Milk and dairy foods
If taking an antibiotic called tetracycline (often prescribed for acne), you should avoid milk and dairy products. The calcium and magnesium in these foods combines with the drug, creating a compound that the body cannot break down, Absorption is prevented and the drug won't work properly.
Green Vegetables
If taking the blood thinning drug Warfarin, don't each too much broccoli, spinach or other green, leafy vegetables. They are rich in vitamin K, which counteracts the effect of the drug.
Good Housekeeping, February 2009
Friday, 29 August 2014
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
AMD - Age-related Macular Degeneration
AMD is a disease of the macula, an area at the back of the eye that is essential for seeing detail, colour and things straight ahead. Although it rarely causes total sight loss, it robs people of central vision, making it hard or impossible to read, drive, identify faces, watch tv, do fine tasks, navigate stairs and many other everyday tasks.
In dry AMD macular cells are damaged due to lack of nutrients and debris known as drusen builds up; it usually progresses slowly. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form under the macula, which can leak leading to scarring and rapid loss of vision.
Risk factors are: age, gender, genes and lifestyle. AMD is most common in the over-60s and women. Blue-eyed people are most at risk, while smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy eating and possibly alcohol all increase risk.
Treatment. Wet AMD is treated using injectable medications. Dry AMD cannot be treated, but using magnifiers to read and techniques like 'eccentic viewing' which trains patients to use remaining peripheral vision (e.g. looking slightly to one side of a tv screen) can help. Clinical trials are investigating drops or tablets for wet AMD and stem cells for dry AMD.
Eating for eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin (two members of the carotinoid family) may offer some protection.
Healthspan magazine, Spring 2014
In dry AMD macular cells are damaged due to lack of nutrients and debris known as drusen builds up; it usually progresses slowly. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form under the macula, which can leak leading to scarring and rapid loss of vision.
Risk factors are: age, gender, genes and lifestyle. AMD is most common in the over-60s and women. Blue-eyed people are most at risk, while smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy eating and possibly alcohol all increase risk.
Treatment. Wet AMD is treated using injectable medications. Dry AMD cannot be treated, but using magnifiers to read and techniques like 'eccentic viewing' which trains patients to use remaining peripheral vision (e.g. looking slightly to one side of a tv screen) can help. Clinical trials are investigating drops or tablets for wet AMD and stem cells for dry AMD.
Eating for eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin (two members of the carotinoid family) may offer some protection.
Healthspan magazine, Spring 2014
Monday, 25 August 2014
Honey
Honey crystallizes over time. To reverse this, place the jar - with lid on - in a bowl of hot water and leave until the crystals dissolve.
Friday, 22 August 2014
Workout Mistakes
You may not realise it, but the way you exercise may make it less effective.
Mistake #1 Not resting. To get stronger, muscles need time to repair, which they can't do if you hit the gym every day. Over-training also triggers an increase in cortisol, which can result in a sluggish metabolism. The Fix: If you train 5 to 6 times a week, make each session a maximum of 45 minutes. If you exercise less often (say once or twice a week) you can exercise for longer, but do nothing the day after a long session.
Mistake #2 Over-stretching before your workout. Static stretching (when you stand still and stretch) can reduce muscle strength by 5% as it loosens muscles so much that they struggle to spring into action (imagine an over-stretched elastic waistband). The Fix: Jumping jacks and squats are a better way to prepare your muscles and joints as they get blood pumping around the body. Work on your flexibility after a workout instead.
Mistake #3 Using your neck. When doing crunchies (sit-ups), a lot of women use their neck muscles instead of their abdominals to roll up. This makes the move ineffective and you risk injury. The Fix: Draw in your belly button towards your spine to engage your core. If your neck is still taking the strain, stick out your tongue: it stops you clenching your jaw, so you can't rely on those muscles to do the work.
Mistake #4 Scoffing an energy bar at the gym. Because they are often packed with quick-release carbohydrates, your body will fuel itself with the sugar these carbs release into your bloodstream, rather than breaking down the triglycerides ( a type of fat) store in your fat cells. Simply put: you won't burn as much fat. The Fix: Power your session with protein and slow-release carbs (such as brown rice or sweet potato) eaten two hours before your workout.
Mistake #5 Doing full push-ups too soon. Half push-ups (kneeling) are often considered inferior, but you're better off doing them than attempting a full press-up too soon. Strained shoulder, chest and arm muscles can take weeks to heal. The Fix: Even better than half push-ups are incline push-ups, where you keep legs stretched out but place your hands on a step. Start on a high incline and when you can comfortably do 15, gradually lower the step until you're down on the floor. You'll progress every six weeks if you practise two to three times a week.
Glamour magazine (2013?)
Mistake #1 Not resting. To get stronger, muscles need time to repair, which they can't do if you hit the gym every day. Over-training also triggers an increase in cortisol, which can result in a sluggish metabolism. The Fix: If you train 5 to 6 times a week, make each session a maximum of 45 minutes. If you exercise less often (say once or twice a week) you can exercise for longer, but do nothing the day after a long session.
Mistake #2 Over-stretching before your workout. Static stretching (when you stand still and stretch) can reduce muscle strength by 5% as it loosens muscles so much that they struggle to spring into action (imagine an over-stretched elastic waistband). The Fix: Jumping jacks and squats are a better way to prepare your muscles and joints as they get blood pumping around the body. Work on your flexibility after a workout instead.
Mistake #3 Using your neck. When doing crunchies (sit-ups), a lot of women use their neck muscles instead of their abdominals to roll up. This makes the move ineffective and you risk injury. The Fix: Draw in your belly button towards your spine to engage your core. If your neck is still taking the strain, stick out your tongue: it stops you clenching your jaw, so you can't rely on those muscles to do the work.
Mistake #4 Scoffing an energy bar at the gym. Because they are often packed with quick-release carbohydrates, your body will fuel itself with the sugar these carbs release into your bloodstream, rather than breaking down the triglycerides ( a type of fat) store in your fat cells. Simply put: you won't burn as much fat. The Fix: Power your session with protein and slow-release carbs (such as brown rice or sweet potato) eaten two hours before your workout.
Mistake #5 Doing full push-ups too soon. Half push-ups (kneeling) are often considered inferior, but you're better off doing them than attempting a full press-up too soon. Strained shoulder, chest and arm muscles can take weeks to heal. The Fix: Even better than half push-ups are incline push-ups, where you keep legs stretched out but place your hands on a step. Start on a high incline and when you can comfortably do 15, gradually lower the step until you're down on the floor. You'll progress every six weeks if you practise two to three times a week.
Glamour magazine (2013?)
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can be exhausting with nightly disturbance of sleep. A reader of supplements magazine reported having suffered this for many years. At some later point she was then prescribed statins, and decided to also use co-enzyme Q10 to maximise their effectiveness. After starting taking co-enzyme Q10, she found she no longer suffered with RLS. While this is a single instance, it might be worth trying.
Reader's letter to Healthspan magazine, September 2011
Reader's letter to Healthspan magazine, September 2011
Monday, 18 August 2014
Coriander
Sowing: May to July for a summer crop (the soil is usually too cold in the UK for earlier sowings), and September for an early crop. Sow seeds, with the husk on, direct at 1cm deep as it does not transplant well. Germinates in two weeks. Sow little and often (every three weeks) for succession cropping; thickly for leaf production and thinly (6 inches apart) for seeds.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade for growing leaves, full sun for seeds, in nitrogen rich soil.
Bad companion: Don't grow near fennel.
Harvesting: Cut leaves when plant is 6 inches high. Gather seeds when they change colour to avoid loss to birds or natural drop off.
Bolting: If you have problems with coriander 'bolting' (flowering too quickly), try the variety 'Calypso'.
Watering: Water well in dry weather.
Cooking:
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade for growing leaves, full sun for seeds, in nitrogen rich soil.
Bad companion: Don't grow near fennel.
Harvesting: Cut leaves when plant is 6 inches high. Gather seeds when they change colour to avoid loss to birds or natural drop off.
Bolting: If you have problems with coriander 'bolting' (flowering too quickly), try the variety 'Calypso'.
Watering: Water well in dry weather.
Cooking:
- Rub the dried fruits (seeds) between your palms to split the seed into its individual segments. Store in an airtight container.
- You can use the seeds when still green in cooking. They have a different taste to the dried seeds.
- You can also use the stems and roots in cooking.
- Fresh leaves and stems can be chopped and added to salads or as garnish on a variety of dishes, including curries and south-Asian dishes.
Friday, 15 August 2014
Population Facts 2013
The impression is that the world's population is spiralling out of control: in 1800 the global population was 1 billion; by 2013 this had risen to 7 billion. However, the truth is rather more re-assuring - birth rates are coming down. Reductions in birth rate follows better child survival, which in turn is assisted by more and longer education for women and better health care for them and their infants.
Birth rates are falling. In 1963, the global average was 5 children per woman; in 2013 this is now down to 2.5 children per woman. While this obviously hides a wide disparity between countries, the rate is falling in the heaviest populated countries too. In Bangladesh in 1963 women had an average of 7 children (and a life expectancy of 50), whereas in 2013 they are averaging 2 children (and a life expectancy of 70).
The actual impact of this will not be a sudden fall in overall population; in fact there is still an increase to come, with the 2013 figure of 7 billion estimated to rise to 11 billion in 2100. What is signifcant is that there will be a change in the demographic proportions ( a 15 year generation gap has been used).
7 Billion made up of 2+2+2+1+1+1: # 2b children (up to 15) # 2b young adult (15 to 30) # 2b middle adult (30 to 45) # 1b older adult (45 to 60) # 1b seniors (60 to 75) # 1b elders (75 to 90)
11 Billion made up of 2+2+2+2+2+1: # 2b children (up to 15) # 2b young adult (15 to 30) # 2b middle adult (30 to 45) # 2b older adult (45 to 60) # 2b seniors (60 to 75) # 1b elders (75 to 90)
Don't Panic: the truth about population [BBC documentary broadcast Nov. 2013]
Birth rates are falling. In 1963, the global average was 5 children per woman; in 2013 this is now down to 2.5 children per woman. While this obviously hides a wide disparity between countries, the rate is falling in the heaviest populated countries too. In Bangladesh in 1963 women had an average of 7 children (and a life expectancy of 50), whereas in 2013 they are averaging 2 children (and a life expectancy of 70).
The actual impact of this will not be a sudden fall in overall population; in fact there is still an increase to come, with the 2013 figure of 7 billion estimated to rise to 11 billion in 2100. What is signifcant is that there will be a change in the demographic proportions ( a 15 year generation gap has been used).
7 Billion made up of 2+2+2+1+1+1: # 2b children (up to 15) # 2b young adult (15 to 30) # 2b middle adult (30 to 45) # 1b older adult (45 to 60) # 1b seniors (60 to 75) # 1b elders (75 to 90)
11 Billion made up of 2+2+2+2+2+1: # 2b children (up to 15) # 2b young adult (15 to 30) # 2b middle adult (30 to 45) # 2b older adult (45 to 60) # 2b seniors (60 to 75) # 1b elders (75 to 90)
Don't Panic: the truth about population [BBC documentary broadcast Nov. 2013]
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Ticks
If you are heading out into the countryside, watch out for ticks. These tiny creatures are at their peak from June to October, and their bite can lead to a nasty condition called Lyme disease. Symptoms include a circular red rash, headaches, a stiff nack, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, and problems with sight, hearing, the digestive system and sleep. Untreated, it can affect joints, heart and the nervous system.
Ticks are carried by deer, foxes, rabbits, hedgehogs and birds. They hook their legs onto humans, inject an anaesthetic, then bite. Lyme Disease Action advises long sleeves and trousers and brushing clothing before returning home. An inset repellant containing DEET should help but if you see a tick, remove it at once. Don't pull it with fingers or cover it with cream; instead use a thread of cotton wound round the tick close to the skin and pull upwards, or cut a slit in a plastic card and slide that under the tick's body.
Good Housekeeping magazine, June 2013
Ticks are carried by deer, foxes, rabbits, hedgehogs and birds. They hook their legs onto humans, inject an anaesthetic, then bite. Lyme Disease Action advises long sleeves and trousers and brushing clothing before returning home. An inset repellant containing DEET should help but if you see a tick, remove it at once. Don't pull it with fingers or cover it with cream; instead use a thread of cotton wound round the tick close to the skin and pull upwards, or cut a slit in a plastic card and slide that under the tick's body.
Good Housekeeping magazine, June 2013
Monday, 11 August 2014
Eye Health
Here are some tips for healthy eyes.
Have regular eye tests to detect problems sooner rather than later. Always report any changes in your vision, headache and any pain in or around your eyes.
Aim for at least 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables, especially lutein-rich kale, spinach, broccoli and orange-yellow sweetcorn, peppers, apricots and mangoes.
Wear sunglasses or tinted lenses that carry the UV400 mark to protect your eyes from the sun.
If you smoke, do your best to stop. Smokers are three times more likely to develop cataracts and four times more likely to experience macular degeneration than non-smokers.
Take frequent breaks from your computer to reduce the chance of eye strain and tiredness. It's also a good idea to look away from the screen during 'thinking time' and focus on objects at varying distances away.
Wear protective sports goggles to shield your eyes whne playing raquet games such as squash - prescription versions are available.
Dr Sarah Brewer in Healthspan magazine, September 2011
Have regular eye tests to detect problems sooner rather than later. Always report any changes in your vision, headache and any pain in or around your eyes.
Aim for at least 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables, especially lutein-rich kale, spinach, broccoli and orange-yellow sweetcorn, peppers, apricots and mangoes.
Wear sunglasses or tinted lenses that carry the UV400 mark to protect your eyes from the sun.
If you smoke, do your best to stop. Smokers are three times more likely to develop cataracts and four times more likely to experience macular degeneration than non-smokers.
Take frequent breaks from your computer to reduce the chance of eye strain and tiredness. It's also a good idea to look away from the screen during 'thinking time' and focus on objects at varying distances away.
Wear protective sports goggles to shield your eyes whne playing raquet games such as squash - prescription versions are available.
Dr Sarah Brewer in Healthspan magazine, September 2011
Friday, 8 August 2014
Laptop Running Slow?
It's not necessarily a problem with the laptop, so try these ideas first before heading off to buy a new one.
What? How many programs do you have open at the moment?
Why? Each program - Skype, Safari, Word, etc. - needs memory (i.e. energy) to run. If you have too many open, there's not enough capacity to go round, so things grind to a halt.
Action: Close down programs you are not using at the moment.
What? Do you have too many programs full stop?
Why? Even when not running, programs take up space on your hard drive - your computer's 'brain'. When the hard drive is too full, the system slows down.
Action: Delete those programs you don't use - but only get rid of ones you are sure you never use. Restart, and things should be faster.
How? On Windows XP, click Start - Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs. For Windows 7 and Vista, click Start - Control Panel- Programs - Programs and Features. On a Mac, click Finder (the blue face symbol) - Applications then drag what you don't want into the Trash bin, and remember to empty it too.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Your computer tracks what you've been doing so it can auto-complet searches, forms and find sites you've visited in the past, but this information takes up space on your hard drive.
Action: Clear you browsing history and cookies. Once or twice a week,delete it.
How? On Internet Explorer, this option is under Tools; on Firefox and Safari its under History; on Chrome it's on the menu bar (the button with three horizontal lines.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? If people are trying to access your computer via spyware, your connection will suffer. It's only an issue if you don't have an anti-virus checker. Avast Free Antivirus is easy to use.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Sometimes there's nothing wrong with your computer; it's your broadband service that is slow.
Action: Go to moneysupermarket.com/broadband/tools/speed-test to check your speed and see what your neighbours get. You may benefit from switching provider.
What? Still find things slow?
Why? Think of your computer like your desk; each time you use it, things get moved around and you end up with piles of papers you don't need.
Action: A disc clean up and defrag (defragmentation - consolidating data so it works more efficiently) is the equivalent of having a clear out, then tidying up what's left. It can make a major difference to how your computer runs. With Windows, clean and defrag at least once a month (Macs do it automatically).
How? To clean up on Windows 7 or Vista, click Start- All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Clean Up. Click the drive you want to clean up (usually C) and make sure Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files are all selected, then hit Delete Files.
How? To Defrag go to windows.microsoft.com and search 'defrag your hard disk' for a really straightforward how-to video. Copy the one-minute tutorial and it's done.
Mihir Patel in Glamour, June 2014
What? How many programs do you have open at the moment?
Why? Each program - Skype, Safari, Word, etc. - needs memory (i.e. energy) to run. If you have too many open, there's not enough capacity to go round, so things grind to a halt.
Action: Close down programs you are not using at the moment.
What? Do you have too many programs full stop?
Why? Even when not running, programs take up space on your hard drive - your computer's 'brain'. When the hard drive is too full, the system slows down.
Action: Delete those programs you don't use - but only get rid of ones you are sure you never use. Restart, and things should be faster.
How? On Windows XP, click Start - Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs. For Windows 7 and Vista, click Start - Control Panel- Programs - Programs and Features. On a Mac, click Finder (the blue face symbol) - Applications then drag what you don't want into the Trash bin, and remember to empty it too.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Your computer tracks what you've been doing so it can auto-complet searches, forms and find sites you've visited in the past, but this information takes up space on your hard drive.
Action: Clear you browsing history and cookies. Once or twice a week,delete it.
How? On Internet Explorer, this option is under Tools; on Firefox and Safari its under History; on Chrome it's on the menu bar (the button with three horizontal lines.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? If people are trying to access your computer via spyware, your connection will suffer. It's only an issue if you don't have an anti-virus checker. Avast Free Antivirus is easy to use.
What? Access to the Internet is slow?
Why? Sometimes there's nothing wrong with your computer; it's your broadband service that is slow.
Action: Go to moneysupermarket.com/broadband/tools/speed-test to check your speed and see what your neighbours get. You may benefit from switching provider.
What? Still find things slow?
Why? Think of your computer like your desk; each time you use it, things get moved around and you end up with piles of papers you don't need.
Action: A disc clean up and defrag (defragmentation - consolidating data so it works more efficiently) is the equivalent of having a clear out, then tidying up what's left. It can make a major difference to how your computer runs. With Windows, clean and defrag at least once a month (Macs do it automatically).
How? To clean up on Windows 7 or Vista, click Start- All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Clean Up. Click the drive you want to clean up (usually C) and make sure Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files are all selected, then hit Delete Files.
How? To Defrag go to windows.microsoft.com and search 'defrag your hard disk' for a really straightforward how-to video. Copy the one-minute tutorial and it's done.
Mihir Patel in Glamour, June 2014
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Sugar by any Other Name
How do you avoid eating too much sugar? Well, the food manufacturing industry isn't making it easy for us. Now that there is a legal requirement to list ingredients in order of amount in the product (highest listed first), manufacturers are splitting the sugar content into different items, which however are all sugars. By listing these ingredients separately, we are less aware of the total sugars and also may not recognise some of the terms used, as they do not sound like sugars. And while fruit juices sound healthy, they are actually mostly sugars - it's far better to eat the raw fruit where the sugar content is lower and includes fibre. So here are some names to look out for - but beware, it's not a complete listing and manufacturers may come up with new ones.
Avoid the following sugars which are not recognised by the body's appetite control systems as they contain fructose. Fructose is not detected as a food, and our livers convert immediately to fat. It is present in fruit, which is why dietary advice is to include a maximum of two pieces of fruit out of the 5 to 7 vegetables and fruit daily intake.
Easily recognisable as sugar: brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut palm sugar, coconut sugar, confectioner's sugar, demerara sugar, golden sugar, grape sugar, invert sugar (and partially invert sugar), palm sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, white sugar, yellow sugar
Syrups are forms of sugar: evaporated cane syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup, refiners's syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup
Hidden sugars: agave, concentrates (usually sugars), corn sweetener, crystalline fructose, dextran, diatase, diastatic malt, ethyl maltol, fructose, honey, mannitol, molasses, saccharose, sorbitol, sucrose, treacle, xlose.
The body uses glucose as energy. The end product of all carbohydrate digestion (except fructose, which the liver converts to fat) is glucose. So choose products which only include forms of glucose and the milk sugar lactose.
Eat in moderation sugars: dextrose, glucose, glucose solids, lactose and galactose, maltose,
END
Avoid the following sugars which are not recognised by the body's appetite control systems as they contain fructose. Fructose is not detected as a food, and our livers convert immediately to fat. It is present in fruit, which is why dietary advice is to include a maximum of two pieces of fruit out of the 5 to 7 vegetables and fruit daily intake.
Easily recognisable as sugar: brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut palm sugar, coconut sugar, confectioner's sugar, demerara sugar, golden sugar, grape sugar, invert sugar (and partially invert sugar), palm sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, white sugar, yellow sugar
Syrups are forms of sugar: evaporated cane syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup, refiners's syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup
Hidden sugars: agave, concentrates (usually sugars), corn sweetener, crystalline fructose, dextran, diatase, diastatic malt, ethyl maltol, fructose, honey, mannitol, molasses, saccharose, sorbitol, sucrose, treacle, xlose.
The body uses glucose as energy. The end product of all carbohydrate digestion (except fructose, which the liver converts to fat) is glucose. So choose products which only include forms of glucose and the milk sugar lactose.
Eat in moderation sugars: dextrose, glucose, glucose solids, lactose and galactose, maltose,
END
Monday, 4 August 2014
Prevent Seedlings 'damping off'
New seedlings are often subject to “damping off,” a fungal condition
brought on by excessive dampness. Apart from making sure you don't overwater your seedlings, you can
prevent this by dusting the top of the potting mix with powdered
cinnamon; and weak chamomile tea or powdered charcoal also work well.
Cinnamon, which is derived from the bark of a tropical tree, has excellent anti-fungal properties. It won’t stop the disease if it’s already taken hold, but it’ll keep it from taking hold in the first place.
Tip from a competitor on the The Big Allotment Challenge, BBC TV, May 2014
Cinnamon, which is derived from the bark of a tropical tree, has excellent anti-fungal properties. It won’t stop the disease if it’s already taken hold, but it’ll keep it from taking hold in the first place.
Tip from a competitor on the The Big Allotment Challenge, BBC TV, May 2014
Friday, 1 August 2014
Chlorine in Swimming Pools
Chlorine destroys microbes and so is used around the world to treat water to ensure it is safe to drink. It is the basis of many disinfectants and a key ingredient of the bleach you use to clean surfaces in your home and to purge any microbes from your toilet bowl.
It is also used to keep swimming pools free of bacteria, hence the distinctive smell. But here's something you probably didn't know, and if you are a regular swimmer, may not wish to know. That smell isn't chlorine, at least not the element. It is actually a chlorine compound called chloramine, which is created when chlorine combines with organic substances in the water. So what are those organic substances? We are talking about sweat and urine. So if you've ever noticed that the "chlorine" smell is stronger when the pool is full of kids, well now you know why.
BBC News website: Chlorine: From toxic chemical to household cleaner 19 April 2014
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