IS it safe to drink beverages from the cans?
Only after cleaning the can. Canned beverages (soda, beer, etc.) are usually warehoused in areas where they are exposed to possible contamination. There have been reports of illnesses among persons who drank directly from the can, which was contaminated with feces or droppings of mice or cockroaches. If one washes the can very well before putting it in the mouth, it might be safe, but the best is to wipe the area of the lid clean, even before opening it, or either pour the drink into a glass or sip the soda through a straw.
Are anti-radiation patches for cellphones effective?
There are oblong patches, and similar gadgets, being sold as anti-radiation shields for cell phones. The claim that this “ear piece” attached to the cellphone will minimize or abolish radiation exposure is not scientifically proven. We think this is a useless item that might even give users a false sense of security to use the cellphone longer and without care. The other question that is not resolved either is whether extended use of handheld cellphones can cause tumor of the brain. We suggest getting a hands-free attachment rather than spending money for the “anti-radiation” gimmicks.
What’s best prophylaxis for traveler’s diarrhea?
No traveler, especially those going abroad, should leave home without a supply of Ciprofloxacin and Immodium AD, besides their prescription medications. Since I travel a lot, these two friends always accompany me. For prevention, the best strategy is not to drink any water other than for bottled (filtered) water, preferably one brand that you are familiar with, and not to eat food being sold on the streets. Beer and other alcoholic beverages, to some extent “help sterilize” our gastrointestinal tract and ward off mild contaminants, but we should not rely on this and be careless. Cipro is used, not only for treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, but more so for prevention, usually taken once a day with breakfast. Immodium AD is used for the treatment of diarrhea, when it occurs. Discuss this with your physician, who will prescribe and advise you accordingly.
Is Iridology really as good as it is claimed to be?
During these days of advanced medical science and technology, there is nothing superior to modern western medicine. Alternative Eastern and herbal medicine are being explored and studied now in view of some promising initial observations, but it may take another decade or two for the objective and scientific verdict (relating to their efficacy, safety, standardization and long term effects) to be available. Iridology is the “science” (as the “iridologists” call it) of looking into the iris of the eye and making all sorts of diagnoses covering an endless list of diseases, without the usual complete physical examination and laboratory tests. There is no scientific basis for this claim. It is apparent that this is a money-generating scam to victimize the ignorant, the gullible and the unsuspecting. Many of these practitioners themselves actually sell medications (i.e. herbal) in their offices, one for each diagnosis they make, after only looking at the eyes of their “patients.” While hypertension or diabetes, for instance, show changes in the eyes and
help the physician make a diagnosis, the majority (more than 99.9%) of illnesses cannot be diagnosed by simply looking at the iris. As always, consumers beware!
Is chocolate good for our heart?
While chocolate, especially the dark kind, has one of the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) ratings as an antioxidant, even compared to tea or concord grapes, chocolate is not good for our heart because of high caloric, fat and cholesterol content. A small bar (1.55 oz) of dark chocolate has 227 calories. Chocolate as an occasional treat is fine, but there is nothing superior to fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, as daily sources of antioxidants.
How many calories are there in nuts?
These vary, but the following data can serve as a guide: peanut, about 8 calories a piece; cashew, 8.8; chestnut, 20; macadamia, 16.6; pistachio, 3.4; almonds, 7; hazelnut, 15; pecan halves, 12.7; walnut halves, 12.9; Brazil nut, 23.8. In moderation, an ounce serving of nuts every now and then is good for us. However, we have to watch the calories they provide, which can pile up fast and negate the good health benefit from them.
Can ampalaya really cure diabetes?
No, there is yet no cure for diabetes, which affects about 3 million Filipinos. Pancreatic tissue transplants (with its Islet of Langerhans, insulin secretor, which is deficient or absent among those with diabetes mellitus) have been done in some centers to cure diabetes mellitus, but the last word on this regimen has not yet been said. What has been observed with the vegetable called ampalaya (Philippine bitter melon), which is a rich source of vitamin B, iron, phosphorus and calcium, is that it appears to lower blood sugar level when ingested by diabetics. In Cuba and Puerto Rico, ampalaya has been used by the natives to treat diabetes. The mechanism of action is not clear. While an herbal company has already come out with an ampalaya capsule, the medical community still awaits further and more definitive scientific studies to support this encouraging observation.
As always, we recommend physician consultation and supervision when anyone tries a new medication or mode of treatment. But eating ampalaya (while the ingredients in the ampalaya capsule are being evaluated in the laboratory for efficacy, safety, long term effects, etc.) is in itself healthy, since it is natural food element, unlike many commercial herbal products that have been reported to have adverse side effects. However, ampalaya is not potent enough in treating diabetes and is not a substitute for the conventional medical regimen.
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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. Email: [email protected]
