Does soy sauce cause gout?
Does eating too much soy sauce cause gout or other diseases? If so, how much sauce is too much?
It would seem that consuming 'too much' soy sauce is not a cause of gout according to an article by the President and Fellows of Harvard College from Health & Wellness Resource Centre.
According to the article, gout is a disorder characterized by too much uric acid in the blood and tissues. In gout, crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints, where they cause a type of arthritis called gouty arthritis. They also can be deposited in the kidneys, where they can cause kidney stones.
There are three main causes of the high levels of uric acid that lead to gout:
Reason 1: A diet rich in chemicals called purines, because purines are broken down by the body into uric acid. Foods that contain purines include anchovies, nuts and organ foods such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads. Recent studies suggest that gout is more common among people who consume the most red meat, seafood, beer or liquor (though wine has little effect) and the intake of dairy products may be protective.
Reason 2:The kidneys do not excrete enough uric acid. This can be caused by kidney disease, starvation and alcohol use, especially binge drinking. This also can occur in people taking medications called thiazide diuretics, which are used to treat high blood pressure.
Reason 3: Obesity or sudden weight gain can cause high uric acid levels because the body's tissues break down more purines.
In some people, gout is caused by a combination of these factors. People with a family history of gout are more likely to develop the condition. For most people, however, diet plays a relatively small role in the risk of gout and levels of uric acid in the body. High production of uric acid by the body. This can happen for unknown reasons. It can occur in certain inherited genetic metabolic disorders, leukemia and during chemotherapy for cancer.
About 90% of patients with gout are men older than 40. Gout is quite rare in younger women and typically occurs in women many years after menopause.
According to the article, gout is a disorder characterized by too much uric acid in the blood and tissues. In gout, crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints, where they cause a type of arthritis called gouty arthritis. They also can be deposited in the kidneys, where they can cause kidney stones.
There are three main causes of the high levels of uric acid that lead to gout:
Reason 1: A diet rich in chemicals called purines, because purines are broken down by the body into uric acid. Foods that contain purines include anchovies, nuts and organ foods such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads. Recent studies suggest that gout is more common among people who consume the most red meat, seafood, beer or liquor (though wine has little effect) and the intake of dairy products may be protective.
Reason 2:The kidneys do not excrete enough uric acid. This can be caused by kidney disease, starvation and alcohol use, especially binge drinking. This also can occur in people taking medications called thiazide diuretics, which are used to treat high blood pressure.
Reason 3: Obesity or sudden weight gain can cause high uric acid levels because the body's tissues break down more purines.
In some people, gout is caused by a combination of these factors. People with a family history of gout are more likely to develop the condition. For most people, however, diet plays a relatively small role in the risk of gout and levels of uric acid in the body. High production of uric acid by the body. This can happen for unknown reasons. It can occur in certain inherited genetic metabolic disorders, leukemia and during chemotherapy for cancer.
About 90% of patients with gout are men older than 40. Gout is quite rare in younger women and typically occurs in women many years after menopause.
Ghostly sightings
How do ghosts really look like?
No one actually knows if ghosts really exist and how they really look like.
There may be photos and claims of sightings. However, the reports are not convincing enough. Hence, there is still no concrete evidence to say so.
Until there is some scientific evidence to prove that ghosts actually exist, it will remain a mystery.
There are people who go in search to investigate paranormal sightings, urban legends and myths; for instance, a team of Singapore Paranormal Investigators (www.spi.com.sg) research and explore projects that “include ghost hunting, UFO and mysteries investigation."
In a book entitled 'Ghosts and spirits' by Rebecca Stefoff, there are various descriptions of how ghosts look like.
Here are some excerpts: "A spooky, sheet-clad skeleton type of ghost resembles the risen dead, but ghosts are also described as balls of light, or vapors, or ordinary people. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, ghosts often appeared draped in their burial shrouds. During the nineteenth century, ghosts were usually said to be filmy and transparent."
Below are some related titles on ghosts for your reading interest:
- Ghosts: the unsolved mystery
By Lisa Wade McCormick.
-SPI files: unlock the truth behind the paranormal
By Kenny & Abductboy.
There may be photos and claims of sightings. However, the reports are not convincing enough. Hence, there is still no concrete evidence to say so.
Until there is some scientific evidence to prove that ghosts actually exist, it will remain a mystery.
There are people who go in search to investigate paranormal sightings, urban legends and myths; for instance, a team of Singapore Paranormal Investigators (www.spi.com.sg) research and explore projects that “include ghost hunting, UFO and mysteries investigation."
In a book entitled 'Ghosts and spirits' by Rebecca Stefoff, there are various descriptions of how ghosts look like.
Here are some excerpts: "A spooky, sheet-clad skeleton type of ghost resembles the risen dead, but ghosts are also described as balls of light, or vapors, or ordinary people. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, ghosts often appeared draped in their burial shrouds. During the nineteenth century, ghosts were usually said to be filmy and transparent."
Below are some related titles on ghosts for your reading interest:
- Ghosts: the unsolved mystery
By Lisa Wade McCormick.
-SPI files: unlock the truth behind the paranormal
By Kenny & Abductboy.
For straight and stylish hair
Where can I get hair straighteners?
Hair straightening irons are available for sale in local pharmacy outlets such as Watsons and Guardian.
You can also purchase them in electronic stores like Best Denki or Courts.
Alternatively, you may wish to use the directory search website Yellow Pages Singapore at www.yellowpages.com.sg and search under the category "Hair Care products &/or Services".
Two companies which told us they do sell hair straighteners when we called them are Tham Lai Wah Trading Co Pte. Ltd and Renew Hair Specialist.
You can also purchase them in electronic stores like Best Denki or Courts.
Alternatively, you may wish to use the directory search website Yellow Pages Singapore at www.yellowpages.com.sg and search under the category "Hair Care products &/or Services".
Two companies which told us they do sell hair straighteners when we called them are Tham Lai Wah Trading Co Pte. Ltd and Renew Hair Specialist.
The battle of the bulge
There are so many ways and means of getting rid of tummy fats (or beer belly) online that I'm so confused about who's right and who's wrong.
Frankly, I don't drink a lot, perhaps only less than 10 times per year. But I still have a bulging tummy. I'm really not sure why. I am a 34-year-old male, by the way.
My question is what is the most effective way of getting rid of tummy fats? What do I need to do other than to eat right?
Frankly, I don't drink a lot, perhaps only less than 10 times per year. But I still have a bulging tummy. I'm really not sure why. I am a 34-year-old male, by the way.
My question is what is the most effective way of getting rid of tummy fats? What do I need to do other than to eat right?
Based on the Exercise FAQs section at the Health Promotion Board website, regular exercise along with proper diet may help to achieve a leaner tummy.
"Sit-ups and crunches help to tone up the muscles at your abdomen. However, if you have a high body fat, this area will look flabby and not lean.
"This is due to the presence of excess fat underlying the skin that covers your abdominal muscles. To cut excess body fat, adopt a low fat diet (NOTE: Do not go on fast) and perform regular aerobic exercise.
"This allows you to lose weight healthily and increases your metabolism for long term weight loss maintenance.
"Aerobic exercise allows fat loss to occur around the whole body and is not area specific. Therefore, long term aerobic exercise is required before observable fat loss around the tummy. You also have to consider posture (a "hunched" posture can make the abdomen look "fat")."
A Straits Times article published in July this year quoted Dr Stanley Liew, an endocrinology specialist at Raffles Hospital:
"There are no specific diet plans or set of exercises that target belly fat but both nutrition and exercise are paramount in ensuring weight loss. Weight loss is important as 'belly fat is the first type of fat to be lost when you lose weight."
However, physiotherapists whom Mind Your Body spoke to cautioned the public not to be taken in by the popular myth of 'spot reduction'. 'To lose only belly fat is not possible; spot reduction is a myth as the body does not lose fat exclusively in one area,' said Ms Joan Liew, a fitness trainer at Fitness Factory.
A Health Reference Center article published in 2006 said that most experts state that exercise alone will not get rid of belly fat.
"It takes a combination of exercise and eating fewer calories, especially those from fat. Walking has been shown in tests to be especially helpful in losing belly fat, with some saying that the dangerous visceral fat may be the first to go with vigorous exercise like walking."
However, as your question concerns health matter, it is always best to consult a doctor or dietician for a specialised health assessment.
You can also check the online catalogue of the national libraries should you require further reading material on the subject matter.
"Sit-ups and crunches help to tone up the muscles at your abdomen. However, if you have a high body fat, this area will look flabby and not lean.
"This is due to the presence of excess fat underlying the skin that covers your abdominal muscles. To cut excess body fat, adopt a low fat diet (NOTE: Do not go on fast) and perform regular aerobic exercise.
"This allows you to lose weight healthily and increases your metabolism for long term weight loss maintenance.
"Aerobic exercise allows fat loss to occur around the whole body and is not area specific. Therefore, long term aerobic exercise is required before observable fat loss around the tummy. You also have to consider posture (a "hunched" posture can make the abdomen look "fat")."
A Straits Times article published in July this year quoted Dr Stanley Liew, an endocrinology specialist at Raffles Hospital:
"There are no specific diet plans or set of exercises that target belly fat but both nutrition and exercise are paramount in ensuring weight loss. Weight loss is important as 'belly fat is the first type of fat to be lost when you lose weight."
However, physiotherapists whom Mind Your Body spoke to cautioned the public not to be taken in by the popular myth of 'spot reduction'. 'To lose only belly fat is not possible; spot reduction is a myth as the body does not lose fat exclusively in one area,' said Ms Joan Liew, a fitness trainer at Fitness Factory.
A Health Reference Center article published in 2006 said that most experts state that exercise alone will not get rid of belly fat.
"It takes a combination of exercise and eating fewer calories, especially those from fat. Walking has been shown in tests to be especially helpful in losing belly fat, with some saying that the dangerous visceral fat may be the first to go with vigorous exercise like walking."
However, as your question concerns health matter, it is always best to consult a doctor or dietician for a specialised health assessment.
You can also check the online catalogue of the national libraries should you require further reading material on the subject matter.