Health and Beauty tips

Washing fresh fruits and vegetables before eating is helpful to reduce the risk of food poisoning. But according to a new study by researchers in Pennsylvania, washing alone - even with chlorine disinfectants - may not be enough to kill parasites and destroy pathogens and insects in food.

Studies show that certain disease-causing microbes are out of reach for chemical sanitizers. These bacteria can get hidden inside the leaves of vegetables and fruit, where surface treatments cannot reach. In addition, microbes can organize themselves into tightly knit communities (biofilms) that coat fruits and vegetables and protect the bacteria from harm. Such biofilms can harbor various versions of infectious bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli.

Now, new findings suggest that internalized pathogens which are beyond the reach of conventional chemical sanitizers can be effectively killed by irradiation, a food treatment currently being reviewed by the FDA.

Scientists claim that irradiation, exposing food to a source of electron beams, disrupts the genetic material of living cells, inactivating parasites and destroying pathogens and insects in food, including E. coli and Salmonella.

When it comes to weight loss, there is a huge variety of diets, from low-carb diets to blood type ones. But regardless of the type of diet chosen, to lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than your body uses. Most people try to reduce their calorie intake by focusing on food, forgetting to pay attention to what they drink.

Healthy weight is defined as a loss of 1-2 pounds per week. Most people need to cut about 500 calories a day to lose one pound per week. This can be achieved by reducing the number of calories taken in through both food and drink.

Calories in drinks are not hidden (they’re listed right on the Nutrition Facts label), but many people don’t realize just how many calories they take in with beverages. Fortunately, there is good news: there are plenty of options for reducing the number of calories in what you drink, and one of them is substituting no- or low-calorie drinks for sugar-sweetened beverages.

Sweeteners that add calories to a beverage go by many different names and very often are not obvious to consumers. If the following ingredients are listed on the Nutrition Facts label of your favorite beverage, you are drinking a sugar-sweetened beverage: high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, syrup, corn syrup, dextrose.

Now when you are aware about the difference a drink can make, here are some ways to make smart beverage choices:

• Choose water, diet, or low-calorie beverages instead of sugar-sweetened drinks.
• For a quick and inexpensive thirst-quencher, carry a water bottle, which can be refilled throughout the day.
• Instead of stocking the fridge with sugar-sweetened beverages keep there a jug or bottles of cold water.
• Serve water with meals.
• Water can be made more exciting by adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or watermelon.
• Add a splash of 100% juice to plain water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.
• If you do opt for a sugar-sweetened beverage, choose small size.
• Be a role model for your family by choosing healthy, low-calorie beverages.

Dieticians suggest that there are ten kinds of food to keep oneself trim, healthy and beautiful:

• Fruits Research proves that eating at least 5 portions of fruits each day reduces your risk of many medical problems, including cancer. One portion is about the size of the palm of your hand.
• Green vegetables. Green, leafy vegetables abound in vitamins A and E, as well as fiber and iron. Vitamin A retains the moisture in the eyes, the skin and the mucous membrane, while Vitamin E helps maintain the skin’s elasticity. On the other hand, fiber improves digestion, and iron is needed for the production of red blood cells.
• Vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and makes the body less vulnerable to disease. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the body’s collagen production, collagen being a chemical that keeps the skin elastic and wrinkle-free. The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. It is therefore important to eat plenty of vitamin C-containing foods daily. All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of vitamin C, but the highest sources of vitamin C are green peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, and cantaloupe. Other excellent sources include papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, winter squash, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapples.
• Garlic. It is proved to be antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating digestion, reducing high blood pressure, glandular regulator, diuretic and even cancer deterrent.
• Essential fatty acids (EFA), also known as the good fat, keep the cells of the body functioning properly. EFA are also beneficial for skin, hair and fingernails.
• Milk. Milk is the best source of calcium and vitamin D for the body, the combination of which is needed to keep bones and teeth strong. Milk is also rich in vitamins B2 and B12, which coaxes the body to produce more red blood cells. Red blood cells bring oxygen to the cells. Having a healthy supply of red blood cells in the blood stream keeps the hair and skin looking healthier.
• Yogurt. Aside from being a good source of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B, yogurt contains friendly bacteria that help to reduce some of the symptoms of stress, assists in digestion, hydrates the skin and clears the immune system.
• Soy. Soy products are known to prevent or treat a variety of health conditions, including high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis, memory problems, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. It also helps the skin retain its smoothness and elasticity.
• Green tea. Green tea is full of antioxidants that prevent cancers from developing in the body. It is also known for pumping up the immune system and lowering cholesterol levels in the body.
• Water. It keeps the body hydrated maintaining smooth and youthful skin. Hair looks healthier and the nails are stronger when there is enough water in the body. Water also flushes out the waste and toxins out of the body.

Studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fibre vegetarian diet) have significantly reduced rates of obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, diet-related cancers, constipation and gall stones.

In addition to being richer in fruits and vegetables, vegetarian diets tend to be lower in total fat, and vegetarians tend to eat proportionally more polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians. (Animal products are the major sources of dietary saturated fat).

Vegetarians avoid meat, poultry, game, fish, gelatine and animal fats. Their diet is based on fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. Most vegetarians consume dairy products and unfertilized eggs.

A balanced vegetarian diet should include:

• Grains and cereals: Wholegrain bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, muesli.
• Legumes, nuts and seeds: Soya beans, kidney beans, split peas, lentils, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds
• Fruit and vegetables – all variety of them
• Dairy or soya products- preferably low-fat or fat-free ones

A balanced vegetarian diet closely matches expert dietary recommendations for healthy eating, being low in saturated fat and high in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Eating a variety of foods you will be getting all the necessary nutrients.

If the idea of excluding meat from your diet forever sounds frightening, try a couple of meat-free days each week and enjoy healthy vegetarian dishes, and your body will be really thankful to you.

Prostate cancer is a tumor that arises in the prostate gland. If advanced or left untreated in early stages, this form of cancer can spread to other organs. Fortunately, prostate cancer is a slow growing form compared to other cancers and older men with the prostate cancer nearly always die of something else.

The major risk factors for prostate cancer are as follows:

• Age. Prostate cancer occurs almost exclusively in men after age 50.
• Genetic factors. Evidence suggests that men with a family history of the disease have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Ethnicity. African American men are known to have the world’s highest risk for prostate cancer, more than 50% higher than the risk for Caucasian American males. The death rates from prostate cancer are also higher among African Americans. The risks for prostate cancer among men who live in Asia are lower, with the tendency to increase if they move to North America. Thus, some environmental, social or dietary factors that can alter a man’s underlying genetic risk of developing this disease remain unknown.
• High exposure to chemicals and electromagnetic fields. Activities that involve exposure to certain metals and chemicals (including cadmium, dimethylformamide, and acrylonitrile), lubricating oils or greases, metal dust, or pesticides or garden sprays, put men at higher risk of prostate cancer.
• Infections. Some scientists suggest that there may be a relationship between prostate cancer and infections such as herpesvirus, human papillomavirus, and cytomegalovirus.
• Obesity. Obesity may increase the risk for prostate cancer or make it more difficult to diagnose.
• High-meat intake and high fat-intake. Some, but not all, studies have found some association between well-cooked meat and high-calorie intake.

The term Gynecomastia comes from the Greek words gyne (”woman”) and mastos (”breast”). In practical terms, this means abnormally large breasts in males.

The condition is relatively common in adolescent boys, and 90% of the time symptoms disappear in few years. But the remaining 10% of males are burdened with a social handicap that causes a deep psychological trauma. There are several potential causes of gynecomastia:

• Puberty. In 90% of teenage boys, gynecomastia goes away in less than 3 years.
• Steroid abuse
• Tumors. If gynecomastia is caused by a tumor, treatment is necessary.
• genetic disorders
• Disease. If gynecomastia is caused by a disease, the disease itself will need to be treated.
• Side effects of many medications. The problem can be solved if you stop taking a medicine or illegal drug that is causing gynecomastia.
• Castration
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Gilbert’s Syndrome

Some men and boys have fat on their chests caused by obesity. This condition is called pseudogynecomastia (false gynecomastia) and is not the same thing as gynecomastia.

For many men, the best solution is surgery. That accomplishes the initial stage of the healing. The second stage is psychological redress. After years of hating his chest, the hurt feelings will not go away with the fact of breast reduction alone.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and elevated LDL (”bad”) cholesterol is a main risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Eggs belong to the group of products rich in cholesterol (one egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, just 100 milligrams shy of the daily limit recommended to those at risk for heart disease), but at the same time they are a source of minerals, B vitamins, protein and monounsaturated fats, all of which have the potential to lower overall risk.

A new Physician’s Health Study that explored heart disease and cancer prevention among American male doctors suggests that consuming more than six eggs a week seems to raise the risk of dying from all causes. And diabetics seem to face an even higher mortality risk, according to the study that was limited to men.

All the participants of the study completed annual written questionnaires on daily egg consumption, stroke and heart attack incidence, diabetes status, cholesterol levels, and general dietary information.
Whereas egg consumption of up to six eggs a week was not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, consumption of seven or more eggs a week was linked with a 23 percent greater risk of death.

Even more striking was the finding that mortality risk was much higher among those doctors with diabetes. Consuming seven or more eggs a week was found to double their risk of death from all causes, compared with diabetic doctors who ate just one egg each week. To explain this finding, the researchers theorized that diabetics might somehow convert dietary cholesterol more readily into blood cholesterol than people without diabetes.

Dieticians agree that eggs can be part of an overall heart-healthy diet. The white part of the egg is considered the gold standard for protein as it is ripe with protein, riboflavin and selenium and contains all the essential immunoacids needed for building muscle tissue. It’s one of the cheapest sources of protein as well. There are some good things in the yolk as well. But for those with high LDL it is highly recommended to watch egg consumption, and consume no more than two yolks per week.

There are several factors that increase the risk of getting prostate cancer. These include increasing age, genetic factors and diet. The last factor is the only you can control. The latest studies suggest that some foods may help to prevent prostate cancer, reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer coming back after treatment, or help slow down progression of the disease. More research is needed to support these findings. However by improving your diet your overall health will benefit and you will reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The following foods are believed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer:

• Fruit and vegetables Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day reduces your risk of many medical problems, including cancer. One portion is about the size of the palm of your hand. It is advisable to eat fresh fruit and vegetables rather than in the form of supplements or food extracts, which may not contain all of the beneficial nutrients. Different fruit and vegetables contain different vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to include all of the different colours in your weekly diet.
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale). Eating at least five portions of these vegetables each week may reduce your risk of getting prostate cancer and heart disease.
• Antioxidants. Our body protects itself from outside influence by producing molecules called free radicals. If these molecules get out of control, they can damage normal cells and tissues. Free radicals appear to be involved in various stages of the cancer process. Antioxidants fight with excess free radicals thus reducing the risk of developing cancer. Good sources of antioxidants that are thought to protect against prostate cancer include vitamins and minerals such as selenium and vitamin E, compounds such as lycopene and foods such as pomegranate juice and green tea.
• Lycopene. Many studies have reported a significantly lower risk for prostate cancer with high intake of cooked tomatoes, which are high in a chemical called lycopene. lycopene is also found in watermelons, pink grapefruits, guava and papaya. It should be mentioned, that Lycopene supplements do not give the same protection against prostate cancer as lycopene-rich foods because the other nutrients in the food work together with the lycopene to protect the body.
• Soy. Soy may also be protective, which may partially explain the low rate of prostate cancer observed in Asian men and vegetarians (who typically use soy as a protein replacement). If you decide to add soy to your diet, try to choose traditional forms such as tofu, miso and tempeh rather than processed products.
• Whole grain cereals, seeds, and nuts. A few studies have shown that eating more pulses (beans, peas and lentils) as well as whole grain foods (brown bread, whole grain cereals and pasta) may help to prevent prostate cancer.
• Boron-rich foods (nuts, red grapes, avocados, and dried fruits) may also be protective.
• A recent study suggested a linear trend between red wine consumption and reduced risk of prostate cancer. Researchers theorize that tumor cell growth is inhibited by the flavonoids contained in red wine. However, more research is needed to confirm these results.

Medical science has discovered that all men as they age are prone to their own ‘menopause’ referred to in the medical community as Aging Male Syndrome (AMS) which results from a decline in their hormonal levels.

Symptoms of Aging Male Syndrome are rather diverse but can include:

• unexpected weight gain,
• problems sleeping,
• less interest in sex,
• irritability,
• impotence,
• increased urination,
• nervousness,
• mood swings,
• problems with memory and concentration,
• hair loss,
• fatigue and depression.

All these symptoms can be directly linked to the decline of testosterone in a man’s body. However, the appearance of some of these symptoms can be due to other issues as well, such as issues with hypothalamus, pituitary glands, or the testicles itself. Hence, it is advisable to consult a specialist – an endocrinologist or urologist - before running oneself into conclusions about having AMS.

Aging male syndrome is usually diagnosed by testing the blood for testosterone levels. Test is usually performed in the morning, when the testes release more testosterone that during the day or at evening. There is one big problem, because a normal level of testosterone differs from individual from individual, so it may be hard to make judgments about the deficiency of testosterone. It helps if someone had a testosterone test earlier in life, so he will be easier to detect changes.

The usual treatment methods for aging male syndrome could be divided into the natural ones or hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone injections, testosterone patches, and testosterone gels are provided to restore the level of testosterone. If you want to go naturally, acupuncture, naturopathy and herbology should relieve most of the symptoms.

The computer revolution has enriched our lives with new ways of working, sharing information, and having fun. Sure, these gadgets and devices make life easier and more exciting, but according to the recent studies, technology poses many threats to our health. Here are just some ways high-tech lifestyle may hurt you.

Eyestrain, tired eyes, irritation, redness, blurred vision, and double vision – all these symptoms describe computer vision syndrome provoked by spending much time in front of the computer screen. Naturally, this isn’t a permanent condition; but persistent eyestrain can provoke infection.

Spending too much time in front of the screen is also associated with insomnia – be it the monitor of your computer or TV set.

In addition, the constant tiny movements needed to operate a mouse or type irritate tendons; swelling presses on nerves. As little as a half hour a day of these movements could put you at risk for pain in your shoulder, forearm, or hand.

It’s not late-breaking news that there’s a much more direct relationship between obesity and spending too much time glued to the screen.

iPods or other digital music players are also believed to pose some risks to our health. Studies show that listening to music through headphones can increase the risk of hearing loss. The problem is that people not only listen to music through headphones too loudly, but also do it for a prolonged time. Exposure to loud noise for hours every day can actually permanently destroy cells in the inner ear.

So, as new gadgets and gismos evolve very rapidly, designers don’t have enough time to care about safety of their inventions. Until these devices are perfected, let’s take care to make sure that our health is safe.