Why Does Eating Broccoli Help to Prevent Asthma Symptoms?

Broccoli is one of the best sources of a natural compound called sulforaphane. According to a study published in the journal Immunology, the sulforaphanes in broccoli have some pretty powerful effects on the lungs. These antioxidant enzymes help to protect against the type of airway inflammation that can lead to asthma symptoms by stimulating the release of antioxidant enzymes. Researchers are hoping the sulforaphanes in broccoli could help to prevent asthma symptoms as well as other lung diseases.

Eating Broccoli Could Protect Against the Effects of Air Pollution on the Lung

Lungs are exposed to hundreds of different pollutants every day – from the exhaust fumes from cars to self-imposed ones such as cigarette smoke. All of these pollutants cause chronic inflammation and increase the risk of asthma attacks in people who are susceptible to them. Antioxidants such as the sulforaphane in broccoli help to prevent the damage that causes everything from an asthma attack to chronic lung disease.

Is Eating Broccoli the Best Way to Get More Sulforaphanes

Broccoli contains lots of sulforaphane – but there’s an even better source – broccoli sprouts. Three day old broccoli sprouts are the best known source of sulforaphanes, and it’s an option that will suit people who find eating conventional broccoli spears to be unpleasant. These raw sprouts which can be found at most grocery stores can be sprinkled on salads and tucked into wraps and sandwiches.

Eating Broccoli and Asthma Attacks: The Bottom Line

Eating broccoli and broccoli sprouts may not be a replacement for an asthma inhaler, but enjoying these foods on a consistent basis may help to prevent asthma symptoms – which is enough to make any asthmatic happy. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts have so many other health benefits that they’re a must for almost any healthy diet.

What Causes Skin Atrophy?

Atrophic skin is part of the natural aging process and may be, at least partially, determined by genetics. Some people start to develop early signs of skin atrophy as young as age forty – but by the age of eighty almost everyone has it to some degree. Skin atrophy happens when the layer of skin called the dermis decreases in size. This is the portion of the skin that produces collagen which gives skin its structure and suppleness. Without the benefit of collagen, the skin becomes thin, wrinkled, and prone to bleeding and bruising. The outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis also thins out when the skin becomes atrophic. A form of skin atrophy can also occur when topical steroid medications are used for prolonged periods of time.

Skin Atrophy Treatment: Does Anything Work?

Atrophic skin is tough to reverse and there have been few satisfactory treatments for this condition. One study showed that applying hyaluronate to atrophic skin could help to reverse some of these changes. When this was done in mice, it caused thickening of atrophic skin and an improvement in texture. Another treatment that could hold some promise is the use of high strength retinoic acids such as those found in Retina-A. The problem is Retin-A causes significant skin irritation in many people which would be more pronounced in people with skin atrophy.

Skin Atrophy Treatment: The Bottom Line?

There isn’t a perfect skin atrophy treatment, but hyaluronate holds promise and Retina-A may have some benefit for people who can deal with the irritation. Although hyaluronate may be purchased online, the study showing its effectiveness was small and it’s best to wait until more research becomes available. If you have early signs of skin atrophy, talk to your dermatologist about these two potential treatment options.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What is It?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a term that encompasses two diseases – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both diseases are characterized by inflammation in the intestines, but they vary as to the parts of the intestines that are affected. People with inflammatory bowel disease experience sometimes disabling symptoms of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain which can persist for days or weeks before going into remission. The inflammation occurs because the body’s immune system turns against itself and attacks portions of the intestine – causing the intestinal walls to become damaged. No one is sure what triggers the self attacks that are so characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease. In most cases, the attacks come and go over long periods of time.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Malnourishment

After looking at 385 adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease, researchers found that 9 percent of children and 10 percent of adults with inflammatory bowel disease were malnourished. Some of the deficiencies they found included decreased vitamin B12, folate, and iron levels – and some had anemia. Anemia was more common in children than adults with IBD. Malnourishment only seemed to be a problem in those with active disease.

Why is Malnourishment Such a Problem with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

It’s not surprising that people with inflammatory bowel disease could become malnourished. Children and adults with this disease may avoid eating foods that aggravate their symptoms and often experience decreased appetite from the abdominal pain they experience. On top of that, they may not absorb some nutrients properly due to intestinal damage.  People with IBD may become protein deficient and lose lean body mass which increases the risk of experiencing complications or even death – and may even require venous feedings for short periods of time or insertion of a tube into the intestines for feeding in the most severe cases.

How Can People with IBD Avoid Malnutrition?

There are some nutrients that may benefit people with inflammatory bowel disease. Omega-3 fatty acids provide essential fatty acids and may reduce some of the inflammation that leads to intestinal damage. Most people with IBD disease need to take a multivitamin for additional protection against malnutrition. Many will also benefit from calcium and vitamin D supplements due to their higher risk for osteoporosis. It’s also wise to check levels of critical nutrients such as B12 and iron regularly to make sure there’s no deficiency. A B12 deficiency can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated.

The Bottom Line?

Inflammatory bowel disease needs close nutritional support. It’s important to find a doctor and a nutritionist who really understands this disease to get the best care.

Does eating soy products lower breast cancer risk? That’s a question that has yet to be answered. Many studies have looked at the effects of soy on breast tissue with some suggesting a protective effect and others showing no apparent benefit. A few have even shown that soy stimulates the growth of breast cells – which would certainly be a negative when it comes to breast cancer risk. According to a new study published in Family Practice News this month, soy doesn’t lower the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for the disease – but it doesn’t seem to be harmful.

Soy and Breast Cancer: What a New Study Shows

Researchers gave a group of 99 postmenopausal women at high risk of breast cancer a soy isoflavone supplement or a placebo for six months. They monitored the effects of the supplement on breast tissue by checking levels of a marker called Ki-67 – a marker for breast cell proliferation and cancer risk. This would allow them to see whether the soy supplement stimulated the growth of breast tissue in a manner similar to the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is a known breast cell stimulator and higher levels of estrogen increase the risk of the most common type of breast cancer.

The Soy Cancer Link: What Did the Study Show?

The post menopausal women who received the soy supplement had no higher levels of Ki-67 than women who took the placebo. In this study looking at soy and breast cancer in older women, taking a soy supplement didn’t seem to lower breast cancer risk.

Soy and Breast Cancer: Why Are the Studies so Conflicting?

The effect that eating soy products has on breast tissue may depend on a variety of factors. One is the age at which a person eats soy. Some studies show that eating soy products as a child or teenager protects against breast cancer later on in life. The other may be the type of soy that’s eaten. Processed and unfermented soy may be less beneficial than fermented forms such as miso and tempeh. One study showed that women who ate three or more bowls of miso soup each day had half the breast cancer risk of those who ate less than one bowl. When it comes to soy and breast cancer, it may be the type of soy that’s eaten that’s important.

The Soy Cancer Link: The Bottom Line?

There isn’t a lot of evidence that unfermented soy lowers the risk of breast cancer, but it also doesn’t seem to be harmful. On the other hand, fermented soy foods such as miso may have some protective properties. The best plan may be to eat soy foods in moderation and when you do, pick unfermented soy such as miso. If you’ve had breast cancer, it’s best to talk to a doctor before eating soy products.

It’s an unfortunate reality that early Alzheimer’s signs are often missed by a patient’s family – and even by some doctors. Family members often dismiss memory loss and other signs of dementia as normal signs of aging and don’t bring it to the attention of their doctor. Time pressed doctors may not notice the subtle changes in the patient’s behavior that would suggest the diagnosis. This is unfortunate since early treatment can slow down the progression of the disease. What are the tests doctors use to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

How to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

The History

Doctors usually want to know about any changes in memory and behavior that a potential Alzheimer’s sufferer may have experienced – even subtle ones. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from depression in elderly people since both conditions can cause an older person to become withdrawn, lose interest in caring for themselves, and experience problems remembering.

Tools to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

In addition to a complete examination, doctors usually use screening tools to check for problems with memory and problem solving. One that’s commonly used is the Folstein Mini-Mental Status Exam. (FMMSE). This test usually takes around fifteen minutes to perform and can give a good idea of whether or not a patient is showing signs of early dementia.

Blood Tests to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

Although there isn’t a blood test available that can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, certain blood tests are needed to rule out conditions that can mimic Alzheimer’s disease. Two of the most common are a B12 deficiency and an underactive thyroid. It’s also important to check kidney and liver function since disease in these two organs can cause changes in memory and behavior. A complete blood count and a urine test should be done to rule out infection. These tests should be performed on every patient showing signs of dementia.

Imaging Studies

The last step is to get a head CT or MRI to make sure a stroke or dementia due to blood vessel blockages in the brain isn’t the cause of a person’s memory loss and behavior changes. When atherosclerosis narrows arteries in the brain, it can cause a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and memory loss.

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

In most people, these series of tests will give a good idea of whether or not confusion and memory changes are due to early dementia or to some other problem. It’s important to make sure these tests are done in a timely manner.

According to a study done at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, about one in a hundred eight year olds has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder – a group of psychological conditions that includes autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Researchers came to this conclusion after reviewing the records of 2,757 children. The results were disturbing. The number of autistic children increased by 57 percent in a four year period beginning in 2002 – an alarming trend. It’s unclear whether this increase is due to better diagnosis or whether the number of actual cases of autism spectrum disorder is on the rise.

The increase in the number of autistic children occurred in both sexes, but was most prevalent among boys. A boy was about four-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than was a girl. The incidence of autism spectrum disorder in eight year old boys in this study was as high as one in seventy. The rather alarming increase in the number of cases of this disorder has doctors and parents concerned. With the rise in the number of children suffering from this disorder, it’s even more important that parents be aware of autistic symptoms.

The earlier autism is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis. Children with autism usually behave normally at birth and symptoms of autism don’t start to appear until one to three years of age when the child becomes withdrawn and appears wrapped up in a world of his own. The autistic child will usually avoid social interaction and won’t smile or respond to displays of affection – and may exhibit a variety of strange behaviors. The sooner this is brought to the attention of the child’s doctor, the more quickly testing can be done and treatment started.

Why the increase in the number of autistic children? Some people have speculated that childhood vaccines play a role, while others have pointed the finger at environmental toxins such as lead – and even viruses. Unfortunately, even the experts don’t have an answer as to why the number of autistic children is increasing at an alarming rate. Hopefully, further research will give answers as to why one in every hundred eight year old children lives in a strange and isolated world – created by autism.

Inner ear disturbances, as well as damage to the auditory nerve that results in tinnitus can be uncomfortable, painful and frustrating for the patient with these disorders. For the patient’s family, it can be just as devastating.

     Tinnitus is defined as various noises, such as ringing, the sound of crickets, or even, rarely, music, in the ears. Only the tinnitus patient can hear these sounds, and they can be so loud as to make normal conversation difficult. A ringing sound in the ears takes away the ability to understand conversational speech as well as those who do not have tinnitus. The sounds in the ear or ears can make consonant sounds difficult to distinguish. Patients may misunderstand what is said, and frustrate family members when they try to speak to one another. Left untreated, or without learning coping skills to overcome this disorder of hearing, communications can easily break down. Patients tired of being yelled at or ignored because others are too impatient or frustrated to keep trying to communicate often ‘switch off’, and stop reaching out for conversation. This leads to isolation, because not reaching out for conversation can go hand in hand with not going out to restaurants, movies, clubs or parties for fear of embarrassment and the frustration of not being able to communicate as easily as they once did. Feelings of isolation often result, and family members and friends often feel the tinnitus patient ‘only hears when they want to’, or ‘could understand if they would only try. They don’t want to understand.’ The sounds heard in the ears of a tinnitus patient can fluctuate from moment to moment, sometimes reaching a painful intensity. The communications breakdown in these cases can lead to anger and resentment, as well as depression.

     Vertigo is a persistent feeling of dizziness that does not go away. Vertigo can be caused by Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disturbance, Chronic Otitis Media-infection of the middle ear-, Labyrinthitis-irritation and/or infection of the inner ear, and other disturbances. These disorders cause vertigo, which left untreated, can be debilitating. The feeling of spinning, whether the patient feels they are spinning, or whether they feel the room itself is spinning, can make just sitting up difficult, as there is a persistent feeling that the patient is going to fall. Severe vertigo can actually cause falls, because it causes loss of balance. Vertigo is nauseating when the patient is sitting still; put them into a moving vehicle, and severe motion sickness can result.

      Debilitating vertigo can cause problems within the family because the physical activities of the dizzy patient are limited until such time as proper medication can be used, or the vertigo goes away. Children feel resentful of an always dizzy parent, who cannot perform many of the activities they did before they were dizzy. Marital relations can suffer because the dizzy patient has a lowered libido due to fatigue. Vertigo can be an energy drainer because the patient is working so hard to keep themselves upright. Travel is often limited by vertigo, because of feelings of nausea and worsening of the dizziness due to motion sickness symptoms. This limits social opportunities, and can be so debilitating as to cause the patient to lose work opportunities. This adds financial worry to an already stressful situation. High stress levels are known to raise blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure also can cause dizziness, which only adds to the vertigo. 

Vertigo which occurs along with tinnitus is not usually related to the tinnitus, but when the two occur together, it can make communication difficult. The correlation of tinnitus and communication problems has already been mentioned. The correlation of vertigo related to inner ear disturbances and social and physical isolation has been mentioned. What happens when the dizzy patient has tinnitus at the same time? When this happens, then the emotional, physical and communicational isolation is more pronounced, and twice as difficult to overcome.

The dizzy patient with tinnitus can become depressed because of the difficulty in communication. If the dizzy patient stops reaching out for simple conversation with family members, becomes withdrawn or even reclusive, then this is a sign of a serious depression which needs to be treated. Families need advice and counseling about communication with one another when hearing problems arise. Children sense the tension and frustration in the air when communication breaks down due to a health problem such as this. They can resent the parent with the disorder, having heard the other parent say such things as, ‘they can hear me when they want to’, or, ‘if they were paying attention to me, I wouldn’t have to repeat myself.’ Sometimes, the children will turn the other way, and resent the parent making such statements. Communications advice could definitely be a boon to a family when one of its members has such problems as moderate to severe tinnitus and/or dizziness.

      Treating  vertigo, whether with over-the-counter antihistamines, or with stronger prescription medication, is imperative to quality of life for the dizzy patient. This treatment also is a boon to the family of a dizzy patient. Travel to local parks, restaurants, theme parks can be resumed. Family outings, however small, can bond families to one another with positive, meaningful experiences. Children who spend time with their parents as a unit are better-rounded, self-secure people as adults. Family outings are one way to help children achieve  self-confidence. Severely limited travel caused by uncontrolled or acute vertigo makes family outings next to impossible. The dizzy patient can easily become a recluse, because motion sickness can be so severe. The loss of balance caused by severe vertigo can cause self-esteem issues leading to social phobia, because the dizzy patient feels they are being judged by others, or because they fear embarrassment or humiliation in public. Children often take this reclusive behavior as a reflection on them. They may feel the dizzy parent is embarrassed to be seen with them, or they may feel the dizzy parent is selfish or self-centered, making excuses as to why they can’t do this or that with their children. In instances such as this, the parent needs to make certain to explain to the children what the trouble is; honesty is paramount .

Tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, and Meniere ’s disease can affect intra-familial relations adversely. Communications  breakdowns can occur in a relatively short period of time.  Depression, self-esteem issues, and social phobia can hit the dizzy patient quickly, and these problems can be complicated to overcome, complicated to treat.  The dizzy patient and the tinnitus patient can be hard for their family to live with when their disorders are moderate to severe, or when they are in an acute phase. Counseling, both family and marital counseling, as well as joining a support group for those who suffer with these disorders can be invaluable in helping to restore normality to family relationships. Treating the causes, if known, of these disorders, or controlling the symptoms if the root is unknown, is  important to the quality of life of the whole family.

     When a member of the family has a disorder that affects their quality of life, as these disorders do, then the whole family is affected.  A partner may have to take over many of the duties of the affected person. Children may end up taking on roles which are a bit older than those of their peers, thereby forcing them to grow up a bit faster than their peers. Families have to pull together to keep their family a functional one, rather than to allow it to become a dysfunctional family. This means getting an appointment with a good Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, getting testing and treatment for these disorders.

      There are many ways Tinnitus ,Vertigo, Dizziness, and Meniere ’s disease can be treated, and if treated in time, many of the worst side effects, such as depression, isolation, social phobia, and communications breakdown can be avoided. A good Audiologist can help with tinnitus. A device much like a hearing aid can be placed in the patient’s ear which masks the noise of tinnitus. This device can also be incorporated into a hearing aid, even the implantable type, if traditional hearing aids cannot be worn.  Vertigo can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Dramamine or Bonine, or in more severe cases, with benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Klonopin.  Physical therapy- balance retraining- can also help greatly. With physical therapy, the dizzy patient is put through a series of exercises to rehabilitate, and ‘retrain’ the brain, thereby giving coping skills to the vertigo sufferer.

     Tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and Meniere’s disease can be treated, and, if treated quickly, quality of life for  the patient and the family will not suffer permanent damage. Left untreated, serious mental health issues for the patient can, and often do, arise. These problems will affect the entire family. Left untreated, they can make life more difficult for the family than even the patient. Not treating these disorders, and keeping the symptoms under control is not an option. These disorders affect quality of life for the entire family, not just the patient who suffers with these disorders.

What’s in Energy Shot Drinks?

Energy drink shots such as Five Hour Energy contain concentrated amounts of caffeine, taurine, amino acids, and B vitamins to increase energy levels and prevent fatigue. Some also contain green tea extract and guarana. Unlike energy drinks that come in sixteen ounce cans, the ingredients in energy shot drinks are mixed with only two ounces of liquid – providing lots of energy bang for the buck – along with lots of potential side effects.

How Much Caffeine?

These two ounce drinks contain up to 200 milligrams of caffeine and 1,000 milligrams of taurine. Taurine is added to some energy shot drinks to offset the effects of drinking alcohol on the liver – so users can more easily combine them with alcohol. The amount of B vitamins in some of these drinks is so high that the niacin they contain causes a flushing reaction in some people.

Obviously, this isn’t the healthiest beverage choice – particularly if you combine it with alcohol. Although the levels of caffeine in energy drink shots is no more than that found in a cup of coffee, a person can easily consume too much when it’s in a concentrated form – especially if they lose track of how much they’re drinking by combining them with alcohol.  

What are the Risks of Energy Shot Drinks?

The side effects such as nervousness, mood changes, and insomnia increase with each drink shot as does the risk of more serious problems such as an irregular heart rhythm and elevations in blood pressure. Gaurana is another energy drink stimulant that contains caffeine – up to three times the amount found in coffee. At high doses it can cause irregular heart rhythms, nausea, abdominal spasms, and blood pressure elevations.

Energy Drink Shots: Look for Other Alternatives

Energy drink shots aren’t a smart drink choice for anyone – particularly if they’re combined with alcohol. People who are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or heart disease may be especially susceptible to their effects. The high levels of B vitamins in some of these drinks could also be a problem. Too much B6 over long periods of time can cause nerve damage. Guarana can also interact with some medications. Do your teens a favor and tell them to sip green tea instead.

The biggest fear of most people as they age is Alzheimer’s and dementia. While genes do play a part they are not the dominant factor. Science agrees there are steps people can take to preserve their brain health and build up reserves as the brain ages. Researchers are studying people who maintain healthy brain function into old age and how to extend that function to others.

A major test of Ginkgo Bilbao was shown in the lab to reduce plaque in the nerve cells in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s but revealed it did not prevent the disease in healthy older subjects. Research on anti inflammatories are still in the works and look positive. Some neurologists take an aspirin every day. There are health benefits for those in their 40s to be had by following the daily habits of people who have aged and maintain good brain function.

First of all, get active. Research from University of Illinois has suggested that regular aerobic exercise like running, walking, and bicycling, which requires oxygen to produce energy may do a better job of protecting the brain function than non aerobic activity such as tennis, golf, and lifting weights.

Take on mental challenges. We can generate new brain cells but we have to work at it. Engage in any kind of new learning experience that challenges you. No one knows exactly what works. But life long curiosity and learning may protect the brain.

Stay in contact with people. Research has shown that those who keep in contact with friends and have an active social life are effected less. Social subjects have similar tangles of Alzheimer’s as isolated people but it doesn’t seem to effect them as much. Social activity seems to stimulate the brain to make new connections that help compensate for decline.

Change your personality. There is a good reason for acquiring these traits, A tendency to be self disciplined, being goal directed, productive, having a sense of purpose in life. The more anxious and distressed a person is, the more prone he or she is to dementia.

Keep weight under control. There’s good evidence that a diet high in vegetables and fruits and lower in fat offers protection. The Alzheimer Association recommends plenty of veggies and fruits with dark skins like, spinach, beets, red peppers,onions, eggplants, blackberries, cherries, grapes, and oranges. Also nuts, almonds, walnuts, and pecans, Fish high in omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial. Curcumin which is in the curry spice turmeric suppresses the build up of beta-amyloid, a main component of the harmful plaques in the Alzheimer’s brain.

Control diabetes and heart disease. A large body of evidence shows that type 2 diabetes and heart disease effects the brain and perhaps the development of Alzheimer’s. In particular high blood pressure is a strong factor. If you can keep your blood pressure down you decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s. Also an elevated cholesterol increases your risk. You can definitely decrease your risk of Alzhemier’s If you can control diabetes and heart disease.

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We hear about all kinds of ways to combat the flu. What about the protection against the ingestion of a bacteria that may cause even minor upset, or even worse may end us to the ER. No one knows these things and of course, no one can see live bacteria except under a powerful microscpe. Most people at breakfast time have their morning coffee and that is usually perked. It is usually two or more cups and usually shared. That part is not really important.

Meanwhile, we are told by a Cornell undergraduate student during her research put together the antibacterial properties of 43 spice plants. One in particular, allspice showed that it registered as one of the best all-around bacteria killers along with garlic, onion and oregano. This group is rated to “kill everything”. Another group was rated to kill up to 80% of harmful bacteria were: thyme, cinnamon, tarragon and cumin.The next group of slightly milder bacteria killers with the ability to eradicate up to 75% of microbial bacteria were: Capsicums, including chilies and other hot peppers. Finally, pepper of the white or black variety were found to inhibit 25 percent of bacteria.
 
Now, How Does One Incorporate This In A Morning Coffee?

From the information given through research at Cornell we will use three basic spices: allspice, cinnamon and cloves. We always use about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon added to the coffee ground filter for each 2-cup brew we decide to make. To this we add a little less than 1/2 teaspoon of allspice to the mix. You can replace the allspice with either powdered cloves or even nutmeg, which is a little less potent, but will give you a little diversity. We add no sugar to our cup of coffee but do add 2% milk. It is all to preferance, of course. We always consider the cost which is much less than 25c/cup.

These same antibacterial benefits can also be gained by ading any one or combinations of the spices mentioned to scrambled eggs, french toast, or even pancakes. Whether it ends up really tasting good or not so good is secondary. The main advantage is that you will be at least protected from partial protection from a harmful bacteria which can make you sick and in some cases very sick.