Scientists Say Medieval Beliefs About Urine May Contain Drops of Truth

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Medieval physicians believed that they could diagnose disease by holding up a flask of the patient?s urine to the light and squinting at it. Now, scientists at Imperial College London believe they could have been on to something.

Researchers have completed the first worldwide study of the metabolites (breakdown products) that are found in urine, reflecting the diet, inheritance and the lifestyle of the people from whom it came. They call such studies ?metabolomics.?

The team believes that the research may provide the basis for a ?metabolome-wide association? approach to help to understand interactions between lifestyles, environment and genes and how they determine diseases.

For instance, the team has identified metabolites that are linked to high blood pressure, and others that are found in people with lower blood pressure who drink less and eat more fiber.



Sources:

Times Online April 21, 2008
Nature April 20, 2008
 
"For instance, the team has identified metabolites that are linked to high blood pressure, and others that are found in people with lower blood pressure who drink less and eat more fiber."


They can conclude this by looking at a glass of piss?
 
liftsiron said:
"For instance, the team has identified metabolites that are linked to high blood pressure, and others that are found in people with lower blood pressure who drink less and eat more fiber."


They can conclude this by looking at a glass of piss?
Click to expand...

Hahaha, I guess so.
 
I know sometimes when the kidneys are really stressed, you pass albumin (protein) in your urine and it will settle as a white cloudy substance at the bottom of a glass.
 
liftsiron said:
"For instance, the team has identified metabolites that are linked to high blood pressure, and others that are found in people with lower blood pressure who drink less and eat more fiber."


They can conclude this by looking at a glass of piss?
Click to expand...

That is what I was thinking. I mean the medieval ways did not use microsocpes or anything. How chunky does your piss have to be? That would be too painful. I would rather go to a doctor that at least has a lab :)
 
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