卫生部公布的检验化妆品好坏的方法

洁面乳：
　　1.有淡淡的清香，挤在手上应该是水融，没有油腻感的。 
　　2.用火烧，把洗面奶放入勺内，用火烧，如果溅油，就不是好的洗面奶，如果越烧越像牛奶一样，说明是好的洗面奶。 
　　3.拿PH试纸来试试就知道了，直接把它挤到试纸上你就会知道了 
化妆水：
　　1.用力摇，摇完之后看泡泡。
　　a.泡泡很少，说明营养少。
　　b.泡泡多但是大，说明含有水杨酸。水杨酸洁肤的效果较好，但刺激性大易过敏。
　　c.泡泡很多很细，而且很快就消失了，说明含酒精。不要长期的使用，容易伤害皮肤的保护膜。
　　d.泡泡细腻丰富，有厚厚的一层，而且经久不消，那就是好的水。
　　2.质量好的无酒精味。不好的使用时有清凉感，闻起来有些酒精味。　　
　　3.一般化妆水都有颜色，如果储存地点不当，经常受阳光的照射或是存放时间过久，颜色会变淡； 
　　4.爽肤水的瓶子是非透明的，绝对不要买。因为无法鉴别。
乳液：　　1.闻味道。好的产品纯净，不需要浓重的香料来压抑产品异味。
　　2.如果是乳液，拿一杯清水，把乳液倒进水里一点点，如果浮在水上边，证明里边含油石酯（这是现在化妆品不推荐用的），晃一晃，水变成了乳白色，证明了里边含乳化剂，这样的化妆品是不好的。如果倒在水里，乳液下沉到底部，证明不含油石酯，这样的是可以用的。油石酯会伤害皮肤，造成皮肤干燥缺水，因为他是堵塞毛孔的主要原因，久而久之，毛孔会越来越大。这都是专家（一个化装品界的什么领导）说的。
膏霜： 
　　1.放一点在普通勺里，拿火烧，直到完全烧尽，如果有黑色残渣，那是各种添加剂，越多证明添加剂越多，然后放一根棉芯在勺里，把棉芯点着，你会看到那个水会冒黑烟,这样的产品也是不好的。
　　2.保湿的产品，很多都是矿物油制成的，你把他们涂到纸上，过一会把多余的擦掉，如果保湿的话纸就会起皱的，如果是矿物油所制的话你就会发现那是透明的！
　　3.你也可以拿产品挤放到铁制的调羹上，然后下面有火来加热，如果含有矿物油的话那油就会冒出来的！
　　4.面霜装罐时，如果是填装技术良好、质地细致的成品，它的表层会呈现均匀光洁的形态，不会有大小孔出现。
精华素：　
　　对于液态精华素，购买时一定要注意观察精华素的色泽和形态，如果发现有浑浊、沉淀或变色等现象，这样的精华素已经不能使用。油性、痤疮等易感染性皮肤的消费者在购买和使用精华素时一定要慎重，即使购买也要选择具有消炎、杀菌作用的精华素才好。 
粉底：　　1.取适量放入水中，然后观察其反应。一般都三种情况会发生：粘在杯边，飘在水面上，沉在杯底。
　　这三种情况即说明了其所含的XXX。好的产品是不粘杯边，不漂浮，不沉杯底的。
　　a.粘在杯边的是动物油。　
　　b.飘在水面上的是矿物油。
彩妆：　
　　找个银饰物，把化妆品或者彩妆抹上去，银饰物变黑就说明化妆品里有铅和汞

资料来源：ChinaGB国家标准频道 

Magnesium, the "The Forgotton Mineral" - Vital for bone health

Parents has been long emphasize on feeding their children with calcium rich food like milk for optimal bone health. However, magnesium may be just as important according to Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) ! Magnesium has been called as "The forgotten mineral" or 5 cents miracle table by researchers.  Magnesium is necessary in over 325 enzyme system in the body that control thousands of chemical interaction. 

Calcium can not work alone for bone health. It need to work together with Calcium. Without magnesium, the body cannot:

• Absorb calcium effectively.
• Stimulate hormone that draws calcium from the blood and tissue back into the bones.
• Suppress parathyroid, bone breaking hormone.
• Activate enzyme for new bone formation.
• Convert Vitamin D into its active form for calcium absorption.

Magnesium deficiency symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Sleep-disorders
• Fatigue
• Body-tension
• Headaches
• Heart-disorders
• Low energy
• High Blood Pressure
• PMS
• Muscle tension
• Backaches
• Constipation
• Kidney stones
• Osteoporosis
• Accelerated aging
• Depression
• Irregular-heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Muscle cramps
• Spasms Irritability

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E5%81%A5%E5%BA%B7%E5%85%BB%E7%94%9F%E5%9D%8A-ihealth-nutrition/400516886705294

Which of the plate has larger food portion size?

Which of the plate has larger food portion? 

If you hardly control your food intake due to big appetite. Can keep in mind of this illusion method by using smaller plate which may give a feeling of large food portion. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E5%81%A5%E5%BA%B7%E5%85%BB%E7%94%9F%E5%9D%8A-ihealth-nutrition/400516886705294 

Subway has nearly same calories as McDonald's

I think this will be a disappointed breaking new for most of the Subway lovers. Subway may promote itself as the "healthy" fast food restaurant, but researchers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) found that teenagers who bought Subway meals in America consumed nearly as many calories as those who bought a meal from McDonald’s.

However, there are many types of Subway choices, which choice was being selected in the research not being stated. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E5%81%A5%E5%BA%B7%E5%85%BB%E7%94%9F%E5%9D%8A-ihealth-nutrition/400516886705294 

Hypertension

Cancer Fighting Foods

Minimize toxins in your life

Avoid "Fragrance"

Although it's just one little word on the ingredient label, "fragrance" can contain dozens, even hundreds, of chemicals—including hormone-disrupting phthalates, synthetic musks, and ethylene oxide. Fragrance manufacturers claim the formulas are confidential business information. So, until we change the law so consumers have the right to know what’s in our products, it's best to avoid synthetic fragrance and opt for products that are fragrance-free or that contain natural fragrances like essential oils.

Avoid These Top Offenders

Individual brands aside, some products are just bad news. Things to avoid:

·         Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids

·         Hair dyes, especially dark permanent dyes

·         Liquid hand soaps with triclosan/triclocarban

·         Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde, DBP or toluene (which can be contaminated with benzene)

·         Skin lighteners with hydroquinone

·         Heavily scented products

·         Moisturizers, ointments and skin creams with petrolatum (which can be contaminated with PAHs)

·         Fungicides, shaving creams, hair gels and hair coloring containing nonylphenol

·         Hair spray, gel, mousse or shaving cream that contains isobutane, a propellant that can be contaminated with 1,3-butadiene

·         Sunscreens with UV filters that mimic estrogen.

Reference:

Breast Cancer Fund: Choose safe cosmetics

Don't Put Toxins/Carcinogens on Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ you have and as such is a huge conduit for bringing toxins into your body. Yet daily, you probably apply 12 or more cosmetics to your body which may contain ingredients that are absorbed through your skin and transferred to your internal systems – nervous, endocrine, immune and digestive system. Contained within these everyday products may lurk dozens of health hazards that not only endanger your well being.

Be careful with the cosmetics made with harmful ingredients. How do you know the product is contains harmful ingredients? What you need to do is just reading carefully the ingredients at the back of your products. You need to start to exclude any cosmetic products which contain harmful ingredients below:

·         Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

·         Coal tar dyes (known as D&C or FD&C colors)

·         Formaldehyde

·         Heavy metal (mercury, lead, chromium and so on)

·         Hydroquinone

·         Nanoparticles

·         Nitrosamines

·         Octyl-dimethyl and OCtyl-methoxycinnamate

·         Parabens

·         Polyethylene glycol

·         Polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP)

·         Quaternium-15

·         Resorcinol

·         Silicon

·         Talc (Talcum powder)

Choosing Sea Salt or Table Salt?

Differences between Sea Salt or Table Salt

Some of people may thinking that it is healthier to consume sea salt than table salt because the sodium content of sea salt is lower than table salt. But, sea salt and table salt has same nutritional value, contains same amount of sodium. So, there are no reason for you to eat more salt when you replace table salt with sea salt.

Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of seawater. It is usually not processed, or undergoes minimal processing, and therefore retains trace levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and other nutrients.

Table salt, on the other hand, is mined from salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture so it’s easier to mix and use in recipes. Processing strips table salt of any minerals it may have contained, and additives are also usually incorporated to prevent clumping or caking.

Sea salt is suggested compared to table salt in term of less using of chemicals to process it. So as to reduce toxins accumulation in our body. And sea salt contains other types of minerals which have been stripped away from table salt during high heat processing.

Keep your sodium consumption less than 2400 mg/day.

Muscle Builders - Must Read It

Banned ingredients in Supplement for Muscle Building

DMAA is often touted as a “natural” stimulant, with many claimed functional uses including a body-building aid, an athletic performance enhancer, and a weight-loss aid. Although DMAA at one time was approved as a drug for nasal de-congestion  no medical use of DMAA is recognized today. FDA is not aware of any reliable science indicating that DMAA exists naturally in plants.

This substance narrows blood vessels and arteries, which can elevate blood pressure, and may lead to cardiovascular problems such as shortness of breath, arrhythmias, tightening in the chest, and heart attack, as well as seizures and other neurological and psychological conditions. FDA has received 86 reports of adverse events involving products containing DMAA. These events include psychiatric disorders, heart problems, nervous system disorders, and death. 

FDA sent warning letters to a total of 11 companies advising them that DMAA-containing products marketed as dietary supplements are illegal.

How do consumers know if a dietary supplement contains DMAA?Consumers should look for DMAA listed on the product label. It may also be listed as:

• 1,3-DMAA
• 1,3-Dimethylamylamine
• 1,3-Dimethylpentylamine
• 2-Amino-4-methylhexane
• 2-Hexanamine
• 4-Methyl-2-hexanamine
• 4-Methyl-2-hexylamine
• 4-methyl- (9CI)
• Dimethylamylamine
• Geranamine
• Methylhexanamine
• Methylhexanenamine

reference:

http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ReportAdverseEvent/default.htm 

John Hopkins Update - It is an email Hoax!

Firstly, i was very impressed with the interesting facts on cancer from the "John Hopkins Update". It was spreading widely in the website, facebook and etc. It seems like the hot topics for everyone. However, i found no any clinical studies prove the facts statement. At the end, i just found out it is only the Hoax email. Johns Hopkins Medicine has made a clarification on the "John Hopkins Update" in 2009 that it is not the true statement (refer the johns hopkins link below). The hoax email - "John Hopkins Update" was start to spread in 2007, which stated that the nutritional method is more effective than traditional approach, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. 

Hoax statement 1:
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.  


Hoax statement 2:
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.


Fact 1 & 2: Cancer is a genetic disease resulting from a variety of mutations and alterations either inherited from our parents or, more commonly, acquired over time due to environmental exposures and behaviors, such as smoking and poor diet. These alterations turn off important cell growth regulators allowing cells to continually divide unchecked, explains Luis Diaz, a clinician-scientist in Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics. This type of cell is called a malignant or cancer cell.  Among the trillions of cells in the human body, inevitably everyone has some abnormal or atypical cells that possess some of the characteristics of cancer cells, most resolve themselves and never result in cancer, says Diaz. 

There is no single or standard test for cancer. There are ways to screen for certain cancers with tests such as colonoscopy for colon cancer, mammography for breast cancer, PSA for prostate cancer, and the Pap smear for cervical cancer, and these tests can detect cancers in a very early and curable stage.  For many cancers, there currently are no screening tests, and they are diagnosed when they begin to cause symptoms.

A team of our breast cancer researchers has developed a method that could make it possible to detect breast cancer from the DNA contained in a single drop of blood.

Hoax statement 3:
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

Fact 3: it is not a matter of strong or weak as the fictional report contends, but rather an issue of recognition.  "The immune system simply does not recognize cancer. In its complexity, the cancer cell has learned to disguise itself to the immune system as a normal, healthy cell.  Cells infected with viruses or bacteria send out danger signals setting the immune system in action.  But cancer cells do not, explains Elizabeth Jaffee, co-director of cancer immunology and leading expert on cancer and the immune system."  

Hoax statement 4:
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

Hoax statement 5:
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

Fact 4 & 5: 
Dietary habits and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, contribute to the development of many human cancers, says Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson. Our experts recommend a balanced diet as a way of reducing cancer risk.  In terms of supplements, Nelson points out that while they may help mediate vitamin deficiencies, taking doses above what the body needs provides no added benefit.

Hoax statement 6,7,8,9,10:
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Harms Normal Cells. Surgery Causes Cancer to Spread and become resistant.

Fact 6,7,8,9,10:

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy kills cancer cells with remarkable selectivity, says Nelson.  There are some temporary and reversible side effects common to cancer therapies, including hair loss and low blood counts.  Limiting and managing these side effects is an integral part of treatment.

Surgery is the first line of treatment for many types of cancer. It does not cause cancer to spread. Cancers spread to other tissues and organs as a tumor progresses and cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream to other body sites.

Hoax statement 11,12,13,14:

Cancers Feed on Certain Foods like acidic food, milk, sugar and etc.

Fact 11,12,13,14:

According to our experts, a poor diet and obesity associated with a poor diet is a risk factor for the development of cancer.  However, there is no evidence that certain foods alter the environment of an existing cancer, at the cellular level, and cause it to either die or grow.

While there is such a thing as tumors that produce mucus, the mucus made by a tumor does not result from drinking milk.  And, eating less meat, while a good choice for cancer prevention, does not free up enzymes to attack cancer cells, explains cancer prevention and control expert Elizabeth Platz.

Moderation is key, says Platz. As part of a balanced diet, sugar, salt, milk, coffee, tea, meat, and chocolate—the foods the “Update” calls into question—are all safe choices, she says.  The real concern with many of these, particularly sugar, is that it adds calories to a diet and can lead to obesity, and obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. A balanced nutritious diet, healthy weight, physical activity, and avoiding alcoholic drinks may prevent as many as 1/3 of all cancers. Platz recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and limiting red and processed meats, like hot dogs.

Hoax statement 15:
Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment.

Fact 15:
Cancer is a disease caused by genetic alterations.  Many times, these alterations occur through our own behaviors—cigarette smoking, a poor and unbalanced diet, virus exposures, and sunburns, says cancer prevention and control expert John Groopman. 

How stress, faith, and other factors influence this is largely unknown.  We would like people to be happy, loving, and stress free, simply because it is a nice way to live and can contribute to an overall feeling of well being, says Platz.  There is no evidence, however, that a person prevents or causes cancer based on his or her state of mind.

Hoax statement 16:

Oxygen Kills Cancer Cells

Fact 16:

Platz recommends regular exercise as a part of any healthy lifestyle, but says there is no evidence that breathing deeply or receiving oxygen therapy prevents cancer.

Life would be easier if Cancer can be prevented in just few simple way mentioned in "John Hopkins Update". However, it is only a Hoax Email.

References:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/news_events/featured/cancer_update_email_it_is_a_hoax.html 

Blood Nourishment is Vital - Especially after menstruation or blood deficiency/anemia

Nutrients for blood building : Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin 12 and Folate

The peak period when your body start to rebuild blood is the subsequent week after your menstruation stop. During your menstruation, you loss a lot of blood though bleeding. Thus, you need to provide enough nutrients for your body to rebuild it bad. or else you would feel the unpleasant symptoms for your following menstruation. 

Moreover, blood deficiency state might happens if your body are lacking of blood for long times. The symptoms are dizziness, pale looking, fatigue and etc.

Hence, replenish your blood with inclusion foods that high in iron, folate, vitamin B6 & 12. 

You are what you eat. You can make the difference.

Amazing health benefit of green tea

Green Tea

The major polyphenols in green tea are flavonoids. The four major flavonoids in green tea are the catechins, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). (Sinija 2008). It is rich in health promoting flavonoids (Catechins). The most abundant Catechins is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). It also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin E and C as free radicals scavenger.

polyphenols in green tea are potent antioxidants with antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties. (Cabrera 2006).

How much of Green Tea is efficient to exert its health benefits?
- 5 -6 cups of green tea per day (240 -320mg polyphenols and 200-300 mg EGCG).( Wolfram 2007).

Health Benefits of Green Tea
- Reduce risk of Cancer (Prostate, Ovarian, Colorectal, Brain, Lung Tumor), infection, cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, osteoporosis. (Schnerider 2009).

How It Is Works?
- Inhibits Atherosclerosis
- Help to prevent blood clot
- Reduce Blood Pressure
- Lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxides

The National Cancer Institute is actively exploring tea compounds as cancer-chemo preventive and adjuvant treatment agents in human trials.

References:
1. Wolfram, S. 2007. Effects of green tea and EGCG on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health. J Am Coll Nutr. 4 373S-388S.
2. Sinijia,V.R. et al. 2003. Green tea: Health Benefits. 4:232-242.
3. Schnerider, C. et al. 2009. Green Tea: Potential Health Benefits. American Family Physician. 79:7.
4. Cabrera C, Artacho R, Giménez R. 2006. Beneficial effects of green tea—a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 25(2):79-99.

Toxins are surrounding us!

How About Reduce Your Cholesterol Level with Foods?

Top Cholesterol Lowering Foods

 

1. Brown Rice

 The oil in whole brown rice has cholesterol lowering effect. It also supplies good amount of fiber, magnesium and B vitamins for healthy heart. (Gerhardt 1998).

2. Apples

Apple pectin is a soluble fiber that helps draw cholesterol out of the system. The flavonoids (Quercetin) in apples act as a powerful antioxidant that seems to short-circuit the process that leads “bad” LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the bloodstream. (Aprikian 2003).

3. Cinnamon

A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes. It also reduces triglyceride, LDL, the bad cholesterol and the total cholesterol level. (Sambaiah 2006).

4. Beans

Beans and vegetables are an excellent source of soluble fiber and high in vegetable protein. By properly combing beans with brown rice, seeds, corn, wheat you can create a complete protein. Properly combined beans become an excellent substitute for red meat protein that is high in saturated fat.

5. Soy

The top health promoting components in soybeans are isoflavones and soluble fiber. Isoflavones act like human hormone that can lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. All soy products (soybeans, soy nuts, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, etc.) are complete proteins. (Wong 1998).

6. Oats

Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol. Five to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day decreases LDL cholesterol by about 5 percent. Eating 1.5 cups of cooked oatmeal provides 4.5 grams of fiber — enough to lower your cholesterol. (Brown 1999).

7. Garlic

Garlic contains the chemical allicin, which has been shown to kill bacteria and fungi, and alleviate certain digestive disorders. It also lowers the blood-clotting properties of blood. But the most notable attention garlic has received over recent years is its possible usefulness in lowering cholesterol levels. (Yeh 2001).

8. Salmon

The major health components in salmon include: Omega-3 fatty-acids and protein. These components have a favorable cardiovascular effect. The American Heart Association recommends that people include at least two servings of fish/week, particularly fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and herring), in their diets.

9. Walnuts

Walnuts can significantly reduce blood cholesterol because they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Walnuts also help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Almonds appear to have a similar effect, resulting in a marked improvement within just four weeks. A cholesterol-lowering diet with a little less than 1/3 of a cup of walnuts a day may reduce LDL cholesterol by 12%. (Ros 2004).

10. Grapes

Flavonoids in grapes protect LDL cholesterol from free radical damage and reduce platelet clumping. The LDL lowering effect of grapes comes from a compound that grapes produce normally to resist mold. The darker the grape, the better.

Referrences:

1. Gerhardt, A.L. et al. 1998. Full-Fat Rice Bran and Oat Bran Similarly Reduce Hypercholesterolemia in Humans. J.Nutr.128:865-869.

2. Aprikian, O. et al. 2003. Apple Pectin and a Polyphenol-Rich Apple Concentrate Are More Effective Together Than Separately on Cecal Fermentations and Plasma Lipids in Rats. J Nutr. 133:1860-1865.

3. Sambaiah, K. et al. 2006. Effect of cumin, cinnamon, ginger, mustard and tamarind in induced hypercholesterolemic rats. Molecular Nutr. 35:47-51.

4. Brown, L. et al.1999. Cholesterol-Lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 69:30-42.

5. Wong, W.W. et al.1998. Cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr. 68:13855-13895.

6. Ros, E. et al. 2004. A Walnut Diet Improves Endothelial Function in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects. Circulation. 10.1161.

7. Yeh, Y.Y. et al. 2001. Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Garlic Extracts and Organosulfur Compounds: Human and Animal Studies. J. Nutr. 989S-993S.

Boosting Your Body Metabolism is a Part of Weight Loss

Ways of Metabolism Boosting

The basic process of metabolism is the breakdown and delivery of nutrients from the food that we eat into every cell in our bodies. Body need burn more energy for these processes of digestion, absorption and utilization of nutrients. What kinds of foods will need makes body need more energy to process the food into nutrients?

1. High protein food

It has been clinically shown its thermic effect on body. Body will burn more energy to produce body heat for every consumption of protein. Protein also increases the satiety than carbohydrate or fat. (Velasquez 2007). For example, lean meat of poultry.

2. Eat more fiber

Fiber is indigestible in our body. However, body will try hard effort to digest it. More energy burned in digesting and breakdown of the food.

3. Small and frequent meal consumption

Eating small portion of meals throughout the day frequently will increases metabolism than eating large portion of meals in once time if both diet also same in calorie. This is because large portion of food provides large amount of glucose which tend to stored as fat if excessive.

4. Don’t skip your meal

If you skip your meal, your body will be in starvation mode. To reduce energy wasted in body or body tend to reserve more energy, your body metabolism will decreased to reserve more energy.

5. Drink enough water

Water is needed in the metabolism process so as to help in converting the fat into the energy.

6. Exercise

When you do exercise frequently, your body will know that you need more energy for the daily activities or exercise. Thus, your metabolism rate will be increased to suit the increased energy need of body. Even you are in the resting mode, you body will burn more energy than other who less doing exercise.

Are ingest toxins or carcinogen in your food everyday? The Breaking News From FDA: Acrylamide found in our food!

What is the Acrylamide in the food?

Acrylamide is a carcinogen (agent causing cancer) or neurotoxin (toxin causing nerve damage). According to FDA 2012, Acrylamide is a chemical substance that can produced in certain foods during high-temperature cooking processes with 250° F such as frying, roasting, and baking. It doesn’t contain in raw food naturally. It is converted from sugars and an amino acid that are naturally present in food; it does not come from food packaging or the environment.

Acrylamide should not exist in our human food; it is the material used to manufacture products such as plastics, grouts, water treatment products, and cosmetics. Acrylamide is also found in cigarette smoke. Acrylamide had been present in our daily food for a long time, but it was only first detected in April 2002.

Boiling and steaming do not typically form acrylamide. Acrylamide is found mainly in foods made from plants, such as potato products, grain products, or coffee. Generally, acrylamide is more likely to accumulate when cooking is done for longer periods or at higher temperatures.

FDA regulates the amount of residual acrylamide in a variety of materials that come in contact with food; The EPA regulates acrylamide in drinking water. European governments permit 10 parts per million (ppb) of acrylamide in packaged foods, but U.S. standards are more lax. For example, Kellogg’s Rice Crispies contain 110 ppb and Pringles original crisps contain 1,480 ppb. Sugar-coated breakfast cereals have even higher levels than Rice Crispies.

Examples of Foods with Acrylamide Exposure

·         Plant foods such as potatoe (French fries, potato chips), grain products (breads and breakfast cereals, cookies, toast), and coffee. While, dairy, animal foods (poultry, meat) or seafood are excluded.

·         Various forms of these foods are typically fried, baked or roasted. Steaming or boiling cooking method are safe from Acrylamide production.

The average content in potato chips is approximately 1000 micrograms/kg and in French fries approximately 500 micrograms/kg. Other food groups which may contain low as well as high levels of acrylamide are fried bread products-such as doughnuts-breakfast cereals, fried potato products, biscuits, cookies and snacks, such as tortilla chips, bread crust and popcorn.

What Can I Do to Reduce Acrylamide?

· The cooking method affect the amount of Acrylamide form in the foods. Boiling/Microwaving doesn’t produce Acrylamide. The sequences of Acrylamide level following the cooking method : Frying > Roasting > Baking > Boiling/Microwaving.

·  Soaking raw potato slices in water for 15-30 minutes before frying or roasting helps reduce acrylamide formation during cooking.

·  Storing potatoes in the refrigerator can result in increased acrylamide during cooking. Hence, store potatoes outside the refrigerator, preferably in a dark, cool place, such as a closet or a pantry, to prevent sprouting.

·   Generally, more acrylamide accumulates when cooking is done for longer periods or at higher temperatures. Cooking cut potato products, such as frozen French fries or potato slices, to a golden yellow color rather than a brown color helps reduce acrylamide formation (see Picture A). Brown areas tend to contain more acrylamide.

·   Toasting bread to a light brown color, rather than a dark brown color, lowers the amount of acrylamide (see Picture B). Very brown areas should be avoided, since they contain the most acrylamide.

·   Acrylamide forms in coffee when coffee beans are roasted, not when coffee is brewed at home or in a restaurant. So far, scientists have not found good ways to reduce acrylamide formation in coffee.

Golden yellow: Less Acrylamide	Brown: More Acrylamide
Light brown: Less Acrylamide	Dark brown: More Acrylamide

References:

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2012: Food Contaminants & Adulteration.

Amazing Natural Medicine for Health

Purple Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is the 6^th most important food crop in the world. It is the important food to solve global shortage of food. Studies show that sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins (B1, B2, C and E), minerals (calcium,magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, phosphorus and zinc), dietary fiber, and nonfibrous carbohydrates. Purple sweet potato is high in anthocyanin compared to white, yellow, and orange-fleshed sweet potato. The purple pigments of sweet potato is due to its high content of anthocyanin. 

Benefits of Purple Sweet Potato

1.    Enhance memory, prevent inflammatory health problems like asthma, arthritis, gout and others. Because it contains Anthocyanin that has antioxidant properties or radical scavengers. It also rich in Vitamins with antioxidant property such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E.

2.    Prevent lower health risk posed by heavy metals (mercury, cadmium or arsenic) and oxygen radicals such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis because It is rich in phytonutrients such as Anthocyanin (Cyanidins and Peonidins).

3.    People may have misconception of sweet potato “ It is starchy food which contains Carbohydrate and diabetic should not take carbohydrate from sweet potato”. By the way, it is the excellent source of complex carbohydrate for diabetic because it regulates the blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance. It is also low in glycemic index which is only 17. Sweet potatoes can significantly increase blood levels of adiponectin in diabetic. Adiponectin is a protein hormone produced by our fat cells which help to regulate insulin metabolism. Among overweight/obese people, their fat cells will produce less adiponectin and thus less control insulin well.

4.    It is high in fiber which help to prevent constipation, promote detoxification and reduce cholesterol absorption in body.

5.    It is also high in potassium which able to reduce sodium level in body due to excessive salt consumption. Thus, it reduces risk of hypertension and heart disease. It helps to regulate the balance of electrolyte and water. Hence, it prevent the weight gain due to water retention.

6.    Enhance immunity because it is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C and B-complex. Sweet potato is the immune booster.

7.    It reduce the chance of bacterial invasion into body or infection. It contains polysaccharide-related molecules called batatins and batatosides.

8.    It prevent cancer.  It is antimutagenic that prevent mutagen cells development in our body.