China Ends Entry Ban for People with HIV and AIDS

Recently, China has revoked a ban on people who have HIV or AIDS entering their country. Until now, China had regulations that banned foreigners from entering the country if they had psychiatric illness, leprosy, AIDS, sexually-transmitted diseases, active pulmonary tuberculosis, or their infectious diseases. The State Council in China issued amended rules to remove the ban on people who have AIDS or HIV and people with leprosy. Foreigners with serious psychiatric illness, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases are still banned from the country.

Lose Weight with Safflower Oil

Safflower oil is a polyunsaturated fat that comes from safflower seeds. It has been shown to increase metabolism, decrease body fat percentage, decrease the risk of heart disease, and lower glucose levels.

A study done on postmenopausal women showed that when they added 1/2 tablespoon of safflower oil to their diet, they were ale to lose up to 4 pounds of belly fat and gain 1 1/2 pounds of muscle in 4 months without changing their diet or exercise habits. The oil contains linoleic acid that might improve the way the body uses fuel. Safflower oil is sold in both supplement and liquid form. It is recommended to add 1 2/3 teaspoon of the oil to your daily diet and wait about four months to start noticing results.

New Fat Tax on Sodas

Leaders in New York are proposing a new fat tax on the soft drink industry, claiming that sodas are to blame for obesity in the United States. Public officials in New York and other states see the tax as an opportunity to have an affect on the diets of the general population and cut health costs due to obesity.

It is estimated that almost 20 percent of children in the United States between 6 and 19 years old are obese, which increases the risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Health experts say that insufficient exercise, fast food, and sugary sodas are to blame.

Beverage companies says that they have reduced calories in schools by removing full-calorie soft drinks and offering lower-calorie, more nutritious, and smaller-portion options. Leading beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo say that 88 percent less calories are now sold in their drinks when compared to 2004.

Health Benefits of Onions

Onions belong to the lily family, which also includes garlic, leeks, chives, scallions, and shallots. Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, cough, asthma, and to repel insects. Onions are effective against many bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E. coli. There are many different types of onions, including red, yellow, white, and green. Each different type of onion has its own unique flavor, from very strong to mildly sweet. The high level of sulfur-containing compounds gives onions their unique odor. The strongest smelling onions provide the most health benefits. The best choice is yellow onions, followed by red onions, and then white onions. They are a significant source of vitamins B6 and C, dietary fiber, chromium, folate, manganese, potassium, copper, and phosphorus.


There are many good health benefits involved with onions. A regular diet including onions can lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. This can help to prevent atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. It can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Onions are able to increase good-type HDL cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol levels to make a person healthier. Onions are good for diabetics because they contain allyl propyl disulfide, which lowers blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of free insulin available. They also contain thiosulfinates that reduce the symptoms of diabetes. Colorful onions, such as red or yellow, contain the most thiosulfinates. It is best to eat onions raw or lightly cooked because heat diminishes thiosulfinates. Onions contain sulfides which might lower blood lipids and blood pressure.


Onions contain flavonoids, such as quercetin, that can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by stopping the growth of tumors and protecting colon cells from the damaging effects of certain cancer-causing substances. The flavonoids improve the integrity of blood vessels and decreases inflammation. They also provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Quercetin protects the body against stomach ulcers and colon, esophageal, and breast cancers. Quercetin extract enhances physical performance and endurance.

Other interesting facts about onions are that onion extracts are good at relieving coughs and colds, asthma, and bronchitis. They decrease bronchial spasms and allergy-induced bronchial constriction in asthma patients. They are very rich in chromium, which is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin. They are effective against osteoporosis. In osteoporosis, they destroy osteoclasts so that they don't break down bone.

Onions are safe to eat for most people but eating too much of this food may cause stomach distress and gastrointestinal irritation that might cause nausea or diarrhea. Cutting onions under cold running water is good at reducing watery eyes and eye irritation. Cut onions should either be stored in a sealed container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and immediately refrigerated. Uncut onions should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.

HIV Causes Premature Brain Aging

A new research is showing that people infected with the HIV virus have premature aging of the brain. The research has shown that blood flow in HIV patients is the same as uninfected people who are 15 to 20 years older. In the study, researchers used MRI scans to study blood flow in the brains of 26 people infected with HIV and 25 people who were not infected. The ages and the educational levels all of the individuals were similar. Researchers found reduced blood flow in the brains of younger people infected with HIV recently infected with HIV as well as the older patients. It is unclear whether this is caused by the virus, the medication to treat the disease, or both. Currently, 14 to 18 percent of all AIDS patients in the United States are over 50 years old and older generations have an increasing high rate of new infections. By 2015, more than half of all AIDS patients may be over 50 years old.

Improve Memory with Apples

It is found that eating apples could help to improve and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Eating two or three apples a day causes the levels of acetylcholine to increase. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is important to maintaining memory that decreases with age. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released from nerve cells that transmit messages to other nerve cells. Apples also have an antioxidant called quercetin, which has been proved in studies to help prevent Alzheimer's disease and it improves memory. Quercetin is found in the flesh and skin of an apple. The juice in apples may protect against oxidative damage that contributes to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Health Benefits of Licorice

Licorice is a flavorful herb that has been used for food and medicinal purposes for thousands of years to treat several illness from the common cold to liver disease. It grows wild in some parts of Europe and Asia and usually grows 3 to 7 feet high. Licorice roots are brown on the outside and yellow on the inside and contain a compound that is nearly 50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice supplements are made from the roots and underground stems of the plant. Licorice candy that is commonly sold in stores is flavored with licorice root extract and is considered a healthier snack choice because it contains almost no fat per serving.

Licorice is considered a demulcent because of its soothing and coating properties. It is considered an expectorant because it can remove phlegm and mucous from the respiratory tract. It is commonly used by health care professionals to relieve respiratory ailments, allergies, bronchitis, colds, sore throat, tuberculosis, stomach problems, heartburn from reflux, inflammatory disorders, skin diseases, stress relief, hepatitis, and liver problems.

Fight Dementia with Coffee

A Swedish study has found that when middle-aged adults drank 3 to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee each day, they were 65 to 70% less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life when compared to people who drank 2 or less cups each day. Coffee offers protection against the diseases by containing magnesium, antioxidants, and caffeine. It is also assumed that coffee decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which can contribute to dementia.

Reduce Salt to Cut Heart Disease

It is found that reducing salt in your diet can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease. Just reducing salt intake by 1 gram everyday would cause 25,000 less cases of heart disease and 200,000 less deaths in the United States in a decade. A study showed that when people lowered their sodium intake by 25% to 30%, they had a 25% reduction in heart disease and stroke risk 10 years later when compared to people who ate their usual diet. It is recommended to eat less than 2,300mg of salt per day and it is recommended that middle-aged and older adults and people with high blood pressure have less than 1,500mg of salt each day in their diet.

Prevent Colds and Flu with Astragalus

Astragalus is a plant that is native to Asia and is considered to be one of the most important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The root of the plant is commonly used medicinally and it can be used to treat illness, such as colds, flu, night sweats, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, chronic hepatitis, diabetes, and heart disease. It helps to prevent and treat colds and flu by increasing the production of immune cells and having mild antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can treat heart disease by relieving symptoms, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart function. It can help to treat chronic hepatitis by protecting the liver and it can be used ans an adjunctive therapy when it comes to cancer.

Astragalus also contains antioxidants, which can protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. It can be found in supplement form at some health food stores and may take 6 to 8 weeks to work best.

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fruit that is commonly eaten and has a lot of health benefits. It is rich in the antioxidants called anthocyanin and ellagitannin. Anthocyanins help to reduce inflammation, protect cell structures in the body, and prevent oxygen damage to the body's organ systems. Ellagitannins are effective at fighting cancer cells, especially colon and cervical cancer. Strawberries can be used to clean and whiten teeth and to freshen breath. The peak season for ripeness is between April and July.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries have more vitamin C in them per serving than oranges. Vitamin C is important because it helps the brain to function properly and helps the body to rebuild blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also helps to keep blood pressure low. One serving of strawberries has 210 mg of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate the electrolytes in the body and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Strawberries are also high in folate, which are important when it comes to the manufacturing of red blood cells.

The Facts of Swine Flu

Swine flu is an influenza virus that usually only affects pigs but the virus mixed genes with another influenza virus to create a new type of virus that is also able to infect humans. The current swine flu virus is so different from other viruses that humans have been exposed to in the past that there is very little to none natural immunity to it. The body would have a hard time defending itself against the virus and there are no vaccines for the virus yet. The antiviral medicines Tamiflu and Relenza could help if the medicine is given within two days after symptoms begin. Health authorities are recommending the medicines mainly for people that have more severe symptoms. Most people who have caught the virus have recovered from it.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, muscle pains, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, chills, headaches, weakness, and diarrhea. If you are having symptoms it is recommended to isolate yourself from everyone else and stay home to prevent spreading the disease. Get medical help immediately if the symptoms become severe.

The virus can be transmitted form person to person by sneezing, coughing, and physical contact, such as shaking hands, kissing, or any kind of touching. You can try to prevent contracting the disease and spreading it by washing your hands or using alcohol based cleansers frequently throughout the day, not shaking hands or having any physical contact with someone, and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms of the flu. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible. You cannot get the disease by eating pork.

The Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil can have a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels, heart disease, skin cancer, earaches, constipation, colon cancer, upset stomach, dry skin, and stretch marks. It also contains vitamins E, K, A and hundreds of micronutrients. Many of its health benefits are due to its high amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and moisturizing properties.

Olive oil has a positive effect against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It is good at activating the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones and lowering the chance of the formation of gallstones. When it is taken orally, it can increase metabolism, help digestion, and lubricate mucous membranes. Putting extra virgin olive oil on skin after sunbathing can help to prevent skin cancer.

China's Deadliest Infectious Disease is Now AIDS

For the first time last year, AIDS has become the most infectious disease in China. 6,897 of its citizens died within the first nine months of 2008 due to the disease. The Chinese government has improved the reporting of HIV/AIDS statistics and is acknowledging its presence in the country. China has denied that AIDS is a problem in the country for a long time, partly due to the low amount of reported deaths.

In recent years, leaders of China have more open about the disease, offered free treatment for the poor, anonymous testing, and have banned discrimination against people who have the disease. The government of China and UNAIDS estimate that the number of citizens in China living with HIV is estimated at 700,000 and 85,000 of these people have full blown AIDS. About 34,864 people have died from aids since its first reported death in 1985. The main causes of HIV infections are due to sex, drug abuse, unsanitary blood plasma, and tainted transfusions in hospitals.

The Health Benefits of Cranberries

There are many good health benefits to cranberries, they are good at preventing heart disease, protecting gums, and preventing urinary tract infections. The health benefits are due in part to the large amounts of proanthocyanidin antioxidants that each berry has. Antioxidants are good for the body because they protect cells from damage from unstable molecules called free radicals. Cranberries can also protect the body against cancer, stroke, and viral infections.

Cranberries have been used for a long time to treat urinary tract infections by preventing the adhesion of certain bacteria. It can also prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).

It is good for oral health because it reduces the production of cavity and plaque that produces bacteria in the mouth. It also reduces the bacteria associated with peptic stomach ulcers.

Fight Cancer with Fruits

Citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit, contain flavonoids, which are anti inflammatory compounds that stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens by the liver. There are certain flavonoids in the skin of tangerines that promote the death of brain cancer cells. In some fruits there are compounds that give them their dark color and contain powerful cancer fighting properties. Citrus fruits have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer in the digestive system, such as the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. They also have anticancer molecules that affect the growth of cancer cells.

Fight Cancer with Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries, contain ellagic acid and polypenols, such as anthocyanidins and proantocyanidins, that promote the death of cancer cells. Berries are also high in antioxidants, which attract and neutralize free radicals that could damage body cells in ways that could cause cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye damage. They are also good source of vitamin C and could help to prevent or reverse the disease processes of diabetes, heart disease, and stomach ulcers. They can also help to lower cholesterol levels. It is best to eat them raw in their whole fruit form instead of eating processed berries or fruit drinks that are made from berries.

Antibacterial Soaps Not So Good

It is found that antibacterial soaps are just as good as regular soaps at cleaning hands. There is not any evidence that they protect you from illnesses and they may not be beneficial health wise because the bacteria-killing ingredient found in the antibacterial liquid soaps, called triclosan, can promote antibiotic resistance to bacteria. This would make it harder to fight off bacterial infections because bacteria are more likely to form a resistance to antibiotics when they are exposed to low or infrequent doses of antibacterial ingredients. Triclocarban is an antibacterial substance found in antibacterial bar soaps and have the same negative effect. When you wash you hands with antibacterial products the product also goes down the drain and can be very harmful to the environment. It is a good idea to use soaps that are not antibacterial or antimicrobial.

Increase Metabolism with Tea

There are catechins and thermogenic properties in green and oolong teas that can increase metabolism and speed up fat oxidation. One cup of green tea can increase metabolism by 4 percent for 1 and 1/2 hours. One cup of oolong tea can increase metabolism by 10 percent for 1 and 1/2 hours.

Green tea is also an antioxidant that is rich in compounds called polyphenols that reduce the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. It is also a good detoxifier that activates enzymes in the liver that eliminate toxins from the body. It has even been shown to increase the effect of radiation on cancer cells to help cancer patients. It prevents the formation of free radicals that can cause diseases, such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

A Little Alcohol Good for Healthy Living

Researchers have found that drinking small amounts of alcohol, mainly wine, during middle age years you can have a major reduction in heart attack and stroke risk. It is recommended to drink one glass of wine per day. Alcohol raises HDL cholesterol levels, which is the cholesterol that is good for you, and stimulates the release of nitric oxide and histamines that relax blood vessels and improves their function.

Small to moderate amounts of alcohol could also help prevent Alzheimer's disease, peripheral artery disease, the common cold, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis, kidney stones, digestive ailments, stress, depression, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis A, pancreatic cancer, macular degeneration, angina pectoris, duodenal ulcer, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, gallstones, liver disease and poor physical condition in elderly.

Too much alcohol is bad for you. Too much can cause high blood pressure, increased triglyceride levels, cause abnormal heart rhythms, and raise the risk of breast cancer in women.