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High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer. Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike, like refined carbs and sugars do. When you pick a protein snack, choose healthy sources like lean chicken, low-fat yogurt, eggs, nuts, or beans.

 

Researchers have found that regular, moderate exercise may prevent impotence. Men who burned at least 200 calories a day through exercise were less likely than inactive men to become impotent.

 

 

 

  

Health & Happiness

Herbal Remedies may cause surgical risks

It has been found that some herbal preparations can have adverse impact on various haemodynamics of a person during surgery. The herbal preparations can speed up or slow down the heart rate, inhibit blood clotting, alter the immune system and change the effects and duration of anaesthesia.

Scientists have found some preparations have an impact if taken up to a week before a patient goes under the knife.

The herbs that have been studied are echinacea, gingko biloba, garlic, St John's wort and valerian.

Between 1993 and 1998 a total of 2,621 adverse reactions, including 101 deaths, were reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists has recognised the potential for adverse reactions and suggests that patients stop taking all herbal medications two weeks before surgery.

Warning on Herbs used by Diabetics
Effects observed and recommendation:

Echinacea
Relevant effects: Boosts immunity.
Concern during surgery: Allergic reactions, impairs immune suppressive drugs, could impair wound healing.
Recommendations: Discontinue as far in advance as possible.
Ephedra
Relevant effects: Increases heart rate & blood pressure.
Concern during surgery: Risk of heart attack, stroke, interaction with other drugs, kidney stones.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 24 hours before surgery.
Garlic
Relevant effects: Prevents clotting.
Concern during surgery: Risk of bleeding.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 7 days before surgery.
Ginko
Relevant effects: Prevents clotting.
Concern during surgery: Risk of bleeding.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 36 hours before surgery.
Ginseng
Relevant effects: Lowers blood glucose, inhibits clotting.
Concern during surgery: Increases risk of bleeding. Interferes with anti-clotting drug.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 7 days before surgery.
Kava
Relevant effects: Sedates, decreases anxiety.
Concern during surgery: May increase sedative effects of anesthesia.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 24 hours before surgery.
St. John's wort
Relevant effects: Acts like anti-depressants such as Prozac.
Concern during surgery: Alters metabolisms of other drugs.
Recommendations: Discontinue at least 5 days before surgery.
Valerian
Relevant effects: Sedates.
Concern during surgery: Long-term use could increase the amount of anesthesia needed.
Recommendations: Taper dose weeks before surgery.
Warning on Herbs used by Diabetics