What the doctor should know about nutritional medicine

A book worth reading on alternative medicine for autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Is soda bad for your kidneys?

The answer is yes!
According to NIH study of more than 900 people, consuming 16 ounces or more of soda doubled the risk of chronic kidney disease. Consuming any type of soda is associated with risk factors of kidney disease, e.g. diabetes, hypertension, and kidney stones.
The study showed that cola had the most significant effect on the disease. Experts suspect that the key ingredient phosphoric acid is main culprit. It was linked to "urinary changes that promote kidney stones" It also increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Though the none cola drinks did not have the same impact as the former, it is best for health sake to avoid them altogether.

Source: Ben Cramer

Will your computer effect your fertility?

Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) are man-made chemicals added to a wide variety of consumer products to make them less likely to catch fire.
PBDEs are flame retardants added to some plastics, carpet padding, electronic components,plastic that coat computers and kitchen appliances and television sets.

Because PBDEs are added to the products rather than chemically bound into them, they can be slowly and continuously released from the products during their manufacture, while in use, or after their disposal.

Studies on animals had shown that the chemicals have negative effects on hormones and fertility.
Similar results were found on studies conducted on women.
If you are concerned of effects of PBDEs on your health, you can consider the followings:

* Several manufacturers now produce computers,electronics and furniture that are free of PBDEs. Opt for these items before you make a purchase.

* Since PDBEs are stored in fatty tissue, limit your consumption of fatty foods. consume more fruits and vegetables instead of meat and dairy products

* As PBDEs (along with other contaminants) can accumulate in house dust,keep your house clean will reduce the exposure.

* Cover or replace any exposed carpet padding or foam pads on upholstered furniture and car seats.

Further reference:Is your computer making you infertile?

Good Mood Food

Mood food stimulates neurotransmitters in the brain resulting in contentment

Examples of mood food:
1) Omega-3
Omega-3 blocks cytokines that can cause low mood.
It is present in fish such as Salmon,sardines,tuna,mackerel and nuts and seeds.

2) Green tea
It is an antioxidant and it contains L-theanine which relax the brain through stimulation
of alpha brain waves.

3) Ice-cream
Ice-cream contains anandamide that can produce a calm and pleasant feeling.

4) Bread
Trytophan is a precursor to seronin. Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitters in brain which regulate sleep
and appetite.
Trytophan is found in bread, milk,cheese and bananas.

5) Chocolate
It is not only rich in trytophan, it also contains anandamide and other good mood neurotransmitters
such as oleolethanolamine,caffeine and theobromine.
It also contains GABA said to reduce anxiety. It is also being used in treating PMS.
So little wonder that people like to give away chocolate as gifts for their loved ones during festivals.

Red meat raise the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes

A study by the NIH-AARP (American Association of retired people) diet and Health study showed that the risk of dying over 10 years, mostly of heart and cancer disease is 30% higher than those who ate the the least red meat.
This risk is coming from saturated fat which raise cholesterol in the blood which in term increase the risk of heart attack.

Relation of Colorectal cancer with higher red meat consumption is quite obvious. This can be explained by the fact that red and processed meat will produce N-nitroso compounds which are formed by combination of breakdown products of protein, e.g amides and amines and nitrites and heme iron in the red meat.

Red meat cooked under high temperature or grilled or barbecued meat can produce HCAs and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-- A mutagen which causes mutation in the DNA resulting in cancer.
The higher cancer risk may be found not only in the rectal areas but also in prostrate gland and pancreas.

The nitrites in the red meat may damage the islets cells in the pancreas. This resulted in type II diabetes

Say no to shark fin soup

Aside being not environment friendly to take shark fin soup, it is not good for your heart also. According to the research at the University of Kuopio in Finland, men who ate two portions of shark fin soup a day were more likely to get heart disease. Sharks eat smaller fishes with mercury but is unable to breakdown. Mercury level is build up gradually in their bodies.

Beer and pancreatic cancer

Study had found out that Patient with pancreatic cancer who drank one
Brew a day had acquired the affliction about 5 years earlier than those who did not