Health & Household Tips
New Cholesterol Skin Test
FDA has approved a new laboratory test to measure skin cholesterol
in adults with severe coronary artery disease. The test determines cholesterol
levels using the skin in the palm of the hand. It is a three minute
non-invasive hand test, which measures cholesterol in adults with severe
coronary artery disease (defined as 50% closure of two or more arteries)
and those with a history of heart attack.
Based on a study of over 600 patients, the Cholesterol 1,2,3 test,
in addition to a blood test, helped identify those at greatest risk
of artery blockage. In fact, the new test gives four to 15 percent more
information about risk of severe coronary heart disease than the combination
of standard blood tests and risk factor analyses. About 11 percent of
all body cholesterol is in the skin; when CAD is present this number
increases. Age and race may bias the test results, said the FDA.
Go to www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01154.html
for the FDA Talk Paper or call 1-888-Info-FDA (1-888-463-6332).
Resource: Nutrition Week Vol. XXXII No. 12, July 8, 2002
Scoville Units in Hot Peppers
The heat in hot peppers is measured in Scoville units, which was developed
by Wilbur Scoville, a pharmaceutical chemist, in 1912. Scoville units
were based on tasters and were a subjective test. Today food chemists
use a more objective method, which measures capsaicin levels. Capsaicin
is the ingredient in peppers, which supplies the heat.
Pure capsaicin scores 16,000,000 Scoville units. It is the measure
by which all others are judged. From the hottest pepper to the mildest,
Sweet bell peppers measured 0-100 Scoville units, Jalapeno peppers scored
2,500-5,000 and Cayenne scored 30,000 - 50,000.
According to information in Summer 2002 Eating Well Magazine,
a new Asian chili, called the “tezpur” pepper, scored an
unbelievable 885,000 Scoville units. Caution: This pepper is alleged
to initiate heart attacks in those who are foolish enough to indulge
in eating too many.
August 2002
What Is Killing My Tree? | Controlling
Creeping Charlie | Home Lawn Fertilization |
Watch Out for Wasps | White
Grubs in Lawns | Identfying and Controlling Scale
Insects | Ode to a Violet | Lawn
Care Calendar | Cybergarden Sites | Hort
Shorts | Hort Tips | Homemade
Flavored Oil Alert – FAQs | Not-So-Popular
Edible Vegetable Parts | Refreshing Ginger Lemon
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