Half a million children have fatty liver diseaseNew shocking figures from the Government suggest that with 30% of children obese around 500,000 of those aged four to 14 could be suffering from liver disease. Non-alcoholic liver disease is caused by a build-up of fat within liver cells, stopping the organ functioning properly. This can lead to serious health problems with many requiring liver transplants. The problem is expected to escalate with experts predicting that by 2050, 63% of children will be obese. Professor Martin Lombard at the Department of Health warns that fatty liver disease could be a silent killer among this generation of children.As well as fatty liver disease, childhood obesity is linked to many health concerns including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The biggest factor is indisputably diet. Surveys show that the average Brit is eating only half of their recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day – with many children not even getting that. The worry is what they are eating in their place. Refined carbohydrates (sugary cereals, white bread, fizzy drinks, sweets and processed foods) now make up a large percentage of the diet for many.The antidote is choosing wholegrain carbs and balancing your intake with protein and plenty of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables. Swapping a few common foods for healthier options can make a marked difference, for example, fizzy drinks for fruit juice diluted 50/50 with sparkling water, turkey or chicken nuggets for salmon fish fingers, crisps for unsalted raw nuts or seeds.
Selections from Natural Health NewsRECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB and RECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB Dialysis Formulation are generally well-tolerated. No adverse experiences were reported during clinical trials which could be related to changes in the titers of antibodies to yeast. As with any vaccine, there is the possibility that broad use of the vaccine could reveal adverse reactions not observed in clinical trials.In three clinical studies, 434 doses of RECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB, 5 mcg, were administered to 147 healthy infants and children (up to 10 years of age) who were monitored for 5 days after each dose. Injection site reactions and systemic complaints were reported following 0.2% and 10.4% of the injections, respectively. The most frequently reported systemic adverse reactions ( > 1% injections), in decreasing order of frequency, were irritability, fever ( ≥ 101°F oral equivalent), diarrhea, fatigue/weakness, diminished appetite, and rhinitis.10In a study that compared the three-dose regimen (5 mcg) with the two-dose regimen (10 mcg) of RECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB in adolescents, the overall frequency of adverse reactions was generally similar.In a group of studies, 3258 doses of RECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB, 10 mcg, were administered to 1252 healthy adults who were monitored for 5 days after each dose. Injection site reactions and systemic complaints were reported following 17% and 15% of the injections, respectively. The following adverse reactions were reported:
LOCAL REACTION (INJECTION SITE)Injection site reactions consisting principally of soreness, and including pain, tenderness, pruritus, erythema, ecchymosis, swelling, warmth, and nodule formation.
BODY AS A WHOLEThe most frequent systemic complaints include fatigue/weakness; headache; fever ( ≥ 100°F); and malaise.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEMNausea; and diarrhea
RESPIRATORY SYSTEMPharyngitis; and upper respiratory infection
BODY AS A WHOLESweating; achiness; sensation of warmth; lightheadedness; chills; and flushing
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Vomiting; abdominal pains/cramps; dyspepsia; and diminished appetiteRESPIRATORY SYSTEMRhinitis; influenza; and cough
NERVOUS SYSTEMVertigo/dizziness; and paresthesia
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEMPruritus; rash (non-specified); angioedema; and urticaria
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEMArthralgia including monoarticular; myalgia; back pain; neck pain; shoulder pain; and neck stiffness
HEMIC/LYMPHATIC SYSTEMLymphadenopathy
PSYCHIATRIC/BEHAVIORALInsomnia/disturbed sleep
SPECIAL SENSESEarache
UROGENITAL SYSTEMDysuria
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMHypotension
Marketed ExperienceThe following additional adverse reactions have been reported with use of the marketed vaccine. In many instances, the relationship to the vaccine was unclear.
HypersensitivityAnaphylaxis and symptoms of immediate hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, angioedema, dyspnea, chest discomfort, bronchial spasm, palpitation, or symptoms consistent with a hypotensive episode have been reported within the first few hours after vaccination. An apparent hypersensitivity syndrome (serum-sickness-like) of delayed onset has been reported days to weeks after vaccination, including: arthralgia/arthritis (usually transient), fever, and dermatologic reactions such as urticaria, erythema multiforme, ecchymoses and erythema nodosum (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).Digestive SystemElevation of liver enzymes; constipation
Nervous SystemGuillain-Barré Syndrome; multiple sclerosis; exacerbation of multiple sclerosis; myelitis including transverse myelitis; seizure; febrile seizure; peripheral neuropathy including Bell's Palsy; radiculopathy; herpes zoster; migraine; muscle weakness; hypesthesia; encephalitis
Integumentary SystemStevens-Johnson Syndrome; alopecia; petechiae; eczema
Musculoskeletal SystemArthritisPain in extremity
HematologicIncreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate; thrombocytopenia
Immune SystemSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); lupus-like syndrome; vasculitis; polyarteritis nodosa
Psychiatric/BehavioralIrritability; agitation; somnolence
Special SensesOptic neuritis; tinnitus; conjunctivitis; visual disturbances
Cardiovascular SystemSyncope; tachycardia.The following adverse reaction has been reported with another Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) but not with RECOMBIVAX (hepatitis b vaccine (recombinant)) HB: keratitis.Patients, parents and guardians should be instructed to report any serious adverse reactions to their healthcare provider, who in turn should report such events to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967.31
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