Archive for the 'General Health Tips' Category

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Being Forgetful Maybe Due To Your Blood Sugar

August 14, 2006

imagessdfg.jpgIf you are a diabetic… or if you have family members who are diabetics… then this post is for you!

We all know the major complications associated with Poor Blood Sugar Control.  We know it can lead to major disabling complications like heart attack and stroke.  Now comes this new finding that links poor blood glucose control and the early problem of forgetfulness!

Are there Vitamins to stop my being forgetful? … is one of the common questions I get from my diabetic patients.  Alzheimer’s or Dementia now becomes a part of why we need to control our blood sugar.

Dr Ronald Peterson of the Mayo Clinic and as spokesman of the Alzheimers Conference noted this study involving 22,000 patients with Type 2 Diabetes and looked at their records from 1997 to 2005.  The HBA1c: a measure of patient’s overall glucose control in the past 3 months were recorded and compared.  The Ideal level should be < 6.5%.

The FINDINGS:

1. Patients with A1c of > 10% but < 12% were 16% more likely to develop dementia.

2. Patients with A1c > 12% but < 15% were 34 % more likely to develop dementia

3. Those with > 15% were 78% more likely to develop dementia.

Suggesting That: 

Those with less well controlled blood glucoses are at high risk to develop early signs of forgetfulness and dementia!

The higher the level of A1C… the higher the risk!

As always…. I have been an advocate of INTENSIVE DIABETES THERAPY because lowering ones A1c to goal has been shown to prevent the onset and progression of complications especially heart disease and stroke…and now a potential benefit would be lowering ones risk to develop DEMENTIA!

Be Aggressive…Avoid Dementia…

Help in The Campaign for Aggressive Sugar Control!

Posted in General Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts | 9 Comments »

An Interesting Tip To Curb Consumption

August 13, 2006

8750941121.jpgMore interesting tips are coming our way to curb consumption.  The more practical the tips the better for consumers to follow.  The less need to medicate… the better! 

I just spent this weekend with my family at Shangrila Mactan and had dinner at the Tides Restaurant.  This place is famous for its sumptuous food and buffet dinner.  What’s interesting is how the place uses a small plate and after getting only few choices… you feel you’ve taken enough because the plate looks full! Smart move…

It seems to be more than common sense knowledge that small plate will entail less intake but studies need to be done to have these observations confirmed. This new study published recently in American Journal of Preventive Medicine looked at partygoers and see if size matters with regard to the bowl and utensils they have and the amount of food they eat!  An amusing study but really interesting….

The researchers provided the subject with either a 17 ounce or 34 ounce bowl as well as a 2 or 3 ounce serving scoops.  They were told to get the ice cream themselves.

THE RESULT:

Doubling the size of the serving bowl resulted in a 34% increase in consumption!

This study supports the fact that environmental factors affect the way we eat. Visual Illusion working overtime here… 2 scoops of ice cream may be too much for a small bowl but it may seem too little in a big bowl. Two scoops using a small ice cream scoop may be enough but 1 scoop from a big scoop utensil may be too little!

There you go…Change Your Plates!

Every Little Step Goes A Long Way! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Nutrition Health Tips | 4 Comments »

The Tylenol Controversy

August 12, 2006

imagesdfghhjj1.jpgI take tylenol everytime I have a headache.  I use Tylenol for my fever.  I use Acetaminophen or Paracetamol if my kids have fever! They are all the same with acetaminophen as the generic brand of Tylenol.

The recent controversy surrounding this drug started when an article published in Journal of American Medical Association in July of 2006 reported an increase risk of liver damage with intake of acetaminophen.

THE FINDINGS:

1.  Taking more than 4 gms of acetaminophen per day increases the risk of liver damage with 40% of study population having a 3 fold increase in liver enzymes considered a danger zone!

2. Taking the above dose for long periods of time from 3 days to 2 weeks (especially those with chronic pain and arthritis) increases the risk of liver injury.

3.  Taking other medications together with a high dose of acetaminphen increases the risk further.

The good news is:

The liver injury recovers with cessation of intake!

My recommendationS:

1.Take tylenol only as needed for headache or pain.

2. Do not exceed more than 4 gms per day.

3. Do not exceed taking it more than 2 to 3 days!

Read The Labels…Do Not Exceed The Limit!

Posted in General Health Tips | 1 Comment »

Calcium, Vitamin D and Diabetes

August 10, 2006

1429976821.jpg Every morning before I start my work, I usually review my journals, read blogs and then scan for interesting topics about diabetes and health matters. Sorting studies whose results impact our decision making takes top priority making sure that the source comes from a reputable institution published in a reputable journal! So if somebody approaches me regarding the effect of this herbal preparation published in thick magazine which we consider “throw away journals”, these studies are labeled JUNK and not worth a first look.

A study published in Diabetes Care , March of 2006 looked at the intake of Vitamin D and Calcium and the risk to develop diabetes.  Researchers enrolled 83,000 women in the Nurses Health Study and were evaluated for a total duration of 20 years.  Huge number of subjects and long term follow up are parameters of a good study.

Interesting Facts from the Study:

1. Only 3 % had adequate Vitamin D intake. See My Post on Vitamin D… Low intake plus low sun exposure equals Vitamin D Deficiency.

2. Only 24% of the subjects had adequate Calcium Intake. Not a surprise…How many of our women readers are taking calcium supplements?

3. Among the subjects with the highest Vitamin D Intake, the risk to develop diabetes was 13% lower.

4. The subjects with the highest Calcium intake had 21% lower risk to develop diabetes than those who had the lowest intake. The result was irregardless of which calcium supplements were taken!

In Clinical practice…I always recommend calcium and Vitamin D to all my women patients irregardless of age to prevent osteoporosis ( brittle bones resulting in curved back and fractures).  Now this study further helps these women be more compliant to their intake of calcium and Vitamin D as a way to reduce ones risk to develop Diabetes.  Remember Diabetes is already an epidemic that is estimated to increase in prevalence to affect 300M individuals by year 2020.

A daily Multivitamin with 400 IU of Vitamin D plus elemental calcium from whatever calcium source 2 times a day should suffice.

Calcium and Vitamin D:

Our Partners In

Disease Prevention

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, The Diabetes Facts | Leave a Comment »

If You Are Obese…Check Your Prostate!

August 4, 2006

19207111352.jpgBenign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is a common dilemma among men. A recent article from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, July 2006 issue showed that there is a relationship between ones weight and that person’s risk to have an enlarged prostate.  BPH is a condition that leads to difficulty in urination with symptoms ranging from urgency, discomfort, to incomplete voiding.

The study showed that of the men with enlarged prostates, majority were heavier and had a higher age-adjusted body mass index (BMI) than men without enlarged prostates. It was estimated that for each 1-point rise in BMI was associated with a 0.41 cubic centimeter increase in prostate volume.  Such that very obese men were especially likely to have an enlarged prostate, with 3.5-times the risk compared with their normal-weight counterparts.

In the same study, diabetics were more than twice as likely to have prostate enlargement compared with men without diabetes such that those with elevated glucose had 3-times the risk of having an enlarged prostate. The clinical implication of this study is that with the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes, this finding will have a definite impact in the rising prevalence of BPH.

So Guys… Another reason for us to take care of our weight!

Lose Weight, Control Your Sugar

Or Else…

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity | 4 Comments »

Want To Live Long?

August 3, 2006

2837158878.jpg We all know the benefits of being active. We likewise know the ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle. But as more concrete data on the benefits of physical activity come our way, the better informed we are about it!

In a recent article published in the Journal of American Medical Association this July comes a very timing article… at this time that the world is embracing a worldwide epidemic of obesity!

This is the better study so far analyzing the effect of exercise. The study showed that for every 287 kcal/d in free-living energy expenditure, there is an approximately 30% lower risk of mortality. This estimated energy expenditure is equivalent to performing 75 minutes of activity a day .

Some activities of daily living that can meet this metabolic equivalent include household chores like vacuuming, mopping the floor, and washing windows; child / adult care, walking at a pace of 2.5 mph, and non-sitting work, or volunteering. Of note, this accumulation of energy expenditure from activity comes from the usual daily activities and not necessarily from volitional exercise.

The study therefore has one clear message:

That Energy Exependiture From Activities of Daily Living like Walking, Climbing Stairs, or other Household Chores can enhance ones SURVIVAL!!!

No More Excuses…You Can Be

Active Anytime…Anywhere!

Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures | Leave a Comment »

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe?

August 2, 2006

2383658624.jpg This fact sheet on sugar substitutes was recently published in the US FDA July issue titled: No Calories…Sweet!

In a recent survey done among users of sugar substitute, the primary reasons for using these products is “to stay in overall better health” in 73% of the respondents and “to eat or drink healthier foods and beverages” in 68% of those surveyed.

There are so far five FDA-approved sugar substitutes namely aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, saccharin and sucralose. As stated clearly, the FDA notes that “For each of the approved sweeteners, the typical amount used by U.S. consumers is well within designated ‘acceptable daily intake levels (ADI),’ or levels that can be consumed safely every day over a lifetime.“

Furthermore the FDA further emphasized the benefits of using these products: “Artificial sweeteners can help consumers cut down on calories and control weight, help to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, and potentially prevent cavities.” 

Likewise, as an endocrinologist, I usually recommend to my patients to control calories with sugar-free and light foods and beverages, with exercise, as very effective ways to help them control or lose weight without necessarily feeling deprived!

Lastly, in terms of safety issue: both the US FDA and the European Food Safety Authority have come up with the same conclusion: Aspartame is safe until proven otherwise by scientific data. 

No Calories…Really Sweet!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts, Weight Loss Tips | 7 Comments »

Check Your Numbers: Are You Obese?

August 2, 2006

2459156720.jpg We’ve been talking about the risks of obesity.  We know the prevalence is increasing worldwide.  We know the reasons… But Are We Obese?

Body Mass Index is one simple way to determine if you’re overweight or already obese.  It can be calculated as follows: Weight in Kg divided by your Height in centimeters times 2. Try computing your BMI and see where you belong.

The following are the different levels of BMI in adult Asian Population based on the International Obesity Task Force for the Asia Pacific with the Waist Circumference and the corresponding Risk for Co Morbidities like Hypertension, Diabetes and Heart Disease:

                                                               Waist Circumference

                                                  < 35 inches ( men)             > 35 inches

                                                  < 31 inches ( women)        > 31 inches

Underweight  :        < 18.5                  Low                             Average

Normal Range :        >18.5 to 22.9       Average                        Increased

Overweight   :         >23 to 24.9          Increased                      Moderate

Obese I         :           25 to 29.9         Moderate                      Severe

Obese II        :          > 30                   Severe                         Very Severe

Once you know where you belong… you know what to do! Remember, the risk to develop the diseases associated with lifestyle due to bad habits is closely related to how heavy you are.  And the risk to develop obesity and its associated co-morbidities can be reversed if we act now thru lifestyle changes to include proper food choices and constant daily activites.

Know The Numbers Then Do

Something About It!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

The PILLS and The Risk Of Heart Disease

August 2, 2006

Imagesase I received a very important query regarding the risk of heart disease among OCP users.  A lot of married couples not wanting for more babies are using OCP so I thought of sharing this news bit in terms of what the scientific community thinks with regard to this issue. 

A study published in The Sterility and Infertility 2006 Issue involving 672 postmenopausal women who participated in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) showed that Past oral contraceptive use was associated with a reduction in coronary artery disease severity. The observation held true even after accounting for a variety of potential confounders, including age, diabetes mellitus, lipid profile, smoking, aspirin use, and use of lipid-lowering agents.  Likewise, the duration of past oral contraceptive use appeared to have no bearing on the extent of reduced coronary disease seen.

While the study suggests a potential protective effect for past oral contraceptive use, further studies have to be done to confirm this important finding.

For now… this is the first observational link between OCP and Cardiovascular Disease and the results are reassuring to our women OCP takers.

OCP Takers…Be Reassured!

Posted in General Health Tips | 1 Comment »

The Benefits Of Drinking MILK

August 2, 2006

3043116279.jpgA glass of milk is really a good prescription for health.  Heres why….

 For the prevention of osteoporosis, a high calcium intake is recommended especially for women. It is recommended that a daily intake of low fat milk or skim milk with 2 glasses per day can give the women sufficient levels of calcium especially if taken regularly during the premenopausal state.  Likewise other benefits of taking milk as shown in other studies showed it to lower ones risk to be overweight and develop Insulin Resistance Syndrome.

One recent observation with regard to another benefit of drinking low fat dairy product was published in the Diabetes Care, July of 2006 issue.

The study involved looking at the relationship between type 2 diabetes and dietary levels of dairy foods and calcium in 37,183 women in the Women’s Health Study.  The study then looked at a total of 1,603 women who developed diabetes during an average follow-up of 10 years.

The results were amazing: women with the highest intake of dairy foods were 21 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake, with an estimated 4 percent decrease in the risk for each serving per day increase in low fat dairy product. This benefit was independent of the effects of dietary calcium intake and Vitamin D.

Although these results need to be confirmed …

The Message is Clear…

Taking low fat diary products should be aggressively advised to all women of all ages because of their health benefits with regard to preserving bone health, lower ones risk to be overweight but also the potential to lower ones risk to develop diabetes in the future.  Remember… The prevalence of diabetes is now increasing at an alarming rate and the Asians in general is one race known to be at risk!

So for your breakfast or midnight snack….

Enjoy Your Skim Milk For

A Healthier You!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 43 Comments »

A Trick For Children To Lose Weight

August 2, 2006

 It’s been alarming that childhood obesity is getting to be an epidemic.  We all know why… urban sedentary lifestyle, computer games, lack of supervision and the advent of less nutritious high fat foods. But what needs to be done to combat this disease is education but most times children don’t just get the message. They find it too abstract to understand that they will become diabetics…or  hypertensives… in the future if they don’t lose weight!

An innovative approach now in the US is being done at The Learning Channel. This information was sourced from the Endocrine Today publication.

The series, Honey We’re Killing the Kids, uses state-of-the-art computer imaging intended for the parents to show them and the kids how they will look like at the age of 40 if they don’t start making diet and lifestyle changes now. The digital images are developed based on the information obtained from the parents with regard to the children’s diet, exercise habits and family medical history.

It is now known that the view of the future among these obese children is not healthy with an estimated 60 to 80% of these overweight children  becoming overweight adults, with many of the accompanying medical complications.

Here’s a graphic representation of the digital image made:

This is how the child will look like at age 40 if he continues his eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

The show only started September of 2005 and it has so far been a hit. I am not sure when this will show in our country but definitely this is a remarkable way to educate our children because indeed ” a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Teach Your Kids A Healthy

Lifestyle…They Deserve It !

___________________________

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 4 Comments »

Want To Quit Smoking?

August 2, 2006

2977173539 Smoking is one vice Ill never attempt to learn!  The mere smell of a smoke in a patient’s room is a no no to me… otherwise the patients will never see me enter that room again. As an endocrinologist that deals with diabetic patients, I’ve seen numerous diabetics who suffered from different complications due to smoking.  The recent INTERHEART Study which looked at risk factors for Heart Disease… especially among males- smoking in on the top of that list. 

Here are important facts regarding smoking and its effect on health:

1.  It decreases  the good cholesterol and therefore removes the safety net that we all have with regard to heart attack and stroke.  Remember the higher the HDL the less likely we get the heart disease.

2. Due to the person’s increase propensity to blood clot, a smoker will have a very high likelihood to getting a non traumatic amputation.  If losing one leg is no big deal to you… then enjoy smoking.

3. One problem with any person who is obese with family history of Diabetes is the increased likelihood to inheriting the genetic defect called Insulin Resistance state which initiates the whole process of diabetes and heart disease.  Smoking has been shown to increase that person’s insulin resistance further. So if we have risk factors for diabetes…stop smoking.

Here are some tips that I usually advise my patients on how through self discipline one can to stop smoking:

1. Avoid situations that will tempt you to smoke like bars, rest areas where you drink coffee.

2. Go to areas where smoking is not allowed like malls and do something that will distract you to smoke.

3. Find a substitute to a cigarette if the urge to smoke comes like a piece of candy or gum.

4. Just resolve to really stop smoking and do it ” cold turkey” rather than doing it slowly like 6 sticks today then 5 sticks tomorrow.

It may be difficult but again this is where discipline comes in handy!

By Not Smoking Is One Sure Way To

A Healthier Life!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures | 2 Comments »

Activities That Burn Calories

August 2, 2006

imagese.jpg We’ve been talking about lifestyle changes including dietary intervention and physical activity as a means to combat obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. But what are the activities that we can do that still burn calories without necessarily turning to exercise. We get a lot of excuses like “too busy and too little time” to go to a gym.

Here’s a short compilation of the usual activities that we can do and the estimated equivalent calories burned per hour for your guidance:

Cleaning the House                200 to 250 calories

Gardening                             300 calories

Sweeping the floor                 250 calories

Child Care                             180 to 200 calories

Cooking/Food Preparation       150 calories

Driving                                  110 calories

Office Work                            140 calories

Standing                                100 calories

Simple Exercises:

Aerobics                                 350 calories

Badminton, social                    300 calories

Golf                                        240 calories

Walking, brisk                          400 calories

Running                                  400 to 500 calories

Swimming laps                          600 calories

Different activities whether done at home or outside the house result in calories being burned. There should therefore be no excuse that one is unable to do physical activity be at work or in the house because… while doing office computer work, you can stand up and walk to accumulate more calories burned per hour!

Indulge yourself or your kids with activities that will entail more calories being burned as a way of improving the overall health risk profile. 

Remember…Walking is FREE! So start moving!

Simple Measures Can Result in

BIG GAINS

Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Weight Loss Tips | 7 Comments »

The Risk Of Being Obese

August 2, 2006

4143357816.jpg A recently published article on Obesity caught my attention.  We know the rising trend of obesity in America as well as in our part of the world.  We are being fed continuouly with high fat and less nutritious fast foods. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at the patterns of morbidity and mortality (death) risk according to BMI in 90,185 women in the WHI study with an average follow-up of 7 years.

The results were alarming: compared with normal-weight women, the risk of dying was increased 12% in all women in obesity category 1, while risk was increased 86% over seven years in women in obesity category 3. This suggests that the risk of mortality from being obese is a continuum ….

“The more obese you are, the higher the likelihood of dying specifically from cardiovascular disease.”

So AGAIN… start doing something to improve your health.  Dont just sit there. Stand Up and Move.

It’s never too late to start and be more disciplined. Remember a mere 7 to 10% weight loss is more than enough to reverse majority of the metabolic defects in the body associated with obesity!

Give Yourself A Break…Be FIT!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity | Leave a Comment »

PRE-DIABETES: Are You At Risk?

August 2, 2006

asd.jpg Just finished my 6 day talk about diabetes and prediabetes with MOM’s Radio at FM 88.3 today.  It’s an innovative radio station and I always listen to it every morning while driving to the office and going back to the house. It presents insights of healthy lifestyle, and other health issues which are very informative to the listeners. In fact it should be called: Moms and Dads Radio.

What struck me during the interview was the need to really further educate the public on a state that leads to a disease and one of which we call Prediabetes.  This is still a state where we can do something to prevent the onset of the disease and therefore prevent the onset of complications especially heart disease.

It is alarming to note that The American Pediatric Society has released a survey that 1 out of 10 male children between ages 12 to 19 already have the state called prediabetes.  Again emphasizing the need to be more vigilant in watching over our kids while they grow… in terms of what they do and what we feed them!!!

Who then are at risk to develop Prediabetes?

1. Obese individuals– if your Body Mass Index if > 23 then you are already overweight. Your weight in lbs divided by your height in inches x your height in inches again.

2. Family History of Diabetes.  If one of your parents has Type 2 Diabetes, the offspring has a 10% chance of becoming a diabetic.

3. Sedentary Lifestyle– this results in obesity where the fat cells make your body insulin resistant and therefore will overwork your pancreas to produce more insulin until it fails to produce more.

4. Age: if your more than 45 years old- the older one becomes the higher the risk thus yearly evaluation should be done.

5. High Birth Weight– if you gave birth to a baby more than 9 lbs- most likely you had Gestational Diabetes which can increase your risk to become a diabetic in the next 10 years.

6. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol– have your blood glucose checked because you may have the so called Metabolic Syndrome.

Remember…We now have a way to prevent diabetes if you are diagnosed early enough for us to intervene. Lifestyle changes with 7 to 10% weight loss and exercise of 150 min per week were able to prevent the progression of diabetes by almost 50%.  We also now have drugs that are effective in preventing the onset of diabetes.

Again… Be more Proactive…

Early Diagnosis Means Better Health!

Posted in General Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts | 21 Comments »

What You Need To Know About Children’s Cholesterol

August 2, 2006

2929326356 It is now a common knowledge that any disease process starts from the young…the same goes with obesity, diabetes and cholesterol.  Several studies have shown that atherosclerosis or build up of cholesterol plaques in our vessels start from the young.

Eating patterns and genetics play a significant role in increasing ones risk…as well as patterns of obesity and smoking.  Evidence has shown that lowering cholesterol in children and adolescents is beneficial and therefore much be aggressively searched if that child has risk factors.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has come up with these guidelines:

Cholesterol levels in children and adolescents 2–19 years old
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)
Acceptable — less than 170
Borderline — 170–199
High — 200 or greater

LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)
Acceptable — less than 110
Borderline — 110–129
High — 130 or greater

Keep Our Children FIT…Let Them

Play… Support Their Activities

and Watch What They EAT!

Posted in General Health Tips | 1 Comment »

Facts You Need To Know About Cholesterol

August 2, 2006

Go to fullsize imageCholesterol misconceptions are common. Majority of patients don’t feel any symptoms. The abnormality is only discovered if one gets a fasting blood tests. But this is one component in the blood that is most harmful to the heart and brain because any excessive level can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Some misconceptions include:

1. Foods labeled as “No Cholesterol” can be eaten as much as I want.  Majority of these products may still contain saturated fats which are harmful to the blood vessels. So don’t be fooled by marketing strategies.

2. My cholesterol level is normal so I don’t need to worry. This will depend on your risk for heart disease or if you are diabetic. A total cholesterol level alone will not determine your being healthy…make sure you get the Lipid Profile which will determine if your bad or good cholesterol levels are within the goal for your risk.

3. I need medication because my total cholesterol is > 200 mg/dl. Again this high total cholesterol may be due to a high GOOD cholesterol which is protective to the heart and therefore requires NO medication. Another scenario where a Lipid Profile should be done instead.

4. After taking my medication for three months, my doctor said my cholesterol is normal and therefore I can now stop the drug! Whew…a very common scenario but totally wrong.  Once you are diagnosed to have HYPERLIPIDEMIA or suffering from a high cholesterol state… being a metabolic disease requires chronic treatment.  Once you take the drug, your cholesterol drops but once you stop the medication… the cholesterol level rises again and the harm continues….

I hope these misconceptions of my patients will help us all to remember that….

Cholesterol is a silent participant of the Dreaded Complication we call… HEART DISEASE!

There is no age at which you need to check your cholesterol…BUT….Do so NOW if you are: obese, have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, a family history of heart disease or stroke especially at a young age.

Be on GUARD…Check Your

Cholesterol!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 1 Comment »

Is It Harmful To Use of Plastic Wrap in Microwave Cooking

August 2, 2006

Go to fullsize image I had several direct emails and 2 posted questions in my blog after writing the microwave issue.  So I thought of writing this post for all to read because one way or another… we are users of this important invention of the century.

The common question is: How about the plastic wrap or the cling wrap that we put to cover the food before cooking?  Is it carcinogenic?

The only reputable institution that I trust with concerns for public safety is the US FDA… It is true that some substances from the plastic wrapping do migrate into the food during the reheating process but the amount has been assessed to be within the margin of safety.  And this issue has been revisited several times with the same recommendation of safety up to the present.

Another substance that came up recently is the so called DEHA which is a plasticizer which makes plastics flexible.  The US FDA again has reemphasized that the levels of the plasticizer from the plastic film that might have migrated to the food and as a result consumed by the public use are well below the levels showing no toxic effect in animal studies. 

Likewise claims of plastic containing the substance called Dioxins, labeled as a “likely human carcinogen” by the Environmental Protection Agency has been assessed by the FDA and concluded that there is no evidence to support that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and can’t find any reason to suspect why they would…

Well said! and I guess this settles the issue… but as new evidence arises… definitely will keep you posted!

Here are some recommendations for using plastic covers for microwave reheating:

1. Do not use the plastic carryout containers from restaurants because they may melt or warp, which can increase the likelihood of spills and burns.

2. Discard and do not reuse containers that hold prepared microwavable meals.

3. Microwave-safe plastic wrap should be placed loosely over food so that steam can escape.  It is recommended that the plastic should not touch the food and that there should be at least a one-inch space between the plastic and the food during microwave reheating.

Enjoy Your Microwave

Without Guilt!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | 2 Comments »

The Safety of Microwave Cooking

August 2, 2006

Imagesfghjkl Alarm over reports on the dangers of microwave cooking has been around us for quite sometime.  However I cant imagine a home nowadays without the microwave ovens.

There are basically two concerns: radiation and the unknown health effects on the food cooked in microwave.

Let me present the facts:

As of October 1971, the US FDA has regulated the manufacture of microwaves with regard to radiation safety with limits of around 5 milliwatts per square meter which is far below the level known to harm people.  Likewise no residual radiation is present after the microwave is stopped.

The US FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition was tasked to examine the effect of food coverings and the possibility of harm for the particles that migrate to the food.  After a thorough investigation the Cneter then released information to the public regarding safety of  microwave.  The findings include that so far no known health hazards have been proven for these health susceptors like paper, paperboards, polymers and adhesives that are supposed to migrate to the food when we cook in the microwave. However they are reassuring the public that the Center will continue to monitor the safety of the products cooked in microwave and so far no further reports have been made.

If you look at sites that condemn the microwave… don’t be fooled by anecdotal reports.  It has to be science based and well researched.  Anybody can just present their proofs but if no validation is done then the report is not acceptable to the scientific community.

 

For Now…Enjoy Your

Microwave!

Posted in General Health Tips | 1 Comment »

The Importance Of Eating Breakfast

August 2, 2006

imagesfg.jpg Being in a hurry or too little time are not excuses for skipping breakfast. You may have heard people say… Am not sure why am gaining weight when I only eat 2 x a day…or I just don’t feel hungry early in the morning.

Breakfast as the word implies means breaking a fast. Your metabolic rate drops overnight because of fasting.  So when you skip this morning meal, and eat a hearty lunch, majority of the calories taken in are stored as fat since your metabolism cant cope up with the sudden load of calories.  Likewise you tend to feel so hungry for lunch that your decision making in terms of proper food choices is impaired. So lunch servings are mainly high fat less nutritous meal choices that can be harmful in the long run.

In a recent American Heart Association Convention on Cardiovascular Disease Epidimeology, it was assessed that the risk of breakfast eaters was 35% to 40% LOWER to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome ( diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol) than non breakfast eaters.

The ones who ate whole grain with at least 2 gms of fiber noted on the food label benefited the most.

Likewise breakfast for kids is very important.  The American Dietetic Association states that children who eat breakfast have better concentration, problem solving skills and hand-eye coordination.  As a result they are more alert, creative and less likely to miss school.

Good examples of a healthy breakfast that I recommend include : a bowl of oatmeal with a fruit or a whole grain cereal, skim milk and a fruit or whole grain sandwich with peanut butter.

Remember…if you want to lose weight or have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol….

Eat a Hearty Breakfast For A

Healthier You!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Nutrition Health Tips, Weight Loss Tips | 16 Comments »

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