BRAIN FROZEN?

 While trying to find out what is behind a migraine headache, researchers examined ultrasound scans of people drinking ice-cold water & experiencing "ice-cream brain"or brain freeze & were frozen in their tracks.

When a spoonful of ice-cream hits the roof of your mouth, resulting in a piercing headache, do you think the veins in your head contract & pain results from restricted blood flow? What happens is just the contrary. Located close to the roof of your mouth & running up into the middle of your brain is the anterior cerebral artery. When suddenly chilled, it dilates  so the brain will continue to get enough blood. This increases in blood flow causes what we call ice-cream brain.So, what does it tell upi about avoiding or triggering migraine? Some doctors believe migraines are not triggered by vascular contractions or dilations. They say migraines are caused by excitement of a nerve near the anterior cerebral artery, not the artery itself. But the change in artery size may also stimulate nerve activity. Whatever be the case, the new findings confirmed one thing- ice-cream, or better; healthy non-fat no-sugar-added frozen yoghurt- should be enjoyed slowly, one lick at  a time, if you want to avoid frozen brain !

INFLAMMATION- HOW TO GO ABOUT IT

What is inflammation? 

An immune system reaction designed to kill invading microbes & cancer cells & protect your body. Some times, this response goes over-the-top; extra body cells cause body-wide inflammation.

Why worry about inflammation?

1) inflammation causes cancer
2) inflammation causes heart attacks.
3) inflammation causes diabetes.
4) inflammation causes impotence in men & women.

If one is over weight, then excess fat makes CRPs ( C-reactive proteins) & leukocytes ( white blood cells) crank up inflammation.

How to overcome it all

Quit smoking, where there is smoke, there is inflammation.

Walk, at least 10,000 steps a day, as sitting down is bad for the heart.

Take 1,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 ( 1,200 if you're over 60+), 600 mg of DHA omega-3 ( 900 mg if over 50+) daily & may be 200 mg of omega-7 daily.

Always make weight loss achievable. Post-menopausal women can slash their cancer, heart attack & diabetes risk by losing 10% of their body weight.

What to eat?

Have plenty of oranges ( flavonoids), walnuts, salmon, trout
( healthy fats), apples, carrots, leafy vegetables ( fibre), no-added sugar yoghurt ( calcium & probiotics). 

These dampen inflammation & help one to lose weight.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HEART IN GOOD SHAPE

Heed your diet
- Reduce your fat and carbohydrate intake
- Avoid fried foods
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Keep your oil consumption to no more than 3-4 tsp. per individual per day. Use any oil.

There is nothing to prove that olive oil is a better oil. Whether it is sugar or oil, it's best had in the form nature meant for us to have, like nuts for our oil requirement, and fruits and sugar-cane for sugar. Anything that is had in concentrated form is bad for the system.

- Stay away from red meat; chicken and fish are fine.

Stay active
- Exercise for at least half an hour daily. Exercise is best done in the morning when there is release of some chemical substances in the brain that keeps you active throughout the day. Preferably, exercise on an empty stomach.

- Choose any form of exercise like swimming,  brisk walking, playing a sport; anything that makes you sweat. People who exercise tend to stay younger and more active for a much longer time than people who do not exercise.

At the heart of it
- Every person above the age of 40 must get a 64-slice CT Scan done. This helps detect the presence of heart disease, if any, 10 years ahead of its onset. It helps to detect early onset of coronary artery disease, and is the best tool available today to detect any anticipated heart problem.

- Diabetics and hypertensive people should control their diabetes and hypertension, respectively, as these conditions can lead to heart problems. As much as 16-17% of the population living in cities has diabetes. Hypertension should, ideally, be controlled by exercise and diet, failing which medication is necessary.

- If someone has had a family history of heart disease, or has had a heart attack at a younger age, they're more vulnerable to heart disease. At least once a year, they should go for a routine cardiac evaluation like Echo, ECG, stress test, and blood tests. And once every 3-4 years, they should go for the 64-slice CT Scan.

- Consult a doctor if you have breathing difficulties, chest pain or palpitations.

Soak in spirituality
Everyone should  become spiritual. In any activity that you do in life, there are no guarantees. You can lose your job; you can lose your loved ones. Anything can happen.

What will keep you calm is your belief in a superpower, what we call as God. Know that everything what is fair for you will be done. I am not saying you should be religious, but you should be spiritual. Belief in a superpower will give you the strength to overcome difficulties. We need to have the resolve and strength to wait for the cloud to pass.

Any activity you do, do it in the name of God. Whatever the outcome, it is not in your hand. This approach will calm you down, and you'll be able to perform much better.

Quit Smoking and go easy on alcohol
Smoking is one habit which will definitely land you in trouble. Remember, it's never too late in life to give up smoking. Lot of the injuries you have done by smoking can be reversed by quitting smoking.

Alcohol again can injure you, very significantly, but moderation may not harm you to that level, provided you're able to control it. No alcohol or wine is good for you. To quit smoking you need professional hand holding where psychologists will help you go through it.

 Work hard and try to protect your heart. No doctor in the world can help you if you don't want to help yourself. Do not look at  doctors as saviours. First, don't land yourself in this trouble. Your effort should be to keep away from doctors.

FOODS WHICH HELP ONE TO SHED WEIGHT

Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a nutritional all-star that belongs in your weight loss plan. This whole grain has 8 grams of hunger-busting protein and 5 grams of fibre in one cup, plus it's as easy to cook as rice. It's also packed with nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. For a quick and interesting dinner, mix in some vegetables, nuts, or lean protein.


Yogurt
What makes yoghurt a delicious tool for weight loss is its protein content. It has twice as much as other yoghurt.  Protein takes longer to leave the stomach,. that keeps you satisfied longer. As a bonus,  the body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs. Non-fat, low-fat, and low-sugar types keep a slim profile.

Cinnamon
Studies suggest cinnamon may have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels. This could curtail appetite, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes. Nearly everyone can benefit from cinnamon in its traditional role. Stir some into your coffee, tea, or yogurt to add sweetness without adding calories.


Hot Peppers
Hot peppers contain a flavourless compound called capsaicin, which appears to curb appetite and speed up the metabolism slightly, but only for a short time. But this has a significant impact on weight loss. People tend to eat less when their food is spicy.


Grapefruit
While grapefruit doesn't have any magical fat-burning properties, it can help dieters feel full with fewer calories. This  is because of the plentiful amounts of soluble fibre  which takes longer to digest. Having half a grapefruit or a glass of grapefruit juice before a meal may help fill you up, so you eat fewer calories during the meal.


Watermelon
Foods that are high in water content take up more room in the gut. This signals the body that you've had enough to eat and leaves less room for other foods. Many raw fruits and vegetables are chock-full of water and nutrients, but low in calories. Watermelon is a great example. It's a rich source of the antioxidant lycopene and adds some vitamins A and C to your day, too.



Pears and Apples
Pears and apples are also high in water content. Eat them with the peels for extra fiber, which will keep you full longer. It is recommended to eat whole fruits rather than fruit juice. Not only do you get more fiber, you have to chew the fruits. This takes longer and requires some exertion. You actually burn a few calories chewing, as opposed to gulping down a glass  of  juice.



Grapes vs. Raisins
The value of water content becomes clear when you look at two cups of grapes vs. ¼ cup of raisins. Either choice has a little more than 100 calories, but the larger portion of grapes is likely to feel more satisfying. 



Berries
Like other fruits, berries are high in water and fiber, which can keep you full longer. But they have another benefit -- they're very sweet. This means berries can satisfy your sweet tooth for a fraction of the calories you would take in gobbling desserts or ice-creams. Blueberries are easy to find and loaded with antioxidants.

Salads
Raw vegetables make an outstanding snack. They satisfy the desire to crunch, they're full of water to help you feel full, and they're low in calories. Half a cup of diced celery has just eight calories & you burn more calories to digest it than any other raw vegetable !


Sweet Potatoes
 Baked sweet potatoes are so full of flavour  they require very little toppings. This can save you loads of calories. Sweet potatoes are packed with potassium, beta carotene, vitamin C, and fibre.



Eggs
Studies suggest eating protein in the morning will keep your hunger at bay longer than eating a bagel or other carbs. One egg has only 75 calories but packs 7 grams of high-quality protein, along with other vital nutrients. Your body will burn more calories digesting eggs than a carb-heavy breakfast. If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about how many eggs you can eat per week.


Oatmeal
Oatmeal has three things going for it: fibre rich whole-grain oats, lots of water, and it's hot.  Hot food takes longer to eat, and all that liquid and fibre will help you feel full longer. You can choose how to flavour it. Stirring in cinnamon or nutmeg will give you a sweet taste with less sugar.


Whole-grain breads
Whole-grain rye crackers, sometimes called crispbreads, offer a low-fat, fibre packed alternative to traditional crackers. Research suggests people who replace refined grains with whole grains tend to have less belly fat. Whole grains also provide a richer assortment of plant nutrients., one can get the same benefits by switching to whole-grain breads, cereals.



Soup
Soup broth-based, not creamy -- is a dieter's friend in several ways. It's full of water, which fills you up with the fewest possible calories. It's hot, which prevents you from guzzling it down too quickly. When eaten before a meal, soup can take up space that might have gone to higher calorie foods. You can also make a satisfying, low-calorie meal out of soup alone by adding chicken, fish, lots of vegetables, or beans.


Nuts
Nuts are an excellent way to curb hunger between meals. They're high in protein, fibre  and heart-healthy fats. Studies suggest nuts can promote weight loss and improve cholesterol levels when eaten in moderation. Be careful with quantity. Choose something in a shell, so you have to work harder and slow down.


Air-Popped Popcorn
Three cups of plain, air-popped popcorn may seem like a whole lot, but the calorie content is low. All that air adds volume without adding fat or sugar. When people are hungry, they want to have their fill, and a big bowl of popcorn delivers. It's visually satisfying, plus it takes time to eat.



Beans
Beans deliver a nutritional triple punch. They're a vegetable, a protein, and a great source of fibre  This means they'll help you stay full for the price of very few calories.  One cup packs 12 grams of fibre, just 4 grams of fat, and 15 grams of protein.

Hair-loss drug 'causes sexual side effects in men'

Propecia, a hair restoration product manufactured by a pharmaceutical company , interferes with male hormones, including testosterone derivatives.

Over the years, a vast number of men have reported experiencing unexplained sexual side effects, including impotence, erectile dysfunction, lower sex drive, infertility, testicular pain and genital shrinkage.

Even when they stop using the drug, many of these men have reported that these side effects continue.

The study involved 71 healthy men between the ages of 21 to 46 who suffered from sexual side effects lasting at least three months, despite stopping taking the medication.

Of those who were involved in the study, 94 percent developed low libido, 92 percent developed erectile dysfunction, 92 percent developed decreased arousal and 69 percent developed problems with orgasm.

This is the first trial to show the medication can cause persistent sexual side-effects and the risk needs to be known when men are contemplating taking the medication and doctors are prescribing the medication.

A second study  showed that nearly 44 percent of 61 young, healthy Propecia patients reported suicidal thoughts, while 36 percent had symptoms of severe depression.

In Europe and the USA, some of the world's leading medical authorities and research institutions have warned that Propecia presents a danger to thousands of healthy young men.

The most common side effects of Propecia are:

Trouble getting or keeping an erection

Decrease in sex drive that sometimes continues after stopping the medication

Male infertility or poor quality of semen

Breast tenderness and enlargement

Changes in breasts, such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge.

Problems with ejaculation that continue after stopping medication

Testicular pain

Allergic rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

DRE- digital rectum exam

Prostate cancer Imaging


Radiation Therapy Treatment

Cryotherapy Treatment

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in a man's prostate, the walnut-sized gland just below the bladder that produces some of the fluid in semen. It's the most common cancer in men after skin cancer.  Prostate cancer often grows very slowly and may not cause significant harm.  But some types are more aggressive and can spread quickly without treatment.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In the early stages, men may have no symptoms.  Later, symptoms can include:

Frequent urination, especially at night

Difficulty starting or stopping urination

Weak or interrupted urinary stream

Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation

Blood in urine or semen

Advanced cancer can cause deep pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Enlarged Prostate or Prostate Cancer?

The prostate can grow larger as men age, sometimes pressing on the bladder or urethra and causing symptoms similar to prostate cancer. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It's not cancer and can be treated if symptoms become bothersome. A third problem that can cause urinary symptoms is prostatitis. This inflammation or infection may also cause a fever and in many cases is treated with medicine.

Some Factors Beyond Your Control

Growing older is the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer, particularly after age 50. After 70, studies suggest that most men have some form of prostate cancer, though there may be no outward symptoms. Family history increases a man's risk: having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles the risk. African-Americans are at high risk and have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.

Factors Which You Can Control

Diet seems to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, which is much more common in countries where meat and high-fat dairy are mainstays. The reason for this link is unclear. Dietary fat, particularly animal fat from red meat, may boost male hormone levels. And this may fuel the growth of cancerous prostate cells. A diet too low in fruits and vegetables may also play a role.

Myths About Prostate Cancer

Here are some things that will not cause prostate cancer: Too much sex, a vasectomy, and masturbation.  If you have an enlarged prostate (BPH), that does not mean you are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer. Researchers are still studying whether alcohol use, STDs, or prostatitis play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

Can Early Diagnosis Possible?

Screening tests are available to find prostate cancer early, but government guidelines don't call for routine testing in men at any age. The tests may find cancers that are so slow-growing that medical treatments would offer no benefit.  And the treatments themselves can have serious side effects. 

Screening: DRE and PSA

Your doctor may initially do a digital rectal exam (DRE) to feel for bumps or hard spots on the prostate.  After a discussion with your doctor, a blood test can be used to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by prostate cells. An elevated level may indicate a higher chance that you have cancer, but you can have a high level and still be cancer-free. It is also possible to have a normal PSA and have prostate cancer.

PSA Test Results

A normal PSA level is considered to be under 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood, while a PSA above 10 suggests a high risk of cancer. But there are many exceptions:

Men can have prostate cancer with a PSA less than 4.

A prostate that is inflamed (prostatitis) or enlarged (BPH) can boost PSA levels, yet further testing may show no evidence of cancer.

Some BPH drugs can lower PSA levels, despite the presence of prostate cancer, called a false negative.

If either your PSA or DRE are abnormal, your doctor will order other tests.

Prostate Cancer Biopsy

If a physical exam or PSA test suggests a problem, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. A needle is inserted either through the rectum wall or the skin between the rectum and scrotum. Multiple small tissue samples are removed and examined under a microscope. A biopsy is the best way to detect cancer and predict whether it is slow-growing or aggressive.

Biopsy and Gleason Score

A pathologist looks for cell abnormalities and "grades" the tissue sample from 1 to 5. The sum of 2 Gleason grades is the Gleason score. These scores help determine the chances of the cancer spreading. They range from  2, less aggressive, to 10, a very aggressive cancer. Gleason scores helps guide the type of treatment your doctor will recommend.

Prostate Cancer Imaging

Some men may need additional tests to see if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. These can include ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan . A radionuclide bone scan traces an injection of low-level radioactive material to help detect cancer that has spread to the bone.

In the MRI scan shown here, the tumor is the green, kidney-shaped mass in the center, next to the prostate gland (in pink).

Prostate Cancer Staging

Staging is used to describe how far prostate cancer has spread (metastasized) and to help determine the best treatment.

Stage I: Cancer is small and still within the prostate.

Stage II: Cancer is more advanced, but still confined to the prostate.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to the outer part of the prostate and nearby seminal vesicles.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, nearby organs or tissues such as bladder or rectum, or distant organs such as bones or lungs.

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates

The good news about prostate cancer is that it usually grows slowly. And 9 out of 10 cases are found in the early stages. Overall, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100% for men with disease confined to the prostate or nearby tissues, and many men live much longer. When the disease has spread to distant areas, that figure drops to 31%. But these numbers are based on men diagnosed at least 5 years ago. The outlook may be better for men diagnosed and treated today.

Treatment: Watchful Waiting

With low-risk cancer, one option is to watch and wait. This is determined by your biopsy, PSA test, and Gleason scores. Your doctor will order periodic testing. Other treatments -- with the risk of sexual or urinary problems -- may not be necessary. Some men who are older or have serious health conditions may not need treatment. However, more aggressive treatment is usually recommended for younger men or those with more aggressive disease.

 Types Of Treatment:
1) Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation to kill cancer cells can be used as a first treatment or after prostate cancer surgery. It can also help relieve bone pain from the spread of cancer. In brachytherapy, tiny radioactive pellets about the size of a grain of rice are inserted into the prostate. Both methods can impair erectile function. Fatigue, urinary problems, and diarrhea are other possible side effects.

2) Surgery

Removing the prostate, or radical prostatectomy, is used to eliminate the cancer when it is confined to the prostate. New techniques use smaller incisions and seek to avoid damaging nearby nerves. If lymph nodes are also cancerous, prostatectomy may not be the best option. Surgery may impair urinary and sexual function, but both can improve over time.

3) Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy may shrink or slow the growth of your cancer, but unless it is combined with another therapy it will not eliminate the cancer. Drugs or hormones block or stop the production of testosterone and other male hormones, called androgens. Side effects can include hot flashes, growth of breast tissue, weight gain, and impotence.

4) Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells throughout the body, including those outside the prostate, so it is used to treat more advanced cancer and cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy.  Treatment is usually intravenous and is given in cycles lasting 3-6 months. Because the chemotherapy kills other fast-growing cells in the body, you may have hair loss and mouth sores. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting,  and fatigue.

5) Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy freezes and kills cancerous cells within the prostate. It is not as widely used because little is known about its long-term effectiveness. It's less invasive than surgery, with a shorter recovery time. Because the freezing damages nerves, as many as 80% of men become impotent after cryosurgery. There can be temporary pain and burning sensations in the bladder and bowel.

6) Prostate Cancer Vaccine

This vaccine is designed to treat, not prevent, prostate cancer by spurring your body's immune system to attack prostate cancer cells. Immune cells are removed from your blood, activated to fight cancer, and infused back into your blood. Three cycles occur in one month. It's used for advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. Mild side-effects can occur such as fatigue, nausea, and fever.

Hope for Advanced Cancer

Your doctor will continue to monitor your PSA levels and may perform other tests after treatment for prostate cancer. If it recurs or spreads to other parts of the body, additional treatment may be recommended. Lifestyle choices matter too. It was found that prostate cancer survivors who exercised regularly had a lower risk of dying.

Managing With Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of prostate cancer treatments. Generally, erectile function improves within two years after surgery. Improvement may be better for younger men than for those over 70. You also may benefit from ED medications. Other treatments, such as injection therapy and vacuum devices, may help.

Food for Health

Five or more fruits and veggies a day

Whole grains instead of white flour or white rice

Limit high-fat meat

Limit or eliminate processed meat 

Limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day 

Foods high in folate may have some action against prostate cancer (spinach, orange juice, lentils). Studies found mixed results on lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes.

Beware Of Supplements

Be wary of supplements that are marketed to prevent prostate cancer. Some herbal substances can interfere with PSA levels. A 10-year study showed an increase in the risk of cancer for men who took folic acid supplements. A 5-year study of selenium and vitamin E did not show a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking vitamins or supplements.

Dos & Don’ts for Dementia

Dos

Stick to a routine. A person with dementia fears changes. When making a schedule, consider the person’s interest & previous life routine.

Stimulate the brain constantly. They can be encouraged to do Sudoko, read the newspaper, do puzzles, listen to music, watch TV, Let them smell the coffee brewing; give them a good body massage once in a while; hang pictures of the family on the walls where they can see them. Have a room which has a good view of the outside world, so that they can what time of the day it is.

Visitors can help. But ask them to come at a specific time. Brief them about the condition of the patient.

Dementia can cause loss of bowel & bladder control in the patient. Seek help from the physician to evaluate it. Toilet training will help. A diaper or urinary catheter can help to some extent.

If the person is confined to his bed, he can be sponge bathed. If he is mobile, encourage daily bathing. Avoid evening & late night baths.

Don’t

Don’t just confine patients to a room. Let them eat at the dining table; get them to do chores at home- like watering the plants, folding the clothes, wiping the dishes etc. The practice of confining the patient to a room is recommended only in the later stages of the disease.

Spare the rod

Research shows that kids who are spanked or hit have lower IQs, they shut down their learning powers. They're also more aggressive  particularly boys & get into more trouble than kids who are not spanked. Such children also have sexual problems & low self-esteem as adults.

So, how to manage such a child?

Understand what is going on. Children act out when they don't have words to express their frustration & anger. Teach your child to express his thoughts & feelings, you can put words in his mouth. e.g., "I know that you're tired & wish we could go home, but we can't,as we've to finish our grocery shopping, or doctor's appointment etc". This shows him what he could say to make you understand his feelings. It doesn't always work, but it is important to offer that help so he can learn impulse control & to use words in place of actions Whenever you feel like spanking the child, take a deep breath & count to 10. You're the grown-up & should be able to come up with an expressive & thoughtful alternative to hitting.

Coping with Post- traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)

Anyone who has suffered /experienced a traumatic e ent involving the threat of injury or death is a candidate of PTSD.It is called a disorder, as certain changes happens in hormones & brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which carry information & respond to stress. Not everyone who has a similar experience will react the same way, whether you develop PTSD depends on your genetic pre-disposition, your social situation, as isolation makes it difficult to process the event & yout physical health going into the trauma.

This is a physical condition, so don't get ashamed & don't try to shrug off the feelings. Sooner you consult a specialist, ealier you begin the treatment & regain control of your life & your relationships with those around you.

There are therapies- cognitive behavioural & counselling therapy specific to your condition, medications or a combination of all the three. You may not feel better overnight, but you'll learn to cope with the memory of what happened & take back control of your life.

Without prompt treatment, symptoms can get more intense & harder to handle. But with treatment, you can begin to get rid of chronic sleep deprivation & stress & avoid a cascade of related health problems, from high blood pressure & heart disease to diabetes & depression.

DOs AND DON'TS FOR DEMENTIA

DOs
stick to a routine. A person with dementia fears changes. When making a schedule, consider the person's interest & previous life routine.

Stimulate their brain constantly. They can be encourages to do the Sudoko, read the newspaper, solve puzzles, listen to music, watch TV. Let them smell coffee brewing, give them a massage once in a while. hang pictures of the family on the walls where they can see them. Have  a room which has a good view of the outside so that they know what time of the day it is.

Visitors can help, but ask them to come at a specific time. Brief them about the condition of the patient.

Dementia can cause loss of bowel and bladder control in the patient. Seek help from the physician to evaluate it. Toilet re-training will help. a diaper or urinary catheter can help to some extent.

If the person is confined to his bed, then he can be sponge bathed, if he is mobile, encourage daily bathing. avoid evening & late night baths.

DONT's

don't just confine patients to a room. Let them eat at the dining table, get them to do chores such as watering plants, etc. The practice of confining the patient to a room is recommended only in the later stages of the disease.

KEEP SMILING

When we smile, our problems seem just to fade away ! Everyone likes to look & talk to a smiling person. So, when we keep smiling, we make more friends & have less time to think of our problems.

PROBLEMS ! JUST DISAPPEAR

BE POSITIVE

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Anyone who has experienced

VEGES WHICH HELP PREVENT BREAST CANCER

NICE THOUGHT

SMILE

HEALTH BENEFITS OF AN APPLE

ADVANTAGES OF DRINKING WATER IN THE MORNING

GOODNESS OF COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil, nutrients, fiber, minerals, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal, Energy, endurance, calcium, magnesium, Osteoporosis, skin, deodorant, 

MATERNAL DRINKING CAN DAMAGE EARLIEST FOETAL LEARNING

Foetuses exposed to heavy binge drinking by their mums while still in the womb require significantly more trials to habituate and also exhibit a greater variability in test performance, a new study has revealed.

While it has become clear that drinking during pregnancy can damage the fetal central nervous system, these outcomes can also be influenced by factors such as timing, type, amount, and duration of alcohol exposure.

Furthermore, most studies of fetal neurobehavioral effects have been conducted during the postnatal period.

This study is the first of its kind, examining alcohol’s effects on fetal brain function – information processing and stability of performance – at the time of exposure to alcohol.

When examined after birth, individuals who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol exhibit a wide range of behaviours that are indicative of central nervous system dysfunction. 

These can include poorer abilities to learn, deficits in attention, poorer abilities to plan and organize, and an inability to learn about the consequences of actions.

As a consequence, they may demonstrate behavioural difficulties and social problems which might lead to problems at school, and often ‘trouble with the law.

It is widely accepted that habituation represents a basic form of learning. Previous research has shown that the normal human foetus habituates, but habituation rates are altered if the foetus is exposed to reduced oxygen levels, maternal smoking, maternal sedatives, and impaired foetal growth.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL CAN INCREASE YOUR CANCER RISK

According to some studies it is said that suggest individuals who take cholesterol-lowering drugs may have a reduced risk of cancer, and, conversely that individuals with the highest levels of cholesterol seem to have an elevated risk of cancer.

However, until now genetic evidence directly linking cholesterol and malignancy has been lacking. 

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance supplied in foods and made in cells throughout the body. Too much cholesterol is bad for the heart and vascular system. It is typically measured as serum cholesterol by routine blood test.

Unlike serum cholesterol that is bound to proteins, however, cholesterol also hides inside cells. While locked inside cell membranes before it is eventually exported, cholesterol has an impact on cell growth and survival. A gene, known as ABCA1, is at the crossroads of the process that shuttles intracellular cholesterol outbound.

Several years ago while conducting unrelated experiments some researchers first noticed the importance of ABCA1. At that time, they identified a network of approximately 100 so-called "cooperation response genes" that mediate the action of cancer genes. ABCA1 was found among these genes and is frequently turned off in presence of other mutant cancer genes.  The researchers found that defective cholesterol exportation appears to be a key component in a variety of cancers.

The proper function of ABCA1, in fact, is critical for sensing of cell stress. If ABCA1 function is lost in cancer cells, cholesterol is allowed to build up in the cells' mitochondria, or energy centers, making their membranes more rigid.

This in turn inhibits the function of cell-death triggers that normally become activated in response to cell stresses, as for example cancer gene activation. Therefore, when functioning properly ABCA1 has anti-cancer activity - in the sense that by keeping mitochondrial cholesterol low it protects the functioning of cellular stress response systems and acts as a barrier to tumor formation and progression.

The researchers  demonstrated that some of the relatively rare ABCA1 mutations found in human colon cancers by other investigators disabled the gene's ability to export cholesterol. And by re-establishing the cholesterol export function in human colon cancer cells, they inhibited the cells' ability to grow as cancers when grafted onto mice.

This study, therefore, is the first to directly show how ABCA1 loss-of-function and cholesterol may play a role in cancer.

Millions of people take cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins, as prescribed by physicians. The drugs work by blocking the action of key enzymes in the liver, which synthesizes cholesterol. Clinical trials also are evaluating statins as a tool against cancer, and some previous studies suggest that when used in combination with chemotherapy, statins might make chemotherapy more effective by sensitizing certain cancer cells to chemotherapy-induced cell death.

Doctors do not know the appropriate statin dose for cancer prevention or treatment of cancer-related conditions. Side effects cannot be ignored either, and little research has distinguished between the responses among people who take statins.

The link between cholesterol and cancer is clear, but it's premature to say that statins are the answer, according to the researchers.

WALKING HELPS FOR SO MANY THINGS, NOT JUST LOSING WEIGHT!

TEN BENEFITS OF WALKING

Walking Increases Your Lifespan

Walking more than an hour a day improves life expectancy significantly. An increase in walking time at the population level would bring about a tremendous change in people’s health and medical cost.

Walking Wards Off Diabetes

Just thirty minutes of walking a day can prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, walking is helpful for you, too. A mile or more daily cuts your risk of death from all causes in half. 

Walking Keeps Your Mind Sharp

Walking around six to nine miles helps increase grey matter, which in turn lowers the risk of suffering from cognitive impairment—or trouble with concentration, memory and thought. 

Furthermore, walking five miles per week can provide some protection to the memory and learning areas of the brains of those already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, and lead to a slower decline in memory loss.

Walking Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Walking just 30 minutes a day, three to five days a week—even when the 30 minutes are broken into three ten-minute increments—has been found to significantly lower blood pressure.

Walking is Great for Bone Health

Putting one foot in front of the other for about a mile a day led to improved bone density in post-menopausal women, and slowed the rate of bone loss from the legs. It takes walkers four to seven years longer to reach the point of very low bone density.

Walking Cuts the Risk of Stroke

Walking about 12.5 miles a week or more cut the risk of stroke in half, according toa study looking at over 11,000 Harvard University alumni with an average age of 58.

Walking Improves Your Mood

If you’re feeling down in the dumps, walking is a quick and easy solution. Just thirty minutes on a treadmill reduces feelings of tension and depression. In fact, the study found that walking lifted moods more quickly than anti-depressants did (and with fewer side effects). And the more people walk, the better their mood and energy, 

Walking Torches Calories

Just 20 minutes of walking a day will burn 7 pounds a year. The effects are even more dramatic when you add in some dietary changes as well.

Walking Improves Insomnia

Having trouble sleeping at night? Try taking a brisk 45-minute walk in the morning five days a week, and your sleep may improve significant . (Walking in the evening, however, sometimes has the opposite effect—so keep an eye on when you’re exercising and what your sleep patterns are.)

Walking is Good for the Heart

Women who took brisk walks for three or more hours per week reduced their risk of heart disease by 30-40 percent. As reported recently, heart attacks kill more women than men annually. However, the benefits of walking aren’t limited to one gender. A different study showed that walking can cut the risk of coronary heart disease in half for men between the ages of 71 and 93.

KIDNEY STONES- ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT

Kidneys are always hard at work, removing the toxic build up from our body. Sadly, at times, due to the food we eat & our body’s predisposition, a hardened mass can form in our kidneys from the crystals naturally present in urine. These pebble like ‘stones’ can hinder kidney functions. They can also travel to the ureter & lodge themselves there. Eliminating this can be excruciatingly painful. Kidney stone formation can happen to anyone & usually 5-10% of the population are affected by this condition. Men are more vulnerable than women. Women are protected by the hormone, oestrogen, which plays a vital role in preventing stone formation. But women are also at risk after menopause & sometimes a family history can make women prone to this condition. Lifestyle factors too are to be blamed. For instance, lack of sufficient fluid intake, obesity, eating deep fried foods, can aggravate stone formation.

Dehydration remains a major cause. Chronic dehydration causes a super-saturated urine utput, which can put you at risk. Everyone should drink at least 8-10 glasses of water & fluids, i.e., 2- 2 ½ litres , a day/ if you’ve suffered from stones before or have a family history, you require a daily fluid intake of 3 litres. Fluids can include buttermilk, fruit juices, tender coconut water also. Most fluid intake should be from water. Remember the less concentrated the urine is, the better.

Myths & misconceptions

Kidneys stones are formed from the deposits of many different kinds of chemicals, but the most common one, making up nearly 80% of all stones if calcium oxalate. For this reason, many people tend to think that cutting down on calcium intake can help prevent the formation of this kind of stone. This is a widespread misconception & is just not true. Cutting back on calcium can actually be harmful because inadequate calcium in your sustem can have the opposite effect & even hasten stone formation. For this reason, be sure to make calcium, from antural sources, an important part of your diet, especially if you’re over 50. Buttermilk with minimum salt is highly recommended. Avoid animal proteins, junk foods, chat items, pickles, processed & packaged foods, deep fried items & salty fare. Vegetables & fresh fruit juices are ideal but there are some restrictions. Avoid chickoo & grapes that have seeds. Home-made fresh foods are best.

Banana stem, vazhathandu, juice is highly recommended. Too much of this juice can actually cause the formation of oxalate. Even the sautéed form of banana stem as vegetable is good, as it has lot of fiber.

Oxalate foods- limiting high oxalate foods may help reduce the risk of forming oxalate stones. Foods that are rich in oxalate are- peanuts, tea, instant coffee ( more than 8 ounces a day), rhubarb, beets, beans, berries(, strawberries, gooseberries), chocolate, Concord grapes, dark leafy vegetables, oranges, tofu, sweet potatoes & draught beer.

Risks from metabolic factors- parathyroid disease changes the way your body metabolises calcium. With such a condition, regardless of your diet or lifestyle, you’ll be at risk of developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Nearly 15% of kidney stones are the result of uric acid deposits. If you’re affected by gout, you’ld be more prone tp uric acid stones. Obesity & diabetes can leave one vulnerable also. Treating these metabolic conditions & going in for regulat screening for stones by taking an ultrasound of the abdomen & the kidneys every year is important.

Most small stones pass out in urine by themselves, but today there is help at hand for chronic sufferers & invasive treatment is kept at a minimum. The most preferred treatment for stone removal is called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). In this technique, small stones, less than 1 cm are broken down into fragments by high energy shock waves from a device outside the body. For larger stones, treatment options include, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), which involves making a small perforation & inserting a tube to endoscopically disperse the stone, without affecting the kidney tissue. Prevention is still the best option.

CHEWING GUM AFTER A MEAL CAN PREVENT ORAL CAVITIES!

Dental health is an indicator of overall health. There are simple ways to maintain oral hygiene. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal, for instance, can help prevent oral cavities.

Experts say that ignorance is a huge cause for the wide prevalence of practices that are detrimental to oral health.

Only a handful of people across the country take oral healthcare seriously. For the most part, patients approach a dentist when faced with a crisis, and usually only after they turn 40. Then, they blame dentists for expensive and prolonged sessions.

Oral care is important, but many take it for granted. It is important because the mouth is where the digestive system begins. People fail to understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health. The mouth is the starting place for keeping bacteria out, and it should be properly maintained. 

Dentists reiterate that problems in the mouth could easily affect the rest of the body.

Oral health is very important and critical for one’s overall health. Yet it is often neglected. Gum disease is a bacterial infection. If not treated in time, it is capable of affecting other body organs through the blood stream. An unhealthy mouth often also means an unhealthy heart.

People suffering from periodontitis (a gum disease) are at higher risk of coronary artery disease. The bacteria might enter the bloodstream while chewing or brushing and this would contribute to the formation of clots in the arteries, which can cause heart attack.

Gum disease could also be a sign of diabetes. Diabetics are prone to have periodontal disease, if their condition is not under control.

As many people eat food away from their home, it may not be easy to floss or use a mouthwash to gargle. But it is easy enough to chew a sugar-free gum immediately after eating. This is something that could be carried around easily, and could supplement the oral care routine. It could easily help reduce the risk of cavities.

Research has shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking can help reduce tooth decay risk by up to 40 percent.

SOME TIPS TO AVOID HEART DISEASES

Good and Bad Cholesterol
Your body needs a small amount of cholesterol to function properly. But we may get too much saturated fat and cholesterol in our diet -- and both raise levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in arteries, leading to heart disease. HDL "good" cholesterol, on the other hand, helps clear bad cholesterol from your blood. You want to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, starting with your diet.

Control your portions of food
Here's an easy way to practice portion control for a meal: Use your hand. One serving of meat or fish is about what fits in the palm of your hand. One serving of fresh fruit is about the size of your fist. And a serving of cooked vegetables, rice, or pasta should fit in your cupped hand.




Eat Heart-Healthy Food
Load your plate with fruits and vegetables -- five to nine servings a day -- to help lower LDL "bad" cholesterol. Antioxidants in these foods may provide the benefit. Or it may be that when we eat more fruits and veggies, we eat less fatty foods. Either way, you'll also help lower blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight. Foods enriched with plant sterols, such as some margarine spreads, yogurts, and other foods, can also help lower LDL cholesterol


Sea Foods Good For the Heart
Fish is low in saturated fat and high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower levels of trigylcerides, a type of fat in the blood. They may also help lower cholesterol, slowing the growth of plaque in arteries. Go for fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout, and sardines. Just don't drop the filets in the deep fryer -- you'll negate the health benefits.


Whole Grains Are Best to Start the Day
A bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal has benefits that last all day. The fiber and complex carbohydrates in whole grains help you feel fuller for longer, so you'll be less tempted to overeat at lunch. They also help reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol and can be an important part of your weight loss strategy. Other examples of whole grains include wild rice, popcorn, brown rice, barley, and whole-wheat flour.

Nuts Are Good For The Heart
 A handful of nuts is a tasty treat that helps in lowering cholesterol. Nuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL "bad" cholesterol while leaving HDL "good" cholesterol intact. Several studies show that people who eat about an ounce of nuts a day have lower risk of heart disease. Nuts are high in fat and calories, so only eat a handful. And make sure they're not covered in sugar or chocolate.



Unsaturated Fats Protect the Heart
We all need a little fat in our diet -- about 25% to 35% of our daily calories. But the type of fat matters. Unsaturated fats -- like those found in canola, olive, and safflower oils -- help lower LDL "bad" cholesterol levels and may help raise HDL "good" cholesterol. Saturated fats -- like those found in butter and palm oil -- and trans fats raise LDL cholesterol. Even good fats have calories, so eat in moderation.

Beans Are Better Than Potatoes
You need carbohydrates for energy, but some do your body more good than others. Whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, and beans have more fiber and raise sugar levels less. These help lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full longer. Other carbs, like those found in white bread, white potatoes, white rice, and pastries, boost blood sugar levels more quickly, leading you to feel hungry sooner, and may increase risk for overeating.


Exercise Is Very Important For The Heart
Even 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week (20 minutes three times a week for vigorous exercise, such as jogging) can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol -- although more exercise is even better. It also helps you maintain an ideal weight, reducing your chance of developing clogged arteries. You don't have to exercise for 30 minutes straight -- you can break it up into 10-minute increments.


Walking Is Easy & Healthy Too
It's easy, healthy, and all you need is a good pair of shoes. Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise such as walking lowers risk of stroke and heart disease, helps you lose weight, and keeps bones strong. If you're just starting out, try a 10-minute walk and gradually build up from there.

Love Gardening, Dancing If You Hate Gym

 You can boost your heart health by incorporating physical activity into your day. Any kind of cardiovascular activity counts -- gardening, dancing, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Even housework can qualify as exercise -- as long as you're doing serious cleaning that gets your heart rate up and not just light dusting.

Simple Tips When Eating Out

Restaurant food can be loaded with saturated fat, calories, and sodium. Even healthy choices may come in super-size portions. Try these tips to stay on track:

Choose broiled, baked, steamed, and grilled foods -- not fried.

Get sauces on the side.

Practice portion control by asking for half your meal to be boxed up before it’s brought out.

Look For Ingredients Before You Buy

A close look at nutrition labels is essential for a low-cholesterol, heart-healthy diet. Try these tips:

Check serving sizes. The nutrition info may look good, but does the package contain two servings instead of one?

If it says "whole grain," read the ingredients. Whole wheat or whole grain should be the first one.

A food with "0 grams cholesterol" could still raise your LDL cholesterol. Saturated fat is the other culprit to watch for. 

 Stress Not Good For The Heart

Chronic stress can raise blood pressure, adding to your risk of atherosclerosis, which occurs when plaque from cholesterol builds up in arteries. And research shows that for some people, stress might directly increase cholesterol levels. Reduce your stress levels with relaxation exercises, meditation, or biofeedback. Focus on your breathing and take deep, refreshing breaths. It's a simple stress-buster you can do anywhere.

 Losing Weighy Means Winning A Healthy Heart

Losing weight is one of the best things you can do to fight cardiovascular disease. Being obese increases the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. These all affect the lining of your arteries, making them more prone to collect plaque from cholesterol. Losing weight -- especially belly fat, which is linked to hardening of the arteries -- helps raise HDL "good" cholesterol and reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol.