Global Public Health: Its Threat and Solution

According to the World Health Report 2007, one of the side effects of globalization is increasing risk of disease outbreaks, epidemics, natural disasters, industrial accidents, and other health emergencies. At least 39 new pathogens have been identified since 1967: HIV, Ebola haemorrhagic fever, Marburg fever and SARS. Other diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and pandemic influenza continue to pose a threat to public health through “a combination of mutation, rising resistance to antimicrobial medicines and weak health systems.”

Although the world is flat, disease outbreaks are multi-dimensional. Without a collective effort of all countries to share resources, global health will face unprecedented threats to its security. Health communities need to focus on building international cooperation and encouraging all countries to implement the revised International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) in order to deliver immediate rescue to disease outbreaks. Modern medical science plays an important role in improving public health system, but its approach in treating diseases has been vulnerable to fighting against newly developed pathogens. Its inability to offer effective solutions to outbreaks urges health professionals to re-evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of its current philosophy. Instead of investing in developing treatments and drugs on existing diseases, all countries should advocate proper lifestyles and regular health maintenance programs to prevent early onset of disease development. Healthy lifestyles and preventive medicine are the cost-efficient and life-enhancing solutions to people. The evolution of infectious disease outbreaks makes it difficult for human to predict when and where the next one will be, but preventive medicine can keep us away from chronic diseases, and better prepare us to resist new pathogens.

If you would like to read The World Health Report 2007 - A safer future: global public health security in the 21st century, visit http://www.who.int/whr/2007/en/index.html

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Will It Surface or Sink?

Chinese herbal medicine refers to many compounds that are unused in Western medical practice. There is strong interest and wide application in those compounds as well as the theories that guide Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to determine which compound to prescribe. Although abundant scientific research on Chinese herbal medicine’s pharmacological effects have been conducted in China, there is much less work in the West has been done on the same subject. Facing increasing costs and undesirable side effects of prescription drugs in the United States, American medical communities need to seek partnership with their Chinese counterparts to utilize the low-cost and less-risk Chinese herbs as an alternative to treat patients.

In China, herbs are commonly used among its population. Scientific collaboration between Western and Chinese medical research has been created through peer reviewed scientific journals and medical databases on pharmacology of Chinese Herbal Medicine. For instance, The Chinese Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and The Chinese Journal of Chinese Herbs are among the authoritative publications that showcase scientific studies on Chinese herbs. However, pharmacological efficiency of Chinese herbs is less known in The United States. While more medical schools start to incorporate alternative medicine including herbal medicine in their curricula, many Western doctors and scientists hold skeptical view toward Chinese herbs as superstition and archaic pseudoscience. Many Americans have a stereotype of Traditional Chinese Medicine as mystical and unscientific, which may lead to reluctant research among scientific communities. Additionally, many Chinese herbal medicines have been marketed as dietary supplements and there has been considerable controversy over the effectiveness, safety, and regulatory status of these substances. Misuse of marketed herbal products in the U.S. further reduces the scientific credibility of Chinese Herbal medicine. For instance, ephedra or Ma Huang in Chinese, contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Due to the risk of adverse impact on the cardiovascular system and some deaths due to consumption of extracts in high doses, the use of ephedra is restricted in the United States. Chinese wormwood, Qing Hao in Chinese, was discovered as a source for artemisinin, which is now used worldwide to treat multi-drug resistant strains of falciparum malaria. It is also under investigation as an anti-cancer agent that may induces adverse effect. Moreover, certain Chinese herbs involve a risk of allergic reaction and a risk of poisoning in rare cases. Potentially toxic and carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic and cinnabar are sometimes decocted as part of herbal formulas or used on the philosophy of “using poison to attack poison.” Although Chinese culture is familiar with healing philosophy of herbal medicine, such practice creates legal and clinical risks in the Western medical system. Apparently, misperception on Chinese herbal medicine and incorrect application of herbs are major barriers to scientific research in the U.S.

Nonetheless, this is not to say that Chinese herbal medicine lacks of pharmacological effects. Chinese herbs contain powerful biochemical agents, which have been scientifically documented in Chinese medical literature. Their clinical application over hundreds of years in China confirm their therapeutic effects. Language barrier and conceptual differences hinder the communication between Chinese and Western medicine communities. It would take collaboration between English-speaking Chinese medicine practitioners and open-minded Western medical scientists to research on Chinese herbal medicine in the U.S. in order to deliver effective drug alternatives.

Sex and Its Reasons

We all read about 237 distinct reasons humans have sex by now. Last week, Cindy Meston, Ph.D., director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Labotatory at the University of Texas, published her research findings on what motivates people to have sex. It took five years, self-sponsored funds, and 1,549 undergraduate subjects to conduct this study. All the efforts have been paid off: people now know lot more about why we have sex, and we are less shy about exploring our natural desire.

The study groups these reasons into four categories:

• PHYSICAL
• I was attracted to the person
• My hormones were out of control
• It seemed like good exercise
• EMOTIONAL
• I was in love
• I wanted to say 'thank you'
• GOAL-DIRECTED
• I wanted to get a raise
• Because of a bet
• I wanted to change the topic of conversation
• INSECURITY
• I didn't know how to refuse sex
• I felt obligated

The research looked at the leading reasons why men and women have sex. Men and women share eight of the top 10 reasons. If you think men only want sex for the physical pleasure and women want love, the following reasons disapprove such gender stereotype.

Women's Top 10 Reasons for Having Sex:

1. I was attracted to the person.
2. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
3. It feels good.
4. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
5. I wanted to express my love for the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was "horny."
8. It's fun.
9. I realized I was in love.
10. I was "in the heat of the moment."

Men’s Top 10 Reasons for Having Sex:

1. I was attracted to the person.
2. It feels good.
3. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure.
4. It's fun.
5. I wanted to show my affection to the person.
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release.
7. I was "horny."
8. I wanted to express my love for the person.
9. I wanted to achieve an orgasm.
10. I wanted to please my partner.

For your curiosity, read about the uncensored study “Why Humans Have Sex” at http://tinyurl.com/ypzwvr

If you are still curious, visit www.mestonlab.com and www.kinseyinstitute.org to learn more about human sexual behaviors.

Secret Formula for Longevity

In the quest for the fountain of youth, we have done well to extend life span. We found anti-aging foods such as berries and broccolis. We advanced medical procedures for organ transplants. We even created magic pills like Viagra and Levitra to enhance sexual performance. These are all good, but what exactly can we do to maintain our health and live longer in a natural way? The secret formula to slow aging will be revealed here. Make sure you share it with your family and friends so that you will hang out with loved ones for a LONG time.

1. Finding the PURPOSE of life - the MOST potent ingredient

Having a sense of purpose in life helps us buffer from the unforeseen mishaps. Having a job we like, volunteering for a charity organization we believe in, joining social or religious groups, and devoting ourselves to families are good reasons that make us look forward to another day. This helps us establish a sense of wellbeing. We feel happier when people think we are useful. The purpose of life drives away alienation and loneliness, which are often associated to poor health in elderly.

2. Coping with STRESS like taking a walk in the park

When we feel anxious or tense, our stress hormones become elevated. Chronic stress reduces the length of telomeres, enzymes that affect how many times a body cell can divide. Stress also reduces telomerase activity and accelerates the aging process. According to a study at the University of California, San Francisco, women with the highest levels of perceived stress have shorter telomeres by the equivalent of at least an additional decade’s worth of aging. Stress also causes us to develop bad habits such as binge eating, excessive drinking, smoking and fidgeting. Having longer sleep with better quality is one way to alleviate stress level. We cannot please everybody. We cannot finish every task. Take it easy.
(Wanna know the red hot modern stress triggers? Read Stanley Bing’s article “Off the Grid” in Fortune Magazine issue August 6, 2007)

3. Eat a healthy and BALANCED diet

There is no one magic food that can turn back the clock. If we haven’t eaten well, forget about the past. Start to eat a balanced and healthy diet with three regular meal schedule today! We can make the most of our metabolism if we eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. It’s Okay to consume fats, the right kinds of fats - monounsaturated and polyunsaturated including Omega-3 fatty acids. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good sources for carbohydrates. Don’t worry, moderate amount of carbohydrates do not cause water retention if our kidneys function well. We can get plenty of protein from lean meats and poultry, fish, beans and legumes. Soluble fibers found in foods are proven to have anti-aging effect, as fibers can keep blood sugar stable and insulin level down.

4. EXERCISE like an athlete

Remember Darwin’s “survival of the fittest”? Longevity is positively correlated to physical activities. 30-60 minute cardio workouts at least five days out the week help protect our heart, improve blood flow, keep bones strong, tone muscles, and more importantly, reduce inflammation and cancer risk. Physical activities including aerobics and strength training also lower our risk of developing depression, which is commonly seen in the retired population.

5. Control WEIGHT gain, especially the WAISTLINE

“Obesity accelerates aging by promoting insulin resistance or type-2 diabetes, increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, contributing to inflammation, and leading to degenerative arthritis and disease of the lungs.” Says David Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. Eating less and exercising more can easily help us shed excess pounds. Waist circumference is a common measure for abdominal fat. Excess fat in the abdomen, independent of total body fat, is considered a risk factor for ailments such as diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. It is considered “healthy” if our waistline grows an average 1/6-inch each year. Take extra caution if we have to shop for new belt.

6. SEX is necessary to keep adults healthy

“Sexual activity is a form of physical exercise.” says Dr. Michael Cirigliano of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Making love three times a week burns around 7,500 calories in a year -- the equivalent of jogging 75 miles. Heavy breathing during sex raises the amount of oxygen in cells. It helps organs and tissues function at their peak. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a popular anti-aging hormone, is released naturally right before orgasm and ejaculation. Many people consider lovemaking as an effective way to reduce stress level.