Author: Matt Gilligan

Posted on

10 Food Charts for Reaching Healthier Eating Goals

Want to get healthier? Maybe need to change up your diet?

The best way to reach a goal like that is to start with a plan. A plan will help you stay on track and prevent you from having to make choices when you are hungry – cause that’s not when you want to be picking your meals out.

If you don’t know where to begin, these food charts are a great kick-start.

1. Deli meat Alternatives

One way to cut out processed food is to watch how much deli meat you are eating. This chart gives you tasty alternatives.

View this post on Instagram

Why I don't buy deli meat? I finally finished that blog article I promised…the one with allll the nuance. ? Link in bio "Why I don't buy deli meat and how you can make your own choice." Like this post before you head over there to let me know you've been waiting. ?⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ The article answers questions about nitrates, processed meats, and even has a sandwich guide that shows you where to get granola butter and provides a zillion sandwich ideas. After you read it, come back and let me know what you think!⠀⠀ #kidseatincolor⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ . . . . . . .⠀⠀ #lunchbox #lunchboxideas #kidslunchbox #kidslunchideas #kidslunch #lunchideas #healthylunch #schoollunchideas #healthylunchideas #kidslunch #lunchtime #instalunch #lunchtime? #healthylunchbox #packedlunch #lunchprep #easylunch #lunchideas #foodforkids #yumbox #schoollunchbox #kidsfoodideas #toddlerlunch #schoollunch #vegetarianlunch #meatlessmeals #meatlessmonday #veggielove

A post shared by Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN (@kids.eat.in.color) on

2. Snacking at Work

Mindless eating at work is bad. Check out these more thoughtful choices.

View this post on Instagram

According to the oxford dictionary, the word ‘Snack’ (noun) is: ‘a small amount of food eaten between meals’. – – If one was to embark on a goal to lose fat, they will likely focus their attention on main meals consumed. They may be vigilant in ensuring consumption of calories aligns with their fat loss target. They may also believe that consumption of large quantities of food from main meals holds more significance to the outcome of their goal than that of smaller quantities of food. – – The problem is, sometimes there is no correlation between relatively small amounts of food and it’s native caloric worth. A 115g blueberry muffin represents 5-8 bites of food – and 420 calories. Coffee with milk and 2 tsp of sugar represents a drink – and 60 calories. 75g of fruit and nut mix represents 2 handfuls of dried fruit and nuts – and 360 calories. The Friday represents the day where one feels they deserve 1 or 2 (or 7) treats. The snacking pattern on the left demonstrates how easy it is to consume significant calories from small amounts of food. – – On the right side of this graphic, the weekly total is over 3000 calories less, yet virtually the same volume of food is consumed (minus reduced portions of nuts and custard creams). There is a balance of foods that require similar lengths of time to consume, foods that one may refer to as a treat and foods that are nutritious. There is also an element of intelligence implemented on the Friday by inclusion of a time consuming food (popcorn), whilst still engaging with colleagues and enjoying a Danish pastry. – – When we are hungry, we should eat. But when we are trying to reduce body fat, we should implement awareness and strategy. Adherence to balanced, calorie supportive, satiating main meals should be a priority, but so should adherence to strategically planned (and measured) snacks which also support one’s caloric deficit, satiety and still provide a disco on your tongue with each bite. ?? – – #thefitnesschef #worksnack #snacktime #fatloss #fatlosshelp #nutritioncoach #eatsmart #diettips #diethelp #treat #caloriecounting #portioncontrol #fatlosscoach #snack #losebellyfat #cakes #officesnacks #officefood

A post shared by Graeme Tomlinson (@thefitnesschef_) on

3. Refrigerator Storage Times

Spoiler alert: meat does not keep indefinitely in the fridge or freezer. Bone up on limits to keeping food in your refrigerator.

View this post on Instagram

Refrigerator storage times! Keeping your ? food as fresh as your brand new ? Nikes! lol. _ I’ve posted about this before, but a couple people missed the post so I created a new graphic! It also includes freezer ? times. _ You can go slightly beyond the times and probably won’t get sick or anything, but these I’ve found are the best storage times for ultimate freshness and taste. They’re also what foodsafety.gov recommends on their website! _ Which is your favorite meat for mealprep? #fridgegoals #fridgetimes #iifym #mealprep #mealprepping #foodstorage #healthyeating #healthylifestyle #foodpoisoning #foodpoisoningsucks #healthandwellness #meats #cookingathome #homechef

A post shared by Shannon Eng • Health Coach (@caligirlgetsfit) on

4. Fruit

Not necessarily a low-cal food. Figure out how much fruit will actually help you meet your daily calorie intake goal.

View this post on Instagram

Tag a friend and hit save to stay informed on the calorie and sugar quantities within this extensive list of fruits. – – Most fruit proposes a plethora of vitamins and minerals to it’s consumer. And whilst the cringeworthy term, ‘nature’s candy’ is descriptively tragic, fruit is a source of sweet tasting whole food than offers micronutrients for overall health, fibre for satiety and water for hydration. – – As you can see, each fruit has a different macro-nutritional make up. Some have more sugar, others have less. Some have more calories, others have less. And (not displayed here), some have more fibre, whilst others have less. – – It is worth noting that sugar extracted from fruit will have the exact same metabolic result as sugar extracted from a snickers. But the combination of sugar and fibre consumed via a whole food (in this case fruit) makes it more likely to satisfy one’s hunger more than food comprising of sugar and minimal fibre. However, one’s attainment of satiety will differ from another’s. – – Fruit is a more nutritious, calorie sparse source of energy than confectionary. But it is important to realise that caloric values of any food count towards overall energy balance. Fibre density per calories consumed may make one ‘feel fuller’ and therefore aid adherence to overall energy targets – especially calorie deficits. – – Thus, consuming any item of ‘sweet’ tasting food is a valid option, but those which provide more satiety after consumption may support one’s energy balance more, whilst also delivering a host of nutritious advantages at the same time. ? – – P.s. which is your favourite fruit? ? – – #thefitnesschef #fruit #sugar #calories #berries #nutrients #snacktime #snack #vegan #caloriescount #eatsmart #flexiblediet #fruitsalad #micronutrients #avocado #fatlosstips #dieting #lowcaloriesnack #fruitbowl

A post shared by Graeme Tomlinson (@thefitnesschef_) on

5. Low Calorie Swaps

Eat this and not that if you want to reduce calories but not taste.

View this post on Instagram

The point of consuming food is to remain alive. The point of controlling one’s intake of food is to manage physique and overall health. The point of consuming fewer calories is to reduce body fat across one’s composition. But one constant in all of the above should be one’s enjoyment of food. – – When an individual embarks on fat loss, each of the above are important. One must enjoy their energy consumption, be aware of energy intake in relation to their energy output, and consistently ensure that hat they are in a state of sustainable caloric deficit. To ensure progress, one may have to change and adjust their dietary habits. But instead of completely changing one’s diet, adherence may be more likely if one makes small changes over time. For example: consuming the same volume of lower calorie foods/drinks that are essentially the same foods/drinks. – – This graphic shows two groups of foods/drinks. One group contains over double the calorie amount of the other, yet quantity of both remains the same (apart from the freddo). Crucially, the lower calorie versions resemble the same taste/experiment as their high calorie counterparts (or very similar). – – Whilst consumption of lower calorie versions may not be immediately significant, they can be over a period of time. For example, if one swapped daily consumption of 300ml of whole milk for semi skimmed milk for 1 year, they would consume 17520 fewer calories whilst experiencing is minimally compromised. – – One must make an informed choice in the knowledge that lower calorie items may contain less of a particular macronutrient. And in the case of low calorie beverages, awareness that sweeteners are included. – – Losing fat is not straightforward. It requires a change of habits. But if an individual recognizes opportunities to make small changes which reap big long term rewards, it’s seems short sighted not to take them. ? – – #thefitnesschef #fatlosshelp #fatlossdiet #fatlosstips #halotop #eatsmart #meat #lowcalorie #calories #caloriedeficit #caloriecounting #losefat #diet #dieting #smartchoices #flexiblediet #nutritionfacts #losebellyfat

A post shared by Graeme Tomlinson (@thefitnesschef_) on

5. 6 Ways to Pizza

Pizza can be healthy. See all the ways here.

View this post on Instagram

Because who doesn’t love pizza?! ? Want a fun way to get your pizza on while still getting in more veggies? Try any of the options in the top row! . My personal favorite is the portobella pizza but all of these are great fun options you can make at home. Get crazy with it and add some fun toppings of choice! Info below: . Bell pepper pizza – 1/2 bell pepper, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese + 2 broccoli florets. . Portable pizza – 1/2 Portabella mushroom cap, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 2 basil leaves, 1 olive cut into slices. . Zucchini pizza boats – 1/2 zucchini, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mixed cheese, 2 cherry tomatoes. . Rice cake pizza – 1 rice cake, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 basil leaves, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese. . Pita pizza – 1 medium pita, 1/4 cup marinara sauce, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 2 basil leaves + 3 cherry tomatoes. . Pizza pizza – Ordered from the doughroom in Culver City haha Because sometimes you can treat yo self to a damn real pizza. . How to cook the veggie pizzas: 1 – Preheat oven to 350F. 2 – Scoop out the inside of the mushroom, bell pepper or zucchini boat (you can cook the bell pepper or zucchini in oven before adding toppings or add toppings then cook if you don’t need it well done. Mushroom you can add the toppings right away & cook) 3 – Add 1/4 cup marinara, toppings & cheese 4 – Bake in oven for about 10 minutes then enjoy! . You can bake the pita & rice cake in oven or you can microwave xoxo. . P.S. make sure you check my 101 Healthy Snacks Ebook link in bio! (www.101healthysnacks.com) . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #pizza #glutenfree #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #determination #healthylifestyle

A post shared by Amanda (Meixner) Rocchio (@meowmeix) on

6. Muscle Meats

Portion control is an excellent way to healthier eating. Learn to eyeball your servings.

8. Meat

Make sure you’re getting enough protein with this chart.

View this post on Instagram

Tag a a meat eater and hit save to keep you and your friends informed on the calorie/protein values of this assortment of meat/poultry. – – Consuming fewer calories and/or moving more is the only way you can lose fat – aka creating a calorie deficit. And whilst it is not definitive, consuming adequate protein is heavily linked to a higher rate of satiety (feeling full). Thus, feeling satiated for extended periods may reducing the likelihood of consuming excess calories. I stress the word ‘likelihood’. Furthermore, protein consumption will help one maintain adequate muscle mass during the process of fat loss or muscle gain. Most sources of meat and poultry are protein dense. – – As you can see, there are lower calorie options available for the same or greater protein value. Whilst meat/poultry is just one component of a balanced meal containing carbohydrates and fats, it is an area where you can make a relatively small change which could help your goal in the long run. – – In terms of protein density per gram of food, not many food/drinks come close to meat. If you don’t eat meat, sourcing and consuming adequate protein for your fitness needs becomes more difficult, but definitely still possible. – – If you are vegan… This post is clearly not for you. – – #thefitnesschef #meat #protein #highprotein #meatlover #mealprep #dinnerideas #nutritioncoach #leanmeat #fatloss #muscle #musclegain #eatsmart #eattogrow #losefat #buildmuscle #calories #caloriecounting #steak

A post shared by Graeme Tomlinson (@thefitnesschef_) on

9. Vitamins and Minerals

Don’t overlook the importance of these healthful building blocks.

10. Calorie and Protein Chart

Nothing can stop from healthier eating when you use this food chart for meal planning.

Planning, shopping and prepping will be your keys to healthier eating. Get educated and save these informative food charts as your first step to eating better and feeling better.

The post 10 Food Charts for Reaching Healthier Eating Goals appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

A ‘Star Wars’ Uber-Fan Has Had Enough of Your Complaints About the Newest Films

People are pretty sensitive about their fandoms, and that seems to go double (or triple) for Star Wars fanatics. It could be because the franchise has been around since the 70s, because it’s tied to so many of our childhoods, or because more than one generation has now claimed it as their own, but folks have been downright salty about the handling of this final chapter.

That said, there is at least one person who isn’t here for your complaints, and he’s clapped back in an epic twitter thread.

It begins with him informing young ‘uns about the horrors that were watching Episodes 1-3 for the first time, in a theater.

Yes, a space diner.

And goes on to address issues with how Luke Skywalker and Palpatine were treated soooo unfairly boohoo.

We aren’t here for your bs expectations of logic, newbies.

Then we get reminders of how terrible these two moments were…

Before he hightails it because the Prequel Fans (all 5 of them) have come out in force.

The moral of the story? Sit down and enjoy your Rian Johnson and JJ Abrams Star Wars because nothing is more disappointing than 1-3.

Nothing.

Don’t @ me.

The post A ‘Star Wars’ Uber-Fan Has Had Enough of Your Complaints About the Newest Films appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

The Giant Chinese Paddlefish Is the First Animal to Be Officially Declared Extinct This Decade

This definitely isn’t something an animal would hope for – and it’s a headline I’m sure we all wish would have been delayed at least a little bit later into the new decade – but scientists have now declared the giant Chinese paddlefish to officially be extinct.

The freshwater fish, one of the world’s largest, was last seen in 2003, and it is thought to have effectively ceased to exist between 2005 and 2010. But while it’s been gone for a while, it also takes a while to verify 100% that a species has totally disappeared.

“Based on 210 sightings of Chinese paddlefish during the period 1981-2003, we estimated that the timing of extinction to be by 2005, no later than 2010.”

The fish lived primarily in the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, where it had swum for millions of years. But dams, overfishing, river ports, and pollution drove it pas the brink. Those same factors have contributed to the extinction of at least three large endemic species, say the authors of a study published in Science of the Total Environment.

“The mega river ecosystem of the Yangtze River was one home to diverse aquatic megafauna but is increasingly affected by various anthropogenic stressors that have result in continuous loss of biodiversity.”

The fish’s lineage stretched back 75 million years, and it was first declared critically endangered by the IUCN in 1996. Though its rarity and struggle earned it the nickname “panda of the Yangtze River,” it wasn’t so simple to bring back from the brink as the panda was. In the end, nothing could save the fish from disappearing.

The paper also noted that the fish had been “functionally extinct,” meaning not enough breeding pairs existed to ensure survival, since way back in 1993, and the last live sighting was in 2003.

The final piece of image evidence of life was captured in 2009.

“We respect the evaluation model and experts from the IUCN,” said co-author Wei Qiwei, “although we accept this result with a heavy heart.”

Many more of the 4,000 species that call the river home are also in trouble, from the finless porpoise to the Chinese sturgeon. Though Beijing has announced a 10-year commercial fishing ban on the Yangtze, experts fear it will be too little too late. Two huge, recently constructed dams may have put the final nails in the endangered species’ coffins already.

“The fishing ban is a key measure to effectively curb the decline of the river’s ecosystem and any further drop in biodiversity,” claimed Yu Zhenkang, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs.

That may be true, but if the river is dammed all up and down its length, which it is, then these animals won’t have the space they need to survive, fishing or no.

And as with promises from any government these days, when it comes to the environment, I expect it will be the scientists who are, sadly, correct.

The post The Giant Chinese Paddlefish Is the First Animal to Be Officially Declared Extinct This Decade appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

This Is Why You Can’t Help Yourself to an Empty First-Class Seat When You’re Flying

When you make your way through first-class to your coach class seat, you pass passengers already seated in their wide seats, relaxed, with beverages and their noses stuck to their devices or magazines.

You squeeze yourself into your middle seat and shove your carryon under the seat in front of you because all the overhead space was taken by the time you got there.

Nodding at the guy next to you, you mentally calculate if he’s the kind of guy that would deny you elbow space on the armrest later in the flight.

Photo Credit: Flickr

You also mentally calculate if you could sneak into first class and take one of several empty seats you saw.

The answer? No.

Why? Because it’s stealing.

Photo Credit: Flickr

You’ve paid your fare and it was for coach. Why should you be the one to get an empty first class seat over another passenger?

Recently, on Twitter, United Airlines put it another way when a passenger tweeted this question: “What’s the point of empty seats if they can be filled and your customers can have a better experience?”

Because, United answered, “… If you were to purchase a Toyota, you would not be able to drive off with a Lexus, because it was empty.”

Something else to keep in mind, flight attendants know who is supposed to be in their first class cabin. If they do note someone taking a seat they didn’t pay for, they can confront that passenger.

In forums, tales of passengers getting charged for the upgrade or even getting arrested are frequently discussed.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

More legroom and a free cocktail doesn’t seem to be worth the hassle, does it?

If you’re really determined, you can try asking the flight attendant if you can move up. Don’t count on a warm reception to the idea, though.

The post This Is Why You Can’t Help Yourself to an Empty First-Class Seat When You’re Flying appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

People Are Roasting Their Own Career Choices, and It’s Pretty Entertaining

We all question our career choices and what path we’re on every once in a while. It’s only natural to think about what might have been if we’d made different choices.

A funny meme about someone’s father giving them a hard time when a doctor is needed on a plane caused a bunch of people to poke fun of themselves and their professions.

These are pretty funny. Enjoy.

1. Thanks a lot, dad…

2. Let’s follow up on this.

3. Even Tony Hawk can’t escape it.

4. Go throw some t-shirts.

5. What can your “influencer” status do now?

6. UPS driver gets burned.

7. Interpretive dancing doesn’t save lives.

8. YA authors don’t get any love.

9. Dad is relentless.

10. Not gonna help you now, son…

What do you think of your career choice?

Even if you love it, roast yourself a little bit in the comments! Let’s see what ya got!

The post People Are Roasting Their Own Career Choices, and It’s Pretty Entertaining appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

If Kids Aren’t Your Thing, These Memes Are For You

Are you the type of person who does NOT want to have kids? Hey! Me too!!

We hate the idea that our independence will be threatened by bedtimes, diaper changes, responsibilities, crying, and snot leakage.

Yeah… completely understandable reasons, fam!

If you’re one of those people, these memes pretty much sum up your outlook on life and kids, so let’s go!

1. Seriously the worst!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

2. This won’t end well…

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

3. Stop looking at me!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

4. Too late… already do this…

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

5. The right response…

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

6. Get away from me, you devil child!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

7. Wut sup!?

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

8. Get it away!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

9. Move away from the child…

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

10. OMG… YES!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

11. Yes? No? Hmmm, better take all of the birth control then!

Photo Credit: Pizzabottle

So, you’re going out to the store right now to gets some condoms, right? Because there’s NO way you want to have a little you running around. That would be horrible.

What do you think? One of these speak to you in a special way?

Let us know in the comments!

The post If Kids Aren’t Your Thing, These Memes Are For You appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

These Scenes of Horror Just Turned out to Be Optical Illusions

Oh, the horror! The humanity! Oh, wait. Never mind – everything is A-OK, friends.

That’s the reaction you’ll probably have when you peruse through these 15 snapshots that aren’t what they seem at first glance.

Just remember: it’s only an optical illusion. It’s not what it seems. All is well…

1. Phew! That was scary.

Housemate was drying his fishing waders. Almost had to add the pants I was wearing to the laundry pile I was carrying after I opened the door from funny

2. What the heck?

That spooked the shit out of me ._. from funny

3. What happened to my wife?

Wife has fallen asleep beneath the paper. This freaked me out for a second. from funny

4. The eye is alive.

The snail in our office fish tank freaked me out today from pics

5. Don’t look directly at the demon flames.

Sunset reflection looks like demonic uprising from mildlyinteresting

6. Cut in half.

Long dog with a section missing from illusionporn

7. There’s someone in the house!

Sister just freaked out, she thought someone was in her flat. It was just some clothes hanging up in front of the window. from pics

8. Yikes! Close call…

Found this while shopping. Store clerks almost gave me a heart attack. from funny

9. This would’ve scared me.

Son woke us up around 3am to tell us some guy was on our porch with a stick. After almost dying of a heart attack, we realized it was the paper delivery guy. With a branch. Trying to retrieve a mis-thrown paper from our roof while looking fucking terrifying. from pics

10. Come play with me…

My boyfriend’s niece tried to tell me goodbye from her window and almost gave me a heart attack. from pics

11. Don’t put that there!

I bought my wife (who’s a professional photographer) a thermos in the shape of a camera lens. It always gives me a mini heart attack when I see it like this. from pics

12. Evil clown bacon.

These bacon slices look like an evil clown… from mildlyinteresting

13. Okay…it’s just a jacket.

Scared the shit out of myself from Scary

14. Slithering…belt.

When you walk in your room and have a mild heart attack from funny

15. Crime scene. Do not enter.

Someone spilled their smoothie in class, and now it looks like someone has been brutally murdered from pics

Have you ever accidentally snapped a photo like one of these?

If you have, please share them with us in the comments. Let’s see what you got!

The post These Scenes of Horror Just Turned out to Be Optical Illusions appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

10 Interesting Facts About U.S. Presidents

There have been 45 presidents of the United States of America, each with their own challenges, unique personalities, and backgrounds.

It’s been almost 231 years since George Washington first took office, and since then our country has been through many turbulent times – but there was always a president there, guiding us through it.

For good or ill.

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about American presidents.

1. A close race.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

2. Whatever works…

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

3. Nobody even bothered.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

4. Can’t do two things at once.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

5. What are the odds?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

6. Forgot something on there.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

7. The ladies like whiskers.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

8. That is an amazing coincidence.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

9. Had some free time on his hands.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

10. Put someone else behind the bar.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source

Who are some of the presidents that you most admire?

Tell us your opinions in the comments! We’d love to hear from you!

The post 10 Interesting Facts About U.S. Presidents appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Anti-Ryan Tweets for Folks Who Have Had to Deal With a Ryan Before

I’ve met some guys named Ryan who I’m pretty good friends with…and I’ve met some that I’d rather never see or talk to again for as long as I live.

Well, all you Ryans out there…your day of reckoning is here…

Prepare to be burned to a crisp.

1. Offended to the max.

2. There’s no escape over here. 

3. Got a full essay out of this.

4. Maybe? Maybe not?

5. A clear and present danger.

6. Over it 100%.

7. They have a secret society.

8. Throwing a lot of them under the bus.

9. Ain’t that the truth?

10. You will not even get a morning greeting.

11. Not holding back.

12. Watch your step.

13. GTF out of here.

14. Nasty Ryan in the morning!

15. And there you have it…

Wow. The bad Ryans are really giving the good Ryans out there a bad name.

What have your experiences with all those Ryans out there been like?

Tell us about it in the comments…and if your name is Ryan, we really want to hear from you.

The post Anti-Ryan Tweets for Folks Who Have Had to Deal With a Ryan Before appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Scientists Worry That the Incurable “Zombie Deer” Disease Could Make the Leap to Humans

Deer (and related animals, like elk) in 24 states that have tested positive for chronic wasting disease – sometimes referred to as the “zombie deer” disease, and scientists are worried that humans might not be immune to catching it, should we eat tainted meat.

The disease causes infected animals to stumble through the forest, drooling and becoming more aggressive toward humans. They’re listless, consistently lose weight, and will eventually die from the incurable infection.

It’s the result of a prion – a mis-folded brain protein that’s mysteriously able to infect other nearby proteins, talking them into re-folding wrong, too. A prion is not alive, so it cannot be killed, which means there are no treatments or cures for chronic wasting disease or any other prion diseases like it.

We’ve been aware of these types of infections, and how hard they are to fight, for years. Mad Cow Disease is the result of prions, as is Jakob Creutzfeldt Disease. In humans, prion disorders cause people to decline over the span of several months; they lose the ability to speak, move, and eventually control the muscle movements necessary for life.

CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) currently seems limited to deer, moose, and elk, but researchers at the University of Minnesota are urging local lawmakers to consider funding further research into the matter.

Michael Osterholm, the university’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Prevention director, is at the forefront of the effort.

“It is my best professional judgement based on my public health experience and the risk of BSE transmission to humans in the 1980s and1990s and my extensive review and evaluation of laboratory research studies …that is it probably that human cases of CWS associated with the consumption of contaminated meat will be documented in the years ahead. It is possible that the number of human cases will be substantial and will not be isolated events.”

Basically, even though as of yet there is no reason to panic, scientists are sounding the alarm.

Osterholm has reason to be concerned – he was involved with the British review panels that dealt with the mad cow disease scare, when it was found that it was rare, but possible, for humans to contract the disease by eating contaminated tissue.

That said, all evidence points to the consumption of brain tissue specifically as being the means for transmission, not other, more commonly-eaten portions of meat.

The existence of CWD in deer and the potential for contraction in humans is not news to the CDC – since the 1990s, they’ve kept an eye on hunters who come down with versions of the prion disease killing the deer. Many are diagnosed at surprisingly young ages, and some were known to eat deer meat regularly.

All of the patients died not long after their symptoms emerged, but in all cases, no known herds infected with CWD were in the area.

Basically, there was no way to confirm that they contracted anything at all from eating contaminated deer meat – some of the men weren’t even conclusively diagnosed with prion infections – so it could have been a simple coincidence.

Rates of prion disease in human aren’t any higher in areas rife with infected deer than anywhere else in the United States, but scientists are also quick to point out how little we know about the afflictions overall.

This CDC report states that “because CWD has occurred in a limited geographic area for decades, an adequate number of how people may not have been exposed to the CWD agent to result in a clinically recognizable human disease. The level and frequency of human exposure to the CWD agent may increase with the spread of CWD in the United States.”

View this post on Instagram

The progression of chronic wasting disease in North America (CWD) since 2000. CWD is a highly contagious disease in cervids (deer, reindeer, elk) that degrades the animal’s neurological system, leaving holes in the brain. It is 100% fatal. ⠀ Although there are no known cases of CWD in people, there is concern that the prions that cause the disease could adapt to new hosts and someday infect humans, just as the prion culprit of mad cow disease did in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. ⠀ To offer her expert testimony and recommendations, wildlife disease ecologist Dr. Krysten Schuler joined the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources for their June 25 subcommittee hearing on the subject. “Any meaningful strategies to combat CWD will require long-term approaches with sustained state and federal efforts," said Schuler. ⠀ Her recommendations included ✔ sustained fiscal support for state and federal wildlife agencies, as well as veterinary and wildlife diagnostic labs ✔ research funds to work toward new breakthroughs in treatment and prevention ✔ improved support from stakeholders up through their elected officials to raise the disease to a national level of prominence ⠀ #cornellvet #cornell #vetmed #veterinary #cwd #chronicwastingdisease #wildlife Maps created by @cornell_cwhl and image provided

A post shared by Cornell Vet College (@cornellvet) on

The disease has been spreading through deer, elk, and moose populations since 1981 (at least), when it was first identified in wild deer. While most populations still have low infection rates, they have grown to 10% or even 25% in others.

The more deer infected, the bigger risk to humans, warns a 2012 review in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“The potential for interspecies CWD transmission (by cohabitating mammals) will only increase as the disease spreads and CWD prions continue to be shed into the environment.”

The CDC and WHO agree that transmission between species is possible, or one day could be, even though we have no evidence that it has already happened. Researchers are hoping to develop a test that could be used in the field, one that would tell hunters whether or not the meat they’re butchering is contaminated before they eat it.

View this post on Instagram

Members of the UWSP Student Chapter of #TheWildlifeSociety helped construct a Chronic Wasting Disease kiosk for the Stevens Point area. Students will now have the opportunity to assist local DNR with collecting CWD samples from harvested deer. . Thank you @uwsp_tws for allowing us to share! Want to see your student chapter featured? DM us @thewildlifesociety. . Repost: Through a partnership with the @wi_dnr and @uwsp_bha, the UWSP TWS was able to construct and deploy a #CWD kiosk for the Stevens Point area. Over the course of several weeks, student volunteers constructed the kiosk and were able to set it up before the gun opener this past weekend. With the kiosk, students will have the opportunity to monitor and check for heads and assist the DNR with lymph node extraction and sampling. The kiosk is located at Frank’s Hardware in Stevens Point. . . . . . . . . . . #Wisconsin #CWD #wildlifedisease #chronicwastingdisease #deer #wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlifemanagement

A post shared by The Wildlife Society (@thewildlifesociety) on

University of Minnesota scientists are working on that now, but in the meantime, if you hunt in an affected area, be aware of what the animals you kill looked and acted like prior to being shot. In all cases, you’re better off avoiding touching the internal organs as much as possible, particularly the brain and spinal cord.

If you’re worried, contact your local wildlife authority to get the animal tested before consuming it.

This is new territory, but as with most things that could cost you your life, better safe than sorry.

The post Scientists Worry That the Incurable “Zombie Deer” Disease Could Make the Leap to Humans appeared first on UberFacts.