A truck driver was doing his usual delivery to the Mental Hospital.
He discovered a flat tire when he was about to leave.
He jacked up the truck and took the flat tire off.
When he was about to replace the flat tire with the spare tire, he accidentally dropped all the nuts into a storm drain. Realizing he can't fish the nuts out, he starts to panic.

A patient walking by asks him what happened. The driver told him his problem.

And the patient said "Can't even fix such a simple problem... no wonder you are destined to be a truck driver..."

"Here's what you can do, take one nut each from the other 3 tires and then tighten them on to the spare. Then drive to the nearest garage and replace the missing ones, easy as that!"

The driver was very impressed and asked:

"You're so smart but why are you here in a Mental Hospital?"

Patient replied:
"Hello, I am here because I'm CRAZY, not STUPID!!"

*Age matters! 

*A group of old friends, all aged about 40, discussed where they should meet for lunch for their reunion.*

*Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant, because the waitresses there were pretty.*

*Ten years later, at age 50, the friends once again discussed where they should meet for lunch.*

*Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was good and the wine selection was excellent.*

*Ten years later, at age 60, the friends again discussed where they should meet for lunch.*

*Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could dine in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.*

*Ten years later, at age 70,the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.*

*Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheelchair ♿ accessible and had an elevator.⬆⬇*

*Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.*

*Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before!*

    *Age with grace,*

      ENJOY LIFE!*

The 14 Most Common Signs of Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerance is a fairly common problem.

It is characterized by adverse reactions to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance.

It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and may lead to damage in the digestive system.

However, 0.5–13% of people may also have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten intolerance that can still cause problems.

Both forms of gluten intolerance can cause widespread symptoms, many of which have nothing to do with digestion.

Here are the 14 main signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance.

1. Bloating

Bloating is when you feel as if your belly is swollen or full of gas after you've eaten. This can make you feel miserable.

Although bloating is very common and can have many explanations, it may also be a sign of gluten intolerance.

In fact, feeling bloated is one of the most common complaints of people who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten.

One study showed that 87% of people who had suspected non-celiac gluten

Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance. It involves the belly feeling swollen after eating.ensitivity experienced bloating.

2. Diarrhea, Constipation and Smelly Feces

Occasionally getting diarrhea and constipation is normal, but it may be a cause for concern if it happens regularly.

These also happen to be a common symptom of gluten intolerance.

Individuals with celiac disease experience inflammation in the small intestine after eating gluten.

This damages the gut lining and leads to poor nutrient absorption, resulting in significant digestive discomfort and frequent diarrhea or constipation.

However, gluten may also cause digestive symptoms in some people who don't have celiac disease.

More than 50% of gluten-sensitive individuals regularly experience diarrhea, while about 25% experience constipation.

Furthermore, individuals with celiac disease may experience pale and foul-smelling feces due to poor nutrient absorption.

Frequent diarrhea can cause some major health concerns, such as loss of electrolytes, dehydration and fatigue.

Gluten-intolerant people commonly experience diarrhea or constipation. Celiac disease patients may also experience pale and foul-smelling feces.

3. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is very common and can have numerous explanations.

However, it is also the single most common symptom of an intolerance to gluten.

Up to 83% of those with gluten intolerance experience abdominal pain and discomfort after eating gluten.

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of gluten intolerance, experienced by up to 83% of gluten intolerant individuals.

4. Headaches

Many people experience headaches or migraines once in a while.

Migraines are a common condition, with 10–12% of the Western population experiencing them regularly.

Interestingly, studies have shown that gluten-intolerant individuals may be more prone to migraines than others.

If you have regular headaches or migraines without any apparent cause, you could be sensitive to gluten.

Gluten-intolerant individuals seem to be more prone to migraines than healthy people.

5. Feeling Tired

Feeling tired is very common and usually not linked to any disease.

However, if you constantly feel very tired, then you should explore the possibility of an underlying cause.

Gluten-intolerant individuals are very prone to fatigue and tiredness, especially after eating foods that contain gluten.

Studies have shown that 60–82% of gluten-intolerant individuals commonly experience tiredness and fatigue.

Furthermore, gluten intolerance can also cause iron-deficiency anemia, which in turn will cause more tiredness and lack of energy.

Feeling extremely tired is another common symptom, affecting about 60–82% of gluten-intolerant individuals.

6. Skin Problems

Gluten intolerance can also affect your skin.

A blistering skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of celiac disease.

Everyone who has the disease is sensitive to gluten, but less than 10% of patients experience digestive symptoms that indicate celiac disease.

Furthermore, several other skin diseases have shown improvement while on a gluten-free diet. These include.:

• Psoriasis: An inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by scaling and reddening of the skin.

• Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disease that appears as non-scarring hair loss.

• Chronic urticaria: A skin condition characterized by recurrent, itchy, pink or red lesions with pale centers.

7. Depression

Depression affects about 6% of adults each year. The symptoms can be very disabling and involve feelings of hopelessness and sadness.

People with digestive issues seem to be more prone to both anxiety and depression, compared to healthy individuals.

This is especially common among people who have celiac disease.

There are a few theories about how gluten intolerance can drive depression. These include :

• Abnormal serotonin levels: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that allows cells to communicate. It is commonly known as one of the "happiness" hormones. Decreased amounts of it have been linked with depression.

• Gluten exorphins: These peptides are formed during the digestion of some of the gluten proteins. They may interfere with the central nervous system, which may raise the risk of depression.

• Changes in the gut microbiota: Increased amounts of harmful bacteria and decreased amounts of beneficial bacteria may affect the central nervous system, increasing the risk of depression.

Several studies have shown that depressed individuals with self-reported gluten intolerance want to continue a gluten-free diet because they feel better, even though their digestive symptoms may not be resolved.

That suggests that gluten exposure on its own may induce feelings of depression, irrespective to digestive symptoms.

Depression is more common among individuals with gluten intolerance.

8. Unexplained Weight Loss

An unexpected weight change is often a cause for concern.

Although it can stem from various reasons, unexplained weight loss is a common side effect of undiagnosed celiac disease.

In one study in celiac disease patients, two-thirds had lost weight in the six months leading up to their diagnosis..

The weight loss may be explained by a variety of digestive symptoms, coupled with poor nutrient absorption.

Unexpected weight loss may be a sign of celiac disease, especially if coupled with other digestive symptoms.

9. Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and accounts for anemia in 5% and 2% of American women and men, respectively.

Iron deficiency causes symptoms such as low blood volume, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, pale skin and weakness.

In celiac disease, nutrient absorption in the small intestine is impaired, resulting in a reduced amount of iron being absorbed from food.

Iron deficiency anemia may be among the first symptoms of celiac disease that your doctor notices.

Recent studies suggest that iron deficiency may be significant in both children and adults with celiac disease.

Celiac disease may cause poor absorption of iron from your diet, causing iron-deficiency anemia.

10. Anxiety

Anxiety may affect 3–30% of people worldwide.

It involves feelings of worry, nervousness, unease and agitation. Furthermore, it often goes hand-in-hand with depression.

Individuals with gluten intolerance seem to be more prone to anxiety and panic disorders than healthy individuals.

Additionally, a study showed that up to 40% of individuals with self-reported gluten sensitivity stated that they regularly experienced anxiety

Gluten-intolerant individuals seem to be more prone to anxiety than healthy individuals.

11. Autoimmune Disorders

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your digestive tract after you consume .

Interestingly, having this autoimmune disease makes you more prone to other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease.

Furthermore, autoimmune thyroid disorders may be a risk factor for developing emotional and depressive disorders.

This also makes celiac disease more common in people that have other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune liver diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

However, non-celiac gluten sensitivity has not been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders, malabsorption or nutritional deficiencies.

Individuals with autoimmune diseases like celiac disease are more likely to get other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disorders.

12. Joint and Muscle Pain

There are numerous reasons why people experience joint and muscle pain.

There is a theory that those with celiac disease have a genetically determined over-sensitive or over-excitable nervous system.

Therefore, they may have a lower threshold to activate sensory neurons that cause pain in muscles and joints.

Moreover, gluten exposure may cause inflammation in gluten-sensitive individuals. The inflammation may result in widespread pain, including in joints and muscles.

Gluten-intolerant individuals commonly report joint and muscle pain. This is possibly due to an over-sensitive nervous system.

13. Leg or Arm Numbness

Another surprising symptom of gluten intolerance is neuropathy, which involves numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.

This condition is common in individuals with diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency. It can also be caused by toxicity and alcohol consumption.

However, individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity seem to be at a higher risk of experiencing arm and leg numbness, compared to healthy control groups.

While the exact cause is not known, some have linked this symptom to the presence of certain antibodies related to gluten intolerance 

Gluten intolerance may cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.

14. Brain Fog

"Brain fog" refers to the feeling of being unable to think clearly.

People have described it as being forgetful, having difficulty thinking, feeling cloudy and having mental fatigue.

Having a "foggy mind" is a common symptom of gluten intolerance, affecting up to 40% of gluten-intolerant individuals.

This symptom may be caused by a reaction to certain antibodies in gluten, but the exact reason is unknown.

Gluten-intolerant individuals may experience brain fog. It involves having difficulty thinking, mental fatigue and forgetfulness.

Take Home Message

Gluten intolerance can have numerous symptoms.

However, keep in mind that most of the symptoms on the list above may have other explanations as well.

Nevertheless, if you regularly experience some of them without an apparent cause, then you may be reacting negatively to the gluten in your diet.

In this case, you should consult with a doctor or try temporarily removing gluten from your diet to see if it helps.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/signs-you-are-gluten-intolerant

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a compound that helps generate energy in your cells.

Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, but its production tends to decrease with age. Fortunately, you can also get CoQ10 through supplements or foods.

Health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes, and cancer have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.

It is not clear whether low levels of CoQ10 cause these diseases or are a result of them.

One thing is for certain: plenty of research has revealed CoQ10’s wide range of health benefits.

Here is all you need to know about CoQ10.

What Is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is a compound made by your body and stored in the mitochondria of your cells.

The mitochondria are in charge of producing energy. They also protect cells from oxidative damage and disease-causing bacteria or viruses.

CoQ10 production decreases as you age. Thus, older people seem to be deficient in this compound.

Some other causes of CoQ10 deficiency include :

• Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B6 deficiency

• Genetic defects in CoQ10 synthesis or utilization

• Increased demands by tissues as a consequence of disease

• Mitochondrial diseases

• Oxidative stress due to aging

• Side effects of statin treatments

Research has shown that CoQ10 plays several key roles in your body.

One of its primary functions is to help generate energy in your cells. It’s involved in making adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is involved in energy transfer within cells.

Its other crucial role is to serve as an antioxidant and protect cells from oxidative damage.

Excessive amounts of free radicals lead to oxidative damage, which can interfere with regular cell functioning. This is known to cause many health conditions.

Given that ATP is used to carry out all the body's functions and oxidative damage is destructive to cells, it is not surprising that some chronic diseases have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.

CoQ10 is present in every cell of your body. However, the highest concentrations are found in organs with the greatest energy demands, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver.

The following is a list of the 9 main benefits of CoQ10.

1. It May Help Treat Heart Failure

Heart failure is often a consequence of other heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure.

These conditions can lead to increased oxidative damage and inflammation of the veins and arteries.

Heart failure occurs when these problems affect the heart to the point that it is unable to regularly contract, relax or pump blood through the body

To make matters worse, some treatments for heart failure have undesirable side effects, such as low blood pressure, while others could even further reduce CoQ10 levels.

In a study of 420 people with heart failure, treatment with CoQ10 for two years improved their symptoms and reduced their risk of dying from heart problems.

Also, another study treated 641 people with CoQ10 or a placebo for a year. At the end of the study, those in the CoQ10 group had been hospitalized less frequently for worsening heart failure and had fewer serious complications.

It seems that treatment with CoQ10 could assist with restoring optimal levels of energy production, reduce oxidative damage and improve heart function, all of which can aid the treatment of heart failure 

SUMMARY: CoQ10 seems to help treat heart failure by improving heart function, increasing ATP production and limiting oxidative damage..

2. It Could Help With Fertility

Female fertility decreases with age due to a decline in the number and quality of available eggs.

CoQ10 is directly involved in this process. As you age, CoQ10 production slows, making the body less effective at protecting the eggs from oxidative damage.

Supplementing with CoQ10 seems to help and may even reverse this age-related decline in egg quality and quantity.

Similarly, male sperm is susceptible to the effects of oxidative damage, which may result in reduced sperm count, poor sperm quality and infertility

Several studies have concluded that supplementing with CoQ10 may improve sperm quality, activity and concentration by increasing antioxidant protection

SUMMARY:The antioxidant properties of CoQ10 could help improve sperm quality and reduce the decline in the number and quality of eggs in women.

3. It Might Help Keep Your Skin Young

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it’s widely exposed to damaging agents that contribute to aging.

These agents can be internal or external. Some internal damaging factors include cellular damage and hormonal imbalances. External factors include environmental agents, such as UV rays.

Harmful elements can lead to reduced skin moisture and protection from environmental aggressors, as well as the thinning of the layers of the skin

Applying CoQ10 directly to the skin can reduce the damage from internal and external agents by increasing energy production in skin cells and promoting antioxidant protection.

In fact, CoQ10 applied directly to the skin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV rays and even decrease the depth of wrinkles.

Lastly, people with low levels of CoQ10 seems to be more likely to develop skin cancer 

SUMMARY:When applied directly to the skin, CoQ10 can reduce sun damage and increase antioxidant protection. Supplementing with CoQ10 may also help decrease the risk of skin cancer.

4. It Could Reduce Headaches

Abnormal mitochondrial function can lead to an increased calcium uptake by the cells, the excessive production of free radicals and decreased antioxidant protection. This can result in low energy in the brain cells and even migraines.

Since CoQ10 lives mainly in the mitochondria of the cells, it has been shown to improve mitochondrial function and help decrease the inflammation that may occur during migraines.

In fact, a study showed that supplementing with CoQ10 was three times more likely than a placebo to reduce the number of migraines in 42 people.

Additionally, CoQ10 deficiency has been observed in people suffering from migraines.

One larger study showed that 1,550 people with low CoQ10 levels experienced fewer and less severe headaches after treatment with CoQ10

What’s more, it seems that CoQ10 not only helps treat migraines but may also prevent them 

SUMMARY:Supplementing with CoQ10 seems to help prevent and treat migraines, as it increases mitochondrial function and reduces inflammation.

5. It Could Help With Exercise Performance

Oxidative stress can affect muscle function, and thus, exercise performance.

Similarly, abnormal mitochondrial function can reduce muscle energy, making it hard for muscles to contract efficiently and sustain exercise.

CoQ10 can help exercise performance by decreasing oxidative stress in the cells and improving mitochondrial functions.

In fact, one study investigated the effects of CoQ10 on physical activity. Those supplementing with 1,200 mg of CoQ10 per day for 60 days showed decreased oxidative stress 

Moreover, supplementing with CoQ10 can help increase power during exercise and reduce fatigue, both of which can improve exercise performance

SUMMARY:Exercise performance can be affected by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. CoQ10 can help lower oxidative damage, promote exercise capacity and decrease fatigue.

6. It Could Help With Diabetes

Oxidative stress can induce cell damage. This can result in metabolic diseases like diabetes.

Abnormal mitochondrial function has also been linked to insulin resistance.

CoQ10 has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels.

Supplementing with CoQ10 might also help increase CoQ10 concentrations in the blood by up to three times in people with diabetes who typically show low levels of this compound.

Also, one study had people with type 2 diabetes supplement with CoQ10 for 12 weeks. Doing so significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C, which is the average of blood sugar levels over the past two to three months 

Lastly, CoQ10 might help prevent diabetes by stimulating the breakdown of fats and reducing the accumulation of fat cells that could lead to obesity or type 2 diabetes

SUMMARY:Supplementing with CoQ10 can help increase insulin sensitivity and improve blood sugar levels.

7. It Might Play a Role in Cancer Prevention

Oxidative stress is known to cause cell damage and affect their function.

If your body is unable to effectively fight oxidative damage, the structure of your cells can become damaged, possibly increasing the risk of cancer.

CoQ10 may protect cells from oxidative stress and promote cellular energy production, promoting their health and survival .

Interestingly, cancer patients have been shown to have lower levels of CoQ10.

Low levels of CoQ10 have been associated with up to a 53.3% higher risk of cancer and indicate a poor prognosis for various types of cancer

What’s more, one study also suggested that supplementing with CoQ10 may help reduce the chance of cancer recurrence

SUMMARY:CoQ10 plays a critical role in the protection of cell DNA and cell survival, both of which are strongly linked to cancer prevention and recurrence.

8. It Is Good for the Brain

Mitochondria are the main energy generators of brain cells.

Mitochondrial function tends to decrease with age. Total mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to the death of brain cells and diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Unfortunately, the brain is very susceptible to oxidative damage due to its high fatty acid content and its high demand for oxygen.

This oxidative damage enhances the production of harmful compounds that could affect memory, cognition and physical functions .

CoQ10 may reduce these harmful compounds, possibly slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

SUMMARY:CoQ10 has been shown to protect brain cells from oxidative damage and reduce the action of harmful compounds that can lead to brain disease.

9. CoQ10 Could Protect the Lungs

Of all your organs, your lungs have the most contact with oxygen. This makes them very susceptible to oxidative damage.

Increased oxidative damage in the lungs and poor antioxidant protection, including low levels of CoQ10, can result in lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Furthermore, it has been shown that people suffering from these conditions present lower levels of CoQ10.

A study demonstrated that supplementing with CoQ10 reduced inflammation in individuals who had asthma, as well as their need for steroid medications to treat it.

Another study showed improvements in exercise performance in those suffering from COPD. This was observed through better tissue oxygenation and heart rate after supplementing with CoQ10 

SUMMARY:CoQ10 can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation that results in diseases of the lungs.

Dosage and Side Effects

CoQ10 comes in two different forms — ubiquinol and ubiquinone.

Ubiquinol accounts for 90% of the CoQ10 in the blood and is the most absorbable form. Thus, it's recommended to choose from supplements containing the ubiquinol form 

The standard dose of CoQ10 ranges from 90 mg to 200 mg per day. Doses up to 500 mg seem well tolerated, and several studies have used even higher doses without any serious side effects.

Because CoQ10 is a fat-soluble compound, its absorption is slow and limited. However, taking CoQ10 supplements with food can help your body absorb it up to three times faster than taking it without food.

Additionally, some products offer a solubilized form of CoQ10, or a combination of CoQ10 and oils, to improve its absorption.

Your body does not store CoQ10. Therefore, its continued use is recommended to see its benefits .

Supplementing with CoQ10 appears to be well tolerated by humans and have low toxicity.

In fact, participants in some studies showed no major side effects taking daily doses of 1,200 mg for 16 months.

However, if side effects appear, it is recommended to divide the daily dose into two to three smaller doses.

SUMMARY:Since CoQ10 is fat-soluble, it is recommended to take it with food or use products that combine it with oils to improve its absorption. Supplementing with CoQ10 appears to be well tolerated by individuals and has low toxicity.

Food Sources of CoQ10

While you can easily consume CoQ10 as a supplement, it can also be found in some foods.

It appears that CoQ10 is similarly absorbed in capsule form or through foods.

The following foods contain CoQ10:

• Organ meats: Heart, liver and kidney

• Some muscle meats: Pork, beef and chicken

• Fatty fish: Trout, herring, mackerel and sardine

• Vegetables: Spinach, cauliflower and broccoli

• Fruit: Oranges and strawberries

• Legumes: Soybeans, lentils and peanuts

• Nuts and seeds: Sesame seeds and pistachios

• Oils: Soybean and canola oil

SUMMARY:CoQ10 is found in some foods, especially organ meats. Also, it seems that it’s as equally well absorbed through foods as it is through supplements.

The Bottom Line

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound that seems to have many health benefits.

It is involved in the production of cellular energy and serves as an antioxidant.

These properties make it helpful in the preservation of cells and the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases.

CoQ10 has been shown to help improve heart health and blood sugar regulation, assist in the prevention and treatment of cancer and reduce the frequency of migraines.

It could also reduce the oxidative damage that leads to muscle fatigue, skin damage and brain and lung diseases.

CoQ10 can be found as a supplement that seems to be well tolerated. Additionally, it’s found in some foods like animal organs, vegetables and legumes.

Since CoQ10 production decreases with age, adults of every age could benefit from more of it.

Whether you consume more foods with a high CoQ10 content or take supplements, CoQ10 could benefit your health.

Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals. The human body requires at least 100 milligrams of potassium daily to support key processes.

A high potassium intake reduces the risk of overall mortality by 20 percent . It also decreases the risk of stroke, lowers blood pressure, protects against loss of muscle mass, preserves bone mineral density, and reduces the formation of kidney stones.

The primary functions of potassium in the body include regulating fluid balance and controlling the electrical activity of the heart and other muscles.

This MNT Knowledge Center article provides an in-depth look at recommended intake of potassium, its possible health benefits, reliable sources of potassium, the effects of consuming too much or too little potassium, and any potential health risks of consuming potassium.

Fast Facts on Potassium

• Adults should be consuming 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day. However, fewer than two percent of people in the U.S. consume enough potassium.

• Potassium supports blood pressure, cardiovascular health, bone strength, and muscle strength.

• Beet greens, white beans, soy beans, and lima beans are the foods highest in potassium.

• Potassium deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, and constipation. It can escalate to paralysis, respiratory failure, and painful gut obstructions.

• Hyperkalemia means that there is too much potassium in the blood, and this can also impact health.

• Potassium is available in supplements, but dietary sources are most healthful.

The Adequate Intake recommendation for potassium is 4,700 milligrams (mg) per day for adults. Most adults do not meet this recommendation.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) also reported that less than two percent of people in the U.S. meet the daily 4,700-mg potassium requirement. Women consume less potassium than men on average.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend an intake of 3,510 mg per day  and agree that most of the global population is not meeting this recommendation.

Potassium supplements are available. However, it is best to obtain any vitamin or mineral through food. It is not individual vitamins or minerals that make certain foods important for healthful living, but the combined efforts of a range of nutrients.

Benefits

Potassium carries proven health benefits.

It is an electrolyte that counteracts the effects of sodium, helping to maintain consistent blood pressure. Potassium is also important for maintaining the balance of acids and bases in the body. Bases are alkalis that have not yet dissolved in water.

Blood pressure and cardiovascular health

Low potassium intake has repeatedly been linked with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, but ensuring a good intake of potassium may be just as important.

An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium is crucial to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In one study, those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed about 1,000 mg per day.

Bone and muscle maintenance

Potassium-rich foods maintain an alkaline environment in the body, unlike in acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is triggered by a diet full of acidifying foods like meat, dairy products, and processed cereal grains. Acidosis is a common outcome of the typically acidic Western diet.

Acidosis can cause nitrogen excretion, loss in bone mineral density, and muscle wasting. A diet high in potassium can help preserve muscle mass in older people, as well as during conditions that tend to lead to muscle wasting, such as diabetic ketosis. However, a sufficient potassium intake can help prevent this.

One study found that participants that took in 5,266 milligrams of potassium per day maintained an average of 3.6 more pounds of lean tissue mass than those with a potassium intake 50 percent lower. Some studies also show an increase in bone density with high potassium intake.

Potassium is found in many whole, unprocessed foods.

Some of the best sources of potassium are fresh leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans. Processing greatly reduces the amount of dietary potassium. A diet high in processed foods is probably low in potassium.

Many processed foods are also high in sodium. As sodium consumption rises, increased potassium is needed to cancel out the effect of sodium on blood pressure.

Here is a table showing the nutritional benefit provided by one cup of the most potassium-rich foods.

A good way to reduce the harmful effects of high-sodium meals is to eat a high-potassium fruit or vegetable with each meal.

There are many more sources of potassium outside of this list. Be sure to check the potassium content of any preferred foods using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database.

Potassium deficiency can cause a range of symptoms and health problems. It is also known as hypokalemia.

A normal potassium level is defined as between 3.5 and 5.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Hypokalemia is diagnosed when potassium levels fall below 3.5 mmol/L. Mild potassium deficiency will generally not present with symptoms. A potassium level lower than 2.5 mmol/L is considered extremely deficient, and symptoms will become more severe as levels reduce.

Symptoms of low potassium levels include:

• malaise and fatigue

• weakness and muscle pain all over the body

• constipation

Extremely low potassium levels can cause:

• severe muscle weakness and paralysis

• respiratory failure

• painful obstructions in the gut

• tingling, crawling, numb, or itchy sensations main felt in the hands, feet, legs, or arms

• intermittent muscle spasms

Low potassium can be diagnosed using simple blood tests and treated by alterations to the diet, including supplements. Having regular medicals and health screenings will also help a person track their potassium levels and avoid any potential shortfalls.

Risks

Potassium can also cause health problems when a person consumes more than the 4,700 mg recommended Adequate Intake.

Individuals with good kidney function can efficiently rid the body of excess amounts of potassium in the urine. This process normally has no adverse side effects.

There have been a small number of reports that potassium toxicity is associated with an extremely high intake of potassium supplements. No food-related potassium toxicity has ever been reported.

Hyperkalemia

Consuming too much potassium can be harmful to people whose kidneys are not fully functional. Excessive potassium consumption can lead to hyperkalemia, in which the kidneys cannot remove enough potassium from the body. This can be dangerous if the condition escalates quickly.

Potassium levels between 5.1 and 6.0 mmol/L are considered high and warrant monitoring and management. Levels higher than 6.0 mmol/L are dangerous.

Hyperkalemia will mostly be either symptomless or present very few symptoms. However, when symptoms do present, they are similar to those that occur in hypokalemia.

Severe or sudden hyperkalemia can cause heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain. At this stage, hyperkalemia can become a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Reducing potassium intake

Hyperkalemia is treated by reducing the intake of potassium.

Potassium and sodium are part of a constant balancing act within the body. Maintaining this balance is vital to the smooth function of bodily systems.

If hyperkalemia is suspected, it is best to avoid high-potassium foods, such as the ones listed above. Salt substitutes, herbal remedies, or supplements should also not be consumed. These can all boost potassium levels rather than balance them.

High potassium levels have been linked to two cases of cardiac arrest. If the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood, the effects of potassium on the heart could be fatal.

Takeaway

Potassium is vital to bodily function but does not hold the answers to healthful living on its own. Overall eating patterns and dietary balance are most important in bolstering health and keeping disease at bay.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287212.php

Nasa found life on Mars over 40 years ago but ignored it, former scientist claims

The senior scientist said there were early indications of alien life 

By : Bronwen Weatherby

A former Nasa scientist claims evidence of life was found on Mars in the 1970s but was ignored.

Viking landers, a pair of space probes, were sent to the Martian surface more than 40 years ago to explore the planet.

One of the tests they ran was known as Labeled Release, or LR, which was intended to look for signs of life. 

Back in the lab, the results seemed to indicate something was happening on the surface.

The principal investigator on the experiment, Gilbert V Levin, has now written an article arguing those findings were indications of alien life on Mars. Signs, he says, were ignored by Nasa.

It was back as far as July 30, 1976, when the team Levin was heading up got the initial results from the LR. "Amazingly, they were positive," he writes in the Scientific American.

"As the experiment progressed, a total of four positive results, supported by five varied controls, streamed down from the twin Viking spacecraft landed some 4,000 miles apart.

"The data curves signaled the detection of microbial respiration on the Red Planet. The curves from Mars were similar to those produced by LR tests of soils on Earth.

"It seemed we had answered that ultimate question."

Ultimately, Nasa's tests failed to find organic matter, the physical stuff of life itself. It determined the indications of microbial respiration that the LR experiment discovered came from a substance mimicking life, but was not life itself.

Since then, Nasa has not run a similar experiment choosing to focus on whether Martian habitat could be a suitable home for alien life. 

But Levin argued what he and his team found almost half a century ago actually suggested there is life on Mars. Levin believed Nasa should be doing more to follow the findings up because they could pose a significant threat to life on Earth.

"NASA maintains the search for alien life among its highest priorities," he wrote. On February 13, 2019, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said we might find microbial life on Mars.

"Our nation has now committed to sending astronauts to Mars. Any life there might threaten them, and us upon their return. Thus, the issue of life on Mars is now front and center."

The evidence Levin said he found produced a whole host of positive results and importantly, no experiment has disproved what he found or found an alternative explanation for the results.

He concluded by asking Nasa to carry out an altered version of the LR on Mars on the next possible trip and asked that scientists be brought together to examine the decades-old findings to see if they really are proof of life on Mars.

"What is the evidence against the possibility of life on Mars? The astonishing fact is that there is none," he wrote. "Furthermore, laboratory studies have shown that some terrestrial microorganisms could survive and grow on Mars," Levin said.

"Such an objective jury might conclude, as I did, that the Viking LR did find life," he wrote. "In any event, the study would likely produce important guidance for NASA’s pursuit of its holy grail."

https://www.standard.co.uk/author/bronwen-weatherby

The lanzones comes from the Mahogany family, reaching 30 meters (98 ft) in height and 75 centimeters (30 in) in diameter. For best growth, it needs acidic soil and partial shade without floods. It can be grown in the same agroforest as durian as well as among the wood-producing trees.

Langsat or Lanzones are trees from the Mahogany family, scientifically known as Lansium parasiticum. Langsat is a plant that bears small edible fruits. These fruits are similar to potatoes on their outer appearance and inside they have a white flesh containing inedible, bitter seeds. Langsat originated in the Southeast Asian regions.

The larger size variety of langsat is known as Duku. Langsat grows in clusters and is widely cultivated in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Sumatra. In India, it grows in the southern hills of Nilgiri from April to September.

These fruits have a tangy, sour and sweet combination of flavors, and tastes a lot like grapes. Some people find its taste similar to that of pomelo. Its aril is juicy and translucent when ripe. Once ripe, the taste of langsat is really refreshing and exotic. Only the fresh langsat tastes the best because if kept for days after plucking, it may lose its taste and become bland.

Langsat is a nutritionally rich fruit containing many vital elements like proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber in abundance. It is rich in vitamin A, thiamine and riboflavin, which are necessary for many body functions.

·                   Riboflavin Enhances RBC Formation: Langsat is rich in vitamins like riboflavin and thiamine. Riboflavin is important for the production of red blood cells and overall body growth. Consuming langsat enhances the production of RBCs in the blood and also helps in the break down of carbohydrates to provide energy to the body.

·                   Vitamin A Maintains Proper Body Function: Vitamin A is an essential co-factor for many vital body functions. It is necessary for maintaining healthy skin, eyes, teeth and tissues. Langsat being high in vitamin A, keeps eyes, skin, skeletal tissues and mucous membranes healthy.

Antioxidants Prevent and Protect from Cell Damages: Langsat contains many powerful antioxidants that fight the free radical damages to cells. Oxidative damage to cells may lead to the formation of tumors and cancers; langsat contains limonoids, which are anti-cancerous in nature and protects the body from many cancer-causing elements.

·                   Seeds are Proven Anti-Malarial: Many studies are in progress to prove the ability of its seeds as potential anti-malarial therapeutic. Also, its skin and leaves are shown to possess anti-pathogenic nature against Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria-causing parasite. They contain such chemical compounds that interrupt the life cycle of the pathogen and kill them.

·                   Its Bark and Skin Cures Diarrhea: Langsat fruit helps in curing digestive tract problems. It being rich in fiber is good for gut health. The bark of the tree, when made into astringent has been proven to exhibit anti-spasmodic properties and can be efficiently used to treat dysentery and diarrhea. Also, the peel of langsat fruit contains oleoresin that helps in curing diarrhea and its symptoms.

·                   Cures Fever: Langsat fruit is helpful in treating fever and cold. It contains vitamin C, which helps in reducing flu and cold symptoms. Crushed seeds of langsat help lower the body temperature.

·                   Treat Inflammation: The bark and seed resins of langsat helps in reducing inflammation. The bark resin can be used to treat gastrointestinal colic, swellings, ulcers and flatulence. The powder from the bark can also be applied to scorpion stings to cure its allergic reaction and inflammation.

·                   Burning the peel of langsat keeps mosquitoes at bay and emits aromatic fragrance. 

Eliminate Skin Problems: The rind of langsat is used to treat various skin problems like rashes, acne, itching etc. Rubbing its rind over the affected area can reduce the redness, inflammation and itching.

The langsat fruit is mainly eaten fresh and raw and can also be made into candies while Duku is good for making pickles. It can be bottled into juices and syrups or cooked along with some other fruits and vegetables.

Every 100 gms of Langsat contain:

Health Benefits of Langsat

The langsat does not last longer than 4 days once picked from the trees while the duku does last a bit longer. For this reason, you won’t find lanzones on any other markets than the local ones. However, with some wax and antifungal treatment and refrigerating it can last almost 10 days. On the other side, the duku is a bit more resistant so you may find it in Hong Kong and Singapore as well.  One can buy langsat pretty much throughout Asia and also Hawaii and Costa Rica, but only when there is the season for them.

It also contains numerous health benefits for our body's health. It contains vitamins A, B, C, thiamine, niacin, fiber, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, and other beneficial nutrients. It contains minerals such as iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and calcium.

The lanzones season in Malaya generally bears twice a year. First one is in June and July, then and again in December and January. In Vietnam, the main season for lanzones or Bon Bon that is how they call them is from August to late October. In India, the lanzones are on the market from April to September.

Lanzones or langsat has many health benefits. It composes of good amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Its simple sugars – fructose and sucrose, boosts energy and helps to revitalize the body with electrolytes. Worth mentioning is also that it doesn’t have saturated fats or cholesterol.

Dietary fiber helps to maintain normal digestion, helps maintain bowel health, lowers cholesterol level, Helps control blood sugar levels and preventing from cardiovascular disease and all cancers.

The lanzones are rich with potassium and calcium which are essential for maintaining teeth and skeletal health. These minerals are also important at maintaining heart health and blood pressure.

Vitamin A is required for several vital functions in the body and its deficiency can lead to an impaired response to infection. However, lanzones are abundant in Vitamin A, which is important for maintaining eye health, skeletal tissues, protecting skin and mucous membranes.

The lanzones are a good source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and folates. It is especially rich in riboflavin known as vitamin B2. B complex help with the processing of carbohydrates into energy. B complex also helps to keep your nervous system functioning properly and is crucial to the normal function of the brain. On the other hand, vitamins B also lay a role in the production of blood cells and helps to create DNA.

As we said before, langsat fruit meat has a lot of fiber, which helps with gut health. At the same time, the peel of lanzones contains oleoresin and resin that help in curing diarrhea and its symptoms. The bark of the tree can be made into astringent and has been proven to exhibit anti-spasmodic properties. That is a very efficient way to treat dysentery and diarrhea.

The lanzones can help with skin problems. The rind can be used to treat various skin problems like acne, rashes, inflammatory, itching… Rubbing lanzones rind on the affected area can reduce the redness, itching and swollen skin. But only if it is pesticide free and be ready for some serious stickiness!

Burning the dried peel of lanzones can be used as an effective natural mosquito repellent. On the other hand, it’s astringent bark and leaves decoction is taken as a treatment for dysentery and malaria. Pulverized seed can be used as a febrifuge (lowering fewer) and vermifuge (removes parasitic worms), which can also help with malaria. However, the meat of lanzones fruit by itself also lowers the temperature.

The bark is poulticed on scorpion stings, which is kind of ironic because the langsat is the perfect hiding spot for scorpions. Every year a few people get stung by a scorpion while handling them. Make sure you hold the stalk of the bunch and shake well before handling with it.

www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/top-9-health-benefits-of-langsat-fruit.htm

Anti – Tetanus Shot

The old man in his mid eighties struggles to get up from the couch then starts putting his coat on.

His wife seeing his unexpected behaviour asks, “ And where do you tink you are going ?”

He replies, “ I’m off to the doctor.”

She says, “Why,  are you sick ?”

He says, “Nope, I’m going to get me some of the Viagra stuff.”

Hearing this the wife starts struggling to get out of her rocker, she then slowly goes to the cupboard and starts to put on her coat.

The husband now looks mystified and starts to yell at his wife, He says, “And where on earth do you think you are going?”

“Oh” she answers, “I’m off to the doctor, too.”

He says, “Why, what do you need a doctor for ?”

She says, “Well if you’re going to start using that rusty old thing again, I’m getting a tetanus shot!”

$1 Million Bill To Treat Mum’s Cancer — And She Still Died, Says Woman

By Jeremy Lee - 5 Jul 2017, 5:05 pm

Healthcare In Singapore Is Expensive, Says Grieving Daughter

It’s sad when a loved one is stricken with a serious illness, especially cancer, which is the top killer in Singapore. Everybody has heard of a relative or friend who has been stricken by cancer.

But though the suffering of a loved one is devastating, the pain doesn’t end even when the patient has sadly passed away. For according to a grieving daughter of a deceased cancer sufferer, her mother’s medical bills added up to a massive $1 million.

Costly Treatment

$1,018,469.29 to be exact, according to a  post on the Facebook profile of Fina Leong.

How? Just… how did it come up to so much?

Ms Leong claimed that her mother had seen 10 doctors and spent 58 days in the Intensive Care Unit. $350,000 in medication was also spent, including over a thousand doses of drugs, she said. Unfortunately, all that was for nought, as her mother sadly still passed away.

What Is To Blame?

Ms Leong, understandably upset, searched for answers in her post as to why the worst still happened despite the massive expenditure. Some of the reasons she thought of were:

1. Trial And Error

As they tried to save the life of her mother, she lamented that the right knowledge wasn’t available and her family did not know who or what could do the trick among all the recommendations that family and friends made.

Saying that they “missed many” of the recommendations, she also said they mostly muddled through the treatment via trial and error. That may explain why it was so expensive.

2. Underestimation

Ms Leong said the cancer was more aggressive than they had estimated and chemotherapy should have been done sooner.  She advised future sufferers to do “targeted chemotherapy” if they led an active lifestyle and had a healthy diet.

3. Go Private

In Singapore, unfortunately, you have to pay for better care and a higher chance of living, and if you can afford it, it’s always better go to a private hospital.

4. Slow Discovery

Though her mother was admitted to hospital way back in January the cancer wasn’t discovered till 2 weeks later, Ms Leong said.

This could be attributed to the fact that they did not go to a private hospital, as she claimed the tumour would have been discovered with “the right scan”.  i.e. With an immediate, detailed scan to check for a tumour that is more likely to be given faster in a private hospital, the tumour would have been discovered sooner:

5. Ignorance On Insurance

Ms Leong said that the family did not know that their mother’s insurance coverage included private specialist treatments.  If they had sent her for private specialist treatment earlier, the scan would have been done earlier and the tumour would have been discovered earlier.  So folks, read your insurance coverage carefully.

6. Broken System

Ms Leong raged about the healthcare system in Singapore, calling specialists and private facilities “gravely expensive”.  She also felt that the system was cold-hearted, and designed to suck one’s insurance payout to the maximum.  She even revealed that the ludicrous $1 million bill referred to her mother as a “customer” and not a “patient”.

Sympathies

Netizens sent their condolences and expressed their shock and rage over the expensive bill and Singapore’s healthcare system. Other related their own stories of woe over cancer and hospital bills.

One had a good idea for the ordinary citizen: Waive a portion of the bill if the patient doesn’t recover. Unfortunately, hospitals obviously won’t think it’s a good idea.

Condolences

We send our deepest condolences to Ms Leong for her bereavement.

https://mustsharenews.com/1m-medical-bill/

Political Thinking

Once a corrupt minister and his deputy went to inspect a school and a prison.

The school was in a poor state with no furniture, dilapidated building etc.  The Principal requested $500,000 to help to improve conditions.

Next they visited a prison.  There too conditions were pathetic and the warden demanded $5M to improve conditions of the cells.

Both came back and the minister wrote a cheque for $5M to improve the jail.

Perplexed by the minister’s decision, his deputy asked for an explanation why the prison and not the school got the money.

The Minister explained, “ Dude, you and I are not going to school in future but we both may go to Jail.  Therefore, facilities in the prison must be improved.”

One has to understand the politician’s logic and thinkng !!