Health News: Poison in fruits ♦ Warning about Dungeness and Rock Crabs caught in central and northern California ♦ Mucus: The first line of defense

Poison in fruits I WANT to draw the attention of the government towards the use of a highly poisonous and carcinogenic chemical ‘calcium carbide’ (CaC2) normally known as white powder in the ripening of fruits. In recent months, the Punjab Health Authority has started a stringent checking of unhygienic and adulterated food. However, the use of calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits and

Warning about Dungeness and Rock Crabs caught in central and northern California  A statement released by the California Department of Public Health November 3 advised the public to avoid consuming Dungeness and Rock crabs caught in waters along the Oregon border and southern Santa Barbara county line until further notice due to high levels of domoic acid after State testing revealed that the toxin had consistently exceeded the State’s action level.

Protein movement of hair bundles in the inner ear may preserve hearing for life The movement of protein within hair cells of the inner ear shows signs of a repair and renewal mechanism.

Mucus: The first line of defense By licking a wound, it heals faster – this is not simply popular belief, but scientifically proven. Our saliva consists of water and mucus, among other things, and the mucus plays an important role. It stimulates white blood cells to build a good defense against invaders,

Mixed martial arts bloodier but less dangerous than boxing Researchers evaluate a decade's worth of post-fight medical examinations to shed new light on injury risks of combative sports. The research offers a first-of-its-kind glimpse into the dangers of the two combative sports, and is the direct result of the author's quarter-century of experience as a ringside physician conducting post-fight exams, which are mandatory in both boxing and mixed martial arts.

Weight Loss Research: ♦ Eating fruits and non-starchy vegetables is linked to less weight gain ♦ A high fat diet leads to overeating because of faulty brain signaling

Diet beverage drinkers compensate by eating unhealthy food A new study that examined the dietary habits of more than 22,000 US adults found that diet-beverage consumers may compensate for the absence of calories in their drinks by binging on extra food that is loaded with sugar, sodium, fat and cholesterol.

Nutritional deficiencies common before weight loss surgery Malnutrition is a known complication of weight loss surgery, but findings from a small study show many obese people may be malnourished before they undergo the procedure.

A high fat diet leads to overeating because of faulty brain signaling

Defective signaling in the brain can cause overeating of high fat foods in mice, leading to obesity, according to a new article. The body controls food intake by balancing a need for food to survive with a desire for food for pleasure. By shifting the balance between these systems, defective brain signaling can cause pleasure to take over, resulting in overeating and obesity.

Eating more fruits and non-starchy vegetables is associated with less weight gain

Increased consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables is inversely associated with weight change. The  study shows differences by type of fruit or vegetable, suggesting that characteristics of these foods influence the strength of their association with weight change.