I came across this information while reading a book over the weekend. I find it interesting and like to share with my readers. If you ever taken Painkillers, you must read this Article.
" In UK alone 650 millions prescriptions are written every years, and the total cost has doubled in the last ten years to 7 Billion Sterling pound. The US annual drug bill is a staggering $200 billion.
In UK $260 million sterling pound is spent each year on painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol.
Salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin and other painkillers, is a gastrointestinal irritant, increasing the permeability of the gut wall. This in turn upsets the absorption of nutrients, allowing incompletely digested foods to pass into the bloodstream, alerting the immune system and triggering allergy responses to common food. In the long term, this weakens the immune system, encourages inflammation and burns up vital vitamins and minerals needed for healthy immunity, as well as triggering intestinal bleeding.
The alternative is Paracetamol, of which 4 billion tablets are taken worldwide every year. While Paracetamol does not irritate the gut like aspirin, it is bad news for the Liver. As a result, in UK alone, 30,000 people a year end up in hospital as a result of taking paracetamol.
In 1994 in UK, 115 paracetamol-related deaths were reported. According to Professor Sir David Carter of Edinburgh University, 1 in 10 liver transplants is made necessary because of damage caused by paracetamol overdose. While 20 paracetamol can kill you, even one is extra work for liver. If a person takes 6 a day and lacks the nutrients that help the liver to detoxify, this can reduce their ability to deal with other toxins such as alcohol. The combination of alcohol and paracetamol is very dangerous; Paracetamol produces a toxic by-product that can be broken down by the liver only if the body contains sufficient stores of the amino acid glutathione. If you run out, the result is trouble.
Many common drugs have direct or knock-on effects on your nutritional status. Antibiotics, for example, wipe out the healthy gut bacteria that manufacture significant amount of B vitamins. They also pave the way for unfriendly bacteria to multiply, which increases the risk of infection, thereby stressing the immune system. This can then lead to nutrient deficiency. Meanwhile the US national Institutes of Health estimated that more than 50,000 tons of antibiotics are used every year worldwide."
Think about it , have a second thought the next time you want to take a paracetamol or an antibiotics.
Source - "NEW Optimum Nutrition Bible - Patrick Holford's"
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Truth about Painkillers (Aspirin & Paracetamol) and Antibiotics
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Nutrition & Food that increase your immue system
Carotenoids
The carotenoid vegetables are those which are yellow, orange, or red in color and contain carotenes, such as beta-carotene. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells. Beta carotene is only one member of a large family. Researchers believe that it is not just beta carotene that produces all these good effects, but all the carotenoids working together. This is why getting carotenoids in food may be more cancer-protective than taking beta carotene supplements. You should eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
Vitamin C
Sources: bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fruit juices, lemon juice, mustard greens, oranges, papaya, strawberries
Foods with vitamin C increase the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and increase levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces preventing the entry of viruses.
Vitamin E
Sources: almonds, broccoli, chard, mustard greens, olives, papaya, sunflower seeds, turnip greens
Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural "killer" cells (cells that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells). Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Vitamin E may also reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging.
Vitamin B12
Sources: beef, halibut, lamb, milk, salmon, scallops, shrimp, snapper
Vitamin B12 is central to immune processes because, without adequate B12, white blood cells can't mature and multiply. Folic acid also plays a key role in immune system development and maintenance.
Thiamine (B1)
Sources: asparagus, cereals, pork, sunflower seeds, tuna
Riboflavin (B2)
Sources: asparagus, calf's liver, cereals, cranberries, mushrooms, romaine lettuce
Niacin (B3)
Sources: asparagus, chicken breast, cranberries, halibut, mushrooms, pork, salmon, tomato, tuna
Pyridoxine (B6)
Sources: bell peppers, cauliflower, cranberries, mustard greens, tuna, turnips
Folate
Sources: asparagus, beets, broccoli, calf's liver, lentils, parsley, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens
Zinc
Sources: oysters, mushrooms, meat, legumes
This valuable mineral increases the production and effectiveness of white blood cells that fight infection. Zinc also increases killer cells that fight against cancer and it helps white cells release more antibodies. Zinc also increases the number of infection-fighting T-cells, especially in elderly people, who are often deficient in zinc and whose immune system often weakens with age. The anti-infection hype around zinc is controversial. While some studies claim that zinc supplements in the form of lozenges can lower the incidence and severity of infections, other studies have failed to show this correlation. A word of caution: too much zinc (more than 75 milligrams a day) in the form of supplements
can inhibit immune function.
Chromium
Sources: brewer's yeast, oysters, liver, onions, whole grains, bran cereals, tomatoes, potatoes
Many people do not get enough chromium in their diet due to food processing methods that remove the naturally occurring chromium in commonly consumed foods. Recent research in animal models shows that chromium can enhance the ability of white blood cells to respond to infection.
Selenium
Sources: Brazil nuts, brown rice, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), egg yolks, garlic, halibut, lobster, mushrooms, pork, salmon, shrimp, snapper, sunflower seeds, tuna, whole grains
Monday, July 27, 2009
Nutrition to prevent Swine Flu - H1N1 Flu Virus
What is Swine Flu ( H1N1 Flu Virus ) ?
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the influenza A virus.
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. From time to time, human infections do occur, resulting in H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu). H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu.
Transmission
Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of flu back and forth to one another
through direct close contact. When a swine influenza virus does affect a human, there is
also a risk that the animal influenza can mutate and then spread directly between
humans.
More investigation is needed on how easily the virus spreads between people, but it is
believed that it is spread the same way as regular seasonal influenza. Influenza and other respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person when germs enter the nose and/or throat.
Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, and sore throat. Some
people with H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.
Nutrition that helps to prevent
As the flu virus is a respiratory disease, the first main organ that contact with the virus is our lung. Therefore not only it is important to increase our overall immune system, we should also pay more attention on how to increase the immune system of your lung.
Here's are the nutrition supplement that helps to fight the disease.
Main Nutrition
Multi-Carotenoids (Vitamin A) - It helps to strengthens the immune system for the nose, airways , throat & lung.
Vitamin C - It is a strong antioxidant that helps to boost the immune system to fight virus.
Lecithin Vitamin E - Vitamin E help to protect the lung and strengthens its function.
Vitamin B Complex - Help the blood circulation thus enhances the function of the immune system and lung. - It also help to calm nerves to reduce stress. ( Depression & Stress can weaken the immune system. )
Supporting Nutrition
Protein - To supply needed amino acids for healing
Garlic - A Natural antibiotic and immune system enhance which helps to fight flu infection.
Echinacea - Helps to boost the immune system.
Other Related Articles
Protection from Swine Virus ( H1N1 Flu Virus)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Nutrition for Marathon Runners
I notice that there are more and more marathon events organized by Adidas, Nike, Standard Charter, etc... but there are lots of inexperience runners.
They do not have any professional coach nor a nutritionist to guide them. It is still ok if you do not have a coach but it is very dangerous without a nutritionist or not knowing what kind of diet to undergo before the run.
So i decided to write this article to share some nutrition advice to all.
A training marathon runner should be consuming a diet that is composed of between 65% carbohydrates - 25% protein – 10% fat. So what type of carbohydrates should we take, the truth about it is that they are all different. Some supply energy very quickly while others provide a slow, steady stream of energy. Therefore carbohydrates are classified by numbers between 1 and 100. This is called the glycemic index (GI). Simple carbohydrate is high on the GI and gets into you system very quickly. Complex carbohydrate are generally lower on the GI and filter into your system more slowly. Foods that are low on the GI list tend to keep your blood glucose level and give you a steady supply of energy. When your blood glucose is stable, you can run for a longer period of time.
You may visit here to find out the GI of the food that you consume.
High GI foods on the other hand give your blood glucose a boast. This causes your body to release insulin which pulls the carbohydrate out of your bloodstream and your blood glucose dropped. For that reason, you should be eating low GI carbohydrate during your training periods. Low GI carbohydrate are also best for general health and weight maintenance.
A training marathon runner should be consuming a diet that is composed of about 65% carbohydrates - 25% protein – 10% fat. So what type of carbohydrates should we take? The fact about it is that they are different type of carbohydrates. Some supply energy very quickly while others provide a slow, steady stream of energy. Therefore carbohydrates are classified by numbers between 1 and 100. This is called the glycemic index (GI). Simple carbohydrate is high on the GI and gets into you system very quickly. Complex carbohydrate are generally lower on the GI and filter into your system more slowly. Foods that are low on the GI list tend to keep your blood glucose level and give you a steady supply of energy. When your blood glucose is stable, you can run for a longer period of time.
You may visit here to find out the GI of the food that you consume.
High GI foods on the other hand give your blood glucose a boast. This causes your body to release insulin which pulls the carbohydrate out of your bloodstream and your blood glucose dropped. For that reason, you should be eating low GI carbohydrate during your training periods. Low GI carbohydrate are also best for general health and weight maintenance.
Recommended Diet Plan
You should start your diet plan 2-3 weeks before your run. Up until the final week, you should maintain a diet that is similar to your training diet - about 65 to 70% carbohydrates
During the week before your race, you need to change your diet plan to the following :
Decrease carbohydrate intake gradually from 60% to 40% of your total calories on days 1 through 3. Decrease your running duration from 60 minutes to 30 minutes during that period.
On the following three days increase your carbohydrate intake to 70% of total calories and decrease your running duration from 20 minutes to total rest.
This is to help to increase your muscles' carbohydrate storing ability. The best types of carbohydrate to eat during this period are low GI carbohydrate so that your blood glucose levels maintain a steady state.
Day 1 – Exercise Duration – 60 inutes, Carb intake – 60%
Day 2 – Exercise Duration – 40 minutes, Carb intake – 50%
Day 3 – Exercise Duration - 30 minutes, Carb intake – 40%
Day 4 – Exercise Duration – 20 minutes, Carb intake – 70%
Day 5 – Exercise Duration – Rest, Carb intake – 70%?
Day 6 – Exercise Duration – Rest, Carb intake – 70%
Day 7 – Race Day
During the Race Day
Wake up early in the morning and eat a light meal of low GI foods. Do not fast. You will need to replenish liver glycogen stores before your race. Some fats along with some low GI foods will also help keep your blood glucose stable. An example would be two pieces of whole grain toast with butter and a banana. Avoid high GI foods on race morning because it can cause your blood glucose to fall and you will end up using a very high percentage of liver glucose for energy early in the race.
During your race, you need to take in high GI foods, it will give you a fast energy boost. Good high GI foods that are convenient foods on the run are energy bars, energy gels and sports drinks
Summary
During training, eat a high carbohydrate diet composed of low GI foods.
During your last week, decrease your carbohydrate intake briefly before increasing it back to 70% of total calories in conjunction with decrease training volume.
Eat a light pre-race meal of a combination of low GI foods and fat.
While running, start taking in high GI foods for fast energy replacement.
Monday, June 1, 2009
How to recover from Dark Eye Circle?
Dark eye circles have been a very stressful for many ladies. People with dark eye circles end up looking older than you probably are. What causes dark eye circles ?
Dark Eye Circle
The skin below our eyes is thin and is not as well endowed with oil glands as the rest of the body. Consequently as we age, the skin gets dry and wrinkled. As a result, the veins in the lower eye area appear more prominent. This results in dark circles under the eyes. There are many factors that lead to dark circles.
1) Heredity
2) Lack of Sleep
3) Bone Structure – Deep set eyes may have a tendency to develop dark shadows under them. In fair-skinned persons, dark eyes become more obvious.
4) Sun Exposure – Increased exposure to the sun can draw pigmentation the skin’s surface and create dark circles.
5) Medication
6) Nutrition
7) Hormonal Changes – Since the skin undergoes changes during pregnancy and menstruation, you may notice darkening of the circles under the eyes.
1. Drink plenty of water - 2 Litres / day.
2. Ensure that you get good rest and adequate sleep.
3. Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A.
4. Consume a nutritionally balanced diet
Supplement that helps :-
1. Multi-vitamins
2. Multi-carotene
3. Iron Folic
4. Vitamin B
5. Vitamin C
Thursday, May 7, 2009
How to recover from Eczema?
Eczema is a an itchy inflammation of skin. There are a few main groups of Eczema :-
Atopic - the 'allergic' type often seen in people who also have hay fever or asthma. It affects 10-20 per cent of school Children.
Allergic contact - due to skin contact to a substance to which the individual is sensitive.
Irritant Contact - due to skin contact with irritation chemicals, powders, cleaning agents, etc.
Discoid - appears as discrete islands of eczema in any person.
Seborrhoeic - in infants appears in the nappy area and scalp. In adults, it can also appears on the scalp and in the skin creases between the nose and the side of the mouth. It can also be caused by Yeast infection.
Others : a miccellaneous group including eczema of the legs caused by varicose veins and pompholyx - an intensely itchy form located on the hands and composed of small or (sometimes)) large blisters.
Nutrition that may help :-
1) Protein Powder - Important for construction and repair of all tissues. ( 1 Scoop / 2times per day)
2) B complex - Need for healthy Skin and Proper Circulation, aids in reproduction of cells and cellular longevity. ( 3 tabs / 3times per day)
3) Mixed Carotenoids - Needed for smooth skin, aids in preventing dryness. ( 3 tabs / 2times per day)
4) Vitamin C with Bioflavonoid - Inhibits inflammation and stabilizes cell membranes. ( 3 tabs / 3times per day)
5) Vitamin E with Lecithin - Relieves itching and dryness. ( 2 tabs / 2times per day)
6) Omega 3 - Promote lubrication of skins. ( 2 tabs / 2times per day)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Protection from Swine Virus ( H1N1 Flu Virus)
What is Swine Virus?
Influenza A Virus is a genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses. Influenzavirus A includes only one species: Influenza A virus which causes influenza in birds and some mammals. Strains of all subtypes of influenza A virus have been isolated from wild birds, although disease is uncommon. Some isolates of influenza A virus cause severe disease both in domestic poultry and, rarely, in humans. Occasionally viruses are transmitted from wild aquatic birds to domestic poultry and this may cause an outbreak or give rise to human influenza pandemics.
The main variants named using this convention are:
Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).
Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A is common and Influenzavirus C is rare. Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.
Protection from Swine Virus
Other than precaution like avoiding people with running noise & Fever.
The best protection is improving our body's immune system.
What are the Nutrition that we need?
Main
1) Vitamin B Complex
2) Vitamin C
3) Lecithin E
4) Multi Carotene
Supporting
5) NUTRILITE Triple Guard Echinacea
6) NUTRILITE Garlic & Licorice
For more information, pls read also
Nutrition to prevent Swine Flu ( H1N1 Flu)
Other Precaution
Air Treatment system that can filter Influenza A Virus
http://www.amway2u.com/miniweb/atmosphere/intro_en_US.jsp
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Food that help to prevent & treat Cancer and Diseases.
Tomatoes
- Reduces the risk of prostate, breast, prostate, pancreas and colorectal Cancer.
- It can help to reduce the growth of tumors by up to 73%.
Marigold
- Treats gastric ulcer and infections of mouth and throat.
- Improves digestion by stimulation of bile production.
- Helps to cure menstrual cramps, liver disease and constipation.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Reduces the risk of cervix, breast and lungs cancer.
Citrus Bioflavonoid
- Helps reduce cholesterol levels.
- Benefit people with diabetes.
- Control inflammation.
- Reduce allergic reactions.
- Reduce the risk of most cancer.
Kale
- Slow down the growth of cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues.
- Reduce the risk of most cancer
Alfalfa
- Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and plaque deposits on artery walls.
- Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and Cancer.
- Improve bad breath.
- Prevent disease caused by fungi.
Apple
- Reduce the risk of colon cancer
- Procyanidins, an antioxidant found in apple can trigger a series of cell signals that resulted in cancer cell death.
Blueberry
- Reduces the risk of Prostate, Colon and Liver cancer.
- Reduces the risk of urinary tract infections
Grape
- Reduces the risk of most cancer.
- Help to inhibit the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response.
- Helps to slow the growth of tumors.
Asparagus
- Calm nerve and reduce depression.
- Helps to lower cholesterol.
- Stimulates milk production in nursing mothers.
- Very good anti-fungal and anti-viral.
- Reduce the risk of Heart diseases.
- Reduce the risk of Kidney stones.
- Helps to cleanse the body.
- Prevents bladder and urinary tract infections
- Helps with treating HIV
- Helps prevent multiple sclerosis
- Reduce the risk of Lung cancer.
- Fights chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Lower blood pressure.
- Stimulates hair production.
Oregano
- Reduces the risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
- Helps in the regeneration of Liver cells
Prune
- Phenolic compounds found in prunes reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
- Helps to strengthen and improve the density of bone formation.
Rosemary
- Helps to stimulate liver detoxification.
- Reduce inflammatory bowel disease.
- Relief pain from osteoarthritis and joint discomfort.
- Reduce the risk of cancer.
- Reduce the risk of atherosclerosis - a disease affecting arterial blood vessels.
Broccoli
- Reduce the risk of breast, lung, pancreatic, colon and rectal cancer.
- Help to inhibit the growth of tumors.
Cranberry
- Reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women
- Reduce the risk of breast, gastric, gullet, oral, colon and prostate cancer.
- Helps to inhibit the bacteria growth in the mouth, urinary tract, and gastro-intestinal tract.
- Helps to inhibit the growth of cancer cell of lung, colon and leukemia Cancer
Pomegranate
- Reduces the risk of prostate cancer
- Help to improved heart health
- Slow down cartilage loss in arthritis.
- Reduced tumor cell growth
Sage
- Treat skin disease like Alzheimer's disease.
- Improve memory
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Best Vegetables to Prevent Cancer
( In order of the effectiveness)
抗癌效果最好的蔬菜（括号中为对癌症抑制作用的百分比）
1．Ripe sweet potatoes 熟番薯（98．7%）
2．Unripe Sweet potatoes 生番薯（94．4%）
3．Bamboo shoots 芦笋（93．7%）
4．Cabbage 卷心菜（91．4%）
5．Cauliflower 菜花（90．8%）
6．celery 西芹（83．7%）
7．Eggplant skin 茄子皮（74%）
8．Green peppers 甜椒（55．5%）
9. Carrot 胡萝卜（46．5%）
10．California bur clover 金花菜（37．6%）
11．Capsella bursa-pastoris 荠菜（35．4%）
12．Kohlrabi 苤蓝（34．7%）
13．Leaf mustard 芥菜（32．4%）
14．Ardisia Solonacea 雪里红（29．8%）
15．Tomato 番茄（29．8%）
16．Onion 大葱（16．3%）
17．Garlic 大蒜（15．5%)
18．Cucumber 黄瓜（14．3%）
19．Napa cabbage 大白菜（7．4%)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Food to Eat & Avoid for Diabetes
To Avoid at all cost: White Polished Rice, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, glucose and any sugar-made food like Sweets, Cakes, Pastry, Jams, honey, dry-fruits, ice-cream, soda drinks, syrup drinks, etc. Diabetes Patient will often experience a drop in the blood sugar. This may be due to skipping of Meals, exercise, etc. When you have a drop in your blood sugar, you will experience numbness of your tongue, giddy, cold, shivering or hungry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 少食：土豆、山药、芋头、藕、洋葱、胡萝卜、猪油、羊油、奶油、黄油、花生、核桃、 葵花子、蛋黄、肝肾、脑。 宜食：粗杂粮如荞麦、燕麦片、玉米面、大豆及豆制品、蔬菜。
To Reduce: Groundnut, Sweet Potato, Yam, Lotus Root, Onion, Carrot, Lard ( Pig Fat) , Mutton Fat, Cream, Butter, Peanut, Walnut, Sunflower Seed, Egg Yolk, Animal Intestine, Animal Brain.
What to Eat: Course grains like Brown Rice, Buckwheat, Oatmeal, Corn flour, Soybean and Bean product & vegetables. Fish
What should you do? Take some simple sugar like Sweet or sweeten drinks will help to increase your blood sugar. Remember always have some sweet with you at all time, just in case.
糖尿病的饮食禁忌
忌食：白糖、红塘、葡萄糖及糖制甜食，如果糖、糕点、果酱、蜂蜜、蜜饯、冰激凌等。
糖尿病患者在治疗过程中容易引起低血糖症，当血糖降低的太快便发生了低血糖症。成人型糖尿病患者通常因省略正餐或延迟用餐时间或激烈运动而引发低血糖症。轻微低血糖症的症状包括嘴巴麻痹、皮肤湿冷、胸部有颤动的感觉和饥饿。如何治疗？你只须服用现成的糖类。喝甜的饮料，例如，澄汁或汽水，或吃一块糖，并随身携带糖果，以防万一。
Source from http://www.nhcn.com.cn
Sunday, January 18, 2009
7 Eating Habit to help you lose 1 kg per week
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Monday, January 12, 2009
Nature experience after Giving Birth
After giving birth , some mother will experience the following and this is perfectly normal. Don't have to worry or even take any medication for it.
1) Feeling Cold and Shiver at times. This is perfectly normal. Drinking some plain water mixed with Brown Sugar will help.
2) Pain at the womb after 1-2 after giving birth. Most mother will experience this especially on her 2nd and above child. This is normal, the pain will be go away in 3-4 days time.
3) Fever to about 38 Degree Celsius 3-4 days after giving birth. This is due to the enlargement of the breast. Body temperature should not exceed 38 Degree Celsius. The body temperature will usually reduce to normal within 24 hours.
4) Sweating especially during and before sleep. Sometime they will sweat so much that the clothes can be wet. This is natural and will recover itself after a few days.
5) Some mother will feel pain at her genitals area. This is common because when the embryo leave the body, it may injure the area. The pain will disappear after a few days. No need to worry.
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