Health News

Excess sugar consumption from soda, results in cardiovascular death

A new study is warning that America’s love affair with sugary food and drink is also doubling our risk of a heart-related premature death.

While previous research has indicated that consumption of added sugars can negatively affect health, the new study — published in JAMA Internal Medicine — is the first nationally-representative study examining how added sugars affect rates of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Unlike the natural sugars existing in fruits and some vegetables, added sugars are introduced to foods during their processing and preparation. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda are the leading source of added sugar consumption in the U.S., followed by grain-based desserts, like cookies and cake.

For their research, study author Quanhe Yang, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and his colleagues used national health survey data to examine how added sugar consumption affected rates of cardiovascular death among the population.

They divided the population into segments: those who consumed the least amount of added sugars – less than 10 percent of daily calories consumed – and those who consumed at least 25 percent of their daily calories from added sugar. Overall, they found that people who consumed the highest amounts of added sugars were more than twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

“If you are consuming in the medium quintile, compared to lowest, you increase risk [of cardiovascular death] by 18 percent,” Yang said. “[But for] the fourth quintile versus the lowest quintile, the risk is [increased] 38 percent. So highest to lowest it is more than doubled.”

Though previous studies had indicated that consumption of added sugars was harmful to health, the researchers hadn’t expected to see such a large increase in risk of death between the highest- and lowest-consuming groups.

“It’s not entirely surprising because we already have emerging evidence to show high consumption of added sugar is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, hypertension and instance of CVD,” Yang said. “But what was a little unexpected is the appearance of risk is not linear, meaning when you have the higher consumption of added sugar your risk increases exponentially.”

Previous research has indicated that between 2005 and 2010, 10 percent of U.S. adults consumed 25 percent or more of their daily calories from added sugars. While recommended levels of added sugar intake vary, the CDC adheres to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends limiting added sugar intake to 5 to 15 percent of daily total calories.

It’s still not fully understood why added sugars increases risk of CVD.

“There are different explanations why it increases cardiovascular disease, probably the higher intake of added sugar may play a role in multiple pathways,” Yang said. “Some studies suggest suggest it will increase your risk of hypertension, a leading risk factor of cardiovascular disease; [it will also increase] accumulation of fat in your liver and promotes dyslipidemia; it’s also associated with increase of the inflammation markers, so those are the possible mechanics but we do not know why at a certain point your risk [becomes] accelerated.”

Next, Yang and his colleagues hope to study how the risk of cardiovascular death changes among people who have made efforts to improve their eating habits, including lowering consumption of added sugars. They are also interested in studying the effects of added sugar consumption among children – and how that affects their risk of death and disease later in life.

Overall, Yang said he hopes people will start to pay more attention to the amount of added sugars in their diet.

“Our study shows most of us are consuming too much added sugar, and higher added sugar [consumption] is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” Yang said. “If someone can…[they should] read [food] labels to see how much added sugar is in there and try to choose the lowest added sugar and reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, which is number one contributor

Source: Fox News

Natural Remedies to Relieve Common Ailments During Pregnancy

preg

During pregnancy, you may find yourself dealing with physical or emotional issues that are new to you. Aromatherapy can be a valuable ally during this time of learning.

Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life; from the moment of conception, the growing baby is entirely dependent on its mother. Pregnancy is a time of physical and hormonal changes and of emotional and psychological preparation for motherhood. Making use of sensual oils such as rose and neroli can quell your anxieties and instill confidence.

The demands of pregnancy often result in a number of minor ailments, from piles to edema. Careful selection of diluted essential oils can provide relief from many of these; for example, you can ease nausea by inhaling spearmint oil or relieve leg cramps with a gentle massage using cypress and geranium. Exhaustion and aches and pains can be relieved by aromatic bathing. Always consult your doctor before using oils.

Carefully selected oils can combat many of the minor ailments of pregnancy and prepare you for the challenge of labor.

Spearmint:

A milder and sweeter alternative to peppermint, spearmint oil can be used to chase away feelings of morning sickness.

Rose:

A wonderfully feminine oil for use in aromatic bathing, rose oil is grounding and calming. It combines well with lavender and geranium.

Patchouli:

This oil helps to reduce water retention, treat swollen ankles and relieve constipation.

Lavender:

A versatile cure, lavender is cooling, balancing and calming. Vaporize to combat exhaustion or relieve muscular tension is a gentle massage.

Ylang Ylang:

Ylang ylang eases anxiety before and during labor. It is a warming and sensuous oil that promotes maternal bonding.

Geranium:

This oil relieves water retention, hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Frankincense:

Add this oil to your massage blends to help prevent stretch marks.

Mandarin:

This gently cheerful oil combats morning sickness and relieves flatulence.
With a little care, you will find the benefits of aromatherapy are as numerous during the months of pregnancy as at any other time.

Take extra care when using oils during pregnancy. It is best to consult a qualified aromatherapist and select oils carefully as some can be hazardous.

  • Avoid self-treatment during the first trimester.
  • Dilute your blends to half their usual amounts and add to a vegetable based carrier oil.
  • Even with familiar oils, perform a patch test first.
  • Vaporizers are a safe method as there is no contact with the skin.
  • Some oils may be harmful, including basil, juniper, thyme, hyssop, clary sage, cinnamon, clove, marjoram, sage, jasmine and myrrh. In the first trimester, avoid Cedarwood, rosemary, peppermint and rose.
  • A long, warm, aromatic soak in the bath at the end of the day can provide welcome relief for weary muscles and swollen ankles while relaxing you for bedtime.
  • Keep the bathwater warm rather than hot during pregnancy and remember to dilute any oil that you use in a little carrier oil or milk before swirling it into the running bathwater.
  • Gentle massage is beneficial during pregnancy, especially if administered by a loved one. It eases aches and pains in the lower back and legs, soothes fatigue and tension, benefits swollen ankles and feet, and reduces the risk of stretch marks.
  • Avoid deep pressure or percussive strokes, replacing these with gentle figure-of-eight or circular strokes.
  • Your recipient might be more comfortable lying on her side or sitting astride a kitchen chair with a pillow to rest her arms and head on.

Suitable oils to use include lavender, to release muscular tension; neroli, to reduce stretch marks; and chamomile, to relieve insomnia.

Also herbal remedies can be taken to boost health and treat a number of pregnancy-related ailments, from morning sickness to labor pains. Herbal medicine can help boost your health during pregnancy and easy many of the common complaints encountered during pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding.

Some herbs act as tonics, nourishing your changing body and that of your developing baby, while others can bring relief from pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness, digestive problems and insomnia. Some women are prescribed herbs during labor, once contractions have begun, as certain plants can help the labor progress or relieve pain.

Some herbs are beneficial after birth, to aid the healing process, especially after stitches or a Caesarean section.

Choosing the right herbs depends on your individual circumstances. Many herbs are safe to use as long as they are prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist. Herbal teas are a popular means of taking herbal remedies during pregnancy. However, many culinary herbs with medicinal qualities can be added to cooking.

Certain herbs are not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or need to be limited to specific doses. For this reason, it is important to seek professional help.

It is best to avoid herbs in the first trimester of pregnancy, apart from very gentle ones, such as chamomile and ginger.

Some herbs can stimulate the uterus, and therefore could trigger a miscarriage or stillbirth, while others may be toxic to the developing baby. In particular, you need to take care with Chinese herbs as some of these contain steroids and may even cause jaundice. If you experience any discomfort when taking an herbal remedy, consult a doctor without delay.

For gentle remedies during pregnancy, it is fine to use herbs in cooking or herbal teas. However, stronger preparations should only be prescribed by a qualified herbalist.

Ginger:

Ginger tea or biscuits can ease the nausea of morning sickness. Sip small amounts of the tea throughout the day for best results. You can also add freshly grated ginger to a stir-fry to boost circulation.

Cabbage:

Cabbage helps reduce water retention. Wrap the boiled, cooled leaves around ankles to ease swelling and cover swollen breasts with cool, cooked cabbage leaves to alleviate the pain.

Raspberry leaf:

This herb is ideal when you’re preparing for birth. It softens tissues along the birth canal to aid the delivery and strengthens contractions of the uterus, speeding up the birth. Only take raspberry leaf in the last eight weeks of pregnancy, not before as it may trigger a premature labor.

Chamomile:

Chamomile is a gentle herb that can be used throughout pregnancy. Taken as tea, it has a soothing action that can ease wind, bloating and constipation, but don’t drink more than two cups a day. Drinking chamomile tea in early labor also helps to calm your nerves.

Coriander:

This common herb can prepare the mother’s body for labor. Try eating three or four springs in a salad or make a tea from the seeds.

Cramp bark:

This herb acts as a muscle relaxant thanks to its antispasmodic and sedative properties. Taken as a decoction or tincture, it can help with painful contractions during labor. Do not take cramp bark during the actual pregnancy as it stimulates the uterus.

Garlic:

Garlic is an extremely popular all-purpose herbal remedy. You can add this versatile ingredient to your cooking while pregnant to help keep your blood pressure stable. Garlic also boosts your immune systems and lowers the risk of blood clots. It can even help the growth of the placenta and developing baby, as it aids the healthy functioning of your circulation.

Liquorice:

Chewing liquorice sweets can help to alleviate feelings of nausea. It can also help to settle a sluggish digestive system when eaten, or taken as a tea.

Source: yahoo voices

Pill camera to screen for colon cancer approved in U.S.

An ingestible pill camera to help screen for polyps and early signs of colon cancer has been approved for use in the U.S.

Given Imaging Ltd.’s PillCam Colon was originally touted as an alternative to traditional colonoscopy procedures, but the company’s research found images taken by the mini-camera aren’t as clear as those taken during the more invasive procedure.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the device for patients who have experienced an incomplete colonoscopy. The company estimates 750,000 U.S. patients are not able to complete the procedure each year, due to anatomy issues, previous surgery or various colon diseases.

“Colonoscopy is the most comprehensive option, but for up to 10 per cent of individuals, achieving a complete colonoscopy may not be possible,” Eric Hargis, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance, said in a release.

In 2001, Given Imaging received FDA approval for a similar device that images the small intestine.

The newly approved capsule has two miniature colour video cameras, a battery and light source. Once the patient ingests the capsule, it is designed to transmit images for about 10 hours.

Data is transferred from the device to a computer to be compiled. A doctor later reviews and reports the results.

Risks of the procedure include capsule retention, aspiration and skin irritation. Before the capsule is excreted, patients should not be near powerful electromagnetic fields, such as those created by an MRI device.

The PillCam Colon is commercially available in Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, Australia and parts of Asia and Africa.

Given Imaging also develops technology to visualize, diagnose and monitor the digestive system, including with its PillCam, a swallowed capsule endoscope.

A report by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer suggested that in 2011, half of Canadians aged 50 to 74 surveyed said they were up to date with their colorectal cancer screening — a fecal occult blood test in the past two years and colonoscopy in the past five years.

Last month, Alberta Health Services announced a new at-home, non-invasive screening test called “fit” – a fecal immunochemical test – for people aged of 50 to 74 at average risk of colorectal cancer.

A review of 19 studies published in Monday’s online issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded FITs have high overall diagnostic accuracy for colorectal cancers.

Like the traditional fecal occult stool test, FIT involves collecting a stool sample at home to look for traces of blood. People using FIT don’t need to restrict their diet or stop taking medications.

Source: CBC news

Yoga pose for a stronger orgasm — Dhanurasana

Dhanurasana literally translates to the ‘bow pose’. This asana helps strengthen the back and spine, opens up the chest and helps you breathe better. Apart from that it is known to strengthen and stimulate the abdominal organs, helps in relieveing menstrual pain and discomfort, helps the kidneys function better and strengthens the muscles of the arms and legs.

One of the most interesting benefits of this pose is that it stimulates the reporductive organs of a person and beats stress and fatigue.

Known to help in achieving a stronger orgasm this asana is also a great way to beat sexual diseases like premature ejaculation and disinterest in sex. Read about the top 10 yoga poses to beat premature ejaculation.

Steps to do this pose: Lie on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart and your arms by the side of your body. Fold your knees and hold your ankles. Breathing in, lift your chest off the ground and pull your legs up and back. Look straight ahead with a smile on your face. Keep the pose stable while paying attention to your breath. Continue to take long deep breaths as you relax in this pose. But don’t get carried away! Do not overdo the stretch. After 15 -20 seconds, as you exhale, gently bring your legs and chest to the ground. Release the ankles and relax.

Tip: Do not practice this pose if you have high or low blood pressure, hernia, neck injury, pain in the lower back, headache, migraine or a recent abdominal surgery or if you are pregnant.

Source: Health India

Obesity during pregnancy could lead to long-term cardiovascular morbidity

A new study has revealed that obesity during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for long-term cardiovascular morbidity, and these complications tend to occur at a younger age.

Researchers concluded that obese pregnant patients might benefit from cardiovascular risk screening that could lead to early detection and secondary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity.

Researchers evaluated data from pregnant women who delivered between 1988 and 1999, and were followed-up retrospectively until 2010. Long-term cardiovascular morbidity was compared among women with and without obesity in pregnancy.

Cardiovascular morbidity was divided into four categories including simple and complex cardiovascular events and invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures.

During the period of study, 46,688 women who delivered were recruited, and of that number, 1221 were found to suffer from obesity. Ten years later, these patients had higher rates of simple cardiovascular events, non-invasive diagnostic procedures, and total number of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations.

The data recovered not only indicates an association between obesity in pregnancy and future risk for cardiovascular morbidity, but also reveals the effect of obesity in pregnancy on earlier occurrence of cardiovascular morbidity.

Dr. Shimrit Yaniv Salem, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer sheva, Israel, said, “These results are of major importance to the obstetricians counseling a patient regarding future risk for cardiovascular complications. It is important for secondary prevention, early detection, and specific screening programs for this population.”

The study will be presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in New Orleans.

Source: sify

5 superfoods for a healthy skin

Today’s busy lifestyle schedules might leave you with a dull face that lacks lustre. In such a condition, diet plays a very important role as there are no short cuts to attain a healthy and glowing skin naturally.

Here are a few foods that you should eat for a clear, healthy and glowing skin.

Salmon: Salmon is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids that protect the skin from sun exposure thereby providing radiance and glow to the skin.

Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a natural source of probiotic and excellent food for your face as it is effective in treating acne, eczema, dandruff and other problems to some extent.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes basically have an anti-ageing affect on our body as they contain antioxidant lycopene which is easily absorbed by our body thereby leaving you with a healthy skin and hair.

Green Tea: Green tea as we all know contains a good amount of antioxidants which when gets absorbed in the body, leaves you with that healthy glow.

Kiwis: Kiwis are a rich source of Vitamin C which help main a firm skin thereby keeping wrinkles at bay, This wonder fruit to contains antioxidants that keeps the skin healthy.

Source: Zee news

Ghost white baby’ born without most of her blood

Hope Juarez’s first name is an appropriate one: The 6-week-old is only the second known “ghost white baby” born in recent years to actually survive. She’s so described because she was born with almost no blood, giving her a very white appearance.

The medical miracle, which began three weeks before 27-year-old Jennifer Juarez’s due date, when she realized the regular kicking she’d been feeling had ceased.

She went to her midwife, who asked the Fountain Valley, Calif., woman what her gut feeling was. “Something’s not right,” Juarez replied. And it wasn’t. While some fetal blood loss happens in all but 2 percent of pregnancies, Hope had suffered a fetal-maternal hemorrhage, and doctors estimate she lost around 80 percent of her blood.

An emergency C-section allowed Hope to get a life-saving blood transfusion. Why fetal-maternal hemorrhages occur remains largely a mystery; “a lot of it just happens spontaneously,” says a neonatologist at Kaiser Permanente, Irvine Medical Center, where Hope was born.

What is clear is that Juarez’s quick reaction saved her daughter’s life; doctors say Hope could have died had she spent just a few more hours in the womb.

on 2012 a 6-month-old who was the other baby to recently survive a similar complication. Olivia Bearman’s mother also noticed the baby had stopped kicking.

After birth it was discovered the child had “lost blood directly into her mum’s blood circulation,” explains a neonatal nurse.

Source: Fox news

Cells from Dead people’s eyes helps blind people

Researchers have suggested that cells taken from the donated eyes of dead people may be able to give sight to the blind.

Tests in rats showed that the human cells can restore some vision to completely blind rats.

The team at University College London said similar results in humans would improve quality of life, but would not give enough vision to read.

The team extracted a special kind of cell from the back of the eye. These Muller glia cells – a type of adult stem cell – is capable of transforming into the specialized cells in the back of the eye and could be useful for treating a wide range of sight
disorders.

In the lab, the cells were transformed into rod cells that detected light in the retina, and injecting the rods into the backs of the eyes of completely blind rats partially restored their vision.

Brain scans showed that 50 percent of the electrical signals between the eye and the brain made a recovery after the treatment.

The study has been published in journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

Source: Zee News

Challenge at Work May Ease Adults’ Autism Symptoms

For adults with autism, having the chance to work somewhat independently may lead to a reduction in symptoms of the disorder, a new study suggests.

The research puts new emphasis on the potential for adults with autism to develop and improve over their lifetimes, said study author Julie Lounds Taylor, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville.

“We have assumed it’s really hard to budge autism symptoms in adulthood. Drugs are targeted to problems like acting out, for example,” she said. “But this study suggests that these adults need a place where they’re intellectually stimulated, and then we’ll see a reduction in symptoms.”

The challenge is to find the right fit between a person’s abilities and interests and a specific job, she explained.

“How independent can they be and what are the risks of failure? We have to be careful. You’re talking about a huge range of people with autism,” Taylor said. “I’ve seen people who can manage pretty high-level jobs, like computer programming or being in the military, while others have more [mental] challenges, but can still work a job in the community with support.”

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders defined by difficulties with social functioning and communication, according to the researchers. Symptoms include restricted interests, repetitive behaviors and difficulty with social interactions.

The study findings were reported online recently in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Increasing the level of independence in adults with autism isn’t necessarily difficult to do, Taylor said. “We found behavior changes any time you could bump [them] up to doing something a little more independent,” she said. “As they get more independent, you see more benefit.”

Yet understanding what makes a good fit is a huge challenge, she said. “Insight is one of the characteristics people with autism typically may not have, so we will probably need the person’s perspective and then gather information from families, looking at what’s available, and incorporating all of that together,” Taylor explained.

About 50 percent of adults with autism spend their time in sheltered settings, and a minority work in the community, according to Taylor. Most have trouble holding steady jobs, she added.

For the study, the researchers tracked the behavioral development and activities of 153 people with autism spectrum disorder over a five-year period. Their average age was about 30.

The data came from a larger study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which followed 400 families with adolescents with autism over 10 years. Data were collected at two different points in time almost six years apart. Data came from the primary caregiver — 150 were mothers and three were fathers.

The researchers found that having greater vocational independence and engagement was related to reduction in autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors. It was also associated with improvements in daily life activities.

An expert in autism spectrum disorders who was not involved in the study said the results were not surprising.

“This study suggests that, as with nondisabled individuals, a more positive work experience can have many important associated benefits downstream,” said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, in New Hyde Park.

If the research can be replicated, Adesman said it suggests greater emphasis needs to be given to helping adults with autism spectrum disorder find as independent and engaging a work environment as possible.

Taylor said the key point for parents of adults with autism spectrum disorder is to understand the value of getting the best possible vocational placement for their son or daughter and advocating for it.

“If it’s a terrible fit, in ability or in what interests them, it won’t work out,” she said. “But a job can have lasting behavioral impact across the lifespan.”

Source: Web md

Home remedies for bad breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be avoided. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, as bacteria that builds up on the back of your tongue or in between your teeth is the main culprit. Bad breath can be caused by foods, smoking, dry mouth, medical conditions, gum disease, and sinus conditions. No wonder dental hygiene is such big business.

If your halitosis hangs on for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause, call your dentist or doctor, says Roger P. Levin, D.D.S. It can be a sign of gum disease, gastrointestinal problems, sinus infection, bronchitis, or even more serious diseases, such as diabetes, liver or kidney failure, and cancer. Bad breath can also be a sign of dehydration or zinc deficiency.

Spices
Other herbs and spices in your kitchen are natural breath enhancers. Carry a tiny plastic bag of cloves, fennel, or anise seeds to chew after odorous meals.

Brush your tongue
“Most people overlook their tongues,” says Dr. Shapira. “Your tongue is covered with little hairlike projections, which under a microscope look like a forest of mushrooms. Under the caps of the ‘mushrooms,’ there’s room to harbor plaque and some of the things we eat. That causes bad breath.”

His advice? While brushing, gently sweep the top of your tongue, too, so that you don’t leave food and bacteria behind to breed bad breath.

Even when you can’t brush, you can rinse. Take a sip of water after meals, swish it around, and wash the smell of food from your mouth, says Jerry F. Taintor, D.D.S.

Eat your parsley
Parsley adds more than green to your lunch plate; it’s also a breath-saver, because it contains chlorophyll, a known breath deodorizer. So pick up that sprig garnishing your plate and chew it thoroughly. Or toss a few handfuls (even add some watercress to the mix) in a juicer. Sip the juice anytime you need to refresh your breath.

Ease up on cheese
Camembert, Roquefort, and blue cheese are called strong for good reason—they get a hold on your breath and don’t let go. Other dairy products may have the same effect

Avoid beverages
Coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey are at the top of the list of liquid offenders. Each leaves a residue that can attach to the plaque in your mouth and infiltrate your digestive system. Each breath you take spews traces back into the air.

Source: nbc news