Good Klostrol Bad Choklet: 2013

Saturday 30 November 2013

5 Important Health Benefits of Oatmeal

Oatmeal

1. Oatmeal decreases the levels of cholesterol in your blood as well as your risk of cardiac diseases

The FDA approved, in a unique move, a health label on oatmeal packages that explains how soluble fibers from oatmeal, as part of a low trans-fat diet, can decrease your chances of being afflicted with heart conditions. This was based on 30 years of research into oatmeal and its benefits.

2. Oatmeal helps digestion processes

The soluable fibers in oatmeal are taken apart in the lower intestine by resident bacteria. Those fibers that were not taken apart increase the volume of food and hasten bowel movements. This method decreases the likelihood of inflammatory diseases in the lower intestine, including hemorrhoids.

Tip: To enjoy these benefits, drink plenty of water. Consuming these fibers without drinking can cause constipation, stomach ache and gas.

3. Oatmeal and blood sugar levels

Again, we turn to the soluble fibers, which slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, and so prevent sharp increases in blood sugar levels. A 10 year long research was published in the American Journal of Public Health and has showed that consuming about 1 cup of cooked oatmeal a day, 2-4 times a week, will decrease the risk of type II diabetes by 16%. When you bring it up to 5-6 times a week - the risk goes down by 39%.

4. Getting thinner with oatmeal
Oatmeal adds volume to the food by absorbing the liquid around it. In addition, the fibers slow the digestion process and give us a feeling of being full for longer periods of time.

5. Oatmeal improves quality of sleep
People who consumed oatmeal before going to bed have demonstrated better and higher quality sleep than people who didn't. Oatmeal contains the essential amino acid tryptophan (one of the protein building blocks which we only get from food). tryptophan is a source material for creating melatonin (as well as serotonin). A lack in melatonin will cause sleeping problems, while an increase in tryptophan will prolong our deep sleep.

Recommended amount per day:
The general recommendation is about 4-5 spoons a day (can make a porridge of it), so you too can start enjoying the health benefits of oatmeal (at about 25-30 grams a day

Divine Bounties For Mankind's Benefit

1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University.

2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure.

3 Onions are natural antibiotics They might make your breath pong but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system.

4 Mushrooms can ward off colds They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

6 Blueberries can boost memory A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory.

8 Eat chocolate, live longer Hurray! Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year.

9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down.

10 You should never drink tea or coffee with meals Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it.

11 Cherries can cure gout Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation.

12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition.

13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell.

14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision.

15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verrucas Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime.

16 You can have too little salt Too much salt isn't good for us but not getting enough can trigger low blood pressure in those susceptible. Consult your GP before making any major diet changes.

17 Figs can delay brittle bone disease Good news for the three million osteoporosis sufferers in the UK - it is possible to slow its progress by eating calcium-packed figs.

18 Soya can mimic breast cancer drugs A team of Cambridge researchers discovered that a diet high in soya can have a similar effect to anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen.

19 Barbecued-food can cause cancer Eating meat that's chargrilled or burnt could lead to stomach, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer because it creates high levels of carcinogenic compounds.

20 Cinnamon can help diabetics Just half a teaspoon a day of this spice can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, says US research.

21 Chillies can help you breath more easily Capsaicin, which occurs in chillies, shrinks the mucous membranes which can ease blocked noses and sinuses.

22 Watermelon is good for the prostate Men will be glad to know that the red flesh contains the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps keep the prostate gland healthy.

23 Coriander can lower your cholesterol levels This aromatic herb can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems.

24 Nibbling nuts can prevent blood clots Nuts boost nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and eases blood flow.

25 Banish bad breath with natural yoghurt A few spoonfuls of natural yoghurt can neutralise halitosis, according to Japanese researchers.

Sunday 17 November 2013

DO MEDICATIONS REALLY EXPIRE?

By Richard Altschuler

A FAMILY OF DOCTORS IN ENGLAND IN MUMBAI HAVE BEEN HAMMERING THIS POINT THAT MEDICINES DON’T EXPIRE.

Does the expiration date on a bottle of a medication mean anything?

If a bottle of Tylenol, for example, says something like "Do not use after June 1998," and it is August 2002, should you take the Tylenol? Should you discard it? Can you get hurt if you take it? Will it simply have lost its potency and do you no good?

In other words, are drug manufacturers being honest with us when they put an expiration date on their medications, or is the practice of dating just another drug industry scam, to get us to buy new medications when the old ones that purportedly have "expired" are still perfectly good?

These are the pressing questions I investigated after my mother-in-law recently said to me, "It doesn't mean anything," when I pointed out that the Tylenol she was about to take had "expired" 4 years and a few months ago. I was a bit mocking in my pronouncement -- feeling superior that I had noticed the chemical corpse in her cabinet -- but she was equally adamant in her reply, and is generally very sage about medical issues.

So I gave her a glass of water with the purportedly "dead" drug, of which she took 2 capsules for a pain in the upper back. About a half hour later she reported the pain seemed to have eased up a bit. I said, "You could be having a placebo effect," not wanting to simply concede she was right about the drug, and also not actually knowing what I was talking about. I was just happy to hear that her pain had eased, even before we had our evening cocktails and hot tub dip (we were in "Leisure World," near Laguna Beach, California, where the hot tub is bigger than most Manhattan apartments, and "Heaven," as generally portrayed, would be raucous by comparison).

Upon my return to NYC and high-speed connection, I immediately scoured the medical databases and general literature for the answer to my question about drug expiration labelling. And voila, no sooner than I could say "Screwed again by the pharmaceutical industry," I had my answer. Here are the simple facts:

First, the expiration date, required by law in the United States, beginning in 1979, specifies only the date the manufacturer guarantees the full potencyand safety of the drug -- it does not mean how long the drug is actually "good" or safe to use.

Second , medical authorities uniformly say it is safe to take drugs past their expiration date -- no matter how "expired" the drugs purportedly are. Except for possibly the rarest of exceptions, you won't get hurt and you certainly won't get killed.

Studies show that expired drugs may lose some of their potency over time, from as little as 5% or less to 50% or more (though usually much less than the latter). Even 10 years after the "expiration date," most drugs have a good deal of their original potency.

One of the largest studies ever conducted that supports the above points about "expired drug" labelling was done by the US military 15 years ago, according to a feature story in the Wall Street Journal (March 29, 2000), reported by Laurie P. Cohen.

" The military was sitting on a $1 billion stockpile of drugs and facing the daunting process of destroying and replacing its supply every 2 to 3 years, so it began a testing program to see if it could extend the life of its inventory. The testing, conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ultimately covered more than 100 drugs, prescription and over-the-counter."

The results showed, about 90% of them were safe and effective as far as 15 years past their expiration date.

In light of these results, a former director of the testing program, Francis Flaherty, said he concluded that expiration dates put on by manufacturers typically have no bearing on whether a drug is usable for longer. Mr. Flaherty noted that a drug maker is required to prove only that a drug is still good on whatever expiration date the company chooses to set. The expiration date doesn't mean, or even suggest, that the drug will stop being effective after that, nor that it will become harmful.

"Manufacturers put expiration dates for marketing, rather than scientific reasons" said Mr. Flaherty, a pharmacist at the FDA until his retirement in 1999. "It's not profitable for them to have products on a shelf for 10 years. They want turnover."

The FDA cautioned there isn't enough evidence from the program, which is weighted toward drugs used during combat, to conclude most drugs in consumers' medicine cabinets are potent beyond the expiration date. Joel Davis, however, a former FDA expiration-date compliance chief, said that with a handful of exceptions -- notably nitroglycerin, insulin, and some liquid antibiotics -- most drugs are probably as durable as those the agency has tested for the military. "Most drugs degrade very slowly," he said. "In all likelihood, you can take a product you have at home and keep it for many years." Consider aspirin.

Bayer AG puts 2-year or 3-year dates on aspirin and says that it should be discarded after that. However, Chris Allen, a vice president at the Bayer unit that makes aspirin, said the dating is "pretty conservative"; when Bayer has tested 4-year-old aspirin, it remained 100% effective, he said. So why doesn't Bayer set a 4-year expiration date?

Because the company often changes packaging, and it undertakes "continuous improvement programs," Mr. Allen said. Each change triggers a need for more expiration-date testing, and testing each time for a 4-year life would be impractical. Bayer has never tested aspirin beyond 4 years, Mr. Allen said. But Jens Carstensen has. Dr. Carstensen, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin's pharmacy school, who wrote what is considered the main text on drug stability, said, "I did a study of different aspirins, and after 5 years, Bayer was still excellent”. Aspirin, if made correctly, is very stable.

Okay, I concede. My mother-in-law was right, once again.
And I was wrong, once again, and with a wiseacre attitude to boot. Sorry mom.

Now I think I'll take a swig of the 10-year dead package of Alka Seltzer in my medicine chest to ease the nausea I'm feeling from calculating how many billions of dollars the pharmaceutical industry bilks out of unknowing consumers every year who discard perfectly good drugs and buy new ones because they trust the industry's "expiration date labelling."

Thursday 14 November 2013

Protect your liver from Hepatitis

Hepatitis A -

It is the most harmless virus of the lot. Contamination of food and water are the prime reasons for the infection. The best way to prevent it is to be careful of what you eat. Avoid unpacked or unsealed food or drinks.

* Symptoms: Inflamed liver, no appetite, jaundice, nausea, vomiting and fever.

* Vaccine: The vaccine is easily available. It can be taken by anyone above the age of one. Two doses are given at a time, six months apart. It can protect you for at least 20 years.

Hepatitis B -

his virus can go undetected for decades before irreversible liver damage has been done. It is usually infected through blood, saliva, unprotected sex and from the mother to the foetus. Cuts are very frequent during shaving, so it is advisable not to share the razor because the blood may dry, but the virus can live for a week.

* Symptoms: Frequent stomach pain, skin rashes and dark urine.

* Vaccine: Newborn babies must be immunized within 72 hours of birth and three injections can be given at the ages of zero, one and six. Protection will last for 25 years.

Hepatitis C -

It can go undetected for upto 20 years. It has yet to be proved that it can be passed through sexual contact, but blood-to-blood infection is the general route. Tattooing with unsterilized needles is a definite route of transmitting Hepatitis B and C. If sterilized equipment is not used, the virus may spread.

* Symptoms: Poor appetite, jaundice, nausea, disturbed sleep and depression.

* Vaccine: No vaccine is available at the moment.

Hepatitis D -

Those who have been infected by Hepatitis B can also be infected with Hepatitis D.

* Symptoms: Fatigue, vomiting, slow fever, dark urine and light stool.

* Vaccine: The vaccine used for Hepatitis B can also be used in this case.

Hepatitis E -

It can be transmitted through oral route.

* Symptoms: Jaundice, appetite and weight loss, nausea, enlarged and tender liver.

* Vaccine: No vaccine is available at the moment.

THE COMPLETE HEALTH GUIDE

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE
This is the standard declaration with all the posts on this blog. It is equally applicable to whatever is presented below. However, I may say that I agree with almost all the advice and wherever I have some apprehensions, it is already recommended that a doctor should be consulted.
Most of the points in this article are well known and are often advised in various programmes. Almost everybody must be aware of these points. They are compiled together in this article.
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THE COMPLETE HEALTH GUIDE

STAMINA EXERCISES

* Walking: Excellent cardiovascular benefits for the advanced age groups. Should be done briskly with swinging of the arms. Comfortable shoes must be worn. May be done morning or evening for 30-60 minutes.

* Jogging: Suitable for younger age group below 50 years. 30 minutes is all that is required and may be done continuously, or jog and walk in between when fatigued. The pace of jogging is equal to that of a brisk walk run on soft or grassy surface. Wear comfortable clothes and breathe freely.

* Swimming: For those who know how to swim, 20 minutes of continuous swimming is sufficient. Alternately swim the length of a pool 10-20 meters, rest at the end for 30 seconds, swim back. 10 such lengths are good. Use any stroke you know. They are all of almost equal cardiovascular and muscular benefit.

* Cycling: For any age group. Minimum time 45-60 minutes of continuous controlled fast cycling.
Cycling up slopes gives added benefit. Ordinary cycles are good enough and indoor stationary exercycles may also be used at low resistance for 45 minutes.

* Games: For the fitter younger age group. Get fit first before playing games such as squash, badminton, tennis, handball, basketball, football etc. Warm up before the games. 30-45 minutes of the game is sufficient. Weekend or once a week games must be avoided unless other fitness programmes are done on other days. Play within your capacity.

STRENGTH EXERCISES

Improve muscular strength with 10-20 repetitions of each of these movements.

YOGA

1. Yoga should preferably be done under expert supervision 2-3 times per week.
2. In case you know Yoga, we suggest that the following asanas (आसन) be included in your programme.
3. Each Yogasana is repeated 2-3 times except serial Nos. 1, 14 15.
4. Persons with back problems should avoid serial Nos. 2, 4, 10 12.
5. Persons with Cardiac problems, HBP, etc. should avoid serial 4 and 5.
6. This programme will not only keep you fit, but is also beneficial for those persons who have high B.P., respiratory problem, mental strain, head - aches, digestive ailments, back problems, joint problems, etc.

STANDARD YOGASANAS

1. Stand warm up for Pawan Muktasana series.
2. Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) Effect - on full body including heart and circulation.
3. Ardh-halasana (30, 60, 90 degrees, double leg raises) Effect - on abdomen, legs, back, reproductive organs.
4. Sarbangasana (Shoulder stand) Effect - on brain, nervous system, thyroid, circulation.
5. Halasana (Plough pose) Effect - on spine, nervous system, back, lungs.
6. Matsyasana (Fish pose) Effect - on chest, neck, thyroid, lungs.
7. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) Effect - on lower back, reproductive organs, lungs, spine, chest, abdominal organs.
8. Salabhasana, (Locust pose) Effect - an buttocks, legs, hips, constipation, gas, digestion, etc.
9. Dhanurasana (Bow pose) Effect - on abdomen, digestion, legs, back.
10. Naukasana (Boat pose) (V sit-ups) Effect - on spine, abdomen, chest, etc.
11. Bakrasana (Half spinal twist) Effect - on spine, fat on waist, gas, digestive organs.
12. Paschmottasana (Sitting toe touch) or Padahasatasana (Standing toe touch) Effect - on digestion, spine, legs.
13. Trikonasana (Triangle) Effect - on spinal nerves, waist, digestion.
14. Pranayama (Deep breathing) 10 rounds each.
* Anulome / Vilome - alternate nostril breathing, and
* Kapalbhatti. - Belly breathing Effect - on lungs and respiratory system.
* Shavasana (Corpse pose) - as often as required. Effect - on physical / mental relaxation.

GYM EXERCISES / WEIGHT TRAINING

Weight training is basically for strengthening and building up the muscles. An all-round programme must have some stretching and cardio-vascular exercises as well. In addition, weight training loads the bones thereby strengthening and protecting against osteoporosis. The points to keep in mind in weight training are as follows:
1. The ideal weight training schedule is on alternate days i.e. 3 days a week with a complete rest on weekends.
2. The systems of training different muscle groups on different days may be good for competitive sportsmen. The best system for non-competitive sportsmen is to exercise the entire body in each session. The major muscle groups are: Upper body - Shoulders, Arms, Chest and Lower body - Back, Abdomen, Legs.
3. Suppleness and stamina can also be built up through weight training by following a body builder-type schedule. Weights are also used to stretch muscles, build muscular endurance and cardiovascular stamina by repeating each exercise by using lighter weights with more repetitions.
4. If repetition is too easy, the weight used is too little. And in case it is not possible to complete the repetitions, it means the weight carried is too heavy.
5. A repetition is one complete exercise movement from the starting point to finish and then back again to the starting point. A set is a group of repetitions of the same exercise. Therefore, for the upper body 8 repetitions is one set. For the lower body, 15 repetitions forms one set.
6. We prescribe three sets of exercises for each muscle group. However, several systems of weight training prescribe different repetitions as well as different sets.

NUTRITION AND CALORIE MANAGEMENT

Generally speaking, our daily food intake must comprise a balanced diet of 1500-2000k calories with fiber (above 75 gm) and low fat (below 30 gm). Consult your nutritionist for specific advice.

MICRO-NUTRIENTS

The guide to healthy eating pyramid provides you a balanced diet, with ample vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. The therapeutic benefits of these micro-nutrients are explained below.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress has existed from the time of Early Man but has now become an omnipresent phenomenon in the life of 'Modern Man'. It has pervaded all layers of life.
Stress is the bio-psycho-social response of the body to a demand, mental or physical. Stress is an arousal response the body makes, when a situation is perceived as being stressful. The impact of this arousal affects emotional as well as cognitive thinking. The impact is seen in behavioral and physiological change. When stress is long term and chronic it leads to chronic psychosomatic ailments. While there is an undeniable link between stress and illness, optimal stress is a prerequisite for success in every task.
Stress is the wind beneath your wings pushing you towards achievement. If stress can trigger off psychosomatic ailments in those living in the fast track, it can be a trigger even to those who suffer from monotony, boredom or frustration. It is therefore very essential to bring a balance between too much and too little stress.

The first step in managing stress is to develop a stress-free personality. A high self-esteem, assertive behavior and a positive attitude help in building a stress-free perception. It also helps to focus on areas where control and change are possible. Locate the source of stress and use a problem solving approach to deal with it step by step. All stress you can understand. Some you can change. Some you may have little control over. You may then need to change your attitude and response towards these stressors. Thereby reducing stress.

Any exercise programme done regularly utilizes the body's stress hormones. Exercise not only makes the body fit, but also acclimatizes the heart and lungs to increased activity, as in stressful situations. Relaxation and meditation techniques result in calming brain waves, and reducing the effects of stress. This is especially effective with stress related ailments such as Hypertension, Headaches, Digestive ailments, Cardiac ailments, Sleep problems to name just a few.

Stress may be an irritant in your life or it may be a factor of passive existence. Change of perspective will help change this stress to an active, rewarding life. One of the best gifts of nature is sleep. Daily sleep of 6 - 8 hours helps in relaxation and repair of the body and mind. It provides sufficient time for deep - NREM and dream REM sleep restoring physical and mental health.

Use some of these stress defense mechanisms optimize your stress.
* Quality time for family will ensure that you have a retreat called home.
* Plan your career well; it will give you challenge, satisfaction security.
* An assertive personality is responsible to self others. Learn this skill.
* Communication is the key to relationship building. Listen better and your conflicts will slowly dissolve.
* Develop a sense of humor. Learn to laugh at life, its paradoxes and at yourself.
* Plan a little idleness quietness each day. You will be able to recharge.
* Exercise is arousal and relaxation is the opposite. Yet both are necessary on a daily basis. Practice both.
* Sleep well and you will have renewed energy to face the next day's Stresses.
* Plan your time well. You only have 24 hours a day and many important areas to fit in. A simple formula for time stress management. You could personalize it to suit your needs. Remember you can't delete any activity or reduce time for health factors.

Hours Activity

6-8 Sleep
8-10 Work, Occupation, Study
1 Exercise
1 3 big and 2 small meals Quality family time
6 Relaxation, personal hygiene, social time, quiet personal time, others
24 Total time in a day

EAR, NOSE, THROAT, TEETH, EYE CARE

I. Ears

* Have periodic examination of your ears, especially if you notice your hearing decreasing.
* Do not put drops, oil, etc. in your ears without doctor's advice.
* Do not clean the ears with pins, keys, pens, etc.
* Do not remove foreign objects from the ear without a doctor's assistance.
* Do not unnecessarily- clean ears after bath with ear buds, etc.
* Loud noises are harmful for the ears.
* Do not slap children / others on the ears.
* Do not allow dirty water to enter into the ears.
* In all cases of ear ache, ringing in the ears, discharge from the ears, giddiness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting etc.- immediately consult your doctor.

II. Nose

* Do not squeeze a boil or pimple around the area of the nose.
* Do not try and remove a foreign object from the nasal passage without a doctor's assistance.
* Do not unnecessarily pick the nose or blow the nose vigorously.
* Avoid unnecessary misuse of nasal drops inhalers, etc. without a doctor's approval.
* Consult your doctor immediately in case of injury and breathing difficulty.

III. Throat

* Avoid the use of irritants to the throat such as smoking, chewing tobacco / paan, etc.
* Avoid putting coins, marbles, pins, etc. in the mouth.
* Do not shout, scream etc. this causes hoarseness. In cases of hoarseness - rest the throat without misuse till hoarseness passes. If hoarseness persists for more than 7 days, consult your doctor.
* Avoid eating excessively cold/hot spicy foods.
* Avoid talking when food/water is in the mouth.
* Eat food calmly- avoid hurry.
* In case of glandular swelling in the neck, consult your doctor.

IV. Teeth

* Brush your teeth once / twice a day prior to sleeping using a medium tooth brush.
* Massage your gums once a day with your finger for one minute.
* Avoid using abrasive tooth powders, salt, tobacco, etc. for cleaning the teeth.
* Avoid use of any other person's tooth brush.
* Change your tooth brush at least once every 90 days.
* Use dental floss for removing food particles; avoid the use of pins, etc.
* Do not smoke, use tobacco, chew gum, eat chocolate, candy etc.

Friday 23 August 2013

A Pumpkin Sized Blablabla

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

This is what I normally write in all of my posts in this blog, But in this case, I do not have even 0.00001 % faith in what ever is claimed below. This post is given to show what kind of bloomers are floating around in the name of 'secret information'!
Frankly, I could not control my laughter!
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Goodbye cholesterol, blood glucose, lipids and triglycerides .... (All of them in one go!!!)

A secret revealed ...

Some years ago, a former professor of mine showed me a blood test, what I saw impressed me.
The five key blood parameters, ie urea, cholesterol, blood glucose, lipids and triglycerides had values which far exceeded permitted levels.
Commented that the person with those in dices should already be dead or, if alive, this would be just out of stubbornness.

The teacher then showed the name of the patient who until then had been hidden by his hand. The patient was himself!
I was dumbfounded! And I said: "But how? And what did you do?".
With a smile he introduced me to another sheet analysis, saying: "Now, look at this, compare the values of the parameters and see the dates."
That's what I did. The parameter values were clearly within the recommended range, the blood was perfect, flawless, but the surprise increased when I looked dates, the difference was only a month (between the two analysis of the same person)!

I asked: "How could it? This is literally a miracle!"
Calmly, he replied that the miracle was due to her doctor, who suggested treatment obtained from another doctor friend. This treatment has been used by myself, several times, with impressive results.
Approximately once a year, do analysis of my blood, and if either is present tendency to breakdown, return immediately to repeat this process. I suggest that you try.

Here's the SECRET: weekly for 4 weeks, buy at the fair or supermarket, pumpkin pieces. Should not be the pumpkin squash and pumpkin rather large, which is usually used to make candy. Daily, peel 100 grams of pumpkin, place the pieces in a blender (raw), along with water (WATER ONLY!), And mix well, making a vitamin (?) pumpkin with water.
Take this vitamin fasting, 15-20 minutes before breakfast (breakfast / breakfast). Do this for a month, every time your blood needs to be corrected.
Can control the outcome, making analysis before and after treatment with other pumpkin. According to the doctor, there is no contraindication, because it is just a natural vegetable and water (do not use sugar!).

The teacher, excellent chemical engineer, studied the pumpkin to know which of the active ingredients it contains and concluded, at least partially, that it is present in a solvent of low molecular weight cholesterol: cholesterol more harmful and dangerous - LDL.
During the first week, urine (?) has a large amount of LDL (low molecular weight ??), which results in cleaning of arteries, including the brain, (the urine going into brain?) thereby increasing the person's memory.

PUMPKIN ... Do not make it a secret ... SPREAD! ( perhaps the laughter!!!)

Thursday 22 August 2013

Benefits of Sunlight

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE
I have been told in my childhood days that Sunlight has innumerable beneficial effects on our body and one should always bathe in Sunshine for some time everyday. It was told that even clothes dried in the Sunlight make them 'germ-free'. Heating all the foodgrains by spreading them in Sunlight before storing them is a common practice in rural areas.
Some of the benefits of the Sunlight reinvented in some so called 'research' are given below.
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Sunrays

A research has revealed that the regular exposure to sunlight aids body to build up resistance to ultraviolet rays and also protects body from detrimental effects of UV rays in future. As per some studies, sufficient sunlight acts as an ideal exercise for heart as it keeps heart healthy by strengthening cardiovascular system. You need sunlight according to your skin pigmentation. For instance if your skin is darker then you require comparatively more sun exposure than lighter or fairer skin. Your feelings will be changed from dislike to likeness of sunlight after reviewing following merits.

Health Benefits of Sun Rays:

1. Provide Vitamin D

This is one of the major advantages of Sun rays. Accumulations of cholesterol-like substance, ergosterol which is present beneath the skin transfers into Vitamin D hormone when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D lowers the amount of cholesterol in blood and helps in heart problems. It also protects from many types of cancers. Sunlight stimulates body to produce vitamin D which gives strength to bones by increasing absorption of calcium in intestine as well as conveying it across cell membranes. Studies suggest keeping face, hands and legs in contact with sunlight at least for 10 minutes every day to gain adequate Vitamin D.

2. Strengthens immune system

Staying in sunshine enhances the generation of White Blood Cells (WBC) which kill germs like bacteria and viruses. WBC also supports to fight against other toxic compounds in body and boost our immunity. Sunshine increases oxygen carrying capacity of Red Blood Cells. So, it prevents the body from various infections as well as diseases. As per study of University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, sunlight increases immunity as it helps to cure wounds. The fact is that wounds lead the immune system within skin cells to raise synthesis of vitamin D3. The genes managed by vitamin D3 allow further production of antimicrobial peptide, cathelicidin which aids immunity to compete with infections.

3. Gives resistance power to Skin

While too much exposure of sunshine can lead to skin cancer, moderate amount of sunlight offers many merits to skin. It heals several skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne, eczema as well as skin infections. Sun rays may also prevent skin cancer. As the results of study that published in Journal of National Cancer Institute, exposure to sunshine actually lessens the risk of skin cancer have confused scientists. Vitamin D from sunlight indeed controls the growth of cancer cells by impairing their proliferation.

4. Improves your mood

Sunlight controls mood alteration through promoting synthesis of Serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters in brain that affect mood. High level of serotonin helps the brain in focusing and to keep positive prospective. Sunlight promotes the release of tryptamines from pineal gland that improves mood. Moreover, sun rays serves naturally as anti-depressant by releasing endorphin. Moderate exposure of sunlight refreshes you and provides the sense of well being.

5. Provides better functioning of cardiovascular system

Sunlight is beneficial for hypertensive patients as it regulates blood circulation through dilating arteries. So that blood cells get more nutrition and oxygen. Exercising in sunshine fortifies heart and let it to rest more as heart pumps more blood into vessels. Exposure to sun rays alone can reduce the risk of blood pressure by 8% and 15% when associates with physical exercise. It also prevents heart attacks by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol in the body.

6. Helpful in Diabetes

It has been found in a new study that enough introduction to sunshine and adequate amount of vitamin D play vital role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in people. According to some researchers, sunlight also controls blood sugar level. Vitamin D from sun rays regulates pancreatic beta cells which secret insulin and ultimately helps in maintaining blood sugar level.

7. Cancer Prevention

Earlier, doctors recommended that prolonged sunlight exposure causes cancer but today a new study has claimed that insufficient sunshine can be blamed for cancer. Vitamin D from sunbathe decreases the risk of some cancers such as breast, lymphoma, colon, ovary and prostate cancer. Moreover, 70% of Americans have been recognized with vitamin D deficiency. It has been proposed in current evidence that if all Americans receive adequate amount of sunshine then the figure of cancers diagnosed per year would decline by 200,000 and number of deaths due to cancer may go down by around 63,000 per annum.

8. Modifies sleep patterns

Studies have revealed that the sunlight aids to set bodys biological clock in brain and maintain it on track. So, it tells us when to sleep and wake up. Saint Louis University School of Medicine is discovering the link between natural sunshine and sleep patterns. Dr. Gammack, principal investigator for this study told that former research demonstrated the relation between morning as well as afternoon sunlight therapy and better sleeping.

9. Eliminates toxic substances

Sunlight exposure enhances the functioning of liver which filters and removes wastes from body. It also helps to wipe out toxic chemicals like mercury, benzene, cobalt, lead, manganese, cadmium and pesticides which we swallow from impure water or polluted air. Additionally, body can eliminate waste substances more efficiently due to increased blood circulation. UV rays of sun boost the generation of enzymes in body that eradicate toxic compounds through metabolizing them.

10. Increases metabolism

Sun rays encourage thyroid gland which in turn speed up the bodys basal metabolism rate and utilizes large extent of calories. It helps to lose weight and strengthens muscles. At least 15 minutes sunbathe regularly can keep you healthy.

Monday 29 July 2013

All about Cholesterols - Good and Bad

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

Disclaimer : All the postings of mine in this Blog are only my collection. MY ALL EFFORT IS COPY PASTE ONLY. Most of them are received in my email inbox, Some are downloaded from internet posted by some one else. I am just saving some time of readers to get them readily available. So none of these are my own creation. I believe I am not violating any copy rights law or taking any illegal action am not supposed to do.If anything is objectionable, please notify so that they can be removed.
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A number of facts and myths about cholesterol are widely circulated. I recently received a comprehensive PPT presentation on this topic. It appears to be from a reliable source. Important points in that document are presented in this post.

Our liver produces 75% of the cholesterol that circulates in our blood. The other 25% comes from food. At normal levels, cholesterol actually plays an important role in helping cells do their jobs.

High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms. But it does cause damage deep within the body. Over time, too much cholesterol may lead to a buildup of plaque inside the arteries. Known as atherosclerosis, this condition narrows the space available for blood flow and can trigger heart disease.

Cholesterol Testing is done with a simple blood test known as a fasting lipoprotein (or Lipid) profile. It measures the different forms of cholesterol that are circulating in your blood after you avoid eating for 9 to 12 hours. The results show your levels of "bad" cholesterol, "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides

Most of the cholesterol in the blood is carried by proteins called low density lipoproteins or LDL. This is known as the 'Bad cholesterol' because it combines with other substances to clog the arteries. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats tends to raise the level of LDL cholesterol. For most people, an LDL score below 100 is healthy, but people with heart disease may need to aim even lower.

Up to a third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoproteins or HDL. This is called Good cholesterol because it helps remove bad cholesterol, preventing it from building up inside the arteries. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the better. People with too little are more likely to develop heart disease.

The body converts excess calories, sugar, and alcohol into Triglycerides, a type of fat that is carried in the blood and stored in fat cells throughout the body. People who are overweight, inactive, smokers, or heavy drinkers tend to have high triglycerides, as do those who eat a very high-carb diet. A triglycerides score of 150 or higher puts you at risk for metabolic syndrome, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes.

Total cholesterol measures the combination of LDL, HDL, and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) in your bloodstream. VLDL is a precursor of LDL, the bad cholesterol. A total cholesterol score of under 200 is considered healthy in most cases. People who score in the "high" range have an increased risk of developing heart disease compared to those who score below 200

To calculate your cholesterol ratio, divide your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. For example, a total score of 200 divided by an HDL score of 50 equals a cholesterol ratio of 4 to 1. Doctors recommend maintaining a ratio of 4 to 1 or lower. The smaller the ratio, the better.

Research shows that the cholesterol we eat has only a small effect on blood cholesterol levels for most people. A few people are "responders," whose blood levels spike up after eating eggs. But for most, saturated fat and trans fats are bigger concerns. Daily cholesterol limits are 300 mg for healthy people and 200 mg for those at higher risk. One egg has 186 mg of cholesterol.

Cholesterol comes from two sources: the body and food : and either one can contribute to high cholesterol. Some people inherit genes that trigger too much cholesterol production. For others, diet is the main culprit. Saturated fat and cholesterol occur in animal-based foods, including meat, eggs, and dairy products made with milk. In many cases, high cholesterol stems from a combination of diet and genetics

Several factors can make you more likely to develop high cholesterol:
A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol
A family history of high cholesterol
Being overweight or obese
Getting older

Until menopause, women typically have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. They also have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, the good kind. After age 55, a woman's risk of developing high cholesterol begins to climb. Cholesterol can begin clogging the arteries during childhood, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease later in life. Ideally, total cholesterol should be below 170 in people ages 2 to 19.

High cholesterol leads to a buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries. It can restrict blood flow and is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It also appears to boost the risk of Alzheimer's disease. If the blood supply to a part of the heart or brain is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack or stroke

Cholesterol Busters:
Eat More Fiber :The soluble fiber found in many foods helps reduce LDL, the bad cholesterol. Good sources of soluble fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, and legumes such as kidney beans.
Know Your Fats: No more than 35% of your daily calories should come from fat. Saturated fats from animal products and tropical oils raise LDL or bad cholesterol, while lowering the good kind. These two bad fats are found in many baked goods, fried foods , stick margarine, and cookies. Unsaturated fats may lower LDL when combined with other healthy diet changes. They're found in avocados, olive oil, and peanut oil
Smart Protein : Meat and full-fat milk offer plenty of protein, but they are also major sources of cholesterol. You may be able to reduce LDL cholesterol by switching to soy protein, such as tofu, at some meals. Fish is another great choice. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve cholesterol levels.
Low-Carb Diet :Low-carb diets may be better than low-fat diets for improving cholesterol levels.
Lose Weight: If you're overweight, losing weight can help you reduce your levels of triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol.
Quit Smoking :When you stop smoking, your good cholesterol is likely to improve by as much as 10%.
Exercise :An aerobic exercise program could increase your good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. Choose an activity that boosts your heart rate, such as running, swimming, or walking briskly, and aim for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week; two 15-minute walks works just as well. However, you must cosult your doctor before starting exercise.

Treatment: Medications can give your cholesterol levels an extra nudge. Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver. Other options include cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid resins and fibrates. Your doctor may recommend a combination of these medications.
Certain dietary supplements may also improve cholesterol levels.
Herbal Remedies :Some studies suggest garlic can knock a few percentage points off total cholesterol. But garlic pills can have side effects.

Many people are able to lower cholesterol levels through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. But how low is low enough? For people with diabetes or a high risk of developing heart disease, an LDL score of less than 100 is desirable. If you already have heart disease or coronary artery disease, some doctors recommend reducing LDL to 70 or lower

Can the Damage Be Undone? It takes years for high cholesterol to clog the arteries with plaque. But there is evidence that atherosclerosis can be reversed, at least to some degree. A low-fat vegetarian diet, stress management, and moderate exercise can chip away at the build-up inside the coronary arteries.

Saturday 20 July 2013

Eggs are good

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE
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"Eggs are good." says this advertisement. We had studied in school that all the vitamins and nutrients are present in Milk and Egg. So we used to write these names as example of every vitamin.
So Sunday हो या Monday, खूब खाओ अंडे।
However, those who have to worry about cholesterol may avoid the yellow portion and those who are worried about weight, may take the eggs cautiously.

Friday 19 July 2013

Coconut Oil Again -खोबरेल तेल

Visitor count for this blog has now crossed 1200.
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I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

I had earlier written about an article on Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's decease. It was found by Snoops that this claim was 'uncertain'.. Then recently I posted an article on Coconuts. That appeared more sensible, though not fully convincing. I have now got another article in Marathi. It is supposed to be from Dr.Meena Nerurkar, a renowned writer and Doctor practicing in USA. She has listed a number of health benefits from Coconuts, reinvented in recent times. She has written that her grandmother used to give coconut oil as a single cure for many problems. In addition it was supposed to be very useful for maintaining good overall health. Then as a Doctor who has studied western medical science she had discontinued using coconuts due to the propoganda made against it, probably instigated by Soyabeen lobby. However, her daughter is again using Coconut oil liberally. Thus it has come through a full circle.

Use of coconut oil for applying to hair or skin is a very popular practice in large parts of India and many people think it is beneficial. I think external application of coconut oil would not be harmful in any way. Questions are raised about its cholesterol contents (good or bad variety). This should be seen more critically by those who have hyperlipidimia problems.

I do not know whether the report is authentic and there is a 'Coconut lobby' at work now.

कोकोनट ऑइल
- डॉ. मीना नेरुरकर

कोणाचे नशीब कधी पालटेल सांगता येत नाही. गेली तीस वर्षे नारळाच्या खोबर्‍याला, खोबरेल तेलाला आरोग्यबाधक ठरवल्यावर अचानक त्याचे ग्रह पालटले आहेत. दिवसागणिक वाढत असलेल्या अल्झायमर या रोगावर जालीम उपाय म्हणून खोबरेल तेलाला आता महत्त्व आलेले आहे. नर्सिंग होम्स व वृद्धाश्रमातले डॉक्टर पेशंटना टोस्टवर खोबरेल तेल लावून द्या असे सांगत आहेत. इतके दिवस आजूबाजूचा काहीही गंध नसलेली अल्झायमर पीडित जनता महिनाभराच्या टोस्टवरच्या खोबरेल तेलाने एकेकाळचे परिचित जग परत नव्याने ओळखायला लागलेली आहे. ते पाहून त्यांच्या प्रियजनांच्या मुद्रेवर हसू झळकत आहे. लोकहो, नित्यनव्या डाएट फॅडमध्ये कोकोनट ऑइलसध्या शायनिंग स्टार झाले आहे.

माणसाचे नशीब पालटवायला जसा एखादा गॉडफादर लागतो तसं कोकोनट ऑइलचे भाग्य पालटायला डॉ.ब्रूस फाइफ याच्या रूपाने गॉड़फादर लाभला. अमेरिकेच्या र्‍होड आयलंड राज्यात राहणार्‍या या न्यूट्रिशनल डॉक्टरचा शेजारी पॉल सोएर्स नावाचा फिलिपिनो माणूस होता. छोट्या चणीचा पॉल स्वत:सारखेच छोटेसे दुकान चालवायचा व त्यात मिरॅकल ऑइल विकायचा. आजूबाजूची फिलिपिनो जनता काहीही झाले की, त्याच्या दुकानात धावत यायची व तेल घेऊन जायची. कुतुहल म्हणून ब्रूसने एके दिवशी पॉलला कसले तेल विकतोस, कुठून आणतोस अशी विचारणा केली. पॉल म्हणाला, थायलंड वा फिलिपाइन्स देशातून नारळ आणतो, नारळाच्या डोळ्यात खिळा घालून पाणी काढतो, मग तो हातोड्याने फोडतो, आतले खोबरे किसतो, ते पाण्यात उकळत ठेवतो, पाणी आटून वर राहते ते कोकोनट ऑइल. कसल्याही व्याधीवर उपचार म्हणून ते देतो.

ब्रूस न्यूट्रिशनिस्ट असल्यामुळे त्याला प्रक्रिया न झालेल्या नैसर्गिक खाद्यपदार्थामध्ये रस होता. त्याने पॉलच्या दुकानात वेळ घालवायला सुरुवात केली. खोबर्‍यातून तेल काढण्याची किचकट प्रक्रिया सोपी करायला ब्रूसने खूप मदत केली. पॉलला खोबरे वाटायला मिक्सर आणून दिला. खोबर्‍यातून तेल काढायला द्राक्षातून वाइन काढायचा प्रेस आणून दिला. आता तेल काढणे खूप सोपे झाले. पॉलच्या सांगण्यावरून काहीही दुखत असले की, ब्रूसने चमचाभर कोकोनट ऑइल तोंडाने घ्यायला सुरुवात केली. कापलेल्या खरचटलेल्या ठिकाणी कोकोनट ऑइल लावायला सुरुवात केली. ब्रूसचे वजन कमी झाले, त्याची त्वचा तुकतुकीत दिसायला लागली. जखम पटकन भरायला लागली. ब्रूसच्या आश्चर्याला पारावर उरला नाही. इतके दिवस नारळाला का वाईट म्हणत होते याबद्दल त्याने खोलात जाऊन तपास करायला सुरुवात केल्यावर त्याला आढळून आले की, सोयाबीन इंडस्ट्रीने जगात पाय रोवण्यासाठी मुद्दामहून खोबर्‍याविरुद्ध अपप्रचार करायला सुरुवात केली होती. सगळे जण हार्ट ऍटॅकला घाबरतात. खोबरेल तेलात स्निग्धांश जास्त असल्यामुळे त्याने हार्ट ऍटॅक येतो, पण सोयाबीनचे पदार्थ खाल्ले तर हृदयविकार कमी होतात असा प्रचार सुरू केला. झाले. घाबरट लोकांनी हा रिपोर्ट वाचल्यावर कोकोनटचे पदार्थ खाणे कमी केले. चाणाक्ष सोयाबीन इंडस्ट्रीने स्वत:चे घोडे पुढे दामटले.

ब्रूस या मिरॅकल ऑइलने इतका झपाटला होता की, त्याने नारळ वापरत असलेल्या देशात जाऊन खोबरेल तेलावर संशोधन केले. खोबर्‍यात cholesterol असतात हे खरे, पण ते Medium chain fattyacids असतात जे शरीराला हितकारक असतात. थायलंड, इंडोनेशिया फिलिपाइन्स, पॉलिनेशियन देश खोबर्‍यावर जगतात. त्यांच्यात हार्ट ऍटॅकचे प्रमाण जगापेक्षा खूप कमी आहे. ब्रूसने शोधाअंती खोबर्‍यामुळे हार्ट ऍटॅक येत नाही असे विधान केले. शेकडो डॉक्टराकडे जाऊन त्यांना खोबरेल तेलाचे महत्त्व सांगायचा प्रयत्न केला, पण कोणावर ढिम्म परिणाम होत नव्हता. शेवटी डॉक्टरांचा नाद सोडून त्याने कोकोनट ऑइलचे फायदे पुस्तक रूपात लिहायचा निर्णय घेतला. १९९९ साली त्याने Coconut Oil miracle या नावाचे पुस्तक स्वत:च प्रसिद्ध केले.

ते वाचून डॉ. मेरी न्यूपोर्ट हिने २००८ साली अल्झायमरच्या रोग्यांमध्ये कोकोनट ऑइलचा उपयोग करून पाहिला. फरक बघून ती देखील चकीत झाली. इंटरनेटमुळे तो रिपोर्ट जगभर पसरला. डॉ. ब्रूसने एकूण १८ पुस्तके लिहिली. त्यांच्या अनेक आवृत्त्या निघाल्या.लोक एकमेकाला ही पुस्तके भेट द्यायला लागले. केस, त्वचा यावर खोबरेल तेल लावून बघायला लागले. आता अनेक तरुण मंडळी खोबरेल तेल सर्रास वापरतात. यू ट्यूबवर अनेक हेल्थ फूड डॉक्टर नारळाचे दूध कसे बिनधास्तपणे वापरावे याच्या रोज नव्या रेसिपीज देतात.

माझ्या आजीच्या बटव्यात जगातल्या सगळ्या व्याधींवर अक्सर एकही इलाज म्हणून एकच औषध होते ते म्हणजे खोबरेल तेल. परीक्षा आली की. डोकं थंड राहावे म्हणून ती माझ्या डोक्यावर खोबरेल तेल थापटायची, केस काळे राहावेत म्हणून आंघोळीच्या आधी डोक्याला खोबरल तेलाचा मसाज करायची, कातडी चरबरीत होऊ नये म्हणून अंगाला खोबरेल तेल चोळायची, कान दुखला तर कानात गरम खोबरेल तेलाची धार सोडायची.सर्दी झाली, डोके खाली करून नाकात गरम खोबरेल तेलाचे थेंब घालायची. ती जेव्हा ९५ व्या वर्षी गेली तेव्हा डोक्यावरचे सगळे केस शाबूत होते व काळे होते. सध्या माझी हॉर्वर्ड विद्यापीठातली हुशार मुलगी अदिती नियमितपणे खोबरेल तेल वापरते. पणजीसारखे डोक्याला अंगाला तर लावतेच, पण तिच्यावरही वरताण म्हणून ब्रूसने सांगितल्याप्रमाणे रोज तीन चमचे तेल पिते. खोबरेल तेलात जेवण करते. खोबरेल तेलावर वाढूनही मी त्याचा वापर थांबवला म्हणून माझी कीव करते.

Coconut oil has come in a full circle in our house. आमच्या घराण्यात दोन पिढ्यांनंतर खोबरेल तेल परत वापरात आले आहे. कोकोनट गुरू डॉ. ब्रूसच्या अथक प्रयत्नांनी अमेरिकेतही खूप लोकप्रिय होत आहे. आता मीही न बिचकता वाटी वाटी सोलकढी पिते. आमट्या, उसळी, कालवणांना नारळाचे वाटण घालते. अजून मुलीसारखी तेल प्यायला लागलेले नाही, पण कोकोनट ऑइल अँटीएजिंग आहे असल्याचे रोज नवनवे रिपोर्ट बाहेर येत असल्यामुळे तसे करायला मला फार वेळ लागणार नाही.

कोणाचे नशीब कधी पालटेल ते सांगता येत नाही. जसे माणसाचे बदलते तसे एखाद्या पदार्थाचेही बदलते.

Saturday 13 July 2013

DRINKING WATER !

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

People in tropical climate feel thirsty and need to drink water at regular intervals in order to make up for loss of water through respiration and perspiration. I think this article is written for Americans who are not used to take much intake of water. Actually they drink more of soft drinks than simple water. We can adjust our own quantities of water consumption depending upon the climetic conditions. Anyway, counting it in number of glasses is meaningless unless you know the size of the glass.
The important point is one should drink water to avoid dehydration. Drinking water before bedtime may cause some inconvinience, but may also help in some way, if whatever given below is correct information.
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DRINKING WATER !

How many folks do you know who say they don't want to drink anything before going to bed because they'll have to get up during the night.

Heart Attack and Water - I never knew all of this ! Interesting.......
Something else I didn't know ... I asked my Doctor why people need to urinate so much at night time. Answer from my Cardiac Doctor - Gravity holds water in the lower part of your body when you are upright (legs swell). When you lie down and the lower body (legs and etc) seeks level with the kidneys, it is then that the kidneys remove the water because it is easier. This then ties in with the last statement!

I knew you need your minimum water to help flush the toxins out of your body, but this was news to me. Correct time to drink water...
Very Important. From A Cardiac Specialist!
Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body
2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack
I can also add to this... My Physician told me that water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.

Monday 8 July 2013

Can a Needle Save The Life of a Stroke Victim?

Monday 1 July 2013

Wash Your Fruits

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

We are aware of the need for cleaning fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove dirt and bacteria from it. However, we may not be aware of presence of pesticides on them. Another precaution taken by some people is to completely remove the skin and discard. Skins of some fruits and vegetables are not edible and are needed to be removed any way, but skins of some other fruits and vegetables are rich in fibre and minerals. They need not be wasted. It is suggested in the following articles to use vinegar to remove pesticides as well as bacteria. I have not seen anybody employing these techniques.
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1. Wash Your Fruits & Veggies With Vinegar

Many fruits and vegetables are grown with pesticides to get rid of bugs. Although nobody wants to find a creepy crawly thing in a peach or tomato, according to the Environmental Working Group, even small doses of pesticides can adversely affect your health and are worrisome, not well understood, and in some cases are completely unstudied.

Fortunately, you can drastically reduce your exposure to pesticides and bacteria found on produce with a thorough vinegar and water wash. Experts found that a white vinegar and water wash kills 98% of bacteria and removes pesticides.

You can concoct your own vinegar/water mixture at home to save money. You’ll probably spend less than 20 cents to make a homemade vinegar and water rinse, compared to around $4 for a premade produce wash. Plus, you can use the same bottle many times when you make your own wash!

Good Green Habits for Washing Produce

    Mix 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar (3:1 ) in a spray bottle.
    Spray on fruits and veggies to get rid of pesticide residue.
    Rinse with water after spraying.
-OR-

    Fill a bowl with water and add 1/8 to 1/2 cup of vinegar, depending on the size of your bowl.
    Place your fruits and veggies in the bowl.
    Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
    Rinse with water.

Note:The second version is super easy and quick.

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2. This method received from a different mail is essentially the same

We all have the frustrating experience day after day on how quick the fruits perish after purchased and taken home!

For this reason, you and your family will treasure this simple but important piece of information.

I mean how to wash away the chemical on the fruit.
Fill sink with water, add a cup of vinegar and stir. Dip all the fruits and soak for 10 minutes. Wash with water. All the dirt and wax is gone and the fruits will sparkle. They will last.

This will also wash away our fears and doubts about the pesticides and chemical covers on the various fruits.

Friday 21 June 2013

How to Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels!

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE.
Most of the points listed below are well known to the Cholesterol conscious people and I believe they are already taking the steps recommended in this article.
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How to Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels!

Before blaming family genetics, or panic over the latest blood test, it's important to first remember that cholesterol is, first and foremost, an essential molecule, without it there would be no life, and also - that we have the ability to influence the level of cholesterol in our bodies.

The level of cholesterol in our body is a result of the process of creating cholesterol by the liver. In fact, over 85% of our cholesterol is created by the liver. The rest comes from eating animal products: Beef, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy.

The body is an amazing system, and if a healthy body creates cholesterol, then it is indeed an essential material in our bodies:
- Cholesterol is used to build needed steroids.
- Cholesterol is used to build hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
- Cholesterol is vital for the creation of vitamin D.
- The membrane of every cell in our body contains cholesterol.

When there's too much cholesterol

A situation of higher than normal levels of cholesterol can be worrying, because it may build inside the blood vessels and cause coronary diseases, which may lead to heart attacks or stroke.
As of today, the normal range of cholesterol in the body is up to 200 mg.

The common medicine to take care of additional cholesterol delay the enzyme that takes part in the process of creating cholesterol in the liver so in fact we limit the rate of building our own cholesterol. But is it logical for us to limit the internal creation of cholesterol without addressing the external source? Nutrition will always be at the forefront of dealing with a surplus of cholesterol.

How can we reduce the levels of cholesterol?

- Reducing or eliminating animal foods: Beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products and especially foods rich in fat and cholesterol.
- Consuming Phytosterols that come from vegetation. Phytosterols have a similar chemical structure to cholesterol and because of this similarity they both compete for absorption by the lower intestine, and so consuming them will reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed. A good daily amount would be 1.5-2.5 grams a day.
Best sources for Phytosterols: Sesame oil and corn oil but also grains, nuts and seeds: wheat germ, flax seed, wheat bran, peanuts, almonds and cashews, fruits and vegetables: beets, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onions, oranges and legumes: peas and beans. Legumes and grains are a good source of proteins instead of the fat rich foods.
- Staying away from trans-fats. Trans fat also appears as vegetable oil that has gone through hydrogenation in order to make it harder. This fat is not recommended at all and you'd be best staying clear of it. It is mainly found in processed foods such as margarine, puff pastry, pastries such as croissants, and processed cakes and cookies.

A few more tips...

- Consuming anti-oxidants will help limit the oxidation of cholesterol and consuming them will help getting the cholesterol off the artery walls.
- Consuming soluble fibers, which are abundant in full wheat products, oatmeal, vegetables and fruit. These absorb conversion salts in the digestion system and the body then uses cholesterol to make new ones, thus reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream.
- Daily exercise. We know it's tough, but you'll thank us when you get less bad cholesterol, and more good cholesterol.

Saturday 15 June 2013

Battle of the Bulge

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

'Stomach' means 'pot belly' or 'tummy' in this article . You need a stomach and cannot live if it goes away. There are some yoga exercises of stretching and relaxing muscles around the stomach in the abdominal area. Baba Ramdeoji shows them in his programme. One wonders how he can control those muscles. This Chinese method appears simple. However, most of the people having a 'bulge' are likely to have one of the problems listed in the end and are advised to not try this method.
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Rub Your Stomach Away in 2 Minutes a Day?

Did You Know   that you can rub your stomach away effortlessly using nothing but your hand   for only 2 minutes a day?

After spending a lovely long weekend at Center Parcs, it was fascinating to observe just how many people seemed to be battling the bulge - especially that bulge around the middle!

I love this simple idea of rubbing your stomach away in 2 minutes a day,   a good habit to add to your daily routine don' t you think?

This may sound hard to believe, but Dr. Stephen Chang, an M.D. and Ph.D. who s trained in both Western and Chinese medicine, states that this simple 2-minute internal exercise, which does not come from Western medicine, but rather from the wisdom of ancient Chinese sages   has been used successfully as a self-healing mechanism for over 6,000 years.

Whatever you do, don t confuse this internal exercise with the external exercises of the Western world, such as sit-ups, crunches and other movements that only firm up the underlying stomach muscles,   but do nothing to melt the fat surrounding those muscles.

According to Dr. Chang, losing weight is a simple matter of increasing the efficiency of the digestive system. If you' ve ever wondered why you fail to shed pounds even when you reduce your food and/or caloric intake,   the reason is because your digestive and eliminatory systems are not functioning efficiently.

The following 2-minute exercise works like a gentle colonic irrigation that helps speed up a sluggish digestive system (which usually carries at least 5 pounds of fecal matter within it), and this elimination of useless sludge has the effect of burning off excess fat. The exercise effectively metabolizes the fatty tissues around the stomach and intestines, and flushes them out of your body through blood, sweat, urine, and feces.

Here s how to do the stomach-rubbing exercise:

1) Lie flat on your back on your bed or on the floor. Take your top off or pull it up so that your abdominal area is bare.

2) Rub your hands together vigorously for about 15 seconds, or until they feel hot. Rub Stomach Away

3) Place one of your hands directly on your belly button and begin to rub in small circles around your belly button, and gradually make the circles larger (as shown in the diagram). Use fairly firm but comfortable pressure and rub at a slow, even pace, approximately 1 circle per second.

4) Concentrate on the heat building up in, around and throughout your stomach.

5) Do about 40 to 50 circles, or for an approximate duration of 2 minutes or more.
Note: It is important to keep the abdominal area warm while doing the exercise, especially during winter months when even heated indoor air tends to be cool.

For best results, do this routine twice a day for 2 minutes, first thing in the morning (before breakfast) and just before you go to bed. Most people see noticeable results within 1 week of consistent practice.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the stomach is the center of energy. Massaging the stomach in the manner described above therefore accomplishes more than just melting away adipose tissue (fat). It also
* stimulates the abdominal organs
* helps speed up slow digestion and remedies constipation
* increases blood circulation in the abdominal area
* helps heal indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and the adverse effects of overeating

Caution:

The stomach massage should not be practiced immediately after a heavy meal.

Neither is it advisable for women who are pregnant, or have inflammation of the uterus, bladder, ovaries and fallopian tubes; and individuals who have the following conditions: hypertension; stones in the gall bladder, kidneys or bladder; general, femoral, inguinal and umbilical hernia; bleeding of the stomach, lungs or brain; or ulcers of the intestines and stomach.

Friday 7 June 2013

COCONUT TREE - कल्पवृक्ष

I NEITHER ENDORSE NOR OBJECT TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG. THEY ARE SIMPLY COLLECTED AT ONE PLACE

A lot is being said about 'The Good / Bad cholesterol' in Coconut oil and the medical advice generally appears to be on the negative side. This article claims that "it lowers cholesterol", whatever that phrase may mean! Coconut oil is widely used in southern part of India for cooking. In Maharashtra, it is mainly used for applying on hair and for massaging the body. It definitely has some good effect on the skin. However, now a days some people do not want oily look of the skins. Tender coconut water is certainly very tasty and healthy drink, It is given to patients suffering from many deceases, especially related to digestive system. It is also given to expectant mothers as a nourishing drink. However, it must be consumed within minutes of breaking the coconut. After some time it turns into an alcoholic drink called Maadi and consumed in coastal parts of India in that form, which is obviously bad for health. I have not heard of injecting it into the blood in place of saline water or for transfusion. It cannot be an equivalent of blood for obvious reasons. Raw Coconut flesh (ओले खोबरे) is added to many food items in coastal region, where it is easily available. This is an important ingredient, probably a unique one, as it is widely used in preparation of sweets as well as namakeen or spice food items. For example it is used in the popular item Modak or Barfi (sweets) and also in a very tasty Chutney or certain vegetables, Masale Bhat (Indian fried rice) etc.
So on the whole coconut is good for health (as well as tasty food), perhaps not as good as claimed in this article. However, those who have to watch their cholesterol levels and weight have to restrict consuming any vegetable or animal fats and that would include all oils. So coconut should also be consumed in moderate quantities.
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COCONUTS

Did You Know...

That coconuts are one of the wonder foods on earth that amply provides for all human needs? They can even save your life!

Few people (even fewer doctors) understand how important the coconut is to stabilizing blood sugar; lowering cholesterol; healing; hydration; and even replacing blood plasma in an emergency.

Referred to as kalpa vriksha (Sanskrit for "the tree that supplies all that is needed to live") in ancient India, the coconut palm has been recognized as a top immune booster, antifungal,antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy for thousands of years all over the world. Yet, it has only been recently that modern researchers have begun to fully discover the massive health benefits this amazing fruit seed offers.

To give just one example of coconuts' live-saving properties, they were used extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Since blood plasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphon pure coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasma transfusions for soldiers who were injured. Since coconut water is nearly identical to human blood, it was suitable for people of all blood types.

Because of its strong antioxidant properties, the coconut can be used to:
==> Lower cholesterol
==> Improve digestion
==> Ward off wrinkles
==> Stabilize glucose levels
==> Fight off viruses
==> Build cells
==> Regulate hormones
==> Increase thyroid production
==> Lose weight
==> Increase metabolism
==> Fight infections
==> Stave off memory loss
==> Kill bacteria
==> And more!

Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconut products -- including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut cream -- each deliver superb health benefits.

Coconut oil, for instance, is considered the best and safest oil to use for cooking -- even superior to extra virgin olive oil when it comes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlike other fats and oils that we typically use for cooking and baking, coconut oil does not form polymerized oils or dangerous Trans fatty acids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels; clog our arteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle. Plus, this ultra-safe oil can give your body important antioxidants that can help build stronger cells and improve your overall health and well being.

Here are a few ways that you can use coconut products to stave off disease and to recapture the look and feeling of youth:

Coconut Water - The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost 9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions.

Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration.

Coconut Oil - In addition to being superior for cooking and baking, coconut oil also makes a superb topical oil that can help to naturally rid the skin of dangerous toxins. It also gives the skin the perfect mix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy, smooth and younger-looking longer.

Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting your teeth from the bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing a little fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them stronger and healthier than virtually any other dental treatment.

Most people don't realize that coconut oil can actually help you lose weight! Yes, simply changing your cooking oil from the unsaturated fat variety to coconut oil can help you lose those extra pounds. Here's why: Unsaturated fats found in canola, corn and other vegetables oils, as well as margarine suppress the metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight -- and easier to gain it. Over time, this metabolism suppression may result in 20-30 pounds of excess weight that your body cannot get rid of. Coconut oil, on the other hand, helps to increase thyroid function and boost your metabolism -- 2 important components to shedding unwanted pounds.

Coconut Cream - The best skin treatment product one can use to achieve flawless skin may quite possibly be coconut cream. Unlike traditional skin creams which can actually introduce fats and oils to the skin that will break it down over time, making it look older, creams derived from the coconut can actually replenish the skin, giving it a more youthful and healthy glow than most other skin care products on the market.

When it comes to buying coconut products, coconuts are not all created equal. Wild coconuts are always best, but can be hard to obtain if you don't live in a tropical country. Whether you are using this wonder food to boost your immune system; increase your metabolism or fight wrinkles, using products from young coconuts will help you reap the most benefit.

Young coconuts contain the purest unsaturated fat, compared to the fat found in the more mature varieties. This is why they offer the most rejuvenation properties for the body's tissues. But how can you tell how old a coconut is? Young coconuts are usually green in color and oddly shaped. The brown hairy ones are mature coconuts, and while they offer a lot of healthy benefits, they aren't nearly as good for you as younger varieties.

The best place to find young fresh coconuts is, of course, in the markets of the tropics, so be sure to seek them out if you travel to those areas. Coconut-producing regions export coconuts all over the world, however, so it's relatively easy to find coconuts at your local health food store or Asian grocer.

Thursday 30 May 2013

No Benefit in Sharply Restricting Salt

No Benefit in Sharply Restricting Salt, Panel Finds

By GINA KOLATA

In a report that undercuts years of public health warnings, a prestigious group convened by the government says there is no good reason based on health outcomes for many Americans to drive their sodium consumption down to the very low levels recommended in national dietary guidelines.
Those levels, 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, or a little more than half a teaspoon of salt, were supposed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people at risk, including anyone older than 50, blacks and people with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease ; a group that makes up more than half of the American population.
Some influential organizations, including the American Heart Association, have said everyone, not just those at risk, should aim for that very low sodium level. The heart association reaffirmed that position in an interview on Monday, even in light of the new report.
But the new expert committee, commissioned by the Institute of Medicine at the behest of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there was no rationale for anyone to aim for sodium levels below 2,300 milligrams a day. The group examined new evidence that had emerged since the last such report was issued, in 2005.
As you go below the 2,300 mark, there is an absence of data in terms of benefit and there begin to be suggestions in subgroup populations about potential harms, said Dr. Brian L. Strom, chairman of the committee and a professor of public health at the University of Pennsylvania. He explained that the possible harms included increased rates of heart attacks and an increased risk of death.
The committee was not asked to specify an optimal amount of sodium and did not make any recommendations about how much people should consume. Dr. Strom said people should not eat too much salt, but he also said that the data on the health effects of sodium were too inconsistent for the committee to say what the upper limit of sodium consumption should be.
Until about 2006, almost all studies on salt and health outcomes relied on the well-known fact that blood pressure can drop slightly when people eat less salt. From that, and from other studies linking blood pressure to risks of heart attacks and strokes, researchers created models showing how many lives could be saved if people ate less salt.
The United States dietary guidelines, based on the 2005 Institute of Medicine report, recommend that the general population aim for sodium levels of 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams a day because those levels will not raise blood pressure. The average sodium consumption in the United States, and around the world, is about 3,400 milligrams a day, according to the Institute of Medicine an amount that has not changed in decades.
But more recently, researchers began looking at the actual consequences of various levels of salt consumption, as found in rates of heart attacks, strokes and death, not just blood pressure readings. Some of what they found was troubling.
One 2008 study the committee examined, for example, randomly assigned 232 Italian patients with aggressively treated moderate to severe congestive heart failure to consume either 2,760 or 1,840 milligrams of sodium a day, but otherwise to consume the same diet. Those consuming the lower level of sodium had more than three times the number of hospital readmissions 30 as compared with 9 in the higher-salt group and a more than twice as many deaths 15 as compared with 6 in the higher-salt group.
Another study, published in 2011, followed 28,800 subjects with high blood pressure aged 55 and older for 4.7 years and analyzed their sodium consumption by urinalysis. The researchers reported that the risks of heart attacks, strokes, congestive heart failure and death from heart disease increased significantly for those consuming more than 7,000 milligrams of sodium a day and for those consuming less than 3,000 milligrams of sodium a day.
There are physiological consequences of consuming little sodium, said Dr. Michael H. Alderman, a dietary sodium expert at Albert Einstein College of Medicine who was not a member of the committee. As sodium levels plunge, triglyceride levels increase, insulin resistance increases, and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system increases. Each of these factors can increase the risk of heart disease.
"Those are all bad things," Dr. Alderman said. "A health effect can’t be predicted by looking at one physiological consequence. There has to be a net effect."
Medical and public health experts responded to the new assessment of the evidence with elation or concern, depending on where they stand in the salt debates.
"What they have done is earth-shattering," Dr. Alderman said. "They have changed the paradigm of this issue. Until now it was all about blood pressure. Now they say it is more complicated."The report, he predicted, "will have a big impact."
But Bonnie Liebman, director of nutrition at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group that has taken a strong position against excessive salt consumption, worried that the public would get the wrong message.
"It would be a shame if this report convinced people that salt doesn’t matter," Ms. Liebman said.
The American Heart Association agrees with her. Dr. Elliott Antman, a spokesman for the American Heart Association and a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital said the association remained concerned about the large amount of sodium in processed foods, which makes it almost impossible for most Americans to cut back. People should aim for 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, he said.
"The American Heart Association is not changing its position," Dr. Antman said. The association rejects the Institute of Medicine’s conclusions because the studies on which they were based had methodological flaws, he said. The heart association’s advice to consume 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, he added, is based on epidemiological data and studies that assessed the effects of sodium consumption on blood pressure.
The Institute of Medicine committee said it was well aware of flaws in many of the studies of sodium, especially ones that the previous Institute of Medicine committee relied on for its 2005 recommendations. Much of that earlier research, committee members said, looked for correlations between what people ate and their health. But people with different diets can differ in many ways that are hard to account for , for example, the amount of exercise they get. And relying on people’s recall of how much salt they consumed can be unreliable.
Even the ways previous studies defined high and low sodium consumption varied widely.
"In one study it was high if it hit 2,700 milligrams a day. In another study it was high if it hit 10,000 milligrams a day," said Cheryl A.M. Anderson, a committee member who is an associate professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
The committee said it found more recent studies, published since 2005 that were more careful and rigorous. Much of the new research found adverse effects on the lower end of the sodium scale and none showed a benefit from consuming very little salt.
Although the advice to restrict sodium to 1,500 milligrams a day has been enshrined in dietary guidelines, it never came from research on health outcomes, Dr. Strom said. Instead, it is the lowest sodium consumption can go if a person eats enough food to get sufficient calories and nutrients to live on. As for the 2,300-milligram level, that was the highest sodium levels could go before blood pressure began inching up.
In its 2005 report, the Institute of Medicine’s committee said that sodium consumption between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams a day would not raise blood pressure.
That range, Dr. Strom said,"was taken by other groups and set in stone." Those other groups included the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, which formulated dietary guidelines in 2005.
But those dietary guidelines will soon be revised, with new recommendations to be issued in 2015.