Pan-frying a steak? Beer marinade a more healthful choice
Next time you pan fry a steak, consider marinating it in beer or red wine if you don't want to consume so many carcinogens.
High-heat cooking - such as frying or grilling - converts the sugar and amino acids in meat into cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines, New Scientist magazine reports. Researchers in Portugal found that six hours of marinating in beer or red wine slashed HA levels by up to 90 percent. Tasters liked the beer-marinated steak better.
Not a red meat eater? A marinade of olive oil, lemon juice and garlic cuts HAs in grilled chicken by 90 percent.
Don't wait
Urinary tract infections are so common and typically easy to treat that most people don't realize they can be deadly.
But the recent death of a young Brazilian model from septic shock - after surgeons amputated her hands and feet in an effort to save her life - underscores the importance of not ignoring symptoms, urologists say.
An untreated UTI can spread to the kidneys, which can lead to septicemia (a bacterial infection of the blood), decreased blood pressure, decreased blood flow, shock and organ failure.
"It is important to know the symptoms of a UTI and when to seek the advice of a urologist," said Sandra Vassos, executive director of the American Urological Association Foundation.
While some UTIs present with excruciating, not-to-be-ignored pain during urination, that's not always the case. Other symptoms include frequency or urine that's cloudy, bloody or has a strong odor.
To help prevent UTIs, do not delay urinating, empty your bladder completely and stay well-hydrated.
No talking while crossing
Many parents buy their children cell phones for safety reasons. But there's one situation when talking on a cell phone actually puts her in danger: When she's crossing the street.
Researchers at the University of Alabama studied 10- and 11-year-olds using a virtual reality program that simulates street crossings. And they found that all of the kids - even those considered highly attentive - were at risk while talking on a cell phone: They took longer to begin crossing the street, didn't look both ways as often, gave themselves less time to cross safely and were 43 percent more likely to be hit by a virtual car or have a close call.
The study appears in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Tea time
Tea just keeps getting trendier, and you don't have to look any further than your nearest Starbucks with its fancy new tea drinks for proof.
But all tea is not the same. Dr. Helen Lee, a chiropractor with ChicagoHealers.com, explains the choices:
Green teas have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to help stomach ailments and boost the immune system. Red and rooibos teas contain minerals, including copper, iron, potassium and manganese, to soothe headaches and stomach cramping. Peppermint teas have vitamin B, calcium and potassium and ease nausea and vomiting. Camomile tea soothes and relaxes the body and helps suppress fungal growth.