Caffeine - How Much Do You Need?

Now a days, coffee comes in many varieties, such as Frappacino and espresso, as well as different flavors and sizes. Colas are made with artificial flavors and added caffeine. The amount of caffeine in all of these different drinks can vary widely. Coffee used to be just "black". Coca-Cola® was originally made with Kola nut extracts and contained cocaine, no wonder it was so popular! Energy drinks are a new trend in highly caffeinated beverages. They contain a wealth of sugar and other natural stimulants that help provide that sought-after energy boost. Caffeine is also found in many weight loss preparations and in some over-the-counter pain, diet and stimulant medications.

Here are the most common sources of caffeine for Americans:

• Coffee - Contains about 100mg per 8-ounce cup though most coffee drinkers will use a larger cup (12-16 ounces) for their daily brew.
  
• Black Tea - Contains 50mg per 8-ounce cup. Green Tea contains 25mg.
  
• Caffeinated Sodas - Coke, Pepsi, and others contain 40-50mg per 12-ounce can.
  
• Super-Caffeinated Colas - Jolt contains 70mg per 12-ounce can.
  
• Energy Drinks - Red Bull and RockStar contain about 80mg per 8 ounce can.
  
• Milk Chocolate - Contains 6 mg/ounce.
  
• OTC Medications - Anacin contains 32mg/tablet. Extra Strength Excedrin contains 65mg/tablet. NoDoz and Vivarin each contain 200mg/tablet.
  

How much do you consume? Add it up and see. I would guess, if you are a typical caffeine consumer, that you top out over 300mg per day.

Caffeine has long been considered an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Caffeine's negative effects on the nervous system and how it increases anxiety, heart rate and sleepless nights have always been a concern. But recently coffee and caffeine have been shown to have some significant medical benefits.

After more than 10,000 scientific studies over the past 30 years the findings indicate that people who drink one to three cups of coffee a day are less likely to contract diabetes, develop Parkinson's disease, or have gallstones. Additionally, coffee reduces the risk of colon cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Some of these findings may be due to the health benefits of the coffee bean itself, but most can be linked directly to caffeine. Coffee has also been shown to be beneficial in asthma (caffeine is a bronchodilator), stopping headaches (a vasoconstrictor) and improving mood (releases dopamine), all due to the systemic actions of caffeine.

In spite of these beneficial effects, it is still recommended to consume caffeine in moderation. Enjoy your day cup(s) of joe - or my favorite, Diet Pepsi® - but remember that too much of a good thing is not always better. Everything in moderation, nothing to excess.

For more on Caffeine, be sure to read my previous blog, Caffeine - Celebrating National Coffee Day.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (NIV)"

Caffeine - Celebrating National Coffee Day

Tomorrow (Sept 29th) is National Coffee Day. To celebrate we will take a look at the main draw in that cup of joe, Caffeine. Check the Internet for coupons from your favorite coffee house; you just might get a free cup.

I don't drink coffee but that does not mean I miss out on my daily caffeine fix. I mentioned it in a blog about Ice last month. Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive drug in the world. Every day enough cups of caffeine (not just coffee) are served up to give one cup to every man, woman and child on the planet!

Although the FDA calls caffeine a "generally recognized as safe food substance", it is clearly a drug with profound physical and psychological effects. In humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. It also has diuretic properties. Long-term consumption can lead to addiction and tolerance. Withdrawal symptoms can also appear within 12 to 24 hours after your last latte. In spite of this, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world.

Caffeine is a bitter xanthine alkaloid. It is occurs naturally in varying amounts in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of a number of plants. In these plants it acts as a natural pesticide, killing the insect pests that are damaging to the plant. Caffeine is a natural component of coffee, tea and chocolate, and is added as an energy boost in most colas and energy drinks. About 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine every day in one form or another with more than half of all adults consuming more than 300 milligrams (3 cups of coffee) daily. Caffeine was first isolated from coffee in 1820. Today most pure caffeine comes from the process used to make decaffeinated coffees and teas.

Caffeine is also found in diet pills and some over-the-counter pain relievers and medicines. Medically, caffeine is used as a cardiac stimulant and a mild diuretic. It also acts as a bronchodilator. In beverages, it is used to provide a "boost of energy". More and more people are taking energy drinks to stay awake while working or driving long distances. Many people feel as though they need a morning cup of coffee to get going for the day and provide the wake up jolt it gives them.

Caffeine operates using the same biological mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin use to stimulate the brain. Caffeine impacts the functioning of the neurotransmitters adenosine and dopamine. It blocks the adenosine receptors so you don't feel sleepy and your blood vessels constrict. This causes adrenaline to be released, which stimulates the body. Caffeine also blocks dopamine reuptake thus increasing dopamine levels resulting in elevated mood, improved memory and cognition, and increased heart rate. If you feel like you cannot make it through the day without it, then you may be addicted to caffeine. In excess it can cause restlessness, insomnia, muscle twitching, gastrointestinal disturbance, cardiac arrhythmia and a host of other problems.

The problem with caffeine is its long-term effects, which tend to cycle downward. Once the effects of caffeine wear off you face fatigue and depression. So what are you going to do? You get another cup of caffeine to get the cycle going again. As you can imagine, having your body amped up all day long isn't very healthy, and can make you edgy and irritable.

Worse still is the effect that caffeine has on sleep. The half-life of caffeine is about six hours. That means that half of the caffeine you consume at 3:00pm is still in your body at 9:00pm when you are trying to go to bed. You may be able to fall asleep, but you will probably miss out on the benefits of a deep sleep. The next day you will feel worse, so you need more caffeine as soon as you get out of bed. And the cycle goes on day after day. This is why so many of us consume caffeine daily. Once you get in the cycle, you cannot get out because if you try to stop the caffeine, you get very tired and foggy headed with a splitting headache forcing you to run back to your caffeine crutch.

In spite of all these side effects, we all love our Frappe Mocha Latte in the morning. And caffeine has some benefits as well. We will look at some of our favorite caffeine fixes and their caffeine content as well as the benefits of caffeine in the next blog release.

So the Israelites must have run out of coffee when they confronted Moses on this day! Exodus 15:24 - "So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' (NIV)"

Aspirin - Take Two and Call Me in the Morning

Got a pounding headache? Migraine? Fever with the Flu? Body all aching and wracked with pain? Arthritis? Take two aspirin and call your doctor in the morning. Previously had a heart attack or stroke or just want to reduce the risk? Take a low dose aspirin daily (only at the direction of your physician). Aspirin was originally the trade name belonging to Bayer AG for acetylsalicylic acid and first went on sale in 1899. Aspirin, an analgesic, antipyretic, and anticoagulant medication, is arguably the most commercially successful drug ever. It is one of the most widely used medicines in the world today, with an estimated 40,000 tons consumed each year.

Aspirin is classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that works effectively to ease pain and swelling, lower a fever and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. For pain, it is as effective as Tylenol® (acetaminophen) as well as NSAIDs Advil® (ibuprofen) or Aleve® (naproxen). Physiologically aspirin works by suppressing prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Prostaglandins function in pain transmission, body temperature control and inflamation. Thromboxanes are responsible for the aggregation of the platelets that form blood clots.

Chemically aspirin is known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and was first discovered in 1853. It was derived from salicylic acid, which is found in willow bark. Salicylic acid is the principle metabolite of aspirin and had been in use medicinally for centuries.

Aspirin use decreased significantly in the late 50's until it was discovered in the 80's to have efficacy as an anticlotting agent. It has found renewed support when used prophylactically in stroke and heart attack survivors as well as those at risk for these diseases. It is now suggested that taking an aspirin or two at the onset of a suspected heart attack may decrease the morbidity or mortality of the event. The FDA suggests to first seek emergency care (call 911) and then take aspirin only at the direction of the doctor.

Aspirin use can have some potentially serious side effects. It can cause nausea and heartburn and long term use contributes to GI bleeding and stomach ulcers. Large doses, such as when used for arthritis, can cause tinnitus or ringing in the ears. In children under 18, aspirin has been linked with increased likelihood of Reye's Syndrome, and it should not be given to anyone under the age of 12 who has a fever.

Aspirin, in spite of its age, is truly still a wonder drug. It should be a staple in everyone's medicine cabinet and first-aid kit, along side the Band-Aids® and Betadine®.

One day God will relieve all pain and suffering from our world. Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV)"

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (NIV)"

What does this proverb mean? When was this written? It was written during the Iron Age in the Middle East. Iron was not very pure at that time but contained other metals, such as nickel and copper, as well as carbon. Steel is iron with a certain proportion of carbon (between 0.2% and 2.1%). Pure iron is soft and carbon steel can be as much as 1000 times harder than iron. Iron in those days contained varying amounts of impurities and was of different strengths. Sharpening is defined as the process of creating or refining a sharp edge to an appropriate shape on a tool or implement designed for cutting. Sharpening is done by grinding away material on the tool with another abrasive substance harder than the tool itself. This is sometimes followed by a process to polish the sharp surface, increasing smoothness and correcting small mechanical deformations without regrinding.

When one thing sharpens another, the substance on the sharpening surface must be harder than the material being sharpened, such as two different alloys of iron. In a similar manner, one man who is stronger in faith can sharpen another to help him become stronger. This can be in knowledge of the Word or in action and deed to become more like Christ. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) expresses a similar concept, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (NIV)”

Very sharp knives sharpen at an angle of about 10 degrees (which implies that the knife's edge is a 20-degree angle). Material, iron in this case, is scraped off as the edge is made finer and more acutely angled to make the cutting edge of the sword or blade. This removing of the burrs refines the edge until it can easily cut through the toughest materials. In the same way bad habits and negative thoughts and actions are removed from our lives as we are sharpened by the encouragement and loving criticism of a fellow believer. Just as a blade may be polished to increase its ability to cut more cleanly, we may be polished by the support of another and more brightly reflect God's love shining in our lives.

In the sharpening of iron with iron, both pieces change — the sharpener and the one being sharpened. In the same manner our faith is strengthened when we test and encourage another. We must help each other to remain strong in the faith, able to defend the faith, even against the direct attack of the enemy. Just as the Bereans searched the scriptures daily to confirm the Word (Acts 17:11 (NIV)), we can sharpen one another by searching the scriptures together to understand God's Word.

Sharpen can also mean intensify or focus. The cutting edge of the blade is more intensely focused into a very fine line as it is sharpened and can cut more deeply. In the same way one person can intensify another's focus onto the things of God by sharpening his knowledge and understanding of the Word. The sharpening itself may be thought provoking and at times even painful, but in the end we are stronger and better for it. Warren Wiersbe observes, “If we’re not disagreeable, we usually learn more by disagreeing, ‘speaking the truth in love' Ephesians 4:15(NIV), than by giving in and refusing to say what we really think."

Likewise, friends ought to be able both to offer help and receive instruction. God's psychology insists that friends sharpen each other instead of tearing down. The Scripture gives many examples of God honoring communication between friends: "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5-6 (NKJV)." We need to come to appreciate both the encouragement and the candid criticism from our friends, as well as their kindness and generosity. "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3 (NKJV)"

The sharpening of iron by iron represents how God desires us to be in fellowship with each other to strengthen, encourage, instruct, support and sharpen our understanding of His love. Just as blades must continue to be sharpened to keep their sharp edge, so must we as Christians continue to study God's Word to stay focused in our walk with Him.

Hemoglobin - It Takes My Breath Away

I got a call the other day from the Blood Bank. They wanted me to come in and donate. I have O+ blood, the most common, and they are in need. I donate three or four times a year and I was due so I went in. It got me thinking about how important blood is to life and how it plays a significant role in our salvation (Romans 5:8-10 NIV). But I was also thinking; "What is the most critical component of blood?"

Blood has four key components, red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets and plasma. Plasma is mostly water and is what carries the rest of the components throughout the body. Platelets are important for blood clotting. White blood cells are the soldiers of our immune system. Red blood cells are the most critical part. They carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, all the way to the cellular level. And what is it that does this work? Hemoglobin.

	Hemoglobin is the carrier of oxygen from the lungs to the cells and it returns CO2 to be exhaled as waste. Hemoglobin is the major protein inside the RBCs, accounting for 97% of the non-water weight of red blood cells. In humans it is made up of four protein sub-units, two each alpha (141 amino acids) and beta (146 amino acids) protein subunits, joined together to form the full hemoglobin molecule. Each protein subunit also contains a heme group, a small iron containing molecular structure that bonds with the O2 molecule. With hemoglobin, the blood can carry seventy times the oxygen that it would carry if the oxygen was dissolved in plasma alone.
Hemoglobin: Wikipedia red = alpha protein blue = beta protein green = heme group

The iron in the heme group bonds to the oxygen to transport it. This "oxyhemoglobin" is red in color. The oxygen bonds to the hemoglobin in the lungs and is released at the cellular level where it is used in energy production. The hemoglobin then returns to the lungs as "deoxyhemoglobin" which is purplish-blue in color. Each hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules. The binding is "cooperative" in that as each oxygen molecule is bound, it bends the hemoglobin protein in such a way as to improve the binding of oxygen at the remaining heme groups.

People with iron poor blood, or iron deficiency, have fewer RBCs and thus cannot transport oxygen efficiently. Anemia develops slowly in those with low iron intake and can result in weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath. Occasionally one of the hemoglobin protein sub-units is affected by a rare genetic mutation. Most of the time the mutation causes no physiological affect but sometimes the alteration in the protein changes certain aspects of its behavior. Two types of disorders that can result from genetic mutations include sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

In sickle cell disease, the alpha chain is normal. The disease-producing mutation exists only in the beta chain. People who have one sickle mutant gene and one normal beta gene are carriers of the sickle cell trait but do not develop sickle cell anemia. It requires both genes to be mutant genes for sickle cell anemia to be expressed. This results in defective hemoglobin molecules that stick together and cannot efficiently carry oxygen.

In thalassemia, the body produces insufficient quantities of one of the two protein subunits. The subunits created are properly formed, just in low concentrations. This creates an imbalance between the number of alpha proteins and beta proteins. This imbalance damages the red blood cells, producing anemia. A number of other genetically altered forms of hemoglobin also exist that can cause disease.

Besides oxygen, hemoglobin can also bond with carbon monoxide (CO). Hemoglobin actually bonds carbon monoxide much more readily than oxygen. This is why carbon monoxide is so deadly. Smoking, car exhaust and improper furnace ventilation are major sources of carbon monoxide. A home CO detector is available to warn if levels get dangerously high. Carboxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin with bound CO) is a very bright red color and makes the skin appear pink in CO poisoning. Other compounds that also inhibit oxygen binding include cyanide (CN), nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), all of which are toxic.

Glycosylated hemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin to which glucose is bound. This binding of glucose to hemoglobin serves as a record for the average blood glucose levels over the lifetime of the red blood cells, typically 120 days. The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin can be measured to monitor the long-term control of diabetes mellitus. This measurement is called hemoglobin A1c. Diabetics who keep their A1c levels close to 7 have a much better chance of avoiding diabetic complications than those whose levels are 9 or higher.

Hemoglobin is essential in the transport of oxygen within the vertebrates and oxygen is essential for almost all animal life. God has created a balance between the animal kingdom (generally uses O₂ and generates CO₂ as waste) and the plant kingdom (generally uses CO₂ and generates O₂ as waste). This balance helps to maintain our environment for the continued support of life as we know it. In the same way the blood of Christ does this for our souls, it creates and maintains an environment for the support of our spiritual life in Him.

"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54 (NIV)"