Monday, November 30, 2009
How to Minimize the Health Hazards from Cell Phones
The increased use of cell phones has brought about serious concerns regarding the probable health hazards. This is because mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. Depending on how close the cell phone antenna is to your head, between 20% and 60% of the radiation emitted by your cell phone is transferred into your head. Scientific and medical communities have suggested that health effects (e.g. cancer) are very likely to be caused by cellular phones or their base stations.
This articles present some practical approaches for minimizing the hazardous effects.
Minimize the duration of use, since certain effects of electrmagnetic radiation (e.g. thermal effects on brain) are accumulative.
Use hands-free to decrease the radiation to the head.
Keep the cell phone away from the body.
Do not telephone in a car without an external antenna.
Limit the use of cell phones by at-risk population (such as children).
Avoid living near the base stations antennas which are certainly more hazardous than cell phones.
Never use a cell p
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Stem cell therapy
In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. Embryonic stem cells are located in the inner mass of a blastocyst (an embryo at a very early stage of development), and they eventually give rise to every cell type of the adult organism. Adult stem cells are found in some tissues in the adult body, such as the epidermis of the skin, the lining of the small intestine, and the bone marrow, where they serve in the regeneration of old or worn tissue. In cancer treatment, blood-forming adult stem cells are routinely harvested from bone marrow, stored, and then reinfused into patients to replace blood cells destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This potential for replacing damaged tissues has aroused great interest in using embryonic stem cells to treat a number of other conditions, such as Parkinson disease, severe burns, and damage to the spinal cord. Mouse embryonic stem cells are widely used to create genetically modified mice that serve as models for investigating human disease. However, the use of human embryonic stem cells, which requires destroying the blastocysts from which they are obtained, has raised objections by those who feel blastocyst-stage embryos are human beings. The first human stem cell line was created in 1998, using cells harvested from embryos produced through in vitro fertilization. The use of human embryonic stem cells is allowed in some countries and prohibited or restricted in others.
Current treatments
For over 30 years, bone marrow, and more recently, umbilical cord blood stem cells have been used to treat cancer patients with conditions such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Potential treatments
Brain damage
Cancer
Spinal cord injury
Heart damage
Haematopoiesis (blood cell formation)
Baldness
Missing teeth
Deafness
Blindness and vision impairment
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Graft vs. host disease and Crohn's disease
Neural and behavioral birth defects
Diabetes
Orthopedics
Wound healing
Infertility.
Hospitals and medical centers in India who offer stem cell therapy.
Apollo Hospital Chennai
All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS)
Al Shifa Hospital
Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.
Signs & Symptoms
People with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over. They may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly.
Treatment
Effective treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with OCD and other anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Surgery for OCD: Do docs know all the brain’s circuits?
BENEDICT CAREY , NYT News Service 28 November 2009, 12:01am IST
One was a middle-aged man who refused to get into the shower. The other was a teenager who was afraid to get out.
The man, Leonard, a writer living outside Chicago, found himself completely unable to wash himself or brush his teeth. The teenager, Ross, growing up in a suburb of New York, had become so terrified of germs that he would regularly shower for seven hours. Each received a diagnosis of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, and for years neither felt comfortable enough to leave the house.
Today, two years after surgery, Ross is 21 and in college. But Leonard who had surgery in 1995, said “There was no change at all”.
The great promise of neuroscience at the end of the last century was that it would revolutionize the treatment of psychiatric problems. But the first real application of advanced brain science is not novel at all. It is a precise, sophisticated version of an old and controversial approach: psychosurgery, in which doctors operate directly on the brain.
In the last decade or so, more than 500 people have undergone brain surgery for problems like depression, anxiety, Tourette’s syndrome, even obesity, most as a part of medical studies. The results have been encouraging, and this year, for the first time since frontal lobotomy fell into disrepute in the 1950s, the Food and Drug Administration approved one of the surgical techniques for some cases of OCD.
But with that hope comes risk. For all the progress that has been made, some psychiatrists and medical ethicists say, doctors still do not know much about the circuits they are tampering with, and the results are unpredictable: some people improve, others feel little or nothing, and an unlucky few actually get worse. In US, one patient was left unable to feed or care for herself after botched surgery.
In one procedure, called a cingulotomy, doctors drill into the skull and thread wires into an area called the anterior cingulate. There they pinpoint and destroy pinches of tissue that lie along a circuit in each hemisphere that connects deeper, emotional centers of the brain to areas of the frontal cortex, where conscious planning is centered. This circuit appears to be hyperactive in people with severe OCD, and imaging studies suggest that the surgery quiets that activity.
In another operation, called a capsulotomy, surgeons go deeper, into an area called the internal capsule, and burn out spots in a circuit also thought to be overactive.
Friday, November 27, 2009
The goodness of curd
Curds are a healthy, universally useful food. It is formed by lactic fermentation of milk. Curd is esteemed for its smoothness and its pleasant and refreshing taste. It is highly versatile health promoting and valuable therapeutic foods. Once thought of only as a worthy health food, curd or yoghurt is now the base for tempting frozen desserts and is used as a healthier alternative to cream. The word yoghurt is of Turkish Origin and is believed that the first curd was made in Turkey. People who cannot drink milk may find that they can tolerate curd. Universally cow's milk is used to make curd. But in India, buffalo milk is also used extensively and in Russia, the milk of sheep, goat and mare is largely used for the same purpose.
Curd is a sour milk preparation. Curd or dahi or yoghurt is eaten as such with salt or sugar or added to other preparations. The butterfat is removed from dahi by churning and used to make ghee. Curd has almost the same calorific value of cow's milk. 40 percent of lactose is converted to lactic acid. It has 3.1gm of protein, 4gm of fat, 149mg of calcium, and 93mg of phosphorous.
9 reasons to eat more yogurt
1.Eat your way to fat-loss. International Journal of Obesity indicates that adding one or two servings of yogurt to your daily diet can help you maximize loss of fat and minimise loss of muscle.
2.Calcium in yogurt makes this a bone-building food. Also, lactoferrin in yogurt increases the growth and activity of cells that build bone.
3.H.Pylori is the bacterium that is responsible for most stomach ulcers. The friendly bacteria in yogurt have the ability to completely block the activity of these ulcer-causing bacteria, thereby offering protection from ulcers.
4.Regular consumption of yogurt is proven to reduce vaginal yeast infections in women.
5.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that full-fat dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt may considerably reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. These dairy products are rich in a number of cancer preventing factors.
6.The friendly bacteria in yogurt have been proven to have a remarkable effect on arthritis, both preventive and curative.
7.Consuming less than half-a-cup of yogurt twice a day, reduces the level of hydrogen sulphide that is responsible for bad breath. It also eliminates tongue-coating bacteria and reduces dental plaque formation, cavities, and the risk for gum disease.
8.Yogurt is the solution for people with lactose intolerance, who cannot digest lactose, a sugar in milk products, due to enzyme deficiency. The condition is very common except among people of European ancestry. For the lactose intolerant, dairy products containing significant amounts of lactose cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
9.Live bacteria for a longer life - Studies have proven that yogurt containing live bacterial cultures boost immunity and increase lifespan.
More ways to use yogurt in your diet
A bowl of fresh curd and fruits is a great way to kickstart your day.
A simple dressing of curds, salt, pepper and coriander goes with any fresh greens salad.
Use yogurt instead of fresh cream to thicken gravies in a healthier way.
Mix curds into healthier grains like broken wheat (lapsi), oats and brown rice to get a high-fibre, healthier version of ‘curd-rice’.
Boiled vegetables like cauliflower, peas or fruits like banana, pomegranate when mixed with curds makes an interesting raita.
Make fluffy pancakes for breakfast by mixing flour into buttermilk and adding a fruit of your choice.
Mix a generous spoonful of curd into the atta while binding dough for chapattis. This not only adds nutrition but also makes the chapattis softer and fluffier.
Buttermilk spiced with ginger, green chillies and pepper is a healthy alternative to colas .
Masala Mor
This is a great drink to beat the heat. It also serves as an appetising drink. Almost every Indian state has it’s own version.
Since it’s mostly water, masala mor is the best tasting low-cal drink you can have. It can pose a stiff challenge to the cloying sweetness and zero-nutrition of diet colas.
Ingredients to make 4 glasses
1 cup thick curds
5 cups water
½ inch piece fresh ginger
1 green chilli
1 tbsp chopped coriander
3-4 curry leaves
Sea salt/ Rock salt to taste
¼ tsp mustard seeds
Pinch of asafoetida (optional)
Oil for tadka
Method:
1.Beat the curds to a smooth paste. Mix the water into it to make thin buttermilk.
2.With a mortar-pestle, pound the ginger and chillies with some salt. Add this and the coriander to the buttermilk.
3.Pop the mustard seeds and curry leaves in a little oil and put it into the mor.
4.Add a pinch of asafoetida and mix well using a churner. It’s best left to chill and soak up the flavours for about 30 minutes.
5.Enjoy your tall glass of masala mor or chaas or buttermilk.
The Goodness of Papaya
When some hears the word papaya, they’d remember the pungent fragrant of a fully ripe papaya, orange and sweet flesh, and not to forget, endless black and rubbery round seeds. Tropical countries always love to use papaya have decorations for it’s beautiful colour and you can literally see papaya tries growing everywhere in tropical countries like Malaysia. It’s easy to plant and yet quite easy to be uprooted for it’s shallow roots, especially on sandy land.
But what’s more is papaya is more than meets the eye. Lets see what our dear orange coloured family of fruits can do for us.
Papaya
(Carica papaya – Caricaceae family)
Papaya called also a tree melon because of its resemblance to a melon; this fruit grows on a giant herbaceous plant and not a tree. Originally from southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America, the papaya is now cultivated in most countries with a tropical climate like India, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The cultivated papaya is a melon like fruit with yellow-orange flesh enclosed in skin that ranges in colour from green to orange to rose. At the papaya’s centre is an oblong cavity containing dozens of small black seeds. It can be round-shaped, pear-shaped, or long like a banana.
The papaya is sometimes referred to as papaw, but this is not correct, as the papaw is a separate fruit that belongs to an unrelated botanical family.
What nutrition value does papaya have?
- Papaya is rich in an enzyme called papain (a protease which is useful in tenderizing meat) and other proteins. It is a valuable and delicious fruit.
- Papayas are also rich in several vitamins A, B, C, and D.
- Rich in calcium, phosphorous and iron.
- Excellent to eat in the morning for they have nutritional value that satisfies the body’s needs in the morning.
- Excellent food for children because it is important for their growth.
- The papaya is high in digestive properties and has a direct tonic effect on the stomach.
What are the health benefits?
- Papayas clean the digestive organ.
- Papayas are diuretic, laxative and refreshing.
- Helps to maintain the acid –alkaline balance of the body.
- Used in the treatment of stomach ulcers and fevers.
The Goodness of Olive Oil
Olive oil the main component of Mediterranean diet is derived by crushing and then pressing fresh olives. There are many types of olive oils available in the market through out the year. Depending on the processing the types of olive oil include - pure extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, pure and extra light olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is however considered the most health promoting as it is derived from first pressing of the olives thus has a natural delicate flavor with the goodness of more antioxidants.
Health benefits of olive oil -
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid, a type of unsaturated fat that has health promoting properties. Olive oil is considered one of the healing fats as when it is replaced with other fats; especially saturated fats have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, asthma and diabetes.
Heart health – olive oil is very protective against heart disease. It prevents oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and thus prevents it from sticking to the arterial walls. It also helps to decrease the total cholesterol and doesn’t affect the high density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol).
Low cholesterol along with low oxidation of LDL helps to prevent atherosclerosis. The fatty acid that predominates in olive oil is oleic acid that is very resistant to free radical or oxidative damage. In addition to monounsaturated fat, olive oil is loaded with other powerful antioxidants that have free radical scavenging abilities like vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds tyrosol, hydrotyrosol, oleuropein-all and also chlorophyll. In fact it is believed that the abundant polyphenols in extra virgin oil are responsible for cardiovascular benefits rather than the monounsaturated fats alone. Olive oil also helps to maintain a healthy lining of the blood vessels and prevent high blood pressure.
Colon cancer – including olive oil in the diet may have a protective effect against colon cancer when compared to other fats. The polyphenols in olive oil have anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antioxidant properties that are responsible for the protective effect against colon cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis (preventing bone loss).
A healthy meal including olive oil and low in fat have a good control over the blood sugar levels and helps to keep the triglyceride levels low in diabetic patients.
Although studies prove that olive oil when replaced with saturated fats helps to lose weight, it should be taken in recommended amounts. Remember that any fat provides almost double the calories compared to carbohydrates or proteins.
Stay young
1) Laugh & fun, don’t be gloomy
2) Let bygones be bygones. Dwelling on the past inflicts unnecessary stress.
3) Early to bed, early to rise, is healthy & wise
4) Stay lean, being just 30% overweight is bad.
5) Keep learning, reading & socializing – an alert & active mind keeps brain cell
healthy.
6) Keep working, doing something you like. Don’t retire, it slows down your body.
7) Be the boss of your own life. Letting others push you around produces stress.
8) Too many pills ruin your body, take just what you need.
9) Constantly alternating between weight gain & loss is bad
10) Exercise, quit smoking and eat less fatty foods
Benefits of Eating Bananas
Bananas are a great food for all round health benefits, for the average person, dieter or even athletes bananas may provide greater benefits than most fruits. The combination of carbohydrates and B vitamins present in a banana helps provide an energy boost which makes them great to eat 30 minutes before a workout, or even at breakfast to help boost energy at the start of every day.
Bananas are not only a good source of B vitamins they also contain vitamin C, A and high levels of potassium. The natural fiber in bananas also contribute to the many health benefits listed below.
Health benefits of eating banana
healthy bowels
cardiovascular health
protection from strokes
protection from ulcers
improve blood pressure
may boost mood
boost energy
help reduce water retention.
Bananas and losing weight
Bananas may be one of the best fruits to eat when attempting to lose weight. They are full of nutrients for increased energy and vitality. Bananas are also low in calories and fat, plus they have a high water content and potassium levels. A diet high in potassium* foods and lower in sodium-loaded processed foods can help reduce water weight.
The calorie content of bananas are low to medium. Most of the calories in a banana come from carbohydrates, both naturally forming simple sugars and starch forms its carbohydrate content. Its interesting to note that the composition of carbohydrate calories change on ripening, the sugar levels rise and the starch levels fall as a banana ripens. It means that bananas are probably easier to digest the more ripe and yellow the fruit becomes.
The protein calories in a banana only make up about one percent of its total calorie content however, this is much higher than the fat calories in the fruit which is less than one half percent.
There are many other fruits that have a calorie content lower than bananas.
The calories in a banana are digested slowly and help supply the body with a steady source of energy. Bananas are great for an energy boost if eaten about an hour before physical activity.
Benefits of surya namaskar yoga
Surya namaskar or sun salutation, which includes twelve different forward and backward bends with proper inhale and exhale, benefits your body and mind in several ways. The various body movements’ stretch and exercises all the vital organs and parts of the body while the pranayama part of the Surya namaskar ensures the flow of fresh oxygen in your system and mind. As a result, your mind remains fresh and stress free. It is one of the holistic yoga exercises.
Benefits of Surya Namaskar:
Although going by the well-known yoga guides, there are many benefits of surya namaskar. In fact each pose in the surya namaskar benefits some or the other part of your body .Here are some of the benefits that you can get, while practicing surya namaskar daily, in proper way:
1) The various stretches in surya namaskar messages each muscle, strengthens the skeletal system by improving the basic posture of the body .It also helps in making the joints and ligaments stronger in order to carry the body weight without much effort.
2) It improves the entire endocrine system and regulates the functioning of endocrine glands. Once the secretion of endocrine glands such as thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands takes place in a proper way, it ensures that each organ of your body is working appropriately.
3) Surya Namaskar promotes blood circulation in the body and hence helps to maintain the cardiovascular system of the body.
4) If you are suffering from sleeplessness then, surya namaskar is the best medicine.
5) The combination of backward and forward movements also ensures that your digestive system is on track and helps in curing constipation and other digestion related ailments.
6) Apart from just the physical level, surya namaskar helps in keeping you stress free and rejuvenate your mind, because, it promotes the circulation of fresh oxygen to your brain.
Save Your Life in Just 6 Weeks
"This is not a diet, not a trend, not a fad that will go away," said Aldana. "It's adopting a nutritious way of eating and exercise that causes very important positive changes in your body’s health in a short period of time."
Body Fat, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Respond Fast to Changes
Study participants, age 43 to 81, experienced significant reductions in body fat, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. For the study, they attended a Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP)lecture series, then began a 30-minute-a-day cardiovascular exercise program. They also adopted a diet emphasizing unrefined "food-as-grown," like grains, legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Decide to Make Changes
"It really doesn’t matter which lifestyle change program you go with," Aldana said, explaining that the CHIP diet is similar to others designed to reduce hypertension. "This is about healthy living. Make a decision, get the right information and tools and involve people to show you how to change, and then great things can happen."
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Cure for cough is in lungs, not throat
A cure for coughing is in the offing, thanks to scientist who have identified the process that leads to the reflux.
Coughing has largely remained a mystery to science. Now a team in Britain has found that the problem actually lies in the receptors on nerve endings in the lungs which react to irritants.
For victims of persistent coughing in which no useful purpose is being served, the receptors on these nerve endings are repeatedly prompting the cough reflux.
If those receptors are blocked , coughing could be stopped, according to the scientists from Britain”s National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London Hull University.
Lead scientist Maria Belvisi of the National Heart and Lung Institute and Imperial College said: “ For some people , chronic coughing can be annoying and uncomfortable, but for others it can be distressing and can have a severe impact on their quality of life.
Many people say that certain things in the air can make them cough and we are very excited that we have shown , for the first time, exactly what is probably happening inside the lungs.
Now that we think we have cracked the mechanism , we can start investigating whether we can stop people from coughing excessively by blocking the receptor protein that triggers it “
In their research , involving guinea pigs and human volunteers , the scientists showed that irritants in the air - including cigarette smoke and air pollution – switch on the receptor proteins in the lung nerve endings called TRPAI. This in turn causes the cough reflux. , the Daily mail reported.
When the TRPAI receptors were blocked in guinea pigs using drugs, their coughing responses to stimulants including a key compound in cigarette smoke was reduced. Nerves taken from mice , pigs and humans were also used to back up the research, as were reactions by human volunteers. PTI
Weight Loss Surgery. Is it a good option?
If you are looking forward to lose some weight then you must have considered many of the options that are available. You must have also heard about weight loss through surgery. Many individuals lose weight through weight loss surgery. But before opting for choice, you should consider all the factors and then decide if it is best for you because in some cases weight loss surgery may be a right choice.
When it comes to determining if weight loss surgery is right for you, there are a number of factors that you will need to take into consideration. One of those factors is your current weight. Most of the time, you will find that weight loss surgeons require their patients to be at least eighty pounds overweight. If you are not as overweight as recommend, you may not even be able to undergo a weight loss surgery. If that is the case, you should keep in mind that there are a number of different weight loss approaches that you can take.
Speaking of alternative weight loss methods, have you tried any other approaches? Many individuals are able to successfully lose weight with healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss products, like diet pills. While there are some individuals who opt for weight loss surgery right away, there are others who only use it as a last resort. Although weight loss surgery, like gastric bypass surgery or lap-band surgery, is more than worth it, you may be able to lose your excess weight without having to spend a large amount of money doing so.
Another factor that you should take into consideration, when determining if weight loss surgery is right for you, is your health. If you are overweight, have you been noticing any other health problems or has your doctor outlined the importance of losing weight for your health? If this has happened, you may not have a choice when it comes to undergoing weight loss surgery. For some individuals, weight loss surgery is, literally, lifesaving.
As it was previously mentioned, two popular weight loss surgeries include gastric bypass surgery and lap-band surgery. While there additional weight loss surgeries that you can undergo, these two are the most popular ones. The surgery that you would like to undergo is also important when determining whether or not weight loss surgery is your best option. For instance, gastric bypass surgery requires the stapling of the stomach, whereas lap-band surgery involves an adjustable or removable band. When deciding which weight loss surgery you should undergo, your decision will need to be made in conjunction with a health care professional.
When examining weight loss surgeries, you will find that most surgeries reduce the stomach pouch size. For that reason, your ability to follow all instructions given to you is important. After undergoing a weight loss surgery, like lap-band surgery or gastric bypass surgery, your health care professional will likely request that you develop yourself an exercise plan, as well as eat healthy. It is important that you follow all advice given to you. With weight loss surgeries that involve the reduction of the stomach pouch, an over consumption of food can be harmful to your weight loss, as well as dangerous to your health.
The above mentioned factors are factors that may help you determine whether or not weight loss surgery is right for you. As a reminder, it is important to remember that weight loss surgery is not your only option, when looking to lose weight, but it is a method that you should explore.
The Top Ten Smart Foods That Boost Your Brain Graying Gray Matter
Yes, age-related forgetfulness can increase your daily activity level by making you retrace your steps all the time, but it can also be a cause for concern. Not to worry, though, because these kinds of events are very common as we get older. The key is not to worry about preventing them completely (because, well, you can’t), but to give your brain its best chance of staying as sharp as it can, for as long as it can.
Mental “brain-aerobics” can certainly help you stay on top of your game, but certain foods can do just as much for your graying gray matter!! In fact, some edibles are especially good at protecting the brain's delicate nerve cells and blood vessels from the damage that comes from normal aging. Even better, most of the very smartest foods for the brain also happen to be good for the heart.
Blueberries
Blueberries basically rule. They have massive antioxidants, which mop up nasty free radicals. Research has shown that a blueberry-rich diet boosts memory and motor skills and reverses age-related declines in balance and coordination. Other blueberry bonus chemicals make your arteries work better, end up improving your blood pressure, and help prevent stroke at the same time. And they’re not bad in your yogurt either!
Dark Leafy Greens
If you don’t include dark leafy greens, you can get high homocystein levels, and this can lead to cognitive decline and even Alzheimer's disease (which accounts for most cases of dementia in the U.S.). Vitamin B12, B6, and folate lower homocystein. You can get these in collard greens, swiss chard, whole grains, and even (shhh, don’t tell anyone) in dark beer such as a Guinness.
Salmon, Sardines, and Herring
You’ve probably heard about omega-3 fatty acids. Well, fatty fish are full of it. And the “it” that they’re full of also has wonderful neuroprotective properties. How much do you need to eat to get a little brain booster? Not much. One study found that people who eat at least one fish meal per week are significantly less likely to end up with Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, consumption of their healthy oils is also correlated with an increased ability to learn new tasks, and retain old ones.
Spinach
Popeye the Sailor Man was very healthy. He loved spinach (and Olive Oyl!!). Research now agrees with him, as scientists from the Neurosciences Laboratory of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging recently found that spinach can slow down age-related problems in the central nervous system and cognitive deficits. So just have a spinach salad rather than one with iceberg lettuce – the Popeye-approved version will have more than three times the amount of folate.
Red Wine
Red wine is good for lots of things. Lots of red wine is good for nothing. If you can’t have it in moderation, you shouldn’t start. But if you can keep it to 1-2 glasses per day (as tolerated), the fruit of the grape increases longevity, and is good for your heart. The antioxidants in all grapes, too, improve your short-term memory and motor skills.
Whole Grains and Brown Rice
Darker is better. In chocolate, in sugar, in flour, in wine, in rice. The husks of whole grains and brown rice are filled with vitamins and magnesium, which are important to cognitive health. You also get more of those vital vitamin Bs, which pull down your homocysteine levels as well. This is a simple solution: if you can choose, darker is better.
Hot Cocoa
What makes chocolate good for your brain? One thing and one thing only: cocoa. Nothing more. So, if you have a cup of hot cocoa, you will be helping your brain (as well as your soul). One researcher found that the antioxidant content of just two tablespoons of cocoa powder is "almost two times stronger than red wine, two to three times stronger than green tea and four to five times stronger than that of black tea."
Nuts, such as Almonds and Walnuts
Almonds are packed with calcium and walnuts are rich in omega-3s. They also have the antioxidants that can lower your cholesterol levels (without meds). This translates into a healthier brain and a healthier heart. You don’t need a ton of these super brain foods, and you don’t need them to be coated in sugar, salt, or some other confection. Just take them as is, or lightly roasted for added flavor.
Olive Oil
The “Extra virgin” variety, also known as “cold pressed”, simply means that they squeezed the olives, and out came the oil. And, just as in grains and rice and chocolate, the darker color is the better for you. This oil should be a staple in your house because it absolutely brims with potent antioxidants called polyphenols. These is great for your brain, reduce blood pressure, as well as cholesterol levels.
Garlic
This anti-aging herb is another with dramatic antioxidant properties. And, because it’s got strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, it also helps shake off stress-induced colds and infections. Raw garlic is only slightly better than cooked. Garlic is a smart choice.
By Will Clower, Ph.D.
Dangers of diet pills
Diet pills have a great potential to help you lose weight and this can be very appealing, especially if you are someone who has struggled to lose weight in the past and who is obese, with a BMI of over 27.
But these advantages should be weighed against the possible dangers of diet pills including some dangerous side effects.
Before take any diet pill, you should understand what some of the dangers of diet pills can be.
What are some of the dangers of diet pills?
rescription diet pills are very strong drugs, and each has the potential for dangerous side effects. Some of the side effects from taking prescription diet pills can be dangerous.
Each diet pill has its own set of potential side effects, so instead of listing every possible side effect here, please visit the pages on this site that correspond to the diet pill you are interested in.
Harmful effects of diet pills
Potential for dependence
Some diet pills, especially the stimulant-based diet pills, are habit-forming and as such can be abused. Abuse of these drugs may lead to dependence. Check with your doctor before taking any prescription diet pill to find out if they are habit-forming and what signs you should look out for to alert you to this problem.
Metabolism disruption
Most prescription diet pills suppress the appetite, which causes you to consume fewer calories. On the surface, this seems like the ultimate solution for losing weight. However, as you reduce your caloric intake, your metabolism also slows down. As your metabolism slows, the amount of weight you lose also slows down. This is why it is common for people to lose only a certain amount of weight while taking diet pills alone. The solution, of course, is to combine lifestyle changes to your diet regimen. Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, dietary changes, and regular health checkups can greatly increase your weight loss success.
The dangers of diet pills should always be considered before you decide to take them.
High Protein Weight Loss Diet Tips
Drink Water
Drinking sufficient water is essential in any diet, but can be especially beneficial with the high protein diet. If you, like most Americans, are used to a diet that is mostly carbohydrate, then switching suddenly to a high fat and protein diet can cause constipation. Water helps to reduce this discomfort and allows your body to acclimate to its new diet more quickly.
Take Supplements
The high protein diet reduces or eliminates a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Because of this, you will need to compensate by making sure you take multivitamins and some form of fiber supplement as well. It’s alright to cut back on the fruits and vegetables, but your body still needs the nutrition they would have provided.
Stock Your Refrigerator
Before embarking on the high protein diet, go through your refrigerator and make sure it’s properly stocked for your diet. It’s much easier to resist high carbohydrate temptation if there’s nothing in the refrigerator or pantry to tempt you. Throw out or give away all the forbidden foods: white potatoes, pasta, milk, white bread, and white rice, to name a few. Make sure you have plenty of meats, cheeses, and other such choices stocked and ready to eat.
Indulge in the Positives
While the Atkins diet does restrict popular foods, such as spaghetti and cake, it’s still quite lenient compared to other diets in the types of foods you can eat. You can enjoy rich foods like red meats and cheese, and never worry about your caloric intake. Focusing on the luxury foods available through the high protein diet, rather than the restrictions, will help make your meal planning easier and your meals more enjoyable.
Find a Friend
Every weight loss program is easier to follow if you have a friend to encourage you and that you’re accountable to. Dieting with a friend will help you keep on track for long term weight loss.
By following these tips, you will more likely be able to lose weight, and keep it off while still enjoying meals with the high protein weight loss diet.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Arthritis
What is Arthritis ?
Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders that affect your joints and muscles. Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation and limited movement of joints. When a joint is inflamed it may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red. Surrounding each joint is a protective capsule holding a lubricating fluid to aid in motion. Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, covers most joints to assure an even, fluid motion of the joint. With joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making movement painful.
For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Your doctor can tell if you have arthritis through blood tests and x-rays. He or she will then be able to help you decide on the best treatment for your case.
Arthritis is a chronic disease that can stay with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. Your treatments will probably change over time and medication may be adjusted. Having a positive mental outlook and the support of family and friends will help you live with arthritis and be able to continue to perform your daily activities. Arthritis is not just 1 disease; it is a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Two Major types of Arthritis are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition which can affect the whole body. In this condition the body can turn on itself and attack the healthy cells causing inflammation of the joints. Some of the symptoms accompanying rheumatoid arthritis are pain and tenderness in the joints. A general feeling of fatigue and muscle aches. Stiffness which increases after a period of rest, fevers, inflammation and swelling of major joints.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis which is caused when the cartilage in the joint wears down. Some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis are difficulty in sitting and standing, misshapen joints of the fingers. Some of the common areas affected by osteoarthritis are load bearing joints such as hips and knees making it difficult to perform simple daily activities.
Causes of Arthritis
An individual can develop arthritis due of several factors, some of the causes being gender, age, weight, previous injury and nutritional factors. Other causes could involve wear and tear of joints causing inflammation, systemic diseases, infections and fractures.
Age: Arthritis can occur in people of all ages. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly occurs in the 25 to 50 age group. Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in older patients, with some cases occurring due to injury in younger patients. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects children upto 16 years of age.
Weight: Obesity can lead to arthritis as the load-bearing joints can get damaged more easily. Some of the load-bearing areas prone to arthritis are the lower back and the hip.
Previous injury: Any previous injury such as a fracture or a muscle, ligament or tendon injury can develop into arthritis.
Systemic diseases: Systemic conditions such as gout and lupus which are types of arthritis.
Infections: Bacterial and viral conditions such as chlamydia, mumps and human parvovirus.
Erosion of cartilage in the joints is the most common cause of arthritis. This can result in the bones rubbing against each other to cause misshapen joints and deformities. Some congenital deformities like uneven bone structures or misalignment of bones in the joint may also cause arthritis.
preventive measures for arthritis
• The best preventive measure for arthritis or joint pain is to maintain a proper diet with complex carbohydrates and low salt, sugar, fat, and protein combined with proper exercise to keep the joints strong.
• Jogging for the years may produce the arthritis combined with other inherited weakness of the joints. The most common joints affected by this are knees and the lower back. And also the intervertebral discs may be affected by constant jogging. The best exercise is the swimming and to use the machine which works out the arms and shoulders, as well as the legs and heart.
• Forceful stretching of the joints may feel good, but it forces the ligament structures around the joint and causes microscopic tearing of ligaments. Ligaments do not repair by themselves. When enough fibers are broken, the adjacent joint will become unstable, and there will be movement in directions for which it was not made.
• When you diagonise the presence of the arthritis its better to take early treatment to slow down or to prevent further damage to the joints.
• Regular physical activity will help us to maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
•Try to intake the fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C which will reduce the risk for developing the inflammatory arthritis.
• Try to consume the green tea which helps in preventing the arthritis damage by reducing the inflammation and slows down the cartilage breakdown. A substance or the component called catechins of this tea helps in reducing the degradation of cartilage. And also other component polyphenols found in this tea reduces the inflammation of the joints.
• The most effective prevention and the treatment for arthritis are the replacement therapy of the Estrogen. This will prevent the bone loss, increase the bone density in the spine and the hips and reduces the risk of hip and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women.
• Breast-feeding avoids the rheumatoid arthritis in women.
• If you fell pain and the signs of arthritis take Rest.
• Try to maintain the proper body weight because extra weight increases the pressure on the joints and can create some type of arthritis.
• Try to use splints, braces, canes or shoe inserts to protect joints from the stresses of daily activities.
• Therapies such as moist heat increases blood flow and flexibility in the joint. And Cold therapy such as cold packs, cold-water soaks numbs the nerves and relieves inflammation.
Treatments for Arthritis
Exercise and Physical Therapy: Exercise programs combined with rest is recommended for people suffering from arthritis. Physical therapy can also be prescribed to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. Physical therapy may include relaxation therapy, hydrotherapy and other therapies to reduce pain, muscle tension and stiffness.
Other non-surgical methods: Application of hot and cold packs is used to reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain. Other methods include massages, nutrition and nutritional supplements. Assistive devices such as splints, braces and canes are used to ease pain.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Anemia
What is anemia?
Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. The normal level of hemoglobin is generally different in males and females. For men, anemia is typically defined as hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100ml. These definitions may vary slightly depending on the source and the laboratory reference used.
What causes anemia?
Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused:
by a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or
by a loss or destruction of blood.
Can anemia be hereditary?
Yes, anemia may be genetic. Hereditary disorders can shorten the life-span of the red blood cell and lead to anemia (for example, sickle cell anemia). Hereditary disorders can also cause anemia by impairing the production of hemoglobin (for example, alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia).
Depending on the degree of the genetic abnormality, hereditary anemias may cause mild, moderate, or severe anemia. In fact, some may be too severe to be compatible with life and may result in death of the fetus (unborn infant). On the other hand, some of these anemias are so mild that they are not noticeable and are incidentally revealed during a routine blood work.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
Some patients with anemia have no symptoms. Others with anemia may feel:
tired,
fatigue easily,
appear pale,
develop palpitations (feeling of heart racing), and
become short of breath.
Additional symptoms may include:
hair loss,
malaise (general sense of feeling unwell), and
worsening of heart problems.
Diagnosis of Anemia
Anemia is diagnosed from the patient's symptoms and by a blood test that measures the level of hemoglobin in the blood, as well as substances such as folic acid, bilirubin and vitamin B12. Additionally, the size of the red cells provide further clues to the type of anemia.
Other methods of diagnosis may include a bone marrow biopsy, which is the removal of bone marrow for further examination under a microscope.
Bone marrow biopsy is helpful in diagnosing vitamin B12 anemia. Some dietitians suggest that the doctor also check for levels of ferritin in the blood of premenopausal women. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron before the mineral circulates in the bloodstream.
Treatment of Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Treatment will depend upon whether an individual is not getting enough iron in the diet (increase iron intake); not absorbing iron (surgery for celiac sprue, etc.); or losing small amounts over time due to anything from alcoholic gastritis to medication abuse to tumors. The doctor will often recommend iron-rich foods (such as liver, seafood, dried fruits, lima beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and blackstrap molasses) or iron pills. In the more severe cases of iron deficiency anemia caused by blood loss, surgery, blood transfusions or hormone injections may be recommended.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Current treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency consists of a life-long regimen of monthly B-12 injections. Unfortunately, neither diet or iron pills will help, but if diagnosed early a full recovery is promising.
Folic acid deficiency
Treatment is frequently a dietary correction. Main sources of folic acid include meat, poultry, cheese, milk, eggs, liver, green leafy vegetables, raw fruits, lima and kidney beans, and yeast. Folic acid tablets cure the anemia quickly. If intestinal disorders impede folic acid absorption, a supplement may be needed for a time. In rare instances, injections of folic acid are necessary.
Overall treatment considerations
Other therapies for anemia may include oxygen, fluids, fresh frozen plasma, platelet replacement and vasopressors (medication to elevate blood pressure). This will depend upon the underlying cause of the anemia.
Prevention of Anemia
Consumption of a healthy diet including iron-containing foods and those with B-complex vitamins is essential to developing and maintaining a satisfactory blood count.
Abrasion
An abrasion is a wearing away of the upper layer of skin as a result of applied friction force. In dentistry an "abrasion" is the wearing away of the tooth substance.
Abrasions are very common sports injuries that are usually caused by a fall on a hard surface. As the athlete falls or slides on the ground, friction causes layers of skin to rub off. The skin is composed of an outer layer which provides protection, and a deep inner layer , which provides the firmness and flexibility of the skin. Abrasions typically refer to an injury that removes these layers of skin.
Cyclists often refer to abrasions from crashes as "road rash." While a bike crash has the potential to cause a painful and severe abrasion, most abrasions are shallow scrapes that do not extend into the dermis and don't cause a great deal of bleeding. While there is often little or no blood loss from an abrasion, there can be a great deal of pain because of the many nerve endings that are exposed.
Treatment for Abrasions
Conventional treatment of abrasions and road rash included treating the area by cleaning the wound with mild soap and water or a mild antiseptic wash like hydrogen peroxide, and then covering the area with an antibiotic ointment and a dry dressing. However, it has been found that the use of antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide may actually cause harm to the tissue and interfere with the healing process.
While a severe abrasion should be seen and cleaned by a physician, you can do some things to promote healing. First, because abrasions can easily become infected, you should clean the area thoroughly and remove any dirt and debris. Do not scrub vigorously, as this can cause more tissue damage.
Use a semipermeable dressing (Tegaderm, Bioclusive or Second Skin, for instance) to cover the wound and attach the dressing to dry healthy skin with adhesive tape. The dressing should be changed every few days. Keep the wound moist until it has healed. A moist environment promotes healing, improves tissue formation and protects the area from infection.
Your tetanus status is important to avoiding infection. If you are uncertain when you had your last tetanus shot or if your last booster was more than 10 years ago, you should get one. Tetanus is an acute infectious disease in which the voluntary muscles go into spasm. It is not only caused by stepping on a rusty nail; it can also develop in wounds in which the flesh is torn or burned.
Healing
After an abrasion, the layers of damaged skin will heal from the deeper layers to the surface layers and from the outer edges to the center. As healing begins, the area of the abrasion may look pink and raw, but in time the wound will form new skin that is pink and smooth.
Prevention
Prevention of abrasions is possible by wearing protective pads and covering any exposed skin with a layer of clothing. Generally, you can predict when you will suffer an abrasion. So it is wise to have the necessary first aid supplies available in the event of an emergency.
Source
Immediate Steps for Treating Abrasions, Rodney S. W. Basler, MD; Michael A. Garcia; Kara S. Gooding, PA, The Physician and Sports Medicine, April 2001.
Freckles
Freckles may be described as flat, round, dark colored spots that range in size from about 2mm to 4mm. Freckles could be the result of pigment precipitation in one particular place, as generally the skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles have a hereditary aspect to it and you are likely to inherit it if runs in your family. Freckles are usually of no medical consequence and do not cause any problems. Freckles are sensitive to the UV rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent during or after exposure to sunlight. Though freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun.
There are two basic types of freckles -
Ephelides - These are flat red or light-brown spots that typically appear during the summer months and fade away in the winter. These types of freckles could be hereditary.
Lentigines - Lentigines may be small tan, brown or black spot that is darker than an ephelide. This does not fade in winter. This is also a genetic condition.
Freckles may be more apparent on the facial skin
Freckles may be seen as dark colored spots on the skin. These may be more apparent on the facial skin, especially on or around the nose. Generally, light or fair skinned people are more prone to freckled skin. Freckles get more emphasized on exposure to sunlight.
Freckles Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
Exposure to sunlight
Freckles are passed on genetically, so you are likely to get it if one or both your parents have it.
Rare disorders such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum cause an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays leading to freckles.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause freckles to appear, more so in case of fair-skinned people. The melanin content is less in case of fair-skinned people; hence exposure to sunlight causes these spots to appear.
Hormonal imbalance could cause freckles too. In this case, the estrogen could over-stimulate pigment producing cells causing them to generate more color when exposed to sunlight.
Natural Remedies for Freckles
Freckles may be unsightly and a cause of cosmetic concern for many. Here are some natural remedies that will help you deal with freckles at home -
Apply sour cream on your face. Do not rinse this mask off completely; gently wipe off with a soft tissue and top it up with a moisturizer.
Lemon juice is a tried and tested remedy for treating freckles. Apply lemon juice with your fingers on the affected area; lemon juice bleaches the dark spots.
Regular use of fruit and vegetable masks such as those made with apricots, strawberries, cucumbers and red currant will help lighten freckles.
Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid promotes gentle peeling of skin minus the irritation or dryness.
Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers. Wash honey off with warm water then rinse with cool water. Stir in a little quantity of wheat germ into the honey before applying.
Horseradish juice or horseradish vinegar, or oatmeal dabbed on the skin is also helpful in lightening freckles.
Apply parsley juice mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible.
Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E at night before going to bed.
Dissolve some sugar in the juice of one lemon. Apply mixture to each freckle with a brush.
Grind yellow mustard in milk and apply to the face during the night. Wash your face the next morning.
Onions also can be used for removing freckles and age spots. Slice a red onion in half and rub on the spots twice daily. Continue until the spots fade.
Applying buttermilk on freckles is thought to help in lightening them.
Mix an equal quantity of turmeric and sesame seeds. Grind in water and apply to the face.
Take a watermelon, make a hole in its rind and introduce some grains of rice in it. Take out the rice after a week. Grind into a paste and apply on the face.
To lighten freckles, mash 1/4 cup of unripe currants and mix with 1 tbsp. of unpasteurized honey. Put on freckles and leave on for half an hour. Rinse off with warm water and dab on diluted fresh lemon juice.
Increase intake of Vitamin C
Though there is no particular diet or food that will prevent the occurrence of freckles on the skin, here are some general diet guidelines that will promote a healthy and glowing skin. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and whole grains for the vitamins A, B complex and C, all needed for healthy skin. Vitamin B5 helps prevent dry skin. It is found in milk, eggs, cabbage, wheat germ and nutritional yeast. The essential fatty acids, found in unrefined, cold-pressed vegetable oils such as flax seed, are also important for supple, resistant skin. Increase your Vitamin C intake. It makes your skin less sensitive to the sun. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, apples, green onions, black and red currant, rosehip tea.
Other suggestions for Freckles
If your skin is prone to freckles, here are some suggestions that could help you keep them at bay -
Use a good quality sunscreen that offers a high level of 'sun protection factor'. Use it whenever you have to go out in the sun.
Add a broad-rimmed hat to your wardrobe and use it when out in the sun. The broad rim will shield your face from direct sunlight.
Avoid going out from 10 am to 4 pm when the sunrays are maximum.
Use sun block lotion each time you go for a swim and reapply every two hours in case of heavy perspiration.
Hiccups
Hiccups Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of hiccups are as follows Contraction of diaphragm, Continuous “hic “sound from the throat.
Hiccups Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
Hiccups Causes
Some of the causes of hiccups are as follows. Overstretching the neck, Laryngitis, Heartburn, Irritation of the eardrum, General anesthesia, Surgery, Bloating, Tumor, Infection, Diabetes, Drinking excessive alcohol, Hot and spicy food, Smoking, Eating fast.
Hiccups home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers
Home Remedies for Hiccups
Some of the home remedies for hiccups are as follows Hold your breath, Gargle with water, Place an ice bag on the diaphragm for sometime, Sip ice water quickly, Close your eyes and gently press your eye balls, Drink a glass of soda water quickly, Eat some sugar, Eat one tbsp peanut butter,
Hiccups : Home Remedies suggested by users
Avoid hot and spicy food
There is no special diet recommended for hiccups. However, it is advisable to avoid hot and spicy food because they can irritate the lining of the esophagus.
Visit Doctor
Do not overload your digestive system by over eating. Although hiccups are not a serious medical problem, it is advisable to see a doctor if they last for more than 24 hours.
Dark circles
Dark circles can make a beautiful face very ugly. Dark blemishes are formed under the eyes due to various reasons. Heredity is believed to be one of the major reasons for its formation. Dark circles are also considered to be a sign of unhealthiness.
No specific symptoms except dark under eyes
Dark circles are very visible as darkened areas around or under the eyes. Apart from that, there are no other symptoms to this problem. You may also experience water discharge from your eyes in excess which may later give rise to dark circles.
Dark Circles Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
Age
Ageing is the main factor for the development of dark circles. As you age, the skin becomes dry and the dark circles become very prominent.
Stress
Stress is also considered to be another common cause of dark circles. Dark circles are developed due to stress which includes excessive workload, family problems, money problems and many more. Stress has become quite common also among the youth which in turn cause dark blemishes under their eyes.
Lack of proper sleep
People who do not get their share of 8 hours of sleep on a daily basis will develop dark under eye circles.
Dehydration
Sometimes, there may be an excessive loss of water from the body, which could make your skin dry and weak.
Nutrient Deficiency
Dark circles can also be formed due to lack of healthy diet. It is very important to consume a meal that is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals that are extremely essential for the body’s development. These nutrients should be consumed on a daily basis to avoid any kind of health related problems.
Dark Circles Remedies
Dark Circles home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers
Dark Circles Natural Cure at Home
Home remedies for dark circles are considered to be the best healing method. It is natural way of curbing the dark blemishes under the eye which will not cause any harm to the skin.
1) Application of a thin sliced cucumber on top of each eye for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day, relieves stress and cools down the eyes.
2) A mixture of almond oil and honey should be applied on the affected area every night before bedtime. You will see a remarkable improvement in two to three weeks.
3) Consume at least two to three liters of water on a daily basis. Water is a very essential remedy in this case and it flushes out the toxins present in the body.
4) Tea bags are known to be very effective in curing dark circles. A cold tea bag should be put on top of each eye for 10 to 15 minutes everyday.
5) Make a paste of fresh mint leaves and add a few drops of lime juice in it. Apply the mixture on the eyes and the dark circles for 10 to 15 minutes everyday and see the difference in two to three weeks.
6) Rose water is considered to be a natural coolant for the body and has been an old home remedy for generations. Apply two to three drops of rose water on a cotton ball and gently massage on the affected area of the eye for five to six minutes. You will see the result in two to three weeks. This method is considered to be one of the most effective cures for dark circles.
The dark circles treatment should be started as soon as possible to avoid it from increasing.
Dark Circles Diet
Dark Circles : Home Remedies suggested by users
Eat a Healthy Diet and have Breakfast
A healthy diet for dark circles which is full of nutrients is the most essential thing in this case. If the body does not receive its daily intake of nutrients, it may create such problems and maybe worse in the future.
Some of the essential nutrients can be found in:
1) Fresh Fruits and vegetables
2) Green leafy vegetables
3) Cereal crops such as oats, barley, wheat and millets. 4) Fresh juices of fruits and vegetables.
A breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be consumed before starting any kind of work.
Other Suggestions for Dark Circles
Other Dark Circles Skin Care Treatments
1) Washing your face with water and a soft soap every hour is very important. It is very important that your skin stays fresh and cool all the time and free from any germs or bacteria.
2) Daily eight hours of sleep is very essential for the body and the eyes. It is very important that you sleep without being disturbed at all. This is not only good for the eyes but also for the body as you will not have any health problems in the future.
3) "Work less and relax more" should be your main motto if you wish to get rid of the dark circles as soon as possible. Stress and fatigue are two toxic enemies of a dark circle-free skin.
4) Exercising is also very important and should be added to your daily regime. If you remain healthy at all times, you will not encounter any health problems.
These suggestions are very instrumental for under eye treatment.
Throat Infection Causes
Throat infections are very common and almost all of us suffer from it . Regular bouts of infection can leave your immune system weakened and you will therefore be more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. A healthy immune system will also minimize your risks of getting throat infections.
A throat infection is often caused by invasive bacteria and the more serious infections are caused by various viruses. The microbes lodge in the respiratory tract and so in order to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible, it is important that you ensure that your tract is free of all mucous. Mucous contains the bacteria or virus causing the infection and so expelling it will go a long way in curing yourself.
Mucous often thickens within the tract and this makes it tough to cough it up. Drink plenty of hot water throughout your day as this will help to thin the mucous. The hot water will also help to kill off the bacteria or virus present in your throat. It is better to add a few spoons of fresh lemon juice to the hot water as lemon juice is acidic in nature and will also prevent the spread of the infection.
Aside from hot water, include plenty of hot fluids in your diet. Soups and broths are very effective in treating a sore throat. A thick onion soup seasoned with plenty of finely chopped garlic will help to boost your immune system. Chop a pod of garlic into four small pieces and slowly chew on one piece at a time before you swallow it. Garlic is a very powerful anti-biotic and this remedy will help to get rid of the infection quickly. If you find the taste of raw garlic too strong, you can use an onion tonic instead. Chop one or two onions as fine as you can and add a spoon or two of sugar to it. Mix the onion and sugar thoroughly and then leave it aside for about 30 minutes. You can then spoon out all the liquid from the bowl, mix it with an equal amount of honey and have it as a tonic for throat infections. This remedy is often appealing to children because of its sweet taste.
Make sure that you have plenty of vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges on a daily basis. Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system; which will in turn prevent throat infections. Meats like lobster, salmon and chicken as well as fruits like Avocado, Bananas and Blackberries are rich in zinc which is essential for a healthy immune system.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Acai Berry Health
If you haven't heard about the acai berry, you've been missing out on one of the most important and powerful superfoods out there. This grape-sized berry comes from the Brazilian rain forest and is purple-green in color. Acai juice is often found in health food stores, and if you're looking for something full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it would be one of the best things to add to your diet.
Weight Loss
The fiber in acai prevents some hunger signals from reaching the brain. This helps to curb hunger and in turn is good for anyone looking to lose weight.
Energy
Acai berries help to boost both energy and stamina. It does this by promoting the body's metabolic processes, which includes burning more calories and stored fat.
Blood Pressure
Acai berries are a great source of potassium. This helps to reduce blood pressure and also improve the flow of blood throughout the body.
Digestion
Acai berries have a good amount of proteins that help to improve the digestive process. It is also full of dietary fiber that can help relieve constipation and digestive congestion.
Antioxidants
Acai berries have one of the highest concentration of antioxidants out of all berries. These help to prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals that could damage cells and DNA.
Acai berries are rich in antioxidants when compared to other common sources. They contain 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and up to 30 times the amount of anthocyanins found in red wine. Antioxidants are widely believed to protect against premature aging, and acai berries provide a concentrated source.
Fiber
The Mayo Clinic says that acai berries are a good natural source of fiber. This promotes digestive health by adding bulk to the diet and preventing constipation.
Healthy Fats
Acai berries contain monounsaturated fats, which are heart healthy. Their fatty acid content is very similar to that of olive oil. Eating them in place of foods that contain saturated fats or transfats can promote heart health by helping to keep cholesterol levels low.
Nutrients
Acai berries contain a healthful balance of amino acids and trace minerals. These nutrients support muscles, enabling them to contract properly during normal activity and helping them regenerate when they are injured. This supports a person's ability to move and exercise.
Uses of pepper
Various forms of pepper have long been used to satisfy our culinary experience but as it turns out, there is a lot more to pepper than meets the eye.
Aromatherapy Use: Massage mainly - excellent for muscle pains and stiffness. Can be used to treat sports injuries.
For colds and flu, it can be taken as a steam inhalation, combined with eucalyptus or marjoram.
Therapeutic Use: Not compatible with homeopathic treatment.
Circulation : anemia, poor circulation
Muscular problems : arthritis, aches and pains, rheumatism, stiffness
Respiratory system : catarrh, chills
Digestive system : colic, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea
Immune system : colds, flu, infections, viruses
Other Uses: Widespread use in the food industry. Some use in perfumery ( e.g. combined with rose oil ) and alcoholic drinks.
Medicinal Uses for Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a stimulating herb made from dried chili peppers. This popular spice is used widely as food enhancement, but it has been longer used for its medicinal properties. The capsaicin in the pepper is what gives it its potent flavor. This same capsaicin elevates it as a medicinal alternative. Cayenne pepper has been used effectively to treat and prevent a number of health ailments.
Significance
Cayenne pepper contains vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, carotenoids and the whole of the B complexes. It is also a good source of organic calcium potassium, manganese and dietary fiber.
Helps With Rheumatism and Arthritis
The topical application of cayenne pepper creates an irritated effect on the applied area. This irritation is helpful to distract the nerves from joint pains due to arthritis. Its boost to the circulatory system helps relieve problems with rheumatism.
Relieves Stomach Pains
Cayenne pepper operates as a local anesthetic to ulcerated tissue in the stomach and can even help to control bleeding. Cayenne pepper, in general is helpful in relieving stomach aches, gas and cramps.
Relieves Congestion
The capsaicin in cayenne pepper gives the pepper its heating effect. This capsaicin helps with the elimination of mucus from the nose and lungs by clearing the sinuses and inducing sweating. Cayenne pepper added to tea is helpful in relieving the symptoms of cold and flu.
Clears Up Respiratory Problems
The beta-carotene in cayenne pepper is helpful in reducing the symptoms of asthma.
Relieves Headaches
As capsaicin can open the lungs and nasal passages, it can also (when inhaled or applied topically) clear the head, thus relieving headaches. Capsaicin can also deliver temporary relief from toothaches.
Lowers Blood Pressure and Stops Heart Attack
Capsaicin stimulates circulation and blood flow. When combined with garlic & parsley, cayenne pepper will help lower blood pressure. Cayenne pepper has a positive effect on the heart and has been very helpful in warding off heart attacks.
Turmeric Helps Heal
Component of ancient spice makes cells more resistant to infection, report says
Modern technology has revealed the ancient secret behind the healing power of turmeric, a spice regarded as "holy powder" in India.
Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other ailments. It's long been believed that curcumin -- the main ingredient in turmeric -- is responsible for its healing power, but it hasn't been known how curcumin works inside the body, explained researcher Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy and colleagues.
They used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to examine molecules of curcumin and found that they act like a "biochemical disciplinarian." The molecules insert themselves into cell membranes and make the membranes more stable and orderly in a way that boosts cells' resistance to infection by disease-causing microbes.
The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has more about turmeric.
What It Is Used For
In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation.
Turmeric has also been applied directly to the skin for eczema and wound healing.
Today, turmeric is used for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gallstones. It is also used to reduce inflammation, as well as to prevent and treat cancer.
Uses of Turmeric
Since ancient times, turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine and for beauty care. In Ayurvedic system of Indian medicine, turmeric is an important herbal medicine prescribed for various diseases. In fact, turmeric is even used in modern times to plug radiator leaks in water-cooled radiators.
The various uses of turmeric are as follows :
Food Additive
Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in in the manufacture of curry powders.
Turmeric is used in products that are packaged to protect them from sunlight.
The oleoresin component of turmeric is used for oil-containing products.
The curcumin solution or curcumin powder dissolved in alcohol is used for water containing products.
Sometimes in pickles and mustard, turmeric is used to compensate for fading.
Turmeric is also used for coloring cheeses, salad dressings, margarine, yoghurts, cakes, biscuits, popcorn, cereals, sauces, etc.
Turmeric also forms a substitute for mustard in the cattle feed.
Medicinal
Turmeric is used for treating digestive disorders.
Raw Turmeric juice is used to treat hyper acidity and indigestion.
The juice of raw turmeric also acts as a blood purifier.
Curcumin - an active component of turmeric, has anti-oxidant properties and so turmeric is used in alternative medicine.
Turmeric is used for cuts and burns as it is believed to have antiseptic effects and promotes healing.
Curcumin also has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing histamine(hormone) levels.
The flouride present in turmeric is essential for teeth.
Turmeric also has a protective effect on the liver and also in atherosclerosis.
Cosmetics
The juice of raw turmeric is applied to the skin as a paste, kept for around thirty minutes and then washed off. It adds glow to the skin.
It is an essential ingredient of the traditional bathing ritual of Indian marriages where it is applied along with sandal wood paste before the bath.
It is believed that regular bathing in water containing turmeric reduces growth of body hair.
Regular turmeric use is said to make the skin fair, soft and smooth.
Turmeric is used for spots caused due to pigmentation or blotches and also for diseases like eczema.
As a tester for Acids and Alkalies
Unglazed white paper is saturated with an alcoholic solution of curcumin. When dried, this paper is used for testing of alkalies, acids and boric acid.
Alkali and Acid Test : The paper turns red-brown with alkalies. This color becomes violet upon drying and the original yellow color is restored with acids.
Boric Acid Test : When the paper is dipped into a solution of boric acid, it turns orange-red. The color remains so even when it is moistened with free mineral acid. Paper that has been turned to orange by boric acid will assume a blue color when it is moistened with diluted alkali.
Miscellaneous Uses
Ayurveda states that turmeric is poisonous for crocodiles. So anyone swimming in crocodile infested waters should apply turmeric paste to protect himself.
Turmeric is also believed to ward off snakes and the presence of turmeric plants around the house acts as a barrier for them.
The turmeric paste is used in Indian medicine for snakebites.
The leaves of turmeric are said to act as mosquito repellents.
Turmeric is used as a coloring agent for filter paper used in scientific tests.
It has been recently discovered that in water cooled type of radiators, a spoonful of turmeric added to the water, plugs any leaks.
Ulcer
Definition of Ulcer
Ulcers are crater-like sores (generally 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter, but sometimes 1 to 2 inches in diameter) which form in the lining of the stomach (called gastric ulcers), just below the stomach at the beginning of the small intestine in the duodenum (called duodenal ulcers) or less commonly in the esophagus (called esophageal ulcers).
In general, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum are referred to as peptic ulcers.
Description of Ulcer
The stomach is a bag of muscle that crushes and mixes food with the digestive "juices" - hydrochloric acid and pepsin. If the lining of the stomach (or duodenum) is damaged in one place or another, the acid and pepsin go to work on the lining as they would on food, breaking it down as though to digest it.
An ulcer is the result of an imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors. On one hand, too much acid and pepsin can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. On the other hand (and more commonly), the damage comes first from some other causes, making the stomach lining susceptible to even an ordinary level of gastric acid.
If a person does not receive treatment for ulcers, it could lead to a bleeding ulcer (the ulcer has eaten into blood vessels and the blood has seeped into the digestive tract), a perforated ulcer (the ulcer has eaten a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum and bacteria and partially digested food has spilled into the hole, causing inflammation) or a narrowing and obstruction of the intestinal opening preventing food from leaving the stomach and entering the small intestine.
Causes and Risk Factors of Ulcer
The stomach defends itself from hydrochloric acid and pepsin by creating a mucus coating (that shields stomach tissue), by producing bicarbonate and by circulating blood to the stomach lining to aid in cell renewal and repair. If any of these functions are impaired it can lead to the formation of an ulcer.
The primary cause of ulcers is the bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach. Unlike other bacterium, H. pylori is able to twist through the layer of mucous that protects the stomach cavity and attach to cells on the surface of the stomach wall, where it produces urease, an enzyme that generates ammonia.
Urease generates substances that neutralize the stomach's acid and allows H. pylori to thrive. H. pylori weakens the stomach's defenses by thinning the mucous coating of the stomach, making it more susceptible to the damaging effects of acid and pepsin; inflaming the area; poisoning nearby cells and producing more stomach acid.
Although H. pylori is the primary cause of ulcers, there are other factors that play a role in ulcer development. These factors are the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a person's lifestyle and the stomach's inability to defend itself against digestive fluids, hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox), or piroxicam (Feldene) interfere with the stomach's ability to produce mucus and bicarbonate (a chemical produced in the stomach that neutralizes and breaks down the hydrochloric acid and pepsin into substances less harmful).
NSAIDs also affect blood flow to the stomach, hinder cell repair and cause the stomach's defense mechanisms to fail.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking caffeine, consuming alcohol and stress are also associated with ulcers.
Smoking slows the healing of ulcers and makes them likely to recur.
Caffeine stimulates acid secretion in the stomach, thus aggravating the pain of an existing ulcer.
Studies on alcohol consumption and ulcers have been less conclusive, although alcoholic cirrhosis has been linked to an increased risk of ulcers, and heavy drinking has been shown to delay the healing of ulcers.
Although emotional stress is no longer thought to be a cause of ulcers, people with ulcers often report that emotional stress increases ulcer pain. However, physical stress increases the risk of developing gastric ulcers.
Symptoms of Ulcer
There may be no symptoms of ulcers or the individual may experience:
A gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen between the breastbone and the navel. The pain is usually worse a couple of hours after a meal or in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty.
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Tiredness (a symptom of a bleeding ulcer)
Weakness (a symptom of a bleeding ulcer)
Blood in vomit or stool. When blood is in the stool, it appears tarry or black (symptom of a bleeding ulcer).
Diagnosis of Ulcer
Doctors have a number of options available for diagnosing ulcers, such as performing endoscopic and x-ray examinations, as well as testing for H. pylori. Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that gives the doctor a direct view of the upper digestive tract from within the body itself. By means of an instrument called a fiber-optic endoscope, the doctor is able to illuminate and follow the same path that food takes, examining the esophagus, stomach and duodenum from within. Along the way, the doctor will look closely at inflamed, ulcerated or infected areas, as well as growths and malformations.
If the doctor suspects ulcers, an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series (x-rays) of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum will usually be performed. The patient will swallow a chalky liquid that contains barium, which makes the ulcer visible on the x-ray.
The doctor may also order a gastroscopy, in which a flexible tube-shaped device with a special light-conducting properties will be put down the throat to enable the doctor to see the ulcer and obtain tissue samples for microscopic examination to determine if the ulcer is cancerous.
Confirming the presence of H. pylori is important in diagnosing an ulcer because elimination of H. pylori is likely to cure the ulcer. H. pylori can be detected using a blood, breath or tissue test. The blood test uses a blood sample to identify and measure H. pylori antibodies. Approved in 1996, the Meretek UBT Breath Test requires that a person first drink a liquid or swallow a capsule containing a small amount of a protein. The person is then asked to blow through a straw into a balloon. A lab technician checks the exhaled air for evidence of the H. pylori bacteria. If the doctor previously performed an endoscopy, the tissue obtained through that procedure is cultured and watched for growth of H. pylori organisms.
Medications
H2-blockers reduce the amount of acid that the stomach makes.
Antibiotics. With the discovery of the link between ulcers and H. pylori peptic ulcers can be treated by a short course of combined high dose antibiotic therapy rather than acid-suppression alone. Without antibacterial therapy, there is a 75 percent chance of the ulcer reoccurring. With antibacterial therapy, there is a 1 percent chance of the ulcer reoccurring.
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