Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Sunday, 8 March 2015
What's Wheat Gotta Do With It? (Part 2)
A Brief History of Wheat
Wheat existed back even in 10,000 BC. Farmers planted on land that is now known as the 'Fertile Crescent'. This place is an area situated on a crescent-shape strip of land located to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. It is stretched across the Levant region (Israel, Lebanon and Syria) and around the edges of the Tarus and Zagros mountains. Archeologists have found wheat in pits which date back to 8,000 years ago.
The 'Fertile Crescent' had regular rainfall. This made it suitable for planting grains. Emmer and einkorn were two of the ancient grains which were planted.
(click on LINK for a detailed history of wheat)
Einkorn & Emmer
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum) is knows as 'Mother Wheat'.
This ancient grain has higher concentration of beta carotene and lutein in comparison with modern wheat.
Einkorn is a diploid (a species which has two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent) which has 14 (2x7) chromosomes.
*Compared to modern wheat, ancient grains had lower amounts of gluten. And they had higher amounts of protein. They also had higher amounts of fibre than modern wheat. (*click on LINK)
*Modern mass-produced wheat have their bran and germ removed for stability and longer-lasting effect so that it does not go rancid fast. The fatty acids which are in the bran and germ are the ones that go rancid fast. (*taken from HERE) Thus, for the flours to have a long-shelf-lifespan and stability, the nutritional parts are stripped from the grains.
Click on WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHEAT to read more about how the modern wheat is planted, extracted and prepared.
Wheat Trivia
1. Gluten, which is derived from wheat is used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is used in the manufacturing of capsules.
2. *At least 80% of wheat is carbohydrate. (taken from HERE)
3. ***The Egyptians were the first people to bake whole loaves of bread (they used yeast too!) 5000 years ago!
4. ***At about 200 BC, the Romans used animal power to grind wheat.
5. ***At 85 BC, watermills were introduced to Asia Minor. This enabled mass wheat growing and production.
6. ***The Great Fire of London (2nd September 1666), originated in the King's Baker shop on Pudding Lane.
(***taken from HERE)
Click on LINK to read more about early farming.
For a more detailed history of wheat, click on LINK.
Wheat existed back even in 10,000 BC. Farmers planted on land that is now known as the 'Fertile Crescent'. This place is an area situated on a crescent-shape strip of land located to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. It is stretched across the Levant region (Israel, Lebanon and Syria) and around the edges of the Tarus and Zagros mountains. Archeologists have found wheat in pits which date back to 8,000 years ago.
The 'Fertile Crescent' had regular rainfall. This made it suitable for planting grains. Emmer and einkorn were two of the ancient grains which were planted.
(click on LINK for a detailed history of wheat)
Einkorn & Emmer
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum) is knows as 'Mother Wheat'.
This ancient grain has higher concentration of beta carotene and lutein in comparison with modern wheat.
Einkorn is a diploid (a species which has two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent) which has 14 (2x7) chromosomes.
*Compared to modern wheat, ancient grains had lower amounts of gluten. And they had higher amounts of protein. They also had higher amounts of fibre than modern wheat. (*click on LINK)
Einkorn somehow mated with some other types of grass and the result was emmer, which has 28 (4x7) chromosomes. Emmer (Triticum dicoccum) is a tetraploid (a species which has four homologous (four times the basic set) sets of chromosomes).
*Emmer has 40% more protein than today's modern wheat (click on LINK). Emmer is the wheat which was referred in the Bible.
Today's modern wheat (Triticum durum) is a hexaploid (a species which has six homologous sets of chromosomes) which has 42 (6x7) chromosomes.
Click on LINK to read more on Einkorn wheat.
Click on LINK-Emmer to read more on Emmer wheat.
The Introduction of Modern Wheat - The Green Revolution
In the 1960s, modern wheat was introduced to the world and that changed the biology of wheat. An agronomist by the name of Norman Borlaug, pioneered the development of the dwarf wheat. Millions of people were dying from starvation. Borlaug crossed bred all sorts of grass with wheat and came up with the modern wheat which saved a billion people. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work and was lauded for saving humankind.
The modern wheat is known as the dwarf wheat which is a high-yield type. It has very large seed heads and strong, short stalks which could bear the extra weight. One stalk could yield so much more grain than the ancient einkorn or emmer. *Also the short stalks are imperative for the high levels of chemical fertilisers. If not the stalks would grow too high and collapse on the fields and this would hinder the modern techniques of harvesting. (*taken from HERE)
To read more, click on GREEN REVOLUTION.
*Emmer has 40% more protein than today's modern wheat (click on LINK). Emmer is the wheat which was referred in the Bible.
Today's modern wheat (Triticum durum) is a hexaploid (a species which has six homologous sets of chromosomes) which has 42 (6x7) chromosomes.
Click on LINK to read more on Einkorn wheat.
Click on LINK-Emmer to read more on Emmer wheat.
The Introduction of Modern Wheat - The Green Revolution
In the 1960s, modern wheat was introduced to the world and that changed the biology of wheat. An agronomist by the name of Norman Borlaug, pioneered the development of the dwarf wheat. Millions of people were dying from starvation. Borlaug crossed bred all sorts of grass with wheat and came up with the modern wheat which saved a billion people. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work and was lauded for saving humankind.
The modern wheat is known as the dwarf wheat which is a high-yield type. It has very large seed heads and strong, short stalks which could bear the extra weight. One stalk could yield so much more grain than the ancient einkorn or emmer. *Also the short stalks are imperative for the high levels of chemical fertilisers. If not the stalks would grow too high and collapse on the fields and this would hinder the modern techniques of harvesting. (*taken from HERE)
To read more, click on GREEN REVOLUTION.
The Preparation of the Modern Wheat Flour
High extraction flour is traditionally milled flour which does not remove all the bran and the germ. The bran and the germ are where the good stuff are.
High extraction flour is done by first soaking the grains (some for 24 hours), then dried and then finally grinding them.
High extraction flour is traditionally milled flour which does not remove all the bran and the germ. The bran and the germ are where the good stuff are.
High extraction flour is done by first soaking the grains (some for 24 hours), then dried and then finally grinding them.
*Modern mass-produced wheat have their bran and germ removed for stability and longer-lasting effect so that it does not go rancid fast. The fatty acids which are in the bran and germ are the ones that go rancid fast. (*taken from HERE) Thus, for the flours to have a long-shelf-lifespan and stability, the nutritional parts are stripped from the grains.
Click on WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHEAT to read more about how the modern wheat is planted, extracted and prepared.
Wheat Trivia
1. Gluten, which is derived from wheat is used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is used in the manufacturing of capsules.
2. *At least 80% of wheat is carbohydrate. (taken from HERE)
3. ***The Egyptians were the first people to bake whole loaves of bread (they used yeast too!) 5000 years ago!
4. ***At about 200 BC, the Romans used animal power to grind wheat.
5. ***At 85 BC, watermills were introduced to Asia Minor. This enabled mass wheat growing and production.
6. ***The Great Fire of London (2nd September 1666), originated in the King's Baker shop on Pudding Lane.
(***taken from HERE)
Click on LINK to read more about early farming.
For a more detailed history of wheat, click on LINK.
Friday, 6 March 2015
The Happening Placebo Glossary
1. Bowel Anaphylaxis
Diarrhoea to the point you feel that your entrails will be expunged at any minute. It's like an exorcism going on, but it is in the bowels. It's like the devil is having a party and is going to rip out everything from inside you.
2. Multiple Chemical Survivor
You basically cannot tolerate the scent of anything remotely human as they drown themselves in everything chemical. You're a survivor as you survived the catastrophe of humans-all-chemical.
3. Anal-phylaxis
A disease which chooses to be anal at every wrong point of time. It enjoys being a pain-in-the-ass just like how fleas are to dogs and flies are to cows. It just irritates you to no end and causes you to suffer immensely. It wants to kill you. And transform the angel in you to curse and swear like a sailor.
4. The Walking Dead
Everybody (well, almost everybody) in the the world is awesome as they are like the 'Walking Dead'. Shuffling about sniffing for scents of chemicals. Drooling and warbling like gargling infantiles, the 'Walking Dead' shuffles to the next unsuspecting victim and passes on to them the disease of 'Love Thy Neighbour the Chemical.
5. Allergy
A condition that is basically you reacting adversely to stupid people.
An example of a conversation between Miss A and Miss B.
Miss A: There is no such thing as chemical sensitivity.
Miss B: (Starts to suffocate.) Get away from me!!! I'm severely allergic to you!!!!!!
6. Sensitive
A person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.
'Paranormal' = Relating to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation.
Example: You becoming ill upon smelling someone's so-very-faint-fragrance-that-it's-like-not-even-there!
YOU are sensitive. It has never been proven that one can become ill from such non-existent smells!!!
7. HYPERSENSITIVE
You becoming ill upon smelling something which is not even there at all.
Example:
You: (Starts to feel the throat tightening.)
Your friend: Stop being so hypersensitive. I didn't use any perfume today. I only used it last night. Don't tell me you can even smell that from last night. You're being overly-hypersensitive.
8. Hives
Miss X: OMG! I'm breaking out in hives!
Miss Z: Don't be stupid. You can't be breaking out in hives. Hives are the bees' nest.
9. Placebo
You're under the effects of Placebo, an English alternative band. Don't believe me? Click on the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo_(band).
10. Doctors
People whoare supposed to work from 9am to 5pm but in reality work from 10-ish or even 11-ish to 2 or 3, make you exercise your bum on those uncomfortable hospital seats for hours and charge you a leg or an arm for poking and prodding your leg and your arm, and then proceed to hem and haw and then send you for unnecessary tests and then give you sweets medicines which you have never heard about and then send you home once you pay them with your arm and leg!
Diarrhoea to the point you feel that your entrails will be expunged at any minute. It's like an exorcism going on, but it is in the bowels. It's like the devil is having a party and is going to rip out everything from inside you.
2. Multiple Chemical Survivor
You basically cannot tolerate the scent of anything remotely human as they drown themselves in everything chemical. You're a survivor as you survived the catastrophe of humans-all-chemical.
3. Anal-phylaxis
A disease which chooses to be anal at every wrong point of time. It enjoys being a pain-in-the-ass just like how fleas are to dogs and flies are to cows. It just irritates you to no end and causes you to suffer immensely. It wants to kill you. And transform the angel in you to curse and swear like a sailor.
4. The Walking Dead
Everybody (well, almost everybody) in the the world is awesome as they are like the 'Walking Dead'. Shuffling about sniffing for scents of chemicals. Drooling and warbling like gargling infantiles, the 'Walking Dead' shuffles to the next unsuspecting victim and passes on to them the disease of 'Love Thy Neighbour the Chemical.
5. Allergy
A condition that is basically you reacting adversely to stupid people.
An example of a conversation between Miss A and Miss B.
Miss A: There is no such thing as chemical sensitivity.
Miss B: (Starts to suffocate.) Get away from me!!! I'm severely allergic to you!!!!!!
6. Sensitive
A person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.
'Paranormal' = Relating to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation.
Example: You becoming ill upon smelling someone's so-very-faint-fragrance-that-it's-like-not-even-there!
YOU are sensitive. It has never been proven that one can become ill from such non-existent smells!!!
7. HYPERSENSITIVE
You becoming ill upon smelling something which is not even there at all.
Example:
You: (Starts to feel the throat tightening.)
Your friend: Stop being so hypersensitive. I didn't use any perfume today. I only used it last night. Don't tell me you can even smell that from last night. You're being overly-hypersensitive.
8. Hives
Miss X: OMG! I'm breaking out in hives!
Miss Z: Don't be stupid. You can't be breaking out in hives. Hives are the bees' nest.
9. Placebo
You're under the effects of Placebo, an English alternative band. Don't believe me? Click on the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo_(band).
10. Doctors
People who
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Stir-Fried Chicken, Potato & Liver
Ingredients:
1. 1 piece of chicken breast (cut into small pieces and seasoned with sea-salt)
2. 6 pieces of chicken liver (seasoned with Tamari sauce [white sauce which is wheat-free])
3. 8 medium sized old potatoes (peeled and sliced into thin pieces)
4. Sea-salt
5. Sunflower oil
6. *Big onions (optional)
7. 1/2 cup of filtered water
-------------------------------------------------------
1. Heat a wok on medium high.
2. Once it is hot, drizzle some sunflower oil.
3. Add the sliced potatoes and (*big onions - optional).
4. Cook until potatoes are softened.
5. Add the chicken pieces, liver and 1/2 cup of water.
6. Season with sea-salt.
7. Stir fry until the chicken pieces and liver are thoroughly cooked.
8. Scoop up onto serving dish.
9. Serve hot with rice.
Bon appétit!
1. 1 piece of chicken breast (cut into small pieces and seasoned with sea-salt)
2. 6 pieces of chicken liver (seasoned with Tamari sauce [white sauce which is wheat-free])
3. 8 medium sized old potatoes (peeled and sliced into thin pieces)
4. Sea-salt
5. Sunflower oil
6. *Big onions (optional)
7. 1/2 cup of filtered water
-------------------------------------------------------
1. Heat a wok on medium high.
2. Once it is hot, drizzle some sunflower oil.
3. Add the sliced potatoes and (*big onions - optional).
4. Cook until potatoes are softened.
5. Add the chicken pieces, liver and 1/2 cup of water.
6. Season with sea-salt.
7. Stir fry until the chicken pieces and liver are thoroughly cooked.
8. Scoop up onto serving dish.
9. Serve hot with rice.
Bon appétit!
Monday, 2 March 2015
6 Years - How Living With IA Taught Me How to Cook & Live
So today is 6 years.
6 adventurous years.
6 years of sky-diving adventures and falling-in-the-mud episodes.
6 years of (sometimes constant and persistent) food-cravings that sometimes drive me up wall thinking I am some cousin of Spiderman.
6 years of wondering when will all this come to an end. Will I only be free from all this when I grow old and die?
The good thing is I learned how to cook. And I learned how to live.
I guess that is enough to keep me going on till I hit 7 years.
6 adventurous years.
6 years of sky-diving adventures and falling-in-the-mud episodes.
6 years of (sometimes constant and persistent) food-cravings that sometimes drive me up wall thinking I am some cousin of Spiderman.
6 years of wondering when will all this come to an end. Will I only be free from all this when I grow old and die?
The good thing is I learned how to cook. And I learned how to live.
I guess that is enough to keep me going on till I hit 7 years.
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Friday, 27 February 2015
What's Wheat Gotta Do With It? (Part 1)
Wheat.
The bane of most gastrointestinal systems.
And yet wheat has been in existence for approximately 10,000 years.
But somehow more and more people are 'becoming sick' from ingesting wheat.
Thus, the revolution of 'gluten-free' came forth.
But yet, there are many people who are on the 'gluten-free' diet who can eat kamut and spelt. Both of which contain gluten! How is this possible?
Do spend some time to watch this video. Quite an interesting video regarding wheat.
(to be continued...)
The bane of most gastrointestinal systems.
And yet wheat has been in existence for approximately 10,000 years.
But somehow more and more people are 'becoming sick' from ingesting wheat.
Thus, the revolution of 'gluten-free' came forth.
But yet, there are many people who are on the 'gluten-free' diet who can eat kamut and spelt. Both of which contain gluten! How is this possible?
Do spend some time to watch this video. Quite an interesting video regarding wheat.
(to be continued...)
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
The Tank & Its Inhabitants
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| Perfect! |
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| We added 3 ottos to the tank. |
 |
| If you can see a zebra coloured shrimp, that's our new baby who was recently birthed forth. |
Monday, 23 February 2015
Did You Know....
... That a fresh egg will sink in water and that a stale egg will float?
Egg shells are porous. Thus, over a length of time, more air will be absorbed into the eggs. Older eggs will have more air in them. Fresh eggs will have less air in them.
Click on LINK to read more about freshness of eggs.
Egg shells are porous. Thus, over a length of time, more air will be absorbed into the eggs. Older eggs will have more air in them. Fresh eggs will have less air in them.
Click on LINK to read more about freshness of eggs.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
2015 Reunion Dinner
Here are some of the recipes to the food in the pictures above:
1. EMPRESS CHICKEN
2. FRENCH BEANS FRIED EGGS (omit the sugar)
3. BAKED PRAWNS (I did not cook them with butter this round)
(*Everything was cooked WITHOUT the use of sugar.) And it was delicious and yummy to the tummy!
Thursday, 19 February 2015
GOAT XI FA CHAI!
A very happy Chinese New Year to all of you who celebrate it.
May the Year of the Goat 'bleat' blessings in all that you do,
May the Year of the Goat bring you nothing 'butt' joy, love, wealth and health,
May you be blasted with the 'baaaas' of harmony and peace.
Goat Xi Fa Chai!
May the Year of the Goat 'bleat' blessings in all that you do,
May the Year of the Goat bring you nothing 'butt' joy, love, wealth and health,
May you be blasted with the 'baaaas' of harmony and peace.
Goat Xi Fa Chai!
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
Did You Know....
... That the fastest muscle in our body is in the eye?
Yes!
It allows us to blink 5 times a second!
And on an average, we blink 15,000 times a day.
Yes!
It allows us to blink 5 times a second!
And on an average, we blink 15,000 times a day.
Sunday, 15 February 2015
The ABCs - K is For K2
What is K2?
Vitamin K is basically essential for coagulation. It also plays an essential role in the conversion of certain enzymes.
It is believed that K2 plays quite an important role in maintaining healthy levels of bone mineral density (BMD). A deficiency in K2 increases the risk for fragile bones.
*K2 with a combination of calcium and vitamin D can decrease bone turnover. (*taken from HERE)
K2 is essential for maintaining bone strength for menopausal women.
Activator X
Dr. Weston A. Price (a dentist and researcher) discovered that his dental patients had excellent 'teeth health' when given a high-vitamin-cod-liver-oil with a nutritious diet which consisted of milk, organ meats, unprocessed grains, vegetables and fruits. Some even had their dental problems disappear!
The key-element was in the vitamin-rich-butter and butter-oil concentrate which was extracted from it.
He named the key-element as activator X.
As a researcher, Price experimented with various brands of butter. He realised that butter which was made from milk of cows which grazed on grass grown on rich soil (fast growing wheat grass and alfalfa) had very high concentration of activator X (which is what we now know as vitamin K2).
Cows that were kept in pens and fed on commercial diets did not produce milk which had high levels of this activator X!
(click on LINK to read more)
It is interesting to note that K2 is indeed an activator for certain proteins for vitamin A and D!
Source of K2
Did you know that a certain type of bacteria in our gut (the good guys) produce vitamin K2 from K1? Amazing!
Natural K2 is also found in bacterial fermented foods, such as mature cheese and curd. The Japanese have a naturally-rich-in-K2-dish which is called natto. It is made of fermented soybeans and Bacillus subtilis. The downside of this dish is that it has a very intense smell and strong taste.
To read more about K2, click on K2, The Missing Nutrient.
Vitamin K is basically essential for coagulation. It also plays an essential role in the conversion of certain enzymes.
It is believed that K2 plays quite an important role in maintaining healthy levels of bone mineral density (BMD). A deficiency in K2 increases the risk for fragile bones.
*K2 with a combination of calcium and vitamin D can decrease bone turnover. (*taken from HERE)
K2 is essential for maintaining bone strength for menopausal women.
Activator X
Dr. Weston A. Price (a dentist and researcher) discovered that his dental patients had excellent 'teeth health' when given a high-vitamin-cod-liver-oil with a nutritious diet which consisted of milk, organ meats, unprocessed grains, vegetables and fruits. Some even had their dental problems disappear!
The key-element was in the vitamin-rich-butter and butter-oil concentrate which was extracted from it.
He named the key-element as activator X.
As a researcher, Price experimented with various brands of butter. He realised that butter which was made from milk of cows which grazed on grass grown on rich soil (fast growing wheat grass and alfalfa) had very high concentration of activator X (which is what we now know as vitamin K2).
Cows that were kept in pens and fed on commercial diets did not produce milk which had high levels of this activator X!
(click on LINK to read more)
It is interesting to note that K2 is indeed an activator for certain proteins for vitamin A and D!
Source of K2
Did you know that a certain type of bacteria in our gut (the good guys) produce vitamin K2 from K1? Amazing!
Natural K2 is also found in bacterial fermented foods, such as mature cheese and curd. The Japanese have a naturally-rich-in-K2-dish which is called natto. It is made of fermented soybeans and Bacillus subtilis. The downside of this dish is that it has a very intense smell and strong taste.
To read more about K2, click on K2, The Missing Nutrient.
Friday, 13 February 2015
H20 - Part 1 (An Introduction)
Our body is made up of approximately 60% water.
Our brain tissue is approximately 75% water!
Our body needs water to produce saliva.
Our body looses approximately about 4 cups of water per hour when we exercise. The more intense the exercise or the higher the temperature, the more water our body looses.
Dehydration causes constipation as our body will absorb whatever water it can get.
Kidney stones cannot form if our body has enough water.
(... to be continued)
Our brain tissue is approximately 75% water!
Our body needs water to produce saliva.
Our body looses approximately about 4 cups of water per hour when we exercise. The more intense the exercise or the higher the temperature, the more water our body looses.
Dehydration causes constipation as our body will absorb whatever water it can get.
Kidney stones cannot form if our body has enough water.
(... to be continued)
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Stir-Fried Eggs With Celery
Ingredients:
1. 10 medium sized eggs (beaten)
2. 2 celery sticks (peeled and sliced into thin pieces)
3. Sea-salt
4. Sunflower oil
-------------------------------------
1. Heat a wok on medium heat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, pour the beaten eggs, celery sticks, sea-salt and sunflower oil. Mix thoroughly.
3. Once the wok is heated up, pour the egg mixture into it.
4. Stir fry until one side is slightly browned before turning it over.
5. One the other side is slightly browned too, scoop it up onto serving plate.
6. Serve hot.
Bon appétit!
1. 10 medium sized eggs (beaten)
2. 2 celery sticks (peeled and sliced into thin pieces)
3. Sea-salt
4. Sunflower oil
-------------------------------------
1. Heat a wok on medium heat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, pour the beaten eggs, celery sticks, sea-salt and sunflower oil. Mix thoroughly.
3. Once the wok is heated up, pour the egg mixture into it.
4. Stir fry until one side is slightly browned before turning it over.
5. One the other side is slightly browned too, scoop it up onto serving plate.
6. Serve hot.
Bon appétit!
Monday, 9 February 2015
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Vitamin Sleep - Part 2 (The Circadian Rhythm)
Circadian Rhythm
According to *'The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary, the circadian rhythm is defined as a daily rhythmic activity cycle which is based on 24-hour intervals. (*taken from HERE)
This cycle is influenced by regular variations in the environment such as the alternation of night and day.
The circadian rhythms affect the sleeping and waking in animals, the opening and closing of flowers in angiosperms and the tissue growth in fungi.
So in layman's term, this circadian rhythm which is present in humans and most animals is generated by an internal clock that is synchronized to light-dark cycles and other cues in an organism's environment. It causes one to wake up at the same time every day without the use of an alarm clock! The circadian rhythm also causes the nocturnal to function in the night and the diurnal in the day.
The Interruption of the Circadian Rhythm
If one's daily schedule changes, it can interrupt the circadian rhythm. An example would be jet lag. The shift in time and light forces the body to change its usual cycle of regular pattern. Another would be working at night-shift. Or constantly being indoors with artificial lights with no exposure to sunlight.
The SCN
*The Circadian Rhythm is controlled by a part of the brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN). This is a group of cells which are in the hypothalamus that respond to light and dark signals.
Light travels from the optic nerve of the eye to the SCN which then triggers the internal clock that it is time to be awake. This SCN also plays a part in hormones, body temperature and functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or awake.
The exposure to daylight triggers the SCN to send signals to raise the body temperature and produces the cortisol hormones.
The SCN also responds to light by delaying the release of the melatonin. Melatonin plays a part in promoting sleep as it is produced when the eyes signal to the SCN that it is dark. Hence, when there is less light, the SCN tells the brain to produce more melatonin to make you sleepy. (Thus it is a bad idea to watch TV or be in front of computers/tablets/smart phones as they can screw up your signals!)
People who work at the night shift produce less melatonin. Also people who are constantly in offices (with artificial lights) and with no windows, tend not to have a stable circadian rhythm.
It is good to be exposed to morning sunlight as it helps the circadian rhythm to regulate.
It is also very important to keep a regular sleep schedule to allow deep and quality sleep.
(*taken from NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION)
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
*The circadian rhythm disorders can be triggered by pregnancy, shift-work, time zone changes, medications, changes in routine where sleeping is concerned, health problems and mental health problems.
(*taken from HERE)
Common Circadian Rhythm Problems
How To Treat Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Circadian Rhythm Trivia
1. The SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) contains about 20,000 nerve cells!
2. Even fruit flies, cyanobacteria, algae and fungi (YES! Fungi!) have genes that direct the circadian rhythm.
3. The 'after-lunch-sleepiness-syndrome' is not caused by lunch. It is the body's natural circadian rhythm where our energy levels naturally dip between 1 to 3pm, where 3pm being its lowest.
4. Morning sunlight is the most powerful regulator for our biological clock (circadian rhythm).
5. In order for a biological rhythm to be called circadian, it must fulfill three criteria: The rhythm must persist in constant conditions for a 24-hour period (entrainment), the rhythm can be reset by external stimuli (light and heat) and the rhythm must maintain the circadian rhythm even though temperature changes.
6. A French scientist by the name of Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered circadian rhythms in 1729. Click on LINK to read more.
Interesting Articles to Read
Disruption of Circadian Rhythm May Contribute to Inflammatory Disease When Coupled with High Fat & Sugar Diet
Why Circadian Rhythm Affects Your Health
Ideal Work Schedule As Determined By Circadian Rhythms
Key Element in Circadian Clock Speed Discovered
Circadian Clock An Orchestra With Many Conductors
Sleepless in America
*The Circadian Rhythm is controlled by a part of the brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN). This is a group of cells which are in the hypothalamus that respond to light and dark signals.
Light travels from the optic nerve of the eye to the SCN which then triggers the internal clock that it is time to be awake. This SCN also plays a part in hormones, body temperature and functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or awake.
The exposure to daylight triggers the SCN to send signals to raise the body temperature and produces the cortisol hormones.
The SCN also responds to light by delaying the release of the melatonin. Melatonin plays a part in promoting sleep as it is produced when the eyes signal to the SCN that it is dark. Hence, when there is less light, the SCN tells the brain to produce more melatonin to make you sleepy. (Thus it is a bad idea to watch TV or be in front of computers/tablets/smart phones as they can screw up your signals!)
People who work at the night shift produce less melatonin. Also people who are constantly in offices (with artificial lights) and with no windows, tend not to have a stable circadian rhythm.
It is good to be exposed to morning sunlight as it helps the circadian rhythm to regulate.
It is also very important to keep a regular sleep schedule to allow deep and quality sleep.
(*taken from NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION)
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
*The circadian rhythm disorders can be triggered by pregnancy, shift-work, time zone changes, medications, changes in routine where sleeping is concerned, health problems and mental health problems.
(*taken from HERE)
Common Circadian Rhythm Problems
- Jet-Lag - Excessive sleepiness or a decline in daytime awareness due to the change in time zone.
- Shift-Work Sleep Disorder - Unable to sleep or have quality sleep due to rotating of shifts or works at night.
- Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) - Only able to fall asleep very late at night and unable to wake up in time for work, school or appointed schedules.
- Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPD) - Excessive sleepiness much too soon before bedtime (6pm to 9pm) and waking up earlier than desired (1am to 5am).
- Non 24-Hour Sleep Wake Disorder - This affects blind people as the gateway to the CNS is not functioning. As a result, sleep time, quality and problems staying awake persist.
How To Treat Circadian Rhythm Disorders
- Sleep Hygiene Techniques - Practices, habits and environment factors that are important in getting quality sleep.
- Sleep Restriction Therapy - The bed is only for sleeping and nothing else. Thus, time in bed is limited.
- Chronotherapy - A behavioral technique where bedtime is gradually and systematically adjusted until a desired bedtime is achieved.
- Bright Light Therapy - Used to reset a patient's circadian rhythm to a desired pattern.
Circadian Rhythm Trivia
1. The SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) contains about 20,000 nerve cells!
2. Even fruit flies, cyanobacteria, algae and fungi (YES! Fungi!) have genes that direct the circadian rhythm.
3. The 'after-lunch-sleepiness-syndrome' is not caused by lunch. It is the body's natural circadian rhythm where our energy levels naturally dip between 1 to 3pm, where 3pm being its lowest.
4. Morning sunlight is the most powerful regulator for our biological clock (circadian rhythm).
5. In order for a biological rhythm to be called circadian, it must fulfill three criteria: The rhythm must persist in constant conditions for a 24-hour period (entrainment), the rhythm can be reset by external stimuli (light and heat) and the rhythm must maintain the circadian rhythm even though temperature changes.
6. A French scientist by the name of Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered circadian rhythms in 1729. Click on LINK to read more.
Interesting Articles to Read
Disruption of Circadian Rhythm May Contribute to Inflammatory Disease When Coupled with High Fat & Sugar Diet
Why Circadian Rhythm Affects Your Health
Ideal Work Schedule As Determined By Circadian Rhythms
Key Element in Circadian Clock Speed Discovered
Circadian Clock An Orchestra With Many Conductors
Sleepless in America
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Bitter Gourd & Mushroom Egg
Ingredients:
1. 8 large free-range chicken eggs (beaten)
2. 1/4 of a bitter gourd (washed and sliced thinly)
3. 6 fresh shitake mushrooms (sliced thinly)
4. Sea-salt
5. Sunflower oil
------------------------------------
1. Mix all ingredients above in a large mixing bowl.
2. Heat up a wok on high heat.
3. Turn to medium heat and pour the wet mixture into the wok.
4. Stir fry until eggs are browned and fragrant.
5. Scoop up onto serving dish.
6. Serve with hot rice.
Bon appétit!
1. 8 large free-range chicken eggs (beaten)
2. 1/4 of a bitter gourd (washed and sliced thinly)
3. 6 fresh shitake mushrooms (sliced thinly)
4. Sea-salt
5. Sunflower oil
------------------------------------
1. Mix all ingredients above in a large mixing bowl.
2. Heat up a wok on high heat.
3. Turn to medium heat and pour the wet mixture into the wok.
4. Stir fry until eggs are browned and fragrant.
5. Scoop up onto serving dish.
6. Serve with hot rice.
Bon appétit!
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Did You Know....
... That some of the household dust is made of humans' dead skin cells?
YES! We shed like dogs and cats do!
Click on LINK to read more about it.
YES! We shed like dogs and cats do!
Click on LINK to read more about it.
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Vitamin Sleep - Part 1 (An Introduction)
As the human society progresses, sleep is becoming more and more of a luxury. Some people even say that 'they'll sleep all they want when they are dead', not knowing that having a lack of sleep will accelerate their 'sleeping-forever-at-six-feet-under'!
A study done by the University of California, San Diego has found that people who live the longest sleep for six to seven hours each night. (Click on LINK)
Those who lack sleep have been shown to be high at risk where weight gain, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes are concerned.
I wrote about the four stages of sleep and what sleep deprivation does to you back in 2013. Here's the LINK.
A study done by the University of California, San Diego has found that people who live the longest sleep for six to seven hours each night. (Click on LINK)
Those who lack sleep have been shown to be high at risk where weight gain, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes are concerned.
I wrote about the four stages of sleep and what sleep deprivation does to you back in 2013. Here's the LINK.
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