藥瓶中的乾燥劑

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> 和信藥劑科組長姜紹青答覆、黃筱珮採訪
> 問：網路上有一則消息說：根據美國國家藥典（USP）規定，藥品一旦開罐，罐內所附的棉花和乾燥劑，就必須立刻丟棄，否則它們會因吸附水氣，成為藥罐內的一項污染源！我從未聽聞這項「常識」，還以為乾燥劑可以繼續保持藥品乾燥，請問這個說法是正確的嗎？
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> 答：是的，藥罐內的棉花和乾燥劑，在開罐後就必須立刻丟棄! 否則可能吸附水氣，讓水氣留在藥罐內，反而易使藥品潮濕變質，而國人對這個常識相當缺乏。
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> 藥罐未開封前，放置棉花的用意有二，一是避免運送過程的碰撞，讓藥品粉化，二是阻止水氣進入；乾燥劑則是防止若有少量水氣進入藥罐時，可將其吸附。但藥罐一旦開封，這兩個「幫手」反而會變成吸附水氣的「兇手」，! 最好把它們丟掉，別繼續放在藥罐裡。
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> 藥品怕光照、潮濕、高溫，一旦開封後，最好能夠放在乾燥箱內，是最理想的保存方式。最忌諱放在浴室、廚房等地方，這些潮濕的場所容易使藥品壞得快。有些民眾喜歡把藥品冰在冰箱內，不過，除非是強調需要冷藏的特殊藥品，一般藥品並不建議放冰箱；因一旦拿出來服用，忘了放回去，更容易潮濕。
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> 還要提醒的是，藥品開封後最好盡速服用，不要長期存放。要注意的是，藥罐上標示的保存期限是「未開封」狀態下的期限，一旦開封後，保存期限就會! 縮短；因此，吃不完的藥別因為怕浪費而留下來，因為吃了變質藥品不但不會治病，還可能傷身。
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> 常識 !
> 你注意到了嗎？
> 根據美國國家藥典（ USP! ）規定，藥品一旦開罐，罐內所附的棉花和乾燥劑，就必須立刻丟棄否則它們會因吸附水氣，成為藥罐內的一項汙染源！

揭开维生素的真相

杞子

新鮮杞子及乾杞子有什麼不同？杞子中的活性多聚醣是熱敏性分子，乾杞子在曝曬下，當中的活性多聚醣會被氧化及破壞，所以乾杞子中活性多聚醣營養成份較低，但其他的營養素如維他命及礦物質仍能保存。同時，由於乾杞子經過脫水的過程後，由於它的成分被濃縮，所以只須進食很少的份量，已經可以吸收足夠營養，營養價值要比新鮮杞子高很多。加上乾杞子曬乾了水份，有助減少細菌滋生，更加方便保存。

即食或煮熱後的杞子營養有別嗎？
維他命及礦物質經過高溫烹調太久會被破壞，因此，用作熱食（如加入湯水/飯）會令當中的營養成份流失，破壞杞子的營養價值。所以，即食的乾杞子能保存杞子中較多的營養素，有益健康；若是用作熱食時亦應在最尾的時間才加入杞子以保存當中的營養

眾所周知，杞子有明目的功效，除此以外，杞子亦有多種其他不同功效。

改進視力
從中國古老時期，杞子便被發現有助改善視力。主要原因是當中含有黃體素及玉米黃質。這兩種物質有助減少眼睛適應黑暗的時間，改進眼睛在暗淡的光線下的視力。當中的抗氧化物胡蘿蔔素亦能有助保護眼睛肌肉及避免視網膜損傷。
有助延長壽命
人身體內不斷地受到自由基的攻擊。杞子有“長壽果子”的稱號，這是因為杞子中的抗氧劑有助對抗自由基，減少自由基對身體器官的破壞，預防衰老。
防止高血壓
有研究發現，杞子中的多聚糖能有助防止血壓增加。

BENEFITS OF EATING SPROUTS

Learn how the Benefits of Eating Sprouts are Infinitely Healthful!
You already know that there are tremendous health benefits of eating raw, fresh vegetables and organic foods on a regular basis. Eating natural, whole grains and eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day can help you look and feel great, but there are some specific foods you can add to your diet to increase the health quotient of every meal.

Alfalfa sprouts are one of these ‘superfoods.’ Sprouts are a ‘live food’, that contain several essential nutrients and minerals that you won’t get from processed foods and even some fresh vegetables. Sprouts contain several compounds that improve digestion and are rich in antioxidants. Here are some key benefits of eating sprouts:

BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #1:
Sprouts contain oxygen. Because sprouts are a ‘living’ food, they contain hundreds of molecules of oxygen, which is essential for healthy cells. Oxygen-rich foods can ward off viruses and even kill off bacteria. You need a fair amount of oxygen-rich foods in your diet to enjoy the benefits, and sprouts can help you achieve your nutrition balance for the day!


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #2:
Sprouts have an alkalizing affect on the body. Your body needs to be alkaline in order to be healthy, and there are several foods and toxins that can offset this balance. Sprouts are very alkaline, so you’ll be helping your body achieve balance with ease.


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #3:
Sprouts contain healthy fats. Sprouts contain EFAs, the essential fatty acids your body needs to perform basic body functions. You need a certain level of fat in your diet in order to ward off infections and strengthen your immune system. Sprouts are rich in EFAs, so they can support a healthy diet and keep your metabolism functioning at its optimal level.


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #4:
Sprouts are natural sources of fiber. Fiber helps keep your digestive system healthy, and helps you feel fuller between meals. Eating more fiber can support your healthy diet and reduce the risk of constipation. Loading up your sandwich or a meal with sprouts can give your daily fiber counts a boost, and help you digest your meal easily.


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #5:
Sprouts can give you a dose of vitamins B and C. Sprouts contain a number of vitamins and minerals, and the quantities are even greater when you soak the seeds overnight. Soaking the seeds overnight increases the levels of vitamin B, so you will always be doing your body a favor by doing this.


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #6:
Eating sprouts increases your protein count. Sprouts contain a significant amount of vegetable proteins, and can support your healthy diet. They can even be a healthy alternative to meat, so if you’re vegetarian, sprouts should be a part of your daily or weekly diet!


BENEFIT OF EATING SPROUTS #7:
Sprouts are very low in calories. If you’re watching your weight and cutting back on calories, sprouts will support your lifestyle. Sprouts contain only 9 calories per ounce, and these are a combination of healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fats. You can load up your pocket pita, sandwich and salads with generous amounts of sprouts to enjoy all of the benefits of this amazing vegetable – and do it guilt-free!

10 'riskiest' foods

Lettuce and eggs top risky food list
Nutrition advocacy group lists 10 items that have been responsible for thousands of illnesses.

Leafy greens were rated the riskiest food by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Leafy greens -- including lettuce and spinach -- top the list of the 10 riskiest foods, according to a study from a nutrition advocacy group released Tuesday.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest listed the following foods, in descending order, as the most risky in terms of outbreaks: leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries.

The scientists rated these foods, all of them regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, by the number of outbreaks associated with them since 1990, and also provided the number of recorded illnesses.

The severity of the illnesses ranged from minor stomach aches to death, the center said. With leafy greens such as lettuce, the top cause of illness were pathogens like E. coli, Norovirus and Salmonella in foods that were not properly washed.

Over the past 20 years, leafy greens caused 363 outbreaks, resulting in 13,568 reported illnesses, the center said. That's compared to berries, No. 10 on the list, which were associated with 25 outbreaks totaling 3,397 reported illnesses.

"Leafy greens are a healthy home run, but unfortunately they're associated with food-borne illness," said Sarah Klein, a staff lawyer with the center who helped prepared the study.

In all, the Top 10 resulted in more than 1,500 outbreaks, totaling nearly 50,000 reported illnesses, according to the center, which added that most food-related illnesses don't get treated or reported, so the real total is likely much larger.

"Millions of consumers are being made ill, hundreds of thousands hospitalized and thousands are dying each year from preventable foodborne illnesses," the study said. "Unfortunately, the FDA is saddled with outdated laws, and lacks the authority, tools and resources to fight unsafe food."

Food producers, including the Western Growers Association, released statements criticizing the report.

"Farmers are consumers, too," the association said, in a release from spokesman Paul Simonds. "They eat the fresh produce they grow as do the members of their families, and have invested millions of dollars enhancing food safety practices in the last few years. Scaring people away from eating some of the healthiest foods on the planet, like fresh produce, does not serve consumers."

Salmonella was also a chief culprit in egg, cheese and tomato-related illnesses, the study said, in cases when eggs are undercooked and when cheese is not processed properly.

Salmonella can be difficult to remove from raw tomatoes without cooking, according to the study.

The study also associated Salmonella and E. coli with potatoes. Klein said this generally happens when cold-prepared potato items, such as potato salad, are mixed with other contaminated ingredients.

Unrefrigerated fresh tuna deteriorates quickly, the study said, releasing harmful toxins, and canned tuna gets dragged into the picture because of mixed-in ingredients such as mayonnaise. Improperly washed oysters are at risk of Norovirus.

Rich Ruais, executive director of the Blue Water Fisherman Association and the American Blue Fin Tuna Association in Salem, N.H., disagreed with the study's "bad rap" on tuna.

"Tuna? I beg to differ," he said. "Tuna is one of the healthiest foods on the Earth. It's life sustaining; it's life prolonging."

Ruais said the tuna-based diet of Japanese citizens plays a big part in their high average longevity. He also said the FDA strictly mandates that tuna is gutted and stuffed with ice immediately after it's caught by commercial fisherman, and submerged in slush once it gets to shore, to prevent risk of pathogens.

More surprisingly, bacteria can also survive in ice cream, primarily from the Salmonella contamination of eggs, an important ingredient that is sometimes undercooked, the study said. Much of the study's blame goes to a 1994 outbreak that sickened thousands of ice cream lovers in 41 states.

The National Milk Producers Federation released a statement criticizing the report as "based on outdated information."

"Cheese and ice cream products are among the safest, most stringently regulated foods in this country," said the federation, in its release. "The cheese examples in this report mostly concern consumption of raw milk products, which neither [the] FDA nor the dairy industry recommends. The ice cream example is 15 years old and was an isolated incident."

The amazing and effetive method to size-down tummy

This excellent and amazing video clip shows to you how to reduce tummy by just using a hair rubber band and only take 5 minutes!!

The benefit of 莓果(Berry)

莓果(Berry)一般包括藍莓(blueberries)、草莓(strawberries)、紅莓(raspberries) 和黑莓(blackberries)。
莓果含豐富維生素C、礦物質鉀、葉酸和纖維。一杯草莓含有超過100亳克維生素C，份量幾乎與一杯橙汁一樣，足夠提供一天所需的維生素C；一杯藍莓含有每日所需的錳質(Manganese)份量，而相同數量的紅莓供應我們每日所需的煙酸 (Niacin, 維生素B3)三分之一，有助體內碳水化合物、脂肪及酒精的代謝，從而製造能量擔當重要角色，保持皮膚、神經及消化系統的健康。藍莓和草莓更是維生素E的好來源。Blackberries and raspberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, calcium, fiber, iron, and folic acid. The increased interest in nutraceutical products focuses special interest on these crops. While blueberries and cranberries have been touted for their proven health benefits, the anthocyanins (pigments that give the fruits their red and purple colors), which are powerful antioxidants, are even more concentrated in blackberries and raspberries, especially in black raspberries.

飲料的選擇及飲水的重要

水是生命的泉源，人體內就有三分之二是水份。各個器官的正常運作，都有賴水份的幫忙。所以人類可以數天不吃食物，但卻不可不飲水。相信大家都曾經聽過，不少醫學界人士的建議﹕『每天需要喝六至八杯水﹗』。有部份小朋友抗拒飲水，認為水淡而無味，不及其他飲品的味道吸引。其實，水之所以被稱為「甘露」，原因是當您細心品嚐時，它會有甘甜的味道。況且，家長只要花點心思，水亦可以變得美味吸引。

水的營養不容忽視
營養素分為六大類，包括有：碳水化合物、蛋白質、脂肪、維他命、礦物質及水分。水分是細胞構成的成分之一，對成長中的小朋友來說，是不可缺少的。除此之外，每天飲足夠的水分，能夠將多餘的廢物排出體外及防止便秘。在芸芸的飲料中，水是最能解渴又沒有熱量，最適合過重的小朋友；而且水含有微量元素，如鈣、鎂、鈉、鋅、銅等物質，有效補充身體養分。

飲水有助減少蛀牙的機會
相信大家都知道「氟」(Fluoride)可以強化牙齒的琺瑯質，有助防止蛀牙，香港的自來水已加入「氟」。根據美國的建議：一至三歲的兒童每天需要約0.7毫克的氟；四至八歲的兒童則每天需要約1毫克的氟。若每天飲用６至８杯自來水來計算，自來水已經可以提供每日氟質所需的建議量約一半。

兒童飲水方程式
『每天需要喝六至八杯水』是否適用於小朋友？對於小朋友來說，由於生長發育快、新陳代謝高，所以若以體重計算，其實小朋友所需要的水分都因身高體重不同而都不一樣，應按照比例飲適量的水。一至四歲的小朋友飲水量與體重的比例應是每公斤需要100毫升水分；四至七歲的小朋友飲水量與體重的比例應是每公斤需要95毫升水分；七至十一歲的小朋友飲水量與體重的比例應是每公斤需要90毫升水分。例如:一個三歲重16公斤 的小朋友應每天飲1600毫升的水分，即約6-7杯250毫升的水。
飲水也可美味

家長應培養子女多飲水，若小朋友對飲水興趣不濃，或者在早上飲水後有反胃的感覺，家長可以「整」色「整」水。

在水中加入少許小朋友所喜愛的水果，這樣可以增加鮮果的清香，熱量又低，如：雪梨、檸檬、士多啤梨等。其實要攝取足夠的水分，還可以從其他流質飲品著手。如小朋友愛湯水，可以為他們多預備湯水，其營養成分比水還要高，湯渣（如瘦肉）更含豐富的蛋白質等營養素。喜歡酸甜味道的小朋友，可以選喝鮮搾果汁，如鮮榨橙汁、奇異果汁、士多啤梨汁等，不但含豐富水分，又能提供豐富的維他命C。另外，豆漿都是小朋友至愛飲品之一，市面上還有低糖的選擇，既方便又含有豐富蛋白質，能與脫脂奶可媲美。最近流行鮮果加入乳酪製成的冰(Smoothie)，含有豐富維他命及鈣質，可以強健骨骼牙齒，又可以增強抵抗力，是小朋友夏天的恩物。
有規律地為身體補充水分絕對有百利而無一害，很多人會抱怨一日飲6-8杯水很困難，若您的小朋友也有同樣的困難，可以參考以下所推介的多姿多彩飲水日程表：

餐節／組合
冬暖
夏涼

早餐前
暖水
暖水

早餐
暖脫脂奶＋麥皮
脫脂奶 + 粟米片

早點
熱低糖豆漿
鮮果汁

午餐
熱檸檬水
凍低脂朱古力奶

下午茶
熱脫脂奶＋朱古力粉
鮮果smoothie

晚餐
青紅蘿蔔瘦肉湯
南瓜海鮮凍湯

晚點
暖水
清水 + 冰凍士多啤梨數片

緊記飲水之道，飲水並不止於解除口乾舌燥，口乾時才喝一口水根本毫無濟事。水之於身體，就好像氧氣般重要。尤其是有嘔吐、腹瀉或發燒時，兒童常會發生脫水的情況。家長應鼓勵兒童增加水分的攝取。

Health benefits of tea

A few cups of tea each day may be good for your health,as Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us in today's Health Minute.

六种早餐吃了不如不吃

你知道吗？虽然不吃早餐会危害身体，可如果吃了不恰当的早餐，同样会损害你的健康，带走你的快乐。我们的日常生活中就有这样几种“吃了不如不吃” 的早餐，正在大受欢迎。不信，就一起看看吧。

一：“回味”早餐

　　早餐内容：加热剩饭菜，或剩菜炒剩饭。

　　受欢迎原因：晚饭时剩下一些饭菜是很多家庭司空见惯的事情，那么，用剩菜炒饭，或者把剩下的饭菜热一下。这样的“回味早餐”制作方便，内容丰富，基本与正餐无异，通常还被认为营养又全面。

　　凸显弊端：剩饭剩菜隔夜后，很容易产生亚硝酸(一种致癌物质)，吃进去会对人体健康产生危害。

　　温馨提示：做饭的时候尽量按需配比，尽量不要有剩余；不得已剩下的时候，一定要注意保存，以防变质。炒饭或加热剩饭剩菜的时候务必炒透热透。

二：速食早餐

　　早餐内容：各种西式快餐。

　　受欢迎原因：西式快餐如汉堡包、油炸鸡翅等，一向是时尚人群的饮食偏好。而且现在不少快餐店都在提供这样的早餐，如汉堡包加咖啡或牛奶、红茶，方便快捷而且味道也不错。

　　凸显弊端：这种高热量的早餐容易导致肥胖，油炸食品长期使用也会对身体有危害。用西式快餐当早餐，午餐和晚餐就必须要食用低热量的食物。另外，这种西式早餐存在营养不均衡的问题，热量比较高，但却往往缺乏维生素、矿物质、纤维素等营养。

　　温馨提示：选择西式快餐做早餐，应该再加上水果或蔬菜汤等，以维持营养均衡，保证各种营养素的摄入。另外最好不要长期食用。

　 三：传统早餐

　　早餐内容：油条、豆浆。

　　受欢迎原因：很多人都是从小就在爷爷奶奶的带领下，习惯了早上吃油条加豆浆的，不但口味上习惯了这种吃法，而且感情上也有多年的“积蓄”。

　　凸显弊端：油条是高温油炸食品，具有油脂偏高的问题。食物经过高温油炸之后，营养素会被破坏，还会产生致癌物质;而且油条的热量也比较高，油脂较难消化，再加上豆浆也属于中脂性食品，这种早餐组合的油脂量明显超标，不宜长期使用。

　　温馨提示：早餐一定要有蔬菜或者水果，豆浆加油条的吃法最好少吃，一星期不宜超过一次，而且当天的午、晚两餐必须尽量清淡，不要再吃煎、炸的食物，并多食蔬菜。

　 四：零食早餐

　　早餐内容：各种零食，如雪饼、饼干、巧克力等。

　　受欢迎原因：很多人都在家里放一些零食储备，以备不时之需。而早上起来后，时间不是很充裕，就往往顺手拿起零食做早餐了，方便快捷。

　　凸显弊端：平时肚子饿了吃点饼干、巧克力等零食是可以的，但是用零食充当每天三餐中最重要的早餐，那就是非常不科学的了。零食多数属于干食，对于早晨处于半脱水状态的人体来说，是不利于消化吸收的。而且饼干等零食主要原料是谷物，虽然能在短时间内提供能量，但很快会使人体再次感到饥饿，临近中午时血糖水平会明显下降，早餐吃零食容易导致营养不足，导致体质下降，容易引起各种疾病入侵。

　　温馨提示：不宜以零食代替早餐，尤其不要吃太多的干食，早餐食物中应该含有足够的水分。如果当天的早餐太干可以加上一根黄瓜。

五：“运动”早餐

　　早餐内容：路边购买的早餐，边走边吃，手动，脚动，嘴动，全身运动……

　　受欢迎原因：上班一族的早晨都是在匆忙中度过的，尤其是住处离单位较远的是人群，早餐往往都在路上解决。小区门口、公交车站附近卖的包子、茶蛋、肉夹馍、煎饼果子等食品，是他们的首选，买上一份，就边走边吃……

　　凸显弊端：边走边吃对肠胃健康不利，不利于消化和吸收。另外，街头食品往往存在卫生隐患，有可能病从口入。

　　温馨提示：如果选择街边食品做早餐，一是要注意卫生，二是最好买回家或者到单位坐下来踏踏实实的吃。尽量不要在上班路上吃早餐，以免危害健康。

六：“缺陷”早餐

　　早餐内容：水果、蔬菜、牛奶等营养食物，就是缺了“营养价值不高”的主食。

　　受欢迎原因：这类早餐一般很受女性欢迎，因为主食是热量的主要来源，而热量则是苗条女性与减肥人士的天敌。所以，她们往往误认为各种高营养的食物都要吃，偏偏热量要减少。

　　凸显弊端：很多人都错误的认为主食仅仅提供热量，跟营养挂不上钩，其实碳水化合物也属于营养的范围，而且对人体极为重要，因为没有足够的热量供给，人体就会自动分解释放热量，长期不吃主食，会造成营养不良，并导致身体各种功能的削弱。另外，酸奶和西红柿、香蕉、雪花梨、李子、杏等口味上呈酸性的水果和粗纤维的水果，都不宜空腹食用，最好还是搭配主食一起食用。

温馨提示：应该增加面包、馒头等主食，这类谷类食物可以使人体得到足够的碳水化合物，还有利于牛奶的吸收。