Wearing masks may increase your risk of coronavirus infection, expert says

Panic buying and the hoarding of face masks to protect from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may not be a good idea, says a health expert. It puts you at an increased risk of contracting the virus.
Dr. Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, has warned that it was not a good idea for the public to wear facemasks as the virus can get trapped in the material and causes infection when the wearer breathes in.

For the public, they should not wear facemasks unless they are sick, and if a healthcare worker advised them.

"For the average member of the public walking down a street, it is not a good idea," Dr. Harries said.
"What tends to happen is people will have one mask. They won't wear it all the time, they will take it off when they get home, they will put it down on a surface they haven't cleaned," she added.
Further, she added that behavioral issues could adversely put themselves at more risk of getting the infection. For instance, people go out and don't wash their hands, they touch parts of the mask or their face, and they get infected.

Masks are recommended for those showing symptoms of a disease, if they are sick, or they have tested positive for COVID-19 since these are designed to prevent the virus from coming out.

When the outbreak started in China, the epicenter of the viral infection, the demand for face masks surpassed 200 million in a day in January, straining the supply. To compensate for the increased demand, many manufacturers had to cancel the leave of staff and increase wages to ramp up the production.

COVID-19 has led to decreasing supplies of personal protective equipment across the globe, leaving health workers and front liners without protection against the virus when they take care of infected patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) urged people not to hoard and buy masks by bulk to help distribute the resources properly.

When to wear a mask?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people should only wear a face mask or surgical mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19 and if they are sick themselves.

Wearing masks is effective only when used in combination with regular and proper handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Further, those who wear masks should know how to use and dispose of them properly.

The Center for Health Protection issued a statement saying that a face mask provides a physical barrier to fluids and large-particle droplets. It added that when used properly, these masks prevent infections transmitted by respiratory droplets. However, it should only be used when people have a respiratory infection, when taking care of an infected patient, or when visiting clinics or hospitals during a pandemic or the peak season of flu.

It is crucial to choose a mask with the appropriate size for children and adults. Before using a mask, wash the hands properly, and the mask should fit snugly over the face. The recommended mask, if needed, is the one with a three-layer design, which includes an outer layer that repels water, a middle layer that becomes a barrier for pathogens, and the inner layer that absorbs moisture. Other face masks without these layers are not recommended.

Coronavirus global toll

The COVID-19 outbreak started in a seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, in China in December 2019. Within nearly three months of the epidemic, the death toll ballooned to about 6,065, and the number of confirmed cases has reached more than 162,687.

China has experienced the most number of infections, with more than 81,000 confirmed cases. In February, the virus started to spread to countries outside China, with Italy, Iran, and South Korea facing the most number of infections.

Italy has recorded a death toll of 1,441, while more than 21,000 have been infected. Iran has nearly 14,000 confirmed cases and 724 deaths, while South Korea has more than 8,162 and 75 deaths.

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

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7 Things That Happen If You Eat Mango Every Day

Sweet and juicy mangoes have a long history of appreciation by humans. The first documented references to mangoes are in Hindu writings that date back to about 4000 B.C. The mango is considered sacred in some places because it is said that Buddha meditated under a mango tree.

Requiring a warm climate, mango is primarily grown in equatorial regions including Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, and Haiti. Commercial growing operations are not large scale in the United States, but that doesn’t stop Americans from eating some 3.42 pounds per person each year.

Mangoes are sweet, tasty, and exotic. They are also quite nutritious. But eating a mango every day might not be the best choice, especially for people with certain conditions including diabetes and arthritis.

We’ll break down the bad and the good of daily mango consumption so that you can make the best choice for you.

You’ll Get A Ton Of Sugar

Each mango has approximately 45.9 grams of sugars – which make up almost the full amount of its 50.33 grams of carbohydrates. The main type of sugar in mango is fructose.

Fructose can only be digested by the liver, and too much puts a strain on this vital organ. It can lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.

On the scale of sugar levels in whole fruits, mangoes are in the upper midrange. Other similarly sweet fruits are red and green grapes, Fuji apples, passion fruit, gold kiwis, sweet cherries, pomegranates, and bananas.

Less sweet fruits include strawberries, avocados, raspberries, blackberries, lemons, and limes.

You Could Have A Delayed Allergic Reaction

Mangoes contain a compound called urushiol, an oil that is also found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. People who are allergic are likely to get a skin rash around the mouth, similar to the red and itchy situation caused by contact with other urushiol-containing plants.

The tricky thing about this reaction is that it may be delayed by as much as two days after eating mango. That can make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

But if you have been eating mangoes more than usual recently and have noticed a rash like contact dermatitis, definitely stop eating them and check in with your doctor.

Artificially Ripened Ones Might Make You Sick

Some mangoes are forced to ripen early so they can get to market faster. The process involves a chemical called calcium carbide, which is a known carcinogen in large amounts. More commonly, exposure causes symptoms like tingling, numbness, and peripheral neuropathy.

Artificially ripened mangoes will also not taste nearly as good, and be less juicy. You can identify one by looking at the skin, which will still contain solid patches of green instead of having a uniform blend of yellow and green.

It’s best to eat your mangoes organic as they are never artificially ripened and also won’t have dangerous pesticide residue.

You Could Be At Risk For Salmonella

Eating a mango every day ups your risk of getting a contaminated one. Salmonella occurs frequently in mangoes because it gets into the water used to wash the fruit during processing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that salmonella is responsible for approximately 1.2 million cases of salmonellosis in the U.S. every year. Around 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths happen as a result.

Salmonella typically occurs in the processing phase of production, but research shows that whole mangoes are just as risky as cut ones, even though they have had less processing.

A bacterium found in the wash water coats the skin of mangoes and then makes its way into the pulp. At that point, no amount of washing by the consumer can eliminate the bacteria.

You Get Little Benefit From It In Juice Form

Though mango does contain a lot of sugar, it also has a fair bit of fiber that prevents blood sugar spikes. When you drink mango juice, all of that healthy fiber is removed. Despite the popularity of juice diets, studies show that they’re not good for you.

Lack of dietary fiber can cause constipation, weight gain, tiredness, blood sugar fluctuations, and nausea. And if your daily mango is in juice form, it puts you at risk of diabetes in a way that whole mango doesn’t, even with the same amount of sugar.

Unripe Mangoes Cause Havoc In The Digestive System

Typically we don’t eat unripe mangoes, but it can be hard to tell if the fruit is fully ripened before eating. Making this mistake can lead to severe stomach pain.

Additionally, if you have dietary fructose intolerance, any mango, whether ripe or unripe, will cause issues like bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, and diarrhea or constipation. If you’re experiencing these symptoms and have a daily mango habit, the fruit might be the culprit.

 You’ll Get Good Nutrition

If you are not sensitive to the allergenic compounds in mangoes and eat them as part of a balanced diet, they are actually quite healthy. Mango contains a ton of vitamin C, which plays a part in immune system function, building strong connective tissue, and maintaining healthy blood vessel walls.

Mango also has a lot of potassium with almost no sodium. Therefore, eating mango regularly can help regulate blood pressure and the body’s fluid balance.

You will also find high levels of folate and vitamin A in mangoes, as well as antioxidants including quercetin, norathyriol, and mangiferin. Antioxidants are vital for protecting your cells from free radical damage, which is an indicator for diseases like cancer as well as accelerated aging.
So the main takeaway here is that mango is best eaten in moderation but is still very healthy if you choose an organic variety.

Eat them whole or mashed, but don’t rely on the juice or you’ll miss the fiber that supports digestion and prevents blood sugar spikes. All in all, there is a reason that mango is such a popular fruit – it’s just best enjoyed as part of a diverse “salad” of fruits in your daily diet.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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6 times you should drink water to stay healthy

Water is a lifesaver. It is the building block of every cell present in the body. About 60 percent of the human body is made up of water and so it is essential for the existence of human being. Water lubricates the joints, delivers oxygen throughout the body, regulates body temperature, helps in digestion, flushes toxins out of the body and helps in several other ways. 

To stay healthy, it is important to drink at least 2 litres of water every day. At the same time, it is important to drink water at the right times of the day to reap maximum benefits. 

Here are 6 times you should drink to stay healthy and fit:
1. When you get up in the morningKick start your day with a glass of water in the morning. This will help to remove toxins from the body and will energise you for the rest of the day. Drink normal or warm water, but avoid guzzling cold water in the morning.
2. Before a meal Drinking water before a meal will make you feel fuller and prevent you from overeating. Sipping a glass of water 30 minutes before your mealtime will wake up your taste buds and moisturizes the stomach lining. It also clears the leftover tastes from earlier food or drinks.

3. When you’re hungry Sometimes we feel hungry when we are actually thirsty. So, if you are hungry between meals gulp down a tall glass of water to see if you are actually dehydrated.

4. Before and after a workout To protect against dehydration, it is important to guzzle 2-3 glasses of water before and after your workout session. This will also help to maintain the fluid balance in the body. But do not drink too much water in a short period of time, as this will lead to stomach cramps.

5. When you are sick Increase your water intake when you are sick. This will not only hydrate you but will remove toxins from the body and help you to recover faster.

6. When you are tiredIf you are really feeling tired and do not have time to take some rest, then pour yourself a glass of water. You might not be aware of this, but fatigue is another sign of dehydration. Drinking water will give a little boost to your brain even if you do not shut your eyes for a while. 
 

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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Practicing Yoga and Meditation Reverses the DNA Damage that Makes us Sick and Depressed

The researchers reviewed over ten years of  studies analyzing how our genes are affected by different practices such as mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi and found that they: " don't simply relax us; they can 'reverse' the  molecular reactions in our DNA which cause ill-health and depression---"
 
Here’s how it works: when you experience a stressful event, your sympathetic nervous system (SNS) flips on and your “fight-or-flight” response goes into high-gear. In early human times, this response was key to our survival, when danger may have lurked around every corner. If you survived the event, your body systems returned to normal fairly quickly. In today’s stressful world, however, our fight-or-flight mechanism can be greatly over-used and results in poor health often in the form of a higher risk of cancer and mental health issues.

Once that SNS is activated, there is increased production of a molecule called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). This molecule is responsible for controlling how our genes are expressed. NF-kB turns on genes that make and release proteins called cytokines that cause inflammation and contribute to illness and disease.


According to this careful review of the research, however, people who engage in these “Mind-body Interventions” (MBIs) like yoga and meditation, show a remarkable decrease in the manufacture of both Nf-kB and inflammatory cytokines.

According to researchers-
“These activities are leaving what we call a molecular signature in our cells, which reverses the effect that stress or anxiety would have on the body by changing how our genes are expressed. Put simply, MBIs cause the brain to steer our DNA processes along a path which improves our well-being.”

This exciting analysis of the scientific literature confirms what many people have already experienced: mindful practices such as yoga, meditation and tai chi, can “rewire” us at the molecular level and heal and protect us from addictions, mental health issues and cancer.

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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Take Leave When You Have Flu

Biologists have detected what they say is the first evidence of changes in the social networks of ants through collective altered behaviour to protect their colonies from potentially deadly infections.

The scientists, who intentionally introduced a fungus in ant colonies grown in their laboratory, found that the fungus-contaminated ants and the uncontaminated ants stayed away from each other, displaying behavioural changes that protected vulnerable members of their colonies.

“The isolation of sick individuals had been observed earlier in ants and honeybees,” said  an evolutionary scientist and lead researcher.

“But this is the first time we’re seeing behaviour changes in contaminated and healthy ants affecting their colonies’ social networks.”

The findings point towards evolutionary mechanisms meant to prevent infections from spreading within colonies of social insects that are extremely vulnerable to infections because of their high population counts, frequent physical contact between individuals, and genetic similarities.

Researchers used an automated system to track the movements of thousands of black garden ants, maintained in 22 colonies, before and after exposing about 10 per cent of the worker ants to fungal spores.

They noticed changes in the ants’ behaviour even before the fungus-exposed ants had become sick. In the presence of the fungal spores, the ants changed how they interacted with each other -– the foragers and the nurses had fewer contacts with one another.

Using sensitive laboratory techniques, the scientists also found that this altered behaviour lowered the risk of the transfer of fungal spores from the infected ants to the others.

A few individuals received a high dose of the fungus but more ants received a low dose that, the scientists believe, could help bolster their immunity from future infections.

“The ants’ immune system can deal well with this lower pathogen level, which provides a form of immune memory,”  an evolutionary biologist said.

The biologist said the precise mechanisms through which the ants are able to detect the arrival of the fungus and subsequently alter their behaviour and social networking remain unclear.

“The detection itself may be through the sense of smell, which is very developed in ants,” the biologist said.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

What happens to our body when we skip a meal ?

Due to our hectic schedule, quite often people don't have enough time to eat a breakfast ( the most important meal of the day), as one has to catch a bus / train to be on time at the office. At times, when one is over-worked, then one feels too tired to even cook a meal and feel sleep is more essential than eating. One may lose weight when one skips a meal, provided, one doesn't gorge in between on unwanted snacks.As for losing weight, well it depends on your physiological process, age, health and the diet that you''ll eat later on.

Some of the effects of skipping a meal are-

1) Mood swings- Mood swings and irritable attitude is very common in case you are starving yourself. Due to low blood sugar level in your body, you tend to snap and get easily annoyed. The symptoms worsen if you make it a habit. You tend to get more stressed and face trouble in making decisions. Skipping meals regularly can make you really moody and jittery all the time. You tend to have angry outbursts in situations where you would otherwise deal tactfully.

2. You might lose weight—but there's a catch.-
Despite everything you've heard about "calories in, calories out," the links between meal skipping and losing weight are tricky. Some research from Ohio State University suggests you'll drop bad weight in the short term—but you'll eventually gain back dangerous belly fat. More studies suggest the weight you lose may come from muscle, not fat, which is hardly ideal. There are some potentially great reasons to skip meals, but losing weight is probably not one of them.

3. Low brain function - There are times when you choose to compensate for a heavy meal you had by skipping another altogether. Your body weakens even if you skip one meal and subsequently your brain can't function actively and you tend to lose your focus. The brain runs on glucose primarily, hence, you can't think clearly because of low blood sugar level due to skipping a meal. It worsens in case you have made a regular habit out of it.

4. Inflammation calms down.
From arthritis to cancer to heart disease, many major health conditions stem from damage caused by chronic inflammation. Periods of fasting appear to trigger damage-repairing adaptations in your cells. While fasting comes in all shapes and sizes, some inflammation-lowering health perks could accrue after forgoing just one meal, says one of the paper's authors and a researcher.

5.More chances of overeating - Fasting increases the chances of overeating. You may choose to skip a meal as a compensatory act but there are more possibilities that you will end up binging later. Denying your body the appropriate amount of food only makes it crave for more. Most of the times you are likely to end up eating junk food and make up for the skipped meal. It's best to eat proper nutritious meals than loading up on junk food.

6. You could run low on nutrients.
While skipping a meal here and there—sometimes referred to as " intermittent fasting"—can be beneficial,a researcher says harnessing those benefits requires careful planning. Otherwise, you risk nutrient deficiencies linked to fatigue, poor mental function, and other health concerns. If you're considering fasting on a regular basis, consult with a registered dietitian or other nutrition pro to ensure you're getting enough protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids in your meals and snacks. 

7. Gaining weight - There are high chances of gaining pounds if you skip a meal routinely. You tend to overeat usually when your body feels deprived and gives you hunger pangs. If you restrict yourself too much then it interferes with your body metabolism. Your body goes into a survival mode and starts storing everything you consume as fat. That way whatever you eat adds to your waistline and does not do much good.

8. Your risk for some diseases may increase.
If you routinely skip breakfast, you may be headed for trouble, says a researcher. One of his studies found that women who skipped breakfast regularly had a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Another of her studies—this one in men—linked going without a morning meal to heart disease. "Our bodies need to be fed food regularly in order to maintain healthy levels of blood lipids such as cholesterol, hormones such as insulin, and normal blood pressure," he says. "As we sleep all night we are fasting, and so if we regularly do not 'break fast' in the morning, it puts a strain on our bodies that over time can lead to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and blood pressure problems." 

9. You're likely to make up for a missed meal with junk food.
Researchers found that meal-skippers grab 31% more junk food at the grocery store when shopping hungry, compared with when they had a snack beforehand. Shoppers who hit the aisles during the high-hunger hours between 4 PM and 7 PM also selected a larger percentage of high-calorie options. All this suggests your body may crave crappier food if you skip meals.

10.But you might also end up skipping exercise altogether.
Though a morning workout without food could have fat-burning benefits, the equation changes later in the day. Combine the low blood sugar that follows a skipped meal with the mental and physical demands of work, parenting, and your other daily obligations, and you may find it nearly impossible to exercise after skipping a meal, a researcher says.

11. You could "bonk" midway through your workout.
Even if you push through your fatigue and hit the gym or trail, skipping a meal can leave you feeling terrible midway through your session. Athletes call it "bonking," and it occurs when low blood sugar saps your muscles and mind of the energy they require to make it through that next mile or rep, the researcher says.
12. You might get sick.
After exercise—especially long, intense sessions—spikes in cortisol temporarily suppress your immune system. "Consuming carbohydrates during and right after training helps close that window of immunosuppression," says the author of a study. The longer you put off refueling, the greater your risk of headaches, fatigue, extreme hunger, and even infection. On the flip side, eating a meal or snack with protein and carbs within 2 hours of exercise replenishes your body's energy stores and provides the raw material to build new muscle, the researcher says. 

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/   
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