Health Matters

The good news is that the stop smoking ads featuring black tongued, fingerless victims may be having their intended effect. The bad news is they may be creating a public so desperate to quit that others may be injured in the process.

31-year-old Etta Mae Lopez, a Californian woman from Sacramento, was desperate to quit smoking but unable to do so by conventional means. As a result, she devised a fail safe plan to kick the habit.

women in Cleveland, OH

There’s been a lot of criticism of the Cleveland cops for their failure to find the three kidnapped victims of their alleged abductor and rapist - Ariel Castro.

Co-enzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is believed to increase cellular energy, the basis life’s energy. That is because the body's cells use CoQ10 for aerobic metabolism.  Aerobic metabolism provides energy for cell growth and maintenance. High levels of CoQ10 are normally found in the heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas. CoQ10 has shown effectiveness in the treatment of certain cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure, certain types of cancer and gum disease. 

The body makes CoQ10, so it is technically not considered a vitamin. However, many researchers believe that humans do not make an adequate amount of CoQ10, and therefore need to supplement it for optimal health.  One report indicated that it actually increased the life span of laboratory animals up to 56 percent. Cholesterol-lowering drugs collectively known as statins, lower the levels of CoQ10 in the body. This is also true for blood pressure and heart regulating drugs known as beta-blockers.

The typical Western diet is high in grain consumption. Grains including wheat, rice and corn raise levels of omega 6 fatty acids in the body, as does sunflower, corn, and safflower oils. Largely because of this fact, omega 6 fatty acids are out of balance with omega 3 fatty acids. The optimum ratio is one omega 3 to three omega 6s. Most Americans have an omega balance of 10 - 20 to 1, in favor of omega 6 fatty acids. Such balances should be considered pro-inflammatory, and therefore unhealthy. The solution is to consume far less grains and oils high in omega 6s, while at the same time increasing the intake of omega 3s. Omega-3s are found in cold-water fatty fish including salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. Fish oil can be taken as a supplement and the capsules are inexpensively available.

Spring has come and allergies abound.

Many prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals are available for the treatment of seasonal allergies.  Oral medication and nasal sprays are most common.  Most of these products contain antihistamines and/or decongestants.  While often effective for quick symptomatic relief, long-term use of such medications may produce unwanted side effects.  Many people seek alternative treatment for the bothersome symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.

China is rising.

 Their economy is expanding at a velocity the likes of which the world has never seen. China’s infrastructure is being developed at an astounding pace. Its manufacturing and technology capacity is set to lead the world. The greatest concentration of wealth and world currency control will soon be the purview of the Chinese.

What is the ideal heart rate for aerobic exercise? 

The calculation is made with the following equation:

Bombs inside the Boston Marathon – virtually incomprehensible!

Abortion, made legal across the US by the landmark Supreme Court Decision, Roe v. Wade, in 1973, continues to be controversial; in many ways dividing the country at its very core.

Currently, many of the more conservative states are crafting laws to restrict (and in some cases effectively ban) abortions. Last week, lawmakers in Kansas passed a comprehensive package of anti-abortion measures including laws which state that life begins at the point of fertilization. The Kansas legislation also bans Planned Parenthood from providing sex education in schools and prohibits abortions based on sex selection.

in those with back pain

A new report released last month, shows that chronic lower back pain is successfully treated using hands-on therapies, thus reducing the necessity for prescription pain medication.

The current trend is in favor of expanding animal rights. In recent years Spain, New Zealand, Germany and the European Union have enacted laws which afford further legal protections for animals.

Studies have shown that aerobic exercise may have important anti-aging effects, possibly reversing many of its consequences by as much as twelve years.

Aerobic capacity, (the ability to breathe deeply and utilize oxygen), declines as people age. Regular, vigorous, aerobic activity or exercise can substantially delay such declines according to one expert, Dr. R. J. Shephard, from the University of Toronto in Ontario. Dr. Shephard has been studying the effects of aerobic exercise for twenty five years. 

you think?

For years, McDonald's has been under attack for their calorie heavy foods and drinks.

One couple in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK, came up with an idea to actually burn calories at McDonald's - an idea which got them removed from the restaurant.

human DNA, potentially causing cancer

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have found that coffee, tea and other plant-based foods may have damaging effects to human DNA, potentially causing certain types of cancer.

The study was published online on February 8 in the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal.

Low “T”?

Maybe your problem is low “T,” says the commercial.

Have trouble falling asleep?

A large new study says insomnia may be related to at least one form of heart disease.

There is no legal way to steal beer. A theft is a theft and thievery is against the law. However, should one get caught in the act of such an indiscretion it might be a good idea to control those impulses likely to inflame the situation.

Such was the case recently in the Somerville area of Massachusetts, where Jonathan Scull of Medford was arrested for stealing two beers. Well, that’s how things reportedly started. Scull, through his allegedly uncontrolled impulses unfortunately ended up with additional charges.

.there's a medical reason.

Studies have confirmed that women talk considerably more than men do – up to tree times as much. In fact, one study showed that during an average day women spoke about 20,000 words compared to 7,000 words a day for the average man.

But why is there such a disparity between the sexes when it comes to chit chat?

Some people mistakenly believe that liposuction, a surgical procedure that removes fat from various areas of the human body can be a practical solution to weight loss.

It is not.

Getting arrested for DWI or DUI usually meant you were legally intoxicated. An Arizona appeals court has another view.

The case involves Hrach Shilgevorkyan, a motorist involved in a 2010 traffic stop in Maricopa County. Shilgevorkyan was arrested and forced to take a blood test. The blood chemistry revealed a chemical compound which is only produced after another compound is broken down following the ingestion of marijuana. The compound in question can remain in the system for weeks and is not an indication that the person was intoxicated or impaired.

Overturning a lower court decision, the appeals court ruled that both compounds apply to Arizona DUI laws. The result of the decision means that a driver does not have to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be arrested and convicted. 

Exactly what are vitamins, minerals and herbs and how do they differ? 

Vitamins include a wide variety of organic compounds that are necessary for healthy living - many essential for life itself. They are naturally found in plants and animal flesh.

The number of U.S. doctors who are content to practice medicine is rapidly declining – in fact, only about 40% of physicians were pleased with their career choice compared to 60% who said they would leave their profession if they could afford to do so.

Why would this be so?

It’s snowing. If you do not own a snow blower, chances are you will be forced to employ that trusty age old instrument – the shovel.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has offered several important tips for safe snow removal:

While some take low dose aspirin everyday day to prevent disease, others may want to consider a beer or two for their better health.

This is cold and flu season. Colds, like the flu, are caused by viruses. Typical symptoms of a cold usually include headache, fatigue, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and occasionally a mild fever. Although very unpleasant, colds tend to run their coarse and formal medical treatment is usually unnecessary.

Occasionally colds will produce a more severe swelling of the nasal passage ways causing the mucus to become trapped in the sinuses resulting in a more persistent infection; a condition known as sinusitis. Signs of a sinus infection include prolonged headache, or pain behind the eyes, usually lasting a week or more. The mucus will often turn yellow or green, and may even have an unpleasant odor – especially if the infection becomes bacterial.

It’s a good idea to eat at least several cups of broccoli during the week. Broccoli is most nutritious when eaten, raw, or lightly cooked - either steamed or sautéed.

Vitamin D levels are increasingly being tested as part of a yearly check-up. Deficiencies can be modified by supplementation.

Low grade fevers are helpful in killing the virus and guarding against secondary bacterial infections. Therefore, fevers should be allowed to occur without interference. Traditional antibiotics are not recommended as they have no medicinal value against the viruses that are responsible for colds and flu.

A new report says that females can predict with a level of accuracy which men are likely to be unfaithful simply by looking at their face.

The study was conducted in Australia and published recently in the journal Biology Letters.

The study was published in the latest issue of Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Turmeric has also been shown to inhibit the spread of various cancers for people already struck by the disease.

"It is, however, important that patients discuss CAT use with their healthcare practitioner and that they are made aware of possible side effects, in particular the possible interactions between herbal and prescribed drugs," concludes Alaaeddine.

Many great conservative thinkers, past and present, have espoused conservative ideals which embrace social libertarianism. Separating the preacher’s pulpit from the president’s bully pulpit does not abandon conservative ideals; but rather enhances them.

Bladder cancer is a growing malady in the U.S. The National Cancer Institute estimates that Americans will develop about 75,000 new cases this year resulting in almost 15,000 deaths. 

Sounds like another abstainer.

This latest study provides additional evidence of the benefits of exercise for people who experience stress and anxiety. Future research is planned to see how exercise can affect people with persistently high levels of anxiety and depression. 

"We've previously shown in both animal and human studies that zinc deficiency can cause DNA damage, and this new work shows how it can help lead to systemic inflammation," concludes Ho.

"In contrast to supplements of single antioxidants, the dietary total antioxidant capacity reflects all present antioxidants, including thousands of compounds, all of them in doses present in our usual diet, and even takes into account their synergistic effects," commented Dr. Wolk.