Carbonated drinks bode ill for bones

Carbonated drinks bode ill for bones

by: Anonymous

In the early 1990s, Harvard researchers in the United States reported study results showing that teenage girls who consumed a lot of cola tended to have more broken bones.
In 2003, a study of soft drink ( not just cola ) consumption among teenagers in Northern Ireland linked high intake to lower bone mineral density among the girls, but not the boys.
One explanation: Girls who drink lots of soft drinks end up with weaker bones because they aren't drinking milk, a rich source of calcium.
It's also possible that the problem is cola drinks. Most brands contain caffeine, which increases the excretion of calcium by the kidneys, leaving less to be incorporated into bones. Colas also contain phosphoric acid, which may lower blood levels of calcium by interfering with normal metabolism of the mineral.
But there's no evidence that bones are adversely affected by carbonation itself -- the carbon dioxide bubbles in soft drinks, seltzer, and mineral water.
In fact, you might get some health benefits by drinking more mineral water, which comes out of the ground naturally carbonated. Some varieties contain magnesium. A Swedish study published in 2005 concluded that high magnesium intake reduces colorectal cancer risk in women. Other research hints at cardiovascular benefits.

www.medical-explorer.com

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

Herbs for eye health

by: Anonymous

Question : MY son, 12, was found to be short-sighted recently. His reading was 1100 degree (1.1) for each eye. Is there any supplement that can help him? How about tips that he can practise on a daily basis?
Answer : BILBERRY, with standardisation of 25 per cent anthocyanidins, is a potent antioxidant and possesses collagen-stabilising action and smooth muscle-relaxing properties, which also exert anti- aggregation, blood sugar lowering and anti-ulcer effects. Bilberry extract has been shown to hasten the regeneration of rhodopsin (a light-sensitive pigment found in the rods of the retina) and improve visual acuity in dim light. Eyebright helps relieve conjunctivitis, itchy and irritated eyes.
A herbal formulation containing bilberry and eyebright, with other herbs of value such as lycium, also known as wolfberries, which are rich in carotenoids, helps improve night vision and blurred vision. As a rich source of lutein, spinach offers protection against macular degeneration. This synergistic formulation will be well-suited for maintaining and treating various eye conditions, including short-sightness.
You may also advise your child to eat plenty of fresh, raw, green and leafy vegetables. Apricots, mangoes, cantaloupes, blueberries, carrots and yams are elixirs for the eyes. They are rich in vitamin A which is vital for healthy eyes, preventing easy tiring, irritability, light sensitivity and night blindness. Consume foods that are high in anti-free radical nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, E and mineral zinc and selenium to protect against the harmful effects of free radicals that damage protein in eye. Exercise the eyes. Rotate them in a circular motion without moving your head. Blink the eyes. Do not stare at the computer screen for too long, if he is working on a computer.

www.medical-explorer.com

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

A Guide To Discount Contact Lenses

by: Jennifer Bailey

Contact lenses are more expensive than regular glasses. Even when the lenses are available on sale, the solutions to keep them clean and the eye drops would make up for the rest. Despite the high price, many people prefer contacts to glasses.

When it comes to contact lenses, it pays to shop around to find the best deal. Buying contact lenses usually involves paying for a whole package that might include the eye exam, contact lens, the solution, and eye drops. Some eye clinics keep a store of contacts that can be bought from their pharmacies. However, almost all the shops that deal with contact lenses usually have a doctor on board who can do a checkup in the shop itself before recommending the right pair of lenses.

Price checks can be conducted online where many websites provide comparison charts for easier decision making. Another alternative would be to visit a few shops and get a good knowledge of various types, models, and packages available and the wide range of discounts being offered for each. Comparison-shopping helps in getting the best bargain. Any optical shop would be able do a checkup on the premises, so the best option is to compare the prices on the whole deal instead of looking at the price of only one pair of contacts.

Optical shops provide the best deals since they are always trying to make money and increase their market share. It is wise to invest in a well-established contact lens package than in cheaper ones because there might be a possibility of eye problems later on with the cheaper brands. Some online optical shops offer mail-in rebates. They can be ordered online and are sent by a mail order, which can prove to be very convenient. Some websites specialize in taking mail orders and can be very reliable as well.

Contact Lenses provides detailed information on Contact Lenses, Discount Contact Lenses, Colored Contact Lenses, Bifocal Contact Lenses and more. Contact Lenses is affliated with Dry Macular Degeneration.

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

How to Relief with Allergies?

by: Michal John

What are Allergies?

An allergies is an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substance or substances. These sensitizing substances, called allergens, may be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact with the skin.Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.


What are the Symptoms of Allergies ?

An allergy is actually a malfunction of the immune system, which attacks invaders or antibodies.Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be severe, like difficulty breathing.Allergic asthma caused by allergens such as mites and pollens, and stinging insect allergy.Allergic reaction to something that is breathed into the lungs in a person who is susceptible.

What Medications to Treat Allergies?

Medications such as pills or nasal sprays are often used to treat allergies.Many effective medications are available to treat common allergies.

AANGAMIK DMG:
AANGAMIK DMG is the only pure DMG product that contains no fillers or binders and is therefore pure and non-allergenic.

Allercetin Allergy & Sinus:
Allercetin is a Bio-Aligned Formula that utilizes natural homeopathic remedies for the treatment of allergies.

Allergiemittel AllerAide:
Allergiemittel AllerAide temporarily relieves minor allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, eczema, wheezing, and shortness of breath caused by allergies.


How to care with Allergies?

1.Wear a mask whenever dusting or mowing a lawn Stop smoking.
2.Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like your bedroom, and bathe them if necessary.
3.Avoid using aspirin, which has been reported to allow food allergens to be more effectively absorbed by the body.
4.Remove carpets or rugs from your room.Install an air-purification system at home.



More Detail About Allergies Relief

Author By Michal John

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

Alternative Options for Treating Allergic Rhinitis

by: Stacey M Kerr MD

Here in northern California, allergies are a significant health problem leading to fatigue, sick days from work and school, and secondary infections. Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to seasonal airborne allergens. It affects about 7 percent of the population of North America and is a risk factor for 88 percent of asthma patients. We have some excellent prescription medications for treating this, and there are many over-the-counter medications available also. However, BEWARE of the sedating effects of those nonprescription medications!!! Recent studies have shown that an individual on a therapeutic dose of diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a more dangerous driver than one who is legally drunk on alcohol.

Fortunately, there are also some effective alternative therapies for allergic rhinitis.

Remember: no matter what method you use to treat your allergies, nasal rinsing to clear the mucus membranes of trapped allergens is essential. It only takes about 30 seconds, doesn't hurt a bit when done correctly, and makes all the difference. I recommend Nasopure®, a product developed by Dr. Hana Solomon, a pediatrician who has put together in one simple kit all you need for successful nasal rinsing. There is an excellent article about this on the Nasopure website (www.nasopure.com). If you are regularly using your Nasopure®, and still having difficulties, you can try some of the following remedies without significant side effects.

Vitamin and mineral supplements:

* Vitamin A - 10,000 IU/day

* Vitamin B6 - 50-100 mg/day

* Vitamin B5 - 50-75 mg/day

* Vitamin C - 1,000 mg/day in 3 divided doses

* Vitamin E - 400 IU/day

* Zinc - 20-30 mg/day

In addition some herbs and nutrients can help:

Quercetin has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects if you take it 250mg two or three times a day.

Freeze-dried stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis at a dosage of 300mg twice a day.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also called fish oil, can help asthma patients with allergies by stabilizing the airways. They come in capsules and the total dose of the combination should be 2-4 g/day.

Acupuncture has given many patients significant relief. The Chinese medicine paradigm is very different than Western medicine, so I can not explain the mechanism of action. But I know that it is effective!

See your doctor about allergy symptoms if you are unable to manage them on your own - the nonsedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays available today are excellent in treating this significant health problem!

Stacey Marie Kerr, M.D. graduated from the University of California Davis Medical School in 1989 and is currently a board certified family physician. Dr. Kerr is a member of the California and American Academy of Family Physicians. She holds a B.S. in Education/Special Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri. She hosts a website the-doctors-inn.comthat provides personalized answers to medical questions.

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com