Almond is Healthy

* Vitamin E - Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that has been shown to decrease the risk for certain forms of cancer, heart disease and cataracts. Vitamin E is also needed for healthy blood cells and tissues.

* Folic Acid - Almonds, like other fruits and vegetables, make an important contribution to a diet adequate in folic acid, or folate. This important B-vitamin can reduce the risk for neural tube defects (birth defects) and is necessary for making red blood cells. It may also protect against heart disease and stroke.

* Protein - almonds contain protein which is necessary for healthy muscles, blood and organs, and it can also be used for energy.

* Fiber - almonds are a good source of dietary fiber - the part of the plant foods that is not digested in the human body. Fiber appears to play a protective role against heart disease and diabetes, an d aids in the prevention of constipation, diverticulosis, and some forms of cancer, such as colon and rectal.

* Iron - An ounce of almonds contains 6% of the recommended daily requirements of iron. This essential mineral helps carry oxygen to all of the body's cells and organs.
* Zinc - An ounce of almonds contains 6% of the recommended daily requirements of zinc, which aids in wound healing and is involved in protein metabolism. Zinc is also important in the development of the reproductive system.

* Copper - Almonds are a good source of copper. This mineral helps carry oxygen throughout the body and helps keep bones, blood vessels and nerves healthy. It may also protect against heart disease.

* Magnesium - Almonds are an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral used in building bones, making protein, releasing energy from muscles and regulating body temperature. It's also needed for calcium and potassium balance in the body.

* Phosphorous - Almonds are a good source of phosphorous - the second most abundant mineral in the body. This important mineral is needed for strong bones and teeth, and helps the body use protein, fat and carbohydrates.

* Pytochemicals - Almonds, like all other plant foods contain phytochemicals. These plant chemicals may have protective effects against heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases

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Smoking is Bad Habit

Smoking is one of the worst things kids or adults can do to their bodies. Yet every single day about 4,000 kids between the ages 12 and 17 start smoking. Most middle school students don't smoke — only about 1 in 10 does. And most high school students don't smoke either — about 1 in 4 does (that means 3 out of 4 don't).

But why do those who smoke ever begin?

There's more than just one simple answer. Some kids may start smoking just because they're curious. Others may like the idea of doing something dangerous — something grownups don't want them to do. Still others might know lots of people who smoke and they might think it's a way to act or look like an adult. Fortunately, fewer people are starting smoking than a few years ago.

Maybe that's because more and more people have learned that smoking and tobacco use can cause cancer and heart disease. But sometimes kids can't really think that far into the future to worry about an illness they might not get for many years.

So let's talk about the problems that might affect kids more quickly:

• bad breath
• yellow teeth
• smelly clothes
• more colds and coughs
• difficulty keeping up with friends when playing sports
• empty wallet — cigarettes and tobacco products are very expensive!

Let's find out more about cigarettes and tobacco.

What Are Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco?
Tobacco (say: tuh-ba-ko) is a plant that can be smoked in cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. It's the same plant that's in smokeless tobacco, known as dip, chew, snuff, spit, or chewing tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is not lit or inhaled like tobacco in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Instead, smokeless tobacco is put between the lip and gum and sucked on inside the mouth.

Tobacco contains nicotine (say: nih-kuh-teen), a chemical that causes a tingly or pleasant feeling — but that feeling only lasts for a little while. Nicotine is also addictive (say: uh-dik-tiv). That means that if you start to use nicotine, your body and mind will become so used to it that you'll need to have it just to feel OK.

Anyone who starts smoking could become addicted to it. If you're addicted to something, it's very hard to stop doing it, even if you want to. Some kids get addicted right away. And adults are often addicted, which is why so many of them have a hard time quitting smoking.

Why Is It So Bad for You?
Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco kill hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. You know those rubber bracelets that were created to bring attention to different causes? The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids created a red one with the number 1,200 on it. Why 1,200? That's the number of people who die each day due to smoking.

The nicotine and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco cause lots of diseases, like heart problems and some kinds of cancer. If you smoke, you hurt your lungs and heart each time you light up. It also can make it more difficult for blood to move around in the body, so smokers may feel tired and cranky. The longer you smoke, the worse the damage becomes.

The Other Cost of Smoking
Using tobacco eats up a lot of money, too. A pack of cigarettes costs $4.50, on average. That means, even if you buy just one pack a week, you'll spend $234 in a year. Some people smoke a pack a day, which adds up to $1,642! That's a lot of CDs, computer games, and clothes you could buy instead.

What's It Like?
Usually, people don't like smoking or chewing tobacco at first. Your body is smart, and it knows when it's being poisoned. When people try smoking for the first time, they often cough a lot and feel pain or burning in their throat and lungs. This is your lungs' way of trying to protect you and tell you to keep them smoke free. Also, many people say that they feel sick to their stomachs or even throw up. If someone accidentally swallows chewing tobacco, they may be sick for hours. Yuck.

What if My Friend Smokes?
If you have friends who smoke or use tobacco, you can help them by encouraging them to quit. Here are some reasons you can mention:

•It will hurt their health.
•It will make their breath stinky.
•It will turn their teeth yellow.
•It will give them less endurance when running or playing sports.
•It's expensive.
•It's illegal to buy cigarettes when you're underage.
If you think it will help, you could print out articles like this one to give to a friend who smokes. He or she may be interested in learning more about the dangers of smoking. But people don't like to hear that they're doing something wrong, so your pal also could be a little angry. If that happens, don't push it too much. In time, your friend may realize you are right.

In the meantime, it could help to talk with a parent or a school counselor if you're worried about your friend. When your friend is ready, a grown-up can help him or her quit for good. If your friend decides to quit, lend your support. You might say it's time to kick some butts!

Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
Date reviewed: August 2007

Asthma Causes

The exact cause of asthma is not known.

•What all people with asthma have in common is chronic airway inflammation and excessive airway sensitivity to various triggers.
•Research has focused on why some people develop asthma while others do not.
•Some people are born with the tendency to have asthma, while others are not. Scientists are trying to find the genes that cause this tendency.

•The environment you live in and the way you live partly determine whether you have asthma attacks.
An asthma attack is a reaction to a trigger. It is similar in many ways to an allergic reaction.
•An allergic reaction is a response by the body's immune system to an "invader."
•When the cells of the immune system sense an invader, they set off a series of reactions that help fight off the invader.
•It is this series of reactions that causes the production of mucus and bronchospasms. These responses cause the symptoms of an asthma attack.
•In asthma, the "invaders" are the triggers listed below. Triggers vary among individuals.
•Because asthma is a type of allergic reaction, it is sometimes called reactive airway disease.

Each person with asthma has his or her own unique set of triggers. Most triggers cause attacks in some people with asthma and not in others. Common triggers of asthma attacks are the following:

•exposure to tobacco or wood smoke,
•breathing polluted air,
•inhaling other respiratory irritants such as perfumes or cleaning products,
•exposure to airway irritants at the workplace,
•breathing in allergy-causing substances (allergens) such as molds, dust, or animal dander,
•an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, flu, sinusitis, or bronchitis,
•exposure to cold, dry weather,
•emotional excitement or stress,
•physical exertion or exercise,
•reflux of stomach acid known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD,
•sulfites, an additive to some foods and wine, and
•menstruation: In some, not all, women, asthma symptoms are closely tied to the menstrual cycle.

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Sore throats anyone..?

Virtually every child and adult gets a sore throat once or twice a year. What should you do when this happens? Could it be strep throat? How can you tell? Should you go to the doctor? Should you just call your doctor and ask for medicine over the phone?
Here is the Dr. Sears guide to diagnosing and treating sore throats in children.

CAUSES OF SORE THROAT

• Viruses : By far, the most common cause of sore throat is any one of a large number of viruses, none of which are treatable with antibiotics. These viruses can cause high fever and very painful sore throat. They can feel just as bad or worse as strep throat.


• Colds and coughs : The common cold virus can cause a sore throat in addition to its many other symptoms. Coughing can also irritate the throat, and so can post-nasal drip from a cold.
• Strep throat : This is caused by the strep bacteria, and is treated with antibiotics.


• Coxsackie virus (hand, foot, and mouth disease) : This is a virus that causes high fever and painful canker sores on the throat, cheeks, gums, or lips. Click on mouth sores for more info on this.


• Allergies : Allergies do not cause sudden sore, painful throats. They can, however, cause chronic mild throat irritation.

At-home treatments:

• Pain reliever. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can help significantly. Click on them for dosing. Use both together for extreme pain.


• Throat lozenges.


• Gargle warm salt water : Mix 1/4 to 1 Tsp salt with 8 ounces warm water. If you can get your child to do this, it works great!


• Anesthetic throat gargle : Chloraseptic can work well, but only if your child is old enough to not swallow it.


• Tea : Some herbal teas with honey or lemon may help.

Acute Bronchitis

What is acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial (say: “brawn-kee-ull”) tree. The bronchial tree is made up of the tubes that carry air into your lungs. When these tubes get infected, they swell and mucus (thick fluid) forms inside them. This makes it hard for you to breathe.

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?
The symptoms of acute bronchitis can include:
* Sore throat
* Fever
* A cough that may bring up yellow or green mucus
* Chest congestion
* Shortness of breath
* Wheezing

* Chills
* Body aches

What causes acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by viruses that attack the lining of the bronchial tree and cause infection. As your body fights back against these viruses, more swelling occurs and more mucus is produced. It takes time for your body to kill the viruses and heal the damage to your bronchial tubes.

In most cases, the same viruses that cause colds cause acute bronchitis. Research has shown that bacterial infection is a much less common cause of bronchitis than we used to think. Very rarely, an infection caused by a fungus can cause acute bronchitis.

How do people get acute bronchitis?

The viruses that cause acute bronchitis are sprayed into the air or onto people’s hands when they cough. You can get acute bronchitis if you breathe in these viruses. You can also get it if you touch a hand that is coated with the viruses.

If you smoke or are around damaging fumes (such as those in certain kinds of factories), you are more likely to get acute bronchitis and to have it longer. This is because your bronchial tree is already damaged.

You should call your doctor if:

* You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active.
* You continue to cough for more than 2 weeks and sometimes have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth. This may mean you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition in which stomach acid gets into your esophagus (windpipe).
* You have a cough that produces blood, you feel very sick and weak, you have a high fever that doesn’t go down and you are short of breath. You may have pneumonia.

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Most cases of acute bronchitis will go away on their own after a few days or a week. It's a good idea to get plenty of rest, drink lots of noncaffeinated fluids (for example, water and fruit juices) and increase the humidity in your environment.
You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to ease pain and lower fever. It is okay to take an over-the-counter cough suppressant if your cough is dry (not producing any mucus). It's best not to suppress a cough that brings up mucus because this type of cough helps clear the mucus from your bronchial tree faster.
Cough medicine is not recommended for children, especially those under 2 years of age.

Because acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, antibiotics usually do not help. Even if you cough up mucus that is colored or thick, antibiotics probably won’t help you get better any faster.
If you smoke, you should quit. This will help your bronchial tree heal faster.

Some people who have acute bronchitis need medicines that are usually used to treat asthma. If you hear yourself wheezing, this indicates you may need asthma medicines. These medicines can help open the bronchial tubes and clear out mucus. They are usually given with an inhaler. An inhaler sprays the medicine right into the bronchial tree. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you.

How long will the cough from acute bronchitis last?
Sometimes the cough from acute bronchitis lasts for several weeks or months. Usually this happens because the bronchial tree is taking a long time to heal. However, a cough that doesn’t go away may be a sign of another problem, such as asthma or pneumonia.

How can I keep from getting acute bronchitis again?

One of the best ways to keep from getting acute bronchitis is to wash your hands often to get rid of any viruses.
If you smoke, the best defense against acute bronchitis is to quit. Smoking damages your bronchial tree and makes it easier for viruses to cause infection. Smoking also slows down the healing process, so it takes longer for you to get well.

Common Infections
* Sinusitis
* Cat and Dog Bites
* Earaches in Children
* Otitis Media with Effusion
* Pneumonia
* Sty

Source : Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

American Academy of Family Physicians

High Glucose VS Low Glucose (Low-Glycemic index foods)

Which foods are high-glucose foods (also called high-glycemic index foods) that will break down quickly in your body? [In other words., try to avoid foods/drinks stated below]:

•Soft drinks •Candy •Pasta •Potatoes •Pastries •Sweetened fruit juice

In short, high-glucose foods to avoid include those made with refined white flour or white sugar and not a whole lot else (although even potatoes fall into this category).

Meanwhile, the following foods are low-glucose (or low-glycemic index) foods that will give you a steady source of energy for the day:

•Beans •Nuts and seeds •Celery root •Rutabagas •Leafy green vegetables •Artichokes •Asparagus •Pumpkin •Cucumber •Broccoli •Cabbage •Leeks •Scallions

You can also indulge in foods high in protein and fiber, and those that contain healthy fats, as these foods will not cause your blood glucose to rise excessively.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Will Glucosamine cure it? Or at least be helpful?

It’s controversial if glucosamine works or not for runners’ knee pain or more importantly, if it’s a good idea for runners to take glucosamine. There were medical studies about this, but it’s hard to tell how accurate and objective they were because most of them were funded by the supplement manufacturers and criticized due to shortage of participants, and short duration. Some doctors even ask a question if knee pain (osteoarthritis) is caused by running.
Despite this uncertainty, I’ve decided to give it a shot, mainly because the overall opinion is positive among runners.
The regulation in the US over the glucosamine supplements is weak. It’s recommended to go with big-brand names and well-reviewed companies. I’m sure there are many products that are reliable, but I’ve found these three products trustworthy to try.

Food that are good for joints and bones
Both glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally produced in the human body and extensively found in joint cartilage. I believe the natural glucosamine and chondroitin produced in the body must beabsorbed into the body much better than supplements.

So I will do my best to include these foods into my daily diet. They are known to be good for :

Soybean

Rich in calcium, Vitamin E. Have lots of tofu or add soybeans when you make brown rice.

Pepper

Rich in vitamin C and B6

Banana

Rich in potassium and folic acid

Shrimp

Rich in vitamin D, C, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids

Green Tea

Rich in vitamin C, and anti-oxidants to ease joint pains

Carp

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and calcium

Cheese

Rich in calcium, vitamin B6, and folic acid

http://www.mykoreandiet.com

5 Delicious Tips For Acne-Free, Beautiful Skin

With these 5 delicious tips getting healthier and younger looking skin is as easy as making instant coffee. Get clear, radiating and younger looking skin with these 5 simple dietary tips.

EAT FRUITS FOR BREAKFAST
Did you know that while you sleep your body is detoxifying and cleansing out the waste material from previous day? This is very important for healthy skin as these toxins and waste material can cause acne and other skin problems.

Eating heavy breakfast in the morning forces your body to stop this cleansing process and to start digesting food.

Fresh, ripe fruits on the other hand require very little digestion. So eating a fruits in the morning gives your body few more hours to do the detox and repair work.


AVOID PROBLEMATIC FOOD COMBINATIONS
Different foods require different digestive juices and enzymes. For example, carbohydrates require alkaline digestive juices, while proteins require highly acidic juices.

When you eat proteins and carbohydrates at the same meal alkaline and acid neutralize each other and neither gets digested properly. Food just sits in the stomach for hours. The ever-present bacteria putrefy it and create more toxins and pollutants.

To keep things simple avoid eating two concentrated foods at the same meal. Concentrated foods are foods that have low water content. Concentrated foods are pretty much anything besides fresh fruits and vegetables.

An easy way to avoid wrong food combinations is to replace one concentrated food with salad or steamed/stir-fried vegetables. Try it, and your skin will thank you for it.

Fruits should always be eaten alone as they move through the stomach very quickly. But, if you eat them after concentrated foods, fruits can’t move through the stomach. They just sit in the stomach, and ferment rapidly.


EAT YOGHURT
Yogurt is the only dairy product that is good for your skin. During the fermentation process the probiotic bacteria make it easily digestible. The probiotic bacteria in yogurt are also very important for healthy, radiant skin because they improve the immune system and kill bacteria that cause acne and other skin problems.

Avoid any yogurts sold at supermarkets. In most cases they contain no live bacteria and are practically useless. Make sure that the yogurt you eat is made of organic milk and is pasteurized before the probiotic bacteria is cultivated. Ask your local health store for recommendations.

GREEN SMOOTHIES
Green smoothies are amazing skin food. Green smoothies come loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and other micro-nutrients that your skin requires to be healthy and look young.

Green smoothies are nothing but fruit smoothies with some green, leafy vegetables blended in. I understand that this may not be the most appealing combination, but here’s the trick. Always use at least 60% fruits and green smoothies taste as good as fruit smoothies do. Here’s one combination to try; bananas, frozen blueberries and spinach or kale with little water.

REPLACE GRAINS WITH SPROUTED GRAINS
Did you know that grains (like wheat) are extremely difficult for humans to digest? Eating too many grain products causes constipation, which is directly linked to acne and other skin and health problems.

The healthiest solution would be to stop eating anything made of grains. The next best option is to use sprouted grains. Sprouting makes grains much easier to digest and negates many of the health problems. Ask your local health store for bread and pasta made of sprouted grains.

BEAUTIFUL SKIN IS NOT JUST SKIN DEEP
Beautiful skin is a reflection of a healthy and well functioning body. Practically all skin problems, like acne, eczema, rashes, dryness, etc..., have their roots at imbalances in the body. By eating and living healthy you begin to correct the imbalances and your skin regains the healthy, beautiful glow.

However if you have moderate to severe acne or other difficult skin problems simple dietary treatment may not be enough. Persistent or severe skin problems usually require more complete treatment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ex-‘Acne Victim’ Takes Dermatologists Up On Acne—And Gets Better Results ***Says, acne can be cured with cheap (often FREE), but effective natural methods. FREE eBook shows you how. http://www.natural-acne-solution.com/book.htm

Charlton Heston Dies At 84

Los Angeles — Charlton Heston, the Oscar-winning actor who achieved stardom playing larger-than-life figures including Moses, Michelangelo and Andrew Jackson and went on to become an unapologetic gun advocate and darling of conservative causes, has died. He was 84.
Heston died Saturday at his Beverly Hills home, said family spokesman Bill Powers. In 2002, he had been diagnosed with symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease.
With a booming baritone voice, the tall, ruggedly handsome actor delivered his signature role as the prophet Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 Biblical extravaganza “The Ten Commandments,” raising a rod over his head as God miraculously parts the Red Sea.
Heston won the Academy Award for best actor in another religious blockbuster in 1959's “Ben-Hur,” racing four white horses at top speed in one of the cinema's legendary action sequences — the 15-minute chariot race in which his character, a proud and noble Jew, competes against his childhood Roman friend.
Heston stunned the entertainment world in August 2002 when he made a poignant and moving videotaped address announcing his illness.

source from : TheDay.Com

How Are You Feeling Today?

Brain tumors may have a variety of symptoms ranging from headache to stroke. They are great mimics of other neurological disorders. It is sometimes hard to know whether a CT scan or MRI should be done if someone you know has some of the symptoms and signs noted below, but it is important to know that these studies will usually establish whether a brain tumor is behind them. The following symptoms immediately raise the question of a brain tumor:

* A new seizure in an adult.
* Gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg.
* Unsteadiness or imbalance, especially if it is associated with headache.
* Loss of vision in one or both eyes, especially if it is more peripheral vision loss.
* An eating disorder as a child.
* Double vision, especially if it is associated with headache.
* Hearing loss with or without dizziness.
* Speech difficulty of gradual onset.

The following symptoms are usually not the result of a brain tumor, but may sometimes be:

* Headache is probably the most common symptom of a brain tumor. Most people with headache, even persistent or severe headaches, do not have a tumor. However, some kinds of headache are particularly worrisome. A steady headache that is worse in the morning than the afternoon, a persistent headache that is associated with nausea or vomiting, or a headache accompanied by double vision, weakness, or numbness all suggest a possible tumor.

* A change in behavior may also be caused by a brain tumor. The development of an "I don't care" attitude, memory loss, loss of concentration, and general confusion may all be subtle signs: here, an evaluation by a neurologist may be an important step, but a CT or MRI will also help.

* Infertility or amenorrhea (abnormal cessation of menstruation).

* Some troubles which seem to be other diseases may in fact be a tumor: a stroke, even when it looks like one on a CT, may turn out to be the result of a tumor. Sometimes a fall can come from a seizure caused by a tumor. A pituitary tumor can present like a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a kind of stroke.

As you can see, the ways a brain tumor can show up are varied. If you are concerned, call a doctor who is familiar with these tumors. Early detection and treatment may increase survival - if symptoms persist, sometimes gentle urging for an MRI is important to assure that everything is all right.

Peter McL. Black, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurosurgeon-in-Chief
Brigham and Women's Hospital

and Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts

Prevention - Lung Cancer

Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. However, scientists have studied general patterns of cancer in the population to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives may increase our chance of developing cancer.

Anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor; anything that decreases a person’s chance of developing a disease is called a protective factor. Some of the risk factors for cancer can be avoided, but many cannot. For example, although you can choose to quit smoking, you cannot choose which genes you have inherited from your parents. Both smoking and inheriting specific genes could be considered risk factors for certain kinds of cancer, but only smoking can be avoided. Prevention means avoiding the risk factors and increasing the protective factors that can be controlled so that the chance of developing cancer decreases.

Although many risk factors can be avoided, it is important to keep in mind that avoiding risk factors does not guarantee that you will not get cancer. Also, most people with a particular risk factor for cancer do not actually get the disease. Some people are more sensitive than others are to factors that can cause cancer. Talk to your doctor about methods of preventing cancer that might be effective for you.

Purposes of this summary

The purposes of this summary on lung cancer prevention are to:

• Give information on lung cancer and how often it occurs.
• Describe lung cancer prevention methods.
• Give current facts about which people or groups of people would most likely be helped by following lung cancer prevention methods.