JasonN.com - health

Fat Folks Overeat

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:27:40 -0600

People often repeat stupid things they hear in pop culture that are obviously untrue. For example, when I tell someone I intend to lose weight by eating less I'm often confronted by someone who exclaims “You can't lose weight by not eating!”

Wrong! I've never met anyone that gained weight while fasting. It is a guarantee that you will lose weight if you fast. As a matter of fact, it's such a profoundly stupid statement that I assume they obviously don't really mean that someone that fasts will gain weight or maintain their present body weight. These people argue their point with such passion while refusing to deal with the basic laws of physics. It's like talking to the people who believe in water powered automobiles.

Kenya Suspends California Styled Public Smoking Ban

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 03:07:17 -0500

You wouldn't think Kenya's biggest health problem, or primary health concern would be discouraging tobacco use. BBC reports the legal battle ensues over the government's legal right to ban smoking in public.

There has also been confusion about where people can smoke as the law is vague in defining a "public place".

...

Under the ban, those caught smoking in offices, bus stations, airports and sports venue would face a fine of 50,000 Kenya shillings ($700; £375) or six months in prison.

Bungee Chord Multiple Sclerosis Walking Aid

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 14:41:17 -0500

BBC reports an inventor helps his wife make it to the pub in time for tea, and creates an award nominated invention.

"My husband had this wonderful idea - he took off his rucksack, put a bungee on my foot and I covered the last two kilometres and got there in time for tea."

Viagra Helps Heart Patients

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:36:06 -0500

There seems to be legitimate research pointing to Viagra (sildenafil) as a potential treatment for heart stress.

Viagra prevented and reversed the long-term cardiac effects of chronic high blood pressure. - Forbes

It's an interesting article, and new excuse for Medicare to continue picking up the tab on this recreational drug.

Emergency Cell Phones for the Elderly

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 07:48:53 -0500

Elderly people could use a simple cellular phone for medical emergencies. Everyone has seen the alert service ads for in-home emergencies. You know the one that sells the necklace with a red button on it. The old ads had a lady screaming "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" Finally, a company claims the specific purpose of offering that service on a portable model. Gemini Technologies offers a small GPS tracking, emergency cell phone.

Memory

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 16:58:30 -0500

I'm using the Memletics product to see how well I can improve my memory with their system. I'll report soon.

Accelerated Learning
Learning Styles
Accelerated-learning

Continued Battle for Medical Marijuana

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:32:12 -0500

Oxycontin (oxycodone) is legal and prescribed to deal with pain. It continues to make headlines as abusers go to jail and commit all sorts of crimes while abusing it, obtaining it, and continuing to support their addictions to it. I could list dozens of drugs that are known to have successful alternate black market lives. Practically any opiate prescription you can name sells for top dollar on the street.

Smoking Bad, Fat Worse

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 14:01:05 -0500

Smoking accelerated the ageing of key pieces of a person's DNA by about 4.6 years. For obesity it was nine years. - BBC

So, I've done twice the damage to myself quitting smoking and gaining weight. That's truly depressing.

Canada's Best but Broken National Healthcare System

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 17:13:52 -0500

Canada likely has the best healthcare any nationalized plan has to offer. However, it doesn't stop Canadians from skipping across the border to try a little capital driven care in the US. In some cases, it may be more than just preference that drives Canadians to some of the most expensive medical care money can buy. It seems that timely care is expensive in the US, often unavailable or illegal in Canada.

AIDS and Ebola Virus to Treat Cystic Fibrosis

Thu, 09 Jun 2005 07:52:35 -0500

Working with elements from HIV and the Ebola virus to cure cystic fibrosis seems kind of like enlisting two of the four horsemen to end world hunger.

Cystic fibrosis could be treated using elements of two potentially fatal viruses - HIV and Ebola - research has suggested.

The viruses are used to deliver a healthy version of the gene which is faulty in CF directly into lung cells.

The University of Pennsylvania researchers say tests on monkeys show the method is effective. - BBC

Ebola Virus Vaccine Success

Sun, 05 Jun 2005 17:40:13 -0500

It's only been successful in monkeys. But, the successful test of an Ebola and Marburg virus vaccine shows the end is near for the fatal virus.

The first vaccine to protect monkeys against Ebola and Marburg viruses has been developed by scientists from Canada, the United States and France. - BBC

No Embryos Destroyed in Latest Stem Cell Experiment

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:21:36 -0500

Those apposed to destroying human embryos for science have been long asking people to look to the proven alternatives. There are many good sources of stem cells, and many don't involve the risks associated with cloning. Umbilical chords have been successfully used to treat blood cancer patients. Now, a marrow sourced stem cell is making news.

They are using adult stem cells extracted from patients' bone marrow to generate new tissue in damaged areas. - BBC

Diet Coke Splenda (Sucralose) Sweetened

Fri, 20 May 2005 18:46:27 -0500

When my brother and I were in Turkey, we found this amazing drink called Coke Light. It was fantastic. My tastebuds couldn't believe the old school Coca Cola flavor from my childhood. We couldn't read the ingredients and assumed there was some Asian chemistry at work that had yet won FDA approval.

On a short trip to Costa Rica, I found more of this fantastic beverage and brought some home to my children. Trying hard to limit my sugar intake due to DM-2 issues, I've longed for this option at home as a "treat" beverage. Now, finally, a Splenda/Sunett (sucralose/acesulfame potassium) Coke has been released to the US market. And, it tastes good.

Is Cellular Clone Implantation Murder?

Thu, 19 May 2005 23:50:14 -0500

In South Korea, a man's cells have been used to clone, creating stem cells that match his own body's cells. On the heals of an amazing scientific development, the ethical questions are bound to begin their circuits on both sides of the debate.

The ethical or lack of ethical challenges for me begin and end at taking a human life, when it comes to science. Improving humans, changing us, even cloning us doesn't seem to violate any particular belief I hold. It's scary, perhaps unnerving. Many Christians deplore farming stem cells from human fetuses because they believe unborn babies are humans and that their lives deserve the same respect as those outside the womb.

Turbocharged Heart Implant

Thu, 19 May 2005 08:43:52 -0500

The first (human) turbocharged heart implant has been conducted in New Zealand.