Description
The largest tree-borne fruit in the world, jackfruit (artocarpus
heterophyllus) is grown on a species of tree in the mulberry family. The
evergreen trees are large, often reaching a height of above 20 m. The
jackfruits can sometimes weigh over 75 lbs. however, the average sized
fruits are 1-2 feet long, and 9-12" wide. The exterior of the fruit is
green-yellow, with small spiky knobs, while the flesh is custard yellow,
with a banana-like flavor. The leaves are oblong, oval or elliptic,
usually 4 to 6 inches in length and leathery, glossy and deep green in
color.
There are two varieties of jackfruits: one that is small, fibrous, soft,
and mushy and the carpels are sweet, with a texture like that of a raw
oyster. The other variety is crisp and crunchy, but not very sweet.
Jackfruits are believed to have originated in the rain forests of the
Western Ghats in India. They are vegetated in other parts of India,
South-east Asia, East Indies, Philippines, Brazil and Surinam also.
Jackfruit is known as kanthal in Bangla, panasa in Sanskrit, katahal in
Hindi, pala in Tamil and chakka in Malayalam.
Plant Chemicals
(+)- all-trans-lutein (24-44%), all-trans-beta-carotene (24-30%),
all-trans-neoxanthin (4-19%), 9-cis-neoxanthin (4-19%),
9-cis-violaxanthin (4-10%)
Uses & Benefits of Jackfruit
Showing posts with label ecofrendoctor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ecofrendoctor. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Jackfruit
Botanical Name(s): Artocarpus Heterophyllus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Artocarpeae
Genus: Artocarpus
Species: A. heterophyllus
Popular Name(s): Jakfruit, Jaca, Nangka
Parts Used: Seeds, fruit, leaves
Habitat: Rainforests of India
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Artocarpeae
Genus: Artocarpus
Species: A. heterophyllus
Popular Name(s): Jakfruit, Jaca, Nangka
Parts Used: Seeds, fruit, leaves
Habitat: Rainforests of India
Jackfruit
- The leaves of jackfruit tree are useful for curing fever, boils and skin diseases. When heated, they prove useful in curing wounds.
- The latex of the fruit is helpful in treating dysopia, opthalmities and pharyngitis.
- The latex can also be mixed with vinegar to heal abscesses, snakebites and glandular swellings.
- The wood of jackfruit tree is widely used in manufacturing musical instruments, furniture, doors, windows and roof constructions.
- The seed starch is useful in relieving biliousness, while the roasted seeds are regarded as aphrodisiac.
- To heal ulcers, the ash of jackfruit leaves is burnt with corn and coconut shells and used either alone or mixed with coconut oil.
- The root of jackfruit tree forms the remedy for skin diseases, fever and diarrhea.
- The heartwood of the tree is used by Buddhist forest monastics in Southeast Asia, for dying the robes of the monks to light brown color.
- In China, the pulp and seeds of jackfruit are considered as a cooling and nutritious tonic. The fruit is useful in overcoming the influence of alcohol on a person’s body system.
Caution
- The wood of jackfruit tree has sedative properties, due to which its pith can result in abortion.
- Jackfruit can increase coagulation.
- People who are allergic to birch pollen can show signs of allergy towards jackfruit.
- www.iloveindia.com
Thursday, 1 August 2013
What You Need to Know about Hepatitis C
What You Need to Know about Hepatitis C
Living with Hepatitis C: Personal Stories
Wanda:
"I need to stay healthy, because I have two little girls and they keep me busy! I had a biopsy and my doctor says my liver is doing okay. So far, so good..." "... but I worry about my family. Sometimes I let my kids drink from my glass, or I forget to cover my mouth when I cough. Could that give them hepatitis C? And what about my partner? Can you get hepatitis C through sex?"Hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact like coughing, sharing cups or eating utensils, hugging, or kissing. Hepatitis C is only spread through contact with infected blood. The most common ways that hepatitis C is spread are:
- sharing needles and other equipment (" works") used to inject drugs or other substances
- mother to baby during birth
- accidental needle-stick injuries, mainly to health care workers on the job
- sex without using a condom (this is a rare way to get hepatitis C, but it does happen)
- sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with a person who has hepatitis C (because these items may have traces of blood on them)
- tattoos or piercing, especially if it is not done by a professional with sterile equipment
Before 1992, people also got hepatitis C through infected blood transfusions and organ transplants. Now, all blood and organ donations are tested for hepatitis C, so it is safe to get blood or organs.
It is possible to spread hepatitis C during sex, but this is rare. On the other hand, HIV and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are easily spread during sex. Always use condoms to protect yourself and your partners.
Keeping your loved ones safe
Hepatitis C is spread through blood. To avoid giving hepatitis C to others:- do not share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment (" works")
- do not share razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or other household items that could have blood on them
- clean up blood spills right away with bleach
- keep cuts or sores covered with a bandage
Carlos:
"When I found out that I had hepatitis C, I was really angry. I worked so hard to get off drugs and was just starting to get my life together. Then they told me I had this disease. I couldn't believe it. I didn't go back to the doctor for a while - I didn't want to deal with it.Later I realized it wasn't going to just go away. I want to stay as healthy as I can. Is there is a treatment for hepatitis C?"
You are not alone. Dealing with recovery and hepatitis C can be stressful. It may help to know that there are many other people in the same situation. Ask your doctor, counselor, or case manager about support groups for people in recovery who have hepatitis C.
There is a treatment for hepatitis C, but it does not work for everybody. The treatment is a combination of two medicines: pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Pegylated interferon is injected under the skin (like a shot) once a week. Ribavirin is a pill that you swallow. Treatment usually lasts for 12 months; sometimes it is shorter.
Hepatitis C treatment does not work for everyone:
- About half of people treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin have healthier livers and no hepatitis C in their bodies at the end of treatment.
- Some people's livers get healthier during treatment, but the hepatitis C is not completely removed from their bodies. They may still have liver damage from hepatitis C in the future.
"I'm also in a methadone program. Will I have to stop taking methadone if I want treatment for hepatitis C?"
No. You can be treated for hepatitis C while you are on methadone.Michael:
"My doctor says I should think about getting pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment for my hep C. She says it has a good chance of helping my liver.But I've heard that interferon has side effects that really mess you up. I have HIV, and when I started taking HIV medicines, I felt sick all day long. My doctor changed my HIV treatment, and I feel okay now, but I don't know if I want to deal with side effects like that again.
What are the side effects of hepatitis C treatment? Do most people get them?"
Pegylated interferon and ribavirin are strong drugs. Many people treated with them get side effects like:- flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle pain)
- feeling very tired (fatigue)
- mood changes (depression, bad temper)
- temporary hair loss
- anemia (reduced red blood cells)
"I don't know if I'm ready for all that. Do I have to start treatment for hepatitis C right away?"
This is not an easy question. There are good reasons to delay treatment - and good reasons to start treatment sooner:
Reasons to delay hepatitis C treatment
When and how to treat your hepatitis C is a hard decision. Family needs, side
effects, work, substance use, health issues, and many other parts of your life
will affect your choice. Your doctor or nurse can help you look at all of the
factors to decide what is best for you.- Side effects from interferon and ribavirin could make you sick.
- Better treatments may be available in the future.
- Your hepatitis might not get worse— some people never have serious liver problems.
- Treatment might not work as well later.
- Your hepatitis C could get worse very fast.
- If your liver gets too badly damaged, you might need a liver transplant.
Depression is a common side effect
Severe depression can happen to anyone who is taking interferon. It is more likely in people who have a history of depression or other mental illness. If you have a history of any mental illness or substance use/abuse, tell your doctor before you begin treatment with any type of interferon. Your doctor may suggest that you start anti-depressant medicine or see a psychiatrist before you begin your hepatitis C treatment. Your doctor can also refer you to support services like hotlines or counseling so that if you do have mood changes, you can get help right away.http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1801/stories.htm
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Dengue Virus Circulating Between Monkeys and Mosquitoes Could Emerge to Cause Human Outbreaks
Dengue Virus Circulating Between Monkeys and Mosquitoes Could Emerge to Cause Human Outbreaks
June 13, 2011 — More than a
thousand years ago, somewhere in Southeast Asia, a fateful meeting
occurred between a mosquito-borne virus that infected mainly monkeys and
a large, susceptible group of humans.
The result: the world's first outbreak of dengue fever.
Today, dengue virus -- which can produce high fever, excruciating joint pain and even death -- has spread throughout tropical Asia, Africa and South America, and in 2008 it re-appeared in the Florida Keys. It could be even more widespread along the U.S. Gulf Coast but there is no surveillance in place to detect it.
Annually dengue strikes about 100 million people and causes an estimated 50,000 deaths, thriving in the urban environments infested by Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species primarily responsible for human dengue transmission.
Meanwhile, the virus' forest-dwelling counterpart -- known as "sylvatic dengue" -- continues to flourish in Southeast Asia and West Africa, cycling between non-human primates and the mosquitoes that feed on them. Since the 1970s, sylvatic dengue has received very little scientific attention -- a situation that badly needs to be remedied, according to the authors of "Fever from the forest: Prospects for the continued emergence of sylvatic dengue virus and its impact on public health," an article published online June 13 in Nature Reviews Microbiology.
"This virus continues to circulate in the forests, and now economic and ecological pressures are driving more and more people into the forests in Africa and Southeast Asia," said University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston assistant professor Nikos Vasilakis, lead author of the paper. "In the last 10 years we've seen a number of outbreaks of disease with real public health impact caused by what we call zoonotic viruses, viruses that start out in wild animals but can also be transmitted to humans -- look at SARS, Nipah and Hendra, for example. Sylvatic dengue could be capable of a similar emergence -- or rather, re-emergence, since we know previous dengue spillovers into urban and near-urban settings have occurred."
Dengue virus may also be capable of movement from the widespread urban cycles into primates and forest mosquitoes of Latin America, which would establish a new reservoir for human infections in the New World.
In the paper, Vasilakis and his collaborators identify two factors that make a dengue re-emergence a "clear and present danger": rapid human population growth near and in tropical forests, and the fact that little or no genetic change would be needed for sylvatic dengue to adapt to human hosts and urban mosquitoes.
"Experiments show that there is little or no adaptive barrier to the emergence of sylvatic dengue into human populations," Vasilakis said. "In other words, the virus can emerge from its current environment at any time, without further adaptation."
The article also presents additional reasons for boosting research into sylvatic dengue, among them the possibility that its behavior in nonhuman primate animal models might offer critical new perspectives on the pathology of human dengue. (Most monkeys tested so far show no clinical signs of the disease, limiting their usefulness as experimental models.) Another significant issue is the possibility that vaccines against human dengue, which could be licensed in as little as five years, might push the virus to the brink of eradication in the urban, human transmission cycle, leaving an ecological opening that could be filled by sylvatic dengue.
"We see a precedent for this with yellow fever, where we have a very good vaccine -- urban yellow fever has been nearly eliminated in some regions -- but we don't have good vector control programs, and especially in South America we now have outbreaks fueled by sylvatic yellow fever," Vasilakis said. "If we eradicate human dengue and then stop vaccinating, as we often do after the disease disappears, we could see a re-emergence of dengue from a sylvatic source."
With the exception of a research program in Malaysia that ended in 1975, fieldwork on sylvatic dengue has been minimal, according to Vasilakis. In the article, he and his fellow authors call for new surveillance programs to monitor mosquitoes, non-human primates and humans in areas where sylvatic dengue is endemic, as well as the development of new diagnostic tools that will enable researchers to more easily accomplish those studies. (One such surveillance effort is now underway in Senegal, funded by the National Institutes of Health and led by UTMB professor Scott Weaver, the paper's senior author.)
"Of all the viruses with the potential to shift from animals into humans, the most likely to do so are those that, like sylvatic dengue, are carried by the non-human primates and/or bats," Vasilakis said. "For our own good, we need to know as much as we can about this virus."
Other authors of the paper include Jane Cardosa of the Universiti Sarawak Malaysia, Kathryn Hanley of New Mexico State University and Edward Holmes of Pennsylvania State University. The National Institutes of Health supported this work.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110613142235.htm
Today, dengue virus -- which can produce high fever, excruciating joint pain and even death -- has spread throughout tropical Asia, Africa and South America, and in 2008 it re-appeared in the Florida Keys. It could be even more widespread along the U.S. Gulf Coast but there is no surveillance in place to detect it.
Annually dengue strikes about 100 million people and causes an estimated 50,000 deaths, thriving in the urban environments infested by Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species primarily responsible for human dengue transmission.
Meanwhile, the virus' forest-dwelling counterpart -- known as "sylvatic dengue" -- continues to flourish in Southeast Asia and West Africa, cycling between non-human primates and the mosquitoes that feed on them. Since the 1970s, sylvatic dengue has received very little scientific attention -- a situation that badly needs to be remedied, according to the authors of "Fever from the forest: Prospects for the continued emergence of sylvatic dengue virus and its impact on public health," an article published online June 13 in Nature Reviews Microbiology.
"This virus continues to circulate in the forests, and now economic and ecological pressures are driving more and more people into the forests in Africa and Southeast Asia," said University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston assistant professor Nikos Vasilakis, lead author of the paper. "In the last 10 years we've seen a number of outbreaks of disease with real public health impact caused by what we call zoonotic viruses, viruses that start out in wild animals but can also be transmitted to humans -- look at SARS, Nipah and Hendra, for example. Sylvatic dengue could be capable of a similar emergence -- or rather, re-emergence, since we know previous dengue spillovers into urban and near-urban settings have occurred."
Dengue virus may also be capable of movement from the widespread urban cycles into primates and forest mosquitoes of Latin America, which would establish a new reservoir for human infections in the New World.
In the paper, Vasilakis and his collaborators identify two factors that make a dengue re-emergence a "clear and present danger": rapid human population growth near and in tropical forests, and the fact that little or no genetic change would be needed for sylvatic dengue to adapt to human hosts and urban mosquitoes.
"Experiments show that there is little or no adaptive barrier to the emergence of sylvatic dengue into human populations," Vasilakis said. "In other words, the virus can emerge from its current environment at any time, without further adaptation."
The article also presents additional reasons for boosting research into sylvatic dengue, among them the possibility that its behavior in nonhuman primate animal models might offer critical new perspectives on the pathology of human dengue. (Most monkeys tested so far show no clinical signs of the disease, limiting their usefulness as experimental models.) Another significant issue is the possibility that vaccines against human dengue, which could be licensed in as little as five years, might push the virus to the brink of eradication in the urban, human transmission cycle, leaving an ecological opening that could be filled by sylvatic dengue.
"We see a precedent for this with yellow fever, where we have a very good vaccine -- urban yellow fever has been nearly eliminated in some regions -- but we don't have good vector control programs, and especially in South America we now have outbreaks fueled by sylvatic yellow fever," Vasilakis said. "If we eradicate human dengue and then stop vaccinating, as we often do after the disease disappears, we could see a re-emergence of dengue from a sylvatic source."
With the exception of a research program in Malaysia that ended in 1975, fieldwork on sylvatic dengue has been minimal, according to Vasilakis. In the article, he and his fellow authors call for new surveillance programs to monitor mosquitoes, non-human primates and humans in areas where sylvatic dengue is endemic, as well as the development of new diagnostic tools that will enable researchers to more easily accomplish those studies. (One such surveillance effort is now underway in Senegal, funded by the National Institutes of Health and led by UTMB professor Scott Weaver, the paper's senior author.)
"Of all the viruses with the potential to shift from animals into humans, the most likely to do so are those that, like sylvatic dengue, are carried by the non-human primates and/or bats," Vasilakis said. "For our own good, we need to know as much as we can about this virus."
Other authors of the paper include Jane Cardosa of the Universiti Sarawak Malaysia, Kathryn Hanley of New Mexico State University and Edward Holmes of Pennsylvania State University. The National Institutes of Health supported this work.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110613142235.htm
Friday, 5 April 2013
Virgin Pomegranate Sangria
Virgin Pomegranate Sangria
By
This brightly flavored beverage is great
for adults and kids. Fruity and delicious it's a great treat on a hot
day or a fun fiesta.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart pomegranate juice
- 2 cups papaya or mango juice (substitute apple if necessary)
- 1 orange
- 6-8 strawberries
- 2 kiwis
- 1 mango or papaya
- 1/2 cup sugar
Preparation:
Mix
juices and sugar until sugar dissolves. Wash orange and berries and
slice into thin slices. Remove mango or papaya skin and cut fruit into
chunks. Remove kiwi skin and cut into thick slices. Place all fruit
into juice and let flavors meld in fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight
before serving.
Serve garnished with fruit slices.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Turmeric Against a Virus
Turmeric Against a Virus
Sep 10, 2011 | By Shamala Pulugurtha
Viruses are tiny capsules containing genetic material. They invade healthy cells of the body, multiply there and eventually kill the host cells. This can lead to a variety of infections ranging from common cold and warts to small pox and AIDS. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections because the pathogen is within the human cell. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to control the infection. Certain herbs and supplements such as turmeric may also help treat or prevent viral infections. However, you must talk to a doctor before using them.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a flavorful, yellow powder that is obtained from the roots and rhizomes of the perennial Curcuma longa plant native to Southern Asia. It has been used as a spice and flavoring agent for several centuries, especially in Indian curries. Turmeric also contains a phenolic antioxidant chemical known as curcumin, which gives it an immense medicinal value. The Chinese and Ayurvedic schools of medicine have used turmeric to treat several conditions including ulcers, heart disease, diabetes, infections and certain types of cancers. Turmeric supplements are available as capsules, tablets, powders, tinctures and liquid extracts. Your doctor may help determine a form and dose that is right for you, depending on your age and overall health.Viral Infections
Curcumin can inhibit the growth of the influenza virus including that of the H1N1 swine flu virus, says a study published in the April 2010 issue of the journal “Food Chemistry.” Another study in the April 2008 issue of the journal “Virology” reveals that curcumin, extracted from turmeric, can block the spread of herpes simplex virus infection by inhibiting the expression of the viral genes. A February 2010 article published in the journal “FEBS Letters” also reveals that curcumin can show anti-viral activity against several viruses including adenovirus, coxsackievirus and human immunodeficiency virus. However, these benefits of turmeric have not been demonstrated in actual clinical cases, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Hence, more research is needed before the spice can replace your existing medications.Side Effects
Turmeric has been used in food for centuries and is generally considered safe in moderate amounts. High doses of the spice, however, can cause upset stomach and ulcers. It may also lead to hypoglycemia in people taking diabetes medications. The supplements may also interfere with antacid and anticoagulation medications.Precautions
You do not need a prescription to buy turmeric or its supplements but you must consult a doctor before using them. Also, the supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. So, make sure that the product has been tested for safety and efficacy by an independent agency such as the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention.Monday, 7 January 2013
What Are Negative Ions?
What Are Negative Ions?
When atoms, which are generally understood to be the smallest unit of matter, cluster together in groups of two or more, they become molecules. A molecule can be changed by energy from things such as the sun or the movement of water. This energy can essentially push a negatively charged electron particle out of the molecule, leaving it with more positive protons than electrons. The extra proton turns it into an ion with a positive charge. An electron that was pushed out may attach itself to another molecule, giving it a larger number of electrons than protons, and turning it into a negative ion.The difference between an ion and a molecule is the type of charge. Atoms and molecules are neutral, having a balance of positive protons and negative electrons. When that balance shifts, molecules become either positive or negative, depending on whether there are more protons or electrons after the change. Ions do not form on their own, but are created by the effect of some type of energy upon a molecule.
One major source of the energy that creates ions is the sun's radioactivity. Electricity, friction, an open flame or another source of heat all create the type of energy that can produce ions. Negative ions are generally produced in large numbers in situations where water evaporates, so the air after a rainstorm will typically be rich in negative ions. The air before a storm, however, will often contain many more positive ions than normal, thanks to the dropping pressure and its effect on the oxygen molecules.
Negative ion therapy is a popular alternative treatment today because some evidence suggests that an atmosphere filled with negative ions is better for health and well-being. Positive ions are produced by such things as electronic devices and those that use radio frequency, including cell phones and television sets. Naturally occurring winds can pull electrons from molecules, creating positive ions. The same phenomenon can occur in air pushed through a heating or cooling system in a home.
Studies through the years suggest that positive ionization of the air can increase feelings of anxiety and have other negative effects. On the other hand, negative ionization of the air is believed to have the opposite effect. Indoor spaces, in city areas where there's little vegetation and a lot of pollution from traffic — and anywhere heating or air condition is running — generally have low or non-existent levels of negative ions. These places typically have high concentrations of positive ions instead.
Nature produces negative ions in high amounts, largely from evaporating water and sunlight. The faster the water is moving and the more of it that hits the air, the higher the concentration of negative ions will usually be. Amounts of negative ions near waterfalls, for instance, is extremely high, and areas near bodies of water such as rivers and oceans is also rich with them.
Negatively charged ions may help people feel more at ease and promote good health, which explains the popularity of things such as negative ion generators and other gadgets. Likewise, the sense of well-being many people feel after a rainstorm is believed by some to be caused by the high concentration of negative ions in the air as the water beings to evaporate. Additionally, a negative ion inhaled with other oxygen molecules may help oxygen to be more easily absorbed into the body and, in turn, create that sense of wellness, though many experts disagree on whether there is any true benefit.
Even among those who believe that negative ionization of the air can be healthy, there is general agreement that not everyone will benefit. Only some people seem to be sensitive to the beneficial effects. It is also important for someone who purchases an ion generator to make sure that the device does not produce ozone in high amounts, especially if he or she suffers from asthma or other breathing problems.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
INFORMATION FROM BEES
INTRODUCTION
Since the late 1980s Honeybees have been dying off in alarming numbers due to infestation by a tracheal mite which lodges in the thorax of the bee. These are the tracheae that feed oxygen to the flight muscles of the bees.
If one considers the role of pollinators, one can easily get a feel for the consequence of the deaths of massive numbers of honeybees. The information below came from the bees in response to questions asked of a beekeeper about the spiritual significance of the mite dilemma. Usually when I talk with animals the information comes as a direct channeling of information in first person. The information from bees came as a whispering in the right ear.
More of a "telling" of information. Capitalization occurs where the bees indicated emphasis or sacredness.
This information came through Sharon Callahan on February 10, 1998 at 10 pm pst
INFORMATION FROM BEES The bees are playing a crucial part in the re-patterning of the Earth and planetary grids, as well as struggling to hold in place what hey call the "new Pulse" of energy from the Creator.
The pulse is Light, or the Grace of God which the bees indicate actually flows through us in intermittent pulses rather than a static stream of energy. Within the "stuff" of Grace or Divine Light is encoded all of the information needed for all things to move in harmony into the new millennium which we are now approaching. In the life of bees, natural selection, comb shape, {if someone were to study naturally occurring honey comb shapes they would find them changing} speed of vibration of the bees themselves are all vital to the bees ability to "keep up" with instructions from the creator which they receive continuously. These instructions tell the bees how they should proceed to build the vibrational matrix necessary for the ascension of Earth, Nature, Man, Ether, Cosmos - into the next phase of "becoming" or spiritual evolution. The pulsing patterns of Light of which the bees speak is detected by the bees as it enters the astral light. They then draw it into the physical ether/atmosphere.
Natural selection regarding breeding is essential. When free from human intrusion bees of the highest vibration and spiritual advancement (yes, the bees indicate that the level of spiritual vibration among them does vary just as it does in human beings and other creatures) would survive. Only they themselves can determine this because they are in direct contact with the Creator. When left in a natural state only the most evolved bees would breed and survive, thus quickening our (all of creation) evolution into the new higher frequency.
Natural occurring honey carries the new vibrational frequency of love from the Creator as well as a substance that acts upon the DNA structure of individuals acting as a catalyst for spiritual, evolutionary transformation. Substances in the honey contain vibrational information that becomes encoded in the cells of the being partaking of it. This information is then available to be used to enable the individual to access his/her own Divine Blueprint, clearing blockages to awakening that have previously existed. The taking of honey should be considered a Sacrament - a Holy Communion between God and Its creation. Each bee is an emissary of the Divine - an angel or anointed one. Honey from any given locality should be taken as a communion by the animals and human beings in that locality and then distributed sparingly for use in other areas.
Honey has a special usefulness for scientists, philosophers and spiritual truth seekers. It is important for honey from all regions of the world to be widely distributed in small amounts to be used for Sacramental purposes since the flowers from each region contain different vibrational encodements that are received from the pulsing light of the Creator that flows to their particular region of the planet. Each region, and therefore each flower species that grow in each region, respond to the particular matrix/blueprint/morphic field of the particular region and the information that flows therein.
(More on this will be given at a later date.) The virus carried by the parasite infesting the bees is present as a consequence of the negative thought forms generated by human beings, particularly those such as greed, power, manipulation, self interest, insensitivity, cruelty and lack of love. These negative states must be turned toward their opposites: sharing, humility, gratitude and Unconditional Love. In present circumstances the bees are being prevented from evolving to the next level of their work on Earth. This creates a conflict between their soul's desire to assist in evolution as instructed to them by the Creator and the struggle they must wage against human insensitivity, greed and lack of understanding of their Divine Purpose as well as lowered immunity due to the stress incurred as a result of such struggle.
POLLEN AND HONEY CARRY INFORMATION, THEY ARE ENCODED WITH GOD'S DIVINE PLAN "By working mechanically we destroy what Nature has elaborated in such a wonderful way...The bee wants always to remain within itself, to stay within the sphere of its own substance. Every external influence is felt as disturbing, as something to be warded off." Rudolf Steiner, 1923
What is Honey?
Honey is formed from modified and concentrated “nectar”, a supersaturated solution of sugars.
Water: 13.4-26% moisture
Glucose: avg. 30%, causes honey to crystalize
Fructose: avg. 40%, increase fructose = increase moisture w/relative humidity
Sucrose: ~1.6% slightly acidic.
Since the late 1980s Honeybees have been dying off in alarming numbers due to infestation by a tracheal mite which lodges in the thorax of the bee. These are the tracheae that feed oxygen to the flight muscles of the bees.
If one considers the role of pollinators, one can easily get a feel for the consequence of the deaths of massive numbers of honeybees. The information below came from the bees in response to questions asked of a beekeeper about the spiritual significance of the mite dilemma. Usually when I talk with animals the information comes as a direct channeling of information in first person. The information from bees came as a whispering in the right ear.
More of a "telling" of information. Capitalization occurs where the bees indicated emphasis or sacredness.
This information came through Sharon Callahan on February 10, 1998 at 10 pm pst
INFORMATION FROM BEES The bees are playing a crucial part in the re-patterning of the Earth and planetary grids, as well as struggling to hold in place what hey call the "new Pulse" of energy from the Creator.
The pulse is Light, or the Grace of God which the bees indicate actually flows through us in intermittent pulses rather than a static stream of energy. Within the "stuff" of Grace or Divine Light is encoded all of the information needed for all things to move in harmony into the new millennium which we are now approaching. In the life of bees, natural selection, comb shape, {if someone were to study naturally occurring honey comb shapes they would find them changing} speed of vibration of the bees themselves are all vital to the bees ability to "keep up" with instructions from the creator which they receive continuously. These instructions tell the bees how they should proceed to build the vibrational matrix necessary for the ascension of Earth, Nature, Man, Ether, Cosmos - into the next phase of "becoming" or spiritual evolution. The pulsing patterns of Light of which the bees speak is detected by the bees as it enters the astral light. They then draw it into the physical ether/atmosphere.
Natural selection regarding breeding is essential. When free from human intrusion bees of the highest vibration and spiritual advancement (yes, the bees indicate that the level of spiritual vibration among them does vary just as it does in human beings and other creatures) would survive. Only they themselves can determine this because they are in direct contact with the Creator. When left in a natural state only the most evolved bees would breed and survive, thus quickening our (all of creation) evolution into the new higher frequency.
Natural occurring honey carries the new vibrational frequency of love from the Creator as well as a substance that acts upon the DNA structure of individuals acting as a catalyst for spiritual, evolutionary transformation. Substances in the honey contain vibrational information that becomes encoded in the cells of the being partaking of it. This information is then available to be used to enable the individual to access his/her own Divine Blueprint, clearing blockages to awakening that have previously existed. The taking of honey should be considered a Sacrament - a Holy Communion between God and Its creation. Each bee is an emissary of the Divine - an angel or anointed one. Honey from any given locality should be taken as a communion by the animals and human beings in that locality and then distributed sparingly for use in other areas.
Honey has a special usefulness for scientists, philosophers and spiritual truth seekers. It is important for honey from all regions of the world to be widely distributed in small amounts to be used for Sacramental purposes since the flowers from each region contain different vibrational encodements that are received from the pulsing light of the Creator that flows to their particular region of the planet. Each region, and therefore each flower species that grow in each region, respond to the particular matrix/blueprint/morphic field of the particular region and the information that flows therein.
(More on this will be given at a later date.) The virus carried by the parasite infesting the bees is present as a consequence of the negative thought forms generated by human beings, particularly those such as greed, power, manipulation, self interest, insensitivity, cruelty and lack of love. These negative states must be turned toward their opposites: sharing, humility, gratitude and Unconditional Love. In present circumstances the bees are being prevented from evolving to the next level of their work on Earth. This creates a conflict between their soul's desire to assist in evolution as instructed to them by the Creator and the struggle they must wage against human insensitivity, greed and lack of understanding of their Divine Purpose as well as lowered immunity due to the stress incurred as a result of such struggle.
POLLEN AND HONEY CARRY INFORMATION, THEY ARE ENCODED WITH GOD'S DIVINE PLAN "By working mechanically we destroy what Nature has elaborated in such a wonderful way...The bee wants always to remain within itself, to stay within the sphere of its own substance. Every external influence is felt as disturbing, as something to be warded off." Rudolf Steiner, 1923
5 Hidden Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
5 Hidden Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
Friday, September 24, 2010
at 11:00 AM |
posted by Jenny Everett
Spicy foods are a bit of a mystery. As an article in the week's New York Times wondered: Why is it that we find such pleasure in pain? I mean, these hot sauce bottles are plastered with words like "death" and "atomic"... and we like them. One theory is that it's simply for the thrill -- like riding a roller coaster or running a marathon. Humans, oddly, find pleasure in things that, on the surface, should be really freaking scary and painful. In these cases, it's mind vs. body, and mind wins.
The other theory is that spicy foods have health benefits, and so our bodies crave them. Some of the most-studied bennies are:
1. Weight Loss: For one, the extra kick of hot sauce or a chopped jalapeno can make even the most bland diet food more palatable, causing you to be more likely to stick with your weight loss plan. In addition, they may jack up your metabolism. Studies show that the main compound in chilies, called capsaicin, has a thermogenic effect and may cause the body to burn bonus calories for 20 minutes post chow-down.
2. Heart Health: Studies show that cultures that eat the most spicy food have much lower incidence of heart attack and stroke. Potential reasons: Chili peppers can reduce the damaging effects of LDL (bad cholesterol) and capsaicin may fight inflammation, which has been flagged as a risk factor for heart issues.
3. Cancer Prevention: According to the American Association for Cancer Research, capsaicin has the ability to kill some cancer and leukemic cells. One particular spice, turmeric, found in curry powder and some mustards, may slow the spread of cancer and growth of tumors. "It has the same effects on the body as certain cancer drugs do." says Gregory A. Plotnikoff, M.D., senior consultant for health care innovation at Allina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota. Pair it with black pepper to absorb 2,000 percent more turmeric. Fantastic on roasted veggies or kebabs, or in soups.
4. Lower Blood Pressure: Vitamins A and C strengthen the heart muscle walls, and the heat of the pepper increases blood flow throughout your body. All of this equals a stronger cardiovascular system.
5. Fewer Blow-Your-Top Moments: Spicy foods boost production of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin. So they may help ease depression and stress. http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2010/09/5-healthy-benefits-of-eating-s.html
at 11:00 AM |
posted by Jenny Everett
Spicy foods are a bit of a mystery. As an article in the week's New York Times wondered: Why is it that we find such pleasure in pain? I mean, these hot sauce bottles are plastered with words like "death" and "atomic"... and we like them. One theory is that it's simply for the thrill -- like riding a roller coaster or running a marathon. Humans, oddly, find pleasure in things that, on the surface, should be really freaking scary and painful. In these cases, it's mind vs. body, and mind wins.
The other theory is that spicy foods have health benefits, and so our bodies crave them. Some of the most-studied bennies are:
1. Weight Loss: For one, the extra kick of hot sauce or a chopped jalapeno can make even the most bland diet food more palatable, causing you to be more likely to stick with your weight loss plan. In addition, they may jack up your metabolism. Studies show that the main compound in chilies, called capsaicin, has a thermogenic effect and may cause the body to burn bonus calories for 20 minutes post chow-down.
2. Heart Health: Studies show that cultures that eat the most spicy food have much lower incidence of heart attack and stroke. Potential reasons: Chili peppers can reduce the damaging effects of LDL (bad cholesterol) and capsaicin may fight inflammation, which has been flagged as a risk factor for heart issues.
3. Cancer Prevention: According to the American Association for Cancer Research, capsaicin has the ability to kill some cancer and leukemic cells. One particular spice, turmeric, found in curry powder and some mustards, may slow the spread of cancer and growth of tumors. "It has the same effects on the body as certain cancer drugs do." says Gregory A. Plotnikoff, M.D., senior consultant for health care innovation at Allina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota. Pair it with black pepper to absorb 2,000 percent more turmeric. Fantastic on roasted veggies or kebabs, or in soups.
4. Lower Blood Pressure: Vitamins A and C strengthen the heart muscle walls, and the heat of the pepper increases blood flow throughout your body. All of this equals a stronger cardiovascular system.
5. Fewer Blow-Your-Top Moments: Spicy foods boost production of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin. So they may help ease depression and stress. http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2010/09/5-healthy-benefits-of-eating-s.html
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Dr Richard Teo Keng Siang
Dr Richard Teo Keng Siang
Recorded
at the Dental Christian Fellowship , on 24 Nov 2011,
8 months after his diagnosis. Richard would have liked to share this with you.
We are doing this to continue his work. Please have a read and leave it behind for someone else to benefit from his sharing.
If you would like a copy, please let any of his family or close friends know and we will be able to provide both the audio recording as well as the transcript.
Thank you, and may God bless you richly. Below is the transcript of the talk of Dr. Richard Teo, who was a 40-year-old millionaire and cosmetic surgeon with a stage-4 lung cancer, sharing at a Dental Christian Fellowship Meeting. He would have liked to share this with you too.
HIS BACKGROUND Hi good morning to all of you. My voice is a bit hoarse from the chemotherapy, so please bear with me. I thought I'll just introduce myself. My name is Richard, I’m a friend of Danny’s, who invited me here. I’d just begin to say that I’m a typical product of today’s society. Before this, I was talking about how the media influences us etc. So I’m a typical product of what the media portrays. From young, I’ve always been under the influence and impression that to be happy, is to be successful. And to be successful, is to be wealthy. So I led my life according to this motto.
Coming from a poor average family, back in those days, I was highly competitive, whether in sports, studies, leadership. I wanted it all. I’ve been there, done that. But at the end of the day, it’s still about money. So in my recent last years, I was a trainee in ophthalmology, but I was getting impatient, cos I had friends of mine who were going out into private practise, making tonnes of money. And there I was, stuck in a traineeship. So I said, ‘Enough, it’s getting too long.’
At that time, there was a surge in protégés of aesthetic medicine. I’m sure you’re aware, aesthetic medicine had peaked over the last few years, and I saw good money in there. So much so that I said, ‘Forget about ophthalmology, I’m gonna do aesthetic medicine.’ So that’s what I did. The truth is, nobody makes heroes out of the average GP in the neighbourhood. They don't. They make heroes out of rich celebrities, politicians, rich and famous people. So I wanted to be one of these.
I dived straight into aesthetic medicine. People were not willing to pay when I was doing locum back in those days. Anything more than $30, they would complain that “Wah, this lo kun (doctor) jing qwee (very expensive)”. They made noise and they were not happy. But the same people were willing to pay $10 000 for a liposuction. So I said, ‘Well, let’s stop healing the sick, I’m gonna become a beautician; a medically-trained beautician.’ And that was what I did – liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgeries, you name it, we do it. It was very good money. My clinic, when we started off, waiting time was 1 week; 1 month; became 2 months; became 3 months.
There was so much demand that people were literally queuing up to have aesthetic work done on them. Vain women – easy life! So the clinic grew. I was so overwhelmed, from 1 doctor, I employed 2, then 3, then 4 doctors, and carried on. Nothing is ever enough. I wanted more and more and more. So much so that we set up shop in Indonesia to lure all the Indonesian tai tai’s. We set up shop, set up a team of people there, to get more Indonesian patients to come in. So, things were doing well. I’m there, my time has arrived. Around some time in February last year, I said, ‘OK, I have so much spare cash, it’s time to get my first Ferrari. So there I was, getting ready for the deposit. ‘OK! There comes my first Ferrari!’ I was looking for land, to share with some of my friends. I have a banker friend who makes $5 million a year. So I thought, ‘Come, let’s come together. Let’s buy some land and build our houses.’ I was at my prime, getting ready to enjoy.
At the same time, my friend Danny had a revival. They were going back to church, some of my close friends. They told me, ‘Richard, come, join us, come back to church.’ I have been a Christian for 20 years; I was baptised 20 years ago, but it was because it was fashionable to be a Christian then. All my friends were becoming Christians then. It was fashionable! I wanted to be baptised, so that when I filled in a form, I could put there “Christian” – feels good. In truth, I had never had a bible; I don’t know what the bible is all about. I went to church for a while, after some time, I got tired. I said it’s time to go to NUS, stop going to church. I had a lot more things to pursue in NUS – girls, studies, sports etc. After all, I had achieved all these things without God today, so who needs God? I myself can achieve anything I want. In my arrogance, I told them, “You know what? You go tell your pastor to change your sermon to 2pm. I will consider coming to church.” Such arrogance! And I said 1 statement in addition to that – till date, I don’t know I’ve regretted saying that – I told Danny and my friends,
“If God really wanted me to come back to church, He will give me a sign.”. Lo and behold, 3 weeks later, I was back at church. THE DIAGNOSIS In March 2011, out of the blues – I was still running around, ‘cause I’m a gym freak and I always go to the gym training, running, swimming 6 days a week. I had some backache, and that’s all I had, but it was persistent.
And so I went for an MRI to exclude prolapsed disc. And the day before I had my scan, I was still in the gym, lifting heavy weights, doing my squats. And the next day, they found that half my spine had bone marrow replacement. I said, “Woah, sorry, what’s that?” We had a PET scan the next day, and they diagnosed that I had terminal lung cancer, stage 4B. It had spread to the brain, half the spine, whole of my lungs were filled with tumour, liver, adrenals… I said, “Can’t be, I was just at the gym last night, what’s going on?” I’m sure you know how it feels – though I’m not sure if you know how it feels. One moment I was there at the peak, the next day, this news came and I was totally devastated.
My whole world just turned upside down. I couldn’t accept it. I have a hundred relatives on both sides, my mom and my dad. 100 of them. And not a single one has cancer. To me, in my mind, I have good genes, I’m not supposed to be having this! Some of my relatives are heavy chain smokers. Why am I having lung cancer? I was in denial.
HIS ENCOUNTER WITH GOD So the next day, I was still in a state of denial, still unable to accept what was going on. There I was lying in an operating theatre in a hospital, for a needle biopsy (for histology). There I was, just completed the biopsy, and lying in the operating theatre. The nurses and doctors had left; told me I had to wait for 15 minutes to do a check X-ray to make sure there’s no pneumothorax (a complication). And there I was, lying on the operating table, staring blankly at the ceiling in a cold, quiet operating theatre. Suddenly I just heard an inner voice; it was not like coming from outside. It was inside. This small inner voice that I had never felt before.
And it said very specifically, it said, “This has to happen to you, at your prime, because it’s the only way you can understand.” I said, “Woah, why did that come from?” You know, when you speak to yourself, you’d say, “OK, what time should I leave this place? Where shall I have dinner after this?” You’d speak from a first person point of view. You don’t say, “Where should YOU go after this?” Whereas the voice that came spoke as a third party.
It said, “This has to happen to YOU, at YOUR prime, because this is the only way YOU can understand.” At that time, my emotions just overflowed and I broke down and cried, alone there. And I knew then, subsequently, what it means to understand that why this is the only way. Because I had been so proud of myself, my whole life, I needed nobody else. I was gifted with things that I could do, why do I need anybody else? I was just so full of myself that there was no other way I could have turned back to God. In fact, if I were diagnosed with stage 1 or 2, I would have been looking around busily for the best cardiothoracic surgeon, remove a section of the lobe (do a lobectomy), do preventive chemotherapy…
The chances of it being cured is extremely high. Who needs God? But I had stage 4B. No man can help, only God can. A series of events happened after that. I wasn’t sold after that, because of the inner voice, I became believing, prayers, all that. No I wasn’t. To me, it was just ‘maybe there was a voice; or maybe that was just me talking to myself.’ I didn’t buy the story. What happened next was that I was being prepared for chemotherapy. I started off with a whole brain radiation therapy first; takes about 2 -3 weeks. In the meantime they prepared me for chemotherapy, supplements etc. One of the things they used for chemo was a thing called Zometa. Zometa - they use it to strengthen the bones; once the bone marrow (replacement) is cured of cancer cells, it becomes hollow, so we need Zometa to strengthen the bone to prevent compression fractures.
One of the side effects of Zometa is that it can cause osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, and I had to have my wisdom teeth removed. Years ago, I had my upper wisdom teeth removed, cos it was giving me trouble. The lower ones didn’t give me trouble so I said, “Forget it, just leave it.” So of cause, Danny volunteered to remove it for me. So there I was, lying there in a dental chair, asking myself, suffering all the side effects of radiotherapy, and now I have to go through wisdom tooth surgery. As if I’ve not had enough to suffer! So I asked Danny, “Eh, bro, is there any other way? Can I not go though this?”
He said, “Yes, you can pray.” I said, “What’s there to lose? Ok lah, pray lah!” And so we prayed. And we did an X-ray after that. Everything was all there, all the appliances and everything. And lo and behold, the Xray showed that there was no wisdom teeth in the lower jaw. I know most people have 4 wisdom teeth, maybe some have none, but to be missing one or 2, as I understand – I’m not too sure, as I understand – is not that common. Still I was, “Nah, I don’t care about that.” To me, as long as I didn’t have to take out the tooth, I was happy. At that point, I still wasn’t sold on prayers. Maybe it was just a coincidence – for whatever it’s worth.
I continued meeting my oncologist, asking him, “How long do I have?” I asked him. He said, not more than 6 months. I said, “Even with chemotherapy?” About 3 – 4 months, he said. I couldn’t grasp that. It was difficult to come to terms. And even as I went through radiotherapy, I was struggling everyday, especially when I wake up, hoping that it’s just a nightmare; when I wake up, it’s all over. As I was struggling, day after day, I went into depression, which is the typical denial, depression blah blah blah that you go through. But for 1 reason, I don’t know why, there was this specific day that I was supposed to meet my oncologist. At about 2pm, I felt this sudden surge of peace, comfort, and in fact, a little happiness. It was just overflowing.
For no rhyme or reason, it just came about 2pm, as I was getting ready, dressing up to meet my oncologist. So much so that I whats-apped all my friends that, “Bros, I just feel so good suddenly! I don’t know why, it just came!” And it was only days, or was it weeks after, that Danny revealed to me that he had fasted for 2 days for me, and he was bargaining with God, and fasted for 2 days, and he ended his fast at that exact same point, about 2pm thereabouts, that this surge of sensation came to me for no rhyme or reason. And I didn’t know that he was fasting for me. And when he ended the fast, I felt that sensation! Whoa, things were getting a bit too coincidental. I was starting to buy a bit of the story, but still I wasn’t sold. As days passed by, I completed my radiotherapy, about 2 weeks plus. Getting ready for chemo, so they let me rest for a few days. See, the mortality rate of lung cancer : Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate.
If you add up breast, colorectal (colon) cancer, and prostate cancer (the top few cancers in Singapore for men and women), if you add up the mortality rate of these 3, it still doesn’t add up to lung cancer. Simply because, you understand, you can remove the prostate, the colon, the breast, but you cannot remove your lungs. But there’s about 10% of lung cancer patients who do pretty well for some reasons, because they have this specific mutation; we call it the EGFR mutation. And it happens, only 90% of the time, in Asian ladies who never smoked in their lives.
Me, first of all, I’m male. 2ndly, I’m a social smoker. I take one a day after dinner; weekends, when my friends offer me, I take it as well. I’m a light smoker, not a social smoker. But still, my oncologist was still not hopeful for me to have this mutation. The chances of it happening for me was maybe 3-4% for me to get it. That’s why I was being primed to go for chemo. But through all the intense prayers, friends like Danny, people that I don’t even know, it turned out that, during my waiting for chemo, the results came back that I was EGFR positive. I was like, “Woah, good news!” Cos now I don’t have to undergo chemo at that time, because there’s this oral tablet that you can use to control this disease. Just to share with you some idea – this is a CT scan – thorax – of my lungs, before treatment.
AFTER BEFORE Every single dot there is a tumour. You can see all the mets (metastasis) there. This is just one single plane. Literally I had it in both lungs, and I had literally tens of thousands of tumour. That’s why the oncologist told me, even with chemo, at most 3-4 months. But because of this mutation, they have this oral medication. This is what happened after 2 months of treatment. As you can see over here; this is what God can do. And that’s why I’m still here having this opportunity to share with you. As you can see over here, the difference between before and after treatment. At that point, I said, “Well, it’s to be expected, isn’t it? The medicine is good.” I’m still not buying the story. Well, the guys prayed for me and the tumour markers started to come down. 90% of the tumours were wiped out, and the tumour markers came down to more than 90% over the next few months. But still, you know, once you have the clinical knowledge, you know the statistics.
One year survival, two year survival; having all this knowledge is not a good thing. Cos you live with the knowledge that even with all this, the cancer cells are so unstable, they keep mutating. They will overcome and become resistant to the drugs, and eventually you’re gonna run out of medication. So living with this knowledge is a huge mental struggle, a huge mental torture. Cancer is not just about a physical struggle, it’s a huge mental torture. How do you live with no hope? How do you live with not being able to plan for the next few years? The oncologist tells you to bear with it for the next 1 – 2 months. So it’s a lot of struggles as I went through: March, then April. April was my lowest point, in deep depression, struggling even as I was recovering. HIS ACCEPTANCE & PEACE And one of those days, I was there in bed, struggling in the afternoon, asking God, “Why? Why do I have to go through this suffering? Why do I have to endure this hardship, this struggle? Why me?” As I fell asleep, in my dreamy state, a vision just came, that says Hebrews 12:7-8. Now mind you, at this time, I had not read the bible. I have no clue what’s Hebrews, I don’t even know how many chapters there are. Totally clueless. But it says Hebrews 12:7-8, very specifically. I didn’t think too much of it. I just continued sleeping.
Then I woke up, and I said, “What’s there to lose? I’d just check it out lah!” Danny had bought me a bible; it’s still quite new. I said, “It’s ok, just try.” So I flipped to the Old Testament. Hebrews to me sounds like something ancient, so it should be in the Old Testament right? So I flipped through the Old Testament. No Hebrews there. I was so disappointed.
Then I said, “Maybe New Testament, let’s have a look!”. WOW – New Testament, there’s Hebrew’s!! It says Hebrews 12:7-8. It says, “Endure hardship as discipline as God is treating you as His children.” I said, “WAH!! Where did that come from?” I was getting goose pimples all over my body. I said, “This can’t be, right?” I mean, what’s the chance of somebody, who has never read the bible, to have a vision of a chapter of a specific verse, that answers my question directly?
I think God called to me directly as I was there sleeping, struggling with it, asking God, “Why do I have to suffer? Why do I have to suffer this?” And God says “Endure hardship as discipline as God is treating you as His child.” At this point, the chance of that happening is even lesser than my EGFR being positive. There’s just no way; there’s so many millions of thousands of verses in the bible, how can I just conjure up something like that? So at that point, I was sold I said, “YOU WIN! YOU WIN!!”
Ok , I was convinced. And so from that day onwards, I started believing in my God. And the last time I heard that inner voice was the end of April. And that inner voice, same thing, in the afternoon, as I was sleeping (this time I wasn’t struggling, just going to sleep). In a dreamy state I just heard Him say, “Help others in hardship.” It was more like a command, rather than a statement. And that’s when I embarked on this journey, helping others in hardship. And I realised that hardship is not just about being poor. In fact, I think a lot of poor people are probably happier than a lot of us here. They are so easily contented with whatever they have, they’re probably pretty happy. Hardship can happen to rich people; it can be physical hardship, mental hardship, social, etc. And also over the last few months, I started to understand what this true joy is about. In the past, I substituted true joy with the pursuing of wealth. I thought true joy is about pursuing wealth. Why? Cos let me put it to you this way, in my death bed, I found no joy whatsoever in whatever objects I had – my Ferrari, thinking of the land I was going to buy to build my bungalow etc, having a successful business. It brought me ZERO comfort, ZERO joy, nothing at all. Do you think I can hold onto this piece of metal and it’s going to give true joy? Nah, it’s not going to happen. True joy comes from interaction with other people. And at a lot of times, it is a short term pride, the past. When you pursue your wealth, Chinese New Year is the best time to do it. Drive my Ferrari, show off to my relatives, show off to my friends, do my rounds, and then you thought that was true joy? You really think that those guys who sold you your Ferrari, they share their joy with you?
And your relatives, wow, they share this joy with you? In truth, what you have done is just to illicit envy, jealousy, and even hatred. They are not sharing the joy with you, and what I have is that short-term pride that wow, I have something you don’t have! And I thought that was joy! So what we have is basically a short-term pride at the expense of somebody else. And that wasn’t true joy. And I found no joy at all on my deathbed, thinking of my Ferrari – to hold on to it, sayang it?!? True joy I discovered comes from interaction. Over the last few months I was so down. Interaction with my loved ones, my friends, my brothers in Christ, my sisters in Christ, and only then was I able to be motivated, able to be uplifted. To share your sorrow, to share your happiness – that’s true joy. And you know what makes you smile?
True joy comes from helping others in hardship, and because I’ve gone through this, I know what hardship entails. In fact, there’re some cancer patients who tell me a lot of times, people come up to them and tell them, “Stay positive. Stay positive.” Yah, right. You come in my shoes and you try to stay positive! You don’t know what you’re talking about! But I have the licence. So I’ve been going out to meet other fellow cancer patients, to share with them, encourage them. And I know, because I’ve been through it, and it’s easier for me to talk to them. And most importantly, I think true joy comes from knowing God. Not knowing about God – I mean, you can read the bible and know about God – but knowing God personally; getting a relationship with God. I think that’s the most important. That’s what I’ve learnt. So if I were to sum it up, I’d say that the earlier we sort out the priorities in our lives, the better it is. Don’t be like me – I had no other way. I had to learn it through the hard way. I had to come back to God to thank Him for this opportunity because I’ve had 3 major accidents in my past – car accidents.
You know, these sports car accidents – I was always speeding , but somehow I always came out alive, even with the car almost being overturned. And I wouldn’t have had a chance. Who knows, I don’t know where else I’d be going to! Even though I was baptised it was just a show, but the fact that this has happened, it gave me a chance to come back to God. Few things I’d learnt though: 1. Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart – this is so important. 2. Is to love and serve others, not just ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being rich or wealthy. I think it’s absolutely alright, cos God has blessed. So many people are blessed with good wealth, but the trouble is I think a lot of us can’t handle it. The more we have, the more we want. I’ve gone through it, the deeper the hole we dig, the more we get sucked into it, so much so that we worship wealth and lose focus. Instead of worshipping God, we worship wealth. It’s just a human instinct. It’s just so difficult to get out of it.
We are all professionals, and when we go into private practise, we start to build up our wealth – inevitably. So my thought are, when you start to build up wealth and when the opportunity comes, do remember that all these things don’t belong to us. We don’t really own it nor have rights to this wealth. It’s actually God’s gift to us. Remember that it’s more important to further His Kingdom rather than to further ourselves. Anyway I think that I’ve gone through it, and I know that wealth without God is empty. It is more important that you fill up the wealth, as you build it up subsequently, as professionals and all, you need to fill it up with the wealth of God. I think that’s about it. It’s good to share. Thanks. http://www.heavenaddress.com/Dr-Richard-Teo-Keng-Siang/424153/379719/content (transcript of his testimony) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umLkfADe17s
at the Dental Christian Fellowship , on 24 Nov 2011,
8 months after his diagnosis. Richard would have liked to share this with you.
We are doing this to continue his work. Please have a read and leave it behind for someone else to benefit from his sharing.
If you would like a copy, please let any of his family or close friends know and we will be able to provide both the audio recording as well as the transcript.
Thank you, and may God bless you richly. Below is the transcript of the talk of Dr. Richard Teo, who was a 40-year-old millionaire and cosmetic surgeon with a stage-4 lung cancer, sharing at a Dental Christian Fellowship Meeting. He would have liked to share this with you too.
HIS BACKGROUND Hi good morning to all of you. My voice is a bit hoarse from the chemotherapy, so please bear with me. I thought I'll just introduce myself. My name is Richard, I’m a friend of Danny’s, who invited me here. I’d just begin to say that I’m a typical product of today’s society. Before this, I was talking about how the media influences us etc. So I’m a typical product of what the media portrays. From young, I’ve always been under the influence and impression that to be happy, is to be successful. And to be successful, is to be wealthy. So I led my life according to this motto.
Coming from a poor average family, back in those days, I was highly competitive, whether in sports, studies, leadership. I wanted it all. I’ve been there, done that. But at the end of the day, it’s still about money. So in my recent last years, I was a trainee in ophthalmology, but I was getting impatient, cos I had friends of mine who were going out into private practise, making tonnes of money. And there I was, stuck in a traineeship. So I said, ‘Enough, it’s getting too long.’
At that time, there was a surge in protégés of aesthetic medicine. I’m sure you’re aware, aesthetic medicine had peaked over the last few years, and I saw good money in there. So much so that I said, ‘Forget about ophthalmology, I’m gonna do aesthetic medicine.’ So that’s what I did. The truth is, nobody makes heroes out of the average GP in the neighbourhood. They don't. They make heroes out of rich celebrities, politicians, rich and famous people. So I wanted to be one of these.
I dived straight into aesthetic medicine. People were not willing to pay when I was doing locum back in those days. Anything more than $30, they would complain that “Wah, this lo kun (doctor) jing qwee (very expensive)”. They made noise and they were not happy. But the same people were willing to pay $10 000 for a liposuction. So I said, ‘Well, let’s stop healing the sick, I’m gonna become a beautician; a medically-trained beautician.’ And that was what I did – liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgeries, you name it, we do it. It was very good money. My clinic, when we started off, waiting time was 1 week; 1 month; became 2 months; became 3 months.
There was so much demand that people were literally queuing up to have aesthetic work done on them. Vain women – easy life! So the clinic grew. I was so overwhelmed, from 1 doctor, I employed 2, then 3, then 4 doctors, and carried on. Nothing is ever enough. I wanted more and more and more. So much so that we set up shop in Indonesia to lure all the Indonesian tai tai’s. We set up shop, set up a team of people there, to get more Indonesian patients to come in. So, things were doing well. I’m there, my time has arrived. Around some time in February last year, I said, ‘OK, I have so much spare cash, it’s time to get my first Ferrari. So there I was, getting ready for the deposit. ‘OK! There comes my first Ferrari!’ I was looking for land, to share with some of my friends. I have a banker friend who makes $5 million a year. So I thought, ‘Come, let’s come together. Let’s buy some land and build our houses.’ I was at my prime, getting ready to enjoy.
At the same time, my friend Danny had a revival. They were going back to church, some of my close friends. They told me, ‘Richard, come, join us, come back to church.’ I have been a Christian for 20 years; I was baptised 20 years ago, but it was because it was fashionable to be a Christian then. All my friends were becoming Christians then. It was fashionable! I wanted to be baptised, so that when I filled in a form, I could put there “Christian” – feels good. In truth, I had never had a bible; I don’t know what the bible is all about. I went to church for a while, after some time, I got tired. I said it’s time to go to NUS, stop going to church. I had a lot more things to pursue in NUS – girls, studies, sports etc. After all, I had achieved all these things without God today, so who needs God? I myself can achieve anything I want. In my arrogance, I told them, “You know what? You go tell your pastor to change your sermon to 2pm. I will consider coming to church.” Such arrogance! And I said 1 statement in addition to that – till date, I don’t know I’ve regretted saying that – I told Danny and my friends,
“If God really wanted me to come back to church, He will give me a sign.”. Lo and behold, 3 weeks later, I was back at church. THE DIAGNOSIS In March 2011, out of the blues – I was still running around, ‘cause I’m a gym freak and I always go to the gym training, running, swimming 6 days a week. I had some backache, and that’s all I had, but it was persistent.
And so I went for an MRI to exclude prolapsed disc. And the day before I had my scan, I was still in the gym, lifting heavy weights, doing my squats. And the next day, they found that half my spine had bone marrow replacement. I said, “Woah, sorry, what’s that?” We had a PET scan the next day, and they diagnosed that I had terminal lung cancer, stage 4B. It had spread to the brain, half the spine, whole of my lungs were filled with tumour, liver, adrenals… I said, “Can’t be, I was just at the gym last night, what’s going on?” I’m sure you know how it feels – though I’m not sure if you know how it feels. One moment I was there at the peak, the next day, this news came and I was totally devastated.
My whole world just turned upside down. I couldn’t accept it. I have a hundred relatives on both sides, my mom and my dad. 100 of them. And not a single one has cancer. To me, in my mind, I have good genes, I’m not supposed to be having this! Some of my relatives are heavy chain smokers. Why am I having lung cancer? I was in denial.
HIS ENCOUNTER WITH GOD So the next day, I was still in a state of denial, still unable to accept what was going on. There I was lying in an operating theatre in a hospital, for a needle biopsy (for histology). There I was, just completed the biopsy, and lying in the operating theatre. The nurses and doctors had left; told me I had to wait for 15 minutes to do a check X-ray to make sure there’s no pneumothorax (a complication). And there I was, lying on the operating table, staring blankly at the ceiling in a cold, quiet operating theatre. Suddenly I just heard an inner voice; it was not like coming from outside. It was inside. This small inner voice that I had never felt before.
And it said very specifically, it said, “This has to happen to you, at your prime, because it’s the only way you can understand.” I said, “Woah, why did that come from?” You know, when you speak to yourself, you’d say, “OK, what time should I leave this place? Where shall I have dinner after this?” You’d speak from a first person point of view. You don’t say, “Where should YOU go after this?” Whereas the voice that came spoke as a third party.
It said, “This has to happen to YOU, at YOUR prime, because this is the only way YOU can understand.” At that time, my emotions just overflowed and I broke down and cried, alone there. And I knew then, subsequently, what it means to understand that why this is the only way. Because I had been so proud of myself, my whole life, I needed nobody else. I was gifted with things that I could do, why do I need anybody else? I was just so full of myself that there was no other way I could have turned back to God. In fact, if I were diagnosed with stage 1 or 2, I would have been looking around busily for the best cardiothoracic surgeon, remove a section of the lobe (do a lobectomy), do preventive chemotherapy…
The chances of it being cured is extremely high. Who needs God? But I had stage 4B. No man can help, only God can. A series of events happened after that. I wasn’t sold after that, because of the inner voice, I became believing, prayers, all that. No I wasn’t. To me, it was just ‘maybe there was a voice; or maybe that was just me talking to myself.’ I didn’t buy the story. What happened next was that I was being prepared for chemotherapy. I started off with a whole brain radiation therapy first; takes about 2 -3 weeks. In the meantime they prepared me for chemotherapy, supplements etc. One of the things they used for chemo was a thing called Zometa. Zometa - they use it to strengthen the bones; once the bone marrow (replacement) is cured of cancer cells, it becomes hollow, so we need Zometa to strengthen the bone to prevent compression fractures.
One of the side effects of Zometa is that it can cause osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, and I had to have my wisdom teeth removed. Years ago, I had my upper wisdom teeth removed, cos it was giving me trouble. The lower ones didn’t give me trouble so I said, “Forget it, just leave it.” So of cause, Danny volunteered to remove it for me. So there I was, lying there in a dental chair, asking myself, suffering all the side effects of radiotherapy, and now I have to go through wisdom tooth surgery. As if I’ve not had enough to suffer! So I asked Danny, “Eh, bro, is there any other way? Can I not go though this?”
He said, “Yes, you can pray.” I said, “What’s there to lose? Ok lah, pray lah!” And so we prayed. And we did an X-ray after that. Everything was all there, all the appliances and everything. And lo and behold, the Xray showed that there was no wisdom teeth in the lower jaw. I know most people have 4 wisdom teeth, maybe some have none, but to be missing one or 2, as I understand – I’m not too sure, as I understand – is not that common. Still I was, “Nah, I don’t care about that.” To me, as long as I didn’t have to take out the tooth, I was happy. At that point, I still wasn’t sold on prayers. Maybe it was just a coincidence – for whatever it’s worth.
I continued meeting my oncologist, asking him, “How long do I have?” I asked him. He said, not more than 6 months. I said, “Even with chemotherapy?” About 3 – 4 months, he said. I couldn’t grasp that. It was difficult to come to terms. And even as I went through radiotherapy, I was struggling everyday, especially when I wake up, hoping that it’s just a nightmare; when I wake up, it’s all over. As I was struggling, day after day, I went into depression, which is the typical denial, depression blah blah blah that you go through. But for 1 reason, I don’t know why, there was this specific day that I was supposed to meet my oncologist. At about 2pm, I felt this sudden surge of peace, comfort, and in fact, a little happiness. It was just overflowing.
For no rhyme or reason, it just came about 2pm, as I was getting ready, dressing up to meet my oncologist. So much so that I whats-apped all my friends that, “Bros, I just feel so good suddenly! I don’t know why, it just came!” And it was only days, or was it weeks after, that Danny revealed to me that he had fasted for 2 days for me, and he was bargaining with God, and fasted for 2 days, and he ended his fast at that exact same point, about 2pm thereabouts, that this surge of sensation came to me for no rhyme or reason. And I didn’t know that he was fasting for me. And when he ended the fast, I felt that sensation! Whoa, things were getting a bit too coincidental. I was starting to buy a bit of the story, but still I wasn’t sold. As days passed by, I completed my radiotherapy, about 2 weeks plus. Getting ready for chemo, so they let me rest for a few days. See, the mortality rate of lung cancer : Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate.
If you add up breast, colorectal (colon) cancer, and prostate cancer (the top few cancers in Singapore for men and women), if you add up the mortality rate of these 3, it still doesn’t add up to lung cancer. Simply because, you understand, you can remove the prostate, the colon, the breast, but you cannot remove your lungs. But there’s about 10% of lung cancer patients who do pretty well for some reasons, because they have this specific mutation; we call it the EGFR mutation. And it happens, only 90% of the time, in Asian ladies who never smoked in their lives.
Me, first of all, I’m male. 2ndly, I’m a social smoker. I take one a day after dinner; weekends, when my friends offer me, I take it as well. I’m a light smoker, not a social smoker. But still, my oncologist was still not hopeful for me to have this mutation. The chances of it happening for me was maybe 3-4% for me to get it. That’s why I was being primed to go for chemo. But through all the intense prayers, friends like Danny, people that I don’t even know, it turned out that, during my waiting for chemo, the results came back that I was EGFR positive. I was like, “Woah, good news!” Cos now I don’t have to undergo chemo at that time, because there’s this oral tablet that you can use to control this disease. Just to share with you some idea – this is a CT scan – thorax – of my lungs, before treatment.
AFTER BEFORE Every single dot there is a tumour. You can see all the mets (metastasis) there. This is just one single plane. Literally I had it in both lungs, and I had literally tens of thousands of tumour. That’s why the oncologist told me, even with chemo, at most 3-4 months. But because of this mutation, they have this oral medication. This is what happened after 2 months of treatment. As you can see over here; this is what God can do. And that’s why I’m still here having this opportunity to share with you. As you can see over here, the difference between before and after treatment. At that point, I said, “Well, it’s to be expected, isn’t it? The medicine is good.” I’m still not buying the story. Well, the guys prayed for me and the tumour markers started to come down. 90% of the tumours were wiped out, and the tumour markers came down to more than 90% over the next few months. But still, you know, once you have the clinical knowledge, you know the statistics.
One year survival, two year survival; having all this knowledge is not a good thing. Cos you live with the knowledge that even with all this, the cancer cells are so unstable, they keep mutating. They will overcome and become resistant to the drugs, and eventually you’re gonna run out of medication. So living with this knowledge is a huge mental struggle, a huge mental torture. Cancer is not just about a physical struggle, it’s a huge mental torture. How do you live with no hope? How do you live with not being able to plan for the next few years? The oncologist tells you to bear with it for the next 1 – 2 months. So it’s a lot of struggles as I went through: March, then April. April was my lowest point, in deep depression, struggling even as I was recovering. HIS ACCEPTANCE & PEACE And one of those days, I was there in bed, struggling in the afternoon, asking God, “Why? Why do I have to go through this suffering? Why do I have to endure this hardship, this struggle? Why me?” As I fell asleep, in my dreamy state, a vision just came, that says Hebrews 12:7-8. Now mind you, at this time, I had not read the bible. I have no clue what’s Hebrews, I don’t even know how many chapters there are. Totally clueless. But it says Hebrews 12:7-8, very specifically. I didn’t think too much of it. I just continued sleeping.
Then I woke up, and I said, “What’s there to lose? I’d just check it out lah!” Danny had bought me a bible; it’s still quite new. I said, “It’s ok, just try.” So I flipped to the Old Testament. Hebrews to me sounds like something ancient, so it should be in the Old Testament right? So I flipped through the Old Testament. No Hebrews there. I was so disappointed.
Then I said, “Maybe New Testament, let’s have a look!”. WOW – New Testament, there’s Hebrew’s!! It says Hebrews 12:7-8. It says, “Endure hardship as discipline as God is treating you as His children.” I said, “WAH!! Where did that come from?” I was getting goose pimples all over my body. I said, “This can’t be, right?” I mean, what’s the chance of somebody, who has never read the bible, to have a vision of a chapter of a specific verse, that answers my question directly?
I think God called to me directly as I was there sleeping, struggling with it, asking God, “Why do I have to suffer? Why do I have to suffer this?” And God says “Endure hardship as discipline as God is treating you as His child.” At this point, the chance of that happening is even lesser than my EGFR being positive. There’s just no way; there’s so many millions of thousands of verses in the bible, how can I just conjure up something like that? So at that point, I was sold I said, “YOU WIN! YOU WIN!!”
Ok , I was convinced. And so from that day onwards, I started believing in my God. And the last time I heard that inner voice was the end of April. And that inner voice, same thing, in the afternoon, as I was sleeping (this time I wasn’t struggling, just going to sleep). In a dreamy state I just heard Him say, “Help others in hardship.” It was more like a command, rather than a statement. And that’s when I embarked on this journey, helping others in hardship. And I realised that hardship is not just about being poor. In fact, I think a lot of poor people are probably happier than a lot of us here. They are so easily contented with whatever they have, they’re probably pretty happy. Hardship can happen to rich people; it can be physical hardship, mental hardship, social, etc. And also over the last few months, I started to understand what this true joy is about. In the past, I substituted true joy with the pursuing of wealth. I thought true joy is about pursuing wealth. Why? Cos let me put it to you this way, in my death bed, I found no joy whatsoever in whatever objects I had – my Ferrari, thinking of the land I was going to buy to build my bungalow etc, having a successful business. It brought me ZERO comfort, ZERO joy, nothing at all. Do you think I can hold onto this piece of metal and it’s going to give true joy? Nah, it’s not going to happen. True joy comes from interaction with other people. And at a lot of times, it is a short term pride, the past. When you pursue your wealth, Chinese New Year is the best time to do it. Drive my Ferrari, show off to my relatives, show off to my friends, do my rounds, and then you thought that was true joy? You really think that those guys who sold you your Ferrari, they share their joy with you?
And your relatives, wow, they share this joy with you? In truth, what you have done is just to illicit envy, jealousy, and even hatred. They are not sharing the joy with you, and what I have is that short-term pride that wow, I have something you don’t have! And I thought that was joy! So what we have is basically a short-term pride at the expense of somebody else. And that wasn’t true joy. And I found no joy at all on my deathbed, thinking of my Ferrari – to hold on to it, sayang it?!? True joy I discovered comes from interaction. Over the last few months I was so down. Interaction with my loved ones, my friends, my brothers in Christ, my sisters in Christ, and only then was I able to be motivated, able to be uplifted. To share your sorrow, to share your happiness – that’s true joy. And you know what makes you smile?
True joy comes from helping others in hardship, and because I’ve gone through this, I know what hardship entails. In fact, there’re some cancer patients who tell me a lot of times, people come up to them and tell them, “Stay positive. Stay positive.” Yah, right. You come in my shoes and you try to stay positive! You don’t know what you’re talking about! But I have the licence. So I’ve been going out to meet other fellow cancer patients, to share with them, encourage them. And I know, because I’ve been through it, and it’s easier for me to talk to them. And most importantly, I think true joy comes from knowing God. Not knowing about God – I mean, you can read the bible and know about God – but knowing God personally; getting a relationship with God. I think that’s the most important. That’s what I’ve learnt. So if I were to sum it up, I’d say that the earlier we sort out the priorities in our lives, the better it is. Don’t be like me – I had no other way. I had to learn it through the hard way. I had to come back to God to thank Him for this opportunity because I’ve had 3 major accidents in my past – car accidents.
You know, these sports car accidents – I was always speeding , but somehow I always came out alive, even with the car almost being overturned. And I wouldn’t have had a chance. Who knows, I don’t know where else I’d be going to! Even though I was baptised it was just a show, but the fact that this has happened, it gave me a chance to come back to God. Few things I’d learnt though: 1. Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart – this is so important. 2. Is to love and serve others, not just ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being rich or wealthy. I think it’s absolutely alright, cos God has blessed. So many people are blessed with good wealth, but the trouble is I think a lot of us can’t handle it. The more we have, the more we want. I’ve gone through it, the deeper the hole we dig, the more we get sucked into it, so much so that we worship wealth and lose focus. Instead of worshipping God, we worship wealth. It’s just a human instinct. It’s just so difficult to get out of it.
We are all professionals, and when we go into private practise, we start to build up our wealth – inevitably. So my thought are, when you start to build up wealth and when the opportunity comes, do remember that all these things don’t belong to us. We don’t really own it nor have rights to this wealth. It’s actually God’s gift to us. Remember that it’s more important to further His Kingdom rather than to further ourselves. Anyway I think that I’ve gone through it, and I know that wealth without God is empty. It is more important that you fill up the wealth, as you build it up subsequently, as professionals and all, you need to fill it up with the wealth of God. I think that’s about it. It’s good to share. Thanks. http://www.heavenaddress.com/Dr-Richard-Teo-Keng-Siang/424153/379719/content (transcript of his testimony) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umLkfADe17s
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Fungal Rash on Buttocks
Fungal Rash on Buttocks
The problem of fungal rash on buttocks is more prevalent in people who are on long-term use of antibiotics, or suffer from obesity or diabetes. Fungal rash can also affect areas such as the thighs or groin. Here we discuss the causes of fungal rash and their appropriate treatment measures in brief. Fungal rash on buttocks generally occurs uniformly on both the cheeks, and eventually it starts getting concentrated on the bottom of each cheek and within the folds. This rash is also common in people who are incontinent, perspire heavily, have a sedentary lifestyle, or are using skin care products that are skin-irritants.
What Causes the Rash? Fungal rash on buttocks could be commonly caused by fungal infections such as jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infection. The following describes the symptoms and treatment options for each of these types of infections. Jock Itch This infection is caused by the fungus called tinea. It is more common during summer months, or in warm, wet climates. Apart from buttocks, it also affects areas such as the inner thighs, and genitals. Symptoms include itching and reddening of the skin of these areas, apart from feeling a burning sensation. The skin at the groin area may start flaking, or peeling.
Treatment: Over-the-counter antifungal topical medications are good enough to take care of jock itch. Common OTC medications include allylaminesm, and azoles. Sometimes, such medications are not good enough, and the affected person may require to use prescription-strength topical or oral antifungals. Econazole and oxiconazole are topical medications, while itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan) are the oral ones.
Ringworm This fungal infection is caused by microorganisms that live on the outer skin of the body as parasites. Its characteristic symptom, which also gets it its name, is a circular rash with a red and inflamed border, surrounding a normal spot of skin in the middle. It is also possible to develop the infection without this circular rash. Apart from affecting the buttocks, the infection may occur over the surface of the elbows, knees, scalp, area around the ears and that of the navel. Treatment: If the infection has affected a large area, usually, OTC medications do not help. So medications prescribed by the doctor must be considered. Common topical medication include butenafine (mentax) ciclopirox (loprox), and econazole to name a few. And oral ones include fluconazole (diflucan), itraconazole (sporanox), etc.
Yeast Infections Caused by the yeast-like fungi candida, yeast infections are a common skin problem with many people. Although the infection may affect any skin surface, more commonly it is found in the armpits, and groin which makes the buttocks a vulnerable area.
Symptoms apart from the red, and itchy rash on the buttocks and other areas, others include pimple-like bumps and burning sensation. Treatment: Similar to the treatment for problems mentioned above, even in this case, antifungal medications are used. Points to Remember
•Before applying any creams or lotions, it is advisable to clean the affected area gently and thoroughly.
•Care should be taken that the area is not rubbed.
•Pat the skin dry with a clean and dry towel. •As the rash starts to heal, the skin tends to become dry and flaky. So to keep it hydrated and moist, you can apply moisturizers (creams, lotions).
•Do not forget to wash your hands, and wear gloves before treating the rash, and wash them again once you are done with it.
Prevention # Ailments such as fungal rash can be easily prevented. Moist and warm environment favor germs causing such problems. And what most people fail to do is to dry their skin well after having a bath or a shower. The vulnerability to contract the infection increases during summer months, when perspiration is more. So, one has to ensure to use every inch of a towel to dry himself/herself after bathing. Avoid using heavily perfumed bathing soaps. Such products usually irritate the skin, and worsen fungal rash. For those who use incontinence briefs, must avoid using ones that come with plastic liners. These products retain moisture and prevent the affected area from drying out. Leaving the briefs open would promote air circulation and help in healing the rash by keeping it dry.
# Try to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, and especially tight-fitting briefs. It is advisable to wear loose-fitting briefs which are made of cotton fabric instead of nylon or polyester. Always wear clean and fresh clothes to prevent the risk of infection. However, it is not recommended to avoid wearing briefs that are too loose. Such briefs may cause friction between the skin from rubbing, and this may worsen the condition further.
# If the rash has occurred within the skin folds, then prevent the moisture from accumulating in the area, by placing a soft cloth or a cotton pad between the folds. This will help in keeping the skin dry and keep the infection from spreading further. Talcum powder could also be used in such areas to keep them dry. Fungal rash tends to recur even after it has healed completely. This can be prevented by using a barrier cream which contains petrolatum, dimethicone and zinc oxide. Keeping the body well-hydrated by increasing fluid-intake is also one of the effective ways for preventing fungal infection and its symptoms.
By Rajib Singha Last Updated: 1/1/2012 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fungal-rash-on-buttocks.html
The problem of fungal rash on buttocks is more prevalent in people who are on long-term use of antibiotics, or suffer from obesity or diabetes. Fungal rash can also affect areas such as the thighs or groin. Here we discuss the causes of fungal rash and their appropriate treatment measures in brief. Fungal rash on buttocks generally occurs uniformly on both the cheeks, and eventually it starts getting concentrated on the bottom of each cheek and within the folds. This rash is also common in people who are incontinent, perspire heavily, have a sedentary lifestyle, or are using skin care products that are skin-irritants.
What Causes the Rash? Fungal rash on buttocks could be commonly caused by fungal infections such as jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infection. The following describes the symptoms and treatment options for each of these types of infections. Jock Itch This infection is caused by the fungus called tinea. It is more common during summer months, or in warm, wet climates. Apart from buttocks, it also affects areas such as the inner thighs, and genitals. Symptoms include itching and reddening of the skin of these areas, apart from feeling a burning sensation. The skin at the groin area may start flaking, or peeling.
Treatment: Over-the-counter antifungal topical medications are good enough to take care of jock itch. Common OTC medications include allylaminesm, and azoles. Sometimes, such medications are not good enough, and the affected person may require to use prescription-strength topical or oral antifungals. Econazole and oxiconazole are topical medications, while itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan) are the oral ones.
Ringworm This fungal infection is caused by microorganisms that live on the outer skin of the body as parasites. Its characteristic symptom, which also gets it its name, is a circular rash with a red and inflamed border, surrounding a normal spot of skin in the middle. It is also possible to develop the infection without this circular rash. Apart from affecting the buttocks, the infection may occur over the surface of the elbows, knees, scalp, area around the ears and that of the navel. Treatment: If the infection has affected a large area, usually, OTC medications do not help. So medications prescribed by the doctor must be considered. Common topical medication include butenafine (mentax) ciclopirox (loprox), and econazole to name a few. And oral ones include fluconazole (diflucan), itraconazole (sporanox), etc.
Yeast Infections Caused by the yeast-like fungi candida, yeast infections are a common skin problem with many people. Although the infection may affect any skin surface, more commonly it is found in the armpits, and groin which makes the buttocks a vulnerable area.
Symptoms apart from the red, and itchy rash on the buttocks and other areas, others include pimple-like bumps and burning sensation. Treatment: Similar to the treatment for problems mentioned above, even in this case, antifungal medications are used. Points to Remember
•Before applying any creams or lotions, it is advisable to clean the affected area gently and thoroughly.
•Care should be taken that the area is not rubbed.
•Pat the skin dry with a clean and dry towel. •As the rash starts to heal, the skin tends to become dry and flaky. So to keep it hydrated and moist, you can apply moisturizers (creams, lotions).
•Do not forget to wash your hands, and wear gloves before treating the rash, and wash them again once you are done with it.
Prevention # Ailments such as fungal rash can be easily prevented. Moist and warm environment favor germs causing such problems. And what most people fail to do is to dry their skin well after having a bath or a shower. The vulnerability to contract the infection increases during summer months, when perspiration is more. So, one has to ensure to use every inch of a towel to dry himself/herself after bathing. Avoid using heavily perfumed bathing soaps. Such products usually irritate the skin, and worsen fungal rash. For those who use incontinence briefs, must avoid using ones that come with plastic liners. These products retain moisture and prevent the affected area from drying out. Leaving the briefs open would promote air circulation and help in healing the rash by keeping it dry.
# Try to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, and especially tight-fitting briefs. It is advisable to wear loose-fitting briefs which are made of cotton fabric instead of nylon or polyester. Always wear clean and fresh clothes to prevent the risk of infection. However, it is not recommended to avoid wearing briefs that are too loose. Such briefs may cause friction between the skin from rubbing, and this may worsen the condition further.
# If the rash has occurred within the skin folds, then prevent the moisture from accumulating in the area, by placing a soft cloth or a cotton pad between the folds. This will help in keeping the skin dry and keep the infection from spreading further. Talcum powder could also be used in such areas to keep them dry. Fungal rash tends to recur even after it has healed completely. This can be prevented by using a barrier cream which contains petrolatum, dimethicone and zinc oxide. Keeping the body well-hydrated by increasing fluid-intake is also one of the effective ways for preventing fungal infection and its symptoms.
By Rajib Singha Last Updated: 1/1/2012 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fungal-rash-on-buttocks.html
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Human Central Nervous System
Human Central Nervous System
The human nervous system may be conveniently subdivided into two
divisions: the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and
the peripheral nervous system (the nerves extending to and from the
central nervous system).
Thirty-one pairs of projections called nerve roots extend out along each side of the spinal cord. The nerve roots are sites of axons belonging to sensory and motor neurons. A central canal in the spinal cord carries cerebrospinal fluid, which provides for the nutrition and gaseous needs of the cord tissue. The neurons of the spinal cord serve as a coordinating center for the reflex arc and a connecting system between the peripheral nervous system and the brain.
Two major hemispheres, the left and the right hemispheres, make up the tissue of the brain. The outer portion of the brain consists of gray matter, while the inner portion is white matter. Three major portions of the brain are recognized: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain.
The hindbrain consists of the medulla, cerebellum, and pons. The medulla is the swelling at the tip of the brain that serves as the passageway for nerves extending to and from the brain. The cerebellum lies adjacent to the medulla and serves as a coordinating center for motor activity; that is, it coordinates muscle contractions. The pons is the swelling between the medulla and midbrain. The pons acts as a bridge between various portions of the brain.
The midbrain lies between the hindbrain and forebrain. It consists of a collection of crossing nerve tracts and is the site of the reticular formation, a group of fibers that arouse the forebrain when something unusual happens.
The forebrain consists of the cerebrum, the thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the limbic system. The cerebrum contains creases and furrows called convolutions that permit the cerebral hemisphere to accommodate more than 10 billion cells. Each hemisphere of the cerebrum has four lobes, and activities such as speech, vision, movement, hearing, and smell occur in these lobes. Higher mental activities such as learning, memory, logic, creativity, and emotion also occur in the cerebrum.
The thalamus serves as an integration point for sensory impulses, while the hypothalamus synthesizes hormones for storage in the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus also appears to be a control center for such visceral functions as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and blood pressure. The limbic system is a collection of structures that ring the edge of the brain and apparently function as centers of emotion.
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Human-Central-Nervous-System.topicArticleId-8741,articleId-8723.html
Spinal cord
The spinal cord of the central nervous system is a white cord of tissue passing through the bony tunnel made by the vertebrae. The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain to the bottom of the backbone. Three membranes called meninges surround the spinal cord and protect it. The outer tissue of the spinal cord is white (white matter), while the inner tissue is gray (gray matter).Thirty-one pairs of projections called nerve roots extend out along each side of the spinal cord. The nerve roots are sites of axons belonging to sensory and motor neurons. A central canal in the spinal cord carries cerebrospinal fluid, which provides for the nutrition and gaseous needs of the cord tissue. The neurons of the spinal cord serve as a coordinating center for the reflex arc and a connecting system between the peripheral nervous system and the brain.
Brain
The brain of the central nervous system is the organizing and processing center. It is the site of consciousness, sensation, memory, and intelligence. The brain receives impulses from the spinal cord and from 12 pairs of cranial nerves coming from and extending to the senses and to other organs. In addition, the brain initiates activities without environmental stimuli.Two major hemispheres, the left and the right hemispheres, make up the tissue of the brain. The outer portion of the brain consists of gray matter, while the inner portion is white matter. Three major portions of the brain are recognized: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain.
The hindbrain consists of the medulla, cerebellum, and pons. The medulla is the swelling at the tip of the brain that serves as the passageway for nerves extending to and from the brain. The cerebellum lies adjacent to the medulla and serves as a coordinating center for motor activity; that is, it coordinates muscle contractions. The pons is the swelling between the medulla and midbrain. The pons acts as a bridge between various portions of the brain.
The midbrain lies between the hindbrain and forebrain. It consists of a collection of crossing nerve tracts and is the site of the reticular formation, a group of fibers that arouse the forebrain when something unusual happens.
The forebrain consists of the cerebrum, the thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the limbic system. The cerebrum contains creases and furrows called convolutions that permit the cerebral hemisphere to accommodate more than 10 billion cells. Each hemisphere of the cerebrum has four lobes, and activities such as speech, vision, movement, hearing, and smell occur in these lobes. Higher mental activities such as learning, memory, logic, creativity, and emotion also occur in the cerebrum.
The thalamus serves as an integration point for sensory impulses, while the hypothalamus synthesizes hormones for storage in the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus also appears to be a control center for such visceral functions as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and blood pressure. The limbic system is a collection of structures that ring the edge of the brain and apparently function as centers of emotion.
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Human-Central-Nervous-System.topicArticleId-8741,articleId-8723.html
Saturday, 25 August 2012
20 Snacks To Kick-Start Energy
20 Snacks To Kick-Start Energy
Snacks that balance the three main sources of energy help maintain an overall healthy and more energetic body.
Three main sources of energy in the human body are carbohydrates, protein and
fat. Carbohydrates make up a little over half the energy source. They are in the
form of starches and sugars. The brain needs carbohydrates for energy as it
cannot use fat as a source of energy. The muscles use carbohydrates for their
main fuel.
A wide variety in your diet can greatly affect your energy levels. Eating a balanced diet with a variety of different types of carbohydrates not only can help with weight regulation, it can boost your energy levels and help you maintain peak condition body health.
Here are twenty snack ideas that can boost your energy.
A wide variety in your diet can greatly affect your energy levels. Eating a balanced diet with a variety of different types of carbohydrates not only can help with weight regulation, it can boost your energy levels and help you maintain peak condition body health.
1.Fruits: Fruit has natural sugars that are a source of energy. It also adds fiber and a feeling of fullness so that you eat less in the long run. Apples, oranges and bananas are good examples.
2.Yogurt: Yogurt is highly nutritious and has good levels of protein and carbohydrates for energy. It also contains some bacteria that are good for intestinal health. There are plain types of yogurt as well as low fat and yogurt with fruit added.
3.Vegetables: Vegetables contain natural sugars that are a good source of energy. Energy efficiency is partially based on good cell conditions. The antioxidants in vegetables help maintain good cell conditions, as they help get rid of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can damage cells. Carrots, celery and cucumbers are good examples.
4.Nuts: Nuts such as almonds, pistachios and cashews can give you a boost of energy. Nuts are high in all three forms (carbohydrate, protein and fat) of energy sources. They also have antibiotic properties that help the immune system.
5.Pumpkin Seeds: Seeds have antibiotic properties. Pumpkin seeds are no exception. Like nuts, they have high levels of carbohydrates, protein and fat.
6.Cereal: Cereal contains grains which in turn have high levels of carbohydrates including fiber good for intestinal health. Milkwith cereal adds additional benefits such as vitamins and nutrients. There are many different types of cereal and looking at the nutritional data on the box will help decide which will best work for you.
7.Energy Bars: There are plenty of commercial energy bars on the market that help boost energy. These contain carbohydrates, fat and protein for energy. Choose your favorite flavor and type from the many that are available.
8.Crackers with peanut butter: Crackers spread with peanut butter are high in
the sources of energy. Peanut butter comes from peanuts which in turn are
legumes related to beans. Most of the energy in peanut butter comes from fats
and proteins.
9.Bagel: Bagels, made from flour and yeast give you a boost of energy especially if a spread such as peanut butter or fruit topping is added. Since they contain flour, they are likely to contain high levels of carbohydrates.
10.Rice cakes: Rice cakes are made from a special mixture of rices and sometimes puffed wheat. The rice mixture would have high levels of carbohydrates and protein, making rice cakes a good choice of snack for an energy boost. There are many different varieties to choose.
11.Soup: There are many different types of soup including basic soups such as chicken noodle soups and vegetable soups. The amount of energy in soup varies as the ingredients vary but soups that have a good balance of meat (protein source) and vegetables (carbohydrates) are best for energy snacks.
12.Cheese: Most of the energy from cheese comes from fat and protein but these are needed for tissue repair. One slice of cheese is about one serving.
13.Trail mix: Trail mix is a mix of nuts and dried fruits. Dried fruits contain most of the benefits of fruit but it's portable so you can carry it around.
14.Orange juice: A glass of orange juice is much like eating an orange. Most orange juices have things added so they contain much more energy boosting ability.
15.Egg sandwich: Eggs have protein and the bread used have high levelss of carbohydrates.
16.Cottage cheese: The milk content of cottage cheese provides protein and added vitamins and minerals needed for health.
17.Oatmeal: Oatmeal comes from processing oats which are a grain. Grains have high levels of carbohydrates thus provide lots of energy.
18.Tomato sandwich: The tomato sandwich is an ideal energy boosting snack. A vegetable combined with bread is a good source of carbohydrates. Adding lettuce adds fiber and taste.
19.Tomato juice or other mixed tomato drink: Tomato juice, much like orange juice provides nutrients, minerals and other energy boosting ingredients. A mixed tomato drink, mixed with other vegetables and fruit that may include but not limited to carrots, pineapple and celery.
20.Salad: A salad has fiber (a carbohydrate used for intestinal health) and has a wide variety of tastes depending on what is added.
http://www.essortment.com/20-snacks-kick-start-energy-63206.html
9.Bagel: Bagels, made from flour and yeast give you a boost of energy especially if a spread such as peanut butter or fruit topping is added. Since they contain flour, they are likely to contain high levels of carbohydrates.
10.Rice cakes: Rice cakes are made from a special mixture of rices and sometimes puffed wheat. The rice mixture would have high levels of carbohydrates and protein, making rice cakes a good choice of snack for an energy boost. There are many different varieties to choose.
11.Soup: There are many different types of soup including basic soups such as chicken noodle soups and vegetable soups. The amount of energy in soup varies as the ingredients vary but soups that have a good balance of meat (protein source) and vegetables (carbohydrates) are best for energy snacks.
12.Cheese: Most of the energy from cheese comes from fat and protein but these are needed for tissue repair. One slice of cheese is about one serving.
13.Trail mix: Trail mix is a mix of nuts and dried fruits. Dried fruits contain most of the benefits of fruit but it's portable so you can carry it around.
14.Orange juice: A glass of orange juice is much like eating an orange. Most orange juices have things added so they contain much more energy boosting ability.
15.Egg sandwich: Eggs have protein and the bread used have high levelss of carbohydrates.
16.Cottage cheese: The milk content of cottage cheese provides protein and added vitamins and minerals needed for health.
17.Oatmeal: Oatmeal comes from processing oats which are a grain. Grains have high levels of carbohydrates thus provide lots of energy.
18.Tomato sandwich: The tomato sandwich is an ideal energy boosting snack. A vegetable combined with bread is a good source of carbohydrates. Adding lettuce adds fiber and taste.
19.Tomato juice or other mixed tomato drink: Tomato juice, much like orange juice provides nutrients, minerals and other energy boosting ingredients. A mixed tomato drink, mixed with other vegetables and fruit that may include but not limited to carrots, pineapple and celery.
20.Salad: A salad has fiber (a carbohydrate used for intestinal health) and has a wide variety of tastes depending on what is added.
http://www.essortment.com/20-snacks-kick-start-energy-63206.html
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