Healthy Tips: An Apple a Day....

Like the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Apples are very delicious and are also a mouth freshener. They provide fibers - soluble fiber such as pectin actually helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, which reduces the incident of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Apples are a good source of dietary fibre and vitamin C. It contains numerous nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids

They can reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer apples contain relatively low amounts of Vitamin C as well as several other antioxidant compounds.

Apple juice is good as a nutritious drink in helping sort out digestive disturbances and for flushing the kidneys.

Eating apples with their skin is good for you because a lot of vitamin C content is right underneath the skin!

Unfortunately, the skin of the apple also most likely to contain pesticide!! Since peeling will lose valuable fiber in Apples, please choose organically grown apples whenever possible.

Make sure to wash apples under clear running water for cleaning!

The Dangers of Flouride!

Fluoride is an acute toxin with a rating slightly higher than that of lead.According to "Clinical Toxicology of Commercial products," 5th Edition, 1984, lead is given a toxicity rating of 3 to 4, and Fluoride is rated at 4 (3 = moderately toxic, 4 = very toxic). On December 7, 1992, the new EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead was set at 0.015 ppm, with a goal of 0.0ppm. The MCL for fluoride is currently set for 4.0ppm - that's over 350 times the permissable level of lead.Fluoride is also considered toxic waste. It is one of the most bone seeking elements known to mankind. The US Public Health Service has stated that fluoride makes the bones more brittle and the dental enamel more porous.

Current intake we take in is estimated to be between 5 and 7 mg/day in "optimally fluoridated" areas. Current fluoride intake is equally divided between drinking water (in fluoridated areas), food, other beverages, and dental products, meaning that even if you don't live in a fluoridated area, fluoride is endangering your health. Average fluoride content in juices is 0.02 to 2.80 parts per million, in part because of variations in fluoride concentrations of water used in production. Children's ingestion of fluoride from juices and juice-flavored beverages can be quite substantial and a crucial factor in developing fluorosis. Grape juice has been found to contain up to 6.8 mg/L of fluoride, a can of chicken soup up to 4 mg of fluoride. Fluoride can be found in water, toothpaste, mouthwash, Dentist's treatment, fluoride pills, juice, soft drinks, canned food, commercial fruit and vegetables, Teflon and Tefal coated items (such as frying pans), etc. (Note: No "optimal" fluoride intake has ever been scientifically documented.)

How much is too much? As little as 0.04 mg/kg/day has been proven to cause adverse health effects. Retention of 2mg a day will produce crippling skeletal fluorosis in one's lifetime.

Approximately half of each day's fluoride intake will be retained in our bodies. This is what makes it so dangerous. "The dose makes the poison". All sides agree to the fact that healthy kidneys can eliminate only about 50% of daily fluoride intake. The rest gets absorbed in calcified tissues, like bones and teeth.The National Academy Of Sciences (NAS) stated in 1977 that, for the average individual, a retention of 2mg/day would result in crippling skeletal fluorosis after 40 years. Considering the above mentioned intake level, it is likely that skeletal fluorosis already affects a significant portion of the population.Children,the elderly and any person with impaired kidney function (which includes many AIDS patients), are in the high risk group for fluoride poisoning and must be warned to monitor their fluoride intake. Also at high risk are people with immunodeficiencies, diabetes and heart ailments, as well as anyone with calcium, magnesium and Vitamin C deficiencies.(At the level of 0.4 ppm renal (kidney) impairment has been shown.) (Junco, L.I. et al, "Renal Failure and Fluorosis", Fluorine & Dental Health, JAMA 222:783 - 785, 1972)

Studies show that adults can absorb up to 0.5 mg per "TV ribbon" brushing from toothpastes. Small children, even if pea-size amount is used, will still absorb the same, more if the child is younger and has less swallowing control skills. Half a tube of toothpaste can kill a child. Current content of sodium fluoride in toothpaste in Canada and the US is up to 0.4% = 4000 ppm (parts per million). Bubblegum-flavored dentifrice obviously is especially inviting for children. Since April 1997 all toothpaste in the US must carry a warning label, advising parents what to do if their child swallows more than the pea-size brushing amount. Wholesale containers carry the poison symbol of skull and crossbones.

What about the fluoride treatment at the dental office? Fluoride treatments can contain between 10,000 to 20,000 ppm. There is no regulated dose requirement. There are cases known of children dying in the dentist's chair.(New York Times, Jan. 20, 1979: "$750,000 Given in Child's Death in Fluoride Case" about a three year old child killed by fluoride treatment in the Dentist's office.)

From No Stress To Fatal Stress

I got an email from a good friend of mine. It is worth reading:

"I would like to share with you an actual but very sad occurrence which I hope may get you guys to ponder over what constitutes anxieties, extremities and unnecessary over reactions. A long story... but worth reading for lessons learned.... you may want to pass on to others.

One of my friend's father who is a retiree in his mid-60s, is perfectly healthy looking and behaving normal, plays his round of golf each Sunday, does a fair bit of gardening, keeps himself busy the rest of his time helping his son's (my friend's) little retail business, and goes on tour/trips every now and then .....

He was persuaded by his daughters and other well wishers to go for His medical checkup which he had last done before retirement some 10 years ago. He didn't see the need to do it as he was feeling perfectly ok and healthy. Of course he didn't want to spend the money. After persistent persuasion from his family he finally gave in (his daughters agreed to foot the bill).

First his blood test revealed a total cholesterol count well above the 5.2 threshold (in fact close to 6). The doctor advised that he went for his stressed ECG test.

Again he had to be persistently persuaded to go thru that test, which he did. And it revealed some abnormality with his heart.

Now the doctor advised that he went thru angiogram. He resisted again and again after much pestering he subscribed to that invasive test.....which revealed three (3) blockages in his heart. And the doctor advised he went thru angioplasty.

This time he was adamant not to go any further. But it was like the end of the world for his family members who were all highly educated people with learned common sense. They went thru the highest mountains and deepest oceans to convince the old man to go thru angioplasty.

The surgery was successful. And he was given a clean bill of health. His heart is revitalized and cleared of all blockages. After returning Home from the hospital, his family (especially his daughters) put him on a "healthy" diet. Strictly no meat...only vegetables and fruits, with perhaps an occasional dish of steamed fish... no oil.

The result.... the poor old man became weaker, couldn't drive his golf ball the distance he used to, got tired easily when he did his gardening, lost a lot of weight (which everyone was happy because they see him getting healthier that way), went to bed unusually early ('cause he got tired sitting up late watching the sports channels).... in a nutshell he actually got weaker and probably suffering from mal-nutrition!

Hardly 2 months after the angioplasty he passed away, supposedly from Heart complications.. All of a sudden, a few family doctor friends were able to offer explanations. One of them had this to say...

Heart blockages do not happen over-night. They are built up of time. And the body has somehow gotten used to the blockages. As long as the effects of the blockages are not life threatening, it may be best leaving them alone. Maybe it is better not to know about this. For most men at that advanced age already have blockages, some may be even worse. Not knowing it has one clear advantage. There won't be any STRESS imposed on the person.

And STRESS is the killer.

Some may not respond well with angioplasty. With the heart cleared of its blockages, the blood flow will be unrestricted. And sometimes the body (even the heart may not be used to this new revitalized condition) may not know how to cope with it quick enough. Coupled with a "healthy" diet of just fruits and vegetables which are not the usual and normal intake of this person, may and can do further damage.

So it's a combination of all these that could have killed this poor old man who was, just 2 months ago, a healthy bubbly man living a perfectly normal STRESS FREE retired life.

Today my friend and his siblings all regretted what they had done to their father.

Moral of the story is not to be extreme and take everything in life in its stride and with moderation.

One more thing.... my family doctor, age late 40s, hardly takes meat, a good sportsman, has a total cholesterol count of 6.

Some times it's in the genes. Like my 99 year-old mother-in-law who lives by herself, does her own marketing, cooks her own food, never eats any meat that is not fat all her life, hates lean meat, cholesterol so bloody high ......and she is still kicking and so mentally alert. One thing....she's got NO STRESS.

She only gives STRESS to all others around her. That's probably why she's living alone by herself.

So my friends... Don't get paranoid and stressed up for nothing!!! "

Fake WASABI

Fake Wasabi-90% composed of chemicals which may endanger your health.
Reporting from Research Center/Taipei, Taiwan
The wasabi we find these days are found to contain many unknown ingredients. Due to the low supply and high cost of the real wasabi, even wasabi found in 5-star hotels are found to be questionable.
The fake wasabi contains high levels of metals. Though they are within safe levels of consumption, doctors have advised against consuming too much of them.
As we were passing through a fish market, we came upon a very strong scent. We found a lady preparing the wasabi mixture for the raw fish. She told us that she uses "special wasabi powder" which costs only $50/bag and they can make up to several hundred bags of wasabi paste. We even found many restaurants using this special wasabi powder to make the wasabi paste. Why is the scent so strong and what does it really contain? We continued our investigations. The conclusion we came to was the fact that there were special ingredients placed in these "special wasabi powder" even though the label simply indicates "wasabi and permitted flavoring and coloring." Experts indicate that the type of wasabi found in Taiwancannot be freeze-dried and made into powder, so it's very likely that these "special wasabi powder" have been made artificially.
A chinese chemist Wu Jia Cheng says "the label only says what its basic ingredients are but will not say what it artificially contains." Our investigative reporters took the "special wasabi powder" to the lab for testings. Lab results show the powder contains copper, lead and chromium. So how are we going to differentiate the real from the fake wasabi? A little iodine tincture will do the trick.
We found a biochemist who says that "After mixing the wasabi powder to make the paste, simply place a drop of iodine tincture onto the paste and wait 1-2 mins. If you see the brown iodine tincture changing its color into a dark blue color, it indicates the presence of starch within the paste. And within this mixture is the addition of the ingredient "propenyl mustard oil" to make the fake wasabi."
Fake wasabi gives a bright green appearance and a very strong pungent smell that will dissipate within 1/2 hr. Real wasabi is of a much lighter green. A toxicologist warned that long term consumption of this fake wasabi can lead to liver and kidney damages. We should avoid at all cost to protect our health.

(A friend of mine emailed me this message, I thought it might be useful to us)

Can You Overdose on Vitamins?

Can You Overdose on Vitamins?

Too much of a good thing can have unexpected consequences. Overdosing on some other vitamins and minerals can have serious side effects.

These vitamins & minerals in particular do pose a risk when overdosed:

Vitamin A

Gorging on this vitamin compound in doses of more than 25,000 IUs (five times the RDA) can lead to liver damage, hair loss, blurred vision and headaches.

Vitamin B-6

Ingesting more than 400 mg a day (200 times the RDA) can cause numbness in the mouth and hands and difficulty in walking.

Vitamin C

It was once believed to cause kidney stones, but experts now say there is no solid evidence of dangerous side effects from vitamin C. High doses can produce stomachaches and diarrhea.

Vitamin D

In daily doses of 50,000 IUs (125 times the U.S. RDA), the sunshine vitamin can cause the buildup of calcium deposits that can interfere with the functioning of muscles, including heart tissue. While sunbathing will never create an overdose, taking too many supplements can.

Niacin

Doctors prescribe doses of 2,000 mg (100 times the RDA) to help lower cholesterol. But patients who take that much should be monitored for possible symptoms of jaundice and liver damage.

Iron

Those who want to bolster their red blood cell count, especially elderly people and menstruating women, have been taking iron supplements for years. Daily doses higher than 100 mg (six times the RDA) could interfere with absorption of zinc, a mineral that speeds wound healing and helps regulate the immune system.


Note:
Some of these overdosing are extremely high (eg. 100 times the recommended daily allowance), so taking as recommended by the supplement manufacturers or your physician (such as take twice daily) will not be a problem.

Healthy Food

MUSHROOM - EAR
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear.And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing.That's because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain
vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

BANANA (SMILE) - DEPRESSION
Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan.Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin
production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.

BROCCOLI - CANCER
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found
just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain , prostate cancer kills one man every hour.

GINGER - STOMACH
Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So it's interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further. Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel
tumours.

CHEESE - BONES
A nice 'holey' cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure.
And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to 'power' muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong
bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg - equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.

BEANSPROUTS - SPERM
The stir-fry favourite bears an uncanny resemblance to the images we see of 'swimming' sperm trying to fertilise an egg. And research from the US suggests they could play an important part in boosting male fertility. A study at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio showed that to make healthy sperm in large quantities, the body needs a good supply of vitamin C, a
powerful antioxidant that protects cells against damage by harmful molecules called free radicals.
Just half a cup of bean sprouts provides 16 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for a man.
It's not just dad but baby too who could benefit. Bean sprouts are packed with folate, a vitamin that prevents neural tube
defects, where the baby is born with a damaged brain or spine.

GRAPES - LUNGS
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli.
These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that thesealveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy.
A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appearsto reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.

TOMATO - HEART
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Women's Health Study - an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women - found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and
Medicine, said there was "convincing evidence' that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.

WALNUT - BRAIN
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits.
Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats.

Special Considerations for Pregnant Women Regarding H1N1

It is known that that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu because of their lowered immune systems with the pregnancy. Because of this the CDC is recommending that pregnant women be the first group immunized against the H1N1 virus.

The CDC is recommending that pregnant women who will likely be in direct contact with patients with confirmed, probable, or suspected influenza A (H1N1) (e.g., a nurse, physician, or respiratory therapist caring for hospitalized patients), should consider reassignment to lower-risk activities, such as telephone triage.

If reassignment is not possible, pregnant women should avoid participating in procedures that may generate increased small-particle aerosols of respiratory secretions in patients with known or suspected influenza.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm