Happy New Year 2017

May all the expectations and goals for each day be fulfilled on the day itself! Happy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas 2016

May the melody and spirit of Christmas fill your home with love and peace. I wish you all the best and happy New Year too!

Acid Reflux Remedies and Tips

Acid Reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a long term condition in which stomach acid escapes through the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The contents in your stomach come back up into your esophagus that causes  either symptoms or complications. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is a valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. Acid reflux symptoms includes:

•     pain and burning in the chest
•     increased salivation (also known as water brash)
•     heartburn and nausea
•     burping and hiccups
•     hoarseness
•     chronic sore throat
•     coughing

Another nasty symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation, it's a foul acidic taste in your mouth when you not "fully-vomit" in your mouth after a meal. Yes, it's a common experience however, if it occurs most of the time about more than two times a week then you have acid reflux disease. Common risk factors of this disease are obesity, pregnancy, smoking, hiatus hernia, eating large meals, taking certain medicines and lying down after meals.

Another cause for acid refulx is lack of digestive enzymes in which the stomach produces more acid to compensate. This may be caused by old age, poor diet, stress and certain antibiotics that reduces the digestive enzymes required to balance the stomach acid responsible for reflux.

Medications use to get rid of acid reflux includes antihistamines, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and sleeping medication.

In addition, a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate, can help reduce or end the gnawing, burning, sensation of heartburn caused by acid reflux. Baking soda, as sodium bicarbonate is more commonly known, can help your reflux and in turn help your heartburn because it is a base substance.

Other ways to relieve acid reflux includes, chewing gum since it increase the flow of saliva that neutralizes stomach acid. Lose weight and eating smaller meals will also help. Avoid smoking since it loosens the LES valve. Avoid foods that are known for causing gas and acid reflux, which includes beans, soda, fatty foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee and tea.

Low Carb Diet

Low Carb Diet is a diet that usually involves limiting the consumption of carbohydrates like those found in sugary foods, pasta and bread. This diet is high in protein, fat and healthy vegetables that includes meat, poultry, fish and eggs. It also limit most grains, legumes, fruits, breads, sweets, pastas and starchy vegetables, and sometimes nuts and seeds.

There are different kinds of low-carb diets and each of them has varying restrictions on the types and amounts of carbohydrates you can eat.

According to an article by Business Insider high-fat, low-carb diet may improve athletic performance. It said that our bodies normally first try to burn through our glycogen energy stores, which are easily accessible and we get from breaking down carbohydrates. After we burn through those glycogen energy stores, our bodies eventually can start getting energy by burning through ketones, energy produced from fatty acids (basically, energy from fat). However, it also said that this diet is not for everyone it may work for some but not for others.

Check out "Big Easy On Low Carb" for more information on low carb lifestyle.

Stretches for Back Pain Relief

Back pain is very common and it affects most people at some point in their life. It is also the most common illness that cause people to miss work and make people visit their doctors. I also experience back pain from time to time and it can be really sore that I can't even get out of bed. Thankfully there are things that you can do treat it that often will heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for a long time.

One of the best thing that you can do is stretching. You can do it at home for a few minutes a day. Check out Jen Hilman video below, she shows how to do stretching for back pain. It is very relaxing.

Mediterranean Diet Good for the Brain

Mediterranean Diet is a type of diet where in it emphasizes in high consumption of plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes combined with olive oil and low consumption of protein. It replaces butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil. Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods.

According to experts the Mediterranean Diet is not only good for your health and weight it is also good for your brain since it is a great stress management. Stress has a negative impact on your overall health and well-being. It doesn’t only contribute to weight gain and poor sleep, but it also affects your memory as well, according to a research published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Fruits and vegetables contains significant amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients your body needs to function properly, that includes the function of the brain. According to a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating fruits and vegetables improves verbal memory and it also protects from cognitive decline in both men and women.

Mediterranean Diet also promotes eating fish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which improved immune system, improve memory and brain development. There are also numerous study that show that increasing consumption of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids could greatly improve their working memory.

Happy Halloween 2016

If you do not manage to see a ghost this Halloween, do not worry!
Just look in front of a mirror , you'll see!

Happy Halloween!

Get Your Flu Shot Now! - CDC

Summer is over and we're heading for a cold season, it's time to get this year’s flu shot to keep you and your family protected this flu season.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden, reminded the people to take their flu shot last Thursday at the annual National Foundation for Infectious Diseases press conference on flu vaccines.

“If we could increase vaccination coverage in this country by just five percent more, that would prevent about 800,000 illnesses and nearly 10,000 hospitalizations. Flu vaccine is one of the best buys in public health.”

The 2016 flu vaccine has two basic types: 1. flu vaccine that gives you protection from three strains of flu 2. vaccine that gives you protection against four strains of flu

Both flu vaccines will protect you against H1N1 (swine flu), H3N3 and a Type B strain. The only difference between the two is that the “quadrivalent” vaccine also protects against a second Type B strain. 

CDC didn't say which one you should get, but obviously the more coverage the better it is. Frieden said what is important is get your shots immidiately since “The problem is that a vaccination deferred is often a vaccination forgotten.”

CDC also recommended this year to get your Flu shots through vaccine not nasal spray form after concerns arose last year about the effectiveness of the spray.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your shot since it takes time to build the antibodies to fight the flu. In adults, the shot takes effect after about 2 weeks. For kids under 8 who may need 2 shots to be fully vaccinated, injections have to be spaced more than 4 weeks apart, so the earlier they get the 1st shot, the better.

Flu shots save lives, flu can give you fever, chills and muscle aches and it can lead to complications like  pneumonia, blood infections, diarrhea and seizures. Flu can even lead to death, especially for the very young or the very old. 

Flu shots are also extremely important for pregnant women, since they have increased risk of hospitalization and death from flu.

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Be Careful in Eating Soy

Honestly I love eating food with soy like tofu, I also love drinking soy milk so I was shocked to find out that eating too much maybe bad for you.

Soybeans are legumes native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. They are now being produced on a large scale in the United States due to its popularity.

Soybeans  can be used to make many different foods, they are cheap source of protein for animal feeds and many packaged meals. Soybeans can be eaten whole, with the immature types being called edamame. Soybeans needs to be cooked, since they are poisonous when raw. The beans contain significant amounts of phytic acid, dietary minerals and B vitamins. Soy vegetable oil, used in food and industrial applications, is another product of processing the soybean crop.

Traditional non-fermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk from which tofu and tofu skin are made. Fermented soy foods include soy sauce, miso, fermented bean paste, natto and tempeh.

About 90% of soy that are produced in the U.S. is genetically modified and the crops are sprayed with the herbicide Roundup, which may be associated with adverse effects on health.

Soybeans contains many important nutrients, in fact in 100 grams, of mature, boiled, whole soybeans has large amounts of Manganese, Selenium, Copper, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6, Folate, Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1) and Vitamin K. It has 173 calories, 9 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs and 17 grams of protein. However, it also contains high amount of phytates which binds minerals and reduce nutrients absorption. Phytic acid has been said to fight cancer, however there is no evidence it has any beneficial role to play in cancer medicine.

Soybeans contains high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids which is not good as they may increase the probability of a number of diseases. Excess omega-6 fatty acids may interfere with the health benefits of omega-3 fats it may cause arthritis, inflammation, and cancer.

Health Benefits of Soy:

- Lowers cholesterol, it is said to reduce the Total and LDL cholesterol level.
- Reduce the risk of prostate cancer in old people
- Lower breast cancer risk
- It contain a high level of phytic acid which is an antioxidant (reduce cancer, minimize diabetes, and reduce inflammation)

Healthy Risks of Soy:

- Allergy to soy is common
- Soy contains large amounts of isoflavones, source of phytoestrogens in the human diet. This can interfere with the normal function of hormones in the body.
- can cause reduce sperm count in men
- isoflavones in soy also function as goitrogens, which are substances that interfere with thyroid function.
- isoflavones in soy can be harmful to infants, soy-based infant formula can have harmful effects.

Like any other food Soy has its health benefits and risks so eating moderately is the best option. It is also important for pregnant or breastfeeding women to avoid soy and other sources of endocrine disrupting compounds. For infants formula, it should only be used as a last resort.



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KFC Fried Chicken Recipe Exposed

Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken is known all over the world and people love the taste of their chicken since it's finger lickin' good. The secret recipe for their fried chicken is a blend of 11 herbs and spices and it's kept hidden in a vault for safekeeping.

According to the Chicago Tribune the secret recipe has already been exposed to their reporter named Jay Jones accidentally by Joe Ledington, a nephew of the man who made the recipe famous. Jones assignment was in Corbin, Ky., he is to write a story for The Tribune’s travel section about the town where the colonel served his first fried chicken. While there, he arranged a meeting with Mr. Ledington, whose uncle, Col. Harland Sanders, founded Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Mr. Ledington entertained the reporter and show him an old family photo album that he said had belonged to Claudia Ledington, the second wife of Colonel Sanders, who died in 1996. He then show the reporter Claudia's last will and testament that was tucked hidden in the back of the scrapbook, and its final pages contained a handwritten recipe for a blend of 11 spices. It is written in blue ink and the title of the paper is "11 Spices — Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." and it enumerate the list of herbs and spices and the measurement for each one.

“The main ingredient is white pepper,” Mr. Ledington told the newspaper. “I call that the secret ingredient. Nobody knew what white pepper was. Nobody knew how to use it” in the 1950s, he said.

The Chicago Tribune tested the recipe and compared it with a bucket of KFC Original Recipe chicken and the result was good.  Even though you got the recipe, you still need to unlock their pressure-cooking technique to cook those chickens. Here's the recipe that the colonel’s nephew showed The Chicago Tribune:

11 spices — mix with 2 cups white flour

    2/3 tablespoon salt
    1/2 tablespoon thyme
    1/2 tablespoon basil
    1/3 tablespoon oregano
    1 tablespoon celery salt
    1 tablespoon black pepper
    1 tablespoon dried mustard
    4 tablespoons paprika
    2 tablespoons garlic salt
    1 tablespoon ground ginger
    3 tablespoons white pepper


You can also opt to have Todd Wilbur's from Top Secret Recipes KFC original fried chicken clone which have no MSG and it has less calories and less fat content.

Todd Wilbur version: Calories: 200 thigh/ 290 breast, Fat: 9g thigh / 21g breast
Original KFC: Calories: 250 thigh/ 360 breast, Fat: 17g thigh / 21g breast

Ingredients:

8 small pieces of chicken, breast, thigh, and drumsticks, with skin removed

Brine -

8 cups water
1/3 cup salt
2 tbsp premium, MSG-free fish sauce

Breading -

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups plain bread crumbs
4 1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp granulated sugar
2 tsp finely ground tellicherry pepper
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground savory
1/2 tsp ground sage
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground marjoram
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Dredge -

4 eggs
2 cups skim milk
Vegetable oil cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Dissolve 1/3 cup salt in 8 cups water. Stir in fish sauce. Add chicken and marinate for 2 hours. Remove chicken from brine, rinse with water, and blot dry. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Make the breading by combining all ingredients in a large bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in the milk. When the oven is hot, dip each piece of chicken in the egg and milk mixture and then press into the breading. Toss each chicken piece in the breading until well-coated. Let chicken sit for 2 minutes in the breading. Shake off the excess breading and arrange on a baking sheet that has been thoroughly sprayed with vegetable oil non-stick spray.

4. When all of the chicken has been breaded, spray each piece with the oil spray until the breading is completely moistened.

5. Bake chicken for 40 to 45 minutes or until it’s nicely browned.

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FDA Orders Ban On Antibacterial Consumer Soaps

The "antibacterial" soaps that we usually buy in stores and groceries will no longer be sold. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that "antibacterial" soaps do little or nothing at all to make soap work any better and said the industry has failed to prove that they are safe for consumers.

The latest ruling by the FDA will effectively ban antibacterial soaps and body washes that has certain ingredients from being sold to the public since those questionable ingredients were not proved to be safe and effective for long-term daily use, the FDA said on Friday.

It applies on antibacterial soaps and washes that contain one or more of 19 active ingredients, which includes a chemical known as triclosan and triclocarban which we see in our regular soap. Soap manufacturers will have another year to negotiate over other, less commonly used ingredients such as benzalkonium chloride. However, this rule has no effect on consumer hand sanitizers or antibacterial wipes.

Triclosan used in 93% of liquid products labeled "antibacterial" or "antimicrobial" at least 2,000 different products, according to the FDA.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said,

"Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water. In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term."

Soap companies will have one year to either remove the ingredients or no longer market their products before the final rule is effective (PDF).

The American Cleaning Institute released a statement in response in which it indicated that the FDA had data showing the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps. Manufacturers plan to provide additional science and research to fill any data gaps, according to the statement:

"In the coming year, ACI and its member companies will submit additional safety and effectiveness data on the key ingredients in use in consumer antibacterial soaps today: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol. ... Consumers can continue to use antibacterial soaps with confidence as they have for decades in millions of homes, offices, schools, daycare centers and other commercial settings."

In 2007 a research published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that using antibacterial consumer soaps containing triclosan seemed to offer no additional health benefit over using regular soap and water. And continued use for a long period of time may be linked to the propagation of dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.





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Bubble Soccer or Bubble Football Anyone?

Bubble Soccer or otherwise known as bubble football or bumper football is becoming more and more popular with many people around the world taking it up. This game started in Norway which was invented by comedians Henrik Elvestad and Johan Golden back in 2011. The game is played with players wearing inflatable bubbles similar to a zorb try to score points while crashing into one another. It is usually played in a gym or in a soccer field. The players bump to each other, bounce and roll. It's a great exercise that is very energetic and highly entertaining. It is said to be more fun than soccer, safer than football, cheaper than hockey, and bouncier than basketball.

Bubble soccer is safe and fun, it can be played by anyone over the age of 10. It is often played in corporate team building, stag parties, bachelor parties, and birthdays. The game is played with two teams against each other that is composed of 5 to 8 players on each team. It is divided in four 8 minutes quarters that is separated by 3 minutes break after each quarter. The standard soccer rules apply however players are allowed to full contact since they are protected by the bubble and it's more fun to see them bump to each other.

It may seem like a funny game that doesn't require much effort, but those bubbles are heavy, it weighs about 15 pounds. Players needs to constantly shuffle around the field, balance and control the bubble ball. There are also reported minor injuries playing the game most are twisted ankles and sore necks. No serious injuries have been reported playing the game.

Bubble soccer is a growing sport in the United States, it has already its own league which is sanctioned by the National Association of Bubble Soccer. The NABS is active in 40 metros across the country. It has been featured in major news networks and TV shows like FoxNews, Good Morning America, Univision, The Today Show, Sports Illustrated, and Buzzfeed. Bubbleballs also appeared on season 7 of Shark Tank.

The game was also featured on the "The Tonight Show", Jimmy Fallon played bubble soccer with Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt and Frank Knuckles on the 6th floor just outside the elevators.


The inflatable ball suit is made from PVC plastic that is non -toxic, colorless, transparent and tasteless. The top and bottom of the bubbleball has openings to allow players easy breathing during gameplay.

If you want to get one you can find high quality bubble suits for sale at Buybubblefootball.com, get a Red Bubble Ball with 1 Free Pump just like the one below:

Nature Bound Natural Brain, Memory and Mind Booster

Are you suffering from stress or can't seem to concentrate or become more and more forgetful? It seems your brains need help. If stress is affecting your memory, mental alertness and analytical thinking, this natural supplement will help you. The Nature Bound Natural Brain, Memory and Mind Booster contains Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, DMAE Bacopa Monnieri extract, Leaf Phosphatidylcholine powder, DMAE bitartate Eleuthero extract, and Root Vinepocetine Huperzine-A which are all vitamins that improve the function of the brain and increase memory focus and even balance. This formula also increases mental and physical energy so you will not feel sluggish.

With an improved brain performance it will also give you a better mood, so you will not just ace your exams or interview but will do it smiling too!

This brain supplement is all natural and contains 100% high grade pure capsules with powerful ingredients to improve body and support mental performance. It doesn't contain any FILLERS or anything else that could be harmful or reduce the effectiveness of this supplement.

The Ginkgo Biloba, St. John's Wort, and Bacopa Monnieri in the formula work together to focus and enhance your cognitive abilities. This premium focus enhancing blend gently enhances your cognitive abilities.


 
This products are all manufactured in the United States, and the facilities are GMP Certified and FDA approved. 


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Burger King: Whopperrito

Burger King will be introducing Whopperrito on August 15, 2016. It's a mashup of a Whopper and a burrito. The Whopperrito is made with a flame-grilled 100% beef. The seasoning is a special blend of Tex-Mex spices. It has diced onions, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce and queso sauce. The wrapping is a flour tortilla.

Whopperrito is Burger King's newest experiment with a bizarre offerings to lure back diners who have cut back on eating out and to attract those people who love burritos at Taco Bell.

Chick-fil-A Egg White Grill

Chick-fil-A is trying to compete with other quick service restaurants in the breakfast market with their new breakfast menu item, the Egg White Grill.

The Egg White Grill is a "protein-packed breakfast sandwich," the sandwich is composed of a breakfast portion of grilled chicken breast with a hint of citrus flavor, grilled egg whites, and American cheese, on a toasted multi-grain English muffin. It packs 300 calories, 25g protein, 7g of fat, 55mg Cholesterol and 970mg sodium.

The company said they created the Egg White Grill "to meet the demands of those seeking a healthy breakfast on-the-go."

The sandwich starts at $3.35, will be an additional item to their breakfast lineup Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit, Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis, Greek Yogurt, etc.

Chick-fil-A Egg White Grill

Brain Map Updated and 97 New Regions Identified

If you look at the brain it looks like a fleshy folds and bulges with no features, but it is actually grouped into invisible territories. Each has its own specialized functions, like some neurons become active when you smell something, others when you see colors or when you are engaged in activity.

The new and updated brain map described in a study published on July 20, 2016 on Nature.com http://nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature18933 shows and discussed detailed part of the brain that deals with human senses, motion, problem solving and emotional regulation.  That part of the brain is named cerebral cortex, and it’s the brain’s outer layer of nerve tissue. Experts called the research a milestone in neuroscience it shows 97 previously unknown regions which is revolutionary. It is a glimpse into the inner working of the brain.

Scientists will be able to use this new study to understand virtually every aspect of the brain, from its development from birth to adulthood and how it can be corrupted by diseases like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

The researchers generated the map using advanced scanners and computers running artificial intelligence programs that “learned” to identify the brain’s hidden regions from vast amounts of data collected from hundreds of test subjects. They employ very sophisticated and broader study compared to the study that has been previously done. They use the data from the Human Connectome Project, an effort funded by the National Institutes of Health to better understand how the human brain works by compiling as much neural data as possible. Combining all the data have helped them identify these new regions.

The updated brain map could help neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, and neurologists in their work and research.

Top Brain Supplements 2016

Federal Trade Commission Penalized Herbalife With $200M Fine

The diet and nutrition company Herbalife has been hit by the Federal Trade Commission with a $200 million fine and ordered them to restructure their business after  allegations of “unfair and deceptive practices.”

The Cayman Islands company agreed to fully restructure its U.S. business operations and pay a $200 million settlement over allegations that it deceived consumers, but it avoided more serious charges that it was operating as a pyramid scheme.

The FTC said that the settlement is a “significant law enforcement action,” but the company claimed it as a victory in its fight against claims it was operating a pyramid-style scheme.

“The company promised people a dream – a chance to change their lives, quit their jobs and gain financial freedom,” FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez told reporters, “but the FTC has charged that this wasn’t true.”

“Herbalife is going to have to start operating legitimately, making only truthful claims about how much money its members are likely to make, and it will have to compensate consumers for the losses they have suffered as a result of what we charge are unfair and deceptive practices," she added.

The company was charged for deceiving thousands of people into believing they could make money as “distributors,” or salespeople, of Herbalife products when the only real money was actually in buying the products themselves and then recruiting other salespeople to do the actual selling.

Also there are a lot of Herbalife independent distributors that promises medical miracle that is simply untrue despite company policies that prevents them from doing so. A news reporter who was wearing a hidden camera was told by a Herbalife distributor that a woman with a brain tumor became symptom free after starting on Herbalife products.



“She used to shake like this because she lost control of her motor skills to the tumor and she said part of her cerebellum was deteriorated,” he said. “If you see her now, she’s like one of us here... Whatever it is that the product did, it helped her a lot.”

Study: People Who Consumed Less Water Tend to be Obese

A new study shows that people who drink less water has more chances to be obese. The average water consumption in the U.S. about 4 cups a day which is not enough. While, despite a huge focus and support diet and physical activity the country is still experiencing increasing obesity rates.

Some researchers link low water consumption to obesity. In a new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, experts used latest data from about 9,500 adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of what Americans are eating. The data also contain information on how hydrated the subjects are by measuring the concentration of their urine.

“There’s so much focus on food and exercise, but so much more than just food and exercise goes into weight,” says Dr. Tammy Chang, assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan medical school.

About 33% of the people who took part in the study were not taking enough water. The study also found a link between dehydration and obesity. People who don't drink enough water had higher BMIs than those who do.

Of course those who are obese need more water than people who have smaller bodies, making the hydration threshold potentially harder to attain. People who are obese eat less and take fewer calories when they drink water before a meal than if they eat it without water.

So how will you know if you are well hydrated? Dr. Tammy Chang said that the most reliable way to check it is through the color of your urine. Light colored urine almost the same color of water means that you are well hydrated. If it’s dark, you need to drink more water.

You can also take water and be hydrated by eating fresh fruits and vegetables which contains a lot of water. A cup of sliced radishes contains about 120ml of water, while a 2-cup serving of watermelon or 1 cucumber contains more than a cup of water.

“They’re good for you because of their nutritional value, while you’re improving your hydration as well,” Chang says.

However, the link between hydration and obesity needs more study. “More studies are needed to understand the directionality,” Chang says. “But staying hydrated is good for you no matter what.”

Paracetamol or acetaminophen consumption during pregnancy risk having an autistic child or kids with ADHD

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen or APAP, is a medication used to treat pain and fever. It is usually used for mild to moderate pain. According to a new study, taking paracetamol or acetaminophen during pregnancy is linked to autism and ADHD in children.

Their study also showed that exposure to paracetamol while pregnant raises the risk of autism spectrum diseases more in boys and it was associated with higher rates of ADHD in both male and female.

“The male brain may be more vulnerable to harmful influences during early life. Our differing gender results suggest that androgenic endocrine disruption, to which male brains could be more sensitive, may explain the association,” lead author Claudia Avella-Garcia, researcher at Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), a Spanish research organization.

The study also suggests that children who are regularly exposed to the common medicine while in the womb were more likely to show signs of both conditions.

Persistently exposed children in particular showed poorer performance in attention, impulsivity and visual speed processing. The children who were exposed to the medicine were at higher risk of hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms at age 5.

“It can also affect the development of the immune system, or be directly toxic to some foetuses that may not have the same capacity as an adult to metabolise this drug, or by creating oxidative stress,” noted Jordi Julvez, one of the researchers from CREAL.

"Paracetamol or acetaminophen relieves pain by acting on cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Since these receptors normally help determine how neurons mature and connect with one another, paracetamol could alter these important processes", researchers added.

The study used data from 2,644 mother-child pairs, 88% were evaluated when the child was 1 year old, and 79.9% were evaluated when they were 5 years old. About 43% of children evaluated at age of 1 and 41% assessed at age 5 were exposed to any Paracetamol at some point during the first 32 weeks of pregnancy.

The children were assessed again when they turn 5 years old and exposed children were at higher risk of hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms. Persistently exposed children in particular showed poorer performance on a computerised test measuring inattention, impulsivity and visual speed processing, the study found. Boys also showed more symptoms of autism when persistently exposed to Paracetamol.

They also reiterated that further is needed to determine the precise dosage measurements, and that the risks versus benefits of Paracetamol use during pregnancy and early life should be assessed before treatment recommendations are made.

Official guidelines say Paracetamol should be taken only if necessary in pregnancy and for the shortest possible time.

While Professor Alan Cameron, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, disagree with the research he said "Paracetamol is one of the most common medicines used to reduce a high temperature and ease pain, it is safe and is used routinely during all stages of pregnancy." The preliminary results from this study suggest that frequent Paracetamol use throughout pregnancy may impact attention function and slightly increase the risk of hyperactivity in the offspring at aged 5 years old.

"No effect on cognitive, motor or social development was identified." He added, "It is important to highlight from these results we cannot determine a direct link between Paracetamol usage and any neurodevelopmental problems. Future studies should take into account dosage as well as other possible contributory factors. However, women should not be alarmed by the results of this study and we recommend that pregnant women continue to follow current guidance and take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time when necessary."

The research was published in the International Journal Of Epidemiology.

Top Brain Supplements 2016

Do you need that extra boost for your brain to survive a college exam or a career licensing exams? Then why not take a pill that will give you superhuman intelligence like in the movies Limitless and Lucy. Unfortunately, like everything in Hollywood those pills are not true and they don't exist in the present. There are no hyper-advanced, underground, quasi-illegal pill that can give you access to 100% of your brain abilities.

In the movie Limitless Eddie Morra played by Bradley Cooper has acquired superhuman brain abilities after taking the mysterious NZT-48 pill. Unfortunately, a real "NZT-48" pill doesn't exist.

If you search online about NZT-48 pill you get hundreds of results claiming to NZT-48 pill or Limitless pill but will now give you real study about it.

But according to Rolling Stone there's a pill called Modafinil or Provigil that can give you enhance cognitive ability, these are drugs are commonly prescribed for individuals with narcolepsy. Modafinil is knows as smart drug the movie "Limitless" was based around it.

People who uses Modafinil said that it actually work, they say it makes you alert. There are no known side-effects of taking Modafinil but the study is scarce so we will never know just yet. Modafinil is also used as an add-on to medication in people with schizophrenia, to try to improve their cognitive function. 

However, according to this article who actually taken the drugs it does have annoying side-effects:

He took "100mg, or half a pill, for beginners, so I split one in half and had it at 10:45 AM. By 11:30 AM, I felt no different, so in classic impatient high chasing, I had the other half. I felt the effects by midday: It was like having a really strong coffee without the edginess. I realized that I didn't want to do anything else that day other than write this piece. I was supposed to be calling my friend at lunch, and I was annoyed that I had to do that. I could definitely see how this would be great if you had an essay to write, and you had all the research there for you. Other effects: I'm usually ready to chew someone's arm off by 1 PM, but I'd lost my appetite completely. My mouth was like a bag of sawdust, no matter how much water I drank. I didn't have any caffeine all day and didn't need it or even think about needing it, which is unusual, as it's normally a pretty vital part of my routine. Later, my editor asked me to draft someone else's piece, and I can't remember the last time I was so irritated. I realized I was growling at the screen."

"The only immediate downsides were a) that it made me feel quite horny, which isn't ideal at work, and b) that I had a throbbing headache from 3 PM onwards that lasted through to the next day", he added.

It seems that these supplements can really improve your focus, memory and motivation.

Other supplements that can give you the edge are:

SmartX – All in one $67.49
Ginkgo Biloba $24.99
Super Potent & Natural Brain, Memory & Mind Booster $15.77

More brain supplements here

Experts Say Crocs are Bad for your Feet

Leading podiatrists claim that wearing Crocs rubber shoes for long periods of time may cause heel or arch pain and they are warning people about it.

Yes, they are ugly and colorful but people love them for the comfort it gives. Famous people wear them like Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Tyler and even the Duchess of Cambridge.

Dr Megan Leahy, a podiatrist with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago, told the Huffington Post Crocs aren’t suitable for “everyday use.” They do have a "nice" arch support, but they are seriously lacking in other areas.

“These shoes do not adequately secure the heel,” Leahy told the Huffington Post. “When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses. The same thing can happen with flip flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured.”

She said that Crocs can be worn for short period of time like a trip to the mall or the beach but should not be worn for long walks for extended periods of time.

Crocs Footwear on Amazon

Saturated Fat Is Essential To A Healthy Diet

We’ve been told by the mainstream media that saturated fat is unhealthy and we should avoid it at all cost. Which is why there a hundreds of products that are labeled low or zero fat products. They said that consuming low or zero fat products will  keep your weight in check and your heart healthy. As it turns out, it's more complicated than that.

What they failed to do is they don't differentiate between good fats and harmful fats.

“Fats” are macronutrients. They are nutrients that we consume in large amounts and give us energy. Each fat molecule is made of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids, they can be either saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated.

Good fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Bad ones include industrial-made trans fats. Saturated fats fall somewhere in the middle.

According to Dr. John Briffa and cutting back on saturated fat is not beneficial to your heart's health and saturated fat dangers are absurdly exaggerated. Researchers did not found a link between saturated fat intake and a higher risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, or stroke in meta-analysis of 21 studies. This findings is a complete turnaround from what they are advicing to cut down on our consumption of saturated fats.

http://www.thecholesteroltruth.com/saturated-fat-heart-health-benefits/

Eating butter in moderation is good for your health, since it is high in vitamins, beneficial saturated fats, the sort of cholesterol that is vital for brain and nervous system development and various natural compounds with anti-fungal, antioxidant and even anti-cancer properties.

Saturated fats is prevalent in the diet of people in the U.S. These fats appears as at room temperature similar to cooled bacon grease, while fats that are mostly unsaturated are liquid at room temperature, just like olive oil. Common sources of saturated fat include red meat, whole milk and other whole-milk dairy foods, cheese, butter, coconut oil, and many commercially prepared baked goods and other foods.

It was assumed as one of the causes of heart disease since it raise cholesterol levels in the blood, but there are no experimental evidence that linked saturated fats directly to heart disease. Yes, saturated fats raise HDL (the “good”) cholesterol and change LDL from small, dense (bad) to Large LDL, which is mostly benign. Overall, saturated fats do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously believed.

If you remove saturated fats from your diet, you’ll lose plenty of health benefits that you should be getting from it. For example, saturated fats contain antiviral agents. They help maintain cell membranes. Several key vitamins like D, E, K, and A are fat-soluble.

The “Bad” fats you should avoid is artificial trans fats, studies show that trans fats lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, belly fat accumulation and drastically raise the risk of heart disease.

So eat your saturated fats, monounsaturated fats and Omega-3s, but do everything to avoid trans fats and processed vegetable oils like the plague. The fats that are really harmful to your health are artificial trans fats and processed vegetable oils high in Omega-6 fatty acids.

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Yoga For Back Pain (Stretches and Exercises)

Cross Leg Seated twist - This pose is okay for all levels, from beginners to seasoned yoga practitioners. It stretches the hips, knees, and ankles. This exercise will give flexibility to your spine, shoulders, and chest.

It also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Twisting stimulates and tones your abdominal organs, including the kidneys and digestive organs.

Instructions:
- sit up straight on a yoga mat with your legs folded toward your torso.
- Balance your weight evenly across your sit bones. Align your head, neck, and spine. Lengthen your spine, but soften your neck. Relax your feet and thighs.
- put your right hand on the floor behind you. Place your left hand to the outside of your right knee, twist gently to the right while you exhale. Do not push hard against your knee to force a deeper twist.
-  twist only as far as you can go while keeping your head aligned directly over your tailbone.
- Hold for up to 10 breaths.
- Exhale as you come back to the center.
- Change the cross of your legs and repeat the twist on the opposite side for the same length of time.

Knee to Chest (rock side to side) - This pose relieves excess digestive air, indigestion, bloating, flatulence, acidity, and constipation. It also relieves lower back pain.

Instructions:
- lie on a soft yoga mat on your back with your legs and arms extended.
- exhale while you pull both of your knees to your chest.
- put your hands around your shins. Clasp each elbow with the opposite hand.
- Keep your back flat on the mat. Release your shoulder blades down toward your waist.
- Draw your tailbone and sacrum down toward the mat, lengthening your spine even more.
- softly rock backward and forward or side-to-side for a gentle spinal massage.
- Tuck your chin slightly and gaze down the center line of your body.
- Hold for up to one minute. Keep your breath smooth and even.

Lying Single Leg Twist (keep bottom leg straight and shoulder on floor) - if your lower back and hip muscles are tight it will have an adverse effect to your spinal flexibility and it's one of the major cause of back pain. The lying single leg spinal twist lengthens and loosens hip and low back muscles, reducing tightness and helping improve posture.

Instructions:
- on a soft yoga mat lie on your back with your both hands placed by your sides.
- Raise your left leg while keeping your right leg planted on the ground.
- slowly drop your left knee to your right side without turning or moving your head.
- gently push the knee down with your right hand until you feel a stretch in your low back. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
- return to the starting position and repeat the exercise with the other leg.


Single Leg Hamstring Stretch - this is a good stretch for the hamstrings and it stretches your lower back.

Instructions:
- Sit on the floor with your right leg straight in front of you and your left leg bent and the bottom of your foot against the inside of the opposite thigh.
- Lean over and hold onto your foot until you feel a stretch in your hamstring. 
- Hold stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat with opposite leg.
- Maintaining good pelvic alignment and keeping your chest up is important to prevent lower back injuries during this stretch and will maximize the stretch on the hamstrings.
- keep your back straight..


Straight Leg Seated Twist (left hand to right knee, twist to your right) - it increases flexibility in each vertebrae of the spine, from the base of the spine through the neck. it relieves symptoms of backache, fatigue, menstrual discomfort and sciatica.

Instructions:
- sit on a yoga mat.
- Bend your right knee and place your right foot on the ground outside of your left thigh. You can keep your left leg long, or bend it and place your left heel under your right glute.
- Turn your torso to the right and take your right hand to the ground behind your sacrum. Wrap your left arm around your right leg and place your right hand on the ground behind your sacrum.
- Inhale deeply to lengthen your spine, then take your left arm outside of your right thigh. Use your arm pressing into your thigh and your thigh pressing into your arm to twist on your exhale. Keep this breathing pattern for at least 3 deep breaths. Repeat on the other side.

Legs up against the wall, feet straight up relax your spine - This pose also gives blood circulation a gentle boost toward the upper body and head. It also relieves lower-back pain.

BalanceFrom Go Yoga All Purpose Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap $19.95 
YogaAccessories (TM) 1/4'' Extra Thick High Density Yoga Mat (Phthalate Free) $20.95  

- also check out 3 Easy Stretches to Prevent Back Pain

16 Ways On How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar

I never thought that you can use Apple Cider Vinegar in a lot of ways. Yes, it doesn't taste good but it offers a lot of health benefits. It will keep the doctor away. POPSUGAR Beauty created a Youtube video on 16 different ways to incorporate it into your beauty and wellness routine.

1. Get rid of Breakouts - Apple Cider Vinegar exfoliates the skin with alpha hydroxy acids.
2. Soothe a sore throat - gargle it with warm water to help heal sore throat.
3. Get rid of dandruff - mix 1 cup with 3 cups of water and apply it to your scalp.
4. Remove warts - apply a soaked cotton ball and let it sit overnight.
5. Use it as deodorant - I'm not a fan of this one, since it may burn your underarm skin.
6. Heal a sinus infection - mix 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (good anti-inflammatory), 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 wedge lemon.
7. Whiten your teeth - mix 2 parts ACV with 1 part baking soda.
8. Heal sunburn - damp washcloth with cold water, put a little apple cider vinegar to the cloth. Dab the wet cloth onto your sunburn, soaking the skin. You should notice instant relief from any stinging.
9. Clean your makeup brushes - ACV will kill the bacteria and germs. Mix 1 cup of water to 1 tsp of AVC.
10. Soothe Eczema and Psoriasis - ACV can help calm itchy skin.
11. Prevent ingrown hairs - Apply the ACV to the affected area with a cotton ball. Let your skin absorb it then wash the area with lukewarm water. Repeat 2 times per day.
12. Detoxify your skin - mix ACV with bentonite clay for an exfoliating, detoxifying mask.
13. Get rid of stinky feet - mix 1 cup of ACV with 4 cups of warm water and submerge your feet, swish the mixture around, and soak for 15 minutes twice a day.
14. Boost your energy - ACV is rich in Vitamins E, A, and B, Megnesium, Iron and Calcium.
15. Improve digestion - make an easy digestion salad dressing. Mix 2tbsp water, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 cup ACV, 2 tbsp honey, 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 lemon wedge.
16. Help you Lose Weight - studies shows that vinegar can keep you from feeling hungry.

Metformin Drug For Diabetes May Reduce Cancer Death Risk

In a new research, scientists found that Metformin which is a drug for type 2 diabetes could significantly reduced death risks for certain kinds of cancers in postmenopausal woman suffering from type 2 diabetes.

They have found that women who have type 2 diabetes has 45% chances higher in dying than those women who had cancer but did not have diabetes. 

Their study noted that women who has cancer who took metformin to treat their type 2 diabetes their risk of dying due to cancer is almost similar to those women who did not have diabetes.

"Metformin users, particularly long-term users, may be at lower risk of developing certain cancers and dying from cancer, compared to users of other anti-diabetes medications," the study said.

The reseach head author Zhihong Gong from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in New York says the results may provide evidence that it may be more beneficial to use metformin as type 2 diabetes treatment than other drugs for postmenopausal women who have cancer.

The research studied 146,000 postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 79 years old from 1993 to 1998. The subjects had a 25% to 35% risk of developing colon and endometrial cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This risk is more than twice for cancers of the liver and pancreas.

Gong says that the results of their studies indicate that diabetes is a risk factor for cancer and cancer-associated death. It also show that Metformin therapy may have a more significant role in managing diabetes-associated cancers than other anti-diabetes treatments.

Tips on How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

1. Eat healthy food, with plenty of vegetables and avoid junk foods like Pizza and hamburgers.
2. Make sure that you exercise 5 days a week for 30 minutes at a time or in divided increments.
3. Maintain a normal body weight and waist circumference of less than 35 inches for women, and less than 40 inches for men.
4. Maintain a blood pressure of 120/80 or lower.
5. Limit alcohol intake to one drink daily.
6. Have a healthy sleep habits.  Healthy adults need between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
7. Take less salt. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. For optimal healthy heart, the American Heart Association recommends people to eat no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
8. Monitor your cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in the blood that is produced by the liver from saturated fats can lead to fatty deposits in your coronary arteries that increase your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diseases that affect the circulation. You can help lower your cholesterol level by exercising and eating high-fibre foods such as porridge, beans, pulses, lentils, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Tightness or discomfort in the chest, neck, arm or stomach which comes on when you exert yourself but goes away with rest may be the first sign of angina, which can lead to a heart attack if left untreated.

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