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It is no secret that it is important to eat fruits and vegetables every day to be healthy and fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and vitamins that are important to our bodies.

Image from Microsoft Office Clip art

However, researchers have found that at the supermarket, the frozen fruits and vegetables that you buy may actually be more nutritious than the fresh ones.

Why is this so? Read more »

Were you suffering from an itchy throat and watery eyes during the haze season? The recent showers must have been very welcome indeed as they helped to clear the skies a little.

If you think you are safe now that the haze has come and gone, here are some latest facts on air pollution that might make you think living on Mars is better instead!

Read more »

Food-combining theories surface from time to time, and one of them claims that fruit should be eaten alone. The food combination diet is based on the principal that certain food groups are incompatible, such as fruit, which is easily-digested, and protein.

The theories claim that fruit that are eaten with proteins or fatty foods will take longer to digest. This will presumably “delay the digestion of fruit and allow its sugars to ferment and putrefy”, which will then affect a person’s health.

The quick answer is that you don’t have to consume fruit on an empty stomach to properly digest all of its nutrients.
Read more »

Alkaline water is not necessary better than tap water for the body.

One of the claimed benefits of drinking alkaline water is that it helps to neutralize acidic condition of the body. However, Dr. Mirkin mentioned in The Washington Times [1] that “taking calcium or drinking alkaline water does not affect blood acidity”. Furthermore, Mr Schwarcz, the director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, argued in Canadian Chemical News [2] that “our body maintains the pH of the blood between 7 and 7.4, which is already alkaline. Our stomach is strongly acidic and any base that enters is immediately neutralized. The still acidic contents of the stomach then pass into the intestine where they are neutralized by alkaline secretions from the pancreas.” As such, all the water drank will still end up being alkaline.

Another claimed benefit of alkaline water is that it is a powerful anti-oxidant and improves the body’s resistance to diseases. Mr Wheeler, a retired professor of biochemistry at the University of Louisville, refuted this claim in Los Angeles Times [3] and mentioned that “any negative ions you drink would immediately bind with positive ions. And even if the negative ions stuck around, they could never act as antioxidants or attack free radicals. The body relies on molecules like vitamin E and beta carotene for antioxidants.”

The other claimed benefit is that the size of ionized water molecules is reduced and it provides superior absorption and hydration to the body. Mr Wheeler also highlighted that “although water molecules do briefly cluster together, the clumps eventually fall apart.” This is because water crosses cell membranes one molecule at a time.

Sources
[1] Building strong muscles can lead to strong bones. Dr. Gabe Mirkin, Special to the Washington Times, 9 March 2003, The Washington Times.

[2] Snake oil and water.(Chemfusion) Schwarcz, Joe, 1 April 2010, Canadian Chemical News.

[3] The Healthy Skeptic; It’ll quench your thirst, of course; But whether ionized water can slow aging and fight disease is another matter. Chris Woolston, 22 January 2007, Los Angeles Times.

The above articles were retrieved from Factiva.com.

[4] Nutrition and healthy eating.

All the above-mentioned websites were last accessed on 8 Nov 2011.

Please note that the information given is according to resources available in the library and the websites. It is provided for informational purposes only and not as a substitute for professional medical advice. It is important to consult a licensed medical practitioner.

Originally answered by Huang Su San, Librarian
Posted by Judy Kong

What is body odour?

Body odour (BO) is caused by excessive apocrine gland secretions (sweat) reacting with bacteria on our skin to produce a foul smell. These factors would also trigger other parts of the body e.g. bad breath and stinky feet.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, the apocrine sweat glands, associated with the presence of hair in human beings (as on the scalp, the armpit, and the genital region), continuously secrete a concentrated fatty sweat into the gland tube. Emotional stress stimulates contraction of the gland, expelling its contents. Skin bacteria break down the fats into unsaturated fatty acids that possess a pungent odour.

Toxic build-up from our liver, the food we eat, and even genetic predisposition can further contribute to body odour.
How to prevent smelling bad
Anne Louise Gittleman, author of Living Beauty Detox Diet Program (Harper: San Francisco 2000), suggests 9 effective ways to guard against body odour.

1. Use pH-balanced soaps and skincare products to maintain the protective acid mantle of your skin. Try bathing in an apple vinegar wash twice a week. Pour 2 cups of apple vinegar in your bath.

2.Get the right underarm protection. Deodorants help destroy bacteria and disguise odours. But look out for potentially toxic, irritating ingredients. Avoid aluminum (linked to Alzheimer’s disease) and products with emulsifiers (known to clog pores). Consider products with tea tree oil, known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Or use a deodorant stone, made from mineral salts. Antiperspirants reduce bacteria-feeding moisture — but they block sweat glands and contain aluminum chlorohydrate.

3. Use one-part cornstarch to one-part baking soda to absorb moisture. Deodorize feet after bathing with a mixture of 1 cup cornstarch to 1 cup baking soda and 6 drops of either eucalyptus or peppermint oil.

4. Cut down on dairy products and sugar. Protect your gastro tract from yeast-enhancing sugar. Look out for hidden sugars in everything from hot dogs, mayonnaise and soups to nondairy creamers and cream-style corn.

5. Take 25 mg to 50 mg of zinc daily or eat foods high in zinc. Try eggs, lean meat and pumpkin seeds.

6. Detoxify your system regularly. It’s the only way to keep your liver and gastrointestinal tract functioning at optimal levels — and potential body odor at bay.

7. Include friendly flora and a fibre supplement in your regimen. Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria can re-establish the proper pH balance in your digestive system. Adding a fiber supplement will gently whisk away that waste build-up.

8. Drink 10-12 glasses of water daily. Flush toxins from your body and keep metabolic processes humming along at peak levels.

9. Maintain a balanced diet. Overloading or cutting back in vital areas can throw your system off — and aggravate glandular secretions. Adapt a diet of 30 percent lean protein, to help the liver develop a sufficient amount of enzymes for the detox process; 30 percent essential fats (such as flaxseed oil, nuts, avocados and seeds), to lubricate the GI tract; and 40 percent slow-acting/high-fiber carbohydrates to sweep out that encrusted mass.

For other professional information on body odour and prevention methods, please refer to the following database  Health and Wellness Resource Center  which is accessible at our eresources link.

All Rights Reserved, Avery, c2007

1.  Title: 7 minutes of magic : the ultimate energy workout
Author:  Lee Holden with Doug Abrams
Publisher:  New York : Avery, c2007.
Call No.:  English 613.7 HOL

All Rights Reserved, Hudson Street Press, c2011

2. Title: Cleanse your body, clear your mind : eliminate environmental toxins to lose weight, increase energy, and reverse illness in 30 days or less
Publisher:  New York, N.Y. : Hudson Street Press, c2011.
Author:  Jeffrey A. Morrison.
Call No.:  English 613 MOR -[HEA]

All Rights Reserved, Atria Paperback, c2010

3. Title: The secret language of your body : the essential guide to health and wellness
Author:  Inna Segal
Publisher:  New York, N.Y. : Atria Paperback, c2010.
Call No.:  English 616.89 SEG -[HEA]

To check the titles’ availability, please visit our online catalogue.
Posted by Mr Kweh Soon Huat, Adults and Young People Librarian.

http://betsy-ann.blogspot.com/2011/02/sniff-sniff-cough-cough.html

Sneezes don’t necessarily always come in pairs. According to PR Newswire (US), a survey done in 2004 in the United States by SneezEze “found that 24% of respondents said they typically sneeze twice in a row, while 36% sneeze only once at a time”.

 A New York Times article also states that medical science has yet to pinpoint the reason for the pattern of a person’s sneezes. “There also seems to be a pattern in the number of times a person sneezes – some people will sneeze only once or twice at most, others up to 10 times or more per sneezing attack – but no reason for this is known.

 Interestingly, while most sneezes are caused by allergens, strong smells, smoke, foreign particles, chemicals, colds and respiratory tract infections, they can also be triggered by light (photic sneezing), loud noises, pregnancy and eyebrow-plucking.

 So, what is your sneezing pattern like?

 Answered by January Yeo, Associate Librarian

 References :

1. Twenty-Five Percent of Americans Do Not Cover Their Nose During a Sneeze SneezEze Blows Out America’s Sneezing Habits for Allergy Season. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/twenty-five-percent-of-americans-do-not-cover-their-nose-during-a-sneeze-73742822.html

 2. Gesundheit! Sneezing Gets A Big Reaction. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/22/garden/gesundheit-sneezing-gets-a-big-reaction.html?&pagewanted=all

 3. ‘Achoo’ reflex ; Sneezing clears away the irritants. Retrieved from The Record, Factiva.

4. How come? Sneezing is all in your head, or brain. Retrieved from Newsday, Factiva.

Posted by Judy Kong

Image taken from: http://www.coolstuffexpress.com/store/p/156-Giant-Microbes-E-Coli-Stuffed-Plush-Animal.html

If you have been following the news, you will surely have heard of the E.Coli outbreak that has thrown Germany and the rest of the world into panic. According to sources it has caused at least 31 deaths and has infected countless others.What is this much-feared microbe that has left so much destruction in its wake?

E. Coli is the abbreviated name of Escherichia coli, a bacterium that lives in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals.

Despite  recent bad press, the majority of strains of E Coli are not deadly and in fact, all of us have millions of E Coli in our intestines that cause us no problems at all. Some strains generate vitamin K, an important nutrient to humans. Another strain known as Nissle 1917 is used in the treatment of several gastroentererological diseases.

However, a few strains can cause serious food poisoning in humans. They produce potentially lethal toxins: for instance, the virulent O104:H4 strain produces deadly Shiga toxins. This strain is responsible for the recent outbreak in Germany. It cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics, making it even more dangerous

The Family Doctor website states that that symptoms of E. coli infection include abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and mild fever. in the most serious cases the infection can cause a life-threatening condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure.

E. Coli is typically found in cows/beef and infection usually results when undercooked meat is eaten. Other foods, such as vegetables can be contaminated when they come into contact with fecal material. For this reason, organic farms have come under scrutiny – they do not use chemical fertilizers and therefore, risk contamination from bacteria in manure.

According to news reports, organically grown sprouts have been identified as the source of contamination in Germany. “Lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers should be eaten again – it is all healthy produce,” says Andreas Hensel, the head of Germany’s risk assessment agency..

Want to find out more? I’d recommend this website, run by UK newspaper The Guardian.

Other references:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6832844.ece

http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/

This is a question I am sure many of us can relate to as we gaze upon our full bellies and bemoan our indulgence in one too many Christmas dinners. What can be done to whip flabby tummies into an acceptable state in time for the new year?

If you do have excess flab, the solution is not to plop onto the floor and do high repetitions of abdominal exercises like crunches. These types of exercises strengthen the muscles in the area, but do not burn enough calories in themselves to decrease body fat.

Regular exercise would be a more effective solution in helping you to lose deep abdominal fat. Cardio workouts work best as they burn the most calories per minute. Generally, at least 30 minutes a day of cardio-activity is recommended, but this can be increased to 60 or even 90 minutes if you want to lose weight or maintain weight loss.

Beginners should start slowly and gradually work up to more intense and longer periods of sustained exercise. Start walking or doing other types of light cardio as much as you can. Build up your fitness first with 15 minutes of brisk walking or other activities every day, adding more minutes every week. Research has shown that as you work out at higher intensities, your heart rate increases correspondingly and you burn more fat.

Other types of cardio exercises you can do at home include skipping, aerobics and jumping jacks.

Sources:
MSN Health and Fitness
Title: The Anxiety/Ab-Fat Connection by Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., for MSN Health & Fitness
Last accessed 10 Nov 2010.

MSN Health and Fitness
Title: 6 Ways to Downsize Your Middle by Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., for MSN Health & Fitness

Last accessed 10 Nov 2010.

You may also be interested in the following titles:

Title: Fat around the middle: How to lose that bulge – for good
Author: Marylin Glenville
Call No.: English 613.25 GLE [HEA]

Title: Tone your tummy type: flatten your belly and shrink your waist in 4 weeks
Author: Denise Austin
Call No.: English 613.712 AUS [HEA]

Title: Firm abs, flat stomach – in only 30 days!
Author: Anne-Marie Millard
Call No.: English 613.71 MIL [HEA]

Human blood is composed of a yellowish fluid, called plasma. In this plasma, millions of cells that constitute about 45 percent by volume of whole blood are suspended. It has a characteristic odor and a specific gravity between 1.056 and 1.066. In an average healthy adult, the volume of blood accounts for about one-eleventh of the body weight (between 4.5 and 6 liters).

A great portion of the plasma is composed of water, a medium that facilitates the circulation of the many indispensable factors of which blood is composed. A cubic millimeter of human blood contains about 5 million red blood cells called erythrocytes; 5000 to 10,000 white blood cells called leukocytes; and 200,000 to 300,000 platelets called thrombocytes. The blood also carries many salts and organic substances in solution.

(Source: Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
Last accessed: 26/10/10)

Check out the following interesting books:

(All Rights Reserved, Capstone Press, c2010)

The Bloody Book of Blood
by Kelly Regan Barnhill
Call Number: J English 612.1 BAR
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Scholastic, 2008)

Blood. Bones and Body Bits
by Nick Arnold
Call Number: J English 612 ARN
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Charlesbridge, c2010)

The Circulatory Story
by Mary K. Corcoran
Call Number: J English 612.1 COR
Click here to check for item availability.

Originally answered by Rosjihanah Mon
Associate Librarian, Children’s Services

Image is retrieved from:

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/superman_movies

According to ‘Eat This Not That!’ by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding: “The food sources that feature calcium most prominently are sesame seeds, plain or vanilla soymilk, low-fat yogurt, cooked spinach, part-skim mozzarella cheese, raw tofu and cream cheese.

Calcium is a mineral found in bones and teeth. Calcium keeps bones strong and healthy, promotes efficient function of the nerves and muscles as well as helps blood clotting.”

Reference:
Zinczenko, David, . Eat this, not that! the best (& worst!) foods in america!. [Emmaus, Pa.] : Rodale, c2009.

If you want to read more on the topic, here are books that you can check out at our libraries.

All Rights Reserved, John Wiley, c2004.

The calcium key : the revolutionary diet discovery that will help you lose weight faster by Michael Zemel, Bill Gottlieb
Publisher: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley, c2004.
Call No.: English 613.25 ZEM -[HEA]
Click here to check for item availability

All Rights Reserved, Simon & Schuster Source, 2001.

Eat, drink, and be healthy :by the Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating by Walter C. Willett
Publisher: New York : Simon & Schuster Source, 2001.
Call No.: English 613.2 WIL -[HEA]
Click here to check for item availability

All Rights Reserved, Maidstone : Amalgamated Book Services, 1999.

Super calcium counter : the essential guide to building strong bones by Harris McIlwain and Debra Fulghum Bruce
Publisher: New York : Kensington ; Maidstone : Amalgamated Book Services, 1999.
Call No: English 613.285 MAC -[HEA]
Click here to check for item availability

All websites are last accessed on 20 Aug 2010. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the homepages for use.
For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

Answered by Ms Lynn Koh, Associate Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services