Insidermedicine in 60 - August 22, 2008

From Washington - Two years after a widespread E. coli outbreak, the FDA has approved the use of ionizing radiation for fresh spinach and lettuce. The irradiation process can help control harmful bacteria and give leafy greens a longer shelf-life. To date, several foods have been approved for radiation treatment including meat, poultry, spices, and some types of shellfish. The foods must carry a special logo to indicate that they have been treated with radiation.

From Toronto - According to research in the journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, breastfeeding mothers taking codeine after childbirth may be putting their baby at risk. Researchers have discovered that about 1 in 20 women "ultra-metabolize" codeine, converting it into an excessive amount of the potent narcotic morphine, which can end up in breast milk. The researchers indicate that doctors and medical organizations may need to consider a change in prescribing practice.

And finally, from Sweden - According to a study in the journal Respiratory Research, snoring may be linked to various factors in childhood. In a study of nearly 16,000 people, researchers found that being hospitalized before the age of 2, suffering from ear infections as a child, growing up in a large family and being exposed to a dog in the home as a newborn were all independent risk factors for snoring in later life. The researchers note that snoring is more than just a nuisance, as those who snore have an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and early death.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• coli
• bacteria
• illness
• food
• poison
• spinach
• lettuce
• meat
• poultry
• breast
• milk
• feeding
• infant
• child
• codeine
• tylenol
• snore

[charlesrosaly]

Its marked at the fruit stand. The number starts with a 3xxx. I only buy the fruits that start with a 4xxx. This process most likely kills all the vitamins.

[vysehrad]

It is good to see someone providing actual legitimate information about irradiation, instead of paranoid fearmongering.

[isstupidavirus]

WHAT!? cancer food