Washington and Colorado, USA, were the first states to approve marijuana for non-medical use in ballot initiatives on November 6, 2012, taking effect December 6, 2012, making marijuana legal for recreational use for adults 21 and older. The possession limit is 1 ounce (28.3 grams). New studies show that more Americans are shifting from alcohol to marijuana. Federal data show an estimated 21.4 million Americans use cannabis daily, compared to 17.2 million who imbibe alcohol with the same frequency. This reflects a 21-percent shift from 2022, jumping from the frying pan to the fire?
The dangers of using marijuana “involve cognitive impairment, mental health vulnerabilities, respiratory and cardiovascular strain, and developing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).”
We seem not to have learned from history. The Qing dynasty in China entered the peak addiction era from recreational opium between 1800 and 1911. More than 13. 5 million people were addicted, including 27 percent of its male population. This led to widespread national addiction and economic devastation, resulting in the final downfall of the Qing dynasty in 1912.
Both opium and marijuana are psychotropic drugs. While opium is much more deadly than marijuana, the use of any such class of drug for recreation is unhealthy, to say the least. Why our legislators even approved this drug for recreational use is ludicrous and a disservice to society. We have enough problems; we do not need to add one, even if it is presented as a “safe recreational solution.” Besides, there are dozens of recreational activities available to everyone these days, thanks to computers, cellphones, and now, AIs, among others.
Microwaving foods
Warming or cooking food in a microwave is safe and healthy, as long as the container is glass or ceramic, not Styrofoam or plastic. Microwaves are a form of non-ionizing radiation and do not make food radioactive or alter its chemical structure, contrary to popular myth. Microwave ovens are safe as long as the protective shield is intact. If broken, the escaping radiation could cause painful tissue burns, intense redness and blurred vision, cataracts, and temporary sterility in men. There are inexpensive handheld radiation leak detectors available. Make sure your microwave oven is not damaged. While it is running, it is precautionary to stay at least 6 feet away.
Microwaving foods preserves the vitamins and minerals in food, unlike boiling or baking. Stir the food halfway to distribute the heat evenly and not leave “cold spots,” where food-borne bacteria might survive. This mode of warming or cooking also saves a lot of time. Potatoes, corn, and bananas wrapped in a wet towel rapidly cook in 3 minutes. Fast, convenient, safe, and healthy.
Jicama strategy
Munching on jicama (singkamas in Tagalog), a crisp, juicy, ready-to-eat root vegetable, for snacks is an exceptional strategy for gut health and for satisfying the craving to chew or eat. It is a high-volume, low-calorie food that promotes fullness without consuming a heavy calorie count. One cup of jicama contains only about 49 calories, providing 1.8 g of sugar, a huge 6.4 grams of dietary fiber, and about 90 percent water. This slows down digestion, satisfies the urge to chew, and stretches our daily calorie budget, compared to common snacks. Jicama is very good for the gut microbiome, an exceptional source of inulin, a soluble prebiotic fiber that bypasses digestion in the small intestine to feed and stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon.
With the same amount, Broccoli yields 31 calories, 2.4 g fiber, and 1.5 g sugar, and carrots, 52 calories, 3.6 g fiber, and 6.0 g sugar. Celery: 16 calories, 1.5 fiber, and 1.4 g sugar. Any of these, or a combination of them, is a healthier option for snacks compared to fast foods, sweets (carbohydrates), and toxic soft drinks, and it lowers the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and even cancer. Remember: We are what we eat. Our diet is a major (primary) factor that determines our future health and longevity.
Dangerous claim
The “Boost’ TV commercial uses the term “temporary oxygen insufficiency” to justify the use of an oxygen supplement from a hand canister. That is not a medical diagnosis or an official medical entity. It is a gimmick to sell ‘Boost,” which is useless, even dangerous, for healthy individuals. Supplemental oxygen is beneficial only to those with cardiopulmonary disease, like heart failure or COPD, or those with hypoxia, and is dangerously unhealthy for those who are not short of breath with normal blood oxygen levels. The atmosphere provides us with 21 percent oxygen, which is the safe natural level of oxygen for people who don’t have shortness of breath. Getting a higher percentage of oxygen damages normal lungs.
In July 2024, Boost Oxygen LLC reached a $413,000 false advertising settlement with California (Ventura, St. Barbara, and Monterey counties) prosecutors.
Caveat emptor!
Less sugar for babies
It has long been proven that an infant’s nutrition in the first 1000 days of life can affect their health later in life. A healthy, nourishing diet during the first years of life is vital in establishing a healthy gut microbiome, a strong immune system, and supporting brain development.
A new study found that “infants exposed to less sugar in their first 1,000 days of life experienced lower risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia from any cause as adults. Scientists also found that consuming less sugar during the first 1,000 days of life also led to a lower risk of depression and anxiety later in life.”
The principle of minimizing sugar to attain better health also applies to everyone.
Planetary health diet
The planetary health diet is based on the same principle as the Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet, or DASH diet, all rich in plants. Studies reveal that reducing intake of processed foods, red meats, salt, and sugars, while increasing fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can help reduce the risk of health conditions such as overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
Nutrition journal says, “This type of diet is also good for the planet, as plant farming produces fewer gases that contribute to the climate crisis. Now, a study suggests that, for postmenopausal women, a planetary health diet can significantly reduce by 28 percentage lower the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. Encouragingly, the researchers say that even small changes to diet and exercise can have significant health benefits.”–
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.
