Is there a cure or celiac disease?

There is no cure for celiac disease. However, the disease can be managed by simply avoiding gluten in the diet. All products which contain wheat, rye, or barley must be avoided. For this treatment to work, one must start to become obsessive about reading food labels. Recent laws now make it mandatory for all food labels to clearly state if the food contains any of the top eight food allergens, including wheat. However, wheat free doesn't mean gluten free. Proposals are currently on the way which will require companies to identify other hidden components, such as barley and rye.

One should be aware that Gluten is also found in some candy, some meat products (cold cuts), soy sauce, vitamins, herbal supplements, over the counter and prescription medications. And although often overlooked, gluten is also found in communion wafers, lip balms, and Play Doh.

Today, many gluten free foods and medication are available for children. Still following such a regimental diet is not easy and one must regularly see a dietician to ensure that the child is getting a well balanced diet and yet keeping gluten out of his body.

How is the diagnosis of celiac disease made?

The diagnosis of celiac disease is made by simple blood tests. For those in whom the diagnosis still cannot be confirmed, a small bowel biopsy may be required. In some cases, a trial of gluten free diet may be done and if the symptoms resolve, then no further testing is necessary.

Zeltiq’s Cool Sculpting or is it a Cool Scam?

Thousands of men and women have been rushing to get the new Zeltiq’s Cool sculpting system to get rid of their localized fat pockets. The Zeltiq system is a novel approach to getting rid of love handles. The doctor applies a cup-shaped applicator to the area of fat and turns on the vacuum. The device is cooled for about 60 minuets and once the temperature is reached, your fat is magically gone. Like all things in plastic surgery, you do not see the results right away and most people need several sessions. The optimal results occur after 2-3 months. At least that is what is supposed to happen.
 

There is no anesthesia, no needles, no incision  but you must have a lot of money. So does Zeltiq’s cool sculpting system work? 

Anyone who believes that applying an ice pack to the skin leads to burning of fat must be either very gullible, very stupid or both. Of course, this is a scam. There are hundreds of reports on cyberspace about women who have undergone this treatment and discovered that Zeltiq does jack shit.

To make you more depressed, Zeltiq's cool sculpting costs a cool $700-$1000 per session and if you want to get rid of the fat around your belly and the back of your thighs, add another couple of thousand dollars.

If you have any common sense, avoid this scam. The only thing cool about Zeltiq is that you will have a sign over your forehead saying that you are a Cool Sucker.

Can ephedra be detected in the body?

Ephedra is widely used at all levels of sports. Beside professional athletes, the alkaloid is also used at the college levels and in high schools. However, do remember that many sporting agencies do check for ephedra and it is easily detectable in urine. So for those who take it, it must be understood that the alkaloid can be identified in the urine at least 7-10 days after the last dose.

Ephedra to boost exercise endurance

Do you think ephedra can help improve my exercise endurance?

To be honest, I am not sure. Ephedra is widely used by athletes. While there is no real proof that it does anything, athletes who take ephedra claim that it allows them to perform better and improves exercise endurance. For sporting activities which require sudden bursts of energy, there is evidence that ephedra can provide a boost. Weightlifters report that after taking ephedra, they are able to lift more weights. The other reason why ephedra is taken is because it is said to help one burn of body fat. 

Ephedra is a potent weight loss agent. When combined with caffeine and aspirin, it can cause weight loss of at least 2-3 pounds/month- all fat. Many studies have shown that in short term, this formulation is quite effective for weight loss. The only reason ephedra is not prescribed for weight loss is because of its adverse effects.

Is ephedra available?

Is ephedra is still available in North America?

Ephedra was once the most sold dietary supplement in North America. It was widely available and sold without a prescription. Over the years, it was observed by the FDA that the substance was associated with a fair number of complications including heart attacks and deaths. In 2004, FDA banned the sale of ephedra and ephedra containing products from most health food stores. Today, the sale of ephedra in the USA is illegal. Now that ephedra is gone, it has been replaced with bitter orange.

Diet for diabetes

Where can I get good advice about diet for my diabetes?

For those who can afford it, a consult with a decent nutritionist or a dietician may help. These professionals can help you with develop a well balanced diet and monitor your progress. However, there is a lot of free literature on how diabetics can manage their diet on cyberspace and there is absolutely no need to pay a dietician for some common sense advice.  The best website for good information on diabetes is the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes does not mean that one cannot enjoy food. In moderation, almost all types of food can be eaten by the diabetic.