Tuesday, December 31, 2013

What is Vegan?

Many people who are vegan have a hard time being healthy. This is because vegans do not eat animal products, so they cannot get the proper nutrients. They won't eat animal products because an animal must be slaughtered to get the meat. They also think that because plants are alive and we are killing them to eat them. Vegans also wont eat things that come from animals because they think that animals are mistreated when they have to get things from them. This is true because we cage these animals and put them in small areas and don't feed them enough and treat them horribly. Vegans also make it so that more people can eat meat. In the world there is not enough meat to go around and there is not enough space to fill the animals needs.


Because vegans don't eat any animal products they have to eat other things. A normal person eats 2 - 3 servings of meat a day. A vegan has to supplement this by eating more fruits and vegetables. Another thing is that in a normal diet we eat a lot of dairy. Vegans cannot eat dairy because it comes from animals so they have to eat fortified dairy supplements. These dairy supplements are not as efficient as dairy (obviously) because they don't provide the right amount of nutrients. When you don't have the right nutrients you can become deficient over time. This can lead to serious health issues in the long. These supplements aren't all bad though, and there are many options for people who are vegan.  



vs. 


As you can see the vegan food pyramid is very different from the normal food pyramid. They differ in many ways because vegans have to eat other things to make up for not eating meat and dairy or eggs and things like that. Vegans have to choose what they eat very carefully. If they suddenly eat meat or an animal product it can lead to health issues because they haven't had it in their system. Being a vegan is not a good or bad thing it is just a life style. There are pros and cons to it and if you believe in the logic behind being a vegan than you could try it. Even if you don't like it, you can always change your mind and go back to a normal diet. 





Website on the Recommended Supplements for Vegans: 

Wimberly Underwood
1B


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Let's Be Honest Santa...

Dear Santa,

Hi. Merry Christmas! How are you? I am fine, thank you. I hope you got my list. I've been awfully good this year.

But Santa, we need to talk. The cookies, the mince pie, the beer, it's all taking a toll on your body.
Check it out.

What is this man? How could you promote this to children all across the world? The cookies, the milk, the Coca Cola commercials, it's a crisis.

Oh Santa! Say it isn't so!

What will the kids say?

And about those cookies...
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cookie, medium (2-1/4" dia) (16 g)
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 78
Calories from Fat 41
Total Fat 4.5g7%
Saturated Fat 1.3g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 58mg2%
Carbohydrates 9.3g3%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 0.0g
Protein 0.9g
Vitamin A 2% · Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 1% · Iron 2%


Let's start a new tradition. Maybe try some of those carrots you so generously feed your reindeer.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, chopped (128 g)
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 52
Calories from Fat 3
Total Fat 0.3g0%
Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 88mg4%
Carbohydrates 12.3g4%
Dietary Fiber 3.6g14%
Sugars 6.1g
Protein 1.2g
Vitamin A 428% · Vitamin C 13%
Calcium 4% · Iron 2%


Santa, I ask of you to set a good example for our children.


  • Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
  • The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.
  • In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.

Kids these days aren't doing so well. Be the shining example for them.
Immediate health effects:
  • Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.
  • Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
Long-term health effects:

  • Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.  One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults.
  • Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Try this. Just be less annoying. Send a message to our youths, maybe they will catch on to your ways.
Come on Santa, you can do better. I believe in you.

Until we meet again,

Spencer Shelton

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

!!!! LETS GET CITRIC WITH VITAMIN C !!!!

Vitamin C


C More or C Less?


What is Vitamin C?
Another name for ascorbic acid, which is a vitamin found particularly in citrus fruits and green vegetables. It is essential in maintaining healthy connective tissue, and is also thought to act as an antioxidant. As it is swallowed, ascorbate rapidly enters the bloodstream and cell membranes aided by transport molecules. Functions of vitamin C include collagen production, maintain mucus membranes, promotes healing and skin growth. 


Recommended Daily Intake (RDI): is the recommended daily intake of a nutrient. RDI's are set by government health bodies and the World Health Organization based on clinical studies and evidence. The RDI for vitamin C is set at 45-60mg per day. 


Experiments conducted: 

1. Guinea Pig Trials

Aim: to observe collagen structure with varying levels of Vitamin C, collagen is the main structural protein in the body. 
Procedures:  
  • Supplement diet with varying levels of Vitamin C.
  • Test vitamin C levels in urine and blood.
  • Kill and observe collagen in the guinea pigs




Results: If you have low vitamin C it means your collagen is weak. If you have high vitamin C then your collagen is strong. 


2. Human Trials on conscientious objectors during World War II

Aim: to observe healing and scurvy in vitamin C- limited volunteers

Procedures: 
  • They were put on a range of vitamin C restricted diets
  • Effects were logged and measured, including the healing of incisions made on their thighs and observations of scurvy. 
  • Levels of vitamin C was measured in blood and urine. 
Data:


Results:


This  is an illustration of scurvy, what occurred with Group 3 who had 0mg per day of vitamin C. 


Scurvy commonly is associated with sailors in the 16th to 18th centuries who navigated long voyages without enough vitamin C and frequently perished from the condition. Modern cases of scurvy are extremely rare.


Health Conditions

What health conditions require special emphasis on vitamin C?

Most forms of cardiovascular disease, joint disease, cancer, eye disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, and lung disease require special emphasis on vitamin C intake. The process of aging itself requires special attention to vitamin C. In addition to these broader categories, several specific health conditions also require special emphasis on vitamin C. These specific health conditions include:
  • Acne
  • Alcoholism
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Irritable bowel disease
  • Parkinson's disease


Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients, experts say. It may be the cure for the common cold, other benefits of vitamin C include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

Are you LACKING vitamin C?

While a cup of orange juice or a half-cup of red pepper would be enough to meet your RDA for Vitamin C, here are all the foods and beverages you'd need to consume to reach 500 milligrams (mg):
  • Cantaloupe, 1 cup (8 ounces): 59mg
  • Orange juice, 1 cup: 97mg
  • Broccoli, cooked, 1 cup: 74mg
  • Red cabbage, 1/2 cup: 40mg
  • Green pepper, 1/2 cup, 60mg
  • Red pepper, 1/2 cup, 95mg
  • Kiwi, 1 medium: 70mg
  • Tomato juice, 1 cup: 45mg.













Sunday, December 8, 2013

Medications Affect on the Digestive System

      There are many ways that medication affects the digestive system. It affects the esophagus, the stomach,
       The medication can affect the esophagus because it can irritate it. Many people take pills without drinking liquid with it. This can cause irritation because the pill doesn't get swallowed entirely and then the chemicals are released while still in your esophagus. The chemical release can cause narrowing of the esophagus, hardening of the esophageal skin, and Achalasia which causes the esophagus to have difficulty swallowing.
      Commonly medication known as "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory" drugs cause discomfort to the stomach.  The drugs are more commonly known as pain relievers. For example: tylanol, advil, and ibprofen are all non-steroidal noninflammatory drugs. These drugs cause the stomach acid to not be as strong, this can then lead to swelling.
     The irritation can also cause constipation and diarrhea. constipation is caused by the large intestine being blocked or clogged due to the nerve being affected and the muscles not contracting. Diarrhea is a product normally of antibiotics because it makes your bacteria in your large intestine change.
      To prevent these from occurring, first, know what drugs you are taking and know their side affects because they could cause these things naturally. Second, it is better to take coated pills because they tend not to irritate the stomach as much. Third, make sure to take medication on a full or partially full stomach, never and empty one. Another thing you should do is to make sure you are taking medication with at least 8 ounces of water. Lastly, make sure you take medication while in an upright position so that it can more easily travel down the esophagus.

Link: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/digestive_disorders/medications_and_digestive_system/Pages/index.aspx


Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08VyJOEcDos
 

Second hand smoke is a serious, and often ignored issue that is happening all over the world, all the time. Second hand smoke qualify as any toxins expelled from the lit end of the cigarette (side-stream smoke) or the smoke that a smoker exhales (mainstream smoke). This smoke usually has over 4,000 chemicals in it. This smoke is extremely harmful for any other people, babies, or even animals in the area..  even up to seven hours after the smoking took place. Carcinogens are present in second hand smoke, this puts everyone who inhales it (even once) at risk. As we can see from above, this boy experienced an extreme asthma from being around second hand smoke just once.

Second hand smoke has more than 250 harmful chemicals, 69 of these are specifically acknowledged as cancer-causing. Along with the possibility of cancer, other side effects can derive from second hand smoke:
-heart disease
-frequent colds
-issues pertaining to lung growth
-asthma attacks
-high blood pressure
-Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
-lower respiratory tract infections
-ear infections
-cataracts
-and endless other issues

Usually people don't realize that even if they go outside to smoke they still put people outside in danger, anyone who passes has the potential of inhaling second hand smoke. And to anyone, especially someone like the boy in the video, can be immediately put into a critical condition putting their life at risk. Parents who smoke in rooms without their kids around, or dismiss them only for a few moments while the cigarette is actually lit, are unaware of how much it lingers. The smoke and spread over the entire house, not to mention that it stays in the area that they did smoke in for hours. Parents are also smoking in cars with their kids where they are in small confined areas, exposed to high concentrations of this smoke (even with the windows open!) Not only are parents putting their kids at risk, they are creating a bad impression.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-218894-Kids-living-with-smokers-have-more-ear-infections

In the link above we see information on research discovered showing a correlational connection between children exposed to second hand smoke and the likelihood of them having ear infections or needed ear surgery for the infection. According to the article ear surgery for middle ear infections are not commonly needed, but that they are significantly seen more in cases with children who have been exposed to second hand smoke. There is an apparent 37% higher chance that children exposed to second hand smoke will have middle ear disease, that with a mother smoker living in their house they have a 62% higher chance of developing ear infections or hearing issues, and 86% chance that children with mother smokers will need middle ear surgery for the disease, an uncommon surgery.
Sources:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/secondhand-smoke
http://smokefree.gov/secondhand-smoke
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/smoking/hic_dangers_of_second-hand_smoke.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Lysosomal Storage Disease - Paris Brown

Name of Disease: Lysosomal Storage Disease Name/Function of Transport Protein/Enzyme: The enzyme that is missing would serve the function of moving other materials within the organism Etiology: Lysosomal storage disease (or LCDs) are a groupd nor approximately 50 very rare inherited metabolic disorders that result from defects in lysosomal function. The diseases all result when the lysosome malfunctions. nThis is usually a consequence of deficiency of a single enzyme required for the metabolism of lipids, mucopolysaccharides (group of genetic disorders), or glycoproteins (sugar coating proteins). The lysosome is commonly referred to as the cell's recycling center because its processes unwanted material into substances that the cell can utilize. Lysosomes break down this unwanted matter via enzymes (highly specialized proteins essential for life survival). Lysosomal disorders are triggered when a particular enzyme exists in too small amount or is not present at all. When this happens, the excess products destined for breakdown and recycling are stored in the cell. Treatment: As of today, there are no cures for lysosomal storage diseases. Treatmenbts are mostly symptomatic or caters to specific pains and what not. Bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy have been tried with some small success. Also, umbilical cord blood transplantation is being done at some specialty centers for some of these diseases. That is a method used to decrease the accuumulation of storage material. CHaperone therapy is also being evaluated and examined for possible cure. It is a technique used to stabalize the defective enzymes prouduced by the body. wont allow me to insert my images, may i show you the ones I found in class?