The Secret Dangers of Splenda (Sucralose), an Artificial Sweetener

Is Splenda Really As Safe As They Claim It to Be?

As of 2005, only six human trials have been conducted on Splenda (sucralose). Of these six trials, only two of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption. The two published trials had a grand total of 36 total human subjects.

36 people sure doesn't sound like many, but wait, it gets worse, only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing and here is the real killer:

The longest trial at this time had lasted only four days and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.

Why Do You Need to Know About Splenda?

Splenda, best known for its marketing logo, "made from sugar so it tastes like sugar,' has taken the sweetener industry by storm. Splenda has become the nations number one selling artificial sweetener in a very short period of time.

Between 2000 and 2004, the percentage of US households using Splenda products jumped from 3 to 20 percent. In a one year period, Splenda sales topped $177 million compared with $62 million spent on aspartame-based Equal and $52 million on saccharin-based Sweet 'N Low.

McNeil Nutritionals, in their marketing pitch for Splenda emphasizes that Splenda has endured some of the most rigorous testing to date for any food additive. Enough so to convince the average consumer that it is in fact safe. They claim that over 100 studies have been conducted on Splenda. What they don't tell you is that most of the studies are on animals.

Additional Concerns About Splenda Studies

There have been no long-term human toxicity studies published until after the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption. Following FDA approval a human toxicity trial was conducted, but lasted only three months, hardly the length of time most Splenda users plan to consume sucralose. No studies have ever been done on children or pregnant women.

Much of the controversy surrounding Splenda does not focus just on its safety, but rather on its false advertising claims. The competition among sweeteners is anything but sweet. The sugar industry is currently suing McNeil Nutritionals for implying that Splenda is a natural form of sugar with no calories.

Is It REALLY Sugar?

There is no question that sucralose starts off as a sugar molecule, it is what goes on in the factory that is concerning. Sucralose is a synthetic chemical that was originally cooked up in a laboratory. In the five step patented process of making sucralose, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose or sugar molecule. A sucrose molecule is a disaccharide that contains two single sugars bound together; glucose and fructose.

The chemical process to make sucralose alters the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is somehow converted to a fructo-galactose molecule. This type of sugar molecule does not occur in nature and therefore your body does not possess the ability to properly metabolize it. As a result of this "unique" biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes it's claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, making it have zero calories.

It is not that Splenda is naturally zero calories. If your body had the capacity to metabolize it then it would no longer has zero calories.

How Much Splenda is Left In Your Body After You Eat It?

If you look at the research (which is primarily extrapolated form animal studies) you will see that in fact 15% of sucralose is absorbed into your digestive system and ultimately is stored in your body. To reach a number such as 15% means some people absorb more and some people absorb less. In one human study, one of the eight participants did not excrete any sucralose even after 3 days. Clearly his body was absorbing and metabolizing this chemical. That is what our bodies are supposed to do.

The bottom line is that we all have our own unique biochemical make-up. Some of you will absorb and metabolize more than others. If you are healthy and your digestive system works well, you may be at higher risk for breaking down this product in your stomach and intestines. Please understand that it is impossible for the manufacturers of Splenda to make any guarantees based on their limited animal data.

If you feel that Splenda affects you adversely, it is valid. Don’t let someone convince you that it is all in your head. You know your body better than anyone else.

How to Determine if Splenda is Harming You

The best way to determine if Splenda or sucralose is affecting you is to perform an elimination/challenge with it. First eliminate it and other artificial sweeteners from your diet completely for a period of one to two weeks. After this period reintroduce it in sufficient quantity.

For example, use it in your beverage in the morning, and eat at least two sucralose containing products the remainder of the day. On this day, avoid other artificial sweeteners so that you are able to differentiate which one may be causing a problem for you. Do this for a period of one to three days. Take notice of how your body is feeling, particularly if it feels different than when you were artificial sweetener free.

Splenda May Still Be Harming You

If you complete the elimination/challenge trial described above and do not notice any changes then it appears you are able to tolerate Splenda acutely. However, please understand that you are not out of the woods yet.
The entire issue of long-term safety has never been established. Let’s look at the facts again:
• There have only been six human trials to date
• The longest trial lasted three months
• At LEAST 15% of Splenda is not excreted from your body in a timely manner

Considering that Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar, are you willing to bet your health on this data? Remember that fat soluble substances, such as DDT, can remain in your fat for decades and devastate your health.

If the above facts don’t concern because you believe the FDA would not ever allow a toxic substance into the market then read on.

Do You Really Believe These People Are Going to Protect You?

Please consider that the only organizations between you and potentially toxic side effects are the FDA and the manufacturers of sucralose (Tate & Lyle) and of Splenda (McNeil Nutritionals).
The FDA has a long standing history of ineffective screening and rampant conflict of interests as demonstrated in their inability to identify Vioxx as too dangerous to be on the market. This mistake costs 55,000 people their lives.

Now the point I want you to understand here, because it is really important, is that Splenda is not a drug and is only a food additive. As such the number of studies required to receive FDA approval is substantially less than drug. Vioxx had an order of magnitude of more comprehensive clinical trials than Splenda ever did, and despite this rigorous approval process it still killed 55,000 people.

So, now you have the primary concerns I have about Splenda and the choices is yours.

Sources:

Food and Drug Administration "Final Rule " for Sucralose, 21 CFR Part 172, Docket No. 87F-0086.

Lord GH, Newberne PM. Renal mineralization -- a ubiquitous lesion in chronic rat studies. Food Chem Toxicol 1990 Jun;28:449-55.

Labare MP, Alexander M. Microbial cometabolism of sucralose, a chlorinated disaccharide, in environmental samples. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 1994 Oct;42:173-8.

Hunter BT. Sucralose. Consumers' Research Magazine, Oct90, Vol. 73 Issue 10, p8, 2p.

Maudlin RK. FDA approves sucralose for expanded use. Modern Medicine, Oct99, Vol. 67 Issue 10, p57, 1/9p

Sucralose -- a new artificial sweetener. Medical Letter on Drugs & Therapeutics, 07/03/98, Vol. 40, Issue 1030, p67, 2p.

Q&A: Is newly FDA approved sweetener sucralose good for you? Executive Health's Good Health Report, Nov98, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p6, 1p, 1c.

Gain B. FDA approves J&J Sweetener. Chemical Week, 04/15/98, Vol. 160 Issue 14, p27, 1/4p.

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How To Prevent Wrinkles

How to reduce the appearance of deep lines around the mouth…

Lines and facial wrinkles plague many of us as we age – this is due to the ligaments around the mouth and chin loosening over time, which causes fatty tissues in the cheek to sag.

The development facial lines – or nasolabial folds – can be determined by a number of factors. Elie Levine, MD, a New York City plastic surgeon explains:

“If you look at your mom, dad, or older sibling and they have them, there is a great chance you will also develop them. Secondary factors that can lead to deep puppet lines include loss of collagen and elastin (the building blocks of the skin), weight fluctuations, smoking, and sun exposure.”

While there’s nothing you can do to stop the years from rolling on, there are things you can do to help reduce the signs of aging.

Preventing Facial Wrinkles in Your 30s and 40s

You could be suitable to use filler like Juvederm or Restylane. This needle free treatments use nanotechnology and hydraulic acid to help the filler penetrate the skin. The procedure pushes up and supports the folds that create deep lines and the results last around 12 – 18 months.

Preventing Facial Wrinkles in Your 40s and 50s

Botox is a popular treatment used by many to help prevent facial wrinkles. The active ingredient, botulinum toxin, works by relaxing the muscles around the mouth, which in turn reduces the appearance of deep lines.

Dealing Facial Wrinkles in Your 60s and Beyond

If you’ve already developed deep facial wrinkles you’re best option could be cosmetic surgery or dermatology procedures. Many see good results from a facelift or neck-lift. Others opt for Laser skin treatments, which can remove fine lines and tighten the skin.

What You Can Do at Home To Prevent Facial Wrinkles

The best treatment is always preventative, so it’s important to take care of your skin at all times. That simply means protecting your skin from the sun, and maintaining a balanced diet.

Try eating food rich in antioxidants such as berries, broccoli and carrots. These super-foods help the collagen and elastin below the surface of the skin stay healthy and supple.

Maintaing a healthy weight is also important. Most people are aware that significant weight shifts can cause stretchmarks, and this can also happen around the face and neck. It’s also best to be a non-smoker, as the smoke can destroy collagen and elastin in the skin. Retinoid cream can help too. Levine said:

“Retinol slowly thickens the deeper layers of the skin, while thinning out the superficial layers. This softens fine marionette lines, making the skin look more youthful.”

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Electronic Retinas Help The Blind See Again

Bionic retinal implants give vision back to the blind…

Two British men have been come the first patients to be successfully implanted with electronic retinal implants. The new pioneering procedure has been shown to give vision back to the blind who have lost their sight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Chris James, 54, who was declared legally blind 22 years ago, became the first to receive the operation to implant an electronic retina in the back of his eye, at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. The second patient, Robin Miller, 60, who lost his sight 35 years ago, received his implant days later.

The procedure is being pioneered by Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford, and Mr. Tim Jackson, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at King’s College Hospital in London. And the electrodes and external battery implants are being performed by Mr. James Ramsden of Oxford University Hospitals and Mr. Markus Groppe, an academic clinical lecturer at the University of Oxford, is performing

Retinal Bionic Implant Restores Vision

The device is design to replace the light-detecting cells in the retina, which deteriorate due to retinitis pigmentosa – an inherited condition that affects approx 1 in every 4,000 people in Europe.
The electronic retinas are just 3mm thick, and contain 1,500 light-sensitive pixels, which mimic the function of the photoreceptor rods and cones. When light reaches the retinal chip, pixels detects the waves and send electronic signals to the optic nerve and brain.

The surgery, which takes around 8 hours, involves implanting the device into the eye, running a thin cable to a control unit which sits behind the ear under the skin, and then attaching an magnetic external battery.
Professor MacLaren explains:

‘What makes this unique is that all functions of the retina are integrated into the chip. It has 1,500 light sensing diodes and small electrodes that stimulate the overlying nerves to create a pixelated image. Apart from a hearing aid-like device behind the ear, you would not know a patient had one implanted.’

The implants are manufactured by a Germany-based company aptly named Retina Implant. After 6 of year of development, the company published the results from its first human trial in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, November 2010. The study showed that using the implant; patients could recognize foreign objects and read words.

The early prototypes were not portable and only worked when linked up in the lab. The new devices in the British patients however, are completely portable.

While the technology appears to be effective in treating Retinitis Pigmentosa it must still undergo more trails to see if the procedure can be tailored to treat age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma or optic nerve disease.

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Dental Hygiene Self Care Techniques

Basic Dental Hygiene And Regular Check Ups Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Basic Hygiene

Seeing your dentist for a check up twice a year can greatly reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay or bad breath. This is why in all of our medical packages we include a free dental check-up upon request. Many people choose to ignore this advice and only visit the dentist once a problem occurs. A simple check up and a professional clean is all it takes to help keep your mouth hygienic and to spot problems before they become excruciatingly painful. Daily brushing is not enough, and deep cleaning to get those hard to reach areas should be done by a dentist despite any feelings you may have about going to the clinic.

The dentist will begin by scraping the mineral build up on your teeth known as plaque, they will then floss to remove any build up between the teeth. The dentist will use a polishing compound and apply fluoride to help fight tooth decay and finish off the cleaning process. Cleaning is usually painless and takes about 20 minutes however if you haven’t been to the dentist for a while be prepared to sit for a while longer whilst they clean parts of your teeth you didn’t know you had!

Your dentist may ask to take x-rays of your teeth. This only takes a few minutes and is completely painless, you will be expected to bite down on a small piece of plastic whilst the dentist aligns the machine to take several different pictures of your teeth.
If your dentist sees fit, they may apply a sealant on the chewing surface of your teeth. This will prevent bacteria and food getting stuck in the rough parts of your teeth, it will also protect your teeth from plaque and help prevent tooth decay.

Your dentist may ask about you diet and the foods you eat as this can affect your dental health. They may also talk about your cleaning and flossing habits and whether or not you should change them. If you have active cavities your dentist will recommend dental treatment, which can be carried out right away or scheduled for appointment. If your teeth and gums are health you will be advised to keep your brushing and flossing habits.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the process that results in what is know as a cavity. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth create acids that eat away at the tooth, this can lead to infection and tooth loss and can be extremely painful.

The plaque which is always forming on our teeth contains bacteria, it’s these bacteria that feed on the sugars in our mouth making acids which attack the teeth for up to 20 minutes after eating, over a period of time these acids destroy the tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
A cavity has no real symptoms until its too late, this is why it’s important to have your teeth checked regularly. Once you have a cavity or tooth decay you may experience painful tooth aches until the cavity is attended to.

If you have been diagnosed with a cavity the treatment may vary depending on how bad it is. Slight tooth decay can be reversed by using fluoride, mild tooth decay will be treated by filling the cavities with another substance (fillings), for more severe tooth decay you may need a crown or root canal and for even more extreme cases, the dentist may remove the tooth.

Bad Breath

Stores are packed full of mouthwashes, mints and gum that are supposed to control bad breath or halitosis. These products may work, but only temporarily and they may less effective in controlling bad breath than simply keeping your mouth clean. Certain foods, habits or health conditions can be the cause of bad breath and in many cases you can prevent bad breath with proper dental hygiene. If self care techniques don’t solve the problem a visit to your dentist or doctor may help determine the cause of bad breath.

Food

The breakdown of food in your mouth can cause a bad odor. Eating foods with volatile oils is another source of bad breath. After these foods are digested the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream and can carry into to the lungs giving off bad breath until the food is eliminated from your body.

Dental Hygiene

Poor dental hygiene can lead to bad breath. If brushing and flossing is not carried out daily, food particles can stay in the mouth collecting bacteria and emitting hydrogen sulfur vapors. If plaque is not scraped away it can build up between your teeth and gums, this to too can be lead to bad breath.

Disease

Chronic lung infections and abscesses can also produce very foul smelling breath. Other illnesses can also cause a distinctive smell, kidney failure can cause a urine-like odor and liver failure can cause an odor described as fishy. People with diabetes often have a fruity breath odor and the chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD ) or a slight protrusion of the stomach into the chest cavity (hiatal hernia) can also produce bad breath.

Mouth, Nose and Throat Conditions

Nasal discharge from the back of the nose into the throat can cause mouth odor. A sinus infection or something that is lodged in the nose can cause a persistent nasal discharge which creates the foul smelling odor. Strep Throat, Tonsillitis and mononucleosis can also cause bad breath until the infection clears. Bronchitis and other respiratory infections in which odorous sputum is coughed up is another source.

Self Care Techniques

Some simple self care techniques to help combat bad breath, tooth decay and disease include:

• Brushing your teeth after you eat – to help combat acids that attack your teeth.
• Floss at least once a day – to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth.
• Brush your tongue – to remove dead cells, bacteria and food debris.
• Drink plenty of water – to keep your mouth moist and stimulate saliva that helps protect your mouth.
• Use a new tooth brush – it’s good practice to change your toothbrush regularly for hygiene reasons.
• Clean your dentures – if you wear a bridge, partial or complete dentures, clean at least once a day.

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8 Symptoms Women Over 40 Should Not Ignore

Signs and symptoms women of 40 should not ignore... 

Minor discomfort is often palmed off as ‘nothing serious’. But a number of trivial-sounding symptoms can sometimes be the signs of something more serious, and this is most apparent for women aged 40 and over.
Nieca Goldberg, MD, author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health said:

“Women in midlife are often juggling 20 things at once, so they tend to neglect their own health…
“That’s why it’s especially important for them to be informed about what really needs medical attention.”

The 8 most important symptoms women over 40 should not ignore:

Symptom: Pain and swelling in your calf

Probable Cause: Pulled muscle

Worst-case scenario: Blood clot in the leg
Calf pain is most common symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot deep in the vein. This potentially fatal condition affects more than 500,000 people in the U.S every year, most of who are over 40.
You’re at increased risk for DVT if you’re on hormone therapy, the pill, patch or ring; if you’re a smoker, pregnant; if you’ve recently had surgery or been on a long flight; if you’re obese or if you have a family history of blood clots.

Signs it might be serious:
Significant swelling, redness, and pain (which can also be mild and easily mistaken for a cramp), are often signs that your condition maybe serious. The skin may also be warm to the touch.
Shortness of breath, coughing and chest pains maybe signs that the clot has broken free and traveled to your lungs.

When to act:
If any serious symptoms arise quickly and do not subside within a few hours, call a doctor. If you can’t be seen straight away then you should visit the ER asap.
Stephan Moll, MD, of the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia says:

“It’s better to err on the side of caution…
“Half of people with DVT develop a blood clot in the lungs, a condition that can be fatal.”

Symptom: Flu-like feelings (fatigue, nausea, sweating, chills)

Probable cause: Virus
Worst-case scenario: Heart attack
It’s a common misconception that a heart attack is coupled with serious chest pains, however, like Goldberg explains:

“Women tend not to have the Hollywood heart attack with significant chest pain…
“They sometimes just feel like they’re coming down with an infection.”

Among women aged 40 to 60, a heart attack is as common a killer as breast cancer, however you can reduce your risks by exercising regularly and keeping your blood pressure, weight and cholesterol under control.

Signs it might be serious:
Shortness of breath; dizziness; pressure, squeezing, or pain in the chest; pain in the back, arm, jaw, or upper abdomen.

When to act:
Time is crucial factor in surviving a heart attack, you’re at 50 to 70 percent increased risk of dying if your heart attack takes place outside a hospital.

If you experience some of the more serious symptoms, call 911. Be direct and assertive, tell them, “I think I’m having a heart attack. I need an ambulance.”

At the hospital, the staff will do an electrocardiogram to detect whether your heart is being deprived of oxygen, a blood test to measure cardiac enzymes and proteins, an echocardiogram to see if the heart has been damaged, and possibly cardiac catheterization inserting dye into the arteries to see them clearly with an x-ray.

Symptom: Burning, tingling, or numbness in your feet

Probable cause: A tight-fitting pair of shoes or socks.

Worst-case scenario: Prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels)
An estimate 57 million Americans are prediabetic, but because prediabetes is often asymptomatic, most don’t know they’re on the cusp of serious illness – without intervention, the condition can developed into full-blown diabetes within a decade.

You are at increase risk of this condition progressing into type 2 diabetes if you are older than 45, overweight, sedentary, have a family history of diabetes, have had gestational diabetes, or if you have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

However recent studies have shown that by losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight through diet and exercise, you can prevent the development of diabetes.

Signs it might be serious:
Some prediabetics may experience tingling and numbness in the feet, arms or hands. This occurs “because the illness damages the nervous and circulatory systems,” says John Giurini, DPM, of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Those with full-blown diabetes may also experience frequent urination, excessive hunger or thirst, weight loss, fatigue, or blurry vision.

When to act:
If you experience burning or tingling feet for more than a few weeks, call your internist and ask to be seen in the next week for a checkup and a fasting blood sugar test.

Symptom: Bloating and pelvic pain

Probable cause: Gastrointestinal bug

Worst-case scenario: Ovarian cancer
Many experts previously believed that symptoms for this deadly disease would not become parent in patients until it was too late, but in 2007 several medical groups, including the American Cancer Society, warned that bloating and pelvic pain could be some of the early signs. And “if caught early, ovarian cancer is up to 90 percent curable,” says Barbara Goff, MD, of the University of Washington.

You’re at increased risk of ovarian cancer if you have a family history of the illness, have tested positive for mutations in the genes BRCA 1 or BRCA 2, or have been on hormone therapy.
For those who have had at least one child, breastfed a baby, taken birth control pills, and maintained a healthy weight, risks are reduced.

Signs it might be serious:
Other common symptoms of ovarian cancer can include feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating, urinating frequently or with great urgency, and changing bowel habits.

When to act:
Linda R. Duska, MD, of the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville advises:

“If the symptoms are new, occur almost every day, last more than a few weeks, and don’t go away if you eat more fiber, reduce your salt intake, or exercise more frequently, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist,”

Diagnosis can be difficult, so don’t be afraid to push your doctor for appropriate testing: a pelvic ultrasound and perhaps a blood test to check your level of CA-125, a substance found in high amounts in the blood of many women with ovarian cancer.
Partly because the incidence of ovarian cancer rises with age, the ACS recommends annual pelvic exams for all women over age 40.

Symptom: Persistent cough

Likely cause: A cold
Worst-case scenario: Adult-onset asthma, a condition that can worsen as women enter midlife.
The risk factors for developing asthma include obesity, allergies, smoking, and a recent respiratory tract infection, and according to Vincent Tubiolo, MD, of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology;

“Women who have taken estrogen for 10 years have a 50 percent higher risk of developing asthma…
“And people with acid reflux are at increased risk, possibly because the acid irritates the airways and triggers an asthmatic cough.”

Signs it might be serious:
Tubiolo says, “If you cough only when you’re exercising or sleeping, that can indicate asthma,”
Other symptoms include wheezing, particularly when you exhale; shortness of breath; and tightness in the chest.

When to act:
Common symptoms of asthma aren’t usually an emergency, but an attack might be. Since the disease is progressive, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor.

Asthma is diagnosed with a pulmonary function test that measures airflow. “People feel a lot better once they receive treatment,” Tubiolo says. Reduce your risk by avoiding smoke, including the secondhand variety, and maintaining a normal weight.

Symptom: Constant tiredness

Likely cause: The flu

Worst-case scenario: Sleep disorder
Daily fatigue is often dismissed as an inevitable consequence of aging, but feeling tired no matter how well you rest is a common symptom of sleep apnea, a condition that relaxes the muscles of the throat, making it difficult to get sufficient air, and the lack of oxygen triggers mini awakenings; and restless legs syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes an itchy, twitchy sensation in the legs that makes it difficult to stay still and, as a result, fall asleep.

“Many people think sleep apnea only affects overweight men, but it’s nearly as common in women after menopause,” says Lisa Shives, MD, of Northshore Sleep Medicine, in Evanston, Illinois. Like sleep apnea, RLS often worsens as you get older.

Sufferers of RLS can control symptoms by limiting caffeine, walking regularly, and massaging or stretching their legs before bedtime.

Losing weight, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side, can all help to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Signs it might be serious:
If you snore and often wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck, it’s likely you have sleep apnea. Other signs if sleep apnea include waking with a headache and sore throat; experiencing memory or concentration problems; feeling irritable or depressed.
Fatigue-related symptoms such as irritability are also common with RLS.

When to act:
If the symptoms persist for more than a month, see your internist, who may be able to diagnose the problem based on your description. Otherwise you will be referred to a sleep specialist for further evaluation.
Sleep apnea is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure device, a mask that fits over your nose and/or mouth during sleep and helps open airways with gentle air pressure.

Symptom: Problems with speech

Likely cause: Sleep deprivation

Worst-case scenario: Stroke
It can be easy to laugh off a slip of the tongue, putting it down to nothing more than lack of sleep. But getting sentences confuse, slurring words and mispronunciations can all be symptoms of a stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain either bursts or is blocked by a clot, depriving brain cells of oxygen.
“Language impairment when you have trouble speaking, or say nonsense words or words that don’t go together is common in left hemisphere strokes,” says Argye Hillis, MD, of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
You are at increased risk of suffering a stroke if you get migraines with an aura; if you smoke; are overweight; have heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure; if you are on the pill or taking HT.

Signs it might be serious:
Weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, dizziness, blurred vision, headache, neck stiffness, or lack of coordination are also common indications you may have suffered a stroke.
A temporary bout of amnesia (not being able to remember what you did for the past few hours) or symptoms that last only a few minutes could signal a transient ischemic attack (TIA) – a ministroke that raises your risk of the real deal substantially, especially over the following few days.

When to act:
Receiving a clot-reducing drug within the first three hours improves the odds of recovery by 30 percent, therefore a quick response is critical.
“Call 911 if any of these symptoms develop suddenly for example, if you’re not able to do something that you could do five minutes earlier,” Hillis says.

“Even if symptoms go away on their own, you should get to the emergency room as soon as possible to be evaluated for the cause of the TIA, so a stroke can be prevented,”

Symptom: A new mole

Likely cause: Harmless skin growth

Worst-case scenario: Skin cancer
Although it is quite common to develop new moles during adulthood, finding new ones after the age of 40 could be sign of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.
The more moles you have, the greater your risk for melanoma. Being light-skinned and spending lots of time in the sun raises your risk, as does every single sunburn.
“If you have lots of sun damage, like freckles, you have a higher risk too,” Brodell says.
You can greatly reduce your risks of developing melanoma by apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, have full-body screenings annually, and check your body for new or changing moles once a month.

Signs it might be serious:
Robert Brodell, MD, a dermatologist in Warren, Ohio, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology advises:

“If a mole new or old turns darker or black, becomes asymmetrical, or causes pain, itching, or bleeding, you should get it checked out right away,”

When to act:
Brodell suggests calling you dermatologist as soon as you notice something unusual, if you don’t have a dermatologist, ask your doctor for a referral.
The dermatologist will check your whole body for signs of skin cancer and take a biopsy of anything that looks suspicious.

“Fortunately, when melanoma is caught early it’s very curable,” Brodell says.

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Whey Protein Build Muscles 24 Hours After

Missed your daily protein supplement? Don’t worry; top up the next day by consuming whey protein…

A new study has suggested that whey protein may still aid the build-up of muscle even up to a day after a workout session. In a joint study between researchers at McMaster University, Canada and the a team at University of Nottingham, England, 15 men experienced in resistance training were recruited to test the rate of muscle building after consuming 15 grams of whey powder 24 hours after a workout session.

The men were asked to perform both light and heavy lifting exercises on a leg extension machine until they felt fatigued. They were also asked to perform the same exercise but made to stop before fatigue set in.
The participants then returned the next day and consumed 15 grams of whey protein – a common dairy constituent found in low-fat yogurt.

Whey Protein

After analyzing the results, the teams found that no matter how heavy a load, muscle mass increased after eating whey protein, even though the protein was eaten 24 hours later.

As WebMD’s Bill Hendrick points out, “the findings suggest that muscles may make better use of dietary amino acids eaten 24 hours after exercise, regardless of exercise load as long as the exercise is being performed until fatigue.”
The researchers hope their findings will lead to a new understanding on how exercise translates into muscle building, which could hopefully lead to better weight building supplements.
The study is published in the April 2011 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

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Design Student Invents Worlds Fastest Shoes

'Designed to Win' high-tech shoes claims to be worlds fastest…

With the Olympics just around the corner, several new designs of sports gear designed to help athletes run faster have emerged on the market. The latest however is not from a Multinational corporation, but from a design student with similar ideas.

Just like the Nike Pro Turbo tracksuits and running shoes we featured last month, the new shoes, designed by Luc Fusaro, 23, claim to be the fastest in the world.

Fusaro explains that by using advanced analytic technology and a material known as sintered nylon polymer powder, his new shoe, which weighs just 96 grams, can potentially shave off 3.5 percent of an athletes personal best.

‘Designed to Win’ World’s Fastest Running Shoes

Based on the 100 Meter sprint, 3.5 percent equates to 0.35 seconds. To put that into perspective, all 6 of 2008 100m Olympic finalists finished within 0.35 seconds of each other.

The shoe was developed as Fusaro’s final thesis called Designed To Win, and was presented at his graduation show at the Londong Royal College Of Art.

Unfortunately the shoe won’t be able until next year, so there’ll be no upsets this year due to the high-tech design.

Video for World's Fastest Running Shoes

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Swedish Doctors Implant Worlds First Stem Cell Vein

Young girl gets worlds’ first stem cell vein implant…

Swedish surgeons have successfully implanted a vein, grown from stem cells, in a 10-year-old girl whose life was at risk from a ‘blocked hepatic portal vein.’

The rare condition blocks the blood flow of the portal vein – which runs through the abdomen carrying blood from the bowels and other organs to the liver – and this can lead to liver disease, heart failure and cancer. It may also cause weight-loss nausea and chronic pain.

While medical experts note the procedure has only been accomplished in one patient, they agree that it could open the door for similar techniques that could be used to treat a wide range of conditions.

To perform the procedure the transplant team from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden took a segment of the groin vein from a dead donor and stripped it of all living cells to leave behind a matrix on which the stem cells could grow. The stem cells were then taken from the girl’s own bone marrow and injected into the matrix. After two weeks of incubation, the new vein graft was ready to implant in the girl.

Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells Were Used To Grow The Vein

 The procedure went without complications and immediately restored normal blood flow. A year later the girl grew taller and gained weight. This caused her blood flow to drop again and a second procedure was performed. Once again the operation had immediate effect.

Since the surgeries the girl’s quality of life has improved considerably and she is now able to take long walks and take part in light gymnastics.

She is also showing no signs of rejecting the vein, even though she is not taking immunosuppressive drugs.
Dr. Michael Olausson, of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg wrote in the journal:

“The new stem cells-derived graft resulted not only in good blood flow rates and normal laboratory test values but also, in strikingly improved quality of life for the patient…
“The work also establishes the feasibility and safety of a novel paradigm for treatment, in cases of venous insufficiency, obstructed veins or inadequate autologous [from the patient] veins.” [MSN]

Dr. Scott Pilgrim, an attending pediatric cardiologist at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, in New Hyde Park, said that if that procedure could be successfully replicated in a larger controlled trail it could be a ‘watershed moment in developing new novel strategies for vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons,’ and that is the veins are capable of continued growth in a child, the technique could be easily applied to treat congenital heart disease.
The team hopes in the future the ‘grow-your-own’ approach may replace the need for mechanical heart valves and the use of blood-thinning drugs.
The Sahlgrenska University Hospital team’s paper was published online June 14 in The Lancet.

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Worms in Your Body

Worms that thrive on the human body....

Usually it’s our dogs, cats and horses that are prone to worm infections, but people are mammals too, and the human body is just a great a place as any for these little suckers to set up shop.

There are many types of worms we humans can secumb to. Here is a quick overview of the most common types of worms you may one day find crawling through your bodies delicious high-ways.

Pinworms

Pinworms are the most common type of worm found in the human body. Also known as seatworms, pinworms live inside the colon but exit to lay their eggs on the outside of the host’s body. The female worm lays her eggs during nighttime, causing the host to scratch, thus transporting the eggs to infect a new person, or reinfect the host.

Pinworm is the most prevalent parasite infection in the United States and Europe today. Pinworm is most commonly found in school-aged children, but it can occur in adults as well.

Roundworms

Another common type of worm that can make its home in the human body is the roundworm. Infected soil or fruits are the main method of transmission to humans. Unlike most other worms/

Roundworm eggs can find their way from the intestines to other organs where they can do major damage.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are commonly found in cats and dogs, but can often make their home in humans as well. Common causes of infection included eating undercooked, infected fish.

Once inside the body the parasite feeds by attaching itself to the wall of the intestine where it lives off nutrients that the body absorbs.

Hookworms

Hookworms are a particularly nasty parasite that, according to Allergyyescape.com, actually has teeth. Infection can be caused by consuming compromised fruit or water, or by coming into contact with soil or water where the worms reside. According to OptumHealth, “the larvae will bore through the skin and ride through the lymph circulation to the right side of the heart.”

The larvae are then pumped into the lungs where they bore into the tiny air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. Once these larvae are coughed up, they are swallowed and pass to the small intestine where they can reside for up 14 years.

Liver Flukes

Liver flukes make their home in the bodies liver where they begin to make holes. They can survive for decades.

There is a wide variety of methods of becoming infected by a liver fluke, including eating contaminated food, or drinking contaminated water.

Guinea Worm

Also known as dracunculiasis, the Guinea worm is a parasitic worm infection that occurs mainly in Africa. The Guinea worm is as thin as a paper clip and it can grow up to a staggering three feet long.

Once the larvae mature inside the human body, the Guinea worm exits the body through a painful blister in the skin. This can cause long-term suffering and oftentimes, crippling aftereffects.

Ringworm

Ring worm, or “Tinea” which means “growing worm” in Latin, is a fungal infection that can be found on the surface of the skin. Unlike other worms, Ring worm is caused by fungus that creates a ‘ring’ on the skin, hence the name.

Ring worm remains on the surface of the skin, hair or nails until treated and it does not invade other parts of the body, such as the insides or mucous membranes. Ring worm does, however, thrive in moist, warm conditions on the skin, such as the areas around the groin and between the toes. It is very easy to catch ring worm in places such as locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools.

Morgellons Worm

Morgellons worm, or Morgellons disease, is a misunderstood disease that, is rarely recognized as a parasitic affliction by members of the medical community. Many people believe that Morgellons is carried by microscopic parasitic worms called nematodes, which invade their host and contribute to the feeling of bugs (or worms) crawling on and under the skin.

Patients who are diagnosed with Morgellons disease report a host of general symptoms including itching skin lesions similar to pimples. They may fester on their own and are often reinforced by scratching or picking at the wounds. Fibers also erupt from the skin and at these points, black specks can also be detected. Many patients report that balled cocoon-like threads are produced from the sores or even unblemished skin. The infected host may also experience sensations such as bugs crawling under the skin, through the hair, and in the ears.

Loa Loa Worms

Loa Loa worms (also known as the “eye worm”) are classified as filarial worms, meaning they thrive in human tissue. The Loa Loa worm is also called the “eye worm” because they often migrate through the eye and surrounding subsurface areas.

The larvae are passed on by flies who have bitten an infected host. Once the fly bites the human, the larvar enters the body. Loa Loa worms can live approximately fifteen years inside their human hosts. They travel continuously through connective and deep tissue, often without the victim experiencing any sensation other than occasional itching.

When the worm slows or reaches a sensitive spot that a person will often feel the greatest discomfort. At this point, immune reactions may also include localized redness and a condition called “Calabar” swelling. Skin eruptions and muscle pain may be evident. When the Loa Loa worm reaches the eye tissue, it can be easily seen and felt within the eyeball for up to an hour. It is usually removed under local anesthesia if the patient is within proximity of a qualified physician. may remain unnoticed for months or years before becoming an adult, mating, and producing offspring.

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How To Get Rid of Back Fat

Getting rid of back fat can be very difficult. A healthy diet and specific exercises can help target the areas of the body that gather fat. Unsightly flabs of skin hanging over your bra strap can be removed!

Excess pounds and unsightly bulges are usually a result of poor diet and lack of exercise and where nature decides to store this fat is highly dependent on gender. Males tend to store fat in their mid section where as females will usually notice fat goes straight to the butt and thighs. Getting rid of this excess fat is a problem for both genders but no part of the body seems more difficult to target than the back.

Many of us have back fat; women may be more conscious about their back especially if wearing bra results in cleavage were its most un wanted. Getting rid of back fat and bra overhang is possible but requires more than just exercise to get good results. The American Council on Exercise tells us that simply working the muscles in the particular areas of the body that favor fat collection will not effectively solve the problem.

In fact the only way to lose weight in a particular area of the body is to start a diet targeting the entire body. A fat burning aerobic workout and a healthy diet can help burn up the fat that stores in our bodies. Specific weight-resistant exercises that focus on the muscles in these areas can help tone the body and improve physique.

Back Exercises

If you are interested in firming up your back, here are a few easy exercises that target the back muscles.

Opposite Extensions

Lie on your stomach with your arms and legs outstretched. Pull your abdominals in towards your spine, as if you are trying to create a space between your belly button and the floor. Rest your forehead on the floor to align your neck with the rest of your spine.
Lift your right arm and left leg a small way off the floor and stretch them to opposite ends of the room. Hold for five slow counts, then slowly lower. Do the next repetition with your left arm and right leg and alternate until you have completed all repetitions.

Dumbbell Rows

Stand next to a bench or sturdy chair. Place one hand on the bench or seat of the chair for support, and bend forward from your hips. Try to keep your belly button drawn toward your spine with your back and head almost parallel to the floor. Hold a moderately heavy dumbbell (you should start to fatigue around the eighth repetition) in your free hand, dangling it down so that it too is parallel to the floor. Retract your shoulder blade, bend your elbow and draw the weight up until your hand is touching your torso. Slowly lower the weight back down. Switch sides and hands.

Rear Delt Fly

Sit on the edge of a chair or bench, hold light weights in each hand behind each leg and lean forward from the hips with your back flat. Tuck your chin into your chest. Then begin to raise your arms to the sides, gradually bending your elbows as they come up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause at the top of the extension and then slowly lower your arms.

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19 Of The Worst Human Growths Ever

The worst human growths ever documented...

Stories and legends fill history of aliens, big foot, and super-humans. Most times we ignore these stories, and leave it just as that. It is a story. However, if you look into stories and legends you can find that it can often be compared to actual human conditions. Albeit it is often an over-exaggeration, but when you are unable to explain something or lacked of words to convey what you see – legends are helpful tools.

People that are different are often ridiculed and ostracized – if they are lucky. Worse, they are harmed, killed, or tortured. Today modern science is helping us better understand rare conditions. Many can be treated or prevented allowing those who were once isolated, to be apart of society once again. Also, by exploring genetics we can study the full potential of the human body.

Man of these conditions are beyond belief and we have comprised this list to bring to light these rare conditions. Although many will find the photos frightening and unsettling, we think it is important to help bring these conditions and the people that suffer from it to help make more people aware.

1. 16 Pound Face Tumor

In 2005, a Haitian teen in Miami underwent 16 hours of surgery to remove a 16-pound tumor from her face. The tumor had become so large that obstructed her airways and had to removed so she could breath.
The girl suffers from rare form of Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia; a nonhereditary, genetic disease that causes bone to become “like a big a bowl of jelly with some bone inside,” said Dr. Jesus Gomez of University of Miami School of Medicine.

2. Baby With 16 Toes

In November 2008 a baby boy was born with 16 toes. He also has 5 fingers on each hand but no thumbs. The Chinese baby suffers from a condition called Polydactylism. His family says they plan to have the extra digits surgically removed.

3. Huge Leg Tumor

Chen Zongtao has a 154 pounds tumor on his right leg. He has suffered for years with the growth because he is unable to afford the surgery to remove it.

4. Dede Tree Man

Dede the Tree Man’s plight has been highly documented. Sufferingfrom what is thought to be a strain of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Dede’s whole body is covered in large wart-like growths. Doctors have tried to removed Dede’s warts, but they keep growing back.

5. Fibroma

Fibroma is a skin disease involving connective-tissue new growth. Small pea to egg-sized or larger, soft or firm, round or flattened, painless tumors beneath the skin begin to grow, in worst cases the tumors can spread all over the body.

6. Foot Growing In Brain

When Sam Esquibel was just three months old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. When doctors removed the tumor they found it contained a tiny foot, as well as other partially formed body parts. A rare condition known as Fetus in Fetu.

7. Giant Kidney Stone

Surgeons in Hungary shocked to find a patient had developed a 2.5 pound kidney stone roughly the size of a coconut.

8. Huge Neck Tumor

Huang Liqian, 58, first discovered a bizarre growth on the back of his neck in 1990. After ignoring the growth for 17 years, it developed into a 33 pound tumor. In 2007, he finally had surgery to remove it.

9. Huge Lip Tumor

This 8-year-old girl from China suffers from a large tumor in her lower lip. She was born with the tumor and it has been left to grow as her family can not afford the surgery to remove it.

10. Humans With Horns

Often thought to be a myth, cases of humans with “horns” has now been documented. These cutaneous horns, also called cornu cutaneum are actually skin lesions, which cone-shaped protuberances grow from, creating the appearance of a horn.

11. Man With No Face

Jose Mestre suffers from haemangioma, a condition that causes abnormalities in the capillaries and veins in his face. Where the blood has collect in his face, Jose has developed huge tumors that he refused to have removed because he is a Jehovah’s Witness.

12. Huge Face Tumor

Huang Chuncai suffers from a rare genetic disorder of the nervous system called Neurofibromatosis. The disease developed when he was four, he has since had two operations to remove one 25 pound tumor and another 33 pound tumor.

13. Baby Born With Two Faces

In March earlier this year in a small suburb of Delhi, India, a baby girl was born with two faces bearing four eyes, two noses, two mouths and three cheeks, one of which has a dimple.

14. Massive Hand

The man with the largest hand in the world underwent a seven-hour surgery in Shanghai to reduce it and make it functional. Before the surgery, his left thumb was 10.2 inches long and his index finger measured close to 12 inches.

15. People With Tails

Another condition believed to be a myth, there are a several documented cases of people with tails.

16. Tree Growing In Lungs

A Russian man who had been complaining about coughing up blood was found to have a 5cm spruce tree growing in his lungs. Because the tree was to big to have been inhaled accidentally, doctor assume he inhaled a seed which must of grown in his lung.

17. Werewolf Child

Currently being documented on Discovery Channel, these Real Werewolf Children suffer from Hypertrichosis, a medical condition which causes excessive hair growth.
Congenital Hypertrichosis is extremely rare and those who suffer from it are often called human werewolves.

18. Chinese Baby Born With Second Penis

In an extremely rare case of fetus in fetu, a Chinese baby was born with a second penis on his back.

19. Octopus Girl

Lakshmi Tatma was born with a headless conjoined twin. Together they shared 8 limbs but fought for oxygen and nutrition. After the conjoined twin was removed Lakshmi underwent further surgery to remove her extra limbs.

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