Category: Health
Brain cancer cases are on the rise and the search for a cure is one of the most pressing undertakings of our generation. We have grown by leaps and bounds in our quest to understand the human brain and how it functions but it is still not enough to answer all our questions. Some of the best sources of information might be the most unlikely ones for as individual we are as our fingerprints, so does the manifestation of the disease and the best defense is access to the latest news and developments. Technology has greatly improved our access to information, through our computers, mobiles and portable computers we have with us each and everyday. On the road, we can get the latest information on diseases other news by simply logging into our preferred sites handing us information where ever, whenever you need it. You get the latest news about just about anything, even as you wait in line for the bus. Need the latest news on just about anything anywhere, then the internet is the place to go, so log on and start searching.
First there was the tomato scare, then there was the milk scare, now it’s the peanut butter scare. It seems that even when it comes to food, safety is not something we should take for granted anymore. The recent salmonella contamination of US-made peanut butter has sent people running around, trying to get rid of food products possibly made with contaminated peanut butter.
You’d think it would be easy but no, it is far from that. This recent issue has made one thing clear – food production is not as simple as some of us might have thought it was. The Food and Drug Administration has already pinpointed about 130 food products that have been recalled but you should continue to check that list as they say that more will be added as the investigation continues.
Before consuming any food product, you must take great care to examine the label and make sure that it is safe. Ironically, peanut butter in jars – which we normally buy at the supermarket – is deemed safe.
The most prominent brand of commercial peanut butter which has been linked to the salmonella outbreak is King Nut, which comes in packages anywhere from 5 pounds to 1,700 pounds – unlikely to be consumed by households but generally used in commercial production. Products which you should watch out for include peanut butter cups, ice cream, cereals, cookies, sandwiches, and the like. Fans of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Nutter Butter cookies have nothing to worry about, though, as Hershey’s and Kraft do not use King Nut peanut butter.
As much as I love Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, am an advocate of breastfeeding, and staunchly oppose animal abuse, I was quite stupefied when I saw an article on the Associated Press about the animal rights advocacy group PETA, asking the ice cream kings to use breast milk to replace cow in producing their ice cream.
Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, argued the dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and obesity, saying:
“If Ben and Jerry’s replaced the cow’s milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers — and cows — would reap the benefits”
Ashley Byrne, a campaign coordinator for PETA added:
“We’re aware this idea is somewhat absurd, and that putting it into practice is a stretch. At the time same, it’s pretty absurd for us to be drinking the milk of cows…”
Its not surprising that the folks at Ben and Jerry’s responded without much enthusiasm. I just can’t help feeling that the PETA people are not doing a favour for themselves or their worthy cause by making statements like this. You don’t need to do a nationwide poll to find out what people (aside from babies) will think of this – and thats creepy, I’m afraid.
Whether or not its absurd for humans to be drinking the milk of cows is not really the issue. Its what generations of us have been used to. Besides, what I find more important is the logistical problems it would face – it takes 12 lbs or 1 1/2 gallons of milk to make a gallon of ice cream. When I was nursing, it took at least half an hour to express 6 or 7 oz. Can you imagine how long poor Mothers would have to be strapped to pumping machines just to meet the demand? Thats an even scarier thought.
They are known as man’s best friend and studies show that they are one of the best ways to get into better health. Having a dog improves ones mental and physical health. Study shows dog owners are in better health than being a cat owner.
The study conducted by Dr. Deborah Wells of Queen’s University, Belfast shows that people with dogs tend to have lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. This may be due to the regular exercise they get from walking their pet. She writes that dog owners also appear to experience fewer ailments both those that are minor and those that are more serious.
Keep reading »
Asked if their kitchen is clean, many would answer with a resounding yes. Unfortunately based on a study published in the American Journal of Environmental health, this is usually not the case. Most bathrooms are actually cleaner than the kitchens.
One cause of this is the way we clean the kitchens. We use soap, water, sponges and kitchen rags that we think are clean to get the job done. Actually all that happens is that the germs get swished around in the dirty water. We don’t even replace the sponges every month? while the bathroom cleaners are changed regularly.
Keep reading »
