Health Advice

Air Conditioning units not only keep you cool in the Summer, modern air con systems can do so much more than just regulate the climate on warm summer days, these days the filters used in modern air con systems remove dust, pollen, pollution and bacteria from the air to provide a clean and fresh allergy free working atmosphere.

The health benefits of modern air conditioning systems are quite considerable, as it can help relieve the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever and asthma, and also reduce the spread of air-borne viruses. A fresh, cool office can reduces stress, helps people to concentrate and work at their best making your business a happy and successful place to work, whilst simultaneously increasing productivity by improving staff motivation and morale.

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Hope for thousands of men at risk of prostate cancer, as preliminary trial has shown that “Abiraterone” can reverse even the most resistant strain of prostate cancer, Doctors believe it can potentially prolong the lives of up to 10,000 British men each year, whilst simultaneously providing relief from excruciating bone pain.

Preliminary Facts:

• Approx 75 per cent of the seriously ill men treated, have shown significant improvements.
• Approx 25 per cent of patients experienced dramatic falls in PSA - and surpassed their expectations of survival.

If Abiraterone continues to live up to expectations, it could be available on the NHS in three years time, currently test are under way to directly measure the extent to which the drug can keep people alive.

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A BBC investigation reports serious questions hanging over a key drug test for EPO, Matt McGrath BBC science correspondent reports, just two weeks before the start of the Beijing Olympics. The BBC believes that labs are classing positive tests for the blood-boosting drug EPO as negatives.

Some samples have been described as suspicious - giving rise to fears that no action will be taken against cheats, as several endurance events athletes have had their first sample test positive but were cleared on the second or B test.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) tightened the criteria by which an EPO positive could be declared. However leading anti-doping protesters claim the test was introduced to detect recombinant EPO (erythropoietin), and Copycat versions of the drug are widely available and are often undetectable.

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Endocrine glands are glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Some organs such as the pancreas also release secretions via ducts.

The endocrine glands are of vital importance in regulating body functions.

• Pituitary - controls growth, gonads, kidneys - known as the master gland
• Pineal - controls the natural daily rhythms of the body
• Thyroid - regulates metabolism and growth
• Thymus - vital in the immune system - in particular puberty
• Adrenal - control of heartbeat, respiration and metabolism
• Gonads - control of reproductive activity
• Pancreas - control of blood sugar levels

The fact that these glands are responsible for maintaining the core body functions means that any imbalance should be corrected immediately to restore the normality.

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The liver is a very important organ and is critical in regulating metabolic processes.  It is the largest gland in the body and is situated in the top right hand part of the abdominal cavity.  Among the functions the liver converts excess glucose to glycogen which is stored as a food reserve.  Excess amounts of amino acids are converted into urea for excretion. Bile is produced for storage in the gall bladder and some poisons are broken down.  The liver also recycles red bloody cells to remove the iron when the cells reach the end of their life. It stores vitamins and produces blood clotting substances. Due to its high chemical and biochemical activity the liver generates a lot of heat and is the major contributor of heat to the body.

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The kidneys are important organs in the body’s excretory system. They are responsible for processing the blood continuously to remove nitrogenous us wastes mainly urea and adjust the salt concentrations. The pivotal role of the kidneys in removing body wastes means that any interference with their normal function can lead to serious illness. General kidney disorders are kidney stones which are formed by the depositing of solid substances that are naturally found in the urine but that precipitate out for one reason or another.

They are commonly salts of calcium and the alteration in Ph of the urine is often a contributory factor.

Nephritis is inflammation of the kidney and another common illness as is Pyelitis which is when part of the kidney becomes inflamed. If the whole kidney becomes affected it is called pyelonephritis.

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Controlling asthma with food, eating a healthy diet and taking additional nutrient supplements, can relieve inflammation of the lungs and swollen airways and can making breathing less difficult.

The most important ingredients when fighting asthma with food is to introduce Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene. Foods high in antioxidant-producing Vitamin C and Vitamin E are believed to reduce swelling and inflammation.

• Vitamin C
  Citrus Fruits, Orange Juice, Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts are excellent foods to obtain these antioxidant substances from Vitamin C.

• Vitamin E
  Sunflower Seeds, Kale, Almonds and most Whole-Grain Cereals have smaller amounts of Vitamin E. Wheat germ contains highly concentrated amounts of vitamin E and is often added to breads, meatloaf and pasta dishes, therefore should not be consumed in large amounts.

• Brazil Nuts have a large concentration of Selenium combined with vitamins C and E has an even stronger effect, Selenium is a trace mineral, hence the body only needs a small amount. Chicken, Seafood and Meats all have adequate amounts of Selenium which is also believed to have an inflammation-reducing effect on the lungs.

• Oysters, Mackerel, Spinach and Halibut, are Magnesium-rich foods, foods high in Magnesium help to open respiratory airways so that more air can pass through. . Magnesium also reduces the inflammation-causing cells in the body.

• Raw onions and scallions contain Sulphur Compounds which have been shown to reduce respiratory inflammation.

• Omega-3 fatty acids found in Salmon & Mackerel help reduce lung inflammation.

As an suffering asthmatic my advice is Breath Less, Breath Shallow & Breath Through Your Nose.

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