Health and Wealth

The advantages of aloe vera

2011-01-15T20:51:00.001-08:00

Aloe vera is known as the plant of immortality among Egyptians. It is one of the best medicinal plants available in nature and the Greeks have recorded its various benefits as long as 2,000 years ago. Its medicinal benefits apart, aloe vera also helps enhance beauty.

Here are some of the benefits of aloe vera, you may not have known:

Aloe vera is fortified with a host of vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, and E. It also has calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, sodium and zinc, among others. These minerals are vital for the smooth functioning of the body.

The juice of aloe vera helps maintain dental hygiene. It’s especially good in treating mouth ulcers, sores and cankers.

Those who are facing hair loss can apply aloe vera gel to boost hair growth.

Aloe vera juice is known to be an excellent aid in controlling blood sugar levels. This is beneficial for those suffering from diabetes. Fortified with anti-bacterial properties, the pulp of aloe vera can be used to take care of wounds, burns and infections. Aloe vera is a good remedy in treating sunburns, as it soothes and heals the affected skin. Drinking aloe vera juice is good for detoxing, as it improves bowel movement, boosts immunity and protein absorption in the body. It helps to flush out harmful bacteria from the digestive system.

Lose weight like a man

2010-12-24T01:51:00.000-08:00

He drops kilos overnight, but you gain weight just by glancing at a pastry or a bowl of french fries. Here are a few of his habits you should steal.

We may hate to admit it, ladies, but we could all learn from men when it comes to reducing weight. Though guys are far less likely to diet than girls, when they make the effort, they are more successful.

Research by Slimming World found that nine out of 10 men on a diet managed to lose five per cent of their body weight over 12 weeks while only just over half of women lost that amount in the same time.

Unfair though it is, men have the physiological advantage when it comes to ditching flabs. “Men tend to be larger and have a higher proportion of muscle than women. More muscles mean higher metabolism and therefore more weight loss," says Payal Banka, Lead Dietician, LifeMojo. “On the same calorie count, a man generally loses weight faster than a woman.”

HE JUST GETS ON WITH IT

Most men approach losing weight as another job they have to tackle. They don’t obsess about the fact they got fat in the first place, they just acknowledge that they’ve got to get the weight off, then knuckle down and do it.

Feminise it...

» You can do the same – just
make this your mantra… » Of course I can lose weight. » Will it take longer than it does a
man? Yes. » Will I slip up sometimes? Yes? » Does it matter? No. » I’ll just get straight back on
track.

HE PUMPS IRON

Men are usually more ready to tackle the exercise side of weight loss than women, especially by lifting weights. And that’s a real advantage because this type of resistance exercise increases muscle mass and the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn – all day, every day – even when you’re asleep.

Feminise it...

If you’re a gym-goer, incorporate weights that make you struggle to do eight to 10 repetitions. If the gym’s not your bag or it’s too expensive, find a body pump class or do simple resistance exercise at home such as lunges, press-ups and stomach crunches.

DIFFERENT LOOK

Austrian researchers found “men’s approach to nutrition is uncomplicated and pleasure-oriented”. Although this is probably why more men are overweight than women, it’s possibly also why they can tackle their weight more easily. "Women who are “restrained eaters” deprive themselves of “forbidden foods”. For instance, homemakers sitting idle will tend to munch a little more than those working outside. Men are physically more active than women. Therefore, women don't burn enough calories. Weight also depends on hormonal change in women," says Payal.

Feminise it...

Use female food know-how to choose treats that can be factored into your diet so you don’t feel deprived. A calorie counting approach can help you feel in control, say nutritionists. You won’t feel guilty if you know the treat you’re enjoying is accounted for in your daily allowance (1,500-2,000 calories for maintaining weight or 1,000-1,500 calories for losing it).

HE IS NOT AS BOTHERED

Even if he cares quite a bit about the shape he’s in, he’s less likely to be obsessed by every lump.

Feminise it...

You’ll never be as blase about your bingo wings as he is about his beer belly, but his attitude should help put things in perspective. If you need to slim for health reasons you’ll benefit from a 10 per cent cut in body weight – it’s better than focusing on squeezing into a size 8 or 10 (medium). So stop obsessing about very mouthful and start enjoying a healthier lifestyle – weight loss should follow naturally anyway.

THE EMOTIONAL EATING

Both sexes comfort eat, but whereas men are more likely to consume food to boost positive emotions, women seek comfort food to stop feeling low. And we are twice as likely to experience depression, so that’s a lot of emotional eating.

Feminise it...

Cheer yourself up with a non-food distraction. And make it enjoyable – no man in his right mind would do chores to avoid overeating. Choose a more hedonistic distraction such as a night out with friends or a manicure.

HE LIKES STEAK, NOT SWEETS

Men’s comfort foods include protein-rich foods like steak whereas women prefer high-calorie sweet snack foods, according to researchers at Cornell University in America. The advantage of his choice over yours? Protein helps fill you up far better than sugar and fat. In fact higher protein is the real reason why lower carb diets work according to recent research from the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health. Protein promotes satiety, the scientific term for fullness, which curbs overeating.

Feminise it...

Pre-empt a sugar craving by getting in a handful of protein-rich prawns or marinated mini chicken fillets before you succumb.

Also men rarely have the emotional -attachment to food that we do. “Women have traditionally been much more involved in buying, cooking and preparing of food,” says an expert. “We equate food with love and use it as a prop for our moods more than the opposite sex.”

So, guys are just better at getting trim than us.

Weight-loss mantra for teens

2010-12-24T01:27:00.001-08:00

Dump those diet bars and shakes...to begin with.

If you are an obese teen looking to shed those pounds, here's a tip: ditch those diet bars and shakes, according to a new study.

Dr. Robert L. Berkowitz of the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia tested three weightloss regimens on more than 100 obese teens and their families.

Results showed that even though the teens on meal replacements shed more pounds at first, by the end of the year, those following the low-cal diet had a Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction of 2.8 percent, compared to a 3.4 percent reduction for the teens who only ate meal replacements.

"Diet shakes and drinks don't keep you full. And it's like putting a bandage on the problem. They aren't learning weightmanagement skills,” the New York Daily News quoted nutritionist Robyn Webb, MS, LN, director of A Pinch of Thyme, as saying.

“The teens who are eating bars and shakes probably don't have enough energy to be involved in any sports activities," Webb said.

Following a diet that encourages teens to make good food choices is more effective over the long haul, says Mary Hartley, of caloriecount.com.

"Shakes may get the caloric intake down but they haven't taught you anything about choices. It's a missed opportunity. You are putting the effort into the wrong thing - buying bars Slim-Fast for lunch. It's easier in the short run, but not over time,” Hartley said.

And if young people followed a long-term, low-calorie diet, they could probably learn to cook too.
“When you're talking about teens learning new eating habits, they really learn quickly. They don't have to undo all the bad habits that adults have accumulated over the years," she said.

Teach your child gently

2010-05-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

Kids react positively to tender methods of disciplining than to constant shouting and threatening

Scolding or beating your child for every little mistake will only serve to make them more rebellious. Disciplining a child is something that needs to be handled carefully, delicately and with plenty of love.

Here’s how to discipline your child:

Set examples for them to follow. Kids tend to ape the behaviour of elders. If you want them to get habituated to doing something, you should do it too. For example, throw the garbage in the bin or straighten out your bed when you wake up or eat without chomping on your food, your kid will automatically learn and follow.

If kids are unruly in a public place, be patient and try reasoning out with them first. If they still don’t pay heed to you, resort to some stern words. If the behaviour continues, walk away from them. However, remember to not raise your voice or slap them, this will result in them throwing tantrums to gain attention — negative or positive. Always treat your kids as grown-ups. They too look for respect and importance from parents. Compliment them on a task well done, include them in decision making like choosing their clothes or shoes or the colour for their room, etc.

Try not to scold your child. If you lose your temper, it will only reveal your weak spot and kids are quick to pick on those and use them effectively Also, follow the manners you’re trying to teach your child. For example, say please or sorry or excuse me instead of pushing people out of your way.

If your kid is misbehaving in front of guests, don’t scream at them. Wait till you get back home and then explain strictly that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. Also, warn them that if they repeat this behaviour, you will have to take stern action.

Benefits of mustard seeds

2010-05-17T07:54:00.001-07:00

Mustard seeds have been around for over 5,000 years. They’re known to have numerous benefits, as they’re low in calories and high in nutritional value, and have a lot of anti-bacterial and antiseptic qualities. They’re available in different varieties — black mustard, white mustard and brown Indian mustard, in whole as well as in powdered form.

Mustard oil is known to be great for the skin because it generates warmth.

Mustard seeds are rich in a nutrient called selenium, known for its high anti-inflammatory effects.

The high source of magnesium in mustard seeds helps reduce the severity of asthma attacks and certain symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and lowering blood pressure.

Suffer from migraine? Mustard seeds are known to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

Mustard seeds are very rich in calcium, manganese, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, protein and dietary fibre — include them in your diet.

For people who suffer from a bad appetite, here’s something that will be really helpful. Mix a few black mustard seeds with milk and have it 15 to 20 minutes before your meal.

Mustard seeds are excellent for digestion because they increase the metabolic rate of the body.
The seeds are also beneficial for menopausal women who have trouble sleeping.

Health hints : Brush teeth for a healthier baby

2010-05-17T07:35:00.001-07:00

Researchers have warned that even healthy expecting women can be at risk for pregnancy problems caused by oral bacteria.Yiping Han, from the department of periodontics in the School of Dental Medicine, led the study that found several new bacteria originating in the mouth travel through the blood to cause an inflammatory reaction in the placenta and eventually cause a range of health issues from miscarriages to stillbirths.

Researchers have been baffled why oral bacteria have shown up in the placenta or amniotic fluid of pregnant women.

They found that after injecting the blood in the tails of pregnant mice with saliva from healthy people and dental plaque from those with periodontal disease, oral bacteria continued to grow in the placentas after it had left the mice blood 24 hours later.

This suggests that even healthy pregnant women should be concerned bacteria that normally lives in the mouth can enter the blood stream and make their way into the placenta’s immune-free environment to ignite an inflammatory reaction that can lead to premature or stillbirths.

Seven steps to best maintain your gold jewellery

2010-05-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

It is in the interest of anyone who purchases gold jewellery to maintain it as best they can. Most of the time, people leave gold to their children as heirlooms, and sometimes they sell it if they get a good resale price. But the attraction of gold lies in its lustre. So, people who own gold jewellery should make sure that it does not lose it. Here are some do’s and don’ts that you should follow to ensure that your gold jewellery is

kept in good condition:

DO’S

1. Always keep gold jewellery in a box lined with either suede, satin or velvet.

2. If you store more than one gold jewellery item in a box, wrap the smaller items in tissue paper to protect them against scratches.

3. Wipe the jewellery with cotton or a very soft cloth every day to prevent dust accumulation.

4. Polish your jewellery with special polish, especially if the gold item is worn regularly, so that it does not lose its lustre.

5. When cleaning gold jewellery, use lukewarm water, a mild detergent and a brush with soft bristles, especially for items with detailed designs.

6. You can also clean gold jewellery by dropping it (one item at a time) into boiling water and adding a pinch of baking soda. Leave it in for only half a minute, take it out and wipe it immediately.

7. Take rings off before applying hand lotion and cream to avoid getting oil on the rings, and subsequently, the dirt the oil attracts.

DON’TS

1. Do not keep your gold jewellery in pouches because the pieces will rub against each other and wear away over time.

2. Do not wear gold jewellery while having a bath. Water beating down on it will cause chains to stretch. Some soaps can be harsh and cause a film to appear and build up on stones, and they will lose their lustre.
3. Never wear gold jewellery while swimming. Chlorine erodes this soft metal. It is also a risk because diamonds and other stones can easily fall out of their settings.

4. Do not let household cleaners or other harsh chemicals come into contact with your gold as they reduce the shine of the yellow metal.

5. Avoid wearing perfume when wearing gold jewellery, especially if it has pearl insets.

6. Avoid wearing fine jewellery when gardening or doing housework.

7. Do not wear gold jewellery to sleep. Tossing and turning can cause chains to stretch and break, and prongs on rings to catch and possibly break.

If you follow these tips, you will have gold jewellery that will not lose its lustre and even years from now, will look as beautiful as it was on the day you bought it.

Wrinkles: Causes and treatment

2010-05-15T11:01:00.001-07:00

Article about how you can slow down the aging process of the skin and some forms of treatments available to reduce wrinkles

In the olden days, wrinkles were thought to signify wisdom. But in today's world, most do everything possible to avoid aging changes and wrinkling of the skin. Many products and procedures are targeted at reducing wrinkles. Some may help and some may not. So it is important to make an informed decision on anti-aging measures to be used.

Skin ages all over the body,but these changes are more pronounced where there is exposure to the sun.Sun-related damage can cause photoaging,dryness,sagging of the skin,certain skin growths like keratoses (liver spots), and wrinkles. Most wrinkles appear on the parts of the body where the exposure is greatest. These include the face, V of the neck, hands, and forearms.

Wrinkles come in two categories - fine surface lines and deep furrows.Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines.Deeper creases may require more invasive techniques such as filler injections or laser treatment.

Factors that increase wrinkling
Smoking and consumption of alcohol
Fairer skin shows increased wrinkling
Heredity Occupational and recreational habits (farming, sailing, golfing) - excessive exposure to sun hastens aging changes of the skin

Preventive measures

The main preventive measures are minimising exposure to sun, regular use of broad spectrum sunscreens, protective hats and clothing, and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption.

Treatments and procedures

There are several medical (topical medicines and creams) and cosmetic techniques available to reduce wrinkles. They include both medical and surgical methods.

Medical treatments available:

Vitamin A acid creams: This ingredient, available by prescription of a dermatologist only, is effective in treating aging skin and fine lines. These creams must be used on a regular basis and may produce redness and peeling at first, but discomfort can usually be minimised by lowering the cream's concentration or applying it less often until the skin gets used to it.

Alpha-hydroxy acids: These so-called 'fruit acids' include glycolic and lactic acid. Preparations containing these fruit acids are quite safe and cause no more than mild and temporary irritation. They produce subtle improvement.

Antioxidants: These include preparations that contain the vitamins A, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene. Such creams may provide a certain amount of protection from the sun as well as mild improvement of fine wrinkles.

Anti-aging creams: Anti-aging creams must contain an active ingredient for them to be effective.
Cosmetic procedures available:

Glycolic acid peels: These superficial peels can make a slight difference to the intensity of fine wrinkles.

Microdermabrasion: This is 'sanding the skin' with a machine containing silica or aluminum crystals.
Laser resurfacing: Using instruments such as carbon dioxide and erbium lasers, dermatologists can reduce wrinkling.

Fractional resurfacing: Newer lasers work through a modification of traditional laser resurfacing.Treatments affect only evenly-spaced spots surrounded by undamaged skin. Healing is much faster with less 'downtime' afterwards.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing: Newer lasers attempt to stimulate collagen synthesis under the skin without peeling or damaging the epidermis. Studies and clinical experience suggest that such procedures can improve fine wrinkles. Anyone considering any of the cosmetic procedures should fully inform themselves about the risks and potential benefits before going ahead.

How to prevent liver diseases

2010-04-29T22:08:00.001-07:00

The liver is a silent partner in health as it does not complain until the damage is far advanced. It is better to have screening for high risk cases.

Liver is the largest organ in the human body and performs several functions which are vital to sustain health. Several key metabolic, synthetic and excretory functions in the body are solely handled by liver. It serves as the “guardian angel” protecting the body from harmful products within the body and synthesizing substances that are essential for healthy life. One of the remarkable accomplishments of this miraculous organ is its ability to regenerate. There is a wide range of diseases which can affect the liver of both children and adults alike.

Causes of liver disease:

Alcohol ingestion
Water and blood-borne viral infections (hepatitis A, B, C and E)
Fatty liver

Medications and other inherited diseases Great strides have been made in the treatment of several life threatening liver diseases over the past few years including liver transplantation. The first successful liver transplant was performed in India nearly eleven years ago and since then, several life saving surgeries have been performed across the country. Advancements have been made in the treatment of hepatitis B, C and liver cancers. Early detection and newer management options have transformed the outcome of inherited liver disorders in children.

Prevention can be done by:

Gaining a better knowledge
Promotion of healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet
Regular exercise
Avoidance of medications which are known to have liver damaging effects
Avoidance of alcohol
Clean and safe drinking water
Vaccination against hepatitis B

Safe blood transfusion The liver is a silent partner in health as it does not complain until the damage is far advanced. It is better to have screening for high risk cases. Prevention of liver disease and promotion of health go hand in hand and promoting awareness will definitely lead to a healthier India.

Perfect Salad Making

2010-04-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

Salads are the perfect summer meal. Here is the recepy for salad.

When temperatures soar as they are doing now and appetites are low, there’s nothing like a pile of crisp veggies, dressed and garnished right to make meal times pleasant. Making a salad at home is a breeze if you stick to some basics. Here’s a guide to get you started:

Since most salads are no-cook, the quality of the ingredients you use is of utmost importance. Fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, bread, almost anything can go into a salad, but greens are usally at the heart of most summer salads. Indian supermarkets now have a fairly good variety of salad greens.

* Lettuce is what most people start off with when attempting to build a salad and iceberg lettuce, with its bland taste and crisp texture is most popular. Romaine lettuce, with closely packed leaves in an elongated head, has a more complex flavour and a slight bitterness. Arugula or rocket is
a current favourite in salads, especially in restaurants, and its bitter tones and pepper bite are great for combining with ingredients with contrasting flavours such as blue cheese or grapes.

You should also be able to find frisee with its curly edges on most supermarket shelves. Baby spinach is a great addition to salads as well.

While choosing greens look for fresh, bright specimens with no signs of wilting or brown spots. Cleaning and drying your greens is crucial to a good salad. Pick the leaves and wash several times in plenty of water, lifting the leaves out every time. Drain well. A salad-spinner for drying leaves is an excellent investment if you plan to make salads frequently. Else, pat the leaves dry. It’s important to get rid of as much moisture as possible. Leaving the dried leaves in the fridge for a while helps to crisp them up as well. Limp leaves are a no-no in any salad.

Once you have your mix of greens together, use your imagination to build on that with vegetables and other ingredients. Steamed asparagus stalks or tender green beans, ripe tomatoes, cucumber, peppers either raw or roasted and peeled artichoke hearts can all be on your list.

The right combination of fruit can enhance salads too. Orange wedges, apple or pear slices dipped in lemon juice, juicy black grapes, pomegranate, will all do the trick, as will toasted nuts.

Add on some cheese if you like — bocconcini with tomatoes, blue cheese with pears and rocket, parmesan in a Caesar salad. Mix and

match, and you could come up with exciting combinations.

The dressing is what finishes your salad and holds it all together. A classic vinaigrette is a good starting point. To make this, shake up 3 parts olive oil with one part vinegar, adding salt, pepper, a pinch of sugar to taste. You may wish to add garlic, herbs, mustard etc to perk your dressing up. Dress your greens just before serving, tossing lightly to ensure even distribution.

A good salad could do with a tasty garnish flavoured croutons, shavings of cheese, a scattering of herbs or sprouted mustard can all work.

To add substance to your salad, pile on cold meats, hardboiled eggs or tuna chunks.

Understanding your ingredients and combining them correctly is the fun part of tossing up a salad at home.

Cutting edge treatment for hair loss

2010-04-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

The science of hair re-growth is intricate. Can the skin actually regenerate new hair follicles? Or, is there any naturally occurring substance (growth factor) in the body that will stimulate hair growth? Hairline Clinic has an answer to these questions. It is possible that hair can re-grow with the precise combination of science and expertise.

Under the right conditions, the skin has the ability to regenerate brand new hair follicles. Epidermal Disruption-Induced Hair Follicle Neogenesis (EDIHN) helps in hair re-growth by triggering an embryonic state in the skin, making it receptive to instructions from wnt proteins —- a network of proteins implicated in hair-follicle development and subsequent hair growth. Advance formulations like Stem Cell Serum contains growth factors like IGF-1, b-FGF, VEGF, biotin, copper tripeptide 1, multivitamins and amino acids will also lead to an amassing hair growth effect. The formulation promotes hair growth by activating the stem cells of the hair follicle. The growth factor treatment, in certain cases has seen an increase in hair count from 102 to 200 and density from 157 to 300 per sq cm within 12-15 sessions.

Relief for teething babies

2010-04-17T08:28:00.001-07:00

During the teething phase babies tend to be in much pain due to the swelling of gums. Take a warm, wet cloth to wipe the face and remove any drool. This will help prevent a rash.

Babies need something comforting and cold like a teething ring or a washcloth that’s been kept in the refrigerator. Ensure that you wash the cloth after each use.

Give your baby a cold bottle of water or diluted juice. This can also help replenish the fluids if dribbling gets excessive. Cold food such as chilled apple sauce, yogurt or any pureed fruit will also help.

Use your fingers to give your child a gentle gum massage. This can ease the pain.

Ask your doctor if any medicine can be prescribed, to give your baby some relief.

Never attach a teething ring to the baby, at least not around the neck, as it could cause strangulation.

Deficiency Of B12 is the reason for heart attacks?

2010-04-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

Doctors Say Deficiency Of B12, A Vitamin Found Mostly In Fish & Meat, Noticed In Young Patients

Not even in his nightmares had 23-year-old Ramesh Tayde (name changed) thought that a person his age could have a heart problem. But while making a presentation in his new highpaying job, he developed chest pain. He tried to ignore it, but within minutes he blacked out. When his colleagues took him to a hospital, he was found to have suffered a heart attack.

“Most people kept wondering how I could have got an attack at this age. Even I was shocked as I do not smoke and I don’t have any of the other problems like hypertension, high cholestrol or diabetes, which are generally the cause of cardiac problems in people my age,’’ said Ramesh.

However, it turned out that since Ramesh is a pure vegetarian, he had a deficiency of vitamin B12, along with other vitamins, which caused his homocysteine levels to rise very high.

Anup Tare, another 23-yearold, was standing in a line for admission in a university, when he had an attack. It turned out that Anup not only had high stress levels, but also smoked occasionally.

In both cases however, the doctors noticed high levels of homocysteine and low levels of vitamin B12. “A deficiency of any one of vitamin B12, B6, or folic acid leads to high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood. Hyperhomocysteinemia, in turn, has been associated with heart problems amongst youngsters. Thus, we can say, that a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body, may be one of the causes of increasing number of youngsters having heart problems,’’ said the foctor.

“Out of all the young cases of heart attack that we have seen, almost all of them had high levels of homocysteine, while 90% of youngsters turned out to be vitamin B12 deficient,’’ added the doctor.

While it means being a vegetarian may put you at greater risk of heart disease, non-vegetarians may have other causes for cardiac trouble. Moreover, not all agree that B12 deficiency is at fault.

Dr Ameya Udyavar, agrees with only a part of the theory. “No doubt that high levels of homocysteine are known to cause clotting in the blood, which leads to thrombosis of the heart. However, a deficiency in B12 together with folic acid (vitamin B9) is known to cause high levels of homocysteine. Deficiency in B12 alone causing hyperhomocystienemia has not been proved. Deficiency of another vitamin in the B catagory, thiamine (known as vitamin B1) causes ‘beri beri’ a condition in which the heart muscle beats slowly. Thus, it can be said that a deficiency of vitamins in the B category can cause heart problems,’’ he said.

Dr N O Bansal, however, differs completely. “People need not panic. Though high homocysteine levels were often believed to be a cause of heart probems, this theory itself has been questioned time and again. To say that B12 deficiency may be one of the causes leading to hyperhomocysteinemia will be stretching it too far,’’ he said.

Too much computer, too many problems:

2010-04-07T02:17:00.000-07:00

Long hours at work, stressed days ; sleepless nights... with urbanisation comes in a whole lot of problems that the exec faces. A sneak peek into some of the ways out...

You are a leader. But you are not Jack Welch. You are yet to spell out the 25 magic mantras that could help you and your team build a winning enterprise!

But you could still lead from the front. At work, you could spearhead the latest mantra, a wellness drive, and sit back to enjoy the reaps. After all, the professional world believes in saying Yes Boss!

You could begin this way. Do not slouch in front of the desktop or lie in bed working on the laptop. All may not be hunky dory as you develop the risk of posture-related problems. You end up with back pain. You shoo it off as a sleeping defect for you are too busy to take meet the physician. Now, that could spell danger for a busy corporate like you.

Prolonged work at the computer could lead to chronic nerve problems damaging your back, neck, shoulders or wrists. And you wouldn’t be alone in this.

Too much computer, too many problems:

The result could be this:

Back and neck muscle spasm and pain
Back and neck soft tissue inflammation
Back, neck and shoulder pain on movement and involvement of other muscles as a reaction
Referred pain to buttocks and thighs or up the spine

If you think this is all, hold on! There’s more coming ... If you think a hot and cold bath may ease your pain after a day’s work, you could be just a little too naïve. You could also be in danger of developing pain and numbness in the fingers, wrists or arms. So much so, till you get affected by something as severe as the tunnel But where lies the defect? “It is wrong posture that is to blame,” says neuro surgeon Dr Gautam Gangopadhyay.

So, key it up well

Fingers should be kept as straight as possible
Elbows should be resting at 90-100°
Keys, on the left of the keyboard, should be used with the left hand and fingers
Do not force your right hand to use keys on the left. When this is done, it results in erosion of muscle tendons and exerts pressure on the median nerves.

Press it the wrong way and end up with:

Wrist pain that moves up to the elbow
Swelling of wrists, numbness and lack of power at the wrists
Stiffness of the arms and wrists, difficulty in moving arms
Surgery, the only way out following prolonged difficulty

The way out:

Use an ergonomic office chair with lumbar support
Buy an ergonomic keyboard and mouse
Have a break every hour and do stretching exercises
Visit a chiropractic clinic where you are treated for spinal column dysfunction
Keep massage therapies in your daily routine

Teething Troubles No More

2010-04-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

As our life span increases, so does the need for permanent dental replacement

Dental implants are artificial substitutes for natural tooth roots. Today almost every dental implant that is used is made up of surgical-grade titanium alloy to exacting technical and biological specifications. This material is compatible with the body’s tissues; therefore the body does not reject them. Implants are embedded into the jawbone to which replacement teeth are attached.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are used to support natural looking teeth and enable patients who are missing some or all of their natural teeth to smile, speak with confidence, avoid socially embarrassing situations and chew their food more comfortably. Anyone who wants to replace missing teeth can benefit from implants as they provide many advantages over traditional dentures.

Exploring options

Suppose you are missing a single front tooth. If a fixed bridge were to be used, your dentist would cut down the enamel of adjacent teeth and fit a three unit fixed bridge over those two teeth. If your dentist were to use an implant with a crown on it, he would place an implant in the site of the original missing tooth. He could do this immediately or at some date after the tooth was removed. After the healing period a tooth would be attached to the implant as it was your natural tooth. The healing period varies and the implantologist decides it best.

Concern areas

Dentures and removable bridges have obvious problems: they are loose and unstable. Implants can provide people with dental replacements that are both functional and aesthetic. The protocol that was originally developed states that we must wait three months in the lower jaw and six months in the upper jaw before we can begin to construct the new dental prosthesis that will be supported by the implants. In recent years, these implants now can be placed by a simple five-minute painless keyhole procedure to maximise patient comfort.

Healing time

Implants are a well-established treatment. Ninety per cent of modern implants last for at least 15 years. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants. It depends on the state of the bone in your jaw. Although dental implant treatment may initially be expensive than others, it often turns out to be the best investment from a long-term perspective.

Indigenisation of implants

Indian dentists with a flair for quality import these implants. An indigenisation of the implant manufacturing techniques with proper trials will bring down the cost of implants substantially. As with any dental treatment, patients must meet stringent criteria to have a good chance for success. Exceptional oral hygiene is necessity.

Advantage of keyhole dentistry

The advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This reduces the healing time and discomfort associated with traditional implant surgical techniques.

Shall I take Diabetes Test?

2010-04-06T23:39:00.000-07:00

Management at a prediabetes stage can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by losing just 5-7% of the body weight through lifestyle modification.

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic with a projected number of 370 million adults in 2030. Ninety per cent of these diabetics will be type 2 diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is adult onset diabetes, where there is a relative insulin deficiency in the body.

Coping with type 2 diabetes

This disease can be managed by effective and widespread prevention strategies
Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes should be made in the prediabetes stage, and
prevention strategies instituted at that stage

Management at a prediabetes stage can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by losing just 5-7% of the body weight through lifestyle modification like the following:

Diet modification:

By cutting fats and calories in the diet

Increased physical activity:

Brisk walking 30 minutes a day; 5 days a week.

Medicines are also beneficial at this stage. They can be added if diet and exercise alone fail to convert prediabetes to normal in six months. It is estimated that 470 million adults will have prediabetes in the year 2025. Out of these, 50-70% of them will develop type 2 diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes are 34% more likely to die due to cardiovascular disorders than healthy individuals. This risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be reduced with early intervention. Early intervention is cost effective.

Who should be screened?

Screening for type 2 diabetes should be done if:

Older than 35 years of age
Obese BMI 23
Family history of diabetes
Family history of cardiovascular disease
Females with polycystic ovarian disease

All persons who fall in these categories should get their fasting blood glucose done at the earliest, and consult an endocrinologist.

Awareness keeps thyroid healthy

2010-03-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Sub-clinical thyroid disease is more common than overt disease. Screening is important to identify and treat patients at risk of thyroid dysfunction.

Thyroid affects each and every organ and functions of the body and maintains the metabolic balance. Anyone over 35 years should be screened for thyroid disease every five years. One with family history should be screened once in every two years and should get themselves examined by a physician once in a year.

Keep your thyroid healthy

• Awareness: Know the risk factors, signs & symptoms and common screening tests for thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)

• Self monitoring involves checking your neck by standing in front of a mirror, stretching the back of neck, swallowing water, looking for any bulge, protrusion or enlargement in neck (below Adam's apple, above the collar bone), feeling the area to confirm enlargement or bump

Regular physical examinations and screening:

Sub-clinical thyroid disease is much more common than overt disease. Keeping in mind the prevalence of thyroid disease in India, screening is important to identify and treat patients at risk of thyroid dysfunction.
Anyone with the following risk factors needs to undergo once a year screening by a physician followed by basic diagnostic tests:

• All women

• People above 50 years

• Personal or family history of thyroid disease or any auto immune disease

• High stress life events

• Being pregnant or in the first year after childbirth

• Current or former smoker

• Consuming iodine in herbal supplements or medicines.

• Living in iodine deficient area

• Over consumption of certain foods like brussels sprouts; turnips, cauliflower, etc.

• Recent neck trauma, biopsy, injection, surgery or radiation

Basic diagnostic tests to analyze thyroid function and the risk for thyroid disease include:

• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), often considered the ‘Gold Standard’ to assess thyroid function and detect sub-clinical thyroid disease.

• Free T3 & free T4, reflective of the unbound and directly effective thyroid hormone levels.

• Tests for thyroid antibodies

What is the treatment for Infertility

2010-03-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Infertility and its treatment

Those who want to get pregnant should not be under stress as it can hinder proper ovulation and fertilization of the egg cell. One must have healthy food and exercise.

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that impairs the ability to achieve pregnancy. Infertility equally impacts men and women; about onethird of the cases are due to male factor, one-third to the female and the remaining to the combination of both partners.

Causes of infertility include a wide range of physical as well as emotional factors.

A few preventive measures that can be taken are:

• Prevent undue stress and fatigue, as they can hinder proper ovulation and fertilization of a woman’s egg cell. Try to practice meditation and yoga. Having a relaxing massage or going to a spa to dip in a therapeutic spa treatment can also be helpful.

• Eating healthy and regular exercise is another way to help prevent infertility. Eating healthy food and keeping yourself fit will help keep your body’s system running smoothly and will help keep your menstrual periods regular.

• Smoking and alcohol should be avoided as it can lower your chances of conceiving. Consuming too much caffeine can also affect your bodily functions; try to do so in moderation.

The most common factors for female infertility are:

• Blocked fallopian tube as the result of pelvic inflammatory disease

• Repeated abortion

• Use of an intrauterine (IUD) contraceptive device

Diagnosis is done by investigations like hormone assay, ultra sound / MRI scans and HSG.

There is a lack of awareness about non-surgical treatment of blocked fallopian tubes. Such treatment is performed by an interventional radiologist and the benefits are no pain, no surgical scar, performed on daycare, return to normal daily activities immediately. Moreover, it is cost effective. A patient with blocked tubes on both side can have them fixed in one sitting,

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is useful in detecting abnormalities of the uterus and the fallopian tubes. It provides an accurate picture of the site and extent of obstruction of the tubes. The procedure usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and a patient can go home after one hour. This procedure is also called fallopian tube recannulation.

Carbohydrates are bad or its just a myth?

2010-02-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

MYTH Cutting carbohydrates from your diet will make you lose weight

Most health fanatics are ‘cardophobic’. To clear the confusion: Highly refined carbohydrate sources like white bread, sugar, refined white flour and white rice is what we should stay away from (the simple carbohydrates). However, we all need the carbohydrates out of whole grain namely brown rice, nachni, millet, jowar and bajra (complex carbohydrates). The body needs glucose as the main source of fuel for energy. And complex carbs provides exactly that. These give us sustained sugars (good for our brains) and keep the insulin levels in check.

If you are worried about your weight loss, remember that healthy is not just about the race to being size zero. By cutting carbs completely, you cut off the fuel supply. Your aim should be healthy bodies first; thin will follow. Besides, you wouldn’t want problems like constipation, bad breath and bingeing on sugars, would you? That’s exactly what happens when you stay off carbs completely.

MYTH It’s okay to have honey, jaggery, Maltitol, Xylitol instead of sugar

Sugar is just not just the white crystals you consume, but is also present in white bread, pasta, cereals, processed foods, sauces. These are your simple sugars often mentioned on packages that get camouflaged: Maple syrup, high corn fructose syrup, honey, sucrose, molasses, cane juice. Even the chocolate bars that claim to be sugarless have maltitol, xylitol and erythritol which are used to replace sugar only because they have fewer calories. Nevertheless, they are all derivatives of sugar and cause the same problems as sugar. The natural sugars from fruits is the only alternative for sugar at present in the Indian markets.

MYTH Our prime source of calcium is dairy foods

It’s a huge misconception that our prime calcium-rich food is milk. Milk is full of saturated fats and cholesterol, which clog your arteries. Caesin, the basic molecule in milk, stresses the liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines. Commercial dairy cows are pumped with hormones and to counter udder infection they are given antibiotics, which in turn affect the villi in your intestines. So even though milk is loaded with calcium, it does not help us in any way. The alternative to dairy to get your dose of calcium? Cutting back animal foods and choose a plant-based approach. Have dark leafy greens, broccoli, beans, nuts, seeds, tofu. All these sources give us useable calcium, which nourishes us.

MYTH Cutting back all oil (liquid fat) reduces weight

We need liquid fat (which we get from liquid oils) and the monosaturated fat (olive oil, avocados, canola, almond, peanut oils) for normal body functioning. We don’t need saturated fats (margarine, hydrogenated oils). The most crucial one is the polysaturated fat (flax seeds, sesame, sunflower, soy, walnut, safflower — rich in omega 3, 6 and 9). We also need essential fatty acids (EFAs) because the body does not make these and you need to supplement your diet with them. Low fat or fat free diets will cause us to be hungry (depleting the omegas) which in turn will cause us to binge. Healthy liquid fat consumption actually promotes weight loss.

LOSE WEIGHT BY TRICKING YOURSELF

2010-02-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

It is possible to feel full on fewer calories. Here’s how.

GO LOW

Lowering the energy density of your diet — the calories it contains per 100g — is an effective way to stay fuller longer and lose the pounds. A study found that a low-fat, low-energy density diet is more effective for weight loss over one year, than a low-fat, higher energy density diet.

DO THE MATHS

Calculate the energy density of a food by dividing the number of calories by the weight of the food: a sandwich with 360 calories that weighs 180g would have an energy density of 360/180 = 2. We should try to eat foods that have an energy density less than 1.5, only moderate amounts of foods with an energy density of 1.5 - 4 and only small amounts of foods with a density of 4 - 9.

HAVE A LIQUID LUNCH

A low-energy density diet can be achieved by eating foods with a high water content; this includes dishes where water is added during cooking, such as soups and stews, foods like pasta and rice that absorb water during cooking, and foods naturally high in water.

INCREASE YOUR PROTEIN

Protein curbs hunger better than carbs or fat. So when you make a sarnie go for thinner bread and up the protein filling such as tuna of chicken.

FILL UP ON FIBRE

Fibre absorbs water, increasing fullness feelings. So, eat wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta and brown rice.

GO EASY ON THE BOOZE

Alcohol stimulates appetite so don’t drink every day.

Modern day health benefits of Pistachio

2010-02-22T06:54:00.000-08:00

Feb 26 is World Pistachio Day. Here are some modern day health benefits and fun facts of this wonderful nut.

Did you know that pistachios contain only 3-4 calories per nut? They also offer vital nutrients including more than 30 different vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients making them a great guilt free snack.

Originating from the Middle East, pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees with evidence suggesting that humans were enjoying them as early as 7,000 BC. Pistachios were first planted in California in the 1930s. From this point it took nearly 10 years of careful research and breeding before the California Pistachio — also known as the Kerman variety — was finally perfected.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Lung Cancer: Recently it was revealed that a diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to data presented at the recent American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference.

A Smart Snack for Diabetics:

Researchers from the University of Toronto found that when a handful of pistachios were eaten with a high glycemic index food like white bread, the pistachios helped blunt the rise in blood sugar and reduced hunger-stimulating hormones. That helps control appetite, and is good news for diabetics.

The Skinny Nut:

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for type II diabetes and heart disease. Nutrition experts call pistachios the “skinny nut” because they are one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat and highest fibre nuts offering the most nuts per serving.

Fat Enlightened:

Most of the fat in pistachios is the “good” fat that helps lower the risk of heart disease. In fact, Penn State researchers found that eating one to two handfuls of pistachios a day resulted in a nine to 12 per cent reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

YOGA AND DIET

2010-01-29T20:40:00.000-08:00

Macrobiotic dietician and yogalates instructor Shonali gives tips to tackle some of the most common women’s health issues with the diet and yoga approach.

With the stressful lifestyles women lead, it is no wonder the queue outside the gynecologists’ clinics are getting longer. While these problems are not totally unavoidable, you can control them to a large extent by simply eliminating a few items from your grocery shopping list, making an informed choice of what you put in and mastering some yoga poses. Here’s how:

ENDOMETRIOSIS

IT IS: A condition where tissue resembling the lining of the uterus is found in the abdomen and other organs. It results in severe pain, especially menstrual cramps. Endometriosis is known to have a strong inflammatory component and is influenced by estrogen.

• Eliminate dairy foods (allow at least three weeks for improvements).

• Eat foods that have no estrogen — like animal foods.

• Emphasise whole soy foods in your diet, but not too much of soymilk.

• Limit alcohol intake.

• Drink a cup or two of red raspberry leaf tea daily to help relieve cramps.

YOGA

Upavistha Konasana (seated wide angle pose) creates space in the pelvis and allows cleansing blood to enter this area and remove swelling and waste products.

THYROID PROBLEMS

IT IS: The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. Disorders in this gland involve either hyperthyroid (overproduction of the hormone) or hypothyroid (underproduction). Hypothyroidism symptoms include sensitivity to cold, constipation, slowing of hair and nail growth and moderate weight gain. In hyperthyroidism, women exhibit nervousness, heat sensitivity, moderate weight loss and bulging eyes.

• Make sure your diet is low in animal protein.

• Eliminate polyunsaturated (mayonnaise, margarine, salmon) and transfats (most snack foods which are hydrogenated, butter, lard)

• Reduce goitrogens that can interfere with thyroid hormone production: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, turnips, peanuts, soybeans.

• Avoid sugar, oil, excessive fruit.

• Avoid alcohol completely.

YOGA

Marichyasana — Sage Twist — tones abdominal organs especially spleen, pancreas, kidneys and liver, stimulating digestion. Twists wring out the body and thereby assist in releasing enormous amounts of tension. They are deeply cleansing and nourishing.

LEUKORRHEA

IT IS: A discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; an indication of infection resulting from inflammation of the membrane lining female reproductive system. Most of these secretions are related to lifestyle and diet though you need to take care if they are blood-stained or foul smelling. Normally the quantity of vaginal secretions varies throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation and increasing when under stress.

• Cut out animal protein and meat products.

• Avoid junk food.

• Avoid strong stimulants like coffee, alcohol and black tea. Stick to herbal teas .

• Focus on good hygiene and cotton underwear.

• Always have protected sex.

YOGA

Ustrasana — Camel Pose — increases circulation throughout the body, stimulates kidneys and adrenal glands.

PELVIC ORGANS PROLAPSE

IT IS: A sliding of the uterus /bowel /bladder from its normal anatomical position (the pelvic cavity) into the vaginal canal because of weak supporting tissues. This may cause incontinence (leaking urine), frequent or urgent need to urinate or difficulty in urinating. A prolapse of the small or large bowel (rectum) may cause constipation. One of the main reasons it occurs is due to tissue trauma sustained during childbirth, especially with large babies or difficult pregnancy.

• Avoid: meat, dairy, sugar, white flour, beverages and alcohol as these promote an acidic blood condition.

• Avoid too much bread and hard baked snacks which induces constipation.

• Try kegel exercises which involves breathing in (balloon belly)-breath out and engage the muscles that stop you from urinating. Repeat 10 times daily.

• Avoid standing for long periods of time; try wearing a girdle.

YOGA

Supta baddha konasana — reclining cobbler pose — stretches the pelvic floor and lifts up prolapsed pelvic organs.

Helmet bad for a biker’s health?

2010-01-29T20:23:00.000-08:00

Wearing a crash helmet is essential to a biker’s safety but could it actually be harming their health and affecting their riding? That is what academics from the Bath university are investigating in a new research project.

The team will take on-road measurements to find how noise is transmitted through a helmet and how it affects the rider’s hearing and ability to concentrate. “The noise inside the helmet at the legal speed of 110kmph is high enough to cause serious hearing damage,” said Carley.

“The issue isn’t noisy engines but rather the airflow over the helmet.”

“Ear plugs won’t help much either as the noise is transferred into the inner ear from the rider’s bones. This has been known for years yet little research has been done on its effects.”

The lab study will be split into two parts; the first will involve applying low level vibration to people’s heads to examine how the noise is transmitted through the the helmet to the head.

Carley said: “We already know that the noise passes to the ear partly through air and partly through the rider’s bones. To reduce hearing damage we must establish which route.”
The next part includes playing noise back to subjects while they do cognitive tests. Riding a motorcycle requires great concentration; anything that reduces it may lead to accidents. The project will will run for a year.

“This isn’t about putting people off wearing helmets; it’s about finding ways to reduce this damage so that riders can have a better experience,” added Holt.

Importance of Personal trainer in fitness

2010-01-29T20:19:00.000-08:00

Just as one size doesn’t fit all, one uniform regimen doesn’t suit everyone. That’s where the role of a personal trainer comes in — to.
tailor the exercise schedule keeping variables such as your stamina and goal in mind. Here’s what you must keep in mind before putting him/her in charge of your fitness.

CREDENTIALS

Strong credentials will ensure that the trainer doesn’t put you on an unhealthy regimen and is equipped to deal with injuries, if any. “A basic college education of 10 + 2 is necessary in India. Additionally, the trainer must be certified in professional fitness courses. Many certifying organisations offer different classes and workshops. International certifications are also available. Moreover, the trainer must keep updating his/her knowledge with short-term courses,” says Althea Shah, fitness expert and General Manager Operations, Gold’s Gym India.

TRY IT OUT

“If you like the trainer, you can always opt for a trial session,” advises gym owner Satyajit Chourasia. Many trainers provide free trial sessions for prospective clients, while others charge a nominal fee. “Find out how your trainer works and how he/she communicates with you through the workout. Most importantly, observe how you ‘felt’ after the workout. Were you refreshed? Too stressed? If you work out with a good trainer, he/she will easily gauge your state of mind and direct you accordingly,” adds Chourasia.

FIT ENOUGH?

How good is a trainer who advises good diet and regular exercise, but finds it difficult to stick to his/her own regimen? “A trainer must have the right physique that can motivate clients. The trainer needn’t be a pehelwaan, rather he/she must have a toned, fit look. One, it gains admiration. Second, it boosts trust,” opines Chourasia.

TALK NUMBERS

“Always ask the hours that the trainer has available and what kind of flexibility will there be in scheduling your workouts,” advises Shah. Most professionals have a jam-packed schedule, as a result of which, changes in workout timings become common. If that’s the case with you, spell it out.

TAKE REFERENCES

“Find out if the trainer has worked with other clients who have had a similar starting fitness level and age. Also, if you are training for a specific goal, say a marathon, find out if the trainer has worked with others who have had similar goals,” says Shah.

GENDER BIAS

“Many people find it easier to take direction and motivation from a trainer of the opposite sex, while others may only feel comfortable with a trainer of his/her own gender,” suggests Shah. Be honest and ask yourself if you are okay with training with someone irrespective of his/her gender. If not, make your preferences clear and put it upfront when going about your search.

GOING DEAF AT THE GYM?

2010-01-28T04:35:00.000-08:00

Listening to an iPod during a workout feels like second nature to many, but the latest research warns we need to consider the volume levels in our earphones while exercising. Bill Hodgetts, assistant professor in speech pathology and audiology at the University of Alberta (U-A), says his research has found that exercising in a gym often prompts people to turn up the volume to potentially unsafe levels for the ear.

The researcher found that the study participants, who were in a gym-like setting, listened at potentially dangerous levels while working out, likely due to the presence of background noise. But he says it isn’t the listening level alone that’s risky, it’s how long a person listens at that level. What Hodgetts found is that almost half of his study participants listened for a length of time during exercise that put them at risk for hearing loss.

The good news? The solution is simple, he says: Get better earphones, those that “seal” the ear canal, acting as an earplug and thus reducing background noise, says an U-A release. Hodgetts’ mission is to get the message out that proper earphones will make a huge difference in auditory health while allowing people to enjoy music at a lower, and safer volume. Hodgetts’ research was recently published in the International Journal of Audiology.

How to prevent cervical cancer and symptoms

2010-01-27T07:24:00.001-08:00

Though knowledge and awareness are the first steps towards prevention, taking precautionary measures and following these steps can help you prevent the disease.

Knowing that cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in India and accepting that everyone is at risk is the first step towards effective prevention. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is present in 99.7% of cervical cancer cases, and thus prevention includes:

Having safe sex with a single partner. Using condoms though not fool proof, is a good practice.
Avoiding smoking
Having a healthy lifestyle:

Diet rich in antioxidants, vegetables, fruits, fiber and whole wheat products

Physical activity & exercise, maintaining healthy weight, controlling stress levels

Getting screened regularly and knowing about pap smear & HPV DNA tests

It is appropriate that women above 30 have both HPV DNA test and a pap test at the time of screening, as this helps in early diagnosis

For women above 30, if both the HPV DNA test and the pap test are negative, pre-cancerous changes or cancer is highly unlikely and testing does not need to be repeated for three years. If the pap test is negative and the HR-HPV test is positive, both should be repeated in 6-12 months.

Discussing vaccination with your gynecologist

Vaccination against specific types of HPV is another way to reduce infection rates and thereby reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. Vaccines provide protection against two low-risk and two high-risk types and is expected to provide protection against 90 percent of genital warts and 70 percent of cervical cancers. There are, however no conclusive reports that the vaccine may offer some protection against the other HPVs causing cervical cancer. In addition, the vaccine does not have effectiveness against preexisting infections and thus to be most effective, need to be given before a person is sexually active. Thus, protection is incomplete and screening is a must using a pap and (once 30 or over) the HPV test.

Early cervical cancers are easily missed as they affect an area of the body not visible externally and don’t usually cause express symptoms.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (the womb) and connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal).

Who gets it?

All women are at risk. Approximately 80% of the new cases occur in developing countries like India, which reports approximately one fourth of the world’s cases of cervical cancer each year. The human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections is the main cause of cervical cancer and is associated with 99.7% of all cervical cancer cases.

What puts a woman at risk?

Starting sexual activity at a young age (before 18 years) Having multiple sexual partners Having Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection Having had any sexually transmitted infection Smoking Having more than 3 children (multiple deliveries) Having the first pregnancy at a young age (before 18 years) Having a weakened immune system

How does a woman know she has cervical cancer?

Early cervical cancers are easily missed as they affect an area of the body not visible externally and don't usually cause express symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, or spreads, women may notice: Increased vaginal discharge Abnormal vaginal bleeding Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods

Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam Bleeding or spotting after attaining menopause Pelvic pain Pain during sex Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before These must not be ignored and women should seek immediate medical attention. With regular screening tests, cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent and also highly curable when found and treated early.

Ayurvedic food: Good for health?

2010-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

In Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (rasa), a heating or cooling energy (virya) and a digestive consequence (vikapa). Ayurvedic food is generally sathwik. This food is said to calm the mind, purify the body and improve the state of consciousness. The food is preserved with pure ingredients; it’s cooked with care and love while there is a blend of spices to make food palatable but not spicy and salty.

Ayurvedic food depends on three doshas namely — Vata, Kapha and Pita. All humans have one or a mixture of these three doshas. These three are a combination of the five elements (Earth, water, air, fire and ether). Ayurvedic food is eaten in accordance to a person’s nature and balance out one’s personality. Vata defines hyperactive and fast individuals, Pita is for fast and perfectionists, Kapha involves calm and stable people. If you know your dosha you can eat accordingly. Vata is a combination of air and ether, pita is of fire and water and kapha is earth and water combined.

People with pita, eat sweeter fruits and cooling foods like mint and bitter gourd. People with Kapha eat light foods like salad and fruits other than banana, mango and chikoo. While those with vata dosha can eat sweet and slightly heavier foods as they’re rather light in personality. Mango, chikoo and banana are examples of foods people with vata dosha can eat.

The utensils used for cooking are mud pots, stainless steel, brass, wood, stone and bone china. Aluminum and non-stick utensils are generally avoided because of its carcinogenic effects. The fruits and vegetables used to make ayurvedic food are fruits and vegetables available fresh in the market.

Ayurvedic food should never be overcooked and the time of cooking should always be kept in mind. The course organised by Kaushani Desai, who teaches Art of Living’s Ayurveda Cooking Course, talks about simple yet effective tips while preparing a scrumptious yet nutritious meal. For instance:

Use black pepper instead of using red chilli powder
Add methi (fenugreek) to pumpkin to aid digestion
Add ajwain to roti or rice if you are eating it with spicy vegetables or even to reduce indigestion problems.

NIMBOO PANI

1 glass water Half a lemon 1spoon mint paste 2 spoons jaggery 1/4th tsp black salt Grated pumpkin and yellow pumpkin to taste Mix the ingredients in a container. Add some ice if required and serve the ayurvedic refreshing drink.

What is pap smear examination?

2010-01-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

It detects the earliest signs of cervical cancer as well as infections, inflammations, and abnormal changes in cervical cells.

Pap smear examination is the most important tool for the screening and early detection of cervical cancer.

What is pap smear?

Detects the earliest signs of cervical cancer as well as infections, inflammations, and abnormal changes in cervical cells
The doctor puts an instrument called speculum into your vagina, sees the cervix, and then takes a few cells for testing from inside and around the cervix using a special stick, brush, or swab

Who needs it and when?

Once a year, for women at age of 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active till age 30

Once every 2-3 years for women over 30 (Who have 3 normal tests in a row)
Another option for women over 30 (With normal immune systems and no abnormal pap results) is to get tested every 3 years with pap smear plus HPV DNA test

Once a year for women with weak immune system (organ transplant, chemotherapy, steroid use, or HIV infection)

Women above 70 with no abnormal pap results in the last 10 years, and no history of cervical cancer, HIV infection, or a weak immune system, may choose to not get tested. Women with total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) unless the surgery was done for cervical cancer or pre-cancer, may choose to not get tested. Women with hysterectomy without cervix removal need to get tested

Get ready for the test

Schedule it when you do not have your periods
Avoid having sex or using tampons, vaginal creams, or suppositories, about 2 days before the test

What will it tell your doctor?

The test gives a picture about whether there is a suspicion, clear evidence, or absence of cervical cancer. The evidence picked up for infection or inflammation or any other changes would help in further management

In recent times, LBC (Liquid Based Cytology) method of testing has gained recognition over the standard technique due to its higher sensitivity and specificity as well as the early identification of precancerous lesions.

TREATING INFERTILITY

2010-01-22T19:57:00.001-08:00

Whatever may be the cause of infertility, it is now possible to have a baby of your own genes with the various methods of treatment available.

Male infertility is a problem that has been plaguing couples for a long time. Thanks to medical breakthroughs, today there are several methods to help couples conceive. According to consultant gynaecologist Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, when a couple fails to conceive even a year after trying for a baby, it is labelled as infertility. “The man is responsible for infertility in 30 to 40 per cent of the cases. The semen analysis may show low sperm count or movement (normal is more than 20 million sperms/ ml and more than 50 per cent motility) or in some cases, no sperms in the semen sample,” she says.

Some of the common causes of male factor infertility are sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea or chlamydia, which may cause blockage of the tubes that carry the sperms. “Mumps in childhood can cause testicular damage and failure and absent sperms. A boy may be born with congenital absence of the vas or the testes may not come down into the scrotum at birth and this can cause damage to testes and failure of sperm production. Swelling of blood vessels around testes, surgery for hernia, hydrocoele can all lead to male infertility. There are many new treatments for male factor infertility whereby even men with no sperms or very few sperms can become fathers. When the count is at least 10 million, an intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be tried. Here the semen is washed by special methods in the laboratory and a small quantity of sperms are placed with a thin tube right inside the uterus (womb). This is a simple and inexpensive procedure,” says Dr Pai.

If the count is very low, then the procedure of choice is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which is like a test tube baby procedure. “The woman’s eggs are removed with a needle under sonography control. The eggs are placed under a microscope and each sperm is picked up with a needle and injected directly into the egg with a micromanipulator. The eggs then fertilise and divide and after two to three days the embryo is put back into the womb of the wife. In cases where there are no sperms in the semen and if the man’s hormone test is normal, then the sperms can be removed directly from the testes with the help of a tiny needle. In some cases, there is complete testicular failure with abnormal hormones and no sperms are seen in the testes on biopsy. In these cases, the only treatment is to use donor sperms. These are taken from a semen bank where HIV, hepatitis B etc tested donor semen is banked. This is inseminated into the woman and one can obtain a high rate of pregnancy by this simple and inexpensive technique of donor insemination,” she says.

According to gynaecologist Dr Nandita Palshetkar, in our country, nearly 20 million couples suffer from infertility. “Those patients who don’t conceive even after three to four attempts of ICSI can opt for donor sperm. Today we can say that ‘no man is infertile.’ Whatever may be the cause of infertility, it is now possible to have a baby of your own genes with the help of Artificial Reproduction Techniques (ART). So consult your physician as soon as you feel there is some problem and do not waste time. Remember, it is very important not to attach blame to yourself or your partner, even if one of you is facing infertility. Scientific advancement in the infertility field is moving at a very fast pace and, hopefully soon there will be more answers to the problems faced by couples who desire to have their own children,” says Dr Palshetkar.

Tips on how natural remedies help you to maintain a healthy liver

2010-01-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

DETOX THE NATURAL WAY

Liver is one of the largest and vital organs of the human body. The liver not only helps to detoxify our body by breaking down harmful chemicals, metabolic waste, drugs/ alcohol but also regulates important body functions such as digestion, metabolism, storage, and release of sugar, fats, and cholesterol. Liver also produces a variety of proteins, including enzymes, hormones, clotting and immune factors which play a significant role in protecting the body from various forms of diseases.

Since, liver performs so many vital functions of the body, liver damage can be harmful for almost all body parts and systems. Therefore, a healthy liver is the key to maintaining a healthy body.

Liver disorders are accelerated by alcohol abuse, excess weight, intake of chemicals and a poor diet. Symptoms of liver disease may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, cancer and hepatitis.

One of the oldest systems of medicine, Unani prescribes natural formulations which not only cures chronic liver diseases but also helps in maintaining a healthy liver. Some of the natural ways to save liver from harmful toxins and keep it healthy are enlisted below:

Kasni is a good source of Vitamin A and C. Thus, Kasni helps in the healthy functioning of the liver and secretion of bile. A glass of Kasni juice every morning is good for the liver.

Pomegranate is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. A glass of pomegranate juice daily for breakfast supplies the required amount of minerals for the healthy functioning of the liver.

Sugarcane juice is a perfect tonic for people with diseased liver as it helps to strengthen the liver functioning. Being alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps to maintain low acid levels in body which is good for those who suffer from any liver disease.

To retain a healthy liver, a strained mixture of sacred fig or pipal leaves (3 to 4 leaves), with added sugar and 200 ml of water could be taken twice a day on a daily basis.

To strengthen liver functioning one can also take papaya seeds mixed with 10 drops of lemon juice, twice a day.

Turmeric used in preparation of daily food contains antiseptic and antibiotic effect which helps in detoxification of waste and chemicals from the liver. It prevents alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that are harmful for the liver. Thus one can take a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk on daily basis. Chewing saunf (Fennel seeds) about 5-6 grams on daily basis after every meal helps in improving the functioning of liver.

For a person suffering from jaundice, a mixture prepared by soaking 20 grams of henna leaves overnight and then strained must be taken every morning till the liver regains its vitality.

To ensure smooth functioning of liver one can prepare a concoction by blending 6 grams each of cucumber seeds and Kasni seeds in water and strain the mixture. Add some sugar to the concoction and drink it twice a day. This concoction is also beneficial for patients suffering from jaundice.

A healthy diet provides needed amount of nutrition to body which boosts the immune system and increases the energy and vitamin storing capability of liver which further helps the liver in removal of toxins from bloodstream and promotes healthy metabolism. Therefore, one should definitely go for a healthy and balanced diet full of vegetables and fruits. Inclusion of green vegetables, carrots, legumes, whole cereals and seasonal fruits in their diet is a must. Please note, diabetic patients should avoid very sweet fruits like watermelon, banana, mango, grapes, etc. In addition one could opt for white meat (chicken and fish) rather than red meat.

ESTROGEN MAY HELP COMBAT SCHIZOPHRENIA

2010-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

Women are generally prescribed estrogen to fight menopause related effects like bone loss and mood swings. Now, a new study has claimed the hormone replacement therapy might also protect them from schizophrenia.

The Tel Aviv University study suggested that restoring normal levels of estrogen may work as a protective agent in menopausal women vulnerable to schizophrenia. “We’ve known for some time that when the level of estrogen is low, vulnerability to psychotic symptoms increases and anti-psychotic drugs are less likely to work. Now, our preclinical findings show why this might be happening,” said Professor Ina Weiner, who led the research, based on an animal model.

In their study, Weiner and her colleague Michal Arad removed the ovaries of female rats to induce menopause-like low levels of estrogen and showed that this led to schizophrenia-like behaviour. They then tried to eliminate this abnormal behaviour with an estrogen replacement treatment or with the antipsychotic drug haloperidol.

They found that estrogen replacement therapy effectively alleviated schizophrenia-like behaviour but haloperidol had no effect on its own. Haloperidol regained its effect in these rats when supplemented by estrogen.

Tips on how to care for House Plants

2010-01-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

Potted plants are a good way to accessorise and liven up your home. Best of all, most plants are relatively easy to care for; it’s definitely not rocket science. Here are some points you must remember:

Worried that your plants may not be getting the right amount of water and sun? Here’s a little secret. Create the same ideal conditions as plants would enjoy in their native habitat. Inquire with your florist about exactly how much of water and sunlight you should be giving the plants and how regularly. Plants with a lot of leaf surface or soft, lush foliage will require more water than those with less foliage or waxy or leathery leaves.

Plants need nutrients for healthy growth. Remember to regularly feed them fertilisers. But, as the need of each plant differs, don’t forget to consult your florist first.

Pruning and trimming is essential for potted plants. While it helps you regulate their height, cutting of dead stems and removing yellow leaves will prevent fungus and decay from setting in. While light trimming can be done anytime, the best time to prune potted plants is when they are actively growing - the rainy season. Use pruning shears for plants with thick woody stems.

Clean up the leaves. Yes this is important so as to keep them dust and insect free and get the required light to grow. While you can use a damp cloth or sponge for smooth leaves, use a soft brush (a paint brush or old tooth brush is ideal) for plants with hairy leaves. For fine foliage plants like ferns, spraying them with water is a good option.

As the plants grow, you will need to move them into larger pots to allow for the roots to spread. Otherwise they will become pot bound — the roots will become cramped and form a tightly packed mass inhibiting the plant’s growth. You know you have to repot the plant when you see the roots on the surface or emerging from the drainage hole in the pot.

Is it harmful to listen to music while workout or at Gym?

2010-01-05T04:31:00.000-08:00

Can’t have that workout without the deejay playing or your earphones plugged in? Here is a word of caution.

The next time you’re throwing a party, consider a gym as a venue. For there are several fitness centres which feature live deejays among other perks. If you’ve been among the ones enjoying this trend as you pump iron everyday, perhaps it’s time for a rethink.

HOW IS IT HARMFUL?

The noise hazard due to loud gym music is dependent on an individual’s susceptibility and to the level and duration of exposure to high-intensity music. Damage caused due to regular exposure for prolonged periods to sound levels above 85 dBA (decibel level) can put you at risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The risk is proportional to the duration of exposure — greater the duration, greater the risk. Unfortunately, there are no standardised tests which can predict who is at greater risk. However, some researches suggest that a cumulative effect taken over a period of 24 hours for any individual can predict the risk of hearing loss.

THE IDEAL SOUND

Assuming the average aerobic workout or weight training session lasts for nearly 45-60 minutes, the maximum noise level for the music should be maintained up to 85 dBA or less. Research suggests that listening to loud music, either through an ambient source or headphones, for prolonged periods can at least lead to temporary hearing loss (it’s reversible though; typically felt after going to a night club with powerful sound).

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: GOOD AND BAD

Just as music therapy has been proved to heal you, noise therapy can harm you too! Research suggests that different categories of music play a significant role on the peripheral nervous system and also on the the heart beat. Listening to ‘techno’ music while running or weight training can improve the peripheral blood flow to the muscles and can allow the heart to beat more rhythmically. Soothing or slow music is suitable while stretching and relaxing. If you’re into meditation or yoga, silence is best.

PLUGGING IN THE AGONY

If your iPod is your inseparable friend while working out, remember that the typical iPod generates sound volume at a level of 100-130 decibels — and most people keep the volume to at least three-fourths of the maximum. Now chew on this: The noise of a motorcycle 30 feet away is about 80 decibels; the intensity level in the front row of a rock concert is about 110 decibels and the noise of a military jet taking off is about 140 decibels at 100 feet.

KEEP IT LOW

A common perception is that louder the music, more enjoyable is the exercise and harder the effort put in. However, in a recent study (done by Wilson and Herbstein) found that “low-risk” sound levels (i.e. 85-dBA or less) could be used in aerobics classes without reducing comfort, enjoyment, or motivation to exercise. Again, an ambient source would still be preferable rather than head/ear phones.
So if your iPod’s a part of you, the simplest way to care for your ears is to tone down the volume or if that’s too difficult, reduce the time you spend with it plugged in. Focus on breathing and building your six pack instead!

HITS FOR FITNESS

Music does play a role in motivation and recreation while gymming.While pumping music aids aerobics and weight training, slow instrumentals soothe your nerves while stretching and doing callisthenic exercises. Music therapist Vivek Joshi suggests some tracks you can load on your iPod the next time you set to exercise.

Will crystals really heal?

2009-12-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

The better we understand the properties of crystals and the way they work with our bodies, the more effective becomes the healing. Simply picking up a crystal and wearing it for a purpose without cleansing or energizing may not help, and simply rejecting a crystal or gemstone may be due to lack of knowledge.

Here are a few tips which may help

If someone recommends a crystal or gemstone to you, find out why it's been recommended. The more you know, the better and faster is the healing. Simply wearing a pearl because your mom's astrologer told you to, may soothe the anxiety and the anger but when you understand how it may be connected with the placement of the Moon on your natal chart and realize just how it may be strengthening the lunar energies, may yield more effective results.

Don't wear a crystal the minute you buy it, cleanse it thoroughly. Cleansing can range from soaking it overnight in unboiled milk, salt water or running water etc. Find out from the seller, your crystal healer or astrologer how to remove the energies and imprints from the crystal before you wear it.

Do get it energized by a healer or astrologer, who may use hands on healing, a mantra or some other form of programming. This will allow the crystal or gem to work exclusively for you.

Do trust your gut feel about the crystal, if it feels right, it’s working. If it feels heavy, dense or makes you feel uncomfortable remove it. Share your concerns with your healer.

Do not get distressed if your crystal or gem falls off, cracks, breaks or gets lost. Many crystal healers believe its work done.

If you find your crystal pendant or bracelet is bringing in positive results don’t think that by wearing earrings, rings, necklaces of the same stone at the same time will amplify the positivity. You may be overdosing yourself and remember too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Melanocyte transplant for leucoderma

2009-12-21T01:39:00.001-08:00

Finally, those suffering from leucoderma aka vitiligo (white patches on skin) have an answer to their problem. They can undergo the melanocyte transplant (which has been available for the last 10 years) at a Bangalore Clinic. Patients with large patches of leucoderma, which were thought to be incurable, can look forward to getting the normal skin colour.

According to Dr Vivekanand, cosmetic surgeon, “Many patients waste their money on alternate unapproved treatments. They try them to get rid of patches but get disappointed instead when they see no results. There is a notion that allopathy has no cure for lecoderma.”

“In melanocyte transplant, a thin sample of skin is taken from the thigh and a melanocyte cell suspension is developed from this piece. The affected area (white patches) is then dermabraded to remove the upper layer of skin and the cell suspension is applied onto the white patches. Unlike older treatments like skin grafting or punch grafting, with melanocyte transplant, you can get better cosmetic skin colour that matches the surrounding skin. This procedure does not require hospitalisation, and a small donor area of the skin is required to treat large areas of white patches. Thus, this treatment provides a safe and effective solution for leucoderma,” explains Dr Vivekanand.

Acne with rosy cheeks

2009-12-21T00:41:00.000-08:00

I’ve had acne since I was a teenager. Of late, my face always appears pink and looks like I’ve applied blush. This is quite embarrassing.
— Madhuri, 45 years

You have an adult acne condition called acne rosacea. When exposed to certain triggers like the sun, a hot bath or anger, there is a sudden increase in blood flowing through the blood vessels under the skin. This causes the blood vessels to become wider, leading to your flushed appearance. Your skin may become sensitive and react to simple products such as lotions and soaps. If untreated, rosacea may lead to rhinophyma, which causes the nose to look enlarged, red and bumpy. With rosacea, you need to opt for medical help as this type of acne may not respond well to over-the-counter products.

My back has large painful boils and scars. I feel ashamed and have not gone swimming for the past two years. I can’t go shirtless even at home.
Eshwar, 37 years

Acne on the back takes several forms, such as blackheads, red pus-filled boils, nodules and cysts, which are painful and form deep under the skin’s surface. These breakouts are usually triggered by excessive perspiration and friction on the back due to tight-fitting clothes that constantly brush against the skin. Back acne tends to be more severe than that on the face. This may be either due to improper skin care as the back is not very easily accessible to cleaning or due to the fact that treatment is usually delayed as it is not an exposed area. So, apart from taking timely medical help, it is important to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes, take two showers daily and use dusting powder liberally to absorb excess perspiration.

Remedies for Scalp infections

2009-12-21T00:35:00.001-08:00

Come winter and there is an increase in body infections. Trichologist Dr Shahid Shamsher talks about three basic precautions to help prevent scalp infections from developing during this season.

Don’t keep touching your head.

Some people have an itchy scalp or get small pimples on the head, making them want to scratch it again and again. Others feel like constantly fingercombing their hair. Most of us perform these actions automatically, but our hands are a source of bacteria and viruses. For example, when you hold a pen, touch a keyboard or shake hands with someone, your hands get contaminated. Each time you touch your head, you transfer that contamination to the scalp. We wash our hands several times a day. But how often do we wash our heads?

Don’t share certain things.

Combs, pillow covers, helmets and hair bands are objects that have contact with your scalp. If they are contaminated, they easily transfer the infection to your scalp. This is especially true of people who stay in the same house. Frequent travellers face a similar problem. Even the best hotels fall short on hygienic. There was a sting operation carried out by a popular news channel that showed high amounts of fungal growth on pillow covers and beddings at some top-notch hotels in India.

Stay hygienic

Because of the cold weather, many people stop washing their heads. This is especially true of those who need to leave their homes early in the morning. While it’s understandable that there are genuine concerns about catching a cold in this weather, some level of hygiene has to be maintained. Last week, I met a patient who preferred to wash his head once a month. This is totally unhygienic. Washing the scalp at a different time of day.

Homeopathy cures diseases naturally

2009-12-21T00:32:00.001-08:00

We are not just the sum, but also the substance of all our parts. Every part of the body, directly or indirectly, affects the other in health and disease. Homeopathy has always recognised the relationship that exists between the mind and body. It, therefore, focuses its healing powers on the patient’s mental state, even while treating physical problems. Peptic ulcers are evidenced to be perpetrated by stress. Homeopathy treats the root cause (stress). In doing so, it reduces the chances of reappearance. Health is a state of inner balance. Homeopathy is evidently more effective in treating psychosomatic (mind-body) diseases compared to any other system of medicine.

The following chronology provides a classical illustration of disease progression in many patients. As you will see, each disease is distinct or unrelated. The correlation becomes clear when the evolution of the entire picture of the disease is considered.

Patients with bouts of sneezing (allergic rhinitis) are often treated with anti-histamines by conventional physicians. As the allergic state worsens, they may develop bronchitis and even breathlessness. They now seek the advice of chest specialists who may put them on antibiotics, bronchodilators and inhalers. Also, in view of their inherent allergic tendencies, allergies often manifest in these patients in various forms. They are usually treated with steroids. This may trigger weight gain and/or diabetes. A diabetologist may now come into the picture. Besides, with every complication, depending upon the body part involved, the patient may consult specialist dermatologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, urologists and neurologists. Each of them will have a drug or two to add, so the patient eventually ends up taking 5-10 medicines every day. This heightens the risk of side-effects or druginduced diseases. Does this not imply that if homeopathic medicines, a safer alternative, were used in the beginning, unpleasant effects could have been possibly avoided and complications nipped in the bud?

Homeopathy has rightfully earned the reputation of being a holistic medical system. It endeavours to rid diseases from their roots, naturally and safely. Its biggest advantage is that it is a single remedy treats a patient’s symptoms on the whole, irrespective of the number of organs or systems involved.

DIY: Cleanse your home

2009-12-21T00:30:00.000-08:00

Ever got that spooky or uncomforting feeling when you enter a house? Well it may not exactly be a stray ghost trying to freak you out. But there is certainly a possibility that the house is filled with negative energy. Here are five simple things that you can do to keep your home safe from all the worldly negativity and retain it as a haven of peace and love.

SMELL THE FLOWERS

Try and make it a habit to gift beautiful, fresh flowers to your home every day. Your home deserves some pampering too to keep it looking cheerful and happy. The flowers bring good luck and positive energy with it. So it helps in maintaining an air of freshness in your home. And don’t forget to throw it out when it wilts. A rotting flower is not exactly a great eye pleaser.

MOVE YOUR FURNITURE

At least once every month! Well, just like your body, the furniture need some change too. Plus keeping it in the same place for too long will result in static energy, which eventually results in a feeling of stagnancy in your home.

REMOVE THE EVIL EYE

Place a small bowl of rock salt in every corner of your home. The rock salt helps nullify the effect of bad thoughts and negative energy. Remember to flush the salt after every few days.

A HOLY REMEDY

This is a daily fixation in most religious Hindu households – the sprinkling of holy water in the house. It helps to purify your house. The water element also cools down all the negativity that may have been brewing. Make this as a part of your morning ritual and see the difference in your life.

AFFIRM POSITIVITY AND PROSPERITY

You needn’t be religious and recite a long list of verses or scriptures. Even affirming something as simple and positive like ‘Life is perfect, and I am blessed’ can have a huge and wonderful impact on your home. The affirmations have vibrations which keep the air or the atmosphere of your home charged with good energy.

Taking care of the newborn

2009-12-17T22:45:00.000-08:00

Becoming a mother is an ecstatic experience. The joys of motherhood come with the daunting task of taking care of the newborn. Newborns are adorable, but they can be unpredictable too. Innumerable questions pop in the minds of young mothers.

How do I hold my baby?
How many feeding and pooping sessions are ok? What about taking care of umbilical cord? Can I give my baby a pacifier or may be a bottle?

Winter care for neonatal

Winter means more time indoors and people in close proximity to each other. The result often means more than joy is spread: germs often get passed around as well. Here are some health issues to consider this season:

Newborns need to be loved, kept clean, warmed and fed. By doing all this, you are building your child's sense of security required for his/her later development

Allow plenty of rest for your baby and yourself

Frequently feed babies to develop better sleep patterns. Breast feeding is the best option as besides nourishment, breastfeeding may give babies immunity against infections and also gives mother and baby a chance to bond

There should be no frequent outings especially during extreme winters, and should be covered properly while going out. Both baby and mother should share the same bed to have the natural heat and warmth from the mother

There should be minimum visitors at home during winters and least baby handling should be done

Stay away from baby and mother if anybody is suffering with cough and cold to avoid any kind of infection

If the child is totally dependent on breast-milk then it may suffer with transitional diarrhoea which involves number of watery stools in a day. But still consult pediatrician

Infants often have watery diarrhoea intermittently associated with constipation (one stool after 96 hours). They might pass it immediately after waking up and after feeds. They may even pass undigested foodstuff in their stools

Breastfeeding cuts diabetes risk in moms

2009-12-11T01:19:00.002-08:00

Now, there is one more reason why mothers should breastfeed their babies for a longer period, as a new study has claimed it could protect women against diabetes in later life.

According to the study, breastfeeding for one month can halve the mother’s risk of pre-diabetes, a condition which can lead to full-blown diabetes and heart disease. The study, carried out over a span of 20 years, found that mothers who did so had healthier levels of blood fats and glucose than those who were bottlefeeding.

The study of 704 women, who were all expecting their first child, looked at the development of Metabolic Syndrome, a pre-diabetes condition, in the two decades after they gave birth.

Gunderson, of the Kaiser Permanente care organisation in California, said it was unclear exactly how breastfeeding affects the diabetes risk factors.

Mouthwash can raise oral cancer risk 9-fold

2009-12-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

Mouthwashes may be recommended to treat dental infection and inflammation, but Australian scientists have claimed that frequent use of these solutions, mostly alcohol-based, increases the risk of oral cancer up to nine times.

The dental researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne said although many popular mouthwashes help in controlling dental plaque and gingivitis, they should only be used for a short time and only as an adjunct to other oral hygiene measures such as brushing and flossing.Among people using alcohol-based mouthwashes, the risk of oral cancer increases nine times if they smoked, and five times if they drank alcohol, the experts warned.

For non-drinkers using such mouthwashes, the risk of oral cancer is just under five times higher, the experts warn.Brands of mouthwash with more than 20% alcohol could have other harmful effects, including the gum disease gingivitis, flat red spots called petechiae and detachment of the cells lining the mouth, they said. “Long-term use of ethanol-containing mouthwashes should be discouraged, given recent evidence of a possible link with oral cancer,” they wrote.

There are many alcoholbased mouthwashes available in the market which contain up to 26% alcohol.

Boosters to build 6-pack abs may cost you kidneys

2009-12-11T00:29:00.001-08:00

Many competitive bodybuilders take anabolic steroids to achieve their freakishly exaggerated physiques. That is no secret. But steroids can be only one part of an extreme regimen that can wreak havoc on the body.

Human growth hormone, supplements, painkillers and diuretics can also be used to create the “shrink-wrapped” muscles so prized in the aesthetic. And the high concentration of muscle mass puts stress on the body, as if the lifter were obese.

Lifting weights in the gym is “extremely healthy for you”, said Kenneth Wheeler, a former elite bodybuilder known as Flex. “But if you want to be a bodybuilder and compete at the highest level, it has nothing to do with health.” A relatively rare form of kidney disease forced Wheeler to retire in 2003 at age 37, and he needed a kidney transplant later that year.

Determining the extent of the damage that bodybuilders inflict on themselves is difficult, in part because there is little interest in financing studies on such a group, and because bodybuilders are not always honest about what they take. That is why a case study published last month by a top kidney journal is generating interest in the nephrology and bodybuilding communities. It is among the first to assert a direct link between long-term steroid use and kidney disease.

The study began 10 years ago when a kidney pathologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York noticed that a bodybuilder had an advanced form of kidney disease. Curious, she started looking for similar cases and eventually studied 10 men with serious kidney damage who acknowledged using steroids. Nine were bodybuilders and one was a competitive powerlifter with a similar training routine.

A myth is busted: Testosterone not tied to aggression

2009-12-10T03:12:00.001-08:00

A new study challenges the common belief that testosterone causes aggression in humans and proposes instead that the hormone encourages status-seeking behaviour, the journal Nature reported.

The study involving 120 women, also showed that folk wisdom about the effects of the sexual hormone is so strong that people behave more aggressively if they believe they have been given a dose even if they have not, the journal said.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the male testes and to a lesser extent by the female ovaries that affects brain development and sexual behaviour. Research has found that it leads to a substantial increase in aggressive behaviour in rodents.

“Folk wisdom generalises and adapts these findings to humans, suggesting that testosterone induces antisocial, egoistic, or even aggressive human behaviours,” says the study published on Tuesday.

This wisdom has even reached the courtrooms because steroid-induced rage has been used as legitimate legal defence in the United States, it says. But research by the universities of Zurich and London shows that the steroid does not have the same effect in humans as it does in animals, it says.

The women, some of whom were administered testosterone and some a placebo, took part in an experiment in which they had to bargain to receive money. Common opinion would have held that subjects who received testosterone would have adopted aggressive, egocentric and risky strategies, regardless of the consequences, experts said.

“The study’s results, however, contradict this view sharply,” the statement says. “Test subjects with an artificially enhanced testosterone level generally made better, fairer offers than those who received placebos, thus reducing the risk of a rejection of their offer to a minimum.”

This suggested that subjects who received testosterone placed a higher value on social status than those who had taken the placebo, with the hormone increasing the sensitivity for status, it says. “The preconception that testosterone only causes aggressive or egoistic behavior in humans is thus clearly refuted,” adds neuroscientist Christoph Eisenegger from the University of Zurich.

For animals with simple social systems, an increased awareness for status may express itself in aggressiveness, the researchers add.

Snoring makes heart and brain stronger

2009-12-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

It might be frustrating for the partner, but it seems snoring is actually good for health. That’s the controversial suggestion to have emerged from a recent study on sleep apnoea.

For years, the condition, which causes interruptions in breathing during sleep, has been linked to high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. But the Israeli study of 600 people over the age of 65 has claimed that the risk of early death in people with moderate sleep apnoea was less than half that of people with no history of snoring, the Daily Mail reported.

The study also found that the risk of early death for those with a severe form of the condition was the same as a healthy control group, when it was expected to be higher.

“One theory is that the constant breaks in oxygen and blood supply to organs, caused by the pauses in the breathing, strengthen the heart and brain — if a heart attack or a stroke occurs, the body is better able to deal with it,” said the report.

However, Jim Horne, head of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, said: “It is better to get heavy snoring treated rather than assume it will prolong life.”

An unrelated study has found that a technique can determine whether a child has obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or habitual snoring by screening their urine.

Researchers at the University of Chicago used asophisticated electrophoresis technique to screen hundreds of proteins in the urine. They found a number of proteins were differently expressed in children with OSA compared to kids with habitual snoring.

‘Crystalline sponge’ can help capture CO ²

2009-12-08T21:56:00.001-08:00

To sequester carbon dioxide as part of any climate-change mitigation strategy, the gas first has to be captured from the flue at a power plant or other source. The next step is just as important: the CO has to be released from ² .

whatever captured it so that it can be pumped underground or otherwise stored for the long term.

That second step can be costly from an energy standpoint. Materials currently used to capture CO ² have to be heated to release the gas.

But chemists at University of California, Los Angeles, say that a new class of materials they developed called metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, hold promise for carbon capture. In the study, Omar Yaghi describes the performance of one MOF, which he says can free most of the CO ² it captures at room temperature.

Yaghi described a metal-organic framework as a “crystalline sponge”, a hybrid lattice of organic compounds and metal atoms that has a huge internal surface area where gas molecules can be absorbed. The MOF used in the study contains magnesium atoms, “which make just the right environment for binding carbon dioxide”, he said.

In experiments, the material separated out CO ² while allowing methane to pass. What was really surprising, though, was that at room temperature 87% of the CO ² could be released.

Pulp fact: Paper batteries to power laptops, drive cars

2009-12-08T21:54:00.001-08:00

Ordinary paper could one day be used as a lightweight battery to power the devices that are now enabling the printed word to be eclipsed by email, ebooks and online news.

Scientists at Stanford University in California reported on Monday that they have successfully turned paper coated with ink made of silver and carbon nanomaterials into a “paper battery” that holds promise for new types of lightweight, high-performance energy storage.

The same feature that helps ink adhere to paper allows it to hold onto the single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanowire films. Earlier research found that silicon nanowires could be used to make batteries 10 times as powerful as lithium-ion batteries now used to power devices such as laptops.

“Taking advantage of the mature paper technology, low cost, light and high-performance energy-storage are realized by using conductive paper as current collectors and electrodes,” the scientists said.

This type of battery could be useful in powering electric or hybrid vehicles, would make electronics lightweight and long lasting, and might even lead someday to paper electronics, the scientists said.

Battery weight and life have been an obstacle to commercial viability of electric-powered cars and trucks.

“Society really needs a low-cost, high-performance energy storage device, such as batteries and simple supercapacitors,” Stanford assistant professor of materials science and engineering and paper co-author Yi Cui said.

Cui said in an email that in addition to being useful for portable electronics and wearable electronics, “Our paper supercapacitors can be used for all kinds of applications that require instant high power.” Peidong Yang, professor of chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley, said the technology could be commercialized within a short time.

Antidepressants can change personality

2009-12-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

Apart From Easing Symptoms, Drugs Can Even Turn People Into Extroverts, Say Researchers.

Taking an antidepressant can lead to significant personality changes, likely for the better. Antidepressants may go well beyond just easing the symptoms of depression; they may also make people less neurotic, US researchers said.

The study of people who took GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil, known generically as paroxetine, suggests the drug may treat factors such as neuroticism that make a person more likely to be depressed in the first place.

“Our data suggests that modern antidepressants work partly by correcting key personality risk factors of depression,” said Tony Tang, a psychology professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, whose study appears in Archives of General Psychiatry.

People who are neurotic tend to experience negative emotions and be emotionally unstable, often experiencing wide mood swings in a day. “It’s the basic tendency toward having negative emotions,” Tang said.

He said many studies have suggested that people who are highly neurotic have a higher risk of becoming depressed.

There is also some suggestion that people who are extroverts — those who tend to be both socially outgoing and have a more positive outlook on life — are less likely to become depressed, Tang said. Both personality traits are affected by levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which is the chief target of a large class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Tang and colleagues looked to see if the SSRI Paxil, also sold under the brand Seroxat, had any effect beyond just treating depression symptoms. They gave the drug to 120 volunteers with depression and compared their experiences to 60 people who underwent a type of therapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy and another group of 60 who took a placebo.

Their personalities and depression symptoms were assessed before and after treatment.

After 12 weeks, all participants saw improvements in their depression symptoms, but those who took Paxil also saw significant drop in their neuroticism, and a marked increase in extroversion compared with those in the other groups.

“Patients taking paroxetine reported 6.8 times as much change on neuroticism and 3.5 times as much change on extroversion as placebo patients matched for depression improvement,” the authors wrote. “Those are very dramatic, notable changes,” Tang said.

“At the beginning of the treatment, they were way out there. Their neuroticism was abnormally high. By the end of treatment, they moved back into the boundary of the normal range.”

He said many of the drugs in the SSRI class work largely the same way are likely to have the same effect.

Ian Cook of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, who was not part of the study, said the findings may cause some doctors to rethink their assumptions about how antidepressants work. “The conventional wisdom has been for many years that the changes in personality that one sees during treatment tend to be thought of as a reflection of getting the depression under control,” he said.

How to win a man’s heart

2009-10-07T03:56:00.000-07:00

To win a man’s heart, one has to be understanding and kind. But to snag him and keep him as yours takes some effort. Here’s how to go about...

USE FLAWS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Your generous hips and wavy hair is what sets you apart from a sea of rebonded toothpicks. With a little bit of confidence, you can turn what is ‘unfashionable’ right now into something timeless and classic. In a time when identically layered and coloured haircuts are the norm, if a girl wears her black shiny hair down to the waist, it will immediately set her apart as a beauty.

NO NEED TO OUTSMART MEN

Given that you are well-read and abreast of current affairs, you don’t need to dominate every conversation, unless you like the epithet Ms-Know-It-All. An overly independent woman can be overwhelming and you are not giving the man a chance to find out more about you by himself.

SPEAK SOFTLY

Trilling loudly does not have the same appeal as soft conversation which forces the listener to bend towards you. It also gets attention as a conspiratorial whisper, goading intimacy. A shrill tenor, on the other hand, makes you want to run in the other direction. But since this means the man will have to lean towards you to get what you are saying, carry a mint and wear an attractive lipstick.

DON'T SCOFF AT ARRANGED DATES

You may think it contrite, but much good can come out of a match when the fixers know both people in question. Make sure you meet over dinner or brunch. A social setting will also let you gauge your date. If he is cheap about the outing, chances are that he may not be generous in other areas also.

PLAY HARD TO GET

Many women complain that casual dates end up in the bed. You need to exude a nonchalance, even if, and especially if, you are badly hooked. Don’t be available for impromptu dates and never reply immediately to a major commitment question. Always ask for time to think about it to show that you are nobody’s doormat.

LISTEN MORE, SPEAK LESS

Appear to be interested in what he’s saying. Not only does a man love being the centre of attention, it also makes you look enigmatic and mysterious. It doesn’t mean that you don’t display your conversation skills, but it’s more appealing when he asks you about yourself rather than you yapping on.

THREE’S A CROWD, BUT NOT FOUR

When he insists on having dinner with other people, show him you are game. Go out with others, but drop subtle hints about what a good time you are having so that he knows what he’s missing. Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke up? Instead of sitting at home making blank calls to him, she went out and had a good time, making sure her smiling face and miles of legs were caught by the paparazzi. It worked. William crawled back to her and they’ve been going strong since.

CHARM THE PARENTS

While winning over a man, don’t forget to charm the people who count for him. Before securing her place in the Pataudi household, Kareena spent time bonding with Saif ’s children, knowing how much that would influence her relationship with their father. She’s also rumoured to have won over Sharmila’s heart. If your aim is a solitaire ring, turn on the charm for the people who will influence his decision to get you one.

KEEP OPTIONS OPEN

Don’t have any qualms about keeping your options open. You may be seeing each other three times a week, but you aren’t hooked, booked and cooked until you say ‘I do’. Hang out with other men. It may not be laudable behaviour, but it might get you lasting happiness in the long term. If not, it will at least make you more appreciative of the man you have.

Know your body - Aches

2009-10-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Here we discuss about six aches you shouldn’t ignore.

STOMACH ACHE

Tummy trouble is common in metros, where people have irregular eating hours and there is also the temptation of street food. If you’re a woman of child-bearing age, a stomach ache could even signal an ovarian cyst. A persistent stomach ache, which only gets worse such that the pain then trickles down to your lower back, is a cause for concern. Often some pain may be accompanied by problems in bowel movements — constipation or diarrhoea. The best way to rule out the possibility of a cyst is to get an ultrasound which can detect it. If caught early, an oral tablet can take care of the situation. However, if the cyst grows in size then a key-hole surgery may be required.

BACKACHE

Most of us suffer from backache. Working all day on the computer only aggravates the problem. However, if your backache starts radiating downwards to the genitals and is no longer a dull ache but a sharp pain, then you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes the pain may last for just a few minutes, at other times it may last for hours on end. Such piercing pain could be the result of kidney stones, which usually affects adults. It can be detected by means of an X-ray, ultrasound and urine examination.

JAW PAIN

Have you ever felt this annoying dull ache in the jaw? In most cases, it is because the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint) is overworked and the pain usually fades away with time. However, if it’s repetitive and accompanied by a clicking sound as you open and close your mouth, it could point to injury of the jaw joint. A general physician can detect the problem with an X-ray. Treatment lies in oral medication.

JOINT PAIN

Most adults over 50 years of age complain of pain in the joints. Commonly, this is a dull ache in the knees which increases with movement or a similar ache in the small joints of the fingers on any sort of hand movement. If the pain persists and increases, then you need to see an orthopaedic physician immediately. An X-ray and a bone density test can point to osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis which are both degenerative diseases of the bone. These problems are more common in women than in men, as bone density often decreases after menopause. The disease cannot be completely cured but its progression can be halted through physiotherapy and the use of steroids. In extreme cases knee-replacement surgery may be required.

PAIN IN THE BIG TOE

Pain in the big toe points to gout. Gout results from excess uric acid crystals deposited in the joints. Over a period of time, the pain becomes excruciating and affects movement. The problem is more common in adults above 30 years of age. Gout can be detected through X-ray and blood test and treatment involves oral medication.

PAIN AROUND THE TEMPLES

Often a headache is just that — a self-limiting ache in the head. However, if the pain is restricted to the temples and is a piercing pain, you need to see a doctor as it could be temporal arthritis. The condition is more likely to occur in adults over 50 and is repetitive at regular interval, at times lasting just a few minutes. During this time, the blood vessels of the scalp get dilated and the temples are sensitive to touch. Treatment involves the use of steroids.

Most common vaginal woes

2009-10-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF BIKINI WAXING

Models do it, actresses do it and now even the youngsters have caught onto this trend. Bikini waxing is a method of depilating pubic hair. As preparation, make sure your hair is not too long or too short, choose an experienced person for waxing, you could pop a pain killer (one hour before heading to the parlour) and wear comfortable cotton underwear after waxing. Some women may develop folliculitis (pimple-like boils) post waxing and may require antibiotics for the same. There are other less painful ways of maintaining hygiene — clipping hair with a sterlised scissor, shaving and laser treatment.

DESPITE MAINTAINING HYGIENE, THERE’S ODOUR IN THE VAGINAL AREA

Odour from the vagina could be due to vaginal infections that is either fungal, trichomonial or bacterial. It is generally accompanied with vaginal discharge which could be curdy white, lacy white discharge with greenish discolouration (in trichomonial infection) or thick creamish discharge as in the case of bacterial infection. All these are sexually transmitted infections which need to be treated with antifungal or antibacterial medications. Post-treatment, maintain regular hygiene by washing the area twice a day.

SHOULD YOU BLEED THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE SEX?

All women have a hymen which is at the opening of the vagina. This hymen may tear in childhood during vigorous exercises, cycling, jumping or due to masturbation. If intact, the woman will bleed while having sex for the first time. However bleeding does not indicate virginity in a female as it can be ruptured by other factors as well.

YOUR SATIN UNDERWEAR GIVES YOU AN ITCHY SENSATION AROUND THE VAGINA

Itchy sensation around the vagina could be due to vaginal infections. It could also be an allergy to satin underwear or sanitary pads. It is advisable to use comfortable cotton underwear. Sweat combined with synthetic material causes itchiness and irritation. To combat this, wash the area frequently and use unscented talcum powder.

YOU SUFFER WHITE DISCHARGE AROUND A WEEK BEFORE PERIODS AND FEEL WEAK

White discharge before periods is due to progesterone effect on the cervical mucous. Around this time the vagina secretes a harmless white fluid. If the discharge does not emit a foul odour or cause itching, do not feel afraid. Many people associate it with weakness, but that is just a myth. You could say the stress that comes with PMSing makes you feel weak.

WEARING SANITARY PADS GIVES YOU SEVERE RASHES. TAMPONS TOO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE

Modern day synthetic sanitary pads are known to do that. Ultrathin sanitary pads use a material that transforms menstrual blood into gel. This gives us a pseudo-dry feel and hence the less frequent change of pads. These pads, when come in constant contact with the skin, create rashes and an itchy sensation. Tampons is certainly not the way to go, as there have been cases of it causing severe vaginal infections. The way out is to use cotton sanitary pads and a frequent change every four hours.

IS IT NORMAL TO URINATE AFTER HAVING SEX?

The sexual act in some women may lead to a burning sensation in the vagina. This can be due to lack of lubrication or a yeast infection, both of which cause frequent urination. This condition is known as honeymoon cystitis. Here there is an infection of the urinary tract. Most cases call for a detailed gynaecological checkup for the couple.

SMALL WHITE PIMPLES APPEAR ALL AROUND THE VAGINA. WILL IT AFFECT FUTURE SEX LIFE?

White pimples may be due to folliculitis or molluscum contagiosum. Folliculitis can happen due to infection after shaving. Molluscum is a viral skin infection. Both can be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes occurrence of white pimples also symbolises herpes genitalis — an STD which calls for urgent treatment

How Mutual Funds Work

2009-09-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

You don’t have to tell anyone these days that mutual funds (MFs) are the most convenient form of investing, especially for small or individual investors.

However, when it comes to options available within MFs—for example, systematic withdrawal or systematic transfer—most people would plead ignorance. Its the same with trigger option available with MFs.

Here we will discuss

>Systematic investment plan or SIP,
>Systematic withdrawal plan,
>Systematic transfer plan and
>Triggers

Most people would be somewhat familiar with systematic investment plan or SIP, thanks to the publicity given by most financial experts.

Let us start with Systematic investment plan or SIP. For those who came in late, SIP is very similar to a regular recurring deposit in a bank account. You draw a cheque in favour of a particular MF scheme and specify you want to invest for, say, next 12 months. The money will be taken from your bank account every month and invested in the scheme of your choice.

Why is SIP method preferred by financial experts?

One, this gives you discipline.
Two, you wouldn’t be unnecessarily influenced by stock market movement, and stop or increase your investments.
Three, you would benefit from cost averaging. That is, when you buy MF units at regular intervals, the average purchasing cost could give higher returns.

SIP can be used by any investor eyeing the market in a particular period of time.

However, it is not the case with systematic withdrawal or transfer plan or using triggers. These tools would work only for a particular class of investors.

Systematic withdrawal plans are useful for particularly retired people, where as systematic transfer plans are useful for people with large amount, but don’t want to invest in the market at one go.

Systematic withdrawal plan allows an investor to withdraw a certain sum from the scheme at periodical intervals. It is often used somewhat like annuity by retired people. However, the concept is yet to take off.

Systematic transfer plans, on the other hand, is useful for investors who suddenly find themselves flush with funds. Since it is not considered wise to invest in the market in lump sum, especially when it is up or volatile, they can park the money in a debt scheme and transfer a particular amount over period of time to an equity scheme of their choice.

Triggers, on the other hand, is the latest tool offered by a few MFs to risk averse investors. For example, if an investor is looking for 10% returns from his investment in a year, he can set the trigger at that particular point. He would have the option of either transferring his return or the entire investment to a safer (read debt) avenue once he gets 10% returns. But it can also rob them of a chance to make more money from the market. Also, they have to be very clear whether they want to transfer the returns or the entire investment.

A Fistful of Money

MFs offer a host of options to investors

SIP good to invest at regular intervals

Systematic withdrawal for regular income from investments

Invest smalls amt with Systematic transfer

Trigger option to safeguard investment from market vagaries

Don’t stack up money, invest for best returns

2009-08-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

Haven’t you heard the advice ‘don’t let money stay idle’? Have you wondered what it means? Of course, we all know a safe is safe after all. And if it’s a bank safe, all the more so. You even earn a little return on it. But besides this, is there something to it? Well, if you talk to a financial expert, he will use the phrase ‘time value of money’. Simply put, it means your money has some value that is linked to time. “Money and time are related. For example, receiving Rs 10 today is not the same as receiving the same amount after two years. Same is the case of repaying a loan today or after six months,’’ explains Gaurav Mashruwala, a certified financial planner.

His point is, if you get Rs 10 today and you have invested it somewhere and earned 10% return on it in six months, the money would have grown to Rs 11. Ditto for repaying a loan after six months. If you earn something on the money till you repay the loan, you are left with some spare cash. On the other hand, if you pay it immediately, you wouldn’t get a chance to make those extra bucks. Sure, when you are repaying a loan, other factors like penalty enter the scene. However, we won’t concern ourselves with such details here.

“When I meet some people for the first time, I am amazed how much money have they stashed in their savings account. When I ask them why they didn’t make any investment or open a fixed deposit, most say they haven’t decided on it,’’ a wealth manager says. “When I tell them they could have earned at least 6-7% on it in the last one year instead of a measly interest on their savings account, they realise their mistake. But then time wasted is a lost opportunity to make more money,’’ he adds. Some experts also use the concept to drive home the point that if you don’t invest the money properly (on proper investment avenues, that is), it may lose value partly.

“With time value of your money enhances or reduces,’’ says Mashruwala. “For example, if someone is offering you Rs 10 today or Rs 11 after six months, what would you choose. Obviously, Rs 11 after six months is better because it is 10% extra in six months,’’ he explains. The wealth manager points to another scenario. “Many people keep their money in safe avenues like bank deposit even for long-term needs. The question they should ask is what is the point of earning below inflation. It means you are at the risk of an erosion in the value of your capital,’’ he says. For example, if the inflation is at 6% and you are earning 3.5% from your deposit, you are definitely losing the value of your money.

The most important aspect of time value of money is explained by the power of compounding (Einstein called it the 8th wonder of the world) that enhances the value of money by many times. Unlike in a simple interest scenario, where the interest is given to you periodically, here the interest or return is reinvested and you would start earning on it too. Because of this multiplier effect, the corpus grows immensely over a long period of time. This is one of the reasons why experts advocate equity for long term goals.

Money and time are related
For example, Rs 10 earned today is not the same as earning it after six months
With time, value of money can appreciate or depreciate
If you don’t earn more than inflation, value actually falls
When you invest over a period of time, power of compounding multiplies your money.

Swine Flu symptoms and precautions

2009-08-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu symptoms

Swine flu is spreading like wildfire. To protect from Swine flu practice these 10 effective prevention tips.

1. Wash your hands frequently

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep

Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Keep hydrated

Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system

Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed

The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.

6. Avoid alcohol

Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active

Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people

Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone elseâ€™s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help

Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas

Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Symptoms of Chikungunya, Dengue fever

2009-07-19T23:55:00.000-07:00

For some time now, doctors in Bangalore suspected there was a new virus in Bangalore’s air. Now, they’re certain that break bone fever, better known as dengue, is raging across the city. Even a viral fever is now accompanied by severe joint pain lasting for nearly a week. Doctors are forced to admit into hospitals those patients with symptoms of fever for a day or two and put them on intravenous fluids.

Symptoms:

Chikungunya: (not chicken gunya!! nothing to do with chicken!!)
High fever, Joint pain

Dengue: High fever, backache, muscle and joint pain, headache,pain behind the eyes.

Viral fever: High fever, cold, sore throat, body ache.

Preventive measures:

Control mosquito breeding by getting rid of stagnant water.
Use mosquito repellent.
Keep surroundings hygienic.
Clean water tank regulary.
Avoid indoor plants.
Eat right nutritious food
Drink clean water
Avoid dehydration.

HEART OF THE MATTER

2009-07-15T23:48:00.001-07:00

Lower IQ raises risk of heart disease

A new study, conducted by researchers in the UK, has shown that having a lower than average IQ is in itself a risk factor for heart disease.

In the study of over 4,000 people, David Batty and his colleagues at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh found that IQ alone explained more than 20% of the difference in mortality between high and low socio-economic groups.

The researchers found that the results were the same even when known heart disease risk factors were taken into account. “We already know that socio-economically disadvantaged people have worse health and tend to die earlier from conditions such as heart disease, cancer and accidents,” BBC News quoted David Batty, who led the study for the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, a saying.

“Environmental exposures and health-related behaviours, such as smoking, diet and physical activity, can explain some of this difference, but not all of it,” he added. The research team studied a group of 4,289 former US soldiers from all walks of life. As expected from past trends, those on low incomes and with less education had a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

However, when the researchers took into account intelligence or cognitive function, commonly referred to as IQ, and controlled for nine other known heart disease risk factors, IQ alone explained 23% of the differences in mortality between the highest and lowest socio-economic groups in the study.

They offer several possible explanations for this - low IQ scores might simply be a marker of underlying poor health or intelligence might lead to greater knowledge about how to keep healthy. Batty said, whatever the explanation, the findings imply the IQ of the public should be considered more carefully when preparing health promotion campaigns.

The study has been published in the European Heart Journal.

Love not enough to make marriages work

2009-07-15T02:19:00.001-07:00

Living happily ever after needn’t only be for fairy tales. Researchers have identified what it takes to keep a couple together, and it’s a lot more than just being in love.

A couple’s age, previous relationships and even whether they smoke or not are factors that influence whether their marriage is going to last, according to a study by researchers from the Australian National University.

The study tracked 2,500 couples — married or living together —from 2001 to 2007 to identify factors associated with those who remained together compared with those who divorced or separated.

It found that a husband who is nine or more years older than his wife is twice as likely to get divorced, as are husbands who get married before they turn 25.

Children also influence the longevity of a marriage or relationship, with one-fifth of couples who have kids before marriage having separated compared to just 9% of couples without children born before marriage.

Women who want children much more than their partners are also more likely to get a divorce. Also, partners who are on their second or third marriage are 90% more likely to separate than spouses who are both in their first marriage.

Money also plays a role, with up to 16% of respondents who indicated they were poor or where the husband — not the wife — was unemployed saying they had separated, compared to 9% of couples with healthy finances.

Check If It Smells Right

2009-07-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Lost in the fine print of the Finance Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum is stuff that you should actually need to know about. Don’t overlook this article:

India Inc is well and truly on the MAT(Minimum Alternate Tax). Not only has the levy increased by 5% to stand at 15% (effective rate being 17%), but there are many hidden devils. If a company has devalued an asset and debited it to profit & loss (P&L), this debited amount in the P&L will be added back to the book profits. MAT will be calculated on the enhanced book profits. Brace yourself as this comes with retrospective effect from April 1, 1998.

Fringe Benefit Tax stands abolished, but a tad too late. India Inc has paid the first installment of FBT. Further, rules will be introduced to determine the perquisite value that should be taxable in the employees’ hands. You thought that a tax was abolished? It is just transfer of the onus of paying tax from the employer to the employee. ESOPs, employers contribution to superannuation and much much more will also be a perquisite, taxable in your hands and mine.

What could the future hold? Anything, just anything is possible. The tax authorities can actually withdraw an approval given by them for anything and at anytime. The only saving grace is that an opportunity will be given to the taxpayer of being heard before doing so.

Donation to electoral trusts shall be allowed as a 100% deduction in your hands. Yes, you can keep the wheels of democracy turning and get a tax break. The hitch is you have to show your allegiance on paper to a political party so as to get a tax break.

If you thought that you were subject to reassessment only to the extent of income escaped in respect of issues recorded by the Assessing Officer, think again. With a view to further clarifying the legislative intent, the Assessing Officer can reassess income in respect of any issue which comes to his notice, which are not only restricted to the recorded reasons.
You can no longer evade tax through a gift. Now, any gift worth above Rs 50,000 in the form of immovable property, shares, jewellery, archaeological collections, drawings, paintings, sculptures or any work of art is taxable in the hands of the recipient.

If any person whose income is to be subject to withholding of tax at source does not provide his Permanent Account Number (PAN) to the deductor, then the deductor shall have to deduct tax at a higher rate — at 20 per cent. Even non-residents will be forced to obtain a PAN. However, fortunately this is with prospective effect from April 1, 2010.

In some cases, employees used to claim exemption for voluntary retirement scheme income, and further relief for high tax burden of advance salary. Now, this double benefit cannot be claimed.
Presumptive tax benefit is not as rosy for small retailers. Earlier, persons engaging in retail trade were subject to tax on a presumptive basis of 5%. Now, although the FM has broadened the presumptive taxation option to most small businesses, the presumptive tax rate has been increased to 8%.

FIT FOR A MOM

2009-06-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

With a little change in diet you can shed off those extra post-pregnancy kilos and be ship shape.

Putting on weight after you give birth to your bundle of joy is inevitable. But while most new mums resort to crash diets or spend extra hours at the gym, they must know that it is important to maintain basic fitness levels. Use a little tact and you can easily become your slim self again. We show you how.

MAKING UP FOR THE LOSS

In any normal delivery at least 300 to 350 ml of blood is lost. When the blood loss exceeds 500ml it’s termed as post-partum heamorrhage. After pregnancy the body needs to build up on the lost heamoglobin. Since heamoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body, low oxygen will affect the quality of your hair, skin, immunity and also make you feel tired.

Secondly since the mother will be breastfeeding the baby, the body also needs an extra dose of calcium, proteins and vitamins.

WATCH YOUR DIET

SMALL MEALS
Consume small frequent meals i.e. five to six mini meals instead of three main meals. For instance, if you have your breakfast at 8.30 am and lunch at 1.30 am, sneak in a mid-morning meal somewhere around 11.30 am. Make sure you eat something filling like a tall glass of milkshake, sprouts, soup or a plate of fruits. Do not mistake this for a diet plan and under-eat — two biscuits or a bowl of salad won’t do.

MORE LIQUID, CUT CAFFEINE

Caffeine is permitted in moderation i.e. not more than two cups of coffee a day. Caffeine is a stimulant that is not good for the baby, especially if you are breast- feeding. Instead, opt for other liquids and drink gallons of water. Add to your diet fresh fruit juices and milkshakes, especially with fruits such as apple and banana that will make up for the calcium requirement.

Also swap whole milk for skimmed milk; it has proteins minus the fat.

RESTRICT FRIED FOODS, NOT FATS

With the enthusiasm to lose weight ASAP, most lactating women completely cut down on fats. But one needs to understand the difference between good fat and bad fat. It’s best if you avoid fried foods like salty chips, bhajiyas, vadas, etc but give your body essential fats through nuts, homemade ghee (two to three tsps), paneer and olive oil.

BUILD ON ANIMAL PROTEIN

Proteins from lean white meat such as chicken and fish (deskinned) are a good option for lactating mothers. Whereas cholesterol rich red meat and organ meat that contain fats along with proteins should be consumed sparingly. For vegetarians, animal protein can come through curds, chaas and lassi.

SUBSTITUTE

In order to lose weight instantly, you need not skip food. Instead substitute it for healthier options. Like jaggery for sugar, water melon juice for cola and brown rice for its polished cousin. Opt for flours like ragi, nachini, bajra, jowar and soy that give the needed energy.

INCREASE FIBRE

Keep away from refined flours like maida and its products such as noodles, spaghetti and bread that take a long time to get digested. It is important for lactating mothers to improve the fibre content in their diet. Foods like spinach, methi, gourd, pumpkin, lady finger, brinjal, bitter gourd, peas, mushroom and bellpeppers are packed with fibre. Fibre improves digestion, controls sugar, promotes satiety, and provides anti-oxidants and vitamins that are important post-pregnancy.

EXERCISE

For women who have undergone cesarean surgery, it’s best to stay away from exercise for six months after the delivery. But exercise can usually begin 40 days after a normal delivery. You can do the following:

WALK

Brisk walking for 20 to 30 minutes is good enough for a beginner. Make sure you do not strain the leg muscles too much, increase the time gradually.

YOGA

Post-pregnancy, yoga is the best way to improve posture. Regularly practise surya namaskar, cobra pose or the inverted-V. Yoga will also work on your breathing pattern and concentration.

DANCE AND GROUP AEROBICS

Dancing or working out with music releases happiness hormones in the body. Post delivery, women often go through depression and low-body image. Dance and aerobics can help combat that.

D-EFFICIENCY

2009-06-25T03:49:00.000-07:00

Not getting your daily dose of Vitamin D because you can’t stand the sun’s harsh rays? This article shows how to make up for it with the right food.

Vitamin D is perhaps the single most underrated nutrient. That’s probably because it’s free: Your body makes it when sunlight touches your skin. It’s essential for bone health because without it, even popping calcium pills won’t work — your body needs this vitamin to absorb calcium. Of late, with the increasing use of beauty products with high sun-protection factor, Vitamin D deficiency is on the rise. In fact, even weak sunscreens (with as little as SPF-8), block your body’s ability to generate vitamin D by 95 per cent.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and even schizophrenia and certain cancers. If these life-long debilitating conditions aren’t scary enough to make you step out, top up on Vitamin D rich foods instead.

VITAMIN D AT EVERY AGE

PRE-TEENS AND TEENS

Forty-five per cent of your skeletal mass is added during puberty and adolescence. So Vitamin D is needed greatly at this stage. Rickets, a condition characterised by soft bones, typically affects children deficient in Vitamin D.

Start your day with some fortified orange juice (142 IUs per 100 ml glass) or some fresh fruit milkshake (approximately 140 IUs). Paneer contains (140 IUs per 30 to 40 gm) and yoghurt contains as much Vitamin D as milk — 98 IUs per 100 ml (non-fat fortified milk). Give up those fizzy colas, tea and coffee since caffeine tends to leach calcium from the bones.

IN YOUR 20S

In your ‘fast living decade’, between hectic work schedules and dating, instead of ‘convenient’ foods such as burgers and pizzas, opt for a tuna salad (85 gm tuna contains 200 IUs). Your 20s are the last chance to lay down new bones. Gulp down two large glasses of vitamin D fortified non-fat milk every day (one glass contains 100 IUs). The calcium-Vitamin D combination helps your body to absorb its benefits.

IN YOUR 30S

Thirties might be the new 20s, but not so from your bones’ viewpoint. Now you cannot drastically change your skeletal structure, but can definitely maintain it. Just concentrate on not allowing your bone density to drop. Apart from an active lifestyle, have tuna twice a week and mushrooms once a week (85 gm of mushrooms gives 100 per cent Vitamin D). Fortified cereal with whole milk is a good breakfast choice.

IN YOUR 40S

At this stage, several lifestyle diseases rear their ugly heads. By now, you spend several hours indoors either working or caring for your family and probably don’t get much sunshine. Make sure you eat dark green leafy vegetables thrice a week and foods such as salmon (100 gm contains 360 IUs), mackerel (100 gm contains 345 IUs), sardines (50 gm contains 250 IUs), fortified dairy products and cereals.

50S AND UP

The need for Vitamin D increases after 50 and it’s difficult to meet them without unrealistic diets. Ask your doctor about supplements. Have a whole egg (20 IUs) thrice a week and fatty fish twice a week.

DATA ON D

• Fruits and vegetables are internal sunscreens and can allow you to stay under the sun twice as long without burning. Fruits with this ability include super fruits such as strawberries, pomegranates and kiwis.

• Vitamin D is generated by your kidneys and liver, so kidney disease or liver damage can greatly impair your body’s ability to form the vitamin.

• The healing rays of sunlight cannot penetrate glass, so you don’t generate vitamin D when sitting in your car or home.

• Your body can’t generate too much Vitamin D from sunlight exposure: It will self-regulate and only generate what it needs.

• If it hurts to press firmly on your sternum, you may be suffering from chronic Vitamin D deficiency right now.

Tie Tips

2009-06-25T03:43:00.000-07:00

1 As the tie is worn at eye-level and in the centre of your body, it is the most eye-catching piece of your ensemble.

2 Always buy your suit first, then a tie and then the shirt. Now you have more options for the tie, instead of restricting it to match your suit and shirt.

3 The three classic ties you need to own are: a diagonally striped one (in blue, red or maroon), a small polka dotted one and one in self texture.

4 Never wash your tie, or even dry clean it; spot clean a stain. A tie is made up of three fabrics — silk, terry wool (on the inside) and a synthetic base — all of which have different shrinking rates. Washing or dry cleaning will spoil its shape.

5 The tie can be matched to the shirt or suit; all three must be from the same colour family for formal occasions.

6 Tone-on-tone ties are best suited to formal social events, such as wedding receptions. The tie should be the same colour as your shirt (or the closest hue) with a self detail such as an interesting weave or paisleys.

7 Polka-dotted, diagonally striped and ties with small motifs are best for work.

8 Contrast a black suit with a grey shirt and a red or maroon tie. A grey suit can be worn with a light blue shirt and a dark blue or indigo tie. Wear a neutral coloured shirt with a navy blue suit and a blue, black, red or maroon tie.

9 A bright yellow tie must be restricted to a white shirt, but any coloured jacket will do.

10 A soldier cut tie — with a symmetrical taper — comes out with more body from the knot. This makes it more suited to threepiece suits. Use the four-in-handknot so that the knot isn’t bulky.

11 A bottle shaped tie suits most corporate wear and should be tied in a Windsor or half-Windsor knot for body.

12 Slim, straight cut ties, in experimental textures such as knits suit young, casual dressers. You can wear it with a short-sleeved shirt. Ideally, wear it loose or askew with the top button of the shirt open.

13 Novelty ties shaped like a bottle or guitar and with motifs such as cars or hearts are great for working holidays or uniforms.

EAT MORE, WEIGH LESS

2009-06-25T03:29:00.000-07:00

Too good to be true? Try these foods to whittle down your waist.

1
SARDINES:

They are high in protein and omega-3 fats, which shifts flab while maintaining muscle tone and healthy skin. Also, Leptin, the protein fish contains, controls your appetite.

Eat more:

Try a lunchtime sardine melt. Mix sardines with onion, pepper and parsley and spread on a French stick. Sprinkle with grated low-fat Cheddar or Parmesan and grill.

2
EGGS:

Women on a low-cal diet who ate an egg each morning lost twice as many kilos as those who had cereal, according to a recent study.

Eat more:

A poached egg on toast offers a balanced start to the day and egg sandwiches, mixed with tuna, not mayo, are a great lunch choice.

3

OATS:

They’re one of the most filling foods and unlike carbs have little impact on your blood sugar. They’re rich in soluble fibre, which has an anti-bloating effect and can lower cholesterol.

Eat more:

Try a Swiss dish known as bircher. Mix a little cold semiskimmed milk or low-fat yoghurt with twotbsp of oats, grated apple, honey to taste and a handful of chopped almonds.

4
CHILLIES:

Spicing up meals can kick start a sluggish metabolism. This is thanks to the compound capsaicin which has a ‘thermogenic effect’ that causes the body to burn more fat for 20 minutes after you eat them.

Eat more:

Freshly chopped red chillies add a kick to salads or stir-fries, while half a teaspoon is enough to heat up sauces, soups or stews.

5
BROCCOLI:

This contains antioxidants which help beat cellulite. Fat cells on the thighs are surrounded by a network of tissue known as the septa. When fat pushes through this, we get the dreaded dimpling. Nutrients in green veggies increase the strength of the septa, so fat cells stay beneath the surface.

Eat more:

Steam and eat once a day with your evening meal. Or stir-fry with sliced garlic, sesame oil and a splash of soy sauce.

TESTING TIMES

2009-06-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

A check-up is often a warning bell for dangers ahead. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss your yearly appointment with the doc

AGE 25

TESTS:
Blood and urine test, chest X-ray and an ECG

WHY: You might be perfectly healthy, but tests at this age give you a baseline for the future.

BENEFITS: The tests primarily tell you if there is any deviation from the norm.

• Chest X-ray is important considering the city lifestyle — long working hours, train travel, dust and pollution. Very useful in detecting lung cancer, early TB and emphysema (a chest ailment).

AGE 30

TESTS: All tests at 25 plus tests to check cholesterol and glucose levels

WHY: It’s that time when you are well-settled in your career. But it’s also when unhealthy lifestyle practices creep in. BENEFITS It gives a clear indication of stress-related ailments — mainly blood pressure and diabetes.

• Ultrasounds detect Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), indications of which are weight gain, lethargy, irregular periods etc.

AGE 35

TESTS: Everything you have done at 30 plus thyroid tests

WHY: You are slowly approaching middle age. Hence any disease, if lurking around can be detected and treated early.

FOR WOMEN: Pap smear and mammogram; blood tests to check sugar levels and blood pressure.

BENEFITS: Thyroid function tests can help rule out any thyroid disorder, especially hypothyroidism. Ideally these tests can begin from 25 onwards.

• Pap smear, which should ideally be done as soon as women start becoming sexually active, can detect cervical cancer at an early stage and improve treatment outcomes. Ditto for breast cancer.

•DID YOU KNOW?

The growing risk of cervical cancer in women in India (aged 0-64 years) is 2.4 per cent compared to 1.3 per cent for the rest of the world.

AGE 40

TESTS: Everything you have done at 35 plus an eye exam

WHY: Because you are most vulnerable to diabetes and cholesterol troubles at this age.

FOR WOMEN: Pap smear, mammogram and ultrasonography of abdomen.

BENEFITS: Headaches, fatigue and other problems are often caused by vision problems. Many diseases can be detected by an eye-doctor including diabetes.

• Women approach menopause hence a sonography that screens everything — the liver, pancreas, spleen, bladder etc — is essential.

•DID YOU KNOW?

Indians develop diabetes at least 10 to 15 years earlier than the western population

AGE 45

TESTS: Include 2-D Echo cardiogram

WHY: Heart ailments are more likely to strike.

FOR WOMEN: Bone densitometry and mammogram.

BENEFITS: A 2-D echo cardiogram shows the functioning of the heart.

• Women at this age are more vulnerable to osteoporosis, especially at the perimenopause stage, hence such tests can help prevent and treat the condition.

•DID YOU KNOW?

A woman’s risk of developing an osteoporosis-related hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of developing breast uterine and ovarian cancer.

AGE 50

TESTS: Cardiac stress test

WHY: As you get old er, there are more chances of cardiac problems increasing

FOR WOMEN: Sonography of the uterus and ovary; stress tests.

BENEFITS:

• Early tests can - help detect cancers.

• Cardiac stress tests diagnose the presence and extent of Coronary . Artery Disease.

•DID YOU KNOW?

Rate of heart attacks among Indians younger than 45 years of age is five times higher than in other population

AGE 55

TESTS: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test

WHY: PSA is a blood test that can indicate prostate cancer. If the level is high, a biopsy of the prostate may be indicated.

BENEFITS:

• Early detection can prevent the cancer from spreading.

LIFESTYLE REVIEW

These tests should ideally be a part of your annual routine.But at a younger age, you can even do them once in two-three years.But after 40, try to allot at least one day in the year for your health. Also if there is a family history of the disease, conduct the tests more frequently. Plus these tests give you an opportunity to review your lifestyle. Work towards your health accordingly.

• MAKE A FOOD LOG

Write down everything you eat and drink for a day (including amounts). Review the list for easy calories to drop, bad habits, and opportunities for improvement.

• EXERCISE CHECK

If you are exercising less than three times a week, know that you need to do more.

• STRESS CHECK

Make a list of things that stress you and things that you do that relax you. Subtract stressors and add relaxers until you have the same number on each list.

YUMMY BOX IDEAS!

2009-06-08T01:49:00.000-07:00

This article gives a quick insight on the tasty recipes for school going kids.

After a summer filled with yummy snacks and great food, it is time for your child to return to the snack box! Quite a change, a snack box is not a very exciting thing to look forward to! Don’t believe me? Then try packing a hot snack into a snack box, put it in a bag full of books and then 3 hours later, open the box to eat it……… uugh! First the smell will assail you and then your eyes will open wide with disgust at the soggy contents, all mixed up and mashed up and then as the clock ticks to the end of the recess time, you have to eat it all to quieten the growls in your stomach. Not a very pretty picture, right?

Well, it need not be so bad, if you plan it well. Yes, one of the most important things that all mothers need to focus on is to prepare the child for a snack time.

Focus on your selection of a snack box

It should not be too heavy, don’t add more weight to what your child is already carrying to school. It should be able to keep food intact and compact. It should be easy to open and close. Look for boxes that have an inbuilt spoon etc, so that even if you forget to give that spoon, no problem.

Practise at home

The second step is to see that your child practises at home with the snack box! It is important that your child is able to use the snack box and if you do not help him use it, both of you will not understand what works and what does not. So mummies can start in the last week of the holidays by packing a snack in the school snack box in the afternoon and then give it to your child to eat at evening snack time. Keep in mind to pack the same snacks that you would give your child in school. This will give you an idea of what stays good and what gets soggy, what smells etc.

Most mummies have a complain, ‘My child does not finish his snack box’. Well, it is a basic need and if that is not met then the child will have concentration and attention problems. But what makes children not want to complete their snacks? It can be a variety of reasons like soggy food, broken food, leaking snack box, smelly snack box, etc.

Remember diet activates memory, so to remember what is taught in school, your child needs his snack. Another important fact is about brain development — the brain needs oxygen, glucose and chemicals. If your child is in a stuffy classroom then oxygen is already less and if he does not get glucose (from food and not glucose water, please!) then naturally he is going to be cranky and irritable, which are negative emotions and will release negative chemicals to the brain.

If your question is that, ‘I feed my child breakfast then why should I send a snack box with my child?’ Well, your child’s liver can only store glucose for 4 hours, so if you calculate from breakfast to his snack time, it is almost 4 hours and think of all the activity that the body has done in between, of course he needs a snack.

THINGS TO AVOID
Avoid oily food, no fried food, or only once a week. No snacks with maida. Substitute that white bread with a healthier option. No food items that will drip, stain and dribble. Cheese to be used in limited quantities.

Potato Wafers, and other packaged foods, a complete no-no. Find out three things that your child likes and alternate them, don’t aim to have 30 days different snack, remember it’s about your child and his snack and not about you winning some cookery contest. Avoid fancy recipes that look nice on the dining table, they may not stay nice in a snack box. Please tell your child what is in the snack box. Don’t play guessing games or surprise games your child may constantly try to open the snack box to take a peek. And yes, just because you send a snack box with your child, does not mean that you can skip that breakfast. Your child needs his early morning meal, and don’t stuff the snack box with breakfast left overs. Please send a napkin, and avoid tissue paper!

And don’t forget to send a small note, (can be taped on the box) with some cute messages, your child may just need that little pep dose after all that school work. We have a small selection of snacks for you, so have fun, and make your child’s back to school days as yummy as possible.

HONEY BEARS

Brown bread, honey, shredded Beetroot and carrots, butter Roasted crushed peanuts
Method
Apply butter on bread slices. Grate carrot and beetroot. Mix carrot, beetroot and peanuts. And then honey. Put mixture on bread.

MAGIC SLICES
Potato chip and french fries — all the time is not good for health. So try some magic slices made from tapioca (the richest source of calcium) and ‘kand’ and instead of frying, bake them.

SANDWICH FUN

For all your usual sanwiches, buy some big cookie cutters which come in different shapes, and cut the sandwiches with them. What a delight for your child when he opens his snack box and finds a cute star sandwich with a smile on it (put the smile with ketchup).

TRIED OF CHAPPATI?

Try Jumbo’s pizza. Make any sabzi, mash it and spread it on a chappati and make it look like a pizza. Here again use the cookie cutters and you have nice little bites that the child would love to eat. For very fussy children, add a thin layer of ketchup before spreading the sabzi and add some grated cheese. But avoid too much of ketchup and cheese on everything.

Other options to add on sandwich and parathas are palak chutney and mint chutney, spread thin on the chappati and paratha, crumble some paneer on it, cut with cookie cutter and tell your child to expect a small ‘green forest’ in his snack box.

The recipes given above are for a short snack time which is 15 to 20 minutes. You can try out different versions of recipes for the lunch time box.

BACK TO ROOTS

2009-06-08T01:43:00.001-07:00

Diet, according to Ayurveda, defines the nature of a person, his response to circumstances, mindset and moods. Ayurveda classifies food materials into several groups such as grains, grams (dhaanya varga), types of milk and milk products (ksheera varga), vegetables and fruits (saaka varga), types of meat (maamsa varga) etc.

The solid diet consumed should take up half the capacity of the stomach, the liquids should take a quarter and the fourth quarter should be left free to aid digestion. The order of the intake of food — sweet and heavy food first, sour and salty tastes next and the meal should end with astringent and bitter food substances.

BROCCOLI AND MOONG BEAN BAKE

Ingredients: 1/2 cup moong dal, 1 cup broccoli florets (chopped), 4 cups water, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp ginger (minced), 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped), 2 tbsps ghee, salt and black pepper to taste

Method: Wash moong dal and add water to it. Cook it in a pressure cooker until tender. Mix it with broccoli, lime juice, ginger, salt and black pepper. Grease a shallow baking dish with ghee. Scoop the mixture into the dish and drizzle more ghee on top. Bake at 350-375 degrees for 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

SAUTEED ASPARAGUS

Ingredients: 2 cups asparagus stems (diced), 2 tbs water, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin seed, ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ sweet paprika, ½ cup almonds (sliced), 2 tbs ghee

Method: Heat ghee. Add cumin seed and stir briefly and add turmeric and paprika. Now add the asparagus stems and sauté for 2-3 minutes more. Now cover the pan and stir occasionally. Add water to prevent sticking. Add in the almonds and cook for two more minutes. Serve hot.

MIXED VEGETABLE SAUTE

Ingredients: 1 small white radish (peeled), 1 medium zucchini, 1 medium carrot (peeled), 1 fennel bulb, 6-8 almonds (soaked and slivered), 2 tbs ghee, 1-2 tbs water, salt and pepper to taste

Method: Wash and slice all the vegetables finely. Heat ghee in a large flat pan. Sauté the almonds and add all the vegetables. Stir for a couple of minutes and cover the pan. Cook the vegetables on medium flame until tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

SWEET AND SOUR CARROTS

Ingredients: 1 cup carrot (sliced), 1 tbsp raisins, rock salt and black pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp minced ginger root, 1 tsp fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice, 1/8 tsp fresh lemon peel, 1/8 tsp crushed cardamom, 1 tbsp ghee

Method: Steam the carrot for 5-6 minutes until tender. Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the raisins. Now add carrots, ginger cardamom, salt and pepper. Stir for three to four minutes. Drizzle lemon juice, the peel and parsley. Serve hot.

IT’S A HUGH DEAL

2009-06-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

If Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan’s six packs in Om Shanthi Om and Ghajini respectively motivated you to pump iron, wait till you hear the real deal from Hollywood. Hugh Jackman, playing Wolverine in the latest X-Men flick, has lived his ‘animal’ avatar we will see on screen. In an interview, he tells us how Wolverine’s fights with the mutants are laced with SFX but his physique is the result of a hardcore diet and exercise plan.

THE LOOK

As per the brief given to its co-creators, Wolverine was supposed to be a small, ferocious creature with cat-like features and claws. Being medium built, that made him an ‘angry little guy’.

Also, I was adamant that in this film, there would be moments where people would see the character and think, ‘Oh, my, this guy’s a freak, an animal.’ I didn’t want to look pretty; but I didn’t want to be a bodybuilder either. I wanted to have a tight, ripped kind of look. You must feel that if you look at me the wrong way, I’m going to rip your head off!

WOLVERINE WORKOUT

I started working out for this body almost a year ago. Building muscle takes longer than losing fat; it needs real dedication to make that happen.

• I focused on weights, often very heavy weights. I moved heavy iron, did bench press, barbell rows, heavy barbell lunges, squats... I was squatting and benching around 143 kgs.

• My cardio mostly included high-intensity running, utilising a high-intensity interval-training format. There was no jogging and the workout was supplemented with protein shake to help my body recover.

• Also, I made sure to ‘cycle’ the Wolverine workout. People either never change their workout, or they change too often and too much. I wasn’t doing the same thing forever. I stuck on a phase long enough to cause a result, and then I changed.

• This was a three-week cycle. I did three weeks of heavy sets, with lots of rest. Then I did three weeks of lighter sets, with slower tempo (three seconds down, one second up. Or four seconds down, two seconds up). The last phase of the cycle was three weeks of explosive lifting.

MY DIET PLAN

I realised that training is all about eating. My trainer says, ‘How you look is 30 per cent how you train and 70 per cent how you eat.’

• My diet, prescribed by an Aussie guy, a natural bodybuilding champion was insane! I woke up at 4 am and ate egg whites with no salt because he said, ‘Salt will puff you up.’ Then he joked, ‘Man, you’re going to love this meal because you get a dry piece of whole meal toast. That’s the only bread and carbs you get all day, so enjoy it.’ So I had to look forward to waking up and having my dry toast and egg whites.

• I would then go back to bed and get up at six to have a full meal. It went like that for the rest of the day, eating the exact amount of calories, a lot of fish, chicken and vegetables — six to eight chicken breasts a day. My trainer allowed me a cheat meal on Christmas day. I’ve never eaten so much in my life!

THE X-FACTOR

Jackman’s fitness mantras…

• Will Smith once told me, ‘It’s easier to stay ready than to get ready’. I agree, I want to be prepared for future roles.

• The secret of my physical achievements is brainpower. I am always searching for the tipping point between what the mind wants and what the body can achieve.

• I don’t set goals.We limit ourselves with goals.We have far more ability than we give ourselves credit for. What do you think happens at the 100-metre Olympic race? When it’s once every four years, with everything they’ve done leading to that,it can’t just be adrenaline.Maybe it’s just the mind getting out of the way.

• As for Wolverine, he wouldn’t make excuses about gymming or punk out on his workouts! So this body is just a natural consequence of living the character.

Depression gene found

2009-05-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

Scientists claim to be a step closer to understanding mental illness after discovering a gene linked to depression in older men.

An international team, led by University of Western Australia, has pinpointed a polymorphic gene that determines the risk of depression in older men, the latest edition of the 'International Journal of Epidemiology' reported.

According to the scientists, the study demonstrated that the risk of depression was greatest amongst people who carry a genetic polymorphism of the Creactive protein (CRP) gene and is not linked to increased levels of CRP, as previous scientific studies had suggested.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein found in the blood in response to inflammation "The results of our study suggest that these genetic variations lead to a relative deficiency in an individual's ability to address the physiological changes that occur as a result of acute stressful events.

"This marks the first time researchers have shown that men who display a polymorphism on chromosome one've a greater chance of displaying depressive episodes," Professor Osvaldo Almeida, who led the team, said.

For the study, the scientists used the Australian electoral rolls from 1996 and 1998 to sample (randomly) 12,000 men, aged 65 and older, living in Perth, Western Australia. Of these men 3,700 consented to donate a blood sample for genetic analysis. Other health and lifestyle factors were collected.

Of these 4.9% of the sampled men showed clinically significant symptoms of depression. The study involved analysing the genetic makeup of 3,700 men aged 65 years or older.

"These findings allow us to better understand depression risk factors and therefore will equip us with improved treatment and management methods. "We already know that depression is prevalent amongst older Australians with an estimated 8% of older Australian adults suffering from depression at some point, making this a major public health problem.

"The next step is to use these findings to better manage the treatment of the depression and that's a real challenge," Prof Almeida said.

FREEZER TO YOUR RESCUE

2009-05-19T03:04:00.000-07:00

Your freezer can be your best friend when you’re slimming. Here are some of the best waistlinefriendly frozen foods to have on standby.

PEAS
Frozen peas count as healthy pulses as well as a veg portion — so add them to everything for a boost of vitamin C, folic acid, protein and soluble fibre. They will lower the GI of a dish (the rate at which it releases sugar into your blood stream), sustaining you for longer. Frozen peas actually have more vitamins than fresh ones because they are frozen within two-and-a-half hours of harvesting, sealing in all the goodness.

OVEN CHIPS
Oven chips are skinnier (average 4.2% fat) than home-made fried chips (average 6.7% fat), making for a healthier, as well as more convenient option if you’re weight-watching. Because they are frozen so quickly, oven chips also have 33% more vitamin C in them than chips you cut yourself from fresh potatoes.

FISH
Fish frozen at sea has locked in freshness and makes the perfect low-cal supper simply grilled or steamed with new potatoes and veg. If you don’t like it plain, choose “dusted” (not breaded or battered) fillets, as the calorie count is lower.

SPINACH
A good source of iron (which slimmers can sometimes fall short on), and fills up space on your plate for virtually no calories. Frozen can be better than fresh. Evidence shows that two days after picking, fresh spinach has already lost 75% of its vitamin C, while frozen spinach only loses around 25 per cent of its Vitamin C content for as long as you keep it in the freezer.

YOGA FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

2009-05-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

Growing old is the stage when you have more time for your family, leisure, recreation and relaxation. This is also a stage when you have more time to yourself and this time maybe utilised to combat common ailments that one is susceptible to as one grows old. Some ailments linked to old age include:

• Aches and Pains / Arthritis
• High Blood Pressure
• Digestive Disorders
• Diabetes
• Insomnia
• Heart Ailments

This list could be endless for seniors if the need to stay fit and healthy. Since the degeneration of the body also sets some limits to the type of exercises you can do, milder forms of exercise like briskwalking and yoga can be practiced. The approach of yoga ensures long-lasting effects when practiced regularly. Yoga is a form of exercise that adapts to your needs and abilities and can be performed even by senior citizens. Since it touches your whole being, it makes you fitter, calmer and more relaxed. Yoga also helps to control/ prevent emotional problems linked with old age.

Yoga asanas and breathing techniques are designed to normalise your blood pressure, balance the nervous system, improve circulation and digestion, minimise aches/pains and are essential in the prevention of heart ailments. The breathing techniques can make you feel refreshed and cleanses the air passages which can help prevent respiratory ailments. Practicing yoga regularly also ensures a stronger immune system. In the next few days, common ailments related to old age would be addressed and simple yet effective Yogic techniques to combat them would be showcased. Remember: While practicing yoga, know your body and respect its limits. Do not push yourself too hard in a pose. Remember yoga aims to quiet the mind as you exercise your body. Practice to your comfort and joy.

• The above set of postures are very beneficial for good circulation of blood around the neck area and releases pain and stress if any.

• People with spondylitis and vertigo must consult their doctor before doing these postures.

BASIC POSTURES FOR THE NECK AND HEAD

1 Rotate your head in both directions.

2 Hold your neck firmly and drop your head at the back.

3 Keep your elbows parallel to the ground and apply pressure with your palm and resist the force with your neck. Repeat on both sides.

4 Interlock your hands at the back of your head and repeat the same procedure as above.

5 Keep your elbows straight while dropping your head at the back.

Stand up and move around

2009-05-19T01:15:00.001-07:00

Prolonged sitting leads to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Hate it when the TV remote is not around and you've to stand up to change channels? Well, it's time you start loving the practice, for experts have said that long periods of sitting down could lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even obesity.

In a new study, it has been shown that most people spend just one hour of their waking day not seated. And now, for the first time, Australian researchers will try to track just how much lounging around people do and whether simple tasks, like standing up to turn the TV off, can improve health.

Experts have predicted that time spent between watching the TV, working and travelling, in total consumes 14 hours of a day - with most people only awake for 15 hours.

And researchers believe that if we change the way we sit, and exercise at least 30 minutes a day, it could reduce the risk of developing lifestyle diseases.

Paul Gardiner, Queensland University's Cancer Prevention Research Centre spokesman, said that older people were the worst for lounging around.

"It's not always how long you sit but also the way you sit. Studies have shown by having regular breaks it could alter blood glucose levels which are linked to diabetes," The Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

He added, "We are trying to get people to avoid prolonged sitting."

The researchers revealed that kids are seated for up to 44 per cent of day, not including sleeping, but it increases to 56 per cent by adulthood. In seniors, 65 per cent of their day is seated. Gardiner suggested that people find ways to stand up while doing everyday activities, such as standing while on the phone.

"If you are watching the TV, put the remote on top and stand up to change channels. In the office, get up and go for a walk after you are on the telephone. Move bins and printers to a central location so workers have to stand up and walk," he said.

FANCY DÉCOR, PRICES AND LOOS

2009-05-15T02:28:00.000-07:00

Australian Rod Vallis and his wife Suzie have travelled to 22 countries. Last year we’d gone for a company trip to Europe. This year, thanks to recession, the furthest international destination we could travel to was the newly opened ‘World Cuisine Network’, Indiranagar. The swanky glass exterior building houses 4 options; Bistro — the coffee shop, La Vigna — authentic Italian restaurant, Masala Craft — Indian food cooked in Olive Oil (!) and Mezzeh — the Lebanese Sheesha bar cum restaurant.

To squeeze in two destinations we had starters at Mezzeh and dinner at La Vigna. They don’t take reservations at Mezzeh so we went early. At 8 pm, on a Thursday night, it was buzzing. The terrace restaurant has two distinct areas; a covered lounge and bar area with low seating and an al fresco dining area. The décor is very Mid-eastern; cloth canopies, Lebanese music.

The menu had dishes which sounded more like bad words than good food. If you hear someone screaming ‘Fattoush!’ relax, they’re only ordering a salad, a well made one at that. To try as many dishes as possible without spending too much (fairly expensive) we ordered a Cold Mezzeh Platter (Rs 350/-) and a hot Pastry Combo (Rs 280/-). The cold platter totalled 5 dips and salads (including Fattoush), served with 3 pieces Khubus (Pita bread), a bit too thick, but crisp, dished out fresh from the oven by award winning Egyptian Chef Sayed. The Hummus, a dip made of chick peas and tahina sauce was of just the right consistency. The Baba Ganouj and the Moutabal, both made out of egg plant had a nice sharp bite to it. The best was the ‘terrorist group sounding’ Tabbouleh, a salad of chopped parsley leaves mixed with mint, olive oil and lime; crunchy, well spiced. In the Pastry Combo, the Cheese Fatayer was just a mini cheese croissant, bland and flavourless, while the Borek Lamhe was a beef croissant with miniscule amounts of beef. Suzie loves spinach and pine nuts, both of which were present in the interesting Spinach Fatayer. The fried lamb kebabs with pine nuts were crisp and well spiced. From their range of dairy dips we ordered the Labneh Khaleet, a deliciously creamy Lebanese cheese mixed with olives. A warning: vegetarians should stuff themselves with the wide variety of starters because the main course offers them almost no options.

Meanwhile Rod came out of the loo with wet hands. He couldn’t work the hi-tech towel dispenser. Making fun of him, I went in, returned with the same result. Finally, Sue came out with a paper towel and a comment about men not reading instructions. We just had to place our hand on the dispenser front and the tissue would gush out.

Hands dry, bill paid, we left for Italy and our main course. We were the only ones who’d made the journey to La Vigna. While it lacked customers and a buzz (was surprisingly empty on another night too) it didn’t lack much else; the décor was classy, the wine list robust, the kitchen well equipped. In their bid to serve authentic Italian food they’d imported everything; ingredients like peeled tomatoes, a wood fired oven to give your pizzas a distinct flavour and even the Italian Chef, Pablo.

We were stuffed so we ordered just enough to write about. The freshly baked and complimentary garlic bread further clogged our stomachs. Luckily the Lasagna wasn’t the cheesy variety but the authentic, light, tangy (imported tomatoes) preparation they serve at street side bistros in Rome. The Seafood Risotto was a bit bland, the flavours provided only by the saffron and the fresh mussels and prawns. Sue, who comes from the land of lamb chops (New Zealand) approved of the Agnello Grigliato — Grilled chops which she’d ordered medium rare, though I found it chewy. The only dessert we ordered, the Tiramisu was fairly competent though it left a powdery residue in the mouth.

At both the restaurants they’ve taken great effort to keep the preparations simple and authentic.

Therein lays the problem too, it doesn’t wow you. Most of us have started expecting (especially for that price) some experimentation.

Nevertheless I’ll be back; to try the entrees and Sheeshas at Mezzeh, the Pizza at La Vigna and (a confession – we didn’t wash with soap!) to figure out how the hi-tech soap dispenser operates.

HEART-0-MATIC

2009-05-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

A machine that uses dead hearts to simulate working of a live one will allow researchers to conduct experiments at a fraction of the cost of using live animals.

A new machine that makes an animal heart pump much like a live heart after it has been removed from the animal’s body, is set to revolutionise heart surgery.

Developed at the USbased North Carolina State University, the machine saves researchers time and money by allowing them to test their technologies without the costs and time associated with animal or clinical trials.

Currently, most medical device prototypes designed for use in heart surgery are tested on live pigs. However, these tests are both expensive, time-consuming, and involve a lengthy process to ensure that the use of live animals is necessary.

The computer-controlled machine, allows researchers to film the interior workings of the pumping heart – enabling them to ascertain exactly which surgical techniques perform best for repairing heart valves.

The machine, dubbed the ‘dynamic heart system’ – pumps fluid through a pig heart so that it functions in a very realistic way.

“Researchers can obtain pig hearts from a pork processing facility and use the heart system to test their prototypes or practice new surgical procedures,” says Andrew Richards, a Ph. D. student in mechanical engineering at NC State who designed the heart machine.

The system is much cheaper than testing on a live animal, which costs approximately $2,500, said Richards. “It costs approximately $25 to run an experiment on the machine,” he added.

By using the machine, researchers can determine if concepts for new surgical tools are viable before evaluating them on live animals. They can also identify and address any functional problems with new tools.

“There will still be a need for testing in live animal models,” says Dr. Greg Buckner, who directed the project, “but this system allows researchers to do ‘proof of concept’ evaluations, and refine the designs, before operating on live animals.”

The US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded the development of the heart machine system.

RESTLESS

2009-05-14T00:42:00.001-07:00

Our Dr tells you the real cause behind that uncontrollable urge to ‘take a walk’ before you sleep or move your legs.

Getting up from your desk every now and then ‘to have chai’? Laughing off your spouse’s complaints about hyper movements of your legs in your sleep? Well, you may want to look at your restless behaviour more seriously because you might be a victim of the ‘Restless Legs Syndrome’ (RLS).

RESTLESS WHAT?
RLS is often a lifelong disorder that begins in your middle age. While the exact cause is not known, fingers have been pointed at brain iron deficiency. Primarily because iron is required for the synthesis of dopamine in the brain. Though there are no tests that can prove presence of RLS, if you have the following symptoms, consider treatment:

• An uncomfortable sensation in the legs, (generally between knees and ankles) especially in the evenings, causing an urge to move the legs which brings temporary relief.

• Inability to sit and pace about.

• Discomfort that increases during inactivity and rises to an extent that you can neither sit still or lie down.

• Even if you fall asleep, you are troubled by another symptom, Periodic Leg Movement in Sleep (PLMS), consisting of a repetitive flexion of the legs.

CAUSES

RLS may be primary or secondary. Primary or idiopathic RLS is a lifelong disorder and often hereditary. It’s more common in women and frequently gets aggravated during pregnancy. An Indian study found that RLS was present in approximately 8 per cent of Parkinson’s Disease patients. Other causes of secondary RLS include diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure and neuropathies.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO

Treatment for RLS needs to be given over a prolonged period. However, it’s effective enough to eradicate all symptoms. Among the host of medications, the most useful ones are the dopamine agonists (the newer non-ergot dopamine agonists are preferred). Iron supplements are given to those with iron deficiency and secondary causes are treated.

AVOID
• Drugs such as antidepressants, calcium channel-blockers etc.
• Caffeine, alcohol and smoking to ensure that the medications work optimally.

Drugs reverse Alzheimer’s in trial tests

2009-05-08T02:15:00.001-07:00

In a research that will bring hope to millions, scientists in the US have reported that they have successfully reversed the effects of Alzheimer’s with experimental drugs. The drugs target and boost the function of a newly pinpointed gene involved in the brain’s memory formation, BBC News website said on Thursday siting a report in the journal Nature. In mice, the treatment helped restore longterm memory and improve learning for new tasks.

The same drugs — HDAC inhibitors — are currently being tested to treat Huntington’s disease and are on the market to treat some cancers. They reshape the DNA scaffolding that supports and controls the expression of genes in the brain. The Alzheimer’s gene the drugs act upon, histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), regulates the expression of a plethora of genes implicated in plasticity — the brain’s ability to change in response to experience — and memory formation.

Want to have great sex? Wear high heels

2009-05-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

They say superstilettos can ruin ladies’ feet, but now experts are warning that flat shoes can be just as dangerous. Not only that, they also boost women’s sex lives.

The claims are backed by the finding that foot injuries are on a rise, courtesy ballet pumps and flip-flops. Flat shoes can cause severe foot pain, shooting pains in shins, backaches and even arthritis.

Italian researchers have also found that women who wear a heel of one to two inches may have more fun between the sheets. The body posture adopted while wearing heels improves the pelvic floor muscles, which help to create a mind-blowing climax. Mike O’Neill, spokesman for Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, said: “Over the last four years we’ve had a significant increase in the number of problems caused be wearing flat shoes such as ballet pumps or flip flops. I’ve seen three or four just in the last week.”

“Very flat shoes worn for long periods of time can cause problems, and very high heels worn for long periods of time can also cause problems. The feet aren’t designed to work in either. The ideal heel size is around an inch.”

What keeps smokers thin

2009-05-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

Previous studies have shown that smokers have less body fat as compared to non-smokers. Now, a new study by US researchers may help explain the reason. For the study, researchers from Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York evaluated the levels of alpha2-zinc-glycoprotein1 (AZGP1), a gene linked to weight loss, in 37 healthy nonsmokers and 55 healthy smokers. They found that AZGP1 levels were higher in smokers than nonsmokers.

New Research

2009-05-07T01:31:00.000-07:00

Midwife-attended home births risky, says study
The risk of newborns dying is higher when delivery is at home attended by a certified nurse midwife than when babies are born in hospitals with a certified nurse midwife in attendance, according to data released in Baltimore, Maryland at the meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies. While the study of nearly 12 million births in the US found only 14 newborn deaths among babies delivered at home by a certified nurse midwife, this rate was more than two-fold higher than for hospital deliveries attended by a certified nurse midwife. Furthermore, the rate was four-fold higher for home deliveries by other midwives.

Sex hormone plays vital role in hearing:
Oestrogen, a sex hormone, also has a vital bearing on how our brain processes sounds, according to a new discovery. The findings show for the first time that a sex hormone can directly affect auditory function, and seemingly control other types of sensory processing as well. “We’ve discovered oestrogen doing something totally unexpected,” said Raphael Pinaud, professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, who led the study.

Famed Nefertiti bust a fake?
The bust of Queen Nefertiti housed in a Berlin museum and believed to be 3,400 years old is a copy dating from 1912, says Swiss art historian Henri Stierlin. Stierlin says in a new book that the bust was made at the order of German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt. In 1912, it was admired as an original work by a German prince and the archaeologist “couldn’t sum up the courage to ridicule” his guest, Stierlin said.

Care for elderly, be blessed with longer life

2009-05-07T01:18:00.000-07:00

People who selflessly care for the ill and the elderly are blessed with a longer life, according to a new research.

The worry that all the stress attached to careviging might shave some years off life and turn people to the grave early is totally unfounded. In fact, the opposite is true — people who nurse a loved one may be repaid with a longer lifespan, MSNBC reported on Wednesday.

Earlier studies have found that people who cared for sick relatives died at a younger age than people who didn’t help. But researchers from the University of Michigan suspected the caregiving wasn’t the problem.

“We thought that it wasn’t the helping that was harmful, and that the harm seen in those studies came from watching someone die,” says study author Stephanie Brown, a social psychologist and an assistant professor in the department of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.

To see if caregiving was truly beneficial to the caregiver, Brown and her colleagues scrutinized data from 1,688 couples who were at least 70 years old. Over a seven year period, the elderly couples were surveyed four times. During each survey, husbands and wives were asked whether they either provided or received help with such daily activities as eating, dressing, bathing, walking across the room, or using the toilet. They were also asked who performed household tasks such as grocery shopping, managing money and meal preparation. Brown and her colleagues found that if you accounted for the negative impact of stressing over a loved one’s illness, that caregiving actually led to longer life.

During the course of the study, people who spent at least 14 hours a week caring for a sick spouse were almost 30% less likely to die during the study period than those who spent no time helping, according to the research recently published in Psychological Science.

A smaller study in the journal Stroke came to a similar conclusion. Researchers interviewed 75 people who spent an average of almost 37 hours per week caring for a loved one who had suffered a stroke. A full 90% of those interviewed reported that their caregiving enabled them to appreciate life more. Many also reported that it helped them develop a more positive attitude toward life.

When it came to stresses associated with caregiving, 44% said they felt “no strain” while 41% reported “some strain.”

The research by Brown and her colleagues fits in with results from various research results showing that animals release higher levels of a hormone called oxytocin when they are parenting. That hormone leads to lower levels of stress-linked substances, Brown says. It also makes sense in light of studies showing that people who volunteer tend to live longer than those who don’t, she adds.

New Research

2009-05-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

Fathers’ mental health problems harmful for kids:
Fathers’ mental health problems could be harmful for their kids, a new study warns. Researchers at the University of Oxford said such kids are more likely to have psychiatric or behavioural disorders. Paternal depression during the postnatal period, measured at eight weeks after birth, has been linked to increasing the chance of the child subsequently developing behavioural and emotional problems from 10% to 20%. The study found that teenage offspring of depressed fathers also have an increased risk of various psychological problems, including depression and suicidal behaviour.

‘French are the top sleepers, eaters’:
True to their reputation as leisure-loving gourmets, the French spend more time sleeping and eating than anyone else among the world’s wealthy nations, says a new study. The average French person sleeps almost nine hours every night, more than an hour longer than the average Japanese and Korean. Moreover, the French still spend more than two hours a day eating, more than any other nation surveyed.

Nanotech may help fight HIV:
Biomedical engineers at Yale have found a new method that may help stop HIV infection in future — a safe way to deliver therapeutic RNAs into vaginal cells. Using nanoparticles made of a biodegradable polymer known as PLGA, the researchers created a stable “time release” vehicle for delivery of siRNAs (molecules that silence genes for treatment of STDs) to sensitive mucosal tissue like that of the vagina. The technique can be used to make creams containing anti-HIV RNAs.

Late mothers live longer:
Women who have babies in their forties and fifties tend to live longer than other women, a new study has found. The Utah-based study shows their brothers also live longer, suggesting that the same genes prolong lifespan and fertility more than other factors.

Baby foods are worse than burgers

2009-05-05T01:14:00.001-07:00

Anew study has revealed that some baby foods contain “staggering” amounts of sugar and fat that make them worse than junk food. Researchers for the Children’s Food Campaign found that Farley’s Original Rusks contain more sugar than McVities Chocolate Digestives, while Heinz Toddler Mini Cheese Biscuits have proportionately more saturated fat than a McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese.

“The results of this survey are staggering. Many foods marketed for babies and young children are often advertised as ‘healthy’. In terms of sugar and saturated fat content, some are worse than junk food,” the Daily Express quoted Children’s Food Campaign joint-coordinator Christine Haigh as saying. “In particular, failing to correctly label products that contain dangerous trans fats is outrageous,” Haigh added.

Anger can be pinned on genes

2009-05-05T01:08:00.000-07:00

Do you often get angry? Well, then, blame your genes, says a new study.

German researchers say that a gene called DARPP-32 may help explain why some people fly into a rage at the slightest provocation, while others remain calm.

The researchers, from the University of Bonn, asked over 800 people to fill in a questionnaire designed to study how they handle anger. The team also administered a DNA test to determine which of three versions of the DARPP-32 gene people were carrying.

The gene affects levels of dopamine, a brain chemical linked to anger and aggression. Researchers found that those who had the “TT” or “TC” versions of the gene portrayed significantly more anger than those with the “CC” version.

The researchers also found that those who display more anger have less grey matter in the amygdala, a part of the brain that helps keep our emotions balanced.

Chew gums and excel in maths

2009-04-30T03:50:00.001-07:00

In a study likely to make school janitors cringe, US researchers said chewing gum may boost academic performance in teenagers.

Many American schools ban chewing gum because children often dispose of the sticky chaw under chairs or tables. But a team led by Craig Johnston at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found that students who chewed gum during math class had higher scores on a standardized math test after 14 weeks and better grades at the end of the term than students in the class who did not chew gum. The study was funded by chewing gum maker Wrigley. “For the first time we’ve been able to show in a real-life kind of situation that students did perform better when they were allowed to chew,” said Gil Leveille, executive director of the Brigley Science Institute, a research arm of Brigley, which is now a part of Mars.

The researchers at Baylor studied four math classes or 108 students aged 13 to 16 years from a Houston, Texas, charter school that serves mostly low-income Hispanic students. About half got free gum to chew during class, homework and tests. They chewed at least one stick of gum 86% of the time they were in math class and 36% of the time they were doing homework. The other half went without.

After 14 weeks, the gum chewers had a 3% increase in their math scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills achievement test, a small but statistically significant change, according to Johnston and colleagues, who presented their findings at the American Society for Nutrition scientific meeting in New Orleans.

They found no difference in math scores between the two groups in another test called the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement. However, the gum-chewers did get better final grades in the class than their non-chewing peers.

A primer on asthmatic kids

2009-04-30T03:35:00.000-07:00

The death from asthma of Raaju, a Class XII student of Modern School, has focused attention on an illness few understand. Asthma is a chronic disease like diabetes and hypertension but can be harmless if monitored and fatal if neglected. How is a parent to judge?

Dr Bikram Sarbhai, senior consultant, pulmonology at Escorts and Max Hospitals, says there is nothing like safe asthma and a wheeze is always bad, and never to be taken lightly. Dr J C Suri, head of Safdarjung Hospital’s department of pulmonology, says, “Schools should keep nebulisers, asthma drugs and oxygen handy at all times and also have a doctor.”

In India, 4% of the population is asthmatic, out of which 5-10% are children, says Suri. A primer for parents: Don’t let an asthmatic child go to school, his condition can deteriorate suddenly. If he has to go to school, make sure he carries the medication he needs, including inhalers. Make sure your child takes the doctor’s prescription to school in case the school/hospital needs it in an emergency. Talk to your child’s teacher, explain the problem and leave your contact numbers with her. If sport can’t be avoided, tell your child to take 2-3 puffs of his inhaler. Don’t stop medication if the child appears normal. Treatment includes low dose cortico-steroids and inhalers. Medicine is used to provide relief and/ or prevent asthma attacks.

Fretting over memory loss makes it worse

2009-04-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

Think positive, especially if you want to retain a good memory as you age. That’s the advice of scientists at North Carolina State University who found that expecting to have a diminishing memory with age could be a selffulfilling prophecy.

In a study published in the journal Experimental Aging Research, they found that seniors who do not believe in the negative stereotype that memory loss is a natural occurrence in old age did better on tests than other elderly people. “Older people will perform more poorly on a memory test if they are told that older folks do poorly on that particular type of memory test,” Dr Tom Hess, who headed the study, said in a statement.

He and his team tested memory performance of adults 60 to 70 years old and others who were 71 to 82. In addition to doing more poorly in tests if they bought into the negative stereotype of ageing and memory, seniors also performed poorly if they thought they were stigmatised, or looked down on, because of their age. “Such situations may be part of older adults’ everyday experience, such as being concerned about what others think of them at work having a negative effect on their performance—and thus potentially reinforcing the negative stereotypes,” said Hess.

The negative effects were strongest in adults with the highest level of education, according to the researchers. But on the plus side, if seniors have a more positive view of ageing their memory performance scores are higher.

Nicotine takes the edge off rage

2009-04-30T03:29:00.000-07:00

Smoking to relieve stress is nothing new, but now a brain imaging study shows just how nicotine can blunt our anger response. People who received half a nicotine patch dose proved less likely to rise to provocation, compared to when they took a placebo. This may support the idea that angry or stressed-out individuals can more easily become addicted to cigarettes, LiveScience reported.

“The findings suggest that people in anger provoking situations may be more susceptible to the effects of nicotine,” said Jean Gehricke, a psychiatry researcher at the University of California in Irvine.

The study pitted a group of nonsmokers against a nonexistent game opponent whose “behaviour” was designed to irritate and provoke. The simple computer game involved a race to see who could click a mouse button fastest in response to seeing a red square appear. The twist—players in the game could set punishments where the loser would have to hear a blast of white noise over headphones. Winners could set the intensity and duration of the annoying sound, but players could also see what the other person had set as a punishment level.

Researchers who controlled the fake opponent gradually raised the punishment level for the participants. That translated into an open invitation for people to retaliate by raising punishment levels, but people on the nicotine patch were less easily provoked and inflicted shorter punishment.

Turns out that the nicotine targets a system of the brain focused on regulating emotion, known as the limbic cortex, LiveScience said. PET scans showed increased brain activity in those brain regions for people on the patch. Such calming effects of nicotine may act as an anger management crutch for people who tend to be angrier.

‘Brain music’ can help you beat the blues

2009-04-30T02:27:00.000-07:00

Human brain naturally composes melodies, which researchers believe can rival Mozart and Chopin. That’s not all. The experts believe that a piano rendition of the brain’s sound track can help in dealing with insomnia and fatigue in the aftermath of a stressful experience.

The concept of “brain music” is to use the frequency, amplitude and duration of musical sounds to move the brain from an anxious state to a more relaxed one. Over the past decade, the influence of music on cognitive development, learning, and emotional well-being has emerged as a hot field of scientific study.

Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) has begun a study into a form of neuro-training called “brain music” that uses music created in advance from listeners’ own brain waves to help them deal with common ailments like insomnia, fatigue, and headaches stemming from stressful environments.

“Strain comes with an emergency response job, so we are interested in finding ways to help these workers remain at the top of their game when working and get quality rest when they go off a shift,” said S&T programme manager Robert Burns. “Our goal is to find new ways to help first responders perform at the highest level possible, without increasing tasks, training, or stress levels.”

If the brain “composes” the music, the first job of scientists is to take down the notes. Each recording is converted into two unique musical compositions designed to trigger the body’s natural responses.

The compositions are clinically shown to promote one of two mental states in each individual: relaxation — for reduced stress and improved sleep; and alertness — for improved concentration and decision-making. The relaxation track may sound like a “melodic, subdued Chopin sonata”, while the alertness track may have “more of a Mozart sound”, says Burns.

A rival for Viagra that can be rubbed into skin

2009-04-30T01:45:00.000-07:00

New Anti-Impotency Drug Promises To Work Within 10 Mins And Claims to Have Fewer Side Effects.

In one of the first medical applications of nanotechnology — the science of tiny particles — scientists have developed a fast-acting treatment for impotence that could rival Viagra.

The drug’s minute particles can be absorbed directly through the skin, causing a sexual response within minutes.

The treatment has so far only been tested in animals but the researchers behind it say the same approach could also benefit humans. Viagra and other drugs have to be taken orally, meaning they take some time to be digested and then have effects throughout the body. Some users can suffer side-effects such as headaches, facial flushing and indigestion.

The nanoparticle approach, by contrast, worked in less than 10 minutes and its effects seem to be limited to the relevant parts of the body, according to the researchers. Kelvin Davies of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, who oversaw the research, said the results showed the potential for “nanomedicines”.

He said the nanoparticles “can facilitate transport of erectogenic agents. It localises the therapeutic impact without the potential consequences due to systemic absorption”.

In the study, published on Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, Davies and his colleagues loaded the nanoparticles with nitric oxide, a chemical that occurs naturally in the body where it makes blood vessels expand and fill with blood.

They applied the particles to the skin of rats bred to suffer from impotence. They observed a

rapid and strong response.

The potential market for such drugs is extensive. Viagra has become one of the world’s most popular medicines with about 40 million pills prescribed in Britain alone since its launch in 1998. Many more have been obtained from online pharmacies. Some believe such treatments benefit relationships pointing to the fact that about a fifth of marital breakdowns are at least partly linked to men suffering erectile dysfunction.

Other evidence has, however, shown that such drugs give older men the confidence to start new relationships with younger women and quit the marital home. Viagra has been cited in many splits, including that of the comedian Vic Reeves and of Wendy and Johnny Kidd, parents of the models Jodie and Jemma.

Bangalore emerges as the best city for expats

2009-04-29T23:26:00.000-07:00

Are you thinking which city in India is safe and provide quality living?? Here is the answer. Bangalore has emerged as the best Indian city among New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in terms of better quality of living for expatriates, according to a latest worldwide survey of cities by global HR consultancy Mercer.

According to Mercer survey, ‘2009 quality of living global city rankings’ for 215 cities, Bangalore has topped the list among Indian cities, while the country’s financial hub Mumbai has witnessed a drop in rankings this year mainly due to a decline in stability and security conditions.
Unfortunately, Indian cities do not fare well as compared to their global peers as the list is topped by Vienna in Austria followed by Switzerland’s Zurich (2nd), Geneva (3rd), Canadian city Vancouver and New Zealand’s Auckland have been ranked at the 4th place.

Among Indian cities, Bangalore has been ranked at the 142nd place this year, down two notches from last year, while Mumbai has been dropped to the 148th place from 142 position last year, the survey revealed.

However, New Delhi has managed to maintain the same rank this year at the 145th place in the global list, while Chennai has been ranked at the 152nd place, the survey revealed.

Mercer’s worldwide 215-city quality of living survey, is primarily conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments.

Meanwhile, Singapore has emerged as the best Asian city in terms of quality of living, ranked at 26th position in the global list followed by Tokyo at 35. Further, Baghdad is at the bottom of the rankings at the 215th place.

“When you relocate executives from one country to another you need clear and objective information establishing quality of living differences between cities. Some are perceived to be safer, while others provide entertainment activities or more comprehensive medical services,” Mercer’s information product solutions India business leader Gangapriya Chakraverti said.

The Mercer quality of living report aims to provide tangible values for such qualitative perceptions, in order to establish an effective and objective assessment of the quality of living throughout the world, Chakraverti added.

Interestingly, this year’s rankings also identify cities with best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports.

“As a result of current financial crisis, multinational companies are looking to review their international assignment policies with a view to cutting costs,” Mercer consulting India global mobility leader Rupam Mishra said.

Bad memory? Delete it with a single dose

2009-04-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

‘Emotions In Specific Parts Of Brain Can Be Edited’

Suppose scientists could erase certain memories by tinkering with a single substance in the brain. Could make you forget a chronic fear, a traumatic loss, even a bad habit.

Researchers in Brooklyn have recently accomplished comparable feats, with a single dose of an experimental drug delivered to areas of the brain critical for holding specific types of memory, like emotional associations, spatial knowledge or motor skills.

The drug blocks the activity of a substance that the brain apparently needs to retain much of its learned information. And if enhanced, the substance could help ward off dementias and other memory problems. So far, the research has been done only on animals. But scientists say this memory system is likely to work almost identically in people.

“If this molecule is as important as it appears to be, you can see the possible implications,” said Todd Sacktor, a 52-year-old neuroscientist who leads the team at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center, in Brooklyn, which demonstrated its effect on memory.

Research suggests, brain cells activated by an experience keep one another on biological speed-dial, like a group of people joined in common witness of some striking event. Call on one and word quickly goes out to the larger network of cells, each apparently adding some detail, sight, sound, smell. The brain appears to retain a memory by growing thicker, or more efficient, communication lines between these cells. In a 1999 paper, researchers listed 117 molecules that were somehow involved when one cell creates a lasting speed-dial connection with a neighbor, a process known as “long-term potentiation”.

Sacktor eventually landed up with a substance called PKMzeta. In a series of studies, Sacktor’s lab found that this molecule was present and activated in cells precisely when they were put on speed-dial by a neighboring neuron. In fact, the PKMzeta molecules appeared to herd themselves, like troops occupying a small peninsula, into precisely the fingerlike connections among brain cells that were strengthened. And they stayed there, indefinitely, like biological sentries.

Sacktor then tried to find out what, if anything, PKMzeta meant for living, breathing animals. His colleague, Andre Fenton, also of SUNY Downstate, who studies spatial memory in mice and rats, had already devised a clever way to teach animals strong memories for where things are located by teaching them to move around a small chamber to avoid a mild electric shock to their feet. Once the animals learn, they do not forget. Placed back in the chamber a day later, even a month later, they quickly remember how to avoid the shock and do so.

But when injected — directly into their brain — with a drug called ZIP that interferes with PKMzeta, they are back to square one, almost immediately.

Researchers led by Yadin Dudai at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel found that one dose of ZIP even made rats forget a strong disgust they had developed for a taste that had made them sick — three months earlier.

MONITORING DIABETES

2009-04-07T05:11:00.000-07:00

Regular monitoring is the key to keeping your diabetes in check and living a healthy life.

The secret in being a productive diabetic is to monitor blood sugars and use it as a base to make informed decisions regarding dietary and life style modifications.

Why is it important to monitor blood sugars?
Very often blood sugar monitoring is delayed, postponed or considered an extra effort, but what we do not realise is that uncontrolled, unchecked highs and lows in blood sugar can lead to a series of complications in both types of diabetics. This can cause complications on vital systems of the body, like the brain, kidneys, heart, or eyes.

So what is smart self blood sugar monitoring?
Help your diabetologist by taking a spread out of blood sugars – pre and post meal (two hours after the meal) on different days, coupled with one or two readings of 5:00 pm sugars, bedtime sugars and 3:00 am sugars.

Bedtime blood glucose level should be maintained between 100 and 140 mg/dl. If bed time glucose is less than 100 mg/dl consume a carbohydrate (CHO) snack before going to bed. If the 5:00 pm random blood sugar is less than 80 mg/dl, there is risk of going into hypoglycaemia at night.

If you are a physically active person, check your sugars pre-exercise. If it is less than 90 mg/dl, consume a carbohydrate snack and also check on your insulin dosage.

If the difference between pre and post meal sugars is less than 50 mg/dl, it indicates that the food choices are working well.

If blood sugars are more than 240 mg/dl, check back on food, medication and limit vigorous exercise.

Make notes on deviation in sugars with the changes in meal pattern or exercise schedule or eating out. Explore the options of monitoring devices available to achieve this.

What your self-monitoring device should have?
Pick a monitoring device that’s easy to use. You want to be able to monitor your glucose as easily as possible rather than it becoming another chore. Some of the latest devices have a variety of features, which include:

Auto-coding: The calibration code is embedded on each strip, thereby eliminating coding-related errors.
Results flagging: Some devices have the ability to separately store fasting and post meal readings, so you don’t have to maintain an additional log book to record results.
Small pricking devices: Another feature to look out for if you want to monitor your blood-glucose painlessly.
Temperature sensor: This sensor helps you get temperature-corrected results.

Going on a long trip?

2009-02-13T04:10:00.000-08:00

Before you decide on a holiday destination, be it domestic or abroad, it is important to make a wise decision of your holiday package provider. Here’s what you should ask your holiday package provider. You can start like this:

How long has the company (you are choosing to purchase your package) from been in business?
Check recommendations, if you can.
Ask about the accommodations that will be allotted?
Will you be booked on a major airline?
What exactly will you get for your money’s worth. Is the package worth it? Do ask for comments from travelers who have booked from this provider earlier.

Don’t just look at that colorful brochure and ‘general information’ insert. Ask for the exact contract you will be signing and scour the details. Look for hidden costs like late processing fees and hotel security deposits. There could be some!

Ask if the provider will be able to help if there is lost baggage insurance provided by the vendor? Are there ‘travel delay’ reimbursements? Emergency medical coverage?

Here’s a great tip: Try to place all travel transactions on a credit card. If there are disputes, a credit card company will go after the vendor for the recovery of fees you have paid. If you don’t have a credit card available, think twice. It is far better to have family or friends book the trip for you.

Keep aging at bay

2009-02-13T04:05:00.000-08:00

The skin is the first reflection of aging and the face shows the visible changes as we age. The skin is the most vital organ of the body as it covers the whole body, and bacterial infections on the skin can and do spread to other vital organs.

Thus it’s very important to keep the skin well nourished, free from any bacterial and fungal infections. The skin has to be enriched with vitamins and minerals, to retain its natural strength so that it keeps its natural glow. Collagen based treatments help to keep the skin tight and reduce wrinkles which occur due to skin losing its elasticity. The skin has to be detoxified, dead cells removed, pores opened, cleaned , nourished, enriched and rejuvenated.

For this reasopn, Dr Poornima introduces the following anti-aging beauty therapy:
Antiageing detox facial and Sensory Bliss therapy

This traditional deep cleansing called Detox facial is customized for your skin type which is exposed to pollution, stress and normal aging. The facial includes a gentle exfoliation, with specialized products to remove dull, surface skin cells, give a deep-cleansing facial massage and masque. To rejuvenate and nourish the skin, the special anti-aging facial is followed with antioxidants to combat premature aging and provide skin with a healthy glow. This facial includes a luxurious acupressure and lifting facial massage, a hydrating treatment, a vitamin C application and advance laser treatments with the best lasers for deep tissue rejuvenation.

The same is also done for the entire body, hands, legs and back.
Antiageing aromaplasty, and Harmony Therapy:

This is an all-round beauty treatment that redresses all major skin imbalances by nourishing the epidermis with a cocktail of vitamins and proteins. The concentration of active hydrating ingredients and emollients leaves the skin feeling soft, velvety smooth and radiant.

It’s followed with a special balancing harmony. This treatment has the ability to restore balance and bring considerable comfort to even the most reactive skins. Harmony eliminates unsightly random patchiness, brings greater comfort and reduces the irritation threshold considerably by strengthening the natural defense mechanism of the epidermis, through skin fortifying products which are massaged by machines to reach the deepest layer of the epidermis.

The same is followed with laser skin tightening and toning for the skin to restore its firmness, fine the youthfulness in your face. This Titan laser is the most advanced and will show immediate difference to your face and the sagging jaw lines.

Studio Imaging:

This is a combination of exotic treatments which include: Skin enrichment, antibacterial treatment, biological peels, detoxification and face rejuvenation.

This is followed up with removing fine and deep lines by fillers and muscle relaxants. It takes care of all aging lines, crows’ feet, nabial folds and forehead lines.

Other treatments include:

Facial massages by advance laser
Lip touch-up if necessary. It’s optional, to give you the sexy pout.
Facelift by laser, which will tighten the skin on your face, jaw line and neck line.

These wonderful treatments are introduced after months of research. The products too are customized to suit your skin, the raw materials are imported from Paris, Vietnam, Thailand and the like. They are carefully blended, enriched with vitamins, minerals, natural extracts and then used on your skin. The specially trained team of doctors and therapists work together examining your skin before starting this rejuvenating anti-aging therapy.

Make the most of your time together

2009-02-13T04:03:00.000-08:00

Want to add that zing to your relationship? It’s easy, just spend more time together. Remember, shared experiences build memories and bond a couple together more closely and help in building a long-term, healthy relationship.

• Fun things to do together can include learning something new, exploring nature, being active together, or jointly giving time to a good cause. Examples of learning something new together could include taking a dance class. Hiking, swimming, and camping together are entertaining and can create a memorable experience you can look back on many years later.

• Being active together, whether it’s walking, jogging, or playing tennis keeps you healthy in more ways than one.

• It’s also a good idea to set aside one night a week to do something fun together and make it a date night. Romantic dinners are always a hit.

• Couples with young children often feel that they should spend every waking hour and shower every bit of attention on them. While this is true, taking a few hours off from from them will make you bond together as a couple. Remember, this will provide a good example for your children of how a marriage or partnership should be.

Hair loss post pregnancy is hormonal

2009-02-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

My family wants me to get married. But, I fear rejection as I am going bald. What can I do?
For baldness there are nonsurgical remedies like hair weaving and bonding. These techniques ensure that you get back a head full of hair. We also provide an opportunity to meet clients who have undergone the procedure earlier.

I’m 27-years-old and want to know how I can avoid rashes on my legs which appear post waxing and shaving.
Try laser treatment for hair removal. This is a painless procedure and can be done on the chin, upper lip, face, arms, legs, underarms, breast, bikini line and the rest of the body. Moreover, in 10-12 sittings your hair is permanently removed.

Post pregnancy, I have put on weight and have developed a loose belly with stretch marks. I’m witnessing hair loss too. What should I do?
Post-delivery, the uterus needs a couple of weeks to shrink back to normal size. If you have a large belly even after this, then getting rid of this requires exercise on specialized machines. As far as stretch marks are concerned, we can assist you with various techniques and specialized services like laser and American dermatological tested compositions made specifically for stretch marks. Post-delivery hair fall is due to hormones which will steadily return to normal levels. This hair loss is temporary unless it’s being triggered by other causes. Our trichologist at Berkowits can help you with the CIT treatment.

Why only some smokers die young

2009-01-20T02:29:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered why only some heavy drinkers and smokers die young while others live to a ripe old age? Well, the answer lies in the genes, say scientists. An international team has identified two genes that it claims increases the chances of an unhealthy lifestyle, giving a drinker or a smoker cancer — in fact the genes put carriers more at a heightened risk of developing cancers of skin, lung, bladder, prostate and cervical.

Lead scientist Tim Bishop of University of Leeds said cancer was often caused by a “complex” interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and these newly identified genes could go some way to explaining their relationship. The findings, according to them, could allow doctors to identify those most at risk from suffering the potentially deadly conditions due to a combination of genetics and their lifestyle, the Daily Telegraph reported. In fact, the scientists were able to isolate the genes by looking at the genetic make up of more than 33,000 cancer survivors and another 45 ,000 people who had never suffered from the disease.

They then compared the genes against their carrier’s lifestyle and history of the disease. While they increased the chance of suffering from five types of cancer the genes were not linked to an increased risk of another nine cancers for which the scientists could test, including breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease in women, the findings revealed.

The research has been published in the latest edition of the Nature Genetics journal. Smoking has previously been linked to lung and bladder cancer, drinking to different types of cancer including liver cancer, and eating a diet high in red meat to an increased risk of bowel cancer. But researchers have never been clear on the exact nature of how these exposures increase risk, and why some people appear more prone to their effects than others.

Too much coffee can cause hallucinations

2009-01-16T00:19:00.000-08:00

Hearing voices when nobody is around, or seeing things that aren’t there? Too much caffeine could be to blame, British researchers reported on Wednesday.

Their study found that students who consumed more than the equivalent of seven cups of instant coffee a day were three times more likely to have had these kinds of hallucinations compared to people on a single daily cup.

“This is the first step toward looking at the wider factors associated with hallucinations,” said Simon Jones, a psychologist at Durham University in Britain who led the study.
The findings are also the latest in mounting evidence indicating the amount of caffeine a person consumes may directly affect a person’s health. Recent studies have suggested caffeine may lower a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer, and that too much doubles the risk of miscarriage.

Currently, people treated for hallucinations receive drugs or counselling, but Jones said his study aims to explore whether changing a person’s diet could help.

“This is the first time to my knowledge that caffeine and hallucinations have been looked at,” Jones said.

STRESS HORMONE
For the study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, Jones and colleagues asked 200 students about their typical intake of coffee, tea, energy drinks and other products containing caffeine. They also measured stress.

Students who consumed the most caffeine were more likely to report hallucinatory experiences such as hearing voices and seeing things that are not there, the researchers said.

The stress hormone cortisol may help explain the link, Jones said. Researchers know the body releases more of the hormone after people consume caffeine, and this extra boost may fuel hallucinations. The next step is to test whether caffeine is actually causing hallucinations or whether people who have them simply consume more caffeine when under pressure, Jones said.
“It may be that those who have hallucinations have high levels of worry and anxiety and that leads them to consume more caffeine,” Joanes said.

JUST TWO GOOD

2008-12-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

EGGS AND ORANGE JUICE

For higher iron absorption
An egg contains almost 50 per cent of an adult’s daily iron requirement. But the human body can absorb only eight per cent of the iron. To improve absorption, wash down your eggs with a glass of orange juice or other Vitamin C-rich foods such as guava or pineapples.

CEREAL AND PULSES

For good quality protein
Protein in pulses is low in amino acids but rich in lysine in which many cereals are deficient. A combination of pulses and cereal proteins has a nutritive value equivalent to animal proteins. Rajma-chawal is a perfect example of vegetarian food providing class 1 proteins.

ALFA-ALFA SPROUTS AND TOMATOES

For higher magnesium absorption
Tomatoes are rich in magnesium. Alfa-alfa sprouts have a small amount of magnesium but are rich in dietary fibre and cholesterol reducing saponins.
Alfa-alfa sprouts are used to garnish salads as one they are too bland to eat in large quantities. But you can double the magnesium absorption by combining the sprouts with juicy tomatoes.

RAJMAH AND TOMATOES

For higher mineral absorption
The phytic acid in beans blocks the absorption of minerals such as zinc and iron. To help your body absorb more minerals, eat rajmah with a Vitamin C-rich food such as tomatoes. Vitamin C counters the ill-effects of phytic acid, thereby increasing your body's absorption of zinc and iron.

MIXED GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES AND OLIVE OIL

Protects you against Alzheimer's
Green leafy vegetables are rich in iron, calcium, and Vitamin A. However Vitamin A needs fat to be adequately utilised by the body. Hence, sprinkle some olive oil on your greens to help your body absorb Vitamin A that protects you against Alzheimer's.

FLAXSEED AND WHEAT GERM

The perfect multivitamin
Flaxseed is high in alphalinolenic acids ( omega 3 fatty acids), anti-oxidants, fibre, good quality proteins, and minerals. Wheat germ is high in Vitamin E and B as also proteins, chromium and manganese. Together they meet your daily requirement of a range of vitamins and are also absorbed a lot faster.

GREEN TEA AND LUNCH/DINNER

Protects against infection
Green tea has the least amount of caffeine of all the teas. Having a cup of green tea after a meal aids digestion as opposed to a glass of water. Green tea is also rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant pigments that protect against infection.

You can insure your wedding

2008-12-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

IT professionals Rajiv Mehta (29) and Neha Khanna (25) got married in Mumbai on November 29, just three days after the terror attack. The couple was lucky that the wedding went as planned, and that was partly because the function was to be held in Borivili, far from the area that saw the attacks.

But luck may not always be on your side. With the frequency of such attacks, as also other risks and unforeseen accidents growing, a wedding insurance is something you may want to look at if a marriage is being planned in the family.

Event insurance plans like this is still in its nascent stages due to low awareness. “And given the sacred nature of the ritual, nobody wants to discuss or think negative. But as wedding spends and risks grow, it makes sense to cover the potential monetary loss,” says T A Ramalingam, head (underwriting), Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Such plans are popular in the West.
The policy in those countries even covers the loss of the wedding ring, the wedding gown not reaching on time and even the expenses/loss due to late or non-appearance of the photographer which may mean staging the event once again for the photograph. In India, most insurance companies — including ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Oriental Insurance, Bajaj Allianz and National Insurance — offer wedding insurance.

The policy is tailormade to individual requirements and needs. The sum insured could be of any amount. The policy should be bought 10 to 15 days prior to the event.

“All events related to the wedding — pre and post ceremony — are covered. In addition, a bundled policy which will cover all the eventualities related to the wedding functions can be purchased,” says Rajive Kumaraswami, head (reinsurance) of ICICI Lombard General Insurance.

What it covers
The typical policy provides coverage against cancellation of the wedding due to accident suffered by bride/groom, accident suffered by blood relatives resulting in hospitalisation within seven days prior to the printed/declared wedding date, and damage to property.

If the marriage hall gets flooded or there’s an earthquake, the irreversible cost of the wedding will be reimbursed as per the policy terms and conditions.

Damage to property like stage, sets, seats and wardrobe due to fire, lightning, explosion, riot, strike and malicious damage, impact damage, aircraft damage, storms, flood and inundation, burglary and theft, terrorism or other external accident can be covered. The insurance can also cover anyexpenses related to litigation brought against you by third parties injured in an accident at the event.

Fineprint of the policy
Wealth advisors say if you are opting for the policy it is important to look at all the exclusions clauses of the document. First evaluate what are the possible kinds of risks. “Then one should look at what is the appropriate cover for each of them. It would help to arrive at the sum assured that one can take. Considering it is a customised product, it is likely that the insurance company has sub limits for each of the possible risks,” says Anil Rego, CEO of Right Horizons.

It is also important to incorporate accidental cover and loss of life/disability due to acts of terrorism. Since it is a customised product, one may need to evaluate options from at least 2-3 insurance providers, say wealth managers. There is likely to be a huge variance in premiums as it is not a standard insurance. (Some names have been changed on request)

RATE CALCULATION
The variation in rates would depend on evaluation of individual risks on the following parameters:

Location
Venue (outdoors or indoors)
Type of decoration
Number of days
Number of programmes (mehendi, sangeet, cocktail)
Number of guests.

POCKET MONEY IS A LESSON IN LIFE

2008-12-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

Meenakshee, 23, remembers with considerable fondness how, as a sixth-grader, she hoodwinked her mom into doling out money for a Hindi textbook — all of five times. “Of course, I bought the book only once and with the rest of the money, treated myself to a McDonald’s burger,” says Meenakshi with unabashed pride at her ingenuity. Her mom was obviously displeased when she caught on to the trick. Meenakshi, however, simply shrugs her shoulders and says her family anyway didn’t have a concept of pocket money. “We just took money as and when we needed it.” Now if Meenakshi were to be given a lumpsum amount for a particular period and asked to keep an account of what she spent on and how much, her mom would have known exactly what she did in her spare time too.

Pocket money is clearly not just survival and feel-good money; it is a lesson in life. Much like games that prepare children for adulthood, pocket money trains them to manage finances — a worthwhile lesson for the future. That’s how important it is.

“If you want your child to value money, put him under financial pressure,” advises Kartik Jhaveri, director of Transcend Consulting, a wealth management firm. Even if a family is super-wealthy, “don’t shell out ad-hoc money, unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Pocket money should be given like a monthly salary… Where there is no upper limit, the child’s value system gets paralysed”. Certified financial planner D Sundararajan seconds this line of thought. Not verifying where the money is going, he warns, can be disastrous. The child may learn to live off his parents and thus never get a chance to be a person in her or his own right.

Which is why, parents would do well to have a rough idea about how much is required for a child’s expenses such as transport or school canteen. Teens may have extra expenditure for weekend entertainmentand gifting. Parents must sit with their children, explain basic rules of spending and only then hand out an appropriate sum.

Now, what is appropriate? “Give a child 20% over and above what is required,” advises Jhaveri. This will give parents a concrete idea as to what their child does with the surplus. It will thus serve as an insight into a child’s personality. Mira Patel, 60, remembers giving a princely amount of Rs 200 a month each to her three daughters. “The eldest spent and saved some. My second daughter usually managed to save the entire amount. And my third blew the entire sum and never had an idea what she’d spent it on.” Accordingly, parents could tutor a child how to manage money. Here are some ideas: Encourage a child to save by proposing what could be done with a sum accumulated over time. Perhaps, he or she could buy a game of choice? Or, a child could simply be rewarded for saving a target amount with a gift.But, first of all, for sustained success of any enterprise, one requires discipline and accountability. As financial advisor Gaurav Mashruwala says, “It’s funny. We invariably expose kids to spending without being accountable. That irresponsibility lasts through one’s life.” Mashruwala thus insists that the habit of budgeting must be inculcated from the very first time a child is given pocket money. “If there is no budget, all families will struggle without exception. Like, suppose as an adult, you intend to keep aside expenses of three months as contingency fund. Now, how do you decide how much to keep aside if you don't know your expenses in the first place?”

A lot can be achieved with simple bu d g e t i n g . M a s h r u w a l a cites the instance of one Bhushan Deshpande whose father, a retired government servant, earned Rs 3,000 a month, but somehow managed to get his five children educated and married. Bhushan’s mother played no small role in this familial endeavour. She used to regularly take stitching jobs and would meticulously write down the family budget, a habit which Bhushan internalised. They started an agency to sell small-saving schemes and life insurance. In between, the family also traded in saris. Today, at 36, Bhushan holds a diploma in mechanical engineering and works for a multinational.

“You can’t say the child has no responsibility to accounting. Implications of running an account are lifelong. If he doesn’t learn accounting as a child, he never will,” cautions Mashruwala. Rakesh Shah, 10, has been jotting down his spending on a scribble pad and later loading the data on an excel sheet. A habit that has stood him in good stead and he has managed to save quite well.

That pocket money should be controlled and monitored is echoed by the entire spectrum of financial advisors. Zankhana Shah of Moneycare Financial Advisors suggests a sense of responsibility can be cultivated by helping out parents with bank work and paying bills.
But what if your child is too young to know how to write even? How do you instil in him the knowledge that money does not come free?

Seven-year-old Chinman Mehta is awarded a smilie each time he chooses to be good and a frownie whenever he doesn’t. The emoticons are drawn daily on a weekly chart pasted to the refrigerator in the kitchen. “We subtract the frownies from the smilies and the sum is the amount Chinman receives as his pocket money for the week,” says Neelima, his mother. This incentive system has worked wonderfully for the family.

On a con diet?

2008-12-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

Some of the so-called health products just leave your wallet light, not your figure.

Christmas and New Year is only a few weeks away, which means you have the freedom to indulge in sinful desserts and spicy, high-cal meat curries. But once the guilt factor sets in, you are back to the supermarket, heading to the ‘health food’ section. With a sigh, you wean yourself from the chocolates and cheeses and fill your trolleys with expensive stuff that you think are lighter, leaner and diet-friendly.

But in reality, you may be actually spending your hard-earned money on nothing. There are plenty of ‘quack’ health foods that promise much, but do little. Unfortunately, many of us are so desperate to be trim that we happily buy into a product’s weight-loss myth. The trick therefore is to steer clear of these ‘quack’ foods and buy the genuine, tried and tested healthy ones. Here is a rundown on some of the worst offenders.

SLIMLINE CEREALS

The trickery:

They claim to have low fat content, obviously endorsed by a super slim model on the packet. You include them in your breakfast menu hoping the pounds will be knocked off.

The truth:

Many such cereals are no better than normal varieties when it comes to fat content, and some are still packed with sugar. Studies show that people who eat cereal for breakfast tend to be slimmer but you don’t need a special “slimline” product to enjoy this benefit.

You’re better off with:

A bowl of oats or nofrills bran flakes with semi-skimmed milk. Both are naturally low-calorie and high in fibre, which helps to keep you fuller for longer.

FITNESS WATERS

The trickery:

The wholesome fruit pictures make it seem ‘natural’, while hour-glass shaped bottles give you an impression of the figure you will achieve after drinking the product.

The truth:

It’s just water with added sweeteners and vitamins — often in negligible amounts — and tiny amounts of fruit or herb extracts. There’s nothing in the product that will make you slimmer or healthier.

You’re better off with:

Drinking plain boiled tap water — it costs nothing and is calorie-free.

DIET CHOCOLATE

The trickery:

They simply play on your guilt, using words such as “light” and “non-fattening”. This basically lulls you into a false sense of security and you tend to go overboard.

The truth:

These bars still contain some fat, plus those without sugar use artificial sweeteners, which some studies show can actually trick your brain into eating more in the long run.

You’re better off with:

A few small pieces of a good quality, dark chocolate to satisfy your craving. Another way to ward off the guilt is to enjoy your chocolate bar before evening.

DIET YOGHURTS

The trickery:

Yoghurt has always been associated with weight-loss, add the word ‘diet’ before it and you think you have the perfect solution in hand. But that’s where you are being misled.

The truth:

Wholemilk and organic varieties are often packed with fat, while “light” versions can sometimes contain more calories than some standard ones, with additives.

You’re better off with:

A small pot of simple, low-fat fruit yoghurt — but check the sugar content. Or just add your own chopped fruit to natural yoghurt.

FRUIT DRINKS

The trickery:

They cover their bottles with beautiful juicy fruit pictures and give tropical sounding names.

The truth:

It’s healthier than a can of cola but some of these drinks have never even seen an orange or strawberry and are made entirely from flavourings. Even the ones that contain real fruit do so in tiny amounts — and often with the addition of plenty of sugar and additives.

You’re better off with:

Pure, unsweetened fruit juice — and you can even dilute it if you're really worried about the calories.