From Tylenol recall to medicines rethink

Tylenol is one of the most commonly used nonperscription medicines in the U.S, yet it is not as safe as we thought. The recent Tylenol recall makes us think twice about little bottles of pills (any kind of pills) when we turn to them for help next time.

Were they produced in a FDA approved standard?
Can they deliver therapeutic benefits without harming the body?
Are all side effects associated with the pills fully disclosed ?

Although we don't have all the answers to doubts about medicines' safety and efficacy, we all want to have the least side effects on the ill body. Tylenol recall alarms us about consequences of taking medicine to get better (or wore in this case).


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Tylenol recall: Serious side effects investigated

by CNN website


The Food and Drug Administration is looking into reports of at least 775 serious side effects from drugs recalled by McNeil, a division of Johnson & Johnson, according to a source close to a Congressional investigation.

Included in the reports were 30 deaths, nearly all of which were found to not be tied to McNeil's recall of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl drugs from Jan. 1, 2008 through April 30, 2010, according to another source close to the investigation.

The FDA is also investigating reports of several hundred serious side effects -- or "adverse events" -- and seven deaths since May 1, when McNeil recalled 50 children's versions of these non-prescription medicines because of serious quality and safety concerns.

The FDA's investigation into the recalls is ongoing and the agency would not comment on the matter.

Adverse event reports are consumer complaints of a serious side effect associated with the use of a medical product, according to the FDA. Adverse events could include death, hospitalization, disability and other health complications.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has scheduled a hearing on May 27 to examine the recall.

Following the most recent recall, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, Fortune 500) has suspended production at McNeil's facility in Fort Washington, Penn., that manufactured the children's drugs.

McNeil's latest recall is its fourth in the past seven months:

In November 2009, five lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100 count with the EZ-open cap were recalled for unusual odor leading to nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
In December, the recall was expanded to include all product lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain caplet 100 count bottles with the red EZ-open cap.
In January 2010, the recall was widened to an undisclosed number of Tylenol, Motrin and other over-the-counter drugs after complaints of consumers feeling sick from an odor.
McNeil has maintained that its recall of the children's drugs was not "undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events" but as a precautionary measure.

"We track all adverse events and thoroughly investigate all serious adverse cases that are reported and, in turn, report these to the FDA, whether or not the event may be caused by our products," McNeil said in a statement Tuesday.

The FDA, which earlier this month issued a scathing 17-page inspection report listing 20 violations at the Fort Washington plant, also maintains that the recalled drugs pose a "remote" potential for serious health problems.

The House panel invited Johnson & Johnson Chief Executive William Weldon to testify but he declined to be present due to health reasons. The Committee said Colleen Goggins, worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson's consumer group will testify at the hearings.

The FDA said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy Commissioner, Deborah Autor, Director of the office of compliance and Michael Chappell, acting commissioner for regulatory affairs, will testify on behalf of the agency.

Christmas Spices Improve Year-round Health *

There is something about the scents of Christmas. They remind us of chilly winter days and family gatherings. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg have added distinctive flavors to Christmas themes over the centuries. While we may not know the origins of holiday cooking traditions, we are more knowledgeable about the natural healing power of the festive mixes that extend beyond their delightful tastes.

Whereas, in ancient times, the anti-microbial properties of spices were used to preserve food long before the advent of refrigeration, today, they are commonly used to enhance the flavor of foods. Experienced chefs add them to their recipes, thereby, lessening the need for salt, oil and sugar which add considerable calories to the dishes and have other health impacts.
Besides enriching the aroma of cooked foods, spices increase the satisfaction we derive from eating, and help reduce our urge to overeat. When our taste buds are “heated up” by spices, we are distracted from noticing their remedial effects on our bodies. Additionally, they have high concentrations of antioxidants to fight the free radicals that cause diseases, contain a variety of vitamins that improve nutritional absorption and phytochemicals such as ginerol and salicin that reduce the risk of cancer.

It is perfectly fine to get "festive" with your cooking to stay healthy all year round. Here is more information about individual spices that are generally associated with Christmas and their healthy properties.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is a must-have ingredient in mince pies. It stimulates appetite and speeds up body metabolism. The U.S. Agricultural Research Service's nutrition lab found that cinnamon increases the responsiveness of body cells to insulin. This function helps lower blood-glucose levels in diabetics. Naturopathic practitioners use cinnamon to treat cold symptoms, flu, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other studies suggest that cinnamon may slow down the deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.

CLOVES

Cloves have s long-lasting scent when stuck into an orange or used to season the fat of roast ham. In Ancient China, people rubbed clove oil onto their gums to get fresh breath. Today, dentists apply eugenol, a constituent of clove, to patients' gums for its anesthetic and antibacterial effect. Clove oil is also a natural toothache remedy and will reduce pain. When combined with eucalyptus, lemon, thyme, tea tree and alcohol, cloves are very effective in fighting staphylococcus. Such antiseptic properties work well in the fight against the flu, common colds, and bronchial congestion.

GINGER

Ginger can be used in many ways. Gingerbread cookies are found in almost all cuisines. Indian and Chinese use it in preserves and crystallize it with sugar. Some Europeans have a strong liking for star-shaped gingerbread cookies because ginger is considered as an aphrodisiac. In Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicines, ginger is used to help alleviate arthritis pain. It is commonly taken for morning sickness, motion sickness, indigestion and gas. If we have a cold, drinking hot water with a few slices of fresh ginger alleviates cold symptoms.

NUTMEG

Nutmeg is a legendary spice that has many interesting uses in different times and cultures. In the Middle Ages, it was a popular alternative to marijuana. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for digestive problems, premature ejaculation, and urinary incontinence. Egyptians use it to treat colds and respiratory conditions. Natives of the Banda Islands rub nutmeg oil onto the stomach to treat flu, and onto the forehead to reduce headaches. In the seventeenth century, a pound of nutmeg was worth a hefty amount £2.10, and the scent of nutmeg evaporated from one’s homes was a sign of wealth in England. Although a small amount of nutmeg is typically used to enhance flavors while cooking, consuming more than two teaspoons of ground nutmeg may elicit side effects such as double vision, nausea, vomiting and circulation problems. Also, nutmeg may interact with anti-anxiety medications like diazepam (Valium), ondansetron (Zofran), and buspirone (BuSpar). So, be careful not to harm the body while we enjoy the spice.



*This article was first published in Yellow Magazine December 2009 issue.

A Slower Life *

Modernization has enabled us to live life at full throttle. Increased work efficiency via BlackBerry, real-time updates on Twitter, fast food for quick lunch, courtship by speed dating, instant relief medicines for aches and pains, mind-body relaxation through speed meditation, etc, etc.! Our lives literally consist of nonstop races against the clock. Speedaholics are the neo-workaholic of the 21st century, except they exhibit endurance (24/7) and greater range (workplace, home and in between places such as Starbucks).

Modern society may appeal to our need for instant gratification, but the quality of life does not always benefit from technological advances. On the contrary, high-velocity lifestyle takes a toll on our wellbeing. For example, fast eaters are at greater risk of overeating, obesity, and indigestion. People with high stress levels are more likely to experience unhappiness, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. When we are busy playing the roles of super-beings, we ignore the fundamental purposes behind the events and activities to which we are speeding. When life is constantly racing in the fast lane, our health deteriorates and aging accelerates. We must slow down before our bodies and minds break down.

Slowing down is about doing things at an appropriate speed, not at a turtle’s pace. Decelerating in life is not about dawdling, but about adjusting life rhythms and sharing experiences with people we care about. Rather than passing through places and events, it allows us to ‘be there’ to connect with what is actually going on around us. Being slow emphasizes building balances between work and life, quality and quantity, tangibles and intangibles, excitement and relaxation, destitution and abundance. Instead of rushing from one task to another, we take the time to enjoy important moments during prioritized activities.

While some people feel nervous about slowing down at the beginning, the “slow impact” will kick in quickly once new behavior patterns are adopted. Not only will our bodies benefit from slowing down, our mental health will be lifted to a more positive and energetic level. The core motive of slowing down is to choose living rather than to simply exist. The following is a list of the most effective slow actions. Put them into practice, and live life to the fullest!

Turn them Off: Turn off TV, cell phone, BlackBerry and radios for a few hours each day. This way, we don’t need to worry about unexpected interruption. We can have these few hours just to ourselves for reading, talking with families, playing instruments, or simply chilling. It’d be the best if we turn off all electronic devices during sleep.

Take a deep breath: Research has found that deep breathing helps calm the mind. Breathing deeply and evenly has an instant effect on heart rate. Especially during overwhelming moments, deep breathing can quickly slow us down.

Do one thing at a time: It is okay not to be an overachiever. Multitasking makes us feel anxious and stressed, and we may end up doing nothing well. Focusing on one thing at a time lets us to finish it well. Better yet, we are able to appreciate what it is from the beginning to the end.

Have leisure time: It is unwise to fill every hour of the day with activities. Having fun is just as important as working hard. There is no need to feel guilty about relaxing. Many studies show that people who make time for sports are more creative and productive than those who do not. Additionally, enjoying leisure time makes us happier and, allows use to develop relationships more easily. BTW, make sure when “leisure” mode is on, we are not worrying about other unfinished businesses.

Pick up a Hobby: Slowing down can be easily achieved by enjoying hobbies. Golfing, yoga, gardening, knitting, pottery, and writing are some examples for soothing and fulfilling relaxation. When we are engaged in interesting hobbies, we set our brains in a new mode that encourages creativity and productivity.

Stay Mindful: Mindfulness is a Buddhist meditation technique. Being present in the moment where things take place is the key of staying mindful. We can really experience all things in the surroundings without making judgments. We apply all of our senses to connect with matters around us.



* This article was first published in Yellow Magazine July 2009 issue.

Why Vitamins and Exercise don’t go hand in hand?

Many of us have grown accustomed to taking vitamin supplements to boost immune system. When we are committed to a fitness routine to tune the body, we usually chew a few more vitamin pills for that extra metabolic effect. The common sense of exercise and vitamin combo is supposed to help us get healthier more quickly. However, a new study done by researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in the United States and the University of Jena in Germany shed light on less beneficial effects of vitamins. Please read Nicholas Wade’s report below to find out why.

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Vitamins Found to Curb Exercise Benefits

By Nicholas Wade Published on New York Times May 11, 2009

If you exercise to improve your metabolism and prevent diabetes, you may want to avoid antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
That is the message of a surprising new look at the body’s reaction to exercise, reported on Monday by researchers in Germany and Boston.
Exercise is known to have many beneficial effects on health, including on the body’s sensitivity to insulin. “Get more exercise” is often among the first recommendations given by doctors to people at risk of diabetes.
But exercise makes the muscle cells metabolize glucose, by combining its carbon atoms with oxygen and extracting the energy that is released. In the process, some highly reactive oxygen molecules escape and make chemical attacks on anything in sight.
These reactive oxygen compounds are known to damage the body’s tissues. The amount of oxidative damage increases with age, and according to one theory of aging it is a major cause of the body’s decline.
The body has its own defense system for combating oxidative damage, but it does not always do enough. So antioxidants, which mop up the reactive oxygen compounds, may seem like a logical solution.
The researchers, led by Dr. Michael Ristow, a nutritionist at the University of Jena in Germany, tested this proposition by having young men exercise, giving half of them moderate doses of vitamins C and E and measuring sensitivity to insulin as well as indicators of the body’s natural defenses to oxidative damage.
The Jena team found that in the group taking the vitamins there was no improvement in insulin sensitivity and almost no activation of the body’s natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage.
The reason, they suggest, is that the reactive oxygen compounds, inevitable byproducts of exercise, are a natural trigger for both of these responses. The vitamins, by efficiently destroying the reactive oxygen, short-circuit the body’s natural response to exercise.
“If you exercise to promote health, you shouldn’t take large amounts of antioxidants,” Dr. Ristow said. A second message of the study, he said, “is that antioxidants in general cause certain effects that inhibit otherwise positive effects of exercise, dieting and other interventions.” The findings appear in this week’s issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The effect of vitamins on exercise and glucose metabolism “is really quite significant,” said Dr. C. Ronald Kahn of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, a co-author of the report. “If people are trying to exercise, this is blocking the effects of insulin on the metabolic response.”
The advice does not apply to fruits and vegetables, Dr. Ristow said; even though they are high in antioxidants, the many other substances they contain presumably outweigh any negative effect.
Dr. Kahn said it might be that reactive oxygen is beneficial in small doses, because it touches off the body’s natural defense system, but harmful in higher doses.
Andrew Shao of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association of dietary supplement makers, said the new study was well designed but was just one bit of evidence in a complex issue. Most available evidence points to the opposite conclusion, that antioxidants benefit health by reducing oxidative stress, he said.
“I wouldn’t change recommendations for anyone based on one study,” he said. “This is one small piece of the puzzle.”

True Meaning of Natural Medicine

At work, I consult with patients on what natural healing means and how it works to improve their health. At leisure, I talk with people in diverse professions to promote their awareness for natural health. During my recent trip to New York, I discussed this popular subject with Ann, a friend from the good old SIPA (the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University) days. Having acquired critical acumen in top-tier health organizations, Ann asked an array of intriguing questions about natural medicine. We enjoyed our dialogue so much that we even extended the discussion via email in the following weeks. In this blog, I selected part of our email communication to present with you the meaning of natural health in modern society.

“Thomas Edison foresaw the medical development in this way: ‘The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.’

What you, I and other SIPA friends have in common is the ultimate drive to make a difference in the world through social, political, financial and educational means. We know that we cannot recreate a NEW world with ideal peace and equality. Then what can we do? Knowing the conflicts in the EXISTING world, we participate in tasks that hopefully can make a positive influence on it and change it for better over the long term. Regardless of how turbulent the world is (pollution, poverty, ethnic conflicts, economic downturn, etc. you name it), we, as do-good-agents, enter this imperfect arena to minimize its conflicts and enhance its valuable heritage. Of course, this is the almighty goal and requires many SIPA graduates to reach it. Fortunately, we are getting closer and closer to it every year. This point of view is based on the assumption that human's moral nature prefers a peaceful world.

By the same token, natural healthcare acknowledges the uncontrollable variables that affect people's health. Polluted environment is bad for respiratory system, growth hormones in poultry and dairy products interfere with body's normal hormonal metabolism, severe winter weather dehydrates skin (I’m curious about Sara Palin's secret to healthy skin is in Alaska), radiation from TV and computer weakens eyesight, stress increases risk for weight gain and chronic disorders ... ... These are just some examples of EXTERNAL factors that have negative impact on our health. Can we remove all of them in order to stay healthy? It'd be idealistic to see them gone in our lifetime. Then what can we do to preserve our natural body? Here comes Darwin's Survival of the Fittest theory. "The fittest" in human health are those who are able to maintain good health despite of the severity of external environment. Can we achieve this? The answer is the conceptual foundation (this term is definitely better applied here than elsewhere) of natural healthcare: empower the body to naturally stay at its ‘Fittest’. This is based on the assumption that our body is able to heal itself naturally. Healthcare innovation makes more sense if it shifts its focus to the body's INTERNAL environment and INTRINSIC ability, instead of applying foreign substances to regulate the already-damaged mechanism.

I can type out pages of my perspectives into natural medicine, but I don't want to bore you with more lengthy texts. Just think about this scenario. Ms. Veggie has been on an organic vegetarian diet for a while. She does so because her digestive system is sensitive. Her stomach easily gets upset when she tries new food. Her doctor told her that staying away from meat helps ease her stomach. Recently, she got addicted to cupcakes. "One cupcake a day, bid smile all day" has been her daily snack this whole month. Yesterday she read somewhere about enriching cupcake flavor with a bottle of milk. She usually drinks milk in the morning. As a healthy calorie-watcher, she postpones her milk consumption till 3PM when she usually eats a freshly baked cupcake. Milk (organic of course) and cupcake together taste better, but an hour later, Ms. Veggie's stomach started making funny movements. By the end of the day, she already used a roll of toilet paper. If she came to see a natural doctor, she’d be treated to improve digestion function, rather than being ordered to discontinue the cupcake-milk combo.

The bottom line of natural healthcare is to strengthen the body's innate physiological functions. If the body is healthy and strong, it can identify good nutrients and bad substances, absorb the useful and eliminate the waste. If it is sick and weak, it cannot recognize good or bad, improper absorption and elimination of wrong elements can occur (it doesn't matter what type of food intake is). In this case, it'd be really hard to treat the conditions by altering diet, don't even think about curing its root cause. In practice, the general concept mentioned above guides natural treatment plans, which must be carefully customized to meet each individual's body constitution, prior health condition, emotions, stress, religion, lifestyles and so on.”

By now you know a bit more about Moogger way of natural health concept. But be aware that not all natural health practitioners follow the same ideology, just like regional variations in western medical practices. You don't have to agree with me, but I'm happy that you’ve taken time to learn about a new health concept. Of course, your feedback and comments are always welcome to help expand Moogger’s knowledge from dissimilar minds.

Love is the Heart Rescue

People are suckers for love. This is why pounding-heart lovers will rush into movie theaters tomorrow to see the heartfelt melodrama Slumdog Millionaire. Why not get more inspiration for love?

Love has profound impact on us. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate and an Israeli psychologist, wrote about what got him into the fascinating field of psychology. When German Nazis occupied France in 1940s, Kahneman and his family lived in Paris. During the wartime, Jews were required to wear the Star of David and had to obey a 6p.m. curfew. “I had gone to play with a Christian friend and had stayed too late. I turned my brown sweater inside out to walk the few blocks home. As I was walking down an empty street, I saw a German soldier approaching. He was wearing the black uniform that I had been told to fear more than others – the one worn by specially recruited SS soldiers. As I came closer to him, trying to walk fast, I noticed that he was looking at me intently. Then he beckoned me over, picked me up, and hugged me. I was terrified that he would notice the star inside my sweater. He was speaking to me with great emotion, in German. When he put me down, he opened his wallet, showed me a picture of a boy, and gave me some money. I went home more certain than ever that my mother was right: people were endlessly complicated and interesting.” (Kahneman, D. 2003. Maps of bounded rationality: A perspective on intuitive judgment and choice) Kahneman’s childhood Nazi experience presented tender loving nature of human beings when the boy least expected it. This particular incident of love display opened his mind to the “complimented and interesting” subject of psychology.

Love is at the heart of human world. No one can deny that people innately embrace the fundamental essence of human nature - love. We live for love, fight for love, and die for love. We compose poetry, write novels and produce movies to spread love. Globalization and civilization help us evolve into a special kind of race that not only reaches tangible goods like food and shelter, but also cultivates spiritual assets like love. Unfortunately, the very people who created love have been too busy to care for it. Current global financial crisis not only alarms business entities and policymakers to develop economic resolutions, it also serves as a wakeup call for global citizens. It urges us to analyze the underlying causes for the calamity and take a closer look at love. Did we jeopardize our well-being by stress, depression and OCD after succeeding at work and failing at home? Did financial and materialistic rewards drive us far away from nurturing love? Were we so involved in acquiring tangible assets that we overlooked the fact that the life’s gemstone is love instead of its filigree like vacation homes and private jets? Is now the time for us to rebound from financial deprivation as well as soul deficiency?

We all know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. (CDC’s Heart Disease Facts and Statistics 2009) It is already heartbreaking to know that over 650,000 Americans died of heart disease each year, but it is more heart rending that few know love can really heals the physical heart. Loving relationships promotes better health, happiness and longevity, especially in times of severe downturns. When Dorbert Nerum’s team at the University of Houston conducted a research on the correlation between a high cholesterol diet and heart attack, they came across unanticipated health miracle brought by love. They fed experimental rabbits with the high cholesterol diet that guaranteed to elevate cholesterol level in the rabbits. Consequently, there was a build-up of plaque in rabbits’ arteries. This blocked blood flow and caused heart disease. The surprising finding was that one group of rabbits developed a lower cholesterol level and a smaller arterial plaque volume than expected. It took a while for the befuddled team to discover that a lab assistant’s extra care stopped the rabbits from suffering heart problems. After feeding the rabbits, the lab assistant took them out of the cage, talked to them, played with them and petted them. All these loving activities reduced the risk for heart disease by a very significant percentage, 60 percent! If a simple act of petting could prevent the rabbits from getting heart disease, think about how many lives we can save by doing little things to share love with people around us.

More and more scientific studies have shown that small changes in lifestyles lead to significant improvements in one’s health and well-being. However, love, the most powerful and the most effective intervention, has not been prescribed enough by health practitioners. Love has a stronger impact on the quality of life and development of diseases. It extends emotional transformation to physical restoration. Dr. Candace Pert conducted a famous research on the bio-chemistry of emotions to demonstrate how the emotions are connected to the body. She finds that receptors sit on the surface of body cells, and specialized cells like neurons have millions of the receptors surrounding them. These receptors scan, sense and receive chemical substances known as peptides. These peptides deliver emotional messages to the receptors. The emotional messages elicit bio-chemical reactions within the cells, and have positive or negative effect on cell’s growth and development. Dr. Pert advances the theory of body-mind connection through the evidence of chemical alternation at molecular level. Her finding coincides with the philosophy of Dr. Yongshu Yang, a revolutionary doctor in integrative medicine in China. Dr. Yang has treated thousands of patients through a mind-body approach since 1970s. Her clinical experience confirms that the body has self-healing ability or “natural medicine.” Proper emotional release and positive attitudes restore body’s healing mechanism. An angry individual has angry cells that attack and damage each other. A loving person has happy cells that attract and nourish each other. Dr. Yang discovers that people with anger suppression have greater risks for inflammation in all kinds of body cells, cardiovascular diseases and circulatory malfunction. On the contrary, people with positive and loving attitudes develop less inflammatory conditions and usually have a longer lifespan.

If the best doctor resides inside our mind, why not get involved with love to provide the natural pharmacopeias to others and ourselves? Love is both from the heart and for the heart.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dieters Gone Wild!

Do you really want to lose weight?

Have you tried all the diet methods out there?
If yes, think again. Are you sure you have tried the goldfish diet?
If no, wait to get enlightened by a CNN's report on fascinating diet schemes over the last century.

What you're about to read is beyond ordinary thinking and practice, and for information only. Make sure that you consult with your physician on what the healthiest way is to lose weight.


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Sleeping Beauty and worm diets -- thinning through history

By Linda Rodriguez

(MENTAL FLOSS) -- Most of the world seems to think that America invented obesity sometime in the last century, but the truth is, fat has always been a part of life (witness Hatshepsut, one of the great ancient Egyptian queens who reigned in the 15th century BC -- despite her svelte sarcophagus, modern archeologists believe that she was pretty obese and may have suffered from diabetes).

So it stands to reason that dieting has been around just as long.

Some historians credit William the Conqueror with starting the first fad diet. Having grown too fat to ride his horse, William went on a liquid diet in 1087 -- or, rather, a liquor diet, since all he did was drink booze.

The story might be apocryphal -- William, still fat, actually died after falling from his horse and there was no word on whether he was drunk at the time -- but it's a good one, and it sets the tone for the next 1000+ years of dieting.

Throughout history, people have been looking for some kind of magic that will allow one to eat and live as one pleases, but still look emaciatedly gorgeous. And they've come up with some pretty dubious theories that somehow took hold in the public consciousness and became fads. Here are a few of our favorites.

Location, location, location

"The Causes and Effects of Corpulence" was a treatise penned in 1727 by one Thomas Short, in which he observed that larger people were more likely to live near swampy areas. His advice? Fat people should move to more arid climes.

Improbable side effects

The namesake of the graham cracker -- ironically now an integral part of that deliciously fattening treat, the 'smore -- was a Presbyterian minister who claimed that overeating could not only make you fat, it could make you lecherous, too. In the 1830s, Sylvester Graham ran health retreats for like-minded parishioners featuring a strict meat-free, incredibly bland diet.

Chew yourself thin

Horace Fletcher, a turn of the century San Francisco art dealer, became known as the Great Masticator after he claimed he lost more than 40 pounds by chewing his food until it was essentially liquefied and spitting out all the bits that weren't.

Fletcher's scheme became incredibly popular -- novelist Henry James and industry titan John D. Rockefeller were reportedly fans, as was John Harvey Kellogg. Kellogg, of the cereal fame, was a health nut who ran a sanitarium in Michigan, where he encouraged his visitors to "Fletcherize" with a little song he wrote called "Chew Chew." Mental Floss: How cereal transformed American culture

The parasite diet

In the early part of the 20th century, the weight loss industry allegedly found a tiny little helper in the form of a tiny little parasite -- the noble tapeworm. According to product advertisements of the day, tapeworms were being sold in pill form as a weight loss tool.

While whether or not those pills actually contained a real live tapeworm is certainly debatable, however, there is evidence that jockeys, who frequently needed to lose a lot of weight fast, would try to induce tapeworms. Another favorite weight loss tool of the Lilliputian equestrians: Burying themselves in piles of horse manure, which acted as a kind of natural sauna.

Introducing the calorie

In 1918, Dr. Lulu Hunt Peters introduced a new word to the world lexicon --"calorie" (may she be forever cursed for it). Peters' book, "Diet and Health, With a Key to Calories," which helpfully included a phonetic spelling of the word "calorie," as so many people were unfamiliar with it, sold more than 2 million copies and established calorie-counting as the framework of a good health.

This diet regime wasn't particularly dubious, but it did lend a potentially dangerous new tool to those looking for a way to quantify and reduce their food intake. Case in point: The Scarsdale Diet of 1979, a strict 700-calorie a day diet that works -- because you're starving. Mental Floss: Quiz: Which item has more calories?

The goldfish diet

OK, this one wasn't so much about weight loss as it was fame gain, but in 1939, it was a fad that swept the nation. Like most good things, it all started with a bet -- a Harvard University undergrad won $10 after swallowing an innocent fishy. The story spread from there, prompting a countrywide goldfish slaughter.

Goldfish swallowing became so popular that not only were pet stores running out of the indigestible comestibles, but the New York Times published warnings from doctors that swallowing goldfish, which are known to carry tapeworms and other parasites, could be very harmful to one's health.

The nicotine diet

By the middle of the 20th century, dieting had become such a major economic, social and cultural force in the Western world that cigarette companies, not wanting to miss the money boat, jumped on board promoting cigarettes as a weight-loss tool. It's a belief that persists today -- ask any supermodel.

The master cleanse

In the 1940s, nutrition guru Stanley Burroughs created the Master Cleanse, a fast during which the dieter subsists solely on a mixture of cayenne pepper, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup and water.

The Master Cleanse is still popular today, especially among anorexics and aspiring anorexics, despite the fact that most nutritionists and doctors say that "detoxing" is a nonsensical and potentially harmful idea.

The Sleeping Beauty diet

Then there's the Sleeping Beauty Diet, a regime that allows the dieter to literally sleep off the pounds while under heavy sedation for several days. Elvis was reportedly a fan of that one, right about the time when he was having a little trouble squeezing into those trademark white jump suits, as was a character in the landmark beach read, "Valley of the Dolls." Mental Floss: 7 simple rules for how to take a nap

The monotony diets

The 20th century also brought us back to a concept allegedly pioneered by William the Conqueror -- the single food or drink diet. There's the Grapefruit Diet, which alleges that eating a lot of grapefruit and drinking a lot of grapefruit juice, in conjunction, of course, with a very low-calorie diet, is the way to weigh less; the Cabbage Soup Diet, which is said to cause serious gas with a side of nausea; the Popcorn Diet, which is pretty much undercut by all the tasty things one puts on popcorn to make it palatable; and the Chocolate Diet, which, though tempting, is just plain silliness.

Memorable dieting paraphernalia

And let's not forget about the gadgets that went along with these suspect food fads, like the Vision-Dieter Glasses, which made food look unappealing, or the Mini-Fork system, which encouraged people to eat smaller portions by supplying them with -- you guessed it -- smaller forks.

Or how about slimming soaps, popular in the 1930s, which promised dieters that they could just wash the fat away? And then there's the perennially popular vibrating machine, which promised to melt off pounds by a few minutes of intense body vibration -- and which is actually enjoying a comeback now at gadgetry stores like Brookstone.

Feng Shui in the Spotlight: World Outlook 2009

In June 2008, Moogger first presented the concept of feng shui as an interior design strategy to create harmonious home environment. We received positive feedback from many readers who have put it into practice. Improved family relationships, better health, and career promotion are reported benefits of home feng shui.

Besides regulating energy at home, feng shui masters apply unique formulas to predict the future viability of an event, a person, a business entity, or even a country. While the world is facing economic uncertainty, people turn to feng shui practice with a hope of exiting grim financial stage ASAP. Susan Fenton at the Reuters had a very interesting report on what Asian Feng shui masters foresaw for 2009. Believe it or not, it is worth reading about the unknown that may later surface as the real thing.

Of course, the best feng shui practice is optimism. There is no use worrying. let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the year of the Ox (shall we say “Bull”? ☺ ).


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Feng shui masters see calmer markets in Year of the Ox

By Susan Fenton


HONG KONG (Reuters) - Stock investors reeling from last year's market mayhem may take some solace from practitioners of the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, who predict a calmer, if subdued, performance in the coming Chinese Year of the Ox.

"This year of the Ox is an 'earth' year, when people will take a breather and reflect on what they should do after a turbulent 2008," said Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo.

Practitioners of feng shui maintain the universe is made up of five elements -- earth, water, fire, wood and metal -- that define the collective mood in our environment.

Earth is the calmest of the elements and this year is a "yin earth" year as well as an Ox year, symbolizing a more feminine energy, says Lo.

The Year of the Ox, which starts on January 26, will be the most peaceful year globally since 2000, he says, but stock investors don't need to rush into the market yet.

"2009 will be a 'pure earth' year, which means fire will be missing so there will not be a lot of drive to push up the stock market," said Lo. The economic climate will still be tough and though stock markets might rise in the first half of this year, gains could peter out in the second half, Lo said.

"The market should still be quite low in the second half and that would be a good time to get in ahead of a recovery in 2010 (the Year of the Tiger)," he said.

The global outlook will be helped by the fact that incoming U.S. President Barack Obama was born in a "yin earth" year, like President Abraham Lincoln. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou are also "yin earth" people.

"This is a new generation of leaders. They are more calm, humane and charismatic," Lo said.

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Charles Darwin, Tchaikovsky and Sigmund Freud, were all born in "yin earth" years which symbolize harmony and a move to a new order.

The last "yin earth" year of the Ox, in 1949, saw the birth of NATO and the People's Republic of China.

MIXED RECORD

Vincent Koh of the Singapore Feng Shui Centre agrees that financial markets will be subdued.

"Don't pick high-risk assets this year, be patient and don't expect high returns," Koh said.

The global economy could start to pick up in the second half of 2009, says Koh, who sees busy merger and acquisition activity, but adds that banks will continue to be reluctant to lend.
A report this month by Japanese research company Daiwa Institute, however, warned that Ox years are usually disastrous for stocks and Japan's Nikkei stock index has fallen by an average 11.4 percent in each of the past five Years of the Ox.

Feng shui masters have a mixed record when it comes to market predictions. Lo forecast a stock market correction a year ago but also advised investors to put their money into property.

Prof. Charlie Chao, a leading feng shui expert in the Philippines, was quoted in a CLSA research note a year ago as warning of a possible global economic crisis in 2008.

But he also forecast a better performance for the Philippine stock market. That didn't happen. Manila stocks slumped 48 percent last year, reversing a 21 percent gain in 2007.

Chinese emperors put great faith in advice from feng shui masters as do many business tycoons and politicians in Chinese societies today. Apartment blocks and office buildings as well as furniture are often positioned according to feng shui principles to generate "wealth."

Banking giant HSBC's Hong Kong headquarters was built in accordance with feng shui guidelines and Hong Kong Disneyland changed the angle of its main entrance after consulting a feng shui expert.

As fewer people buy property or start businesses during the economic downturn, Michael Teo, a feng shui master at I-Ching Fengshui in recession-hit Singapore, is seeing a drop in business.

However, sales of auspicious feng shui jade carvings, which cost $2,000-$3,000 and are believed to bring wealth, are being snapped up every day, he says.

Koh compares feng shui with a reliable weather forecast, saying it can help us anticipate changes in our environment.

"We cannot stop the rain, but knowing it is going to fall we can prevent ourselves from getting drenched," he says.

But getting wet may be a minor concern in the Year of the Ox. While financial markets should be calmer, Koh foresees the spread of disease and a spate of natural disasters, particularly in the northern hemisphere, with landslides, floods and earthquakes in store.