The end of antibiotics?
Antibiotics as we know them today, have only been around for close to one hundred years. They were once heralded as a key to end all disease, but we may soon discover that our use/overuse of antibiotics have become a Pandora’s box. Overtime, bacteria become more resistant to our current arsenal of antibiotics. By treating infections with antibiotics we ensure that only the strongest and most resistant variants survive. This leads to stronger and stronger strains of bacteria reproducing. This cycle requires constant development of stronger and strong antibiotics which in turn ensure that over time we will eliminate all but the most resistant and un-treatable strains of bacteria.
It has been a growing concern that we might reach a point where common antibiotics become completely ineffective, and we are left only with powerful antibiotics that have serious side effects. Eventually even our most power antibiotics will become useless.
If this sounds slightly alarmists, it might be. Instead of just trying to fight off minor infections, more and more people are going to the doctor at the first signs of feeling bad. Doctors prescribe antibiotics, and with prices are so low today, with many antibiotics showing up on $5 plans, most patients have little incentive to not purchase and take the drugs. As we essentially over medicate ourselves with antibiotics we move closer and closer to a day when they will fail us all-together.
So, has this made you twice about rushing off to the doctor for another round of antibiotics?
Further reading : The Guardian : The era of antibiotics is coming to a close. In just a couple of generations, what once appeared to be miracle medicines have been beaten into ineffectiveness by the bacteria they were designed to knock out. Once, scientists hailed the end of infectious diseases. Now, the post-antibiotic apocalypse is within sight.
FDA warns of Vitamin D supplementation for infants
The FDA recently published a statement about the dangers and risks associated with giving infants and young children vitamin D supplements. The article suggests that supplementation is suggested for children breast feeding. We highly suggest anyone currently giving or considering giving a child vitamin D supplements read this article.
As a reminder, the human body does produce its own vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight. For those wanting a quick refresher (see Wikipedia). Also please note that humans have been relying on sunlight and diet for vitamin D for as long as we have been around. Since you can overdose on vitamin D, please make sure you actually need the supplement before taking it or giving it to a child.
Cancer, UV, tanning and sunscreens…
For years we have all been told that UV light causes cancer. Since the majority of our UV exposure comes from sunlight, we have constantly been told over the years to wear sunscreen. Sounds like pretty good idea right? Simply put on some lotion and go enjoy your time in the sun worry free. This idea is starting to come apart, new reports are showing that the use of sunscreens may actually accelerate or increase your risks of cancer. These increases are due to the chemicals commonly used in making sunscreen. It is also interesting to learn that the forms of vitamin A that many companies include in their lotions as “antioxidants” break down in the presence of UV light and actually become carcinogenic themselves.
Besides the potential for your sunscreen actually cause or accelerate skin damage, there are two other major drawbacks.
First is the fact that screening out UV(UVA and UVB) light dramatically reduces your production of vitamin D. The body is made to rely on sunlight and its UV light as a major source of this vitamin. Vitamin D is commonly accepted to assist in strengthening bones and the immune functions, but many people attribute many more health benefits to this vitamin such as reducing the risk of certain cancers and maintaining sound mental and emotional health. There are vitamin D supplements, but many cannot agree on the type and amount that the body would need to properly compensate for a near total lack of natural vitamin D production.
The second major drawback to sunscreens might at first seem cosmetic; sunscreens keep the body from forming a natural tan. But tanning is the skins natural way to defend against the harmful effects of UV exposure. Without letting the body form a natural tan, you keep requiring the repeated use of sunscreens to defend against the burning effects of the sun.
For more information on the harmful effects of sunscreens we suggest reading:
Sunscreens Exposed: 9 surprising truths
Study: Many Sunscreens May Be Accelerating Cancer
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. Once formed, the clot can either restrict or cut off blood flow to the part of the body where it forms, or break free and travel to other parts of the body. If the clot travels to the lungs, it can cause a very serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
Main Causes
DVT has three major contributing factors: blood flow, blood thickness, vein health.
While DVT is most common after long periods of near complete immobilization, it can also occur during extended periods of sitting. DVT has been seen more frequently during long distance travel in airplanes leading some to refer to it as Economy class syndrome.
Relationship to office work
Many of today’s IT and office staff are spending more and more time working at their desks. When you pair this with not drinking enough water and poor sitting positions, you can dramatically reduce the circulation in your legs. These conditions are very similar to those found in airplanes and trains, so it should be of little surprise that DVT can also occur in the office environment.
Be aware, and protect yourself
There are a number of simple things you can do to help protect yourself from DVT:
- Move – Once an hour, stand up, stretch, and if possible take a small walk.
- Stay hydrated – Make sure you are getting enough water.
- Check the ergonomic layout of your working conditions : Workspace Planner
Acai Berry Scams
Diet Scams : Acai Berry + Colon Cleanse
What’s going on?
Over the past few months websites claiming to give free trials of these products have been appearing all over the internet. Unfortunately many people find these sites to be nothing more than scam’s. Weeks after receiving the “free” trial they find their credit card repeatedly charged for outrageous amounts.
People are slowly catching on to this scam but hundreds of these sites are still in existence At the moment GeekHealth.org does not know of any legitimate Acai Berry sites, if you know of one or operate one please let us know.
Is anyone else reporting on these scam sites?
Caffeine : The worlds most popular legal drug?
Caffeine
What is it?
Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid with a mildly bitter taste. It is most commonly used in food and beverage products because of its stimulant effect.
Caffeine is easily the worlds most popular and most consumed psychoactive substance.
Common dietary sources
Almost everyone should be aware that coffee and tea contain caffeine, and in recent years there has been a surge of “energy drinks” to hit store shelves. Caffeine is found in coffee beans and the leaves of tea plants, as well as in cocoa. It is also found in Yerba mate, and Guarana plants. Some foods will use the terms mateine or guaranine in place of caffeine to try and give the appearance of a more natural source of caffeine.
Geeks & Caffeine
There has been a long standing link between “Geeks” and caffeine, particularly the consumption of caffeinated drinks and snacks. While not every self styled geek consumes massive quantities of caffeine, many find caffeine to help them out in certain situations. Software developers might run long hours and seek an energy boost and gamers are always seeking an extra edge against the competition. Sometimes the small effects of caffeine just seem to hit the spot.
Where do Geeks go for Caffeine?
What are the dangers of Caffeine?
Overuse of caffeine can cause caffeine dependency, a situation like any other drug where the body becomes dependant on the existence of caffeine to operate or feel like its operating normally. Conditions including anxiety, muscle twitching, insomnia, headaches, heart palpitations and general nervousness can be arise.
In acute overdose conditions (those usually in excess of 300mg at one time) the body can enter a state of central nervous system overstimulation called caffeine intoxication(“the jitters”).
Amounts that exceed 150mg to 200mg per kilogram of body mass can lead to death. This would equal roughly 80 to 100 cups of coffee for an average adult. While this amount would be hard to achieve though the consumption of beverages, even energy drinks, caffeine pills need to be taken as recommended to be used safely, as an accidental overdose of pills would not be difficult.
What about non-caffeinated energy drinks
One energy drink that has received good reviews is e10 Energy Drink
WARNING: PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE
PHENYLALANINE
What is it?
Phenylalanine is an amino acid.
It can be found in many foods including eggs, milk, bananas, and meat products.
Why does it need a warning?
Sometimes, mostly noticeable on diet soda, there is a warning which reads “WARNING: PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE”. This may seem quite disturbing but really all this is indicating is the food in question contains the non-saccharide sweetener aspartame.
There are some people that have an enzyme deficiency that makes it difficult for them to metabolize Phenylalanine, these people are referred to as “Phenylketonurics”. Thus the warning can be interpreted as such : “For those people who have the condition Phenylketonuria, be warned, this product contains Phenylalanine.”
What happens if I can’t metabolize Phenylalanine?
If the body can not metabolize and eliminate the Phenylalanine then a substance called phenylpyruvic acid builds up in the blood system. High levels of this acid can damage the brain and/or lead to other adverse conditions : mental retardation, the loss of pigmentation in the skin/hair/eyes (people with untreated PKU often have light skin, blond hair and blue eyes), a mousy odor, muscle aches and pains and in extreme cases, even seizures.
I do not have Phenylketonuria, should I be concerned about Phenylalanine?
This is debatable although most would say there is little risk to those who do not have the condition called Phenylketonuria.
If you want to see an opinion stating that Phenylalanine is dangerous to the entire population you can see one here : Sweet Poison