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Health Benefits of Taking Acai?

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Acai (Euterpe oleracea) is a species of palm tree found in Central and SouthAmerica. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruits commonly called acai berries. The fruit has a similar appearance to grapes (Vitis sp.) but with less pulp. Acai berries are widely eaten by South American natives. The natives consider the acai berries as a major component of their diet. In Brazil, acai is a popular flavoring for beverages and ice cream. Some western countries are also starting to use acai as flavoring for various foods mainly for the health benefits that the fruit provide. Marketers are also selling acai food supplements because acai has been found to contain important minerals and substances that have health benefits to humans.

Acai berries

Note: Some of the acai health benefits that acai marketers claim do not have scientific proofs; these claims are misleading and exaggerated.

Health Benefits of Taking Acai

[ad#co-1]Acai contains powerful antioxidants: flavonoids and anthocyanins. These antioxidants are responsible for the purple coloration of the acai berries just like grapes. Antioxidants in acai help our body get rid off free radicals that can damage our cells. Free radicals are by-products of biochemical reactions taking place in our cells. In other words, they are the cell’s waste and should be eliminated before they cause cellular damage. If they are not eliminated, cell abnormalities that could lead to various diseases (e.g. cancer) would occur.

You might have read more acai health benefits in other websites but these health benefits are not yet proven scientifically. The antioxidant effect of acai is still the best health benefit that you can get from consuming acai products. Other acai health benefits were just presented by acai marketers to boost their sales.

Acai Controversy: Take Note of Acai Scams

There are claims saying acai has weight-loss effects. After Oprah Winfrey featured a segment on the Acai Berry, her name was used in an endorsement for supplements, resulting in a lawsuit. Consumers have reported scams involving trial offers for the acai supplements with refunds for canceled and returned products not being processed. Buyers should be cautious and read all details before agreeing to trial offers.

References

Mayo Clinic

WebMD

Disclaimer

The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please seek advice from your doctor before taking any action suggested on this article.

Açaí Side Effects

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Açaí is a palm tree species with the scientific name Euterpe oleracea. This palm tree is cultivated for its purple, edible, juicy, and grape-shaped fruit. It is native to  South America. People harvests acai berries for food; in fact, South American natives consider acai berries as important component of their diet. There is a high demand for açaí berries because their juice and pulp are used as flavorings or blends for various beverages and ice cream. Açaí berries are also marketed as dietary supplements in the form of smoothies, juice, tablets, drink powders, or simply as a fruit.

Açaí products are promoted as dietary supplements because marketers say that they have antioxidant properties, weight loss effect, and other health benefits. These claims of the beneficial effects of açaí still need scientific backing.

Consumers have some worries that açaí products may have side effects to their body. Marketers argue that açaí products are safe because they are 100% natural. However, açaí products, especially those sold in pills may not be safe if manufacturers mix synthetic drugs or diet medications to these pills. These synthetic chemicals and diet medications may cause adverse side effects to the body.

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Açaí side effects that have been reported may be due to the “appetite suppressant” effect of açaí. Açaí suppresses your appetite because it contains fibers that make you feel “full” even if you are not. Suppressing your appetite by consuming too much açaí may not be good because you are depriving your body with the essential nutrients and vitamins found in other foods. If this is the case, you may experience the following side effects, which you will mistakenly describe as açaí side effects:

• Fainting
• Weakness and fatigue
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Stomachaches
• Malnutrition
• Headaches

If you experience these conditions, you better seek medical attention. For people with diseases like anemia, diabetes and the like, get your doctors’ advice before you consume acaí products to avoid any serious complications with your diseases.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

What is the Theory of Biogenesis?

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The theory of biogenesis claims that living things could only arise from living things. The opposite of this theory is the spontaneous generation theory, which states that living things arise from nonliving things. This article will give a brief history of the theory of biogenesis and the spontaneous generation theory. What did early scientists like Louis Pasteur do to attest or contradict the two theories on the origin of living things?

Spontaneous Generation Theory

Until the early 1900s (before Pasteur’s time), people generally believed that organisms arise from non-living objects. Aristotle was among the early thinkers who believed that living things spontaneously arise from things that are not alive. He and most of the people believed that putrid matter give rise to fleas, dirty give rise to rats, rotting logs in water bodies give rise to crocodiles, dead human body give rise to maggots, wet soil give rise to toads, snakes, and mice, and among others. The spontaneous generation has been a “belief system” among people for many centuries. Thanks to the birth of Louis Pasteur and other intelligent scientists.

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Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Discovery

Antoine van Leeuwenhoek (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Using a simple single lens microscope, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek observed small organisms in dirty fluids and materials scraped from his teeth. He called these small organisms “animalcules”. These animalcules are what we call now as protozoans (e.g. amoeba, paramecium, etc.) His discovery spread widely in Europe during his time (1673 and beyond). People and scientists were amazed with the animalcules. The biggest question at that time is the origin of these animalcules. Sadly, the spontaneous generation was used (by scientists) to explain the origin of the tiny organisms seen under the Leeuwenhoek’s microscope.

Rudolf Virchow: Proponent of Biogenesis

Rudolf Virchow (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

In 1858, scientist Rudolf Virchow challenged the spontaneous generation with his concept of biogenesis. He claimed “that living cells can arise only from preexisting living cells”. This concept would somehow explain the origin of animalcules seen under a microscope. Although Virchow was correct with this concept, he lacked the needed experimental evidences demonstrating his concept of biogenesis. In science: to see is to believe.

Louis Pasteur’s Contribution to the Theory of Biogenesis

Louis Pasteur (Image from Wikimedia Commons)Louis Pasteur was the first scientist to provide experimental evidences that non living things cannot give rise to living things. He proposed that the air contains living organisms naked to the eye but emphasized that the air can not give rise to living things. To prove this, he heated a number of short-necked flasks containing beef broth. After heating, he immediately sealed the mouths of some of the flasks while he left the others opened. After few days, microorganisms appeared in the beef broth at the unsealed flasks while no organisms were found in the sealed flasks. Pasteur said that microorganisms present in the air had contaminated the beef broth in the flasks without seal.

To demonstrate that the air cannot give rise to organisms, he performed another experiment. He filled long-necked flasks with beef broth and bent the flasks’ necks into S-shaped curves. He heated all the flasks to kill whatever organism present in the beef broth. He observed the flasks for few days. (Note that air can reach the beef broth because the flasks are not sealed.) After few days of observation, Pasteur observed that no living organisms have grown in the beef broth. He explained that the air can access the beef broth but microorganisms in the air cannot. The microorganisms are trapped in the flask’s S-shaped neck.

Pasteur’s ingenious experiments changed how the world understand the origin of a living thing. He successfully disproved the idea that mystical forces in nature have the ability to generate living things from non living things spontaneously.

References

Louis Pasteur and the Theory of Biogenesis

Spontaneous Generation Hypothesis

The Germ Theory of Disease


Bottlenose Dolphin FAQ

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What is Bottlenose Dolphin?

Bottlenose dolphin (scientific name: Tursiops sp.) is a marine mammal belonging to the family of oceanic dolphins (Delphinidae).

Scientific Classification of Bottlenose Dolphin

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus Tursiops

Where do bottlenose dolphins live?

Bottlenose dolphins live in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are commonly seen in bays, harbors, lagoons, river mouths, and estuaries. (Source)

Map of where bottlenose dolphins live?

Click this to view the map where bottlenose live.

What does bottlenose dolphin looks like?

• Has a flat tail
• Has nostrils on the top of their head
• Has a gray to dark gray coloration at the top near its dorsal fin
• Has a white coloration at its underside
• Has a pinkish gray belly
• Has an elongated and lower jaws called the rostrum (snout) (where the name “bottlenose” was derived
• Adults are 2-4 m in length and 150-650 kg in weight
• Males are larger than females

What do bottlenose dolphins eat?

Bottlenose dolphins feed on different marine animals such as smaller fishes, squids, crustaceans, and among others. They hunt their food individually or they can coordinate to each other as a group to catch their food. (Source)

Are bottlenose dolphins endangered?

No, bottlenose dolphins are not “yet” endangered. However, in some places bottlenose dolphin population is depleting rapidly due to human activities. Their number is decreasing rapidly because people are hunting them for their meat. They are also killed so that they will not compete for fish (their main food) with man. Dolphins are poisoned by man-made chemical like perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS); this chemical compromises the immune system of the dolphin. (Source) Other heavy metal compounds like cadmium and mercury are toxic to bottlenose dolphins at certain concentration. (Source)
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Why are bottlenose dolphins becoming endangered?

Although the population of bottlenose dolphins is still normal, they can be in the endangered list in the future if humans continue doing things that are harmful to the bottlenose dolphins.

How long do bottlenose dolphins live?

Bottlenose dolphins can live up to a maximum of 40-50 years. However, life expectancy or the average age a dolphin can get is only between 10.3 and 14. (Source)

How to draw a bottlenose dolphin?

Want to learn how to draw bottlenose dolphin while learning about them?. Here is a site where you can read instructions on how to draw bottle nose dolphin.

Bottlenose Dolphin Video

Phentermine Side Effects and Precautions

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Phentermine is an appetite suppressant drug that has weight loss effect. This drug should be used properly to avoid the side effects associated to it. Familiar yourself with the phentermine side effects and the precautions in using the drug by reading this article.

Phentermine Overview

Phentermine is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant drug prescribed to obese patients who are at increased medical risk because of their weight. It should be used in short term (up to 12 weeks) and combined with diet, exercise, and behavioral modification. It comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. The drug is sold under different brand names such as Adipex-P, Ionamin, Obenix, Oby-Cap, Teramine, Zantryl, and among others.
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How Does Phentermine Work?

Phentermine works by triggering the hypothalamus to release norepinephrin (a neurotransmitter) that signals a fight-or-flight response, reducing hunger. Besides from working at the hypothalasmus, phentermine also works outside the brain to trigger the release of epinephrine or adrenaline. This hormone causes fat cells to break down stored fat.

Precautions in Using Phentermine

There are certain precautions that you should know before and after taking phentermine. Knowing these precautions will protect you against the possible harm that the drug may cause.

  • Do not take phentermine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Ask for the ingredients of phentermine drugs to a pharmacist. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
  • Tell your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any prescription & non prescription medications, vitamins, herbal medicines, and nutritional supplements. There are medications that could possibly interact with phentermine and will cause harm to you. Examples are high blood pressure medications, insulin or diabetes medications, antidepressants, and among others.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hypertension, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, diabetes, or a history of drug abuse.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breast-feeding. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking phentermine.
  • Do not drink alcohol because it adds to the drowsiness caused by taking phentermine. If you are drowsy after taking the drug, do not drive, use a machine, or do any work that requires alertness in order to avoid accidents.
  • Phentermine works best if it is accompanied by exercise and diet.
  • If you missed a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra dose to make up the missed one.
  • Read and follow the directions as written on your prescription label. Ask your doctor or pharmacist, if there is anything you can’t understand in the label. Do not take phentermine at a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.

Phentermine Side Effects

As with any drug, phentermine may cause side effects. However, there are some who can tolerate the side effects quite well.  In most cases, phentermine side effects occur when the drug is taken beyond what is prescribed.

The less serious phentermine side effects include dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. Tell your doctor if these symptoms become severe or do not go away.

The serious side effects of phentermine include dizziness, tremors, shortness of breath, chest pain,  heart palpitations, blood pressure increase, restlessness,  swelling of the legs and ankles, and difficulty of doing exercise that you have been able to do. Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of these phentermine side effects.

Take note that phentermine may cause other side effects other than those listed here. If you have any unusual problems while taking phentermine, tell them to your doctor.

Reference

Medline Plus, National Institute of Health

Disclaimer

The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please seek advice from your doctor before taking any action suggested on this article.

Symptoms of a Strawberry Allergy

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In this article you will learn the signs of strawberry allergy, what is in strawberry that causes allergy, the tests for strawberry allergy, and how to manage strawberry allergy.

What Are The Symptoms of Strawberry Allergy?

Starwberry, Image from Wikimedia CommonsThe symptoms for strawberry allergy occur after exposure to strawberry fruit and strawberry products (e.g. strawberry jam, strawberry ice cream, etc.). Strawberry allergy symptoms differ from person to person but the common symptoms are the following:

• Your eyes become watery.
• You are vomiting.
• You have diarrhea.
• You have hives.
• Rashes are appearing at your skin.
• You feel itchy.
• You have trouble breathing.
• There is swelling in your tongue, mouth, and/or throat.

[ad#co-1]If a person are showing this symptoms, he or she should be given immediate medical attention because a severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock may occur. Anaphylactic shock is fatal.
Take note that latex allergy symptoms are similar to the symptoms of peanut, hair dye, mold, and sulfite allergies.

What is in strawberry that causes allergy?

The strawberry is made up of different proteins and some of these proteins act as allergens or substances that can trigger allergic reaction to an individual. The protein allergen from the strawberry is recognized by the body as foreign and can be dangerous to the body so the human immune system reacts by releasing histamine- the one that initiates allergic responses such as blood vessel dilation(causes the swelling), fluid secretion (in the eyes and the lungs), muscle spasm, etc.

A group of researches from the University of Lund, Sweden have identified a particular protein from the strawberry which they thought is the culprit why strawberry causes allergy. They said that the protein is among the proteins that give the strawberry its red color. They added that the protein allergen is not found in the white variety strawberry. The allergen has also some similarities with the birch pollen- another allergen that can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to birch pollen can be allergic to strawberry but not vice versa.

What is the test for strawberry allergy?

You may get the service of a professional allergist to test you for strawberry allergy. The allergist will perform the skin test on you. In this test, he will scratch a needle with the allergen (substance from strawberry) in a small portion of your skin. If after few minutes, a small bump appear in the portion of your skin where the needle was scratched then you may be allergic to strawberry.

How to manage strawberry allergy?

The best way to manage strawberry allergy is by avoiding eating strawberry fruits. You should not also eat processed strawberry products (e.g. strawberry flavored foods, beverages, jams, etc) because the allergen is still present in these foods. Always read the labels of food products before consuming them because they may contain strawberry. Try the white variety of strawberry; it doesn’t contain the allergen but its taste is somewhat different to the red variety.

Disclaimer

The content in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any action suggested on this page.