Energy Drinks : Good or Bad?

Do energy drinks really improve your performance, or is it all just mental. I have always thought the idea of having an energy enhancing drink was not only bad for your health, but acts like a drug. The first question you might ask is what is in an energy drink? Energy drinks contain stimulants such as ephedrine, guarana, ginseng, maltodextrin, inositol, creatin, gingko biloba, and of course caffeine. Energy Drinks contain as much as 80 mg of caffeine, which is the same amount as in a cup coffee. It might not sound that bad, but there are side affects and a few dangers to worry about if you do drink energy drinks. They increase blood pressure and heart rate at the same time dehydrating the body and preventing sleep. Also energy drinks should never be used while exercising as a result of severe dehydration. Sounds great, right? Know what you are drinking when it comes to energy drinks. I think of energy drinks as highly caffeinated addictive drinks. I wouldn't exactly think of Coca Cola or Sprite as something that you would use for sports.  

Smoking

 Smoking leads to diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer. It is a terrible addiction that leads to a destructive outcome. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine and a addictive stimulant. Nicotine increases blood sugar, therefore suppressing the appetite.  Pfizer Inc. was approved by FDA after creating Varenicline known as a perscription tablet called Chantix. Chantix is supposed to stop smokers addiction after a years use. It is nicotine free and is said to stop the pleasure in smoking. Chantix had two studies showing more smokers quit at the end of a 12 week study than a drug called Zyban. Will Chantix help people quit smoking? Lets hope it does. 

[Via Foxnews]  

Keeping Diseases Away

Healthy organic food keeps diseases away, that would be one reason for consuming it. Not only has it been proved by scientists, but people like Ganesh Eshwar and Jaishree swear by it. Flavnoids, which is an antioxidant that protects the body against horrible sicknesses is said to be found more in organic food than in food with pesticides. Thats why it is a good idea to start changing some regular produce to organic produce. So stay healthy and eat organic.   

[Via ibnlive]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more common in women then men. It can occur at any age, yet it is most often to occur in your 40's. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when the Median nerve is touching or pushing up against the wrist. It can cause muscle weakness and a tingling or prickling numbness (in the thumb, index, and middle fingers) which is Paresthesia. The first symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome may be when sleeping or it may be hard to make a fist, and dropping objects is common. The symptoms get more noticeable over a long period of time and Carpal Tunnel is increased with hand activity. The Neurological Society Meeting have proved that weight loss in obese patients does not help Carpal Tunnel syndrome. The study was performed by Dr. Yuksel Kaplan and his colleagues.   

[ Via Medical News Today]

Heart and Kidney Disease

Apparently, if your kidneys are diseased then keep a close full eye on your heart. Or if your Hearts diseased watch out for your kidneys. New research proves that kidney diseases speed up heart diseases, and doctors have proven that heart disease can destroy your kidneys too. 50,000 patients were required for the study, and it was proven with simple routine cholesterol checks, urine, and blood checks. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is quiet an epidemic. Over 19 million American citizens claim that they do not have it, when in fact they do. Kidneys fail to filter the waste of the bloodstream, so the symptoms are not obvious until the organs are completely damaged. Most CKD patients die of heart disease before their kidneys could disintegrate. Although it may seem far-fetched, but their is a logical link. High blood pressure and diabetes are a risk for chronic kidney disease and hear attacks. Patients who have heart disease should start checking for kidney disease.

[ via  CTV.ca ]