Eating potato as effective as carbohydrate gels

Consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works just as well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes, a new study suggests. 

 "The research has shown that ingesting concentrated carbohydrate gels during prolonged exercise promotes carbohydrate availability during exercise and improves exercise performance," said study's lead author.

"Our study aim was to expand and diversify race-fuelling options for athletes and offset flavour fatigue," he said.

Potatoes are a promising alternative for athletes because they represent a cost-effective, nutrient-dense and whole-food source of carbohydrates, the researchers reported in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Furthermore, they serve as a savoury race fuel option when compared with the high sweetness of carbohydrate gels.

The researchers recruited 12 participants who were healthy and devoted to their sport, averaging 165 miles per week on their bicycles.

To qualify for the trials, the cyclists had to reach a specific threshold for aerobic fitness and complete the 120-minute cycling challenge followed by a time trial.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions during the experiments They would consume either water alone, a commercially available carbohydrate gel or an equivalent amount of carbohydrates obtained from potatoes.

The researchers standardised what the 12 cyclists ate for 24 hours before repeating the 120-minute cycling challenge and time trial, which was designed to mirror typical race conditions.

Throughout the exercise, the team measured participants' blood glucose, core body temperature, exercise intensity, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms.

The researchers also measured concentrations of lactate, a metabolic marker of intense exercise, in participants' blood.

"We found no differences between the performance of cyclists who got their carbohydrates by ingesting potatoes or gels at recommended amounts of about 60 grams per hour during the experiments.

"Both groups saw a significant boost in performance that those consuming only water did not achieve," he added.

According to the study, plasma glucose concentrations went up by a similar amount in those consuming potatoes and gels.

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Watching TV for 2 hours raises your risk of bowel cancer by 70%

A new study has found a link between prolonged screen time, such as watching TV, and an increased risk of bowel cancer. The research showed that lazing in front of the TV for two hours a day or more raises the risk of bowel cancer by nearly 70 per cent.

The study, is the first to identify sedentary lifestyle as a factor that may contribute to the sharp rise in cases of bowel cancer, sometimes called colorectal cancer, among those under the age of 50.

What is bowel cancer and what are the symptoms?

Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that starts in the large bowel (colon) and the back passage (rectum). It is treatable, but the earlier the condition is detected, the easier it is to treat. 
The signs and symptoms of bowel cancer can include -

• Bleeding from your bottom
• Blood in your stools
• A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habits - lasting at least 3 weeks
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
• A pain or lump in your abdomen

You should seek medical help if you have one or more of the symptoms of bowel cancer, particularly if they persist for more then four weeks. 

Bowel cancer risk and TV viewing: What does the research say?

The researchers studied sedentary behaviours, including TV viewing time, of 89,278 American women in the Study. The findings showed that of the 118 cases of young-onset colorectal cancer diagnosed over two decades of follow up, more than one hour of sitting in front of the TV everyday was associated with a 12 per cent increase in risk compared to those who watched less. The results were even more evident for those viewing more than two hours per day with a nearly 70 per cent increased risk.

According to the study, the results were independent of BMI and exercise and was consistently observed among women who didn’t have a family history of bowel cancer, indicating that being sedentary may be an altogether distinct risk factor for young-onset colorectal cancer. However, the association was stronger for rectal cancer in comparison to colon cancer.

This study may help identify those at high risk and who might benefit more from early screening,” said the study’s co-senior author.

“A sedentary lifestyle is an emerging risk factor for CRC after age 50 years, but its role in young-onset CRC is unknown,” the researchers wrote.

The authors, however, noted that they observed no clear increase in risk for other forms of sitting at home, such as meal time or time spent at a desk.

Traditionally, colorectal cancer - which is mostly preventable - is considered to only strike people who are over the age of 50. But more and more people in their 20s and 30s have been getting diagnosed with the disease.

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Research shows fasting regenerates damaged immune systems

Prolonged fasting– not eating for between two and four subsequent days at a time – has been shown to regenerate the immune system and protect it from further damage. It is especially effective among patients who already have compromised immune systems, according to researchers.

Specifically, the researchers showed that prolonged fasting triggered stem cell-based regeneration of white blood cells by reducing levels of an enzyme known as protein kinase A or PKA. Earlier research has shown that PKA reduction is quite potent in promoting stem cell regeneration and pluripotency, in addition to extending longevity. It was also shown to decrease levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone that has been linked to tumor progression, aging and cancer.
“PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode. It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system,” said a researcher.

Prolonged fasting might help correct autoimmune disorders

The researchers observed the results of fasting in both mice and humans, and found that there was a decrease in white blood cell counts during the period of fasting. Their bodies had reused old white blood cells and triggered the production of new cells to replace them.

“We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the hematopoietic system,” he said. “The good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.”

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Why you need to use your earphones cautiously

The advent of smart phones has changed the music listening experience over the last decade. With instant access of music at your fingertips, you can enjoy music on-demand anywhere and at any point of time. 

These days it is very common to find people listening to music using earphones while commuting, at night before going to sleep, at their workplace, while working out in the gym etc. Well, it is indeed a great way to relax yourself, but, at what cost?

No, we aren’t talking about the cost of your smart phone or earphone, but, rather about the possibility of hearing impairment that can potentially and irreversibly damage your ears.

As per the WHO, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at the risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smartphones, and exposure to noisy environments such as nightclubs, bars and sporting events.

The World Health organization suggests the highest permissible noise exposure per day should be up to 85 (decibels) dB for maximum of eight hours. WHO also claims that noise levels can reach up to 100 dB in nightclubs, bars and sporting events is not safe for more than fifteen minutes.  

Ear Phones

Most ear phones are capable of producing a decibel levels between 85 dB to 115 dB. As per 2011 research study, "some player/headphone combinations can produce sound levels reaching 120 or 130 decibels". Having said that, you can have a vicarious sense of the relation between the sounds produced from earphones and sounds you commonly hear everyday in the below list.

As per the experts advise "Noise above 85 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears"

What is the risk of prolonged exposure to high decibel levels?

As per the doctors, prolonged exposure to abnormal sound levels can result in a health problem called Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) which can damage the ears resulting in deafness .

Conclusion

You need to be very careful with your ear phone usage on daily basis. Best practice is to limit the usage of earphones with lower or moderate volume. Avoid going to places where decibels reach abnormal levels and avoid listening to music at a high volume in confined spaces like cars. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                         PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                 
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The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that occurs when the tear ducts located at the top of the eyelids don’t secrete enough tears and fatty substances to provide the eye with sufficient moisture. The phenomenon is so common that it affects one in three people over the age of 65 and may be accompanied by distressing and painful symptoms. This problem, which may result from environmental conditions or medical condition, can be treated in both cases, and although the syndrome is not defined as a serious medical condition, it may cause eye scarring in extreme cases. The information below will help you understand if you’re suffering from the development of dry eye syndrome and how you can prevent and treat the problem.

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that can be caused by a variety of medical problems that cause dryness and irritation in the eyes. This may be painful, accompanied by a host of disturbing symptoms such as the false sensation of entry of a foreign object, itching, redness, accumulation of mucus in the eye or around the eyelid, sensitivity to light, chronic eye fatigue, blurry vision, and inflammation. The reasons for the development of this phenomenon may be due to damage to the makeup of the tears that protect our eyes, as a result of reducing the number of tears produced in the glands or from tears leaving the surface of the eye too quickly. Damage to tear quality and the amount produced are caused by various causes, including aging, the use of certain medications, various medical conditions, environmental conditions, use of contact lenses and the development of allergies.
Although we’re used to thinking of tears as something that is secreted from our eyes mainly when we are sad or excited, tears actually flood our eyes every time we blink. Tears are a fluid consisting mainly of water and salt, whose main function is to moisturize the eyes and prevent dehydration. Other functions include removing dirt, bacteria, pollutants and foreign bodies that penetrate the eye, creating a smooth corneal surface, and more. Tears are made up of three parts: an outer fatty layer that prevents rapid evaporation of the liquid, water, and an inner mucus layer that helps spread tears all over the eye. When there is a problem with the composition or production process of each of these parts, dry eye syndrome is caused.

What are the main environmental causes of dry eye syndrome?

Air pollution and cigarette smoke

One of the common effects on eye health is the environment in which we spend most of our time and air pollution. One of the important things to avoid when we detect signs of dry eye syndrome is cigarette smoke - and it’s important to know that smoke damage exists both for active smokers and for passive smokers. Cigarette smoke not only stimulates the syndrome for those who already have it, but it also increases the risk of developing the syndrome.

Fog, winds, fans, air conditioners, and air

In the days of fog and wind, it is recommended that people who suffer from dry eye syndrome refrain from leaving the house because these weather conditions worsen the symptoms of dry eyes. In general, dryness of the eyes requires avoiding wind or dryness and this includes avoiding exposure to fans, hair dryers, and air conditioners as much as possible. In addition to that, you should make sure to use eye drops before flights, as the compressed air inside the cabin may worsen the sense of dryness and the irritation.

Prolonged sitting in front of screens

Prolonged viewing of screens such as the TV, computer or smartphone screen, and even prolonged reading from a book, can worsen symptoms of dry eyes. This is because our blink frequency decreases when we look at and work in front of screens, and with it the level of tear regeneration and its diffusion on the corneal area decreases. Add to this the fact that we usually work in air-conditioned spaces with low humidity, which causes the evaporation of the moisture layer that protects our eyes. It is important that we take a break from using screens every few hours, step out into the clean air, and get back some of the moisture that our eyes so desperately need.

Outdoor sports and swimming in a pool

For those who engage in strenuous activities on the street or in nature, such as riding a motorcycle or bicycle and swimming in a chlorinated pool, it is important to keep your eyes protected from dust, wind and sand damage and to wear goggles or custom glasses to protect your eyes from environmental damage.

What are the ways to treat dry eye syndrome?

Hot compresses

In order to improve the quality of the layer of fat that makes up our tears, it is recommended to place hot compresses on the eyes for a few minutes, and then wash your (closed) eyes with baby shampoo. This will help the fat in the tear glands relax and soften improving the quality of our tears. Be sure to wash all traces of shampoo from your eye to avoid irritation.

Using a humidifier

An important recommendation that people who suffer from dry eye syndrome should adopt is using a humidifier in the home which infuses the air with the missing moisture and humidity. This is especially true during the winter season when the heating systems combined with low humidity make our eyes dry faster. If you don’t have a humidifier, it is recommended to place a bowl of water near your heating device to create more moisture in the air.

Eye drops and ointments to relieve dry eyes

There are quite a few over-the-counter medications on the market that are designed to help dry and irritated eyes and bring about significant, although temporary, relief for the disturbing sensation. These products include eye drops, artificial tears, and various ointments. It is important to note that some of these products contain preservatives that our eyes may respond negatively to. If you experience such a reaction and have to use eye drops more than 4 times a day, consider switching to one without preservatives, usually stored in disposable bottles. Eye ointments are usually designed to provide coverage for the whole eyeball and allow for long-term relief. However, the problem is that they may damage visual acuity during use, so it’s best to use them at night, before bed, and in combination with eye drops during the day

Dietary changes

According to a dry eye syndrome study, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the symptoms of the disorder, as these acids reduce inflammation in the eye and allow for more and higher quality tears. To consume omega-3 fatty acids, you can take supplements, or combine foods rich in them such as walnuts, flax seed oil, palm oil, soybean oil, chia seeds, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and krill.

When should you see a doctor to treat dry eyes?

If your eye care products aren’t giving you relief within a few days, it is highly recommended that you see your eye doctor. Sometimes this indicates a more serious medical problem which is causing the feeling of dryness, and should, therefore, be treated as soon as possible. If you have symptoms such as redness and swelling in the eye, unusual pain, eye injury, fluid coming out of the eye, joint pain accompanied by swelling, hardening of the organs and dry mouth - you should go for an in-depth examination of these symptoms.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Prolonged use of antacids harms kidneys

Recent global studies suggesting that the prolonged use of widely prescribed anti-acidity pills to treat “gas” and heartburn might be linked to long-term kidney damage, acute renal disease and chronic kidney disease have sparked fresh debate in the medical community here.

Though a few initial reports about the association of these drugs — also called PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) — with kidney disease have been published in reputed international medical journals over the last couple of years, it is only now that there are studies suggesting that it’s more serious and linked to both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, doctors told.

Also, since these reports are mostly restricted to nephrology journals and limited to only specialists, many physicians may not be really aware of these adverse effects. Increasing concerns about these drugs could be the reason their safety profile was discussed at the Annual Conference of Nephrologists and at an Association of Physicians conference.

PPIs rank among the top-10 prescribed classes of drugs and are commonly used to treat acid reflux, indigestion, and peptic ulcers. They are prescribed across specialities, from orthopaedics and cardiology to internal medicine and surgery. A US-based nephrologist, spoke about the drug’s risks at the annual conference recently. He told “PPIs should be ideally prescribed in the approved indications, if possible for less than eight weeks. Beyond this, if a patient is on PPIs, kidney function and magnesium levels need monitoring.”

Most patients do not know about side-effects like CKD (chronic kidney disease) as in the early stages CKD from any cause usually shows no symptom., said a nephrologist. Though no advisory has been issued against the medicine, the Dr. said drug regulatory authorities will be informed.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   
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