Apparently peanut butter all over the US has been contaminated by salmonella. Here is the story of the tainted processed legume product.
Image credit: Sparta Systems
Archive for the ‘Medical’ Category
Peanut Butter of Death
Sunday, January 20th, 2013The Link Between Exercise and Fertility
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Here’s one for the ladies.
There are a number of factors that can affect your ability to create a new life. While most of us have a fair notion of how babies are made, it’s not always as simple as getting busy. There could be all kinds of things standing in your way.
My grandmother once told me that a tipped uterus was causing her problems for months until a doctor suggested that she stand on her head after sex. According to her, it worked like a charm and that’s how my mother was conceived.
The point is that you might be facing something of an uphill battle when it comes to starting a family. And if you’re young and in relatively good health, with no major medical issues barring you from getting pregnant, you might start to wonder why it’s taking so long.
In case you didn’t know, your exercise routine could be to blame, and while this post is written for women, it applies to men too.
(more…)Meth Mayhem Alert Indicates Use Of Drug On Rise
Thursday, January 3rd, 2013This is a Project Swole Public Service Announcement
While many recent reports point to a decrease in the use of methamphetamine over the past few years, some experts believe addiction trends are manifesting in the form of meth mayhem. Drug use is on the rise across the United States, including continued patterns in the dangerous stimulant drug. Obtaining a modern-day understanding of meth addiction provides insight that could help us detect and prevent tragedy.
Meth mayhem is not only affecting rural communities but is plaguing society as a whole and the idea of a “meth user,” is not necessarily always correct. In fact, many adolescents are using this drug because of its availability and price.
(more…)Using Exercise to Help Prevent Diabetes
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013What is Diabetes?
As you may or may not know, diabetes is a metabolic disorder by which the body either fails to produce adequate amounts of insulin needed to properly break down glucose in the blood, or cells in the body are simply unable to react properly to the insulin that is created, leading to the same results.
Those who suffer from this disease may have side effects like frequent urination and thirst, but it can also lead to more serious complications like:
- glaucoma
- infections
- ulcers
- neuropathy (nerve damage)
- heart disease
- an inability of the body to heal wounds
- and in extreme cases, amputation of extremities
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle is Important for Optimal Vision
Saturday, December 29th, 2012Your Lifestyle WILL Affect The Health of Your Eyes
Everyone knows how important it is for all of us to have a healthy vision. It is equally important to identify ways through which we can keep our vision healthy all our life. The eye specialists’ training in most countries is becoming more comprehensive and this particular medical field has experienced major advancements in eye diseases treatments and laser surgeries to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. However, the underlying problem that initiates or causes the problem is not yet addressed to.
The type of degenerative change that occurs in our eyes in older age is known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is one of the most prominent reasons vision impairment occurs in aging population, affecting 1 in every 4 people who are 65 or older. Macular degeneration occurs as your retina degenerates as a result of aging, causing you to face visibility problems, especially during night.
Fortunately, today measures can be taken to prevent such changes from taking place. Preventing macular degeneration related with aging is basically a science known as anti-aging. The common knowledge of this science is that we must adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to improve our health condition. But to your amazement, adopting a healthy lifestyle can even have a positive impact on your vision too.
5 Simple Health Tests You Can Perform at Home
Friday, December 28th, 2012Home Health Tests
Not every cough and sniffle calls for a visit to the doctor’s office, nor does every scrape and burn necessitate an expensive trip to the emergency room. In most cases you can tell if a home remedy will do the trick or if professional medical care is advisable, but you will certainly have occasions where you’re just not sure if the symptoms will pass or if you need professional help.
Many people would probably appreciate having ways to determine their relative state of health between annual physicals or check-ups in order to see if they need additional care or alternately, if their efforts to improve health and fitness are paying off. So here are just a few simple health tests that you can perform on your own at home to check yourself out.
Temperature
Fevers are indicative of an infection, or rather, they are the result of your body fighting an infection. In most cases there is no cause for concern. Although a fever will make you feel pretty awful, the majority are low-grade and break within a matter of hours or just a couple of days.
Introducing… Whole Body Vibration Training??
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 Vibration Training Then |
I couldn’t believe this when I saw it. About as useful as EMS and slightly less comical than the Shake Weight. Now you can spend $100 a month for a membership to a Virbrational Training studio, where you undergo EMF (electric and magnetic field) treatments. Yes, the same EMF that has been widely reported for decades to be linked to such unhealthy effects as perturbed sleep patterns, altered heart rhythms, and cancer. Think: powerlines, building wiring, microwaves, appliances, and cell phones.
But, what the heck, why not bring back an out-dated fat-loss philosophy from back in the 70’s and 80’s. Remember those vibrational fat loss machines? I’ve met a handful of women who remember standing around in these things at the gym, waiting for their butt-fat to vibrate away into oblivion. Have you see any of these machines in the last 20 years? No? Think there could be a reason for that?
As is the standard with American culture, where we are always looking for greater returns for lesser effort, this is another Less-Time – Less-Effort weight loss / muscle gain strategy. They advertise “10 Minutes = 1 hour at the gym” using “NASA Technology” and an “FDA Approved Medical Device”. Most of the studies conducted involve short treatments, often 10 minutes, once or twice a day. The site and its supporting “research articles” are full of “might”s, “could”s, and “may”s, which is always reassuring.
Proof That Doctors Don’t Know Everything
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 |
No offense to doctors, but in my experience, when it comes to fitness and nutrition…
Scientists > Doctors
And then of course there are the scientists who ARE doctors. Usually you can’t go wrong there.
What Causes Strokes in Healthy People?
Friday, September 2nd, 2011The prevalence of stroke victims in the US has increased in recent years. A study analyzed the history of over 8 million hospital patients from 1995 to 2008 has identified a 33% increased risk of suffering from a stroke if you are between the ages of 5 and 44.
Strokes Caused by Blood Clots
Contributing factors were found to be diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), blood lipid disorders, tobacco use, and obesity. People with one or more of those factors have a greater chance of developing an ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots. High blood pressure was reported in 50% of the stroke victims, and being male and over the age of 35 puts you at an even greater risk than anyone else. Great!
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Important New Medical Innovations
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011I don’t have the time or patience to write a new article today or for the past week, so here are a couple links you can read with decent info about recent medical advances that might help keep you healthier. These new gadgets range from stem cells that can rebuild damaged heart tissue, to intestinal liners that restrict the absorption of excess calories, to bacteria that will keep you from ever getting tooth decay. As you read this great news, just imagine the kinds of devices and genetic tools we’ll have in just 10 more years.
5 Medical Innovations That Will Build Muscle or Burn Fat
5 Medical Advances That Sound too Good to be True
Also, I’m sorry I haven’t been answering questions lately or posting any good new content. As always I have many great plans in the works, but life is just taking precedence over maintaining a blog right now. Hoping to get back at it full time really soon.
“Gluten-Free” Does Not Always Mean Gluten-Free
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 |
Foods that claim to be gluten-free are not always gluten-free. Many of those foods actually have enough gluten to cause gastrointestinal distress in those who are intolerant to wheat protein, also known as celiac disease. Gluten is actually defined as the protein contained in wheat, barley, rye, and other similar grains.
How can food manufacturers get away with this? It’s actually not entirely their fault, as there has never been an established US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation to define just how much gluten can be in gluten-free foods.
What is the Standard for Gluten-Free?
As of this writing, manufacturers can decide how much gluten they put in their gluten-free foods. However, the FDA is now planning to push through a standard for gluten-free food, that manufacturers will be required to meet before they can put gluten-free labels on their packaging.
The Feds are proposing that gluten-free food – usually wheat products like cookies, cakes, and breads – should contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. At those levels lab tests are unable to detect the presence of gluten, thus meeting the label claim of “gluten-free”.
(more…)
3 Common Summer Fitness Mistakes
Thursday, July 21st, 2011 |
How to Workout in 100+ Degree Heat
Weather experts have predicted that it’s going to get up to 105 degrees today, where I live in southern NH. Those crazy temperatures have prompted me to write this quick note about exercising in the summer heat.
If you are dedicated to fitness, that means you are exercising even when it’s 110 degrees outside in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, that level of dedication can get you into trouble if you don’t make safe decisions. The kind of trouble that can put you in the hospital or worse.
Here are 3 mistakes that people commonly make when they exercise in the dead heat of summer.
Wear proper clothing
Cotton is your summer nemesis. When you exercise, cotton clothing will hold sweaty moisture, which can cause chaffing and rashes. Cotton socks swell with moisture, causing them to lose their shape, which can lead to blisters – the deadly enemy of lower body training. Sweaty clothing also weighs you down, making exercise harder, which causes you to sweat more. It is a dangerous cycle.
Yes Hayden Gray, Plastic Containers do Decrease Testosterone Levels
Sunday, May 15th, 2011Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
Hayden Gray wrote:
“HAHA! Diet soda in plastic can decrease testosterone levels? HAHAHA!
Because of what the plastic is made out of? Oh, so if i drink water out of plastic my testosterone levels will drop. Most stupid thing ive ever heard. And if you think you’re right, where is the scientific evidence?”
Response:
Keep in mind that it’s pretty easy to avoid diet soda in plastic containers, simply by drinking is out of a can or glass. Regarding the safety of plastic containers, I have this to say:
Some people do agree with you about plastic containers, but facts are facts – using plastic containers will increase your estrogen levels thanks to Xenoestrogens such as PCB, BPA and Phthalates. The also reportedly decrease testosterone, specifically in young kids and pregnant mothers.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326100714.htm
https://www.facebook.com/notes/faggiano-chiropractic/effects-of-palstic-products-on-testosterone/203842699650612
https://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.8451
https://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.7713
https://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut244.htm
https://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_senior/high_levels_of_bpa_
And look, here’s evidence that pregnant women shouldn’t use plastic containers because it can damage their child’s reproductive organs.
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2002/110pA703-A707schonfelder/schonfelder-full.html
Intermittent Fasting Helps Prevent Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Lowers Cholesterol
Monday, April 11th, 2011Eating 5 or more meals a day is great for weight gain, but not so good for weight loss, and is not optimal for good health.
We already know that increased meal frequency does not increase the metabolism or decrease appetite. In fact eating more than 3 meals each day can often lead to increased calorie consumption over time, because people eventually get bored and tend to begin to ignore their meal portions, which results in overeating.
Conversely, we know that fasting tends to decrease your appetite once you get past that first 6 hour fasting window. We also know that intermittent fasting lowers insulin resistance and blood pressure, and promote lightening-fast weight loss. Knowing those facts, here are a couple more great reasons to switch to an Intermittent Fasting lifestyle, for good health and efficient fat loss.
First, The Study Results
To keep you interested, we’ll talk about the research results first, then we’ll look at the studies.
New studies on periodic fasting by the American College of Cardiology have determined:
- periodic intermittent fasting seems to reduce the risk of falling victim to type 2 diabetes by 50%
- intermittent fasting also decreases your risk of developing heart disease
- HDL cholesterol increases during an intermittent fast
- triglycerides decrease during an intermittent fast
- human growth hormone (HGH) levels increase during a fast, leading to weight loss and muscle gain
- HGH increases by a factor of 20 in men and a factor of 13 in women, on average
5 Risks Associated with Working Out
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011It feels terrible and amazing at the same time. There isn’t much else in the world that’s as necessary and as good for you. It pumps you up, builds positive energy (not to mention muscles), and keeps you alert. Working out is nearly perfect. Nearly.
There are risks associated with exercising that can ruin the experience of staying in shape and looking your best. Let’s take a look at 5 of them.
How to Treat Shin Splints
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011| Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
Kalee wrote:
I have shin splints right now so I can’t run or bike or anything but lift weights while sitting and do core exercises… unless you can think of anything that I could do for cardio that wouldn’t require me to use my legs. What exercises [should I use] until my shin splints heal? Thanks!
Response:
If you haven’t managed to avoid shin splints, then it is obvious that you haven’t read and understood my article about How to Avoid Shins Splints, but first, if you haven’t already, you should take a couple minutes to understand What Are Shin Splints. Once you’ve become well versed on shin splints, you can now read about how heal or treat shin splints. Let’s get this problem under control so you can get back to training.
 How to Treat Shin Splints |
How to Avoid Shin Splints
Thursday, January 20th, 2011 You can’t sprint with shin splints |
Isn’t it obvious that we wouldn’t have to know how to recover from shin splints if we could avoid them in the first place? In order to understand how to avoid shin splints, we must first understand What Are Shin Splints. Then we can better understand how to proactively avoid them. We need to learn more about who gets shin splints, how to properly warm up and stretch the lower leg, and finally we need a method of strengthening those muscles. Assuming we can’t avoid shin splints, we will need to understand How to Treat Shin Splints.
Now, let’s examine the best ways to avoid shin splints by first understanding who is in danger of developing them.
Who Gets Shin Splints?
Athletes, weekend warriors, and even military recruits often experience shin splints, especially at the beginning of the season. Sometimes treatment can be as simple as changing to softer running surface or adding extra arch support to shoes to redistribute the stress. Active rest is often recommended by doctors as a primary treatment. This means that a runner should take up non-impact exercises such as swimming or biking, which gives the injured areas time to heal, but also maintains the cardiovascular benefits of exercise.
It is also believed that people with misalignment often develop problems such as shin splints. Misalignment to the knee, pelvis, ankle, neck, and spine, can result in abnormal posture and abnormal ROM at different joints, which causes excessive wear and tear on bones, joints, and muscles.
What Are Shin Splints?
Sunday, January 9th, 2011 What Are Shin Splints? |
What is a Shin Splint?
“Shin splints” is a term used to describe the pain felt between the knee and the ankle after athletic activity, and are considered a cumulative stress disorder rather than an acute injury. This painful condition occurs when muscles and tendons in the lower legs pull on the tibia bone along the shin.
There are several reasons why athletes develop shin splints, but ultimately we can say they develop when the constant stress placed on the joints, bones, and muscles of the lower leg overwhelms the body’s natural ability to recover from trauma.
The most common cause is inflammation of the periostium, the sheath that surrounds the tibia. Traction forces on the periostium from the muscles of the lower leg cause shin pain and inflammation.
Being Overweight Could Cost You More Than $8000 a Year
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 Obesity is Expensive |
Consider the statistics:
- 72 million adults are considered obese (defined by the BMI being over 30)
- 84.8 million adults have no leisure-time physical activity
- total obesity-related health care costs are estimated at $147 billion
Those are some frustrating numbers.
Given those ridiculous health care costs, and all the other money that you have to shell out food, clothing, fad weight loss gimmicks, etc… just how much does it cost annually for the average person to be obese?
A recent study conducted by George Washington University researchers found that the annual cost of being overweight is $8,365 for men and $6,518 for women with an obesity-related shortened life span factored in.
Do Not Use Dr. Mostafa El Sherif as Your Dentist
Monday, July 26th, 2010 Dentist |
Here is my review of a local dentist from Concord, NH. Dr. Mostafa El Sherif is one of the few dentists in the area to specialize in cosmetic dentistry. He does lots of work on teeth whitening, bridges, implants, caps, veneers, etc… Too bad he’s rude, uncompassionate, and greedy.
Why to Avoid Dr. Mostafa El-Sherif
Dr. Mostafa El-Sherif is a scumbag. All he cares about is the almighty dollar. Let me tell you about a situation wherein Sally, we will call her Sally, had a loose veneer on her front tooth. It started to become so loose that after a while that it would fall out randomly while talking or walking and it caused her great stress while eating.
On the first visit, all Sally wanted was for Dr. El-Sherif to cement the tooth back onto its post while she saved up to pay for a full implant. Dr. El-Sherif refused, saying instead that it would be cheaper, easier, and better for everyone if she could just come back with the money to replace BOTH of her front teeth. Since the second tooth was also a veneer, he wanted to take both teeth out (extractions) and replace them with implants for well-over $10,000. He wouldn’t do a thing for her without that money up front.
Now, Sally has no dental insurance and she sure as hell doesn’t have $10k sitting in the bank. El-Sherif would not help her at all. Instead he left everything alone and refused to do any work until she could come up with the payment in full. All she wanted was to have the veneer cemented back onto the post so that it wouldn’t constantly bug her until she could save up for the implant.
