They are the lifeblood of elite athletes and body builders looking to push their bodies to extremes – but experts warn those looking for a shortcut to fitness with food supplements had better do their homework first.
Loading up on protein can put high stress on important organs, while supplements with caffeine or appetite suppressants can provoke other health issues, they warn.
Selasi Berdie, a human performance specialist at Body Science, said people should reduce the intake of dietary supplements if they're training only once or twice a week.
He said the body had to work harder to expel unnecessary supplements, and an overdose of protein, with unmatched training, would put high stress on the liver and urinary system.
“Supplements that contain really high levels of caffeine or even appetiser suppressant pills are a lot more dangerous than nutritional overdose. But worst case scenario, an overdose of protein can cause kidney stones.”
However if you're doing intense exercise, four-to-five times a week, such as, cycling, running and heavy weight lifting, then the body will most likely demand more protein, enzymes and minerals than a healthy diet can easily supply, said Rachel Horscroft, exercise physiologist and nutritionist.
Horscroft said too much fresh protein in the form of meat, chicken and fish, could cause your body to become extremely acidic, leading to body fatigue, depressive tendencies and a drastic decline in your wellbeing.
“The tablets and powders are there for repair, as they come to use only once you've exercised. Don't load up, especially when you're sedentary or only slightly active,” she said.
And it's not just a protein-overdose that causes the imbalance; even excessive exercise can hike the acid levels, hindering the body from getting optimum results.
To compensate, Horscroft recommended a shot of wheatgrass on an empty stomach to rebalance the pH level of the body and make it more alkaline, and improve performance, vitality and energy levels.
“The body treats wheatgrass like real food – since it's cultivated in its most nutritious stage – and unlike taking synthetic vitamins, wheatgrass absorbs naturally and easily,” she said.
Another supplement suitable for every lifestyle, blood type, fitness levels and diet, is a good quality Omega-3, said Dr Angus Pyke, spokesperson for Chiropractors' Association of Australia.
“When the ratio between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats gets out of balance, the end result is an inflamed body. We are already consuming a lot of the former fat,” said Pyke.
Supplementing with Vitamin-D is also deemed to be a life changing choice, said Pyke because despite the abundance of sunshine in this country, research showed that the Vitamin D levels in Australian men were significantly low.
2011年12月11日星期日
2011年12月8日星期四
Boxing Braces for the Wrath of Khan
This Thursday Amir Khan—an ethnic Pakistani boxer from Bolton, England—will turn 25. The next evening in Washington, he'll defend his WBA and IBF light-welterweight world titles against Lamont Peterson in a marquee fight on HBO.
It's fair to assume that Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is 34, and Manny Pacquiao, who turns 33 this month, will be watching. Wladimir Klitschko, who together with his brother Vitali has dominated the heavyweight class for years, might have to tune in from bed. The 35-year-old had to withdraw from a fight this week after succumbing to a kidney stone. What they'll see is a fighter who is enormously popular—and whose name continues to pop up in conversations about the next great boxing supernova. The guiding star for Khan, who is 26-1 with 18 knockouts is, as he puts it, "to become the first fighter from the U.K. to be pound-for-pound best in the world."
To much hype, Khan turned pro at age 19 after winning a silver medal for Britain in the 2004 Olympics. He strung together 18 lopsided victories before colliding with a crushing left hook from Columbian Breidis Prescott in 2008 and suffering a first-round knockout.
Resiliency is a requirement in professional boxing. Khan peeled his psyche off the canvas of that knockout loss and began working with Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao's trainer. During their time together, Khan has already impressed his Hall of Fame trainer. "Amir is the best listener I've ever had," Roach said.
Khan's punishing jab comes in a flash and he can unleash a swarm of stinging blows in a nanosecond. However, after the Prescott debacle, Khan concentrated on improving his defense, increasing his lateral movement and getting angles that make him difficult to hit.
The wins followed. In 2009, Khan won a technical decision over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. A few months later, he scored a unanimous decision over Andriy Kotelnyk to become the WBA world light-welterweight king. Two more former champions, Paul Malignaggi and Zab Judah, have also become notches on Khan's title belt.
Roach believes that a 2010 war with the heavy-handed Marcos Maidana was the Rubicon in Khan's ring career. "In the 10th round Amir really got rocked," Roach said. "I was ready to stop the bout if he didn't respond well to my questions. But he went out and won the 11th round and the fight. I was so proud of him. That showed me he really has heart and that he can keep his head when he is hurt."
Khan has sparred a good deal with his stablemate Pacquiao. "They respect each other a lot," Roach said. "Amir emulates Manny in many ways. For example, when Amir gets hit hard he will step back, kind of shake his head and tap his gloves together as if to say, 'let's go.' That's just what Manny does. Both of them are exciting offensive fighters who will put themselves in harm's way to land a punch."
This may be Khan's last fight at the 140-pound weight limit. "I think my best weight is going to be at 147," he said. "I walk around now at 150 and at 147 I won't have to kill myself to get down to weight." Of course, 147 pounds is the El Dorado division of Pacquiao and Mayweather.
Before Khan can scale the heights of the best of the best, he has to pass the formidable test that the 27-year–old Peterson (29-1-1, 15 knockouts) will pose Saturday.
Peterson, whose younger brother Anthony is also a contender in the lightweight division, is strong and can box. A former National Golden Gloves champion, Peterson's only defeat was a decision loss to welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. Also on Peterson's ledger is a draw to Victor Ortiz. In that melee, Peterson went down twice but bravely fought back and managed to prevent Ortiz from getting the nod.
Still, powerful as he is, Peterson only boasts a 48% knockout ratio. He is not the volume puncher that Khan is. Peterson tends to stand in the pocket and does not move his head much.
Many suspect that the Khan's boxing braintrust believes Peterson is an easy mark—otherwise they would not be willing to take him on in his hometown of Washington. The consensus is that Khan has more experience in elite fights and is simply too quick. Once a homeless young boy, Peterson has overcome odds before. Khan's fast hands and dazzling combinations do not trouble him. In a conference call with the media, he said, "The thing about me. I'm a timing fighter… Timing beats speed all day. So, it's nothing to worry about his speed.
It's fair to assume that Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is 34, and Manny Pacquiao, who turns 33 this month, will be watching. Wladimir Klitschko, who together with his brother Vitali has dominated the heavyweight class for years, might have to tune in from bed. The 35-year-old had to withdraw from a fight this week after succumbing to a kidney stone. What they'll see is a fighter who is enormously popular—and whose name continues to pop up in conversations about the next great boxing supernova. The guiding star for Khan, who is 26-1 with 18 knockouts is, as he puts it, "to become the first fighter from the U.K. to be pound-for-pound best in the world."
To much hype, Khan turned pro at age 19 after winning a silver medal for Britain in the 2004 Olympics. He strung together 18 lopsided victories before colliding with a crushing left hook from Columbian Breidis Prescott in 2008 and suffering a first-round knockout.
Resiliency is a requirement in professional boxing. Khan peeled his psyche off the canvas of that knockout loss and began working with Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao's trainer. During their time together, Khan has already impressed his Hall of Fame trainer. "Amir is the best listener I've ever had," Roach said.
Khan's punishing jab comes in a flash and he can unleash a swarm of stinging blows in a nanosecond. However, after the Prescott debacle, Khan concentrated on improving his defense, increasing his lateral movement and getting angles that make him difficult to hit.
The wins followed. In 2009, Khan won a technical decision over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. A few months later, he scored a unanimous decision over Andriy Kotelnyk to become the WBA world light-welterweight king. Two more former champions, Paul Malignaggi and Zab Judah, have also become notches on Khan's title belt.
Roach believes that a 2010 war with the heavy-handed Marcos Maidana was the Rubicon in Khan's ring career. "In the 10th round Amir really got rocked," Roach said. "I was ready to stop the bout if he didn't respond well to my questions. But he went out and won the 11th round and the fight. I was so proud of him. That showed me he really has heart and that he can keep his head when he is hurt."
Khan has sparred a good deal with his stablemate Pacquiao. "They respect each other a lot," Roach said. "Amir emulates Manny in many ways. For example, when Amir gets hit hard he will step back, kind of shake his head and tap his gloves together as if to say, 'let's go.' That's just what Manny does. Both of them are exciting offensive fighters who will put themselves in harm's way to land a punch."
This may be Khan's last fight at the 140-pound weight limit. "I think my best weight is going to be at 147," he said. "I walk around now at 150 and at 147 I won't have to kill myself to get down to weight." Of course, 147 pounds is the El Dorado division of Pacquiao and Mayweather.
Before Khan can scale the heights of the best of the best, he has to pass the formidable test that the 27-year–old Peterson (29-1-1, 15 knockouts) will pose Saturday.
Peterson, whose younger brother Anthony is also a contender in the lightweight division, is strong and can box. A former National Golden Gloves champion, Peterson's only defeat was a decision loss to welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. Also on Peterson's ledger is a draw to Victor Ortiz. In that melee, Peterson went down twice but bravely fought back and managed to prevent Ortiz from getting the nod.
Still, powerful as he is, Peterson only boasts a 48% knockout ratio. He is not the volume puncher that Khan is. Peterson tends to stand in the pocket and does not move his head much.
Many suspect that the Khan's boxing braintrust believes Peterson is an easy mark—otherwise they would not be willing to take him on in his hometown of Washington. The consensus is that Khan has more experience in elite fights and is simply too quick. Once a homeless young boy, Peterson has overcome odds before. Khan's fast hands and dazzling combinations do not trouble him. In a conference call with the media, he said, "The thing about me. I'm a timing fighter… Timing beats speed all day. So, it's nothing to worry about his speed.
2011年12月7日星期三
While Arroyo gets special treatment, sick political prisoners barely survive
Relatives and supporters of political prisoners decried what they called “special treatment” accorded to former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as they demanded anew the release of political prisoners in the country, especially the sick and the elderly.
According to Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), there are 360 political prisoners in the country, including the 78 who were arrested under the Aquino administration. Eleven of them are elderly, while there are 43 who are sick. The group said these political prisoners should be released on humanitarian grounds.
“The political prisoners who have been languishing in jails for years don’t have money to buy for their medicines. And yet, the Aquino government will use people’s money for a human rights violator like Arroyo,” Fr. Dionito Cabillas of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), said.
Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga’s second district, has been under hospital arrest for charges of electoral sabotage. The local court recently issued a ruling ordering her transfer to the government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Malacanang expressed willingness to shoulder the costs of Arroyo’s hospitalization.
In the same vein, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casio said, “It is ironic that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the one responsible for so many human rights violations, is being given special treatment and even pampered by the Aquino administration while her victims have to go on a hunger strike just to air their demands that should and can readily be granted by the authorities.”
Since Dec. 3, political prisoners in various detention facilities have launched hunger strike and other forms of protest.
“Arroyo should be nowhere but in jail,” said Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general.
“This [special treatment to Arroyo] is unacceptable for the 360 political prisoners who are charged with trumped up charges and imprisoned because of political beliefs, who are now languishing in jails in dire conditions,” Ipong said.
“She has no life-threatening illness, but is very comfortable in the hospital. Political prisoners, on the other hand, do not receive proper medical treatment for their grave illnesses,” Ipong said.
The group cited the case of Crisanto Tomarse Fat who died of heart ailment while in jail at the Negros Provincial Jail on Sept. 20. Fat, a peasant leader in Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental, was falsely charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Rolando Paamogan, 47, arrested in January 2002, is suffering from diabetes, toxic goiter and congestive heart disease. Paamogan, a leader of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Ponpunan, Baybay, Leyte, is now detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. He has been confined at the NBP hospital, where facilities and attending medical personnel are scarce. On several occasions, he had been rushed to the clinic for shortness of breath and convulsive seizure. “He, who is not guilty of the trumped-up charges the government filed against him, has no money to buy for his medicines,” Cabillas said.
Another political prisoner detained at the NBP, Rogelio Natividad, 61, has been in jail for the last 20 years. “Compounding his long years of imprisonment are the inhumane conditions in jail where there is meager food ration and poor hygiene which has resulted in his kidney infection, ulcer and hypertension. He has been found to have kidney stones, which is currently causing him pain,” Selda said.
Bernardo Andrade, 61, a fisherman from Old Sagay, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and who has been detained for ten years already, has diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Since his arrest in 2001, his family had never visited him for lack of financial and material support.
Cresenciano Inocerta, 64, has contracted tuberculosis while inside the jail in NBP. He underwent treatment for six months. He has been considered healed of tuberculosis but he continues to suffer from asthma, arthritis and constant cough. Like Andrade, Inocerta has never been visited by his family from Valencia, Negros Oriental due to lack of finances.
Manolito Matricio, 60, from Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental, has been suffering from arthritis, diabetes and hypertension. He is one of the “Mamburao 6” who were convicted of killing the two sons of a local land lord in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
Ernesto Dumlao, detained at the Quezon City Jail, has asthma and has been sleeping on the floor of the Quezon City Jail because he cannot pay for a “tarima” (cot) that costs P3,000.
Antonino Roda, detained at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Reformatory Jail, has severe kidney infection, urinating with blood for several times already.
According to Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), there are 360 political prisoners in the country, including the 78 who were arrested under the Aquino administration. Eleven of them are elderly, while there are 43 who are sick. The group said these political prisoners should be released on humanitarian grounds.
“The political prisoners who have been languishing in jails for years don’t have money to buy for their medicines. And yet, the Aquino government will use people’s money for a human rights violator like Arroyo,” Fr. Dionito Cabillas of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), said.
Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga’s second district, has been under hospital arrest for charges of electoral sabotage. The local court recently issued a ruling ordering her transfer to the government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Malacanang expressed willingness to shoulder the costs of Arroyo’s hospitalization.
In the same vein, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casio said, “It is ironic that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the one responsible for so many human rights violations, is being given special treatment and even pampered by the Aquino administration while her victims have to go on a hunger strike just to air their demands that should and can readily be granted by the authorities.”
Since Dec. 3, political prisoners in various detention facilities have launched hunger strike and other forms of protest.
“Arroyo should be nowhere but in jail,” said Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general.
“This [special treatment to Arroyo] is unacceptable for the 360 political prisoners who are charged with trumped up charges and imprisoned because of political beliefs, who are now languishing in jails in dire conditions,” Ipong said.
“She has no life-threatening illness, but is very comfortable in the hospital. Political prisoners, on the other hand, do not receive proper medical treatment for their grave illnesses,” Ipong said.
The group cited the case of Crisanto Tomarse Fat who died of heart ailment while in jail at the Negros Provincial Jail on Sept. 20. Fat, a peasant leader in Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental, was falsely charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Rolando Paamogan, 47, arrested in January 2002, is suffering from diabetes, toxic goiter and congestive heart disease. Paamogan, a leader of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Ponpunan, Baybay, Leyte, is now detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. He has been confined at the NBP hospital, where facilities and attending medical personnel are scarce. On several occasions, he had been rushed to the clinic for shortness of breath and convulsive seizure. “He, who is not guilty of the trumped-up charges the government filed against him, has no money to buy for his medicines,” Cabillas said.
Another political prisoner detained at the NBP, Rogelio Natividad, 61, has been in jail for the last 20 years. “Compounding his long years of imprisonment are the inhumane conditions in jail where there is meager food ration and poor hygiene which has resulted in his kidney infection, ulcer and hypertension. He has been found to have kidney stones, which is currently causing him pain,” Selda said.
Bernardo Andrade, 61, a fisherman from Old Sagay, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and who has been detained for ten years already, has diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Since his arrest in 2001, his family had never visited him for lack of financial and material support.
Cresenciano Inocerta, 64, has contracted tuberculosis while inside the jail in NBP. He underwent treatment for six months. He has been considered healed of tuberculosis but he continues to suffer from asthma, arthritis and constant cough. Like Andrade, Inocerta has never been visited by his family from Valencia, Negros Oriental due to lack of finances.
Manolito Matricio, 60, from Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental, has been suffering from arthritis, diabetes and hypertension. He is one of the “Mamburao 6” who were convicted of killing the two sons of a local land lord in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
Ernesto Dumlao, detained at the Quezon City Jail, has asthma and has been sleeping on the floor of the Quezon City Jail because he cannot pay for a “tarima” (cot) that costs P3,000.
Antonino Roda, detained at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Reformatory Jail, has severe kidney infection, urinating with blood for several times already.
2011年12月6日星期二
Missus won’t stop me hitting rivals
The WBA and IBF world light-welterweight champ has a date with destiny on Saturday night when he defends his titles against Lamont Peterson.
He also has a date with Faryal Makhdoom some time soon as they are planning to get married after Khan admitted she is the one for him.
Girlfriend Faryal has never been to a boxing match and Khan is not sure how the 20-year-old student from New York will react when he starts trading punches with Peterson at the Washington Convention Centre.
But Khan, who will be 24 tomorrow, is sure of one thing — that he will never change.
He said: "Getting married won't change me. I will still be the same way. Faryal knew what I did for a living when we met. My sport will always be important to me. The family are good in that kind of situation because they take the pressure off me.
"Fighting must still come first while I am trying to achieve my aim of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"She understands that. My fiancee knows my sport will come first because it is what I do."
Khan is waiting to hear if his girlfriend will be ringside to watch him live for the first time or whether she will watch on TV with his mum Falak back at their hotel here in DC.
Mum Falak used to watch all her son's fights from ringside but, as the bouts have got tougher and Khan takes more punishment, she has sat back at the hotel. She also does not want to see another woman's son get hurt by her own.
Khan added: "My fiancee may be at the fight but, then again, she may stay at the hotel with my mum. That does not really bother me either way because I am always 100 per cent focused when I am in the ring.
"I think of nothing except the fight ahead. I cannot afford to be distracted by anything or anyone.
"But, yes, I am looking forward to seeing her. It seems as if I have been in training camp in Los Angeles for ages. I've missed her."
Khan splashed out recently on an engagement sparkler for Faryal but he admitted: "I haven't even given her the ring yet!"
Hilary Clinton is another woman who may be ringside and Khan reckons he has a lot to thank the US Secretary of State for.
Border officials always used to stop Khan for extensive questioning when he arrived in the United States. But after meeting Mrs Clinton at an awards dinner for Muslims in sport, he no longer gets detained quite as long.
Khan was held for around three hours in his early days travelling to America to train with Freddie Roach.
He added: "I'd get here and my name would be flagged as a potential terrorist.
"I always had problems getting into the United States even when some of the officers from Mexico or Philippines recognised me as a boxer. They had to obey rules and detain me.
"I only waited 30 minutes this time! On some occasions I have been straight through without any delay at all. It's nice when that happens. I think the problem has been solved now so hopefully I won't get put in a room and left to wait again.
"But I know it only happens because of the world we live in.
"The officers are only doing their job and try to make sure only the right people get into the country."
World heavyweight champ WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO revealed he suffered the worst pain of his life — from kidney stones.
He also has a date with Faryal Makhdoom some time soon as they are planning to get married after Khan admitted she is the one for him.
Girlfriend Faryal has never been to a boxing match and Khan is not sure how the 20-year-old student from New York will react when he starts trading punches with Peterson at the Washington Convention Centre.
But Khan, who will be 24 tomorrow, is sure of one thing — that he will never change.
He said: "Getting married won't change me. I will still be the same way. Faryal knew what I did for a living when we met. My sport will always be important to me. The family are good in that kind of situation because they take the pressure off me.
"Fighting must still come first while I am trying to achieve my aim of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"She understands that. My fiancee knows my sport will come first because it is what I do."
Khan is waiting to hear if his girlfriend will be ringside to watch him live for the first time or whether she will watch on TV with his mum Falak back at their hotel here in DC.
Mum Falak used to watch all her son's fights from ringside but, as the bouts have got tougher and Khan takes more punishment, she has sat back at the hotel. She also does not want to see another woman's son get hurt by her own.
Khan added: "My fiancee may be at the fight but, then again, she may stay at the hotel with my mum. That does not really bother me either way because I am always 100 per cent focused when I am in the ring.
"I think of nothing except the fight ahead. I cannot afford to be distracted by anything or anyone.
"But, yes, I am looking forward to seeing her. It seems as if I have been in training camp in Los Angeles for ages. I've missed her."
Khan splashed out recently on an engagement sparkler for Faryal but he admitted: "I haven't even given her the ring yet!"
Hilary Clinton is another woman who may be ringside and Khan reckons he has a lot to thank the US Secretary of State for.
Border officials always used to stop Khan for extensive questioning when he arrived in the United States. But after meeting Mrs Clinton at an awards dinner for Muslims in sport, he no longer gets detained quite as long.
Khan was held for around three hours in his early days travelling to America to train with Freddie Roach.
He added: "I'd get here and my name would be flagged as a potential terrorist.
"I always had problems getting into the United States even when some of the officers from Mexico or Philippines recognised me as a boxer. They had to obey rules and detain me.
"I only waited 30 minutes this time! On some occasions I have been straight through without any delay at all. It's nice when that happens. I think the problem has been solved now so hopefully I won't get put in a room and left to wait again.
"But I know it only happens because of the world we live in.
"The officers are only doing their job and try to make sure only the right people get into the country."
World heavyweight champ WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO revealed he suffered the worst pain of his life — from kidney stones.
2011年12月5日星期一
Diets, salts and the benefits of an alkaline diet
Our blood is slightly alkaline. The theory behind the alkaline diet is that our diet should reflect this pH level and be slightly alkaline. An alkaline diet is a diet that is predominantly made up of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans and lentils. As a general guideline, our diet should consist of 60pc alkaline-forming foods and 40pc acid-forming foods to maintain good health.
Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed and metabolised, release either an acid or an alkaline base into the blood. Meat, poultry, fish, grains, cheese, milk, salt and sugar all produce acid, so the rise in our consumption of these foods means that the typical western diet has became more acid-producing than ever.
Also, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has decreased over the years, which means we are consuming fewer alkalising foods which can further contribute to an imbalance.
Advocates of alkaline diets believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods disrupts our pH balance and promotes the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium as the body tries to restore equilibrium. This imbalance is thought to make people more prone to illness. For example, recent medical research suggests that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones and osteoporosis. In addition, respiratory issues such as excessive mucous production or frequent colds and flu respond well to alkaline diets.
I've been told to cut down on salt but I'm confused about how to gauge salt content in food items. Should I be watching the sodium or salt content?
AMany people confuse sodium with salt. In fact, sodium only makes up a small portion of salt. Most labels only list sodium content which makes it difficult to know how much salt is in our food. Where sodium is listed, we need to multiply the figure for sodium by 2.5 to get the amount of salt. This is especially important for people who are trying to keep their blood pressure down.
A high salt intake is responsible for about one in three new cases of high blood pressure. It also increase a person's risk of developing kidney disease, stomach cancer and osteoporosis.
The average daily salt intake in Ireland is high -- approximately 10g in adults. For optimum health, adults should ideally consume no more than 4g of salt per day, however, 6g (1 teaspoon) is generally accepted as a realistic target.
The easiest way to cut down on your salt intake is to reduce the amount of processed foods you eat. Processed foods that typically have high salt levels include condiments, soups, sauces, crisps, bread, pizza, ready-made meals and lunch meats.
Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed and metabolised, release either an acid or an alkaline base into the blood. Meat, poultry, fish, grains, cheese, milk, salt and sugar all produce acid, so the rise in our consumption of these foods means that the typical western diet has became more acid-producing than ever.
Also, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has decreased over the years, which means we are consuming fewer alkalising foods which can further contribute to an imbalance.
Advocates of alkaline diets believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods disrupts our pH balance and promotes the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium as the body tries to restore equilibrium. This imbalance is thought to make people more prone to illness. For example, recent medical research suggests that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones and osteoporosis. In addition, respiratory issues such as excessive mucous production or frequent colds and flu respond well to alkaline diets.
I've been told to cut down on salt but I'm confused about how to gauge salt content in food items. Should I be watching the sodium or salt content?
AMany people confuse sodium with salt. In fact, sodium only makes up a small portion of salt. Most labels only list sodium content which makes it difficult to know how much salt is in our food. Where sodium is listed, we need to multiply the figure for sodium by 2.5 to get the amount of salt. This is especially important for people who are trying to keep their blood pressure down.
A high salt intake is responsible for about one in three new cases of high blood pressure. It also increase a person's risk of developing kidney disease, stomach cancer and osteoporosis.
The average daily salt intake in Ireland is high -- approximately 10g in adults. For optimum health, adults should ideally consume no more than 4g of salt per day, however, 6g (1 teaspoon) is generally accepted as a realistic target.
The easiest way to cut down on your salt intake is to reduce the amount of processed foods you eat. Processed foods that typically have high salt levels include condiments, soups, sauces, crisps, bread, pizza, ready-made meals and lunch meats.
2011年12月4日星期日
Men in St. Paul's Ujamaa Place program are at bottom, but looking up
Ronnell Roberson has been shot five times and knows too well what prison life is like. But until recently, the 27-year-old former gang member and father of two had never stepped foot inside a history museum.
"As many times as I drove past it in a car or by bus, I did not know that someone like me could go inside there," Roberson said of his trip last month to the Minnesota History Center on Kellogg Boulevard in St. Paul.
Most of us don't think such a visit is a big deal. But for men like Roberson seeking a serious change in their lives, walking into such a place and learning about history and family genealogy is a milestone, an "aha!" moment.
That's one of the reasons he's sticking with Ujamaa Place, an ambitious project in St. Paul that has gained support from an array of people in the Twin Cities' civic, business and faith-based communities. Ujamaa translates to "extended family" in Swahili.
The year-old effort, in a "gang-neutral" site off University Avenue West and Fairview Avenue, may be the last hope for hard-core cases like Roberson.
"It focuses on folks in our community that are at danger of becoming a lost generation of men," said Bill Svrluga, a longtime Twin Cities civic figure and Ujamaa board member who runs a nonprofit consulting firm.
"These are young men with little or no education, from families without fathers or parents; many have gone to prison, and there's really no place for them left to go to become productive members of society," Svrluga said. "They are at the bottom of the ladder, and many end up in jail or dead by 35."
The effort, which officially opened in January, exclusively targets males, predominantly African-American, 18 to 31 years old. Most of the 30-member clientele never finished high school and are chronically unemployed. Roughly 60 percent have criminal histories.
The statistics in recent decades on such men - caught in a cycle of poverty, drug addiction, joblessness, homelessness, violence and criminality - are a national concern:
In 2004, fewer than 8 percent of young African-American men graduated from college. The unemployment rate for young African-American men is more than twice that for young white, Hispanic and Asian-American men. The percentage of young African-American men in prison is nearly three times that of Latino men and nearly seven times that of white men. The homicide death rate for young African-American men is three times the rate for Hispanics, the population group with the next-highest homicide mortality rate.
Roy Barker, the nonprofit's executive director and the driving force behind the effort, might have the toughest job in town. But the 58-year-old Bethel College graduate and others believe it can be done. How? Through a holistic approach that includes completing a high-school diploma equivalency and other training; stable housing; and parenting, life and employment skills.
"As many times as I drove past it in a car or by bus, I did not know that someone like me could go inside there," Roberson said of his trip last month to the Minnesota History Center on Kellogg Boulevard in St. Paul.
Most of us don't think such a visit is a big deal. But for men like Roberson seeking a serious change in their lives, walking into such a place and learning about history and family genealogy is a milestone, an "aha!" moment.
That's one of the reasons he's sticking with Ujamaa Place, an ambitious project in St. Paul that has gained support from an array of people in the Twin Cities' civic, business and faith-based communities. Ujamaa translates to "extended family" in Swahili.
The year-old effort, in a "gang-neutral" site off University Avenue West and Fairview Avenue, may be the last hope for hard-core cases like Roberson.
"It focuses on folks in our community that are at danger of becoming a lost generation of men," said Bill Svrluga, a longtime Twin Cities civic figure and Ujamaa board member who runs a nonprofit consulting firm.
"These are young men with little or no education, from families without fathers or parents; many have gone to prison, and there's really no place for them left to go to become productive members of society," Svrluga said. "They are at the bottom of the ladder, and many end up in jail or dead by 35."
The effort, which officially opened in January, exclusively targets males, predominantly African-American, 18 to 31 years old. Most of the 30-member clientele never finished high school and are chronically unemployed. Roughly 60 percent have criminal histories.
The statistics in recent decades on such men - caught in a cycle of poverty, drug addiction, joblessness, homelessness, violence and criminality - are a national concern:
In 2004, fewer than 8 percent of young African-American men graduated from college. The unemployment rate for young African-American men is more than twice that for young white, Hispanic and Asian-American men. The percentage of young African-American men in prison is nearly three times that of Latino men and nearly seven times that of white men. The homicide death rate for young African-American men is three times the rate for Hispanics, the population group with the next-highest homicide mortality rate.
Roy Barker, the nonprofit's executive director and the driving force behind the effort, might have the toughest job in town. But the 58-year-old Bethel College graduate and others believe it can be done. How? Through a holistic approach that includes completing a high-school diploma equivalency and other training; stable housing; and parenting, life and employment skills.
2011年12月1日星期四
China's Mengniu Dairy Recovers
Mengnuu Dairy Co, a onetime stock market darling that was at the center of one of China’s worst food scandals, announced Thursday that it is once again distributing milk products in Hong Kong after a three-year absence.
The company says its products have passed stringent heat preservation and other tests and have obtained quality hygiene certificates from mainland authorities. The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are also responsible for assuring quality and safety, according to a news release.
Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) said in an email that permission had been granted in October for the import of two Mengniu products and that imported consignments hadbeen inspected and released in November.
In 2008, the Inner Mongolia-based Mengniu, which is privately owned and publicly traded, as well as some of China’s other biggest dairy companies including the state-owned Yili and Yahsli were found to be distributing milk and infant formula and other food products adulterated with melamine, an industrial resin used in a wide variety of laminates, glues, adhesives, molding compounds and other substances.
Mengniu, which paid some of China’s highest prices for raw products, was buying from dairies that were adulterating the milk with melamine in a bid to boost protein content. By November of 2008, an estimated 300,000 children were victims, with six dying from kidney stones and other kidney damage and another 860 babies hospitalized.
The resultant scandal caused a crisis of confidence in China’s food distribution system from which the country still is attempting to recover. Authorities were accused of covering up the scandal for months to avoid national embarrassment in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Three years later, middle-class Chinese consumers still tend to shy away from domestic milk products, instead looking for safety in western products, according to a study by Synovate Global Market Research. Indeed, as late as July 2010, authorities said they were still seizing melamine-contaminated products in some provinces. It was unclear, however, whether the contaminations were new or resulting from illegal resale of products from the 2008 scandal.
A wide variety of western chains stopped buying Chinese milk products including KFC, McDonalds and Starbucks, which replaced its Mengniu product with soy milk. The market share of foreign brands including Meadjohnson, Dumex, Abbott, and Wyeth soared. A US baby milk powder brand called Bright Beginnings reported sales volume had rise by 600 percent during the first week after the scandal was reported. Eleven countries announced they were stopping all imports of Chinese food products.
A dairy farmer who added the substance to the milk and a salesman who peddled it were executed, three were given life sentences and two more were given 15-year sentences. However, in many cases the families of the children who were affected are still trying to win redress. Officials of Sanlu, the biggest distributor selling milk products to the retail dairy operations, have never been charged or arrested despite the fact that melatonin levels found were among the highest. That has awakened charges that the company was being protected by officials.
In addition, the issue raised far wider concerns in China about the adulteration of lots of different food products including exploding watermelons caused by farmers who used chemicals to promote faster growth, bean sprouts treated with chemicals to make them grow faster, dumplings and steamed buns found to have levels of aluminum far above national standards, pork laced with the steroid clenbuterol to produce lean meat, and many others.
In February this year, reports surfaced that other dairies were using leather-hydrolyzed protein which, like melamine, boosts the protein content of milk. That report resulted in China’s closure of large numbers of dairies, some found to have with up to five times the legal limit of the substance.
The process of recovery for Mengniu has been long and painful. The company estimated a 2008 loss of 900 million yuan from inventory write-offs, plunging sales and damage-control expenditures. The company’s shares, trading at HK$35.80 per share at their 2007 peak, fell to HK$6 before recovering to hover at around HK$9. The shares have since recovered to trade in the HK$26 range.
After the scandal, Mengniu's spent a fortune on advertisements on CCTV, the country's largest TV station, and on outdoor billboards in major cities. It also invited consumers from all over the country to visit its farms and observe the milking process in the attempt to regain trust.
Mengniu said it had pledged US$100 million to upgrade the sources of its milk, investing in small and midsize ranches and dairy farms that it determined it could trust, In an attempt to build quality control, the company said in a prepared release, it has focused on constructing ranches and managing production to seek to maintain product quality. The Group recorded an annual turnover of RMB30 billion in 2010.
None of the scandal was mentioned in the press release issued yesterday announcing Mengniu’s return to Hong Kong. The products, the company said, are being delivered from Inner Mongolia to Hong Kong gradually and have been put on shelves at more than 80 stores. The products are also to be put on shelves at another 90 stores within a month, making a total of more than 170 sales points. That is eventually expected to rise to 400 with the inclusion of Park'N Shop, retail stores and pharmacies. In Macau, Mengniu products are expected to be available for sale within two weeks.
In recent years, Mengniu has focused on constructing ranches and managing production to enhance product quality in every stage of production, with the aim to serve consumers and build strong market awareness in the mainland market.
The group's diversified products range includes liquid milk products, such as UHT milk, milk beverages and yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products such as milk powder. In June 2011, the Group's annual production capacity reached 6.76 million metric tons.
The company says its products have passed stringent heat preservation and other tests and have obtained quality hygiene certificates from mainland authorities. The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are also responsible for assuring quality and safety, according to a news release.
Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) said in an email that permission had been granted in October for the import of two Mengniu products and that imported consignments hadbeen inspected and released in November.
In 2008, the Inner Mongolia-based Mengniu, which is privately owned and publicly traded, as well as some of China’s other biggest dairy companies including the state-owned Yili and Yahsli were found to be distributing milk and infant formula and other food products adulterated with melamine, an industrial resin used in a wide variety of laminates, glues, adhesives, molding compounds and other substances.
Mengniu, which paid some of China’s highest prices for raw products, was buying from dairies that were adulterating the milk with melamine in a bid to boost protein content. By November of 2008, an estimated 300,000 children were victims, with six dying from kidney stones and other kidney damage and another 860 babies hospitalized.
The resultant scandal caused a crisis of confidence in China’s food distribution system from which the country still is attempting to recover. Authorities were accused of covering up the scandal for months to avoid national embarrassment in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Three years later, middle-class Chinese consumers still tend to shy away from domestic milk products, instead looking for safety in western products, according to a study by Synovate Global Market Research. Indeed, as late as July 2010, authorities said they were still seizing melamine-contaminated products in some provinces. It was unclear, however, whether the contaminations were new or resulting from illegal resale of products from the 2008 scandal.
A wide variety of western chains stopped buying Chinese milk products including KFC, McDonalds and Starbucks, which replaced its Mengniu product with soy milk. The market share of foreign brands including Meadjohnson, Dumex, Abbott, and Wyeth soared. A US baby milk powder brand called Bright Beginnings reported sales volume had rise by 600 percent during the first week after the scandal was reported. Eleven countries announced they were stopping all imports of Chinese food products.
A dairy farmer who added the substance to the milk and a salesman who peddled it were executed, three were given life sentences and two more were given 15-year sentences. However, in many cases the families of the children who were affected are still trying to win redress. Officials of Sanlu, the biggest distributor selling milk products to the retail dairy operations, have never been charged or arrested despite the fact that melatonin levels found were among the highest. That has awakened charges that the company was being protected by officials.
In addition, the issue raised far wider concerns in China about the adulteration of lots of different food products including exploding watermelons caused by farmers who used chemicals to promote faster growth, bean sprouts treated with chemicals to make them grow faster, dumplings and steamed buns found to have levels of aluminum far above national standards, pork laced with the steroid clenbuterol to produce lean meat, and many others.
In February this year, reports surfaced that other dairies were using leather-hydrolyzed protein which, like melamine, boosts the protein content of milk. That report resulted in China’s closure of large numbers of dairies, some found to have with up to five times the legal limit of the substance.
The process of recovery for Mengniu has been long and painful. The company estimated a 2008 loss of 900 million yuan from inventory write-offs, plunging sales and damage-control expenditures. The company’s shares, trading at HK$35.80 per share at their 2007 peak, fell to HK$6 before recovering to hover at around HK$9. The shares have since recovered to trade in the HK$26 range.
After the scandal, Mengniu's spent a fortune on advertisements on CCTV, the country's largest TV station, and on outdoor billboards in major cities. It also invited consumers from all over the country to visit its farms and observe the milking process in the attempt to regain trust.
Mengniu said it had pledged US$100 million to upgrade the sources of its milk, investing in small and midsize ranches and dairy farms that it determined it could trust, In an attempt to build quality control, the company said in a prepared release, it has focused on constructing ranches and managing production to seek to maintain product quality. The Group recorded an annual turnover of RMB30 billion in 2010.
None of the scandal was mentioned in the press release issued yesterday announcing Mengniu’s return to Hong Kong. The products, the company said, are being delivered from Inner Mongolia to Hong Kong gradually and have been put on shelves at more than 80 stores. The products are also to be put on shelves at another 90 stores within a month, making a total of more than 170 sales points. That is eventually expected to rise to 400 with the inclusion of Park'N Shop, retail stores and pharmacies. In Macau, Mengniu products are expected to be available for sale within two weeks.
In recent years, Mengniu has focused on constructing ranches and managing production to enhance product quality in every stage of production, with the aim to serve consumers and build strong market awareness in the mainland market.
The group's diversified products range includes liquid milk products, such as UHT milk, milk beverages and yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products such as milk powder. In June 2011, the Group's annual production capacity reached 6.76 million metric tons.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)