A very unlikely source of vitamin B12

I found this from the vegatarian society while reading up on vitamin B12...  (It's sort of yukky, but fascinating)

"The current nutritional consensus is that no plant foods can be relied on as a safe source of vitamin B12.

Bacteria present in the large intestine are able to synthesise B12. In the past, it has been thought that the B12 produced by these colonic bacteria could be absorbed and utilised by humans. However, the bacteria produce B12 too far down the intestine for absorption to occur, B12 not being absorbed through the colon lining.

Human faeces can contain significant B12. A study has shown that a group of Iranian vegans obtained adequate B12 from unwashed vegetables which had been fertilised with human manure. Faecal contamination of vegetables and other plant foods can make a significant contribution to dietary needs, particularly in areas where hygiene standards may be low. This may be responsible for the lack of aneamia due to B12 deficiency in vegan communities in developing countries."

Ecotherapy is good for depression

Only half an hour after I'd been recommending a walk in the country to a friend with depression, I got a note in my email from the Charities Aid Foundation.  The reseach linking exercise in green places is getting very positive results.

"researchers at the University of Essex found that 71 percent of people said a 30-minute walk in the countryside lifted the symptoms of their depression."

Conservation isn't all about fluffy bunnies.  It's about us.  We need nature.

Saw the radiotherapist

Went to see a radiotherapist today.  My persistance with various doctors has finally paid off.  He looked at the material I'd brought with me and said that although he'd never come across Dupuytren's being treated by radiation therapy before, the German data looked good and he'd treat me.  I should get the appointments (I have to go in for five days on the trot) in two to three weeks time.]

HE said that radiation therapy is used for some other conditions that are benign (ie. non-cancerous).  I think he mentioned Plantar fibromatosis on the feet (or something that sounded a bit like that).  I asked him if he meant Ledderhose disease,  but he'd never heard of that.  Actually (confirming my thoughts with Google) the two are one and the same thing.

Ledderhose is the version of Dupytren's that occurs on the feet.  It tends to run far more to nodules (which are the starting point on the hand) and only rarely goes into contracture.

However, if he is used to treating the related condition, that's a good sign.  But how come he didn't even know they were related?  (there's a genetic link in the inheritance patterns)  It's as though you have to suffer from something yourself to have the incentive to read around it.  I guess teaching tends to run in patterns and as you were taught, so you teach.  Every country seems to have its favoured methods for treating Dupuytren's.  I came across a new article today mentioning the accidental discovery that skin grafts stop it spreading.  There's also some work involving topical steroid creams.