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The debate around the basic of taking dietary supplements is continuing to rage.

While many health care professionals maintain we get all we require from the foods we eat, others prefer to suggest vitamins when their patients are under a stress such as a pregnancy or illness or even aging or when the patients bodys function is deficient or overloaded. Others maintain that vitamins are preventative and should be taken routinely to prevent diseases and maintain health.

Studies maintain that taking extra B vitamins, specifically folic acid and B12 have reduced birth defects by 72 to 100% . And since regulations authourising the addition of folic acid to grains have come into force in the USA the incidence of birth defects their have dropped by 19%, although sceptics claim there could be alternative reasons.

So what are some of the symptoms of folic acid deficiency? If your tongue is sore and you suffer from loss of appetite, “shortness of puff”, are irritable, forgetful and mentally sluggish, you may have a folic acid insufficiency. Folic acid is one of the B group of vitamins and most animal and plant foods are poor sources of it. The exception is liver which most individuals dont eat a lot of these days. Various dietary habits and health conditions can also result in causing a deficiency of this vitamin. Celiac condition, alcoholism and irritable bowel syndrome are three such conditions.

Studies have also suggested that when older people suffer from “the blues” it is caused by a absence of folate (B9) . It should be taken alongside B6 and B12 to support its absorption and function in the body. These three vitamins work closely together and help relieve symptoms of depression. They do this by decreasing the total amount of homocysteine, which is thought to play an major part in causing the depression. Occasionally the amount of folate in proportion to the other two may be required to be increased in order to be effective. Solgar Homocystein Modulators are a good supplement to take and can be found online at www .solgar .co.uk .

Some population-based studies across the USA have also established that numerous cancers are less usual in people who have high levels of folic acid. These people also consumed high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber. One large study of 50,000 women established that adequate intakes of folate essentially reduced the risk of breast melanoma.

Some prescription medications for inflammatory bowel illness have been found to interfere with the bodies ability to absorb folate (folic acid) and the deficiency has also been linked to some mens infertility and heart complaints.

Foods that offer the most folic acid are dark leafy greens, brewers yeast, cows liver, some seafood, orange juice and dairy. Root vegetables and whole grains also supply small amounts.

Side effects from folic acid supplements are rare, though they can occur if the dose exceeds 15000 mcg . Taking any one of the B group of vitamins on their own can produce a deficiency in the others, so dont be too keen to buy without advice. Check out if you really do need it and make sure your health care practised knows your purpose in order to grasp why you want to take these supplements. Some prescription medicines such as antibiotics and warfarin can react adversely to this health programme, while others like ibuprofen and aspirin can actually cause a deficiency. Methotrexate, prescribed to treat some cancer and rheumatoid arthritis conditions increases the bodys need for folic acid, and its side-effects are greatly reduced by addition of this vitamin without impairing its results, so if you must take this medication be sure see your health care professional about adding folic acid to your diet – it could save you experiencing further side-effects.About the Author: Keith Woolley is a Director of Boots Herbal Stores and has vast experience within the health food industry. Boots Herbal Stores distribute Solgar Vitamins online from http://www.solgar.co.uk
Source: www.isnare.com

ABSTRACT It has been hypothesized for a long time that drinking
excessive alcohol can lead to decreased blood glucose levels in
diabetics, resulting in the condition called hypoglycemia, which
if not managed properly can severely impair human health and
well being. This present paper explores this hypothesis and
provides information on its validity and proposes ways to better
manage diabetes and hypoglycemia.

INTRODUCTION Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar occurs
when blood glucose levels drops too low to provide the body with
enough energy for normal bodily activities. Hypoglycemia can
result from medications, diseases, hormone or enzyme
deficiencies or tumors, but this particular treatise deals
specifically with hypoglycemia as a consequence of excessive
alcohol consumption. Hypoglycemia often occurs as a side effect
and often complicates diabetes because diabetics are unable to
properly regulate their blood glucose levels. According to the
American Diabetic Association, diabetes and its complications
including hypoglycemia is the sixth leading cause of death in
United States, affecting 18.2 million people. In Trinidad,
according to the Central Statistical Office, diabetes is the
second leading cause of death and the disease affects 1306
people each year. Diabetes and its complications, hypoglycemia
exerts a tremendous economic burden on economies worldwide, for
example in the United States $132 billion is spent in treatment
of diabetes and its complications each year. For Trinidad and
the rest of the Caribbean the economic burden is most severe,
but documentation of actual figures are lacking. It is however
reflected in the high death rates and unavailability to
healthcare institutions and inability of these healthcare
institutions to actually provide adequate care due to limited
resources.

There are basically two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes where
no insulin is produced and Type 2 where some insulin is produced
but it is ineffective. Type 2 diabetes is rapidly becoming more
common. It is commonly believed that even though diabetes is not
immediately life threatening the long term effects of
fluctuating high blood sugar and low blood sugar levels can put
severe strain on major organs and organ systems such as the
eyes, nerves, and the heart, which if not controlled may lead to
premature death and disability. It is now estimated that 2 in
every 100 people have diabetes and half of these people do not
know that they have the disease condition.

Sugar in the form of glucose is the main form of fuel utilized
by all cells in the body. The brain is very sensitive to glucose
fluctuations and even brief periods of low glucose can cause
brain damage. Glucose in the body comes from three sources,
namely food, synthesis in the body and breakdown of glycogen.
Blood glucose levels are maintained at a constant level in the
body (70-110 mg/dL). This is achieved through the action of
hormones; insulin and glucagon. Insulin and glucagon are
secreted by the pancreas and they operate in an antagonistic
manner to regulate blood glucose levels. Insulin lowers the
blood glucose concentration in the blood and glucagon raises it.
Because maintaining blood glucose sugar levels is of extreme
importance for maintaining bodily functions, there are also
other hormones released from the adrenal and pituitary glands to
support glucagons function. Research has shown that alcohol
disrupts the delicate balance between glucose building-up
hormone e.g. insulin and glucose breaking down hormones e.g.
glucagon, adrenal and pituitary hormones that serve to maintain
a constant level of blood glucose in the body.

In acute alcoholism, the body experiences difficulty in making
glucose because it is expending energy breaking down alcohol. In
addition alcoholics who do not eat when consuming alcohol, the
glycogen stored in the liver is used up within a few hours. Both
of these effects of alcohol can result in severe hypoglycemia in
6 to 36 hours after a binge drinking episode. In chronic
alcoholism, the effects of alcohol on blood glucose levels may
be reversed, when compared to blood glucose levels in diabetics.
Consuming alcohol occasionally may cause blood glucose levels to
increase initially and may result in hyperglycemia or increased
blood glucose and then decrease. Both hypoglycemia and
hyperglycemia episodes are common. Increased frequency of
alcohol consumption can reduce the bodys sensitivity towards
insulin and cause glucose intolerance in both healthy
individuals and alcoholics. This can aggravate and cause further
degeneration of liver function resulting in cirrhosis in
susceptible individuals. Research has shown that 45-70 % of
patients who have cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease are
diabetic. Treatment of diabetes can only be achieved by strict
control of blood glucose levels, which is achieved through the
use of drugs/medications, diet and exercise.

PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT OF HYPOGLYCEMIA 1. Avoid the use of
alcoholic beverages. If alcohol is consumed it must be done
sparingly and must not exceed more than one drink per day or not
more than two drinks per week. A suggested rule of thumb may be:
 12 oz bottle/can beer or wine or  1-5 oz glass
wine or  1.5 oz 80 % proof distilled spirits Drinking on
an empty stomach can cause hypoglycemia a day or two later. It
is always important to have a snack or meal at the same time.

2. Adopt, implement and manage a proper diabetic plan. This can
be done with the assistance of a competent healthcare provider
that may involve administering the right medication at the
appropriate concentration when necessary. It may also involve
eating regular meals and having enough food at each meal every 3
h. It is important not to skip meals.

3. If you think your blood glucose is too low, use a reliable,
calibrated blood glucose meter to check the level of blood
glucose in the blood. If it is 70 mg/dL or below immediate
action is necessary to prevent complications such as hunger,
nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness, sleepiness,
confusion, difficulty speaking, feeling anxious or weak,
collapse, shock, coma that may eventually lead to death if not
treated urgently. Some “quick fix” foods that may cause the
blood glucose to return to normal levels include:  2 or
3 glucose tablets  ½ cup of any fruit juice or fruit
nectar  ½ cup of soft drink  1 cup of milk
 1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey

For patients who are unable to swallow, it may be necessary for
a physician or healthcare provider to administer 1.0 mg glucagon
subcutaneanously or intramuscularly.

4. Exercise regularly. Before doing any kind of exercise check
your blood glucose level and healthcare provider. People who
have diabetes should have the following average blood glucose
levels: (i) blood glucose levels before meals at 90-130 mg/dL
(ii) 1-2 h after a meal, less than 180 mg/dL; (iii)
hypoglycemia, 70 mg/dL or below.

5. Eat a variety of foods which should include meat, poultry,
fish, non-meat sources of protein, starchy foods such as
whole-grain bread, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables and dairy
products. Choose high fiber foods. Avoid or limit foods high in
sugar, especially on an empty stomach.

6. Patients and family members should be made aware of signs and
symptoms of hypoglycemia and know how to treat it.

REFERENCES American Diabetic Association, Center for Disease
Control and Prevention. (Web site: www.cdc.gov/diabetes).
Carroll P, Matz R. Uncontrolled diabetes in adults. Diabetes
Care. 1983;6:579-585. Casparie AF, Elzing LD. Severe
hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care.
1985;8:141-145. Central Statistical Office. Port of Spain.
Trinidad (Web site: www.cso.gov.tt) Consensus statement of
self-monitoring of blood glucose. Diabetes Care. 1987;10:95-99.
The DCCT Research Group. Diabetes Control and Complications
Trial (DCCT): results of feasibility study. Diabetes Care.
1987;10:1-19. Foster DW, McGarry JD. The metabolic derangements
and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. New England Journal of
Medicine. 1983;309:159-169. Keller U. Diabetic ketoacidosis:
current views on pathogenesis and treatment. Diabetologia.
1986;29:71-77. Kitabchi AE, Matteri R, Murphy MB. Optimal
insulin delivery in diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic,
hyperosmolar nonketotic coma. Diabetes Care. 1982;5(suppl
1):78-87. Physicians Guide to Insulin-Dependent (Type I)
Diabetes: Diagnosis and Treatment. Alexandria, Virginia:
American Diabetes Association, 1988. Physicians Guide to
Non-Insulin-Dependent (Type II) Diabetes: Diagnosis and
Treatment. 2nd ed. Alexandria, Virginia: American Diabetes
Association, 1988.

About the author:
Dr Deryck D. Pattron is an author, researcher and public health
scientist, in the Ministry of Health, Trinidad.

Copyright 2005 Anne Wolski

There are several types and classifications of anaemia. This is
a condition in which the body lacks the amount of red blood
cells to keep up with the bodys demand for oxygen.
Understanding the different classifications can help to
recognise the symptoms and also to avoid anaemia in the first
place…

Iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition in which the body has too
little iron in the bloodstream. This form of anaemia is more
common in adolescents and in women before menopause. Blood loss
from heavy periods, internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal
tract, or donating too much blood can all contribute to this
disease. Other causes can be from poor dietary habits or from
chronic intestinal diseases.

The signs and symptoms of this disease are: 1. Paleness 2.
Headache 3. Irritability

Symptoms of more severe iron deficiency anaemia include: 1.
Dyspnea 2. Rapid heartbeat 3. Brittle hair and nails

Treatment usually takes the form of oral iron supplements and
dietary modifications.

Folic Acid Deficiency Anaemia

This form of anaemia is characterised by a lack of folic acid,
one of the B group of vitamins, in the bloodstream. This is
usually caused by an inadequate intake of folic acid, usually
found in vegetables or by the overcooking of the vegetables.
Alcoholism can also be a contributing factor in this form of
anaemia. During pregnancy when the folic acid is used more or in
infancy, this disease can also manifest itself. It can also be
caused as a side effect of other blood disorders.

Symptoms of the disorder include: 1. Weakness 2. Fatigue 3.
Memory lapses 4. Irritability

This condition can be avoided by including foods with folic acid
in the diet. Such foods include beef liver, asparagus, and red
beans.

Pernicious anaemia

Pernicious anaemia usually affects people between the ages of 50
and 60 and is a result of a lack of vitamin B12. The disease can
be hereditary but some forms of the condition can be autoimmune
diseases. People who have any autoimmune diseases are more
likely to contract pernicious anaemia.

Symptoms of this form of anaemia may include: 1. Fatigue 2.
Dyspnea 3. Heart palpitations 4. Numbness or tingling in
extremities

Aplastic anaemia

Aplastic anaemia is caused by an absence or reduction of red
blood cells. This can happen through injury where the blood
forming tissue in the bone marrow is destroyed. Because of this,
the sufferer is unable to fight infection and is likely to be a
heavy bleeder.

Symptoms include: 1. Lethargy 2. Paleness 3. Purpura 4. Bleeding
5. Rapid heartbeat 6. Infections 7. Congestive heart failure

There is no definite known cause for aplastic anaemia but it is
thought to be caused by exposure to certain toxins and also to
the hepatitis virus.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

This form of anaemia is of a hereditary nature and is a result
of an abnormal type of red blood cells. Sickle cell anaemia is a
life threatening disease and there is no prevention.

Symptoms of this condition include: 1. Painful attacks in arms,
legs and stomach 2. Jaundice in whites of the eyes 3. Fever 4.
Chronic fatigue 5. Rapid heartbeat 6. Paleness

Complications include leg ulcers, shock, cerebral hemorrhage,
and orthopedic disorders.

Polycythemia Vera

This disease is more common in middle aged men and is
characterised by an increase in red blood cells, leucocytes, and
thrombocytes. There is a very fast and intense reproduction of
cells and the bone marrow cells mature more rapidly than usual.
The cause of this condition is unknown.

Symptoms are: 1. Purplish coloured skin 2. Bloodshot eyes 3.
Headache 4. Dizziness 5. Enlarged spleen

Although the signs and symptoms of anaemia may seem
overwhelming, the good news is that most forms can be
effectively controlled with medication and dietary changes.

About the author:
Anne Wolski has worked within the health and welfare industry
for more than 30 years. She is a co director of
http://www.pharmacybyweb.com and
http://www.magnetic-health-online.com where you can see many
wonderful health articles, many of them written by doctors and
others who have been involved in the health industry for many
years.

When I was on vacation last month, I visited my 91-year-old uncle in the Midwest.
Uncle Bob is an amazing man for many reasons. He continues to counsel people starting up small businesses. He makes toys, and other things, in his woodshop as a hobby. He has to remind himself to slow down because he forgets that he is 91.
Last year he started to take trips to all the places hes wanted to go, but hesitated because my aunt wasnt up to it, including cruising to Alaska, and taking a paddleboat ride on the Snake River to follow the Lewis and Clark trail.
When he was about 80, his knees were giving out. It was very painful for him to walk, and he thought about knee replacement surgery. His doctors discouraged it because of his age (probably figuring it wasnt worth it, he wouldnt be living that much longer anyway.) But by 85 he decided to do it and that gave him new impetus to step out and never look back.
Last year he moved into an assisted living facility, not because he needs assistance, but because he was alone in a 4-bedroom house and thought it would be prudent to set himself up for the future. I visited him in his new place. Most of the people around him were much less mobile than he was. Some werent all together there mentally. Uncle Bob remarked that although many had led active lives, they “retired” to play golf and didnt know what to do with themselves when golf was no longer an option. Uncle Bob never retired; he stopped working for pay but never put himself out to pasture.
I became increasingly uneasy and realized that I was up against all those things that we (I) usually ward off: the knowledge that I will become old, and perhaps helpless and infirm. The knowledge that one day I will die. The knowledge that one day I might be unable to take care of myself.
These realizations make us uncomfortable and cause us to live in denial, resisting planning for times that we know will come. The uncertainty comes from not knowing exactly when well need help, or what state well be in. (Sort of like the government and the levees in New Orleans.) Not thinking about it doesnt mean it wont happen, it just means that we will be less able to cope when it does happen.
The lesson I took away from this is that, God willing, I will be 91 one day, and although I dont have control over the future, the decisions I make about my life NOW will affect how well, or ill, I am living THEN. It really brought home to me that what I do today has consequences for tomorrow.
Ask yourself these questions:
* Are you living in a way that promotes health?
* Are you keeping your mind active and challenged?
* Are you giving of yourself to other people?
* Are you living each day as fully as you can (This isnt the same as packing in every possible activity and chore you can think of.)
* Are you free of regrets?
* Are you paying attention to your spiritual life?
* Are you living for today, but also making plans for tomorrow?
* If you are in recovery, are you pleased with your recovery and where you find yourself today?
If you cant answer “yes” to these questions, consider what adjustments you want to start making NOW so that when youre 91 (or so) you dont look back and wish you had done things differently. About the Author
Martha Ruske is a marriage and family therapist in California. She currently works with people in long-term recovery from alcoholism, helping them step out into the fuller life they deserve. Find out about the benefits of recovery life coaching and get a free workbook at www.intentionalpath.com.

Kenneth Harney, a highly respected columnist for the Washington
Post, expresses surprise in his column recently because home
buyers in high-cost parts of the country like California,
Hawaii, Boston and Washington, D.C. are not leading the nation
in mortgage delinquencies.

Mr. Harney states in near amazement that the opposite is
actually true–that home owners in the high-cost areas of the
nation have the lowest mortgage delinquency rate. The Mortgage
Bankers Association of America, which recently released its
latest survey on delinquency rates, states that Hawaii has the
lowest mortgage delinquency rate in the nation at only 0.89%,
followed by California at 1.02% and Virginia at 1.32%.

These numbers are contrasted by the states with the highest
delinquency rate: Mississippi at 8.5%, Louisiana – 6.7%
(pre-hurricane Katrina numbers), Indiana – 6.66%, Tennessee -
6.32%, Texas – 6.31% and Ohio – 6.13%. Notice that most of the
high delinquency rates occur in states with a lower than average
per capita income. Mississippi and Louisiana have some of the
lowest per capita incomes in the nation. Hawaii and California,
on the other hand, have some of the highest.

You could read more about the numbers in his column at the
Washington Post, but that newspaper requires you to sign-in and
become a member just to read its articles. An easier way is to
go to The Wichita Eagle (as in Wichita, Kansas) where Harneys
column is reprinted without the signing-in hassle.

While Harney doesnt explicitly state that he expects the high
cost areas to lead the country in mortgage delinquencies, the
tone of his column highly suggests that. Harneys recent columns
have made no secret of his belief that home owners in the U.S.
are overextending themselves because they are taking out more
interest-only mortgages and other non-traditional type of
mortgages to finance their home purchases and refinances. His
implied expectation is that folks with these types of loans will
be the new wave of foreclosures to hit the nation.

Actually, the opposite is true. Anybody with any long term
experience in the mortgage or real estate industries will be
able to tell you that higher cost does not equal more frequent
mortgage delinquencies. Both mortgage delinquencies and
foreclosures are usually the result of loss of income.
Alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling addiction certainly are
factors, but the number one reason people cannot pay their bills
is because they are earning less money than they used to.

Every economic downturn produces a new wave of foreclosures, and
the next downturn should be no different. This next time around,
however, the pundits that predicted the crash of the so-called
“real estate bubble” will be telling anyone who will listen that
they told us so. They will equate the up tick in foreclosures
with the popping of the “real estate bubble.”

They will be wrong.

Foreclosures and mortgage delinquencies follow the economic
cycle as sure as sunrise follows sunset. Folks who are laid off
their job or are the victims of downsizing are usually the ones
who experience difficulty paying the mortgage. I have helped
many clients avoid foreclosure, and the constant recurring theme
I see with the vast majority of those people is loss of income.

Its time that the media stopped trying to create the news
rather than simply to report it. All of the media hype about an
impending bursting of a “real estate bubble” is mere conjecture.
Most of those who believe that the bubble will burst believe it
because the media has harped on it so much. If you hear almost
anything long enough and often enough, you begin to believe it.
Its the underlying principle of todays advertising. For most
of the U.S., the “real estate bubble” will not burst.

It will merely hiss a bit.

Copyright 2005 Bob Roscoe

About the author:
20 years of industry experience has enabled Bob to cultivate an
eye for detail in mortgage applications and lends him an
expertise which ensures that mortgage transactions will flow
smoothly. “Stress free” is Bobs hallmark. Learn more at Mortgage
Marketing Associates