Yasser Lopez: Miami boy survived miraculously with spear in brain

MIAMI, FL – According to BBC reports; a U.S. teenager is improving after he was inadvertently hit with a spear gun by a friend during a Florida fishing trip this month.

Yasser Lopez: Miami boy survived miraculously with spear in brain

The doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami regarded the recovery of the 16-year-old Yasser Lopez as ‘Miracle’. The outcomes could have been much worse, doctors said, but still they didn’t know the extent of the damage to his memory and other parts of the brain.

According to hospital sources; the 3ft (90cm) projectile entered into the brain of Lopez over his right eye and went out the back of his head; but after a 3-hour long surgery he is out of danger and already started talking.  

Although he has no memory of the weird accident; but he was in his senses when he reached at the hospital. After providing him the anesthesia, part of the stainless steel spike had to be cut off with a mechanical cutter so that Lopez could fit into the CT scanner, doctors said. 

Lopez was lucky in the sense that spear’s path was into the right side of the brain, a non-dominant lobe, missing the parts responsible for speech and other important functions.

"It's a miracle the spear missed all the main blood vessels of the brain," neurosurgeon Ross Bullock told reporters.

Report Tags: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Yasser Lopez, Spear in the brain, Medical, Miracle, Ross Bullock, Lucky Teenager, Teenager survived with spear in brain,

Mysterious skin disease killed 19 in Vietnam, seek international help

HANOI, Vietnam (Sat, Apr. 21) – The mysterious viral skin infection has killed 19 in Vietnam since it was first reported exactly one year ago in April 2011. More than 170 other people have been registered during last year who are suffering severe medical complications due to this mysterious disease. 

Mysterious skin disease killed 19 in Vietnam, seek international help

Most of the cases have been reported from the Ba To District, which is one of the poorest in the country. The symptoms include a severe rash and ulcers on the skin, as well as high fever that ultimately leads to liver problems and organ failure. 

The mysterious illness was thought to be died out after killing 11 people last year; but apparently it has come back with even more forcefully and 8 deaths are reported only in the last month; while 68 new cases have come under spotlight. 

Vietnamese health ministry officials have requested formally to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control to investigate the cause of this mysterious infection and to take appropriate step to stop it from spreading to the other parts of the country.

VIDEO: Canadian blogger Furious Pete Showing the reality of 'before and after' shots used by dieting industry

Worth $60billion-a-year in America, the dieting industry is big business and many advertisements feature ‘before and after’ shots to show you just how effective the product is.

Canadian blogger Furious Pete Showing the reality of 'before and after' shots used by dieting industry (Image Credit: Youtube)

A Canadian blogger and eating champion, known as Furious Pete, has began a barrage at the dieting industry’s use of ‘before and after’ photographs to establish the reality of claims made about supplements and training programs.

Furious Pete has posted a video on YouTube which became an internet sensation as it got more than 3.0 million hits within just 48 hours, since it was uploaded on February 5, 2012.

He says: 'Take two hours off, you worked hard. Rest up and make sure the vascularity disappears. Grab a bag of chips and down all of them. 

'Grab yourself a two litre bottle of pop and drink it all. Diet pop works even better because it has more carbonation and will make your stomach even bigger.'

He then recommends drinking chocolate milk, saying: 'It will bloat the hell out of you.'

Then, the before shot is complete. Pete stands with his stomach hanging over his pants and the bulging biceps from just hours before have disappeared, proving that we 'shouldn't believe everything we see.'

Watch video below:

Panda Tea for Health and Fitness: World's most expensive tea from Panda Dung

‘Panda Tea’ is what might be the upcoming craze for the health and fitness conscious people around the globe; but behold it will not be available for a those who can’t afford to spend almost 220,000 yuan ($35,000) for 500 grams (18 ounces).

An Yanshi with his experimental plants of world's most expensive tea

According to details; a Chinese citizen An Yanshi believed that panda poo is the key ingredient to produce the world’s most expensive tea, what he called ‘Panda Tea’ whose logo features a smiling panda wearing a bow tie and holding a steaming glass of green tea.

An Yanshi, 41, has purchased 11 tonnes of Panda dung from a panda breeding centre to fertilize a tea crop in the mountains of Sichuan province in southwestern China, home to the black and white bears.

An Yanshi - a calligraphy teacher at Sichuan University – has left his job to dedicate himself for this project for which he has planted the tea crop on just over a hectare (2.5 acres) of land. An no only hopes to make money from the tea but he aims to convince the world to protect the environment and replace chemical fertilizers with animal extracts, before it is too late.

The passionate former university professor dressed in a panda suit for his interview with AFP “Panda dung is rich in nutrition… and should be much better than chemical fertilizers,” An told AFP, as he sat at a traditional Chinese tea table drinking tea grown with cow manure.

The tea addict An got the idea to use panda faeces as fertilizer after attending a seminar last year where he came to know that the bears normally absorb less than 30 percent of the bamboo they consume, excreting the remaining 70 percent.

Painkiller Abuse and Overdose Lead to 3 times High Fatality Rate Over a Decade

NEW YORK – Human Killers or painkillers…??

Human Killers or painkillers

The latest report issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is an eye-opening document stating that the number of deaths have increased three times over a decade due to the over-dosage of powerful painkillers. It’s an epidemic trend but one that can be stopped with precautionary measures on urgent basis, a U.S. health official said.

Almost 15,000 deaths were recorded, including actor Heath Ledger, due to prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin and methadone. The stunning number is almost four times of the deaths caused by narcotics in 1999.

Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Dr. Thomas Frieden, said, “such painkillers are meant to help people who have severe pain, but they are, however, highly addictive.”

The report further mentions almost 5% of Americans ages 12 and above said they've abused painkillers, using them without a prescription or doctor’s consultation, in the last year. In 2008-09 surveys, Oklahomans reported the maximum rate of drugs abuse; while Nebraska and Iowa were on the lowest side.

Sources and References

USA Today

New York Daily News

Human Stem Cells Successfully Developed by U.S. Scientists Using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

In a latest finding, that could be monumental if passes successfully through further tests and analysis, US scientists have developed a cloning procedure to obtain custom-made embryonic stem cells to grow in unfertilized human egg cells. 

Human Stem Cells Successfully Developed by U.S. Scientists

Researchers used a cloning method called Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) to get embryonic stem cells that match a patient's DNA. The details of the research and its findings are published in the journal Nature on today (Wednesday, Oct. 5).

The findings are of great significance because now it would be possible to replace damaged cells of any patient with the cloned patient-specific cells, obtained through this new technique, without the risk of rejection by patient’s immune system.

"This paper will be seen as significant both by those who are trying to use SCNT to produce human patient-specific embryonic stem cell lines and by those who oppose human 'cloning' experiments," said Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, a division head at Britain's National Institute for Medical Research.

Stem cells are the source material for all other cells therefore called as the body's master cells. Those who support embryonic stem cells advocate that they could alter medicine, providing treatments for blindness, juvenile diabetes or severe injuries.

High comsumption of caffeine hinders successful conception: Latest Study Revelations

Extra dose of caffeine might hinder pregnancy 

Even though previous research confirmed that drinking too much coffee could hinder a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, the reason for exactly why remained a mystery until now.

A study done in the United States on mice found that caffeine, the stimulant drug inside coffee, reduces the activity of muscle pacemaker cells inside of the Fallopian tubes. In order for a woman to have a successful pregnancy, the fertilized egg must reach the uterus. However, if these pacemaker cells aren’t working properly, it decreases her chances of successfully getting pregnant.

Because these cells are responsible for coordinating tube contractions, eggs are unable to move down the tubes into the uterus when they’re not working properly. In fact, these muscle cells play an even bigger role in moving the tiny egg along than the cilia along the tube wall.

“Our experiments were conducted in mice, but this finding goes a long way towards explaining why drinking caffeinated drinks can reduce a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant”, said Professor Sean Ward of the University of Nevada’s School of Medicine in Reno.

This new discovery not only explains why women with higher caffeine consumptions have a harder time conceiving, but it also gives fertility experts another clue in how to help couples who want to conceive naturally do so.

More Bugs and Germs on Car Steering Wheel Than Toilet Seat - New Study Revelations

A recent study has found that nine times more germs breed on the steering wheel of a car than on a public toilet seat.

The research found that while 80 bacteria prowl on each square inch of a toilet, almost 700 harmful bugs inhabit the interior of a car, reports the Daily Mail.

"While most of the bacteria were unlikely to cause health problems, some cars were found to play host to a number of potentially harmful bacterial species," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Ron Cutler, Director of Biomedical Science at Queen Mary University, London, as saying.

He further said: "Most people clean their homes but many are neglecting to clean their cars and are driving around in vehicles which resemble a rubbish bin."

"A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out," Cutler added.

Scientists also said the car boot is the filthiest area, with 1,000 bacteria for every one and half square inch.

The study has revealed that Bacillus Cereus, a bug found in rice, pasta, potatoes and pies, and which can cause food poisoning, is the most commonly found in cars.

Another bud arthrobacter, found in soil and human skin also features in the list.

Old is Gold: Being Old Doesn’t Mean Being Sick, Latest Research by the Canadian Institute for Health Information

There is much worry these days about the impact of the aging population on health-care utilization and spending.

But new research is adding a twist to the discussion, concluding that it is the rise in people living with chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes and depression that is driving up health costs, not aging per se.

 The data, published Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, show that patterns of health-care use are similar at age 45, 65 and 85 for people with no chronic health conditions.

And the more chronic illnesses a person suffers from – regardless of age – the more they use health services such as visiting a GP or specialist, consulting a pharmacist, going to emergency and being admitted to hospital.

“Once you get to three or more conditions, utilization really increases,” said Greg Webster, director of primary health-care information at CIHI. People with three or more chronic conditions make, on average, six times more health-care visits than those with no chronic conditions, the report shows.

Mr. Webster noted, however, that while aging is not the principal cost driver, the likelihood of a person having a chronic illness does increase with age. Three in four Canadians over the age of 65 suffer from at least one chronic health condition; by contrast, one in five people under the age of 24 live with a chronic illness.

Among seniors, one in four have no chronic health problems, and one in four have three or more; the balance have one to two persistent health issues. It is noteworthy that those proportions change very little between ages 45 and 85.

“We may erroneously expect that, as we get older, we will get sicker, but the data show that is not necessarily the case,” Mr. Webster said. “We maybe need to change the mindset that aging means illness.”

Mr. Webster said there is also an important message to be found between the lines of the data: One of the keys to controlling health utilization and spending is to prevent the onset of chronic illnesses. “We have a choice: Get on top of this today and prevent multiple chronic conditions, or leave things as they are and a lot of people are going to need a lot of health care,” he said.

The new study shows, however, that there are significant gaps in preventive care.

Only two in five people over the age of 45 reported having talked to a health professional about what they could do to improve their health or prevent illness (measures like quitting smoking, increasing exercise or limiting alcohol consumption).

The new data suggest that patients with multiple chronic conditions are not managed particularly well, either, especially when it comes to medications. Bill Hogg, research director at the University of Ottawa’s Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, noted that patients with three or more chronic conditions reported taking an average of six prescription drugs regularly, twice as many as those with only one chronic condition.

The big drug users were more than twice as likely to experience a side effect requiring medical attention. Yet less than half of seniors with chronic conditions reported that their doctor reviewed their medications and explained potential side effects at least some of the time. “Strategies to reduce the number of medications a senior is prescribed, when possible, can result in better compliance with medication regimens and lead to a better quality of life,” Dr. Hogg said.

The new study did not look specifically at spending, but earlier data from CIHI shows that per capita health spending increases steadily with age. It rises from $2,286 per capita for those age 15 to 64 to $5,828 for those age 65 to 69, then $8,078 for those 70 to 74, $10,898 for those 75 to 79 and $18,160 for those 80 and older.

Seniors, who make up 13 per cent of the population, account for about 44 per cent of health spending. But patients with chronic conditions account for about two-thirds of all health spending.

There's No Way to Avoid Cold and Flu Virus Except Few Herbal Supplements

Cold and flu season is in full swing, leading many of us to try anything to avoid getting sick. But according to Dr. Allison McGeer, the head of infection control at Toronto's Mount Sinai hospital, there's only so much you can do.

"The best evidence is for a particular herbal supplement, which is called Cold FX," McGeer said. "But the truth of the matter is that taking Cold FX is not as effective as getting a flu shot and it's not as effective as washing your hands."

McGeer added that things like Echinacea, vitamin C and other supplements might help ease your symptoms or shorten the illness, but they won't keep you from getting sick. In fact, even if you do everything right in terms of eating properly, getting plenty of rest and exercise, and frequently washing your hands, viruses can still get to you.

"Probably the other thing that makes a big difference to colds and flu is if we all do our bit and stay home when we're sick and stay away from people if we get sick, because that way we don't pass them on," McGeer said.

MDMouse: USB Optical Mouse Plus Sphygmomanometer - - Allows Users to Check Their Blood Pressure And Have the Data Emailed to Medical Professionals

Boys and girls, what we have here is a simple case of USB optical mouse plus sphygmomanometer equals MDMouse.

It’s perfect for the 70 million odd grown ups and senior citizens in the United States who are suffering from hypertension. Also perfect for anyone else outside the U.S.A. with hypertension. As indicated by the pic above, the MDMouse allows users to check their blood pressure and have the data emailed to medical professionals. The ring beside the mouse accommodates a digit (we believe your thumb goes in there based on how a person grasps a PC mouse) and tightens accordingly for the right amount of pressure, which registers on a corresponding software program on the PC.

Despite its convenience, doctors still suggest using cuff-style upper arm blood pressure monitors over finger sensors become reading a re a lot more accurate with the former. Still, if computing is a part of your daily routine and hypertension keeps you less than healthy, the MDMouse appears quite the impressive accessory.

Alas, mum’s the word on pricing and an official release date. But you might want to check the official site for extra details.

Fashion Hazards - - Killer High Heel Shoes Injured 33% of Ladies Worldwide

The next time you wear those stilettos, better be careful-a new study has suggested that more than three million women have had to seek medical attention for injuries caused by their high heels.

Half either tore a tendon or twisted an ankle, while thousands of others smashed their teeth or broke wrists by falling flat.

But 60% of women said whatever agony a pair of heels caused, they would keep wearing them if they won compliments.

The poll of 3,000 women aged 18 to 65 also found a whopping 89% said uncomfortable shoes have ruined a night out.

More than a third have had to be helped or even carried home because of pain from shoes that are too tight.

And 61% have spent a whole evening sitting down.

But 80% have bought a trendy pair despite knowing they do not fit.

Only 2% of the women polled by Hotter Shoes never wear heels.

"Women tend to buy shoes that look good, and then worry about the pain later," the Sun quoted spokeswoman Lisa McCarten, as saying.

"It's incredible to imagine the pain and discomfort women endure for a pair of killer heels," she added.

Red Onions: Natural Fighter Against Heart Problems

As per Chinese researchers, regular consumption of red onions is quite effective in preventing the risk of heart disease in human body by removing the bad cholesterol responsible for triggering the fatal condition.

Commenting on the study findings, lead-study author, professor Zhen Yu Chen at the Chinese University in Hong Kong, said in a press statement that despite various studies carried out on the benefits of onions to humans “a little is known of how their consumption interacts with human genes and proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism within the body.”

So they decided to conduct this research in order to distinguish this very interaction of “onions with enzymes in an attempt to explore the underlying cholesterol-lowering mechanism.”

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Neti Pot For Sinus Health: Video Presentation

A neti pot is a small ceramic or plastic pitcher. It has two openings, one at the top and another in the spout. It is filled with salt water to cleanse your nasal passages. A sinus wash is recommended as part of your daily personal hygiene regimen. Cleansing your sinuses in this manner relieves symptoms associated with colds, flu, sinus infections, nasal dryness, allergies, and other sinus irritations. It also helps reduce swelling of the nasal membranes.

What You Need:

• neti pot


• lukewarm water


• salt (non-iodized)


• 1/4 teaspoon

 

How To Use (Video Presentation):

1. Fill the neti pot with

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Depression: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Help

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. More than just the temporary "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Hobbies and friends don’t interest you like they used to; you’re exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better. But first, you need to understand depression. Learning about depression—including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment—is the first step to overcoming the problem.

What is depression?

We all go through ups and downs in our mood. Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness.

Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all—instead, they feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic.

Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when it's time to seek help.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.


• Loss of interest in daily activities.

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Kill Anxiety ... Before It Kills You!

A Simple Cure For Anxiety And Depression:

Our innate desire is to be happy, and when we move away from it, we experience fear.

This fear is actually millions of years old, for it arises from the biological programming of our species.

While we may not have to contend with a sabre-toothed tiger on any given day, we still use those very reactions to deal with events looming ahead.

We think, "Will I be fired for making that mistake at work?" or "Will I be able to meet the mortgage after I fix the car?" or "Will my health continue to decline?" or "Will my relationship fall apart after that argument we just fell into?"

Running questions with this type of urgency and helplessness trains our brains to prepare now for future danger by loading our bodies up with the stress hormone cortisol.

Anxiety is our anticipation of a dangerous future. We imagine having even less of the little that we have today.

This anxiety does not help us in any way to meet the future any better. In fact, it weakens and exhausts us. We usually worry most about things that we can't even control. Worrying about your dental visit, for example, will not make the visit better.

Anxiety, in fact, is a silent killer. It is enervating, and it drains you of purpose and hope, faith and initiative. It fogs up your thinking. And it makes the body susceptible to illness.

When anxiety--a fear of an event in the future--is high enough then you feel a deep sense of helplessness. This, in turn, translates into depression. You even begin to view the past as disappointing.

Caught between a miserable past and a frightening future you create a pattern of emotions that can lead to a variety of mood disorders, including manic-depression.

How do we escape from this vicious cycle?

Here is what I did 20 years ago and I have never since suffered from any serious mood disorder.

I started to cultivate my awareness of my mood swings--from elation to black despair.

I did this by basically watching myself when I was manic, and watching myself when I was depressed, and watching what I did to turn on these states. For example to get depressed, I used my love of literature to focus on dark, morbid, and unhappy stories about life. And to get elated, I would talk a lot, move very quickly, and do things in a dramatic way.

An interesting thing happened when I made my unconscious behavior conscious. I could not take my mood shifts seriously.

This is what I learned from that experience: when you are able to observe yourself over the course of a few weeks, you develop a curious detachment.

A paradoxical situation developed for me: I found it difficult to stay anxious and depressed when I was observing myself feeling anxious and depressed.

Ultimately, anxiety and depression are culturally-induced patterns of thinking that can be overcome through a deliberate cultivation of awareness. When you become your own observer, you weed out the unconscious habits that afflict you.

Despite the billions of dollars spent to heal anxiety and depression, and all the mood disorders and behavioral anomalies that arise from them, the cure is simple, quick, and free.

Scientific and Medical Prespective of Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan Fasting : Scientific Perspective

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The word Ramadan meant "great heat" as this occurred in the pre-Islamic solar calendar. Fasting in this month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

We read in the Qur'an: ....the month of Ramadan, wherein the Qur'an was sent down to be a guidance to the people, and as clear signs of the Guidance and the Salvation. So let those of you, who are present at the month, fast it; and if any of you be sick, or if he be on a journey, then a number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and desires not hardship for you; and that you fulfill the number, and magnify Allah that He has guided you, and perchance you will be thankful. (Surah Baqara, 2: 185)

One can ask what are the benefits of fasting?

People have fast for health reasons. Scientists have studied the effects of fasting on the body and found that the intake of food increases the body's metabolism. After fasting, metabolism can become as much as 22 per cent lower than the normal rate. But research also has shown that after long periods of fasting, the body tends to adjust itself by lowering the rate of metabolism itself. After fasting, a person should gradually resume eating.

In some studies performed on fasting Muslims and Muslimah, it was observed that there was a slight loss of weight both in the males and the females. Their blood glucose levels increased significantly. Other parameters such as blood levels of cortisol, testosterone, Na, K, urea, total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein), TG (triglycerides) and serum osmolality did not show notable variations.

Another study performed about a decade ago in Iran showed that sporadic restraint from food and drink for about 17 hours a day for 30 days does not alter male reproductive hormones, HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis) or peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. Any changes noticed return to normal four weeks after fasting.

A recent study on "Increased fat oxidation during Ramadan fasting in healthy women: an adaptive mechanism for body-weight maintenance" was performed by Drs. Jalila El Ati, et al, published in the Am. J. Clin. Nutri. August 1995. In this study possible effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric and metabolic variables were investigated in healthy Tunisian Muslim women. Total daily energy intake remained unchanged whereas the qualitative components of nutrients were markedly affected. Neither body weight nor body composition were influenced by Ramadan fasting. Results also indicate the concomitant decrease of plasma insulin concentrations with respiratory and energy expenditure during Ramadan.

Fat oxidation was increased and carbohydrate oxidation was decreased during the light span of the nycthemeron. In non-Muslim countries such as the United States the physicians particularly the Family Physicians and Internists should be aware of changes of glucose and bilirubin during the month of Ramadan.

Rheumatic Disease

Fasting may enhance mucosa derived B lymphocyte cell responsiveness while having no effect on B cell responsiveness in both rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers. After a three-day, water-only fast, 7 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 17 healthy volunteers received influenza virus vaccine either orally or by injection. One week later blood samples were analyzed for B lymphocyte response. B lymphocyte response was enhanced in the group receiving the vaccine orally in both arthritis patients and volunteers. The response to injected vaccine was unchanged in both groups.

Longevity studies on laboratory animals have shown that restriction of caloric intake increases longevity, slows the rate of functional decline, and reduces incidence of age-related disease in a variety of species. The mechanism of action of caloric restriction remains unknown; however, data suggest that cellular functions are altered in such a way that destructive by-products of metabolism are reduced, and defense or repair systems are enhanced by this nutritional manipulation. Animal and human studies suggest potential benefits of dietary modification, exercise, antioxidants, hormones, and deprenyl.

Effect on Lactating Mothers

The effects of fasting and increased blood insulin and glucose on milk volume and composition were studied with glucose clamp methodology in exclusively and partially breast-feeding women (producing no more than 200 ml milk per day). There was no effect on milk volume, milk glucose concentration, total fat content or lactose secretion rate. It is concluded that human milk production is isolated from the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate glucose metabolism in the rest of the body, in part because the lactose synthetase system has a Km for glucose lower than the concentration available in the Golgi compartment.

Short-term fasting in normal women

In a study which investigated the effects of a short-term fast (72 hours) on female reproductive hormone secretion and menstrual function, it was concluded that in spite of profound metabolic changes, a 72-hour fast during the follicular phase does not affect the menstrual cycle of normal cycling women.

Fasting and healing

Studies are being conducted to treat serious illnesses like osteo-or rheumatoid arthritis or asthma utilizing fasting for a short duration of a few days to medically supervised water (only fasts of 30 days) to help the body heal itself. It has been known that both children and animals refuse to eat when sick as a natural response. The severely sick have no appetite, but they take the food only at the urging of the family members.

The severely sick feel no hunger because food in severe sickness intervenes with natural response. The body is always trying to heal itself. When the patient is resting and consuming water only, the body heals itself and fasting acts as a facilitating process. One can get rid of coffee, cigarettes salty or sugary foods, which are addictive, through fasting, as fasting can help clear the taste buds and healthful foods start to taste better again. However insulin-dependent diabetics should not fast because of ketosis in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, who cannot break down the ketones and use them as fuel. Healthy people use the ketones (by-products of fat metabolism) to maintain energy. (To conserve the glycogen stores, glucose becomes restricted to the central nervous system, mainly the brain. Instead of taking the glucose from the brain, the body begins breaking down the fatty acids in adipose (fatty) tissue). People with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (the majority of people who have diabetes) can improve their health through fasting.

Fasting helps cardiovascular disease, arthritis, asthma, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, ulcers, and digestive disorders, lupus, skin problems (including cysts, tumors and kidney stones). Even quitting smoking and obesity respond favourably to fasting.

Hence fasting during the month of Ramadan does not cause any adverse medical effects, on the other hand may have some beneficial effects on weight and lipid metabolism.

Ginger: Better Than Painkiller Drugs - - Eases Muscle Pain Caused by Heavy Exercise

Eating ginger can help ease muscle pain caused by heavy exercise, says a latest research.

Ginger root has been used as a household remedy since centuries for a variety of ailments, such as cough and colds and upset stomach, but now the study has revealed that ginger is particularly good for staving off muscle pain, reports dailymail.co.uk .


Professor Patrick O'Connor, of the University of Georgia , who led the research believes this remedy can be better than consuming painkiller drugs.

"Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it," he said.

The study showed daily ginger intake reduced the exercise-induced pain by 25 per cent. It is known to contain chemicals that work in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

Beetroot Juice: A Natural Stamina Booster - - Increase Blood Nitrate Levels And Reduce Muscle Usage of Adenosine Triphosphate

Drinking half a litre – almost a pint – a day for one week enabled test subjects using exercise bikes to cycle for 16 per cent longer before they were tired out, a study found.

It followed earlier research that showed the juice increased endurance.

Now scientists believe they know how the beetroot boost works. The juice doubled the amount of nitrate in the volunteers’ blood and cut the rate at which their muscles used up energy and oxygen, the University of Exeter team said.

‘While our previous research demonstrated the benefits of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on stamina, our latest work indicates this is consequent to a reduced energy cost of muscle force production,’ said study leader Prof Andy Jones.

‘Since our first study came out, we have seen growing interest in the benefits of drinking beetroot juice in the world of professional sport and I expect this study to attract more attention from athletes.’

Prof Jones’ team studied seven healthy men aged 19 to 38, who were asked to complete knee extension exercises while measuring their exertion levels.

Beetroot was found to increase blood nitrate levels and reduce muscle usage of adenosine triphosphate – the body’s chief energy source. The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Increasing Risk of Heart Disease And Type 2 Diabetes Due to Excessive Use of Processed Meats - - Revealed by a Recent Research at Havard

Cardiologists will tell you that eating a lot of meat is probably not the best thing for your heart health.

But now a new study out of Harvard finds that it all depends on what form of meat you're eating.

Here's Chuck Roberts with this morning's Get Fit, Get Healthy Tri-States tip.

Harvard researchers report on this week's website of the journal, Circulation, that eating processed meats, such as sausage, bologna and bacon may raise a person's risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But on the flip side, the analysis found eating red meat that was not processed, such as beef, pork and lamb, did not elevate a person's risk for either of these health problems. The researchers looked at data from 20 large studies on meat and health and found processed meats were associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and 19 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes. But red meat had no significant effects. Even though they found processed meat and red meat to have approximately the same amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, the researchers say the processed meat had four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives in them than the red meat, suggesting these elements could have more effect on heart disease and diabetes, than fat. The meat industry has a different view. The American Meat Institute Foundation says meat contains protein, amino acids, iron and zinc, which are the keys to good health. The AMIF says this is just one study from a wealth of research that has clearly demonstrated processed meat is a healthy part of a balanced diet.