Health

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Virus-size pills to deliver drugs
Tiny capsules can carry medicines to specific cells with 100% efficiency. The technique may one day be used to deliver vaccines, drugs or genetic material to treat cancer and blood and immunological disorders, says the team of Cornnell & Shenzhen University researches.

Peanut butter cuts heart attack
A new study has found that snacking on peanuts or peanut butter five days a week can halve the risk of a heart attack. Scientists from Harvad Medical school found that women who regularly ate peanuts had the greatest protection against heart attacks with the risk reduced by up to 44%.

Swine Flu
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by, avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in Humans:
Can humans catch swine flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported running nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people who are mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. Touching may infect people, something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?
In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?
Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?
No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Swine Flu in Pigs
How does swine flu spread among pigs?
Swine flu viruses are thought to spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

What are signs of swine flu in pigs?
Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.

How common is swine flu among pigs?
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.

While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

British scientists at St. Andrews University are developing an aerosol to be used in a spray, which they claim could stop people from catching flu. Lab tests show that the spray works by latching on to the cells the flu virus infects, thereby stopping it from taking hold. The spray - which could be used similar to an asthma inhaler - would fight of all strains of the virus, including those behind bird flu and winter flu.

Scientists have claimed that an hour's laughter can burn up to 100-120 calories, Dr Helen Pilcher, who lead the research for comedy channel GOLD, said, 'As you giggle and gasp for air, you breathe in more axygen. The chest rises and falls and abdominal muscles get a good workout."

The chemical compound found in fenugreek (methi) have the ability to aid the digestive process. Consequently, when taken with meals it is believed that fenugreek is able to slow down the rate at which sugars are absorbed into the body, whereby regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, studies indicate that fenugreek may induce or promote the production of insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated.

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Dear friends read this carefully!
1) Do not drink APPY FIZZ. It contains cancer-causing
    agent.
2) Don’t eat Mentos before or after drinking Coke or Pepsi.
    The person will die immediately as the mixture becomes cyanide.
3) Don't eat Kurkure because it contains high amount of
    plastic if you don't believe, burn Kurkure and you can see plastic melting.
(News report from Times of India)
4) Avoid these tablets, they are very dangerous
* D cold
* Vicks action- 500
* Actified
* Coldarin
* Cosome
* Nice
* Nimulid
* Cetrizet-D
They contain Phenyl- Propanol -Amide PPA. which causes
strokes, and these tablets are banned in U.S.
5) Cotton Ear Buds
Please do not show sympathy to people selling buds on
roadside or at Signals.....
It's made from cotton that has already been used
in hospitals. They take all the dirty, blood and pus filled cotton, wash
it, bleach it and use it to make ear buds. So, unless you want to become
the first person in the world to get Herpes Zoster Oticus (a viral
infection of the inner, middle, and external ear) of the ear and that
too from a cotton bud, Don't Buy Them!
6) Don't put your mobile closer to your ears until the
recipient answers, because directly after dialing, the
mobile phone would use it's maximum signaling power,
which is: 2watts = 33dbi.
Please Be Careful. Please use left ear while using cell
(mobile), because if you use the right one it may affect
brain directly.

Courtesy: R J Vyas
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HOW TO STAY FIT ..... ACQUIRE SHAPELY ARMS

Invest in a pair of dumbbells. Working with light weights will, however, convert the fat into muscle.

Hold a dumbell in one arm and lift your upper arm so it is against the side of your head, pressed against your ear.

Support it from the front with your other arm, and slowly raise the arm so it is straight up above you.

Lower it again, till the dumbbell touches the back of your spinal cord. Do this ten times for each arm, rest, and do two more reps.

Stretch your hands straight out on your sides so they are shoulder level. With your palms facing down, pulse them up and down 50 times.

Then face your palms out, pulsing back and front, up, pulsing up and down and back, pulsing back and front again. Pulse them 50 times each time.

Also start doing some form of aerobic activity like walking or jogging. Just excercising your arms will not really accomplish much, unless it is combined with aerobic activity.

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> Loss of appetite and the inability to sleep or concentrate are signs of eprissing out on sleep reduces your performance and harms your

Indian Scientists claimed to have developed a drug as a 'cure to diabetes from a plant found in West Bengal's Purulia Hills. The drug -- ICB201 -- has been derived from a plant after it was noticed that the people in the Purulia Hills used it in case of diabetic problems, Dr. S. Battacharya of Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, whose team developed the drug, as per the science congress.

Healthy Food Habits : Stick to regular food timings and avoid keeping long gap between meals.

Try to remain cool, calm & collected as far as possible . Emotional outbursts, trauma and shock play havoc with blood sugar levels.

Frustration, pessimism, negative attitude to life, self-pity and rejection should be controlled properly because there is a definite link between blood sugar levels and wrong style of living.

Always wear footwear, even at home. Wear footwear that fits properly and has a proper foam in-sole. And generally purchase footwear during evening because your feet swell a bit by evening and you will get the right size. Examine your feet regularly. Change socks everyday. Use cotton socks. Inform your doctor of any injury. Apply foot cream or oil to prevent cracks or fissures from developing. Examine the space between toes. Remove any corns or calluses. Don't put feet in very cold or very warm water. Cut nails after taking bath and do not cut too close to the skin.

Treating diabetes with diet therapy.......Dr.A.Cheriyan MBBS,MD(Med),Ph.D(Diabetes)

Diet is the cornerstone of diabetes control. Diabetics should eat more fibre and replace high animal-protein foods with high complex carbohydrate meals.

# No sweets # Fats in limited amounts # Cereals and pluses in right amounts # High-fibre food # Vegetables as desired # Fruits in limited amounts.

# Drink skimmed milk or use skimmed milk products # Use non-fat yoghart in recipes calling for use of yoghurt # When cooking poultry, remove the skin. Donot eat the skin. # Bake,broil, roast, boil or steam foods rather than fry them. # avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol foods. These include animal based foods such as red meat, eggs, whole milk, butter and nuts.

# Buttermilk # Tea & Coffee # Tomato & Lemon juice # Herbs & Spices # Onions # Mint # Pepper # Garlic # Curry leaves # Coriander # Mustard # Green leafy vegetables.

# Sugar & Glucose # Sweets & Chocolates # Syrup # Jams & Jelly # Cakes & Sweet biscuits # Tinned fruits # Sweet drinks & Icecream.

# Select whole grain breads and cereals instead of refined flour products # Use Oatmeal instead of bread crumbs in recipes # Eat plenty of uncooked fruits and vegetables # Eat the edible skin and seeds of fruits and vegetables (unpeeled apples, skin of baked potatoes) # Eat dried beans and other legumes, such as lentilsonsumed an hoead to inflammatory skiblems such as acne, rashes a

#For relief from earache, put some table salt in a small bag, warm it up to body temperature and put on the affected ear.

#If your eyes burn for a long time because of any reason, put 3 drops of pure rose water for relief.

#Eat your beans! it contains nutrient compounds called 'flavnoids' that help protect against heart disease and cancer.

#Eat a small piece of jaggery after meals. It helps eliminate acidity, improves digestion and also helps in the expulsion of worms in small children.

#Chocolate contains a substance called the bromine, which is known to stimulate appetite and facilitate muscular exertion.

#Smear grated potato on your hands if you experience a burning sensation after chopping chillies.

#To ensure sound sleep, snack on foods that are high in carbohydrates but low in protein, such as chocolate biscuits, one hour before bed-time.

#When you cut yourself or get a skin irritation, use Aloe vera. It will speed up the healing of wounds and burns while relieving itching and swelling.

#It is good to get flu now and again - our immune system needs these flu viruses to produce antibodies.

#Stomach cells secrete hydrochloric acid, a corrosive compound used to treat metals. The mucous lining the stomach wall keeps this poisonous liquid safely in the digestive system.

#About 20 per cent of your blood is pumped to the brain, which needs it to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of its neurons.

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* Tumeric powder has antiseptic properties. Taken internally, it will aid detoxing of the blood and clear acne.

* Almost fat free, beetroots are high in iron and can help treat anemia and tiredness. It also relaxes the mind and eases depression.

* Eating black soya beans helps battle against obesity & cures diabetes & heart diseases.

* Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll. Chew some leaves regularly and your breath will remain fresh.

* Strawberries are a tasty source of vitamin C. One cup of fresh strawberries provides about 88 mgs of ascorbic acid.

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Osteoarthritis of Knee Joint is common among overweight people, diabetic, heavy atheletes and weight lifters. It generally starts at the age of 40.

Early morning stiffness of Knee Joints and difficulty in getting up from the squatting position are the important symptoms to confirm the diagnosis. Plain x-rays of both the Knee Joints in standing position should be taken.

Management of Osteoarthritis of Knee Joints includes weight reduction in case of overweight people, regular two yearly checkup and total Knee Joint replacement.

Every living species has to come to an end sometime or the other. This is the most basic law of nature. The commonest way of coming to an end is the wear and tear of the organs. As you grow old Heart, lungs, brain, Kidneys also become old. They start functioning poorly and gradually stop and bring the end of living species. But the organs such as eyes, bones, ears and joints grow older, they do not cause death but make the person crippled and difficult to live.

In the primitive days, when human was a four-legged animal and the body weight was distributed amongst the four limbs. Gradually the humans adopted an erect posture. The weight of the body is now distributed on two limbs only. And hence human race has become more prone to the suffering of the Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint. Knee Joint is a hinge joint as compared to the bijagaras of the doors and windows. When the bijagaras are new they do not make any noise. After some years of use the noise starts and we have to do the oiling. Similarly in childhood the surface of the Knee Joint is very smooth like glass. Over a period of years after use it becomes rough like a surface of polish paper. That is the time it starts making person’s life miserable. This generally starts after the age of 40. People should not confuse Osteoarthritis with rheumatoid-arthitis and other joint diseases. Remember this is not a disease but this is an ageing process like person’s hair becoming white and skin developing creases. This age related problem does not affect each and every individual. This is more commonly found in people with overweight, Diabetic people, Heavy atheletes and regular heavy weight lifters. Excessive walking does not have any relation with the Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can effect other joints also like hip and ankle but is very rare as compared to the Knee Joint.

Early morning when you get up, for few minutes you may find yourself walking with stiffness of Knee Joint. Once you start walking, after 5 mins. you start feeling comfortable.

Everybody should understand clearly that this is an incurable problem. So one has to learn how to live with this problem. Many people keep moving from one doctor to another wasting their precious time and money without gaining any benefit. Once you have suspected that you are having Osteoarthritis you should do following things.

Weight reduction is must in overweight people. It does help to relive the pain of Osteoarthritis.

After you have done Quadriceps exercise for 10-15 days start ham-string exercises.

Whenever the pain is severe, person can take anti-inflammatory pills once in 10-15 days but not regularly.

Hot water formentation twice a day advocated specially early in the morning before you start walking.

Before you start walking early in the morning you gently move your leg 4-5 times through the full range of movement and then start walking. This will do like oiling of the joint.

As far as possible avoid squatting and sitting cross legged. Always sit on sofa or a stool.

Anglo Indian toilet in Indian families is preferable so that elderly parents do not have to squat for the toilet .

Whenever there is swelling of joint due to excessive fluid inside the joint then use crepe bandage.

Even after doing all these things if the pain does not subside then use short wave Diathermy or Ultrasonics for local tender points.

Local steroid injections are advocated but I personally do not prefer because it relieves the pain temporarily only for 2-3 months and cause more damage to the joint surfaces.

If your Joint is giving way frequently then you must consult an orthopaedic surgeon, there may be (loose osteophytes) or a torn meniscus causing giving way. Arthroscopy may have to be done for removing loose bodies or torn meniscus.

Regular 2 yearly check-up should be done from orthopaedic surgeon to see the clinical and radiological status of the patient because if there is too much of bowing, high tibial osteotomy done in right time will help the person to live a comfortable life for some years.

As a last stage when the joints are too bad and completely damaged still the modern science can provide remedy in the form of Total Knee Joint Replacement in which we remove the basic cause of the problem i.e. worn out surfaces of Joint and replace them by plastic surface. This do not require any investigation to confirm the diagnosis as it is diagnosed by doctor with patients symptoms and clinical examination however routine blood investigations, X-rays, E.C.G. are required as pre-operative requisite.

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A diet ofA diet of less than 1000-1200 calories can actually cause a starvation-like state and force your body to conserve calories.

“Arthro” means joint, and with the help of telescope when looked into the joint., it is known as Arthroscopy.Few years before(15-20 years) it somebody had a problem in a joint, we had to open up the joint and rectify the defect. Even after opening of the joint, with naked eyes, we could not visualize all the corners of the joint. Medical Science took a leap into this field and a telescope was made, through which can visualize & work into the joint,. With the help scope we can enter into every corner of the joint and rectify almost all the defects which was almost impossible even taking long “8” inches incision over the joint.

Arthroscopy was first started for knee joints because it was easy to access to the joint and manipulate the instrument inside the joint to rectify the defect and also knee joint was the most common joint to be damaged internally during running and playing games etc, with more and most advancement almost every joint of the body can be Arthroscoped. Most common joint where arthroscope is being used are shoulder, ankle, wrist, hip and elbow joint. In this article we shall be connecting more on the Arthroscopy of knee joint.

Arthroscopy of Knee joint

Basic Structure of Inside of Knee joint venture

The Joint has got two compartments (medical and lateral) inner and outer. The most important structure inside knee joints are 2 semicircular cushions. In Medical Science they are called meniscus and 2 tight

rubber band like structures crossing each other in the center of the joint. In the medical science they are termed as “Cruciate Ligaments and there is loose thin membrane all around the knee joint through which watery solution oozes out to keep the joint lubricated and this membrane is called synovial membrane.

After any injury of the knee joint person keeps on getting recurrent pain in the knee joint or recurrent tendency to fall during simple walking or climbing and getting down on staircases (looking of the knee joint). Because of these types of injuries the cushion gets torn and gets trapped between the two joint surfaces. Sometimes ligaments most commonly anterior cruciate ligament may get torn, thus making the joint unstable and frequent tendency to fall. Sometimes there can be fracture inside the joint which can repaired through Arthroscope (Intraarticular fracture).

“Various diseases of knee joint can be tackled through “Arthroscopy” such as tuberculosis of knee joint, tumours of synovial membrane, Rheumatoid disease of synovial membrane,. Sometimes there can be pus inside the knee joint (pyoarthrosis,) This can also be tackled with the help of Artroscope.

Sometimes there is a formation of loose body inside the joint because of ageing process, there is a roughening of the surfaces of the knee joint as the age advances. One of the loose particles grows into bigger size and becomes loose body and comes in between the two joint surfaces thereby making the person to fall suddenly. This can be easily removed with the help of “Arthroscope”. In certain selected cases joint clearance and lavage (Wash out) is done to give temporary relief to the osteoarthritic patient.

Certain rare conditions such as an excessively thickened meniscus from birth causing trouble in later age is also tackled through “Arthroscope”. This is called discoid memiscus.

There is one more condition in which the “Cartilage”(surfaces of the joint) loosen along with a small piece of bone. This is called as “Osteochondritis Dessicans”. It is also tackled “Arthroscope”. This is called discoid meniscus.

There is one more condition in which the Cartilage (surface of the joint) loosen along with a small piece of bone. This is called “Osteochondritis Dessicans. It is also tackled with Arthroscope.

3 small punctures of ½ inch are done. Through one puncture, telescope (arthroscope) is passed with light source. The telescope is connected through the camera to the monitor screen. Operating person can see the whole structure inside the joint on monitor and do the repair work. Through other two puncture various instruments are passed and different types of procedure are carried for different problems. Commonly it is a one day procedure,. In some conditions the patient have to stay for 3-4 days.

Advantages of the arthroscopy as compared to the old open surgery in today’s era.

The cushion which is torn cannot be repaired. It has to be removed as early as possible before it destroys the joint. There is recent advance work going on to repair the meniscus but still in experimental stage.

Common problem Procedure being done

8) Intraarticular fractures of knee joint Surface correction, elevating of fracture

Arthroscopy is an extremely good technique to diagnose and treat different knee joint problems. With more and more advancement in the technology more and more finer work will be carried out through this arthroscopy technique. This is the greatest boon offered to mankind in the joint surgery in the last 2 decades

Physiotherapy treatment is most important step for faster recovery..I would say this is more important than surgery itself. Courtesy – Purohit Hospital Journal.

Green peas The latest value addition to banana has come in the form of 'banana alcohol' thanks to the technology developed by the National Research Centre for Banana. The centre's director S. Satyamoorthy, has said that technology for producing alcohol from banana peel was available with the NRC. Banana peel contained 11 percent alcohol and in varieties like 'Plantain Aab and Nendran'.

Green peas are amongst the most popular green vegetables. Walk into any Indian restaurant and you will find them across the menu. From Mattar Pulao to Mattar Paneer, and Aloo Mattar to Gobi Mattar, the popularity of this unique vegetable cuts across all ages.

Green peas, in addition to satisfying our taste buds, are a rich source of nutrition. Which is why, the world over, people include peas in their diet for their much needed ‘green’ requirements. Green peas are legumes and have twice the protein as most vegetables. They are high in Fibre and Iron and are a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamine (B1) and Folate.

The most widely available alternatives to fresh peas during off-season are frozen peas and ordinary dried peas (wattana). Frozen peas tend to deteriorate gradually as they are seldom stored in ideal conditions (-18 Degree C) and may lose their natural taste, sweetness and colour; They are also prone to spoilage due to frequent temperature variations and power cuts. Ordinary dried peas (wattana) are low on taste and colour (slightly yellowish) and are not easy to cook.

But, ‘Quick Dried Tender Green Peas’ are different. These are specially grown in large farms in cool climates (like New Zealand). When the peas are bright green and taste sweet and tender, they are harvested and processed within hours in a ‘state-of-the-art’ plant. This lock in their freshness and nutrition and ensures that their sweetness and greenness are retained. Quick Dried Tender Green Peas do not require any refrigeration and can be stored in an airtight container. They are easy to cook, taking only 8-10 minutes. A 100 gm pack, on cooking, equals approximately 1 kg of fresh, unshelled peas. At around Rs. 30 for a 100 gm pack, they offer good value for money.

So, when it comes to adding greens to your dietary plans, all year round, Quick Dried Tender Green Peas are the right choice to make.

If your nails chip, peel or break early, it means your body is deficient on protein and hydrochloric acid.

The world’s first mechanical heart was implanted in a patient at Louisville in Kentucky by Dr. Robert B. Dowling & Dr. Laman A. Gary on 3^rd July 2001. Dr. Geeta Bhat is a professer of medicine & director of Heartfailure & cardiac transplant center form university of Louisville. She has worked closely with Dr. Dowling & Gary. She updates about the Abiocor Heart.
“Abiocor heart is a pump made of Titanium housing and plastic interior. The device has no wires penetrating the chest wall. To keep the heart pumping the device is driven by an electronic system that transmits the energy painlessly through the skin.

The patient “Robert Tool” has gone 60 day mark, hoped for by the manufacturer of abiocor heart. The implanted heart is working flawlessly. His kidney & liver functions are normal. It is too early to predict the patients life expectancy with any degree of certainty. Unfortunately, it is premature to predict the future of the self contained artificial heart. We need to develop and analyse more data. The reason behind the increasing number of cardiac patients the world over is largely due to lifestyle; smoking, eating habits, lack of exercise, family history and other risk factors”.

Mumbai Doctor is proving that lives can be saved with existing resources, using commonly-used household articles and a few innovative techniques.
Dr. S.R. Daga, senior pediatrician at the Cama and Albless hospital at Fort, is saving the lives of prematurely born babies using simple objects as diagnostic and treatment aids. The doctor, who came in the limelight after media reports on his use of a thermocole box to keep premature babies warm, has been teaching the use of techniques and tools that can be used anywhere, at low costs and with a minimum of technology.
Among the techniques that hundreds of doctors are taught each year at Cama and Albless, is to ascertain the rough temperature of a baby by the look and feel of its feet. “If the soles of a baby’s soles are warm and pink, then it is fine,” says Dr Daga.
“This method is useful if the doctor does not have sophisticated instruments to ascertain the baby’s temperature and other indicators of well being”. This method is being widely used by physicians today.

In a break through scientists have successfully identified the genes which cause healthy cells to become cancerous living the prospects of developing a pill for cancer which would make the treatment pain free and natural. The scientist who are preparing to test the treatment in ten terminally ill patients in London and Glasgow, expect the pill to be available on the NHS by 2003. If their trials run successful.

Milk is nature’s most elaborate single food substance. The major macromolecular constituents of milk are fat (3.8%), protein (3.2%), carbohydrate (4.8%), minerals (0.7%) and of course water (87.5%) its major constituent. The other constitutents which are present in minute quantities are fatty acids, amino acids, sugar, sugar phosphates, proteins, peptones, nitrogenous bases, enzymes and vitamins A,C & B12. Milk being a complete food for man and animals would naturally be an exceptionally nutrient medium for even the tiniest most primitive of life forms, the microorganisms, viz. Bacteria, yeast and fungi.

People under kidney dialysis are at 30 times risk of dying from heart disease then those without kidney troubles.

Six out of seven abortions carried out in India are unsafe according to recent study. As many as 6 million unsafe abortions take place in South Asia each year,claiming lives of 33,000 women leaving others with serious health problem.

The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation announced nearly $ 50 million in new grants to help prevent the transmission of the aids virus. This is an additional aid to the $ 50 million declared earlier.

Zinc deficiency hinders growth in infants, report a team of researchers from Ethiopia and Netherlands. The team studied 184 infants ages between 6-12 months in the Dodata district of central Ethiopia. All the children were free of disease and appeared healthy except for the fact that 90 of them were abnormally small for their age.

World Health Organisations first ever analysis on World Health Care System has shown that many countries in the Middle-east, South Africa, including UAE maintain a high health standard.

Women who have irritable bowel syndrome – a condition characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea – are more likely than other women to have been emotionally abused as adults according to Canadian researchers.

Indians working in the Gulf are to set up a super speciality hospital in Kerala by 2001. The hospital is being envisaged as a super speciality hospital with the primary focus on orthopaedics and Urology.

People who lead active lives live long, according to a Denmark study, The researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in their study on 30,000 men and women aged 20-93 found that those who constantly exercise, played sports were significantly less likely than sedentary subjects to die from any cost over an average of 14 years.

According to the findings published in the August issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, numerous studies have suggested that the separation of strong emotion triggers changes in Cardiovascular activity.

Ayurveda India – a group of Delhi – based Ayurvedic Specialist are promoting Himalayan Heritage Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences – comprehensive Ayurveda Complex in the Kangra Valley in the Himalayan foot hills.

Only the spice turmeric saved any anti-inflammatory effects in a study of a variety of Ayurvedic and Herbal preparations according to Data presented at the 9^th Asia Pacific League of Associations of Rheumatology congress.

The British Heart Foundation's recent study has said that regular doses of aspirin intake for combating heart diseases will lead to more harm than good. According to the study a daily low dose of aspirin is unlikely to help men with high blood pressure, those more vulnerable to heart diseases and stroke.

Women who take oral contraceptions run a high risk of suffering a stroke, according to a study by researcher at University of California.

People under kidney dialysis are at 30 times risk of dying from heart disease than those without kidney troubles. Six out of seven abortions carried out in India are unsafe according to recent study. As many as 6 million unsafe abortions take place in South Asia each year,claiming lives of 33,000 women leaving others with serious health problem.

Have you ever wondered if what you eat affects your mood? Or of your mother’s advice to eat fish because it’s a ‘brain food’ was just a way to get you to clean your plate? With the growing incidence of depression and aging of the’ baby boomer’ generation, scientists are now looking into the area of diet and brain function.

A study by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia in women aged 20 to 92 years, found that supplementation with folate and vitamin B 12 improved memory and mental performance in women in their 20s and in those over 65 years of age. Vitamin B 6 (found in soybeans, chicken and bananas) improved word finding ability in women of all ages. The researchers noted that the normal diets of women were low in some of these nutrients. Folate can be found in fortified breakfast cereals, fruits and vegetables while good sources of vitamin B 12 are meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

It is thought that the B – vitamins may help chemicals involved in thinking and improve blood flow to the brain.

Teenage girls who are having trouble with their schoolwork, are irritable or constantly tired, may find that iron deficiency is their problem. A recent study in the Lancet of 76 teenage girls found that those who took iron supplements for eight weeks did significantly better on verbal and memory tests than the group that took the placebo. The researchers concluded that even in the absence of anaemia, iron deficiency might impair learning in adolescent females.

Dr. Helman says ‘teenage girls are particularly prone to iron deficiency because they are losing iron rich blood through menstruation, they are losing iron rich blood through menstruation, they are growing fast, and they often don’t eat enough food rich in iron. “Red meat, chicken and fish are all good sources of iron. “Breads, cereals, vegetables, nuts and eggs contain iron in a less available form but absorption can be boosted by combining them with vitamin C- rich foods such as broccoli or orange juice,” said Dr Helman. Iron is important in other age groups too; In infants, iron deficiency is associated with intellectual and psychomotor impairment such as poor eye-hand coordination. This may not always be completely reversed when iron status is corrected.

Iron deficiency in adults can lead to an inability to concentrate, which in turn can hinder verbal learning, memory, mood and energy levels. Tiredness and irritability are both symptoms of iron deficiency.

It is used for treating skin inflammations, healing wounds, bruises,burns, insect stings. The herb could also be used for stopping external bleeding and treating eye inflammations.

In times of anxiety and with bouts of insomnia it can be very helpful. It claims the nerves and decreases tension and can be used as eyewash for conjunctivitis.

Peppermint is a cooling herb and is used to lower fevers. It helps in relieving menstrual cramps. When used as steam it helps in curing congestion.

It is useful for treating blood pressure, altitude illness, gastrointestinal ailments and motion sickness. It can be administered as an instant tea. Boil a cocoa leaf when making tea.

Lavender is used to ease stress headaches. It is good for digestion and is used as a stomach tonic for indigestion, stomach cramps, flatulence and loss of appetite.

It cures dandruff. Soak 2 tablespoons of it in water overnight. In the morning grind into a fine paste. Apply all over scalp and leave for ½ and hour. Wash with mild shampoo.

It is used to cure depression. It’s cooling action makes it useful for breaking fevers. This plant is also used for cold and flu or any kind of virus.

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Did you know

The anaesthetic qualities of nitrous oxide were first discovered by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1800. But initially, the medical use of this so-called 'laughing gas' were limited, with it mainly being used for entertainment purposes. It was first used as an anaesthetic on September 30, 1846, by American dentist William Thomas Green Morton.

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Benefits of sprouts : #Sprouts contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds) that can protect us against diseases such as pancreatic, colon and leukaemia cancers #Sprouts help increase bone formation and density and prevent bone breakdown or osteoporosis #They are helpful in controlling hot flashes, menopause, PMS and fibrocystic breast tumours #They help lower bad cholesterol #They contain highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction.

Benefits of tomatoes : #Tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and iron #The red pigment in tomatoes called lycopene acts as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Research has also indicated that lycopene can help older people stay active longer #Two powerful compounds found in tomatoes -- coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid also help prevent lung cancer. #While choosing tomatoes, make sure you pick the very red ones as they contain the highest amounts of beta carotene and lycopene #Interestingly, tomatoes hardly loose their nutritional value while processing. Thus canned tomatoes and tomato sauce are both just as nutritious as fresh tomatoes.