Weight Loss

The Soy Advantage

2009-12-25T08:19:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for a new menu option as part of your weight-loss or weight-maintenance program, you may want to consider — or reconsider — soy.

Adding soy to your diet can have advantages, such as providing fewer calories, less saturated fat, and more fiber than other more traditional, high-quality protein sources. Soy is also a common ingredient in weight-loss diets, since it can replace higher-calorie foods without reducing protein intake, thus making you feel fuller longer.

And if you are trying to lose weight, soy can play a key role in helping you preserve lean body mass while you are working to lose weight. This is because soy is a complete protein, meaning that it contains the same essential amino acids as animal sources of protein. Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must be consumed from food sources.

Soy has so many benefits, in fact, that the FDA authorized the health claim that 25 grams of soy protein a day can be part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol that will improve heart health. Soy can also assist in protecting against bone loss and some types of cancer.

If, like me, you are not an automatic fan of most soy products, take another look at the supermarket shelves. You may be surprised at how the taste and texture of the new soy products have been improved. Soy has come a long way. The next time you visit the store, check out all the options: soy burgers, soy sausages and brats, soymilk, soy crisps, soy flour — even soy nut butter.

Anorexia Nervosa - What Happens

2009-12-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

What Happens

Anorexia nervosa almost always begins with a plan to follow a strict weight-loss diet. Limiting foods then leads to malnutrition and unhealthy weight loss. As malnutrition sets in, the brain and metabolism change. This limits the appetite, how the body can use food, and the person's ability to think clearly and make good decisions.

After anorexia starts, it is very difficult for the person to return to normal eating without help. When left untreated, anorexia can continue for a lifetime. This leads to long-term malnutrition or starvation—and sometimes death.

If you struggle with anxiety, tend to finish the things you start, and strive for perfection, you may be at risk for crossing the line from dieting to anorexia.^5,²For some people, anorexic eating habits can meet a need for personal control and self-esteem. Some teens may fall into this pattern as a way to cope with big changes and challenges.

Early treatment of anorexia offers the best chance of recovery. The more irrational eating habits that a person develops, the harder it is to return to a healthy outlook on nutrition. Because people who have anorexia tend to strongly deny that they have a problem and are secretive about their eating, family members or loved ones usually seek help for them on their behalf.

As the illness advances, irrational behaviors begin. These can include:

Making rules about food—for example, eliminating dairy products or meat because they are perceived as "high-calorie."
Creating rituals about how food should be eaten—chewing food a certain number of times.
Developing a fear of food—fearing weight gain if any food at all is eaten.
Losing the ability to feel hunger or learning to ignore the feeling of hunger.
Exercising too much.
Taking laxatives or water pills (diuretics) or making yourself vomit because of fear of gaining weight (bulimia).

People who have anorexia can become socially withdrawn and lose interest in the outside world.⁶

Starvation and malnourishment from anorexia commonly cause complications, such as osteoporosis or an irregular heartbeat. Often other mental health conditions occur along with anorexia, such as depression. Treating a mood disorder is an important part of treating anorexia.

A person who has anorexia is usually seen by a health professional for other complaints that are related to anorexia. These may include:¹

Fatigue and lack of energy.
Abdominal pain and, sometimes, constipation.
Absence of menstrual periods.
Frequent vomiting (although the person does not admit that it is self-induced).
Symptoms of depression.
Suicide risk.
Joint pain (from excessive exercise or an electrolyte imbalance).

Get Your Girl to Slim Down

2009-12-25T08:16:00.004-08:00

She was a bombshell when you met her, but as long-term commitment settled in so did a few extra pounds on her hips. We all gain a little weight as we age, but if she now ignores healthy habits altogether, it's time to help her realize the risks, without being cruel. There's a fine line between insulting her, and helping her. Learn how to approach the subject the right way.

You'll never get anywhere if you say, "Looks like you've put on a few pounds" or "Are you really going to eat that?" Most people are well aware that they've gained weight, and criticizing her actions will probably make her increase her unhealthy behavior, to defy her "controlling" husband or boyfriend, saysEdward Abramson, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Chico, and author of Body Intelligence.

The best thing you can do is to be a nutritional and fitness role model and support healthy behavior. "Let her see you engaging in healthy habits," Dr. Abramson says. "When she does something that's more desirable Ã¢ÃÃ like preparing a healthy meal or turning down dessert — make sure it's recognized and appreciated." Here are 11 ways to get your girl to slim down, without hurting her feelings.

1. Focus on health, not weight
If you want to discuss weight gain with her, do so after she returns from a doctor's appointment, Dr. Abramson says. When she returns from the physician, ask, "Did the doctor bring up any health concerns?" Use this opportunity to discuss high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and the importance of becoming more active and eating healthier together in order to live a longer life, be more active with your children, or to prepare for childrearing if you want to have kids in the future. Always use the phrase, "Let's do this together."

2. Make it a team effort
Do anything you can to encourage physical activity as a couple. Suggest walking after dinner, biking, hiking, working in the yard, or even washing the car. Make it fun. Join a softball team or bowling league together. "Couples that play together, stay together," saysDebra Mandel, Ph. D. psychologist and author of Healing the Sensitive Heart. It doesn't have to be a 2-hour sweat session in the gym. Someone who has previously been sedentary won't want to do that right off the bat. "Do anything to get her off the couch and into life," Dr. Mandel says.

3. Go grocery shopping together
"Make grocery shopping a couples' project, so she feels like she has your support," Dr. Mandel says. Establish healthier eating habits by emptying your kitchen cabinets of refined carbohydrates, sugar, soda, junk food, and other processed foods, saysKristin Reisinger M.S. R.D., personal trainer and nutritional consultant.Replace white bread and white ricewith whole grain products and more vegetables. "If someone eliminates refined carbohydrates, they'll see weight loss after a few weeks," Reisinger says. Here's yourhealthy shopping list.

4. Make her dinner
You want her to eat healthier? Then cook for her. Pick up a healthy cookbook or a magazine like Cooking Light, and put together ahealthy meal. "Volunteering to do some of the cooking is a great way to show her how to make healthy choices, and on the other hand, the wife or girlfriend is going to appreciate his sharing in that responsibility," Dr. Abramson says. "It makes her life a little easier."

5. Take on more responsibility
Enable her to have the time to work out, saysDeanna Conte, M.S., R.D., L.D., co-author of A Guy's Gotta Eat. If you have children, volunteer to watch the kids, or you can simply pick up other responsibilities around the house or take on some of her chores. That way, she can't say, "I don't have time."

6. Make it a habit
If it's affordable, buy 10 personal training sessions, and join the gym together, Dr. Mandel says. If the money's already been spent on the lessons, she'll feel obligated to go. The trainer will help her feel comfortable in the gym, and encourage her with positive reinforcement. Set aside time throughout the week to go to the gym, and make it part of your weekly schedule. "Do it together, so it feels more supportive," Dr. Mandel says.

7. Or take her to the gym with you
If she's intimidated by the gym, take her there and go through all the cardio machines and weight-training methods with her, says Reisinger. Or you can encourage her to take a fitness class like kickboxing, yoga, or pilates and do it with her. Once she's there and sees a lot of other women taking the classes, she'll catch on and want to do it for herself.

And don't ignore weight training. It can help her see results faster. "A lot of times women don't want to work out with weights because they think it will bulk them up," Reisinger says, "Teach her proper form, and her insecurity will go away." Show her basic weight-lifting exercises that hit all areas of the body, like these moves in theAbs Diet Circuit.

8. Take a dancing class
She'd rather stay home and watch Dancing with the Stars? Engage her interests by signing up for a dance class. Fitness doesn't always have to be attained in a gym. "You need to find physical activities that are enjoyable to her. Dancing is physical, involves movement, and will get her heart rate up," Dr. Abramson says. "It's not seen as a chore, or something she'll dread having to do."

9. Bring it home
Bring fitness equipment and healthy cookbooks into the home, but don't give them as gifts. "I don't recommend going out and buying a Stairmaster, and putting a big bow around it," says Conte. Purchase fitness equipment for yourself, and encourage her to use it with you, she adds. The same goes for diet books. Buy a book like theSouth Beach Dietfor yourself, and say you find it interesting. Set an example of fitness and healthy eating, and hopefully you'll find she'll want to do it for herself.

10. Don't be a hypocrite
If you expect her to care about her weight, it's not helpful to order a pizza and eat it in front of her. "Be conscious of what you're eating," Conte says. "You need to play an active, helping role, whether you're dining out or eating at home." Order healthy items to be supportive. And if you absolutely must have that hot fudge sundae? Go out and eat it elsewhere, instead of bringing it home and eating it in front of her.

11. Have realistic expectations
Men need to understand that a woman's metabolism slows with age, while a man's metabolism stays strong longer in life, Dr. Mandel says. "Men need to be realistic in their goals," she says. "It's not realistic for a woman in her 40s to look like she did in her 20s." Think in terms of health, fitness, and realistic attraction, not Hollywood perfection.

Less Is More

2009-12-25T08:16:00.003-08:00

Make portion control your ally in long-term weight loss.

In a recent study, controlling portion size emerged as one of the most effective strategies for shedding excess pounds and keeping them off. Use small plates, eat slowly, and eat fiber-rich, balanced meals to help you feel satisfied while curbing any tendencies to eat too many calories.

A recent study of 300 overweight and obese people revealed that one of the most effective strategies for long-term weight loss was portion control. Exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables, and decreasing fat intake helped as well. However, reports suggest that study participants who included portion control as one part of their overall weight loss plan lost the most weight and were able to keep it off during the course of the 2-year study. To control portions, try using 9-inch plates, which can trick your mind into feeling satisfied. Also, eating slowly can give your body time to register that you're full. Eating high-fiber, nutrient-dense foods may help you feel fuller longer and reduce the urge to overeat. Remember that any effective weight loss plan involves expending more calories than you take in, so include exercise in your weight loss strategy.

Bitter Fruit for Better Weight Loss

2009-12-25T08:16:00.001-08:00

Are the rumors true? Could grapefruit -- touted for years as a weight loss wonder -- actually work?

Possibly. In one 12-week study, obese people who ate half a grapefruit before each of three daily meals shed more pounds than their counterparts did.

Show Me the Grapefruit
In the study, whole grapefruit also took a bite out of insulin resistance in folks with metabolic syndrome -- a constellation of conditions that can raise the risk for several serious health problems, including diabetes. Find out if you could be at risk for metabolic syndrome.

Go Whole
Although grapefruit juice and grapefruit capsules also may have pound-shedding potential, whole fruit was clearly the winner in the study -- probably because the whole fruit has appetite-controlling fiber as well. Thescent of grapefruit may help you, too. Here’s why.

Combine Your Efforts
Exercise and a calorie-controlled diet remain the true cornerstones of weight loss, but if grapefruit helps, great! However, if you’re taking medications of any kind, talk to your doctor before adding grapefruit to the mix; it interacts with several meds. (Here’s one example.) Try these other fat-blasting tips, too:

Walk with me. Walking has the highest stick-to-it rate of any exercise. And a walking buddy can help even more. Here’s a video that can help you walk off pounds right in your own living room.
Be sane. Fad diets, like the famous but extreme 600-calories-or-so-a-day grapefruit diet, may help some people lose weight temporarily, but most gain it all back in the long run. Here's a sensible weight loss plan that really works long term.
Get a grip. Do you eat when you’re bored? Stressed? Sad? Find out what’s behind emotional eating and what you can do to curb it.

RealAge Benefit: Maintaining a constant desirable weight can make your RealAge 6 years younger.

Weight-Loss Drugs Don't Fulfill Promise

2009-12-25T08:14:00.003-08:00

Not long ago I railed against the many unproven weight-loss products being advertised prominently in newspapers, magazines, and online.

To be fair, though, the two latest FDA-approved weight-loss drugs — orlistat (Xenical or Alli over the counter) and sibutramine (Meridia) — haven't produced spectacular results, either.

A recent analysis of 264 studies that compared people taking either of these two drugs with those taking a placebo found that the drug-takers lost an average of less than 8 lbs., or about 5 percent of their mean total body weight - 6.5 lbs. in the 16 trials of orlistat, and 8 lbs. in the 10 trials of sibutramine.

The authors pointed out that even these modest positive results may be overblown, since 90 percent of the trials were funded by the manufacturers of the drugs themselves. And, as is common with trials of weight-loss drugs, between 30 percent and 40 percent of the subjects dropped out of the studies, possibly due to disappointment with the small weight losses or to side effects from the drugs.

Even such small reductions in weight are, of course, not to be sneezed at. They can lower blood pressure, help to prevent diabetes in people at risk, and improve blood glucose control in those who already have diabetes.

But it is important to recognize that neither of these drugs is the long-awaited "miracle" weight-loss pill. These medications cannot produce the amount of weight reduction needed by most obese individuals unless accompanied by a calorie-restricted diet and exercise.

While both drugs are safe, they can each cause troublesome side effects. Since orlistat works by blocking the action of an intestinal enzyme that digests fats, this undigested fat is lost in the stools. Common side effects include crampy pain, urgency, increased defecation, flatulence, and oily stools. The manufacturer suggests that people taking orlistat take a change of clothes with them to work. Users may also need to take a daily vitamin pill to replace fat-soluble vitamins lost in the stools.

Sibutramine lessens appetite by raising levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Its most common side effects are dry mouth, headaches, constipation, and insomnia. People with heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure are warned to use this drug only with caution because it slightly increases both blood pressure and pulse rate.

What about using these two drugs in combination? In one study, orlistat produced no further weight loss when added to the regimen of obese women who had already been taking sibutramine for one year.

A third weight-loss drug, rimonabant, was also included in the analysis. Rimonabant produced a somewhat greater average weight loss of 10 lbs. compared with the placebo. But this highly promising drug recently failed to obtain FDA approval because it was associated in these trials with worsening depression and anxiety, especially in people with a history of such disorders.

Low-Carb Diets for Weight Loss

2009-12-25T08:14:00.001-08:00

Although there are many weight-loss diets, statistics show that most people who lose weight on a diet regain that weight, and sometimes they gain more. The best ways to stay healthy are eating well and being physically active.

Two of the better-known low-carb diet plans are the Atkins and the South Beach Diet.

Atkins

The Atkins program is a four-phase eating plan for losing weight. The last phase involves how to maintain the weight loss.

Basic concept

Atkins promotes limiting carbohydrate grams. You limit nearly all carbohydrate in the first 2 weeks of the plan, then gradually add some carbohydrate back into your diet later.

How it works

Phase 1: Induction: During a 2-week induction program you eat no more than 20 grams of carbohydrate a day.
Phase 2: Ongoing weight loss: This is similar to the induction phase, but in Phase 2 you begin to add more foods to your diet and increase your carbohydrate grams. New foods include nuts, seeds, and some berries.
Phase 3: Pre-maintenance: When you are 10 pounds from your goal weight, you start Phase 3. You add 5 to 10 grams of carbohydrate to your diet each week as long as you are continuing to lose weight. You add new foods slowly.
Phase 4: Maintenance: After you have maintained your goal weight for about a month, you move into Phase 4. At this point, you know how many carbohydrate grams you can eat without gaining weight.

On the menu

Eggs, meat, fish (all proteins)
Olive oil, butter, cheese, olives
Lettuce, cucumber, tomato, broccoli, avocado (most vegetables)
Artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda)

Off the menu

Sugar and baked goods
Starchy vegetables, like corn and sweet peas (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Bread, pasta, potato (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Fruit (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Alcohol (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Nuts (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)

This diet is very high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and quite low in fiber and whole grains. The minimum recommended intake of carbohydrate is 130 g.

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a three-phase eating plan for losing weight. The last phase is ongoing in order to keep the lost weight from coming back.

Basic concept

The South Beach diet promotes eating “good” carbohydrate and “good” fats.

How it works

Phase 1: During Phase 1, you eat three meals a day, plus snacks. You eat no high-carbohydrate foods during this time.
Phase 2: Phase 2 slowly adds fruit, whole-grain breads, and pastas back into your diet.
Phase 3: After you reach your weight loss goal, you move into Phase 3. You take the information you learned in the first two phases to create an individualized eating plan for life.

On the menu

Lean meats and shellfish
Meat substitutes and tofu
Eggs, cheese, nuts, and beans
Vegetables

Off the menu

Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Fruit (none in Phase 1, added back in later phases)
Baked goods
Sugar
Alcohol

This diet is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and it is low in fiber and whole grains. The minimum recommended intake of carbohydrate is 130 g.

Therapeutic Baths

2008-12-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

Water has been used as a valuable therapeutic agent since time immemorial. In all major

ancient civilizations, bathing was considered an important measure for the maintenance of

health and prevention of disease. It was also valued for its remedial properties. The ancient

Vedic literature in India contains numerous references to the efficacy of water in the treatment of

disease.

In modern times, the therapeutic value of water was popularised by Vincent Priessnitz, Father

Sebastian Kneipp, Louis Kuhne and other European water-cure pioneers. They raised water

cure to an institutional level and employed it successfully for the treatment of almost every

known disease. There are numerous spas and "Bads" in most European countries where

therapeutic baths are used as a major healing agent.

Water exerts beneficial effects on the human system. It equalises circulation, boosts muscular

tone and aids digestion and nutrition.

It also tones up the activity of perspiratory gland and in the

process eliminates the damaged cells and toxic matter from the system.

The common water temperature chart is : cold 100C to 180C, neutral 320C to 360C and hot 400C

to 450C. Above 450C, water loses its therapeutic value and is destructive.

The main methods of water treatment which can be employed in the healing of various diseases

in a do-it-yourself manner are described below.

ENEMA

Also known as rectal irrigation, an enema involves the injection of fluid into the rectum. In nature

cure treatment, only lukewarm water is used for cleaning the bowels. The patient is made to lie

on his left side extending his left leg and bending the right leg slightly. The enema nozzle,

lubricated with oil or vaseline, is inserted in the rectum. The enema can containing the lukewarm

water is then slowly raised and water is allowed to enter into the rectum. Generally, one to two

litres of water is injected. The patient may either lie down on his back or walk a little while

retaining the water.. After five to 10 minutes, the water can be ejected along with the

accumulated morbid matter.

A warm water enema helps to clean the rectum of accumulated faecal matter. This is not only

the safest system for cleaning the bowels, but also improves the peristaltic movement of the

bowels and thereby relieves constipation.

A cold water enema is helpful in inflammatory

conditions of the colon, especially in cases of dysentery, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis,

haemorrhoids and fever. A hot water enema is beneficial in relieving irritation due to

inflammation of the rectum and painfull haemorrhoids. It also benefits women in leucorrhoea.

COLD COMPRESS

This is a local application using a cloth which has been wrung out in cold water. The cloth should

be folded into a broad strip and dipped in cold water or ice water. The compress is generally

applied to the head,neck, chest, abdomen and back. The cold compress is an effective means of

controlling inflammatory conditions of the liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, intestines, lungs,

brain, pelvic organs and so on. It is also advantageous in cases of fever and heart disease. The

cold compress soothes dermities and inflammations of external portions of the eye. When the

eyeball is affected, the cold compress should follow a short fomentation.

HEATING COMPRESS

This is a cold compress covered in such a manner as to bring warmth. A heating compress

consists of three or four folds of linen cloth wrung out in cold water which is then covered

completely with dry flannel or blanket to prevent the circulation of air and help accumulation of

body heat. It is sometimes applied for several hours. The duration of the application is

determined by the extent and location of the surface involved, the nature and thickness of the

coverings and the water temperature. After removing the compress , the area should be rubbed

with a wet cloth and then dried with a towel. A heating compress can be applied to the throat,

chest, abdomen, and joints. A throat compress relieves sore throat, hoarseness, tonsillitis,

pharyngitis and laryngitis. An abdominal compress helps those suffering from gastritis,

hyperacidity, indigestion, jaundice, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery and other ailments relating

to the abdominal organs. The chest compress also known as chest pack, relieves cold,

bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, fever, cough and so on, while the joints compress is helpful for

inflamed joints, rheumatism, rheumatic fever and sprains.

HIP BATHS

The hip bath is one of the most useful forms of hydrotherapy. As the name suggests, this mode

of treatment involves only the hips and the abdominal region below the navel. A special type of

tub is used for the purpose. The tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and

reaches upto the navel when the patient sits in it. Generally, four to six gallons of water are

required. If the special tub is not available, a common tub may be used. A support may be

placed under one edge to elevate it by two or three inches. Hip bath is given in cold, hot, neutral

or alternate temperatures.

COLD HIP BATH

The water temperature should be 100C to 180C. The duration of the bath is usually 10 minutes ,

but in specific conditions it may vary from one minute to 30 minutes. If the patient feels cold or is

very weak, a hot foot immersion should be given with the cold hip bath.

The patient should rub the abdomen briskly from the navel downwards and across the body with

a moderately coarse wet cloth. The legs, feet and upper part of the body should remain

completely dry during and after the bath. The patient should undertake moderate exercise like

yogasanas, after the cold hip bath, to warm the body.

A cold hip bath is a routine treatment in most diseases. It relieves constipation, indigestion,

obesity and helps the eliminative organs to function properly. It is also helpful in uterine

problems like irregular menstruation, chronic uterine infections, pelvic inflammation, piles,

hepatic congestion, chronic congestion of the prostate gland, seminal weakness, impotency,

sterility, uterine and ovarian displacements, dilation of the stomach and colon, diarrhoea,

dysentery, hemorrhage of the bladder and so on. The cold hip bath should not be employed in

acute inflammations of the pelvic and abdominal organs, ovaries and in painful contractions of

the bladder, rectum or vagina.

HOT HIP BATH

This bath is generally taken for eight to 10 minutes at a water temperature of 400C to 450C. The

bath should start at 400C. The temperature should be gradually increased to 450C. NO friction

should be applied to the abdomen. Before entering the tub,the patient should drink one glass of

cold water. A cold compress should be placed on the head. A hot hip bath helps to relieve

painful menstruation, pain in the pelvic organs, painful urination, inflamed rectum or bladder and

painful piles. It also benefits enlarged prostatic gland, painful contractions or spasm of the

bladder, sciatica, neuralgia of the ovaries and bladder. A cold shower bath should be taken

immediately after the hot hip bath.

Care should be taken to prevent the patient from catching a chill after the bath. The bath should

be terminated if the patient feels giddy or complains of excessive pain.

NEUTRAL HIP BATH

The temperature of the water should be 320C to 360C. Here too, friction to the abdomen should

be avoided. This bath is generally taken for 20 minutes to an hour. The neutral hip bath helps to

relieve all acute and sub-acute inflammatory conditions such as acute catarrh of the bladder and

urethra and subacute inflammations in the uterus, ovaries and tubes. It also relieves neuralgia of

the fallopian tubes or testicles, painful spasms of the vagina and prorates of the anus and vulva.

Besides, it is a sedative treatment for erotomanis in both sexes.

ALTERNATE HIP BATH

This is also known as revulsive hip bath. The temperature in the hot tub should be 400C to 450C

and in the cold tub 100C to 180C. The patient should alternately sit in the hot tub for five minutes

and then in the cold tub for three minutes. The duration of the bath is generally 10 to 20 minutes.

The head and neck should be kept cold with a cold compress. The treatment should end with a

dash of cold water to the hips.

This bath relieves chronic inflammatory conditions of the pelvic viscera such as salpingitis,

ovaritis, cellulitis and various neuralgias of the genito-urinary organs, sciatica and lumbago.

SPINAL BATH

The spinal bath is another important form of hydrotherapic treatment. This bath provides a

soothing effect to the spinal column and thereby influences the central nervous system. It is

given in a specially designed tub with its back raised so as to provide proper support to the

head. The bath can be administered at cold, neutral and hot temperatures. The water level in the

tub should be an inch and a half to two inches and the patient should lie in it for three to 10

minutes.

The cold spinal bath relieves irritation, fatigue, hypertension and excitement. It is beneficial in

almost all nervous disorders such as hysteria, fits, mental disorders, loss of memory and

tension. The neutral spinal bath is a soothing and sedative treatment, especially for the highly

strung and irritable patient. It is the ideal treatment for insomnia and also relieves tension of the

vertebral column. The duration of this bath is 20 to 30 minutes. The hot spinal bath, on the other

hand, helps to stimulate the nervous, especially when they are in a depressed state. It also

relieves vertebral pain in spondylitis and muscular backache. It relieves sciatic pain and

gastrointestinal disturbances of gastric origin.

FULL WET SHEET PACK

This is a procedure in which the whole body is wrapped in a wet sheet, which in turn is wrapped

in a dry blanket for regulating evaporation. The blanket should be spread on the bed with its

edges hanging over the edge of the bed. The upper end should be about eight inches from the

head of the bed. Then spread a linen sheet wrung out in cold water over the blanket so that its

end is slightly below the upper end of the blanket. The patient should lie on the bedsheet with his

shoulders about three inches below the upper age. The wet sheet should be weekly wrapped

round the body of the patient, drawn in, tightly tucked between the legs and also between the

body and the arms. The sheet should be folded over the shoulders and across the neck. Now

the blanket should be drawn tightly around the body and tucked in along the side in a similar

manner, pulling it tightly. The ends should be doubled up at the feet. A turkish towel should be

placed below the chin to protect the face and neck from coming into contact with the blanket and

to exclude outside air more effectively. The head should be covered with a wet cloth so that the

sculp remains cold. The feet should be kept warm during the entire treatment. If the patient's feet

are cold, place hot water bottles near them to hasten reaction. The pack is administered for half

an hour to one hour till the patient begins to perspire profusely. He may be given cold or hot

water to drink.

This pack is useful in cases of fever especially in typhoid and continued fevers, and benefits

those suffering from insomnia, epilepsy and infantile convulsions. It is useful in relieving chronic

cold and bronchitis and helps in the treatment of rheumatism and obesity.

HOT FOOT BATHS

In this method, the patient should keep his or her legs in a tub or bucket filled with hot water at a

temperature of 400C to 450C. Before taking this bath, a glass of water should be taken and the

body should be covered with a blanket so that no heat or vapour escapes from the foot bath.

The head should be protected with a cold compress. The duration of the bath is generally from 5

to 20 minutes. The patient should take a cold shower immediately after the bath.

The hot foot bath stimulates the involuntary muscles of the uterus, intestines, bladder and other

pelvic and abdominal organs. It also relieves sprains and ankle joint pains, headaches caused

by cerebral congestion and colds. In women, it helps restore menstruation , if suspended, by

increasing supply of blood especially to the uterus and ovaries.

COLD FOOT BATH

Three to four inches of cold water at a temperature of 7.20C to 12.70C should be placed in a

small tub or bucket.. The feet should be completely immersed in the water for one to five

minutes. Friction should be continuously applied to the feet during the bath, either by an

attendant or by the patient by rubbing one foot against the other.

A cold foot bath, taken for one or two minutes,relieves cerebral congestion and uterine

hemorrhage. It also helps in the treatment of sprains, strains and inflamed bunions when taken

for longer periods. It should not be taken in cases of inflammatory conditions of the

genito-urinary organs, liver and kidneys.

STEAM BATH

Steam bath is one of the most important time-tested water treatments which induces perspiration

in a most natural way. The patient, clad in minimum loin cloth or underwear, is made to sit on a

stool inside a specially designed cabinet. Before entering the cabinet, the patient should drink

one or two glasses of cold water and protect the head with a cold towel. The duration of the

steam bath is generally 10 to 20 minutes or until perspiration takes place. A cold shower should

be taken immediately after the bath.

Very weak patients, pregnant women, cardiac patients and those suffering from high blood

pressure should avoid this bath. If the patient feels giddy or uneasy during the steam bath, he or

she should be immediately taken out and given a glasss of cold water and the face washed with

cold water.

The steam bath helps to eliminate morbid matter from the surface of the skin. It also improves

circulation of the blood and tissue activity. It relieves rheumatism, gout, uric acid problems, and

obesity. The steam bath is helpful in all forms of chronic toxemias. It also relieves neuralgias,

chronic nephritis, infections, tetanus and migraine.

IMMERSION BATHS

This is also known as full bath. It is administered in a bath tub which should be properly fitted

with hot and cold water connections. The bath can be taken at cold, neutral, hot, graduated and

alternate temperatures.

COLD IMMERSION BATH

This may be taken for four seconds to 20 minutes at a temperature ranging from 100C to 23.80C.

Before entering the bath, cold water should be poured on the patient's head, chest and neck and

the head should be protected with a cold moist towel. During the bath, the patient should

vigorously rub his or her body. After the bath the body should be quickly dried and wrapped up in

a blanket. If the climate is favourable, moderate exercise should be undertaken.

This bath helps to bring down fever. It also improves the skin when taken for five to 15 seconds

after a prolonged hot bath, by exhilarating circulation and stimulating the nervous system.

This bath should not be given to young children or very elderly persons, nor be taken in cases of

acute inflammation of some internal organs such as acute peritonitis, gastritis, enteritis and

inflammatory conditions of uterus and ovaries.

GRADUATED BATH

The patient should enter the bath at a temperature of 310C. The water temperature should be

lowered gradually at the rate of 10C per minute until it reaches 250C. The bath should continue

until the patient starts shivering. The graduated bath is intended to avoid nervous shock by

sudden plunge into the cold water. This bath is often administered every three hours in cases of

fever.

It effectively brings down the temperature except in malarial fever. Besides, it also produces a

general tonic effect, increases vital resistances and energises the heart.

NEUTRAL IMMERSION BATH

This bath can be given from 15 to 60 minutes at a temperature ranging from 260C to 280C. It can

be given for long duration, without any ill-effects, as the water temperature is akin to the body

temperature. The neutral bath diminishes the pulse rate without modifying respiration.

This treatment is the best sedative. Since the neutral bath excites activity of both the skin and

the kidneys, it is recommended in cases relating to these organs. It is also beneficial for cases of

organic diseases of the brain and spinal cord, including chronic inflammatory conditions such as

meningitis, rheumatism and arthritis.

A neutral immersion bath taken for 30 to 60 minutes is highly beneficial in general dropsy, due to

cardiac or renal diseases. It also helps those suffering from multiple neuritis, alcoholism and

other narcotic habits, chronic diarrhoea, peritonitis and chronic affections of the abdomen. In

such cases the bath may be given daily for 15 to 30 minutes. This bath is also useful in the

toxemic conditions caused by dyspepsia and pruritus. The neutral bath should not be prescribed

in certain cases of eczema and other forms of skin diseases where water aggravates the

symptoms, nor in cases of extreme cardiac weakness.

HOT IMMERSION BATH

This bath can be taken from two to 15 minutes at a temperature from 36.60C to 400C. Generally

this bath is started at 370C and the temperature is then gradually raised to the required level by

adding hot water. Before entering the bath, the patient should drink cold water and also wet the

head, neck and shoulders with cold water. A cold compress should be applied throughout the

treatment. This bath can be advantageously employed in dropsy when there is excessive loss of

tone of the heart and blood. This bath also relieves capillary bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia

in children. It relieves congestation of the lungs and activates the blood vessels of the skin

muscles. The bath should be terminated as soon as the skin becomes red.

In pneumonia and suppressed menstruation, the bath should be administered at 37.70C to 400C

for about 30 to 45 minutes. This bath should be given when the menstruation is due and may be

repeated for two to three days in succession. In dysmenorrhoea, this bath should be given at

380C to 44.40C for 15 minutes.

In chronic bronchitis a very hot bath taken for 5 to 7 minutes should be accompanied with

rubbing and friction. This relieves congestion of the mucous membrane and provides immediate

relief After the bath, oil should be applied to the skin if necessary.

The hot bath is a valuable treatment in chronic rheumatism and obesity. It gives immediate relief

when there is pain due to stones in the gall bladder and the kidneys. The hot bath should not be

taken in cases of organic diseases of the brain or spinal cord, nor in cases of cardiac weakness

and cardiac hypertrophy.

EPSOM SALT BATH

The immersion bath tub should be filled with about 135 litres of hot water at 400C. One to 1 1/2

kg. of Epsom salt should be dissolved in this water. The patient should drink a glass of cold

water, cover the head with a cold towel and then lie down in the tub, completely immersing the

trunk, thighs and legs for 15 to 20 minutes. The best time to take this bath is just before retiring

to bed. This is useful in cases of sciatica, lumbago, rheumatism, diabetes, neuritis, cold and

catarrh, kidney disorders and other uric acid and skin affections.

Precaution

Certain precautions are necessary while taking these therapeutic baths. Full baths should be

avoided within three hours after a meal and one hour before it. Local baths like the hip bath and

foot bath may, however, be taken two hours after a meal. Clean and pure water must be used

for baths and water once used should not be used again. While taking baths, temperature and

duration should be strictly observed to obtain the desired effects. A thermometer should always

be used to measure the temperature of the body. Women should not take any of the baths

during menstruation.. They can take only hip baths during pregnancy till the completion of the

third month.

Common cold

2008-12-26T06:28:00.000-08:00

What is the common cold?

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper airways including the nose, voice box, throat, windpipes and the lungs. There are more than two hundred viruses that can cause colds and are commonly known as rhinoviruses or the nose viruses. These viruses cause inflammation or swelling of the mucous membrane lining the airways. The symptoms of common cold include sneezing, a scratchy throat, a stuffy nose, coughing, etc.

What are the causes?

The cold virus is spread via air particles that are expelled while coughing or sneezing. It also spreads when someone with a cold rubs his eyes or nose and then touches an object such as a doorknob, towel, bed linen and other such commonly used articles. Colds are very contagious. The viruses are airborne and are transmitted when one sneezes or touches infected objects. Anyone can get a cold. Children are more likely to get a cold than adults because they are not immune to certain viruses that cause the cold.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms generally show up about two days after a person becomes infected. Early signs of a cold are a sore, scratchy throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. Other symptoms that may occur later are:

· Headache

· Stuffy or runny nose

· Watering eyes

· Chills

· Weakness

· Cough and congestion

· Sore throat

· Fever and muscle ache.

The symptoms generally last for 2 to 7 days and in some cases may last for weeks.

What is the diagnosis?

There is no specific test to diagnose common cold. The diagnosis is based on the symptoms reported and the physical examination made by the doctor.

What is the treatment?

There is no cure for the common cold but managing symptoms is the best that can be done for the cold, as there is no specific treatment. Antibiotics will not cure colds, as they are caused by viruses and not bacteria. A person with a cold should drink plenty of fluids and take rest. Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold, and many are nearly as ancient. Some cold remedies include:

Water and other fluids - drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse.
Salt water - a saltwater gargle — 1/2 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
Saline nasal sprays - over-the-counter saline nasal sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline sprays don't lead to a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children.
Soup - scientists have found that soup does seem to help relieve cold and flu symptoms in two ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining.
Over-the-counter cold medications - nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief, but they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse. Keep in mind that acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage or liver failure if taken in high doses.
Humidity - cold viruses thrive in dry conditions — another reason why colds are more common in winter. Parched air also dries the mucous membranes, causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier can add moisture to your home.

Fasting - The Master Remedy

2008-12-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

Fasting refers to complete abstinence from food for a short or long period for a specific purpose.

The word is derived from the old English, 'feastan' which means to fast, observe, be strict.

Fasting is nature's oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating disease. It is

recognised as the cornerstone of natural healing. Dr. Arnold Eheret, the originator of the

muscusless diet healing system, describes it as " nature's only universal and omnipotent remedy

of healing" and "nature's only fundamental law of all healing and curing. "

The practice of fasting is one of the most ancient customs. It is followed in almost every religion.

The Mohammedan, the Buddhists, the Hindus and many others have their periods of strict

fasting. The saints of

Guide to good vision

2008-12-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Guide to good vision
Vision is a dominant process in the growth, development and daily performance of children. Good vision includes healthy eyes, age appropriate visual acuity, visual integration and visual skills such as eye teaming, eye focusing and eye motility. Optometrists can evaluate these components and help ensure your child reaches his or her potential.

Visual acuity: Visual acuity is the ability to see objects appropriate for your child’s age. It can be measured by your optometrist long before your child can read or recognize letters.

Eye health: Eye disease can impair vision or lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated. Most conditions can be treated best if caught early.

Visual integration: The ability to process and integrate visual information, which includes and coordinates input from our other senses and previous experiences so that we can understand what we see. The eye-hand coordination involved in tossing a ball, or a game of patty-cake, requires a great deal of teamwork between the senses.
Visual skills your baby is learning:

Eye teaming: The ability of the eyes to work together.

Eye focusing: The ability of the eyes to focus clearly at different distances quickly, accurately, and for sustained periods of time.

Eye motility or tracking: The ability of the eyes to smoothly follow moving objects and to move accurately from one object to another.

Common terms about eye health

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Common terms about eye health
Amblyopia:
Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia is reduced vision in a healthy eye. Vision must develop, and development is impaired when eyes do not focus equally or maintain proper alignment. The brain ignores the information from the less favored eye. In either case, if this condition persists, the weaker eye will not develop normally. In babies, who are learning to use their eyes as a team, it’s easier for an eye doctor to distinguish between appropriate development and delays that could signal the need for intervention. Early detection of amblyopia is important because treatments such as patching and eye drops are most effective the earlier they are started.

Astigmatism:
Astigmatism blurs vision at all distances because the optical parts of the eye (cornea and lens) do not focus light onto the retina clearly. This condition is quite common, and results from an unequal curve of the cornea when comparing the horizontal and vertical planes. For descriptive purposes, imagine half of a tennis ball, squeezed at the top and bottom; the ball is now curved unequally. In the eye, this results in inaccurate focus on the retina. Lenses are often used to help focus the light to eliminate blurriness from astigmatism.

Hyperopia:
Often called farsightedness, hyperopia is when the eyeball is too short for the normal focusing power of the eye. Depending on severity, it can cause blurred vision, eye fatigue and sometimes amblyopia or crossed eyes.

Myopia:
Often called nearsightedness, myopia causes distant objects to appear blurred. The eyeball is too long for the normal focusing power of the eye.
Strabismus:
Strabismus occurs when one eye does not aim at the same object being viewed as the other eye. The “eye turn” may be present continuously or only occasionally, and the turn may be inward toward the nose (esotropia) or outward (exotropia), up or down. There is a common misconception that a child will outgrow crossed-eyes. This is not true. Untreated, this condition can lead to amblyopia.

Optometrist:
American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors, on the frontline of eye health and vision care, who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in an individual's overall health and well-being by appropriately detecting systemic diseases. Doctors of optometry provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. The American Optometric Association represents more than 33,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

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The iris, or the colored part of the eye with the pupil in the middle, contains most of the pigment cells that determine the color of the eye. Most Caucasian babies are born with bluish eyes because the pigment that determines eye color is scattered thinly in newborns. As the child grows, the pigment is distributed throughout the iris, and the brownish pigment begins to dominate. The process can take several months, and is determined by genetics, with brown eyes the dominant trait.
Your baby's developing eyes

Prenatal care: A bright start

When you are expecting, proper prenatal care and nutrition are very important to the development of healthy eyes and the related nervous system. Researchers are continually discovering more about the link between nutrition and eyesight.

At birth: Opening to a new world

It might take a moment or two for your baby’s eyes to open. His eyes should be examined for signs of congenital eye problems. These are rare, but early diagnosis and treatment are important to your child’s development. Health professionals typically administer an antibiotic ointment, such as erythromycin, to prevent infection. Within a short period of time, he will begin to focus on objects less than a foot away, such as mom’s face when nursing.

The latest research shows that complex shapes and high contrast targets best stimulate the interest of infants. When setting up baby’s room, include décor that is bright, contrasting and varied. Babies’ eyes are drawn to new objects, so be prepared to change the location of items. Also have a nightlight, to provide visual stimulation when the baby is awake in bed. While children should be put down to sleep on their backs to reduce the chance of SIDS, they should have supervised time on their stomach.

Oats

2008-12-18T06:23:00.001-08:00

Natural Weight-Loss Foods: Oats

Oats fill the bill when it comes to reducing hunger and keeping you on your diet plan. The soluble fiber in oats fills you up by creating gels. The gels delay stomach emptying, so you feel full longer, which helps with weight loss.

Whether horse feed or muffins come to mind when you think of oats, you're probably underestimating this truly healthful grain. A whole grain full of fiber, oats pack plenty of punch.

Health Benefits

Eating a bowl of oatmeal in the morning can easily help you increase your intake of whole grains and help you meet the Dietary Guidelines' recommendation to make half of the grains you eat whole grains. Whole grains are beneficial not just because of their fiber, but also because they contain a variety of minerals and phytonutrients. Some of the phytonutrients include lignans, which may help protect your heart; plant sterols and stanols, which help normalize blood cholesterol levels; and antioxidants such as phenolic and phytic acids.

Nutritional Values

Rolled Oats,
Cooked (Oatmeal)
Serving Size: 3/4 cup (1/3 cup uncooked)
Calories 110
Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: <1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 19 g
Protein: 5 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sodium: 1 mg
Thiamin: <1 mg
Iron: 1 mg
Magnesium: 42 mg
Manganese: 1 mg
Phosphorus: 133 mg
Zinc: 1 mg

Since the mid 1960s, many studies have highlighted the effect of oats' soluble fiber (the same beta-glucans found in barley) on blood-cholesterol levels. On average, eating three grams of soluble (not total) fiber a day (the amount in two bowls of oatmeal or one cup of cooked oat bran) reduced cholesterol by six points in three months. Participants with the highest cholesterol levels saw the best response; those whose blood-cholesterol levels were over 220 mg/dL saw their levels drop by 8 to 23 percent. Those who ate the most oat bran benefited the most. Another study showed that in certain individuals, oat bran can be as effective as, and certainly much less expensive as, medication in curbing elevated blood-cholesterol levels.

Similarly exciting results have been seen in people with diabetes and those with high-normal blood-sugar levels. The soluble fiber in oats means slower digestion, spreading the rise in blood sugar over a longer time period. Some people with diabetes who followed a diet high in soluble fiber from sources like oats and beans have been able to reduce their medication. Oats have more to offer everyone. They are tops in protein and manganese, providing 50 percent of the recommended intake for this mineral. In addition, they offer an unusual amount of iron, thiamin, and magnesium.

Selection and Storage

The bran of the oat grain is the outer layer of the oat kernel, where much of the fiber and many of the nutrients reside. Whole oats (rolled or steel-cut) contain the bran along with the rest of the oat kernel. Oat bran contains the same nutrients and fiber found in whole oats but they are more concentrated. So eating whole oats will give you the same benefits of oat bran, you'll just need to eat more of it to get the same effect.

Cooking time and texture are the only differences among the varieties. Steel-cut oats, sometimes called Scotch oats or Irish oats, are whole oats sliced into thick, elongated pieces. They have a chewy texture and take about 20 minutes to cook.

Rolled oats are steamed and flattened between steel rollers, so they take about five minutes to cook and are easier to chew than steel-cut oats.

Quick oats are cut into smaller pieces before being rolled, so they cook very quickly, in about a minute.

Instant oats are precooked and pressed so thin it takes only boiling water to "reconstitute" them. Generally, they have a lot of added sodium; the flavored versions also have added sugar. Try the different varieties to see which flavor and texture you like better.

Store oats in a dark, dry location in a well-sealed container. Oats will keep up to a year. Whole oats are more likely to go rancid, so be sure to refrigerate them.

Nature Cure vs Modern System

2008-12-16T07:22:00.001-08:00

The modern medical system treats the symptoms and suppresses the disease but does little to

ascertain the real cause. Toxic drugs which may suppress or relieve some ailments usually have

harmful side-effects. Drugs usually hinder the self-healing efforts of the body and make recovery

more difficult. According to the late Sir William Osler, an eminent physician and surgeon, when

drugs are used, the patient has to recover twice - once from the illness, and once from the drug.

Drugs cannot cure diseases; disease continues. It is only its pattern that changes. Drugs also

produce dietary deficiencies by destroying nutrients, using them up, and preventing their

absorption. Moreover, the toxicity they produce occurs at a time when the body is least capable

of coping with it. The power to restore health thus lies not in drugs,but in nature.

The approach of modern system is more on combative lines after the disease has set in,

whereas nature cure system lays greater emphasis on preventive method and adopts measures

to attain and maintain health and prevent disease. The modern medical system treats each

disease as a separate entity, requiring specific drug for its cure, whereas the nature cure system

treats the organism as a whole and seeks to restore harmony to the whole of the patient's being.

Methods of Nature Cure

The nature cure system aims at the readjustment of the human system from abnormal to normal

conditions and functions, and adopts methods of cure which are in conformity with the

constructive principles of nature. Such methods remove from the system the accumulation of

toxic matter and poisons without in any way injuring the vital organs of the body. They also

stimulate the organs of elimination and purification to better functioning.

To cure disease, the first and foremost requirement is to regulate the diet.

To get rid of

accumulated toxins and restore the equilibrium of the system, it is desirable to completely

exclude acid-forming foods, including proteins, starches and fats, for a week or more and to

confine the diet to fresh fruits which will disinfect the stomach and alimentary canal. If the body is

overloaded with morbid matter, as in acute disease, a complete fast for a few days may be

necessary for the elimination of toxins. Fruit juice may, however, be taken during a fast. A simple

rule is : do not eat when you are sick, stick to a light diet of fresh fruits. Wait for the return of the

usual healthy appetite. Loss of appetite is Nature's warning that no burden should be placed on

the digestive organs.

Alkaline foods such as raw vegetables and sprouted whole grain cereals

may be added after a week of a fruits-only diet.

Another important factor in the cure of diseases by natural methods is to stimulate the vitality of

the body. This can be achieved by using water in various ways and at varying temperatures in

the form of packs or baths. The application of cold water, especially to the abdomen, the seat of

most diseases, and to the sexual organs, through a cold sitting ( hip) bath immediately lowers

body heat and stimulates the nervous system. In the form of wet packs, hydrotherapy offers a

simple natural method of abating fevers and reducing pain and inflammation without any harmful

side-effects. Warm water applications, on the other hand, are relaxing.

Other natural methods useful in the cure of diseases are air and sunbaths, exercise and

massage. Air and sunbaths revive dead skin and help maintain it in a normal condition. Exercise,

especially yogic asanas,promotes inner health and harmony and helps eliminate all tension :

physical, mental and emotional. Massage tones up the nervous system and quickens blood

circulation and the metabolic process.

Thus a well-balanced diet, sufficient physical exercise, the observation of the other laws of

well-being such as fresh air, plenty of sunlight, pure drinking water,scrupulous cleanliness,

adequate rest and right mental attitude can ensure proper health and prevent disease.

About Drinking Water

2008-12-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

Very Useful Fruit -- Indian Gooseberry

2008-12-12T20:13:00.001-08:00

Indian Gooseberry - Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

Botanical Name :: Emblica officinalis
Indian Name :: Amla
Other English names :: Emblica myrobalan
Description
Indian gooseberry is a wonderful fruit and one of the precious gifts of nature to man. It is probably the richest known natural source of vitamin C which is readily assimilated by the human system. It contributes greatly towards health and longevity
Indian gooseberry is globular small, round, six-lobed fruit, thick and hard in consistency. It is light yellow in color and is about 1.25 cm. to 2.5 cm. in diameter

Origin and Distribution

The Indian gooseberry is indigenous to India. It has been used as a valuable ingredient of various medicines in India and the Middle East from time immemorial. Shusrut, the great Ayurvedic authority, considers it as the best of all acid fruit and most useful in health and disease. Like Ayurvedic physicians Hakims of Unani medicine also use it very commonly and regard it as a good medicine for heart and bodily defects. They also use it in external applications due to its cool and astringent properties.
The Indian gooseberry is grown as a commercial crop primarily in Uttar Pradesh. It also grows wild at the foot of the Himalayas and at elevation up to 1,500 metres in South India. The tree flowers in the spring and fruit ripens in the winter.

Food Value

Indian gooseberry is valued chiefly for its high vitamin C content. The vitamin C Value of amla increases further when the juice is extracted from the fruit. The dehydrated berry provides 2428 to 3470 mg. of vitamin C per 100 grams. Even when it is dried in the shade and then turned into powder, it retains as much as 1780 to 2660 mg's. of Vitamins C.

Indian Gooseberry*

Food Value	Minerals and Vitamins
Moisture - 81.8%	Calcium - 50 mg
Protein - 0.5%	Phosphorus - 20 mg
Fat - 0.1%	Iron - 1.2 mg
Minerals - 0.5%	Vitamin C - 600mg
Carbohydrates - 13.7%	Small amount of Vitamin B Complex
Fibre - 3.4%	Small amount of Vitamin B Complex
* Value per 100 gm's edible portion	Calorific Value - 48

The best way to take it, with the least loss of vitamin C is to eat it raw with a little salt. The berry may also be used as a vegetable.. It is often used in the form of pickles and marmalade. It can be preserved for a long period when it is dried and turned into powder

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

Many medicinal virtues have been attributed to Indian gooseberry. The fresh fruit is light, laxative and diuretic. A tablespoonful each of fresh gooseberry juice and honey mixed together forms a very valuable medicine for the treatment of several ailments. It should be taken every morning. Its regular use will promote vigor in the body within a few days. When fresh fruit is not available, dry powder can be mixed with honey

Respiratory Disorders :- This medicinal tonic is highly beneficial in the treatment of respiratory disorders. It is especially valuable in tuberculosis of the lungs, asthma and bronchitis.

Diabetes :- Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is considered valuable in diabetes. A tablespoonful of its juice, mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months will stimulate the islets of Lengerhans i.e. -the isolated group of cells that the secrete hormone insulin. It thus reduces the blood sugar in diabetes. Diet restrictions should be strictly observed while taking this medicine. It will also prevent eye complications in diabetes. Equal quantity of amla powder, jamun powder and bitter gourd powder also make a very useful food remedy for diabetics. A teaspoonful of this mixture once or twice a day would be effective in checking the progress of the disease.

Heart Disease :- Indian gooseberry is considered an effective remedy for heart disease. It tones up the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by destroying the heterogeneous elements and renewing the body energy.

Eye Disorders :- The juice of Indian gooseberry, mixed with honey, is useful in preserving eye sight. It will also be beneficial in the treatment of conjunctivitis and glaucoma. It reduces intra ocular tension ill a remarkable manner. A cupful of this juice should be taken mixed with honey twice daily in such cases.

Rheumatism :- The Indian gooseberry is useful in the treatment of rheumatism. One teaspoonful of powder of the dry fruit mixed with two teaspoonfuls of jaggery should be taken twice daily for a month in this disease.

Scurvy :- As an extremely rich source of vitamin C. Indian gooseberry is one of the best remedies for scurvy. Powder of dry gooseberry . nixed with equal quantity of sugar should be taken in doses of one teaspoonful three times daily with milk.

Diarrhea and Dysentery :- The dried fruit is valuable in diarrhea and dysentery. A drink made from amla mixed with lemon juice and misri is considered highly beneficial in controlling acute I?acillary dysentery. One tablespoonful of the paste of leaves mixed with honey or butter-milk also makes an effective Medicare in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery.

Prevents Ageing :- Indian gooseberry has revitalizing effects. It contains an element which is very valuable in preventing ageing and in maintaining strength in old age. It improves body resistance and protects against infection. It strengthens the heart, hair and Different glands in the body. It is said that the great ancient sage Muni Chyawan rejuvenated himself in his late 70s and regained his virility by the use of amla.

Hair Tonic :- Indian gooseberry is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair growth and hair pigmentation. The fruit, cut into pieces, is dried preferably in shade. These pieces are boiled in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is an excellent oil to prevent graying. The water in which dired amla pieces are soaked overnight is also nourishing to hair. This water should be used for the last rinse while washing the hair.

DENGUE AND DANGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

2008-12-12T20:11:00.001-08:00

Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever:
Questions and Answers

Q. What is dengue?
A. Dengue (pronounced den' gee) is a disease caused by any one of four closely related viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, or DEN-4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. In the Western Hemisphere, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the most important transmitter or vector of dengue viruses, although a 2001 outbreak in Hawaii was transmitted by Aedes albopictus. It is estimated that there are over 100 million cases of dengue worldwide each year.

Q. What is dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?
A. DHF is a more severe form of dengue. It can be fatal if unrecognized and not properly treated. DHF is caused by infection with the same viruses that cause dengue. With good medical management, mortality due to DHF can be less than 1%.

Q. How are dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) spread?
A. Dengue is transmitted to people by the bite of an Aedes mosquito that is infected with a dengue virus. The mosquito becomes infected with dengue virus when it bites a person who has dengue or DHF and after about a week can transmit the virus while biting a healthy person. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Q. What are the symptoms of the disease?
A. The principal symptoms of dengue are high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, and rash. Generally, younger children have a milder illness than older children and adults.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms that could occur with many other illnesses (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache). This stage is followed by hemorrhagic manifestations, tendency to bruise easily or other types of skin hemorrhages, bleeding nose or gums, and possibly internal bleeding. The smallest blood vessels (capillaries) become excessively permeable (“leaky”), allowing the fluid component to escape from the blood vessels. This may lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, followed by death, if circulatory failure is not corrected.

Q. What is the treatment for dengue?
A. There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and consult a physician.

Q. Is there an effective treatment for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?
A. As with dengue, there is no specific medication for DHF. It can however be effectively treated by fluid replacement therapy if an early clinical diagnosis is made. Hospitalization is frequently required in order to adequately manage DHF. Physicians who suspect that a patient has DHF may want to consult the Dengue Branch at CDC, for more information.

Q. Where can outbreaks of dengue occur?
A. Outbreaks of dengue occur primarily in areas where Aedes aegypti (sometimes also Aedes albopictus) mosquitoes live. This includes most tropical urban areas of the world. Dengue viruses may be introduced into areas by travelers who become infected while visiting other areas of the tropics where dengue commonly exists.

In the America region, all dengue virus serotypes are now present. DEN-3 was reintroduced into Central America in 1994 and is now found in several countries in the region. Since this serotype has been absent from the Americas for almost 20 years, the population has a low level of immunity and the virus is expected to spread rapidly.

Q. What can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring dengue?
A. There is no vaccine for preventing dengue. The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with Aedes aegypti is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, primarily artificial containers that hold water.

Items that collect rainwater or are used to store water (for example, plastic containers, 55-gallon drums, buckets, or used automobile tires) should be covered or properly discarded. Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers should be emptied and scoured at least once a week. This will eliminate the mosquito eggs and larvae and reduce the number of mosquitoes present in these areas.

For travelers to areas with dengue, a well as people living in areas with dengue, the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes indoors is reduced by utilization of air conditioning or windows and doors that are screened. Proper application of mosquito repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET as the active ingredient on exposed skin and clothing decreases the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. The risk of dengue infection for international travelers appears to be small, unless an epidemic is in progress.

Q. How can we prevent epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?
A. The emphasis for dengue prevention is on sustainable, community-based, integrated mosquito control, with limited reliance on insecticides (chemical larvicides and adulticides) . Preventing epidemic disease requires a coordinated community effort to increase awareness about dengue/DHF, how to recognize it, and how to control the mosquito that transmits it. Residents are responsible for keeping their yards and patios free of sites where mosquitoes can be produced.

Fast food: 6 ways to healthier meals in a fast food restaurant.

2008-12-10T08:46:00.001-08:00

Can fast food be part of a weight-loss or healthy diet plan? You might not think so. In fact, you might even think that you can't have a meal that's both quick and healthy. . An occasional stop at a fast-food restaurant can fit into a healthy diet plan. The key is to choose wisely.

1. Keep portion sizes small. If the fast-food restaurant offers several sandwich sizes, pick the smallest or order half a sandwich, if available. Choose a regular- or children's-sized hamburger, which has about 250 to 300 calories. Also, skip the large serving of french fries or onion rings and ask for a small serving instead.

2. Opt for grilled items. Fried and breaded foods, such as crispy chick en sandwiches are high in fat and calories. Select grilled or roasted lean meats — such as turkey or chicken breast, lean ham, or lean roast beef.

3. Watch what you drink. Many beverages contain a large number of calories. For example, a large regular soda (32 ounces) has about 300 calories. Instead reach out for diet soda or unsweetened iced tea.

4. Choose a healthier side dish. Take advantage of healthy side dishes offered at many fast-food restaurants. For example, instead of french fries choose a side salad with low-fat dressing or a baked potato. Or add a fruit bowl or a fruit and yogurt option to your meal. Other healthy choices include apple or orange slices, corn on the cob, steamed rice, or baked potato chips.

5. Go for the greens. Choose a large salad with fat-free or low-fat dressing on the side, rather than regular salad dressing, which can have 100 to 200 calories per packet.

6. Have it your way. Don't settle for what comes with your sandwich or meal. Ask for healthier options and substitutions. For example, ask for reduced-fat mayonnaise or mustard on your sandwich. Or at a fast-food Mexican restaurant, request salsa with your meal instead of shredded cheese and nacho cheese sauce.

The top ways to beat the stress over the weekend.

2008-12-10T08:45:00.001-08:00

The top ways to beat the stress over the weekend.

When is the last time you decided to be selfish and decided to be a slave to ‘Me first, others later’ ideology? With the stress levels shooting heights, we put together ten top ways to beat the stress over the weekend.

Aromatherapy. Before you go, that-isnt-for-me, then we recommend just-do-it-once-in-your-life. Jennifer Aniston and Jude Law swear by it. What is it? Aromatherapy is an umbrella term that applies to any healing process involving the use of essential oils. The classic relaxing oil is lavender. Others associated with de-stressing are chamomile, bergamot, patchouli and sandalwood.

Accupuncture

Acupuncture is based on the Chinese philosophy that the body's energy, the qi, made up of yin and yang, flows under the skin. If yin or yang is more dominant, qi reserves dip and you become ill. An acupuncturist will discuss your general health to identify unbalanced areas of qi.

He or she will then insert fine needles into "energy channels" in the body to restore its natural balance. Oprah Winfrey and Sandra Bullock swear by this method of de-stressing.

Hot stone massage therapy

It is the application of heated and cooled stones to certain parts of the body. During hot stone therapy, treated volcanic stones, usually basalt or basinite, are heated in water, using temperatures ranging from 120-130F, and placed along the spine. Cooled marble stones are also used. Often the stones are coated in aromatherapy oils. As well as along the spine, some stones are placed in the palms and in between the toes. Hot stone therapists believe that the combination of warm and cold encourages the body to relax.

Reflexology

Seemingly, Prince Charles swears by this method of de stressing. Reflexology uses the manipulation of pressure points, usually on the feet but sometimes on the hands and ears, to relieve ailments elsewhere in the body.

Reiki

Before you shrug off this de-stressing technique, do remember that Nicole Kidman and Meg Ryan believe in this form of de stressing. Reiki, roughly translated from Japanese as "universal life energy" is a practice started by a Buddhist called Mikao Usui in 1922. Reiki practitioners heal their patients by transferring energy to the patient through the palms.

Qigong

Invented by Taoist monks 3000 years ago, qigong is related to Tai Chi and Vedic meditation. It is based on the same principles as reiki and shiatsu: that of "qi", "energy" flows and pathways.

With qi meaning "air" and "gong" meaning exercise, qigong is based on slow body movements that are co-ordinated with the breathing, encouraging energy to flow down the "right" pathways of the body.

Ka Huna, a little known form of massage is great for beating stress. Once practiced in ancient Hawaiian temples as a means of restoring harmony to mind, body and soul, it is now commonly practiced everywhere. Once you try this gentler version of massage, you will emerge more relaxed and with your limbs intact!

Get Sunlight and Wide Open Space

Think about the average office. It is a stress breeding ground. When you spend a lot of the day indoors dealing with the daily grind you lose a lot of perspective. A stressful event seems like the end of the world and you spend the rest of the day (or week!) brooding and thinking about it over and over again. It is like there is nothing else going on in the world.

When you feel like your whole world is becoming engulfed in stress and anxiety one of the simplest things you can do is go outside in the sun in a wide-open space. The effect is wonderfully relaxing. Try it!

A few years ago I discovered how much classical music could help my stress levels. Infact, findings have stated that classical music have a soothing effect on our frayed nerves.

And of course, the last bit is just relax and learn to let go. A lot of us are addicted to stress. I know that sounds a little silly but in many cases it is true. And to make matters worse we go over things again and again in our head. We think that if we think about "why" we are stressed we will come to some lasting solution but in actual fact it just makes it worse. Ironic, isn’t it.

Switch on to classical Music

In these times it is really handy to know the mantra "Just relax!" It sounds simple and probably a little bit silly but it is something you have to try to do. Just relax. Things aren't that bad. I came across a popular Buddhist teaching.

"If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will be of no help." And the teaching more or less puts things in the perspective…doesn’t it!

Get time on your side - Manage your time effectively - use a daily planner and to-do lists. Prioritize those tasks that are most critical. Be sure to include time for rest and relaxation.

Keep moving - Regular physical activity is one of the best ways of managing and coping with stress.

Stay clean and sober - Avoid alcohol and drug use as a means of coping with stress. Alcohol and drugs will mask the symptoms of stress but will do nothing to alleviate your stress.

Keep a healthy diet and a healthy mind - Avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Eat healthy meals and snacks and your energy will remain high as will your ability to focus and concentrate.

Take a break - Minimize interruptions when studying and be sure to include leisure activities and relaxation during study times.

Just say no - Learn to say no without guilt when you are working on your studies. Taking on additional tasks and projects when you do not have to will add to your stress level.

Keep it in perspective - What are the long-term consequences of whatever is stressing you out right now? If the stressor will not have long-term consequences, then you may want to "let it be" and focus on those stressors for which you can take action. Counseling and Wellness Services is available to help with this process.

Count some sheep - It is important to get enough sleep on a regular basis. Avoid caffeine and eating heavy foods late in the evening. Try to go to sleep and wake up at roughly the same time each day.

Gallstones Removal

2008-12-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Gallstones Removal (6-day treatment)

This is a useful piece of information that you may have received before. This is true and it works. You can 'google' :-

Dr Lai Chiu-Nan to find out more about her and the feedbacks of this treatment.

ps. as always, spread the good things

Pictures first, explanation and procedure follows:

1. Liver
2. Common Bile Duct
3. Gallstones
4. Gallbladder

REMOVING GALLSTONES NATURALLY
by Dr Lai Chiu-Nan

It has worked for many. If it works for you please pass on the good news. Chiu Nan is not charging for it, so we should make it free for everyone. Your reward is when someone, through your word of mouth, benefits from the regime. Gallstones may not be everyone's concern. But they should be because we all have them. Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer. "Cancer is never the first illness," Chiu Nan points out. "Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading to cancer.

In my research in China, I came across some materials which say that people with cancer usually have stones. We all have gallstones. It's a matter of big or small, many or few.

One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can't digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area." So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu Nan offers the following method to remove them naturally.

The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

Regimen:
1. For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day. Or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.
2. On the sixth day, take no dinner.
3. At 6 PM, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.
4. At 8 PM, repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.
5. At 10 PM, take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.
PS. 1cup=250ml, ½ cup lemon juice=3 lemons (aprox.)

The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools. "Usually they float," Chiu Nan notes. "You might want to count them. I have had people who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. Very many."

"Even if you don't have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It's always good to give your gall bladder a clean-up now and then.

Some tips

2008-12-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

· Almonds: To remove the skin of
almonds easily, soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes.

· Ants: Putting 3-4 cloves in the sugar container will keep the ants at bay.

· Biscuits: If you keep a piece of blotting paper at the bottom of the container, it will keep
biscuits fresh for a longer time.

· Butter: Avoid the use of butter. If it is essential to use, use a butter containing low saturated fat or with plant stanols (which avoid absorption of cholesterol by our body) or similar substitutes.

· Apples: Apply some lemon juice on the cut surface of the apple to avoid browning. They will look fresh for a longer time.

· Banana: Apply mashed banana over a burn on your body to have a cooling effect.

· Bee and Scorpion Sting Relief: Apply a mixture of 1 pinch of chewing tobacco and 1 drop of water. Mix and apply directly and immediately to the sting; cover with band aid to hold in place. Pain will go away in just a few short minutes

· Bitter Gourd (Karela): Slit Karelas at the middle and apply a mixture of salt, wheat flour and curd all round. Keep aside for 1/2 an hour and then cook.

Stuffed Karela

· Celery: To keep celery fresh for long time, wrap it in aluminium foil and place in the refrigerator.

· Burnt Food: Place some chopped onion in the vessel having burnt food, pour boiling water in it, keep for 5 minutes and then clean.

· Chilli Powder: Keeping a small piece of hing (asafoetida) in the same container will store chilli powder for long time.

· Chopping: Use a wooden board to chop. It will not blunt the knife. Don't use a plastic board, small plastic pieces may go with the vegetables.

· Coriander/Mint: You can use dried coriander and mint leaves in coarse powder form in vegetable curry or chutney, if fresh ones are not available.
To keep them fresh for a longer time, wrap them in a muslin cloth and keep in a fridge.

· Cockroaches: Put some boric powder in kitchen in corners and other places. Cockroaches will leave your house.

· Coconut: Immerse coconut in water for 1/2 an hour to remove its hust.

· Dry Fruits: To chop dry fruits, place them in fridge for half an hour before cutting. Take the fruits out and cut them with a hot knife (dip it in hot water before cutting).

· Dough/Rolling pin: If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, place it in freezer for a few minutes.

· Egg peeling off: Make a small hole in the egg by piercing a pin before boiling it. You will be able to remove its skin very easily.

· Egg fresh: Immerse the egg in a pan of cool salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, it is certainly quite old.

· Garlic: Garlic skin comes off easily if the garlic cloves are slightly warmed before peeling.

· Ghee: Avoid the use of ghee. If it is necessary, substitute it with canola oil. Even for making halwa, you can partly substitute it with oil.

· Green Chillies: To keep the chillies fresh for a longer time, remove the stems before storing.

· Green Peas: To preserve green peas, keep them in a polythene bag in the freezer.

· Idlies: Place a betel (paan) leaf over the leftover idli and dosa batter to prevent them sour.
Do not beat idli batter too much, the air which has been incorporated during fermentation will escape.
If you add half a tsp of fenugreek seeds to the lentil and rice mixture while soaking, dosas will be more crisp.

· Fruits: To ripen fruits, wrap them in newspaper and put in a warm place for 2-3 days. The ethylene gas they emit will make them ripe.

· Frying: Avoid deep frying. Substitute deep frying with stir frying or oven bake. Don't pour the oil, but make a habit of spraying the oil in the utensil for cooking. Heat the utensil first, then add oil. This way oil spreads well. You will use less oil this way.

· Left Over: Don't throw away the foods left over. Store them in Fridge. Use them in making tasty dishes.

· Lemon/Lime: If the lemon or lime is hard, put it in warm water for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to squeeze.

· Lizards: Hang a peacock feather, lizards will leave your house.

· Milk: Moisten the base of the vessel with water to reduce the chances of milk to stick at the bottom.
Keep a spoon in the vessel while boiling milk at medium heat. It will avoid sticking the milk at the bottom of the vessel.
Adding half a tsp of sodium bicarbonate in the milk while boiling will not spoil the milk even if you don't put it in the fridge.

· Mixer/Grinder: Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder fro some time every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.

· Mosquitoes: Put a few camphor tablets in a cup of water and keep it in the bed room near your bed, or in any place with mosquitoes.

· Noodles: When the noodles are boiled, drain all the hot water and add cold water. This way all the noodles will get separated.

· Onions: To avoid crying, cut the onions into two parts and place them in water for 15 minutes before chopping them.
Wrap the onions individually in a newspaper and store in a cool and dark place to keep them fresh for long time.

· Oven: Watch from the oven window to conserve energy because the
oven temperature drops by 25 degrees every time its door is opened,
To clean the oven, apply a paste of sodium bicarbonate and water on the walls and floor of the oven and keep the oven on low heat for about half an hour. Dried food can easily be removed.

· Paneer: To keep paneer fresh for several days, wrap it in a blotting paper while storing in the refrigerator.
Do not fry paneer, immerse it in boiling water to make it soft and spongy.

· Papad: Bake in microwave oven.
Wrap the papads in polythene sheet and place with dal or rice will prevent them from drying and breaking.

· Pickles: To prevent the growth of fungus in pickles, burn a small grain of asafoetida over a burning coal and invert the empty pickle jar for some time before putting pickles in the jar.

· Popcorn: Keep the maize/corn seeds in the freezer and pop while still frozen to get better pops.

· Potato: To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 minutes before baking.
Use the skin of boiled potatoes to wipe mirrors to sparkling clean.
Don't store potatoes and onions together. Potatoes will rot quickly if stored with onions.

· Refrigerator: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

· Rice: Add a few drops of lemon juice in the water before boiling the rice to make rice whiter.
Add a tsp of canola oil in the water before boiling the rice to separate each grain after cooking.
Don't throw away the rice water after cooking. Use it to make soup or add it in making dal (lentils).
Add 5g of dried powdered mint leaves to 1kg of rice. It will keep insects at bay.
Put a small paper packet of boric powder in the container of rice to keep insects at bay. Put a few leaves of mint in the container of rice to keep insects at bay.

· Samosa: Bake them instead of deep frying to make them fat free. Don't fry the filling potato masala.
Preserve the samosas in freezer. For eating, take out of the freezer two hours in advance and bake them over low temp.

· Sugar: Put 2-3 cloves in the sugar to keep ants at bay.

· Tadka: Use sprouted mustard seeds (rayee) and fenugreek (methi) seeds for your tadkas. Both of them when sprouted have more nutritional values. Also this add flavour to the dish and can be more beneficial, besides giving decorative look to the dish. Submitted by MS Itisha Madhav

· Tomato: To remove the skin of tomatoes, place them in warm water for 5-10 minutes. The skin can then be easily peeled off.
When tomatoes are not available or too costly, substitute with tomato puree or tomato ketchup/sauce.
Place overripe tomatoes in cold water and add some salt. Overnight they will become firm and fresh.

· Tamarind: Tamarind is an excellent polish for brass and copper items. Rub a slab of wet tamarind with some salt sprinkled on it on the object to be polished.
Gargles with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat.

· Utensils: Use nonsticking utensils. Use thick bottom utensils, they get uniformly heated. For electric stoves, use flat bottom utensils.
Add a little bit of common salt to the washing powder for better cleaning of utensils.

· Vegetables: Don't discard the water in which the vegetables are soaked or cooked. Use it in making soup or gravy.
To keep the vegetables fresh for a longer time, wrap them in newspaper before putting them in freeze.
Chop the vegetables only when you are ready to use them. Don't cut them in too advance. It would spoil their food value.

· Sink (Blocked): To clear the blocked drain pipe of your kitchen sink, mix 1/2 cup sodium bicarbonate in 1 cup
vinegar and pour it into the sink, and pour about 1 cup water. In an hour the drain pipe will open.

· Soup Salty: Place a raw peeled potato in the bowl, it will absorb the extra salt.

· Yoghurt (Home Made): To set
yogurt in winter, place the container in a warm place like oven or over the voltage stabliser.

· Yogurt: If the yogurt has become sour, put it in a muslin cloth and drain all the water. Then add milk to make it as good as fresh in taste. Use the drained water in making tasty gravy for vegetables or for basen curry.
To keep the yogurt fresh for many days, fill the vessel containing yogurt with water to the brim and refrigerate. Change the water daily..

7 tips for a stress-free sex life

2008-12-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

Do you feel that stress is squeezing the fun out of your rocky bedroom life? If yes, then you can bring back the action, courtesy tips provided by sex educator and relationship expert Dr Yvonne Kristin Fulbright.

According to the expert, many couples become frustrated, even panicky, when their sex lives go to the wayside during stressful times.
When it comes to the factor that governs a person's sex life, its personality, reports Fox News.

Fulbright says that how an individual's sex life fares depends on whether he tries to get closer to his partner in tragic times or wants to be totally alone - and if he's the withdrawing sorts, then it can create misunderstandings in the relationship.

In order to avoid any such misunderstandings and still keep sex life full of fun and passion, Fulbright has suggested that couples need to establish a common ground and mutual understanding during stressful times.

Also, they should make an effort to stay connected during life's highs and lows, because if they don't, it could lead to dire consequences.

And in case, sex is not on mind and also the time to be spent in the sack is less, then a person can try the following:

1. Showing appreciation for one another. Giving compliments, for example, is a simple way of expressing affection and letting your partner know that he or she is still being noticed and loved.

2. Talking daily. Chat during dinner or at bedtime. Conversations foster bonding by providing support. It's also important for couples to check in with each other, showing concern and care for one another's well-being with simple statements like, "Tell me about your day."

3. Staying positive. Bite your tongue if you're about to complain. Stressful situations are hard enough to deal with. Don't add to the situation if you can avoid doing so.

4. Believing in your future together. Stressful times can make lovers doubt their ability to stay together for the long haul. Insecurity issues that arise can only make matters more difficult. Making plans is one way to indicate that you're feeling secure about your future.

5. Helping each other with responsibilities. Approaching tasks with a team effort provides a greater sense of being in this together.

6. Balancing 'alone time' and 'together time'. Create a sensual atmosphere, for example, soothing scents, dim lights, delicious food, and relaxing music, to help you unwind.

7. Getting creative in how you'll be intimate. Redefine your definition of sexual intimacy when needed; try a simple body massage.

Not to forget, lovers should make it a point to give in to one another's requests for intimacy whenever possible, as it might just prove to be a big stress-buster.
In fact, sex has many physical and emotional benefits, which may help in boosting your desire for more sex and emotional intimacy. Sex can easily take your mind off of your worries.

Also, patience is the key to get your sex life back on track. One should make sure that your relationship, in general, doesn't get neglected.

Nature's cure

2008-12-01T08:25:00.001-08:00

Principles and Practice of Nature Cure

Nature Cures, not the Physician.

- Hippocrates

Nature cure is a constructive method of treatment which aims at removing the basic cause of

disease through the rational use of the elements freely available in nature. It is not only a system

of healing, but also a way of life, in tune with the internal vital forces or natural elements

comprising the human body. It is a complete revolution in the art and science of living.

Although the term ' naturopathy' is of relatively recent origin, the philosophical basis and several

of the methods of nature cure treatments are ancient. It was practised in ancient Egypt , Greece

and Rome . Hippocrates, the father of medicine ( 460-357 B.C.) strongly advocated it. India , it

appears, was much further advanced in older days in natural healing system than other

countries of the world.

There are references in India 's ancient sacred books about the extensive

use of nature's excellent healing agents such as air, earth, water and sun. The Great Baths of

the Indus Valley civilisation as discovered at Mohenjodaro in old Sind testifies to the use of water

for curative purposes in ancient India .

The modern methods of nature cure originated in Germany in 1822, when Vincent Priessnitz

established the first hydropathic establishment there. With his great success in water cure, the

idea of drugless healing spread throughout the civilised world and many medical practitioners

throughout the civilised world and many medical practitioners from America and other countries

became his enthusiastic students and disciples.

These students subsequently enlarged and

developed the various methods of natural healing in their own way. The whole mass of

knowledge was later collected under one name, Naturopathy. The credit for the name

Naturopathy goes to Dr. Benedict Lust ( 1872 - 1945), and hence he is called the Father of

Naturopathy.

Nature cure is based on the realisation that man is born healthy and strong and that he can stay

as such as living in accordance with the laws of nature. Even if born with some inherited

affliction, the individual can eliminate it by putting to the best use the natural agents of healing.

Fresh air, sunshine, a proper diet, exercise, scientific relaxation, constructive thinking and the

right mental attitude, along with prayer and meditation all play their part in keeping a sound mind

in a sound body.

Nature cure believes that disease is an abnormal condition of the body resulting from the

violation of the natural laws. Every such violation has repercussions on the human system in the

shape of lowered vitality, irregularities of the blood and lymph and the accumulation of waste

matter and toxins. Thus, through a faulty diet it is not the digestive system alone which is

adversely affected. When toxins accumulate, other organs such as the bowels, kidneys, skin and

lungs are overworked and cannot get rid of these harmful substances as quickly as they are

produced.

Besides this, mental and emotional disturbances cause imbalances of the vital electric field

within which cell metabolism takes place, producing toxins. When the soil of this electric filed is

undisturbed, disease-causing germs can live in it without multiplying or producing toxins. It is

only when it is disturbed or when the blood is polluted with toxic waste that the germs multiply

and become harmful.

Basic Principles

The whole philosophy and practice of nature cure is built on three basic principles. These

principles are based on the conclu sions reached from over a century of effective naturopathic

treatment of diseases in Germany , America and Great Britain . They have been tested and

proved over and over again by the results obtained.

The first and most basic principle of nature cure is that all forms of disease are due to the same

cause, namely, the accumulations of waste materials and bodily refuse in the system. These

waste materials in the healthy individual are removed from the system through the organs of

elimination. But in the diseased person, they are steadily piling up in the body through years of

faulty habits of living such as wrong feeding, improper care of the body and habits contributing to

enervation and nervous exhaustion such as worry, overwork and excesses of all kinds. It follows

from this basic principle that the only way to cure disease is to employ methods which will

enable the system to throw off these toxic accumulations. All natural treatments are actually

directed towards this end.

The second basic principle of nature cure is that all acute diseases such as fevers, colds,

inflammations, digestive disturbances and skin eruptions are nothing more than self-initiated

efforts on the part of the body to throw off the accumulated waste materials and that all chronic

diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, rheumatism, asthma, kidney disorders, are the results

of continued suppression of the acute diseases through harmful methods such as drugs,

vaccines, narcotics and gland extracts.

The third principle of nature cure is that the body contains an eleborate healing mechanism

which has the power to bring about a return to normal condition of health, provided right

methods are employed to enable it to do so. In other words, the power to cure disease lies within

the body itself and not in the hands of the doctor.

OTC drugs risky for children

2008-11-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

As the seasons change and parents reach for over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicine for their icky-feeling children, they may be baffled by the new instructions: Do not give them to children under 4. Drug companies in the US recently announced that they are voluntarily changing the labels for OTC cold and cough medicines, in a nod to paediatricians arguing they do little good and aren’t worth the risks.

So now what?

“I just want my children to be comforted, to sleep well at night and get over it,” says Ray Alyssa Rothman, a mother of three—the oldest is 4.

Brad Weselman of Kids Health First Pediatric Alliance says: “We know parents want to give their kids something when they are miserable. But the benefits don’t balance the side effects.” Some medications can make children excessively groggy, making it difficult for them to concentrate in school, he says. Others, he adds, can leave a child “wired” and increase the heart rate. Instead, Dr Weselman suggests treating children with saline drops, warm apple juice and gargling with salt water.

Warning labels

The new labels are being brought in after a study found that at least 7,000 children are rushed to emergency rooms every year because of adverse reactions to OTC cough and cold medicines. Most cases are of children overdosing when parents aren’t around, according to the study published in the April issue of Pediatrics—the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Meanwhile, the US food and drug administration (FDA) has already recommended OTC remedies not be used for children under 2, and is studying effectiveness in children under 12 to decide whether to restrict further. The FDA has also expressed support for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s move to voluntarily change the labels to discourage use for children under 4.

A pill too many

Doctors say parents often run into trouble when they give their child multiple medications. For example, a parent may give a child a multi-symptom cold medicine as well as Tylenol, not realizing they are essentially administering a double dose of acetaminophen, also called paracetamol (brand names, Crocin and Calpol in India). Still, doctors say the latest change doesn’t mean you have to take paracetamol and ibuprofen off the table (in India, Combiflam includes both paracetamol and ibuprofen). Doctors say they are still an approved, fever-reducing measure and considered safe—as long as they are administered appropriately.

Natural remedies

Rothman says she turns to several natural remedies to combat colds, including liquid vitamin C, vitamin-rich kiwi fruit, extra rest and saline drops.

But she also keeps OTC medicines at hand. “I don’t think it’s an abuse to have them,” she says. “I think it’s good to have (OTC medicines) when you have a child with a really bad cough, and you don’t want it to get worse.” She keeps laminated information about proper dosage of medicine for children in her pantry. Her family keeps a log any time her child is given any medication. Still, she says, the change in labels and questions about OTC medications have given her pause. She will now “think twice and use less”.

Alternatives to OTC cold medicines

• Saline nose spray can help alleviate stuffy noses

• A humidifier can help moisturize nasal passages

• Offer plenty of fluids. Any warm liquid—apple juice, even water—can help relieve congestion and soothe throats (avoid any citrus juice because it can irritate the throat)

• Plenty of rest (naps or lounging) is key to recovery

• Popsicles can soothe throats and provide a source of liquid

• Hot or cold packs for congested sinuses (avoid hot packs if the child is running a fever)

• Gargling with warm salt water can bring temporary relief to a sore throat, but practise with plain water to make sure your child can gargle

• The heavy syrup from canned fruit or sweets can help soothe sore throats (honey is often recommended but doctors say it puts children under 2 at risk of infant botulism, a rare type of food poisoning only affecting little ones)

• Chicken soup (limit salt as that can cause dehydration)

Why running can boost a company's bottomline

2008-11-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

You’re kidding me! Are you saying that if I start running, my organization is likely to have a healthier bottom line? That’s the most outrageous sales line I’ve heard!”

Now that you have said that out loud, and got it off your chest, I would urge you to read on.

You know what you pay your employees, but do you know how much your employees cost you?

Here are a few simple questions that I ask the CEOs and HR heads of MNCs and start-ups whom I meet in the course of work:

The tangibles: around 5+% of your wage bill

• How many days on an average do your employees take leave due to coughs, colds, flu? The answer—after a few “hmmms”—has varied from four-six days (with two bad spells in a year)

• Before the employees go on leave, is it safe to say that their productivity has been down for around half a day? Well, that adds up to one more workday lost

• What about migraines, backaches, spondylosis and various other aches and pains? Another day? Perhaps

• Also, about 1% would have been down for 10-15 days with a severe illness

Eight days and counting

India is the cardiac, diabetic and hypertension capital of the world. Studies show that by 2010, 60% of the world’s coronary patients will be in India.

•How many people in your organization are stressed, have high BP, or basic coronary issues such as cholesterol? Perhaps all, but each to a varying degree. Okay—so what percentage of your employees of any age have been hospitalized in the last year? Perhaps 1%

•Diabetes? Probably similar

• So, 2% down (for an average of around a month in all) on the above two counts—and that’s a very conservative figure

That’s half a workday lost per employee

What is the impact on the team as a whole? With an average team size of four, it is a conservative estimate to arrive at a 10% impact on each team member’s productivity for each day’s absence.

Team impact: 8½ days x 4 people x 10% = 3.5 days

The intangibles: around 10+% of your wage bill

How’s the morale at your organization these days? How much time in the last week were you a bit switched off work, during a time when you shouldn’t have been? 5%? 10%? Or are these numbers a bit conservative?

Any disgruntled employees taking poor decisions and not caring about the fallout? Do you think you have even one of them in your entire team? That could be a major cost! And what do you think is the knock-on effect on the rest of the team?

How is all this affecting delivery schedules and quality control? Have you had issues with customers in the last six months on these counts? How much of it was due to absenteeism or attitudinal issues such as those mentioned above? Add that to your costs. Are people taking risks like you want them to? Are they optimistic and self-confident? Are they persevering? What are the losses or the opportunity costs on these counts?

These are all more difficult to measure, but they have an impact far greater than the tangible costs.

If you add the allocated costs of real estate and administration, you have a huge figure to look at. Mindboggling, isn’t it? And no, this is not a juggling of numbers.

Are you measuring these costs in some way? If not, estimate these realistically and set in place a periodic pulse check within your organization.

Many of my previous columns have focused on how running impacts each employee, the team and the organization in terms of their health, perseverance, self-confidence and optimism. If you make a start with sports, this could spread through your organization. Leading organizations around the world are looking at running to work tangentially across their teams. And this is why and how it helps your company’s bottom line, by boosting health and attitude across the board.

Top Five Cancer Causing Foods

2008-11-28T17:00:00.001-08:00

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs

Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed meats and bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries

Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies

All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

Weed out aerobics accessories, pull on gardening gloves

2008-11-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

When the late Sarla Bhargava, founder member of the Kitchen Gardens Association of India started this unique organization, she just wanted to grow a healthy plateful. “But early on in her 40 years of association (with it), she came to the conclusion that gardening—the thrill of growing beauty and the taste of fresh produce—translates into tangible happiness. And this she equated to health,” says her daughter Pratima Jhingan, who is based in Delhi and is also an active gardener. Bhargava’s view is now endorsed by health experts, who advocate gardening because there is nothing healthier than working up a good sweat in the dirt.

Gardening provides the regular physical exercise required for prevention of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. It is an effective workout for arthritis sufferers as it works the back, shoulders, arms, fingers and legs.

Get a better workout

Green Gym, a UK-based movement, encourages people to keep fit by working outdoors even as they improve their local environment. When researchers from Green Gym tested a 40-year-old woman, they found that she burnt 30% more calories (392kcal in all) working outdoors than she did in a step aerobics class.

Both activities lasted 1 hour, but the time she spent in her training heart rate zone (this elevated heart rate from exercise improves cardio fitness) was nearly double while gardening—44 minutes versus 24.

Make bones strong

One new study says gardening can give you the biggest bang for your exercise buck in preventing osteoporosis.

Pushing a lawnmower, raking leaves, and lifting a wheelbarrow full of weeds are great weight-bearing exercises. Researchers at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, US, found that women 50 years and older who were active in their gardens had higher bone density readings than those who swam, did aerobics, danced or jogged. And it works across gender, it seems.

Satish Mathur, 68, former director of the horticulture department at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi, says he owes his good health to time in the garden. “I have been hands-on in the garden for the last 49 years and I believe that my joints are healthy today only because of all that bending, cleaning, picking up,” he says. “Tilling, planting, weeding—all get your heart pumping. Today all that hard work is paying up as I stay fit as a fiddle.”

Natural Weight-Loss Foods: Onions

2008-11-27T19:11:00.001-08:00

Whether cooked or raw, onions add enormous flavor to a variety of healthy dishes, so they are a crucial ingredient to have around the house to make figure-friendly meals in your own kitchen every night.

The onion is a member of the allium family, which, as your nose will tell you, also includes garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. Egyptians worshiped the onion's many layers as a symbol of eternity. Today, the onion can be one of the most useful and flavorful ingredients in creating low-calorie, healthful dishes.

Health Benefits

Dry onions are a surprising source of fiber and a rich source of healthy sulfur compounds, similar to those found in garlic. Research on onions has lagged behind garlic research, but onions appear to have similar cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, at least in the short term.

Nutritional Values

Onion, Dry
Serving Size: 1/2 cup chopped Calories: 46
Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 11 g
Protein: 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Sodium: 3 mg
Vitamin C: 6 mg
Vitamin B6: <1 mg

Green Onion, Fresh Serving Serving Size: 1/2 cup chopped (stalks and bulbs)
Calories: 16
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 4 g
Protein: 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 8 mg
Vitamin A: 498 IU
Vitamin C: 10 mg
Iron: 1 mg
Carotenoids: 867 mcg

Onions also contain phytochemicals called flavonoids, which help vitamin C in its function, improving the integrity of blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. All this spells help for your cardiovascular system. One particular flavonoid, quercetin, may inhibit tumor growth and help keep colon cancer at bay.

In addition, a newly identified compound appears to rival the prescription drug Fosamax in inhibiting bone loss in menopausal women.

Onions also contain vitamin C and chromium. Chromium is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, ultimately assisting with blood glucose control. Green onions, because of their bright green tops, provide a wealth of vitamin A.

Selection and Storage

Dry onions are any common onion (yellow, white, or red) that does not require refrigeration. This distinguishes them from green onions, which will perish quickly when stored at room temperature.

Dry onions come in various shapes and colors, none of which is a reliable indicator of taste or strength. The white, or yellow globe, onion keeps its pungent flavor when cooked. All-purpose white or yellow onions are milder. Sweet onions, such as Bermuda , Spanish, and Italian, are the mildest.

Choose firm dry onions with shiny, tissue-thin skins. "Necks" should be tight and dry. If they look too dry or discolored or have soft, wet spots, don't buy them; they aren't fresh.

Dry onions keep three to four weeks if stored in a dry, dark, cool location. Don't store them next to potatoes, which give off a gas that'll cause onions to decay. Light turns onions bitter. A cut onion should be wrapped in plastic, refrigerated, and used within a day or two.

Green onions, also called "spring" onions because that's the time of the year when they are harvested, have small white bulbs and are topped by thin green stalks. Though they are often sold as scallions, true scallions are just straight green stalks with no bulb. Look for green onions with crisp, not wilted, tops. For pungent taste, choose fatter bulbs; for a sweeter taste, smaller bulbs are your best bet. Green onions must be refrigerated. They keep best in an open plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.

Top 10 Brain Damaging Habits

2008-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

1. No Breakfast

People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating

It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking

It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption

Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution

The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping

Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness

Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts

Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely

Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

What is a Premature Birth?

2008-11-26T17:18:00.001-08:00

What is a Premature Birth?

Health care providers consider labor to be preterm if it starts before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Because a fetus is not fully grown at 37 weeks, and it may not be able to survive outside the womb, health care providers will often take steps to stop labor if it starts before this time. Common methods for trying to stop labor include bed rest and medications that relax the muscles in the uterus involved with labor and delivery.

A premature birth is also called a preterm labor.

Symptoms of a Premature Birth?

Some of the common symptoms of a premature birth are:

Contractions every 10 minutes or more often (they don't have to be painful)
Clear, pink or brownish fluid (water) leaking from your vagina
Pelvic pressure—the feeling that your baby is pushing down
Low, dull backache
Cramps that feel like your period
Abdominal cramps, with or without diarrhea

If you believe you are about to give birth to a premature child, call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.

Complications of a Premature Birth?

Premature infants face a number of health challenges. Some of the common health challenges include low birth weight, breathing problems, and underdeveloped organs and organ systems. Many infants that are born prematurely need to stay in the hospital until their health is stable, sometimes several weeks or more.

Breathing Difficulty of a Premature Baby

Premature babies usually will cry only softly, if at all, and may have trouble breathing. They have trouble breathing because her respiratory system is not fully developed. If the baby is more than two months early, its breathing difficulties can cause serious health problems, because the other organs in her body may not get enough oxygen. If the baby needs help breathing, it may be given extra oxygen, or special equipment may be used temporarily to do some of her breathing for her.

Characteristics of Premature Babies

A baby that is born prematurely may neither look nor behave like a full-term infant. While the average full-term baby weighs about 7 pounds at birth, a premature newborn might weigh 5 pounds or even less. The earlier the baby arrives, the smaller the baby will be, the larger her head will seem in relation to the rest of her body, and the less fat she will have.

After a quick examination in the delivery room, the baby will probably be moved to a special-care nursery.

Top 8 causes of Liver Damage

2008-11-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

Natural Weight-Loss Food: Mangoes

2008-11-26T08:42:00.001-08:00

Anyone wanting to lose weight will be sweet on mangoes. This versatile fruit is packed with nutrients, so you can eat less per meal and still meet the daily requirements for nutrition. Mangoes are also famous for their fleshy, stringy fruit, which is full of fiber and is a snack guaranteed to keep your raging appetite satiated until dinnertime.

This "fruit of India ," as it is sometimes called, is unique in its wealth of nutrients and richness of flavor. Its pungent flavor is loved by most but may be an acquired taste for some. It delivers a great one-two nutrition punch.

Health Benefits

Nutritional Values

Mango
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 54
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: <1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 14 g
Protein: <1 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Sodium: 2 mg
Vitamin A: 631 IU
Niacin: <1 mg
Riboflavin: <1 mg
Thiamin: <1 mg
Vitamin B6: <1 mg
Vitamin C: 23 mg
Calcium: 8 mg
Magnesium: 7 mg
Potassium: 129 mg
Carotenoids: 381 mcg

If you're limiting your calorie intake, eating concentrated sources of nutrients makes sense. And mangoes deliver. Mangoes are a superior source of beta-carotene. In fact, they are one of the top beta-carotene providers you can eat. Consuming large amounts of this antioxidant has been linked to a reduced risk of some forms of cancers.

Mangoes are rich in another carotenoid called lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant. Lycopene works to protect cells and suppress tumor growth.

Just one mango provides almost an entire day's worth of vitamin C. Unlike many other fruits, mangoes contribute several B vitamins and the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Selection and Storage

There are hundreds of varieties of mangoes in every shape, size, and color. The color of mangoes ranges from yellow to red and will deepen as the fruit ripens, though some green may remain even in perfectly ripened fruits. When ripe, a mango has a sweet, perfumey smell. If it has a fermented aroma, then it's past its prime. Choose mangoes that feel firm, but yield to slight pressure. The skin should be unbroken, and the color should have begun to change from green to yellow, orange, or red. Though it's normal for mangoes to have some black spots, avoid those mottled with too many. It's a sign the fruit is overripe. Ditto for loose or shriveled skin. If you bring home a mango that isn't ripe, you can speed the process by placing it in a paper bag with a ripe mango. Check daily to avoid over-ripening.

Dengue Fever Remedy !

2008-11-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

Dengue Fever Remedy

I would like to share this interesting discovery from a classmate's son who has just recovered from dengue fever. Apparently, his son was in the critical stage at the ICU when his blood platelet count drops to 15 after 15 liters of blood transfusion.

His father was so worried that he seeks another friend's recommendation and his son was saved. He confessed to me that he gave his son raw juice of the papaya leaves. From a platelet count of 45 after 20 liters of blood transfusion, and after drinking the raw papaya leaf juice, his platelet count jumps instantly to 135. Even the doctors and nurses were surprised. After the second day he was discharged. So he asked me to pass this good news around.

Accordingly it is raw papaya leaves, 2pcs just cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. Only the leafy part and no stem or sap. It is very bitter and you have to swallow it like "Won Low Kat". But it works.

Skin Care Treatment with FOODS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

2008-11-25T17:18:00.001-08:00

Your skin care treatment for your skin problems lies in your kitchen. Use natural skin care treatment and remedies. Why waste money on skin care products. They actually harm your skin.

Almond Oil

Almond oil is good for dryness of the skin and for removing scars of old pimples. Ground the outer cover of 3-5 almonds in with water and apply over the face daily.

Apples

Apply or drink juice of pineapple for body and facial pains.

Apply juice of green apples for fine wrinkles, cracked skin, itching and inflammations.

Apricots

Apply fresh juice of apricots on face good for sunburn, itching, and eczema.

Bengal Gram Flour

Apply a paste of Bengal Gram flour with yogurt for the treatment of pimples and other skin allergies.

Apply green gram flour mixed in water or glycerine for improving complexion.

Cucumber

Apply cucumber juice or grated cucumber or cucumber juice mixed with juices of carrot, lettuce or alfalfa over the face for skin eruptions.

Drumsticks

Apply a paste of ground drumstick pods and leaves with fresh lime juice for the treatment of pimples, black spots and blackheads.

Fenugreek

Apply a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves in water over the face every night and washed with warm water in the morning for preventing pimples, blackheads, dryness, and wrinkles.

Apply a decoction on the face, made by boiling 1 tsp fenugreek seeds in 1 liter water for a few of minutes for preventing pimples, blackheads, dryness, and wrinkles.

Garlic

Rub raw garlic on the face for persistent pimples. The pimples will disappear without scars with repeated applications.

Mix 3-4 raw, skinned garlic, finely cut garlic with puffed rice, and swallow with water to clear skin infections quickly.

Peanut Oil

Mix 1 tsp peanut oil with 1 tsp fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .

Honey

Apply honey (1 tsp) mixed with water for all skin blemishes. This will turn your skin glowing.

Apply honey mixed with milk, yogurt, and ground sesame seeds in equal proportions for fair complexion and lovely skin.

Lime Juice

Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for pimples blackheads, and cracked skin.

Mangoes

Boil mangoes leaves and skin in water and apply for skin infection.

Mint

Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

Neem Leaves

Swallow 10 fresh ground neem leaves with water to clear the skin.

Chew fresh neem leaves and then swallow with water to remove bad odor from the mouth.

Orange

Apply a paste of ground orange peel (dried) with water for acne/pimples.

Papaya or Paw Paw

Apply and drink the juice of raw papaya including the skin and seed for treatment of swelling pimples, acne, or any abnormal growth of the skin. It also removes whiteheads, boils, and spots.

Rub raw or ripe papaya on your face to get a smooth and glowing skin.

Pineapples

Apply or drink juice of pineapple for body and facial pains.

For removing fine wrinkles, rub the core of pineapple for a few minutes and leave for 15 minutes

Apply juice of pineapples for fine wrinkles, cracked skin, itching and inflammations.

Pomegranate

Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

Potatoes

Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.

Radish

Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.

Apply grated white radish or its juice for fairer complexion.

Rice

Apply a paste of rice powder with water as a poultice for soothing bleeding pimples and skin inflammations.

Sesame Seeds

Apply a paste of ground sesame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.

Tomatoes

Apply red tomatoes pulp on your face for treatment of pimples for 1 hour, then wash thoroughly.

Turmeric

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with gram flour or whole wheat flour for minor skin blemishes.

Apply a paste of turmeric powder with sugarcane juice to remove wrinkles and to prevent skin ageing.

Wheat Flour

Apply a paste of whole wheat flour with vinegar to remove dark spots.

Yogurt

Apply a paste of yogurt with wheat flour as a cleanser.

25 Tips for a Healthy Heart

2008-11-24T20:33:00.001-08:00

How to Keep Teeth White Naturally

2008-11-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

There are many effective methods of teeth whitening available, but some come with heavy price tags. Here are some steps you can take at home to whiten teeth naturally without breaking the bank.

Things You'll Need:

Straw
Toothbrush
Lemon Juice
Salt
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide
Strawberries

Step 1:
Limit your consumption of drinks that stain tooth enamel. A few of these include coffee, tea and red wine. If you simply can't cut back on these beverages, consider drinking them though a straw to limit the amount of liquid that actually comes in contact with teeth.

Step 2:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating, especially if eating foods that stain easily, such as berries.

Step 3:
Rub raw strawberries on your teeth, preferably pureed. There is an enzyme in strawberries that acts as a whitening agent. You'll want to brush and rinse after applying the strawberries to remove the natural sugars and acids they may leave behind.

Step 4:
Eat crunchy foods that require a lot of chewing such as carrots, celery, broccoli and apples. These foods are abrasive and will remove built up plaque, which dulls the appearance of teeth.

Step 5:
Dip your toothbrush directly into baking soda and brush. The results are worth the lousy taste.

Step 6:
Combine lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt to make a paste-like substance. Brush your teeth and rinse. Again, not so pleasant on the palate, but your teeth will thank you.

Step 7:
Use hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. Dip your toothbrush into a small capful of the peroxide and brush as you would with regular toothpaste, being careful not to swallow. Rinse with water.

- Tips -

Consider using one of the several whitening toothpastes on the market that have all-natural ingredients.
Brushing after every meal and flossing regularly are the first steps in maintaining a healthy smile.

Chronic and Acute Illness

2008-11-22T17:00:00.001-08:00

What is a chronic illness?

There are 2 main types of illness: acute and chronic. An acute illness doesn't last very long. It goes away either on its own or in response to treatment, such as taking medicine or having surgery. Strep throat is an example of an acute illness.

A chronic illness is ongoing. It affects your health over a long period of time--possibly your entire life. In many cases, there is no way to cure a chronic illness. Diabetes and high blood pressure are examples of chronic illnesses.

What can I do if I have a chronic illness?

It's important to understand that your chronic illness is a serious problem. If you don't believe this, you'll never be motivated to manage your illness effectively. Managing your illness involves making lifestyle choices and using prescribed medical treatments to be as healthy as possible. Unless you take care of your body, your chronic illness can cause more problems in the future.

When you have a chronic health problem, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, as if the illness has taken over your life. For example, you may need to take daily insulin injections, use an inhaler or monitor your blood pressure. However, you can take steps to control the negative effects of a chronic illness on your health. One method of taking control is called "self-management."

What is self-management of chronic illness?

Self-management of chronic illness means that you take responsibility for doing what it takes to manage your illness effectively. It's important for you to be responsible for your health because the treatment recommendations your doctor makes won't do any good unless you follow them. He or she can't make decisions for you or make you change your behavior. Only you can do these things.

In self-management, you and your doctor are partners in care. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and information to help you deal with your illness. However, the treatment plan that works best for one person with your condition won't necessarily work best for you. Talk to your doctor about the different treatment options available and help him or her create a plan that's right for you. After all, nobody knows more than you do about your feelings, your actions and how your health problems affect you.

As part of self-management, it's also your responsibility to ask for the help you need to deal with your illness. This support can come from friends and family members, as well as from your doctor or a support group for people with your health problem.

How can self-management help a person who has a chronic illness?

Once you've decided to take an active role in managing your illness, you and your doctor can work together to set goals that will lead to better health. These goals will be part of an overall treatment plan.

Pick a problem. Take an honest look at the unhealthy aspects of your lifestyle. Start with a particular behavior that you'd like to change in order to have better control of your illness. For example, you might decide that you don't eat enough vegetables, get enough exercise or take your medicines as your doctor tells you to.

Get specific. Once you've identified a problem, state a specific goal for dealing with it. The more specific your goal is, the more likely you are to succeed. For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to exercise more," decide what kind of exercise you'll do. Be specific about what days of the week you'll exercise and what times you'll exercise on those days. Your new goal might be: "During my lunch hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I'm going to walk 1 mile in the park."

Plan ahead. After you've stated your goal, think of things that could go wrong and plan how you'll deal with them. For example, if it rains and you can't go to the park, where will you go to walk? If you plan how to handle problems in advance, they won't prevent you from meeting your goals.

Check your confidence level. Ask yourself, "How confident am I that I'll be able to meet this goal?" If the answer is "Not very confident," you may need to start with a more realistic goal.

Follow up. As you're working toward your goal, check in regularly with your doctor to let him or her know how you're doing. If you're having trouble following the plan, talk to your doctor to figure out why. Your setbacks can be learning experiences that help you make a new plan for success.

One of the most important things to remember is that you can change your behavior. Even though your illness makes you feel helpless at times, if you work with your doctor to set goals and you take responsibility for following through with them, you can make changes that will lead to better health.

Natural Home remedies for the treatment of Dengue fever

2008-11-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Traditional natural home remedy for dengue fever - Normal dengue fever is not that dangerous. The symptom-based treatment should be resorted to i.e., wet pads could be used if the temperature is high. Antidotes could be administered as per the necessity. Pain-killers should not be given to the patient of hemorrhagic dengue. Pain-killers tend to increase hemorrhage. Maintaining the water balance of the body and controlling the blood pressure of the patient is also necessary.

How to get rid of dengue fever - Getting rid of dengue fever

Simple home remedy for dengue fever - Dhatura is the Ayurvedic version of the homeopathic the belladonna. Its leaves have potency in reducing the seriousness of the dengue fevers. However, the dosage must not exceed 2 decigrams, or it will lead to severe negative symptoms like dryness of the mouth and dilation of the pupils.

Homemade recipes for dengue fever

Good home remedy for dengue fever - The orange juice helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing and recovery. It gives energy and vitamins, over all a great source for fighting fevers.

Effective home remedy for dengue fever - The raw papaya leaves, 2pcs just cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. This will prevent dengue fever.

The affected person is treated with Paracetamol to bring down the fever.

Diet tips for Dengue fever

Porridge and baked toasts (not fried) can be had for allaying hungers in the course of the day. Biscuits with tea can be had. The tea must be herbal, with tulsi, ginger, cardamom and other such fever-reducing herbs in it.

Good Reasons to Eat An Apple a Day

2008-11-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

· While counting an apple as part of the recommended 2 to 4 fruit servings a day, you may also want to keep the following in mind:

· Apples are rich in iron and phosphorus, two minerals that are good for the brain, liver, and bowels.

· One of the most beneficial parts of an apple is its acid content, both the malic and tartaric acids. These acids not only make the fruit itself digestible, but also assist in the digestion of other foods. Apples help regulate the digestive system and can aid in the cure and prevention of constipation. They also help neutralize the effects of rich, fatty foods.

· For constipation, try eating a ripe, juicy, preferably sour apple before bedtime every night.

· When peeled and grated, the apple relieves flatulence and diarrhea.

· The apple is also good for the teeth. The juice is cleansing, and the flesh is hard enough to help rid the teeth of plaque.

· It is believed that unsweetened apple cider can be used as a preventative against gout and rheumatism.

· Apples are thought to help with memory loss. Eating an apple a day, with one teaspoon of honey and one cup of milk, is recommended in the treatment for loss of memory and mental irritability.

· Other Useful Tips For Apple Usage: An apple in a sack of potatoes will prevent the potatoes from sprouting. An apple placed in a container with brown sugar will help keep the sugar moist. An apple in the cookie jar will keep cookies moist. Add lemon juice to an apple recipe if the apples lack tartness.

Bread Helps Your Blood Pressure

2008-11-20T18:19:00.001-08:00

Here's some news to make your heart sing: When you pick the right bread, your blood pressure wins!

Three grains recently tested had blood pressure benefits: whole wheat, barley, and brown rice. Look for them in whole-grain breads, cereals, and other grain-based goodies.

The Whole Story

In a study, all three grains were good for lowering blood pressure in middle-aged people with mildly high cholesterol and prehypertension. How? Chalk up another one for fiber. Both the soluble and insoluble fiber in grains reduce blood pressure -- and soluble fiber takes a bite out of cholesterol, too. High cholesterol and high blood pressure often occur together, and the combo is doubly dangerous for your heart and blood vessels.

Eat A Banana for What Ails You

2008-11-19T18:45:00.003-08:00

1. Forget the three cups of coffee or chocolate bar. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

2. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. And research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

3. Yet, energy isn't the only way a banana can help you keep fit. Eating bananas can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, when added to your daily diet.

4. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

5. Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem naturally without the use of laxatives.

6. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

7. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. When suffering from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

8. High Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

9. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

10. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system.

11. PMS: The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

12. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

13. Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Summertime Remedies

2008-11-19T18:45:00.002-08:00

Bug Bite?

Regular flavored toothpaste, when applied to an insect bite (especially fire ant bites) will immediately relieve itching.

Make an "X" with your fingernail on the bite. It helps alleviate the need to itch.

Poison Ivy

Witch hazel applied to the affected area soothes the itching.

Instant tea helps dry the poison ivy. Add one 8-oz. Jar of the tea to warm bath water and soak for 15 minutes. The tannic acid soothes and dries the poison ivy.

Bee Sting

Place a penny on the sting and hold it on for at least 5 minutes. It will relieve the pain.

Splinters

Place a fresh onion or tomato on a deeply embedded splinter. Leave it on for 10 minutes. You may have to repeat, however, it should help draw the splinter to the skin surface so you can use tweezers to pull it out.

Another remedy involves glue. Pour a drop of glue over the splinter, let dry, and then peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Coffee Versus Tea:

2008-11-19T18:45:00.001-08:00

Many people just can't function without either their morning cup of coffee or tea. We are all busy, and a lot of us are overloaded with work. Managing a family and at the same time juggling a packed schedule can prove to be a daunting task. Under such circumstances, a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea is the best thing to keep you going.

Yet the caffeine in both tea and coffee makes many believe that these drinks are unhealthy. But what many people don't realize is that caffeine, that magical element in coffee that shakes you up and wakes you up, is present in its sister beverage, tea. In addition to that jolt of caffeine, both coffee and tea can provide a boost to the immune system and helping to fight disease. Here's a quick look at a few of the health benefits coffee and tea have to offer.

Coffee

Both caffeinated and decaf coffee contain antioxidants and other substances that may help regulate blood sugar, possibly leading to a reduced risk of diabetes, according to some studies. There's also evidence that coffee can help manage headaches, boost mood, and even prevent cavities.

Tea

Some studies suggest that habitual tea drinkers' enjoy a reduced risk of developing some forms of cancer risk, stemming from tea's high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect the cells from free radical damage and work to prevent and fight diseases. Tea is also believed to protect the heart by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting clots, and reducing cholesterol levels.

Too Much of a Good Drink?

Of course moderation in anyone's diet is the key to better health. So how many cups are too much? This seems to still be out for consensus, however, some studies and research have revealed that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day could increase heart problems.

Consuming too much caffeine can also speed bone loss, and it might reduce birth weight and raise the risk of miscarriage.

So enjoy your cup of favorite tea or coffee but do so in moderation!

Sick Stomach?

2008-11-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

Stomachaches and pains can be caused by many things, including:

1. Chronic constipation

2. Indigestion

3. Excessive gas

4. Food poisoning

5. Ulcers

6. Appendicitis

7. Inflammation of the gallbladder

8. Kidney stones

9. Urinary tract infections

10. Hernia

While some of these causes can be serious, sometimes an upset stomach is just that - a sick stomach. If you suffer from an occasional stomachache, here are some natural ways to remedy the ache:

Natural Remedies for Stomachache

· Think tea! Add lemon and, if needed, some honey.

· Eat an apple. Cut it up, keep the skin on, sprinkle with a little sugar and ground ginger. Heat it in the microwave for 40-45 seconds and eat warm.

· Lime sherbet and lemon-lime soda. Place a few scoops of sherbet in a glass and add some soda. Great for kids.

· Drink constant sips of either lukewarm or very warm water, but don't drink it fast.

· If you can, try drinking a teaspoon of vinegar.

· Flat cola soda is also a helpful remedy.

To Avoid Stomachaches:

· Drink water and lots of it. Water helps ensure smooth bowel movements.

· Avoid processed food like cheese, chocolate, and dairy products.

· Eat a balanced diet with plenty of dark green leafy vegetables.

· Stay active. A morning walk can help keep your digestive system healthy.

· Get enough rest remember balance is the key.

Heel or Bone Spur

2008-11-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

A bone spur is a pointed growth on a bone, most commonly in the heel. Extreme stress and strain on the heel bone and soft tissues are the main causes of heel spurs. The stress results in inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament on the bottom of the foot that attaches the ball of the foot to the heel bone, This condition is known as plantar fasciitis. If it is not relieved, the repeated pulling of the ligament aggravates the heel bone and eventually the body, in an attempt to protect itself, forms a bone spur. The most common sign of a bone spur is severe pain with the first step in the morn- and after periods of inactivity.

Bone spurs can be caused by, or be associated with, physical injury, obesity, gout, lupus, muscle inflammation, nerve problems (such as tarsal tunnel syndrome), strain of the plantar arch, or excessive exercise, standing, or walking. Heel spurs are also common in people who have alkalosis, arthritis, neuritis, or tendinitis. A bone spur may be caused by calcium deposits in unwanted areas of the body. Most people who have heel disorders are middle-aged or overweight. Shoes that are uncomfortable, fit poorly, or lack cushioning for the heel may contribute to the pain.

X-rays may reveal a bony spur within the heel. The presence of this may lead to the formation of tiny turnors at the end of several nerves, and these may be very painful.

NUTRIENTS: SUPPLEMENT / SUGGESTED DOSAGE / COMMENTS

Very Important

Betaine hydro-chloride (HCI) A deficiency of HCl is more common in elderly people. Take as directed on label. Needed for proper calcium up take. Caution: Do not use HCl if you have a history of ulcers.

Calcium 1,500 mg daily.

Magnesium 750 mg daily.

A proper balance of calcium and magnesium helps prevent abnormal calcium deposition. Use chelate or aspartate forms

Important

Proteolytic enzymes. As directed on label. To aid in absorption of nutrients and in control of inflammation and irritation.

Or Inflazyme Forte from American Biologics. Take as directed on label

Caution: Do not give these supplements to a child.

Intenzyme Forte from Biotics Research. Take as directed on label

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids Take 2,000-4,000 m daily. Acts as an anti-inflammatory; important for collagen and connective tissue.

Helpful

Bioflavonoids 100 mg daily. Vitamin C activators that also help relieve pain.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Take as directed on label. Very effective for pain relief. It can be applied as a cream or taken by mouth in the pill form.

Vitamin B complex 50-100 mg of each major B vitamin daily. (amounts of individual vitamins in a complex will vary).

B vitamins work best when taken together. plus extra vitamin B6 (50 mg daily.) Necessary for production of (pyridoxine) hydrochloric acid, which helps prevent bone spurs by aiding proper calcium absorption.

HERBS

# Use arnica and chamomile to bathe the foot. You can also wrap the herbs in a cloth and apply it to the affected area as a poultice. (See USING A POULTICE in Part Three.)

# Bromelain, derived from pineapple, and curcumin, from turmeric, reduce pain and inflammation.

RECOMMENDATIONS

# Drink steam-distilled water only.

# Do not eat any citrus fruits, especially oranges. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, and sugar from your diet. These inhibit the healing process and upset the body's mineral balance

# To alleviate pain, try stretching exercises; deep, localized massage; physical therapy; and anti-inflammatory herbs. You can also use hot linseed oil packs. Place linseed oil in a pan and heat but do not boil it. Dip a piece of cheesecloth or other white cotton material into the oil until the cloth is saturated. Apply the cloth to the affected area and cover it with a piece of plastic that is larger in size than the cotton cloth. Place a heating pad over the plastic and use it to keep the pack warm. Keep the pack in place for one-half to two hours, as needed.

# Ice massages on the bottoms of the feet can be helpful. Alternate between hot and cold foot baths.

Select well-made, rubber-heeled shoes; these are better the feet than leather. Choose footwear for comfort-not looks. Some jogging shoes can be very comfortable. .Adding heel cushions to footwear helps to relieve pain.

Use night splints to provide a mild, constant stretching function across the sole of the foot at night while sleeping.

If you normally walk or jog for exercise, try bicycling or swimming instead.

Avoid walking on hard surfaces such as concrete, or hard floors without carpeting.

CONSIDERATIONS

A two-week raw food fast or a cleansing fast can be beneficial

It is best not to have a heel spur surgically removed unless it extremely irritating or painful.

Steroid injections have been the used to treat this condition. They are are not without potential complications, however.

They may cause loss of the fatty tissue pad at the bottom of the heel and bring about a condition that is painful and irreversible.

Foot surgery is a last-resort option that is usually reserved for extremely rare, severe cases. An incision is made over the heel to release the attached fascia from the heel bone. Recovery time is approximately six to ten weeks before walking can be resumed comfortably.

"A proper balance of calcium and magnesium helps prevent abnormal calcium deposition."

Unpleasant Stretch Marks

2008-11-15T00:03:00.001-08:00

Stretch marks can be a nuisance and they are not easy to get Rid of. If you already have them, keep in mind that it takes Time, patience and regular skincare before you can fade Stretch marks away.

What can you do?

If you massage your body regularly with coconut and almond Oil, it will keep stretch marks away.

Consult a doctor to start with a daily dose of Vitamin E Capsules. Vitamin E is believed to improve stretch marks. Or, add a couple of vitamin E capsules to your body massage oil.

It is believed that smearing the area with egg white and Letting it dry before washing off with ice cold water regularly can help in getting rid of stretch marks completely.

Lady's Finger (Bhendi) - Remedy for Diabetes Control

2008-11-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

Please note that another name for Lady's Finger (Bhendi ) is ' OKRA '.

Take two pieces of Lady Finger (Bhindi) and remove/cut both ends of each piece. Also, put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces in glass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature during night.

Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of ladyfinger (bhindi) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis.

Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in reduction of your SUGAR.

One of my friend's sister has got rid of her diabetes. She was on Insulin for a few years, but after taking the lady fingers every morning for a few months, she has stopped Insulin but continues to take the lady fingers every day. But she chops the lady fingers into fine pieces in the night, adds the water and drinks it all up the next morning. Please try it as it will not do you any harm even if it does not do much good to you, but U have to keep taking it for a few months before U see results, as most cases might be chronic.

Aerobics:

2008-11-10T17:30:00.001-08:00

Warm Up Before and Cool Down After
A good aerobics teacher will incorporate a warm-up and cool-down session into the class. Slow, gentle stretching before and after helps reduce your risk of injury and muscle soreness. It could be time to dance on over to a different class if your teacher is big on bouncing but light on stretching.

Go at Your Own Pace
The beauty of exercising to music with a group and being led by a teacher is that you tend to work harder and longer than you would on your own. That's good -- but not if you overdo it. Bouncing and straining to keep up with the class can lead to injuries. Aerobics class is not a competition. Go at your own pace. Allow your strength and flexibility to build gradually.

Watch Your Form
Good form brings better results and fewer problems. Tuck in your pelvis a little so your lower back is elongated. This protects your lower back when standing. Make sure your knee is aligned over your ankle, and no farther forward, when doing a lunge. Don't do moves that require you to lock or hyperextend your knees or elbows. Remember to monitor your breathing.

Look Straight Ahead
Looking down at your feet can cause neck and/or back pain. Pain has no place in an aerobics class or any other fitness activity. You're overdoing it if you're feeling the burn.

Wear the Proper Shoes
Don't wear just any pair of athletic shoes to aerobics class. Running shoes and tennis shoes, for instance, don't provide the cushioning and support you need. Look for shoes that cushion the ball of the foot, with good arch support that minimizes pronation (inward rotation) of the foot. Some cross-training shoes work well, so shop around.

Don't Bounce on a Bad Floor
Dancing on concrete, hardwood or linoleum-covered floors is asking for trouble. They're too hard. Dancing on a floor with too much padding isn't good either, because it allows too much rotation and pronation of the legs and feet. Ask your aerobics teacher about the floor you're dancing on. You know you've got a problem if she or he ducks the question or makes excuses.

Make sure you eat the real egg

2008-11-10T08:56:00.001-08:00

Another unscrupulous manufacturer.

Fake Eggs from China ! (Shocking - must read .... )

Beware u guys and gals!
During a recent raid on a wholesale centre in Guangzhou City , the capital of China 's Guangdong province, a large quantity of fake eggs was seized. Their wholesale price is 0.15 yuan (S$0.03) each - half the price of a real egg.
Consumers have a hard time telling a genuine egg from a fake one. This is good news for unscrupulous entrepreneurs, who are even conducting three-day courses in the production of artificial eggs for less than S$150.

A reporter with Hong Kong-based Chinese magazine EastWeek enrolled in one such course.
To create egg white, the instructor - a woman in her 20s - used assorted ingredients such as gelatin, an unknown powder, benzoic acid, coagulating material and even alum, which is normally used for industrial processes.

For egg yolk, some lemon-yellow colouring powder is mixed to a liquid and the concoction stirred. The liquid is then poured into a round-shaped plastic mould and mixed with so-called 'magic water', which contains calcium chloride.

This gives the 'yolk' a thin outer membrane, firming it up. The egg is then shaped with a mould. The shell is not forgotten. Paraffin wax and an unidentified white liquid are poured onto the fake egg, which is then left to dry.

The artificial egg can be fried sunny-side up or steamed. Although bubbles appear on the white of the egg, those who have tasted it say the fake stuff tastes very much like the real thing .

But experts warn of the danger of eating fake eggs. Not only do they not contain any nutrients, a HongKong Chinese University professor warned that long-term consumption of alum could cause dementia or mental disease .

To make the egg white, various ingredients, including a powder and alum, are mixed together.

The 'yolk' is shaped in the round mould. 'Magic water' containing calcium chloride is used.

Hardy shells are formed by pouring paraffin wax and a liquid onto the egg, which are then left to dry.

UNBELIEVABLE ?? BELIEVE IT ! Just make sure the eggs you have at breakfast are REAL ones.

Six Steps to Stop Smoking

2008-11-06T09:19:00.001-08:00

In Six straightforward and easy steps, you can stop smoking and live a normal and healthy life same as that of a non-smoker.

Step 1: Think About Quitting

According to a recent survey, around 15 million smokers try to quit smoking each day. However, less than 3% of these people stop smoking successfully for 3 to 12 months. If you're thinking about quitting or have stopped smoking but failed to quit, don't lose hope because smokers often try to quit more than once before they actually succeed.

In this section, you will learn about the history of cigarette smoking, facts about smoking, smoking cessation and benefits of quitting smoking. To give you a strong reason to quit smoking, this section will also tackle dangerous diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, etc caused by smoking cigarettes. In addition, this section will explain the reasons why it is extremely hard to quit smoking, hurdles in quitting and possible nicotine withdrawal symptoms that you may encounter throughout this process.

Step 2: Effects of Smoking

Years of clinical studies have proven that using Tobacco causes people to become sick, disabled or die. Since the first Surgeon General's Report in 1964, over 12 million smoking-related deaths have occurred. More than 500,000 deaths in the U.S are caused from smoking-related illnesses. Adult smokers reduce their lifespan by an average of 13 to 14 years.

In this section, you will learn about the dangerous effects and health risks of smoking. You will understand the facts about smoking addiction, the hazardous effects of smoking on a pregnant woman, on passive smokers, on your facial charm and on your teeth. You will also learn how stress could play a role in cigarette smoking. This section also deals with the effects on secondhand smoke, effects of smoking on vitamin A and C, dangerous effects of smoking on men and women, as well as the differences between cigar and pipe smoking.

Step 3: Preparing To Quit Smoking

The first key to quitting smoking successfully is planning and preparation. You need to prepare your body and mind before actually quitting. Determine your personal goals, discover your reasons for quitting and get rid of temptations that may become a hindrance to your stop smoking program. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive and can make it very hard, but not impossible, to quit.

In this section, you will face the facts about nicotine addiction before your last stick of cigarette. You will learn the most effective steps to be followed when planning to quit smoking. You will also find out about the real reason why it is so hard to quit smoking. To help you plan your quit smoking program, you need to confront your personal reasons to start quitting and understand what you need to do stop smoking. This section also deals with the psychological recovery stages to stop smoking and provides helpful tips to quit smoking.

Step 4: Stop Smoking Tips

Even if you have no idea where to start and what to do, you can quit smoking as long as you have the mindset and commitment to do so. Stop smoking tips can help you create a good stop smoking plan and lifestyle changes that could lead to a healthier, smoke-free life.

In this section, you will learn some of the simplest ways and useful tips to quit smoking for good. You can choose from several psychological areas that can help you to stop smoking based on your lifestyle. This section also deals with stop smoking tips that will help your loved ones quit this deadly habit and tips on how to overcome nicotine withdrawal symptoms using an effective stop smoking plan, attending support groups and establishing a smoking cessation program.

Step 5: Stop Smoking Aids

When smoking cigarettes has played a large part in your life, quitting smoking may not be that simple. Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved seven over-the-counter stop smoking aids five of these help in managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, while the other two help in reducing cigarette cravings.

In this section, you will learn about different proven stop smoking methods like Water Therapy, Psychological Therapy and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This section also deals with other useful stop smoking aids such as nicotine nasal sprays, nicotine lozenges, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and stop smoking pills.

Step 6: Stay a Quitter

After sometime, some quitters get back to their smoking habit due to temptation and persistent nicotine carving. Some may slip and puff "just one cigarette", while others experience total relapse. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers who quit are at greater risk of relapsing in the first three months of becoming smoke-free.

In this section, you will learn effective methods in avoiding nicotine carvings, while training how to control urges through breathing exercises. To understand what you are going to experience through this process, you need to learn and manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This section also tackles steps to manage weight gain, discusses FAQ on common frustrations of a quitter, handle traumatic events without a cigarette and other possible solutions for ex-smokers.

EFFECTS OF COLD WATER

2008-11-06T07:18:00.001-08:00

Something that your kid's lunch box wants to convey.

2008-11-04T07:12:00.001-08:00

Something that your kid’s lunch box wants to convey…

Sandwiches on Monday

Parathas on Tuesday

Dosa on Wednesday

Noodles on Thursday…….

Puri Sabzi ....

…and the menu was neatly chalked out for the entire week on a timetable card and hung on the kitchen wall. Not actually in the habit of eating according to timetables, but listening to the spontaneous biddings of my tongue , I asked my sister-in-law, Sridevi, who managed of our family kitchen, what this predetermined timetable was all about.

“It’s the school lunch timetable for Vaibhavi that her class teacher made for her class” she conveyed. This came as a surprise to me.

“But isn’t it you and Vaibhavi who decide upon the lunch that she would be carrying to school on a particular day?” I asked

“Yeah, Leena. That was what it used to be. But her principal has ordered the entire primary school to carry the same lunch on a particular day, so that every lunch box has the same contents each day. This was done because some children ate up the lunch of others and some of them returned home hungry on that account.” said my sister-in-law.

Vaibhavi doesn’t eat much, nor is she very fussy foodwise, but I know that everyday she lovingly asks her mother to prepare an item of her liking for her lunch at school. Does this mean that she needs to have Dosa on Wednesday when she actually feels like having a cheese burger on that day?

I remember, lunchtime was so very special during our school days. The entire gang would wait for lunchtime. The clandestine party would start much before that. We would exchange lunch boxes from underneath the desk. My friends would lap up my irresistible onion uthapam and tomato chutney, and I in turn would eagerly devour some delicious khichodi from one of the boxes.

There were people from different communities both national and international in my class, and food was one of the best reasons to make friends and know about each other’s cultures. Some of the lunchbox friendships have endured the test of time and are going strong even to this day. My friendship with my best friend Arpita began with me exchanging my puri sabzi with her French toast, and even today we are the best of friends.

Not only this, the mums who prepared the best lunches were always praised and remembered by the kids.

But with this new rule of the entire primary school having to carry the same lunch, will they have much to look forward to during lunchtime? Of course, this rule ensures that no child eats another child’s lunch and no child returns home hungry. But have children of the present times become so cruel that they will leave some of their friends hungry? I don’t think so. Even if some children are engaging in such behavior, shouldn’t we as parents teach them the ever precious lesson of sharing and caring, or should we give them a lesson that encourages an ‘each to his own’ kind of a principle? The choice is ours…