From Miya on Wikipedia. Click Photo for GFDL License

Mr. LaLanne says that he eats 8 egg whites per day. Egg whites are a great place to get your protein. According to wikipedia.org, egg whites have been determined to have the standard biological value of 100 (though some sources may have higher biological values). This means that egg whites are 100% bio-available, and that most of the absorbed nitrogen from egg white protein can be retained and used by the body. The biological value of plant protein sources is usually considerably lower than animal sources.

Egg whites are fat-free and cholesterol-free. However, do not eat raw egg whites. The human body cannot completely and safely digest a raw egg white. So, if you like a raw egg or raw egg white in your drink, you are wasting your time, not to mention the threat of Salmonella. Furthermore, Avidin, which is found in raw egg whites, blocks the uptake of Vitamin B6 (Biotin) which causes a vitamin deficiency. You must cook the egg white to neutralize the Avidin and allow your body to safely digest the protein and utilize all its Amino acids. Unfortunately, cooking also starts to destory the protein.

A great source I have found for liquid (not raw) egg whites is Egg Whites International. They produce 100% pure liquid egg whites that are heat-pasteurized and Salmonella-tested. The pasteurization process heats the egg white to 134 degrees for 3½ minutes, which kills the salmonella and neutralizes the Avidin. This allows the egg whites to be digested safely by the human body. When you cook an egg white to the point of scrambled eggs, you are overcooking the protein and denaturing the true value of the protein. Therefore, 100% Pure Liquid Egg Whites are liquid but not raw, making them the purest form of protein. You can store them in your refrigerator for 90 to 120 days and can be safely kept frozen indefinitely. Egg Whites International also has some very tasty Recipes

Here are the Nutrition Facts from Egg Whites International. Compare to raw eggs Nutrition Facts.

I figure that if egg whites have worked for Jack LaLanne, who’s 95 years old, they can certainly work for me.

Accutane Side Effects & Information for Patients

With a consistent growth in medical advancements and technological breakthroughs, we live in a time where products, medicines and treatments are being introduced all the time. The safety and protection of consumers and patients must be the focal point of modern medicine.

Too often than not, drugs are approved for national use, only to be recalled weeks or months later due to adverse side effects and symptoms that went unnoticed or repressed from public knowledge. By providing FDA alerts, drug interactions and up to date information about prescription and over the counter medications, we can ensure an environment where patients have the best knowledge on their medical treatment and health.

Accutane

Accutane is a medication used for the treatment with severe cases of acne, especially those linked to permanent and disfiguring scarring such as acne vulgaris, acne conglobata and acne fulminans.

This drug is related to vitamin A, which makes it classified as a retinoid. Most dermatologists and physicians prescribe Accutane for management of acne. Since there are high risks for developing side effects, it is often not used as the first course of treatment. Deep facial cleansers and topical creams are usually the first round of treatments patients will receive. The medication has also been used sparsely to treat certain types of cancers including pancreatic and brain cancer. However, the drug may work throughout the body in killing cells not related to cancers.

A recall/black box warning information exists on all isotretinoin products, including Accutane. This label warns against the potential side effects and hazards involved with taking the drug.

Side Effects

Accutane Side Effects include: Acne flare ups, severe dry skin on body, hair thinning, headache, eczema, fatigue, brittle nails, menstrual problems, gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea. Some severe side effects which can occur to patients who consistently take Accutane may include: severe depression, suicidal thoughts, birth defects, liver damage, intense nausea and allergic reactions.

Patients with a sensitivity or allergy to paraben should avoid this drug. Accutane should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor and should be taken only in the recommended dosage. Blood and liver tests may be requested while a patient is using Accutane to ensure the body is not responding negatively to the medication.

Patients with a family history of depression are discouraged from taking Accutane, as the risk for depression can be worsened. Certain conditions may warrant an adjustment in the suggested dosage of Accutane for some patients. Accutane should Also not be used by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as birth defects are likely.

Healthy Tips

By consulting your physician(s) and doing individual research, you can obtain the best method of treatment that is right for you personally. Sometimes, prescription of over the counter medications can provide the best treatment, other times they may not.

Eating a well balanced diet is vital in preventing chronic conditions and other health problems. Medical experts suggest eating simple organic foods; avoid junk foods; fried foods and make sure to eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

See Keeping Acne In Check

Courtesy Phil-CDC.gov

Approximately one in three people will develop the zoster virus in their lifetime, resulting in one million cases annually in the United States. The VZV pathogen may lay dormant in the spinal nerve roots through a chickenpox infected individual’s life, only manifesting its presence through outbreaks as Shingles, or herpes zoster.

Quality of Life Impact
The main result of shingles is severe pain. Pain is described as aching, burning, stabbing, or shock-like. Altered sensitivity to touch, pain provoked by inadvertent touching, and unbearable itching are all frequently reported. The illness also causes insomnia, chronic fatigue, weight loss and anorexia. People with shingles have anxiety and difficulty concentrating. The rash usually lasts from seven to ten days with complete healing within 2-4 weeks. If the virus causes scars or skin discoloration, it could be permanent.

The CDC recommends that all persons aged 60 and older should get the vaccine. The vaccine was licensed in May 2006 and is called Zostavax. Zostavax is manufactured by Merck & Co. and administered by a physician. Vaccination isn’t permanent so ask

phil-cdc.gov

Read more about Shingles from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, part of the CDC.gov.

The functions of normal nutrition are to keep a body alive and create energy for the body. Nutritious foods and liquids can also, at least to some extent, prolong life and minimize suffering.

The immune system must receive nutrients in order to do its job. A nutrient is any ingested substance that is used in the metabolism of the body. There are several classes of nutrients: proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Water and oxygen are also considered nutrients. An essential nutrient is one whose role cannot be replaced by another and without which serious health problems will develop. (1)

It should also be noted here that a nutrient is a food – not a supplement. For the body to get all the needed nutrients, whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, should be eaten. Our bodies were built to be powered by food – not a substitute.

(1) 1986, “The Best Medicine” by Kurt Butler and Lynn Rayner, published by Harper & Row

HealthyStuff.org

Toxic Chemicals Persist

The 3rd Annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys was released Dec. 2, 2009 by the Ecology Center at www.HealthyStuff.org. Nearly 700 popular 2009 children’s products were tested by researchers for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC, and other harmful chemicals.  The Guide was released in time to help consumers make better choices for their families this holiday shopping season.  The Ecology Center is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

HealthyStuff.org, has tested more than 4,000 children’s products over the past three years.  Lead has been steadily decreasing in toys the researchers said. In fact, the number of products with lead exceeding current federal standards for lead in toys (300 ppm) decreased by 2/3 (67%) since 2007. However, one in three of all toys tested (32%) this holiday season still contained one or more harmful chemicals including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. In addition, 18 percent of the products tested this holiday season (119 of 669) still contained detectable lead, including the Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit, Dora the Explorer Activity Tote, and the Kids Poncho from WalMart. PVC, a ‘worst in class’ plastic because of life cycle concerns, is still present in 42% of children’s products. 

“The toxic chemicals that we find are a fraction of the thousands of chemicals that can be present in everyday products, including those intended for children,” said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center’s lead researcher, who founded HealthyStuff.org. “We need a major overhaul of our chemicals policies immediately to start phasing out these dangerous substances.”

Quick Search For Toys

This year at HealthyStuff.org, holiday shoppers can search for toys by product name, UPC code, product type, manufacturer, or retailer to easily find products that have No, Low, Medium, or High levels of toxic chemicals. Also available is a personalized holiday wish list that can be sent to family and friends, blog-friendly widgets in English and Spanish, a mobile application, and quick searches for toy rankings via SMS texting in English and Spanish.

In addition to toys, HealthyStuff.org testing includes shoes, belts, wallets, handbags, and backpacks. While levels of lead in toys have declined, adult and children’s apparel continues to show high levels of lead. For instance, over half of the 100 plastic handbags tested contain > 1,000 ppm lead. Babies and young children are the most vulnerable to toxic chemicals since their brains and bodies are still developing and because they commonly put toys, other products, and their hands into their mouths.

*
Highlights from the HealthyStuff.org 2009 findings:

• Lead Declining But Still in Toys – Lead was detected in 18% (119 out of 669) products tested by HealthyStuff.org this year. In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended a level of 40 parts per million (ppm) of lead as the maximum that should be allowed in children’s products. Seven percent (44) of this year’s toys tested at levels above 40 ppm. Three percent (17) of this year’s products tested at levels above 300 ppm, the federal recall standard used for lead material substrates in children’s products.
• It’s Not Just Lead – Other dangerous chemicals are still found in toys. One-in-three (32%) toys tested this year contained one or more of the hazardous chemicals tested for by HealthyStuff.org. Of those, cadmium was found at levels greater than 100 ppm in 3.3% of products (22 of 669 total products). Arsenic was detected at levels greater than 100 ppm in 1.3% of products (9 of 669 total products).
• Many Plastic Toys Still Made of PVC – HealthyStuff.org identifies products made of PVC by measuring their chlorine content. 42% of toys tested this year contained PVC. This percentage has remained constant for the past three years. PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective because it creates major hazards in its manufacture, product life, and disposal and can contain additives that are dangerous to human health. Lead, cadmium and other heavy metals are also commonly added to PVC products.
• Safe Toys are Possible - Many manufacturers are already doing it :two-thirds (68%) of the products tested in 2009 did not contain any lead, cadmium, arsenic, or mercury, including many made in China. These results show that manufacturers can make toys free of unnecessary toxic chemicals. 58% of children’s products were made without PVC.

To sample the toys, HealthyStuff.org experts used a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer that identifies the elemental composition of materials. This accurate device has been used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to screen packaging; the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to screen food; and, by many State and County Health Departments to screen for residential lead paint.

Senate Hearing On Toxic Substances Control Act

Today, the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee will hear testimony from three key federal agencies about the need to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – the obsolete law passed in 1976 to regulate chemicals. To date, the EPA has required testing on only about 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals that have been on the market since the law passed 33 years ago. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) are expected to introduce a new bill soon to reform this outdated law.

Also today, environmental commissioners from 13 states released principles that call for updating and strengthening TSCA while preserving state implementation and management rights. These principles include: protecting the most vulnerable including pregnant women and children; requiring manufacturers to provide health, safety, and use data on chemicals; demonstrating that chemicals in commerce are safe; identifying safer alternatives to toxic chemicals in keeping with the principles of green chemistry; and, assessing the safety of emerging chemicals of concern including nanoscale materials before they enter into widespread commerce. The following states joined in issuing the principles: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

“There is growing concern from an array of voices about our weak federal law being helpless to prevent human exposure to toxic chemicals on a daily basis,” stated Andy Igrejas, Campaign Director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “The time is right to enact strong reform to our toxic chemical laws, so that we can better protect our health and our children.”

About HealthyStuff.org – HealthyStuff.org is based on research conducted by environmental health organizations and other researchers around the country. The Ecology Center created HealthyStuff.org and leads its research and development. The Ecology Center is a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental organization that works at the local, state, and national levels for clean production, healthy communities, environmental justice, and a sustainable future.

GlowCap: Courtesy of vitality

GlowCap Reminder Light. Courtesy of Vitality

GlowCaps use light and sound to signal when it is time to take medications, record when a pill bottle is opened, and wirelessly relay this information to compile adherence reports. These reports are emailed weekly to people using GlowCaps and their designated caregivers and doctors. If the bottle is not opened after a few hours, a call reminds the individual not to forget. GlowCaps also help with refills by connecting a patient to their pharmacy as pills deplete. The Internet connected GlowCap is now available for $99 on Amazon.com.

“GlowCaps’ keep caregivers in the loop,” said Vitality Chief Executive Officer David Rose. “Millions of Americans struggle to balance work, family and caring for our aging parents. GlowCaps are a simple tool to support a remote parent and keep them independent as long as possible. Proper medication adherence is perhaps the most critical piece of the remote care puzzle.”

According to AARP, 34 million Americans spend an average 21 hours a week helping elderly relatives.(1) When people cannot provide sufficient care for their loved ones, admission into assisted living programs is often the only solution. The World Health Organization claims 23% of nursing home admissions are caused by low adherence to prescription medications.(2) Nursing homes, which are often the only way to monitor and ensure medication adherence, costs on average $69,715 per year with a room-mate.(3)

Vitality’s products and services are designed especially for people challenged with managing chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and depression where maintaining high adherence to daily medications is critical for long-term health. The GlowCaps medication reminder solves this problem. Currently, Harvard Medical School, Duke Business School, and a number of major pharmaceutical companies are running their own randomized controlled trials to quantify the impact of GlowCaps on specific populations, conditions and therapies.

Source: Vitality press release

About Vitality
Vitality solves the billion-dollar adherence problem for pharmaceutical companies, retail pharmacies, and
healthcare providers. Vitality’s products and services motivate people to take their medications as
prescribed using social feedback, financial incentives, reminders, caregiver support, and automated
pharmacy refills. For more information visit: www.vitality.net

References:
1 Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Family Caregiving 2008 Update. AARP 2008.
2 Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action. World Health Organization 2003.
3 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs. MetLife 2008.
# # #

Great Value Half & Half

Great Value Heavy Whipping Cream

Kroger Heavy Whipping Cream

Wholesome Farms Chocolate Ice cream Mix

Morningstar Foods is voluntarily recalling the products because they may contain soy protein. The plant code for all the recalled products is: 21-031.

People who have a known allergy to soy protein may have a reaction to these products. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, vomiting and stomach or intestinal upset. If a consumer experiences any of the above symptoms, they should see their health care professional immediately. If left untreated, severe allergic reaction can be fatal. No reactions have been reported. The problem was discovered when consumers reported off-taste in some of these products.

Here are the recalled dairy products, listed with the product’s name, UPC code, item code, and plant code.
* 32-ounce Great Value Half & Half, UPC 6 05388 187 16 1, item code 1871600, plant code 21-031;
* 32-ounce Great Value 36% Heavy Whipping Cream, UPC 6 05388 187 18 5, item code 1871800, plant code 21-031;
* 32-ounce Kroger brand 36% Heavy Whipping Cream, UPC 0 11110 438 28 7, item code 4382900, plant code 21-031; and
* 64-ounce Wholesome Farms Chocolate Ice Cream Mix, UPC 0 74865 57 983 4 (if purchased in a multi-pack, the UPC code is 1 00 74865 57983 1), item code 5798300, plant code 21-031.

Each carton is printed with a “use by” date. For the Great Value products, it is December 16, 2009. The Kroger products have a “use by” date of December 16 and 17, 2009 and the Wholesome Farms product is January 7, 2010. Consumers can find the expiration date and the plant code on the top of the gable top package. The UPC code will either be located on the back or the side panel of the gable top carton. No other Great Value, Kroger or Wholesome Farms products are involved in this recall.

The affected product was distributed to retail outlets in the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Morningstar Foods’ sales team is working with distributors to actively recover any affected product remaining on store shelves.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RECALLED PRODUCT
This recall includes only the products listed below. Each product is sold in a cardboard gable-top carton. Consumers can find the expiration date and the plant code on the top of the gable top package. The UPC code will either be located on the back or the side panel of the gable top carton. No other Great Value, Kroger or Wholesome Farm products are involved in this recall.

* 32-ounce Great Value Half & Half: UPC 6 05388 187 16 1, item code 1871600, plant code 21-031, “use by” date of December 16, 2009
* 32-ounce Great Value 36% Heavy Whipping Cream: UPC 6 05388 187 18 5, item code 1871800, plant code 21-031, “use by” date of December 16, 2009
* 32-ounce Kroger brand 36% Heavy Whipping Cream: UPC 0 11110 438 28 7, item code 4382900, plant code 21-031, “use by” date of December 16 and 17, 2009
* 64-ounce Wholesome Farms Chocolate Ice Cream Mix: UPC 0 74865 57 983 4, item code 5798300, plant code 21-031, “use by” date of January 7, 2010 (if purchased in a multi-pack, the UPC code is 1 00 74865 57983 1)

The Company apologizes for any inconvenience to its customers. Consumers who purchased the product may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Consumers with questions can contact the Company at 800-854-3243 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central Time.

The Food and Drug Administration has been notified of this recall.

###

Photos: Product Labels

Photo Courtesy of Harvard School of Public Health

Researchers at  Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)  conducted a survey from Sept. 14th throught Sept. 20th, 2009 about the H1N1 flu vaccine.  The survey, released Oct. 2nd, found that only 40% of adults are “absolutely certain” they will get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves, and 51% of parents are “absolutely certain” that they will get the vaccine for their children. The survey examined the reasoning among those who said they would not get the vaccine or might not. This is the fourth in a series of surveys of public views concerning the H1N1 flu outbreak.   The survey was undertaken by the Harvard Opinion Research Program at HSPH.

Click here for the complete survey.

Click here for the charts.

When you buy groceries, you expect the food to be safe.  If there is a problem and food is found to not be safe, you expect that food to be removed from store shelves immediately.  For the most part, that is what happens.  Food manufacturers and suppliers will do a voluntary recall of a product when it is discovered that the food is defective, not labeled properly,  or unsafe in any way.  The FDA also issues food recalls.

The Food Industry has had it’s own recall system in place for years which complies with the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reportable Food Registry.  That system has just been replaced with a new standardized food recall system.  Named “Rapid Recall Exchange”, the new system was launched Sept. 21st by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and GS1 US™.

Will Benefit The Public

Rapid Recall Exchange is an on-line service to enable prompt and accurate information exchange between food industry retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers about food recalls and products withdrawn from the market.

” Rapid Recall Exchange represents industry consensus that a standardized product recall system is critical to enhancing effective communication.  It is a system designed by the industry and for the industry, which applies best practices and critical insight and expertise from industry partners and associations,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI President and CEO.

Bob Carpenter, CEO of GS1 US stated,  “This will benefit the public as well as the companies that use it.  It employes the same GS1 global standards that these companies already use to identify their products, stock their shelves, and accelerate check-outs.  Its ease of use and extensive functionality can improve the speed and accuracy of recalls, which we all want.”

Supported by GMA and N.G.A.

Rapid Recall Exchange is supported by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and National Grocers Association (N.G.A.).

The president and CEO of GMA, Pamela G. Bailey stated,  “Manufacturers are eager to work closely with retailers and wholesalers to facilitate information exchange, especially during the urgent time of a product recall.  We are pleased to support this unique tool that will help protect consumers by providing critical product information directly to those who can act on it quickly.”

Tom Zaucha, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, had this to say,  “N.G.A. is encouraged with the progress and direction of the Rapid Recall Exchange.  This is a critical initiative for our industry that requires leadership and proven solutions on such an important consumer issue.  Additionally, we are pleased to be working with FMI, GMA, and GS1 US and soon other associations to strengthen our product recall process.

More information is available at http://www.rapidrecallexchange.org.

phil.cdc.gov

A look into the brains of obese and overweight people finds less than you might have thought.

HHS HealthBeat (September 21, 2009) From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

“Persons with obesity had 8 percent less brain tissue than those with a healthy weight. Overweight individuals had a 4 percent reduction in their brain tissue compared to healthy weight,” stated Dr. Cyrus Raji.

Dr. Cyrus Raji of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine examined brain images on 94 people in their 70s, who remained healthy physically and mentally five years after the scans were made.

Dr. Raji says obese people in particular had less brain matter in areas responsible for attention and planning, and long-term memory. He says it’s a good reason for diet and exercise.

The study in the journal Human Brain Mapping was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.