FOOD NEWS: Health

Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Friday, 29 April 2016

21 Countries Could be Malaria-Free by 2020: WHO

As many as 21 countries, including six in the African region and four of India's neighbours - Bhutan, China, Nepal and Malaysia, could be free of malaria by 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated in a report published today to mark World Malaria Day. One of the goals of WHO's 2016-2030 programme against malaria is to eliminate the disease in at least 10 countries by 2020. To meet this target, a country must achieve at least one year of zero indigenous cases by 2020.

"The 'Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030', approved by the World Health Assembly in 2015, calls for the elimination of local transmission of malaria in at least 10 countries by 2020,” the Geneva-based organisation said in a statement.

"WHO estimates that 21 countries are in a position to achieve this goal, including six countries in the African Region, where the burden of the disease is heaviest,” the statement added.

"Our report shines a spotlight on countries that are well on their way to eliminating malaria,” said Pedro Alonso, director, WHO Global Malaria Programme.

According to the WHO analysis presented in the report, these 21 countries are: Algeria, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Cabo Verde, China, Comoros, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland and Timor-Leste.

"WHO commends these countries while also highlighting the urgent need for greater investment in settings with high rates of malaria transmission, particularly in Africa. Saving lives must be our first priority,” Alonso noted.

Since the year 2000, malaria mortality rates have declined by 60 percent globally, the report pointed out. But reaching the next level - elimination - will not be easy, it added.

Nearly half of the world’s population, 3.2 billion people, remain at risk of malaria. Last year alone, 214 million new cases of the disease were reported in 95 countries and more than 400 000 people died of malaria, the report said. To make the world free of the disease, “new technologies must go hand in hand with strong political and financial commitment,” Alonso added.

Reaching the goals of the “Global Technical Strategy” will require a steep increase in global and domestic funding from $2.5 billion today to an estimated $8.7 billion annually by 2030, the report noted.

By: Rohit On 04:48

Saturday, 23 April 2016

Many people experience problems with the skin

Many people experience problems with the skin and vision in their lifetime. If you have the same problem as these people, we suggest that you try this highly potent recipe for skin rejuvenation and eye care and enjoy its benefits.

The combination of this ingredients will reduce your diopter and it may even help you finally get rid of those glasses. This home remedy will not only sharpen your vision, but also will rejuvenate your skin and will give you a nice and young look.

It is easy to make, super-cheap and affordable, so everyone can make it at home. The best thing is that the ingredients you need are healthy and natural.
Recipe For Skin Rejuvenation And Perfect Eye Vision

Ingredients:
7 oz/200ml flaxseed oil
2 lemons
3 garlic cloves
2 lbs / 1 kg raw honey
7 oz/200ml water
Preparation:

Peel and boil the lemons. Add the ground garlic in. Finally, add the honey and flax seed oil, and stir well. Pour the mixture into a jar and make sure you keep it in a cool and dark place, preferably in your fridge. Take a tablespoon before your meals. Do not forget to stir it once in a while, using wooden or plastic spoon, never metal, as it can destroy the nutrients.

Respondents who have enjoyed the benefits of this remedy say that their diopter has improved from -4 to -2. This recipe also improved their skin condition, so their skin became smooth and soft.

This remedy has also proven to be beneficial for those who struggle with hair loss, because they have soon noticed that their hair has stopped falling off. Respondents also said that this remedy significantly improved their hair quality, giving their hair a nice and healthy shine.

By: Rohit On 11:11

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Health Ministry & Indian Medical Association to Set Up a Working Group to Tackle Healthcare Issues

Health Ministry in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) will form a first of its kind working group to evaluate and address major healthcare problems in the country. This was announced by Health Minister J P Nadda, who also sought help of IMA members to fight the major health battles faced by the Indian population. Mr. Nadda addressed the IMA's annual Central Council meeting the NATCON 2015.

"Never in the history of the IMA has a joint committee of this nature been formed between the IMA and the Government of India. We are extremely hopeful that together we will be able to find effective solutions to major healthcare issues being faced in our country.

"Some of these include the high prevalence of water and food-borne diseases, increase in percentage of women smokers, epidemics such as dengue and swine flu as well as the increased incidences of lifestyle diseases in people as early as in their late twenties and thirties," the statement said.

"This will be a great boon for the Indian consumer at large for now medical devices will become more affordable and accessible even to the lower strata of the society. We believe that access to healthcare is a basic fundamental right of each and every Indian citizen under article 21 of the Indian constitution and no person must die of disease just because they cannot afford treatment," Dr KK Aggarwal, Secretary General of IMA, said.

The IMA Central Council meeting was attended by over 1000 doctors who, over a two day period, discussed issues affecting the Indian medical community, including increased cases of violence against doctors, un-warranted media trials, redundant laws that need urgent amendments as well as commercialization of the medical practice by its inclusion under the Consumer Protection Act.

By: Rohit On 21:17

Thursday, 14 April 2016

A Dangerous Chemical Lurking in Your Fast Food

Junk food addicts, take note! People who consume more fast food are exposed to higher levels of potentially harmful chemicals known as phthalates, a new study has warned.

"People who ate the most fast food had phthalate levels that were as much as 40 per cent higher. Our findings raise concerns because phthalates have been linked to a number of serious health problems in children and adults," said Ami Zota from George Washington University in the US.

Phthalates belong to a class of industrial chemicals used to make food packaging materials, tubing for dairy products, and other items used in the production of fast food. Other research suggests these chemicals can leach out of plastic food packaging and can contaminate highly processed food.

Researchers looked at data on 8,877 participants who had answered detailed questions about their diet in the past 24 hours, including consumption of fast food. These participants also had provided researchers with a urinary sample that could be tested for the breakdown products of two specific phthalates - DEHP and DiNP. They found that the more fast food participants in the study ate, the higher was the exposure to phthalates. People in the study with the highest consumption of fast food had 23.8 per cent higher levels of the breakdown product for DEHP in their urine sample.

Those same fast food lovers had nearly 40 per cent higher levels of DiNP metabolites in their urine compared to people who reported no fast food in the 24 hours prior to the testing, researchers said They also discovered that grain and meat items were the most significant contributors to phthalate exposure.

According to Zota, the grain category contained a wide variety of items including bread, cake, pizza, burritos, rice dishes and noodles. She also noted that other studies have also identified grains as an important source of exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals. Researchers also looked for exposure to another chemical found in plastic food packaging - Bisphenol A (BPA).

They believe that exposure to BPA can lead to health and behaviour problems, especially for young children. This study found no association between total fast food intake and BPA. However, researchers found that people who ate fast food meat products had higher levels of BPA than people who reported no fast food consumption. The findings were published in the journal Environmental
Health Perspectives.

By: Rohit On 23:43

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Here's Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Food

Chefs, restaurateurs, and people I dine with are sometimes surprised by how I remember dishes that I had eaten years ago. As a food writer, you are expected to remember tastes. But why this food memory should go back that far is something even I don’t understand fully. One big reason, however, could be that those of us in the business of decoding food and flavours are perhaps more tuned to eat mindfully. Of course, you do not need to be a food writer to appreciate the benefits of mindful eating. Remembering the flavours of what you are eating may or may not happen, if you pay attention to the bites. What will certainly happen, on the other hand, is better and healthier eating. If you are in the habit of eating a bowl of meal in front of the telly, watching your favourite show, abandon it right away. Take some time out, sit at a table and munch slowly, savouring each flavour and the experience.

All nutritionists will tell you that one reason why we land up making bad food choices is because of emotional eating. Feeling low: dig into that bag of chips and wine. Feeling bored: hog on instant noodles. Feeling stressed: reach for that bar of chocolate… All these are examples of not eating mindfully. As is eating on automation—ignoring your body cues, following set patterns and timings and eating when you are not hungry. Or, skipping meals and then eating when you are ravenous. You cannot pay attention to food when your instinct is screaming at you to tank up immediately!

Fortunately, with more emphasis on eating well and living well, many of us are gradually moving towards mindful eating. Go to upscale restaurants, and you will realise that consuming habits in India have been changing and the premium is now on quality and not quantity. People, at least those affluent enough to take care of themselves, are now increasingly careful of each morsel they put in.

Which is also why we have those sundry fads dominating the business of food and restaurants: superfoods like quinoa, goji berries, chia seeds, spirulina, and seaweed have busted the charts in global popularity. And while you may have started on some of these, mindful eating also means that you relook at your foods and where they are sourced from; ingredients that notch up the carbon miles may not be a great idea. Go local.

By: Rohit On 00:32

Saturday, 9 April 2016

Eat Walnuts to Keep Age-Related Health Issues at Bay

Daily consumption of walnuts can help in healthy ageing, while also improving the blood cholesterol levels and maintaining good gut health, finds a new study.

The findings showed that intake of walnuts, especially by the elderly, can boost the good fats and other nutrients as well as lower obesity and blood cholesterol levels.Initially found to increase body weight, the study's preliminary results demonstrated that daily consumption of walnuts for one year by a sizable cohort of older adults had no adverse effects on their body weight."Given that walnuts are a high-energy food, a prevailing concern has been that their long-term consumption might be associated with weight gain," said Emilio Ros, director of the Lipid Clinic, Endocrinology and Nutrition Service at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain.For the study, the team instructed 707 healthy older adults to add daily doses of walnuts (approximately 15 percent of caloric intake) to their typical diet or to consume their usual diet without nuts.The participants were not given advice on total calorie and macronutrient intake or food substitution for walnuts. After a year, both groups showed similar results for weight gain, triglycerides and HDL (or 'good') cholesterol, but those eating walnuts experienced significant LDL (or 'bad') cholesterol reductions."We will further assess how walnut consumption may affect, among other outcomes, cognitive decline and age-related macular degeneration, conditions that were major public health concerns," Ros added.

By: Rohit On 12:43

Monday, 4 April 2016

Don't Blame Your Genes for High Cholesterol

Genetic mutations that can be blamed for unusually high cholesterol are far rarer than previously thought, existing in only about two percent of the population, researchers said on Sunday. Previous studies have suggested that as many as 25 percent of people with very high cholesterol - defined as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of 190 mg/dl or higher - could blame their condition on their genes. LDL is widely known as "bad cholesterol" because it leads to buildup of harmful plaque in the arteries.

"Many clinicians assume that patients with LDL above 190 have a familial hypercholesterolemia mutation as the major driver," said Amit Khera, a cardiology fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and lead author of the findings presented at the American College of Cardiology conference in Chicago.

"But there are a lot of other causes that can lead to this very high LDL, such as poor diet, lack of exercise and a variety of common genetic variants that each have a small impact on cholesterol but can add up to a big impact when they occur together."

To perform the study, researchers compiled the largest gene sequencing analysis to date based on people with very high cholesterol, including more than 26,000 people.

There are three different known mutations that can lead to a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. Only two percent of individuals had mutations in any of the three known familial hypercholesterolemia genes.

Even though there were relatively few of these people, their risk for developing life-threatening plaque buildup in the heart's arteries by their 50s or 60s was extraordinarily high - 22 times higher than people with average cholesterol levels (LDL below 130 mg/dL), said the study.

"Our findings suggest that if you performed widespread genetic screening of all individuals with very high LDL cholesterol, your yield would likely be low, but for the people who do have the mutations, the results could be quite meaningful," said Khera.

"This knowledge would be relevant not only to people with familial hypercholesterolemia mutations but to their relatives as well."

For those without the inherited gene mutations, but who still had very high cholesterol, their risk of early-onset coronary artery disease was six times higher than people with LDL below 130. Researchers estimated that 412,000 of about 14 million adult Americans with an untreated LDL of 190 or higher have a familial hypercholesterolemia mutation.

By: Rohit On 23:51

Common Migraine Medication During Pregnancy Can Affect Baby

Certain medications and treatments long considered safe to treat pregnant women with migraines may have adverse effects on the babies, suggests new research.The researchers pointed out that acetaminophen, used by over 65 percent of pregnant women in the US, has been linked to pediatric development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"We hope this review of medical treatments will serve as a guide for doctors and patients on how to interpret new findings, especially regarding four treatment options that doctors have commonly used for their pregnant patients with migraines," said lead study author Rebecca Erwin Wells, assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US."Patients and doctors need to be aware that concerns exist and they should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of these treatments," Wells noted.The review was published in the journal Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports.The study also revealed that magnesium, previously considered one of the safest supplements that could be used during pregnancy, is now rated at level D by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning that it may not be safe.Similarly, butalbital, a barbiturate drug used to treat headache in combination with caffeine, acetaminophen, aspirin and/or codeine, could potentially increase the risk of congenital heart defects, the researchers pointed out citing a small study.Most women with migraines actually experience fewer headaches during pregnancy, especially during second and third trimesters, Wells said."There are many available treatment options for migraine during pregnancy and lactation, so patients can be assured that they will not suffer during this important time in their lives," she said."The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about your headaches during pregnancy and lactation. He or she can guide you on the available treatments and their safety, including non-pharmacologic options, such as healthy lifestyle habits, relaxation training, stress management, biofeedback, and possibly even meditation and yoga," Wells noted.

By: Rohit On 11:02

Saturday, 2 April 2016

Public Awareness of Link Between Alcohol And Cancer Worryingly Low

Almost 90 per cent of people in the UK do not associate drinkingalcohol with an increased risk of cancer, according to a new report published today. The study, commissioned by Cancer Research UK and led by researchers from the University of Sheffield, found that just 13 per cent of adults mentioned cancer when asked "which, if any, health conditions can result from drinking too much alcohol?"Drinking alcohol is linked to an increased risk of seven different cancers - liver, breast, bowel, mouth, throat, oesophageal (food pipe), laryngeal (voice box) but the survey highlighted a lack of understanding of the link between drinking alcohol and certain types of the disease.

When prompted by asking about seven different cancer types, 80 per cent said they thought alcohol caused liver cancer but only 18 per cent were aware of the link with breast cancer. In contrast, alcohol causes 3,200 breast cancer cases each year compared to 400 cases of liver cancer.The report, produced by researchers at the University's School of Health and Related Research (SHARR), comes ahead of the consultation closing on how well new drinking guidelines proposed by the UK's Chief Medical Officers in January 2016, are communicated.These drew attention to the link between alcohol and cancer and highlighted the need for greater public awareness of this risk. The findings are based on a nationally representative online survey of 2,100 people conducted in July 2015.Among drinkers, as few as one in 10 men (10.8 per cent) and one in seven women (15.2 per cent) correctly identified these recommended limits and used them to track their drinking habits."We've shown that public awareness of the increased cancer risk from drinking alcohol remains worryingly low.People link drinking and liver cancer, but most still don't realise that cancers including breast, mouth, throat and bowel are also linked with alcohol," said Dr Penny Buykx, a senior research fellow at The University of Sheffield and lead-author of the report."The link between alcohol and cancer is now well established, and it's not just heavy drinkers who are at risk. This is reflected in the new guidelines issued by the UK's Chief Medical Officers that stated that the risk of developing a range of illnesses, including cancer, increased with any amount of alcohol you drink," said Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer prevention.

By: Rohit On 23:05

Friday, 1 April 2016

One-Two Cups of Coffee Daily May Cut Colorectal Cancer Risk

Drinking black, decaf or even instant coffee daily can lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer, finds a study. Moderate coffee consumption, between one to two servings a day, was associated with a 26 percent reduction in the odds of developing colorectal cancer after adjusting for known risk factors.

Moreover, the risk of developing colorectal cancer continued to decrease to up to 50 percent when participants drank more than 2.5 servings of coffee each day."We found that drinking coffee is associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer and the more coffee consumed, the lower the risk," said lead researcher Stephen Gruber from University Of Southern California.The study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, examined over 5,100 participants who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer within the past six months, along with an additional 4,000 participants with no history of colorectal cancer to serve as a control group.A questionnaire also gathered information about many other factors that influence the risk of colorectal cancer, including family history of cancer, diet, physical activity and smoking. The indication of decreased risk was seen across all types of coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated.Caffeine and polyphenol compounds present in coffee can act as antioxidants, limiting the growth of potential colon cancer cells."The good news is that our data presents a decreased risk of colorectal cancer regardless of what flavor or form of coffee you prefer," said study co-author Stephanie Schmit."While the evidence certainly suggests this to be the case, we need additional research before advocating for coffee consumption as a preventive measure," said Gad Rennert from Clalit National Israeli Cancer Control Center in Haifa, Israel.

By: Rohit On 23:24

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

Palm Sugar and Its Health Benefits: Time to Ditch the Table Sugar

Among all the things that Bengal is famous for, their undying love for sweetmeats undoubtedly ranks at the top. Rasgulla, sandesh, mishti doi, chom chom, pati shapta and the like have charmed sweet lovers across the globe, tempting them to find every small reason to make their way back to the sweet decadence.

But amidst all of these, what seems to attract most attention in recent times is this one particular ingredient - nolen gur or coconut/ palm sugar, the sweet makers' secret weapon.What is Palm Sugar?Palm sugar is a sweetener that is made from the sap present in the flower buds of the coconut palm tree. It is known as natural sugar because it involves minimum processing and no chemicals are used. The sap from the tree is heated to wick away the moisture content until a thick syrup is obtained, and this sweet nectar is then further reduced to crystals. In the stores, palm sugar is available in the block, granular and liquid form.Though, of late, many speculations revolve around palm sugar and its health benefits, it has been a common ingredient used in the preparation of traditional dishes in south and south-east Asian cuisines. The sugar has a mild caramel flavour and in its liquid form resembles honey whereas in the granular state, it is not much different in taste as compared to white sugar. It is used in making curries, sauces and desserts. What had stirred up a storm in the food scene a few years back was the creation of innovative desserts - ice creams, puddings, panna cottas and souffles - using the molten nolen gur, also known as khajur gur.

By: Rohit On 22:57

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Male and Female Caffeine Consumption ups Miscarriage Risk: Study

Women have an increased risk of miscarriage if they or their partner consume more than two caffeinated drinks a day in the weeks leading up to conception, a new US study found. Women who drink more than two caffeinated beverages per day during the first seven weeks of pregnancy were also more likely to have a miscarriage, according to the study published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

But rates of miscarriage are reduced for women who take a daily multivitamin before and after conception. The study, carried out by researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Ohio State University, was based on data from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study.

That study followed 501 couples in Michigan and Texas from 2005 to 2009, examining the relationship between fertility, lifestyle and exposure to chemicals in the environment. The current study compared cigarette use, caffeinated beverage consumption and multivitamin use among 344 couples when the woman was carrying a single offspring. Of these pregnancies, 98 or 28 percent ended in miscarriage.

The researchers' conclusions were based on a statistical concept called hazard ratio, which estimates the chances of a particular outcome occurring during the study period. A ratio greater than one indicates increased risk for miscarriage each day following conception, while a ratio less than one indicates reduced daily risk. The risk of miscarriage was 1.74 when the woman consumed more than two caffeinated drinks a day, the study showed.

However, the risk was almost as high 1.73, if the male partner drank that much caffeine or more.
"Our findings also indicate that the male partner matters, too," said lead author Germaine Buck Louis, director of the Division of Intramural Population Health Research at the NIH. "Male preconception consumption of caffeinated beverages was just as strongly associated with pregnancy loss as females'."

The study also found that taking a daily multivitamin significantly reduced chances of miscarriage.
Taking a vitamin in the weeks leading up to conception had a hazard ratio of 0.45, a 55 percent reduction in risk for pregnancy loss. Women who continued to take multivitamins through the early stages of pregnancy had a hazard ratio of 0.21, a risk reduction of 79 percent.

By: Rohit On 00:07

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Amazing Health Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice

When one lives in the tropical countries, they are aware of the long and humid summers that wrench the body of all moisture content. Not everyone is able to escape being under the blazing sun as they have to be outdoors for work. When one is exhausted and feeling dehydrated, they often lose out on their body fluids. In order to quench their thirst as well as replenish the essential moisture content of their body, sugarcane juice is one of the best rescues to opt for in the summer. Not only is the sugar cane juice rich in natural sweetness, it offers one a number of health benefits. There is no artificial sugar added and the natural sugar content in the juice gives one the instant energy that they need to feel revitalized and good to go. The unrefined form of sugar that it contains makes it good for all unlike the sugar or sweetened cold drinks and other bottled beverages. The benefits of this juice are several which are elaborated below.

History Of Sugarcane
The cultivation of sugar cane is an age old practice and it originated in New Guinea 10,000 years back. After that it started being cultivated in many countries and predominantly in India. The Moors picked up the trade secret of processing sugar from sugar cane from Indians. Sugar production thus started being done in Spain and other countries in Europe. Different countries started producing sugar in different forms, color and granules as well as in terms of molasses content. Today, with the focus coming back on natural and unrefined forms of sugar, sugarcane juice is being highlighted more than the processed sugar.

Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane is an important member of the grass family. It consists of sucrose and has several nutrients included in it which aids in maintaining good health. Many of the benefits are not known by people:

Sugarcane juice not only helps to add on healthy form of sugar in the bloodstream, it contains vitamins and minerals that can protect the system from flu, freezing and sore throat
Sugarcane juice is one fruit juice that has a high level of natural sweetness. One does not have to add on additional sugar to it. Those who are diabetic can enjoy such a juice without worrying about the blood sugar complications
When one is suffering from acute dehydration, it is recommended that one drinks this juice as it helps to boost the blood sugar levels as well as removes fatigue.
Those who suffer from fever and have loss of protein from the system, they will find that consumption of sugarcane juice leads to supplementing the body with necessary protein. The body temperature is brought down and one can recuperate faster
Those who suffer from jaundice are provided sugarcane juice to recuperate faster
Digestion is assisted as well as constipation due to the high level of potassium content
Wound healing properties are enhanced and so is the immune system with regular intake of sugarcane juice.
Thu, the juice of sugarcane has many beneficial properties to offer to the human system. if you know of more benefits, do share them here.

By: Rohit On 11:44

Friday, 25 March 2016

Why Do People in Japan Live Longer?

The Japanese diet is known for its balance and serving the right portion size. A lots of studies have shown that Japanese people are more likely to reach 100 years old than anyone else in the world. Researchers attribute this to their super-healthy diet.

A new study supports the same and suggests that if you follow a Japanese diet, you may live longer. How? Following a Japanese diet can reduce the risk of death from all causes and death from cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. It involves a balanced consumption of grains, sea vegetables, fruits, fish and meat which can contribute to a higher life expectancy.

In 2005, the Japanese government a Japanese food guide to illustrate the balance and quantity of food in the daily Japanese diet. The results of the study showed that both men and women with higher scores on the food guide, which indicates better adherence, were found to have a 15 per cent lower total mortality rate over 15 years. The lower mortality rate can be the result of a reduction in cerebrovascular disease deaths, the researchers pointed out.

According to Kayo Kurotani, researcher at the National Centre for Global Health and Medicine in Japan, "Our findings suggest that balanced consumption of energy, grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, soy products and dairy products can contribute to longevity by decreasing the risk of death, predominantly from cardiovascular disease."

The study, published by The BMJ, examines the relation between adherence to the food guide and total and cause specific mortality. The team used data from detailed food and lifestyle questionnaires completed by 36,624 men and 42,920 women aged 45-75. None of the participants had a history of cancer, stroke, heart disease or chronic liver disease - and each were followed for 15 years.

By: Rohit On 20:39

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Keep Your Gut Healthy To Prevent Diabetes and Obesity

A new research has found that a weak ecosystem of bacteria in the human gut due to poor dietary choices is likely to trigger diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The study suggests that people should follow a balanced diet with a variety of all major food groups - cereals, pulses, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. A diverse diet strengthens your gut. The findings, published in the journal Molecular Metabolism, revealed that changes in farming practices over the last 50 years have resulted in decreased agricultural diversity, which in turn has resulted in decreased dietary diversity. This reduction has affected the richness of the human gut microbiota and the community of microorganisms living in the gut.

"Healthy individuals posses a diverse gut microbiota but a reduced microbiotic richness gives rise to Type 2 diabetes, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease," said the team from Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in US.

Gut microbiota function as an endocrine organ, metabolizing specific nutrients from the diet and producing specific substances that act as metabolic signals in the host. In simple words, it regulates the functions of the digestive system which controls most of the processes of your body and is critical for overall health.

Like all healthy ecosystems, the richness of microbiota species characterizes the gut microbiome in healthy individuals. This microbiome is flooded with energy in the form of undigested and partially digested foods, and in some cases drugs and dietary supplements. Each microbiotic species in the biome transforms that energy into new molecules, which may signal messages to physiological systems of the host.

The study shows that the more diverse your diet is, the more diverse will the microbiome be and
it will also be more immune to foreign particles. Dr. Rupali Datta, Clinical Dietician at Fortis-Escorts Hospital suggests some healthy habits to strengthen your gut, "To start with eat more fiber, it acts as a probiotic for the gut. Eat in a relaxed atmosphere, chew slowly, relish your food and have regular meal timings. These simple habits can really make a difference. You just need to make them a part of your daily routine. Make breakfast your heaviest meal of the day and eat dinner before 8 for smooth digestive functions."

By: Rohit On 02:40

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Kids Who Eat Two Breakfasts Are Less Likely to be Overweight

A growing number of children are eating free breakfasts at school, but the push to provide morning meals for all children in low-income communities has long been accompanied by a concern that it might mean more kids end up eating a double breakfast, one at home and one at school, increasing their risk of obesity.

A new study suggests that it is not children who indulge twice, but those who skip breakfast altogether, who are more likely to be overweight. In other words, two breakfasts appear to be better than none, said Marlene Schwartz, of the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity.

"Our study does add to the argument that it's really important to make sure that as many kids as possible are getting a healthy breakfast," said Schwartz, one of a team of researchers who conducted the study, which appears in the journal Pediatric Obesity. "Especially in low-income communities, having universal access to healthy breakfasts is helpful."

Advocates (including the current residents of the White House) see free meals at school -- including lunch, and more recently breakfast and supper -- as a critical way to fight hunger among American children who live in poverty. Nearly four million U.S. households are unable to provide enough nutritious food for their kids, according to 2012 federal data.

Most U.S. public schools participate in the federal school breakfast program, but millions of children who are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfasts at school are not eating it, according to the Food Research and Action Center, an advocacy group.

Schwartz and her fellow researchers studied students from 12 schools in New Haven, Conn., following them from fifth grade to seventh grade and recording both their breakfast habits and their weight. There weren't many double-breakfast eaters; they accounted for only about one in every 10 students. But their weight change over the years was no different than the average weight change of all students, according to the study.

Breakfast-skippers, however, and students who ate school breakfasts inconsistently -- who were more commonly girls than boys -- were twice as likely to be overweight or obese than double-breakfast eaters.

Though prior studies also have found that skipping breakfast is associated with weight problems, it's not clear why the two appear to be linked. It's impossible to know for sure what's really happening without more consistent and reliable data about what people eat throughout the day, Schwartz said.

One hypothesis: People who skip breakfast become so hungry that they eat more later in the day, or they choose foods that aren't as healthy. Another hypothesis: Overweight people are more likely to skip breakfast in an attempt to control their weight.

Schwartz emphasized that free school breakfasts must meet stringent federal nutrition guidelines -- and that might be one important reason why double-breakfast eaters aren't gaining weight more quickly than other students.

"It's not like these kids are eating two breakfasts of donuts," Schwartz said. "School breakfasts are very healthy. It's fruit and low-fat dairy and whole grains. So you could almost think of it as a healthy snack."

Nearly 12 million children received free or reduced-price lunch during the 2014-2015 school year, according to the Food Research and Action Center. But for every 100 children who received a subsidized lunch, just 54 received a subsidized breakfast, according to the group's annual scorecard.

In some states, the breakfast participation rate is considerably higher: West Virginia leads the nation, with 82 children receiving breakfast for every 100 receiving lunch. Next is New Mexico, with 71 for every 100; the District of Columbia, with 67 for every 100; and Maryland, with 64 for every 100.

Virginia ranked 27th, with 53 children receiving breakfast for every 100 receiving lunch. The lowest-ranking state was Utah, with just 35 students receiving breakfast for every 100 receiving lunch.

By: Rohit On 02:26

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Home Remedies for Low Blood Pressure

While you may have heard of hypertension or high blood pressure, suffering from low blood pressure can be as dangerous as well. An optimal blood pressure reading is less than 120mm Hg and above 80 mm Hg. The first number indicates the systolic pressure or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills with them with blood. The second number represents the diastolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Low blood pressure or hypotension may cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. A sudden drop in blood pressure often occurs when someone suddenly rises from a lying down or sitting position. This is called postural hypotension and may cause light-headedness and dizziness. But if you’ve been feeling the following symptoms for a while, consult your doctor and get your blood pressure measured –

Fatigue
Light-headedness
Dizziness
Nausea
Clammy skin
Loss of consciousness
Blurry vision
Once your doctor confirms that your blood pressure is low, follow his advice and take medication if required. Along with that, here’s more homely help. Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your blood pressure. Dr. Rupali Datta, Clinical Dietician at Fortis-Escorts Hospital, suggests some home remedies to regulate low blood pressure.

1. Eat small portions frequently: Sneak healthy snacking sessions in-between the major meals of the day to avoid long gaps. Eating small portions several times of the day helps in preventing the sudden drop in blood pressure that one may experience after meals.

2. Have adequate salt: Excess salt is bad, but it is required by your body in moderate quantities. According to the World Health Organisation, your daily diet must contain at one teaspoon of added salt besides what you derive from natural from fruits and vegetables. In summers or if you exercise daily, keep some lime water with a pinch of salt handy. Salt works like an instant pick-me-up.

3. Drink more fluids: Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water every day. Besides this, include drinks like coconut water, bael ka sharbat and aam panna in your diet. These will give you the necessary electrolytes required to maintain the fluids in your body. Dehydration is a common cause of low blood pressure. Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols and may help you lower your blood pressure.

4. Caffeine helps: Caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee may help boost your blood pressure temporarily. When your blood pressure dips suddenly, a cup of coffee or tea can get your circulation going.

5. Tulsi Leaves: “A home remedy from our granny’s treasure trove. Chew five to six tulsi leaves every morning,” suggests Dr. Rupali. Tulsi leaves have high levels of potassium, magnesium and vitamin c which can help in regulating your blood pressure. It is also loaded with an antioxidant called Eugenol which keeps the blood pressure under control and lowers cholesterol levels.

6. Almond Milk: Soak 5 to 6 almonds overnight, peel them in the morning, make a paste and boil them into a drink. Drink this every day to prevent your blood pressure from falling. There is no cholesterol or saturated fat in almond milk. In fact, it is rich in healthy fats like Omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Munaka: Another remedy from granny’s kitchen. You can soak some munaka overnight and then boil it with milk and have it in the morning. It increases vitality and blood and helps in better circulation.

By: Rohit On 10:17

Friday, 11 March 2016

Top 6 Vitamin K Rich Foods

Did you know that the “K” in Vitamin K is in fact derived from the German word koagulation? Dr. Rupali Dutta, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Fortis-Escorts Hospital says, “Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. It also plays an important role in bone formation.” Vitamin K is actually a group of compounds, and the most important of these compounds appears to be vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Dr. Rupali adds, “Vitamin K1 (or phylloquinone) is obtained naturally from plants, especially green vegetables. Vitamin K2 (or menaquinone) is largely produced by the intestinal flora”.

Though Vitamin K deficiencies are rare in adults, the following may put you at an increased risk:

1. Fat malabsorption

2. Liver diseases

3. Destruction of intestinal flora

4. Eating a poor or restricted diet

Note: Unlike many other vitamins, vitamin K is not typically used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K deficiencies are actually very common in newborn infants, and the absorption of Vitamin K depends upon a minimum amount of fat in the food.

Health Benefits of Vitamin K

1. Promotes Bone Health and Wound Healing
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which makes 4 out of the 13 proteins needed for blood clotting, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. It is an important factor in bone health and wound healing.

2. Protects Your Heart
Vitamin K2 protects your heart, as it helps to prevent the hardening of the arteries – a common factor in coronary artery disease and heart failure. Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital says, “Studies have shown that Vitamin K2 also helps prevent osteoporosis, and serves as the biological “glue” that helps plug calcium and other important minerals into your bone matrix”.

3. Prevents Cancer
A number of studies show that Vitamins K1 and K2 are both effective against cancer. A study published in the International Journal of Oncology, found that treating lung cancer patients with vitamin K2 slowed the growth of cancer cells, and previous studies have shown benefit in treating leukemia. Vitamin K has also been found beneficial in the fight against colon, stomach and oral cancers.

4. Researches have also found that Vitamin K may be a contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease.

5. Vitamin K2 also improves insulin sensitivity, so people who absorb the most vitamin K2 from their foods are about 20% less likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes.

By: Rohit On 22:05

'Good' Fat May Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable

A team of Australian scientists has shown that brown fat -- a special type of fat that burns energy to produce heat -- may also help to keep blood sugar stable in adults."Brown fat takes up so much glucose that we wondered whether brown fat could affect the concentration of glucose in the blood - and whether, therefore, brown fat-targeted therapies might help control diabetes," said Paul Lee from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

"It looks like the more brown fat one has, the more influence it has on blood glucose," Lee added in a paper published in the journal Cell Metabolism.Sitting just above the collarbone and in the neck, brown fat acts like a heat generator, helping to keep us warm by burning sugar and fat. The team wanted to measure brown fat activity in a group of 15 healthy adults over 12 hours in which a small thermometer was placed over the collarbone of participants.Measuring skin temperature at the collarbone can allow us to estimate brown fat activity. The findings showed that blood glucose levels and heat production by brown fat were closely related, tracking together over time.Importantly, participants who had larger deposits of brown fat had less fluctuation in blood glucose -- and blood glucose fell after each peak of brown fat activity surge. In contrast, brown fat activity rose only in response to an increase in blood glucose among those with less brown fat and interestingly, their glucose fluctuations were greater."Brown fat is interesting and promising - but it is not the solution to finding a cure for diabetes, at least not now. A balanced diet and regular exercise are the cornerstones of healthy metabolism and should not be forgotten," Lee noted.

By: Rohit On 10:44

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Almond Benefits: 10 Reasons to Snack on These Nutty Delights

Crunchy, nutty and full of goodness - almonds when included in shakes, smoothies or desserts automatically take the delectability quotient a notch up. They work wonders as natural flavour enhancers by rendering a sweet, earthy aroma to the dish.

If you like your food with added crunch, there is nothing like adding coarsely pounded almonds to your preparation. Sweet or savoury, these brown-cased nuts are versatile enough to get along with an array of preparations. Tossed in salads, baked into puddings, breads, cakes or simply added in curries, shakes, smoothies or candied - there is a world of quirky preparations that can be raked up and plated using these nutty delights.Interestingly, almonds have been an active part of Ayurveda and home remedies since centuries in India. The essential immunity boosting powder, popularly known as churans/choorna as well as chyawanprash, make use of almonds. I remember my grandmother talking about badam pak, which would be mixed in milk and given to me twice a day. She believed that it induces good health, facilitates good digestion and strengthens immunity. My father would always soak two-three almonds and give them to me first thing in the morning, he believed them to be beneficial in increasing brain power.

By: Rohit On 22:20