http://teakdoor.com en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:17:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://teakdoor.com/images/td_default/misc/rss.jpg http://teakdoor.com http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60403-h1n1-looks-like-has-hit-family.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:41:59 GMT Where do I begin? I don't really care if anyone reads this thread or not, just had to vent a few feelings.

My daughter probably has the H1N1 flu.

She is now in one of the top hospitals in BKK running a fever of 40C since late last night. She has an IV running and Tamiflu being given. The wife is there right now and I will help with the night shift.

As I have sat at home this afternoon unable to sleep a few thoughts have entered my head. Some good, some not so good.

It is true after years of living in Thailand my family is fairly well connected and our bank account is sound. However, none of this is doing a damn bit of good right now.

Some of you have met my daughter and know that she is a tough 10 year old.

However, today was rough. I have never seen my daughter cry from pain and yet this afternoon she was sobbing about her headache. Oh, she has cried from pain like when she got stiches from a cut once, but not like this. And I could not do a fucking thing!

Driving me crazy... ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand hillbilly http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60403-h1n1-looks-like-has-hit-family.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60145-weight-management-myths-debunked.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:13:38 GMT Weight-Management Myths Debunked on Yahoo!...]]> Weight-Management Myths Debunked on Yahoo! Health
See why you can eat after 7 p.m., plus get the real story about six other commonly held beliefs

Diets are filled with dogma about when, what and how much to eat. Certainly "the rules" are usually based on observations that make sense, but unless you understand why you do certain things, you'll break the rules as soon as the temptation is greater than your motivation. Let's examine some of these myths, where they come from and how to make long-term changes that will work for you.
Myth #1: Don't Eat After 7 p.m.
Your metabolism doesn't shut off at 7:01 p.m., so why is this rule so common? It is based on the observation that a lot of people who struggle with their weight overeat in the evening. Most people have already eaten dinner, so they aren't snacking because they're hungry. They snack because of boredom, television, loneliness and other triggers.
Rather than creating a rule to address those habits, ask yourself, "Am I hungry?" whenever you feel like eating in the evening. If you truly are, eat, keeping in mind that your day is winding down so you won't need a huge meal. If you aren't, consider why you feel like eating and come up with a better way to address that need. Ken, a man in one of my workshops, realized he was just bored, so he started doing stained-glass projects in the evenings to entertain himself. Whatever works!
Myth #2: Eat Small Meals Every 3 Hours
This rule is based on the fact that many thin people tend to eat frequent small meals. However, most of the thin people I know don't check their watch to tell them it's time to eat--they eat when their body tells them to. They eat when they're hungry and stop when they're satisfied. Since that tends to be a small meal, they get hungry again in a few hours.
Instead of watching the clock, begin to tune into the physical signs of hunger to tell you when to eat. And remember, your stomach is only about the size of your fist, so it only holds a handful of food comfortably. By learning to listen to your body's signals, you are likely to follow a frequent small-meal pattern naturally.
Myth #3: Don't Let Yourself Get Hungry
This one is based on the belief that overweight people are incapable of controlling themselves when they are hungry. In my experience with hundreds of workshop participants, once they learn to tell the difference between physical hunger and "head hunger," the opposite is true.
Think about it. When you're hungry, food tastes better and is more satisfying. My grandmother used to say, "Hunger is the best seasoning." Besides, if you aren't hungry when you start eating, what's going to tell you to stop? Of course, you also need to learn to recognize hunger and make time to eat before you are too hungry, since it's harder to make great choices when you are starving!
Myth #4: Exercise More When You Cheat
I hate this one because it has caused millions of people to equate physical activity with punishment for eating. As a result, many people either hate to exercise or use exercise to earn the right to eat.
While it's true that your weight is determined by your overall calories in versus your calories out, exercise is only part of the equation and it has so many other important benefits. Instead of using exercise to pay penance, focus on how great you feel, how much more energy you have, how much better you sleep and how much healthier you are becoming. In the long run, you are more likely to do something because it feels good than because you are forced to.
Myth #5: Follow Your Diet Six Days a Week, Then You Can Have a Cheat Day
This is absurd! What if you were a harsh, overly strict parent six days a week, then completely ignored your kids every Saturday? How would this approach work for your marriage or managing your employees?
It just doesn't make sense to try to be perfect (whatever that is) Sunday through Friday while obsessing about everything you're going to eat on your day off. Then on Saturday you overeat just because you're allowed to, so you end up feeling miserable all day. Huh? Personally, I would rather enjoy eating the foods I love every day mindfully and in moderation. I call this being "in charge" instead of going back and forth between being in control and out of control.
Myth #6: Eat X Number of Calories (or X Number of Points) Every Day
Does it make sense that you would need exactly the same amount of fuel every day? Aren't there just days when you're hungrier than others, maybe because of your activity levels or hormonal cycles?
Rather than setting yourself up to "cheat" on those hungry days and forcing yourself to eat more food than you want on your less hungry days, allow yourself the flexibility to adjust your intake based on your actual needs rather than an arbitrary number. Important: For this to work long-term, you also need to learn to tell the difference between physical hunger and "head hunger."
Myth #7: Carbs Are Bad (or Fat Is Bad)
This "good food-bad food" thinking makes certain foods special. As a result, you may feel deprived and think about them even more than you did before. Worse yet, healthy foods become a four-letter word.
The truth is, all foods fit into a healthy diet. Since different foods have different nutritional qualities and calorie content, you can use the principles of balance, variety and moderation to guide you without trying to restrict yourself from eating an entire food group.
Truth: You Are In Charge
I assume the rule makers are well intentioned and don't realize that they've created a tightrope that most people will fall off of sooner or later. If your head hadn't already told you that all these rules are crazy, wasn't your heart saying there had to be a better way?
It's time to give yourself a wider path that you can stay on forever. Allow yourself the flexibility to make any decision as long as you consider the advantages and disadvantages of your choices and always keep self-care in mind. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60145-weight-management-myths-debunked.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60068-8-fat-fighting-foods.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:44:01 GMT 8 fat fighting foods - Healthy Living on...]]> 8 fat fighting foods - Healthy Living on Shine

Combat fat! Your allies in battling bulge? Foods that do the work for you. These edibles have proven lipid-melting powers that help you slim. That’s a win.

By Veronica Byrd

Almonds Almond joy! Dieters who ate 3 ounces of these nuts every day reduced their weight and body-mass index by a solid 18 percent compared with an 11 percent drop in the no-nut group, a study in the International Journal of Obesity found. Almonds are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which can speed the metabolism of fats. Stick to 12 per serving.

Berries Vitamin C–loaded fruit such as strawberries and raspberries can help you sizzle up to 30 percent more fat during exercise, suggests research from Arizona State University at Mesa. Blend a vinaigrette of 1 cup berries and ¼ cup balsamic vinegar.

Cinnamon This spice could make your waistline nice. Sprinkling ¼ teaspoon on your food may prevent a postmeal insulin spike—this increase normally occurs after you eat and “signals the body that it should store fat rather than burn it,” explains Lauren Slayton, R.D., of New York City. Add a dash to your oatmeal, yogurt or coffee.

Mustard Hello, yellow. The spice that gives mustard its color, turmeric, may slow the growth of fat tissues, a study in the journal Endocrinology notes. Eighty-six mayo in favor of any mustard; sprinkle turmeric on cauliflower and roast for a tangy side.

Oranges Prevent pound creep with this citrus star: It contains fat-torching compounds called flavones. Women who ate the most flavones had a significantly lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Snack on slices or drink freshly squeezed OJ (with pulp!) for the biggest payback.

Soybeans These green gems are rich in choline, a compound that blocks fat absorption and breaks down fatty deposits. Add ½ cup edamame to a salad.

Sweet potatoes Trade up to sweet taters. They’re high in fiber, which means no drastic insulin jumps and thus less fat packed onto your hips. Bake a small sweet potato—think of two bars of soap as a portion size—and top with a dollop of lowfat or nonfat cottage cheese.

Swiss cheese Holy cow: “Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown,” says Michael B. Zemel, Ph.D., director of the Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Put toe to toe with some of its cheesy counterparts, Swiss is a heavy hitter in the calcium department; layer a slice on a lunchtime sandwich, or stack some on high-fiber crackers. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/60068-8-fat-fighting-foods.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59978-no-fasting-before-cholesterol-tests.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:30:14 GMT BBC NEWS | Health | 'No fasting' for cholesterol test*'No fasting' for...]]> BBC NEWS | Health | 'No fasting' for cholesterol test'No fasting' for cholesterol test

Patients may not need to fast before having their cholesterol tested, a major report has found.
After analysing data from 300,000 people, Cambridge researchers found results were just as accurate if the patient had eaten before the test.
For decades patients have been told to fast for 12 hours prior to a test.
It is hoped the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, may inform new guidelines for doctors in the UK.
Cholesterol tests have long been a key part of assessing a patient's risk of cardiovascular problems, and those who turned up having eaten breakfast were required to make a fresh appointment.
It had been thought that the body needed enough time to digest food in the system and to clear any fatty particles from the blood in order to produce an accurate reading of so-called "bad" cholesterol - or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Financial pressure
But data from 68 long-term surveys in 21 countries suggests this is not the case.
"For decades, people have been asked to fast overnight before their cholesterol tests," lead researcher Professor John Danesh said.
"These findings indicate that cholesterol measurements are at least as good - and probably somewhat better - when made without fasting."
The study also adds to the ongoing controversy over whether testing for blood proteins called apolipoproteins is a more reliable way of predicting heart risk than cholesterol testing.
The studies showed that analysing "good" cholesterol - or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in conjunction with LDL was just as informative as testing for apolipoproteins AI and B.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "Given the financial pressure the NHS is under, it's good news that doctors don't need to spend money on setting up more sophisticated tests based on apolipoproteins.
"But the study underlines the importance of all GPs being able to measure HDL cholesterol as well as total cholesterol, in order to make the best predictions about heart disease risk."
Not all doctors currently use tests which differentiate between the two different forms of cholesterol.
Societies involved with heart care are currently drawing up new guidelines for health professionals in the UK, where cardiovascular disease - CVD - is the leading form of death.





Sure would be nice to just walk in whenever you want.:) ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand Rattanaburi http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59978-no-fasting-before-cholesterol-tests.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59977-15-foods-that-cure.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:21:03 GMT 15...]]> 15 Foods That Cure | Eat This, Not That

Food can be the right cure for all your ills. And it’s cheaper and more effective than seeing the doctor, or popping a bunch of pills, or calling your no-good cousin with the shady connections. See, our bodies and how we feel are nothing more than a reflection of the various chemicals that flow through our system on a daily basis. When those chemicals are the healthy kind you get from the right mix of fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats, you’ll feel healthier, more energetic, and happier than you have in years. Start by adding these 15 foods to your repertoire.


Best Anti-Aging Elixir

Red Wine

Oxidative stress plays a major role in aging, and an antioxidant in red wine called resveratrol may help extend life by neutralizing disease-causing free radicals. Pop a Pinot Noir: It packs the most resveratrol per glass.

Best Blood Pressure Reducer

Baked Potato

Besides the obvious factors—obesity, high salt intake—diets containing too little potassium are the primary cause of hypertension. Fight back with a baked potato.

Best Blood Sugar Stabilizer

Raspberries

Raspberries contain anthocyanins, which boost insulin production and lower blood sugar levels, providing a strong defense against diabetes.

Best Bone Protector

Shrimp

Shrimp is high in vitamin B-12, which aids bone density, is crucial in the generation of new cells, and is a good source of vitamin D, an essential ingredient for bone strength.

Best Brain Booster

Coffee

Beyond boosting altertness for up to 90 minutes, that morning cup is the number-one source of antioxidants in the American diet and can help decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by as much as 60 percent.

Best Breast Cancer Beater

Whole-Grain Cereal

Women getting at least 30 grams of fiber daily are half as likely to develop breast cancer, according to research. A bowl of Fiber One with blueberries will get you halfway there.


Best Cavity Killer

Monterey Jack Cheese

Researchers found that eating less than a quarter ounce of Jack, Cheddar, Gouda, or mozzarella cheese will boost pH levels to protect your pearly whites from cavities.

Best Cholesterol Reducer

Olive Oil

Antioxidants found in olives have been shown both to raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, making olive oil a doubly potent protector against cardiovascular disease.

Best Colon Cancer Guard

Green or White Tea

Drinking just one cup of tea a day may cut your risk of colon cancer in half. Antioxidants in the tea, called catechins, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, found researchers at Oregon State.

Best Hair Rejuvenator

Beef

Iron in the meat stimulates hair turnover and replenishment. Beef is also rich in zinc, which helps guard against hair loss.

Best Heart Protector

Salmon

A diet of heart-healthy fats, like those found in salmon and olive oil, raises good HDL cholesterol levels. And salmon contains a huge dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which can ward off heart disease.

Best Lung Cancer Fighter

Grapefruit

A grapefruit a day can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer by up to 50 percent. Grapefruit contains naringin, which may help lower levels of cancer-causing enzymes.

Best Skin Saver

Carrots

National Cancer Institute researchers found that people with the highest intake of carotenoids—pigments that occur naturally in carrots—were six times less likely to develop skin cancer than those with the lowest intakes.

Best Vision Defender

Spinach or Romaine Lettuce

The National Institutes of Health found that people who consume the most lutein—found in leafy greens—are 43 percent less likely to develop macular degeneration. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59977-15-foods-that-cure.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59975-8-perfect-stay-young-foods.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:10:49 GMT 8 Perfect Stay-Young Foods on Yahoo!...]]> 8 Perfect Stay-Young Foods on Yahoo! Health

Eating right isn't just about weight loss—the nutrients you take in can have a serious effect on how you think, feel, and look! Our bodies and our feelings are nothing more than reflections of the various chemicals flowing through our system on a daily basis. Make sure those chemicals are the healthy kind you get from the right mix of fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats, and you’ll feel healthier, more energetic, and happier than you have in years.
In Eat This, Not That! 2010, we compiled a list of eight foods that can help keep you young. You’re only as young as you feel—so add these eight nutritious powerhouses to your daily diet, and start feeling (and acting and looking) years younger!




EGGS
Benefit: Weight loss
Substitute: Egg Beaters egg substitute

When it comes to breakfast, you can’t beat eggs. (That was too easy, wasn’t it?) Seriously, at a cost of only 72 calories, each large egg holds 6.3 grams of high-quality protein and a powerhouse load of vital nutrients. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who replace carbs with eggs for breakfast lose weight 65 percent quicker. Researchers in Michigan were able to determine that regular egg eaters enjoyed more vitamins and minerals in their diets than those who ate few or no eggs. By examining surveys from more than 25,000 people, the researchers found that egg eaters are about half as likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, 24 percent less likely to be deficient in vitamin A, and 36 percent less likely to be deficient in vitamin E. And here’s something more shocking: Those who ate at least four eggs a week had significantly lower cholesterol levels than those who ate fewer than one. Turns out, the dietary cholesterol in the yolk has little impact on your serum cholesterol. Bonus tip: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.


GREEN TEABenefit: Longer lifespan
Substitutes: Yerba mate, white tea, oolong tea, rooibos (red) tea

Literally hundreds of studies have been carried out documenting the health benefits of catechins, the group of antioxidants concentrated in the leaves of tea plants. Among the most startling studies was one published by the American Medical Association in 2006. The study followed more than 40,000 Japanese adults for a decade, and at the 7-year follow-up, those who had been drinking five or more cups of tea per day were 26 percent less likely to die of any cause compared with those who averaged less than a cup. Looking for more-immediate results? Another Japanese study broke participants into two groups, only one of which was put on a catechin-rich green-tea diet. At the end of 12 weeks, the green-tea group had achieved significantly smaller body weights and waistlines than those in the control group. Why? Because researchers believe that catechins are effective at boosting metabolism. Bonus tip: The average American consumes 400 liquid calories a day.

GARLICBenefit: Cardiovascular strengthening
Substitutes: Onions, chives, leeks

Allicin, an antibacterial and antifungal compound, is the steam engine pushing forward garlic’s myriad health benefits. The chemical is produced by the garlic plant as a defense against pests, but inside your body, it fights cancer, strengthens your cardiovascular system, decreases fat storage, and fights acne inflammation. To activate the most allicin possible, you have to crush the garlic as finely as you can: Peel the cloves, and then use the side of a heavy chef's knife to crush the garlic before carefully mincing it. Be sure not to overcook it, as too much heat will render the compound completely useless (and your food totally bitter).
Bonus tip: Some foods keep you looking young. Others can quite literally cure what ails you ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59975-8-perfect-stay-young-foods.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59873-doctors-told-to-cut-antibiotic-prescriptions.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:20:32 GMT Doctors told to cut antibiotic prescriptions in UK 09.11.09 GPs are being urged to stop prescribing antibiotics for coughs and colds as overuse is... Doctors told to cut antibiotic prescriptions in UK

09.11.09


GPs are being urged to stop prescribing antibiotics for coughs and colds as overuse is increasing resistance to them, making it more difficult to tackle serious infections like hospital bugs, it was reported today.

The European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is writing to all family doctors on November 18 to warn them of the implications of routinely giving patients the drugs, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Prescribing the pills when they are not necessary is leading to a rise in the number of infections that are resistant to antibiotics, experts at the Stockholm-based centre said.

They warned that hospitals would be unable to carry out many procedures if antibiotics are powerless to protect patients from life-threatening infections.

Dominic Monnet, senior expert at the Scientific Advice unit at the ECDC, said: "If this wave of antibiotic resistance gets over us, we will not be able to do organ transplants, hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, intensive care and neonatal care for premature babies.

"It is the whole span of modern medicine as we know it, that we will not be able to do if we lose antibiotics."

Sarah Earnshaw, of the health communications unit at the ECDC, said that GPs were often pressured by patients - especially pushy parents - to prescribe antibiotics.

She said: "Patients are often demanding antibiotics, especially parents demanding them for their children.

"A survey in 2002 showed that 60% of people did not know that antibiotics do not work against viruses such as flu."

Britain has one of the highest rates of resistance in Europe, with more antibiotics prescribed in the UK than in nine other European countries.

Last year GPs handed out 38 million prescriptions for antibiotics at a cost to the NHS of £175 million.

The Government launched a major advertising campaign earlier this year telling people that antibiotics do not work on coughs or colds.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) also issued guidance urging doctors not to prescribe them for minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats or ear infections.

A Department for Health spokeswoman said: "Antibiotics don't work on colds, most coughs or sore throats.

"Using antibiotics when they are not necessary will increase resistance to them and make it difficult to treat serious bacterial infections in the future.

"If you are suffering with cold symptoms or a sore throat you should rest, take plenty of fluids and speak to your pharmacist who will advise you on over-the-counter remedies that are available view-source:GPs told to cut antibiotic prescriptions | News ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand crippen http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59873-doctors-told-to-cut-antibiotic-prescriptions.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59869-the-medicate-yourself-thread.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:47:08 GMT I don't like going to doctors much, so I tend to try and medicate myself. I have a friend that is a doctor that I can email with symptoms, and he does give me free advice.

If you want to add to the below Rx list, feel free to do so! ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59869-the-medicate-yourself-thread.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59836-the-best-get-happy-foods.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:54:19 GMT An interesting article for those of you that get stressed, down and depressed -

The Best Get-Happy Foods on Yahoo! Health

Fight stress and depression with five nutrient-buffed snacks

Sorry, ice cream isn't on the list! But the following foods do have nutrients that can help fight stress and depression, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Eat Your Way to Happiness. Food: Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Vitamin C
This vitamin helps you cope better in stressful times by lowering your levels of stress hormones. If you get a lot regularly, you'll feel calmer during tough situations.
Food: Nuts
Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Vitamin E, arginine (an amino acid) and magnesium
A handful of nuts will keep you full and satisfied because they have a low glycemic index-which means they don't jack up your blood sugar levels and cause mood swings. It also makes you feel good to eat something that seems decadent (they're considered a little bit naughty because they're high in fat) but actually has health benefits.
Food: Leafy greens
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Folic Acid
Research has shown that the folic acid in leafy greens such as kale and spinach can reduce depression and even improve blood flow to the brain. If you're not eating at least one serving per day you're more than likely low in folic acid, so try getting more or consider taking a multivitamin that contains it.
Food: Salmon
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid)
The omega-3s in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have been found to improve your mood while lowering the risk of depression and age-related memory loss. The depression link is so strong that American Psychiatric Association suggests that anyone taking antidepressants and/or going through therapy also boost her intake of omega 3s.
Food: Dried cherries
Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Potassium, magnesium and vitamin C
These nutrients all work to curb your body's stress response. Dried cherries also keep your brain healthy because they're packed with antioxidants (including vitamin C), which prevent damage to your brain cells that can lead to memory problems. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59836-the-best-get-happy-foods.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59813-insuring-the-old-trout-for-month.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:27:52 GMT My dear old landlady from Darwin has decided to visit LOS for a month in January. She's 63, smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish and swear like a trooper. An all round good un.

Any suggestions or recommendations on TRAVEL INSURANCE for her.

She wants fully comp. and insurance wherebye she just gives a card to the hospital and they claim the money from the company.

NOT, she pays up front then claims it back when she gets home.

Any thoughts?

Yes, I've looked on the net and there's loads. Who to choose?

Cheers ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand jandajoy http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59813-insuring-the-old-trout-for-month.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59580-what-soft-drinks-doing-your-body.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:30:33 GMT What Soft Drinks are Doing to Your...]]> What Soft Drinks are Doing to Your Body on Yahoo! Health

Soda, pop, cola, soft drink — whatever you call it, it is one of the worst beverages that you could be drinking for your health. As the debate for whether to put a tax on the sale of soft drinks continues, you should know how they affect your body so that you can make an informed choice on your own.

Soft drinks are hard on your health
Soft drinks contain little to no vitamins or other essential nutrients. However, it is what they do contain that is the problem: caffeine, carbonation, simple sugars — or worse, sugar substitutes — and often food additives such as artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.

A lot of research has found that consumption of soft drinks in high quantity, especially by children, is responsible for many health problems that include tooth decay, nutritional depletion, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Why the sugar in soft drinks isn’t so sweet
Most soft drinks contain a high amount of simple sugars. The USDA recommendation of sugar consumption for a 2,000-calorie diet is a daily allotment of 10 teaspoons of added sugars. Many soft drinks contain more than this amount!

Just why is too much sugar so unhealthy? Well, to start, let's talk about what happens to you as sugar enters your body. When you drink sodas that are packed with simple sugars, the pancreas is called upon to produce and release insulin, a hormone that empties the sugar in your blood stream into all the tissues and cells for usage. The result of overindulging in simple sugar is raised insulin levels. Raised blood insulin levels beyond the norm can lead to depression of the immune system, which in turn weakens your ability to fight disease.

Something else to consider is that most of the excess sugar ends up being stored as fat in your body, which results in weight gain and elevates risk for heart disease and cancer. One study found that when subjects were given refined sugar, their white blood cell count decreased significantly for several hours afterwards. Another study discovered that rats fed a high-sugar diet had a substantially elevated rate of breast cancer when compared to rats on a regular diet.

The health effects of diet soda
You may come to the conclusion that diet or sugar-free soda is a better choice. However, one study discovered that drinking one or more soft drinks a day — and it didn’t matter whether it was diet or regular — led to a 30% greater chance of weight gain around the belly.

Diet soda is filled with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin. These artificial sweeteners pose a threat to your health. Saccharin, for instance, has been found to be carcinogenic, and studies have found that it produced bladder cancer in rats.

Aspartame, commonly known as nutrasweet, is a chemical that stimulates the brain to think the food is sweet. It breaks down into acpartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol at a temperature of 86 degrees. (Remember, your stomach is somewhere around 98 degrees.) An article put out by the University of Texas found that aspartame has been linked to obesity. The process of stimulating the brain causes more cravings for sweets and leads to carbohydrate loading.

Carbonation depletes calcium
Beverages with bubbles contain phosphoric acid, which can severely deplete the blood calcium levels; calcium is a key component of the bone matrix. With less concentration of calcium over a long time, it can lower deposition rates so that bone mass and density suffer. This means that drinking sodas and carbonated water increases your risk of osteoporosis.

Add in the caffeine usually present in soft drinks, and you are in for even more trouble. Caffeine can deplete the body’s calcium, in addition to stimulating your central nervous system and contributing to stress, a racing mind, and insomnia.

Skip the soda and go for:

• Fresh water
Water is a vital beverage for good health. Each and every cell needs water to perform its essential functions. Since studies show that tap water is filled with contaminants, antibiotics, and a number of other unhealthy substances, consider investing in a quality carbon-based filter for your tap water. To find out more about a high-performance filtration system, click here.

On the go? Try using a stainless steel thermos or glass bottle, filled with filtered water. Enhance the flavor of your water with a refreshing infusion of basil, mint leaves, and a drop of honey.

• Fruit Juice
If you are a juice drinker, try watering down your juice to cut back on the sugar content. Buy a jar of organic 100% juice, especially cranberry, acai, pomegranate, and then dilute three parts filtered water to one part juice. You will get a subtle sweet taste and the benefit of antioxidants. After a couple of weeks, you will no longer miss the sweetness of sugary concentrated juices.

• Tea
Tea gently lifts your energy and has numerous health benefits. Black, green, white, and oolong teas all contain antioxidant polyphenols. In fact, tea ranks as high or higher than many fruits and vegetables on the ORAC scale, the score that measures antioxidant potential of plant-based foods.

Herbal tea does not have the same antioxidant properties, though it is still a great beverage choice with other health benefits, such as inducing calming and relaxing effects.

If tea doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, try adding cinnamon or a little honey, which has important health benefits that refined sugar lacks. For a selection of healthy teas that promote total body wellness, click here. Drink up!

I hope you find the ways and means to avoid soft drinks. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand chitown http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59580-what-soft-drinks-doing-your-body.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59507-vitamins.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:53:48 GMT Anyone else here fond of taking a daily vitamin ?

Anything better than Blackamoors Multi that can be purchased in most Boot's locations. ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand Ghandi http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59507-vitamins.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59191-warts-n-all.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:34:33 GMT Just got back from the village hospital.

For 6 years I've had an annoying wart on the little finger of my right hand, on the palm side.

No comments needed about self gratification, wanking etc. cos I'm left handed.

Anyway, I bite the bugger off every now and then, the wart that is, but it always grows back.

Went to a doc in Aus. and he blathered on about some ointment for weeks blah blah blah. Charged me $40 for nothing.

Stuff that.

Local hosi, local Doc, and bit of Bentadine and a sharp knife.

2 stitches later and its all done.

Total cost 230 baht, plus a bucket of drugs which I'll bin.

Plus 1/2 an hour ogling a delightful young nurses ass.

What a top place Thailand is. :) ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand jandajoy http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59191-warts-n-all.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59059-can-anybody-recommend-a-back-specialist.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:55:47 GMT Need a good back doctor in Bangkok, any recommendations? Felt something click or pop in my back this morning whilst puking my guts out. Now I can... Need a good back doctor in Bangkok, any recommendations?

Felt something click or pop in my back this morning whilst puking my guts out. Now I can barely walk/move.

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses (and ******** to anybody taking the piss) ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand lingmau http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59059-can-anybody-recommend-a-back-specialist.html http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59015-orthorexia.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:19:34 GMT Just an interesting little clip from ABC news on eating healthy to extremes and its downfalls

YouTube - ABC News Orthorexia report pt1 by John Stossel


YouTube - ABC News Orthorexia report pt2 by John Stossel ]]> Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand Rattanaburi http://teakdoor.com/health-fitness-and-hospitals-in-thailand/59015-orthorexia.html