Saturday, 21 January 2012

10 Risky foods regulated by the Federal Drug Administration


According to a survey conducted by the Center for Science in the public interest (CSPI), was a list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the FDA published. (Meat, pork and poultry were not included in the study as they are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.) The list may surprise you and may even contain some of your favorite foods.

The list produced by CSPI in order of danger is--leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, and berries. According to CSPI, received these foods account for almost 40 percent of the food outbreak reports between the years 1990-2006. The types of diseases involved include stomach cramps, salmonella poisoning, disability and even death.

What causes these foods are so dangerous? Most of the danger coming with leaf vegetables from the pre-washed, pre-packaged Salad Greens, which usually comes from different sources. An infected item can contaminate a large bundle of green. Infected lettuce Greens, which includes the iceburg lettuce, romaine lettuce, spinach and cabbage accounted for 30% of diseases caused by the top 10.

Eggs, the second most dangerous foods on the list may cause samonella if consumed raw or undercooked. Raw and undercooked eggs used in homemade ice accounted for half of the salmonella outbreak in ice.

Potatoes are on the list because they are used to make potato salad, which often contain eggs, which can contaminate salad, if they are not refrigerated and mayonnaise.

Fresh tuna is on the list, because it can cause scromboid poisoning. Sushi and seared tuna served in restaurants has caused 65 percent of poisoning cases reported scromboid.

What can be done to reduce diseases caused by these 10 foods? The FDA has toughened some standards for such things as eggs, there must now be tested for salmonella poisoning of producers. We as consumers can help contamination during washing food before serving and make sure you don't cross contaminate food preparation surfaces. By using common sense and cleanliness of preparation, the chances of disease is reduced.







Saturday, 14 January 2012

Are you worried about for the first time parenting. Tenders babysitting for your new born!

Are you a first time mother So, at last you have delivered a healthy baby. After the nine months of pregnancy, now it is the time to bring your healthy new born home. From this moment child care starts. The time you bring your new born home is also a start of your life in purgatory.


At this time you have to deal with the most important task you could ever do in your life to take the best child care for your new born. Child care is not an easy task. Everything you are going to can greatly affect your child physically, emotionally and socially. Child care is certainly one of the greatest challenges that every mother could face, and the way you take care of your new born may determine the degree of your responsibility.


The best child care includes many tasks to do. These tasks may start from feeding your baby to grooming, diapering, and swaddling, bathing and best child care when he or she is sick.


Tips for safe and healthy child care


Feeding in the right way which gives child care: Feeding your baby is one of the most important child care responsibilities that you should perform for the healthy growth of your baby. Note that just like every adult, babies need to eat for them to survive.


If your baby could only talk, possibly he will tell you when he is hungry or when he is full and there is no need for you to insist on letting him eat. But, this is not the case as babies on their early age can't talk. Possibly, your baby will only start to babble words and make their wishes known verbally longer than their first year.


So, after the birth, you really need to figure out on your own what your child is trying to ask you to do. Every mother can easily sense when or how her child cries for food. When comes to the point of food, it is an essential thing for your child care, he or she only need milk during the first few months of their first year. Milk is the best and first baby food. So, breast milk is highly recommended for every new born baby. Try to breastfeed your baby as possible as you can, and alternate with a special milk formula to satisfy his or her hunger. Most breastfed babies may want to be fed frequently, sometime every hour, so make yourself available in the early week of the baby's life.


Superior child care involves introducing nutritious food as early as possible in her life. You can buy, or make baby food. Be careful while preparing baby food.


Most of the mothers use tree-ripened peaches, while others use wild blueberries for the natural sweetness in the food. But, make sure that you prepare a food for your new baby that is not only delicious but also nutritious.In addition, you can introduce new foods to your baby in the coming months. Watch out particularly if there are any reactions to your new born baby to the newly introduced food. Note that in some instances your baby can react negatively to new foods. Given this fact, try then to introduce new food to the baby's diet, but be patient enough.


According to some experienced mothers, 10 to 20 introductions will require for a baby to totally eat and accept the new food. So, don't think of giving up the food after few tries. Don't insist your baby to eat the food that he or she is not accustomed to yet. Every responsible mother should have the understanding and patience when her babies refuse to eat.


Diapering your infant:


One of the most important decisions in child care that you should consider is the type of diaper to use. There are many types of diapers. Some are disposable, while there are others that are made of cloth. Each of this type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The decision then can be based only on the time that the diaper will be used and the availability of laundry facilities.


Disposable diapers versus cloth diapers:


Disposable diapers: Disposable diapers make child care simpler. There is no need to wash and clean, hence, most of the parents will prefer this type of diapers for better child care. It consists of less chemicals and elastic around the legs and is better for child care. Some of the parents will also usually look for those with tape that can be refastened. It is essential to note that when using a disposable diaper for your new born, it should be disposed of properly.


Most experts suggest that; discard the stool in the toilet every time to simply protect the environment. So, to maintain the cleanliness of your environment and for your child care, never throw away the disposable diapers in wastebasket. As a substitute, discard them in separate trash bags and dispose them properly.


Cloth diapers: Cloth diapers can be washed and reused. So, while using the cloth diaper for your little baby, make sure that it is well-soaked, washed, and dried. After that, fold the diaper according to the gender of your child. There is really big difference between diapering a baby girl and a baby boy.


As generally noted, there is more material in the back for girls, while there is more in front for baby boys. Next, after folding the diaper according to the gender, you should fold the front edge of the diaper down below the healing umbilical cord. Child care involves protecting the skin of your child when diapering. Carefully use the pins or fasteners as these materials may harm your child's skin.


At last, if you ignore diaper covers, simply use pants that are plastic. Cloth diapers prevent your child from getting rashes and gives better child care. It is essential to remember you that change the diaper of your baby after every bowel movement or every time the diaper is wet. While changing the diaper, you can simply use water to clean your baby's butt.


Don't use diaper wipes for your child care, because they contain chemicals like alcohol and they could irritate your baby's skin.


Safe bath for your new born baby:


Safe bath gives a better child care. Bath time can be an exciting, fun experience for you and your baby. Most of the mothers will consider this as one of the most worthy events of the day. It will not only create a bond between you and your baby, but it is the right time to examine your child body without clothes.


Just like feeding, bathing is also not an easy task to carry out for a new mother in her child care. Effective child care improves the bonding between you and your new born.


Tips for a safe bath for child care:


You need to be very careful about the temperature of the water. It should be in between 96 to 100 degree Fahrenheit.
Make sure you have a sure grip on your baby.
Child care involves paying close attention while bathing your new born.
Observe the bathing area. Is there any harm or danger around the bathing area
Never leave your child unsupervised in the bath tub, even for just a minute. For instance, while you are on the stage of taking your child's bath, don't go, to answer the phone or to open the door. Instead wrap your child up in towel and take the baby with you.
Make the bathtub safe for baby bath and for your child care. Some bathtubs can be slippery, so protect yourself and your baby with a secure seating.
Child care involves protecting your child from painful bumps and make sure that any of the sliding glass doors are designed and crafted from safety glass.
While bathing your new born baby, use only the right supplies. Some experts said that, bathing your baby with shampoos, soaps and bubble baths can only dry your baby's skin. The dry skin can cause rashes and blemishes in the end. These supplies can also cause urinary tract infection.
It is recommended to use these supplies in control for child care. The point to remember is careful in how much you put of these to your baby.


How to dress your new born baby


Child care involves dressing your baby appropriately. This depends on the time of the year as well as the temperature inside your home. Inside temperature is the major thing to consider with child care.


However, in dressing your baby, it is essential to choose the appropriate clothing for better child care.


Child care while dressing your child:


You should make sure that the clothes you provide for your new born are large enough for easy dressing and also to provide the child enough room for his or her environment.
It would be best to look and purchase a baby dress that is larger than the baby's age in months.
If your baby is three months old, it is better to purchase baby clothes that are of six-month size.
Wash the new clothes, before your baby wears the clothes, because new clothes may cause irritation to your baby's skin and hence your baby feels uncomfortable.
Launder the clothes with a special and safe detergent. Use the detergents that are specifically designed for babies.


Choosing clothing for better child care:


Here are the most important things you have to keep in mind when choosing the suitable clothing for your child.


New born baby clothing generally require a number of washings.
Cloth your baby with those that have strong zippers and well-constructed seams.
Your baby's cloth inside should be soft, not scratchy or rough.
Choose clothes that permit easy dressing.
Child care involves choosing the clothes that allow easy access to the diapers.
Purchase baby clothes that feature side or front openings, necklines that are stretchable, and those with large shoulder snaps.


The most important thing to be considered in child care is to dress your child comfortably as would dress yourself. Child care involves dressing your child properly to protect from harmful temperature.


Swaddling for your child care:


Swaddling is a new way for child care. It is mostly the skill of wrapping your infant in a blanket for security and warmth purposes.


Various studies have also revealed that swaddling your new born baby may keep him or her from being bothered by his or her own disturbing reflex and it will protect him or her from dangerous cold and heat Swaddling the baby is a great way of keeping that baby calm and secure.


The right way to swaddle your new born baby:


Swaddling techniques are very simple and it makes child care easy. Follow the below mentioned steps to know how to swaddle your baby.


1. Take a blanket and place it down in front of you in the shape of a diamond. Ensure that the point is on top.
2. Fold the top point down.
3. Lay your baby on his or her back on the blanket. Make sure that the baby's head is about the edge you have just folded down.
4. Look for the side points of the blanket and take one of them.
5. Drag the side point tightly over the baby's, and tuck it under his or her thighs.
6. Take the bottom point up over his or her feet.
7. Take the other side of the blanket and extend it over your baby. It should be in the opposite direction. Again, tuck it under his thighs.


When to seek doctor's help?


Child care involves helping your baby whenever he is sick, you should call the doctor immediately. Note that even though some of certain illnesses appear to be mild, they can be a sign of serious disorder.


Here is the list of possible symptoms that your new born may encounter during his or her early age:


Poor feeding
Loss of consciousness
Hysterical crying or unusual excitement
High fever
Extreme sleepiness
Paralysis of any part of the body
Extreme chilling
Sudden loss of hearing
Earache
Discharge of fluid from the ear
Severe headache
Convulsion
Sudden weakness
Discolored and bad-smelling nasal fluid
Diarrhea
Poor coloring
vomiting


There are lots of other symptoms associated with serious disorders for infants. If you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms, then call your doctor right away to acquire better child care.


Now you came to know how effective child care can be acquired. Child care involves a lot of effort and time needed to successfully perform the needs of your baby.


Though it can be a disturbing and tiring task, but it is the greatest challenge of being a parent. So, if you want to be good parent then take all the above mentioned responsibilities those parents are tasked to do. Then your new born baby will grow up happy, healthy and safe.

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Botulism-rare but potentially deadly FOODBORNE disease

My whole life I have been a little afraid of eating home-canned beans, due to the rare but potentially fatal disease caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Botulinum toxin produced by this bacterium is one of the deadliest natural toxins known to man. Now that my organic garden crowded fresh beans, and can possibly eat them have everything fresh, my mind turned again to this microscopic organisms live naturally in the Earth.


Eat ill-prepared food is not actually the only way you can be sick of this type of bacteria. It is also possible for bacteria to infect an open wounds (often caused when drug addicts sharing needles), and infants may sometimes be sick by consuming the spores of bacteria. Fortunately, the presence of botulism poisoning is very rare-only an average of 110 cases reported in the United States each year. The majority of these cases, 72% are infant formulae BOTULISM, and 25% is caused by eating contaminated food.


Infants can be infected eat honey, corn syrup or other sweetener containing the dormant bacterial spores, so parents are warned not to give honey in any form for infants under one year old. When the baby begins to eat solid food, kill bacterial spores stomach acids and prevent them from growing.


Gartner is it as food-born illnesses that most concerns me, and the list of symptoms and side effects makes it reasonable to be concerned. Botulism is a disease, and symptoms is very similar to the people who have a stroke. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness and double or blurry vision. these symptoms can occur anywhere from 6 hours to 10 days after eating contaminated food. Patients treated for this disease may be on a ventilator for weeks under intensive medical treatment. Paralysis will slowly improve over a number of weeks, if the disease is diagnosed early enough. Previously up to 1/2 of people contracting the disease die, but medical treatment now reduced fatality rate to 8%. Patients may continue to feel tired and have difficulty breathing in years after recovery from this disease.


Clostridium botulinum bacteria grow and multiply in oxygen-free environments, there is a high moisture content and low acidity. This is an excellent description of the inside of a jar of low-acid vegetables. High levels of sugar can reduce the production of bacteria and their toxins. The bacteria are killed when vegetables are canned under high heat and pressure, the way only preserved goods processed.


My parents canned thousands of jars of beans this year, but was always careful to follow the common practice of boiling beans for at least 10 minutes before eating them. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) agree that this is a good idea. It is also sensible to apply the latest home canning industry advice from the US Department of Agriculture, because new methods being developed all the time. It pays only be safe if you can low-acid foods such as beans, asparagus, beets and corn.


People are also known to be ill by botulinum bacterium grows in chopped garlic stored in oil, which should always be kept refrigerated, and in
potatoes baked in aluminium foil, if the potatoes that are back in the film and not refrigerated.


Frozen vegetables represent the same dangers as the startup page of canned produce According to the USDA safe food handling information card, will be kept constant "mad at 0o f always be secure. Freezing keeps food safe by slower movement of molecules, causing microbes to enter a dormant stage. Freezing preserves food longer periods because it prevents the growth of micro-organisms that cause both food spoilage and FOODBORNE illness. "


The same document, however, to say that the freezing do not kill bacteria-it just puts it into dormancy. As soon as the food is thawed, the bacteria begin to grow and multiply, just as they can in a food. Secure, use up any thawed (and even fresh) veggies as soon as possible, and maintain any leftovers in the fridge.

Saturday, 31 December 2011

Can you handle a raw food diet


It was not long ago, raw food bars were all the rage. If you don't eat your raw food, you weren't in with the IN crowd and you were out of the loop in healthy rage. There are still some raw food bars around, but rather insipid has died and I think with good reason.

A lot of my patients ask me about the health benefits of eating raw food and I agree, there are some foods that are a benefit consumed raw, some I into question, and some never will I recommend without cooking. In case you were wondering whether or not it is more advantageous to eat all your raw food, here are some pros and cons you can consider.

What is so great about raw food?

Raw food is to start with something that has not been heated beyond 40 118 degrees. It is reported by raw food enthusiasts, temperatures above that kills the natural enzymes are present in foodstuffs and make it harder for your body to digest them. it is true that your body needs specific enzymes to digest your food. As we get older these enzymes reduce and does not make the job aid digestion and which may leave us constipated and missing a lot of nutrients from our food.

Now, there are some great, high vitamin and mineral-fiber-filled foods recommended for raw food diet, is all the things you should include a healthy diet anyway. They include foods such as vegetables, fruits, pulses, cereals and juices, as well as monounsaturated fats from olive oil, Avocados, coconut and nuts. As you can see, it is predominantly vegetarian diet, but people who practice a raw diet exclusively say, there are many benefits such as:

Lower cholesterol.
Lower down blood sugar levels.
Lower blood pressure (from decreased sodium intake).
Can prevent stomach and oral cancers (excessively boiled, barbecued food suspects).
High in fiber, helps maintain good bowel health and blood sugar.
Boosts the immune system from higher glycoside levels in raw food.
Avoidance of wheat, dairy products, sugar, alcohol and table salt can help certain allergies and aid in detoxifying the body itself.
Clearer skin.
weight loss.

What is not so much about the raw foods diet

Raw food diet, lifestyle, in its purest form, is predominantly vegetarian diet. Am I concerned about vitamin deficiencies, in particular deficiencies in B12, which is common in vegetarian diets. This deficiency can result in anaemia and conditions of the nervous system, as well as neurological disorders of cognition problems and dementia. The best sources of B12 is from red meat, and secondly, chicken, fish, and wheat germ.

In addition, warming not food last 118 degrees allows food borne pathogens that remain intact and can result in serious illness. Take eggs for example. Many of my patients boast about how they put a raw egg in a blender with juice, etc and drink it all down. In cringe and then tell them, they are lucky they dodged bullets salmonella, but may not always, as the eggs can be carriers of bacteria.

Depending on how strict are you in a raw food diet, you can also include some fish (sushi, etc), red meat and milk (non-pasteurized, non-homogenized only). Add meat and fish work better from a nutritional point of view, but from a food borne pathogen viewpoint could pose some serious problems. Both fish and meat can carry bacteria such as salmonella and others. If you have ever suffered a Salmonella food poisoning event, you will not go there again. They can also carry out viruses and parasites. Non-pasteurized milk can also implement Mycobacterium bovis, that can cause non-type pulmonary tuberculosis. These raw foods can short, lead to some serious diseases, as you do not want to subject yourself.

And if vitamin deficiencies and food borne pathogens are not enough to scare you away from a raw food
some raw diet, foods are included in a natural and untreated State, many of which can be toxic.
Here is a short list of these foods:

Kidney beans and Brussels sprouts contain a chemical called phytohemaglutinin, which can be toxic.
Lucerne Brussels sprouts contain canavanine.
Apricot chlorotic cores-contain amygdalin, which is raw cyanide.
Buckwheat Greens are toxic When raw. They can trigger photosensivity.
Parsnips contain furanocoumarin-raw, which can be toxic.

Time may also be a factor in not selecting a raw diet. Since most all raw food, it takes a long time to buy and preparation, which would be the ultimate importance of freshness.

Convenience can be another negative because it would make it difficult to go out to eat. Also to get used to it can be difficult for people who have eaten meat, sugar, salt and alcohol throughout their lifetime to switch to a raw diet.

Is there a healthy way to eat raw food?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask, mainly. But even many raw food enthusiasts say that the ideal raw raw diet is 75% and 25% cooked, and if I would "go raw" this is the way, I would probably do it so well.

25 percent of your raw diet could be boiled meat, fish and eggs, but I want to add a good digestive system enzyme to digest these proteins, especially if you are over 40 years.
the other 75% could be made from raw vegetables steamed just enough to soften them and bring out their flavour. Raw fruits and nuts are always great in their natural form and I recommend heartily eats several servings of these vitamin and fiber rich foods every day.
as always, drink half your weight in clean, filtered water per day to flush the toxins out of your body.

It is what I tell my patients ask about the health benefits of a raw food diet. There are many positive elements, which eat all the vegetables, fruits and nuts, and staying away from sugar and alcohol and processed foods. These are sound changes, as anyone can incorporate in their diet, whether it is completely raw or not. In order to avoid serious illness, however, will be staying away from sushi and steak tartare, unless you really can testify to where they came from, and handled them.







Saturday, 24 December 2011

Dangerous and deadly food

There are so many manufactured foods on the market today and a lot of them are considered dangerous or have additive or preservative which are cancer causing agents.


There should be more alerts and a greater concern about what we are eating and feeding our family.


The following is a list of foods or additives which are dangerous or deadly.


Hot Dogs and Processed Meats have chemical preservative which increase cancer risks.


Prepared Baby Food-traces of Pesticides have been found in jars of baby foods. Concern about the chemical, semicarbazide, a sealant used on the jars, this product is carcinogenic and it can reproduction into the food. Musts jar sizes are large so the amount ingested is apparently not harmful. Baby jars are smaller, the amount is greater per volume and therefore percentage level is higher.


Babies should only have natural grown, pesticide free food. Make your own baby food. Note when cooking and preparing the food, do not add salt, babies do not need sodium, it is too hard for there body two break down.


Rice-is used for baby food as it has a very low allergy risk.
The way it grows, can absorb contaminates from the ground so it really needs to be properly rinsed prior to cooking.


Pankake, chocolate Brownie & Cake Mix-(a) mould can grow in old mix, and then if consumed, can be extremely dangerous, even deadly.


Milk To increase production some farmers give their cows Growth Hormones. Taken in large doses these can have an adverse effect on your body and development.


Hydrogenate Oil It s a hard oil, used in margarine to stabilize it, so it does not melt down into a liquid as quickly as butter. The process used to make hydrogenated vegetable oil (or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil) creates Trans fats, which promote heart disease and diabetes. Its used in many foods, not just margarine.


Fat/Avacado Free Guacamole-avocados are high in fat and expensive, so manufacturers are now substituting their dips with hydrogenate oil, yellow and blue food colouring, flavouring for the Avacado.


Artificial Crab Meat exactly that-consists of beef plasma-when blood is spun down the red blood cells clump together and are removed, leaving a clear liquid. This is a plasma which is then mixed with fish and artificial colour.


Raw Eggs the bacteria in raw eggs can cause food poisoning. It can also be contaminated with salmonella, a food-borne illness that can give it a try fatal if untreated.
Cooking destroys the bacteria. Eating raw eggs is not recommended while pregnant nor to be given two babies. Before eating/ordering that the Cesar Salad, make sure the dressing is not made with raw eggs. Some tonics and protein drinks add raw eggs


Shellfish have bacteria, as bacteria exists naturally in the sea. While cooking destroys these bacteria, eating raw shellfish can lead to diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting. People most susceptible are diabetics, cancer sufferers and people with liver disease or immune disorders. Some severe cases can lead to death.


Strawberries Many farmers use pesticides. Check the country of origin, as some are higher than others.


Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in many packaged foods, including soups, salad dressings, sausages, hot dogs, canned tuna, potato chips, instant noodles and many more. MSG can lead to intolerance and allergic reactions such as severe headaches (migraines), nausea, drowsiness, heart palpitations, asthma, and anaphylactic shock.


This artificial sweetener-Aspartame is found in Equal and NutraSweet, diet sodas and other low-cal foods. This sweetener has been found to cause brain tumors in rats as far back as the 1970 s.
However a more recent study in 2005 found that even small doses increase the incidence of lymphomas and leukemia in rats, along with brain tumors.
Aspartame is made of 3 components, 50% phenylalanine, aspartic acid 40% and 10% methanol (wood alcohol). In the body of methanol breaks down into formaldehyde (embalming fluid) and formic acid.


Wild Mushrooms be extremely careful if you trend two go wild mushroom hunting in your local wooded area. A few common species of mushrooms are poisonous ... deadly. If unsure, eat mushrooms you ve purchased from a grocery store.


Rare Hamburger-Hamburger and other ground meat should be fully cooked to prevent e. coli, which can cause severe illness even death.


Mouldy Peanuts-Aflatoxins are a by-product, naturally occurring fungus Aspergillus (a)/mould growth on certain agricultural products such as peanuts, almonds, pistachio, walnut, coconut, wheat, cereals and corn, chile peppers, black pepper, coriander, turmeric and ginger.
Alfatoxins have been found to cause liver cancer in animals and humans. Check carefully for any sign of discoloration or mould.


There are concerns over chemicals, proven to be cancer causing agents, being used in our foods. Why do government departments allow large manufacturers to use these agents. What is considered low to no risk? How does anyone know what level is considered a safe amount for our bodies?
Who came up with and how did this safe value come to be?
When is any cancer causing agent inge place inhale or consumed in any way considered safe
If the package lists ingredients known to be harmful, then why don t they list any guidelines explaining how much to be consumed in a day, week, month in order for the level in our body not to be considered dangerous?


Another concern is food allergies. These can be very difficult to control and are becoming more common today. Reactions can be mild, severe two-even deadly.
Allergies-It s estimated that as many as 7 million Americans suffer from allergies to common foods, and as many as 200 people die every year from allergic reactions. While no one is quite sure what causes food allergies, the numbers are on the rise.


There does appear to be almost an epidemic, I would say, in the last five to 10 years, reports Dr. Hugh Sampson, an allergist to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.


He doesn t know the cause, but says there may be a link with breastfeeding. Ninety percent of the children who develop a serious peanut allergy were breastfed as infants, he says.


It may be a coincidence, he says, but the general consensus is we d rather the mothers not eat peanut while they re breastfeeding if they re from allergic family.
Some children will grow out of their allergies, however many people will develop them as they get older.


There is greater concern today, since many food manufacturers use the same plant or factory to manufacture foods with nuts in them as well as foods without.
Some people s allergies are so severe that eating anything that was made in a factory that processes peanuts or seeds could kill them.


Is there no alternative than using known harmful chemicals when growing and processing our foods? Are safer measures too costly, therefore the all mighty $ becomes more important than the value of life


Hence, is now not the right time to take action and control your health, the health and wellbeing of your family


Read the label and make healthier choices. Get back to healthy eating and avoid the preservative chemicals and the Government and Manufacturers claims are acceptable levels.


It is time to be serious about healthy eating and living and getting back to eating naturally grown whole foods.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=MaryLeahy

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Dangerous foods-reasons


Although the food supply in the United States is still one of the safest in the world estimates, CDC, Centers for Disease Control that every year more than 300,000 Americans are hospitalized and 5,000 die from FOODBORNE illness. Preventing FOODBORNE illness and death remains a major public health challenge.

A FOODBORNE disease is any disease caused by ingestion of food. Although the term is often used food poisoning, most FOODBORNE diseases is not actually the result of toxins, chemicals or toxic substances created by the food, but is caused by one of several forms of micro-organisms in food. The most frequent causes of food borne diseases is bacteria, including Salmonella, e. coli, Listeria and Shigella. Some bacteria secrete toxins as they grow; for example, secretes Clostridium bacteria botulin toxin, which can be fatal.

An estimated 55% of FOODBORNE diseases is caused by incorrect cooking and storage of foodstuffs and 24% of poor hygiene, in particular the lack of washing hands before handling food. Only 3% of cases are from a source that unsafe food.

In a FOODBORNE illness symptoms may begin in hours to eat food, or they may be delayed as much as three days. Symptoms vary with different micro-organisms, and may include one or more of these: nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, fever, headache and fatigue. Babies and small children, pregnant women and their unborn children, the elderly, chronically ill and the other whose immune systems are compromised are in greatest danger. In most cases, there will be a period of acute illness, then an upswing as the body Rids itself of toxic agent.

Escherichia coli or e. coli for short, is a common bacterium found commonly in the ground, and usually in human and animal Intestinal tracts. There are hundreds of different varieties of e. coli, most of which is harmless, but some varieties may cause serious illness. Certain strains of e. coli can cause severe diarrhea and also infect the genital organs and urinary tracts.

In September 2006, led a widespread outbreak of e. coli infection in raw spinach to over 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths across the country. U.s. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to buy or eat raw spinach from any source. California's Department of Health Services and the US Food and Drug Administration worked together in the investigation. In their joint final report they correctly identified the environmental risk factors and the areas was probably involved in the outbreak, but they were not definitively determine how the contamination occurred.

E. coli involved in the contaminated spinach is e. coli http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2039 Beef sausage this variety was first discovered in 1982, when it was found to be the causal agent in the event of an outbreak of diarrhoea is caused by eating undercooked beef. E. coli Beef sausage producing toxins that damage the lining of the intestines. The result is severe, bloody diarrhea. Vomiting, stomach cramps, and swine fever may also be present. Centers for Disease Control estimates that this e. coli strain is responsible for an average of 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths each year in the United States.

In 2007 made several withdrawals of ground beef products, where the beef was contaminated with e. coli. A restaurant in Effingham, Illinois, was identified as the source of the e. coli outbreak, resulted in at least six confirmed cases of e. coli O157: H7 among customers in September 2007. Outbreaks also occurred among students at an Indiana elementary school.

More than half of us FOODBORNE diseases are viral. Most FOODBORNE viral infections have an incubation period of 1-3 days before the victim experiencing symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those specified for bacterial infections. In healthy individuals is a FOODBORNE viral disease is self-limiting; as the body Rids itself of the infected food and the viral particles, abate the symptoms.

Some FOODBORNE diseases have more far-reaching effects, cause long-term health problems or even death. FOODBORNE illness is a major cause of reactive arthritis, a painful inflammation of the joints and other tissues. Its disease is 1-3 weeks after the initial event, and it can persist for up to one year.

Other infectious agents in food include mycotoxins produced by fungal agents such as Aspergillum, found in tree nuts, peanuts, and corn and cottonseeds; Ergot, which infect cereals and Fusarium, which infects maize, are all fungal toxins. There is still much to learn about FOODBORNE illness. Around 60% of all outbreaks of FOODBORNE diseases, source of infection cannot be identified.

In addition to individual disease and disorders impose food contamination and the resultant diseases significant economic and social strains. In the United States costs medical costs and lost productivity caused by food borne diseases more than 35 billion dollars annually.







Saturday, 10 December 2011

E. Coli and your health


Escherichia coli, commonly known as e. coli, is a naturally occurring bacteria that may be dangerous to humans. While most strains are harmless, some types of e. coli can cause serious food poisoning, when the bacteria is consumed because they release the toxins in your digestive system. Because e. coli bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye, they can come into contact with food and bring Eater in danger without warning. While there is some food preparation precautions can reduce your risk of infection, there is a chance of contracting e. coli when you eat or not grow and prepare your own food.

Prevention

Fecal-oral transmission is the most common form of transport infection in humans. United States's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows a number of recommendations in order to minimise the risk of infection, including:

Wash hands thoroughly before preparing food
Preparing and cooking food properly
Wear gloves while handling food
Pasteurisation of foodstuffs such as juices, milk and other dairy products
Prevent sick food workers from coming into contact with foodstuffs
Symptoms

E. coli infection can cause serious food poisoning and even life-threatening disease. Like most bacterial infections and other diseases are people most at risk of serious illness of children, the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems. Symptoms of e. coli infection include:

The stomach muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach tenderness

Some people may be infected with the e. coli without getting sick, but can give it to others, which then become sick. The simplest and most effective prevention, which all can take is to wash their hands thoroughly before cooking, dining or other handling of food. SOAP and hand sanitizer is both effective deterrent.