Dogs should never eat onions

Dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions …..

World’s Most Dangerous Cheese?

World’s Most Dangerous Cheese?

Casu Marzu is not your average cheese lover’s cheese. The name of this Sardinian specialty literally translates to “rotten cheese.” And if that’s not to scare you away, how about a few thousand wriggling maggots?

That’s right. Casu Marzu, otherwise known as walking cheese, is an Italian sheep’s milk variety with a little something extra. You could say it’s alive. Very alive.

How Casu Marzu is Made
Casu Marzu begins as Pecorino Sardo (Fiore Sardo), a cheese that’s typically soaked in brine, smoked, and left to ripen in the cheese cellars of central Sardinia. But to produce Casu Marzu, cheese makers set the Pecorino Sardo outside in the open – uncovered – and allow cheese flies (scientifically named Piophila casei) to lay eggs inside of it.

As the eggs hatch into a myriad of white transparent maggots, they feed on the cheese. By doing so, they produce enzymes that promote fermentation and cause fats within the Casu Marzu to decompose.

Sometimes, cuts are made into the rind of Pecorino Sardo and already-hatched maggots are introduced into the cheese. This speeds the whole cheese making process along.

How Casu Marzu Tastes
Casu Marzu is a local delicacy in very high demand. It’s a highly pungent, super soft cheese that oozes tears (“lagrima”), and fittingly so, as it tends to burn on the tongue.

Some say Casu Marzu tastes like an extremely ripe Gorgonzola. That is, of course, without the savoury blue veins and with a whole lot of larva. One piece of Casu Marzu may be populated by thousands of living, breathing maggots.

In fact, local Sardinians will tell you the spicy, creamy cheese is only okay to eat if the maggots are still moving. Apparently, once the maggots are dead, the Casu Marzu has gone bad – decayed to a point that’s too toxic for human consumption.

Is Casu Marzu Dangerous?
Casu Marzu has been declared illegal and not in compliance with EU hygienic standards. It is banned by Italian health laws and not sold in shops. In addition to numerous anecdotal reports of allergic reaction (including burning, crawling skin sensations that last for days), there is increasing concern of risk for enteric myiasis, or intestinal larval infection.

Once ingested, it’s possible for the Piophila casei larvae to pass through the human stomach without dying (sometimes stomach acids aren’t enough to kill them). In that case, the maggots may take up residency in the intestines for some time. They can cause serious lesions and bore through intestinal walls, resulting in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea.

Despite the health warnings, people in Sardinia say they’ve been eating Casu Marzu for hundreds of years without any problem. In fact, the Italian cheese is often brought out for special occasions like birthdays, bachelor parties, and weddings. According to folklore, Casu Marzu is even an aphrodisiac.

Casu Marzu Buying & Serving Tips
Casu Marzu cannot be legally sold in Italy, but mountain shepherds continue to produce it in small quantities for the black market. It’s often kept under the table, but only for the most trusted customers. Selling or serving it is punishable by a hefty fine.

If you find yourself with strong stomach and a local Sardinian connection, Casu Marzu may be procured – for about twice the price per pound as regular Pecorino. It’s generally served with thin slices of Sardinian bread (pane carasau) and a strong, red wine called Cannonau.

One final note of caution, some people wear eye protection when eating Casu Marzu: the maggots are known to jump as high as six inches and straight toward the eyeballs with exact precision. At a minimum, make a maggot sandwich and shield your eyes with your hand as you take a bite.

Buono appetito!

Source: http://www.ilovecheese.co.uk/casu-marzu-worlds-dangerous-cheese.html

Caterpillar fungus

Caterpillar fungus (Chinese Herbs)

The caterpillar fungus is a traditional medicine that has been widely used as a tonic and/or medicine by the Chinese for hundreds of years. The use of this fungus was relatively unknown in this country until it was credited for the success of Chinese women athletes at the National Games in Beijing, in 1993. Three Chinese track runners set new world records during the Games at three different distances, 10,000 m, 15,000 m and 30,000 m. Their coach, Ma Zunren, attributed the runner’s success to intensive training as well as a stress-relieving tonic prepared from the caterpillar fungus.

In the old days, Chinese people thought that the caterpillar fungus (Dong chong xiz cao) were worms. However, after years of study, it was found that it really is a fruiting body produced by the fungus, Cordyceps sinesis, on dead caterpillars of the moth Hepilus fabricius.

Some people believe the caterpillar fungus cures tuberculosis, coughing, anemia, and back and knee pains. Today, the caterpillar fungus is mainly used as a tonic to increase strength or for rejuvenation after a long serious injury.

Take shower

The secret of soft hands

Method 1
Things You’ll Need
Bowl
¼ cup of olive oil
1 cup granulated sugar

Pour the sugar into the bowl, and add in the olive oil. Mix it up and then rub the mixture onto your hands. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Fake Egg in market- BEWARE

Cases of problem foods and food poisoning are widely reported in Mainland China over the last few years. In 2001, there were 185 cases of food poisoning, affecting about 15,715 people and causing 146 deaths. The cases doubled in 2002. In 2003, the number of reported cases was ten times more than that in 2001, and the number of people suffered was as high as 29,660, including 262 deaths Now In Sept 2008 Nearly 53,000 Chinese children sick from contaminated milk; 4 have died

In China there are fake schools and classes that teach a variety of blatant fraud technology, even eggs can be modulated by chemical materials, but also be able to fry cook, is currently the most popular False course.

Increased Risk of Swine Flu during Pregnancy

Increased Risk of Swine Flu during Pregnancy by Dr Sloan

Influenza viruses (commonly known as the flu viruses) are divided into three broad categories, which are influenza A, B or C. Influenza A is the most common type. The new virus that is causing the H1N1 flu (or commonly known as the swine flu), is a variation of influenza A.
Influenza AH1N1 is reportedly a deadly variety from the mutated virus strains of the deadly avian flu (or bird flu) and the equally deadly swine flu. These viruses are airborne, and spread across borders, first infecting animals, then humans.
The World Health Organization (WHO) phase 6 pandemic indicates that AH1N1 influenza is occurring all around the world due to the H1N1 flu virus and that human infection is widespread. It continues to issue warnings, advice and caution about the next wave of influenza when people have forgotten, gotten lax and taken things for granted.
Although the specific adverse effects of H1N1 flu on pregnancy are unknown, anyone at high risk of complications from seasonal flu is thought to be at high risk of complications from H1N1 flu, especially pregnant mothers.
Pregnancy puts extra stress on the heart and lungs besides affecting the immune system. These factors increase the risk of developing serious complications of the flu, such as pneumonia and respiratory distress, which may lead to miscarriage, premature labor or other pregnancy problems.
Additionally, our natural immunity against the H1N1 swine influenza virus is limited, as it is a new strain of influenza virus, and our immune system has not developed immunity against it yet.
Pregnant women are particularly susceptible, especially during the annual winter flu season. It is crucial for people to be constantly concerned about influenza and stay informed.

Dr. Sloan, MD., is a qualified practicing medical doctor with a passion for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of illnesses and diseases. Subscribe for his newsletter containing solid information and advice at http://www.drsloanmd.com.

Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis (video)

http://video.about.com/arthritis/Chronic-Rheumatism-Knee.htm

Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Knee
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint swelling, stiffness, pain, and inflammation.

Gout Diet

Gout Diet by Carol & Richard Eustice

Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Uric acid results from the breakdown of purines. Purines are part of all human tissue and found in many foods.
Considered one of the most painful of the rheumatic conditions, gout afflicts an estimated 840 out of 100,000 people, accounting for about 5 percent of all cases of arthritis. Usually, gout affects the joints in the big toe initially. It also can affect the:

-instep
-ankles
-heels
-knees
-wrists
-fingers
-elbows

Foods To Avoid
Diets which are high in purines and high in protein have long been suspected of causing an increased risk of gout (a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the body which form crystals in the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation).
Purine-Rich Foods

According to the American Medical Association, purine-containing foods include:
-Beer, other alcoholic beverages.
-Anchovies, sardines in oil, fish roes, herring.
-Yeast.
-Organ meat (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads)
-Legumes (dried beans, peas)
-Meat extracts, consomme, gravies.
-Mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower.

Foods Higher In Purines
Johns Hopkins lists foods which are higher in purines, the foods very high in purines include:

-hearts
-herring
-mussels
-yeast
-smelt
-sardines
-sweetbreads

-Study participants who consumed the highest amount of meat were 40 percent more likely to have gout than those who ate the least amount of meat.

-Study participants who ate the most seafood were 50 percent more likely to have gout.

In this specific study, though, not all purine-rich foods were associated with an increased risk of gout. There was no increased risk associated with a diet which included:

-peas
-beans
-mushrooms
-cauliflower
-spinach

What Should You Eat?
The American Medical Association recommends the following dietary guidelines for people with gout, advising them to eat a diet:

-high in complex carbohydrates (fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, and vegetables)

-low in protein (15% of calories and sources should be soy, lean meats, or poultry)

-no more than 30% of calories in fat (with only 10% animal fats)

Recommended Foods To Eat
-Fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other red-blue berries
-Bananas
-Celery
-Tomatoes
-Vegetables including kale, cabbage, parsley, green-leafy vegetables
-Foods high in bromelain (pineapple)
-Foods high in vitamin C (red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, mandarins, oranges, potatoes)
-Drink fruit juices and purified water (8 glasses of water per day)
-Low-fat dairy products
-Complex carbohydrates (breads, cereals, pasta, rice, as well as aforementioned vegetables and fruits)
-Chocolate, cocoa
-Coffee, tea
-Carbonated beverages
-Essential fatty acids (tuna and salmon, flaxseed, nuts, seeds)
-Tofu, although a legume and made from soybeans, may be a better choice than meat

Improve Indoor Air Quality by Dr. Sloan

3 Strategies to Improve Indoor Air Quality by Dr. Sloan

Indoor air quality is something within our control. The place where we stay and work is certainly much more manageable than the outdoor environment. It is a relief to know that many diseases caused by indoor air pollution can be eliminated with just three simple basic strategies.

Firstly, we have to identify and control the source. We have to identify and eliminate the individual sources of pollution, or to reduce their emissions. Some sources of emissions are those like gas stoves, which emit poisonous gaseous into the air in the kitchen. It can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions, and checks can be carried out on a periodic basis for leakage. Some sources, like those containing asbestos, such as heat-resistant insulators, hot pipe coverings and inert filler medium, can be sealed up or enclosed.

The second strategy is to improve the ventilation. In addition to the source control, another method to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Open your windows and doors to let the air flow circulate in and out throughout your home or office on a daily basis for a period of time, either every morning or evening, or whenever the weather permits. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust the indoor air outwards can help to increase the outdoor air ventilation rate. This step is particularly important, if you are engaged in any sort of activities which generate high levels of pollutants, such as painting the walls, cooking, or maintenance activities such as soldering, welding or sanding.

Last but not least, the most simple and effective strategy is to install an indoor air purifier. There are many types and sizes of air purifier on the market, ranging from relatively inexpensive table-top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems.

Although some air cleaners may be able to remove air particles rather effectively, but not many are known to remove airborne contaminants effectively and also the bad odor at the same time.

A good air purifier must be able to remove allergen, bacteria, fungal spores, virus including the Virus Influenza A which causes H1N1 pandemic, pollen, chemical like ozone, radon as well as mineral like asbestos which is known to be a carcinogenic- cancer causing agent. For energy saving, look for ENERGY STAR (which pass the guidelines set by the US EPA and US DOE) whenever you purchase an air purifier.

Dr. Sloan, MD., is a qualified practicing medical doctor with a passion for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of illnesses and diseases. Subscribe for his newsletter containing solid information and advice at http://www.drsloanmd.com.