wellnessindie.com » Health News

Yet Another Reason To Avoid Soda

Jeff — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:27:14 +0000

As if there could be any more reasons to avoid soda altogether, a recent study conducted by microbioligists from Hollins University discovered that 48% of the soda fountain machines at various restaurants they tested contained coliform bacteria. Pretty gross, huh? Hold on, that’s not even the bad part. This bacteria is typically found in feces. And to make matters worse, this family of bacteria were resistant to the 11 antibiotics tested. The water and ice tested negative, so no one is sure of the source. The scientists’ best guess is that the bacteria have been growing in the plastic tubing that hook to the soda fountains. The findings were published in the International Journal of Microbiology.

One word……nasty.

Sources:

The Huffington Post

ScienceDirect (abstract from study)

ABC News

Does Consolidation Among Health Food Companies Affect Quality?

Jeff — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:06:24 +0000

Over the last decade or so, there has been a lot of acquisition activity as large, multi-national food conglomerates capitalize on the healthy food craze and buy up smaller players in the industry. At first glance, one would think that this may affect the quality of some of these products that consumers have grown to love. Time will tell. Check out this organization chart below, created by Phil Howard from Michigan State University.

Coffee Controversy: What Are The Health Risks?

One of Americans’ Favorite Snacks Still Toxic

Jeff — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:06:21 +0000

Federal health investigators deemed that butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn is still unsafe and toxic. Back in 2004, a Missouri factory worker was awarded $20 million after developing a debilitating and irreversible lung condition, which required a lung transplant. He apparently got this from inhaling toxic fumes from the oil used to make the ubiquitous butter flavoring in popcorn. In July, 2005, another factory worker in Missouri was awarded $2.7 million as a result of developing the same lung condition. In 2007, a 53 year old self-professed popcorn addict developed severe breathing issues from inhaling the fumes from butter popcorn after taking it out of the microwave. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a toxic chemical named diacetyl was the culprit. Consequently, popcorn manufacturers were forced to switch flavor ingredients.

According to a recent report from NIOSH, the diacetyl substitute closely resembles…..well, diacetyl. And, these new substitutes come with the same dangerous side effects as well. Tell your friends, family, and co-workers. As the saying goes, “caveat emptor.”

Sources:

MSNBC: March, 2004

The Independent: September, 2007

Sphere: December, 2009

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NYC Firefighter Hit By Bus, Completes Triathlon

Jeff — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:42:11 +0000

Matthew Long, a New York firefighter, was riding his bike early one morning in 2005 when a bus made an illegal turn and hit him. Well, “hit” is an understatement since he was literally run over and dragged under the bus. He damaged his pelvis and leg to the extent where he needed titanium screws to put it all back together. To make matters worse, the seat from his bike impaled him, affecting his rectum, bladder, urethra, and even his intestines. Matt’s injuries were so severe that doctors only gave him a 1% chance for surviving. Ironically, his doctors said that his fitness level (he was already in very good shape) enabled him to recover where most other people would’ not have made it.

He did more than survive, though. After 40 surgeries and several months in the hospital, he was finally released. Despite a brief bout with depression, he persevered and trained to participate in a marathon, then the Lake Placid Ironman competition. Like something from a movie, Long had run out of gas halfway through the last leg of the running portion of the triathlon. But, he found an extra gear and finished the race with only 3 seconds to spare. Although he was already an athlete prior to his accident, his story (like Ruth Frith) is one of inspiration, determination, and perseverance. Based on the severity of his injuries, Matt Long had a 1% chance for survival. For most of us, our biggest obstacle for exercising is merely finding the time. That excuse just seem doesn’t cut it anymore, huh?

Source:

HBO Real Sports

Fanhouse

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BPA Linked to Impotence

Jeff — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:01:46 +0000

According to a recent study conducted in China, male workers who were exposed to high levels of the dangerous chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), experienced sexual dysfunction and decreased libido. The levels these workers were exposed to was reportedly 50 times higher than “typical” American men (whatever that means). BPA can be found in everything from plastic bottles to metal food cans to baby bottles. So although our levels may not compare to the Chinese men in the study, BPA is actually quite ubiquitous. Chemical industry spokespeople claimed there’s nothing to worry about, even in the face of compelling evidence and money from the U.S. government to fund new research. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” type of guy. Knowing the lack of interest companies have in our overall well-being, I’m not willing to take that chance. Are you?

How Would You Like To Be Worry Free?

Jeff — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:08:45 +0000

Okay, maybe worry-free is somewhat idealistic…especially these days. Stress is an inevitable fact of life. It’s how life tests our mettle. It can actually be a good thing when put in proper perspective and used to produce positive behavior. However, stress is one of those nebulous emotional states that, if left unchecked, can literally ruin lives. More specifically, this kind of insidious stress often takes the form of worry. Family, marriage, work, money, and health (among other things) are some of the most common things that conspire to steal our joy. The folks over at Health.com (via CNN) recently published a very good article that lists some effective techniques to help you deal with stress. Some of the highlights include:

Living in the present - Stop worrying about what is out of your control.
Laugh - Studies continue to espouse the positive benefits of smiling and laughing. So, go ahead and laugh until your face hurts…it’s good for you.
Smell the roses - Newsflash: life is hectic. This forces us to sometimes rush through life, missing out on simple pleasures. Your child’s laugh, planting a garden, listening to the birds on a perfect sunny day…find a place a of peace. And visit, often.
Get off your butt - Like laughing, research is continuously finding evidence that endorphins released during physically activity have a positive effect on mood. So, what are you waiting for? Get moving.

Source: CNN.com

National Swine Flu Emergency Is Declared

Jeff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:27:58 +0000

(Graphic: CBS News)

Due to a purported “rapid increase in illness”, President Obama has declared a national emergency which grants HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the authority to tweak certain policies in an effort to help health care facilities handle any increase in case counts. It must be noted that unnamed officials said that this declaration is not tied to current increase in case loads or any new developments. According to the CDC, H1N1 has spread to 48 states and the case count is apparently rapidly rising. Interestingly, this contradicts a recent three-month long study conducted by CBS that concluded that current swine flu cases have been grossly misdiagnosed. Part of this probably stems from a CDC advisory issued at the end of July that suggested states stop testing for swine flu and forgo reporting cases. The reasoning is that providers should not waste valuable resources since a pandemic has already been confirmed. Well, I agree with not wanting to squander resources, especially with the preposterous prodigality in our current health care system. Doctors are now asking questions and assessing risk factors in lieu of actual tests – basically “eyeballing” it. Patients can now get seen by a physician and get diagnosed within five minutes, so they can rush to the pharmacy to get their drugs (obviously an exaggeration, but you get the point). This is undoubtedly a boon for the multinational Pharma pushers.

As I wrote in a previous post and health experts continue to proclaim, if you have a healthy immune system, chances are you don’t have anything to worry about. Tragically, the overwhelming majority of people who die from the flu have a depressed immune system already, and the virus takes advantage of this. Secondary infections like pneumonia claim the most lives. Here’s how to naturally boost your immune system so you can skip the unproven and potentially toxic H1N1 vaccines.

Swine Flu Vaccine: Avoid It Like The Flu

Centenarian Athlete: You’re Never Too Old To Exercise…Or Break A World Record!

Jeff — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:06:10 +0000

Excuses for not exercising are like noses…everybody has one. Well, not Ruth Frith. This sprightly, great grandmother from Brisbane, Australia broke a shot put world record at the World Masters Games, which took place in Sydney, Australia recently. According to the site, the primary difference between the World Masters Games and the Olympic Games is that World Masters are open to people of all abilities and ages rather than just elite athletes. The emphasis on participation. Did I mention that Ruth Frith is 100 years old? That’s not a typo folks. I almost hear the sighs of disbelief. Google it and let it marinate. She also participates in the hammer and javelin throw. For those who aren’t familiar with Olympic events, the shot put, hammer, and javelin throws are high-intensity, explosive movements, which is even more impressive. Apparently, she trains five time per week with 77-pound weights and doesn’t drink or smoke. Do you notice a common thread? This lady is officially my hero. She admitted that she isn’t fond of vegetables, but that’s obviously fine given her her high activity level. Jack LaLanne would be proud.

So, what’s your excuse?

Cautious Optimism For Illicit Drug Vaccines

Jeff — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:16:47 +0000

Preliminary results from two recent studies suggest that vaccines may be an effective treatment protocol for cocaine and nicotine addicts. The cocaine study was published in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry and is the first to successfully show the effectiveness of a vaccine for illicit drug use. Essentially, the vaccine works by producing antibodies in an addict’s immune system. These antibodies attach themselves to cocaine molecules and prevents them from crossing the blood-brain barrier, which blocks the psychological effects of cocaine. A department within of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), named the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), along with researchers from a handful of universities were responsible for conducting the study. While the trials seem promising, the vaccine is only moderately successful and does not account for addicts taking larger amounts of the drug to circumvent the vaccine. Researchers admit that more comprehensive studies need to be done in order to determine its efficacy and safety.

In the same vein as the cocaine vaccine study, trials have begun to develop a vaccine which would prevent relapses in smokers. NABI Biopharmaceuticals located outside of Washington, DC was awarded a multimillion dollar grant to continue research on an anti-nicotine vaccine. It works just like the cocaine vaccine in that antibodies are produced that prevent nicotine from entering the brain. This in turn inhibits the high smokers get from cigarettes.

I have personally known cocaine and nicotine addicts. There are three main issues I have with these vaccines:

Vaccines must be administered on a schedule to remain effective. Keeping addicts motivated to adhere to this schedule may present long-term problems.
As with most pharmaceutical medicines, side effects have yet to be evaluated and could very well prove to be more dangerous than cocaine or nicotine. Time will tell.
And my biggest problem, by far – Our medical system continues to propagate the “cure in a pill” mentality, making Big Pharma cartels obscenely rich while ignoring the root cause of disease. This approach leads to lifetime patients/customers for Big Pharma, but never really addresses the core issues. These illicit drug vaccines do not address the confluence of issues that lead to abuse in the first place – family, depression, health, money, etc. This is admittedly much more time-consuming and more difficult to address, but the trade off is well worth it.

Source:

National Institutes of Health

Think Twice Before You Undergo This Cellulite Treatment

Jeff — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:07:27 +0000

To most of us, going to the spa conjures up relaxing images of tranquility and zenned out facilities. It’s one of the few places adults go to get pampered and, at least for a small period of time, let all their troubles fade away. However, things didn’t turn out that way for a 37 year old Florida nurse named Rohie Kah-Orukotan. On September 25, she visited Weston MedSpa in Weston, Florida to undergo a procedure called carboxytherapy. According to this site, carbobxytherapy is a treatment that originated in the Royal Spas of France in 1932 whereby carbon dioxide is injected into the patient to treat superficial problems like cellulite and stretch marks, among other things. Orukotan, was rushed to the hospital after she became unresponsive during the procedure. This otherwise healthy mother of three has since been declared brain dead. Apparently, Medspa didn’t even have a valid license to offer the treatment. It’s unfortunate that our society has been conditioned to search out, pay for, and sometimes suffer the tragic outcomes of cosmetic shortcuts that are often temporary and are inevitably fraught with their own health risks.

Sources:

ABC News

Carboxytherapy.com

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