While we all think that Wall Street greed and the huge pay packets of “fat cat” speculators and bankers brought about the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, the actual cause is entirely different. This was said to be just the trigger of the real cause, which is US gluttony.

America has gotten used to stuffing itself. You would understand if you had seen the 2004 documentary, “Super Size Me,” by Morgan Spurlock. It conveys the consequences of gluttony.

What does supersizing mean? It refers to the American habit of “supersizing” all the fast foods and getting consumers to opt for the bigger sizes for reasons of “economy” or savings. You would have seen the pricing policy adopted by most fast food sellers. The bigger the size, the lesser you pay. This psychological trigger works wonders and consumers end up being the scapegoats opting for bigger sizes while the people selling them laugh all the way to the bank.

In fact, Morgan Spurlock, the film-maker practically tested this by surviving on a diet of three McDonald meals a day, for thirty days. The result was drastic – he ended up heavier by 11.1 kg. This weight gain was the least of his worries. He also developed all sorts of health problems; such as high blood pressure, psychological disorders and liver problems. Coming back to normal was a long and arduous task, which included a rigorous detoxification program for 14 months.

This experiment brings to light America’s insatiable appetite, not only for food but for everything, right from gas-devouring cars to climate-controlled condominiums. United States’ consumption levels far exceed its population, which is only 5% of the World population. America consumes 24 percent of the world’s energy. It is said that an average American consumes as much energy as 13 Chinese, 31 Indians, 128 Bangladeshis or 370 Ethiopians.

Statistics reveal that approximately, a total of 815 billion calories are consumed by America daily. According to nutritionists, this is 200 billion more than the required amount. This figure is without taking into consideration the huge amounts of completely edible food thrown away by Americans daily, which is around 200,000 tons. Experts are of the opinion, that very soon, the Earth will be bereft of resources and it will become necessary to create four new Earth-sized planets.

When will American consumers realize that the huge sodas and supersized fast foods that come cheap can cost them dearly in the long run?

America has become the land of the obese and statistics show that the number of obese adults doubled in the last couple of years. It has become almost an epidemic and about 300,000 Americans are said to die each year due to overweight. It is the second leading cause of preventable death after smoking.

People in the Public Health departments realize that obesity is a long-neglected problem and solutions need to be found. They say that obesity will very soon exceed the risks cause by puffing on butts.

It is important to know that obesity is not just storing fat in the body, but a cause for dreaded diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea and many others.

It would be interesting to note that the problem of obesity has created a controversial debate over whether it can be classified as a disease. While the National Institutes of Health say that it should be considered as a disease; the U.S. surgeon general is of the opinion that obesity is a condition. They say that obesity cannot be classified as a disease because people have control over it and it is in their hands to reduce weight.

It is a sad day indeed, because while others fight over the issue of classification of obesity, we continue to eat those huge burgers and drink gallons of cola and add on pounds.

We may get way with consuming more energy, because we may not be affected by it during our lifetime; but can we say the same about our health – about our lives? The saying, “we are what we eat” holds true. In order to be healthy and to keep physical and emotional suffering at bay as long as we live, we have to understand what our body needs – not what satisfies our palate.

Supersized America has to think of the children who are going to suffer the same fate tomorrow. After all, children learn by following their parents. Time to realize that the colas you so lovingly give your children are harming them.

If the new bill proposed by doctors, that is yet to be passed in parliament goes through, British schoolgirls as young as 12, could be given permission for DIY abortions. This has given way to a huge controversy. This would mean that very young kids will be able to undergo termination without supervision, behind their parents’ backs, even as late as 19 weeks.

In the words of Tory Nadine Dorris, a leading anti-abortion MP, “We are talking about very young girls who will go home and abort on their own.” This has scared many a parent and is a cause of great concern for them. Parents feel that this is like giving permission to go ahead and indulge in sex because there is a secret “remedy” and it also creates a risk factor for the child herself, which is what a girl is at 12.

Critics have said this decision by the Government sends out a wrong message to young girls. Even the Christian Institute has expressed disapproval of this plan. The director of the Roman Catholic Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics, said, “A massive public health programme which targets girls as young as 10 or 12 may well create more problems than it solves .. sending the message that promiscuity is normal and expected.”

Then there are the vaccinations against HPV. HPV is the human papilloma virus, which is a major cause of cervical cancer. Opponents find the idea of vaccinating young girls against sexually transmitted infection objectionable.

It is feared that abortion kits and immunization programmes would actually lull girls into a false sense of security, which could increase the risk-taking behavior. A young impressionable mind, still learning to make the right decisions, could easily fall into the trap of thinking that a vaccination can shield her against every problem related to sex and boost the appetite for an early sexual life.

Experts take the example of the promotion of condoms some time back. Research showed that the promotion resulted in increased sexual activity because of the false hope of consequence-free sex. Studies over the years show all “harm reduction” approaches to reduce under-age sex have failed. This is seen in the soaring of pre-teenage and teenage abortions in Britain, after the widespread availability of condoms and morning-after pills. In total contrast, abstinence approaches that empower teenagers to remain sexually inactive till they get married have been seen to be far more successful in decreasing teenage pregnancy.

Critics feel that the Government should embrace the same hard-hitting abstinence approach to sex as it has to smoking. Rather than supplying cigarette filters in schools, it tells the children to “say no to smoking.” Similarly, they feel that instead of supplying tools to get rid of pregnancy, it should instead concentrate its efforts on discouraging kids from having sex so young.

Those who are supportive to introducing jabs and abortion kits for young girls wonder how far it is possible to control today’s generation from doing what they want to do.

“Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don’t criticize what you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand.”

This song of Bob Dylan reflects the sentiments of the supporters. They stress that we as a community cannot afford to bury our heads like an ostrich about all the things happening in our children’s lives. Every step has to be taken by the parents and the Government to ensure our kids’ safety, because children being children, will anyway go ahead and do what they want to.

Opinions vary and this is a hugely controversial topic - one to ponder with all seriousness. There is no right or wrong answer to this and society will always be divided in its thinking. However, the one thing that both the opponents and proponents agree upon and are concerned about is the safety of every child.

The human brain is the most complex and highly sophisticated computer ever built. The entire nervous system is very complex and is as vulnerable to various problems as the rest of the body is. There is fear of damage to the brain cells, infections, injuries, degeneration and other defects and tumors. Degeneration or disease in which nerve cells degenerate and die, usually quite slowly, is pre-senile dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a non-reversible age-related brain disorder that develops over a period of time (years). In the initial stages, people experience confusion and memory loss, which usually is mistaken for memory changes associated with aging. However, these symptoms of AD gradually lead to personality and behavior changes, a decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making skills, language skills as well as problems recognizing even close family and friends. Ultimately, AD leads to loss of mental function. These losses are caused by the worsening breakdown of the connections between different neurons in the brain and eventually their death. AD comes under the group of disorders called dementias and is the most common cause of dementia among people aged 65 and older.

What Are The Symptoms?

There are three stages of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe

Mild Alzheimer’s

The common changes that are noticeable in people suffering from mild AD are:

• Loss of interest in life.
• Recent memory loss without any changes in conversation or appearance.
• Loss of judgment about money.
• Difficulty with new learning and making new memories.
• Trouble finding words.
• Shorter attention span.
• Loses way often.
• Resists changes or new things.
• Has trouble thinking logically.
• Asks repetitive questions.
• Withdraws, irritable and uncharacteristically insensitive and angry when tired or frustrated.
• Will not make own decisions and start depending on others to make decisions.
• Forgets to pay or forgets how to pay – may give the person a wallet instead of money.
• Forgets to eat, eats constantly or eats only one kind of food.
• Misplaces things or losing things by hiding them in odd places or even forgets where things go, like putting dishes in the washing machine.
• Constantly searches, keeps checking or accumulate things that have no value.

Moderate Alzheimer’s

• Noticeable behavior changes and concern for hygiene, sleep and appearance.
• Difficulty recognizing people and own objects, even close family like the husband and son.
• Poor judgment and self neglect. May wander off and risks falls.
• Repetitive talking.
• Restlessness and repetitive movements, especially during late afternoon or evening, such as trying doorknobs, pacing etc.
• Has trouble following notes and performing tasks.
• Inappropriate behavior and may be threatening, accusing, biting, hitting, kicking or screaming.
• Forgets manners and etiquette.
• Begins to see things or people that do not exist.
• Takes frequent naps or wakes up at night thinking it is morning.
• May be scared of a mirror image and thinks it is following them or that a television story is their story.
• Need help with remembering how to do things, such as dressing, drinking etc.
• Forgets the difference between public and private behavior. May remove clothes in public.

Severe Alzheimer’s

• Loses recognition of self and/or family.
• Speaks nonsense or is very quite.
• May refuse to eat or forgets to swallow.
• May cry out frequently or keep touching things.
• Loses control of bladder and bowel.
• Has weight loss and thin skin.
• May forget to walk or be unable to walk.
• May have seizures, frequent falls and infections.
• May sleep more.
• Need help with the ADLs.

How Is It Caused?

What causes AD is not yet understood. Scientists suspect there are several factors that affect each person with AD differently.

Age is said to be the most important risk factor.

Family history is another risk factor. According to scientists, genetics may play a role in most cases of AD. Early-onset of familial AD, which is very rare, usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60 and is said to be inherited. Late-onset AD, which is the more common form, occurs later in life and no inheritance is obvious. The only risk factor gene that has been identified is the gene that makes apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Every person has ApoE, which helps with the cholesterol in the blood; however, only about 15% of people have the form that increases the risk of AD. There may be other genes, but none have been discovered yet.

Scientists found evidence that some of the risk factors responsible for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, high cholesterol and low levels of vitamin folate may increase the risk of AD.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Currently, doctors can only make a diagnosis of the probable causes. Most times, doctors can make a correct diagnosis using several tools.

• Asking questions about the person’s general well-being and health, ability to perform ADLs and past medical problems.
• Tests that check for memory, attention, language, counting and problem solving.
• Simple medical tests, such as blood, urine and spinal fluid tests.
• Brain scans.

Sometimes the results of these tests help doctors diagnose other diseases, such as drug reactions, depression, brain tumors, thyroid problems and blood vessel disease in the brain, as these diseases can have symptoms like AD.

How Early Diagnosis Helps!

Early diagnosis helps people plan for the future. It gives them time to discuss the options for care, look at treatment of the symptoms, with the patient still capable of making decisions.

What Is The Treatment?

The most unfortunate thing about AD is that there are no medicines that can slow the disease progression. However, there are four FDA-approved medications that are used to treat the symptoms. Although, these drugs will not stop or reverse AD, they have been found to help people carry on with their ADLs by helping with their memory, speaking skills, thinking, some of the personality and behavioral changes. For mild to moderate AD symptoms, rivastigmine (Exelon), Donepezil (Aricept) and galantamine (Reminyl) are given. For severe AD symptoms, Donepezil and memantine (Namenda) have been recently approved by the FDA.

What Is The Prognosis?

In rare cases, people develop AD in their 30s, 40s and 50s. This is called, “early onset” AD. But in more than 90% of the people, AD develops after 65 years of age. This is called, “late-onset” AD. The development and the damage in the brain are similar in both. The course of the disease and the rate of decline vary from person to person.

How Can Individuals And Family Cope With Alzheimer’s?

“I’ve accepted my AD as part of who I am. It’s not as difficult now that I’ve come to terms with it. Getting over the initial hurdle was most difficult.” - Susan

Some of the activities that a person with AD can do to help relax and get away from the stress include; having pets, volunteer jobs, listening to music, gardening, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, going out with family and friends.

In case of an early diagnosis, the person can sit with close family members and decide on how they should be taken care of in the future. Loved ones play a major role in taking care of the patient and being loving, as the disease progresses. Once the disease reaches the severe stages, a nursing home may prove to be helpful, if it is not possible for one person to be totally dedicated to the care of the patient.

It is advisable to join some support groups in the local area to ensure all help and moral support possible.

Obesity is a problem most adults of today face. Some give up trying to reduce weight thinking it’s hereditary and others get discouraged when nothing seems to work. There are some people who are happy with themselves and what they are.

Agreed, we do not have to bother about what others feel about us but we have to be concerned about our health. Obesity as we all know leads to all sorts of health problems. Lack of exercise only aggravates the situation.

Researchers have time and again drilled it into us that exercise helps burn fat. Results of another recent study reveal that just a single bout of exercise helps obese people boost their fat-burning rate and improve their metabolism.

This is great news and should motivate all those obese individuals who have given up taking care of their health. According to a researcher from the University of Michigan, “This means that exercising, even without losing weight, can benefit individuals in terms of metabolic health. By exercising to increase their ability to burn fat and store fat as triglycerides in muscle, which is beneficial, people reduce their insulin resistance and their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.”

They also found that obese women’s fat burning rate had reduced when they overate and did not exercise.

To appreciate the immense value of these research results, it would help to understand what metabolism is and how it works.

Metabolism refers to the many chemical processes that go on continuously in our body, which are the root cause of our life and functioning. All these processes need energy from food. The amount of energy (kilojoules or kj) our body burns is regulated by our metabolism. The only way we can get our metabolism to work is through exercise.

Metabolic rate is the rate at which the energy is burned. There are three components to this:

• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – It is the amount of energy the body needs to maintain itself. It contributes to about 50-80 percent of total energy used. Muscle mass is responsible for BMR, and anything that reduces muscle or lean mass reduces BMR. Since the BMR accounts for so much of the energy used, it is important not to lose muscle mass when trying to lose weight.

• Energy Used During Physical Activity – This is the amount of energy burned during physical activity. The energy used during exercise is the only form of energy that can be controlled by us. Normally, the rate of energy expenditure is only about 20 percent of the total energy used, but with strenuous exercise, the rate may go up 50-fold or even more.

The following list should help you understand how much energy is used for various activities.

o Sitting – 1.7 (kj)
o Writing – 1.7
o Standing in a relaxed manner – 2.1
o Driving – 3.8
o Vacuum cleaning – 11.3
o Fast walking – 14.2
o Running – 29.3
o Swimming (4km/hr) – 33
o Rowing in a race – 67

• Thermic Effect of Food – Our BMR rises after eating because we use energy to eat, digest and metabolize the food consumed. It rises as soon as we start eating and peaks after a couple of hours. This rise in BMR can vary a lot between 2-3 percent and 25-30 percent, based on what is eaten.

Here are the foods that contribute to the rise in BMR:

o Fats – BMR rises by 4 percent
o Carbohydrates – by 6 percent
o Proteins – by 30 percent
o Hot spicy foods – Foods containing mustard, horseradish and chilli can have a thermic effect.

This is the reason, we are told to eat more protein rich foods and less fatty foods.

You must note the importance of muscle tissue in our bodies. Muscle tissue has a monstrous appetite for kilojoules. The more muscle mass you have, the more energy you will burn. People usually put on weight as they age and this is because they slowly lose muscle. Researchers believe that the reduction in muscle mass as a person ages could be more due to being less active. They believe that strength training and resistance training can help reduce or even prevent the loss of muscle.

Now that you know what foods to eat and what activities to perform in order to boost your metabolism and increase the energy you expend, start following the basic steps first. Initially, you can begin with going for a slow walk, increasing the speed gradually. Next step is to concentrate on the food you eat, without depriving yourself. Just replacing part of the fats with protein is a good way to start. A good exercise and food regimen is a wonderful way of kick-starting your life again.

You no longer have to worry even if you do not seemingly lose weight, as long as you are being health conscious and you know your body is happy.

Death begins in the colon! That may sound a little extreme but it is a fact that a troubled colon leads to all sorts of diseases, some more serious than the others. Colon cleansing is one of the best ways of cleaning an unhealthy colon that is severely out of balance. While it is necessary to learn about different methods of cleansing, it is of utmost importance to understand that several mishaps can occur if colon cleansing is not performed properly.

Do not believe anyone that says colon cleansing is free from any reactions. It is common to have physical reactions to the colon cleansing process. These reactions may include headaches, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea or dizziness. For all the discomfort, this is actually a sign that the process is working and that you are actually eliminating toxins from the body. Although, these symptoms may not be considered as serious, if they do occur, you may need to temporarily cut back on your cleansing procedure.

You must learn not to confuse cleansing supplements with laxatives. Laxatives are not considered to be a good alternative, despite the fact that many health professionals recommend them. According to colon hydrotherapists, laxatives only stimulate the muscular movement of the colon. They can also cause dehydration and do nothing to loosen and remove the colon’s false lining. Laxatives may also weaken the colon by irritating and over-stimulating it, and it is best to stay away from them.

Colon cleansing should not be attempted without taking into consideration all the health factors. Those recovering from substance abuse, alcoholics, diabetics, people suffering from eating disorders, and individuals who are physically weak or have a hypothyroid or hypoglycemic condition should not undergo any form of cleansing or detoxification without strict medical supervision. It becomes inevitable to consult a physician before venturing to clean the colon, even when going in for alternative colon cleansing treatments using herbs.

We know that a colon cleansing program begins with the intake of adequate amounts of fiber among other things. However, increasing your intake of dietary fiber too rapidly can cause unpleasant side effects, such as gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. Someone in a state of ill health and gastrointestinal dysfunction cannot rush into a detoxification program. In people whose systems are deeply imbalanced, the body lacks the energy and proper organ function to run the complex processes of detoxifying itself. To avoid any of the unwanted side effects, fiber consumption should be increased gradually. Many people rush into it because they decide they need to get their health right immediately, and in the process suffer unexpected health problems.

Colon cleanses can be done at home too but the danger is of overdoing it. With colon cleansing, too much too soon can prove to be harmful. If attempting to do an enema at home, the equipment should be sterilized properly. Any negligence can easily lead to bacterial infections that could turn serious. It is also important to be gentle so as not to damage the intestinal wall.

Total fasting is bad for health too. Yes, there are many colon cleansing programs that stress on fasting but when you fast without consuming anything, your liver has to exert itself to flush out toxins. These toxins can easily get into the colon and then into the body. They eventually come back to the liver, putting a lot of load on the liver. There has to be intake of fresh organic juices, raw vegetables and lots of water to ensure that toxins are flushed out and do not recirculate.

According to the Department of Health, there have been cases where colon cleansing has caused severe illnesses and even death due to contaminated equipment, perforation (puncture) of intestinal walls or electrolyte (salt and mineral) imbalance. People at higher risk for a bowel injury include those that have ulcerative colitis, severe hemorrhoids, rectal or colon tumors, diverticulitis or those recovering from bowel surgery. People with heart failure or kidney problems may experience electrolyte imbalance. Since the colon walls can absorb substances, there is a chance that it can cause allergic reactions with the possibility of irreversible complications.

Although, colon cleansing in itself is not dangerous, the way it is performed has a big impact on the outcome. All these mishaps can be avoided by taking by ensuring it is done under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Prenatal diagnosis is currently the most widespread application of technology and genetic knowledge. Along with the benefits that advancing technologies provide, they also give birth to new dilemmas. Researchers can now detect many health problems of an unborn child in the womb. While it is a good thing as it helps parents prepare well to receive such a child, this information also creates situations where parents face the wrenching decision of whether they should give birth to the child or terminate the pregnancy. They are left to decide if giving birth to such a child is an injustice to the child.

What about the ethics of prenatal testing, especially in Down syndrome? How do mothers experience the personal and ethical choices about prenatal testing? We should also be looking at the perspective of mothers of children with Down syndrome.

Society believes that it is a grave burden to raise a child with Down syndrome and that it is both medically appropriate and morally correct to take measures to ensure the child is not born. Because of few treatment options, testing is basically linked to the only option of ‘therapeutic’ abortion.

Recently, Gov. Sarah Palin gave birth to a son with Down syndrome. In spite of knowing very well what she is getting into, she announced that it is God’s blessing. This heartwarming pro-life story tells a lot about the woman’s strength and conviction in her capabilities as a woman and a mother.

The family made an announcement: “Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives.” This has in a way proven to the world that Sarah Palin is a woman who truly walks the walk.

Trig Palin whose name means “brave victory” is one of the lucky few who got through. The screening tests that alert families in the early stages of the pregnancy cause most children with Down syndrome to be aborted and fewer to be born.

Statistics reveal that a very small percentage of couples continue pregnancies after a diagnosis of Down syndrome through prenatal testing. It is felt that these statistics are mainly the result of decisions made in haste and without adequate information about what Down syndrome is likely to mean for the child or even to themselves as parents.

Mothers worry about the cost of raising a Down syndrome child, about how the child will affect siblings and mainly how the child will cope. In fact, it has been seen that the older the parents are, the more they worry. Who is going to take care of my child when I am not around anymore? How is the child going to get along in this society?

Research shows that a vast majority of doctors are insensitive and push women to make decisions even while they are still reeling from the initial shock over the diagnosis. Women who have terminated their pregnancies say that they went through a lot, including questions about the ethics of termination that continue to haunt them. They also said that they would have kept the child if only they were more aware of things and not gone into panic mode and most of it due to being pushed into taking a decision.

Yes, it is not an easy task and it takes a lot of giving from the parents. As children, even the kids with Down syndrome may have to go through a lot of unpleasantness in the society. If we take the case of six-year-old Benjamin, he knows he is different from the others. His mother says that he gets himself ready in the morning and once when he came downstairs, she said to him, “Oh, look at you! You look so handsome today!” He said, “Mommy I’m not handsome, I’m different.” That, she says broke her heart. But she says that he is a happy child and she cannot think of life without him.

Parents relate stories of adjustment to the news of the child’s disability; compromised dreams and disappointment that gradually are replaced by hopefulness and realization that life continues ordinarily and normally. One mother said, “You don’t wake up every morning thinking “Oh my God, he’s got Down syndrome.” Most women who have a child with Down syndrome say that the child made their life richer and brought a lot of positive changes in their lives.

Interviews with adults with Down’s syndrome show that even as adults they are quite happy with themselves. They insist that their so-called “handicap” is only in the way society looks at them, not in who they are.

One pro-life supporter says, “Years ago, these kids were called mongoloid and they were institutionalized but now we find them with the use of advanced technology and kill them.”

Thousands of stories of surviving the so-called “crisis” and leading more satisfying and happier lives should help both expectant mothers and families understand that the grief and shock that follow a diagnosis are not predictive of the long-term future for them. Researchers challenge the idea that reducing the incidence of Down syndrome through termination is honorable and that people with Down syndrome would be welcomed and seen as valuable members of our community.

It is common and understandable for expectant mothers and fathers to feel anxious about their child. Nevertheless, does the possibility of a child with Down syndrome warrant despair? Is prenatal testing actually reinforcing an unjustifiable fear of disability?

As of now, not many women have an indication of how not horrible this situation is. Until these women are educated on this, they will continue to agonize on deciding to terminate such a pregnancy and even on bringing the child into the world. Either way, a woman has the right to make an informed decision.

Although Abortion is practiced throughout most of the world and has been practiced long before the recorded history, it still invokes passion and controversy. Abortion raises fundamental questions such as when life begins and what it is that makes us human. In America, abortion is a highly charged issue that involves ethical, religious and political debate. It continues to be a very contentious issue with few signs of abatement.

It is understandable that most women feel abortion is a moral decision for them and a totally personal decision, given their situation. This includes their religious beliefs, health, marital status, genetic makeup, age and other factors.

If a woman decides to undergo abortion, after consulting with her physician and her spiritual advisor, should the government veto her decision?

The answer to this is a whole lot of debate in the U.S., many times even bordering on violence.

Those who are against abortion say that the government should be able to override the decision of a woman and require her to continue with her pregnancy and childbirth. These people base their stance on the strong belief that human life begins at the ovum and spermatozoon stage. This makes a pre-embryo, embryo and fetus all humans that are entitled to the basic human right to live, along with all other human rights.

One of the most insidious examples of anti-abortion advocates is their argument for “post-abortion stress syndrome” in spite of the fact that there is no evidence to prove this. A proposed law in South Dakota would ban most abortions on the grounds that “an abortion subjects the pregnant woman to significant psychological and physical health risks.”

The Roman Catholic Church and many other religious bodies also strongly oppose abortion.

People who argue in favor of abortion say that it is totally the woman’s decision and the government has no right to interfere, or should limit its interference to only very rare circumstances. She should be able to have an abortion if she wants to. They base their stance on the belief that a human life begins after conception when the embryo’s heart starts beating, or when the fetus begins to take a human shape, or when it is born, or it half emerges from the mother, or is completely disconnected from the mother and becomes an independent human life.

In the United States, abortion has been made legal. Supporters of legal abortion say that this legalization resulted in a huge decrease in women dying from abortion and that’s because abortion is not a dangerous procedure any longer, since women do not have to go through self-induced abortions and they are done by experienced physicians.

If we go back to our ancestors, Aristotle taught “delayed ensoulment,” which meant that a fetus in the initial stages was nothing but a vegetable soul and evolves into a human soul later in gestation. This was even called ensoulment and was believed to occur at 90 days after conception for a female fetus and 40 days after conception for a male fetus. In those days, since gender could not be determined, abortion and contraception were not condemned. It was only in the later stages of pregnancy that a human soul is destroyed. On the other hand, Jewish faith generally opposed abortion, unless it posed a risk to the life of the mother. Over the centuries, different stances were taken at different times.

Supporters of abortion argue that the bible is also completely silent on the issue of abortion. The word “abortion” does not appear in any of the biblical translations. They go on to relate that according to the bible, life begins at birth – when a baby draws in its first breath and the embryo or fetus is not a human being. The bible gives the definition of life as “breath” several times.

However, anti-abortionists show basis in the bible for their beliefs, by citing passages or quotes that actually do not use the word abortion or pro-life. They say there are several scriptures in the Bible where God indirectly shows that he is pro-life.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

As far as the United States Political parties are concerned, they have taken different sides, with the majority of the Republicans being pro-life and a majority of the Democrats supporting a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion.

Belief that a human being exists at conception is purely a matter of faith, not fact. Several Christian denominations and religious groups now agree that the bible does not condemn abortion anywhere and that abortion should continue to be legal.

The general feeling is that it is important to find common ground – not by going completely against abortion or “favoring” abortion as the taking of an innocent life can never be acceptable. This has to be dealt with in such a way that it reduces the number of abortions. Abortions can be legalized as far health risks for the baby or mother are concerned and not in other situations.

The debates and discussions will continue as long as there is conscience and as long as life matters.

It’s no secret that a poor diet can lead to poor health. Scientists and doctors agree that poor nutrition can contribute to a patient’s likelihood to develop a number of significant health problems. Some important health problems that can be negatively impacted by a poor diet include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Even heart attacks and strokes may be related to a patient’s poor diet. In fact, there is a current trend towards patients developing these detrimental diet-related ailments in the United States and in most Western countries.

It is quite possible to reverse the trend of poor health caused by a poor diet. The answer is to eat healthier, more nutritious foods and to increase the amount of exercise each individual does. Most people would like to follow a more nutritional diet plan, but they simply don’t have the knowledge to accomplish their goal. Much of the average person’s diet consists of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. People simply don’t know what foods are best for them and they may not have the resources to get the information that they need.

Fortunately, scientists and doctors have now discovered a group of fourteen foods that are so nutritious that they have been referred to as “super foods.” These foods contain an unusually high amount of nutrients. The nutrients found in these so-called “super foods” are vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. They are also high in anti-oxidants, which may help the body fight the damaging effects of free radicals. In addition, most healthy foods are high in fiber content. In native populations where the popular diet consists of dishes containing many of these “super foods,” the incidence of diet-related health problems is much lower.

Healthy foods are generally natural or whole foods. Look for foods that are not highly processed and do not contain high levels of added salt, sugar, or other food additives. Nutritional foods may be either fresh or frozen. Fortunately, nutritional foods are not really very difficult to find. Most supermarkets and grocery stores already have aisles that are filled with fresh and frozen produce. Armed with the right information about nutrition, the average consumer can make the right choices and begin to follow a healthful diet.

Getting right information about nutrition is vital to continuing good health. It’s important to base your food choices on foods that will provide the most nutritional value. Look for a nutritional plan that has been reviewed and approved by doctors and scientists. Keep current by following the latest news about the relationship between diet and health problems. An educated consumer is better prepared to make proper food selections. Consumers who have specific questions pertaining to their health should consult with a physician.

Health problems caused by poor nutrition can be reduced. A diet rich in nutrients can help individuals to feel healthier. Natural foods are generally much better food choices than highly processed foods. It’s important to learn what foods contain the most nutrients and try to work those healthy foods into your daily diet.

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Guest Post by Lauren Smith who is a contributing editor for SuperFoodsRx.com, a site dedicated to helping people achieve a healthy lifestyle through nutrition information, food recipes, and health supplements.

A woman’s curse? In the West, through much of its history, women were considered ritually unclean during the monthly flow of blood. This period put a woman into a state of ritual defilement. Theologians believed that this “unclean creature” could not be entrusted with the care of God’s sacred rituals. Similar taboos existed among many cultures, including the Greeks and Romans. Women were not only considered to be “impure” but in danger of communicating this impurity to others. Anyone who touches a woman or her belongings becomes unclean and must clean themselves. These traditions were onerous and complicated.

Now for the blessings of the curse! The same blood is now claimed by researchers as life-saving. It is found to contain stem cells that are in the early stages of development, thus having the potential to turn into different types of cells.

American and Japanese researchers say that this blood contains adult stem cells and can be the “super repair kit” for the body. These stem cells can be used to develop nine different types of cells for growing new cartilage, bone, fat, skin, brain cells, lung, nerve, muscle and even the heart.

A master stem cell is the zygote (embryo) that is the result of a fertilized egg. It is the beginning of all human life. With the growth of the embryo, this master cell multiplies into millions of cells, including stem cells. Throughout gestation, different types of cells are created, skin, nerve, bone, muscle and others. After birth and throughout the life, regenerating stem cells are produced by the body.

Menstrual stem cells are believed to be similar to those from the embryos and bone marrow, but are said to be better compatible and easy to replicate.

Menstruation is nothing but the shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) and the blood that oozes out of the blood vessels that are torn when the uterine lining is shed. Stem cell researchers say this uterine lining that is shed contains stem cells.

Scientists are excited and consider this an wonderful breakthrough in stem cell therapy, as stem cells are known to be a wonder cure for diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, spinal cord damage and several other diseases.

Several lab tests were done on menstrual stem cells and scientists created all types of cells from them and the most amazing find was that it took only five days to create new heart cells.

Researchers say that these stem cells should be banked for future use in saving lives and it is a simple process too. The procedure is similar to giving a urine sample. The only effort that needs to be put in is to expand the blood before storing, unlike the umbilical cord stem cells that are stored immediately after extraction.

Stem cell research holds great promise because stem cells are cells that have not yet divided into specialized somatic cells – such as liver cells, skin cells, nerve cells and muscle cells – they can be used to develop various treatments. Stem cell research has the potential to repair any tissue in the body; it has the potential to cure anything from a simple skin cut to cancer.

Stem cell therapy has come under a lot of scrutiny and has become a controversial issue because of scientists’ belief that the most useful stem cells come from embryos. This controversy has reached new proportions when researchers in Virginia have become the first to create human embryos for the purpose of harvesting stem cells that can be used in scientific investigations. Federal funding for such research is being questioned on the grounds of morality and legality.

Researchers feel that actual treatments are a long way off and one of the reasons is federal funding. In spite of the fact that there are many private laboratories that have been engaged in stem cell research without expecting any assistance from the government, the lack of federal support retards the progress of American stem cell research.

Many supporters of stem cell research feel that promising research programs, including adult and amniotic fluid stem cell research and other types of scientific studies that do not involve human embryos should be funded. They feel that this needs to be done in an attempt to relieve human suffering and we are sure millions of sufferers from around the world feel this way too.

Any form of cancer does not only affect the person diagnosed, but the family also. Every year more than two thousand people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the most dreaded diseases that is linked to inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers. This disease lies dormant hiding itself for many years or even decades before revealing its dark face, by which time it is often too late to do anything about it. The most unfortunate aspect of this disease is that it is often misdiagnosed because it has symptoms that are similar to other diseases and certain types of lung cancer.

Over the years, science has advanced tremendously but there have not been many breakthroughs in research and many clinical trials underway currently, for the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma.

Dr. Anton Berns from The Netherlands Cancer Institute says, “There is an urgent need for experimental models of malignant mesothelioma that can be used to not only study the onset and progression of the disease, but also to serve as a model to select new combination therapies and targeted agents.”

This is precisely the reason why the results of the latest test conducted by the Columbia University Medical Center and Rosetta Genomics Ltd. is being hailed as a major breakthrough, especially for people suffering from this form of cancer. Researchers say that now they can differentiate between lung cancers of two forms, squamous and the non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This is crucial because this rare form of cancer often gives the impression of one of the other less deadly types of lung cancers and because of this misdiagnosis, ends up becoming life threatening within months.

This test was based on microRNA, which is the proprietary technology of Rosetta Genomics. They are involved in testing microRNA-based drugs, as microRNA genes that have been recently discovered, are naturally occurring and seen to be involved in all biological processes in the human body. Since most of the diseases are caused due to abnormal protein activity and microRNAs have the ability to regulate protein activity, researchers have discovered that they could provide the means to treat many diseases. Studies have revealed that microRNA helps understand the fate of a cell.

There is another breakthrough just around the corner, in the form of Lovastatin, a common cholesterol drug. This drug that was introduced in the 1980s showed some exciting results in the lab tests – it not only worked on lipids, but also attacked cancer cells. Researchers found that in order for Lovastatin to attack the cancer cells, unusually high doses need to be used, which cannot be done. However, further research revealed that a combination of Lovastatin with other drugs in safe doses provides the same result. In fact, patients in the later stages of melanoma showed tremendous improvement within just a few weeks and researchers are hopeful that this will work with mesothelioma as well.

A new clinical research being performed is by Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, on a new targeted radiation and chemotherapy protocol for pleural mesothelioma, which is the cancer of the lining of the lungs, almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and the results should be out next year.

Researchers say that there is still plenty of work that needs to be done in order to find new ways of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma, and use the existing treatments in a better way. They say that trials, even the disappointing ones, are another step in the right direction. It takes a lot of wrong answers to derive at the right one, and mesothelioma patients and their families await that one right answer with hope in their hearts.