Magnets

Magnetic Bracelets So today, the women I work with were all talking about the benefits of magnetic bracelets. They all use them and believe that they have worked for them. Some of the benefits they have felt include headache relief, arthritis relief, relief from soreness after surgry, and a sleep aid. I suffer from headaches and sleeplessness so I decided to do some more research on these bracelets to find out why they work...

Magnet Deficiency - What the heck does that mean?

Magnetism is a basic force in nature: The Earth itself has a natural magnetic field and all creatures are born and live out their lives under the influence of this natural force. It protects life on the planet by shielding us from harmful radiation, and it is said to have a nourishing and beneficial effect on us.
Many people believe that modern day mankind may be "magnetic deficient". This condition may be arising from modern life, the insulating effect of living and working in concrete and high-rise buildings. Added to this we are surrounded by a surfeit of electronic and electrical gadgetry. Both of these effects actually block our natural exposure to the Earths magnetic field. There is also a relatively recent decline in the Earth's magnetic field. If this 'magnetic deficiency' is true, it may be the cause behind many recent unexplained illnesses, and why the use of magnets can have a positive effect in so many conditions.

How Does It Work?

There are many viewpoints and theories, both new and old, as to how magnets work therapeutically.

• Is it all in the Blood? Many commentators believe magnets have a significant effect on the blood mechanisms within the tissues. While it may be too simplistic to say that blood flow is improved under the influence of magnets, there maybe improvement in certain aspects of the bloods quality and function.
• Improved Oxygenation? Magnetic therapy is based on the biological effects of magnetic fields on the living organism. When magnetic fields are properly applied (polarity, intensity and frequency) there is a reaction that is utilized in the treatment of illness, the alleviation of pain, and the general promotion of well being. A magnetic field penetrates every single cell being exposed to the field. This in turn is believed to influence the ion exchange within the cell, which improves the oxygen utilization of the cell. This is important for the healing and regeneration process.

How Magnets Heal Our Bodies

• Magnets seem to improve the quality of the blood circulation. This can in turn increase the nutrient carrying potential of the blood. Blood flow is a key aspect in health and disease; this is probably one of the main healing benefits of using magnets. Improved blood quality results in a reduction in inflammation, reduced calcium deposits, lactic acid and other toxins. Tissues detoxify and the healing process begins.
• It has also been reported that magnets can help block when nerve fibres are subject to a magnetic field, possibly producing endorphins, which are the body's own natural pain killers.
• Magnetism can help heal nervous tissue and bones by speeding up the migration of calcium ions.
• Melatonin production may also be influenced by exposure to magnetic fields; this hormone helps promote restful sound sleep.

How Can A Magnetic Bracelet Help?

• Magnets and Blood - the Essence of Life: One way in which magnetic bracelets are believed to work is via the magnetic influence over the blood flow at the wrist arteries. It is thought that the magnetism increases the electrical conductivity of the blood, creating a weak current and increasing the quantity of ions. The newly ionized blood circulates throughout the body improving oxygenation to cell tissue, thereby significantly contributing to the efficiency of the blood flow. Blood is essential to life. The quality and efficiency of its flow around the body has a major impact on our ability to heal; our health, fitness and vitality.
• The Acupuncturist's View: The magnets stimulate key acupressure points on the wrist area to give relief from pain in the wrist or hand. Wrist acupressure points are used in traditional acupuncture to help with elbow, shoulder, arm and neck problems, as well as with other health issues including insomnia, stress, digestive problems and headaches.

To find out more about magnetic jewerly visit Magnets 4 Health or to buy your own magnetic bracelet shop at Ace Magnetics.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome

Has anyone ever had a hard time falling asleep at night because they just can't keep their legs still? Has anyone ever experienced what feels like burning, creeping, tugging, or like insects crawling inside the legs? You might have something called Restless Leg Symdrome (RLS). I have an extremely difficult time falling asleep due to these symptoms, so I decided to do a little bit more research to find out exactly was RLS is and how to treat it.

• So what exactly is RLS?
  RLS is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.

What causes RLS?
Most research claims that RLS is a genetic disorder. Some other factors (that are not yet proven) include:

• People with low iron levels or anemia may be prone to developing RLS.


• Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are associated with RLS. Treating the underlying condition often provides relief from RLS symptoms.


• Some pregnant women experience RLS, especially in their last trimester.


• Certain medications-such as antinausea drugs (prochlorperazine or metoclopramide), antiseizure drugs (phenytoin or droperidol), antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives), and some cold and allergy medications-may aggravate symptoms.

How is RLS treated?

For those with mild to moderate symptoms, prevention is key, and many physicians suggest certain lifestyle changes and activities to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may provide some relief. Physicians may suggest that certain individuals take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Studies also have shown that maintaining a regular sleep pattern can reduce symptoms. Some individuals, finding that RLS symptoms are minimized in the early morning, change their sleep patterns. Others have found that a program of regular moderate exercise helps them sleep better; on the other hand, excessive exercise has been reported by some patients to aggravate RLS symptoms. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs, or using a heating pad or ice pack can help relieve symptoms in some patients. Although many patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do these efforts completely eliminate symptoms.
Another option is for a physicians to suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disorder.

For more info on RLS visit http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm#84743237

Animals That Inhabit the Oceans

For this weeks blog, I wanted to make a comprehensive list of who lives in the ocean. A big part of why I want to do this is because I have a degree in Marine Science and I feel that I never use that knowledge anymore. This will be great for me to refresh my memory, and will hopefully be a great learning experience for you!


There are hundreds of animals inhabiting the oceans. The following losts only the major groups:
Sponges (phylum [order] Porifera)

Coelenterata

• hydroids (phylum Hydrozoa)
• jellyfish (phylum Scyphozoa)
• sea anemones (phylum Anthozoa)
• coral

Ctenophora

• comb jellies

Marine Worms

Bryozoans (phylum Bryozoa)

Mollusca (100,000 species; 7 classes; these are found close to shore)

• snails and other single shelled (univalved) animals (Gastropoda)
• chitons (Polyplacophora)
• two-shelled (bivalved) mollusks (Bivalvia)
• squids and octopuses (Cephalopoda)

Anthropoda (75 percent of all animals - land and ocean)

• chelicertes (horseshoe crabs, spiders, and mites)
• insects
• crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, lobsters; neary all marine arthropods are crustaceans)

Echinoderms

• sea stars
• brittle stars
• sea urchins
• sea cucumbers

Tunicates (phylum Chordata)

• sea squirts or ascidians
  
  
  
  
  

Fish (vertebrates; nearly 50 percent of the 40,000 known species of vertebrates are fish)

• Cartilaginous fish (phylum Chondrichthyes - sharks, rays, and skates; 10 percent of all fish)
• Bony fish (phylum Osteichthyes - tuna, cod, salmon, etc.; 90 percent of all fish)

Marine reptiles (14 percent of the 40,000 known species of vertebrates are reptiles)

• crocodiles
• sea tutrles
• sea snakes

Birds(sea and shore)

• puffins
• shorebirds (shallow water waders)
• egrets, herons, and ibis
• sea ducks
• gulls, terns, and skimmers
• cormorants
• pelicans
• gannets
• frigatebirds
• pelagic birds (such as strom petrels)
• kingfishers
• ospreys

Marine Mammels

• whales (cetaceans) - baleen and toothes (toothed includes dolphins and porpoises)
• seals, walruses, sea lions (Pinnipedia)
• manatees or sea cows (Sirenia)
• sea otters (Mustelidae)
  
  

All of this information was obtained from "The Handy Ocean Answer Book."

Does Sugar Make Children "Hyper"?

Does Sugar Make Children "Hyper"?

I have worked with children of all ages and it always seems that when they are given sweets, they become hyper and hard to handle. So my question for this weeks blog is "Does Sugar Make Children'Hyper'?"

I was sooo SUPRISED to see that scientifically, there is no link to show that sugar causes children to become hyperactive.

According to Dr Kleinman, Professor of Pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, "There are no studies to show that sugar in the commonly eaten foods makes children overly active or causes them to be hyperactive and have attention deficit."
In all the studies that have been done over the years, some kids were given sugar, and some were given sugar substitutes. The results have shown that if you have somebody watching the children and they don't know which child was given the sugar or the substitute, they can't tell which child had the sugar or the non sugar.
Therefore, as Dr Kleinman sees it, sugar's not the culprit — the child's environment is.
"Let me explain this a little bit. You bring a child to church and most children are going to sit there quietly and not be terribly active. You bring them out to a playground and they're going to be running all over the place. The setting makes a difference. There's no relationship between eating that food and being normally active," she says.
So, sugar and excess activity may appear to be linked because sugar is often consumed at events like birthday parties or other social events which tend to produce excitement and greater activity levels even in the absence of sweets.

So I guess that bottomline is that sweets do not make children hyper, but still limit the amount. A normal child is supposed to get 4-5 teaspoons of sugar a day, but most consume up to 25 teaspoons a day!

Creatures of the Deep

Creatures of the Deep

My blog this week is about creatures of the deep. Obviously, I love marine science, so I thought it would be really interesting to take a look at the scary looking creatures that live 1000's of meters below the surface. Who lives there? How do they survive? What are some common characteristics? What fish was found the deepest?

Let me first give you a very quick and very basic layout of the sea:

• Epipelagic: Top layer of ocean near the surface where the water is warmed by the sun and photosynthesis is most effective.
• Mesopelagic: Mid-ocean layer between 200m and 800m where sunlight can still penetrate.
• Bathypelagic: Deep-water between 800m and 4,000m where sunlight penetration is extremely low.
• Benthopelagic: The layer of water just above the seafloor.
• Abyssal: The sea floor.
• Hadopelagic: The really really deep ocean water that is found within trenches.

Now that we know all that, lets take a look at who lives there:

Viper Fish

Warty Angler

Fangtooth

Rat Tail

Okay, you get the point... these guys are UGLY!!!

How do they survive all the way down there?:

Many species of deep ocean fish have special adaptations to living in extremely high pressure, low light conditions. Viper fish (Mesopelagic - found at 80-1600 meters - about a mile down) are some of the most wicked looking fish dredged up from the depths. Some of them are black as night all over with light organs (called photophores) in strategic places on their bodies, including one on a long dorsal fin that serves as a lure for the fish it preys upon. Some viperfish (and many other deep ocean fish species) don't have any pigment (color) at all - they're "see through". They also have enlarged eyes, presumably for gathering as much light as possible where there is little or no light at all. The light organs create lights by using a chemical process called bioluminescence. Other deep ocean fish, such as the the gulper eel have a hinged skull, which can rotate upward to swallow large prey. They also have large stomachs which can stretch to accommodate a fish much larger than itself. The gulper eel is particularly well-known for its impossibly large mouth - big enough to get its mouth around (and swallow!) creatures much bigger than itself. Fish that live down here must adapt to a very low food supply, eating only "scraps" that sink down from above, or sometimes eating each other.

So who wins the prize for being the deepest fish in the ocean???:

The world's record holder for deepest fish goes to the brotulid family, about which scientists know almost nothing. These fish are benthopelagic, living at depths of 7000 meters or more. The world's deepest fish (Abyssobrotula galatheae) was found in the Puerto Rican Trench at a depth of 8,372 meters (that's over five miles down!).
Their eyes appear to be virtually nonexistent. Maybe it's because there is never enough light for the fish to see, so why bother with the eyes? After all, eyes in most organisms are designed for gathering light in the creature's visual field and transmitting it to the brain - giving it useful information about its environment. In a world where no sunlight ever penetrates there's probably little use for eyes. The brotulids probably have other, highly developed senses to compensate for their lack of vision, which help them to find their way around in the dark depths.

All of this info and more can be found at Creatures of the Deep.

Why Does Taro Make Your Throat Itch?

Why Does Taro Make Your Throat Itch?

I don't know about anyone else, but I love the show Top Chef on Bravo. I don't really like reality television, but I love to watch people cook. Last week the show took place at the Hilton Waikoloha. Their challenge was to cook a traditional Hawaiian Luau with their own twist. They were warned to cook the taro for a long time so that it would not cause itching or burning in the back of the throat. I had heard this before and wonder why...

There is not a whole lot of information on taro out there but here is some information that I found about cooking with Taro:

Some varieties of raw or uncooked taro contain tiny crystals of a substance called calcium oxalate, a natural pesticide. Chewing raw or half-cooked taro can set free these needle-like crystals and cause an uncomfortable itching in the mouth and throat. Cooking the taro thoroughly will prevent this. When preparing recipes that include grated taro, it is a good idea to cook the root before grating. Here, in the Hawaiian Islands, taro plants are eaten after thoroughly boiled to destroy the toxins; the leaf must be boiled at least 45 minutes over low heat, whereas corms are boiled in a deep pot with salted water for at least an hour or until soft. This information came from http://www.molokaihealthguide.com/healthtalk/display.htm?id=34. This website also offers a whole bunch of great taro recipies!

Taro root found at http://www.vegiworks.com/taro.jpg

I was also able to find information on a Dangerous Plants website for pet owners:

There are 2,000+ species of plants in the Aroid family are poisonous. Only a few, such as Taro, can be eaten and only after the toxins have been cooked out. The plant cells contain needle-like crystal of insoluble calcium oxalate which penetrate the skin and mouth causing discomfort. In addition, the plants contain proteolytic enzymes which release histamine and kinins, causing swelling and an itching or burning sensation. Affected animals will shake their head, paw or rub the face and mouth, may salivate or foam at the mouth, may seek water, or may have visible swelling. Very severely affected animals may experience oral swelling to the point that swallowing and breathing become impaired. Typically, animals are not severely affected, since a few bites of the plants are often a sufficient deterrent to further consumption. Occasional reports of these plants causing kidney failure in cats have not been verified. Effects in cats appear to be limited to the signs described above. Some of these plants have been used with humans to prevent individuals from talking by causing excessive tongue swelling, hence the name "dumbcane".

So if you have taro growing, keep your pets away!

Endangered Species

Endangered Species

Polar bear and cub found at http://www.atmosphere.mpg.de/media/archive/4656.jpg

I am an Animal Planet junkie and there are constantly shows on about Endangered animals. So my question for this weeks blog is: Who is endangered, why are they endangered, and how can we help?

While looking on the internet, I have found that there are thousands of endangered species out there. There is no possible way I could list them all in this blog. In Hawaii alone, there are 44 endangered or threatened animal species and 273 endangered or threatened plant species. So instead of filling up this blog with a list, you can go to http://www.endangeredspecie.com/map.htm if you would like to see a state-by-state list of endangered species. For a list of endangered animal species from around the world please visit http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html.

So now that I know who is endangered, I want to ask how they got that way. Obviously, the cause of distruction vary for each species, but here are just a few of the causes:

• Habitat destruction - Our planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered and modified. Natural changes tend to occur at a gradual pace, usually causing only a slight impact on individual species. However, when changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no time for individual species to react and adjust to new circumstances. This can create disastrous results, and for this reason, rapid habitat loss is the primary cause of species endangerment. The strongest forces in rapid habitat loss are of course, human beings. Nearly every region of the earth has been affected by human activity, particularly during this past century. The loss of microbes in soils that formerly supported tropical forests, the extinction of fish and various aquatic species in polluted habitats, and changes in global climate brought about by the release of greenhouse gases are all results of human activity.
  

Rainforst Platypus found at http://rainforest-australia.com/platypus_good.jpg

• Introduction of Exotic Species - Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic area, and have ordinarily been a part of that particular biological landscape for a lengthy period of time. They are well adapted to their local environment and are accustomed to the presence of other native species within the same general habitat. Exotic species, however, are interlopers. These species are introduced into new environments by way of human activities, either intentionally or accidentally. These interlopers are viewed by the native species as foreign elements. They may cause no obvious problems and may eventually be considered as natural as any native species in the habitat. However, exotic species may also seriously disrupt delicate ecological balances and may produce a plethora of unintended yet harmful consequences.
  The worst of these unintended yet harmful consequences arise when introduced exotic species put native species in jeopardy by preying on them. This can alter the natural habitat and can cause a greater competition for food. Species have been biologically introduced to environments all over the world, and the most destructive effects have occurred on islands, which we are very aware of here in Hawaii. Introduced insects, rats, pigs, cats, and other foreign species have actually caused the endangerment and extinction of hundreds of species during the past five centuries. Exotic species are certainly a factor leading to endangerment.

Mongoose and current eradication methods found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwrc/gfx/33A%20mongoose_wr.JPG

• Overexploitation - A species that faces overexploitation is one that may become severely endangered or even extinct due to the rate in which the species is being used. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th century is an example of overexploitation, and the whaling industry brought many species of whales to extremely low population sizes. When several whale species were nearly extinct, a number of nations (including the United States) agreed to abide by an international moratorium on whaling. Due to this moratorium, some whale species, such as the grey whale, have made remarkable comebacks, while others remain threatened or endangered.
  Due to the trade in animal parts, many species continue to suffer high rates of exploitation. Even today, there are demands for items such as rhino horns and tiger bones in several areas of Asia. It is here that there exists a strong market for traditional medicines made from these animal parts.

Rhino and baby found at http://www.hedweb.com/animimag/rhinobab.jpg

What can we do to help?

• Conserve habitats


• Make space for our wildlife


• Recycle, reduce, and reuse


• Plant native plants that are local to the area


• Control introduced plants and animals


• Join an organization


• Make your voice heard

For more details on ways that we can help, and a list of ways that children can help please visit http://www.endangeredspecie.com/Ways_To_Help.htm.