Watery Diarrhea|Vomiting And Diarrhea|Toddler Diarrhea

Cancer itself may not be problematic; in fact many types of cancer can continue to grow in the body without any warning signs at all, until it is quite widespread or starts causing other organs to malfunction. For this reason, it is important that all screening test schedules be adhered to. However, even with proper screening there are times when the cancer can grow without notice. In most cases of cancers that are deemed treatable there are three courses of action which may be taken individually or in some combination with one another. These are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The side effects of both chemo and radiation can make a patient miserable and may seem like they are worse than the cancer itself. These include: nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anemia, hair loss, fatigue, mouth ulcers and sores, yeast infections, depression and anxiety, insomnia and pain. All of these problems by themselves can be hard enough to handle, but they often all come at the same time.

In addition, you get these side effects while you are trying to cope with cancer and recovering from surgery or other treatments as well. The last thing that people who are going through this want to do is to eat, however, solid nutrition will be what gives your body and mind the strength to fight back and get back to better health.

While each patient should follow individual recommendations from their doctor for their own care, it is generally agreed that those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer care need to have increased nutrition which includes:

- Whey and other protein supplements for health and caloric boost

- Glutamine, an amino acid found in proteins

- Antioxidants

- Green tea

Whey Protein, Protein Supplements and MCT

The reasons that most cancer patients lose a lot of weight are simple: a lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea which are common side-effects and finally, the fact that a large portion of the foods that are eaten will not be absorbed properly by the body because of the chemotherapy. These three factors working together can make the chemo patient weaker and weaker and may leave them susceptible for a number of infections and other problems at their worst moment.

MCT - MCT is a highly absorbable, high calorie oil containing a fat which is a medium chain triglycerides. There are a number of different products which contain MCT, available from your health care professional who can also recommend how much of the product you should use.

Whey Protein-- Whey protein is easily absorbable and boosts the immune system in a number of ways, first by supplying immunoglobulins. Whey protein also helps to boost the optimal intake of other proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for overall health. Glutathione is increased by whey protein. Glutathione is an antioxidant which is necessary for a healthy immune system. (See the antioxidant section for more information) Glutathione also lowers the risk of some infections and may inhibit the growth of some tumors. (Source: Badger)

Whey protein is an optimal source of amino acids, necessary for a number of the body's functions. The whey protein isolate has 90% protein but less lactose, especially beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant (Source: Segounis). In addition, whey protein is also important to prevent muscle breakdown which may be a problem in the presence of lowered caloric intake. The body, needing energy will use up the energy reserves and will then turn to the muscles for more energy, breaking them down and leaving the body even weaker.

Protein Supplements -- A lack of appetite can be a major problem. If there is a moment when you do feel hungry, you should have a snack that is handy to have when you are ready. Protein snacks and supplements include shakes, bars and liquid protein supplement shots. Protein bars should have a high amount of protein but limited sugars because the sugar, can depress an already stressed immune system.

Supplements like the liquid protein shot, is a good choice because it is portable (it comes in a virtually non-breakable plastic tube) small enough to be carried anywhere, and can be consumed in only a few seconds (it is 2.9 fluid ounces). It gives a full 25 grams of protein per serving as well.

Glutamine -- Glutamine is an important amino acid, one of many that is synthesized by the human body on its own. Adding a supplement of this amino acid can protect the cells which line the intestinal tract and can be damaged by chemotherapy or radiation treatments. (Source: Gottlieb, 2000). Before adding any type of supplement however, speak to your doctor who may have other suggestions or may disagree with their use.

Amino acids are important, and are the building blocks that many functions are built upon. The body makes a number of amino acids beyond glutamine, however, it cannot make eight of them. The eight amino acids not made by the body must come from the foods that we eat- both from animal and plant based sources.

Animal proteins are complete, meaning that they have all eight of these amino acids. Plant proteins are not complete because they typically are missing one or more of the amino acids. The only exception to this is soy protein which is complete. The eight essential amino acids are: threonine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine. In children, histadine is also needed from food sources.

Antioxidants -- Antioxidants are meant to prevent the damage of free radicals in the body. Free radicals also multiply in the body because of sun damage, smoking, poor diet and other factors. Whether antioxidants are good for cancer patients or not is a serious debate. Chemotherapy generates free radicals to destroy the cancerous cells. On one side of this debate are the doctors who believe that since antioxidants seek out and neutralize free radicals, then those who are using chemo should avoid antioxidants or at the very least not add extras to their diet. However, there are doctors who think that antioxidants not only boosts the effectiveness of the chemo or radiation treatment, but also lessens the worrisome side effects! (Source: Gottlieb, 2000)

Your own doctor may be on the opposite side of the antioxidant debate than you yourself are. You may want to present your side of the issue and work out a discussion together. Your best care depends on everyone being on the same page, working as a team.

Green Tea -- Green tea, as well as other teas can help people to feel better. It also is beneficial for its anti-cancer properties. You can drink several cups of green tea per day, either hot or cold depending on taste. In addition, you can use green tea supplements as well. Again, before starting any supplements, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

References

Dr. Thomas Badger, the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

Bill Gottlieb. Alternative Cures, The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems. Orion Press. United States of America 2000

Sofia Segounis, Nutritionist. Protein Powders truestarhealth.com

Based on surveys, the leading causes of death among Toy Poodles are old age and kidney disease. Yes kidney disease! While it affects lots of people around the world, kidney disease is also common in dogs such as Toy Poodles.

The kidneys are organs that filter blood to maintain the balance of chemicals, remove the waste products and eliminate them as urine. The kidneys also regulate blood pressure, regulate the production of body fluid and produce hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells.

Since the kidneys play various roles for the continued health of humans and animals alike, a malfunction in this organ can cause various problems. Canine kidney failure or kidney disease occurs when the kidney ceases to function properly and becomes unable to eliminate harmful wastes from the bloodstream. Kidney disease can either be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure is an abrupt decline in kidney function that results to poisoning or external toxins. On the other hand, chronic kidney failure is a kidney disease that develops over a period of time.

Increase in water consumption as well as increased urine production are the early clinical signs of kidney failure in dogs. As the disease progresses, more signs can be seen. These includes loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and ulcers in the mouth.

To diagnose and determine the disease, urinalysis and blood tests such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine are necessary. To treat the disease, large quantities of intravenous fluids are given to flush out the kidneys. This process, called diuresis, helps stimulate the kidney cells to function again. Other initial treatments include drugs to control vomiting and diarrhea, management of blood electrolyte abnormalities and management of anemia.

Diet and nutrition also plays an important role in treating the disease. A low-protein, low-phosphorus and low-sodium diet is advisable to help regulate or slow down the progression of the disease. As much as possible, give diet that is specifically formulated for your dog's needs. Foods specifically formulated for dogs with kidney disease has a reduced amount of protein, minerals and salt.

Added advice to all dog owners, puppy proof your home before Fido arrives. Make sure that household chemicals even laundry detergents and bleach should be out of your dog's reach. Regular check up is also advisable especially in adult dogs to detect kidney disease early.

Diaper rash is an extremely uncomfortable, but usually preventable, condition which many infants experience. It is a form of dermatitis on the buttocks, genitals, or thigh folds. One of the main causes of this type of dermatitis is prolonged contact with moisture. Moisture causes the natural skin oils to be stripped from the outer layer of skin which leads to an increased susceptibility to infection by bacteria or sometimes a yeast infection.

Some babies are more prone to diaper rash than others. A flat red rash is probably cause by friction of the diaper on the baby's delicate skin. This type of rash is usually closer to the edges of the waist or leg bands of the diaper. This type of rash does not typically cause much discomfort. This can also be caused by laundry detergents. These rashes should be easy to treat and avoid with proper attention.

Seborrheic dermatitis is sort of like cradle cap in the diaper area. It is similarly scaly and greasy and may be more pronounced in the folds of the skin. Yeast is the most common infectious cause of diaper rash. The affected areas are bumpy and very red with distinct borders and lesions in more severe cases. This type of dermatitis can occur after an illness is treated with antibiotics, which kill the good bacteria that normally keeps the body's naturally occurring yeast in check. Repeated or stubborn diaper rash caused by yeast infections may require medical attention since the condition will not go away with standard treatments.

A baby with a skin rash that is blistered or bleeding, should be seen by a doctor. Antibiotics can be prescribed for painful itching if it is caused by bacteria. This can be administered topically or systemically, depending on the size of the area affected and the severity of the infection.

Anti-fungal creams such as Lotrimin, can be used to treat yeast-caused rashes. When a stronger approach is required, mild steroid creams like hydrocortisone 0.5-1% can be used, such as in the case of seborrheic dermatitis. Prescriptions are commonly used for the short-term treatment of stubborn cases.

There are alternative treatments for diaper rash. To begin with, proper hygiene is the first line of defense in preventing simple cases of diaper rash. Wet or dirty diapers must be changed ASAP. A good idea is to let babies have some time without their diaper each day, just to air things out. Babies that are prone to more serious diaper rash outbreaks actually do better with reusable cloth diapers rather than the common, plastic disposable diapers. This is probably because cotton diapers breathe better than plastic. Some experimentation with different diapers may be necessary to find out what works best for each baby.

Another thing to be cautious about, especially in cases of severe diaper rash, are baby wipes. Some wipes contain alcohol or other additives that can irritate. A quick bath with a small amount of mild soap is the best way to clean a baby with a bad rash.

Barrier ointments can be useful for the treatment of skin rashes. Those white, pasty creams that contain zinc oxide, are particularly effective. They will protect already irritated skin from the chafing and irritation caused by urine and feces, especially diarrhea. Cornstarch powder works well for rashes that are moist or oozing.

Following some of these simple guidelines will help resolve most ordinary diaper rashes pretty quickly if there is no serious underlying associated skin disease. Frequent diaper changes is the most basic rule of thumb to keep skin dry, healthy and rash free. Figuring out what works best in terms of diapers and cleansing products for each baby will also go a long way in preventing diaper rash flare ups.

There are many prescription drugs for acne. However, each drug has
its own idiosyncracies so it is important for a patient to work
closely with his dermatologist in order to minimize any negative
effects.

Adapalene is one acne drug, a gel which is known under the brand
name of Differin. This drug reduces the pace at which skin cells
build up within the hair follicle, thus minimizing the clogging
of pores. However, patients taking Differin must avoid being
exposed to sunlight to minimize side effects.

Azelaic acid is another acne prescription drug. This cream is
manufactured using the brand name Azelex. Azelaic acid is believed
to eliminate the bacteria P. Acnes which causes acne.

It is also perceived to assist in rejuvenating the skin at a
faster rate while stopping the buildup of cells which can clog
pores. This cuts down on pimple and blackhead formation.
Side effects consist of tingling, stinging, burning and itching
sensations.

The third acne drug on this list is the anti-bacterial agent
Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is sold as both
over-the-counter and prescription preparations. It is known to
eliminate P. acnes while providing a gentle drying and peeling
effect that is believed to cut down on breakouts.

However, around 30% of people may show allergic reactions to this
product such as skin inflammations or severe crusting.

The fourth prescription drug is the antibiotic Clindamycin.
This medication that also destroys P. Acnes can be bought as a
lotion, gel or as a solution which is usually applied twice a day.
Side effects in around 10% of people showed up as dryness,
redness, peeling, itching and burning.

However, some cases of inflammation of the colon, bloody diarrhea,
and diarrhea have also been noted.

Another antibiotic is Erythromycin. Consult your dermatologist
about using other products on your skin in conjunction with
erythromycin applications because this might be too irritating.

Accutane is the brand name of the vitamin A derivative
isotretinoin. It is consumed as a pill for 15 to 20 weeks
specifically for cases of severe nodular acne which cannot be
addressed by other forms of treatment. However, Accutane is
contraindicated in pregnant women due to the significantly high
risk of infant deformities.

The oral antibiotics doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline
are also used to treat acne. These drugs help cut down on the
growth of the P. Acnes bacteria from the inside out. In addition,
Tetracycline is used for its anti-inflammatory effect.

Birth control pills are used to treat acne as well. Ortho
Tri-Cyclen, a popular pill, is known to decrease amounts of
testosterone in women which in turn cuts down on breakouts.
The downside is that there are many side effects experienced with
use of birth control pills.

The sulfonamide Sodium Sulfacetamide is employed for its
antibacterial effect on the skin. However, deaths have been
recorded in reaction to sulfonamide use. Other less severe side
effects are burning, stinging, and irritation.

The gel Tazorac contains the vitamin A derivative tazorotene.
Research showed 50% less lesion counts after 12 weeks of usage.
Like Accutane, it should not be prescribed to pregnant women to
avoid fetal deformities.

The drug Tretinoin is actually a combination of vitamin A acid
and retinoic acid. It is produced in liquid, gel, and cream form
for application on the skin. It is popularly used to treat
wrinkles or sun-damaged skin as well as acne.

One symptom of bowel dysfunction is diarrhea. Diarrhea is when food passes through and out of the bowel very quickly.

When does diarrhea occur? Diarrhea is usually a reaction to food poisoning. You have eaten food which is full of bugs; the body's defense mechanism is engaged and the food is expelled from the body as fast as possible.

Diarrhea may also occur when you are tense or scared. Ancient man was born with a flight or fight response. What this means is that when ancient man faced dangers that could kill him, the body produced adrenaline which either helped man run away or have the courage to face the danger. Humans today still have this defense response. These days it is stress, pace of life and the like that causes us to produce adrenaline rather than facing Woolly Mammoths. The effect of adrenaline on the body is to speed up bodily functions including the gut; remember exam time or your driving test? You may also notice that your breathing is quicker, that you can't relax as easily as you used to or that you're more rushed to fit everything in. If your bowel is reacting to stress then you need more than a change in diet. You would need to relax more. This could mean taking up yoga, meditation, hypnosis or a more physical activity such as running.

If your stool is frequent and loose then it might be an idea to take a break from food and just drink fluids [not tea or coffee] for a day. It is thought that over cooking white or brown rice until it is a pulp is also easy on the digestion. Rice is a very mild food on the bowel, which is why you will find that on any exclusion diet, rice is still allowed. Linseed is also useful in reducing diarrhea as it acts as sponge by absorbing excess fluid in the bowel.

Turning to medicines should be a last resort. Medicines have their place in the treatment of illnesses but an eastern philosophy is useful to adopt here which is cure the cause not the symptom. If you are suffering diarrhea, then your body is telling you that it is using diarrhea to heal itself. Taking medicines now, like Imodium, may block the healing process. In addition it is possible that by taking a drug that prevents diarrhea you end up with constipation.

If you suffer alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea then seek a cure for the constipation first as the diarrhea maybe a by product of constipation. The lining of a constipated bowel maybe contaminated with toxins such that the body uses watery stools to flush the toxins away.

If your bowel symptoms persist, you must see your medical doctor. Do not self diagnose as your pain may be a sign something more dangerous.

One day I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. I was pudgy and sluggish. When I gain weight, it lingers around my middle. One day, I was in the bookstore and I picked up Jorge Cruise's The Belly Fat Cure. It's filled with quick fix 'bad versus great' photos, a thinly veiled attempt to hide just how terrible the Belly Fat Cure is for you. In short, the Belly Fat Cure is high on protein and fatty foods and less on carbs and sugar. Duh, everyone knows if you eat loads of saturated fats and meat, you don't just get fat, you get heart disease and all sorts of bad news. Like any good picture books I spent time looking at the "belly bad" versus "belly good" photos. These sound byte distractions keep you from reading the text. When you see things like fast food good; bananas bad, it's a red alert. Yes, the Belly Fat Cure promises that you can lose weight quickly but you'll just put it back on just as fast. Rapid weight loss is unnatural.

Why am I writing about the Belly Fat Cure? Today, I saw an email pitching Cruise's latest easy diet for women. While Cruise's diets aren't ones I'd ever do, the Belly Fat Cure was the first time I started thinking long and hard about my diet. I was vaguely aware of the studies about how people eat too much sugar, how obesity was on the rise, but those things didn't apply to me.

So I thought.

Around the same time I came across Jorge Cruise's diet plan, I was told I was pre-diabetic. Actually my doctor's pre-diabetic announcement was like an afterthought. "Come back and see me in 6 weeks and by the way you are pre-diabetic. Here's a prescription for metformin and a super sugary sucker. Happy pooping." One of Metformin's side effects is violent diarrhea. Metformin and I did not get along. I was constantly sick. I had a brief consultation with Google MD and decided to stop taking it. When I told my doctor the problems I was having with metformin, his answer was to take more not less. My blood sugar wasn't getting better. It was worse. I had to do something else. Since I wasn't going to pay attention to my doctor, I decided I needed to work my diet.

That is how the Belly Fat Cure comes into my life. While I think the diet is deplorable, it actually gave me a quick way to count my carb/sugar intake. I researched the recommended daily allowances for a woman, and made that my base number. The Belly Fat Cure says 15g. I started at 40g and gradually reduced the number from there. Right now the recommended daily allowance for women is 20g and 36g for men. I don't know what my sugar intake is any more since I monitor my glucose now. Non-Diet soda and pasta, high in carbs and sugar, were the first two things eliminated from my diet.

But it didn't help...

Diet alone wasn't enough to control my blood sugar. I found a new doctor. With new medications and a strict portion control diet, my blood sugar numbers are stable, and I feel better than ever.

Belly Fat Cure is a fad diet. But Jorge Cruise's book was a catalyst, a spark that started my journey on the road to changing my diet for the better.

If you have made major changes to your diet unrelated to illness or disease, what was the spark that got started?

Shih Tzu allergies are as common as other diseases that effect both dogs and humans. In fact, both Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu owners may suffer from some common diseases such as diabetes, cardiac problems, obesity and many others. And Shih Tzu allergies may occur more or less in the same way as with human. Although diseases like diabetes, cardiac problems or obesity may stem from unhealthy dietary and physical activity management, allergies may occur from many different types of allergens.

As asserted by veterinarians, Shih Tzu allergies may show the most common symptom of itching sensation all over the skin area. Shih Tzu allergies may occur in the respiratory system as well. When the allergies occur in the respiratory system most commonly the symptoms like coughing, sneezing and wheezing become apparent. In fact, there is a great similarity between the symptoms occurring in both humans and Shih Tzu dogs. Nose and eyes discharge frequently just like with a cold or the flu. Allergies may affect the digestive system also. If so, Shih Tzu may exhibit symptoms like vomiting, watery stools or diarrhea.

There are different forms of Shih Tzu allergies. In other words, Shih Tzu may suffer from various forms of allergies. For example, Shih Tzu may have allergies from flea's saliva. In order to conclude whether a particular Shih Tzu is susceptible to flea saliva, it is essential to take the dog in for a skin allergy examination. If it is discovered that the Shih Tzu is allergic to the flea saliva it is best to implement a flea control program, however the owner should take care about using the safest products possible.

Some individuals are allergic to certain types of foods. The same is true for few Shih Tzu dogs. There are certain food products such as beef, soy products, fish, eggs, chemical preservatives, milk, wheat and artificial sweeteners that may cause allergic reactions in Shih Tzu dogs. Additionally, food allergies may also occur due to the consumption of non-verified foods. Providing only commercially manufactured dog foods to the Shih Tzu can minimize the possibility of developing food allergies.

Atopic dermatitis is another significant type of Shih Tzu allergies. This occurs mainly because of the hypersensitivity towards the immune system caused by different environmental substances such as molds or dust mites. The common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are excessively licking and chewing of the paws, abdomen and rear feet. This allergic reaction affects the armpit region, in-between the toes of the paws, and in the groin.

Shih Tzus may become allergic due to a bacterial infection. This can seriously affect the health of a Shih Tzu. Typically, the Shih Tzu has certain types of bacteria over their skin, while most of them are harmless to them. These bacteria belong to Staphylococcus family. However, there are certain other types that cause allergies to them. The most common symptoms of bacterial allergy are hair loss and the formation of marks resembling ringworm in the affected skin area. Statistically, it is estimated that over twenty percent of the dog population in the United States are affected by allergic reactions.

An increase in bowel frequency, or diarrhea, can occur if the amount of fluid in the lumen increases or if propulsive muscular contraction of the gut wall is enhanced. Parasympathetic cholinergic (muscarinic) stimulation increases motility, for example drugs such as the anticholinesterase neostigmine, used to treat myasthenia gravis. This is overcome in practice by giving atropine or another antimuscarinic agent to block the parasympathetic effects, but not those at skeletal muscle.

Prostaglandins alter gut motility. The synthetic prostaglandin misoprostol, used in peptic ulcer and in non-steroidal induced disease, can cause dose-related borborygmi and diarrhea, the effect being direct upon the enteric musculature.

Mefenamic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used (among other conditions) in the treatment of period pain, may also cause diarrhoea, perhaps related to steatorrhoea or to colitis. The mechanism is unclear as inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis would be expected to cause constipation.

Other non-steroidal agents, including those used to treat ulcerative colitis, are prone to cause gastrointestinal adverse effects. Abdominal discomfort and nausea are not uncommon class effects. The 5aminosalicylate olsalazine, consisting of two 5-aminosalicylate moieties linked by a diazo-bond which is cleaved in the lower bowel, can cause watery diarrhea. The same can occur, but less frequently, with the simple molecule present in coated mesalazine tablets. Sulphasalazine and other aminosalicylates can in addition (rarely) cause an inflammatory hypersensitivity reaction with bloody diarrhoea which is indistinguishable from non-specific colitis. Both the watery diarrhea and the hypersensitivity-associated diarrhea can pose diagnostic problems in patients with ulcerative colitis. In the first instance, the treatment should be stopped and corticosteroids substituted in those with overt inflammatory reactions.

The antibiotic erythromycin can cause diarrhea by a specific action related to its ability to bind to motilin receptors in the gut, an effect which may prove to be exploitable in managing the gut paresis of patients with diabetes mellitus when other treatments fail. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, such as fluvoxamine and fluoxetine, can all induce diarrhea, presumably as a direct result of increased tissue serotonin concentration.

Once considered to be the problem of only 羹ber rich countries, obesity rates are rising in horrific proportions all across the world. According to a study conducted by WHO, in the year 2008, 1.5 billion people over the age of 20 were found to be obese. The rate steadily increases with age, at least up to 50 to 60 years. Obesity is nothing more than excessive accumulation of fat in different parts of the body. If left unattended, it can cause serious health problems like type-2 diabetes, stroke, heart failure, hypertension, arthrosclerosis, gout, sleep apnea, cancer, osteoarthritis, and so on.

The four well-known remedies for weight reduction are dietary restrictions, exercise, medications and physical therapies. Unfortunately, all of them are associated with deleterious side effects. For instance, too much of physical exercise can injure the skeletal muscles, tendons and ligaments. Additionally, it can also cause fatigue, insomnia, depression and amenorrhea. Similarly, if you drastically cut down your food intake, you're likely to suffer from nutritional disorders as osteoporosis, scurvy, anemia, pellagra, goiter, etc. Medications and physical therapies also produce damaging side effects.

Is there a safe and effective way to lose weight? Well, the answer is white kidney bean extract. It is a unique nutritional supplement that removes all the extra fat from the body by blocking carbohydrate metabolism. To digest the carbohydrates, your body releases an enzyme called alpha-amylase. White kidney bean extract inhibits the release of alpha-amylase. As the result, approximately one-third of the carbohydrates are driven out of your body without digestion. For sustenance, your body needs a specific amount of energy. If carbohydrates in your food fails to provide sufficient amount of energy, the stored fat is broken down to replenish the shortage. Thus, by blocking carbohydrate metabolism, the extract activates lipolysis and thereby helps you to lose weight safely and quickly.

The effectiveness of the extract has been demonstrated in a study published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences. 60 obese volunteers took part in the study. They were divide into two groups. While group-I was given white kidney bean extract one-hour before a carbohydrate-rich meal, group-II was given placebo. At the end of 30-days study period, group-I showed greater decrease in body weight as compared to the volunteers of group-II. Except for mild diarrhea and flatulence, no detrimental side effects were noticed. With habituation, diarrhea and flatulence also disappeared.

Apart from being a potent weight-loss supplement, white kidney bean extract is also a powerful antioxidant specifically due to the presence of p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. The oxidation reactions usually produce free radicals, which are capable of starting chain reactions. These chain reactions can cause either cell death or damage. Phenolic compounds p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid inhibit the production of free radicals, and in this manner, they also prevent the production of cancer cells. The extract is also found to be rich is copper and molybdenum. While the former enhances the elasticity of joints and ligaments, the latter neutralizes the effect of various toxins. White kidney bean extract is effective against debilitating diseases like diabetes and sclerosis. Due to the presence of saponins, it also promotes antibacterial and antifungal activities in the body.

The common housefly - Musca domestica - lives for only a few weeks. But in that short time, the adult female can lay as many as 2,000 eggs. In warm weather, those eggs hatch in eight to 10 hours, creating new flies that continue breeding.

Flies thrive in moist places where there is garbage and feces. They are active in daylight or in artificial light and rest during darkness on walls, fences, wires or other objects.

"The housefly is attracted by the smell of fermenting or putrefying material. It feeds primarily on liquids, including moisture on decayed fruits and vegetables, fecal matter and water. It also seeks food on moist skin surfaces such as the mouth, eyes, sores and wounds. It dissolves dry substances with secretions from its salivary glands and by regurgitating part of the liquid present in its crop, thus producing what is known as a 'vomit spot,'" according to the editors of "Health Alert", a publication of the Health Action Information Network (HAIN).

Unlike other insects, flies don't bite but their bark is a lot worse for they can transmit many serious diseases. This usually occurs when they alight on animal and human feces and carry germs to food and water.

"The housefly can also transmit parasitic worms and cause skin infections. Furthermore, it leaves droppings on food and dishes, which may lead to contamination of food," said "Health Alert."

One of the diseases transmitted by flies is cholera, a severe and contagious condition that can cause death by dehydration. Cholera originated in India and is present in areas where sanitation is poor and improper hygiene is practiced.

The bacterium that causes cholera is found in human feces and is carried by flies to food or water. Once ingested, the bacterium takes up residence in the intestines, causing inflammation, diarrhea, vomiting and severe cramps in the arms, legs, and abdomen for the next three to 12 hours. Untreated, the victim collapses and may die in 24 hours.

Flies can also spread the bacterium that causes typhoid fever - another common illness. When contaminated food or water is ingested, the typhoid bacterium causes fever, headache, weakness or fatigue, and diarrhea in one to two weeks or sometimes after 60 days.

In a third of patients, complications like intestinal bleeding which is characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure, shock, and bloody stools may appear. Other rare complications of typhoid fever include pneumonia, meningitis, and infection of the bladder, kidney or spine. (Next: Protect yourself from dirty flies.)

To strengthen your body against diseases that bugs bring, take Immunitril - your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system.