Federal Office for Environment Protection warns of dangers of the nano-technology

Translated from German

Frankfurt/Main (AP) the Federal Office for Environment Protection (UBA) warns in a new study of possible health dangers from products, which are manufactured with nano-technology. Affected are among other things food, articles of clothing and cosmetics. In the published investigation on Wednesday the UBA recommends to avoid products with the tiny particles as for a long time as “their effects in the environment and on the human health is still to a large extent unknown”.

Besides the authority in Dessau Roßlau requests the policy makers to create legal basic conditions for safe handling nano-materials. It demands a marking obligation and a population register for products with nano-particles. According to the report more than 800 enterprises would be affected in Germany, which are active in the nano-technology.
The technology is among other things applied, in order to restrain into textiles the growth of bacteria and thus to prevent or suppress bad smell or used in sun creams to stop UV rays hold and to prevent the formation of a grey veil in the chocolates. Nano-technically optimized plastics can lower the weight with cars or airplanes and help thus to save fuel.
“With the development of Nano-technology new products and applications increasingly become significant”, explains the authority. In the market come a rapidly growing number of products, which probably positively influence the “environment and economy”. But the effects of the nano-materials in the environment and possible health risks for humans are still insufficiently investigated. Nano-particles with increasing application were spread nevertheless increased in ground, water and air.
Particles released produced pneumonia in rats
The respiratory system is probably the most important way for nano-particles to enter inside the body, which are not visible with the naked eye. This is proved by scientific studies would be present, it was said. Therefore the particles could penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammations there. In the animal experiment with rats the particles damaged DNA. Besides it is reported that nano-particles from carbon can cause illnesses, which are similar to those from asbestos fibers with animals.
From food nano-particle can enter into the gastro-intestinal tract. The few available studies refer according to data of the authority a very small amount can be absorbed through the skin into the body. The UBA explains however: “Intact healthy skin is obviously an effective barrier to titanium dioxide nano-particles.”
The experts of the UBA regard it “urgently required” as to recognize and evaluate health risks of the nano-technology. The manufacturers would have to reveal in addition their results for risk evaluation. If the possible risks can be identified and minimized, the Federal Office for Environment Protection supports the promotion of the nano-technology in applications which reduce environmental pollutions.

Associated Press
http://de.news.yahoo.com/1/20091021/twl-umweltbundesamt-warnt-vor-gefahren-d-1be00ca.html

Alcohol

Alcohol is a social drug. Millions are addicted to it and thousands of families are spoiled. Social drinking is good, but some one must teach the people what social drinking is.

Is alcohol necessary for our metabolism?

It is a good question; alcohol is not at all necessary for our metabolism, it is a drug, a social drug that is all. With extra taxes in the Western countries, other form of tax income in emerging and developing countries, the industry, the government and the black market people are the one who benefit out of this. The extreme taxes for the alcoholic beverages are in the Scandinavian countries to avoid people to buy it, but there the consumption is extremely big because of their climate and the longest winter nights. If you do not like it, you are the luckiest one and it is damn cheap as well as very healthy for you and your whole family.

Do you drink, if yes, why?

I do drink now and then in my house or when we visit our friends or we go out to dinner parties, one or two glasses of dry red wine only, all the other alcoholic beverages I do not like. I have no problems to answer this question.

What is alcohol?

The particular alcohol present in our alcoholic beverages is ethanol which is normally called alcohol, the name of the whole group.

What are the effects if you take in small amounts?

Although alcohol is a depressant, small quantities make you happily relaxed, but in large quantities most of them lose their inhibitions completely and bring not only health problems to them but also many other problems to their families and the society.

Does it make you addict?

Although alcohol is legal, it is a strong drug in high amounts and makes one addict. In low amounts of consumption it is fun, but sometimes one has no control to stop the increasing amounts and thus the addiction. This addiction is in many countries recognized as a sickness and the addicts get the benefit of health insurance with all their rehabilitation and other programmes.

Is drinking alcohol harming my health now, or will it be harmful later in my life?

If you drink a safe and healthy amount, it is good for your health, but too much is harmful in your social as well as family life but also a big risk factor for your health. Hundreds of millions of people in our world irrespective of their social status and intelligence are alcoholics.

What is the safe pattern of drinking?

180 ml wine or 500 ml beer or one to two drinks for a man in a day and 150 ml wine or 300 ml beer or one drink for a woman, if she likes only and do not forget, social drinking does not mean that you must drink every day. Nowadays, alcohol free-beers are there which taste exactly like the normal beer, but it can contain up to 0.5% of alcohol that means it is also strictly prohibited to dry alcoholics and children.

You can drink red wine-water equally mixed like the French do or half beer and half Lemon juice, like the German drink as Alsterwasser. All these methods reduce the amount of alcohol in your beverages.

What are the side effects of alcohol?

Increased relaxation, sociability and reducing inhibitions are the initial effects. You feel well and want more and more to drink which leads to loss of control, dizziness, blurred vision, sickness and even unconsciousness. The worst problem comes in the next morning, the hangovers. Alcohol slows reaction times, so driving, bicycling and operating machinery may be dangerous. Your rational thinking is gone and you may take risky decisions. Domestic violence and other crimes are the social problems and the loss of inhibitions makes you aggressive, the result is problems with wife and children. Your inhibition to sexual violence is also mostly lost.

What are the health effects of alcohol?

Alcohol in low amounts can reduce the blood pressure because of the dilation of blood vessels, but the good effect turns negative if you drink more.

Increased weight, more alcohol intake and almost no physical activity increases the weight and the problems connected to it, high blood pressure, may be diabetes also.

Memory loss occurs after consumption of large amount and long term use can cause heart diseases, stomach cancer and liver damage.

Alcohol reduces the sensitivity to pain and it causes dehydration and taking it with ecstasy is very dangerous to health.

Is alcohol in cold winter useful or bad for our health?

The dilated vessels from alcohol consumption are near to the skin surface and the body loses heat to the environment. Do not give alcohol to warm up, one will feel warm but the body cools down actually. That means warm winter cloths are necessary to protect your whole body.

Alcohol with other drugs, is it dangerous?

Yes, alcohol with other drugs which are depressants like heroin, valium will increase the potential of each drug, thus drastically increasing the cumulative adverse effects. Alcohol and flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is deadly as well as a date-rape combination.

Alcohol with Paracetamol spoils the liver and tens of lakhs are dying every year with this combination.

Alcohol consumption and driving, what is your opinion?

If you take alcohol, do not drive your car, it is dangerous not only for you but also for others. Whatever and how much you drink, per hour only 0.1 per mille will be excreted and here all are same, man, woman, young, old, white, black, brown or yellow races. Our reaction time is normally much higher, after alcohol consumption even if you have a low level of 0.30 per mille in your blood, your reaction time is affected drastically and accidents from your car could be considered as 100% your mistake in the court of law and you have to pay the victims life-long.

Many countries have 0.00 per mille for driving and others have 0.50 per mille limit, this to reach a glass of wine or beer or 1 or 2 drinks enough. Here there is no superman or superwoman and all the other theories and stories are not true.

Do not forget, as a host you have got the responsibility if you serve alcoholic beverages in your parties, in home or in the hotels, that you should not allow the person to drive his car to go to his house, if necessary, you have to snatch his car keys and send him in a taxi to his house. Otherwise, his problem, if there is an accident, may become also partly a problem of yours.

Are women become more quickly drunk than men?

Yes, it is; they absorb the alcohol quickly and alcohol reaches also swiftly to their brain and it is better to be very careful. It is also excreted slowly than men. Never drink the amount of a man. You must know your limit just above your individual lower level, this amount, with this enjoyment, is the social drinking. Above that, you blame yourself and spoil your health and wealth also.

Does pregnant woman drink alcohol?

It is better if she does not drink. But in Western countries some regular user could not stop it, it is better to drink 100 ml wine or 200 ml beer but nothing more. It is important to note that the total alcohol amount should be only within the range of 8 to 12 grams of pure alcohol, one or two times a week, more than that spoil the health of the child. I would like to say that in Western countries there are women who stop drinking immediately if they know they are pregnant. In India where social drinking in women is so low alcohol must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Young men boast, consumption of more alcohol shows their strength, is it correct?

I can only laugh, if you remember your earlier questions and my answers, you know that and I think this remark came after alcohol consumption, thereby with the loss of inhibition. I have seen so many people and their fates are so bad, I do not even wish my best enemy to suffer like this. Most of these persons have inferiority complex which they would like to hide with their habits, like drinking, abusing drugs or also driving costly cars. There are enough persons who utilize this to enjoy their life at others cost, but we should not forget; sometimes we have to pay for this joy heavily like diseases or sexual assault.

Are there any recommended amounts of intake for men and women?

Yes, there are some, but each individual must take this only as a recommended amount and find out the correct amount by himself. One to two units for women and two to three units for men a day is the recommended one for social drinking and it is not a must everyday. Three to four days in a week for men and two to three days for the women a week are the maximum and the rest days are alcohol free.

Almost all the good beer companies offer alcohol free beers, this taste exactly like the original beer, the alcohol content of these alcohol free-beers must be below 0.5% and you can consume this without any problem. There are alcohol free wines and champagne and this is good to drink, as you see there are possibilities to enjoy life, without alcohol.

What is a unit which in mostly written in connection with alcohol drinks?

One unit is 8 grams of pure alcohol, is one small glass of wine or a small glass of beer or one small glass of champagne or approximately 20 ml of other liquors which have 36% to 42% of alcohol. I give you as eight grams so that you could calculate exactly how much you can take and it is simple because every bottle contains the volume in % on the label.

What is Alco-pops?

Alco pops are alcoholic drinks, very sweet with lot of sugar; the alcohol content is 8.5%, which are also in all possible colours to attract the youth. When this drink came to the market, my colleague brought this to my table and asked me to taste it, I tried and told that it is not my taste, but it will attract youths to use, so to say, misuse the alcohol, as it is sweet in taste and above all very cheap. The alcohol industry wants more new customers, youth buy it and go on drinking till they become unconscious because of excess alcohol in short time. The industries and government have to face much critic and finally they raised the value added tax very drastically so that it is not cheap for the youth. It has brought some good results, but this problem could not be eradicated. That is why we have to start our teachings and explanations to our children to know the dangers waiting in every corner for them.

Our young and coming generations must be taught how to drink properly to use the social drinking positively in their lives. Never make this as a taboo theme in your family. It is advisable to allow your child to taste if you drink alcoholic beverages in your house.

Has alcohol any nutritive value?

No. Except resveratrol and other polyphenols as essential non-nutrients, there are no nutritive values of alcoholic beverages, sugar and traces of vitamins and trace elements have of only minor values. The calories from alcohol are only empty calories which makes only you fatty, try to avoid as much as possible.

Binge drinking, what is this?

Youth who drink lot of alcohol in short time till they become unconscious, they are admitted in the hospital and the problems are, then, for everybody in the family. This is binge drinking in English or coma drinking in German.

30 thousand youths from both sexes, between 18 and 24 years old, are the victims of this brutal drinking in Germany and the industry, government, parents and school have equal share in this tragical development because the youth have not enough possibilities to spend their time usefully, parents also have no time, the tension from the schools are high and the industry wants only more and quick profit without any moral values, the result is this unnecessary, adverse and unhealthy effect to our youngsters who are the future of our society.

The brains are affected very often and this is not a fun. The worst health effect is uptake of urine and its waste from the bladder back to our blood and the rupture of bladder in men and women with serious health problems. Binge drinking is most prevalent in USA, UK and in Germany. It is the important duty of our society to punish this profit mongering devils.

What are the evils of binge drinking?

Binge drinking is self destructive one which adds more problems like absenting from their work, ignoring their duties and responsibilities, wasting money, fighting with others or having risky sex that may lead to HIV infection.

Oh, very hard critic, could you tell me how can I drink more than normal?

You are putting such a question to me, today is my non-violence day and you are lucky. There are some tips and they belong to me only, smile.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – back to India…

Chapter 6

Next morning he was ready at 7:30 a.m. and his flight was at 10 a.m. He would fly approximately 4 hrs to Chennai. He took a taxi and reached the Airport and he missed Geetha now very much. He thought that the last four days were the best days in his life. But it was over, he had her mail ID and cell number but the good days were over according to him. He had checked in and everywhere he saw only Geetha. His seat was in the middle of the plane; he sat and closed his eyes.

When Raman opened his eyes he was already above the clouds. The friendly Singapore Airlines Hostess laughed at him and gave him a piece of paper. He opened it and there were only four words, “come to me, Geetha”. The airhostess smiled at him and asked him to go the 10th row. He ran almost in the plane and found Geetha in the 10th row. He sat near her, took her hand in his and told that he was very happy now.
“I know another person who is happier than you”, she said pointing out her index finger towards her, “I wanted to fly with you and my loving father arranged this journey. We can talk a lot now because we have another 3-1/2 hours”, she said with a seductive smile in her lips. Now only he noticed that his hand was still holding her hand and removed quickly and she was only smiling.

Suddenly she asked him, “Do you like Taj Mahal?”
“Yes, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, moreover it is a symbol of love”, he replied.
“I agree with you, but Shahjahan might have done something great when Mumtaj was alive”, she said, “she has not seen the symbol of love. I want to get something wonderful when I am living from my husband and what is the use if I am not there,” she told.
“It’s a great idea and you will get it”, was his remark.
She looked at him with her big beautiful eyes and asked “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m 100% sure, wonder happens very rarely but sometimes it happens and you may be lucky”, was his dry reply.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the presence of Raman near her. “He is mine or I’m sure I’m his”, thought her and opened her eyes. He was looking at her and his face was serious.

“Where are you going to stay in Chennai? Come to us and your flight is only tomorrow morning.” he said.
“No”, her reply was very firm, “I will come to your house, say hello to everybody and then we go to a good hotel and stay there”.
“What”, he shouted.
“Yes you told that a man and a woman could be good friends and they could also sleep in the same bed without disturbing each other” she said.
He shook his head and told, “it is not London or Paris, it is only Chennai and here we have to adhere the guidelines of our society. I have no problem, but I don’t want to spoil your name”.
“So, you men talk very bravely, but when it becomes serious, you withdraw”, she said little bit loudly. More than half an hour they were discussing about this and heard the announcement from the chief hostess that they were approaching Chennai and the landing would be in 30 min.
“I never thought that you would say this. I’m alone in Chennai and we are friends. I request you to stay with me in the hotel. Moreover, it is better if you accompany me also to Madurai till I reach my grandmother”.
For the first time in his life Raman had to take a decision. He looked at her very charmingly and told that he could do it without any problem. Geetha took both his hands and thanked him. The plane has already landed and they have not even noticed that.

Geetha and Raman took a taxi and went to a hotel and it was a five star luxury hotel. He has declared her as his wife to avoid problems and they went to the room. It is a very spacious room with all modern amenities for both. She was feeling well there. She entered inside the bathroom and he sat on the sofa, closed his eyes and thought about their conversation in the plane regarding Taj Mahal. He thought that Geetha was right and what was there to do for her in a grand manner which must also be unique in this world. He felt bad because what a great thing could he do for her in the name of love?

They went to Marina Beach, Kabalishwarar Koil and finally visited his parents.
“What are you doing here and we thought you were stuck up in Singapore” said his father.
“I am playing the role of a baby-sitter for this girl”, he pointed out her with a naughty smile. His mother looked at Geetha with an open mouth and said hello to her.
“Where did you get this beautiful girl?” asked his father, “now I know that baby sitting is such a good job”.
“Today we will stay in the hotel, tomorrow morning I fly with her to Madurai, bring her safely to her grandmother and come back. After that I explain everything to you, father”, he said in a soft voice. His father nodded.
“Why can’t you both stay here in the house? We have a guest room also” said his mother loudly.
“You know your son better than anybody, it is decided, it is booked and I explain you, mamma, everything when I come back”, he replied his mamma with a smile. With hesitation she told yes to her son.
“At least you both could eat here”, said the mother. “Mamma, time will come and then you could cook for us everyday”, he was laughing when he told that. The Okay came very slowly from her mouth.
“Did you ring your uncle?” asked his father.
“No, I do it later”, he replied.

Geetha and Raman reached the hotel, ate something, telephoned to her parents and his uncle. “Now I have to wear my nightie and sleep, have you got any problem with that”, she asked.
“No, make you comfortable”, replied he and went to the window to see the Chennai by night. When he turned she was already sleeping, he saw her beautiful slim body had a small curve and he took the nearby bed for him. He thought intensively once again about their talk regarding Taj Mahal. He wanted to do something great for Geetha, but what could he do? For the first time he hated his life. He slept and had a wonderful dream, a dream which he could dedicate to Geetha.

Raman used to read all the news and the political stunts about the Sethu Samudram project and he was for this project. Of course, as an Indian he was also for the Ramar Bridge. There must be a compromise so that both the parties were satisfied and at the same time it must have a real big impact on India. The alternative of a small canal around Ramar Bridge was a wit for him. It should be something good, marvellous and should be unique in the whole world. The interesting multicultural Singapore with its different facets came to his mind.
“I have the answer,” he shouted and his mind was working in a high speed. What he had seen in the past 5 days in Singapore ran before his eyes. There were so many superlatives- cleanliness, discipline, the peaceful co-existence of people from different cultures and religions and the super planning impressed him very much. “A new Singapore, a still better and different Singapore, in this area is the answer”, he thought. It was good for the emerging India and above all it was also good for Geetha because he could dedicate this idea to her and all the coming thousands of years her name would be there when people thought or read about this Indian Singapore were his thoughts.
“Why Indian Singapore, I would like to give a new name to this area which could be called Ramar Island. Yes, it will be an Island which solves all the problems about the Sethu Samudram project and brings good to India, the coming super power. It could be compared to Singapore and Hong Kong but it will be unique because it is in India” thought he. Although he had been never to this area he had a very good knowledge about the geography of Tamil Nadu.
“It is for Geetha, it is better than anything because she could see it during her life time” he thought.

Suddenly Geetha got up and sat in her bed. For a moment she did not know where she was. He saw Raman in the same bed and in his lips she saw the smile and thought that he was muttering something. Her ear went near his lips and to her pleasant surprise she heard her name only. It was more than three hours she was sitting near him and watching his face with wonderful and joyful expressions and numerous smiles. She got up and took the letter block and started writing.

Dear Papa,
I love him very much, you are the first one to know this and inform mamma also.
Love
Geetha.

Another two hours went on and she was still sitting near him and wondering what was going on in his brain in these hours.

Raman thought of Kilakarai and Devipatinnam immediately. It is better to have the canal 3 km below Kilakarai to 3 km above Devipattinam. A canal which would be from near Kilakarai to near Devipattinam might be the solution.

RAMAR ISLAND TOOK BIRTH IN HIS MIND

He saw this island in front of his eyes. It is just below Kilakarai to just above Devipattinam. It would be a medium sized Island and would be called Ramar Island. What were the important places in this island, thought he. He had to think and remember, finally he got it; they could be Kilakarai, Muthupettai, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Irumeni, Panalkkulam and Devipattinam and like jewels with diamonds there will be Rameswaram and Pampan. The idea of Ramar Island was perfect now. It should be a duck that lays golden eggs for the emerging super power India thought Raman.

There were enough engineering experts in India and in the world who could finalize and finish this project. There were no mountains in this area and a straight canal is possible without big problems thought Raman. But, he was in a mood to dream further and a contour for this Ramar Island has formed in his mind. It should be clean, must have enough water and electricity and the best schools and universities. He had read about several temples in this area and all would profit out of that. He thought of the new harbour where Queen Mary II and other big tourist ships are regular guests. One side the water sports, the other side the fishing harbour and in the middle the commercial harbour. Extraordinary activities like in Monaco or in Florida will be the result.

The buildings in Ramar Island should not be very high and a maximum of five stories are enough he thought. In one corner he would like to make an artificial mountain, around 700 m high and wanted to plant numerous trees in the whole Island. It must be a green Island with blue sea he thought. Everything, museums, exhibitions and under water parks could only increase the attraction of this island. Here there were many experts who could plan this better than me, he thought. It must be a centre of sport, education, music, fine arts, media and culture where people should not give more importance to their normal struggles like caste or religion or race. Everybody had the right to worship as they like and the temples, mosques or the churches could celebrate their festivals in their own traditional way. But for a normal man his religion must be private one with his family and society. The ultimate preaching of all the religions was love and it should not only be accepted but also practised by everybody. Kilakarai is famous for its Muslim population and the churches had their places in these areas. It should be like a paradise. It should be a straight canal from below Kilakarai to above Devipattinam and this means good for the engineers, ships and for every body. We would have more advantages than Singapore, he thought, because of the backyard where we could put all the industries and other necessary infrastructure which could make the Ramar Island the perfect place in our earth.

Moreover, the ecology would not be disturbed and flora and fauna could be conserved for the coming generations. The natural environment could also be protected for ever.

Raman thought about the Queen Mary II and the other giant luxury ships. Tourists from these ships would be taken in the directions of Madurai, Cape Comerin, Velankanni, Nagore and Thanjavur. It would be a big boost to the local employment and also it could relax the tension to Chennai area. Ramar Island would be there, pure and sacred, but very near to all loving persons, he thought. A new planned big city with a good integration of the present places would take care of the modern aspects as well as the traditional side, he thought.

The coral reefs, the colourful fishes and the dancing dolphins could be protected always and these were big attractions. Krusadai Island would be the Mecca for all Zoology students in our world.

Our Indian coast is exactly 7517 km long. He wished in every 50 km a fishing as well as a sport and multipurpose commercial harbour. 3 to 4 fishermen together must get a free mechanized boat and every fishing village should get at least one trawler for deep sea fishing. The wind-energy parks in our seas and the desalination plants to produce drinking water would increase the quality and the standard of life of the Indians, he thought. In his concept, there were only winners.

Food Allergy

What is food allergy?

Food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly identifies as harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it produces specific antibodies to it. When the individual eats this food next time, the body releases a large amount of histamines to protect the body. The allergy can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and skin.

What are the common foods that produce allergy?

Vegetables, fruits and meat could be allergic; there are foods which account for 90% of all food allergies. These are milk, egg, groundnut, tree nut (cashew, walnut etc.), shellfish, fish, Soya bean and wheat.

Approximately 30% of the world population is suffering from allergies.

Food allergy:

• Adults, approximately 1% to 2%

• Children, approximately 2% to 8%

• In adolescence they come down approximately to 2%

• Allergies of our breathing system together, approximately 20%

• Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, approximately 10%
It is very important to know about the side effects of the medicines.

For further information please vide the book entitled ’The side effects of medicines’ by Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban, www.aaronverlag.com).

What is gluten allergy?

Gluten is a protein consisting of a mixture of glentelin and gliadin, present in cereal grains, especially wheat, rye and barley. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an auto-immune disease of the intestine.

• Oats may be tolerated in small amount if the allergy is not very serious.

• Milk and dairy products are not tolerated by those persons who develop lactose intolerance frequently.

What are the foods recommended to a person who has gluten allergy?

The recommended foods include:

• Gluten free grains, breads, cereals, pastas

• Rice, corn, fermented soy, arrowroot, potato, and tapioca-containing products are all allowed.

• Breads may contain flour prepared from white or brown rice, potato, tapioca, arrowroot, pea, corn or bean.

• Cereals include those from corn meal, buckwheat, puffed rice and crisp rice.

• Pasta made of rice, corn and beans.

• Quinoa and Amaranth

• Malt or malt flavouring derived specifically from corn.

• Vegetables and Fruits

• Meats

Dairy Products:

• Aged hard cheeses pasteurized and processed cheeses including cottage cheese and cream cheese, and ice cream are free of gluten stabilizers. Most children tolerate little milk sugar containing milk and yogurt soon after starting a gluten-free diet.

Salad dressings, condiments and additives:

• Many salad dressings, condiments and additives are gluten-free, although there are a number that do contain gluten or wheat derivatives. Please read labels carefully. Apple, wine and rice vinegars are generally acceptable. If you are not sure do not eat it.

Drinks and Juices:

• Very few non-alcoholic drinks include gluten, do not drink unknown juices.

• Freshly brewed coffee, tea, chocolate made of powdered cocoa, carbonated drinks, and juices extracted from fresh fruits are preferred.

What foods must be avoided?

The foods not allowed include:

• Grains, Breads, Cereals, Pastas that contain a high proportion of gluten

• Anything made with wheat, barley, rye and oats. Breads or cereals containing wheat starch have small amount of gluten; as do cereals and crackers containing wheat and oat bran, graham and wheat germ. Cereals or breads containing malt flavouring of unspecified origin, regular spaghetti, macaroni, and wheat noodles contain gluten.

• Packed rice mixes contain gluten.

• Vegetables and Fruits – always find which one is good to you, avoid others

• Stay away from products containing thickening agents that utilize food starches and stabilizers with gluten. Thickening agents often contain wheat flour and are found in products like fruit pie fillings.

• Meats - prepared meats include luncheon meats, sausages, and canned meats containing grain and starch fillers with gluten.

• Even in freshly minced meat additives are used with gluten and it can be everywhere.

• Dairy Products:
cheese foods include spreads, soft cheeses, and dips often contain gluten.

• Some ice creams can contain gluten stabilizers. If there is no label or if you are not sure, avoid it.

• Salad dressings: These contain grain vinegars including distilled white vinegar if the type of vinegar is not stated. Some contain emulsifiers and stabilizers with gluten.

• Drinks and Juices:

Some brands of flavoured coffee, herbal tea, and instant cocoa mixes, including malted milk. Grain-derived drinks including ovaltine.

• Spices and additives

• Most soy sauces contain gluten

• Soups or broths containing bouillon, unspecified texturized or hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable gum from oats and any other product containing an unspecified flour or cereal, barley malt, wheat starch and caramel candy may contain gluten.

Other potential harmful ingredients are as follows:

• Modified food starch
• Unidentified starch
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Texturized vegetable protein
• Binders, fillers and extenders
• Natural flavourings

What is the truth about gluten und medicines?

If a medicine is not declared ‘gluten free’ on its label, it can be dangerous.

In prescription and over-the-counter drugs, fillers or inactive ingredients or excipients are added to the active drug. These provide shape and bulk for tablets and capsules so that you think are worth for your money. They can be from any starch source such as potatoes, tapioca, wheat and corn.

What about bakery products?

If a bakery product is not declared ‘gluten free’, it is dangerous. Here also it is used to keep up the form of cakes and other baked biscuits. You must be careful always. It is not different in processed foods.

What are the symptoms of food allergy?

The common symptoms include:

• Swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty in breathing
• Abdominal cramps
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhoea,
• Low blood pressure,
• Loss of consciousness and death.

The symptoms appear within minutes to two hours. But in extreme cases, it could be more than two hours.

What is the treatment for food allergy?

One must avoid these foods very strictly and eat no unknown food from any source.

Is there any medicine for food allergies?

Adrenaline is the medicine of choice to control the reaction and thereby the symptoms. There are no medicines to cure food allergies currently. As told, strict avoidance is the only way to prevent food allergies. You must go for a counselling to know healthy foods for you. It is possible to manage your life as usual. Antihistaminic drugs are also here useful.

Is it possible to find food allergies in blood?

Yes, it is possible to find the allergic food by conducting the blood test.

Is it possible to have allergy-free diet?

It is easy to find out but very time consuming. Food can stay in body for a period of maximum four days. So eat some of your favourite food and wait for four days and if there are no symptoms, this food is good. During this time you should not eat any known allergic food. Like this you can test all your food and have a big collection of allergy-free food. It takes time, but improves your life quality.

Everything is possible if you have the will.

Read Dr. K. Padmanaban’s “Food and our Health – Facts and Misconceptions”. www.aaronverlag.com

Allergies – Some Severe Complications

Apart from allergies there can be some severe complications and they are:

Acute sinusitis – sinuses are the air filled hollow cavities around the nose and nasal passages, when inflamed, fluid may accumulate and interfere with the normal drainage of mucus in the sinuses and this is called as an acute sinusitis.

The symptoms are difficulty in breathing, pain, headache, fever, cough and swelling of the eyes and face. Although bacteria and allergies may be the reason, common cold virus is the most frequent reason for this condition.

The therapies can be from antibiotics to corticosteroids for acute inflammation.

Most of the symptoms are vanished shortly, if the symptoms last less than four weeks, it is considered acute.

Chronic sinusitis – In most of the cases sinusitis are acute, they disappear in less than four weeks. If this condition lasts more than four weeks or recurs, then it is a developed case of chronic sinusitis.

Dermatographia – it is a condition where the skin is over sensitive to light, scratching resulting in red lines there, it is not serious but may be uncomfortable. The symptoms are redness, itching and swelling. If they last long antihistamines and self-care measures can help to manage this skin problems.

Hives and angioedema – it is also known as urticaria in which batches of raised, red or white itchy wheals of various sizes appear and disappear on the skin.

Asthma – the relationship between allergies and asthma are very much interlinked.

Nasal polyps – small nasal polyps may usually cause few problems, but larger one can affect your breathing and your sense of smell is diminished. It is more common in persons above 40 years and also in adults and in children with asthma, chronic sinus infections, hay fever and cystic fibrosis.

Medications are the common treatment for small nasal polyps, but surgery is the choice to remove larger polyps.

Anaphylaxis – it is a dangerous and life-threatening allergic reaction and the common triggers are foods, insect venoms, latex and certain drugs. The allergic symptoms are watery eyes and a runny nose. Anaphylaxis floods many chemicals in the body which makes your blood pressure drop suddenly, difficulty in breathing, unconsciousness and death. This effect may be in seconds or in few minutes. It can be venom from bee sting or an ingested groundnut or a drug, like penicillin.

Fortunately, anaphylaxis is the least common allergic reaction and at the same time the doctors and the emergency centres could help you very quickly.