Why Prefer Vegetarianism?

A person is typically vegetarian for health, environmental, religious, and moral reasons. 

HEALTH

Eating excessive meat can increase risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Meat is rich in cholesterol and takes a long time to digest. Also, food poisoning cases are frequently acquired from animal products consumption. In contrast, vegetarians have lower cancer rates and thus have great possibility to live longer than their counterparts. Although there is also fiber in meat and dairy products, vegetarians can get more fiber in vegetables.  In fact, the low fat vegetarian or so-called Ornish diet is proven to combat heart disease. Additionally, a lot of vegetarians weigh less than meat-eating people. 

ENVIRONMENT

Vegetarians help preserve the environment through protecting animals. Meat-eating diets contribute indirectly to deforestation. Massive amounts of methane are produced from livestock farming that negatively adds to greenhouse gases and contributes to global warming. In fact, greenhouse gases from livestock are higher than the amount released by cars around the world.  Also, more water resources go to large-scale meat production that could be used for other purposes. So it is more wasteful raising animals than raising vegetation for human consumption. They are indeed confident that adopting a meatless lifestyle is one of the effective ways of protecting the environment.       

RELIGION

For Buddhism, Hinduism, and Seventh Day Adventists, to stay away from meat is the ideal way to promote nonviolence and advance in spiritual aspect. For these people, eating any animal-based products creates bad karma. 

ETHICS

Caring for animals is another reason why some people choose to be vegetarians. They do not want to eat meat as this is morally wrong for them. Vegetarians believe that to raise animals for slaughter and kill them for food is a means of denying their natural rights. Also, vegetarians are not in favor of slaughterhouses, where animals are slaves. Additionally, vegans object to wearing anything made from animals. 

On the other hand, vegetables are a very great source of dietary fiber so medical experts in white scrubs would probably say that being vegetarian is a healthy lifestyle.  

     

Care for Coffee for Your Skin?

Coffee for skin, are you sure? Yep, coffee for skin... According to the researchers of Rutgers University, coffee guards from the development of non-melanoma skin cancers. The researchers say there is 5% decrease risk of sunlight induced skin cancer for every cup of coffee you drink. Thanks to its capability of blocking a protein enzyme that’s responsible of developing skin cancer. And if applied onto skin, the researchers actually think coffee could provide about the same effect.

That has to be further tested by medical scientists, though. Until proven effective, no medical expert in medical uniforms would suggest you apply coffee to your skin like a topical solution or lotion. But res assured, drinking coffee will bring you a number of health benefits, including low risk of type 2 diabetes, dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, heart diseases, stroke, and certain cancers.

I’ve always loved coffee, and knowing its health benefits boosted my confidence that drinking reasonable amount could bring me no harm. However, learning that coffee can actually help prevent cancer is just amazing. I’m already waiting for another health benefit that researchers are going to uncover for us.

Believed beauty benefits: beautyzona.com

1. Able to remove dead skin cells that can repair damaged skin.

2. Can neutralize the irritated skin while providing nutrients to the skin.

3. To eliminate body odor.

4. Able to revitalize the new skin cells and keep skin moist.

5. Able to remove acne scars and stubborn black stains.

6. Get rid of cellulite if done regularly.

7. Can improve blood circulation and break down fat in the body that can cause cellulite.

8. Functioning as an astringent because the content is equal to the pH of our skin (4, 5) so as to reduce and eliminate acne or blemishes on the skin.

9. Provides protection against UVA or UVB rays.

Haiti Cholera Resurgence About to Worsen, WHO Appeals for International Aid

“When people come here, they’re in critical condition, ready to die,” said Francole Adonis, who registers the new arrivals at the treatment center in Mirebalais. - Northjersey.com.

That is the horrible face of Haiti today, after cholera outbreak resurgence due to the start of the rainy season and flood that hit the capital Port-au-Prince. Parts of the southern peninsula are also affected, seeing increase of cases in Grand Anse, Nippes, Sud, Sud-Est, Artibonite, and Nord. In April and May, Mirabalais treatment center saw fivefold increase of cases. Between May 2 and June 12 alone, there were 18,182 newly reported cases. Cholera first broke on October 2010, and since then, there’s been 344,623 reported cases and 5,397 related deaths. Sadly, the outbreak is still expected to get worse as the rainy season advances.

Haiti’s condition, after the January 2010 earthquake, made the situation harder to handle. The poor access to clean water and proper sanitation remain to be the biggest challenge during a cholera outbreak. Even aid workers are worried that the treatment supplies would no longer be enough when the situation gets worse. Water-trucking is now down to 20% of what it was after the quake. And that number is about to get lower as other NGOs prepare to close their water-trucking and sewage removal activities in the next few months due to lack of fund.

To make things worse, treatment facilities that are mostly financed by NGOs, will have to face scaling down operations in rural areas as well. They will have to transfer the responsibility to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), which unluckily have insufficient fund as well. And in those rural areas, transportation of patients with severe conditions is also a problem, with only 11 vehicles getting the job done.

WHO/PAHO that helps in the Haiti cholera epidemic is asking for international aid. It also appeals to its partners to consider keeping professional personal in medical uniforms as well as facilities in place.

Study: Hearty Potato Makes You Fat

The hearty potato that gained so much credit for its nutritional value is now receiving huge slaps due to recent finds. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, for instance, have recently found that potatoes cause more weight gain than any other foods known to spike fatty deposits around the waist.

Were the researchers referring to the fried potatoes, which you’ve always known to really get you into trouble? Hardly the case. According to the study, whether you fried your potato, mashed it with butter and garlic, or simply banged it in the oven or had it boiled, it still comes out far worse than what a sugary drink, double bacon cheeseburgers, or gulping on high caloric alcoholic drink.

The study found that a daily extra serving of potato chips adds up an average of 1.7 pounds in four years, and about 1.3 pounds throughout the same period for eating non-chip form of potatoes. Munching of French fries tops a 3.4 pounds added to total weight gain in four years. But the problem does not simply stop with the additional weight, but with the fact that the body easily transforms the starchy food into glucose. Hence, posing a much greater problem called increased blood sugar levels, commonly known as diabetes. The list of complications goes long.

Having the burden of keeping blood sugar levels to a normal level, the pancreas will be overworked. When the pancreas becomes successful with its burdensome job, the blood sugar levels will plummet, causing the individual to suddenly feel hungry and lead to another bingeing or simply snacking. As this condition continues over a long period, the result is drastic weight gain and overly fatigued pancreas, possibly contributing to type 2 diabetes.

And oh, wait, that’s not all. Potatoes are also packed with significantly high amount of calories in such a relatively small package. The baked potato, which is believed to be real healthy, contains 278 calories. Its unhealthy French fries cousin is packed with 500 to 600 calories per serving. When compared with the other so called unhealthy foods, such soda, the latter looks entirely shrunk. A 12 oz. Coca-Cola contains only 140 calories, while 150 calories in Pepsi. Imagine piling such a huge amount of calories into your system everyday; you’ll surely swell and end up being treated by those in medical uniforms while lying in a hospital bed.

That’s a real bad news for potato lovers like me. And I’m not buying it just yet. Potatoes are among the healthiest vegetables that I can’t undo from my table just like that. It’s got 48% of vitamin c, 47% potassium, 18% iron, 26% dietary fiber, and 4% calcium. If eaten without salt and fixings, you get to have the benefits from those nutrients. And if you eat potato raw, the amount of vitamin c spiked to 121% and the dietary fiber up at 32%! With better regimen of physical activities, more healthful diet, skipping the smoke, and regulated alcohol intake, weight gain is going to stay off the equation.

Is it rational to heed warning on cell phone use cancer risk?

World Health Organization has repeatedly assured the public before that cellular phones do not pose any harm to health, but just this week, WHO sounded alarm regarding the brain cancer risk of cell phone use. However, while the scientists and many medical professionals try to make people understand the seriousness of the matter, others consider it having limited evidence.

WHO compared cell phone radiation to substances such as Chloroform, exhaust from gasoline engine, DDT pesticide, and lead, all of which known to cause health problems when accumulated.

Radiation emitted by cellular phones is carcinogenic. According to WHO, a multi-country study found that there is a 40% increased risk of a rare type of brain cancer called glioma on people who used cell phone 30 minutes every day for 10 years. Unreleased papers also show that cell phone radiation can also increase risk of acoustic neuroma and brain tumor in the part of the brain where cell phone radiation is greatest.

Why do people doubt this warning?

People don’t see yet the long term effect of cell phone use to brain because these gadgets have only been in the society for around 2 decades. Significantly, scientists cannot establish evidence based on that. Also, the generation that has been using cellular phones at a very early age has just started. Further, Dr. Kate Black of the Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said, “the overall risk of developing a malignant brain tumor is about 6 per 100,000 per year.”

Do we really have to be concerned of this warning?

The levels of radiation emitted by cell phones in the U.S. are within government safety limits. But what is safe depends on important factors such as age. Take at the print shot shown below. The red spot you notice in the image is the radiation that penetrated into the brain. And as shown, the 5-year-old kid is affected the most than the 10-year-old as well as the adult. This suggests that long term exposure to cell phone radiation may actually cause brain cancer, especially with children whose skulls are thinner and brains still developing.

The most recent study on cell phone effect to brains showed that brain activity increases with cell phone held in the ear than when it’s not. The said study did not find any direct link to brain cancer. However, since it’s radiation level is similar to a microwave, even considered low, can still cook the brain in the long run.

Given the potential consequences of public health…it is importance to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure. – WHO

They say the warning was based on limited evidence. The 31 scientists of WHO do not deny such a fact. However, we would be wise to take in mind that cigarettes were then doubted to cause harm, and it took long to really establish solid evidence that cigarettes indeed cause harm. So it just makes sense to take precautions.

Cell phone users may use earpiece or headset, or speaker phone. Instead of calling, they can opt to texting more often. And, of course, people can cut down on phone use. Always reconsider whether or not the call you are making is really important or simply unnecessary.

Doing such measures does not spell panicking, but a sound precaution. For one, lowering risk of any type of health problem saves you from huge costs for treatment in the future. You and your family will have a lower probability of having to fear any bad news from those in medical uniforms and lab coats. And you would be happy to find lower cell phone bill.

Study Confirms Cell Phone Fuel Brain Activity

A recent study published in The Journal of American Medical association, confirmed that radiation emitted by cellular phones increases brain activity. But whether or not the said boost in brain activity makes cell phone radiation a risk factor in developing brain tumors or not remains unanswered. Although, this could raise worries among wireless phone users and speculations among adamant activists, it would not be right to jump into any conclusions as the study actually answered nothing of the old concerns.

Focusing on how cell phone’s electromagnetic energy affects brain activity or brain glucose metabolism by the use of PET scans for 50 minutes, researchers from National Institutes of Health found healthy participants’ brains nearest to the source of radiation reacted to radiation even if devices were set mute. It fueled 7% increased glucose metabolism. Significantly, results raise new questions concerning the long been debated health risks being tied with cell phone.

Scientists still need to look further into possibilities and make more thorough study of different cases as well as risk factors. Essentially, no physicians in medical uniform can use this and other similar studies as basis on diagnosing a patient’s health condition, or even suggest that cell phone use could be causing their headache.

Eat Spinach, Grow Muscles, Be Strong Like Popeye

Do you actually believe spinach makes Popeye’s muscles grow big and really strong? I bet you didn’t even when you were just a child. Well, children nowadays can better identify what’s real and what’s not than ever. They know cartoons are but shows, much like the small Jerry often beating the big guy Tom, far from reality. Even my 2-year-old nephew would argue if you say monsters are real.

But, hey, if you look closely into the nutritional facts of spinach, it will not be fair to assume that the particular vegetable cannot really boost muscles and muscle strength. First of all, spinach is rich in vitamins, minerals, and has lots of other phytonutrients or natural plant chemicals that provide nutritional value for human. Among the know phytonutrients in spinach is lutein, a chemical responsible in increasing the pigment of macula that is also significant in helping slow the natural degeneration process of eyesight. One can also get vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E or

Alpha Tocopherol, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. It also contains niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc, and of course, the important building block of the human body called protein.

It is also well known that the reason why vegetable eaters seem to not see visit people in white scrubs and lab coats often compared to non-vegetable eaters, is that they are very low in saturated fats as well as cholesterol, and very good source of dietary fiber. This also tells us that spinach helps keep health in utmost state.

In a recent scientific study, researchers found proofs backing Popeye’s claim. According to the study results, a bowl of spinach can help muscles work efficiently profound because of the nitrates that it contains. These nitrates have an effect that’s similar with what fuel do to car’s engine. They help make mitochondria, the cell’s power house, run smoother and more efficiently. And it seems to also help stop the loss of energy when muscles work, a much better performance than vehicle engine, wherein too much energy is wasted due to generation of heat.

While this study cracked open the secret in Popeye’s strength-generating-spinach, this should also explain why rich in fruits and vegetables diet is best for health, considering the fact that veggies are naturally rich in nitrates.

HIV Cure - Too Rare and Can Be Lethal

It’s so odd that while great amount of effort and money are being spent in finding HIV cure, the answer goes away just like that. Doctors and the rest of the people in the medical industry who wear nursing scrubs and lab coats were overwhelmed by the case of one patient who was cured of HIV, but at the same time seem to feel frustration by the fact that such procedure is just too risky, even lethal, aside from the fact that finding a person immune to HIV is extremely rare.

The patient cured of HIV is a U.S. man, in his 40’s, who happened to also be a sufferer of myeloid leukemia. His latter disease became the key to his being accidentally cured of the virus that sickened 33.4 million people worldwide with AIDS. The said man received a bone marrow transplant in February 2007 to treat him of cancer of the immune system. Much to their surprise, it also cleared him of HIV.

His own immune system was removed with high-dose chemotherapy and radiation before undergoing stem-cell transplant. At that point, he stopped taking HIV medications. After a span of 13 years, he had a relapse of leukemia that required him to receive another stem-cell transplant, from the same donor. 3 years and 6 months passed, and no sign of HIV replication and leukemia in his system, and his health was back to normal.

How did this happen? The answer is traced back to the bone marrow that he received. His donor has rare genetic mutation that made him naturally resistant of HIV. Sadly, the accidental cure may just remain accidental. Why?

1. The ideal candidates for cure are healthy people, with no leukemia.
2. Only leukemia and lymphoma patients can undergo stem-cell.
3. Totally wiping away of the immune system can be fatal, 30% die of it.
4. Survivors of the stem-cell transplant may suffer hard-to-deal complications, as such with graft versus host disease, wherein the foreign incorporated cell attacks the new host.
5. Possibility of finding compatible match for stem-cell transplant is extremely low, because only 1% of Caucasians carry it.

Papal Stance on Condom Use – Does it teach moral responsibility?

Amid booming population, the Catholic Church was clear that it will not favor contraception. In many predominantly Catholic countries, the issue in condom use has created controversy. In the Philippines, for instance, Catholic priests condemned the move of handling condoms to the public by health officials only a few months back before Pope Benedict the XVI disclosed his stance regarding condom use. Because in this case, I hear what those people in medical uniforms say better. What caught my attention was not the issue on contraception, though, but the level of immorality and morality that the Catholic Church can denounce and tolerate.

“The Pope clarified his stance in an interview with a German journalist, saying that in certain cases, such as for male prostitutes, contraceptives could be a first step in taking moral responsibility for stemming the spread of the virus that causes AIDS,” edmonton.ctv.ca reported. Do prostitutes really take moral responsibility for stemming HIV spread if they use condom? That is merely stemming spread of HIV, but hardly being morally responsible.

On the other hand, the local catholic churches that are ever loyal to opposing contraception, were swift at saying the new stance is not a fundamental shift. But that their allegiance is to abstinence and fidelity is still paramount to their faith. It is highly important for people to practice effective ways of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and recommending the use of condom is a good move made by the Catholic Church. However, mentioning male prostitutes as examples creates an entirely different idea as to whether the Catholic Church denounces or tolerates prostitution. Or, that, the Catholic Church is really talking about contraception as means of being morally responsible.

I personally don’t know where he based his stance. Was it Bible-based, just another personal view, or simply some words to tickle the ears?

My view of moral responsibility is univocal to doing what is right according to the Bible principles, in whatever aspect of life.

American Teens Smarter than Adults in Condom Use

According to a study on the sexual behavior of Americans, by the Center for Sexual Promotion at Indiana University, teens are smarter than adults in the use of condom. Of the 5,865 respondents, 800 were 17 to 14-year olds. 80 percent of boys and 69 percent of girls of that number said they used condom the last time they had sexual intercourse, compared to less than half of the adult respondents.

With the monumental social changes in the country, such as unwanted pregnancies, AIDS epidemic, cohabitation, and gay rights, it is only normal for people to make changes in their sexual attitudes and resort to some known preventive measures against any unwanted effects resulting from these changes. Along with these changes, the country is also bombarded with pornographic materials, igniting just anyone’s erotic nature. As a result, more people involve themselves in sexual acts more often, including teens. Consequently, problems related to unprotected sex rise uncontrollably. Despite knowledge of these, adults seem to be a lot less wise on this matter than teenagers.

Just what can be done by the use of condom? Hearsays tell condom obstructs with achieving sexual satisfaction. In the same study conducted, 85 percent of men and two-thirds of women experienced orgasm. Could it be because adults think they can easily handle the results, while teenagers want to avoid any responsibilities as much as possible? Whatever the reason is the use of condom or practicing protected sex can still improve people’s odds. Condom primarily protects from sexually transmitted diseases, and had 98% efficient in preventing pregnancies.

For a teenager, losing virginity is an important turning point of life, wherein the use of condom can have a significant value. However, sex abstinence until marriage still has the best benefits. For couples or partners who are determined to be responsible on their sex life but are unsure about the benefits of using condom, a talk with an OB gyne will clear any doubts. Couples can choose to see a professional in womens scrubs if both feel they would be more comfortable in talking the matter with a female. But whatever gender wears those scrub tops and scrub pants, the important thing is that they can become more responsible in their sex lives.

World Leaders Commit to Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health

A decade ago, anti-poverty goals were adopted, and now ways of implementation are being reviewed to push the “Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health.” It’s the project that Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg calls as the key to lasting safety and future security – an effort to save lives from unnecessary deaths of women and children.

World leaders have shown considerable interest in the project, suggesting ways on how to make the project successful and reassuring fulfillment of commitments. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama said, “We will keep our promises and honor our commitments.” In the face of crisis in the global economy, he believes that even the poorest countries can advance the prosperity and security of people far beyond borders.

Just what are these commitments? Governments and nonprofit agencies committed to provide $40 billion dollars that would finance ways of saving 16 million lives of women and children in the next 5 years. On the other hand, deep concerns arose about getting budget as the world struggles with bad economy. Presently, there is an estimated 8 million deaths among children less than 5 years of age, and about 350, 000 women who die during pregnancy and childbirth. Mostly are among the 1 billion people living in less than $1.25 per day.



UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made emphasis on cutting extreme poverty by half through universal primary education as well as by halting and reversing HIV/AIDS pandemic. He said with certainty that the 21st century must be and will be different. Ban’s optimism is shared with by Josette Sheeran, executive director of the U.N.’s World Food Program. She said that the most powerful intervention hunger and poverty is to ensure women have access to food so they can build a future for their children, for themselves, and for their villages. Further, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Rwandan Pres. Paul Kagame, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, as well as Tanzanian PM Mizengo Pinda spoke of ways to tackle maternal and mortality, including childbirth assistance training among midwives and other health care workers, inexpensive vaccine for diseases causing needless deaths among small children.

While there can be access to food and basic health needs, we know that governmental and societal disease could block implementation. As a result, many of those in need are still not able to receive what they most necessitate. Former Chilean Pres. Michelle Bachelet saw solution in making women’s issues a human rights issue, putting emphasis on women’s equality and reduction of deaths among women in pregnancy and childbirth. She said huge commitment to work harder is needed to make big advances on the goals.

In developed countries, the needed information in caring for pregnant women and children are readily available. Even in some third world countries, local health care workers are capable of educating the public. In many lands, vaccines that would protect children from diseases are being administered. Sadly, not all people have access to these valuable information and basic health needs.

Witnessing needless deaths of women and children are unwanted scenes enveloping tales of the less fortunate people. Needless because their deaths are preventable, and the world has the solutions almost 100 years already. However, millions of women and children still die unnecessarily. If you are a health care worker able to see this unfortunate reality, you may as well dedicate sometime of your profession extending them help. But we neither have to be in Cherokee scrubs or Landau scrubs to be able to help, nor should we simply let the government do their job. In our own simple ways, we can directly offer our help by means of providing awareness and financial aid.