Jai Ho: May 2011

HOW TO PICK WHOLE GRAINS PRODUCTS

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Tuesday, May 31, 2011 0 comments

When it comes to shopping the whole grain products it takes so long to finalize and come to decision of buying. Now below are some amazing tips and points to bear in mind while shopping for whole grains .

When you enter the super market with the aim of buying whole grain products, it's easy to get inundated with labels which claim they are all whole grain, but in actuality they are just partial whole grains and brown artificial colour mixed with a blend of white flour. Right from pastas, breads, soup sticks to cereals, in order to choose the right whole grains you have to be certain about these points...

- Be aware of what types of whole grains are available in the market. Some whole grains are made of barley while others are made of buckwheat, whole wheat, oatmeal, millet and barley.

- Read labels before buying any of the whole grain products. Ideally, whole grain products should have multi grain, rye, whole wheat, pumpernickel.

- Never believe marketing gimmicks like 'made with whole wheat' without further explaination, as these products are often refined. As mentioned above, check for the ingredients and also keep an eye on the percentage of the whole grain in the product.

- Some white whole wheat bread includes albino wheat, which is a variety of wheat with a much sweeter and milder flavour.

- Make sure that when you are buying regular whole wheat bread its label mentions red wheat which is dark in colour, has a slightly sour taste.

- Check for the fluffiness and freshness of the whole wheat products because ideally they are a bit softer in texture because they go through an extra processing step.

Diet Zone | |

ASIAN MUSHROOMS CAN FIGHT CANCER

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Monday, May 30, 2011 0 comments

Sydney: Mushroom used in Asia for medicinal purposes vanquished prostate tumour successfully in mice during early trials.

Polysaccharopeptide (PSP), a compound extracted from the 'turkey tail' mushroom, was found to target prostate cancer stem cells and suppress their formation in mice, says a new study conducted by senior research fellow Patrick Ling.

Ling, from the Institute for Biomedical Health and Innovation (IHBI) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) added that the results could be an important step towards fighting a disease that kills 3,000 Australian men a year, reports the journal Public Library of Science ONE.

'What we wanted to demonstrate was whether that compound could stop the development of prostate tumours in the first place,' said Ling, according to a Queensland statement.

'In the past, other inhibitors tested in research trials have been shown to be up to 70 percent effective, but we're seeing 100 percent of this tumour prevented from developing with PSP. Importantly, we did not see any side effects from the treatment.'

Ling said conventional therapies were only effective in targeting certain cancer cells, not cancer stem cells, which initiated cancer and caused the disease to progress.

During the research trial, in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong and Provital Pty Ltd, transgenic mice that developed prostate tumours were fed PSP for 20 weeks.

Ling said no tumours were found in any of the mice fed PSP, whereas mice not given the treatment developed prostate tumours. He said the research suggested that PSP treatment could completely inhibit prostate tumour formation.

THERMAL BATH/HYDROTHERAPHY

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Sunday, May 29, 2011 0 comments

There are hot springs from all over the world. These hot springs are of great importance to human beings not

only economically but also medically. This hot springs have been converted into spas for health purposes. A spa

town, or simply spa, is a town frequented mainly for health reasons, to “take the waters”. The word comes from

the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d’eau (town of water). The term spa is

used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and hot

thermal baths.

Health Benefits from Spa

It is good for paraplegic for its therapeutic effects (US President FD Roosevelt built the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia for his treatment)

People believe that a good soak in hot springs heal aches, pains and diseases,

It treats illnesses, such as arthralgia, chronic skin diseases, diabetes, constipation, menstrual disorders and so on.

Hot springs therapy maintains health, normalize dysfunctions and prevent illness.

Balneotherapy (treatment of illness by bath) is good for circulatory, nervous, musculo-skeletal, gynecological and skin diseases

Speleotherapy is good because the cool dust-free environment of local caves is said to benefit pulmonary diseases.

Hydrotherapic baths are known for their healing powers for rheumatic, gynecologic and circulatory problems.

Few noticeable side effects of spa;

Athlete’s foot fungal infection

The Naegleria fowleri amoeba which lives in warm waters and soils worldwide and can cause meningitis. Several deaths have been attributed to this amoeba, which enters the brain through the nasal passages.

Acanthamoeba, which can also spread through hot springs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Legionella bacteria, which have been documented to spread through hot springs

There is some suggestion that a bather’s toe was infected with herpes simplex virus from a hot spring in Japan.

To ensure a healthy bath the ff; are not allowed to bathe in a spa;

people with open cuts
people with sores and
people with lesions

Alternative medicine or therapy is good as long as we are aware of its side-effects.

FOLIC ACID PROTECTS OFF SPRINGS FROM COLON CANCER

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy 0 comments

Toronto: Folic acid supplements given to pregnant and breast-feeding females, reduced the rate of colon cancer in their offspring by 64 percent, based on mice studies.
The research, led by Young-in Kim, gastroenterologist at St. Michael's Hospital, is the first to find that folic acid supplements at the level ingested by women of childbearing age 'significantly protects against the development of colorectal cancer in the offspring.'

Folate is known to help make DNA and help it replicate. Natural folate is found in grains and dark, leafy vegetables, reports the journal Gut. 'It appears that giving folic acid during pregnancy and lactation reduces DNA damage and suppresses the proliferation of cells in the colon,' Kim said, according to a St. Michael's statement. 'It actually increases the stability of the DNA and this might be one of the mechanisms of how folic acid in utero may protect against colon cancer.'

The amount of folic acid to which foetuses are exposed has increased dramatically in North America in the past decade. Women are routinely advised to take folic acid supplements before becoming pregnant and while pregnant to prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.Since 1998, the Canadian and US governments have required food manufacturers to add folic acid to white flour, enriched pasta and cornmeal products as a way of ensuring women receive enough of the B vitamin.

Pregnancy, Studies reveals | |

CLAY POT AND VESSELS TO COOK....

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Saturday, May 28, 2011 5 comments

Clay Pot Cooking is a traditional and old way of cooking food in an unglazed clay pot which has been soaked in water to release steam while cooking. Clay pot has a long history, dating back to ancient times and has been used in several cuisines in Europe and most parts of Asia.

Here in Manila, clay pot is called "Palayok" which are still one of the commonly used cooking tools until today. It is a great way to cook and foods are much more enjoyable when cooked in clay pot.

How does clay pot provides a different taste in cooking? Since clay pot is a porous material, it is usually submerged or saturated with water for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. This is to absorb water before cooking. You may then fill the pot with food and put it into oven.

You may notice that the walls of the pot helps diffuse heat and it releases water as steams. A slow evaporation of steam arises within the clay itself, thus eliminating the food's moisture. This process creates a flavorful, tender and delicious dish unlike other common metal pots.

The evaporation of water prevents burning so long as the pot is not allowed to heat until its completely dry. During this process, the food forms its own juices which cannot escape till the pot dried out. When it comes to a complete dry, the food is cooked and ready to serve.

There is no oil needed when cooking in a clay pot. The food contains lesser fats and lower in cholesterol, which are basically good if you are a health buff individual. Also, essential nutrients are maintained within the food because it doesn't leaked out through the water unlike boiling in metal pots. So basically, clay pots offers much more health advantage than today's cooking tools.

However, clay pots requires longer cooking time but lower oven temperature than modern cooking pots, casserole or pans due to the lost of heat to the evaporating water. The constant use of clay pot will create a dark and mottled appearance on its body, taking out its glazy look.

Scrubbing is the best recourse in cleaning a clay pot. Blemishes and dark stains will be much harder to clean and most probably will become permanent. But over all, clay pots are easy to clean because foods won't stick to the surface. Using salt is the best way to clean clay pots and usual detergents and soaps must be avoided because it will be absorbed by the clay.

Diet Zone, Studies reveals | |

ROSEMARY, HIDDEN HEALTH ADVANTAGES

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Friday, May 27, 2011 0 comments

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a well-known culinary herb. Dried rosemary leaves are a popular seasoning for food... adding flavour to soups, stews, meat and fish.

Applied to the skin, rosemary essential oil helps strengthen the capillaries and has a rejuvenating effect. For this reason, rosemary is a common ingredient used in many cosmetics, including skin toners, creams, soaps and hair products.

However, beyond being a flavouring-enhancer for certain foods and its use in cosmetics, you may not be aware that rosemary extract has a long history of medicinal uses too. It has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including stomach upsets, digestive disorders and headaches.

Recent research is now revealing even more benefits attached to this remarkable herb, including its ability to help prevent cancer and age-related skin damage, boost the functioning of the liver and act as a mild diuretic to help reduce swelling.

Two of the most important ingredients in rosemary, which are thought to be largely responsible for many of these therapeutic actions, are caffeic acid and rosemarinic acid - both are potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.1

These two natural acids are effective at reducing inflammation which may contribute to asthma, liver disease and heart disease.2

Rosemary is proving an important defence against cancer
The antioxidants contained in rosemary help to protect your body's cells from damage by free radicals. They include monoterpenes, phenolic diterpenes and flavonoids, which are renowned for their ability to slow down the production of free radicals.3, 4

It is also a rich source of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), another potent antioxidant, which contributes to its free radical fighting powers further still.5

DNA is your genetic blueprint, and it is particularly prone to injury from free radicals. Left unchecked, this damage can eventually lead to cells proliferating out of control, which greatly increases the risk of cancer.

Scientists from the department of Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis, Cancer Research Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences, in the Slovak Republic, have found that rosemary extract can significantly help to protect DNA against free radical damage.6

By blocking oestrogen, rosemary helps prevent breast cancer
It is well known that an imbalance of oestrogen hormones in women can contribute to breast cancer. Several conventional drugs such as Tamoxifen are aimed at blocking the effects of oestrogen to help reduce this risk. However, Tamoxifen can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, including hot flushes, vaginal bleeding, headaches and nausea.

Fortunately, rosemary offers a safe and natural alternative treatment. Dr Zhu and colleagues from the Department of Chemical Biology,State University of New Jersey in the US, found that a 2 per cent concentration of rosemary extract given for three weeks was able to significantly inactivate excess oestrogen. Researchers believe that it works by stimulating liver enzymes, which inactivate oestrogen hormones like oestrone and oestradiol.7

Rosemary helps minimise the effects of ageing on your skin

As mentioned earlier, one of the traditional uses of rosemary is as a cosmetic. Recent research findings have now confirmed the skin-protective benefits it possesses.

According to researchers working at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania, in Italy, rosemary extract helps protect the individual components of skin cells, which may prevent age-related skin damage such as wrinkles.8

In a follow-up study the Italian researchers found that rosemary extract is able to exert even greater benefits. In particular, it was shown to safeguard a protective protein called HSP70. The role of this protein is to reduce damage caused by stress, free radicals and other toxins on the skin.9

Disarms harmful toxins and flushes them from your body

Another benefit rosemary extract has been shown to possess is an ability to inactivate toxins and then eliminate them from your liver, before they can inflict any serious damage.

French scientists from the National Institute of Agronomic Research in Dijon, found that rosemary extract encouraged detoxifying enzymes - including cytochrome P450, glutathione transferase and quinone reductase - to flush harmful toxins from the liver.10

In effect, rosemary stimulates your liver to work more efficiently, which helps you feel more healthy and energetic.

Rosemary helps combat the effects of water retention

Rosemary also has therapeutic properties as a mild diuretic - making it effective in reducing swollen ankles and bloating. Dr M Halaoui from the department of Biology, University of Fez in Morocco, has studied the effects of rosemary extract's diuretic actions on the kidney.

He found that a daily dose of rosemary extract in liquid form can improve kidney function significantly, increase urine flow, and preserve the essential minerals sodium, potassium and chlorium.11

This is important because conventional diuretics (water tablets) may actually worsen kidney function by speeding up the elimination of these essential minerals from the body.

Warning: Pregnant women should not take rosemary extract. In addition, you should not take rosemary supplements if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Reference: Combined various health articles

Beauty tips, Diet Zone, Health Secrets | |

HOW SALT INTAKE RAISES BP

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy 0 comments

Washington: Scientists have figured out how salt intake contributes to raising one's blood pressure (BP).

They found that salt intake makes it harder for the body to juggle BP regulation and its temperature simultaneously.

For decades, the inability of scientists to explain why salt raises BP in some but not others has hampered the development of a comprehensive theory about high BP, the journal Hypertension Research reports.

A team led by professors Robert P. Blankfield at Case Western Reserve University and Ellen L. Glickman at Kent State University tested whether these dual roles of the cardiovascular system might help explain how salt ingestion leads to salt-sensitive hypertension.

They found that salt and water ingestion lowered body temperature more than the ingestion of water by itself. Besides, body temperature decreased more in individuals who are salt resistant than in individuals who are salt sensitive, according to a Case Western statement.

'It appears that salt sensitive individuals maintain core body temperature equilibrium more effectively than salt resistant individuals, but experience increased blood pressure in the process,' Blankfield says.

'Conversely, salt resistant individuals maintain blood pressure equilibrium more effectively than salt sensitive individuals following salt and water intake, but experience a greater temperature reduction in the process.'

The cardiovascular system is responsible for maintaining normal BP and also helps control body temperature by conducting heat from the muscles and internal organs to the skin's surface.

Reference: Newspaper article

Studies reveals | |

WORLD LARGEST INSULIN INJECTION NEEDLE LAUNCHED

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy 0 comments

New Delhi: The world's smallest pen needle insulin injection for diabetics promising relief from pain was launched here Wednesday, said a statement from its manufacturer Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).

'The BD nano pen needle is proven to be as effective as the longer needles in patients of all body types and proven to offer a less painful injection experience for people with diabetes who inject insulin. This is the world's first four mm long pen needle,' said Diwakar Mittal, business manager, BD Medical-Diabetes Care, India.

The needle is four mm in length and of 32 gauge thickness making it the shortest and the thinnest in the market.

Currently, insulin injection needles are available in variable sizes of which the five mm long needles are the most common among diabetics.

'We are confident that this tiny needle can have a big impact by easing diabetes patients' transition and ongoing adherence to injectable drug therapy regimens,' Mittal added.

'The pen needle provides equivalent glucose control as compared to longer insulin pen needles. It effectively delivers an insulin dose to the layer of fat below the skin which is the recommended site for insulin injections,' the statement said.

Reference: Mathrubhumbi

Studies reveals | |

VITAMIN D SPEEDS UP RECOVERY IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Thursday, May 26, 2011 0 comments

Sydney, May 23 (IANS) Higher levels of vitamin D and sunlight exposure seem to lower relapse risk in multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers, a study says.

MS is a chronic degenerative and unpredictable condition that randomly attacks the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of the devastating disease vary greatly from person to person.

There is currently no cure for MS, but treatments are available to modify the course of the disease and ease some of the symptoms, reports the journal Annals of Neurology.

The Southern Tasmanian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study was a population-based research involving 145 participants with relapsing-remitting MS from 2002 to 2005.

Chief investigator Bruce Taylor, associate professor at Menzies Research Institute, says that there was substantial evidence that indicated that increased levels of sun exposure and vitamin D were associated with a lower risk of MS onset, i.e. the first attack.

'However, few factors have yet been identified that cause the onset of relapses in people already diagnosed with MS,' Taylor said, according to a Menzies statement.

'We found that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with a reduced likelihood of a relapse in MS. Essentially, the study showed that people are more likely to have a relapse if they had low vitamin D levels.

'These findings provide strong support for randomised clinical trials of vitamin D-based therapies for treating relapses in MS sufferers,' he said.

Reference: Article from newspaper

Diet Zone, Studies reveals | |

OVEREATING DURING PREGNANCY CAN CAUSE LONG TIME OBSEITY

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Wednesday, May 25, 2011 0 comments

London: Overeating during pregnancy makes women vulnerable to obesity for a lifetime, latest research has revealed.

Study leader Abigail Fraser of Bristol University said women should avoid overeating, particularly in the first six months when extra weight is laid down as fat before the baby really needs it for growth.

Although weight gain during pregnancy is natural as the baby develops, the number of women who suffer from pregnancy obesity has more than doubled in the past 20 years, reports the Daily Mail.

The long-term Bristol study found that those who gained more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy were three times as likely to be overweight, obese or become "apple-shaped" 16 years later.

But women who began pregnancy at a healthy weight and who gained only a little weight were much less likely to go on to become fat and develop health-related problems.

Reference: Daily mail

Pregnancy | |

DIET TIPS FOR SUMMER......

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy 0 comments

It's a natural trend to eat light during summer, and you can easily do so without feeling deprived.

It's also natural for one to opt for a glass of cold fruit juice or an ice cream instead of a hot soup. Interests shift from high calorie foods of winter to low calorie foods.

Drink water
Youngsters usually consume more aerated drinks during the summer. But experts say that water is a smarter choice. Water keeps the body cool and prevents dehydration.

Have a lot of fruits and vegetables
Summer is the best season for a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables; make the most of them. Include at least two servings of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. Fruit smoothies and milkshakes are easy to make and healthy options. Pan-roasted fresh vegetables or innovative salads are also a tasty option without being heavy on the tummy.

Curd and yoghurt are cool options
Include some form of curd or yoghurt in your meals. Buttermilk is another great cooler. Having a glass of buttermilk or chaas just before stepping out into the sun, helps prevent dehydration.

Get in your protein
Many people tend to reduce their protein intake during the warmer months of the year. However, you should not leave out proteins altogether. It is an important part of your diet.

Salads are for smarties
Eating a lot of fresh salads during the summer months is a great idea. However, when having a lot of salads, you need to make sure that your nutritional requirements are taken care of. A fresh dressing made from lemons and olive oil is going to be a lot healthier than a creamy, mayo dressing.

Make sure that your food is fresh
All the health benefits that you get from eating light summer food may be wasted if you fall sick because you've eaten food that is not fresh.

Diet Zone | |

10 EXERCISE TO BURN 200 CALORIES DAILY!

Posted by Elizebath Bijoy Tuesday, May 24, 2011 0 comments

There is nothing better than being in great physical shape. You look attractive to yourself, and to your partner, not to mention how you light up every party. So look and feel on top of the world by trying out these exercises which will help you burn at least 200 calories daily.

Qigong: These exercises involve various breath control techniques, meditation and relaxation. It is similar to pranayama. While doing Qigong, the practitioner spends little energy, but at the end of a session there is profuse perspiration, little elevation in blood pressure, but increased levels of energy.

Budokon: If you enjoy yoga but are also in love with the high-intensity kickboxing class across the hall, try a fusion class like Budokon (bu-do-kon) and get hip with the Hollywood crowd.

Spinning: This is a relatively new phenomenon, which is performed on a specialised cycling machine. The classes take place in a fitness studio with specialised lights and music that create an upbeat atmosphere.

Aerobics: A great form of exercise to fast paced racy music makes you lose enough calories. Whether it is for 45 minutes daily or every three days, there's something about aerobics that will bring a smile on your face.

Yoga: Whether it is power yoga, artistic or ashtanga yoga, the lightness of body, serenity and bliss you feel will keep you hooked for ever. You may never want to try out another form of exercise ever.

Hooping: A form of aerobic exercise, it uses the hula hoop and has moved from being a toy to being a dance and exercise aid. It is fun, childlike, and meditative, all of which make it good for the spirit.

Walking: 20 minutes of brisk walking everyday will make sure you don't put on an ounce of weight. It will keep you in such great shape that you wouldn't ever feel the need to go on a diet!

Dance: The best form of exercise, it helps you lose plenty of weight apart from keeping you lithe! US research shows that a vigorous dance class can burn as many calories as a gym workout. Calories danced away per hour: Ballroom: 180-480; Belly dancing: 180-300; Jive/swing dance: 250-400 Salsa: 400.

Jump rope: Single-rope freestyle jump roping is one sport that is increasingly becoming famous among fitness freaks, both as a competitive activity and a way to increase strength, balance and cardio-respiratory endurance.

Aero boxing: The workout involves a combination of aerobic exercises with boxing techniques and has been formulated for the first time to help people stay fit.

Fitness | |

Jai Ho

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HOW TO PICK WHOLE GRAINS PRODUCTS

ASIAN MUSHROOMS CAN FIGHT CANCER

THERMAL BATH/HYDROTHERAPHY

FOLIC ACID PROTECTS OFF SPRINGS FROM COLON CANCER

CLAY POT AND VESSELS TO COOK....

ROSEMARY, HIDDEN HEALTH ADVANTAGES

HOW SALT INTAKE RAISES BP

WORLD LARGEST INSULIN INJECTION NEEDLE LAUNCHED

VITAMIN D SPEEDS UP RECOVERY IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

OVEREATING DURING PREGNANCY CAN CAUSE LONG TIME OBSEITY

DIET TIPS FOR SUMMER......

10 EXERCISE TO BURN 200 CALORIES DAILY!

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