Medical News

Fixing a bunion deformity is a common procedure performed thousands of times each day across the country. Unfortunately, many people have misconceptions about the nature of that procedure, how long recovery takes, and the anticipated pain level one would experience in recovery. This article will help answer these questions, and dispel misconceptions about the nature of bunion surgery.

A bunion is a very complex foot deformity that generally develops over a long period of time. This condition, also known as hallux abductovalgus, is much more than a simple bone bump on the side of the foot. Some children are born with feet that either already have the bone that causes the bunion in an outward position, or have too much flexibility of the feet so that the growth of the bunion is accelerated through early childhood. However, by far the majority of people who have bunions develop them due to flat or flattening feet. The process that creates the bunion slowly over time starts when a foot is too flexible and excessively flattens out when one stands on their feet. This flattening does not have to be severe, and many people are surprised to learn that they have a flat foot structure, as this is hard to properly notice on oneself.

As the foot over-flexes, added pressure is created on the long bone that is positioned in the foot just before the start of the big toe. Called the first metatarsal, this stout bone is forced upward and outward due to ground pressure. When this occurs, the tissue on the side of the big toe joint away from the second toe begins to stretch, and the side of the big toe joint nearest the second toe begins to tighten due to the pull of a certain muscle in the foot. The eventual result after millions upon millions of steps over a period of years is a gradual drawing of the big toe toward (and sometimes over or under) the second toe, and a protrusion of the front and side of the first metatarsal towards the side of the foot. This process has nothing to do with tight shoes, as one’s bones have not been moldable by external pressure since age four or five. Tight shoes aggravate bunion pain, and nothing more.

Not all bunions are painful. In fact, many bunions cause little to no discomfort, at least initially. Bunion pain when it does eventually develop tends to arise from pressure along the side of the foot where the bunion bump rubs against the shoe. Eventually, pain in the joint itself can develop independent of shoe pressure as mild arthritis of the big toe joint appears. Initial treatment can include wider shoes, stiffer shoes, anti-inflammatory medications, prescription shoe inserts, and padding. However, most cases of bunion pain eventually require surgical correction to fix the actual foot deformity.

Bunion surgery requires precise planning by the surgeon, as many factors have to be taken into account. In general, most bunions require some procedure that re-shifts the first metatarsal back to its proper position, with the toe following. The bone usually has to be cut and reset in a new position in order for this to work. The most important technical factors that need to be addressed regarding this procedure involve how severe the bunion is (i.e. how far over is the first metatarsal positioned into the side of the foot), as well as whether or not the great toe joint cartilage is tilted towards the second toe too far.

Of other technical consideration is the position of the first metatarsal in an up or down direction, as well as the quality of the bone itself. All these factors determine where the bone needs to be cut, and any modifications that need to be made to the standard cuts to fix the deformity. Mild to moderate bunions usually can be corrected by a cut that is made towards the big toe joint. This cut is generally more stable, especially if it is held in place with bone screws (which stay in the foot unnoticed forever). The soft tissue around the joint also needs to be remodeled to allow the toe to straighten. Recovery from this procedure is easier, with six weeks in a walking cast or protective boot while the bone heals. Bunions that are severe or very unstable need to be corrected further back along the 1st metatarsal, or even the joint where it begins, at an area that is far less stable. More hardware is needed to keep the corrected bone in position while it heals.

Recovery from these sets of procedures generally requires six to eight weeks non-weight-bearing in a cast. Sometimes, procedures need to be performed on both ends of the bone, such as when there is a severe bunion with an abnormal rotation of cartilage at the big toe joint. Other factors that must be considered when correcting a bunion include realistic expectations, future activity, and quality of one’s bone. Some people simply have unrealistic expectations about what bunion surgery will actually fix. Bunion correction will reduce the deformity and help decrease or eliminate the pain it causes. It will not necessarily create a straight-as-an-arrow big toe (which will not fit well into shoes anyway), nor will it allow one to fit into a tight dress shoe or heel without any discomfort. Activity is another consideration, particularly for older people. If an older patient has limited activity, then a more aggressive correction may not be needed if all that is required is a reduction of pain. Along with this is a consideration for the quality of the bone to be operated on. If the bone is thin, or has poor density, alternative procedures may need to be considered.

Recovery from bunion surgery will generally take six to eight weeks, plus an additional one to three months to strengthen the foot into full activity and eliminate stiffness. Pain after surgery always depends on the individual and their tolerance, but the occasional rumor that bunion surgery is very painful to recover from is simply untrue. Factors unique to foot surgery contribute to unnecessary post-operative pain if one ignores their post-operative instructions. Simply put, he body will feel great after this surgery, and this often leads patients to attempt to be over active. The basic fact is that the foot will need rest, elevation, and icing following surgery. The majority of pain felt after the first several days following surgery is often due to inflammation from overactivity. By following a proper post-operative recovery program, the likelihood of developing significant post-operative pain is decreased. Some pain is to be expected in the first several days after surgery, but it is uncommon for pain medications not to eliminate much of this immediate post-operative pain.

As one can see, bunions can be quite painful, but are also easily corrected with surgery. The proper selection of procedures by the surgeon, along with reasonable expectations by the patient who correctly follows the post-operative instructions leads to a great result, and a speedy recovery.

So many of us are experiencing some form of hair loss, and it strikes both men and women! What are the best solutions for this common problem? The answers fall into three categories.

1. Medications-There are two popular medications available, and both are absolutely proven to stop hair from thinning and re-grow what has been lost! Minoxidil (the active ingredient in the “Rogaine” brand) is an over-the-counter hair growth treatment that is approved for both men and women. It was originally developed as a high blood pressure medication; thicker, darker bodily hair was discovered as a side effect, and the medication was marketed as a hair growth treatment. The treatment for men contains a 5% concentration of minoxidil, and the women’s version contains a 2% concentration. Considering its original intention, it is wise to consult a doctor if you are currently taking blood pressure medication and would like to use minoxidil. Also not surprising, minoxidil can thicken and darken hair in places other than just on the scalp-a side effect that may become troubling.
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Finasteride (also known by the brand name Propecia) is the second proven hair re-growth treatment currently available. It is a prescription medication that was approved by the FDA in 1997. While it is most effective at preventing loss and creating new growth in the crown area, it can also work on the hairline. There are two main concerns with finasteride. First, it is not generally approved for women since it is proven to cause birth defects in male fetuses. Second, it can cause sexual dysfunction in male patients. Some men taking finasteride have found that reducing the dosage has eliminated side effects.

2. Surgeries-Hair transplant surgery is becoming more and more common, as well as looking more and more natural. During this procedure, hair follicles are removed from an area of the scalp (or body, in some cases). The follicles are harvested either individually in the “Follicular Unit Extraction” (or FUE) method or in a strip. The donor strip follicles are placed into the thin or bald spot. Once the follicles heal, they should produce new hair growth in the area. This is definitely a solution, however the cost of the procedure is a downside. Priced between $3 and $8 per graft, you can have a whole head of hair transplanted, but the expense will rival a car purchase.

3. Cosmetics-These are easily the simplest, most affordable hair loss solutions. This category includes “Hair Replacement” (a newer term for wigs and toupees) as well as hair thickeners, scalp concealers, and natural fiber sprays. Any of these products will give you the look of a full head of hair-restoring your confidence without any side effects!

Getting sick is such a burden. Thinking about hospital bills, maintenance medications, follow-up check-ups, physical therapies give us a terrible headache. There are some individuals who are not able to benefit from the different health care services being offered by the hospitals due to poverty and racial discrimination. Poor people especially the indigent just simply rely on herbs and from the free medicines given by the government. It is best that the government will give much attention with regards to the availability and accessibility of health care services to poor individuals.

There are just so many diseases in the world that we can acquire genetically or through close contact with the virus or bacteria. Hereditary diseases are difficult to avoid. Why? Because when your ancestors have the disease, it can be passed on to the next family generations. You can never escape that disease if it runs in the family’s blood. If there are hereditary diseases in the family, better that you perform early detection that way you will know the necessary interventions and measures to treat the disease.

One very common genetically acquired disease is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder affecting the biochemical reactions of the body and having a tendency for developing above normal levels of sugar in the blood. Medically, the disorder is characterized as hyperglycaemic glycosuria. Hyperglycaemic means that the blood sugar is elevated while glycosuria means that glucose is present in the urine.

The greek word diabetes which means siphon refers to the excessive urination. While the latin word mellitus means honey sweet this refers to sugar-sweet urine. Diabetes mellitus is a disease occurring in almost any parts of the world. It affects all races and even all age groups.

The most common signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus include that of weight loss, excessive urination, thirst and extreme hunger. If not corrected, this may lead to several complications and will eventually lead to early death.

It is important that we know the normal blood sugar levels that way we can determine if the blood sugar reading that we have is below or above normal. The normal fasting blood sugar level is 70-100mg/dl. If the test is done without fasting, the normal reading is 70-140mg/dl. Any reading above 140mg/dl is called hyperglycemia and any blood sugar reading below 70mg/dl is named as hypoglycemia. Hyperglycemia blood sugar levels are determined though taking a blood sample. Few drops of blood is enough to determine whether an individual sugar is at high range.

The diabetes treatment depends upon the type of diabetes that you have. There is the insulin dependent type, noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus and the gestational diabetes. From the name itself, insulin dependent which means insulin injections are needed to sustain life whereas noninsulin dependent which means that exercise, oral medications and a strict diabetic diet is needed to control the disease. Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. Exercise and diabetic diet needs to be observed and maintained.

Diabetes is a very serious disease that should be given attention. Since it is hereditary, early detection must be made in a much earlier time so as to provide treatment and implement interventions.

Gout, a form of arthritis, happens when uric acid builds up and solidifies in the joints (ankles, elbows, heels, and wrists). For gout sufferers, “solidifies in the joints” doesn’t just sound painful, it is painful. Gout is often characterized by red, swollen joints which are tender to the touch. It is different from osteoarthritis since gout is caused by the byproduct of the body processing purine: urate or uric acid.

The kidneys usually filter uric acid out, but high levels of it or kidney problems may cause uric acid to stay in the bloodstream. High levels of uric acid in the blood, called hyperuricemia, can increase the possibility of a person getting gout. Gout can be caused because of genetics, diet, inefficient excretion of urate, or a combination of factors.

Gout can also come up as at the heels of other medical conditions as a complication. Renal failure, diabetes, hypertension, and leukemia, among other things can bring about gout.

From the first time one gets a gout flare up, the first time one would wake up to a swollen big toe, it can recur frequently depending on one’s diet and lifestyle. Currently, there are no known cures for gout though one can manage it through a careful diet.

Gout is often associated with the overindulgence in alcohol, seafood, and food rich in purine like organ meats, sardines, red meat, beans, beer, and wine, among others. Limiting one’s intake of the said foods can minimize the frequency and intensity of the gout attacks. Basically, modifying one’s diet can prevent long-term joint damage and severe gout attacks, generally lower the levels of uric acid in the blood stream, and naturally ease the pain and discomfort that comes with the condition.

Exercise is also suggested for people with gout since obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are also big factors in getting the disease. Switching to a healthier, more active lifestyle can alleviate the pain from gout and maybe even reduce the possibility of uric acid crystallizing in one’s joints.

Along with exercise and proper diet, undergoing water therapy (drinking lots of water) and eating garlic is also recommended for people suffering from gout as an alternative treatment. Contrast hydrotherapy can also be used during an attack. This is done by using a hot water compress for 3 minutes then switching to a cold water compress for 30 seconds and the process is repeated. This is said to help ease the pain by helping dissolve the uric crystals in the joints. A proper diet and a healthy lifestyle change should help those with gout manage the condition better and decrease the possibility of severe attacks in the long run.

Depression in men can be hard to diagnose and is often undetected both by themselves as well as their doctors. Part of the problem is the mindset of doctors, some of whom do not recognise or acknowledge, the hormonal changes occurring in men. These can begin as early as age 35, though the majority of men experience this in their 40′s and 50′s.

About 40% of middle aged men are depressed according to statistics. This can present serious problems if left untreated, particularly to men’s overall physical well-being, leading to possible high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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Mid-life depression in men has been proven to be the main cause of divorce and can also lead to suicide. The rate of men committing suicide in mid-life is three times the US national average.

From their 30′s, men begin to experience a reduction in testosterone and this is known as Testosterone Defficiency Syndrome. This may or may not cause any symptoms, but, being able to recognise the warning signs that all is not right, is the first step to healing.

Symptoms can include a lack of energy and vitality, loss of sexual desire or libido and mood swings.

Other warning signs that signal depression in men include the following:

1. becoming controlling

2. blaming others

3. being critical

4. creating conflict

5. being suspicious or secretive

6. becoming compulsive

7. feeling restless and unable to relax

8. getting angry

The above list of symptoms may be hard to swallow and actually believe. We are all quick to deny any “seeming” negative behaviour we do not wish to see in ourselves.

Treatment of male depression presents a challenge in that it is still only partially being accepted by doctors and men themselves. Because depression over the years has been viewed as more of a female issue, men may have difficulty accepting that they could be going through the same thing.

Often resistant to getting help, men will deny that there is anything wrong with them. Also, sexual dysfunction may be an embarrassing subject for them so they may put off discussing it, hoping things will change on their own. Denial can lead to a loss of self esteem and unexpressed grief,that can have far-reaching consequences in family life.

Depression in men, is not something to be ashamed of, but just another facet of life to journey through and it does not have to last forever. By not seeking answers, men are placing their health, that of their family and their lives in jeopardy. Is denial worth the cost?

A million dollar body, which has a soul and that is what is life. Different parts of our body perform different functions. Out of those several body parts major are Brain and Heart. Heart pumps blood and arteries carry oxygenated blood to different parts of the body. What will happen if something blocks the passage of blood? Heart starts pumping harder, which increases the blood pressure and this is what hypertension is.

In today’s fast life hypertension has become a common word. Adults and even children’s are affected from hypertension. Simple reason for children’s could be stress taken during exams. Adults mostly in the mid 40′s are the most affected population of hypertension mostly because of our modern lifestyle.

Most of us don’t realize that we are suffering from hypertension.

Because the symptoms are so common like:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Drowsiness
• Problems with breathing

How many of us have cared about these symptoms, and thought of hypertension? None of us.

We never thought why am I getting headaches and why am I feeling drowsy?

There could be thousand reasons behind this silent killing by hypertension.

To cope up with the fast life, we have chosen fast food, canned food, or ready to eat food to satisfy our appetite. All of these contain high salt, mainly sodium, which disturbs the osmolarity leading to renal dysfunction. Talking about fats, everybody knows the effect of fat which makes us gain weight and ultimately leads to obesity. These all pave way towards hypertension.

We earn money to afford all the facilities in our life. Running behind money we forget that our mind and body need rest. We stress ourselves too much to meet the deadlines at job. Yes! Stress is one more important factor for hypertension.

Leaving behind eating habits, people who don’t prefer exercise are more susceptible to hypertension that means we have chosen sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity. This is our modern life style leading towards hypertension.

Last but not the least we are growing old rapidly day by day which means early aging.

Other reasons are as stated:

• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heredity
• Birth control pills
• Too much of alcohol intake
• Sleep disturbances
• Deficiency of vitamin D
• Taking foods that contain potassium and magnesium, the harmful chemicals.

To save ourselves from hypertension we should take some steps towards healthy and happy lifestyle.

• Start your day with exercise which makes you fresh and energizes the body
• Reduce weight so that we don’t feel lazy
• Reduce high sodium intake in the food
• Take low cholesterol diet
• De-stress yourself by Meditation or by any other means
• Sleep properly. Sleeping rejuvenates our body.
• Keep checking blood pressure and weight.

We should understand the importance of these points and implement in our lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle gives healthy body and soul. Follow the steps, stay healthy and live healthy and set yourself free from hypertension.

Soya: the bean health issues

Soy beans, with their many uses and culinary forms, have become an important nutritional staple for many vegans and vegetarians. It is used in non-dairy milks, yoghurts and cheeses, baby formulas, soy drinks, protein bars, frozen desserts, as textured protein, soy sauce, veggie burgers and sausages, as well as tofu and bean curd.

However, after quite an easy early ride in the media during which soya made huge market gains as a healthy and natural food, several recent press articles have begun to question the virtues of soy beans.

With strong financial interest weighing in on both sides of the argument, it can be confusing for the consumer to get to the truth behind the media hype. The well funded United Soybean and the Soyfoods Association of North America leads the soya bean public relations crusade, whilst allegations fly that several critical institutional research studies were funded by the competitor meat industry with its not-so hidden agenda.

Here, we take a look at the soy health battleground, laying out both sides of the arguments, and review where current legislation lies in relation to soy food and health.

Background

The soybean was first used as a food upon the discovery of fermentation techniques, some time during the Chinese Chou Dynasty (1100-600 BC). The first soy foods were fermented products like tempeh, miso and soy sauce. Quite some time later, possibly around 200-100 BC, the Chinese discovered tofu or bean curd and the use of fermented and precipitated soya products soon spread to other parts of Asia, most notably Japan, Korea and Indonesia.

Soy proteins contain all the essential amino acids in appropriate ratios needed for human growth and body maintenance, and are readily digestible. The FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Protein Quality determined that soy protein and egg white have the maximum score of 1, followed by milk and meat proteins. Soy protein is “complete”, which means it has all of the amino acids needed in the human diet and is the only plant source of complete protein.

The health claim battleground

Here’s a review of the main health issues regarding soya:

Hormonal balance -

Soya beans contain phytochemicals, the most controversial of which are isoflavones. Isoflavones are described as phyto-estrogens (plant oestrogens) because their structure and metabolism resembles that of human estrogens. Oestrogen is a natural hormone important in the sexual development of both male and female humans.

Concern: In studies conducted on hamsters and rats, it was observed that the consumption of isoflavones caused hormonal imbalance and significantly accelerated the onset of puberty in the rodents. These findings might be relevant to humans, and are especially concerning for babies who are fed soy-based formulae which contain high dosages of phyto-estrogens.

Oestrogen is linked with breast cancer and it is posited that soy consumption might increase the risk of breast cancer in women. The French Centre for Cancer Research, now advises against soy for women who are at risk for breast cancer and for those who already have it.

Answer: A critical review of breast cancer studies suggests that adult consumption of soyfoods is not likely to result in adverse outcomes. Plant oestrogens are much weaker than naturally circulating human estrogens and they have approximately 1/1000 of the biological activity of synthetic oestrogens. Soy foods containing isoflavones may provide a variety of health benefits since isoflavones provide relief from certain menopausal symptoms and lowers the risk of certain cancers, osteoporosis and heart disease. Comparisons of adults fed soy formula and adults breast-fed as infants indicate no significant differences in growth, maturation, fertility or other reproductive outcomes.

Studies using rat models often add purified isoflavones at levels much higher than those found in human diets. Research indicates that isolated isoflavones do not always have the same action as isoflavones found in their natural state as part of soy beans. Furthermore, human beings and rodents are entirely different animals and any noted affects on tested rodents often do not lead to the same results in humans.

Mineral absorption -

Concern: Soybeans contain higher levels of phytic acid than any other bean. Phytic acid is known as an anti-nutrient since it can block the absorption of certain minerals, including magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and especially zinc. It has been noted that people in 3rd World countries who have a high consumption of soy also frequently have deficiencies in these minerals. This may also be a health concern with regard to babies who are using soy-based infant food formulae. Adding to the high phytic acid problem, soy beans are highly resistant to phytate-reducing techniques such as long and slow cooking. Only a long period of fermentation will significantly reduce the phytate content of soy beans.

Answer: Mineral deficiency in the 3rd World could be attributed to a whole range of other factors and nothing related to soy consumption. Other studies show that when people’s diets are adequate in zinc, iron, and calcium, phytates do not present a problem with mineral bioavailability.

Protein and oxygen absorption -

Concern: Soya beans also contain enzyme-inhibitors that block the uptake of trypsin enzymes which the body needs for protein digestion. These anti-nutrients can cause serious gastric distress, reduce protein digestion and can lead to chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In addition, soy beans also contain hemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance which causes red blood cells to cluster together, reducing proper oxygen absorption for distribution to the body’s tissues.

Although the act of fermenting soybeans does de-activate both hemagglutinin and trypsin inhibitors, cooking and precipitation (the process used to produce tofu) do not completely eliminate them.

Answer: Trypsin inhibitors are present in many other plant products including raw legumes, cereals, potatoes, and tomatoes. They can reduce the efficiency of digestion of proteins but are mostly destroyed when beans are heated during cooking to make soy foods. The soy industry believes that small quantities of trypsin inhibitors are not detrimental to health but rather they may have beneficial effects in reducing tumour growth and preventing the spread of some cancers.

Thyroid function -

Concern: The consumption of a soy-rich diet can lead to problems associated with the thyroid, especially goitre and hypothyroidism in infants and thyroid cancer. The Israeli Health Ministry issued a public warning against the consumption of soy in children and infants, and the French Centre for Cancer Research now recommends no children under the age of 3 should eat soy.

Answer: In healthy adults, consuming soya foods appears to have no negative effect on thyroid function and may in fact reduce the risk of thyroid cancer. It is accepted that soy could be a risk factor for goitre in people with low iodine intake, however, screening for thyroid dysfunction will identify these individuals. Reports of goitre and hypothyroidism in babies fed soy based formulae in the 1960s predate soy based formulas supplemented with iodine. Since the 1960s, approximately 18 million US children have grown up on soy formula with only 12 cases of abnormalities in infants possibly traceable to soy formula. Today, the American Academy of Paediatrics recognises iodine enriched soy-based baby formula as a safe and effective alternative for babies to provide appropriate nutrition for normal development and growth.

Soy processing -

Concern: The production of soy protein isolate requires several intensive industrial processes, including hexane, acid and alkaline washes, precipitation, and exposure to high temperatures and pressures in order to produce the textured vegetable protein finished product. Nitrite carcinogens and a toxin called lysinoalanine are formed during the processing.

Answer: Modern processing removes undesirable constituents by fractionation or extraction. All of these treatments can increase the digestibility of soy proteins, remove indigestible sugars, inactivate enzymes that affect flavour, and prevent undesirable changes that may occur during storage.

Additives -

Concern: Numerous artificial flavourings, particularly monosodium glutamate, are added to soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein products to mask their strong natural taste and to impart the flavour of meat.

Answer: The addition of flavourings, preservatives and other additives in soy based products is no different to their use in other foods. If customers prefer soy products that are additive-free then they can seek out those producers that use organic soy beans and do not use additives.

Reduced heart disease -

Claim: In 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted a health claim that links the consumption of soy protein that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The FDA reviewed hundreds of scientific research studies and public comments before granting the soy and heart disease health claim. The FDA found no credible evidence that soy causes harm when consumed by humans. The FDA approved health claim recommends 25 grams or 4 servings of foods with 6.25 grams of soy protein daily to lower cholesterol significantly.

Counter-claim: Much of the scientific evidence of soy’s cholesterol-lowering properties is drawn largely from meta-analysis. Meta-analysis is a review and summary of the results of many clinical studies on the same subject. Use of meta-analyses to draw general conclusions has come under sharp criticism by members of the scientific community because researchers that substitute meta-analysis for more rigorous trials risk making faulty assumptions and drawing wrong conclusions.

It was also noted from the results that significant lowering of cholesterol only took place in individuals with high cholesterol levels. No significant change was noted for people with normal levels of cholesterol.

The verdict

So with all the claims and counter-claims, accusations and explanations who should we be listening to and whose view do we trust?

If you think like I do then you’ll know that any government health approval is quite meaningless and available to the highest bidder. The best advice is to keep abreast of the latest developments and health news, trusting those whose views have already established credibility in your life.

No one food is perfect. What seems certain is that soya is a good source of protein and can reduce cholesterol levels when they are high. Other claims, both positive and negative, remain unproven. We all know that diet and lifestyle impact our health and any one food will never be the panacea of all health and disease.

Enjoy all things in moderation, don’t think that you must consume soy morning, noon and night. Consume a broad range of fruit and vegetables, knowing that the raw and natural food state is usually best. As for soy-based products, choose organic whole and fermented soy products like edamame, miso, tofu and tempeh (my personal favourite). If you enjoy processed veggie-burgers and sausages etc, then choose brands such as Fry’s that use a blend of vegetable and wheat proteins and only a low percentage of soy in their mixes (5-8% in Fry’s case according to Tammy Fry).

The British Nutrition Foundation produced a comprehensive briefing paper in 2002 which looked at the various health scares and claims surrounding soya foods. It concluded that “soy beans are a useful source of a range of nutrients, and the beans themselves and foods derived from them can be useful components of a healthy diet.”

To conclude, one might like to remind themselves of our hospitals and note how many people are dying from diseases directly linked to eating meat and dairy products. I have yet to hear of anyone officially diagnosed as being hospitalised from eating soya!

Quitting is hard to do if you are a long time smoker; nevertheless if you put your mind and heart into really quitting, nothing is impossible. Besides why to quit smoking today has lots of good benefits and that is what I will certainly discuss here in this article.

Most individuals have already tried to quit not just ones but several times but only a few really succeeded in their endeavor. For those who succeed are very fortunate now as the risk of smoke related disease is almost or totally gone depending on how long they last smoke.

So no matter how low the level of nicotine are placed in your cigarettes you can still experience or become affected by one of the smoke related diseases and can still damage your health. Therefore, there are no level or safety net if you smoke as everything is just black and white and no middle ground when it comes to the heath.

The why to quit smoking today has its benefits but only according to how long you are without any nicotine in your system.

So if you smoke at least a pack of cigarettes before or now the benefits you will likely experiences are below:

• 12 Hours without Cigarettes – By this time almost all the nicotine is already or in the process of getting out of your system.
• 24 Hours without Cigarettes – Carbon monoxide that has ingrain in your blood before would ultimately dropped. Therefore, more oxygen will be available in your bloodstream.
• 5 days without cigarettes – The by-products of nicotine are already gone and the sense of smell and taste would have returned by this time. Your skin and color would have also improved greatly.
• Within one month without cigarettes - The blood pressure will return to normal level and the immune system will also recover. Signs of recovery will also show in your body and feeling.
• Within two months without cigarettes – The lungs is no longer capable of producing extra phlegm otherwise not cause by smoking.
• After 1 year without cigarettes – The heart disease that is part of the smoke related risk is now half of those who still smoke. Hence, there is now more chance for you to live longer as the risk is not what it used to be.
• After 10 years without cigarettes – The risk of having cancer is now half again compared to the possibility of people who still smoke. This is possible of course if you are not yet diagnosed with cancer.
• After 15 years without cigarettes – The risk of stroke and heart attack is now the same as the individual who does not smoked his entire life.

If you are looking for that ideal work out piece of equipment then you should choose an exercise bike. It’s the perfect tool to help get fit and burn of some extra calories, plus there is no need to go out in the cold weather as you can set it up in the comfort of your own home with a radio or even you television for inspiration. It’s one of the leading home exercise equipments which is getting more popular every year and there is a wide range to choose from to fit your style.

An exercise bike is used for a cardio exercise, which means it will tone and define your legs as well as kick starting your metabolism in to a higher gear so you can burn off any excess weight. It also gives your legs a great work out which improves the fitness of your heart, lungs and muscles to keep them in a fit condition. Your heart pumps more blood with less effort which reduces the chance of heart disease while your lungs has increased capacity for oxygen intake which helps yours cells and organs.

There are a wide variety of exercise bikes on the market but you should look in to which one will suit your needs. The three main styles are Upright, Recumbent and Training Cycles. An Upright exercise bike is the most common as it is similar to a normal bike. The recumbent exercise bike is a lean back riding position with a padded backrest, which is ideal if you are planning on pedalling for a long time or recovering from a knee injury. Finally the training cycles are the same as gym spinning class machines, which are used for an intense work out.

The prices do vary from as little as £80 up to £400. It all depends on what you are looking for specifically and if it will fit in with your lifestyle. You may also want to go to a department store to try one out to see if it’s comfortable. However there are numerous places online to purchase an exercise bike. You will also need to take in to consideration where you will want to keep your bike due to the size of the. However some bikes do come with an added advantage where you can fold them up so they are easy to store.

This concerns how people relate to one another in their everyday lives. The different ways they communicate with other people and the manner in which they express themselves. Finding out whether someone is assertive, aggressive or timid is very necessary in this treatment. Indeed, it’s vital.

Do they have ‘social skills’? In other words, how do they actually behave around other people? It’s very common for depressives to feel a lack of satisfaction in all manner of relationships. Family, work and social. Depression can cause a person, even one who was once charming and outgoing, to lose all desire to be around others, so that all the finesse they once had is lost.

Sometimes, the depressed person simply wants to be alone. To do a Greta Garbo, if you will! This was my problem. I was fine with my wife and son, but with any other family member and, God help me, strangers, I’d run a mile. Even talking on the telephone was extremely difficult.

Then again, there are others who can stand being around people, but they don’t know what to say to them.

Other depressed people become a lot less assertive, they’re unable to be positive about anything. After all, making decisions requires you to be positive and decision making for depressives is out of the question.

My ‘decisions’ entailed whether to sit in this chair or that and in what room was I going to spend the day.

Those who suffer from a milder form of depression may well be able to interact with others, but they tend to retreat, especially in group situations.

Yet others there are who try to carry on conversations, but tend to go what I can only describe as ‘off centre’. They might talk too much, giving someone their life story in rapid-fire sentences or perhaps asking totally inappropriate questions. This is mainly because they’re determined to fit in, they think they’re chatting pleasantly, but in fact the reverse is true.

Others simply stand in the corner, quite unable to engage in small talk.

Like all the aforementioned therapies, Interpersonal Therapy in itself isn’t the answer. For those people who do have communication problems, though, it’s proving to be a very practical, sensible and helpful way for them to re-learn that which they’ve lost.

Fortunately, this idea that depression is simply a chemical imbalance is quickly losing ground.

Now, with all the therapies we’ve looked at, I’m sure you realize more than ever how vital it is to receive help from a professional who’s highly qualified in depression. Someone with a very deep knowledge of the subject.

The last person you want to go to is the equivalent of ‘Fred’s Auto Wrecking and Wedding and Funeral Parlour’.