FitSugar

Eye on IRON

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:00:00 -0800

Spinach went from being one of ‘the healthiest foods you could eat’ to ‘the throw it all out as fast as you can’ foods. In case another media crazed E-Coli outbreak surfaces, we're going to have to find other ways to get that iron, as spinach was (and still is) one of the best plant sources of getting this mineral.

For further ideas on how to get your iron, read more

Eat more foods rich in Iron, such as:

Meat, such as Beef, Pork or Lamb
Liver, if you can stomach it
Cereals, such as Total and Cream of Wheat
Potatos, with the skin still on
Beans, such as Garbanzo Beans

Fit's Tip: To further enhance your absorption of Iron, pair foods high in Iron with foods high in Vitamin C, like bell peppers--the Vitamin C helps absorb more Iron into your body. An easy and yummy way to get your Iron on: Try dipping Vitamin C-rich bell peppers into a garbanzo bean made hummus.

Source

E.Coli Testing Kit: A Germ-A-Phobe's Best Friend

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Food recalls seem to be at an all time high this year. From peanut butter to Listerine to pet food, nothing seems to be safe anymore. So while we wait for the FDA to get a handle on the situation, you may want to take matters into your own hands...

The MMS Safe Strips Food Testing Kit ($19.95) contains: Two E.coli test strips, two Salmonella test strips, a bottle of buffer solution and instructions on how to do it. Basically users will be mixing food with distilled water and buffer solution, preferably in a blender. The salmonella test strip produces results in thirty minutes, while the E.coli test takes an hour, so make sure you give it some time before digging in. Buy it from FoodTestingStrips.com.

Fit's Tip: While I think that testing everything you eat may be a bit excessive, even for me, you may want to consider taking a kit along while traveling or think about keeping it around the house in case another spinach recall hits the fan.

The Crusade Against Ground Meat

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

There's been a lot of talk in the media about E. coli contamination in ground meat lately, hamburgers specifically. First, The New York Times profiled Stephanie Smith, a young woman who was paralyzed after eating a contaminated hamburger. A week later, Larry King and CNN posed the question "Should Americans banish the burger"? The media is always reporting beef recall stories, which leave me a little freaked out about indulging in the occasional cheeseburger. How about you?

The argument against ground meat goes something like this: in slaughterhouses all sorts of things are flying around, including cow guts, which contain E. coli. Because slaughterhouse practices can be a little iffy, the E. coli can come into contact with the meat to be sold for consumption. Cooking a piece of contaminated steak usually kills the bacteria because the E. coli has only touched the surface, not actually penetrated the meat. The problem with ground meat is that E. coli can easily get onto every small bit of meat, making it harder to eliminate.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to completely banish the burger from my diet, but I do eat less meat these days. Besides being healthier for my heart, the sanitary conditions of large slaughterhouses worry me a bit. When it comes to eating meat I definitely try to follow certain guidelines. To learn them, continue reading.

BJ's Recalls Mushrooms: More E. Coli?

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:00:00 -0800

Massachusetts-based BJ's Wholesale Club is recalling packages of fresh mushrooms after a routine inspection revealed the possible presence of the deadly bacteria E. coli.

Great. First spinach from California, then lettuce used at Taco Hell, and now mushrooms. What's the deal?

The products affected were Wellsley Farms brand fresh mushrooms purchased between February 11 and February 19, 2007. Although BJ's has not received any reports of illness, they are voluntarily recalling the product as a precaution.

If tests by BJ's confirm the presence of E. coli, that will be the third food outbreak of the bacteria in the U.S. over the past 7 months.

Fit's Tips: Customers who bought any of the mushrooms can return them to any BJs for a refund. If you have any questions or concerns contact BJ's toll free Member Care line at 1-800-BJS-CLUB.

Somatropin, E coli derived (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:54:10 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Somatropin, E-Coli Derived (soe-ma-TROE-pin, E-KOH-lye dee-rived)

Treats certain conditions in which a person's body does not grow properly or does not produce enough natural growth hormone. This medicine is also used with a special nutrition program to treat short bowel syndrome.

Brand Name(s)

Nutropin AQ Pen, Nutropin AQ Pen Cartridge, Nutropin AQ, Norditropin Nordiflex, Norditropin, Omnitrope, Genotropin Miniquick, Genotropin, Tev-Tropin, Humatrope, Nutropin

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to somatropin, growth hormone, or benzyl alcohol. You should not use this medicine if you have cancer, are receiving cancer treatments, or have a severe illness after having surgery or a major medical emergency. You should not receive this medicine if you have eye problems caused by diabetes. You also should not receive this medicine if you have Prader-Willi syndrome and you are also severely overweight, or if you have severe breathing problems. Do not use this medicine if you or your child's normal bone growth has stopped (closed epiphyses).

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. There are many different types of injection devices available for this medicine. Read all instructions carefully to be sure you know how to use your device.
Each time you get your medicine, check to be sure you have received the proper device. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about the device that you were given.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you are using Zorbtive?, store your medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
You may keep the Genotropin® Miniquick device in the refrigerator or at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Store Accretropin® in the refrigerator for up to 14 days after its first use. Do not freeze or shake.
Once the powder medicine has been mixed with the liquid, this mixture must be stored in the refrigerator. Zorbtive? that has been mixed should be used within 2 weeks. Genotropin® that has been mixed should be used within 24 hours. Make sure you understand how long you can store the medicine after it has been mixed. Throw away any mixed medicine that has not been used within these timelines.
After a Norditropin® cartridge has been placed into the NordiPen® device, you must store the pen in the refrigerator. Use the medicine in this pen within 4 weeks or it will expire and must be thrown away.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), or medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®, Keppra?, Luminal®, Tegretol®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have thyroid problems, pituitary problems, or a history of cancer or scoliosis (curved spine). Tell your doctor if you are allergic to benzyl alcohol or a preservative called m-cresol.
Make sure your child's doctor knows if your child has a history of ear infection.
This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes.
Make sure any doctor who treats you knows that you are using this medicine, especially if you need to be in the hospital for another illness.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Talk with your doctor if you think you are growing too fast or that your growth has slowed down after using the medicine for several weeks.
Tell your child's doctor if your child shows signs of early sexual development while using this medicine. This may include early breast development, increased genital size, growth of pubic hair, increased jaw size, or a change in face shape.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Curved spine.
Headache, pain behind your eyes, vision problems, and nausea or vomiting.
Increased thirst or hunger, increase in how much or how often you urinate.
Joint pain or limping.
Rapid growth or weight gain.
Swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Increased sweating.
Muscle pain or stiffness.
Numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers.
Pain, redness, burning, swelling, a hard lump, or skin changes where your shot is given.
Stomach pain, passing gas, or bowel problems.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Gross Alert! Fecal Bacteria Found in Bagged Salad Greens

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:35 -0800

When it comes to fruits and veggies, I usually don't buy prewashed, precut, preanything. It seems too gimmicky and way lazy on my part not to slice my own apples. I make an exception for salad greens. I know it's hypocritical of me, but salad greens are pretty dirty, and I hate having to break out my cumbersome salad spinner. So yeah, I give in and buy the prewashed bags of mixed greens from the grocery store. So much for my laziness - it looks like the salad spinner is coming out anyway.

Even prewashed, nay, triple-washed bags of salad mixes aren't so clean after all. Consumer Reports tested 208 bags of salad greens from 16 different brands and found that 39 percent of the samples had traces of fecal contamination. Researchers also found that mixes containing spinach had higher levels of bacteria and that greens tested at least six days before their "use by" date had lower levels of contaminants. Luckily, no traces of deadly pathogens like E. coli or salmonella were found. But still, the thought of cow poo on my baby arugula is totally gross.

To find out how to protect yourself, read more.

Though researchers say that the levels of bacteria found didn't pose a threat, it is indicative of poor sanitation where the salad greens are processed. This definitely could be the makings of another E. coli outbreak, like the one that was linked to bagged spinach in 2006. That outbreak killed three people and hospitalized 100 more.

What I am taking away from this is to always wash my salad greens - prewashed or not. If you don't have a salad spinner, it's a good investment. However, you can wash your greens in a bowl too. Just cut off the root of the lettuce head and let the leaves soak in a large bowl of water for at least a minute while the dirt sinks to the bottom of the bowl. Shake each leaf, dry with a towel, and you're ready to go.

I'll Take a Large Coca-E.Coli, Please

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:00:38 -0800

If the empty calories, corn syrup, health risks, and possible added tax aren't enough to make you kick the soda habit, how about scare tactics? Soda fountains are contaminated with bacteria, including E. coli. And yes, it's the same deadly E. coli found in ground beef. Grossed out yet? I am.

Biologists in Virginia analyzed soda and water dispensed from 30 different soda fountains in restaurants and cafeterias, finding nearly half of them contaminated with bacteria - and not the good kind. Eleven percent of the soda fountains contained E. coli and 17 percent contained C. meningosepticum, a bacteria strain that is most commonly associated with causing meningitis in infants.

What's more disheartening is that many of the bacteria strains were resistant to the antibiotics used to eradicate them, indicating they are thriving little buggers that have built up a resistance to normal remedies. The biologists say that these thriving communities may contribute to "episodic gastric distress in the general population and could pose a more significant health risk to immunocompromised individuals." More reason than ever to start carrying a reusable water bottle with you at all times.

Chicken, Sex, and UTIs

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:00:51 -0800

Because I was a vegetarian through college, I keep a mainly meat free diet but I also think eating less meat is healthier for me and the environment. Now a new study linking meat to urinary tract infections (UTIs) has given me another reason to stay away from factory produced meat.

The good news is that the two-year study did not show that eating meat directly led to UTIs. What the study did show is that E. coli, a harmful bacteria that is commonly found in mass produced meat can travel from the anus to the vagina and urethra during sex, leading to the infection. Even if the bacteria does not cause a major intestinal infection, it can still live in the digestive tract where it can be passed to other parts of the body. The research team study looked specifically at chicken sold in supermarkets and restaurants.

If you want to reduce your risk to the bacteria, follow these guidelines when handling meat. As well, always wash up before and after sex to prevent your risk of infection.

...More Taco Hell

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

OK so I hate to be a buzz kill, but I think it may be in your best interest to stop eating at fast food taco joints for the time being.

Taco John's, the self proclaimed fresh taste of the west-mex, has a reported "possible" E. coli scare as three dozen people became ill after eating at a Taco John's restaurant in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The symptoms seem to follow suit with those that come from consuming the E.coli bacteria and many people have been hospitalized. While we wait to find out if it was really E. coli that was making everyone sick, all suspected food ingredients have been removed from the menu and the restaurant has been sanitized.

Interestingly enough, Taco John's is not at all affiliated with Taco Bell, who has been battling their own E. coli issues.

Fit's Tip: Seriously gang, if you need a taco fix then try making your own tacos at home right now. They are easy to make, way better for you and a lot less likely to contain E.coli than those you'll get at a fast food joint.

Taco Hell Continued

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Just as I thought the Taco Bell Hell was coming to a hault, new reports are claiming that the E. coli contamination was not found in the green onions, as originally suspected, but possibly in the lettuce. While findings are not final, they are also looking at the cheese and ground beef.

While the lettuce is served in approximately 70 percent of all Taco Bell menu items, thought is that they should probably just focus on everything at this point.

White onions were also suspect at one point and health officials found the produce was contaminated with E. coli, but the strain was not the same as the one identified in the wider outbreak. Gross.

Interestingly enough, officials are still saying that the Taco Bell outbreak does not have anything to do with the Taco John E. coli outbreak.

As of Wednesday evening, the Center for Disease Control had reported 71 confirmed cases of E. coli infection in five states. New Jersey had 33 confirmed cases; New York had 22; Pennsylvania had 13, Delaware had two, and South Carolina had one.

Moral of the story? Stay away from taco joints right now.