Chinese man’s ‘missing kidney’ found in his own body

A MAN who claimed his right kidney mysteriously went missing after a surgery has been told it is right where it should be – albeit, “displaced” and”deformed”.

Liu Yongwei, from east China, had gone for a chest surgery in the Xuzhou Medical College following a road accident. He was told the surgery went well, and was redirected to a different hospital for further treatment.

It was during a routine CT scan at the second hospital that doctors reportedly discovered several abnormalities, including surgical tubing left in his abdominal cavity and a missing right kidney.

According to the Shanghaiist, a visit to another hospital in Nanjing confirmed the abnormalities, but both hospitals refused to treat Liu.

Liu launched a complaint, accusing the doctor who treated him of “mishandling” his organs and demanded 2 million yuan ($307,200) in compensation.

A special investigations team was formed in Xuzhou City, in the Jiangsu province to look into his case.

Based on medical examinations and records found at the hospital, the investigation found that Liu’s kidney was “displaced, deformed, and atrophied by injuries”, but was still inside his body.

The Shanghaiist reported the kidney as being “decayed” and “shriveled up”, and specialists say further tests will be carried out. The hospital reportedly accused Liu of “seriously distorting the truth” with his claims.

According to China.org.cn, tensions between doctors and patients in China are rising after a string of incidents involving violence and malpractice.

In April, a public health scandal revealed nine companies were selling improperly stored or expired vaccines, meaning an unknown number of children had received numerous shots.

Last week, a retired dentist was stabbed to death by a former patient who was enraged by his discolored teeth. The patient later committed suicide.

Paradise lost: Climate change is sinking these Pacific islands

A RECENT study by Australian researchers reveals how climate change has submerged five uninhabited Pacific islets and eroded the coastlines of a further six islands, washing away villages and significant portions of land.

The affected area, as outlined in the journal Environmental Research Letters, is the Solomon Islands, a nation in Oceania that lies to the east of Papua New Guinea and about 1,600 km north of Australia. The study found that sea levels in the Solomons have risen by as much as 10mm in just two decades, forcing the ad hoc relocation of several settlements.

Coastal inundation higher in Pacific region

The study’s authors refer to their findings as the first definitive scientific evidence or confirmation of the impact of climate change on Pacific coastlines. Previous global research, focusing on areas with slower increases in sea level — of around half of what has occurred in the Solomon Islands — found that islands could more or less cope or even expand despite sea level rise. However, much of the Pacific can expect similar levels to what the Solomons are experiencing.

The higher-than-global average rates of sea level rise affecting parts of the Pacific region, along with higher instances of damage, can be attributed to natural variations in climate, geological phenomena (faults, plate tectonics), as well as higher wave energy. These factors, together with human-induced climate change, make many Pacific island territories especially vulnerable to coastal inundation.

Other Pacific islands being lost to climate change

Islands in the tropical Pacific, or Oceania, are hotbeds of sea level rise. Besides the Solomon Islands, there is great concern about the future of the Marshall Islands, an independent territory or “Associated State” of the United States. With their narrow, serpentine geography, these 29 coral atolls are at particular risk of vanishing completely.

The reality of coastal inundation is not limited to diminishing coastlines and lost property. It is uglier than just that.

Though each territory is unique and has different individual geographic features and vulnerabilities, there are similar stories throughout the tropical Pacific, in Melanasia, Micronesia, Polynesia, extending to Southeast Asia, and elsewhere in the Pacific. Other island nations under particular threat include Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, the Maldives, and the Seychelles.

Further afield on the west coast of the United States, residents in the San Francisco Bay area — where a newly proposed property tax would be used to help restore tidal marshes and secure flood protection — are becoming more concerned about rising sea levels. There are similar stories in Southern California and even on the Atlantic coast of the US, particularly in the state of Florida and in New Jersey’s Atlantic City.

Depression and asthma among biggest health threats to Australian youth

Chronic and non-communicable diseases like depression, asthma and musculoskeletal pain are the prevailing causes of poor health among Australian adolescents, a global study on illness and death among 10 to 24-year-olds has found.

Published in the international medical journal The Lancet, the report found two-thirds of young people are growing up in countries where preventable and treatable conditions such as HIV/Aids, early pregnancy and violence threaten their health and chances of living to adulthood.

Self-harm the 'biggest killer of people in their early 20s' in the UK

 

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But in Australia, chronic and non-communicable diseases were responsible for 80% of the poor health experienced by young people aged 10-24, a researcher for the study, Dr Peter Azzopardi, said.

“Australia is a wealthy country,” said Azzopardi, who is a researcher with the Murdoch Children’s Institute.

“We have a reasonably well-funded health system but, having said that, our adolescents, which represent 20% of our population, are experiencing a significant burden of poor health.”

Road injuries followed by self-harm were the leading causes of death for 15 to 19 year-olds, the report found, while in 20 to 24-year-old men, self-harm was the most common cause of death. In 20 to 24-year-old women, road injuries followed by self-harm were the leading causes of death.

“But when it comes to ongoing illnesses, it was predominately poor mental health, asthma, dermatological conditions and musculoskeletal issues that is affecting the health of our young people,” Azzopardi said.

“In terms of the risk factors leading to poor health, 10% of 10 to 24-year-olds are current daily smokers, which has reduced over time, but a health behaviour which hasn’t improved is overweight and obesity, with about 30% of young people now overweight or obese.”

Globally, the fastest-growing risk factor for ill health in 10 to 24-year-olds over the past 23 years is unsafe sex, while in 20 to 24-year-olds alcohol is responsible for 7% of the burden of disease.

The authors of the report, which was led by the University of Melbourne, University College London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Columbia University, described their findings as a wake-up call to governments to invest in youth health services.

“This generation of young people can transform all our futures,” said Prof George Patton, from the University Melbourne, the lead author of the study.

“This means it will be crucial to invest in their health, education, livelihoods and participation.”

Getup maps $57bn in Abbott-era health cuts hospital by hospital

 

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The report found depression resulted in the largest amount of ill-health worldwide in 2013, affecting more than 10% of 10-24 year olds. Leading youth psychiatrist and executive director of the youth mental health research organisation Orygen, Prof Patrick McGorry, said in Australia mental illness contributed to about 50% of the poor health experienced by young people.

He said The Lancet findings should prompt the federal government to reverse funding cuts to the Early Psychosis Youth Services program run through six treatment centres across the country, an early intervention program McGorry founded which works with young people who have just suffered their first psychotic episode or who are at high risk of experiencing one.

As part of the government’s review of mental health programs and services, funding for the Early Psychosis Youth Services will be cut by 75% from June and be redirected towards primary health networks.

“We wholeheartedly agree with the government that there is a pressing need for other serious mental disorders in young people to also be invested in,” McGorry said.

“However we spent 25 years building up an international evidence base with our colleagues overseas for this service.”

More money needed to be allocated to youth mental health overall, he said.

“We can’t spread existing funding across Australia like a tiny little layer of jam,” he said.

Scientists peel back the carrot's genetic secrets

Scientists have gotten to the root of the carrot, genetically speaking. Researchers said on Monday they have sequenced the genome of the carrot, an increasingly important root crop worldwide, identifying genes responsible for traits including the vegetable's abundance of vitamin A, an important nutrient for vision.    

The genome may point to ways to improve carrots through breeding, including increasing their nutrients and making them more productive and more resistant to disease, pest and drought, the researchers said. The vitamin A in carrots arises from their orange pigments, known as carotenoids. The study identified genes responsible for carotenoids as well as pest and disease resistance and other characteristics. In addition to eyesight, vitamin A also is important for immune function, cellular communication, healthy skin and other purposes.    The researchers sequenced the genome of a bright orange variety of the vegetable called the Nantes carrot, named for the French city. 

The carrot genome contained about 32,000 genes, a typical total for plants, which average around 30,000 genes, which is more than the human genome. "Carrots are an interesting crop to work on because of their wide range of diversity. They are familiar to everyone, and generally well-regarded by consumers, but like most familiar things, people don't necessarily know the background stories," said University of Wisconsin horticulture professor and geneticist Phil Simon, who led the study published in the journal Nature Genetics.    

Worldwide carrot consumption quadrupled between 1976 and 2013 and they now rank in the top 10 vegetable crops globally, the researchers said. In the past four decades, carrots have been bred to be more orange and more nutritious, with 50 percent more nutrients.    The earliest record of carrots as a root crop dates from 1,100 years ago in Afghanistan, but those were yellow carrots and purple ones, not orange ones. Paintings from 16th century Spain and Germany provide the first unmistakable evidence for orange carrots.    

Knowledge of the carrot genome could lead to improvement of similar crops, from parsnips to the cassava, the researchers said. Close relatives of carrots include celery, parsley, parsnips, coriander, cilantro, dill, fennel, cumin and caraway. The common weed called Queen Anne's Lace is a wild carrot. The wild ancestors of carrots were white, the researchers said. While orange carrots are most commonly grown, some purple and yellow carrots are grown from the Middle East to South Asia, while some red carrots are grown in Asia.

Turkey says its new electric car is better than a Tesla

A prototype of the Pehlivan Elektrak, an electric car designed in part with support from the Turkish government, recently concluded a two-week tour of Balkan countries. The car is an improvement on the models made by Canadian-American magnate Elon Musk's Tesla Motors, at least according to Turkey's science minister.

"Our car will be better and safer than Tesla’s car," said Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Isık, as quoted by Hurriyet Daily News. "While they need to establish charging stations, we will integrate the charging station into the car thanks to a developed engine which extends the car’s range."

The vehicle, which is named after the Turkish word for "wrestler," was the winning design entry in a competition sponsored by the Turkish state. It's unclear if and when large-scale production of the car will begin.

Last year, the Turkish government announced to a tie-up with Sweden's Saabin its bid to launch a new "national car" fueled by electricity.

"We will need a producer to start manufacturing," Isik told reporters. "We will announce crucial cooperation deals for this part very soon." The minister imagines Turkey's domestic electric car project will be able to compete with ventures from Tesla and Google and other companies.

Kim Jong-un launches missile tests whenever he's angry at US, claims former North Korean chef

North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-Un launches missile tests whenever he gets angry with America, claims his father’s former chef

Kim Jong-un orders missile tests when he is angry, according to his dad's former chef

The dictator often makes snap military decisions when he becomes frustrated with US policy towards his impoverished, brutal nation, claims Kenji Fujimoto, who cooked for Jong-un’s dad Kim Jong-il.

But Fujimoto told Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun that Kim "has no mind to start a war”.

The chef recently returned to North Korea more than a decade after he escaped through China and defected to Japan. He released a memoir of his experiences in 2003.

He was welcomed to North Korea between April 12-23, despite his defection, and had a private three-hour dinner with Kim.

North Korea has intensified its missile tests over the past few months

Former North Korean chef Kenji Fujimoto

North Korea's drive to develop a nuclear capability has intensified since January, when it conducted its fourth nuclear test and followed that with a string of tests of missiles that could deliver such a weapon.

US President Barack Obama said in an interview aired on Tuesday that there "was no easy solution" to the North Korean threat and while the United States "could destroy North Korea with our arsenals", there would not only be humanitarian costs but also potential impact on South Korea.

The North may be readying to launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile after a failed attempt this month, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported yesterday.

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Hydration: Why It’s So Important

Why is it so important to stay hydrated?

Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate joints. Water is needed for good health.

How does my body lose water?

Water makes up more than half of your body weight. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you are physically active, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid water loss. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated.

How do I know if I’m dehydrated?

Symptoms of dehydration include the following:

• Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Extreme thirst
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
• No tears when crying

Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to take action. Actively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water.

Who is at higher risk of dehydration?

People are at higher risk of dehydration if they exercise at a high intensity, have certain medical conditions, are sick, or are not able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you get older, your brain may not be able to sense dehydration and send the signals for thirst.

You may need to increase the amount of water you are drinking if you:

• Have certain medical conditions, such as kidney stones or bladder infection
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Will be outside during hot weather
• Will be exercising
• Have a fever
• Have been vomiting or have diarrhea
• Are trying to lose weight

How much water should I drink each day?

You may have heard different recommendations for daily water intake. Most people have been told they should drink 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is a reasonable goal. However, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. Most healthy people can stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than 8 glasses may be enough. Other people may need more than 8 glasses each day.

If you are concerned that you are not drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying well hydrated. Dark yellow or amber-colored urine is a sign of dehydration.

Besides water, what else can I consume to stay hydrated?

Water is the best option for staying hydrated. Other drinks and foods can help you stay hydrated, but some may add extra calories from sugar to your diet.

Drinks like fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and herbal teas can contribute to the amount of water you get each day. Even caffeinated drinks (for example, coffee, tea, and soda) can contribute to your daily water intake. A moderate amount of caffeine (200 to 300 milligrams) is not harmful for most people. This is about the amount in 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee. However, it’s best to limit caffeinated drinks because caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently, or feel anxious or jittery.

Water can also be found in fruits and vegetables (for example, watermelon, tomatoes, and lettuce) and in soup broths.

What about sports drinks and energy drinks?

For most people, water is all that is needed to maintain good hydration. However, if you are planning on exercising at a high intensity for longer than an hour, a sports drink may be helpful. It contains carbohydrates and electrolytes that can increase your energy and help your body absorb water.

Choose a sports drink wisely. They are often high in calories from added sugar and may contain high levels of sodium. Also, check the serving size. One bottle may contain several servings. If you drink the entire bottle, you may need to double or triple the amounts given on the Nutrition Facts Label. Some sports drinks contain caffeine. If you use a sports drink that contains caffeine, be careful not to get too much caffeine in your diet.

Sports drinks are not the same as energy drinks. Energy drinks usually contain large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants (for example, guarana, ginseng, or taurine) that your body doesn't need. Most of these drinks are also high in added sugar. Many experts recommend that children and teens should not have energy drinks.

Tips for staying hydrated

• Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. Purchasing bottled water is expensive and creates plastic bottle waste. Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it from the tap instead.
• If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.
• Be sure to drink water before, during, and after a workout.
• When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full.
• If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up; at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and when you go to bed. Or drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.
• Drink water when you go to a restaurant. It will keep you hydrated, and it’s free!

Telcos, Clearing Houses Bicker Over N30bn Debt

Telecommunication companies and interconnect clearing houses are at loggerheads over N30 billion interconnect indebtedness in the industry. Interconnect Houses see the telecom operators as big sharks in deep ocean that swallow smaller fishes while the operators see them as business entities with poor corporate governance practices fueling interconnect indebtedness in the industry. 

Sources privy to the dispute say clearing houses are accusing the operators of not using them enough to terminate calls originating from other networks thus making it very difficult for them to recover these interconnect debts from defaulting networks. 

But the network operators accuse the clearing houses of not even remitting the little they collect, noting that the clearing houses do not have enough capacity to carry their traffic. They claim that if they even give 10 percent of their traffic to these clearing houses, it would crash their network. 

Interconnect fee is the charge paid by telecom companies to each other for terminating voice, data or other services over or across each other’s network. Some operators accuse their fellow defaulting operators of insincerity and unfaithfulness, wonder why such operators who pay roaming charges as well as honour other obligations to international operators would not honour their interconnect obligations freely entered into by them simply because they know that the law protects them under the NCC Act 2003 which makes it an offence to disconnect offending operators without approval from the NCC. 

Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, partner, Banwo & Ighodalo at a forum organised by the NCC, proffered solution to interconnect indebtedness in the industry, advocating the establishment of a credible Interconnect Clearing Houses that will help to streamline and harmonize the business relationship between telecommunication operators that partner amongst themselves, thus ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery of services to the customers. 

“It should be pointed out, however, that honesty and resilience and determination to ensure that the Nigerian telecoms industry grows in leaps and bounds is also needed to solve the issue of interconnection indebtedness and problems in the telecom sector,” she said. She also advocated the establishment of an Asset Management Company which will solve the problem by buying up the debts of any telecom operator that is not able to pay or refuses to pay its debts to other interconnection partners. Akeredolu urged speeding up the process of disconnecting defaulting companies. 

“It is common knowledge that sometimes a measure of force and strict compliance requisites are necessary to put individuals (and businesses) in line. It is suggested that in order to reduce the emergence and continuation of interconnection indebtedness in Nigeria, networks should be given free rein to disconnect any partner network operator that refuses or fails to pay their usage charges. “This will keep other networks on their toes. Failure to pay interconnection usage charges will mean that their customers will be unable to connect to other networks, which will cause a disruption in their communication services,” she said. 

These debts in the industry, according to industry experts, are threatening the stability of the telecoms industry, if the consequences of not settling the debts are not effectively managed. Concerns over this huge debt profile and its implications on business activities in the sector came to the fore when Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, recently paid an official visit to some telecom companies in Lagos where he promised government would look into the matter. It is sad that the interconnect debt being owed in the industry is due majorly to the debts being owed by the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), fixed line networks operators as well as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that have gone under. Already, about 14 licensed telecoms operators that are among the debtors of interconnect charges have been declared inactive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). 

Some of these operators include Starcomms, Reliance Telecoms (operating as Zoom), Intercellular Nigeria, MTS First Communications, Disc Communications, WiTel, O’Net (Odua Telecom), Rainbownet, Monarch Communications, XS Broadband, Webcom and IPNX, among others. Bearing the highest consequences of the interconnectivity debt is MTN Nigeria being owed over N13.6 billion. This amount owed MTN represents about 40 percent of the total debts as the largest operator with 63 million subscribers and as such, often have more calls terminated on its network. 

Oyeronke Oyetunde, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Nigeria, lamented that “the issue of the rising profile of interconnectivity debt is something we need to discuss in the industry. Otherwise, it may affect the stability of the industry”. Charles Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Medallion Communications, an Interconnect Clearing House, blamed the situation on the lack of clear settlement mechanism in the industry. According to him, one of the core functions of a clearing house is billing and settlement among operators but some service providers used to handle traffic exchange directly. He said interconnect debts are a major factor against quality of service as some operators deliberately deny competitors access to their networks if they owed terminating charge. 

Nnamani stressed the need for a clear interconnectivity settlement scheme in the industry to address the problem. He said, “The truth is that at the moment because of the way the major dominant operators have handled interconnectivity, there is no clear settlement in the industry and that is one of the things we are working at creating. Within the next few months we hope to have a proper settlement scheme for the telecom industry in Nigeria. There is a lot of debt out there among the operators”. Other industry analysts expressed concern that while the government intervention may signal a possible resolution to this problem, it remains to be seen how a company like MTN and others being owed will recover their money from debtor organisations that have gone under. 

ONE EXERCISE WITHOUT MOVEMENT TIGHTENS EVERY MUSCLE AND HELPS YOU GET RID OF THE EXTRA WEIGHT!

Plank” is one of the most effective exercises around the world. It affects not only the abs, but also the muscles of the whole body. Always give it five minutes a day and you will be surprised by the results.

The essence of the exercise is that, you should at least once a day like “float” above the floor for several minutes, relying only on the hands and feet. Undoubtedly, to be in such a position even 2 minutes – is not an easy task. At this point a large number of muscles are activated. But, as a result of this exercise, you will have a strong back, tight ass with no cellulite, shaped legs, flat stomach and beautiful hands.

How to exercise the “Plank”:

“Plank” is a static exercise. It does not require movement, so it is important to keep the body properly.

Lie on the floor on your stomach down. Bend your elbows 90 degrees and set in the lying position on your elbows. The body should form a straight line from head to heels. Rely only on your forearms and the fingertips on your feet. The elbows should be directly under your shoulders. Keep your body as flat as possible, strain the abdominal muscles and do not relax. Try not to lower your hips toward the floor.

Feet. Assemble them. It will be difficult to keep the balance that will increase pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Legs. They should be straight and tight, otherwise, the pressure in the right abdominal muscle, which reserves the lumbar spine, will also be reduced.

Buttocks. Stretch and do not relax until the end of the exercise, as this increases the activation of all muscles of the lower torso.

Lower back. The most important moment. For proper execution of the exercise, your lower back should be flat. This means that it must not be curved or dented. Imagine that your back adheres tightly to the wall.

Stomach. Bring it in, and in such a position, try to even tuck it under the ribs. During the exercise hold your stomach in such a position, but do not hold your breath.

Elbows. To avoid unnecessary burden on your shoulders, put your elbows directly below the shoulder joints.

Hold this position as long as you can. To begin with, is enough for 10 seconds. As a rule, people with different physical readiness maintain this posture for 10 seconds to 2 minutes. After a break of 2 minutes, repeat the exercise. 5 repetitions will be enough. If you are a beginner, do not try to break the record, start slowly.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DRINK WATER, BEFORE EATING OR AFTER?

Water is important to our body. We all can definitely agree to that but here’s a question that many can’t quite agree upon:

When is the best time to drink water, before or after eating?

Unfortunately, Science cannot give us a definitive answer because studies on when is the best time to drink water yield different result and offer differing opinions. So, instead of choosing between the before-eating camp and after-eating camp, let us take a look at the benefits of drinking water before and after a meal. Read on and be the judge.

WHY DRINK WATER BEFORE EACH MEAL?

IT HELPS REDUCE YOUR CALORIE INTAKE: A number of studies have shown that drinking water before meals will make you consume less calories during those meals. This is probably because the water will make you feel full, so you don’t need to eat much food to reach the point of satiety. Not to mention, choosing water as your mealtime drink makes you avoid sugar and calories-laden beverages such as sodas and juices.

IT CLEANSES YOU INTERNAL SYSTEM: Especially when taken before breakfast in the morning, water offers many such health benefits for your body. It purges out toxins from your body, gives your stomach and intestines a good cleansing, purifies your colon, organs and kick start your metabolism, preparing them for the day ahead.

IT REHYDRATES YOUR DEHYDRATED BODY: Your body is naturally dehydrated when you wake up after a long sleep. Thus, refilling the tank is necessary, and this should be done provide you natural energy throughout the morning.

WHY DRINK WATER AFTER EACH MEAL?

IT AIDS DIGESTION: Some people will tell you that drinking water right after a meal will dilute your digestive juice and interfere with your digestion. Well, according to researchers, drinking water after meal shouldn’t be a cause of concern. This is because water actually aid digestion. It helps digest food so that your body can easily absorb the nutrients.

DO LEMON PEEL HAVE USES AND BENEFITS? YES THEY DO

The lemon is a species of small evergreen tree native to Asia. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses. 
Scientific name: Citrus × limon
Higher classification: Citrus
Rank: Species
Genus: Citrus

Lemons are one of the most beneficial citrus fruits in the world and they abound in minerals and vitamins. However, we shouldn’t neglect its yellow peel that protects its fruit and at the same time offers many health benefits and has many other uses.

Health

• It lowers cholesterol levels and has a detoxifying effect on one’s organism;

• The white skin that surrounds the lemon is a rich source of antioxidants;

• It abounds in flavonoids that normalize the cholesterol levels as well as naturally cleanse      the organism;

• It contains 5-10 times more vitamin C than lemon juice;

• It helps in the fight against cancer;

• It maintains bone health;

• It provides perfect hygiene and health to the oral cavity;

• It helps with weight loss;

• It prevents the proliferation of parasites and intestinal tapeworms (taenia infection) in the       digestive system;

• It has antibacterial and antifungal properties;

• It regulates the blood pressure;

• It helps with cystitis and tumors.

Shred some lemon peel, pour water over it, and then leave it to stay for several minutes. Afterward, squeeze some lemon juice and drink this concoction during the course of a week, every morning, so that you cleanse your body system.

BEAUTY

It softens the skin on your elbows: Mix some shredded lemon peel together with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and squeeze several drops of lemon juice. Stir the mixture and apply to your elbows and cracked feet after showering.

Body scrub: Mix ½ a cup of sugar together with some shredded lemon peel and add 1/8 cup of olive oil to it. Use this mixture on a wet skin, rub it into your skin, and leave it to stay for 10 minutes. After that, rinse with lukewarm water.

HOUSEHOLD

Disinfection product for kitchen worktops: Lemon peel has antibacterial properties and thus it is ideal for disinfection of kitchen worktops. It is great for cleaning cutting boards. Dip the cutting board in some hot water and then rub it with shredded lemon peel mixed with some lemon juice.

Natural product for microwave cleaning: Put some shredded lemon peel and water in a ceramic vessel and place it in your microwave oven. Heat it up at to the highest temperature and let the mixture boil for 3 minutes so that its steam removes those stubborn stains and neutralizes the smell.

Removes lime scale buildup: You can remove lime scale buildup from your sink by using a mixture of lemon peel. Place a pot, to which you’ve added lemon peel, 2 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, on the stove and turn the heat to high. Pour 3 dl of water and leave it to boil. Afterward, strain the mixture and pour it over the surfaces with lime scale buildup. Leave it to work for about 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Protects from Insects: You can get rid of insects with the help of lemon peel. Cut several notches into the lemon peel and the ethereal oil that will be released from it will prevent the unwanted guests (insects) from entering your home.