Monthly Archives: March 2013

What is Alfalfa?

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Alfalfa is an herb. People use the leaves, sprouts, and seeds to make medicine.http://www.ebiochem.com

Alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura. People also take alfalfa as a source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron.http://www.ebiochem.com

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective for:Lowering cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. Taking alfalfa seeds seems to lower total cholesterol and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels.Alfalfa seems to prevent cholesterol absorption in the gut.http://www.ebiochem.com

What Is Tungsten?

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Tungsten is a metallic chemical element classified among the transition metals of the periodic table of elements. It is well known for its strength and durability, which make it extremely useful in a wide range of industrial applications. Some consumers also own products which contain tungsten or were produced with the metal. The world’s major sources of this element are Russia, Austria, China, and Portugal, where it is extracted from minerals such as scheelite and wolframite.Website: http://www.ebiochem.com/

This element is not found in a pure form in nature. When it is isolated, tungsten in a very hard, brittle, gray to white metal that is extremely corrosion resistant. It has the highest melting point and tensile strength of any metal, and it also has the lowest vapor pressure point. The metal is identified with the symbol W on the periodic table of elements, a reference to its alternate name, wolfram. Tungsten’s atomic number is 74.Website: http://www.ebiochem.com/

People have known about the existence of tungsten since at least the early 1700s, when observers noted that the metal interacted with tin. In 1784, the de Elhuyar brothers managed to isolate it in Spain, using tungstic acid extracted from wolframite. Tungsten has classically been a very valuable metal, since its durability and strength make it extremely useful for military and industrial uses. The name of the element comes from the Swedish tung, or “heavy,” and sten, for “stone.”Website: http://www.ebiochem.com/

One of the most famous uses of tungsten is as a filament in light bulbs. The metal is also used in an assortment of alloys to increase their hardness and tensile strength. Many structural metal alloys use it since the metal has an extremely high melting point, and the element is also used to make wear-resistant tools. While these tools can be expensive, many workers like them because of their durability and long lifetimes.Website: http://www.ebiochem.com/

Tungsten does have some safety precautions. Dust from the metal can be flammable or explosive, and it also irritates mucus membranes, such as those inside of the nose and mouth. In some regions, tungsten has been linked with serious infections of the lungs in people who work with the element on a regular basis without adequate protections. Exposure to the metal has also been correlated with increased rates of cancer, although hard evidence to turn the correlation into causation has not been uncovered.

Website: http://www.ebiochem.com/

What is Gestational diabetes?

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Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not good for your baby. Out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, between three and eight get gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens for the first time when a woman is pregnant. Gestational diabetes goes away when you have your baby, but it does increase your risk for having diabetes later. http://www.ebiochem.com

If you already have diabetes before you get pregnant, you need to monitor and control your blood sugar levels.http://www.ebiochem.com

Either type of diabetes during pregnancy raises the risk of problems for the baby and the mother. To help reduce these risks, you should follow your meal plan, exercise, test your blood sugar and take your medicine.http://www.ebiochem.com

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

How can I Prevent Hyperthermia?

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Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces more heat than it can get rid of. Hyperthermia is usually the result of exposure to extreme heat, which causes the body’s temperature to rise to a level with which it cannot cope. Hyperthermia is an extremely serious medical condition that should be treated immediately.http://www.ebiochem.com/

Hyperthermia can also occur due to exhaustion from physical exercise. Certain illnesses can also be a contributing factor. Any illness that causes weakness or high fever makes the body more susceptible to hyperthermia.http://www.ebiochem.com/

There are a few preventative measures that can be taken to avoid hyperthermia. The main preventative measure is the clothing one wears in high temperatures. The body needs to perspire in hot weather, and wearing loose fitting garments is helpful.http://www.ebiochem.com/

Lightweight clothes made of fabrics such as linen are excellent to keep the body cool. Shorts and cotton t-shirts are also excellent choices for hot weather. Wearing a sun hat or any type of hat that shades the head from the sun can help prevent hyperthermia.http://www.ebiochem.com/

Drinking plenty of fluids in hot weather is also a necessary precaution against hyperthermia. Fluids should be taken even if you do not feel thirsty. You may not notice when your body perspires. A regular intake of fluids is necessary to replenish lost water and to maintain blood circulation.http://www.ebiochem.com/

Avoid rooms or areas that are overly warm. Make sure that rooms are well ventilated and that air conditioning can be used. Do not eat large, heavy meals when venturing into the sun, as this makes the body more tired.http://www.ebiochem.com/

When venturing into the sun, do not overexpose yourself. Sun worshippers have a habit of staying in the sun for hours on end. This dehydrates the body and can lead to severe exhaustion. Always allow time for the body to become accustomed to changes in heat.

Avoiding substances such as caffeine and nicotine also helps the body avoid hyperthermia. Caffeine and nicotine are diuretics and dehydrate the body. Alcohol also causes dehydration and should be avoided in the sun.http://www.ebiochem.com/

Hyperthermia can happen in any weather to anyone. Older people using medication may be more susceptible, and young children are also especially at risk. Symptoms of hyperthermia include headaches, disorientation, tiredness and nausea. If suspected, hyperthermia should be treated by a medical expert immediately.http://www.ebiochem.com/

 

How to relieve hands dry?

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Many people have dry hands, and this is especially true during the winter months. The good news is that you don’t have to go to the store and spend a ton of money on expensive creams andmoisturizers: you can make one in your own home.http://www.ebiochem.com

There are a variety of methods and mixtures that you can use, but here are just a few ideas. Begin by mixing 4 tablespoons of olive oil into a large bowl of warm water. Soak your hands in this for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with tepid water. Pat until damp, then apply a light moisturizer. You can also cover your hands in petroleum jelly and cover with a sock or cotton glove before bedtime. Aloe Vera plants are useful, and you can cut off a leaf. Rub the leaf on your hands for smooth skin. You can scramble an egg yolk and apply it to your hands. Then rinse after 15-30 minutes with lukewarm water, and pat dry. Using an almond or mineral oil is good as well. Simply massage it into the hands as you would any other moisturizer until it is all absorbed. There are many other methods that you can use to put the moisture back into your hands. They all work, you just have to find that one that works best for you.http://www.ebiochem.com

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

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Millions people suffer from osteoarthritis, an often painful condition in which the cushioning cartilage between bones wears away. Many people are trying new therapies and dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in their search for relief.http://www.ebiochem.com

Glucosamine is found naturally in the body. It stimulates the formation and repair of articular cartilage. Over-the-counter supplements come from animal sources. Chondroitin sulfate is another natural substance found in the body. It prevents other body enzymes from degrading the building blocks of joint cartilage. The type sold in health-food stores and pharmacies is derived from animal products.http://www.ebiochem.com

Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been used in Europe for several years, with few reported side effects. Both supplements also have some anti-inflammatory effects that may account for the pain relief.http://www.ebiochem.com

But there is no proof that either substance, taken singly or in combination, will actually slow the degenerative process or restore cartilage in arthritic joints. All studies done to date have been short and focused on pain relief. A long-term study is just beginning, sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.http://www.ebiochem.com

Dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are not tested or analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration before they are sold to consumers. That means consumers can’t be sure they’re getting what they pay for when they purchase bottles labeled “Glucosamine/Chondroitin.”http://www.ebiochem.com

What Is Glycocyamine?

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Glycocyamine is a compound that is naturally present in the human body. When it enters the liver, it gets converted to creatine, which may be used to build muscle tissue. Glycocyamine is often also referred to as guanidinoacetic acid or GAA, and it may be found in various muscle-building products that contain creatine. http://www.ebiochem.com

The compound is formed in the kidney from glycine and arginine. It is then transported to the liver, where it stimulates the production of creatine. Since glycocyamine may also be found in creatine products, it is usually consumed by bodybuilders and strength-training athletes to increase muscle mass and strength.http://www.ebiochem.com

Some of the benefits of taking glycocyamine may include an increase in energy levels, an increase in muscle strength and delayed muscle fatigue. It is also advised to take this supplement in conjunction with creatine to maximize its muscle-building effects. Other supplements that may be taken in conjunction with GAA include betaine, which is also known as trimethylglycine, and protein.http://www.ebiochem.com

Some experts believe that individuals may be classified as either a creatine responder or a creatine non-responder. Creatine responders will naturally react more favorably to creatine and will have more noticeable effects when using creatine. Non-responders are individuals who experience little or no noticeable results, even when they correctly supplement with creatine. Glycocyamine is believed to benefit both responders and non-responders favorably, and this is another reason for its popularity.http://www.ebiochem.com

It is recommended that individuals take between 1,000 and 3,000 mg (about one to three grams) of glycocyamine per day. This may greatly depend on each individual’s fitness goal and muscle-building requirements. Strength-training athletes may increase their daily dosage when required, and many bodybuilders take up to five grams of GAA per day.http://www.ebiochem.com

Many researchers recommend combining GAA with betaine, as this supplement may greatly reduce the negative effects of GAA. The optimal dosage of betaine is estimated to be about four times that of GAA. Added benefits of betaine include reducing the risk of liver and heart disease. Betaine may be found in seafood, spinach and various grains and taken in dietary supplements or in capsule form.http://www.ebiochem.com

Common side effects that are associated with glycocyamine may include an elevated risk of vascular disease and neurotoxicity. It is always advised to consult a medical practitioner before starting on any supplementation program and to also determine the ideal dosage.http://www.ebiochem.com

B Vitamins Help Memory Problems

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Taking certain B vitamin supplements on a daily basis can cut in half the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people suffering from mild memory problems, reveals a new Oxford University study.http://www.ebiochem.com

Approximately 1 in 6 elderly people over the age of 70 has mild cognitive impairment, experiencing troubles with memory, language or other mental functions, but not enough to interfere with everyday life. http://www.ebiochem.com

About half of people with mild cognitive impairment will go on to develop dementia – mainly Alzheimer’s disease — within five years of diagnosis.

Certain B vitamins — vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid — control levels of homocysteine in the blood, and it is known that high levels of this amino acid are linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s.http://www.ebiochem.com

So a team from the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA) set out to discover whether supplements of these B vitamins could slow down the higher rate of brain shrinkage, or atrophy, as seen in mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s.

The study observed 168 volunteers aged 70 or over with mild memory problems.  Half of these volunteers took high-dose B vitamin tablets for two years while the other half took a placebo tablet. The scientists evaluated disease progression in this group by using MRI scans to measure the brain atrophy rate over a two-year period. http://www.ebiochem.com

The researchers found that the brains of those taking folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 supplements shrank at a rate of about 0.76 percent a year, while those in the placebo group had a mean brain shrinkage rate of 1.08 percent. People with the highest levels of homocysteine benefited the most, showing atrophy at only half the rate of those on placebo.http://www.ebiochem.com

“It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease in many people who suffer from mild memory problems,” said Professor David Smith of the department of pharmacology at Oxford University, a co-leader of the trial.http://www.ebiochem.com

Along with studying the rate of brain shrinkage, the scientists also evaluated cognitive test scores, discovering that those with the slowest rate of shrinkage scored the strongest in cognition.

The team suggests that, since brain atrophy is more rapid in those who begin with mild cognitive impairment and then later develop Alzheimer’s, it is possible that the vitamin treatment could hamper the development of the disease. Clinical trials to test this should now be carried out, they add.http://www.ebiochem.com

“These are immensely promising results but we do need to do more trials to conclude whether these particular B vitamins can slow or prevent development of Alzheimer’s. So I wouldn’t yet recommend that anyone getting a bit older and beginning to be worried about memory lapses should rush out and buy vitamin B supplements without seeing a doctor,” said Smith.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, which co-funded the study, said, “These are very important results, with B vitamins now showing a prospect of protecting some people from Alzheimer’s in old age.”http://www.ebiochem.com

“The strong findings must inspire an expanded trial to follow people expected to develop Alzheimer’s, and we hope for further success.”

“We desperately need to support research into dementia, to help avoid the massive increases of people living with the condition as the population ages. Research is the only answer to what remains the greatest medical challenge of our time.”

Professor Chris Kennard, chair of the Medical Research Council’s Neurosciences and Mental Health Board which co-funded the study, said, “‘This MRC-funded trial brings us a step closer to unraveling the complex neurobiology of aging and cognitive decline, which holds the key to the development of future treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.”http://www.ebiochem.com

“The findings are very encouraging and we look forward to further research that is needed in order to test whether B vitamins can be recommended as a suitable treatment.”

This two-year randomized clinical trial is the largest to study the effects of B vitamins on mild cognitive impairment, and one of the first disease-modifying trials in the Alzheimer’s field to have successful results in people.http://www.ebiochem.com

Take in cheese will reduce the risk of cancer?

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Cheese is a great food. It tastes delicious, can be used in a variety of ways, and best of all, many of us don’t know that it can also help reduce your chances of getting cancer. In fact,research has shown that women see nearly a 25% reduction in cancer risks; men saw a 16% reduction. This makes sense, given the fact that we know the calcium in milk helps our bones to stay strong; calcium is also what helps to fight cancer. The study was conducted on about 500,000 people by the National Cancer Center of America. Using various calcium amounts, they were able to determine that those who consumed more calcium daily showed much lower risks of cancer than those who consumed less calcium. From this information, the Center has determined that adults, especially those over 50, should consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day; note that the UK Agency recommends adults to consume 700 milligrams a day.http://www.ebiochem.com

There are many ways to eat cheese: many people just like to eat slices of cheese, but there is also string cheese; shredded cheeses, which can be placed in many dishes, or melted over the top of others; or you can put cheese on bread and toast it. If cheese is not your thing, don’t worry. There are many other things out there that can help you get your daily calcium requirements. These include milk and other dairies (yogurt, cream); green veggies such as broccoli, lettuce, and cabbage; tofu; calcium-enriched breads and juices; and even nuts. So go out there and enjoy some calcium-enriched foods, and stay healthy longer. Do your best to fight cancer!http://www.ebiochem.com

What Is Ethyl Acetoacetate?

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Ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) is a beta-ketone ester that contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) and has the empirical formula C6H10O3. It can be prepared by Claisen condensation of ethyl acetate with sodium acetate or some modification of this procedure. Ethyl acetoacetate finds several important applications, both commercial and scientific. The food industry uses it in a variety of ways, and it is used in medications as well as as an intermediate in lacquer, paints and other surface preparations. At the research level, the ester is an important reagent in organic synthesis and ligand chemistry.http://www.ebiochem.com

EAA gives off a pleasant, fruity aroma. This makes it a popular synthetic for use in flavoring and fragrance applications, whether as is or modified chemically, as in the case of fructone. In addition, food manufacturers use the substance in resinous and polymeric coatings. Such coatings can be used on equipment or surfaces food contacts, or it can be used to a limited degree in the foods themselves.

Ethyl acetoacetate can be used in non-food-related surface coatings or textiles as an accelerant in the cure process. Termed a promoter or co-promoter, approximately 1-3 percent EAA is added by weight to the unsaturated polyester resin. In other products, EAA can be added as a solvent, a stabilizer or a catalyst. When more extensively modified, acetoacetic acid derivatives find application in dyes, pigments and agrochemicals. Acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate is used in co-polymerization to reduce viscosity in adhesives.http://www.ebiochem.com

Laboratory research has continued to reveal new substances and applications for ethyl acetoacetate. The molecule actually exists in two forms, one an “enol” form, the other a “keto” form — the form usually drawn to identify the molecule. These two forms can interchange. This property is called keto-enol tautomerism. In its enol form, EAA can act like a bi-dentate ligand, meaning that each molecule can act much like a pair of crab claws ready to attack an atom, generally of a transition metal. http://www.ebiochem.com

The claws form coordination bonds to these atoms within their grasp. One example of a coordinately bonded transition metal complex is the reaction between three EAA molecules and a single atom of trivalent, or +3-iron. Another example is the reaction between a molecule of ethyl acetoacetate and n-butyl lithium in pentane. In this reaction, a six-member ring is generated, with the lithium atom and two oxygen atoms being counted in among the ring members. Other reaction types include those of the organic chemist, using ethyl acetoacetate much as any other starting material is used, when it is the tool of choice.http://www.ebiochem.com