Health Tips - Miscellaneous

Best Thirst Quencher - At this time of year (summer), thirst is one of the most common feelings we will experience. Increased thirst on hot days may be as a result of two mechanisms: (a) Us losing water through our pores as a result of sweating. As a result there is increased concentration of salt in our blood. Our brain detects high salt concentrations in the blood and sends the signals, which stimulates drinking. (b) When dehydrated our salivary glands produce less saliva and our dry mouth instinctively craves fluids.

It is not uncommon that, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, coffee, tea and even unsweetened fruit juices are often used to quench our thirst. Unfortunately none of these choices are ideal for alleviating our thirst. It is irrefutable that there is no faster and better thirst quencher on hot days than a glass (or two) of cold water.

Experts suggest that if cold water fails to quench your thirst, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon/ lime. This is an excellent source of citric acid, which stimulates salivation. As a result our mouth will no longer be dry and our craving for fluids will go away.

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Caffeine Can Reduce On-The-Job Mistakes - Persons who are tired are more prone to making mistakes on the job; and it does not matter if the job requires more brain than brawn power or vise versa. A team of researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Katherine Ker and colleagues have shown that bleary-eyed shift workers make fewer mistakes on the job when they consume caffeine, such as a cup of coffee or a caffeinated energy drink.

Individuals who work shift and nighttime work are more prone to the disruption the body's natural clock, or circadian rhythm. This can lead to “shift-work disorder”, a disorder in which a person has symptoms of insomnia or excessive sleepiness related to work schedules. The lack of quality sleep can make workers very drowsy while at work.

Many Barbadians are shift workers. Sanitation workers, airline employees, policemen, firemen, nurses and doctors are some examples of people who usually work off-hour shifts. Sleepiness on the job has been linked to medical errors, automobile accidents, and occupational injuries.

The studies reviewed showed that caffeine helped shift workers improve their cognitive performance and reduced job-related errors.

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Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Older Patients with Breast Cancer - A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that chemotherapy in addition to surgery, or surgery and radiation improves the survival rate among women 65 years or older with early-stage breast cancer.

This study was conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The standard chemotherapy consisted of either cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluouracil (CMF) or doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide. The single drug was the oral drug, capecitabine. Similar studies involving women younger than 70 years have also shown that combination therapies provide better outcomes.

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Chocolate on Valentines Day - Valentine’s Day and chocolate consumption is likely to peak at this time of year.

Chocolate contains the antioxidant polyphenols (i.e. a flavonoid) – the same antioxidant found in red wine. Dark chocolate contains twice as much polyphenols when compared to chocolates of a lighter hue. Polyphenols prevent the LDL-Cholesterol (i.e. “bad cholesterol”) from becoming oxidized and deposited in the artery walls.

Eating chocolate causes the release of certain “good feel” chemicals in the brain. These chemicals include phenylethylamine, tryptophan and theobromine. On the flip side chocolate is relatively expensive, it packs a lot of calories and (its over consumption) can be linked to obesity and Type II diabetes in some people.

It must be noted that chocolate is not associated with acne or tooth decay.

Some persons may experience migraine and heartburn after consuming chocolate. The bottom line is that chocolate consumption should be in moderation.

Happy Valentine’s.

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Would a cholesterol lowering drug be good for me? - You've tried everything – weight loss, a low-fat diet, exercise – yet your cholesterol level remains high. This is not uncommon in persons that are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. For such individuals, cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g. a statin) can often help.

However, it is not unusual for patients to react in a negative way once statins (e.g. Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor) are mentioned by name.

Stick a pin here, if the airline industry was held to the same level of accountability as the medical/ pharmaceutical profession much less people will fly. For the airline will have to “advertise” every and anything that can go wrong with an aircraft.

Fact: Statins are well tolerated by most people, and serious side effects are rare. Your doctor will set-up a monitoring system in order to ensure that serious side effects are kept to a minimum.

If your doctor does recommend taking a statin, do not flippantly dismiss his/ her suggestion. For taking the statin can save your life – especially in those with diabetes or with increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

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Christmas Health Tips - Reduce stress In these tough economic times determine what you can and cannot afford. Let your family know that you are cutting back. They will understand.

Get some exercise In December, mornings start late and nights start early. This should not be used as an excuse to avoid exercise. Exercise can boost your energy and reduce your stress.

Control Your Calorie Intake At Christmas we must control the instinct to “stuff” our self. We should not use the “excuse” of Christmas to throw caution to the wind. Minimise the intake of foods/ drinks high in calories – e.g. alcohol, sweet drinks, juices, cakes, pastries, bread, fried/ fatty foods, sugar, deserts, etc.

Stop that hangover Prevent a hangover by keeping the number of units of alcohol consumed in any one sitting to a minimum.

Get enough sleep We should all try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep every 24 hours. This is to “recharge” our batteries. Research has shown that too little sleep can seriously tax our immune system.

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Cigarette smoking - is one of the most common forms of addiction in Barbados.

Nicotine, like cocaine alters brain function and chemistry, this results in chemical dependence. Therefore giving up cigarettes or other tobacco products is very difficult.

Nicotine binds to brain cells causing the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that causes the pleasure associated with smoking.

When attempting to quit, most smokers experience varying degrees of nicotine withdrawal – including nervousness, headaches, insomnia, mood swings, and poor concentration. Withdrawal symptoms last for about two to four weeks. Cravings however, last much longer, and may recur even years after quitting.

Addiction is greatest for those who start smoking during their teen years. Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers become addicted to tobacco before they reach 18-years-old.

Most persons make three or four attempts before they quit successfully. Whether quitting “cold turkey” or with the help of a smoking cessation therapy program, quitting is hard work that takes trial and error, imagination, determination, motivation and innovation. However, it can be done!

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Doctors Slow to Prescribe Insulin - Type II diabetes can lead to considerable morbidity in the form of metabolic complications, vision disorders, neuropathy, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, ulcerations and amputations, heart disease, stroke, digestive diseases, infection, oral complications, and depression. Mortality rate is estimated at 5.5% annually. The disease reduces life expectancy by 5–10 years. Hence strict blood sugar control is necessary in order to reduce the progression of diabetic complications.

There is inertia among primary care doctors regarding insulin initiation in people with type II diabetes.

Overall the most frequently cited reasons to initiating insulin were:

• Patient needle phobia
• Physician time constraint
• Patients' fear of hypoglycaemia

Studies have shown that in order to achieve optimal blood sugar control, some type II diabetics need to be prescribed insulin. Insulin may be given by itself or along with tablets. Despite the fact that tablets are easier for patients to initiate than the self-administration of one or more daily subcutaneous insulin injections, however, studies show that 25% of type II diabetic patients who receive oral agents alone need insulin because oral agents are often inadequate in maintaining good blood sugar control.

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Food Handling Tips - Listed below are steps to help prevent foodborne illness by safely handling food in the work-place:

• Always wash hands with warm, soapy water
  • before handling food;
  • after handling food;
  • after using the bathroom; after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Keep nails short and clean
• Cover hands with skin abrasion or cuts with clean disposable gloves.
• Thoroughly wash with hot, soapy water all surfaces that come in contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs before moving on to the next step in food preparation.
• Cutting boards should be kept clean by washing them in hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse and air or pat dry with clean paper towels.
• Don't use the same platter and utensils that held the raw product to serve the cooked product.
• When using a food thermometer, it is important to wash the probe after each use with hot, soapy water before reinserting it into a food.
• Keep cleaning solutions, and other chemicals away from food and surfaces used for food. Food that is mishandled often leads to “food poisoning”!

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Fruit Juice Reviewed - The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement about Fruit Juice, for the full report visit aap.org. Below we summarized the findings and recommendations.

• Juice should never be given infants who are under 6 months of age.
• Do not give juice to infants in bottles or easily transportable covered cups that allow them to consume juice throughout day.
• Infants should never be given juice at bedtime.
• Daily intake of fruit juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz/d for children 1 to 6 years old and 8 to 12 oz/d for children 7 to 18 years old
• Consumption of whole fruits is preferable to drinking of fruit juice.
• In evaluating obese children one should determine quantity of juice consumed.
• In evaluating children with chronic diarrhea, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain, and bloating, one should determine quantity of juice consumed.
• In the evaluation of dental caries, the amount and means of juice consumption should be determined.
• Primary Care MDs should discuss the consumption of fruit juice and fruit drinks and should educate parents about differences between the two.

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Going Nuts at Christmas - Nuts help keep your weight and cholesterol down, cancer at bay, and your heart healthy. However, nuts pack 160 to 200 calories per ounce! Hence, don’t over do.

• Almonds help with stress. 24 almonds provides 35% of your daily value of vitamin E, which is quickly depleted when you're under pressure.
• Macadamia nuts lower bad LDL cholesterol. One ounce (10 to 12) helps keep your heart, muscles, nerves, and gastro-intestinal system healthy.
• Just one Brazil nut per day meets your body's need for the antioxidant selenium. They also provide complete protein and zinc. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. You can meet your daily needs in about 14 halves (1 ounce).
• Walnuts are also have disease-fighting antioxidants.
• Hazelnuts are renowned for its high concentration of the mood-stabilizing tryptophan; 20% of the RDA is in every ounce (about 20 hazelnuts).
• Peanuts (these aren't really nuts; they’re legumes bio-cousins to peas, lentils, and beans). They're rich in three B vitamins -- folate, niacin, and riboflavin. And ounce for ounce, they pack the same protein power as beef (7 grams), minus the saturated fat.

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Holiday Season – Weight Check It is not uncommon for an adult to gain anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds between Christmas day and New Years day. On the other hand it often takes on average over 90 days to loose this weight – if you are lucky. You may limit your intake of food by following these suggestions:

• Have a healthy snack before you go to a function;
• Don’t starve yourself on the day of your function;
• At the function limit yourself to one or two small treats so you don't feel deprived, but don't go back for third and fourth servings;
• Don’t overfill your plate;
• Position yourself far away from the food so you are less likely to pick.

In order to limit your intake of alcohol (which is laden with calories) you are encouraged to:

• Sip water along with alcoholic drinks;
• Try low-calorie mixers such as water, soda or mineral water;
• Be aware that tonic water is high in calories; Ask for half-nips of spirits;
• Replace alcoholic drinks with tomato juice or a Claytons and Soda;

Always remember to exercise.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 1

• The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
• A human brain cell can store 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Your head is one-quarter of your length at birth but only one-eighth of your length by the time you reach adulthood.
• The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
• The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm.
• The higher your I.Q. the more you dream.
• At the moment of conception, you spend about half an hour as a single cell.
• In a lifetime a person produces enough saliva to fill two Olympic size swimming pools.
• There are about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body.
• Women’s hearts beat faster than men’s.
• Thigh bone is stronger than concrete.
• Toothpaste was 'invented' over 4000 years ago - Egyptians used crushed pumice stone and vinegar as a form of paste.
• Your thumb is the same length as your nose.
• On average the width of your arm-span stretched out is the height of your body.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 2

• When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, and they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
• One gets a new stomach lining every three to four days. If you didn’t, the strong acids your stomach uses to digest your food would also digest your stomach.
• One uses over 200 muscles to take one step.
• Our heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through our vessels every day.
• Our body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
• From all the oxygen that a human breathes, twenty percent goes to the brain.
• Your brain is made up of 80% water.
• Your nose can memorize over 50,000 different scents.
• In a lifetime, our heart pumps about one million barrels of blood.
• It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself. Since your brain knows this, it ignores the resulting sensation.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 3

• Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.
• The chances of getting a cavity is higher if sweets are eaten slowly throughout the day compared to eating it all at once and then brushing your teeth.
• Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver when compared to men with hair.
• People that suffer from gum disease are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack.
• All babies are colour blind when they are born.
• Women blink twice as often as men.
• A woman has approximately 4.5 liters of blood in her body, while men have 5.6 liters.
• Studies have shown that the scent of Rosemary can contribute to better mental performance and make individuals feel more alert.
• Scientists say that babies who are breastfed are more likely to be slimmer as adults than those that are not breastfed.
• About 10% of the world’s population is left-handed.
• One human hair can support 3 Kgs of weight.
• People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 4

• Bile produced by the liver is responsible for making your feces a brownish, green colour.
• Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones
• Although the surfaces of bones are hard, they are generally light and soft inside. They are made up of approximately 75% water.
• Three years after a person quits smoking, their chance of having a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked before.
• There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee. You don’t see all of them because most are too fine to be noticed.
• Studies indicate that listening to music is good for digestion.
• By donating just one pint of blood, four lives can be saved.
• The eye of a human can distinguish 500 shades of the grey.
• People over the age of fifty will start to lose their dislike for foods that taste bitter.
• The right lung of a human is larger than the left one. This is because of the space and placement of the heart.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 5

• The average human eyelash lives about 150 days.
• The thumbnail grows the slowest; the middle nail grows the fastest.
• Hair is made from the same substance as fingernails.
• Chances of a women getting breast cancer are increased by excessive use of alcohol.
• The highest recorded speed of a sneeze is 165 km per hour.
• 85% of the population can curl their tongue into a tube.
• Every day the human stomach produces about 2 liters of hydrochloric acid.
• The risk of cardiovascular disease is twice as high in women that snore regularly compared to women who do not snore.
• It has been medically proven that laughter is an effective pain killer.
• It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
• One man in every eight snores while sleeping, and one in every ten grinds his teeth.
• It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
• If someone is right handed, they have the tendency to chew their food on the right side of their mouth, and the same would apply for left handed people.
• Hair will fall out faster from the head of a person that is on a crash diet.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 6

• The vocabulary of the average person consists of 5,000 to 6,000 words.
• The average person has at least seven dreams a night.
• When a woman is pregnant, her senses are all heightened.
• Kissing can aid in reducing tooth decay. This is because the extra saliva helps in keeping the mouth clean.
• Lack of sleep can affect your immune system and reduce your ability to fight infections.
• Once a human reaches the age of 35, he/she will start losing approximately 10,000 brain cells a day. The cells will never be replaced.
• Girls have more taste-buds than boys.
• Children who are breast fed tend to have an IQ seven points higher than children who are not.
• Eating chocolate three times a month helps people live longer as opposed to people who overeat chocolate or do not eat chocolate at all.
• Natural fat (saturated fat) is better for the body than hydrogenated fat (found in low-fat butter substitutes like margarine).
• The average human body has 14 to 18 square feet of skin.
• The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 7

• One out of 20 people have an extra rib.
• People with darker skin will not wrinkle as fast as people with lighter skin.
• The average person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime.
• The average person laughs about 17 times a day.
• The reason why your nose gets runny when you are crying is because the tears from the eyes drain into the nose.
• On average, a man spends about five months of his life shaving.
• From the age of thirty, humans gradually begin to shrink in size.
• People with allergies can lower allergy reactions by laughing.
• People that smoke have 10 times as many wrinkles as a person that does not smoke.
• At one time it was thought that the heart controlled a person’s emotions.
• Studies indicate that smokers are likely to die on average six and a half years earlier than non-smokers. A person who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day will on average lose two teeth every ten years.
• The average person falls asleep in about 12 to 14 minutes.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 8

• A bird's eye takes up about 50% of its head; our eyes take up about 5 percent of our head. To be comparable to a bird's eyes, the eyes of a human being would have to be the size of baseballs.
• Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
• You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
• Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
• The skin of the armpits can harbor up to 516,000 bacteria per square inch, while drier areas, such as the forearm, have only about 13,000 bacteria per square inch.
• Most people lose half of their taste buds by sixty years of age.
• The average human has about 10,000 taste buds
• The average human body holds enough:
  • sulfur to kill all the fleas on an average dog
  • carbon to make 900 pencils
  • fat to make 7 bars of soap
  • 10 gallons of water
  • phosphorous to make 2,200 match heads.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 9

• The average human scalp contains between 120,000 and 150,000 hairs.
• It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.
• Like a finger print, every person has a unique tongue print.
• The air released from a sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph.
• The longest word is English language is pneumonoultramiscroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis - an inflammatory lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust.
• Bones lose strength and mass as well as their ability to manufacture blood cells if you lead a very sedentary life.
• Selenium may significantly slow the progression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Where skull bones have joined, there are seams or sutures. These seams start sealing up when we are about 22 and this process continues until we are in our eighties. By taking a look at how far this process has progressed, scientists can determine the age at death of even ancient skeletons.
• The temporal lobe is the area of the brain that allows humans to hear and understand people speaking.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 10

• The average adult will stand around 0.5 inches taller in the morning than in the evening due to the slight cartilage compression that happens over the course of a day.
• Synesthesia is a rare condition where the human senses are combined. Synesthetes can 'see' words, 'taste' colours and shapes, and 'feel' flavours.
• When you wake up in the morning and find crusty stuff in your eyes, that is essentially the same as the stuff in your nose.
• A person will blink over 10,000 times a day.
• The human brain is about 75% water.
• Each day your heart beats around 100,000 times.
• A beard grows an average of 140mm a year.
• Relative to size, the strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
• One out of every three people can’t snap their fingers.
• Human adults breathe about 23,000 times a day.
• A boy’s voice breaks during puberty because his vocal cords are lengthening.
• Our nails grow at a rate of around 0.1 mm per day.
• So it would take roughly 3 months to replace an entire fingernail.
• There are about 100,000 hairs on the human head.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 11

• During his or her lifetime, the average human will grow 590 miles of hair.
• The average Human bladder can hold 13 ounces of liquid.
• You lose enough dead skin cells in your lifetime to fill eight five-pound flour bags.
• There are 10 trillion living cells in the human body.
• The short-term memory capacity for most people is between five and nine items or digits. This is one reason that phone numbers were kept to seven digits for so long.
• People who have never been married are seven and a half times more likely than married people to be admitted to a psychiatric facility.
• Your heart muscle, or myocardium, is unique to just that… your heart. It is not found anywhere else in your body!
• The word heart, meaning soul or feeling, is termed cor in Latin.
• Newborn babies have 300 bones and adults 206. The other 94 bones have not disappeared – they have fused with other bones.
• Bones are a protective enclosure for your heart, lungs, brain and other organs and also provide placed to attach to for ligaments, muscles, tendons etc.

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Interesting Human Trivia Part 12

• If you remove the minerals from a bone by soaking it overnight in a 6% solution of hydrochloric acid, it will become so soft you could tie it in a knot.
• Bones are a storehouse for calcium and inside the bones, blood cells are manufactured.
• Over 100 bones, almost half the bones in your body, are in your hands and your feet.
• For more brainpower, 100 mg of the phospholipid supplement phosphatidyl serine (PS) daily is suggested.
• It can help those with normal age-related memory problems regain at least 12 years of brainpower.
• A meal takes between 12 to 15 hours to go through the whole digestive system.
• You cannot lick your own elbow.
• A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen.
• You spend 1/3 of your life in bed.
• In a public bathroom, the stall which is closest to the door is usually the cleanest, because it's the least used.
• An average person will spend two weeks of their life kissing.

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Is There A Scientific Reason For A Long And Happy Marriage? - June is traditionally the month for weddings, while many of these marriages will succeed, however, far too many end in divorce.

There is research focusing on the science of commitment. Factors, from biological to psychological, seem to influence a person’s response after flirting with a stranger.

Studies found that in individuals who cheated on their partner, generally were found to have a significant reduction in the brain chemical vasopressin (a bonding hormone).

Scientists concluded that while some people may be naturally more resistant to temptation, men and women can train themselves to protect their relationships and raise their feelings of commitment.

Scientists suggest that it may not be feelings of love or loyalty that keep couples together. Instead, they speculate that your level of commitment may depend on how much a partner enhances your life and broadens your horizons. Researchers concluded that couples who explore new places and try new things will tap into feelings of self-expansion, increasing their level of commitment.

Take home message: Never take your other significant for granted; be always on the look-out as to how you can go about broadening your experiences collectively.

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Kadooment Health Tips - It is important that revellers adhere to certain fundamentals in order to get the most from the occasion.

Pre-Event: The week before, eat plenty of healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread, pasta and bananas. Carry identification and an emergency phone number in a pouch or in your shoes. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or asthma, wear a medical identification bracelet.

Foot Care: Prior to going on the road trim those toenails – especially the big toe; if you are prone to blisters protect those vulnerable areas by wearing Dr. Scholl’s pads; wear comfortable and preferably well worn foot wear; don’t wear slippers, sandals, boots or heels.

Skin Care: The sun can be very unforgiving so it would be advisable to apply sun block to all exposed areas with a SPF of 30 or more.

Hydration: Make sure you are well hydrated throughout the day and drink lots of cold fluids like. The most recent studies suggest that one should drink water and sports drinks ad lib as determined by your individual thirst.

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Keeping Your New Years Resolutions - For many of us come January 1, we vow to overcome our bad habits come the new year. Unfortunately by April/May most of us have shelved our resolutions and returned to our old habits.

In order to keep a resolution we have to be realistic about the resolution and should never promise to change just because it is January 1. Are we prepared to make that sacrifice?

To give the resolutions the best chance of succeeding we must:

• Form a support system of friends and family, who will challenge you to stick to your goals.
• Make a list of the benefits of changing and put it someplace where you will see it every day.
• Pay attention to your thinking and try to counter negative ideas like "I'll never succeed" with positive thoughts, like "Today, I made some progress."
• Surround yourself with people and situations that encourage you in good habits.
• Have a contingency plan for when you are tempted -- if you want to smoke, go for a walk instead, or call a friend.
• Give yourself rewards and pats on the back for your progress.

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Kids and Internet Addiction - Is your child's Internet use affecting their homework, school performance, health (e.g. obesity) and relationships with family/ friends? If the answer is “yes” to any of these your child may be Internet dependant. Children can become 'hooked' on on-line activities – e.g. multi-user games, instant messaging, pornography and chat rooms.

• Compulsive Internet use may be symptomatic of other problems – e.g. depression, anger and low self-esteem. If your child demonstrates strong signs of Internet addiction, seek professional counselling.
• Examine your online habits. Remember, you are your child's most important role model.
• Don't ban the Internet. Establish rules about where your kids can go online and what they can do there - and stick to them.
• Keep your computer in an open area of your house, not in a child's bedroom.
• Encourage your child's participation in other activities - particularly physical pastimes with other children.
• Investigate software that monitors and restricts Internet use.
• If your child seems interested only in playing particular type of online games, try to encourage her or him to read books with a similar theme.

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Laughter is the best medicine - How often have you given the aforementioned cliché a second thought?

Laughter is an unreserved expression of happiness and enjoyment.

In a recent study, the University of Maryland’s Medical Center concluded that those who laugh a lot are protected to a significant degree against heart attacks.

Children laugh on average 400 times a day while the average adult only laughs 17 times a day? Where did adults lose the ability to laugh?

We need to put a lot more laughter into our lives. Some suggestions:

• Read funny comics
• Read humorous novels and/ or joke books
• Bookmark and visit humorous Internet sites
• Share humorous e-mails with friends/ family/ co-workers
• Attend a comical production – e.g. “Laugh it off”
• Watch funny movies – TV/ Olympus/ Drive-In/ DVD
• Find ways to take ourselves less seriously
• Listen to the “Market Vendor” at 7:40 AM weekdays – VOB
• Choose friends who readily laugh and smile
• Share a joke/ laugh with your significant other at least once a day

Remember that laughter is contagious so please pass it on.

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Medical Myths Part 1 - This is part one of a series of short articles intended to debunk some contemporary medical myths.

• Myth:Long-term bed rest is highly recommended in the management of low back pain. This is untrue and as a matter of fact the scientific evidence shows that “rest makes rusty”. Complete bed rest is only recommended for the first 48 hours after the onset of acute (sudden onset) low back pain and is not recommended for chronic low back pain (i.e. backpain for more than three months). Prolonged bed rest leads to muscle wasting, joint stiffness, reduced joint nutrition and general deconditioning of the human body.
• Myth: Grinding of teeth in children mean that the child needs to be wormed. There is no connection between the grinding of teeth and the presence of worms in a child’s gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that there is no statistical difference in the incidence of worms in a group of children who did grind their teeth when compared to another group of children who did not grind their teeth.
• Myth: If you suffer with blood pressure you should avoid foods such as spinach and other green leafy vegetables. Actually the opposite is true and persons with high blood pressure are encouraged to follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Spinach and other similar vegetables contain nitrates (a vasodilator) which reduce blood pressure via dilation of your arteries.
• Myth:Getting a chill can give you the cold. Even when someone is exposed to chilly air or has wet hair, they are no more likely to catch a cold. In order to catch the cold you have to be exposed to the cold virus.
• Myth: Panadols / Tylenols should be taken with food. As a matter of fact these medications are most effective when it come to pain or fever relief when taken on an empty stomach. Unfortunately the presence of food in your stomach at the time of taking medicine such as Paracetemol/ Acetominophen reduces absorption of such thereby reducing the medication’s effectiveness.
• Myth: The presence of “Liver Spots” on the skin could mean that there is something wrong with my liver. Fact: “Liver Spots” or Tinea versicolor is a common skin infection. It occurs as a result of the overgrowth of a fungus (Malassezia Furfur) on the skin’s surface which results in changes in the skin’s color. There is no association with liver disease.
• Myth: I can’t become pregnant while breast feeding. Fact: In some women who breast feed there is a suppression of ovulation and these women would not become pregnant. However, a significant number of breast feeding mothers ovulate and can become pregnant. If you are sexually active and don’t want to become pregnant while breast feeding you should discuss your contraceptive options with your doctor.
• Myth: If I take large quantities of vitamin C I will avoid getting the cold. Fact: There are many large studies that have shown that Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, does not prevent colds.

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Near-Drowning - is the term for survival after suffocation caused by submersion in water or another fluid. A reduced concentration of oxygen in the blood is common to all near-drownings.

The signs and symptoms of near-drowning can differ from person to person. Breathing may have stopped, or the victim may be gasping for breath. Bluish skin/ lips (cyanosis), coughing, and frothy pink sputum are often observed. Rapid breathing, a rapid heart rate and a low-grade fever are common. Conscious victims may appear confused, lethargic, or irritable.

Treatment begins with removing the victim from the water and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Have someone call an ambulance. Once emergency medical help has arrived on the scene, oxygen is administered. If the victim's breathing has stopped or is otherwise impaired, a tube is inserted into the windpipe to maintain the airway. The victim is also checked for head, neck, and other injuries, and fluids are given intravenously. The victim is then transported to an emergency department. Hospital admission for further observation and treatment is a must for patients who do not appear to recover fully in the emergency department.

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Overweight – Restrict Your Calories

• Add more raw vegetables to your diet. This cuts down on your calorie count, while getting energy, protein, vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy body.
• Avoid snacking in between meals.
• When you buy dairy products, choose the low fat ones.
• Body calories can be considerably reduced by taking regular walks, skipping and jogging. These are inexpensive ways to keep trim and fit.
• Don’t eat out too often. Foods from fast-food restaurants are loaded with calories. When you cook at home, you can see the amount of cooking oil you use and you can use it sparingly, yet make tasty food.
• When you take in food, eat food in the right proportions. If you eat more food that you body burns out you tend to put on fat (i.e. stored calories) to your body.
• Read the labels on the products you want to purchase. This will give you an idea of how much fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is in the food. Choose foods that are low in calories while having the right nutritional value.

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Post Exposure HIV Prophylaxis - Scientific data demonstrate that if anti-HIV treatment (i.e. antiretroviral therapy) is initiated within 24 -72 hours after significant exposure to HIV (e.g. sexual, injection-drug-use and other substantial non-occupational HIV exposure) and continued for 28 days reduces the likelihood of transmission of the HIV virus.

Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends:

• The prompt initiation of a specific cocktail of antiretroviral therapy when persons seek care within 72 hours after exposure, the source is known to be HIV infected, and the exposure event presents a substantial risk for transmission.
• When HIV status of source is not known and the patient seeks care within 72 hours after exposure, CDC does not recommend for or against initiating antiretroviral therapy but encourages clinicians and patients to weigh risks vs. benefits on a case-by-case basis.
• When transmission risk is negligible or when patients seek care > 72 hours after a substantial exposure, antiretroviral therapy is not recommended however, clinicians might consider prescribing antiretroviral therapy for patients who seek care  >72 hours after a substantial exposure if, in their judgment, the diminished potential benefit of antiretroviral therapy outweighs the potential risk for adverse events from antiretroviral medications.

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Preventing dehydration on Kadooment day - Over Kadooment day dehydration can occur as a result of persons trying to reduce bathroom visits by reducing fluid intake and it may be secondary to increased fluid loss – increased sweating, heat, exercise, diuretics (alcohol caffeine, medication), vomiting and diarrhea. Early symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, thick saliva and dark urine.

As dehydration gets worse you may experience muscle cramps, become listless, feel faint and in extreme cases go into shock. On Kadooment day you can prevent dehydration by drinking fluids every 30 minutes, you should aim to consume a minimum of 10 glasses (approximately 3.5L) of fluids (preferably rehydration fluids or sports drinks) on the day. Avoid fluids containing caffeine (e.g. colas, coffee, tea) and alcohol.

Stop jumping and immediately increase your fluid intake if you feel dizzy, light-headed, faint or extremely tired. Seek immediate medical attention if there is reduced urine output, decreased alertness, the original symptoms are not going away or are becoming more severe even after increasing fluid intake.

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Preventing HIV/AIDS - Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the short-term use of antiretroviral treatments to reduce the chances of HIV infection after potential exposure – e.g. needle sticks, rape and unprotected sexual intercourse. Unfortunately over the Crop Over season too may will become carried away as a result of the overindulgence in alcohol and other “recreational” drugs; consequentially such euphoric minds can lead to sexual indiscretion and some may even be date raped. Ideally, PEP should be started immediately after potential HIV exposure; however, PEP may be started up to 72 hours after exposure.

Studies show that there is more than a 75% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection when one compared those who took PEP to those who didn’t (Barr, 1999). However, it must be emphasized that PEP does not completely eliminate the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected sexual intercourse. Hence, prevention, through the adoption of responsible sexual behaviour (abstinence and condom use) is still the best approach to eliminating the chances of contracting HIV / AIDS.

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Preventing HIV/AIDS on Kadooment Day - THIS INFORMATION MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE - Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the short-term use of antiretroviral medications to reduce the chances of HIV infection after potential exposure – e.g. needle sticks, rape and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Unfortunately on Kadooment day far too many of us will become carried away as a direct result of the overindulgence in alcohol and other “recreational” drugs; sadly such euphoric minds often commit sexual indiscretions that significantly increases their chances of contracting HIV while others may be date raped.

Ideally, PEP should be started immediately after potential HIV exposure; however, PEP may be started up to 72 hours after exposure. Studies show that there is more than a 75% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection when one compared those who took PEP to those who didn’t (Barr, 1999).

However, it must be emphasized that PEP does not completely eliminate the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected sexual intercourse. Hence, prevention, through the adoption of responsible sexual behavior (abstinence and condom use) is still the best approach to eliminating the chances of contracting HIV / AIDS.

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Protect your child from common burns

• Never drink hot (e.g. coffee, tea, cocoa) when you are holding a baby. The baby will reach for it, spill it, and probably get burned.
• Use the back burners of a stove and keep panhandles turned toward the back of the stove.
• After your child can walk, keep hot liquids and appliances away from the edge of a table, counter, or stove.
• Always test the temperature of bath water before your child gets into the tub.
• Give up smoking, or at least carefully dispose of used cigarettes. Cigarettes are a common cause of fires in homes.
• Keep cigarette lighters away from children. Even a 2-year-old child can ignite one by inverting it and pushing it across the floor.
• Install smoke detectors in your home. Check them monthly. Smoke detectors senses smoke long before your nose can.
• Rehearse and have a fire drill.
• Before you place a child less than 1 year old in a car seat, check the seat's temperature. Hot straps or buckles can cause second-degree burns.

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Protecting Yourself from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - STDs include AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, and syphilis. These are passed through sexual contact with an infected partner.

Ways to reduce your risk of getting a STD:

• Know your sexual partner(s) and limit their number—Your partner’s sexual history is just as important as your own. Remember, you can't tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them.
• Using a latex condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex decreases the chances of infection. But remember, even condoms are not 100% effective.
• Avoid risky sex practices—Sexual acts that tear or break the skin carry a higher risk of STDs. Even small cuts that do not bleed let germs pass back and forth. Anal sex poses a high risk because tissues in the rectum break easily. Body fluids also can carry STDs.
• Have regular physical exams. Ask you physician to test for STDs if you think you've been exposed. Regular tests help find STDs early, when treatment can be most effective.
• Get immunized—Vaccinations are available that will help prevent hepatitis B and HPV.

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Protect your skin from the sun - The sun's rays contain two ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage our skin – A and B. UVA primarily causes premature aging, wrinkles, and tanning, while UVB causes sunburns. Both UV rays can cause a range of skin cancers.

Here are some ways to protect our skin from the ravages of the sun’s UV rays:

• Generously apply and reapply every two hours water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays to all exposed skin.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use extra caution near water and sand as they reflect the damaging UV rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
• Check your entire skin around your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see your GP or a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

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Roaccutane Side Effects - Roaccutane (isotretinoin) by mouth reduces production of the skin’s natural oil (sebum). It is reserved for the treatment of SEVERE ACNE that has not improved with standard treatment – e.g. topical medicines, contraceptive pill (for females) and oral antibiotics. Here in Barbados it is sometimes prescribed for mild cases of acne. IT MUST BE NOTED:

• You should never give this medicine to another person.
• Do not donate blood during treatment, and for at least four weeks after stopping treatment
• It can cause major birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
• May cause depression, anxiety, mood changes and rarely suicide attempts.
• Avoid exposing skin to intense sunlight while taking.
• Avoid waxing while taking, and for at least six months after stopping, as waxing could cause stripping of the skin’s top layer.
• Decreased night vision has been reported.
• Your liver function, blood lipids (fats) and blood sugar must be closely monitored because all of these biochemical parameters can be affected.
• Severe bloody diarrhea can occur.

Anyone being prescribed this medicine should ask the prescribing doctor if all the alternatives acne treatment modalities have been exhausted.

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Salt should only be restricted in hypertensives: WRONG!  For years there has been a fierce debate as to whether or not salt contributes to high blood pressure (hypertension). It has always been assumed that the effects of salt on the cardiovascular system are as a result of hypertension. In that it was believed that if salt did not cause hypertension it wasn’t a problem. Recent studies strongly suggest that salt may cause cardiovascular disease even in the absence of hypertension. This new data invites doctors to take a fresh look at dietary salt. Based on current studies it may be well worth your while to reduce your salt intake (even in those without hypertension) by:

• Getting rid of your salt shaker – never add salt at the table
• Check labels – avoid foods containing “salt”/ “sodium”
• Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – the potassium contained in these foods counters the effects of sodium
• Avoid foods rich in salt including – cheese, butter, margarine, tomato ketchup, ham, salami, bacon, pepperoni, sausages, luncheon meat, corned beef, salt meat, pig tail, salt fish, salt fish cakes, salted chips, salted nuts, bottled seasonings containing salt, etc.

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Sleep Position for Young Infants - Healthy infants should sleep on their backs the first 6 months of life. This reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden unexplained death of a healthy infant. Worldwide thousands of babies die yearly from SIDS, typically while sleeping.

Sleeping on its stomach increases the pressure on a baby’s jaw bone which in turn causes the upper airway to become narrower. Also the baby’s nose and mouth is more likely to be compressed while sleeping on its stomach. Babies who sleep on their stomach have a 3 to 9 times greater risk of SIDS when compared to babies who sleep on their back while babies who sleep on their side have twice the risk.

Your baby’s day-care nursery or babysitter should be asked to place your baby on his/ her back to sleep.

Your health care provider may advise you to place your baby on its stomach in rare cases where there are complications from spitting up or in instances where there is a birth defect that interferes with breathing. Any baby who must sleep on his stomach should be placed on a firm surface.

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Small Survival Benefit for Women Who Opt for Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy - In a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute it concluded that among patients with breast cancer, surgical removal of the opposite breast is associated with a small increase in 5-year survival, specifically for younger women with early-stage, oestrogen-receptor negative tumours.

It is not uncommon that some women with cancer in one breast will have the other breast surgically removed in order to prevent subsequent breast cancer. The purpose of this study was aimed at determining if this was the right action.

The study showed that the “prophylactic” removal of the contralateral breast resulted in improved breast cancer survival mainly among younger women (aged 18-49 years) with early-stage (I-II), estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Among this subset of women, contralateral prophylactic mastectomy was associated with a nearly 5% increase in the 5-year breast cancer-specific survival rate, a small improvement, according to the authors.

However, the study’s authors concluded that for the majority of women with breast cancer, no clear breast-cancer specific survival benefit was observed.

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Some Healthy Resolutions – 2008

• Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke - this remains one of the leading preventable causes of death.
• Fruits and vegetables: (Five or more cups/ day) reduces your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, stroke and hypertension.
• Limit your intake of salt: This helps lower blood pressure and decrease your chances of getting heart disease or a stroke. Remember salt is also present in ham, bacon, cheese, salt fish, pig tail and other salty foods.
• Limit fat in your diet including saturated fat, and trans fats to reduce cholesterol levels.
• Check your cholesterol and keep your cholesterol level under 5.19 mmol/L (200 mg/dl).
• Reduce amount of sweet drinks Plus and Lucozade to help avoid weight gain and also decrease tooth decay.
• Check blood pressure regularly. If you have high blood pressure try to keep your blood pressure under 135/80.
• Go for a colonoscopy if you are 50 years of age or older; this test screens for early colon cancer.
• Get a mammogram if you are a woman 40 years or older.
• Try to exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes/ day at least four days/ week.

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Some (Noisy) Toys may affect your child's hearing - In a 2006 study it showed that 14 out of 15 noisy toys tested produced noise levels above the recommended safety limit of 85dB..

The most dangerous toys were found to be toy guns. A mechanical toy machine gun, a plastic Tommy gun, and a cap gun were tested and all were found to have noise levels that exceed recommended limits. These guns have the potential to cause serious damage to your child’s hearing and could cause irreversible hearing loss.

How a child plays with a toy can strongly influence the risk to his or her hearing. If a child consistently holds the gun too close to his or her ear or plays with the toy for too long it can adversely affect the child’s hearing.

The experts advise that you should not allow your child to hold noisy toys too close to their ear and don't let them play with them for more than an hour a day.

If you suspect your child might have a hearing problem please carry him or her to your Primary Care Provider.

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Some Weird Body Clues - Clue 1: A study (Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatism - 2008) found that women whose index fingers are shorter than their ring fingers (a male characteristic) are twice as prone to develop osteoarthritis in the knees.

Prevention: Strengthening muscles around your knees may delay the onset of knee arthritis.

Clue 2: Older adults who couldn’t identify the scents of bananas, lemons, cinnamon, or other common items were five times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease within 4 years (Annals of Neurology - 2008).

Prevention: Omega-3 supplements can boost your brain’s resistance to a toxic compound thought to be responsible for Parkinson’s.

Clue 3: A study of 107,503 adults (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Harvard Medical School), suggested that persons with blood group A, B, or AB were 44% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer when compared to those with group O.

Prevention: Adults whose intake of vitamin D exceeded 300 IU daily reduced their pancreatic cancer risk by more than 40%, compared with those whose intake was less than 150 IU daily.

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Spinach - is it good for you?  - As a kid, your mom told you “eating spinach will make you strong”. When your blood pressure became elevated later on in life you were told “don’t eat spinach because it builds blood”. Fact: spinach is good for everyone and even persons with high blood pressure are encouraged to eat spinach and LOTS OF IT.

Spinach is not only a good source of iron; it is loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals. Like other dark greens, spinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a powerful disease-fighting anti-oxidant.

Spinach possesses several important phytochemicals. Spinach also contains lipoic acid, which helps the antioxidants – Vitamins C and E regenerate tissue. Lipoic acid seems to play a role in regulating blood sugar levels.

When you cook spinach, it concentrates nutrients and fiber, a serving of cooked spinach gives you even more bang for your buck than a serving of raw spinach.

Last by no means least; spinach DOES NOT increase your blood pressure. Most studies show that along with your diet, exercise and blood pressure medication it helps to lower high blood pressure.

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Sweet Drinks and Obesity - In Barbados the consumption of sweet drinks has risen over the past 15 to 20 years. Sweet drinks by definition includes Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, 7-Up, Busta, Fanta, Plus, Lucozade, Kool-Aid, all Fruit Juices, sports drinks and many concentrates. In North America there are studies that have linked the consumption of such, in children and adults, to obesity.

As a general rule you should NEVER drink your calories. Fruit juice (even 100 percent juice) and the other drinks mentioned above, contain a lot of calories. They do not fill you up and provide little or no nutritional benefit.

Interesting factoids………….

Drinking just one 12-ounce can/bottle of sweet drink/juice every day for a year is equal to 55,000 calories or 15 pounds a year. Many people think of juice as an essential part of a child’s/adult’s diet. However, juice isn’t as healthy as people think. It’s much healthier to eat the fruit rather than drink the juice.

For the children who are overweight, the basic recommendation is no sweet drinks including juice.

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Top ten vegetables/fruits - You should always aim to eat the most nutritious vegetables and fruit available whenever possible. The beneficial effects are derived from the high concentrations of phytochemicals and antioxidants found in vegetables and fruit.

The evidence shows that phytochemicals found in vegetables and fruits can significantly reduce the risk of cancer, probably due to the polyphenol antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In general antioxidants have been shown to play a major role in reducing the risks of strokes and cardiovascular disease.

When compared to other vegetables broccoli has been shown to hold the top spot as the most nutritious by virtue of the fact that is has the highest concentration of phytochemicals when compared to other vegetables.

The 9 runners-up to broccoli were spinach, yellow onions, red peppers, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, lettuce, celery, and cucumbers. Studies have shown that red peppers actually have the highest levels of antioxidants.

In rating the most nutritious fruit cranberries came in first – with the most phytochemicals and antioxidants – this was followed by apples, red grapes, strawberries, peaches, lemons, pears, bananas, oranges, grapefruit and pineapple

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Urticaria/ Hives - Hives present as raised wheals on the skin and often burn and itch. They may appear in isolation or in clusters. Up to 20% of persons will have an episode in their lifetime. In most instances the hives disappear within a few weeks and in the rare case the person may have for months to years.

Their size varies from a pencil point to a very large area. Histamine, released from “mast cells” as a consequence of an allergic reaction, results in leaky blood vessels in the skin which allow the escape of blood plasma resulting in the hive. When hives causes difficulty in breathing or swallowing medical help should be sought immediately.

Foods most often linked to hives are: nuts, shellfish, eggs, chocolate, tomatoes, berries and milk. Almost any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, can cause hives. Viral upper-respiratory tract infections (colds) are a common cause. Hives may be caused by physical agents – e.g. sunlight, heat, cold, water, pressure, vibration or exercise. The best treatment is to identify and eliminate the cause. Antihistamines are often prescribed. No one antihistamine works for everyone. In severe cases, an injection of adrenalin and or cortisone may be administered.

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Valentines and your health - February 14th has traditionally been associated with wining, dining and love. Research has found that in more ways than one, this triad is good for your health in general and your heart in particular.

Chocolate, red wine and love helps in keeping the blood flowing efficiently through the blood vessels of the body. The exact mechanism of action is still under investigation.

Cocoa, one of the primary ingredients of dark chocolate, contains flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants. These substances help lower the bad cholesterol and reduce blood pressure readings.

Alcohol (especially red wine) in moderation lowers the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Moderation means an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (A drink is one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.)

Love and happiness has been proven in a University of Maryland study to reduce stress and by extension is heart healthy. Happy people generally live longer when compared to people who are unhappy.

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Vertigo: Quick and Easy Treatment - Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a relatively common condition of the inner ear that can result in mild, moderate or severe dizziness. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) found that the best treatment for vertigo is the easiest and quickest one.

BPPV is believed to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear. The treatment involves manoeuvres that move the calcium crystals out of the sensing tube and into another inner chamber of the ear, from which they can be absorbed.

In many cases BPPV can be treated with simple manoeuvres, such as a series of head and body movements performed by a doctor or therapist while the patient sits on a bed or table. There are several manoeuvres currently in use for vertigo. The guideline found that canalith repositioning procedure, also called the Epley manoeuvre, is safe and effective for people of all ages. The Semont manoeuvre may be an effective treatment as well.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) web site has an updated Guideline on the management of Vertigo.

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Vitamin D/Pregnancy - In a recent study it has been revealed that a less than optimal intake of Vitamin D during pregnancy may affect primary tooth calcification, leading to enamel defects, which are a risk factor for early childhood tooth decay.

The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada study involved more than two hundred pregnant women in their second trimester participated in the study.

The Vitamin D levels were directly related to the milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use. The study reviewed 135 infants aged an average of 16 months and found that 21.6% of them had enamel defects, while 33.6% had early-childhood tooth decay. Mothers of children with enamel defects had lower Vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy than those of children without defects.

This is the first study to show that maternal vitamin D levels may influence primary teeth and the development of early childhood tooth decay.

It must be noted that this is a Canadian study and does not necessarily represent what happens here in Barbados/ Caribbean where our perennial sunshine ensures that our Vitamin D levels are somewhat higher than in the average Canadian.

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Vitamins Don't Seem to Prevent Cancer Recent studies suggest that calcium, folic acid, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and E don't offer the cancer-prevention benefits many once thought they had. Dr. Jennifer Lin noted in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. "Simply taking antioxidant supplements is insufficient to prevent cancer development." Jennifer Lin, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School advised that a better options include:

• Salmon. It just may be the most omega-3 rich food in the seafood aisle.
• Bluefin tuna. This fatty fish is packed with omega-3s and low in omega-6. Other choices include: mackerel, herring, and rainbow trout.
• Anchovies and sardines. They are good omega-3 sources. They also tend to be high in sodium.
• Crustaceans. Shrimp, mollusks and crab are also excellent sources that also loaded with omega-6.
• Oils. Canola oil, soybean, corn, and cottonseed oils are excellent sources of omega-3.
• Beans. Kidney, pinto, and mungo beans are recommended.
• Nuts and seeds. Walnuts or flaxseed will up your omega-3 intake.
• Spinach is highly recommended.
• Winter squash. It boosts your omega-3 intake.
• Broccoli and cauliflower. Excellent sources of omega-3s.
• Papaya. Packed with omega-3.

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YOUR BODY IS NOT YOURS: An Easter Thought From Sandy Crest - If someone pinched you on your left arm and then asked you, “Whose property I just pinched?” 99 times out of 100 you would reflexly and confidently respond, “This is my property.” Hold on for one moment and ponder what you have just claimed, you are claiming that you are the owner of something that is made up of billions of cells that have been borrowed from the Earth. For every last cell in every one of us has come from the Earth and will ultimately return to the Earth. Hence, the owner of you (your collective cells) is the same as the entity who owns the Earth. That entity is none other than God (or for that matter whatever you choose to call him). Therefore we are all made up of cells that have been “borrowed” from God’s Earth and by extension we humans are all God’s property.

If we owned a property and we allowed someone to live in it (for a rent or for free) we would expect AT MINIMUM them to look after our property’s basic needs. If the tenant did not look after our property we would at minimum get upset and in extreme circumstances we would even evict the uncaring/ irresponsible tenant.

Just the same way that you would have certain expectations of your tenant so does God have of us. He expects everyone of us to do our best in looking after his property (i.e. our bodies). There are many persons who are currently upsetting God – such persons include but are not limited to those of us who refuse to exercise, over load our bodies with junk food, ingest excessive sugars (e.g. sweet drinks, juices, mauby syrup, etc.), those who consume excessive salt, those of us who abuse our bodies with drugs, tobacco and alcohol, those of us who do little to nothing about our excess weight, those of us who refuse to see a doctor in order to determine how well our bodies are working – All such individuals are mistreating the temporary habitat that we have been afforded by God. The offenders not only risk upsetting God, even worse yet they are pushing the envelope and ultimately they may face an untimely evection. Be forewarned the future of your life – re quality and quantity – is to a great degree in your hands. TAKE GREAT CARE OF THAT BODY OF YOURS - FOR IT'S GOD'S PROPERTY.

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