HIV AIDS,

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - are transmitted through sexual contact. STD -are generally divided into two categories, bacterial and viral. Bacterial infections are relatively easy to cure if detected early. Viral infections are technically incurable but the symptoms are controllable if detected early. Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV. STD treatment reduces the risk of HIV infection.

The human immunodeficiency virus HIV, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are one of the main concerns today. The patients affected by them are large in number and alarming as it is infectious. Anybody anywhere can get the virus, from one person to the other, from a mother to a baby. It is estimated by the Joint United Nations Program that there are over 34 million people worldwide affected with HIV/AIDS. Out of them only few are aware of their being infected and spreading the virus.

To begin with HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that kills your body slowly and slowly. HIV attacks human cells and uses nutrients and energy provided by those cells to grow and reproduce. HIV can be passed from one person to the other. If someone with HIV infection has sex or shares drug injection needles with another person then he or she is likely to be HIV positive. It also can be passed from a mother to her baby when she is pregnant, when she delivers the baby, or if she breast-feeds her baby.

It is very important to keep yourself away from the virus getting into your body and it is equally important not to let others get infected by it. There are different ways of getting infected by HIV as

O If you have unprotected Sex with someone who has HIV. The virus can be in an infected person's blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. It can also enter your body through tiny cuts or sores in your skin, or in the lining of your vagina, penis, rectum, or mouth.

O If you share a needle and syringe to inject drugs or share drug equipment used to prepare drugs for injection with someone who has HIV.

O If you had a blood transfusion or blood clotting factor that you got before 1985. As all blood in the United States have been tested for HIV since 1985.

How can you protect yourself from HIV?

o Make a mature move, both the partners should not hesitate to go for HIV test

o If you are pregnant then have an HIV test.

o Make sure to use condoms.

AIDS - the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - is a disease you get when HIV destroys your body's immune system. Normally, your immune system helps you fight off illness. When your immune system fails you can become very sick and can die.

An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the defined AIDS indicator illnesses, (opportunistic infection). A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria. There is no cure for AIDS. There are anti drugs now available that can slow down the virus, and slow down the damage to your immune system. These drugs have also helped reduce the overall rates of opportunistic infections in people with AIDS.

IV and AIDS are the biggest health threats mankind has ever faced.

That is according to the World Health Organisation, which describes the global HIV epidemic as "the fastest growing threat to human development today."

You wouldn't think so if you're one of the lucky ones living in a wealthy developed nation. The developed world has been lulled into a false sense of security over HIV and AIDS.After all, it's the gay plague isn't it? And the occasional snippet of news coverage tells us it's a bit of a problem in Africa. Nothing too much for middle class, heterosexual whites to worry about.

The stark truth is that there's a lot to worry about. And everyone needs to start worrying - not just gays and Africans.

Global complacency over the HIV crisis is allowing whole nations to be decimated. And it's this very same complacency which is allowing the killer virus to snare a whole new generation of youngsters in developed countries such as the UK and USA - youngsters who never saw those infamous and unforgettable tombstone adverts of the 1980s.

Facts about HIV/AIDS

Joe Public in the developed world thinks we've cracked the AIDS problem. New drug treatments enable people infected with HIV to live relatively normal and productive lives and these treatments have reduced the number of AIDS cases quite dramatically. So what is there to worry about? Here's just a few things:

1. HIV infection is now rising dramatically among young heterosexuals in many northern European countries and in the USA

2. According to UNICEF six people aged between 15 and 24 become infected every minute of every day

3. The ease of global travel in recent years means the huge epidemics sweeping Third World nations inevitably affect developed countries. No single area of the global community is safe as long of millions of people continue to become infected with HIV

4. In sub-Saharan Africa more than 25 million people are now infected with HIV and the numbers are rising each year

5. Extreme poverty, civil war and domestic violence expose millions of women and children around the world to HIV infection on a daily basis

6. Babies in Africa are routinely raped by HIV infected men who believe this will rid them of the virus

So what are we supposed to do faced with the sheer enormity of this global catastrophe? Most of us do nothing. Television footage of the Tsunami disaster, which claimed an estimated 250,000 lives, prompted the world's population to react as never before in response to a humanitarian disaster. In that same year the HIV epidemic killed 2.5 million people in the sub-Saharan countries and left 12 million children orphaned. This is a disaster on a scale the world has never seen before - a disaster which, unlike the Tsunami, is preventable. But the developed world, by and large, is turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to it.

Some might argue that the scale of the crisis and the cost of tackling it are just too unmanageable to contemplate.

WHO estimates that around $1.5 billion a year is needed to implement HIV prevention programmes in the African countries worst hit by the virus. An impossible amount, you might think. Until you consider that some of the western oil corporations which continue to exploit Africa's natural reserves make more than 10 times that amount in a single year.

And the USA alone spends a staggering $22 billion a year treating people suffering from heart disease because of their obesity.

It's certainly food for thought.

Please submit your thoughts and opinions regarding AIDS and HIV to Guide4Living, and take the time to read through out personal stories.

In order to understand and appreciate the various issues regarding this pandemic, it is essential that the terms 'HIV' and 'AIDS' be scrutinized from a communications standpoint. HIV refers to "Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. This tiny organism when it infects someone causes a reduction in the capabilities of that persons' immune system. AIDS or "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" is a collection of diseases that results from a damaged and weakened immune system.

Once infected with HIV, a person appears healthy and symptom-free for many years before developing AIDS, and under the new treatment protocols, may never develop AIDS.

Therefore, a significant aspect of education regarding this pandemic is explaining that HIV and AIDS are NOT the same. Which is why one should never write "HIV/AIDS" anymore, as this implies a single concept. The accepted terminology is "HIV & AIDS".

Similarly, a person infected with HIV is just that; HIV infected. These people are called HIV positive, terminology that refers to the HIV test, which, if positive, indicates that HIV infection has occurred. They do not necessarily have AIDS, may never have AIDS and treatment is aimed at preventing them developing AIDS.

People that are infected with HIV, (HIV positive), are suffering from a chronic disease in much the same way as a diabetic, asthmatic or someone with high blood pressure is. Similarly, in order to stay healthy and productive, they have to constantly manage their disease. This means adopting lifestyle changes, making dietary adjustments, taking medicines regularly, having access to the necessary medical and counselling services, and maintaining an optimistic and hopeful attitude.

Therefore, in an ideal working environment, people who are HIV positive should be afforded exactly the same respect, understanding and support one would give a colleague that has cancer, diabetes or heart disease - an appreciation that the person is trying to cope with a potentially fatal disease, is scared and worried about their health, and is not infectious through casual contact.

Unfortunately, people who are HIV positive are often not treated in this humanitarian manner. The HIV & AIDS pandemic is associated with high levels of stigma, discrimination and prejudice, a situation which complicates all aspects of treatment and care. HIV is transmitted sexually, and this leads to infected individuals being regarded as sinful, promiscuous and immoral. HIV infection has also been regarded as a 'death sentence', and this translates to infected workers being shunned by co-workers, disregarded for promotion and considered unfit to work. In addition, there is the morbid fear of casual contact transmitting the disease, which means even more fear and ostracizing of infected people.

The result is that, instead of support and care for HIV positive workers, they have to try and cope with a potentially fatal chronic disease in secret; too scared to tell anyone, fearful of being 'found out' and terrified their status will cost them their job. So, the treatment, testing, monitoring and support that is necessary for effective chronic disease management is also compromised - often with fatal consequences.

To deal with HIV infection in the workplace;

Create an environment that reduces the stigma and discrimination. This involves management, leadership and compassion.

Ensure on-going educational facilities. It is only through education that the true messages, information and medical realities can be disseminated effectively. Properly conducted, this education aspect should include all chronic diseases and conditions. This then involves many more staff and 'normalises' the HIV & AIDS aspect, categorizing it with the other chronic diseases and conditions.

Establish treatment and counselling infrastructure at the company. If done correctly this infrastructure, although initially designed around HIV & AIDS, could nevertheless deal with all chronic diseases and benefit all staff.

The author, Sean Lubbe, is a virology researcher who entered the private sector to ensure employee from all walks of life are efficiently cared for.

An accredited teacher, facilitator, counsellor and management consultant, he specialises in healthcare program innovation and strategic thinking.

Cervical cancer

The prevention of any illness can be primary or secondary. The previous involves taking action on the determinants of the illness to prevent it from occurring. The second involves the early detection of disease, followed by acceptable interventions to stop its progression.

There has been substantial media PR about the prevention of cervical cancer during the past half a year. Almost all of it has focused on the human papilloma pathogen ( HPV ) vaccine, which has been called a cervical cancer vaccine, though there isn't any such vaccine available anywhere in the world.

Cervical smears have led to a steady decline in the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developed countries which have introduced population wide screening programmes.

Yet cervical smears have scarcely been discussed in the media target cervical cancer prevention. This is despite the indisputable fact that only 43% of Malaysian women have ever had a cervical smear in their lives ( national Health and Morbidity Survey 2006 ) although cervical cancer is the second most typical cancer in women ( countrywide Cancer Registry 2003 ). There is an overuse of cervical screening by ladies who are younger and/or who are at low risk.

The beginning of cervical cancer begins with changes in the squamocolumnar junction of the cervix where the flat squamous epithelium of the exocervix meets the columnar epithelium of the endocervix. The proportion of the cell nucleus to the cell size is increased in the epithelium in the pre-cancer phase of the illness.

There is a correlation between the induction of these changes and HPV infection. The pre-cancer changes are called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia ( CIN ). CIN is graded as mild ( CIN 1 ), moderate ( CIN two ) or harsh ( CIN 3 ). The CIN moves on from mild to moderate to dreadful illness and then invasive cancer over seven to twenty years. There are customarily no symptoms during this progression, which can be perceived by cervical smears.

Cervical cancer has a pre-cancerous phase lasting about 7 to 20 years before the standard cells change to cancer cells. As the danger factors of cervical cancer are known, behavioral interventions can be brought to prevent its development.

Regular pelvic exams and cervical smears would detect most pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. With treatment, the development of aggressive cancer would be stopped. Even if there's aggressive cancer present, it is going to be perceived at an early, curable stage.

The cervical smear is a screening test that uncovers pre-cancerous cells. This enables doctors to refer those with unnatural changes in the cervix for further inquiry and treatment. It must be emphasized that the cervical smear isn't a diagnostic test.

It involves taking a small sample of cells from the cervix using a brush or spatula. The cells are placed on a glass slide or into a container and sent to the lab for minute examination.

Cervical smears are recommended for all women, although if the woman hasn't had sex. The likelihood of cervical cancer in such girls is thought to be low, but it can still occur. Regular pelvic exams and Pap smears should be done once sexual activity starts. The frequency would rely on the findings and the woman's risk profile.

The use of cervical smears in widespread population screening in many developed nations has ended in a marked decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer. It's critical that patients and/or their mom and pop are informed the vaccines provide cover against certain HPV types and not cervical cancer.There are a couple of vaccines available. One vaccine acts against 4 HPV types and the other against 2. They prevent development of the HPV infection. As HPV infection is a big risk allow for the development of cervical pre-cancer, vaccination would forestall some of its development.

Behavioral interventions have an important role to play and they are comparatively economical. Yet they don't seem to be given the same press as that of HPV vaccines. The misconception of many patients and/or their mom and pop that HPV vaccines are the wizardry bullets to get shot of cervical cancer needs to be addressed by health messages that reflect the actuality of cervical cancer prevention.

In short, there needs to be bigger stress by policy makers and healthcare execs on the proven systems of cervical smears and behavioral interventions if there is to be any important impact on reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

Jonathan Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods. Joni Bell [http://apricotpower-info.com]

Do you know that "Cervical cancer" is one of the most silent and most dangerous diseases that may encounter by women? It is because of the unnoticeable symptoms that is just mimicking to the other ailments. Many women just ignore the symptoms for they have know that it is just a simple ovulation pain, but there is a big risk, cancer will just directly appear if it is complex. Cervical cancer does not usually show it's symptoms until the cancer is advanced and has spread out. These are the possible symptoms of the cervical cancer that a woman may notice:

Abnormal bleeding: there is abnormal bleeding of vagina and during the month the bleeding can be heavy or light. And the changes of vaginal bleeding can be noted that it is one of the signs of cervical cancer.

Unusual heavy discharge: the boost of vaginal discharge is one of the symptoms of this cancer. There is a foul smell of it and it contains watery and very thick mucus that is not normal and can be observed directly.

Pelvic pain: it is not interrelated to the normal cycle of menstrual that there could be a mild or severe pain that a woman may suffer. In which the pain that a woman suffers is so painful, from dull ache to sharp pain, and can be more dangerous if it is not associated with your menstrual period.

Pain during Urination: it is the bladder infection in which, there is pain during urination or bladder pain and could be more risky if the cancer is spreading out in the bladder.

Bleeding between regular menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, from douching or pelvic exam: The irritation of the cervix and the bleeding will occur directly after doing sex and will also occur during douching. In menstrual periods which could cause severe cervical infection that would cause this cancer.

Cervical cancer starts on the surface of the cervix which is in the cells and there are two types of cells in the surface of the cervix: the columnar and the squamos. Most of the occurrences of cervical cancer are in the squamos cells. The cervical cancer usually develops very slowly and starts with "dysplasia" which is the precancerous condition. Dysplasia can be detected easily by a Pap smear and is 100% proven treatable. The undetected precancerous condition would develop into a cancer and may spread to the bladder, lungs, liver, and intestines.

Cervical cancer is almost caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). It is an ordinary virus that is widely spread through sexual intercourse. These are caused by having sex at an early age, having multiple sexual partners that participate in high-risk sexual activities and having weak immune system and poor economic status.

The cervical cancer can be cured by devastating and taking away the precancerous tissue. There many ways of surgeries without removing the uterus or damaging the cervix in order to still have children for the future.

Surgery types of early cervical cancer:

Laser therapy - it is the use of light to burn abnormal tissue.

LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) - it is the use of electricity in order to remove abnormal tissue.

Cryotherapy - it will freeze the abnormal cells.

Surgery types for advanced cervical cancer:

Hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus but will not get the ovaries and may be done by women that who have repeatedly undergo to LEEP procedures.

Radiation therapy - it is to treat cancer that has spread out into the pelvis, or cancer that have returned. It is either external or internal.

Chemotherapy - the use of drugs for exterminating cancer.

There are many options for cervical cancer treatment. You already know the cervical cancer symptoms as well as the treatments, sometimes treatments are used in combination. Treatment is best for you if you have the guidance and follow the advice of surgeon or oncologist to have the safe and the proper procedures for fighting and preventing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a threat that can be treated!

Cervical cancer: malignant cancer of the cervix uteri or cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages, which has made cervical cancer the focus of intense screening efforts using the Pap smear. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the uterine cervix. The body (upper part) of the uterus, is where a fetus grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix). The place where these 2 parts meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers start in the transformation zone.

About 85% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which develop in the scaly, flat, skinlike cells covering the cervix. Most other cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from gland cells, or adenosquamous carcinomas, which develop from a combination of cell types.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Symptoms usually don't appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, which may start and stop between regular menstrual periods or may occur after sexual intercourse.

Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal,or a change in your menstrual cycle that you can't explain.

Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before. Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam.

Pain during urination: Bladder pain or pain during urination can be a symptom of advanced cervical cancer. This cervical cancer symptom usually occurs when cancer has spread to the bladder.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer most commonly begins in the thin, flat cells that line the bottom of the cervix (squamous cells). Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 80 percent of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer can also occur in the glandular cells that line the upper portion of the cervix.

Genetic material that comes from certain forms of HPV has been found in cervical tissues that show cancerous or precancerous changes.

Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You get HPV by having sex with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.

The virus is a sexually transmitted disease. There are more than 50 types of human papilloma virus (HPV) that infect humans. Types 6 and 11 usually cause warts, while types 16, 18, 31 and 33 usually result in high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN-2 and CIN-3) and carcinomas.

More than 90 percent of all cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and researchers believe that this cancer may be a sexually transmitted disease. There is much evidence that cervical carcinoma is related to sexually transmitted organisms.

Chemical exposure: Women who work on farms or in the manufacturing industry may be exposed to chemicals that can increase their risk of cervical cancer.

Women who have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, often take drugs that weaken the body's natural immunity or its ability to fight off disease. These women also have an increased risk for cervical cancer and should be closely monitored by their gynecologist for the development of precancerous changes to the cervix.

Read about Herbal Treatment Natural Remedies Cures. Also read about Breast Enhancement and Breast Enlargement and Health Questions Answers Discussion Forum

DEFINITIONS TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis can give a lot of symptoms to a person but there are cases in which patients came to the doctor for other problems and they are discovered this disease too. Sometimes tuberculosis gives only night sweats and the patient will not go to the doctor only for such a mild symptom. Generally extra pulmonary tuberculosis is encountered in those who have a weakened immune system and have other important diseases associated too.

The most affected of extra pulmonary TB and military TB are the patients who have AIDS. In those patients symptoms vary from chest pains and night sweats to morning coughing with blood. In those who are in a bad status loss of weight might be encountered along with these other symptoms. At the physical exam the doctor will hear with his stethoscope diminished breath sounds and coarse crackles.

It is not easy to diagnose tuberculosis as the symptoms can be found in other diseases too, like: lung cancer, asperigollosis, pneumonia, sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and mediastinial lymphadenopathy.

The doctor will ask for a thoracic X-ray. If tuberculosis is present on the thoracic X-ray cavitation, calcification and nodes will be seen. Other tests must me done to be sure the disease is tuberculosis. A biopsy is indicated also, and if it shows granulomas and caseation then there is a confirmation of tuberculosis. Sputum can also be tested to see if it contains the Koch bacteria. If the tuberculosis is not localized in the lungs then the urine can be taken as a sample and analyzed or the LCR or even the blood. The lymph noses biopsy can be made because tuberculosis can shed there too. If the doctor thinks the tuberculosis affected some other organs he will take a sample of liquid from the pleural space, the pericardial space, or the peritoneal space.

In those patients in which the sputum test got negative the bronchoalveolar lavage can be tested too to eliminate any possibility of misdiagnosing. This is done with an optic bronchoscope which is passed from the mouth or the nose towards the trachea and then the lungs. This procedure is not painful as the doctor uses a lidocaine spray to locally sedate the patient. With the bronchoscope a sample will be taken from the alveolar space as a saline solution will be entered the lungs to flush out bacteria and loose cells. This solution will be collected and tested in the end of the procedure.

With the help of the bronchoscope biopsy can be performed from small tissue samples from the bronchi. These samples will be analyzed in the laboratory to see if they are infected with the Koch bacilli.

So, if you want to find more about tuberculosis history [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/tuberculosis-history.htm] or even about tuberculosis symptoms [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/tuberculosis-symptoms.htm] please click this link [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/]

Although antibiotics had been discovered a few years before, sulfonamide and penicillin proved no effect on the bacteria causing Tuberculosis. After years of research In California about soil fungus, in 1039 Waksman isolated the fungus Actynomices that was able to inhibit the development of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. But the chemo was to dangerous toxic and could not be used in treating Tuberculosis.

In 1943streptomycin was found inside Streptomyces griseus and it was proven to totally inhibit the bacterial strains. In 1944 it was administered to a Tuberculosis patient that immediately improved. Although streptomycin causes side effects like damages to the inner ear, it was for a few years the best medication against Mycobacterium.

The medical treatment of Tuberculosis was put in danger after the assumption that bacteria rapidly gains resistance even to the newer discovered antibiotics. But the issue was quickly solved by using combinations of antibiotics in the treatment.

After streptomycin other major anti Tuberculosis chemo were introduced. P-aminosalicilic acid, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Rifampicin and Cycloserin showed benefic results in the cure of Tuberculosis. Newer Aminiglicosides such as Viomycin and Kanamycin as well as the quinolones Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin are only prescribed in cases of resistant strains. Latest treatment methods like the Macrolides or the combination of Beta-lactamase and Beta-lactams have not been yet enough studied.

The two most important characteristics of the antituberculous ant biotherapy are:

1. The antibacterial activity best resulted in Streptomycin, Isoniazid and Rifampicin.

2. The inhibition of the development of resistance with best results in Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Izoniazid.

After a month of treatment with the four basic antibiotics, the patient should be fever free, feel much improved and show decreased number of bacteria in the sputum. The weight of the patient must increase and the lesions visible on the X-rays should minimize. As the medication persists the bacterial organism in the sputum will become more and more difficult to be cultivated on synthetic cultures inside the laboratories.

If no signs of improvement appear on the radiography after 3 months, the medication and the patient's compliance must be again verified. Most relapses after treatment appear in the first 6 months after the patient has stopped taking chemo. Also the capacity of developing resistance must be taken into consideration. The National Tuberculosis Center must carefully monitories rebel cases of Tuberculosis.

In case of a recurrence at the same patient, doctors must find another schedule of therapy as the bacteria has already developed resistance to the antibiotics used before. A possibility is adding other few antibiotics to the initial medication. If bacteria is resistant to all kind of standard chemical products, other drugs, more toxic however will be put in the schedule: Ethionamide, Cycloserine, Viomycin, Kanamycin, Pyrazinamide or Capreomycin.

So, if you want to find more about tuberculosis symptoms [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/tuberculosis-symptoms.htm] or even about tuberculosis history [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/tuberculosis-history.htm] please click this link [http://www.tuberculosis-center.com/]

Mycobacteria are abundant in soil and water but are more infamous for the diseases that they can cause. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is perhaps the most well known member of the group and is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. However, there are other species of mycobacteria, for example Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy, Mycobacterium bovis causes tuberculosis in cattle, Mycobacterium avium causes disease in immunocompromised people, Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a strain of Mycobacterium bovis used as a vaccine and Mycobacterium smegmatis is a non-pathogenic species used in laboratory research. (Reference: Mycobacterium: Genomics and Molecular Biology ISBN: 978-1-904455-40-0)

About one-third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis, although the infection is latent because the immune system is usually able to control the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. About 10% of infected people become ill with an active form of tuberculosis.

Latent tuberculosis infection is when a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not have symptoms of disease. They are said to be asymptomatic. Active tuberculosis disease is the full-blown disease which, if not treated, will kill half of the patients. One in ten latent infections will progress to active tuberculosis disease. Typical symptoms of an active tuberculosis patient include weakness, fever, chest pain, respiratory insufficiency, fever and cough. Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have become multidrug-resistant making the disease particularly difficult to treat. Treatment includes chemotherapy and a combination of different types of drug. Tuberculosis is spread by infective particles produced through coughing by patients with active tuberculosis. The air-borne particles carrying the bacteria can be inhaled by other people.

Leprosy is a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a bacterium related to the species that causes tuberculosis. In medical terms, leprosy is described as a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. Skin lesions are the main visible symptoms. According to the World Health Organization as many as three million people have been disabled due to leprosy. In recent years, leprosy has become a problem in HIV patients using anti-retroviral drugs.

Different species of Mycobacterium cause tuberculosis, leprosy and other illneses. Mycobacterium is a genus of Actinobacteria, given its own family, the Mycobacteriaceae. Much scientific research is being conducted on these microorganisms. In particular much effort is being directed to the understanding of the genome of Mycobacterium with a view to developing and improving strategies for treatment. (Reference: Mycobacterium: Genomics and Molecular Biology ISBN: 978-1-904455-40-0)

Reference about mycobacterium at Mycobacterium: Genomics and Molecular Biology. Recent scientific developments in microbiology at the Microbiology Blog and details of microbiology conferences, meetings, symposia, workshops and advanced courses at Microbiology Conference

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VITAMINS FOR HEALTH

Liquid Vitamins Are Needed In the Common American Diet

Vitamins are necessary for our body to perform many functions in order to maintain proper health. These vitamins are divided into two groups. One group is fat soluble which includes vitamin A, D, E and K where as the other group is water soluble which include Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Vitamins are defined as organic compounds and perform distinct function other then those of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Their deficiency in the body can cause several diseases.

Vitamins are present in our daily diet. The reason for giving good quantity of vitamins daily is that our body cannot develop certain important vitamins required for body functioning. Sometimes due to a disease or a loss of function the body may require more intakes of vitamins. Other then food, vitamins are present in the market as dietary pills in solid form and as liquid vitamins.

Liquid Vitamins

Liquid vitamins contain a unique multivitamins formula with an added benefit that all the content of this multivitamin supplements is suspended in liquid. This new method of liquid vitamin is now becoming very popular.

The liquid vitamins are easier to digest and take instead of swallowing a pill. Since these vitamins are already in a liquid form our stomach doesn't need to digest them first to produce a soluble form. Hence the liquid vitamins are also more readily absorbed in the intestines.

Does Our Body Produce Vitamins?

Our bodies cannot synthesize these complex compounds and even if it does the quantity produced is insufficient for meeting the body requirements. Secondly when we are taking diet, although we are getting vitamins, but very important water soluble vitamins are passed out of our body through urine and we need to get a regular intake. This is a reason why a good excellent liquid vitamin will help in providing the necessary amounts.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Liquid Vitamin contains necessary vitamins and minerals required for our best performance. In case you are deficient in these vitamins you will get sick. In case of vitamin deficiency your body can get attacked by foreign bodies. Many of these vitamins exhibit antioxidant properties which mean that they react with the free radicals and destroy them. If these free radicals increase in number they can be very harmful and can cause many serious diseases such as cancers and heart diseases.

Vitamin C deficiency can cause damage to your skin and reduction in blood vessel flexibility. Several other Vitamins B types are required for reducing the risk of homocysteine. A little quantity of daily liquid vitamin, is therefore, good to help your body maintain the required vitamin levels.

Benefits of Liquid Vitamin

Benefits of Liquid Vitamins contain many minerals and vitamins that they help in providing a healthier lifestyle. Vegans, children and people eating unbalanced diet reap excellent results by using multivitamins in their daily diet. Women who are in their first three months of pregnancy have to take folic acid for better health of their babies. CoQ10 is very helpful in reducing the risk of heart diseases.

Vitamin C and E help in combination to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E also helps collagen production, assisting white blood cells to fight off many diseases, healthier skin, formation of bones, teeth, capillaries and helps in protection of cell membranes and early healing of wounds. Many other vitamins and minerals present in liquid vitamins are very beneficial for a healthy life.

Types of Liquid Vitamins

In the market several types of liquid vitamins are present out of which some very good ones are listed below.

Liquid life joint care with collagen and liquid life ultra joint care are liquid vitamins that contains all necessary vitamins and minerals along with necessary elements such as Collagen, Chondroitin, MSM, Glucosamine, that help in joint problems.

Liquid life cherry berry, liquid life mango, liquid life peach supreme and liquid life complete nutrition are liquid vitamins and are a complete multivitamin supplement. 
Liquid life male vitality contains essential vitamins and minerals for proper sexual and physical health of men. A very good supplement liquid vitamin for men's health is liquid life male basic multiple.

Oxy-gen cherry berry is a very good liquid vitamin supplement that contains oxygen and Alovera mix. This supplement is very good for athletes who lack oxygen during hard training or people who due to some disease have lesser oxygen in their blood. Other such supplements include Oxy-gen cranapple, Oxy-gen lemon lime and oxy-gen capsules.

Liquid Multivitamins are Superior

Two types of multivitamin supplements are available in the market. One is the Liquid vitamins and the other is the solid vitamins in the form of pills.

Liquid Vitamins are somewhat superior to the solid vitamins. There are many reasons for it. Many vitamins and minerals are bad in taste. Some studies reveal that the vitamins in solid form get absorbed in the blood up to 40-50 percent whereas if you take liquid vitamin this percentage can increases up to 90 percent. Some studies also suggest that any sort of vitamins that a person takes get absorbed in the first 10 inches of human intestine. And liquidity of the supplement helps it gets absorbed quickly. However the pills also get transformed into a liquid form and due to that reason it also gets absorbed in the blood but the stomach doesn't need to digest the liquid form.

Liquid vitamins have an added advantage over pills and capsules. In pills the vitamins are compression by using additives and molecules to fill in the tablet and in capsules which makes it hard for the stomach to digest it.

For older people and children liquid vitamins is the best option. The reason behind this is that the digestive enzymes of both of these age groups are either weak or immature which makes normal pill form vitamins to digest rather uncomfortably.

A liquid supplement is best for those people who are unable to take pills. For example, people who have problems of gastric bypass cannot swallow pills easily and the liquid vitamins are best option.

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for normal metabolic functions. These functions include using proteins to repair injured tissue and converting fats and carbohydrates into energy. They do not supply the body with either energy or calories directly. Because vitamins (with the exception of Vitamin D) can not be synthesized by our body, they must be consumed through diet to prevent vitamin deficiency disorders.

There are a total of 13 vitamins, which are divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins, which include Vitamin C and B-complex group, can not be stored in the body. They constantly need to be replenished since they are quickly eliminated through urine. Fat-soluble, on the other hand, can be stored temporarily in the liver and fatty tissues.

History of Vitamins

Long before discovery of vitamins, many cultures were aware that certain foods had great health benefits on our body. During the times of the ancient Egyptians, they would feed their patients liver to cure night blindness. Recent evidence illustrates that night blindness is caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

From the 18th century, many doctors and scientists made profound discoveries on the nature and benefit of vitamins.

·         In 1747, Scottish naval surgeon Dr. James Lind discovered that a nutrient (now known as Vitamin C) found in citrus foods, helped prevent scurvy

·         In 1905, Dr. William Fletcher discovered that if you removed certain nutrients (now known as vitamins) from food, disease would occur. He made this observation while researching the causes of beriberi in Southeast Asia. Dr. Fletcher concluded that the husk of unpolished rice, contained "special factors" that prevented beriberi

·         In 1912, Polish scientist Casimir Funk, named the nutritional parts of our food, a "vitamine", "vita" meaning life, " amine " a molecule found in thiamine He later concluded that if we were deficient in certain vitamins, associated diseases could occur.

Functions

·         Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps us see in the dark. It is known as retinol because it produces pigments found in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A helps promote the health and growth of all cells and tissues found in our body. It assists in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skin, tissues, and mucous membranes.

·         Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in certain foods and can be produced by our body after exposure to UV rays from sunlight. This vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and helps deposit these minerals in teeth and bones. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Studies suggest that vitamin D also helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps regulate cell growth and differentiation.

·         Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant that protects cellular tissues from the damaging effects of free-radicals. Free radicals are potentially harmful by-products of energy metabolism, which could contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Research has shown that Vitamin E may help prevent specific cancers such as colon, breast, and prostate. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that Vitamin E boosts the immune system, improves brain function, and helps in the formation of red blood cells. It has been observed that Vitamin E helps reduce the risk of developing various vision disorders, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.

·          

·         Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is commonly known as the "clotting" vitamin. This vitamin's primary responsibility is to regulate normal blood clotting (through the formation of prothrombin). Blood clotting occurs instantaneously when there is an injury or tear to any blood vessel. It regulates this process from helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K participates in the synthesis of several proteins that are necessary for the functions such as coagulation and anticoagulation. Vitamin K, by preventing the hardening of arteries, can reduce occurrence of heart disease and heart failure.

·         Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that affects the body in many different ways. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important protein used to create blood vessels, scar tissue, skin, tendons, and ligaments. Vitamin C is necessary for the repair and maintenance of these parts and helps heal wounds. Vitamin C is actively involved in the formation of norepiephrine, a neurotransmitter that is critical in brain function. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, in small amounts in can combat the damage created by free radicals, which are negative by-products of metabolic activity. The accumulation of these free radicals has been associated to the aging process. Studies over time have shown that free radicals contribute to the development of ailments such as heart disease, macular degeneration, and cancer.

·         Thiamin, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin, and helps the body to create energy by breaking down carbohydrates and fats. Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1 is essential for the normal growth and development, it helps to main proper functioning of the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. Vitamin B1 helps maintain proper functioning digestive, nervous, cardiovascular systems. It can be stored in muscle tissue temporarily; depletion can occur as quickly as within 14 days.

·         Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a water soluble vitamin that helps the body produce energy through the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It also helps convert tryptophan (an essential amino acid) into niacin (another B vitamin) and activates vitamin B6. Riboflavin also aids the body's antioxidant system to protect against free-radical damage. It is vital for the body's various systems such as nervous, reproductive, and immune system.

·         Niacin is a water-soluble, B-complex vitamin that plays an important role in energy metabolism, by converting carbohydrates and fats. It also helps the body to remove harmful toxins, to produce steroid hormones, and to repair DNA. Vitamin B3 plays an important role in our digestive tract by maintaining smooth muscle tone. Studies have shown that niacin is effective at reducing cholesterol-levels and improving cardiovascular circulation.

·         Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. It, like other members of the B-complex family, helps metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to produce and release energy. It is common known as the "anti-stress vitamin", by supporting the adrenal gland in the release a stress hormone, cortisol. Pantothenic acid, helps the adrenal gland produce other important hormones, which aid the body to fight allergies and regulate metabolism. It is, also, very important in stimulating the immune system to produce more antibodies.

·         Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is a water-soluble that helps produce proteins, which then create cell bodies. It helps convert tryptophan (an essential amino acid) into Niacin (Vitamin B3) and Serotonin, a biological neurotransmitter. Vitamin B6 helps the immune system by increasing WBC production to fight infection. The body needs Vitamin B6, to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, a major component of red blood cells, bind to oxygen carrying it to all body tissues. It also increases the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Thus, vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia. It also helps maintain blood glucose levels within normal range. When your glucose level is low, your body requires vitamin B6 to convert stored carbohydrates into glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Recent studies have shown that vitamin B6 decreases homocysteine levels, which has been to heart disease.

·         Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in DNA and RNA production, which produce new cell bodies. Folate is required for DNA replication and can prevent change in DNA that may lead to cancer.. It is actively involved in rapid cell division and growth, during times of infancy and pregnancy. With the aid of vitamin B12, folate forms hemoglobin, found in red blood cells allowing effective oxygen transportation to surrounding body tissues. Folate plays a role in reducing homocysteine levels in blood.

·         Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is important in the production of red blood cells and healthy nerve cells. It is required in DNA and RNA replication. Vitamin B12, with the help of vitamin B6 and folate, control the body's homocysteine levels. Excess amounts of homocysteine are associated with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Similar to other water-soluble vitamins, vitamin B12 plays an important role in cell division and growth. It also increases our energy levels by metabolizing fats and carbohydrates. Vitamin B12 enters the body by binding to protein found in food. During digestion, hydrochloric acid releases vitamin B12 from the protein. After being released, vitamin B12 combines with a substance called instrinsic factor(IF). This complex is now capable of being absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

·         Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, generally classified as a B-complex vitamin. Like other B vitamins, it helps body cells to produce energy. It helps metabolize fats, proteins (amino acids) and carbohydrates in food. It is important in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, maintains a steady blood sugar levels, and strengthen hair and nails. It plays a role in the citric acid cycle, a process where biochemical energy in created during aerobic respiration. It also plays a role in the transfer of carbon dioxide found in the body. Preliminary studies show that biotin may help improve sugar control in those with diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes.

Vilash Reddy is president of Doc1Vitamins.com [http://www.doc1vitamins.com]. This comprehensive nutritional website features physician developed, highly effective vitamins and nutritional supplements. It also contains a unique , frequently updated nutritional blog [http://www.doc1vitamins.com/blog]

John Cannell, MD, Executive Director of The Vitamin D Council, reports on the Vitamin D Conference in Victoria.

The Vitamin D Conference just finished in Victoria was nothing short of spectacular. On the bus into Victoria, I met a representative from the National Cancer Institute whose job was simple: her bosses at the NIH wanted to know if they should fund the flood of grant requests about vitamin D. Given the quality of the papers presented, I can't imagine her answer was anything but yes.

Dr. Tony Norman and Dr. Roger Bouillon, the conference organizers, had to choose from over 300 submissions from scientists around the world. The venerable Dr. Bouillon did not try to back off his recent widely quoted warning that more than a billion people in the world are vitamin D deficient. Both men did a great job balancing presentations on vitamin D nutrition, vitamin D basic science, and the patentable vitamin D analogs sought by drug companies. Of course, I thought more time should have been devoted to vitamin D nutrition but Dr. Norman pointed out that more time was devoted to vitamin D nutrition than ever before. Like Dr. Norman, I am unable to comment on all the presentations that merited it, or this newsletter would be 50 pages long.

Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, who fired Dr. Michael Holick from one of his professorships several years ago after Holick wrote a book saying God knew what she was doing when she created sunlight, gave the Plenary Lecture. Wisely, Dr. Gilchrest overwhelmed the audience with graphic pictures of invasive skin cancer to support her argument that sunlight is evil. Of course, it's harder to show pictures of invasive colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and the 15 other internal cancers caused by sunlight deprivation.

However, Dr. Gilchrest is changing her mind. George Bernard Shaw once said, "Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything." Dr. Gilchrest is changing her mind - not about the evils of sunlight - about vitamin D. She is in the process of admitting that this miraculous substance has benefits beyond bone.

Two years ago, she dismissed any concerns about vitamin D with a "take a multivitamin if you are concerned." Now she believes the Food and Nutrition Board needs to consider raising both the Adequate Intake recommendations (how much one should take every day) as well as the Upper Level (the amount one can take on your own, without being under a doctor's care, and without fear of toxicity). My compliments to Dr. Gilchrest.

Dr. Heike Bischoff-Ferrari did a wonderful job, not just presenting her data that optimal vitamin D blood levels need to be at least 40 ng/ml, but for presenting Dr. Ed Giovannucci's data (who had to cancel for personal reasons). Dr. Bischoff-Ferrari reminded us that periodontal disease in inversely related to vitamin D blood levels. She also reminded us that there is strong scientific evidence that vitamin D improves neuromuscular performance in older people.

Dr. Bischoff-Ferrari then presented Dr. Giovannucci's data that one reduces your risk of all cancers about 17% for every 10 ng/ml of vitamin D in your blood. For cancer of the digestive system, the risk reduction is 43%. His data indicates all Americans should be taking about 2,000 IU per day and some Americans need even more to minimize cancer risk. No one know where the curve flattens out; that is, no one knows how much further cancer reduction one gets from 20, 30, or 40 ng/ml incremental increases in blood levels.

Dr. Robert Heaney presented by video hookup and made his quiet but powerful case that about 75% of American women are vitamin D deficient (levels less than 35 ng/ml), that about 3,000 units a day are needed to bring 95 % of the population out of the deficient range, and that 10,000 units a day is the safe upper limit. (This does not mean you should take 10,000 units per day, it means scientists should be able to study 10,000 unit daily doses without the bureaucratic difficulty they now encounter).

Dr. Kimball, working with Dr. Reinhold Vieth, presented data that children (age 10 -17) only increased their average blood level by 11 ng/ml when given 14,000 units per week for eight weeks and that such dosing was safe.

Dr. Hollis presented evidence in Victoria that levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to normalize the enzyme kinetics of vitamin D. [When I say vitamin D blood levels, I'm referring to 25(OH)D levels; Bruce is studying actual vitamin D levels (cholecalciferol) as well as 25(OH)D levels]. Dr. Hollis continues giving pregnant and lactating South Carolina women about 4,000 to 6,000 units a day in an ongoing study. We predict easier pregnancies and less depression in the moms - lower prenatal and perinatal mortality, fewer birth defects, fewer infections, less diabetes, less psychiatric illness, less asthma, stronger bones, and higher IQs in the children.

Dr. Hathcock did a great job reviewing the evidence that doses below 10,000 units per day have never been shown to be toxic and that 10,000, not 2,000, units per day should be the Upper Limit. He, like so many others, urged the Food and Nutrition Board to revise their outdated recommendations. Moreover, I understand from knowledgeable people at the conference that the Food and Nutrition Board is planning to do just that!

Dr. Dixon presented fascinating evidence that high vitamin D blood levels prevent sunburn! Of course, it makes sense. When vitamin D levels are low, the skin stays as white as it can to make as much vitamin D as it can, just in case you ignore Dr. Gilchrest's advice. When vitamin D levels are high, the skin rapidly tans to prevent excessive vitamin D skin production. A number of people have emailed me that observation: now that their levels are high, they tan very quickly. I've noticed the same thing.

Dr. Marie Demay presented her basic science research that vitamin D is involved in hair follicles. I loved her talk although she's a scientist and I'm a psychiatrist so I didn't understand much of what she said. However, I've always thought that vitamin D will really take off once science shows it's involved in any of three things: sex, athletic performance, or hair growth. In Victoria, we saw evidence for neuromuscular (athletic) performance and hair growth.

Dr. Cedric Garland recounted how, 26 years ago, he and his brother Frank first thought about the relationship between vitamin D and colon cancer. The brothers, together with colleague Ed Gorham, were the first to provide epidemiological evidence that vitamin D deficiency is involved in numerous cancers. Their seminal 1980 paper is going to be reprinted, a well-deserved honour. (Int J Epidemiol. 1980 Sep;9(3):227-31).

Dr. Thadhani and his group from Harvard reviewed their recent discovery that calcitriol and similar drugs increase survival in patients with renal failure. He also presented evidence that renal failure patients have profound deficiencies of both calcitriol and vitamin D and their vitamin D deficiency is not corrected by giving calcitriol or its analogs, which is the current practice.

Of course, Dr. Robert Modlin stole the show when he reported on his research just published in Science that vitamin D may be, in effect, a powerful antibiotic. For the first time, the UCLA group showed that when researchers add vitamin D to African American blood, their blood makes more of the natural antibiotics that humans rely on the fight infection. Dr. Adrian Martineau, from the Imperial College in London, followed Modlin and showed vitamin D helped fight tuberculosis, probably from increasing these same natural antibiotics. Science has discovered more than 200 of these naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides; they are especially prevalent in the upper and lower respiratory tract; at least one inactivates the influenza virus. Let's not forget that two other groups have also recently shown the antibiotic potential of vitamin D. (Science. 2006 Mar 24;311(5768):1770-3, J Immunol. 2004 Sep 1;173(5):2909-12, FASEB J. 2005 Jul;19(9):1067-77, J Virol. 1986 Dec;60(3):1068-74).

Dr. Lu presented evidence that the vitamin D content of fish is much less than previously thought, including mackerel. Salmon is OK but the vitamin D almost disappears when the salmon is fried.

Dr. Hardin, from Columbia University, presented evidence that blood levels above 50 ng/ml should help patients with lupus. A group from the University of Manchester presented the mechanism by which vitamin D should reduce arteriosclerosis. A group from the University of Chicago presented evidence that vitamin D should not only prevent colon cancer, but help treat it as well. Dr. Robert Scragg of the University of Auckland presented evidence that ethnic differences in vitamin D levels explain a significant proportion of the reason African Americans are more hypertensive than whites. The group from San Diego presented evidence that vitamin D deficiency is intimately involved in breast, colon, and ovarian cancer.

A group from the University of Manitoba presented evidence that one-month-old infants tolerate 2,000 units of vitamin a day for three months quite well without any evidence of adverse effects. A group from Wake Forest University demonstrated that higher vitamin D levels were associated with better neuromuscular (athletic) performance in older Americans (should help younger Americans too). A group from the University of Amsterdam showed that the increased risk of falling from vitamin D deficiency is much worse in people with a common genetic variation of the vitamin D receptor. Dr. Chen presented evidence that plain old vitamin D should prevent prostate cancer.

Dr. Barsony, of Georgetown University, presented evidence that low blood sodium is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency and that such deficiencies may not be able to be corrected until the low blood sodium is corrected. Dr. Barsony really thought outside the box to discover this potentially very important clinical finding. Dr. Godar presented evidence that young Americans, not just older Americans, are not getting much vitamin D from sunlight. Dr. Taylor showed evidence that a significant number of young children have a previously undetected form of vitamin D in their blood. (Sunlight triggers the creation of a number of different versions of vitamin D in the skin, that's why it's risky to avoid the sun and only depend on oral vitamin D.) Dr. Patel and a group from the University of Manchester announced evidence that vitamin D deficiency may be involved in inflammatory polyarthritis.

Dr. Grant was involved in six presentations; the most interesting was his replication of a 1937 finding that squamous cell skin cancer reduces one's risk for a number of internal cancers. That's why I used to be so happy when my dermatologist found a squamous cell cancer on my skin. However, now that I maintain my level at about 60 ng/ml, he hasn't been able to find any new ones.

Dr. Bulmer and his group from the Royal Victoria Infirmatory produced evidence that vitamin D may play a role in allowing fertilized ova to implant in the uterus and thus enhance fertility. Dr. Reichrath presented evidence that transplant recipients are at a high risk for vitamin D deficiency and that 50,000 units once a month may be the most practical way of ensuring sufficiency. Dr. Selby from the University of Manchester found the same problem in patients with chronic pancreatitis. A group from the University of Tennessee found the same problem in African Americans with heart failure. A group from Norway confirmed that cancer patients do better if they are diagnosed when vitamin D levels are the highest.

Finally, the Australian group headed by Dr. Darryl Eyles and Dr. John McGrath continue to present their convincing evidence (confirmed at this meeting by Dr. Abreu and a group from France) that profound maternal vitamin D deficiency in mammals causes permanent brain damage in their offspring. The racial implication of their work is overwhelming because most of the women in the USA who are profoundly deficient are African American. Are African Americans more likely to be born brain damaged than whites? Would pennies worth of vitamin D improve the disparate prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal outcome in African Americans? The sad fact is that McGrath's and Eyles' work will continue to be ignored because our society has no way to rationally discuss, assimilate, or act on such racially charged scientific discoveries.

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Kevin Flatt is a Freelance Journalist specialising in Alternative Medicine. He is the publisher of Natural Health Remedies [http://www.kflatthealthnews.com]. If you are searching for information on The Benefits of Vitamin D [http://www.kflatthealthnews.com/2008/01/benefits-of-vitamin-d.html] then this website is for you.