Importance of Body Alkalinity.

According to WebMD. The theory is that some foods, like meat, wheat, refined sugar, and processed foods, cause your body to produce acid, which is bad for you. Eating specific foods that make your body more alkaline, on the other hand, can protect against those conditions as well as shed pounds. The alkaline diet really rocketed into the news when Victoria Beckham tweeted about an alkaline diet cookbook in January 2013. Does It Work? Maybe, but not for the reasons it claims. First, a little chemistry: A pH level measures how acid or alkaline something is. A pH of 0 is totally acidic, while a pH of 14 is completely alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral. Those levels vary throughout your body. Your bloodis slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. Your stomachis very acidic, with a pH of 3.5 or below, so it can break down food. And your urine changes, depending on what you eat – that's how your body keeps the level in your bloodsteady. The alkaline diet claims to help your body maintain its blood pH level. In fact, nothing you eat is going to substantially change the pH of your blood. Your body works to keep that level constant. But the foods you're supposed to eat on the alkaline diet are good for you: lots of fruits and vegetables, and lots of water. Avoiding sugar, alcohol, and processed foods is healthy weight-loss advice, too. As to the other health claims, there's some early evidence that a diet low in acid-producing foods like animal protein (such as meat and cheese) and bread and high in fruits and veggies could help prevent kidney stones, keep bones and muscles strong, improve heart healthand brainfunction, reduce low back pain, and lower risk for colon cancerand type 2 diabetes. But researchers aren't sure yet. People who believe in the alkaline diet say that though acid-producing foods shift our pH balance for only a little while, if you keep shifting your blood pH over and over, you can cause long-lasting acidity.What You Can and Can't Eat Most fruits and vegetables, soybeans and tofu, and some nuts, seeds, and legumes are alkaline-promoting foods, so they're fair game. Dairy, eggs, meat, most grains, and processed foods, like canned and packaged snacks and convenience foods, fall on the acid side and are not allowed. Most books that tout the alkaline diet say you shouldn't have alcohol or caffeine, either. Level of Effort: High You'll be cutting out a lot of foods you may be used to eating. Limitations:Many foods are off-limits, and so are alcohol and caffeine. Cooking and shopping:You can get fruits and vegetablesat the grocery store. It may take a while to learn how to prep and cook your meals when you use fresh foods. In-person meetings?No. Exercise:Not required. Does It Allow for Restrictions or Preferences? Vegetarians and vegans:This diet is mostly to completely vegetarian. It also works for vegans, in that dairy is off-limits. Gluten-free:The diet excludes wheat, but to avoid glutencompletely, you'll need to check food labels carefully, as gluten is not just in wheat. Besides wheat, the diet nixes most of the other major triggers for food allergies, including milk, eggs, peanuts, walnuts, fish, and shellfish. It's also good for people who are trying to avoid fat and sugar.

Aspirin, NSAIDs May Lower Colon Cancer Risk

Aspirin, NSAIDs May Lower Colon Cancer Risk But findings should be viewed with care, researcher says WebMD News from HealthDay By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter. Regularly taking low-dose aspirinor other common pain relievers may lower long-term risk of colon cancer, new research suggests. Men and women who took low-dose (75 to 150 milligrams) aspirin for five years or more saw their risk of colon cancerdrop by 27 percent. And taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as ibuprofenfor that long was linked to a 30 percent to 45 percent drop in colon cancer risk, the study found. "The protective association is certainly amazing, and it's a good example of how everyday drugs can have unexpected benefits," said study co-author Dr. John Baron, a professor of medicine in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill. "But there are also potential risks," said Baron, who urged the findings be viewed with care. "I don't think we should imply or recommend that these medications be taken for cancerprevention without working closely with a physician," he said. The study did not assess the potential impact of high-dose aspirin, and no protective benefit was seen for irregular or short-term users of either low-dose aspirin or other NSAIDs. And the study did not prove that the use of painkillers reduced the risk of colon cancer, just that there was an association between the two. In the United States, NSAIDs include over-the-counter Aleve( naproxen), Advil and Motrin(both ibuprofen), and prescription drugs such as Celebrexand high-strength Motrin. Baron emphasized that the drugs were taken continuously for years before any cancer-preventive benefits were realized. "For aspirin, you would have to take it fairly consistently, meaning at least every other day, for at least five to 10 years for the protective effect to even begin to appear," he said. "That's a significant amount of time for side effects to accumulate, all without getting any benefit," he said. Potential side effects include gastrointestinal bleedingwith aspirin, and heightened risk for heart attackand strokewith long-term use, or high-dose use, of NSAIDs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the United States, colon cancer is a leading cause of cancerdeaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the study, published in the Sept. 1 issue of theAnnals of Internal Medicine, investigators sifted through several Danish cancer databases to gather the health histories of more than 10,000 colon cancer patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2011. Patients were between the ages of 30 and 85. Medical records were stacked up against aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID consumption patterns -- this was possible because in Denmark most NSAIDs and low-dose aspirins are obtainable by prescription only. A comparison of cancer patients with more than 100,000 cancer-free Danes revealed that regular, long-term use of low-dose aspirin and NSAIDs seemed to confer long-term protection against colon cancer. The biggest benefit was linked to NSAIDs with the highest degree of so-called COX-2 selectivity. Celebrex is one such drug. That said, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a "black box" warning -- its strongest drug-related warning -- on Celebrex packaging to alert users to the heightened risk for heart attackor stroke. The investigators said the finding of a low-dose aspirin benefit was qualified by the fact that only 2 percent to 3 percent of the study patients actually took low-dose aspirin continuously for many years. (Many doctors recommend patients take low-dose aspirin to help prevent heart attack). Still, Baron said the findings are "hopeful, because it means that we're understanding cancer better and better." That sentiment was seconded by Dr. Andrew Chan, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "The question now is really whether aspirin can also help prevent other cancers as well," Chan said. "We need more research, but there's already some evidence that that might be the case. And we now have a substantial and very consistent body of evidence showing that aspirin can prevent colon cancer." For certain people, Chan said, "like those with a predisposition to colon cancer, the risk-benefit analysis might make a lot of sense."

Viewpoint watch (ediraphwatch): YOUR DIET, A THREAT TO MENTAL HEALTH.

YOUR DIET A THREAT TO MENTAL HEALTH

Experts caution that while diet can be part of a treatment plan, it shouldn't be considered a substitute for medication and other treatments.more of these at Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health?
Here’s what they do know about how diet may play a role in mental health. What you eat affects how your immune system works, how your genes work, and how your body responds to stress.

3 Ways Diet Impacts Your Mental Health

Here are some more details on how good nutrition impacts brain health:
1.It's crucial for brain development.
"We are, quite literally, what we eat," says Roxanne Sukol, MD, preventive medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute. "When we eat real food that nourishes us, it becomes the protein-building blocks, enzymes, brain tissue, and neurotransmitters that transfer information and signals between various parts of the brain and body."
2.Itputs the brain into grow mode.
Certain nutrients and dietary patterns are linked to changes in a brain protein that helps increase connections between brain cells. A diet rich in nutrients like omega-3s and zinc boosts levels of this substance.
On the other hand, "a diet high in saturated fats and refined sugars has a very potent negative impact on brain proteins," Jacka says.
3.It fills the gut with healthy bacteria.
And that's good for the brain. Trillions of good bacteria live in the gut. They fend off bad germs and keep your immune system in check, which means they help tame inflammation in the body. Some gut germs even help make brain-powering B vitamins.
Foods with beneficial bacteria ( probiotics) help maintain a healthy gut environment, or "biome." "A healthier microbiome is going to decrease inflammation, which affects mood and cognition," Ramsey says.
A high-fat or high- sugardiet is bad for gut health and, therefore, your brain. Some research hints that a high-sugar diet worsens schizophrenia symptoms, too.
Read full article here
can-what-you-eat-affect-your-mental-health

YOUR DIET, A THREAT TO MENTAL HEALTH.

YOUR DIET A THREAT TO MENTAL HEALTH Experts caution that while diet can be part of a treatment plan, it shouldn't be considered a substitute for medication and other treatments.more of these at Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health? Here’s what they do know about how diet may play a role in mental health. What you eat affects how your immune system works, how your genes work, and how your body responds to stress. 3 Ways Diet Impacts Your Mental Health Here are some more details on how good nutrition impacts brain health: 1.It's crucial for brain development. "We are, quite literally, what we eat," says Roxanne Sukol, MD, preventive medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute. "When we eat real food that nourishes us, it becomes the protein-building blocks, enzymes, brain tissue, and neurotransmitters that transfer information and signals between various parts of the brain and body." 

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2.Itputs the brain into grow mode. Certain nutrients and dietary patterns are linked to changes in a brain protein that helps increase connections between brain cells. A diet rich in nutrients like omega-3s and zinc boosts levels of this substance. On the other hand, "a diet high in saturated fats and refined sugars has a very potent negative impact on brain proteins," Jacka says. 3.It fills the gut with healthy bacteria. And that's good for the brain. Trillions of good bacteria live in the gut. They fend off bad germs and keep your immune system in check, which means they help tame inflammation in the body. Some gut germs even help make brain-powering B vitamins. Foods with beneficial bacteria ( probiotics) help maintain a healthy gut environment, or "biome." "A healthier microbiome is going to decrease inflammation, which affects mood and cognition," Ramsey says. A high-fat or high- sugardiet is bad for gut health and, therefore, your brain. Some research hints that a high-sugar diet worsens schizophrenia symptoms, too. Read full article here can-what-you-eat-affect-your-mental-health

Blepharitis is the medical term for inflammation of the eyelids. The word "blepharitis" is derived from the Greek wordblepharos, which means "eyelid," and the Greek suffixitis, which is typically used to denote an inflammation in English. Inflammation is a general term used to describe the process by which white blood cells and chemicals produced in the body protect us from foreign substances, injury, or infection. The normal body response of inflammation involves varying degrees of swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and change in function. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, causing red, irritated, itchy eyelids, and the formation of dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes. It is a very common eye disorder with a wide variety of causes. It affects people of all ages. Although it may be uncomfortable, annoying, or unattractive, blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause any permanent damage to eyesight. The condition can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur. Another term for blepharitis is granulated eyelids. Angular blepharitis is a term used to describe blepharitis which primarily affects the outer corners of the eyelids. Read on another eye disease KERATOCONUS

What is Keratoconus ?

We see through the cornea, which is the clear outer lens or "windshield" of the eye. Normally, the cornea has a dome shape, like a ball. Sometimes, however, the structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape and the cornea bulges outward like a cone. This condition is called keratoconus. What Causes Keratoconus? Tiny fibers of protein in the eye called collagenhelp hold the cornea in place and keep it from bulging. When these fibers become weak, they cannot hold the shape and the cornea becomes progressively more cone shaped. Keratoconus is caused by a decrease in protective antioxidants in the cornea. The cornea cells produce damaging by-products, like exhaust from a car. Normally, antioxidants get rid of them and protect the collagen fibers. If antioxidants levels are low, the collagen weakens and the cornea bulges out. Keratoconusappears to run in families. If you have it and have children, it’s a good idea to have their eyes checked for it starting at age 10. The condition progresses more rapidly in people with certain medical problems, including certain allergic conditions. It could be related to chronic eye rubbing. Keratoconus usually starts in the teenage years. It can, though, begin in childhood or in people up to about age 30. It's possible it can occur in people 40 and older, but that is less common. The changes in the shape of the cornea can happen quickly or may occur over several years. The changes can result in blurred vision, glare and halosat night, and the streaking of lights. The changes can stop at any time, or they can continue for decades. There is no way to predict how it will progress. In most people who have keratoconus, both eyes are eventually affected, although not always to the same extent. It usually develops in one eye first and then later in the other eye. With severe keratoconus, the stretched collagen fibers can lead to severe scarring. If the back of the cornea tears, it can swell and take many months for the swelling to go away. This often causes a large corneal scar.We see through the cornea, which is the clear outer lens or "windshield" of the eye. Normally, the cornea has a dome shape, like a ball. Sometimes, however, the structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape and the cornea bulges outward like a cone. This condition is called keratoconus. What Causes Keratoconus? Tiny fibers of protein in the eye called collagenhelp hold the cornea in place and keep it from bulging. When these fibers become weak, they cannot hold the shape and the cornea becomes progressively more cone shaped. Keratoconus is caused by a decrease in protective antioxidants in the cornea. The cornea cells produce damaging by-products, like exhaust from a car. Normally, antioxidants get rid of them and protect the collagen fibers. If antioxidants levels are low, the collagen weakens and the cornea bulges out. Keratoconusappears to run in families. If you have it and have children, it’s a good idea to have their eyes checked for it starting at age 10. The condition progresses more rapidly in people with certain medical problems, including certain allergic conditions. It could be related to chronic eye rubbing. Keratoconus usually starts in the teenage years. It can, though, begin in childhood or in people up to about age 30. It's possible it can occur in people 40 and older, but that is less common. The changes in the shape of the cornea can happen quickly or may occur over several years. The changes can result in blurred vision, glare and halosat night, and the streaking of lights. The changes can stop at any time, or they can continue for decades. There is no way to predict how it will progress. In most people who have keratoconus, both eyes are eventually affected, although not always to the same extent. It usually develops in one eye first and then later in the other eye. With severe keratoconus, the stretched collagen fibers can lead to severe scarring. If the back of the cornea tears, it can swell and take many months for the swelling to go away. This often causes a large corneal scar.

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