Beware plastic bottles cause cancer, diabetes

Scientists and researchers have identified plastic bottles to be dangerous to health because they contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that can cause cancer, diabetes, ADHD and autism.
They said endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the body’s hormonal system, affecting development and leaving the body open to a staggering range of diseases.
They are found in thousands of everyday products, ranging from plastic and metal food containers, to detergents, flame retardants, toys and cosmetics.
According to Daily Mail Online, these chemicals are responsible for scores of illnesses – costing the US an eye-watering $340 billion in health-related costs each year, the bombshell report by NYU Langone revealed.
(Read more at Daily Mail)
The most common EDC-related illness is neurological – including attention-ADHD, autism and loss of IQ.
The invisible but dangerous chemicals also boosted obesity, diabetes, some cancers, male infertility and a painful condition known as endometriosis, the abnormal growth of tissue outside the uterus.
In a country where plastic is rife, these illnesses are not as rare as we may think.
The landmark new study by NYU Langone reveals the economic impact of the chemicals leaves a huge, two per cent dent in the US’ gross domestic product (GDP) each year.
‘Our research adds to the growing evidence on the tremendous economic as well as human health costs of endocrine-disrupting chemicals,’ said lead investigator Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor at NYU Langone in New York City.
‘This has the potential to develop into a much larger health and economic issue if no policy action is taken,’ he told AFP.
Some of the chemicals highlighted in the report, including phthalates used in bottles, are banned in the European Union – and would therefore not be on sale in Britain.
MailOnline is attempting to find out whether some of the toxins may still be in UK plastic products. But a similar study last year estimated that the chemicals cost the EU health systems $271 billion.
The chemical affect the body’s endocrine tissues, which produce essential hormones that help regulate energy levels, reproduction, growth, development, as well as our response
to stress and injury.
Mimicking naturally occurring hormones such as estrogen and androgen, EDCs lock on to receptors within a human cell and block the body’s own hormones from binding with it.
Recent research has raised red flags showing that ‘environmental contaminants can disrupt the endocrine system leading to adverse-health consequences,’ according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
In the US, the biggest chemical culprit by far among the thousands of manmade molecules suspected of interfering with human hormones are so-called PBDEs, found in flame retardants.
Bisphenol A, used to line tin food cans, along with phthalates in plastic food containers and many cosmetics, were also held to be responsible for upward of $50 billion worth of health damages.
A similar study concluded last year that health-related costs of EDCs in the European Union were some $271 billion, about 1.28 percent of GPD.
Crucially, the main drivers of disease and disability were different on either side of the Atlantic, Trasande said.
‘US costs are higher mainly because of the widespread use in furniture of brominated flame retardants,’ which were banned in the EU in 2008, he explained.
The blood level of these chemicals in the average American would be in the top five percent of Europeans today.
By contrast, the health costs associated with pesticides in food were 10 times higher in the EU than in the United States, where more stringent regulations were put in place to protect pregnant women and children
To put a figure on the impact of EDCs, the researchers reviewed blood and urine samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which has gathered data since 2009 on major disease risk factors from 5,000 volunteers.
Computer models were then used to project how much each of 15 diseases or conditions was attributable to chemical exposure, and the estimated health costs for each one.
The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, a medical journal.
Flame retardants and pesticides in particular are known to affect the developing brain and can lead to loss of IQ.
‘Each IQ point lost corresponds to approximately two per cent in lost productivity,’ Trasande explained.
The costs and benefits of regulation should be openly debated, the authors argued, citing the decision in the 1970s to ban lead in paint, and then 20 years later in gasoline.
Commenting in the same journal, Michele La Merrill, an expert in environmental toxicology at the University of California in Davis, said the new findings ‘provide a lesson on the lasting economic effects of harmful chemicals.’
They should ‘inspire a policy shift to end the cat-and-mouse game currently employed the US government and industry.’
The EU set broad criteria in June for identifying potentially harmful EDCs, but consumer and environmental groups said they fell far short of what is needed.

Benefits of taking lemon water

LEMON water is of immense benefit to the human body. Over the years, research findings have confirmed that taking lemon water is a way of keeping sicknesses at bay. These are the ways that taking lemon water can rejuvenate one’s body.

Cleanses the body

Lemon water will stimulate the liver to produce more bile, which will improve body’s natural detoxification system. When the liver works better, the body is cleansed of toxins and other types of harmful agents.

Improves digestion

There are several compounds in lemons which produce more bile; this will lead to an improved digestion.
Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach will result in much lower levels of indigestion, bloating, belching and heartburn. Lemon water will also prevent constipation by smoothing out the overall function of the bowels. Even the American Cancer Society recommends drinking lemon water to those with cancer to help stimulate bowel movements. If one suffers constipation, digestive problems, or even chronic indigestion, drinking a glass of lemon with water in the morning will go a long way towards relieving those types of problems.

Reduces inflammation

Although lemons are acidic by nature, they turn alkaline once consumed. Drinking lemon water regularly will help to lower the acidity of the body. Cancer and other diseases start in and thrive in an acidic environment. Drinking lemon water will also help the body remove uric acid from the joints, which is one of the main causes of gout and the inflammation that causes arthritis.

It can reduce weight

If one is trying to shed weight, drinking lemon water can help! Lemons are high in pectin, a type of fiber which helps to stop those in between meal hunger pangs and food craving. Adding a bit of honey and cayenne pepper to lemon water will increase metabolism, which will aid in burning more calories without even trying.

Cleans the urinary tract

If you have ever had a urinary tract infection, then you know how painful they can be. Lemon water is a natural but mild diuretic which can help to keep the urinary tract clean. Lemons will also change the pH level of the entire urinary tract, which will discourage the growth of bacteria. If one suffers from frequent urinary tract infections, this is the perfect drink!

Makes your skin beautiful

Drinking lemon water on a regular basis will make a big difference in one’s complexion. The high Vitamin C content in lemon juice, along with other antioxidants, will kill off the free radicals in the body which lead to premature aging of the skin. Lemons help to purify the blood as well as encourage the body to grow new blood cells, skin and the connective tissue which keeps the skin looking firm.

Helps regulate blood pressure

If one suffers from hypertension, drinking lemon water can help tremendously. Lemon juice will cleanse the lymph system and help to keep the body hydrated. Lemons also have more potassium than grapes. Potassium removes salt from the body, which can lead to lower overall blood pressure levels.

Improves immune system

Vitamin C is vital to the immune system, so drinking lemon water will improve the immune system while helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria. Lemon improves the ability to absorb iron, which is also important for the immune system function. The antimicrobial compounds in lemon juice will help keep infections outside of the body to where they belong!

Stops throat infections

Lemons contain powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds which make them perfect for fighting throat infections, sore throats and tonsillitis. Those who consume lemon water at least once each day are at a lower risk of developing these types of infections in the first place. If you have a sore or scratchy throat, try gargling with some warm lemon water three times a day and watch that problem just disappear.

Stops halitosis

Halitosis, or bad breath, is often caused by the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth. Drinking lemon water on a regular basis can help to eliminate bad breath due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds. Lemon water will also encourage the production of saliva, which dilutes bacteria in the mouth.

Increased energy

Lemons are quite nutritious, with tonnes of Vitamin C, protein, phosphorous and potassium, which make the fruit a natural energiser. With improved digestion, one will reap more of the nutritional benefits from food. Also, lemons are full of negative ions, which provide almost instant energy. Lemons help to hydrate and oxygenate, so one will feel refreshed, energised and ready to take on the day!

Naturally balances pH levels

One of the best alkalising foods ever is right at our fingertips; lemons! Lemons contain both ascorbic acid and citric acid that help the body maintain healthy pH levels. Too much of an acidic environment in the body encourages inflammation, which can lead to many chronic diseases, including cancer.
It’s important to note that lemon juice can, however, damage the enamel of the teeth, so after drinking, rinse the mouth with plain water.

REASONS TO EAT ONIONS DAILY

Ever wondered why onion is an ingredient for soups to enhance taste and flavour? What about onion for garnishing suya or boiled rice? While onions may bring a tear to the eye and delight to the taste buds, surprisingly, it plays an important role in maintaining good health because of its therapeutic purposes.
Rich in Vitamin C, sulphuric compounds, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals, an onion a day may help keep the doctor away. Its sulphur-containing compounds are responsible for its pungent odour.
Onions are healthy whether they’re raw or cooked, though raw onions have higher levels of organic sulphur compounds that provide many benefits.
In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) supports
the use of onions for the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent atherosclerosis. It also recognises onion extract providing relief in the treatment of coughs and colds, asthma and bronchitis.
Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. In Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs, bacterial infections, and breathing problems.
Some health benefits of onions are as given below:
Heart health
Onions encourage a healthy heart in many ways, including lowering blood pressure and lowering heart attack risk. A study in 2007 indicated that Quercetin, the compound most commonly associated with onions, may reduce blood pressure by an average of five millimetres of mercury.
The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition found a daily 730 milligram supplement of Quercetin led to significant reductions in the blood pressure of 22 people with high blood pressure (hypertension).
Moreover, researchers suggested in a 2002 study in the journal, Thrombosis Research, that it is a natural blood thinner that can prevent blood platelets from aggregating. When platelets cluster, the risk for heart attack or stroke increases.
Cancer
High intake of garlic and onions was associated with significantly reduced risks of a wide-range of cancers. A large epidemiological study that involved almost 10,000 people with different types of cancers from Italy showed an inverse association between the frequency of use of allium vegetables like onion and the risk of several common cancers. This 2006 study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Also, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), which followed 521,457 subjects in 10 European countries, reported that an increase in the intake of onions by 10 grams per day was associated with a 30 per cent reduction in the risk of intestinal gastric cancer.
In another study, increased intakes of onions, researchers report in the British Journal of Nutrition, may reduce the risk of developing cancer of the colon by 50 per cent.
Lowering cholesterol
Consumption of garlic and onions may reduce the incidence of cholesterol gallstone formation by as much as 40 per cent. Consumption of a cholesterol-rich diet led to the formation of cholesterol gallstones (CGS), but supplementation of this diet with onion reduced the incidence of the gallstones, according to findings published online in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Protect against osteoarthritis
Human studies have shown that onion can help increase our bone density and may be of special benefit to women of menopausal age who are experiencing loss of bone density due to osteoarthritis.
A research from King’s College London, published in the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, suggested a potential for using specific beneficial compounds found in onion to develop treatments for the condition.
Osteoarthritis is the most common disabling joint condition affecting elderly adults, and has a significant impact on adults of working age. The cause, however, remains unclear.
Digestion
The fibre in onions promotes good digestion and promotes good bacteria growth in the intestines. A 2005 study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that oligofructose a special type of soluble fibre, which promotes good bacteria growth in your intestines, may help prevent and treat types of diarrhoea.
Boost sexual performance
Fresh onion juice has aphrodisiac activity and may enhance male sexual libido and performance. Researchers at Jordan University of Science and Technology were searching for a natural way to help men with impotence problems to have sex. When they discovered that fresh onion juice increases testosterone concentrations in the blood, suggesting that onion may even help against impotence. Testosterone is the male sex hormone responsible for enhancing sexual libido and potency.
According to the researchers in the 2014 edition of the journal, Experimental Biology and Medicine, “The present study supports the hypothesis that Allium cepa has aphrodisiac activity and may enhance male sexual libido and performance”
Boost immunity against flu
Onions may boost the immune system and protect against flu. Researchers from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University report that stressful exercise increased the mice’s susceptibility to flu, but quercetin present in onion was found to negate these effects.
The findings published in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, indicated that onion could help reduce illnesses in people undergoing strenuous extensive exercise, soldiers and others undergoing difficult training regimens, as well as people under psychological stress.
Diabetes control
Onion bulb extract could reduce high blood glucose and cholesterol levels. In a study presented at the Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting in San Diego, when the rats were given onion bulb extract – in combination with metformin, their blood glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced.
Anthony Ojieh, lead investigator, said: “Onion is cheap and available and has been used as a nutritional supplement. It has the potential for use in treating patients with diabetes.
Also, Dr Jevas C. Ozougwu at the Physiology and Biomedical Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, in his assessment of onion’s benefit for diabetes said dietary supplementation of onions compounds in diabetics may help to reduce over dependence on drug.

Anti - Venom Against Deadly Snake Bites Coming

A new anti-venom to treat victims of potentially deadly snake bites in sub-Saharan Africa is just a few years away from reality, according to scientists at the Liverpool school of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). They aim to create a potent new anti-venom that can be stored safely at room temperature, without the need for refrigerator. Dr. Robert Harrison is leading the research at LSTM’s Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, where he has collected 21 species-450 animals in total- of sub-Saharan Africa’s most deadly snakes. Harrison and his team have been extracting venom from the reptiles, using a process known as ‘milking’, to concoct a new anti-venom that he hopes will prevent the deaths and severe injuries of snake bite victims. Anti-venom are made by first ‘milking’ the venom from a snake before injecting it in low doses into a horse or sheep. The animal doesn’t become ill, but the venom induces an immune response that produces anti- bodies in the animal. These anti-bodies are then extracted from the animal’s blood to create anti-venom. In rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa where people are exposed to various species of deadly snakes, the current treatment involves a broad-spectrum anti-venom to cover all the snake species that could be responsible. But the current method for producing anti- venom means the animals make only a small amount of anti-body to any one species; resulting in a weak anti-venom. Patients are therefore having to be treated with multiple vials; carrying an increased risk of side effects and making the treatment largely unaffordable to rural subsistence farmers. According to the UK’s Medical Research Council, a single vial of the most effective broad-spectrum anti-venom currently costs about $140 USD per vial, and because several vials are needed to achieve a cure it can cost over $500 USD per treatment; an insurmountable cost for people who often earn less than $1 USD a day. However, the research team at LSTM plans to vastly improve the potency of broad-spectrum anti-venom using an innovative new technique they have dubbed ‘antivenomics’, which targets unique proteins in a particular snake species’ venom. This, they say, will significantly expand the effectiveness of the anti-venom to cover all the poisonous snakes of sub-Saharan Africa. The anti-venom will be manufactured using a more cost-effective system developed in Costa Rica, reducing cost by up to three quarters and making it more affordable to rural African communities. The current need for anti-venoms to be refrigerated throughout their manufacture and storage is a further limitation that they hope to overcome. Harrison’s team plans to test a series of special molecules added to the anti-venom during creation to increase its stability at ambient temperatures, with the aim of it still being effective after at least a year stored at room temperature.