Thursday 26 April 2012

IRON OVERLOAD

The human body needs a steady supply of iron, but only in tiny amount - about 10mg to 15mg a day for healthy adults. In fact, hemochromatosis, the most common form of iron overload disease, can cause irreversible  heart and liver damage.
   The body can utilize two type of iron - heme, which comes from animal sources, and nonheme, which comes from plants. The body absorbs 20 to 30 percent of heme iron, compared with 5 to 10 percent of nonheme. When the body's iron reserves are low, the absorption of nonheme iron increase. Consuming iron-rich plant foods with meat or with good sources of vitamin C boost nonheme iron absorption. By the same token, substances-for example, tea,bran,and the oxalates found in spinach and kale-decrease the body's absorption.

LIMIT

  • Organ meats and iron-fortified foods.
AVOID
  • Iron supplements 
  • Alcohol, if there is liver damage.
  • High dozes of vitamin C

CAUTION

Cut down on these iron-rich food sources if you are genetically predisposed to storing extra iron:
  • Oysters
  • Liver
  • Lean red meat, especially beef
  • Iron-enriched cereals
  • Dried beans and whole grains
  • Eggs, especially yolks
  • Dark green leafy vegetables

Monday 23 April 2012

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL


  • The hops that give beer its distinctive taste and aroma come from a vine that is a relative of cannabis.
  • A cold shower, strong coffee, and similar remedies are of no value in helping a person sober up.
  • Large amounts of alcohol lower sexual performance in men. Alcohol reduces levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, while increasing estrogen levels, which can lead to impotence, shrunken testicles, and male breast growth.
  • Women absorb alcohol into the bloodstream more efficiently than men.

Saturday 21 April 2012

NIGHT BLINDNESS

The eyes need vitamin A or its precursors, beta carotene, as well as bioflavonoids, to make the pigments that absorbs light within the eye. A deficiency in vitamin A, or a failure to utilize it properly, impairs the eyes ability to adapt to darkness and leads to night blindness. this does not entail a total loss of night vision, but rather difficulty seeing well in dim lighting.
   Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the Western world, but it remains a major problem in many underdeveloped countries. Organs meats, fortified margarine,butter and other dairy products are good sources of vitamin A. Dark yellow or orange foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and apricots as well as dark green leafy vegetables, are the richest sources of beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamins A.
   Failing night vision should not be self-treated wit vitamin A or beta carotene supplements; the problem may stem from a digestive or malabsorption disorder that prevents the body from using the vitamin. Treatment or the  underlying cause usually cures the night blindness. An exception is night blindness caused by retintis pigmentosa, a genetic disease. However, recent research suggest that the vitamin A may in fact, slow the progressive vision loss of this incurable disease.  

Tuesday 17 April 2012

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates are the basic currency of glucose. For most diabetes, carbohydrates  - rich foods such as vegetables, breads, cereals, and pasta should account for 45 percent to 60 percent of their daily calories. Because the fiber content of these carbohydrates slows down the release of glucose, high fiber starches, such as barley, oat cereals, beans, peas, and lentils, help suppress any sharp increases in blood sugar levels after meals.
   Dietary guidelines allow for simple carbohydrates, like syrups, sugars, and sweeteners, to be included in the diet in moderation. As opposed to recommendations in the past, the emphasis is now on monitoring total carbohydrate consumption at each meal/snack rather than the source of carbohydrate. But all carbohydrates are not equal when it comes to nutrition. Complex carbohydrates such as grains and cereals provide vitamins, minerals and fiber, whereas sugars and sweeteners provide mostly calories; therefore, complex carbohydrates should make up the bulk of the diabetic diet, and sugars only a small amount.
   Soluble fiber-the kind found in oatmeal-may actually help lower blood sugar levels (it also helps lower cholesterol). And insoluble fiber, found in whole grains and many vegetables, help you feel full on fewer calories.

Monday 16 April 2012

PREGNANCY-RELATED DIABETES

Gestational diabetes can complicate pregnancy for both mother and baby. The effects of hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy increase demands on the pancreas and can lead to insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes can strike any expectant mother but is most likely in those who are over 30 years of age and overweight, as well as those who have had a previous baby weighing more than 9 lb (4kg) or a family history of gestational or type 2 diabetes.
All women should have a blood test for diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, the mother will need to modify her diet and monitor weight gain carefully; she may require daily insulin injections for the rest of the pregnancy. Although his type of diabetes usually disappears almost immediately after childbirth, women who have had it are at high risk for type 2 diabetes in later years.