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Fast food linked to childhood asthma and eczema?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 12:29:00 +0000

For all fast food lovers, there is a bad news for you. Eating fast more than thrice a week may lead to asthma and eczema in children. The researchers studying on the global diseases and dietary patterns stated that more than 500,000 children in more than 50 countries hints that poor dietary management has lead to the amplified allergy rates. These people used to have fast food at a much greater intensity and were posed severe threats of asthma, eczema and itchy, watery eyes. However, a few them manage to eat a lot of fruits that protects them from the severe ailment.

Why fast food is dangerous to health

Fast food tend to contain high levels of saturated and the Trans -fatty acids. These fatty acids are truly harmful in nature and it ultimately slower down the immunity level. Alternatively fruits in this case are anti-oxidants and the composed to other beneficial compounds. The study says that the children and teenagers who hang up for more than thrice a week are prone to 39% greater risks of asthma. Children between the age group of six-seven year old had a risk of 27%. Nevertheless, you can inculcate the sound habits of eating fruits then the risk may cut down to 11 and 14% in the cases of asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis. Normally it is people suffering from asthma are promoted with the specific diets. In a few cases it is suggested not to take certain food items such as cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shelfish, yeast products, nuts and some food colouring and preservatives as these foodstuff can make the situation worse.

"Evidence suggests that the vitamins and antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables have a beneficial effect on asthma therefore Asthma UK advises people with asthma to eat a healthy, balanced diet including five portions of fruit or vegetables every day, fish more than twice a week, and pulses more than once a week."

Olive oil is the healthiest choice when it comes to frying food, study finds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 08:13:00 +0000

Olive is one the best cooking oils available in the world. Researchers have decided this fact on the basis of its nutritional fact and its ability to maintain the quality even on the high temperatures. As per one of the famous research journal by American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the physical, chemical and nutritional properties are more static while heating in comparison to other cooking oils. Due to low quality cooking oil, the nutrition of the food is lost. Mohamed Bouaziz, says that the low quality oil often make new compound and becomes potentially toxic while consuming it.

Why eating olive oil is useful?

According to a research test, a potato pieces were fried in four different oils and the oil were re-used for the 10 times. It was found that the olive oil was most static in comparison other oils, which degraded quite fast. Thus test suggested that olive oil is better than any seed oil. However, the best olive oil to use is the virgin or the extra virgin olive oil as they go through lesser chemical treatment while extraction. A good quality of virgin oil will promise enough of antioxidants, vitamins and mineral. Moreover, it is also embedded with the anti-inflammatory properties.

Medicine properties of olive oil

Since the olive is composed of Oleocanthal, the phytonutrient element excluding the effect of ibuprofen, it also helps in reducing the inflammation, in reducing the cancer risk, and its repetition. Elements such as squalene and lignans help in fighting with cancer and also reduce the threat of heart disease, as well as blood cholesterol level. Its regular consumption helps in treating the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The study has proved that consuming olive oil also helps in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Home Remedies for Brown Spots – Get Age Spots Free Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Age spots is something very disturbing for the people especially those who gets troubled with frequent exposure to sunlight. Basically Ultraviolet rays accelerate the production of melanin which darkens the skin. However, the age spots are not harmful by any means. But sometimes they are prominent on your skin. Often the age spots are accompanied by the other signs of damage, such as skin lesion which is not painful, flat patch or macule (area of skin color change). Liver spots arise due to “ceroid” pigment that pops on the skin of the older people.

Causes of the age spots

People tend to get exposed to sun for a longer period and as a result their skin deposit cells known as melanocytes. When the frequency of these cells grows higher then it appears as a brown patch on the skin, known as age spots.

Home Remedies for treating brown spots

· Always remember that the brown spots may either appear due to the sun damage or due to the lack of the nutrition deficiency. One of the best home remedies includes rubbing the castor oil or swallow Vitamin E.

· Lemon juice does wonder and is a tested remedy for treating black spots. Applying lemon juice on the affected area bleaches off the dark spots.

· If you can work a little harder then one of the commendable ways to remove the freckles is to grind two almonds with a white of an egg and mixed it with a lime juice. Apply on your face and then leave it to get dry. Finally wash it off with warm water and then with cold water.

· Another affective remedy for the removing dark spots is by making a paste from different ayurvedic herbs. Grind 100 grams of fried basil leaf, neem leaf, mint, and turmeric powder. Use a good amount of rose water to make a paste. You can also use the saffron and honey for removing the dark spots.

Top 4 ways to improve liver function

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 07:10:00 +0000

We are living in the age of contamination where almost everything eatable around is full of toxins and by eating (as one has no choice) this, we have pushed our liver in a huge mess. The toxin has crept in almost everywhere, right form food, air, water, personal care and household products. Nevertheless, all this has created a huge burden on our liver, compromising on its ability to detoxify it.

Ways to improve the liver function.

· Go for proper eating habits: instead on switching to some herbal detoxifying elements in your food, you need to eat right. Ensure that the meals you take are light and more nutrition enriched. Always eat less, than stuffing your belly to the neck. You can consume food which are catered with low sugar intensity, smoothoes, juices, salads, soups, and fermented good such as sauerkraut and coconut kefir.

· Reduce food that is liver burdening: avoid consuming food that is liver stressing. This food includes, consuming fats, especially animal meat, butter, dairy products and vegetable oils. Food stuff such as flour products, alcohol, sugar, and caffeine. These are basically hindrances in allowing easy digestion and liver your needs an extra work in handling digestion. You must take into account that any food which contains GMO elements must be avoided. Besides this, apart food that put much burden on your liver function it is lack of sleep and negative thoughts that affect the liver function at large.

· List of detoxifying foods and herbs: the food and herbs that helps in detoxifying the liver

1. Broccoli

2. Cabbage

3. Beets

4. Garlic

5. Onions

6. Avacados

7. Apples

8. Grape Fruits

9. Leafy green vegetables

10. Sauerkraut

11. Coconut kefir

Popular herbs which are used for liver cleaning are:

Milk thistle
Dandelion
Burdock root
Artichoke
Turmeric

Consuming this food would certainly enhance the support, detoxify and nourish your liver.

Reduce Cholesterol by Mayan, Siddha, Ayurveda and Fengshui I-Ching Natural Ways

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:00:00 +0000

More about Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an organic molecule. Cholesterol name is originated from the Ancient Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid) followed by the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol. Cholesterol is biosynthesized by many animal cells. Cholesterol is an essential structural component of animal cell membranes. Cholesterol is required to maintain both membrane structural integrity and fluidity. Cholesterol enables animal cells to protect membrane integrity.

Cholesterol is the precursor for biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Cholesterol also helps in synthesis of bile acids and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals. All kinds of cells in animals can produce it. Cholesterol also functions in intracellular transport, cell signaling and nerve conduction within the cell membrane. Cholesterol is also implicated in cell signaling processes. Cholesterol is the precursor molecule in several biochemical pathways in the cells.

Cholesterol is produced in the hepatic cells of vertebrates. Cholesterol is almost completely absent in bacteria and archaea. But cholesterol is present in Mycoplasma, which require cholesterol for growth. Cholesterol is essential for all animal life. The ingested cholesterol is esterified inside the body. This esterified cholesterol is poorly absorbed. If body absorbs more cholesterol, then it reduces the synthesis of cholesterol.

Cholesterol is elated inside lipoproteins, complex discoidal particles with exterior amphiphilic proteins and lipids, whose outward-facing surfaces are water-soluble and inward-facing surfaces, are lipid-soluble.

Which food gives Cholestserol – Cholesterol Sources

Cholesterol is found in animal foods such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk products, Beef, Pork, chicken, Meat products, Eggnog, Cheese (hard, soft), all varieties, Sour cream (regular, light), Ice cream (rich, regular, light), Milkshake etc.

Which foods may have the power to affect Cholesterol?

Cholesterol can be reduced by increasing the intake of Oatmeal.

Cholesterol can be reduced by taking more Oat bran.

Cholesterol can be reduced increasing uptake of High-fiber foods.

Cholesterol can be decreased by increasing consumption of Fish.

Cholesterol can be reduced by taking more Omega-3 fatty acids that can be obtained from, Mackerel, Lake trout, Herring, Sardines, Albacore tuna, Salmon, Halibut etc.

Cholesterol can be reduced by eating more Walnuts.

Cholesterol can be reduced by consuming more Almonds and Other nuts

Olive oil has antioxidants that can lower your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol.

Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks can also reduce cholesterol especially LDL cholesterol.

Coconut oil can increase the HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol.

How to reduce Cholesterol by simple ways

Life style change by stopping consumption of alcohol and cigarette can reduce cholesterol. Doing regular exercise also can reduce the cholesterol.

Reduce Cholesterol in Mayan Ways

Three simple steps

a) Cut small pieces of Ginger, almost half of small finger length

b) Cut half lemon fruit into pieces

c) Put both pieces in 30 ml of water. Keep this decoction for 12 hours overnight, preferably in 2-8 degree Celsius. Drink the water from that early morning in empty stomach. Throw away the pieces of ginger and lemon. Continue this for 46 days, recheck the cholesterol level. Then comment here about the result. Don’t forget to share this article in other social media. These are recommendations, read from ancient texts, preaches from saints and traditional followers.

Reduce Cholesterol in Sidha or Ayurvedic Ways

Three simple steps.

a) Cut small pieces of Ginger, almost quarter of small finger length.

b) Cut half lemon fruit into pieces – small lemon.

c) Put both pieces in 30 ml of hot water 60 degree celsius. Drink the water from that early morning in empty stomach. Throw away the pieces of ginger and lemon. Continue this for 60 days, recheck the cholesterol level. Then comment here about the result. Don’t forget to share this article in other social media. These are recommendations, read from ancient texts, preaches from saints and traditional followers.

Reduce Cholesterol in FengShui I-ching Ways

Take directly collected rain water (not from the first rain while changing the season, third consecutive rain is preferred ) or mineral water 320 ml. Put it in a clean blender or mixer. Please wash or rinse with another 30 ml of same water before using the blender or mixer. Then work the mixer or blender for 7 minutes. A vortex must be formed continuously for 7 minutes inside the blender. After seven minutes stop and take 32 ml of activated water from it. Drink in empty stomach. Don’t take food for 64 minutes. Continue this for 128 days. Recheck cholesterol. Then comment here about the result. Don’t forget to share this article in other social media. These are recommendations, read from ancient texts, preaches from saints and traditional followers.

Risks of High Blood Cholesterol or Hypercholestremia

High blood levels of cholesterol may cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Elevated cholesterol may lead to Coronary heart disease. Increased cholesterol may end up in heart attack. Higher levels of cholesterol may cause stroke or mini-stroke (TIA).

Cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is carried in your blood by lipoproteins such as LDL and HDL, or 'bad' and 'good' cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol in the blood (both LDL and HDL) can be measured with blood test. The recommended cholesterol levels are as given below.

Carbendazim in Orange Juice Products

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 17:46:00 +0000

Carbendazim, is a potential fungicide has been reported to be found in some orange juice products. The levels of carbendazim reported appear to be the result of the application of a pesticide/fungicide on orange trees. The fungicide is approved for such use in Brazil and several other countries, but not the United States.

The effect of this fungicide, and its mal effects are still under study.

Chronic effects:

Chronic effects such as Carcinogenicity, reproductive effects, mutagen effects are also under study.A well established study is given below : http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/Carbenda.htm

Another major study is www.inchem.org/documents/jmpr/jmpmono/v95pr19.htm

So lets wait and see what is the final decision from FDA

Food borne Illnesses

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:35:00 +0000

Food borne Illnesses as mentioned by FDA

Organism	Common Name of Illness	Onset Time After Ingesting	Signs & Symptoms	Duration	Food Sources
Bacillus cereus	B. cereus food poisoning	10-16 hrs	Abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, nausea	24-48 hours	Meats, stews, gravies, vanilla sauce
Campylobacter jejuni	Campylobacteriosis	2-5 days	Diarrhea, cramps, fever, and vomiting; diarrhea may be bloody	2-10 days	Raw and undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk,contaminated water
Clostridium botulinum	Botulism	12-72 hours	Vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, double vision, difficulty in swallowing, muscle weakness. Can result in respiratory failure and death	Variable	Improperly canned foods, especially home-canned vegetables, fermented fish, baked potatoes in aluminum foil
Clostridium perfringens	Perfringens food poisoning	8–16 hours	Intense abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea	Usually 24 hours	Meats, poultry, gravy, dried or precooked foods, time and/or temperature-abused foods
Cryptosporidium	Intestinal cryptosporidiosis	2-10 days	Diarrhea (usually watery), stomach cramps, upset stomach, slight fever	May be remitting and relapsing over weeks to months	Uncooked food or food contaminated by an ill food handler after cooking, contaminated drinking water
Cyclospora cayetanensis	Cyclosporiasis	1-14 days, usually at least 1 week	Diarrhea (usually watery), loss of appetite, substantial loss of weight, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue	May be remitting and relapsing over weeks to months	Various types of fresh produce (imported berries, lettuce, basil)
E. coli (Escherichia coli) producing toxin	E. coli infection (common cause of “travelers’ diarrhea”)	1-3 days	Watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, some vomiting	3-7 or more days	Water or food contaminated with human feces
E. coli O157:H7	Hemorrhagic colitis or E. coli O157:H7 infection	1-8 days	Severe (often bloody) diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Usually, little or no fever is present. More common in children 4 years or younger. Can lead to kidney failure.	5-10 days	Undercooked beef (especially hamburger), unpasteurized milk and juice, raw fruits and vegetables (e.g. sprouts), and contaminated water
Hepatitis A	Hepatitis	28 days average (15-50 days)	Diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice, and flu-like symptoms, i.e., fever, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain	Variable, 2 weeks-3 months	Raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler; shellfish from contaminated waters
Listeria monocytogenes	Listeriosis	9-48 hrs for gastro-intestinal symptoms, 2-6 weeks for invasive disease	Fever, muscle aches, and nausea or diarrhea. Pregnant women may have mild flu-like illness, and infection can lead to premature delivery or stillbirth. The elderly or immunocompromised patients may develop bacteremia or meningitis.	Variable	Unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, ready-to-eat deli meats
Noroviruses	Variously called viral gastroenteritis, winter diarrhea, acute non- bacterial gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and food infection	12-48 hrs	Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, fever, headache. Diarrhea is more prevalent in adults, vomiting more common in children.	12-60 hrs	Raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler; shellfish from contaminated waters
Salmonella	Salmonellosis	6-48 hours	Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting	4-7 days	Eggs, poultry, meat, unpateurized milk or juice, cheese, contaminated raw fruits and vegetables
Shigella	Shigellosis or Bacillary dysentery	4-7 days	Abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea. Stools may contain blood and mucus.	24-48 hrs	Raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler
Staphylococcus aureus	Staphylococcal food poisoning	1-6 hours	Sudden onset of severe nausea and vomiting. Abdominal cramps. Diarrhea and fever may be present.	24-48 hours	Unrefrigerated or improperly refrigerated meats, potato and egg salads, cream pastries
Vibrio parahaemolyticus	V. parahaemolyticus infection	4-96 hours	Watery (occasionally bloody) diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever	2-5 days	Undercooked or raw seafood, such as shellfish
Vibrio vulnificus	V. vulnificus infection	1-7 days	Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloodborne infection. Fever, bleeding within the skin, ulcers requiring surgical removal. Can be fatal to persons with liver disease or weakened immune systems.	2-8 days	Undercooked or raw seafood, such as shellfish (especially oysters)

Source : http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/FoodborneIllnessesNeedToKnow/default.htm

SPICES GOOD OR BAD

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:18:00 +0000

Do you have all these spices in your kitchen?

We all cook delicious food and cuisines to make our loved ones happy, but somehow we never bother about the medicinal properties that they might contain. Let us explore some of the great spices in the kitchen:

1. Mustard: It is one of the great spices that have medicinal properties in the seeds. It helps in reducing migraines, and has other anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. The best part is that mustard has anti cancer mineral known as selenium.

2. Cole slaw: When it comes to great stuff of food kingdom, you can’t forget the raw cabbage. Reports say that it shows proven results in the cases of Ulcers. Whether you cook it or boil it, in either ways it is going to benefit you. The other medicinal properties that in the cabbage are the anti- cancerous properties like indole-3-carbinol that makes it vital component to use in the kitchen.

3. Cinnamon, Rosemary, Cloves, Paprika and other spices: Surprisingly Cinnamon has great anti- oxidant properties and it regulates Blood sugar, Rosemary is again something that makes digestive
tonic and detoxifying herb. When it comes to Ginger it has great properties that can fight against cold and flu and it is an effective immune booster and enhances the blood circulation.

HEALTHY FOOD IN OLD AGES

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:10:00 +0000

Aren’t you lacking this?
It makes life easy when you choose healthier food your diet. It reduces plague and other cardiac symptoms. Choosing animal protein is never a bad idea since it contains a high level of protein and omega oils and is enriched with calcium.

Moreover it also reduces the risk of heart attack and other symptoms. When it comes to women, well, Olive oil is really is good for health. This helps in reducing the blood pressure. Raw cheese milk is also a great option for people who want to infuse a bit of calcium and maintain their blood pressure. Vegetables are also not a bad option since you drive a great source of proteins and vitamins to your diet.

Corn gives you a great deal of folic acid and onions and avocados helps you to stay away from LDL or bad cholesterol, tomatoes are enriched in high lycopene and garlic works as an anti-inflammatory substance for you.

We all love chocolates aren't we? Yes let me tell you, dark chocolates are really beneficial for health. It easily cuts down the high-blood pressure with great taste.

Packaged Ice labeling and tips for consumers

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:40:00 +0000

Packaged ice labels must meet FDA food labeling requirements. The labels must list the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the ice. The labels must also list the net quantity of contents of the product. Because ice is a single ingredient food, packaged ice does not need listing of ingredients. In addition, ice does not require a nutrition facts label, unless the package has a nutrient content claim (such as low in sodium). But ice labeled as being from a specific source, such as spring water or artesian well water, must be truthfully labeled and not misleading; in other words, it must really be from that source. The source water must meet all the requirements for such types of source water, as described in FDA regulations. It can be shaved, cubed, nuggeted, and crushed. It can be made from tap water, from spring water, or from purified water. But no matter the shape or the source, ice is considered a food by FDA.

When FDA investigators inspect packaged ice manufacturing plants, they look at such things as:

Whether the plumbing in the facility prevents contamination of the ice water supply or stored ice,
Whether the water supply is safe and sanitary (e.g., water that meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinking water), and
Whether the manufacturing facility and grounds are maintained in sanitary condition.

Tips for Consumers

Handle ice with clean, non-breakable utensils, such as tongs or an ice scoop.
Avoid touching ice with dirty hands or glasses.
Store ice in clean containers that are safe for storing food.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm197586.htm

DHA AND ARA IN BABY FOODS ARE BENEFICIAL OR NO

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:34:00 +0000

Now a days, we can see in most of the infant formulas, baby foods contain DHA and ARA. It is known that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA in particular) accumulate in brain and eye of the fetus, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy.

These fatty acids are also found in the fat of human breast milk. Blood levels of DHA and ARA are typically higher in breast-fed infants than in infants fed formulas not containing these fatty acids. For these reasons, some infant formula manufacturers and consumers are interested in providing DHA and ARA directly to infants. These manufacturers and consumers argue that adding oils containing these fatty acids to the fats and oils already in infant formula will provide an infant with both pre-formed DHA and ARA and the essential fatty acids an infant needs to make its own DHA and ARA.

Is it beneficial to give baby foods contain DHA and ARA

The scientific evidence is mixed. Some studies in infants suggest that including these fatty acids in infant formulas may have positive effects on visual function and neural development over the short term. Other studies in infants do not confirm these benefits. There are no currently available published reports from clinical studies that address whether any long-term beneficial effects exist.

Source: FDA

HCG Diet Products Are Illegal

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:32:00 +0000

HCG is a hormone that is produced by the human placenta during pregnancy.

Products that claim to contain HCG are typically marketed in connection with a very low calorie diet, usually one that limits calories to 500 per day. Many of these popular HCG products claim to “reset your metabolism,” change “abnormal eating patterns,” and shave 20-30 pounds in 30-40 days.

“These products are marketed with incredible claims and people think that if they're losing weight, HCG must be working,” says Elizabeth Miller, acting director of FDA’s Division of Non-Prescription Drugs and Health Fraud. “But the data simply does not support this; any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from the HCG.”

HCG is approved by FDA as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility, and other medical conditions. It is not approved for weight loss. In fact, the prescription drug label notes there “is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”

HCG is not approved for OTC sale for any purpose.

Anyone who has ever been on a diet—and there are many of us—knows that there are sensible ways to lose weight. These include balanced diets, exercising and realistic goals.

And then there are reckless ways to shed pounds—fads and diet aids that promise rapid weight loss, but often recommend potentially dangerous practices. These include HCG weight-loss products marketed over-the-counter (OTC) that are identified as "homeopathic" and direct users to follow a severely restrictive diet.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to steer clear of these "homeopathic" human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products. They are sold in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays and can be found online and in some retail stores.

FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued seven letters to companies warning them that they are selling illegal homeopathic HCG weight-loss drugs that have not been approved by FDA, and that make unsupported claims.

(For the list of manufacturers, distributors and products—and more information about FDA’s concerns about HCG—visit www.fda.gov/hcgdiet.)

DO YOU HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES – READ LABEL

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:33:00 +0000

A great article on Food allergy. Since 2006, it has been much easier for people allergic to certain foods to avoid packaged products that contain them, says Rhonda Kane, a registered dietitian and consumer safety officer at the Food and Drug Administration.

This is because a federal law requires that the labels of most packaged foods marketed in the U.S. disclose—in simple-to-understand terms—when they are made with a “major food allergen.”

Eight foods, and ingredients containing their proteins, are defined as major food allergens. These foods account for 90 percent of all food allergies:

milk
egg
fish, such as bass, flounder, or cod
crustacean shellfish, such as crab, lobster, or shrimp
tree nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts
wheat
peanuts
soybeans

The law allows manufacturers a choice in how they identify the specific “food source names,” such as “milk,” “cod,” “shrimp,” or “walnuts,” of the major food allergens on the label. They must be declared either in:

the ingredient list, such as “casein (milk)” or “nonfat dry milk,” or
a separate “Contains” statement, such as “Contains milk,” placed immediately after or next to the ingredient list.

“So first look for the ‘Contains’ statement and if your allergen is listed, put the product back on the shelf,” says Kane. “If there is no ‘Contains’ statement, it’s very important to read the entire ingredient list to see if your allergen is present. If you see its name even once, it’s back to the shelf for that food too.”

There are many different ingredients that contain the same major food allergen, but sometimes the ingredients’ names do not indicate their specific food sources. For example, casein, sodium caseinate, and whey are all milk proteins. Although the same allergen can be present in multiple ingredients, its “food source name” (for example, milk) must appear in the ingredient list just once to comply with labeling requirements.

"Contains" and "May Contain" Have Different Meanings

If a “Contains” statement appears on a food label, it must include the food source names of all major food allergens used as ingredients. For example, if “whey,” “egg yolks,” and a “natural flavor” that contained peanut proteins are listed as ingredients, the “Contains” statement must identify the words “milk,” “egg,” and “peanuts.”

Some manufacturers voluntarily include a “may contain” statement on their labels when there is a chance that a food allergen could be present. A manufacturer might use the same equipment to make different products. Even after cleaning this equipment, a small amount of an allergen (such as peanuts) that was used to make one product (such as cookies) may become part of another product (such as crackers). In this case, the cracker label might state “may contain peanuts.”

Be aware that the “may contain” statement is voluntary, says Kane. “You still need to read the ingredient list to see if the product contains your allergen.”

When in Doubt, Leave It Out

Manufacturers can change their products’ ingredients at any time, so Kane says it’s a good idea to check the ingredient list every time you buy the product—even if you have eaten it before and didn’t have an allergic reaction.

“If you’re unsure about whether a food contains any ingredient to which you are sensitive, don’t buy the product, or check with the manufacturer first to ask what it contains,” says Kane. “We all want convenience, but it’s not worth playing Russian roulette with your life or that of someone under your care.”

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Black Licorice: Trick or Treat?

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Black licorice is an old fashioned treat that can be harmful if you eat too much. If you’re 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks could cause an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

As it turns out, you really can overdose on candy—or, more precisely, black licorice. Days before the biggest candy eating holiday of the year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages moderation if you enjoy snacking on the old fashioned favorite.

So, if you’re getting your stash ready for Halloween, here’s some advice from FDA:If you’re 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

FDA experts say black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

FDA’s Linda Katz, M.D., says last year the agency received a report of a black licorice aficionado who had a problem after eating the candy. And several medical journals have linked black licorice to health problems in people over 40, some of whom had a history of heart disease and/or high blood pressure.

Katz says potassium levels are usually restored with no permanent health problems when consumption of black licorice stops.

Licorice, or liquorice, is a low-growing shrub mostly grown for commercial use in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says the plant’s root has a long history of use as a folk or traditional remedy in both Eastern and Western medicine. It has been used as a treatment for heartburn, stomach ulcers, bronchitis, sore throat, cough and some infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis; however, NIH says there are insufficient data available to determine if licorice is effective in treating any medical condition.

Licorice is also used as a flavoring in food. Many “licorice” or “licorice flavor” products manufactured in the United States do not contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the same smell and taste. Licorice root that is sold as a dietary supplement can be found with the glycyrrhizin removed, resulting in a product known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, NIH says.

If you have a fondness for black licorice, FDA is offering this advice:

No matter what your age, don’t eat large amounts of black licorice at one time.
If you have been eating a lot of black licorice and have an irregular heart rhythm or muscle weakness, stop eating it immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
Black licorice can interact with some medications, herbs and dietary supplements. Consult a health care professional if you have questions about possible interactions with a drug or supplement you take.

If you’ve experienced any problems after eating licorice, contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

KILLER RAW MILK DANGERS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Raw milk can be identified as milk that is not pasteurized. Remember, that pasteurization is the only way to kill many of the bacteria in milk. Raw milk can create many days of diarrhea, stomach cramping, vomiting etc

Raw milk cause infections:

Raw milk can be contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Mycobacterium bovis, Salmonella, Shigella,Streptococcus pyogenes,Yersinia enterocolitica etc. Even raw milk products such as cheeses and yogurts may be having contamination of same bacteria.

Some studies show that consumers may develop severe or even life-threatening diseases, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can cause paralysis. Raw milk may lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, that may result in kidney failure and stroke.

How raw milk and raw milk products get contaminated?

Usually contamination occurs when Cow feces comes in contact with milk, milk taken from infected udder, bovine tuberculosis in cow, contamination from milk handling humans, ugly environments etc.

So please be careful while using Raw Milk.

DRINKING RAW MILK CURE ANY DISEASE

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Raw milk can be defined as the milk from cows, goats, sheep, or other animals that has not been pasteurized. Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria and other germs that may endanger your health.

Is drinking raw milk cure or prevent any disease?

As per our knowledge, it will not prevent or cure any type of disease. There are many rumors that drinking raw milk will give some additional benefits to the health. No proven benefits when compared to pasteurized milk.

We strongly advice pasteurized milk.

CHILD OBESITY AND NUTRITION BASICS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:09:00 +0000

With childhood obesity on the rise, parents, schools—even whole communities—are getting behind the movement to help young people eat healthier. FDA nutrition expert Shirley Blakely, the mother of two grown kids and a registered dietitian, says healthy eating at home and school begins at the grocery store.

As you head down the supermarket aisle, Blakely says you should zero-in on two things:

the Nutrition Facts label—tells the number of calories and percentage of a day’s worth of nutrients in one serving
the ingredients on the label of all prepared foods—lists every ingredient that went into the product, with the predominant ingredient first, the next most prominent second, and so on in descending order

Ingredients in prepared foods are listed in descending order of predominance. If the cereal your kids like has some type of grain listed first, that’s a good sign. But if fructose, high fructose corn syrup, or sucrose—in other words, sugar—is listed first, you’d best leave that item on the store shelf because added sugars are taking the place of other, more nutritious ingredients.

And sugar isn’t always an additive. Some foods—fruits, for example—are naturally sweet without adding any sugar at all. If you check the Nutrition Facts label on canned or dried fruits that have no added sugar, you’ll still see sugars listed. That’s because the sugars in pineapple, raisins, prunes, and other fruits occur naturally.

The same is true for fresh apples, bananas, melons, and other items on your grocer's produce aisle, but they don’t carry labels because they're completely unprocessed. If you want to know how many calories or nutrients they have, you’ll have to look on the Internet or ask in the produce section of your grocery store.

Blakely also says parents and kids should pay attention to portion sizes. Her advice: put just one serving on each person’s plate. And make sure everyone in the family knows how to use the Nutrition Facts label to guide their food choices. Blakely says there are three things everyone should check when they read the label:

Serving size—one container isn’t necessarily one serving; make sure you’re eating only one serving by pre-measuring your food and eating it from a plate or bowl instead of out of the container.

Percent Daily Value—tells what percentage of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient is in one serving of a food. Based on the amount of each nutrient recommendation for one day, 5 percent or less is low; 20 percent or more is high.

Nutrients—try to get 20 percent or more of protein, fiber, and some essential vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin C and calcium) in a single serving; but limit your intake of saturated fats and sodium to 5 percent or less per serving of food. Strive for 0 trans fat, or trans fatty acids—this harmful fat raises your bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowers your good cholesterol (HDL).

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Update page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

EAT FOR A HEALTHY HEART

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:09:00 +0000

Making healthy food choices is one important thing you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease—the leading cause of death of men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, about 80 million adults in the U.S. have at least one form of heart disease—disorders that prevent the heart from functioning normally—including coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, heart defects, infections, and cardiomyopathy (thickening or enlargement of the heart muscle).

Experts say you can reduce the risk of developing these problems with lifestyle changes that include eating a healthy diet. But with racks full of books and magazines about food and recipes, what is the best diet for a healthy heart?

Food and Drug Administration nutrition expert (FDA's) Barbara Schneeman says to follow these simple guidelines when preparing meals:

Balance calories to manage body weight
Eat at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, including a variety of dark-green, red, and orange vegetables, beans, and peas.
Eat seafood (including oily fish) in place of some meat and poultry
Eat whole grains—the equivalent of at least three 1-ounce servings a day
Use oils to replace solid fats.
Use fat-free or low-fat versions of dairy products.

The government’s newly released “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010” also says Americans should reduce their sodium intake. The general recommendation is to eat less than 2,300 mg. of sodium a day. But Americans 51 or older, African-Americans of any age, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should restrict their intake to 1,500 mg. The government estimates that about half the U.S. population is in one of those three categories.

Packaged and Restaurant Food

Schneeman, who heads FDA's Office of Nutrition, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements, says one way to make sure you’re adhering to healthy guidelines is by using the nutrition labels on the packaged foods you buy.

“Product labels give consumers the power to compare foods quickly and easily so they can judge which products best fit into a heart healthy diet or meet other dietary needs,” Schneeman says. “Remember, when you see a percent DV (daily value of key nutrients) on the label, 5 percent or less is low and 20 percent or more is high.”

Follow these guidelines when using processed foods or eating in restaurants:

Choose lean meats and poultry. Bake it, broil it, or grill it.
In a restaurant, opt for steamed, grilled, or broiled dishes instead of those that are fried or sautéed.
Look on product labels for foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Most of the fats you eat should come from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, such as those found in some types of fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
Check product labels for foods high in potassium (unless you’ve been advised to restrict the amount of potassium you eat). Potassium counteracts some of the effects of salt on blood pressure.
Choose foods and beverages low in added sugars. Read the ingredient list to make sure that added sugars are not among the first ingredients. Ingredients in the largest amounts are listed first. Some names for added sugars include sucrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, maple syrup, and fructose. The nutrition facts on the product label give the total sugar content.
Pick foods that provide dietary fiber, like fruits, beans, vegetables, and whole grains.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

GLUTEN FREE NATURAL PRODUCTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:08:00 +0000

Gluten (from Latin gluten "glue") is a protein composite processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye used in foods. It gives elasticity to dough, helping it to rise and to keep its shape, and often giving the final product a chewy texture. There are many cases reported worldwide about gluten sensitivity. So, many foods are now labeled whether they contain gluten as a component. Gluten is extracted from flour by draining out the starch.

Around 1.0 percent of people in the United States are sensitive to gluten due to celiac disease. Allergies and neuropathies are also caused by gluten consumption

Some foods are naturally free of gluten. Here are some examples:

milk not flavored with ingredients that contain gluten, such as malt
100 percent fruit or vegetable juices
fresh fruits and vegetables
butter
eggs
lentils
peanuts
seeds, such as flax
tree nuts, such as almonds
non-gluten-containing grains, such as corn
fresh fish, such as cod
fresh shellfish, such as clams
honey
water, including bottled, distilled, and spring

Source: FDA

SUNDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Renal Dialysis Patients must take extreme care about having a healthy and balanced food.Consult your Doctor or Dietitian before starting this menu.

Sunday Breakfast for Renal patients

120 ml Pineapple juice
Sliced Bread with half spoon jam or butter
One boiled egg with 4 ounce black tea (with or without sugar)

Sunday Lunch for Renal patients

Noodles half cup.
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of beef grilled.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with carrot and cucumber.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Sunday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Sunday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of grilled chicken
Macaroni with out salt
Half cup boiled vegetables
Half cup fresh green salad filled with cauliflower

Then eat fresh fruit piece, such as apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes.

SATURDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Ask your Dietitians and Doctors advice before following the below given Menu. Please note that, Diabetic patients must have sugar free diet. Patients with high cholesterol levels must reduce fat content and oily foods. Hypertensive patients must be careful in taking food with high salt content.

Saturday Breakfast for Renal patients

4 ounce (120 ml) Lemon juice
Sliced Bread with half spoon jam or butter
One boiled egg with 4 ounce black tea (with or without sugar)

Saturday Lunch for Renal patients

Half cup Macaroni or Noodles.
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of chicken or beef.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with onion and cucumber.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Saturday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Saturday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of grilled liver
Bread or Macaroni with out salt
Half cup boiled vegetables
Half cup fresh green salad filled with carrot

After 10 minutes, eat fresh fruit piece, such as apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes.

THURSDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:00 +0000

A full day diet menu of healthy food for Renal Dialysis Patients or Renal patients. Renal patients with chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, must strictly consult your Doctor or Dietitian before implementing this menu.

Thursday Breakfast for Renal patients

4 ounce (120 ml) Apricot juice
Unsalted bread, 2 slices
One fried egg
Half cup black tea (with or without sugar)

Thursday Lunch for Renal patients

Half cup Noodles
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of boiled chicken.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with lettuce and cauliflower.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Thursday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Thursday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of chicken Shawarma
Half cup white rice
Half cup fresh green salad filled with carrot and cucumber

Give a break of 30 minutes and then eat fresh fruit piece, such as apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes.

WEDNESDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:03:00 +0000

This post will suggest you a Menu about Wednesday diet. Consult your Doctor or Dietitian before implementing this diet.

Wednesday Breakfast for Renal patients

4 ounce (120 ml) Lemon juice
2 pieces bread and cheese without salt
Egg Omelet
Half cup black tea (with or without sugar)

Wednesday Lunch for Renal patients

Half cup rice
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of grilled fish.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with lettuce and cauliflower.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Wednesday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Wednesday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of grilled Shrimp
Unsalted bread with Half cup boiled vegetables
Half cup fresh green salad filled with carrot

After half an hour, a fresh fruit salad with apple, pear,pineapple, cherry or grapes is advisable.

TUESDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:02:00 +0000

A healthy food for Renal Dialysis Patients or Renal patients with a combination diet. Renal patients with chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, must strictly follow their physicians advice. Diabetic patients must have sugar free diet. Patients with high cholesterol levels must reduce fat content and oily foods. Hypertensive patients must be careful in taking food with high salt content. Please consult your Doctor or Dietitian before implementing this diet.

Tuesday Breakfast for Renal patients

4 ounce (120 ml) Pine apple juice
2 pieces toast and cheese without salt
Half cup black tea (with or without sugar)

Tuesday Lunch for Renal patients

3 pieces of bread.without salt
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of boiled chicken.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with carrot and cucumber.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Tuesday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Tuesday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of grilled kofta
Half cup boiled vegetables
Half cup fresh green salad filled with lettuce and carrot

After 10 minutes, eat fresh fruit piece, such as apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes.

FRIDAY DIET MENU FOR RENAL PATIENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Nk) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:06:00 +0000

In this post a full day menu for Renal Dialysis patients is explained as Friday Diet Menu for Renal Patients. Menu for other days are also available in this blog. Please view the blog archives to read menu for other week days. Kindly consult your Dietitian and Doctor, before following this diet.

Friday Breakfast for Renal patients

120 ml Apple juice
2 pieces toast and cheese without salt
Half cup black tea (with or without sugar)

Friday Lunch for Renal patients

Half cup butter rice
Half cup cooked vegetables. If non vegetarian, 50gms of boiled duck.
Half cup fresh green salad filled with cauliflower and cucumber.
One fresh fruit (apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes)

Friday Evening menu for Renal patients

Biscuits and Tea without milk

Friday Dinner for Renal Patients

50 gm of Chicken Tikka
Half cup boiled vegetables
Half cup fresh green salad filled with lettuce and carrot

After 10 minutes, take fresh fruit piece, such as apple or pear or pineapple or cherry or grapes.