High-fat diet during pregnancy puts baby at risk of future diabetes

A high-fat diet during pregnancy may program a woman''s baby for future diabetes, even if she herself is not obese or diabetic, a new study has warned.
"We found that exposure to a high-fat diet before birth modifies gene expression in the livers of offspring so they are more likely to overproduce glucose, which can cause early insulin resistance and diabetes," said Yuan-Xiang Pan, a U of I professor of nutrition.
"In recent years, the American diet has shifted to include many high-energy, high-fat, cafeteria-type, and fast foods," he noted.
In the study, Pan and doctoral student Rita Strakovsky fed obesity-resistant rats either a high-fat or a control diet from the first day of gestation. Because the animals were not obese before the study began, the scientists were able to determine that diet alone had produced these effects.
"At birth, offspring in the high-fat group had blood sugar levels that were twice as high as those in the control group, even though their mothers had normal levels," Strakovsky said.
"Until now we didn''t realize that a mother''s diet during pregnancy had a long-term effect on the metabolic pathways that affect her child''s glucose production," Pan said.
"Now that we know this, we urge pregnant women to eat a balanced low-fat diet that follows government guidelines. Then a woman can prime her child for a healthy life instead of future medical struggles,” he added.

Viagra may cause hearing loss

Researchers have found a link between hearing loss and the use of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.
Gerald McGwin, a professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health in the University of Alabama at Birmingham claims use of Viagra can result in long-term hearing loss. Also, use of other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) drugs such as Cialis and Levitra can be harmful for the ear, but results on those drugs are inconclusive.
Study author Gerald McGwin, a professor of epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health, said: "It appears from these findings that the current government warning regarding hearing loss and the use of PDE-5i medications is warranted.
"Though there are limitations to this study, it is prudent that patients using these medications be warned about the signs and symptoms of hearing impairment and be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention to potentially forestall permanent damage."
In 2007, following the report of several case studies potentially linking PDE-5i use and sudden hearing loss, the Food and Drug Administration announced labeling changes for PDE-5i medications so that the risk of hearing problems was more prominently displayed. McGwin said this is the first epidemiologic study to evaluate the relationship between PDE-5i drugs and long-term hearing loss.
McGwin examined data on 11,525 men over 40 years of age gathered by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a survey conducted by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality between 2003 and
2006. Men who reported use of PDE-5i medications were twice as likely to also report hearing loss as were men who had not used the drugs.
McGwin said the relationship was strongest for men reporting use of sildenafil (Viagra) over those who used tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra), a finding he attributed in part to a small sample size for both of the latter drugs. McGwin said the findings indicated an elevated but not statistically significant increase in hearing loss for users of tadalafil and vardenafil.
PDE-5i drugs were originally designed to treat pulmonary hypertension and are now used extensively in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). McGwin said one important consideration in evaluating the nature of the relationship between the drugs and hearing is the existence of a plausible biological mechanism of how these drugs might cause hearing loss.
McGwin said: "PDE-5i medications work in ED patients by their ability to increase blood flow to certain tissues in the body. It has been hypothesized that they may have a similar effect on similar tissues in the ear, where an increase of blood flow could potentially cause damage leading to hearing loss."
McGwin acknowledged limitations in the study, including the limited sample size for tadalafil and vardenafil, concerns over under-reporting of use of PDE-5i medications and confounding factors such as pre-existing conditions that might also contribute to hearing loss. He suggested that additional research regarding the risk from PDE-5i is necessary due to the largely irreversible nature of hearing loss and its impact on quality of life.
McGwin concluded: "The results of the current study in conjunction with a plausible biologic mechanism lend support to the FDA''s decision to warn patients about the potential risk posed by PDE-5i use".

Sex may be the best way to banish the bulges!

treadmills, long walks and Atkins diet, an expert has come up with a new way of staying in shape—and it has nothing to do with cutting out on carbs – it’s indulging in plenty of sex.
Yes, you heard it right, "sexercise" makes a person slimmer – if you do enough of it.
Combining sex and fitness is like killing two birds with one stone. Sex gets you fit. And being fit makes you want to have more sex. This is, in large part, because of all of the benefits a good sexercise routine offers, like: improved blood flow in strengthening your heart, better cholesterol, changing more of your bad cholesterol (LDL) to good cholesterol (HDL), weight control, better sleep and greater energy, including longer life and a better quality of life.
According to Fox News, women, in particular, feel more attractive with sexual fitness, since they produce more estrogen. This makes for shinier, smoother hair. Both sexes glow as their skin pores become cleansed, thanks to sweating. They feel sexier than ever.
But how do you start this sexercise routine? Well, sex educator Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright has come to your rescue.
Get a physical if you haven’t in a while. While it may be laughable to do this, you’re going to be physically active, accelerating your heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure.
You’re also going to be testing and developing your strength, stamina, and flexibility. As with any form of exercise, you need to make sure that you’re good to go.
Aim for half-hour romps 3-5 times a week. This may seem like a lot, but this is actually not very time-consuming. Consider the amount of time you put into your favorite TV show.
Remind yourself of the rewards. Sex for 30 minutes burns anywhere from 15-350 calories, depending on how physically active you are. This is the equivalent of calories burned during a half an hour of brisk walking, running, or lifting weights.
Vigorous or longer sex sessions five times per week can burn up to 1,650 calories! The active partner — typically the one on top — tends to burn more.
Don’t lose focus. You can easily get distracted with all of sex’s delights. But your goal is to make it burn. In a matter of weeks, you can notice improvements in the tone and strength of your stomach, back, buttocks, legs and arms.
Aim for variety. Your sexercise routine doesn’t have to be routine. You can’t take it for granted that sexercising won’t be boring, at least not in the same way as your treadmill. So get creative.
Watch what you eat and maintain moderate exercise out of the bedroom.

Why men find bigger boobs sexier

Wonder why men, rather than talking looking straight into your eyes, are more interested in gazing below the neck? Or what is it about big breasts that attract men towards females? Well, the answers to all these questions are rooted in fertility, according to a science journalist.
In her fascinating new book, ‘Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?” American science journalist Jena Pincott has given a detailed account as to why women’s breasts are so sexy and get so big, and how they play a role in attracting the opposite sex.
The Freudian concept theorizes men’s Oedipus complex, by claiming that they’re always looking for a mother figure.
Fuller breasts could be considered to be a sign of increased fertility, and that’s why many men think bigger busts are better.
The fat that accumulates in your chest (as well as your bottom, thighs and hips) is due to the influence of the hormone oestrogen, which also affects your ability to conceive.
A study by Harvard epidemiologist Grazyna Jasienska found that full-figured women are roughly three times as likely to get pregnant as women with other body types.
The book claims that breasts are an advertisement of age, health and good genes, which makes the anthropologists think that they play a vital role in sexual selection even in cultures that don’t eroticise the chest any more than the face. (ANI)

Watermelon is a natural Viagra

Want to steam up your rocky bedroom life? Well, you can rekindle your passion just by eating six slices of watermelon.
The juicy fruit delivers Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels, and may even increase libido.
Scientists say that it contains a chemical called Citrulline that relaxes the blood vessels, thereby making blood move around the body more easily and causing consumers to become aroused, reports the Sun.
It’s not only watermelon; even libido patches designed for men can help stimulate the libido.
Each patch is impregnated with aromas known to affect the sex drive.
Anne Summers’, the original blue pill, which is over-the-counter version of prescription-only Viagra can also stimulate sex drive.
One pill is enough for both men and women for endless fun between the sheets.
Pheromone spray is also known to trigger seductive affect and spice up things in bed.
‘Lure For Him’ contains seductive powers that project silent, subconscious scent signals to the opposite sex, which naturally trigger romantic feelings.
Horny Goat Weed, a Chinese herbal remedy, which has long been known as a natural aphrodisiac can also help enhance sex drive.
Just one pill a day can increase energy and stamina for improved performance. (ANI)

Half of British men are bedroom flops

Half of the British men develop impotence at some point, with alcohol largely to be blamed.
The delicate nature of the subject means that many suffer in silence, with crashing self-esteem and relationships.
Boots, a chemist chain, surveyed 4,500 men. It found that 19 percent have struggled to make love when sober, while a further 31 percent have suffered problems after a boozy night out.
Some 68 percent of those polled also owned up to having experienced premature ejaculation at some point in their lives, reports the Daily Mail.
Two-thirds of married men said they would refuse to discuss the issue with their doctor and one in eight was so embarrassed that he would not talk about it with anyone.
Colm O'Mahony, consultant physician in sexual health at Chester Hospital, said: "Although extremely widespread, the taboo nature of these problems means that most sufferers do not seek help.
"Stigma, shame, concern for their partner's reaction, and sometimes denial, all play a part. Many endure in silence, believing that the problem is transient, and that no help is available.
"It can be crushing. Guys get worn down and when you fix them, the change in their demeanour is dramatic.
Sexual problems are most common among older men, with causes including obesity, smoking, alcohol, stress, medication and hardening of the arteries.
Although Viagra is the best-known treatment, other drugs are also available. Premature ejaculation, which can also be exacerbated by stress, tends to hit younger men and is usually treatable by changes in -sexual technique.(IANS)

Love really can last a lifetime

 A new study has challenged popular beliefs that love is destined to flicker and flame out in course of time.
Researchers at Stony Brook University in New York have found that people can be as madly in love with each other a couple of decades into marriage as they were when they met, reports CBS News.
They conducted brain scans on couples in the early and long-term stages of relationships.
“The couples were shown a picture of their significant other and it highlighted the reward centre (of the brain). So what that can tell us is (that lifelong love is) not mythical, it''s not fairy tale, it shows the same kind of reaction in both
(early and long-term relationships), and that''s wonderful news,” said ‘Early Show’ contributor and psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein.
“The more colour highlights (on the scan reveals) the fact that there is a greater attachment that''s built. Attachment areas grow over time,” she added.
“Love can last much longer than we really thought about because their divorce rate is so high. So I think this is really hopeful that maybe love is equally long-lasting,” said Hartstein.
‘Early Show’ co-anchor Jeff Glor said one important part of the study was that long-term couples who said they were madly in love still have sex frequently.
So how important is sex in a relationship?
“Sex is important for lots of reasons. We know there are actually a physical health benefit, mental health benefit, and most importantly, keeps you connected to your partner. And that''s only going to build passion and positive feeling towards the other person,” said Hartstein.
But beyond sex, she said it is communication that makes a relationship last.