Most recent international health newscast in addition to examination from our health explore band.

The variety of margarines available in the supermarket has expanded enormously in recent times. The interesting point is that many of them are no longer called “margarine”. According to Food Standards Australia, a food can only be called margarine if it contains at least 80 percent fat. Most margarine now contains less fat, so they are referred to as “spreads”.

Some margarine spreads have got added plant sterols and claim to be able to lower cholesterol absorption. Plant sterols are also known as phyto-sterols, and they include beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, among others. It is true that plant sterols can inhibit cholesterol absorption in our digestive tract (cholesterol is also a type of sterol), and in this way reduce cholesterol levels. Therefore, if you eat some cholesterol containing food, such as eggs at the same time as the margarine, you will absorb less cholesterol from the eggs than usual. Bile that is secreted into our small intestine in response to a meal contains a great deal of cholesterol. Some of this is excreted in bowel movements but a lot of it gets re-absorbed back into our bloodstream through the intestinal wall. The sterols in margarine prevent some of this re-absorption of cholesterol.

Plant sterols or stands are a controversial topic. They are oestrogen-like compounds found naturally in many plants, but they are also a waste product of pulp and paper mills. Research has shown that rivers downstream of wood-pulp factories can become contaminated with plant sterols and this affects the fertility offish. Some fish became hermaphrodites and others switched gender! Experiments in test tubes have shown these sterols to stimulate breast cancer cells. Back in the 60s these compounds were used to manufacture human sex hormones. Since plant sterols clearly have hormonal effects, possibly it isn’t a good idea for every man, woman and child to be consuming them.

Some studies have shown that consumption of phyto-sterols reduces blood levels of vitamin E and beta-carotene. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that plant sterols reduced the bioavailability of beta-carotene by 50 percent and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) by 20 percent. What is the point of lowering your cholesterol if that is going to make you deficient in important antioxidants that have been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer?

Cholesterol lowering margarines are expensive; expect to pay more than seven dollars a tub. To get the full benefits from them you would have to eat 25g a day, roughly a heaped tablespoon. Some spreads contain canola oil and some contain olive oil and are promoted to be healthier, as they contain monounsaturated fat. However you don’t get as much olive or canola oil as you may think. Most canola spreads contain between 30 and 35 percent canola oil, and olive oil spreads typically contain only 22 to 23 percent olive oil. The rest of the product is made up of a vegetable oil blend; typically soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil or palm oil. Low fat margarine spreads contain more water, and some even contain gelatin.

The vast majority of margarines have been made from refined vegetable oils that have been processed using heat and chemical solvents. This means they contain rancid fats and often some trans fatty acids. New manufacturing techniques have been able to get the trans fat content of margarine very low, and some margarines are free of trans fats altogether. However, there are much healthier, more natural options. It is possible to obtain plant sterols from more natural sources such as raw nuts and seeds, legumes and extra virgin olive oil. When combined with an appropriate liver friendly, low carbohydrate eating plan it is possible for most people to achieve a healthy cholesterol level.

Healthy alternative spreads

Remember that most bread is fairly high in carbohydrate, and eating too much of it can raise your cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as promote weight gain and Syndrome X. Eat bread in small quantities, and choose one that is made from stone ground flour and has a low glycaemic index. The following are all suitable spreads to use:

-    Fresh avocado

-    Tahini

-    Hummus

-    Natural nut butter/paste such as peanut, almond, cashew, macadamia or Brazil nut butter.

-    Tomato paste

-    Baba ganoush

-    Extra virgin olive oil

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Comments (0) Apr 23 2009

We need fibre to keep our bowels healthy and prevent constipation but fibre is also vital for our fertility.

The fibre contained in whole grains, fruit and vegetables reduces excess oestrogen levels, clearing out old hormone residues. It does this by preventing oestrogens that have been excreted in the bile from being reabsorbed back into the blood.

Studies have shown that women who eat a vegetarian diet excrete three times more ‘old’, detoxified oestrogens than women who also eat meat. The meat-eaters also reabsorb more oestrogen. So, for both men and women aiming to keep their reproductive systems in optimum balance, it makes sense to ensure that you are getting enough fibre in your diet.

Contrary to popular belief, the best way to do this is not to add bran to your food. Whatever you may have read or heard about its benefits, bran can actually block the absorption of vital nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. It is much better to eat it in its natural form (as whole grains) instead.

To increase your fibre intake, you need to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (cooked and raw), whole grains (brown rice, whole meal bread, oats, wholegrain crackers and whole meal pasta), beans, nuts and seeds.

You should also avoid refined carbohydrates (such as cakes, white bread and biscuits, and anything containing white flour and sugar). Don’t be tempted to eat bran on its own or when added or made into breakfast cereal.

It is important for your bowels to work efficiently so that ‘old’ hormones can be quickly excreted and also so that food does not end up putrefying (which it may do if it stays in your bowel too long). Proper bowel function also helps you get rid of chemicals, pesticides, heavy toxic metals and other toxins that can affect your fertility.

I have found that even patients diagnosed with high lead levels, caused by daily commuting to work through London, soon start to get rid of the excess lead once they are on a healthy, high-fibre diet.

Help for constipation

What can you use instead of bran? First try increasing your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you need extra help then either sprinkle 1 tablespoon of linseeds onto your breakfast cereal in the mornings or soak 1 tablespoon of linseeds in a small amount of “water and swallow. Vitamin Ñ can also be used to help soften stools. Try taking l,000 mg per day, and increase by 500mg at a time until your stools are manageable, soft and comfortable.

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Comments (0) Apr 23 2009

A Shock to the System

Electrical shocks aren’t the most common form of home accident, says Taylor. But they can be among the most harmful. “Even mild electrical shocks can result in serious internal injuries,” adds Dr. Alton Thygerson of Brigham Young University and the National Safety Council’s First-Aid Institute. “Even standard household current of 110 volts can be deadly.”

The most basic way to avoid getting an unwanted shock to your system is to make it a cardinal rule not to mess with the wiring in your house unless you’re a trained professional, Taylor says. “Be especially careful when you’re drilling,” he adds. “You don’t want to be drilling around places where there could be electrical wires present, like outlets. When in doubt, always call an electrician. Your life is more important than the ego boost of doing it yourself.”

If you do receive a shock, seek medical attention immediately, Dr. Thygerson says. “The burns on the skin that result from an electrical shock often are small and don’t look like much, but electricity travels along your nerves and blood vessels before exiting your body. And even relatively minor shocks can cause internal damage.”

Yardwork Woes

Your home doesn’t end when you walk out the door. If you’re like most homeowners, you likely have a patch of green-or more often stubbornly brown-that you call home for cookouts and lazy Sunday lounges. If you thought the inside of your house was an accident zone, check out what awaits in the backyard. The following are common yard-improvement tools, along with the number of handymen they send to the emergency room each year.

Nails, screws, and tacks or bolts:         191,037

Ladders:         151,327

Fences and fence posts:         114,055

Pruners, trimmers, and edgers:          36,204

Chain saws:          35,132

Gasoline and other fuels:          18,924

Pliers, wire cutters, and wrenches:          14,543

Just like accidents that happen inside the house, accidents that happen in the yard are often the result of cutting corners or being overly confident,” Taylor says. The following tips can help.

Cover up. “We tell people that if they’re going to be working around the old house, take their cue from Bob Vila or Norm Abram,” says Taylor. “They always wear gloves and safety goggles and take the little precautions that can keep you out of big trouble.” It’s especially important to take these safety precautions when handling power equipment, like mowers and pruners.

Take your time. Whatever you do, don’t rush yourself on a domestic-repair or improvement job. Haste can waste you. “The worst thing you can do,” Taylor says, “is not allow yourself enough time to do the job properly. Many accidents occur when you try to do too much in too little time.” If you really don’t have time to do the job right, get somebody else to do it-like a professional-or don’t do it at all.

*107/36/5*

Comments (0) Apr 23 2009