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Waiting For an Arm and a Leg

The next generation of artificial limbs
fused directly to human bone and commanded by the brain promises effortless, natural motion. It can't come soon enough for the newest group of prosthetics wearers:U.S. soldiers

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Vitamin Pills Fail Brain Test

Folate and B vitamin pills failed to help keep elderly people's brains and memories sharp in the longest study yet to test this approach.

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Cranberries may help prevent tooth decay.

Researchers believe they have found the mechanism by which cranberries can help prevent tooth decay. Doctors are cautioning that the sugar used to sweeten them could offset some of the benefits. Not in the article, but the quercetin in cranberries has also been shown to help people with allergies.

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More to weight than diet and exercise

New reasons for why we are fat such as air-conditioning, lack of sleep, and use of antidepressant medications top the list of a new scientific study published in the International Journal of Obesity. Scientists hope to generate additional research in these understudied areas.

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Company comes up with 'hybrid' hamburger

What's a health-conscious burger lover to do? The real thing tends to have too many calories and too much fat, but meatless burgers seem to lack the flavor and consistency of real beef.


St. Louis-based Solae LLC has come up with a solution, a patent-pending invention called SoleCina that involves both the process and the ingredients to produce either a "hybrid" meat — part soy, part real meat — or a completely meatless food that tastes like chicken, beef, pork or turkey.

The company said both versions taste — and feel to the mouth — much like real meat, but are much healthier. For example, a hybrid burger dubbed the "Better Burger" by Solae has two-third the calories and half the fat and saturated fat as a burger of comparable size...more

marijuana tea to debut in British health food shops

British health food shops will soon be offering customers iced cannabis tea, its Swiss distributor said.


Sold under the label "C-Ice Swiss Cannabis Ice Tea", the beverage contains five percent of hemp flower syrup and a tiny (0.0015 percent) quantity of THC, the active ingredient of marijuana.

Any ingredient that could put it in the drugs category has been removed and the tea will not lead to dependency.

But British anti-drug campaigners say that selling the tea is dangerous because it will give young people the impression that cannabis is commonplace.

The product was launched in Switzerland in 2003 and is already available in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain

Health Tip: Understanding ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive disease that gradually causes its victims to lose control of their muscles. It's eventually fatal.


According to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms usually start as a gradual weakening of the muscles. People with ALS usually lose control of their arms and legs, and finally the muscles in their chest, which causes them to stop breathing.


There is no cure, although treatments may be prescribed to improve quality of life and reduce some of the discomfort and symptoms of ALS, including pain, depression, and difficulty sleeping

Health Tip: Reducing Allergy Symptoms

Although you may be among millions of Americans with allergies, there are things you can do to tame your symptoms, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology says.


Make sure your home is thoroughly and regularly cleaned. Mold, dust and other allergens can build up in the linens, furniture and air ducts. It's also best to use air conditioning rather than open windows in the house and the car. And you should shower and wash your hair before you go to bed, the academy says.


If you still have symptoms, the AAAAI recommends an over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine. If that doesn't help, talk to an allergist about other treatment options, including allergy shots.

Fast Food Restaurant Nutrition Links page

This is a page that links to some of the most of the popular fast food restaurant nutrition info page, very handy for health conscience minded / allergenic guide / gluten / diary intolerance...etc. Let me know what other places you wanna add to the list!

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Study eyes obesity-prostate cancer link

Being overweight hurts men's chances of having successful radiation treatment for prostate cancer, according to a study released Monday.


The study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is being called the first to examine the link between obesity and prostate cancer progression after radiation treatment.

Researchers found that moderately and severely obese men had a 70 percent higher risk of having a tumor recur after radiation treatment than thinner men did.

The same researchers last year looked at men who had surgery for prostate cancer, and found that heavier men were more likely to have rising levels of PSA, a blood protein that can signal prostate cancer, after treatment than thinner men were...more

More defibrillators, pacemakers recalled

Boston Scientific Corp. on Monday said it is recalling some defibrillator and pacemaker models that could fail because of an electrical flaw.


The recall is the latest in a string of product problems Boston Scientific inherited when it bought Guidant Corp. in April for $27 billion.

Boston Scientific said it was asking its sales force and managers of hospital inventories to return some units of six models of defibrillators and pacemakers that have potentially faulty low-voltage capacitors, which are used to store electrical charges...more

Bird flu may have been mistaken for SARS

A Chinese man who died of pneumonia in 2003 and was at first classified as a SARS victim might have in fact died of avian influenza, Chinese researchers reported on Wednesday.

But in a confusing development, at least one of the researchers asked that the letter reporting the case be withdrawn from publication in the New England Journal of Medicine. Editors of the medical journal said they were trying to find out why.

The letter was available to journalists before its withdrawal, and describes the case of a 24-year-old man who died from pneumonia and respiratory distress in November 2003...more

Swimmer's Ear Not Just From Pools

Swimmer's ear is an infection in the ear canal triggered by excess moisture. Water can gather in the ear after swimming, but it can also come from taking a bath or shower.


While water itself can cause the deterioration of tissue that leads to the infection, there are other factors that can cause damage, the Nemours Foundation says. These factors include scratching the ear canal, rough scrubbing with a Q-tip inside the ear, and inserting sharp objects in the ear canal.


Symptoms of otitis externa, as swimmer's ear is also called, include pain or itching inside the ear, swelling, discharge from the ear, and pain when chewing. Oral antibiotics or antibiotic eardrops are typically used to clear the infection. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help alleviate discomfort.


To prevent the infection in people who are prone to them, the foundation recommends using over-the-counter eardrops of a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol after swimming, long showers, or baths.


A shower cap or swimmer's ear plugs can protect the ear canals from getting too wet in the first place.

Health Tip: Eaten Bad Food?

Food poisoning often occurs after eating a meal in a large, social setting like a picnic, cookout or cafeteria. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, foods in these settings are often prepared early and can be left unrefrigerated for long periods, allowing bacteria to form on the food.


Food poisoning symptoms typically begin within two to six hours after eating contaminated food. Signs of food poisoning are most often vomiting, fever, chills, headache, bloody diarrhea, weakness, and severe abdominal cramps.


Treatment from a doctor is rarely necessary, unless dehydration occurs, says the NLM. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids, but avoid milk or drinks with caffeine. You should also avoid solid foods while severely nauseated. Antibiotics usually aren't needed.

Health Tip: Kids Need to Behave Around Dogs

Although often labeled man's best friend, a dog's instinct may tell him to bite to protect himself around those he doesn't know -- especially excitable children.


Here are a few tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to keep your children from provoking dogs:

Stay away from dogs you don't know. Children should never run up to pet a strange dog, no matter how friendly it looks.
Never approach any dog -- even a dog you know -- who is eating, sleeping, or with its puppies.
Do not run and scream around a dog.
Be still if an unfamiliar dog approaches you, and let it sniff you and see you before you try to walk away.
If a child is playing with a dog, make sure an adult is around to supervise.

New breast cancer gene raises risk in Europeans

Researchers have found another breast cancer gene that can greatly raise the risk of the disease in women of European heritage, according to a report published on Monday.


They said the gene worked in tandem with the well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to raise the risk of breast cancer by as much as 80 percent.

The team, at Iceland's Decode Genetics, said their findings suggest women with certain mutations in two of the genes have an almost certain risk of breast cancer...more

Whole grain-rich diet may reduce gum disease risk

Eating lots of whole grains may do more than lower a person's risk of developing diabetes or heart disease, as has been previously reported. New study findings suggest a diet rich in whole grains may lower the likelihood of developing periodontitis, or gum disease, as well.


"A diet that is beneficial for general health is also good for oral health," study co-author Dr. Anwar T. Merchant, of McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, told Reuters Health, adding that "periodontitis may be prevented by diet."...more

Heart Association urges trans fats limit

The American Heart Association has become the first big health group to urge a specific limit on trans fats in the diet — less than 1 percent of total calories — in new guidelines released Monday.


Also for the first time, the organization's dietary guidelines include lifestyle recommendations, including an emphasis on getting exercise and not smoking.

A panel of specialists in nutrition and heart disease reviewed more than 90 studies to update the dietary advice the association released in 2000. The guidelines are for healthy Americans ages 2 and older...more

The Silent Killer - Infammatory Breast Cancer

You cannot see this even with a mammorgram, there is no lumps to see. It is the most aggresive form of breast cancer...more

Health Tip: Too Much Caffeine?

Caffeine is found in everything from morning coffee or tea to lunchtime sodas and afternoon chocolate snacks. It's also found in certain pain medicines, including those taken for headaches.


According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It can make you feel more alert, although some people may be particularly sensitive. A caffeine overdose can be caused by taking medications that contain the chemical, combined with too much in your diet.


Side effects from too much caffeine may include headaches, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, irritability, shaking and high blood sugar. Some people may even have abdominal bleeding and diarrhea, the NLM says.

Health Tip: Taking Care of a Cast

Broken bones are typically set in a cast, applied by a doctor and made of fiberglass or plaster. Casts usually need to be worn for four-to-six weeks, but it may be shorter or longer depending on your injury.


It's important to take care of your cast so the bone heals properly, says the University of Michigan Health System. The cast needs to stay dry, so you'll probably need to take baths rather than showers, and wash with a sponge or washcloth. A plastic bag should be wrapped around the cast to protect it.


Even if it itches, never stick any object inside your cast, as you may pierce the skin and cause an infection. Sprinkling talcum power inside may soothe the itching.


Talk to your doctor before engaging in physical activity. You should avoid contact sports, riding a bike, rollerblading or skateboarding. If your leg or ankle is broken, your doctor may want you to use crutches and avoid putting pressure on the injury.

Veggies Do a Heart Good

A healthy dose of vegetables every day may help keep the heart arteries clear, a study in mice suggests. Researchers found that lab mice given a diet full of broccoli, carrots, green beans, corn and peas developed far less artery narrowing than those reared on a veggie-free diet.


For humans, the findings offer more support for the advice health experts and mothers have long given: eat your vegetables.

Discounting French fries, most Americans aren't adequately heeding that advice, noted the study's lead author, Dr. Michael R. Adams of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina...more

Nutrition Panel

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center; Gary Taubes, Journalist; Dr. Dean Ornish, Founder and President Preventative Medicine Research Institute; Dr. Barbara Howard, American Heart Association

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You: The Owner's Manual - Tips for Staying Healthy, Youthful

Doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen, authors of the bestselling book, YOU: THE OWNER'S MANUAL

Watch Video

Gum Disease Can Harm Much More Than Your Teeth

Proper oral hygiene may do a lot more than keep your teeth bright and cavity-free -- it could be a boon to your overall health.


A growing body of research suggests that periodontal disease may exacerbate a variety of health problems as wide-ranging as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease -- even premature births, experts say.


For instance, several promising studies have found that blood-sugar levels in diabetics with periodontal disease were reduced to normal when the patients' gum disease was treated. Other research revealed that the incidence of respiratory diseases among nursing-home residents was cut when they were treated for gum disease, said Dr. Robert Genco, distinguished professor of oral biology at the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo...more

Citrus Juices Up Bone Health

A glass or two of orange, grapefruit or other citrus juice each day may help prevent osteoporosis-linked bone fracture, a new U.S. study in rats concludes.


Regular doses of grapefruit and orange juice helped prevent osteoporosis and strengthened bones in a study conducted on male rats with low levels of circulating testosterone.


"This is a problem with aging men, because the level of testosterone decreases as men age," lead researcher Dr. Farzad Deyhim, a professor of human and animal nutrition at Texas A & M-Kingsville, said in a prepared statement.


His team at the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center divided the rats into three groups: those with no change in diet; those who received orange juice; and those who received grapefruit juice. The rodents were fed fresh juice supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, to reduce acidity, every morning...more

Health Tip: If Your Baby's Skin Looks Yellow

Some babies are born with a condition called jaundice, where the skin and eyes have a yellow tint that's caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by red blood cells, broken down in the liver, and excreted from the body as bile.


The Nemours Foundation says this buildup of bilirubin in a baby's blood occurs when the liver can't break down bile as fast as blood cells produce it.


In mild cases of jaundice, the condition may clear up on its own in five to seven days.


But severe cases can lead to deafness, cerebral palsy or brain damage, the foundation says. Since in rare cases jaundice also may be a sign of hepatitis, any newborn with a yellowish tint to the skin should be evaluated by a physician.

Serious fungal infections of the eye on the rise

Investigators in Miami and San Francisco describe clusters of a serious eye infection called ulcerative keratitis, an ulceration of the cornea, among soft contact lens wearers caused by the fungus Fusarium, which until this year had been considered an unusual condition in the U.S. Reports of both clusters are published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.


An editorial note preceding the articles refers to the recent withdrawal by Bausch & Lomb of its ReNu MoistureLoc contact lens cleaner, because of an association with these infections. The note says those cases "appear to be part of a more global emergence of Fusarium as a vision-threatening organism in otherwise healthy patients."...more

Pittsburgh Steelers Jon Kolb doing the windshield wiper!

Ever wonder how a retired steelers stay in shape?
More videos at : www.ccmhi.org

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Pittsburgh Steelers Jon Kolb doing the windshield wiper!

Everwonder how a retired Steelers stay in shape? More videos at www.ccmhi.org

Gastric Bypass May Boost Blindness Risk

A boom in gastric bypass surgery could lead to an unwelcome trend: an increase in vitamin A deficiency among patients that raises their risk for vision loss.


So conclude U.S. researchers who studied the medical histories of patients who were nearly blind or had very poor eyesight but no family history of blindness.


The study, published in the current issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology, focused on three patients over age 65 who had been diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency. Each of the patients had also undergone major intestinal surgery in the last 20 to 35 years...more

Health Tip: Calming an Upset Stomach

Nausea can be caused by a variety of things -- a bacterial or viral infection, pregnancy, food poisoning, or reaction to drugs or therapy. Here are suggestions from the Cleveland Clinic on how to ease that nauseous feeling:

Drink fluids to keep yourself hydrated, but stick to cold, clear drinks like water or clear soda.
Try to eat small meals of bland foods, like dry toast or saltine crackers. Avoid anything fried, greasy, or sugary, as they're more likely to aggravate your stomach.
Eat and drink slowly.
Lie still after eating or drinking; avoid activity.
Try not to combine hot and cold foods -- stick to one at a time.
Don't brush your teeth right after eating.


If your nausea or vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, contact your doctor.

Amazon starts selling groceries

Internet retailer Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN - news) has started selling groceries on its Web site, a cautious step into a business that was one of the biggest casualties of the dot-com collapse.


The service is limited to non-perishable goods such as cereal, pasta and canned soup, but Amazon can ship those items to any customer, unlike online grocers that only deliver to limited areas.

"Because we only carry products when we can offer great prices and free shipping, we don't carry everything (yet!)," the company said in a notice on its Web site

AMA wants warning labels on high-salt foods

Too much salt is bad for you, says the American Medical Association, which wants the U.S. food industry to help reverse the trend by reducing sodium in processed and restaurant foods by at least 50 percent.

In a new policy adopted Tuesday, the nation's largest association of doctors also pledged to encourage the Food and Drug Administration to develop warning labels for foods high in salt.

Labels featuring pictures of salt shakers bearing the word "high" and red exclamation marks might help consumers think twice about eating high-sodium foods that contribute to health problems including high blood pressure and heart disease, according to an AMA council report that prompted the new policy...more

There's too much salt in food

Restaurants and food processors need to radically reduce the amount of salt they use, the American Medical Association said.


Most Americans consume two to three times the amount of sodium that is healthy and the bulk of that comes from the hidden salt in processed and restaurant foods, the association said.

That excess sodium greatly increases the chance of developing heart disease, hypertension and stroke.

"As a cardiologist, I deal with problems with hypertension . . . sodium is the number one cause of elevated blood pressure," said AMA board member James Rohack...more

Examining yourself for skin cancer

One of the best protections again skin cancer is to examine your skin regularly. Here are some tips on what to look for, courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation:

Look for any darkened patches of skin, irregular or new moles, or any other new growths.
Conduct your examination in a well-lit room.
Examine your head and scalp using a mirror. Use a hair dryer to move hair out of the way for a better view of your scalp.
Check hands, fingers and fingernails. Using a full-length mirror, examine your forearms, elbows, underarms and biceps.
Women should check on and around their breasts; everyone should check their chest, neck, shoulders, back and abdomen.
Sit down to examine the tops and bottoms of the feet, and your toes.

Heavy Wrinkles could be sign of lung disease

Smokers' heavily wrinkled faces could be an early warning sign of a serious lung disease, researchers said on Wednesday.


They found that smokers with pronounced wrinkles are five times more likely than those without marked facial lines to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD, a leading cause of death worldwide, is caused by smoking, which also prematurely ages the skin. So researchers at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation in southwest England studied whether there was a link between the two...more

Why fastfoods are bad, even in moderation

Eating a diet consisting largely of fast food could cause your waistline to bulge more than eating the same amount of fat from healthier sources.

Monkeys fed a diet rich in trans-fats – commonly found in fast foods – grew bigger bellies than those fed a diet rich in unsaturated fats, but containing the same overall number of calories. They also developed signs of insulin resistance, which is an early indicator of diabetes.

Trans-fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, are found in many fast foods and also in baked goods and processed snacks. They dramatically increase the risk of heart disease – even more than saturated fats found in animal products...more

Health Tip: My Teeth Are Discolored

Stains on the teeth are often caused by foods and drinks, according to the Chicago Dental Society. Red wine, coffee and tea can discolor teeth, as can foods such as blueberries, and smoking cigarettes.

The best prevention is to brush and floss regularly -- especially after eating or drinking something known to stain teeth. Whitening toothpastes may help by exfoliating the teeth and removing food particles that cause stains.


Foods and drinks aren't the only culprits, however. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments also may cause tooth discoloration, as can medications to prevent malaria, some antibiotics, and some acne and rheumatoid arthritis treatments.


Taken long-term, some high blood pressure medications, antihistamines and antidepressants could stain your teeth. If you think medications may be causing tooth discoloration, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.

Half of Americans risk diabetic condition

Poor control of blood sugar may be a much bigger health risk factor than most people realize, experts told a meeting on Monday.


One study predicted that half of all Americans will develop a condition known as insulin resistance, a type of pre-diabetes that puts them at high risk of heart attacks, and another showed that high blood sugar alone made hospital patients much more likely to die of other conditions.

The studies, presented to a meeting of the American Diabetes Association, show that early symptoms of diabetes and heart disease must be treated aggressively, experts said...more

More Londoners get on their bike to save money, keep fit

Come rain or shine, a growing number of people in London are jumping on their bike to enjoy the dual benefits of saving money on public transport and keeping fit.


In a city where buses and trains are expensive and often faulty and where it can cost eight pounds a day (11 euros, 14 dollars) to drive a car, there are plenty of arguments in favour of cycling.

"If you have less than 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) to travel, the quickest way to get to where you are going is by bike," said Angus, a Londoner who has used his trusty two-wheeled friend for several years...more

Folic Acid May Prevent Cancer of Larynx

While folic acid is more commonly known as the nutrient that can help prevent birth defects, new research suggests that folic acid supplements may also help prevent cancer of the larynx.


In a study of people with precancerous lesions called leukoplakia, Italian researchers found the lesions disappeared in 28 percent of participants, and 44 percent experienced at least a partial shrinking of their lesions. All of the study participants took 5 milligrams of folic acid three times a day for six months...more

Health Tip: Calf Pain Could Signal Cardiovascular Trouble

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which damaged arteries reduce blood flow to the body's muscles.

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A common symptom of PAD is pain in the calf or thigh while walking short distances, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you have leg pain related to PAD, it will usually go away shortly after you stop -- but will return again if you resume walking. If the pain recurs, it will typically go away in about the same amount of time each time you stop walking.


People with PAD feel this pain because enough blood isn't flowing to the muscle when it's being used. When the body is at rest, the muscle receives enough blood -- and the pain stops.


Those most at risk for PAD are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, those who smoke, and older people. You should talk to your doctor if you notice recurring leg pain while walking that goes away when you are at rest.

U.S. mad cow cases are mysterious strain

Two cases of mad cow disease in Texas and Alabama seem to have resulted from a mysterious strain that could appear spontaneously in cattle, researchers say.

Government officials are trying to play down differences between the two U.S. cases and the mad cow epidemic that has led to the slaughter of thousands of cattle in Britain since the 1980s.

It is precisely these differences that are complicating efforts to understand the brain-wasting disorder, known medically as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE for short...more

Restaurant Nutritional Information

Below are link to different Restaurants that provide nutritional information. Restaurants are listed in Alphabetical order. Locate a restaurant by searching under the first letter of the restaurant's name. For example if you are searching for Denny's Restaurant you would search on the page D - F.

http://www.elviradarknight.com/diabetes/restaurantssu.html

A Father's Day Feast

Vegetable Bean Burrito
Tossed salad w/ Apple Almond Dressing
Roasted Vegetables
Healthy Banana Split

Dr. Fuhrman's Tip of the Month

Each day the media presents horrific news of death and destruction caused by war, terrorism, and other violence. It virtually ignores a silent but much more deadly enemy . . . heart disease.

More than 1.5 million people will have a heart attack this year, with 1 million deaths resulting from heart attacks (or a death every 30 seconds). When it comes to combating heart disease, most information sources promote drugs and surgery as the only viable defenses. We need to keep in mind that angioplasty and bypass surgery have some significant adverse outcomes, including heart attacks, stroke and death. Most people treated with such interventions continue to suffer from, and eventually die from, heart disease. The average person is not aware that there are safer, more effective options available.

Fortunately, we can win the war against heart disease by making a few simple, but profound, dietary and lifestyle changes. In fact, if you start early enough, you can prevent a heart attack from happening to you. You can protect yourself against heart disease by accomplishing three simple goals:

LDL cholesterol level of 100 or lower
Healthful weight
Unmedicated, normal blood pressure
These goals are attainable without expensive and risky prescription drugs. My high-nutrient, vegetable-based diet has enabled patients to achieve remarkable reductions in these cardiac risk factors. In addition to dietary changes I recommend an all-natural, side-effect free nutritional supplement, if you need some extra help getting your LDL below 100. I have designed my own, unique supplement called LDL Protect, proven to be safe and effective.

Make the vow to be heart attack-proof and join our army battling against heart disease, Eat To Live!


- Joel Fuhrman, M.D