healthyhomosapien

Good News For All Breast Cancer Patients

2013-06-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Now there is this interesting story which you must know. This is the time of the year that poachers in Goa carrying torches and bags, venture into the open to hunt for frogs for their meaty hind legs. The Indian bullfrog has been renamed as jumping chicken in Goa. But the forest department has warned eating frogs could cause cancers, paralytic strokes, kidney failure and other deformities.

Moving on to our topic, a drug used to treat osteoporosis has shown to stop the growth of breast cancer, even the resistant ones. The name of the drug is bazedoxifene and this drug has been approved by the European Union. Before I start to talk, let me tell you what is meant by estrogen and estrogen receptor.

Dr. Ananya Mandal explains that estrogens are steroid compounds that are important for the development and functioning of the female species. They are primarily produced by ovaries. Estrogen receptors are a group of proteins which are inside cells. They are activated by estrogen hormone.

Hope you are clear with the above. Bazedoxifene our wonder drug prevents estrogen from fuelling breast cancer cell growth. And at the same time it also gets rid off the estrogen receptor. Due to this action the cancer cell does not develop resistance. In case of bone tissues this wonder drug copies the action of estrogen and helps it to protect from destruction.

To conclude, bazedoxifene has passed the safety tests and is already used for the treatment of osteoporosis. According to the researchers, this may become a best option for those suffering with advanced breast cancer tumors that have become resistant to other treatment options.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Boians Cho Joo Young

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Can Healthy Diet Increase The Lifespan of People Suffering From Prostate Cancer

2013-06-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is bit shocking news. Science Daily says that nearly 2.5 million men in US are suffering from prostate cancer. Another quarter million will be added this year. It is said that one in six men living in US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their life time. The statistics points to US we do not have sufficient data for the rest of the world.

Now what is prostate cancer? It is the cancer which develops in the tissues of prostate, a gland found in male reproductive system. These cancers mostly grow slowly and mainly affect older men. Genetics and diet play a role in the development of this disease. We are going to deal with diet in this post. Some studies say high meat consumption is a higher risk factor. Low levels of vitamin D in blood can also increase the risk of prostate cancer.

A new study has found that by making simple healthy changes to the diet, people suffering from prostate cancer can increase their lifespan. Curious to know more about it let me tell you. Fats obtained from olive and canola oil, nuts, seeds and avocadoes are considered healthy ones. If you substitute them in your diet instead of animal fats and carbohydrates, then you stand a chance to lower the risk of developing lethal prostate cancer.

The study points out that if you add 1 tablespoon of oil based dressing per day, it cuts the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 29% and the risk of death by 13%. Similarly one serving of nuts that is one ounce of nuts on a daily basis reduces the risk of prostate cancer by 18% and the risk of death by 11%.

The researchers advise that a heart healthy diet which consists of unsaturated oils and nuts is a wise choice for those affected with prostate cancer. Another research study points out that exercise may lower the risk of death in men suffering from this disease. Talking about healthy fats it is found that vegetarian diet lower the risk of death. Vegetable oils obtained from soy, corn and canola contain good amounts of linoleic acid which helps to lower heart disease.

Try making healthy alterations to your diet to lead a happy long life.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Kromkrathog

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Lead Poisoning Can Trigger Schizophrenia

2013-06-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

An article called “The killing mines” by Matteo Fagotto made me think. He reports that the gold miners in northern Nigeria are caught in a cruel paradox, to provide food for their family they have to keep on mining the very activity that is killing their children. In March 2010 an epidemic of Lead poisoning swept through Zamfara which took away 400 innocent little lives with it. This is due to gold mining and processing. If you want to know more about it just click the you tube video below.

When lead continues to build up in the body over a long period of time, say months or years it can lead to lead poisoning. Lead even in smaller amounts can cause serious harm to our body. Scientists have found that lead acts to trigger schizophrenia. When mice engineered with human gene for schizophrenia were exposed to lead during their early life, they exhibited behaviors and changes in brain structure similar to those of schizophrenia.

Earlier research studies pinpointed a connection between prenatal lead exposure in humans and increased chances of schizophrenia in later life. But Tomas R.Guitarte the senior author of this research study says lead directly inhibits a receptor which is known as N-methyl-D–aspartate receptor which is very important for brain development, learning and memory. Now for heaven’s sake don’t ask me what it is. My job as a blogger is to raise social awareness about various health issues. Your doctor would be the best person to answer this.

Scientists believe that lead is only a part of the whole subject that inhibits the development of brain, learning and memory. There could be other environmental toxins such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which may cause harm to our development. The best way out to be healthy from all these problems is to go and be green.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Ranjith Krishnan

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

A Breakthrough - Antibiotics Can Cure Backpain

2013-05-30T00:03:00.001-07:00

Do you suffer from chronic back pain? If your answer is yes, then sit tight this post may be your godsend. A recent study found that 40% of chronic back pain could be caused by bacteria. Some people may suffer from pain in their lower back caused by herniated bulging discs and swelling in the spine.

Mayoclinic says that herniated discs mean the problem with the rubbery cushions, between the individual bones that make up your spine. This condition occurs when the soft jelly pushes out through a crack in the tough bone exterior. This may irritate nearby nerves and result in pain and numbness.

Some bacteria such as the P. acnes which reside on the skin get into our blood stream. These bacteria hate oxygen rich environment and does not colonize inside our body. The spine does not have lots of oxygen when the disc gets damaged, blood vessels sprout into it. The bacterium moves in and settles down. There they flourish and spit out chemicals and acid. The acid corrodes the bone near the disc causing more pain and swelling.

Are you clear about the herniated disc and the cause of back pain? Now this research is considered a breakthrough and some neurological specialists have called the findings as the stuff of Nobel prizes. Danish researchers found that a combination of antibiotics amoxicillin and clavulanate for three months provides lasting relief from back pain. This treatment cured 80% of people or in other words greatly reduced their suffering.

Though the findings may definitely be considered a breakthrough, some doctors are quick to point out there may be various other causes that leads to back pain. Prof Piddock of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection says that specific tests should be carried out before antibiotics are prescribed for back pain. This prevents people from needlessly being exposed to drugs and gaining resistance to them. Becoming resistant to antibiotics increases the risk of future infections.

Now turning our attention to your back pain, buy yourself a good ergonomically designed chair. Still if the problem persists, then it is time you visit your doctor.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Stuart Miles

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Calcium Increases Lifespan in Women

2013-05-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

Calcium the wonder mineral can help women live longer. That is so nice to hear is it not? Researchers have found that taking calcium supplements of up to 1000mg per day increases the lifespan of women.

You can get the 1000mg of calcium either from dairy foods, non dairy foods or supplements. The source of calcium does not affect the longevity benefit associated with calcium. The study shows that taking calcium supplements lowers the risk of death by 22% over a 10 year period, on comparison with women who do not take supplements daily.

To give you some idea of calcium rich sources, it is found in milk, yogurt, cheese, kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, breads, pasta and tofu. You can go in for calcium supplements upon your doctor’s advice. Insufficient amounts of calcium in the body may lead to reduced bone mass which increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Calcium has some important functions in the body. It is stored in bones and teeth and supports the structure and hardness. It helps in muscle movement and helps nerves in transmission of messages between brain and other body parts. So make calcium your best diet buddy to enjoy a longer life.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by imagery majestic

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Top Tips To Delay Ageing of Brain

2013-05-19T23:56:00.002-07:00

This blog is all about spreading positive vibrations. I read about life coach Aravind Devalia’s six key rules which give you a 20/20 vision to move forward in your life. The key rules are stop wasting time, stop collecting clutter, stop being miserable, stop wasting money, stop abusing your body and stop ignoring key people in your life.

You know what? These six key rules are invisibly connected to our topic. Wikipedia says that ageing involves physical, chemical, biological and psychological changes. This occurs to our brain as it sails near its dusk. MRI studies have found that as the brain ages there is decrease in cerebral volume.

There may be many causes that lead to ageing of brain. Out of these oxidative stress can also be blamed. When compared to other tissues the brain is unusually sensitive to oxidative damage. A new study has found that cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption expose the brain to large amounts of free radicals. These free oxidative radicals injure the neurons and other cells that makeup the brain. And the end result? The person has problems with memory, thinking, efficiency and problem solving skills. This becomes more pronounced with age.

Now let us discuss the methods to slow down the ageing of brain. Physical activity especially aerobic exercise keeps your brain young and healthy. Alertness can be increased by reading and enjoying mental activities. William Speed writes in Reader’s Digest that fit people have sharper brains and people who are out of shape but then get into shape, sharpen their brains.

If you have a wide circle of healthy friends and not the partying kind, it can help you in keeping the brain young. And finally eating healthy foods especially the ones that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants will keep your brain sharp and fit.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Victor Habbick

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Can Fish Oil Help You To Become Slim

2013-05-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

I read an amazing fact about fats by Stephanie Karl, a nutritionist. She says you get good fats from eggs, nuts, avocado, butter, cheese, coconut, nut oils, coconut oil, olive oil and flax seed oil. She advises to avoid all trans fats from processed food corn, soy, safflower, sunflower oil and margarine. Hope you got my point.

Coming back to fish oils, it is derived from tissues of oily fish. It contains omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Science has found that high fat diets could disrupt new nerve cell formation in the brain. Let me explain this process more clearly.

When you eat high fat diet inflammatory molecules called triglycerides are increased in the blood stream. They prevent hormones from passing into the brain. Now these hormones are secreted from body tissues, they protect neurons and stimulate nerve cell growth.

In animal studies scientists found that omega 3 restores the normal functioning of the neurons by suppressing the production and activity of these triglycerides. The omega 3 does not have a direct effect in this process but it indirectly plays its role. So go ahead and give the fish oil its deserved place in your diet.

Simply put, fish oil increases the efficiency of brain’s control on the body’s intake of food. In this way it helps you to become slim. On the other hand you should do proper exercises and eat a healthy diet to notice a slimmer version of yourself.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Victor Habbick

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What is so Healthy About Papayas

2013-05-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

I still remember tall papaya trees growing in my backyard with ripe papayas waiting to be savored. My mother used to scoop out the papaya flesh sprinkle some sugar and ice over it. It tastes heavenly on a warm summer afternoon. Papaya was called as the fruit of the angels by Christopher Columbus.

The angelic fruit not only tastes good but is also quite healthy. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also rich in fiber and folic acid. It promotes health by protecting against heart diseases, increases digestive health, has anti-inflammatory benefits and supports the immune system. Papaya protects against age related macular degeneration. A combination of green tea and papaya keeps prostate cancer at bay.

The leaves, seeds and milk of the papaya tree are used to treat intestinal worms. Sound amazing is it not? Raw papaya ensures regularising menstrual irregularities. It alleviates irritable bowl syndrome. It is good for stomach ulcers and prevents constipation due to its fiber content. It is rich in antioxidants and is highly beneficial for people suffering from asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It would be healthy and wise if papaya pops its pretty head on your plate.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by twobee

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Can Cinnamon Cause Liver Damage

2013-05-09T04:44:00.000-07:00

Before I start to scare you about cinnamon, let me tell you that cinnamon was a highly prized commodity in ancient times. It was deemed fit for kings and gods. It is a native to Bangladesh, Srilanka, Malabar Coast of India and Burma. It found its way into the Western world through the Arab traders, Venetian traders, Portuguese and Dutch traders.

A recent research has found that two compounds found in cinnamon cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin show promise to fight against the Alzheimer's disease. According to the researchers these compounds prevent the tangles formed in the brain which characterizes Alzheimer's disease. You know what? I updated this post with the latest information on cinnamon. Now back to our topic.

There are two types of cinnamon available. One is the true or Ceylon cinnamon and the other is dried cassia bark or cassia cinnamon. Now you might wonder, she writes about the history, latest information, the varieties and what does she actually want to say about? Coumarin is the substance which gives the cinnamon its delicious aroma. This substance caused the historically famous sweet clover disease.

Coumarin is moderately toxic to liver and kidneys. Researchers found that the true cinnamon or the Ceylon cinnamon which is generally very expensive has little coumarin. But the cheaper variety the cassia cinnamon has large amounts of this substance.

The sad news is that this cassia cinnamon is being used to flavor foods such as breads, sticky buns, beverages and food supplements mainly in the US. This is according to the researchers. I don’t have any idea about the other parts of the world.

Very high quantities of coumarin in cassia cinnamon may be harmful to people with liver damage. A health alert is being issued by healthyhomosapien to all people suffering from liver and kidney problems, diabetes and breast cancer. It would do a world of good if you stop using especially the cassia cinnamon.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Grant Cochrane

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Why Should You Wear Sunglasses

2013-05-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

So far I was thinking that sunglasses are a fashion statement that should only be worn by Hollywood or Bollywood stars. They wear such big glasses, give a nice big smile, wave at the crowd and disappear in thin air. But the husband told me such a scary story about a colleague, who nearly lost his sight because of not wearing sun glasses. This made me do a little study about sunglasses. Here are the details.

Sunglasses or sun cheaters protect your eyes from bright sunlight and high energy visible light. Do you know that even prehistoric people wore sun glasses? The Inuit people wore flattened walrus ivory glasses. When exposed to sunlight the eyes suffer badly.

It may cause sunburn of the eye which can lead to loss of vision for 48 hours. Surfer’s eye is a condition which causes benign growth on eye surface which can itch, swell or become irritable.

The consequences of not wearing sunglasses can also lead to cataracts, age related macular degeneration and cancer of eye and eyelid.

Sun glasses improve the comfort of vision and increases clarity by reducing the amount of glare. Now, you have to protect the eyes from UVA and UVB radiation. Harvard scientists recommend some really useful glasses. The cosmetic variety has light colored tints and blocks about 70% of UVB rays 20% of UVA and 60% of visible light.

The UVA rays are responsible for skin tanning and ageing of skin. The UVB rays causes sun burn and skin cancer. The sun glasses used for general purpose has medium to dark lenses it blocks 95% of UVB rays and 60% of UVA and 60-90% of visible light. The special purpose sunglasses has extremely dark lenses and blocks 99% of UVB rays 60% of UVA rays and 97% of visible light.

I hope the scientists have done a great job by advising on the type of glasses to wear. Hope you are on your way to the market to buy yourself a nice pair of sunglasses. And be careful not to disappear in thin air.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by photostock

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What Are Bioabsorbable Zinc Stents

2013-05-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the Jaipur Foot? It is the World’s largest organization for the disabled. Jaipur foot is rubber based prosthetic leg for people who have undergone below knee amputations. The main goal of the organization is to help the disabled regain mobility and dignity by fitting artificial limbs free of charge. If you want to know more about it here is the link http://www.jaipurfoot.org/

A little smile, a little kind deed may make the other person to flourish and you may never know it. You know what? Sometimes Swarnam goes nuts and talks like this. Yesterday I read about this research on zinc stent. What is a stent you may wonder? It is a small mesh like tube which is used to treat narrow or weak arteries. An angioplasty is performed to place the stent in the artery. It restores blood flow through narrow or blocked arteries.

Six months after the stent is placed. The arteries get healed and the stent remains there for life. The long time span may cause some side effects such as inflammation and clotting at the implant site. It may also break and poke into the arterial wall? Sounds scary! Is it not?

Researchers are working on the bioabsorbable stents which have the ability to be absorbed or dissolved in the body. Their gaze fell upon zinc. When zinc wires were placed inside rat arteries, after some initial hiccups the corrosion rate was accelerated. This means the implant will not remain in the artery for long periods of time. To add to their success the healing of the tissues was remarkable.

The researchers feel that traditionally made zinc would not be strong to be used on human arteries, because the pressure of blood flow would be great. So, they are looking for zinc alloys. Zinc fights the plaque developed in the arteries and so it is quite healthy. The experiment done so far has been hugely successful and further research is going on. I wish there is more good news from the researchers about zinc stents in the near future.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by gubgib

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What Does Healthy Lifestyle And Your Value System Have In Common

2013-04-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Meet Jessica Cox a girl who was born without arms. But don’t ever feel sad for her because she can fly a plane, is a black belt in karate, learning to surf and is happily married to her sweet heart and can’t wait to expand her nest. Stories like these do pepper our mundane every day life. Doesn’t it? Wondering this Swarnam talk high and mighty and today what she is up to?

See, the best thing you can do for yourself is to believe in yourself. A research on diet, exercise and personality type found that people who believed that their life can be changed by their own actions ate healthier food, exercised more, smoked less and avoided binge drinking. The study also found that those who believed in luck or fate led unhealthy lifestyles.

Leading a healthy lifestyle can add years to your life chart. It was found that it added five more years to women and six more years to men respectively. Healthy lifestyle behavior reduces the risk of hypertension. And according to WHO high blood pressure causes over a million deaths and is the leading cause of mortality in the World.

Now what is healthy life style? It is the practice of eating vegetables and fruits, drinking lots of water, exercising, saying no to cigarettes and alcohol and altogether a positive way of living and thinking. This way of life expands your horizons both mentally and physically.

Harvard University researchers say that exercise helps you to have a healthy heart, keeps your brain sharp, controls your blood sugar levels, reduces cancer risk and keeps you strong and mobile. Above all a healthy lifestyle will keep you happy and increase your productivity to do more good for mankind.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by digital art

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What Is It So Healthy About Mushrooms

2013-04-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

My birth country is a tropical land and after the heavy rains you see mushrooms growing on the wet logs. We kids used to collect it and have lots of fun. Oh! Those good old days! In 1840 the English botanist George Gardner found a group of boys playing with a glowing object. To his surprise he found a species of mushrooms that actually glows in the dark. They are the luminescent mushrooms.

We hear so many things from Boston these days. A group of researchers from Boston University have found that eating mushrooms with vitamin D2 can effectively increase and maintain vitamin D levels. It equals the benefits of taking the vitamin D supplement. Mushrooms are low in calories and are a good source of vitamin B such as riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid. They also host minerals such as selenium, copper and potassium. So where this vitamin D does comes from?

Mushrooms consist of natural ergosterols. When they are exposed to ultraviolet light the ergosterols produce vitamin D2. This vitamin is essential for bone health, bone density and muscle strength. It reduces the risk of osteomalacia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. If all these names sound Greek and Latin, just bear this in mind that vitamin D protects your bones and prevents diseases associated with bones.

Mushrooms have great health benefits especially the crimini mushrooms. They enhance the immune system, has anti inflammatory properties that fights against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. All is not good with the mushrooms. You should beware of the magic mushrooms which posses’ psychedelic properties, because they contain a hallucinogenic substance called psilocybin which is illegal to use.

There are exotic mushrooms such as shritake, enoki, maitake and oyster mushrooms and common varieties such as button mushrooms, large brown mushrooms and small brown crimini mushrooms which you can enjoy for its flavor and health benefits.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Grant Cochrane

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What Are The Health Benefits Of Gardening

2013-04-22T00:21:00.000-07:00

Google has put up a nice picture for the Earth day. Surely you would have seen it. I read about this amazing woman named Deena Motiwalla, who turned her villa in the desert into a green oasis. She has pots of roses in red, white and pink; multicolored geraniums, violas and a variety of flowering cacti. An English teacher started a small desert school garden which grew tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, basil, parsley, mint, coriander, okra and chilies. And they started supplying to the school canteen. Now just stop and say Wow!

Wondering why Swarnam writes all the names of plants she knows? A recent study found that community gardens produce more than veggies. They enhance the health of the people by lowering their body mass index and lower the odds of being overweight or obese. The term community gardens is more popular in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is a large land where the community comes to garden. I hope this trend catches up in other cities, so that people can have more time with nature.

A research paper points out that when an unsightly plot is transformed into a beautiful garden, it increases biodiversity of that place. It attracts beneficial soil microorganisms, insects, birds etc and as a result urban green spaces can play a role in species preservation. The community gardens can reduce soil erosion, ground water contamination and air pollution. The soil in the wasteland can become a public health hazard by dumping dangerous substances. On the other hand if it is nurtured it becomes a safe place that provides nourishment, aesthetic pleasure and result in a healthy environment.

Another study says that gardening reduces the risk of obesity, coronary heart disease, glycemic control and diabetes. It has been found that moderate amount of gardening increases muscle strength. It is suitable for pregnant women and cancer survivors. When sunlight exposure becomes less it can lead to increase in blood cholesterol but gardening in summer months was associated with lower blood cholesterol rates. Gardening increases immunity and healing responses. People who garden have felt an increase in satisfaction, pride, self confidence, personal satisfaction and efficiency. So why not do a bit of gardening which will be a huge help to Mother Nature and to you.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by sira anamwong

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Can Your Heartbeat Foretell Your Future Lifespan

2013-04-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well, there may be times when your heart had missed a beat or raced faster than Michael Johnson. This could have happened because you would have met the person of your dreams, or you would have got your dream job, or came face to face with your dreaded maths professor after you flunked the test. But I am going to talk about a different heart beat rate that you should consider seriously.

Scientists have found that higher the resting heart rate, higher the risk of death irrespective of a person’s fitness level. So what is resting heart rate? Heart rate is the number of heart beats per minute. For adults the normal resting heart rate may range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. If you have a lower heart rate at rest, then you can be rest assured that your heart is working efficiently and your cardiovascular health is great. If not, then be little more careful.

If a person has low levels of physical fitness, high blood pressure, obesity and high level of fats in blood then he may have a high resting heart rate. Scientists found that if there was 51 to 80 beats per minute then it increases the chances of death to 40 to 50%. Similarly 81 to 90 beats per minute doubled the risk of death. And the heart rate above 90 beats per minute tripled the risk. Hope I have scared you to death.

So how would you try to reduce your heart rate? First and foremost try to relax, meditate, do breathing exercises, maintain your exercise schedule, rest properly and concentrate on peaceful imagery. The foods that help to slow down the hear rate are calcium rich foods, magnesium rich foods and potassium foods.

Now, I think if I give some examples it would be more useful for you. Calcium rich foods include cheese, dairy products, molasses, tofu, broccoli, cabbage, kelp and oysters. Magnesium rich foods include tofu, wheat bran, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds and green leafy vegetables. Potassium rich foods include bananas, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and avocados Fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, lake trout, herring and sardines enhance your heart health.

Herbs such as lavender, kava kava and Valerian work their magic on the heart and slow it down. Caffeine which is a stimulant can increase the rate of heart beat. So reducing the amount of coffee you drink can work wonders for your heart. You are unique and special and your lifetime should be a purposeful one. So take good care of your heart.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Boykung

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Why Should You Get a Good Night's Rest

2013-04-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

Do you know why they sing lullabies? Science has figured it all out for you. When we play sounds that synchronizes to the rhythm of the slow brain oscillations of people who are sleeping, it improves the quality of sleep and enhances memory.

Here comes terrifying news to startle you out of your sleep. People with sleep apnea are more likely to fail a driving stimulator test and they nod off while driving. A study in 2012 found women with sleep apnea have higher degree of brain damage than men. Sleep apnea is a common disorder which produces one or more pauses while sleeping. It results in disturbed poor quality of sleep. If you suspect you have this problem, better get a medical advice.

Sleep is essential because it results in growth and rejuvenation of the body. You should get proper sleep because the lack of it affects learning and memory, sleep deprivation causes weight gain, it results in irritable mood and affects cardiovascular health and immune function.

Harvard scientists advise that you cut back on caffeine, stop smoking or chewing tobacco and limit alcohol intake in case you have the habit, to ensure more golden restful slumber. Caffeine can interfere with sleep patterns by increasing the need to urinate during the night.

Nicotine is a nervous stimulant which leads to lack of sleep. It speeds up heart rate, blood pressure and fast brain wave activity. This results in a person sitting wide awake in the middle of the night not knowing what to do. Those who drink alcohol wake up frequently and have scary dreams.

Sleep patterns can be improved by regular physical activity and following regular sleep patterns. According to the research which we discussed in our introduction some soft, slow and mild music, can slow down your brain wave activity and result in a peaceful slumber.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Photo by Akarakingdom

Have You Heard About Fruit Juice Infused Low Fat Chocolate

2013-04-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

A new diet by name ‘Over Night diet’ promises to help you lose two pounds overnight. Dr. Caroline who authored this book says that users do six days of high protein diet and one day of liquid diet. All these combined with sleep equals weight loss. But there are opposing voices to this diet. Keith Ayoob a top nutritionist says it was possible to lose two pounds overnight, but it won’t be fat, it would mostly be water.

You know what? This blog is all about positive energy and so, I am going to tell you about a new research find, which would make your heart jump with joy. I know that’s a bit of exaggeration. Way back in 2012 scientists said they have found a true fruity chocolate. They removed 50% of the fat content from the chocolate and replaced it with fruit juice.

Now how did they do it? The chemists took out much of cocoa butter and milk fats that are used to make chocolate and infused it with tiny drops of orange and cranberry juice. This juice is called the Pickering emulsion. This emulsion prevents the small drops from merging with one and other. To make matters more clearly for you I have to break my head. So here we go.

The juice is in the form of micro bubbles that help chocolate retain the velvety feel and at the same time the outer layer is firm and snappy to bite. This Pickering process also prevents sugar boom. You have the chocolate which has fruit juice inside, but has all the goodness and feel of the chocolate with reduced fat and sugar content. You can enjoy dark, milk and white chocolate with its fruity flavor. Please bear this in mind that dark chocolate is the best choice. The other specialty is that, the juice is spread out evenly in the chocolate and it does not over power the taste of it.

The technology is ready for the run in and it is up to the food industry to make the most of it.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by Jeroen van oostrom

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Can Creativity Increase Your Life Span

2013-04-08T00:09:00.000-07:00

A goggle eyed dog with a fluffy mane by name Seamus- a scruffy glove puppet brought comfort and a smile to kids living in war zones and disaster zones. The little puppet created a small happy haven for kids from South Sudan to Afghanistan and Somalia to Angola, in floods, famines and refugee camps. This happy puppet was the creative brainchild of John McGlade who runs a Charity Organisation.

Creativity can make you think out of the box. It improves your quality of life and has a profound influence on your health. Writing this blog helped me to become better informed in various ways. A research study found that creative activity helps people to stay healthy. Creativeness is non-routine, enjoyable and provides an opportunity for learning and solving problems. The study points out that people whether paid or not for their creative work feel healthy and have fewer physical problems.

I guess Google, Facebook and Twitter the three wonders of the technological world was the result of thinking outside the box. Whether you hit it big time as them or you end up as a small time blogger like me the end result is improved health and a contented state of mind. Do you know one thing? Creativity is a highly sought after skill.

Another study found out that creative thinking lowers stress and enhances the ability of the brain to keep itself healthy. This is what they say investing in yourself. The researchers believe that creativity encourages health and promotes the neural networks in the brain. The white matter in the brain aids the connections between the neurons in different positions of the brain. When you start exercising the brain by being creative it strengthens the neural networks and results in a long and healthy life.

In what was called as the longevity project which spanned over two decades, scientists found participants who were the most cheerful and had best sense of humour as kids lived shorter lives than who were less cheerful and joking. It was the prudent and persistent kids who went up to stay the healthiest and lived the longest. Do you get my point? It is not your characteristic that helps you live longer. It is how you exercise your brain and that means by being creative.

A study found that music, arts, dance and expressive writing can increase health and wellness. Creative engagement has significantly positive effects on health. And may I advise you one thing? Just sit down, leaving behind your heavy schedule and start your long forgotten hobby. You will be thankful you read this post.

Take care,

Swarnam

Photo by sattva

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So What Are Shirataki Zero Calorie Noodles

2013-04-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

I usually try out new dishes with deliciously disastrous results. But this time luck favoured me and it turned out just fine. Curious to find more about It. Well I named it broccoli fried rice. All you have to do is just add a little amount of oil to a heavy bottomed vessel. Then add a cup of broccoli florets and half a cup of grated carrot and florets of cauliflower each. Stir fry it adding a little pepper powder. When they are fried well mix it with white fluffy rice. Add some more pepper powder and salt. You can throw in some coriander leaves or parsley leaves to give your dish a grand finale.

The tectonic plates of the health world are always shifting. And this time it has moved towards zero calorie noodles. These are otherwise called as Shirataki noodles. They have their origins from Japan. Now sit tight and let me explain a bit more. These have no fat, no sugar, and no taste and have a slightly fishy smell. They are thin, translucent and gelatinous and are prepared from elephant yam. Shiratiki in Japanese means white water fall. The tubers are processed into a product called glucomannan flour. Products containing this flour are used as nutritional supplements. It is believed that glucomannan is used for constipation, obesity, high cholesterol, acne vulgaris and type 2 diabetes.

Some of these products are authorized by Health Canada for the purpose of appetite reduction, weight management and treatment of constipation and management of high cholesterol levels. So it is not rocket science for us to understand that the noodles would provide all these health benefits. The Shirataki noodles are composed of water and glucomannan a water soluble dietary fibre. It seems that they contain 96% water and 4% glucomannan fibre. So they give you the fullness without calories that sounds good!

You can find these noodles in Asian markets. They are sold in wet and dry forms. Now there are also tofu based Shirataki noodles. This contains a wee bit of carbohydrates and has additional benefits of protein and calcium. Tofu is also considered high in iron, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids. If you are interested to try this out you can find a delicious new recipe in the youtube video .

Take care,

Swarnam

Interesting Ethnic Workouts To Increse Your Stamina

2013-03-31T23:26:00.000-07:00

Surajkand is a small village nestled in the Aravalli Hills in Hariyana, India. The ancient sun temple stood here in AD1000. The villagers used to celebrate a small regional annual fair which has now gone global. People from various parts of the globe and those from SAARC countries participate to show case their products and culture. A nondescript village has turned into a riot of colours enthralling its people with cultural performances, culinary adventures and beautiful handicrafts.

The rhythms, sounds and smells would definitely accelerate your performance. Similarly ethnic group fitness classes that celebrate diversity add an interesting and fresh dimension to your workouts. Let’s see some interesting ethnic workouts below.

Zumba is a Latin based dance workout. It blends dance and aerobics together. It is an interesting mix of hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, mambo, martial arts and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. The dance work out has different options and is considered safe for all ages. A typical session burns about 500- 1000 calories. Aqua zumba is done in swimming pool.

Capoeira this work out has an interesting story behind it. It is a Brazilian martial art and includes elements of dance and music. It was developed in Brazil by the descendants of African slaves and has a fair share of Brazilian influence. The workout gives co-ordination, more aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility.

Tabura is a high energy workout that pairs West African dance moves with military style punching, jabbing and kick boxing drills. It improves heart health, burn calories, fat and improves mood and endurance. The workout sets you on fire once the beats of the African Conga and Junjun drum rhythms start.

Tabata is a Japanese workout makes you fit in four minutes. This work out is based on the fact that short bursts of brutally hard exercises is as effective as hours of moderate training. A soon to be published research shows that Tabata protocol burns an extra 150 calories in the 12 hours after exercise even at rest due to the effect of post exercise oxygen consumption. I guess this workout is pretty hard for an average person.

Bhangra workout is a centuries old folk dance from India. It has been made into a dance and fitness program by the television host Sarina Jain. Another interesting fitness regimen is that of the Bollywood music. It comprises of fitness and exercise routines which is heavily influenced by Indian Film songs. It helps you to lose weight in your hips, thighs and tones up your core. It also relieves pain in neck, back and shoulder area which may be caused due to long working hours.

Hope you would do any of these workouts to increase your stamina. Have you heard that too many cooks spoil the broth? So, I have added just two video workouts.

Are you ready for the workouts? Now I am going to tell you an interesting news about the best dance gear from Reebok. Read it and try it for yourself.

Reebok Dance Gear Is back For Summer!

Last year Reebok took a HUGE step into the dance category, supporting the active women who love to partake in fitness movements like Zumba to stay feeling and looking great. Mid-cut and low-cut footwear options were debuted, as was a full line of apparel made for movement. Reebok's dance footwear products like the UR Lead Mid have been a hit with dance enthusiasts, combining function and fashion in a way no other sportswear brand has achieved yet. One of the hottest colors being bought is below:

Women's Dance UR Lead Mid Shoe

The apparel from last year has been updated for the new season, and it rocks! Short and long sleeve tops, compression and tights, and even looser fitting pant styles are up for grabs from this colorful and stylish line. Way to go Reebok! Check out some of our favorites!


Reebok Women's Shapewear Lux Tank	Women's Happy Burnout Tee	Reebok Women's Own Mix Hoodie

Take care

Swarnam

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How to Spring Clean Your Relationships

2013-03-26T06:28:00.001-07:00

Would you keep a 20 year old piece of cheese in your fridge just as it is? You might think Swarnam has gone nuts and in all probability, your answer would be a no. Similarly it would be very helpful if we let go decades old thoughts and beliefs, it will help us turn a new leaf in our lives.

According to Dr Stocchi of Harley Street Psychology, we should challenge outdated beliefs and replace them with newer, more positive ones. People blossom once they have done this. They lose excess weight, improve their diets, have more energy for exercise, their aches and pains just vanish and they literally turn their lives around.

Dominic Knight the man behind the app 14 seconds and who is also an author says if you cut your finger you would put a bandage on it. You won’t simply go on cutting your finger. In the same way if you have a negative experience you just close the door on it. You should never refer back to it and live your life by what your teachers, classmates and parents once said.

Well, spring cleaning the mind has its own benefits. In this post we are going to see how to spring clean our relationships in order to cherish and nourish them. A study whose main aim was to find out what contributed to the quality of a marriage relationship found that, when wives are doing house work along with their husbands, they were more satisfied with the division of labour. The data show that fathers must make any two household works permanent in their to-do list.

Another important factor which strengthened the marital bond was the quality of father’s relationship with the kids. The researchers point out those little things such as reading a story to the kids and enquiring about the day can go a long way in strengthening the bonds. Now let us see how to enrich our relationship with the kids.

A study found that frequent family suppers contributed to good mental health in adolescents. These family suppers lead to fewer emotional and behavioural problems, greater emotional well-being, more trusting and helpful towards others and higher life satisfaction among young people.

As a health blogger I would advise you even to exercise as a family. Science has found that physical activity has positive effects on the body weight and structure. This leads to positive feedback and improved self-image. Sharing, caring and spending quality time together as a family ensures that the relationships are spring cleaned and are shiny and sparkling, brimming with positivity, happiness and togetherness.

Take care,

Swarnam

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How Does Selenium Impact Your Health

2013-03-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

A micro idea has become a farming revolution in Rajasthan, an Indian state. A team of farmers and agriculture experts visited Israel, to study the technical feasibility and economic viability of growing olives in the desert. According to their recommendation, a pilot project was initiated by the government. Today the tiny project has become a roaring success, and has turned the desert state into an olive oasis.

I can very well read your thoughts; she talks about olives, deserts and oasis and nothing about selenium. Oh! Please be patient and read on. Selenium is a micro mineral meaning it is required in very small amounts by the body. Though it is a micro mineral it has a major influence on the body. Hope you got the link from our introduction.

Selenium prevents oxidative stress by working together with vitamins E, C, B3 and glutathione. Now, this oxidative stress is a very dangerous thing because it can cause blood vessel damage and rheumatoid arthritis. If the diet is deficient in selenium it can lead to the above said illnesses. Selenium helps to prevent cancer.

The WH foods states that selenium plays a role in prevention and treatment of acne, asthma, colorectal cancer, cervical dysplasia, oesophageal cancer, HIV/AIDS, infertility in men, ovarian cysts, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, periodontal disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, sudden infant death syndrome and stomach cancer. Whew! That was a lot of diseases.

The ways to detect the deficiency of selenium includes weakness or pain in muscles, the skin and hair becomes discoloured and the finger nail beds become white. Both men and women need 55mg of selenium per day. If you are eating a well-balanced meal, you can be rest assured about your selenium supply.

Now, let us see the foods that are rich in selenium. Excellent sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, button mushrooms, cod, shrimp, tuna, halibut, salmon and mustard seeds. The good sources of selenium include wheat germ, shell fish, butter, sunflower seeds, garlic and liver. Eggs, chicken, lamb, barley, turkey and oats also contain selenium. See, I have searched far and wide in the internet to give all the possible sources of selenium. Hope you include all these foods in your diet.

Selenium also helps in the proper maintaining of thyroid function, enhances the working of immune system and helps in the healthy growth of hair. Selenium prevents loss of brain function as we get older. Scientists have found that selenium should be supplied to the brain for a long period of time to impact the brain function. If you are not eating a balanced diet, start eating a healthy balanced diet from today and enjoy a healthier tomorrow.

Take care,

Swarnam

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How Does Serotonin Enhance Your Health

2013-03-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

I feel these scientists have a very interesting life. You know why? They have tagged a protein which regulates serotonin with tiny fluorescent beads, so they can track the movements of these single molecules. Long scientific thriller cut short, these beads emit coloured light. When illuminated they show up under a microscope as coloured points of light. Interesting is it not?

Okay! Basically what is serotonin? It can be called as the happiness hormone. Serotonin gives a sense of wellbeing and happiness. It is a neurotransmitter. To put it in a more interesting manner, it acts like a radio tower conveying signals among cells called neurons. Approximately 40 million brain cells are influenced either directly or indirectly by this serotonin.

Serotonin is made by a unique biochemical process. Tryptophan is essential in the formation of serotonin. A diet rich in meat, chicken, turkey, dairy foods, tuna, soya beans, bananas and nuts can increase the level of tryptophan in the body .Can you guess why they eat turkey for Christmas?

Now what I am talking about is protein rich meal. You have to complement it along with a carbohydrate rich meal. I will tell you why? A carbohydrate meal triggers insulin which aids in the absorption of serotonin. The carbohydrate meal helps tryptophan to freely enter the brain and causes an increase in serotonin levels. Vitamin B6 speeds up the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin.

A deficiency in serotonin signals a wide range of health issues such as depression, addictions, epilepsy, obesity and eating disorders. Serotonin is also essential for the cardiovascular system, muscles and various elements in endocrine system. It regulates breast milk production. Talking about breast milk, scientists have found that the amount of bacteria in the gut during the early life was essential for our general health and mental wellbeing. Now, that is why it is essential to breast feed the baby.

One major factor to note about this serotonin is that the deficiency can cause sleep problems and aggressive and compulsive behaviour. In order to get good quality sleep eat dinner like a pauper, making the right choices of food because you won’t eat for another 10 hours or so. To maintain your cheerful composure and to better avoid being labelled as a grumpy person, make serotonin your best friend.

Take care,

Swarnam

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Top Green Foods to Spring Clean the Body

2013-03-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to read about Penny Hughes who was the youngest president of Coco-Cola in the UK and Ireland. She talks about the special qualities that made her what she is today. She has become one of the Britain’s top female non-executive directors and basically works from home.

She says she can bring a different perspective to a matter altogether. She is not shaped by what’s happened but by what’s possible. Penny believes that flexibility in working options and valuing success in terms of a rounded life, not just in terms of money, status or power is the future.

Now you might wonder why this Swarnam is talking like a priest. You know what? Just apply Penny’s perspective to your work scenario and see the health benefits sprouting out of it. Okay! Let’s discuss our topic.

Registered US dietician Kari Koori advises five green powerhouse foods to spring clean the body. They are asparagus, avocado, Brussels sprouts, kale and kiwi. Well, let us deal with all these in a detailed manner.

Asparagus- it provides anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant nutrients. Now these nutrients reduce type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and some cancers. It helps in digestion because of its inulin content. The inulin indirectly helps in better nutrient absorption. Asparagus enhances heart health and regulates blood sugar levels.

Avocado- it improves health and provides nourishment for the body. It has a wide range of anti-inflammatory benefits. They are very good for people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Avocadoes contain oleic acid that optimizes the absorption of carotenoids. Now these carotenoids support cardiovascular health, helps in blood sugar regulation and have anti-cancer benefits.

Brussels sprouts- the best way to cook these is by steaming. They help in DNA protection. The glucosinolates in Brussels sprouts protects against cancer. It helps in detox support. The antioxidants and vitamins present protects against unwanted inflammation which is a risk factor for many of the cancers.

My dear folks you should be careful about environmental toxins, over use of prescription drugs, over the counter medication, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and low quality diet. All these may lead to terrible diseases because of unwanted inflammation. Now the Brussels sprout is God send and protects against all these dangers.

Kale- steaming is the best way to cook it. Raw kale reduces cholesterol. Kale reduces the risk of bladder, breast, colon, ovary and prostate cancer. It helps to detox at genetic level. It reduces chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. It promotes heart health.

Kiwi – the phytonutrients present in kiwi protects DNA. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and protects against cancer. It reduces the severity of arthritis. Kiwi helps to reduce the harmful effects of asthma, colon cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. The fibre is good for the blood sugar levels, cardiovascular and colon health. Kiwi protects against asthma and age related vision loss.

Hope you would include all these in your diet.

Take care,

Swarnam

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Is It Safe To Cook Food In Microwave Oven

2013-03-11T04:09:00.001-07:00

Microwave cooking does not support healthy cooking practices. On reading that, I felt really confused and decided to find out the hidden truth. If you are intrigued then hang on, so basically what are microwaves?

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves and they oscillate much faster to cook food. They affect positively and negatively charged water molecules. You know what? I mixed in the readymade cake mix along with eggs and oil and baked a cake. More than baking I was bragging about my cooking skills and made my kids do some extra homework in return for an extra piece of cake. But as it turned out the cake was a complete disaster.

Microwaves can cause biological changes at normal levels. According to a Trent University study 2.4 GHz of microwaves can affect the heart. There are also reports saying this frequency increases the blood sugar levels in susceptible persons. Oh! My dear friends please be careful!

For heaven’s sake don’t cook broccoli in your microwave oven. A study found that microwaved broccoli loses up to 97% of beneficial antioxidants and the phenolic content was also affected. Asparagus loses vitamin C , garlic loses allinase a cancer fighting compound and milk loses 30 to 40% of vitamin B12, if you microwave them. Breast milk loses its important disease fighting agents that increases the immunity of the baby.

According to Mike Adams of Natural News.com microwave energy destroys carotenoids, antioxidants and other healthy molecules in food. Microwaved food is molecularly deconstructed leaving nothing but only empty calories. The vitamin and phytonutrient content of food has been destroyed. He adds that if you see microwaved food under a powerful microscope it will be a nutrient waste land.

As I was doing my research I felt some were strongly against the use of microwave oven while others said it was healthy. I am not going to end my post without a conclusion. The nutrients in food increase our immunity and protect us from various diseases. So if they are lost what is the benefit we are going to get by eating microwaved foods?

Take care,

Swarnam

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