Have you ever heard of a rectal catheter? It's exactly what you imagine it to be. Did you know that several years ago, researchers at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield England used rectal catheters to measure and evaluate the flatulence released by ten volunteers? (I appreciate the thrill of discovery but I'm not sure I'd want to be a technician for that program.) Over a 24-hour period of observation, several facts about flatulence were determined. [1] (more…)
Digestive complaints are a common concern among adults. Gas, bloating, and indigestion: we've all experienced all of them and most of the time their presence is temporary. Flatulence, which is perhaps the most popular of gastrointestinal struggles, may occasionally be the result of a serious health concern but is often simply the result of diet or other benign situation. Although you should always be courteous and mindful of those nearby, here are three occasions when you definitely do not need to worry about being flatulent. (more…)
We hear a lot about the importance of eating food that’s organically grown and free of pesticides and other harmful toxins. That’s often where the conversation stops. However, should we also give consideration to the cookware we use to prepare the food we eat? Of course nobody wants to eat food with a high aluminum content, but what about preparing food in aluminum cookware? Does that present safety concerns? What about stainless steel cookware? Much research indicates that we need to be as deliberate in the cookware we use as […]
Some may say there's something romantic about beef. "Black angus cattle" conjures up thoughts of tough cattle grazing on the open pastures in the rugged farmland of America's heartland. I personally follow an organic vegan diet, but I realize many people enjoy a thick, hearty steak and consider it a taste of the literal fat of the land. The commercials depict jeans, boots, trucks, hard work, good intentions- it seems so pure. (more…)
Dichlorophene is a chemical commonly used as a pesticide because it’s toxic to many organisms, including bacteria and fungus. Dichlorophene is also toxic to humans. It irritates the skin, it’s very harmful to the eyes and mucous membranes, and if it’s eaten or inhaled, the results can be fatal. (more…)
