Is Astrology A Science.
Which astrological sign is yours. We all know our zodiac sign, many of us check the horoscope page in the newspaper each morning before we go off to work. A large majority of us believe that the position of the planets when we were born controls our personality and also determines the events which occur throughout our lives. It is more than likely that you have met someone who does believe. Whether you are serious about astrology or not, it is often used as an ice breaker in conversation, it is a good way to get to know someone. However, is astrology just mumbo jumbo or does it really have a controlling influence on our lives, is it an actual science?
One of the earliest forms of science known to man is Astrology. Records of astrology have been found which originate in Babylon, these have been found to date from 1645 BC. Early Egyptians and early Greeks produced a timekeeping system and also used a calendar just like the ones we use today. When early man started to observe and understand the world around him, he also began to realize that there was a relationship between his life and the earth, stars and planets. It is possible that astrology may have helped some of the earliest civilizations to understand who they were and where they came from. They most certainly perceived astrology and the world around them as something which was greater than they themselves were, and something which should be studied and understood.
Astrology in modern times is not seen as being a very credible science. At one time astrology was one of the most credible sciences, just as astrophysics or chemistry are today. Early astronomers such as Galileo and Copernicus were known to be practicing astrologers. The astronomer Claudius Ptolemy of whom very little is known, was seen as a leading intellectual of his day, Ptolemy's study and approval of astrology made astrology a hugely respected subject within academic circles. By giving astrology credibility as a science and also as an art, he ensured its practice would not be hindered during the medieval period. It was at this time that many other studies and occult practices were persecuted on religious grounds. He was deemed to be an authority on astrology and established the Tetrabiblos, (this is Greek which means four books) this became the definitive reference for all astrological students. Arabic scholars used the Tetrabiblos quite extensively, and they regarded Ptolemy to be the absolute expert on the subject. Later European scholars began to use the Tetrabiblos and translated it back into Latin in the 12th century.
Modern sciences such as the quantitative sciences caused the influence of astrology to diminish, astrology did however have a resurgence during the 1930's when Princess Margaret was born. In the United Kingdom the Sunday Express newspaper printed Princess Margaret's astrological profile, this is how the daily horoscope in the newspapers we all know came about. Anyone who has read their astrological profile would have to admit that there are a number of coincidences. There are those skeptics who will often say that newspaper horoscopes are very general and could apply to just about anyone.
These skeptics will also say that people will only look for what they want to see, and they will ignore what is not true for them. Therefore, according to the skeptics, people delude themselves and believe that the horoscope is accurate. I believe that this skepticism could be eliminated if we were to sit the skeptic down with a competent astrologer and have his or her astrological profile made using the date, time and place of their birth.
The human race claims to be very knowledgeable about the universe, yet we find it very easy to dismiss astrology as being a credible science. Perhaps if we were to put more effort into the study of astrology as a science, we may learn much more about the early civilizations of our world. Shakespeare perhaps understood, when he wrote in Hamlet, *There are more things on heaven and earth Horatio than are dreamt of in your philosophy.*
About the Author
James McLean Bowie is an author and book dealer who lives in East Yorkshire England. He owns a number of websites, two of which are http://bowiebiz.com and http://bowieukbooks.com .
Thursday, September 20, 2007
What is "environment"? by Richard Carroll
To me, "environment" is any place we may be at any given time. It could be a pristine forest or a room in a high-rise building in the CBD. Our relationship with this environment is expressed in every breath we take - we are an integral part of our surrounds, be they natural or artificial and our actions impact directly or indirectly on them. However, most people still think of the environment as the natural systems of the world that are somehow separate from humans. Our health and well-being depend on many factors such as climate, vegetation, landscapes and the health of these systems. House design should be informed by these factors to maximize efficient energy use and living conditions.
I grew up in small towns on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland and was always out in the bush by a creek, playing in the mud or up a tree. Apart from a few brief interludes in London, Philadelphia and Brisbane, I have lived most of my life in the country in isolated farmhouses or small villages. I like to be surrounded by trees, hills, birds and other creatures, where I can watch the magic of nature unfold endlessly in the sky and on the earth.
Unfortunately, Australia's natural systems have been degraded through 200 years of European-based ideas of agriculture in a country totally unsuited to these methods. The colonists and even modern-day scientists think they know better than the Indigenous people who have lived here for maybe 60,000 years and know what they call "country" intimately. I think we have a lot to learn from other cultures and especially the Aborigines. Their knowledge is priceless to our understanding of our relationship to the land and how best to manage environmental issues.
The following definition is from "The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language", Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. en*vi*ron*ment ( n-v r n-m nt, -v rn-) n. 1. The circumstances or conditions that surround one; surroundings. 2. The totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially: a. The combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development, and survival of organisms: "We shall never understand the natural environment until we see it as a living organism" Paul Brooks. b. The complex of social and cultural conditions affecting the nature of an individual or community. 3. Computer Science a. The entire set of conditions under which one operates a computer, as it relates to the hardware, operating platform, or operating system. b. An area of a computer's memory used by the operating system and some programs to store certain variables to which they need frequent access.
About the Author
Richard Carroll writes about environmental and humanitarian issues; he expresses his concern for the world we live in, in a way that is both insightful and knowledgable. To read more, visit: http://www.richardcarrollonline.com
I grew up in small towns on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland and was always out in the bush by a creek, playing in the mud or up a tree. Apart from a few brief interludes in London, Philadelphia and Brisbane, I have lived most of my life in the country in isolated farmhouses or small villages. I like to be surrounded by trees, hills, birds and other creatures, where I can watch the magic of nature unfold endlessly in the sky and on the earth.
Unfortunately, Australia's natural systems have been degraded through 200 years of European-based ideas of agriculture in a country totally unsuited to these methods. The colonists and even modern-day scientists think they know better than the Indigenous people who have lived here for maybe 60,000 years and know what they call "country" intimately. I think we have a lot to learn from other cultures and especially the Aborigines. Their knowledge is priceless to our understanding of our relationship to the land and how best to manage environmental issues.
The following definition is from "The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language", Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. en*vi*ron*ment ( n-v r n-m nt, -v rn-) n. 1. The circumstances or conditions that surround one; surroundings. 2. The totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially: a. The combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development, and survival of organisms: "We shall never understand the natural environment until we see it as a living organism" Paul Brooks. b. The complex of social and cultural conditions affecting the nature of an individual or community. 3. Computer Science a. The entire set of conditions under which one operates a computer, as it relates to the hardware, operating platform, or operating system. b. An area of a computer's memory used by the operating system and some programs to store certain variables to which they need frequent access.
About the Author
Richard Carroll writes about environmental and humanitarian issues; he expresses his concern for the world we live in, in a way that is both insightful and knowledgable. To read more, visit: http://www.richardcarrollonline.com
Monday, September 17, 2007
12 traits of a child genius by L Hardy
How to identify a gifted child can be a difficult process, Many parents are scared to dare think their child has a talent above the norm and may find other parents and teachers may not believe them thinking they are just overly proud of their child. The truth is that most schools are not equipped to deal with gifted children as they are fewer and further between than the average child and since they learn what they need to easily the teacher ignores them to concentrate on the less gifted ones.
Using these 12 points you can gain some insight into your child's potential genius. Generally a young child who shows many of the following traits is likely to be gifted, however other less gifted children may show some of these traits and a gifted child will very rarely show all traits. While this guide is written for young children many of the points can also apply to older children.
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1. Advanced Development
A young gifted child frequently achieves certain milestones such as first speech and walking much earlier than other children. They may also have a greater vocabulary than other children of the same age and love to define words, read books and can often be self taught readers at pre-school and kindergarten.
2. Early Intellectual Talent
Gifted young children can have a very good memory and can learn simple math, science and social studies concepts eagerly. They may also grasp onto a particular topic (Space and planets for example) and have an amazing understanding of the subject! They can also simply have a wide interest in everything and a thirst to learn all they can moving from one area to another very quickly.
3. A Thirst for Knowledge
Gifted children often have a drive to learn and a 'thirst for knowledge'. Without having any particular agenda children often want to discover and learn for the sake of discovering like a true scientist or philosopher. They may study everything or pull toys and devices apart to see what makes them work. Or may be overly interested in simple things then discard them quickly looking for a new learning challenge.
4. High Level of Activity
Unlike hyperactivity which can often have no focus just amazing amounts of energy a gifted child can often be very active and have a reduced need for sleep as they divert this energy to a purpose. Also, unlike hyperactivity a gifted child may have a long attention span when they find something of particular interest.
5. Cautionary
A gifted child may have a great ability to read more into situations and the future than their peers. Because of this they may seem to hold back in new situations as they work out the implications and possibly worry about the possibility of failure. While this may make them appear shy or slow a gifted child can show their true ability by answering questions brilliantly or excelling at the task given.
6. Sensitivity
Some young gifted children can be very sensitive, general anger or criticism is taken personally; they suffer along with the starving children on TV, the injured animal, etc. and when overloaded with impressions, may become introverted and withdrawn.
7. Uneven Development
Some children are gifted in a narrow field while others have a more 'all round' aptitude; however there is often a large gap between their mental, social, physical and emotional development. This can lead to frustration and confusion on the child's behalf as their advanced mind may be trying to grapple with concepts they are not emotionally advanced to deal with. Examples may be over concerned with death, the future or sex. Also their manual dexterity may lag behind what they are trying to achieve in a task.
8. Can Distinguish Between Reality and Fantasy Early
This may lead to discussions on, and the acceptance of, the inevitability of death; the frequent need to analyze stories to see which parts "really could happen" and awkward questions about Santa and the tooth-fairy!
9. Early Insight Into Social and Moral Issues
Some gifted children have a highly developed social conscience and can become worried about war, pollution, injustice and violence. They can often see through adult hypocrisy and can become angry and scared when they see that adults are inconsistent and unreasonable.
10. Greater Reasoning Power and Manipulation
A young gifted child tends to use their verbal ability rather than actions when communicating, this means you can often reason with a gifted child from a young age. This ability with their greater logical prowess and understanding of relationships can sometimes lead them to understand the benefits of dishonest behavior such as lying, stealing and cheating. Being able to manipulate adults can be a very disturbing feeling for a child however who needs a parent's security.
11. Individuality
A great number of gifted children can be seen as "odd" or unconventional and learn in different ways. Strictly organizing a child like this can hamper their development as they need some time to do their own thing to bring forth their creativity.
12. The Importance of Adults
Gifted children may not be interested in very structured activities or meeting other's standards, often preferring to develop their own projects. Despite this, adult guidance is very important - to help them determine in which situation it is necessary to conform and when it is O.K. to be "different", to put realistic limits on an often overambitious project, to lend a hand when manual dexterity doesn't meet mental visions and to avoid self-criticism becoming destructive. Help may be needed to set realistic standards.
About the Author
Do you want the best for your child and thier future?
Does your child show many,some or even NONE of the 12 above traits?
No matter what the aptitude of your child you can make them a genius and set them up for life!
How to Develop Your Child's genius by expert Esther Andrews will show you how!
Using these 12 points you can gain some insight into your child's potential genius. Generally a young child who shows many of the following traits is likely to be gifted, however other less gifted children may show some of these traits and a gifted child will very rarely show all traits. While this guide is written for young children many of the points can also apply to older children.
---
1. Advanced Development
A young gifted child frequently achieves certain milestones such as first speech and walking much earlier than other children. They may also have a greater vocabulary than other children of the same age and love to define words, read books and can often be self taught readers at pre-school and kindergarten.
2. Early Intellectual Talent
Gifted young children can have a very good memory and can learn simple math, science and social studies concepts eagerly. They may also grasp onto a particular topic (Space and planets for example) and have an amazing understanding of the subject! They can also simply have a wide interest in everything and a thirst to learn all they can moving from one area to another very quickly.
3. A Thirst for Knowledge
Gifted children often have a drive to learn and a 'thirst for knowledge'. Without having any particular agenda children often want to discover and learn for the sake of discovering like a true scientist or philosopher. They may study everything or pull toys and devices apart to see what makes them work. Or may be overly interested in simple things then discard them quickly looking for a new learning challenge.
4. High Level of Activity
Unlike hyperactivity which can often have no focus just amazing amounts of energy a gifted child can often be very active and have a reduced need for sleep as they divert this energy to a purpose. Also, unlike hyperactivity a gifted child may have a long attention span when they find something of particular interest.
5. Cautionary
A gifted child may have a great ability to read more into situations and the future than their peers. Because of this they may seem to hold back in new situations as they work out the implications and possibly worry about the possibility of failure. While this may make them appear shy or slow a gifted child can show their true ability by answering questions brilliantly or excelling at the task given.
6. Sensitivity
Some young gifted children can be very sensitive, general anger or criticism is taken personally; they suffer along with the starving children on TV, the injured animal, etc. and when overloaded with impressions, may become introverted and withdrawn.
7. Uneven Development
Some children are gifted in a narrow field while others have a more 'all round' aptitude; however there is often a large gap between their mental, social, physical and emotional development. This can lead to frustration and confusion on the child's behalf as their advanced mind may be trying to grapple with concepts they are not emotionally advanced to deal with. Examples may be over concerned with death, the future or sex. Also their manual dexterity may lag behind what they are trying to achieve in a task.
8. Can Distinguish Between Reality and Fantasy Early
This may lead to discussions on, and the acceptance of, the inevitability of death; the frequent need to analyze stories to see which parts "really could happen" and awkward questions about Santa and the tooth-fairy!
9. Early Insight Into Social and Moral Issues
Some gifted children have a highly developed social conscience and can become worried about war, pollution, injustice and violence. They can often see through adult hypocrisy and can become angry and scared when they see that adults are inconsistent and unreasonable.
10. Greater Reasoning Power and Manipulation
A young gifted child tends to use their verbal ability rather than actions when communicating, this means you can often reason with a gifted child from a young age. This ability with their greater logical prowess and understanding of relationships can sometimes lead them to understand the benefits of dishonest behavior such as lying, stealing and cheating. Being able to manipulate adults can be a very disturbing feeling for a child however who needs a parent's security.
11. Individuality
A great number of gifted children can be seen as "odd" or unconventional and learn in different ways. Strictly organizing a child like this can hamper their development as they need some time to do their own thing to bring forth their creativity.
12. The Importance of Adults
Gifted children may not be interested in very structured activities or meeting other's standards, often preferring to develop their own projects. Despite this, adult guidance is very important - to help them determine in which situation it is necessary to conform and when it is O.K. to be "different", to put realistic limits on an often overambitious project, to lend a hand when manual dexterity doesn't meet mental visions and to avoid self-criticism becoming destructive. Help may be needed to set realistic standards.
About the Author
Do you want the best for your child and thier future?
Does your child show many,some or even NONE of the 12 above traits?
No matter what the aptitude of your child you can make them a genius and set them up for life!
How to Develop Your Child's genius by expert Esther Andrews will show you how!
The Art and Science of Meditation by Steven S. Sadleir
Meditation has been practiced in various forms for thousands of years all over the world. From the jungles of Borneo to the Ganges River, Tibetan tundra to Siberian back woods, shamans, sadhus and seekers alike have gone within to find God, find themselves, find purpose and meaning in life. Archaeological relics from the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro in western Punjab, India depict the ancient yogic deity Shiva (as An) sitting cross-legged meditating on his "Third Eye" in a state of transcendental bliss. Buddha sat under a tree; Jesus sat in the Desert and Mohammad in a cave. All the great prophets, gurus and saints used some form of meditation to commune with God and realize their true Self.
In the Yoga Sutras Patanjali defines yoga as the cessation of thought or the absence of mental modification. When the mind becomes still, inner clarity develops and the true nature of the Self is revealed. This is the essence of yoga; yoga is the both the art and science of Self Realization. Initially an aspiring yogi or yogini would be taught various yoga asanas or postures to prepare the body for meditation. The goal has always been to quiet the body in order to quiet the mind. In India the Rishis developed various meditation practices based on the level and temperament of the student.
Some forms of meditation are contemplative, where the student reflects on a verse from an illuminated text such as the Bible, Koran, Yoga Sutras or Bhagavad-Gita; yet others are quite active and involve some conscious movement as in tantric lovemaking, tai chi or practicing yoga postures with such inner quiet that the student goes into meditation while holding a pose. A common form of meditation to begin with involves primordial sounds called mantras. Most spiritual disciplines recognize the mind altering power of sound vibrations: the Sanskrit language of the Yogi's, ancient Hebrew and Arabic are each believed to conduct energy when spoken or contemplated.
The most familiar mantra "Om" often pronounced as "Aum" moves life force energy up the spine to the top of the head. The "Ahhh" sound can be felt in the region of the navel, the "Ohhh" and "Uuuu" sound are carried at the heart and throat centers, and the "Mmmm" vibration is felt as the buzzing of bees in the head. Repeating this sound relaxes the mind and turns ones awareness inward. The popular Transcendental Meditation or "TM" of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi repeat a single sacred sound mantra from the Vedas is repeated to help aspirants go within and find inner peace; whereas members of the Hari Krishna movement, or ISCON, repeat a series of sacred trance inducing sounds praising God that creates a euphoric state, this is called Japa.
One of the more common forms of meditation involves concentration on various energy centers of the body called Chakras; where a meditator would concentrate their attention on such areas as their Navel Center (Manipura), Heart Center (Anahata) or Third Eye (Ajna). The energy being directed to these centers through focused attention activates the energy at these points and shifts the state of consciousness of the meditator. For instance, when one focuses at the Third Eye point between the eyebrows this activates the pituitary and pineal gland which help regulate your brain wave frequencies, like a natural biofeedback response. As the student connects with their life force energy, or kundalini shakti, at this point their brain wave frequencies drop from Beta (14-40 cycles per second) to Alpha (7-13 cycles per second), and eventually lower still to Theta (4-6 cps) and Delta (0-3 cps). While in these ultra quiet states inner clarity develops and the consciousness is liberated from the confines of the mind and sense perception and merges into the whole...samadhi. These exercises are even more powerful when initiated by a Guru whose spirit or "Shakti" can conduct the life force to make it easier for the student to tune into or connect with.
One of the most powerful forms of meditation is direct inquiry or self-reflection. When the yogi reflects on the very impetus that causes them to meditate they make a direct connection with their Self: "That which you are seeking is causing you to seek." To ask yourself "who am I?" and go into the part of you that wants to know is to practice a form of yoga called Jnana. Simply observing that which is observing the mind liberates it from the mind. Just as one would look into their reflection in a mirror to know what they looked like, one has only to reflect upon their own nature to realize it.
At the heart of meditation lies the heart. It is through grace that our own true nature is revealed and it is through love that God is revealed. When the meditating yogi opens their heart to receive, when they surrender the "doer" then their own true nature becomes clear. The devotion to your Creator expressed through the devotion in your practice makes the practice of meditation easy and enjoyable to practice. Most people struggle with trying to stop their mind, which is like a cat chasing its tail. When the yogi allows their spirit, or life force, to meditate them then the practice of meditation becomes profound.
The use of a Guru or teacher has proven effective to help students find the truth that lies within them for thousands of years; it works. Most Westerners are leery of those who purport to be Gurus, and for good reason as this sacred trust has been abused by a few in the past, but nonetheless it is time tested and proven effective. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, but a reliable Guru is one who empowers you to find the True Guru, or Sat Guru, within your Self. Ultimately, that which created you, and which sustains your existence, is guiding you to awaken your consciousness to full realization; it is what is causing you to read this right now.
From the Heart, Steven S. Sadleir
About the Author
Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization.
Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!
In the Yoga Sutras Patanjali defines yoga as the cessation of thought or the absence of mental modification. When the mind becomes still, inner clarity develops and the true nature of the Self is revealed. This is the essence of yoga; yoga is the both the art and science of Self Realization. Initially an aspiring yogi or yogini would be taught various yoga asanas or postures to prepare the body for meditation. The goal has always been to quiet the body in order to quiet the mind. In India the Rishis developed various meditation practices based on the level and temperament of the student.
Some forms of meditation are contemplative, where the student reflects on a verse from an illuminated text such as the Bible, Koran, Yoga Sutras or Bhagavad-Gita; yet others are quite active and involve some conscious movement as in tantric lovemaking, tai chi or practicing yoga postures with such inner quiet that the student goes into meditation while holding a pose. A common form of meditation to begin with involves primordial sounds called mantras. Most spiritual disciplines recognize the mind altering power of sound vibrations: the Sanskrit language of the Yogi's, ancient Hebrew and Arabic are each believed to conduct energy when spoken or contemplated.
The most familiar mantra "Om" often pronounced as "Aum" moves life force energy up the spine to the top of the head. The "Ahhh" sound can be felt in the region of the navel, the "Ohhh" and "Uuuu" sound are carried at the heart and throat centers, and the "Mmmm" vibration is felt as the buzzing of bees in the head. Repeating this sound relaxes the mind and turns ones awareness inward. The popular Transcendental Meditation or "TM" of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi repeat a single sacred sound mantra from the Vedas is repeated to help aspirants go within and find inner peace; whereas members of the Hari Krishna movement, or ISCON, repeat a series of sacred trance inducing sounds praising God that creates a euphoric state, this is called Japa.
One of the more common forms of meditation involves concentration on various energy centers of the body called Chakras; where a meditator would concentrate their attention on such areas as their Navel Center (Manipura), Heart Center (Anahata) or Third Eye (Ajna). The energy being directed to these centers through focused attention activates the energy at these points and shifts the state of consciousness of the meditator. For instance, when one focuses at the Third Eye point between the eyebrows this activates the pituitary and pineal gland which help regulate your brain wave frequencies, like a natural biofeedback response. As the student connects with their life force energy, or kundalini shakti, at this point their brain wave frequencies drop from Beta (14-40 cycles per second) to Alpha (7-13 cycles per second), and eventually lower still to Theta (4-6 cps) and Delta (0-3 cps). While in these ultra quiet states inner clarity develops and the consciousness is liberated from the confines of the mind and sense perception and merges into the whole...samadhi. These exercises are even more powerful when initiated by a Guru whose spirit or "Shakti" can conduct the life force to make it easier for the student to tune into or connect with.
One of the most powerful forms of meditation is direct inquiry or self-reflection. When the yogi reflects on the very impetus that causes them to meditate they make a direct connection with their Self: "That which you are seeking is causing you to seek." To ask yourself "who am I?" and go into the part of you that wants to know is to practice a form of yoga called Jnana. Simply observing that which is observing the mind liberates it from the mind. Just as one would look into their reflection in a mirror to know what they looked like, one has only to reflect upon their own nature to realize it.
At the heart of meditation lies the heart. It is through grace that our own true nature is revealed and it is through love that God is revealed. When the meditating yogi opens their heart to receive, when they surrender the "doer" then their own true nature becomes clear. The devotion to your Creator expressed through the devotion in your practice makes the practice of meditation easy and enjoyable to practice. Most people struggle with trying to stop their mind, which is like a cat chasing its tail. When the yogi allows their spirit, or life force, to meditate them then the practice of meditation becomes profound.
The use of a Guru or teacher has proven effective to help students find the truth that lies within them for thousands of years; it works. Most Westerners are leery of those who purport to be Gurus, and for good reason as this sacred trust has been abused by a few in the past, but nonetheless it is time tested and proven effective. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, but a reliable Guru is one who empowers you to find the True Guru, or Sat Guru, within your Self. Ultimately, that which created you, and which sustains your existence, is guiding you to awaken your consciousness to full realization; it is what is causing you to read this right now.
From the Heart, Steven S. Sadleir
About the Author
Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization.
Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Nurse's Guide To The Best Natural Hair Loss Products, Treatments and Remedies by Helen Hecker
One recent study in Australia reported that hair loss participants were deficient in iron. Their recommendations are to ask your doctor to order an iron test for you to determine if you are low in iron. Foods that contain iron include spinach and grains. This would be well worth a visit to your doctor if the ultimate outcome is hair regrowth, curing your hair loss and some other health problems you might have because of an iron deficiency. This would be an easy hair loss solution. Hair loss prevention would be easy if you only need to make sure you get enough iron in your diet.
Another large study that was done in Australia awhile back reported that the prevalence of mid-frontal hair loss increases as people age and affects 57% of women and 73.5% of men who are 80 years of age and over. The trigger for male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is DHT, a powerful sex hormone that can adversely affect the hair and prostate gland too. It's normal to shed some hair each day. Not only do men want to stop hair loss but female hair loss is a big problem too.
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid), can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows. Also if the thyroid gland is overactive hair may fall out; treating thyroid disease will help remedy this. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine to stop the hair loss or you may find you really don't need the medicine at all.
An autoimmune disorder, alopecia areata, is also known as "spot baldness" and can result in loss of hair ranging from just one area to every hair on the body. Diabetes hair loss may occur as part of the underlying disease as can lupus. Mycotic infections can also cause massive hair loss.
Wearing a hat or baseball cap generally shouldn't cause baldness, though it's a good idea to give your scalp a rest and let it breathe for several hours a day if you've experienced any loss of hair. Good circulation to the scalp also is important.
Some drugs or medications can cause hair loss, which will improve when you stop taking the medicine. Some medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, gout medicines, too much vitamin A supplementation, birth control pills and antidepressants. Chemotherapy hair loss can be a major problem too. Another type of baldness is called traction alopecia, which is most commonly found in people, with ponytails or cornrows, who pull on their hair with too much force.
Immunosuppressants when applied to the scalp have been shown to only temporarily reverse alopecia areata, though the side effects of some of these drugs make this therapy questionable. Topical application of Ketoconazole, which is both an anti-fungal and a potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is often used in combination with other approaches.
There are hundreds of hair loss products used as hair loss remedies and treatments, many claiming to be the best hair loss product. Minoxidil is a drug that has to be used daily for hair loss prevention and may create heart problems; the hair that grows in is very fine, only on the top of the head and may fall out again soon after the drug is stopped. Hair loss remedies and treatments with prescription drugs are long term commitments and hair loss will reoccur when they're stopped. Minoxidil is an expensive drug and costs about one hundred dollars per month if you use it for daily treatment. Try more natural treatment if possible; taking hair loss drugs require many months of exposure to chemicals.
Hair loss products include: shampoos, shampoos and conditioners, conditioners, lotions, creams, concealers, thinning hair shampoos, laser combs, laser brushes, the Lasertron Hair Growth Brush, herbal based products, chemical-based pills or tablets, Nizoral shampoo, Neutrogena T-Gel, and many others. Other hair loss remedies and treatments include: saw palmetto and emu oil.
There are many natural hair loss remedies and many different recipes for making mixtures to apply topically to the scalp. First there is the onion juice and honey remedy: prepare a hair-growing elixir by combining 1/4 cup of onion juice with one tablespoon of honey; massage the scalp with the mixture every day. And raw apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may stimulate hair growth. The Russian cure with honey and vodka remedy - combine one tablespoon honey with one jigger of vodka and the juice of a medium-size onion and rub the mixture into the scalp every night, cover with a shower cap and shampoo your head in the morning.
Here's the olive oil and rosemary remedy for hair loss - use equal amounts of olive oil and oil of rosemary; combine them in a bottle, shake vigorously, massage into the scalp, put on a cap and shampoo the next morning. Make sure to test home remedies on a small area before you try it. Check with your hair loss doctor or skin doctor before trying any natural home remedy if it includes any irritating ingredients. The Asian remedy says to rub sesame oil on your scalp every night, cover with a cap or old towel and in the morning wash it out with an herbal shampoo, then rinse with a solution of one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in one quart of water.
You can try using double-strength herbal sage tea as a hair rinse or apply it to the scalp every day as a tonic. One patient reported that he used coconut oil on his hair and scalp every day for a year and during that time his hair became thicker and he had more of it on the top of his head where he had been receding a bit. Coconut oil is good as a hair gel too.
Polygonum Multiflorum is a traditional Chinese cure for hair loss but even though the plant itself may be useful, the general safety and quality control of herbs imported from China is questionable. Be careful if you ingest many seed oils. Beta Sitosterol, which is a constituent in these oils, can help to treat BHP (benign prostatic hypertrophy) by lowering cholesterol; but consuming large amounts of it to get at small quantities of beta sitosterol is likely to exacerbate male pattern baldness.
Some people swear that lying on a slant board with their head down for 15 minutes a day works, but clear it with your doctor first. There's always a chance that a diet of living foods - fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds will help, in the event that a vitamin or nutrient deficiency is causing the loss of hair.
With extensive research, reading hair loss products reviews before you buy, and reading testimonials from real people, not paid actors, you may be able to find the right hair loss product, hair loss treatment or hair loss remedy that'll work for you. Perhaps it is a deficiency in iron in males, females or even a child that is causing the hair loss. That would be an easy solution. Treatment for alopecia can be slow and sometimes not successful and the more hair that you lose, the more you may have to work at it to get it back and in some cases may not be able to at all. But try as many natural non-invasive treatments and remedies as possible first and keep your scalp in good condition at all times.
About the Author
For more information on hair loss remedies and hair loss products go to http://www.HairLossRemedy.us a nurse's website specializing in hair loss treatments, causes and resources for men, women and children including information on hair transplants and hair loss natural treatments
Another large study that was done in Australia awhile back reported that the prevalence of mid-frontal hair loss increases as people age and affects 57% of women and 73.5% of men who are 80 years of age and over. The trigger for male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is DHT, a powerful sex hormone that can adversely affect the hair and prostate gland too. It's normal to shed some hair each day. Not only do men want to stop hair loss but female hair loss is a big problem too.
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid), can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows. Also if the thyroid gland is overactive hair may fall out; treating thyroid disease will help remedy this. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine to stop the hair loss or you may find you really don't need the medicine at all.
An autoimmune disorder, alopecia areata, is also known as "spot baldness" and can result in loss of hair ranging from just one area to every hair on the body. Diabetes hair loss may occur as part of the underlying disease as can lupus. Mycotic infections can also cause massive hair loss.
Wearing a hat or baseball cap generally shouldn't cause baldness, though it's a good idea to give your scalp a rest and let it breathe for several hours a day if you've experienced any loss of hair. Good circulation to the scalp also is important.
Some drugs or medications can cause hair loss, which will improve when you stop taking the medicine. Some medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, gout medicines, too much vitamin A supplementation, birth control pills and antidepressants. Chemotherapy hair loss can be a major problem too. Another type of baldness is called traction alopecia, which is most commonly found in people, with ponytails or cornrows, who pull on their hair with too much force.
Immunosuppressants when applied to the scalp have been shown to only temporarily reverse alopecia areata, though the side effects of some of these drugs make this therapy questionable. Topical application of Ketoconazole, which is both an anti-fungal and a potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is often used in combination with other approaches.
There are hundreds of hair loss products used as hair loss remedies and treatments, many claiming to be the best hair loss product. Minoxidil is a drug that has to be used daily for hair loss prevention and may create heart problems; the hair that grows in is very fine, only on the top of the head and may fall out again soon after the drug is stopped. Hair loss remedies and treatments with prescription drugs are long term commitments and hair loss will reoccur when they're stopped. Minoxidil is an expensive drug and costs about one hundred dollars per month if you use it for daily treatment. Try more natural treatment if possible; taking hair loss drugs require many months of exposure to chemicals.
Hair loss products include: shampoos, shampoos and conditioners, conditioners, lotions, creams, concealers, thinning hair shampoos, laser combs, laser brushes, the Lasertron Hair Growth Brush, herbal based products, chemical-based pills or tablets, Nizoral shampoo, Neutrogena T-Gel, and many others. Other hair loss remedies and treatments include: saw palmetto and emu oil.
There are many natural hair loss remedies and many different recipes for making mixtures to apply topically to the scalp. First there is the onion juice and honey remedy: prepare a hair-growing elixir by combining 1/4 cup of onion juice with one tablespoon of honey; massage the scalp with the mixture every day. And raw apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may stimulate hair growth. The Russian cure with honey and vodka remedy - combine one tablespoon honey with one jigger of vodka and the juice of a medium-size onion and rub the mixture into the scalp every night, cover with a shower cap and shampoo your head in the morning.
Here's the olive oil and rosemary remedy for hair loss - use equal amounts of olive oil and oil of rosemary; combine them in a bottle, shake vigorously, massage into the scalp, put on a cap and shampoo the next morning. Make sure to test home remedies on a small area before you try it. Check with your hair loss doctor or skin doctor before trying any natural home remedy if it includes any irritating ingredients. The Asian remedy says to rub sesame oil on your scalp every night, cover with a cap or old towel and in the morning wash it out with an herbal shampoo, then rinse with a solution of one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in one quart of water.
You can try using double-strength herbal sage tea as a hair rinse or apply it to the scalp every day as a tonic. One patient reported that he used coconut oil on his hair and scalp every day for a year and during that time his hair became thicker and he had more of it on the top of his head where he had been receding a bit. Coconut oil is good as a hair gel too.
Polygonum Multiflorum is a traditional Chinese cure for hair loss but even though the plant itself may be useful, the general safety and quality control of herbs imported from China is questionable. Be careful if you ingest many seed oils. Beta Sitosterol, which is a constituent in these oils, can help to treat BHP (benign prostatic hypertrophy) by lowering cholesterol; but consuming large amounts of it to get at small quantities of beta sitosterol is likely to exacerbate male pattern baldness.
Some people swear that lying on a slant board with their head down for 15 minutes a day works, but clear it with your doctor first. There's always a chance that a diet of living foods - fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds will help, in the event that a vitamin or nutrient deficiency is causing the loss of hair.
With extensive research, reading hair loss products reviews before you buy, and reading testimonials from real people, not paid actors, you may be able to find the right hair loss product, hair loss treatment or hair loss remedy that'll work for you. Perhaps it is a deficiency in iron in males, females or even a child that is causing the hair loss. That would be an easy solution. Treatment for alopecia can be slow and sometimes not successful and the more hair that you lose, the more you may have to work at it to get it back and in some cases may not be able to at all. But try as many natural non-invasive treatments and remedies as possible first and keep your scalp in good condition at all times.
About the Author
For more information on hair loss remedies and hair loss products go to http://www.HairLossRemedy.us a nurse's website specializing in hair loss treatments, causes and resources for men, women and children including information on hair transplants and hair loss natural treatments
Why science is so fun for kids by Just Science
Science is a fun and interesting subject for kids because it is all around us. Some people do not realize that science is involved when in almost everything you do such as cooking, cleaning, and playing. When these people think of science they probably remember the classroom and the teachers boring lectures, but the good news is that method is becoming a thing of the past. Science is being brought onto television with police dramas such as CSI.
Most children at an elementary school age want to grow up and be a policeman because policeman help people and they always catch the bad guy. To kids this is the best thing in the world, and for us as parents we can not think of a better role model for our children than a police officer. CSI shows kids how science is used to solve crimes and catch the bad guys. While kids might not understand the exact techniques involved with DNA and others, every kid knows about fingerprints. Teachers can set up a mock crime scene and let children lift fingerprints and other crime lab techniques. At the end the children can solve the crime and write a report on who they think did it, how they figured out who did it, etc. This is a fun exercise for children to do and it is all hands on.
Another reason why kids love science is because what other subject do you get to learn about outer space. Children of all ages are fascinated with the idea about outer space and aliens. Outer space is also interesting because it involves flying in rockets and going places that nobody has gone before. The whole idea about what if lets children use their imagination and learn at the same time.
Science is also fun because you can mix stuff together and make new things. Children from a young age learn that if you take dirt and mix water to it you get mud. And the learning does not stop there, as they get older the learn more about combining ingredients to make new things. Science allows children to make play dough, cookies, slime and all sorts of other gross and fun things. Besides the fact kids can just experiment on their own to see what they can come up with.
Another part of science is animals. Almost all kids love to learn about animals. Basic science about animals involves ant farms, which kids can build themselves with a jar, some dirt and ants. The best part about ant farms is digging in the dirt and trying to find the ants. But as kids get older they can take this type of science to another level, which can include biology and anatomy.
For kids science is fun because what other subject do you get to have all of your questions answered and use your imagination to create things. Science is also filled with wonders about other worlds, such as dinosaurs and why they became extinct, outer space and walking on the moon, and solving crimes. Science involves experimenting and most kids love to try things to see if they work. For example physical science can involve dropping an egg from a roof top to see if it will break, or what will drop faster a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks. By getting hands-on kids can figure out these answers and numerous other answers, the hands-on experiments make science even more fun and exciting.
About the Author
Just Science Projects is one of the leading science projects for kids websites. Visit Just Science Projects for fun elementary and middle school science experiments and science fair guides. Visit Just Science Projects or call 206-498-6502 today!
Most children at an elementary school age want to grow up and be a policeman because policeman help people and they always catch the bad guy. To kids this is the best thing in the world, and for us as parents we can not think of a better role model for our children than a police officer. CSI shows kids how science is used to solve crimes and catch the bad guys. While kids might not understand the exact techniques involved with DNA and others, every kid knows about fingerprints. Teachers can set up a mock crime scene and let children lift fingerprints and other crime lab techniques. At the end the children can solve the crime and write a report on who they think did it, how they figured out who did it, etc. This is a fun exercise for children to do and it is all hands on.
Another reason why kids love science is because what other subject do you get to learn about outer space. Children of all ages are fascinated with the idea about outer space and aliens. Outer space is also interesting because it involves flying in rockets and going places that nobody has gone before. The whole idea about what if lets children use their imagination and learn at the same time.
Science is also fun because you can mix stuff together and make new things. Children from a young age learn that if you take dirt and mix water to it you get mud. And the learning does not stop there, as they get older the learn more about combining ingredients to make new things. Science allows children to make play dough, cookies, slime and all sorts of other gross and fun things. Besides the fact kids can just experiment on their own to see what they can come up with.
Another part of science is animals. Almost all kids love to learn about animals. Basic science about animals involves ant farms, which kids can build themselves with a jar, some dirt and ants. The best part about ant farms is digging in the dirt and trying to find the ants. But as kids get older they can take this type of science to another level, which can include biology and anatomy.
For kids science is fun because what other subject do you get to have all of your questions answered and use your imagination to create things. Science is also filled with wonders about other worlds, such as dinosaurs and why they became extinct, outer space and walking on the moon, and solving crimes. Science involves experimenting and most kids love to try things to see if they work. For example physical science can involve dropping an egg from a roof top to see if it will break, or what will drop faster a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks. By getting hands-on kids can figure out these answers and numerous other answers, the hands-on experiments make science even more fun and exciting.
About the Author
Just Science Projects is one of the leading science projects for kids websites. Visit Just Science Projects for fun elementary and middle school science experiments and science fair guides. Visit Just Science Projects or call 206-498-6502 today!
Scientific Research shows Fruit Juice Reverses Cancer Tumours by Deborah Joy
Scientific evidence exists proving certain foods have the ability to reverse specific cancers, without the need for drugs or chemotherapy. These foods are said to be 'chemopreventive' and might one day offer the key to a safer and more effective method of treating cancer. In this article, I hope to lead you through the current research pertaining to the consumption of fruit and vegetable juice, and the concomitant health benefits in relation to the management of cancer.
Nutrients Play an Important Chemopreventive Role
For several years scientists have been aware of the research showing that eating a diet of raw fruit and vegetables protects against cancers of the colon, oesophagus, stomach, lung and pharynx, endometrial, oral cavity and pancreas[1]. Although the exact reason was often poorly understood, the fibre content of the food was given the credit. However, as more research is completed, findings are now supporting the fact that some nutrients found in vegetables and fruit, rather than their fibre content, have the ability to help the body fight against cancer. The new research is also providing evidence that some of these nutrients actually help reverse cancers. Diets high in vegetable and fruit juice, once regarded as 'quackery' might one day gain medical acceptance due to the high quantity, and quality, of these nutrients.
Fruit Juice Reverses Cancer Development
One juice exciting scientists with its 'chemopreventative' nature is pomegranate juice. This juice has such a powerful chemopreventative nature that research has shown it can reverse the development of prostrate cancer[2] and lung cancer[3]. The research of other scientists has also shown its anti-tumour nature[4] and the juice's ability to restrain breast cancer[5]. Pomegranate juice contains high levels of compounds called polyphenols, which is thought to be reason why the juice is so potent. Those looking for a quick fix polyphenol pill will be disappointed to hear that polyphenols on their own are not as effective as the whole juice[6]. While drinking the juice has benefits, topical application of pomegranate seed oil has been found in be successful in protecting against skin tumours.[7]
Fruit and Vegetable Juice Prevents Cancer
'Prevention is the best cure' as they say and many juices have already been shown to offer significant help in preventing cancers. For example; Orange juice has been proven to inhibit breast cancer cell growth[8] and colon cancer [9], possibly due to the high quantity of citrus flavaniods found in the juice. Oranges are also rich in folate, which has been confirmed to decrease the risk of breast cancer for women who drink alcohol[10], and vitamin C, which is has been shown to reduce the risk of gastric cancer[11] and prostrate cancer[12]. Apples, onions and white grapefruit, high in a flavonoid called quercetin may also help to protect against some types of lung cancer[13]. Red Grape juice is high in flavonoids and a compound called resveratrol that has anti-cancer effects[14] and can prevent oxidative stress[15]. Preventing oxidative damage is important, as it is believed to be a significant factor in developing cancer. The humble carrot has also been shown to protect us from cancer by significantly reducing DNA damage in our cells[16]. While Tomato juice[17], on it own and with broccoli[18], has been confirmed to inhibit the development of prostrate tumours and exhibits a preventative nature against lung cancer[19]. Fruits and vegetable juices contain vitamins and minerals for which other studies exist. For example; Vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer[20] in populations prone to oesophageal (42% reduction[21]) and stomach cancer.
Another compound found in green vegetables is chlorophyll. Although there are not many research papers regarding its relationship with cancer, there has been research on the water soluble form known as Chlorophyllin. This been shown to have the capacity to prevent our body's assimilation of some compounds that are potentially carcinogenic[22]. Amazingly, chlorophyllin also reduces the oxidative damage caused by radiation and some chemicals[23] [24]. This may explain the role of wheatgrass in an anti cancer diet.
The Whole Juice and Nothing but the Whole Juice
When isolated from their natural fruit or vegetable source, many nutrients tested produce disappointing results; however, when the nutrients are left in their natural combined state, a potent anti-cancer cocktail results[25].
Ironically doctors such as Max Gerson were promoting variations of such theories as early as 1958 but have generally been denigrated due to the lack of accepted scientific protocols used in their research. For years the idea that cancer can be treated by diet has been dismissed, and even now many are unaware or disagree with the breakthroughs in knowledge that are being made. However, scientists and doctors seem to have started a journey that might result in widely accepted acknowledgment that eating and drinking fruit and vegetables may be useful for managing cancer[26] as well as preventing it.
[1] Steinmetz KA, Potter JD. Vegetables, fruit, and cancer prevention: a review. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996 Oct;96(10):1027-39. Review. PMID: 8841165 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
[2] Arshi Malik, Farrukh Afaq, Sami Sarfaraz, Vaqar M. Adhami, Deeba N. Syed, and Hasan Mukhtar Pomegranate fruit juice for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer PNAS 102: 14813-14818; published online before print as 10.1073/pnas.0505870102
[3] Carcinogenesis. 2007 Jan;28(1):163-73. Epub 2006 Aug 18. Pomegranate fruit extract inhibits prosurvival pathways in human A549 lung carcinoma cells and tumor growth in athymic nude mice. Khan N, Hadi N, Afaq F, Syed DN, Kweon MH, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
[4] J Med Food. 2004 Fall;7(3):274-83. Pomegranate extracts potently suppress proliferation, xenograft growth, and invasion of human prostate cancer cells. Albrecht M, Jiang W, Kumi-Diaka J, Lansky EP, Gommersall LM, Patel A, Mansel RE, Neeman I, Geldof AA, Campbell MJ. Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
[5] J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):469-75. Anticancer activities of pomegranate extracts and genistein in human breast cancer cells. Jeune MA, Kumi-Diaka J, Brown J. Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL 33314-7714, USA. celestre@iwon.com
[6] J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Jun;16(6):360-7. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Henning SM, Niu Y, Zhang Y, Nair MG, Heber D.
Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nseeram@mednet.ucla.edu
[7] J Med Food. 2003 Fall;6(3):157-61. Chemopreventive effects of pomegranate seed oil on skin tumor development in CD1 mice. Hora JJ, Maydew ER,Lansky EP, Dwivedi C. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, U.S.A.
[8] Nutr Cancer. 1996;26(2):167-81. Inhibition of human breast cancer cell proliferation and delay of mammary tumorigenesis by flavonoids and citrus juices. So FV, Guthrie N, Chambers AF, Moussa M, Carroll KK. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
[9] Nutr Cancer. 2000;36(2):224-9. Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer by orange juice. Miyagi Y, Om AS, Chee KM, Bennink MR. Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1224, USA.
[10] Shumin Zhang; David J. Hunter; Susan E. Hankinson; Edward L. Giovannucci; Bernard A. Rosner; Graham A. Colditz; Frank E. Speizer; Walter C. Willett A Prospective Study of Folate Intake and the Risk of Breast Cancer JAMA 1999 281: 1632-1637
[11] Carcinogenesis. 2006 Nov;27(11):2250-7. Epub 2006 Jun 14. Plasma and dietary vitamin C levels and risk of gastric cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-EURGAST). Jenab M, Riboli E, Ferrari P, Sabate J, Slimani N, Norat T, Friesen M, Tjonneland A, Olsen A, Overvad K, Boutron-Ruault MC, Clavel-Chapelon F, Touvier M, Boeing H, Schulz M, Linseisen J, Nagel G, Trichopoulou A, Naska A, Oikonomou E, Krogh V, Panico S, Masala G, Sacerdote C, Tumino R, Peeters PH, Numans ME, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Buchner FL, Lund E, Pera G, Sanchez CN, Sanchez MJ, Arriola L, Barricarte A, Quiros JR, Hallmans G, Stenling R, Berglund G, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Key T, Allen N, Carneiro F, Mahlke U, Del Giudice G, Palli D, Kaaks R, Gonzalez CA. Nutrition and Hormones Group, IARC-WHO Lyon, France.
[12] The Prostate 1997;32(3): 188-195 Carlos Maramag, Mani Menon, K.C. Balaji, Premveer G. Reddy, Seethalakshmi Laxmanan TI: Effect of vitamin C on prostate cancer cells in vitro: Effect on cell number, viability, and DNA synthesis
[13] J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000 Jan 19;92(2):154-60. Intake of flavonoids and lung cancer. Le Marchand L, Murphy SP, Hankin JH, Wilkens LR, Kolonel LN. Etiology Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96813, USA. loic@crch.hawaii.edu
[14] Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 2003 Mar;3(2):77-93. Resveratrol and cancer: chemoprevention, apoptosis, and chemo-immunosensitizing activities. Cal C, Garban H, Jazirehi A, Yeh C, Mizutani Y, Bonavida B. Department of Microbiology, UCLA School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
[15] Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Dec;76(6):1367-74. Comparison of the antioxidant effects of Concord grape juice flavonoids alpha-tocopherol on markers of oxidative stress in healthy adults. O'Byrne DJ, Devaraj S, Grundy SM, Jialal I. Center for Human Nutrition and the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Human Metabolism, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
[16] Carcinogenesis. 1997 Sep;18(9):1847-50. Consumption of vegetables reduces genetic damage in humans: first results of a human intervention trial with carotenoid-rich foods. Pool-Zobel BL, Bub A, Muller H, Wollowski I, Rechkemmer G. Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany.
[17] J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995 Dec 6;87(23):1767-76. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
[18] Cancer Res. 2007 Jan 15;67(2):836-43. Epub 2007 Jan 9. Combinations of tomato and broccoli enhance antitumor activity in dunning r3327-h prostate adenocarcinomas. Canene-Adams K, Lindshield BL, Wang S, Jeffery EH, Clinton SK, Erdman JW Jr.
[19] Am J Epidemiol. 2002 Sep 15;156(6):536-47. Dietary carotenoids, serum beta-carotene, and retinol and risk of lung cancer in the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cohort study. Holick CN, Michaud DS, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Mayne ST, Pietinen P, Taylor PR, Virtamo J, Albanes D. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
[20] J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993 Sep 15;85(18):1483-92. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, Guo W, Dawsey S, Wang GQ, Yang CS, Zheng SF, Gail M, Li GY, et al.National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md 20852.
[21] Cancer Res. 1994 Apr 1;54(7 Suppl):2029s-2031s. Prevention of esophageal cancer: the nutrition intervention trials in Linxian,China. Linxian Nutrition Intervention Trials Study Group. Taylor PR, Li B, Dawsey SM, Li JY, Yang CS, Guo W, Blot WJ. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
[22] Mutat Res. 2003 Feb-Mar;523-524:209-16. Chemoprevention with chlorophyllin in individuals exposed to dietary aflatoxin. Egner PA, Munoz A, Kensler TW. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
[23] Mutat Res. 2003 Dec 9;542(1-2):89-97. Inhibitory effects of chlorophyllin, hemin and tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin on oxidative DNA damage and mouse skin inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate as a possible anti-tumor promoting mechanism. Park KK, Park JH, Jung YJ, Chung WY. Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Ku, Seoul 120-752, South Korea.
[24] Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004 May 3;1672(2):100-11. Effect of chlorophyllin against oxidative stress in splenic lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. Kumar SS, Shankar B, Sainis KB. Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bioscience Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Modular Laboratories, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India.
[25] J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Jun;16(6):360-7. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Henning SM, Niu Y, Zhang Y, Nair MG, Heber D. Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of
California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nseeram@mednet.ucla.edu
[26] Carcinogenesis. 2007 Feb;28(2):233-9. Epub 2006 Dec 6. Apoptosis by dietary factors: the suicide solution for delaying cancer growth. Khan N, Afaq F, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Medical Sciences Center B-25, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
About the Author
Deborah writes on a variety of health, beauty and wellness topics. Visit http://www.pureskincare.co.uk for more information on the issues discussed. A range of top quality Juicers can also be seen on the website. Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live.
Nutrients Play an Important Chemopreventive Role
For several years scientists have been aware of the research showing that eating a diet of raw fruit and vegetables protects against cancers of the colon, oesophagus, stomach, lung and pharynx, endometrial, oral cavity and pancreas[1]. Although the exact reason was often poorly understood, the fibre content of the food was given the credit. However, as more research is completed, findings are now supporting the fact that some nutrients found in vegetables and fruit, rather than their fibre content, have the ability to help the body fight against cancer. The new research is also providing evidence that some of these nutrients actually help reverse cancers. Diets high in vegetable and fruit juice, once regarded as 'quackery' might one day gain medical acceptance due to the high quantity, and quality, of these nutrients.
Fruit Juice Reverses Cancer Development
One juice exciting scientists with its 'chemopreventative' nature is pomegranate juice. This juice has such a powerful chemopreventative nature that research has shown it can reverse the development of prostrate cancer[2] and lung cancer[3]. The research of other scientists has also shown its anti-tumour nature[4] and the juice's ability to restrain breast cancer[5]. Pomegranate juice contains high levels of compounds called polyphenols, which is thought to be reason why the juice is so potent. Those looking for a quick fix polyphenol pill will be disappointed to hear that polyphenols on their own are not as effective as the whole juice[6]. While drinking the juice has benefits, topical application of pomegranate seed oil has been found in be successful in protecting against skin tumours.[7]
Fruit and Vegetable Juice Prevents Cancer
'Prevention is the best cure' as they say and many juices have already been shown to offer significant help in preventing cancers. For example; Orange juice has been proven to inhibit breast cancer cell growth[8] and colon cancer [9], possibly due to the high quantity of citrus flavaniods found in the juice. Oranges are also rich in folate, which has been confirmed to decrease the risk of breast cancer for women who drink alcohol[10], and vitamin C, which is has been shown to reduce the risk of gastric cancer[11] and prostrate cancer[12]. Apples, onions and white grapefruit, high in a flavonoid called quercetin may also help to protect against some types of lung cancer[13]. Red Grape juice is high in flavonoids and a compound called resveratrol that has anti-cancer effects[14] and can prevent oxidative stress[15]. Preventing oxidative damage is important, as it is believed to be a significant factor in developing cancer. The humble carrot has also been shown to protect us from cancer by significantly reducing DNA damage in our cells[16]. While Tomato juice[17], on it own and with broccoli[18], has been confirmed to inhibit the development of prostrate tumours and exhibits a preventative nature against lung cancer[19]. Fruits and vegetable juices contain vitamins and minerals for which other studies exist. For example; Vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer[20] in populations prone to oesophageal (42% reduction[21]) and stomach cancer.
Another compound found in green vegetables is chlorophyll. Although there are not many research papers regarding its relationship with cancer, there has been research on the water soluble form known as Chlorophyllin. This been shown to have the capacity to prevent our body's assimilation of some compounds that are potentially carcinogenic[22]. Amazingly, chlorophyllin also reduces the oxidative damage caused by radiation and some chemicals[23] [24]. This may explain the role of wheatgrass in an anti cancer diet.
The Whole Juice and Nothing but the Whole Juice
When isolated from their natural fruit or vegetable source, many nutrients tested produce disappointing results; however, when the nutrients are left in their natural combined state, a potent anti-cancer cocktail results[25].
Ironically doctors such as Max Gerson were promoting variations of such theories as early as 1958 but have generally been denigrated due to the lack of accepted scientific protocols used in their research. For years the idea that cancer can be treated by diet has been dismissed, and even now many are unaware or disagree with the breakthroughs in knowledge that are being made. However, scientists and doctors seem to have started a journey that might result in widely accepted acknowledgment that eating and drinking fruit and vegetables may be useful for managing cancer[26] as well as preventing it.
[1] Steinmetz KA, Potter JD. Vegetables, fruit, and cancer prevention: a review. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996 Oct;96(10):1027-39. Review. PMID: 8841165 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
[2] Arshi Malik, Farrukh Afaq, Sami Sarfaraz, Vaqar M. Adhami, Deeba N. Syed, and Hasan Mukhtar Pomegranate fruit juice for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer PNAS 102: 14813-14818; published online before print as 10.1073/pnas.0505870102
[3] Carcinogenesis. 2007 Jan;28(1):163-73. Epub 2006 Aug 18. Pomegranate fruit extract inhibits prosurvival pathways in human A549 lung carcinoma cells and tumor growth in athymic nude mice. Khan N, Hadi N, Afaq F, Syed DN, Kweon MH, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
[4] J Med Food. 2004 Fall;7(3):274-83. Pomegranate extracts potently suppress proliferation, xenograft growth, and invasion of human prostate cancer cells. Albrecht M, Jiang W, Kumi-Diaka J, Lansky EP, Gommersall LM, Patel A, Mansel RE, Neeman I, Geldof AA, Campbell MJ. Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
[5] J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):469-75. Anticancer activities of pomegranate extracts and genistein in human breast cancer cells. Jeune MA, Kumi-Diaka J, Brown J. Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL 33314-7714, USA. celestre@iwon.com
[6] J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Jun;16(6):360-7. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Henning SM, Niu Y, Zhang Y, Nair MG, Heber D.
Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nseeram@mednet.ucla.edu
[7] J Med Food. 2003 Fall;6(3):157-61. Chemopreventive effects of pomegranate seed oil on skin tumor development in CD1 mice. Hora JJ, Maydew ER,Lansky EP, Dwivedi C. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, U.S.A.
[8] Nutr Cancer. 1996;26(2):167-81. Inhibition of human breast cancer cell proliferation and delay of mammary tumorigenesis by flavonoids and citrus juices. So FV, Guthrie N, Chambers AF, Moussa M, Carroll KK. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
[9] Nutr Cancer. 2000;36(2):224-9. Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer by orange juice. Miyagi Y, Om AS, Chee KM, Bennink MR. Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1224, USA.
[10] Shumin Zhang; David J. Hunter; Susan E. Hankinson; Edward L. Giovannucci; Bernard A. Rosner; Graham A. Colditz; Frank E. Speizer; Walter C. Willett A Prospective Study of Folate Intake and the Risk of Breast Cancer JAMA 1999 281: 1632-1637
[11] Carcinogenesis. 2006 Nov;27(11):2250-7. Epub 2006 Jun 14. Plasma and dietary vitamin C levels and risk of gastric cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-EURGAST). Jenab M, Riboli E, Ferrari P, Sabate J, Slimani N, Norat T, Friesen M, Tjonneland A, Olsen A, Overvad K, Boutron-Ruault MC, Clavel-Chapelon F, Touvier M, Boeing H, Schulz M, Linseisen J, Nagel G, Trichopoulou A, Naska A, Oikonomou E, Krogh V, Panico S, Masala G, Sacerdote C, Tumino R, Peeters PH, Numans ME, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Buchner FL, Lund E, Pera G, Sanchez CN, Sanchez MJ, Arriola L, Barricarte A, Quiros JR, Hallmans G, Stenling R, Berglund G, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Key T, Allen N, Carneiro F, Mahlke U, Del Giudice G, Palli D, Kaaks R, Gonzalez CA. Nutrition and Hormones Group, IARC-WHO Lyon, France.
[12] The Prostate 1997;32(3): 188-195 Carlos Maramag, Mani Menon, K.C. Balaji, Premveer G. Reddy, Seethalakshmi Laxmanan TI: Effect of vitamin C on prostate cancer cells in vitro: Effect on cell number, viability, and DNA synthesis
[13] J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000 Jan 19;92(2):154-60. Intake of flavonoids and lung cancer. Le Marchand L, Murphy SP, Hankin JH, Wilkens LR, Kolonel LN. Etiology Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96813, USA. loic@crch.hawaii.edu
[14] Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 2003 Mar;3(2):77-93. Resveratrol and cancer: chemoprevention, apoptosis, and chemo-immunosensitizing activities. Cal C, Garban H, Jazirehi A, Yeh C, Mizutani Y, Bonavida B. Department of Microbiology, UCLA School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
[15] Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Dec;76(6):1367-74. Comparison of the antioxidant effects of Concord grape juice flavonoids alpha-tocopherol on markers of oxidative stress in healthy adults. O'Byrne DJ, Devaraj S, Grundy SM, Jialal I. Center for Human Nutrition and the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Human Metabolism, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
[16] Carcinogenesis. 1997 Sep;18(9):1847-50. Consumption of vegetables reduces genetic damage in humans: first results of a human intervention trial with carotenoid-rich foods. Pool-Zobel BL, Bub A, Muller H, Wollowski I, Rechkemmer G. Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany.
[17] J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995 Dec 6;87(23):1767-76. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
[18] Cancer Res. 2007 Jan 15;67(2):836-43. Epub 2007 Jan 9. Combinations of tomato and broccoli enhance antitumor activity in dunning r3327-h prostate adenocarcinomas. Canene-Adams K, Lindshield BL, Wang S, Jeffery EH, Clinton SK, Erdman JW Jr.
[19] Am J Epidemiol. 2002 Sep 15;156(6):536-47. Dietary carotenoids, serum beta-carotene, and retinol and risk of lung cancer in the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cohort study. Holick CN, Michaud DS, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Mayne ST, Pietinen P, Taylor PR, Virtamo J, Albanes D. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
[20] J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993 Sep 15;85(18):1483-92. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, Guo W, Dawsey S, Wang GQ, Yang CS, Zheng SF, Gail M, Li GY, et al.National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md 20852.
[21] Cancer Res. 1994 Apr 1;54(7 Suppl):2029s-2031s. Prevention of esophageal cancer: the nutrition intervention trials in Linxian,China. Linxian Nutrition Intervention Trials Study Group. Taylor PR, Li B, Dawsey SM, Li JY, Yang CS, Guo W, Blot WJ. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
[22] Mutat Res. 2003 Feb-Mar;523-524:209-16. Chemoprevention with chlorophyllin in individuals exposed to dietary aflatoxin. Egner PA, Munoz A, Kensler TW. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
[23] Mutat Res. 2003 Dec 9;542(1-2):89-97. Inhibitory effects of chlorophyllin, hemin and tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin on oxidative DNA damage and mouse skin inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate as a possible anti-tumor promoting mechanism. Park KK, Park JH, Jung YJ, Chung WY. Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Ku, Seoul 120-752, South Korea.
[24] Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004 May 3;1672(2):100-11. Effect of chlorophyllin against oxidative stress in splenic lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. Kumar SS, Shankar B, Sainis KB. Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bioscience Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Modular Laboratories, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India.
[25] J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Jun;16(6):360-7. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Henning SM, Niu Y, Zhang Y, Nair MG, Heber D. Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of
California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nseeram@mednet.ucla.edu
[26] Carcinogenesis. 2007 Feb;28(2):233-9. Epub 2006 Dec 6. Apoptosis by dietary factors: the suicide solution for delaying cancer growth. Khan N, Afaq F, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Medical Sciences Center B-25, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
About the Author
Deborah writes on a variety of health, beauty and wellness topics. Visit http://www.pureskincare.co.uk for more information on the issues discussed. A range of top quality Juicers can also be seen on the website. Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live.
Folic Acid May Reduce Birth Defects And Aid In Cancer Treatment by Darrell Miller
Folate also known as folic acid is a member of the B vitamin family, derived from the term "foliage". Folic acid is found in dark leafy vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, meat, and wheat germ. Let's look at how folic acid is found in nature, how folic acid might help in birth defects, and help with cancer treatment.
Folic acid occurs in two forms in nature folic acid or folate. The only place you will find folic acid is in fortified foods or multiple vitamins. B vitamins need to be in their active form for the body to utilize them. All B vitamins have to be coenzymated by the liver the active form before the body can absorb them. Folic acid is usually found in the form of folate. Folate is the most commonly use form of folic acid because it is highly bioavailable and chemically stable. Folate is easily reduced to tetrahydrofolate, the active coenzyme form of folate.
Folate is most always absorbed in the small intestines. Folate is converted or metabolized into 5-methylterahydrofolate when absorbed across the intestinal mucosa. When folic acid in the form of folate is taken on an empty stomach, almost one hundred percent is absorbed into the bloodstream. Digestibility of folic acid with foods is estimated at fifty percent and folic acid that is not in the form of folate is estimated at eighty five percent. Recently, studies have been performed on the digestibility of folic acid in supplements verses foods fortified. They discovered that dietary supplements provide more bioavailable folic acid than foods. For example, one study compared folic acid in supplement form verses orange juice that is fortified with folic acid, the dietary supplement won in terms of a better absorption rate.
Pregnant women can benefit the most from taking folic acid daily. In the United States alone there are over three thousand pregnancies with neural tube birth defects. Neural tube is formed early in pregnancy which later turns into the brain and spine on babies. When the neural tube does not form correctly early in pregnancy, the baby can grow up with life long disabilities or worst case it can cause death. The two most common neural tube defects are known as spinal bifida and anencephaly. Studies have found that a folic acid deficiency can cause a neural tube defect early in pregnancy. The U.S. Public Health Service and March of Dimes recommends that all women in child bearing years should take folic acid in no less than 400 micrograms per day to reduce the risk of neural tube defects while pregnant. The studies have been so conclusive that even the FDA has authorized a disease risk reduction health claim that folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects in pregnant women.
One study in 2004 was done by the Lewin Group found that in 10.5 million women of childbearing age who took 400 micrograms of folic acid. This study showed six hundred fewer babies were born with neural tube defects which provided a significant reduction in medical costs. Estimated savings of 1.3 billion in lifetime medical costs just in the five years this study has been out.
Also, researchers have discovered that cancer cells have a natural attraction to folic acid. This opens a whole new area of drug therapies that could become available for cancer patients. Folic acid could be used as a nontoxic carrier for chemotherapy drugs. Researchers at the fourth annual Gene, Drug Therapy and Molecular Biology meeting, suggested that conventional chemotherapy drugs could be used to destroy cancer cells with folic acid as the carrier. Researchers have found that folic acid is over-expressed in certain cancers: especially cancers of the ovary, cervix, endometrium, kidney, breast, brain, lung, and colon. Researchers said that tumors resistant to typical chemotherapy treatments gobble up folic acid. Researchers estimate that over 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancers that over-express the folate receptor in the United States alone. These cancer cells have 500,000 times greater affinity for folic acid than normal healthy cells. Drugs with folic acid as a carrier can find those hard to reach cancer cells while avoiding the normal healthy cells.
Folic acid looks like a very promising B vitamin supplement to aid in wide range of diseases. If you are in child bearing years or undergoing cancer treatment, always consult your health care provider before starting a new supplement regiment. Remember when looking for folic acid, always read the label and make sure the folic acid you are taking is in the form of folate. Great supplements like Folic Acid can be found at your local or internet health food store.
About the Author
Visit VitaNet Health Foods, VitaNet sells high quality supplements like Natures Life folic acid. Please link to this site when using this article.
Folic acid occurs in two forms in nature folic acid or folate. The only place you will find folic acid is in fortified foods or multiple vitamins. B vitamins need to be in their active form for the body to utilize them. All B vitamins have to be coenzymated by the liver the active form before the body can absorb them. Folic acid is usually found in the form of folate. Folate is the most commonly use form of folic acid because it is highly bioavailable and chemically stable. Folate is easily reduced to tetrahydrofolate, the active coenzyme form of folate.
Folate is most always absorbed in the small intestines. Folate is converted or metabolized into 5-methylterahydrofolate when absorbed across the intestinal mucosa. When folic acid in the form of folate is taken on an empty stomach, almost one hundred percent is absorbed into the bloodstream. Digestibility of folic acid with foods is estimated at fifty percent and folic acid that is not in the form of folate is estimated at eighty five percent. Recently, studies have been performed on the digestibility of folic acid in supplements verses foods fortified. They discovered that dietary supplements provide more bioavailable folic acid than foods. For example, one study compared folic acid in supplement form verses orange juice that is fortified with folic acid, the dietary supplement won in terms of a better absorption rate.
Pregnant women can benefit the most from taking folic acid daily. In the United States alone there are over three thousand pregnancies with neural tube birth defects. Neural tube is formed early in pregnancy which later turns into the brain and spine on babies. When the neural tube does not form correctly early in pregnancy, the baby can grow up with life long disabilities or worst case it can cause death. The two most common neural tube defects are known as spinal bifida and anencephaly. Studies have found that a folic acid deficiency can cause a neural tube defect early in pregnancy. The U.S. Public Health Service and March of Dimes recommends that all women in child bearing years should take folic acid in no less than 400 micrograms per day to reduce the risk of neural tube defects while pregnant. The studies have been so conclusive that even the FDA has authorized a disease risk reduction health claim that folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects in pregnant women.
One study in 2004 was done by the Lewin Group found that in 10.5 million women of childbearing age who took 400 micrograms of folic acid. This study showed six hundred fewer babies were born with neural tube defects which provided a significant reduction in medical costs. Estimated savings of 1.3 billion in lifetime medical costs just in the five years this study has been out.
Also, researchers have discovered that cancer cells have a natural attraction to folic acid. This opens a whole new area of drug therapies that could become available for cancer patients. Folic acid could be used as a nontoxic carrier for chemotherapy drugs. Researchers at the fourth annual Gene, Drug Therapy and Molecular Biology meeting, suggested that conventional chemotherapy drugs could be used to destroy cancer cells with folic acid as the carrier. Researchers have found that folic acid is over-expressed in certain cancers: especially cancers of the ovary, cervix, endometrium, kidney, breast, brain, lung, and colon. Researchers said that tumors resistant to typical chemotherapy treatments gobble up folic acid. Researchers estimate that over 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancers that over-express the folate receptor in the United States alone. These cancer cells have 500,000 times greater affinity for folic acid than normal healthy cells. Drugs with folic acid as a carrier can find those hard to reach cancer cells while avoiding the normal healthy cells.
Folic acid looks like a very promising B vitamin supplement to aid in wide range of diseases. If you are in child bearing years or undergoing cancer treatment, always consult your health care provider before starting a new supplement regiment. Remember when looking for folic acid, always read the label and make sure the folic acid you are taking is in the form of folate. Great supplements like Folic Acid can be found at your local or internet health food store.
About the Author
Visit VitaNet Health Foods, VitaNet sells high quality supplements like Natures Life folic acid. Please link to this site when using this article.
Consumer 101 - Killing Beauty by Indiann Davinos
Drop Dead Gorgeous
How far would you go to be the fairest of them all? In Elizabethan times, women rubbed lead on their face and mercury in their lips to achieve beauty. The health problems were innumerable and serious. During the Italian Renaissance, a certain Signor Toffano created an arsenic-laced face powder. This lovely little gimmick was marketed as a way for rich women to rid themselves of their unwanted husbands. One flick of a powder puff was enough to see him buried. Today we would baulk at such a risk but we still happily slather ourselves in chemicals so strong they are handled with protective clothing in laboratories. Is it possible the cosmetic industry is still peddling beauty to die for? How do we know, after all just reading the ingredient list in a moisturiser seems to require a biology degree.
Lets start with the ubiquitous sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This chemical is used in almost everything from toothpaste to shampoos. But its side effects can include eczema, irritated eyes and skin (with prolonged exposure) and possible inflammation and infection of the urinary tract and vagina. Checking children's products to make sure they use the less harsh sodium laureth sulphate is a good idea as SLS has been shown to permanently damage children's eyes.
Other dodgy ingredients include EDC's. These gender-bending chemicals are linked to falling sperm counts in men. Some, like Nonylphenol used in cosmetics, Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and E320 (which can leach into cosmetics from PVC containers) are restricted by the EU with a defined tolerable daily intake. However, overtime they build up in our body tissues and some experts consider there is no safe level for use.
Alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA). The cosmetic industrys favourite discovery AHA and BHAs are fruit and milk sugar exfoliates respectively. They work by rubbing off the outer layer of skin to expose the younger-looking? skin beneath. They cannot, as advertisers suggest, permanently improve your skin. In fact, they could ruin it. The epidermis (top layer) of skin is an important barrier protecting the body from UV rays and chemicals we come in contact with. The body's natural reaction to having it rubbed away is to create a thicker tougher epidermis, trapping you into a cycle of exfoliating. If you choose to regularly use products containing AHA's then you will also need to use a stronger sunscreen. AHA's have only been around ten years and their long-term effects are still unknown.
Natural products and extracts show the beauty industry has got wise to our desire for a more natural life. But too often "natural" ranges are just repackaged old products with small amounts of "extracts" added to keep the consumer happy. Really ?natural? products may also need higher levels of preservatives to keep them from going off, and so end up with the same number of chemicals found in all cosmetics and toiletries. Finally of course natural products such as plants and animal extracts can easily be as poisonous as chemicals.
Baby soft skinBabies and young children are particularly susceptible to infection, so products for children under three must have 50 times less microbes then adult products- according to EU law. This does mean they have many more preservatives in them- including benzoates. Benzoates can cause gastric irritation, mouth numbing and urticara and are often used in baby wipes. Perhaps the best option is to choose products with the smallest list of ingredients possible, and use baby soap and water where possible.
Animal magicThe Romans once painted their nails with a mixture of animal blood and fat. While this would horrify the public today there are a surprising number of animal products on our bathroom shelves. If you are a vegetarian this can make life difficult. Some animal-derived ingredients are pretty easy to spot other telltale names include:
Tallow, CI 77267, CI 77268, Collagen, Elastin, Gelatin, Hyaluronic Acid Keratin, Musk, Serum Albumin, Unipertan
Even if cosmetics say they have not been tested on animals, the individual ingredients are sure to have been tested, but not necessarily by the manufacturer.
Are you worth it?
Before you get too alarmed remember few people suffer serious health problems from cosmetics although many find certain products don't agree with them. Buying simpler products, that don't make us pay for wildly unrealistic advertising is probably a good idea. Cosmetics and toiletries can clean us, make us smell sweeter and enhance our looks but for real health and beauty, throwing money at the beauty counter is not an answer.
Boring but true: the only way to make your skin and hair healthier, and eyes brighter are the old tried and tested methods of health and nutrition. This means eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. It also means staying out of the sun, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. It may not come in the most glamorous package- but your body and health are definitely worth it.
About the Author
Find organic beauty products in our directory which also sells fairtrade shoes plus we have Ethical Company articles for you to read or publish.
How far would you go to be the fairest of them all? In Elizabethan times, women rubbed lead on their face and mercury in their lips to achieve beauty. The health problems were innumerable and serious. During the Italian Renaissance, a certain Signor Toffano created an arsenic-laced face powder. This lovely little gimmick was marketed as a way for rich women to rid themselves of their unwanted husbands. One flick of a powder puff was enough to see him buried. Today we would baulk at such a risk but we still happily slather ourselves in chemicals so strong they are handled with protective clothing in laboratories. Is it possible the cosmetic industry is still peddling beauty to die for? How do we know, after all just reading the ingredient list in a moisturiser seems to require a biology degree.
Lets start with the ubiquitous sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This chemical is used in almost everything from toothpaste to shampoos. But its side effects can include eczema, irritated eyes and skin (with prolonged exposure) and possible inflammation and infection of the urinary tract and vagina. Checking children's products to make sure they use the less harsh sodium laureth sulphate is a good idea as SLS has been shown to permanently damage children's eyes.
Other dodgy ingredients include EDC's. These gender-bending chemicals are linked to falling sperm counts in men. Some, like Nonylphenol used in cosmetics, Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and E320 (which can leach into cosmetics from PVC containers) are restricted by the EU with a defined tolerable daily intake. However, overtime they build up in our body tissues and some experts consider there is no safe level for use.
Alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA). The cosmetic industrys favourite discovery AHA and BHAs are fruit and milk sugar exfoliates respectively. They work by rubbing off the outer layer of skin to expose the younger-looking? skin beneath. They cannot, as advertisers suggest, permanently improve your skin. In fact, they could ruin it. The epidermis (top layer) of skin is an important barrier protecting the body from UV rays and chemicals we come in contact with. The body's natural reaction to having it rubbed away is to create a thicker tougher epidermis, trapping you into a cycle of exfoliating. If you choose to regularly use products containing AHA's then you will also need to use a stronger sunscreen. AHA's have only been around ten years and their long-term effects are still unknown.
Natural products and extracts show the beauty industry has got wise to our desire for a more natural life. But too often "natural" ranges are just repackaged old products with small amounts of "extracts" added to keep the consumer happy. Really ?natural? products may also need higher levels of preservatives to keep them from going off, and so end up with the same number of chemicals found in all cosmetics and toiletries. Finally of course natural products such as plants and animal extracts can easily be as poisonous as chemicals.
Baby soft skinBabies and young children are particularly susceptible to infection, so products for children under three must have 50 times less microbes then adult products- according to EU law. This does mean they have many more preservatives in them- including benzoates. Benzoates can cause gastric irritation, mouth numbing and urticara and are often used in baby wipes. Perhaps the best option is to choose products with the smallest list of ingredients possible, and use baby soap and water where possible.
Animal magicThe Romans once painted their nails with a mixture of animal blood and fat. While this would horrify the public today there are a surprising number of animal products on our bathroom shelves. If you are a vegetarian this can make life difficult. Some animal-derived ingredients are pretty easy to spot other telltale names include:
Tallow, CI 77267, CI 77268, Collagen, Elastin, Gelatin, Hyaluronic Acid Keratin, Musk, Serum Albumin, Unipertan
Even if cosmetics say they have not been tested on animals, the individual ingredients are sure to have been tested, but not necessarily by the manufacturer.
Are you worth it?
Before you get too alarmed remember few people suffer serious health problems from cosmetics although many find certain products don't agree with them. Buying simpler products, that don't make us pay for wildly unrealistic advertising is probably a good idea. Cosmetics and toiletries can clean us, make us smell sweeter and enhance our looks but for real health and beauty, throwing money at the beauty counter is not an answer.
Boring but true: the only way to make your skin and hair healthier, and eyes brighter are the old tried and tested methods of health and nutrition. This means eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. It also means staying out of the sun, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. It may not come in the most glamorous package- but your body and health are definitely worth it.
About the Author
Find organic beauty products in our directory which also sells fairtrade shoes plus we have Ethical Company articles for you to read or publish.
A Dissecting Microscope For School Use by David Faulkner
Anyone who has taken high school biology has encountered a dissecting microscope; it was usually accompanied by a frog. The trauma involved in having to chloroform destroy a frog in the name of education may, however, have rendered you oblivious to the workings of the dissecting microscope, so here is a refresher course on how it was constructed and how it worked.
Construction Of A Dissecting Microscope
The dissecting microscope, like all microscopes, has a tube with a lens at its upper opening, through which you look to view the specimen lying beneath the tube's lower end. The upper end of the tube will also have some form of nose piece to help your head remain steady while you do your viewing.
The lower end of the dissecting microscope contains the second lens, known as the "objective" lens. The type of objective lens being used will depend on how fine a focus you need to examine your specimen. Your dissecting microscope will have two more light-condensing lenses in its condenser; these lenses are responsible for the microscope's magnification capacity.
The dissecting microscope's condenser is centered above the middle of the microscope's stage, on which the slide bearing the specimen ifs placed for examination. The best dissecting microscopes have adjustable stages which can be manipulated without the microscope's user having to remove his or her eyes from the eyepiece.
The dissecting microscope's stage is positioned above its diaphragm, the function of which is to control the amount of light being transmitted through the slide and specimen. The light itself is also below the dissecting microscope's stage, and is either a halogen or fluorescent bulb. It is the manipulation of the light's reflection on the specimen that causes the dissecting microscope to magnify what the user sees.
Caring For A Dissecting Microscope
Dissecting microscopes, like all others, require special care; their lenses should be kept dust and smudge free with dry, soft cloths and they should be stored, when not in use, in dust covers. They should also be stored away from dampness.
Those handling a dissecting microscope should always carry it in both hands. That is the best way to avoid either dropping it or bumping it against other objects; either of which will ruin the alignment of the lenses. The dissecting microscope is most secure when its user holds the microscope arm in one hand and supports its base in the other.
About the Author
You can also find more info on Student Microscope and Video Microscope. Microscopesreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Microscopes.
Construction Of A Dissecting Microscope
The dissecting microscope, like all microscopes, has a tube with a lens at its upper opening, through which you look to view the specimen lying beneath the tube's lower end. The upper end of the tube will also have some form of nose piece to help your head remain steady while you do your viewing.
The lower end of the dissecting microscope contains the second lens, known as the "objective" lens. The type of objective lens being used will depend on how fine a focus you need to examine your specimen. Your dissecting microscope will have two more light-condensing lenses in its condenser; these lenses are responsible for the microscope's magnification capacity.
The dissecting microscope's condenser is centered above the middle of the microscope's stage, on which the slide bearing the specimen ifs placed for examination. The best dissecting microscopes have adjustable stages which can be manipulated without the microscope's user having to remove his or her eyes from the eyepiece.
The dissecting microscope's stage is positioned above its diaphragm, the function of which is to control the amount of light being transmitted through the slide and specimen. The light itself is also below the dissecting microscope's stage, and is either a halogen or fluorescent bulb. It is the manipulation of the light's reflection on the specimen that causes the dissecting microscope to magnify what the user sees.
Caring For A Dissecting Microscope
Dissecting microscopes, like all others, require special care; their lenses should be kept dust and smudge free with dry, soft cloths and they should be stored, when not in use, in dust covers. They should also be stored away from dampness.
Those handling a dissecting microscope should always carry it in both hands. That is the best way to avoid either dropping it or bumping it against other objects; either of which will ruin the alignment of the lenses. The dissecting microscope is most secure when its user holds the microscope arm in one hand and supports its base in the other.
About the Author
You can also find more info on Student Microscope and Video Microscope. Microscopesreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Microscopes.
Organic Skin Care: Learn How To Recognize It by Chonticha Marijne
If you're like most men and women, you don't like to put a bunch of chemicals on your face. However, it's often difficult to know which products are best at promoting healthy skin, as well as those products designed to reduce signs of aging, wrinkles, or to reduce darkness of freckles, melasma and scars. Many people these days are opting to go organic when it comes to their skin care needs, but just what does that mean?
Organic skin care, also known as natural skin care, is becoming more popular as people around the world are growing more aware of environmental and animal issues. However, the use of the words 'natural' or 'organic' basically mean that the ingredients of any specific skin care product is created from natural ingredients. This doesn't mean that the product that you choose can be considered natural by the time it reaches the store shelves, as often, chemicals and manufacturing processing has turned that formerly natural product into a something else entirely.
When you see ingredients listed on labels such as 'derived' from aloe vera or 'derived' from rose oil, or some such, that doesn't mean that no chemicals or additives have been added or created from the manufacturing process. In order to determine if any product, whether it's skin care, shampoo, foods or drinks are truly organic, they should have some sort of guarantee on the label that designates them as such. You should not be able to find any chemical names or terms in the ingredient label.
Always make sure to read the first few listed ingredients for any so-called organic skin care product, which usually make up the bulk of that product, whether it's a cream, lotion, paste or oil. An easy rule of thumb to follow is that if you can't pronounce the names of the listed ingredients, you may want to put that item back on the shelf.
When it comes to skin care, it's important to know what you're offering your skin cells. If you want moisture, or antiaging or anti wrinkle effects, you have to know the basics of skin care products. Retin and Vitamin A as well as Vitamin E are necessary for any beneficial anti wrinkle or line products to work. You don't have to be an expert in biology or chemistry to make a wise choice. Look around, ask around and check basic ingredients on the Internet or get a book on natural vitamins and herbs that are found in common foods, especially those found in fruits and vegetables.
Searching for a natural skin care product is not as easy as walking into the local natural food or health store and grabbing a bottle off the shelf. While this may seem the logical place to start, the consumer must always be aware of false advertising and take the time to read labels, ask questions, and if in doubt, put that item back on the shelf until you learn more about it. After all, it's your skin.
About the Author
Know what you put on your skin! Find out more about organic skin care at http://LetsTalkSkinCare.com/organicskincare.htm.
Organic skin care, also known as natural skin care, is becoming more popular as people around the world are growing more aware of environmental and animal issues. However, the use of the words 'natural' or 'organic' basically mean that the ingredients of any specific skin care product is created from natural ingredients. This doesn't mean that the product that you choose can be considered natural by the time it reaches the store shelves, as often, chemicals and manufacturing processing has turned that formerly natural product into a something else entirely.
When you see ingredients listed on labels such as 'derived' from aloe vera or 'derived' from rose oil, or some such, that doesn't mean that no chemicals or additives have been added or created from the manufacturing process. In order to determine if any product, whether it's skin care, shampoo, foods or drinks are truly organic, they should have some sort of guarantee on the label that designates them as such. You should not be able to find any chemical names or terms in the ingredient label.
Always make sure to read the first few listed ingredients for any so-called organic skin care product, which usually make up the bulk of that product, whether it's a cream, lotion, paste or oil. An easy rule of thumb to follow is that if you can't pronounce the names of the listed ingredients, you may want to put that item back on the shelf.
When it comes to skin care, it's important to know what you're offering your skin cells. If you want moisture, or antiaging or anti wrinkle effects, you have to know the basics of skin care products. Retin and Vitamin A as well as Vitamin E are necessary for any beneficial anti wrinkle or line products to work. You don't have to be an expert in biology or chemistry to make a wise choice. Look around, ask around and check basic ingredients on the Internet or get a book on natural vitamins and herbs that are found in common foods, especially those found in fruits and vegetables.
Searching for a natural skin care product is not as easy as walking into the local natural food or health store and grabbing a bottle off the shelf. While this may seem the logical place to start, the consumer must always be aware of false advertising and take the time to read labels, ask questions, and if in doubt, put that item back on the shelf until you learn more about it. After all, it's your skin.
About the Author
Know what you put on your skin! Find out more about organic skin care at http://LetsTalkSkinCare.com/organicskincare.htm.
DNA - Welcome To The World Of Deoxyribonucleic Acid by Sandra Stammberger
Did we ever know that the basic building unit of our human body is an Atom? For all of you who have been exposed to elementary biology at some stage of your life must be fully familiar with this term. And with that assumption, let me introduce you to DNA (scientifically known as Deoyribonucleic acid).
For me, millions of DNA arrange themselves into 46 chromosomes. These 46 chromosomes form the basic foundation of an off-spring of a race.
Essentially, some DNA units carry the basic structure of genes which are extremely helpful in carrying genetic information. To cut a long story short, DNA is a molecule that stores information over long periods of time which also couples up as an instruction-manager when it comes to formation of the proteins and carrying genetic information.
Each DNA strand (unit of DNA) is made up of nucleotides backed up by a strong backbone of sugar and phosphate atoms. These bond together by bonds made of esters. The bases which are one of the four types of molecules attached to each sugar take the responsibility of encoding information.
The process of encoding and transmitting information can be simplified in to the below mentioned four steps :Information is encoded by the bases which are attached to each sugar molecule.
The genetic code reads the information provided by the base. This reading of information is vital the specification of the building block of proteins, amino acids.To read the code, DNA stretches are transcribed into RNA molecules. These RNA molecules then synthesize the proteins. More importantly, structures like ribosomes have the presence of RNA directly.
In animals, plants the DNA is stored inside the cell nucleus. Before we talk about DNA Replication which is the last step of a scientific process, we need to know how the DNA is organized. A genome consists of chromosomes and these genomes reside in a cell. Chromosomes, as explained earlier, consist of the DNA in an organized and structural manner. And in essence, DNA replication is characterized by division of cells but before which the chromosomes duplicate themselves.DNA, in recent times has created a lot of news for itself.
With concepts like cloning to the fore, DNA has carved a niche for itself. It finds itself right in the middle of the Genetic Engineering Revolution which in simple terms is the study of genes. DNA also figures in Forensic Science.
How many times have we heard about Forensic Investigators doing a DNA test of a blood sample of a criminal? It is said that no two DNA samples match and a DNA sample is unique to a person.The science of the DNA is a bit complex to understand, but once you break the nut, it will be an exciting career prospect for you. More than anything, you will get down to understanding genes in the right terms.
About the Author
Sandra Stammberger owns and operates http://www.dnatestingonline.net DNA Testing
For me, millions of DNA arrange themselves into 46 chromosomes. These 46 chromosomes form the basic foundation of an off-spring of a race.
Essentially, some DNA units carry the basic structure of genes which are extremely helpful in carrying genetic information. To cut a long story short, DNA is a molecule that stores information over long periods of time which also couples up as an instruction-manager when it comes to formation of the proteins and carrying genetic information.
Each DNA strand (unit of DNA) is made up of nucleotides backed up by a strong backbone of sugar and phosphate atoms. These bond together by bonds made of esters. The bases which are one of the four types of molecules attached to each sugar take the responsibility of encoding information.
The process of encoding and transmitting information can be simplified in to the below mentioned four steps :Information is encoded by the bases which are attached to each sugar molecule.
The genetic code reads the information provided by the base. This reading of information is vital the specification of the building block of proteins, amino acids.To read the code, DNA stretches are transcribed into RNA molecules. These RNA molecules then synthesize the proteins. More importantly, structures like ribosomes have the presence of RNA directly.
In animals, plants the DNA is stored inside the cell nucleus. Before we talk about DNA Replication which is the last step of a scientific process, we need to know how the DNA is organized. A genome consists of chromosomes and these genomes reside in a cell. Chromosomes, as explained earlier, consist of the DNA in an organized and structural manner. And in essence, DNA replication is characterized by division of cells but before which the chromosomes duplicate themselves.DNA, in recent times has created a lot of news for itself.
With concepts like cloning to the fore, DNA has carved a niche for itself. It finds itself right in the middle of the Genetic Engineering Revolution which in simple terms is the study of genes. DNA also figures in Forensic Science.
How many times have we heard about Forensic Investigators doing a DNA test of a blood sample of a criminal? It is said that no two DNA samples match and a DNA sample is unique to a person.The science of the DNA is a bit complex to understand, but once you break the nut, it will be an exciting career prospect for you. More than anything, you will get down to understanding genes in the right terms.
About the Author
Sandra Stammberger owns and operates http://www.dnatestingonline.net DNA Testing
Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis by Juliet Cohen
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. RA is a systemic disease, often affecting extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and adults older than age 50. About 60% of RA patients are unable to work 10 years after the onset of their disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting more than two million people in the United States. The disease is three times more common in women as in men. It afflicts people of all races equally. RA can affect any joint, but the most common places are the hands or feet. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes redness, pain, swelling or a hot (or warm) feeling in the lining of a joint, the place where 2 or more bones come together. Worldwide, about 1% of people are believed to have rheumatoid arthritis, but the rate varies among different groups of people.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. Rheumatoid arthritis is rarely associated with pyoderma gangrenosum, a necrotizing, ulcerative, noninfectious neutrophilic dermatosis. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your immune system attacking your body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the smaller joints, such as those of the hands and/or feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and/or ankles. RA may start gradually or with a sudden, severe attack with flu-like symptoms. It's important to remember that RA symptoms vary from person to person. In some people the disease will be mild with periods of activity or joint inflammation and inactivity. Along with painful, inflamed joints, RA can cause inflammation in other body tissues and organs. In 20% of cases, lumps called rheumatoid nodules develop under the skin, often over bony areas.
Treatments for arthritis have improved in recent years. Corticosteroids. These medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage. Medications used to control RA fall into two categories: those that relieve symptoms and those that have the potential to modify the course of the disease. Exercise is also an important part of a treatment program. Immunosuppressants medications act to tame your immune system, which is out of control in rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the commonly used immunosuppressants include leflunomide (Arava), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). These medications can have potentially serious side effects such as increased susceptibility to infection. Rituximab-Rituximab reduces the number of B cells in your body. B cells are involved in inflammation. The most common antidepressants used for arthritis pain and nonrestorative sleep are amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) and trazodone (Desyrel).
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Tips
1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and many others.
2. Light exercise may be beneficial for improving blood circulation to joints.
3. Various anti-cytokine medications are now being used to treat painful disease states such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a type of medicine that reduces pain and swelling.
5. Severely affected joints may require joint replacement surgery, such as knee replacement.
6. Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisone, a hormone natural produced by the body.
7. Immunosuppressants medications act to tame your immune system, which is out of control in rheumatoid arthritis.
About the AuthorJuliet Cohen writes articles for health and fitness and diseases treatment . For more information visit our site at http://www.healthfitnesstips.org/.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. Rheumatoid arthritis is rarely associated with pyoderma gangrenosum, a necrotizing, ulcerative, noninfectious neutrophilic dermatosis. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your immune system attacking your body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the smaller joints, such as those of the hands and/or feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and/or ankles. RA may start gradually or with a sudden, severe attack with flu-like symptoms. It's important to remember that RA symptoms vary from person to person. In some people the disease will be mild with periods of activity or joint inflammation and inactivity. Along with painful, inflamed joints, RA can cause inflammation in other body tissues and organs. In 20% of cases, lumps called rheumatoid nodules develop under the skin, often over bony areas.
Treatments for arthritis have improved in recent years. Corticosteroids. These medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage. Medications used to control RA fall into two categories: those that relieve symptoms and those that have the potential to modify the course of the disease. Exercise is also an important part of a treatment program. Immunosuppressants medications act to tame your immune system, which is out of control in rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the commonly used immunosuppressants include leflunomide (Arava), azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). These medications can have potentially serious side effects such as increased susceptibility to infection. Rituximab-Rituximab reduces the number of B cells in your body. B cells are involved in inflammation. The most common antidepressants used for arthritis pain and nonrestorative sleep are amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) and trazodone (Desyrel).
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Tips
1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and many others.
2. Light exercise may be beneficial for improving blood circulation to joints.
3. Various anti-cytokine medications are now being used to treat painful disease states such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a type of medicine that reduces pain and swelling.
5. Severely affected joints may require joint replacement surgery, such as knee replacement.
6. Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisone, a hormone natural produced by the body.
7. Immunosuppressants medications act to tame your immune system, which is out of control in rheumatoid arthritis.
About the AuthorJuliet Cohen writes articles for health and fitness and diseases treatment . For more information visit our site at http://www.healthfitnesstips.org/.
Natural Acne Cures & Remedies - Natural Treatments for Acne by Franchis Adam
Are you persistently bothered by blemishes, zits and reoccurring acne outbreaks? Sick of making a lot trips to the doc for costly medicines and creams that provide little or no relief?
If so, you might prefer to try an effective, natural method to treat annoying acne issues and conditions. Unlike prescribed medications, alternative natural acne treatments rarely cause adverse side effects and are usually less pricey than prescribed medication.
A lot of people these days who have acne are looking for more natural ways of treatment and are turning to alternative medicine since it is becoming more popular. Although many people have experienced great success with medications prescribed by a medical practitioner, other people have suffered side effects or other reactions which results in the medication being as much an issue as the acne.
Many other people may have tried every non prescribed over the counter remedy, only to end up with the condition remaining the same. In fact, when used improperly or in excess, some over-the-counter balms and creams may even worsen your acne.
Acne is often the result of a hormonal imbalance in women. Unfortunately this causes a lot of women to suffer from acne years after they are adolescents. In order to treat the condition effectively long term, it is important to choose a method that will not in anyway endanger your overall general health in the process.
Nowadays there are a lot of natural herbs available that have shown to assist in reducing or eliminating the many effects of acne. A lot of people do suffer pain and embarrassment as a result of having ace. Primrose, black cohosh, red clover, and wild yam are some of the commonly used herbs used to treat acne.
These herbs help in creating a healthy balance of androgen and estrogen in the body. An overproduction of sebrum which can result in blocked pores that lead to acne is often caused by an excess of androgen in the system.
Herbal treatments for acne are not only for women patients. There are many herbs widely available on the market that can be used by both male or female acne sufferers.
The herbs assist in improving the skin's appearance by eliminating first the infection and secondly by soothing the inflamed areas of skin. If you need to purchase any herbal treatment they are readily available at many local health stores. Echinacea root, red peony, dandelion, salvia and licorice are the most popular herbs that are used today to treat acne.
A lot of dermatologists think that acne is the result of a vitamin deficiency in their patients. Clinical studies have indicated that a good portion of people who suffer persistent acne have an inadequate amount of B vitamin in their system. This inadequacy may cause excess sebrum, which results in clogged skin pores. Taking supplements of Vitamin B5 regularly in the diet has proven to be successful in reducing or healing the symptoms of the acne.
Although most natural or herbal treatments for acne are normally safe, you'll still need to proceed with caution when testing any new form of treatment. It's advisable to speak with an experienced herbalist or an alternative specialist if you're unsure about any possible reactions or side effects.
An alternative medical practitioner may also provide you with additional information on suggested dosages to fit your needs. If you're presently taking any form of prescription medicine for other conditions or illness, make certain to discuss the issue with your doctor or alternative practitioner. Just like prescribed medications, a lot of herbs should not be used in conjunction with other forms of medicine.
We personally recommend the all natural acne treatment called Acnezine which is formulated to treat acne from the inside out.
About the Author Read out Pregnancy calculator . Also check out for plastic surgery in las vegas and herbs and pregnancy
If so, you might prefer to try an effective, natural method to treat annoying acne issues and conditions. Unlike prescribed medications, alternative natural acne treatments rarely cause adverse side effects and are usually less pricey than prescribed medication.
A lot of people these days who have acne are looking for more natural ways of treatment and are turning to alternative medicine since it is becoming more popular. Although many people have experienced great success with medications prescribed by a medical practitioner, other people have suffered side effects or other reactions which results in the medication being as much an issue as the acne.
Many other people may have tried every non prescribed over the counter remedy, only to end up with the condition remaining the same. In fact, when used improperly or in excess, some over-the-counter balms and creams may even worsen your acne.
Acne is often the result of a hormonal imbalance in women. Unfortunately this causes a lot of women to suffer from acne years after they are adolescents. In order to treat the condition effectively long term, it is important to choose a method that will not in anyway endanger your overall general health in the process.
Nowadays there are a lot of natural herbs available that have shown to assist in reducing or eliminating the many effects of acne. A lot of people do suffer pain and embarrassment as a result of having ace. Primrose, black cohosh, red clover, and wild yam are some of the commonly used herbs used to treat acne.
These herbs help in creating a healthy balance of androgen and estrogen in the body. An overproduction of sebrum which can result in blocked pores that lead to acne is often caused by an excess of androgen in the system.
Herbal treatments for acne are not only for women patients. There are many herbs widely available on the market that can be used by both male or female acne sufferers.
The herbs assist in improving the skin's appearance by eliminating first the infection and secondly by soothing the inflamed areas of skin. If you need to purchase any herbal treatment they are readily available at many local health stores. Echinacea root, red peony, dandelion, salvia and licorice are the most popular herbs that are used today to treat acne.
A lot of dermatologists think that acne is the result of a vitamin deficiency in their patients. Clinical studies have indicated that a good portion of people who suffer persistent acne have an inadequate amount of B vitamin in their system. This inadequacy may cause excess sebrum, which results in clogged skin pores. Taking supplements of Vitamin B5 regularly in the diet has proven to be successful in reducing or healing the symptoms of the acne.
Although most natural or herbal treatments for acne are normally safe, you'll still need to proceed with caution when testing any new form of treatment. It's advisable to speak with an experienced herbalist or an alternative specialist if you're unsure about any possible reactions or side effects.
An alternative medical practitioner may also provide you with additional information on suggested dosages to fit your needs. If you're presently taking any form of prescription medicine for other conditions or illness, make certain to discuss the issue with your doctor or alternative practitioner. Just like prescribed medications, a lot of herbs should not be used in conjunction with other forms of medicine.
We personally recommend the all natural acne treatment called Acnezine which is formulated to treat acne from the inside out.
About the Author Read out Pregnancy calculator . Also check out for plastic surgery in las vegas and herbs and pregnancy
A REVIEW ON INDUSTRIAL ENZYMES by Prashantkumar Kudli Shrinivas
A REVIEW ON INDUSTRIAL ENZYMES
Historical background
Most of the reactions in living organisms are catalyzed by protein molecules called enzymes. Enzymes can rightly be called the catalytic machinery of living systems. The real break through of enzymes occurred with the introduction of microbial proteases into washing powders. The first commercial bacterial Bacillus protease was marketed in 1959 and major detergent manufactures started to use it around 1965.
The industrial enzyme producers sell enzymes for a wide variety of applications. The estimated value of world market is presently about US $ 2 billion . Detergents (37 %), textiles (12 %), starch (11 %), baking (8 %) and animal feed (6 %) are the main industries, which use about 75 % of industrially produced enzymes.
Enzyme classification
Presently more than 3000 different enzymes have been isolated and classified. The enzymes are classified into six major categories based on the nature of the chemical reaction they catalyze:
1. Oxidoreductases catalyze oxidation or reduction of their substrates.
2. Transferases catalyze group transfer.
3. Hydrolases catalyze bond breakage with the addition of water.
4. Lyases remove groups from their substrates.
5. Isomerases catalyze intramolecular rearrangements.
6. Ligases catalyze the joining of two molecules at the expense of chemical energy.
Only a limited number of all the known enzymes are commercially available . More than 75 % of industrial enzymes are hydrolases. Protein-degrading enzymes constitute about 40 % of all enzyme sales. More than fifty commercial industrial enzymes are available and their number is increasing steadily.
Enzyme production
Some enzymes still extracted from animal and plant tissues. Enzymes such as papain, bromelain and ficin and other speciallity enzymes like lipoxygenase are derived from plants and enzymes pepsin and rennin are derived from animal. Most of the enzymes are produced by microorganisms in submerged cultures in large reactors called fermentors. The enzyme production process can be divided into following phases:
1. Selection of an enzyme.
2. Selection of production strain.
3. Construction of an overproducing stain by genetic engineering.
4. Optimization of culture medium and production condition. 5. Optimization of recovery process .
6. Formulation of a stable enzyme product.
Criteria used in the selection of an industrial enzyme include specificity, reaction rate, pH and temperature optima and stability, effect of inhibitors and affinity to substrates. Enzymes used in the industrial applications must usually tolerant against various heavy metals and have no need for cofactors.
Microbial production strains
In choosing the production strain several aspects have to be considered. Ideally the enzyme is secreted from the cell. Secondly, the production host should have a GRAS-status . Thirdly, the organism should be able to produce high amount of the desired enzyme in a reasonable life time frame. Most of the industrially used microorganism have been genetically modified to overproduce the desired activity and not to produce undesired side activities.
Enzyme production by microbial fermentation
Once the biological production organism has been genetically engineered to overproduce the desired products, a production process has to be developed. The optimization of a fermentation process includes media composition, cultivation type and process conditions. The large volume industrial enzymes are produced in 50 -500 m3 fermentors. The extracellular enzymes are often recovered after cell removal (by vacuum drum filtration, separators or microfiltration) by ultrafiltration.
Protein engineering
Often enzymes do not have the desired properties for an industrial application. One option is find a better enzyme from nature. Another option is to engineer a commercially available enzyme to be a better industrial catalyst. Another option is to engineer a commercially available enzyme to be a better industrial catalyst. Two different methods are presently available: a random method called directed evaluation and a protein engineering method called rational design.
Enzyme technology
This field deals with how are the enzymes used and applied in practical processes. The simplest way is to use enzymes is to add them into a process stream where they catalyze the desired reaction and are gradually inactivated during the process. This happens in many bulk enzyme applications and the price of the enzymes must be low to take their use economical.
An alternative way to use enzymes is to immobilize them so that they can be reused. Enzyme can be immobilized by using ultra filtration membranes in the reactor system. The large enzyme molecule cannot pass through the membrane but the small molecular reaction products can. Many different laboratory methods for enzyme immobilization based on chemical reaction, entrapment, specific binding or absorption have been developed.
Large scale Enzyme applications
1] Detergents
Bacterial proteinases are still the most important detergent enzymes. Lipases decompose fats into more water-soluble compounds. Amylases are used in detergents to remove starch based stains.
2] Starch hydrolysis and fructose production
The use of starch degrading enzymes was the first large scale application of microbial enzymes in food industry. Mainly two enzymes carry out conversion of starch to glucose: alpha-amylase and fungal enzymes. Fructose produced from sucrose as a starting material. Sucrose is split by invertase into glucose and fructose, fructose separated and crystallized.
3] Drinks
Enzymes have many applications in drink industry. Lactase splits milk-sugar lactose into glucose and galactose. This process is used for milk products that are consumed by lactose intolerant consumers. Addition of pectinase, xylanase and cellulase improve the liberation of the juice from pulp. Similarly enzymes are widely used in wine production.
4] Textiles
The use of enzymes in textile industry is one of the most rapidly growing fields in industrial enzymology. The enzymes used in the textile field are amylases, catalase, and lactases which are used to remove the starch, degrade excess hydrogen peroxide , bleach textiles and degrade lignin.
5] Animal feed
Addition of xylanase to wheat-based broiler feed has increased the available metabolizable energy 7-10% in various studies. Enzyme addition reduces viscosity, which increases absorption of nutrients, liberates nutrients either by hydrolysis of non-degradable fibers or by liberating nutrients blocked by these fibers, and reduces the amount of faeces.
6] Baking
Alpha-amylases have been most widely studied in connection with improved bread quality and increased shelf life. Use of xylanases decreases the water absorption and thus reduces the amount of added water needed in baking. This leads to more stable dough. Proteinases can be added to improve dough-handling properties; glucose oxidase has been used to replace chemical oxidants and lipases to strengthen gluten, which leads to more stable dough and better bread quality.
7] Pulp and Paper
The major application is the use of xylanases in pulp bleaching. This reduces considerably the need for chlorine based bleaching chemicals. In paper making amylase enzymes are used especially in modification of starch. Pitch is a sticky substance present mainly in softwoods. Pitch causes problems in paper machines and can be removed by lipases.
8] Leather
Leather industry uses proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes in leather processing. Enzymes are used to remove unwanted parts. In dehairing and dewooling phases bacterial proteases enzymes are used to assist the alkaline chemical process. This results in a more environmentally friendly process and improves the quality of the leather . Bacterial and fungal enzymes are used to make the leather soft and easier to dye.
9] Speciality enzymes
There are a large number of specialty applications for enzymes. These include use of enzymes in analytical applications, flavour production, protein modification, and personal care products, DNA-technology and in fine chemical production.
10] Enzymes in analytics
Enzymes are widely used in the clinical analytical methodology. Contrary to bulk industrial enzymes these enzymes need to be free from side activities. This means that elaborate purification processes are needed.
An important development in analytical chemistry is biosensors. The most widely used application is a glucose biosensor involving glucose oxidase catalysed reaction.
Several commercial instruments are available which apply this principle for measurement of molecules like glucose, lactate, lactose, sucrose, ethanol, methanol, cholesterol and some amino acids.
11] Enzymes in personal care products
Personal care products are a relatively new area for enzymes. Proteinase and lipase containing enzyme solutions are used for contact lens cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide is used in disinfections of contact lenses. The residual hydrogen peroxide after disinfections can be removed by catalase enzyme. Some toothpaste contains glucoamylase and glucose oxidase. Enzymes are also studied for applications in skin and hair care products.
12] Enzymes in DNA-technology
DNA-technology is an important tool in enzyme industry. Most traditional enzymes are produced by organisms, which have been genetically modified to overproduce the desired enzyme. The specific order of the organic bases in the chain of DNA constitutes the genetic language. Genetic engineering means reading and modifying this language. Enzymes are crucial tools in this process.
13] Enzymes in fine chemical production
In spite of some successes, commercial production of chemicals by living cells using pathway engineering is still in many cases the best alternative to apply biocatalysis. Isolated enzymes have, however, been successfully used in fine chemical synthesis. Some of the most important examples are represented here.
13-a] Chirally pure amino acids and aspartame
Natural amino acids are usually produced by microbial fermentation. Novel enzymatic resolution methods have been developed for the production of L- as well as for D-amino acids. Aspartame, the intensive non-calorie sweetener, is synthesized in non-aqueous conditions by thermolysin, a proteolytic enzyme.
13-b] Rare sugars
Recently enzymatic methods have been developed to manufacture practically all D- and L-forms of simple sugars. Glucose isomerase is one of the important industrial enzymes used in fructose manufacturing.
13-c] Semisynthetic penicillins
Penicillin is produced by genetically modified strains of Penicillium strains. Most of the penicillin is converted by immobilised acylase enzyme to 6-aminopenicillanic acid, which serves as a backbone for many semisynthetic penicillins.
13-d] Lipase based reactions
In addition to detergent applications lipases can be used in versatile chemical reactions since they are active in organic solvents. Lipases used in transesterification and also used for enantiomeric separation of alcohols and separate racemic amine mixtures. Lipases have also been used to form aromatic and aliphatic polymers.
13-e] Enzymatic oligosaccharide synthesis
The chemical synthesis of oligosaccharides is a complicated multi-step effort. Biocatalytic syntheses with isolated enzymes like glycosyltransferases and glycosidases or engineered whole cells are powerful alternatives to chemical methods. Oligosaccharides have found applications in cosmetics, medicines and as functional foods.
Future trends in industrial enzymology
Industrial enzyme market is growing steadily. The reason for this lies in improved production efficiency resulting in cheaper enzymes, in new application fields. Tailoring enzymes for specific applications will be a future trend with continuously improving tools and understanding of structure-function relationships and increased search for enzymes from exotic environments.
New technical tools to use enzymes as crystalline catalysts, ability to recycle cofactors, and engineering enzymes to function in various solvents with multiple activities are important technological developments, which will steadily create new applications.
About the AuthorDr.Prashantkumar Kudli Shrinivas is having 12 years industrial experience in Aroma chemicals and Perfumery & Flavour formulations. He is a permanent member of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers & NMR Association of India.
Historical background
Most of the reactions in living organisms are catalyzed by protein molecules called enzymes. Enzymes can rightly be called the catalytic machinery of living systems. The real break through of enzymes occurred with the introduction of microbial proteases into washing powders. The first commercial bacterial Bacillus protease was marketed in 1959 and major detergent manufactures started to use it around 1965.
The industrial enzyme producers sell enzymes for a wide variety of applications. The estimated value of world market is presently about US $ 2 billion . Detergents (37 %), textiles (12 %), starch (11 %), baking (8 %) and animal feed (6 %) are the main industries, which use about 75 % of industrially produced enzymes.
Enzyme classification
Presently more than 3000 different enzymes have been isolated and classified. The enzymes are classified into six major categories based on the nature of the chemical reaction they catalyze:
1. Oxidoreductases catalyze oxidation or reduction of their substrates.
2. Transferases catalyze group transfer.
3. Hydrolases catalyze bond breakage with the addition of water.
4. Lyases remove groups from their substrates.
5. Isomerases catalyze intramolecular rearrangements.
6. Ligases catalyze the joining of two molecules at the expense of chemical energy.
Only a limited number of all the known enzymes are commercially available . More than 75 % of industrial enzymes are hydrolases. Protein-degrading enzymes constitute about 40 % of all enzyme sales. More than fifty commercial industrial enzymes are available and their number is increasing steadily.
Enzyme production
Some enzymes still extracted from animal and plant tissues. Enzymes such as papain, bromelain and ficin and other speciallity enzymes like lipoxygenase are derived from plants and enzymes pepsin and rennin are derived from animal. Most of the enzymes are produced by microorganisms in submerged cultures in large reactors called fermentors. The enzyme production process can be divided into following phases:
1. Selection of an enzyme.
2. Selection of production strain.
3. Construction of an overproducing stain by genetic engineering.
4. Optimization of culture medium and production condition. 5. Optimization of recovery process .
6. Formulation of a stable enzyme product.
Criteria used in the selection of an industrial enzyme include specificity, reaction rate, pH and temperature optima and stability, effect of inhibitors and affinity to substrates. Enzymes used in the industrial applications must usually tolerant against various heavy metals and have no need for cofactors.
Microbial production strains
In choosing the production strain several aspects have to be considered. Ideally the enzyme is secreted from the cell. Secondly, the production host should have a GRAS-status . Thirdly, the organism should be able to produce high amount of the desired enzyme in a reasonable life time frame. Most of the industrially used microorganism have been genetically modified to overproduce the desired activity and not to produce undesired side activities.
Enzyme production by microbial fermentation
Once the biological production organism has been genetically engineered to overproduce the desired products, a production process has to be developed. The optimization of a fermentation process includes media composition, cultivation type and process conditions. The large volume industrial enzymes are produced in 50 -500 m3 fermentors. The extracellular enzymes are often recovered after cell removal (by vacuum drum filtration, separators or microfiltration) by ultrafiltration.
Protein engineering
Often enzymes do not have the desired properties for an industrial application. One option is find a better enzyme from nature. Another option is to engineer a commercially available enzyme to be a better industrial catalyst. Another option is to engineer a commercially available enzyme to be a better industrial catalyst. Two different methods are presently available: a random method called directed evaluation and a protein engineering method called rational design.
Enzyme technology
This field deals with how are the enzymes used and applied in practical processes. The simplest way is to use enzymes is to add them into a process stream where they catalyze the desired reaction and are gradually inactivated during the process. This happens in many bulk enzyme applications and the price of the enzymes must be low to take their use economical.
An alternative way to use enzymes is to immobilize them so that they can be reused. Enzyme can be immobilized by using ultra filtration membranes in the reactor system. The large enzyme molecule cannot pass through the membrane but the small molecular reaction products can. Many different laboratory methods for enzyme immobilization based on chemical reaction, entrapment, specific binding or absorption have been developed.
Large scale Enzyme applications
1] Detergents
Bacterial proteinases are still the most important detergent enzymes. Lipases decompose fats into more water-soluble compounds. Amylases are used in detergents to remove starch based stains.
2] Starch hydrolysis and fructose production
The use of starch degrading enzymes was the first large scale application of microbial enzymes in food industry. Mainly two enzymes carry out conversion of starch to glucose: alpha-amylase and fungal enzymes. Fructose produced from sucrose as a starting material. Sucrose is split by invertase into glucose and fructose, fructose separated and crystallized.
3] Drinks
Enzymes have many applications in drink industry. Lactase splits milk-sugar lactose into glucose and galactose. This process is used for milk products that are consumed by lactose intolerant consumers. Addition of pectinase, xylanase and cellulase improve the liberation of the juice from pulp. Similarly enzymes are widely used in wine production.
4] Textiles
The use of enzymes in textile industry is one of the most rapidly growing fields in industrial enzymology. The enzymes used in the textile field are amylases, catalase, and lactases which are used to remove the starch, degrade excess hydrogen peroxide , bleach textiles and degrade lignin.
5] Animal feed
Addition of xylanase to wheat-based broiler feed has increased the available metabolizable energy 7-10% in various studies. Enzyme addition reduces viscosity, which increases absorption of nutrients, liberates nutrients either by hydrolysis of non-degradable fibers or by liberating nutrients blocked by these fibers, and reduces the amount of faeces.
6] Baking
Alpha-amylases have been most widely studied in connection with improved bread quality and increased shelf life. Use of xylanases decreases the water absorption and thus reduces the amount of added water needed in baking. This leads to more stable dough. Proteinases can be added to improve dough-handling properties; glucose oxidase has been used to replace chemical oxidants and lipases to strengthen gluten, which leads to more stable dough and better bread quality.
7] Pulp and Paper
The major application is the use of xylanases in pulp bleaching. This reduces considerably the need for chlorine based bleaching chemicals. In paper making amylase enzymes are used especially in modification of starch. Pitch is a sticky substance present mainly in softwoods. Pitch causes problems in paper machines and can be removed by lipases.
8] Leather
Leather industry uses proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes in leather processing. Enzymes are used to remove unwanted parts. In dehairing and dewooling phases bacterial proteases enzymes are used to assist the alkaline chemical process. This results in a more environmentally friendly process and improves the quality of the leather . Bacterial and fungal enzymes are used to make the leather soft and easier to dye.
9] Speciality enzymes
There are a large number of specialty applications for enzymes. These include use of enzymes in analytical applications, flavour production, protein modification, and personal care products, DNA-technology and in fine chemical production.
10] Enzymes in analytics
Enzymes are widely used in the clinical analytical methodology. Contrary to bulk industrial enzymes these enzymes need to be free from side activities. This means that elaborate purification processes are needed.
An important development in analytical chemistry is biosensors. The most widely used application is a glucose biosensor involving glucose oxidase catalysed reaction.
Several commercial instruments are available which apply this principle for measurement of molecules like glucose, lactate, lactose, sucrose, ethanol, methanol, cholesterol and some amino acids.
11] Enzymes in personal care products
Personal care products are a relatively new area for enzymes. Proteinase and lipase containing enzyme solutions are used for contact lens cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide is used in disinfections of contact lenses. The residual hydrogen peroxide after disinfections can be removed by catalase enzyme. Some toothpaste contains glucoamylase and glucose oxidase. Enzymes are also studied for applications in skin and hair care products.
12] Enzymes in DNA-technology
DNA-technology is an important tool in enzyme industry. Most traditional enzymes are produced by organisms, which have been genetically modified to overproduce the desired enzyme. The specific order of the organic bases in the chain of DNA constitutes the genetic language. Genetic engineering means reading and modifying this language. Enzymes are crucial tools in this process.
13] Enzymes in fine chemical production
In spite of some successes, commercial production of chemicals by living cells using pathway engineering is still in many cases the best alternative to apply biocatalysis. Isolated enzymes have, however, been successfully used in fine chemical synthesis. Some of the most important examples are represented here.
13-a] Chirally pure amino acids and aspartame
Natural amino acids are usually produced by microbial fermentation. Novel enzymatic resolution methods have been developed for the production of L- as well as for D-amino acids. Aspartame, the intensive non-calorie sweetener, is synthesized in non-aqueous conditions by thermolysin, a proteolytic enzyme.
13-b] Rare sugars
Recently enzymatic methods have been developed to manufacture practically all D- and L-forms of simple sugars. Glucose isomerase is one of the important industrial enzymes used in fructose manufacturing.
13-c] Semisynthetic penicillins
Penicillin is produced by genetically modified strains of Penicillium strains. Most of the penicillin is converted by immobilised acylase enzyme to 6-aminopenicillanic acid, which serves as a backbone for many semisynthetic penicillins.
13-d] Lipase based reactions
In addition to detergent applications lipases can be used in versatile chemical reactions since they are active in organic solvents. Lipases used in transesterification and also used for enantiomeric separation of alcohols and separate racemic amine mixtures. Lipases have also been used to form aromatic and aliphatic polymers.
13-e] Enzymatic oligosaccharide synthesis
The chemical synthesis of oligosaccharides is a complicated multi-step effort. Biocatalytic syntheses with isolated enzymes like glycosyltransferases and glycosidases or engineered whole cells are powerful alternatives to chemical methods. Oligosaccharides have found applications in cosmetics, medicines and as functional foods.
Future trends in industrial enzymology
Industrial enzyme market is growing steadily. The reason for this lies in improved production efficiency resulting in cheaper enzymes, in new application fields. Tailoring enzymes for specific applications will be a future trend with continuously improving tools and understanding of structure-function relationships and increased search for enzymes from exotic environments.
New technical tools to use enzymes as crystalline catalysts, ability to recycle cofactors, and engineering enzymes to function in various solvents with multiple activities are important technological developments, which will steadily create new applications.
About the AuthorDr.Prashantkumar Kudli Shrinivas is having 12 years industrial experience in Aroma chemicals and Perfumery & Flavour formulations. He is a permanent member of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers & NMR Association of India.
Science Evidence from Space that the earth is not very old. by Vlad
This article came from http://www.gorepent.com/en/create.html - Here are some of the factors that limit the age of the universe to within the last few thousand years: 1. - The shrinking sun limits the earth-sun relationship to less than "billions of years". The sun is losing both mass and diameter. Changing the mass would upset the fine gravitational balance that keeps the earth at just the right distance for life to survive. 2. - The 1/2 inch layer of cosmic dust on the moon indicates the moon has not been accumulating dust for billions of years. 3. - The existence of short-period comets indicates the universe is less than billions of years old. 4. - Fossil meteorites are very rare in layers other than the top layers of the earth. This indicates that the layers were not exposed for millions of years as is currently being taught in school textbooks. 5. - The moon is receding a few inches each year. Billions of years ago the moon would have been so close that the tides would have been much higher, eroding the continents quickly. 6. - The moon contains considerable quantities of U-236 and Th-230, both short-lived isotopes that would have been long gone if the moon were billions of years old. 7. - The existence of great quantities of space dust, which by the Poyning-Robertson effect would have been vacuumed out of our solar system in a few thousand years, indicates the solar system is young. 8. - At the rate many star clusters are expanding, they could not have been traveling for billions of years. 9. - Saturn's rings are still unstable, indicating they are not billions of years old. 10. - Jupiter and Saturn are cooling off rather rapidly. They are losing heat twice as fast as they gain it from the sun. They cannot be billions of years old. 11. - Jupiter's moon, Io, is losing matter to Jupiter. It cannot be billions of years old. 12. - Jupiter's moon, Ganymede has a strong magnetic field.
About the AuthorMy name is Vlad My websites are: www.GoRepent.com www.GenuineAid.com www.SeekThat.net
About the AuthorMy name is Vlad My websites are: www.GoRepent.com www.GenuineAid.com www.SeekThat.net
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