Thursday, January 17, 2013
"Cool" Digital Health Will Change American Healthcare Forever
Digital health technology companies are making an amazing impact on our health directly and indirectly, today. What was once considered "Star Trek" gadgetry will not only be seen in medical ICUs, but in everyday usage.
The potential impact on changing what and how we consider normal use of health tools could be seen as a paradigm shift of monumental proportions. So, much of an impact is it that accounting firms such as Price-Waterhouse & Cooper has done extensive research on its growth. It has found that digital health funding went up by 45 % in 2012 to 1.4 Billion USD from only 898 Million USD in 2011.
A new type of Population health is about to emerge on the horizon if the gadgets become a common market item and even more so if the demand goes up by health groups, HMOs , medical doctors and medical facilities requiring them as medical regular policy.
Some of these gadgets are about the size of a wrist watch and some , yet even smaller at the size of a microchip. Tele-health gadegets will allow a medical doctor or any clinician the ability to remotely "track" their patients health in virtualy real time with the device. On a larger scale health groups and government health research agencies in public health could retrieve mountains of materials on populations to conduct demographic trends in record time. Numerous statistics on the rates, prevelances and outcomes on trends or habits could possibly be predicted at a faster time to prevent disease or steer the (food/beverage/pharmaceutical) markets. Think about it everytime a commercial retail store asks for your email, phone number or asks for your retail savings card. These data will input your consumer based habit and file it to the databank. Millions of population studies can be done from this treasure trove of information. As these currently help banks, credit card companies and retailers in tracking you , it can also help insurance copanies and public health agencies to implement health measures.
These gadgets will contain an instant feedback mechanism as well to allow patients to communicate to their healthcare provider about their treatment and how they are feeling almost immediately. Many of these types of applications exist already that allow patients to give opinions , but rather on a certain doctors care. Companies such as ZocDoc, Health Top, Health Grades, Vitals and RateMD are social media -like applications that do just this. If these apps are on more mobile and smaller devices with wi-fi, incredible feedback and monitoring can check a consumers decision in chosing a clinic to go to.
We already see how biometrics has been used to scan in Airports, but be prepared for more of it being utilized with wi-fi. A company called Fitbits(Jawbone and Axon as well) uses this now. Healthrageous and Keas are nother companies that gives tech to allow tracking of a patient use health incentives and promote health.
Surgeons are already using robotic arms in the OR(operating room) with computers that allow nearly flawless incisions. The ability of Tele-surgery by performing surgery remotely by a doctor who gives a computer instructions so that the robotic arm the actual cutting is conceivable at this time as well. You can be in Rome , Italy and the surgeon in Japan and have the surgery by vitrual operations.
So, what does all this mean in general? It means that medicine and healthcare are about to introduce a newer "brave new world" that may be the starting point of accepting these types of devices into society. It will be another "giant leap for mankind"
Are there any moral, ethical, legal and bio-technical issues to be concerned about? "You bet ya", but the ends justifies the means and the cost- benefits ratio of this type of tech in the the general public is great.They can allow a health support by being used either as a mandatory tool or provide a person with health credits to a spas of your choice are too good to pass up by the health corporations, government agencies and "YOU" - the consumer who loves gadgetry.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Digital Human Interface: Part 2
Imagine the year is 2014 and you receive a reminder by your smart phone that you have a doctor's appointment, but instead of getting into your Eco-car and getting into traffic you open up your laptop.
It is predicted that the laptop or your tablet will act as a "digital clinic" set up with sensors that can take your blood pressure, heart rate, heart's oxygentation, lung's carbon-dioxide level, basal metabolic rate, cholesterol level, stress level, risk of mortality rate ;then with a special scanner take bone mineral readings, measure cancer bio-markers for tumors as well.
With your hand being placed on your laptop, tablet or notepad the same scanner will use sonar by using sound waves to map out an echocardiogram and an EKG(ECG). The trade show even showed scanners that can read the brain.
Within that one scan by your laptop the cost of going to your primary care doctor goes down dramatically.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Digital Human Interface Is Already Here
In Las Vegas this week , the world's largest "techy" trade show premiers with the latest gadgets in high technology to be revealed at the CES. As the challenges of health and wellness stack up against the average person in a post-modern world, perhaps technology will make up for the losing battle of losing weight, controlling calories and monitoring heart disease as easy as clicking a mouse.
New technologies that count the number of times you chew your food from a digital counter placed on a fork or new metabolic monitors worn simply and utilized to see if you over ate too many calories or have an imbalanced metabolism are all readily available at the CES trade show.
These technologies and others such as pulse oximetry that reads blood gases(from the lungs CO2 and 0xygen) and dyno-map that can determine blood pressure used already in hospital ICUs will open up a flood gate on body monitoring in real time.
As most of us are fast paced and on the go and hardly have time to sit, watch television, do work , watch our caloric intake , basal metabolic rate or blood pressure: these type of technologies will cross the divide. Now, you can have technology that will adapt all information from your smart phone. There is little doubt that your medical doctor, clinic, hospital , 3rd party providers or others that have corporate interst in your health status will soon have access to these data to read from to determine your health status and your impact on society.
It is the realistic world we live in and only at the tip of the iceberg. For example, distant-surgery can be done by virtual technology. Once a robot has been programmed to stereotopically map the normal human anatomy, the computer will take over the surgery.
But, before we get ahead of ourselves, simple smart-technology(nano-technology) will be available to determine and detect not only the caloric quantity , but the caloric quality. That is reading cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels in real time as your exercise counter counts how many steps you will need to take to burn those extra calories. At the fast food restaurant , your "chew monitor" will determine how well you eat or if you overate.
Other digital technology via your smart phone might be able to do a small radio scan on your bones or a small ECG(electrocardiogram), or sound wave study(ECHO) on your heart. These data will be fed into a major super database where both physicians and other health monitoring profilers can determine your status in "real time".
You don't need to look any further than the CES trade show in Las Vegas to find out whats next to be on your smart phone in the "Super Smart Era" of technology and health.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Loose Juice and Plastic Bottles
Latest reports about juices including apple, grape and orange juice show serious concerns. The concerns have raised eyebrows from studies looking at several types of juices used daily by kids having toxins in them. These juices used daily contain arsenic, lead and pesticides. Shortly after Dr. Mehmet Oz's exposure of suspected amounts of arsenic in apple juice raised a furor in the media and food consumer protection world.But, the concerns of juices didn't end there. Certain orange juice imported from Brazil began to make headlines about possessing dangerous pesticides. But, the concern doesn't end there either. Newer reports now look at grape juice containing lead. These studies have reported several brands having over the Federal sandard of 10 parts per billion of an allowable amount of toxic substance in a consumer product.The harm of these toxins include brain, heart disease as well as liver dysfunction.Discoveries reveal that some baby foods and products sold as childrens fruit snacks are also included in these exposed substances.
Also this week the FDA decided not to disallow BPA a dangerous toxin found in plastic bottle products such as baby formula bottles to continue.BPA is noted to cause pediatric neurological and developmenal problems and has been banned by some countries in Europe and Canada.
All of these concerns have occurred after a major Food Safety Bill was passed just in 2011.
The bigger long term question is what effects this may have on a growing population of targeted youth. What impacts will these exposures have on their personal health and the rising cost of health care in the future in general.
The need of prevention becomes evermore important . There are already concerns and documented obesity, heart, liver, diabetic , cancer and blood pressure problems in children who consume table sugar, aspartame, sucralose, agave, and high fructose corn syrup.
Label warnings may not be enough for parents to avoid exposure risks for kids. Investing in prevention and more organic based foods is important , but as food sources themselves may lack health nutrients adding vitamins to daily regimens is also important.
Also this week the FDA decided not to disallow BPA a dangerous toxin found in plastic bottle products such as baby formula bottles to continue.BPA is noted to cause pediatric neurological and developmenal problems and has been banned by some countries in Europe and Canada.
All of these concerns have occurred after a major Food Safety Bill was passed just in 2011.
The bigger long term question is what effects this may have on a growing population of targeted youth. What impacts will these exposures have on their personal health and the rising cost of health care in the future in general.
The need of prevention becomes evermore important . There are already concerns and documented obesity, heart, liver, diabetic , cancer and blood pressure problems in children who consume table sugar, aspartame, sucralose, agave, and high fructose corn syrup.
Label warnings may not be enough for parents to avoid exposure risks for kids. Investing in prevention and more organic based foods is important , but as food sources themselves may lack health nutrients adding vitamins to daily regimens is also important.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A Natrual Way to Relax
We've all read about deep breathing as a means to help us relax, but other methods and natural products may induce that state. Kava kava, valerian root, chamomile tea, St. John's Wort, SAMe, Melatonin, and Tryptophan the amino acid and Casein from warmed milk may help you relax and may be a easy gentler means to defeat insomnia also.
Learn more at www.nutrix360.com
Learn more at www.nutrix360.com
Friday, May 13, 2011
The New Food Model
For years the current food model has basically limited its view of foods to 4 basic groups, even though that is technically accurate it may not be complete. Foods explained as carbohydrates, proteins, fats and dairy are in some ways essential along with activity as the model suggests, but we must expand that view further. Metabolism , not the Gastro-intestinal system is the system that stabilizes all functioning to maintain health. To be more specific, it's cellular metabolism that is the place where the mechanics of a process bio-energetics maintains life.
The Food Model needs to address our new and modern generations understanding and awareness of alternative proteins such as Soy, Whey, Casein, and sources such as brown rice, chick peas, lentils, walnuts, and beans. It needs to show alternative carbohydrate and sugar sources besides sucrose and honey, but more fruits. It should include natural sweetners that are alternatives to table sugar such as Stevia and others such as Xylitol. There are other fats beside the unsaturated fats in many fried foods and red meats and the poly-unsaturated fats from plant sources. There are mono-unsaturated fats from olive oil and oils from canola as well. Our new Food Model must reflect fats that are healthy particularly the Essential Fats found in Omega 3,6,9 oils particularly DHA, EPA, ALA, GLA. The linonlenic acid and linoleic acids from flax, flax seed, safflower, black currant, evening primrose, sunflower, soy, peanut, borage oil, wheat germ and eggs are important alternatives .
But, the food model should also reflect "micro-nutrients" that are the essential building blocks of human life . This is how "cellular bio-fuels" are able to utilize and sustain nutritional balance and produce energy. These "micro-foods" or "nano-nutrition" include vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes(pro-biotics), and minerals(electrolytes). They are consumed as direct or indirectly as foods and need to be addressed in the overall model.
How can a food model be complete without "nano-nutrition" that are being put together and manufactured in the cell daily? They effect the biochemical processing to make foods available for the cell for metabolism when we are on auto-pilot, they act as biochemicals that can fight potential mutations that later lead to diseases such as cancer or heart disease . A an on a even more "micro" level, they make available electrons from atoms that "act" as nutrient fortifiers such as iron delivering oxygen or sulfur being carried in cysteine or vitamins aiding calcium delivery for bones, teeth and muscles.The trace element Chromium Picolinate helps stabilize blood sugar(this is not the hexavalent toxic form). There is the protein carrier known as L-carnitine which is known to carry and remove fat so it can be burned more efficiently as energy as well.
Another area that is not touched in the current foods model are herbals(roots, berries,cereals, teas). They were the first medicines and foods from a hunter-gathering society until the start of the 20th century. Many of the indigenous cultures still utilize them as the sole source of healing, but many a western drug laboratory will tell you that their research of herbs in the jungles of South America were the basis for many of their pharmaceutical products.Many organic herbal plants contain important sources to maintain longevity and balanced metabolism. Guarana from South America has an anti-platelet chemical to reduce clot formation, Ginko helps memory, Gynemma helps stabilizes blood sugar.
THE BAD SIDE OF NUTRITION
As nutrition is healthy there can be a bad side to nutrition or unhealthy forms of it. The "back side" is this unhealthy part that must be understood as well so as to avoid it. There are unhealthy fats such as the saturated fats that is causing the primary fat source leading to obesity today, but others include trans or hydrogenated fats seen in fat greasy fried foods. Many margarines , french fries, hamburgers and snack foods contain these fats. An associated "bad product" that is a by-product of this frying process especially with french fries is Acrilimide.It is known to be a potential carcinogen.
Are there bad proteins? Protein shakes drew a lot of concern and were associated with numerous health problems as a sole a sole dietary source for weight loss and needs to always to be carefully reviewed and understood. Some who are in a weight or body building program have resorted to creatinine as a means to build muscle mass, but be cautious with it as weight gain and redistribution of electrolytes might be an issue. However, healthier amino acid sources such as Branched Chain Amino Acids(BCAAs) may serve as a better source to help build lean muscle mass.
Some concerns have been raised about sources of soy proteins. The tip is to know your sources of soy. Fermented soy is healthier and also be aware of soy isolates which may be a concern . As a caveat the phyto-estrogen in soy acts as an inhibitor of natural estrogen which may give women protection, but ironically may be the cause of concerns for extra estrogen loads leading to health issues. Be aware.
In this new era everything will potentially be cloned, so that genetically modified organisms(products) to make meats particularly be in the markets. The "frankin-fish" that are being farmed may have some issue with it as we do not know its effects on the cells. But, other concerns for meats is enhancing their protein with growth hormones and estrogen. We still need to understand the concern of antiobiotics being fed to livestock as well as pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. We should be aware of irradiated foods or foods from irradiated locations as well.
What about bad carbohydrates? As there are good sources with fruits and vegetables there are also bad sugar sources. Most of them which are in question are "processed" sugars. The average American consumes up to 120-150 pounds of table sugar(sucrose) annually, but other sweetner substances are bringing more concerns than table sugar to the health of Americans today. These substances are found in soft drinks, snacks, and cereals that children are particularly fond of.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is particularly concerned about High Fructose Corn Syrup(HFCS) which appears to be the primary cause for rising rates of childhood obesity, premature heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes , liver disease and precocious puberty especially in girls. Another sweet substance is Aspartame which comes from a processed methanol-like substance. There have been reports it has been associated with several neruological disorders such as seizures, brain turmors and effects on cognitive functioning.Sucralose(the pink stuff) was discoverd accidentally as a pesticide agent. Need I say more. But, this are the things that we are sprinkling on top of our foods.
Even how we cook foods has grave concerns. Microwaving has the ability to denature protein. Overcooking to a burnt crisp not only makes more carcinogenic agents such as oxygen free radicals, but the National Cancer Institute studies showed how barbecued and grilled foods did pose a noticeable threat to our diet. When the fat portion on meats are cooked the smoke in it can contain Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHS) a known carcinogen to occur. But, when the meaty protein of chicken, steak, and even fish are overcooked their is a change in the meat substance creating a carcinogen known as Heterocyclic Amines.
The food model has to be broadened into a wider inclusive interactive model that can educate and demonstrate how these foods effect not just our diet , but our lifestyles.
Learn more from Dr. Wells book "Nano-Nutrition" on how to utilize the best and healthiest sources of micro-nutrients and bio-fuels for a more balanced metabolism and healthier lifestyle to prevent chronic illness.
www.nutrix360.com
The Food Model needs to address our new and modern generations understanding and awareness of alternative proteins such as Soy, Whey, Casein, and sources such as brown rice, chick peas, lentils, walnuts, and beans. It needs to show alternative carbohydrate and sugar sources besides sucrose and honey, but more fruits. It should include natural sweetners that are alternatives to table sugar such as Stevia and others such as Xylitol. There are other fats beside the unsaturated fats in many fried foods and red meats and the poly-unsaturated fats from plant sources. There are mono-unsaturated fats from olive oil and oils from canola as well. Our new Food Model must reflect fats that are healthy particularly the Essential Fats found in Omega 3,6,9 oils particularly DHA, EPA, ALA, GLA. The linonlenic acid and linoleic acids from flax, flax seed, safflower, black currant, evening primrose, sunflower, soy, peanut, borage oil, wheat germ and eggs are important alternatives .
But, the food model should also reflect "micro-nutrients" that are the essential building blocks of human life . This is how "cellular bio-fuels" are able to utilize and sustain nutritional balance and produce energy. These "micro-foods" or "nano-nutrition" include vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes(pro-biotics), and minerals(electrolytes). They are consumed as direct or indirectly as foods and need to be addressed in the overall model.
How can a food model be complete without "nano-nutrition" that are being put together and manufactured in the cell daily? They effect the biochemical processing to make foods available for the cell for metabolism when we are on auto-pilot, they act as biochemicals that can fight potential mutations that later lead to diseases such as cancer or heart disease . A an on a even more "micro" level, they make available electrons from atoms that "act" as nutrient fortifiers such as iron delivering oxygen or sulfur being carried in cysteine or vitamins aiding calcium delivery for bones, teeth and muscles.The trace element Chromium Picolinate helps stabilize blood sugar(this is not the hexavalent toxic form). There is the protein carrier known as L-carnitine which is known to carry and remove fat so it can be burned more efficiently as energy as well.
Another area that is not touched in the current foods model are herbals(roots, berries,cereals, teas). They were the first medicines and foods from a hunter-gathering society until the start of the 20th century. Many of the indigenous cultures still utilize them as the sole source of healing, but many a western drug laboratory will tell you that their research of herbs in the jungles of South America were the basis for many of their pharmaceutical products.Many organic herbal plants contain important sources to maintain longevity and balanced metabolism. Guarana from South America has an anti-platelet chemical to reduce clot formation, Ginko helps memory, Gynemma helps stabilizes blood sugar.
THE BAD SIDE OF NUTRITION
As nutrition is healthy there can be a bad side to nutrition or unhealthy forms of it. The "back side" is this unhealthy part that must be understood as well so as to avoid it. There are unhealthy fats such as the saturated fats that is causing the primary fat source leading to obesity today, but others include trans or hydrogenated fats seen in fat greasy fried foods. Many margarines , french fries, hamburgers and snack foods contain these fats. An associated "bad product" that is a by-product of this frying process especially with french fries is Acrilimide.It is known to be a potential carcinogen.
Are there bad proteins? Protein shakes drew a lot of concern and were associated with numerous health problems as a sole a sole dietary source for weight loss and needs to always to be carefully reviewed and understood. Some who are in a weight or body building program have resorted to creatinine as a means to build muscle mass, but be cautious with it as weight gain and redistribution of electrolytes might be an issue. However, healthier amino acid sources such as Branched Chain Amino Acids(BCAAs) may serve as a better source to help build lean muscle mass.
Some concerns have been raised about sources of soy proteins. The tip is to know your sources of soy. Fermented soy is healthier and also be aware of soy isolates which may be a concern . As a caveat the phyto-estrogen in soy acts as an inhibitor of natural estrogen which may give women protection, but ironically may be the cause of concerns for extra estrogen loads leading to health issues. Be aware.
In this new era everything will potentially be cloned, so that genetically modified organisms(products) to make meats particularly be in the markets. The "frankin-fish" that are being farmed may have some issue with it as we do not know its effects on the cells. But, other concerns for meats is enhancing their protein with growth hormones and estrogen. We still need to understand the concern of antiobiotics being fed to livestock as well as pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. We should be aware of irradiated foods or foods from irradiated locations as well.
What about bad carbohydrates? As there are good sources with fruits and vegetables there are also bad sugar sources. Most of them which are in question are "processed" sugars. The average American consumes up to 120-150 pounds of table sugar(sucrose) annually, but other sweetner substances are bringing more concerns than table sugar to the health of Americans today. These substances are found in soft drinks, snacks, and cereals that children are particularly fond of.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is particularly concerned about High Fructose Corn Syrup(HFCS) which appears to be the primary cause for rising rates of childhood obesity, premature heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes , liver disease and precocious puberty especially in girls. Another sweet substance is Aspartame which comes from a processed methanol-like substance. There have been reports it has been associated with several neruological disorders such as seizures, brain turmors and effects on cognitive functioning.Sucralose(the pink stuff) was discoverd accidentally as a pesticide agent. Need I say more. But, this are the things that we are sprinkling on top of our foods.
Even how we cook foods has grave concerns. Microwaving has the ability to denature protein. Overcooking to a burnt crisp not only makes more carcinogenic agents such as oxygen free radicals, but the National Cancer Institute studies showed how barbecued and grilled foods did pose a noticeable threat to our diet. When the fat portion on meats are cooked the smoke in it can contain Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHS) a known carcinogen to occur. But, when the meaty protein of chicken, steak, and even fish are overcooked their is a change in the meat substance creating a carcinogen known as Heterocyclic Amines.
The food model has to be broadened into a wider inclusive interactive model that can educate and demonstrate how these foods effect not just our diet , but our lifestyles.
Learn more from Dr. Wells book "Nano-Nutrition" on how to utilize the best and healthiest sources of micro-nutrients and bio-fuels for a more balanced metabolism and healthier lifestyle to prevent chronic illness.
www.nutrix360.com
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
What Makes Fish So Good
For a long time fish was taken only as a delicacy or for those of us on holiday. But, studies indicate fish are healthier sources of protein and micronutrients, too. The Omega 3 oil in fatty fish are high also in calcium. The higher protein containing fish also include salmon, mackrel, sardines and tuna. Tuna is noted for having high amounts of selenium which works as an antioxidant and helps cardiac functioning especially for those with heart failure.It has potassium that helps cellular electricity and helps reduce blood pressure.Tuna also has Vitamin D to make strong bones and Magnesium. While Herring has higher Vitamin B6 and Phosphorous.
Omega 3 oil has properties that reduce blood viscosity or thickness that causes the aggregation of platelets that make clots. It also reduces lipids or the fats in the blood. Omega 3 oil appears to repair damaged circulation to tissue by improving blood flow and reduce inflammation in the blood vessels.
Omega 3 oil has been indicated in reducing Parkison's Disease, Alzheimers and improving overall cognition for brain functioning.
Always be aware of your fish sources. Cold compressed fish are best for Omega 3 oil. Be cautious of mercury poisoning or PCBs(benzenze derivatives, and Poly-Aromoatic Hydrocarbons from oil and gas and toxic locations.
Learn more at www.nutrix360.com
Omega 3 oil has properties that reduce blood viscosity or thickness that causes the aggregation of platelets that make clots. It also reduces lipids or the fats in the blood. Omega 3 oil appears to repair damaged circulation to tissue by improving blood flow and reduce inflammation in the blood vessels.
Omega 3 oil has been indicated in reducing Parkison's Disease, Alzheimers and improving overall cognition for brain functioning.
Always be aware of your fish sources. Cold compressed fish are best for Omega 3 oil. Be cautious of mercury poisoning or PCBs(benzenze derivatives, and Poly-Aromoatic Hydrocarbons from oil and gas and toxic locations.
Learn more at www.nutrix360.com
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