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News on Health & Science

Probiotic Hope For Kidney Stones

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Treating patients with bacteria may be an effective way of reducing their risk of repeatedly developing painful kidney stones, a study suggests.

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.Kidney stones can cause severe pain

People naturally carrying the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes were found to be 70% less likely to have problems.

Researchers at Boston University, in the US, are now investigating the possibility of using the bacteria as a “probiotic” treatment.

The study features in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Kidney stones are small, hard lumps formed of waste products contained in the urine.

They normally range in size from a grain of sand to a pearl. They can be smooth or jagged, and are usually yellow or brown.

Once a kidney stone has formed in a kidney it may travel down through the other parts of the urinary system, where they can slow the flow of urine, cause infection, severe pain and even lead to kidney failure.

About three in 20 men and one in 20 women in the UK will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lifetime.

They are most likely to occur in people aged 20 to 40.

Up to 80% of kidney stones are predominately composed of a compound called calcium oxalate.

O. formigenes breaks down oxalate in the intestinal tract and is present in a large proportion of the normal adult population.

The Boston team compared 247 patients with recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones with 259 people with no history of the condition.

They found just 17% of the kidney stones group were colonised with O. formigenes, compared with 38% of healthy group.

Researcher Professor David Kaufman: “Our findings are of potential clinical importance.

“The possibility of using the bacterium as a probiotic is currently in the early stages of investigation.”

Promising avenue:

Derek Machin, clinical director of urology at University Hospital, Aintree, said an effective treatment for recurrent kidney stones would be a significant step forward.

He said bigger kidney stones were currently treated by using shock waves to break them up, but this was not always completely effective.

Passing a stone in the urine intact can be extremely painful, and even getting rid of the smaller pieces created by shock treatment could cause significant pain.

“For some people kidney stones can be an on-going lifelong problem,” he said.

“And in some cases a stone can destroy kidney function before it is even identified.”

However, Mr Machin warned that there was much work to be done before clinical trials of a probiotic could be considered.

He said kidney stones had been linked to dehydration and were more common in countries such as Saudi Arabia where the climate is hot and dry.

In instances they may be linked to an unusually high rate of calcium excretion.

However, he said in many cases there was no obvious cause for the condition.

It is a particular problem for airline pilots, who are not allowed to fly if they have a stone.

Click to see also:->

‘Stethoscope’ hears kidney stones
Quick kidney failure test ‘found’
‘Biological’ kidney implant hope
Transplant goal ‘one step closer’

Kidney test may cut dialysis need

Human kidneys grown in mice
Kidney failure
Better kidney care plan unveiled

Sources: BBC NEWS:9Th.March.’08

Categories
Pediatric

Is there a way to help your child avoid the common cold?

In the late 19th century Sir William Osler, one of the founding doctors of the Johns Hopkins Medical School, said that colds should be treated with contempt. It’s not known if Dr. Osler was suffering from a cold at the time, but this fact is known – we all get them from time to time and some kids get more than their share. It is nearly impossible for your child to avoid catching a cold. Adults average 2 to 3 colds per year and children 6 to 10, depending on their age and exposure. Youngsters are particularly susceptible to colds because of their close contact with other children, they have yet to learn good personal hygiene, such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, and they constantly have their hands in their mouth and nose.

Yet, there are some things that can be done to reduce the frequency of colds in children (and adults, as well)
. First, parents should get to know their enemy, how we are infected, and if we can discover any weaknesses in our opponent. Second, parents should do all they can to keep their child’s immune system strong.

The enemy is one of over 100 different viruses, with strange sounding names like rhinovirus and adenovirus. The viruses first contaminate the hands of a child or adult with a cold as a result of nose blowing, covering sneezes, and touching the nose. The virus also contaminates objects (particularly toys) and surfaces in the environment of the cold sufferer. Casual contact transfers the virus to the hands of a non-infected child or adult, who then infects his or her self by touching their nose or rubbing their eyes (virus deposited in the eye promptly goes down the tear duct into the nose). Touching contaminated toys and surfaces, where they can survive up to three hours, can also pick up the virus. Less often, an adult or child can be infected when they breathe virus-containing droplets that were recently expelled in coughs and sneezes by an infected person (did you know that airborne droplets can travel up to 25 feet?).

Once infected, it takes only 8-12 hours for the viruses to begin multiplying and another 10-12 hours for cold symptoms to begin. Therefore, the only defense against the virus is to prevent this uninvited guest from entering the body in the first place.


Teach Your Kids to Wash Their Hands.
80% of all infectious disease could be eliminated by more frequent and proper hand washing with soap and water. This is the first line of defense against colds. It takes lots of soap, hot water, and 15 seconds of scrubbing to do any good. Remind your kids that they should never put their hands in their eyes or to their nose without washing them first.

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Encourage your kids to use tissue instead cloth handkerchiefs
Handkerchiefs catch and retain the viruses. Encourage your youngster to use paper facial tissue instead, and then throw them away immediately after each use. And remember to remind them to wash your hands after blowing your nose. Infectious disease specialists encourage parents to tell their kids to “blow, throw and wash” theory. After they blow their nose, be sure that they throw the tissue away…don’t carry it around… and then, wash your hands.

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Reduce your child’s social life. If you know that there is a high incidence of colds in your community, try to keep your child’s contact with other children to a minimum. Limit your youngster’s time they spend with infected kids.

Get some fresh air
During the cold season, kids tend to stay indoors and the germs spread faster this way. By opening windows and doors for a few minutes, and allowing air to circulate, you can push out airborne viruses. Viruses love stagnant air.

Help keep your child’s nasal passages clear Artificial heating tends to be very drying, so consider using a humidifier in the home to keep their air moist enough so as not to dry out the mucus membranes of the nose. Likewise, an air filter in an indoor environment, especially a HEPA type filter, can help remove airborne dust and germs.

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Eliminate Cigarette Smoke from Your Child‘s Environment Children exposed to passive cigarette smoke will get five times the number of colds when compared to youngsters who live in a smoke-free home.

Get Plenty of Sleep Our moms were right on when they encouraged us to get enough sleep. Although researchers have not directly proven that sleep deprivation causes more colds, some studies have sleep loss of three to four hours can cause a 50 percent decline in immune response.

When possible avoid closed-in spaces. Airplanes are virus-breading grounds. Cold viruses can’t escape these poorly ventilated areas. In addition, these areas are notorious for providing low humidity. This dries our mucous membranes that normally trap and dispose of viral invaders. A closed in space is just one more opportunity for the virus to spread to your child.

Source:kidsgrowth.com

Categories
Suppliments our body needs

Selenium

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What is selenium?…..click & see
An essential trace element, selenium is nonmetallic, gray in appearance, and similar to sulfur in its chemical composition. It is often available in single or multivitamin supplements.

Why do we need it?
Selenium is needed to activate a number of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It also activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which may help protect the body from cancer, and has been shown to induce “apoptosis” (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Selenium also plays a vital role in the functioning of the immune system. Studies have found that selenium supplementation stimulates the activity of white blood cells. It also enhances the effect of vitamin E, one of three vitamins that act as antioxidants.

How much selenium should I take?
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of selenium is as follows:

Adult men: 55 micrograms/day
Adult women: 55 micrograms/day
Children aged 7-10: 30 micrograms/day
Infants: between 10-15 micrograms/day
Pregnant/lactating women: between 65-75 micrograms/day


What are some good sources of selenium?

Brazil nuts are the best source of selenium. Yeast, whole grains, garlic and seafood are also good sources. Some vegetables may contain considerable amounts of selenium depending on the content of selenium in the soil.

What can happen if I don’t get enough selenium?
While most people do not consume enough selenium on a daily basis, severe deficiency is rare. Soils in some areas are selenium deficient, and people who eat foods grown primarily on selenium-poor soils can be at greater risk for deficiency. The most notable condition caused by selenium deficiency is Keshan disease, which causes an abnormality of the heart muscle. Some studies have shown that patients with AIDS have abnormally low levels of selenium. Other research has demonstrated an association between heart disease and depleted levels of selenium.

What can happen if I take too much?
Taking large amounts (more than 1,000 micrograms) of selenium per day can cause the loss of fingernails, teeth, and hair; nausea; and fatigue. In conjunction with iodine-deficiency induced goiter, selenium supplementation has been reported to increase the severity of low thyroid function.

Source:CheroFind.com

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Categories
News on Health & Science

Turmeric Or Indian Haldi to take the sting out of malaria

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They are known to have anti-oxidant, anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Now, curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric (haldi)  that has proved effective in lowering cholesterol, glucose and combating cancer   will join in India‘s fight against malaria.

Top scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and National Institute of Malarial Research, Delhi, are embarking on human trials to see the effectiveness of a combination therapy that uses curcumin with artemisinin derivative artesunate, the most potent compound against malaria.

Studies on mice have shown this new combination therapy to be highly effective. The Rs 1 crore human phase II trials, being funded by the Department of Biotechnology, will take place in four centres — IIS, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, NIMR and ISPAT General Hospital, Rourkela.

A team of scientists is meeting in Rourkela on December 23 to finalise the size, duration and protocols of the study. The trial is expected to begin next month.

According to an IIS study, the combination will prove superior from several perspectives. Both are from natural sources and no resistance is known to curcumin.

Artemisinin runs the risk of resistance development when used widely as monotherapy while curcumin can be tolerated at very high doses, as much as 8 g/day. This will decrease the dose of artemisinin and lower the cost of therapy.

Each year, between 300 and 500 million people become infected with malaria in Africa and Asia.

Source:The Times Of India

Categories
Suppliments our body needs

Selenium

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What is selenium?

An essential trace element, selenium is nonmetallic, gray in appearance, and similar to
sulfur in its chemical composition. It is often available in single or multivitamin
supplements.

Why do you need it?

Selenium is needed to activate a number of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It also activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which may help protect the body from cancer, and has been shown to induce “apoptosis” (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Selenium also plays a vital role in the functioning of the immune system. Studies have found that selenium supplementation stimulates the activity of white blood cells. It also enhances the effect of vitamin E, one of three vitamins that act as antioxidants.

How much selenium should you take?

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of selenium is as follows:

* Adult men: 55 micrograms/day
* Adult women: 55 micrograms/day
* Children aged 7-10: 30 micrograms/day
* Infants: between 10-15 micrograms/day
* Pregnant/lactating women: between 65-75 micrograms/day

What are some good sources of selenium?
Brazil nuts are the best source of selenium. Yeast, whole grains, garlic and seafood are also good sources. Some vegetables may contain considerable amounts of selenium depending on the content of selenium in the soil.Mustard seeds emerged from food ranking system as a very good source of selenium .

What can happen if you don’t get enough selenium?
While most people do not consume enough selenium on a daily basis, severe deficiency is
rare. Soils in some areas are selenium deficient, and people who eat foods grown primarily
on selenium-poor soils can be at greater risk for deficiency. The most notable condition
caused by selenium deficiency is Keshan disease, which causes an abnormality of the heart
muscle. Some studies have shown that patients with AIDS have abnormally low levels of
selenium. Other research has demonstrated an association between heart disease and depleted levels of selenium.

What can happen if you take too much?

Taking large amounts (more than 1,000 micrograms) of selenium per day can cause the loss of fingernails, teeth, and hair; nausea; and fatigue. In conjunction with iodine-deficiency induced goiter, selenium supplementation has been reported to increase the severity of low thyroid function.

Sources :ChiroFind.com

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