Category Archives: Diet And Food

Hamblin: If you can add a multivitamin and not change anything, then go for it. Whatever. I mean, you might waste your money.

Wells: Is there really no science behind a vitamin being good for you?

Hamblin: Not unless you have a deficiency in any of those areas.

Wells: And do people generally have deficiencies? Does our modern diet mean you have some deficiencies?

Hamblin: No, you need so little. And anything that you would be likely to get deficient in, we fortify. Even pastas and cereals, theyre fortified with vitamins in case you do just eat packaged foods all the time and never eat fresh produce.

Wells: Youre telling me that, like, my Cheerios have a multivitamin in them?

Hamblin: Oh, yeah. Theyre loaded with vitamins. The reason theres vitamin D in milk is because we add it to the milk. We found ways to make an ultra-processed diet that would avoid vitamin deficiencies. And thats actually a problem for us.

Wells: So our diet is already basically the equivalent of a multivitamin, where weve just randomly put vitamins in the crap we eat?

Hamblin: Thats what fortification is. Its one of those things that is sort of like oxygen. You are getting enough and getting more is not going to help you. The one outlier in the coronavirus-vitamin discussion is vitamin D. Theres almost nothing in our diet that gets us vitamin D. It shouldnt even be called a vitamin, in my humble opinion.

Wells: What is the definition of a vitamin?

Hamblin: There is no definition. Its derived from this marketing term, vital amines. We thought they all had an amine group on them and turns out they dont.

Wells: Thats what vitamin is?!

Hamblin: Yeah. A great book on this is Vitamania, by Catherine Price. It goes into the whole supplement industry and how these ideas started.

Wells: What are vitamins?

Hamblin: Its a random smattering of compounds. We call them micronutrients, as opposed to, say, macronutrients like fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Micro- nutrients are these tinier ones, which you need, like, the amount of the head of a pin every month. Most of them occur in food. Vitamin D is one that doesnt. You make it yourself being out in the sun. And you dont need a lot, just a few minutes.

There is not evidence that laying out and tanning is good for you. Thats still a major cause of skin cancer. As long as you have some exposure, even just sitting near a window, that should be fine. But there are some serious researchers who believe that there are people who are in a gray area, who might not be getting enough vitamin D, especially when told to stay home. When youre really limiting outdoor exposure, it could be good to take a supplement.

Wells: So its not that vitamin D somehow fights off the coronavirus. Its that if you dont have enough vitamin Dand there could be a slightly elevated percentage of people who dont have enough vitamin D, because were all staying inside a lotthen your immune system can get all wacky, and therefore you would want to take a supplement. What about vitamin C? At the beginning of this, I was taking a vitamin C supplement every day.

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Listen: The Empty Promise of Vitamins - The Atlantic

The ruling camps decision to close the regular Diet session on June 17 as scheduled without extending the term amid continued concerns about the new coronavirus reflects the Abe administrations desire to avoid further opposition attacks on its policy failures.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his top aides were clearly unwilling to continue facing questions at the Diet about their responses to the outbreak and other issues. Abe put a higher priority on rebuilding his troubled leadership than on fulfilling his responsibility to explain his policy decisions and actions to the people.

The government claims that the massive reserve fund included in the second supplementary budget for this fiscal year will allow it to make swift policy responses to any unpredictable problems.

Given the lack of transparency in the governments plan to contract out the administrative work for a program to help cash-strapped businesses survive the current crisis, however, it is obvious that the administrations policy actions need to be monitored and checked regularly by the Diet.

NO PROGRESS TOWARD ADDRESSING SCANDALS

There was no time for the Diet to question the governments decision to halt the plan to introduce a U.S.-made Aegis Ashore missile defense system, announced abruptly near the end of the Diet session. This underscored afresh the Abe administrations inveterate tendency to avoid debate on sensitive policy issues and disregard the importance of the role of the Diet.

Before the nation became preoccupied with responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the focus of the regular Diet session was on a series of scandals that had hit the administration.

They include allegations that Abe abused the annual cherry blossom viewing parties he hosted for his personal gain and a bribery scandal concerning Abes policy initiative to introduce casino-centered integrated resorts into Japan. The casino scandal resulted in the arrest and indictment of Lower House lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto, who was appointed by Abe as senior vice minister at the Cabinet Office in charge of IR projects, for allegedly receiving bribes from a Chinese company seeking to operate a casino in Japan.

The administration has also been struck by an election law scandal involving a top aide to rookie Upper House member Anri Kawai and her husband, former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai, and allegations concerning a dubious sale of state-owned land to Moritomo Gakuen, a private school operator linked to Abes wife, Akie, which drove a Finance Ministry official into suicide.

Notes and the will left behind by the official were later released.

There has been no notable progress toward clarifying the allegations, raising serious doubt over the credibility of the administration. But the Diet session became dominated by challenges posed by the public health crisis.

While dealing with an outbreak of such an unknown virus inevitably involves a trial-and-error process, many Japanese seem to view the series of policy decisions made by the Abe administration in handling the crisis as a chain of delayed responses to the changing situation.

Many political pundits say the administration was slow to take actions to contain the infection partly because Abe was concerned that strong measures could have serious repercussions on Chinese President Xi Jinpings scheduled--and later canceled--state visit to Japan in the spring.

The administration was also concerned about the negative impacts on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which have been postponed to next year, as well as on local economies heavily dependent on foreign tourists visiting Japan.

It is quite doubtful whether the administration has made detailed records about its policy responses to the pandemic that are vital for later reviews and assessments of the actions.

Despite its characterization of the outbreak as a historic emergency situation, the Abe administration has failed to keep formal minutes of the meetings of the expert panel advising the government on its responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Records of proceedings at special meetings of the prime minister and key Cabinet members responsible for the governments responses to the crisis, where they effectively make related policy decisions, do not include these top policymakers remarks. These facts speak volumes about the administrations lack of commitment to solid management of official documents and adequate information disclosure.

CHANGE OF MIND FORCED BY PUBLIC PRESSURE

Unlike lockdowns imposed in many other countries, the restrictions on outings and business operations in Japan are based only on requests from the government and lack legal enforceability supported by punishment for violations. Public trust in the administration is crucial for the success of this unique approach, which depends on voluntary efforts by a broad range of individual citizens.

But Abes efforts to communicate his policies to the public have been insufficient, and his habit of reading prepared texts instead of speaking in his own words has not helped get his messages out to the public.

Abes initiatives included distributing face masks to all households amid a serious shortage and sharing a video of himself lounging on a sofa with his dog, along with a message telling people to stay at home, in response to popular musician Gen Hoshino, who uploaded a video of himself singing about dancing indoors and invited people to reciprocate.

Both of Abe's actions,based on advice from a small number of close aides, only impressed upon the public how divorced he is from the peoples feelings.

While the administrations long-criticized evil tendencies hobbled its effective handling of the pandemic, there have been unusual cases of the administration being forced to drop policy initiatives that it previously would have forcibly pushed through.

One is its decision to give up enacting legislation to give the government the discretion to extend the legal retirement ages of top public prosecutors.

The legislative initiative provoked a wave of protests in social media and prompted a group of retired top prosecutors led by former Prosecutor-General Kunihiro Matsuo to submit a position paper expressing opposition to the revision to the Justice Ministry.

The controversial bill to revise the Public Prosecutors Office Law was discarded on June 17 as the Diet session ended. If the administration intends to make sincere responses to the public opinion, it should give up on this dubious initiative altogether.

Another notable change in a policy decision concerns the centerpiece of the governments package of measures to ease the economic impacts of the outbreak.

It retracted the Cabinet decision to provide 300,000 yen ($2,800) to families suffering from falling incomes, which did not go down well with the public, and then, in response to a strong request from Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, switched to handing out 100,000 yen in cash to every resident.

The Abe administration has lost much of its once strong political momentum, which was supported by his dominant political power and high approval ratings. But it is too early to predict that his weakened power base will lead him to adopt a humbler approach to governing the nation.

POLICY DECISIONS SHOULD NOT BE BASED ON MISPLACED PRIORITIES

Abe is in his eighth year in office since he returned to power, with a little more than a year left until the end of his term as the LDP president.

After leading the ruling coalition to a major victory in the Upper House election last year, Abe tried to accelerate his long-cherished ambition to amend the Constitution. But no wave of public support for his efforts emerged.

The Commissions on the Constitution of both houses did nothing to promote the cause during the latest Diet session but hold just one session of free discussions.

Abes efforts to move ahead Japans negotiations with Russia over a bilateral peace treaty by leveraging his personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin have produced no progress.

Whether the Tokyo Olympics will be held next year will depend on an end to the pandemic.

Abe should not be criticized for trying to leave some legacies of his long rule. What he should focus on at the moment as this nations leader, however, is the colossal challenge of keeping the virus under control while resuscitating the moribund economy.

The remaining restrictions on cross-prefecture movements and operations of certain types of entertainment facilities, such as bars and clubs that provide companionship, are to be lifted on June 19.

With the threats of a possible second and third wave of infections looming on the horizon, the Abe administration needs to put the top policy priority on efforts to safeguard peoples lives and livelihoods and secure the health of the nations social and economic systems.

The ruling and opposition camps have agreed to hold weekly special committee sessions in both houses even while the Diet as a whole is in recess.

If Abe wants to regain the public's trust, he needs to answer questions at these sessions to clarify all the allegations against his administration.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 18

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EDITORIAL: Diet session ends with Abe failing to address many policy failures : The Asahi Shimbun - Asahi Shimbun

OhGod! My hair has started turning grey suddenly. We all have gone through this one dilemma, wherein we dont want our hair to get grey but at the same time its always been told that grey hair is linked to wisdom. Well, thats a tough decision whether to show your wisdom or your grey hair. But, its a fact of life that as we get older, greying of hair sets in. In fact, one-third of us go grey under the age of 30. The problem of premature greying of hair can be the result of different factors, key ones being genetic predisposition, hormonal rise and fall, addiction to smoke and stress and strain of modern lifestyle. The insufficient pigmentation of the hair follicle and the absence of melanin cause the scalp to have a mix of grey and white hair. Studies have also shown that grey hair is formed when a hair follicle starts building up too much hydrogen peroxide. Your hair follicle creates hydrogen peroxide naturally, but when the balance is disturbed or any malfunctioning happens, thats when we start seeing the occurrence of grey hair. While there is no cure for going grey (except by camouflaging it with hair colour), few tips will teach you how to stop grey hair at an early age to some extent.

Vitamins, minerals and nutritional deficiencies may also be one of the major causes of greying hair. In order for hair to look and grow healthy, and have that shine, hair needs proper amount of nutrients. Without a proper and balanced diet, our hair and skin begin to look haggard and weary. Grey hair and baldness are linked to stress because our response to anxiety is often stress-eating, and we deprive our body of the proper nutrition that it needs. Eating a balanced nutritious meal is necessary in order to maintain hair colour and to retain a healthy hair, besides having sufficient melanin.

Certain foods have been found to help in melanin production and prevent the greying of hair, and these can be incorporated into our diet to maintain the natural colour.

- A diet rich in copper can help your body naturally restore melanin in your hair. Some foods that contain a good amount of copper are almonds and cashews, mushrooms, lentils, potato, green leafy veggies, chickpeas, etc. Whole grains, lean meat and fish generally contain up to 50 percent of the required copper intake from a balanced diet. Tyrosine from food also helps in absorbing a good amount of copper from food, tyrosine can also be found in many natural sources like pumpkin seeds, lima beans and sesame seeds. Another good idea to improve your skins and body health is to eat nuts and legumes, peanuts, prunes and dried beans in your routine.

- Eating iron-rich food can add benefits to a copper-rich diet when attempting to restore melanin in your hair. Dark green vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek and kale or yellow fruits such as bananas and tomatoes, kidney beans, lentils, ragi etc are excellent sources of iron. Low iron levels are associated with early graying.

- Berries like strawberries, raspberries and cranberries, oranges, male, etc have an abundant amount of Vitamin C that promotes growth of healthy hair and also prevents premature greying.

- Dairy products like organic milk, curd and paneer are rich in Vitamin B, Vitamins B-6 and B12 that are vital for the production of red blood cells. This promotes oxygen and nutrients supply to your scalp.

- Refined and processed foods such as white flour, refined sugar and all products made from them, soft drinks, pastries, jams and jellies should be avoided. These unhealthy foods dont provide any nutrition and take away energy and cause wrinkles, unattractive skin, grey hair, and premature old age. Stay away from junk food as much as possible.

- Finally comes massaging your head withcoconut oil. It is one of the healthiest oils for your scalp. Not only does it prevent lice and dandruff, it promotes the regrowth of damaged or greying hair. Application of coconut oil on scalp and also on hair nourishes hair and consequently prevents premature greying of hair, plus it also conditions hair better than any other synthetic or chemical products available in the market. Application of warm coconut oil makes the hair sparkling, soft, and smooth and in the long run it also slows down the growth of grey hair. By massaging this oil into the hair roots and scalp, natural melanin production can be boosted. You can also combine this oil with lemon juice or Indian gooseberry (amla) for an additional melanin boost to your scalp. Curry leaves can also be boiled in coconut oil, this is a popular home remedy and an excellent hair tonic to stimulate hair growth and increase hair pigmentation.

- As I mentioned earlier, grey hair can also be caused by hydrogen peroxide built up. This can be successfully neutralised by the catalase enzyme. And where can we find that stuff? Dont worry, its in our humble onion. The remedy is simple just mix one part onion juice with one part lemon juice. Massage this into your scalp daily, and then wash off. You will definitely get the results.

These treatments are very effective at an early age to prevent greying and to maintain good scalp health, so follow it and get healthy hair. Above all, follow a youthful and positive attitude. The latter is a great buffer against lifes stresses, including stress-related greying of hair.

Chief Nutrition Officer, Luke CoutinhoHolistic HealingSystems. Thewriter is a clinicalnutritionistwith a focus onhealthy lifestylechoices.

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Here's a guide to a healthy diet to prevent greying hair - Indulgexpress

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Whether you have risk factors for developing osteoporosis or youve been diagnosed, you may wonder what the best avenues are for strengthening your bones. While theres no cure for this bone-thinning condition, with the right meds, you can see improvement and slash your risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis means porous bones. In short: Its a condition that occurs when you lose more bone mass than your body can make. Think of your bones as a bank account: You spend the first couple of decades of your life socking away bone (money) for retirement. When you reach age 30 or so, youll hit your peak bone massthe highest bone mass youll have in your lifetime. When youre a kid, a calcium-rich diet, exercise, and general good health yield healthy bone development.

If you skimped on any of the above (say, due to a childhood illness), your peak bone mass might be on the low side. Once you reach that retirement age (over 50), youll need to make some withdrawals; this is when you start losing bone mass naturally and bone formation slows.

If you didnt have a great peak bone mass to start with, you could get into trouble, leaving bones thin, brittle, and vulnerable to breaks. Certain risk factorssuch as being a postmenopausal woman or having a family history of osteoporosiscan also mean youll lose bone at a faster-than-normal rate.

The end goal of all osteoporosis treatments is to stabilize your bone densitymeaning, prevent you from losing additional bonerather than achieve a complete cure. These meds are designed to slow your bone loss, and in some cases, help make new bones, so yours are less vulnerable to fracture (breaking).

Thats important because fractures arent just painful they can be debilitating, leading to loss of mobility and independence, financial strain, and even death. The mortality rate a year after a hip fracture is about 22 percent. Yet, osteoporosis causes a staggering number of bone breaks a year: 1.5 million to be exact, according to research in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

To answer that, lets start with what actually constitutes osteoporosis. The condition is often diagnosed when you have a bone density scan, a test that measures your bone mineral density (BMD).

The most common BMD test is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or bone densitometry referred to as a DXA or DEXA scan. It checks the mineral levels in your bones, comparing your level to that of a 30-year-old of the same gender. The idea is to see how far your bone density has deviated since then. Heres how to read your results, known as a T-score:

If youve suffered a fracture, your doctor will likely do a bone density scan to see if osteoporosis is at play. The scan is also routinely given to women starting at age 65 (at risk women can start at 60) and to men starting at 70 years old.

Your doctor will also determine how likely you are to fracture a major bone within the next 10 years via a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). If you have osteopenia and a low risk of fracture, you probably wont be treated with an osteoporosis drug. Instead, the recommendation is to make lifestyle changes to improve, or at least stabilize, your bone density. What kinds of tweaks are we talking about? These may include:

However, if youre diagnosed with osteopenia and have a high risk of fracture, your physician may start you on osteoporosis meds to slow down your bone loss before it becomes osteoporosis. Medications arent always a given though. A person who is diagnosed relatively young with no history of fractures and is otherwise healthy may not need meds just yet.

A few drug classes for osteoporosis that work in different ways to prevent fracture and a treatment plan may include one of the following types of drugs:

This family of meds give your natural bone production a chance to play catch-up by slowing or stopping resorption, when bones break down and release minerals such as calcium into your blood. They home in on and inhibit osteoclasts, the cells that do the breaking down. Antiresorptive drugs include:

Youve probably heard of Fosamax or Boniva (or the Boniva generic ibandronate). Theyre part of this drug class the most commonly prescribed for osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates work by slowing down those osteoclasts, giving your osteoblasts (the bone-building cells) a chance to get ahead. Examples include:

Most drugs come with some risk of side effects, and bisphosphonates are no exception. The most common side effects of bisphosphonates are:

There is a side effect from Fosamax called osteonecrosis of the jaw (loss of blood supply to this bone). Its a risk with all bisphosphonates, but its rare and usually seen in people receiving high doses of the meds during cancer treatments. Another less common side effect is atypical femoral fracture; (yes, an osteoporosis med can actually cause a bone break). Long-term use is linked to breaks in the upper thigh area. Zoledronic acid side effects can also include flu-like symptoms, but theyre temporary.

To reduce the risk of the more serious side effects, current osteoporosis treatment guidelines for bisphosphonates call for reassessing a patients fracture risk after three to five years. If your risk of fracture is low-to-moderate after treatment, you may be able to take a break from the drugs; those who are still high risk can remain on bisphosphonates for up to 10 years.

These injections work by neutralizing RANKL, a protein thats necessary for osteoclasts to do their job breaking down bone. Theyre given via injection every six months, depending on the brand, for up to 10 years. Example include:

RANKL injections can also lead to atypical fractures, and that risk is even greater if you suddenly stop treatment. A study in the journal Osteoporosis International found a five percent increase in multiple vertebral fractures after halting the osteoporosis treatment injection.

HRT cuts down on fragility fractures by 20 to 35 percent, studies have shown, but because of its potential health risks (pulmonary embolism, cardiovascular issues, and breast cancer are just a few), its considered a last resort treatment for osteoporosis alone and is reserved for women who are experiencing both menopause symptoms and osteoporosis. Side effects can include:

HRT is approved for women in the form of daily oral tablets and transdermal patches that are applied daily or weekly.

SERMs arent hormones, so they dont carry the same risks as traditional HRT, but this class of drugs does act similar to estrogen in the body by reducing menopause systems and fortifying your bones and preventing fracture, particularly in the spine.

Its a good option for women who are dealing with both menopause symptoms and osteoporosis, but have a high risk of breast cancer that eliminates HRT as an option. SERMs are taken as a daily tablet. One example is Evista (raloxifene), a daily oral tablet approved for women. Evitas most common side effects are:

This type of drug, like Duavee (conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene) combines estrogen with a SERM to help with severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and boost bone mineral density. Research has shown it can increase both spine and hip density after 12 months. Its a daily tablet thats taken orally. Side effects can include:

Because TSEC contains estrogen, it carries some of the risks of HRT.

These are your bone builders. This osteoporosis drug class is designed to stimulate osteoblasts, the cells that beef up bone formation. Theyre typically reserved for more severe cases of osteoporosis where the risk of fracture is very high. Anabolics include:

The most common side effects of these osteoporosis treatment injections are:

The newest bone maker on the block, romosozumab-aqq, is an anti-sclerosin monoclonal antibody approved for postmenopausal women with high risk of fracture. It comes with a risk of cardiovascular issues, so if youve had a heart attack or a stroke within the past year, this is not an ideal drug. Teriparatide and abaloparatide are synthetic versions of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium, essential for strong bones.

While worries about side effects may give you pause about filling your prescription for osteoporosis meds, its important to remember this: The benefits of preventing a fracture (and all that comes with it) win out over the risks of taking these meds, according to guidelines from the Endocrine Society published in The Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Its not widely done, but theres evidence that pairing an antiresorptive with an anabolic agent may yield better results than giving one drug alone. One study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research showed combining the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid with the anabolic teriparatide boosted bone mineral density in the spine and hip more than either drug alone.

In an analysis of seven studies, research in the BMJ Open found that a combo of the two drug classes greatly improved bone mineral density of the hip and spine more quickly than an anabolic agent alone. Some doctors will also give an anabolic first (in severe cases) and prescribe a bisphosphonate to maintain your newly formed bone mass.

While bisphosphonates and anabolic agents are the most common osteoporosis medications, some drugs that are used to treat other conditions that can also have a positive effect on bone density.

Youve probably heard steroids are bad for bones. Its true; long-term use of corticosteroids (synthetic drugs that are similar to cortisol, a hormone your body produces) deteriorates bone mineral density, causing osteoporosis. But low doses of anabolic steroids (synthetic versions of the male hormone androgen) may have the opposite effect, stimulating bone growth and reducing osteoporosis pain from fractures, according to research in Clinical Calcium. However, theres limited data to know the long-term side effects of anabolic steroids.

This used to be a malaria medication. How can that possibly help your bones? Hydroxychloroquine is antirheumatic, meaning its used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, Sjgen syndrome, etc. Researchers discovered those treated with Plaquenil had higher bone mineral density than those who werent. Its not FDA approved for osteoporosis and comes with a rare, but serious risk of eye damage in high doses. More common side effects include:

This is another type of bisphosphonate given via IV infusion that slows down bone loss, but its primarily used to treat bone damage from Pagets Disease (a chronic disease that causes deterioration of bone tissue) and certain types of cancer, as well as hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in blood caused by calcium). Its an option for osteoporosis patients, but zoledronic acid has proved better for fracture prevention.

Right now, there are no natural supplements that experts recommend in lieu of FDA-approved osteoporosis drugs. If youve been searching the internet for that, youve probably come across info on strontium, a trace element, for osteoporosis.

There is some scientific basis on this one. A study found that postmenopausal women who took two grams of strontium ranelate every day for three years suffered 37 percent fewer spinal fractures compared to women taking a daily placebo pill.

Theres also a strontium ranelate-based drug (Protelos) approved in Europe, but not here in the US. (Its associated with some serious side effects such as pulmonary embolism and heart attacks.) So, should you take an over-the-counter version of the mineral, such as strontium citrate or strontium chloride, to strengthen your bones? Not so fast. These are not the same as strontium ranelate, and theres no evidence they work.

What about OTC estrogen pills? Phytoestrogens, plant-based versions of the hormone such as soy and flaxseed, have some limited data behind them to show that they may help slow bone loss. But physicians say not enough to replace your prescribed medication. Phytoestrogens in your diet may be better at preventing low bone density than treating osteoporosis.

No one drug stands out as the safest; all medications have side effects. Youll have to weigh the pros and cons of each with your physician to find the right fit for you. Typically, bisphosphonates are well tolerated and have been shown to be safe to take for up to 10 years, which is why theyre the first line of treatment for osteoporosis.

Theres no cure for osteoporosis, but you can strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fracture by taking medications and making lifestyle changes. These include: boosting your calcium and vitamin D intake, doing weight-bearing exercises at least three days a week, drinking less alcohol (no more than one to two drinks a day), and if youre a smoker, quitting.

No, osteoporosis drugs are not a lifelong commitment. You can take bisphosphonates for up to 10 years, but the latest osteoporosis guidelines suggest reassessing a patients bone density between three and five years, and, if possible, taking a break from the drugs. Bisphosphonates linger in your bones after you stop taking them, so you have some built-in protection. RANKL agents such as Prolia can be used up to 10 years, while anabolic agents can only be given for up to two years.

The risk of suffering a fracture is far greater than incurring some of the most serious side effects of medication. One in two women over age 50 will fracture a bone and fractures can be extremely painful and debilitating. Need more convincing? Consider this stat from a New York Times article: For every 100,000 women taking bisphosphonates, fewer than three will have osteonecrosis of the jaw, and only one will suffer an atypical femoral fracture. But 2,000 will have avoided an osteoporotic fracture.

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What Are Your Osteoporosis Medication Options? - HealthCentral.com

A former justice minister and his lawmaker wife were arrested on June 18 on suspicion of handing out money to buy votes in her successful campaign in the 2019 Upper House election.

Prosecutors on June 18 asked Lower House member Katsuyuki Kawai, 57, and his wife, Anri, 46, an Upper House member, to appear for questioning, sources said. The arrests were made based on a warrant requested by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office for the couple on the same day.

Lawmakers cannot be arrested when the Diet is in session. But the current session ended on June 17.

Investigators have been looking into allegations that the couple distributed about 26 million yen ($243,000) to 100 prefectural and city assembly members and others in Hiroshima Prefecture in a bid to secure votes for Anri, who won her first seat in the Diet in the 2019 election.

Both lawmakers have denied any wrongdoing during questioning by prosecutors on a voluntary basis.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on June 17 formally approved the Kawais request to leave the party.

The Kawais are close associates of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Katsuyuki was appointed as justice minister by Abe during a September 2019 Cabinet reshuffle, but he stepped down after about a month because of weekly magazine reports alleging possible campaign violations by Anris staff.

A policy aide to Anri was found guilty on June 16 of violating the Public Offices Election Law by paying more than double the legal amount to staff who rode in campaign cars and shouted out the candidates name.

During the investigation into the aide, prosecutors found a list of names of local assembly members who were given money by the Kawais to help round up votes for Anri in the election.

Prosecutors have questioned those local assembly members, and many said they clearly knew what the money they received was intended for, sources said.

Investigative sources said that after Anri announced in March 2019 that she planned to run in the summer Upper House election, Katsuyuki provided cash payments to about 95 Hiroshima assembly members and others. The total amount given was about 24 million yen.

Anri herself is also suspected of giving five individuals a total of 1.5 million yen.

Investigators believe that Katsuyuki played a central role in the distribution of the cash because he was in charge of Anris campaign.

Katsuyuki has won seven terms in the Lower House from a Hiroshima Prefecture district.

A Hiroshima prefectural assembly election was held in April 2019, and some of those who received cash from Katsuyuki were told the money was in relation to their own elections.

But all those who received the money were also asked to support Anri in the Upper House election.

Prosecutors reached the conclusion that the distribution of money to a wide range of individuals and the large amount involved was an organized attempt to buy votes for Anri, a violation of the Public Offices Election Law.

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Kawais arrested over suspected vote-buying in 2019 Diet election : The Asahi Shimbun - Asahi Shimbun

Considering excellent nutritional facts about legumes,FAOand nutrition experts recommend increasing the consumption of legumes and pulses in the daily diet.Legumes are not just great for vegans and vegetarians, but they're a great alternative to industrial snacks for everybody, particularly kids and seniors.

In fact, legumes are universally recognized as a sustainable and inexpensive alternative to meat, and are considered the second most important food source after cereals. In many countries, they are consumed on a regular or even daily basis.

They are a great source of proteins (2045%) with essential amino acids, complex carbohydrates (60%) and dietary fibre(537%), essential for supporting digestive health and helping to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Low in sodium, they have no cholesterol and are generally low in fat - with 5% energy from fat, except for peanuts (45%), chickpeas (15%) and soybeans (47%)which can also contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Legumes are also a good source of essential minerals (iron and potassium) and folate, a B-vitamin naturally present in many foods that is essential to the nervous system function and especially important during pregnancy to prevent fetal defects.

They are also a source of starch, that is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids (such as butyrate) used by intestinal cells for food energy.

Naturis'cereals- and legumes-based products are conceived to meet the increasing demand for plant-based nutrition.

Naturisis an Italian company specializing in the production of legume- and cereal-based foods.

After several years of research, and thanks to the expertise gained in the hydrothermal treatment of legumes and cereals, the company recently launched a new line of snacksImpulsesmeeting the increasing demand of plant-based nutrition.

Crunchy pulses and seeds feature a great nutritional profile and provide a balanced dose of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, the majority of which are unsaturated. They are also a great source of fibers and minerals, such as iron, zinc, phosphorous,folate, and B vitamins.

Naturis' industrial process allows food products to be manufactured safely via a natural hydrothermal treatment process using only water and thermal energy. Thus, nutritional properties of legumes are preserved and even amplified, and proteins become more readily available for biological absorption. The process also improves the flavor of legumes by lightly roasting them to make them distinguishable and tasty.

The Impulses line includes lentils, yellow peas, green peas, chickpeas. They can be consumed instantly as snacks,but are also particularly suitable for the preparation of breakfast mixes or as a delicious addition to salads, allowing food companies to successfully use legumes in their most classic formulations and direct consumption.

They are also good for bakery products, in the production of bars with a high nutritional value. They are not fried and therefore very healthy.

However, to get an even tastier touch, they adapt well to a rapid passage in oil to obtain a golden color and an even crunchier and appetizing texture.

Naturis' cereals are distributed on the North American market by Faravelli Inc, the US subsidiary of Faravelli.Faravelli began operating in its native Italy in 1926, before going on to establish a presence in North America in 2014.

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Plant-based nutrition as an alternative to meat - Food Dive

You've probably heard someone complain about how they always catch a cold after flying. Maybe you are that person.

Or perhaps you've seen those GIFs showing how germs from someone sneezing can spread all over the plane, or reports that shed light on the dirtiest parts of a plane (yes, tray tables are germierthan airplane bathrooms).

While nonessential travel is still not recommended in many places such as in the US, where the Centers for Disease Control warns against it you might be wondering how safe it really is to fly right now. Are airplanes vessels of disease, best avoided during a global pandemic, or are they no riskier than, say, a trip to the grocery store?

We spoke to four experts to find out what the risks look like.

It's worth noting that if you do choose to travel, it's best to check each state's health and travel advisories, and the CDC's travel recommendations by country.

HEPA filters are also used in hospitals and remove 99.97% of all airborne particles. Stanislav Samoylik/Shutterstock

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states on its website that "most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes."

Some experts agree.

Joseph Allen, an assistant professor of exposure assessment science at Harvard University and co-author of the book "Healthy Buildings," told Insider that the air on planes is "clean and highly filtered."

Having studied airplane cabin air quality for over a decade, Allen says: "We have to approach this not just from a medical side, but also understanding the engineering side. When you take a step back and look at how the airplane functions, you quickly see that the airplane is getting a lot of fresh air."

He explains that air on planes comes through the engine from outside, and is usually a 50/50 mix of fresh and recirculated air. The recirculated air goes through a HEPA filter, which is used in hospitals and removes 99.97% of all airborne particles, such as germs and viruses. He adds that airplanes get 10 to 12 full air changes per hour, which is on par with what the CDC recommends for airborne infection isolation rooms in hospitals.

"When an infectious passenger coughs or sneezes, the large droplets are going to fall to the ground. So they're not going to be floating around the cabin. It's the small aerosols that are going to float around the cabin, and hopefully [those] are wiped up by the HEPA filter," said Howard Weiss, a biomathematician and professor in the School of Mathematics at Georgia Tech and an adjunct professor of biology and public health at Emory University. Weiss also co-authored a study titled, "Behaviors, movements, and transmission of droplet-mediated respiratory diseases during transcontinental airline flights."

He adds that it's believed that the flu and the coronavirus, for example, are mostly transmitted by the large droplets, though he says there are some indications of "super spreading events that may be caused by aerosols" for COVID-19.

Claiming that air on planes is probably fresher than the air in your house or office, Weiss says "what that means is that an infectious aerosol won't linger for long periods of time on a plane."

The International Air Transport Association is on the same page, stating on its website that "the risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is typically lower than in a shopping center or office environment."

The tray table is the dirtiest surface on a plane. David Slotnick/Business Insider

"The issue is really who's next to you, and then the surfaces you touch a lot," Charles Gerba, a professor of virology at the University of Arizona who has also studied germs on planes, said.

However, he adds that the current cleaning protocols implemented by most airlines, which disinfect planes between flights in many cases, "should take care of a lot of the concerns with that." In fact, going forward airlines will increasingly focus on hygiene, with ideas such as plastic dividers between seats or in-flight janitors already circulating.

Gerba says that tray tables are the dirtiest place on a plane, according to his studies, and that he's detected influenza virus, norovirus, and parainfluenza virus, which causes the common cold, on them.

"The reason that the trays get so contaminated is because that's where your hands are. You're contaminating it all the time by picking it up. So what we generally recommend is you bring a hand sanitizer with you, try to avoid touching your face, or wear a mask, and I think the risks are minimized." He says to avoid the tray table entirely if you can, and to be careful using the bathroom latch and taps, and the overhead vents.

Weiss agrees, saying that indirect transmission of most respiratory infections (touching something that someone who is infected touched) can for the most part be staved off "by using hand sanitizer religiously if you touch any surfaces in the airplane cabin."

"I think that the risk has always been primarily through inhalation, but it doesn't mean that the surface route is not important, or we don't need to worry about wiping down surfaces or washing our hands and using hand sanitizer. I still think that's very important from an infection risk reduction," said Paloma Beamer, associate professor of environmental health sciences at University of Arizona and president of the International Society of Exposure Science.

According to newly revised guidance on the CDC's website, the coronavirus "does not spread easily" from contaminated surfaces.

It's almost impossible to maintain a 6-foot distance from others on a plane. Associated Press

According to Allen, there are "very few examples of outbreaks happening on an airplane," at least relative to the millions of flights annually. However, he adds that "proximity to the infectious patient or person is the key risk factor."

Gerba agrees, but says "it's only really the immediate area around you" that puts travelers at risk. He says that because the air on planes goes around, instead of back and forth, "studies have shown in outbreaks on planes it's usually the people on either side of you or front and back of you." And while Gerba says, "you can get diseases on planes," he adds that it comes mainly from "the people just right immediately next to you."

Allen says it's down to "the luck of the draw," and whether you sit next to someone who is not only infectious but also asymptomatic, as he hopes that symptomatic patients are screened out of flights at this stage.

"It'd be the same risk if you went out grocery shopping what are the odds you happen to be next to somebody in line with an infection?" he said.

Beamer says that the main issue on a plane is the inability to control your environment.

"If you're on a full plane and you sit down next to somebody who is sick, there's not really a whole lot you can do. You don't have as much control over your exposure on a plane versus other environments. Like, when I'm at Trader Joe's, I can still move away," she said.

According to Beamer, travelers can have up to 20 other passengers within six feet of them on a full flight, but adds that six feet is really just a suggestion. "Six feet 1 inch doesn't make you safe, neither does 5 feet 10 inches make you not safe it's kind of a range. Some people are going to release a lot more virus when they're sick than other people," she said.

Essentially, your probability of getting infected changes depending on how close or far you are from an infected person. Your dose of exposure is another factor, which can depend on how long you spend exposed.

"What our study showed was that if direct transmission, large droplet mediated infectious disease variance falls within a meter or two (3-6 feet), then unless you're seated close to the infectious passenger [...] you have quite a low probability of getting infected," Weiss said.

Close, to Weiss, means the CDC standard for most infectious diseases of three feet.

While many flights are currently operating at low capacity, and some airlines are keeping their middle rows empty, this likely won't last. According to a press release by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), social-distancing measures can reduce planes' maximum load factors to 62%, when most airlines need their planes to be 77% full to break even. Thus, the IATA anticipates fares rising by up to 54% in some places, though this could also mean that flights will simply get filled right back up as soon as there's demand again.

Gerba suggests wearing a mask, not only because it reduces the spread of airborne droplets, "but it keeps you from touching your nose and mouth, which are potential routes of transmission of virus."

While Weiss acknowledges that your level of protection really depends on the kind of mask you wear, he says that "wearing a mask and washing your hands religiously, I think those are the best things you could do."

Allen also suggests keeping the vent above you on and blowing air down.

Crowds like these are not uncommon at airports. Scott Olson/GettyImages

The CDC says that yes, air travel can increase your risk of contracting COVID-19, but clarifies that this doesn't necessarily mean that the risk is only on the plane itself.

"Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces," the CDC writes.

Allen thinks that there are many situations outside of the airplane cabin that deserve our heightened attention.

"If you look at the whole travel experience, you can't disentangle the time in the airplane from these other environments, which may be higher risk," he said, pointing to taking public transportation to the airport, standing in tightly packed lines for check-in, security, and boarding, and potentially eating at a contaminated table in the terminal. He adds that travel often disrupts your sleep cycle and diet, which can also impact your immune system.

His research has also found that often the gates and jetways at airports don't have ventilation running while people board and disembark, which he says needs to change in order to prevent the spread of airborne viral particles infectious people might be shedding.

"We have to place the risk on an airplane in the context of other risks, we can't just point to one environment. If everyone's focus is on the tray table, rather than their entire time through the airport, then that's a mistake because that means they're not paying as much attention to other areas that are higher risk. Those are things that are controllable risks," Allen said.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't take additional precautions during a pandemic, it's just to highlight that the time on the airplane is lower risk compared to these other environments," he added.

"There's some added benefit to sitting in a window seat." Getty Images

"Because people are walking by you in the aisle seat, it's shown in outbreaks and norovirus that people are more likely to get ill if they sit on the aisle because people are touching surfaces and walking by. So based on norovirus outbreaks, the window seat is better," said Gerba.

Weiss agrees. "What we found was under normal circumstances again, we're talking direct transmission of large droplet transmitted infectious diseases if you sit in a window seat, you are more than a meter (3 feet) away from the aisle," he said. "So if you believe in the one-meter cut-off for infectious droplets, then you're going to have far fewer close proximity contacts. So yes, there's some added benefit to sitting in a window seat. It's modest, but it's certainly a benefit."

Wiping down tray tables and other touch points can reduce risk. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

"The airlines have a lot of responsibility here, but let's not ignore the responsibility of the air traveler," Allen said, citing that travelers should stay home if they're sick, wear their mask throughout the entire trip, and maintain physical distance.

Currently, air travel is slightly up again the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported 441,255 people flying on June 7 but that's only in comparison to its record low of 87,534 people in April. To put the numbers into perspective, on the same weekday in 2019, the TSA saw 2,669,860 people passing through their checkpoints.

Allen says that travelers should continue to ask themselves whether the trip is really necessary.

"This is not a green light that everyone should run out to the airport tomorrow morning and fly," he said. "While the science shows that the risk is low on an airplane, airplanes are also good vectors of disease. They move people around the country and the world efficiently, and can bring someone who is sick to an area that maybe doesn't have an outbreak happening."

"You have to ask yourself, is it necessary? Do you have any personal risk factors that put you at higher risk? Are you willing to do your part? Are you willing to keep your mask on? Are you willing to wash your hands frequently? Are you willing to maintain physical distancing?" Allen asks.

"I think if we do all of that, and the airport does their role, the airlines do their role, and air travelers do their part, we can get back to a place where we can start to increase the amount of air travel we have."

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Experts on what the health risks of flying on a plane right now are - Insider - INSIDER

Good gut health is absolutely vital for optimal performance, recovery and bowel and general health. According to Daniel Lieberman, Evolutionary biologist at Harvard University, Your guts have about 100 million nerves, more than the number of nerves in your spinal cord or your entire peripheral nervous system, so isnt it about time you started treating this part of your body with more care and attention?

Healthy bowel activity is considered to be one or two movements of moderate size every day. Fewer bowel movements, e.g. every other day or once or twice a week is simply not enough for optimum health.

Why does it matter how regular you are? Because if body wastes dont move through the bowel quickly enough, toxins can get absorbed back into the body through the mucous membranes causing a range of adverse health effects.

Its incredibly important to keep that waste moving. Part of the problem is the modern diet, full of processed foods, alcohol, coffee etc. as it causes the digestive tract to produce mucus layers to protect itself from the toxins in these foods and these layers build up and prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from what we eat.

Also, these processed, low-fibre foods rot away in our gut putrefying, fermenting and leading to bacterial growth and this can lead to unbalanced gut flora.

Common signs of this happening include headache, backache, bad breath, body odour, skin problems, irritability, abdominal gas and bloating. This build-up of wastes in the digestive tract can be severe; the bowel can become impacted with a huge amount of accumulated material, like an old sewage pipe, until the opening is no bigger than a pencil! Of course, if you want to beat constipation for good and be truly healthy the best solution is to make long term positive changes and additions to your diet and lifestyle.

Good-looking poop can indicate that your health and fitness is where it should be. For instance, it can tell you:

If your poo isnt looking so great, it might tell you something important. For instance, less-than-stellar poo might say things like:

How do you know if your poop is looking good? Weve got you covered (not literally), simply click on the link below.

Is my poop healthy?

If you have any problems with your bowel movements, constipation or care about improving your health in general then you should check out Steel Stool. They will help fix yo sh*t!

STEEL STOOL is an all-natural vegan fibre supplement fuelled by psyllium husk, cinnamon, chicory, and aloe vera to keep things moving. The combination of these natural ingredients will bring many health benefits to your body.

Psyllium husk serves as a prebiotic to help facilitate the nourishment of bacteria in the lining of the gut. In turn, this will help proper digestion and healthy absorption of food.

Cinnamon reduces the stomachs rate of digestion, helping to normalize blood sugar levels and reduce triglycerides, bad cholesterol, and total cholesterol.

Soluble fiber is the primary type of fiber found in chicory root. This key ingredient slows digestion and eliminates cholesterol from the body.

Naturally containing high amounts of fiber and water, aloe vera is alkaline, meaning it helps reduce inflammation in the stomach and feed good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Take 3 capsules of Steel Stool, twice daily with plenty of water. Once fully hydrated, their proprietary blend of psyllium husk, cinnamon, chicory, and aloe vera, each capsule swells to form a soft-but-solid mass. The expanded fibre begins to pass safely and gently through your digestive tract, collecting particles and any excess waste left behind in your digestive tract.

The process is similar to a natural scrubber cleaning up behind your meals, providing an excellent medium to help maintain the flow of elimination. These fuller bowel movements lead to the ever-elusive ghost wipe.

Whatever standard you may be, good gut health will considerably help your performances and recovery. Good gut health allows your body to absorb the nutrients and minerals from the foods you eat more easily, maximising their bio-availability. It also allows you to feel comfortable and focused on the task at hand. During longer conditioning WODs or intense strength workouts, the last thing you want to be worrying about is you stomach and how bad it feels.

Fuller bowel movements lead to the elusive ghost wipe. This is that glorious post-poop moment when a single wipe of the toilet paper is completely clean. This indicates exceptionally healthy and optimised gut health.

Fibre, also known as roughage, is the part of plant-based foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans) that the body cant break down. It passes through the body undigested, keeping your digestive system clean and healthy, easing bowel movements, and flushing cholesterol and harmful carcinogens out of the body. Steel Stool utilises fibre from all-natural, vegan sources.

Many foods contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. In general, the more natural and unprocessed the food, the higher it is in fibre. There is no fibre in meat, dairy, or sugar. Refined or white foods, such as white bread, white rice, and pastries, have had all or most of their fibre removed.

Dietary fibre and STEEL STOOL normalises bowel movements by bulking up stools and making them easier to pass. This can help relieve and prevent both constipation and diarrhea. Eating plenty of fibre can also reduce your risk for diverticulitis (inflammation of the intestine), hemorrhoids, gallstones, kidney stones, and provide some relief for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some studies have also indicated that a high-fibre diet may help to lower gastric acid and reduce your risk for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and ulcers.

A diet high in fibre, particularly insoluble fibre from cerealscan lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, eating soluble fibre can slow the absorption of sugar and improve your blood sugar levels.

There is some research that suggests eating a high-fibre diet can help prevent colorectal cancer, although the evidence is not yet conclusive. Diets rich in high-fibre foods are also linked to a lower risk for other common digestive system cancers, including stomach, mouth, and pharynx.

When yeast and fungus are excreted through the skin, they can trigger outbreaks or acne. Eating fibre, especially psyllium husk (as found in Steel Stool), can flush toxins out of your body, improving the health and appearance of your skin.

Fibre, particularly soluble fibre, is an important element of any heart-healthy diet. Eating a diet high in fibre can improve cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high fibre intake can also reduce your risk for metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors linked to coronary heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Fibre can also help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and shed excess weight around the abdomen.

Steel Stool provides an all-natural, vegan supplement that will have a multitude of positive benefits for your gut and wider general health.

Say goodbye to digestive toxins and hello to a healthier you. Fix yo sh*t

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How to Maximise your Performance, Recovery and Health by Optimising your Gut Health - BOXROX

Consumed with wanderlust after months of quarantine? Same. But even as the world slowly reopens during COVID-19, is it safe to rent an Airbnb or vacation rental home right now? We spoke to a few experts to get clearer answers on the complicated question.

It is certainly safe to rent a vacation home this summer, says Dr. Erika Schwartz, M.D. and founder of Evolved Science. And, according to Dr. Linda Anegawa, internist with virtual primary care platform PlushCare, a home rental, like Airbnb, is actually preferable to a hotel room, which has probably had way more people in it. Still, viruses dont take vacations, so both doctors emphasize that COVID-19 safety measures must still be taken very seriously if you do book. Those include what youve already been doingwashing hands, avoiding touching your face, practicing social distancing and wearing masksin addition to a little elbow grease to do your own deep clean (well get into that).

1. Research how the rental has been cleaned

While information on COVID-19 is still evolving, recent research suggests that the virus can remain contagious in the air for up to three hours, and on some surfaces (like stainless steel and plastic) it can survive as long as three days. Still, Dr. Schwartz says the biggest consideration should not be how recently the place was occupied, but rather how it has been disinfected and its prior history of guests. Bottomline: Be sure to reach out to potential hosts before you book, so you can suss out whether or not the previous occupant was sick during their stay and get the scoop on not just if, but how the home will be cleaned and disinfected before you arrive.

2. Crosscheck that information with CDC

Once youve gotten some information straight from the source, Dr. Anegawa recommends you make sure it aligns with the official CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.

Story continues

3. Give it 24 hours

Regardless of the lag time between guests, the CDC recommends that a 24-hour waiting period should be observed following disinfection of a potentially infected areaso find out the date of cleaning if you can, and then give it a day.

Worried you wont know what to say when you drop your prospective hosts a line? No problem--we asked the American Cleaning Institute to weigh in on what renters should ask before booking if they want to cover all the bases. Heres the breakdown.

Is your home professionally cleaned in between rentals?

Does your cleaning crew disinfect surfaces around your home?*

Do you have an adequate supply of cleaning products, like hand soap, dish soap, disinfectant spray or wipes, available in your unit?

Do you have a washer and dryer available and any detergent that we can use?

*Note: Cleaning and disinfecting are not one in the same. Learn more about the distinction between the two on the CDCs Covid-19 FAQ page.

To reiterate, cleaning practices are a major factor when it comes to the risk associated with any given vacation rental. In acknowledgement of that, Airbnb has updated their cleaning protocol to better protect both guests and hosts from Covid-19 infection. While these policy changes are reassuring, compliance still operates under the honor system, which of course is not always the most reliable. Since you wont be present to confirm the extent to which your Airbnb hosts have followed the recommended disinfecting procedures, the doctors advise all travelers to take matters into their own hands upon arrival at a rental location.

Bring your own alcohol-based disinfectant

Pack household cleaning suppliesDr. Schwartz says any alcohol-based disinfectant should do the trickand spray down all surfaces as soon as you check in.

Pay attention to high-touch surfaces

Dr. Anegawa advises paying particular attention to high-touch surfaces. What are those, you ask? According to the American Cleaning Institute those hot spots to sanitize ASAP include:

Doorknobs

Light switches

Flat surfaces (table or desk)

Bathroom (toilet, faucet, sink)

Remote control or phone

Countertops

Handles (drawers, appliances, etc.)

Pack your own sheets and towels

Finally, it might be wise to bring your own clean sheets; otherwise, plan on doing a load of laundry on day one, so you can rest assured that all the towels and linens have been washed in the warmest water possible and thoroughly dried.

Dos and Donts of a COVID-19 Vacation

So youve settled into your home away from home...now what? Cities are gradually reopening across the country, but certain safety measures are still in effect.

Do: Wear masks in public.

Both experts agree that no matter where you are, masks should still be worn in public places. In fact, Anegawa advises that travelers bring a supply of masks wherever they gocause youre going to need one if you want access to a cafe for a barista-made cup of delicious in the morning.

Do: Social Distance

No matter where you are, social distancing is still the rule, so avoid crowded places. (For example, if the beach is packed, go with plan B and find a nearby hiking trail instead).

Dont: Throw caution to the wind

If a vacation is in the cards for you, bon voyage. Just be sure to enjoy your new surroundings without being reckless to yourself or the community youre entering.

Please note that the information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, things are evolving, and some data may have changed since publication. Before booking a vacation rental, be sure to consult the latest advisories from public health authorities, like the CDC and World Health Organization.

RELATED: This Jennifer Garner-Approved Fitness Brand Now Makes Breathable Face Masks for Running Outdoors

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Is It Safe to Rent an Airbnb or Vacation Home Right Now? - Yahoo! Voices

Every human being is unique. With a unique life in a unique environment, unique behavior, a unique genome and a unique history of diseases. That is why each person reacts differently to treatment, and medication does not always work. Doctors have difficulty estimating this difference. From this fact, a new field of research has emerged in science: personalized medicine. Van Riel: Based on the idea that the average patient does not exist, we use computer models to try to predict an individuals response to a therapy or medication.

With the increase of metering citizens, who use fitbits and other health apps to monitor their own health, more and more data is becoming available per individual. This goldmine of data is currently unused by doctors, while this data can be very interesting in determining what makes you different from others. When people use these apps for a longer period of time, the resulting database runs parallel with your life, so to speak.

That is exactly the information that the DigiTwin research program wants to use. Of course, with due regard for matters such as privacy, ethics and data security. Van Riel: We are creating a computer model based on the mountain of data. And because the model always uses new data, which the individual collects over a longer period of time, the model grows with the individual. This creates a digital twin of the individual. In our case, a simplified digital twin of your metabolic system.

However, human metabolism is an incredibly complex system to replicate. Not only does food intake play a role but also bacteria in the intestine and hormones whose job is to turn digestive processes on and off. In order to develop digital twins, you first need to know how these processes work. Van Riel: Only then can you determine what makes a healthy system different from an unhealthy system.

Once you have developed such a standard model, you can start working with the individual. Instead of using standard values, Van Riel and the researchers in his group fill the models with personal data of an individual patient, for example the hormone values and the eating pattern of that person. You can then carry out simulations; adjust the diet or simulate surgery. The chain reaction that this intervention brings about is visible as an output of the system. And that shows whether the intervention is successful for the patients metabolism or not.

A persons lifestyle plays an enormous role in his or her metabolism. For example, an unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to the development of all kinds of diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. But not necessarily. Van Riel wants to know where these differences come from.

For example, a lot is still unclear around gastric bypass surgery in obese people. A gastric bypass, which reduces the stomach to the size of a kiwi, leads to a significant weight reduction in 75% of people. Van Riel: The strange thing is that peoples metabolism becomes healthier even before they lose weight. For example, people with type 2 diabetes can stop injecting insulin as early as two weeks after the operation, while the weight loss after the operation typically lasts a year. By making digital twins of the metabolism of these patients, Van Riel wants to discover why this is the case and whether major surgery was the right treatment for that specific patient.

Van Riel and his research group are particularly interested in changes over time, described by means of differential equations in his models. His mathematical models are based on physical laws; the biochemical reactions that occur during digestion, uptake and metabolism. This prevents the creation of a black box, whereby a doctor can always deduce why the model gives a certain result.

Van Riel: In order to be able to convert existing computer models of blood sugar levels in healthy people for application to people with diabetes, you need to include medical domain knowledge in your models, such as in this case how glucose is absorbed and processed in a body with diabetes. Only then can you really make your model fit the patient. And while that may sound obvious, it is not. Many models that are made on the basis of artificial intelligence only look for patterns in the data repository, without considering any physical laws.

Read more from the original source:
Digital copy of your body allows to try out treatments - Mirage News