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News on Health & Science

Reading diet articles may harm health

 Magazine headlines entice teenage girls with promises: “Get the body you want” and “Hit your dream weight now!” But a new study suggests reading articles about diet and weight loss could have unhealthy consequences later.

Teenage girls who frequently read magazine articles about dieting were more likely five years later to practice extreme weight-loss measures such as vomiting than girls who never read such articles, the University of Minnesota study found.

It didn’t seem to matter whether the girls were overweight when they started reading about weight loss, nor whether they considered their weight important. After taking those factors into account, researchers still found reading articles about dieting predicted later unhealthy weight loss behaviour.

Girls who read dieting articles were twice as likely five years later to try to lose weight by fasting or smoking cigarettes, compared to girls who never read such articles. They were three times more likely to use measures such as vomiting or taking laxatives, the study found.

“The articles may be offering advice such as cutting out trans fats and soda, and those are good ideas for everybody,” said Alison Field of Harvard Medical School. “But the underlying messages these articles send are ‘You should be concerned about your weight and you should be doing something.‘”

Source:   The Times Of India

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Flatulence

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Flatulence….  Embarrassing Universal Problem

Flatulence is part of life! By Frank Morosky, Flatulence Guru

Flatulence is part of life. It is a natural result of good digestion. Most of us try to make light of it so as to not be embarrassed by its occurrence.

Flatulence ( fart, flatus, intestinal gas, breaking wind, SBD)- we all have it, and it is a normal part of life. It is a natural result of good digestion. Passing gas is a more familiar term to many people. Most of us try to make light of it so as to not be embarrassed by its occurrence. Gas pains can be uncomfortable and malodorous for many people but you can reduce the symptoms and find relief with proper diet control.

The average person expels gas 14 times every day. The amount of actual gas released ranges from as little as one cup to as much as one half gallon per day. Gas is made primarily of odorless vapors such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant odor of flatulence comes from bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases that contain hydrogen sulfide.(sulfur smell) Contrary to popular belief, women have just as many passages as men, and older people, have no more gas than younger individuals.

Flatulence occurs when a food does not break down completely in the stomach and small intestine. As a result, the food makes it into the large intestine in an undigested state. Most lower intestinal gas is produced when bacteria in your colon ferment carbohydrates that aren’t digested in your small intestine. The body does not digest and absorb some carbohydrates (the sugar, starches, and fiber found in many foods) in the small intestine because of a shortage or absence of certain enzymes.

This undigested food then passes from the small intestine into the large intestine, where normal, harmless bacteria break down the food, producing gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and, in about one-third of all people, methane. As much as 80 to 90 percent of rectal gas (flatulence) is formed by bacteria. Eventually these gases exit through the rectum. Certain foods produce more flatulence than others because they contain more indigestible carbohydrates than others. Beans are well known gas producers. The beans pass through the small intestine and arrive in the large intestine without being digested, which causes flatulence to occur.

Unfortunately, healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, oatmeal and legumes (beans and peas) are often the worst offenders. That’s because these foods are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water forming a gelatinous substance in the bowel. Fiber has many health benefits, including keeping your digestive tract in good working order, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and helping prevent heart attacks and other heart problems. But it can also lead to the formation of gas. In the colon the bacteria thrive on the undigestible fiber. These bacteria are harmless but for those who have an intestinal gas or flatus problem it is probably best to avoid or carefully test soluble fibers to see if they are contributing to intestinal gas.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber as found in wheat, rye, bran, and other grains does not dissolve in water. It is not used by intestinal colon bacteria as a food source, so these bacteria generally do not produce intestinal gas. Both soluble and insoluble fiber should be eaten on a daily basis.

By contrast, fats and proteins cause little gas. They are absorbed in the digestive tract before they get to the colon.

Sugars are known to create gas. Fructose is naturally present in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks. Sorbitol is a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugarfree candies and gums.

Foods that may cause gas include: Most beans, especially dried beans and peas, baked beans, soy beans, lima beans, vegetables, such as Cabbage; radishes; onions; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; cauliflower; cucumbers; sauerkraut; kohlrabi; asparagus, potatoes Fruits such as Prunes; apricots; apples; raisins; bananas. Carbonated beverages- Soft drinks, fruit drinks, milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream. Packaged foods prepared with lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Foods containing sorbitol, such as dietetic foods and sugarfree candies and gums.

Source    :www.flat-d.com

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Positive thinking

Redirecting The Eruption

Intense emotions demand intense modes of expression. While there are many outlets for the feelings typically deemed positive, however, there are far fewer methods for constructively coping with anger, frustration, fear, sadness, or stress. Consequently, such feelings can cause us to believe that we are no longer in control of our emotional state. Backed into a mental corner, we may lash out at the first individual we encounter. Most of us will quickly discover that our misdirected outpouring of fury has not relieved the pressure of our pain. Powerful emotions are like the lava in a volcano poised to erupt—held in check with nothing but an eroding layer of calm. Within us lies the power to direct the flood of feeling that surges forth by channeling it into productive, artistic, or laborious pursuits.

Retaking control of our emotions at their height can be difficult because our already negative feelings can convince us that others are deserving of our wrath. But if we consciously look for healthier ways of expressing what we feel, we can both safely dispel our pain and use the energy of that pain to add value to our lives. Anger and sadness, for example, can become the inspiration that induces us to dedicate ourselves to bringing about the change we wish to see in the world. If we act rather than react, we can become effective agents of positive transformation. When we channel our frustration or feelings of stress into outside-the-box thinking and proactive exploits, we are more apt to discover solutions to the issues that initially left us stymied. And if we view fear as a signal that we need to reexamine our circumstances rather than a cue to flee, we may gain new and unexpected insight into our lives.

Channeling your emotions into constructive action can also prevent you from engaging in cyclical rumination in which you repeatedly relive the situation, event, or expectation that originally sparked your feelings in your mind’s eye. Since you are focused on a goal, even if your ambition is merely to better understand yourself, your pain is no longer being fed by your intellectual and emotional energy and quickly ebbs away. You not only avoid lashing out at others, but you also actively take part in your own healing process while honestly acknowledging and honoring your feelings.

Source   :Daily Om

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Healthy Tips

A Basic Formula for Optimal Health

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One of the principal benefits that vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients provide is to safeguard health on a long-term basis — by helping to protect the human body against chronic, debilitating diseases that pose the most serious threat to longevity. But what is the best way to obtain this key preventive benefit? The advisory board for this book, headed by Dr. David Edelberg, suggests that everyone will profit by taking a daily high-potency supplement that contains approximately the amounts of the nutrients listed in the chart below.

This basic supplement formula contains vitamins and minerals in higher potencies than those found in typical “one-a-day” type formulas, which generally supply no more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance, or RDA, for each nutrient. (Levels that meet the highest RDA values are indicated on supplement labels by “100%” under the heading “% Daily Value” or “% U.S. RDA.” Those with an asterisk * have no RDA.) Think of RDA levels as the nutritional counterpart of accommodations in a budget motel: They are sufficient to prevent vitamin-deficiency diseases (they provide basic shelter), but won’t necessarily help against other types of disease (they don’t offer cable TV).

Because a high-potency combination, by contrast, contains relatively high levels of nutrients — in particular the antioxidant nutrients — it’s thought to combat tissue damage at the cellular level. Studies indicate that such levels are associated with preventing cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other chronic illnesses that can hamper, and shorten, your life.

Choosing a brand
If you’re accustomed to taking a “one-a-day” type of supplement, you may be surprised to learn that a high-potency formula (with vitamins and minerals at higher levels) may require taking more than one pill a day. In fact, with some brands, you’ll need to consume anywhere from two to six tablets or capsules daily. Be sure to read the ingredients and serving size on any label carefully to calculate how many tablets are necessary to obtain the nutrient levels that are right for you.

When you are evaluating different brands, don’t worry if you can’t find a supplement that exactly matches the amounts shown in the chart, which are indicated in ranges. Unlike drug dosages, where exactness can be crucial, vitamin and mineral intakes need not be precise, because nutrients work far more gradually than drugs do. Also, these supplemental nutrients are interacting with, and building upon, the nutrients you obtain from food. Simply try to choose a supplement with dosages close to those that the chart recommends.

One other point: Some high-potency vitamin and mineral formulas have herbs and other nutrients added as general preventive “tonics.” If you choose this type of supplement, check the entries on those ingredients under Supplements to be sure that the levels don’t exceed recommended ranges.

How much to take
Use the chart below with these guidelines in mind:
If your diet is nutritionally excellent, take the amounts recommended in column A. These levels are sufficient if you regularly eat foods low in fat, get five to six generous servings of fruit and vegetables every day, and have meat, chicken, or fish several times a week in small portions.
If your diet is basically sound, take the amounts recommended in column B. They are intended for someone who usually eats three meals a day, with at least one or two servings of fruits and vegetables, and who doesn’t gorge on fatty foods — but who skips a lunch or breakfast in an average week and may grab one or two “fast food” meals.
If your diet is poor, take the amounts recommended in column C. These levels are intended for someone who routinely skips meals, who skimps on fruits, vegetables, and grains (the foods that are considered the richest sources of vitamins and minerals), and who normally eats a slice of pizza or a deli sandwich and a diet cola for lunch.
Special considerations

Another reason to increase your supplement intake may be your personal health history. For example, taking folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may help you prevent heart disease (see Heart Disease Prevention under Ailments).

Similarly, if you have a family history of high blood pressure, cancer, or another chronic ailment, additional supplements are recommended for preventive purposes (see the ailment entries for specifics). And while you may not be suffering from — or at risk for — a specific disorder, you may still have nutrient needs that can benefit from increased supplementation. If you fit into one of the categories listed on this and the opposite page, you should consider taking the suggested nutrient(s). The basic daily multivitamin and mineral formula you choose may supply part or even all of this additional supplementation. But in most cases, you will probably have to purchase individual supplements to take in addition to your basic daily formula.

If you are a woman
Beginning in their mid-20s, humans gradually lose bone mass — and in women, this process accelerates after menopause. If bone loss advances sufficiently, osteoporosis develops. To slow the loss of bone, adult women of all ages should include extra calcium in their daily supplement program.

Total daily calcium intake, from both diet and supplements, should total at least 1,200 mg and can safely be as high as 2,500 mg. (For additional recommendations on how to prevent osteoporosis, see Osteoporosis under Ailments.)

If you are a man over age 50
One condition common in older men is BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate (a walnut-size gland just below the bladder that produces seminal fluid). If this occurs, it can interfere with urination. Consider adding      saw palmetto — 160 mg twice a day — for prostate health. This herb helps relieve inflammation and affects prostate-related hormone levels .

If you are a vegetarian
Strict vegetarians — those who avoid all animal foods, including dairy and egg products — can eat a balanced diet if they consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. But one nutrient not supplied by these foods is vitamin B12, found in eggs, meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Over time, therefore, strict vegetarians can develop B12-deficiency anemia (see Vitamin B12 under Supplements). Be sure your basic daily formula supplement includes 100 mcg of vitamin B12.

If you exercise frequently
Regular exercise or athletic activity, especially if it is prolonged or intense, breaks down muscle fiber. This wear and tear, which can be accompanied by a loss of flexibility, gets worse as a person ages.

Consider adding creatine monohydrate –– 1 teaspoon (5 grams) a day — to help in muscle repair. Additional magnesium — 200 mg daily — is also helpful, because this mineral plays a key role in muscle contractions.

Other supplements that contribute to muscle endurance and energy are the amino acid-like substance carnitine (500 mg twice a day) and the nutritional supplement coenzyme Q10 (50 mg daily).

If you’re over age 50 and feeling a slow decline in energy levels despite exercising regularly, you can also add the herb Siberian ginseng (100 mg a day) or talk to your doctor about the hormone DHEA (25 mg daily). You’ll need to have your blood DHEA levels measured before taking the supplement.

If you are on a weight-loss diet
Dieting to lose weight can trigger hunger pangs and cause blood sugar levels to vacillate. Add chromium (200 mcg twice a day) to your basic formula; it can assist the body in using fat and prevent swings in blood sugar. The supplement 5-HTP (100 mg three times a day) can help stem urges to overeat (see Overweight, under Ailments).

If you smoke
Nutritional supplements will not appreciably reduce your risk of developing heart disease, lung disease, or cancer. But you may be able to combat some of the effects of smoking with extra antioxidants. Try taking grape seed extract (100 mg twice a day) or green tea extract (250 mg twice a day). See how to quit smoking.

If you consume alcohol
Drinking alcohol in moderation — no more than two drinks a day for men, one for women — can actually be good for you, because it helps lower the risk of heart disease. But drinking more heavily — three or more drinks a day for men, two or more for women — can deplete certain nutrients. Excess alcohol is also associated with an increased risk of liver disease, as well as other health problems.

Help protect your liver with milk thistle (150 mg twice a day). Extra vitamin C (1,000 mg a day) and extra B vitamins (a single B-50 complex capsule, plus an extra 100 mg of thiamin) can also be beneficial.

A basic daily multivitamin and mineral formula
This chart shows the nutrients that a daily multivitamin and mineral should contain, the RDA for each nutrient, and the optimal levels for obtaining preventive benefits, which depend on your diet. The more nutrients you get from foods, the fewer you need from a supplement (see “How Much to Take” below to help decide which column applies to you). Because supplements vary greatly, just try to stay within the flexible ranges given here for each nutrient.

VITANINS:-

A stands for Excellent Diet,B for Sound diet and C for Poor diet
B1(Thiamin)…RDA..1.2mg..A..1.5-30mg…B…30-60mg…C…60-100mg

B2(Riboflavin).RDA..1.3mg..A..1.7-30mg..B….30-60mg…C..60-100mg

B3(Niacin)……RDA..16mg…A..20-30mg…B…..30-50mg…C..50-100mg

B5(Pantothenic acid) * ……A..10-60mg…B……60-100mg..C..100-200mg

B6………….RDA…1.7mg….A..2-25mg….B…….25-60mg….C..60-100mg

B12………..RDA….2.4mcg. A..6-100…B100-400mcg…B..C..400-800mcg

Beta-carotene *………A..5000-10000IU…B..10000-15000IU…C..15000-25000IU

Biotin………….*………A…30-100mcg…B..100-400mcg….C…400-600mcg

Folic Acid…RDA…400mcg…A…400mcg..B..400-600mcg…C…600-900mcg

Vitamin A..RDA..5000IU…A..2,500IU….B..2,500IU………C…2,500IU

Vitamin C..RDA..60mg…..A..60-300mg..B..300-600…..C…600-900mg

Vitamin D..RDA..400IU….A..400IU…..B…400IU…..C…400IU

Vitamin E..RDA…15IU…..A..30-200IU..B..200-300IU…C..300-400IU

A stands for Excellent Diet,B for Sound diet and C for Poor diet

MINERALS:-

Boron…..*…….A..100mcg-1mg…B..1-1-2mg….C….2-4mg

Calcium…RDA..1,200mg…A..50-150mg…B…150-200mg…C..200-300mg

Chromium…*….A…50-65mg….B…65-100mg…C…100-200mg

Copper……*…..A…1…..B…..1-1.5mg ….C1.5-2mg

Iron…** …RDA…10mg..A… 5-10mg…B…10-18mg…C…18mg

Magnesium..RDA..350mg…A..100mg…B100-200mg…C…200-300mg

Manganese..RDA..5mg…A…3-5mg…B…5-10mg…C…10-20mg

Molybdenum…*…A…25-65mcg…B…65-100mcg…C…100-200mcg

Potassium…*…..30-80mg….B…80-100mg…C…100mg

Selenium..RDA..70mcg…A…20-100mcg…B…100-200mcg…C..200mcg

Vanadium…*…A…10-50mcg…B…50-100mcg…C…100mcg

Zinc…RDA…15mg….A…15….B..15-20mg…C..20-30mg

* No RDA is established for these nutrients
** Iron recommendations apply only to younger women; men and postmenopausal women should not choose a supplement containing iron.

From:   Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs (Reader’s Digest)

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Scoliosis

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What is Scoliosis?
Almost three out of every 100 people have some degree of abnormal spinal curvature, and for some it never becomes a serious problem. But for many others, the curve gets worse over time and can cause considerable pain, frustration, and limitations on normal activities. Severe scoliosis can even complicate breathing and circulation…..click & see

Who suffers from scoliosis?
The most common form of scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis, which basically means that the cause is unknown. Anyone can suffer from scoliosis; the condition usually begins in childhood, although too often it is not identified until the teenage years or later.

Scoliosis tends to run in families, and it affects many more girls than boys. In fact, research indicates that girls are nearly eight times more likely than boys to have scoliosis and five times more likely to require some form of treatment for their condition than boys, and the curvature of their spine is more likely to worsen over time, especially if left unattended.

What are some of the symptoms of scoliosis?

Sometimes curvature of the spine is visible (the body tilts to the left or the right, or one shoulder blade is raised higher than the other. Some of the actual physical symptoms of scoliosis can include back pain, fatigue (especially postural fatigue — feeling tired when standing, sitting, etc.), and in more severe cases, problems with circulation and breathing.

Chiropractic Doctors can help a lot.
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify and manage problems relating to the spine and the back. An initial visit to the chiropractor will include a thorough physical and diagnostic examination (including range-of-motion tests and spinal x-rays) to identify any problems you may be having, including whether you or your children may be suffering from abnormal or dangerous curvature of the spine.

If you do show signs of scoliosis, your chiropractor can provide a variety of techniques to help your condition, including spinal adjustments to increase movement and biomechanical function, and advice on posture and exercise to help prevent further increase in the problem.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Source    :ChiroFind.com

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