There is a way to predict the future of a relationship. There are many reliable indicators associated with spousal abuse and murder. If a situation has several of these signals, there is reason for concern. These MUST be taken and considered in context, because many people will have a few of these traits. Focus on the big picture.

Stalking behavior is often associated with the personality described above.

• Stalking is widespread, with nearly 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men are stalked at least once in their lifetime.

• Most victims know their stalkers, and most stalkers (87%) are male.

• Almost 60% of female victims and 30% of male victims are stalked by current or former intimate partners, with most of these cases occurring during the relationship.

• According to the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Stalking Resource Center, the average duration of stalking is 1.8 years.

• If stalking involves an intimate partner, the average duration increases to 2.2 years.

• 28% of female victims and 10% of male victims obtained a protective order; 69% of female victims and 81% of male victims had the order violated.

• 26% of stalking victims lost time from work, and 7% never returned to work.

• The prevalence of insomnia, social dysfunction, anxiety, and severe depression is much higher in stalking victims than in the general population, especially if the stalking involved being followed or property destruction.

• 76% of femicide (the act of killing a woman) victims had been stalked by the individual who killed them.

There are 5 Stalker Typologies

1. Rejected stalkers are motivated by a desire for reconciliation and/or revenge. Their stalking becomes a substitute for the lost relationship. Some derive satisfaction from inflicting pain. They often have personality disorders and are among the most persistent and intrusive stalkers.

2. Intimacy seekers identify the object of their affection as their true love. Some imagine that the person they are stalking reciprocates such feelings. Many “star-stalkers” fall into this category. Their sought-after partner’s indifference may enrage them. Many intimacy seekers have serious mental illnesses such as delusional disorders and need psychiatric intervention.

3. Incompetent suitors are those whose stalking is sustained by hopefulness. Their stalking of a particular person usually lasts only a short time, but these individuals, who often are intellectually limited and socially impaired, are unable or unwilling to appreciate the negative responses to their approaches, so they then may pursue others.

4. Resentful stalkers often are aggrieved workers who feel humiliated or treated unfairly. They may carry out a vendetta against a specific person or choose someone at random as representative of those they believe harmed them.

5. Predatory stalkers stalk someone as preparation for a physical or sexual assault and take pleasure in causing sadistic pain. Many have paraphilias (impulse control disorders that are characterized by recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors) and prior convictions for sexual offenses.

Stalking Behaviors

The creativity revealed by stalkers in their campaigns of intimidation and intrusion is remarkable. Stalking behaviors can take any of the following forms:

• Hyper-intimacy: the difference between an occasional phone call and dozens per day.

• Surveillance and pursuit: driving by the victim’s residence, checking up on the victim’s whereabouts, waiting at places the victim frequents

• Invasion: violating victim’s privacy

• Intimidation and harassment: attempts to harangue

• Proxy pursuit: gaining the willing or unwitting assistance of others in the stalking process

• Coercion: threats

• Violence

Stalking is not a one-time event but a pattern of conduct that may involve criminal activities and/or seemingly non-threatening acts. Stalking often includes:

• Assaulting the victim

• Violating protective orders

• Sexually assaulting the victim

• Vandalizing the victim’s property

• Burglarizing the victim’s home or otherwise stealing from the victim

• Threatening the victim

• Killing the victim’s pet

• Sending cards or gifts

• Leaving phone and/or email messages

• Disclosing to the victim personal information the offender has uncovered about said victim

• Disseminating personal information about the victim

• Following the victim

• Visiting the victim at the victim’s workplace

• Waiting outside the victim’s home

• Sending the victim photographs taken of the victim without consent

• Monitoring the victim’s computer usage

• Using technology to gather images of or information about the victim

The core strategy with every stalking case is persistence. Persistence proves only persistence; it does not prove love.

Stalking is a crime of power, control, manipulation and intimidation. It is similar to an extended date rape in that it takes away freedom, honors the wishes of the man and disregards the wishes of the woman.

If you are the victim of an unwanted pursuit: do not negotiate. Once a woman has made the decision she does not want a relationship with a man, it needs to be said one time; explicitly. Almost any contact after that will be seen as negotiation. If a woman tells a man over and over she does not want to talk to him; that IS talking to him, and every time she does it, she betrays her resolve in the matter.

The more contact created between the two parties, even negative contact – police intervention, restraining order, visit to offender by friends or private investigator – the more the behavior will escalate; it creates more attachment.

The preferred approach is no contact at all. This forces the subject to find other solutions to his problem. With each contact, you buy another six weeks. As long as people try to change the subject or satisfy the subject, it just goes on. Put strategies in place that decreases the likelihood of unwanted encounters.

Most people who refuse to let go are highly predictable. Do not assume the subject will react like most people would. Violence requires interaction. If one party is not participating, it cannot happen.

Strategies

Change your phone number, or better yet, add another line. Let the old number continue to collect the messages for a record on voice mail or an answering machine. Have another woman leave the greeting on the voice mail or machine (in case he is calling just to hear your voice). A male voice will often just cause the pursuer to investigate further. Give out the new number to those who need it and you want to have. Eventually, the pursuer will be the only one leaving messages on the old number. The real message the pursuer receives is that the woman avoids temptation to respond to his manipulations.

NO CONTACT is necessary because of the stalking dynamic axiom: men who cannot let go choose women who cannot say no. The pursuer may be so desperate for some type of contact that if he cannot be the boyfriend, he will settle for being a friend. If he cannot be a friend he will settle for being an enemy if that is the only position available. The way to stop contact is to stop contact.

Do not send the police or a private investigator to the pursuer, unless they are able to completely overwhelm him, i.e.; arrest with likely charge and long incarceration.

A very violent signal might be effective. This is not recommended but none the less successful. If the stakes are high enough, most pursuers will modify their behavior. Most people do not enjoy extreme physical pain. I have plenty of anecdotal evidence of this strategy being effective, although it is NOT legal……it is Assault.

Restraining orders work primarily with the naive pursuer who does not realize the inappropriateness of his behavior.

Read your state statutes for clarification as to how stalking is defined.

Note: if you suspect you are being stalked or harassed, speak with law enforcement officials, your county attorney or Assault Prevention Staff.

© 2009 Terry Hipp

Source by Terry Hipp

WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise. Hunting here can provide the full scope of experiences- from caribou to deer and moose, from grizzly and brown bears to wolves, from Dall sheep and mountain goats to muskox, from waterfowl to ptarmigan and several grouse species. Diverse Alaska geographic areas offer adventure for everyone, give us various choices:

Interior Alaska. From mountains and rolling hills, river valleys covered with forests to the vast spaces of treeless tundra at higher altitudes and in the far north. Temperaure varies very throughout the year, from -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) in the winter months to +30 Celsius (+86 Fahrenheit) during summers. There are just a few highways in the interior part of Alaska. Most of the area can only be reached by plane, boat or by foot. Summer is warm but short. Climate and landscape conditions provide variety of big game: moose and cariboo, Dall sheep in the mountains, some wild bison, muskox in the arctic Alaska, wolves, black and grizzly bears, waterfowl, some grouse and ptarmigan.

Southeast (the narrow and long part between the Pacific ocean and Canada). Consists of mainland and many treed mountainous islands along the coast. The main hunting trophies here are brown and black bears, moose and mountain goats, black-tailed deer and wolves. Guided hunting is done mostly by boat, the most popular hunting spots are on the islands in the central part of the area.

South and Southwest (to the south and west of the Yukon river). Mountainous inland with many rivers and lakes, ragged coastal line dotted with numerous islands. The region offers a wide variety of game: deer, Dall sheep, caribou, moose, wolves, wolverine, brown and black bear, waterfowl, grouse species.

ALASKA GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS:

If you hunt in a general season, which is open to an unlimited number of hunters, you will need a harvest ticket. Harvest tickets are available at no cost where hunting licenses are sold. Non-residents are required to have a big game tag for the species they are hunting. Some remote rural areas may not have licenses available or the vendor may run out of harvest tickets. Be sure to purchase your license, game tags, and pick up harvest tickets before you leave home or a population center. When a population of animals is too small and / or the potential number of hunters too large to allow a general season or a registration hunt, the Department may offer drawing permits. A Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement is published every May. The drawing for permit hunts is held in early summer, and everyone who applies will be informed of the results by mail or can locate the results on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's website. The Supplement contains all of the drawing hunts by number for all big game species. Most of the drawing permit hunts are open to both resident and nonresident hunters. A hunter may apply for three drawing permit hunts for each species. A fee is charged for each separate hunt. You can pick up a Supplement at any Fish and Game office, on the website, or at license vendors.

Hunting permission applications and forms can be downloaded off the Internet and printed out. You can also purchase hunting licenses, duck stamps, big game tags online, print them at home and you may go hunting or trapping right away. Complete Alaska Hunting Regulations Guide can be found here. The basic non-resident hunting license costs $ 85 plus some extra fees for big game tags.

HUNTING GUIDES: Nonresidents may hunt moose, caribou, deer, and black bear without a guide. Hunters who are not Alaska residents must be accompanied by a registered Alaskan guide or they must hunt with close relatives within the second-degree of kindred who are Alaska residents when hunting brown or grizzly bears, Dall sheep or mountain goats. You can search online for licensed big game guides in your area. The best guides deliver 80-100 percent for most big game species. In addition, guides are familiar with their areas and possess equipment that the average hunter might not care to purchase for one time use. However, a guide's knowledge, experience and equipment do not come cheaply. Although figures vary from guide to guide, expect to spend $ 8,000- $ 12,000 for a brown / grizzly bear hunt, $ 4,000- $ 6,000 for a sheep hunt and $ 1,500- $ 3,000 for a goat hunt. Moose and caribou are often part of a mixed-bag hunt and prices vary considerably. The best way to find a reliable guide is by references.

AIRCRAFT CHARTERS: Many hunters choose an air charter service to fly in to prime hunting areas to hunt these species. The air charter operator is licensed by the state to charge for flying hunters and their game meat. The drop-off hunt is less expensive than a guided or outfitted hunt because the air charter takes care of transportation and may throw in some planning tips. The hunter provides all of the camp gear and performances all other functions on his own. Before you contract with an air charter operator, you should have a clear understanding of the costs of services and know exactly which services to expect. Prices and services vary considerably. Air charter operators may charge a flat rate or by the hour for flight time. When calculating costs on an hourly rate, you have to take into account "dead-head" time, the time a pilot spends flying back to base after dropping you off and the time spent flying out to pick you up. Again, be sure to ask wherever the package includes flying out the meat and antlers. Some package deals also include being checked at at least once during the hunt to bring out game or move you if you have not been successful. The cost of air charters also depends on the size of the plane and the number of hunters sharing the cost. Make sure you explain the number of hunters in your group and the amount of gear you will have. You can search online for licensed transports in your area. Check also this extensive list of Alaska Aircraft Charters, Bush Pilots, Air Taxis.

WEATHER: Alaskan summers are cool, the average temperature is +14 deg.C (58 F) in summer and -12 deg.C (11 F) in winter but it can vary greatly between different regions of the state. Winters are cold and dark. Early spring can be cold, but often days warm to above freezing with a lot of sunshine. It receives midnight sunshine during the part of summer and goes into 24-hour darkness during the part of winter. Summers are the wettest time of the year, south regions are well known for their dampness. You can check next week weather forecast for Anchorage here.

GETTING THERE: You can fly to Anchorage direct or one-stop from most major US cities. From there Alaska Aircraft Charters, Bush Pilots, Air Taxis will help you to explore America's greatest playground. Many small villages and towns have all weather airports and served daily by small air carriers.
LODGING: Depending on your preferences it can be a small camping tent or a luxurious hunting lodge with all modern amenities and comfort. There are also some primitive cabins for private use maintained by government. These can accommodate 4 to 8 people, cost from $ 20 to $ 50 (USD) per night and have to be reserved in advance, usually- a month. You need to contact the proper agency directly to book a cabin.

TRAVEL TIPS: Northern weather can be unpredictable. Consider taking with you and wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. Obtain detailed maps of the area beforehand. Do not forget to pack first-aid and survival kits as well as bear repellents. Be sure you check available information, understand all the guidelines for hunting in Alaska before you leave home.

We wish you a successful and safe trip!

Source by Stan Trof

Rape is a social evil that has reached explosive proportions. It has ruined many lives and continues to do so at a frenetic pace. No one is immune, and age is no bar. From infants to senior citizens to corpses, rape has become a diabolic symbol of power in an iniquitous world. In USA, a rape occurs every two minutes; In India, every 54 minutes, and in Pakistan, every three hours. The tragedy is that 80% are perpetrated by fathers, brothers, relatives or friends. Six out of ten occur in the home or in the home of a relative or friend. The story of an Austrian father, who raped his daughter for 24 years, and sired seven children through her, is still fresh in our minds.

Though rape occurs in all social groups, it is more frequent among minority groups with low social status. A molester need not necessarily be a sleazy character. He may be well educated, well groomed and have a high standing in society such as a judge, government official, policeman or priest. Even doctors have been known to rape patients in their clinics. The rapist may be of any age from an old man to a young teenager. The increasing trend of raping minors by force or through allurements is frightening. Children of 14 years or lower, have been known to rape their classmates, and kill them out of fear of being caught.

Reasons for under reporting:

A habitual rapist may molest about 8-10 women before being caught. As conviction rates are only about 2%, many cases go unreported.

o Most women fear the stigma attached to rape, especially when the Law does not convict the rapist. They become secretive and even believe that they are in some way guilty.

o Lack of faith in the judicial system: Many times the court puts the victim on trial, questioning her about her morality, and probing into her sexual history. When a constable in Mumbai raped a 15 year old rag picker the judge proclaimed, “She is a rag picker and of no consequence.”

Because of such perverse reasoning and warped sense of justice, many judges pass it off as an ‘act of passion’ and award minimum sentence.

Also, legal battles are long and tiresome. The onus of proving rape falls on the victim.

o Fear of retaliation by the rapist or his goons.

o Fear of adverse reaction from society, parents, husbands, employers or peers.

o Fear of tarnishing the family image, especially when there are unwed female siblings.

One study showed that 43% of women are ignorant of the law; 23% are too shy to come forward; 12% are afraid of the police; 12% think complaining will not make a difference.

One young girl said, “I blame society for giving men the right to rape and regarding women’s suffering as unimportant. A rapist may get off with a light sentence, but the victim’s sentence is for life.”

What is rape?

It is a form of sexual sadism involving unlawful sexual penetration either by coercion, force, blackmail or under false promises. “I believe that whatever violates the integrity of a woman’s body should be considered rape,” says Brinda Karat, a women’s activist. “Sexual violence apart from being dehumanizing, is an unlawful intrusion of the right to privacy and sanctity of the female,” says Justice A. S. Anand.

Situations under which rape occurs:

– Custodial rape when a woman is in custody for some small offence.

– Child rape is the pastime of paedophiles. 1 in 5 children raped are below 15 years of age. Some don’t even spare infants in cradles.

– Casting couches are routine in the film or modeling industry. When a person is desperate for a job she becomes vulnerable.

– Date rape has been escalating. The assailant is usually known to the victim, and drugs the victim with GHB, Rophynol, Ketamine or some such drug. These drugs are in powder form or liquid and dissolve in any drink. These drugs make the victim physically helpless and incapable of resisting sex, also incapable of recalling the incident. Alcohol enhances the action of the drugs. No trace is found in the blood stream after 72 hours

– Aggravated rape is when a rapist introduces an instrument or foreign body into the victim, to build up his own orgasm.

– Marital rape which may not be recognized by the law.

“In marriage, the weakest, stupidest, insignificant men of the world receive licence to rape or beat their wives,” says Virginia Woolfe

– Necrophilia: The raping of corpses is common in certain tribes. Sometimes sexual perverts can also indulge in such activity.

Reasons why men rape?

– It gives men a sense of power, and is linked to their identity. Forcing a woman into sexual subjugation validates their manhood. They enjoy it.

– Lust in men who have not disciplined their impulses. Testosterone makes male libido flare out of control.

– Economic causes: In some communities the bride price may be too high. Poverty, low socioeconomic status, unemployment, lack of skills, make men vent their frustration through rape. The victim and rapist may live in the same area. Girls in inner cities have 1 in 70 chances of being raped, whereas in rich areas it may be 1 in 2000.

– In communities with strict codes of behaviour, where no mingling of sexes is allowed, repressed males give expression to their masculinity through rape.

– Antisocial and borderline personalities behave irresponsibly. This is enhanced by drugs and alcohol.

– Misogyny: Men who hate women commit violent crimes against them. Many have aggressive mothers and timid fathers. A mother’s verbal abuse may have given the man a poor self image. As an expression of anger against mother or sisters, he finds a victim who cannot defend herself or is mentally retarded, and rapes her.

– Men with poor self worth are convinced that no woman would voluntarily sleep with them. They are aroused by sexual fantasies and express themselves through rape.

– Revenge: When men are rejected or ignored, they feel insulted enough to use rape as a form of revenge.

– Growing Feminism: Women are breaking down every male bastion. They are becoming economically independent and upwardly mobile. Male bashing is occurring like never before. Assisted reproductive technology and genetic engineering make some men feel purposeless and disempowered. As a result they resort to rape.

– Sex Industry and Pornography incites men to treat women as commodities and humiliate them for their pleasure.

“Rape is nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear,” says Susan Brown Miller.

– Men have blamed women for flaunting their female attributes through indecent exposure, skimpy costumes and suggestive behaviour. This they say precipitates lust in men. Women refute this because rape occurs in small towns or villages where women dress modestly.

– Rape in war is sanctioned by the highest authorities as a means of demoralizing the social fabric of a nation, by impregnating their women. It is also supposed to relieve aggression and promote bonding among soldiers.

Effects of rape on the victim:

The Rape-Trauma syndrome is akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It has two stages. The first is Disorganization due to the shock of rape. Fright, anger, guilt, and shame may follow. Reorganization is the second stage which gradually takes place over a period of 3-4 months. Sometimes it may take much longer. The victim feels vulnerable, timid, and not fully in control of her life. Residual Damage is what rape leaves in its wake. Depression, sexual dysfunction, vaginismus, fear of sexual interaction and inability to adjust socially are common. The person may take to alcohol or drugs to fight off fear and depression. A survivor of rape is nine times more likely to commit suicide. But if the victim gets immediate support and is able to ventilate her grief, fear or rage, the chances of recovery are greater.

Solutions to minimize rape in society:

o Education of the public by raising rape consciousness in society through education and awareness programmes. Men, politicians, police, judiciary and the general public should be sensitized about violence against women. New insights into sex roles are needed. Stereotype gender roles only make men more aggressive and women more vulnerable.

o Education of girls: Strong parental support will give girls a sense of security and belonging. They will have confidence to express their fears and anxieties. Parents should encourage their children to report to them incidents like physical proximity, inappropriate touching even if it is father, brother or relatives. Girls should be made aware of dangers lurking in society. 60% of teenagers have a tendency to act boldly and impulsively.

Women should also be made aware of the laws against rape and molestation. Male judges are too easy on rapists and too hard on victims. Because of such injustice, the law has been brought into disrepute. Trials must be time bound and punishment swift. Rape Crisis Centres should provide counseling and support to rape victims.

o Education of girl children should include specific “do’s” and “don’ts.” They should be told never to let a stranger within arm’s length, and never to accept sweets or toys from strangers; never to lead a stranger to some isolated place he wants to visit; to beware of over-friendliness. Children from unhappy homes are easy targets as they are starved for affection. Even van drivers who ferry children between school and home may take advantage of a friendly child. Teenagers may be lured by people who promise roles in films or in modeling. If attacked, the child should be told to drop on the ground and scream for help.

o Education of parents: The lines of communication between them and their children should always be tension-free. Many parents think that children are too young to be told about rape as it will frighten them unduly. Children must be made aware that there is a small number of wicked people in society.

Parents should also be alerted by sudden withdrawal, loss of appetite, nightmares or refusal to go to school, and investigate into the matter.

Parents should check the sites children visit on the Net and the type of books they read.

A child who is aware of dangers will be more likely to ward off a rapist. Vigilance is the solution.

Source by Eva Bell

When you buy an herbal menopause remedy, make sure that they contain herbs with phytoestrogen properties. Otherwise, your remedy won’t do much to relieve your hot flashes! Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances in plants that can influence the function of estrogen in the body. Although they can alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause by affecting estrogen activity, phytoestrogens are not “real” estrogens in the sense that they are the same estrogens produced by our bodies. Phytogestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the same way actual estrogens do, and can either have pro-estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects – depending on how saturated the receptors are. In bodies with low estrogen, as in menopause, empty estrogen receptors can accept phytoestrogens, which have a weak pro-estrogen effect and relieve menopause symptoms.

Unlike synthetic estrogens, which get stored in fat and stay in our bodies for a long time, phytoestrogens only work on the precursors to estrogen. That way, you can enjoy the relief of an estrogen boost without worrying about the serious health impacts of estrogen dominance that can be caused by hormone replacement therapy. Below are the five most effective phytoestrogens for menopause relief.

Black Cohosh – A very effective menopause herbal treatment

Black cohosh is from a tall flowering tree that grows in North America. It is known to contain a non-steroidal phytoestrogen called isoflavones, which can regulate temperature, strengthen bones, and provide vaginal lubrication. These effects are observed when black cohosh reaches the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates hormone production and body temperature. Many women swear by black cohosh’s ability to relieve the discomfort caused by hot flashes and night sweats. Black cohosh can be taken daily for up to six months, but should not be used as a long-term remedy. Since the herb is known to increase the number of liver enzymes, black cohosh should not be taken by those with liver disorders.

Ashwagandha – A treatment to correct the vata

According to India’s ancient healing tradition Ayurveda, hot flashes, anxiety, and insomnia due to menopause are caused by an excess in vata energy. Vata is the air and space energy that regulates motion, breathing, blood circulation, and heartbeat. A balance in vata is characterized by vitality and creativity. An imbalance causes anxiety, fear, and other physical symptoms. The Ayurvedic approach to treating menopause involves correcting the vata imbalance with herbs like ashwagandha. The ashwagandha plant is an important herb for Ayurvedic medicine because of its beneficial properties, including flavonoids and phytoestrogens that can reduce inflammation, decrease stress, invigorate the body, and serve as an antioxidant.

Ginseng – A trusted menopausal herb

The perennial plant ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopause, particularly for hot flashes and palpitations. Although there have been few human studies on ginseng’s impact on menopause symptoms, animal investigations show that ginseng lowers body temperature by releasing the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is responsible for triggering the utilization of glucose and fatty acids, which are important substances that help the body cope with stressors. Increased levels of ACTH were also found to counteract the skin temperature rise that results from hot flashes. Although ginseng is primarily a stimulant, it was also found to be helpful in dealing with menopause-induced insomnia.

Dong Quai – Another menopause natural medicine for hot flashes

Often called the “female ginseng” for its benefits to female reproductive health, dong quai is another important herbal remedy for menopause symptoms. Aside from containing a high concentration of phytoestrogens, dong quai also contains vitamins A, E, and B12. The herb also relieves hot flashes by dilating the blood vessels and increasing the blood flow. Clinical studies on dong quai show that menopausal women who take daily 400mg doses of the herb experienced a 25% decrease in hot flashes. Dong quai is especially potent when used with black cohosh.

Red Clover – For all around menopause symptom relief

Last but certainly not the least is red clover, a plant primarily grown for grazing purposes. Today, however, red clover is an important cure-all for uncomfortable menopause symptoms. Clinical trials on red clover supplementation show that it can reduce the frequency of hot flashes and the intensity of mood swings. Aside from alleviating the discomfort in menopause, red clover can preserve the state of your health. Its high calcium and magnesium content makes the herb a great protector against osteoporosis and bone density loss. Red clover is also thought to increase the amount of good cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Remember, herbal remedies can interact with prescription medication you might be taking now. Consult your doctor or a licensed herbalist before taking any supplements.

Source by Karen A. Hamilton

In food processing, harvested crops or butchered animals are used as the raw ingredients for making and packaging food products that are attractive, marketable and have long-shelf lives.

Attractive means that the product both tastes and looks good. To be marketable, it must match the kinds of food being demanded by consumers. Food products that have a long-shelf life reduce the costs of wastage for producers, distributors and retailers.

Development of food processing

Food processing dates back to our prehistory — when fire was discovered and cooking invented. The various ways in which food can be cooked are all forms of food processing.

Food preservation also began in prehistory, and the first ‘long shelf-life’ foods were produced by drying food in the sun and by preserving food with salt. Preservation with salt was common with soldiers, sailors and other travelers until canning was invented in the early 19th century.

The ancient Bulgarians invented the first instant food (bulgur) nearly 8.000 years ago, when found a way to parboil and dry whole wheat so that the grain only has to be reheated before it can be eaten.

One of the first ready-to-eat meals was devised by the ancient Celts when they invented the haggis and what is now known as the Cornish pasty.

Another processed food, cheese, was invented by the nomads of Arabia when they noticed how milk curdled as they jogged along all day on their camels and ponies.

The prehistoric methods of cooking and preserving food remained largely unchanged until the industrial revolution.

The development of modern food processing technology began in the early 19th century in response to the needs of the military. In 1809 a vacuum bottling technique was invented so Napoleon could feed his troops. Canning was invented in 1810 and, after the makers of the cans stopped using lead (which is highly poisonous) for the inner lining of the tins, canned goods became common throughout the world. Pasteurisation, discovered in 1862, advanced the micro-biological safety of milk and similar products significantly.

Cooling decreases the reproductive rate of bacteria and thus the rate at which food spoils. Cooling as a storage technique has been in use for hundreds of years. Ice-houses, packed with fresh snow during the winter, were used to preserve food by chilling from the mid-18th century onwards and worked fairly well most of the year round in northern climates.

Commercial refrigeration, using toxic refrigerants which made the technology unsafe in the home, was in use for almost four decades before the first domestic refrigerators were introduced in 1915.

Fridges in the home gained wide acceptance in the 1930s when non-toxic and non-flammable refrigerants such as Freon were invented.

The expansion of the food processing industry in the second half of the 20th century was due to three needs:(a) food to feed the troops efficiently during World War II, (b) food that could be consumed under conditions of zero gravity during forays into outer space, and (c) the pursuit of the convenience demanded by the busy consumer society.

To respond to these needs food scientists invented freeze-drying, spray-drying, and juice concentrates among a host of other processing technologies. They also introduced artificial sweeteners, colouring agents and chemical preservatives. In the closing years of the last century they came up with dried instant soups, reconstituted juices and fruits, and the ‘self-cooking’ meals (MREs) so beloved of military brass but not the grunts.

The ‘pursuit of convenience’ has lead to the expansion of frozen foods from simple bags of frozen peas to juice concentrates and complex TV dinners. Those who process food now use the perceived value of time as the foundation of their market appeal.

Benefits of processed foods

Initially, processed foods helped to alleviate food shortages and improve overall nutrition by making new foods available globally. Modern food processing delivers many additional benefits:

• De-activating the pathogenic micro-organisms found in fresh vegetables and raw meats (such as salmonella), reduces food-borne diseases and makes food safer.
• Because processed foods are less susceptible to spoilage than fresh foods, modern processing, storage and transportation can deliver a wide variety of food from around the world, giving us choices in our supermarkets that would have been unimaginable to our ancestors.
• Processing can often improve the taste of food, though it can also have the opposite effect.
• The nutritional value of food can be increased by the addition of extra nutrients and vitamins during processing.
• The nutritional value can also be made more consistent and reliable.
• Modern processing technologies can also improve the quality of life for people who have allergies by removing the proteins that cause allergic reactions.
• The mass production of food means that processed foods are much cheaper to produce than the cost of making meals from raw ingredients at home.

Processed foods are also extremely convenient. Households are freed from the time-consuming tasks of preparing and cooking foods that are in their natural state… the food processing industry makes everything from peeled potatoes ready for boiling to prepared-meals that just have to be heated in a micro-wave oven for a few minutes.

Hazards

Processed foods are undoubtedly a great boon. But all is not sweetness and light.

Generally speaking, fresh unprocessed food will contain a higher proportion of naturally occurring fibre, vitamins and minerals than the same food after processing by the food industry. Vitamin C, for example, is destroyed by heat and so fresh fruit will contain more vitamin C than canned fruit.

Indeed, nutrients are often deliberately removed from food during processing in order to improve taste, appearance or shelf-life. Examples include bread, pasta and ready-made meals.

The result is empty calories. Processed foods have a higher ratio of calories to other essential nutrients than fresh, unprocessed foods. They are often energy-dense while being nutritionally poor.

Processing can introduce hazards that are not found in unprocessed foods, due to additives, preservatives, chemically-hardened vegetable oils or trans-fats, and excessive sugar and salt. Indeed, the additives in processed foods… flavourings, sweeteners, stabilisers, texture-enhancing agents and preservatives among other… may have little or no nutritive value, or may actually be unhealthy.

Preservatives used to extend shelf-life, such as nitrites or sulphites, may lead to ill-health. In fact, the addition of many chemicals for flavouring and preservation has been shown to cause human and animal cells to grow rapidly, without dying off, thus increasing the risk of a variety of cancers.

Cheap ingredients that mimic the properties of natural ingredients, such as trans-fats made by chemically-hardening vegetable oils that take the place of more-expensive natural saturated fats or cold-pressed oils, have been shown to cause severe health problems in numerous studies. But they are still widely used because of their low-cost and consumer ignorance.

Sugars, fats and salts are usually added to processed foods to improve flavour and as preservatives. As diabetics, we are all well aware of the effects of excessive sugar, fat and on our already damaged systems. Eating large amounts of processed food means consuming too much sugars, fats and salts, which, even if you a in full health, can lead to a variety of problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, stomach cancer, obesity, and of course diabetes.

Another problem with processed foods is that, where low-quality ingredients are used, this can be disguised during manufacturing.

In the processing industry, a food product will go through several intermediate steps in independent factories before it is finalised in the factory that finishes it.

This is similar to the use of sub-contractors in car manufacturing, where many independent factories products parts, such as electrical systems, bumpers, and other sub-systems, in accordance with the final manufacturer’s specifications. These parts are then sold to the car plant where the car is finally assembled from the bought-in parts.

Because the ingredients in processed foods are often made in large quantities during the early stages of the manufacturing process, any hygiene problems in the facilities that produce a basic ingredient that is used widely by other factories in the later stages of production can have serious effects on the quality and safety of many final food products.

Despite the hazards, everyone eats processed foods almost exclusively nowadays. As a result, people eat more quickly and no longer seem aware of the way food is grown and how it is a gift of nature.

It seems to me, also, that food has become more of a necessary interruption in our busy lives and less of a social occasion to be enjoyed.

Eating processed foods

You can’t get away from eating some processed foods… the convenience is irresistible.

When you eat processed foods you reduce the likelihood of being poisoned or picking up a food-borne disease. The nutritional value of what you eat may be more consistent and you will probably be ingesting more nutrients and vitamins than you would get by eating only unprocessed food.

On the other hand, by eating processed foods you are exposing yourself to a potential loss of heat-sensitive vitamins and nutrients that are removed to improve shelf-life, taste and appearance. You are also exposing yourself to the potential adverse effects on your health of various additives and preservatives, some of which can be very serious indeed.

The calorie-dense nature of processed foods, due to the large quantities of sugars and fats they contain, makes them extremely problematic for diabetics and those with high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

The only solution is to choose the processed foods you buy with extreme care — by reading the labels on the packaging — and to focus your diet on fresh or frozen produce as much as possible.

Source by Paul D Kennedy

This horse racing system simply works by placing the same stakes ( i.e. £10 on each selection ) but it also has some rules, which are pretty straight forward to understand.

The amount of selections you bet on this horse racing system is determined by the odds of the favorite, I have placed a table of odds below for you to show how many selections can be bet upon.

All odds below are in decimals and are the odds of the Favourite in any given race.

Odds of Favourite In decimals Bet On First

Between 3.00 & 4.00 2 Horses

Between 4.00 & 5.00 3 Horses

Between 5.00 & 6.00 4 Horses

Between 6.00 & 7.00 5 Horses

Between 7.00 & 8.00 6 Horses

Let’s just imagine that the first race you wanted to have a bet in is the 2.10 @ Ascot. Simply navigate to that particular race at your chosen, betting exchange, bookmaker website or go down to your local bookies and take a look at the odds/prices that you are being offered.

Now for this horse racing system to work, let’s say for arguments sake that the favourite was being offered @ 5.3. Take a look at the above table and look for 5.3, there you will see that you are allowed to bet on the first 4 horses in the betting market i.e. 1st Favourite, 2nd favourite, 3rd favourite and 4th favourite, making a little more sense now??

The same goes for any price that the favourite has within the odds displayed in the table above.

This horse racing system, called “Level Stake” betting, has been around for “Donkey’s” years but not too many people actually do it, simply because the majority of punters are looking for a BIG win with every bet they place and to be honest they lose almost ALL the time.

Selections process for this horse racing system is very easy to do: if in your chosen race the favorite has odds of 3 at Betfair then you are allowed to place your stakes on the favorite and the second favorite in the betting.

If in this horse racing system you placed say £10 on each one, your total outgoings are £20. If the favorite were to win you would receive back £20 in winnings and your £10 stake money as well, so a total of £30.

If the second favorite were to win at odds of 5, then you would receive back £40 plus your £10 stake money back for a total of £50 return.

If you were to select a big race where the favorite was priced up at 7 on Betfair then you are allowed to place your stakes on the first 6 in the betting.

It is a very simple horse racing system, but highly effective and if done properly can make a very nice second income.

I have personally had winning bets of up to 25/1 although these are very few and far between it’s very nice when it happens.

Level Stakes betting can be used with nearly all races, with just a few exceptions which are listed below.

1. Do not bet in “Maiden” races. I find these to be very unpredictable and results can vary.

2. NEVER bet in handicap races with over 16 runners, again very unpredictable and there are always much better races to bet in.

3. Never bet in “Apprentice” races, although there are some pretty good apprentice jockeys around you WANT a pro jockey that knows exactly what it takes to win a race.

Another variation of the above horse racing system is to MISS OUT the favourite and use the second favourite as your stating point. This enables you to add more selections and get bigger priced winners.

If you copy how I make my selections below then you will be quids in week after week.

If you decide to place your level stake bets with the favourite included, then this horse racing system is straight forward enough as ANY race that meets the above criteria is fair game but if you wanted to narrow your search down and just find between 2 & 4 races per day to play in, then just copy the following to achieve a VERY high strike rate.

You will need any “run of the mill” newspaper ( I prefer “The Sun” ) that has racing pages in its sporting section.

Plus you will need to register yourself at the http://www.racingpost.co.uk website if you haven’t done already then go do it now, it doesn’t cost anything.

On racing day, to apply this horse racing system simply log onto the racing post website and go through ALL of that days racing, you must mark off ( in your newspaper ) the selection that the racing post gives as its most likely winner.

When you have done that you then look at what your newspaper’s two tipsters go for in that particular race. If ALL 3 ( 2 X newspaper tipsters plus racing post) select the same horse then that COULD be a definite bet. Then simply do this with the newspaper for ALL the races of the day. Don’t be put off at all, it takes about 10 minutes to do, not a lot of time for a horse racing system that could change your financial future.

Once you have done that you need to go to Betfair and simply check the odds for the horse that ALL 3 tipsters have given. If the odds are acceptable with the odds in the table then you have a definite bet and you stake on however many horses that the odds in the grid tell you to.

The other variation of this horse racing system is where you miss out the favourite all together and the selection process for this is much simple and quicker.

Simply miss out all the “Danger” races as described on the previous page then try to find races that have between 12 & 16 runners, especially handicap races because in handicap races horses are allotted different weights to carry, which in effect gives ALL horses the same chance of winning.

Then all you need to do for this horse racing system to work is to get the odds for the SECOND favourite and place your stake money down on as many selections as the table allows you to.

Now you know how easy it is to make your selections, you will now need to know how to make best use of your betting bank.

We will take a £1000 betting bank as an example but you can start with however much you can afford, this horse racing system works for everybody!

Simply divide your betting bank by 100, so for a £1000 bank this figure is £10. So £10 is the amount you should place on your first ever race.

Let’s now say that in your first race you can bet on the first 4 horses, you divide your first bet of £10 by 4, which equals £2.50, so £2.50 is the stake money that you place on the first 4 selections in your first race.

I can just hear you say “Hey, staking a mere £2.50 on a horse, this horse racing system is not going to make me rich!!”

Well, its not and is not meant to either, yet! You should look at this as a long term venture and protect your betting bank as best you can. Dividing your betting bank by 100 gives you 100 losing bets before you go bust and that just is not going to happen.

In the £2.50 example above if the favourite wins then you will win a level stake profit of £2.50 BUT if the favourite loses and an 8/1 shot wins, you will then pick up a nice £12.50 profit.

Then as the days go by your betting bank increases and then so does your initial stake money and soon instead of placing £2.50 on each horse you will find yourself placing £22.50 on each horse, I can see how you start enjoying this horse racing system now!

Source by John H. Anthony

Every woman wishes to have a perfect body and would go to any extent to get the desired result. You exercise, you diet, but still you do not get the body and look which you actually want. Your buttocks are one such part where a lot of fat gets accumulated making it look ugly and it does not matter how well and for how long do you exercise but the results are just nil.

The fact is that you should know the exact buttocks workouts that will help you to fix your ugly looking, ill shaped butt. Here presents top 5 butt exercises to get round butt in just 2 weeks time! These exercises will shape up your lower body. You may do these exercises daily for two weeks and see the results.

Here! Take a look:-

* Lie facedown on ball and settle palms on floor and toes on floor. Hold up 1 count then bring feet together. Separate legs and then do this for 15 min.

* Put your hip-width apart and hands on the hips, slowly extend right leg to the side and be sure inner thigh parallel to the floor. Hold for 1 count, and then do it for 15 times.

* An excellent buttocks workout is squats. For this you must stand with feet shoulder width apart and band knees to 90 degrees. Return to start and so it 12 times.

* Do strength workouts. Yoga also has proved to be great for thighs and hips. Run on the treadmill for at least an hour everyday.

* You can also go on dieting and may also opt for supplements like glycerol, amino acid, protein and nitric oxide. These are major used by body builders.

By now you must have got to now these excellent exercises. You may try these as these are tried and tested. You are sure to get positive results in just 2 weeks.

Well apart from all these workouts, another thing you may try is Acai berry. The fruit has anti oxidant properties and is very helpful in cleaning up your system. Acai berry supplements are available everywhere in the market and are cheap too. These tasty berries increases your stamina and gives you endurance. It increases the overall metabolism of your body as well as keep your system clean and in place. When no extra fat is accumulated in the body then you not only loose extra flab around your buttocks but also loose extra fat all around your body.

Source by Lauren Watson

I can’t tell you guys how often I get asked questions about creatine

No lie, at least 3 times a day! What is it? What does it do? Is it safe? Is it like steroids? How much should I take? How long should I take it for? What’s the best kind? Who makes the best brand? How should I take it?

Etc, etc, etc.

So I figured, why don’t I create a dedicated article to this, in my mind, “super supplement” to help clear up all the confusion and to help my guys get the most out of it?

So let me get right to it.

RULE #1: STICK TO THE PLAIN CREATINE MONOHYDRATE

Don’t get confused by all the new clever marketing angles for creatine. You’ll find versions like creatine ethyl-ester, creatine alkyl, creatine (insert some super scientific sounding word here). Guys, all this is is a way for supplement companies to come out with gimmicky new ways to make you think that there is some hybrid new version of creatine out that is going to help you pack on 20 pounds of muscle in just 4 days! Forget it. It’s nonsense. The ethyl-ester version actually claims to produce it’s effects without the muscle hydrating effect of original creatine monohydrate…but that’s EXACTLY one of the benefits that you’re taking the supplement for in the first place. To hydrate your muscle cells to create a more anabolic environment long term. Not to mention, this muscle water retention is responsible for the often times dramatic lean mass weight gain that creatine users will see on the product.

RULE #2: SKIP THE LOADING PHASE FOR CREATINE

People that “load” creatine, or take 5 grams 5 times a day for 5-7 days are often the ones that experience the side effects of muscle cramping, dehydration, and GI distress. It’s no wonder. You try cramming 25 grams of any sand-like powder into your stomach and see what happens. It’s probably not going to like it too much. So what to do? Easy. Studies have shown that taking one steady 5 gram dose a day will produce the same peak creatine stores in your body after just 17 days. So what’s the tradeoff? Just a 10-12 day difference. I’m sure you can all spare the extra few days and your body will be much happier that you did.

RULE #3: THROW IT IN YOUR POST WORKOUT MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKE FOR MAXIMUM ABSORPTION

Quite frankly, you need to be a bit of a biochemist to figure out how to get creatine to mix with water (or juice for that matter if you find you need a bit more carbs to get the supplement into the muscles) cleanly. You can stir that sucker for minutes and you’re still going to find a pile of white “sand” on the bottom of the glass. Not too appetizing and not too effective for getting the actual benefits from this supplement. Instead, mix it in the blender with your favorite meal replacement and not only will the blender do a better job than you could have done, but the protein/carb combo will also help to more readily drive up the absportion of the supplement so you have more potential benefit.

RULE #4: NO NEED TO CYCLE ON AND OFF CREATINE

Though creatine is certainly an effective supplement for adding lean muscle mass (over time), providing short term power (via it’s ATP to ADP transfer) and increasing body weight quickly (via it’s muscle hydrating effects) it’s not some synthetic or unnatural supplement that can do damage long term. Every study thus far has proven this supplement to be safe for long term use. Only those with damaged, diseased or compromised kidneys have been cautioned about taking it since your kidneys are responsible for helping to clear out the excess that is not used (as it does with all other vitamins and minerals that are delivered to the body through foods and supplements). With creatine being a natural metabolite that is already occurring in your body, you are just adding to those levels with your supplementation.

RULE #5: LOOK FOR 100% HPLC CREATINE MONOHYDRATE

Again, this goes back to the whole marketing hype idea. You will benefit most (and so will your wallet) if you just stick with the basics. Make sure, whatever brand you choose, that you’re getting 100% pure HPLC Creatine Monohydrate. The HPLC part refers to the way that the supplement is cultivated and purified. It’s very specific and will produce the highest grade pure creatine. But that’s it. No more fancy science is needed. A good brand of 1000 grams of creatine should cost you no more than $30, so be wary of those that are asking for more!

So that’s it. I hope this helps to clear up the confusion that continues to surround this supplement. When taken as I advised in this article, creatine monohydrate truly is (along with Whey protein, meal replacements, glutamine, multivitamins, and fish oil) one of the best supplements that any athlete, bodybuilder, AthLEAN-Xer, fitness enthusiast or anyone else that wants to look and be lean, strong, ripped and muscular can take.

Be sure to let me know how it works for you!

Stay Strong,

Jeff

Source by Jeff Cavaliere

Charlie “The Bug” Workman was the strong silent type, who killed as many as 20 people for Louie “Lepke” Buchalter’s Murder Incorporated. But Workman’s claim to fame was being the man who shot Dutch Schultz to death.

Charles Workman was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1908, the second of six children born to Samuel and Anna Workman. Workman quit school in the 9th grade, and began roaming the streets of the Lower East Side, looking for trouble. When he was 18, Workman was arrested for the first time, for stealing a $12 bundle of cotton thread from a truck parked on Broadway. Since it was his first offense, Workman got of with simple probation. The following year Workman was arrested for shooting a man behind the ear over who-owed-who $20. By this time, Workman’s reputation on the streets was such, the man he shot refused to testify against him, and even said he couldn’t truthfully identify Workman as the shooter. Miffed, the cops pulled up his file and decided Workman had violated his parole on the cotton theft. As a result, Workman was sent to the New York State Reformatory. For the next few years, Workman was in and out of prison, for such parole violations as associating with “questionable characters” and failure to get a job.

In 1926, Workman hooked on as a freelance leg breaker, or schlammer, for Lepke’s union strike breaking activities. Workman did such a good job, Lepke put him on his permanent payroll at $125 a week, as a killer for Lepke’s Murder Incorporated. Lepke liked Workman’s cool demeanor, and after Workman performed a few exceptional “hits” for Lepke, Lepke gave him the nickname “The Bug,” because a person had to be crazy to kill with the calm detachment Workman displayed when performing his gruesome duties. Workman’s other nickname “Handsome Charlie,” was given to him by members of the opposite sex.

For the next few years Workman was in and out of trouble with the law. In 1932, he was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. In 1933, he was arrested again for decking an off-duty police officer after a minor traffic dust-up. All the while, his specialty was killing whomever Lepke said needed to be killed. After a hit was done, Workman enjoyed the fringe benefit of “sweeping out the pockets” of his victims. Most of the times, Workman earned himself an extra thousand dollars or so for his efforts, and one time he even found a ten thousand dollar bonus in the pants pocket of some poor sucker he had just whacked.

In 1935, orders came down from up top that maniac gangster Dutch Schultz had to go. Lepke decided that Workman was the man for the job. On Oct. 23, 1935, Lepke sent Workman and Lepke’s second-in-charge Mendy Weiss to the Palace Chophouse in Newark, New Jersey, in a car driven by a man known as “Piggy.” While Weiss stood near the bar, Workman walked into the men’s room to make sure there would be no witnesses. Standing in the men’s room was a startled Dutch Schultz. Workman plugged Schultz once in the torso, piercing his stomach, large intestine, gall badder and liver. Workman then exited the bathroom, and he and Weiss entered the back room of the restaurant, where three of Schultz’ henchmen, Lulu Rosencrantz, Abe Landau and Abbadabba Berman, were enjoying their last supper together. Weiss and Workmen kept shooting until their guns were empty, and their prey were dead on the floor.

Weiss headed for the front door, but Workman turned and headed back to the bathroom, expecting to find a big bundle of cash in Schultz’ pockets. The first surprise for Workman was when he found not a dime in Schultz’ possession. The second surprise was when he walked outside expecting to find Weiss and Piggy in a waiting getaway car, and found nothing, except the sound of police sirens hurrying to the scene.

Workman sprinted into a swamp behind the chophouse, where he dumped his blood-stained overcoat, and started hiking in the direction of Manhattan, his shoes and pants wet, and smoke coming out of his ears, at the thought of being left for dead after an important hit. Workman found a set of railroad tracks and followed them all night long. The tracks led to a tunnel that went under the Hudson River, and Workman emerged at the break of dawn in downtown Manhattan. He went to a Lower East Side coffee shop, favored by thugs like him, and was mortified when he discovered the Scultz killing was all over the newspapers, and the word on the street, was that Weiss was the lone shooter.

Workman went to a friend’s house in Chelsea for a few hours of sleep, and when he woke up, he phoned Lepke and said he wanted to kill Weiss, for ditching him after the Scultz hit. Lepke called for a sit-down a few days later at Weiss’ home at 400 Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. Workman told his tale first. When it was Weiss turn to defend himself he said, “I claim hitting the Dutchman was mob business. And I stayed until hitting the Dutch was over. But then the Bug went back in the toilet to give the Dutchman a heist. I claim that was not mob business anymore. It was personal business.”

Lepke ruled in favor of Weiss and told Workman, if he were smart, he’d drop the matter completely and never mention it again, under the treat of maybe getting hit himself. Lepke sent Workman to Miami to cool off, and there Workman met Lucky Luciano, who was part of a nine-man National Crime Syndicate, along with Lepke. Workman need to borrow some cash to lay low, and when he started to mention Weiss’ actions on the night of the Schultz hit, Luciano cut him off, saying, “Here’s the money. Now stop talking about that other thing.”

In 1940, Workman was arrested in Brighton Beach on a change of “vagrancy.” Workman’s pinch was orchestrated by Special Prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey, who was on a mission to arrest, try, convict and execute every member of Murder Incorporated he could get his hands on. By this time Murder Incorporated killer Abe “Kid Twist” Reles had already turned rat, and had told Dewey that Workman had done the Schultz job. This was confirmed by Allie Tannenbaum, maybe Workman’s closest friend in the mob, who had also turned canary.

In 1941, Workman was tried for the Scultz murder. During the trail, when Workman realized he had little chance of acquittal, he changed his plea to “no defense.” Judge Daniel Brennan accepted the plea and sentenced Workman to life in prison.

As Workman was being led from the courtroom, the guards let him speak with his brother Abe. Workman told Abe, “Whatever you do, live honestly. If you make 20 cents a day, make it do for you. If you can’t make an honest living, make the government support you. Keep away from the gangs and don’t be a wise guy. Take care of Mama and Papa and watch ‘Itchy'( his younger brother). He needs watching.”

Workman was sent to Trenton State Prison. In 1942, Workman offered his services to the United States Navy to go on a suicide mission to hit Japan and avenge Pearl Harbor. His request was denied. In 1952, Workman was transferred to Rahway State Prison Farm and he worked there at hard labor until he was paroled in 1964, after almost 23 years in prison. After his release, Workman went straight, getting a job as a salesman in the Garment Center, which was once ruled by his boss Lepke.

Source by Joseph Bruno

I. Definition

It is hard to believe that America, a country with one of the highest standard living in the world having over 20 million people with the disease of anemia caused by unhealthy diet, and nutritional deficiency with protein and fat intake 30% more than any other country in the world. Most people understand that anemia is caused by iron deficiency in the bloodstream but in reality anemia is characterized by deficiency in the hemoglobin of the red blood cells diminishing the ability of the blood to transport oxygen to our cells and to removing carbon dioxide. In this article, we will discuss types of anemia.

II. Types of anemia

1. Genetically passed through

Anemia is a genetic disease passing through from generation to generation.

a) Thalassmia

i) Thalassmia minor

It is the most common anemia in people of the Mediterranean descent. This is the mild case of anemia. The blood cell is smaller than normal blood cells and easily die off causing stress for the reproduction of new red blood cells because of not enough new blood cells to replace the loss of red blood cells.

ii) Thalassmia major

Thalassmia major is also called Cooley’s anemia. It is an inherited disorder that affects the production of normal hemoglobin. Thalassmia major is a deadly disease without frequent blood transfusions, people with this kind of anemia may not survive because of iron building up in heart and other organs, resulting in heart failure.

b) Aplastic anemia

This is one of the most deadly and rarest case of anemia. For whatever reason, the marrow bone that produces red blood cell does not work properly or it may be caused by an auto-immune disorder resulting in white blood cells attacking the bone marrow.

c) Sickle-celled anemia

This is a serious, life-threatening inherited form of anemia that mostly affects people of African ancestry. Sickle cell anemia is formed of hemoglobin deficiency causing red blood cells to become sticky, stiff, and more fragile resulting in the form of a curve and sickle-shape, restricting the circulation of blood in our body.

2. Deficiency of iron anemia

Iron is the most importance mineral in the blood, working together with zinc and copper to help to increase the oxygen level and circulation of our blood to nurture our body’s cells and removing carbon dioxide from the bloodstream. Iron is a hard to be absorbed mineral, without taking together with vitamin C, most iron in our body are wasted.

3 Deficiency of folate acid and vitamin B12 anemia (pernicious anemia)

Folate acid and vitamin B12 is vital for the reproduction of red blood cells caused by excessive drinking of alcohol and certain intake of certain medication such as oral contraceptive or anticancer drug. People eating only cooked foods have a highest risk of deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 anemia.

4. Chronic blood loss anemia

This type of anemia is resulted from a variety of chronic conditions such as hemorrhoids, cancer, menstruation and peptic ulcers.

5. Hemolytic anemia

In this case, the destruction of old red blood cells exceeds the production of new ones caused by the defective hemoglobin synthesis or trauma within the arteries, or caused by antibodies being produced by the immune system damaging red blood cells.

III. Causes of anemia

1. Hemolysis

Hemolysis is an anemia caused by the breaking down of red blood cells as a result of immune reactions, and toxin and poisons. Treatments are hemodialysis or surgery.

2. Decreased red cell production by the bone marrow

Bone marrow is a soft fatty tissue found inside of the body’s bones. If bone marrow becomes defective or malfunctions, it causes an abnormality in the production of any of the mature blood cells resulting in decreased production of red blood cells, or the rapid loss of red blood cells.

3. Blood loss

Blood loss can be as a result of very heavy menstrual periods. Women can become anemic if they ignore the needs of their monthly menstruation because their blood rises and falls in a cyclical fashion. Therefore more blood nutrition is needed to counter the loss of blood during menstruation. Certain health issues may also contribute to iron loss, including chronic bleeding of the gums, hemorrhoids, or ulcer and chronic ulcer.

4. Chronic illness or anemia of inflammation

Anemia of inflammation often closely resembles iron-deficiency anemia caused by high levels of ferritin blocking release of iron in the cells into the bloodstream or high levels of transferin binding onto iron. Resent study shows that inflammation also appears to affect other important elements of iron metabolism because inflammation causes the liver to produce morw hepcidin that blocks the ferropotin to release iron.

5. Cancer therapy

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy can reduce the production of red blood cells of the bone resulting in less oxygen in the bloodstream being transported to all parts of our body’s cells.

6. Excessive alcohol drinking

Alcohol is a stimulant. Excessive alcohol drinking can contribute to vitamin deficiency , anemia, as well as inflammation anemia. It’s recommended that men have no more than two drinks a day, and that women limit alcohol intake to one drink daily.

7. Smoking

Smoking causes the depletion of oxygen levels in the bloodstream as well as blocking the absorption of vital nutrients, such as folate acid and vitamin C, raising the risk of vitamin deficiency anemia.

IV. Symptoms of anemia

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of people with anemia which causes less oxygen being transported to the tissues of the body because of low count of red blood cells in bloodstream.

2.Weakness

Since the bloodstream cannot provide enough oxygen as well as nutrition to our body tissues, it interferes with normal function of organs resulting in weakness in anemia patients.

3. Fainting and dizziness

Our brain needs protein and fat to function daily. It also needs oxygen to nourish it’s cells. Without enough red blood cells to carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from it’ s cells, it may cause fainting.

4. Shortness of breath

Since there are never enough oxygen in the bloodstream, it causes the reaction of our lung to breath faster so it can get enough oxygen to our body tissues causing shortness of breath.

5. Heart palpitations

People with anemia have less oxygen in their bloodstream. In order to provide enough oxygen to nourish our body’s cells, their heart has to work harder resulting in heart palpitation.

6. Pale complexion

Pale complexion is caused by iron deficiency. Iron is vital for our blood cells reproduction for replacing the break down of the old ones. Deficiency of iron causes low red blood cells in the bloodstream resulting in a pale color in our skin.

7. Difficulty concentrating

Difficulty concentrating caused by iron deficiency causes less production of new red blood cells to replace the breaking down of the old ones resulting in less oxygen being delivered to certain regions of the brain cells making concentration difficulty.

8. Excess menstruation

Excess menstruation is characterized by loss of abnormal quantities of blood during menstruation. It is caused by iron deficiency anemia in women as a resulting of massive breaking down of old red blood cells.

V. Prevention and treatment

A. With Vitamins and Minerals

1. Iron

Iron is essential for people with anemia. It aids the reproduction of red blood cells as well as improve the transportation of oxygen and nutrition to the body’s cell, and removing carbon dioxide from our bloodstream. Since iron is hard to absorb, it is recommended to take the liquid form over the dry form and be sure to take with some vitamin C or most of the iron will be wasted because of poor intestinal absorption. If you are a nursing mother, be sure to check your blood for iron, otherwise iron deficiency will cause iron deficiency to the baby.

2. Copper and zinc

Copper and zinc may not be vital in treating people with anemia, but they are needed in helping our body to absorb iron. With out the balancing of iron, copper and zinc most of the iron’s effects will be wasted. Be sure to talk to your doctor for the right amount of iron, zinc and copper before taking any of the above metal. They are toxic if overdosed.

3 Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It plays an important role to the people with anemia by helping blood clot properly after an injury, which is vital for people with anemia caused by excessive blood loss such as women in childbirth and during menstruation.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to improve the immune system fighting against the invasion of bacteria and virus. Because of poor reproduction and circulation of blood for people with anemia, strengthening the immune system becomes vital. Vitamin C also helps to improve the absorption of iron otherwise most iron intake may be wasted.

5. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for people with pernicious anemia ( vitamin B12 deficiency anemia).

Vitamin b12 deficiency is mostly caused by inadequate absorption, poor diet and medication side effects resulting in large immature and dysfunctional red blood cells thereby decreasing the red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.

6. Folic acid

Folic acid is in the B vitamin family. It is necessary for the formation and maturation of red blood cells. Folic acid deficiency is caused mostly by poor diet, inadequate body absorption and for people eating only cook foods, resulting in less red blood cell count in the bloodstream or folic acid deficiency anemia.

B. With Supplements

1. DHEA

DHEA is the shortened name of dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps to reduce the level of cytokine inflammation which damages the forming of protein from red blood cells.

2. Spirulina

Spirulina is rich in iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 which are essential for people with anemia.

It also contains high amounts of vitamin C helping the absorption of iron and strengthening the immune system. Spirulina not only increases the oxygen level in the blood, it also helps to remove carbon dioxide from our cells that are vital for people with nutritional deficiency anemia.

3. Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin enhances iron absorption, and protects our body from the negative and oxidative effects of excess iron. It can decrease or eliminate the side effects of nausea and constipation caused by iron supplementation. It also has beneficial effects in regulating the immune system,and anti-inflammatory, antibacterial antiviral and antioxidant effects. Study shows that lactoferrin increases the absorption and utilization of iron, and would be useful in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

4. Bee pollen

Bee pollen contains high amounts of protein, B-complex vitamins and folic acid that are vital supplements for anemia patients. It also is believed to improve the digestive process and improve levels of hemoglobin in some anemic patients. It has been used in Chinese medicine for over thousands of years in treating many kinds of chronic illnesses as well as longevity.

5. Hydrochloric acid

For people with megaloblastic anemia due to deficiency of the intrinsic factor such as poor iron and supplement absorption, then intake of hydrochloric acid is necessary. Hydrochloric acid helps the stomach lining to absorb and transport protein to the tissues of the body.

C. With Herbs

1. Dandelion roots

The Dandelion is a biennial plant and grows wild in most of the world. Dandelion contains high levels of iron and B vitamin complex. It has been used in Chinese medication over many generations in treating anemia due to deficiencies of folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12 by increasing the production of hydrochloric acid resulting in better nutritional absorption.

2. Gentian roots

Gentian root has been used for centuries in Europe in treating digestive disorders. The bitter qualities of gentian helps to stimulate the digestive system, making iron and other nutrients easier to be absorbed.

3. Yellow dock

Yellow dock is used in herbal remedies to treat constipation and other digestive issues. It contains high amounts of iron and bioflavonoids. Besides helping to strengthen the capillaries it also helps to enhance our digestive system in absorption of protein, iron and other nutritions that is vital for people with nutritional deficiency anemia.

4. Blackstrap molasses

Blackstrap molasses is the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. Blackstrap molasses contains high amounts of iron and copper that are essential for iron utilization resulting in reproduction of red blood cells as well as circulation of blood that are vital for anemic patients.

5. Alfalfa

Alfalfa contains high amounts of vitamin K which is helpful to promote normal blood clotting and prevent the loss of blood for women with excessive flow in menstruation.

6. Burdock root

Burdock root has long been used to fortify and cleanse the blood. It contains high amounts of iron which is vital for anemia. It also helps to increase the levels of hemoglobin that is diminished for people with anemia.

7. Nettle leaves

Nettle has been used for centuries in treating wounds, and slowing down bleeding and menstrual bleeding. It acts like vitamin K by reducing the excessive flow of blood in menstruation. It also contains high amounts of iron and is said to stimulate the production of hemoglobin.

D. With Chinese herbs

1. Chinese wild yam

Chinese wild yam has the same property of DHEA and acts as a precursor to human sex hormones. extract of Chinese wild yam has been used to treat painful menstruation, hot flashes, and other symptoms due to menstruation. In fact, it also help to reduce the level of pro inflammation cytokines.

2. Cinnamon bark

Cinnamon bark has been historically used as a digestive aid and to promote blood purifier. Cinnamon contains high amount of antioxidants that help to strengthen the immune system function that is vital for people with anemia who use to have a weaken immune system caused by low level of oxygen in the blood.

3. Dang Shen (Codonopsis)

Dang shen has been used in Chinese medicine for more than a century in strengthening immune system against bacteria and virus. It also is a blood enhancer. Dang shen has been used in Chinese medicine as blood purifier as well promoting the production of red blood cells and improving energy.

4. Fu Ling (Poria)

Fu ling is said to cotains the substance that helps to increase the secretion of DHEA, a steriod hormone that helps to deduce the levels of pro inflammation cytokines.

5. Sheng Jiang (Ginger)

Sheng jiang is one of oldest Chinese medicine in promoting of blood circulation, increasing oxyen levels in the bloodstream as well as aiding in the immune system fighting against any inflammation caused by bacteria and virus in oure body. Sheng fiang is a blood thinner, do not take shemg jiang if you have ulcer or take any blood thinner medication.

6. Lu Rong (Hairy Antler)

Lu rong is one of most expensive herb in chinese medicine. Lu rong is a blood tonner. It not only help to increase the production of red blood cell but also help to purify your blood. Lu rong has been used over thousand years in Chinese medicine in treating anemia.

7. Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Roots)

Dang qui is a blood purifier. It has been used widely for women after perioa or loss of blood during child birth or other chronic illness. It is said that dang qui not only stimulate the bone marrow in production of blood and red blood cells to replace the blood loss but also to reduce painful menstruation, hot flashes, and other symptoms due to menstruation.

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Source by Kyle J Norton