Everthing About Health And Food

12 skin creams banned for health danger

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:38:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB) has banned 12 cosmetic products that contain ingredients, including scheduled poisons, that are dangerous to health. The products are:

* Felisa Gentle Peeling Solution,
* Krim Malam Rahsia Rimba,
* Biocosmet Whitening Essence Cream,
* H2O + Waterwhite Brightening Night Cream,
* Magixpress Lightening Plus,
* A.Vant Cream,
* Eriesya Spa Beauty Cream,
* Natasya Krim Herba,
* Temulawak Whitening Pearl Cream Papaya,
* Ratna Sari Whitening Night Cream,
* Atika Beauty Renewal Night Cream and
* Chantique Whitening Night Cream.

* The bereau cancelled the registration of the products over the past 11 months because they contained the prohibited ingredients tretinoin (retinoic acid) and hydroquinone.

NPCB no longer allows the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of these products, and must be removed from the shelves.

Tretinoin, used to control acne, decongests the pores by peeling the superficial skin layer. The problem is that the acne would get worse before it gets better, and side effects include scaling of the skin, stinging, swelling or flushing.

In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration recommended that products with hydroquinone be sold only under prescription because it was a possible carcinogen and for a possible link found in studies in Africa to a skin disorder called ochronosis.

Last year, NPCB banned six cosmetic products for similar reasons:

* Khazanah White Pembersih Wajah,
* Gloskin Krim Malam & Siang,
* Reena's Astringen Lanjutan,
* Skin Desires Deep Whitening Cleansing Milk,
* EETYE Whitening Cream and
* O'Lynn Skin Lightening Cream.

2009/12/10
By Annie Freeda Cruez

Daily Exercise Suggestions

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Walk 10 Minutes a Day and Increase Your Fitness Level.
Old thinking was to work out in a sweat-filled gym for hours a day. No pain, no gain. New studies show that even short bouts of activity can increase your fitness level, especially if you're new at working out.

"To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first."
-Shakespeare, Henry VIII. Act I. Sc. 1

Park and Walk
Whenever you have an errand, park your car as far away as you can handle and walk to the store. At the mall, park at the farthest end and walk the length of the mall. Use every opportunity to walk. At the end of the day, it all adds up to better fitness.

Crunch in Bed
Before you even get out of bed in the morning, do 10 stomach crunches while lying flat on your mattress. Increase daily by one until you get up to 100. Think you'll never get there? Try it. You may eventually have to set your clock to wake up 15 minutes earlier, a small price to pay for a flatter stomach.

New gene-targeted drug offers hope in skin cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:33:00 +0000

BERLIN - Scientists offered new hope in the fight against the most deadly type of skin cancer on Wednesday as an early-stage clinical trial showed an experimental drug dramatically shrank tumors.

Another study also found Roche's established cancer drug Avastin had promise in treating melanoma, but it failed to show a statistically significant improvement in survival.

Paul Chapman from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York said 70 percent of patients with a particular gene mutation saw their tumors shrink when given the new pill, called PLX4032.

"To put that into context, chemotherapy is about 13 to 15 percent, and that's where we have been stuck with conventional treatments," he said at the ECCO-ESMO cancer congress in Berlin.

A tourist sunbathes at Illetas beach on the Balearic island of Mallorca June 4, 2008.[Agencies]

Of the 27 patients evaluated in the small Phase I study, two responded completely and signs of their disease disappeared.

Preliminary findings with the new drug were first reported in June but the data from more patients have boosted confidence in its prospects.

Chapman and his colleagues are planning a Phase II trial of 90 patients starting at the end of 2009, and a large international Phase III trial involving several hundred patients is planned to start in late 2009 or early 2010.

Alexander Eggermont, president of the European Cancer Organization, described the trial as "simply spectacular" and said it showed the benefits of targeting treatment.

The news would transform melanoma work into "a very exciting field instead of a graveyard," he said.

PLX4032, which Roche is developing with privately-held U.S. biotech company Plexxikon, is the latest in a growing group of gene-targeted drugs that oncologists believe will drive future cancer treatment.

It blocks the activity of the cancer-causing mutation of the BRAF gene involved 50 to 60 percent of melanomas.

Eggermont said findings on BRAF status, which showed the some 40 percent of patients with the unmutated gene had no response to the drug, gave oncologists clearly defined targets.

"We know exactly what we are doing, that is what all the excitement is about," he told reporters.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, with about 160,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. It is treatable if caught early, but in patients whose disease has spread it is rarely cured and often kills them within a year.

Skinny friends may make you eat more

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:53:00 +0000

NEW YORK - That friend who stays thin despite eating anything and everything is not just annoying. She might also wreck your diet, new research suggests.

Researchers found that when they had college students watch a movie and snack with either a skinny or overweight companion, the students typically followed the thin friend's lead when she overindulged.

In contrast, study participants used more self-control when snacking with a heavier companion who overate.

The findings, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, suggest that seeing a thin friend devour a big meal gives us implicit permission to do the same.

"We think 'if she can eat like that and stay thin, so can I,' or 'she is having cake, then I can too,'" explained Dr. Brent McFerran, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, Canada.

"In other words," he told Reuters Health in an email, "the most dangerous person to eat with is not someone who is obese, but a thin friend with a large appetite."

For their study, McFerran and his colleagues recruited 210 female college students for what the participants believed was a study on movie viewing; each woman watched a movie with a companion, who was actually a member of the research team.

A model displays an outfit by Elio Berhanyer during the Spring/Summer 2007-08 Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid September 18, 2007.[Agencies]

In some cases, the researcher showed up as her normal 105-pound self, while in others she donned padding that made her appear to be obese.

During the movie, the pairs were offered snacks, with the undercover researcher taking her portion first.

In general, McFerran's team found, the students ate more when their thin companion took a large portion, versus cases where the "obese" companion took a similarly large portion.

For example, when the skinny researcher ate a lot (30 candies), the participants ate an average of 10 candies. When the researcher was "obese" and ate a lot, the kids ate about 6 candies.

"Eating involves much social pressure," McFerran said, noting that social influences may, in fact, be the strongest predictor of what we eat.

But the current findings do not mean that we need to cancel all future dinner plans with our overindulgent skinny friends.

"If we think about what we are doing in advance," McFerran said, "we are less likely to overconsume."

He suggested that instead of looking at a thin friend who is gorging on dessert and feeling permission to do the same, we should remind ourselves that individuals are different -- with different metabolisms and exercise habits, for example.

Focus on your own goal to eat healthfully, McFerran said, rather than automatically mimicking a friend.

He pointed out, however, that there is a "flip side": Friends who choose smaller portion sizes and healthier foods can encourage us to do so, especially if those friends are thin.

20-year-old brunette wins Miss Venezuela

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:47:00 +0000

CARACAS, Venezuela – Marelisa Gibson, a 20-year-old brunette, has been crowned Miss Venezuela and will represent the beauty-obsessed South American country at next year's Miss Universe pageant.

The annual Miss Venezuela pageant is the one of Venezuela's most watched programs and a source of national pride.

Venezuela has won six Miss Universe, five Miss World and four Miss International crowns — more than any other country.

Stefania Fernandez, a Venezuelan, was selected Miss Universe last month at the pageant in the Bahamas.

Miss Miranda, Marelisa Gibson Villegas turns on the runway during the swimsuit event of the Miss Venezuela 2009 a beauty pageant in Caracas, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.[Agencies]

Fernandez gave the Miss Venezuela crown to Gibson at the conclusion of Thursday's four-hour pageant.

Second place went to 22-year-old Adriana Visini, who will represent Venezuela in the Miss World pageant.

Laser Away that Back Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:55:00 +0000

The FDA has finally approved the Holmium laser for treatment of lower back and leg pain caused by a ruptured or herniated lumbar disc. Discuss this alternative treatment with your doctor before considering back surgery. For information, visit Web site www.trimedyne.com

Five Tips on How to Stick with your New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:53:00 +0000

1. Focus on positive self-talk. Congratulate yourself every time you take a step towards your resolution goal. Be your own best cheerleader.
2. Avoid berating yourself if you should fall back or break a resolution. Just brush yourself off and start over again.
3. Stick to your resolution by considering it a promise to yourself, not a test of your willpower.
4. Avoid situations that put you in temptation's path, meaning if you're on a diet, don't go to the ice cream parlor.
5. Keep a sticky note in a prominent place so that you see it every day, reminding yourself of your resolutions. (i.e., on your bathroom mirror, next to your bed, on the visor of your car, on the refrigerator)

Soy Can Help Prevent Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:51:00 +0000

Recent studies have shown that eating soy products has helped protect Asian women against certain types of cancer. Scientists at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee conducted a study of 120 Asian women. Results produced more evidence that a long-term diet rich in soy can be linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer - as much as a 50 percent in some cases - according to research presented in Honolulu in December during the 2000 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies.

The soybean is used in foods and beverages, including tofu, miso, soymilk, soy coffee, butter, veggie burgers, crackers, cookies and flour. Low in cholesterol and high in isoflavones, the benefits of the soybean are many. Start adding some to your diet today. Better yet, start your babies on it early and continue as a lifelong commitment to healthy eating.

Ice-cream and burgers can control your brain - study

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:35:00 +0000

NEW YORK - It's official. That tub of ice-cream really can control your brain and say "eat me."

A U.S. study by UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas has found that fat from certain foods such ice-cream and burgers heads to the brain.

Once there, the fat molecules trigger the brain to send messages to the body's cells, warning them to ignore the appetite-suppressing signals from leptin and insulin, hormones involved in weight regulation -- for up to three days.

"Normally, our body is primed to say when we've had enough, but that doesn't always happen when we're eating something good," said researcher Deborah Clegg in a statement.

A Cougar burger is prepared in the Baby's Badass Burgers truck in Hollywood, California August 27, 2009.[Agencies]

"What we've shown in this study is that someone's entire brain chemistry can change in a very short period of time. Our findings suggest that when you eat something high in fat, your brain gets "hit" with the fatty acids, and you become resistant to insulin and leptin.

"Since you're not being told by the brain to stop eating, you overeat."

The researchers also found that one particular type of fat -- palmitic acid which is found in beef, butter, cheese and milk, -- is particularly effective at instigating this mechanism.

The study was performed on rats and mice but the scientists say their results, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, reinforced common dietary recommendations to limit saturated fat intake as "it causes you to eat more."

The study was conducted by exposing rats and mice to fat in different ways -- by injecting various types of fat directly into the brain, infusing fat through the carotid artery or feeding the animals through a stomach tube three times a day.

The animals received the same amount of calories and fat and only the type of fat differed. The types included palmitic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid and unsaturated oleic acid which is found in olive and grapeseed oils.

"The action was very specific to palmitic acid, which is very high in foods that are rich in saturated-fat," said Clegg.

Gay, bisexual teens at risk for eating disorders

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:30:00 +0000

NEW YORK - Gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers may be at higher risk of binge-eating and purging than their heterosexual peers, starting as early as age 12, a new study finds.

Past research has found connections between sexual orientation and the risk of eating disorders in adults -- showing, for instance, that gay men have higher rates of symptoms than their heterosexual counterparts.

Less has been known about how sexual orientation affects teenagers' risks of various eating disorders

For the new study, researchers at Harvard University and Children's Hospital Boston used data from a U.S. survey of nearly 14,000 12- to 23-year-olds to look at the relationship between sexual orientation and binge-eating and purging.

They found heightened rates of binge-eating among both males and females who identified themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or "mostly heterosexual."

Purging, by vomiting or abusing laxatives, was also more common among these teens, the researchers report in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"We found clear and concerning signs of higher rates of eating disorder symptoms in sexual-minority youth compared to their heterosexual peers even at ages as young as 12, 13 or 14 years old," lead researcher S. Bryn Austin, an assistant professor of pediatrics, told Reuters Health in an email.

Among females, lesbian, bisexual and mostly heterosexual respondents were all about twice as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to report binge-eating at least once per month in the past year.

Bisexual and mostly heterosexual girls and women were also more likely to say they had purged in the past year in order to control their weight.

Among males, the highest risks were seen among homosexuals -- who were seven times more likely to report bingeing and nearly 12 times more likely to report purging than heterosexual males.

Bisexual and mostly heterosexual boys and men also had elevated risks of both problems -- with rates anywhere from three to seven times higher than those of their heterosexual counterparts.

The survey data do not offer a potential reason for the findings, but past studies give some insight, according to the researchers.

"We know that gay, lesbian, and other sexual-minority kids are often under a lot of pressure," Austin said, noting that these teens are often "treated like outsiders" in their own families and schools, and may be excluded, harassed or victimized by bullies.

"This kind of isolation and victimization can take its toll on a young person," Austin explained, "and one of ways it can play out is in vulnerability to eating-disorder symptoms and a host of other stress-related health problems."

She added that because negative attitudes and discrimination against sexual minorities are still pervasive in society, families need to be a source of support.

It is "incredibly important," Austin said, "for parents and other family members to reach out and make sure these youth know they are loved and supported, that they can count on their families to stay by their side."

source : chinadaily.com.cn

Hot Health & Fitness Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:59:00 +0000

"Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience." -Izaak Walton

Aquatics:
Older people find stress free weightlessness in water is a good way to work out. All kinds of new "water toys" to exercise with are on the sports store shelves these days. Younger people also like aquatic fitness training. There's less stress on the joints and less sweat. …Could be the wave of the future.

The 12-Minute Anti-slip and Fall Routine for Senior Adults:
A Florida physician has developed an exercise routine for older adults that can be done in bed and takes just 12 minutes. Further details to come soon.

Spas for the New Millennium:
More and more hospitals are developing wellness centers that consist of a large variety of fitness machines, whirlpools, lap pools, running tracks and individual health analysis testing. We predict these unisex centers will replace the typical gender oriented "pampering spa' that were once the domain of rich women. More and more HMO's and insurance companies are seeing the value of preventive medicine.

Nutrition Hotline:
"The health of a nation has often depended on the good or bad digestion of a prime minister." -Voltaire

Antioxidant Rich Foods:
Now that everybody's loading up on Vitamin C and E for their proven antioxidant effects, studies show that the best antioxidant dosages are not necessarily in pill-form. Eating your 10 servings a day of fruits and veggies (remember what Mom and Grandma used to harp on?) could be the best way to increase antioxidant capacity. Although all fruits and veggies have them, the best foods for antioxidants are cauliflower, peas and oranges. Amer. Journal Clinical Nutrition, 1998.

New Sugar Substitute Approved by FDA:
More sucralose-sweetened products are becoming available on grocery-store shelves since last year's approval by The Food and Drug Administration of Splenda (sucralose) the latest sugar substitute to be approved in more than a decade. Advantages claimed over other sugar substitutes are no bitter aftertaste and sweetness retention when used in cooking.

Steer Clear of Old Myths about Foods:

Myth: Asparagus is a diuretic.

Truth: Asparagus is not a diuretic. It just creates an odor during urination.

Myth: Potatoes and bread make you fat.

Truth: Both are healthy carbohydrates that average about 100 calories and are low in fat. It's what you add to both that increases fat. (i.e. butter, sour cream, mayonnaise)

Myth: Eating after 6 p.m. makes you gain weight.

Truth: Eating at night tends to lead to consuming higher calories because you are home, near the T.V. (did you ever notice what most of the commercials feature?) near the refrigerator and relaxed. Or you are eating out at a party or in a restaurant where you tend to eat higher fat and calories and larger portions. Calories are the same at any hour of the day.

Myth: Drinking lots of water makes you retain fluid.

Truth: Water acts as a natural diuretic. It will help flush out your system of toxins.

Tracking Your Fitness Levels

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:32:00 +0000

"Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind." -Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health.

Mind Your Belt Buckle; Skip the Scale:
In this high-tech world we live in, we sometimes forget the simple ways to do things. If you’ve already started a workout program and can’t seem to see results, check the way your pants fit. Are they slightly loose around the waist, not as tight as they were? Sometimes clothes can show you results that the scale cannot. Weight variations are subtle. Strength-training exercises can sometimes produce a temporary weight gain in the beginning due to muscles retaining more fluid. After a week or so, it quickly readjusts and the excess fluid disappears.

Skip the Math; Get Rid of the Finger; Invest in a Heart Rate Monitor:
To get the most out of your workouts, you need to reach 80% of your heart rate training zone. There are three ways to measure your heart rate. Stop your exercise, hold your index finger to the pulse in your neck and count the beats per minute. The second way is to measure your pulse rate. The third is to use a high tech device called a Heart Rate Monitor. It consists of a chest strap and a wristwatch type band that automatically measures your beats. You can pre-set it to beep when you reach your desired training zone. If you don’t want to bother with mathematical equations to figure your proper heart rate training zone, buy a Heart Rate Monitor. It may set you back upwards of $100 but it will guarantee to measure your heart rate. Most Sports Specialty stores have them. Bicycle shops usually carry them and they can be ordered through fitness catalogues and magazines.

‘Take it to the Next Level’ Circuit Training:
Incorporate circuit training into your fitness routine for a surefire way to reach the next level of endurance, strength and weight loss. Instead of spending 30-60 minutes doing aerobics and another 30-60 minutes doing strength training, combine the two for a more robust workout. Take the boredom out of your routine by spending five minutes on aerobics (standard machines such as treadmill, stair stepper, stair climber, bicycle, elliptical trainer, cross trainer) then alternate with five minutes of strength training (free weights, weight machines, rubber bands.)

source : health-fitness-tips.com

Heidi Klum's 'naughty' nude book

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:33:00 +0000

The Victoria's Secret model has teamed up with renowned photographer Rankin for the new tome, titled 'Rankin's Heidilicious'.

She explained: "It's very naughty. I've been shooting with Rankin, for seven years and working with him is fun because he always makes me look different.

"He always gets me to take my clothes off for some reason. We'll do some job and then he'll say, 'Why don't we shoot some more things?' and I'll wind up without anything on."

Heidi Klum is releasing a coffee table book full of nude pictures of herself.

The book is due to hit stores in October.

Heidi - who is currently pregnant and already raises three children with her musician husband Seal - has also spoken about the new Barbie doll which she has inspired.

The 36-year-old star was delighted to be offered the chance to be immortalised as part of the company's Blonde Ambition Collection as it gave her the chance to right alter something which has always annoyed her.

She explained to Los Angeles Confidential magazine: "They said, 'We want you to be part of this.' And I thought, 'Wow!' Growing up with Barbie, it was a dream to get my own. I got to go to Mattel and look through the heads and hair and outfits.

"I wanted it to be my daughter's favourite, so I'm wearing the glitziest pink mini dress in the world. And it always bothered me that Barbie was naked, so mine has on this cute pink bra and panties."

Don't exercise on a full stomach

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:25:00 +0000

Always allow about three or four hours to pass between your last big meal and a workout.

Jogging on a full stomach can damage your digestion, warns Torsten Albers of the German Institute for Prevention and Health Management. Nausea and diarrhea are risks, he says.

Better to have a small snack before a workout, like a little bread with some spreadable cheese. A banana that's not too ripe is even better, as it keeps the blood sugar levels from jumping too quickly and its starches and glucose are easy to digest.

"Additionally, it doesn't contain any fructose or lactose, which can sometimes lead to stomach problems," says Albers, a nutritionist. And bloating isn't much of a risk, since there isn't much fiber in a banana.

If you like to eat after a workout, it's best to do so within the first hour or two after exercise. That's when nutrients are processed best, says Albers.

Pills That Zap Fat:

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:18:00 +0000

Last Spring, the FDA approved the use of Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, for weight-loss management. The 120-mg. capsule works by blocking the body's absorption of dietary fats. For example, if you down a bag of greasy potato chips followed by an Orlistat pill, the body will absorb only some of the fat that it normally would, therefore saving calories and fat. If you take the pill within an hour after eating a fatty meal, you are going to prevent the body from packing on the pounds.

At first, this sounded like the magic pill for which we'd all been waiting. Wow! Eat what you want but gulp down three pills a day and don't gain a pound. What a way to lose those unwanted 10 or 20 pounds, especially now in the New Millennium.

Then we discovered the real truth. While this pill is definitely a breakthrough in the weight-loss field, it is recommended for morbidly obese people. It can be obtained only by prescription. Doctors prescribe it primarily for people who have health problems related to their obesity and cannot function normally. For instance, a 300-pound man who can't walk up a set of steps without getting winded; a 250-pound woman who cannot reach down to tie her shoes or hug her child; a person whose high-blood pressure cannot be controlled by other medication and those with family histories of heart disease and stroke who cannot otherwise lose weight.

Maybe you could talk your doctor into it for losing those 20 or 30 pounds if your health-related reasons are justified. You still must exercise and follow a low-fat, low calorie diet while taking the medication. The possible side effects are: diarrhea, oily bowel movements, gas, discharge, urgency and increased number of bowel movements. Orlistat is not recommended for people with food-absorption problems, diabetes or for pregnant or lactating women and for use with certain other medications.

source :http://www.health-fitness-tips.com

Eating broccoli helps keep arteries healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:44:00 +0000

Researchers at Imperial College London have found evidence a chemical in broccoli and other green leafy vegetables could boost a natural defense mechanism that protects arteries from the clogging that can cause heart attacks.

In a study funded by the British Heart Foundation charity and conducted on mice, the researchers found that sulforaphane - a compound occurring naturally in broccoli and other brassicas - could "switch on" a protective protein that is inactive in parts of the arteries vulnerable to clogging.

"We know that vegetables are clearly good for you, but surprisingly the molecular mechanisms of why they are good for you have remained unknown for many years," says Paul Evans of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College.

"This study provides a possible explanation for how green vegetable consumption can promote a healthy heart."

Scientists already know that arteries don't clog up in a uniform way, but that there are bends and branches of blood vessels - where blood flow is disrupted or slower - which are much more prone to the build-up of fatty plaques that cause heart disease.

Evans says his research found that in the more vulnerable areas, a normally protective protein known as Nrf2 is inactive.

"What our study showed was that sulforaphane can protect those regions by switching on the Nrf2," he says.

The research, reported in the journal Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, was conducted using purified sulforaphane, not broccoli. Researchers say the next step was to test the effect of the chemical as it is found in vegetables.

"We now need to go and test this with broccoli smoothies, as it were, and compare that with the effect of purified sulforaphane," Evans says, adding that if the vegetable form proved less effective, there could be an argument for taking sulforaphane in pill form.

10 Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:21:00 +0000

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Benefits of exercise differ by sex and race

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:01:00 +0000

NEW YORK - How much health benefit you get from physical exercise might depend on your gender, and your race, new research suggests.

The work is based on data from more than 15,000 middle-aged African American and Caucasian men and women who have been participating since the late 1980s in the large Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

A jogger (2nd L) passes fitness enthusiasts performing stretching exercises after sunrise at Queenscliff Beach in Sydney on the first day of Spring September 1, 2008.(Agencies)

According to a report in the Journal of Lipid Research, people who added about an hour of mild exercise per week or half an hour of moderate exercise had increased levels of heart-healthy HDL.

In the study, "mild exercise" included such activities as walking for pleasure, bowling, or weight lifting. "Moderate exercise" could have been a more strenuous activity such as basketball, hiking, or modern dance.

The research team, led by Dr. Keri Monda at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, also found that increased exercise generally produced significant decreases in harmful triglycerides, but only in Caucasians.

Similar beneficial effects of exercise on HDL cholesterol and triglycerides have been found in other studies.

Monda's team also discovered, however, that increased activity improved levels of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol in women, but not in men. Also, they found, added exercise brought total cholesterol levels down, but only in Black women.

These variations in response, the research team says, "are for the most part" new.

What's behind these differences? The researchers aren't sure, but they speculate that hormonal differences between men and women and genetic differences between races account for at least some of their findings.

Also, they admit, some of their information on the study participants was gathered by questionnaire, and while this is a standard technique in long-term studies, it's not guaranteed to be 100 percent accurate.

Nevertheless, Monda and her colleagues point out, their work provides additional evidence that exercise has a beneficial effect on HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

"Overall, our results highlight the importance of physical activity on plasma lipid profiles," they wrote.

source : http://www.chinadaily.com.cn

Men who stay trim less apt to get prostate cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Men who put on a significant number of pounds after their 20s face a higher risk of prostate cancer than those who remain close to their youthful weight -- but the effects vary by race, a new study indicates.

Researchers found that among nearly 84,000 middle-aged and older U.S. men followed for about a decade, white and African-American men who had gained weight since the age of 21 had a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Compared with white men who gained fewer than 10 pounds, those who gained more had twice the risk of being diagnosed with advanced or aggressive prostate cancer.

Among black men, the risks began increasing after a 25-pound weight gain -- though the link was seen only with early-stage and less-aggressive prostate tumors, and not advanced cancer.

In contrast, men of Japanese descent actually saw their prostate cancer decline with weight gain.

These differences may have something to do with racial and ethnic differences in the way people tend to put on fat as they age, Dr. Brenda Y. Hernandez of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and her colleagues report in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

Regardless, the researchers say, the findings do not change the general advice that people try to maintain a normal weight throughout life.

"These results do not warrant a change in the current public health messages about obesity," Dr. Elizabeth A. Platz, another researcher on the work and an associate professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said in a written statement.

"Men of normal weight in all racial/ethnic groups should be encouraged to avoid weight gain," she said, "and men who are overweight and obese should be encouraged to lose weight for good health in general."

The study included 83,879 men between the ages of 45 and 75 living in California or Hawaii. Over an average follow-up of 10 years, 5,554 were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

There was only weak evidence that men who were heavier at the start of the study had a higher risk of the disease than thinner men. Weight gain since young adulthood, on the other hand, showed a stronger link -- at least in white and black men.

The findings appear to be the first to find ethnic differences in the relationship between body size and prostate cancer, according to the researchers.

It's possible, they say, that differences in body fat distribution help explain the findings. White men, for example, have been found to have more visceral fat -- deep fat surrounding the abdominal organs -- than African-American men, even with total body fat taken into account.

Excess body fat may, in theory, raise prostate cancer risk by altering levels of various hormones, including testosterone and insulin, or through other metabolic effects. It's thought that visceral fat, in comparison to body fat elsewhere, is more likely to spur such physiological changes.

More studies, the researchers conclude, are needed to see how and why weight gain may have varying effects in men of different races and ethnicities.

source : http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/index.html

The Skinny on Salt

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:42:00 +0000

This work was written over 4700 years ago. Even older settlements have been found around the world with various devices such as pottery used to evaporate water to leave the salt behind. It is speculated by some that major civilizations flourished in arid regions at the edge of vast deserts due to the physiological need for salt.

Salt, or sodium chloride, is a chemical compound. Salt occurs naturally in many areas of the world. Salt crystals are cubic in form - if you view salt through a magnifying glass, you will see small “squares” or cubes.

Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of the earliest known writings, the Chinese Png-tzao-kan-mu, mentioned more than 40 types of salt.

Salt is an essential nutrient - your body requires both sodium and chloride, and cannot manufacture these elements on its own. This is why there is a human gustatory receptor (taste bud) specifically for salt, forming one of the basic components of “taste”. Salt is an electrolyte and has a slight charge. Salt preserves food by making it difficult for microorganisms to live - the salt draws water from the cells of microorganisms and dehydrates them.

Salt - How The Body Uses It

In the body, salt helps to regulate blood volume and pressure. The relationship between salt and blood pressure was known as long as 4,000 years ago, when the Chinese emperor Huang Ti wrote of the connection between salt and a “hardened pulse.” Many studies have shown that increasing or decreasing salt intake for salt-sensitive individuals can have a direct impact on blood pressure.

Within the body, salt serves as part of the ion pump. Just as salt formed a hostile environment for microorganisms by dehydrating them, salt controls water balance in the human body. The sodium/potassium pump is a prime example of how electrolytes are critical to health (sodium and potassium are both electrolytes). Two potassium molecules are pulled into a cell, and three sodium molecules are pumped out. This is an endless cycle, with the net result that cells carry a slightly negative electrical charge.

What Is The Optimum Amount ?

For many years, controversy has existed with respect to the optimal amounts of salt in the diet. Unfortunately, many studies focused on the salt content of foods without taking into account other electrolytes. Biologically and physiologically, sodium intake alone does not regulate the sodium/potassium pump - potassium intake is important as well! More important than the amount of sodium in the diet is the ratio of sodium to potassium. While food labels are required to report sodium content, they are not required to report potassium content, which makes analyzing potassium intake extremely difficult.

Ratio of Sodium to Potassium

Recent research suggests that this ratio is critical. While many studies have focused on high sodium content in the diet, it appears that problems with hypertension may be related more to an inappropriate ratio of sodium to potassium. Processed foods are extremely high in sodium. The major sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables. In recent years, the typical American diet has increased in the amount of processed foods and drastically decreased in the amount of whole, unprocessed foods such as fruit and vegetables. This means that sodium intake is potentially much higher than potassium intake.

When monitoring sodium in the diet, it is important to consider two factors. The first factor already discussed is the ratio of sodium to potassium. In order to balance this ratio, it is important to eat whole, unprocessed foods and not to add excessive salt to meals. This will lower the amount of sodium in the diet. One should also increase the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed in order to increase potassium in the diet. The exact ratio is unknown, but research suggests that a 1:1 ratio is probably a good target. The typical American diet is more than a 5:1 ratio in favor of salt!

Consistency of Salt Intake

The second factor to consider is fluctuation of intake. Salt sensitivity is not sensitivity to salt in general. It is sensitivity to a drastic change of salt intake. If a person is taking 5 grams of sodium consistently, then suddenly goes on a low sodium diet, problems can occur with a radical shift in blood pressure. Similarly, someone on a “low sodium” diet who suddenly increases sodium intake may experience similar problems. This is why many people who eat healthy throughout the week and then treat themselves to a “splurge” meal sometimes feel nauseous and can even experience elevated heart rate and blood pressure: it is the body’s reaction to the sudden increase in salt intake.

The sodium/potassium pump affects fluid balance. The body monitors the amount of salt and potassium in the bloodstream, as the body has no mechanism for storing electrolytes. Sodium and potassium are typically filtered in the kidney. When a shortage of either exists, the body secretes hormones that drastically reduce excretion of electrolytes and fluids. This is why cutting out sodium too soon before a body building competition can actually cause the competitor to retain water - the body is reacting to the lowered intake by preserving fluids and electrolytes.

Salt - The Skinny

To summarize, the skinny on salt is as follows:

Be more concerned with the ratio of salt to potassium than the actual amount of salt in the diet
Do not try to eliminate salt - it is essential and required by the body - instead, try to reduce excessive intake by focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and minimizing the amount of salt that you add to meals
Increase potassium intake by including 4 - 5 servings of fruit and/or vegetables in your daily menu
Focus on restoring electrolytes post-workout, preferably with a higher potassium-to-sodium ratio. For example, Mass Maker from Beverly International has 300mg of potassium to 140mg of sodium, or about 2:1.
Avoid frequent, high fluctuations in salt and/or potassium intake, as these may have an adverse effect on your blood pressure

The lesson here is one of moderation. Salt is not the enemy, and by no means should it be eliminated from the diet. On the other hand, everyone should be aware of the role that sodium plays in a balanced nutrition program, to make sure that excessive salt is not being consumed. Balance salt intake with potassium intake. The preferred source of any vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient is always natural, unprocessed foods.

source : everydiet.org

Puding kek gulung

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:29:00 +0000

Bahan-Bahan:

30 gram agar-agar
1 tin susu cair
2 cawan gula
5 cawan air
2 biji telur (dipukul)
3 camca besar tepung kastard (bancuh dengan sedikit air)
2 sudu mentega
1 tin buah koktail
1 biji kek gulung
secubit garam
1 camca teh asen vanilla

Cara:

Rendam agar-agar selama setengah jam. Potong kek gulung. Susun ke dalam loyang sehingga menutupi bahagian bawah dan tepi loyang. Curahkan sirap buah koktail ke atas kek tadi sehingga agak masak. Kemudian masak agar-agar bersama air dan secubit garam. Masak sehingga agar-agar betul-betul hancur. Masukkan gula. Kacau hingga mendidih. Selepas itu masukkan susu cair, telur dan tepung kastard serta mentega. Kacau hingga sebati. masukkan asen Vanilla. Bila agak mendidih masukkan buah koktail. Biarkan mendidih dan angkat. Curahkan agar-agar tadi ke dalam loyang yang disusun kek. Biarkan ia sejuk dan membeku.

Cadangan Hidangan:

Boleh dihidang bersama aiskrim perisa vanilla atau coklat.

Menghaluskan Kulit Muka

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:24:00 +0000

Petua 1 :
Buah tomato dikisar halus. Lumurkan pada muka seberapa ketika. Sebaiknya dilakukan pada waktu malam kerana tiada gangguan. Setelah agak lama, cuci muka dgn air suam. Amalkan selalu. Buah tomato ini juga berfungsi utk membersihkan kulit.

Petua 2 :
Bancuh sedikit asam jawa bersama air dan sesudu tepong ubi. Kacau sehingga ia menjadi larutan pekat. Pupurkan kepada muka yang telah dibersihkan. Biarkan ia mengering lebih kurang lima belas minit. Selepas itu barulah dibilas.

Petua 3 :
Didihkan susu segar atau pun susu tepung bercampur air. Biarkan ia sejuk lalu disapukan kepada muka. Biarkan kering lalu dibasuh dengan air bersih.

sumber : petua.org

Sugars

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:07:00 +0000

This is a list of sugars found on nutrition and ingredient labels. For a full history of sugar, sugar alternatives, and sugar's impact on the body - see sugar and alternatives.

Brown sugar
Sugar crystals contained in a molasses syrup, with natural flavor and color; 91 to 96 percent sucrose.

Corn syrup
Made from cornstarch. Mostly glucose. Can have maltose.

Demerara Sugar
Popular in England, Demerara sugar is a light brown sugar with large golden crystals which are slightly sticky. It is often used in tea, coffee or on top of hot cereals.

Dextrose
Commonly known as corn sugar and grape sugar. Naturally occurring form of glucose.

Free Flowing Brown Sugars
These sugars are fine, powder-like brown sugars that are less moist than "regular" brown sugar. Since it is less moist it does not lump and is free-flowing like granulated white sugar.

Fructose
Sugar found in fruit and honey. Sweetest natural sugar.

Galactose
Sugar found linked to glucose to form lactose, or milk sugar.

Glucose
Also called dextrose. The human body's primary source of energy. Most of the carbohydrates you eat are converted to glucose in the body.

High Fructose Corn Syrup
Derived from cornstarch, usually a combination of 55 percent fructose and 45 percent sucrose. Treated with an enzyme that converts glucose to fructose, which results in a sweeter product. Used in soft drinks, baked goods, jelly, syrups, fruits and desserts.

Honey
Sweet syrupy fluid made by bees from the nectar collected from flowers and stored in nests or hives as food. Composed of fructose and glucose.

Lactose
Sugar found in milk and milk products that is made of glucose and galactose.

Maltose
Also called malt sugar. Used in the fermentation of alcohol by converting starch to sugar. The primary sugar in beer.

Maple syrup
A concentrated sucrose solution made from mature sugar maple tree sap that flows in spring. Mostly replaced by pancake syrup, a mixture of sucrose and artificial maple flavorings.

Molasses
Thick syrup left after making sugar from sugarcane. Brown in color with a high sugar concentration.

Muscovado or Barbados Sugar
Muscovado sugar, a British specialty brown sugar, is very dark brown and has a particularly strong molasses flavor. The crystals are slightly coarser and stickier in texture than "regular" brown sugar.

Powdered or confectioner's sugar
Granulated sugar that has been pulverized. Often corn starch is added to prevent caking.

Sucrose
Commonly called cane sugar, table sugar or simply sugar.

Sugar (granulated)
Refined cane or beet sugar; 100 percent sucrose.

Turbinado sugar
Raw sugar that has been partially refined and washed. It is a blond color with a mild brown sugar flavor and is often used in tea.

eDiets: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:17:00 +0000

eDiets is the largest online weight loss program. They have built such a large brand, that many people even think the name “e diets” is a generic term for online weight loss. Founded in 1996, they now boast over 1.3 million members. They have consistently won awards and recommendations from such prestigious publications as Time magazine, and Forbes Best of the Web.

eDiets are a subscription-based service, where the user pays quarterly. For the price you receive a number of services; customized diet and meal plans, shopping list, recipes (for whatever is on your meal plan), email assistance, and access to online tools and calculators.

eDiets underwent a major upgrade at the beginning of 2008 – unfortunately technical issues meant that there were customer service issues. These have now been rectified and the subscription process is now streamlined.

Diets Nutrition and Diet Plans

eDiets offer a bewildering array of diet plans. They began with their own plan, simply called eDiets Weight Loss Diet – essentially a calorie-controlled nutritionally balanced plan.

Over the past few years they have added a number of plans (subject to change), and are always adding more. Here is a sampling of the diets that they may offer;

* Glycemic Impact Diet
* Mediterranean Diet
* Atkins Nutritional Approach
* eDiets.com Weight Loss Plan
* Bill Phillips’ Eating For Life
* Type 2 Diabetes Diet
* Heart Smart Diet (based off the AHA plan)
* Low Sugar
* Low Sodium
* High Fiber
* Lactose Free
* Low-Fat
* Healthy Soy
* Vegetarian
* Cholesterol Lowering

The number of plans is overwhelming, but if you are simply looking to lose weight, then eDiets have a Diet Needs Analysis survey. This asks a number of questions, and will then come up with the best choices for weight loss.

Within these plans you are allowed to change individual food items (for example, if you were allergic to nuts). You are also allowed to change plans at anytime.

There is a single subscription price ($4.49 per week). This also includes access to a complete fitness program (along with videos and 3D animations). This component used to be charged out separately.

Successful Weight Loss?

eDiets has built an enormous brand based on successful weight loss. There are many success stories. They do advertise extensively, and have a huge opt-in newsletter that they make heavy use of.

The combination of nutrition and food choices make them a good choice if you need help organizing your eating plans.

eDiets also introduced their own nationwide meal delivery plan which makes the diet very easy to follow (delivered meals however are significantly more expensive). See our Review of eDiets Fresh Prepared Meal Delivery.

More story

eDiets: Review - Official Site.

Fakta Mengenai Virus Influenza A (H1N1) - Malay Version

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Virus influenza A (H1N1) adalah virus baru dan semua orang tiada daya ketahanan kepada jangkitan ini. Vaksin bagi melindungi jangkitan juga belum ada. Jika penularan dalam komuniti tidak dikawal dengan baik, penyakit yang mudah menular ini (contangious) akan merebak dengan cepat serta melibatkan kejadian kes-kes yang tinggi atau banyak dan jika keadaan ini tidak terkawal kejadian kes berkomplikasi akan berlaku termasuk kematian.

Sebagaimana yang dilaporkan sebelum ini, untuk membendung wabak pandemik di Malaysia (to slow down the spread), aktiviti kawalan dan pencegahan yang sedia-ada akan diteruskan melalui langkah-langkah pencegahan dan mitigasi. Langkah pencegahan dan mitigasi ini perlu diambil bagi memastikan kes-kes yang berisiko dikenal pasti dan diambil tindakan awal untuk mengelakkan komplikasi. Orang ramai adalah diminta untuk sama-sama mengambil bahagian dalam menangani pandemik ini.

Aktiviti-aktiviti yang sedia ada akan dikaji dari masa ke semasa untuk memastikan pelaksanaan aktiviti kawalan dan pencegahan yang cekap dan berkesan agar penularan kes di Malaysia dapat dikurangkan ke tahap yang minima.

Apa itu Fasa Mitigasi (Peredaan)

Aktiviti mitigasi adalah tindakan membendung wabak pandemik H1N1 di Malaysia dengan memperkukuhkan langkah-langkah pencegahan dan kawalan seperti mengamalkan kebersihan diri, kerap mencuci tangan dan mengamalkan adab batuk yang sesuai.

Strategi utama fasa ini adalah untuk mengurangkan kesengsaraan dan kematian akibat penyakit ini, melambatkan jangkitan penyakit dan mengurangkan kesan terhadap gangguan perkhidmatan utama.

Siapakah yang berisiko tinggi akibat jangkitan Influenza A (H1N1)?

1. Kanak-kanak berusia kurang 5 tahun.
2. Individu berusia 65 tahun dan ke atas.
3. Kanak-kanak dan remaja.

Peranan Masyarakat Semasa Fasa Mitigasi.

Masyarakat perlu mengetahui cara virus ini merebak.

Influenza A (H1N1) virus berjangkit dari manusia kepada manusia melalui titisan cecair, (yang dikeluarkan semasa bercakap, batuk atau bersin).
Mana-mana individu yang berhubung rapat (lebih kurang 1 meter) dengan individu yang mengalami gejala selesema (demam, bersin, batuk, hidung berair, menggigil, sakit sendi dan lain-lain adalah berisiko untuk mendapat jangkitan penyakit akibat dari titisan cecair.
Oleh itu, masyarakat perlu mengambil langkah pencegahan berikut:

Amalkan kebersihan diri dan adab batuk yang betul.
Amalkan kawalan jangkitan sama ada di rumah, tempat kerja atau pengangkutan awam.
Peranan penutup mulut dan hidung (mask) dalam masyarakat.

Tiada bukti kukuh mengenai keberkesanan memakai mask di tempat awam. Namun, ia telah digunakan dalam ruang yang sesak/tertutup apabila berhubung dengan individu yang mengalami gejala selesema.
Individu boleh memakai penutup mulut dan hidung (surgical mask) di rumah dan di kalangan masyarakat, terutamanya jika mereka berhubung rapat dengan individu yang mengalami gejala influenza, contohnya semasa menjaga ahli keluarga yang sakit.
Penggunaan mask membolehkan individu yang mengalami gejala influenza untuk menutup mulut dan hidung mereka bagi menghalang titisan cecair dari tersebar, salah satu kaedah adab batuk yang betul/baik.
Surgical mask juga disyorkan kepada golongan yang berisiko tinggi apabila berada di kawasan yang sesak.

4. Pesakit dinasihatkan untuk tinggal di rumah, elakkan berhubung rapat dengan ahli keluarga yang lain serta mengambil langkah kawalan dan pencegahan dari menjangkiti mereka yang menjaga pesakit.

5. Sekiranya gejala influenza semakin teruk, pesakit hendaklah SEGERA mendapatkan rawatan di hospital.

6. Sekiranya individu yang tergolong dalam kumpulan yang berisiko tinggi mengalami gejala influenza, segera dapatkan rawatan awal.

7. Elakkan berada di kawasan sesak dan seboleh-bolehnya tangguhkan/ batalkan / kurangkan menghadiri majlis keramaian.

8. Dapatkan maklumat terkini mengenai situasi semasa dari sumber yang boleh dipercayai seperti Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia dan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO)