W Indian Med J
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Recent nutritional profiles of dietary intake have indicated a shift from the ancient diet to the Western diet. The ancient diet provided a high potassium and low sodium intake, which in turn leads to sodium conservation and potassium excretion. This change in the dietary intake is expected to affect potassium and sodium handling in the kidneys. Numerous studies have been done to emphasize the importance of sodium handling by the kidneys and its impact on cardiovascular health. This study will investigate potassium intake and handling, and its impact on the cardiovascular health of a sample of normotensive Afro-Caribbeans by the possible modulation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). ⋯ The Afro-Caribbean sample has an inadequate daily potassium intake based on the observed intake and recommended values, with a high urinary excretion of the electrolyte compared to other values in the literature. This high potassium excretion could have been partly due to low plasma renin activity levels in the study participants. As a possible consequence, an increase in the nocturnal peripheral resistance is a likely cause for the diminished systolic dip. The lack of correlations between dietary potassium excretion and the blood pressure parameters does not allow any firm inference of the electrolyte's handling and its impact on cardiovascular health in the normotensive Afro-Caribbean participants. However, further research is needed to get a more accurate daily potassium intake value, and a more statistically robust sample to assess whether potassium handling and blood pressure would be affected by a change in potassium intake.
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Effects of ionizing radiation on respiratory function tests and blood parameters in radiology staff.
To evaluate pulmonary function tests and blood parameters and their relationship with sociodemographic data for radiology staff continuously exposed to ionizing radiation. ⋯ Although respiratory functions of radiology staff are affected by many factors, continuous exposure to ionizing radiation is one of the important parameters. Radiology staff should be informed about factors that negatively affect the respiratory functions.
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Vitamin A toxicity is a well-described medical condition with a multitude of potential presenting signs and symptoms. It can be divided into acute and chronic toxicity. Serum vitamin A concentrations are raised in chronic renal failure even with ingestion of less than the usual toxic doses. ⋯ Her vitamin A level was elevated with a daily intake of 7000 IU. The vitamin A supplement was stopped. A few months later, vitamin A level diminished substantially and serum calcium levels returned to normal.
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The implementation of yogic practices has proven benefits in both organic and psychological diseases. Forty-five women with anxiety selected by a random sampling method were divided into three groups. Experimental group I was subjected to asanas, relaxation and pranayama while Experimental group II was subjected to an integrated yoga module. ⋯ All data were spread in an Excel sheet to be analysed with SPSS 16 software using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Selected yoga and asanas decreased anxiety and frustration scores but treatment with an integrated yoga module resulted in significant reduction of anxiety and frustration. To conclude, the practice of asanas and yoga decreased anxiety in women, and yoga as an integrated module significantly improved anxiety scores in young women with proven anxiety without any ill effects.
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To re-investigate the composition of ackee oil and unequivocally determine its principal fatty acid components. ⋯ The ackee samples analysed were rich in the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) oleic acid. Consideration should be given to potential protective health effects of diets which include ackee.