Genetics and Disease

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the role of genetics in health. It seems like every day the media have a new story about gene X or Y 'causing' obesity, diabetes or heart disease. There are some diseases that are strongly and clearly linked to a gene, such as the disease I study: spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. I do not believe that genetics are the cause of more than a slim minority of health problems however. Part of this is a semantic issue. How do you define the word 'cause'? It's a difficult question, but I'll give you an example of my reasoning and then we'll come back to it.

A classic and thoroughly studied example of genetic factors in disease can be found in the Pima indians of Arizona. Currently, this population eats a version of the American diet, high in refined and processed foods. It also has the highest prevalence of type II diabetes of any population on earth (much higher than the US average), and a very high rate of obesity. One viewpoint is that these people are genetically susceptible to obesity and diabetes, and thus their genes are the cause of their health problems.

However, if you walk across the national border to Mexico, you'll find another group of Pima indians. This population is genetically very similar to the Arizona Pima except they have low rates of obesity and diabetes. They eat a healthier, whole-foods, agriculture-based diet. Furthermore, 200 years ago, the Arizona Pima were healthy as well. So what's the cause of disease here? Strictly speaking, it's both genetics and lifestyle. Both of these factors are necessary for the health problems of the Arizona Pima. However, I think it's more helpful to think of lifestyle as the cause of disease, since that's the factor that changed.

The Pima are a useful analogy for the world in general. They are an extreme example of what has happened to many if not all modern societies. Thus, when we talk about the 'obesity gene' or the 'heart disease gene', it's misleading. It's only the 'obesity gene' in the context of a lifestyle to which we are not genetically adapted.

I do not believe that over half of paleolithic humans were overweight, or that 20% had serious blood glucose imbalances. In fact, studies of remaining populations living naturally and traditionally have shown that they are typically much healthier than industrialized humans. Yet here we are in the US, carrying the very same genes as our ancestors, sick as dogs. That's not all though: we're actually getting sicker. Obesity, diabetes, allergies and many other problems are on the rise, despite the fact that our genes haven't changed.

I conclude that genetics are only rarely the cause of disease, and that the vast majority of health problems in the US are lifestyle-related. Studies into the genetic factors that predispose us to common health problems are interesting, but they're a distraction from the real problems and the real solutions that are staring us in the face. These solutions are to promote a healthy diet, exercise, and effective stress management.

Welcome

Yes, I'm finally diving headfirst into blog-land. Welcome to the blog section of Whole Health Source.

This blog will be a collection of my thoughts on health, food, the environment, science, wholesome living and whatever else captures my interest.

Maybe this will help me stop clogging up other blogs' comment pages.

C 2008

Gastroenteritis/ Stomach Flu/ Stomach Virus

This is one of the most common diseases of children. And most often this disease gets better without medical attention. Although mismanagement of the disease could lead to serious complications.

What causes Gastroenteritis/stomach flu or stomach virus?

- Bacteria (most common is E.coli)
- Viruses
- Intolerance to milk

When do we say our child has this disease?

- Loose bowel movement
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever

What to do when our kids has this disease?

*The first most important thing that parents should do is to provide rehydration for their kids. They should give them rehydration solutions that can be bought from the drugstores like pedialyte. Most of these solutions’ names end with yte.

*And also give them apples, bananas to soothe their stomachs and easy to digest foods like crackers and rice, and chicken soup. Avoid sweet foods and dairy products until their stomach gets better. Also avoid heavily seasoned foods.

*Give your kids also yogurt, and any pro-biotic drinks.

*You could also give your kids natural health products like aloe vera. This is tried and tested. Every time my kids have stomach flu, I give them aloe vera gel, and instantly they are relieved.

*And most of all, your children needs rest, so if possible don’t allow them to play games which need physical activities.


What are the warning signs that your child needs medical help?

*If your child is still a very young baby, 6 months younger, the first sign of a loose bowel movement, especially if it is bloody and has mucus, go to the doctor at once.

*If a sign of dehydration is present, especially babies, go to your pediatrician at once. Signs of dehydration could be lesser urination, sunken eyes, weakness; no tears would come out when they cry, dry lips. For babies, sunken fontanel is a sign of dehydration.

*When your kids passed a bloody stool, visit your doctor at once. Bloody stool is a sign and symptom of acute E.coli infection, and if this is not maintained, properly, kidney problems may arise as complications.

*If your children’s loose bowel movement is more than 4 days, and there’s no sign of your children’s getting better, visit your pediatrician the soonest time possible.

*If loose bowel movement is accompanied by high fever and vomiting, definitely, a doctor’s help is needed, because in this cases, your children will get dehydrated faster than you expect.

*If intake of food or fluids are hampered your children really need a doctor right away.

How to avoid this disease?

!Always wash hands. Not just your kids but you too, or the person who is preparing their food.

!Cook your foods properly. E.coli infection is brought about by eating improperly cooked food.

!If your child is in a public place, have his drinks, or foods covered. Dust has a lot of germs.

!Sanitation is very important. Clean hands, clean clothes, clean environment. Always wash or take a bath after playing outdoors especially if played with soil or sand.

!And most of all strengthen the immune system of your child so that they will have a defense from infections and other diseases. You could do this by ensuring they are eating the right foods, not junks. Encourage them to eat fruits and vegetables. Drink fruit juices and not sodas and those fizzy drinks. Drink milk and prepared pro-biotic foods like yogurt. And make sure they have their daily dose of vitamins.

Technorati Profile

Your child's health

for parents, our children's health is one of our primary concern aside from their studies... who would want to have a sick child anyway? none am sure. the idea of our children suffering from diseases and there's nothing we could do to alleviate their sufferings, it is just heart breaking...

this page then is created that i may share my experiences, the things that i am learning with regards of children's health, prevention, first aids, and treatments to a lot of mothers who seek help from the world wide web.

Dye-Sublimation Printers

A dye-sublimation printer (or dye-sub printer) is a printer which employs a printing process that uses heat to transport dye to a medium such as a plastic card, paper or canvas. The process is generally to lay one color at a time using a ribbon that has color panels. Dye-sub printers are intended primarily for high-class color applications, including color photography; and are less well-suited

Vitmains and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are substances that are found in foods we eat. Your body needs them to work properly, so you grow and develop just like you should. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. For example:Vitamin D in milk helps your bones.Vitamin A in carrots helps you see at night.Vitamin C in oranges helps your body heal if you get a cut.B vitamins in leafy green