Top 5 Most Addictive Foods

While we all know about the dangers of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes,did you know that you could become addicted to your favourite food?From withdrawal symptoms to changes in brain chemistry, our snacks have surprising ways of keeping us wanting more.Here is our guide to five of the world’s most addictive foods.

Chocolate

Many people claim to be chocoholics, but can you really be addicted to chocolate? The answer is... perhaps. One reason many people feel "addicted" to chocolate is that the food's chemical compounds (including theobromine, phenyethylamine, anandamide and tryptophan) actually have pleasure-inducing effects that can mimic the effects of drugs on the brain. Chocolate also contains alkaloids (tetrahydro-beta-carbolines) which are present in alcohol and have been linked to alcoholism.

However - before you go booking yourself into Chocoholics Anonymous - it is important to note that many researchers have pointed out that the chemicals in chocolate also exist in other foods
which most of us do not crave. It has also been suggested that the chemicals in chocolate are not in high enough doses to lead to addiction. Regardless, it is impossible to deny that
chocolate is one of the world's most-craved foods - whether this is due to psychological reasons or a physical addiction.

Cheese

From pizzas to cheeseburgers, cheese is a staple of many widely-craved junk foods, but there could be more to our cravings than we think. Various studies have discovered the presence of opiates -
including the highly addictive morphine - in the popular dairy product. While the amounts of morphine in cheese are very small and probably not enough to cause addiction, some researchers have expressed concern about its levels of casein (the main protein in cheese) which produces morphine-like opiate compounds called casomorphins during digestion. On top of this, cheese also contains phenylethylamine, a substance with stimulant effects which is thought to give consumers a natural "high", and which is reputed to have addictive qualities.

Sugar

We all know that sugar is bad for our health but, according to numerous studies, it can also be addictive. Studies have suggested that when we eat sugar, chemicals called opioids are released by the brain, which leads to an intense feeling of pleasure. It is this feeling that people may crave in the absence of sugar.

A study by psychologists at Princeton University investigated sugar addiction by studying its effect on rats. They discovered that after rats were fed a diet high in sugar, they experienced symptoms
similar to those produced by drug withdrawal when the sugar was withdrawn, including shaking and changes in brain chemistry. The study therefore concluded what other researchers have also suggested; that it is possible to become severely dependent on sugar

Burgers and other

Numerous researchers and studies have suggested that fatty, processed junk food such as burgers may actually be addictive. According to Professor David Kessler - an ex-commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration and author of The End of Overeating - the combination of fat, salt and sugar in junk food triggers our "bliss point" and leaves us wanting more.

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida backed up this theory with a study which found that the addictive responses in the brains of rats when fed junk food including fatty meats were the
same as in those that consume cocaine or heroin. On top of this, meat - like chocolate, cheese and sugar - releases opiate-like substances during digestion which some studies have suggested
can leave us craving more.

Coffee

Many feel that they can't start the day without a cup of coffee and people often joke about having a caffeine "addiction", however this may not be far from the truth. Although there has been much debate over the years about whether or not caffeine is genuinely addictive, it is difficult to deny that many of us crave it to the point where we feel we can't function without it.

One reason that people may crave caffeine so much is due to the fairly severe symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that people often face, ranging from fatigue and headaches to irritability
and depression. However, it may be that, rather than being physically dependent on caffeine, you are actually addicted to the belief that you can't function without your morning cup of coffee.
Whatever the reason, caffeine remains the world's most popular drug and a staple of many daily routines.

Mens Cancer:15 Symptoms That Men Ignore

See Your Doctor When Symptoms Occur, and Get Regular Checkups.

Experts say that men could benefit greatly by being alert to certain cancer symptoms that indicate a trip to the doctor's office sooner rather than later. Some of those cancer symptoms in men are specific. They involve certain body parts and may even point directly to the possibility of cancer (for example, a mass in the scrotum or testicle). Other symptoms are not specific. For instance, pain that affects many body parts could have dozens of explanations and may not be cancer; however, that circumstance doesn't mean you can rule out cancer without seeing a doctor.

The following slideshow of pictures explain 15 symptoms and possible clues to finding cancer early. Unfortunately, many men ignore these symptoms with the result of sometimes discovering a cancer that might have been more easily treated if the cancer had been detected at an earlier date in its development.



No.1 - Breast Mass

If you're like most men, you've probably never considered the possibility of having breast cancer. Although it's not common, it is possible. According to Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society, "Any new mass in the breast area of a man needs to be checked out by a physician."

In addition, the American Cancer Society identifies several other worrisome signs involving the breast that men as well as women should take note of. They include skin dimpling or puckering nipple retraction redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin and nipple discharge.

When you consult your physician about any of these signs, expect the doctor to take a careful history and do a physical exam. Then, depending on the findings, the doctor may order a mammogram, a biopsy, or other tests.



No. 2 - Persistent Pain or Discomfort in Any Body Area

As they age, people often complain of more aches and pains. But pain, as vague as it may be, can be an early symptom of some cancers although most pain complaints are not from cancer.

Any pain that persists, according to the American Cancer Society, should be checked out by your physician. The doctor can take a careful history, get more details, and then decide whether further testing is necessary. If the cause of the pain is not cancer, you will still benefit from the visit to the office because the doctor can work with you to find out what's causing pain and help you know what may be done to treat the cause.



No 3. - Changes in the Testicles or Scrotum

Testicular cancer occurs most often in men aged 20 to 39. The American Cancer Society recommends that men get a testicular exam by a doctor as part of a routine cancer-related checkup. Some doctors suggest a monthly self-exam. Any change in the size of the testicles, such as growth or shrinkage, should be a concern. In addition, swelling or a lump or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum should not be ignored. Some testicular cancers occur very quickly, so early detection is especially crucial.



No. 4 - Changes in the Lymph Nodes (Swelling, Painful, Warm and/or Reddish Color)

If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck -- or anywhere else -- it could be a reason for concern, says Hannah Linden, MD. "If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it's been noticeable longer than a month, see a doctor," she says.

Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues with a detailed medical history that could explain the lymph node enlargement, such as infection. If there is no infection, a doctor will typically order a biopsy and blood tests.



No. 5 - Fever (High Fever of > 103 F or Chronic Fevers, Usually More Than One Week)

If you've got an unexplained fever, it may indicate cancer. It could also be a sign of pneumonia or some other illness that needs treatment.

Most cancers will cause fever at some point. Often, fever occurs after the cancer has spread from its original site and invaded another part of the body. But it can also be caused by blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia, according to the American Cancer Society. It's best not to ignore a fever that can't be explained. Check with your doctor to find out what might be causing the fever. The doctor can help distinguish between acute and chronic fever causes and also help to determine if anything needs to be done for the patient emergently.



No. 6 - Weight Loss Without Trying

Unexpected or weight loss without dieting is a concern as most people don't lose weight easily. If a man loses more than 10% of his body weight in a short time period such as a matter of weeks without actively trying to reduce weight, it's time to see the doctor.

Your doctor will do a general physical, ask you questions about your diet and exercise, and ask about other symptoms. Based on that information, the doctor will decide what other tests are needed. Unplanned rapid weight loss should never be ignored, even in men (and women) who are overweight.



No. 7 - Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression

"Any guy who's got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a checkup,” says Lichtenfeld. Although these symptoms may be due to non-cancerous causes, experts have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms that can occur with the abdominal pain and depression include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white area of the eyes) or a change in the stool color, often to a gray color.

Expect your doctor to do a careful physical exam and take a history. The doctor may then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and, possibly, other scans and tests.



No. 8 - Fatigue (Physical or Mental)

Fatigue (physical or mental) is another vague symptom that could point to cancer in men, but a host of other problems could cause it as well. Like fever, fatigue can occur after the cancer has developed or spread. However, fatigue may also happen early in cancers such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

If you often feel extremely tired and it doesn't get better with rest, check with your doctor. The doctor will evaluate the symptom of fatigue along with any other symptoms in order to determine the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the fatigue.



No. 9 - Persistent Cough (Especially Lasting More Than About Three Weeks)

Coughs are expected, of course, with colds, the flu, and allergies. They are also sometimes a side effect of a medication. But a very prolonged cough -- defined as lasting more than three or four weeks -- should not be ignored, says Ranit Mishori, MD, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. That kind of cough warrants a visit to the doctor. It could be a symptom of cancer, or it could indicate some other problem such as chronic bronchitis or acid reflux.

Your doctor will take a careful history, examine your throat, check how your lungs are functioning, and, especially if you are a smoker, perhaps order X-rays. Once the underlying reason for the coughing is identified, the doctor will work with you to determine a treatment plan



No. 10 - Difficulty Swallowing (Food, Liquids, or Both)

Some men may report trouble swallowing (dysphagia) but then learn to live with it, Dr. Lichtenfeld says. "Over time, they change their diet to a more liquid diet. They start to drink more soup." But swallowing difficulties, he says, could be a sign of a gastrointestinal cancer, such as cancer of the esophagus.

Let your doctor know if you are having trouble swallowing. Your doctor will take a careful history and possibly order a chest X-ray. The doctor may also send you to a specialist (gastroenterologist) for an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus. Other tests such as barium swallow tests; CT or MRI of the esophagus may also be done.



No. 11 - Changes in the Skin (Color Changes, Thickness Changes, Easy Bleeding)

You should be alert to not only changes in moles -- a well-known sign of potential skin cancer -- but also changes in skin pigmentation, says Mary Daly, MD, an oncologist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

She also says that suddenly developing bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling are reasons to check with your doctor. It's difficult to say how long is too long to observe skin changes, but most experts say not to wait longer than several weeks.

To find out what's causing the skin changes, your doctor will take a careful history and perform a careful physical exam. The doctor may also order a skin biopsy to rule out cancer.



No. 12 - Blood Where It Shouldn't Be (Blood in Sputum, Stool or Urine)

"Anytime you see blood coming from a body part where you've never seen it before, see a doctor," Lichtenfeld says. "If you start coughing or spitting up blood, have blood in the bowel, or blood in the urine, it's time for a doctor visit."

Dr. Mishori says it's a mistake to assume blood in the stool is simply from a hemorrhoid. "It could be colon cancer," he says.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. If there is blood in the stool, the doctor may also order tests such as a colonoscopy, which is an examination of the colon using a long flexible tube with a camera on one end. The purpose of a colonoscopy is to identify any signs of cancer or precancer or to identify what else might be causing the bleeding. If there is blood in the urine, other tests such as bladder cystoscopy (tube used to examine urinary tissue) and tissue biopsy may be done. Blood in the sputum may occur from many non-cancerous causes; however, several types of cancers (for example, lung, esophageal, oral) may also produce bloody sputum. Your doctor can help diagnose the underlying cause of bloody sputum with tests and in consultation with specialists.



No. 13 - Mouth Changes (Chronic Oral Lesions That Do Not Heal)

If you smoke or chew tobacco, you need to be especially alert for any white patches inside your mouth or white spots on your tongue. Those changes may indicate leukoplakia, a precancerous area that can occur with ongoing irritation. The condition can progress to oral cancer.

You should report the changes to your doctor or dentist. The dentist or doctor will take a careful history, examine the changes, and then decide what other tests, such as a tissue biopsy, might be needed.



No. 14 - Urinary Problems (Frequent Urge to Urinate, Slow Urine Stream, Incomplete Feeling of Emptying the Bladder)

As men age, urinary problems become more frequent, such as the urge to urinate more often, a sense of urgency, and a feeling of not completely emptying the bladder. Most men will develop these problems as they get older. However, if you notice any of these symptoms and they concern you because they begin to interfere with normal activities, you should seek medical attention, especially if symptoms become worse.

Your doctor will do a digital rectal exam, which will tell him whether the prostate gland is enlarged. The gland often enlarges as a man ages. It's typically caused by a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Your doctor may also order a blood test to check the level of prostate-specific antigen or PSA. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and the test is used to help determine the possibility of prostate cancer. If the doctor notices abnormalities in the prostate or if the PSA is higher than it should be, your doctor may refer you to an urologist and may suggest a biopsy of the prostate gland be done.



No. 15 - Indigestion (Frequent or Almost Constant Discomfort)

A lot of guys, especially as they get older, think "heart attack" when they get bad indigestion, even if they've just eaten and drunk their way through a marathon Super Bowl viewing. But persistent indigestion could point to cancer of the esophagus, throat, or stomach and should be reported to your doctor. Conversely, if the pain is intense and causes a person to "grip their chest," most doctors consider this as a sign of a cardiac event and consider this situation to be a medical emergency.

Your doctor will take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion episodes. Based on the history and your answers to the questions, the doctor will decide what tests are needed and if you should be referred to a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or an ENT specialist.

Top 10 Foods That Can Help You Lose Weight

Losing weight is not just about reducing food intake and cutting things out of your diet,there are a few additions that you can make to your daily diet that can indeed help you lose weight. We've found 10 foods stuffs that incorporated with a healthy eating approach can help you shift those extra pounds and speed up weight loss.

Grapefruit

We've all heard of the grapefruit diet but you don't have to live on a diet of grapefruit alone to lose weight. It's been found that that eating half a grapefruit before each meal or drinking a serving of the juice three times a day can help you drop the pounds. The magic ingredient is the fruit's phytochemicals and their effect of reducing insulin levels which stimulates your body to convert calories into energy rather than storing as flabby fat.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a super spice when it comes to boosting your wellbeing as it has many health-giving properties. In terms of weight loss, it's all to do with controlling those post-meal insulin spikes, which is what make you feel hungry. And you don't need to get much of the stuff to get the benefits; studies have shown just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day can lower the blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. To up your cinnamon intake either sprinkle it on to your breakfast cereal, or maybe mix it into your morning latte.

Chili peppers

Adding a bit of heat to your diet can give you a weight-loss boost. Studies show that having a spicy start to your morning, i.e. eating chilies as a part of your breakfast can make you opt for a smaller lunch. Apparently it's down to capsaicin which is found in chilies and red peppers that has appetite suppressing properties. Granted - chilies aren't the easiest of items to face as your morning meal but how about as a part of a spicy egg-white omelette or stirred into scrambled eggs for a spicy weight loss kick.

Fennel tea

Again fennel tea is a food stuff that boasts a list of health giving benefits; it's packed with good levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as the vitamins B and C. But when it comes to the weight-loss stakes fennel had a double benefit: working both as an appetite suppressant and a metabolism booster which really are both useful if you're trying to lose weight. Fennel tea is widely available in supermarkets so add it to your daily diet to stave off cravings and boost your fuel burn.

Salad

Eating a low-calorie salad before your main meals can help you to lose weight and ensure you get recommended daily intake of veggies. And it's not rocket science as to how it works for weight loss, the key is the sheer volume of a salad, which makes you feel too full to pig out when it comes to your main meal. You need to make sure you don't drown it in a fatty dressing though - a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar makes the perfect healthy accompaniment to a fresh salad.

Green tea

Another powerful brew - green tea really has a multitude of health and wellbeing benefits. And if you are a keen into fitness it makes the perfect pre-workout drink; it's been found to increase endurance by as much as 24%, allowing you to exercise longer and burn more calories. But in terms boosting your weight loss power, a study carried out by the Journal of Nutrition, drinking five cups of green tea per day can help you lose twice as much weight, most of it where we want to lose it most - around the middle.

Celery

Celery rates well as a weight-loss food as you can actually end up burning more calories eating it than your body will take on consuming it. But by no means does that make celery low in nutritional value; it's super-packed with fibre (great for digestion) and foliate (the essential nutrient for the care and production of new cells within the body). Get your celery fix by making sure it's featured in your pre-meal salad, as an accompaniment to your lunch or as a healthy snack when you want to satisfy that 'munch' craving.

Lentils

Lentils are great weight-loss food as they have the power to really satisfy your hunger without packing your body with loads of calories and fat - that's often why lentils feature heavily as a meat substitute - they can make you feel like you've had a meaty dish minus the calories and saturated fat that come with eating meat. Again like celery, lentils are full of fibre and foliate so as well as giving you the full feeling, they are great for digestion and healthy cell growth.

Dark chocolate

Granted chocolate is not low in calories nor in fat, but dark chocolate has two major dietary positives that can lead to long term weight loss. First, it's quite difficult to scoff massive quantities of high-quality dark chocolate as compared to the milk stuff. Secondly, dark chocolate is very high in health-promoting antioxidants. In terms of a weapon in your weight-loss armoury you can use dark chocolate as a way to curb any sweet cravings, just a few small squares to quell a full on chocolate pig out is well worth the modest calorie intake.

Quinoa

Pronounced 'Keen-wah' quinoa is known as the 'mother grain' by the ancient Peruvians. Quinoa is good for weight loss as it has the power to keep you feeling fuller for longer due to its high protein content. Also the carbs that are present in the grain are released slowly into the body so you won't get that rush of energy after eating quinoa as you would with other foods like white rice or pasta. You can eat quinoa raw but we reckon it's best when it's cooked in a similar way to rice or couscous.

The First Ever Double Arm Transplant

Farmer Has Double Arm Transplant. Check this out - a farmer from Germany has become the first person ever to have a double arm transplant. Karl Merk lost his arms in a farm accident six years ago, but in July, Doctors did a 15-hour operation to fix the donor arms to his body.

10 Foods All Women Should Eat

Butternut Squash translation 'spesies labu'

Like many other yellow/ orange fruit and vegetables - is packed with carotids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. While carotene should be included in everybody's diet for optimum health, they may prove essential to women health as a high-carotid diet has been linked to lowered risks of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Salmon

Has a multitude of positive health benefits for women. Not only is it rich in iron - which is integral to the diets of premenopausal women - but it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, known for their mood-enhancing effects. Studies have suggested that omega-3 can help beat depression and prevent mood swings while salmon can alos boost babie's intelligence when eaten during pregnancy.



Flax Seeds translation BIJI RAMI

Good source of omega-3 fatty acids and have been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer and heart disease. The seeds' anti-inflammatory properties are alos good for preventing arthritis, while their digestive benefits can help irritable bowel syndrome; two painful conditions which are more prevalent in women than men.

Tomatoes

Another vibrant carotenoid beneficial for women's health is lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes. Studies have suggested that lycopene may be effective in preventing breast cancer. Futhermore, there has been considerable evidence to suggest that the powerful antioxidant can help reduce risk of heart disease.

Cranberries

Also reduced risks of breast cancer and heart disease. However, the most notorious benefit of cranberries is their ability to prevent and cure urinary tract infections such as cystitis, which is 8 times more likely to occur in women than men.

Spinach

Rich in many different vitamins and minerals, but one thing that makes it great for women is its high content of magnesium. Research has shown that magnesium may be beneficial in reducing
many of the physical symptoms of PMS which plague women, including reduction of swelling, breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain.

Figs fruit translation BUAH ARA

Great health food, containing many vital minerals and vitamins as well as contributing to your daily portions of fruit and veg. Two minerals found in figs that are particularly beneficial to women health are iron, which is often deficient in menstruating women, and calcium, which is important for post-menopausal women, who are more prone to osteoporosis.

Milk

A study has suggested that a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D could ease, or even prevent symptoms of PMS.

Oats

Great for heart health, digestion and blood pressure levels (with hypertension affecting many women over 50), but they contain vitamin B6, which can help prevent PMS and mood swings and folic acids which is important for women to consume before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in babies.

Walnuts

A study has recently found that walnuts, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols, may help to reduce women's risk of developing breast cancer, while their high omega-3 content may also help bone health, arthritis pain and depression. It also contain many nutrients essential for female health, such as calcium, magnesium and folic acid.