Health

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How to get blood in an emergency

All you have to do is just type "BLOOD and send SMS to 9600097000" (in India)

Ex: "BLOOD B+"

A blood donor will call you.

This information can save somebody's life with a rare blood group.

Women who breastfed show lower diabetes risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Middle-aged and older women who breastfed their children may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who bottle-fed, a new study suggests.

Australian researchers found that among more than 53,000 women age 45 and older, the odds of having diabetes were similar for women with children and those who had remained childless. But among women with children, each year of breastfeeding was associated with a 14 per cent reduction in diabetes risk.

The findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, do not prove that breastfeeding itself is somehow protective against type 2 diabetes later in life.

But they are in line with several past studies that have linked breastfeeding to a similar reduction in diabetes risk compared with bottle-feeding, according to lead researcher Dr Bette Liu, of the University of Western Sydney.

What's new here, she told Reuters Health in an email, is that the study also included women who had never had children. And compared with these women, women who'd had children and never breastfed were 50 per cent more likely to have 2 diabetes .

In contrast, the risk was not elevated among women who had breastfed each of their children for at least three months.

"In other words," Liu said, "it appears that having children increases the chances of women developing type 2 diabetes in later life, but breastfeeding can reduce this risk to same level as that of women who never had children."

The study included 53,726 women who completed questionnaires on various health and lifestyle factors. Of 5,700 women who had never had children, 274 - or roughly 5 per cent - said they had been diagnosed with diabetes. Similarly, diabetes was reported by 5 per cent of the 25,000-plus women who had breastfed each child for more than three months.

Meanwhile, of the 6,171 women who'd had children but never breastfed, 591 - or 9.5 per cent - reported a diabetes diagnosis. And among the 15,400 women who'd breastfed each of their children for three months or less, just under 7 per cent said they had diabetes.

The researchers then weighed a number of other factors that could affect a woman's likelihood of breastfeeding and/or developing diabetes - including age, weight, family history of diabetes, reported exercise habits and education and income levels.

Breastfeeding itself remained linked to the odds of having diabetes, the investigators say.

For any woman, Liu said, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes depends on a range of factors. Some major risk factors - like age (the risk climbs after age 45), family history and race (black and Hispanic adults have higher risks than whites) - are unchangeable; but some others, like excess weight, are comfortable.

If breastfeeding is a factor, that would be important, Liu said, because it's something women can choose.

It's not clear why breastfeeding might affect a woman's later risk of type 2 diabetes. Liu speculated that the hormonal changes that come with breastfeeding may have lasting effects on how a woman's body processes blood sugar.

For now, Liu said the current findings suggest that lower long-term diabetes risk may stand as an additional benefit of breastfeeding.

"I would say to women considering breastfeeding that there are benefits not only for the health of their babies but also for their own longer-term health," she said.

SOURCE: Diabetes Care

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Vaginal gel may offer shield against Aids virus

In a test on monkeys, a vaginal microbicide based on a new type of anti-HIV drug could offer significant protection against infection with the virus similar to HIV, researchers have found.

Green tea may help fight glaucoma & other eye diseases

Scientist claim that the healthful substance found in green tea penetrate into tissues of the eye. Their new report, the first documenting how the lens, retina and other eye tissues absorb this substances, raises the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma & other common eye disease. The study appears in the journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry.

Drink lemonade to prevent kidney stones

Drinking lemonade can prevent kidney stones, according to an American expert Roger Sur, director of VC San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Centre, says consumption of lemonade is one of the five ways to prevent kidney stones.

First complete face transplant performed

A team of thirty doctors in Spain conducted 22-hour-long surgery to give patient his looks back. The Spanish hospital said it performed the world's first complete face transplant in March on a man who could not swallow or drink normally following an accident five years ago.

New Therapy for Cancer Patients

Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai has acquired the Rs 15- crore tomotheraphy machine that targets only malignant cells and does not effect non-malignant tissues.

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Ayurveda hope for blocked hearts

Varanasi:A green ray of hope for patients of rental failure and coronory heart blocks! Power of Ayurveda coupled with healthy and controlled diet has helped postpone dialysis and renal transplant in acute cases failure at the PD Patel Ayurvedic Hospital in Nadiad (Gujarat). As per Prof S N Gupta, the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, in as many as 2000 cases of renal failure, spanning fr5om early stage to cases where kidney's functioning is not more than ten per cent, the bouquet of Ayurvedic medicines, Medicated Enema and healthy and restricted diet coupled with healthy lifestyle has postponed dialysis and renal transplant from four year to life long postponement. Also the senior professor of Kaya Chikitsa at J S Ayurvedic College, Nadiad (which operates the Patel Hospital), Gupta said a consortium of Ayurvedic medicines, spanning from Punarnava, Shailajeet and Koksavadi Guggul have been used to success for treating patients of renal failure at the hospital. The Ayurvedic medicines have been coupled with Basti Karma (medicated Enema) and diet and lifestyle changes as per instructions given in Ayurvedic texts. "The troika of medicines, enema and diet-lifestyle changes have helped us postpone dailysis and kidney transplant from four years to life long postponement, depending on degree of renal failure," Gupta maintained Already the data of the successful postponement of dailysis and renal transplant has been published in local medical journals and is up for publication in Ayu, a quarterly peer review journal, Ayurveda is being used to manage chronic heart and liver problems, particularly Liver Cirrhosis and Coronary Arterial Blockages. " For managing chronic arterial blockages we use the time tested and Panchkarma Therapy to purify the body and resultantly clear blockages and improve blood circulation followed byuse of Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala and Arjun to maintain optimal functioning of blood circulation in body which was achieved via Panchkarma Therapy," Gupta said.

Based on cause of Liver Cirrhosis, Ayurvedic management of the disorder, which turns fatal, is also underway.

Scientists in China have found that a naturally-occuring ingredient of soya beans, increasingly sold has substitutes for diary-based food interferes with the part of the male reproductive system involved in sperm productions.

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A potent new inhibiter of HIV, derived from bananas may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. According to a study by the University of Michigan Medical School. The team discovered the Ban Lac the lectin in banana can inhibit HIV infection by binding itself to the sugar-rich HIV-1 envelope protein blocking its entry to the body. The researchers say even modest success of Ban Lac could save millions of lives.

A new study finds that circumcised man appear less likely to sustain cuts , abrasion and other minor injuries to the penis during sex - which may help explain why circumcision lowers the risk of HIV transmission from heterosexual sex.

Health experts have warned that unjustified use of CT scan is increasingly becoming a reason behind cancers. A latest medical research have claimed that more than 400 new cases of cancer a year in Australia occured due to diagnostic radiology. However, it has not reduced the number of computerised tomography scans. Scans are growing about 12% a year.

In what could be claimed as a major breakthrough against breast cancer a protein which could stop a tumor from growing and spreading. According to Dutch scientists, the BRD7 protein activates an anti-cancer gene (T53) which is known to combat tumors in breasts or the other parts of the body.

In a ground-breaking operation, British surgeons claimed to have transplanted an incompatible donor kidney on a woman, after freezing and filtering he blood plasma to insure that the new organ wasn't rejected.

Scientists have used an 'Artificial Pancreas' system of pumps and monitor to improve blood sugar control in diabetic patients in the first study to show the new device works better than conventional treatment. Researchers from Britain's Cambridge University found the device kept blood sugar levels within the important normal range for 60% of the time.

A Universite de Montreal research team is developing a pill composed of leptin, the protein that tells our brain to stop eating. Leptin regulates appetite in mamals and its levels decrease when fasting and rise during meals. It has been proven to be an appetite suppressant when administered intravenously to pathologically obese people.

A new research says inserting a stent into clogged neck arteries is as effective and safe as surgeries at preventing strokes.

As an H1N1 precaution it is recommended to have two black paper corns, ten tulsi leaves boiled with tea leaves every day. This stimulates the respiratory system.

Bloodless way for heart tumor operation
After brain and lungs, CyberKnife does another first. CyberKnife is the first and only robotic radiosurgery system to treat tumors located anywhere in the body. Uses Skeletal structure of the body rather than invasive metal frames and skull pins to identify treatment. It not only tells the robot where the tumor is but where it is in relation to the breathing cycle.

Shockwave device to cure male impotence
Scientists have developed a shockwave device to cure erectile dysfunction in males. The hand-held gadget uses high frequency sound waves to widen narrowed blood vessels in the penis responsible for causing erection problems. The research was carried by Israeli doctors and could be available in 18 months.

Big bottoms, good for health
According to British scientists, big bottoms, hips could be good for your health. A team at Oxford University has claimed that having extra weight on your hips, bum and thighs is good for one's health, protecting against heart and metabolic problems.

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.

Choclate attack cuts death in heart patients
Heart attack survivors who eat chocolate more than twice a week cut the risk of dying from heart disease about 3 fold, says a study, which appears in Journal of International Medicine. Kenneth Mukamal, a co-author of the study said that antioxidants in coco are likely candidates for explaining its life-saving properties.

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%.

Bananas help muscle-repair
After workout, have two bananas. The high level of potassium and magnesium in them will accelerate the muscle-repair process.

'It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak.'

During the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water- siphoned directly from the nut- to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquidity rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

Coconut Water is better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.

Coconut Water is a natural isotonic beverage - The same level we have in our blood.

Coconut Water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure, full of natural sugars, salts, and vitamins to ward off fatigue...and is the next wave of energy drinks but natural! According to Mortin Satin, Chief of United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization.

Coconut Water contains more potassium (at about 294mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.

Coconut Water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200mg!

Coconut Water is very high 5mg of natural sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of altered sugars.

Coconut Water is very high in Chloride at 118mg; compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.

A few simple lifestyle changes can keep your heart healthy by reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, according to researchers at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Fitness expert Karin Richards, director of the exercise science and wellness management program at the University has revealed changes that people can incorporate in their lifestyle to remain heart healthy, and they are:

Engage in cardiovascular exercises such as running, walking, or swimming, at least 20-30 minutes a day, everyday.

Gauge your exercise intensity with the sing/talk test- If your space is meeting your target heart rate, you should be able to talk without being breathless. If you can't catch your breath to talk, your exercise intensity is too great. If you can sing while you exercise, it's not vigorous enough. Walk everywhere-skip the elevator and the escalator and take the stairs.

Spend at least 10 minutes each day going an activity you find relaxing, such as yoga, meditation, reading , or walking. Consume stimulants such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate in moderation.

Caffeine can increase the body's levels of cortisol, the "stress hormone," which has been linked with higher body fat percentages and increased stress.

Resting Heart Rate- Find your resting heart rate in the morning before getting out of the bed. with your index and middle finger on your radial artery on the wrist or at the carotid artery in your neck. Over three days, count how many beats occur within 60 seconds to get an average. For adults, a normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. An unusually high or low heart rate may indicate an underlying problem. Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 or below 60.

Target heart rate- Target heart rates vary by age, but they are the range, which enables one's heart and lungs to receive the most benefit from a workout.

Cholesterol levels- High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke and should be checked by your healthcare provider at least once a year. (ANI)

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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Diabetes behind most kidney failures

International Diabetes Federation has predicted the number of all diabetes will increase from 240 million in 2007 to 380 million in 2025.

India is estimated to have 40.9 million diabetes in 2010 and that will rise to 69.9 million in 2025.

A sweetener derived from a herb stevia is taking the global marketplace by storm, promising a zero-calorie product that also has the appeal of being natural. The Reb-A extract is estimated 300 times sweeter than sugar and the largest producer of the leaf is China, which has long supplied extracts widely used for sweeteners in Japan, where stevia has been used since the 1970's.

Indian Scientists clamed 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 Bhattacharya of Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, whose team developed the drug, as per the science congress.

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

#To boost your immune system, have a bunch of strawberries everyday with your breakfast. It is rich in vitamins, phytonutrients and fibre.

#Apples make for a healthy snack as they are completely free of fat, cholesterol or sodium.

#Drink water the first thing after waking up in the morning, even before brushing your teeth. It cleans your digestive system.

#To protect your hair from chlorine, apply baby oil before entering the pool. Even 1/2 a teaspoon is enough to coat the hair shaft and prevent it from absorbing chlorine.

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

#When dealing with low blood pressure, avoid having overly hot showers or baths. They can cause an unhealthy jump in the body temperature and may trigger low BP.

#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.

* Muscle pain and pain in the joints occurring because of arthritis can be alleviated by the application of aloe vera gels or sprays. In fact if is used regularly it can actually help regress arthritis.

* 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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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.