Can iced tea cause kidney stones?
If you have always liked to reach for that glass of
ice tea, preferring that to a beverage, think again.
For, a study indicates that drinking iced tea can contribute to the development of painful kidney stones, due to its high concentration of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that could result in the formation of kidney stones.
For, a study indicates that drinking iced tea can contribute to the development of painful kidney stones, due to its high concentration of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that could result in the formation of kidney stones.
What the researchers found
"For
people who have a tendency to form the most common type of kidney stones, iced
tea is one of the worst things to drink," Dr. John Milner, an assistant
professor in the department of urology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch
School of Medicine, said in a news release. Researchers went on to explain that
the drink contains high levels of oxalate, a chemical that leads to the
formation of small crystals made of minerals and salt found in urine. Although
these crystals are usually harmless, the researchers cautioned they could grow
large enough to become wedged in the small tubes that drain urine from the
kidney to the bladder. "A lot of people choose to drink more iced tea,
because it is low in calories
and tastes better than water. However, in terms of kidney stones, they might be
doing themselves a disservice," added Milner.
Nutritionist says...
Ice tea may not be all that much low in calories, says nutritionist Dr Priya Karkera. "This is because one tends to add sugar to it. I also feel that ice tea can be a contributing factor to kidney stones and is avoidable to be had on a regular basis." She also recommends that those who are at risk for kidney stones should reduce certain foods that contain high concentrations of oxalates, including spinach, chocolate, and nuts. Salt and meat are extremely harmful. Drink several glasses of water as well one glass of barley water a day can help, she advises.
Beverages that can help
Lemon juice is a good drink to keep the kidneys hydrated, as the citrates present in lemonade inhibits the growth of kidney stones. "Drinking several glasses of water as well one glass of barley water a day can help," advises Dr Karkera.
07.09.2012
Soon, birth control pill for men
It is not too far when men can take their own birth
control pill with no side effects, suggest a
study done by a group of scientists.
Working on mice, the team found that a
compound called JQ1 acts as an inhibitor to sperm
production and also sperm mobility.
"Both of these are needed for fertility, but JQ1 prevents both," said Qinglei Li, an assistant professor in Texas A and M's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, who is a part of the team.
"It stopped the sperm production very dramatically. More good news is that there appear to be no side effects whatsoever. Once the JQ1 was no longer given to the mice, they were back to their normal reproduction rates, and it did not affect mating behavior or the health of the offspring," Li noted.
Martin Matzuk at Baylor College of Medicine and James Bradner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute led the researchers. Though the mice were given injections, the team believes that a pill could eventually be developed for the same results.
A male contraceptive pill has been talked about for decades, but so far none has been successfully created despite a strong demand.
While many men might be reluctant to take out the trash or ask for directions if they are lost, recent studies have shown that about 70 per cent of men would be willing to take a birth control pill if it were available.
One drawback to many female contraceptives is that they sometimes interfere with hormones, especially estrogen. But Li said the team is confident that JQ1 does not affect testosterone levels in men, and appears to have no other side effects as well.
As with many discoveries, the JQ1 compound appears to have come about by accident.
It was originally used for anti-cancer treatments, but researchers found it was also an excellent compound in controlling fertility.
"This is an exciting step in male contraception. A compound with more specificity will be needed before clinical trials can be done for humans. It does not mean a male birth control just yet, but it is a great step forward in that direction," Li added.
Their work has been published in the journal Cell.
07.09.2012
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but
the parent of all the others
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