Health Care

Fitness formula: eat what your genes advise

2011-09-03T01:51:00.004-04:00

The emerging field of nutrigenomics may hold the key to preventing many deadly diseases .

Prepared for your regular trip to the doctor? Cancel the appointment. All you need to stay healthy is to send your blood sample to a DNA profiling lab. A few weeks later, you will receive a package with your genomic analysis, a list of diseases you might be at risk of and a personalized dietary recommendation.

If this sounds like something out of science-fiction, rest assured it’s not. Instead, it’s the emerging field of nutrigenomics that investigates how the food we eat interacts with our genes to affect our health. Accumulating evidence shows that nutrients alter molecular processes such as DNA structure, gene expression and metabolism, and these in turn may alter disease initiation, development or progression.

To illustrate this better, let’s say your genomic analysis shows you are missing a part of the gene that, say, helps you fight flab and have extra copies of another that makes you pre-disposed to a certain kind of cancer. Experts suggest that by following a diet tailor-made for you, making certain changes in your lifestyle and adding a few nutritional supplements to your diet, you stand a high chance of not developing the disease at all.

Raymond Rodriguez, director, Center of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics (CENG) at the University of California, attributes it to the direct relationship between nutrition and genes. “The food we eat and our genes have a language that they talk in. If their conversation is a good one then the person stays healthy. If the conversation is not a good one, it makes a person sick.”

The potential of nutrigenomics in preventive medicine is clearly huge. As of now, scientists are looking at genomic markers or factors which give rise to different diseases. “Once we are able to pin-point these markers it would be easier to intervene before the onset of several diseases or to impede their advancement,” says Rajesh Gokhale, director of Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology.

While all human beings are 99.9% similar at the genomic level, 0.1% of the total genome differs from person-to-person. This 0.1% makes an individual unique and different from everyone else on earth. It also allows one to develop distinct features, a certain hair colour, height, weight — as well as different diseases.

“These genetic variations influence how nutrients are assimilated, metabolized, stored, and excreted by the body,” says Rodriguez. This also explains why some individuals respond to a certain medication for a disease whereas others don’t. While some people are able to ward off an ailment through modifying their diet, others need medication.

Now, experts are utilizing this information to try and formulate personalized diet plans instead of generalized dietary advices.
“The idea is to not let the disease happen in the first place rather than curing it once it has emerged,” says Rodriguez.

Several companies across the globe are developing systems to maintain and prolong a state of optimal health. Experts at California-based nutritional supplements brand Nutrilite, for instance, are working with major universities globally to further their understanding of nutrigenomics principles.

“At our institute, a personalized healthcare nutritional plan includes DNA analysis to identify minor changes in the genes which give rise to diseases,” says Shyam Ramakrishnan, a scientist associated with Nutrilite.

The progress is steady, though slow. There are just a handful of diseases for which exact genomic variants have been identified, but experts believe the day is not far when there would be detailed genomic maps of ailments like diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and several types of cancer. When it happens, the answer to the question ‘What’s on the menu today?’ may just be, ‘What does your gene say, dude?’

Ayurveda’s unlikely ambassador

2011-09-03T01:51:00.001-04:00

He does pranayama twice daily and swears by it like a yogic guru. He also does a rigorous vata massage every day, like a zealous vaid, informing you that it’s done with a special oil of sesame seeds and herbs. Nothing new, except that we’re talking about a former Australian professional footballer who’s taken it upon himself to spread awareness on ayurveda, propagating its “wisdom” in every country, through every platform available.

“India,” says 40-year-old Mark Bunn from Sydney, “is the land of the Vedas. And ayurveda, its traditional health system, can give enormous benefit to people. We need to reconnect with this timeless knowledge.” He’s done precisely that. Bunn’s new book Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health, which will be released in India this month, asks everyone to go back to this 6,000-year-old system of medicine.

The western system of treating illhealth, he asserts, is not perfect. Take concerns over sun exposure in the west — they have led to Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis. Similarly, inadequate sleep or late nights lead to disruption of the body's nighttime detox mechanisms, causing problems.

So while he may no longer be dribbling a football, his love affair with ayurveda has kicked off a different career. It was in 1990 when he started playing football that his sister and brother-in-law were practicing transcendental meditation (TM). “I was introduced to ayurveda then. Ayurveda gave me mental clarity, good sleep, and reduced stress.”

Even after his playing career got over in 1996, Bunn’s passion for ayurveda remained. He travelled to Cambodia for three months as part of an aid organization. “I got attached to an Indian ayurvedic doctor and saw how he treated people for skin rashes, nutrition deficiencies, worms…” After he came back to Australia, Bunn studied ayurveda at the Maharishi Vedic College in Melbourne, travelling across Australia with Vaid Rajan Mulay. Asked about Bunn, Mulay says, “Mark is a good practitioner of ayurveda and helps create awareness and knowledge of the system in Australia.” The continent now has many ayurvedic clinics run by Indian and Australian doctors.

Any final word? “It’s not enough to look after just physical well-being,” he says. “Spiritual aspects, too, should be watered. Watering only the leaves of a tree will not make you enjoy the fruits. One has to water the roots
too.”

Cancer, diabetes, hypertension LARGEST CAUSE OF DEATH

2011-09-03T01:50:00.002-04:00

MORE THAN 20% OF THE POPULATION IN INDIA HAVE AT LEAST ONE CHRONIC NCD

Lifestyle-related diseases are killing more Indians than the infectious ones. India’s disease pattern has undergone a major shift over the past decade, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

The latest WHO data paints a worrying picture. At present, of every 10 deaths in India, eight are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes in urban India. In rural India, six out of every 10 deaths are caused by NCDs.

Similar is the trend in the southeast Asian region. While NCD deaths have seen a 21% jump, infectious diseases deaths have fallen by 17%. The projection is that the south-east Asian region will have the greatest total number of NCD deaths in 2020: 10.4 million.

Dr Nata Menabde, WHO representative to India, told TOI : “Globally, 60% of the deaths are caused by NCDs. Similar are the numbers in India. NCDs are affecting the entire globe. If not controlled, they will become a tsunami that will not only kill people, but
also impair development and crash economies.”

Shocked by a spike in NCDs, India is launching a comprehensive national programme to prevent and control these. Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “The programme will be rolled out during the 12th Plan period starting 2012. It will cover all 640 districts. The programme will focus on health promotion, prevention of exposure to risk factors, early diagnosis, treatment of NCDs and rehabilitation.” He called for urgent action to check the rise in NCDs, mental health issues and injuries which account for two-third of the country’s total disease burden.

“India, with an estimated 5.1 crore diabetics, has the world’s second-largest diabetic population following China. Unless effective measures are taken, India may have 8 crore diabetics by 2030. Similarly, the number of people affected by cardio-vascular diseases, which was about 3.8 crore in 2005, may go up to 6.4 crore by 2015,” he added.

The UN has taken note of the NCD menace. After the 2001 UN summit on HIV that made the world come together to fight the deadly AIDS virus, this September, NCDs are set to receive a similar push in New York.

To be attended by the who’s who, including PM Manmohan Singh, the historic UN General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs on September 19 and 20 will decide how to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which together cause 8 million deaths worldwide, annually.

A ministry official said: “Till now, programmes to combat NCDs which cause 60% of all deaths were tremendously under funded. NCDs also remained a low priority and not included in the Millennium Development Goals. The high-level meetings running up to the UN NCD summit should change that.”

Cardiovascular diseases will be the largest cause of death and disability in India by 2020, WHO says. It is estimated that the overall prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and stroke is 62.47, 159.46, 37.00 and 1.54 respectively per 1,000 population of India. Additionally, there are around 25 lakh cancer cases in India.

Calling it “an impending disaster for many countries — a disaster for health, for society and national economies,” WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan said: “Chronic NCDs deliver a two-punch blow to development. They cause billions of dollars in losses of national income, and push millions of people below the poverty line, each and every year.”

According to a recent report, each year NCDs cause more than 9 million deaths before the age of 60 years. They also kill at a younger age in countries like India where 29% of NCD deaths occur among people under 60, compared to 13% in high-income countries.

Dr Ala Alwan, WHO’s assistant director-general for NCDs said: “About 30% of people dying from NCDs are under 60 and in their most productive period of life. These premature deaths are largely preventable.” Without action, the NCD epidemic is projected to kill 52 million people annually by 2030, Dr Alwan added.

Approximately 44% of all NCD deaths occur before 70. In countries like India, a higher proportion (48%) of all NCD deaths occur in people under the age of 70, compared with high-income countries (26%). Cardiovascular diseases were responsible for the largest proportion of NCD deaths under 70 (39%), followed by cancers (27%).

Chronic respiratory diseases and digestive diseases were together responsible for 30% of deaths while diabetes was responsible for 4% of deaths.

SPIRITUALLY, YOURS

2011-09-03T01:50:00.001-04:00

Spirituality needs to be a part of everyday life.

A person’s life has several aspects that constitute a healthy whole. Some feel their physical health is the most important. Hence, they spend a lot of their time working out and eating healthy. Those who prioritize their social life meet with friends. But what about the people who believe that the spiritual aspect supersedes all others? How do they get time and energy to attend prayer meetings or other religious activities during the weekend after working through the week from 9 to 5?

SCIENTIFIC WAY OF LIVING

Often, spirituality is mixed with religion. Psychiatrist Dr Rajiv Anand says, “Your spiritual life has little to do with religion. Rather, it is scientific and very systematic. Being spiritual does not mean only chanting, meditating and reading scriptures. All these may be a part of it but not the whole. Being spiritual is far beyond all this.”

An individual may not do any of these things and still be spiritual. “It is a scientific way of living, where your whole existence is in sync with the universe. You are constantly in deep communion with powers greater than yourself, which take care of you and nourish you in a sustained manner,” adds Dr Anand. Psychiatrist Dr Jyoti Sangle agrees. “It would be fallacious to consider spirituality to be synonymous with religion. Acts of compassion and selflessness, altruism and the experience of inner peace and self-awareness could all be facets of spirituality. These are virtues that are inherent and practiced in our daily lives. These originate from a belief deep within us that something, somewhere is taking care of us,” she says.

Psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria says, “Spirituality is that non-materialistic path that connects people to a universal superior force. It allows them to discover themselves and the spirit of their being.” Why is it that as time passes, more people choose to follow the path of spirituality in their lives? How different is the life of a spiritually-inclined person to that of someone who isn’t?” she asks. This can be answered with just a single word — health.

MISTAKEN NOTION

There is a mistaken notion that those who are busy with their 9 to 5 jobs cannot find time for their social and spiritual lives. Both of these complement each other.

Research has shown that people who manage to attend spiritual events and meditate despite their busy schedules, do so because of their strong faith.

This faith increases their

self-confidence,
self-esteem,
motivation and
positivity in life,

hereby improving their mental health.

An elderly person with a spiritual bent of mind, is more satisfied mentally as it acts as a support system. This helps them feel less lonely and more motivated after retirement.
Spiritual beliefs form an important part of coping with life’s joys and hardships. “They help foster feelings of optimism and hope, restore meaning and order to life situations, and maintain mental poise,” adds Dr Sangle.

Body-building exercises help us build muscles and increase our stamina, enhance our suppleness, flexibility and weight-bearing capacity. Similarly, through spiritual practices an individual attains a healthy attitude, tolerance, patience, equanimity, inner stability, resilience and acceptance for whatever is happening in life. Consequently, there is less room for angry outbursts.

NATURAL PAINKILLERS

We need to keep ourselves mentally and physically fit in order to function and carry out our daily routines. “Our spiritual lives impact both our mental and physical health. It is not necessary to adopt spiritual habits to have a healthy mind and body. But, being spiritual definitely improves one’s overall health in several ways,” adds Dr Chhabria.

Meditation and spirituality have a powerful influence on one’s mind making them more calm and collected. A person who meditates is more composed, relaxed and tolerant toward other people. They will be able to manage stress and depression better than the people who do not. They will also be able to release pent-up frustration, anger and negativity in the process.

Studies also show that meditation helps improve concentration to a great extent. “A person who meditates regularly will have better concentration, attention and focus than a person who does not,” says Dr Chhabria.

Medical studies indicate that spiritual practices stimulates the brain to release chemicals that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Spiritual people exhibit fewer kinds of selfdestructive behaviour (suicide, smoking, and drug and alcohol abuse) and display healthier behavioural patterns. They are also less vulnerable to stress, and score higher on total life satisfaction assessment.

Be healthy and happy

2011-09-03T01:49:00.003-04:00

With today’s fastpaced living and hectic lifestyles, people don't always have the time to pay attention to their health. Which is specialist health insurance company Max Bhupa has introduced a first-of-its-kind health movement, Health Promise, which is aimed at creating awareness about the importance of being healthy.

The initiative, which was introduced at the Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai, encourages people to be healthy and fit and encourages them to make a health promise for people they care about. Max Bupa also had a preview of a website, www .YourHealthFirst .in, which will enable people to keep their promises for loved ones by actionable tips, health advice and health information.

Dr Damien Marmion, CEO, Max Bupa said, “In our everyday busy lives, we often neglect our health care needs while striving to achieve material success. We believe it is our responsibility to promote the idea of living healthy among Indians.

To achieve this, Max Bupa has launched Health Promise, which will enable people to give priority to their health first and encourage them to make a health promise for their loved ones. The initiative is being launched against the backdrop of the Lakmé Fashion Week.”

The movement was endorsed by fashion designers Manish Malhotra and Rina Dhaka, who talked about the importance of health. They also joined the Health Promise Movement by making a health promise along with Dr Marmion.

After the Mumbai launch, Max Bupa will take the initiative to other cities in the country and to create awareness about the health movement. The initiative will reach out to people in a phased manner through many different methods, including above-the-line, below-the-line, direct custom outreach and activation touch points with a digital presence playing an integral part in it.

Give an ear to good health

2011-09-03T01:49:00.001-04:00

Auriculotherapy is treatment of pain, muscular skeletal disorders and other conditions by acupuncture needles to certain points on the ear.

Auriculotherapy was discovered and developed into an effective treatment by Paul Nogier, a French doctor in the ’50s. Nogier was able to figure out how certain parts of the ear related to certain parts of the motor area of the brain.

This discovery led him to a lifetime of research till his work resulted in auricular therapy, now a powerful tool to identify and treat specific body systems or parts that are in disharmony.

Points in the ear

Auriculotherapy is much more than ear acupuncture. Nogier noticed that there was a distinct change in the amplitude and dimension of the pulse when certain points on the auricle were stimulated. He called this the Vascular Autonomic Sign (VAS). Being able to detect the VAS on the radial pulse of the patients’ left hand enables a practitioner to correctly determine the location of a point and to ascertain whether there is a problem that relates to specific points.

Accurate employment of the VAS in diagnosis and treatment is essential in Auricular therapy and medicine. Auriculotherapy uses the ear to find out whether the right and left parts of the brain are functioning as a dynamic whole, whether there is an imbalance in the neurological, musculoskeletal or organ systems, and whether there are any blockages to treatment such as scar tissue or emotional disorders. It is diagnostic, but much depends on the accuracy of the practitioner. Treatment is specific and points are precisely located by reference to the VAS.

Curing pain and imbalance

Auricular therapy can be used effectively in the treatment of all types of pain like cervical spondylitis, mid-back pain, lumbago sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, facial neuralgia, migraine, chronic asthma, dysmenorrhoea, hot flushes, impotence, addiction to smoking, suppression, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, constipation and emotional disorders.

The advantage of auricular therapy over classical acupuncture is that the patient need not come daily for treatment and once the needles are fixed in the ear, he can return after a week or 10 days for the next session. In more chronic cases, a mix of classical Chinese acupuncture and French ear acupuncture can give wonderful results.

�J's @? n:yes'> Apart from treating physical ailments, ayurveda is useful in treating cases of anxiety and depression or mansik rog. In some cases, disease might have a genetic factor, but ayurveda can help. Unlike usual antidepressants, ayurveda medicines target nerves making them stronger rather than suppressing them. The thrust of ayurveda is in following external therapy and medicine from herbs and minerals to balance doshas on a physical and mental plane.

After lifestyle and diet changes, as a person approaches his natural prakriti (the best balance of doshas he was born with), the disease slowly disappears. Much depends on the patient – whether he is willing to incorporate lifestyle changes and eat what the ayurvedacharya recommends.

Medicines should be prepared following traditional guidelines in the scriptures, so follow treatment prescribed only by reputed and qualified ayurvedacharyas. Simple exposure to the sun is also important, as is doing yoga and meditation – once you start, you can find a difference to your health in just 10 days! To cite a point, surya namaskar done early mornings, benefits even leprosy patients, proving that sun and belief are the best healers.

‘Ayurveda effective medicine system’

2011-09-03T01:48:00.000-04:00

Ayurveda can effectively treat physical and mental disorders

Ayurveda physicians must have a basic understanding of the whole anatomy and inner functions, as ayurveda believes in a holistic approach, concentrating on the whole body, even when prescribing treatment for a specific part.

Ayurveda believes that disease could result anywhere because of a basic derangement in the total function of the body. Treatment targets both.

The doshas:

Ayurveda says disease is a result of imbalance in the body’s doshas of

vata (air),
pitta (fire), and
kapha (earth).

Ayurvedacharyas diagnose the cause of illness by conversing with the patient and ascertaining the role of environment, food, family history, character and genetics; sometimes, when we cannot diagnose the symptoms, astrological charts are also drawn up for more insights on influence of planets, stars and other factors on the individual in the environment since he lives in this cosmos.

Treatment is also prescribed on an energy level, rather than just on the gross (the physical body) as the person’s energy body is equally important, even though invisible. Ayurveda cures are designed to enhance a person’s energy fields as well as his physical and mental faculties.

Cures for anxiety and depression:

Apart from treating physical ailments, ayurveda is useful in treating cases of anxiety and depression or mansik rog. In some cases, disease might have a genetic factor, but ayurveda can help. Unlike usual antidepressants, ayurveda medicines target nerves making them stronger rather than suppressing them. The thrust of ayurveda is in following external therapy and medicine from herbs and minerals to balance doshas on a physical and mental plane.

Diet Mistakes! What Parents do Wrong

2011-08-28T04:06:00.003-04:00

In the last 30 years, childhood obesity rates have tripled. Almost one in five kids between 6 and 19 are overweight! Choosing the right foods for your kids is key to making sure they don’t become a part of that statistic. We’ll show you the top six mealtime mistakes all you parents might be making.

“Just looking at the label, you may be thinking you’re eating a healthy food, but you’re eating 2 or 3 servings, and the calories really add up!!”

When choosing bread, picking whole wheat isn’t enough.

“When you’re reading the label, you want to look at the fiber. You want it to have 3 grams of fiber, and you want to have whole wheat as your first ingredient!!”

Kids need two servings of fruit a day.

“You want to look for fruits canned in natural juice or water!!”

Do the math: heavy syrup has 20 to 25 grams of sugar compared to 10 in fruits canned in their natural juice.

What about Fruit Loops versus Special K cereals. Which do you think is better? Fruit Loops has less calories and less sugar and the same amount of fiber. A better breakfast choice is Cheerios. It has fewer calories, less sugar and more fiber. Another health food mistake is the yogurt you choose for your family.

“If we’re comparing two vanilla yogurts, even though they’re both low fat, one of them has 220 calories, and 35 grams of sugar, where the other one has 110 calories and 15 grams of sugar!!”

If your family likes to snack before dinner, try veggies.

“One trick you can do is put out cut up veggies on the table for the kids to snack on. If they overeat on vegetables, who really cares!!”

And soon your family will be ignoring the bad foods and fighting over the healthy ones.

Portion size is important. Think about this…the typical burger, fries and soda that was served in the ‘70’s, now has 214 more calories. That’s enough to add at least three pounds of weight a year to your child’s body, even if they eat fast-food just once a week.

Routine Periodic Fasting Is Good for Your Health, and Your Heart, Study Suggests

2011-08-28T04:00:00.002-04:00

Fasting has long been associated with religious rituals, diets, and political protests. Now new evidence from cardiac researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute demonstrates that routine periodic fasting is also good for your health, and your heart.

Research cardiologists at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute are reporting that fasting not only lowers one's risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also causes significant changes in a person's blood cholesterol levels. Both diabetes and elevated cholesterol are known risk factors for coronary heart disease.

The discovery expands upon a 2007 Intermountain Healthcare study that revealed an association between fasting and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in America. In the new research, fasting was also found to reduce other cardiac risk factors, such as triglycerides, weight, and blood sugar levels.

The findings were presented on April 3, at the annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans.
"These new findings demonstrate that our original discovery was not a chance event," says Dr. Benjamin D. Horne, PhD, MPH, director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, and the study's principal investigator. "The confirmation among a new set of patients that fasting is associated with lower risk of these common diseases raises new questions about how fasting itself reduces risk or if it simply indicates a healthy lifestyle."

Unlike the earlier research by the team, this new research recorded reactions in the body's biological mechanisms during the fasting period. The participants' low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, the "bad" cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the "good" cholesterol) both increased (by 14 percent and 6 percent, respectively) raising their total cholesterol -- and catching the researchers by surprise.

"Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilize fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. This decreases the number of fat cells in the body," says Dr. Horne. "This is important because the fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes."

This recent study also confirmed earlier findings about the effects of fasting on human growth hormone (HGH), a metabolic protein. HGH works to protect lean muscle and metabolic balance, a response triggered and accelerated by fasting. During the 24-hour fasting periods, HGH increased an average of 1,300 percent in women, and nearly 2,000 percent in men.

Research on foods that help heal broken bones

2011-08-27T02:57:00.000-04:00

Summarized by Rosemary Fisher

Nutrition's Role In Increasing The Speed Of Bone Healing
The most important influences on fracture healing are nutrition and overall health, including bone health, before the injury, says orthopedist Martin Yahiro, M.D., a consultant to FDA. "That's why it's so important all your life to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking and get enough calcium and vitamin D, so you lay down as much bone as possible during growth and keep as much as you can later on."
The healing time for broken bones is influenced by a number of variables that nutrition can impact including blood supply. For example, the ends of long bones are vascular so they heal faster than the center. Certain types of food and exercise foster increased blood supply and hence time it takes to heal. Mobilization, i.e. weight bearing exercises and isometric exercises stimulates healing.

High Calcium Foods For Bone Healing

There are number foods that are high in calcium to consider. The following chart should serve as a guideline.

Calcium content of different foods

*Type of food*	*Amount*	*Milligrams of Calcium*
Non fat yogurt	1 cup	415
Sardines (Atlantic with bones)	3 oz	372
Collard Greens	1 cup	355
Pink Salmon (canned with bones)	6oz	334
Skim Milk	1 cup	302
Calcium Fortified Orange Juice	1 cup	302
Bok Choy	1 cup	250
Almonds	3 oz	198
Turnip Greens	1 cup	200
Soy Beans	1 cup	180
Broccoli	1 cup	180
Mustard Greens	1 cup	150
Black Molasses	1 tbsp.	140
Great Northern Beans	1 cup	140
Non fat Baked Beans	1 cup	130
Tofu	1 cup	130
Navy beans	1 cup	130
Corn Tortilla	1 tortilla	120
Kidney Beans	1 cup	115
Okra	1 cup	90
Acorn Squash	1 cup	90
Spinach (Cooked)	1 cup	74
Orange	1 med.	60
Raisins	1/4	22
Peanut butter	2 tbsp.	18

The key to better usage of your calcium intake is not just increasing the calcium but also increasing your ability to absorb the calcium. The recipes in all my books are very high in calcium rich foods and are specifically designed to increase your ability to absorb calcium. For additional information, see my research section on ways to increase absorption of calcium in my latest book Recipes and Research on Dementia, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis and Cancer

Lysine To Increase Calcium Absorption
Lysine is an amino acid that helps in the absorption of calcium. Lysine a protein building block, can increase the amount of calcium absorbed into the matrix according to Peter Furst, M.D.,PhD. in the Jan./Feb. 1993, Nutrition (9: 70-2).    It is an essential amino acid necessary for the regeneration of tissues, and the building and healing of broken bones. Research studies show that lysine can increase the amount of calcium absorbed into the bone matrix. The amount in one particular study was 800 mg. As lysine promotes the formation of muscle protein, it may be important in healing after operations and injuries. There are a number of foods that can add lysine to your diet, such as low fat milk, fish, yeast, and soy products. I find that defatted soy flour is the best source of Lysine because there are 3300mg of lysine in 3 1/2 ounces of defatted soy flour. This is an important reason to use defatted soy flour in the foods you eat. In my latest book I have many recipes using defatted soy flour.
Vitamin C As A Bone Healer
Vitamin C is essential nutritionally to make the collagen that helps the body form healthy bones. It also promotes wound healing. You also can get numerous additional benefits from Vitamin C. For example, researchers at New Mexico Medical School found that adults with high blood levels of vitamin C scored higher on mental tasks than those with low levels of vitamin C. Many of my recipes are high in vitamin C.

Aspirin And Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Can Retard Bone Healing
When you break a bone or tear a muscle and are on pain medication, you may want to try to stop taking the pain medication as soon as possible so you do not delay healing. A study in May 1995 issue of The Journal of Orthopedic Trauma shows damaged cells in a fracture release large amount of chemicals called prostaglandins. These chemicals cause the pain and are blocked by the pain medication. However prostaglandins are also very important in the first stage of tissue repair. So decreasing the use as soon as possible is helpful to the healing process.
Furthermore a study in the October 1995 issue of the Journal of Rheumatology found that continued use of anti-inflammatory drugs over several months can increase the rate of cartilaginous breakdown in joints of people who have osteoarthritis.   The drugs mentioned in the studies include Aspirin, Anaprox, Lodine, Meclomin, Motrin, Naprosin, Pensile, Relafen, Toreador, Tolectin, Indocin and Ibuprofen.

Vitamin K To Promote Bone Healing
Vitamin K, also called Menadione, is a very important fat-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in the regulation of normal blood clotting functions. We get vitamin K from several sources in our diet including dark leafy vegetables. Vitamin K also assists in converting glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver. Numerous studies indicate that it plays a role in forming bone formation and preventing osteoporosis. If you want to help bones heal faster, consider increasing your intake of Vitamin K rich foods. I have numerous recipes for these in my books.
Smoking Slows The Healing Of Broken Bones
Many studies have shown that broken bones tend to take longer to heal if the injured person has been smoking. Cigarettes can also increase the risk of blood clotting, which may further reduce blood flow. Breakdown products of cigarette smoke include carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrosamines and benzenes which can damage the cells that form the bone itself and can interrupt the healing process after a fracture or bone injury. [Hadley MN et al. Smoking and the Human Vertebral Column: A Review of the Impact of Cigarette Use on Vertebral Bone Metabolism and Spinal Fusion. Neurosurgery (1997); vol. 41, pp. 116-122].
Boron's Role In Bone Healing
Boron is important in bone healing because studies how show it reduces urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium and significantly increases blood levels of both estrogen and testosterone. The are many food high in boron. Apples are the highest. You will find many recipes in my books that use apples and other high boron foods.
Avoid bone robbers
To maximize the rate of healing it is helpful to avoid bone robbers such as sugar, salt, alcohol, caffeine, red meats etc. See detail descriptions in the osteoporosis sections of my books
Role of silica and zinc
Both silica and zinc are important for the repair of tissues. Silica is also important also in helping the calcium to be absorbed.    Ensuring that these are in you diet is a another way to potentially decrease the time it takes to heal from a fracture
Simple comfort tips
If you are in a wheel chair or bed, be sure to get the convoluted mattress pad for your bed and wheel chair. If you have a leg cast or brace, consider using side zippered ski pants for easy on and off of your pants.
If you have bruised a muscle in your break, and need some pain relief, be sure to explore the use of the T.E.N.S unit. You can try it out at most physical therapy sessions. If it works for you, you can get your doctor to give you a prescription for it and in many cases your health insurance will pay for the cost rental or purchase. You can also just purchase it yourself for as low as $99-$150 U.S on the web.
I have personally used the T.E.N.S in my last fall, and it was a life saver. It gave me the pain relief I needed to be able to do the exercises to heal my bruised muscle. Be sure when you use it, not to overuse it. Just use it so you can get the relief you need to be able to to the physical therapy you need for a permanent solution.

2011-08-27T02:40:00.000-04:00

A Calcium rich diet in the early years can prevent bone- related problems

A few cups of milk or curd a day in childhood and teen years is more valuable than all the calcium supplements consumed in adulthood. The reason is simple. During the first 20 years of life the body builds up a bank balance of calcium in the bones and adulthood is essentially a raid on this balance. Those who lay up a hefty balance in the first two decades enjoy an old age relatively free of skeletal problems.

The rest end up with weak bones that fracture easily in old age.

Osteoporosis is really a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences. Hip fractures are distressingly common in elderly especially in old women and the solution to them is a calcium rich diet in childhood and teen years, not calcium and vitamin D supplements in adulthood must for kids.
Current nutrition guidelines recommend that children consume two servings of milk group foods daily. This provides at least 800 mg of calcium a day. Teens and young adults below 18 years need more calcium- at least 1300 mg of calcium every day, or three servings of milk group foods daily. One 240 ml glass of milk has about 300 mg of calcium. Calcium rich foods include milk and curds, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, soyabeans, raisins, fortified orange juice, fortified bread and meat with chewable bones in it. The guts ability to absorb calcium depends on the overall level of calcium in the food and the type of food. Foods vary in their ability to enhance or inhibit calcium absorption. Low fat or fat-free milk, or curd from such milk, are the best sources of calcium because they have high calcium content which can be easily absorbed by the body.

However, the calcium in oxalic acid -rich foods (spinach, sweet potatoes and beans) or phytic acid -rich foods (unleavened bread, raw beans, seeds and nuts) has low absorptive potential. The body absorbs about a tenth as much calcium from spinach as it does from milk. Therefore, we require additional servings of many calcium- rich foods to balance their low calcium absorption

Lactose, the milk sugar, can cause abdominal discomfort in Indians because, late childhood onwards our bodies lose the enzymes to digest it. However, many people who are lactose intolerant can drink two to three 240 ml glasses of milk every day without getting the symptoms. Substituting curd for milk solves the problem completely.

Cause of fatal paralytic disease discovered

2011-08-23T09:18:00.000-04:00

Scientists claim to have discovered the common cause of all forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease that paralyzes its victims.

The underlying disease process of ALS has long eluded doctors and prevented development of effective therapies. Now, a team at Northwestern University has for the first time discovered that the basis of the disorder is a broken down protein — identified as ubiquilin2 — recycling system in the neurons of the spinal cord and the brain.
Optimal functioning of the neurons relies on efficient recycling of protein building blocks in the cells. In ALS, that recycling system is broken. The cell can’t repair or maintain itself and becomes severely damaged.
In fact, ubiquilin2’s critical job is to recycle damaged or misfolded proteins in motor and cortical neurons and shuttle them off to be reprocessed. In people with ALS, it isn’t doing its job. As a result, the damaged proteins and ubiquilin2 accumulate and cause degeneration of the neurons. Cough may help during heart attack

Marriage ups weight in women, divorce in men

2011-08-23T08:56:00.000-04:00

WAIST WATCH

It seems that marriage and divorce are both bad for the waistline — while women are most likely to gain weight after tying the knot, men tend to pile on the pounds following a break-up, say researchers.
    A new study of more than 10,000 people surveyed between 1986 and 2008 found that both marrying and getting divorced can have a “weight shock” effect that leads to rapid weight gain, especially in over-30s.
    But the researchers say there was a marked difference between men and women in which marital event was the most traumatic on the waistline, ‘The Daily Telegraph’ reported.
    In fact, the researchers used data from the survey in which men and women were weighed every year to see how many pounds they gained or lost in the two years following a marriage or divorce. Up to the age of 30 there was little impact on the weight of either men or women, but after this point the probability of weight gain after marriage or divorce began to rise steadily until the age of 50.
    Both sexes were more likely to gain weight in the two years after a divorce or marriage than someone who had never been married, the study showed. Dmitry Tumin of Ohio State University said, “Clearly, the effect of marital transitions on weight changes differs by gender.”

Cataract hitting your eye at the age of 45! Check out!

2011-08-23T08:22:00.000-04:00

The age of onset of cataract among Indians may have dipped by almost a decade. Cataract — clouding of the eye’s lens and the main cause of blindness — earlier affecting those above 60 years, is being increasingly seen among those in their mid-40s.

According to Dr Mahipal Sachdev, chairman of Centre for Sight, the age of onset of cataract among Indians is 45 years as against 55 years among Westerners.

“It could be due to overall poor nutrition levels, excessive exposure to UV light, increased diorrhoea and dehydration episodes,” Dr Sachdev said.

Besides, in case there is a family history of early cataract, the children would get it five years earlier than their parents, he said.

India is home to 12 million blind people of which 70% cases are due to cataract. About five million cataract surgeries are performed in the country annually, highest in the world.

Officials say 75% of blindness cases are those of avoidable blindness. Fortunately, cataract surgery is set to become more accurate with the use of femtosecond laser, which, experts say, allows extreme precision in surgery.

EYE OPENER India has 12m blind people, 70% cases due to cataract

12L cataract surgeries conducted in India in 2010

Health ministry says 75% blindness cases avoidable

Latest femtosecond laser surgeries accurate in 100% of cases

Goodness of tea

2011-08-20T00:43:00.004-04:00

Here the benefits of tea for good health are outlined:

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. A hot cup of tea, when you wake up in the morning, is hard to resist. Although, in India,black tea with milk and sugar is the most common way of drinking this beverage, in recent times, green tea and herbal tea have also become popular in urban areas. Uncommon varieties of tea are white tea and oolong tea. Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation and processing whereas black tea is highly oxidised.

ANTIOXIDANTS IN TEA:

For centuries man has been drinking tea, but the science behind its goodness has been discovered only some years ago. The most talked-about beneficial substance in tea is its flavonoids.Flavonoids are a group of antioxidants that are present in tea and many other foods. Catechins (a sub group of flavonoids) are found in large quantities in green and white tea. Black tea contains theaflavins and thearubigins (both antioxidants).

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Several research studies have been conducted on tea and its influence on reducing the risk of diseases. Some of these studies look very positive.

· Antioxidant properties in tea help protect cells from oxidative damage. Those who are at risk of heart disease or stroke might benefit from drinking tea regularly because it has a positive effect on blood vessels.

· Black tea has attracted some attention in India due to its role in fighting inflammation. Tea is a good source of fluoride which contributes to dental health.

· Emerging research says there might be a connection between tea and mental function. Although some people claim that green tea helps in weight loss, more evidence is required.

· Moreover, tea all by itself cannot help in losing weight, if the rest of the lifestyle is not conducive to weight loss.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

2011-08-20T00:42:00.001-04:00

New drug can extend life span of the obese

Sustaining the flickering hope that human aging might somehow be decelerated; researchers have found they can substantially extend the average life span of obese mice with a specially designed drug.

The drug, SRT-1720, protects the mice from the usual diseases of obesity by reducing the amount of fat in the liver and increasing sensitivity to insulin. These and other positive health effects enable the obese mice to live 44% longer, on average, than obese mice that did not receive the drug, according to a team of researchers led by Rafael de Cabo, a gerontologist at the National Institute on Aging.

Drugs closely related to SRT-1720 are now undergoing clinical trials in humans. The findings “demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of designing novel molecules that are safe and effective in promoting longevity and preventing multiple age-related diseases in mammals,” Dr de Cabo and colleagues write in the new journal Scientific Reports. Their conclusion supports claims that had been thrown in doubt by an earlier study that was critical of SRT-1720.

A drug that makes it cost-free to be obese may seem more a moral hazard than an incentive to good health. But the rationale behind the research is somewhat different: the researchers are trying to capture the benefits that allow mice on very low-calorie diets to live longer.

It just so happens that such benefits are much easier to demonstrate in mice under physiological stress like obesity than in normal mice. “The drugs could be used as a preventive , but I don’t think they will ever be an excuse to abuse your body,” said David Sinclair, a biologist at Harvard Medical School and co-chairman of the scientific advisory board of Sirtris, which developed SRT-1720.

What causes dark circles?

Dark circles under the eyes are caused by several factors, some of which are avoidable and can be prevented and treated easily.

The most common causes for dark circles are:

· Skin allergies:

The skin around the eyes is delicate and prone to eczema. Eyeliners, kohl and eye shadows trigger eczema. In some cases, the person may develop an allergy to his/her own oil or sweat and the skin usually appears coarse and wrinkled. Damage control includes exfoliating packs to even out the skin texture and gels for skin lightening.

· Sinusitis:

Sinus or nasal inflammation results in venous congestion, which can cause bruising around the bridge of the nose and eyes, giving rise to the appearance of dark circles. The condition is accompanied by headaches and patients constantly rub their eyes. Treating sinusitis or the allergy is the first step and this can reduce the dark circles in most cases. However, in some cases, eye packs and face packs may be also be required to treat the allergies.

Lack of nutrients:

Iron deficiency or lack of vitamin C can cause dark circles. Women with low haemoglobin count find dark circles becoming more prominent during their period. Skipping meals or consuming too much coffee can cause dark circles. Chronic illnesses like stomach or thyroid problems or sudden and severe weight loss cause dark circles. Identifying and correcting the deficiency often reverses dark circles.

Fatigue, stress and lack of sleep:

These triggers are avoidable and the solution is to get more rest. But with increasing work and domestic responsibilities, many people do not get enough rest. Treating anxiety and forcing a break to de-stress is important.

Now probiotic drugs sold over counter

2011-08-20T00:35:00.006-04:00

Efficacy Not Proven, Warn Docs

Kill your diarrhoea with good bacteria. That’s the latest fad in healthcare. Almost every pharmaceutical company now has a brand of probiotic drug and some are even being commercially marketed off the counter.

Probiotics are foods that contain live bacteria. It is the bacteria and metabolites which they produce that give probiotics their health-promoting properties. The best known example is yogurt.

While some doctors are excited about chances of treating even severe intestinal disorders with probiotics, many say this is a huge money-spinner. Doctors are still assessing whether these drugs can be an alternative to antibiotics considering the increasing cases of antibiotic resistance in India.

WHAT IS PROBIOTIC?

• Live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host, says World Health Organisation

• It means introducing good live bacteria into your intestine to fight off bad bacteria

• Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-appointed committee member and consultant gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital, Dr Dinesh Kini, is part of the research team on probiotics. He says probiotics can’t be an alternative to antibiotics. “They’re a huge money-spinner that are pharmaceutically motivated and currently being used unscientifically. There is less scientific data on probiotics. It may, however, be used by travellers for diarrhoea, colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. It is not the wonder drug that it’s being projected to be,” he asserts.

“We need robust and randomized clinical trials to say with confidence that they have positive impact on health. The market is flooded with various brands of probiotics,” he adds.

“These are micro-organisms that colonize your intestine and remove harmful bacteria. The best natural probiotics are in yogurt and soy yogurt, which can be eaten on a regular basis even without a prescription. But people consume them less these days. So it is available in tablet and liquid forms. Research is being conducted to see its impact on colon cancer and urinary tract infections,” explains Dr B S Ravindra, consultant gastroenterologist, BGS Global Hospital.

There was a sudden increase in the prescription of probiotics recently. It was seen that they had a positive effect on patients who were under antibiotics for long and suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Even patients who recurrently suffered from bouts of gastroenteritis showed good recovery.

“Use of probiotics has definitely increased. It’s true that yogurt and curds contain probiotics but those cannot be quantified. It is a great source of medication but I do not suggest that people buy it off the counter just for fitness. The quality and dosage of this live bacteria cannot be assured if it’s used without monitoring,” said Dr Ravishankar Bhat, consultant gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals.

AVAILABLE IN STORES

Pro-biotic yogurts and fortified supplements are available in almost all stores. I have tried them many times since they claim to have health benefits and assist in digestion but am not sure whether these claims are true.

THE BENEFITS

Experts agree that it may be helpful to those who have been consuming antibiotics for a long time. It may help in breeding good bacterial flora in the intestine and considered useful for irritable bowel syndrome.

GUIDELINES ON USAGE

ICMR released guidelines on the use of probiotics this year. It says: “Probiotics have been suggested to be associated with alleviation of lactose intolerance, prevention and cure of viral-, bacterial- and antibiotic- or radiotherapyinduced diarrhoea, anticarcinogenic effects and even blood cholesterol reduction. The optimism associated with probiotics is, however, counterbalanced by scepticism as many probiotic products in the market are unreliable in content and unproven clinically.’’

YES OR NO? Doctors are still assessing if these drugs can be an alternative to antibiotics

Skincare

2011-08-19T22:54:00.000-04:00

Here are some common monsoon-related skin conditions we should be familiar with and how to deal with them

Heavy rains remind us of staying put at home, eating pakodas, sipping hot tea, umbrellas and lazy days. The rains bring not only a welcome respite from the scorching heat but they also bring a whole set of problems for your skin.

Long hours of staying in wet clothes, repeated immersion of feet in contaminated water and constant high environmental humidity cause a myriad of skin problems. Humidity is a very familiar breeding ground for a host of bacteria, fungi and other infections that grow on the skin unchecked. Also the high acid content of the first showers of rain cause further to the skin and various skin infections. Here are some common monsoonrelated conditions we should be familiar with and how to deal with them:
Fungal infection of the toes or toe web spaces – Athlete’s Foot
This problem is more common in men as they usually wear closed footwear. There is itching, scaling and discolouration of web spaces and the toenails may become discoloured or brittle. Prevention: Wear open footwear when out in the rain and change into dry socks and footwear when you get indoors. Always wash your feet with soap and water after exposure to puddles or rainwater. Apply anti-fungal dusting powder – Absorb prior to putting on socks and apply an anti-fungal ointment at night. If the condition does not improve, consult a dermatologist.
Fungal infection of other body parts especially skin folds – Ringworm or tinea
The skin feels itchy and round dry red skin patches are formed. This is more common in diabetics.Prevention: Visit a dermatologist at the earliest and avoid using steroid ointments as they give immediate relief, but a bad relapse later.
Infections caused by mites – Scabies
This causes intense itching especially at night and a rash in the finger web spaces and body folds. It is most common in children. Prevention: Consult your doctor for treatment. Also since it spreads by contact, isolate the person and his belongings. All family members need to be made aware of the disease.
Lice infestation of the scalp and body
Usually occurs in females when damp hair is tied for too long.
Prevention: Anti-lice treatments are available.
Acne and dandruff
Preventions: Regular hair wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole is good to keep the scalp dandruff free. Other bacterial infections of the skin are common as bacteria thrive well on the skin in this season. Apart from these diseases, there are usually many non-specific complaints like wrinkling of the skin, body odour, dull, lifeless complexion or frizzing of hair – all due to excess humidity.

Nutrition tips in managing waterborne diseases

2011-08-19T22:48:00.000-04:00

Five nutrition tips to stay away from waterborne diseases this monsoon

1 Any microbial infection (bacterial), which is accompanied with fever should be treated with antibiotic therapy to kill the microorganisms, but nutritional support during this phase helps recover faster.

2 Feed the diarrhoea and fever. Research indicates that even during diarrhoea the activity of digestive enzymes is intact and feeding helps in boosting the immunity and strength of the individual and helps in faster recovery. The form of food can be changed as per the person’s tolerance. Small frequent nutritional dense (more nutrients in less quantity) foods are recommended.
3 The nutrients to be emphasised in all these stages in order of priority are – carbohydrates to provide energy and spare proteins for tissue building as all these states are catabolic in nature. In addition to this giving good quality protein through milk products like curds, paneer, and non-vegetarian options like eggs, fish or soya protein help in better utilisation of proteins in the body. Ensure the food is prepared in such a manner that it is easy to digest and evenly distributed throughout the day. Some options can be porridges, gruels, curd rice, soft puddings, custards, paneer sandwiches, shikran, shrikhand etc.
4 Enhance the intake of immune boosting nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, selenium and magnesium. Rainy season is marked with the availability of fruits like amla and guava that are loaded with pectin, vitamin C; bitter gourd – an excellent source of vitamin C; green leaves like patra, mayalu, chaulai, which are excellent sources of Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and calcium. An add on of sprouts, nuts and oilseeds can take care of selenium, zinc, magnesium.
5 It is a good idea to use medium chain triglycerides, which are dairy fats like homemade ghee, butter, cream, as they are easy to digest and add to the total caloric intake. It has a lot of importance in individuals recovering from states like diarrhoea, jaundice and typhoid as the person has a poor appetite but yet needs calories and nutrient density to recover faster.

Social rejection linked to poor physical health

2011-08-16T02:57:00.000-04:00

Says a recent study

People who are socially rejected and isolated tend to have poor physical health, and die sooner than people who have the support of others, according to a new study.

“People who feel lonely and excluded tend to have poor physical health,” said Nathan Dewall, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky. They don’t sleep well, their immune systems sputter, and they even tend to die sooner than people who are surrounded by others who care about them. People with depression may face exclusion more often because of the symptoms of their disorder and being rejected makes them more depressed, said DeWall. A feeling of exclusion can also contribute to suicide.

Body Basics

2011-08-16T02:56:00.000-04:00

‘I have a tendency to lose weight easily’

...so actor Purab Kohli focusses on his diet and makes sure not to overdo cardio exercises

MY EXERCISE REGIME

I work out everyday but my workout keeps changing. Of late, I’ve built into the character I’m playing. So with each character, I imagine what body type he would be and then plan my workouts to achieve that. If the character demands high intensity cardio and weights, I will be at the gym for two hours. If it is a rural character, then I opt for outdoor sports, rope climbing, running for a more natural definition.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

Luckily I don’'t have any problem areas, but that’s because I am always active. I am either playing a sport or at the gym. I do, however, have a tendency to lose weight very easily. So I have to focus on my diet and make sure I don’t overdo cardio exercises.

MY STRENGTHS

I think it’s my stamina. Fitness has been an integral part of my life, so over a period of time I have built resistance and stamina. That works in my favour when I am experimenting with my fitness routines. I enjoy physical activity so I don’t know if that makes me a fitness freak.

MY DIET

It completely depends on my mood. I go through phases. There are some days where I only eat vegetarian food and on the others, I eat everything. Sometimes, when I have to, I prepare my body for a certain character and bulk up on protein. I do have a sweet tooth and love ice-creams, cakes and mithais. But I avoid overeating, and if I do, then I spend an extra 15 minutes on the treadmill.

Frizzy hair giving trouble?

2011-08-15T07:22:00.000-04:00

Try these homemade masks to get frizz-free tresses

Taming frizzy hair can be one herculean task, especially during the rainy season. Going to a salon to maintain those tresses is not a feasible idea, considering the dent it creates in your wallet. Try the following homemade treatments to get frizz free hair days.

• Mayonnaise Mask: Mayo can not just accompany your burger or sandwich but is also a brilliant option to remove frizzy hair locks. Take half a cup of mayo and apply to your hair starting from roots to ends. The smell of mayo can sure be a problem, so it’s best you mix about 2 or 3 drops of scented oil to it. After applying this, wrap your hair in a shower cap keeping it on for about fifteen minutes. Shampoo and rinse once done.

• Honey Mask: Since honey contains humectants, it is known to treat damaged hair. Moreover, thanks to it’s scent, after applying honey the hair smells nice. Mix about 1/3 cup of honey along with 2 tbsp of either olive or almond oil. Apply the mixture from though your hair and then wrap your hair in a shower cap. Rinse after thirty minutes.

Has our brain reached full capacity?

2011-08-15T00:31:00.000-04:00

‘People May Not Get Smarter Since Grey Matter Has Stopped Evolving’
Scientists have claimed that the human brain may have reached its full capacity and can’t get cleverer.
    A team at Cambridge University, led by Professor Simon Laughlin, says this is because the people are unable to provide the amount of extra energy and oxygen needed to become more intelligent.
    The scientists have based their findings after analysing the structure of the brain and worked out how much energy its cells use up.
    Professor Simon Laughlin was quoted by the British media as saying, “We have demonstrated that brains must consume energy to function and that these requirements are sufficiently demanding to limit our performance and determine design. Far-reaching powers of deduction demand a lot of energy because for the brain to search out new relationships it must constantly correlate information from different sources.
    “Such demands mean there is a limit to the information we can process.”
    The scientists say that the wiring inside the brain would need vast amounts of extra energy to become more efficient. As it’s impossible for humans to provide this, they can’t become any smarter.
    In their research, the team measured the efficiency with which different parts of the brain communicated with each other and found impulses travelled fastest in smarter people and slower in those who were less intelligent.
    “High integration of brain networks seems to be associated with high IQ. You pay a price for intelligence. Becoming smarter means improving connections between different brain areas but this runs into tight limits on energy, along with space for the wiring,” Ed Bullmore, team member, said.
    Scientists have said that even the cleverest people might not get any brighter since our grey matter has stopped evolving. And it is all down to physics.
    One part of the theory is that scientists reckon brain cells cannot get much smaller than they are at present — meaning there will not be any further space for more of them.
    It is also thought the number of connections between brain cells cannot rise much more due to the amount of energy they consume.
    Research has shown that the better connected the parts of the brain, the higher a person’s IQ. It means if we turned any smarter the impact on our body’s power supply would be immense.
    According to Ed Bullmore, professor of psychiatry at Cambridge, all of us have “to pay a price for our intelligence”.
    Laughlin also feels the brain evolution could go into reverse if human circumstances change - for instance if there were a shortage of food. He said, “The fact that brains both expand and contract during evolution shows that the optimum balance changes with circumstances.

4 things you must know about yourself

2011-08-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

What’s your breaking point? In your eagerness to please your partner, don’t forget to ask yourself the most important questions...

It’s difficult to sustain relationships in the days of multi-tasking. Be it with your boyfriend, husband, parents, children or friends… it’s hardly possible to do justice to all of them. But while you may get lucky with some of your relationships, like with your partner or your children, the person you often ignore is yourself. All of a sudden, when things start to fall apart, you realize that while you got busy taking care of everyone else’s needs, someone else forgot to do that for you. You may be aware of your husband’s breaking point. You may know what will stop your child from throwing a tantrum. But do you know what makes you snap? The next time you have some time to spend on yourself, make a list of the basic things that you must know ab o u t yourself; that’s the most important relationship women tend to miss out on — the one with themselves.

YOUR DIAL-A-FRIEND
Who is that one person who always calms you down? The one who will listen to all your problems patiently? It doesn’t matter how much of a loner you are, there should be at least one person whom you can call instantly in time of need. We all need to whine, at times to make ourselves feel better.

YOUR BREAKING POINT
Pooja Sharma, a marketing executive with a 5-star hotel, is a calm and dignified person. That is, until a couple of months ago, when a simple difference of opinion with a colleague had her uttering expletives that would upset her, if they came from others. “Tension had been building up for some time in the workplace and personal problems were bothering me too. My colleague got to me and I lost it completely,” says Sharma. Since then, she tries to understand her mood better.

THAT ONE STRESS-BUSTER
It can be movies, music, swimming, gossip with friends or good old sleep — don’t avoid doing things that destress you. Women often don’t give enough importance to it and end up with a lot of pent up emotions.

HOW TO SAY ‘NO’
Pleasing people is good, but do not bend over backwards for them. If your friends take you for granted, just put your foot down. If your husband’s friends think your house is the only decent place for social gatherings and you are not comfortable with it, convey it to him. You can do it politely. If workload at the office is bogging you down, talk it out with your superior. Learn to delegate. And most importantly, know that it’s absolutely alright to say ‘no’ at times. It doesn’t mean you’re unprofessional.

How to survive a heart attack when alone, Does coughing and deep breathing help u.!!?

2011-08-13T23:32:00.000-04:00

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed in order. Without help the person whose heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel Faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating.

The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a phone and, between breaths, call for help.

Daily Eye Care

2011-08-13T10:27:00.000-04:00

Splash your eyes with cold water first thing in the morning.

Apply cotton wool pads, soaked in warm milk, witch hazel, rose water or weak tea solution on your eyes, press gently, and leave for ten minutes.

Now fill an eye bath with eye lotion, place it on your eye, tilt your head back, open your eye and let the eye lotion flow into your eye.

Repeat the same process for the other eye. Wash each eye, two or three times and it will sooth and refresh your eyes.

You can repeat the same process following any activity,, which has strained your eyes.

After a couple of weeks of such eye care, you will find your eyes looking brighter.

To avoid eye strain do not work in a poor light.

Do not read continuously in buses or trains.

Do not stare too long at anything without blinking. Blinking provides lubrication and relief from light.

Do not rub your eyes too hard. To give momentary relief to your eyes, close your eyes with your palms so that no light can enter. Now open up your eyes in your palm cup and stare into this darkness for a minute.

Is Vitamin B3 the answer to a HEALTHY HEART?

2011-08-06T21:56:00.000-04:00

Doctors Are Now Looking At Other Tests To Determine If Patients Are At Risk Of Developing Plaque In Their Arteries

  Cardiologist Ganesh Kumar has prescribed it to many of his patients. “Not only do their Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) levels fall, the levels of good cholesterol also increase,’’ said Kumar. So, could Vitamin B3 be the answer for many heart ailments? Doctors are still not sure.
    Dr N O Bansal, who heads the cardiology department of J J Hospital, said, “The new niacin tablets do reduce Lp(a) levels, but we still don’t know how big a role Lp(a) plays in heart disease.”
    He said there was a need for longterm research to establish a firm link. “We have known for three
decades about bad-good cholesterol levels. Now we need to study Lp(a) levels and heart diseases carefully. Research in this field has just begun and we will hopefully provide answers in the coming years.’’
    But according to Delhi-based cardiologist Dr Ashok Seth, a clinical trial called Aim High conducted by the US-based National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was called off. “It found that adding high dose, extended-release niacin to statin treatment in people with heart and vascular disease did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.’’
    Seth, however, added that he too has prescribed the new niacin to some patients after studying their risk factors. “But it cannot be randomly prescribed,’’ he added.
BLOOD TEST FOR THE HEART
It is well known that high levels of “bad” cholesterol in blood can be a sign that the person is at an increased risk of having a heart attack. Other substances can help determine if a patient is at risk of developing plaques in his/her arteries (atherosclerosis).
    C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein the liver produces in response to an injury or infection. While it’s not specific to the heart, CRP results along with other tests can tell if there is an inflammation in the heart. The American Heart Association pegs a reading of 1 to 3 mg/L as average risk.
    Homocysteine (h) is a substance the body uses to make protein and to build and maintain tissue. But too much h may increase the risk of stroke and certain types of heart disease. A normal homocysteine level is between 4.4 and 10.8 micromoles per litre (µmol/L).
    Cholesterol test or lipid profile measures the fats (lipids) in the blood. These measurements can tell one’s risk of having a heart attack or other heart disease. The test includes total cholesterol. A high level (over 200 mg/dL) puts one at increased risk of heart disease.
    Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is called the “bad” cholesterol. Too much of it in blood causes the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow. The ideal LDL level is less than 130 mg/dL
    High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is called the “good” cholesterol because it helps carry away LDL cholesterol, keeping arteries open. The ideal HDL level is 60 mg/dL.
    Triglycerides is a type of fat. High levels mean one is eating more calories than one burns. The ideal level should be less than 150 mg/dL
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a type of LDL cholesterol. It’s determined by the genes and isn’t generally affected by lifestyle. High levels of Lp(a) may be a sign of increased risk of heart disease. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

The workout effect on acne

2011-08-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Does working out in a gym cause acne? I shower immediately after workouts, but the acne persists.

A regular exercise regime can actually be beneficial in getting rid of acne. It increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the skin cells. When you sweat, your body expels toxins through the skin and clears the pores of excess sebum. So, exercising cannot cause acne.

But heavy exercise, especially when you work out with weights, can make your body create an increase in androgens to repair your damaged muscles. This may react with your oil glands, causing increased oil production, which could lead to acne.

Acne breakouts can also be a result of improper skin care. Exercising can leave your skin warm and sweaty, which is the perfect environment for acne to develop. Lycra or nylon track pants can trap heat and perspiration resulting in bacterial infection. Using unhygienic gym equipment could also increase the risk of picking up germs. People who consume protein supplements and special body-building foods are more prone to acne breakouts. You need to rule out the triggers and establish safeguards to benefit from your exercise regime.

I have dry scaly patches on my elbows and knees. I use coconut oil to moisturize, but after a few hours, these areas become dry again.

Your dry skin condition indicates psoriasis. This is caused by an inflammatory response in which the immune system accidentally targets the body’s own cells. This causes an increase in the production of skin cells and leads to the formation of thick scales on the surface. Take medical advice.

Female baldness = Male baldness

2011-08-06T05:58:00.000-04:00

The similarities between male and female hair loss, especially in hereditary and hormonal cases

In the early stages, male and female hair loss appear quite different. Similarities only develop as the symptoms progress.

In the intermediate stage, as the hair fall increases, male and female baldness appear similar. This stage is often seen in women who experience hair loss due to hereditary reasons or when it is combined with stress, hormonal issues, travelling and scalp infections.

In advanced cases, as the condition progresses ,male and female baldness end up looking very similar.

Pain killers pave the way to drug abuse

2011-08-06T05:57:00.000-04:00

Indiscriminate use of painkillers may pave the way to drug abuse among people with a history of using both types of drugs, a study says. The study was conducted by Drexel University’s School of Public Health, Philadelhia in the US.

“Access to prescription medications — either from a participant’s own source, a family member, or a friend — was a key feature of initiation into prescription drug misuse,” Stephen Lankenau, the study investigator said. Researchers interviewed 50 young intravenous drug users aged between 16 and 25 years, who had misused a prescription drug at least three times in the past three months, to study contextual factors leading to their use of opioid drugs.

Love your body

2011-08-06T05:55:00.000-04:00

A new study has found that improving body image can enhance the effectiveness of weight-loss programs based on diet and exercise. Researchers from the technical university of lisbon and bangor university enrolled overweight women on a year long weight loss program. In the study, half the women were given general health information about good nutrition, stress management, and the importance of looking after yourself. The other half attended 30 weekly group sessions where issues such as exercise, emotional eating, improving body image and the recognition of personal barriers were discussed. It was seen that the way they thought about their body improved and that concerns about body shape and size were reduced. Compared to the control group, they were better able to self-regulate their eating and they lost more weight. “body image problems are very common among obese people, often leading to comfort eating and rigid eating patterns that are obstacles to losing weight,” said dr teixeira, who led the research. “our results showed a strong correlation between improvements in body image, especially in reducing anxiety about other peoples’ opinions, and positive changes in eating behaviour.

The flow of life force

2011-08-06T05:51:00.000-04:00

The practise of yoga includes asanas, meditation, and pranayama. Yoga guru Surakshit Goswami explains the importance of pranayama, which cleanses our 72,000 blood vessels

Stabilising the flow of life force in our blood vessels is called pranayama. It is made up of two words, prana and ayama.

Prana is the breath or life force without which no one can survive. Ayama means stabilising or expanding the prana. The process of inhalation and exhalation begins at birth and ends with death. By practising pranayama, one can control the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. Prana energy resides in the body and keeps body and mind fit. It is the basis of all activities of the body and mind.

Prana is of five types. These are

prana,
apaan,
samaan,
vyaan, and
udaan.

Pranayama is a scientific method of controlling the breath, leading to better health for mind and body. Prana or life force should be controlled in the same way as lions, elephants or tigers are tamed – gradually and with patience.

Life force, when controlled under compulsion, has a negative impact. By doing pranayama in a wrong way, you can suffer from hiccups, breathing ailments, cough, headache, pain in the eyes, ears and fever. A natural cleanser Pranayama cleanses all the body’s 72,000 blood vessels, besides curing diseases of the body and mind. It helps you slim down and radiate vigour. In the process, your mind is filled with happiness and your kundalini power is awakened. Just as fire purifies gold, so pranayama purifies and cures ailments of the sense organs.

In yogic discipline, it is believed that an ailment occurs in an organ when the circulation of life force in that organ gets imbalanced and disorganised. Pranayama, therefore, ensures optimum circulation of life force in every part of the body and helps to eradicate disease.

The magic eight Hathyog Pradipika describes eight types of pranayama.

These are

suryabhedan,
ujjaayi,
sitkaari,
shitli,
bhastrika,
bhraamari,
moorcha and
plaavini.

According to Hathyog, before doing these pranayamas, the blood vessels of the body should be cleansed by nadhishodhan pranayama. This plays an important role in preventing and curing diseases and in keeping a person healthy. Pranayama is usually done after doing the asanas. You begin with nadhishodhan pranayama, also called anulom-vilom, as it cleanses the blood vessels and makes the three main naadis of the body supple.

NO HEALING TOUCH? Pets make owners healthier a myth?

2011-08-06T04:13:00.000-04:00

“While pets are undoubtedly good for some people, there is presently insufficient evidence to support the contention that pet owners are healthier or happier or that they live longer” than people without pets."

Herzog cites several studies purportedly showing the benefits of having a pet, including one from 1980 which showed that heart attack victims who had a pet were around four times more likely than petless victims to survive for a year after the crisis, but said more gloomy studies had been ignored.

“While the media abounds with stories extolling the health benefits of pets, studies in which pet ownership has been found to have no impact or even negative effects on human health rarely make headlines,” he said. One study conducted last year found that pet owners were more likely than non-owners of pets to die or suffer another heart attack within a year of suffering a first crisis. He cited another study which found no difference in blood pressure between older pet-owners and the petless.

‘Insulin pump, monitor too can be hacked’

2011-08-05T10:13:00.000-04:00

Even the human bloodstream isn’t safe from computer hackers. A security researcher who is diabetic has identified flaws that could allow an attacker to remotely control insulin pumps and alter the readouts of blood-sugar monitors. As a result, diabetics could get too much or too little insulin.

Jay Radcliffe, a diabetic who experimented on his own equipment, shared his findings before releasing them Thursday at the Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas. “My initial reaction was that this was really cool from a technical perspective,” he said. “The second reaction was one of sheer terror, to know that there’s no security around the devices which are a very active part of keeping me alive.”
Medical devices like pacemakers, operating room monitors and surgical instruments including deep-brain stimulators are being made with the ability to transmit vital health information from a body to doctors . Some devices can be remotely controlled by medical professionals. Although there’s no proof that anyone has used Radcliffe’s techniques, his findings raise fears about the safety of medical devices as they’re brought into the Internet age.

Body, Mind And Soul

2011-08-05T10:12:00.000-04:00

There are three vital areas that could enable us to fulfil the purpose of our lives to become Self-realised. The three dharmic obligations are: Bhoutika dharma or worldly obligations that are fulfilled through the body, mano dharma that is fulfilled through the mind and intellect and atma dharma that activates and empowers the soul. All you need to do is follow four steps:

1. Value the body:
We normally value our body for its beauty, youth, health or usefulness, without realising that it is a walking miracle. From birth to death, the body carries out innumerable life-sustaining activities. The heart beats 86,400 times and lungs breathe 21,600 times every day. All this is possible due to the inexhaustible power called the Soul that is enshrined in the body which is making life throb around it. When we are aware that we constantly carry this sacred energy, we will never misuse it to perform actions which are harmful, demonic, criminal or destructive in nature. We follow a strict regimen: Niyama with a definite schedule of time for food, sleep and regular routine of sadhana. Thus, we discipline the body.

2. Process the mind:
We should examine every thought and emotion scrupulously to check whether it falls within the framework of righteousness with great objectivity and vitality. Chanting Aum, which is the seed mantra or syllable of the soul, energises the mind and transforms it into an impartial witness. This also churns the mind and draws out all thoughts and emotions hidden in its subconscious layers.
This is symbolically depicted in churning the kshirasagara or ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. Here, the mind is the said ocean and the sacred syllable Aum, from which the whole Universe emerged, is the churner. Our good thoughts, dharma, represent the gods and bad thoughts, adharma, represent demons. As we begin churning the mind by chanting Aum for at least 30 minutes at a stipulated time everyday, cleansing of the mind begins and the negativity within is thrown out and divinity is retained.

3. Eliminate negativity:
As we continue our sadhana by chanting Aum with total faith and belief, Shiva in the form of a guru removes all the negativity as soon as it rises up from within us. All negative thoughts, tendencies and feelings we have accumulatedover many lifetimes rise to the surface. This negative energy constricting the mind is eliminated through the grace of the guru and our intellect concentration and memory become razor sharp. We make quick, accurate decisions and complete our tasks at lightning speed. Everyday expands to give us ample time for further sadhana and we become more and more absorbed in the vibrations of it.

4. Create wealth:
At this point you will begin to create nidhi or treasure. As we immerse completely in sadhana, we transcend our senses and the mind blossoms and the heart expands to embrace all beings. We generate only selfless, dharmic desires which benefit all and are instantaneously fulfilled by Cosmic Will. We develop selflessness which is one of the important characteristics of Self-realisation and our atma dharma is thereby fulfilled.

Basics to know about Fracture

2011-08-05T09:32:00.000-04:00

What is fracture?

A broken or cracked bone

Occurs when pressure is applied to bone

Occurs with / without displacement of bone fragments.

Types

Open fracture: Skin breaks causing open wound
Closed fracture: Skin not broken
Complicated fractures: Damage of adjacent organs
Stress fracture: Hairline crack due to repeated stress
Greenstick fracture: In children's flexible bones

Symptoms

Severe pain
Difficulty in movement
Swelling/ bruising / bleeding
Deformity / abnormal twist of limb
Tenderness on applying pressure

First-aid

Depends on type & location of fracture

For open fractures

Control bleeding before treatment
Rinse and dress the wound

For open / closed fractures

Check the breathing
Calm the person
Examine for other injuries
Immobilize the broken wound
Applyice to reduce pain / swelling
Consult a doctor

Do Not

Massage the affected area
Straighten the broken bone
Move without support to broken bone
Move joints above / below the fracture
Give oral liquids / food

Prevention

Wear protective pads / helmets when driving
Teach children / practice, safe habits

Diabetes: Dental Tips

2011-08-05T01:03:00.001-04:00

Diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth. You can do something about it.

If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).

Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough saliva—the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.

You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing every day, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.

Take steps to keep your mouth healthy. Call your dentist when you notice a problem.

If you have diabetes, follow these steps:

Control your blood glucose.
Brush and floss every day.
Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your gums are sore.
Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.

Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes people notice that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. Others notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit your dentist.

Remember, good blood glucose control can help prevent mouth problems.

Secret to long life lies in genes, not lifestyle

2011-08-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

THANK YOUR PARENTS & ENJOY

Israeli researchers studied a population of Ashkenazi Jews who have lived to age 95 and older and found that their eating and lifestyle habits were no better than those of general population.

    In fact, men in the longlived group drank slightly more and exercised less than their average counterparts, said the findings in the online edition of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
    “This study suggests that centenarians may possess additional longevity genes that help to buffer them against the harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle,” said senior author Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
    The study involved 477 Ashkenazi Jews aged 95-122 who were living independently. A total of 75% were women. All were enrolled in an ongoing study that aims to uncover the secrets to longevity.
    Ashkenazi Jews were chosen because they are more “genetically uniform than other populations, making it easier to spot gene differences that are present,” said the study. Overall, the elder group had similar habits in terms of height-weight ratio, smoking, exercise level and diet as similarly matched people in the general population.
    Data on comparison subjects came from 3,164 people who had been born around the same time as the centenarians and were examined between 1971 and 1975 while participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
    Twenty-four percent of long-living men drank alcohol daily, compared to 22% of the general population, while 43% of the older group exercised regularly compared to 57% of regular men.

Start chewing your food more

2011-08-04T06:45:00.000-04:00

Want to cut flab? Start chewing your food more

New York: People who chew their food more take in fewer calories, mainly because more chewing is related to the levels of hormones that regulate appetite, according to a Chinese study. Chewing food 40 times instead of a typical 15 times caused the study participants to eat nearly 12% fewer calories, the study — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — said.
    “Compared with lean participants, obese participants had a higher ingestion rate and a lower number of chews per 1 g of food,” wrote lead researcher Jie Li and colleagues from Harbin Medical University in China. “Regardless of status, the subjects ingested 11.9 % less after 40 chews than after 15 chews.”
    Li’s team gave a typical breakfast to 14 obese young men and 16 young men of normal weight to see if there were differences in how they chewed their food. They also looked to see if chewing more would lead subjects to eat less and would affect the levels of blood sugar or certain hormones that regulate appetite.
    Several studies have found that eating faster and chewing less are associated with obesity. In the current study, the team found a connection between chewing and levels of several hormones that “tell the brain when to begin to eat and when to stop said co-author Shuran Wang .

MOTHERHOOD PANGS

2011-08-04T06:42:00.000-04:00

Anorexic women may conceive late Likely To Need Fertility Treatment Too

Aspiring moms, please note — it is high time that you see a doctor for any symptoms of eating disorders, for a new study says it may elay pregnancy.
    Researchers at King’s College London have found that women with a history of eating disorders may struggle to fall pregnant quickly, reported ‘BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology’. These women are also more than twice as likely to need fertility treatment, the study of more than 11,000 UK mothers has claimed.
    In the study, the researchers found that 39.5% of women with a history of bulimia or anorexia took over six months to conceive. This compares with a quarter of women in the general population. The subjects were also more likely to need fertility treatment (6.2% of women with eating disorders, compared with 2.7% of the general population).
    However, perhaps surprisingly, more pregnancies in the group of women who had anorexia at some point were unplanned. Lead researcher Abigail Easter of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, was quoted by the ‘BBC’ as saying, “This research highlights that there are risks to fertility associated with eating disorders. However, high rates of unplanned pregnancies in women with a history of anorexia suggest that women may be underestimating their chances of conceiving.”
    She said pregnancy could be a difficult time for women with eating disorders. She added: “Women planning a pregnancy should ideally seek treatment for their eating disorder symptoms prior to conception, and health professionals should be aware of eating disorders when assessing fertility and providing treatment.”

Only child or lonely child?

2011-08-04T03:58:00.000-04:00

Single children exhibit characteristics of their own, but can their behavioural patterns definitely be generalized?

Feeling alone because you’re the only kid? Well, heads up, because you might just be part of a world wide phenomenon called the Little Emperor Syndrome. No, it neither has anything to do with being royal nor is it a disease. Little Emperor Syndrome or One Child Syndrome (OCS) is when parents decide to have just one child in their family. And who can blame them, considering the fact that education, although a necessity, has become unaffordable? With prices sky rocketing and competition getting fierce, parents now prefer to have only one child so he can have the best of everything. However, there’s a certain quality about a single child’s personality that is interesting. Having grown up alone without a sibling, single kids are not too keen on sharing. They are possessive about things and usually prefer playing alone. They tend to create a world of their own which is why single kids are generally creative. Says Preethi, a single child, “Sharing doesn’t come naturally to me as I never had to at home! It was just me growing up, so the thought of giving my things to someone else has never occurred to me.” We cannot blame Preethi for this trait as it’s something that she has acquired unconsciously. For most single children, sharing doesn’t come naturally. Many psychologists have come up with theories which state that in the case of a sibling, the first born is usually “dethroned” once the second kid is born. However, in the case of a single child, he/she is the sole beneficiary of everything, all the time. Does it mean we can stereotype a single child’s behaviour? Sangeetha Makesh, who holds a Phd in Applied Psychology (marriage and family), refutes this claim, saying, “It’s a stereotype that has to be broken. There is no truth to it. As a psychologist, I believe that behaviour depends on a child’s upbringing.” She goes on to say that even a child with siblings can be spoilt and arrogant. She suggests that parents talk more to single children to keep them connected and also expose the child to various situations. “It is absolutely necessary for the child to learn how to react in some situations. It’s the only way he/she will learn,” she says. Most single kids can’t take ‘no’ for an answer from their parents. “We call it Mental Health Insurance. And that is very important for single kids.”

S I N G L E D O U T

Signature traits of single children:

• Sensitive to disapproval and highly self-critical.

• Are strong-willed, stubborn and persistent. This can change them positively too.

• Are possessive of belongings and have a high need for privacy.

• They have a strong sense of wrong and right and tend to overanalyze things.

FRUIT FACTS Why you should eat pomegranates This strangely structured fruit is delicious, healthy and has beauty benefits too

2011-08-03T21:38:00.001-04:00

Not many know this but the pomegranate is native to Himalayas, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pomegranates are sweet in taste and the redder the fruit is, the sweeter it tends to be. They are loaded with vitamins and anti-oxidants that are highly beneficial for our health and skin.

Here’s a list of the benefits of pomegranates that you didn’t know about:

· Pomegranates are packed with anti-oxidants like flavanoids that contain anticarcinogenic properties. Drinking pomegranate juice helps cut the risk of prostrate and breast cancer, especially for those in the higher risk category.

· Deficiency of iron i.e. anaemia usually includes symptoms like weakness, exhaustion and dizziness. Eating pomegranates is a good options as it is a rich source of iron.

· Pomegranate peels are helpful for seeking relief from diarrhoea and digestive problems. Boil the peels in some water and drink this water. Ailments like dysentery and cholera too can be curbed by consuming this water.

· The juice of fruit also contains anti-bacterial and antiviral properties that are beneficial to reduce dental plaque thus, oral health too.

· Cardiovascular health too can be improved by consuming pomegranates as regularly drinking their juice help maintains the good flow of blood in the body, thereby decreasing the risk of heart attack and strokes.

· Also the anti-oxidant properties are beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in the body, and reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis.

· Eating pomegranates and drinking its juice is great for people suffering from diabetes as it beneficial in cutting down the risk of coronary heart diseases.

A glass of pomegranate juice contains about

· 40 per cent of the US Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C.

· also has Vitamin A, E and folic acid in good quantities.

This juice has excellent antioxidant properties . Research suggests it may be helpful in preventing heart disease, heart attacks and stroke, if it is a part of a healthy diet and exercise program.

Painkillers open way to high-risk behaviours

2011-08-03T21:34:00.000-04:00

Indiscriminate use of painkillers may open the way to drug abuse among people with a history of using both types of drugs, a study says. The study was conducted by Drexel University's School of Public Health, Philadelhia in the US.
“Access to prescription medications — either from a participant's own source, a family member, or a friend — was a key feature of initiation into prescription drug misuse,” Stephen Lankenau, the study investigator said. Researchers interviewed 50 young intravenous drug users aged between 16 and 25 years, who had misused a prescription drug at least three times in the past three months, to study contextual factors leading to their use of opioid drugs.

Health capsule

2011-08-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

MOTHERHOOD PANGS Anorexic women may conceive late Likely To Need Fertility Treatment Too

2011-08-03T21:12:00.000-04:00

London: Aspiring moms, please note — it is high time that you see a doctor for any symptoms of eating disorders, for a new study says it may elay pregnancy.
Researchers at King’s College London have found that women with a history of eating disorders may struggle to fall pregnant quickly, reported ‘BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology’. These women are also more than twice as likely to need fertility treatment, the study of more than 11,000 UK mothers has claimed.
In the study, the researchers found that 39.5% of women with a history of bulimia or anorexia took over six months to conceive. This compares with a quarter of women in the general population. The subjects were also more likely to need fertility treatment (6.2% of women with eating disorders, compared with 2.7% of the general population).
However, perhaps surprisingly, more pregnancies in the group of women who had anorexia at some point were unplanned. Lead researcher Abigail Easter of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, was quoted by the ‘BBC’ as saying, “This research highlights that there are risks to fertility associated with eating disorders. However, high rates of unplanned pregnancies in women with a history of anorexia suggest that women may be underestimating their chances of conceiving.”
She said pregnancy could be a difficult time for women with eating disorders. She added: “Women planning a pregnancy should ideally seek treatment for their eating disorder symptoms prior to conception, and health professionals should be aware of eating disorders when assessing fertility and providing treatment.”

THANK YOUR PARENTS & ENJOY ‘Secret to long life lies in genes, not lifestyle’

2011-08-03T21:11:00.000-04:00

Israeli researchers studied a population of Ashkenazi Jews who have lived to age 95 and older and found that their eating and lifestyle habits were no better than those of general population.
In fact, men in the longlived group drank slightly more and exercised less than their average counterparts, said the findings in the online edition of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
“This study suggests that centenarians may possess additional longevity genes that help to buffer them against the harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle,” said senior author Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
The study involved 477 Ashkenazi Jews aged 95-122 who were living independently. A total of 75% were women. All were enrolled in an ongoing study that aims to uncover the secrets to longevity.
Ashkenazi Jews were chosen because they are more “genetically uniform than other populations, making it easier to spot gene differences that are present,” said the study. Overall, the elder group had similar habits in terms of height-weight ratio, smoking, exercise level and diet as similarly matched people in the general population.
Data on comparison subjects came from 3,164 people who had been born around the same time as the centenarians and were examined between 1971 and 1975 while participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Twenty-four percent of long-living men drank alcohol daily, compared to 22% of the general population, while 43% of the older group exercised regularly compared to 57% of regular men.

‘Homeopathy is gentle, efficient and non-habit forming’

2011-08-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

Homeopathy doctor and author Mukesh Batra demolishes some common myths and misconceptions about homeopathy

Homeopathy medicines are sugar pills or placebos. Homeopathic medicines are not just sugar pills. They are also available as mother tincture, dilutions, tablets, ointments, pellets, gels, lotions, oral sprays and injections. Homeopathy is popular worldwide as it is gentle, nontoxic, efficient and non-habit forming. Homeopathy has been around for 200 years and is now evidence-based with many clinical trials that prove that homeopathy works very well. Coffee reduces effect of homeopathyHomeopathic medicines and their effects may be neutralised or affected by certain stronglyflavoured anti-cold topical creams, pain balms, aromatherapy oils, herbal medicine and ayurveda. It is, therefore, best to give a 30-minute gap between homeopathy medicines and coffee, food, and so on so they do not naturally impinge upon the natural, therapeutic action of homeopathy. Homeopathy is vaccine-like therapy Vaccination revs up the immune system directly and produces antibodies specific to a particular illness. Homeopathy, on the other hand, works at a more subtle, dynamic level, activating all the inner workings in the body and building general and overall immunity. A suitable medicine that matches the symptom picture of the patient is given in homeopathy. In vaccine therapy, the same vaccine is for everyone. Homeopathic medicines are patient-friendly, cause no tissue damage, besides protecting, treating, and preventing illness. Homeopathy is no good for lifethreatening illnesses. Homeopathy and allopathy shouldn’t be combined.Homeopathy can treat serious illnesses and disease by correcting underlying causes and can complement conventional treatment. However, homeopathy cannot, by itself, treat life-threatening diseases, or medical and surgical emergencies like heartattack, stroke or organ damage. But homeopathy can complement modern medicine for patients on life-supportive conventional medication such as anti-hypertensive and antidiabetic medication. The idea is to use the two together, synergistically. There is now clinical evidence to show that conventional medicine and homeopathy work well in controlling diabetes. Homeopathy is also a useful adjuvant therapy in post-operative care or after bypass surgery. Homeopathy is easy to learn for everyone Anyone can learn the rudiments of homeopathy to treat cold and flu, but not chronic and difficult illnesses. Leave that to professional homeopathic doctors who study for 5.5 years fulltime in a professional medical college and are trained to diagnose medically.

Adapted from healing with homeopathy by Dr Mukesh Batra (Jaico)

Celebrating life with yoga

2011-08-03T10:36:00.000-04:00

Yoga guru Surakshit Goswami says that practising yoga regularly keeps the body, sense organs, mind and life force free of ailments

Life is a celebration and should continue to be so for as long as we live. With time, in fact, it should become even more pleasurable.

This ongoing celebration is not an external phenomenon but an internal one. In fact, it is a state of mind where everything appears blissful. However, our fickle nature makes us act according to whims and fancies, and while flitting from one thought to the next, the mind often becomes attached to unnecessary things. One wonders if the mind is fickle because we are so influenced by physical desires that our mind is always wavering and is in turmoil. The mind appears happy so long as things happen according to desire. It becomes sad and perturbed the moment life takes a sudden turn and if our wishes are not fulfilled. It then alternates between sukh and dukh. Rise above materialism But true happiness and peace does not lie in material things. Happiness and peace will continue to elude us if we remain unduly attached to material things. This fact is even more important once we realise that it is the state of our mind that controls physical health. A mind that wanders and causes tension and despair leads to sickness and ill health in the body. But how does one reign the mind and establish a communion with the inner self to manifest love, compassion, equality and bliss?

This is the state of dhyaan or meditation and is the beginning of yoga. Yoga has been practised since ages to heal physical and mental ailments. One must practise yoga regularly with a master’s blessings. Yoga fuels happiness According to Maharshi Patanjali, the basis of yoga lies in curbing certain traits of the mind like ego and attachment. A yoga practitioner gradually accepts inevitable actions, or the highs and lows that are part of his destiny. The practice expands horizons and spurs you on to positive thoughts. It helps fill you up with feelings of affection and compassion towards everyone and all confusions and doubts clear. Your face radiates with happiness and you develop integrity of mind. As you continue to practise yoga, even adverse conditions fail to perturb you – yoga then makes your whole life a celebration.

Strength Training For All Ages

2011-08-03T05:56:00.000-04:00

It does not matter if it is your 15th birthday or 50th, believe us when we say, strength training is meant for all ages. Though the intensity may vary, strength training does not mean restricting yourself to gym-bound or age-bound exercises. Today, we are going to look at why older adults need not be afraid of strength training, and how strength training can also benefit children, if supervised well.

Strength Training For Adults

An average 30 year old can expect to lose around 25% of the muscle mass and strength by the age of 70 and another 25% when he reaches the 90 mark. Decline in strength can be regained by older adults by performing strength training. In fact it is more important for older adults to strength train and maintain adequate muscle tone, as in old age one tends to lose muscle mass and bone density rapidly - contributing to overall weakness and weight gain. Maintaining bone density through strength training will help you overcome commone old age issues like easy sprains, osteoporosis, back problems and joint aches.

Additionally, if your muscles are stronger then they can pluck much better nutrients and oxygen from your blood. This consequently means that any kind of activity will put less pressure on your heart making your body sensitive to insulin. On an average, strength training burns up to 8 to 10 calories per minute. These exercises aid in giving you a large metabolic spike which means that it increases your overall resting metabolism and muscle power. Other than these benefits, strong muscles in old age will also help in keeping blood sugar levels in check, thus keeping diabetes at bay.

However, one should be careful while performing the exercises as over-stressing yourself might pose a serious risk to your joints, leading to fractures and at times fatal complication. We say, exercise in moderation and under a good trainer’s supervision and you’ll do just fine.

Strength Training For Kids

Fitness expert Wanitha Ashok says, “Kids can do weight baring exercises as it has a positive effect on the bone mass gain. This is the time that bones are peeking up and it is advisable to opt for any weight baring exercises using light weights or their own body weight. Lifting heavy weights like body builders in the gym is not necessary. And weight baring exercises do not stunt the growth in kids.”

“If, I may use my own example”, says strength and fitness coach - Arnav Sarkar, “I started lifting weights when I was about 14 and ended up a little more than 6 feet. Arnold Schwarzenegger began around 15 and he was more than 6 feet, and so were many other top bodybuilders. Clearly weight lifting did not limit our growth! One’s height is determined greatly by their genetics and to some extent their food habits. Strength training will not stop your child from growing tall. On the other hand, the exercise one gets from it might actually help to some extent.”

Word of caution: Strength training requires initial trainer supervision to learn correct form and practise as it is imperative to understand and know how to perform these exercises safely and correctly.

*Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

Natco Seeks Licence to Sell Generic Drug

2011-08-03T05:53:00.000-04:00

Co applies for ‘compulsory’ licence to sell generic version of Bayer’s patented cancer drug Nexavar

KHOMBA SINGH NEW DELHI

Natco Pharma has applied for the country’s first compulsory licence to sell a generic version of Bayer’s patented medicine, a development whose outcome is expected to determine how global drug makers price their costly drugs in India.

In compulsory licensing, the government allows a generic firm to produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner. It is one of the flexibilities on patent protection included in the WTO’s agreement on intellectual property —TRIPS (trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights) Agreement. Natco stated in its application that the German company’s drug was unaffordable for the average Indian, a person familiar with the development said. PH Kurien, Controller General of Patents, said, “I understand they have filed the application.”
Bayer's drug, Nexavar, which is used to treat liver and kidney cancer, costs about Rs 2.85 lakh for a month’s course. Natco said it can sell its generic version, sorafenib tosylate, for just Rs 8,900 for the same course.
Local drug firms and health activists are pushing for liberal use of compulsory licensing, saying that innovator companies charge exorbitantly high prices for their medicines. “A favourable decision for Natco will open the floodgates and encourage other local firms to apply for compulsory licence for costly patented medicines,” a senior industry said. YK Sapru, chairman and CEO of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), said Natco’s application, if approved, would be a big relief to those who can’t afford Nexavar. There are an estimated 25 lakh cancer patients in India. A Natco spokesperson declined comment while Bayer did not respond to ET’s email.
In December, Natco had sought a voluntary licence from Bayer for sorafenib tosylate that was refused. Indian laws allow a firm to apply for a compulsory licenceonly after the innovator company rejects the voluntary request.
Experts say the face-off is going to be a long drawn, as the loser will invariably challenge the decision in court. There are at least two other voluntary licence applications pending: Natco’s with a GSK-Pfizer joint venture and Cipla’s with US-based Merck & Co. For Bayer, this is not the first challenge for Nexavar. Cipla has already launched its generic version without any permission and will have to pay penalty if the court rules in favour of Bayer in a pending patent case.
Although compulsory licensing allows a generic firm to legally make and sell the low-cost version, it has to pay some royalty, usually about 5% of sales. Global MNCs strongly oppose the use of this provision because it breaks their monopoly. They say such licensing is not a sustainable policy to address access of medicines as these products account for much less than 1% of Indian drug market. Under Indian law, the patent holder enjoys 20 years of exclusive marketing rights.
Compulsory licensing provision has been used in countries such as Thailand, Brazil and South Africa.
In all these nations, the provision was used for HIV medicines, according to a commerce ministry discussion note on the use of such licences.

‘Vaccinate as many as you can, and the most vulnerable’

2011-08-03T05:21:00.000-04:00

Q&A

Seth Berkley is CEO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), which gave a record $165 million to India to induct the pentavalent vaccine into the universal immunisation programme. Penta combines protection against DPT, Hepatitis B and, for the first time, Hib, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis and second leading cause of bacterial pneumonia deaths among under-fives. Having rolled out in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa, it should ultimately cover18 million children. He spoke to Bachi Karkaria:

Vaccines made by Indian pharma companies fuel 43% of the world’s UIPs, yet every third unimmunised child on the planet is Indian.
It’s truly surprising especially when India also produces new, innovative vaccines. Bharat Biotech is making the rotavirus vaccine (against one form of diarrhoea), has offered it to GAVI at $3 for three doses compared to GSK’s $5 for a two-dose vaccine.
What do you feel about the two-year delay in the pentavalent vaccine?
Disappointed. A multi-shot vaccine reduces exposures and increases coverage. It makes cold chain logistics easier, plus reduces the problem of disposing of both plastic and sharps. Generally speaking, vaccines are the truly democratic intervention:they work for all in the same way, whether delivered in a state-of-the-art pediatric clinic or in some remote facility. The cost is relatively small. Immunisation is the single most important health intervention, often the only one in backward areas. Of course you need many interventions – sanitation, clean water, nutrition, education, good housing. But if you can’t get to that point, immunisation against diarrhoea helps.
There was some concern over Bill Gates dictating when and how we rolled out penta. As founder-president of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) since 1996, you are familiar with the problem of donor-driven agendas.
GAVI (which includes the Gates Foundation) doesn’t thrust any vaccine on any country. We educate the immunisation community. WHO only makes data-based recommendations. But countries have to make an application for co-financing, so ultimately it’s their decision. It’s our belief that immunisation can be cost-effective and sustainable only if it is home-driven. When countries create their own database and analyse it themselves, it results in better decisions and utilisation of resources.
What are the biggest issues – finance, science, access, political will – in ‘reaching the fifth child’ in the world who remains unimmunised?
All of those. Also the invisible nature of the groups at highest risk: isolated, stigmatised, extremely poor. You don’t have to reach each individual; at one point herd immunity kicks in. But you want a twofold strategy: vaccinate as many as you can, and vaccinate the most vulnerable. By the time WHO recommends vaccines, they already have wide global usage and wellestablished safety patterns.
Is GAVI merely the world’s vaccine banker?
GAVI helps distribute new and underutilised vaccines, and drive down prices. The tragedy is that the wealthiest in wealthy countries get first access; it takes 15-20 years before it gets to the poor in poor countries. Our role is to accelerate the process, and ultimately simultaneous roll-out.
What will be your No. 1 priority as CEO of GAVI?
I have quite a few No. 1 priorities. Try and make sure we live up to the pledges we made to governments to get out the vaccines that aren’t getting out. Do a better job in shaping the vaccine market. Work with some large countries like India and Nigeria where a large number of unimmunised children still remain.
What lessons from IAVI will you bring to GAVI?
An abiding faith in the power of innovation in the way we work and in science and technology.

Types of Skin and factors affecting skin type

2011-08-02T07:45:00.000-04:00

Your skin is the largest organ of you body. It protects your body from external influences, senses the environment with nerves and hair, eliminates toxins and helps control internal temperature through sweat.

The most common Skin types are:

Normal, Oily, Acne, Dry, Damaged, Mature, Sensitive and Combination

Dry: Small pores and dull finish, forms expression lines, especially around eyes and mouth, easier than other types.
Normal: Healthy looking texture with smooth finish and small pores. It is not easily irritated and blemishes are rare.
Combination: Healthy looking skin with smooth texture. Usually t-zone is oily and the cheeks are dry. This is the most common skin type. Products that balance the complexion are recommended to use.
Oily: Shiny appearance and larger pores than other skin types, more prone to blemishes and clogged pores. Less wrinkles are formed than other skin types.
Sensitive Skin: This type of skin may be easily irritated by soaps, touch, or other substances in the environment. It may be thin, dry, with fine pores. It may become red and damaged easily, while appearing blotchy and irritated. Broken capillaries and vessels beneath the surface may be apparent

Factors that Influence Skin Type

Climate/Weather - Cold, warm, humid or dry weather will all affect your skin. Cold/Dry environments will takeaway moisture from the skin causing it to be dry and vitamin deficient, whereas humid environments will cause sweating and excess body moisture leading to oily/acne prone skin.

Water- The type of water you use to bathe and wash your face does affect your skin. If you live in the city you will likely use chlorine treated water. This type of water dries and depletes the skin. Whereas, those with water softeners will have water with a high salt ratio and usually no harsh chemicals added.

Sun Exposure - Every person needs a little sun in their daily life to create valuable Vitamin D. Most can achieve this with about 5 to 15 minutes a day of sun exposure. But lots of sun exposure can damage the skin.

Hormones - Women and men have hormonal fluctuations that will definitely change their skin. At puberty the body goes through radical changes and it is common for excess sebum and acne to appear.

Genetic predisposition - Every person is likely to have an inclination to one type of skin or another. Fair (light) skin tends to be drier, shows age and freckles/burns easily. Darker skin has more natural sun protection, ages gracefully, but has a higher sebum production.

Smoking –Smoking actually causes external and internal damage. Smoking depletes the body's nutrients and hinders the immune system. Toxins build within the body which will be apparent in the skin.

Diet/Nutrition - You've likely heard the expression 'You are what you eat.' This simple fact will be apparent in your skin. Eating unhealthy foods like those high in sugar, carbohydrates and fats, as well as those with artificial ingredients will lead to toxins building up within the body.

Courtesy

Is Your House Making You Fat?

2011-08-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

These 8 tips could help make your home environment more thinning

Your house may be a threat to your figure. Add it to the list, cushioned between those extra slices of pizza and forgetting to work out—because experts say the way you design and maintain your home could play a role in whether you pack on the pounds or keep them off.

"You can make your environment work for you instead of against you," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, dietitian and author of The Flexitarian Diet. "There are ways to use your house to successfully watch your weight, rather than relying solely on willpower."

Open the drapes and turn up the lights

Dark environments are more likely to foster binge eating, say researchers at the University of California--Irvine. That's because people are often less inhibited and less self-conscious when they're in dimly lit places—and so more likely to inhale heaps of food with the flair of a speed eater. The researchers describe darkness as a "high-risk environment," so if your home doesn't emphasize window light, invest in some decorative lamps and flood the place with brightness.

Don't forget the clock—or the radio

People who eat slowly tend to consume about 70 fewer calories per meal than those who plow through their meals, Jackson Blatner says—a savings that could amount to 200 calories a day. Often, she says, people are surprised to learn how quickly they finish eating. Begin keeping track of the time, and try to make dinner last at least 30 minutes. And while you're at it, actually sit down to eat. Grazing while standing can lead to overeating. If you need some help slowing down, turn on relaxing tunes: Research suggests that calm, soothing music eases stress and anxiety, making diners less inclined to rush through a meal.

Turn down the thermostat

Keeping your home too warm could be making you fat, suggests a recent study published in Obesity Reviews. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the prevalence of central heating has increased in step with obesity rates: Exposure to cold causes people to generate their own heat, often by shivering—and that, in turn, helps burn calories. There's no need for your home to feel like an igloo, but lower the thermostat a tad and your waistline could benefit. Most living rooms in the United States, for example, are heated to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Dropping the temperature to 60 degrees could increase energy expenditure by 100 or 200 calories a day—enough to shed a pound or so over a few weeks.

Downsize those dishes

"Big serving bowls and plates can easily make us fat," says food psychologist Brian Wansink, author ofMindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. Wansink's research paints a compelling argument: We eat about 22 percent more when using a 12-inch plate instead of a 10-inch plate. When we choose a large spoon over a smaller one, total intake jumps by 14 percent. And we'll pour about 30 percent more into a short, wide glass than a tall, skinny glass that can hold the same amount of liquid. Jackson Blatner suggests giving smaller dishes a 7-day trial run: "If you don't think it helps you, stop doing it. But almost everybody I know agrees that it works like magic," she says. "It's kind of shocking how simple it can be."

Color yourself thin

There's a reason McDonald's bombards costumers with yellow and red: Research suggests these colors fuel our appetites. In one study, people who dined in a blue room consumed 33 percent less than those in a yellow or red room, according to a report published in Contract, an interior design magazine. Researchers speculate that warm shades like yellow make food appear more appetizing, while blue hues temper our hunger. When it's time to repaint, go blue—or at least opt for navy silverware and dish sets.

Store food strategically

You're nearly three times more likely to eat healthy food if it's in your line of sight, aCornell University study reports. That means keeping fruit, vegetables, and other nutritious options on eye-level shelves in the fridge, and relegating chocolate fudge and chip dip to the crispers. What's out of sight is out of mind, Jackson Blatner says: "Proximity is a big thing. If you're looking directly at beer and cheese, that's what you're going to eat. You're more likely to forget those things if they're hidden away." And the rule extends beyond the refrigerator: Moving a candy dish six feet away from where someone was sitting, one of Wansink's experiments showed, reduced the average number of calories the person consumed from 225 to 100.

Mirror, mirror—not on that wall

Women who exercise in front of a mirror feel less energized, relaxed, positive, and upbeat than those who can't see themselves mid-crunch, according to a study published in Health Psychology. Enough factors already affect our motivation to work out; no need to add another. Limit mirrors to areas where they're absolutely necessary.

Spritz the smartest scents

Research suggests that certain aromas can make your waistline as happy as your nose. Jasmine, for example, increases alertness, which in turn ups the likelihood of exercising. Lavender helps you snooze more soundly—no small matter, since sleep deprivation can cause weight gain. And consider lighting green apple or peppermint candles; those scents are thought to suppress appetite. One study, for example, found that people who got a whiff of peppermint every two hours ate 2,700 fewer calories each week than they typically did.

Yoga works wonders on mind, body

2011-08-01T20:27:00.000-04:00

Yoga expert Umesh Dwivedi says that yoga is excellent both for the mind and body. It is also suitable for all ages, but beneficial only when done regularly

Yoga is very good for older people as it is mild and gentle. But with old age, come several limitations and by the time we are old, we have already developed ailments and caused damage to the body. Starting yoga, early, is therefore a good idea. It keeps you fit through life and even as you age, you are still flexible enough to continue intermediate and advance level of asanas. It is also good to start young as the younger generation is now prone to physical and mental diseases because of sedentary lifestyles. Yoga is not only asanas, but pranayama and meditation too. Yoga begins with physical action, but gradually, cognitive, mental, and reflective actions are integrated into yoga practise. Normal exercise deals with mostly isotonic muscle activity whereas yoga focuses more on isometric activity. Yoga changes the brain Yoga also brings neuroanatomical changes and balances irregularities of the brain’s neuron movements and of the endocrine system responsible for hormonal secretion. Yoga works on both mind and body, and gives importance to breathing with changes of posture in asanas. In yoga, results are a trifle slow, but this is because when you first start yoga, you first have to decondition the body and mind that might be wrongly conditioned for years. Muscle, bones, nerves and organs, therefore, take time to adapt to the new routine. Pranayama also increases ventilatory capacity of the lungs, and oxygen, then, reaches all parts of the body. Results, however, come only after regular practice of yoga. Dietary changesYoga helps in weight loss and cures many autoimmune and psychosomatic ailments, but diet change is a must. Without dietary changes, there is no way that yoga can help. Diet directly affects the mind and body. Yoga is more of a lifestyle than a therapy. It should form a part of your life, just as you do bathing and brushing daily as a preventive action. Many people think that yoga just twice or thrice a week is enough, but in reality, body conditioning (muscle stretching, massaging of organs, and breathing patterns) require continuous practice so that required levels of health and strength are maintained.

Dealing with chronic fatigue

2011-07-31T23:38:00.000-04:00

Are you always fatigued, have disturbed sleep, and persistent muscle pain among other symptoms? It could be chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by prolonged fatigue which results in noticeable reduction in occupational, social and personal activities. CFS is not a new disorder and the term 'nervous exhaustion' has been applied to symptoms similar to CFS earlier. The disorder mostly affects individuals between 40 to 50 years, with women being more vulnerable, but children and adolescents too can suffer from CFS. Despite different theories to explain the underlying pathophysiology of the syndrome, none has been proven. Research findings suggest the possibility of dysregulation in the interactions between the immune and the nervous systems. CFS may also be triggered by the combination of an inadequate immune system and physical trauma such as a major surgery, or period of high stress. It could also be familial. Fatigue, particularly in women is often attributed to anemia and nutritional deficiencies.
The symptoms The prevalent symptom of CFS is profound fatigue for six months or more; it is not improved by bed rest. It worsens by physical or mental activities. The fatigue of CFS is accompanied by symptoms such as loss of memory or concentration, sleep disturbances, persistent muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches, sore throat, tender lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, and extreme tiredness after exercising. Individuals may also suffer from psychological problems such as depression, mood swings and anxiety. The illness is sometimes difficult to diagnose. There are also no characteristic physical signs or laboratory abnormalities in CFS. Some patients may experience partial or complete remission of symptoms, but symptoms often re-occur. Diagnosis is exclusion of other known conditions with similar symptoms such as hypothyroidism, sleep disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, cancer, autoimmune disease, hormonal disorders, subacute infections, obesity and alcohol or substance abuse. Treatment for CFS This focuses on a combination of approaches for symptomatic relief. This includes diet modification, good sleep, and supervised exercise and medications. Recovery is facilitated by adequate rest. Cognitive behavior therapy and graded exercise programmes are effective approaches in CFS patients. The illness is usually nonprogressive and patients usually improve with treatment. Alternatively, breathing techniques, yoga and tai chi, pranic healing and reiki and massage therapy have proved to be helpful.

Beauty Articles

2011-07-31T09:15:00.000-04:00

Hair Color Treatments for a Sensitive Scalp

Studies about hair color treatments reveal that 5% of frequent hair dye users are bound to have sensitive scalp or develop allergies in the long run. However, those who already have sensitive skin will see and feel negative effects as soon as harsh chemicals in hair color touch their scalp.

Alternative Remedy for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks generally pose no threat to the health, but since they can be unsightly at times, some people, especially women, choose to have them treated. There are several treatments designed for the reduction of stretch marks in the body, but while they may prove to be effective, they can be hard on the budget at times.

Choosing the Right Shampoo

Gone are the days when shampoo simply did what it was expected to do, which was to clean hair by removing dirt and other buildup on it. But these days, there are many kinds of shampoos to choose from, that anyone shopping for shampoo will have to consider several things to make sure he or she gets the one that is best for his or her specific hair type.

Myths about Aging and Beauty

Aging is always a major concern among people, especially women. And it is an inevitable process that anyone needs to deal with. This further emphasizes the need to know some basic truths about aging in order to make sure that the things you can do will indeed be beneficial.

Dealing with Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are superficial veins that have become enlarged and swollen. Most of the time, they occur in veins at the calves or the inner portion of the legs. Although varicose veins are not very serious, they may result to complications such as bleeding, thrombophlebitis (a painful inflammation of the veins), leg ulcers, skin discoloration, and even eczema. They can be very painful during the day particularly when a person stands for long periods.

Eyelash Aesthetics

Eyelash growth stimulator, as the name implies, helps in increasing the density of one’s lashes. They contain ingredients that promote hair growth from its very root. Before, ophthalmic prostaglandins were the main ingredient for such products. When applied topically to the eye, they help in improving glaucoma.

Eyelash Growth Facts

Like any other body hair, the eyelash grows from hair follicles—pits in the dermis where hair cells rapidly divide causing the shaft to increase in length. It involves three phases namely the anagen, catagen, and telogen stage.

Dired wreath

Dired wreath is just the same as the name suggests. The floral is placed in a controlled environment and allowed to dry naturally. The dried floral used in these wreath will also last for many years and can be used safely without any concern of agents leaking out of the wreath. Thus, in the present era, the most preferred flower wreath is however, the dried or preserved floral.

A discussion on the styles of wedding rings

There are different styles of wedding rings for you to choose from. But the choice is yours what to choose and what would be the perfect match for you.

Weight loss spa

People believe in the exercise, it is the only way to burn the fat in the body till date but when he weight loss spa techniques invented and people are getting better feedback, they are use too with this natural technique. Normally, many people are not able to do regular exercise. On performing exercise, the carbohydrates stored in the body can burn and transform into carbon dioxide and water.

Coconut Oil And Its Healing

The reflection of health within you is seen and felt on the human skin. The healthier you are within the glow your skin will show. There is a historic connection between skin health and coconuts.

The Significance of Sunglasses

Eyes are gifts of Mother Nature and its protection is imperative, thus we take every possible step and pay whatever the price it asks for. Secondly, the human being’s second most focus has always been on the features that make him ritzy-n-glitzy. A cliché is very well said, that teeth gone means personality gone, and eyes gone means world gone.

Cleansers – How To Pick The Right One For You?

Cleansing your face is the primary step of your skin care regimen. Cleansers help to keep your skin clean and fresh. In addition to personal hygiene, cleansers also ensure that other skin care products penetrate efficiently and deliver optimal results.

Anti Wrinkle Cream For Men

Men want to have gorgeous looking and feeling skin just like women. Finding a good anti wrinkle cream for men has become easier than in the past because more of the product makers have learned this is a part of the market that they were ignoring.

How to Search For Best Wrinkle Cream Review

Nowadays, you can find a reliable anti wrinkle cream review on the internet, newspapers or TV. These reviews can be separated into two main categories: the ones written by the company which makes the product and the ones written by the consumers. Let's analyze the situation.

Anti Wrinkle Cream Reviews

Every year, some people do anti wrinkle cream reviews. If you believe them, they have the final answer to all your questions about how to compare anti wrinkle cream.

How to Really Get Rid of Face Wrinkles

This will be the best review on wrinkle cream that you'll ever read. That's because it reveals the truth about most creams for face wrinkles and shares how you can guarantee that you'll find an anti aging cream that will get rid of your face wrinkles.

Homemade Anti Wrinkle Cream

The beauty industry is full of products that smooth and exfoliate skin, reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, and guarantee younger-looking skin with easy applications. However, your kitchen can also be a great place to find all you need in a recipe for homemade anti wrinkle cream.

Latest New Wrinkle Cream in the Market

Science truly is an amazing thing. It seems like each day there are more new, advanced products on the market to choose from. Today, I want to talk about how you can use science to benefit you - mainly, in choosing a new wrinkle cream.

Wrinkle Cream That Works

Are you in search for a new wrinkle cream for those unwanted creases on your skin? Well no wonder you are because everybody wants to look younger and they do deserve to own a wrinkle cream that is efficient in giving productive results to the skin.

Prevent Wrinkles from Anti Aging Wrinkle Cream

An anti aging anti wrinkle cream is something that probably every one of us wants, whether or not that's our first thought when we look for skincare.

Botox Injections for Wrinkles

The botox injection procedure is a non-toxic and non-invasive treatment for wrinkle formations at the selected affected areas of the body. It’s the clostridium botulinum specific bacterium that produces the botox at different sections of the human body.

Cosmetic Surgery Aftercare

The aftercare of the cosmetic surgery is also termed as a cosmetic camouflaging treatment technique that has overtime won many laurels in the field of science.

Plastic Surgery Recuperation

A complete recuperation after many forms of surgical treatments for different body organs is the recovery made positively by a specific patient to overcome post-operative pain syndrome.

Brachioplasty Cosmetic Surgery

Brachioplasty is the term used by the doctors medically to surgically treat the upper arm of the body by lifting the arm and controlling the infected region thereupon.

Plastic Surgery eye Brow Lift

The condition for an eye is delicate in nature to experience tumors of the eye, squamous cell formation near the eye sockets, etc.

Treatment Options for Premature Grey Hair

Given the currently available treatment options it appears that the premature greying process cannot be reversed. There is no scientific evidence that any existing medicine, herb, dietary supplement or natural product can prevent or reverse greying hair. Several cosmetics and pharmaceuticals firms are working on the discovery of the ultimate cure for grey hair but no satisfactory solution is commercially available yet.

Emu Oil - Products and Benefits

This exposes you to around 126 chemicals each and every day! As a global leader in skin care Y-Not knows how important your skin is and that is why we are committed to using only the purest natural ingredients in all of our emu oil products. We understand that you are concerned with what you are putting onto your skin and that you want to look after your skin – not pollute it.

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies That Offer Hope

Online Beauty Products-brings to you a fantastic selection of hair, skin, Face, nail and body care items like Women's & Men’s Fragrances, Women’s & Men’s Skincare and Cosmetics. It is Complete Personal care care and beauty care products online store.

Tattoo Infections

A tattoo piercing is one of the most infectious and painstaking job both for the piercer of the tattoo and to whom the tattoo has to be pierced. One must definitely regret what appears to be a cool idea or a source of entertainment previously.

Beauty and Skin Care Face Creams

The cosmetic products as advance and technologically sound are the one which helps the client to experience a rapid

Organic Beauty Products

Organic beauty products are those beauty cosmetics which are made up of green substance and therefore help in the overall well-being of the client

Cosmetic Surgery FaceLifts

Cosmetic facelift surgeries are performed over the patients who have been facing certain difficulties in maintaining there best looks

Nose Piercing Healing

Nose piercing has become the body art from many generations as it’s the most commonest but effective way to fashion your way through fashionable worlds

Lip Gloss

A cosmetic Lip Gloss is that product used primarily used by women as the part of the trend or fashion of the cosmopolitan societies in order to flaunt their charm

Skin Ailments

The skin Ailments are those ailments of the soft and supple skin type where the delicate surface of the skin is badly affected by the natural environmental factors and in-born diseases of the human body.

Dry Skin Solutions and Remedies

Concerned about Dry Skin ? Looking to get Rid of dry skin ? Wondering what has caused the dry skin ? Here are few solutions and home made remedies for dry skin.

Natural Beauty Products

Natural Beauty Products are those products which are formed in three different criteria -

Makeup Tips for Teenagers

Make up tips for Teenagers is a complete guide to understand the need of the teenagers community for applying a light amount of make ups on their face and other respected regions of the body.

Types of Beauty Control Cosmetics

Beauty control cosmetics are usually meant for physical attractiveness and determining sexual attractions of a specific individual in a prevailing cosmopolitan societal

culture.

How to apply face cleansers ?

Face cleansing is the most easiest form of keeping your skin radiant and vibrant enough to look fresh and young throughout the day.

How to get Young Skin

In order to achieve a radiant and flawless young skin it is very important for the patient to understand their skin types and comply with the things accordingly.

Ingrown toe nail Fungus

An Ingrown Toe nail fungus is that section of the feet as a part of the body that is tilted or curved downwards and grows or forms inside the soft and thin layer of the skin causing infection.

What is a Cosmetic Lip Gloss?

A cosmetic Lip Gloss is that product used primarily used by women as the part of the trend or fashion of the cosmopolitan societies in order to flaunt their charm and their personalities with specific taste and demand to look complete female with slight changes done on the facial region and Lip gloss (cosmetic) is one of that thing for them.