Health Related Discussions

[iqojoxifidoc]

The cooking oil that you opt for can have the greatest impact on your family's health and fitness levels. Some vital information that can help you in making the right choice for you and your loved ones

Day after day, in the process of cooking, we either stir-fry, sauté, deep fry or sprinkle our food with oil. As a result, a great deal of this is consumed; little wonder then that it plays a big role in creating wellness. The right cooking oil can give you the best benefits in terms of taste, texture and nutrition.

"Apart from enhancing the palatability of food, it also plays a vital role in regulating the metabolic functions of the body," says Dr Nupur Krishnan, clinical nutritionist and director of Bio-logics Healthcare in Mumbai. "It supplies us with energy and helps us absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D,E and K, which are important nutrients). It also enables our bodies to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates more effectively, promoting digestion. It gives one a feeling of fullness and acts as an insulator to maintain body temperature." And that's why even dieters shouldn't severely restrict their use of oil.

Going overboard can be bad

Despite the many benefits of oils, too much of this in our diet can cause major health problems, particularly by increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and paving the way to heart disease. It helps to remember that there are no 'low calorie' oils. "One teaspoon of any oil gives you 45 calories of energy," says Saritha Rajiv, Delhi-based nutrition and diet consultant. The recommended intake of oil is 4-5 teaspoons for a healthy person and 2-3 teaspoons for anyone suffering from a chronic illness, adds Dr Nupur Krishnan.

Choose right

With dozens of options, choosing the right cooking oil can be a confusing task. "Your choice of cooking oil should depend on the type of cooking method you employ," says Saritha Rajiv. "If you're deep frying, use oils that have a high smoking point (oils that tolerate high temperatures and don't get charred easily). Refined vegetable oils such as sunflower and safflower have a high smoking point. For stir frying and sautéing, one should use oils such as olive, peanut and canola. Extra virgin olive oil and flaxseed oils are best used in salad dressings."

Know your MUFA’s and PUFA’s

Some oils are a rich source of essential fatty acids such as MUFA (monounsaturated fats) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fats). Essential fatty acids are 'essential' because our bodies are not able to synthesize these. So we definitely need to consume these fatty acids from the foods/oils we eat. This includes Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that are responsible for regulating many of our metabolic activities.

"MUFA is found in groundnut oil, olive oil, mustard oil, peanut oil and canola oil," says Dr Nupur Krishnan. "It's important because it helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintain HDL (good) cholesterol. Hence it improves the LDL/HDL ratio in our bodies, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Polyunsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils such as safflower, sesame, corn, cottonseed and soybean oils. This type of fat reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol too, but too much of this can lower the good HDL cholesterol's well, so it is best to use caution while consuming PUFA's." Experts advise the use of both kinds of oil in our daily diet.

"Always keep two different oils (one with MUFA and another with PUFA) in your kitchen and consume these on alternate days or on a weekly rotation. This will help maintain balance and give you all the essential nutrients," says Dr Nupur Krishnan. Don't ever be tempted to mix two different oils, especially at home by yourself. "This can only be done during the manufacturing process," she advises.

Beware of over heating and hydrogenation

It's important to store your oil right. "All oils should be kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container," says Saritha Rajiv. "Prolonged consumption of burnt oils can lead to several health problems. However, oil can be re-used provided it has not been overheated on first use. Used oil should be strained and cooled well to remove any food particles before storage, otherwise microbes can grow on food particles, leading to rancidity. Rancid oils contain free radicals that increases one's risk of contracting cancer."

To increase the shelf life of the oil and prevent rancidity, sometimes oils are 'hydrogenated' or partially hydrogenated. This is done during the manufacturing process when hydrogen is added. "Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils can be harmful for your health and tend to increase bad cholesterol and heart attack risk, so read food labels carefully and completely avoid these oils," advises Saritha.

Refined and unrefined

When you buy refined oil, what exactly are you getting? Refined and filtered oil denotes an elaborate manufacturing process, meant to produce oils that are completely devoid of taste, smell and colour. Filtration is done to further free it of impurities and when oil is 'double filtered', it has even more clarity. While refined oils are meant to bring out the natural flavours of foods that we eat, they can be too bland. Over the years, nutritionists have pointed out that the process of refining oil can strip it of its minerals, beta carotene and much of its Vitamin E content. So how can you as a consumer identify this? Dieticians recommend that you read the food labels.

As oils with lower levels of betacarotene and Vitamin E spoil easily, manufacturers tend to add synthetic ingredients such as BHA and BHT to extend shelf-life. If you find these on the food label, you'll know that this is a refined oil that should be avoided. However, as a rule of the thumb, refined oils do tend to have a longer shelf-life than the unrefined kind. Unrefined oils are more natural and tend to retain the original flavour of the nut or seed from which these were extracted, but many people find that these completely overpower the natural taste of the cooked food, so do a little introspection before making the right choice for your family.

http://http://www.thehindu.com/healt...cle4123188.ece

[NOV]

Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

Some of the Common Home Remedies for the Treatment of Kidney Stones are:

Drink lots of fluids: Regardless of what kind of stone you have developed, the most important preventive measure is to drink lots and lots of fluids in the form of water and juice. This is the most effective home remedy and works for all types of kidney stones.
Excessive water consumption helps to break stones and dissolve them slowly and slowly with urine. A stage will come kidney stones would completely be eradicated.

Lower down Calcium Intake : In 92% cases, kidney stones are due to intake of calcium or calcium products. Thus, you should be low the intake of calcium supplements.

Try magnesium and B 6 :The supplement of magnesium must be increased to avoid kidney stones.

Lay off the salt: If you have developed calcium stones, then you should try to cut down as much salt as you can, it would be very good if you stop salt intake, otherwise you may take 2 - 3 grams of salt per day.

Watermelon: Watermelon is another very good fruit for kidney stones suffering people, as it contains lot of water in it so it will help to dissolve the kidney stones fast.

Tomato Juice: First thing in the morning, drink 1 glass of fresh Tomato juice to keep away from kidney disorders.

Grapes :Grapes have an exceptional diuretic value on account of their high contents of water and potassium salt. The value of this fruit in kidney troubles is enhanced by its low albumin and sodium chloride content. It is an excellent cure for kidney stones.

Herbs for Kidney Infection Treatment :

Couch grass : Diuretic, demulcent and kidney cleanse tonic for kidney gravel or kidney stone treatment.

Cleavers : This kidney herb has diuretic properties and helps flush out toxins and gravel. Excellent as a kidney cleanse and also aids lymph and immune system health.

[iqojoxifidoc]

இன்றைய பரபரப்பான வாழ்க்கைச் சூழலில் உயர் ரத்தஅழுத்தம் எனப்படும் "ஹைபர் டென்ஷன்' பலரின் வாழ்க்கையில் குடிகொண்டுள்ளது. இந்த உயர்ரத்த அழுத்தம் "சைலன்ட் கில்லர்' என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.



ஏனென்றால் உடலில் அமைதியாகக் குடிகொண்டு உயிரையே பறித்துவிடும் தன்மை உடையது. தமனிகளில் உள்ள ரத்தத்தில் ஏற்படும் அழுத்தமே உயர் ரத்த அழுத்தமாகும். ரத்த அழுத்தத்திற்கு மருத்துவம் பார்க்காவிட்டால் மாரடைப்பு, இதயநோய், ஸ்ட்ரோக், சிறுநீரக செயலிழப்பு, இதயம், கண்கள் செயலிழத்தல் போன்றவை ஏற்படும்.



உயர் ரத்தஅழுத்தத்திற்கான முக்கியக் காரணங்கள்

உடல் பருமன்

வாழ்க்கை முறை மாற்றம்

மரபணு காரணிகள்

அதிக அளவில் மது அருந்துதல்

வலி நீக்கும் மருந்துகளை அதிக அளவில் உட்கொள்ளுதல்

கருத்தடை மாத்திரைகள் உட்கொள்ளுதல்



பொதுவான காரணங்கள்

சிறுநீரக வியாதிகள்

அசாதாரணமாக இயங்கும் ரத்த நாளங்கள்

கர்ப்பக் காலத்தில் வரும் வலிப்பு நோய்

தைராய்டு பிரச்னைகள்



வீட்டில் இருந்தே ரத்த அழுத்தத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்துவது எப்படி?



100 கிராம் முலாம்பழ விதைகளுடன், 100 கிராம் கசகசாவை சேர்த்து பொடி செய்து வைத்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். தினமும் காலை, மாலை வேளைகளில் 1 தேக்கரண்டி பொடியை சாப்பிட்டு தண்ணீர் குடிக்க வேண்டும்.



தினமும் காலையில் வெறும் வயிற்றில் ஒரு கிராம்பை மென்று தின்று, வாயைக் கழுவ வேண்டும். மென்று தின்ன முடியாதவர்கள் தண்ணீர் சேர்த்து விழுங்கலாம்.



25- 30 கறிவேப்பிலையுடன் 1 டம்ளர் தண்ணீர் சேர்த்து அரைத்து, சாறெடுத்து, வடிகட்டி காலையில் எழுந்தவுடன் குடிக்கலாம். சுவை பிடிக்காதவர்கள் சிறிது எலுமிச்சை சாறையும் அதனுடன் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளலாம்.



கொத்தமல்லி அல்லது வெந்தய இலைகளையும் சாறெடுத்துப் பருகலாம். ஒருவர் தன் உடலுக்கு எது ஏற்றது என்று பரிசோதித்துப் பார்த்துப் பருக வேண்டும்.



1 தேக்கரண்டி தேனுடன், 1 தேக்கரண்டி இஞ்சி சாறு, 1 தேக்கரண்டி சீரகப்பொடி ஆகியவயற்றைக் கலந்து, காலை, மாலை இருவேளைகளில் அருந்தலாம்.

http://http://dinamani.com/weekly_su...cle1351847.ece

[NOV]

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water

The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a glass of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer.

It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack...

A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.

[aanaa]

பக்கவாதத்தை தடுக்கும் தக்காளி



தக்காளி அதிகம் சாப்பிட்டால் ஸ்ட்ரோக் என்று ஆங்கிலத்திலும், வாதம், பக்கவாதம் என்கிற பெயரில் தமிழிலும் அழைக்கப்படும் நோய் வராமல் தடுக்கமுடியும் என்று புதிய ஆய்வின் முடிவுகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

தக்காளி, சிகப்பு குடமிளகாய் மற்றும் தர்பூசணி ஆகியவற்றில் இருக்கும் பிரகாசமான சிகப்பு நிறமுடைய லைகோபீன் என்கிற வேதிப்பொருள் வாதநோயை தடுக்கும் தன்மை கொண்டிருப்பதாக, இந்த ஆய்வாளர்கள் தெரிவித்திருக்கிறார்கள்.

வாத நோய் குறித்து பின்லாந்தில் இருக்கும் மருத்துவ விஞ்ஞானிகள் மேற்கொண்ட ஆய்வுக்காக ஆயிரத்து முப்பத்தி ஓர் ஆண்களை தேர்வு செய்துகொண்டனர். பரிசோதனையின் துவக்கத்தில் இவர்களின் ரத்தத்தில் இருக்கும் லைகோபீன் என்கிற வேதிப்பொருளின் அளவு கணக்கிடப்பட்டது.

ரத்தத்தில் லைகோபீன் அளவு எவ்வளவு இருக்கிறது என்கிற அடிப்படையில், இவர்களை நான்கு தனித்தனி குழுக்களாக பிரித்த ஆய்வாளர்கள், இந்த நான்கு குழுக்களையும் 12 ஆண்டுகள் தொடர்ந்து கண்காணித்தனர்.

இதில் ரத்தத்தில் லைகோபீனின் அளவு மிகக்குறைவாக இருந்த குழுவில் 258 பேர் இருந்தனர். இவர்களில் 25 பேருக்கு வாதநோய் தாக்கியது. அதேசமயம், லைகோபீனின் அளவு ரத்தத்தில் அதிகம் இருந்த குழுவில் இருந்த 259 பேரில் 11 பேருக்கு மட்டுமே வாதநோய் தாக்கியது.
இதன் அடிப்படையில், லைகோபீன் அதிகம் இருக்கும் தக்காளி உள்ளிட்ட காய்கறிகளை சாப்பிடுவதன் மூலம் வாதநோய் தாக்குவதை 55 சதவீதம் குறைக்கமுடியும் என்று இந்த ஆய்வாளர்கள் கருத்து தெரிவித்திருக்கிறார்கள்.

தக்காளியில் இருக்கும் லைகோபீன் என்கிற வேதிப்பொருள், ரத்தத்தை சுத்திகரிக்கும் தன்மை கொண்டது என்றும், இது ரத்தக்கொதிப்பை கட்டுப்படுத்துவதன் மூலம் ரத்தக் கட்டிகள் உருவாகாமல் தடுக்கும் தன்மை கொண்டது என்றும் கூறுகிறார் கிழக்கு பின்லாந்து பல்கலைக்கழக பேராசிரியர் ஜவ்னி கார்ப்பி.

எனவே இந்த லைகோபீன் அதிகம் இருக்கும் தக்காளி போன்ற காய்கறிகளை அன்றாட உணவில் அதிகம் சேர்த்துக்கொள்வதன் மூலம் வாதநோயை தடுக்கலாம் என்பதை இந்த ஆய்வின் முடிவுகள் தெரிவிப்பதாக கூறுகிறார் அவர்.

[NOV]

Health Benefits of Ginger

1. Ovarian cancer treatment
2. Colon cancer prevention
3. Morning sickness relief
4. Motion sickness remedy
5. Reduces pain and inflammation
6. Heartburn relief
7. Prevention of diabetic nephropathy
8. Migraine relief
9. Menstrual cramp relief
10. Cold and flu prevention

[NOV]

[Designer]

PNEUMONIA ALERT

DR. PANKAJ GARG



Respiratory infections can develop into pneumonia in infants. Here’s how to keep them safe.

Irregular monsoons and frequent weather changes can play havoc with a child’s respiratory health. The number of children below the age five suffering from cough, cold and viral infections has increased significantly. Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract including influenza infections predispose a child to the development of pneumonia.

Take the case of eight-month-old Gourang who was brought with complaints of fast breathing and high-grade fever. A detailed case history showed that the symptoms had been present for four days but had worsened overnight. Others in the family were also suffering from fever and cold. The child was very irritable and the breathing rate was 80/minute (normal at this age would be <50/minute). Other tests also showed that the child was suffering from pneumonia. After treatment with antibiotics and nebulisation, there was partial recovery in three days but it took one week for the child to come back to normal.

What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that may be bacterial or viral. The infection causes inflammation of one or both lungs as the tiny air sacs within the lungs get filled with fluid, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

Who is at risk? Infants, neonates, premature babies and children between 24-59 months are most likely to suffer due to their low immunity. Getting wet in the rain will not trigger pneumonia but exposure to sudden temperature change can be a risk factor. Damp, heat, air pollution, smoking and overcrowding are conducive to the growth of bacteria, viruses or fungi. Other high-risk factors include malnutrition, deficiency of vitamin A&D and zinc, weakened immune systems, co-morbid pulmonary illness, other systemic illnesses and anticancer drugs.

Symptoms: In bacterial pneumonia, signs include high fever (more than 102° F), difficulty in breathing, fast respiratory rate, noisy breathing, severe chest pain, body ache, wheezing, severe weakness, inability to feed, excessive drowsiness, excessive sweating, coughing up blood and respiratory distress. A child with chest in-drawing and cyanosis (blue tinge to the skin) indicates severe pneumonia. Viral pneumonia, often called walking pneumonia, has less florid symptoms. Symptoms like high-grade fever (less than 102° F), preceding upper respiratory tract infection, coughing up small amounts of mucus, muscle ache and fatigue are common.

Treatment: If symptoms persist, the child must be taken to the doctor. Hospitalisation may be required to administer intravenous antibiotics or oxygen support. Viral pneumonia doesn’t require intensive care and treatment since viruses don’t respond to vaccines and antibiotics.

Complications: About half the number of children who survive pneumonia suffer some after-effect, which may be mild or temporary. But 22 per cent of survivors end up with a moderate or severe disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The complications of untreated or neglected pneumonia can result in disabilities such as deafness, brain damage, seizures and, in severe cases, even death.

Prevention: Adequate breastfeeding for the first sixmonths helps improve an infant’s natural defences. All children should receive adequate nutrition, especially vitamin A & D and Zinc. Environmental factors such as pollution, smoking, overcrowding, sanitation and hygiene should be addressed to reduce the risk.

Bacterial pneumonia is the leading cause of pneumonia deaths in children and accounts for highest number of pediatric hospitalisations. There have been many instances when antibiotic treatments fail because of delay in treatment or administration of inappropriate antibiotics. Lately, the increasing number of disease-causing strains and antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been a matter of concern.

In such cases, prevention of pneumonia through vaccination (Hemophilus influenzae B vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine) is recommended. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), the latest pneumococcal vaccine, is highly effective against 13 serotypes of pneumococcus including serotype 19A, which is emerging as one of the important strains to cause pneumococcal disease in children less than five years of age. In addition, the vaccine is a potent tool for protection against the even more serious meningitis and blood infection (septicemia) caused by the same bacteria.

http://www.thehindu.com/health/medic...cle4126259.ece

[NOV]

TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES WHILE USING PC


During a recent visit to an optician, one of my friend was told of an exercise for the eyes by a specialist doctor that he termed as 20-20-20. It is apt for all of us, who spend long hours at our desks, looking at the computer screen.

Step I :-

After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-

Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-

Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.
Circulate among all if you care. They say that your eyes are mirrors of your soul, so do take care of them, they are priceless.

[NOV]

Fresh Ginger & Lemon Tea:

Benefits: Weight loss & Reducing cold and flu symptoms & Natural pain relief
Spices that help you lose weight: http://positivemed.com/2012/09/22/sp...u-lose-weight/

All Natural Pain Relief Remedies:
http://positivemed.com/2012/11/17/al...l-pain-relief/

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
juice of 1 lemon, or to taste
2 cups water
Honey (optional)

Grate some ginger into a mug--> Add hot water--> Add fresh lemon juice and honey to taste---> Enjoy it hot or let it cool down (Ice tea)