Childhood sweet tooth can trigger violence

I sometimes get a strong sense of déjà-vu as a story I reported on years ago resurfaces as ‘new’ in a slightly different guise. Those of you who have heard me speak on alternative health will have heard me tell of the prison experiment in the USA where they replaced the normal diet with whole foods and no sugary sweets or snacks. The result was a substantial drop in violence

Now new research shows that children who eat sweets and chocolate every day are more likely to be violent as adults, according to a study of almost 17,500 participants published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study is the first to examine the long-term effects of childhood diet on adult violence and they found that 10-year-olds who ate sweets daily were significantly more likely to have been convicted for violence by the time they were 34 years of age.

Researchers from Cardiff University studied results from the 1970 British Cohort Study and they found that 69 per cent of the participants who were violent at the age of 34 had eaten sweets and chocolate nearly every day during childhood, compared to 42% who were non-violent.

Of course sweet eating is not only the only factor in violent behaviour, but the link between eating sweets and chocolate and violence remained after other factors were taken into account.

Nor, for once, can the blame be laid solely at the door of sugar consumption although it is certainly relevant. The researchers put forward several explanations for the link, but according to lead researcher Dr Simon Moore they believe that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want. Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency.

Appeasement seems to be a parental strategy I see a lot of these days – probably because I travel more by bus. The use of sweets as a pacifier is certainly not a new tactic, but the link to the child’s belief that they are entitled to what they demand immediately may well be an important factor that sets up a pattern. If a belief that they are always going to be entitled to have what they want, when they want it, is not very social behaviour but is something we are seeing a lot more of. Wonder if it will affect the sales of selection boxes this Christmas?

How being obese can cause a car crash

Being overweight to the point of obesity is obviously very bad for your health, but there is now an added complication for all road users, not just sufferers. The UK National Obesity Forum’s seventh annual conference took place last Monday and one of the highlights was the problem of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), as the obesity epidemic increases.

Sleep Apnoea is sometimes regarded as a minor condition with irritating snoring; characterised by disruptive breathing during the night. It occurs when soft tissue in the back of the airway collapses and blocks it, causing interruption in breathing that lasts 10 seconds or more. In its moderate to severe forms, victims can suffer 20 to 30 such episodes per hour all night without realising their sleep is being disturbed. However, new research has now identified it as a fatal disease as at its worst the sufferer can ‘forget’ to breathe during the night with the resulting serious consequences.

We know being overweight is linked to sleep apnoea, but Dr Bertrand de Silva, Medical Director of American Sleep Medicine in California spoke about why it is a problem for road users. Dr de Silva is a world expert in sleep disorders he predicts that only 15% of sufferers have been diagnosed, so despite the dangers, the majority are oblivious that they even have the condition. Because of the disrupted sleep pattern, OSA causes daytime sleepiness and doubles the risk of road accidents

Dr da Silva believes that 25% of UK drivers should wake up to the dangers of being overweight and behind the wheel and his theory is backed up by organisations such as the AA whose Head of Road Safety agrees that the risk of death or serious injury from falling asleep at the wheel is great. Their own research tells them that one in 10 motorists admit to nodding off at the wheel and are in danger of becoming a statistic – one of the up to 3,000 killed or seriously injured each year as a result of falling asleep.

The Risks

Predictive forecasting indicates that by 2050 around 60% of adult men and 50% of adult women could be obese. They will therefore be at risk of OSA and putting themselves, and other road users at risk of an accident.

Being seriously overweight definitely puts you at greater risk of OSA, and that in turn is known to increase the risk of heart conditions by 30%, dramatically increases hypertension, affects 58% of diabetic patient (90% if obese), impacts glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and is the second leading cause of erectile dysfunction.”

If you still need another incentive to lose weight, it could also increase your insurance premiums as the research and scientific evidence grows about the effects of obesity.

Breast cancer awareness month

October is Breast cancer awareness month and as this is the most common cancer, and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women, it is timely to pay attention.

There are 45,500 women diagnosed with it every year and one woman in nine will be affected in her lifetime. You can get involved in various events or contribute by buying yourself – or someone else – a fit that contributes to breast cancer research. Among my ‘wish list’ are Debenhams ‘bling piggy bank’, a special edition ipod cover and earphone set or – assuming we are ever going to get some more rain – Asda’s tickled pink wellies and slippers.

If you want to do something more active, then undertake a Friendship Walk to raise funds, or try ‘STEP ON IT’, which is one of Breast Cancer Campaign’s new individual walking challenge. You are asked to walk a step for each of the 46,000people who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK this year.

More details from the website at www.breastcancercampaign.org/how/fwalk_resources/

Babies crawl away from danger

An interesting hypothesis has just come from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Do infants only start to crawl once they are physically able to see danger coming or because they are more mobile, they develop the ability to sense looming danger?

This study suggests that an infants’ ability to see whether an object is approaching on a direct collision course, and when it is likely to collide, develops around the time they become more mobile. So they are not heading for the cookie jar, or mother’s milk, but are establishing the important neural networks that enable them to see objects and how dangerous they might be.

Those neural networks are in the process of being established from birth and by the age of eight to nine months are fully able to register an impending collision. Coincidentally, this is also the average age at which infants start crawling.

Scientists just can’t take anything on trust and go ‘aah’ like the rest of us can they?

Diabetes can affect bone density

Diabetics can often experience low bone density, which is associated with increased risk of bone fractures and delayed fracture repair. A new study at Boston University School of Medicine suggests that the inflammatory molecule TNF-α may be a contributory factor.

This is an important breakthrough as diabetes affects at least 171 million people worldwide, and it is believed that figure will double by 2030. Long-term complications of diabetes are an expensive health budget item as they can include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage that may lead to blindness, nerve damage, and blood vessel damage, which may cause erectile dysfunction and poor wound healing.

Anything that helps identify a contributory factor that can lead to its elimination is a step forward and in the study it was observed that there were increased levels of inflammatory molecules, including TNF-α , during fracture healing in diabetic conditions. They saw a rapid loss of cartilage in the healing bones, which was due to increased numbers of osteoclasts, cells that remove bone and cartilage, and leave the bone vulnerable to breakage.

Knowing what reduces the healing of the bone is an important factor in helping to prevent it, perhaps by stimulating action by the osteoblasts, the cells that help build bone and which are dependent on progesterone for growth.

Brushing away mouth cancer

Is it just me or is there anyone out there who likes going to the dentist? If you do, congratulations, and if you are also a regular brusher and flosser you may have a regime that will help you avoid mouth cancer.

This disease is diagnosed in over 5,000 people each year and that is a 40 per cent rise in cases in just 10 years and 1,800 die from the disease each year. On average one death every 5 hours and there are now more deaths from it than cervical or testicular cancer. So it pays to do what you can to avoid it and according to a report in The American Association for Cancer Research’s latest journal those aforementioned good habits could prove vital in combating mouth cancer.

Poor mouth hygiene and less than zealous dental habits can lead to chronic gum disease (periodontitis) and that is a high risk factor for mouth cancer. You get chronic gum disease from a build-up of plaque in the mouth which can result in long-standing inflammation of the gums and eventual loss of your teeth.

Previously mouth cancer has been linked to smoking, but this new study of 463 patients found that gum disease was an equal risk factor leading to cancer whether the subjects smoked or not.

Want to avoid it?

There is some advice so simple I am almost embarrassed to pass it on – but not quite. All you have to do (assuming you don’t already) is to brush twice a day with toothpaste and clean between the teeth with an interdental brush or floss. They recommend using a fluoride toothpaste, but I prefer a natural alternative that does the same job and that is Vicco, an Ayurvedic Toothpaste containing extracts of 20 herbs, roots and barks all valued for their theraputic effects on teeth and gums. Made in Mumbai, you may find it in your local health store or online at http://www.worldsend.co.uk/vicco-toothpaste-249-p.asp

Next, screw up that courage, oh that’s me again, and have regular dental check ups to look for potential problems and have your teeth professionally cleaned to help control gum disease.

Finally, know the risk factors which include alcohol and HPV (human papillomavirus) which is transmitted via oral sex with an infected person. Poor diet is also linked to mouth cancer and evidence shows an increase in fruit and vegetables lowers the risk, as can fish and eggs.

Look for these signs

There are some simple warning signs that you need to be aware of. Every week have a good peer inside your mouth with a mirror and look for any ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches and any unusual changes in the mouth.

See any of these and take action, as the sooner you spot mouth cancer, the better your chances. Early detection improves survival chances from around half of cases to more than 90% and I will remind you again in November as that is Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Action on Eczema

Well in case you missed it, September held  National Eczema Week and I have a number of suggestions for anyone suffering from this distressing condition.

First you are definitely not alone as currently one in five children and one in twelve adults in the UK are affected. The National Eczema Society is offering a free booklet to help patients and carers cope with one of the most distressing symptoms of eczema – the itch. Normally there is a charge for this, unless you are a member, but until 31 October you can get your free copy by emailing [email protected] or call the very useful National Eczema Society helpline on 0800 089 1122.

Why me?

Bottom line is that skin affected by eczema releases chemicals which stimulate the nerves and the nerves pass the itch sensation to the brain, and so you scratch and make everything worse. But the itching drives you so mad you are prepared to put up with it for the temporary relief.

Much eczema is stress and environment related and for children in particular, tiredness can make it worse. Soaps and detergents, fragrances, temperature changes, sweating, some clothing , such as wool, and irritant substances such as paint and dyes can all add to the mix so finding out what triggers your eczema would be the first step.

Keeping the skin well moisturised is the next step and your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream as these are anti-inflammatory and work well in the short term for some people. However, nothing works for everyone, and steroids do have unpleasant side effects associated with them, particularly with long term use.

Whether your eczema is persistent, or intermittent, you might want to try one of these natural remedies that have proven to be effective.

Natural help

There are several ways you can help yourself with an outbreak of eczema. Essential oils have shown they have the potential to be very effective at clearing up or relieving the symptoms of eczema.

Peppermint is especially effective at relieving the itching that accompanies this skin disorder. To get the most relief simply rub a drop of diluted peppermint oil over the affected area.

Tea Tree Oil is very popular due to its ability to clear up eczema patches, relieve the accompanying itch, and reduce the redness and swelling that results from an outbreak. This oil can be applied topically to the skin, or it can be used as a cleanser, lotion, or cream when purchased as the active ingredient in these items.

Oatmeal can help relieve the constant itching, reduce some of the redness, and help soften the dry skin of eczema. Using it in a bath is quite effective; just tie a handful of natural oatmeal into a piece of cheesecloth and let it circulate in the warm bath water. Soak awhile and DO NOT add anything else, no soap or bath oils.

Aloe vera was used on the skin of burn victims at Hiroshima and has a great reputation as a healing balm for damaged skin. You can either break off a leaf from the plant and squeeze out the gel to put on your skin, and it is a good to use on the affected areas directly after an oatmeal bath.

Ayudara Natural Skin Balm is a new product that I have been trying out on a patch of eczema that has been quite persistent on the side of my nose. It is a non-steroid all natural treatment for dry skin and contains a combination of Chlorophyll-C and marine extract of golden sea cucumber These actively helps the skin’s cell rejuvenation process and can be an effective treatment for ailments like eczema, dermatitis or dry skin.

In Malaysia people have used golden sea cucumber in natural skin remedies for centuries and it certainly cleared up my small patch of irritated skin very fast.

For specialized information on eczema, do have a look at this website at www.eczema.org for helpful advice and the newest research.

Take supplements? Then take action

I have mentioned before the potential disaster that could affect your ability to buy the vitamin and mineral supplements that you want for your health. There is great pressure from France and Germany to set very low levels on supplements and the UK will be forced into line if this goes through.

If you value your health, then first sign the petition at www.consumersforhealthchoice.com and then write a personal letter today to Jos Barroso, the president of the European Commission. Patrick Holford, Founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, has drafted an outline letter you can use, and feel free to adapt it to suit yourself. If you don’t register your dissatisfaction then no excuses when you have to buy vitamin C in 25mg doses – it’s the same restriction put on aspirin that you have to look forward to.

Draft letter
——————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jos Barroso
President of the European Commission
1049 Brussels
BELGIUM

[date]

Dear President Barroso

THE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS DIRECTIVE

Setting Maximum Levels for Vitamins & Minerals

I am most concerned about the EU proposals for dietary supplements, particularly vitamins and minerals that will be covered by the Foods Supplements Directive. My family and I are all users of dietary supplements to keep ourselves well and maintain good health; we have been watching the progress of the Food Supplements Directive with interest.

Currently we take [explain what supplements you take and why you do so - keep this list short and give examples of vitamins & minerals only]

I understand that key officials at the Health and Consumer Protection division have reached the final stages of the regulations – and that we can expect to be informed of their proposals for the setting of dose levels in a matter of weeks. We have heard conflicting stories about this – not least that the officials are under pressure from some Member State Governments, France and Germany have been mentioned, plus a number of lobbying organisations from mainland Europe to set very low, restrictive maximum dose levels.

I firmly believe that the only way forward is for decisions to be made on the basis of sound science only. It would be unthinkable to have low levels imposed – when millions of consumers like me and my family have been using the specialist higher safe doses for many years. There really is a wealth of scientific information available supporting the products as both safe and beneficial.

Like all sensible consumers, we want quality products, accurately labelled and properly certified as safe. But please don’t allow the levels to be set artificially low; please provide clear and accurate information and allow us to make own informed choices.

I appeal to you for help and a commonsense approach to this matter. Thank you.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

[insert your name and address]

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

At current postage rates it will cost you between 1.52 for 100g letter by airmail. That small investment in maintaining personal choice doesn’t seem too much to me.

Don’t put your potatoes in the fridge

Few people now have larders so most perishables end up in the fridge. And now we are more conscious than ever of not wasting food, we are more likely to transfer vegetables to the fridge to keep them fresher.

BUT, storing potatoes in this way is not a good idea as the cold makes the starch they contain turn into sugar. This means your potatoes are sweeter than they should be, and diabetics in particular need to avoid this.

Try keeping them in a cool place, 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, and avoid storing them with onions because, when close together, they produce gases that spoil both. Personally I swear by Lakeland’s cotton vegetable bags which have a dark liner and keep root veg fresh for longer.

Moobies update!

The issue of man boobs, or moobies, that I mentioned a few weeks ago has resurfaced. This time with a suggested solution; cosmetic surgery.

This week at the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons annual meeting in Cardiff it was reported that a record-breaking number of men are having cosmetic surgery to reduce the size of their breasts. There has been a 44% rise in the number of men requesting the surgery, and this makes it the UK’s fifth most popular surgery for men.

Plastic Surgery Partners surgeon Dai Davies is the leading cosmetic surgeon in this area and he can assure any potential clients out there that old-fashioned standard liposuction has now moved on and they are now using Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) machines that simultaneously destroy both fat cells and blood vessels, and this helps tighten and contract the access skin.

A present for Father’s Day or Christmas perhaps and certainly more novel than a pair of slippers and hopefully lasting a bit longer providing the main causes of poor diet and obesity are also tackled at the same time!

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