Health A-Z

29 Million in US Have Diabetes, CDC Says

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More than 29 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, and a quarter of them do not know they have it, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another 86 million adults, or more than one in three people, have prediabetes, meaning they have abnormally high blood sugar levels, according to the report. Without weight loss and physical activity to reduce blood sugar levels, 15 percent to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop diabetes within five years, the CDC said.

The new report used data from 2012. The CDC’s previous estimates were based on data from 2010, and suggested that 26 million people in the United States had diabetes, and that 79 million more had prediabetes.

“If these numbers continue to rise, 1 in 5 people could have diabetes by the year 2025, and it could be 1 in 3 people by the year 2050,” said Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “We simply can’t sustain this trajectory. The implications are far too great, for our families, our healthcare system, our workforce, our nation.”

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of toes, feet or legs. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC.

People who are overweight or who have a family member with diabetes face a higher risk for developing the condition. Healthy eating and exercising can reduce the risk. For people who have diabetes, treatments include physical activity, changes in diet, and insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels

“We know today that adopting a healthier lifestyle is the most effective way to prevent type 2 diabetes and improve health for people already diagnosed with diabetes,” Albright said. “It’s critical that people learn ways to change their own health behaviors.”

The new report showed that 1.7 million people were newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2012.

Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native adults are about twice as likely to have diabetes as are white adults, according to the report. However, for prediabetes, the percentage of U.S. adults with the condition is similar for whites (35 percent), blacks (39 percent) and Hispanics (38 percent).

The CDC recommends people ages 45 and older consider getting tested for diabetes, especially if they are overweight

Prediabetes usually has no symptoms, and is defined by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. Studies suggest people with prediabetes can control their blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes by exercising, eating a healthy diet and losing excess weight.

“The sooner people find out they have prediabetes and take action, the better their chances of preventing type 2 diabetes,” Albright said.

Source: yahoo news

Education Quality Key to Bangladesh’s Goal to Become Middle Income Country

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Bangladesh needs to focus on high-quality learning, and strong foundational cognitive and behavioral skills from early childhood, says a new World Bank report “Seeding Fertile Ground: Education That Works for Bangladesh”.

The findings and recommendations of the report were discussed today at a national dialogue organized by the Campaign for Popular Organization (CAMPE). Today’s event was preceded by six divisional workshops. The report, which focuses on access and equity, quality and skills, was prepared under the guidance of two advisory groups drawn from the members of civil society, the government, academia, think-tanks and development partners in Bangladesh.

The report praises Bangladesh’s success in improving access to education and completion at all levels, despite daunting challenges. Bangladesh achieved gender equity in primary and secondary education well ahead of the 2015 Millennium Development Goal. About 76% of youth aged 15-19 completed primary education in 2010. Progress in education has paved the way for an increasing number of women to enter the labor market, bolstering the country’s manufacturing production.

“With more youth entering the working age population, Bangladesh is poised to benefit from a demographic dividend in the next 10 years,” said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. “To reap the benefits of demographic changes, Bangladesh will need policies that create higher-skilled jobs with higher wages. By improving education quality and skills development, the country can link its youth to productive employment in local or overseas job markets.”

Although the country has succeeded in expanding access to education, learning is currently low and unequal. Only a limited number of students remain competent in their respective grades. An assessment of literacy and numeracy at grade 5 indicates that only 25 percent of grade 5 students master Bangla competencies, and only 33 percent master Mathematics. Students with low levels of learning at lower grades are most at risk for dropping out and are most likely to join the informal labor market.

An important determinant of learning within the school is the quality of the teachers. Studies show that many teachers lack adequate training and career progression opportunities. Lack of knowledge about subjects and overemphasis on rote-learning than encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving skills further affects students’ learning.

Bangladesh’s current momentum in improving education can be harnessed for greater advances, states the report. Understanding the complexity and interrelated nature of education quality, skills development, and the labor market will aid in policy planning. The country needs to shift and strengthen the focus on education relevant to the labor market and on the quality of education.

In both the formal and informal labor markets, possessing strong cognitive skills, along with positive behavioral skills, can lead to better jobs and career advancement. Improving skills and productivity are crucial for Bangladesh to achieve middle income status. Currently, most of the labor force is in informal sector and possess low levels of education – 96 percent of workers have up to a secondary education, and less than 5 percent of the workforce has a tertiary education.

The report emphasizes that skill development is incremental, cumulative and transformational. A good skills-development policy recognizes that skills are not built at a certain time in an individual’s life – skills development is an incremental and lifelong process, acquired through formal and non-formal education, from pre-primary through higher education, networks, jobs, and other means.

Source: The world bank

Tomato pill’ hope for stopping heart disease

'Tomato pill'

Taking a tomato pill a day could help keep heart disease at bay, say UK scientists who have carried out a small but robust study.

The trial, which tested the tomato pill versus a dummy drug in 72 adults, found it improved the functioning of blood vessels. But experts say more studies are needed to prove it really works. The pill contains lycopene, a natural antioxidant that also gives tomatoes their colour.

A daily ‘tomato pill’ is not a substitute for other treatments, but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication” Experts have suspected for some time that lycopene might be good for avoiding illnesses, including certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Related News:  Genetically engineered tomatoes could help improve cholesterol levels

There is some evidence that eating a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in tomatoes (as well as other fruit and vegetables and olive oil), is beneficial for health. Following a healthy diet is still advisable but scientists have been researching whether there is a way to put at least some of this good stuff into an easy-to-take pill.

'Tomato pill' 2

 

Tomato pill
A spin-off company from the University of Cambridge – Cambridge Theranostics (CTL) – has come up with its own “tomato pill”.

Working independently of CTL, and instead funded by the Wellcome Trust, the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute of Health Research, a team at Cambridge University set out to see if the pill would have the desired effect. They recruited 36 volunteers known to have heart disease and 36 “healthy” controls, who were all given a daily tablet to take, which was either the tomato pill or a placebo. To ensure a fairer trial, neither the volunteers nor the researchers were told what the tablets actually contained until after the two-month study had ended and the results were in.

Related News:  Enjoy the goodness of tomatoes

For comparison, the researchers measured something called forearm blood flow, which is predictive of future cardiovascular risk because narrowed blood vessels can lead to heart attack and stroke. In the heart disease patients, the tomato pill improved forearm blood flow significantly, while the placebo did not.

The supplement had no effect on blood pressure, arterial stiffness or levels of fats in the blood, however. A natural antioxidant – substances thought to protect the body’s cells from damage

Found in tomatoes, but also in apricots, watermelon and papaya as well as pink grapefruit Lycopene content varies according to the variety of tomato and how it is prepared eg. puree, ketchup, cooked or raw

It is unclear whether supplements would ever be able to replace the benefits of a varied diet

Source: bbc

Camel Milk Could be the Health Drink of the Future

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While camel milk may have just broken onto the skin care industry scene, farmers in the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states believe that the high protein, low cholesterol beverage could very well be the next big health drink craze.

According to Outside Magazine, “Although lower in vitamins A and B2 and higher in fatty acids than cow milk, camel milk offers 10 times as much iron, three times as much vitamin C, and wins by a mile in the mineral department. What makes it a strong makeup component-hardy antibody proteins-is also attractive to food producers.”

Farms in states such as Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania are in the incipient stages of raising 5,000 single-humped dromedaries and double-humped Bactrians, two of the world’s most successful camel species.

The farmers taking part in raising these camels wellness and organically inclined, and they are all looking for the most natural way to boost our bodies’ immunities and energy levels

“Epigenetics suggest that we can actually change our genes by how we live. Right now in modern society, we are like polar bears released into a Death Valley environment,” said Frank King, a North Carolina-based doctor. “When people connect with nature, they feel better, and wild is better.”

Camel milking is also calmer and less mechanized than milking cows. King’s 23 camels wander his premises until it is time for them to be milked by hand. The bad news for U.S. farmers is that they can’t sell the milk in an entirely natural state. King “flash pasteurizes” his milk because federal law requires this of milk sold across state lines. The Food and Drug Administration approved camel milk for commercial sale in 2009, but testing is still being conducted.

Camel milk is just the first step in the quest for more nutritious animal milks. King is looking into the milks of the African Watusi, white buffalo, bison and Himalayan yak.

Some estimates put camel milk at being a $10 billion industry in the future. Camels do not produce a lot of it, however, so farmers expect they could charge up to $60 for a liter of camel milk.

Source: design & Trend

4 ways to make bath time more therapeutic

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Nothing beats a hot bath on a cool winters night, or when one needs to relax and let the troubles of the day wash away. The simple act of bathing has benefits related to hygiene but the benefits increase dramatically when these 4 things are incorporated into your bath time routine.

Magnesium flakes

Magnesium flakes are a great way to improve the health benefits of bath time by infusing your water with this ‘miracle mineral’ and allowing its healing action to take place by absorbing through the skin.

Soaking in magnesium flakes can:

• Improve skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema
• Speed wound healing
• Decrease inflammation
• Relieve stress and anxiety
• Help flush toxins and heavy metals

The fact that magnesium is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body indicates the importance of this mighty mineral. Combine that with the generally accepted truth that the population is becoming very magnesium deficient, and it becomes evident that magnesium baths are a ritual that one should strongly consider.

Clay

Clay baths have been used safely for centuries. Due to its excellent toxin extracting effects, clay literally has the ability to pull out toxicities through the pores of the skin.

Soaking in a pure and beneficial clay bath can:

• Help eliminate toxic substances such as heavy metals, chemicals, radiation, and chemotherapy
• Stimulate the lymphatic system
• Cleanse the skin
• Relieve stress
• Remove parasites

Clay baths may also be a safer way to detoxify than other methods as the burden placed on the digestive system and major organs of the body, that traditional protocols often cause due to release of toxic byproducts, are eliminated. This saves the body from a great deal of toxic stress, which could even lead to toxic shock. Clay in a bath interacts directly with the body’s immune system and helps to remove that potential toxic burden, without adding more toxins to the mix.

Essential oils

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing and purifying effects on the body. They come from raw plant material such as flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds and peels.

Depending on the oil, they have many healing applications, from antibacterial defense to pain relief and emotion therapy. Some common essential oils and their therapeutic benefits include:

• Lavender – Relaxes and relieves pain
• Chamomile – Calms nerves and improves digestive health
• Lemon – Removes toxins
• Peppermint – Enhances mood, sharpens focus, and aids in digestion
• Eucalyptus – Alleviates respiratory issues and acts as a decongestant

These benefits along with the beautiful aroma will make bath time a pleasure.

Candles

Although certain candles can be toxic, ones that are based on a healthy wax (such as coconut) and use essential oils can be very therapeutic.

Relaxing in a bath with no artificial lighting and just the glow of a candle flame in itself can be very calming to the body, mind and soul. Add in the aromatherapy of essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus and lemon, and the healing benefits multiply.

In addition to these therapies, one can also consider detox teas, meditative music and steam therapy to improve the healing benefits of a bath. They will stimulate the detoxification organs, calm the mind, moisturize the skin, increase circulation and open up the pores of the skin for a truly beneficial and gentle cleansing.

Source: natural news

Can curd help treat acidity?

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Acidity is a common problem that affects everyone at some point in life. And many of you must have heard that curd is a good solution for dealing with recurring bouts of acidity and heart burn. Let’s find out if actually holds any truth.

Acidity is caused when the stomach starts overproducing gastric acids that instead of helping in digestion of food cause problems like heartburn, burning sensation in the stomach and belching. Now, if you’re suffering from these symptoms, consuming something spicy and hard to digest can exert stress on your digestive system, increasing your acidity and reflux symptoms.

Curd is a dairy product obtained by coagulation of milk. Milk has a high amount of calcium in it that prevents build up of acid by eliminating the excess amount, making it an efficient home remedy for acidity. Other nutrients present in curd are easily digestible. Additionally, curd also helps in absorbing nutrients from other foods you eat, promoting healthy digestion. Curd contains probiotics, useful bacteria that help digestion. A study even showed that curd may cure infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, the most common cause of acidity due to stomach infection.

Source: the health site

Air Pollution Linked to Autism and Schizophrenia: Study

air pollution

A new research shows a potential link between pollution and autism.

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that exposure to air pollution is tied to increased risk of autism and even schizophrenia.

The research conducted on mice shows swelling of brain areas that are usually seen in schizophrenia or autism patients.

For the study, the research team exposed newborn mice to air pollutants for nearly four hours each day. This continued for eight days.

Following this, the researchers examined brains of one set of mice after 24 hours. They found inflammation in almost all regions of the brain. The lateral ventricles, which are cerebrospinal fluid-containing chambers, were two to three times larger than those seen in normal brains.

“When we looked closely at the ventricles, we could see that the white matter that normally surrounds them hadn’t fully developed,” Deborah Cory-Slechta, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester and lead author of the study, said in a press release. “It appears that inflammation had damaged those brain cells and prevented that region of the brain from developing, and the ventricles simply expanded to fill the space.”

The study showed that the inflammation in the brains of the mice was observed 40 and 270 days after air pollution exposure. This means that the negative effects were permanent. Moreover, researchers found an increase in glutamate levels, which is seen in humans with autism.

“Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that air pollution may play a role in autism, as well as in other neurodevelopmental disorders,” Cory-Slechta said.

The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Source: HNGN

Turmeric the Root of Life

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Turmeric-Curcuma longa
The root of turmeric (Curcuma longa) which for centuries has been an ingredient of the Indian curry also has medicinal properties.
The main ingredient is curcumin and because of that spice has a strong yellow color . Contains vitamin B6 , B3 , folic acid and minerals .

Curcumin, stimulates the flow of bile, which helps in the breakdown of fats. Curcumin is a cure against inflammation and therefore reduces the pain associated with arthritis.
It has been proven that curcumin recommended as therapy for diabetes .

But recently in this spice has been found one until now undiscovered molecule called CNB- 001, which has incredible power over the brain, and in the recovery of the human body . The action of this molecule is not preventive but curative.

As one of the most important properties of turmeric still its diverse anticancer activity, particularly in the treatment of ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

Researchers, however, have expanded the list of healing powers of turmeric proving that helps in the prevention of colon and prostate cancer and helps in the treatment of leukemia, especially at children.

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15 good reasons for adding turmeric in your daily menu:

  • – Has antiseptic and antibacterial properties , it is useful for disinfecting wounds and burns ;
  • – Excellent in the prevention of prostate cancer, at the existing prevents further development ;
  • – Inhibits the growth of breast cancer ;
  • – Turmeric is a natural prevention of melanoma; at the current kills cancer cells and prevents its further development ;
  • – Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia;
  • – Cleanse the liver in a natural way ;
  • – May slow or prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease ( destroys accumulated amyloidosis in the brain ) ;
  • – Prevents the growth of metastases in many cancers ;
  • – Natural remedy against pain ;
  • – Regulates metabolism and helps in weight loss ;
  • – In China has been used as a cure for depression for a long time ;
  • – Cure for arthritis ;
  • – Protects against cancer of the thyroid gland ;
  • – Accelerates wound healing and quickly restores the injured skin ;
  • – Assists in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases .

Note:

  • – Pregnant women should consult with an expert before using turmeric .
  • – A study on animals has shown that turmeric reduces fertility . If a woman is trying to conceive or had problems with fertility , you should consult with an expert before using turmeric .
  • – If a person has a blood clot disorders, before use of turmeric should consult with a specialist.
  • – Children and people over the age of 65 years should use lighter products . Do not give to children under the age of two years .

Source: secretly healthy

Super tonic sore throat

32a4c939cf1483d54944e4adcb854b61Ingredients and Directions:

  • 1 30 oz. bottle Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  • -1/4 cup chopped Garlic
  • -1/4 cup Onions
  • -1/4 cup Habanero peppers (or hottest peppers you can find)
  • -1/4 cup grated Ginger
  • -1/4 cup grated Horseradish
  • -2 T Turmeric
  • -1/4 cup elderberries

Preparation

  • Blend ingredients together for a couple of minutes
  • Then add a 1/4 cup of Elderberries.
  • let stand 6 weeks then strain. Pour liquid in dark bottle. You can store the tonic in a cupboard for long periods of time.No need to keep in the refrigerator.
  • You can also use it mixed with olive oil for a salad dressing.
  • Or a shot full on you stir fry.

*For sore throat, gargle a bit in the mouth and swallow.

*For an illness, such as a cold or flu, take about 2 droppers full or a Tablespoon every couple of hours.

*For daily immune support drink 2 droppers full/ 1 Tablespoon every day.
Build up tolerance to a shot glass full.

*Eat an orange, lemon, or lime slice after to ease the heat.

Source: secretly healthy

Typhoid – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

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The Facts on Typhoid

Typhoid, also known as typhoid fever or enteric fever, is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi.

Across the world, millions of people are infected annually by typhoid, and about 200,000 of them die. The number of people infected with typhoid each year is very low in North America and the industrialized world, but typhoid is common in developing countries.

Typhoid is usually curable, but some bacterial strains are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Most people with typhoid in North America acquire it while travelling to developing areas of the world.

If untreated, about 10% to 16% of people with typhoid will die. This drops to less than 1%when people are treated promptly.

Causes of Typhoid

Typhoid is usually transmitted by water or food, in much the same way as cholera. People who are infected excrete live bacteria in their feces and urine. They are usually contagious for a few days before any symptoms develop, so they don’t know they need to take extra precautions. If they don’t wash their hands properly, the typhoid bacillus can be transferred to food or water and from there to another person. Also, it can be spread directly from person to person via contaminated fingers.

About 3% of infected people (treated or not) become asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella typhi. This means that they continue to shed bacteria in their feces for at least a year and often for life but don’t have any symptoms of typhoid. There are a small number of typhoid carriers in every country. Even Canada and the United States report dozens of locally transmitted cases of typhoid each year, though most cases in these countries are among travellers or people immigrating who are ill when they arrive.

Symptoms and Complications of  Typhoid

Symptoms usually appear 1 or 2 weeks after infection but may take as long as 3 weeks to appear. Typhoid usually causes a high, sustained fever, often as high as 40°C (104°F), and extreme exhaustion.

Other common symptoms include:

constipation
cough
headache
loss of appetite
stomach pains
sore throat

Rarer symptoms include:

bleeding from the rectum
delirium
diarrhea
temporary pink spots on the chest and abdomen
With antibiotic treatment, symptoms start to subside after 5 to 7 days, but without treatment they continue to get worse for several weeks, and more than 10% of untreated people may die.

A small number of people who recover from typhoid may have a relapse of their symptoms just a few weeks later. The second bout tends to be less severe than the first, and clears up quickly with further treatment.

Many people suffer from mild intestinal bleeding, but it is severe in only a small minority of cases. The main way typhoid kills is by causing perforation of the small intestines, causing bacteria to pour into the abdominal cavity. This condition is called peritonitis, and is often fatal.

Other complications of typhoid occur when a large number of bacteria get into the bloodstream, causing bacteremia. They can travel to the lungs, causing pneumonia, or to the lining of the brain (meningitis), the bones (osteomyelitis), the heart valves (endocarditis), the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), the genital or urinary tract, or the muscles. Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) can also occur.

Diagnosing Typhoid

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. If your doctor suspects typhoid fever, it is diagnosed by culturing, a blood or stool sample and, in rare instances, bone marrow. A blood test that checks for antibodies can be used to make a diagnosis. However, this test is not very accurate. Your doctor may do other tests to rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to typhoid.

Treating and Preventing Typhoid

Typhoid is treated with antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin),* which usually clear up symptoms in less than a week. People with severe typhoid also may be treated with glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone.

Very few people die of typhoid if they are properly treated. However, they are likely to be infectious for at least a week after symptoms pass. Some people remain infectious, excreting the organisms in the stool, for 3 months or more. The long-term carrier state is unlikely to occur except for those with gallbladder disease.

Careful hand-washing after bowel movements and prior to food handling will help prevent the spread of typhoid. Carriers may be treated with antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks.

Typhoid fever can be acquired almost anywhere in the world, but it is very rare in developed countries. You have a higher risk of getting typhoid fever if you travel to developing areas such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Preventing typhoid is all about avoiding contaminated food and water. The same healthy practices will also help protect you from diseases such as cholera and hepatitis A, which are transmitted in the same way. Follow these guidelines to minimize your risk:

Boil or disinfect all water before drinking it – use disinfectant tablets or liquid available in pharmacies or drink commercially bottled (preferably carbonated) beverages.
Peel all fruit and vegetable skins before eating.
Keep flies away from food.
Watch out for ice cubes, ice cream, and unpasteurized milk, which can easily be contaminated.

Cook all food thoroughly and eat it while it’s hot.
Be aware of the “danger foods” – shellfish, salads, and raw fruit and vegetables.
Do not eat food or drink beverages from street vendors.

At present, vaccinations against typhoid provide about 70% protection for 2 to 4 years – the duration of protection depends on the vaccine used. The vaccine is available as an oral capsule or powder, and as an injection. Your doctor will determine what form is best for you or your children. Even vaccinated people must follow the food safety tips listed above. It is best to be immunized at least one week before possible exposure.

Source: Chealth