Reasons to Stop Smoking

Most of us know that smoking is indeed a habit that can have many serious implications on our health, but there's a tendency to view the problem lightly. It's important though, that every smoker be aware of the facts concerning smoking. So here are some eye openers for you. The World Health Organization has been studying smoking trends and statistical patterns across the globe and has come up with the following statistics:
A good deal of variation exists from one part of the world to another. Many more women smoke in Eastern Europe than in East Asia and the Pacific Region. Eastern Europe itself has a particularly high rate of smoking, with up to 59 percent of adult males smoking.
As with other substances of abuse, such as alcohol and cocaine, the global frequency of tobacco use varies by social class, historical era, and culture. Historically, smoking had been a pastime of the rich. This trend has changed dramatically in recent decades. It appears that economically advantaged men in wealthier countries have been smoking less. The more years of education you've had, the less likely you are to be a smoker.
As a wannabe quitter, you're in excellent company. People all over the world are trying to quit and stay away from cigarettes. There appears to be a correlation between a country's standard of living, level of education, and income and the number of people who have quit smoking. The more and better-informed people are, the more likely they are to quit smoking.
Most smokers begin early in life, before they are 25 years old. According to World Health Organization studies, the majority of smokers in affluent countries begin in their teens. A decline in the age of starting smoking has been observed worldwide.
Current estimates are that over 1 billion people in the world smoke. (In other words, approximately one in three adults on the planet smokes.) The majority of these smokers reside in countries on the low end to the middle of the socioeconomic spectrum. Of this majority, about 80% live in low and middle income countries. The total number of smokers worldwide is expected to keep increasing. But are things in the USA any better? Not really, as you can see for yourself in the figures of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
In the United States, an estimated 25.6 million men (25.2%) and 22.6 million women (20.7%) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show:

• Among whites, 25.1 percent of men and 21.7 percent of women smoke
• Among black or African Americans, 27.6 percent of men and 18.0 percent of women smoke
• Among Hispanics/Latinos, 23.2 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women smoke
• Among Asians (only), 21.3 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women smoke
• Among American Indians/Alaska Natives (only), 32.0 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women smoke

Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those with 9-11 years of education (35.4 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (11.6 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (33.3 percent).

And These Figures Spell Death...

• One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco
• An average of 400,000 Americans die each year from tobacco
• Tobacco is blamed for many serious pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases
• Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most potent carcinogens and are to blame for a majority of all cancers of the lung, trachea, bronchus, larynx, and esophagus
• Tobacco use also produces cancers in the pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix
• Impotency is sometimes to blame from addiction to nicotine because of its ability to reduce blood flow
• Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory illnesses, causing 85,000 deaths per year from pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia
• Children and adolescents who are active smokers will have increasingly severe respiratory illness, as they grow older
• Smoking during pregnancy causes about 5-6% of prenatal deaths, 17-26% of low-birth-weight births, and 7-10% of pre-term deliveries, and it increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth retardation
• Cigarettes are responsible for about 25% of deaths from residential fires, causing nearly 1,000 fire-related deaths and 3,300 injuries each year

So, are you ready to try and quit smoking now

ASPIRIN Info

Dr. Virend Somers, a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic who is lead author of the report in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 A.M. and noon, Somers said. Having one during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual happened. Somers and his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame.

1. If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night. The reason: aspirin has a 24-hour "half-life". Therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the aspirin would be strongest in your system.
2. FYI, aspirin lasts a really long time in your medicine chest years. (When it gets old, it smells like vinegar.)

Please read on.
Something that we can do to help ourselves. Nice to know.
Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve instantly on the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.
Why keep aspirin by your bedside?
About Heart Attacks - There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.
One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.
The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.
If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.
After-wards:- call Emergency (911, 112, 1122), phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by
-say "heart attack!"
-say that you have taken 2 aspirins.
- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and DO NOT lie down, tell this information to everyone you love.

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

• Glucose decreases
• Sodium decreases
• Total cholesterol decreases
• Triglycerides decrease
• HDL cholesterol increases
• LDL cholesterol decreases
• VLDL cholesterol decreases
• Cholinesterase increases
• Catecholamines decrease
• ATPase increases
• Hematocrit increases
• Hemoglobin increases
• Lymphocyte count increases
• Total white blood cell count decreases
• Thyroxin increases
• Vitamin C increases
• Total serum protein increases

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Social adjustment increases
• Anxiety and Depression decrease
• Hostility decreases
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Attention improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Mood improves
• Self-actualization increase
• Social skills increases
• Well-being increases
• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Self-acceptance increase
• Attention improves
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Symbol coding improves
• Depth perception improves
• Flicker fusion frequency improves

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga books tell us that Yoga, as we all know, is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.

Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient Theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now being proven by modern medicine. Substantial research has been conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga - from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information on Yoga Poses & Benefits are grouped into three categories-physiological, psychological, biochemical effects. Furthermore, scientists have laid these results against the benefits of regular exercise.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

1. Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
2. Pulse rate decreases
3. Respiratory rate decreases
4. Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hypo reactors)
5. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
6. EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
7. EMG activity decreases
8. Cardiovascular efficiency increases
9. Respiratory efficiency increases
10. Gastrointestinal function normalizes
11. Endocrine function normalizes
12. Excretory functions improve
13. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
14. Breath-holding time increases
15. Joint range of motion increase
16. Grip strength increases
17. Eye-hand coordination improves
18. Dexterity skills improve
19. Reaction time improves
20. Posture improves
21. Strength and resiliency increase
22. Endurance increases
23. Energy level increases
24. Weight normalizes
25. Sleep improves
26. Immunity increases
27. Pain decreases
28. Steadiness improves
29. Depth perception improves
30. Balance improves
31. Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Sitting too much could be deadly

Here's a new warning from health experts: Sitting is deadly. Scientists are increasingly warning that sitting for prolonged periods — even if you also exercise regularly — could be bad for your health. And it doesn't matter where the sitting takes place — at the office, at school, in the car or before a computer or TV — just the overall number of hours it occurs. In an editorial published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Elin Ekblom-Bak of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences suggested that authorities rethink how they define physical activity to highlight the dangers of sitting. While health officials have issued guidelines recommending minimum amounts of physical activity, they haven't suggested people try to limit how much time they spend in a seated position.

Research is preliminary, but several studies suggest people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die. "After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals," Ekblom-Bak said. She explained that genes regulating the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down.
Even for people who exercise, spending long stretches of time sitting at a desk is still harmful. Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization, said people who exercise every day — but still spend a lot of time sitting — might get more benefit if that exercise were spread across the day, rather than in a single bout.
That wasn't welcome news for Aytekin Can, 31, who works at a London financial company, and spends most of his days sitting in front of a computer. Several evenings a week, Can also teaches jiu jitsu, a Japanese martial art involving wrestling, and also does Thai boxing. "I'm sure there are some detrimental effects of staying still for too long, but I hope that being active when I can helps," he said. "I wouldn't want to think the sitting could be that dangerous."
Still, in a study published last year that tracked more than 17,000 Canadians for about a dozen years, researchers found people who sat more had a higher death risk, independently of whether or not they exercised. "We don't have enough evidence yet to say how much sitting is bad," said Peter Katzmarzyk of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, who led the Canadian study. "But it seems the more you can get up and interrupt this sedentary behavior, the better." Figures from a U.S. survey in 2003-2004 found Americans spend more than half their time sitting, from working at their desks to sitting in cars. Experts said more research is needed to figure out just how much sitting is dangerous, and what might be possible to offset those effects.
"People should keep exercising because that has a lot of benefits," Ekblom-Bak said. "But when they're in the office, they should try to interrupt sitting as often as possible," she said. "Don't just send your colleague an e-mail. Walk over and talk to him. Standing up."

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

No Breakfast:
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
Overeating:
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
Smoking:
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
High Sugar Consumption:
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development..
Air Pollution:
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
Sleep Deprivation:
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
Head Covered while Sleeping:
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
Working Your Brain During Illness:
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
Lacking in Stimulating Thoughts:
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
Talking Rarely:
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain, and talking rarely also harm your brain.

Control Your Blood Pressure

Garlic: Garlic is very effective in lowering blood pressure. Take 2-3 raw garlic cloves a day. It slows down the pulse rate and relieves the symptoms of dizziness, numbness and shortness of breath and formation of gas within the digestive system.
Gooseberry: Gooseberry is also very effective in controlling high blood pressure.
Lemon: Lemon is also very effective food in controlling high blood pressure. It helps in maintaining capillary fragility.
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure.
Watermelon: Watermelon also safeguards against high blood pressure. The seeds of watermelon also can be dried and roasted and taken in liberal amounts.
Rice: Rice is low-fat, low-cholesterol and low-salt content is very good for people suffering from high B.P. who have been advised salt-restricted diet. Particularly brown rice having calcium soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve High B.P symptoms.
Potato: Boiled potatoes are very valuable in lowering high B.P. Boiled potatoes absorb very little salt and thus are very useful. Potatoes are rich in Potassium and not sodium salts and magnesium present in potato is also beneficial.
Parsley: Parsley is very useful in high blood pressure. It helps maintain the blood vessels. Parsley can be taken as a beverage by simmering 20gms of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250 ml of water for a few minutes. Drink this several times a day.
Vegetable Juice: Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach juices, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high B.P If taken in combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed to make 500 ml and taken daily. If taken separately, one glass should be taken twice daily, morning and evening.
Cut down on these: Cut down on salt, cholesterol, fat, tea, coffee and alcohol intake to keep a tab on high blood pressure.
Don't repress your feelings: Don't repress your feelings, talk about them to friends and exercise regularly.

Cigarette Smoke Can Affect Children's Behavior

The study conducted by German scientists said that the babies who are still in the womb and the children at 1 year of age who are exposed to cigarette smoke will be able to make a problem of their behavior during the school years later. The study also published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Greater risk will occur in children when they are in the womb who has been exposed to cigarettes smoke because it will affect the behavior problems during their childhood. The scientists revealed that the children in the womb for mothers who smoke will have a 90 percent risk of abnormal behavior problems. Whereas children after birth and exposed to cigarette smoke has a 30 percent risk of their behavior problems.
Based on a list of questions that have been given by scientists to conduct research has produced data that revealed a hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, and social interaction problems were due more because of the impact of cigarette smoke than other factors such as external social and environmental factors. Seeing the risk of cigarette smoke is greater in children who were conceived by pregnant mothers so the researchers suggest that mothers who are pregnant for consideration so as not smoking for the sake of their children's future. However, because of the environmental conditions as much as possible to avoid environmental tobacco smoke. We know that the cigarette smoke is very detrimental health for adults, can be imagined when it exposed to children or infants.

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: BLISTERS

Pinwork and Prevention: It's a sure sign that something is rubbing your child the wrong way: She has a puffy, water-filled sac just under the top layer of skin. To her it's a curiosity--somethin g to poke and prod. To you, that blister is a signal that there's been too much friction between your child's foot and shoe--or hand and tennis racket. Your biggest dilemma with a blister is whether to leave it be or drain it. If it's small and not likely to burst on its own, most doctors advise only cushioning it with moleskin, a soft adhesive-backed product you can find at most drugstores.

But if the blister is large or painful and the child can't avoid putting pressure on it, it's better to drain it, as long as the child is not frightened by the idea. Some studies have shown that blisters heal faster when drained, and it's preferable to drain the blister under sterile conditions rather than let it burst on its own. That's because burst blisters can become infected, cautions Suzanne Levine, D.P.M., a podiatric surgeon, clinical assistant professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City and author of My Feet Are Killing Me. (Never, however, puncture a blister caused by a burn.)
Here's how to proceed, for blisters large or small.

MEDICAL ALERT:
When to See the Doctor:
A blister that becomes infected needs to be seen by a doctor immediately for treatment. Here are possible signs of infection.

• Extensive or prolonged pain
• Redness beyond the immediate area of the blister
• Oozing pus
• Yellow crusting around the blister
• Red lines away from the blister
• Fever
  

Treatment:
Protect them with moleskin. Cut the moleskin into a circle about ¾ inch bigger in all dimensions than the blister itself, says Morris Mellion, M.D., clinical associate professor of family practice and orthopedic surgery (sports medicine) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and medical director of the Sports Medicine Center, both in Omaha. ''Just leave it on for about two days, until the fluid has been reabsorbed into the skin,'' says Dr. Mellion. Be gentle when you remove it, so the adhesive backing doesn't disturb the tender skin underneath.
Explain the draining process:
If your child has a large blister you believe should be drained, first explain calmly why it's a good idea to puncture the blister--and that it won't hurt. ''A child old enough to get a blister will probably be able to understand that the process will be painless because the skin is dead--just as there is no feeling when you cut your hair or nails,'' says Douglas Richie, D.P.M., a practicing podiatrist in Seal Beach, California, and clinical professor at the California College of Podiatric Medicine, southern campus, at Los Angeles County--USC Medical Center. If your child is afraid, however, don't proceed--just pad the blister with moleskin instead.
Don't waste time:
If your child is agreeable to having the blister drained, do it now. ''A blister will heal faster if you drain it during the first 24 hours after it has formed,'' says Dr. Richie.
Clean the scene:
Before you puncture the blister, paint it with an iodine solution such as Betadine Solution, says Dr. Mellion. After you've disinfected the area with iodine, wait at least 90 seconds before you proceed, he advises. ( iodine stings on an open wound.)
Sterilize the needle:
While waiting, sterilize the needle or pin with isopropyl alcohol or Betadine Solution. Holding it over a flame also sterilizes it, but it's also likely to frighten the child and isn't necessary, says Dr. Richie.
Prick with care:
Press the fluid in the blister to one side and then gently insert the needle sideways (not straight up and down) into the fluid-filled part of the blister, advises Dr. Richie. Some of the fluid will come out at once.
Press it out:
Gently press out the rest of the fluid with a sterile gauze pad. ''Most important is to leave the roof of the blister intact,'' says Dr. Levine. That flap of dead skin acts as protection for the raw skin underneath. ''Think of it as nature's bandage,'' adds Dr. Richie. If the blister fills up again after 24 hours or so, carefully drain it again.
Battle infection:
After the blister has been drained, apply an antibiotic ointment or cream such as Neosporin Ointment or an ointment containing bacitracin, and put a Band-Aid over the area. Better yet, cover the blister with a product called 2nd Skin, which is 96 percent water and looks like jelly, says Dr. Richie. You can find it at most drugstores: It comes in large sheets and can be cut to fit. Whatever covering you use, change it twice a day.
Cover Torn Blisters:
If the blister has already burst and the protective layer of skin is torn, you need a ''replacement skin.'' First clean the exposed wound and apply an antibiotic, says Dr. Richie. Then use the over-the-counter 2nd Skin product to protect the exposed area. ''The 2nd Skin creates a moist environment for healing, covers open nerve endings, provides a cushion and protects the area from dirt,'' he says. He recommends changing the dressing twice every 24 hours. A dressing should be used until the wound starts to heal on its own and your child says it feels better.
Make Removal a Snap:
Before you change the 2nd Skin dressing, moisten it if it has dried out. ''That way, you'll save your child's newly healed skin from damage and prevent some unnecessary pain,'' says Dr. Levine.
Preventive Care:
Shop for shoes that fit:
One of the best ways to avoid heel, toe and arch blisters in the first place is to buy your child shoes that fit well, says Dr. Levine. Take your child shoe shopping when he's rested-not after he's been walking around the mall all day, when his feet are tired and he's irritable, says Robin Scanlon, owner and manager of Scanlon Stride Rite Bootery in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.
Scanlon recommends allowing no more than ½ inch of growing room at the toe of slip-on shoes, and no more than an inch for lace-up shoes. Check the heels to make sure they don't slip up and down easily. But if the shoes seem a bit snug, try another pair. ''Never depend on a tight shoe stretching,' ' Scanlon says. ''It should be comfortable when first worn.''
Get special footwear for the athlete:
Although it can be tough on your pocketbook, you may want to invest in specific shoes for certain sports, to help avoid blisters. You don't want your child to play tennis or racquetball in running shoes, for example, because the foot twists inside the shoe during the quick stop-and-go action--and that twisting motion can cause blisters, says Dr. Mellion.
Go acrylic:
If your child has blister-prone feet, choose acrylic socks rather than cotton, says Dr. Richie. His research shows that acrylic fiber socks are half as likely to cause blisters as cotton socks. ''Cotton stays wetter and it doesn't wick moisture off the foot and allow it to evaporate through the shoe,'' he explains. ''Instead, it traps moisture against the foot, and moisture increases friction and rubbing and hence blisters.'' Also, cotton can become rough and abrasive after many washings, while acrylic socks do not. '' Wool is better than cotton but not as good as man-made fibers for protection against blisters,'' says Dr. Richie.
Ban the tubes:
Tube socks, which don't have a fitted heel, can contribute to blisters, says Dr. Richie. ''These can creep down into the shoe, balling up at the toes, creating wrinkles and lumps that become a source of irritation,' ' he says. For the same reason, don't buy socks that are too large.
Double up on socks:
'' When extra friction is bound to occur, as in a sport activity, wearing two layers of socks can prevent blisters,'' says Dr. Mellion. ''The inner pair should be made of a wicking material, such as acrylic fibers, while the outer pair can be cotton.''
Soothe with a sprinkle:
''For kids whose feet sweat a lot, you can sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch between the toes and all around the foot to reduce the friction that causes blisters,'' says Dr. Levine.
Or grease those piggies:
''Rub a bit of petroleum jelly onto any red or irritated spots on your child's feet before putting socks on,'' says Dr. Levine. ''That will help reduce any mild friction that may be occurring.'' That soothing lubricant may be especially helpful for those times when your child is participating in a sport where overuse can create a blister, she says.
Battle sweat:
Sweaty feet can contribute to blisters. For this reason your child is always better off wearing socks, says Dr. Levine. ''If your child insists on going sockless, sprinkle talcum powder inside her shoes and on her feet,'' she suggests. And make sure your child has an extra pair of well-fitting shoes that she can wear on alternate days. That way, each pair can dry out completely between wearings.

Liver Damage

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
8. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is20very fit.
9. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
10. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

Do sugary drinks really fuel weight gain?

NEW YORK – Studies reporting a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain have garnered a lot of attention but actually research on the issue has yielded mixed results, researchers note in a new report. "The purported link between soft drinks and other beverages and obesity risk is unclear and complicated, especially in youth," Dr. Mark A. Pereira, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and an author on the report, told Reuters Health. In a study Pereira and colleagues conducted, they found no link between weight gain over 5 years and teens' drinking of sugar-sweetened beverages.

According to report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Pereira's team assessed diet, lifestyle, and weight in 2,294 ethnically-diverse boys and girls in the Minneapolis/St. Paul school
system. Initially, when the teens were about 15 years old, 1,289 reported drinking 7 or more servings of white milk weekly, while 1,456 said they drank sugar-sweetened punch and 1,325 said they drank sugary soft drinks up to 6 times a week. Additionally, about 1,300 of these teens said they drank up to 6 servings of apple juice or orange juice weekly.

The investigators saw no overall association between consumption of sweetened beverages and the teens' weight gain over 5 years after allowing for other behaviors tied to beverage drinking habits and weight status. However, Pereira and colleagues found drinking little or no white milk tied to greater gains in body mass index (BMI); while drinking white milk nearly every day or more often seemed tied to lesser BMI gains. BMI -- calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared -- is a standard way to determine how fat or thin a person is.

Genes Work in Tandem to Spur Deadliest Brain Cancer

Two genes working in concert seem to spur the deadliest form of brain tumor, glioblastoma, the disease that took Sen. Ted Kennedy's life last August. Scientists reporting in the Dec. 23 online edition of Nature said that the dynamic duo of genes are turned on in about 60 percent of patients with glioblastoma, and that those patients have an especially bad prognosis.

"We discovered that tumors expressing these two genes displayed much worse clinical outcomes. This is remarkable given that it's based on [just] the activity of two genes," said study senior author Dr. Antonio Iavarone, an associate professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City. "These researchers have identified two transcription factors that appear to be causative. They're not just markers. They appear to actually cause the tumor," added Dr. Todd Waldman, an associate professor of oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C. "For brain tumors, it's very exciting because it helps to explain why they are so devastatingly infiltrative."
Zeroing in on such specific targets brings the possibility of new therapies closer to the realm of reality.
"We are now trying to identify new compounds to block the function of the proteins," added Iavarone. "Some may be already available in the chemical library. We're in good shape because we know what we want to find, we know what the drug should do."
Glioblastomas multiforme -- dubbed "The Terminator" by one group of researchers -- are devastating because they so easily and quickly invade healthy brain tissue surrounding the tumor.
Scientists have been trying without huge success to understand why these tumors are so wildly aggressive. Iavarone and colleagues determined that each of these newly identified genes -- C/EPB and Stat3 -- caused little damage on their own but, in tandem, wreaked havoc by switching on hundreds of other genes. After almost a year, all patients in the study who had both genes turned on had died versus only one-half of those who had different types of tumors.
Face looking old? Don't blame your genes
NEW YORK – Don't blame genes for aging facial skin. A new study of twins suggests you can blame those coarse wrinkles, brown or pink spots, and dilated blood vessels on too much time in the sun, smoking, and being overweight.
Because twins share genes, but may have different exposures to environmental factors, studying twins allows an, "opportunity to control for genetic susceptibility," Dr. Elma D. Baron, at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and colleagues explain in the latest issue of Archives of Dermatology.

Their analysis of environmental skin-damaging factors in 65 pairs of twins hints that skin aging is related more to environment and lifestyle than genetic factors. But when it comes to skin cancer, the researchers say their findings support previous reports that both environment and genes affect skin cancer risk. Baron's team examined facial skin of 130 twins, 18 to 77 years old, who lived mostly in the northern Midwest and Eastern regions of the U.S. who were attending the Twins Days Festival in Ohio in August 2002.
At this time, each of the twins also separately reported how their skin burned or tanned without sunscreen, their weight, and their history of skin cancer, smoking, and alcohol drinking.The study group consisted of 52 fraternal and 10 identical twin pairs, plus 3 pairs who were unsure of their twin status. Identical twins share all of their genes and fraternal twins share only about half.
From these data, the researchers noted strong ties, outside of twin status, between smoking, older age, and being overweight, and having facial skin with evidence of environmental damage. By contrast, sunscreen use and drinking alcohol appeared correlated with lesser skin damage.

How is Vitamin B6 useful to our body?

Instead of asking what are the health benefits of vitamin B6, why not ask first how important is vitamin B6 to our body? Our body needs vitamin B6 or pyridoxine for production of red blood cells in keeping our nervous system healthy for it to work properly and in helping our body to use the proteins, carbohydrates and fats we consume. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is essential in converting amino acid trytophan to niacin (another form of vitamin B). It also helps our body fight against diseases by strengthening our immune system.

Deficiency from vitamin B6 or pyridoxine may result to weakness, irritability, insomnia, anemia, nervousness, difficulty in walking or even convulsions.

Alcoholics, those with genetic defect that prevent their body from using right amount of vitamin B6 and some elderly are the people who is at risk from vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency.

And, what are the other health benefits of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine? It has potential power in treating premenstrual syndrome or PMS and carpal tunnel syndrome. Taking vitamin B6 lessens the harmful effects of diabetes, and has promising effect of eliminating calcium oxalate crystals (one type of kidney stone) in the urine. Some suggests that it helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases. vitamin B6 or pyridoxine also inhibits the growth of skin cancer cells.

You can find vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in meats, poultry, fish, nuts, whole grains, potatoes, avocados and bananas.