Success is an Iceberg: My Thoughts

By: S.C. Ali

Founder/Author

A few weeks ago, a friend posted the above picture on social media. Typically, when I see shared posts I bypass them relatively quickly. However, this particular picture caught my eye.

In physical science, an iceberg floats in water because ice is less dense than water. Water is most dense at 4ºC in its liquid state, an anomaly in the science world. Because of the density difference, approximately one tenth of the ice floats above the water, and the other nine-tenths is submerged below the water.

The basic analogy drawn in the picture is simple. The road to success is long and hard, and when you reach the top (the apex of the iceberg), society recognizes it. However, unfortunately, many people do not understand and appreciate the road it takes in order to be successful. As a result, feelings of jealousy and envy may arise. However, these harbored feelings are weak and immature. If people valued more the determination and persistence that it takes in order to reach the top, there wouldn’t be jealousy, only admiration.

One example I am most familiar with is the road to becoming a physician. I am fortunate to have over 100 colleagues who are undergraduate students interested in medicine, medical students, or medical residents. Some individuals who are not healthcare professionals tend to glorify doctors. One of the first things I have heard time and time again from people is, “Oh, doctors make a lot of money.” Although doctors tend to be in the higher income strata, in the United States, they need to go through at least 11 years of school/training after high school before they reach the tip of their iceberg. Medical students who would like to pursue a residency in a more specialized field have to go through even more years of residency training before they achieve their goal. Residency is a tough road, as physicians are frequently overworked and underpaid during these years of training.

Some examples of current successful and prominent figures outside the medical realm include: Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, Angela Merkel, and Janet Yellen. Although all of these individuals are reaping the rewards from their many years of hard work and determination at present, they all had their own trials and tribulations to go through before reaching there.

In essence, the qualities shown in the picture above are essential to success. The higher and more ambitious your goal, the steeper the hill will be to climb. However, the steeper the hill, the more rewarding the accomplishment when you reach the top. I implore you to set the example for society. Strive only for the best in whatever you pursue. Know that if you sincerely want the best, the road will be difficult and full of obstacles. However, the reward will be great. If you are serious about succeeding, it is imperative to master the qualities in the picture carefully. In doing so, you will acquire the capability to pave your own road to success. If there is someone who is highly successful among your cohort of family or friends, use them as an example. Ask them what they did or what they had to go through in order to reach where they are. Don’t just focus on the finished product, acknowledge and appreciate the process that it takes in order to reach that result.

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Quick Update!

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone has been doing well, and you are enjoying the high quality content we strive to output.

In case you all haven’t already noticed, we are limiting our posts to once a week in order to ensure consistency and fluidity. In addition, it makes it easier for you, the readers, to keep up to date with everything.

All of the writers are going to be pursuing graduate education starting this Fall. As a result, we won’t be able to write as frequently as before. However, Bronze Lifestyle will stay active for you to spread the word to your family, friends, and followers. The site is always up 24/7 for your perusal. We hope you all enjoy the wide variety of topics we have to offer.

Thank you for your readership!

S.C. Ali

Editor-in-Chief

Macular Degeneration: An Overview and Treatment Options

By: S.C. Ali

Founder/Author

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of vision loss in the elderly demographic. It is defined in basic terms as the degradation of the macula, which are multi-layered ganglia cells that are located approximately in the middle of the retina. For those who aren’t aware, the retina is one of the main portions in the eye. It is a, “light sensitive layer of tissue.” It has many important functions. However, for our purposes, one of the main functions of the retina is to absorb light, and then electrochemically excite the cells which then cause nerve impulses. These nerve impulses travel via the optic nerve through the brain. Thus, the retina can be viewed as somewhat of an important intermediary between what we see physically and our brain comprehending what we have seen.

When you go for a routine eye exam, your ophthalmologist/optometrist will look at the fundus (interior portion of your eye). It typically involves asking you to look straight ahead into an apparatus and stare at a point on an image. The macula shows up as a dark spot towards the middle (see picture 1 below).

Picture 1

As people age, this dark spot starts to fade and become less concentrated (see picture 2 below).

Picture 2

If a general ophthalmologist/optometrist sees this fading, they will make a note of it. Upon recommendation, the patient who has a degrading macula (hence the term “macular degeneration”) will be referred to a retina specialist for further treatment. A retina specialist is a board certified ophthalmologist who has completed additional fellowship training in retina care. In terms of vision, the patient’s vision becomes slightly blurred. Most importantly, if the patient is looking straight, the center part of the image is distorted. From the patient’s perspective, “straight lines appear wavy and parts of the grid may appear blank.” Although this does not lead to total blindness, it significantly impairs vision and thus quality of life.

Although age is the primary cause of macular degeneration, there are certain diseases that are potential risk factors, and associated with it. These include but are not limited to: high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, Vitamin D deficiency, and smoking. There are a few other factors like high cholesterol and prolonged exposure to sunlight, but the data is more inconclusive for these two and thus further research is necessary. In addition, there are some genetic predispositions to developing macular degeneration. See this article for more details regarding the specific genetics involved. As a result of this polygenic factor, people who have a first degree relative with AMD have an increased risk and are advised to stay up to date with eye exams.

There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. In dry macular degeneration, tiny extracellular material, called drusen, builds up “on the retina and beneath the macula”. It is typical for a small amount of drusen to build up over time. However, if too much drusen aggregates, it could be an early sign of AMD. Drusen is firm in nature hence the term, “dry.” According to Dr. Mogk, an international expert on age-related macular degeneration, dry AMD accounts for approximately 85% of all cases. This form of AMD tends to be a slow degradation. The other form of AMD, wet, is vascular in nature and accounts for about 15% of all AMD. This form is such more severe because according to Dr. Mogk, “abnormal blood vessels grow from the retina to the macula. This causes a bleeding or leakage of fluid, damaging the macula.” Because the wet version involves rupturing, the majority of severe vision loss cases in AMD are wet.

Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for age related macular degeneration. However, the goal of the ophthalmic team is to try and delay the deterioration of the macula as much as possible. There are a few options that look very promising. There is an FDA approved telescope implant that assists in gaining back the central vision that is lost with AMD. Again, this doesn’t regrow a macula by any means, but rather attempts to treat the effects caused by AMD. At the moment, the tiny implant is only for the most severe cases. The next type of treatment is pharmaceutical in nature, and tends to be used for wet macular degeneration. The two FDA approved treatments are ranibizumab/lucentis and bevacizumab/avastin. These medications are injected into the eye directly and work to inhibit growth of new blood vessels. Thus, it attempts to reverse the mechanism of wet AMD to a certain extent. These two medications are still undergoing clinical trials in order to determine the efficacy of each. Another type of treatment is laser photo-coagulation, where a laser is used to, “destroy or seal off new blood vessels to prevent leakage.” However, this can cause scar tissue. Thus, the laser isn’t as common as it once was.

In conclusion, with the large elderly population of baby boomers and the increasing life expectancy/rising senior population, being aware of AMD is of the utmost importance. Because there is no cure yet, it is difficult to treat AMD. However, there are some gold standards that can be implemented to slow the process. First of all, if you have a genetic predisposition to AMD, then you should see your local ophthalmologist for routine eye exams. The earlier it is detected, the quicker measures can be taken to reduce the deterioration. If diagnosed with AMD, there is a certain dietary regiment recommended by the National Eye Institute called the AREDS diet. It involves incorporating certain vitamins and minerals in your diet which includes but are not limited to: zinc, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Please note that the literature shows that the AREDS diet doesn’t prevent AMD. Rather, it is recommended for if you have already been diagnosed with AMD. In addition, your retina specialist may implement a pharmaceutical regiment depending on if it is wet or dry AMD. In order to determine which treatment regimen is best for you or a loved one who has AMD, please consult your local ophthalmologist/retina specialist. For the future, we hope that researchers are able to devise a short term and long term cure for both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration.

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The Optimist Creed

Hey everyone,

In lieu of an article this week, I thought I’d share The Optimist Creed. This creed is from the organization Optimist International. I take no credit in writing this. I thought it would be useful for everyone (including myself) to start implementing, so I decided to share. Here it is:

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something special about them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Next week, we’ll feature a health related article. Stay tuned!

S.C. Ali

Editor-in-Chief

The Silkworm Book Review

By: S.C. Ali

Founder/Author

After finishing Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling’s first adult crime fiction novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, (see review here), I was very excited to read The Silkworm. I was so excited that I actually ended up reading it earlier than I had anticipated, and spent almost an entire workday reading half of the book.

The Silkworm is military veteran turned private investigator Cormoran Strike’s second mission following the events of The Cuckoo’s Calling. Although it isn’t required, I highly recommend reading The Cuckoo’s Calling prior to The Silkworm. It will help establish a sense of continuity in the series. The deuteragonist, Robin Ellacott, has now become a permanent fixture in Strike’s office as his full-time secretary. She was actually offered different higher paying and more posh jobs compared to working with Strike, but her passion to become a detective motivated her to stay with Strike. This novel explores the disappearance of a famous author, which during the course of Strike’s search, turns into a murder. The author, Owen Quine, writes what he had dreamed would become his magnum opus, entitled Bombyx Mori. However, Strike finds Quine’s mutilated corpse, and the tone of the novel shifts to a whodunit case.

The development of the professional (and somewhat personal) relationship of Strike and Robin was by far the strongest point of this book. It is clear that they are becoming more comfortable working with one another, as Robin has learned some new and useful information about Strike’s past that gives her a better portrait of who he is. As for Strike, there are certain situations where he requires Robin’s help, and I like how Galbraith/Rowling seamlessly incorporated this into the plot. My favorite part of the book was when Strike and Robin made a pit stop at Burger King and discussed their working relationship. Since the events of the first book, Strike has become somewhat of a celebrity. Robin is instrumental in doing some behind the scenes work and being an extra pair of eyes and ears for Strike throughout the investigation. However, Robin’s deep involvement in Strike’s investigation of the famous author takes a toll on Robin’s personal life and her relationship with her fiancé, Matthew. During the Burger King scene, Robin makes it very clear to Strike that she doesn’t intend just to work as Strike’s secretary but rather train to be a detective. Strike responds excellently saying that he considered it, but there are certain sacrifices that she will have to make in order to become an effective private investigator. This includes but is not limited to working extra hours and sometimes on weekends. After a brief argument about Robin’s work-life balance, they reconcile.

The plot itself moved at a medium pace. However, there were some plot holes in this novel that made it inferior to The Cuckoo’s Calling. First and foremost, the culprit behind the murder framed another major character related to Mr. Quine. Therefore, while Strike is investigating, he has to try and rectify the accusations against the major character. As a result of this dual task, the case does not follow a logical sequence like the first one. In addition, while the comparison of literary characters in Bombyx Mori with real people that were part of Owen’s life was admirable, it leads to some inconsistencies and a choppy feel to the book. There were some points where it was difficult to keep track of the Bombyx Mori characters and the actual characters of The Silkworm. Third, Strike’s reasoning in The Silkworm towards the end follows a quasi-non sequitur. He focuses more on his hunches than the evidence at first. While this can be powerful, I feel like other literary detectives (such as Sherlock Holmes) incorporate a delicate balance of intuition and factual evidence. I think that this approach can work with Strike’s character, but wasn’t utilized to the fullest in The Silkworm. Finally, although Rowling’s descriptions are a strong point with her books, I feel like the descriptions of the settings in England were a bit too much and it detracted from the main plot.

Despite its flaws, The Silkworm was a great sequel to The Cuckoo’s Calling. I came in with very high expectations because I thoroughly enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling, so it is only natural to be a bit critical. Nevertheless, the character relationships were fantastic. There were different dimensions to this book compared to The Cuckoo’s Calling, making it an interesting addition to the series. Moreover, Rowling/Galbraith did rectify the flaw of the first book. The narrative hook in The Silkworm was strong and encapsulates you immediately. The ending of the book also had a warm and tender feeling to it, and sets up well for the next book in the series. Rowling has announced on Galbraith’s official website that the next book in the series will be released this autumn, and is entitled Career of Evil. I can’t wait to read it and I will definitely share my impressions upon its completion.

Overall rating: 4/5

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The Cuckoo’s Calling Book Review

By: S.C. Ali

Founder/Author

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (later revealed to be J.K. Rowling) is Galbraith/Rowling’s first attempt at adult crime fiction. Since my debut novel, The Bronze Treasures, is under the same genre, it was only natural that I was drawn to this book. In addition, I grew up with the Harry Potter series, and thus have always been a fan of J.K. Rowling’s writing. As a result, I was very interested to see how Galbraith/Rowling shifts her talents toward adult fiction. I can definitely say that The Cuckoo’s Calling doesn’t disappoint.

The story follows a British military veteran turned private investigator named Cormoran Strike. The novel analyzes Strike’s investigation of the suicide of a celebrity supermodel named Lula Landry with the help of the deuteragonist, Robin Ellacott. Robin is a beautiful young lady who is hired as Strike’s temp secretary but has a deep interest in becoming a detective.

The characters of The Cuckoo’s Calling are one of the book’s greatest strengths. Galbraith/Rowling goes into meticulous detail in terms of their appearances and mannerisms. She doesn’t only do this with the main characters, but even supporting characters whom Strike interviews throughout the novel. There is also an additional emphasis on Strike and Robin’s thought processes. It is not as detailed as Sherlock Holmes’ method of deduction, but it is adequate for the purposes of the book. In addition, Galbraith/Rowling does an excellent job of intertwining the supporting characters to give a complete portrait of Strike’s life.

The Cuckoo’s Calling also has a tenacious sense of realism, which seems to be the general trend of art at present. It isn’t outlandish by any means. The descriptions of the characters and their world around them are very practical. This is a great departure from the Harry Potter series, where part of the “magic” of those pieces was not only the plot, but the world that those characters live in. The Cuckoo’s Calling takes place in England, and the description of the different locations within England is authentic. Due to this realistic tone, I envisage that The Cuckoo’s Calling will appeal to a much wider audience compared to Harry Potter.

The plot itself was strong and suspenseful. As I was reading through it, I wanted to find out more and more about the case. Without giving away too much details, based on the testimonies and tangible evidence that Strike collects, it turns out that the death of Lula Landry was a murder rather than the widely reported suicide. Moreover, since this was the death of a celebrity, Strike has a chance to interview famous people in addition to her adopted and biological family members. It demonstrates Strike’s expertise in interviewing different social statuses, a great testament to the rich character. Because it does not follow a Holmesian deduction, which is more precise and astute, it actually results in more suspense. If Strike had divulged his entire reasoning process at the beginning, then there would be nothing left to discuss.

It is only fair that I discuss the weaknesses of The Cuckoo’s Calling. Personally, I found the introduction to be a bit lacking. It didn’t have a strong narrative hook, and I didn’t really become engrossed in the book until the third chapter. However, this weakness is minute compared to the great acclaim that this novel has garnered from many including myself.

In conclusion, I think that The Cuckoo’s Calling is an exceptional start to Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling’s detective fiction works. This book marks the first of a series of books based on the cases of Cormoran Strike, and the world he lives in. I think that Rowling’s ability to delve into this genre successfully demonstrates her literary prowess as a writer. Overall, I enjoyed the book thoroughly and can’t wait to read the next book in the series, The Silkworm.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

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What is CoQ10?

By: Brittney Ginsburg

Contributing Writer

The substance Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is becoming more prominent in both health and clinical settings. After five years of combined exercise physiology and nutrition education, I became very aware of CoQ10 and its importance. However, I could not succinctly explain what the substance was and why it is essential. While there is an enormous amount of literature on CoQ10, the goal of this brief article is discuss the essentials of “what you need to know” about the substance.

Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that is essential for the functioning of cells within our body. It is required for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which our body uses for energy. CoQ10 also has antioxidant properties that protect cells. CoQ10 comes in two forms, the reduced form called ubiquinol and the oxidized form called ubiquinone. Its antioxidant properties are reported to come from ubiquinol. Sources of CoQ10 include fish, meat, poultry, canola oil, eggs, nuts and dairy products. However, if a person is deficient in CoQ10 for some reason, consuming more food sources may not be adequate. In this case, supplementation might be considered as an option. People who are afflicted with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and those on statin medications, are among the few populations that may benefit from supplementation.

An article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition pooled data from randomized control trials, and concluded that CoQ10 supplementation may be beneficial to those with congestive heart failure. The CoQ10 supplementation ideally helps improve mitochondrial function in myocardial, or heart, tissue. Mitochondria are where large portions of the cell’s energy are produced so its function is imperative.

For those with diabetes CoQ10 can have a number of positive effects. One pilot study showed that supplementation with the reduced form of CoQ10, ubiquinol, improved glycemic control by improving insulin secretion without reported side effects. Peripheral neuropathy in those with diabetes is called diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is the most common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The antioxidant properties of CoQ10 may have the ability to reduce peripheral neuropathy.

Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to reduce symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been established in PD as well as decreased levels of CoQ10. Supplementation has been positive in slowing progression of early, untreated PD. CoQ10 may be promising for people with Alzheimer’s disease as it is well tolerated and has shown to be effective in preclinical trials. CoQ10 reduces oxidative stress through its antioxidant properties, decreases amyloid plaque, and increases cognitive performance in animal models. Mice given CoQ10 had better special learning and memory assessed using a water maze test.
Both Coenzyme Q10 and cholesterol require the same enzyme for formation. Cholesterol lowering medications that inhibit the action of this enzyme, HMG CoA reductase, also lower CoQ10 levels. The decreased levels may account for myopathies experienced by those on statin medications. For this reason, supplementation is often recommended.

In conclusion, coenzyme Q10 is a complex substance that interacts with many other chemicals within the body. As a result, as with any other supplement, any questions should be discussed with a physician. In summary, here are the core “what you need to know” facts:

• There are two forms of Coenzyme Q10 that possess different properties and supplements can come in both forms.
• CoQ10 is essential for energy production within the mitochondria. Thus, diseases associated with mitochondrial function are areas of interest for CoQ10 supplementation.
• It is naturally found in foods and within the body and with few side effects noted for supplementation it has been said to be relatively safe
• As always, consultation with a physician is always required before consumption.

*All appropriate scientific citations have been hyperlinked within the article.

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On Cancer: A General Overview

Hey everyone! For this week’s article, check out my comprehensive overview of cancer on The Written Blit. Enjoy!! -S.C.

Stubbornness: Can it be a Good Thing?

By: S.C. Ali

Founder/Author

When we use the term stubbornness, we often use it in a negative context. According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition is, “unreasonably or perversely unyielding” or “justifiably unyielding.” I was speaking to a family member recently, and they told me that stubbornness doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad quality. I pondered on this matter for a while, and realized something quite profound.

Based on the definition provided, it could be used in a positive way. Some of the most successful people in history have had a channeled stubbornness about them that drove them to achieve their goals. As a matter of fact, there are modern day examples of people (such as Warren Buffet) who are fixed in their ways and are successful. For example, it is well known that Mr. Buffet refuses to invest in technology, which is explained in more detail here.

We use stubbornness in a negative context primarily because it describes someone who has a dogged determination even though they are presented with a valid argument. This does hold true in many contexts, but not when it comes to innovation. One of my favorite examples of success in history is Thomas A. Edison. His teacher from primary school often implied that he was challenged, but that was only because Edison’s mind kept wandering. The teacher used his experience to indicate that Edison couldn’t succeed due to this tendency. Moreover, once he started to work as a telegrapher, he became so engrossed in reading/experimenting that an accident involving a lead-acid battery cost him his job. However, despite this situation (not to mention that he was impoverished) he had a “stubborn” determination to innovate by thinking outside the box. His first of many patents was in 1869, the electric vote recorder. In addition, he used his skills in entrepreneurship to form one of the largest publicly traded companies worldwide, General Electric.

In essence, we can use stubbornness to our advantage. Although it is typically associated with someone who is unyielding in a negative fashion, controlled stubbornness is a great quality that can drive you to success. One of the hardest parts of goal making is keeping the goal. If you are “stubborn” in up keeping your goals, it means you will do whatever it takes to achieve them. Sometimes, there will be individuals who tell you that it’s not possible, or deter you. It is in these cases where the fiery passion in stubbornness truly shines for the best. The key is to surround yourselves with people who will encourage rather than discourage you. Therefore, use stubbornness to your advantage to plow through difficulties and dream big. As Will Smith famously quipped in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness, “Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you can’t do something.”

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Quick Update

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone has been doing well, and you are enjoying the high quality content we strive to output each week.

In case you all haven’t already noticed, we are limiting our posts to once a week in order to ensure consistency and fluidity. In addition, it makes it easier for you, the readers, to keep up to date with everything.

As a result, we will be publishing new content every Wednesday of each week.

Nevertheless, please spread the word to your family, friends, and followers about this site. The site is always up 24/7 for your perusal. We hope you all enjoy the wide variety of topics we have to offer.

Thank you for your readership!

Until next week,

S.C. Ali

Editor-in-Chief