The Desi Fitness Forum - Rejuvenate yourself!

DIET AND HEALTH TIPS

1. NEW METHOD TO DETECT BREAST CANCER
2. GUIDING THE ELDERLY TO GOOD NUTRITION
3. A HIPPY-HIPPY SHAKE FOR FITNESS
4. SIMPLE METHOD TO DETECT HEART ATTACK
5. PLAN A CALCIUM STRATEGY
6. ALTERNATIVE PAIN THERAPIES - HYPNOSIS
7. HOW SAFE IS YOUR DRINKING WATER
8. CFS : TREATING TIREDNESS
9. TREATING A SORE POINT
10. EXERCISE CUTS HEART RISK FOR ‘COUCH POTATOES’
11. WHAT’S IN A LABEL?
12. COPING WITH STRESS : A STRATEGY
13. NATURE CURE, ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN DEMAND
14. MIND YOUR LIVER
15. SIMPLE WAY TO CONTROL HIGH BP
16. ORGANISATION WARNS ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
17. DRUGS IN OLD AGE
18. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE : FACT AND FICTION
19. LINE OF ACTUAL CONTROL
20. POISON FROM SNAIL KILLS HUMAN PAIN
21. AIR PRESSURE AFFECTS THINKING
22. NEW METHOD TO TREAT ARTERY BLOCKAGES
23. SPHERE OF TRANSPLANTATION
24. DRINK WATER, BUT DON’T GET AQUAHOLIC
25. PEPPER, TURMERIC CAN WORK WONDERS
26. TRIM TUMMY
27. CURD CURES
28. NUTS TO GALL STONES
29. HOW TO WARD OFF COMMON COLD
30. FENUGREEK LADDOOS STRENGTHEN BONES
31. THE COMPLETE HEALER
32. BITTER TRUTHS ABOUT SUGAR
33. ARE WE EATING TOO MUCH ?
34. YOUR DIET PLAN
35. TIPS ON AVOIDING FOOD EXCESSES

NEW METHOD TO DETECT BREAST CANCER

A new technique to detect breast cancer and monitor its treatment, without using painful biopsy, has been pioneered by scientists.

The technique uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in which a patient is placed in a magnetic field and subjected to radiofrequency waves. This gives an image of the distribution of hydrogen atoms in tissues and helps doctors detect biochemical changes indicating a disease.
NMR spectroscopy can help detect cancer by measuring the water and fat ratio in the breast tissue, says Prof NR Jagannathan, head of the NMR laboratory at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS). While normal breast tissue has a high fat content and little water, malignant breast tumours have a high water content.

The investigations takes about an hour, says Jagannathan, who, along with his colleagues at the department of surgery and radiotherapy at AIMS, reported the findings in the international scientific journal, NMR in Biomedicine.
Another useful marker for malignant breast tumours is the chemical choline which is present in malignant tissues but absent in normal tissue and benign tumours.


GUIDING THE ELDERLY TO GOOD NUTRITION

The Food Guide Pyramid to good eating habits devised in 1992 by the United States Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services depicts the food groups and the number of recommended servings of each per day to be consumed by a healthy adult who wants to stay that way. The pyramid calls for a daily intake of 6 to 11 servings of grain based foods 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, 2 to 4 of fruits, 2 to 3 of high protein food (meat, poultry, fish, dried beans, eggs and nuts) and 2 to 3 of dairy foods. Fats, oils and sweets, at the tip of the pyramid, should be eaten sparingly.


A HIPPY-HIPPY SHAKE FOR FITNESS

Race-walkers are fast averaging a seven minute mile, whereas the normal walker in the park achieves only a 10-12 minute mile. Surprisingly perhaps, a race-walker is speedier than the average jogger, picking up pace by modifying the mechanics of the walking movement. Instead of the usual parallel strides, a race-walker places his feet in an almost vertical line one foot directly in front of the other. But is this technique a fast walk or a slow run? To avoid confusion, race-walkers must follow rigid guidelines.
First, one foot must always maintain contact with the ground and, second, the leading knee must remain straightened (but not locked) from the time when the front foot touches the ground until the leg is vertical and the back leg has started to advance. These rules allow faster travel, but they also cause the undulating hip movement that brings so much mirth to passers-by. Race-walking attracts injured ex-runners who can no longer handle the impact of a jog.

SIMPLE METHOD TO DETECT HEART ATTACK

Indian scientists have developed a simple method that warns about heart attacks by measuring the amount of a chemical produced in the body.
The test, which takes only 10 minutes, is useful in detecting heart attacks, medically known as myocardial infarction, which are indicated by chest pain, electro cardio graphic (ECG) changes, and increase in some chemical substances in the body.
A team of scientists from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at Varanasi studied lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-1), one of the enzymes released into the blood when heart muscles are damaged during a heart attack. A measurement of the concentration of these enzymes can indicate the severity of the attack.

PLAN A CALCIUM STRATEGY

Calcium strategies are extremely helpful in treating spondylitis, BP, diabetes and cholesterol.
- Planning the right diet under the guidance of a nutritionist, weight-bearing exercises and adequate exposure to sunlight for your dose of vitamin D throughout childhood ensures peak bone mass by age 35 (800 to 1000 mg calcium)
- Women, especially working women need supplemental calcium (500 mg x 2 = 1000 mg) during 35 and 45.
- By the age of 65 both men and women lose bone at the same rate. Taking supplemental calcium with vitamin D along with balanced diet (1000 mg) and harmone replacement therapy (HRT) becomes necessary to prevent bone loss.
- If your diet and calcium intake is adequate to begin with HRT and complementary drugs become more effective. The doses required also get reduced thus minimizing the risk factors.
- Extracts of animal bones is good source of calcium. Millet Ragi is suitable for those who are physically very active.

ALTERNATIVE PAIN THERAPIES - HYPNOSIS

Alternative therapies for pain-management are becoming popular.

People are learning to hypnotise themselves as an aid to seeking relief from distressing phobias or habits and lately even for seeking relief from chronic pains of moderate intensity (Oxford Text Book of Medicine). Hypnosis, which involves "an artificially induced passive state in which there is increased amendability and responsiveness to suggestions and commands provided these do not conflict with the subject's own conscious and unconscious wishes,” is considered a valid therapy for the management of pain and is gaining ground these days (Reader's Digest).
Many of today's hypnotherapists are dentists, psychologists and even physicians who use hypnosis as an, adjunct to other pain therapies. However, it must be conceded that not every one can be hypnotised nor all those who are hypnotisable feel relieved from pain.
When hypnosis works, it helps to block the perception of pain by directing one's attention away from it; it is an altered state of consciousness that allows only some individuals to screen out pain by forming a mental picture of pleasant sounds and scenes - a process known as imaging. Hypnosis is more effective in controlling pains caused by illness or injury; it does not work when there is physical (for example cancer pain) or emotional cause for the pain. Psychotherapy - another variant of hypnosis also helps considerably, though selectively, chronic pain sufferers.

Acupuncture : The century-old Chinese therapy involves the insertion of thin stainless steel needles into specific body sites to treat disease and relieve pain. There is no doubt that acupuncture does work in certain situations, if undertaken by experts (Oxford Text Book of Medicine). The insertion of needles but at focal points only provides relief by "stimulating mechanoreceptors to produce presynaptic inhibition at the spinal cord level. In a modern version of acupuncture, as now being practiced in the western world, a small electric current is passed through the needles which apparently blocks the pain from traveling from nearby nerves.
Some studies also suggest that acupuncture triggers the production as well the release of endorphins - the body's own natural but transient pain-killers. Success has been reported in treating chronic muscular and joint pains, migraine and certain other types emanating from infectious diseases like bronchitis and tonsilitis (Reader's Digest).
Acupuncture is yet to be proved effective in controlled clinical studies. The place of acupuncture in the management of chronic pain is still under evaluation.
Meditation : Dr David Brosher of the Pain Research Institute (UK) recommends meditation for the management of a wide variety of pains. Meditation is known to relieve tension headaches, migraine as well as more severe chronic pains of arthritis, osteoporosis and even those related to cancer. Meditation involves emptying the mind of distracting thoughts and concentrating on one - in this case pain which then seemingly and gradually vanishes (no longer left). But can anybody be made to successfully meditate as and when required? Training, perhaps is necessary to derive pain relief through meditation.
Massage : Once popular mainly with wrestlers and athletes in the East, massage is gaining ground with the physiotherapists of the day. Massage in the beauty parlours of the West has some undertone of sex but is now well accepted in the health clubs.
Massage in this country has been used since time immemorical to tone up and relax the fatigued muscles. Gentle massage provides relief from headaches, overall body stiffness and chronic neck and back pain. Further it is claimed that massage-relaxed muscles heal more quickly and are less prone to stressful fatigue. It, in fact, improves blood circulation thus bringing the much needed relief to the fatigued muscles. Contrary to some assertions, it, however, does not cure joint pains and is contraindicated in abdominal region. Whether or not massage provides real medical benefit, people do feel relaxed if undertaken by a skilful massager.
Scientists theorise that the nerve signals triggered by the gentle rubbing of pressure receptors during massage probably interfere with those coming from pain receptors, thus neutralising or lessening the impact of pain signals on brain’s cerebral cortex where pain is felt.


HOW SAFE IS YOUR DRINKING WATER

Flourides, sulphates, nitrates, lead, nickel, chromium. Sounds like the contents of a chemistry lab, right? Only, it’s a glassful of clean drinking water available in Delhi. Water that you may have taken special pains to ensure for yourself and your family by sinking a borewell pump because what the MCD supplies you is just not enough, As a South Delhi resident explains, “I paid a premium on the rent for our house because it has a pump.”
Even if you are boiling, filtering or carbonating your water, one thing is certain, what you are drinking is still toxic. And the poisoning may take up to 8 to 14 years to show up. In the form of rickets and kidney damage, besides gastro-intestinal disorders. “The worst hit are our children,” says Dr PS Dutta, a senior scientist at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa.


CFS : TREATING TIREDNESS

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a relatively new term introduced in the medical world. It denotes a debilitating disorder which is characterised by profound tiredness. The cause of this syndrome has not been identified yet.

Patients with CFS become exhausted just with light physical exertion.
With the level onset of this disorder the patient is able to function at a substantially lower of activity than before. Other nonspecific symptoms include weakness, muscle aches, excessive sleep, malaise, fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, impaired memory or concentration, insomnia and depression. The disorder can persist for several years.

No diagnostic tests for CFS are available. However, a diagnosis for CFS can be made by ruling out other kinds of severely incapacitating fatigue a** **** with well defined diseases like cancer, autoimmune diseases, hormonal disorders, infections and depression.

Diagnosis : CFS is currently diagnosed by a history of the illness suggestive of the ailment, and through the systemic exclusion of other possible causes, as no diagnostic test exists for this syndrome as of today. Laboratory tests such as viral serology are used solely to rule out other causes of fatigue.
A CFS patient must first have profound fatigue for a minimum of six months; other causes of fatigue should be ruled out. Clinically evaluated, persistent/relapsing fatigue of definite onset, which is not due to the ongoing exertion, which is not substantially alleviated by rest and which adversely affects the patients’ physical and mental activities can be labeled as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

TREATING A SORE POINT

SCRAPES, CUTS and burns not only can hurt, they can also open the door to infection. But there's a lot you can do to treat minor injuries yourself, without rushing to the doctor. When in doubt, or if your wound doesn't heal within a few weeks, call your doctor. To treat cuts, punctures (such as when your skin is pierced by a narrow, sharp object) and scrapes, follow the four C's:
1.Control Bleeding : Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding with cuts and scrapes. With punctures, let the bleeding stop on its own (unless the bleeding is heavy).
2.Clean the Wound : Washing with warm water and soap kills germs and removes the dirt. Soak a minor puncture wound in warm, sudsy water for several minutes.
3.Close the Edges : With cuts, use a butterfly bandage.
4.Cover the Injury : Use antibiotic ointment. For a cut or scrape, use a sterile bandage or clean gauze (tape in place). Cover a minor puncture with a gauze to absorb drainage.

To treat minor burns :
1.Cool the burn immediately. Use cloths soaked in cool water, or place the burned area under a gentle stream of cool water or in a container of water.
2.Minor bums can be treated like minor cuts or scrap. Be sure to clean the burn and cover it with a loose dressing.
3.Do not apply butter, oil or ointment. This only seals in the heat.
4.Don't break blisters or pull off skin from a broken blister.
Se medical help immediately if:
- The bleeding won't stop.
- The wound covers a large area, is deep or you can see tendons or bones.
- Your ear or eye is injured or burned.
- The bum is larger than the size of your palm, or is on your neck, face, foot, groin or the back of your hand.
- A puncture wound is deep or wide, or was caused by a dirty or rusty object.
- You have signs of infection, such as fever, pus, pain or redness.
- It's been 10 years or more since your last tetanus shot.

EXERCISE CUTS HEART RISK FOR ‘COUCH POTATOES’

A Seattle study provides more evidence that regular moderate exercise can help "couch potatoes" lower their risk of serious heart trouble.
Exercise-walking or gardening for at least an hour per week may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest as much as jogging, swimming or weightlifting, the study found.
Researchers said the findings lend support to current recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which call for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity.

The good news for nonexercisers is that they don't have to become marathoners to gain some cardiac benefit, said lead researcher Rozenn Lemaitre, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington. "A brisk walk" everyday may help, she said.

The new study is based on a review of 333 cases of sudden cardiac arrest treated by paramedics in the Seattle area during a six year period. Only cases caused by heart disease were included.

That group of cases was compared with another group – matched by age and sex – of more than 500 Seattle residents who did not suffer cardiac arrest. None of the people in the study had serious illness or a medical history of heart disease. Researchers compared the two groups on the basis of their participation in strenuous activities such as Jogging, aerobics, biking, skiing or weightlifting - and more moderate exercise - such as walking and gardening.
Compared with those who did not exercise at all, people who gardened or walked for exercise for at least an hour a week were about one-third as likely to suffer sudden cardiac arrest.

WHAT’S IN A LABEL?

Ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods are gaining importance in today's fast-paced life. They are replacing several freshly-prepared home-made dishes. Eating fast food and ready-to-cook foods is fun, time-saving and convenient - but the choice of foods should be made with a dash of common sense and a pinch of discretion. A label at the back of a jar, or a packet is often what prompts a person to buy a specialised food product. A diabetic or a calorie-conscious teenager would look for a sugar free label or reach out for a diet coke. What exactly do these claims mean? As a consumer, do you know what you are buying? Here's what you should look
out for:

SUGAR
- Sugar Free : Less than 0.5 grams per serving. Serving is specified on a food packet.
- No Sugar Added : It means no sugars added during processing or packing, including ingredients that contain sugars (eg fruit juices or dried fruit); Processing does not increase the sugar content; The food that it resembles or substitutes usually contains added sugars; If the food does not meet the requirements for a low or reduced calorie food, then it directs consumers’ attention to the nutrition panel for further information on sugars and calorie content.

CALORIES
- Calorie Free : Fewer than 5 kcals or less per serving
- Low Calorie : 40 kcal or less per serving. Serving size specified Reduced.
- Fewer Calories : At least 25 per cent fewer kcals per serving than reference food.

FIBRE
- High Fibre : 5 g or more per serving (foods making high-fibre claims must meet the definition or low fat, or the level of total fat must appear next to the high fibre claim.
- Food Source of Fibre : 2.5g to 4.9g per serving.
- More or Added Fibre : At least 2.5g more per serving than reference food.

FAT
- Fat Free : Less than O.5g of fat per serving.
- Saturated Fat Free : Less than O.5g per serving and the level of fatty acids does not exceed one per cent of total fat.
- Low Fat : 3g or less per serving
- Low Saturated Fat : 1 g or less per serving size and not more than 15 per cent of the total kcal from saturated fatty acids.
- Reduced or less saturated fat : At least 25 per cent less per serving in reference food.

SODIUM
- Sodium Free : Less than 5mg per serving.
- Low Sodium : 140mg or less per serving.
- Very Low Sodium : 35mg or less per serving.
- Reduced or Less Sodium : At least 25 per cent or less per serving than reference foods.

OTHER TERMS
- Enriched : The vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin have been added to the product to replace what is lost in processing.
- Fortified : Vitamins and or minerals have been added to the product in amounts in excess of at least 10 percent of that normally present in the reference foods.
- Healthy : FDA is proposing the definition of healthy. The term would be applicable to foods low in fat and saturated fat and having not more than 480mg of sodium or 60mg of cholesterol per serving.
- Lite or Light : This can mean two things: First, that a nutritionally-altered product contains one third fewer calories or half the fat compared to its reference food. Second, that the sodium content of a low calorie, low fat food has been reduced by 50 per cent. The term light may still be used to describe properties like texture and colour.
- Diet : A food which is labelled as Diet or Dietetic, artificially sweetened or sweetened with artificial sweetner only - if the claim is true,
- Natural : Food must be free from synthetic food colours, flavours or any other synthetic substances.

Besides this information a label must contain the amount and type of ingredients used, the nutritive value and the possible allergies a food can elicit on eating. Food labelling is not given importance in our country. This is the reason why a food production outfit may get away with using ingredients which are not up to the mark or are beyond permissible limits. As a consumer one must look out for these things not only to get your money's worth but also to protect your and your family's health.


COPING WITH STRESS : A STRATEGY

Stress may be classified as (a) physical, (b) physiological, (c) psychological or (d) socio-cultural. Physical stress may involve a temporary physical pressure like the carrying of a heavy load for a short distance. Relieving oneself of this form of stress is within one's discretion.
Physiological stress is indicated by body symptoms. Psychological stress results in alterations in thinking and feeling. Socio-cultural stress brings about a change in one's behaviour. It is important to be aware of characteristic stress signs and identify the potential cause of the imbalance so as to be able to find the means of coping with it.
The physiological signs include sore muscles, an upset tummy, headache, a high rate of heart beat, diarrhoea, sweating from hands, dry mouth, restlessness and fatigue. Psychological signs are characterised by worrying, difficulty in concentration, forgetfulness, nervousness, feeling of sorrow, anger - or feeling pressured for time. Socio-cultural signs involve overindulgence in substances such as alcohol, drugs or food. Other characteristics are insomnia, rushing around, irritability or being accident-prone.
Stress can originate either in a person or in the surrounding environment. However, whatever the origin, it reflects on the behaviour and reaction of an individual resulting in a chain of stressful episodes.
(a) Personal Sources : These may be cognitive or behavioural. In cognitive sources, the way we talk to our-selves as we approach and deal with life events will either reduce or heighten the magnitude of stress reactions. Say, for example, undermining feelings of self-worth or increase in anxiety and agitation results in blocking of the solution to the problem. In behavioural sources self defeating behaviours such as partying too much, waiting for the eleventh hour to start studying for examinations or sleeping through classes can become habitual sources of stress. Learning how to interact with stress, proper time-management and setting priorities can resolve some of the stress sources.
(b)Environmental Stresses : These include major life events and daily hassles. Major life events include coping with the death or the serious illness of a family member. Ordinary daily hassles include difficult colleagues, work overload and financial worries. These disruptive events can even lower the immune response making an individual more vulnerable to illnesses.
The self-monitoring of stress-triggers enables one to realise that some stressful situations are changeable and controllable while others are beyond one's control and just need to be accepted or tolerated. Controllable or modifiable stress sources demand problem-focused coping which requires interacting and approaching the problem's source in an effort to reduce it. However, uncontrollable situations demand emotion-focused coping which reduces the internal emotional and physiological responses helping one to learn to tolerate the situation.
Using the wrong type of coping strategy for the confronting situation adds to the stress problem. A student, who has to appear for an examination, may use an emotion-focused strategy to distract himself until the last possible moment instead of using a problem focused method of planning and studying. Alternatively, a situation like the end of a romantic relationship, which simply has to be accepted, is sometimes dealt with by a problem-focused coping strategy such as trying to make amendments with the partner instead of using an emotion-focused strategy.
(a)Controllable stress strategies are problem-focused. Behavioural methods to deal with them include planning time schedule, seeking information to solve problems, talking with resource individuals, avoiding stress-triggering situations and arranging situations to encourage coping. Cognitive methods involve mental rehearsing of situations one wants to cope, arguing with one self on what is realistic and having positive task-oriented thoughts.
(ii)Uncontrollable stress strategies are emotion-focused. They help to reduce the internal stress response so as to tolerate the situation more easily. Cognitive methods include limiting worrying time, looking for the silver lining in the stress-forming cloud, stopping negative thoughts when they occur and making a positive comparison of one's situation to those of other persons. Behavioural methods include avoiding situations that serve as painful reminders, physical exercise to reduce tension, muscular relaxation, pleasurable hobbies and social support.
In conclusion, stress can be managed effectively either by choosing a problem-focused or an emotion-focused strategy, depending on the stress triggers. If the targeted stress source is within your control, choose a strategy that can reduce the source. If it is beyond your power to change, try a strategy to reduce internal stress response. In a nutshell, heads you win and tails also you win, if you learn to relax.


NATURE CURE, ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN DEMAND

Rama Goel, a 62 year old woman suffering from chronic rheumatism for the past three years, has finally found relief from her illness through magnetotherapy. Mohit Sareen suffered a major setback to his business and went into a depression. Numerous sessions with the psychiatrist could not help him. He then tried Reiki and now claims that he is once again gaining control of his life. Rajmeet Brar, a middle-aged woman, thought the dark under eye circles could not be cured – until she went in for acupuncture and has almost gotten rid of them.

As the world gets ready for the next millennium, residents of this megacity are increasingly taking a recourse to the age-old system of cure - be it acupressure, acupuncture, magnetotherapy, mud-therapy, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy or pranic healing. Naturopathy is certainly the in thing with city residents.
Opines Lt Co! R.S. Mann (retd) a traditional Reiki master: "More and more people have started accepting the various systems of coures as mentioned in our ancient scriptures, although slow acting, but if done with perseverance are a sure cure to any kind of ailment." He claims to have cured people from ailments like arthritis, slip disc, depression, cervical problems and has even done a kidney transplant through Reiki.

Interestingly, the city also has a nature cure hospital which is frequented by 40 to 45 patients on an average daily. The various therapies made use of here besides hydrotherapy (patients are made to drink a lot of water and then vomit it out with the impurities), and mud –therapy (mud packs are applied on the body and then steam bath is given), also include "neti" (patient takes in water from one nostril and blows it out from, the other) and "dhoti kriya" (the patient is made to stuff cloth inside the mouth till it reaches the intestines and then it is pulled out gradually).

MIND YOUR LIVER

Hepatitis means inflammation of liver which can be caused by various agents like viruses, bacteria, alcohol, drugs etc. Hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis B virus is known as Hepatitis B.

What makes Hepatitis B particularly dreaded is its potential to produce a number of fatal conditions. While majority of patients do recover completely without any long-term effect, a sizable chunk are not so lucky and become chronically infected which proves to be fatal sooner or later. Because Hepatitis B presents clinically as jaundice, it is necessary to rule out Hepatitis B in all cases of jaundice. Patients' history, examination findings and laboratory investigations help the doctor in arriving at the right diagnosis.

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis B and so prevention has been the cornerstone of its management. Because blood is the most important source of infection, this disease may spread as a result of transfusion infected blood. Hospitals; therefore, have to make sure that: - there is a strict screening of blood and blood products before every transfusion; - only sterile and disposable needles and syringes are used by doctors and - contaminated clothes are burnt.
Patients and their families, on their part, need to be vigilant and watch out for injections with contaminated needles during surgical and dental procedures. And because the virus is highly infectious and even a tiny amount of blood or sera (as little as 0.00001 ml) can transmit the infection, be careful of any procedure which can carry traces of blood from person to person.

In your day to day life, it's a good idea to not share razors or nail files. Try and avoid tattooing or any form of blood piercing and be careful when you undergo a procedure like acupuncture. If you have to, do so only with the therapist you trust.
And because the virus is also present in body fluids like semen or vaginal fluid, here's one more reason to say no to unprotected sex. Condoms do a lot more than prevent conception. They go a long way in controlling the spread of disease.
However, if you expose yourself to risk inadvertently, don't panic. 1f you reach your doctor within six hours, he may administer hyper immune serum globulin (anti-bodies got from the blood of those immune to Hepatitis B) along with the hepatitis B vaccine to prevent the disease.
This is the silver lining. The vaccine is safe and highly effective. Initially it was recommended only for those at high risk –like doctors, nurses, prostitutes, IV drug abusers etc, However, in the early '90s, the strategy was changed to include all infants and children below 11 years to the high risk group. In fact, Hepatitis B has been incorporated in routine childhood immunisation programmes in many countries. This, unfortunately, is not so in India because of the high cost of the vaccine. However, many private practitioners here do recommend the vaccine to their patients, particularly children. Let's hope that a universal immunisation will not only curb but eventually get rid of the dreaded disease. Meanwhile, remember the old adage about prevention being better than cure and you'll save yourself from the big H. .

SIMPLE WAY TO CONTROL HIGH BP

People with high blood pressure often fail to respond to medication, leading their doctors to prescribe more and more pills for them. Instead, doctors should help them remember to take the pills they already have, according to an international expert in blood pressure control.
Speaking in Boston recently at a conference on pill-taking behavior sponsored by the American Heart a** ****, Dr Hans R Brunner, a professor of medicine at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, said that more than half the time, cases of high blood pressure that seemed beyond the control of standard blood pressure drugs could actually be easily controlled when patients began to take the drugs correctly.
Dr Brunner collaborated with Dr Michel Burnier on a study at the university of 40 men and women with high blood pressure that remained elevated despite a combination of three different blood pressure drugs. The participants in the study put their pills in containers with electronic memory devices in the caps that registered every time the bottle was opened. The data in the caps were then downloaded into a computer and transformed into graphs on paper so that the participants could see how often they forgot to take their medications over a period of several weeks.

In more than half of the patients, blood pressure fell to normal levels when they realized how many doses they were skipping and worked out ways to remember to take the pills correctly. Only a third required major adjustments in their medications for their blood pressure to fall.
"This is the No.1 problem the management of hypertension today," Dr Brunner said. "We
have wonderful drugs for treating high blood pressure, but using some kind of monitoring of pill
taking has to become an integrated part of the tools we use, together with the drugs."

ORGANISATION WARNS ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

The murder of former model Jessica Lall seems to have stirred up more than just controversy. On Sunday, the Heart Care Foundation of India stated since the murder was suspected to have been committed by a person who had consumed "large quantity of alcohol", the importance of guidelines regarding the use and abuse of alcohol is but apparent..
Foundation vice-chairman KK Aggarwal said alcohol consumption is considered to be a social evening event, but "nowadays; the tradition is to consume it late at night."
He stated social drinking could only mean "drinking to the extent that intellect is no impaired." One peg of alcohol (30 ml), metabolises in an hour and more than one peg in an hour is not considered healthy, he added.
Following are the guidelines according to the foundation:-.
(a)Drinks should be in the evening and not at night.
(b)Second peg should be taken one hour after the first one.
(c)Binge drinking usually means consuming more than five pegs at a time and is a** **** with high blood pressure as well increased crime rate.
(d)In any restaurant, where drinks are served, more than two drinks at a time should be regulated and serving more than five drinks to an individual should be banned.
(e)One can of beer, a glass of dinner wine, or mixed drinks contains almost the same amount of alcohol.
(f)It is true moderate consumption of red wine, white wine, beer, and of other drinks is a** **** with greater health than that in total abstinence or in large intake of drinks. But one must remember moderate consumption in the evenings. The largest benefits occur to those who have one peg a day.


DRUGS IN OLD AGE

It is a matter of common knowledge, also confirmed by several studies, that there is a stepwise increase in the consumption of drugs with advancing age. This is so, particularly in case of analgesics, as painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for musculoskeletal ailments, cardiovascular drugs to control hypertension and angina, soothers and sedatives for a ruffled psyche and sleep disorders, and many more.
Educated elders also indulge in self-medication by purchasing several over-the-counter (OTC) and hearsay drugs, which require no formal prescription from a doctor, without being aware of their "side effects".

Amazingly, many elderly persons are reluctant to take any medicine for whatever the ailment, unless it is life-threatening, and yet, not infrequently, there are others, who are very fond of drugs. They are not satisfied unless they are given a prescription, if nothing else, for at least a genseng to counter the growing general debility, a laxative for a sluggish bowel, an appetiser for dwindling appetite, a Viagra-like aphrodisiac for sexual vigour {for naughty men, not far behind yankee culture), a sleep inducer for a distressing wakeful night, totally forgetful of four to five hours of day-dreaming after a princely breakfast, while scanning through new-papers, after a sumptuous lunch siesta, and frequent dozing off during the after-dinner TV session, before finally retiring to bed.

Some prefer "hazmedar" liquid potions, others like pills, and yet others find it easier to swallow a capsule and not a tablet. One senior citizen (86 years young!) carries a dozen tonics, vitamins and minerals, anti-allergics, besides four drugs for hypertension, angina and diabetes in his medicine pouch; of course, also a time schedule chart, to keep him occupied for most of the day. When asked about the secret of his "youthful agility", he proudly attributes it to his medicine pouch!
Drug kinetics and drug responses differ in old age. Hepatic and renal drug metabolism and elimination may be sluggish in the elderly and may differ from person to person. Therefore, the quantum of drugs and their duration have to be carefully assessed in each case and frequently reviewed. There is no place for a casual or cavalier drug prescription for the elderly.

Any likely adverse reactions or inter-drug antagonism, where multi-drug therapy is being administered for more than one malady, usually coexisting in old age, must be carefully observed by the family and the attendants, and immediately reported to the family doctor. It is safest to keep the number of prescribed drugs to the barest unavoidable minimum.

The most important aspect of drug administration in old age is drug compliance, especially if left to the old man in view of his failing memory. It is important that stockpiles of old drugs, not in use, usually left in the medicine tray of the old man, are promptly removed before the freshly prescribed stock is placed in.
Hundreds of competing Indian and multinational pharmaceutical companies are flooding the market with a plethora of drugs, with new generations pouring in every year, outdating the older ones. There is a** **** prohibitive cost escalation, even of life saving drugs. The advertisements, both in the print and electronic media, make exaggerated claims. Thousands of brand names of drugs every year are not only confusing for the lay public but, at times, also for the physicians, to keep abreast with them, and to sift out the chaff from the grain, keeping in mind the cost-effectiveness of the treatment, especially the long-term therapies.

The following "Ten Golden Rules" may help the elderly to steer out of a safer, beaten path through the complexity of modern hitech medicine, under the guidance of their family physicians:
(a)The least the number of drugs you take, the better to avoid drug interaction antagonism.
(b)Self-prescription of even the OTC drugs may be risky. Give a chance to your family doctor.
(c)Vigilantly watch for "side-effects" if you are taking any drug, and promptly report to your doctor.
(d)Ensure timely drug compliance, especially in multi-drug therapy.
(e)Remember the brand and generic names, doses and frequency of the drugs prescribed for you. Knowledgeably, a good exercise for your memory!
(f)Beware of quacks and spurious drugs always flooding the market.
(g)Always read the date of expiry while purchasing a drug,
(h)Don't give up half way through for long-duration therapies to avoid drug-resistance on recommencement.
(j)Get your prescriptions regularly reviewed by your doctor to avoid drug addiction and to take advantage of new and newer drugs.
(k)Alcohol is an antagonist in case of most drugs, if not all.
And finally remember:
"Sarab rog ka okhad Naam"
Do you have faith in God (Who alone heals and cures), besides faith in your doctor and his drugs?

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE : FACT AND FICTION

High blood pressure or by hypertension is a common health problem after the age of forty. Like diabetes, it is a serious risk factor for many diseases, yet it can be easily treated and controlled. With proper control it is absolutely possible to prevent its harmful effects and ensure good quality of life and longevity.

What is normal blood pressure?

Generally, 140/90 is considered to be the upper limit of normal blood pressure at the age of 40. The upper figure is called systolic pressure and the lower figure diastolic pressure. As age advances somewhat higher figures may be accepted as normal. There are fairly wide variations from person to person and in the same person from time to time. After all, it is not a fixed figure like the length of a finger. Physical work, exercise, fevers, emotions, sexual intercourse temporarily raise it; in winter months it is higher than in summer. Considering the variables, it is best to depend upon readings taken early in the morning before breakfast, after resting for 15 minutes.
At this point I wish to dispel fears harboured by some persons who are young and normal, and have low readings like 110/70 or even lower. These are perfectly normal readings. Low blood pressure need cause anxiety only if there is a sudden fall of blood pressure; then there is a cause for it, such as a drug, a heart attack of bleeding somewhere. A habitually low blood pressure in an other-wise normal person, on the other hand, is a blessing.

Why does blood pressure rise?

There are certain diseases, e.g, kidney diseases, which raise the blood pressure, but in the vast majority (over 90 per cent) of cases no identifiable cause can be found. These cases are called 'essential hypertension'. Most of the discussion that follows relates to these cases.
How blood pressure rises?
The smallest peripheral arterial blood vessels become constricted and narrowed; this raises the blood pressure allover the arterial tree, just like the rise of pressure of Water if you constrict the end of a rubber hosepipe connected to a water tap. Why the arterial constriction takes place, nobody knows for certain, though theories abound. However, certain factors like tension, hurry, working against time, emotional disturbances and perturbations do aggravate hypertension. Mild but chronic urinary tract infections are also known to raise the blood pressure.

Harm done by high BP.

By itself hypertension produces few symptoms, may be sometimes heaviness of head. This is why it has been termed as 'silent killer'. It is not uncommon for physicians to see patients with as high a pressure as 240/130 and the patient not feeling anything wrong with himself, unless some complication like a heart problem or stroke occurs as a consequence of the very high pressure. It is therefore very wrong to try to judge the level of blood pressure by one's feelings. There is no other way except to check the reading with a blood pressure instrument, prferably mercurial.
Blood flowing in the arteries at a high pressure year after year damages the walls of the major arteries of the heart, kidneys, brain, etc. The high pressure forces the cholesterol contained in the blood into the arterial wall. It thus facilitates the formation of fatty deposits (atheroma) on the walls of the arteries. These deposits cause obstruction to the flow of blood in the affected arteries and are the cause of heart attacks and strokes (Chapters 13-15). The high pressure also causes degeneration of the delicate arteries of the eyes and kidneys, thereby damaging those organs. The damage once done to blood vessels cannot be undone.
High pressure in the arteries compels the heart to contract with greater force to overcome the high pressure. The work of the heart is thereby increased. In course of time its mass and size increases, but there is a limit to which the heart can adapt to the high pressure. Eventually, blood pressure remaining untreated, the heart fails in its function as a pump. The above effects of hypertension are long term chronic effects. However, if blood pressure suddenly shoots up to very high levels, above 200 mm systolic, there is immediate danger of bursting of an artery, e.g, in the brain, or the heart may be unable to cope with this sudden rise of pressure and may fail in its function.

What is to be done?

You would have guessed by now that if the person has to be helped, the proper time to start the control of pressure is right at its onset. In our present state of knowledge there is no treatment available which can radically cure the disease. The aim of the treatment is, therefore, to reduce the blood pressure to near normal levels and keep it at that level, so that the adverse effects of hypertension are previewed from occurring. Being a life long disease the treatment has to be life long. Lowering the blood pressure for a few months is of no value.

If you have high blood pressure, you would be well-advised to keep it under control with the help of your physician, though you may otherwise be feeling normal. Once complications of the disease appear, the treatment becomes more complicated, more expensive and less effective.

Examination and Investigation

The physician will examine you, may be more than once, and assess the level of your blood pressure, the condition of your heart, kidneys, eyes and other body organs. He may order certain investigations which may include an ECG, urine examination, urine culture, X-ray of the chest for heart size, etc. He may look into your eyes with an ophthalmoscope to check on the health of the arteries which are directly visible inside the eyes. Urine examination and culture is necessary because sometimes low grade chronic infection of the urinary tract keeps the blood pressure high, and treatment of this infection may itself bring down the blood pressure substantially.
Drug Treatment

Many effective drugs, singly or in combination, are now available – Diuretics (e.g, Lasix, Dytide), Beta blocking drugs {e.g, Inderal, Atenolol), Methyl dopa (Aldomet), Hydrallazine, Calalcium channel blockers (e.g. Nifedipine), to name but a few. Your physician will choose the drug or combination of drugs most suitable for you. Periodical checks by your physician are essential to keep the blood pressure under good control, not high nor too low. He will also keep an eye on early signs of any complication.

It must be mentioned that the drugs for hypertension cannot be treated light-heartedly like popcorn. They have to be taken under the guidance of your physician. Sometimes side effects can occur, the common ones being depression with Serpasil, frightening dreams with Inderal,
drowsiness with Aldomet, general weakness with diuretics. Some drugs cause loss of libodo and sexual potency. If you experience any of these effects, report to your physician; he will suitably modify the treatment. With the introduction or more and more new and effective drugs it is now possible to control blood pressure without undesirable side-effects.

Physiological Measures

Keeping one's cool, not working against time, not being too time-bound, avoiding hurry, and a regular schedule of meals, rest, exercise and sleep as well as stopping to smoke can go a long way in lowering your blood pressure and reducing the need for anti-hypertensive drugs. Meditation may also help towards this end; its technique should be learnt in one of the many centers which have sprung in recent times in most of the towns across the country and abroad.
It has been found that high consumption of common salt (sodium chloride) raises the blood pressure, and so does lack of potassium. Potassium is present in many vegetables and fruits, particularly citrus and bananas. Hypertensive persons should reduce their salt intake to say one-third of their usual consumption. They should not stop it altogether, because this can be harmful in summer months when there is considerable loss of salt by way of sweat, or when diuretics are administered which dispose off the salt from the body. They should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, particularly oranges, kinu and bananas. Vegetarian diet is ideal for hypertensives, though the non-vegetarian items of food need not be entirely excluded. To reduce salt intake it is suggested that use of chillies and spices should be kept to the minimum; they need more salt for taste. Indian pickles (achars) and chutneys are also rich in salt and should be taken sparingly.
Concluding, it must be stressed that hypertension is a serious risk factor, especially for the heart and brain; it has few or no symptoms and therefore has been aptly termed as the 'silent killer'. Proper treatment and control under the care of your physician is imperative, and has to be lifelong. The rewards of such control are a good quality of life and longevity.

LINE OF ACTUAL CONTROL

The human body is under constant attack by foreign invaders" such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi because of the ideal environment it provides to them for their growth. The immune system of the human body comprises a network of cells and organs - soldiers and enemies respectively of nature's immune defence mechanism. It is the job of this system to keep out the microbes or, failing which, to search them out and destroy them.
At times the immune system misfires or gets crippled resulting in diseases such as allergies, arthritis, cancer or AIDS.
The immune system has a remarkable ability to recognise the body's own cells as "self" and foreign cells as "nonself". Whenever this system detects foreign cells, they swing into action. Anything that triggers an immune response is known as antigen, whether it is a microbe or a tissue cell from another person (except in identical twins).
However, in abnormal conditions, the immune system can mistake self-antigens as foreign, causing the destruction of the individual's tissue cells and resulting in autoimmune diseases. Sometimes, the system responds inappropriately to apparently harmless substances (allergens) such as pollen or animal hair, throwing up allergy.

The Structure of Immune Stem : The organs of the immune system are positioned throughout the body and are known as lymphoid organs. Bone marrow is the source of the blood cells, including the white blood cells, which are destined to become immune cells. The lymphoid organs include the tonsils, the adenoids, the thymus, the spleen and the appendix. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped bodies laced along the lymphatic vessels with clusters in the neck, the armpit, the abdomen and the groin. Peyers patches are flat areas of lymphatic tissue situated in the small intestine.
All lymphocytes push lymph nodes through outgoing lymphatic vessels. Once in the blood stream, they are transported to tissues throughout the body where they patrol for foreign antigens.

Immune Cells and their Products : The immune system stockpiles a huge arsenal of cells, not only lymphocytes but also cell-devouring phagocytes and others. Some immune cells take on all comers while others are trained to hit specific targets. To work effectively, most immune cells need the cooperation of their fellows.
Sometimes, immune cells communicate by direct physical contact and sometimes by releasing chemical messengers. In order to house all the cells needed to match millions of possible enemies, the immune system stores just a few of each kind. When an antigen appears, those few corresponding cells multiply into a full-scale army. After their job is done, they fade away.

B Cells and T Cells : These are the main types of lymphocytes. B cells work chiefly by secreting soluble substances called antibodies. Each B cell is programmed to make one specific antibody which matches an antigen as a key matches a lock. When a B cell encounters a triggering antigen, it matures into a large cell known as plasma cell. This is a factory for producing millions of antibodies which are poured into the blood stream.
T cells contribute to the immune defences in two major ways. Some, which direct and regulate the immune responses, are known as helper T cells whereas others that attack cancerous or infected cells are called killer T cells. T cells work primarily by secreting potent chemical messengers called lymphokines. Nature killer cells have granules filled with potent chemicals and can attack any foe, whereas killer T cells attack only specific targets.
Phagocytes are cell-eaters that can swallow and digest microbes and other foreign particles. Monocytes are phagocytes that circulate in the blood. When they migrate to tissues they are called microphages. They secrete powerful chemicals called monokines which are vital to the immune responses. Other cells responsible for immune defences are the granulocytes and the mast cells.

Another arm of nature's immune defence is die complement system. It is made up of about 25 proteins that circulate in the blood and gets activated in contact with an antigen-antibody complex resulting in a puncture to the targeted cell from which fluids and molecules flow in and out, resulting in its swelling and bursting.

Natural Immunity : Whenever T cells and B cells get activated, some of the cells become memory cells. The next time when an individual meets with the same antigen the immune system destroys it. (e.g, mumps, measles). ,
Acquired Immunity : An immune response can be sparked also by immunisation with vaccines. Vaccines contain microorganisms or parts of microorganisms that have been treated so as to provoke an immune response but not the disease.
Infants are protected for the first few months of life by antibodies received from their mother before birth. Breast-fed babies receive antibodies from breast milk, which help protect the digestive tract

Immune Complex Diseases : Immune complexes are cluster of interlocking antigens and antibodies, which are rapidly removed from the blood stream. Sometimes, however, they get trapped in the tissue of kidneys, lungs, skin joints or blood vessel. Reactions with complement protein lead to inflammation and tissue damage. The disease a** **** with immune complexes are many of the autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis and infectious diseases like malaria and viral hepatitis.

Immunodeficiency Diseases : Even if a single component is absent in the immune system, the result is an immunodeficiency disorder. Immunodeficiency disorders can be inherited or acquired through infection and immunosuppressive drugs used for transplant or cancer patients.
Congenital or birth defects in the immune system like the faulty B cell system results in inability to produce antibodies. Likewise, the absence or abnormality of thymus incapacitates a person to produce T cells. When major immune components are lacking in infants, a condition known as severe combined immunodeficiency disease develops. Such infants may survive for a number of years in germ-free rooms.
Temporary deficiencies in the immune system arise due to viral infections, blood transfusion, surgery, malnutrition and stress. AIDS is an immunodeficiency disorder produced by infection that destroys T cells and is currently rampant in the world.

POISON FROM SNAIL KILLS HUMAN PAIN

A poison used by sea snails to kill prey is being hailed as a painkiller a thousand times stronger than morphine.
Scientists discovered that the cone snail, found on tropical reefs, shoots a harpoon carrying the venom at passing fish. The poison kills the fish, which the snail then reels in.

"Cone-snail venom is very effective at paralysing fish by acting on the nervous system. As it blocks a fish's nervous system so well, we thought it might be effective in blocking the nervous system of humans."

He thought that harvesting the venom of millions of snails was impractical so he decided to identify the ingredients of the poison. He had to establish its molecular structure and find a way to copy it. "We discovered it is a calcium blocker and it blocks communications from one nerve to another," he says.
Signals from a growth or an injury are normally transmitted to the brain where they are perceived as pain. Ziconotide blocks these signals' routes to the brain, leaving the rest of the nervous system working normally and stopping the pain message getting through.

AIR PRESSURE AFFECTS THINKING

Changes in air pressure can have a direct effect on the way we think, according to research carried out in Ukraine.
Anatoly Delyukov, a physicist at Kiev University, has been monitoring air pressure perturbations – rapid changes in air pressure caused by atmospheric disturbance – since 1996. He discovered last year that an increase in the intensity of air pressure fluctuations causes the heart to beat faster.
Now it seems that these changes can also affect mental a activity, reports New Scientist. Delyukov asked 12 volunteers to perform a range of mental exercises on days when there was little fluctuation in air pressure. But from time to time researchers used a hidden ventilator to generate changes in air pressure.
The changes sometimes helped and sometimes hindered performance, depending on the mental state of the volunteer: tired volunteer worked more slowly, while alert volunteers became more efficient. Random fluctuations, however, interfered with the concentration of all the volunteers. Delyukov does not yet know the reason for the connection, but says the body might sense changes in air pressure to ensure stable blood pressure, and that this in turn might affect brain activity.

NEW METHOD TO TREAT ARTERY BLOCKAGES

Patients with large, diffused blockages in their arteries need not despair: Cardiologists here promise to treat them by ignoring the diseased arteries and making fresh blood channels in their heart.

Three such patients were treated using the method at the Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre. A team of cardiologists, headed by director, interventional cardiology Dr Upendra Kaul, was assisted by a cardiologist from the US Dr Fayaz Shawl, during the procedure,
Laser therapy was being tried for some of these patients. Lasers were used for creating new pathways for blood flow in the heart. However, the therapy was over a lakh and therefore, could not be afforded by most people.
With the new technique, known as Non-laser Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularisation, the cost will not be more than Rs 40,000 with this procedure, says Dr Kaul. While the actual procedure lasts about an hour, the patient is admitted a day earlier for several tests. A day after the procedure, the patient is discharge.

SPHERE OF TRANSPLANTATION

Pancreatic transplantation is feasible and is a widely accepted therapy for diabetic nephropathy with 85 per cent to 90 per cent of grafts surviving at one year. In the United States of America, about 1000 pancreas transplants are performed each year. In December, 1996, there were 101 pancreas transplant centres in the USA. Twenty to 25 per cent of cadaveric donors are used for pancreas transplantation in the USA. Over 1200 pancreas transplants are performed worldwide each year (International Pancreas Transplant Registry). Simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation continues to be a safe option for patients with type I diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal failure. The main goals of this surgical procedure are recovery of the renal function and the control of blood sugar without insulin supplementation.

The most-often used technique of pancreas transplantation today is the transplantation of the whole gland with a duodenal segment and pancreatic juice draining into the urinary bladder or the bowel. Bladder drainage has become the most common method with the lowest technical failure and the highest graft survival rates. Bowel drainage represents the most physiologic drainage but is potentially a** **** with intra-abdominal complications. Total pancreas transplantation is expected to prevent better metabolic control than segmental grafts.
Graft losses from rejection and technical failures have significantly decreased over a period of time. The use of new immunosuppressants appears to further improve the outcome. There is no evidence that the side effects of chronic immunosuppression exceed those of diabetes, and it is logical to choose a pancreas transplant versus insulin treatment in motivated patients.

The complexity of the pancreas transplant and the potential for postoperative surgical complication makes the decision of choosing an acceptable donor a formidable endeavour. Pancreas grafts from donors older than 45 years are a** **** with an increased risk of developing poor glycaemic control and premature loss of pancreatic function.

Those patients who are not eligible for whole pancreas transplantation may benefit - from pancreatic cell transplantation. Transplantation of isolated islet cells is an alternative approach. Islet cells are isolated with a standard digestion – the filtration method using a highly purified collagenase enzyme blend. Liver and spleen Can be used as a site for human islet transplantation. Islet transplantation can be either by direct injection, or arterial or venous infusion. The liver would seem to be the most physiologic site as insulin is metabolised in the liver. It is a simpler and safer method than whole organ transplantation. Clinical trials have been reported in a few specialised centres worldwide. Beneficial effect are obtained quickly with better glycaemic regulation. Stable normoglycaemia and the continuous endogenous supply to islet cell peptides may both reduce the pathogenetic process, leading to diabetic organ damage.
The serious shortage of the availability of human pancreatic tissue motivated a search for alternative donor strategies. Because of the actual shortage of human donor islet tissue, it will be necessary in future to fulfill the demand by the employment of non-human tissue as a resource for donor islets. The pig appears to be a suitable donor of pancreas for humans. Improved storage techniques would facilitate transplantation effort by reducing the inevitable islet loss that occurs in any preservation method.

DRINK WATER, BUT DON’T GET AQUAHOLIC

How much is enough?

The best way to tell if you're drinking the right amount of water is from your urine – it should be a light, straw colour. The darker it is, the more you need to drink. After that, try the pinch test: place one hand with the palm flat on the surface of a table and then pinch the skin on the back of the hand. Release the pinch. If it quickly returns tonormal, you are drinking enough fluids. If there is a delay, the cells in your body are dehydrated and you need to step up the amount.

Liquid refreshment
Tea, coffee and soft drinks are not healthy substitutes for water, juices or herbal teas since they act as diuretics, forcing even more water out of the body and leaving you even more dehydrated. Also avoid iced water. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine believe it slows down the metabolism which can result in weight gain. Avoid drinking water with meals as it will not give the body time to properly digest food or absorb all the nutrients and minerals it needs.

PEPPER, TURMERIC CAN WORK WONDERS

A household kitchen can provide cure for 50 per cent of the common ailments, says Mr D.C. Sharma, an ayurved, maintaining that cardamom, black pepper and turmeric are common spices which have tremendous curative value.
"Urine is like nectar. Garlic is a pearl. Their proper use can cure human beings of various serious ailments, including cancer," says Mr Shanna, for whom ayurveda is a passion. With no formal education in this Indian system of medicine, Mr Sharma inherited most of his expertise and knowledge from his father and grandfather, whom he attentively observed while they diagnosed patients. He also used to "grind medicines" at home and is well versed in the use of "ashes of metals".
Talking about "urine therapy", he says it has shown wonderful results. He quotes the case of a city resident who had cancer of the mouth but was cured with "urine therapy". People, he says, show initial reluctance but once they start, they get relief quickly. "Even otherwise, we carry urine inside out body for most of the time’” he adds.

TRIM TUMMY(FIVE MINUTE A DAY RECIPE FOR THAT PERFECT TUMMY)

Three Cardinal principles

1. Eat a low-fat diet.

2. Follow an aerobic exercise program such as swimming, cycling, walking, or aerobic dance, three times weekly, to burn fat stores from all over the body.

3. Practice specific exercises to firm and tone the abdominal muscles. The technique:
- Inhale before starting each exercise.
- Keep the motion slow and controlled, allowing the tension in the abs to build without any bouncy or jerking.
- Hold the contraction at the top to a count of three.
- Avoid resting between repetitions.
- After completing 15-20 repetitions, rest for one-two minutes before beginning the next set.
- Crunches : Lie on your back with the knees bent, feet on the fl

Very nice and in depth article, kumar, thank you.