August 26, 2011 Filed under Health
By Zhao Hongyi
The National Sports Bureau released its newest set of exercises and music this month. The exercises have been revised for the seventh time in the last 60 years.
The routine combines basic movements from kung fu, yoga, diving and bowling. The complete program is designed to work the whole body to improve strength, bone density and flexibility.
“It’s a nice exercise routine: cheap, effective, convenient and well-received. It only takes five minutes to do the exercises and improve your health,” says Yang Shilin, a professor at the mass sports department of Beijing Sports University.
Breakdown
The exercises consist of nine parts:
Warm Up: Walk steadily in place to prepare the body for exercise.
Set One: Stretch out, bend down, then stand up with your arms wide open. Let your whole body stretch. This exercise helps build strength in your trunk and relieves pressure in your knees and neck.
Set Two: Open your arms parallel to your shoulders and lean back. Walk in place while holding this position. It will boost your breathing capacity and ease tension in your back.
Set Three: Kick your legs up with your arms stretched out and parallel to your shoulders. This exercise improves balance and builds muscles in the thighs and lower legs.
Set Four: Stretch both arms up and bow your body to the left and right alternately to build the lumbar muscles.
Set Five: With both arms above your head, rotate your trunk left and right to work your lumbar muscles.
Set Six: Cross your arms in front of your body and bend toward the ground. This builds muscles in the back and lower lumbar region.
Set Seven: Do jumping jacks to build jumping capability and flexibility training. The exercise works your hands, arms, legs and feet.
Cool Down: Walk in place again, but this time try to gradually reduce your pace.
By Zhao Hongyi
The National Sports Bureau released its newest set of exercises and music this month. The exercises have been revised for the seventh time in the last 60 years.
The routine combines basic movements from kung fu, yoga, diving and bowling. The complete program is designed to work the whole body to improve strength, bone density and flexibility.
“It’s a nice exercise routine: cheap, effective, convenient and well-received. It only takes five minutes to do the exercises and improve your health,” says Yang Shilin, a professor at the mass sports department of Beijing Sports University.
Breakdown
The exercises consist of nine parts:
Warm Up: Walk steadily in place to prepare the body for exercise.
Set One: Stretch out, bend down, then stand up with your arms wide open. Let your whole body stretch. This exercise helps build strength in your trunk and relieves pressure in your knees and neck.
Set Two: Open your arms parallel to your shoulders and lean back. Walk in place while holding this position. It will boost your breathing capacity and ease tension in your back.
Set Three: Kick your legs up with your arms stretched out and parallel to your shoulders. This exercise improves balance and builds muscles in the thighs and lower legs.
Set Four: Stretch both arms up and bow your body to the left and right alternately to build the lumbar muscles.
Set Five: With both arms above your head, rotate your trunk left and right to work your lumbar muscles.
Set Six: Cross your arms in front of your body and bend toward the ground. This builds muscles in the back and lower lumbar region.
Set Seven: Do jumping jacks to build jumping capability and flexibility training. The exercise works your hands, arms, legs and feet.
Cool Down: Walk in place again, but this time try to gradually reduce your pace.
August 19, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
It may technically be autumn in Beijing, but the summer heat isn’t going anywhere yet.
The hot and stuffy air can have a profound effect on people’s moods and appetites, even putting some in danger of malnutrition.
Upsetting of appetite loss
Emily Faller, a 36-year-old business consultant, went from 54 to 45 kilograms over the course of the summer. Her unusually thin frame makes her look withered and weak.
But Faller was not on an extreme diet: she says the hot weather left her with no appetite.
“I don’t mind spending time in the kitchen, but food doesn’t appeal to me when it is hot and muggy. If we have a string of cool days, my appetite snaps back, but I can’t always count on getting such breaks,” she said.
She usually eats breakfast, but skips lunch and eats only a light salad for dinner.
“I used to get rumbles after work or workout, but this summer I don’t feel like eating more than that. Should I force myself to eat even though I’m not hungry? I know it’s bad to only get like 700 calories a day,” she said.
While her friends may envy her weight loss, it is anything but healthy.
“Diets make you look good in your clothes, but it is exercise that makes you look good naked,” said Li Yan, a doctor at Guoyitang Hospital.
Decreased appetite can result in nutritional deficiencies that leave one’s body weakened and ill equipped to combat illness.
“Most often people either don’t want to eat or drink. Most people have brief periods where they lose their appetite for various reasons. However, when the problem persists, it can be a warning sign of a serious underlying illness,” she said.
In most cases, loss of appetite is caused by emotional stress, medication, stomach infection, nausea, excessive smoking or drinking, or oral infection.
Herbal treatments
Loss of appetite should be combated as quickly as possible. If left untreated, one can end up with a compromised immune system.
There are many safe and natural ways to stimulate the appetite.
1. Bitter melon
This vegetable has potent compounds including charantin and lectins that sharpen the appetite and aid digestion. Try to eat some every day.
2. Black gram
Boil 250 grams of black gram in about 600 milliliters of water and strain the infusion after cooling. Drink it several times a day to treat appetite loss.
3. Coriander
This herb has proved to be valuable in boosting appetite. Juice and drink 50 milligrams of freshly chopped coriander every day to help restore your appetite.
4. Garlic and ginger
Garlic and ginger possess a special property to stimulate the digestive tone of the system and improve appetite. A soup with garlic and ginger can be of immense help to a patient suffering from poor appetite.
5. Astragalus
The herb includes potent flavonoids which strengthen your digestive system and help stimulate your appetite. Eat a 500-milligram astragalus herbal capsule twice daily with food.
6. Slippery elm bark
Slippery elm includes potent polysaccharides that aid in digestion and stimulate the appetite. Eat two 500-milligram tablets once daily with food.
7. Dandelion
This flower includes inulin, which acts as a mild laxative while promoting increased digestion and appetite. Eat a 750-milligram dandelion tablet twice daily with food.
8. Yarrow flower
The internal use of this powerful herb treats all digestive ailments and provides sufferers with energy to encourage appetite. Eat two 325-milligram yarrow flower tablets three times daily with food.
9. Caraway seeds
These are a valuable tool when trying to restore one’s appetite. Grind roasted caraway seeds and add a pinch of salt. Eat half a teaspoon of this powder after each meal to improve your appetite.
10. Alfalfa
Consuming alfalfa can provide necessary vitamins and minerals to your body. Try drinking fresh alfalfa juice before each meal.
11. Herbal teas
Loss of appetite can be cured effectively using herbal or green teas. Having a cup of chamomile tea, one of the best green teas, can boost your appetite. The infusion can be prepared by blending equal quantities of cardamom, cinnamon, coriander and fennel seeds together in about two cups of water. Filter and drink the solution.
Fruit remedies
The following fruits have also been shown to improve appetite.
1. Oranges
Oranges are an extremely useful remedy for appetite loss. Eat them with pepper and ginger powder three times a day. An orange before each meal can help restore one’s appetite.
2. Lemon
Lemons and limes have also been effective at restoring appetite. Try eating a piece of lemon with a fresh piece of ginger once a day.
3. Sour grapes
Sour grapes and raisins are another good home remedy for appetite loss. Eat them with a pinch of salt and pepper to restore appetite. This remedy is especially effective for appetite loss that follows a fever.
3. Guava
Eat two to three guavas two hours before each meal.
4. Tamarind
Soak 10 grams of tamarind and add a little of salt and pepper for taste. Consume the infusion once a day as part of a treatment for loss of appetite.
5. Mango
Roast a medium-sized mango over a flame for five minutes and squeeze out all the sap. Blend this with water, cumin seeds and a bit of salt.
Preventing appetite loss
1. Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods such as fish or cauliflower.
2. Eat several small meals each day instead of three large ones.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Consider the use of a feeding tube.
By Li Zhixin
It may technically be autumn in Beijing, but the summer heat isn’t going anywhere yet.
The hot and stuffy air can have a profound effect on people’s moods and appetites, even putting some in danger of malnutrition.
Photo by livingcenter.com
Upsetting of appetite loss
Emily Faller, a 36-year-old business consultant, went from 54 to 45 kilograms over the course of the summer. Her unusually thin frame makes her look withered and weak.
But Faller was not on an extreme diet: she says the hot weather left her with no appetite.
“I don’t mind spending time in the kitchen, but food doesn’t appeal to me when it is hot and muggy. If we have a string of cool days, my appetite snaps back, but I can’t always count on getting such breaks,” she said.
She usually eats breakfast, but skips lunch and eats only a light salad for dinner.
“I used to get rumbles after work or workout, but this summer I don’t feel like eating more than that. Should I force myself to eat even though I’m not hungry? I know it’s bad to only get like 700 calories a day,” she said.
While her friends may envy her weight loss, it is anything but healthy.
“Diets make you look good in your clothes, but it is exercise that makes you look good naked,” said Li Yan, a doctor at Guoyitang Hospital.
Decreased appetite can result in nutritional deficiencies that leave one’s body weakened and ill equipped to combat illness.
“Most often people either don’t want to eat or drink. Most people have brief periods where they lose their appetite for various reasons. However, when the problem persists, it can be a warning sign of a serious underlying illness,” she said.
In most cases, loss of appetite is caused by emotional stress, medication, stomach infection, nausea, excessive smoking or drinking, or oral infection.
August 12, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
Most people are aware of the health benefits of a daily jog, but with limited daily hours and long commutes, city residents can seldom squeeze in a daily run.
But evening jogs are every bit as healthy, and in some ways may be even more so.
Refuel your vitality
Before he became a full-time programmer, Guo Xiaofang used to go for morning runs with his college roommates.
“A daily run helped me stay energetic and kept my mind sharp and clear during class,” he said.
But work and family life after graduation sapped his mood and vigor until the habit became impossible to maintain.
“I can tell that my health is going to the dogs. My shoulders lock up, my neck hurts, my appetite sucks, I can’t sleep at night and I feel scatterbrained. And I’m not even close to turning 40,” Guo said.
On a Friday night walk through Tuanjiehu Park after a student reunion, he saw many joggers going around the lake. He said he felt nostalgic for the days when he used to jog on campus and decided to start jogging after dusk.
After two months spent running each night he regained his vitality.
“The mild fatigue after running or doing exercise helps me to sleep,” he said. “Now I seldom feel sleepy during the day.”
He said his appetite has improved and his neck pain has also eased.
“From a medical point of view, running after dusk is good for your health as long as you can control the intensity of the exercise,” said Jiao Wei, the deputy director of the Sport Rehabilitation Department at Beijing Sport University.
The human body’s internal organs tend to operate at a lull in the early morning. Although morning runs provide a great cardiovascular workout and strengthen and tone the muscles, they can be dangerous for people with impaired cardiovascular function.
“Human mobility should be at its peak after dusk, as our body has an easier time adapting to moving rhythms,” she said.
“Running makes your heart stronger by increasing the capacity for blood circulation and oxygen distribution from the respiratory system,” she said. “This is essential for maintaining good fitness.”
It also speeds up the digestive system and can help relieve digestive problems, Jiao said. Many people who live a sedentary lifestyle develop digestive problems that can improve with a healthier diet and regular running.
Besides providing runners with better overall physical health, regular running can promote relaxation and reduce depression and anxiety.
“It also increases one’s capacity to work and lead an active life,” she said. For many, it is a great way to burn calories, increase bone density and get in shape.
Warm-up can’t be ignored
The Sport Medicine Branch of the China Sports Science Society says one can get sufficient exercise by running three nights each week for 30 to 60 minutes. The runner’s pulse should be kept at fewer than 120 beats per minute during the first five minutes of the run, and under 100 beats per minute after that.
“Those who do not exercise daily can start off with a brisk walk,” Jiao said. “Walk 20 minutes the first week, 25 minutes the second week, 30 minutes the third week and then you can mix in jogging and walking on the fourth week. After that, start running.”
But regardless of how you start your exercise program, you should begin each run with a warm-up.
“Do 5 to 10 minutes of light aerobic exercises like leg stretches and squats to loosen your muscles and get them ready for dynamic action,” said Wei Chao, an outdoor exercise enthusiast who has been running for more than 10 years.
You can also warm up with a brisk walk, a jog or a ride on a stationary bicycle. Do not try to rush the warm-up.
“When you start to exercise, don’t start out racing, but jog slowly and gradually build up your speed,” he said.
After you finish running, cool down by walking or jogging for 5 to 10 minutes.
“Stretch your lower back, neck, calves, quadriceps, hamstrings and groin area for 15 to 30 seconds after your cool-down to prevent muscle ache, neck pain and backache,” he said.
Tips for running at night
Many people are concerned about the potential for running to cause long term damage to the knees, ankles and hips. However, with good quality shoes and a sensible approach, the risks are minimal and the benefits outweigh the risks.
1. Choose the right running shoes.
The most important piece of running equipment you will need is a pair of good running shoes. Go to a specialty running store after a run. Wear the socks you normally wear when you run and bring in your old running shoes if possible. A good running-shoe salesman can pick out the right shoes for you by looking at the wear pattern on your old shoes.
2. Don’t wear black, brown, dark blue or green colors at night.
Make sure that you are wearing reflective clothing. The ability of others to see you at night is directly related to the amount of reflective and light-color material you wear. White, orange and yellow clothes are recommended.
Wear reflective gear. Although some items like shoes or jackets may already have reflective pieces, it doesn’t hurt to add more.
3. Choose a well-lit route.
A well-lit route that goes against traffic is the safest choice. Oncoming cars can see you better and you’ll always be able to see the road and avoid potential hazards.
If walking or running, stay on the sidewalk and always use the crosswalk. Avoid areas without sidewalks and crosswalks.
4. Don’t wear a headset.
Wearing headphones diminishes a runner’s ability to hear a car horn, a voice or a potential attacker.
5. Wear a billed cap and clear glasses.
The bill of a cap will hit an unseen tree branch or another obstacle before it hits your head. Clear glasses will protect your eyes from bugs and other unseen obstacles.
6. Run with a partner.
If possible, try to never run alone. If you’re running alone, let someone know the route you’re running and approximately how long you will be out.
7. Choose the right hours.
Runners with inner-ear problems or other equilibrium conditions should avoid training late at night when maintaining proper balance can be more difficult.
8. Carry your mobile phone.
You should be able to contact police or family member immediately if something happens to you.
By Li Zhixin
Most people are aware of the health benefits of a daily jog, but with limited daily hours and long commutes, city residents can seldom squeeze in a daily run.
But evening jogs are every bit as healthy, and in some ways may be even more so.
Refuel your vitality
Before he became a full-time programmer, Guo Xiaofang used to go for morning runs with his college roommates.
“A daily run helped me stay energetic and kept my mind sharp and clear during class,” he said.
But work and family life after graduation sapped his mood and vigor until the habit became impossible to maintain.
“I can tell that my health is going to the dogs. My shoulders lock up, my neck hurts, my appetite sucks, I can’t sleep at night and I feel scatterbrained. And I’m not even close to turning 40,” Guo said.
On a Friday night walk through Tuanjiehu Park after a student reunion, he saw many joggers going around the lake. He said he felt nostalgic for the days when he used to jog on campus and decided to start jogging after dusk.
After two months spent running each night he regained his vitality.
“The mild fatigue after running or doing exercise helps me to sleep,” he said. “Now I seldom feel sleepy during the day.”
He said his appetite has improved and his neck pain has also eased.
“From a medical point of view, running after dusk is good for your health as long as you can control the intensity of the exercise,” said Jiao Wei, the deputy director of the Sport Rehabilitation Department at Beijing Sport University.
The human body’s internal organs tend to operate at a lull in the early morning. Although morning runs provide a great cardiovascular workout and strengthen and tone the muscles, they can be dangerous for people with impaired cardiovascular function.
“Human mobility should be at its peak after dusk, as our body has an easier time adapting to moving rhythms,” she said.
“Running makes your heart stronger by increasing the capacity for blood circulation and oxygen distribution from the respiratory system,” she said. “This is essential for maintaining good fitness.”
It also speeds up the digestive system and can help relieve digestive problems, Jiao said. Many people who live a sedentary lifestyle develop digestive problems that can improve with a healthier diet and regular running.
Besides providing runners with better overall physical health, regular running can promote relaxation and reduce depression and anxiety.
“It also increases one’s capacity to work and lead an active life,” she said. For many, it is a great way to burn calories, increase bone density and get in shape.
August 12, 2011 Filed under Trend
By Chu Meng
Luxury haute couture has been clogging up the Chinese catwalks for so long that many women believe that the best way to look elegant is to spend gads of money on ready-to-wears dresses.
But the real mark of class is a properly fitted, fine-textured bra or lingerie ensemble that is seen by no one except the wearer.
In spite of the thousands of dazzling cotton, seamless, lace and strapless bras at the mall, some women just cannot find underwear that is a perfect fit.
For Dong Yanqing, the 28-year-old party planner at a public relations company, the answer is tailor-made underwear.
“Wearing formal dresses is an important part of my job. With dress designs getting more novel and complicated, finding the right bra to match can be impossible,” she said.
Finding the perfect bra among conventional products is impossible if she needs a base strong enough to wear with a backless dress the entire night. “It’s even harder because one of my breasts is a slightly different size from the other,” she said.
She passed up numerous evening costumes until she found Liu Bo, a custom bra and lingerie designer, this summer.
Located in Wangjing, Liu Bo’s studio is decorated like a European palace beauty parlor with crystal lights, big purple velvet sofas and cozy accessories. It features a floor-to-ceiling three-sided mirror and a 3D breast measuring machine.
Since July, Dong has been visiting Liu Bo for tailor-made bras to match her evening dresses and personalized cups for daily use.
“They say only the feet know whether the shoes are comfortable. It’s the same for breasts. With bras designed and sewed to fit me, it’s like the first time I’ve had something that truly fit,” she said. “Besides, the beautiful shape brings me more confidence.”
Now in her late 30s, Liu Bo is the exclusive designer of Aimer, one of the country’s top underwear brands. She worked as a bra pattern maker for seven years before becoming a custom bra and lingerie designer three years ago.
Liu said that custom-made bras are created to fit the customer’s body shape, breast health, sports habits, career and personality. She also makes custom lingerie, girdles, panties, one-piece dresses, pajamas, wedding lingerie and cocktail dresses.
Each design is created to be functional if created for sports use or daily wear. Bras can be made from a variety of materials and in longline, front-opening, padded and maternity styles.
But modeling bras and mastectomy bras are Aimer’s specialties – and the reason Liu went from being a pattern maker to a leading bra designer.
“I still remember the customer [who changed my career],” Liu said. “She was a breast cancer patient in her 40s who had a mastectomy. At the beginning, she tried on the products in private. I could tell she was extremely self-conscious.”
“She eventually told me that, for years, she would only wear men’s shirts to help hide her missing breast,” she said. “At that time, we had no products available for her.”
Breast cancer has been on the rise among Chinese women due to unhealthy urban lifestyles, but no products were being made to target post-op patients.
Liu took the customer’s measurements and worked with the company’s designers to create a sculpted, silica gel prosthesis that would be stitched into the cup.
“One month later, when the customer tried the new product, I saw a big smile on her face. It was really satisfying, and I wanted to help more women who face breast troubles,” she said.
She established a custom-made bra studio under Aimer and began working with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to invent the country’s first 3D breast measurement machine and created a pool with scans of 2,000 women’s breasts in 2009.
Only 15 conventional bra products are available on the Chinese market: cup sizes A, B, C, D and E, each in three band sizes. But the offerings can hardly meet the needs of most women.
“Dong has uneven breasts. If she always wears a bra sized for the smaller breast, the underwire will hurt the lymph nodes in the other breast. If she wears a garment sized for the larger breast, it will cause the other breast to sag,” she said.
A custom bra is more about health than fashion or luxury, Liu said.
Custom bras require three weeks to complete.
First appointment: Liu learns about the client’s needs and worries, her lifestyle and what she likes and hates about her current bras. She examines the breasts, collects measurements and analyzes the client’s overall body shape. Easily removable clothes are recommended for the first visit, since much of the consultation must be done naked.
Second appointment: A dummy bra is created using the measurements. The client can try it on and customize the cups, fabric, colors and accessories like lace. Liu will instruct the client in how to wear and maintain her bra, and in proper breast care.
Third appointment: The client tries on the mostly finished product for final adjustments.
Forth appointment: The client receives her bra.
The designer’s tips
1. The most important thing is for a bra to fit correctly on its lower edge. A tight lower edge will compress the lymph nodes under the breasts and in the armpits, which is detrimental to health. However, a bra that fits too loose is useless.
2. The shape and size of cups decide the final appearance. They should be supportive and not too tight. A tight cup can leave marks on the breasts and cause excessive sweating or skin infection.
3. Bras are best washed by hand. Underwear gets sweaty: it rarely gets dirty. Wash your bras in a hand basin using lukewarm, soapy water. Let them soak, then rinse them out and pat them dry with a towel. Leave your bras to hang dry in the shade.
4. If the underwire comes out of the bra, it might be the wrong size. Machine washing can also cause damaging pressure to the garment.
5. Be careful that the straps do not sit too wide at the back, which can cause them to fall off the shoulders, or that the elastic on the lower edge of the bra is too wide or prone to rolling upwards, which will make the back of the bra too narrow or too tight.
By Chu Meng
Luxury haute couture has been clogging up the Chinese catwalks for so long that many women believe that the best way to look elegant is to spend gads of money on ready-to-wears dresses.
But the real mark of class is a properly fitted, fine-textured bra or lingerie ensemble that is seen by no one except the wearer.
Photos provided by Zhang He
In spite of the thousands of dazzling cotton, seamless, lace and strapless bras at the mall, some women just cannot find underwear that is a perfect fit.
For Dong Yanqing, the 28-year-old party planner at a public relations company, the answer is tailor-made underwear.
“Wearing formal dresses is an important part of my job. With dress designs getting more novel and complicated, finding the right bra to match can be impossible,” she said.
Finding the perfect bra among conventional products is impossible if she needs a base strong enough to wear with a backless dress the entire night. “It’s even harder because one of my breasts is a slightly different size from the other,” she said.
She passed up numerous evening costumes until she found Liu Bo, a custom bra and lingerie designer, this summer.
Located in Wangjing, Liu Bo’s studio is decorated like a European palace beauty parlor with crystal lights, big purple velvet sofas and cozy accessories. It features a floor-to-ceiling three-sided mirror and a 3D breast measuring machine.
Since July, Dong has been visiting Liu Bo for tailor-made bras to match her evening dresses and personalized cups for daily use.
August 5, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
The Hong Kong Consumer Council recently announced that 17 well-known facial mask brands were detected to probably contain excessive P-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) – an antiseptic which can easily cause allergies.
Wang Xin, a dermatologist at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University, said that many facial allergy cases are caused by masks. “Besides antiseptics, antibiotics and mercury are also common ingredients in cosmetics, especially those products which treat acne or lead to whitening.”
“In order to prevent the spread of microorganisms and prolong the quality guarantee period, it is inevitable that many cosmetics contain antiseptics,” said Yuan Lin, the spokesman of the Beijing Food and Drug Administration (BFDA). “But the supervision administration will test them at random periods to make sure they are within safe limits.”
According to the BFDA, the preservative content limit for cosmetics is 0.3 percent.
? Beautiella Aqua Mild Sleeping Mask
? Bio-essence Tri-Action Aqua Boost Sleeping Mask
? O’slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask
? Watsons Collagen Hydrating Sleeping Mask
? Solwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Treatment
? Herborn Whitening & Nourishing Mask
? Regene Moist Balancing Mask
? Skin Food Fermented Pomegranate Whitening Sleeping Mask
? Uriage AquaPrecis Moisturizing Express Mask
? Shiseido Moisture Relaxing Mask
? Biotherm Aquasource Non-stop SOS Hydration Mask
? Chanel HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE Moisture Mask
? Tonymoly Tomato Brightening Mask
? Cosline Strawberry Yogurt Pack
? L’OREAL Hydrafresh Water-plumping Mask
? The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask
? Kiehl’s Soothing Gelmasque
DIY masks
If you worry that masks sold in the cosmetic shops may contain excessive amounts of preservatives, why don’t you make masks yourself at home? Here are some solutions:
1. Cucumber mask
Mix one small cucumber and one cup of oatmeal together and then mix the paste with three teaspoons of yogurt (for oily skin) or milk (for dry skin). Apply the paste on your face for 15 minutes and then rinse.
2. Honey mask
Wash your face with warm water to open up the pores. Apply honey and leave for half an hour. Rinse with warm water and then use cold water to close the pores.
3. Turmeric mask
Make a paste by mixing two teaspoons of turmeric powder, two teaspoons of sandalwood powder, and two teaspoons of ghee or almond oil with water. Apply the paste to the face and leave for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Avocado mask
Mash the flesh of the avocado into a creamy texture and apply it thoroughly on the face. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse with warm water and then use cold water to close the pores.
5. Banana mask
Make a paste by mashing half a banana until very creamy and apply it on the face, leaving it for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, make a paste by mashing half a cup of yogurt, one tablespoon of honey and half a banana and apply this pack on the face and neck and leave for 10 minutes. This mask can be good for dry skin.
6. Brewer’s yeast mask
Mix one teaspoon of brewer’s yeast with yogurt, apply it into the oily areas and leave it for 12 minutes.
7. Egg white mask
Mix one beaten egg white with freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it on your face. Leave it on overnight before rinsing your face with warm water.
8. Oatmeal mask
Take two teaspoons of oatmeal and one teaspoon of baking soda and add water to make a paste. Apply it to your face for 30 minutes and rub gently when you rinse your face.
9. Watermelon mask
Peel off the skin of the watermelon and mash the white flesh into a paste. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and then rinse your face. Do this twice a week. This mask can supposedly help with hydration and whitening.
10. Wine mask
Pour 50 to 80 milliliters of wine into an empty glass and then put the glass in boiled water for 20 minutes in order to evaporate some of the alcohol. Mix two teaspoons of honey and three teaspoons of pearl powder with the wine after it cools. Apply the mask on your face for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. This mask is supposed to be good for the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
Tips to prevent facial skin allergies:
1. Avoid irritants like pollen, bug dust, catkin, perfume or vehicle exhaust fumes that can cause allergies.
2. Use food products and cosmetics without preservatives.
3. Use mild soaps and avoid contact with detergents.
4. Use a damp cloth to dust when you clean your room.
5. Avoid keeping pets.
6. Avoid hot, spicy and fried food as well red meat and eggs.
7. Avoid smoke and alcohol as they can aggravate allergic conditions.
8. Avoid sun exposure.
9. Clean air conditioner filters and duct filters every three months.
10. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
By Li Zhixin
The Hong Kong Consumer Council recently announced that 17 well-known facial mask brands were detected to probably contain excessive P-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) – an antiseptic which can easily cause allergies.
Wang Xin, a dermatologist at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University, said that many facial allergy cases are caused by masks. “Besides antiseptics, antibiotics and mercury are also common ingredients in cosmetics, especially those products which treat acne or lead to whitening.”
“In order to prevent the spread of microorganisms and prolong the quality guarantee period, it is inevitable that many cosmetics contain antiseptics,” said Yuan Lin, the spokesman of the Beijing Food and Drug Administration (BFDA). “But the supervision administration will test them at random periods to make sure they are within safe limits.”
According to the BFDA, the preservative content limit for cosmetics is 0.3 percent.
17 contaminated masks
* Beautiella Aqua Mild Sleeping Mask
* Bio-essence Tri-Action Aqua Boost Sleeping Mask
* O’slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask
* Watsons Collagen Hydrating Sleeping Mask
* Solwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Treatment
* Herborn Whitening & Nourishing Mask
* Regene Moist Balancing Mask
* Skin Food Fermented Pomegranate Whitening Sleeping Mask
* Uriage AquaPrecis Moisturizing Express Mask
* Shiseido Moisture Relaxing Mask
* Biotherm Aquasource Non-stop SOS Hydration Mask
* Chanel HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE Moisture Mask
* Tonymoly Tomato Brightening Mask
* Cosline Strawberry Yogurt Pack
* L’OREAL Hydrafresh Water-plumping Mask
* The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask
* Kiehl’s Soothing Gelmasque
July 29, 2011 Filed under Health
By Han Manman
Most people are familiar with hyperthyroidism, but few have knowledge about it due to nonspecific symptoms. Doctors warn that since the public is not fully aware of the disease, the number of patients with hypothyroidism has risen rapidly in recent years in China, especially among pregnant women.
Chen Jieying, 32, used to be a high-energy person. She ran five kilometers every morning and was always the one to say “Go, go, go.”
Last year, however, she found she started to change. She felt tired and sluggish every day and had no interest and energy to exercise.
She found her hands and feet were always cold and her periods were much heavier. Just getting up the stairs required a major effort. She also found that even though she ate less, she still gained weight.
Chen decided to go to the hospital to see if there was a problem with her health. A blood test revealed that Chen had hypothyroidism. This was the first time that Chen had heard of the disease.
“Hypothyroidism is a very common disease. However, since the symptoms are not always apparent, many do not know they suffer from the disease,” said Ning Zhiwei, doctor of department of endocrinology at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital.
Ning said the disease most commonly develops in adult women, and becomes more common with increasing age. However, it can occur at any age and can affect anyone.
Hypothyroidism is when a person does not have enough thyroid hormones. It is also called an underactive thyroid. This causes many of the body’s functions to slow down. According to Ning, the most common underactive thyroid symptoms include:
1. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism and can be excessive in some cases. You may find it difficult to get through your daily activities at times if your thyroid is underactive.
2. Depressive mood. Symptoms of low thyroid function often include depression. Both your mental and physical abilities are affected by this condition, and depression can become severe if your thyroid function is extremely low.
3. Concentration problems. Hypothyroidism symptoms can include concentration issues. At times you may feel like you are in a fog and cannot think straight.
4. Inexplicable weight gain. Sudden weight gain can occur without any changes in your diet or activity level. This gain is caused by low thyroid function and hormonal problems.
5. Muscle cramps. These cramps are a result of hormone deficiency, and they can become severe if your thyroid problem is not treated.
6. Numerous miscarriages. One of the most devastating hypothyroidism symptoms is frequent miscarriages and difficulties carrying a pregnancy to term. This is because a proper balance is required for a successful pregnancy and birth, and low levels of thyroid hormones affect this process.
7. Infertility. In addition to increased miscarriages, if you have an underactive thyroid you may be infertile and unable to conceive children without special infertility treatments aimed at increasing your hormones and thyroid function.
8. Skin changes. You can notice skin changes as a sign of thyroid problems, with dry and flaky skin becoming a problem. In addition, thyroid weight loss can actually cause your skin to become even drier and thinner, further aggravating this symptom.
9. Menstrual changes. One of the most noticeable hypothyroidism symptoms in women are changes in the usual menstrual cycle. You may notice your periods become irregular, and may be lighter or heavier than usual.
10. Coldness in your extremities. If you have noticed any signs of poor circulation in the hands, it may be a good idea to check with doctors.
“In the most serious situation, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to coma and even death,” Ning said.
If you suffer from most or only a number of these signs and symptoms, you really should pay a visit to the hospital, Ning said.
Pregnant woman must pay great attention
Statistics from the Chinese Society of Endocrinology said that the hypothyroidism rate among pregnant woman is high in China, with nearly one in ten pregnant women having the disease.
“If you’re pregnant or plan to have a baby and have an underactive thyroid gland, it’s a must to keep taking your treatment,” Ning said, adding, “Even if you have a mildly underactive thyroid with no symptoms, it’s still important to get treatment.”
“Not treating your underactive thyroid may harm your health or your baby’s health,” he said.
For example, you are at a higher risk of getting high blood pressure, bleeding, or having a stillborn baby if you don’t get the right amount of thyroid hormones when you’re pregnant. There’s also a chance that your baby will be born with a low birth weight, Ning said.
“If you have hypothyroidism and hope to become pregnant, work with your doctor to make sure your hypothyroidism is under control,” Ning said, adding that it’s better for the woman to take thyroxine supplements two to three months before getting pregnant until the baby is born.
“If you are a woman who has hypothyroidism and you become pregnant, tell your doctor promptly. Close monitoring of your thyroid hormone level during pregnancy can promote normal fetal development and reduce the risk of miscarriage,” he said.
Ning also warns that patients with thyroid problems should stop taking iodine as a treatment. He said that many hypothyroidism patients or people with thyroid related problems believe taking iodine is a way to reduce their problems, “but that is totally wrong.”
According to him, Chinese people get enough iodine from their food. Eating more iodine can in fact aggravate symptoms.
According to Ning, there are many causes of hypothyroidism and people need blood tests and thyroid scans to find out what’s responsible.
He said 80 percent of hypothyroidism patients have inherited the problem. Other main causes include high stress levels and an abnormal autoimmune condition.
“Some patients live with hypothyroid symptoms for their entire lives, even while taking drugs,” Ning said, adding that he has read many media reports which said hypothyroidism can be cured by changing diet or lifestyle, “but that’s impossible!” he said.
“The only recommended treatment is to take a thyroxine supplement every day,” he added.
According to Ning, treatment of hypothyroidism is typically a lifelong process. However not all patients need to take treatment. He said for those with minor hypothyroidism, they don’t even need treatment.
“But pregnant women or women who want to get pregnant are the exception,” he said.
By Han Manman
Most people are familiar with hyperthyroidism, but few have knowledge about it due to nonspecific symptoms. Doctors warn that since the public is not fully aware of the disease, the number of patients with hypothyroidism has risen rapidly in recent years in China, especially among pregnant women.
CFP Photo
Tiring easily can be a disease
Chen Jieying, 32, used to be a high-energy person. She ran five kilometers every morning and was always the one to say “Go, go, go.”
Last year, however, she found she started to change. She felt tired and sluggish every day and had no interest and energy to exercise.
She found her hands and feet were always cold and her periods were much heavier. Just getting up the stairs required a major effort. She also found that even though she ate less, she still gained weight.
Chen decided to go to the hospital to see if there was a problem with her health. A blood test revealed that Chen had hypothyroidism. This was the first time that Chen had heard of the disease.
“Hypothyroidism is a very common disease. However, since the symptoms are not always apparent, many do not know they suffer from the disease,” said Ning Zhiwei, doctor of department of endocrinology at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital.
Ning said the disease most commonly develops in adult women, and becomes more common with increasing age. However, it can occur at any age and can affect anyone.
July 22, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
Even though many people think of a cold as a winter problem, summer days spent in a cool, air-conditioned environment are just as likely to result in illness.
A second cold season
Tommy Wang, a 28-year-old IT worker, went to Chaoyang Park Beach Resort to swim with several friends last Saturday. They played basketball and worked up a sweat on the beach.
That night he developed a high fever while browsing the web on his computer.
By the next afternoon, when his parents sent him to the hospital, he was too ill to get out of bed and eat.
Yang Jun, a 32-year-old accountant, also contracted a summer cold by sleeping with her fan on all night last Tuesday.
She had to ask for sick leave and stay at home due to the high fever, frequent sweats and a persistent cough.
“There are two types of colds: viral and wind-induced. The climatic factors of summer can cause summer colds, which are also called wind-heat colds,” said Yuan Huiqing, director of the Respiratory Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
“People can be easily affected by the cold in summer since they are using more energy and are in a period of reduced immunity,” Yuan said.
“Some people sleep outside their covers or in drafty areas, which make it easier for wind-heat to penetrate the lungs. The body cannot adapt quickly to the difference between internal and external temperatures,” she said.
The best way to prevent such colds is to avoid being exposed to air conditioning after exercise and to wear clothing when getting up to urinate at night.
Most summer colds pass within a week.
“A Cold alone is not a serious ailment: it’s a self defense and goes away within a week. Patients should drink plenty of water, get appropriate rest and keep a window open to ensure their home has fresh air,” she said.
“Long-term exposure to air conditioning puts people at risk of not only wind-head, but also other pathogenic microorganisms,” she said.
Symptoms
Summer colds have different symptoms from winter colds. Consult the following list to know what type of cold you are having:
1. Wind-heat type: Symptoms include fever; aversion to cold; shivers; sneezes; coughs; runny nose with yellow mucus; headache; light sweats; itchy throat; swollen tonsils; thirst; rapid pulse; and a tongue that is red on the tip or sides.
Serious wind-heat can cause heat stroke, central nervous system infection, acute gastroenteritis and bacillary dysentery.
2. Wind-cold pattern: Symptoms include slight fever; aversion to cold; shivers; sneezes; coughs; runny nose with white, watery mucus; severe headache; floating, tight pulse; and a thin, white coating on the tongue.
3. Viral flu: Symptoms include a slight fever; headache; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; tightness in the chest; abdominal distension; diarrhea; and deep-yellow urine.
The easiest way to tell the difference between wind-heat and wind-cold is through “heat signs,” Yuan said. “Mucus will be yellow when heat is present. Cold causes clear or white mucus.”
Although both can result in headache, a wind-heat headache tends to be slighter than a wind-cold headache, which can be painful and debilitating. Wind-heat muscle aches also are slight when compared to wind-cold body muscles aches.
Yuan said a summer cold typically starts with a sore throat, then progresses to become a cough with sticky phlegm or blocked sinuses. “In Chinese Medicine, we say this is a type of warm pathogen attack,” she said.
“Colds often start when we are tired or under stress, sad or have too much grief in our lives,” she said.
Food therapy
1. Pears: Fresh and boiled pears have been used to treat wind-heat colds in China for centuries.
2. Mung beans and tea: Mash 15 grams of mung beans, mix them with 10 grams of tea and boil them together for 10 minutes in hot water. Drink the mixture once a day.
3. Olives: Olives are good at clearing heat and treating a swollen throat. Chew whole olives several times a day.
4. Dark plums: Boil several plums with 90 grams of brown sugar and drink it twice a day.
5. Carambola: Carambola helps to treat a wind-heat cough and sore throat.
Prevention
1. Wash your hands often.
2. Dress for the temperature and don’t spend too much time in drafty places or in the direct line of a fan.
3. Drink plenty of pure water, vegetable juice and fresh fruit juice to stay hydrated and boost your immune system.
4. Avoid stressful work as it weakens your immune system and leaves you susceptible to colds.
5. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night. If you have a cold, nap during the hottest part of the day to help your immune system recover.
6. Avoid eating such foods such as eggs, meat, cheese and anything heavy with starch when you have a cold.
7. Try to avoid processed foods and junk foods. Fresh foods and freshly prepared meals from natural sources are the best way to protect your health.
8. Avoid sweets, as they can cause your white blood cells to become lethargic when faced with cold viruses and other foreign invaders.
9. Do not eat anything that is cold. Even though it is very hot in the summer, you should not eat too much cold ice cream or fruit or drink too much cold beer or soda. Cold foods can cause blood vessels to shrink, leading to gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea and poor digestion.
10. Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth and eyes.
11. Clean doorknobs, light switches, telephones, remote controls and sinks frequently.
By Li Zhixin
Even though many people think of a cold as a winter problem, summer days spent in a cool, air-conditioned environment are just as likely to result in illness.
CFP Photo
A second cold season
Tommy Wang, a 28-year-old IT worker, went to Chaoyang Park Beach Resort to swim with several friends last Saturday. They played basketball and worked up a sweat on the beach.
That night he developed a high fever while browsing the web on his computer.
By the next afternoon, when his parents sent him to the hospital, he was too ill to get out of bed and eat.
Yang Jun, a 32-year-old accountant, also contracted a summer cold by sleeping with her fan on all night last Tuesday.
She had to ask for sick leave and stay at home due to the high fever, frequent sweats and a persistent cough.
“There are two types of colds: viral and wind-induced. The climatic factors of summer can cause summer colds, which are also called wind-heat colds,” said Yuan Huiqing, director of the Respiratory Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
“People can be easily affected by the cold in summer since they are using more energy and are in a period of reduced immunity,” Yuan said.
“Some people sleep outside their covers or in drafty areas, which make it easier for wind-heat to penetrate the lungs. The body cannot adapt quickly to the difference between internal and external temperatures,” she said.
The best way to prevent such colds is to avoid being exposed to air conditioning after exercise and to wear clothing when getting up to urinate at night.
Most summer colds pass within a week.
“A Cold alone is not a serious ailment: it’s a self defense and goes away within a week. Patients should drink plenty of water, get appropriate rest and keep a window open to ensure their home has fresh air,” she said.
“Long-term exposure to air conditioning puts people at risk of not only wind-head, but also other pathogenic microorganisms,” she said.
July 15, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
Summer is here, and many people with sweaty feet are finding themselves once again plagued by the burning itch of stinging blisters — especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet.
Athlete’s foot, medically referred to as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that is highly contagious and spreads via contact with skin, shoes and fabric.
While usually a minor annoyance, athlete’s foot can affect your mood and your work efficiency. If you find yourself developing the condition this summer, consider trying a traditional herbal remedy.
As a salesman, Barry Zhang has to wear a suit and tie as well as leather shoes all year round.
The poor circulation offered by leather causes him to have severely sweaty feet — together, these form the perfect breeding ground for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot.
Last month, when heavy rains paralyzed downtown traffic, Zhang ended up stuck on a bus for more than four hours with wet feet. By the time he reached his home, his feet were extremely itchy.
The next morning, he found that some of the skin between his toes had cracked. By the time he saw a doctor, he found many of the wounds had started to ulcerate and seep blood.
“This is called inter-digital athlete’s food, sometimes known by the name beriberi,” said Li Langhui, the president of Beijing Deshengmen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Beriberi tends to occur in skin that is moist and pale white. It begins with itching and burning and a slight odor. Eventually, the skin of the toes becomes scaly and starts to peel and crack. In severe cases, bacteria begin to break down the skin and create a very foul odor.
There are several types of athlete’s foot. In addition to beriberi, there are also moccasin-type infections and vesicular infections.
Moccasin-type infections begin with minor irritation, dryness, itching or burning skin. These can lead to scaly, thickened skin on the heels and sole of the feet and can also lead to toenail infections. In severe cases, the toenails become infected and can thicken, crumble and fall off.
Li said this type of athlete’s foot can be very difficult to treat because the skin on the sole of the foot is very thick. Re-infection is common if preventative measures are not taken.
Nonprescription medicines may not be strong enough to penetrate the thick skin, so treatment often require the use of prescription lotions or creams, as well as oral medication.
Vesicular infection, which is also called inflammatory athlete’s foot, usually begins with a sudden outbreak of blisters that become red and inflamed. They generally appear on the instep of the foot, but can also appear between the toes, on the sole of the foot, on the top of the foot or on the heel.
Blisters occasionally erupt again on the same area and move to other parts of the body after the initial infection. Between eruptions, they cause scaly skin, and the fungal infection itself may be accompanied by bacterial infection.
Treatment of this kind of infection involves drying out the blisters, then applying an antifungal cream. Sufferers may also need oral antibiotics or corticosteroids for a bacterial infection, he said.
Prevention
1. Launder clothes in hot water with bleach to kill any lurking fungi.
2. Keep your feet clean and wash your feet at the end of the day.
3. Dry carefully between your toes after swimming and bathing. Use talcum powder to keep your feet dry.
4. Let your shoes air out for at least 24 hours before wearing them again. Wider shoes, sandals and cloth shoes allow your feet to breathe.
5. Spray shoes with a disinfectant and set them in the sun to kill germs.
6. Wear cotton socks to absorb sweat. Change your socks as often as necessary.
7. Take your shoes off when indoors, but leave your socks on.
8. If you develop an infection, avoid scratching it. Fungi spread easily and can infect your groin or underarms.
There are many anti-fungal herbs are used to treat athlete’s foot in traditional medicine:
1. Garlic
Garlic is an antifungal antiseptic and is effective in treating athlete’s foot. You can simply add some crushed garlic in a warm foot bath and dab garlic oil on your feet and between your toes.
2. Ginger
Ginger contains caprylic acid, which is good for fungal infections. Simmer the crushed ginger for 20 minutes and apply it to the affected areas when it cools.
3. Onion
Onions also have good anti-microbial properties. Rub onion juice on affected areas a couple of times a day to ease the condition.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric oil has antifungal effects. It can be mixed with a little water and applied to the areas of your feet infected by athlete’s foot.
5. Astragalus
Astragalus is a strong antifungal herb, and as a herbal supplement can be used to boost your other athlete’s foot treatments.
6. Black walnut
Black walnut is an excellent herbal remedy for fungal infections. A tincture or liquid extract of the herb can be applied topically to affected areas.
7. Licorice
Licorice has 25 fungicidal compounds and has been used in traditional medicine to treat ringworm. It can be added to the garlic foot bath if you want to increase the curative effect. It can be also applied with a cotton ball to the affected areas after simmering for 20 minutes.
8. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an antiseptic, but it should be diluted in equal parts of water or vegetable oil when treating athlete’s foot. Apply it to the affected area three times a day.
9. Tomato and herb sauce.
Apply mashed tomatoes, celery, carrot, dill, fennel, sage and thyme between your toes ,as the sauce contains a lot of antifungal properties.
10. Herbal teas
Drink herbal teas of cinnamon, orange, peppermint, lemon, echinacea or red clover to boost your topical athlete’s foot treatment. The teas all have antifungal properties.
By Li Zhixin
Summer is here, and many people with sweaty feet are finding themselves once again plagued by the burning itch of stinging blisters — especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet.
Athlete’s foot, medically referred to as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that is highly contagious and spreads via contact with skin, shoes and fabric.
While usually a minor annoyance, athlete’s foot can affect your mood and your work efficiency. If you find yourself developing the condition this summer, consider trying a traditional herbal remedy.
CFP Photo
Wet feet more prone to infection
As a salesman, Barry Zhang has to wear a suit and tie as well as leather shoes all year round.
The poor circulation offered by leather causes him to have severely sweaty feet — together, these form the perfect breeding ground for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot.
Last month, when heavy rains paralyzed downtown traffic, Zhang ended up stuck on a bus for more than four hours with wet feet. By the time he reached his home, his feet were extremely itchy.
The next morning, he found that some of the skin between his toes had cracked. By the time he saw a doctor, he found many of the wounds had started to ulcerate and seep blood.
“This is called inter-digital athlete’s food, sometimes known by the name beriberi,” said Li Langhui, the president of Beijing Deshengmen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Beriberi tends to occur in skin that is moist and pale white. It begins with itching and burning and a slight odor. Eventually, the skin of the toes becomes scaly and starts to peel and crack. In severe cases, bacteria begin to break down the skin and create a very foul odor.
July 8, 2011 Filed under Health
By Li Zhixin
An E. coli epidemic killed 35 people and sickened more than 3,000 in Europe. Of those ill, more than 800 have developed complications which could prove fatal.
The outbreak, which hit Germany hardest, has made world food regulators take a hard look at their standards.
The Ministry of Health announced contingency plans to prevent the introduction of the bacteria to China’s food supply on June 10. The Beijing Public Health Bureau and Municipal Center for Disease Control also advised consumers to avoid eating at roadside food stalls and sidewalk snack booths.
“Summer is the peak season for gastrointestinal illness. There have always been isolated E. coli infections all over the world, but never anything so concentrated,” said Zhou Rongbin, director of the Emergency Department at the General Hospital of the Beijing Military District.
“Most E. coli infections begin through oral ingestion. They are usually food-borne and spread by eating meat, raw vegetables and seafood,” he said.
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and watery, bloody diarrhea. “If you have the above symptoms, you really need to see a doctor immediately. Any delay in treatment puts your life at risk,” he said.
Dangerous foods
In order to reduce your risk of exposure, Fu Jinru, secretary of the Chinese Nutrition Society, suggests avoiding the following foods.
1. Grilled chicken wings
Chicken wings cooked over an open flame produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, a carcinogen which can accumulate in the body and cause stomach cancer, colon cancer or other cancers, as well as heterocyclic amine, another carcinogen proven to cause breast cancer and colon cancer.
“As far as barbecued meats go, the fatter they are the more carcinogens they will produce,” Fu said. “Burnt skin contains more carcinogens than the meat itself.” A chicken’s wings are also where the bird is vaccinated and injected with hormones, so it is possible the wing tips have more hormone deposits than other parts of the body.
2. Aquatic products
In summer, many cases of diarrhea are caused by eating spicy crawfish, fried river snails and grilled seafood, Fu said.
The hot and humid summer environment creates ideal conditions for the growth of intestinal bacteria, and seafood like crawfish and river snails are often carriers of parasites like threadworms and paragonimiasis.
“It is hard to kill parasites in crawfish’s body no matter whether you bake, fry or pickle them. If you eat a raw or half-cooked crawfish, the parasites will enter your body and infect the lungs, liver, brain and abdominal cavity,” he said.
Another pathogenic bacterium, vibrio parahaemolyticus, is often found in seafood and has a strong resistance to heat. Given it can survive at temperatures of up to 80 C, common roasting is not enough to ensure food safety.
3. Uncooked food
Cold dishes like kelp salads, lotus roots, dried beans and mushrooms have health risks.
Kelp can become soft, sticky and stinky if it has been left to sit for too long. Some restaurants add chemicals to mask the texture and color, Fu said. Lotus roots, dried beans and needle mushrooms brown after cleaning due to oxidization, so some vendors use sodium hydrosulfite to make the dish seem clean and white.
4. Malatang
(spicy stewed foods)
Vegetables, meats and bean products are repeatedly boiled in malatang and the soup bases are recycled. But nitrite levels in the broth build up over time and can cause a diner to end up with nitrite poisoning if they are not changed from time to time.
5. Draft beers in bulk
The shelf life of draft beer is shorter than bottled beer, and it need to be preserved at temperatures of 3 to 8 C. Draft beer sold on the market is usually freshly brewed beer that has not been pasteurized. If the hygienic conditions in snack stalls and restaurants are not good, draft beer is easily contaminated.
Prevention
1. Wash your fruit and vegetables carefully before eating them. “If a family member has diarrhea, stop eating raw vegetables,” said Zhou Rongbin. “In general, E. coli and many other bacteria can be killed when food is heated to 70 C.
2. Wash your hands regularly. One of the major ways that gastrointestinal disease spreads is when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet. Carefully clean your hands with soap before eating and cleaning vegetables.
3. Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meat. Raw foods can easily pick up E. coli and other pathogens. If you place them near cooked foods, you risk cross-contamination. Clean any cutting boards and knives with hot water every few days to sterilize them.
4. Don’t eat a half-cooked steak. Beef is easily polluted by many bacteria during slaughter. Intestinal problems are almost guaranteed if the meat is not cooked at a high enough temperature.
5. Don’t drink tap water directly. Even in Canada there have been cases of water pollution causing an E. coli epidemic.
6. Promptly dispose of your kitchen waste. Bacteria inside the garbage multiply fast when the temperature is above 30 C.
ABCs of E. coli
E. coli is just one nasty member of a much bigger family of bacteria, said Guo Xinghua, a researcher at Institute of Microbiology, the China Academy of Science. Not all of its forms are pathogenic.
E. coli bacteria were discovered in 1885, and by that time had long been a part of normal human intestinal flora. In the mid-20th century, scientists found that certain types of E. coli could be pathogenic to humans and animals, especially infants, young animals and poultry.
The E. coli strain that generates a shiga-like toxin is one of the strongest pathogens. “Actually, E. coli is not a new bacterium. It has always existed in nature. It can’t multiply rapidly and spread diseases unless all the conditions are right. It needs the right temperature, the right humidity and the right host,” he said.
Guo said a mutation in E. coli may have been why Germany’s infection was so serious.
A joint study conducted by Beijing Genomics Institute Shenzhen Branch and German Eppendorf University Hospital showed that the bacterium that triggers the epidemic was a mutant of the distant relative of the common E. coli.
The new mutation had a greater ability to adhere to intestinal cells, which amplified its destructive power.
By Li Zhixin
An E. coli epidemic killed 35 people and sickened more than 3,000 in Europe. Of those ill, more than 800 have developed complications which could prove fatal.
The outbreak, which hit Germany hardest, has made world food regulators take a hard look at their standards.
The Ministry of Health announced contingency plans to prevent the introduction of the bacteria to China’s food supply on June 10. The Beijing Public Health Bureau and Municipal Center for Disease Control also advised consumers to avoid eating at roadside food stalls and sidewalk snack booths.
“Summer is the peak season for gastrointestinal illness. There have always been isolated E. coli infections all over the world, but never anything so concentrated,” said Zhou Rongbin, director of the Emergency Department at the General Hospital of the Beijing Military District.
“Most E. coli infections begin through oral ingestion. They are usually food-borne and spread by eating meat, raw vegetables and seafood,” he said.
CFP Photo
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and watery, bloody diarrhea. “If you have the above symptoms, you really need to see a doctor immediately. Any delay in treatment puts your life at risk,” he said.
Dangerous foods
In order to reduce your risk of exposure, Fu Jinru, secretary of the Chinese Nutrition Society, suggests avoiding the following foods.
1. Grilled chicken wings
Chicken wings cooked over an open flame produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, a carcinogen which can accumulate in the body and cause stomach cancer, colon cancer or other cancers, as well as heterocyclic amine, another carcinogen proven to cause breast cancer and colon cancer.
“As far as barbecued meats go, the fatter they are the more carcinogens they will produce,” Fu said. “Burnt skin contains more carcinogens than the meat itself.” A chicken’s wings are also where the bird is vaccinated and injected with hormones, so it is possible the wing tips have more hormone deposits than other parts of the body.
2. Aquatic products
In summer, many cases of diarrhea are caused by eating spicy crawfish, fried river snails and grilled seafood, Fu said.
The hot and humid summer environment creates ideal conditions for the growth of intestinal bacteria, and seafood like crawfish and river snails are often carriers of parasites like threadworms and paragonimiasis.
“It is hard to kill parasites in crawfish’s body no matter whether you bake, fry or pickle them. If you eat a raw or half-cooked crawfish, the parasites will enter your body and infect the lungs, liver, brain and abdominal cavity,” he said.
Another pathogenic bacterium, vibrio parahaemolyticus, is often found in seafood and has a strong resistance to heat. Given it can survive at temperatures of up to 80 C, common roasting is not enough to ensure food safety.
3. Uncooked food
Cold dishes like kelp salads, lotus roots, dried beans and mushrooms have health risks.
Kelp can become soft, sticky and stinky if it has been left to sit for too long. Some restaurants add chemicals to mask the texture and color, Fu said. Lotus roots, dried beans and needle mushrooms brown after cleaning due to oxidization, so some vendors use sodium hydrosulfite to make the dish seem clean and white.
4. Malatang (spicy stewed foods)
Vegetables, meats and bean products are repeatedly boiled in malatang and the soup bases are recycled. But nitrite levels in the broth build up over time and can cause a diner to end up with nitrite poisoning if they are not changed from time to time.
5. Draft beers in bulk
The shelf life of draft beer is shorter than bottled beer, and it need to be preserved at temperatures of 3 to 8 C. Draft beer sold on the market is usually freshly brewed beer that has not been pasteurized. If the hygienic conditions in snack stalls and restaurants are not good, draft beer is easily contaminated.
July 1, 2011 Filed under Health
By Han Manman
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It helps refresh tired minds and bodies. With more reports on the benefits of drinking tea, such as the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer, more are begining to drink tea in their daily life.
However, Chinese experts recently found drinking tea excessively may be dangerous, especially for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Dangers for pregnant women
A recent investigation, conducted by the Peking University Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, found that daily tea drinking during pregnancy was associated with an elevated risk of neural tube defects (NTDs).
NTDs are a group of malformations that result from the failure of the neural tube to close within 28 days after conception. NTDs are an important cause of prenatal mortality, and infants who survive often have lifelong disabilities.
Ren Aiguo, director of the research team, said the survey followed four rural counties in Shanxi Province from 2002 to 2007. Experts interviewed the young mothers of 631 children with NTD and 857 healthy children about their tea drinking habits before pregnancy and during their first trimester.
The survey found that women who drank tea every day had a three times greater risk of giving birth to a child with NTD.
He said the elevated risk associated with daily tea drinking remained after adjusting for maternal age, educational level, occupation and periconceptional folic acid supplementation.
Ren said a separate survey in Japan found that women who drank four or more cups of tea a day had a deficiency of folic acid in the blood.
Ren suggested that pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit their tea intake or begin taking a folic acid supplement. He said they should also eat more foods rich in folic acid, such as green vegetables, oranges, beans and animal livers.
Harmful effects
While tea can benefit the health of most people, this is only true in moderation. Excessive tea consumption is universally damaging to one’s health.
The most active ingredient in tea is caffeine. It has a stimulating effect on the brain and central nervous system and increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Caffeine can also increase blood sugar levels, meaning diabetes patients should drink with caution. The same applies to those with psychological disorders, especially anxiety or panic disorders, and overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.
There are several conditions that may be caused by drinking excessive tea, including indigestion. Tea is slow to digest, as its tannins impede the action of ptyalin, a digestive saliva that acts like cooked starch. The slowed digestion may cause gas, diarrhea and constipation.
Overconsumption of tea has also been linked to kidney disorders. Experiments show that five cups of tea increase urine amount by 400 to 500 percent in people vulnerable to kidney ailments. This continued stimulation of kidneys by caffeine might damage them. Tea could also promote kidney stones because of its high concentration of oxalates.
Moreover, tea drinking tends to aggravate premenstrual syndrome. According to research conducted by Annette Rossignol, an associate professor of public health at Oregon University, women in China who drank between one and four cups of tea a day were twice as likely to have premenstrual syndrome. Drinking eight cups of tea increased the incidence of premenstrual syndrome 10 times.
Drinking too much tea can also cause urgent urination, giddiness, sore throat and paralysis.
People who should avoid tea
1. Anyone predisposed to heartburn and stomach ulcers. Tea can aggravate these conditions.
2. Anyone taking medication. Tea can interfere and interact with certain medications, and should be avoided for up to two hours after taking any medication.
3. Anyone sensitive to caffeine. If you are restless, irritable or prone to sleeping problems, tea can worsen your symptoms. Be especially careful if you have liver disease, as blood levels of caffeine can build up fast.
4. Anyone with a sensitive stomach. The caffeine in tea leaves may give people stomach cramps. Moreover, tea itself is a potent stimulant of gastric acid. Spike your tea with some milk and sugar to inhibit the release of gastric acid.
5. Anyone with an iron deficiency. Tea is known as a “negative calories” beverage. Not only does it contain virtually no calories, it also blocks the absorption of certain nutrients. Green tea extract reduces the absorption of non-heme iron by 25 percent.
6. Anyone with premenstrual syndrome. Studies have found that green tea can cause the body’s estrogen levels to crash.
7. Young children. If you have young kids, it’s best if they don’t drink tea. The caffeine in tea can be too stimulating for young children, and the tannins may block the absorption of proteins and fats in children.
8. Anyone with a Vitamin B deficiency. Tea reduces the absorption of Vitamin B.
9. Anyone taking tea extract tablets. Some people prefer consuming tea tablets to brewing hot tea. That is fine, but there is a risk of overdose.
10. When you have or are prone to forming kidney stones. Kidney stones are mineral deposits made up of calcium, uric acid or the amino acid cysteine. At least three quarters of kidney stones are composed of calcium combined with phosphate or oxalic acid. Green tea is rich in oxalic acid.
11. Anyone using weight loss teas. While green tea is considered safe for long-term consumption, slimming and weight loss teas tend to be laced with laxative herbs such as senna leaf and rhubarb root. They can be dangerous when consumed in large quantities.
By Han Manman
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It helps refresh tired minds and bodies. With more reports on the benefits of drinking tea, such as the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer, more are begining to drink tea in their daily life.
However, Chinese experts recently found drinking tea excessively may be dangerous, especially for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
CFP Photo
Dangers for pregnant women
A recent investigation, conducted by the Peking University Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, found that daily tea drinking during pregnancy was associated with an elevated risk of neural tube defects (NTDs).
NTDs are a group of malformations that result from the failure of the neural tube to close within 28 days after conception. NTDs are an important cause of prenatal mortality, and infants who survive often have lifelong disabilities.
Ren Aiguo, director of the research team, said the survey followed four rural counties in Shanxi Province from 2002 to 2007. Experts interviewed the young mothers of 631 children with NTD and 857 healthy children about their tea drinking habits before pregnancy and during their first trimester.
The survey found that women who drank tea every day had a three times greater risk of giving birth to a child with NTD.
He said the elevated risk associated with daily tea drinking remained after adjusting for maternal age, educational level, occupation and periconceptional folic acid supplementation.
Ren said a separate survey in Japan found that women who drank four or more cups of tea a day had a deficiency of folic acid in the blood.
Ren suggested that pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit their tea intake or begin taking a folic acid supplement. He said they should also eat more foods rich in folic acid, such as green vegetables, oranges, beans and animal livers.
