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This is our health news and information blog! |
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More Sex=Lower Stress=Lower Blood Pressure
1) Good Sex=Good Mood, a study of 58 women in Arizona State Univeristy showed physical affection and intimacy with a partner significantly predicted lower levels of stress and higher levels of positivity the following day (these results were only displayed when subjects experienced orgasm with a partner.)
2) Good Mood=Good Sex, the same study showed the reciprical, being in a positive mood meant more physical contact and sexual activity the following day. The study reported that regular sex makes you feel less stressed, which ultimately leads to getting more sex!
3) Sex = reduced blood pressure, Psychologists at the University of Paisley in Scotland studied 22 men and 24 women for a fortnight found that sex can lead to less stress and greater control during challenging situations. The participants who reported sexual activity had better sress responses (handling public speaking and mathematical problems) and lower blood pressure.
Antioxidants and Exercise!
There is evidence that adaptations from exercise can strengthen the body's antioxidant defences particularly glutathione- Glutathione is a substance, the levels of which in our cells are predictive of how long we will live. There are very few factors which are as predictive of our life expectancy as is our level of cellular glutathione. Glutathione has been referred to as the "master oxidant." It regulates the actions of lesser antioxidants such as vitamin C, and vitamin E. No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as Glutathione.
It is the regulator and regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body. Low levels are associated with hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, cardiac disease, premature aging, and death. Glutathione (L-gammaglutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine) is a tri-peptide of the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Glutathione is an antioxidant compound found in living animal and plant tissue, which is formed in our body and found in bile, epithelial lining of lungs, highest concentration in the liver, making it important in the elimination of free radicals. It takes up and gives off hydrogen and is important in cellular respiration. A deficiency of glutathione can cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia) and oxidative stress. Glutathione participates directly in the neutralization of free radicals, reactive oxygen compounds, and maintains exogenous antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in their reduced (active) forms. In addition, through direct conjugation, glutathione plays a role in the detoxification of many xenobiotics (foreign compounds) both organic and inorganic.
In relation to exercise, Glutathione levels rise (as an antioxidant) and it has been found people who regularly exercise have lower incidence of heart disease and cancer.
Antioxidants, Free Radicals explained simply!
Within our body all cells need "food," this food consists of a combination of oxygen and nutrients. The most common form of a "free radical" is oxygen, more specifically when an oxygen molecule becomes electrically charged (via use in normal cell metabolism) it becomes a "free radical." It tries to steal electrons from adjacent molecules, causing damage to their DNA. Over time such damage can become irreversible, leading to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants are often described as mopping up "free radicals" meaning they neutralise the electrical charge and prevent the free radical from taking electrons from other molecules.
Exposure to various environmental factors including tobacco smoke and radiation can lead to free radical formation.
Without being to technical antioxidants are abundant in fruit and vegetables, as well in nuts, grains and some meats poultry and fish. In fact the C.S.I.R.O. (Commonwealth Scientific Research Organisation) recommends we eat 5-7 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Blocked arteries costing Australians $1 billion a year!
Australians spend more than $1 billion a year on cholesterol tablets to unclog their arteries and Cardiologists blame poor diet and lifestyle for the skyrocketing cholesterol levels. More than 19 million prescriptions are written each year for the three top selling cholesterol fighting medicines, making them the most prescribed pills in the country.
Lipitor, (11 million scripts) the nations biggest selling prescription medicine costs taxpayers on the drug subsidy scheme $621 million, the second most prescribed Simvastatin (5.1 million scripts) costing $170.5 million and a further (3 million scripts) for the third biggest selling Rosuvastatin.
The government is paying pharmacists $58.99 for Simvastatin, but chemists buy the drug for $18.00.
Surprisingly, there are ways of cutting cholesterol without using these drugs, such as cutting saturated fat such as skin and fat on meat, cream and other full fat dairy products, less carbohydrates, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, avoiding fast foods, moderate alcohol, reduce stress and increasing "physical" exercise.
Side effects of these drugs are liver injury and to a lesser extent muscle pain.
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Serotonin in everyones brain, no way, what's that?
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Serotonin is a brain chemical which we all have, it is a neurotransmitter, in other words it carries messages (courier) between cells.
It is a neurotransmitter that is synthesized from the amino acid L-Tryptophan in brain neurons and stored in vesicles. As well as being stored in the brain, it is also sent to and stored in the intestinal walls and large constricted blood vessels, also having affects on the immune sysytem.
It's actions on the brain are the following:
- It gives a self confidence, a feeling of safety and security.
- It causes us to feel sleepy.
- It affects our appetites
- Sensory perception
- Mood and depression
- Body temperature
- Hyperacusis (noise sensitivity)
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- A feeling of safety and security
- Sexual function
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One of the most recognizable symptoms of malfunctioning serotonin is low mood or depression. In normal conditions it adjusts our moods. Sometimes it’s appropriate to cry, sometimes we need to be cautious, serotonin stabilizes us so we can cope. When something devastating occurs in our lives, perhaps a death or job redundancy, our brain responds by lowering our serotonin activity. Interestingly low moods can also lead to low serotonin levels. Certain anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac are called Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRI’s). They work by manipulating the Serotonin system. Normally if the Serotonin is not used up in generating self confidence, it is reabsorbed by the re-uptake receptors. SRI drugs work by prolonging the amount of time the serotonin spends at the synapse between nerve cells. Depression is relieved because the Serotonin is available to the target site long enough to achieve self confidence.
Regular exercise increases brain serotonin production and activity, exercise improves our mood, this causes an increase in serotonin levels. Exercise also causes an increase in the production of tryptophan, a precursor to the production of serotonin. Exercise also causes an increase in the firing of serotonin neurones, which increases the release and synthesis of serotonin. Serotonin levels will then remain high
for many weeks after exercise stops.
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Low levels may contribute to muscle weakness and stiffness experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers.
Normal serotonin levels regulate sleep, control pain and appetite, calms you down and improves your mood.
Low levels of serotonin are associated with:
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It gives a self confidence, a feeling of safety and security.
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It causes us to feel sleepy.
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It affects our appetites
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Sensory perception
During drug trials, researchers found Prozac caused patients to loose weight.
When we see food, smell it, anticipate it, the hypothalamus is stimulated to release serotonin. When we start eating serotonin continues to be pumped out by the hypothalamus, until the hypothalamus registers fullness, it is our brain not our stomach that tells us we are full. When serotonin levels are low there is an increased desire for food.
Almost certainly foods we binged on would have been high in carbohydrates: biscuits, cakes and puddings chocolates sweets peanut butter ice cream chips bread pasta, these are the classic comfort foods. Carbohydrate maybe and an instinctive means of self medication to adjust low serotonin levels, a meal comprised of carbohydrates boosts the brain’s supply of tryptophan the precursor of serotonin.
Serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in the control of eating behavior and body weight. Stimulants of this monoamine reduce food intake and weight gain and increase energy expenditure, both in animals and in humans. A negative feedback loop exists between the consumption of this macronutrient and the turnover of 5-HT in the hypothalamus. That is, carbohydrate ingestion enhances the synthesis and release of hypothalamic 5-HT, which in turn serves to control the size of carbohydrate-rich meals. |
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Serotonin has a close relationship to the body’s sleep wake cycle, serotonin levels are highest in the brain stem when you are awake (bright natural light) and active, and almost completely absent when you are in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, this just means the deepest stage in sleeping. During sleep (darknes) the body’s production of melatonin rises sharply, it is synthesized from serotonin in the pineal gland in the brain. Now importantly, melatonin helps due to its powerful anti oxidant properties, healthy melatonin levels are implicated in preventing premature deaths due to heart attacks, cancer and rapid aging. You sleep soundly, lowers your blood pressure, influences sexuality and fertility, boosts your immunity, and acts as a an antioxidant. While light increases the production of serotonin, darkness spur on the production of melatonin-at dawn the approaching light signals the pinael gland to stop making melatonin, and to begin the production of serotonin. Paired together these two neurotransmitters are key in maintaining the sleep cycle.
Noradrenaline (adrenaline), as melatonin levels rise to put us on NREM (non-rapid eye movement) through reflex pathways it inhibits noradrenaline release. As melatonin production decreases as morning/light approaches the inhibitory affects of melatonin on noradrenaline are suppressed and noradrenaline increases, causing arousal and waking us.
In summary, serotonin, noradrenaline are also referred to as monoamines, as they are made from a single amino acid. Serotonin from tryptophan, noradrenaline from tyrosine. Both of these amino acids are transported across the blood brain barrier and then converted into their appropriate neurotransmitters. Both can compete against each other for transportation across the blood brain barrier.
Altered symptoms, noradrenaline maybe released earlier in the daylight cycle, and then re-absorbed earlier, leading to fatigue and tiredness later on in the day. If you remain awake longer, serotonin maybe continually produced, because of this high turnover it competes with the the transportation of the noradrenaline precursor, hence depleting the level of noradrenaline produced and available. Conversely, the serotonin maybe re-abosorbed by the re-uptake cells, (according to your cicardian rhythm) and you do not go to REM/NREM cycle, hence melatonin is less produced, and noradrenaline release is not suppressed, it is released sooner and re-uptake occurs sooner and we do not sleep adequately-fatigue. As well, migraines, depression, and subsequently insomnia can lead also to loss of noradrenaline and serotonin, as can cigarette smoke, alcohol abuse, blood sugar disturbances, various nutrient deficiencies. Allergic reactions to foods, preventing the correct nutrients to be absorbed, or simply inadequate production of neurotransmitters by your brain.
Melatonin is also an important hormone to the body, that's why it is called a neurohormone. It is necessary to regulate the function of all organs of the Endocrine System in the body. The organs or glands of the endocrine system are: the Pituitary Gland, situated in the brain; the Thyroid + Parathyroid Glands; the Thymus; the Pancreas; the Ovaries/Testes. All of these endocrine organs/glands secrete their hormones to the blood. The Pituitary Gland stimulates the secretion of these hormones, while the Pineal Gland apply the brakes on them through it's neurohormone melatonin.
If the endocrine organs/glands release too much of their hormones, for instance when we are stressed, then the Pineal Gland releases melatonin to counteract these hormones. Also serotonin gets released when stress is involved. The increased serotonin triggers the release of adrenaline, which allows the body to work through the stress.
The Pineal Gland is a magneto sensitive organ, what means that it is sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMF). It is sensitive to electromagnetic waves from computer monitors, cellular phones, microwave ovens, high voltage lines, etc. Electromagnetic fields suppress the activity of the Pineal Gland and reduce melatonin production. EMF also affect serotonin. |
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Having a headache or hangover, it's easy to pop a pill. Over the counter painkillers/anti-inflammatories have never been more accessible, now being sold next to lollies at service stations and on supermarket shelves. Even anti-inflammatory tablets that were once only prescription only can be found amongst tooth brushes at your corner store. Be aware painkillers maybe masking a more serious problem. There can be over 100 different causes to a headache, the most common from the neck. |
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The long term use of some painkillers/anti-inflammatory drugs has been linked to serious side effects, such as perforated stomach ulcers renal failure and even death. Government authorities have become so concerned about the use of painkillers/anti-inflammatories that from next year codeine-combination products will become "pharmacist only" for dipensing and the recommended daily dose will be set at 100mg. Professor of anaesthesia Guy Ludbrook at the University of Adelaide says that over-the-counter painkillers are usually designed for short term pain. Codeine used in large amounts over a long period can cause liver damage and heart problems. |
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Painkillers such as aspirin have been used for years to help people prevent heart attacks. and strokes for people that have suffered from these conditions. But healthy people that use aspirin as a preventative are doing more harm. As reserchres in Edinburgh, Scotland have found aspirin almost doubled the risk of dangerous internal bleeding, and had no effect on heart attacks and strokes. Professor Gerry Fowkes from the University of Edinburgh through research that aspirin should not be prescribed to the general population. |
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Addiction to medication is causing "rebound headaches" for hundreds of thousands of sufferers. A study co-authored by Alfred Hospital Neurologist Dr Richard Stark that world wide about 4% of people have headaches 15 days or more per month, and about a 1/4 to a 1/2 of these are overusing over-the-counter medications. |
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The use of common paracetomol is now under the microscope in Australia as U.S. authorities are considering reducing the maximum daily dosage. In the U.S. figures show from 1998 to 2003 paracetomol-related liver injury was the main cause of acute liver injury. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says that paracetomol is safe if you follow instructions, but overuse can cause liver failure and even be fatal. |
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Over-the-counter painkillers taken by millions of people can become addictive within just three days, the Government's watchdog warned. New restrictions will now be applied to medicines containing codeine, including Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine, that are sold over the counter and are routinely used to ease headaches, back problems and period pain. Clear and 'prominently positioned' warnings will be put on the front of packs and accompanying patient information leaflets, stating: 'Can cause addiction. For three days use only.'
Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally occurring pain reducing chemicals (endorphins). They combine with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals. The most profound effect of codeine and other related opiates is psychological. Flooding the brain with opioids from drug use causes the brain to stop producing naturally occurring or pleasure-enhancing hormones. Then, when the effects of the drug wear off, the user may feel uncomfortable, anxious, and irritable. He or she might have trouble relaxing or sleeping. Many abusers take another high dose of the opiate in order to restore that feeling of well-being. Such abuse leads to serious problems with addiction.Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt. Codeine is also sometimes used to treat diarrhoea because of it's constipating side effect, however this is not a recommended use. Codeine is found in low doses in some cough medicines
Growing concern about the spread of what experts describe as a 'hidden addiction', has led the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to announce a series of measures to counter the problem.
Packets size will be limited to just 32 tablets with larger packs available only by prescription in a bid to curb misuse.
New advertising will no longer state that the drugs are remedies for coughs and colds and it will be targeted towards acute and moderate pain.
The MHRA, issued the updated advice for those taking medicines containing codeine and dihydrocodeine, which are opiates related to heroin and morphine.
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