National Review

Six months ago, when President Joe Biden was candidate Joe Biden, he spoke of a crisis being felt all across the United States of America. The crisis was school closures. Millions of children were staring at laptops rather than learning in a classroom. Biden said: This is a national emergency. President Trump doesnt have a real plan for opening schools safely. Hes offering nothing but failures and delusions. Six months later, the education crisis abounds, and now-President Biden is so far just making it worse. At Tuesdays press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the new White House goal was to have the majority of schools, so more than 50 percent, open by Day 100 of his presidency. She defined that as some teaching in classrooms, so at least one day a week, hopefully its more. This isnt just walking back a promise; its completely erasing one. According to school-data aggregator Burbio, we are already well past Psakis spring milestone today, and we were before Biden took office. Over 60 percent of school districts are already open with at least a hybrid model. Hybrid colloquially means two to three days a week of in-person learning. One day a week was not originally part of this debate. Its a new and lower standard one Team Biden has introduced. At first, I thought the transgression was simply they had put the issue on the backburner and were not paying attention to it, given the strange one-day-a-week utterance. But after 24 hours of blowback, Psaki was asked to clarify these remarks and she doubled down, calling the plan bold and ambitious. And sticking to the one-day standard, she said they hoped to exceed it. Again, this supposed bold and ambitious plan was exceeded before the inauguration. Politico Playbook said: It is a goal so modest and lacking in ambition as to be almost meaningless. President Bidens ambitious rhetoric around schools was always going to have a collision course with his teachers-union benefactors, who simply do not want schools to fully reopen any time soon. Not even after teachers got priority in vaccinations, and K12 schools received over $68 billion in 2020 to mitigate COVID issues. I just didnt expect that he would be breaking a core campaign promise so early in his presidency. So whats holding Biden back from keeping his word? The White House would argue its funding, ventilation, and class sizes. Lets look at each in turn. As mentioned, Congress allocated over $68 billion in 2020 for COVID mitigation in K12 schools. So far, most of this money has not been spent. That hasnt stopped the Biden administration from demanding another $130 billion. But lets ignore the currently unspent billions of dollars for a moment and ask the essential question: Will more funding help? In fact, the schools that are currently open five days a week in America are parochial schools, which generally have less per-pupil funding than their public counterparts, and public schools that dont compete with the per-pupil wealth of closed but well-funded districts such as Chicago, Fairfax County, San Francisco, and others. The issue is will, not resources. Ventilation is simply a crutch to excuse doing nothing. It was a problem identified early in 2020, again to mitigate the return to school before a coronavirus vaccine was available. The $68 billion Congress authorized provided funding specifically for ventilation. But most schools did little or nothing in the past year to improve ventilation, and it is more likely that we finally return to school before any substantive changes are made to the thousands of schools that remain shuttered. The absence of new ventilation systems has not held back the majority of schools that have opened up to some degree without disruption. Meanwhile, focusing the debate on the importance of class size is a way to disguise proposing that kids will go to school two days a week indefinitely. The idea is that a full class increases risk, so we need to cut class sizes in half. But nobody realistically believes that America is about to double its school-building capacity, at least not in the next year. Anyone whose kid has gone to class in a trailer behind a school building knows that it takes years to develop plans for new buildings, personnel, and district lines. The two-day-a-week hybrid model, with its implicitly smaller class sizes, was created to get kids back into the classroom before a vaccine was available. Inept school boards kept delaying the end of this temporary measure. Now, after it has been done for so long, it is being deceptively embraced as the post-vaccine ideal. This is simply nuts. After teachers in closed school districts are vaccinated, schools should be open full-time, five-days-a-week, just as so many of their counterparts already are doing (and as some were doing before vaccines were even available). Now that teachers are being vaccinated, for whom are we making these vast infrastructure changes anyway? Its not for the teachers, whose risk will thankfully soon be measured in decimal points. And its not for children, who public-health officials often and repeatedly remind us are not significant spreaders or victims of this virus. In fact, the major health crises facing children today depression, suicide, lack of confidence, academic failures, lack of socialization, poor nutrition, insufficient exercise are being caused by the closures, not by the virus. In September 2020, Joe Biden said: President Trump may not think this is a national emergency, but I think going back to school for millions of children and the impacts on their families and the community is a national emergency. I believe thats what it is. If this was a national emergency six months ago, and remains one today, wheres Joe? Some would argue that he should have more time, and that patience is required. Hes only been in office a few weeks. But we shouldnt be surprised that many parents are simply out of patience. Others argue that advocating for school openings is anti-teacher. Its a convenient way to shut down debate, because teachers are often underpaid and undervalued and thus not open to critique. But I love my kids teachers, who are doing the best they can. This is about being pro-children, not anti-teacher. In September, President Biden said: Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos havent stepped up. Were all seeing the results. Millions of students are now starting the new school year in the same way they finished the last one, at home. At home. Parents are doing their best, but more and more theyre finding themselves at wits end struggling to balance work and childcare and educational duties or worrying about their lost paycheck and how theyll make ends meet while trying to keep their kids on track with remote learning. Under Bidens current plan, he has failed to live up to the standard he set for Trump. Its time for Biden to purposefully engage this issue. He has enormous influence over unions and those who are advocating for kids to remain locked out of in-person instruction indefinitely. He has a serious group of public-health advisers who can persuade nervous parents and teachers of the low risks they face returning to the classroom (especially after a vaccine). As Joe Biden said six months ago on this subject: Mr. President, where are you? Where are you? Why arent you working on this? Mr. President, thats your job. Thats what you should be focused on right now. Getting our kids back to school safely.

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Intuitive eating is the anti-diet diet that listens to your gut - Yahoo News

Keep your cardiac health in the best possible shape by choosing nutrient-rich foods that are low in sugar and unhealthy fats. The foods that we put on our plates can make or break our wellness goals. So choose wisely.

The American Heart Association recommends foods that contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals, such as fiber and protein. What you don't eat also matters -- look for foods that are low in saturated fat, sodium and trans fats.

Key ingredients

If you are looking for a few superfoods to add to your heart-healthy diet, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends:

Dairy foods that are low-fat or fat-free

Eggs, legumes, lean meats, poultry and other protein-rich foods

Fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel, salmon and tuna

Fruits and vegetables

Oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including avocados, salmon and trout, almonds, pine nuts and walnuts, and canola, sunflower and corn oils

Whole grains

Get creative as you cook to support cardiac health. Try different flavors and combinations and incorporate seasonal ingredients to keep your menus as inspiring as they are nourishing.

Foods that can sabotage your heart-healthy diet

You have been working diligently to fill up on heart-healthy fruits, vegetables and fiber-filled whole grains. Well done! Eating healthy foods is only one piece of the puzzle if you are trying to improve the well-being of your heart. Limiting your intake of salt-laden, sugar-rich items is also important.

Skip these menu items:

Processed meats -- Deli meats, such as bologna, sausage and turkey, are typically preserved with nitrites and salt.

Refined grains -- Items like white rice and bread may cause blood sugar spikes. They're also missing lots of the nutrients found in their whole-grain counterparts, such as dietary fiber and phytonutrients.

Soda -- A 12-ounce can of this bubbly drink can pack as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar and more than 100 empty calories. To keep your diet on track, consider sugar-free teas and low-calorie juices instead.

Concerned about your heart health? Quality cardiovascular care is right around the corner at Northwest Cardiology -- Siloam Springs. To schedule an appointment, call 479-215-3060.

About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 50 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, the largest health system in Northwest Arkansas. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.

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Healthy Living: Dietary tips your heart will love - Westside Eagle Observer

Sunday night, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, earning MVP in the process. He did so at the age of 43, sparking comments about his appearance and diet. Several fans wondered what Brady eats to look like he is in his mid-30s while continuing to perform long after other players retire.

According to the Daily Mail, Brady follows an organic, gluten-free diet. He does not consume white sugar and white flour, nor does he drink coffee. He also avoids certain vegetables that can cause inflammation, including tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum and mushrooms. Dairy is out of the question for the seven-time Super Bowl champion. In order to remain hydrated, Brady tries to drink at least a gallon of water each day.

The outlet provided a graphic that showed off some meal samples for the veteran quarterback. He starts his day with a glass of electrolyte-infused water and then eats a breakfast featuring eggs and avocado. He caps off his morning workout with another glass of electrolyte water and a protein shake, setting the stage for a lunchtime salad with nuts and fish.

Dinner is straightforward and features chicken with roasted vegetables. If Brady gets hungry between meals, he relies on hummus, guacamole or mixed nuts. Gameday is different in that Brady consumes a smoothie, as well as an almond butter and peanut butter jelly sandwich, which fuel him on the football field. Brady's reported favorite smoothie features blueberries, banana, hemp and chia seeds, walnuts, almond butter and hemp milk.

"The regimen I follow is a mix of Eastern and Western philosophies," Brady wrote in his 2017 book, The TB12 Method. "Some of these principles have been around for thousands of years. My nutritional regimen may seem restrictive to some people, but to me it feels unnatural to eat any other way. Many people have conditioned their bodies to a nutritional regiment made up of lots of white or pale-looking foods french fries, potato chips, white bread, chicken nuggets that dont exist in nature."

While Brady may follow a strict diet, that does not mean that he skips out on treats. He previously conducted an interview with Men's Health to discuss his daily routine and revealed that he eats bacon if he has a craving. Additionally, Brady will also kick back with some pizza or eat some dark chocolate.

"If Im craving bacon, I have a piece. Same with pizza. You should never restrict what you really want. Were humans, here for one life," Brady said during the interview. "Whats changed as Ive gotten older is now if I want pizza, I want the best pizza. I dont eat a slice that tastes like s and then wonder, 'Why am I eating s pizza?'"

Link:
Tom Brady's Diet: What the Super Bowl MVP Eats to Stay in Incredible Shape - PopCulture.com

Adopting a plant-based diet is the best thing you can do for the environment, according to a new report that was just released from a UN-backed think tank. Thereport, from policy institute Chatham House, outlines three levers for easing pressure on land use and creating more sustainable food systems. The first and mosturgent,the report asserts, is the need to change dietary patterns to reduce food demand and encourage more plant-based diets.

One of the key factors driving the recommendationto shift to moreplant-based diets, for people of all nations, is the enormouscarbon footprint of animal agriculture, and by contrast, the lighter impact that plant-based crops produce."The largest differences occur between animal-sourced and plant-sourced foods, with the latter having smaller footprints; in some cases, substantially smaller, the report concludes. Land use, emissions, water use, and biodiversity all were considered and it is undebatable that raising animals for food is a major contributor to global environmental degradation. In fact, the global food system is responsible for more greenhouse emissions than any other industry, the report found.

Even though more people than ever are adopting a plant-based diet and choosing meat-alternatives and non-dairy milk and cheese, the demand for animal products is still growing as the global population grows. To meet that demand, factory farming, also referred to as intensive farming, has expanded. These assembly-line, high-efficiency intensive farming operations wreak havoc on the environment, the report finds. In the US, factory farms are where 99% of farmed animals live and it is the primary source of where your meat and dairy comes from. Yet environmentally, factory farming is an unsustainable system thatif not changed, will be catastrophic to the environment.

A recent survey found that while the number one reason Americans as eating more plant-based foods is for their health, concern over the environment is the second reason, and it's growing, especially among younger consumers. In the past two years, the shift toward eating plant-based "for the environment" has risen 17 percent to 48 percent of people saying that is their focus. Another poll found that 54 percent of Millennials are eating more plant-based and call themselves flexitarians, since they are cutting back on meat and dairy, but have not fully committed to ditching those foods altogether.

Beyond the environment, the UN-backed report also highlights the other public good that would result from reducing our reliance on animal-based foods, including improved dietary quality and reduced incidence of diet-related disease associated with overconsumption of red and processed meat such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Pandemic risk could also be significantly lowered by reducing animal farming, the report says. The researchers point out that the majority of infectious diseases that have caused epidemics have come from animals. The pandemic has shined a spotlight on the high risks concentrated in certain food production supply chains, as well as the poor labor standards in food-processing plants that have accelerated disease spread amongst workers.

In addition to the first leverthe adoption of more plant-based foods and reliance on animal-based productsthe two others are the need to protect and set aside land for nature, and shift to more sustainable farming methods. All three of these levers are needed for food system redesign to succeed and to ultimately save our planet.

So if you care about the planet, the type of food you eat matters. So if you're driving a Prius, or cutting down on single-use plastic, and shopping from sustainable fashion companies, this report recommends you also eat food from plant sources.

Read more:
UN Report: A Plant-Based Diet is Best Way to Help the Environment - The Beet

I miss Mardi Gras. I miss being in crowds on Fat Tuesday. Im hoping for a speedy recovery from the pandemic so we can all congregate again.

After Fat Tuesday, Lent begins. Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when Christians stop eating meat and dairy in remembrance of Jesus 40 days of reflection. As a Christian, Lent has meaning to me.

For me, I already dont eat meat and dairy. My plant-based diet helps reduce chronic diseases, environmental degradation and animal abuse. Countless reports have linked consumption of animal products with risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other diseases. A U.N. report named meat production as a source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Investigations have revealed animals raised for food under horrible conditions of caging, crowding, drugging and mutilation. These actions go against what I believe.

Lent offers an opportunity to honor Jesus powerful message of compassion and love for all living beings, stop subsidizing the meat industry and choose a nonviolent plant-based diet. Its a diet that goes back to the Bible (Genesis I:29) and observed in the Garden of Eden.

Enter plant-based Lent in Google and explore hundreds of meat-free recipes.

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Originally posted here:
Letter to the editor: Consider a meat-free diet to protect the planet and animals - Summit Daily News

Every 5 years, the government comes out with recommendations for how we should eat called the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Even if the average person doesnt follow them to a letter, what they say really matters. The Guidelines help shape policies and programs that affect millions of people and even influence the food industry.

The newest edition includes familiar advice about eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. But its actually what the Guidelines left out that you should know about.

First, some quick backstory: Before the Guidelines are released, an advisory committee of scientific experts looks at the evidence and submits a report with what they think should be included. Then two government agencies, the USDA and HHS, write the Guidelines.

This time around, the committee recommended two things that didnt end up making the final cut: stricter advice around both alcohol and sugar.

Since 1990, the Guidelines advice about alcohol has been no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women, and the latest edition stuck with that. One drink is the equivalent of 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol).

But the committee had suggested tightening that guidance to one drink or less per day for both men and women, citing evidence that the health risks are higher with more than that. Rates of drinking are up among Americans, including binge drinking. Deaths from alcohol are up too, with alcohol accounting for 100,000 deaths every year.

As for sugar, the advice has morphed from avoid too much sugar in the 1980s to a suggested limit of no more than 10% of calories from added sugar (also included in the newest Guidelines). Most people get about 13% of their calories from sugar.

Yet the committee suggested an even lower intake of 6% of calories. Their reasoning: Reducing sugar could help public health. And most people need to focus their daily calories on foods that give them the nutrients they need -- they cant afford to spend those calories on sugary foods and drinks. (The top sources of added sugar are sweet beverages and desserts.)

Why didnt these stricter limits make it in? The authors of the Guidelines didnt think there was enough evidence -- and they arent obligated to take all the committees recommendations anyway.

Lets face it: A global pandemic is not exactly the best time to shame people about drinking alcohol or eating sugar. But its good to know whats on the minds of some health experts, what kind of recommendations we might see down the road, and what we might want to consider for our own lives.

So in the meantime, heres what both the committee and Guidelines do agree on: However much alcohol you drink, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more (and if you currently dont drink, dont start for health reasons). And limit portions of sugar-sweetened drinks -- or better yet, replace them with water.

WebMD Blog

Sally Kuzemchak is a registered dietitian in Columbus, Ohio. An award-winning reporter and writer, Sally has been published in magazines such as Health, Family Circle, and Eating Well and is a Contributing Editor to Parents magazine. She is the author of the book The 101 Healthiest Foods For Kids. She blogs at Real Mom Nutrition, a "no-judgments" zone all about feeding families.

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What the New Dietary Guidelines Left Out - WebMD - WebMD

A vinegar allergy does not cause the same immune system response as food allergies do. For this reason, people sometimes refer to it as a pseudoallergy. However, it can still cause allergy-like symptoms in some individuals.

Vinegar is an acidic solution made by fermenting ethanol or sugar. Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and spirits. Vinegar contains water, acetic acid, and a small amount of trace chemicals and flavorings.

People often use vinegar as an ingredient for pickling foods, in sauces and salad dressings, or as a way to add acidity to a dish.

You can also use vinegar as a household cleaner, and some traditional medicine practices employ it as a healing remedy (1).

Vinegar is safe for most people when consumed in moderate amounts. However, some people may experience adverse reactions.

This article explains vinegar allergies, how to recognize them, and how to manage them.

Vinegar does not appear to cause the same types of immune system responses that those with food allergies experience (2).

Rather, an intolerance or sensitivity to one of the ingredients or chemical components of vinegar may cause a vinegar allergy.

Though the symptoms of these reactions often mimic true food allergies, they are not quite the same (2, 3).

Some people may refer to these types of reactions as pseudoallergies (3, 4, 5).

The ingredients in vinegar that people may be sensitive to or intolerant of include (2, 6, 7):

Each of these chemical compounds can cause allergy-like symptoms in some individuals, which can range from mild to severe.

Salicylates are types of salicylic acid.

Theyre naturally present in some foods and beverages. Manufacturers also use synthetic forms in medications and other products (3, 8, 9, 10).

While salicylates are present in vinegar, the amount may vary depending on the type of vinegar and its ingredients (11).

For most people, salicylates are no cause for alarm. Theyre often present in foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and they may even offer some health benefits (10).

However, those with a salicylate sensitivity could experience allergy symptoms after consuming too much of these compounds (3).

Some people also have severe reactions to acetylsalicylic acid the type of salicylate in aspirin. However, having a reaction to aspirin does not necessarily mean youll also be sensitive to vinegar (12).

Histamine is another common compound in food and drinks. Its likewise naturally present in your body (13, 14).

Histamine has many functions and plays an important role in inflammation, your bodys response to allergens, and your overall immune system (15).

Histamine intolerance is a condition in which histamine is not efficiently metabolized. Scientists still do not fully understand the condition (16, 17, 18).

That said, they believe a number of factors may cause it, including (13, 14, 16, 19):

Vinegar not only contains histamine but also stimulates your body to release histamine (18).

Thus, individuals with a histamine intolerance may experience an array of side effects, ranging from mild to severe, after eating too much vinegar or other histamine-containing foods (19).

Sulfites are chemical compounds that manufacturers sometimes use as food additives to help preserve foods. Some types are also present in cosmetics, medications, and other products (20).

They also occur naturally in some food and drinks particularly in fermented liquids like wine, beer, and vinegar (20, 21, 22, 23).

Many people can tolerate a moderate amount of sulfites without any difficulty. However, having a sulfite sensitivity means that you may experience adverse side effects after consuming larger amounts of these compounds (20).

Those with asthma or other allergies may be more likely to have a sulfite sensitivity. In fact, many of the symptoms of a sulfite sensitivity mimic those of asthma (6, 7, 20).

Some countries now require foods or drinks that are high in sulfites to state so on the label. Both the European Union and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require products that contain more than 10 ppm (10 mg per kg) of sulfites to be labeled (6).

Acetic acid is one of the main byproducts of the fermentation of ethanol or sugars into vinegar. Though the amount may vary, most vinegars contain around 5% acetic acid (24, 25, 26).

Some studies have shown that acetic acid may be responsible for some of the purported health benefits of vinegars, such as their antimicrobial effects and positive effects on blood sugar levels (27, 28, 29).

Some people may be intolerant of acetic acid, although this is not very common (7, 30).

A person is more likely to have an adverse reaction to acetic acid when they encounter the chemical in large amounts (26).

Still, some people may experience side effects after consuming acetic acid in vinegar orally or from direct skin exposure (26, 27).

Vinegar allergies typically result from a sensitivity or intolerance to one of the following chemical components of vinegar: salicylates, histamine, sulfites, or acetic acid.

The symptoms of a vinegar allergy may vary depending on the underlying cause. The severity might also differ from person to person.

Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of a vinegar allergy or intolerance (3, 30, 31, 32):

Its also important to note that consuming or being exposed to large amounts of vinegar may cause side effects like stomach pain or burning of the eyes, throat, and skin. This may even happen among those without a vinegar allergy (26).

Though not a true allergy, a vinegar sensitivity or intolerance may cause many of the same symptoms as other food allergies. Some of the most common symptoms are asthma, hives, itchy skin, and stomach pain.

Vinegar allergies cannot be cured. However, a qualified healthcare provider can teach you how to manage them.

Furthermore, because people may be reacting to one of multiple compounds in vinegar, vinegar allergies can be especially hard to diagnose.

If you think you may have a vinegar allergy, its best to work with a healthcare professional, such as an allergist, physician, or dietitian, to rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms and discuss treatment options.

Oftentimes, managing a vinegar allergy simply means eliminating vinegar from your diet or only using it in small amounts that you can tolerate.

If your allergy is due to a chemical in vinegar, such as salicylates or histamine, you might also have to eliminate some other foods from your diet in addition to vinegar (33, 34).

Unfortunately, that sometimes includes healthy foods, like certain fruits and vegetables (6, 14).

Working with a medical professional to make these kinds of changes to your diet will help ensure that you do so in a safe and healthy way (6).

A vinegar allergy can be difficult to diagnose. Treatment may simply mean using less vinegar in your diet, or you may need to eliminate vinegar completely. Speak with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment.

Eliminating plain vinegar from your diet may be easy, but identifying prepared foods and drinks that contain vinegar could be more difficult.

When dining out, it may be especially important to check with a restaurant employee if you think that a food or drink may contain vinegar.

Here are some items that often contain vinegar:

This is not a comprehensive list. Many other foods may also contain vinegar. Thus, if you need to eliminate vinegar from your diet, its important to closely read ingredient labels to see whether they contain vinegar.

Its also important to remember that some people with allergies may be able to tolerate small amounts of vinegar without experiencing any side effects.

Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how much vinegar you can safely consume.

If you have a vinegar allergy, it may be best to eliminate all types of vinegar from your diet. In that case, you may want to try using other ingredients or flavorings instead of vinegar.

Here are a few options for vinegar substitutes:

It may be tempting to substitute other condiments like soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for vinegar.

However, some types of condiments might contain vinegar or the same chemical compounds that are causing your vinegar allergy.

That is why its important to work with a medical professional to determine safe substitutions for vinegar in your diet. This is the best way to ensure you dont unknowingly consume vinegar or another allergen.

Its best to treat a vinegar allergy under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They can properly diagnose the condition and help you make safe dietary changes to avoid vinegar.

Current research does not show that vinegar causes true food allergies. However, multiple components of vinegar may cause pseudoallergies.

These are sensitivities or intolerances to certain foods that often mimic many of the same symptoms as true food allergies.

Nevertheless, the symptoms of a reaction to vinegar may range from mild to severe. Thus, they could be dangerous or uncomfortable for some people.

If you think you could have a sensitivity or intolerance to vinegar, its best to work with a medical professional to properly diagnose and manage the condition.

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Vinegar Allergy: Causes, Symptoms, and Alternatives - Healthline

Swollen fingers can be an alarming symptom, especially if theyre accompanied by other symptoms such as redness and pain.

A wide variety of underlying conditions can cause your fingers to swell, and many of these conditions arent serious. However, when paired with other new or developing symptoms, swollen fingers may indicate something more serious.

In this article, we explore some of the common causes of swollen fingers and discuss when swelling in your fingers might be a cause for concern.

Water retention, sometimes referred to as fluid retention or edema, is one of the most common causes of swollen fingers. There are multiple causes of water retention, from diet to underlying health conditions.

When the body holds onto excess water, it can lead to swollen tissues in the extremities, especially in the fingers. Some other symptoms that may accompany water retention include bloating and puffiness.

Treatment for fluid retention often involves addressing the underlying cause. If youre experiencing frequent or chronic fluid retention thats causing your fingers to swell, consider speaking with your doctor to see if theres an underlying cause.

Eating a diet high in salt can cause the tissues to retain extra water, leading to fluid retention in the fingers, hands, and other areas of the body.

Lowering sodium intake is one of the most common treatments for conditions that cause water retention. In fact, researchers explain that in some cases, sodium restriction and elevation of the extremities is the best treatment option.

Lymphedema is a type of fluid retention that results from a blockage in the lymphatic system. When the lymph nodes cannot circulate lymph fluid properly, this fluid builds up in the extremities.

Lymphedema commonly causes swollen fingers, hands, toes, and feet. Other symptoms of this condition may include:

Treatment of lymphedema includes compression therapy, daily exercise, and lymphatic drainage massage. In extreme cases when the lymphedema is severe, surgery may be necessary.

Angioedema is another type of fluid retention that happens when fluid accumulates beneath the skin. Commonly caused by an allergic reaction, angioedema is often accompanied by the presence of large hives.

Although angioedema tends to appear in the face, head, and neck area, it can also cause swelling in the fingers. Other symptoms may include:

Antihistamines and steroids are usually the first line of treatment for angioedema, as well as avoiding any triggers.

During a workout, such as running, hiking, or other forms of intense exercise, your body works hard to pump blood to your heart, lungs, and muscles. This directs blood flow away from the blood vessels in the hands, causing them to widen and the fingers to swell.

Swollen fingers after a workout are generally no cause for concern. However, you can reduce this post-exercise symptom by getting the hands and arms moving and making sure that youre staying hydrated.

Another potential reason for swollen fingers during and after working out or spending time outside in hot weather is increased body heat. In fact, exposure to heat, whether internal or external, can cause something called heat edema.

Heat edema commonly causes swelling in the extremities, especially in the fingers, hands, toes, and feet. While its generally not dangerous, it can indicate an imbalance in fluids and electrolytes. In some cases, it can also be linked to another underlying condition.

Luckily, you can reduce heat edema by keeping hydrated and cooling your body temperature back down as soon as possible.

Hormonal changes, especially during menstruation and pregnancy, can cause symptoms such as bloating, swelling, mood changes, and more. These symptoms often occur due to a shift in hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Swelling of the hands and fingers is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and often appears during pregnancy, as well. Other symptoms of PMS may include:

Treatment for PMS generally involves pain medications to help reduce any pain or tenderness. Getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and practicing stress reduction techniques can also reduce PMS symptoms.

It is also common to notice swelling in the extremities, including in the fingers and toes, during late pregnancy.

Another potential cause of swollen fingers during pregnancy is a condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia often appears in late pregnancy and is characterized by the following symptoms:

Early treatment for preeclampsia is crucial in ensuring a safe pregnancy and delivery. Treatment may include medications, frequent monitoring, or in some cases, early delivery.

Swelling can sometimes occur in the hands and fingers when you wake up in the morning. While this can be caused by another underlying condition, such as arthritis, it can be made worse by certain sleeping positions.

If youve noticed that your fingers are frequently swelling in the morning, try these sleeping positions to keep the arms and hands elevated:

When we injure ourselves, the body produces an inflammatory response at the site of the injury. This inflammation is often indicated by swelling, redness, pain, and other symptoms.

Whether mild or serious, a hand injury can lead to swelling in the fingers, hand, and wrist. Other symptoms of injury and inflammation in the fingers might include:

If you believe your swollen fingers are due to an injury, and youre also experiencing the symptoms above, you should see a doctor immediately for medical treatment.

Similar to an injury, the inflammatory response is a necessary part of the healing process when an infection is present. Infections can cause a wide variety of symptoms, depending on the type and severity of the infection.

Infections of the arm and hand can cause swollen fingers, as well as infections in the joints of the fingers. Other signs and symptoms of an infection might include:

An infection of the fingers, hand, or any other body part can be serious and require medical attention right away. Treatment may involve medications but ultimately depends on the infection.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve that runs through the center of the hand becomes compressed. This nerve affects feeling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.

If you develop carpal tunnel syndrome, you may notice the following symptoms in your hand and wrist:

Swollen fingers arent necessarily a defining symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), some people have reported feeling like their fingers are swollen.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The two most common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Arthritis is commonly found in the joints of the hands, which can cause significant swelling in the fingers. Other symptoms of arthritis may include:

Treatment of arthritis can include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. Eating a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods can be helpful in keeping inflammation down.

One study also found that arthritis gloves can help apply pressure to the finger joints to reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort.

Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that happens when the tendons become inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, and tenderness. Tendonitis commonly affects the tendons of the shoulders, arms, and legs.

There are three types of tendinitis that can cause swelling in the fingers:

These types of tendinitis specifically affect the tendons in the fingers.

One of the initial interventions for reducing the pain and swelling associated with tendinitis is cold therapy. Applying ice to the swollen fingers can help to reduce blood flow to the area and reduce pain.

More serious cases of tendinitis usually require medical treatment.

Bursitis is another inflammatory condition. Its caused by inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that surround the joints. Bursitis tends to affect the larger joints bursae, such as those in the legs, arms, or hip.

If the bursae of the fingers become inflamed, it can cause swollen finger joints. Other symptoms of bursitis might include:

Cold therapy is also helpful in reducing the inflammation and pain from bursitis. Physical therapy and injectable medications may also be used for more chronic cases. In some cases, surgery may be used to drain the inflamed bursae.

Gout is a condition that occurs when high levels of uric acid build up in the body and form crystals in the joints. Normally, the body excretes uric acid in the urine, but decreased kidney function can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout.

Although gout commonly affects the feet, it can also cause swelling and pain in the joints of the fingers. Other symptoms of a gout attack may include:

Gout generally requires early intervention to prevent it from spreading or becoming chronic. Medications that help reduce pain and lower uric acid levels are often prescribed first.

A review published in 2017 also found that weight reduction, dietary modifications, and decreased alcohol intake can also reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks.

Sickle cell disease, or sickle cell anemia, is a rare genetic condition that affects red blood cells function. This disease causes sickle shaped red blood cells, which have trouble circulating properly around the body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the first symptoms of sickle cell disease is hand-foot syndrome, which can cause swelling in the fingers. Other symptoms of sickle cell anemia may include:

Sickle cell disease requires various types of treatment, depending on the severity and progression. However, an increase in fluids may help to at least decrease the swelling in the fingers.

Systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune condition thats commonly characterized by changes in the skin. It can also cause changes in the connective tissues of the body, as well as the organs.

One of the initial symptoms of scleroderma is swelling of the hands and fingers, especially in the morning after waking up. Other symptoms of scleroderma may include:

Treatment for finger swelling associated with scleroderma includes frequently exercising the fingers and toes, sometimes with the help of an occupational therapist. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help more severe cases.

In some situations, swollen fingers can appear as a rare symptom in a few conditions.

As you can see above, there are many health conditions that can cause swollen fingers. Most of these reasons, such as heat, exercise, or even hormones, are rarely dangerous. For these types of conditions, simple interventions can help with any swelling or discomfort you might feel in your fingers.

However, if you have chronic swollen fingers that are accompanied by other symptoms, its best to visit a doctor. They can help determine if theres an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

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Swollen Fingers: Over 15 Potential Causes, and When to See a Doctor - Healthline

Hydrogen sulfide is a stinky toxic gas, but it has health benefits when released in small amounts inside the body. Thats why eating more plant proteins is linked to longevity

High-protein diets are having a moment. In any grocery store you can now buy a protein bowl, pick up a protein box of eggs and nuts for lunch, or snack on a protein bar.

But theres evidence that restricting which proteins you eat particularly cutting back on meat could be important for healthy aging. The surprising reason: it forces the tissues to make hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a gas thats poisonous if inhaled and smells like rotten eggs, but promotes health inside the body.

As a physiology researcher, I have long been interested in the strange role of H2S in the body. This is not a gas anyone wants around. It stinks, is a component of flatulence, and its toxicity has been linked to at least one mass extinction.

And yet, the body naturally produces small amounts of it as a signalling molecule to act as a chemical messenger. Now, we are starting to understand the link between diet and H2S production.

Diet restrictions that increase longevity

Less can be more when it comes to food. When scientists have put organisms on carefully balanced but restricted diets, these organisms have substantially increased healthy lifespans.

This holds true for yeasts, fruit flies, worms and monkeys. In mice, such diets reduce cancer risk, strengthen the immune system and improve cognitive function.

But because aging and longevity are complex processes, it has been difficult for researchers to pin down the mechanisms at work. Recent studies have shed new light, and it is apparent that H2S plays a crucial role.

Studies since the 1990s have shown that reducing intake of certain sulphur-containing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, can increase longevity in rats by around 30 per cent. More recently, a collaborative team involving me and led by scientists at Harvard, performed a series of animal studies in which we restricted the intake of two sulphur amino acids cysteine and methionine to study what effects this had.

It caused the animals to ramp up production of H2S in their tissues, which triggered a cascade of beneficial effects. These included increased new blood vessel generation, which promotes cardiovascular health, and better resistance to oxidative stress in the liver, which is linked to liver disease.

But it remained to be seen whether similar effects would occur in humans. Earlier this year, a study using data from the 11,576 adults in NHANES III, the U.S. national nutrition survey, delivered evidence that they do. It found that reduced dietary intake of these sulphur amino acids is linked to lower cardiometabolic risk factors, including lower levels of cholesterol and glucose in the blood. Cardiometabolic risk factors are those linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Eat less meat, live longer?

The upshot of this research is that theres good evidence that limiting intake of foods containing high levels of sulphur amino acids can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and promote healthy aging. In North America, most of us are a long way from achieving this. Because these sulphur amino acids are abundant in meat, dairy and eggs, which feature prominently in our shopping carts, we eat on average 2.5 times our daily requirement of them.

Red meat is particularly high in sulphur amino acids, but fish and poultry white meat also contain a lot (the dark meat has less). Switching to plant-based proteins would help reduce this intake.

Beans, lentils and legumes are good sources of protein that are also low in sulphur amino acids. But beware: soy protein, which is the basis of foods like tofu, is surprisingly high in sulphur amino acids. Meanwhile, vegetables like broccoli contain lots of sulphur but not in amino acid form.

One important caveat is that sulphur amino acids play vital roles in growth, so children should not adopt diets that are low in them.

Other roles for H2S

It might seem odd that a toxic gas can help maintain health, but it may reflect the origins of life on early Earth when the atmosphere was much richer in sulphur gas than it is today. Indeed, we are starting to appreciate how fundamental H2S signalling may be. For example, it has also been shown to reduce inflammation, opening the door to potential new treatments for arthritis or potential use as a painkiller.

The trick is delivering H2S where its needed safely. Several pharmaceutical companies are working on compounds that bind it while in transit through the body, and release it in tiny doses in the tissues. In time, these could be used as preventive measures to support healthy aging. This would be useful because the drawback of a low-sulphur amino acid diet is that humans are notoriously bad at sticking to such plans long-term.

In the lab, we can control experimental diets. In the real world, people snack or grab a burger when they dont want to cook. If delivery mechanisms can be made reliably and cheaply enough, it could be possible to gain the health effects of increased tissue H2S without dictating what people eat.

Rui Wang, Dean, Faculty of Science, York University, Canada

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Originally posted here:
BEYOND LOCAL: The scientific reason you should consider adding more plant protein to your diet - Sudbury.com

ANANTNAG, FEBRUARY 7: A meeting of the District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) on Safe Food & Healthy Diets under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Anshul Garg was held in DC office Anantnag.

The meeting was attended by DPO ICDS,CMO(Vice Chairperson),Assistant Commissioner Food Safety/Designated Officer (Member Secretary), representatives of SSP, GM DIC, CEO & AD Food , other members, social activists, legal experts & persons from food agencies.

Talking about the mandate of the committee, the AC Food Safety (Designated Officer) said that the committee has to ensure smooth implementation of FSSA 2006 & compliance with rules and regulations there under besides promotion of fortified foods in ICDS & MDM & development of nutritional & food safety literacy amongst the citizens by convergence with Poshan Abhiyan & SBM programmes.

The Committee also oversees the registration of food business units, surveillance of food items, monitoring of inspections, sampling, enforcement, prosecution and adjudication related to food safety.

Furthermore, it monitors; the quality & safety of Milk & Milk products, grievances of food sellers as well as consumers, training of the unit holders, food borne diseases etc, the officer informed. The meeting was informed that more than 4000 food business units have been registered in the district so far. Every month, 32 food samples are collected & sent to labs both in & outside the UT to establish their safety & quality.

Besides, the routine inspection of milk and milk products is done and the below standard samples are destroyed on prima facie condition & quality by the Food Safety Officers.

The grievances are disposed off within the stipulated time as provided in the act. The chairman directed the Designated officer to register all food units in Anantnag town by the end of March 2021 along with inspection cum awareness drive among the bakers with main focus on hygiene, quality & quantity of ingredients and shelf life of the end product. "Initially, the drive should be more of a hand holding and awareness type than an enforcement type," he added.

He also directed to co - opt officials from Legal Metrology, Food and Municipalities in these drives. While highlighting the importance of conforming to the legal standards by food business units, retailers, bakers etc, he stressed upon officers to coordinate with each other so that the ultimate aim of providing quality and safe food to the citizens at genuine rates is envisaged. Replying to a suggestion from DPO ICDS about ensuring nutritious, healthy & safe food in ICDS & MDM, he urged for issuance of advisories to the Decentralized Panchayat Food Procurement Committees associated with ICDS & MDM with provisions on list of better quality food sellers, flagging the harmful foods without indicating any bias to any brand or seller, fortification of food, special focus on malnutrition areas , incentivizing the best performing Panchayats etc. so that beneficiaries are benefited in the best possible way.

He also directed the concerned to ensure adherence to the laid down standards with respect to use of caffeinated drinks & warnings indicated therein besides total ban on selling of such drinks and Gutkhas to the children & minors.

All the participants including social activists, representatives from private food firms etc put on their valuable suggestions during the meeting.

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DC Anantnag convenes meeting of DLAC on Safe Food & Healthy Diets, asks to ensure adherence to the laid down standards - Cross Town News