Letter

I am sleepy after exercising

Dear Dr Gardner,

In addition to the advice you gave Joan, who complained of exercise making her sleepy (September 29), may I suggest that what and how soon she is eating after exercising may also contribute to her sleepiness.

I also had this problem and I find that the appropriate breakfast which encourages recovery through the right mix of complex carbs and protein, eaten within half an hour after exercising, works well for me.

Keep up the good work!

- T.B.

Unplanned pregnancies

Dear Dr Rainford,

I read the article 'Unplanned pregnancies' and what I found very interesting was that if a woman does not want to become pregnant, why not use contraceptives? The only way to become pregnant is if the persons did not use any form of protection.

So when women or men, or both, talk about unplanned pregnancies, just what do they mean by that? Sometimes, the relationship breaks down and then they decide that they don't want the baby. Unplanned nothing.

- Fred Jones

Hi Dr Rainford,

I would like you to view this page: 'Abortion in Jamaican law' - Sunday, March 2, 2008.

The URL is: http://www. jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/ 20080302/focus/focus4.html

About this page: It is debatable whether there can be lawful abortions. It may, therefore, be considered misleading to say, without more information, that abortions are illegal in Jamaica.

"Although R v Bourne throws some doubt on how sections 72 and 73 of the Jamaican Offences against the Person Act are to be interpreted, it should not be assumed that this case provides clear answers as to the state of the law on abortion in Jamaica. To be sure, some abortions are unlawful, and those will be subject to the sentencing scheme contemplated in the Offences against the Person Act. But, there is an uncertain category of lawful abortions. The decision in R v Bourne supports the idea that this uncertain category includes abortions conducted by qualified medical professionals to prevent the consequences of rape from being fulfilled." (article by Professor Stephen Vasciannie).

- C.A.

Genetically engineered ice cream and other foods

Dear Ms Thompson,

Good day to you. I read your article in Wednesday's Gleaner about GMO's in ice cream and it left with a question. What about our ice cream here in Jamaica? Do I have need to worry about them? Your response is greatly appreciated, thank you.

-S.F.

RESPONSE

Dear Reader,

Thanks for your question. Please see below a response from Carol Clarke Webster of Devon House ice cream:

"Thanks for your enquiry about Devon House ice cream. Our world-famous product is made with milk solids imported from and made in Canada where bovine growth hormone is banned. Our imports are subject to testing and scrutiny from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau of Standards."

- Eulalee Thompson

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.