Homeopathy tricks you into feeling better, says new study

Homeopathy tricks you into feeling better, says new study 

Homeopathy tricks you into feeling better, even if a tincture prescribed is not genuine, new research says.

Sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis who approached a homeopath experienced significant easing of joint pain, inflammation and other key markers of the disease. Yet, it made no difference whether the solution they received was a genuine homeo tincture prescribed to treat rheumatism, or a placebo, according to the journal Rheumatology.

Sarah Brien of Southampton University, who led the study, said it provided the first scientific evidence to show such benefits were "specifically due to its unique consultation process".

Homoeopathy is based on a theory that substances which cause symptoms in a healthy person can, when vastly diluted, cure the same problems in a sick person.

The research compared different groups of patients, who were already being given conventional medication for the disease, reports the Telegraph.

Those who had a series of five consultations with a homeopathic doctor experienced "significant clinical benefits", whether the tincture they received was a specially prepared "homeopathic" remedy used to treat rheumatism, or a placebo.

Patients given exactly the same remedies without the consultations did not improve.

The findings suggested that simply "talking and listening" to patients could dramatically assist their health.

George Lewith, professor of health research from the university, said: "This research asked the question: 'Is homeopathy about the talking, or is it about the medicine?' We found it was about the talking, and indeed about the listening."

Source: IANS

Easy tips for a healthy heart

Easy tips for a healthy heart

A strong heart is a result of healthy lifestyle choices. Be active and stress-free.

Today's fast-paced life and workplace pressures escalate stress levels, taking a toll on one's heart. We must realise that the healing power of the body decreases when under stress, leading to many complications like hypertension and poor immunity. Today, even youngsters are prone to heart ailments. So, it's very important to stay healthy and manage your stress levels by understanding the risk factors -- high cholesterol levels, stressful lifestyle, smoking, and lack of exercise -- following simple changes in lifestyle.

Avoid smoking

Smoking reduces life expectancy by 15-25 years. If you are a smoker, you are twice more likely to have a heart attack than a non-smoker. The moment you stop smoking, the risk of heart attack begins to reduce.  

Cut down on salt

Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Watch your diet

Try to have a balanced diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, starch foods such as wholegrain bread and rice

Monitor your alcohol

Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and also lead to weight gain. Avoid intake of alcohol or at least limit it to one to two units a day, gradually decreasing the consumption.

Get active

At least aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Keeping yourself fit not only benefits the heart but also improves mental health and well-being.

Monitor your BP, blood sugar and cholesterol levels

Routine medical check-ups will ring an alarm, if you need medical help.

Manage your waist

Cholesterol deposition in blood vessels begins in the first decade of life. Carrying a lot of extra weight as fat can greatly affect your health. Make small but healthy changes in your diet.

Manage your stress level

If you find things are getting on top of you, you may fail to eat properly, smoke and drink too much. This may increase your risk of a heart attack. Practice yoga/meditation. Take a vacation.

Check your family history

If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

Laughter is the best therapy

Laughter anytime will work wonders for you. It is an instant way to unleash the pressure and it makes you feel light.

Source: Circle2Corner.com

13 ways to get lucky

13 ways to get lucky

Always thought other people have all the luck? Well, this is because they understand the difference between luck and planning and know how to place themselves in the path of good fortune. And now, you too can bend the path of luck towards you.

Max Gunther has outlined 13 techniques for discovering and taking advantage of life's good breaks in his book 'How to Get Lucky', which has recently been republished after its debut in 1986.

Gunther, who died in 1988, said that lucky people arrange their lives in characteristic patterns and tend to position themselves in the path of "onrushing luck", reports Stuff.co.nz. 

Here are his 13 tips to turn your luck around:

1. Never confuse luck with planning

When a desired outcome is brought about by luck, you must acknowledge that fact. If you confuse luck with planning, you will all but guarantee that your luck, in the long run, will be bad.

2. Find the fast flow

Go where events flow fastest, surround yourself with a churning mass of people and things will happen. It doesn't matter if you are a quiet person; all you need to do is meet a lot of people and let them know who you are. Then they will direct opportunities your way.

3. Take calculated risks

There are two ways to be an almost sure loser in life. One is to take risks that are out of proportion to the rewards being sought. The other is to take no risks at all. Lucky people, characteristically, avoid both extremes. 

4. Know when to cut and run

Always assume that a run of luck is going to be short, never try to ride a run to its peak. You will virtually always be right as the law of averages is heavily on your side.

5. Know how to select luck

Is there some likelihood that the problems with your investment - whether it be time, money or love - will go away? Do you have some realistic hope of fixing them? If so, you should stay aboard. If not, you should get out and look for better luck elsewhere.

6. Take the zig zag path

Despite what many people think the path to success is rarely a straight line. Lucky men and women, on the whole, are not straight-line strugglers. They not only allow themselves to be distracted, they invite distraction.

A plan should be used as a guide only and if something better comes along the plan should be discarded immediately without regret.

7. Supernatural belief can help

Not because it makes you more lucky but because it helps you make impossible choices. Sometimes there is no rational choice to make, yet the worst reaction is to do nothing.

A supernatural belief can enable people to get into a potentially winning position simply by helping them make choices.

8. Be a bit pessimistic

Lucky people, as a breed, tend to be pessimistic. Optimism means expecting the best, but good luck involves knowing how you will handle the worst.

9. Learn to keep your mouth shut

Talk can tie you up and lock you in positions that seem right today but may be wrong tomorrow. Avoid unnecessary talk about your problems, plans and feelings. When there is no good reason to say something, say nothing. 

10. Recognise a non-lesson

There are experiences in life that seem to be lessons but aren't. Recognise when something was just bad luck and move on.

11. Accept the universe is unfair

All of us, the good, the bad and the in-between, are all equally likely to realise our fondest dreams or contract cancer.

12. Be willing to be busy

The more activities you have going the greater the likelihood that something good will happen. 

13. Find a destiny partner

This is someone who is someone who changes your luck over a long term. This person is not necessarily a romantic partner and is usually just found by blind luck but it can help if you are actively looking.

Source: ANI

Ladies, live like a man!

Ladies, live like a man!

Living like a bloke could make women happier, healthier and even thinner. Here are some tips.

Sure, men are easy going creatures - they can go days without washing their clothes or dishes, and pass an evening in each other's company without exchanging more than 10 words. But a new study suggests that adopting some of these habits might make women happier, healthier and even thinner.

Here's how you can benefit from a bit of "bloke health".

Join a team sport - Most women give up on sport to join a gym instead.

"Yet men don't really consider their weekly game a workout: it's a social event for them," The Daily Telegraph quoted psychologist Lydia Ievleva as saying.

"Any sport which involves friendship will help women feel less alone, rather than languishing in their worries," she added. 

Drop the mop

"Women tend to view keeping a clean and tidy home as one of their main tasks of the day, compared with men's priority of doing outdoor tasks," said wellness coach Fiona Cosgrove.

Instead, ask for help without making it look like nagging. 

Trust your own decisions

- Instead of running off to talk to your gal pal about every problem, try to keep them to yourself and decide how you need to deal with it - just as men usually do.

A study at Columbia University's Teachers College found that those who kept their emotions in check were better adjusted and became less distressed by events.

"They get to the point, keep it real and keep it simple," said Dr Elizabeth Celi. 

Do one thing at a time and be more productive - Celi said men set boundaries and focus completely on the task at hand.

"They'll reach a resolution quickly, with time left over for the next task," she said.

"For some women, combining multi-tasking with a superwoman mentality is a recipe for going mad!" 

Lose the guilt about food and eat better

- "If a man has a day when he eats too much, he'll probably shrug and begin his eating plan again the next day. Whereas women tend to feel that they've ruined their chances at weight loss if they "slip up"," said Dr Tim Gill.

So quit worrying about your diet and just get back to your routine as soon as possible.

Another important advice - [BOLD] avoid comfort food.[BOLD]

Commit to a goal - If you're a man you're more likely to achieve your goals.

"Write down your health goals," said Cosgrove.

"Lists appeal to a woman's sense of responsibility, so you'll be more likely to follow through."

Work out

Maintaining muscle mass is important to keep you slim, as well as preventing osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.

"Using your own body weight is ideal," says Dr Gill.

"Try sit-ups, push-ups and hill or stair walking to build your muscle mass," he added.

Source: ANI

WEIGHT LOSE -Try tricking your brain

WEIGHT LOSE - Try tricking your brain 

Being a little smart may help you lose weight! The brain can be tricked into shedding weight by eating high satiety, low-calorie foods like apples, bananas and grapes.

For instance, eating an apple before your meal can make you feel more satisfied from your food, says a Daily Mail report.

Apples are about 25 per cent air and, as they're digested, they produce the hormone GLP-1, which sends satiety signals to the brain.

Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water, air and fibre which pack your gut, producing 'filling' signals in the small intestine.

Protein is the most satiating of the three food groups, compared with carbohydrates and fats.

So what makes protein so filling? It triggers the production of PYY hormone in the brain, which makes one feel satiated and sparks the release of glucose in the small intestine -- both send out satiety signals.

Present someone with a plate of food and they may be hungry three hours later; pulp the same ingredients into soup and the 'satiety' period lengthens, despite the decrease in the volume of food you're eating, says Robert Welch, professor of Food Science and Nutrition at Ulster University, Britain.

Studies have shown that we eat up to 70 per cent more when distracted from our food, such as when watching TV. We also eat more when among friends or family - it increases consumption by around 70 per cent. Eat alone and you tend to eat less.

Last month, a trial found that insulin - a type of fibre found in artichokes, asparagus, onions, garlic, raisins and bananas - quelled hunger more effectively than the standard pharmaceutical appetite suppressant sibutramine.

The trick is to eat high-satiety foods like apples, grapes and bananas at the beginning of a meal. "They get you to feel fuller early on and the evidence shows you don't compensate for this later by eating more," says Welch.

Source: IANS

Sugar substitutes help reduce caloric intake

Sugar substitutes help reduce caloric intake

A recent study has shown that people who consume low-calorie sweeteners are able to significantly reduce their caloric intake and do not overeat.

Study participants who received the sugar substitutes instead of sugar consumed significantly fewer calories and there was no difference in hunger levels despite having fewer calories overall.

The researchers noted, "In conclusion, participants did not compensate by eating more at either their lunch or dinner meal and reported similar levels of satiety when they consumed lower calorie preloads [pre-meals] containing stevia or aspartame than when they consumed higher calorie preloads containing sucrose."

This study was conducted in both healthy and overweight adults and participants were given a pre-meal containing either sucrose, aspartame or stevia.

Those who received the stevia or aspartame consumed fewer calories overall, did not overeat and did not report increased feelings of hunger.

"Although the totality of the scientific evidence demonstrates that low-calorie sweeteners and the products that contain them are not related to weight gain, increased hunger or overeating, there have been recent reports questioning the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners," said Beth Hubrich of Calorie Control Council.

"When used as part of an overall healthy diet, low-calorie sweeteners and light products can be beneficial tools in helping people control caloric intake and weight, she said.

"This human study, in addition to the many others, serves as a counter to the recent allegations about low-calorie sweetener benefits from epidemiological studies (which cannot show cause and effect) and studies performed in a small number of rats," added Hubrich.

The findings were published in the Appetite.

Source: Indian Express

Meat lovers gain more weight over time

Meat lovers gain more weight over time 

Being a little less carnivorous may help you stay slim, according to a European study.

Researchers from Imperial College London found that avid meat eaters gained more weight over 5 years than those who ate less meat but the same amount of calories. When the researchers looked at different types of meat, they found the strongest association with weight gain was poultry, followed by processed meats and red meat.

"Our results suggest that a decrease in meat consumption may improve weight management," the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The research involved more than 100,000 men and 270,000 women from 10 European countries who took part in a study of cancer and nutrition and other lifestyle factors.

Danes, Germans, Spaniards and Swedes were the biggest meat-eaters, with men eating around 300 calories worth of meat daily and women consuming 200 calories.

Amongst the nations surveyed, Greeks ate the least meat, with men eating about 200 calories a day and women 140 calories. 

Over a 5-year follow-up period, both men and women gained about a pound a year on average, although women gained a little less.

But the researchers found the more meat a person ate, the more they gained. For every additional 250 grams of meat a person ate daily -- which is the equivalent of a half-pound, 450-calorie steak-- their 5-year weight gain would be 4.4 pounds greater.

Based on the findings, a person who cut their meat consumption by 250 grams daily, or about half a pound, could conceivably reduce their 5-year weight gain by around 4 pounds.

The researchers led by Dr. Anne-Claire Vergnaud said while this is a relatively small amount of weight from an individual's point of view, gaining an average of 4 pounds in 5 years "could have an important effect from a population perspective."

Source: Indian Express

Watch before you diet

Watch before you diet 

Crash diets like the Red Carpet Diet could do one more harm than good. But mindless of that, young women and girls are making a beeline for them in an effort to get into those skimpy outfits in their wardrobe

At a family wedding recently, the bridegroom's sister didn't show up because of severe dehydration caused by a crash diet to fit into the most cruel and unforgiving of garments, the sari blouse.

Devastated by those awful hooks simply not hooking up, she decided that dire situations needed drastic measures, and so ensued a trip to a popular weight loss expert in Delhi who recommended a version of the Red Carpet Diet: no carbs, no milk, no sugar but plenty of water and, voila, just three days later she was assured the wretched blouse would indeed button and she could dance at her brother's baraat. Instead, she found herself on the drip, in hospital.

The Red Carpet Diet is a broad term popular among international celebrities who need quick solutions for weight loss, to look good for specific occasions. The three-day Red Carpet Diet, however, involves some sort of pills. Both need to be approached with caution.

All dieticians provide quick-fix ideas, but the three-day solution is the fastest I've heard of. That also makes it the most dangerous. Basically, you semi-starve for three days or just stick to a high-protein diet and you knock off 4-5 pounds so you fit into that flirty dress you've been eyeing and look great for one evening. Since the body's gone into shock from being deprived of its regular nutrition, the weight falls fairly rapidly. At least to begin with.

Even in Delhi, there are many converts to the Red Carpet Diet to look good for a party on Saturday night. As long as the results are tangible there will be takers, no matter how faddish and weird diets like this can be.

The sari, despite its voluminous folds, turns into a litmus test for fitness. With the new style of tight, figure-hugging satin-silk petticoats and skimpy blouses, there's absolutely no room for error, or fat. Unlike a spandex swimsuit that stretches to accommodate bulge, the blouse is stubbornly resilient and will not budge.

We live in an age where we're constantly bombarded with information and we all know the facts: exercise is good for you, eating junk is not. But we're exposed to divine delicacies all the time and not succumbing is very, very hard. Weight issues are great equalisers since most people are dissatisfied with their size and almost everyone around is on a diet at some point. Aishwarya Rai looks positively podgy sometimes, and Kareena Kapoor's fainting on film sets has been well documented.

There are no statistics available on India, but in the US, one out of two women is on a diet at any given time and one out of three "normal dieters" will become pathological dieters, which means they'll spend most of their lives on Atkins, South Beach or some such trendy diet with the same depressing results, first weight loss, then gain. But then as Kate Moss puts it, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." It's worth a shot.

Source: Leher Kala/Indian Express

Colour your diet

Colour your diet 

A colourful diet rich in vibrant fruits and vegetables not only aids weight loss but also helps reduce cancer risks. A rich and colourful diet is a great way to ensure overall good health.

Red - Red colour fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients like lycopene and ellagic acid. These nutrients help lessen the harmful effects of free radicals, lower blood pressure and the risk of prostrate cancer.

Easily found in - Red apples, red cherries, red plums, strawberries, watermelon, beet root, eggplants, radishes, red cabbage, red chilies, red peppers, tomatoes.

Orange - Orange colour fruits and vegetables are high in beta-carotene, an excellent antioxidant. These foods contain also vitamin C which keeps your immune system strong and gums healthy.

Easily found in - Carrot, pumpkin, apricot, mango, peach, ginger, turmeric, sweet corn and raisins. 

Yellow - Loaded with beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin C, yellow colour fruits and vegetables enhance collagen formation and healthy joints and fight harmful free radicals.

Easily found in - Yellow apples, grapefruit, limes, pineapples, brown and yellow lentils, almonds, pumpkin and yellow peppers.

Green - Green vegetables are loaded with chlorophyll, fibre, calcium, vitamin C, calcium, and beta-carotene. The nutrients found in green colour vegetables reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and enhance digestion.

Easily found in - Sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, cabbage, lime, green bell pepper, basil, mint, peas and green beans.

Purple - Purple colour fruits and vegetables are abundant in vitamin C, fibre and flavonoids and support eye health, improve immune system activity, support healthy digestion and limit cancer cells activities.

Easily found in - Purple plums, purple grapes, beans, beetroot tops, brinjal, purple cabbage, purple onions, blueberries.

White - White colour fruits and vegetables contain nutrients such as beta-glucans and lignans that boost your immune system activity. These nutrients balance hormone level and reduce the risks of cancers related to colon and breast.

Easily found - White peaches, bananas, cauliflower, garlic, potatoes, shallots and turnips.

Source - India Syndicate

Mood foods to lift your spirits

Mood foods to lift your spirits

Depression is a major cause of concern in this fast moving life. Thousands of people across the globe suffer from one or the other kind of depression. What we eat directly affects our proneness for depression. It turns that not on what we eat is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle; but eating the right food is the core. Nutritionist  says, "Eating consistently throughout the day is going to make you feel better all around. Small meals every four hours help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide more sustained energy."

"Some specific foods can help promote "good moods" -- and the impact can be relatively immediate."

Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent depression and are safe for most people to take. Salmon, mackerel, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is highly recommended because it contains selenium, which is an important antioxidant. Wild salmon is the best source of omega3 and vitamin D whereas Sardines are a rich source of omega 3 fats and Vitamin D.Walnuts, and canola oil are the other great sources of omega 3 fatty acids so incorporating walnuts in your daily diet and cooking in corolla oil can help you heal depression.

Oatmeal

The carbs in oatmeal boosts mood and can even help you sleep better. While all carbs will give you this kick, stick to whole-grains (complex carbs) as they are digested more slowly and will thus keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. Examples of whole grains include brown rice, daliya and oatmeal. So if you want to have a good day, start the day with a bowl of oatmeal.

 

Avocado: The monosaturated fats in avocados help keep the receptors in your brain sensitive to serotonin. As a bonus, these same fats will help lower blood pressure over time, another key to feeling relaxed!

Milk: Whey protein has been shown to decrease anxiety and frustration. Although all dairy products have whey protein, milk will give you the biggest shot of it right away.

Eggs: This one is a long-term effect; eggs have been linked to memory and recall in some studies. People who eat eggs regularly have been shown to have better memories than those who don't. But again, don't expect to eat eggs while studying for a test and then remember everything the next day! This one takes

 

Get Energized

Water: This is probably the most important thing you can consume to give you energy. Water is essential to all body functions, especially the conversion of food into energy.

Pineapple: This fruit is rich in manganese and thiamin, which help metabolize carbs, and as we know, carbs are used for energy.

Almonds: Rich in magnesium, these little guys are energy pellets. A must have with your breakfast.
Folic Acid, found in leafy greens, beans and peanuts, orange juice, wheat germ, blackberries, Brussels sprouts and many fortified cereals, is important in the fighting depression.

Calcium present in milk, cheese, and most dairy products and non-dairy sources include broccoli, tofu and fortified orange juice provide the zing.

Chocolate: This sweet treat has a mild, temporary effect on your mood. In part, it's an emotional response. However, chocolate contains some caffeine, which acts as a stimulant, and the food's sugars and other compounds trigger the release of serotonin and endorphin. 

Bad mood triggers:

Bad behaviors can lead to bad moods

Caffeine: Moderate consumption is OK , but too much can make you nauseous and interfere with sleep.

Alcohol: A drink or two is fine and may even have health benefits, but too much can mess with your sleep cycle (making you tired!).

High Sugar Foods: Lead to quick rush, followed by a crash, which leads to an energy dip.

Saturated Fat: It's digested very slowly and diverts blood from the brain to the stomach.

Big Portions: They take longer to digest and take blood from brain and muscles, making you tired and lethargic.

Text - India Syndicate

Healthy food for your heart

Healthy food for your heart

Foods loaded with heart-healthy nutrients that help protect your cardiovascular system

Dietary advice for reducing heart disease risk includes eating a balanced diet with less saturated fat from red meats, more fresh fruits and vegetables, more fish, less sugar, more fiber and for many people, fewer total calories. We can reduce our chances of developing heart disease by eating a diet that is high in fruit and vegetable content. Add these foods to your diet to make your cardiovascular system more healthy

TOMATOES:

Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and lycopene, which has been shown to reduce heart disease risk. Add thick slices of tomatoes to sandwiches and salads or enjoy tomato sauce on whole wheat pasta. In fact, cooked tomato sauce and canned tomato sauce that you buy in the store both contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes. The red colour of tomatoes is due to the antioxidant lycopene, research has linked eating plenty of tomatoes, especially cooked, canned, pastes and sauces with a reduced risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are a source of antioxidant vitamins C and E, flavonoids and potassium, which may help to regulate blood pressure.

POMEGRANATE

A daily glass of pomegranate juice slows down the damage caused by cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease, it also reduces blood pressure and more than doubles the levels of health-boosting antioxidants in the blood.

 

 

 

PUMPKIN

Pumpkins are lavishly supplied with beta-carotene, the antioxidant which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene has a range of beneficial effects on the body, preventing the tissue damage caused by free radicals that can lead to heart disease, cancer and accelerated ageing. Half a cup of pumpkin provides a quarter of the recommended daily allowance of beta-carotene and a healthy dose of heart-protecting potassium.

 

FISH

Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that protect your heart by reducing both inflammation and the risk of blood clots. These fats also work to keep your cholesterol levels healthy. Eat salmon or other oily ocean fish like tuna, sardines or herring at least two times per week. For a heart-healthy meal, try grilled salmon steaks with a green vegetable and a side salad with a sprinkling of lemon juice instead of high-calorie salad dressing. Oily fish such as sardines are a really good source of omega 3s and sardines eaten with the dissolved bones are an incredible rich source of minerals.

BROCCOLI

Broccoli and Broccoli Sprouts belongs to the crucifer family of vegetables, They contain a number of chemical compounds including carotenoids and indoles, which inhibit the production of cancer cells. Broccoli is very rich in vitamin C - weight for weight, it contains more than an orange. It contains antioxidant vitamin E and is a good source of calcium and B2. Because broccoli is a good plant source of iron, It contains sulphoraphane - which may help protect the heart from high blood pressure,heart disease, and stroke.

AVOCADO

One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.

 

 

 

GRAPES

Eating grapes may not only please your palate; it may also improve your heart health. Grapes reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering blood pressure, improving heart function, reducing inflammation throughout the body and reducing signs of heart muscle damage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BERRIES

Eating a diet rich in berries may help to keep your heart healthy by lowering blood pressure and increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol.Eat your fill of fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Berries (fresh or frozen) are a highly concentrated source of polyphenols, disease-fighting antioxidants also found in red wine, grapes, chocolate, and nuts.

 

 

Source: India Syndicate

Eat these nuts to stay healthy

Eat these nuts to stay healthy 

It's time to get rid of salted potato chips from your shelves and replace them with healthier nuts that will help you overcome hunger pangs and attain a healthy lifestyle.

For years it was said that nuts contain fat and lead to body heat and so they should be avoided, especially during summer.

"There are so many myths associated with nuts, that are not at all true. First of all, eating a handful of nuts every day doesn't mean that you will become fat. Nuts have mono-saturated fat that are good for your body. They also help you lose weight," nutrition expert Geetu Amarnani told IANS.

"The other myth associated with nuts is that they generate body heat if eaten during summer. This is not true. Excess of everything is bad and the same goes with nuts. You don't have to eat them in plenty. A handful is more than enough," she added.

Also, one has to chose from a wide variety of nuts from almonds to pistachios, from cashew nuts to walnuts and from hazelnuts to pine nuts.

Fitness expert Aamit from FX Zone Noida says that nuts help in losing weight if you start replacing junk food with them.

"We all have this tendency to eat junk food whenever we get hunger pangs. We eat chips, noodles, biscuits or namkeens and they are not at all filling. You will feel filled for some time but in another one hour you will again feel hungry," said Aamit.

"The best way is to keep a fruit or sprout handy. But that also might not give you a feeling of fullness. So when your hunger pang is at its peak, you should opt for a handful of nuts. They will keep you full for a long time."

At the same time Aamit warns that one should avoid eating nuts at night.

"As a universal rule, one should eat dinner early and then if you get hunger pangs then one should avoid approaching nuts because they take time to digest and if there is no such activity then they can result in weight gain," explained Aamit.

Nuts are also excellent sources of antioxidants, fibre and protein. They contain vitamins and minerals like magnesium, copper, folic acid and zinc that help protect against heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, and may also prevent certain forms of cancer.

Given this, nuts should be a convenient choice for between-meal nibbing but one should not replace a full meal with it.

"One should never replace lunch or dinner with nuts. It is a healthy snack and fits perfectly in a balanced diet but meal replacement is a big no," explained Amarnani.

Fitness experts and nutritionists are not the only ones who understand the benefits of nuts. Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor too admits that the secret behind her healthy body is a handful of nuts.

"Nuts have always been a part of my daily life as they are a gift from nature and are good for health. What is exciting is that nuts are not just healthy snacks, they can be enjoyed in many different ways in different cuisines," said Kapoor.

"I have always been particular about making informed food choices defining good health as it creates a feeling of well being that enables a person to truly enjoy a good life," she added.

Source: IANS

Sleep loss may lead to Alzheimer's

Sleep loss may lead to Alzheimer's 

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a link between sleep loss and increase in Alzheimer''s plaques.

In the study, published in Science Express, researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease makes Alzheimer's brain plaques appear earlier and more often.

They also found that orexin, a protein that helps regulate the sleep cycle, appears to be directly involved in the increase.

Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease often disrupt sleep.

"Orexin or compounds it interacts with may become new drug targets for treatment of Alzheimer's disease," says senior author David M. Holtzman, M.D., the Andrew and Gretchen Jones Professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at the School of Medicine and neurologist-in-chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

"The results also suggest that we may need to prioritize treating sleep disorders not only for their many acute effects but also for potential long-term impacts on brain health," the expert added.

Holtzman's laboratory uses a technique called in vivo micro dialysis to monitor levels of amyloid beta in the brains of mice genetically engineered as a model of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid beta is a protein fragment that is the principal component of Alzheimer''s plaques.

Jae-Eun Kang, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow in Holtzman's lab, noticed that brain amyloid beta levels in mice rose and fell in association with sleep and wakefulness, increasing in the night, when mice are mostly awake, and decreasing during the day, when they are mostly asleep.

A separate study of amyloid beta levels in human cerebrospinal fluid led by Randall Bateman, M.D., assistant professor of neurology and a neurologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, also showed that amyloid beta levels were generally higher when subjects were awake and lower when they slept.

To confirm the link, Kang learned to use electroencephalography (EEG) on the mice at the Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology Laboratory at Stanford University with researchers Seiji Nishino, M.D., Ph.D., and Nobuhiro Fujiki, M.D., Ph.D. The EEG readings let researchers more definitively determine when mice were asleep or awake and validated the connection: Mice that stayed awake longer had higher amyloid beta levels.

"This makes sense in light of an earlier study in our lab where John Cirrito, Ph.D., showed that increases in synaptic activity resulted in increased levels of amyloid beta," Holtzman notes.

"The brain's synapses may generally be more active when we're awake," the expert added.

Depriving the mice of sleep caused a 25 percent increase in amyloid beta levels. Levels were lower when mice were allowed to sleep. Blocking a hormone previously linked to stress and amyloid beta production had no effect on these changes, suggesting that they weren't caused by the stress of sleep deprivation, according to Holtzman.

When Holtzman's group injected orexin into the brains of the mice, mice stayed awake longer, and amyloid beta levels increased. When researchers used a drug called almorexant to block both orexin receptors, amyloid beta levels were significantly lower and animals were awake less.

Miranda M. Lim, M.D., Ph.D., a neurology resident and post-doctoral researcher in Holtzman's lab, performed long-term behavioral experiments with the mice. She found that three weeks of chronic sleep deprivation accelerated amyloid plaque deposition in the brain. In contrast, when mice were given almorexant for two months, plaque deposition significantly decreased, dropping by more than 80 percent in some brain regions.

"This suggests the possibility that a treatment like this could be tested to see if it could delay the onset of Alzheimer''s disease," says Holtzman.

Source: ANI

Broken heart ‘ups heart attack risk’

Broken heart ‘ups heart attack risk’ 

A broken heart can prove to be a serious health threat, say Australian researchers who found that people mourning the loss of a loved one are six times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest.

As per a Heart Foundation study of the physical changes suffered immediately after a profound loss, grieving people were at significantly higher risk of heart problems, said lead researcher Thomas Buckley.

The study was conducted to "shed fresh light on why people traumatised by the loss of a loved one are more susceptible to having a heart attack", reports The Daily Express.

A team at the University of Sydney, Australia, studied 80 bereaved adults to reach the conclusion. Lead author Dr Thomas Buckley said: "Emotional and mood changes were greatest during this time.

"Overall, the bereaved had ­increases in anxiety, depression and anger, with elevated stress hormones and ­reduced sleep and appetite. They also showed increases in blood pressure and heart rate, ­together with immune and blood ­clotting changes - all changes that could contribute to a heart attack."

The study was published in the ­Internal Medicine Journal.

Source: ANI

Smokers ‘itch’ to kick the butt

SMOKERS ‘itch’ to kick the butt 

Scientists claim to have pointed the reason why people who are actively trying to stop smoking often itch uncontrollably.

Belgian researchers, who studied the effect of nicotine in mice, found that it activates a molecular pathway in membranes in the skin, nose and mouth known to play a role in inflammation.

The study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, could help develop smoking cessation aids with fewer side effects, reports The BBC.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) gives the body nicotine without the harmful effects of smoking or chewing tobacco, and the purpose behind it is to gradually reduce the addiction by using a low nicotine dose to take the edge off the cravings.

Generally, individuals who use nicotine patches or gum double their chances of successfully quitting. But some do experience side effects with NRT. Nicotine patches commonly cause skin irritation, and nicotine inhalers and nasal sprays may cause irritation in the mouth or nose.

Now, in the latest study, Karel Talavera of the Leuven Catholic University in Belgium found that in mice, nicotine directly activates TRPA1, a pathway or channel in cells known to convey information about irritating substances and inflammatory pain. They also found that mice lacking TRPA1 showed no irritation when nicotine was put into their noses.

Writing in Nature Neuroscience, researchers said: "Our results indicate that inhibition of TRPA1 represents an interesting approach for developing smoking cessation therapies with less adverse effects." (ANI)

Source: ANI

Mango - King of fruits

MANGO – KING OF FRUITS

Perhaps one of the few things to look forward in hot summers is the mango. This popular fruit has reasons to be the national fruit. It originated in India, thousands of years ago and reached East Asia in 4th-5th century. With over 2,500 varieties, this sweet and flavourful tropical fruit has several valuable nutritional benefits. And besides the main fruit, other parts like the kernel, leaves and its bark are also used in traditional ayurvedic medicine.

It provides roughly 70 calories per 100 grams, which is higher from most other fruits. Mangoes have almost double the calories than apples or oranges for the same quantity. The high sugar content provides instant energy, which mainly comes from the carbohydrates (20 per cent) in the form of fructose and glucose. The glycemic index, the ability of a food to raise blood sugar levels, of mangoes is moderately high. Even though the calories in mangoes come primarily from sugars, they can still be incorporated in a diabetic or weight loss diet under professional care.

Mangoes are consumed both as ripe and unripe fruit. There are slight differences in their nutritional properties; unripe varieties are significantly lower in their glycemic index.
Mangoes are rich in vitamin C and 100 grams of mango provides more than half the adult daily allowance of vitamin C. Besides this, mangoes can boast of having the highest content of beta-carotene in any fruit -- even higher than that of carrots. Beta-carotene is an anti-oxidant vitamin which is converted to vitamin A in the animal body. It is necessary for membrane formation and vision. It is also helps protect against cancer, coronary artery disease and premature ageing.

Besides carotene and vitamin C, mangoes have an impressive polyphenol content, which helps in fighting oxidative stress and thereby protecting the body from several degenerative problems.
Mangoes also provide small amounts of iron, copper, potassium, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin B6, K and E. The fruit pulp is high in pre-biotic dietary fibre, which helps in gut health, digestion and immunity. Copper, potassium, vitamin E, omega-3 and 6 fatty acid content of mangoes also contribute to special benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Eating mangoes in the summer and oranges and carrots in the winter can ensure enough supply of vitamin A throughout the year. Excess mango consumption is not desirable and can lead to carotenemia -- yellowing of the palms and skin. Contrary to popular belief mangoes do not have a heating effect and can be consumed easily by most people. It is also believed to cause acne boils, which could be due to its ability to induce insulin imbalance. It has a soothing affect on the gut and provides instant energy.

Raw mangoes are lower in their carotene content. Being a good source of potassium, aam panna, a raw mango preparation, is useful in diarrhoea, heat strokes and dehydration. Mango juice and mango shakes are high in calories and a good energy source for sportspersons and the underweight. They are also a useful food for convalescence after a severe illness.

Ripe mangoes are eaten fresh, however, they also have many other culinary uses. They can be used to make jams, preserves, juices, smoothies and yoghurt or enjoyed as aam papad. Unripe mangoes make great chutneys and pickles. Dried mango powder made from sour unripe mangoes, commonly known as amchoor, is part of the Indian spice box, and contributes to a meal's fibre content. Raw mangoes are also used in salads. In Thailand, sweet glutinous coconut flavoured rice is served with sliced mango as a dessert.

Source: Ishi Khosla/Indian Express

WHOLE ORANGE IS BETTER THAN JUST THE JUICE

Whole orange is better than just the juice

In time for Christmas, BYU nutritionists are squeezing all the healthy compounds out of oranges to find just the right mixture responsible for their age-old health benefits.

BYU nutritionist Tory Parker published a study identifying which compounds -- in the right proportions -- in an orange contribute the most to good health. The results could be used to develop a super-supplement that mimics an orange's effects on the body.

The popular stocking stuffer is known for its vitamin C and blood-protecting antioxidants, but researchers wanted to learn why a whole orange is better for you than its components when taken separately. The ultimate outcome of the research could be a super-supplement that captures the best health benefits of eating oranges and drinking orange juice.

"There's something about an orange that's better than taking a vitamin C capsule, and that's really what we're trying to figure out," said Tory Parker, BYU assistant professor of nutrition, dietetics and food science. "We think it's the particular mixture of antioxidants in an orange that makes it so good for you."

The team published the best health-promoting combinations of those natural antioxidants in a recent issue of the Journal of Food Science. The paper's lead author, Brenner Freeman, was a BYU undergrad when he conducted the research.

He chose to study oranges because he was raised on a citrus orchard in Arizona. 

BYU nutritionist Tory Parker published a paper that identifies the most important compounds, and in what proportions, an orange delivers to benefit human health.

"I spent a lot of time hunched over a lab bench in the dark doing this research," Freeman said. "But what I learned was worth it, and having this publication definitely gives me an advantage on my med school applications."

Parker explained that every time we eat carbs and fat, we increase the amount of free radicals in our blood. Over time, that increases our chance for hardened arteries and heart disease. But eating fruit protects us from that effect for a few hours after every meal.

"Carbs and fat increase free radicals, and fruit and internal antioxidants counteract that," Parker said. "That means fruit should be your dessert - remember, before cookies, candy and other sugary snacks became so widespread, fruit was our 'sweet.'"

Parker noted supplement companies often mix "high concentrations of extracts from blueberry and blackberry and orange and throw them all together and hope it's good."

Whole oranges are better than juice.

He wanted to avoid such assumptions by testing dozens of combinations of the antioxidants found in an orange at the same proportions they occur naturally.

"We're looking for synergistic effects," Parker said. "Cases where the effect of two or more antioxidants together was stronger than the sum of them separately."

In conclusion, they identified several combinations of antioxidants that were the most synergistic - the compounds hesperidin and naringenin, in particular, appeared to contribute the most punch in the combinations.

Those are the mixtures Parker will continue to research in human studies to evaluate whether their health effects mimic those of eating an orange. He and his students are also conducting similar work with blueberries and strawberries.

Parker chose to study oranges because he was raised on a citrus orchard in Arizona.

"I'm really most interested in protecting healthy people and keeping the healthy, healthy," Parker said. "And no matter what our research finds, it's very clear that a great way to do that is to simply eat more fruit."

Source: India Syndicate based on a release from Brigham Young University

CONSUMING GARLIC CAN REDUCE RISK OF ARTHRITIS

 

Consuming garlic can reduce risk of arthritis

Garlic may do no favours for your breath, but enjoying a diet rich in garlic, onions and leeks could reduce your risk of developing the most common form of arthritis.

 Researchers at King's College, London and the University of East Anglia investigated possible links between diet and the painful joint disease, reports Dailymail. They found that women who ate a lot of allium vegetables (in the garlic family) had lower levels of hip osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in adults, affecting around 8 million people in Britain, with women more likely to develop it than men. It causes pain and disability by affecting the hip, knees and spine in the middle-aged and elderly population. Currently there is no effective treatment other than pain relief and, ultimately, joint replacement.A relationship is known to exist between body weight and osteoarthritis but this was the first study to delve deeper into how diet could impact on development and prevention of the condition.

The study, funded by Arthritis Research Britain, the Wellcome trust and Dunhill Medical trust, looked at over 1,000 healthy female twins, many of whom had no symptoms of arthritis.The team carried out a detailed assessment of the diet patterns of the twins and analysed these alongside x-ray images, which captured the extent of early osteoarthritis in the participants' hips, knees and spine.

They found that in those who consumed a healthy diet with a high intake of fruit and vegetables, particularly alliums such as garlic, there was less evidence of early osteoarthritis in the hip joint.To investigate the potential protective effect of allium vegetables further, researchers studied the compounds found in garlic. They found that a compound called dually disulphide limits the amount of cartilage-damaging enzymes when introduced to a human cartilage cell-line in the laboratory.  

Frances Williams, lead author of the study said, "While we don't yet know if eating garlic will lead to high levels of this component in the joint, these findings may point the way towards future treatments and prevention of hip osteoarthritis.If our results are confirmed by follow-up studies, this will point the way towards dietary intervention or targeted drug therapy for people with osteoarthritis."

Source: IANS

HEART PATIENTS WATCH OUT - WINTER CAN BE DEADLY

 

Heart patients watch out, winter can be deadly

As the mercury dips, doctors warn that heart patients are at double the risk of suffering a cardiac attack as compared to summer.

Though winters see lesser diseases linked to breeding of bacteria and viruses, the fall in temperature poses an additional risk for those suffering from heart problems or high blood pressure.

"The risk of having a heart attack during the winter months are twice as high as in summer. And a heart attack in the winter is also more likely to be a fatal one than at any other time of year," says cardiologist.

"In winters, the peripheral blood vessels under skin constrict as an effect of the cold. This reduces the area of blood flow, resulting in higher pressure on heart to pump blood."

"The metabolism of body is also high, so is the oxygen need, cumulatively increasing the pressure on heart”.

"The heart is working against a heavy load, if the pressure in summer is 80 by 100, it may rise up to 140 by 150 in winter”.

"When the weather is cold, your heart must also work harder to maintain body heat and your arteries tighten, which restricts the blood flow and reduces the oxygen supply to your heart”.

"All these factors can trigger a heart attack, especially in the elderly or those with existing heart disease’.

Doctors add that lack of sunlight is another influential reason which explains why heart attacks occur more often during winter.

"It's a fact that less daylight in the winter can worsen mood problems, increase depression risk, and can also affect the heart”.

"Studies have looked at heart attack patients and found they have lower levels of vitamin D than healthy people”.

Flu is another factor which increases heart attack risk. "The flu is another culprit responsible for the winter surge in heart attacks.

According to doctors, some basic precautions, like avoiding dehydration, can reduce the risk. 

"Drink 10 glasses of water to keep dehydration at bay. Too much alcohol and high calorie food should also be avoided.”

"The body needs to be conditioned physically, mentally and medically to fight cold. Patients should not get exposed to cold conditions and the risks and precautions should be clear to prepare the patient”.

"A patient should remain in touch with a doctor so that any change in blood pressure and other body conditions is noticed”.

While some doctors suggest light exercise, experts warned that too much of exercise may be harmful. 

"If someone is not in the habit of exercising, they must not start exercise suddenly. For those suffering with very high blood pressure, very early morning walks must be avoided”.

"If you are diabetic, hypertensive or elderly, get an influenza shot to lower the chances of heart attack. Do keep your blood pressure in check. In case you experience giddiness or heaviness consult a doctor”.

Source: IANS

CELIAC DISEASE - WHEN YOUR BREAD TRUNS POISON

 

Celiac disease: When your bread turns poison

More and more people these days are becoming sensitive to different foods – the common such foods include wheat, milk, nuts, soy, egg, seafood, yeast, mushrooms.

While most of these intolerances are manifest with mild symptoms, some may have life-threatening consequences.

Centuries ago, Roman philosopher Luceritius said, "What is food to one is bitter poison to another."

Celiac disease cannot be described any better. With millions of metric tonnes of it being grown and eaten every year, wheat is the world's most consumed grain. But it is also the grain which puts millions of people at risk of illness.

Celiac disease is a condition which leaves a person intolerant to gluten for life. Gluten is a protein found in cereals like wheat, oats, barley, rye and some others. In India, the disease is not easy to manage - mostly due to limited awareness, limited food options restrictive and inadequate food labelling. 

The disease occurs globally, has no socio-economic boundary and can occur at any age. Around 25 per cent cases are diagnosed in patients over 60 years of age.

Eating foods with gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestines that can damage the lining of the intestines and lower absorption of essential nutrients leading to mal-absorption and nutritional deficiencies.

Typical symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disturbances like abdominal distension, flatulence, pain, constipation; nausea and vomiting; growth problems; stunting and anaemia.

The symptoms vary from person to person. Only 50 per cent patients experience diarrhoea. 

Other symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, tiredness, bone problems like osteoporosis and cramps; skin problems, infertility, mouth ulcers, numbness and behaviour problems like depression, anxiety, irritability and poor school performance.

Absence of typical symptoms makes the diagnosis difficult and often leads to ill health and life-threatening maladies.

People with hidden celiac disease are more in danger as they are at a higher risk of developing a severe form of malnutrition, non-specific ill health and if undiagnosed, the disease can prove fatal.

Celiac disease can increase the risk to disorders like Type-1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, liver diseases, thyroid disorders, pulmonary diseases such as asthma; ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease as well as cancer. 

Diagnosis can often be overlooked and many patients have been considered for growth hormone therapy for short stature, or been through rounds of hospital admissions due to debility and ill health, and even put on anti-tubercular treatment for unexplained diarrhoea and weight loss, only to worsen their condition.

Diagnosis is done using serological markers (blood tests) and endoscopy. Correct diagnosis is imperative.

Celiac disease is certainly more common than previously appreciated - 1 in 100 people suffer from it in Europe and 1 in 133 people in the US. Data from India are still not available, but according to projections it is estimated that there may be at least 4 million cases in India.

Celiac disease is a permanent condition and requires lifelong strict restriction for foods containing gluten. Nutritional supplements are a must to correct deficiencies.

 

Gluten-free diet usually helps restore normal health.

Living with celiac disease in developed countries is easier as food labelling is better, conveniently packed food is available and restaurants and fast foods provide gluten-free choices.

The same however is not true for India, so far. 

Source: Indian Express