Carbohydrates are the most important energy available from the human body. Despite receiving strong criticism in the decade of 2000 and are often blamed for the epidemic of obesity in the United States, carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet for children and adults.

The two major types are:

Simple sugars (simple carbohydrates), such as fructose, glucose and lactose, and also found in nutritious whole fruits

Starches (complex carbohydrates) are found in foods such as vegetables rich in starch grains, rice, breads and cereals

Despite the recent fashion of reducing carbohydrates, the bottom line shows that not all foods containing carbohydrates are bad, whether they are complex carbohydrates like those found in grains, or simple carbohydrates, such as those found in fruit. If carbohydrates were really that bad, we would be in a serious problem, since most foods contain them. But, of course, some carbohydrate-rich foods are healthier than others.

Some healthy sources of carbohydrates include:

• grains
• brown rice
• integral breads
• fruits
• vegetables
• Low fat milk and its derivatives

When a person wants to lose weight, or maintain it, we must know what are good sources of carbohydrates in foods and continue to limit their consumption. Below there is a chart with the most common sources of carbohydrates in food. You should be aware that dietary fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate type, ie, when consumed it is not digested and this means that it has advantages, non nutritional and nutrition-related mechanical functions of absorption and enhancement of gastrointestinal flora . Recent studies show that thin people eat food with higher fiber content, fiber also lowers cholesterol and prevents some cancers.

Dr. DeFelice defined nutraceutical as “a food or part of a food that provides medical benefits or health, including prevention and / or treatment of disease.”

This concept had been used by humans since the Paleolithic by Hippocrates in the year 400 BC “Let food be your medicine and medicine your food”

Over the past 20 years have witnessed a growing interest of society for a healthy diet based on the well-being and healthy living.

Then Nutraceuticals are natural products with biological active properties, beneficial to health and preventive capacity and / or defined therapeutic capacities.

These products must meet the following criteria:

• Isolated and purified by methods that are not denaturing
• Studies in experimental animals and humans that are reproducible.
• Must provide health benefits
• Aportar estabilidad temporal con análisis de estabilidad, químico y toxicología. Provide temporary stability with chemical, toxicological and stability analysis.
• Products of natural origin.

Pamela Ruiz Pamela Ruiz

Aromatherapy Specialist.

One of the specialties of Aromatherapy Aromatherapic energy is the least known, which is focused on the use and application of essential oils on the body energy and chakras, and seeks the help of essential oils. For the development of consciousness, to help us grow, to face emotional patterns that limit us and prevent us from experiencing who we really are.

According to Hindu and Buddhists , the seven chakras are energy centers that connect the physical body with the subtle bodies of the being. They are applied to the desired strengthening chakras or energy centers in the (neck, wrists, chest, hands and feet) 2 to 3 times per day.

Vegetarian regime with additions (of the antioxidant vitamins C and E plus selenium and a gram of omega-3 fatty acids per day), yoga exercise, breathing exercises, visualization and progressive relaxation and assistance once a week, and a  support group of other patients who were following the same program.

What foods contain Vitamin E?

Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals are among the most common sources of Vitamin E, we recommend you read the  list of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, which identifies the contents of alpha-tocopherol to quantify biological changes in the activity of different forms of vitamin E.

Those interested in identifying foods that are easily available in Spain should turn its attention to the vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, soy) nuts, legumes and cereals. Wheat germ oil is very rich in vitamin E. In general products such as corn, nuts, seeds (beans), olives, spinach (and other green leafy vegetables), asparagus, avocado …

Vitamin E and cancer

It is believed that antioxidants like vitamin E may help protect cell membranes against the damaging effects of free radicals, which may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer. Vitamin E may also block the formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogens formed in the stomach from nitrites consumed in the diet. You can also protect against the development of cancers by enhancing immune function. Unfortunately, human trials and tests that have tried to associate vitamin E intake on the incidence of cancer have been generally inconclusive.

Some evidence associates higher intake of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and breast cancer. However, an analysis of the effect of dietary factors, including vitamin E on the incidence of breast cancer on 18,000 postmenopausal women in the state of New York did not connect a higher intake of vitamin E with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer .

A study with women in Iowa provided evidence that an increased dietary intake of vitamin E could reduce the risk of colon cancer, especially in women under 65 years of age. Moreover, a study of 87,998 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 47,344 males in the study Health Professionals Follow-up Study was unable to support the theory that an increased dietary intake of vitamin E may reduce the risk of colon cancer .

The American Cancer Society recently presented the results of a long-term study that evaluated the effect of regular use of vitamin C and vitamin E in mortality of bladder cancer by nearly 1,000,000 adults in the U.S. The study, conducted between 1982 and 1998, found that individuals who regularly consumed a supplement of vitamin E for over 10 years had a reduced risk of death from bladder cancer. Consumption of vitamin C did not give any advantages.

For now, researchers have a limited evidence and hope that further research could give more insight into the relation of vitamin E and cancer.

Perhaps the best known sleep disorder is insomnia, which we have all experienced at some time. Insomnia can be common in specific stressful situations (exams, health problems, major life changes, etc.), but it can become chronic and is not directly related to the problem that caused it. For us to  talk about insomnia as a disease or disorder, it should be common (3 or more nights a week). Indicators that you may be suffering from insomnia are to wake up before being resting six and a half hours or so, waking up several times during the night unable to sleep again for half an hour or to take more than half an to an hour to fall asleep at bedtime.

People can adopt practices that help minimize the incidence of sleep problems and promote a normal sleep. First of all there are a number of factors that affect sleep quality, such as the environment, exercise, diet or use of substances:

• 1. Substance abuse: It is well known that caffeine affects sleep, as it is a stimulant.. In fact we all have coffee associated with the “waking up”, not “sleeping”. Nicotine has a similar effect of stimulation. Furthermore, the alcohol produces an effect that may go unnoticed to most. Although it is a depressant and can provide you to fall asleep, the quality of sleep is worse, so you must avoid its misuse.
• 2. Environment: Our bodies need certain environmental noise, light, temperature and humidity suitable for sleeping. The temperature should range between 18 and 22 º C and humidity between 40 and 70%. Of course the light should be dim and we must prevent excessive noise.
• 3. Exercise: Although this depends on the intensity of the activity, it is recognized that physical exercise promotes sleep when conducted in the morning or late afternoon, while it can be negative if we do at it bedtime.
• 4.Diet: A diet rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals increases the quality of sleep, whereas proteins promote wakefulness. Las comidas fuertes antes del sueño disminuyen su calidad. Heavy meals before sleep diminish their quality.

From this, we can have a set of guidelines to facilitate sleep:

• 1. Not to abuse substances such as coffee, tobacco or alcohol, especially before sleeping, and do not take sleeping drugs without medical supervision.
• 2. Dine a reasonable time before bed (2 to 3 hours before) and make sure the dinners are neither too scarce nor too abundant. Reduce fat foods and sauces. Eat the following foods that exert a sedative action. Apricots, garlic, cabbage, lettuce, apples, peachs and honey. Consume foods rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, D.
• 3. Create a habit of sleeping, lying up and waking up always at the same hour.
• 4. The bedroom should have the appropriate environmental conditions. The bed should be comfortable (neither too soft nor too hard). The conditions of temperature, light, humidity and noise must be controlled.
• 5. Exercise often, this is healthy in general, not just for sleeping. It is better if you exercise in the morning and do not wait for the last minute.
• 6. Avoid spending too much time awake in your bed, because we must ensure that the body does not get used to it.
• 7. As bedtime approaches try to wind down your mental and physical activity. For example, read something easy  and listen to  relaxing music, but do not watch action movies or play videogames.
• 8. After dinner drink a herbal tea of orange, Lime or a glass of hot milk
• 9.Aromatherapy:get a massage with the following sssential oils: Basil, Lavender, Chamomile, Torojil.
• 10. Phytotherapy: Valerian tea, lime tea.

Think about the importance of this, we spend third of our lives sleeping, is it not worth doing it in the best possible conditions?

Martin Schulz, head of the Department of Medicine of the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA), indicated that one of the most important changes in the pharmaceutical profession has been moving from a service focused on providing products to a service focused on patients with educational programs for users of the pharmacy and pay for advanced services. “.He has also highlighted that one of the areas of future treatment are ‘directed’ solutions, as the detection, prevention and solution of problems relating to drugs, with results for optimization of high-value products and upgrades to completion therapy.

In his speech, Schulz gave an example of two recent studies that have highlighted the important role of the pharmacist in the proper completion of treatment by patients, particularly in glucose self-monitoring of diabetes and therapy with inhaled asthma . In both cases, over 80% of patients did not meet their treatment correctly, whereas with the pharmacist’s intervention, this percentage was reduced by 40% and 30% respectively, demonstrating the important role of this professional .

The pharmacist must have as its main goal to be a pharmacy dispensing center and a center where there is a primary prevention and therapeutic monitoring of the patient, minimizing the possible adverse effects of drugs by an incorrect use by the patients. We can meet these goals by giving quality care, customer loyalty and implementing improvements in services.

It is an indispensable component of all cell membranes of animals. These are wrappers that are essential to protect the cell from its external environment (extracellular) and therefore helps keep the internal environment of the cell (intracellular).

It is a precursor of steroid hormones synthesized in the ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Steroid hormones regulate essential processes in the body, such as growth and development of sexual characteristics.

It is a precursor of bile acids, which are important in digestion and absorption of fats.

Cholesterol Sources

In general, cholesterol comes from two sources: exogenous (dietary) and endogenous (synthesized in the body).

Cholesterol in your daily diet is a substantial source of total cholesterol and may contribute up to 20% to 40% of total cholesterol in the body. The small intestine is the site of cholesterol uptake from the diet. The endogenous synthesis accounts for 60% to 80% of the cholesterol. It is commonly accepted that the liver produced the bulk of endogenous colesterol. However, recent research indicates that much of the cholesterol biosynthesis takes place in non-hepatic tissues. The liver itself represents the majority of the uptake of cholesterol from plasma.

Plasma cholesterol

Plasma cholesterol (ie, blood cholesterol) is derived from both the endogenous and the exogenous cholesterol. The following actions in the body affect the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream:

Cholesterol biosynthesis

The main precursor for the biosynthesis of cholesterol and other lipids such as triglycerides and fatty acids is acetyl-coenzyme A or acetyl-CoA. The conversion of acetyl-CoA to cholesterol takes place in a complex way that requires 30 separate reactions.

While the primary product of this pathway is cholesterol, also important end products are formed. Ubiquinone is part of the electron transport chain of energy metabolism and dolicol is a component of cell membranes. Cholesterol itself is a component of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones (eg cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone and estrogen) and bile acids.

Early and limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol

The first series of reactions in the pathway of biosynthesis of cholesterol from the series of acetyl-CoA to 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) – is common for the synthesis of cholesterol and other lipids . The next step, the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, or mevalonate (MVA), is catalyzed by an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is known as the limiting enzyme reaction because this is a bottleneck in the biosynthesis pathway. The conversion of HMG-CoA, the substrate of HMG-CoA reductase, is the so called early and limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Para reducir la conversión de HMG-CoA a MVA, debe inhibirse la acción de la HMG-CoA reductasa. To reduce the conversion of HMG-CoA to MVA, the action of HMG-CoA reductase should be inhibited.

Like the early and limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, the passage of the HMG-CoA reductase has a considerable biological importance. Several physiological signals act at the level of HMG-CoA reductase to reduce or increase the synthesis of cholesterol, depending on the needs of the organism. Por ejemplo, un nivel alto de colesterol libre en los hepatocitos significa que está presente una cantidad suficiente de colesterol; en respuesta, se inhibe la actividad de la HMG-CoA reductasa y se sintetiza menos colesterol. For example, a high level of free cholesterol in the liver means that this is a sufficient amount of cholesterol, in response it inhibits the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis less. This process not only affects the amount of liver cholesterol, but also the amount of cholesterol in blood. In the liver, even small decreases in the production of cholesterol lead to an increase in the production of LDL receptors that remove cholesterol from the blood.

By the action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, HMG-CoA is converted into mevalonic acid (MVA).

Absorción de colesterol Cholesterol absorption

Cholesterol absorption takes place in the small intestine. Cholesterol available for absorption comes from three sources:

Sources

Quantity (%)

1. Cholesterol in bile (biliary cholesterol). 50%

2. Cholesterol in the diet (exogenous). 31%

3. Cholesterol in the scaly epithelial cells of the intestinal wall during normal cell turnover. 19%

Of total cholesterol available for absorption, 50% is absorbed through the intestinal wall and 50% is excreted in feces.

The mechanism by which cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine is complex and only partially understood. Studies suggest that cholesterol is emulsified by bile salts, wrapped in micelles and transferred to the brush border of the small intestine. After entering the enterocytes (cells in the intestinal mucosa). Once inside the cells, cholesterol is esterified (combined with a fatty acid) through the action of the enzyme called acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol aciltransferasa (ACAT) and assembled into chylomicrons. These chylomicrons are secreted into the lymph and subsequently enter the blood. By inhibiting cholesterol absorption through the intestinal wall, ie by increasing the amount of cholesterol excreted, the amount of cholesterol entering the blood within these chylomicrons will be reduced.

Conclusion

Cholesterol fulfills three important functions in the body: it is an essential component of cell membranes of animals, is a precursor of steroid hormones and is a precursor of bile acids.

Cholesterol is derived from the diet (exogenous) and biosynthesis (endogenous).

Cholesterol in daily diet, bile and epithelial cells are absorbed through the small intestine. By inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the intestine plasma cholesterol can be reduced.

The limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol called HMG-CoA reductase catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid (mevalonate).

one of the most important elements  needed  for survival for every living being. Water also has invaluable benefits when used in various types of therapies for human beings.

Etymologically, we find the origin of the word in the Greek terms’ Hydor ‘(water) and’ Therapeia ‘(therapy).

Although hydrotherapy techniques were used in ancient times, Hippocrates (460 to 337 BC), for example, mentions some of them; they were abandoned for a long time and only started to create a buzz in the eighteenth century through the work of doctors Sigmund Hahn (1664 1742) and his son Johann Sigmund Hahn (1696-1773). From this work, Vinceriz Priessnitz (1799-1851) created  the cold water therapy by associating it to sudorific implement . But who really renovated modern hydrotherapy was the Protestant pastor Sebastian Kneipp (1821 -1897), whose basic tenet was that the disease in humans happens when their natural force is undermined by an inadequate diet and unnatural lifestyle. His methods, known today as the “Kneipp cure” included not only complete and partial baths of hot and cold water, but jets of water, exercise, use of medicinal herbs and a healthy diet.

. Hydrotherapy then consists of applying water showers at different pressure and temperature according to different disease to treat, according to a progressive and treatment with graded doses  as weak incentives tend to weaken the body and strong stimuli hurt it too  (hot water calms and tones the nervous system, but if the temperature is excessive or the duration of the bath is very long may cause nervousness and insomnia).

There are different ways in hydrotherapy:

– Cleasings: Apply a thin film of water in certain areas of the body using a cloth. Usually done early in the morning (with cold water) or evening (with warm water).

- Jets: It consists of applying water jets with different pressure and temperature. Se suelen aplicar a una distancia de 2 – 4 metros de la persona utilizando una manguera de presión de 3 – 4 mm de diámetro. It is usually applied at a distance of 2-4 meters from the person using a pressure hose of 3-4 mm in diameter.

- Baths: Baths improve body metabolism and is indicated for the treatment of problems of hypotension, migraine, circulatory problems, rheumatism, skin diseases, depression and anxiety states, but are contraindicated in hypertension, heart failure , swollen varicose veins, myocardial infarction and thrombophlebitis.

- Sauna: Use of sauna is recommended to boost defenses and prevent colds, if problems in the joints and circulatory system, and also when there is physical or mental exhaustion.

– Inhalations: recommended for bronchial asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, respiratory infections and bronchitis.

- Wraps: It consists of wrapping the body part concerned with a damp cloth soaked in cold water, thus absorbing heat from the body, improves circulation and is used to treat inflammations, contusions and muscle aches or joint pains mainly.

Of these, at this time, only about 80,000 have some therapeutic use. Currently drugs are obtained by four different methods: a) chemical synthesis, b) biosynthesis, c) from natural products, and d) biotechnology. However, it is often used as mixed processes, eg with certain antibiotics (macrolides) or antifungals (Echinocandins), which combines chemical synthesis to biosynthesis to improve the microbiological activity orits pharmacokinetic characteristics.In other occasions, some active ingredients extracted from natural products are modified by semi-synthesis reactions to complete its structure and improve its business or its pharmacokinetic characteristics. Thus, precursors of anovulatory or anti-inflammatory steroids, from plants of the genus Dioscorea and Solanum, are amended later by methods of semi-synthesis or biosynthesis to produce various medicines.  Finally, some proteins produced by recombinant technology (interferons, G-CSF, erythropoietin, etc..) are chemically modified by chemical synthesis to improve their bioavailability or delay its clearance.

Drugs derived from biotechnology are emerging in a therapeutic class that presents differential clinical features , not only by their origin, but also by their chemical structure and some pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties.

Although modern biotechnology was born in 1953 when the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was discovered, its incorporation to human therapeutics does not occur until the early 80s with the use of insulin and recombinant growth hormone in hormone replacement therapy . To do this some technological advances were required like the introduction of restriction enzymes by Paul Berg in 1973, and cloning of genes for human insulin, developed by Herber Boyer in 1978.

Until 1996, the incorporation of recombinant drugs is largely anecdotal, that situation changed radically in the last decade, reaching a spectacular development. Nowadays there have been incorporated into the therapeutic arsenal about a 100 different kinds of medicines, although about 700 molecules for the diagnosis and treatment of some 250 diseases, found in 2005 in different phases of clinical research.

Several reports agree that biotech drugs come to represent in the future between 20-25% of all the medications. Since 2002, the percentage of new biotech molecules allowed in the U.S. exceeds the corresponding molecules from other sources, mainly the chemical synthesis.

Carlos Cusirramos Dueñas

1. The first thing to do is know your complexion. We need to measure the circumference in centimeters of your hand you use most, ie the right if you’re right-handed and left if you are left handed. After you measure you hand, find your complexion in the following table:
2. Now find your ideal weight in the tables of weight:
   The Height and Complexion (weight) is in Meters and Kg.
   Here is a table for converting your Height to Meters:
   http://www.translatum.gr/forum/index.php?topic=25873.0
   Here is a table for converting your Weight to Kg:
   http://www.asknumbers.com/KilogramsToPoundsConversion.aspx

   

   

3. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI)
   BMI relates height and weight and is easy to get, you have to do to divide your current weight in kilograms between your height in meters multiplied by two:
   

   Weight / height x height

   For example, if someone weighs 66 kilograms and measured 1.61 meters, your BMI is 25.46.

4. Once you know your BMI, you should know if you are obese, and what health risks are:

If you suffer from some degree of obesity it is important to
talk to your doctor or dietitian to avoid endangering your health.