Saturday, 1 November 2014

Benefits of Shilajit A Complete Guide


Genuine Shilajit resin was traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Siberian shamanic medicine almost as a panacea. Since 1960s the modern day medical and pharmaceutical science was looking into the substance known as Shilajit (alternatively known as Mumijo, Shilajeet, mineral pitch, etc.). Even though the science did not find panacea qualities, what was found was an incredibly wide array of profound benefits. This explains why the ancients used this substance to successfully address numerous health issues.

THE BENEFITS OF SHILAJIT INCLUDE

Antioxidant properties.
Shilajit not being an antioxidant itself mimics the most powerful antioxidants. Incredibly on one hand it promotes cellular respiration which would normally lead to oxidation, on the other hand, it inhibits damage from oxidation. This is a unique and powerful antiaging property.
Antibacterial properties.
On the contact, the substance destroys common pathogenic microbe strains. This includes staphylococci, streptococci, coliform bacteria, enterococci, Proteus.
Alcohol withdrawal.
Sometimes Shilajit with other herbs may be effective in reducing alcohol withdrawal anxiety.
Anabolic benefits.
Mineral pitch is a natural alternative to anabolic substances. Healthy and naturally it increases strength and muscle mass while promoting the corporations well and fast.
Blood sugar control and diabetes.
In vivo the Shilajit-based formulation showed to effectively repair and regenerate tissue of a pancreas. It also maintained healthy levels of blood glucose and lipid profile.
Immune benefits.
Genuine and high quality Resin is a potent and nonspecific stimulator off the immune system.
Cognition enhancing benefits.
It promotes learning, memory and cerebral activity.
Inhibition of painkiller tolerance development.
While taking Shilajit a body may not develop a tolerance to pain killers. This means that it could be an effective way to counter addiction to painkillers.
Sedation and pain control.
Shilajit could be used complementary for sedation and pain control in certain situations.
Anti-toxic and anti-radiation.
Moomiyo/Shilajit can be used to detoxify the body/liver and to counter side effects of x-ray radiation.
Anti-allergic.
Shilajit stabilizes mast cells over time and can have anti-allergic properties.
Anti-inflammatory.
Moomiyo is a potent anti-inflammatory agent which naturally reduces inflammation. It was traditionally used to address wound healing, tissue damage and multiple inflammatory conditions.
Energy production.
Mineral Pitch (a.k.a. Shilajit, Moomiyo, Salajeet, etc.) activates mitochondrial respiration on a cellular level and contributes to the long-lasting energy without being a stimulant.
Tissue regeneration. (Bones, skin, organs, muscles)
There are extensive studies on mineral pitch use (Moomiyo) use for regeneration of broken bones. Shilajit was traditionally used to regenerate damaged tissue in a body. Tradition was confirmed by Soviet doctors in the 60s 70s and 80s, who routinely used Moomiyo to accelerate healing of broken bones.
Mental and physical performance enhancer.
Genuine mineral pitch resin substantially improves performance on mental and physical levels.
Don’t believe the HYPE!
Before we start talking about Shilajit benefits, I would like to point out that genuine Shilajit is RARE and VALUABLE. They are countless companies trying to “sell” the consumer on countless benefits. The reality is very different… Behind many benefits claims, there is nothing but marketing.
The truth is over 99% of products sold as Shilajit are FAKE. Besides being counterfeit, in the best case scenario be soil extractions, and in the worst case scenario will be a substance loaded with side effects from contaminants and for processing.
To my best knowledge there are less than five companies in the Western Hemisphere of the world offering genuine and quality resin. Even between these companies it is still questionable who has the best quality to offer.
Having that said here are the Benefits of Shilajit based not on HYPE but actually real historical records and and scientific studies.

SHILAJIT BENEFITS IN AYURVEDA

Caraka Saṃhitā is the foundational body of knowledge of Ayurveda. Translated as simply “Compendium of Caraka” is an ancient Indian medical text. It comprehensively addresses health, disease and practice of medicine. Roughly 2000 years of age it is still valid as far as health maintenance manual. According to Caraka Samhita, there is no curable disease, which can be treated without Shilajit.
Modern-day science when studying Shilajit confirmed many ancient applications and demonstrated efficacy in vivo (in living organisms) and in vitro (in the lab). The prominent names in Shilajit are the Soviet physician A. Shakirov and the Indian pharmaceutical chemist S. Ghoshal. Much follow-up work was conducted by their followers countless physicians, biologists and chemists.

SHILAJIT BENEFITS VERIFIED BY SCIENCE.

Antioxidant Properties of Shilajit

Shilajit is a compound with potent antioxidant properties. In an article called: “Antilipid Peroxidative Property of Shilajit” the researchers demonstrated that Shilajit inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by cumene hydroperoxide and ADP/FE**. It also reduced the rate of oxidation of reduced glutathione content and inhibited ongoing lipid peroxidation, induced by these agents immediately after its addition of the incubation system. (Yamini B. Tripathi 1996)
Processed extract of mumie efficiently traps hydroxyl radicals, NO- and SO -radicals and also can regenerate ascorbic acid [Ghosal, 1995]. Mumie is an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation induced by cumene hydroperoxide and ADP/Fe2+ complex in a dose-dependent manner. It decreases the rate of oxidation of reduced glutathione and inhibits ongoing lipid peroxidation, induced by these agents, immediately after its addition to the incubation system. Antiradical properties of mumie extract can be attributed to the presence of dibenzo-a- pyrones and fulvic acid It is assumed that the therapeutic properties of some multicomponent preparations, containing mumie in their composition, are caused by anti radical properties of this humus matter. Mumie activates mitochondrial respiration but suppresses activity of succinate – oxidase and NADH-oxidase in mitochondrion. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Antibacterial Shilajit.

Genuine mumie has a pronounced antimicrobial activity and on contact will neutralize different pathologic microbe strains such as staphylococci, streptococci, coliform bacteria, enterococci, Proteus. This was established by Dr. A. Shakirov in 1967-1969. Traditionally the substance was used to heal wounds producing pus. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Shilajit as a natural treatment for Alcohol withdrawal.

“Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Activity of NR-Anx-C (a poly-herbal formulation) in ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety behavior in rats. In this study, a Shilajit-based formulation was used to control alcohol withdrawal symptoms in vivo. The study demonstrated that the use of the Shilajit based herbal formulation is comparable in efficacy to the use of a pharmaceutical known as Alprazolam (also known as Xanax). The scientists managed to reduce anxiety in rats resulting from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. (I. Mohan 2001)
It is rather exciting to me that it is naturally possible to support emotional health and stability with Shilajit. The frustrating part is that so far only Pürblack was capable of replicating such results naturally by claiming cumulative effects of alcohol neutralization and emotional resilience. Strange is the fact that if in the study one required several auxiliary herbs to create the effect of effective alcohol withdrawal, the leading Shilajit brand on the market seems to manage replicate the effect simply using Shilajit resin alone.

Natural Anabolic Benefits of Shilajit.

Mineral Pitch is a natural anabolic agent. It was traditionally used by Soviet sports and military to maintain health and increase strength and muscle mass while recuperating well and fast. The anabolic effect includes activation of an anabolic process on cell and molecular levels in different organs and tissues. Research have shown that a mumie extract accelerates the process of protein and nucleic acid synthesis, stimulates energy providing reactions in the liver, and promotes transport of minerals into muscle and bone tissue. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Immune benefits.

Moomie (A.k.a. Shilajit) is a nonspecific immune system stimulator. It proliferates lymphocytes, activates the macrophages. It was shown to accelerate regeneration of the immune system (lymphopoietic erythropoiesis). The resin restored more rapidly the number of lymphocytes and peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Blood sugar in diabetes.

In “Effect of D-400, and Ayurvedic Herbal Formulation on Experimentally Induced Diabetes Mellitus” published in Phytotherapy Research volume 10 (1996). In this study, Shilajit was used as a part of an herbal formulation. Obviously the scientists knew that ancient physicians have consistently used genuine Shilajit to treat diabetes often with herbs added to such formulations. In their study, they induced diabetes in vivo to animals and successfully demonstrated that would application of Shilajit based formulation diabetes can be successfully treated through repair and regeneration of endocrine pancreas. (S. K. Mitra 1996)
In a similar study called “effect of Shilajit on blood glucose and lipid profile in alloxan – induced diabetic rats” scientists so that Shilajit produced a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and also produced beneficial effects on the lipid profile. Even though in this study Shilajit was combined with pharmaceuticals in two doses out of three in each case results on blood sugar were beneficial. (N. A. Trivedi 2004) The study confirmed in a way knowledge accumulated prior by Soviet physicians who did not use Shilajit (Moomiyo in Russian) as a self standing drug in medical therapy, but as a supplement to support efficacy of medical treatments. On the other hand, both studies also validated ancient therapies throughout Asian Shilajit/Moomiyo producing regions where the resin was used to actively control and treat people with diabetes prior to availability of modern-day pharmaceuticals.

Cognition enhancing effect.

Mumie / Shilajit Was traditionally used in Indian medicine to attenuate cerebral functional deficit, including amnesia, in geriatric patients. It was shown that Shilajit promoted learning and memory. (Cho-Rok Jung 2002) (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Painkiller tolerance

In 2001 S. Ghosal with other two scientists published a paper called: “Effects of Shilajit on the development of tolerance to morphine in mice”. The scientists empirically demonstrated that administration of Shilajit on a daily basis inhibits development of tolerance to morphine induced analgesia. Morphine being an opioid is traditionally used to control pain. The downside of morphine use is the development of tolerance to it and constantly requiring higher doses leading to addiction to the compound. In the discussion part of the paper one concluded that Shilajit could have a great potential as a prospective inhibitor of analgesic tolerance to morphine. (P. Tiwari 2001)
Interestingly, most Shilajit on the market except only one brand does not demonstrate this effect. This is exactly why in order to get maximum benefits from your Mineral Pitch it is important to go for the brand that is not all hype, but demonstrates efficacy through unique quality. On the other hand, the problem with multiple brands and merchants offering “Shilajit” or imitations is that most of them will never show the efficacy of the substance originally tested in the lab environments.
Sedation and pain control.
“Glycine- and Gaba-mimetic Actions of Shilajit on the Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons of the Trigeminal Subnucleus Caudalis in Mice” was an in vitro study performed at the Department of Oral Physiology at Chonbuk National University, Korea. The research demonstrated that Shilajit mimics GABA and glycine receptors activation in the brain tissue. It was also suggested that it can be used to control certain types of pain. (Hua Yin 2011)
Human growth hormone and testosterone production naturally.
Moomie (Shilajit) may contribute to stimulation of the human body to produce more of its own growth hormone and testosterone. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Antitoxic and anti-radiation.

Mumyo was traditionally used in To detoxify and nourish. In a doctoral dissertation called “Moomiyo effect on tumor growth and creation of blood subjected to x-ray radiation”, a Russian doctor Kaligin V. I. demonstrated the benefits of mineral pitch to counter negative effects of radiation sickness. (Kaligin 1984) Unfortunately, this work is available only in Russian through the central scientific, medical library in Moscow.
Antialergic
Ghosal in 1888 and Bhattacharya in 1989 Demonstrated significant anti-allergic activity of Shilajit stabilizing mast cells and decreasing degranulation. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)
Antiinflamatory.
Mineral Pitch (a.k.a. Moomiyo, Mumie, Shilajit, Shilajit) is a traditional anti-inflammatory agent. Greek physicians of antiquity used this medicine for various problems including arthritis and inflammation. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)
The Momie resin is an excellent tool against inflammation. Indeed traditionally it was used in folk medicine to treat people with inflammatory issues. Multiple modern scientific studies demonstrated its efficacy. As an auxiliary, it was conventionally used to support patients with paradentosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and cervical spondylosis. Soviet doctors have routinely used it to clean wounds from necrotic tissues, granulation, epithelization, and decrease the period of wound healing. In the lab, Shilajit have demonstrated to be a powerful tool to suppress artificially induced inflammation. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)
“Complement-fixing Activity of Fulvic Acid from Shilajit and Other Natural Sources was published in by an international group of scientists from the Montana State University demonstrated that Shilajit is a highly potent complement fixing agent. Even though the study was performed in vitro it in a way revealed why Shilajit was traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of disorders, including syndromes involving excessive complement activation. The study established that multiple fractions of Shilajit are products of broken down polysaccharides and suggested that such from different plans enhance wound healing and have potential to treat inflammatory disease. (Igor A. Schepetkin 2009)
Energy Production.
Moomiyo activates mitochondrial respiration but suppresses activity of succinate – oxidase and NADH-oxidase in Mitochondrion. It induces adults related increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities as well. This means that while increasing production of energy through a cellular respiration the substance simultaneously protects from damage that usually goes along with increased production of energy. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Bones, skin, muscle, organs and other tissue regeneration.

In the article “Medical Drugs From Humus Matter: Focus on Moomie” researchers I. Schepetkin, A. Khlebnikov and Byoung Se Kwon discuss medicinal properties of Moomiyo (also known as Mumie, Shilajit, Salajeet, etc.). According to the article the substance was traditionally used in Asian herbal medicine both inwardly and outwardly against injuries, bone fractures, dislocations, diseases of skin, diseases of peripheral nervous system and also as a soothing and anti-inflammatory agent. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)
In the same article, it is noted that the resin will regenerate damaged bones approximately 2 times faster than they normally would. This effect was used by Soviet surgeons consistently for many years. (Igor Schepetkin 2002)

Pain Hurts...



Pain is an odd thing, it's very personal to each individual and you cannot know how someone else's pain really feels due to different tolerances.

I live with a level of pain most of the time, some times it's very mild and local to small areas of my body other days it's intolerable and I just want to roll up in a ball and cry... not that I've ever found that helps relieve the pain.

This week has been a painful week, I've had to resort to painkillers on a regular basis, something I try not to do very often as long term use of any medication concerns me. 

I have cervical spondylosis, a form of osteoarthritis in my neck. It was diagnosed several years ago following an MRI scan (not something I would wish to go through again and one plus to having my pacemaker fitted is that I can't have anymore MRI scans, I can only have CT scans which are so much easier to endure). Along with a number of other areas affected by arthritis (hands, feet, hips) my neck is my main problem as when it flares up it's very difficult to cope with the pain.

It doesn't take much to cause a flare up... sitting too long at a dining table on chairs which don't support my shoulders, standing too long taking photos (not that it stops me), sitting too long at my desk without taking breaks (not really conducive to writing a book, but I will bear my pain for my creativity) - nothing major, just simple everyday tasks that I have to manage right in order to reduce the impact on my neck.

Without being aware of what I did wrong last weekend I caused a serious flare up and have struggled with intense pain in my neck and head since. Pain which made me feel as if my skull would explode, the type of pain that had me laid on the floor as it was too painful to hold my head upright.

Finally today, after 5 days of pain, around 3pm, the pain lifted. When it goes it is as quick as that. I don't know what I do that makes the pain go away, it's just one minute it's there and the next my neck is pain free.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing and pain free weekend of doing nothing, just enjoying the peace in my head.

Last longer in bed with amla or Indian gooseberry

Amla improves sex life

Trikona phalam (in Sanskrit)/ calcitrappa/ buffalo nut/ bat nut/ Singhara (सिंघाडा)


58. Water chestnut - healthy food supplement

 


              














Trikona phalam (in Sanskrit)/ calcitrappa/ buffalo nut/ bat nut/ Singhara (सिंघाडा)
  
      It is any of three extant species of the genus Trapa: Trapa natans, T. bicornis and the endangered Trapa rossica.
The species are floating annual aquatic plants, growing in slow-moving water up to 5 meters deep, native to warm temperate parts of Eurasia andAfrica. They bear ornately shaped fruits, each fruit containing a single very large starchy seed. T. natans and T. bicornis have been cultivated in Chinaand India for at least 3,000 years for the edible seeds.

Water chestnut has been an important food for worship as prayer offerings since the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The Rites of Zhou (2nd century BC) mentioned that a worshipper "should use a bamboo basket containing dried water caltrops, the seeds of Euryale ferox and chestnutsThe Chinese Herbal Medicine Summary (published in 1694, written by Wang Ang) indicates that water caltrop can help fever and drunkenness.

The name "water chestnut" comes from the fact that it resembles a chestnut in shape and coloring. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it has been cultivated in China since ancient times. Water chestnuts are often used in Chinese cooking.  The knobby vegetable with the papery brown skin is a staple in Chinese cooking. The water chestnut is actually not a nut at all, but an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes. This is why the ones that you purchase in the store may have a muddy coating.

Singara (pani ka phal) is widely cultivated in fresh water lakes. The fruits are eaten raw or boiled. When the fruit has been dried, it is ground to a flour called singhare ki ata. Singhare ki atta is used in many religious rituals and can be consumed as a phalahar diet on the Hindu fasting days, the Navratasas the fruit is rich in carbohydrates.
The halwa from Singade ki ata is eaten in very moderate quantities for the strengthening of the uterus during pregnancy. The flour is used in making rotis and this cures the excessive discharge in women. The flour is boiled in water and this decoction is taken to reduce symptoms of burning during urination and it also tackles other urinary disorders.

Increadible Health benefits of this fruit:
Besides their crunchy texture and sweet mild flavour, water chestnuts possess remarkable nutritional composition, making them an excellent food source. Their medicinal properties have rendered them usable in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicines. Their numerous health benefits are as follows:
Water chestnuts belong to the nonstarchy, low-calorie vegetable group that can keep you full longer while supplying your meals with vitamins and minerals. Water chestnuts also contain no cholesterol and are low in sodium and fat. Try adding them to salads, soups, wraps or even pizza toppings and take advantage of the health benefits of water chestnuts:
·       You can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke by maintaining your blood cholesterol level, and adding water chestnuts to your meals can help you do this. Water chestnuts' zero fat content may help you prevent weight gain when adding them to your diet. Water chestnuts have only 60 calories in one-half cup, so you don’t have to worry about eating a little more of this nutritious vegetable.
·    Just one-half cup water chestnuts provides 10 percent of the daily value of vitamins B6, B7. Vitamin B6 supports healthy brain and immune system function, while thiamin and riboflavin help your body convert food into energy.
·        Water chestnuts contain 10 percent of the DV of potassium, copper, manganese and iodine in a half-cup serving. Each of these minerals plays a role in your overall health. Your heartbeat maintains a steady rhythm with the help of potassium, while copper aids in red blood cell production. Manganese helps build bones and also aids in metabolizing carbohydrates and cholesterol.
·       Water chestnut acts as an excellent coolant for the body. It promotes salivation and quenches thirst, being cool and light sweet.
·     Due to their detoxifying properties, water chestnuts are beneficial for people suffering from jaundice. Jaundice patients can eat it in raw form or in juice form. It acts as an excellent tonic for removing toxins from the body.
·        Since water chestnut contains useful minerals like iodine and manganese, it helps in maintaining proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
·       Being rich in polyphenolic and flavonoid antioxidants, water chestnuts possess anti-bacterial, antiviral, anticancer and antioxidant properties. They help in strengthening the stomach and the spleen and remove symptoms of weak spleen such as bad taste, insomnia, feeling sick, fatigue and cancer.
·        Water chestnut is effective in treating different urine infections.
·       The usage of water chestnut either in raw form or in juice form helps to alleviate the problem of bad appetite in children as well as in adults.
·       The juice of water chestnut is used to control diarrhea and dysentery and the fruits are used in treating sore throat, anemia, fractures, bronchitis and in leprosy.
·        Water chestnuts are effective in treating conditions like measles.Water chestnuts boiled in water makes an excellent solution for measles patients. Having this drink on a regular basis for at least 6-9 days of the cycle provides great results.

For womens Health & Beauty:
Usual consumption of water chestnuts helps in treating hypertension during pregnancy and improves fetal growth. Porridge made from the flour of water chestnut is given to a pregnant woman after delivery to check hemorrhage. The dried seeds stop bleeding and treat miscarriage issues in women. It also promotes mammary gland secretion of milk. The juice extracted from water chestnuts eliminates the humor of bile and phlegm and cures plethora. It also increases virility.
As stated earlier, water chestnuts purify the blood by removing toxins from the body. This results in the appearance of glowing and youthful skin.
Water chestnuts are beneficial for the hair in general as they contain certain essential nutrients such as potassium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin E. Moreover, they remove toxins from the body that can damage your hair as well. Thus, their nutritional value has a lot to contribute to healthy hair.
The flour of the Indian water chestnut (singara) is beneficial even for men's health.
5 gm of the flour is mixed with a glass of lukewarm milk. The milk can be sweetened. Drinking this mixture is improves men's health.

Which one to choose:
When choosing fresh water chestnuts, look for firm ones with an unwrinkled skin and no soft spots - otherwise when you peel the water chestnut you may find it has softened and turned mushy brown. Generally, it's best to buy a few more chestnuts than needed, just in case a few have spoiled.  Also avoid any chestnuts that look moldy as this taste will permeate the chestnut flesh.

Unpeeled, fresh water chestnuts will keep for up to two weeks in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It is possible to buy them and cook in boiling water right away.
Prior to cooking, you'll need to cut off the top and peel the skin. If you want to peel them ahead of time, that's fine, but be sure to store them in cold water in the refrigerator, with the water changed daily. I much prefer to use only fresh water chestnuts.

Caution: People suffering from constipation should avoid Singada. It is advisable to avoid drinking water for at least half an hour after eating singada.

Benefits Of Cow Milk


Cow milk forms the basis of all types of dairy products. People have been drinking it since 6,000-8,000 BC. Earlier, milk and other dairy products were consumed only by the wealthy people. However, with time, it came to be within reach of the poor people as well. In the beginning of 5th century A.D, the milk of both sheep and cow came to be prized. It was in 14th century that cow’s milk began to be more popular than the sheep. In the early part of the 17th century, dairy cows were brought into America from Europe. Milk is rich in a number of nutrients, which make it a highly health beneficial food. We bring you the health benefits of cow’s milk, in the lines below.
 
Health Benefits Of Drinking Cow’s Milk
 
  • Cow’s milk is highly rich in calcium content. Calcium is essential for the growth and development of bones. It joins with phosphorous to form calcium phosphate, which is an integral element of hydroxyapatite, which in turn provides structure and strength to the bones.
  • The calcium present in cow’s milk has several other advantages as well. It helps in protecting the colon cells from the chemicals that cause cancer. It is preventive against the migraine headaches and also reduces the PMS symptoms at the time of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
  • Calcium is beneficial in preventing obesity amongst children. It also helps overweight adults to weight, especially around the midsection.
  • The calcium present in milk helps in oxidation of body fat and thus, decreases the secretion of parathyroid hormone. Hence, the level of this hormone is maintained at a low rate.
  • Calcium is highly beneficial against breast cancer. It also plays an integral role in blood clotting, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation and cell membrane function.
  • Cow’s milk contains the high-quality protein in rich quantity, which is of great importance to the body.
  • Milk can prove extremely helpful in fighting against gout, which is a common type of arthritis.
  • Cow’s milk contains riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin B12. Both the vitamins are functional in the production of energy for the body. The vitamins are also functional in cardiovascular protection.
  • Vitamin B12 plays a significant role in the production of red blood cells. Further, it prevents anemia and helps in the full development of nerve cells. Besides, it boosts the cells to metabolize carbohydrate, fat and protein.
  • Cow’s milk contains iodine in rich quantity, which is an integral component of the thyroid hormones triidothyronine and thyroxine.
  • The vitamin A present in cow’s milk is necessary for the growth and development of epithelial and mucosal tissues. These tissues protect the body against toxins and invading organisms. Shortage of vitamin A leads to several diseases, like frequent cold, ear infections, rheumatoid arthritis and others.
  • One cup of cow’s milk provides 10.8% of the daily body’s need for potassium. Potassium is required for the contraction of muscles, including the heart and is also necessary for nerve transmission.
  • Milk, being rich in calcium and potassium, prevents the formation of kidney stones in the body.
 
Caution
  • Cow’s milk is generally seen to have allergic reactions in some people. The reactions are seen even if the milk is not consumed in the pure, isolated form. For instance, yogurt is a common allergenic food. The most common allergy symptoms found with the intake of cow’s milk are itching, swelling of lips, throat or tongue; skin rash, nasal congestion and dizziness.
  • Milk contains 4.7% lactose, which cannot be digested by many individuals, owing to the lack of the enzyme, lactase.
  • In many places, cow is treated with a compound called recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGh). Some studies have shown that this hormone leads to some health risks, like mastitis, infertility and lameness.
 
Cooking Tips
  • Cow’s milk can be consumed in a variety of ways. Some of the most widely eaten milk products are yogurt, butter, cheese and ghee.
  • Cow’s milk should be boiled before drinking. Boiled milk stays fresh for a longer time in the refrigerator.

Friday, 17 October 2014

Ebola virus

  • Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
  • The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
  • The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks.
  • The first EVD outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests, but the most recent outbreak in west Africa has involved major urban as well as rural areas.
  • Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation.
  • Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralise the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.
  • There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing evaluation.

Background

The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. Ebola virus disease (EVD) first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
The current outbreak in west Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria, and by land (1 traveller) to Senegal.
The most severely affected countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems, lacking human and infrastructural resources, having only recently emerged from long periods of conflict and instability. On August 8, the WHO Director-General declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.


A separate, unrelated Ebola outbreak began in Boende, Equateur, an isolated part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus family Filoviridae includes 3 genera: Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus, and Ebolavirus. There are 5 species that have been identified: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston and Taï Forest. The first 3, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Zaire ebolavirus, and Sudan ebolavirus have been associated with large outbreaks in Africa. The virus causing the 2014 west African outbreak belongs to the Zaire species.

Transmission

It is thought that fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts. Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.
Ebola then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced.
Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola.
People remain infectious as long as their blood and body fluids, including semen and breast milk, contain the virus. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Symptoms of Ebola virus disease

The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms. First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to distinguish EVD from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis. Confirmation that symptoms are caused by Ebola virus infection are made using the following investigations:
  • antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
  • antigen-capture detection tests
  • serum neutralization test
  • reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
  • electron microscopy
  • virus isolation by cell culture.
Samples from patients are an extreme biohazard risk; laboratory testing on non-inactivated samples should be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

Treatment and vaccines

Supportive care-rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids- and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. There is as yet no proven treatment available for EVD. However, a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated. No licensed vaccines are available yet, but 2 potential vaccines are undergoing human safety testing.

Prevention and control

Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Raising awareness of risk factors for Ebola infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission. Risk reduction messaging should focus on several factors:
  • Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat. Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
  • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission from direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.
  • Outbreak containment measures including prompt and safe burial of the dead, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola, monitoring the health of contacts for 21 days, the importance of separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread, the importance of good hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.

What is the Ebola virus and how is it spread?


With the news that the first Ebola case has now been diagnosed on American soil, our southern neighbour, many are concerned about the spread of the Ebola virus to Canada.
Thousands of people in the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria have already been infected and so far around 3,000 have died. There’s no doubt there will be long-lasting affects to the whole continent. (Learn more about the virus and its effects in this CBC account of orphaned children affected by Ebola.)
Ebola virus

To find out more about the disease we looked to the World Health Organization, who are working to control the disease and its spread.
The facts on the Ebola virus:
  • The Ebola virus originally appeared in 1976.
  • Ebola is spread from human-to-human transmission through direct contact like broken skin or mucous membranes with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (like bedding, clothing) contaminated with bodily fluids, according to the WHO.
  • Fatality from the Ebola virus is currently at 50 percent.
  • There is no licensed Ebola vaccine at the moment but there are candidates undergoing trials (some of which come from Canadian labs).
  • The incubation period is 2 to 21 days during which people who are potentially infected should be isolated.
  • The first symptoms are muscle pain, fever, fatigue, headache and a sore throat. Then patients begin to from suffer vomiting, diarrhea, symptoms of impaired liver and kidney function, a rash and potentially internal and external bleeding.
  • Diagnosis takes place at a lab through a variety of tests because the symptoms could be a variety of other illnesses common in West Africa like malaria, etc.

According to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, there’s no reason to be concerned here at the moment.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of the individual with Ebola in the United States. The information we have to date is that the individual did not travel through Canada and was not symptomatic, and therefore not contagious, during their travel to the United States.”
And this:
“Canada is well prepared with a number of systems in place to identify and prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases like Ebola, such as working closely with our international partners to gather and assess information and administering the Quarantine Act at all points of entry into Canada.”