Propolis The natural antibiotic

Propolis is yet another nutrient, and is hailed as a natural antibiotic. Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from plants and trees, it is mostly resins, balsams and waxes, and partly of pollen and essential oils, which are mixed by the bees salivary glands and used in the construction of the hive. It has been used thoughout history for a wide range of conditions.
Propolis contains a great variety of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids. The Greeks used to use it to treat wounds. During the past twenty years, scientific studies have rediscovered Propolis and found it to be a great booster of the immune system, enhancing the immune response and resisitance against disease.
A recent study at Oxford University has revealed that Propolis can help to cure inflammatiions, while a Chinese research has found Propolis effective in treating hypertension and arteriosclerosis, and Soviet scientist's have shown that Propolis can prevent ulcers.
It is now used for a wide range of conditions such as colds, sore throats, coughs, allergies, vaginal infections, acne, and herpes. I have been asked if it would cure a chest infection, but I am sorry I have no idea.

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My First Public Health Book

In 1995, as a high school student, I read the first edition of Joan Ryan's book "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes".  I picked it up because I figure skated for many years (from age 2-14).  Little did I know that I was starting my first exploration into public health.

The book examined public health issues like eating disorders and sports injuries.  It argued for policies that would protect young figure skaters and gymnasts from injury and from exploitation by their coaches, families, and industry.  Ryan conducted intensive interviews for the book, which allowed her to highlight several cases like that of Christy Henrich.  Henrich was a talented and promising U.S. gymnast who died from anorexia at the age of twenty-two.

I thought of this book today when I read a beautiful and honest blog post by Jennifer Kirk called, "An Unrealized Dream".  Jennifer Kirk is a decorated, elite U.S. figure skater who retired from competitive skating in August 2005.  She retired in order to focus on her health and to recover from bulimia, alcoholism, and cutting.  Her post highlights the complexities of these health problems.  They were influenced by her sport, her family, her support system, her early independence, and the pressure that was put on her to have a successful career.

While some safeguards for elite skaters and gymnasts have been put in place since "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes" (e.g., the hotly debated minimum age standards for competition), we still have improvements to make.  Jennifer talks about the strong influence of family and coaches regarding athlete safety and self esteem:

"A few months before I quit skating, my dad and coaches found out about my eating disorder, but nothing was done to get me the help I needed.  This reinforced my belief that skating and my career held paramount importance over other aspects of my life."  

Recently, much of the discussion of elite athlete safety has been focused on the National Football League (NFL), but the same questions are applicable here.  Are athletes putting themselves at risk by playing with injuries (e.g., concussions)?  What is the current organizational culture and does it support an intervention to protect athletes?  Do the coaches and trainers really have the athletes' best interests at heart or are they focused on winning and protecting their investment?

What do you think?  What more can we do to protect athletes at all levels (from recreational to elite)?

Energy therapies

The body's subtle or hidden "energy field" or "life force" is addressed through energy therapies. The energy is said to be channelled in pathways, meridians in Chinese medicine, and in yoga there are energy centres, called chakras, which are used to focus different sorts of energy.
Energy therapies are often based on Eastern ideas of health and disease and work on the basis that illness is the result of an imbalance or interruption of the body's natural energy or life force at a very fine or subtle level. Oriental ideas of energy are increasingly being used in the treatment of pain. These therapies include acupuncture, acupressure and faith healing,

Why Kale is being labled a superfood

Kale is now being labled as a new superfood. It has lots of vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy body.

(NaturalNews) While there's no official definition of the term superfood, the generally implied idea is a fruit or vegetable that is particularly nutritious and beneficial to your overall health and wellness, with high phytonutrient content. By that definition, kale should have a spot in the top ten. If you want to be healthy, there's no avoiding the leafy green vegetables, and kale is one of the most nourishing. It is a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, iron, folic acid, amino acids, antioxidant flavonoids, and lutein. It is easy to prepare, versatile, and delicious.

Conversely, environmentalists cite meat production as one of the top ten contributors to climate change. There are 7 billion people on the planet and 55 billion large animals that are raised for food each year making lots of waste and stretching resources. Which is why the famous author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan, suggested "Meatless Mondays" in the first place. He says, "By departing even modestly from the Western diet, we could reduce our chances of getting coronary heart disease by 80%, type 2 diabetes by 90%, and colon cancer by 70%."

So eating meat sparingly, as a side-dish, is good for your body, your pocketbook, and the environment.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035986_kale_beef_plants.html#ixzz1w96CPS8P

The health benefits of Gladioli

This is an image of a Gladioli I took today. They look a lovely colour don't they?. Now I am not suggesting that you should take hold of a Gladioli plant and start to eat it for health benefits!. No far from it., but Gladioli does have some health benefits if prepared as a flower remedy.

I. Definition
Gladiolus also known as sword lily, is a flower plant belongs to the genus Gladiolus containing about 260 species and native to South Africa. It has been used in traditional medicine in treating diarrhoea and stomach upsets.

II. How gladiolus effects women with endometriosis
1. Digestive system
It is said that gladiolus has been used in traditional South Africa medicine to improve function of digestive system in absorbing the variety of nutrients which are necessary for women with endometriosis because for what ever reasons, most of them are found to have some kinds of nutrients deficiency during menstrual cycle.

2. Secretion system
Gladiolus also helps to improve the contraction of the large intestine and movement of stool that decrease the risk of constipation resulting in lessening the menstrual cramps for some women if endometrial implants and adhesion attached to the secretion organs.

3. Nervous system
It also helps the liver in fat and protein metabolism resulting in lessening the tension of nervous system including symptoms of fatigue, emotional and physical stress, anxiety and depression.

4. Menstrual cramps
It is said the plant also helps in regulating the function of certain hormone in the prostaglandins family as resulting of liver function in balancing the levels of fatty acids. As we know unbalancing of fatty acids causes over production of some members in the prostaglandins hormone resulting in over active uterine muscles and menstrual cramps.

5. Sexual desire
Gladiolus is said contains substance that helps to stimulate the production of testosterone which is essential for some women who have had symptoms of libido during menstrual cycle caused by low levels of testosterone in the body.

 

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My search for a cure for Bronchiectasis

I just thought I would update you on this post on how my search is going for a natural cure for Bronchiectasis. Doctors will say that bronchiectasis is irreversible and will get worse in time. However I found a forum http://www.bronchiectasis.info and there is an article about using strong Manuka honey to kill any infection>

I was reading on here about
manuka honey and how it made a big difference to someone on here
(sorry I can't find the posts now but think it may have been sparrow) I
did some research on this wonderful stuff and my package of medicinal
strength manuka has arrived today. I have put it in my saline this
morning and am going to continue with it as it makes sense that this
stuff with its wonderful anti bacterial properties will shift it. It is also
effective against other bugs too

So Manuka honey ( very strong ) as well as antibiotics may shift any infections associated with Bronchiectasis, but it will not cure it. So Manuka honey would be very useful in clearing any infection, the search still goes on for the cure of bronchiectasis.

Seaweed and a cure for acne

Seaweed may be a natural answer to being able to kill the bugs that cause acne. An ingredient unique to a type of brown seaweed found off the coast of Brittany in France, can cut spots by about two thirds. The ingredient called phycosaccharide ACP, showed in a clinical trial that the amount of blackheads fell by 62% after eight weeks.Of 60 young men aged between 14 to 21 years  with mild acne, half used the seaweed based  oxy skin wash, while the other half used a dummy skin wash. By eight weeks Oxy users had nearly twice the reduction of blackheads.

Healthy Tip >



Wash your hair with sea salt and it cures dandruff!

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Take part in this TV treatment with food

Are you looking for an alternative way to treat your illness or disease,? Then take part in this>

Would you like your condition treated with food?

Channel 4 are looking for people who would be interested in becoming a patient at The Food Hospital.
The Food Hospital is a ground-breaking Channel 4 series exploring the potential health benefits of food in treating a wide range of illnesses and ailments.
Do you have an illness or condition which significantly affects your life?
Would you be interested in new forms of treatment?
Or, have you recently begun to suffer from symptoms that you are keen to address?
Are you willing to follow a scientifically devised diet which might help to improve your conditions and/or symptoms?
Our team of medical experts, including a GP, a specialist medical Consultant and a leading Dietitian will work closely with the patients to devise individual diets targeted at their particular condition and will monitor their progress.
To take part, please complete the questionnaire and email it to Betty at foodhospital@betty.co.uk.
Please note that your email will be received by a member of Betty's production team and they will contact you directly. Betty will process your personal data in accordance with their privacy policy.

Ok so I have Bronchiectasis, what should I do next?. The doctors have told me there is no cure, as the lungs are now damaged. However I can not leave it at that, I have to look for help, perhaps some natural cure that will help me.

. Bronchiectasis is a rare condition where the airways leading to the lungs become damaged. The result of bronchiectasis is enlargement of the bronchial tubes, loss of elasticity, scarring, and destruction of cilia instrumental in protecting the lungs from dust, bacteria, and excess mucus. With these protective mechanisms disabled, severe chronic infections result. Bronchiectasis leads to serious health conditions, such as respiratory failure and congestive heart failure. Although the medical profession can offer no answers other than prescribing the strongest antibiotics available, there are natural remedies that can play a role in reversing this condition.

 

So does diet and nutrition help?. I found this useful article>

Add

Add to your diet lots of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you're getting plenty of nutrients, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants like vitamin C, which also offer anti-inflammatory actions that can reduce your wheezing, says the University of Michigan Health System. A diet enriched with vitamin C-containing fruits may be especially helpful in reducing wheezing among children with asthma.

Avoid

Avoiding caffeine, salt and sugar can help reduce wheezing and other symptoms of asthma, notes the University of Michigan Health System. A vegan diet that excludes dairy, meats and all other animal-derived foods could also help. In some people, food additives like tartrazine, sodium benzoate and sulfites can aggravate asthma symptoms like wheezing as well. If you suspect that your wheezing is due to some kind of allergic reaction, eliminating the food allergens from your diet can alleviate your symptoms. Your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional can help you to determine what foods you're allergic to by following an "allergy elimination diet."

Key Nutrients

Although treating a specific nutrient deficiency by taking supplements will necessarily reduce your wheezing, certain deficiencies may be associated with underlying conditions that cause wheezing, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can try taking supplements of choline, vitamin C, quercetin, selenium, magnesium or omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil to help reduce wheezing. Beta-carotene, vitamins B6 and B12, lycopene, pycnogenol, Lyprinol, betaine, bromelain, thymus extract and molybdenum supplements could also help ease wheezing associated with asthma, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Certain herbal supplements could help reduce wheezing as well. These include coleus, boswellia, tylophora, butterbur, picrorhiza, holy basil, ivy leaf, Amrita bindu, hyssop, marshmallow, mullein, licorice, lobelia, onion, ginkgo and elecampane. Don't take any herbal or nutritional supplements without first talking with your doctor about the potential drug interactions and health dangers, however.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/303528-wheezing-nutrition/#ixzz1uqP0IEWt

So I can try the above, but none actually offer a cure. I am looking for some natural way to cleanse my lungs. I have not found it yet.

Vitamin B15 or Pangamic acid

Pangamic acid or vitamin B15 is an antioxidant and prevents the formation of destructive superoxide radicals, a major cause of ageing. It is also an antipollutant, eliminating environmental toxins from the body.
Being a lipotropic substance, it lowers cholesterol levels and prevents fat accumulation in the liver. A deficiency of pangamic acid can cause reduced oxygenation of the blood, leading to fatigue and lowered fitness. Its best natural sources are brewers yeast, brown rice, whole grains, pumpkin, and sesame seeds. There are no recommended daily allowances, but a daily intake of 25-100 mg is normal. It is sometimes available as a supplement called calcium pangamate.

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What Vitamin B15 (Pangamic Acid) does and what it has been historically used for:

• Acts to detoxify poisons and free radicals
• Extends the life span of cells in the body
• Helps angina and asthma
• Helps synthesize protein
• Helps to reduce a craving for alcohol
• Lowers cholesterol levels
• Protects against cirrhosis of the liver
• Stimulates the “anti-stress” hormones
• Stimulates the carriage of oxygen to the blood from the lungs, and from the blood to the muscles and vital organs of the body 

So Who Else Caught the Brain Surgery on Twitter Today?

If you were on twitter today, you may have seen the hashtag #MHbrain.  That stood for Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston (@houstonhospital).  Today they live-tweeted a brain surgery which removed a cavernous angioma tumor from a 21-year-old female patient.

According to the hospital's press release, the goal of the "twittercast" was to (1) educate the public about brain tumors and (2) demystify brain surgery by giving a look inside an operating room.  The surgeon, Dr. Dong Kim, added "Someone may have a loved one who is considering a similar procedure and perhaps they can glean some information from this twittercast that may help them make a decision about whether surgery is the right choice for them."

In authentic social media style, the hospital did not just send out information and images. They also had another neurosurgeon, Dr. Scott Shepard, serve as an online moderator who could respond to questions and comments from twitter followers in real time.

While there was much excitement over this event today, it is not the first time we have heard about surgeons tweeting from the operating room.  Back in 2009, CNN picked up a story about surgeons at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan tweeting the removal of a cancerous tumor from the kidney of a male patient.  Just last February, Memorial Hermann was in the news for the first live tweeted open heart surgery.

A few thoughts on this trend:

How is Memorial Hermann evaluating their twittercast efforts?  

• Was this a huge marketing event or do they actually have health education goals?
• Are they simply looking at the numbers?  For example, the number of twitter followers (up to 13,400 from 5,100 in the past 3 months).  Or the number of visitors to Storify, a site which archives both the heart and brain surgeries.
• Are the demographics of twitter users reflective of their target audience?
• I would hope that they are thinking about how to evaluate the goals they explicitly laid out in their press release.  How will they show that a twittercast can increase knowledge about brain tumors?  How will they show that the public or potential patients have less anxiety about the procedure or choose it more often?  As always, it is important to state goals (for any public health activity) that are measurable.  

How is social media a benefit/challenge for physicians?

• I read an interesting blog post recently called, "Why social media may not be worth it for doctors."  The author was concerned about already burned-out doctors trying to learn and make time for ever-changing technology...with no guarantee that the technology will give them "return on investment".  Do the challenges outweigh the benefits?
• If physicians view themselves as "educators", how much value could twitter bring?

Are there patient safety or confidentiality issues that should be considered?

• Although the patient's name was protected and she gave permission for the twittercast, is it possible that any confidential information could be accidentally shared during the event?
• Although safeguards are in place, errors do happen in the operating room and throughout the hospital.  With the additional staff/equipment (and possible distraction?) in the operating room to conduct the twittercast, could we face an increased risk of error?

What do you think?

A grapefruit a day.

You know the story about an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well it may be that also a grapefruit a day a keeps the doctor away. My wife had high cholesterol and was given statins by her GP. The instructions inside said do not take grapefruit at the same time as taking the statins, which asks the question why not add grapefruit to your diet instead of taking statins, would that be a more natural way of lowering high blood cholesterol?.Here is an article I have found.

ScienceDaily (Feb. 13, 2006) — A grapefruit a day — particularly the red variety — can help keep heart disease at bay, according to a new study by Israeli researchers. In a controlled study group of patients with heart disease, the scientists found that feeding some patients the equivalent of one grapefruit daily significantly reduced levels of cholesterol in comparison to patients that did not eat grapefruit. Chronic high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Web Directory add url

Spirulina

Spirulina is a blue green algae which thrives in warm lakes like Lake Chad in Africa. It has been used in the treatment of Anaemia, weakness, malnutrition, hepatitis, inner inflammations. diabetes,hypoglycaemia and poor skin tone. Spirulina is a versatile food supplement which strengthens the immune system, and increases resistance to disease and inflammations.
It also contains a blue pigment, phycocyanin, which is a protein known to inhibit cancer. Since it is grown and harvested in unpolluted areas totally free of environmental pollutants, spirulina is one of the safest foods available. It is sold in health food shops in both powder and tablet form

Spirulina is also high in vitamin B12, and is known to boost energy and cellular health..

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Facebook Adds Organ Donation To Timeline: Should We "Like" It?

Typically, I post on Wednesdays.  However, with so much chatter about Facebook's announcement, this felt more timely.
Starting today, you can add your organ donation status to your Facebook timeline using the "share life" tool.  If you are already registered, you can share your story about where and why you decided to become an organ donor.  If you are interested in registering, you can follow links to official donor registries.

ABC has been a primary news source for this announcement, interviewing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, demonstrating how to use the "share life" tool, and discussing myths and facts about organ donation.

Scanning Facebook and Twitter today (especially among my public health colleagues), the response seems to be overwhelmingly positive.  From my perspective, the Facebook tool has the potential to be effective (i.e., increasing the number of registered donors) because it focuses on action.  The tool is not for education.  The tool actually links to registries so that you can sign up.  The tool aims to increase the visibility of already registered donors, which in turn will influence others to sign up.  The tool aims to decrease the stigma and secrecy of talking about end of life decisions by putting it right up there next to your birth date and relationship status.  This may also influence others to sign up.  In previous posts, I have written about public health campaigns that use social media in order to reduce the stigma around an "undesirable" topic (e.g., STD testing).

Although I am 100% supportive of the mission of increasing organ donors and am familiar with the dire need for donations (e.g., 18 people will die each day waiting for an organ), I have a few reservations about "share life":

In today's New York Times coverage of the Facebook announcement, I read a sentence that concerned me (I added the underlining):

"The company announced a plan on Tuesday morning to encourage everyone on Facebook to start advertising their donor status on their pages, along with their birth dates and schools — a move that it hopes will create peer pressure to nudge more people to add their names to the rolls of registered organ donors".

I consider declaration as an organ donor to be a medical decision.  In public health and medicine, we strive for patients and the public to make such decisions from a position that is informed and lacks pressure from physicians or family or friends.  Therefore, I have reservations about people signing up without educating themselves first and/or because they feel pressure on Facebook.  Just a few weeks ago, I posted about "hashtag activism" and how easy it has become to get involved in causes via social media.  Are we as thoughtful when we participate in causes on Facebook as when we participate in real life?

My other ongoing concern is regarding the proper security and use of personal information that is gathered by Facebook.  Will your organ donation status result in particular advertisements being sent your way?  I remember updating my Facebook status to "engaged" 4 years ago and being overwhelmed by the wedding planning advertisements on my page.  There is increasing public outcry regarding privacy settings and the personal information you enter being used for Facebook to attract advertisers and other business opportunities. 

Again, I am 100% supportive of the organ donation mission.  I think the reach of Facebook offers tremendous public health opportunities (including the possible elimination of long wait time for organs).  While that is an attractive outcome, we must always remember to focus on the ethics of the process as well.

What do you think?

•  Facebook has become directly involved with several public health issues (e.g., suicide, bullying, organ donation).  Are their strategies effective?  Why or why not? 
• Do you foresee any unintended consequences from the organ donation tool?
• Will you include your organ donation status on your Facebook timeline?  Why or why not?

 

Coriander seed/oil health benefits

Coriander seeds are known to have many health benefits.
1. Protects against the Salmonella bacteria
2. Reportedly works as a natural chelation treatment
3. Aids in digestion and helps settle the stomach and prevent flatulence
4. Is an anti-inflammatory that may alleviate symptoms of arthritis
5. Protects against urinary tract infections
6. Prevents nausea

7. Relieves intestinal gas 8. Lowers blood sugar
9. Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL)
10. A good source of dietary fiber
11. A good source of iron
12. A good source of magnesium
13. Rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids

Coriander oil could be used to cure a host of infections including food poisoning and the superbug MRSA, say researchers.

The herb extract is resistant to a range of toxic bacteria which cause infections that are resistant to drugs, a study has found.

Portuguese scientists tested samples of the oil – taken from the seeds of a coriander plant – against 12 lethal bacteria.

All showed reduced growth and most were killed by a solution containing less than 1.6 per cent of the oil.
The team from the University of Beira Interior found the oil attacks and kills the outer membrane of bacteria cells, including salmonella, E.coli and MRSA.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2029248/Coriander-oil-used-cure-food-poisoning-MRSA-say-scientists.html#ixzz1tVbzCN1T

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Ipriflavone

Ipriflavone is a derivative of isoflavones from which it is synthesized. It hardly occurs in nature and was found in trace amounts only in bee propolis. Discovered in the late 60's in Hungary, ipriflavone was used  as a food additive for laboratory animals. Later however studies on humans showed it can mimic the beneficial effects of oestrogen and HRT without their potential risks.
Various studies since have confirmed that ipriflavone can improve calcium retention, enhance bone formation, promote the repair of long bone fractures and prevent osteoporosis in a safe way.

Ipriflavone was also found to increase the secretion of calcitonin, the primary bone building hormone. While high doses of oestrogen or HRT are known to prevent osteoporosis, they are also known to increase the risk of cancer. In this sense, ipriflavone can provide a safer complementary treatment. Ipriflavone is presently marketed under the name Ostivone.

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The Biggest Loser: Who's Really Winning?

This week's guest post for Pop Health was written by Elana Premack Sandler, LCSW, MPH.  Elana writes a popular blog for Psychology Today called, "Promoting Hope, Preventing Suicide".  Written from both personal and professional perspectives, her blog explores suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.  Often using current events as a starting point, the blog poses questions about what could be done better or differently, what contributions research can make to practice, and challenges and opportunities inherent in new technologies.  Elana earned a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Health at Boston University and is a licensed social worker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

There’s a lot of TV I don’t watch, but there’s one show in particular. “The Biggest Loser.”



It’s true - I systematically avoid watching one of the most popular reality TV shows in history. What seems to have drawn in viewers is what bothers me so much about most reality TV. It’s like a car wreck you can’t stop staring at, even though you know it’s a tragedy.



But watching a car wreck is watching an accident, something that wasn’t designed for an audience. With an accident, there’s something very human about wanting to see what’s happened, wanting to know if everyone’s okay.



That’s very different from what I think happens when people watch “The Biggest Loser.”



The few times I watched (I kept trying - people I love and trust told me it was such a good show!), I just wasn’t able to get behind the premise of the show. Yes, I believe that people who have struggled to lose weight can benefit from personal training and major lifestyle changes. Sure, the power of competition can drive some people to work harder than they ever imagined possible.



But, shame? Does shame really help people change their behavior?

When I watched, I witnessed trainers shaming contestants, over and over, in different ways. I heard contestants talk about the shame they experienced as a part of being obese or overweight. The whole show was a shame-fest. Which made me extremely uncomfortable.



Because, when it comes down to it, “The Biggest Loser” is a game show. And I just can’t watch people shamed into losing weight just to win a game show.

  “But it’s not just a game show!” my friends-who-are-fans would say. “People change their lives.”

Oh, wait, you’re right. It’s not just a game show. It’s a franchise.



So, I guess what I really have a hard time with is people being shamed into losing weight to support a game show-Wii-resort-1,200 calorie-a-day diet franchise.



At my professional core, as a public health social worker, I know shame doesn’t work to change behavior. I had thought it was just me who thought that way, until I started reading researcher Brené Brown’s book, “I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power.”



Brown has been researching shame for the past 10 years. But, even before she was a shame expert, she was a social worker, working with people. What did she learn? “You cannot shame or belittle people into changing their behaviors.”



She explains in the introduction to the book:


• Can you use shame or humiliation to change people or behavior? Yes and no. Yes, you can try. In fact, if you really want to zero in on an exposed vulnerability, you could actually see a swift behavior change. 
• Will the change last? No. 
• Will it hurt? Yes, it’s excruciating. [I cringed when I read that part.] 
• Will it do any damage? Yes, and it has the potential to sear both the person using shame and the person being shamed. [More cringing.]
• Is shame used very often as a way to try to change people? Yes, every minute of every day. 


“The Biggest Loser” gets exactly how to use shame to motivate people to make a “swift behavior change.” Body image - for people struggling with overweight and obesity, and for people at healthy or “normal” weights - is a tremendous source of shame. Obesity is even worse. I wouldn’t be the first to say that oppression - hatred, bullying, and discrimination against - overweight and obese people is one of the last acceptable oppressions in our society.



What’s extra-disturbing about how “The Biggest Loser” uses shame is that it doesn’t limit shame to contestants. The show projects shame into the viewing audience, reinforcing biases against people who are overweight or obese. The audience doesn’t root for contestants to work within the challenges inherent in their bodies to figure out a healthy, sustainable way to lose weight and maintain overall health. The audience roots for contestants to not be fat. (Please excuse my lax grammar- I hope it’s worth making the point.)

Finally, the drama of the show revolves around shame. There’s a big reveal every episode, when viewers find out who won’t continue to compete to be The Biggest Loser. If contestants can’t lose weight within the show’s parameters (which include unhealthy weight loss practices, like dehydration), they get kicked off. So, the ideal of working with a supportive trainer goes out the window - and you are shamed, shamed, shamed into returning home, still fat, and, well, not a winner. A loser.



“The Biggest Loser” raises several questions for me:

• Should a game show be allowed to promote unhealthy weight loss practices?
• What kinds of messages does the show send to young people about their worth and value? 
• In what ways are people at a healthy weight influenced by “The Biggest Loser”? 

But, the most important to consider is this one: How much money is being made off of shame?

A natural oral contraceptive

Wild yam or dioscorea villosa contains diosgenin, a glycoside that can easily be converted to the hormone progesterone. In a study carried out over a four year period Wild yam was found to be effective as an oral contraceptive, but without the side effects of the pill.

What is it?

Wild yam is a plant. It contains a chemical, diosgenin, which can be made in the laboratory into various steroids, such as estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The root and the bulb of the plant are used as a source of diosgenin, which is prepared as an “extract,” a liquid that contains concentrated diosgenin.

There are over 600 species of wild yam. Some species are grown specifically as a source of diosgenin for laboratories to use in making steroids. These species are generally not eaten due to a bitter flavor. Only about 12 of the 600 species are considered edible.

Diosgenin or wild yam is often promoted as a “natural alterative” to estrogen therapy, so you will see it used for estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal dryness in older women, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menstrual cramps, weak bones (osteoporosis), increasing energy and sexual drive in men and women, and breast enlargement. Wild yam does seem to have some estrogen-like activity, but it is not actually converted into estrogen in the body. It takes a laboratory to do that.

Similarly, you will also see wild yam and diosgenin promoted as a “natural DHEA.” This is because in the laboratory DHEA is made from diosgenin, but this chemical reaction is not believed to occur in the human body. So taking wild yam extract will not increase DHEA levels in people. Individuals who are interested in taking DHEA should avoid wild yam products labeled as "natural DHEA."

Wild yam is also used for treating a disorder of the intestines called diverticulosis, gallbladder pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and for increasing energy.

Some women apply wild yam creams to the skin to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for WILD YAM are as follows:

Possibly ineffective for...

• Hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause, when wild yam cream is applied to the skin. Using wild yam cream for 3 months doesn’t seem to help with these menopausal symptoms. It also doesn’t seem to affect levels of hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, or progesterone that play a role in menopause.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

• Use as a natural alternative to estrogens.
• Postmenopausal vaginal dryness.
• PMS (Premenstrual syndrome).
• Weak bones (osteoporosis).
• Increasing energy and sexual desire in men and women.
• Gallbladder problems.
• Painful menstrual periods.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Infertility.
• Menstrual disorders.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate wild yam for these uses.

Hemicellulose

Hemicellulose is an indigestible fibre that absorbs water and expands in the digestive tract. It promotes bowel movements and can help to prevent constipation and promote weight loss. It is also useful in the prevention of colon cancer by its action in reducing cancer causing compounds in the digestive tract. One of its chief sources is oat bran, but it is also found in other whole grains, fruit and vegetables, such as banana, apples,pears, beans , corn and peppers.

Integrating Public Health Content Into Media Coverage of Celebrity DUIs

Amanda Bynes is just the latest young female celebrity to be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).  The media coverage has been extensive, with some outlets even raising the question, "Is she the next Lindsay Lohan?"  A fellow former child star, Lindsay Lohan has consistently been in the news the past 5 years with DUI arrests, rehab stints, and poor career decisions.  However, just a few weeks ago we heard the good news that she has been taken off probation from her DUI case...so hopefully things are looking up.

Pop Health has written about related issues in the past:  how soon is too soon to find a teachable moment in a celebrity DUI death?  How does popular media help establish the public health agenda? How does media coverage of public health issues (e.g., suicide) affect the public's health?

So now let's put the pieces together and discuss the work of public health researchers that focuses specifically on media coverage of young female celebrity DUIs.  In 2009, Smith, Twum, and Gielen published "Media Coverage of Celebrity DUIs: Teachable Moments or Problematic Social Modeling?" in the journal of Alcohol & Alcoholism.  They conducted an analysis of US media coverage of four female celebrities (Michelle Rodriguez, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan).  The study examined media coverage in the year after their DUI arrests (December 2005 through June 2008).  Among other things, the stories were coded for the presence of public health content (e.g., arrest, death, and injury statistics for DUI).  The authors found that the coverage was primarily focused on the individual celebrities (i.e., their legal and professional repercussions) versus broader social or public health impacts.  They recommended that future research examine both the news coverage and the comprehension and use of that content for policy and behavior change initiatives.

Coverage of a celebrity DUI has the potential to be a teachable moment, but we as public health practitioners need to take advantage of it.  We need to be monitoring pop culture news so that these teachable moments can be identified. We need to partner with journalists in order to make sure that a "public health frame" is incorporated in the development of the articles.  Most importantly, we need to continue to evaluate the media content and use that data to develop effective interventions and policy recommendations.

What do you think?

•   What strategies/information channels do you use to stay on top of public health-pop culture news?
•   How can the public health and journalism fields partner to take advantage of teachable moments and cover public health issues safely and effectively?

Worst virus ever

Well! what a day yesterday was. I felt so ill, I just had to stay in bed. I was vomiting about every half hour, it must be some kind of stomach flu. I have been trying to boost my immune system by taking high doses of vitamin c, 1000mg three times a day, and high doses of garlic oil, 4000mg per day. I think this reducing the time that I feel sick. I feel much better today I wouldn't want that again. I makes you feel so ill.

Celery has health benefits

Eating celery can prevent a number of illness and disease, and is a natural way to heal.

Celery juice is highly nutritious and one of the most hydrating foods we can put in our bodies. Because it is incredibly alkalizing, it equalizes the body's PH, which is vital for peak health. In ancient times, it was considered a medicinal herb used to treat a variety of health complaints. The minerals and vitamins and nutrients are in perfect harmony with each other. Celery leaves are high in vitamin A, whilst the stems are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C and dense in potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and essential amino acids.

This super food also contains important concentrations of plant hormones and the very special essential oils that give celery its characteristic smell. These oils help to regulate the nervous system, and are very calming.

Celery is rich in sodium, which is very different to table salt. Normal table salt is composed of insoluble inorganic compounds which lead to the development of varicose veins, hardening of the arteries and other aliments. If salt, including sea salt is white, then it has been processed and all minerals and nutrients have been destroyed.

On the other hand, the sodium that is available in celery is soluble and organic (live), and is essential for the body. Organic salt allows the body to use the other nutrients that are taken into the body. Every cell in our body is constantly bathed in a salt solution, and if the salt level is not in balance, dehydration occurs. This is why celery juice is a perfect rehydration drink for athletes.

Other Benefits of Celery Juice

Fights Cancer - Celery is known to contain at least eight families of anti-cancer compounds. A study at Rutgers University of New Jersey found that celery contains a number of compounds that help prevent cancer cells from spreading. Celery contains compounds called acetylenics and this compound has been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Celery contains other compounds called phonolic acids that block the action of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which encourage the growth of tumor cells. Coumarins, another phytonutrient in celery helps prevent free-radicals from damaging cells and prevent the formation and development of the colon and stomach cancers.

Lowers Cholesterol - Laboratory studies also indicate that butyl phthalide, a chemical in celery, may help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. According to researchers at the University of Chicago, celery reduces cholesterol levels by as much as 7 points with as little as 2 stalks a day. Celery also aids in increasing bile acid secretion which helps to remove cholesterol from the body.

Aids in Digestion - Special nutrients in the fiber are released during juicing that aid bowel movements. This makes celery a natural laxative that helps to relieve constipation. It also helps relax nerves that have been overworked by man-made laxatives.

Diuretic - The potassium and sodium in celery juice are powerful body fluid regulators that stimulate urine production to help rid the body of excess fluid.

Anti Inflammatory - The polyacetylene in celery is an amazing relief for all inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, asthma and bronchitis. A study published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science U.S.A found that another powerful phytonutrient called luteolin prevents activation of a pathway that allows inflammation in the brain to get switched on. Luteolin also inhibits the excess production of TNF-alpha, a direct cause of inflammation. Juice is the most efficient and nutritious way to eat celery, and people who have these conditions can drink as much juice as desired without overdosing.

Lower blood pressure - Celery's potential for reducing high blood pressure has long been recognized by Chinese medicine. Studies show that drinking celery juice every day for 1 week can significantly help lower blood pressure. A compound called phtalides helps relax the muscles around the arteries, dilating the vessels and allowing blood to flow smoothly. Pthalides also reduce stress hormones, one of whose effects is to cause blood vessels to constrict. When researchers injected 3-n-butyl phthalide derived from celery into laboratory animals, the animals' blood pressure dropped 12 to 14 percent. Celery amazingly doesn't lower blood pressure which is already low.

Insomnia - The minerals and essential oils in celery juice have a calming effect on the nervous system, making it beneficial for insomniacs. Its high magnesium levels help people to relax into a soothing and restful sleep.

Weight loss - Drinking celery juice frequently throughout the day helps curb cravings for sweet. It is filling without putting any extra pounds on.

Elimination and Prevention of stones - Celery juice is an amazing eliminator of toxins from the body, which aids in the breaking and elimination of urinary and gall bladder stones. This lovely juice helps those who have suffered from stones from getting them again.

Increased Sexuality - Celery juice is beneficial for weak sexuality, yet doesn't cause an uncontrollable urge as some pharmaceutical drugs do. Celery balances the system rather than increasing it.

Celery can be juiced with any other fruits or vegetables. A particularly delicious and powerful combination is carrot, apple, cucumber and celery.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024596_celery_juicing.html#ixzz1sBaNVICy

Another virus

Its not a good time at the moment. On Good Friday my wife had been cleaning out the garden pond and she said there was something in her eye. This went worse and the eye looked red. The next day she complained of a sore throat and aching muscles like flu conditions. The next day she felt much worse and was lying down most of the day. I took her to the doctors and her GP said it was an eye and ear infection, she said she had never felt so ill in all her life. The doctor had given her some antibiotics and I was trying to boost her immune system with high levels of vitamin c.

The next day I started with a sore throat and pain passing urine which I thought may be UTI. I tried to combat this with high levels of cranberry for the UTI, if indeed it was UTI and manuka honey which did seem to help. I will keep you posted what happens next.

 

Can poison be healthy

Warning please do not take any poison at any strength without consultation of professional person

Hormesis refers to a fascinating phenomenon - a favourable biological reaction to low doses of chemical toxins, radiation or some other form of stress that is damaging, even fatal, at high doses. Exercise provides a good example of a hormetic effect. Lifting weights actually injures muscle fibers, but over the next few days, those muscles grow stronger than they were before as the body repairs itself. Similarly, drinking alcohol in moderate doses - such as one drink daily - boosts antioxidant activity, as the body actively defends against the stresses of exposure to this toxin. Result: a modest cardiovascular health benefit (however, the effect is small enough that I don't recommend that abstainers start drinking for better health).

Along with exercise and alcohol, healthy hormetic effects have been observed from exposure to uncomfortable (but not dangerous) levels of cold and heat, mild caloric restriction (such as a day of fasting) and more. While undergoing mild stresses and discomforts appears to be beneficial, be sure to consult with your physician before making any dramatic lifestyle changes.
Learn more about hormesis.

Ping your blog

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Stomach healing exercise

The best form of exercise is walking, however there is another natural exercise that you can do yourself, it is a form of self healing.

This exercise helps stomach pain, ulcers, over acidity, indigestion, and stomach cancer.

Sit in a comfortable position, preferably on a chair with your feet flat on the floor, your thighs parallel to the floor, and your spine erect and straight.
Place your left palm on the stomach area slightly to the left of the abdominal cavity.
Inhaling, slowly move the palm of your right hand away from your chest, concentrating and fixing your eyes on the tip of the fingers. As you push your right hand feel as though you are pushing a heavy weight. Exhaling slowly bring your right hand back to your chest.
Perform this in and out movement for a total of seven times.

As you move your hand away from your chest, feel the band of energy moving out of your stomach. The right hand is draining the energy. Then feel the left hand absorb new energy into the stomach. For this exercise to be effective, you must concentrate deeply on what you are doing. The exercise needs to be done many times to master it, so do not give up

Ping your blog

"E-Lane" for Pedestrians: An April Fools' Day Prank With Real Public Health Implications

Earlier this week, Philadelphians were treated to an April Fools' Day prank courtesy of Mayor Michael Nutter and the city's Office of Transportation and Utilities.  Across the street from city hall, an "E-Lane" was designated for pedestrians who use (and are distracted by) their electronic devices while walking.  While the city only expects to keep the joke "E-Lane" around for a week, they also hope that it starts a dialogue about pedestrian safety and people looking out for themselves while walking around the city.  Since this April Fools' week also happens to coincide with National Public Health Week (a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions and challenges of public health), I thought it was a great story for Pop Health.  So I took a stroll down the "E-Lane" on Monday to take these pictures and to get the dialogue started.

While I have written about (and am a huge supporter of) the vast and ever expanding benefits of mobile devices for public health, I also acknowledge the challenges that they have created.  Even though Philadelphia created the "E-Lane" as a joke, drivers and pedestrians distracted by electronic devices have become a serious issue.   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on distracted driving tells us that each day, more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver. Distracted driving occurs while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving; these activities can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.  While distracted driving can include talking on a cell phone, texting, or eating, texting is most dangerous because it takes your eyes off the road (visual), hands off the wheel (manual), and takes your mind off driving (cognitive).

As with any emerging public health problem, we are beginning to see:

• Research:  papers on distracted drivers and pedestrians are being published in the peer reviewed literature.  
• Education: cautionary tales of distracted driving are emerging in the popular media.  Just in the past few months, the Today Show has hosted several sets of parents who lost children due to texting and driving. 
• Celebrity Spokespeople:  Teen sensation Justin Bieber is partnering with the Remember Alex Brown Foundation and Phone Guard's Drive Safe.ly application to promote responsible texting.  The application reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone.
• Policy Change:  Just a few weeks ago, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to enact an anti-texting law.  The new law allows police to charge anyone caught text messaging while operating a vehicle with a primary offense and a $50 fine. 

As with most public health problems, we will need a combination of these strategies (i.e., individual education, social norm changes, policy/law changes, technological solutions, etc) to see a reduction in injuries and deaths.

What do you think?

• How can we balance the benefits and challenges of mobile technology for public health?
• Do you think the "E-Lane" in Philadelphia is an effective strategy for initiating dialogue around distracted drivers and pedestrians?
• In addition to the strategies listed above, what can public health and the public do to reduce injuries and deaths from distracted drivers and pedestrians?

Germanium

Germanium is a much-acclaimed trace element. Nutritionally, organic germanium boosts the immune system by stimulating the production of interferon and other immune cells, increasing resistance to various diseases. It also lowers the oxygen requirements of body organs and is a powerful antioxidant, reducing peroxidation damage, and helping the debilitating diseases of ageing. As such, it was found to have a beneficial effect on ovarian malignancies, colon cancer and Hodgkin's disease. Organic germanium was also found to have anti-arthritic properties.

Trace amounts of germanium are present in most foods, but richer amounts are found in ginseng, garlic, aloe vera and comfrey, which may partially explain the health promoting effects of these foods. Germanium is also available as a supplement in health food shops, and online.

"Hashtag Activism"- Is It Working For Public Health?

Last year on Facebook, my timeline was suddenly filled with status updates of just one word.  Red. Black. White.  "What is this?" I thought to myself.  It turned out that it was a breast cancer awareness campaign.  Facebook users were listing their bra colors to help prevent breast cancer.  And there are tons of these public health campaigns all over social networking sites.  "Like" our Facebook page to prevent cancer!  "Re tweet" this message to prevent heart disease!  For those of you familiar with my blog, you'll remember that I think "raising awareness" is the most counter-productive phrase used in our work.  It is not specific enough to measure for change and (on its own) it will not change health behaviors.  

So I thought of my frustration with these campaigns as I read a great article in the New York Times this week called, "Hashtag Activism, and Its Limits".  David Carr writes eloquently about the ease of supporting a variety of causes:

"If you “like” something, does that mean you care about it?  It’s an important distinction in an age when you can accumulate social currency on Facebook or Twitter just by hitting the “like” or “favorite” button.

The ongoing referendum on the Web often seems more like a kind of collective digital graffiti than a measure of engagement: I saw this thing, it spoke to me for at least one second, and here is my mark to prove it".

I like that David brings up the question of engagement here.  Many of these public health campaigns on social media just strive for "likes" on Facebook or "hits" on a website or "re tweets" on Twitter.  And not that they mean nothing, but those measures are just the tip of the iceberg in measuring audience engagement.  And audience engagement (beyond "raising awareness") is what could actually lead to public health activism, knowledge change, and ultimately behavior change. Leslie Lewis gives a great overview of Return on Engagement (ROE) on her blog "digital.good".  According to Leslie, ROE measures tend to be more qualitative and measure message reach and spread.  In addition to "likes", ROE also measures things like brand/campaign awareness, comments, shares, and returning visitors. 

I certainly do not think that all public health campaigns delivered via social media are ineffective.  On the contrary, I think that social media is an incredibly powerful tool for public health.  David Carr makes similar comments later in his article.  Challenging his initial skepticism of web activism, he lists several recent "campaigns" that have been quite effective (e.g., the reversal of Susan G. Komen de-funding Planned Parenthood).

However, to use social media effectively in public health, we must be strategic and we must evaluate.  

Some sample questions that I ask program planners:

• What is the goal of the campaign?  (e.g., to drive traffic to your website; increase hotline calls; increase specific behaviors like breast self examination?).
• How will the campaign activities (logically) lead to the desired goal/outcome?
• Are your goals/outcomes measurable?
• Have you thought about evaluation before launching the campaign?
• Besides the ideas listed above, how are you measuring "audience engagement"?

 
 What other questions should we be asking?

The Vaccine War: Public Health vs. The Media

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laurie Edwards, a writer and blogger who examines chronic illness, healthcare, life balance, public health history, and everything in between.  Among other topics, we talked about the role of social media and mainstream media in the vaccine debate.

So I thought of that conversation as I watched last night's re-run of PBS Frontline's special "The Vaccine War" (originally aired April 27, 2010).  I highly encourage advocates on both sides of the issue to check it out.

The piece was quite balanced with interviews on all sides.  For example, we heard from vaccine advocate Dr. Paul Offit, bioethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan, anti-vaccine advocate parents in Ashland, OR (with one of the lowest vaccine rates in the country),  Jenny McCarthy and her colleagues at Generation Rescue who continue to argue for evidence of the link between vaccines and autism, and from parents of a girl who almost died at 6 weeks from whooping cough.

It explored possible contributors to the fear of vaccines and/or the lowering vaccination rates:

• 1998 Lancet article by Dr. Andrew Wakefield that linked autism to childhood vaccines (*This article has since been retracted and MANY U.S. and International epidemiological studies have found no scientific evidence of a causal link)

• A new generation of parents that are too young to know the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases like polio.  One interviewee used a term that I really like- "Community Recollection".  As Community Recollection of these diseases disappears, we can become complacent.

• A false sense of security because many of these diseases are not seen frequently in the United States.  However, we forget that with the ease of air travel, borders are almost non-existent.  For example, the piece followed an outbreak of measles in San Diego that started when a non-vaccinated 7 year old from the US contracted it while vacationing in Switzerland and brought it home to classmates.

• The Internet.  While it also offers many positive benefits regarding healthcare (e.g., access to information/publications; online support groups and connections with a "community" of individuals with similar diagnoses)- it also has its potential downfalls.
• It can keep controversy alive- even after it has been disproven (e.g., the Wakefield article)
• False or unproven information can go viral and it is hard to retract!  They use the example of the youtube video of Desiree Jennings (a 25 year-old Washington Redskins cheerleader) that claimed that a flu shot caused her debilitating muscle disorder.  

So how can Public Health compete with the Media and the Internet?

• Let's not compete.  Let's collaborate.  Let's learn (either through our own capacity or collaboration) to effectively communicate public health information online.  Our biggest audience (the public) is not usually reading our peer reviewed journals or attending our annual conferences.  This is already starting to happen.  Public health organizations have active Facebook and twitter accounts, blogs, videos.  Let's keep going.  And let's train our public health colleagues/students in health communication.

• Let's remember to share the spotlight with celebrities and other spokespeople that have influence over the public.  Like it or not, the way people get their health information and make decisions is changing.  They do not just agree with doctors or scientists.  I almost always see these debates featuring Public Health (scientist speaking in jargon) vs. Celebrity/Parent with moving emotional story about their child being injured by a vaccine.  That is hard to compete with!  Believe it or not (because we seem to only hear from Jenny McCarthy), there are also pro-vaccine celebrities.  Jennifer Garner and Kristi Yamaguchi have been flu vaccine advocates.  Jennifer Lopez and Keri Russell have been pertussis vaccine advocates.  Let's make sure the public knows that. 

• Let's think about the framing and marketing of vaccination messages.  When the HPV vaccine is framed as a Cancer Vaccine for both boys and girls...versus an STD Vaccine for just girls/young women it is perceived very differently by the public.

Tell me what you think:

• What can we do to change the current "Community Recollection" about vaccinations?
• Other suggestions regarding how public health can collaborate with the media/internet sites to communicate more effectively with the public?