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Fasting ensures good health

2012-09-23T11:22:00.021-07:00

Fasting ensures good health

Washington: Do you know that fasting, long associated with religious rituals, diets and political protests, also ensures good health and protects your heart?
New evidence from the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute in Utah shows that periodic fasting not only lowers one's risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also causes changes in blood cholesterol levels.
"Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilise fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose," says Benjamin D. Horne, the study's principal investigator
"This decreases the number of fat cells in the body," says Horne, director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Institute.
"This is important because the fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance or diabetes," adds Horne, according to an Intermountain statement.
Researchers also found that fasting reduces other cardiac risk factors, such as triglycerides, weight and blood sugar levels.
"These new findings demonstrate that our original discovery was not a chance event," says Horne.
The discovery expands upon a 2007 Intermountain study that revealed a link between fasting and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in the US.
The participants' low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (good cholesterol) increased by 14 percent and 6 percent respectively, raising their total cholesterol level and catching the researchers by surprise.
These findings were presented at the annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans.

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Teens who read less likely to be depressed

2012-09-23T11:22:00.019-07:00

Teens who read less likely to be depressed

Washington:Teenagers who devote more time to reading books are far less likely to suffer from depression than their peers who listen to music.

The study was one of the first to use an intensive "real-life" methodology, called ecological momentary assessment, to study behaviours in real time.

The method helped researchers recognise this large association between exposure to music and depression, said Brian Primack, assistant professor of medicine and paediatrics at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, who led the study.

The study involved 106 adolescents, 46 of whom were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, the journal Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine reports.

Researchers called the participants as many as 60 times during five extended weekends over two months and asked them whether they were using any of six types of media: TV or movies, music, video games, Internet, magazines or newspapers, books.

They found that young people who were exposed to the most music, compared to those who listened to music the least, were 8.3 times more likely to be depressed, according to a statement.

However, compared to those with the least time exposed to books, those who read books the most were one-tenth as likely to be depressed.

"It also is important that reading was associated with less likelihood of depression. This is worth emphasising because overall in the US, reading books is decreasing, while nearly all other forms of media use are increasing," concluded Primack.

Morning mood affects you throughout the day

2012-09-23T11:22:00.017-07:00

Morning mood affects you throughout the day

Washington: The mood of employees when they report for work affects how they feel the rest of the day, besides clearly impacting their performance.

The results of a study showed that when employees started the day in a good mood, they tended to rate customers more positively through the day and also felt more positive themselves.

"We saw that employees could get into these negative spirals where they started the day in a bad mood and just got worse over the course of the day," said Steffanie Wilk, associate professor of management at Ohio State University.

"That's why it is so important for companies to find ways to help their workers start off the day on the right foot," Wilk said, reports the Academy of Management Journal.

Wilk conducted the study with Nancy Rothbard of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, according to a university statement.

The study involved a group of customer service representatives who handled phone calls made by customers to a large US insurance company.

Over three weeks, the participants filled out measures of their mood at the beginning of the workday and two other random times during each day.

At those two other points in the day, they also indicated how their latest customer seemed to them, such as whether they were rude, calm, insulting or cheerful.

"Starting off at work wearing rose-coloured glasses - or grey glasses - shapes the way we perceive events the rest of the day," Wilk said.

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Losing a job increases risk of dying prematurely

2012-09-23T11:22:00.015-07:00

Losing a job increases risk of dying prematurely

Toronto: People without jobs face a 63 percent risk of dying prematurely, according to surveys covering 20 million people in 15 countries over the last 40 years.

A surprise finding was that the link between unemployment and a higher death risk remained the same in all the countries covered by the study, inspite of better healthcare systems.

"Until now, one of the big questions has been about whether pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, smoking, drinking or drug use, lead to both unemployment and a greater risk of death," said Eran Shor, who led the study.

"This probably has to do with unemployment causing stress and negatively affecting one's socio-economic status, which in turn leads to poorer health and higher mortality rates," said Shor, professor in sociology at McGill University.

The research also showed that unemployment increases men's mortality risk more than it does women's mortality risk (78 percent vs 37 percent).

The risk of death is particularly high for those who are under the age of 50, according to a McGill statement.

"We suspect that even today, not having a job is more stressful for men than for women," Shor said.

"When a man loses his job, it still often means that the family will become poorer and suffer in various ways, which in turn can have a huge impact on a man's health by leading to both increased smoking, drinking or eating," he said.

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Freida's secret of beautiful skin

2012-09-23T11:22:00.013-07:00

Freida's secret of beautiful skin

London: "Slumdog Millionaire" actress Freida Pinto, who is the face of L'Oreal, says she drinks a lot of vegetable juice to keep her skin beautiful.
"I make loads of fresh vegetable juices with coriander or pepper so that it's tastier. The concoction makes my skin glow and is good for the digestive system too," she said in an interview with the Daily Record newspaper.
Despite being considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, the 26-year-old star admits she used to have doubts about her body and looks, reports contactmusic.com.
"When you doubt something about yourself, you start thinking there's also something wrong with your hair, your body or your clothes."

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Stress taking its toll on your health?

2012-09-23T11:22:00.011-07:00

Stress taking its toll on your health?

In a city like Mumbai, stress is a given whether you're a student, office employee, housewife or senior citizen. While some are naturally able to handle stress or adopt measures to counter it, a large majority succumb to it, leading to lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
The trouble is most people go wrong in correctly identifying stress. "We tend to overlook our own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Meeting deadlines at work or home may be a source of worry but it is our procrastination, rather than actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress," says Dr Harish Shetty, one of the leading psychiatrists in the city.
To identify the real source of stress, you need to closely monitor your habits, attitudes and excuses. If possible, maintain a log on what stresses you out, how your body reacts to it and how you cope with the stress. Stress coping strategies like smoking, drinking too much, over-eating or under-eating, withdrawing from friends and family, using sleeping pills or drugs to relax or sleeping too much are temporary solutions and comes with long-term damage.
The healthiest way to cope with stress is to identify the stressor, then avoid, alter, adapt to or accept the stressor. "Stress can be either physical or psychological. Get a full body check-up done, especially of the thyroid. Yoga is extremely helpful and so is finding a sympathetic listener," says psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria.

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Self medication can be risky

2012-09-23T11:22:00.009-07:00

Self medication can be risky

Popped a painkiller for a headache, took a crocin the moment you felt feverish or a tablespoon of cough syrup to rid that sore feeling in the throat — we all have resorted to such self-medications from time to time.
While most of the time nothing happens, there is always a greater risk attached to self-medication, say doctors.
Sriram Achrekar, 55, who has been suffering from osteoarthritis preferred to live on painkillers instead of visiting a doctor for more than six years. Achrekar is now suffering from chronic kidney failure and has got severe gastro problems.
Dr Shreedhar Archik, orthopaedic surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, said, “Unprescribed painkillers can cause kidney failure. It is dangerous when people think they don’t need to see the doctor again when an ailment reoccurs and just continue taking the pills that were prescribed to them the first time round. People with long-term ailments like Rheumatoid Arthritis turn to alternative therapy like Ayurveda. These contain quantities of metals which could lead to kidney failure.”
Today, over 7,000 drugs and drug combinations are available. Many of them have been released for general use and are sold directly to the public as over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.
The most misused drugs are the analgesics or pain relievers while the most common ailments for which people resort to self-medication are headaches, colds, fevers and digestive problems — diarrhoea, constipation or acidity.
“Cough syrup is the second-most common medicine taken by people as and when they feel like. Being alcohol-based it has addictive powers and generates a high in people. Cough expectorants (syrup that can thin the cough) can also cause the pulse to quicken and that’s why one needs to a consult doctor before taking these,” Dr Pratit Samdhani, general physician, Jaslok hospital said.
“What people overlook in self-medication is that they are at higher risk of overdosing their body with active ingredients that multiply, which can cause serious acidity or stomach cramps. Popping painkillers for a long time can be toxic to the liver, heart and kidneys. Some painkillers are banned, yet are available over the counters. They can cause gastric problems, ulcers.”
Most of the time, people refer to old prescriptions in case they get similar symptoms or prefer taking medicines that were prescribed to a relative with similar symptoms instead of visiting the physician.
According to doctors, this can be dangerous as the combination of drugs that suits one person may not suit someone else and affect him/her adversely. Also, taking the same drugs repeatedly can make the body immune to them, making a person increase the dose to feel any relief.
Antibiotics are the third-most abused medicines. Their use without consulting a doctor can lead to formation of high-resistant bacteria.
Dr Arun Jamkar, vice-chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, says, “The abuse of antibiotics and its side effects has reached alarming proportions. If not controlled, this can lead to disastrous results. For basic ailments, people either resort to self-medication or go to chemists who give them high-end antibiotics, which are not required. The viruses then develop resistance and the medicines don’t work, which means, should anyone get that disease later, it would be difficult to cure that person.”
Self medication had been a major problem while handling malaria cases in the city last monsoon. The civic body had to launch an awareness programme to stop people from going for self-medication for fever and visit doctors instead.

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Carrots can help prevent breast cancer

2012-09-23T11:22:00.007-07:00

Carrots can help prevent breast cancer

London: Carrots can halt the progression of breast cancer in the early stages of the disease, a study says.

The retinoic acid, which is contained in carrot, also rejuvenates the skin and a weak version of it is used in anti-wrinkle face creams, express.co.uk reported.

The study has shown that retinoic acid reverses early changes in cells that lead to breast cancer. The chemical affects cell growth, proliferation and survival.

The results were presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando, Florida. The study suggests that it can halt cancer progression early on, but not at later stages.

US scientists focused on the key role played by a gene that activates retinoic acid's anti-cancer properties.

"There appears to be no way to revert the tumours with retinoic acid when they become too advanced," said study leader Sandra Fernandez.

But certain experimental drugs may increase the effectiveness of retinoic acid in later stages of breast cancer, she added. These drugs were already being used to manage a certain type of leukaemia.

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Now, girls reach puberty at 8

2012-09-23T11:22:00.005-07:00

Now, girls reach puberty at 8

Girls are facing puberty at the tender age of eight when they are as yet unaware of the physiological, psychological and social impact of this major change in their life. Blame obesity, stress and wrong food, say experts.
They said that this had forced the medical fraternity to lower vaccination recommendation age. According to the Indian Academy of Paediatrics Committee of Immunisation’s (IAPCOI) latest recommendations, cervix cancer vaccine initiation age has been set at eight to nine years. In 2008, it was 11-12 years. Cervical cancer takes the lives of eight women in India every hour.
Dr Purvi Nanavati, gynaecologist working with Naari, a group creating awareness on women’s health issues in association with state’s health department, reiterated: “The prime reason for lowering the age bar is early puberty.”
Early onset of puberty was not thought to be a health concern in India till the last few years. Lifestyle-induced obesity and environmental factors such as the presence of endocrine-inhibiting chemicals in food has changed the scene in Indian metros.
While in India the average age for puberty in urban areas was believed to be around 12, today menarche (first menstrual cycle) happens as early as at the age of eight, say paediatricians and adolescent gynaecologists in the city.
Dr Dewang Parikh, president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Ahmedabad chapter, said: “The signs of puberty that include development of breasts and initiation of menstrual cycle are visible in girls aged around eight to nine while a few years ago the age for early puberty was considered 11-12 years.”
The major factors behind this are pollutants in food that play havoc with our endocrine glands, sedentary lifestyle causing obesity and early exposure to sexual knowledge due to TV and internet. Rising stress, both at school and at home, also disturbs the hormonal patterns and can be linked to premature puberty, point out experts. Dr Dipal Parekh, an endocrinologist, said, "The major factors are improved nutrition, added chemicals and other environmental factors." According to him, unlike the developed world where it is present across the population, in India this tends to be an urban phenomenon.
It is indeed difficult to control larger environmental factors affecting puberty. But there is still a vital role that parents can play to delay the onset of puberty, say psychologists.
Parents can create a loving ambience at home and motivate kids to exercise moderately.
There should be an open and sensible discussion about sexuality and changes that puberty brings.
"These techniques can help in reducing the stress and anxiety piling up within young girls due to early exposure to half-baked sexual information. And lowering stress and obesity can yield results in delaying puberty," said Dr Param Shukla, adolescent psychiatrist.

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Scented candles affect our health

2012-09-23T11:22:00.003-07:00

Scented candles affect our health

And, if you are a fan of scented candles and have put them in various places of your abode for a therapeutic trip, then it’s time to reconsider. As the scented candles and home fresheners tend to contain chemicals that are harmful for us.

According to experts at the Oregon Environmental Council, some of those chemicals could have a wide-range of health effects.

Some cases have been cited where the people have developed asthma and have become hypersensitive to the fragrances. Ashley Henry, a Portland resident, said, “I was a big fan of scented candles, but I had to eliminate use of those because of asthma problem,” KATU quoted her as saying.

According to Jen Coleman at the Oregon Environmental Council, so-called "indoor air pollution" can cause a range of problems.

While others have complained of itchy eyes and cough due to the fragrance. And, if some smell lingers in the house, Coleman recommends to avoid masking the smell with fragrance, and instead try to increase circulation in the house.

Coleman said there can be hundreds of chemicals that go into scented candles that consumers don't know about.

The Environmental Protection Agency reported there is evidence that phthalates cause birth defects and reproductive problems.

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Are you sleepless elite or sleep deprived?

2012-09-23T11:22:00.001-07:00

Are you sleepless elite or sleep deprived?

How tossing all night in the bed and not getting a good night sleep can have an effect on our mood, making us feel irritated throughout the day. And, being a nocturnal bird is just-so-not-you, then you will be amazed to know a small group of people called the ‘sleepless elite,’ for whom a lie-in is a waste of time.

Despite being on a sleep tour for just four or five hours, they are an energetic, outgoing and optimistic group rather than being tired, bad-tempered under-achievers.

They also tend to be slim, able to hold down two jobs at the same time, and breeze through their extra-long days without needing caffeine pick-me-ups.

American scientists who studied an extended family in California focused on a mother and daughter who appeared perfectly healthy despite their shared lifelong habit of getting up early in the morning, having gone to bed close to midnight.

And, it was a tiny mutation in gene found during their DNA test called hDEC2 that was missing in other family members who slept normally.

Working out how the gene cuts sleep without any obvious impact on health could help in the design of drugs that give us all a few extra hours in our day. However, only a handful of people out of so many, qualify as a member of sleepless elite. Everyone else is simply sleep deprived.

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Stop ignoring your health, lady

2012-09-23T11:21:00.023-07:00

Stop ignoring your health, lady

In the process of looking after their families, women often neglect their own health concerns. This can prove disastrous in the long run, caution experts...
Delayed detection is the main reason for death due to an illness
Women usually give secondary importance to health. For them, family comes first. However, they forget that unless they are fit, their family will not be healthy. It is essential for women to think about themselves and give priority to their health. I have seen a number of cases in which early detection of cancer has saved lives. Delayed detection is one of the main reasons for death due to an illness. Educating women on the benefits of regular screening is essential. I would advise women to go for regular health check-ups.
Seven years ago, I noticed a lump in my breast. After consultation with the doctor, the lump was removed with surgery and I got to know that it was a cancerous growth. My doctor then advised me to go for chemotherapy and radiation. This is normal protocol to lead a safer life after the removal of cancerous tumours. I did not feel the pain during surgery as I had detected the lump early. Moreover, I was just 39 years old and otherwise in good health. Now, I go to schools and colleges to spread awareness on breast cancer. With our fast-paced lifestyle and change in food habits, it has become all the more important to be conscious about our health.
— Seema Dhillon, cancer survivor & activist
Urinary infections can be caused due to gynaecological problems
Women are more prone to urological problems because the urethra is short. In addition, they overlook urinary problems making them prone to nephritis or even kidney failure. Passing urine at regular intervals and not storing it for long is an important precaution women need to take. Urinary infections can be caused due to gynaecological problems as well. Women also need to investigate health concerns that crop up because of menopause. They may have to undergo hormone replacement therapy to restore the level of estrogen that gets reduced after menopause. Estrogen is essential for the elasticity of the urethra.
— Dr Arun Jamkar, dean, BJ Medical College & Sassoon General Hospital
An active lifestyle and good eating habits are essential
Obesity brings many problems in its wake. During adolescence, girls undergo many hormonal and behavioural changes due to the onset of menstruation. This may lead to sudden changes in their weight as well. Moreover, obesity can be genetic or even due to unhealthy eating habits. In the reproductive stage, women have to be more conscious about their health and being overweight can cause problems during delivery. After menopause, the change in hormone levels can lead to other health issues. However, at this stage, obesity becomes only a bariatric problem that needs to be addressed differently. An active lifestyle and good eating habits with regular exercise can help keep obesity at bay.
— Dr Shrihari Dhorepatil, obesity surgeon & founder, Obesity Surgery Society Of India

Cervical cancer can be detected in the pre-cancerial stage
Cervical cancer is easy to detect with regular screening. Women who are past their reproductive age must get the Pap smear test done once in three years. Though cervical cancer is more prevalent in the low-income group, women from all strata of society should get themselves screened. The cervical cancer vaccine helps to fight against the virus that leads to this cancer.
The basic problem in India is the lack of awareness among women. Regular check-ups are essential for prevention and early detection. Cervical cancer can be detected in the pre-cancerial stage because of which the pain of chemotherapy can also be avoided.
People have a notion that if something is detected, they would have to undergo surgery and painful treatment. However, they do not understand that in the pre-cancerial stage, surgery can be minimal and chemotherapy and radiation can be avoided completely. The government must make women in rural and semi-urban areas more aware about the need to go for tests.
— Dr CB Koppiker, founder, Prashanti Cancer Care Mission
& chief oncologist, Jehangir Hospital

Women must not wait for any symptoms to undergo screening
After turning 30, women should go for routine check-ups every three years. A gynaecological examination and breast self-examination palpation techniques can help identify any abnormality. These are specifically for women who have menstrual complaints, vaginal discharge, family history of cancer or even early delivery. The Pap smear test, colposcopy of the cervix and breast self-examination are essential for early diagnosis and can also help in prevention of cancer. Women must not wait for symptoms to undergo these tests, which are essentially for cancer screening. They are just like the blood sugar or haemoglobin tests. Women usually avoid taking any tests. There is a solution for this, but the government will have to play its part. It can make these tests and regular health check-ups compulsory when women go for the renewal of their licences or government documents.
The vaccines for cancer or rubella should be made mandatory and must be administered to girls taking admission to college. This could prevent problems that may arise in the future.
— Dr Meenakshi Deshpande, gynaecologist, Vatsalya Hospital

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Take care of your kids during spring

2012-09-23T11:21:00.021-07:00

Take care of your kids during spring

Spring comes by blooming flowers. Sadly enough, due to high pollen count, the season also brings allergies resulting in watery eyes, soar throat, runny nose, constant sneezing, headaches, and itching. Studies show children are more susceptible to conjunctivitis, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. At least 27.5% of city children suffer from allergic rhinitis between the months of February and April. In India, the spread of allergies during spring has doubled over the last decade.
“Spring is the season of tree pollens. Pollen level in the atmosphere increases making way for diseases like asthma, cough and wheezing. Of late, thanks to global warming, the pollen allergenicity is much higher than what it was about 10 years to 15 years ago. This means pollens have higher protein content with the potential to cause more allergies,” said Dr H Paramesh, pulmonologist and medical director, Lake Side Hospital.
Added to this is the menace caused by polluted pollens and particulate matters in the atmosphere.
“The polluted pollens are about 50 times more potent than normal pollens and cause more harm,” said Dr Paramesh.
Spring is associated with pollination and pollen concentration in the air is very high. “Children with inherent tendencies to develop allergies are more susceptible to developing allergies like itching of nose, sneezing, cold, watery discharge from eyes etc. While some children have nasal allergies, others demonstrate broncheal symptoms like wheezing and coughing,” said Dr Karthik Nagesh, head of department of neonatology, Manipal Hospital and past president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Bangalore.
While children between one and five years are susceptible to developing nasal allergies, those as young as six months can also develop broncheal allergies, during this season, he added.
About 10% of Indian population are allergic and suffer during this season. “A recent APAC study revealed that 27.5% of children in Bangalore suffer from allergic rhinitis, while in Singapore, the figure was as high as 44%,” added Dr Paramesh.
What best can be done to safeguard children? According to experts, since the presence of pollen in the atmosphere during this season cannot be prevented, exposure to other allergens should be restricted. “Parents should ensure that the child is not exposed to dust, smoke, or strong smells of perfumes, which are some of the other common factors that trigger allergies. Direct exposure to flowering plants should also be restricted,” said Dr Nagesh.

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Take care of your kids during spring

2012-09-23T11:21:00.019-07:00

Take care of your kids during spring

Going the Lady Gaga way with your hair? Beware

2012-09-23T11:21:00.017-07:00

Going the Lady Gaga way with your hair? Beware

If you too vie for the crazy hairdos like Lady Gaga, here’s something you need to know. News is that the Grammy-winning singer is slowly balding.
Apparently, her wild hairstyles and the recent experiment, where she dyed her hair peroxide blonde, cost her dear. Known for her wild and eccentric hairstyles, GaGa’s excessive hair loss is being linked to her carelessness towards her hair, say reports.
A recent study called the World’s Best Hair Study 2010 conducted under hair research expert Dr Yash Kamath shows that Indian hair ranks highest on the parameters of thickness, shine, smoothness and tensile strength when compared with African and Caucasian hair due to their habits of oiling it regularly. “Grooming practices which influence the health of the hair differ in each of the regions. Africans follow the practice of braiding, tying hair very tightly, using neutralisers, etc while Caucasians are known to indulge in hair colouring, blow drying, using of styling products, etc. India, on the other hand, has been known to use natural home remedies for thick, long and beautiful hair,” explains Dr Kamath.
Oiling hair has been part of the Indian hair care routine since generations, and it has stood in good stead as it has won the nation the crown of the World’s Best Hair. No matter how much Indian girls experiment with their hair, their loyalty to the hair oil regime allows them to repair any damage that is done with the experimentation. We see that even all our Bollywood heroines still manage to maintain the health and shine of their luscious tresses despite all the styling they go through. Be it actors like Anushka Sharma, Chitrangada Singh, or Vidya Balan, theyall swear by the champi.
Says Sharma, “Indian women have always been known for their luscious locks and it is blissful to know that we have the World’s Best Hair. Coconut oil is the best natural conditioner for hair and helps maintaining its beauty.”
“I strongly believe that Indian hair is synonymous with beauty and the credit goes to the traditional coconut oil champi that we have been performing as a ritual for years now and which acts as an excellent conditioner for healthy hair,’’ says Chitrangada Singh.

Foods that help in weight loss

2012-09-23T11:21:00.015-07:00

Foods that help in weight loss

Trying to lose those extra kilos but, nothing seem to work? Sometimes no matter how much you workout at the gym or, run or jog in the park yet, it is difficult to get the desired weight loss. The best way to get a sexy figure is not by starving yourself but, by following a correct diet. Here, we tell you some vegetables/fruits that are highly beneficial and will help you shed those extra kilos easily:

• Do not enter any weight loss diet without first taking the advice of a specialist. Every body is unique and has its own peculiarities and characteristics. This means that the diet that helped your best friend to lose weight fast may not have the same effect on you.

• Include lots and lots of salads in your diet. Include tomato, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, lettuce, cucumber in your diet. They are all low in calories and the best part is, you'll not have to starve yourself too. You can have as much salad as you want to fill up your stomach.

• Feeling hungry after a hard day at work? Then, in-spite of munching those fried chips or cookies, try grapes. They are high in sugar so, do not overdose them and the best thing about them is, a hundred grams of grapes contain only 70 calories so, you'll not have to worry about burning those extra calories at the gym.

• People say when trying to lose weight, avoid potatoes but, I will say 'have potatoes'. Yes, you got it right, you can have potatoes even when you are trying to lose weight. Problem is not with potatoes but, the way they are cooked. If, you have baked potatoes and avoid there fried form then, they can be beneficial for your body too and the surprising part is, they have only 97 calories.

• Have lots and lots of curd incur diet. It is rich in protein, calcium and vitamins and contains only 56 calories if, prepared from low fat milk.

• Have sprouted pulses in your diet as they are rich in vitamins and fiber, and are highly recommended for all those trying to lose those extra kgs.

• Last but not the least, have at-least 10-12 glasses of waters in a day. They not only help to curb the hunger pangs but also, clean up our body system.
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Vegetarians have lower risk of heart disease

2012-09-23T11:21:00.013-07:00

Vegetarians have lower risk of heart disease

Washington: Vegetarians have a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome -- a precursor to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
The symptoms are extra weight around the waist and insulin resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is needed to help control the amount of sugar in the body.
The Loma Linda University study found that while 25 percent of vegetarians had metabolic syndrome, the number significantly rose to 37 percent for semi-vegetarians and 39 percent for non-vegetarians, the journal Diabetes Care reported.
"It indicates that lifestyle factors such as diet can be important in the prevention of metabolic syndrome," a statement quoted lead researcher Nico S. Rizzo of Loma Linda as saying.
The study examined more than 700 adults randomly sampled from Loma Linda University's Adventist Health Study 2.
Thirty-five percent of the subjects in this smaller sub-study were vegetarian. On average, the vegetarians and semi-vegetarians were three years older than non-vegetarians.
Despite their slightly older age, vegetarians had lower triglycerides, glucose levels, blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) - a height to weight ratio.
"This work again shows that diet improves many of the main cardiovascular risk factors that are part of metabolic syndrome," says Gary Fraser, principal study investigator.

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Keep summer problems at bay

2012-09-23T11:21:00.011-07:00

Keep summer problems at bay

With maximum temperatures soaring to 35-36 degrees Celsius during the hottest parts of the day, people may be forgiven for often complaining that this is one of the hottest summers they have ever experienced.

While parents are queuing up at doctors’ chambers fearing heat-strokes, most doctors quell fears by maintaining that heat-strokes are extremely uncommon and are likely to remain so. “Heat-strokes are virtually unheard of unless the maximum temperature climbs to 42-45 degrees Celsius and that is not the scenario in Bangalore right now,” reassures Dr Bhaskar Shenoy, HOD, Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital. What the doctor does warn of are gastro-intestinal disorders, which he says are on the rise. “Among children, diarrhoea caused by Rotaviruses are very common these days.

Most children pick up the infection from exposed food or drink,” warns Dr Shenoy.

Aravind Jagadeesh, consultant, general medicines and diabetology, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital agrees that gastro-intestinal (GI) disorders are the main problems to watch out for this summer. This can be manifested in the form of vomiting and dysentery sometimes accompanied by slightly elevated body temperature. “If these symptoms persist the person should be taken to a doctor immediately, because in this kind of weather dehydration can occur very quickly,” says Dr Jagadeesh.

The best way to avoid these problems is to stay away from what is termed ‘unsafe food’. Though doctors will warn against eating out, it is hardly possible to stay away from restaurants and eateries, especially when school and college vacations are on. However, certain precautions can be taken, such as strictly staying away from those juice parlours and fresh fruit stands. Cut fruits must be avoided in no uncertain terms, and it is better to have packaged juices or make them fresh at home, say doctors. “Cold foods such as panipuri, bhelpuri must also be avoided as they often contain germs that cause GI disorders,” says Dr Purnima Parthasarathy, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospital.

Dr Jagadeesh offers another reason why it is imperative to avoid road-side food stalls: “There is a general scarcity of water and these road-side stalls usually do not have running water facilities anyway. They are bound to economise on water with the result that the utensils may not be properly washed and may contain harmful germs.”

Water scarcity also means relying on tanker water, and the only fail-safe way to avoid water-borne illnesses is drinking boiled and cooled water, especially for children and adults with impaired immunity, says Dr Shenoy. Your filter water may not be 100% safe, he warns, while Dr Jagadeesh says drinking water straight from the fridge is also not advisable as this can cause throat infections. “It might also be a good idea to prepare fresh food for every meal. With power outages being quite common, cooked food kept in the fridge may not be safe to consume and can cause stomach upsets,” he says.

Dr Shenoy’s advice to parents is to let children breathe in light cotton clothes. “Bangalore usually has moderate temperatures, so people tend to bundle up children. But now parents must consciously dress children lighter and allow proper ventilation in rooms,” he says. Get kids to drink plenty of fluids, he says, and stop them from playing in the sun during the hottest parts of the afternoon. He also shares the observation that there is a rise in the number of chicken pox cases, and asks parents to keep a lookout for symptoms of chicken pox.

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Secret to quick weight loss

2012-09-23T11:21:00.009-07:00

Secret to quick weight loss

Washington: The combination of dieting and exercise can make you shed 11 percent of your weight -- way more than what you would lose by following either of the strategy individually, says a new study.
"We were surprised at how successful the women were," said Anne McTiernan, director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre (FHCRC), reports the journal Obesity.
The year-long intervention involved 439 overweight-to-obese, sedentary, post-menopausal, Seattle-area women, aged 50-75, who were randomly assigned to one of four groups: exercise only, diet only, exercise and diet and no intervention.
Researchers found that the women in the exercise-only group lost, on average, 2.4 percent of their starting weight as compared to an average weight loss of 8.5 percent among women in the diet-only group.
The greatest weight loss was achieved by women who both changed their diet and exercised regularly; these women shed an average of 10.8 percent of their starting weight (with a mean weight loss of 19.8 pounds).
Two-thirds of the women in this group achieved the study goal of losing at least 10 percent of their starting weight.
"Even though this degree of weight loss may not bring an obese individual to a normal weight, losing even this modest amount of weight can bring health benefits such as a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer," added Mc Tiernan, who led the study, according to a FHCRC statement.
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Add the 'feel-good' factor to your life

2012-09-23T11:21:00.007-07:00

Add the 'feel-good' factor to your life

The urban life, as glimmering as it is, often ends up taking a toll on your personal life. One is often so burdened with the pressures of meeting social responsibilities that it’s difficult to take time out for oneself. Life goes on and one is lost in the modern jungle. There are, however, a few ways to rejuvenate yourself in your prime working days:

• Workout: You need to get into some sort of exercise regime in order to maintain a fit body even in your old age. Not doing enough physical activities will make it only weaker in the days to come. Hit the gym, or jog in the garden or even take up lessons in dance or martial arts to keep up your fitness levels.

• Cook: Cooking, not out of compulsion, is believed to be therapeutic for tired souls. Prepare yourself a delicacy on weekends and relish every bite of the dish. It’ll surely help you feel pepped up and reenergized, apart from polishing your culinary skills.

• Beauty and retail therapy: You’ve heard this one a thousand time, but, even you know it works! Indulge in a quick session of pedicure on your way back home, or take an entire day out to visit your favourite salon and pamper yourself. Go for a makeover if the need be, or simply buy yourself a whole new wardrobe for a ‘new’ you.

• Listen to yourself: Our body and soul constantly give us signals on how our life is shaping up. Pay heed to them and try to listen to them to have a better understanding of the world outside and within you.

• Be your best friend: Most of us are blessed with ‘best friends’ in our lives, the ones we share our happy times with, the one who understands our concerns, but there might be a situation where even that person is tied up. During such a phase, allow yourself to become your best friend. Bottling up emotions is only going to make the situation worse. Talk to yourself, cry if the need be and reconnect with your inner self.

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Anxiety can weaken your bones

2012-09-23T11:21:00.005-07:00

Anxiety can weaken your bones

Sydney: Beware -- anxiety now comes with a new risk: it weakens your bones!
Researchers from Deakin in Australia and Norwegian universities analysed data of over 8,000 men and women from central Norway and found a link between depressive symptoms and reduction in bone mineral density.
Participants underwent forearm bone mineral density scans, reports the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Deakin researcher Lana Williams said it was found that depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in men were associated with lower bone mineral density, said a Deakin statement.
"There are several known risk factors for low bone mineral density, such as advanced age, gender (women are at greater risk than men), familial predisposition, low levels of sex hormones, inadequate calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency," Williams said.
"It is possible that poor mental health could be another one of these risk factors."
Recently, the possible association between psychiatric illness - particularly depression - and osteoporosis has been the subject of a growing body of research.

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Exercise prove beneficial after heart attack

2012-09-23T11:21:00.003-07:00

Exercise prove beneficial after heart attack

Toronto: Early and prolonged exercise and not rest seems to be the best option after a heart attack.
A new study shows that the heart tends to become better with exercise sooner and with continued exercise over a longer period of time.
"While it has been shown that exercise has a favourable effect on heart function, it's also important to dispel the idea that what the heart needs is rest," said Mark Haykowsky, study co-author and researcher in rehabilition medicine at the University of Alberta.
Study co-author Alex Clark, a researcher at Alberta, said: "In the past, patients in Canada and the US have been told to wait for a month before beginning their exercise treatment and this treatment typically only goes on for about three months."
Patients who began their exercise program one week after getting a heart attack were found to have the best heart performance, the journal Trials reports.
For those who waited to start their exercise rehabilitation program, the results showed that "for every week that a patient delayed his or her exercise treatment, he or she had to train for the equivalent of one month longer to get similar benefits", said Clark, according to an Alberta statement.
"Our findings suggest that at least six months of exercise is the most beneficial," he added.

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Have onions for good health

2012-09-23T11:21:00.001-07:00

Have onions for good health

According to a new study, onions can be beneficial for health as, they help in regulating weight, preventing diabetes and reducing blood pressure.
Courier Mail reports that, biomedical scientists at the University of Southern Queensland have revealed the benefits of onions and said that, they can combat obesity, diabetes and increased blood pressure.
According to them, rutin extracted from onions lowered blood pressure, reversed glucose problems and repaired liver damage.
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Fruits for acne free skin

2012-09-23T11:20:00.037-07:00

Fruits for acne free skin

Has the horrible acne taken you into the confines of your home and meeting people has just become impossible? Where those reddish scars and pimples have made you outcast in your own social group. And, the umpteen attempts of getting rid of it by applying creams have gone in vain. Then, it’s time to go natural and include some fruits in your diet for that acne free flawless skin.

Grapes
If you love grapes, then there is some good news for you. These small berries make your skin acne free, giving it an everlasting glow. Well, the grapes also help lighten scars after acne and correct uneven skin tone, making your skin look and feel great.

Apricots
Well, the fruit has an effect on dull and damaged skin. Rich in vitamin C and A, it works wonders for sensitive skin, making it pimple free.

Bananas
The fruit is rich in fiber and vitamin c, contributing to a flawless skin. Apart from its consumption, its application on the skin can provide an acne free and glowing skin.

Papaya
And, you always ran away from this fruit. Then it’s time to make it your best friend. As the fruit contains enzyme papain which helps to dissolve dead skin, thus imparting a glow on the face. Papaya also contains beautifying vitamins A and C, which helps in getting rid of acne. You can also apply it in the form of a face pack as the pack helps to open the skin pores making the skin lighter and acne free.

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Swearing may help you to beat pain

2012-09-23T11:20:00.035-07:00

Swearing may help you to beat pain

London: It may sound a bit strange, but swearing may actually help you beat the pain, a new British study has claimed.

Researchers at the Keele University in the UK found that bad language can act as a powerful painkiller -- at least, for those who don't normally use expletives.

For them, the researchers said, swearing in the face of genuine pain is up to four times more effective than it is for more regular swearers, the Daily Mail reported.

For the study, the researchers recruited 71 young adults and divided them into two groups -- those who normally utter fewer than ten swear words a day, and those who utter up to 40 daily.
All of them were asked to dip their hands into ice cold water and hold them there as long as possible.

They were first asked to do so while repeating a non-swear word, then again while repeating a swear word of their choosing.

Those who usually swear less often were able to withstand the icy water while swearing for up to 45 seconds longer than when they did not swear. But the frequent daily swearers were able to withstand the icy water for just ten seconds longer compared to when they did not swear.
Dr Richard Stephens, who led the research, said the findings showed that swearing can release pain-killing endorphins.

"Swearing provokes an emotional response in the face of stress akin to the 'flight and fight' response (how the body reacts to perceived threat or danger)," he explained.

But the study showed that if people really want to benefit from swearing they should save it up for when it really matters -- and when they are in genuine pain.

He added: "I think the benefit of swearing as a response to pain lies in the field either before medical intervention arrives or for minor injuries.

"You stub your toe, you let fly with some expletives and you move on. But as our new study shows -- if you overdo casual everyday swearing, then it seems that you would not get the benefit of letting fly with an expletive at that moment when you injure yourself."
But Dr Stephens advised against official NHS backing for cursing.

"Swearing is impolite and has connotations with rowdy behaviour and I'd suspect advocating its use in healthcare would cause more problems than it would solve," he said.

"So in a healthcare setting, the usual range of analgesics should continue to be applied."
The new findings will be released at a Psychological Society conference in Glasgow next month.

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