Toronto Health

For many years, health groups have been warning the public about the dangers of cigarettes. With diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema resulting from smoking cigarettes, there have been a number of companies looking for effective methods of decreasing the hazards of smoking by inventing an equivalent, but less toxic alternative. The result has been the development of the increasingly more popular electronic cigarette.

In 2003, the electronic cigarette was first developed in China by SBT Co. Ltd, which is now owned by the Beijing based firm, Golden Dragon Group Ltd. In 2004, the electronic cigarette was patented under the name Ruyan, which means, ‘almost like smoke.’ The electronic cigarette was launched in Austria in April of 2006. After its launch, Greg Carson, a UK businessman, introduced it to the European market as the “Electro fag.” English parliament then declared that it could be used in places where cigarettes were banned such as restaurants.

In December of 2006, Ruyan was awarded the “Prize for Outstanding Contributor of Social Responsibility” and “the Special Award of Merit of Social Responsibility for National Brand.” In January 2007, Ruyan passes the effectiveness and safety tests adopted by the Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In August of 2007, Business 2.0, a commercial magazine, lists RUYAN® Electronic Cigarettes among the top 10 innovative products and commercial trends in the world. In October, 2007, the nicotine used in RUYAN® cartridge solution passes the safety test performed by Pony Lab for Physical and Chemical Analysis.

Although the European and Chinese businesses are the primary marketers of the electronic cigarette, companies all over the world are now becoming involved in selling the product. There are currently a number of companies that sell electronic cigarettes, with most selling them online.  There are expensive electronic cigarette kits as well as less expensive kits which don’t always provide the necessary effect. Marketing of electronic cigarettes have mainly targeted smokers who are worried about the health impact of smoking traditional cigarettes. One of the more popular features of the electronic cigarettes is that there is no flame, so there is no smoke, including the absence of second hand smoke.  Electronic cigarettes give smokers the opportunity to continue smoking without tar, ash, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous chemicals found in a traditional cigarette.

Electronic cigarettes are portable battery-operated devices that are an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. The major benefit of electronic cigarettes is that they deliver only the nicotine, not the additives and tars of tobacco cigarettes. Traditional tobacco cigarettes have many toxic chemicals that are added in processing that are released from the burning of the tobacco. Since the substance that smokers crave is the nicotine, electronic cigarettes satisfy that need without delivering the unwanted by-products. The by-products are the carcinogens that make cigarette smoking a health hazard. Electronic cigarette vapor is only water, nicotine, flavor additives, and glycerin or propylene glycol.

When using electronic cigarettes, nothing is burned, eliminating the dangers of fire and holes in fabrics. There is not any tobacco smoke clinging to clothing, discoloring walls and furniture. The teeth are not subjected to the damage of chemical additives in tobacco smoke. The gums and mouth are healthier. The lungs are not inhaling tars and all the other by-products produced from burning tobacco. Burning tobacco produces up to 4000 chemicals, including arsenic, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocyanic acid, lead, and carbon monoxide. These are toxic and carcinogenic. We know that smoking tobacco accounts for many premature deaths, and countless chronic health problems, including emphysema, and other cardiac and pulmonary disorders. There is no second-hand smoke that can affect others around the smoker.

Electronic cigarettes can be used in any situation, even where smoking is banned. They are clean and safe. They also cost much less than tobacco cigarettes and are not taxed as cigarettes. One cartridge will deliver as much nicotine as fifteen or twenty traditional cigarettes, and many users report that they are using less than they did when they smoked tobacco.

Electronic cigarettes are a green alternative to tobacco cigarettes. There is little waste and virtually no packaging. They are reusable. Most models come in a variety of strengths; regular, light and ultra-light. The user can choose how much nicotine is delivered, and unlike traditional cigarettes that burn down, the electronic cigarette stays active only as long as the user continues to inhale. They are available in a number of flavors and some even provide nicotine-free cartridges for the ex-smoker who still desires the sensation of smoking.

The benefits of electronic cigarettes are health, financial and social. They are a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes that is gaining popularity.

Although inner beauty is the most important thing about a person, it is typical for each of us in the world to be concerned about what our outer beauty is like as well. If you have a gap in your teeth, there may have been a time or two in your life when you have wondered what it would take to fix the gap. If this is the case, you are about to learn about several different options for cosmetic dentistry and fixing gap teeth!

For those who have a minimal amount of space between the teeth, for about $5,000.00 braces are a wonderful option available by visiting an orthodontist. If you decide to get braces, you are no longer stuck with just the basic metal style! Now braces are available in different shapes and designs, which can make wearing braces a lot more fun than it used to be!

It is now even an option for you to have the orthodontist put your braces on the backsides of the teeth instead of the front! Not every orthodontist will offer this as an option, because this is considered to be a specialized treatment. Putting the braces on the backsides of the teeth make them less noticeable to others, although you may experience a little bit of discomfort at first when the braces rub against the teeth and gums.

The good news when it comes to braces is that there are now several options that are not as painful as traditional metal braces. One type is called Invisalign. Invisalign braces are not permanently adhered to the teeth, but rather adjust the teeth by using several different plastic mouthpieces that are created just for you by your orthodontist at a fitting.

Yet another option for fixing a gap in your teeth is called bonding. Bonding is when a dentist will use a composite resin filling to perfectly sculpt the teeth to hide an imperfections. The results of having your teeth bonded can last you for up to 10 years or even longer! Bonding is a great option for those who have a small sized gap in their teeth. For larger teeth, it may be a good idea to consider one of the other available options.

Porcelain veneers are another great option to keep in mind if you would like to fix the gap in your teeth. Veneers are a bit more expensive than the other options, and can cost upwards of $1,000.00 each depending on your location and the dentist that you choose to perform the work.

Your smile will appear natural and beautiful once you have had veneers applied. Be aware that your dentist will price your veneers based on the amount of labor that your smile will require. You can have the veneers created to match the colors of your teeth, so that they will blend in nicely and appear very natural.

After you have done your research on each type of cosmetic dentistry for fixing gap teeth, you can call and make your appointment to have the procedures done. Pretty soon you will be experiencing life gap free!

The lap band weight loss surgery continues to grow in popularity as many Canadians who have been struggling with obesity for years now have a great option to end their struggle once and for all. The lap band surgery is a weight loss surgery that places a band around the stomach, so that you get full faster and over time are able to shrink your diet and your appetite and when combined with a workout program the weight loss is substantial. Some patients have lost over a couple hundreds of pounds from the lap band surgery.

The lap band surgery is only for the obese people and is a lifestyle change, not a one time massive weight loss reduction which is extremely unhealthy anyways. In Canada the average price for the surgery is around $18,000 but in other countries like Mexico it can be a lot cheaper and ranges in the $8,000 – $12,000 area. For many, this is a more attractive option simply based on the price, but when you consider that you can also have a great Mexican vacation along with the surgery for a lot cheaper than just the surgery itself in Canada, it definitely is worth considering.

If you are looking for a lap band procedure, then one of the more popular destinations in Mexico is Tijuana. Lap band Tijuana is booming as several large medical corporations have started offering surgeries in this destination as it attracts not only Canadians but hundreds if not a few thousand of Americans throughout the year as well.

Another type of weight loss surgery that is offered in Mexico is the gastric bypass surgery, which is a bit different from the lap band surgery because it ties a band around and actually separates the stomach and then connects them through to the intestines, and there a couple of different types of this weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass Mexico is another option for weight loss surgery, but the lap band surgery is currently the more popular option for long term weight loss success. Both are still good options, and if you are looking to try and save some money on these expensive weight loss surgeries than you should definitely consider Mexico as a viable option.

The vast majority of people do not have perfect teeth which is why cosmetic dentistry is a lucrative field of dentistry. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of teeth problems that can now be repaired so that one can improve or enhance their appearance. One such dental condition that can be repaired is Diastema.

Diastema is a medical term used to describe a space or gap between two teeth. All mammals can have diastema, but in people, it is normally referred to as a space or gap between the two front teeth (upper incisors.) This condition develops when there is an uneven correlation between the size of the teeth and the jaw. Diastema will often occur in children as their primary teeth come out. A frequent cause of diastema in adults is when there is an incorrect fit between the upper jaw and lower jaw which is a condition known as malocclusion. Another cause of diastema is when a person has a short labial frenum. Located around the inside of the upper lip, the labial frenum is a piece of tissue that supports the upper lip near the teeth. If the tissue is too short, diastema can develop. As well, if teeth are too small or large in relation to the jaw which causes dental misalignment, diastema can occur. If you have an oversized labial frenum, a Periodontist can repair the problem by performing a minor surgical procedure called a Labial Frenectomy. This medical procedure involves cutting the frenum and then repositioning it to permit more flexibility.

For people who have been diagnosed as having diastema, there are a number of treatments available to them. People can have Orthodontic treatment to move the teeth and close the diastema. They can have porcelain veneers bonded to the outside of the teeth to close the gap. They can also get a Crown or dental implants (replacement of teeth.) As well, a person can get braces to close the gap. An inexpensive choice is to use Teeth Effect Bands which are elastic bands. This method makes use of a band that is similar to a rubber band. The band is wrapped around the teeth that are located on each side of the gap. As one wear the band, the teeth are ultimately pulled together which effectively seals the gap. There is also the bonding method which involves applying a plastic bonding agent (white filling) that is fitted according to the desired shape and position. A special light is used on the bonding agent to harden it.

We all want our teeth to their best; however, some people have conditions that cause them to feel insecure about their smile. Fortunately, incredible advancements in cosmetic surgery have allowed people to get a variety of teeth problems repaired. If you have diastema, you can either keep the condition, or undergo a repair procedure to close the gap. Many people such as the singer Madonna are happy with the space between their teeth so the decision to close the gap comes down to personal preference. You will know by how comfortable you feel when you look in the mirror and smile. When considering repairing diastema, you should consult with your dentist to learn about your options and the costs of each method of repair.

Can meal replacements help overweight diabetic patients lose weight effectively and keep it off? That was the question that Lawrence J. Cheskin and colleagues from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Baltimore, Maryland) tried to answer in their recent study “Efficacy of Meal Replacements versus a Standard Food-Based Diet for Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes,” published in The Diabetes Educator.

Increased Rates of Type 2 Diabetes

High numbers of Americans are clinically obese with the number increasing each year. Approximately 66% of adults in the U.S. are overweight with about half of that number designated as obese. The higher obesity rate correlates with an increase in type 2 diabetes. The link between type 2 diabetics and obesity is clear with 70% of that population being overweight and 33% labeled obese. Over 18 million people in the U.S. currently experience type 2 diabetes with the number expected to go up dramatically. By 2050 the estimated number of people with type 2 diabetes will rise by 165% [1].

Weight loss is recognized as an effective method to manage or prevent type 2 diabetes. When patients lose even 2% of their body weight, they can see positive indicators in many health markers. Those who succeed in their efforts to lose weight most likely account for lower numbers in mortality rates for type 2 diabetics. However, achieving weight loss for this group is difficult. Most obese people find that losing weight is a challenge, but it is even more difficult for those with type 2 diabetes [2].

Are Food Replacements a Viable Alternative for Weight Loss?

The main objective in Cheskin’s study was to compare weight loss success and specific results in two groups. The groups were taken from 126 adult screened volunteers. One group followed a standard food-based diet while the other group used a food replacement supplement.

Groups included men and women from 18 to 70 years old with BMI numbers ranging from 25-40. Overweight and obesity rates were determined by body mass index. A BMI of 25 was considered overweight while a BMI of 32.2 represented obese. One purpose of the study was to see if either method could produce results of at least a 5% weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The possibility of using a food replacement supplement as a viable tool to manage type 2 diabetes was also a focus.

The two groups involved in the study followed one of two diets. One group followed a standard diet using foods recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The other participants were prescribed Medifast Plus for Diabetics meal replacement for their portion-controlled diet. This food supplement contains soy-based products low in sugar with a low glycemic index [3]. Both diets had similar calorie content and both groups experienced a 25% calorie reduction in their diet. Each diet offered 45-50% carbohydrates, 25-30% fat and 15-25% protein.

What Were The Results Of The Study?

Following 34 weeks of weight loss, the standard diet group stayed on the same diet plan with the same guidelines for an additional 52 weeks. The food replacement group, however, broke into two groups. Each used the food replacement diet and the standard food diet alternating after 26 weeks. The nutritional value in the diet prescribed to both groups was similar. The standard diet group got all their allotted calories from whole foods using choices on the ADA list. The food supplements participants got about 50-60% of calories allowed through the Medifast meal replacement.

BMI

After 34 weeks, results showed better BMI numbers for both groups. However, the BMI numbers in the food replacement group were significantly lower than the standard diet group. Weight loss for the food replacement group was 6.84% compared to the standard diet number of 3.70%. In addition, food replacement participants dropped 5% of their starting weight. Fasting blood glucose and triglycerides also improved for the group using the supplement while the other group showed no significant change. Cholesterol numbers improved for both groups and ranged in lowering percentages from 2.5-4.4%.

HbA1c

The levels of hemoglobin HbA1c reveal how effectively glucose is controlled in the body. Glucose in diabetic patients is considered under adequate control if HbA1c is less than 7%. At the 34-week mark, almost 3 out of 4 food-replacement participants presented HbA1c below 7%. Specifically, the Medifast supplement group achieved an average of 74.2% of members gaining acceptable glucose control. The other group did not have a significant change in their HbA1c. In fact, the standard-diet group numbers were lower at 35.3%.

Blood Pressure

At 34 weeks systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed much lower numbers for both groups.

Waist and hip measurements also revealed improvement. The food replacement group reduced waist circumference by 6.5cm and hips by 4.1cm. The standard diet participants decreased waist size by only 4.1cm and hips by 1.6cm.

Psycometrics

The area of psychometrics measuring levels of depression, appetite, satisfaction with diet, or a sense of being deprived due to diet noted no significant difference between the groups.

Participants Reduced Dependence on Medications

After the 34-week weight loss phase, retention of people in the study was much better for the food replacement group. They retained 57% of participants compared to 29% in the standard food group. The food replacement members also noted several people who were able to reduce a need for medication to control the disease. In contrast, the standard-diet group’s medication needs remained the same.

Study Supports Potential of Supplement Use

As previously noted, successful weight loss is difficult for obese people with type 2 diabetes. It’s important to note that success rates are often poor. However, meal replacements show that the features of convenience, built-in portion control and easy use may prove beneficial to this group [4]. More members of the food supplement group remained in the study than the people eating a standard diet. That could indicate future potential in using food supplements in some of the so-called best rated weight loss plans for type 2 diabetes.

Several important achievements occurred in the study for participants using a food supplement diet. Li Z. has reported similar findings to support meal replacements as a weight loss tool for type 2 diabetes patients [5]. Members of the food replacement groups achieved an important goal of reducing the need for some medications. Taking less prescription medications is a positive indicator. Most importantly, those succeeding in losing weight with the food supplement diet reported an overall improvement in the quality of their lives.

The above results were presented in the annual meeting of American Diabetes Association. It is important to note that Medifast, the company that makes the meal replacement products that where used in this study, supported the project with its own grant. However, the authors reported no financial interest in the products mentioned.

Matt Denos

Having a medical science background Matt Denos, PhD, follows the current research in the field of diet and weight loss and enjoys writing relevant articles. In his website he offers Medifast diet coupon code discounts, a diet plan for diabetics.

References

1. Boyle, JP et al, Projection of diabetes burden through 2050; impact of changing demography and disease prevalence in U.S. diabetes care, 2001.

2. Hensrudd DD, Dietary treatment and long-term weight loss and maintenance in type 2 diabetes, 2001.

3. Noakes M, Foster PR, Keogh JB, Clifton PM, Meal replacements are as effective as structured weight-loss diets for treating obesity in adults with features of metabolic syndrome, 2004.

4. Pi-Sunyer FX, et al, Multicenter randomized trial of a comprehensive prepared meal program in type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Care, 1999.

5. Li Z, et al, Long-term efficacy of soy-based meal replacement vs. an individualized diet plan in obese type 2 participants; relative effects on weight loss, metabolic parameters, and C-reactive protein, 2005.

What on earth has being overweight got to do with being in debt?

They might not seem connected, but in fact, Dr. Eva Münster from the University of Mainz, Germany, and an international team of researchers have recently demonstrated that there is a significant association between being deeply in debt and the likelihood of being overweight.

Dr. Münster’s research was aimed at assessing the health status of individuals who are significantly in debt and their access to and use of health services. The number of people carrying serious levels of personal debt has risen dramatically in both Europe and the United States in recent years, and the current worldwide economic crisis increases that number every day. In Germany alone, more than 6 million people are estimated to owe more money they can afford to pay back and are facing serious cutbacks in their standard of living. The fear is that adequate health care may be one of the prime targets for cutbacks. As healthcare costs continue to rise and charity-based healthcare organizations also suffer from the economic downturn, access to healthcare may be limited for people who are financially strapped.

Dr. Münster’s report, “Over-indebtedness as a marker of socioeconomic status and its association with obesity,” was published in August 2009 in the journal BMC Public Health. She and her colleagues compared two separate study groups:

• 949 people who had consulted debt-counseling services were surveyed anonymously. This group was classified as “over-indebted.”
• 8318 adults who responded to a telephone survey that addressed a variety of health, economic and quality-of-life issues. This group was classified as “not over-indebted.”

Comparable information about age, sex, income, education, body mass index (BMI, an index of overweight that is based on a person’s height and weight), smoking history, and depression was gathered for both groups. The combined study sample totaled 9080 people, after those for whom no BMI data was available were excluded.

Participants were asked to report their height and weight, and that information was used to calculate their BMI. World Health Organization standards were used to classify individuals from both groups; people were rated as overweight if their BMI was higher than 25, and as obese if their BMI was over 30. The group of people who were in need of debt counseling were classified by definition as “over-indebted.” The researchers then performed a series of analyses to determine whether there seemed to be a significant correlation between weight and debt among these people.

The statistics

Among the study subjects, people deeply in debt were statistically more likely to be:

• younger;
• less educated;
• lower income;
• depressed;
• smokers;
• overweight or obese.

Men and women were equally likely to be in debt.

In the study group, it was also noted that the overweight people were more likely to be:

• male;
• over 40 years old;
• depressed.

People with more education, higher incomes, or who smoked were less likely to be overweight or obese.

The implications

The study results showed that people deeply in debt had a higher risk of obesity than most other people. And that increased risk did not seem to have anything to do with an individual’s overall socio-economic status as judged by traditional measures. Education, income, sex, age, depression and smoking levels–none of these factors seemed to explain this higher risk.

Why is it, then, that being in debt makes it more likely that a person will be obese?

One factor is that people in debt have less money to spend on daily needs and are less able to afford or even get access to healthy foods. People with limited funds can easily gravitate toward consuming more of cheaper and widely available “junk” foods. Because these foods tend to be high in fat and sugar, they can be more filling and immediately satisfying than a handful of carrots or a piece of fresh fruit.

People also often turn to these kinds of foods in times of stress and depression as a form of comfort food or surrogate gratification (like smoking). But while smoking is associated with lower weight, convenience foods and junk foods are big contributors to obesity. Owing money you can’t pay is most certainly stressful. Stress causes secretion of glucocorticoids (GC), a class of steroid hormones. GC stimulate drive for and ingestion of “comfort foods” and have been linked to increased food consumption, according to studies by Dr Dallman. So perhaps it is not so surprising to find that over-indebted people are more likely to be either overweight.

When debt causes people to cut back on spending, too often the things they cut are likely to be health-related. Membership at a health club or gym may be classed as a “frill” to be eliminated, but if it means that person is less likely to keep active and get exercise, it can have a negative impact on both health and weight. Lower quality foods are unfortunately often less expensive than healthy foods, and people who live in depressed areas or have limited transportation can find it hard to get to full-service or specialty markets where fresh foods are available.

It’s not a new observation that poverty and lower socioeconomic status often go hand-in-hand with poor nutrition and increased obesity. But debt has not been traditionally included as one of the markers of economic wellbeing. Dr. Munster’s study suggests that this factor needs to be taken into consideration in understanding people’s health risks–particularly in these days of rising debt and financial strain.

Matt Denos is a biologist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. As a research scientist he closely follows the relevant scientific literature and enjoys writing articles that contain newsworthy information in the field of nutrition, diet and obesity. His website contains information on weight loss programs and offers Nutrisystem promotion codes and discount coupons for BistroMD, two diet plans available in the US.