Millions of people have celiac disease, but most don’t know they have it, in part because symptoms can be so varied. It is an often overlooked digestive disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is eaten.

Infertility seems to be more common in women with untreated celiac disease. Other gynecological and obstetrical problems may also be more common, including miscarriages and preterm births.

For men, problems can include abnormal sperm -- such as lower sperm numbers, altered shape, and reduced function. Men with untreated celiac disease may also have lower testosterone levels.

The good news is that with a simple blood test and proper treatment with a gluten-free diet and correction of nutritional deficiencies, the prognosis for future pregnancies is much improved.

To readmore,
New York Times February 3, 2010

There are lifestyle changes you can adopt that may reduce your chance of developing dementia by as much as 20 percent. A panel of independent experts evaluated more than 70 research papers and articles to come up with this series of tips for reducing your risk. 1. Exercise 2. Avoid Obesity 3. Normalise Blood Pressure 4. Avoid all Tobacco 5. Follow a Mediterranean Diet 6. Be Socially Active 7. Brain Training To read more,
BBC News February 3, 2010

The latest study done by the Environmental Working Group put together a shoppers guide to pesiticide residues on fruit and vegetables.

The six fruits or vegetables with the highest pesticide load were Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Pepper, Celery, Nectarine and Strawberries.

Source: Food News www.foodnews.org

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil preserve the genetic "fuse" that determines the lifespan of cells, say scientists. Research suggests that omega-3 has a direct effect on biological ageing by slowing down the rate at which protective caps on the ends of chromosomes shorten.

Source: The Guardian Weekly 29.01.10 31

Fish Oil supplements can dramatically reduce the chance of young people developing psychosis or schizophrenia, Australian researchers say.

Source: Article - Nick Miller Sydney Morning Herald Feb 2, 2010

In the September issue of The Lancet, Dr. Apar Ganti, of the University of Nebraska, argued that because Prempo shows no protection against coronary heart diesease, it's questionable whether hormone replacement should be used at all. September 29, 2009.

It’s already known that oxytocin exposure brings greater heart health but researchers have just found that oxytocin infusion reduces cell deaths in an injured heart & reduces inflammation that can slow healing. Other than going into labor, oxytocin is produced via skin-to-skin contact with another human being - simple touch and closeness. Contact with animals has some beneficial effect as well. Basic Research in Cardiology (Epub ahead of print)

Experts say as kids today are losing touch with nature, they're also suffering from serious, long-term consequences, now named Nature Deficient Disorder, NDD. Would you be more likely to find your child playing outdoors or sitting in front of a TV? On average, Australian children spend 6 hours a day playing videogames, watching TV, or sitting in front of a computer & less than 5 minutes outdoors -- a complete switch from a generation ago. Why the change? As outdoor play among children has dropped 50% over the last 20 years, health problems are on the rise. Child obesity rates are > 2x - an epidemic that could cost the health system $100 billion each year. Studies have also linked time outdoors to better grades, concentration, self-esteem and imagination & it's even been shown to reduce symptoms of ADHD.

A study reported in Sydney Morning Herald today found 1/3 pregnant women in NSW has her labour induced - a rise of >15% in past 10 years - with 1/2 of inductions done without a medical reason. Inducing labour, where women are given drugs such as oxytocin or prostaglandin to stimulate the cervix and start contractions, can increase the chances of a caesarean deliver or cause complications for both mother and baby. Both drugs also make labour more painful b/c contractions are stronger and longer, leading women to require more analgesia and more time to recover after the birth. The study also found that inductions in private hospitals had increased from 18% to 27%.

1. Canned Tomatoes: expert: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A: resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The acidity of tomatoes causes BPA to leach into your food.
2. Grain-fed Beef: Cattle were designed to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. A recent study found that grain-fed beef contained abnormally high levels of trans fats and low levels of Omega 3 oils compared to grass-fed beef.
3. Microwave Popcorn: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize into your popcorn.
4. Non-organic Potatoes: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting.
5. Farmed Salmon: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens, fed antibiotics to prevent infection & fed soy & poultry litter. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs & pesticides such as dioxin and DDT.
6. Conventional Apples: apples are one of the most highly sprayed fruit crops without a skin to peel off