In a recent study, researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore concluded that healthy people who donate a kidney are not risking premature death afterwards.

The study tracked around 80000 American who donated one of their kidneys, over a 12 year period, and compared their fate with a matched group of 9000 non-donors.  According to the researchers: “Surgical mortality did not change during the 15-year period (between 1994 and 2009), despite differences in surgical practice and donor selection”.

The death rate among kidney donors matched or was lower than the death rate of non-donors, although in the first 90 days after surgery there was a slightly higher mortality for kidney donors. Also, statistically, women donors had lower mortality rates than male donors.

“We have shown that live kidney donation is safe and free from significant long-term excess mortality,” said dr. Dorry Segev of the Johsn Hopkins School of Medicine.

Mackerel is a slim fish, with a delightful taste, which provides important health benefits for the whole family. Specialists believe a mackerel diet is 1500 time more effective in preventing heart attacks than drug treatment.

Mackerel is recommended for diabetics because of its mineral and caloric content which thins the blood, helping the blood flow.  100g of mackerel contains 230 calories, 20g cholesterol, 3000mg omega-3 fatty acids and 250mg omega-6 fatty acids, essential for heart’s health.

Mackerel also contains vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B6 and B12. It’s rich in magnesium and selenium and provides significant benefits in the treatment of certain types of cancer. The content of vitamin K eliminates the risk of blood clots, the deposition of cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.

Studies conducted by American specialists have shown that a mackerel diet regulates the hormone level and favors the capillaries elasticity. Having one for lunch increases the intake of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc needed for a healthy body.  Also mackerel improves the immune system, regulates metabolism and if consumed regularly can get rid of migraines and improve memory and brain activity.

Selection, preparation and storage of mackerel are very important in order to preserve its nutritional values. Choose only fresh fish with clean gills, moist skin, and shiny scales. If you want to store the mackerel remove it from the packet, wash it well under cold water, put it on a shallow pan filled with crushed ice and store it in the coldest part of the freezer.

Because the mackerel contains methyl mercury it should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Also pregnant women should not consume mackerel regularly because it poses a risk to the mother and it harms the child’s developing nervous system.

The study was performed by researchers at General Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, led by Markus Lipovac, and involved 109 postmenopausal women over 40 years of age. The women were divided in two groups and for 90 days one group received supplements containing 80mg of red clover isoflavones and the other received a placebo pill.

At the end of the study, the depression symptoms were reduced by 78 percent in women who were given red clover isoflavones supplements compared to those who received the placebo, measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). On the Self Zung Depression Rating Scale (SDS) the depression symptoms were reduced by 80 percent.

But the benefits of red clover isoflavones are not limited only to reducing depression symptoms. “Equally red clover isoflavones protected human cortical neurons against glutamate toxicity and oxidative stress, which could have been the result of their antioxidant and estrogenic actions,” said Markus.

Protects blood vessels

While all olive oils contain healthy monounsaturated fat like Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, only the extra virgin oil range is rich in polyphenols and vitamin E.  Polyphenols are substances with a highly antioxidant effect, which prevent diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancer. One of this polyphenols , named  DHPEA-EDA, acts especially upon blood vessels, protecting them from the “bad” (LLD) cholesterol and prevents heart attack and stokes.

Extends life

Olive oil facilitates the biliary system activity. It is recommended the administering of one tablespoon with a mixture of olive oil, honey and lemon juice (all in equal parts) before main meals. Moreover consuming 100 ml olive oil per weak diminishes the risk of eye diseases thy may lead to blindness once you get older. Olive oil together with fruits, vegetables, fish, walnuts and seeds (Mediterranean diets specific) prevents depression, anxiety and increases life expentancy

5 advises for olive oil

1. Always chose olive oil bottled in dark glass recipients which protect it from light negative effects.
2. Always keep the bottles in a dark and cool place. Keeping the bottle well shut prevents rancidity.
3. Stay away from olive oil with no smell or color.
4. Use extra virgin olive oils, obtained in cold press.
5. Regarding cooking, specialists differ in opinions. The general rule is to never let it burn  since like all other oils it becomes toxic. to keep all its benefits it is better to consume it raw.

Stay Healthy!

Nutrition is essential for our health and like eating habits that have a negative impact on our metabolism; there are dangerous cooking habits of which not all people are aware.

Poor hygiene is one of the most dangerous cooking habits, so washing your hands, utensils and ingredients used for cooking is absolutely necessary whether your are cooking at home or outdoors where you don’t have the same conditions as in your kitchen.

Another dangerous cooking habit it’s the use of knives, spoons, forks or other cooking utensils made of aluminum because aluminum has an important role when it comes to the development of Alzheimer’s. Also avoid canned drinks or foods and don’t store food in aluminum utensil for a long period.

If you use to warm food in the microwave use only containers designed for this type of oven because other materials could suffer changes at high temperature and alter food’s chemical composition. Also warming up food rapidly favors the conversion of fats in the food in components dangerous for your health. Some fats can become dangerous if heated or cooked at high temperatures.

Food grilled on open-flame increases the risk of developing cancer if it’s burnt, so don’t place it too close to the flame. If it’s charred don’t eat it.

If you want to live a healthy, long life take note of the dangerous cooking habits exposed above and keep in mind that all the problems derived from them are not immediate. They are long term problems.

Until now it was believed that calcium and vitamin D supplements lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but a recent study shows that supporting evidence is thin.

The study involved 1191 post-menopausal women, half of which were given calcium and vitamin D supplements and half took identical looking placebos. Scientist from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, found no differences between the two groups in the cholesterol levels after a five year period of supplementation.

Dr. Swapnil Rajpathak, lead author of the study, pointed out that the study has its limitation because the participants were all older woman and since the calcium and vitamin D were taken simultaneously they couldn’t tease out the supplements independent effects.  Also it is difficult to say how younger women or men may respond to the same supplements.

“High intake of calcium and vitamin D may be useful for other health-related outcomes,” said Rajpathak, so don’t throw out your vitamins just yet.

This type of vinegar retains almost all the minerals contains by the fruit: calcium, sodium, , silicon, chlorine and a series of micro-elements. It also contains potassium, an important element for  the proper functioning of cardiovascular and central system. Other components of cider vinegar, magnesium and iron,  have favorable effect upon the immune system and strengthens the bones.  As well, other numerous vitamins like C, B1, B2, B6, enzymes and organic acids in this type of vinegar prevent infections.

Recommended for weight loss

It is no longer a secret that for overweight persons apple cider vinegar helps loosing weight more easy.  The multiple substances it contains (acetic acid, C and B6 vitamins together with minerals like magnesium and iron) reduce and also prevent fat cell deposits. It is recommended that overweight persons drink daily at noon two teaspoons of cider vinegar mixed in a glass of water. As it prevents body fat deposits inside blood vessels, this vinegar is recommend to people who suffer from arteriosclerosis. The usual remedy is of two teaspoons of vinegar in a cup of tea before main meals (drink it slowly sip by sip)

Revitalizing effect

Apple cider vinegar is recommended for fatigue constipation and biliary crisis. In this cases specialist recommend drinking slowly two teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of water. For headaches, massage the temples and back of the head with a little cider vinegar. After long physical effort, massage your body with a mixture made of 5 drops of lavender oil in 200 ml vinegar. Once you massaged the body for 20-30 minutes take a warm shower.

Recommended for arthritis

People suffering from arthritis must drink a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water four times a day. Take one weak brake at every two wreaks of treatment.

Restores good mood

In tense moments prepare a cocktail from 800 grams chopped fresh fruits (apple, pear, pineapple), 400 ml orange juice, one litter of sparkling water, tree tablespoons of honey and three table spoons of cider vinegar. Stir well. This cocktail reduces stress and brings back the good mood.

Warning: Apple cider treatment is not to be taken together with other treatments based on laxatives and diuretics. Also, it is not recommended to consume cider vinegar in high quantities and for a long time as it may have side effects such as mouth and throat burns and may diminish the potassium deposits in the body .

Stay Healthy!

Millions of people suffering from migraines may finally be pain-free within two hours, after scientist invented a magnetic device based on a technique called single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) for migraine treatment.

The device is about the size of a hair-dryer and must be held against the back of the head at the first signs of a migraine. Pushing the button on it releases two bursts of electricity which short-circuits the ‘electrical storm’ in the brain that causes pain and other sensations associated with migraines.

A study was conducted to assess the device on more than 160 man and women who suffered headaches. Half of them were given the real device and half a dummy device that looked identical to the original and were told to treat up to three attacks at the first sign of symptoms and to record the results.

Almost 40% of people using the device were pain-free within two hours, compared to 22% of those who used the fake one. Also those who used the device were more likely to be pain-free 24-48 hours later.

According to World Health Organization migraines affect one person in eight and drugs are not effective in all cases. The device which could offer hope to millions it’s assessed for sale in Britain at a cost of about 1000 pounds.

Source: DailyMail

A recent study conducted in U.K. warns healthy people that taking an aspirin a day to prevent strokes or heart attacks does more harm than good because it almost doubles the risk of internal bleeding while having no effect on heart attacks or strokes.

‘We know that a small daily dose of aspirin can reduce the risk of a heart attack in people with angina and in those who’ve had a heart attack.” said Professor Peter Weissberg from the British Heart Foundation.

The study involved 3550 middle aged men and women with evidence of artery diseases in their legs, without symptoms of heart diseases and who had not suffered a heart attack.  Over an eight year period they were given either a dummy pill every day or a low dose of aspirin and the results shown that aspirin could not prevent any heart attacks or strokes anymore than the placebo pill.

In that period the volunteers suffered 357 cardiovascular events including strokes and heart attacks. 34 people on aspirin required hospital treatment because of a major hemorrhage and 14 developed a stomach ulcer, compared to 20, respectively 8 taking the dummy pill.

‘Our research suggests aspirin should not be prescribed to the general population,’ said study leader Professor Gerry Fowkes.

According to a study by U.S. researchers drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis and similar diseases could lower the risk of breast cancer by almost 40 percent.

The study involved 6000 women between 20 and 69 of age which were interviewed about their bone health, whether they’d been diagnosed with osteoporosis and their history of bisphosponate use.  For testing purposes half had been diagnosed with invasive cancer and half not.

The study found that women who were not obese and used bisphosponate drugs for more than two year had a nearly 40% reduction risk in compared to those who did not. “This large study provides new evidence that the use of bisphosphonates is associated with a potentially important reduction in breast cancer risk”, said lead author Polly Newcomb, head of the Cancer Prevention Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

More research is needed because the way in which bisphosponate drugs may prevent breast cancer is unknown. “These drugs may affect cell function and be important in cell growth and death – specifically the death of tumors or even premalignant disease”, said Polly Newcomb.

Source: EurekAlert!