Showing posts with label Health Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Tips. Show all posts

The Amazing Benefits of Curd: Control Your Weight and Boost Your Health

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Curd, also known as yogurt, is a popular dairy product consumed worldwide for its rich taste and numerous health benefits. It is a powerhouse of nutrients, including proteins, calcium, Vitamin B12, and probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that promote gut health. This article explores the amazing benefits of curd, including its ability to help control weight, improve gut health, reduce blood sugar and blood pressure, and boost immunity.

Firstly, curd is an excellent food for weight management. It is low in calories and high in protein, which makes it an ideal snack for those who are watching their weight. Protein is a satiating nutrient, which means that it can help you feel full for longer periods, reducing the likelihood of overeating. Additionally, curd contains probiotics, which have been shown to improve gut health, leading to better digestion and metabolism. A healthy gut microbiome can help regulate weight, making curd a valuable addition to a weight loss diet.

Secondly, curd is beneficial for gut health. Probiotics in curd can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is essential for digestion and absorption of nutrients. A healthy gut microbiome can also improve immune function, reduce inflammation, and protect against gut infections. Furthermore, curd contains lactic acid, which can help break down food in the stomach, making it easier to digest.

Thirdly, curd can help reduce blood sugar and blood pressure. Studies have shown that consuming curd can help regulate blood sugar levels, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes. Curd contains magnesium, which can help improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, curd contains potassium, which can help lower blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body.

Lastly, curd is an excellent source of immunity-boosting nutrients. Curd contains Vitamin B12, which is essential for the production of white blood cells, the body's natural defense against infections. It also contains zinc, which can help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. Moreover, curd contains probiotics, which can help prevent gut infections and improve immune function.

In conclusion, curd is a versatile and nutritious food that offers numerous health benefits. It can help control weight, improve gut health, reduce blood sugar and blood pressure, and boost immunity. Incorporating curd into your daily diet can be an easy and delicious way to improve your overall health and well-being. Whether you enjoy it as a snack, in smoothies, or as a side dish, curd is a valuable addition to any diet.

It's important to note that not all curd is created equal. Look for plain, unsweetened curd that contains live and active cultures. Avoid curd that contains added sugars or artificial flavors, as these can negate the health benefits. Additionally, people with lactose intolerance may have difficulty digesting curd, so it's best to consume it in moderation or consult a healthcare professional for advice.

In summary, curd is a powerhouse of nutrients that can help control weight, improve gut health, reduce blood sugar and blood pressure, and boost immunity. It's a versatile and delicious food that can be incorporated into any diet. By choosing plain, unsweetened curd that contains live and active cultures, you can enjoy all the amazing benefits that this superfood has to offer.

Guava Health Benefits: ఈ ఫ్రూట్ యొక్క ఆరోగ్య ప్రయోజనాలు తెలిస్తే షాక్ అవడం పక్కా !

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Guava Health Benefits: జామ వల్ల ఎన్నో ఆరోగ్య ప్రయోజనాలు ఉంటాయి. జామ పండ్లు తినడం వల్ల కలిగే లాభాల గురించి ఇప్పుడు తెలుసుకుందాం. ఆరోగ్యం: జామలో విటమిన్ C సమృద్ధిగా ఉంటుంది, ఇది అనేక రకాల రోగాలు రాకుండా చేస్తుంది. హృదయ ఆరోగ్యం: జామలో పీచు పదార్థం పుష్కలంగా ఉంటుంది. ఇది రక్తపోటు నియంత్రణలో సహాయపడుతుంది అంతే కాకుండా హృదయ ఆరోగ్యాన్ని మెరుగుపరుస్తుంది. జామలో ఉన్న పీచు జీర్ణశక్తిని మెరుగుపరుస్తుంది. 


మలబద్దకం నివారించడానికి సహాయపడుతుంది మరియు పేగుల ఆరోగ్యాన్ని మెరుగ్గా ఉంచుతుంది. మధుమేహం నియంత్రణ: జామలో రక్తంలో చక్కెర స్థాయిలను నియంత్రించడంలో సహాయపడుతుంది. ఇది మధుమేహం పేషెంట్లకు ఉపయోగకరంగా ఉంటుంది. జామలోని యాంటీ ఆక్సిడెంట్స్ వృద్ధాప్య లక్షణాలను ఆలస్యం చేస్తాయి. జామ చర్మాన్ని మెరుగుపరచడానికి సహాయపడుతుంది. చర్మంపై ఉన్న మురికి, మొటిమలను తగ్గిస్తుంది. జామ శరీరంలో వేడి తగ్గించడంలో సహాయపడుతుంది. ఉక్కపోతకు నివారణగా పనిచేస్తుంది. 

Flax Seeds Benefits : ప్రతీ రోజూ వీటిని రెండు స్పూన్లు తీసుకుంటే శరీరంలో ఊహించని మ్యాజిక్ చూస్తారు..

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Flax Seeds Benefits: 

ఆరోగ్యానికి కేవలం కూరగాయలు, పండ్లతో మాత్రమే కాకుండా గింజలు తీసుకోవడం వల్ల మంచి ఫలితాలు ఉంటాయి. ముఖ్యంగా ఫ్లాక్స్ సీడ్స్ తినడం వల్ల ఆరోగ్యానికి పుష్కలమైన ప్రయోజనాలు ఉంటాయి. వీటిని క్రమం తప్పకుండా ప్రతీ రోజూ తీసుకోవడం వల్ల అనారోగ్య సమస్యలు తొలగిపోతాయి.

అంతేకాదు ముఖ్యంగా నానబెట్టిన అవిసె గింజలను తీసుకోవడం వల్ల జీర్ణవ్యవస్థ మెరుగుపడుతుంది. జీర్ణవ్యవస్థకు సంబంధించిన చాలా రకాల సమస్యలను కూడా అవిసె గింజలను తినడం వల్ల తగ్గించుకోవచ్చు. ఇందులో మలబద్ధకం, కడుపులో గ్యాస్, అజీర్ణం వంటి వాటి నుంచి మంచి ఉపశమనం లభిస్తుంది. ఎందుకంటే ఇందులో ఉండే ఫైబర్ కారణంగా ఈ సమస్యలన్నీ తగ్గిపోతాయని నిపుణులు చెబుతున్నారు.

Avoid Kidney Stones

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Avoid Kidney Stones

కిడ్నీ రాళ్లను నివారించడానికి 10 నిరూపితమైన చిట్కాలు: స్టోన్-ఫ్రీ లైఫ్‌కి మీ అల్టిమేట్ గైడ్


కిడ్నీలో రాళ్లు మీ దైనందిన జీవితానికి అంతరాయం కలిగించే బాధాకరమైన అనుభవం కావచ్చు మరియు మీరు ఎప్పుడైనా వాటితో వ్యవహరించినట్లయితే, మీరు పునరావృతం కాకుండా ఉండేందుకు ఆసక్తిని కలిగి ఉంటారు. అదృష్టవశాత్తూ, మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లను నివారించడానికి మార్గాలు ఉన్నాయి మరియు వాటి ఏర్పడటానికి దోహదపడే కారకాలను అర్థం చేసుకోవడం ద్వారా, మీరు మీ ఆరోగ్యాన్ని నియంత్రించవచ్చు. ఈ బ్లాగ్‌లో, మేము కిడ్నీలో రాళ్లను నివారించడానికి పది శక్తివంతమైన వ్యూహాలను కవర్ చేస్తాము మరియు తరచుగా అడిగే ప్రశ్నలకు సమాధానం ఇస్తాము, మీ కిడ్నీలను స్టోన్ రహితంగా ఉంచడానికి మీకు అవసరమైన జ్ఞానాన్ని మీకు అందజేస్తాము.

కిడ్నీ స్టోన్స్ అంటే ఏమిటి?
కిడ్నీ స్టోన్స్ మీ కిడ్నీలో ఏర్పడే ఖనిజాలు మరియు లవణాల గట్టి నిక్షేపాలు. ఈ రాళ్ళు పరిమాణంలో మారుతూ ఉంటాయి మరియు పాస్ చేయడం చాలా బాధాకరం. మీ మూత్రం మీ మూత్రంలోని ద్రవం కరిగిపోయే దానికంటే కాల్షియం, ఆక్సలేట్ మరియు యూరిక్ యాసిడ్ వంటి ఎక్కువ క్రిస్టల్-ఏర్పడే పదార్ధాలను కలిగి ఉన్నప్పుడు అవి సంభవిస్తాయి. ఇది జరిగినప్పుడు, అదనపు ఖనిజాలు ఒకదానితో ఒకటి అతుక్కొని స్ఫటికీకరించబడతాయి, మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లు ఏర్పడతాయి.

మీరు కిడ్నీ స్టోన్స్ ఎందుకు నివారించాలి?
కిడ్నీలో రాళ్లు తీవ్ర అసౌకర్యాన్ని కలిగించడమే కాకుండా ఇన్ఫెక్షన్‌లు, మూత్ర విసర్జన అడ్డంకులు మరియు దీర్ఘకాలిక మూత్రపిండాల నష్టం వంటి సమస్యలకు కూడా దారితీయవచ్చు. వాటిని నివారించడం ద్వారా, మీరు మీ శ్రేయస్సును కాపాడుకుంటారు మరియు సంభావ్య శస్త్రచికిత్స లేదా సుదీర్ఘ రికవరీ కాలాలను నివారించండి.

కిడ్నీ రాళ్లను నివారించడానికి 10 నిరూపితమైన చిట్కాలు
1. హైడ్రేటెడ్ గా ఉండండి (ఎక్కువ నీరు త్రాగండి)
మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లకు వ్యతిరేకంగా నీరు మీ ఉత్తమ రక్షణ. హైడ్రేటెడ్‌గా ఉండటం ద్వారా, రాళ్లు ఏర్పడకుండా నిరోధించడానికి మీ మూత్రం తగినంతగా పలుచబడి ఉండేలా చూసుకోవాలి. రోజుకు కనీసం 8-12 గ్లాసుల నీటిని లక్ష్యంగా పెట్టుకోండి. తగినంత ద్రవాలు తాగడం వల్ల రాళ్లు ఏర్పడే పదార్థాలను స్ఫటికీకరించే ముందు బయటకు పంపుతుంది.

చిట్కా: మీ మూత్రం రంగును తనిఖీ చేయండి. లేత పసుపు రంగులో లేదా స్పష్టంగా ఉంటే, మీరు బాగా హైడ్రేటెడ్ గా ఉంటారు. ముదురు మూత్రం నిర్జలీకరణాన్ని సూచిస్తుంది.

2. మీ సోడియం తీసుకోవడం పరిమితం చేయండి
సోడియం మీ మూత్రంలో కాల్షియం మొత్తాన్ని పెంచుతుంది, ఇది రాళ్ల నిర్మాణానికి దోహదం చేస్తుంది. రోజువారీ సోడియం పరిమితి సుమారు 2,300 మిల్లీగ్రాములు ఉండాలి, కానీ మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్ల చరిత్ర ఉన్న వ్యక్తులు 1,500 మిల్లీగ్రాముల కంటే తక్కువగా ఉండాలి.

ముఖ్య చిట్కా: క్యాన్డ్ సూప్‌లు, సాల్టీ స్నాక్స్ మరియు డెలి మీట్‌లు వంటి ప్రాసెస్ చేసిన ఆహారాలకు దూరంగా ఉండండి. బదులుగా, మీరు ఉప్పు కంటెంట్‌ను నియంత్రించే తాజా పండ్లు, కూరగాయలు మరియు ఇంట్లో వండిన భోజనాన్ని ఎంచుకోండి.

3. మీ కాల్షియం తీసుకోవడం పెంచండి (కానీ సమతుల్యంగా ఉంచండి)
జనాదరణ పొందిన నమ్మకానికి విరుద్ధంగా, కాల్షియం తప్పనిసరిగా మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లకు కారణం కాదు. వాస్తవానికి, మీ ఆహారంలో సరైన మొత్తంలో కాల్షియం పొందడం వల్ల ప్రేగులలో ఆక్సలేట్‌తో బంధించడం ద్వారా రాళ్లు ఏర్పడకుండా నిరోధించవచ్చు, మీ మూత్రపిండాలకు చేరకుండా నిరోధించవచ్చు.

ఏమి చేయాలి: పెరుగు, పాలు మరియు ఆకు కూరలు వంటి కాల్షియం అధికంగా ఉండే ఆహారాన్ని తినండి మరియు రోజుకు 1,000-1,200 మిల్లీగ్రాముల కాల్షియం కోసం లక్ష్యంగా పెట్టుకోండి.

4. ఆక్సలేట్-రిచ్ ఫుడ్స్ తగ్గించండి
ఆక్సలేట్ అనేది అనేక ఆహారాలలో కనిపించే సహజ సమ్మేళనం, మరియు అధిక ఆక్సలేట్ స్థాయిలు మీ మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్ల ప్రమాదాన్ని పెంచుతాయి. సాధారణ ఆక్సలేట్ అధికంగా ఉండే ఆహారాలలో బచ్చలికూర, దుంపలు, గింజలు, చాక్లెట్ మరియు చిలగడదుంపలు ఉన్నాయి. మోడరేషన్ కీలకం-మీరు కిడ్నీలో రాళ్లకు గురయ్యే అవకాశం ఉన్నట్లయితే ఈ ఆహారాలను అధికంగా తీసుకోవడం మానుకోండి.

5. చక్కెర మరియు చక్కెర పానీయాలను తగ్గించండి
సోడా మరియు తీపి టీలు వంటి చక్కెర పానీయాలు ముఖ్యంగా కాల్షియం ఆక్సలేట్‌తో తయారు చేయబడిన రాళ్ళు అభివృద్ధి చెందే ప్రమాదాన్ని పెంచుతాయి. ఫ్రక్టోజ్ (సోడాలు మరియు జ్యూస్‌లలో అధిక మొత్తంలో లభిస్తుంది) కిడ్నీలో రాళ్లకు దోహదపడుతుంది.

ప్రో చిట్కా: చక్కెర పానీయాలకు బదులుగా నీరు, తియ్యని టీ లేదా మెరిసే నీటిని ఎంచుకోండి.

6. సిట్రేట్-రిచ్ ఫుడ్స్ తినండి
సిట్రేట్ అనేది మీ మూత్రంలో ఉండే సహజ పదార్ధం, ఇది రాళ్లు ఏర్పడకుండా నిరోధిస్తుంది. నిమ్మకాయలు మరియు నిమ్మకాయలు వంటి సిట్రేట్ అధికంగా ఉండే ఆహారాన్ని తీసుకోవడం వల్ల రాళ్ల నుండి రక్షణ పొందవచ్చు. మీ నీటిలో తాజా నిమ్మరసం పిండడం అనేది సిట్రేట్ స్థాయిలను పెంచడానికి సులభమైన మరియు ప్రభావవంతమైన మార్గం.

7. మీ ప్రోటీన్ తీసుకోవడం సమతుల్యం చేయండి
మొత్తం ఆరోగ్యానికి ప్రోటీన్ చాలా అవసరం అయితే, చాలా జంతు ప్రోటీన్ తీసుకోవడం వల్ల మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్ల ప్రమాదాన్ని పెంచుతుంది. అధిక-ప్రోటీన్ ఆహారాలు మీ మూత్రంలో యూరిక్ యాసిడ్ మొత్తాన్ని పెంచుతాయి, ఇది రాయి ఏర్పడటానికి ప్రమాద కారకం.

స్మార్ట్ మూవ్: మాంసం, చేపలు మరియు గుడ్లు యొక్క మితమైన సర్వింగ్‌లను ఎంచుకోండి మరియు మీ ఆహారంలో బీన్స్ మరియు చిక్కుళ్ళు వంటి మొక్కల ఆధారిత ప్రోటీన్‌లను జోడించడాన్ని పరిగణించండి.

8. ఆరోగ్యకరమైన బరువును నిర్వహించండి
అధిక బరువు లేదా ఊబకాయం మీ మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లను అభివృద్ధి చేసే ప్రమాదాన్ని పెంచుతుంది. అదనపు బరువు మీ శరీరంలోని యాసిడ్ స్థాయిలను మార్చగలదు, రాళ్ల నిర్మాణానికి దోహదం చేస్తుంది. సమతుల్య ఆహారం మరియు క్రమం తప్పకుండా వ్యాయామం మీ బరువును అదుపులో ఉంచడంలో సహాయపడుతుంది, మీ ప్రమాదాన్ని తగ్గిస్తుంది.

9. సప్లిమెంట్లతో జాగ్రత్త వహించండి
అధిక మోతాదులో విటమిన్ సి మరియు కాల్షియం సప్లిమెంట్స్ వంటి కొన్ని సప్లిమెంట్లు మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్ల సంభావ్యతను పెంచుతాయి. ఏదైనా కొత్త సప్లిమెంట్లను ప్రారంభించే ముందు మీ వైద్యునితో మాట్లాడటం చాలా ముఖ్యం, ప్రత్యేకించి మీకు రాళ్ల చరిత్ర ఉంటే.

10. చురుకుగా ఉండండి
చురుకుగా ఉండటం మీ మొత్తం ఆరోగ్యాన్ని మెరుగుపరుస్తుంది మరియు మీ శరీరం యొక్క ద్రవాలు మరియు ఎలక్ట్రోలైట్ల సమతుల్యతను కాపాడుకోవడంలో సహాయపడుతుంది. క్రమం తప్పకుండా వ్యాయామం చేయడం వల్ల మీ స్థూలకాయం ప్రమాదాన్ని తగ్గిస్తుంది, మూత్రపిండాల్లో రాళ్లు ఏర్పడడంలో తెలిసిన కారకం, అలాగే మీ రక్తపోటును అదుపులో ఉంచుతుంది.

చిట్కా: మీ ఓవరాను పెంచడానికి ప్రతి వారం కనీసం 150 నిమిషాల మితమైన వ్యాయామం చేయాలని లక్ష్యంగా పెట్టుకోండి



  

Stress, hormones and your health

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Last day of the month – its only 4 in the evening – enough time to complete the 3 pending reports and get back home on time. As you lean back in your chair, dreaming about the amazing weekend you have planned for yourself, lightning strikes. There’s a call for a team meeting! You sense a mild headache and a weird feeling swirling around in your chest. Imagining the worst for your plans, you unknowingly snap at your colleague who is trying to crack a joke at you.
All that stress!! Within minutes, you turn from being normal and happy to grumpy and irritated. Even as you talk yourself to becoming calmer, your body is helping you cope with what’s happening outside. The exhaustion that you experience after a long board meeting gives you enough time to bounce back to work. Each stressful event triggers a reaction in our physical body.
The human body is a wonderful although complicated system, built to maintain health and wellbeing and naturally protect and repair itself.Each involuntary action of ours is governed by hundreds of natural chemicals inside our body called hormones. The movers and shakers of our physical and emotional states, hormones regulate and  affect our feeling sleepy, hungry and tired and also being happy, sad or angry.
Even as the hormones work their magic inside our body, prolonged stressful situations also have a profound effect on the production of hormones. Like rides on roller coasters can cause an adrenalin rush and last minute work can create panic, constant worries and tensions can cause severe malfunction of our body due to forced adjustments. Our hormones get confused as they are thrown off guard from their regular routines and go haywire, producing irregular amounts and causing our body to fall sick.
Every time, the body senses some overload on its system, it lets out these chemical messengers into the bloodstream to set the body back into its natural balance. For example, insulin maintains the amount of the necessary sugar levels in our body. There are several hundreds of hormones affecting various organs and their functioning. Let us look at the most common ones that affect our emotions.
  • Cortisol: Prolonged stress and extreme negative emotions, especially anger, increase the production of this stress hormone. It helps by channelizing glucose to the brain to fight the stressful situation. Imbalance in this hormone may cause high blood pressure, migraine headaches, chronic colds, weakness and arthritis.
  • Oestrogen and Progesterone: The more the stress in your life clubbed with uncontrolled imbalanced eating habits, lack of physical work and absence of a ‘time out’ causes the PMS twins to act up more often when you don’t want them to. Active in women during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause, they counteract each other and any extreme variations in them may cause symptoms like severe mood swings, anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and weight issues.
  • Testosterone: Excessive and prolonged stressful situations and random eating,  excessive alcohol or nicotine intake can cause this male counterpart of the female hormones to cause Fatigue, abdominal fat (Pot Belly), mood swings (although men will not agree to this), depression, anxiety, lack of vitality and sleep problems.
  • Thyroxine: Imbalanced diet, lack of physical activity and prolonged stress can cause the growth hormone to go rampant. Variations can result in decreased energy, slow heart rate and weight gain or loss.
So much for all that information up there, if you have noticed any of those symptoms in you for some time now, it’s time to act…
Combat techniques:
  • Get some air – Taking a walk every day even for 5 minutes gives your body that necessary unwinding (don’t forget to leave your phones behind!)
  • Sit in silence every day, even if it is only for 5 minutes.
  • Stock some dry fruit on your work desk to munch on a couple of them every day.
  • Don’t forget to drink water – ask your buddies to remind you.
  • Eat on time – respect your body now so it’ll cooperate with you when you turn older.
  • Don’t contaminate your system with excess of anything – food, thoughts or emotions.
  • Get a list of tests for your hormones from your doctor. Get them done at regular intervals as prescribed by him/her.
  • Lastly, the magic mantra – Don’t forget to laugh and enjoy the small things in life!

7 Dangerous acts after a meal

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1. Don’t smoke : Experiments from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher)


2. Don’t eat fruits immediately:Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Thre fore take fruits 1 -2 hours after meal or 1 hour before meal.


3. Don’t drink tea: Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hundred thus difficult to digest.

4. Don’t loosen your belt:Loosening the belt after meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked.


5. Don’t bathe:Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease, this will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

6. Don’t walk about: People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.


7. Don’t sleep immediately:The food we intake will not be to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.


Please forward it to your friends let them be aware about….
Be Healthy .....!!

By: Patanjali doctors

Puffing could expose your kid

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Your heavy puffing around the time of conception greatly increases the chances of your child developing the most common form of childhood cancer, known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a study reveals.
The study investigated the link between parental smoking and the occurrence of ALL in offspring.

`The first step towards the development of leukemia is thought to occur in utero in a lot of cases,` said Elizabeth Milne from Western Australia`s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, who led the study.

`So we look at prenatal exposures as it has to be something to do with what`s happening before the baby`s born. Tobacco is a known carcinogen and, in terms of childhood leukemia, there is a plausible biological pathway whereby paternal smoking could actually contribute to disease risk in the offspring,` said Milne.

In a comprehensive exposure questionnaire distributed nationwide to 388 families with cases of ALL and 868 control families, the group asked mothers and fathers to state where they lived, their occupation and how many cigarettes they smoked for every year of their life from the time they were 15, according to a university statement.

`Using this information and knowing the year the child was born, we were then able to look at smoking levels around the time of conception,` Milne said.

`The results indicated that the risk of ALL, when compared with dad`s who did not smoke during the year of conception, increased by 35 percent when fathers smoked more than 15 cigarettes a day around the time conception,` said Milne.

The effect was only apparent amongst heavier smokers, with fathers who smoked less than 15 cigarettes, as well as former heavy smokers, not showing any increased risk.

Based on evidence from lab studies of sperm, the group believe that paternal smoking may cause adverse changes in sperm DNA structure that may then go on to effect the development of the baby.

`Oxidative damage to the DNA is the main type of damage seen as a result of smoking in sperm,` added Milne.

10 tips for good night's sleep

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Stick to a schedule. Erratic bedtimes do not allow for your body to align to the proper circadian rhythms. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you’d wake later and feel overly tired.

Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.

Exercise. It’s actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.

Avoid eating just before bed.
Avoid eat large meals or spicy foods before bedtime. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.

Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that’s now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.

Read a fiction book.
It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?

Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you’re not going to require the heat all night long.

Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It’s a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.

How appetite cells in brain respond to fasting

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Washington, Feb 9 (ANI): There are two vital cell types in the brain that are essential for the regulation of feeding behaviours - agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons and proopiomelancortin (POMC)-expressing neurons.

Previous work has shown that the AgRP neurons promote feeding and weight gain, while the POMC cells have been linked with appetite suppression and weight loss.
Now a new study uncovers a neural pathway that links fasting with activation of AgRP neurons. The research provides valuable insight into the complex mechanisms that control food-seeking behaviour.
"Given their critical roles in feeding behaviors, there is great interest in understanding the factors that regulate the activity of AgRP and POMC neurons," said senior study author, Dr. Bradford B. Lowell, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

"However, although both types of neurons receive abundant excitatory and inhibitory inputs, the influence of these upstream signals has not received much attention."
Dr. Lowell and colleagues analysed the impact of excitatory inputs on AgRP and POMC neurons by manipulating NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in each cell type.
These receptors receive inputs from the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Interestingly, only mice lacking NMDARs on their AgRP neurons, and not those lacking NMDARs on their POMC neurons, exhibited altered body weight and food intake.
Thus, this type of excitatory information is only critical for the function of AgRP neurons.
Importantly, the researchers also discovered that fasting, which is known to activate AgRP neurons and promote both food seeking and energy conservation, was associated with an increase in excitatory inputs and an increase in the number of dendritic spines on the AgRP neurons.

Dendritic spines are physical protrusions on the neuron that receive incoming signals. These fasting-induced changes in AgRP neurons were also dependent on the presence of NMDARs.
Taken together, the results suggest that excitatory information received by NMDARs plays a critical role in regulating the connectivity of AgRP neurons and governing the cellular and behavioural response to fasting.
"The next step will be to identify the neurotransmitters and hormones that modulate the excitatory inputs to AgRP neurons, and the mechanisms by which this modulation occurs," Dr. Lowell said.

"This is likely to provide a better understanding of how various factors control feeding behavior," Dr. Lowell concluded.
The study has been published by Cell Press in the journal Neuron. (ANI)

Pregnancy may change Mom's brain

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Time in the womb is obviously important for the development of the fetal brain. But pregnancy is also a time for changes in Mom's brain — changes that may prepare women to become better mothers. These changes still are little-understood, concludes a review published in the December issue of the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. Pregnant women often complain about "pregnancy brain" or "mommy brain," a memory fog that seems to produce lost car keys and misplaced cell phones. One 2010 study suggested that high levels of sex hormones could be to blame for the frustrating lapses in concentration.

But in many ways, the changes that happen in a mom-to-be's brain during pregnancy remain mysterious. "Pregnancy is a critical period for central nervous system development in mothers," review author Laura Glynn, a psychologist at Chapman University in California, said in a statement. "Yet we know virtually nothing about it." Pregnant rats It's difficult to examine the brains of pregnant women, and much of our modest knowledge comes instead from studies of rodents, Glynn said. Rats can be sacrificed and their brains studied in-depth.

Studies have found that pregnancy causes rats' brains to form new olfactory, or smell-related, neurons. What's more, such pregnancy-related changes persist for the rest of the animals' lives. In rodents, at least, additional pregnancies seem to cause additional changes, so that the more litters a rat has, the more altered its brain will be. It's not known whether women experience permanent changes as well; humans are very different from rats, after all. But according to Glynn, it's "extremely likely" that pregnancy permanently alters the human brain. The hormone flood that occurs during pregnancy dwarfs the hormonal changes that occur during other volatile times of life, such as adolescence, Glynn wrote.

Just as teen hormones permanently alter brain structure and function, she said, it's likely pregnancy hormones do, too. Your brain on pregnancy In fact, recent research is revealing that fetuses have more effect on their mothers than previously realized. According to a 2004 study reviewed by Glynn, movements by the fetus after 20 weeks' gestation increase a mother's heart rate and her skin conductance, a measure of psychological arousal. These changes in Mom's physiology happen even when she can't physically feel the fetal movements. [5 Myths About Women's Bodies] Fetuses share cells with their mothers, a strange phenomenon called microchimerism. Fetal cells pass through the placenta and lodge in a mother's body, where many remain quietly for years.

One 2005 study found that in pregnant mice, these fetal cells hang out in the brain, especially in smell-related areas that are crucial for recognizing offspring. No one yet knows what, if anything, these fetal interlopers do there, or whether fetal cells in humans are similarly drawn to mothering-related areas of the brain. Some of the brain changes during pregnancy may help mothers become more attuned to their infant when it is born, Glynn suggests. Fetal movements that tickle a woman's unconscious might prepare her to bond with her infant, for example. Likewise, changes in brain areas associated with emotion and memory could prime women for caregiving. She said, "There may be a cost" — such as the perpetual fuzziness of "pregnancy brain" — "but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother."

Source;FoxNews

Pregnancy may change Mom's brain

|| || , || Leave a comments
Time in the womb is obviously important for the development of the fetal brain. But pregnancy is also a time for changes in Mom's brain — changes that may prepare women to become better mothers. These changes still are little-understood, concludes a review published in the December issue of the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. Pregnant women often complain about "pregnancy brain" or "mommy brain," a memory fog that seems to produce lost car keys and misplaced cell phones. One 2010 study suggested that high levels of sex hormones could be to blame for the frustrating lapses in concentration.

But in many ways, the changes that happen in a mom-to-be's brain during pregnancy remain mysterious. "Pregnancy is a critical period for central nervous system development in mothers," review author Laura Glynn, a psychologist at Chapman University in California, said in a statement. "Yet we know virtually nothing about it." Pregnant rats It's difficult to examine the brains of pregnant women, and much of our modest knowledge comes instead from studies of rodents, Glynn said. Rats can be sacrificed and their brains studied in-depth.

Studies have found that pregnancy causes rats' brains to form new olfactory, or smell-related, neurons. What's more, such pregnancy-related changes persist for the rest of the animals' lives. In rodents, at least, additional pregnancies seem to cause additional changes, so that the more litters a rat has, the more altered its brain will be. It's not known whether women experience permanent changes as well; humans are very different from rats, after all. But according to Glynn, it's "extremely likely" that pregnancy permanently alters the human brain. The hormone flood that occurs during pregnancy dwarfs the hormonal changes that occur during other volatile times of life, such as adolescence, Glynn wrote.

Just as teen hormones permanently alter brain structure and function, she said, it's likely pregnancy hormones do, too. Your brain on pregnancy In fact, recent research is revealing that fetuses have more effect on their mothers than previously realized. According to a 2004 study reviewed by Glynn, movements by the fetus after 20 weeks' gestation increase a mother's heart rate and her skin conductance, a measure of psychological arousal. These changes in Mom's physiology happen even when she can't physically feel the fetal movements. [5 Myths About Women's Bodies] Fetuses share cells with their mothers, a strange phenomenon called microchimerism. Fetal cells pass through the placenta and lodge in a mother's body, where many remain quietly for years.

One 2005 study found that in pregnant mice, these fetal cells hang out in the brain, especially in smell-related areas that are crucial for recognizing offspring. No one yet knows what, if anything, these fetal interlopers do there, or whether fetal cells in humans are similarly drawn to mothering-related areas of the brain. Some of the brain changes during pregnancy may help mothers become more attuned to their infant when it is born, Glynn suggests. Fetal movements that tickle a woman's unconscious might prepare her to bond with her infant, for example. Likewise, changes in brain areas associated with emotion and memory could prime women for caregiving. She said, "There may be a cost" — such as the perpetual fuzziness of "pregnancy brain" — "but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother."

Source;FoxNews

10 Foods you can't live without

|| || || Leave a comments
10 Foods you can't live without
Yes that's right! Here's a list of healthy and nutritious foods that you simply cannot ignore. These foods are tasty, aid fitness, and should be consumed on a regular basis to ensure you eat a well-balanced, all-round healthy diet.

The vegetarians among you will need to find alternatives and substitutes for a few, but don't worry - there are plenty of plant based healthy foods in this list of 10 foods you can't ignore.

Lots of fish rich in Omega 3 - A fatty fish rich in Omega 3 is really important to get your ratio balance to 1:1 (Omega 3 : Omega 6). The top 5 fish for this purpose are - Mackeral, Trout, Herring, Tuna, and Salmon. Vegetarians should take Omega 3 supplements, if a fish oil supplement is a no no. Here is the low-down on the supplements.

Broccoli - The benefits of broccoli are many. This is one vegetable that is a tasty addition to your salad if cooked well and can be a fun addition to your daily dinner. And absorbent broccoli does a great job of soaking up fats and helping flush excess out of your system.

Eggs - This is one addition to the diet that even vegetarians should partake in. With healthy fats and proteins, eggs are great for a filling breakfast and if you eat these you won't need to eat again in a hurry. Eggs can be enjoyed in a spicy masala curry as well as a great dish for dinner, for those who cant stand to eat them along. Here are some recipes for unique ways to cook eggs.

Spinach - Another must have vegetable made popular by Popeye, this fictional character got it right! Spinach offers calcium and magnesium in plenty, pairs well with meat of any kind, can be sauteed, steamed, thrown into soups, or eaten raw, and provides roughage. As flexible as they come, this green vegetable has so much nutrition that it's hard to ignore.

Berries - So rich in antioxidants and so low in sugar, most berries are right up there with foods we should try to get out hands on as often as possible. These are the most nutritionally dense fruits you can eat. Read more about the best fruits here.

Nuts - Macadamia, almonds, pistas, most nuts are great because they are a great filler between meals, they actually keep you full, and they are rich in proteins and good fats. Keep some nuts handy on you and they will prevent you from reaching for that bag of chips. Read more about the best snacks to keep you full.

Tomatoes - Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? The fact is that tomatoes are loaded with nutrients that'll complete any breakfast, lunch or dinner - making each meal healthier and more filling. Tomatoes have lycopene and red orbs which are well known for their cancer-defending properties. They are full of Vitamin A and Vitamin K, which help in keeping your blood pressure levels under control.

A good steak or bacon now and then - Every once in a while it's good to have a good chunk of red meat. This is because red meat contains animal fats and proteins and on the whole makes for an extremely wholesome and satiating meal. And unless you are properly satiated with your food, you are not eating well. A nice rack of lamb will do very well too.

Dark chocolate - For that sweet tooth it is important to keep some dark chocolate handy. This will help you overcome the urge for reaching for some unhealthy, sweet dessert that it's best you say away from whether you are skinny, fat, or somewhere in between. Dark chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa is good for heart and liver health.

Red wine - You will be doing your body a lot of good if you switch from your favourite drink to red wine because of its antioxidant properties. Good health doesn't have to be about neglecting all indulgences, and if you think of red wine as an indulgence, it's time you didn't. In fact, red wine is a clever alcohol
choice.
Source:toi

10 Foods you can't live without

|| || || Leave a comments
10 Foods you can't live without
Yes that's right! Here's a list of healthy and nutritious foods that you simply cannot ignore. These foods are tasty, aid fitness, and should be consumed on a regular basis to ensure you eat a well-balanced, all-round healthy diet.

The vegetarians among you will need to find alternatives and substitutes for a few, but don't worry - there are plenty of plant based healthy foods in this list of 10 foods you can't ignore.

Lots of fish rich in Omega 3 - A fatty fish rich in Omega 3 is really important to get your ratio balance to 1:1 (Omega 3 : Omega 6). The top 5 fish for this purpose are - Mackeral, Trout, Herring, Tuna, and Salmon. Vegetarians should take Omega 3 supplements, if a fish oil supplement is a no no. Here is the low-down on the supplements.

Broccoli - The benefits of broccoli are many. This is one vegetable that is a tasty addition to your salad if cooked well and can be a fun addition to your daily dinner. And absorbent broccoli does a great job of soaking up fats and helping flush excess out of your system.

Eggs - This is one addition to the diet that even vegetarians should partake in. With healthy fats and proteins, eggs are great for a filling breakfast and if you eat these you won't need to eat again in a hurry. Eggs can be enjoyed in a spicy masala curry as well as a great dish for dinner, for those who cant stand to eat them along. Here are some recipes for unique ways to cook eggs.

Spinach - Another must have vegetable made popular by Popeye, this fictional character got it right! Spinach offers calcium and magnesium in plenty, pairs well with meat of any kind, can be sauteed, steamed, thrown into soups, or eaten raw, and provides roughage. As flexible as they come, this green vegetable has so much nutrition that it's hard to ignore.

Berries - So rich in antioxidants and so low in sugar, most berries are right up there with foods we should try to get out hands on as often as possible. These are the most nutritionally dense fruits you can eat. Read more about the best fruits here.

Nuts - Macadamia, almonds, pistas, most nuts are great because they are a great filler between meals, they actually keep you full, and they are rich in proteins and good fats. Keep some nuts handy on you and they will prevent you from reaching for that bag of chips. Read more about the best snacks to keep you full.

Tomatoes - Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? The fact is that tomatoes are loaded with nutrients that'll complete any breakfast, lunch or dinner - making each meal healthier and more filling. Tomatoes have lycopene and red orbs which are well known for their cancer-defending properties. They are full of Vitamin A and Vitamin K, which help in keeping your blood pressure levels under control.

A good steak or bacon now and then - Every once in a while it's good to have a good chunk of red meat. This is because red meat contains animal fats and proteins and on the whole makes for an extremely wholesome and satiating meal. And unless you are properly satiated with your food, you are not eating well. A nice rack of lamb will do very well too.

Dark chocolate - For that sweet tooth it is important to keep some dark chocolate handy. This will help you overcome the urge for reaching for some unhealthy, sweet dessert that it's best you say away from whether you are skinny, fat, or somewhere in between. Dark chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa is good for heart and liver health.

Red wine - You will be doing your body a lot of good if you switch from your favourite drink to red wine because of its antioxidant properties. Good health doesn't have to be about neglecting all indulgences, and if you think of red wine as an indulgence, it's time you didn't. In fact, red wine is a clever alcohol
choice.
Source:toi