“The FDA said that 14 people in the U.S. have now been hospitalized in the Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled moringa leaf powder; in total, 65 “illnesses across 28 states have been reported.” Moringa is known as “malunggay” in the Philippines, a staple ingredient in local cuisine, a quintessential backyard plant considered a ‘miracle tree,” used as food and medicine. Since Filipinos use fresh malunggay leaves, there has been no report of bacterial contamination in the Philippines.
The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency strengthened its warnings on GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists to include the potential risk for acute pancreatitis, including necrotizing and fatal cases.” Before using this wonder drug, consult your physician first.
California’s health department said a fourth person — a 39-year-old man — has died from consuming toxic “death cap” mushrooms, with 39 cases of illness reported in the outbreak. This variety is different from those sold in grocery stores. Mushrooms are nutrient-dense and healthy to eat.
Genes play about a 50% role in a person’s longevity, more than originally thought, researchers reported in Science.” It is evident how a healthy lifestyle could easily tilt the scale to the advantage of the wise.
The FDA warned that thousands of recalled products — including Pringles chips, Cheerios, and drugs — distributed by Gold Star Distribution may have been exposed to rodent waste and bird droppings. (People).” – MedPage Today.
Alcohol – colon cancer
A recent study revealed that drinking large amounts of alcohol and larger averages of lifetime consumption of alcohol increase the risk for colorectal cancer. Other factors are a diet high in processed meat (delis), ultra-processed foods, low-fiber foods, inactivity, and obesity. The previously accepted two-drinks-for-men, one-for-women standard no longer applies today. Studies have shown that there is no level of alcohol (no amount, however minimal) that is safe.
Carb and depression
Recent studies show that the relationship between carbohydrate intake and the degree of depression is inversely proportional. The magnitude of restriction of carbohydrate (rice, bread, other sugars, and sweets) correlates with the degree of improvement in depressive symptoms. For Asians, a reduction in rice (staple food) consumption will not only improve depression but also lower the risk for diabetes T2 and prevent overweight and obesity.
The Blue Zones
Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow, and his team, in 2016, published a study on what they termed “secrets to longevity,” and labelled five specific areas of the world they dubbed as the Blue Zones, where “people consistently live over 100 years of age,” and postulated what the probable reasons were. The Blue Zones include: Okinawa, Japan – Plant based diet and strong social network; Sardinia, Italy – whole foods and family; Ikaria, Greece – wild greens, local wine, simple living; Nicoya, Costa Rica – beans, corn, string sense of purpose; Loma Linda, California – 7th Day Adventist, vegetarian, strong faith; Brazil – genetic and immunological reason. The Philippines has a relatively low score: two per 100,000 of its 117,3 million population. Lifestyle (where diet is a major factor, and exercise, second) and environment, besides genes, obviously play a great role in longevity.
Loneliness is “a top risk factor for a shorter life,” 8 years fewer than those who enjoy their family and friends, and have a healthier social life. Those people who are optimistic in life live 11-15 percent longer.
Reading, dancing, singing, video-gaming, puzzle-solving, creativity, and social-networking – all delay brain aging. They stimulate the brain activity much like exercising muscles to be robust.
Caution with Melatonin
Our pineal gland, a small endocrine gland at the center of the brain produce the hormone Melatonin, which modulates our circadian (sleep) cycle. Synthetic Melatonin is sold over the counter and in many grocery and drug stores. Most people, ignorant of the sophisticated medical details about Melatonin, take it as a sleep aid, without consulting a healthcare provider.
Perhaps safe for short-term use in the recommended dose, except for those “allergic” to it, regular (chronic) consumption is deemed dangerous. Those using it for a year or longer increased the risk for cardiac failure by 90 percent compared to non-users.
Melatonin of various forms and combinations and some have been found to have amounts “ranging from 74 percent to 347 percent of the stated dose. A few even had 400 times more than printed on the label.
Even if the strength and the dose on the label were correct, the danger is still omnipresent. Heart failure as a deleterious die-effect, which is disabling and a threat to life, is not worth gambling with Melatonin.
The usual dose is 1-3 mg, not higher, and not to be taken for more than a week (for jetlag, etc.) and, definitely, not more than 2 months.
Argan or Neem Oil
The two popular cosmetic oils are Argan Oil and Neem Oil. The best Argan Oil is 100 percent organic and cold-pressed. The best Neem Oil is 100 percent cold-pressed, raw, and unrefined. Argan Oil has been used as a skin moisturizer and hair conditioner, and as a traditional Moroccan remedy to treat various skin infections, pain, and wounds for centuries, dating back to 600 BCE. Neem Oil has been used for about 4,500 years in Traditional and Ayurvedic medicine to treat conditions ranging from acne, eczema, ulcers, to fungal infections.
Skin moisturizers are a must for both women and men, for a healthier and younger-looking complexion, face, and body, especially in a dry environment.
Argan Oil is superior and light as a daily skin moisturizer and hair conditioner compared to Neem oil, which is a heavy oil best suited for treating chronic skin conditions. Consult your healthcare provider for details.
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