Meditation from Thais: Violin vs Cello

Violin by Marina Chiche






Cello by Yo Yo Ma

Wine, Your Heart, and Resveratrol

Wine drinking in moderation may beneficial to coronary heart disease. Current recommendations for safe drinking of alcohol are one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. These recommendations are difficult to quantify since the definition of "one drink" may differ among individuals. For example, one person may think a 4-ounce (equivalent to about 120 ml) glass as one drink while another considers an 8-ounce (equivalent to about 240 ml) glass as one drink. Therefore, one needs a better quantitation. Fortunately, several studies have suggested that the ideal dose of alcohol is around 6 grams (approximately 600 ml) per day.

Resveratrol is a substance found in grape skin and red wine. Resveratrol supplements are being marketed as to improve metabolism and lifespan. The benefits of reseratrol, however, was observed only in mice. Current resveratrol supplements do not have standardized dosage and side effects are unknown. Therefore, these supplements are currently not recommended.

Million Roses by Alla Pugacheva

Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers and Women

Although lung cancer has a clear causative relationship with cigarette smoking, it can also occurs in individuals who never smoke or smoke very lightly. Interestingly, lung cancer among non-smokers is higher among women than men. In the US, 19 percent of lung cancer in women occurs in non-smokers, compared to 9 percent in men. In Asia, 60 to 80 percent of women with lung cancer never smoke [Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Oct;7(10):778-90].

Adenocarcinoma, a subtype of lung cancer, is more common in non-smokers or light smokers.

The risk factors of lung cancer in non-smokers are:

• Secondhand smoke


• Radon


• Asbestos


• Burning coal smoke or indoor cooking oil vapor that is very common in Asia
  

Molecular biology of lung cancer in non-smokers is different from that of cancer in smokers. It has been observed that mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are more common in lung cancers in non-smokers. Therefore, current treatment of lung cancer in non-smokers is skewed toward the use of medications that inhibit EGFR tyrosine kinase.

Summer by Vivaldi