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  • Make a Difference: The Surprising Ways Volunteering Can Benefit Your Career

    Make a Difference: The Surprising Ways Volunteering Can Benefit Your Career

    Introduction

    In today’s fast-paced and competitive job market, professionals are constantly looking for ways to differentiate themselves, enhance their skills, and build meaningful connections. While many focus on traditional methods such as taking courses or attending networking events, there’s a often-overlooked strategy that can significantly impact one’s career: volunteering. Volunteering, or the act of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expectation of payment, is widely recognized for its societal benefits. However, it also has a profound impact on personal and professional development. This article will delve into the surprising ways volunteering can benefit your career, from enhancing your skill set and broadening your network, to boosting your career prospects and fostering a sense of fulfillment.

    Enhancing Your Skill Set

    Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to develop and refine skills that are highly valued by employers. Whether it’s leadership, communication, problem-solving, or teamwork, volunteering can help you hone these skills in real-world settings. For instance, managing a volunteer project can teach you about planning, budgeting, and executing tasks, all of which are crucial in any professional environment. Similarly, working with diverse groups of people can improve your interpersonal skills, adaptability, and empathy, making you a more effective collaborator in the workplace.

    Moreover, volunteering can expose you to new industries, roles, and challenges, allowing you to explore different career paths without making long-term commitments. This can be particularly beneficial for students, recent graduates, or those looking to transition into a new field, as it provides hands-on experience and insight into what a particular career entails. By taking on volunteer roles that align with your career aspirations, you can gain practical experience, build your portfolio, and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers.

    Broadening Your Network

    Volunteering is an excellent way to meet like-minded professionals, establish meaningful connections, and expand your professional network. The contacts you make through volunteering can lead to valuable recommendations, mentorship opportunities, and even job openings. Many organizations use volunteer programs as a way to identify and recruit talented individuals who share their mission and values. By volunteering, you can get your foot in the door and showcase your skills and commitment to potential employers.

    Additionally, the diversity of volunteer environments means you can interact with people from various backgrounds, industries, and levels of expertise. These interactions can lead to learning from others’ experiences, gaining new perspectives, and developing a more nuanced understanding of your field. Networking opportunities are not limited to the volunteer organization itself; many volunteers attend community events, conferences, and workshops related to their cause, further expanding their professional circle.

    Boosting Your Career Prospects

    The impact of volunteering on career prospects should not be underestimated. Employers view volunteering as a positive trait, indicating a candidate’s willingness to take initiative, contribute to society, and work towards a common goal. In a competitive job market, highlighting volunteer experience can make a candidate’s resume more attractive, demonstrating their proactive approach to skill development and community engagement.

    Moreover, volunteering can lead to career advancement opportunities within your current organization. Demonstrating your commitment and value through volunteer work can position you for promotions or new roles, as it showcases your leadership potential, work ethic, and ability to handle additional responsibilities. In some cases, volunteer experience can be directly applicable to your professional role, allowing you to apply the skills and knowledge gained through volunteering to improve your performance and contribute more significantly to your organization.

    Fostering a Sense of Fulfillment

    Beyond the professional benefits, volunteering has a profound impact on personal fulfillment and happiness. Contributing to a cause you believe in can give you a sense of purpose and satisfaction, improving your overall well-being and life balance. This, in turn, can lead to increased positivity, resilience, and motivation, benefiting all areas of your life, including your career.

    Furthermore, the challenges and achievements experienced through volunteering can enhance your self-confidence and self-esteem. Overcoming obstacles and seeing the positive impact of your efforts can be incredibly empowering, allowing you to approach your professional life with more confidence and ambition. By integrating volunteering into your lifestyle, you can cultivate a more positive and growth-oriented mindset, which is essential for achieving long-term career success and personal fulfillment.

    Overcoming Challenges and Finding Opportunities

    While the benefits of volunteering are numerous, there are challenges to consider, such as finding the time, identifying the right opportunity, and balancing volunteering with other commitments. However, with a little creativity and planning, these challenges can be overcome. Many volunteer roles are flexible, offering part-time, remote, or project-based opportunities that can fit into even the busiest of schedules.

    To find the right opportunity, reflect on your interests, skills, and career goals. Look for volunteer roles that align with these aspects, as this will not only make the experience more enjoyable but also more beneficial for your career. Utilize online platforms, community centers, and professional networks to discover volunteer opportunities. Some organizations also offer volunteer abroad programs, which can be a unique way to gain international experience and broaden your cultural understanding.

    Conclusion

    Volunteering is a powerful tool for career development, offering a wide range of benefits from enhancing your skill set and broadening your network, to boosting your career prospects and fostering a sense of fulfillment. By incorporating volunteering into your professional strategy, you can differentiate yourself in the job market, gain valuable experience, and contribute to causes that matter. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role, transition into a new field, or simply build meaningful connections, volunteering can play a significant role in achieving your career goals. So, take the first step today, explore volunteer opportunities that resonate with you, and discover the surprising ways volunteering can make a difference in your career.

    FAQs

    Q: How do I find volunteer opportunities that align with my career goals?

    A: Utilize online volunteer platforms, professional networks, and community centers to find opportunities. Reflect on your interests, skills, and career aspirations to identify roles that are a good fit.

    Q: Can volunteering really lead to job opportunities?

    A: Yes, volunteering can lead to job opportunities. Many organizations use volunteer programs as a way to identify and recruit talented individuals. Additionally, the contacts and networks you build through volunteering can lead to job recommendations and openings.

    Q: How can I balance volunteering with my busy schedule?

    A: Look for flexible volunteer opportunities such as part-time, remote, or project-based roles. Prioritize your commitments and plan your time effectively to ensure you can fulfill your volunteer responsibilities.

    Q: What skills can I expect to gain through volunteering?

    A: Volunteering can help you develop a wide range of skills including leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. The specific skills you gain will depend on the type of volunteer work you do.

    Q: Is volunteering beneficial for recent graduates or those looking to change careers?

    A: Yes, volunteering can be particularly beneficial for recent graduates or those looking to transition into a new field. It provides hands-on experience, insight into different careers, and the opportunity to build a professional network in your desired field.

  • Neuromodulators

    Neuromodulators

    What are neuromodulators?

    Neuromodulators are wrinkle-relaxing injections of botulinum toxin – commercially known as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin or Jeuveau – that are used to treat wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet. A minute amount of the neuromodulator is injected directly into the underlying muscle, causing it to relax and gradually smooth out the appearance of the overlying skin. The effects typically last about three months.

    Botox is the only neuromodulator FDA-approved to treat excessive sweating and crow’s feet – it’s actually been FDA-approved for the most treatment options. However, any neuromodulator can be used for these treatments. Their applications for these purposes is called “off-label” use, which simply means that they are being used in a way that was not part of their FDA clinical approval. A physician must inform you if any neuromodulator is being used “off-label.”

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  • Are Raw Mushrooms Safe to Eat? 

    Are Raw Mushrooms Safe to Eat? 

    Microwaving is probably the most efficient way to reduce agaritine levels in fresh mushrooms.

    There is a toxin in plain white button mushrooms called agaritine, which may be carcinogenic. Plain white button mushrooms grow to be cremini (brown) mushrooms, and cremini mushrooms grow to be portobello mushrooms. They’re all the very same mushroom, similar to how green bell peppers are just unripe red bell peppers. The amount of agaritine in these mushrooms can be reduced through cooking: Frying, microwaving, boiling, and even just freezing and thawing lower the levels. “It is therefore recommended to process/cook Button Mushroom before consumption,” something I noted in a video that’s now more than a decade old.

    However, as shown below and at 0:51 in my video Is It Safe to Eat Raw Mushrooms?, if you look at the various cooking methods, the agaritine in these mushrooms isn’t completely destroyed. Take dry baking, for example: Baking for ten minutes at about 400° Fahrenheit (“a process similar to pizza baking”) only cuts the agaritine levels by about a quarter, so 77 percent still remains.

    Boiling looks better, appearing to wipe out more than half the toxin after just five minutes, but the agaritine isn’t actually eliminated. Instead, it’s just transferred to the cooking water. So, levels within the mushrooms drop by about half at five minutes and by 90 percent after an hour, but that’s mostly because the agartine is leaching into the broth. So, if you’re making soup, for instance, five minutes of boiling is no more effective than dry baking for ten minutes, and, even after an hour, about half still remains.

    Frying for five to ten minutes eliminates a lot of agartine, but microwaving is not only a more healthful way to cook, but it works even better, as you can see here and at 1:39 in my video. Researchers found that just one minute in the microwave “reduced the agaritine content of the mushrooms by 65%,” and only 30 seconds of microwaving eliminated more than 50 percent. So, microwaving is probably the easiest way to reduce agaritine levels in fresh mushrooms. 
    My technique is to add dried mushrooms into the pasta water when I’m making spaghetti. Between the reductions of 20 percent or so from the drying and 60 percent or so from boiling for ten minutes and straining, more than 90 percent of agaritine is eliminated.

    Should we be concerned about the residual agaritine? According to a review funded by the mushroom industry, not at all. “The available evidence to date suggests that agaritine from consumption of…mushrooms poses no known toxicological risk to healthy humans.” The researchers acknowledge agartine is considered a potential carcinogen in mice, but then that data needs to be extrapolated to human health outcomes.

    The Swiss Institute of Technology, for example, estimated that the average mushroom consumption in the country would be expected to cause about two cases of cancer per one hundred thousand people. That is similar to consumption in the United States, as seen below and at 3:00 in my video, so “one could theoretically expect about 20 cancer deaths per 1 x 106 [one million] lives from mushroom consumption.” In comparison, typically, with a new chemical, pesticide, or food additive, we’d like to see the cancer risk lower than one in a million. “By this approach, the average mushroom consumption of Switzerland is 20-fold too high to be acceptable. To remain under the limit”—and keep risk down to one in a million—“‘mushroom lovers’ would have to restrict their consumption of mushrooms to one 50-g serving every 250 days!” That’s about a half-cup serving once in just over eight months. To put that into perspective, even if you were eating a single serving every single day, the resulting additional cancer risk would only be about one in ten thousand. “Put another way, if 10,000 people consumed a mushroom meal daily for 70 years, then in addition to the 3000 cancer cases arising from other factors, one more case could be attributed to consuming mushrooms.” 
    But, again, this is all based “on the presumption that results in such mouse models are equally valid in humans.” Indeed, this is all just extrapolating from mice data. What we need is a huge prospective study to examine the association between mushroom consumption and cancer risk in humans, but there weren’t any such studies—until now.

    Researchers titled their paper: “Mushroom Consumption and Risk of Total and Site-Specific Cancer in Two Large U.S. [Harvard] Prospective Cohorts” and found “no association between mushroom consumption and total and site-specific cancers in U.S. women and men.”

    Eating raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms can cause something else, though: shiitake mushroom flagellate dermatitis. Flagellate as in flagellation, whipping, flogging. Below and at 4:48 in my video, you can see a rash that makes it look as if you’ve been whipped.

    Here and at 4:58 in my video is another photo of the rash. It’s thought to be caused by a compound in shiitake mushrooms called lentinan, but because heat denatures it, it only seems to be a problem with raw or undercooked mushrooms.

    Now, it is rare. Only about 1 in 50 people are even susceptible, and it goes away on its own in a week or two. Interestingly, it can strike as many as ten days after eating shiitake mushrooms, which is why people may not make the connection. One unfortunate man suffered on and off for 16 years before a diagnosis. Hopefully, a lot of doctors will watch this video, and if they ever see a rash like this, they’ll tell their patients to cook their shiitakes.



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  • Fungus Key Pro

    Fungus Key Pro

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  • A Body Scan Meditation to Prepare Mind and Body for Sleep

    A Body Scan Meditation to Prepare Mind and Body for Sleep

    Summary

    What Is a Body Scan Meditation? A guided practice where attention is systematically moved through different parts of the body to release tension and increase awareness.

    Benefits for Sleep:

    • Improves sleep quality, especially among those with sleep disturbances
    • Reduces physical tension that may prevent falling asleep
    • Calms the nervous system and reduces stress
    • Helps disconnect from mental activity that keeps the mind active

    Research Findings: Clinical trials from UCLA found that mindfulness meditation improves sleep quality among older adults with sleep disturbances.

    Practice Application: Can be done lying down in bed as preparation for sleep, helping transition from wakefulness to restfulness.

    The Science of Sleeping Better with Mindfulness

    A good night’s sleep has a significant impact on our health—helping us feel more energized, less stressed, and able to perform better mentally. Unfortunately, according to a 2024 poll, many people struggle to get a full night’s rest, with 57% of Americans reporting that they would feel better if they got more sleep.

    If you’re the kind of person who finds themselves wide awake at 3 a.m. contemplating the shadows on their ceiling, practicing mindfulness may offer the secret to sleeping better. A randomized clinical trial from UCLA found that mindfulness meditation improves sleep quality among older adults with sleep disturbances. The following guided meditation was used in that study to help people fall asleep. May it do the same for you.

    We’ll be noticing these sensations without trying to change them or make them different, simply bringing a mindful attention of curiosity and openness to the present moment.

    During this guided body scan meditation you may find yourself drifting off to sleep. This is fine, so you can allow the meditation to turn off on its own. If you notice thoughts such as worries or concerns arising that take your attention away from the meditation, this is also normal. See if you can redirect your attention back to the body scan, gently letting go of these thoughts.

    If it’s possible, we’ll be noticing our body lying down on the bed. We’ll be feeling the body’s sensations that are present, scanning the body for any kinds of obvious sensations like vibrations, tingling sensations, heaviness, pressure, movement, heat, coolness. We’ll be noticing these sensations without trying to change them or make them different, simply bringing a mindful attention of curiosity and openness to the present moment. If you notice yourself starting to think about the sensation or think about something else, see if you can simply come back to the feelings and sensations present in your body.

    A Body Scan Meditation to Prepare Mind and Body for Sleep

    1. Begin the meditation by noticing the sensations at the top of your head. Simply note what you feel. You might notice vibration or pressure.

    2. Focus your attention on your skull as it makes contact with the bed or the pillow. There might be a sense of pressure or other sensations. Simply be curious about these sensations.

    3. If you can, allow any tension you feel to gently release. If that doesn’t seem possible, simply notice what it is that you feel.

    4. Scan your face area, forehead, eyes, and nose. Notice your cheeks and mouth. There may be sensations of tingling, temperature, tightness; let it all be there. Be curious about your experience, and begin to notice the sensations in your throat.

    5. Now bring your attention to the sensations present in your shoulder area. Notice any tension arising. Sometimes in the act of noticing tension, you may find yourself relaxing. If that’s not possible, you can breathe gently, directing the breath to your shoulders.

    6. Notice the sensations in your left shoulder, and then bring your attention down your arm. Notice any vibration, tingling, coolness, pressure, or movement in your elbow, your lower arm, and then your hand. Be curious and open to the sensations that are present in your hands and fingers. Allow your hands to soften and relax.

    7. Now, bring your attention up to your right shoulder, noticing any sensations that might be present. Start to scan your right arm for vibration, tingling, or movement. Notice your elbow, your forearm, your hands, and fingers. A lot of sensations are usually present in the hands and fingers. But if at any point there’s no sensation, just notice the absence of sensation.

    8. Let your attention go to the top of your shoulders and to your back. Imagine a zigzag sensation or an up-and-down movement across your back. Can you be open and curious to whatever the experience is? Be kind to yourself no matter what comes up.

    9. Notice your upper back, your mid-back, and the sensations in your lower back. If thoughts arise as you’re doing this—worries, concerns—see if you can let them go. Let them be like clouds floating in the sky, moving across your mind. Or, come back to my words and this body scan.

    10. Bring your attention to the top of the chest area. Gently scan your chest, your rib cage, and your stomach. See if you can soften your stomach. Breathe deeply while directing the breath to that area—allowing it to soften and relax.

    11. Now, notice your pelvic area and the places where your body has contact with the bed. Feel whatever sensations are present. Gently bring your attention to your left hip and down your left leg. Notice the sensations in your thigh.

    12. Bring this kind and curious attention to your leg, your knee, and your left calf. Notice whatever sensations are present: vibration, tingling, itching, warmth, coolness, heaviness. Then bring your attention to your ankle, left foot, and toes.

    13. Now, notice the sensations in your right hip. And again, bring your attention down to your right thigh. You can circle your attention on your right leg or notice it in any other way that makes sense to you. Feel any vibration, tingling, temperature, heaviness, or movement in your knee and calf. Scan your leg down to your right ankle and toes.

    14. Now that you’ve scanned your body, you’re welcome to start again. This time, you can start at your feet and go back up through your body until you get to the top of your head. Feel free to scan your body up and down as many times as it is helpful to you.

    The Ultimate Guide to Mindfulness for Sleep 

    Sufficient sleep heals our bodies and minds, but for many reasons sleep doesn’t always come easily. Mindfulness practices and habits can help us fall asleep and stay asleep. Consult our guide to find tips for meditation, movement, and mindfulness practices to ease into sleep.
    Read More 

    • Mindful Staff
    • July 13, 2023



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  • The Power of One: How Small Changes can Make a Big Impact

    The Power of One: How Small Changes can Make a Big Impact

    Introduction to The Power of One

    The concept of "The Power of One" refers to the idea that small, individual changes can collectively make a significant impact when combined with the efforts of others. This concept has been applied in various fields, including environmental conservation, social justice, and personal development. The notion is that one person, or one small action, can be the catalyst for a much larger and more profound change. In this article, we will explore the power of one and how small changes can add up to make a big impact.

    The Butterfly Effect

    The butterfly effect is a term used to describe how small changes can have significant effects on a larger system. This concept was first proposed by Edward Lorenz, a mathematician and meteorologist, who suggested that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings could cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. While this idea may seem far-fetched, it illustrates the idea that small actions can have unintended and far-reaching consequences. In the context of the power of one, the butterfly effect suggests that individual actions, no matter how small they may seem, can have a ripple effect and contribute to a larger impact.

    Small Actions, Big Impact

    There are many examples of how small actions can add up to make a big impact. For instance, the concept of "reduce, reuse, recycle" has become a popular mantra for environmental conservation. By making small changes to our daily habits, such as reducing our use of plastic, reusing bags and containers, and recycling paper and glass, we can collectively make a significant impact on reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Similarly, in the context of social justice, small actions such as volunteering, donating to charity, or speaking out against injustice can contribute to a larger movement for change.

    The Power of Individual Action

    Individual action is a key component of the power of one. By taking personal responsibility for our actions and making conscious choices, we can create positive change in our own lives and in the world around us. For example, choosing to use public transportation or carpooling instead of driving a personal vehicle can reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a reduction in air pollution. Similarly, making healthy food choices and exercising regularly can improve our physical and mental health, and reduce our risk of chronic disease.

    Collective Impact

    While individual action is important, collective impact is also a crucial component of the power of one. When individuals come together to work towards a common goal, their collective efforts can have a much greater impact than any one person could achieve alone. For example, the civil rights movement in the United States was a collective effort by individuals and organizations to achieve social justice and equality. The movement was led by individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., who used nonviolent resistance and advocacy to bring attention to the cause and push for change.

    Social Media and the Power of One

    Social media has become a powerful tool for spreading ideas and mobilizing individuals to take action. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have made it possible for individuals to connect with others who share similar interests and passions, and to mobilize around a common cause. For example, the #MeToo movement, which began as a hashtag on Twitter, has become a global movement to raise awareness about sexual harassment and assault, and to support survivors of these crimes.

    Overcoming Obstacles

    One of the biggest obstacles to creating change is the feeling of powerlessness that can come from feeling like one person cannot make a difference. However, this mindset is often based on a lack of understanding of the power of one. By recognizing the collective impact of individual actions, and by working together with others, we can overcome feelings of powerlessness and create positive change. Another obstacle to creating change is the presence of systemic barriers, such as institutional racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. However, by working together and using our collective power, we can challenge and dismantle these barriers, and create a more just and equitable society.

    Creating a Ripple Effect

    Creating a ripple effect is a key component of the power of one. By taking small actions and inspiring others to do the same, we can create a chain reaction of positive change. For example, a person who starts a community garden in their neighborhood can inspire others to do the same, and create a network of community gardens that provide fresh produce to local residents. Similarly, a person who starts a petition or advocacy campaign can inspire others to join in, and create a groundswell of support for a particular cause.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the power of one is a powerful concept that highlights the potential for small, individual changes to collectively make a significant impact. By recognizing the collective impact of individual actions, and by working together with others, we can create positive change in our own lives and in the world around us. Whether it is through environmental conservation, social justice, or personal development, the power of one is a reminder that every small action counts, and that together, we can achieve great things.

    FAQs

    Q: What is the power of one?
    A: The power of one refers to the idea that small, individual changes can collectively make a significant impact when combined with the efforts of others.
    Q: How can I make a difference?
    A: You can make a difference by taking small actions, such as reducing your use of plastic, volunteering, or speaking out against injustice.
    Q: Is one person really enough to make a difference?
    A: Yes, one person can make a difference. While individual action is important, collective impact is also crucial, and when individuals come together to work towards a common goal, their collective efforts can have a much greater impact than any one person could achieve alone.
    Q: What are some examples of the power of one in action?
    A: Examples of the power of one in action include the civil rights movement, the #MeToo movement, and environmental conservation efforts such as reducing, reusing, and recycling.
    Q: How can I overcome feelings of powerlessness?
    A: You can overcome feelings of powerlessness by recognizing the collective impact of individual actions, and by working together with others to create positive change.
    Q: What is the role of social media in the power of one?
    A: Social media has become a powerful tool for spreading ideas and mobilizing individuals to take action, and can be used to connect with others who share similar interests and passions, and to mobilize around a common cause.

  • Why I Don’t Recommend Moringa Leaf Powder 

    Why I Don’t Recommend Moringa Leaf Powder 

    “Clearly, in spite of the widely held ‘belief’ in the health benefits of M. oleifera [moringa], the interest of the international biomedical community in the medicinal potential of this plant has been rather tepid.” In fact, it has been “spectacularly hesitant in exploring its nutritional and medicinal potential. This lukewarm attitude is curious, as other ‘superfoods’ such as garlic and green tea have enjoyed better reception,” but those have more scientific support. There are thousands of human studies on garlic and more than ten thousand on green tea, but only a few hundred on moringa.

    The most promising appears to be moringa’s effects on blood sugar control. Below and at 0:55 in my video The Efficacy and Side Effects of Moringa Leaf Powder, you can see the blood sugar spikes after study participants ate about five control cookies each (top line labeled “a”), compared with cookies containing about two teaspoons of moringa leaf powder into the batter (bottom line labeled “b”). Even with the same amount of sugar and carbohydrates as the control cookies, the moringa-containing cookies resulted in a dampening of the surge in blood sugar.

    Researchers found that drinking just one or two cups of moringa leaf tea before a sugar challenge “suppressed the elevation in blood glucose [sugar] in all cases compared to controls that did not receive the tea initially” and instead drank plain water. As you can see here and at 1:16 in my video, drinking moringa tea with sugar dampened blood sugar spikes after 30 minutes of consumption of the same amount of sugar without moringa tea. It’s no wonder that moringa is used in traditional medicine practice for diabetes, but we don’t really know if it can help until we put it to the test. 
    People with diabetes were given about three-quarters of a teaspoon of moringa leaf powder every day for 12 weeks and had significant improvements in measures of inflammation and long-term blood sugar control. The researchers called it a “quasi-experimental study” because there was no control group. They just took measurements before and after the study participants took moringa powder, and we know that simply being in a dietary study can lead some to eat more healthfully, whether consciously or unconsciously, so we don’t know what effect the moringa itself had. However, even in a moringa study with a control group, it’s not clear if the participants were randomly allocated. The researchers didn’t even specify how much moringa people were given—just that they took “two tablets daily with one tablet each after breakfast and dinner,” but what does “one tablet” mean? There was no significant improvement in this study, but perhaps the participants weren’t given enough moringa. Another study used a tablespoon a day and not only saw a significant drop in fasting blood sugars, but a significant drop in LDL cholesterol as well, as seen below and at 2:27 in my video. 

    Two teaspoons of moringa a day didn’t seem to help, but what about a third, making it a whole tablespoon? Apparently not, since, finally, a randomized, placebo-controlled study using one tablespoon of moringa a day failed to show any benefit on blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

    So, we’re left with a couple of studies showing potential, but most failing to show benefit. Why not just give moringa a try to see for yourself? That’s a legitimate course of action in the face of conflicting data when we’re talking about safe, simple, side–effect–free solutions, but is moringa safe? Probably not during pregnancy, as “about 80% of women folk” in some areas of the world use it to abort pregnancies, and its effectiveness for that purpose has been confirmed (at least in rats), though breastfeeding women may get a boost of about half a cup in milk production based on six randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

    Just because moringa has “long been used in traditional medicine” does not in any way prove that the plant is safe to consume. A lot of horribly toxic substances, like mercury and lead, have been used in traditional medical systems the world over, but at least “no major harmful effects of M. oleifera [moringa]…have been reported by the scientific community.” More accurately, “no adverse effects were reported in any of the human studies that have been conducted to date.” In other words, no harmful effects had been reported until now. 

    Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is probably the most dreaded drug side effect, “a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by…epidermal detachment and mucous membrane erosions.” In other words, your skin may fall off. Fourteen hours after consuming moringa, a man broke out in a rash. The same thing had happened three months earlier, the last time he had eaten moringa, causing him to suffer “extensive mucocutaneous lesions with blister formation over face, mouth, chest, abdomen, and genitalia.” “This case report suggests that consumption of Moringa leaf is better avoided by individuals who are at risk of developing SJS.” Although it can happen to anyone, HIV is a risk factor.

    My take on moringa is that the evidence of benefit isn’t compelling enough to justify shopping online for something special when you can get healthy vegetables in your local market, like broccoli, which has yet to be implicated in any genital blistering. 



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  • What is a leadless pacemaker?

    If a slow or abnormal heart rhythm makes you dizzy or breathless or causes you to faint, you may need a pacemaker. These battery-powered devices constantly monitor your heartbeat and, if needed, send an electrical pulse to trigger a beat. As many as three million Americans have a pacemaker, and each year, another 200,000 get one.

    Implanted in 1958, the very first pacemaker had multiple components, including a pulse generator about the size of a hockey puck. A modern-day pacemaker has a pulse generator about the size of two stacked silver dollars. This is implanted under the skin by the collarbone and connected to the heart by one or more flexible wires called leads (pronounced “leeds”; see top image). But today, there are also leadless pacemakers no bigger than a multivitamin pill — an advance that has dramatically reduced the risk of complications from these devices.

    chest x-ray of a person with a traditional pacemaker implanted, with leads visible extending out from it

    chest x-ray of a person with a leadless pacemaker implanted, circled in red due to its small size

    The larger surface area of a traditional pacemaker (above) makes it more prone to infections than a leadless device (below).


    Top image: © Trout55/Getty Images; bottom image: courtesy of Dr. Theofanie Mela

    The problem with leads

    If you have any type of foreign object (a pacemaker or an artificial joint, for instance) inside your body, infection can be a serious problem. “If you have pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or a skin infection, for example, bacteria can circulate through the bloodstream and may accumulate on the pacemaker components,” says Dr. Theofanie Mela, director of the Pacemaker and ICD Clinic at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Pacemaker leads are about two feet long, which means the traditional devices have more surface area and are therefore more likely to become infected than leadless devices, she explains.

    In addition, the pulse generator is inserted in a small pocket just under the skin of the upper chest. In about 1% to 3% of cases, infections develop from bacteria that enters the pocket when a pacemaker is first implanted or replaced. Other complications can occur over time: Leads can become dislodged, wear out, fray, or even break. Scar tissue or blood clots can form around the leads, which may hinder blood flow and cause pain and swelling.

    The lead-free advantage

    With leadless pacemakers, the implantation process is simpler and safer. A doctor inserts a catheter through a vessel in the groin and delivers the device into the wall of the heart — no pulse generator or wires needed. In the first three years after implantation, the complication rate was 4.1% for leadless pacemakers, compared to 8.5% for traditional pacemakers, according to a study published April 7, 2024, in the European Heart Journal.

    Approved by the FDA in 2016, the first leadless pacemaker was a single unit placed in the heart’s lower right chamber (ventricle). These early devices were appropriate for about 20% of people who were candidates for a pacemaker.

    “The first-generation devices had limited features. But over time, researchers have perfected them, and now leadless pacemakers can do almost anything traditional pacemakers can do,” says Dr. Mela. In 2023, the FDA approved the first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker, which features a second device in the heart’s upper right chamber (atrium). The two devices communicate wirelessly with each other to better coordinate the heart’s contractions.

    Potential downsides

    A leadless pacemaker costs two to three times as much as a traditional pacemaker, Dr. Mela says. However, the higher price may be justified if you take into account the lower rate of complications, which sometimes require removing the pulse generator and implanting a new one.

    Because leadless pacemakers are relatively new, doctors have less experience with what happens with them over the long term. “For example, when the battery runs out after 10 years, can you safely extract the device and place a new one? We don’t really know,” Dr. Mela says. One possibility is to place a new device close to the first one. Possible limitations with that strategy include inadequate space and interference between the devices. For now, her practice implants leadless pacemakers mainly in older people, who are less likely to need multiple replacements during their lifetimes.

    Looking to the future

    Leadless pacemaker technology continues to evolve, including systems with batteries that last up to 17 years. Preliminary findings suggest the possibility of using electrical energy from heartbeats to partially recharge the device’s battery. If your doctor says you need a pacemaker, ask if you’re a candidate for a leadless device, Dr. Mela advises.

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  • 老年人应重视的营养素 (Key nutrients for older adults)

    老年人应重视的营养素 (Key nutrients for older adults)

    What’s included:
    ✓     Simplified Chinese version of the patient resource ‘Key nutrients for older adults’

    Translated by: Tracy Xiao (Australian APD)

     

    View the English version here

    The patient resources are not, and are not intended to be, medical advice, which should be tailored to your individual circumstances.  The patient resources are for your information only, and we advise that you exercise your own judgment before deciding to use the information provided. Professional medical advice should be obtained before taking action.  Please see here for terms and conditions.

    Please note that all of our resources must be used in full and are unable to be personalised or customised.

     

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  • Constant Craving – Mindful

    Constant Craving – Mindful

    If there’s a patch of open lawn at a corner, children will cut through, and grass soon becomes hardened ground. Ancient people created paths walking from one place to another; horses and oxen widened them; and today they’re paved roads. When we want to go someplace, we choicelessly take these well-trodden paths.

    It’s the same with our brain and the muscles and organs that respond to its commands. As neurons keep firing in a particular configuration, a path is created and it’s just easier to go there. Neurons that “fire together, wire together.” It’s how we learn to talk, to play guitar, to paint, and to smoke and overeat.

    As Judson Brewer points out in The Craving Mind, laying down memories (pathways to return to) is as ancient and ingrained as life itself. Eric Kandel won the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2000 for demonstrating that even the lowly sea slug—hardly a big-brained cousin to humans—employs a “two-option approach” to raise its chances of survival: “move toward nutrient, move away from toxin.” Likewise, we adapted by laying down memories of what is and isn’t food and where to find it, so we could return for more. And, critically, the food offered us a reward: a shot of brain chemicals that signal satisfied hunger. Yum. Yum.

    This reward-based learning system, Brewer notes, is easily hijacked to develop other habits: See cool kids smoke. Smoke to be cool. Be seen as cool. Feel good. Lay down a feel-good memory. Want to do it again.

    Once laid down, this path takes us round trip; we’re on a loop. Seeing people smoke triggers us, and the immediate effect is the brain saying “that will make me feel better or lessen the pain.” An urge, a craving, emerges in the body. We take action to feed the craving and light up. We get the good feeling (our reward), but we also start to see the world differently. In what psychologists call increased “salience,” we now wear smoke-colored glasses that offer a landscape filled with perceived opportunities to smoke. The habit is reinforced, and the increased salience points us to more cues and triggers that keep the wheel spinning. Round and round we go.

    Mindfulness can break this well-worn cycle, as we see illustrated in the diagram conceived of by Brewer below.

    Graphic by Heather Jones



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