snake oil

This image is a “balloon race”. The higher a bubble, the greater the evidence for its effectiveness. But the supplements are only effective for the conditions listed inside the bubble.

You might also see multiple bubbles for certain supps. These is because some supps affect a range of conditions, but the evidence quality varies from condition to condition. For example, there’s strong evidence that Green Tea is good for cholesterol levels. But evidence for its anti-cancer effects is conflicting. In these cases, we give a supp another bubble.

Visit Information is Beautiful for the interactive version.

- Taken from puppiesandflowers -

long article... ass-pain

The panacea is the holy grail of pharmacy. Each day, drug manufacturers led by their very own Dr. Indiana Joneses and Prof. Robert Langdons battle snakes (possibly for their venom) and enclosed spaces of their lab-yrinths in order to uncover and divulge the secrets and mysteries that shroud the “miracle drug”. Panacea got its name from the Greek goddess of healing. It’s the kind of stuff you would use in most RPG to heal the members of your party from any sort of ailments at all.

Ever since the beginning of time, and when I say that, I mean since the birth of witch doctors, shamans and our very own bomohs, mythical and mystical miracle drugs have been sought. And so, after many generations, we have yet come close to the end of this quest. However, some might beg to differ. They claim that we already have this “miracle drug”. In fact, most of us have this drug at home or even in our bags! Don’t believe me? Have a check first before you read on.

Sitting in our very own medications cubbyhole is one single drug which has been our constant companion for the longest of time. This drug is able to prevent strokes, reduce arthritis suffering, dampen inflammation, prevent heart attacks, reduce cancer risk, prevent vascular disease, and control headaches! In other words, this drug can save your life. Next time, if someone were to ask you a stupid question like such, “If you were on a deserted island, what would be the one thing you wish to have?” just say this drug. Oh and did I mention this drug costs no more than a few cents (RM) per tablet?! This “miracle drug”? A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), or better known as Aspirin.

The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, who lived sometime between 460 B.C and 377 B.C. left historical records of pain relief treatments, including the use of powder made from the bark and leaves of the willow tree to help heal headaches, pains and fevers. By 1829, scientists discovered that it was the compound called salicin in willow plants which gave you the pain relief.

Arthritis is the most common medical problems afflicting dogs today. To relief their pain, dogs would bite off pieces of bark of a Willow tree. If you do give aspirin to your dog, make sure it is Ascriptin or a form of aspirin formulated for dogs.

Dogs don't want to be barking up this wrong tree [Whomping Willow].

But it wasn’t until 1899, that Bayer pharmaceuticals, which is the same company that brought us heroin and mustard gas, as well as methadone, launched Aspirin (Okay… that sounds like a ship. Probably the word I was looking for is patented.), courtesy of a German, Felix Hoffman, who developed this drug while seeking an agent for his father’s rheumatism.

1899 Aspirin Bottle First Bottle of Aspirin

One of the most common uses of aspirin is to control pain and inflammation in people with conditions such as arthritis. In addition, the use of low-dose aspirin or baby aspirin (75mg [standard: 300mg]) is effective in preventing blood clotting in people at high risk for heart attack (usually for patients who have had heart attack before) or reducing (not prevent) the incidence of stroke.

So, in the event of a heart attack, doctors would recommend people to chew two aspirin, and the effect of easing the effect of a blood clot is almost immediate. Doctors would also prescribe aspirin to patients who just had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). But of course too much of a good thing may be quite bad. According to a new study by British scientists (in a report dated 31/08/09), healthy people taking a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attacks may be doing themselves more harm than good. Researchers found that the risks of bleeding from taking aspirin were such that its routine use in healthy people "cannot be supported" -- although they did not dispute its use in patients with a history of vascular problems.

This leads to the major downside of prolonged aspirin therapy, which occurs with most other NSAIDs as well, is the risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, nowadays we can find aspirin in enteric coated tablet forms, so as not to irritate the stomach and cause internal bleeding. Even so, aspirin still has a relatively clean track record.

However, there are other adverse reactions of taking aspirins. Aspirin can irritate the lining of the stomach; that much we know so far. This can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting and rarely, internal bleeding. You don't have to take big doses to get ulcers. In some people, even one aspirin a day over a long period can cause ulcers. Secondly, some people may experience allergic problems the first time they take aspirin. Or allergy may hit suddenly even after taking aspirin without problems for many years. Most commonly, aspirin-allergic people develop rashes. Thirdly, some people may get salicylism, or aspirin poisoning. It usually happens through accidental overdosing. Typically, you're taking normal doses of aspirin - while also taking drugs that you don't realize contain aspirin. The first warning sign of aspirin poisoning is usually ringing in the ears and decreased hearing.

Of course, aspirin is not all bad. In fact, its benefits outweigh its risks. But you should never take daily aspirin without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin may cause problems with other drugs you take. Sometimes aspirin worsens their risks - or decreases their effectiveness. Or it can work in reverse: other drugs may worsen aspirin's risks or decrease its effectiveness. Or aspirin may increase the risk of other drugs.

Research is also exploring other potential life-extending benefits of aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with decreased risk of asthma and prostate cancer in the elderly. Also, aspirin has been linked with lowering the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and Kawasaki disease as well.

If a drug as widely available as aspirin and with as few side effects can have that many benefits, potentially saving tens of thousands of lives, then it is no wonder aspirin is known as the “miracle drug”. Ahh… Aspirin, you will always have a place in our hearts, I mean our medicine cabinet.

dirt treat

Any idea what are these, being sold in a Sierra Leone market?

This is another clue:-

Okay... this is a big giveaway :p

Yup... CLAY.

It's not uncommon for women to experience cravings for odd foods while they are pregnant, like Juno's strange craving for blue slushie with chocolate sauce on top. But in Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa, the cravings can be for something most people consider inedible... C-L-A-Y.

Some say clay taste like chocolate; real smooth (obviously not the sandy ones), like a candy. But when I think of clay, I think of MUD and hook worms... Just not my kind of desserts... sorry.

The eating of inappropriate objects and material is known as "pica". In Africa, pregnant and lactating women are able to satisfy the very different nutritional needs of their bodies by eating clay. The clays are eaten as desired and often without water. The "cravings" in pregnancy for a varied nutritional intake (during pregnancy, the body requires 20% more nutrients and 50% more during lactation) are solved by geophagy (earth eating). The clay commonly ingested in Africa contains important nutrients such as: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.

The ingestion of kaolin, also known as "white dirt," "chalk," or "white clay," is a type of pica. Kaolin is a naturally deposited clay used in the manufacture of ceramics as well as in coatings for paper and textiles. It is also a key ingredient used in medicines for diarrhoea. Indeed, Rolaids, Maalox and other medicines recommended for nausea and stomach upset are filled with the same antacid compounds found in white kaolin clays. But if you look at it from another way, kaolin is also capable of causing constipation. Some even suffer ruptured colons. Low blood-hemoglobin levels, a sign of anemia, are common, because the ingestion of kaolin inhibits absorption of iron from foods. Those who eat clay at the expense of healthier foods often develop malnutrition.

However, according to some researchers, by eating dirt, it's possible that the pregnant woman would be strengthening her immune system at the same time she's going to turn antibodies to the child. Another advantage to eating clay during pregnancy may be the calming effect it can have on the mother's gastrointestinal system, which can succumb to bouts of nausea and morning sickness.

Speaking of g-astro, NASA even state that, along with the specific-training regiments, astronauts living in space are required to take calcium rich clay tablets (not just calcium rich tablets) to assist with keeping optimum bone density under conditions of weightlessness. According to doctors, such conditions weaken the body and increase chances that kidney stones may develop during flights lasting months or years. Little or no benefits were noted, when calcium alone was added. This means that the clay supplement contained some factor or factors other than calcium which promoted improved calcium utilisation and bone formation. So clearly it is also possible that this dietary supplement helps against osteoporosis.

To put it simply, many people partake in geophagy, but not in a habitual way. Indeed, taking these supplements can help cure the condition and often iron supplements are prescribed which for some helps relieve cravings.

Dirt anyone?

finger licking

Damn... the H1N1 mortality rate in Malaysia ain't slowing down huh.. 38 deaths in 2253 cases. That's like 1.69% mortality rate. I think the rest of the world shows a 0.80% mortality rate.

So... in Malaysia... it's pretty serious. Twice as deadly! But unfortunately not many people are taking this report seriously yet. In the recent PC fair, you could actually count the number of people only wearing masks.

Well, I guess people still feel safe as long as they do not touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Truth be told, I also believe in that. Malaysians are a bunch of risk takers.

Hmm.. if it gets any worse, I would have to stop picking my nose. It's hard to kick a habit. But maybe nose-picking isn't so bad...

Wait for it...



... as long as you eat your booger.

Ok. Let me explain..

According to Professor Dr. Friedrich, a lung specialist in Austria, picking your nose and eating it is healthy for two reasons:
1) Obviously you will be able to reach for every nook and cranny better than if you were to use a handkerchief. Especially if you use your pinky.. longer nails better :p
2) Eating the dry remains will boost your body's immune system. The nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria is collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a vaccine.

See.. don't have to wait for those experts to prepare the vaccinations. Just pick the nose of a H1N1 patient at Sungai Buloh, do a quick check to see if anybody is looking, and quickly shove it into your mouth with a big smile on your face.


Well, who could be for certain this crazy idea won't work? Any volunteers? :p


P/s: This actually reminds me of a joke...

Why do gorillas have big nostrils?
- Because the have big fingers :p -

introducing my first drug

don't sweat it

Each time I use the computer; it’s agony! Mosquitoes will lay siege on my legs before I could even start up the pc. Somehow, if there are a 100 people in a room, mosquitoes would still prefer my and only my blood. And the other 99? Well, they would not have to deal with too many mosquito problems. You could say that I can be pretty handy at parties. Or if you are a much nicer person, you could feel sorry for me and my huge puffy lumpy skin.

They seem hard to avoid, and you’re never sure where they’ll be or how many of them will be around. But they assault your body, and you can only get rid of hundreds of them a night and still have that particular one which gets through.

So, naturally I needed to find out why these pesky pests keep bugging me and what makes my blood taste like a smorgasbord to them.

According to experts (both mosquitoes-approved and mosquitoes-less-approved), mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid in sweat and to carbon dioxide. This would explain why mosquitoes are mostly hovering under your table, where your sweaty feet are. Dang! And I thought mosquitoes have smartened up by attacking us from where we can’t see. I guess I would need to use Vape coils from now on. OR… baits traps with dry ice (solidified carbon dioxide). Simple candle or incense which will mask the aroma will do just fine.

Oh, and you probably already deduced by now that I sweat easily. Lactic acid is also released when certain foods high in salt or potassium are consumed. SO… no bananas if you plan on going camping in the jungle. That’s the worse thing you could do to yourself.

Mosquitoes are also attracted to sweet smells including perfume, hair oil and deodorant. They also are attracted to dark clothing. So, we should have none of these from dusk to dawn, if we don’t want to get bitten. You know, this could be why Asians (Black hair! Not trying to be racist!) and Goths are often on mosquitoes’ menu. But if you are neither an Asian or a Goth or an Asian Goth, and you still think that mosquitoes go vampire over you more than everyone else, you could be right. This may be due to the fact that mosquitoes-less-approved (MLA) people secrete a natural repellent that your (mosquitoes-approved (MA)) body doesn’t make.

But, even if you think you’re less attractive to the opposite species (the 99 others); mosquitoes will never leave you completely alone. If you want to really turn them off, an insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) comes in handy.

Maybe in the future, there could be a pill you could pop to appear ‘invisible’ to mosquitoes… Makes you wonder…

References:

1. RedOrbit - Experts Say Mosquitoes Prefer Sweet Smells - http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/76609/experts_say_mosquitoes_prefer_sweet_smells/index.html, 23/07/2009

2. Dr. Dream – Health Blogs – 8 Tips for Protection Against Mosquitoes - http://drdreams.com/eight-tips-for-protection-against-mosquitoes/, 23/07/2009

3. Jacquelyn Rudis - True or False: Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Some People More Than Others - http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=156994, 23/07/2009

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You might want to check out these related links:- sleepless in KL and chemicals react.

chemicals react

Ah blissful love! Hearts flutter. Verbal cords constrict. Faces blush. Conscious heavy breathing. All typical signs. With a flush of serotonin excreted in our brain, those signs are pretty beneficial. In other words, being in a healthy relationship with someone is a healthy thing!

But what happens as two person share this bond?

Simultaneously, the testosterone level of the guy drops while the girl's increase, so that they both share an approximate similar amount of testosterone in their bodies. This renders the guy to be more effeminate in a way that they seem to be loving and caring towards the other. The girl? Vise versa of course. The girl would tend to be more masculine as she is inclined (some choose otherwise) to control her man. So these are the common traits that all loving couples with exhibit. But obviously throughout the course of their relationship, the couple may face their fair share of ups and downs. As long as both parties remain in love, their testo-love value would not deviate much from equilibrium.

What may have instigated or trigger the initial reaction attraction?

According to Dr George Preti, of the Monell Chemical Senses Centre in Philadelphia, it is said that the presence of complex pheromones in the underarm sweat that attracts a girl and even lets her decide if the man is the one for her. In the conducted experiment, the underarm sweat was swabbed on female volunteers' lips, and after about 6 hours, the pheromones had a relaxing effect on them.

Ewww... do the volunteers know about this?? Those brave souls... *salutes them*

They are also responsible for the release of luteinising hormone, which plays an important role in regulating menstruation in women. The chemicals in the underarm sweat may also discourage close relatives from getting attracted to each other because of the presence of part of the human genome called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). It is speculated that women can infer when a man's MHC is different from their own.

The latest findings also suggest that if the active pheromones in male sweat can be isolated they may prove to be the basis of new fertility drugs or relaxant perfumes for girls.

I am not sure about this, although I am keeping an open mind about it, but it's quite disgusting. I have smell myself after a heavy workout before, and I wreaked! Okay.. there may be "good" man's sweat and "bad" man's sweat. But, immediately I want to do is get a nice cool bath. It's difficult to envision colleagues sticking their nose up another fellow colleague's armpits!

I know what you mean, Ballack.

So guys, lay off the deodorants!

Most relaxing job in the world?

And on that stinky and smelly note...

till death do us fart part