Microwave Ovens & the Healthfulness of Microwaved FoodWritten by Debra Lynn Dadd
Microwave ovens do have benefits. They are certainly convenient. They are more energy-efficient than other cooking methods. But are they safe? And do they produce food that contributes to health of our bodies? While there is not enough evidence to require warning labels on microwave ovens, or to remove them from market, there is concern both about safety of our exposure to microwaves and healthfulness of microwaved food. THE DANGERS OF MICROWAVES Even microwave ovens that are functioning perfectly emit microwaves. Safety standards set by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allow microwave emissions of up to one milliwatt per square centimeter (1mW/cm2) when oven is purchased, and up to 5mW/cm2 after oven has been in use. Studies on industrial exposure recommend that daily exposure should not exceed one milliwatt for more than one minute. Average home use of microwave ovens far exceed this. Workers who are exposed to microwaves on job experience headaches, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances and other symptoms. HOW MICROWAVES AFFECT FOOD Advocates of microwaved food claim that it is healthier because it retains vitamins, but University of Minnesota disagrees: "Microwaves ... are not recommended for heating a baby's bottle...Heating bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in milk. In infant formulas, there may be a loss of some vitamins. In expressed breast milk, some protective properties may be destroyed.... Warming a bottle by holding it under tap water or by setting it in a bowl of warm water...is much safer". If heating formula in a microwave can cause it to lose vitamins and protective properties in breast milk to be destroyed, then it can do same to foods we eat. While effects may not be immediately observable, a regular diet of microwaved food may have long-term health consequences.
| | Diabetes--What You Need to Know About This Hidden DangerWritten by Larry Denton
Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to burn to create energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near stomach, produces a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes large amounts of sugar to build up in your blood. The actual cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity appear to play major roles. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. According to Center for Disease Control, diabetes is sixth leading cause of death in United States. As of 2002, 18.2 million people in U.S.--6.3 percent of population--had diabetes, with 1.3 million new cases being diagnosed each year. The National Institutes of Health also estimate that an additional 5.2 million people have diabetes without actually being aware of it. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for about 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which was called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, accounts for remaining 90%. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for both baby and mother. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies, but usually disappears when pregnancy is over. Diabetes is a serious disease and phrases such as "a touch of diabetes" or "your blood sugar is a little high" tend to dismiss fact that diabetes is a major killer of Americans. In addition to lives that are lost, diabetes has a tremendous economic impact in United States. The National Diabetes Education Program estimates cost of diabetes in 2002 was $132 billion. Of this amount, $92 billion was due to direct medical costs and $40 billion due to indirect costs such as lost workdays, restricted activity, and disability due to diabetes. The average medical expenditure for a person with diabetes was $13,243, or 5.2 times greater than cost for a person without diabetes. In addition, 11 percent of national health care expenditures went to diabetes care.
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