How to Stay Slim

It has been time and again prescribed to keep refined carbohydrate to the lowest possible level and good amount of protein in diet.

In case of people suffering from kidney and liver disease a little precaution required for taking more protein.

Ordinarily protein requirement for adult without any contraindication for protein is roughly 1gm/Kg and precisely 0,80gm/Kg body weight.

Protein is found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet. Egg contains best quality of protein.

Amplify’d from www.reuters.com

Eat more protein, fewer refined carbs to stay slim

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A team of European researchers confirms what many weight-loss gurus have claimed: eating more protein and fewer refined carbohydrates helps to keep the pounds off.

The glycemic index, GI for short, was originally developed for use by diabetics, and indicates how quickly blood glucose peaks after a person eats a particular food. High-GI foods, like white bread, produce a quick spike in blood glucose, while low GI foods, like whole grain breads, cause a slower increase in blood sugar that lasts for a longer period of time. Most food labels don't list a food's GI, nor is there adequate information on the GIs of different foods available on the Internet, according to Larsen.

One group with no food restrictions served as a control, the rest were assigned to eat either a low-protein, low-GI diet; a low-protein, high-GI diet; high-protein and low-GI; or high-protein and high-GI. In the low-protein groups, people consumed 13 percent of calories as protein; in the high-protein groups, 25 percent of total energy consumed was protein. People in all of the groups could eat as much as they liked.

According to Ludwig, people can definitely try this at home. "Adding a serving of nuts and beans to the diet every day and cutting back on the refined grains will produce at least as much dietary change as they obtained in the study," he said. "If everyone in America could cut back on two servings of refined grains and substitute that with one serving of nuts and one serving of beans, the impact on public health would really be potentially enormous, and that's a change within everyone's reach." Read more at www.reuters.com

 

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Having Black Stool?

Image via WikipediaIf somebody is having black stool, Malena in medical terminology; should check, if it is;
· Tarry black,
· Sticks to pan,
· Associated with dizziness or fainting attack.
If so it might be due to invisible or occult blood in stool the person is passing.
Such occult blood in the stool is mostly due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding; that gets altered while passing through the intestine.
Most common causes can be;
· Acid peptic disease,
· Cancer of stomach, esophagus and upper part of intestine.
· Bleeding from esophageal varices.
· Any other cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
It can be confirmed by stool occult blood test. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy will invariably clinch the diagnosis.
Sometimes iron containing foods and iron supplementation may give rise to black colored stool.

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Recent Development in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

 Article first published as Newer Approach to Triple Negative Breast Cancer

on Technorati.

Treating triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a little difficult in comparison to breast cancers positive for receptors, in the sense that tamoxifen group of drugs does not have any effect on those cancers. These cancers are aggressive in nature and found in younger ladies.

A breast cancer can be positive for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) or human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2). When a breast cancer is negative for these receptors is categorized as triple negative breast cancer.
  There are drugs those can block the receptors in receptor positive breast cancers, but does act on the receptor negative cases. Those can be tamoxifen group of drugs and trastuzumab.
Now, researchers from Dublin (Ireland) found that TNBC express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in abundance. They targeted enzymes called ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) those required for activation of EGFR binding proteins during the signaling process.  Gefitinib, a drug that inhibits EGFR was put to test along with ADAM17 inhibitor, but The compound worked in isolation, before the treatment with EGFR inhibitors to a fair extent; but did not help in combination with EGFR inhibitors.
Later on they tried another unnamed drug which blocks ADAM10 and ADAM17 and found good response in about 91% of cases. They found the treatment of TNBC cells line with this compound reduced their ability to migrate, a process that is vital for the progression of cancer
There are at least four types of epidermal growth factor receptors; namely; EGFR, HER2, HER3 and HER4. Triple negative breast cancers comprise 10-20% of all breast cancer cases.
Women with TNBC tend to present with;
 

• higher grade,
• larger tumors,
• younger age at diagnosis,
• have a higher incidence of metastases

and

•   have a shorter time to recurrence compared to other breast cancer types.

One reason for the poor prognosis for this group is the lack of targeted therapies in addition to surgery and chemotherapy.
Having found that an ADAM inhibitor can reduce the proliferation of TNBC cell lines, they hope that ADAMs may be a useful therapeutic target.

Perhaps the days are not far away when triple negative breast will respond as nicely as breast cancers positive for ER, PR and HER2.  
  

Related articles

• Scientists Detect Unique Marker for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (nlm.nih.gov)
• Scientists identify potential new target for treating triple negative breast cancer (eurekalert.org)

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Know about Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis has become common in this age of sedentary and busy life style. Most common causes of osteoporosis are inadequate sun exposure, consequent low blood vitamin D and calcium level; and lack of physical activity.
Many times patients think that they can get rid of the diseases like osteoporosis through drug treatment without changing lifestyle, which may be partially true.
However, certain things should be remembered before going for drug treatment of this condition.

If one is having a mild disease that can be controlled by;

• Adequate physical activity.
• Adequate outdoor activity to get sun exposure or get vitamin D supplementation in case risk of sun exposure exists for a patient.
• Avoiding heavy alcohol and smoking.
• Taking calcium rich foods. Calcium supplementation may be considered.

In moderate to severe disease;

• Follow the recommendations as in mild disease.
• Consider getting specific drug treatment for osteoporosis like; biphosphonates or specific estrogen receptor modifiers (SERM) like raloxifene.
• Calcitonin.
• Parathyroid hormone (teriparatide).
• Phytoestrogens.

These drugs have some side effects that are to be understood before starting those.
Calcium; Constipation is more common with calcium carbonate.
In biphosphonates treatment there is risk of;
· Atypical bone fractures.
· Necrosis of jaw bone (Osteonecrosis), though rare, is seen 1 in 100,000 patients treated with it.
· Heartburn, acid reflux, esophageal ulceration and perforation; which are quite rare.
· Effects on fetal development are not known.
· Musculoskeletal pain
Raloxifene; An increased risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism approximately the same as estrogen therapy, as well as hot flashes have been associated with its use.
Calcitonin; Rhinitis has been observed in 5% excess compared with placebo. Caution is urged with Calcitonin nasal spray in renal failure.
Teriparatide; It is associated with an increased incidence of osteosarcoma in rats given high doses over an extended period. Given this concern, it should not be used in patients with a history of bony malignancy, or those at risk.
But, it is best to change life style first before embarking upon drug treatment.

Related articles

• Osteoporosis: is it being over-diagnosed and over-treated? (telegraph.co.uk)
• Study Suggests Osteoporosis Drug Might Treat Loss of Bone in Jaw (nlm.nih.gov)
• Osteoporosis drugs can raise fracture risk (topinews.com)

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Mammoghaphy for Breast Abscess

Breast abscess causes so much of pain that patients seeks treatment quickly. It also causes fever. But sometimes, particularly in India they come late to the appropriate doctor, getting treatment elsewhere.
Often they come with reports of fine needle aspiration as well as mammogram; though surgeons do not routinely recommend mammography in these cases. Aspiration is all that required to establish the diagnosis of breast abscess.
However, in some cases it is advised; and the image is a mammography of a case of breast abscess.
The most opaque or whitish part seen in the mammography image (In the upper part) is the abscess containing pus, that gives the density to the image. There is no micro calcification or distortion of breast tissue; suggestive cancer breast.
It is sometimes required to differentiate from cancer of breast, particularly in a little late cases, where the acute symptoms of breast abscess have subsided. In those cases the lesion feels like a hard and irregular mass.
Drainage is the treatment, repeated removal of the contents may be tried.

Related articles

• Breast infection - All Information (umm.edu)

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Yogic Practices for Mental Health

Image via WikipediaSince long yogic practices are practiced in India. Simply sitting in a calm and quite place without any thought relieves a lot of mental tension and brings peace to mind. There are many Yogic postures. Each posture is for some specific health benefits. This practice has been recommended for hypertensive patients.
Now it has been seen that Yogic practices increase the level of neurotransmitters in brain; specifically gamma butyric acid (GABA). Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA is a inhibitory chemical that helps to regulate nerve cell excitatory activity. GABA activity is seen to be in a reduced state in people with mood and anxiety disorders; and drugs that increase GABA activity are commonly prescribed to improve mood and decrease anxiety.
People with a GABA deficiency often experience:

• Anxiety symptoms
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Hypertension
• Palpitations
• Seizures
• Lower sex drive
• Disorders of the heart
• Depression

GABA works by controlling the brain’s rhythmic theta waves to help the brain maintain physical and mental balance. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep.
This key brain chemical is also involved in the production of endorphins, brain chemicals, known as feel good hormones. Endorphins are produced in the brain during physical movement, such as stretching or even sexual intercourse. As endorphins are released people begin to feel a sense of calm often referred to as the Endorphin Effect.
Yogic practices are beneficial and without a cost.

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Tobacco Warnings Graphics Unveiled

Tobacco warnings graphics unveiled; hope this will have some impact on smokers.

Amplify’d from www.reuters.com

U.S. unveils graphic tobacco warnings

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Diseased lungs, dead bodies, a man on a ventilator and mothers blowing smoke in their children's faces are among the images U.S. health officials are considering in their effort to revamp tobacco warning labels.

The "graphic health warnings," unveiled on Wednesday, aim to depict the negative effects of smoking, and they will be required on all cigarette packages and advertisements as of October 2012. Read more at www.reuters.com

 

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Laptop Use on Lap may Have Adverse Effect on Male Fertility

The testes develop inside the abdomen and house in the scrotum in search of a cooler environment that is required for optimal sperm production or spermatogenesis. The temperature in scrotum is at least 2 degree Celsius less than that of inside the body or the core temperature.

Laptops generate heat and working on those keeping on the lap inadvertently increases the temperature in the testes. It has been seen that an increase in temperature of testes by 1 degree Celsius adversely affected spermatogenesis. As per American Urological Association one in six couples in America suffers from difficulty in conception and in most of the case male is at fault.
Use of WiFi also has adverse effect on sperm production independent of heat factor by causing DNA fragmentation.
Keeping thighs in apposition and laptop on it invariably increases the temperature at least by 2.5 Celsius.
Though more investigations are required to definitely reach to the conclusion, it is better to avoid using laptop on laps.

Related articles

• Laptop use could diminish male fertility (theglobeandmail.com)

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Stretching Helps to Relieve Foot and Heel pain

Plantar Fascia Mechanical factor is the most common cause of pain in heel and foot amongst the factors those can be held responsible for it. This is the stress and strain on the plantar fascia, the ligament that maintains the arch of foot.
Many suffer from it and sometimes getting relief from it is not that easier. Among the common treatment modalities; rest, steroid injection at the site of maximum pain, excision of the calcaneal spur, analgesics and shock wave treatment are important.
Steroid injection gives quick relief in short term, but long term relief is not good; recurrence is common. And excision of the bony out growth from calcaneous bone; a calcaneal spur is an invasive procedure. Shock wave treatment is also a good procedure, but spending is needed. Now, it has been seen that stretching of the ligament gives better long term relief from pain than shock wave treatment.
This stretch is to be performed in a seated position. Affected foot is kept crossed over the knee of the other leg. The toes of painful foot are grasped with a hand; foot is pressed down against the grasping hand; that makes the fascia tout and can be well felt in bottom of foot like a tight band. The fascia can be rubbed to stretch with the thumb of the other hand. The stretching is held for 10 seconds and repeated 10-20 times for each foot, thrice daily.
Most of the patients get the benefit within a few weeks. Moreover, it is inexpensive.

Related articles

• Plantar Fasciitis? Stretching seems to do the trick (yubanet.com)
• Plantar fasciitis? Stretching seems to do the trick (eurekalert.org)

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First Treatment for Involuntary Crying and Laughing after Brain Injury

Emotional outbursts are seen among some patient recovering from brain injury either from trauma, stroke or neurological damage from some diseases like multiple sclerosis. Those may include involuntary crying laughing posing social inconvenience or embarrassment. That may result in social out cast. It is known as emotional incontinence or Pseudobulbar affect.


















A drug treatment has been approved for the first time for this disease by US FDA. The combination pill include dextromethorphan and quinidine.
As reported in Medscape Medical News, results at 12 weeks showed that dextromethorphan 30 mg/quinidine 10 mg and dextromethorphan 20 mg/quinidine 10 mg significantly decreased the PBA episode daily rate by 46.9% and 49.0%, respectively, relative to placebo (P  .0001 for both comparisons).
Adverse events most commonly reported with use of dextromethorphan/quinidine in clinical trials include diarrhea (13%), dizziness (10%), cough (5%), vomiting (5%), asthenia (5%), and peripheral edema (5%); urinary tract infection, influenza, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and flatulence. Precautions should be taken to reduce the risk for falls resulting from dizziness, particularly in patients with motor impairment affecting gait or a history of falls.
The FDA warns that dextromethorphan/quinidine is linked to a risk for severe and potentially fatal immune-related thrombocytopenia that can be preceded by nonspecific symptoms such as light-headedness, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment should be permanently discontinued if thrombocytopenia develops.

Related articles

• Nuedexta Treats Laughing and Crying Outbursts (webmd.com)

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Urine Test for Early Heart Disease

Several blood tests like troponin T, copeptin and creatine phosphokinase have been developed to diagnose heart attack. All these are invasive in nature, requires drawing of blood from the patient and do not diagnose an early coronary heart disease.
Now an urine test is being developed to diagnose early heart disease.
The non-invasive test called urinary proteome analysis, could not only assist in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease but also in monitoring its progress and the efficacy of treatment.
The researchers analysed 586 urine samples from 408 individuals to identify a pattern of 238 polypeptide proteins which indicated coronary artery disease.


They then recruited 138 individuals; 71 with coronary artery disease and 67 healthy volunteers and using the pattern of 238 proteins were able to identify those with coronary artery disease with almost 90 per cent accuracy.
This test has the potential to diagnose early coronary artery disease with very good degree of accuracy well before the disease progresses to its conclusion; a heart stroke.

Related articles

• A simple urine test could predict heart disease (topinews.com)

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Fighting Common Cold with Exercise and Drugs in Offing

Regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking for about 30 minutes a day for at least five days in a week prevents common cold. It boosts the natural immunity of body to fight against the common cold viruses.

During exercise the cells responsible for body defense rapidly circulate in the body due to increased pumping of blood and in that ways keep an eye on the invading viruses. Frequent activity in a day keeps the watch more perfect.
It is in the news that scientists have discovered a clue to the process of elimination of viruses by the body defense and role of immunoglobins in fighting the viruses. They found out one protein called TRIM21 that rapidly eliminates the viruses. They are trying to produce molecules like that protein which can fight and eliminate the viruses.

• Related articles

• Common Cold: Prevent it Now, Cure Looming? (cbsnews.com)
• Virus breakthrough raises hope over ending common cold (bbc.co.uk)

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