57 Ways to Cure Your Headache (part one)

Reprinted from MRI Technician School.

Best Over The Counter Ways To Cure A Headache

Grabbing a pill is one of the most common ways to treat a headache or any other pain. Below are some of the most known. Make sure to read the label and follow the instructions before taking. If on any prescription medication, be sure that they don’t interfere with each other.

1. Ibuprofen : This drug is more commonly known as Motrin or Advil. It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Highs include a smaller dosage and longer lasting relief. Lows include the ability to cause gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn or constipation in a small amount of patients.

2. Naproxen : You may know this drug as Aleve or one of its counterparts. It works by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain. As a result, those who take this drug may experience reduced inflammation and fever as well. However, side effects from this drug can include rash, ringing ear, and even headaches.

3. Aspirin : One of the oldest over the counter remedies, one of the most popular brand names is Bayer. In addition to treating headaches, it is taken for flu, fever, and even for heart health on the recommendation of a doctor. Aspirin reduces substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Side effects are similar to that of Ibuprofen.

4. Acetaminophen : Best known as Tylenol, those who have a sensitive stomach may turn to this. Acetaminophen relieves pain by requiring a greater amount of pain to develop before a person feels it and even reduces fever. However, those who take more than eight pills a day for more than a day or two can experience liver damage.

5. Headache Powder : By using a material that dissolves in water, some headache sufferers may experience relief faster. This popular brand contains 650 mg of aspirin, 33.3 mg of caffeine, and 195 mg of salicylamide. Those who have allergies, asthma, ulcers, or stomach issues should consult a doctor before using.

6. Alka Seltzer : Similar to the above, this product uses medicine dissolved in water to treat headaches. Aspirin is usually the main ingredient. However, there are many varieties for flu, morning headaches, and more.

Best Diet Ways To Cure A Headache

Because you are what you eat, try these foods to help out your headache. A simple dietary switch may be all you need to prevent future headaches.

7. Keep It Fresh : Because packaged and frozen foods can be loaded with additives causing various unknown effects, chronic headache sufferers should switch to fresh. A diet lower in meat, especially red, can also help with headaches. If possible, try a switch to organics.

8. Switch to Decaf : No surprise here. The energy caffeine produces in the body may not match output, causing headaches. Caffeine also is a stimulant that can have unknown causes on your brain, which can also lead to headaches. The added side effects of restlessness and insomnia don’t help either.

9. Ginger : This herb can actually be used to treat a migraine headache in progress. It contains a substance called thromboxane A2 that prevents blood vessels from dilating. Use fresh, powdered, or pickled.

10. Honey : This is another entry in the take-as-you-feel-a-headache-coming-on category. Honey has both potassium and magnesium which relax arteries, allowing more blood to flow to the brain. Two teaspoons three times a day should do it.

11. Omega 3’s : An essential part of any diet, they can also help prevent headaches. These fatty acids found in fish or supplements can help reduce inflammation and help the brain function. Omega 3’s are also useful if you have heart issues.

12. Wheat : Do you have Celiac disease and don’t know it? If stomach problems accompany your headaches, it might be the reason. Because seeing a doctor can take weeks, try a gluten free diet while you wait to see if it cures your headache.

13. Diet Your Diet : Many diet products that use artificial sweeteners include aspartame. Those who consume regularly and go prolonged lengths of time without it can experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms, including headache. Try consuming these products in moderation or stopping altogether to see if it cures your headaches.

14. Skip The MSG : Often found in Chinese food, this chemical can trigger pain receptors, increasing your odds of having a headache. Other pain sensitivity can also be cause by monosodium glutamate. It can even be found in other fast foods, along with packaged ones.

15. Elimination Diet : If you have tried the above, and it still doesn’t work for you, consider the elimination diet. If you think your headaches are being caused by your diet, this one helps you cut out all but essential foods. Dr. Sears recommends this for babies with unexplained symptoms. Try for two weeks to see if it helps.

Best Drinks To Cure A Headache

If your medicine cabinet is bare or you don’t feel like any drugs, try the below for a quick and easy fix to a headache.

16. Water : Could a case of dehydration be causing your headache? It doesn’t take running a marathon to cause a headache. If you have a headache and can’t remember the last time you rehydrated, try drinking a simple glass or two of water.

17. Sports Drink : If you suspect your workout may be causing your headache, you may be right. The loss of electrolytes can lead to many symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and headache. Grab your favorite flavor to see if it cures your headache.

18. Apple Cider Vinegar : A leading home health remedy, it is no wonder it can help fight a headache. Headaches caused by an off pH level can be returned to normal with this fix. Add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink.

19. Cayenne Pepper : Not just a cure for stopped up sinuses anymore. This spice helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, helping your headache. Put a half to one teaspoon into a glass of water and drink slowly.

20. Tomato Juice : There’s a reason that the Bloody Mary is the hangover cure of choice, and it isn’t the vodka. The tomato juice found in it can actually rehydrate the body. Vodka can counteract this, so stick to just the juice.

21. Peppermint Tea : If you think your headache may be triggered by a stomach issue, try drinking a cup of this. It can soothe many gastrointestinal problems, curing the headache that was caused by it. A few cups throughout the day should do it.

22. Lemon, Ginger, and Honey Tea : This tea is useful for treating many health problems, including headaches. The three ingredients, when combined, provide many natural healing properties. Best of all, this blog entry shows you how to make your very own at home.

23. Hot and Sour Soup : Because spices can help headaches, this soup can do wonders. Also, the act of relaxing and sipping slowly can be a cure in itself.

24. Chicken Soup : It’s not just for cold and flu, either. The healing properties of a simple chicken broth are unknown, but having a bowl can help your headache. Other health issues can also be helped with chicken soup.

First Monogamous Frog Found

Photo courtesy: ghastly152

While there are some well-known cases of monogamy in animals - swans, wolves, beavers, and the Malagasy Jumping Rat. However, frogs have long been considered among the most promiscuous of animals mating with whoever happens to be handy at the time. Now a new BBC documentary reveals that at least one species of frog mates with one partner for life. So, what is the secret that keeps these guys and girls together for life?

The frogs, Ranitomeya imitator (Mimic Poison Frog), native to Peru, were discovered to be monogamous. A series of paternity tests were conducted to determine how the frogs raise their offspring; and, the proof of the monogamy was in the DNA.

The female lays her eggs on a leaf; and, the male collects the individual tadpoles as they hatch. He tenderly moves each tadpole to its own private reservoir of water where it can grow and develop in safety. These tiny tadpole-sized water basins are collected rainwater found in the crevices of leaves high above the forest floor. When the tadpoles need food, the males informs his mate who then deposits an unfertilized egg into each pool for her young to eat.

Wow!! This sounds like love, doesn't it? Well, it's not according to scientists. Researchers claim this unique cooperation between the male and the female for the benefit of their offspring is what makes them so inseparable - not love.

Biologist Jason Brown told the BBC:

"This is the first discovery of a truly monogamous frog."

Brown and his team performed genetic tests on twelve of these frogs and found that eleven were completely loyal to their partner. Personally, I was not surprised to find that the lone frog caught "cheating" on its mate was male.

Via TreeHugger and BBC News(written in Portuguese)

Storks Bring Good Luck to Rice Farmers in Toyooka

Frogs or fish?: Two Oriental storks are seen in a rice paddy in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, in July 2007. Photo courtesy: Toyooka Municipal Government

There have been many fables about storks, the most popular being that babies were delivered by storks who dropped them down the chimneys of the prospective parents. Children are sometimes born with reddish marks on their faces that eventually disappear. These marks have become commonly known as "stork bites" alluding to the stork's beak irritating the newborns skin during the flight to their new home. Some cultures, believe that the yearly arrival of the stork back to their nesting grounds also brings good luck; and, this is certainly the case in Toyooka. Toyooka is located in Japan, in Hyogo Prefecture, where storks have brought good fortune to the rice farmers there.

The amazingly beautiful wild Oriental stork population has been rapidly declining for years. At one time, the Oriental Stork could be found in Japan, China, Korea and Russia. It is now almost extinct in Japan and on the Korean peninsula.

Toyooka is the last area in Japan where wild Oriental storks are living wild and natural lives due to the efforts of the local community. In 1989, the began to artificially breed the birds and release the offspring back into the wild.

Miraculously, in May 2007, a hatchling was reported in Japan for the first time in 40 years in the wild. It was the offspring of two storks who were bred in captivity as part of the effort to bring the storks back from the brink of extinction.

As part of the effort, local rice farmers were approached and asked to cooperate by reducing the amount of agricultural chemicals they used. After some initial resistance by many farmers who feared the switch to fewer chemicals would greatly increase their work load; and, possibly decrease their harvests. Eventually, they were won over by the government promises to provide subsidies.

In 2003, they started using less agricultural chemicals in the growing of their rice. This was the beginning of the efforts to preserve the frogs and fish in the area - the main prey of the storks.

Various methods were used to help reduce the use of chemicals. Two of the major changes are:

1) Higher water levels were maintained in the paddies so fewer weeds could grow.
2) The farmers have dug channels which connect their paddies to their water channels. This allows loaches to move freely around the growing rice seedlings. Loaches help the rice grow by eating harmful insects and organic debris.

This switch to fewer chemicals and more environmentally-friendly growing methods has not only helped the storks; but, it has had an unexpected bonus for the rice farmers. The cost of Koshihikari rice grown in the area is now 30% - 50% more expensive than any other rice. The reason - more and more consumers prefer organic produce and are willing to pay the price if necessary.

"This rice has grown in the environment. It is very good to human health," said rice farmer Ichio Narita, 53. "We want to continue farming this rice down the generations."

Via The Japan Times

Animal Oddity

Photo courtesy: Oddee

I was looking around the web for some ideas when I ran across this picture of the largest bunny I have ever seen. Just had to share.

Sana'a, Yemen: First Capital City in The World to Go Dry

Photo courtesy: VirtualTourist

What an absolutely breathtaking city! The capital city of Sana’a in Yemen is an extremely ancient city filled with history, home to architecture that shouts of times gone by; and, quite probably will be the first capital city to die of thirst.

The nation of Yemen has been under siege from an on-going drought for many years now. A short time ago, I wrote about the water riots in Yemen and the drought in Kenya. Now it would appear that the capital city, Sana’a, could become a ghost town in a mere 20 years.

A recent Reuters' investigation into the water crisis in Sana’a profiled a Yemeni water trader that complains that even though his well is 1,300 ft. deep, he’s hardly pumping out any water at all. His well is not unique in Yemen’s mountain-top capital of Sana’a. Even wells that are 2,000 ft. or 3,000 ft. deep are having trouble producing enough water to supply the demands made upon them.

Families all across Yemen have reported being unable to access water for days or even weeks. On days the tankers are due to arrive with water, women are lined up with plastic jerry cans hours before the scheduled time. As the tankers get closer, the women begin to jostle and shove. Some of them have been without water for days; and, they are determined to get water this time. Sometimes all-out fights erupt and three people have been reported to have lost their lives during “water fights” to date.

Sana’a has the infrastructure to support approximately 80,000 people; but, the population has grown to 2 million. Add to this that Sana’a is a mountainous city with a low water table; and, you have the recipe for a ghost town.

Yemen has 21 aquifers. Wikipedia explains: “An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, silt, or clay) from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well. The beach provides a model to help visualize an aquifer. If a hole is dug into the sand, very wet or saturated sand will be located at a shallow depth. This hole is a crude well, the wet sand represents an aquifer, and the level to which the water rises in this hole represents the water table.”

The problem in Yemen and surrounding areas is that demand is far outstripping supply and the water table is being lowered year after year. Eventually, the water table will be so low that the tiny amount of water remaining will be inaccessible.

Global warming has already created the first “environmental refugees”, now with the water crisis in Yemen; the world may have to deal with the first “water refugees”. As water becomes more and more inaccessible in Sana’a and other highland cities, millions of inhabitants will be forced to move into neighbouring Gulf States or Europe.

At the heart of this crisis is what many refer to as Yemen’s “national drug habit”.

Drivers wait at Al-Suhaini Well, near Al-Saleh Mosque in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, for three to fours hours to have their trucks filled with water. © Adel Yahya/IRIN Photo courtesy: Humanitarian Futures

The cultivation of qat (khat) is considered to be root of the water crisis. Qat production siphons off a massive 37% of the 90% of all water used in Yemen for cultivation. Let’s think about these statistics.

If 90% of all water used in Yemen goes toward agriculture; that, leaves only 10% of the water for human consumption, cleaning, cooking, hygiene and everything else. So, the cultivation of qat (a narcotic) is allocated nearly 4 times more water than Yemen’s human population. That does not say much for priorities.

Qat is immensely popular in Yemen and is chewed by Yemeni men throughout most of the day regardless of where they are or what they are doing. Despite the fact that qat contains the alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant which causes excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria, it is not only legal in Yemen; it is socially acceptable. It is chewed everywhere – at home, at work, on the street, at social gatherings, anywhere at all. In some cultures, the chewing of qat predates the drinking of coffee.

There are several obstacles to reducing or eliminating the qat crops. First and foremost, the government subsidizes and encourages qat cultivation. It is hard for the people to believe a crisis is real when the government is encouraging the growth of what is supposed to be the main cause of the problem.

Combine this with the fact that many Yemeni make a living from growing qat; and, the problem becomes even greater. How do you ask a man to give up the job that feeds his family?

The final difficulty is the feelings surrounding qat and the lackadaisical attitude many Yemeni have towards water and water conservation. As one qat merchant told Reuters, "It's true that qat uses much of our water; but, Yemen cannot live without qat." Another said, "We depend on qat. Without it, Yemen is impossible. God will help us find new water."

A Yemini qat seller. Photo courtesy: TreeHugger

Many Western governments fear that the instability that would arise from an exacerbated water crisis would not only be devastating to the population in Yemen; but, make it a ripe target for terrorist recruitment.

The population of Yemen stands at 23 million people; and, the population is expected to double within the next 20 years. If no sustainable way to manage their remaining water supply is found, there will be massive repercussions. The area will become unstable with violent conflicts over what little water remains. The Northern provinces have already experienced conflicts over the dwindling water supplies.

If the residents of Sana’a and other hilltop cities have to migrate into the Gulf States and Europe in order to gain access to water, these countries could become overburdened with the huge influx of people in such a short amount of time.

If not properly managed, this could be one of the world’s most challenging crises to date.

Excellent, excellent video explaining the water shortage in Yemen, the misuse of the water that is available; and, the problems of supplying the people with clean, drinkable water. Definitely worth watching.



Via TreeHugger and Reuters

Coming Soon to Birmingham, England

Photo courtesy: BBC News

Wow!! And this one isn’t even full grown!!

The Japanese Spider Crab is the biggest arthropod on Earth. While no one is sure exactly how large these crabs can grow to be, it is known they can attain a leg span of 13 ft. (4 m), a body size of 15 in. (37 cm); and, weigh in at a hefty 44 lb. (20 kg). They are believed to be able to live as long as 100 years.

The crab lives on the bottom on the Pacific Ocean feeding on dead animals and shellfish. They are considered a delicacy – eaten steamed and salted.

One of these crabs is going to be put on display at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, England. This will be the biggest crab ever seen on display in Britain.

Curator Graham Burrows said: "It is rumoured these crabs can grow as big as four metres, big enough to straddle a car. He will absolutely dwarf the other crabs in there, but he's not aggressive and they should have nothing to worry about."

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Via TreeHugger and BBC News

Is it Bamboo or is it Rayon?

Photo courtesy: Care2

The following is a reprint of the Press Release the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). I have copied it in its entirety complete with all links.

Seventy-eight companies nationwide have received Federal Trade Commission letters warning that they may be breaking the law by selling clothing and other textile products that are labeled and advertised as “bamboo,” but actually are made of manufactured rayon fiber. The letters, which the agency’s staff sent last week, make the retailers aware of the FTC’s concerns about possible mislabeling of rayon products as “bamboo,” so the companies can take corrective steps to avoid Commission action.

“We need to make sure companies use proper labeling and advertising in their efforts to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Rayon is rayon, even if bamboo has been used somewhere along the line in the manufacturing process.”

The FTC sued several companies last year for allegedly selling products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that in reality were made of rayon. Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with harsh chemicals that release hazardous air pollution. Any plant or tree – including bamboo – could be used as the cellulose source, but the fiber that is created is rayon.

“While we have seen action by some retailers to correct mislabeled clothing and textile products, our hope is that these warning letters will serve as a wake-up call to all companies, regardless of their size,” Vladeck said.

The FTC staff letter outlines the requirements for proper labeling and advertising of textile products derived from bamboo. The letter states, “Rayon, even if manufactured using cellulose from bamboo, must be described using an appropriate term recognized under the FTC’s Textile Rules. . . . Failing to properly label and advertise textiles misleads consumers and runs afoul of both the Textile Rules and the FTC Act.”

In the letter, the FTC tells the companies they should review the labeling and advertising for the textile products they are selling and remove or correct any misleading bamboo references.

Along with the warning letters, the agency sent each company a synopsis of FTC decisions finding that the failure to use proper fiber names in textile labeling and advertising was deceptive and violated the FTC Act. Under the Act, the FTC can seek civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation against any company that receives this information but fails to correct its advertising and labeling.

A complete list of the companies sent warning letters can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. They include small and large retailers, with both online and brick-and-mortar stores, and firms selling textile products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that may be made of rayon. The more commonly known retailers include:

Amazon.com, Barney’s New York, Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bloomingdale’s, Costco Wholesale, Garnet Hill, Gold Toe, Hanes, Isotoner, JC Penney, Jockey,Kmart, Kohl’s, Land’s End, Macy’s, Maidenform, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, QVC, REI, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears, Shop NBC, Spiegel, Sports Authority, Target, The Gap, The Great Indoors, Tommy Bahama, Toys R’ Us, Wal-Mart, and Zappos.com.

Recent Enforcement Actions. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of four FTC enforcement actions brought against companies selling rayon products that were misleadingly labeled and advertised. According to the Commission’s complaints, filed in August 2009, the companies falsely claimed that their rayon clothing and other textile products were “bamboo fiber,” marketing them using names such as “ecoKashmere,” “Pure Bamboo,” “Bamboo Comfort,” and “BambooBaby.” The complaints also challenged a number of other deceptive “green” claims, including that the products retained the bamboo plant’s antimicrobial properties, were made using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, and are biodegradable.

The four companies have settled the FTC’s charges and agreed to modify their labels to ensure their claims are not misleading or deceptive. (One of the cases still needs final FTC approval.) Press releases announcing the complaints and related settlements can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/dynabamboo.shtm and http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/bamboosa.shtm, respectively.

Business and Consumer Information. The FTC has a publication designed to help businesses that sell clothing and textile products that are labeled as bamboo to market their products in ways that are truthful, non-deceptive, and in compliance with the law. “Avoid Bamboo-zling Your Customers” can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo. The FTC also has an alert entitled “Have You Been Bamboozled by Bamboo Fabrics?” that provides useful information for consumers shopping for bamboo-based fabrics. It also can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo.

The Commission vote to publicly disclose the warning letters was 4-0. Copies of the letters and a complete list of companies that received them can be found on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo and as a link to this press release.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mitchell J. Katz
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2161

STAFF CONTACT:
James A. Kohm
Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-2640

First Roof-top Garden on Affordable Housing Project

Photo courtesy: BrightFarm Systems

It’s always a bonus when you receive more than one benefit from a single action. There’s an affordable housing project in the South Bronx, NY that promises to accomplish just that.

This affordable housing project is going to turn its 10,000 sq. ft. rooftop into a greenhouse-enclosed vegetable garden. Like many inner city, low income communities, the South Bronx suffers from food deserts, where residents lack access to fresh vegetables at affordable prices. The rooftop farm will make a significant contribution to food access and public health in the neighborhood. A network of rooftop farms could provide jobs for local residents as well as acting as a catalyst for the development of other sustainable food-related businesses in the area, such as new farmers' markets or food cooperatives.

There are those who feel that any of the extremely expensive urban real estate should be used by people only. However, these arguments seemed to be reserved for some of the farm/skyscraper ideas that have been put forth; not, for areas designated for growing that have been incorporated into the design of the building.

This rooftop garden will be incorporating many environmental elements such as harvesting rainwater for irrigation and utilizing the waste heat from the residences below to keep the plants warm. The farm will be able to produce enough fresh vegetables for approximately 450 people, capture 750,000 liters of stormwater, and mitigate 80 tons of CO2. A giant plus for the residents is that they will be able to enjoy this produce fresh from the rooftop above them. How fresh is that?! If interested, the residents may be able to get involved directly with their veggies; if not, it could be an employment opportunity for a neighbour. The garden will also help keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

For more rooftop garden reading, check out my blog: Roof-top (Urban) Gardens

Via TreeHugger

Vampire Squid Turns Self Inside Out

The vampire squid can turn itself "inside out" to avoid predators as shown in the above video just released by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).

The MBARI has released this video in an attempt to emphasize a report that raises a red flag about the conditions of the earth’s oceans. Scientists fear that species such as the Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) could be threatened by human activities.

The vampire squid is a living fossil having changed very little since its first appearance before the dinosaurs about 300 million years ago.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s Dr. Bruce Robison, who authored the report published in Conservation Biology, narrates the institute’s video:

“Vampyroteuthis has very large eyes, because it lives about a half a mile deep in the ocean, where the light is very dim. We took these pictures from a deep diving robotic submarine. And you can see the reflection of our lights in that beautiful blue eye.”

Beside the standard 8 arms, the vampire squid has a long curly strand that serves as a sensory filament.

When startled, the animal curls its web and arms around it body seeming to turn itself inside out. At this time, scientists feel this is a protective move designed to avoid predator attacks by changing its appearance. These cephalopods (they are not technically squid) live in the deepest portions of the oceans with millions of other lesser-known or totally-unknown species.

Robison says human activities threaten all of these.

“They are threatened by ocean warming, decreasing oxygen, pollution, overfishing, industrialization and dozens of other changes taking place in the deep. We have a responsibility to learn all we can about these amazing animals and to protect them from the greatest danger to life in the deep: the human species.”

Robinson’s scientific focus is on the part of the ocean which falls between the points located between 330’ below the waters surface to just above the ocean floor. This area is called the “deep pelagic zones” and can be as deep as 6 miles below the surface.

The zone above the deep floor of the ocean is home to many species that serve as food for the marine species that humans eat such as salmon and tuna. Many whales, turtles and giant squid also rely on this zone for their food.

Via National Geographic Daily News

17 More Equally Disgusting Food Facts

Here we go with the second (and final) installment of Disgusting Food Facts. Read on and prepare to go "eeewwwww!"

Sweets & Snacks

14. Jelly Beans receive and maintain their shine with Shellac. I remember shellacking new books in our school library. It stank and made our eyes water; but, it dried to smooth, shiny, durable finish. Apparently, it is also used on furniture, guitars; and, even AK-47s. Not grossed out yet? Shellac is made from the excretions of the Kerria lacca insect native to the forests of Thailand.

15. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the USA and many other governmental bodies worldwide set standards for what is acceptable and not acceptable in certain food products. For example, the FDA has ruled that it is acceptable for an average of 30 or more insect fragments plus one or more rodent hairs to be present in every 100 grams of your morning peanut butter. Eeewww! To find out what other tasty(?) additions may be in your food, here is the link to the FDA Defect Levels Handbook which provides this and other equally scary information.

16. Plain white 100% sugar, what could possibly be the problem with this? Sugar obtained from sugar canes goes through a purification process which uses bone char. Bone char is manufactured by superheating bones from cows that have died of natural causes; and, are usually sourced from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. They are bleached in the hot sun, then sold to exporters who sell them to the gelatin and sugar companies.

17. Natural vanilla is the seed pod from the Vanilla orchid; and, it is addictive. It causes the catecholamine levels in the body to rise. This hormone are also known as epinephrine or adrenaline.

18. Many mass-produced ice creams contain more than the dairy you expect. No, I'm not talking about the added goodness of raisins, chocolate bits, or nuts; I'm talking about seaweed. Check the label on your next ice cream purchase for carrageenan. This is a seaweed extract that is added as a stabilizer to keep your frozen dessert free from ice crystals.

19. Peanuts are not what they seem. While it is usually not the case, peanuts can be used to make dynamite. The peanut oil can be used to create glycerol which is then transformed into nitroglycerin - one of the ingredients in dynamite.

Beef & Poultry & Fish

20. For my friends in the US - about 4 years ago, the FDA allowed the use of bacteriophages to be used in the production of lunch meat, sausages and hot dogs. The bacteriophages, whose general term is virus, are being added to fight the microbes that are found on these meat products. So this means that a number of viruses are being used to fight off one microbe that could be dangerous for consumption.

21. The Great Salmon Cover-up. Did you know that over 90% of the salmon that is sold to us is farm-raised salmon? Did you know that farm-raised salmon can contain as many as 16 more contaminants than wild salmon? Did you realize that salmon are actually grey in colour - not pink? Did you know that farm-raised salmon, deprived of their natural diet, are given colouring agents to obtain that beautiful pinky salmon colour?

22. The waste produced by one chicken in its lifetime can supply enough electricity to run a 100 watt bulb for five hours. I'm sure this significant to someone somewhere, probably with no life.

Delicacies

23. What does the saliva of male pigs, the perspiration of human males, and truffles have in common? O.K...time's up. The same chemical is found in all three things. Yup, the most expensive fungus in the world ($800 - $1500 per pound) is snorted out by female pigs because they recognize the chemical smell the truffle emits as the same chemical smell found in male pig saliva. Coincidentally, this chemical is also found in the perspiration of human males.

24. The largest item on any menu in the world is the roast camel. The camel is stuffed with a sheep’s carcass, which is then stuffed with chickens, which are then stuffed with fish, which are finally stuffed with eggs. This is a rare delicacy and is mostly served at Bedouin wedding feasts.

25. The most toxic fish delicacy anywhere is Fugu. It is made from the raw flesh of the highly deadly puffer fish. The puffer fish must be sliced in a certain manner in order to be edible without being deadly. In order to become a certified Fugu chef, the chef must eat a dish of Fugu that he has personally prepared. If he lives, he passes. It is the only dish officially denied the emperor of Japan unless it will be his last meal.

26. That most humble and lovable of all rodents, the mouse, was considered a great delicacy in ancient China and certain parts of India. In ancient Greece they were sacred to Apollo; but, relished by the temple priests.

27. Casu Marzu is, without a doubt, the most disgusting food product anywhere on the face on the planet. It is a cheese made from sheep’s milk that has cheese flies purposely added. While it is a delicacy in Sardinia, eating it is a health risk. Once the cheese has reached the right stage of decomposition, it is ready to eat. You should wear protective eyewear when eating this cheese because the fly larvae are able to jump 6" in the air; and, have been known to get into peoples' eyes. The taste of the cheese is enough to burn your tongue; and, if you accidentally swallow a larva, you should know that it can live long enough to cause an intestinal infestation which causes vomiting, abdominal cramping, and severe diarrhea.

Dairy

28. Dairy products that are labelled "cheese products" can be less than 51% real cheese. If the label reads "processed" or "pasteurized" it is usually made with less than 51% cheese. The other 49% is non-food items like flavourings and additives that are manipulated to taste like cheese.

29. The holes in Swiss cheese are formed when the cheese ferments during the cheese-making process. It creates a gas, that when released causes bubbles that eat their way to the outside of the wheel thus making the holes.

30. Counting on your yogurt to be curdled milk filled with smiling, friendly bacteria; and, maybe some fruit pieces? Think again. If the label lists either "glycerin" or "stearic acid", think animal by-products. Stearic acid comes from beef tallow; and, while glycerin comes in synthetic or natural forms, it usually has beef tallow as an added ingredient.

Next time you reach for that package of prepared whatever, think again. Grandma had it right - homemade is best, at least you know what's in it (probably).

Via ForensicScienceTechnician