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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Probiotics Can Help Prevent Diseases

Image via WikipediaAs common as yogurt can be, prevention is a much better option - as always.

Read on...
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April 18, 2011

CHICAGO (CBS) — Feeling rundown, tired or just not healthy?

The problem may lie in your stomach, and some experts believe a certain kind of bacteria may help you feel better.

A stubborn cold, the flu, irritable bowel syndrome — even childhood eczema.

These are all conditions that you may be able to fight with your stomach and a spoon, CBS 2’s Kate Sullivan reports.

Experts say there’s growing evidence that probiotics found in foods like yogurt may actually ease the symptoms of some of these common conditions.

“Probiotics are sort of a good bacteria that are found in foods, and what they can do is they can help to enhance and improve your immune system,” registered dietician Felicia Stoler says.

The live active microorganisms may even help when you just don’t feel right.

“When your body is tired from daily activities, sometimes you are worn down from trying to fight something off,” Stoler says.

That’s when you should give your stomach something to fight back with, and it doesn’t have to be just yogurt. Sauerkraut is a source of probiotics, and there are even chocolate bars infused with them. Certain soy products such as miso soup are, too.

Stoler says you should always rule out serious stomach issues with your doctor. Still, probiotics may be worth a shot.

“A lot of people that come to see me, they spend a lot of time going to the doctors, and they can’t find something that’s wrong with them,” she says. “By changing their diet and including probiotics in their diet they do report that they feel much better.”

There is also some research indicating that foods containing prebiotics may also help. Foods like bananas, beans, honey and whole grains act as fuel for that good bacteria so you can keep your stomach in balance.

Taken from chicago.cbslocal.com; source article is below:
Probiotics Can Help Offset A Variety Of Health Issues, Some Believe

Friday, November 12, 2010

Smokers get tougher and more gruesome warnings

LifeSign QuitKey Smoking Cessation Computer

A number of articles aimed at smokers to deter their cravings is getting more and more graphical. Others call it gruesome, more gruesome!

Here are three of 'em, and it is with hope that they drive the point home - QUIT SMOKING!
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The number of adults smoking in 2009 was found to be virtually unchanged since 2004 at 20 percent. Despite a barrage of advertising, the development of numerous smoking cessation drugs and techniques, and the government restrictions placed on smoking in public spaces, Americans seem to be loathe to give up the tobacco habit.

To continue, click on the source article below:
Smokers to Get Hit with Tougher Cigarette Warnings

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-smokers Using Allen Carr's Easy Way Method

(CBS) The FDA has really stepped into it with its gruesome new tobacco warning labels.

Some are praising the agency for forcing smokers to confront head-on the health costs of their bad habit. But others - including scores of people who posted comments about CBS News' coverage of the labels - complain that the agency is playing health police.

To continue, click on the source article below:
Cigarette Warnings Go Gruesome: Did the Health Police Go Too Far?

Quit: Read This Book and Stop Smoking (Running Press Miniature Editions)

Washington (CNN) -- The federal government unveiled new proposed regulations Wednesday mandating "bolder health warnings" on cigarette advertisements and packages, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The proposed requirements, characterized as the biggest change in tobacco health warnings in 25 years, include "nine new larger and more noticeable textual warning statements and color graphic images depicting the negative health consequences of smoking," the release stated.

To continue, click on the source article below:

More graphic cigarette warnings proposed

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Race to contain outbreak

MEXICAN SWINE FLU
WHO to consider tomorrow whether to raise threat level

WASHINGTON — The world's governments raced to avoid both a pandemic and global hysteria yesterday as more possible swine flu cases surfaced from Canada to New Zealand and the United States declared a public health emergency.

Mexico, the outbreak's epicentre with up to 86 suspected deaths, closed churches, markets and restaurants. Few people ventured onto the streets, and some wore face masks. Canada became the third country to confirm cases, in six people, including some students who — like some New York City spring-breakers — got mildly ill in Mexico.

In Mexico, soldiers handed out six million surgical-style masks to deal with a deadly flu strain that officials say may have sickened 1,400 people since April 13.

Countries across Asia promised to quarantine feverish travellers returning from flu-affected areas.

The US declared the health emergency so it could ship roughly 12 million doses of flu-fighting medication from a federal stockpile to states in case they eventually need them — although with 20 confirmed cases of people recovering easily, they do not appear to for now.

Make no mistake: There is not a global pandemic — at least not yet. It is not clear how many people truly have this particular strain, or why all countries but Mexico are seeing a mild form of the disease. Nor is it clear if the new virus spreads easily, one milestone that distinguishes a bad flu from a global crisis. But waiting to take protective steps until after a pandemic is declared would be too late.

"We do think this will continue to spread but we are taking aggressive actions to minimise the impact on people's health," said Dr Richard Besser, acting chief of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Barack Obama's administration sought to look both calm and in command, striking a balance between informing Americans without panicking them. Mr Obama himself was playing golf while US officials used a White House news conference to compare the emergency declaration with preparing for an approaching hurricane.

"Really that's what we're doing right now. We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size or seriousness of this outbreak is going to be," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters.

The World Health Organisation and the US were following precautions developed over the past five years to prepare for the next super-flu.

The WHO, which on Saturday asked all countries to step up detection of this strain of A/H1N1 swine flu, will consider tomorrow whether to raise the pandemic threat level, in turn triggering additional actions. AP

From TODAY – Monday, 27-April-2009