Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Poster Day!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
HOW TRUE IS IT?
How could this possibly be?
Spinach
Is a source of green leafy vegetable which is rich in beta carotene, 13 types of flavonoid and vitamin C, K, and magnesium. All this properties plays an important role in anti inflammatory such as asthma, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The most important element found in spinach is that it contain anti nutrient called oxalic acid that binds to calcium, preventing 95% of calcium absorption into the body. Oxalic acid is a dangerous poison at a high concentration thus when this oxalic acid is processed, it combines with other substances to form various salts, called oxalates. If this concentration is high enuogh in the body then it will precipitate out in crystalline form causing kidney and bladder stone in long run time.
Milk
Is one of the complete food in the world. It contain nutrients such as water, milk fat, protein, lactose, mineral(Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Cl, Fe, Cu, sulfate, bicarbonate and citrate), vitamin (A, C, D, thiamine and riboflavin). The most important source of mineral that is found in milk is the calcium. Based on 1 liters of milk, it provide about 1100-1300mg of calcium. The purpose of calcium is for bone building and remodeling, muscle contraction, central nervous function and hormone secretion. However bone mass tends to get weak and porous when there is an inadequate supply of calcium. This is termed as osteoporosis which increase the risk of bone fracture in the hip, swine, swrist, ribs and pelvis. High intake of calcium in a short-term will produce constipation and increase the risk of kidney stones.
Where and how kidney stone is formed?
Kidney stones are formed from crystals in the urinary tract that separate from the urine and form a hard mass. If the crystals are large, they cause excruciating pain as it blocks the passage of urine, a burning sensation during urination and bloody urine. Kidney stone may form from combination of chemicals such as calcium combined with either oxalate or phosphate.
Crystals are formed in calcium oxalate which resulted in 70% occurrence.
Other than that, crystal formation is caused by :
-an increase of concentration above the supersaturation capacity of calcium or oxalic acid.
-a decrease in inhibitors concentration.
-genetic susceptibility.
IS THIS MYTH TRUE?
References:
GlaxoSmithKline, 2009. Kidney Stones. Available from: http://www.calciuminfo.com/calciumquestions/kidneystones.aspx
Alexa P, 2008. Spinach. Available from: http://www.friedchillies.com/index.php/articles/detail/the-wonders-of-spinach/
Environmental Health & Safety, 2008. Available from: http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/o6044.htm
Richard Dion, 1997. Crystal Formation. Available from: http://www.agora.crosemont.qc.ca/urinesediments/doceng/doc_024.htm#Intéret