Thursday, March 31, 2011

Smoking Damages DNA Within Minutes


Picture Credit

A stark warning to those tempted to start smoking.

Cigarettes start to destroy a smoker's DNA within minutes of inhaling, new research indicates, suggesting that the habit causes immediate genetic damage and quickly raises the short-term risk for cancer.

The report, the first human study to detail the way certain substances in tobacco cause DNA damage linked to cancer, appears in Chemical Research in Toxicology, one of 38 peer-reviewed scientific journals published by the American Chemical Society.

Globally, lung cancer claims a toll of 3,000 lives each day, largely as a result of cigarette smoking. Smoking also is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer. Evidence indicates that harmful substances in tobacco smoke termed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are one of the culprits in causing lung cancer.

PAHs are known to inflict damage on DNA. To date, however, little had been known about the exact mechanism by which PAH exposure causes disease.

To better understand the risks, Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., and collegues added a labeled PAH, phenanthrene, to cigarettes and tracked its fate in 12 volunteers who smoked the cigarettes. They found that phenanthrene quickly forms a toxic substance in the blood known to cause havoc on the DNA, causing mutations that can cause cancer.

The smokers developed maximum levels of the substance in a time frame that surprised even the researchers: Just 15-30 minutes after the volunteers finished smoking. Researchers said the speed with which the potentially lethal DNA assault began was comparable to having injected the PAH directly into an individual's bloodstream.

Journal Reference:

Yan Zhong, Steven G. Carmella, Pramod Upadhyaya, J. Bradley Hochalter, Diane Rauch, Andrew Oliver, Joni Jensen, Dorothy Hatsukami, Jing Wang, Cheryl Zimmerman, and Stephen S. Hecht. Immediate Consequences of Cigarette Smoking: Rapid Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Diol Epoxides. Chem. Res. Toxicol., 2011, 24 (2), pp 246–252. DOI: 10.1021/tx100345x

Not convinced? Read the full text article HERE


Nicotine as Main Culprit in Diabetes Complications Among Smokers

If you're a smoker and have diabetes, you should be concerned and make every effort to quit smoking.

Scientists report the first strong evidence implicating nicotine as the main culprit responsible for persistently elevated blood sugar levels -- and the resulting increased risk of serious health complications -- in people who have diabetes and smoke.

Nicotine caused levels of HbA1c to rise by as much as 34 percent. The higher the nicotine levels, the more HbA1c is produced

In a presentation at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Xiao-Chuan Liu, Ph.D., said that nicotine caused levels of HbA1c to rise by as much as 34 percent. The higher the nicotine levels, the more HbA1c is produced

The number of diabetics in our country has increased by almost 80 percent in the last 10 years from 1996-2006 to 1.4 million adults above the age of 30. 260 million more worldwide have diabetes. Doctors have known for years that smoking increases the risk of developing complications. Those complications -- which include heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage -- are why diabetes is a leading cause of death in the Malaysia. Good control of blood sugar levels through lifestyle modifications like weight loss, changes in diet and increased physical activity is the key to preventing complications.

So, what about nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, patches, electronic cigarettes, and other stop-smoking products?

Liu pointed out that people tend to use those products for only brief periods, and that the benefits of permanently stopping smoking may outweigh any risk from temporary elevations in HbA1c. However, the study may raise concern over the long term use of such products, he added.

Source:

241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) News Release on March 27, 2011

The Star Online January 11, 2011

HbA1c : The gold standard for monitoring long-term blood sugar levels in people with diabetes is the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) blood test. Used in conjunction with daily home blood sugar monitoring, the HbA1c test reveals the average amount of sugar in the blood during the last several weeks. High test results mean that diabetes is not well controlled and there is an increased risk of complications.

Zestz for LAUGHS - Extra Large Condoms



If you think you've been short-changed, you should first find out what Mann Otto Kloepneckler had to say about the best engine in the world and then CLICK HERE to learn how to operate and maintain this wonderful machine.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Stress May Alter Gut Bacteria : Advertorial


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Lactobacillus gasseri PA 16/8, Bifidobacterium longum SP 07/3 and Bifidobacterium bifidum MF 20/5 are the names of the three probiotic cultures contained in BION®3. These are specially selected strains of bacteria, with scientifically proven benefits for our immune system. This complex of probiotic cultures activates the gut's own defence system and so makes a significant contribution to strengthening our defences. This is shown by current results of a nutritional study.

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Minerals and trace elements are also crucial building blocks for health and a strong immune system, as proved by many years' findings from nutritional science.

Get more details HERE or just drop in at anyone of our pharmacies TODAY!

Offer valid whilst stocks last.

Stress May Alter Gut Bacteria : Learn to relax and manage stress

In today’s fast-paced and ever-connected world, stress has become a fact of life. Stress can cause people to feel overwhelmed or pushed to the limit. While low to moderate levels of stress can be good for you when managed in healthy ways, extreme stress takes both an emotional and physical toll on the individual.

With the consequences of poorly managed stress ranging from fatigue to heart disease and obesity, it is important to know how to recognize high stress levels and take action to handle it in healthy ways. Being able to control stress is a learned behavior, and stress can be effectively managed by taking small steps toward changing unhealthy behaviors.

The American Psychological Association offers the following tips on how to manage your stress:

Understand how you stress. Everyone experiences stress differently. How do you know when you are stressed? How are your thoughts or behaviors different from times when you do not feel stressed?

Identify your sources of stress. What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else?

Learn your own stress signals. People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions, feel angry, irritable or out of control, or experience headaches, muscle tension or a lack of energy. Gauge your stress signals.

Recognize how you deal with stress. Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, drinking alcohol and over/under eating) to cope. Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations? Do you make unhealthy choices as a result of feeling rushed and overwhelmed?

Find healthy ways to manage stress. Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercising or talking things out with friends or family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and can be difficult to change. Don't take on too much at once. Focus on changing only one behavior at a time.

Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health. Take regular vacations or other breaks from work. No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself — even if it's just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music.

Reach out for support. Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.

CLICK HERE for our other posts related to stress.

Stress May Alter Gut Bacteria to Hinder Immune System

Picture Credit

The bodies of humans and most animals are populated by highly complex and genetically diverse communities of microorganisms. The majority of these microbes reside within the intestines in largely stable but dynamically interactive climax communities that positively interact with their host.

Researchers have found that stress can alter the balance of bacteria by changing the composition, diversity and number of intestinal bacteria. The communities of bacteria become less varied, and there are greater numbers of potentially harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium.

When the researchers reduced the number of bacteria in the intestines of laboratory mice using antibiotics, they found that some of the effects of stress on the immune system were prevented leading them to suggest that not only does stress change the bacteria levels in the gut, but that these alterations can, in turn, impact our immunity.

Because gut bacteria have been linked to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, and even to asthma, a future goal of the study is to determine whether alterations of gut bacteria is the reason why these diseases tend to be worse during periods of pressure.

Journal Reference:

Bailey MT, Dowd SE, Galley JD, Hufnagle AR, Allen RG, Lyte M. Exposure to a social stressor alters the structure of the intestinal microbiota: implications for stressor-induced immunomodulation. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 2011 Mar;25(3):397-407.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Ten Health Myths


We have been told that the key to longevity involves obsessing over what we eat, how much we stress, and how fast we run. Based on the most extensive study of longevity ever conducted, The Longevity Project exposes what really impacts our lifespan-including friends, family, personality, and work.

Gathering new information and using modern statistics to study participants across eight decades, Dr. Howard S. Friedman and Dr. Leslie R. Martin bust myths about achieving health and long life.

Here are ten of the most treacherous dead-end myths that they have uncovered in their 20 years of work on this study:

1. "Take it easy, don't work so hard, and you will stay healthier." MYTH! Our results clearly showed that those who lived the longest were highly motivated, worked the hardest, steadily advanced in their careers, and achieved most career success.

2. "Get married and you will live longer." MYTH! For married men who were well-suited to marriage and stayed in a good one, marriage was health protective. But for men who divorced and remained divorced (or who remarried and divorced again), their risk of dying skyrocketed. Women who stayed single and women who left a poor marriage (through divorce) usually thrived. Women were able to rely much more on their friends, while men usually depended on their wives for their social life.

3. "Cheer up, go to comedy clubs, and stay happy because thinking happy thoughts reduces stress and leads to long life." MYTH! Although happier people are healthier and healthier people are happier, our tracking of people for many years revealed that happiness is not the root cause of good health. Those who thrived did not live in a land of laugh therapy, self-esteem clinics, parties, and indulgent parents and peers. Instead, the thrivers traveled pathways of meaningful, productive living that made them happy, healthy, and wise.

4. "If you are a wimpy type who likes gardening, walking, and cooking, get out there to the marathons and the ski slopes because vigorous activity is the secret to how long you will live." MYTH! Although we did confirm that a sustained level of physical activity is healthy, most individuals did not manage to stay physically active as they reached middle age. So we say that if you don't like jogging, don't jog. Instead, begin doing things that you really enjoy and can keep up, whether it is tending to your garden, or bowling with buddies. Develop those patterns, whatever they are, that get you up and out of your chair.

5. "If you are the kind of person who worries about your health, get some therapy and learn how to relax because worrying is very bad for your health," MYTH! Especially for men, those who were worriers in young adulthood went on to later be less likely to die before their time. If the worrying individuals were also conscientious and dependable, things got even better. Such worriers may be especially motivated to take care of themselves. Rather than fretting themselves to death, they are concerned enough to keep themselves alive. And throughout life, those who realistically evaluated risks fared better than the happy-go-lucky.

6. "If you believe that you are very loved and cared for, then you are definitely on the road to good health and long life." MYTH! Although social relations and good ties to others were very important to staying healthy, feeling cared for wasn't crucial. Rather, the people who had lots of other people in their lives -- friends, family, or co-workers -- stayed healthier, and this effect was increased if they volunteered and got involved in helping others. Helping and loving others is more important than feeling helped and loved oneself.

7. "If you have been working at the same job for many, many years, retire as soon as you can, move somewhere nice, and play more golf so you will stay healthier and live longer." MYTH! The people who stayed involved with something worthwhile as they aged tended to stay healthier, whether it was full-time work, part-time work, or volunteering. Surprisingly, they did not work themselves to death; they worked themselves to life!

8. "If your child is very serious and steadfast, encourage the child to be more spontaneous, cheery, and to have more fun." MYTH! We found very clearly that it was the prudent, dependable, truthful, humble and persistent children who thrived throughout the years. And they led fulfilled, interesting lives. The cheery, fun-seeking, risk-taking folks often died before their time.

9. "Religious people live longer, so be sure not to miss religious services if you want to stay healthy; prayer relieves stress." MYTH! We discovered that religious people, especially religious women, do tend to live longer, but not because of religious services. They stayed healthier partly because they have healthier habits, but it was also the case that those involved with a religious congregation had many more social ties and much more health-protective community involvement.

10. "Give your child a big head start in school because children with a good academic lead go farther, thrive, and live longer." MYTH! The children who started formal schooling (first grade) at an early age (such as age five) were at higher risk of dying early. They lost the unstructured playtime that psychologists know to be so important to healthy development. And they had more trouble relating to their classmates, out of synch and often feeling the need to prove themselves.

OVERALL MYTH BUSTED: The old saw that says "The best of Men cannot suspend their Fate; The Good die early, and the Bad die late." MYTH!

The Longevity Project repeatedly revealed that it was the honest, dependable, hard-working, helpful, and socially-involved individuals who thrived. Generally speaking, it is the Good ones who can actually help shape their fate; the Bad die early, and the GOOD DO GREAT!

Howard S. Friedman is currently Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Leslie R. Martin is Professor of Psychology at La Sierra University.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Zestz for LAUGHS?


Calm down! It’s not a problem without solutions.

CLICK HERE to find out about "Lasting Longer"
CLICK HERE to find out about "Speed Control"

Friday, March 25, 2011

Feeling Angry? Say a Prayer and the Wrath Fades Away


Picture Credit: www.sfpnn.com

Although some religious teachings have been used to justify aggression, most religious teachings promote peace in human affairs.

Researchers recently conducted a series of experiments to test the hypothesis that praying for others brings out the more peaceful side of religion by reducing anger and aggression after a provocation.

In Experiment 1, praying for a stranger led provoked participants to report less anger than control participants who thought about a stranger.

In Experiment 2, provoked participants who prayed for the person who angered them were less aggressive toward that person than were participants who thought about the person who angered them.

In Experiment 3, provoked participants who prayed for a friend in need showed a less angry appraisal style than did people who thought about a friend in need.

These results are consistent with recent evolutionary theories, which suggest that religious practices can promote cooperation among nonkin or in situations in which reciprocity is highly unlikely.

The benefits of prayer identified in this study don't rely on divine intervention: they probably occur because the act of praying changed the way people think about a negative situation, said Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State University. He conducted the research with Ryan Bremner of the University of Michigan and Sander Koole of VU University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

"We found that prayer really can help people cope with their anger, probably by helping them change how they view the events that angered them and helping them take it less personally."

The power of prayer also didn't rely on people being particularly religious, or attending church regularly, Bushman emphasized. Results showed prayer helped calm people regardless of their religious affiliation, or how often they attended church services or prayed in daily life.

Bushman noted that the studies didn't examine whether prayer had any effect on the people who were prayed for. The research focused entirely on those who do the praying.

When you are confronting your own anger, you may want to consider the old advice of praying for one's enemies. It may not benefit your enemies, but it may help you deal with the negative emotions.

Journal Reference:

R. H. Bremner, S. L. Koole, B. J. Bushman. "Pray for Those Who Mistreat You": Effects of Prayer on Anger and Aggression. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Published online before print March 18, 2011; DOI: 10.1177/0146167211402215

CLICK HERE for our post on a related subject "How to Generate Positive Feelings"


Candazole and Candacort for TINEA

Candazole is available over-the-counter but it's best to first consult a pharmacist or doctor

Both Candazole and Candacort creams contain the active ingredient clotrimazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.

Clotrimazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol causes holes to appear in the fungal cell membrane.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As clotrimazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

Candacort contains two active ingredients, clotrimazole and hydrocortisone.


Candacort can only be purchased under the personal supervison of a pharmacist.

Hydrocortisone reduces skin inflammation by stopping skin cells from producing various inflammation-causing chemicals that are normally released when the skin reacts to irritation. These inflammation-causing chemicals include prostaglandins and various other inflammatory substances. They cause blood vessels to widen and other inflammatory substances to arrive, resulting in the affected area of skin becoming red, swollen and itchy. By preventing these inflammatory chemicals from being released in the skin, hydrocortisone reduces inflammation and relieves its related symptoms such as redness and itchiness.

The combination of medicines in Candacort cream is used to treat fungal skin infections where symptoms of inflammation, such as itching, require rapid relief.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

TINEA PEDIS - Keep Toes Cool, Clean and Dry



Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, medically called tinea pedis. If the fungus takes hold between your toes, it can cause itchiness, cracking and peeling.

Our suggestions to help prevent the athlete's foot infection:

  • Wash your feet often with soap and water. Dry your feet, especially the area between the toes, after getting out of the bath, shower or pool.
  • Do not wear other people's shoes or slippers.
  • Choose shoes that offers good ventilation (such as leather or canvas) rather than vinyl or other materials that do not allow the feet to "breathe."
  • Don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row, so the shoes can air out.
  • Wear sandals in warm weather.
  • Swap sweaty socks for a clean dry pair at least once daily. Wearing cotton socks that wick moisture away from the feet is also helpful.
  • If you tend to get athlete's foot, use an antifungal or drying powder. Antifungal foot powders (Scholl Atheletes Foot Powder) can be applied to the feet or put in the shoes to absorb moisture.
  • Avoid walking barefoot in any damp places. Sandals and water shoes can provide protection when using public pools and spas.

Fungal infections, including athlete's foot, are treated with antifungals. Both over-the-counter (Candazole) and prescription (Candacort, Dezor, Ecocort) antifungal creams are available to treat athlete's foot infection. Talk to our pharmacists.

For persistent infections, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.

It is important to continue treatment for the recommended time period even if the skin appears to have healed, since incomplete treatment frequently results in reinfection.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Is the ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) poisonous?

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Loddiges)Engl.
Synonyms: Zamioculcas loddigesii, Zamiacaulcas zamiafolia, Zamioculcas lanceolata,
Z. "lancifolia" and strangely Caladium zamiaefolium (the basionym)

Common names:

Aroid Palm, Arum Fern, ZZ Plant, Zee Zee plant, ZeZe plant, Zeezee Plant, Zu Zu Plant, Money Tree, Fat Boy, Eternity Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Chinese New Year Festive Plant, Chinese Gold Coin Plant and incorrectly "Succulent Philodendron", Emerald FrondsSometimes incorrectly spelled "Zamioculcus" using a second "u"


In Malaysia it is more commonly known as Money Plant.
It is believed that it will bring wealth to the owner thus it can be found many homes and offices.

Visitors to our home in Teluk Pulai, Klang have never failed to question whether this 'Money Plant" is really dangerous. In desperation, we looked up Steve Lucas in the net and here's what he has to say:

"Please let me start this off with I am well aware some folks on plant forums like this don’t like my posts. I try to share and teach the science of plants, not rumors. When I try to explain some things growers often don’t like to learn what they’ve been led to believe is a rumor, not fact. If you don’t care about the facts of plants please click the “X” up in the corner right now. You won’t like reading this.

Because I maintain a fairly large website that offers scientific information in what I hope is an easy to understand format I get tons of questions in my email box. Lately the big one is people wanting to know if they touch a ceramic pot containing a ZZ plant (scientifically Zamioculcas zamiifolia) from Africa is it possible to die of severe poisoning. My first answer: hogwash! My first question is “Where did you read this?”

The ZZ plant is an aroid. Aroids are distinguished by the production of a spathe and spadix known as an inflorescence in order to reproduce. The ZZ is found in East Africa and the Internet is completely filled with false information about the plant. It does not grow in a desert; no aroid grows in a desert. It does like water and has a roughly equal period of extreme wet followed by a period of extreme dry. The plant needs regular water.

A new plant can be started from a single leaf by following simple instructions but it does not happen quickly. But most important, neither the ZZ, a Philodendron, an Anthurium and not even the Dieffenbachia (CLICK HERE for our report on "pisang tanah") are poisonous! I can hear you screaming at me right now! Did you know people around the world eat some aroids including Dieffenbachia on a regular basis? I have eaten many of them and am still quite alive.


All aroids contain calcium oxalate crystals but calcium oxalate is not a poison. It just tastes bad in many cases and in a great enough concentration can cause your mouth and throat to be very irritated. Did you know calcium oxalate crystals are found in Parsley, Chives, Cassava, Spinach, Beet leaves, Carrot, Radish, Collards, Bean, Brussels sprouts, Garlic, Lettuce, Watercress, Sweet potato, Turnip, Broccoli, Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Cabbage, Tomato, Pea, Turnip greens, Potato, Onion, Okra, Pepper, Squash, Cucumbers, Corn and many other vegetables? Promise, that is a scientific fact. Have you ever wondered why kids don’t like spinach? They don’t like the taste of the calcium oxalate!

So how does such junk science as the “pot of a ZZ plant can poison you” get started? People read something they don’t understand and repeat it. Just like a rumor the next person adds some embellishment and so does the next. Finally someone decides to post what they “heard” on the internet and the rumor just grows and grows and grows. Suddenly even the pot of a plant can kill you!"

Steve Lucas of Exotic Rainforest serves on the board of the International Aroid Society

Photo: besides the ZZ plant we have the carving of a "grass-hopper man" by a Jahut from Pahang (CLICK HERE and HERE for information on the Jahut, a subgroup of the Senoi, the indegenous people of Malaysia) and of course our Good Luck Biawak (iguana) from HERE

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Conjunctivitis


Picture Credit : Herbalgranny.com

Conjunctivitis is swelling (inflammation) or infection of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelids.

Conjunctivitis due to infection is contagious.

Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause.

Allergic conjunctivitis may respond to allergy treatment. It may disappear on its own when the allergen that caused it is removed. Cool compresses may help soothe allergic conjunctivitis.

Antibiotic medication, usually eye drops, is effective for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. Many doctors give a mild antibiotic eyedrop for conjunctivitis to prevent bacterial infection.

You can soothe the discomfort of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis by applying warm compresses (clean cloths soaked in warm water) to your closed eyes.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your symptoms last longer than 3 or 4 days.

Good hygiene helps treat and prevent the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis:

  • Do not touch or rub your eyes. If your eyes itch or burn, use a tissue to wipe drainage; put the used tissue in the trash, and clean your hands.
  • Clean your hands frequently with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are red or draining. Discard contact lens solution used before or during your eye illness. Disinfect contact lenses before resuming use.
  • Don’t share towels or washcloths or make up products.
  • Do not reuse handkerchiefs (using a tissue is best).
  • Avoid shaking hands.
  • Change pillowcases frequently.
  • Points 1, 2 and 3 are also applicable to allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe an eye drop for the treatment of conjunctivitis: CLICK HERE for efficient way to apply eye drops.

Eye Drops : How To Apply


Picture Credit: Eye-Exercises-for-Good-Vision.com

Here’s how to use eyedrops efficiently:

  1. Wash hands first.
  2. To avoid contamination, be careful not to touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
  3. Bend your head back, gaze upward and pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket.
  4. Place dropper directly over eye and administer one drop, or the prescribed number of drops.
  5. Look downward and gently close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes.
  6. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye.
  7. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye.
  8. Repeat in the other eye if the drop is prescribed for both eyes.
  9. Do not rinse the dropper.
  10. If you are prescribed two different eye drop to be used at the same time of day, wait at least five minutes before applying the second drop into an eye. This allows the first drop to 'settle in' and not be washed out by a second drop if it is put in too quickly.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Zestz for LAUGHS


"I thought this warning was very IMPORTANT, so I am passing it on to everyone I know.
Please pass it on to the people you care about, relatives, friends
It is important they be aware of this danger.


Never

Never

Never

Never

Ever.. ...


...f@rt in a wet suit!"

Adrian Botting*


* Disclaimer: This old man is not, and has never been, on the payroll of the manufacturers of Zellox-II, that fine double-strength, sugar-free relief for gastric pains, indigestion, heart burn and, yes, FLATULENCE caused by excess acid

Photographer? Sorry, we don't know him
.

Zestz for LAUGHS - Property Dispute



One evening, after attending the theater, two gentlemen were walking down the avenue when they observed a rather well dressed and attractive young lady walking ahead of them. One of them turned to the other and remarked, "I'd give $250 to spend the night with that woman."
Much to their surprise, the young lady overheard their remark, turned around, and replied, "I'll take you up on that offer."

She had a neat appearance and a pleasant voice, so after bidding his companion good night, the man accompanied the young lady to her apartment. The following morning, as he prepared to leave, the man gave her $125. She demanded the rest of the money, stating, "If you don't give me the other $125 I'll sue you for it."

He laughed, saying "I'd like to see you get it on these grounds." Within a few days, he was surprised when he received a summons ordering his presence in court as a defendant in a lawsuit. He hurried to his lawyer and explained the details of the case. His lawyer said, "She can't possibly get a judgment against you on such grounds, but it will be interesting to see how her case will be presented."

After the usual preliminaries, the lady's Lawyer addressed the court as follows:

"Your honor, my client, this lady, is the owner of a piece of property, a garden spot, surrounded by a profuse growth of shrubbery, which property she agreed to rent to the defendant for a specified length of time for the sum of $250. The defendant took possession of the property, used it extensively for the purposes for which it was rented, but upon evacuating the premises, he paid only $125, one-half of the amount agreed upon. The rent was not excessive, since it is restricted property, and we ask judgment be granted against the defendant to assure payment of the balance."

The defendant's Lawyer was not only surprised but also impressed AND amused by the way his opponent had presented the case. Naturally, his defense was somewhat different from the way he originally planned to present it. He rose to the occasion!

'Your honor," he said, "my client agrees that the lady has a fine piece of property, that he did rent such property for a time, and a degree of pleasure was derived from the transaction. However, my client found a well on the property around which he placed his own stones, sunk a shaft, and erected a pump, all labor performed personally by him. We claim these improvements to the property were sufficient to offset the unpaid amount, and that the plaintiff was adequately compensated for the rental of said property. We, therefore, ask that judgment not be granted."

The young lady's lawyer answered, "Your honor, my client agrees that the defendant did find a well on her property. However, had the defendant not known that the well existed, he would never have rented the property. Also, upon evacuating the premises, the defendant removed the stones, pulled out the shaft, and took the pump with him. In doing so, he not only dragged the equipment through the shrubbery, but left the hole much larger than it was prior to his occupancy, making the property much less desirable to others. We, therefore, ask that judgment be granted."

In the Judge's decision, he provided for two options: "Pay the balance $125 to the plaintiff, or have the equipment detached from its current location and provide it to the plaintiff for damages."

The defendant wrote out a check immediately.

Case closed!


The beauty of a language and the art of construction the words of the language lead to enormous meaning and reapings. This is not a case of twisting, but a refined manner of presentation by the wits of the mind. A good case for reference.

Recommended by Edwin, author unknown.

Friday, March 18, 2011

How to Generate Positive Feelings


Focus your awareness in your heart and take ten deep breaths imagining that you are breathing in and out through your heart. You will likely feel more relaxed and centered. Rest your mind in the space of your heart and continue breathing slowly and deeply until you find your calm center.

Once you are there, you are ready to activate positive feelings. You can begin by smiling. Go ahead and smile and notice how that simple action shifts your inner feeling immediately. Smiling has a positive effect down to the cellular level. It produces positive neuro-chemistry, boosts your immune response, and bathes your body and brain in positive energy.

Now, imagine that your heart is smiling. Allow the feeling of smiling to warm and relax the space in and around your heart. To increase the feeling, you can imagine a time when you were really happy, or imagine a beloved pet or someone that you love unconditionally, as you continue to smile into your heart.

Spend a few minutes and enjoy the sensation. Record that smiling feeling in your heart, so that you can come back to it at any time.

Enjoy!

Kevin Schoeninger

Mind Body Training Community


Photo credit : KC Khoo (email: chnuah@yahoo.com.au )

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Alternatif NSAID - kurkumin

Kunyit (Curcuma longa) dan bahan utamanya yang aktif secara biologi, iaitu polifenol yang disebut kurkumin, mempunyai keistimewaan, bermanfaat kesihatan berganda, disokong oleh pertubuhan yang luas dalam ilmu pengetahuan klinikal.

KLIK DISINI untuk membaca tentang anti-radang, anti-artritik, antioksidan, hepatoprotektif, antikolesterol, antitrombotik, antikanser, imunomodulator, dan efek kurkumin pada nootropic dan neuroprotektif.


NARCOX ™ menggunakan bioteknologi Belgium yang dipatenkan, digunakan untuk mengekstrak dan mengumpul molekul curcumin dalam pati tumbuhan semulajadi, meningkatkan tahap penyerapan kurkumin sehingga 4000 ×.

Ketika otot atau sendi tercedera, tubuh menginduksi enzim yang disebut COX-2 yang menghasilkan PGE2 yang berlebihan, suatu sebatian yang menyebabkan peradangan dan nyeri.

Sementara kaedah lain menghalang baik enzim COX-1 dan COX-2, NARCOX ™ hanya menghalang COX-2. Hal ini penting kerana inhibisi COX-1 telah diketahui menyebabkan kesan sampingan yang berat seperti masalah jantung, strok dan kecederaan atau pendarahan gastrointestinal (dan disfungsi ereksi).

Jurnal Rujukan

Senbel AM. Functional inhibition of erectile process in rats by indomethacin. World J Urol. 2010 Oct 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Sakit Sendi Arthritis - Cadangan untuk membantu mencegah kekakuan dan rasa sakit

Kegiatan sehari-hari boleh menyebabkan kekejangan, kekakuan dan keradangan sendi artritis.

Arthritis Foundation menawarkan beberapa cadangan untuk membantu meringankan kekakuan dan kesakitan akibat arthritis:

* Elakkan terlalu banyak aktiviti yang menyebabkan sendi anda sakit. Gunakan alat bantu - seperti penarik zipper atau pembuka tin - untuk membuat tugas-tugas yang lebih mudah.

* Cubalah untuk mengangkat dengan otot dan sendi yang terbesar dan terkuat, yang dapat mengurangkan jumlah rasa sakit.

* Jangan berada di kedudukan yang sama terlalu lama.

* Dapatkan keseimbangan yang baik antara aktiviti fizikal dan keadaan rehat ketika anda memerlukannya.

* Amati rasa sakit sebagai tanda bahawa anda telah memaksa diri terlalu kuat, dan lakukannya pada waktu lain dengan lebih ringan.

* Dapatkan bantuan dari rakan dan keluarga ketika menghadapi cabaran yang terlalu sukar.