Author Archives: Jacqueline Zheng

Could Eating Protein Be Bad?

What would it take for you to give up eating meat?

A recent study published last Monday reported that limiting nitrogen levels in our large intestines could control the amount of bacteria growing in there.  From 30 animal feces samples that Dr. Reese and her team of scientists at Harvard University measured, they found that meat-eaters’ feces contained more nitrogen than those of omnivores or herbivores.  That’s because protein contains nitrogen.  Lots of it.

This means that when you eat protein, you’re  literally feeding the bacteria in your intestines with nitrogen.  Believe it or not, over 1000 different species of bacteria live in our largest intestines alone.  Luckily, most microbes – short for microorganisms – in our bodies help in processing food waste and regulating immunity.  In fact, intestinal bacteria that typically live in our large intestines play a vital role in metabolic activities, such as fermentation.  Fermentation essentially describes the breakdown of carbohydrates into smaller molecules known as fatty acids.

Electron Micrograph of E. coli. Image from Flickr.

So in these cases, it would actually be beneficial to make sure that these good bacteria thrive.  Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to break down the fibres found in oats, barley, and quinoa.  To promote bacterial growth, we should eat more meat and eggs, or beans and tofu if you are a vegetarian, to increase our intake of protein.

But occasionally we house harmful parasite like salmonella which cause intestinal infections.  Salmonella is an invasive bacteria that’s usually associated with consuming contaminated or raw eggs and chicken.  As a result, you would often get diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Then eating meat would have a negative impact on your body.  Since protein contains high levels of nitrogen, bacteria would feed off the same nutrients that your body requires.  Not only do parasites compete with the good bacteria residing in our intestines for growth, but by allowing parasites to thrive and manifest itself, we become more ill.  Under these circumstances, you probably want to stay away from eating all foods high in protein to be safe.

For someone who loves to eat sushi and Korean barbeque, it would devastate me too much to stop eating fish or meat.  Besides, there are probably more friendly bacteria than parasitic bacteria otherwise we would constantly feel ill.  Next time, I’ll make sure to properly cook all meats and minimize cross contamination as much as possible so that I don’t contract any harmful bacteria.

A steak dinner. Image from Flickr.

So would you eat less protein after Dr. Reese’s study suggests that this would help limit bacteria’s growth in our large intestines?

– Jacqueline Zheng

Think Twice About Happy Hour

Do you drink often with friends?  Whether you’re casually drinking with coworkers and friends after a long day or drinking at a party, you’re increasing your risk for dementia.  Earlier.

By now, countless studies prove that constant drinking can cause liver complications.  It’s also known to negatively affect fetus development during pregnancy.  But what if I told you that one of the consequences of excessive drinking is dementia?

A recent paper from earlier this March says so. Dementia is a condition where an individual’s cognitive abilities slowly degrade such as memory.  Heavy drinkers are not only at a greater risk for dementia, but they can also be diagnosed lot earlier. 

Mimosas, an alcoholic beverage. Image from Flickr.

In the national study conducted in France between 2008 and 2013, Dr. Schwarzinger’s team found that almost 40% of early-onset dementia were alcohol related.  Individuals who are diagnosed with dementia prior to 65 years is considered early onset dementia.

What’s even more surprising is that alcohol-related brain damage leading to dementia jumped from 6.7% to 46.1% in men for early onset dementia.  The following graph indicates new dementia cases during 2011 and 2013 by age, where many newly diagnosed cases still occur in elderly individuals over 75.

Newly diagnosed cases of dementia in France between 2011-2013. Graph by Jacqueline Zheng. Data from ScienceDirect

Alcohol also affects a specific type of dementia known as vascular dementia, which influences critical thinking.  As much as 38% of vascular dementia cases were primarily related to excessive drinking; although, other health factors also play a role in increasing the risk of dementia, including high blood pressure and smoking.

Not knowing the consequences of drinking can be scary, especially since dementia usually occurs in our elderly years.  Next time, you might want to think twice before grabbing drinks during happy hour.

– Jacqueline Zheng

Chinese Herbs: Are They Effective in Treating Cancers and Type II Diabetes?

The short answer, is no.

No evidence proves that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat individuals with cancer and diabetes alone. I wouldn’t believe the research even if there was evidence.  As someone who rarely believes that Chinese medicine helps,I was surprised to learn that there are studies proving that herbal medicine therapy in fact increases the survival rates of patients when integrated with current treatments.

Chinese Medicine Shop by Bomb Bao. Flikr Image.

In a 2014 study led by Dr. Lee, roughly 700 individuals diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer participated between 2001-2010.  Significant results over the 10-year period proved that supplementary TCM therapy helped to improve the survival rate of as much as 12% in breast cancer patients.

Chinese herbal medicines such as Pu Gong Ying and Ban Zhi Lian were prescribed as supplements to Taxane, a class of drugs used for breast cancer treatment.  These herbs were experimentally found to prevent uncontrolled cell growth and increase frequencies of tumour cell-mediated apoptosis that would otherwise lead to tumour formation and cancer.

Dr. Lee’s study also indicated that among the TCMs used, some assisted to diminish side-effects from breast cancer treatments.

Another study in 2016 investigated if Chinese medicine therapy reduced complications caused by Type II diabetes.  The researchers found that although patients who took antidiabetic medicines such as metformin and insulin did not lower their dosage intakes after introducing TCM treatments, their risk of vascular side-effects greatly improved.  But just how great?

Insulin by 2C2KPhotography. Flikr Image.

An astonishing 33% decrease in risk of stroke was observed in Type II diabetic individuals who regularly used Chinese medicinal herbs.  The most common herbs prescribed to Type II diabetic individuals were danshen and da huang during the entire 10-year study, conducted between 2000 and 2011.

Dan shen, also known as red sage, is extensively popular in Asian countries such as Taiwan as a traditional Chinese herb.  Not only is it known to reduce risks of hypertension, a long-term condition of high blood pressure, but it also promotes better blood flow.  Together, this significantly helps in decreasing the chances of stroke in diabetic individuals.

So red sage won’t help us fight diabetes, but it certainly helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases that are associated with it. For a perfectly healthy individual, traditional Chinese medicine is probably a great supplement to take – that is, if you’re willing to tolerate the medicine’s bitter taste.  I know I couldn’t as a child, but that was at least 10 years ago.

Chinese Herbs: Are They Effective in Treating Cancers and Type II Diabetes?

The short answer, is no.

There is no evidence that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treats individuals with cancer and diabetes alone. However, studies have shown that when integrated with current treatments, herbal medicine therapy in fact increases the survival rates of patients.

Chinese Medicine Shop by Bomb Bao. Flikr Image.

In a 2014 study led by Dr. Lee, roughly 700 individuals diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer participated between 2001-2010.  Significant results over the 10-year period proved that supplementary TCM therapy helped to improve the survival rate of breast cancer patients as lower death rates of 12% were observed.

Chinese herbal medicines such as Pu Gong Ying and Ban Zhi Lian were prescribed as supplements to Taxane, a class of drugs used for breast cancer treatment.  These herbs were experimentally found to prevent uncontrolled cell growth and increase frequencies of tumour cell-mediated apoptosis that would otherwise lead to tumour formation and cancer.

Dr. Lee’s study also indicated that among the TCMs used, some assisted to diminish side-effects from breast cancer treatments.

Another study in 2016 investigated if Chinese medicine therapy reduced complications caused by Type II diabetes.  The researchers found that although patients who took antidiabetic medicines such as metformin and insulin did not lower their dosage intakes after introducing TCM treatments, their risk of vascular side-effects greatly improved.  But just how great?

Insulin by 2C2KPhotography. Flikr Image.

An astonishing 33% decrease in risk of stroke was observed in Type II diabetic individuals who regularly used Chinese medicinal herbs.  The study was conducted between 2000 and 2011, during which the most common herbs prescribed to Type II diabetic individuals were danshen and da huang.

Dan shen, also known as red sage, is extensively popular in Asian countries such as Taiwan as a traditional Chinese herb.  Not only is it known to reduce risks of hypertension, a long-term condition of high blood pressure, but it also promotes better blood flow.  Together, this significantly helps in decreasing the chances of stroke in diabetic individuals.

So red sage won’t help us fight diabetes, but it certainly helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases that are associated with it.  For a perfectly healthy individual, traditional Chinese medicine is probably a great supplement to take – that is, if you’re willing to tolerate the medicine’s bitter taste.