Food: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

---

Watch video at You Tube (6:43 minutes) . . . . .

What to Consider Before Using Melatonin Supplements for Sleep

DeeDee Stiepan wrote . . . . . . . . .

There has been a fivefold increase in U.S. adults taking melatonin supplements for sleep, according to a study co-authored by Dr. Naima Covassin, a researcher in Mayo Clinic’s Cardiology Lab.

Melatonin is a hormone in the body that plays a role in your natural sleep-wake cycle. And it’s available as a supplement that around 6 million adults in the U.S are taking to help manage their sleep. But are they using it correctly?

“Most of the times, melatonin is actually misused because it’s used as a general sleep aid and to help with insomnia,” says Dr. Covassin.

“When you look at the actual clinical evidence, in terms of clinical efficacy of the use of melatonin supplements against insomnia, there is actually relatively weak evidence.”

Dr. Covassin says melatonin is not a sleep promoter. It’s a circadian rhythm regulator that can help “reset our clocks” when sleep is difficult due to circadian disruption from things like shift work, jet lag or disorders that interfere with the time of sleep.

Not only are more people using melatonin supplements, they’re taking higher doses than the typically recommended maximum dose of 5 or fewer milligrams.

“Higher doses are not necessarily more effective, and actually can be counterproductive because they can have opposite effects,” she says. “They may end up making you sleepy during the day, when you don’t want to be sleeping, and also increase risk of adverse effects, as well.”

Serious side effects include worsening of seizures; changes in heart rate and blood pressure; decrease in glucose tolerance; and possible drug interactions for people taking seizure disorder medications, antidepressants or blood thinners.

“Because something is marketed as ‘natural’ or a product is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it’s harmless.”

That is why Dr. Covassin’s best recommendation is to talk with your provider.

“Discuss with their physician while they’re taking it, or if they are considering taking it, whether it’s actually the best course of action for them,” says Dr. Covassin.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Italian Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set of Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel in Japan

Collaboration with FIAT

The price is 4,700 yen (plus tax) per person.

Leg Cramps, Pain? It Could Be PAD

Pain or cramping in your legs during physical activity may be an early sign of a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD) — and you should get checked out by your doctor, an expert says.

PAD occurs when plaque develops in the arteries of the extremities and restricts blood flow to the legs, and sometimes the arms. The condition is more common in older people, and affects up to 10% of those in their 60s and 70s.

In the most severe cases, PAD can lead to amputation, according to Dr. Matthew Cindric, a vascular surgeon with Penn State Health.

PAD causes no symptoms in its earliest stages. The first and most common symptom people notice is repeated pain, cramping or heaviness in one or both legs during walking or exercise. These symptoms occur because muscles can’t get enough oxygen and nutrients.

As PAD advances, symptoms typically become more severe, and can include wounds or ulcers on the feet that won’t heal, or continuous pain or numbness. Either of these may be precursors to onset of gangrene.

“Vascular problems tend to escalate rapidly without prompt diagnosis and intervention, particularly in patients who have wounds on the feet that won’t heal,” Cindric said in a Penn State Health news release. “The earlier you notice the signs and get evaluated, the sooner we can get you on a path toward healing.”

If you notice any signs of PAD, talk with your doctor, Cindric said. Treatments can include diet changes, exercise, medications or procedures to open blocked arteries.

Genetics play a role in PAD, but the other 4 of the 5 top risk factors are controllable: smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar or diabetes.

“Smoking is far and away the leader,” Cindric said. “PAD is far more prevalent in smokers than nonsmokers.”

He offered the following advice for people with PAD.

“Start with smoking cessation, get into a structured exercise habit, and work with your [doctor] to manage these risk factors,” Cindric said. “Even if you ultimately require a surgical intervention, long-term results are strongly dependent on how well these other factors are managed.”

Source: HealthDay

Coffee Bread

Ingredients

2 tsp yeast
pinch of sugar
1/3 cup warm water
12 oz soft bread flour
3 oz soft brown sugar
1 oz melted butter
1 egg
2 tsp coffee extract, mixed with little boiling water
6 oz warm condensed milk

Method

1. Mix yeast and sugar with warm water. Stir well until bubbles rise up.
2. Put flour on top of table or in a container. Make a well in the centre. Add in sugar, egg, butter, yeast solution, condensed milk and coffee solution. Knead into a smooth and elastic dough.
3. Put the dough in a greased tin. Cover with a towel. Rest in a warm place for about 1-1/2 hour until rises up double in size.
4. Press the centre of the dough slightly with the fist. Remove to floured work surface.
5. Divide bread dough into halves. Form into round shapes and put into two greased tins.
6. Rest for about 10 minutes until soft and smooth.
7. Glaze top with egg. Bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven at 350°F.

Makes 2 pieces.

Source: Pastry and Bread

---

Today’s Comic