Aspirin may lower risk of ovarian cancer

Taking a low-dose of aspirin daily may help women lower their risk of developing ovarian cancer by 23 per cent, suggests a new study.

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynaecological cancer, largely due to lack of early detection strategies and is believed that the inflammation that occurs during ovulation plays a role in the development of this cancer.

Aspirin is thought to lower cancer risk by reducing inflammation.

The findings, led by researchers from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute in the US, showed that low-dose aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer while standard-dose aspirin use increased the risk, their findings revealed.

Conversely, women who took non-aspirin anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) -- at least 10 tablets per week for many years, had an increased risk of developing the disease.

"We're not quite at the stage where we could make the recommendation that daily aspirin use lowers ovarian cancer risk. We need to do more research. But it is definitely something women should discuss with their physician," said Shelley Tworoger, Associate Centre Director from the varsity.

For this study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, the team analysed data on more than 200,000 women among which 1,054 developed ovarian cancer.

In addition, researchers looked at the participants' use of aspirin (325 milligrams), low-dose aspirin (100 milligrams or less), non-aspirin NSAIDs and acetaminophen.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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In social isolation, the brain begins to act in strange ways to preserve its sanity

Humans are hardwired to interact with others, especially during times of stress. On the other hand, when we go through a trying ordeal alone, a lack of emotional support and comradeship can increase our anxiety and hinder our ability to cope.

This message is forcefully driven home in the newly released thriller “Shut In.” Naomi Watts plays a widowed child psychologist who lives in isolation in rural New England with her son, who is comatose and bedridden as the result of an automobile accident. Snowed in and withdrawn from the outside world, Watts’ character descends into a desperate existence. It soon becomes difficult for her to distinguish the phantasms of her imagination from the reality of the creepy goings-on in her apparently haunted house.

“Shut In,” of course, isn’t the first movie to use isolation as a vehicle for madness. The characters played by Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” and Tom Hanks in “Castaway” found themselves in similar predicaments. Although movies like “Shut In” are fictional, the toll on the protagonist’s psyche from being so alone for so long is based on the science of social isolation.
The importance of human connection

Yes, other people can be irritating. But they are also our greatest source of comfort, and an impressive amount of psychological research underscores the importance of human contact.

Rejection by others psychologically wounds us more deeply than almost anything else, and research by neuroscientists reveals that ostracism can lead to feeling actual physical pain. Other studies confirm that loneliness isn’t good for anyone’s health. It increases levels of stress hormones in the body while leading to poor sleep, a compromised immune system and, in the elderly, cognitive decline. The damage that solitary confinement inflicts on the mental health of prison inmates has also been well-documented.

Alone in an unchanging environment, the sensory information available to us and the ways in which we process it can change in unpredictable ways. For example, we normally spend most of our time attending to and processing external stimuli from the physical world around us. However, monotonous stimulation from our surroundings may cause us to turn our attention inward – within ourselves – which most of us have much less experience handling.

This can lead to a profoundly altered state of consciousness. We may begin to question what’s going on in our surroundings; Is that creaking sound upstairs just an old house pushing back against the wind, or is it something more sinister? This ambivalence leaves us frozen in place, wallowing in unease, especially if we’re alone. When we’re uncertain, the first thing we usually do is to look to the reactions of others to figure out what is going on. Without others with whom to share information and reactions, ambiguity becomes very hard to resolve. When this happens, our mind may quickly race to the darkest possible conclusions.

Unpleasant things can also happen when small groups of people experience isolation together. Much of what we know about this phenomenon has been gathered from observing the experiences of volunteers at research stations in Antarctica, especially during the “wintering-over” period.
The extreme temperatures, long periods of darkness, alien landscapes and severely reduced sensory input created a perfect natural laboratory for studying the effects of isolation and confinement. The volunteers experienced changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Some stopped being able to accurately track the passage of time and lost the ability to concentrate. The boredom from being around the same people, with limited sources of entertainment, ended up causing a lot of stress. Everyone else’s mannerisms became a grating, annoying and inescapable source of torment.

But perhaps the strangest thing that can happen to someone in isolation is the experience of the “sensed presence,” or the feeling that another person or even a supernatural being is with us.

Sensed presences usually appear in environments with static physical and social stimulation – in other words, when you’re by yourself in a quiet, remote place, just like Naomi Watts’ character in “Shut In.” Low temperature and high levels of stress are also common ingredients.

Some of the most compelling descriptions of sensed presences come from lone sailors, mountain climbers and arctic explorers who have experienced hallucinations and out-of-body experiences. In one amazing 1895 incident, Joshua Slocum, the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat single-handedly, said he saw and spoke with the pilot of Christopher Columbus’ ship “The Pinta.” Slocum claimed that the pilot steered his boat through heavy weather as he lay ill with food poisoning.

The vividness of a presence can range from a vague feeling of being watched to seeing a seemingly real person. It could be a god, a spirit, an ancestor or a personal acquaintance. A famous example occurred in 1933, when British explorer Frank Smythe attempted to climb Mt. Everest alone. He became so convinced that someone else was accompanying him on his climb that he even offered a piece of cake to his invisible climbing partner.

Possible explanations for a sensed presence include the the movement of boats (if sailing solo) and atmospheric or geomagnetic activity. Stress, lack of oxygen, monotonous stimulation or a buildup of hormones can trigger changes in brain chemistry that induce altered states of consciousness. There’s actually exciting new evidence from a research group led by neuroscientist Olaf Blanke demonstrating that stimulating specific brain regions can trick people into feeling the “presence” of a ghostly apparition.

Although sensed presences are most frequently reported by people in weird or dangerous places, it’s not unreasonable to assume that such experiences can happen in more mundane surroundings. For example, people who have lost a loved one may shut themselves off from the outside world and rarely leave their homes. The loneliness and isolation, coupled with high levels of stress and unchanging sensory stimulation, might very well produce the same biological conditions that could trigger a “visit” from the recently departed. Studies indicate that almost half of widowed elderly Americans will report having hallucinations of their dead spouse. These experiences seem to be a healthy coping mechanism and a normal part of grieving.

What might all of this say about the way we’re hardwired?

It’s clear that meaningful connection to other people is as essential to health as the air we breathe. Given that prolonged periods of social isolation can crack even the hardiest of individuals, perhaps in the absence of actual human contact our brains may manufacture social experiences – a last-ditch attempt to preserve our sanity.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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8 Habits That Are Killing Your Brain Cells and Shrink Your Brain According to Science

Your brain is one of the most important organs in your body. As we all know, our lifestyle habits affect our general health. For example, when a person doesn’t get enough exercise and overeats, he / she will put on weight. If you have a stressful day at work, you may come home with a headache. There are also many damaging habits that can affect the brain. Unfortunately, we rarely immediately feel the effects of these bad habits that can damage the brain.


As we age, it is normal to experience some loss of brain function. However, some damaging habits can actually speed up the degeneration process of the brain. For example, it was reported on a study into unhealthy habits and the link to brain function. The author of the study, said that habits that are bad for the heart are also bad for the brain.

In this article I am going to look at 8 brain damaging habits and I’ll give you practical advice on how to avoid them to boost your brain power.

8 Brain Damaging Habits

1. Skipping Breakfast

Being in the habit of skipping breakfast can have a negative impact on your brain health. We have all heard the saying that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Research seems to indicate that when it comes to brain health, skipping breakfast is not a good habit.

For example, a study in Japan on over 80,000 people found that skipping breakfast increased the risk of having a stroke and high blood pressure. The study, conducted over a 15 year period, looked at people who did not have any history of heart disease or cancer and found that eating breakfast every day can help a person avoid suffering a stroke. The researchers also noted that blood pressure drops after breakfast and therefore, having breakfast can also reduce the risk of a brain hemorrhage.

Having breakfast regularly also has a positive effect on concentration and mental abilities. This is backed up by a study into the effects of breakfast and academic performance in children. The journal published evidence that children who were in the habit of eating breakfast performed better academically in the classroom, especially in math and arithmetic.

2. Cellphone Radiation May Cause Brain Cancer

There has been an ongoing debate whether radiation from cellphones can cause cancer. A clinical trial carried out in 2016 has uncovered a link between cell phone radiation and cancer in rats. The trial exposed rats to the type of radiation found in cell phones for 9 hours a day for 2 years. The study found that there was an increased risk of tumors in the brain and heart. Consumer Reports says that this is enough to establish a link between the use of cell phones and long-term cancer risks.

This doesn’t mean that we need to ditch our cell phones. Most cell phones and smartphones have the antenna inside the casing, meaning that it is marginally away from your head. However, Consumer Reports recommends using some common-sense precautions to avoid the risk of cell phone radiation causing cancer. Some of these are:

• Use the speakerphone or a hands-free headset when speaking.
• If the cellular signal is weak, try to keep the cell phone away from your body.
• Send text messages or use video calling when possible.
• Don’t keep your phone in your shirt or pants pocket.

3. Overeating of Fat Damages the Brain

We all know about the dangers of having too much fat in our diets, however, eating too much fat can also damage your brain. Scientists have discovered that fatty foods can rewire the brain to start craving foods that are high in fat.

A study found that people who regularly overeat fatty foods develop a defect in the brain. This defect causes the brain to send signals to continue eating, even though the person is technically feeling full. So, the brain’s system that is used to curb appetite starts to make a person crave fatty foods and this results in obesity and other health problems.

Having good eating habits can help the brain to function properly and avoid developing cravings for fatty foods. For example, researcher on neuroscience says that studies have shown that alternative day fasting can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, or Parkinson’s diseases^.

Alternative fasting diets are sometimes called the 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Diet. Intermittent fasting means eating normally for 5 days and then reducing calorie intake to 500 calories for women or 600 calories for men on 2 non-consecutive days. Does this type of fasting boost the brain’s mental abilities? A study published showed that in clinical trials intermittent fasting improves brain functions.

4. Lack of Social Integration

Psychologists generally agree that our brains function best when we have opportunities to socialize with others. The site says that lack of social contact can lead to depression, feelings of loneliness, and even affect our ability to remember things. Children who don’t get enough social contact with their parents and peers are more likely to develop psycho-social problems. In adults, a lack of social integration can also lead to forming bad habits like over drinking and drug abuse.

To avoid a lack of social integration, it is important to look for ways to socialize with others. For example, the researchers studied how social integration can help boost mental abilities. The researchers reported that even just regularly talking for 10 minutes a day can boost memory and mental performance.

To avoid a lack of social integration it’s important to look for ways to meet and socialize with others. Counselors  recommend joining a gym, community center or enroll in an activity class. Physical activity will help you feel better and give you opportunities to meet other people. Even just picking up the phone to call a relative or friend can help you socialize more and keep your brain active.

5. Sleep Deprivation

All of us feel much more refreshed when we get a good night’s sleep. However, being in the habit of not getting enough sleep can have a damaging effect on the brain. A Dr. says that sleep deprivation negatively impacts the brain because of the following:

• Your thought processes slow down and it’s more difficult to perform tasks.
• It makes you more forgetful and affects short-term memory.
• Learning is more difficult.
• Causes irritability and mood swings.

However, sleep deprivation may actually physically damage your brain. The research reported that when we sleep, cellular structures in the brain alter to flush out toxins that have built up during the day. Therefore, to avoid degenerative brain disorders it is important to always get a good night’s sleep.
However, there are more ways that lack of sleep negatively impacts your body .

6. Smoking

Smoking is a damaging habit for your brain and other organs in your body. A team of researchers found that chronic smokers experience a  drip in dopamine function in the brain. This drop in dopamine is a factor that leads to addiction and also increases the chance of relapse when trying to quit. The researchers found that when a person quits smoking, dopamine levels normalized, thus showing that low dopamine function isn’t a precursor to smoking.

Doctors have also seen that smokers have a thinner cortex than non-smokers. This part of the brain is essential for memory, language, and perception. Doctors agree that a thinner cortex is connected with mental decline.

Quitting smoking will help boost your mental abilities and help you enjoy a healthier life. It is possible to quit smoking.

7. Too Much Sugar

As well as causing your waistline to bulge and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes due to obesity, too much sugar can also have a damaging effect on your brain.
A study published by 2 researchers from the University of New South Wales found that in young mice, too much sugar had just as much negative impact on brain development as extreme stress or abuse. They think that if the same happens in children and young adults, too much sugar could have long-term effects on the brain and behavior.
It’s important to cut out as much as possible sugary sodas and candies. You should also be careful of added sugar to foods like fructose corn syrup, invert sugar and sucrose. Also, many low-fat foods have added sugar to help improve the taste. So, try to look for products that are unsweetened or have no sugar added.
However, quitting sugar can be difficult.Reducing your sugar intake to a minimum has many health benefits  and it will help keep your brain functioning well.

8. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption affects your body in many ways and it has long lasting damaging effects on your brain even after it left your body.

According to the researchers, alcohol affects the brain in many ways, such as impaired memory and slowing in reaction times. People who have been consuming large amounts of alcohol for extended periods of time run the risk of developing serious and persistent changes in the brain that persist well after the person achieves sobriety. The damage can be a result of the direct effects of alcohol on the brain or may result indirectly, from a poor general health status or from severe liver disease.

A new study published recently found reductions in middle-aged recovering alcoholics’ white matter pathways compared to non-alcoholics^.

The researchers showed that chronic misuse of alcohol results in measurable damage to the brain. These results further indicate that individuals at high risk for alcoholism may have differences in their brain structure. One of the researchers, professor of psychiatry and psychology states that the longer you misuse alcohol the greater your chances are of permanent brain damage.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                      FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                    

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Autism spectrum disorder and diet

Every year, April 2 is observed as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), an event to raise public awareness about autism as well as highlight the needs to help and improve the lives of those affected by the developmental disorder. This year’s WAAD is focusing on leveraging the use of assistive technologies for persons with autism.

First discovered in the 1940s, autism is a serious disorder wherein a child has difficulty in communicating and his social skills are impaired. It is called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as the signs can be varied based on the severity of the condition. Indicators may appear by age of 2-3 years.
Experts say that early intervention can help improve communication skills and help in brain development so that the child can have a near-normal life later as an adult. Perhaps, there is convincing empirical evidence that dietary intervention can help many with autism.

Symptoms and causes of autism spectrum disorder

Few signs that a child might be autistic are - lack of eye contact, poor facial expressions, resists cuddling or holding, shows repetitive behaviour, doesn’t respond when his name is called out, is not able to express his feelings or understand other persons feeling, etc.

The exact cause of autism is not very clear as it may be associated with environmental and genetic factors - ranging from exposure to few drugs during pregnancy to genetic mutation.

Diet and Autism: What parents need to know

Children with autism may have a sensitive gut, inflammation, poor digestion, malabsorption, etc. It has been observed that children with autism have high peptide levels in the blood as compared to children without the disorder.

Generally, a gluten- and casein-free diet (GFCF) is highly recommended for people with autism, said a Nutritionist- Lifestyle and Weight Management Expert. Gluten-free means avoiding grains like wheat, oats, barley and their products in the diet. Instead, parents can give quinoa, rye, potato flour, rice, tapioca, etc. One can also make paratha, chelas, pancakes, porridge, pulav, dosa, etc out of these flours. You may also use them as a binding agent to make a patty out of vegetables.

A casein-free diet is a diet free of dairy products like milk, curd, cheese, drinks which are milk-based or supplements which have milk powder in them. The advice here is to read the label before giving anything to the child or better still cook and prepare food from scratch at home.

Another option is to substitute milk with almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc. Packed milk contains carrageenans which can lead to inflammation, hence, one should try to prepare at home. There is clear advice of not using soya milk or products as soya is genetically modified and commonly have cross contamination. Also, parents need to avoid saturated fats and sugars as well apart from gluten and casein. Here are a few important diet tips for parents to follow.

1. Be careful about cross contamination - e.g. using the same knife or spoon between GFCF and normal diet.
2. Do not stock your kitchen with gluten-free products as most of them will be high in sugar. Honey can be a good substitute but that too in limited quantities.
3. Let the child have as much as he wants to eat as long as it is within the allowed category.
4. If possible, the whole family should turn to the same diet as it is easier to follow and avoid contamination.
5. Avoid additives, colour, preservatives, hormones, etc in food.
6. Food should be nutrient-dense as the child’s nutritive needs are higher than the counterpart.

It has been seen that if we eliminate grains and milk, there will be obvious nutritional deficiencies in children who are already poor eaters. So here the task is to give enough options and variety to the child with the main focus on fresh fruits and vegetables.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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5 Vitamin Deficiencies That Are Written On Your Face

A healthy and balanced diet is the best way to deliver vitamins and minerals to your body. However, even if you eat well, there's a good chance you’re lacking important nutrients due to your age and susceptibility to health problems. A blood test will often detect vitamin deficiencies, but sometimes there are common deficiencies that can be spotted on your skin, hair, or nails.

"5 Vitamin Deficiencies That Show Up In Your Face,"doctor explains you can assess the nutrients you lack by looking in the mirror. A simple way to discover certain ailments is by looking at your face. There are five signs of nutrient deficiencies that can easily be spotted by and treated with healing foods.

Puffy Eyes
You probably will notice your eyes are puffy after waking up. However, excessive puffiness may indicate a low supply of iodine in the body. A 2006 study discovered a connection between iodine intake and thyroid disease — a condition that can lead to fatigue , exhaustion, and puffy eyes, among many others. Other signs of an iodine deficiency include dry skin, weight gain, and brittle nails.
Healing Foods: Cranberries, yogurt, kelp, potatoes, strawberries, and navy beans.

Pale Skin

A pale complexion can be a sign you need to increase your vitamin B12 intake, according to doctors. A lack of this vitamin can lead the skin to suffer, and promote feelings of fatigue. Another symptom of a deficiency in this vitamin is a completely smooth tongue.
Healing Foods: Salmon, red meat, fortified cereal, yogurt, and swiss cheese.

Dry Hair

Bad hair days are common, but if yours is due to dryness, this could be an indicator you lack biotin or vitamin B7. Low levels of biotin can lead to brittle nails and thinning hair. High doses of biotin via vitamin supplements can be helpful for improving hair quality and even the treatment of diabetes.
Healing Foods: Eggs, almonds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.

Pale Lips

If your lips are pale, this could mean you're anemic, and need more iron in your diet. Catching more colds can be blamed on low iron levels; plus an iron deficiency can weaken your immune system. In addition, the combination of pale skin and pale lips are tell-tale signs that you're anemic.
Healing Foods: Red meat, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, and peas.

Bleeding Gums

It's normal to see a little blood after flossing, but if you notice your gums are sensitive, and bleed frequently, this could be a sign of low vitamin C. A persistent lack of vitamin C in your diet can lead to a condition called scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy include easy bruising, easy bleeding and joint and muscle pains.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/       
                                                                                                                                                                      FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           
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