 3 months of pregnancy may be enough to cause brain damage in a fetus.
Alcohol affects teen brain, impairs memory
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters Health) -- Teenagers who drink heavily have more difficulty recalling new information compared with teens who do not drink, according to a report.
The findings suggest that teenagers who drink may be exposing their brains to the toxic effects of alcohol during a critical time in brain development.
This is a very important time for brain development... ``Certain brain developments, such as the refinement of neural connections, are completed by about age 16,'' she commented. ``Developments in the frontal lobes -- parts of the brain that are important in judgment, planning and problem solving -- continue until about age 16.''
Study finds alcohol does not protect health
Contrary to previous studies on the health benefits of
moderate alcohol consumption, results of a new study of Scottish men suggest that alcohol has no
beneficial effects on health. SOURCE: British Medical Journal ;318:1725-1728.
Alcohol Suicide
States with an 18-year-old minimum legal drinking age have higher rates of teen suicide than states that do not permit legal drinking until age 21, researchers report.
They suggest that alcohol may increase the risk of suicide in 18-20 year olds in several ways -- by
deepening depression, negatively affecting the ability to make decisions under stress, and interfering with the treatment of mental
illness.
New Brain Cells Develop During Alcohol Abstinence, UNC Study Shows
CHAPEL HILL -- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have reported - for the first time - a burst in new brain cell development during abstinence from chronic alcohol consumption.
Chronic alcoholism, a disease affecting more than 8 percent of the adult U.S. population, or more than 17 million Americans, produces cognitive impairments and decreased brain volumes, both of which are partially reversed during abstinence.
Alcohol dependence also is associated with depression, which is consistent with inhibition of neurogenesis. Cessation from alcohol is associated with improved cognitive abilities, Crews said.
~~~
Organic fruits have right stuff for health
Organic agriculture got a big boost Monday from a study proving that fruit grown without chemical inputs contains significantly larger quantities of at least three compounds associated with improved health.
Scientists at the University of California in Davis grew two otherwise identical plots of kiwis side-by-side, one organically and the other with a standard mix of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizer.
Upon reaching maturity, and after different periods of storage, the organic fruit showed 18 and 27 percent higher levels, respectively, of polyphenols and antioxidant activity, both widely linked with health benefits.
~~~
Berries belong to cancer-fighting superfoods: study
~~~
Colon cancer survivors with diets heavy in red meat and fatty foods are more than three times as likely to suffer a recurrence of their disease or die from it than those who avoid such foods, a study found.
~~~
LAUGHTER
Laughter May Be Best Medicine for Heart Disease
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Laughter may indeed be the best medicine,
researchers said on Wednesday as they released a study showing that people
who report that they laugh more are less likely to have heart disease.
``The old axiom that laughter is the best medicine appears to hold true when it comes to protecting your heart,''
Dr. Michael Miller, director of the center for preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore,
told a news conference.
``This is the first study to demonstrate a link between laughter and heart disease.''
Miller and colleagues told a meeting of the American Heart Association (news - web sites) that they believe
laughter may release chemicals that relax the blood vessels.
``It's not just going 'ha, ha, ha','' Miller said. ``It's having a good, hearty laugh.''
For their study they interviewed 150 patients who had either suffered heart attacks in the past or had undergone
procedures such as angioplasty to clear out clogged arteries.
They compared their responses to those of 150 people the same age who did not have heart disease.
The questions came off standard tests used to measure humor in day-to-day situations, such as getting to a
party to find someone else wearing the same outfit.
``If you were woken up in the middle of the night by a good friend who had been out of town and whom you
hadn't seen for a while, how would you respond?'' Miller asked.
``We found that individuals that had heart disease had a 40 to 45 percent reduced likelihood of laughing in
response to those social situations.''
He hopes laughter may one day be used for therapy.
``We don't know yet if forcing yourself to laugh when you're angry is beneficial, but there may be effective,
practical ways for people to lessen their discomfort or hostility to improve their humor response and increase
the amount of laughter in their lives,'' Miller said.
Laughter As Exercise
``There is no reason we can't learn to regulate our laughing muscles, like all the other exercises we do,'' he
added. ``Second, we may be able to find ways to take ourselves less seriously.''
Miller said his team is now looking to see if the act of laughing releases chemicals that affect the blood vessels,
perhaps like nitric oxide, known to dilate blood vessels.
The chemical, related to the nitrous oxide used to relax dental patients, is already targeted by some heart drugs.
``Wouldn't it be ironic if laughing gas turns out to be protective for the heart?'' he asked.
Miller said many studies had shown that feelings of anger and hostility cause the cells lining blood vessels to
release chemicals that make them constrict.
A second study released Wednesday, this one in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, tends to
confirm this.
Dr. Peter Angerer of the Medizinische Klinik der Universitat Muenchen-Innenstadt in Munich, Germany found
that angry, lonely people developed heart disease.
``We demonstrated that low perceived social support and, to a lesser extent, high outwardly expressed anger
... were associated with accelerated progression (of heart disease) within two years of follow-up,'' Angerer said
in a statement.
They used angiography to examine 150 heart patients' arteries and asked them questions designed to measure
social support, anger expression and hostility.
Two years later, the patients got angiography again to see whether their atherosclerosis -- clogged, hardened
arteries -- had worsened.
Patients who had high scores on anger expression and low scores on social support were much more likely to
have even worse atherosclerosis than before, Angerer's team reported.
Hostility levels had no effect.
~~~
Laughter May Be Good for Your Heart
By E'Louise Ondash
HealthScout Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthScout) -- Watch two Three Stooges
movies and call me in the morning.
That could be the prescription to prevent a problem that's no laughing matter.
Heart-healthy people are 60 percent more likely to laugh their way through life than those with heart disease,
claims a new study by researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
"Previous studies have suggested that mental stress contributes to heart disease. Our study questioned whether
laughter may have the opposite effect," says Dr. Michael Miller, director of the university's Center for
Preventive Cardiology.
Half of the 300 study participants either had suffered a heart attack or had undergone coronary artery bypass
surgery. The other half, who were the same age, had no heart disease. All participants completed two
questionnaires: one judged how likely they were to laugh in certain situations, and another measured anger and
hostility.
For instance, they were asked:
If you arrived at a party and found that someone else was wearing a piece of clothing identical to yours,
would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh
or (e) laugh heartily?
If you were eating in a restaurant with some friends and the waiter accidentally spilled a drink on you,
would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh
or (e) laugh heartily?
True or false? I often wonder what hidden reasons another person may have for doing something nice for
me.
True or false? I am likely not to talk to people until they speak to me.
If your answers show you are a bit stodgy and stiff, the researchers might suggest you quickly rent a video of
"A Fish Called Wanda" or read the comics and take a load off your mind.
"I believe that laughter should be incorporated into our daily lives. Think of how more relaxed we would be as a
nation, especially after this last election," Miller says.
"There are very few positive factors that have been identified that reduce heart disease risk. This is the first
study to suggest that hearty laughter may be cardio-protective. Further studies must be carried out to determine
the relative impact of laughter compared to other cardio-protective measures such as exercise, low saturated fat
diet, etc.," Miller says.
"Nonetheless, it is clear that a good laugh is stress reducing and should be part of everyday life," says Miller,
who will present the findings today at an American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans.
Laughter's effect on the immune system of children with cancer and AIDS is being studied by researchers at the
Jonsson Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Called "Rx Laughter," the study is looking at what makes healthy children laugh by measuring their reactions to
classic cartoons, television shows and comedy films. Researchers then plan to show the funniest of the funny to
sick children.
If their immune systems respond favorably, "Abbott and Costello" or "Malcolm in the Middle" might become a
standard part of blood drawing and chemotherapy.
"It's already been suggested that if you make people laugh, they don't get as anxious, and they deal better with
pain and do better in the hospital," says Dr. Margaret Stuber, professor of psychiatry at the UCLA
Neuropsychiatric Institute.
"What we don't know, and what we hope to find out, is whether laughter actually makes a physical difference in
such things as speed of healing," Stuber says.
What To Do
To learn more about laughter and its effect on health, check Laughing Out Loud to Good Health or visit the
Web site of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor and scroll to "What is Humor?" For a fact sheet
on why laughter is good medicine, visit Ohio State University online.
If you're interested in why optimistic people live longer than pessimists, look at a report published in the Mayo
Clinic Proceedings.
Or, you may want to read previous HealthScout articles on the health benefits of laughter.
~~~
They were taking part in the hospital's monthly "Strength Through Laughter" therapy. It is one of several types of laughter or humor therapy being offered by medical facilities around the country for patients diagnosed with cancer or other chronic diseases.
~~~
BANANAS
~~~
THC (found in marijuana and hashish) produces serotonin, a derivative of indole - the basic psychedelic compound that lights brain cells. LSD-25 also produces huge amounts of serotonin in the brain. Among the fruits only bananas produce serotonin. Which is why they say: "going bananas" to a person who's going crazy...
~~~
Reza,
something that you might be interested in...
i figured out today that in the past two years
my legs have propelled my bicycle for over 16,700 miles
and in that time, have injested approximately
1,680 organically grown bananas!
thats a whole heap of yellow buggers!
thought you might get a kick out of that...
(oh, we had a discussion about organic vs. commercial 'nanners
early last year)
take care, and congratulations on your release of the CD in the us,
i'll take a look for it.
sincerely, SV
~~~
some argue that bananas are mucus forming (in sinuses too)
The fruit may even help heal damaged lining that may already be present in the stomach. The banana causes the cells in the lining of the stomach to secrete more mucus. This thick mucus functions as a barrier as the banana releases other substances that help rid the stomach of the bacteria that is linked to ulcer formation.
The benefits of an organically grown banana vs. the consumption
of commercial bananas (e.g. chiquitas) are at least two-fold.
1) the common practice of farming commercial bananas is on in which
large corporate growers usually purchase virgin forest areas, clear
cut the area, reap the land of all sustainance, and pump the ground with
pesticides and herbicides--only to gather up a few years later and move
on down the road to revisit this same experience.
organically grown fruits and vegetables have standards of
sustainability and environmental cooperation that they must meet.
therefore, organic bananas having somewhat of a nutritive benefit to the
earth, as well as the body....
2) commercial bananas are not restricted on any amount of chemical
fertilizer or pest control application. logically, the chemical
influence will not simply dissipate into the great abyss. the toxic
residue will certainly remain upon the outlying layers, and arguably
become part of the constituant of the fruit itself.
i turn to an example that i remember from my kindergarten science
class-- the teacher took a piece of celery and placed it into a glass of
blue food colored water. the next day, the stalk and leaves were
intrusivly interrupted with a dark hue of blue. an oddity at a young
age, but moreso a reflection on farming techinques---
if you spread the analogy to the celery being the plant and the
foodcolor being the chemical pest/herbicide/fertilizer concoction.
a few more cents a pound to cover the cost of organic bananas could give
one a piece of mind for the environment, as well as the being.
spenser villwock
ames, iowa usa
~~~
Yes, there may be a problem. It turns out that bananas typically come from
other countries. Common practice is to use a pesticide called benomyl. This
pesticide is suspected to cause gene mutations, cancer, and birth defects.
Moreover, benomyl is an illegal pesticide and forbidden to use in this
country.
Scot
http://www.naturesalternatives.com
Nature'sAlternatives.com
The information on this website is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional.
Bananas' Toxic Past
Most of the 10.3 million tons of bananas going to market are produced in
the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Conventional
banana growers cut down the forests to plant their crops, and after a few
years, when the soil is exhausted, move on in a never-ending cycle of
destruction.
Bananas grown by conventional means are highly prone to disease and
require the application of huge amounts of toxic chemicals. Herbicides are
used to kill weeds, nematocides combat root-attacking worms, and, in
countries plagued by the black sigatoka fungus, the banana plantations are
dusted with toxic chemicals up to 40 times per year. To further protect
the fruit, plastic bags with a neurotoxic pesticide are tied around the
bunches, and a fungicide is applied prior to shipping. Yum!
Workers at banana plantations become contaminated with the toxic
chemicals used on the fruit, and skin rashes and headaches are common
complaints. Researchers at the University of Costa Rica recently found
that women working in banana-packing facilities have a high risk of
developing cancer and bearing children with birth defects.
Organic bananas are sometimes available in the U.S., but the small
operations that produce them have trouble competing with the large
multinational companies that dominate the market. Based on information in:
Sierra, Sept-Oct
Excerpted from Spectrum Magazine
The Hidden Life of Chiquita Bananas
Each year the average American will consume up to 28 pounds of bananas, totaling 3.7 million tons per year for the entire U.S.
population. Bananas have the reputation of being "the perfect food for life," but the plantation workers who help grow bananas
know otherwise.
Bananas are a very high maintenance crop. Loose soil with a high organic content is essential to the production of the best
bananas. These qualities are readily available in the rainforests of South America where most conventional growers propagate
their plantains. Unfortunately, this is often done without attention to environmental impacts. Crops are rarely rotated and
nutrients are forever removed from the soil. Thousands of acres are lost each year to irresponsible harvesting practices.
Most banana growers also use tremendous amounts of pesticides to combat various fungi which attack bananas. The chemical
compounds have proven to be devastating to the land and peoples in and around banana plantations. Distributed via
crop-dusters, the pesticides have been responsible for the destruction of much agriculture in Latin America. In a report
published by the International Union of Food, Agricultural, and Allied Workers (IUF) regarding these insecticides, one worker
in Costa Rica was quoted as saying, "The region used to produce rice and maize, but not any more. There are no more fish in
the rivers, people are being poisoned, and the ground is being contaminated."
Even within the plantation lands, precautions are not taken to shield soil and workers from harmful pesticides. Crop-dusting
often takes place during business hours, showering laborers with chemical rain up to 40 times annually. Pesticides can seep into
skin merely by picking bananas, through worker's boots, or can be ingested during hand-to-mouth contact. Despite the health
risks involved, workers are seldom notified of exposure and are not given protective gear. Headaches and skin rashes are
common complaints among workers. Particular pesticide exposure among plantation workers has been linked to low sperm
count, cancer, and the bearing of children with birth defects. In addition to the environmental and health effects of these labor
practices, workers have been complaining of 16 hour work days, extremely low wages, contaminated drinking water on the
premises, and a lack of housing.
Workers of Chiquita brand and affiliated banana plantations have united to form the Organization of Latin American Banana
Workers Unions (COLSIBA), which has asked repeatedly for negotiations with Chiquita executives to review working
practices. Though Chiquita failed to respond in the past, recent pressure by the union and a variety of workers' rights groups
has convinced Chiquita to convene a meeting with COLSIBA (date not yet determined). Chiquita claims to be an industry
leader in environmental and workers rights concerns, but has not been found to operate more safely than any other banana
farming group. It is important that Chiquita receives and responds to public pressure, lest they share the same fate of the grape
industry in the 1960s. Other groups working on this issue include the Pesticide Action Network, Rainforest Alliance, and the
U.S./Guatemala Labor Education Project.
ACTION: Write a letter to Carl Lidner, Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International. Thank him for his recent
agreement to meet with COLSIBA. Urge him to support plantation workers' health and the health of our environment by
improving Chiquita's labor practices. Remind him that Chiquita is a self-proclaimed industry leader in environmental and
workers' rights and should accurately assume that role.
Write: Carl Lidner
CEO
Chiquita Brands International
250 E. Fifth St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
For more information, contact Steve Coats of the U.S./Guatemala Labor Education Project at (773) 262-6502.
COFFEE
June 2014 - On Coffee
From:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/156822-what-are-the-negative-effects-of-caffeine-on-the-internal-organs/
caffeine also has a negative effects. In addition to disrupting sleep, it also has detrimental effects on several internal organs.
Caffeine has several negative effects on the heart.
Caffeine can contribute to hypertension, or high blood pressure. Hypertension puts you at risk for heart disease and strokes, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. It can also produce effects such as headaches, nausea, eyesight problems and seizures.
the caffeine present in coffee also negatively affects the liver. According to Dr. Donna Smith,... caffeine combines with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to produce a toxin called caffeine hydrochloride. This toxin is absorbed by the liver, which must neutralize and flush it out of your system. As the liver processes toxins, it incurs tissue damage and forms scar tissue, which eventually impacts the liver's ability to function correctly.
Ingesting foods and beverages containing caffeine can affect the brain by affecting the secretion of chemicals in the brain that affect the body. The brain reacts to caffeine by producing adrenaline, which can have short-term effects of increased alertness and energy, but produces a "crash" after the caffeine wears off, according to the Pacific Northwest Foundation. It also interferes with the brain's production of adenosine, a chemical that induces calmness. Coffee and other caffeine-containing products cause the brain to release cortisol, a stress hormone that constricts blood vessels, contributes to hypertension and hampers the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, among other negative effects.
25 March 2014 - Curse of Caffeine & Chocolate
Short-lived Cocoa Experiment -- Caffeine / Theobromine use is as evil as tobacco use
Caffeine is evil because it takes away the organism’s peace.
Caffeine = Stress !!
Theobromine = Stress !!
Cocoa contains both caffeine and Theobromine.and caffeine.
Theobromine and caffeine are methylxanthines and found in cocao, coffee and tea.
I knew this already -- but in Dubai's healthfood store, bought some 100% raw organic cocoa -- and experimented with it -- and NO THANKS. Even the little caffeine it has wound up the body and took away the beautiful precious peace. It took me days to wear it off and it was all stressful.
How could something that causes stress be good for the organism overall? It may have some positive properties but it has costs, heavy costs, in terms of stress and toxicity. Surely corporations love it because chemical stimulation makes their workers work harder, faster, and with more intensity but at the great expense of forgoing of their happiness and peace, at a most fundamental, organism level.
It's true that it has some healthy substances like magnesium but many things have magnesium! It's true it has some mood altering substances like PEA (phenylethylamine) and lipid anandamide but those things also can cause addiction or at least psychological dependence. If a person is naturally interested in what they're doing -- if they love what they do, life itself, the miracle of breathing and being alive, the marvel of perception, being able to see, smell, hear songs of birds, feel a tender touch, etc., etc., would one want to stimulate oneself chemically to feel good? Of course not. But humans have made corrupt traditions which have turned humans into thinking machines where thought dominates every aspect of life, is often misapplied, over-applied, and therefore pushes love out, causes all kinds of psychological turmoil based on comparison, image making, etc etc, and with love gone, one resorts to stimulants, chemicals, emotional, intellectual, etc., to boost one's organism, being, metabolism!
Chocolate / Cocoa contain theobromine which negatively affects our nervous system, and oxalic acid which has its own set of problems including inhibiting the absorption of calcium (chocolate has sugar which further inhibits absorption of calcium).
Anti-oxidant rich? Sure but at a far higher cost in therms of negative side effects as things like berries and greens.
"Chemically, caffeine is a methylxanthine. Many methylxanthines are used as pesticides both by humans and plants. It's possible, though not confirmed, that caffeine is used to poison herbivores and plant pests to discourage them from attacking that plant type again; that is, if they survive after metabolising the caffeine. But because caffeine is toxic to plant cells it's stored in specialised cell compartments called vacuoles which are rather like a medicine chest and keep the caffeine safely locked away from the rest of the cell contents until it's needed."
"So it seems that caffeinated plants are lucky to have this compound as part of their natural defences, but it doesn't deter all attackers. For instance, caffeine doesn't poison humans in the doses that we typically ingest (even a Monday morning dose), but it does cause addiction. It works by stopping the enzyme phosphodiesterase from breaking down a signalling substance called cyclic AMP (cAMP for short) and its close relatives. One of the actions of the stress hormone adrenaline is to increase the levels of cAMP in cells, so by preventing cells from breaking down cAMP, caffeine potentiates the action of adrenaline, and gives us a buzz. In even higher doses, and with prolonged use, it can trigger anxiety, muscle tremors, palpitations and fast heart rates, and profound withdrawal effects including headaches, inability to think clearly, and bad moods whenever you mistakenly switch to decaff !"
Yes, caffeine is like thorns of a flower, designed to protect it -- it doesn't kill us but it still has very unhealthy side effects which in a corrupt tradition people just get used to it and think of that level of stressful being as a way of life!
From an excellent article by Cynthia Perkins
http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/is-raw-cacao-really-healthy
"Raw cacao contains over 300 naturally occurring chemicals and many of them are detrimental to the human body and mind when consumed on a regular basis. Many of them could be considered toxins. Some of the most potent, harmful and disconcerting include theobromind, theophylline and caffeine. These chemicals have a devastating effect on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular and endocrine system and can result in depression, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, nausea, nervous disorders, osteoporosis, heart and circulation disorders and many more."
"raw cacao stimulates high levels of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine, three crucial neurotransmitters involved in regulating mood, pain, sleep and appetite, and the cycle of addiction, and has high levels of other chemicals like phenylethylamine and anandamide."
"Many of these chemicals are also overstimulating to the autonomic nervous system and thrust the body into a state of fight or flight. "
~~~~~
TCM practitioner said caffeine burns holes in nerves.
~~~~~
the caffeine present in coffee also negatively affects the liver. According to Dr. Donna Smith, contributor to the Chet Day website, caffeine combines with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to produce a toxin called caffeine hydrochloride. This toxin is absorbed by the liver, which must neutralize and flush it out of your system. As the liver processes toxins, it incurs tissue damage and forms scar tissue, which eventually impacts the liver's ability to function correctly.
Caffeine has several negative effects on the heart, according to the Harvard Medical School website.
Brain Effects
Ingesting foods and beverages containing caffeine can affect the brain by affecting the secretion of chemicals in the brain that affect the body. The brain reacts to caffeine by producing adrenaline, which can have short-term effects of increased alertness and energy, but produces a "crash" after the caffeine wears off, according to the Pacific Northwest Foundation. It also interferes with the brain's production of adenosine, a chemical that induces calmness. Coffee and other caffeine-containing products cause the brain to release cortisol, a stress hormone that constricts blood vessels, contributes to hypertension and hampers the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, among other negative effects.
~~~
ON COFFEE
(collected by Reza Ganjavi : www.rezamusic.com )
Caffeine's blood pressure effect persists in some
By Amy Norton Wed Jun 22
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Though some coffee drinkers develop a tolerance for caffeine, those who don't may be sending up their blood pressure with each cup, new research suggests.
In a study of regular caffeine consumers, researchers found that many persistently showed small blood pressure spikes shortly after a large dose of caffeine -- even when that dose came after several days of high caffeine intake.
~~~
Too Much Caffeine? Go Figure
Tue Sep 3
(HealthScoutNews) -- Without realizing it, you could easily be consuming enough caffeine to be affecting your sleep or other aspects of your health. Why? Because consumption of a little of this, a little of that and a bit of something else containing this stimulant will put far more in your system, far faster, than you may realize.
In addition to coffee, tea and many soft drinks, caffeine also is contained in chocolate and many prescription and non-prescription drugs. Scientists say that a combined consumption of more than 250 mg of caffeine a day can increase your metabolism, raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and accelerate breathing. It also can offset the effects of sleep deprivation, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Because caffeine content levels vary greatly from one food or beverage to another, you might do well to check out the NSF's Caffeine Calculator ( http://www.sleepfoundation.org/caffeine.htm), which reflects differences based on such things as the type of coffee bean, brands of coffee, the way coffee is brewed and the way caffeine is presented. This can be a highly valuable tool for those who want to avoid caffeine for health or dietary reasons.
~~~
Caffeine, Even in Small Doses, May Hurt Arteries
Fri May 17
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Small doses of caffeine--even as little as that in one cup of coffee--can cause temporary stiffening of the blood vessel walls,
~~~
Friday February 16 12:45 PM ET
CORRECTED: Researchers Say Coffee Can
Raise Cholesterol
(corrects typo in first paragraph; causal instead of casual)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - There may indeed be a causal relationship between drinking unfiltered coffee
and high cholesterol levels, according to results of a new study.
~~~
Scientists See Possible Cancer Risk in Coffee
Tue Aug 27, 5:53 PM ET
BERLIN (Reuters) - German researchers said on Tuesday they had found traces in coffee of a substance that some experts fear could cause cancer.
Researchers for German ecology magazine Oeko-Test discovered acrylamide, which can cause cancer in animals, in all 24 brands of ground coffee and seven brands of espresso they tested.
"It was known that there is acrylamide in coffee beans," Oeko-Test editor Hella Hansen told Reuters. "We wanted to know how much of it gets into a cup of coffee."
The test found the substance was present in brewed coffee, although in much lower quantities than in ground coffee beans.
Preliminary scientific studies have found that acrylamide--a substance found in french fries, potato chips, water and carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread that are fried or baked--can cause cancer in animals.
The World Health Organization ( news - web sites) (WHO) said in June that acrylamide was a cause of concern but more research was needed about the possible effect on humans.
It repeated its long-standing nutrition advice--eat a balanced and varied diet and limit consumption of fried and fatty foods.
The US Food and Drug Administration ( news - web sites) has also said the information currently available about acrylamide is not sufficient to assess the substance's impact on public health.
Coffee has been the subject of a wide range of studies, looking at its link to cancer, heart disease and infertility.
According to the American Cancer Society ( news - web sites), "the vast majority of studies agree that coffee has not been shown conclusively to have a link to bladder, breast, lung, pancreatic, prostate or any other cancers."
Earlier studies found that some compounds in coffee seemed to be anti-mutagenic, meaning they prevent DNA damage. Experts point out coffee is a highly complex food and no studies of a single compound are likely to show for certain what its health effects might be.
The head of the German coffee federation, Winfried Tigges, said acrylamide was not present in raw coffee beans, but was formed when they were roasted.
He said coffee producers were researching ways of producing coffee without the substance building up.
"It is an issue for us. It is not clear at the moment whether acrylamide is dangerous for people, but if it is we want to get it out of coffee," he told Reuters.
"Thank goodness, it is found in very low quantities in coffee, but all coffee producers are carrying out research into how acrylamide is formed," Tigges said.
Swedish scientists earlier this year prompted a worldwide food scare when they reported finding high levels of acrylamide when carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, potatoes and cereals were fried or baked.
~~~
Tuesday September 4 11:14 AM ET
One Cup of Coffee May Temporarily
Harden Arteries
By Kristin Demos
STOCKHOLM (Reuters Health) - The amount of caffeine in just
one cup of coffee could be enough to harden a person's
arteries for several hours afterward, according to a study
presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress
here.
Hardened arteries, or atherosclerosis, put extra pressure on
the heart and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke,
researchers said. They noted that their findings could have
implications for people already at risk of these conditions.
``People must be careful with caffeine, especially if they have
high blood pressure,'' said Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos
from the Cardiology Department of the Henry Dunant Hospital
in Athens, Greece. ``After drinking a cup of coffee, blood
pressure can rise up to 5 or even 10 millimeters of mercury.
The amount depends on the individual and dose.''
``Regular rises of this magnitude are important in a person's
long-term prognosis and could increase their risk of suffering
from a stroke or heart attack,'' Vlachopoulos said. ``I think that
people with high blood pressure...should consider reducing
their caffeine intake or having caffeine-free drinks.''
~~~
Nov 18
By Alison McCook
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The mysteries hidden inside a coffee cup may be more multi-layered than many realized, results from a small study suggest.
Dr. Roberto Corti of the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, and his colleagues found that something other than caffeine may also affect the cardiovascular systems of coffee drinkers. And for habitual drinkers, another ingredient may eventually suppress some of caffeine's effects.
Corti explained to Reuters Health that coffee contains several hundreds of ingredients, and the current findings demonstrate that "there is something else that has some activity in our system."
Just what coffee does to the cardiovascular system remains unclear, Corti and his team note in the rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association (news - web sites) for December 3rd. Previous research has found that drinking coffee can cause a slight increase in blood pressure in some, while some studies have shown the beverage has no effect on blood pressure or can actually reduce it.
In the current study, Corti and his team investigated the effects of regular and decaffeinated coffee on six regular coffee drinkers and nine others who said they opted for coffee only on occasion.
The investigators found that the blood pressures of occasional coffee drinkers rose after they drank coffee, while regular consumers experienced no blood pressure increase after drinking coffee. Both groups showed similar increases in the levels of activity of their sympathetic nervous systems, a body component that helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
Occasional drinkers also showed a blood pressure increase after drinking decaffeinated coffee--a finding that suggests the beverage contains an ingredient besides caffeine that could affect cardiovascular health, Corti told Reuters Health.
But could the bodies of occasional coffee drinkers simply be reacting to the taste of decaf coffee, associating it with caffeine and responding as they would to regular coffee? Not likely, Corti said. Along with an increase in blood pressure, these participants also experienced a jump in the activity of their sympathetic nervous systems that lasted for 60 to 90 minutes, Corti noted, and such an extended change is difficult to explain by the previous phenomenon, known as the placebo effect.
To explain why the blood pressure of regular coffee drinkers didn't jump after a cup of java, Corti suggested that something may suppress the effect of caffeine on blood pressure--either an ingredient in the coffee or a change that occurs in the bodies of regular drinkers.
Additional experiments revealed that while regular coffee drinkers may develop some type of tolerance to the beverage, it is not to the caffeine, Corti noted. When the researchers administered an IV that contained caffeine or placebo and didn't tell participants what they received, both groups had a similar increase in blood pressure and sympathetic nervous system activity after an IV of caffeine. None responded to the placebo IV.
In an interview, Corti said the findings don't suggest people who drink coffee should stop in order to protect their cardiovascular health, although the study did not examine the effects of heavy coffee drinking on blood pressure and nervous system activity. For those who drink one cup a day or so, the beverage is reasonably safe, the researcher said.
SOURCE: Circulation ;106:2935-2940.
~~~
Thursday October 25 2:12 PM ET
Caffeine, Genes Tied to Bone Loss in Older Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An appetite for coffee and chocolate can take its toll on the bones
of elderly women, especially those with a particular genetic mutation, researchers report.
The investigators found that in a group of women whose average age was 71, those who consumed
the most caffeine had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) after 3 years compared with
women who consumed the least. BMD is a marker of bone strength. Women with two copies of a
gene with a mutation in the vitamin D receptor were even more prone to bone loss, the report
indicates.
The findings add weight to research linking caffeine consumption to the bone-thinning disease
osteoporosis, which can raise the risk of fractures in the elderly. However, until doctors are able to
more easily determine which patients carry the genetic risk noted in the study, it is too soon to advise
people to avoid caffeine, Linda K. Massey, from Washington State University in Spokane, writes in
an accompanying editorial.
~~~
Friday November 30 1:33 PM ET
Caffeine May Up Miscarriage Risk for Some Women
By Merritt McKinney
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to what researchers expected to find, women who rapidly
metabolize caffeine may be at risk for having a miscarriage, unlike women who take longer to clear
caffeine from their bodies.
~~~
Claudia W: Coffee IS addictive. A friend of mine does anything to get his coffee - he can stop a whole group from walking because he hasn't got his coffee in the morning. He says if he doesn't get it he's angry and you can't talk to him.
~~~
Wednesday August 30, 5:29 PM ET
Coffee drinking may damage blood vessels
AMSTERDAM (Reuters Health) - Drinking coffee, the world's most widely
consumed pharmacologically active substance, has potentially harmful effects
on blood vessels, according to research presented here this week at the 22nd
Congress of the European Society of Cardiology.
Dr M. O'Rourke and colleagues at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia,
presented data linking caffeine consumption with alterations in the aorta, the
main artery supplying blood to the body.
In the study, 18 middle-aged healthy volunteers consumed 250 mg of caffeine
(equivalent to 2 or 3 cups). The results showed that caffeine led to a loss of
aortic elasticity, and raised blood pressure. The elasticity of the aorta is linked
to heart function and coronary blood flow, the researchers say.
Monday November 13, 5:33 PM ET
Drinking Filtered Coffee May Up Heart
Disease Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who enjoy several cups of filtered
coffee each day may be putting themselves at increased risk of heart disease,
preliminary study findings suggest.
Daily consumption of a liter of paper-filtered coffee was associated with a
roughly 20% increase in homocysteine levels after 2 weeks, according to the
report published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. Homocysteine, a compound that is produced when the body
metabolizes protein, is a risk factor for heart disease.
Monday September 27 1:35 AM ET
BARCELONA (Reuters) - U.S. coffee consumption, already down 50 percent per capita from 30
years ago, could fall to a ''critical low'' unless young people start drinking more, a leading industry
representative said Sunday. ``The population between 15 and 19 years of age consumes 16 times less coffee today than the
previous generation did. It is dramatic,'' said Joaquim Leite, export director of Cooperativa
Guaxupe, Brazil's biggest coffee growers' cooperative.
European coffee representatives said marketing was key to stimulating demand.
``Coffee and tea will fit into a post-modern age. They are ideal for post-modern advertising.''
~~~
Caffeine causes changes in brain cells
NEW YORK, Oct 11,99 (Reuters Health) -- Caffeine may affect the process of long-term
memory by changing the structure of dendritic spines, tiny ``branches'' found on nerve cells
in the central nervous system.
~~~
DECAFFEINATING
COFFEE
by Saul N. Katz
CAFFEINE is a small, bitter-tasting
alkaloid. High-quality Arabica coffee
beans (the source of most specialty
coffees) are typically 1 percent caffeine by
weight, whereas cheaper and more bitter
Robusta beans have twice that amount.
Spurred by the belief that excessive
coffee drinking had poisoned his
father, the German chemist Ludwig
Roselius, in about 1900, found a
number of compounds that dissolved
the natural caffeine in coffee beans
without ruining the drink's taste.
Chloroform and benzene did the job
but were toxic, so for 70 years
methylene chloride became the
solvent of choice.
When it was discovered in the 1980s
to be a suspected carcinogen, the
chemical was abandoned by all the
big U.S. coffee labels. The Food and
Drug Administration continues to
permit the use of methylene chloride if
the residues in the coffee are below
10 parts per million. Processing for
specialty decafs still often uses it
because it perturbs other flavorings so
little.
Many other solvents can serve to
debuzz coffee. An "all-natural" label
may mean that ethyl acetate is the
solvent in use, because that chemical
occurs naturally in fruit. Water also
works as a means of decaffeination.
The so-called Swiss water process
soaks green coffee beans in a solution
that contains the chemical
components of beans dissolved from
a previous batch, except for the
caffeine. Because the water is already
saturated with sugars and peptides,
only the caffeine passes from the
beans into the water. [NOTE: in
mid-80's a study showed that
exposing coffee beans to high
temperature steam creates cancerous
chlosterols]
Another process, illustrated here, uses
supercritical carbon dioxide as a
solvent; in this state, the carbon
dioxide is intermediate between a gas
and a liquid. The variety of caffeine
extraction methods demonstrates that
a lot of sleepless nights have gone into
helping the world get a good night's
rest.
SAUL N. KATZ retired in as
a principal scientist at the Maxwell
House Division of General Foods.
He holds several patents on the
process for supercritical fluid
extraction of caffeine.
. Experts have said the caffeine used in the beverages can mask the effects of alcohol, leaving drinkers unaware of how intoxicated they are.
"FDA does not find support for the claim that the addition of caffeine to these alcoholic beverages is 'generally recognized as safe,' which is the legal standard," Sharfstein told reporters. "To the contrary, there is evidence that the combinations of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern." . Experts have said the caffeine used in the beverages can mask the effects of alcohol, leaving drinkers unaware of how intoxicated they are.
BREAST FEEDING
Breast-fed babies are better able to cope with stress later in life than babies who are bottle fed, according to a U.K. study.
~~~
Breast-fed infants need extra vitamin D
Monday, April 7 Posted: 10:07 AM EDT (1407 GMT)
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics says all exclusively breast-fed infants should receive vitamin D supplements to prevent rickets, a bone-weakening disease doctors fear may be becoming more common.
Breast-fed infants should receive vitamin supplements beginning at 2 months of age and until they begin taking at least 17 ounces daily of vitamin D-fortified milk, the academy says in a new policy statement.
BREAST-FEEDING
Breast-Feeding Linked to IQ Gain
Study Ties Adult Intelligence to Nutrition in Infancy
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 8 ; Page A01
Infants breast-fed for nine months grew up to be significantly
more intelligent than infants breast-fed for one month or less,
according to a study published in today's Journal of the
American Medical Association.
"We are really quite certain that what we are seeing here is
the effect of the duration of breast-feeding on an individual's
intelligence,"
"The evidence is growing that breast-feeding is among the most important lifelong benefits a mother can
give to her child," she said.
~~~
Thursday January 18 5:34 PM ET
Immunity-Boosting Protein Identified in
Breast Milk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A protein present in breast milk has been
found to stimulate the immune system in mice and is likely to perform a similar
function in people, according to a report in the January 16th issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (news - web sites).
``We have known the benefits breast milk provides to newborns for many
decades, (including) growth factors, nutrition, and passive protection or
passive immunity to infections. This means that antibodies produced by the
mother in response to illness-causing microbes that she has encountered, are
passed to the baby in her milk and help protect the baby from the same
microbes the baby is very likely to come in contact with,'' Julius said.
~~~
Friday March 9 5:37 PM ET
Lack of Confidence Can Hinder Breast-Feeding
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A lack of confidence, rather than a lack of knowledge, may lead low-income women to
quit breast-feeding, results of a study suggest.
Because experts recognize that breast milk is the best nutrition source for infants and offers many advantages over formula,
the Department of Health and Human Services (news - web sites) last year set as a target that half of US newborns should
be breast-fed for 6 months.
~~~
Tuesday January 23 6:47 PM ET
Breastfeeding Lowers Risk of Infection And
Eczema
By Suzanne Rostler
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Encouraging new mothers to breastfeed can reduce the chances that a baby
will develop allergies, eczema and infection in their first year of life, study findings indicate.
And the payoff of the program was significant. Infants whose mothers were still breastfeeding at 12 months had
a 40% lower risk of developing gastrointestinal tract infections and a 46% lower risk of atopic eczema, a scaly
red rash that is allergy-related.
``For mothers who work, that may involve breastfeeding at work or expressing breast milk and having it fed by
cup or bottle,'' he said.
~~~
Thursday December 28,
Breast Milk Feeding Boosts Preemies' IQ
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Low birthweight infants who are breast-fed
or given breast milk in a bottle appear to have slightly higher IQs at ages 7
and 8 compared with similar children who are not given breast milk, a new
study suggests.... The longer the duration of breastfeeding the greater impact on IQ scores, the researchers report. Those
children fed breast milk for 8 months or longer had verbal IQ scores 6 points higher than those who did not
receive breast milk.... Currently, 64% of US women try breast-feeding their newborn, but only 29% are still
breast-feeding 6 months later. The rates are particularly low among poor women and among African Americans.
SOURCE: Archives of Disease in Childhood, Fetal Neonatal Edition ;84:F23-F27.
~~~
Breast-Feeding May Protect Against Asthma
Monday November 20, 5:33 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Breast-fed children are less likely than
others to have asthma or wheezing disorders, results of a study of more than
5,000 Brazilian schoolchildren indicate.
Ninety percent of the children had been breast-fed. Those who had not been
breast-fed were about 1.5 times more likely to have asthma, 1.3 times more
likely to experience wheeziness, and 1.5 times more likely to wheeze after
exercise than those who had been breast-fed for at least 6 months.
~~~
Breast-fed babies have lower risk of heart disease
NEW YORK, Mar 29, (Reuters Health) -- Now from British and Dutch researchers, comes word that breast-fed babies also tend to be healthier adults. That's the conclusion of a study published in the Archives of Disease in
Childhood. ``Exclusive breastfeeding seems to have a protective effect against some risk factors for cardiovascular disease in later life,'' according to Dr. J.H.P. van der Meulen of Southampton General Hospital in the UK, and colleagues there and at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The bottle-fed group also had less-than-satisfactory levels of cholesterol, indicating an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
The authors note that ``bottle-fed babies have a different hormonal response'' compared with breast-fed babies, particularly in
insulin response. The team also suggests that the fat content in breast milk may help protect against overfeeding and point to animal studies indicating that growth factors and other hormones contained in breast milk may affect the metabolism of cholesterol and related fatty substances in the body.
~~~
Wednesday September 22, 99 6:27 PM ET
Breastfeeding linked to higher IQ
After reviewing 20 published studies on the effects of breastfeeding on infant IQ (intelligence quotient), researchers from the University of Kentucky in Lexington suggest that breast-fed babies' IQs may be 3 to 5 points higher than those of formula-fed babies. And the longer a baby is breast-fed, the greater the benefits to his or her IQ
Dr. James W. Anderson, professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky, attributes the higher IQ levels to ``brain food'' found in the mother's milk. Breast milk contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) -- long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that appear to support brain development. These nutrients are not found in formulas sold in the United States. ``This study confirms that nutrients in breast milk and maternal bonding have beneficial effects on IQ,''
(Quoted from Reuters)
~~~
Friday February 9
Breastfeeding Lowers Blood Pressure Later
in Life
By Suzanne Rostler
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Results of a new study may give women one more reason to breastfeed: they
could be helping their baby avoid heart disease and stroke later in life.
In a study of 216 children who were born prematurely, consuming breastmilk in the first months of life was
associated with lower blood pressure at ages 13 to 16.
~~~
Wednesday November 1,
Herbal Tea May Pose Risks in Breast-Feeding
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Breast-feeding moms who like to curl up with
a cup of herbal tea may want to take a good hard look at the list of
ingredients on their product of choice. Some herbs are perfectly fine for
nursing moms, while others may be toxic or reduce milk supply, according to
a pediatrician from Rochester, New York.
What's more, even herbs promoted as a natural way to boost milk
production--such as those in mother's milk tea--may have hidden dangers,
said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, of the University of Rochester, on Tuesday at the American Academy of Pediatrics
meeting here.
~~~
Child psychologist found that sound of mother's heartbeat has calming effect on infant.
~~~
TOXIC PLASTIC
Plastic polycarbonate bottles such as Nalgene are still popular as drinking water bottles. However polycarbonate releases a chemical known as bisphenol A also know as BPA. Whereas plastic industry safety studies find no significant health effects from typical daily doses of bisphenol A, a full 90% of government studies found harmful health effects [1] especially to children and expecting moms, [2] but also for male sexuality and reproduction as well. [3]
The problem is that bisphenol A acts as a "xenoestrogen," which just means it's like the female hormone estrogen, except for two things: 1) it's foreign to the body, which is what "xeno" means, and 2) it is way more harmful than our natural estrogen for everyone, male and female. Breast cancers are much more of a risk in women who carry a high burden of xenoestrogens, and both sexes are subject to a huge range of other harmful health effects. The most far-reaching effects are birth defects and miscarriages. Another effect is a disruption of beta cell function in the pancreas, which creates a pre-diabetes type condition of high blood insulin and insulin resistance. By Dr. Colleen Huber, NMD
~~~
Professor vom Saal said recent studies have shown that BPA is extremely harmful, even in very low doses. The chemical acts like the female hormone estrogen and interferes with the body's natural processes. BPA has been linked to adverse effects on male reproduction, altered immune system function, behavioral changes, learning disabilities, brain damage and an increased chance for certain cancers. Researchers are most concerned about the exposure of babies to the chemical. "The science is clear and the findings are not just scary, they are horrific," vom Saal said. "When you feed a baby out of a clear, hard plastic bottle, it's like giving the baby a birth control pill."
~~~
In two studies funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia have demonstrated that two plasticizer compounds, BPA and BBP, are environmental estrogens capable of affecting gene expression in the mammary glands of young female laboratory rats exposed to the compounds through their mothers' milk.
~~~
BPA is used in a wide variety of consumer products, including some hard plastic bottles and metal food or beverage cans. Several makers of baby bottles recently said they had stopped using the chemical. Some 90 percent of the U.S. population carries detectable levels in the urine.
Scientists are concerned that BPA exposure might harm the reproductive and nervous systems, and possibly promote prostate and breast cancers. Last year, a preliminary study linked BPA to possible risks for heart disease and diabetes.
BPA is used in hard plastic bottles, etc. BPA exposure has been linked to reproductive and nervous system problems, prostate and breast cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and most recently to sex problems (i.e., trouble achieving erections, difficulty ejaculating, low sex drive, low satisfaction with sex).
The legality of BPA is questioned by FDA's scientific advisers so the FDA is reviewing its stance that trace amounts of BPA that leach out of bottles and food containers are not dangerous and the US government has recently announced new funding for BPA research. Already 90% of the US population show BPA in their urines.
~~~
From "7 Compelling Reasons to Stop Drinking Bottled Water
http://yourwatermatters.com/news/bottled-water-isnt-cool/
#1 It’s Making Us Sick - Plastics Are Toxic
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET #1 plastic) is used for single serve plastic water bottles.
This type of water bottle has been approved for one-time use only. It has become common practice for many people to unknowingly re-use these plastic bottles. Studies show that bacteria easily breeds in PET plastic bottles when re-used and that re-use may cause DEHA, a carcinogen, to migrate from the plastic into water contained in the bottle. A new 2006 study revealed that significant levels of antimony, a toxic chemical, leaches into water sold in PET plastic bottles. Learn more
Bisphenal-A is a toxic compound found in polycarbonate (#7 plastic), the rigid, translucent, hard plastic used in Nalgene water bottles and many baby bottles. It is a hormone disruptor that mimics estrogen and is linked to early-onset puberty, declining sperm counts, obesity and the huge increase in breast and prostate cancer. Due to the alarming toxicity of this chemical, in March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was filed in Los Angeles against five leading manufacturers of baby bottles containing Bisphenal-A. Learn more"
TIME OF DAY
SOURCE: LONDON EVENING STNDARD - 29MARCH
7 - Best time to have sex. Body produces a surge of sex hormones and a rush of adrenaline. Men's testosterone levels have risen during sleep and reach a peak now.
7:30 to 9 - Best time to go to dentist - body releases a greater quantity of natural painkillers, endorphins through the night.
8 to 8:30 - Gentle stretching to ease into day.
8:30 to 9 - Metabolism works overtime first thing in the morning - best time to eat.
9:30 to 11:30 - Brain power and short-term memory at its best before noon - best time for mind-intensive activity.
2 pm - Best time for a cat-nap - and time for reflection....
2:30 to 3 - Long-term memory at its best. Brain power takes a second hit at lunch.
4 to 6 pm - Best time to exercize - reaction time and hand/eye coordination at its best. Muscle temperature and other physical parameters reach a peak in late afternoon so your body is ready to exercize. Most olympic records are broken in the late afternoon - very few are set before noon.
7 to 9 pm - Stress hormone cortisol plummet, brain begins to produce melatonin. Drop pressure drops. Best time for socialization.
10 to 11 pm - Another surge of sleep hormones (melatonin) are released, peaking at midnight. Heat rate, body temperature, stress hormones falls.
~~~
melatonin - turns on fox03 -- FOXO3 is activated by caloric restriction and intermittent fasting, and by dietary components, such as EGCG, which is found in green tea, and by quercetin, which is found in onions and apples. Heat stress, such as from using the sauna, also activates FOXO3.
~~~
Time of Day May Influence Athletic Performance
By Emma Patten-Hitt, PhD
DENVER (Reuters Health) - Exercising in the evening rather than some
other time of day may boost levels of hormones important for energy
metabolism, according to a new study.
Dr. Orfeu Buxton of the University of Chicago, Illinois, and colleagues
reported the findings here Friday at the 83rd annual meeting of the
Endocrine Society.
``The effects of exercise we observed may explain how some times of
day could be better than others for regular exercise or athletic
performance, as we might expect from anecdotally reported variations in
peak athletic performance,'' Buxton stated in a written release.
Buxton points out that circadian rhythms, which are generated by a
24-hour internal clock, may play an important role in the complex
response to exercise.
The researchers studied 40 healthy men between the ages of 20 and 30,
dividing them into five groups. Members from four of the groups
exercised vigorously for one hour on a stair-stepper in the morning,
afternoon, evening or night. Members of the control group did not
exercise.
All the subjects rested in bed with constant glucose infusion while not
exercising to maintain a constant blood glucose level.
The researchers then measured each person's levels of cortisol,
thyrotropin, growth hormone and glucose, as well as the timing of
melatonin secretion to determine each individual's daily rhythm--or his
``circadian clock time.'' Cortisol is a stress hormone and thyrotropin
regulates the activity of the thyroid gland. Both hormones play a key role
in energy metabolism.
Exercise at night produced a dramatic drop in glucose levels, but had a
minimal effect at other times of day. Evening and night exercise
produced much higher increases in cortisol than did morning and
afternoon exercise. Increases in thyrotropin were also highest with
evening and night-time exercise.
Growth hormone level increases in response to exercise did not vary
with the time of day.
``We did not expect the effects of exercise to vary to such a large extent
depending on the time of day,'' Buxton told Reuters Health.
``Exercising at night would likely involve sleep deprivation, not
something we would encourage, but the evening exercise response was
also strong,'' he said.
``The next question we want to ask is whether regular evening exercise
is better than regular morning exercise,'' he said.
~~~
GARLIC ONION
In an analysis of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland, researchers found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers -- including colon, ovarian and throat cancers.
~~~
ON OVULATION, PERIOD, INFERTILITY, SEX, ORGASM, PREGNANCY, PMS, MENOPAUSE, ETC.
"Male chimps, unlike their human counterparts, show a distinct sexual preference for females on the riper side of life, an American anthropologist reported in a paper... male chimpanzees consistently sought out the oldest females within a troop for sexual intercourse...A female chimpanzee reaches sexual maturity when she is about 10 years old, visible in the form of a pink protuberance around the genitals. During the estrous cycle -- when, in other words, the female is on heat -- it swells considerably, causing males to become aroused...Males have the run of the field, and will typically copulate in succession with half-a-dozen willing partners, who sometimes literally line up to wait their turn."
~~~
Window of opportunity only six days – All pregnancies resulted from sex on day of ovulation or one of the 5 days before.
By Kim Painter – USA Today
The facts of life may not be quite what you think. Scientists dispel some of the more enduring myths about human conception with a new study that pinpoints the long. sought window of fertility - the time during a woman's monthly cycle when she can become pregnant. That Window consists of six days: the day of ovulation and the five days leading up to it, the study says. Just one day after ovulation, the window appears to be firmly closed, at least for most women, says the report in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.
In fact, "the more Inter- course you have, the greater chance you have of getting pregnant, " Wilcox says. ~ Contrary to claims made In several popular books, the timing of sex had no effect on gender.
But he says sex on the day of ovulation or the two days before produced the vast majority of pregnancies in his study as well.
~~~
A New Rhythm Method to Get Pregnant
Study finds earlier, shorter period for fertilization
By Curt Suplee – Washington Post Service
WASHINGTON -Couples who are trying to get pregnant, or trying not to, may need to change the rhythm of their method, according to a new study. Researchers reported in Thursday's The New England Journal of Medicine that the highest probability of pregnancy each month occurs during a 4 six-day period ending on the, day of ovulation, a time frame.
The researchers found that all pregnancies in the study group were initiated on the day of ovulation or during the five previous days; none was produced by intercourse after this interval.
~~~
Enzyme Helps Sperm Fertilize Egg
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Japanese scientists have discovered an
enzyme that is key in allowing sperm to penetrate an egg. They say the
finding may potentially lead to a male contraceptive.
The enzyme phospholipase C (PLC) has been known to exist, in various
forms, in the eggs and sperm of mammals. But exactly what these PLC
variations do remains unclear, Kiyoko Fukami of the University of
Tokyo told Reuters Health.
~~~
Men Sense 'Scent of a Woman'
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Could love truly be in the air?
Researchers in Texas believe men become especially attuned--and
attracted to--female body odors during the most fertile stage of the
menstrual cycle.
``These findings raise serious doubts about conventional scientific
wisdom that human female ovulation is concealed...and that men cannot detect when women are
ovulating,'' according to Drs. Devendra Singh and P. Matthew Bronstad, psychologist researchers at
the University of Texas in Austin.
``These findings suggest that ovulation may not be concealed and that men could use ovulation-linked
odors in their mate selection,'' Singh and Bronstad conclude.
SOURCE: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London ;268:797-801.
~~~
Age, Confidence Big Factors in Achieving Orgasm
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Factors such as age, confidence in
one's sexual prowess and preference for either ``fast'' or ''slow'' sex help
determine how often men and women achieve orgasm, according to a
new survey of more than 2,200 adults in Finland.
Overall, individuals ``who have developed a perception that they are
skilled and experienced lovers are more orgasmically responsive''
~~~
"In one ounce of semen there's a concentration of the most valuable chemicals distilled from 60 ounces of blood".
~~~
Big teen secret: most are not having sex
NEW YORK, Mar 01 (Reuters Health) -- While 3 out of 4 American teens assume that
most of their peers are having sex, only 40% of teens say that they've actually had sexual
intercourse, according to a national survey released this week by Seventeen Magazine.
However, the majority of teens are indeed sexually active. Fifty-five percent of teens say
they have had oral sex, although 40% do not define oral sex alone as being ``sex.'' Over half
said they thought that oral sex was ``gross.''
~~~
Worldwide, the average age that men lose their virginity is 15, and for women, 16, according to an international survey of 16 to 21 year olds. The survey, which included 4,900 sexually and non-sexually active individuals from 14 countries -- also showed that young people have sex about 98 times a year, and about half expect to have sex within the first month of meeting a new partner. ``Kids are having sex much younger'' than in previous years but ``they are using condoms. They're protecting themselves in ways other generations haven't,''. Not all of the 16 to 21 year olds were sexually active. The most popular reason for remaining a virgin was because they were not ready for sex (47%) or they ``have not met the right person'' (27%). ``I think what we owe to the next generation is good information and good family connections, where the family can take charge and be able to educate their kids about sex and sexuality,''
~~~
Noting that 87% of the girls with STDs had no symptoms when they came to the clinic,
Bunnell and her team emphasize that ''frequent screening for STDs is critical for sexually
active adolescents,'' and recommend screening for chlamydia every 6 months.
~~~
Low-fat vegetarian diet may reduce PMS symptoms
NEW YORK, Feb 04 (Reuters Health) -- Consuming a low-fat, vegetarian diet appears to
reduce the length and severity of menstrual cramps and other premenstrual symptoms, US
researchers suggest.
According to the study in the February issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology,
menstrual cramps are caused by prostaglandins, substances that come from traces of fat
stored in cell membranes in the uterus. Sex hormones such as estrogen drive production of
prostaglandins.
~~~
Sexual Decline in Women Due to Aging, Menopause
By Melissa Schorr
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women experience a decline in
sexual responsiveness later in life as a result of both aging and
menopause, Australian researchers report.
And, the study's authors suggest, other aspects of sexuality
probably also decline as a direct result of menopause.
~~~
US Is World's Sexual Superpower
By Rodney Joyce
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - The United States remains the sexual superpower of the
world with Americans making love more often and with more partners than any other nationality,
according to a survey by a leading condom manufacturer.
Durex said on Tuesday that its annual poll of 18,500 people in 28 countries showed the world was
having more sex and starting earlier than ever before, and the United States was leading the field in all
departments.
~~~
Morning-After Pill Found to Work 5 Days
After Sex
By Melissa Schorr
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new
study by Canadian researchers questions
the conventional wisdom that women who
have had unprotected sex must use
emergency contraception within 72 hours to prevent an unwanted
pregnancy.
The investigators found that taking so-called ''morning-after'' pills 3 to 5
days after having unprotected sex was up to 87% effective in preventing
pregnancy, while receiving the treatment within 3 days, as has been
recommended for decades, was up to 90% effective.
[within 5 days doctor can install a sterileIUD inside the womb
~~~
Tuesday June 20, Less Time With Partner, More Interest in Sex
NEW YORK (Reuters Health). According to researchers, the less time a man spends with his
female partner after having sex, the more attractive he finds her--and the greater his interest
in having sex with her again. This phenomenon may arise from an evolutionary strategy
known as ''sperm competition,'' according to Todd K. Shackelford, an assistant professor
of psychology in the College of Liberal Arts at Florida Atlantic University.
``The bottom line here is that we find (this) effect for men but not for women,'' he said.
Shackelford and his colleagues presented the findings at the 107th Annual Convention of the
American Psychological Association, held earlier this month in Miami.
~~~
Women's Mental Skills Vary During Monthly
Cycle
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hormones may help explain some of the differences in the ways that men and
women think, according to a report.
As a rule, women outperform men on tests of verbal skills, while men tend to score better on tests measuring
spatial abilities, which include such skills as rotating an object mentally. Some research suggests that the
differences may be explained in part by varying levels of hormones in men and women.
``We conclude that spatial performance is sensitive to hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle and that
different aspects of spatial abilities are related to different hormones or hormone combinations,'' the authors
write.
SOURCE: Behavioral Neuroscience ;114:1245-1250.
~~~
Women Get Paternal Clues in Men's Faces
James Roney
Dario Maestripieri
Dr. Daniel Alkon
"This study suggests that women are picking up on facial cues that are perhaps related to paternal qualities," said
"Women make very good use of any information they get from a man's face,"
"Depending on what they want and where they are in their lives, they use this information differently."
"What this study illustrates is that there are genetic programs that increase survival of the species because there are hormones in women that are cuing their reactions to the hormones of the men".
"It seemed that the men who picked more infants in that test had a happier or more content look on their face,"
~~~
High Ozone Levels Hurt Sperm Count, Study Finds
Fri Apr 19 5:57 PM ET
By Kathleen Doheny
RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters Health) - Ozone can
adversely affect a man's sperm, reducing their numbers as well as their
crucial ability to move or "swim," according to new research that
evaluated more than 14,000 sperm samples.
"Our most significant finding was that as the ozone level went up, the
sperm concentration went down," said Dr. Rebecca Z. Sokol, a
professor of medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of
Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. Sokol presented her
findings here Friday at a meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive
Society.
~~~
Number of Sex Partners Key in Cervical Cancer Risk
By Jacqueline Stenson
LOS ANGELES (Reuters Health) - The number of sexual partners a woman has had may be a key factor that helps doctors determine whether precancerous cervical changes should simply be closely watched or surgically treated, according to a new study.
It found that women who have had more than five partners are at increased risk of cervical abnormalities progressing to cancer.
Another strong determinant is whether a woman is infected with human papillomavirus, or HPV, a virus believed to contribute to nearly all cervical cancers, said Dr. John K. Chan of the University of California, Irvine.
While having multiple sex partners increases a woman's risk of contracting HPV and, as a result, her risk of developing cervical cancer and "precancer," the study results showed that having more than five sexual partners was an independent risk factor for precancerous cervical abnormalities, even when a woman did not carry HPV.
~~~
Biological Clock Starts Ticking in Late 20s: Study
LONDON (Reuters) - A woman's biological clock starts ticking in her late 20s, not her mid-30s, and male fertility also begins to wane with age, doctors said Tuesday.
In what is thought to be the first study to show a drop in female fertility below the age of 30, researchers in the United States and Italy said their results do not mean older couples will not be able to conceive, it just might take them longer.
"Although we noted a decline in female fertility in the late 20s, what we found was a decrease in the probability of becoming pregnant per menstrual cycle, not in the probability of eventually achieving a pregnancy," said Dr. David Dunson of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science in North Carolina.
The doctors estimated the chances of conceiving during the peak time, or fertile window, in the woman's monthly cycle for couples in three age groups: 19 to 26 years, 27 to 34 years, and 35 to 39 years.
~~~
Kindness, Intelligence Important in Mate Selection
By Charnicia E. Huggins
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The idea that men are interested in a woman's beauty while women are interested in the size of a man's wallet is overly simplistic, according to new study findings.
The truth is, though attractiveness and income may indeed be factors of interest, qualities such as kindness and creativity are also very important, researchers report.
~~~
Men: Breaking Up Is Bad Only if Women Do It First
By Alison McCook
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters Health) - When rating previous breakups, women view the process of ending of the relationship no differently if they are the dumper or the dumpee--but the same is not true with men, new research shows.
According to researchers at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, men believe there was much more scheming on the part of their partners, less finality in the relationship and less working together during the breakup if they were dumped than if they ended the relationship themselves.
For example, when rating how much scheming went into the breakup, "females don't differ much whether they were the actor or the target," Dr. Mike Jordan told Reuters Health.
"The males, on the other hand--if they're the ones who did it, they thought 'Oh, there was no plotting on my part or anything.' But there was a lot if she broke up with them," he added.
~~~
By Roger Dobson
Men whose jobs involve sitting down for more than six hours a day may be reducing their chances of fathering children.
Researchers, who have designed special thermometers to fit into male underpants, found that sitting down for more than one hour led to significant increases in scrotal temperatures, something that is been linked to poorer-quality sperm.
"A high scrotal temperature is a common finding in infertile patients, and experimental studies indicate that specific types of heat exposure reduce semen quality," say the researchers.
"More and more men have a sedentary work position, which increases scrotal temperature. Normal sperm production depends on a testicular temperature below body temperature."
~~~
Soy May Help Keep Postmenopausal Arteries Healthy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A Western diet rich in tofu and other soy products may help protect older women from artery disease, new study findings suggest.
According to the report, phytoestrogens were associated with less artery stiffness among more than 400 postmenopausal women. The benefit was most pronounced among the oldest women, or those who had been postmenopausal the longest.
Arterial stiffness increases as the blood vessel disease atherosclerosis progresses, and atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack or stroke, explain researchers in the August issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: A Journal of the American Heart Association ( news - web sites).
~~~
More Teens Lose Virginity in June, December
By Keith Mulvihill
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Teens are much more likely to lose their virginity during the months of June and December than at any other time of the year, a new study has found.
The findings suggest that parents and sex education professionals should involve teens in discussions about sex just prior to the onset of summer and again before the winter holiday season, according to lead author Dr. Martin L. Levin of Mississippi State University.
Upwards of 19,000 adolescents in grades 7 through 12 participated in a survey that identified the month that they had sexual intercourse for the first time and whether or not the act was with a romantic partner or a casual fling. The findings are published in the November issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family.
In general, most teens reported that if they had lost their virginity, they had done so in June. The next most popular month was December.
The analysis confirms the "summer vacation" theory for adolescent females and is now extended to adolescent males, according to the report. The seasonal effect associated with losing one's virginity was stronger in white adolescents than non-whites.
~~~
The sperm can survive for a week. The egg is more short lived.
Ovulation is 11 to 16 days after start of period.
New researchshows the sperm swims towards female egg due to the egg's attraction.
~~~
DL: ideally a woman on period should have a break - if I had a partner during my period I'd leave (/he leave - we taken turns).
~~~
Oral Sex Shown to Be Linked to Mouth Cancer
LONDON (Reuters) - Although the risk is small and it is more likely to result from heavy drinking and smoking, scientists have uncovered evidence that oral sex can cause mouth cancer.
Researchers had suspected that a sexually transmitted infection that is linked to cervical cancer could also be associated with tumors in the mouth.
Now a study by researchers working for the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France seems to have confirmed it.
"Oral sex can lead to oral tumors," New Scientist magazine said Wednesday, referring to the latest research.
The scientists studied more than 1,600 patients from Europe, Canada, Australia, Cuba and the Sudan with oral cancer and more than 1,700 healthy people.
They found that patients with oral cancer containing a strain of the human papilloma virus (HPV) known as HPV16 were three times more likely to report having had oral sex than those without the virus strain.
~~~
Women's Brains Really Blown By Orgasms
An orgasm is literally a mind-blowing experience for a woman, scientists have revealed.
Much of her brain shuts down when she reaches a sexual climax.
The discovery was made during experiments in the Netherlands when couples' brains were scanned during lovemaking.
Neuroscientist Dr Gert Holstege, from the University of Groningen said it appeared that shutting down the brain during orgasm ensured that obstacles such as fear and stress did not get in the way.
"When you are fearful or have a very high level of anxiety, then it's hard to have sex because during sex you really have to give yourself and let go."
Men were studied in the same way but because the male orgasm typically takes such a short time it was difficult to obtain meaningful brain scan data.
~~~
In a small study, one out of three young women experienced postcoital blues at some point in their lives and 10 percent said they frequently or almost always felt sad after sex.
~~~
Sex vs. Intelligence: Bigger balls mean smaller brain
mongabay.com
December 13
In a recent study of bats, Scott Pitnick, professor of biology at Syracuse University, found that testis size is inversely related to brain size. In other words, the bigger the balls of a bat species, the smaller its brain.
Comparing brain size and testis size for 334 species of bats, Pitnick's team looked to explore the contribution of sexual selection to brain evolution. Specifically, the research tested and confirmed two theories:
larger testis are found in males with smaller brain size, and relative testis depends on female promiscuity.
Pitnick and his team showed that among bat species, those with promiscuous females have relatively smaller brains than species with females that are faithful to their mates. The study also found that male infidelity, by contrast, had no evolutionary impact on relative brain size.
Pitnick says a likely explanation for this relationship relates to the energetic demands of producing and maintaining both brain and sperm cells; males cannot afford a lot of both. Under this explanation, males with relatively large testes and small brains leave more offspring than larger-brained, less fertile, competitors.
“When females mate with more than one male, sperm compete to fertilize the female’s eggs. Such ‘sperm competition’ is rife in many bat species, perhaps due in part to the unusual ability (among mammals at least) of sperm to survive inside the female’s reproductive tract for a very long time,” says Pitnick. “The male who ejaculates the greatest number of sperm may win at this game, and hence many bats have evolved outrageously big testes—as much as 8.5% of their body mass. Because they live on an energetic knife-edge, bats may not be able to evolutionarily afford both big testes and big brains. We’re excited about these results, as they may stimulate more research into the correlated evolution of brains, behavior and the extravagant and costly ornaments and armaments favored by sexual selection.”
The finding is consistent with research conducted on primates.
~~~
Frequency of ejaculation according to 2 different books (they both could be wrong):
Up to ago 45: once a week
46-50: once every 1.5 weeks
51-59: once every month
over 60: never
~~~
formula: age divided by 5
e.g. 40 year old: once every 8 days
~~~
WARNING: "Condoms break more often than the manufacturers like you to believe". This is what a pharmacist said.
~~~
How do you use a male condom?
A drop or two of water-based lubricant or saliva may be placed inside the condom to facilitate rolling the condom down over the tip of the erect penis. The tip of the condom is not pulled tightly against the penis -but rather a half-inch of space is left as a reservoir to collect semen. If not circumcised, the foreskin should be pulled back to increase sensation in men who are not circumcised before the condom is rolled down the length of the penis. One hand is used to pinch the air out of the tip to avoid friction against air bubbles (which is thought to be responsible for most condom breaks). The other hand is used to roll the condom down to the base of the penis. All air bubbles should be smoothed out of the condom before insertion into the vagina. After intercourse the condom should be held against the base of the penis as the penis is withdrawn to avoid spillage of semen.
extract from article by sexualityandu.ca
~~~
"Because of recent findings, many condom manufacturers in the United States have stopped using nonoxynol-9 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommends using condoms with spermicide.
Use a lubricant to reduce friction and tearing during intercourse."
~~~
"Vaginal Spermicides: Advantage 24, Vaginal Contraceptive Film and other spermicides can be used for vaginal intercourse, offering some protection against unplanned pregnancy and possibly some STIs. Note: If you or your partner develop an irritation from a spermicide, stop using it. These irritations may increase your risk of getting an infection like HIV."
~~~
Here's an interesting statistic in regards to abortion. The national crime rate dropped by about 23% in the 20 years following Roe vs Wade. No big surprise there, but something that rarely gets mentioned. And for those who will claim that the drop in crime was not related to the legalisation of abortion, I would point out that 5 states legalized abortion approximately 5 years before Roe v Wade and all 5 states showed a drop in crime preceding the rest of the nation. fpdoc1234
~~~
Study: Mice Sing in the Presence of Mates
By CHERYL WITTENAUER, Associated Press Writer
ST. LOUIS - Songbirds may be the Sinatras of the animal world, but male mice can carry a tune too, say Washington University researchers who were surprised by what they heard.
Scientists have known for decades that male lab mice produce high-frequency sounds — undetectable by human ears — when they pick up the scent of a female mouse. This high-pitched babble is presumably for courtship, although scientists are not certain.
But it turns out those sounds are more complex and interesting than previously thought.
"It soon became ... apparent that these vocalizations were not random twitterings but songs," said researcher Timothy Holy. "There was a pattern to them. They sounded a lot like bird songs."
~~~
Male sweat can boost arousal in women
BERKELEY, Calif. - A chemical in male sweat can boost mood, brain activity and sexual arousal in heterosexual women, according to a new study released just in time for The study offers the first direct evidence that humans secrete a scent that can affect the physiology of the opposite sex, said researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. Their findings were published this week in The Journal of Neuroscience.
According to evolutionary psychology (these apply to animals close to humans but as humans we can overcome some of these biological dictates)
For man the imp thing is pleasure in sex and continuity
For woman imp thing is pleasure in kids and continuity
Neither one cares for the other except for the above
Until there is love and friendship
~~~
Evolutionary psychology is very fascinating. Not only it perfectly explains many traditions.
Women like men who are good looking, talented, rich, intelligent, and those who have a strong immune system !! Research actually shows that!!
Men and women don't want their mate to go to someone else because of economics // woman wants the man's resources spent on her kid and man wants to make sure he supports his genes not another man's. That's all folks. That's the animal conditioning handed to us and what has shaped tradition. What do we do with it? Worship it? Or be more than animals by understanding its dictates and be free from it which doesn't mean to run and have sex with different people -- freedom still carries responsibility -- but the key is to be also free from image making, and implications of lower level influences and deeper tendencies which show themselves as possessiveness jealousy anger etc. which evolutionary psychology also explains -- it's all about survival and continuity of the species -- but look what mockery we've made it into. It's simple.And -- we are more than animals.
Freedom and love are a totally different ball game and so is natural joy, ecstasy, creativity, benediction.
Animals also feel joy when they're not busy searching for food, having sex, eating, and fermenting/vegetating. They also tune into the unknown -- they are the unknown -- everything is part of That. Humans can be more than animals and that's one of the great challenges of life which requires understanding animalistic conditioning and by seeing what-is being free from it, as much as possible.
sometimes a woman can have a second ovulation during her cucle. This ovulation can happen during her period so woman can get pregnant with sex during her period.
woman can have period even if she's pregnant.
machine that tests urine every morning can detect hormones as soon as they're present (5 days before ovulation).
temperature test only picks up when ovulation is there and to determine when the fertile period starts it has to be guessed based on past record of number of days of cycle.
~~~
"You have a need in an evolutionary sense for both money and women. They trigger the same brain area," said Camelia Kuhnen, a Northwestern University finance professor who conducted the study with a Stanford University psychologist.
~~~
Overall, those who said they had sex less than once per week were twice as likely to develop ED over the next five years as men who had sex at least once a week. Furthermore, compared with men who had sex three or more times per week, their ED risk was increased nearly four-fold.
A number of factors contribute to ED development, many of which could also affect a man's sexually activity -- such as age, diabetes and heart disease. However, after taking account of those factors, sexual activity itself remained linked to ED risk, Koskimaki's team found.
It may be a matter of "use it or lose it," according to the researchers. Just as exercise boosts physical fitness, they note, regular sexual activity may help a man preserve his erectile function.
ED occurs when there are problems with blood flow to the penis. Regular sexual activity, Koskimaki's team writes, may help maintain healthy blood vessel function in the erectile tissue.
SOURCE: American Journal of Medicine, July 2008.
~~~
Kissing build immune system
Writing in the journal Medical Hypotheses, researcher Dr Colin Hendrie from the University of Leeds, said: "Female inoculation with a specific male's cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange, particularly where the flow of saliva is from the male to the typically shorter female."
Kissing the same person for about six months provides the best protection, he added.
As the relationships progresses and the kisses become more passionate, the woman's immunity builds up, cutting her odds of becoming ill.
By the time she becomes pregnant, the odds of her unborn baby becoming infected are much lower.
~~~
"Without a doubt, a discreet anatomic entity called the G-spot does not exist," said Dr. Amichai Kilchevsky, a urology resident at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, and lead author of the review, published Jan. 12 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
~~~
QUOTES
Also, as medical evidence suggests that men experience a significant loss of zinc with each ejaculation, eating a food high in zinc after ejaculation is recommended.
The most respected of the Tao theorist, Sun Simiao, quoted above, recommends ejaculation no more than once every 20 days for men over 50 and no more than once every 100 days for men over 60.
A research published by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health found that after 7 days of not ejaculating, men’s testosterone levels reached 145.7% of the baseline. The interesting thing is that they didn’t observe significant fluctuations from the baseline on days 2 through 5. The research also showed that the peak levels were at day 7
RAW FOOD
RAW VS. COOKED & PROCESSED FOODS
by Rhio (excerpt from her forthcoming book, Hooked on Raw) -- For more info please visit www.rawfoodinfo.com
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KNOWN DIFFERENCES?
Cooked foods cannot create true health because they are missing some very vital elements needed by the body for its optimal functioning; things like enzymes, oxygen, hormones, phytochemicals, bio-electrical energy and life-force. When foods are heated above 105 degrees F they begin to lose all of these. By 118 degrees F, most food is dead. Yes, the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins are still there, but in a greatly altered state - not at all what nature provided.
Each cell of the body is like a tiny battery, and raw and living foods supply the bio-electricity which charges these batteries. The bio-electrical energy of raw food can be clearly seen in Kirlian photographs of the food. This photographic process shows electrical discharges that naturally emanate from all living things as luminescent, aura-like flares surrounding the subject. The glow is bright and radiant in raw foods, yet almost totally absent in Kirlian photographs of comparable cooked foods.
To me "life-force" means "the energy that is able to create life." The sprouting ability of raw foods demonstrates the presence of the life-force within them. All grains, legumes, beans and seeds sprout. Nuts in the shell sprout. Potatoes sprout and create new potato plants. (Do not eat potato sprouts as they are poisonous.) If you stick the top part of a pineapple into water, it will sprout roots. Apple seeds create apple trees. Avocado pits and mango pits sprout.
Now, take cooked versions of all the above, put them into soil and see if a plant will grow. Cooked food rots, rather than sprouts, and a new plant does not come forth. Through observation, you can easily demonstrate for yourself what you are losing by eating cooked foods. A food that is cooked cannot create life and cannot maintain the life-force energy in our bodies.
Cooking food disrupts its molecular structure and kills all the enzymes too. Enzymes are the indispensable biological catalysts (infused with "energy charges") which enable the body to utilize vitamins and minerals. (Think of enzymes as the workmen and vitamins and minerals as the bricks and mortar. Without the workmen, the bricks and mortar don't get put into place.) Enzymes are extremely heat-sensitive and thus do not survive in cooked foods. The vitamins and phytochemicals also are injured, greatly diminished, and left in an altered molecular state. The minerals are made less soluble. The fats have turned from life enhancing cis fatty acids to trans fatty acids, which create damaging free radicals in the body. Trans fatty acids also interfere with respiration of the cells. The proteins (including vegetable proteins), become denatured; they then coagulate (like the white of an egg) and are very difficult to digest. Some researchers report that unmetabolized protein particles in the bloodstream are a possible cause of allergies.
When you eat cooked (enzymeless) foods, you put a heavy burden on your body, which then has to produce the enzymes missing in the food. One of the reasons you feel lethargic or sleepy after a cooked meal is because the body is diverting its energy to replacing the enzymes that were not supplied. By comparison, a raw food meal leaves you feeling light and full of energy. You can judge this for yourself. Uncooked foods digest in 1/3 to 1/2 the time of cooked foods. The stress of creating and replacing enzymes, meal after meal, day after day, year after year, greatly contributes to accelerated aging.