10-year-old Mexican girl gives birth to baby boy after 31-week pregnancy

10-year-old Mexican girl gives birth to baby boy after 31-week pregnancy - Country's laws prohibit abortion procedures for children under 12

A 10-year-old Mexican girl has given birth to a baby boy after a 31-week pregnancy, according to reports.

The premature infant, which weighed 3.3 pounds, was born by Caesarian section at the Women’s Hospital in the city of Puebla and is in the intensive care unit recovering from pneumonia.

The young mother, who is from the nearby San Francisco Totimehuacan community, has returned home after the procedure but visits the baby every day to breastfeed, officials said.

The Puebla state Attorney General's Office is now investigating whether the girl could have been raped and who the father is, the hospital’s director Rogelio Gonzalez said, according to UpFrontNewswire.

 

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Mexican state laws say young moms are unable to have abortions unless a girl can prove she was the victim of sexual assault.

The state’s minimum age of consent is 12 and women who undergo abortions in Puebla face a fine or prison sentence if they are unable to prove they were sexually abused.

The laws are currently under review.

The girl, who has not been named, arrived at the medical facility on Oct. 22, suffering from life-threatening complications, including seizures.

Hospital officials said the newborn is in a good condition considering his premature birth and the mother is recovering well.

This is not the first case of a shockingly young girl giving birth in Mexico.

In August last year, 11-year-old Amalia had a child two weeks premature after she was denied an abortion by the local Justice Department during the fourth month of pregnancy.

She was raped repeatedly by her stepfather when she was 10 years old, but local laws do not allow terminations after three months. ( nydailynews.com )

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Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Will Get More Study at Eli Lilly

Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Will Get More Study at Eli Lilly - The drug maker Eli Lilly & Company said on Wednesday that it planned an additional study of an experimental Alzheimer’s drug that failed to improve the condition of people with the disease, saying that it remained hopeful about the drug’s prospects.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it decided not to pursue approval of the drug based on existing study results after it met with officials from the Food and Drug Administration. A Lilly executive said, however, that the company was still optimistic.

“We remain encouraged and excited by the solanezumab data,” David Ricks, a senior vice president at Lilly and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, said in the statement. “We are committed to working with the F.D.A. and other regulatory authorities to bring solanezumab to the millions of patients and caregivers suffering from this devastating disease who urgently need this potential treatment.”

The Lilly drug is the second Alzheimer’s treatment to fail in clinical trials this year. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson stopped development of a similar treatment, bapineuzumab, after it, too, was not shown to work. Both drugs target beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is found in people with Alzheimer’s disease.( nytimes.com/ )

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Can Weight Loss Reset Health Risks in Heavy Kids?

Can Weight Loss Reset Health Risks in Heavy Kids? - Overweight children who shed their excess pounds in adulthood don't face a higher risk of obesity-related health problems, an analysis of four studies involving children and adults in the United States, Australia and Finland has concluded.

The findings don't prove weight loss in itself will eliminate the extra risks, but they mean overweight or obese children are not automatically destined for higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

"There is hope for overweight and obese children," chief author Dr. Markus Juonala at the University of Turku told Reuters Health in a telephone interview. "If they manage to become non-obese adults, then the risks of these outcomes -- diabetes, hypertension, early atherosclerosis -- are quite similar to those who have been normal weight all their lives. I think that's quite a positive message."

In the United States, about one out of every six children and adolescents is considered obese.

The report in the New England Journal of Medicine combined data from four studies that followed more than 6,000 children for an average of 23 years.

"It's been thought that if you're an obese kid, it's all done," said Juonala. "But based on these findings what really matters is what you are at as adult."

The researchers just observed what happened over time and did not test whether actively bringing down a child's weight can stave off health problems later on. But the results suggest that "there's time and opportunity for intervention to help those children who are overweight and obese," Juonala said.

At the start of the studies, 12 percent of the children were overweight or obese, and two percent were obese. By adulthood, those figures had leapt to 55 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

The analysis also confirmed what doctors have known for years: being an overweight adult increases your risk of various health problems.

Compared to people who were normal-weight both as children and adults, obese adults who had been heavy as kids as well tended to face the highest risks.

About seven percent of them had type 2 diabetes, 29 percent had high blood pressure and 18 percent had high levels of "bad" cholesterol, for instance.

Among people who had never been overweight, only one percent had diabetes, 11 percent had high blood pressure and nine percent had high-risk levels of bad, or LDL, cholesterol.

All of these problems raise the chances that people will end up with heart disease, the leading killer worldwide.

For adults who had trimmed their waistline back from large to normal, however, the picture looked less bleak: Their rates of heart disease risk factors were no different from those of people who had been slim all their lives.

"Primary care physicians should not take the pessimistic view that once childhood obesity is established, cardiovascular risk is also determined," the researchers said.

Because previous studies have shown that getting children to lose weight reduces heart disease risk factors, the results appear solid, Dr. Albert Rocchini of the University of Michigan said in an editorial.

"If we want to reduce the incidence of adult heart disease and thereby start to control the continuing escalation in U.S. health care expenditures," he said, "now is the time to do whatever it takes to develop more effective methods for both the prevention and the treatment of childhood obesity." ( foxnews.com )

READ MORE - Can Weight Loss Reset Health Risks in Heavy Kids?

Side Effects of Omega-3 Supplements

Side Effects of Omega-3 Supplements - Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function and development. The best way to obtain these nutrients is through food, particularly marine-based foods such as salmon, halibut and tuna.


If seafood isn't a regular part of your diet, you can get your omega-3s from supplements. Though supplements are generally safe, they pose risks in rare cases. If you have any concerns, you should consult your health care professional before incorporating omega-3 supplements into your diet.

Side Effects of Omega-3 Supplements

Bleeding and Stroke

According to the Linus Pauling Institute website, Greenland Eskimos who take in 6.5 g per day of two omega-3 types called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke and long bleeding times. However, this statistic may be attributable to factors other than the omega-3s. The Food and Drug Administration deems 3 g a day of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to be Generally Regarded as Safe.


Immune System Effects

The Linus Pauling Institute website states that 0.9 g a day of EPA and 0.6 g a day of DHA suppress the functions of immune cells studied outside the body. However, scientists have not determined the effects of omega-3s on immune cells inside the body. If you suffer from an immune system disorder, consult your health care professional about omega-3 supplements.


Impact on Brain Aging

Though DHA is essential for brain development and cognitive function, father-son scientists David L. and Raymond C. Valentine published a study in 2010 demonstrating that, over time, the biochemical processes that lead to this beneficial effect will also lead to chemical breakdowns as the brain ages and contribute to loss of brain function. However, this should not deter you from taking omega-3s. This effect would never have been discovered without the increased life spans afforded by modern medical technology. ( livestrong.com )

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Fresh air is vital for your health

Fresh air is vital for your health - Who would be without air conditioning in the hot, humid summer? But now that the weather is cooling it is time to open the windows and get out and get some real fresh air.

Indoor air quality is generally poorer than outdoor. Studies have shown that the people exposed to air conditioning are more susceptible to colds, ‘flu, headaches and other minor respiratory ailments. Studies also show that the body undergoes stress when it is forced to go from a boiling hot environment into a cool air-conditioned one. Due to climate people in the Gulf spend a lot of time inside with the air conditioning blasting away. Now the weather is cooling it is time to give your body the benefit of some fresh air.

Why is fresh air so important?

Fresh air is indeed, the elixir of life. Three things keep us alive: Water, food, and fresh air.

Without good food we could only last two or three weeks. Without water, we would die in a matter of days. Without fresh air, we could not live more than a few minutes.

Getting outdoors on a regular basis can improve one’s health and sense of well-being. The air we breathe indoors is not fresh. Dust in desert countries that collects in the house is a fact of everyday life. It collects on every surface. As we try to get rid of it, the dust swirls around us and makes its way into our respiratory system via the nose and mouth.

What does fresh air do?

Fresh air cleans our lungs. When we cough our lungs are getting rid of the impurities that we suck up on a weekly basis. But, after a while we’ll begin to breathe deeper and deeper which brings more oxygen to our cells. The increased oxygen gives us energy to do the things we need to do. More oxygen brings greater clarity to the brain, which needs 20 percent of our body’s oxygen to function. We can think better than we could before.

Exercises performed outdoors in fresh air offer increased aerobic benefits. Fresh clean air in helps improve our breathing technique. Better technique increases stamina.

Fresh air cannot be found everywhere outdoors. If you live near a building site there will be a lot of dust about, so it is important to get away at the weekends and give our bodies the benefits of fresh air. Fresh air produces a healthy mind, clean lungs and a calmer constitution when we actively use it.

Getting outdoors should not be a chore, but a privilege. Enjoying the earth and get your dose of fresh air. The Gulf has a beautiful coastline and lovely deserts. When I lived in the Middle East I loved to take my family to the desert to camp for a few days and feel the cool crisp desert air, and to spend a few peaceful nights away from city life.

The Gulf seashore is one of the best locations for enjoying the benefits of real fresh air: It is imperative that we distance ourselves from fumes and viruses.

Fresh air is a healer

With regard to the therapeutic properties of fresh air, it should be borne in mind that the oxygen in the air we breathe affects the whole body as if it were charged with electricity.

Nature is a great physician and there are life-giving properties in the air. Even wounds heal much more rapidly when exposed to fresh air and sunshine.

During the cooler winter months take a daily walk outside every evening you’ll simultaneously obtain the benefits of fresh air and walking, which is a great for your body and soul. ( arabnews.com )

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Seven Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health

Seven Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health - Some messages coming out of your mouth bypass the vocal chords. Turns out that your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues also have plenty to say -- about your overall health.

"Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body," says Anthony Iacopino, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. "What we see in the mouth can have a significant effect on other organ systems and processes in the body. And the reverse is also true: Things that are going on systemically in the body can manifest in the mouth."

So stay attuned to the following warning messages, and have worrisome symptoms checked out by a dentist or doctor.

A look in your mouth can reveal signs of big-time stress, stomach problems, and even cancer.

Dental warning #1: Flat, worn teeth plus headache

Sign of: Big-time stress - Many people are surprised to learn they're tooth-grinders. After all, they do this in their sleep, when they're not aware of it. And they underestimate the physical toll that stress can place on the body. "Crunching and grinding the teeth at night during sleep is a common sign of emotional or psychological stress," says Iacopino.

You can sometimes see the flatness on your own teeth, or feel it with the tongue. Or the jaw may ache from the clenching.

What else to look for: Headaches, which are caused by spasms in the muscles doing the grinding. Sometimes the pain can radiate from the mouth and head down to the neck and upper back, Iacopino says. Mouth guards used at night can relieve the symptoms and protect teeth.

Dental warning #2: Cracking, crumbling teeth

Sign of: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Older adults, especially, are vulnerable to teeth that appear to be cracking or crumbling away. The enamel becomes thin and almost translucent. But this erosion isn't a normal consequence of aging. In fact, it can happen at any age.

Disintegrating teeth are usually caused by acid that's coming up from the stomach and dissolving them, Iacopino says. The cause: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, also called acid reflux disease). GERD causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus -- and from there, it's a short distance to the mouth for some of the damaging acid. GERD is a chronic disorder caused by damage or other changes to the natural barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.

What else to look for: Dry mouth and heartburn are related GERD symptoms. (But in an older adult in someone else's care -- in a nursing home, for example -- these complaints may go unreported.) Cracking or chipping teeth in a younger person is also a telltale sign of bulimia, the eating disorder in which the sufferer causes herself (or himself) to vomit before digesting. Same net result: Stomach acid washes up into the mouth, over time disintegrating the tooth enamel.

Dental warning #3: Sores that won't go away

Sign of: Oral cancer - Many people bite the insides of their mouth as a nervous habit. Others sometimes bite the gum accidentally, creating a sore. But when an open sore in the mouth doesn't go away within a week or two, it always warrants showing to a dentist or doctor. "We all injure our oral tissues, but if an area persists in being white or red rather than the normal healthy pink, this needs to be evaluated to rule out oral cancer," says Susan Hyde, an associate professor of clinical dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry.

More than 21,000 men and 9,000 women a year are diagnosed with oral cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Most are over age 60. Oral cancer has a survival rate of only 35 percent, Iacopino says, but this is mainly because cases are often detected too late. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer, but one in four oral cancers develop in non-smokers.

What else to look for: Suspicious oral ulcers tend to be raised sores and often have red or white (or red and white) borders. They may lurk underneath the tongue, where they're hard to see. Bleeding and numbness are other signs, but sometimes the only sign is a sore that doesn't seem to go away. A biopsy usually follows a visual check.

Dental warning #4: Gums growing over teeth

Sign of: Medication problems - If you notice your gum literally growing over your tooth, and you're taking a medication for heart disease or seizures or you take drugs to suppress your immune system (such as before a transplant), it's well worth mentioning this curious development to your prescribing doctor.

"A swelling of the gums to where it grows over the teeth is a sign the dosage or the medication need to be adjusted," the ADA's Anthony Iacopino says. Certain drugs can stimulate the growth of gum tissue. This can make it hard to brush and floss, inviting tooth decay and periodontal disease.

What else to look for: The overgrowth can cause an uncomfortable sensation. In extreme cases, the entire tooth can be covered.

Dental warning #5: Dry mouth

Sign of: Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes - Many things can cause dry mouth, from dehydration and allergies to smoking and new medications. (In fact, hundreds of drugs list dry mouth as a side effect, including those to treat depression and incontinence, muscle relaxants, antianxiety agents, and antihistamines.) But a lack of sufficient saliva is also an early warning of two autoimmune diseases unrelated to medicine use: Sjogren's syndrome and diabetes.

In Sjogren's, the white blood cells of the body attack their moisture-producing glands, for unknown reasons. Four million Americans have Sjogren's, 90 percent of them women. Twenty-four million people in the U.S. have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease caused by high blood sugar.

What else to look for: Other signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, tingling in the hands and feet, frequent urination, blurred vision, and weight loss. In Sjogren's, the eyes are dry as well as the mouth, but the entire body is affected by the disorder. Because its symptoms mimic other diseases (such as diabetes), people are often misdiagnosed and go several years before being properly diagnosed.

Dental warning #6: White webbing inside cheeks

Sign of: Lichen planus - The last thing you might expect to discover while brushing your teeth is a skin disease. But it happens. Lichen planus, whose cause is unknown, is a mild disorder that tends to strike both men and women ages 30 to 70. The mucus membranes in the mouth are often a first target.

Oral lichen planus looks like a whitish, lacy pattern on the insides of the cheeks. (The name comes from the same roots as tree lichen, a lichen that has a similar webbed, bumpy appearance.) Seventy percent of lesions appear in the mouth before they strike other parts of the body, says professor Anthony Iacopino.

What else to look for: Another common area where a lichen planus rash may appear is the vagina. Lichen planus often goes away on its own, but sometimes treatment is necessary.

Dental warning #7: Crusting dentures

Sign of: Potential aspiration pneumonia - Most people don't connect dentures (false teeth) with pneumonia, other than to think they're both words that often refer to the world of the elderly. And yet the two have a potentially deadly connection. "A leading cause of death in older people is aspiration pneumonia, often from inhaling debris around the teeth and dentures," Iacopino says.

In aspiration pneumonia, foreign material is breathed into the lungs and airway, causing dangerous (even fatal) inflammation. Too often, the problem stems from people in the care of others -- those in nursing homes, for example -- who fail to clean dentures properly. Dentures need to be removed daily from the mouth, cleaned with a special brush, and stored in a cleansing solution.

What else to look for: A soft, crusty material developing around dentures. With proper cleaning, though, you don't have to worry about other red flags. "It's amazing. You can get a 100-percent reduction in what's otherwise a leading cause of death for denture wearers," Iacopino says. ( yahoo )

READ MORE - Seven Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health

One sneeze can give 150 people a cold within five minutes

One sneeze can give 150 people a cold within five minutes. A single sneeze by a commuter on a packed bus or train can give up to 150 fellow passengers a cold in just five minutes, scientists discovered.

People who travel to work on public transport are almost twice as likely to catch colds as those who work from home, new research has found.


Without the use of a handkerchief or tissue, a typical sneeze will blow 100,000 germ-filled droplets into the air, which are then transferred to the seats, handles and rails.


The study found that 98 per cent of people who regularly travelled to work by bus, and 96 per cent who took the train, caught colds last winter.


But only 58 per cent of people who normally worked from home went down with snivels, the research for cold remedy Lemsip Max All In One revealed.


Lemsip spokeswoman, Hanna Nowak, said: "We can't totally avoid germs but we can do a lot to stop them spreading."


Another recent poll conducted by the brand discovered that a woman's patience with a sniffling man lasts just five minutes.


Fifty-two per cent of women said they lose sympathy within five minutes of their husband or boyfriend complaining of so-called 'man flu'.


By contrast, 70 per cent of men claim to be sympathetic to a partner with a cold, while 60 per cent even said they would help their poorly spouse by doing the housework. ( telegraph.co.uk )

READ MORE - One sneeze can give 150 people a cold within five minutes

Are you a secret night binger?

Are you a secret night binger?. Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and head straight for the fridge? Do you skip breakfast because you're so busy and see eating as a nuisance?

If this sounds all too familiar, you could be suffering from little-known condition Night Eating Syndrome (NES).

Although most people in Britain have never heard of it, research shows that 1.5 per cent of the population is affected. Many experts fear the figure is much higher.

Sufferers wake up around three times a night and head straight for the kitchen to eat high-carbohydrate snacks such as bread, cake or crisps.

The typical night eater skips breakfast and eats little during the day, but consumes over half their daily calorie intake after dinner.

And while night eaters do not gorge themselves, they consume around 500 calories a day more than normal eaters and tend to be overweight.

Unlike sufferers of bulimia nervosa, night eaters do not vomit. Instead they feel guilty and experience self-disgust.

Doctors believe those affected actually suffer from three separate disorders relating to eating, sleeping and hormones.

One of the world's NES experts, Dr Albert Stunkard, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, says the newly-discovered illness is triggered by changes in hormone levels.

He believes sufferers unconsciously crave foods which help their brains produce the chemical serotonin - which helps them sleep.

'Night eaters tend to be self-medicating. They snack on high carbohydrate foods which stimulate serotonin and acts on sleep sensors in the brain,' he said.

Tests have shown that people with the condition also have low levels of two hormones, melatonin and leptin.

The body normally produces more melatonin at night when light fades, aiding sleep. Leptin, a hormone produced in the fat cells, is usually also produced at night to suppress appetite and promote sleep.

Because NES sufferers have lower than normal levels of these hormones their bodies wake them up and leave them hungry during the night.

'I believe anxiety also triggers the condition because sufferers experience a high level of the stress hormone cortisol,' said Dr Stunkard. 'I also see a pattern in family histories so I'm beginning to think NES is genetic.'

In an attempt to understand the condition more fully, Dr Stunkard has just launched a six-month study into the illness.

'So far 80 people in just two months have come forward which indicates that night eating is out there,' he said. 'There is no known treatment for NES and my aim is to develop a treatment.'

Dr Jill Welbourne, a specialist in eating disorders says: 'Night eaters are usually people leading hectic lifestyles and see eating as an unnecessary inconvenience,' she said.

'If you don't give your body fuel within an hour of getting up - your energy levels become disrupted. I can't emphasise enough how important it is to eat breakfast.'

Are you a night eater? Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for

• Night eaters have little, or no appetite for breakfast. They will delay their first meal for several hours after waking up.

• Night eaters consume more than half of their daily food intake after dinner.

• Sufferers experience fragmented sleep, wake up every one or two hours and head straight for the fridge.

• Night eaters feel tense, anxious or guilty when eating at night. ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - Are you a secret night binger?

Why can't I lose weight?

Why can't I lose weight?. According to a report by Mintel, at least one in six women is trying to lose weight. If you're losing the battle perhaps it's because of one of the reasons below:

1. Your upbringing Weight problems may be linked to whether you were breast or bottle-fed. According to German research, breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight as they get older.

This could be because they are fed on demand, establishing healthy eating habits, while bottle-fed babies tend to be fed when the mother decides it's time, so the baby may not actually be hungry.

'This could damage the baby's innate eating control ability,' says Dr Susan Jebb, head of nutrition health research at the Medical Research Council in Cambridge.

2. Lying about what you eat Research shows obese people under-report when asked to fill in a food diary. 'People who are overweight have a tendency to kid themselves that they don't eat more than anyone else,' says Dr Wendy Doyle of the British Dieticians Association.

She advises keeping a diary for a week, writing down everything you eat and drink. 'If you can force yourself to be honest, you will probably be surprised at the sheer quantity.'

If someone is obese, then they eat 2,500 calories per day just to stay at this weight. Once this amount is reduced, the weight should come off.

3. Insufficient sleep If you are not losing weight, it may simply be that you're exhausted. Rozalind Gruben, who runs health and nutrition company Health Unlimited, says: 'If you are feeling tired, the chances are you won't exercise, and will have little willpower to resist stimulating and fattening foods. In addition, an exhausted body is crippled in its ability to detoxify or release stored fat.' She advises that you listen to your body signals and try taking more rest.

4. A lack of muscle The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate. Muscle burns 25-33pc more calories than fat.

The best way to increase your muscle mass is to do strength training. Beginners usually find it easiest to follow a course of exercises on machines in a gym. Later, you can follow a programme on your own at home using free weights or your own body weight for resistance. Ideally, you should strength train three times a week, targeting at least eight major muscle groups.

5. An underactive thyroid The job of the thyroid gland is to produce thyroxin, a hormone which can affect your metabolism.

The two most common types of problems that occur with the gland are overactive thyroids (hyperthyroidism) and underactive thyroids (hypothyroidism). It is the latter that can result in weight gain, as it decreases your metabolic rate by 5pc.

Other symptoms include a lack of energy, a slow heartbeat, dry thick skin and a puffy face. Once detected, it can be treated by a thyroid hormone drug which will restore your metabolism to its normal rate.

6. It's in your genes If you're worried that you are gradually growing into the figure of your mother, your fears may be justified.

According to James O. Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado in Denver: 'With genes, gender and hormones in common, mothers can often provide daughters with a fairly accurate map to their future shape.'

There are three main genetic body shapes or 'somatypes' - ectomorph (naturally long and lean), mesomorph (muscular frame) and endormorph (more rounded appearance).

'Genetically, everyone is dealt a pack of cards - but, ultimately, it's up to you how you play them,' explains nutritionist Penny Hunking. 'There is a lot you can do to counteract genetics - through sensible eating and exercise.'

7. You skip breakfast Studies show that people who eat breakfast are leaner than those who don't. Eating breakfast helps prevent high-fat snacking later in the day.

Penny Hunking recommends starting the day with some cereal and toast with low-fat spread and Marmite. Alternatively try mushrooms and tomatoes on toast, or yoghurt and fresh fruit.

'Eating a high-carbohydrate, low-fat breakfast will kick-start your metabolism and improve your concentration and performance later in the day,' says Hunking.

8. You have 'PCOS' Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects one in ten women. It gets its name from the tiny cysts that form on the ovaries. These are actually a symptom of the condition, not the cause, and are different to ovarian cysts.

Women with PCOS are often overweight and have problems losing weight, particularly around their middle. Other common symptoms include excess body hair, fatigue, period and fertility problems, breast pain and acne.

9. Worrying about weight Distress about being overweight can reduce your body's ability to shed unwanted pounds. Rozalind Gruben says long-term stress exhausts the adrenals. 'These glands produce cortisol and thyroxin, both of which are needed for the releasing of stored fat.'

10. Deficient in nutrients A lack of vital nutrients will result in less energy and, consequently, a greater predisposition to laying down fat. Essential vitamins and minerals for weight loss include B1, B2, B3, B6, C, iron, chromium, zinc and co-enzyme Q10.

'Ensuring that you have an adequate supply of these nutrients will increase the effectiveness of any weight loss programme,' says Patrick Holford, author of The Optimum Nutrition Bible. ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - Why can't I lose weight?

Rev up your sex life in winters

Rev up your sex life in winters. With the party season on full swing and the winter chill taking a toll on a couple's love life, finding new ways to spark up this lull is of utmost importance.

While it becomes hard for couples to keep up the pace of their sexual interaction, they often blame it on the frosty weather and fatigued minds and bodies as a justification for their 'not-tonight-honey' stand. But experts say blaming winter for poor libido is merely a myth, which couples need to break and enjoy their love life.

Dr. Rajan Bhonsle, an expert on sexual relations advocates, "Winters boost the level of sexual desire in most couples as they feel highly aroused. When partners' touch each other's warm bodies, it hypes up the sexual mood. This is not the case in summers, as bodies are perspiring and you don't feel like coming close too often."

One of the reasons for which couples relinquish their lovemaking time in winters could be attributed to the fact that they find it tough to cope up with the chill and thus find it uncomfortable to undress before slipping between the sheets.

Dr. Bhonsle elucidates, "Individuals usually cover up their bodies in winters to protect themselves from the biting cold. Thus it's not be too comfy to undress at one go. But if you are in the mood for some tenderness, you can always find ways to deal with the cold factor."

Establishing some medical instances, marriage and relationship counselor Dr. Kamal Khurana holds, "Winters are much more effective and relationship friendly. If couples make the most of the season, they can be more productive during sex. Besides, in winters, our digestive power increases as the body requires more carbohydrates. This results in a high intake of calorie-rich foods, like dry fruits, which are great aphrodisiacs making one more energised and attracted towards their partner."

Stating that weather can't play spoil sport in a couple's love life, Dr. Prakash Kothari, a sexologist and advisor for the World Association for Sexual Health reveals, "It's an individual choice that some couples get turned on in summers and others in winter season. Some odd couples may not feel comfortable to have sex in extreme cold, so they feel reluctant to make out, but we can't generalise and blame lack of sex on the weather. In fact, during winters when it's chilly outside, couples get an opportunity to spend more time inside the house and they can ideally spend some cosy moment with each other."

On a slightly different note, Geetanjali Sharma, a relationship counselor shares, "Seasons do affect our mind and body in different ways. Particularly in winters, 20 per cent of couples suffer from SAD – Seasonal Affect Disorder, which reduces their sex drive to a certain limit due to the depressive weather conditions. It's to do with the reduced day light during winters, which brings a change in our hormones and due to this there's a change in our sleep and waking patterns thus affecting our sex life. Also, since the days are shorter in winters, couples try and wind up more work in lesser time and thus feel stressed at the end of the day."

Furthermore, with social gatherings and parties happening frequently, couples tend to be more watchful about their eight hours of sound sleep and thus end up bargaining on their love-making time. Dealing with the situation, Dr. Khurana opines, "Firstly, couples must understand that sex doesn't require any time scheduling. Just like going out for parties, sexual activity is a basic need; a reflection of one's emotional compatibility. If they go by the formula of not having sex in the party season, then they won't come close to each other for nearly half of the year."

In the cold weather, modern couples still find themselves in a fix to schedule their intimate moments. It's often their work pressure, party hangovers or personal preferences that result in a dull and boring performance in bed. Here are some tips to add a punch to your sex life, during winters...

Here are some tips to pep up your sex life in winters...

Hot food for hot action :
Aphrodisiacs can do the trick during any season, but especially in winters, take special care of what you eat to enhance your sexual prowess. Opt for hot items like soups, grilled fish or dry fruits that can set the mood right for quality sex by adding more warmth to your body.

Build up the right aura :
In summers, you may opt for a spa setting or a chilled shower to evoke your senses. But in winters, let the ambiance be warmer and full of light. While lit-up candles and aroma oils add to the warmth of the room, cosy quilts and soft blankets can do the magic as you slip between the sheets.

Dress to undress :
Since you're already dressed skimpily during summers, there's barely any chance to get creative and play around with your partner's moan zones. The winter season gives you all the reasons to get dressed up as much as you can and then allow your lover to take the privilege to undress you gradually. Just guessing what lies under the layers of warm clothing adds to the curiosity levels and the mood of anticipation.

Set the midnight clock :
Don't have sex just for the sake of it or just because your partner wants it to happen. Communicate that you're tired on a particular night and then plan out another specific time, maybe after midnight, when you can get up half asleep yet fully charged up and enjoy some pleasurable moments with full passion.

A hot shower to freshen up : Whenever you come back tired from a late night party, feeling sleepy, don't let your worn-out souls act as a libido killer. Try something like a hot shower to feel rejuvenated again. Let your partner's tender touch be felt on your body for a while and as you progress towards the bedroom, let romance take over.

No stress, only sex :
Coping with work pressure and coming back home with a pre-occupied mind is a complete recipe for disaster in bed. So, willfully indulge in activities that help in relieving unnecessary anxiety. Laughing, going out, meeting people and remaining connected will make you feel fresh throughout the day and thus you can reserve a night which is full of love and romance.

Comfort with artificial heating :
If your partner is not at ease with the chilly weather and is not in a mood to undress, resort to options like artificial heating devices. With technological advancements, you can even set the room temperature in accordance with your bodies. Or opt for a quickie. It's short, quick and you don't necessarily need to undress.

Foreplay is important :
Foreplay is more exciting than the main act, so get adventurous and indulge in some prolonged foreplay, sans any 'sex'. Get creative in your approach. ( indiatimes.com )

READ MORE - Rev up your sex life in winters

The mystery of MS and its prevalence in Canada

The mystery of MS and its prevalence in Canada. Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, according to an international survey.

The 2008 Atlas of Multiple Sclerosis showed MS strikes 133 people out of every 100,000 in Canada, the fifth highest rate among countries surveyed between 2004 and 2005.

Prevalence was higher in the United States, Germany, Norway and Hungary, according to the World Health Organization and the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation, which published the report.

Some people with MS experience little disability during their lifetime. But up to 60 per cent are no longer fully able to walk 20 years after onset, which has major implications for their quality of life and costs to society, the report said. Symptoms appear around 30 years of age on average.

Gael Hepworth holds her dog Gregory in her Toronto home. Hepworth suffers from multiple sclerosis and attends a support group which provides therapy to help people deal with the emotional aspects of having a chronic illness. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

"The Atlas of MS reveals how these implications impact women more than men, by at least two to one, at an age when they are starting a family and developing a career," said Dr. Benedetto Saraceno, director of the WHO's department of mental health and substance dependence.

Canada has been a leader in terms of diagnosing, treating and working to improve the quality of life of people with MS. But keeping people with MS employed remains a challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada said.

Canadian women are more than three times more likely to get multiple sclerosis than men, according to a major study published in November 2006. Among those born in the 1930s, about two women contracted MS for every one man, at a ratio of 1.9 to 1. For those born in the 1980s, the incidence has grown to exceed 3.2 cases for every one case among men.

Why the sudden increase in the neurodegenerative disease, which attacks the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation and damage that can lead to paralysis and sometimes blindness?

We don't know. We don't know what causes MS. We don't know what cures MS. The whys and wherefores of this mysterious disease have bedevilled scientists, health-care workers and victims for nearly 200 years.

Recent speculation about the cause has ranged from genetics to environment to vitamin deficiencies to even the birth control pill.

An Italian vascular surgeon — Dr. Paolo Zamboni of the University of Ferrara — has been exploring the theory that MS is caused by blocked veins in the neck or chest, preventing blood from draining properly from the brain. He has developed a surgical technique to treat the problem.

A team at the University of Buffalo — led by Dr. Robert Zivadinov, who worked on an earlier study with Zamboni — has recruited hundreds of patients in Canada and the U.S. to explore the theory further. The patients will undergo specialized neck scans to look for narrowed veins.

MS rates higher in northern lattitudes

Health officials consider a country to have a "high" rate if they have more than 30 cases per 100,000.

The incidence among the provinces varies, from a high of 340 cases for every 100,000 people in the Prairies to a low of 180 cases per 100,000 in Quebec, according to a 2005 study by researchers at the University of Calgary.

Those aged 15 to 40 are most at risk. One out of every two Canadians know someone with MS.

People who live closest to the equator have the lowest incidence of MS.

However, that doesn't explain why the disease is nearly absent among Canada's Inuit in the High Arctic and among indigenous people in North America and Australia, or why it is rarely found in Japan.

Study suggests MS is environment-based, preventable

The study on the rising incidence of women with MS was done by a team of researchers led by George Ebers, a professor of neurology at the University of Oxford. It appears in the November 2006 issue of the journal Lancet Neurology.

The higher incidence of MS among women may not be bad news, according to the researchers — because it may help to shed light on what causes the disease.

"What is going on here is something presumably that is preventable," said Ebers, who was the lead author of the study.

"We just need to find out what it is in the environment. Because it has to be in the environment: your genes don't change over two generations, three generations."

Higher estrogen levels, less sunlight blamed

There has also been speculation that because MS is generally more prevalent in colder climates far north of the equator and far south of the equator, it may be due to vitamin D deficiencies.

The body produces the vitamin in response to sunlight and so vitamin D levels fall off in colder countries and in winter because the sun's rays aren't intense enough.

Because of the rising incidence of MS among women and because it seems to have started in the 1960s, many others have speculated that the cause may be connected to higher levels of the hormone estrogen due to the introduction of the birth control pill.

But Ebers, who spent 22 years at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., before going to Oxford, rejects these factors as likely explanations.

"I think one of the things one thinks of here is either that it's going to be something in the environment or it is going to be an environmental interaction with genes." ( cbc.ca )

READ MORE - The mystery of MS and its prevalence in Canada

public banking available to all

Public banking available to all. Keri Noonan, an expectant mother in Brantford, Ont., first heard about umbilical cord blood banks from a work colleague who had used a private bank when her baby was born. When the topic came up again in her prenatal class, she began investigating to see if cord blood banking was something she wanted for her family.

From pamphlets in her midwife's office, Noonan learned that cord blood — which is rich in stem cells — could be stored at a private bank for her baby and used if necessary to treat some childhood cancers and other diseases. Another family member could also use the blood if the need arose.

Cord blood is painlessly collected at birth with no risk to the mother or baby, and then stored so that it's ready for use at any time. (Luis Enrique Ascui/Reuters)

That storage service came at an average cost of about $1,000 up front, with an annual storage fee of about $100.

"I didn't like how the private banks marketed their service to me," adds Noonan. "It was as if they were implying 'if you love your baby, you will do this.'"

The reality is that most privately banked cord blood will never be used by the child or family members, according to Dr. John Doyle, program director of blood and marrow transplant at Sick Kids in Toronto. "It's a very slim chance you will use it if there's no identified cancers or conditions in the family."

That said, Doyle believes that private banking is a good choice for families who have a history of cancer, or where a child has cancer and the mother is expecting another baby. "Without the private banks, I don't have that option," he says, referring to guaranteed access to stored stem cells that could be used for treatment.

Upon further investigation, Noonan decided family banking wasn't something she wanted to do. "We don't have a history of cancer in my family and the cost was a barrier," she says.

Public banking

Still, Noonan had mixed feelings about letting this potentially valuable source of stem cells go to waste. Then, when reading a pregnancy book supplied by her local health unit, she learned there was another option — donating the cord blood to a public bank.

The biggest difference between a private or "family" bank and a public bank is that the cord blood stored in the latter is available to anyone who needs it, not just the family that donated it. And while some of the cord blood is used to treat patients, much of it is also used by researchers to develop new treatments.

"I was really surprised about the public option, because my midwife never mentioned it and not one person in my prenatal class talked about it," she says.

Noonan is not alone. Across Canada, expectant parents are hearing more and more about the benefits of cord blood, but many are unaware of what options exist for storing or sharing this valuable resource.

"It hasn't been easy for me to find the information that I want," Noonan says.

Cells for Life is a family cord blood bank based in Toronto that also collects for its public non-profit bank, called Victoria Angel Registry of Hope. The public bank currently has 200 samples stored and waiting for use.

Although it would seem family banks are competing with public banks for cord blood, this isn't the case, according to Jane Virro, administrative director of both Cells for Life and the Victoria Angel Registry of Hope. With about 360,000 births in Canada each year and only about 10,000 cords stored privately, there's no reason for private and public banks to feel like they are competing, says Virro.

"There are more than enough samples to support both family and public banking," she says.

"What we're saying is that if you aren't going to bank privately, please, please consider donating that cord blood for someone to use who needs it — either sick patients or researchers," she adds.

Still, even for those who want to donate it's sometimes simply not possible because of where they live. While there are three public banks in Canada — one each in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario — there is no nationally funded public bank at the moment. In fact, Canada is one of the few developed nations without a national public cord blood bank program.

Victoria Angel Registry of Hope is funded by private and corporate donations, and the profits from Cells for Life. However, it has limited resources to put towards collecting samples from willing donors.

"Unfortunately, due to limited funding, some willing pregnant donors are turned away," says Virro.

"You might want to donate to a public bank, but unless you live near one of these three public banks, the reality is that with the current system you're not going to be able to," she adds.

National program

That could be about to change. In June, the deputy ministers of health from the Canadian provinces met and determined that plans for a national cord blood bank should move forward. It is now a matter of obtaining funding to establish a national bank, which would cost about $5 million to set up and $3 million in annual operating costs.

Until a stable source of funding is worked out, though, Canada's public banks simply lack the resources to gather and store large numbers of donated cord blood samples. As a result, Canadian doctors must look to foreign banks to find matches for their patients.

Last year, in all, Canada imported 86 cord blood samples for treatments at an average price $30,000 per sample, which covers the expenses of collecting, cataloguing and storing the stem cells.

This is why Virro believes it makes sense for the government to fund a national cord blood program. She points to Australia, which has three public cord blood banks and used 222 samples last year, either within that country or exported to another nation.

"That would give them about $7 million in revenue," she says. "So if you look at that, a nationally funded cord blood bank could be self-sustaining."

"We just need to receive the funding to collect the samples and get them stored," she adds. ( cbc.ca )

READ MORE - public banking available to all

Hypothermia: more than just chilled to the bone

Hypothermia: more than just chilled to the bone. Maybe you came across the Dec. 17, 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal and read the article that debunked the myth that you lose more heat through your head than from any other part of your body. Maybe that got you thinking, "I don't need to wear that hat mom's always trying to make me wear."

Well, it's always good to heed mom's advice — she knows how best to keep you warm. And it's not just because she cares. Let your body get too cold and you're at increased risk for hypothermia.

Humans don't have a layer of fur or blubber to keep them warm like other warm-blooded animals. We need clothes — and when it's especially cold outside, we need more layers to maintain our body temperature at around 37 C. That's the temperature at which our body is designed to function at its optimum.

Ph.D. student Andreas Flouris (left) and Dr. Stephen Cheung monitor the water temperature as Constance Tweedie, a fourth-year kinesiology student, sits in a tub of ice cold water at Dalhousie University in Halifax, as part of research into hypothermia. (Ryan Taplin/Canadian Press)

If you don't protect yourself with appropriate clothing, your body won't be able to generate as much heat as it's losing to the really cold air around you.

If your body temperature falls below 35 C, you will become hypothermic and will need medical attention of some kind.

But your body sends warning signals before you reach that point. You will feel cold if your body temperature falls to 36 C. At 35 C, you will start shivering as your body tries desperately to generate heat.

Stepping out of the cold — or out of the wind — is often enough to help get your internal temperature back up, but ignoring the signs could lead to a further drop in your body's temperature.

At 34 C, you may seem clumsy, irrational or confused. At 33 C, you will experience muscle stiffness. By the time your body temperature hits 32 C, you will stop shivering and you're in danger of collapsing. You should be taken to the nearest hospital.

If your temperature falls to 28 C, you will likely be unconscious and you may suffer cardiac arrest.

Hypothermic 'miracle'

On Dec. 19, 2008, 55-year-old Donna Molnar of Ancaster, Ont., left home in a snowstorm to pick up groceries. She was found three days later, in a field unable to move, under 60 centimetres of snow, slowly freezing.

Her body temperature had fallen to 30 C. However, she did not suffer organ damage and is continuing to recover.

In February 2001, 13-month-old Erika Nordby of Edmonton crawled outside the family home in the middle of the night. The outside temperature was -24 C. By time she was found, her body temperature had tumbled to 16 C and her heart had stopped.

It took a team of more than a dozen medical staff an hour and a half to get her heart beating again.

Three days later, Erika was suffering from severe frostbite, but there were no signs of major physical injury or the brain damage that's expected in someone whose oxygen supply to the brain has been cut off, especially for that amount of time.

Such recoveries from extreme hypothermia are extremely rare. Doctors believe Erika entered a type of hibernation that allowed her to survive.

More often, extreme cases of exposure to cold end tragically, like that of seven-year-old James Delorey. He wandered from his home in South Bar, near Sydney, Nova Scotia on Dec. 5, 2009 wearing jeans, a shirt and a vest — nothing to protect him from the cold and snow that would hit the area later that day. He was found unconscious in thick bush two days later, just over a kilometre from his home.

Delorey was airlifted to hospital in Halifax, but did not survive the night.

Who's at risk

The very young are often more at risk than adults to developing hypothermia: they lose heat more quickly than adults do. If you're over the age of 65, you may also be at greater risk of developing hypothermia as advanced age, illnesses and medications may make you more susceptible to it.

Other risk factors include mental impairment — if you have a condition like Alzheimer's, you may not fully realize the danger you could be facing by going outside in the winter when you're not properly dressed.

Alcohol and drug use may also increase your risk. You might feel warm all over after a couple of stiff drinks, but alcohol lowers your body's ability to retain heat. It also impairs your judgment.

But hypothermia is not just a cold weather phenomenon. Get stuck in a downpour on a cool day and you run the risk of developing hypothermia if you don't get inside and get out of those wet clothes.

If you like exercising outdoors, you need to take precautions in cooler — but not cold — temperatures. Go for a long, hard bike ride — or run a marathon — when the temperature falls below 10 C, and you may be at risk. You'll feel warm as your body works hard, but once you stop, you will cool off quickly — especially if you are sweating and the wind is blowing.

As your body cools, it will draw heat from your extremities in order to keep your core warm. Your hands or feet may begin to look very pale as your body cools.

You can also develop hypothermia by spending time in cold water. If you fall into an icy river or stream in the middle of winter, you will develop hypothermia in less than 15 minutes. You likely won't survive if you're in the water for 45 minutes.

If you've gone south, however, and fallen off a deep-sea fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months, the relatively mild water temperatures will keep hypothermia at bay for a couple of hours.

What to do

If you're with someone who may have hypothermia, you should get them medical help as soon as possible — especially if that person is shivering, appears disoriented, shows a lack of co-ordination, has cold and pale skin, appears tired, and is slurring speech. Try to get the person indoors where you can keep them warm and dry until help arrives.

Other things you can do include:

• Remove wet clothing and replace it with a dry covering.
• Insulate the person from the ground with a blanket.
• Use your body heat to help warm up the person.
• If the person is able, provide warm non-alcoholic beverages.

You should not apply direct heat to the person through a heating pad, hot water or a heating lamp. You can apply warm compresses to the chest, neck and groin areas. Do not massage or rub the person. People with hypothermia are at increased risk of cardiac arrest and should be handled gently. ( cbc.ca )

READ MORE - Hypothermia: more than just chilled to the bone

Good cups, bad cups?

Good cups, bad cups?. Coffee has long been considered a beverage that provides a pleasant pick-me-up when sipped in moderation. Too much, however, and you might find yourself irritable, nauseous, twitchy — or, in worst-case scenarios, suffering from an irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties and convulsions. Researchers have also examined the possibility caffeine may cause health problems related to cholesterol, bones and cancers.

Fear not, coffee aficionados: recent studies suggest the beverage may offer a host of health benefits. Doctors are not yet recommending people increase their daily doses and Health Canada continues to recommend moderation — not exceeding a maximum of about three eight-ounce (237-millilitre) cups of brewed coffee for healthy adults. But some researchers say new evidence shows coffee's potent antioxidants can prevent the onset of some diseases. Here's a roundup of the latest scientific research.

A woman looks into a cup of coffee. Recent research underlines the health benefits of coffee and tea. But how much is too much? (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

3 cups a day curbs memory loss?

Women aged 65 and older who drink at least three cups of coffee or tea a day are less likely to suffer memory loss, according to a French study published in the August 2007 issue of the journal Neurology.

Lead researcher Karen Ritchie, of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, said it was premature to suggest caffeine conclusively cut cognitive decline but she noted the psychostimulant appeared to have a positive effect on the brain.

The study also found the positive effects of coffee appeared to heighten with age. Women over 80 who drank three or more cups of coffee daily were found to be 70 per cent less likely to experience memory loss over those who didn't drink coffee.

Ritchie and her team observed the caffeine intake and cognitive skills of 7,000 participants over the course of four years.

A cup of coffee, a morning run help keep skin cancer at bay, researchers say

For many people, a morning cup of coffee followed by a workout is already part of their morning schedule. The good news, according to a U.S. study published in July 2007, is that this routine may help fight skin cancer. Researchers at New Jersey's Rutgers University said their study on hairless mice found that caffeine and exercise combined appear to kill precancerous cells that have been damaged by the sun's UVB rays.

Study author Allan Conney noted the results need to be quantified in humans but said that some researchers speculate exercise and caffeine can decrease tissue fat, thereby reducing the risk of cancer.

4+ cups of coffee daily cuts the risk of gout in men over 40

About one in 30 Canadians suffer from gout, a painful arthritic condition triggered by an excess of uric acid in the joints. People diagnosed with gout — a condition without a cure — often struggle with swollen toes, ankles, feet, hands and wrists.

But new research suggests people who have not yet suffered from gout may cut the risk of developing it by consuming large amounts of coffee. Men who drink six or more cups of coffee a day are 59 per cent less likely to develop gout over those who never drink coffee, according to a study published in the June 2007 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.

The study, conducted, by Canadian and American researchers, also said the risk was reduced by 40 per cent in men who drank between four and five cups of coffee daily.

While researchers were unable to definitively explain why coffee curbed gout, they noted that a strong antioxidant — phenol chlorogenic acid — may in part be responsible.

The study's authors also noted that it was too early for men to immediately bump up their coffee intake. The 12-year study included 45,869 men with no history of gout.

Coffee intake tied to lower diabetes risk

Women who incorporate at least six cups of coffee into their daily diets are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, according to University of Minnesota researchers.

The 11-year study, published in the June 2006 Archives of Internal Medicine, found that women who drank more than six cups of coffee a day were 22 per cent less likely than those who didn't drink any coffee to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Among people who drank six or more cups of decaffeinated coffee daily, the risk was lowered by 33 per cent.

Some flavoured coffees can be loaded with as many calories as a healthy meal. (Larry Crowe/Associated Press)

Researchers said minerals and nutrients in the coffee bean may aid with the processing of carbohydrates. The beans' antioxidants may also help protect cells in the pancreas, where insulin is produced.

The study included 28,812 post-menopausal women in Iowa starting in 1986.

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in December 2009 found that the consumption coffee and tea was associated with a lower diabetes risk among all adults.

The study was an analysis of previous studies on the topic. Among its conclusions were that each additional cup of coffee consumed in a day was associated with a seven per cent reduction in the excess risk of diabetes. People who drank three to four cups a day had a 25 per cent lower risk than those who drank between zero and two cups a day.

In addition, the study found that people who drank more than three to four cups of decaffeinated coffee a day had about a one-third lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who drank none. Those who drank more than three to four cups of tea had a one-fifth lower risk than those who drank no tea.

Antioxidants lower risk of cardiovascular disease in women over 55

Potent antioxidants in coffee can help curb inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, according to a 2006 U.S. study.

Researchers from the University of Oslo and the University of Minnesota followed more than 41,000 post-menopausal women between the ages of 55 and 69.

They found that including coffee in a diet appeared to help inhibit inflammation, thereby lowering risks of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, including arthritis.

The authors said a daily intake of between one and three coffees confirmed that the beverage offered a protective advantage.

The study was published in the May 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Coffee drinks loaded with fat, calories, advocacy group says

Consumers ought to think twice before they opt for specialty coffees, the U.S. Center for Science in the Public Interest said in a survey of Canadian coffee shops.

The survey found that a Tim Horton's double-double — a coffee with two creams and two sugars — contained 160 calories per 10-ounce cup (about 300 millilitres). By comparison, a black coffee had 10 calories and no fat. Nutritionists said that a drink such as Starbucks' blackberry green tea Frappuccino, which contains 560 calories and nine grams of fat in a 16-ounce (475-millilitre) serving, would have as much calories and fat as a healthy dinner of chicken breast, rice and vegetables.

Coffee overdose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea

These recent studies suggest those hooked on the bean needn't shun caffeine. However, before guzzling a pot, you may want to consider the many possible side-effects that Health Canada warns could result from a coffee overdose.

In people with sensitivities to caffeine, overdosing can lead to:

• Insomnia.
• Muscle tremors.
• Nausea.
• Irritability.
• Higher risk of bone fractures.
• Mood swings.
• Sleep disturbances.

In more serious cases, overdosing symptoms include:

• Nausea.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Light flashes.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Convulsions.

Tea: Good health in a cup?

The health benefits of tea are as varied as the types of the beverage, according to a series of studies. (iStock photo)

Every year, Canadians steep, stir and sip seven billion cups of tea, according to the Tea Association of Canada. Many consumers consider tea to be a healthier alternative to coffee, offering a modest dose of caffeine compared to coffee's considerable jolt. In addition, green, black, white and oolong teas — all of which are harvested from the leaves and buds of the camellia sinensis plant — are rich in antioxidants and are believed to offer a host of health benefits, from soothing stress to regulating hormones.

Officially, Health Canada has sanctioned only the following three health claims: tea is a source of antioxidants, drinking tea can increase alertness, and tea may help maintain or support cardiovascular health. Still, many researchers continue to study tea's effects on the body, exploring the beverage's potential to boost health and block disease. Here's a roundup of the latest tea research.

Green tea capsules might help cure cancer: study

Concentrated amounts of green tea can help fortify the body's metabolic defence against cancer-causing toxins, according to an August 2007 study. The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, is the latest in a growing body of research touting green tea's cancer-fighting properties. The study, led by researcher H.H. Sherry Crow of the Arizona Cancer Center, was conducted on 42 volunteers.

Participants in the study were given capsules containing 800 milligrams of a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is found in green tea. Researchers found the EGCG pills helped increase production of detoxification enzymes by as much as 80 per cent.

Chow cautioned the results weren't immediately cause to bump up green tea consumption, saying more research in the field is needed.

Green tea baths might help ease dandruff, psoriasis

Mice bathed in green tea extracts developed smaller, less inflamed lesions associated with psoriasis, according to researchers at the Medical College of Georgia. In the study published in the August 2007 issue of Experimental Dermatology, lead researcher Dr. Stephen Hsu said green tea appeared to slow the production of skin cells.

Mice bathed in warm water also developed larger skin lesions earlier than mice bathed in green tea extract, the study said. Hsu is looking to extend the study's applications to humans but notes that chemicals in green tea oxidize very quickly when added to other ingredients. He said researchers are aiming to create a formula that will be able to permeate skin.

Green tea might help ease rheumatoid arthritis

Green tea has long been touted as a healthy drink. (iStock photo)

Preliminary findings from a new study suggest that green tea could help relieve swelling and pain for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

University of Michigan researcher Salah-uddin Ahmed presented the research in April 2007 at the Experimental Biology meeting in Washington, D.C. Ahmed's team took cells from the joints of arthritis patients and exposed them to an active ingredient in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

The cells were then stimulated with a protein that causes joint degradation. The study found the treated cells were better able to block the protein's harmful enzymes than untreated cells.

Ahmed noted the research was still in its early stages and was not yet cause for arthritis sufferers to drink tea as a treatment. Still, he noted, incorporating green tea into the diet probably would offer other health benefits.

Two cups of spearmint tea normalize hormone levels

Waxing, plucking and shaving are some of the ways many women get rid of unwanted hair on their faces, breasts, and stomachs, but new research suggests two cups of spearmint tea might be a good natural alternative.

A Turkish study published in the February 2007 issue of Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day for five days can help bring down levels of "masculinising" androgen hormones in women.

Lead researcher Mehmet Numan Tamer studied 21 women with excessive hair growth. Participants were given herbal tea made with one cup of boiling water and one teaspoon of dried leaves, steeped for five to 10 minutes. Blood tests later indicated androgen levels had dropped.

This study builds on other research that suggests spearmint extracts lower libido in men and androgen levels in rats.

Hold the milk for best heart-healthy benefits, researchers say

Thanks to a growing body of research, tea drinkers tout the soothing and heart-healthy qualities of tea. But in January 2007, researchers cautioned that adding a splash of milk to the brew might blunt its many benefits. In a German study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers said tests on volunteers found that while black tea helped arteries relax and expand, the addition of milk inhibited the effect.

Researchers observed 16 healthy post-menopausal women for the study. The participants were given half a litre of black tea, black tea with 10 per cent cream, or boiled water on three separate occasions.

Study author Dr. Verena Stragl, a professor of cardiology at the University of Berlin, said a milk protein reduces the amount of catechin compounds in tea, which protect against heart disease. Stragl said her research team would subsequently study the effects of green and black tea on the cardiovascular system.

Tea soothes stress, study says

Find yourself turning to a cup of tea in troubled times? According to researchers at University College London, people who drink tea are better able to recover from stress. In a study published in the October 2006 issue of Psychopharmacology, researchers found that men who drank black tea four times daily over a six-week period had lower levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in their blood compared to men given a placebo tea.

The study participants were 75 male tea drinkers, who were put in stressful situations while researchers monitored their levels of cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate and asked them to describe their stress levels. Less than an hour after the task, cortisol levels fell an average of 47 per cent in tea drinkers, compared to a 27 per cent drop in the placebo group. Researchers said they were unable to pinpoint which ingredients in tea aid in regulating cortisol levels. ( cbc.ca )

READ MORE - Good cups, bad cups?