How is the back made up?

How is the back made up?

The major feature is the spine. This is a highly complex and delicate structure which is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae.

In between each vertebra is a disc which acts as a shock absorber, and stops the bones rubbing together.

The discs are made up of a jelly like substance, which is protected by a tough, fibrous outer casing.

The spine is supported by specialised back muscles, and an array of ligaments, nerves and tendons.

What causes back pain?

As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain.

Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.

This can often occur after strenuous activity, or can be a reaction to repetitive strain.

The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area from further injury.

This can be extremely painful, and can lead to muscle tears if undue stress is exerted.

Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.

In many cases experts believe back pain is a manifestation of emotional upset, rather than a physical problem.

More serious causes can include a prolapsed disc, or degenerative diseases of the spine - but these are relatively rare.

Are certain parts of the back more vulnerable?

Yes. The lower - or lumbar - region of the back is particularly prone to injury.

This because it bears the entire weight of the upper body, and is twisted and bent more than other parts.

As a result it inevitably suffers more wear and tear.

Why is back pain on the increase?

Experts believe that a major factor is the modern tendency to lead a sedentary lifestyle, both at work and home.

Spending long stretches of time sitting in one position - often with the back not properly supported - is not good for the spine.

The reliance on comfy soft furnishing may seem appealing - but often it encourages us to adopt a poor posture.

Back pain is much less common in places such as India, where many more people are used to sitting on the floor, which is thought to allow the back muscles to find their own natural position.

What is the treatment?

For most cases of back pain the only treatment is pain relief, often through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Physiotherapy, heat therapy, massage and hydrotherapy can help.

How can you minimise the risk?

The spine is naturally curved into an S shape. The best way to keep it healthy is to try to maintain this shape as much as possible.

This is particularly important when performing tasks, such as lifting, that carry an increased risk of injury.

Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimise the risk of back pain.

It is also important to have a mattress that properly supports the body while you are asleep.

If you do have a bad back probably the worst thing you can do is take to your bed.

Experts believe that it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.

Could there be another explanation for back pain?

Some lumbar and lower spinal pain is caused by patients having one leg longer than the other.

This puts the pelvis out of alignment causing pain, which without correction leads to long term compensatory problems such as back pain.

In this case it might be wise to consult a podiatrist who will measure the patient's limbs and if required provide either an orthoses - an orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities - or arrange to modify the patients shoe to correct the difference.


=========================================================================

How is the back made up?

The major feature is the spine. This is a highly complex and delicate structure which is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae.

In between each vertebra is a disc which acts as a shock absorber, and stops the bones rubbing together.

The discs are made up of a jelly like substance, which is protected by a tough, fibrous outer casing.

The spine is supported by specialised back muscles, and an array of ligaments, nerves and tendons.

What causes back pain?

As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain.

Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.

This can often occur after strenuous activity, or can be a reaction to repetitive strain.

The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area from further injury.

This can be extremely painful, and can lead to muscle tears if undue stress is exerted.

Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.

In many cases experts believe back pain is a manifestation of emotional upset, rather than a physical problem.

More serious causes can include a prolapsed disc, or degenerative diseases of the spine - but these are relatively rare.

Are certain parts of the back more vulnerable?

Yes. The lower - or lumbar - region of the back is particularly prone to injury.

This because it bears the entire weight of the upper body, and is twisted and bent more than other parts.

As a result it inevitably suffers more wear and tear.

Why is back pain on the increase?

Experts believe that a major factor is the modern tendency to lead a sedentary lifestyle, both at work and home.

Spending long stretches of time sitting in one position - often with the back not properly supported - is not good for the spine.

The reliance on comfy soft furnishing may seem appealing - but often it encourages us to adopt a poor posture.

Back pain is much less common in places such as India, where many more people are used to sitting on the floor, which is thought to allow the back muscles to find their own natural position.

What is the treatment?

For most cases of back pain the only treatment is pain relief, often through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Physiotherapy, heat therapy, massage and hydrotherapy can help.

How can you minimise the risk?

The spine is naturally curved into an S shape. The best way to keep it healthy is to try to maintain this shape as much as possible.

This is particularly important when performing tasks, such as lifting, that carry an increased risk of injury.

Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimise the risk of back pain.

It is also important to have a mattress that properly supports the body while you are asleep.

If you do have a bad back probably the worst thing you can do is take to your bed.

Experts believe that it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.

Could there be another explanation for back pain?

Some lumbar and lower spinal pain is caused by patients having one leg longer than the other.

This puts the pelvis out of alignment causing pain, which without correction leads to long term compensatory problems such as back pain.

In this case it might be wise to consult a podiatrist who will measure the patient's limbs and if required provide either an orthoses - an orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities - or arrange to modify the patients shoe to correct the difference.

Home remedies for male impotency

Home remedies for male impotency

Sexual impotence in men is a common problem whose frequency tends to increase with age. So before you start losing your sexual power, understand that being impotent doesn't mean you have to suffer the problem forever.

Home remedies come in handy to help men achieve greater sexual potency. "Some of these remedies may help, but they may prove ineffective for others. Experimenting with different home remedies yields beneficial results for less advanced cases," cautions Dr. M.P. Mani, (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).

Here are some of the most common home remedies for treating male sexual impotence.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Garlic

Garlic is one of the most common vegetables found at home that's beneficial in the treatment of sexual impotence. Dr. Mani says, "Garlic has often referred to as "the poor man's penicillin" because it serves as an effective antiseptic and immune booster. Being a sex rejuvenator, it can improve sexual activities that have been damaged due to an accident or a disease. Garlic is important for people who overindulge in sex to protect themselves from nervous exhaustion."

Do it at home: Chew two to three cloves of raw garlic daily. Regularly chewing two or three cloves of raw garlic helps treating sexual impotence. In addition, eating garlic bread prepared with whole grains helps in the production of healthy sperms.

Sexual impotence treatment using Onion

Onion is considered to be an effective aphrodisiac and one of the best libido enhancers, but its properties are not generally known.

Do it at home: Take a white onion, peel it off, crush and then fry in butter. This mixture can be taken daily with a spoon of honey, but make sure to consume this mixture when your stomach has been empty for at least two hours. This remedy helps to treat premature ejaculation, impotence and involuntary loss of semen during sleep or other times (known as spermatorrhea).

Also, dip thee powder of black gram in onion juice for seven days and then dry the mixture. This mixture is a strong aphrodisiac and can be taken daily for improving sexual performance.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Carrot

Carrots are considered valuable in curing impotence.

Do It At Home: Take 150 gm of carrots, finely chopped with a half-boiled egg and a tablespoon of honey. Take this mixture, once daily for a month or two. People who are usually tense and suffer from sexual disorders can find relief as this home remedy increases sexual stamina.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Lady's Fingers

Lady's finger are considered a remarkable tonic for improving sexual vigor.

Do It At Home: Take 5 to 10 grams of the root powder of this vegetable with a glass of milk and two teaspoons of ground mishri (candy sugar) daily. Regular use of this recipe helps in restoration of sexual vigour.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Asparagus

The dried roots of asparagus (or white musli ) are used in Unani medicine as an aphrodisiac.

Do It At Home: Take 15 grams of the dried roots of asparagus and boil it with one cup of milk. Take this mixture twice daily for satisfactory results. The regular use of this recipe is valuable to cure impotency and premature ejaculation.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Drumstick

Drumstick is very useful as a sexual tonic in the treatment of sexual debility and functional sterility in both males and females. The powder of the dry bark is also valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation, and thinness of semen.

Do It At Home: Boil 15 gm of drumstick flowers in 250 ml milk. This soup is an effective sexual tonic for both men and women. Alternately, boil 120 gm of powdered dry bark in ½ litre of water for 30 minutes and then mix 30 gm of this powder with 1 tablespoon of honey in it. Take this recipe 3 times daily for good results.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Ginger

The juice extracted from ginger is a valuable aphrodisiac and beneficial in the treatment of sexual weaknesses.

Do It At Home: Take half a teaspoon of ginger juice with a half-boiled egg and honey, once daily at night, for a month. This recipe is said to relieve impotency, premature ejaculation, and spermatorrhea.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Dried Dates

Dried dates are a highly-strengthening food and have the ability to restore sexual drive, increase endurance and improve overall vitality, while promoting a Zen state of mind.

Do It At Home: Pounded and mixed with almonds, pistachio nuts, and quince seeds in equal quantities, about 100 gm of dried dates should be taken daily foe excellent results.

Sxexual Impotence treatment using Raisins

Ayurveda recommends black raisins for the re-establishment of sexual vigour.

Do It At Home: Wash black raisins roughly in tepid water and then boil them with milk which makes them swollen and sweet. Eat these raisins with milk to get the desired results. You need to start with 30 gm of raisins, followed by 200 ml of milk three times a day and then the quantity of raisins can be gradually increased to 50 gm each time.

Sexual Impotence treatment using Saffron

In Ayurveda, saffron is used to treat infertility in couples as its fragrance is highly erotic. It can arouse sexual desire and can have a relaxing effect on the nerves.

Do It At Home: Use it as massage oil or consume it with food for improving sexual vigor.

“Health is wealth,” said a wise man an eon back.

“Health is wealth,” said a wise man an eon back.


‘Gullible’ as we are, we believed him. But soon when money came pouring in from all directions, we understood what wealth really was. And life was never ever the same.

We keep a bottle of water on our desk so that we don’t have to move when thirsty. The cookie jar under our table helps us when hunger strikes. The only exercise regime that we have is a walk to the parking zone and a weekly visit to the supermarket. “Who has the time for a morning walk, yoga, exercise and the likes? It’s what retired and old people do who really need it,” defends a generation who’s full of aggression to make money while the sun shines.

And so, cases of obesity, slip disc, migraine, high blood pressure and depression have increased by leaps and bounds. We realize the threat, but we don’t act unless we suffer. Consider yourself blessed if all work and no play have kept you hale and hearty.

As time passes, these cases will increase. And therefore, to make sure your health is not disturbed, start managing your time.
Simple changes in your lifestyle can work wonders to your well-being.
-It could be as small as taking the stair case instead of the lift or
-A good laugh in between grueling work hours.
-You can push your group of friends to join an evening gym – that could be your hang-out with pals!
-Instead of a pizza, go for a salad Subway sandwich when in a mall.
-Learn basic exercises and do them while on your chair. Walk while talking on your cell phone.
-Get a good massage on the weekend.
-When you go to a disc, make sure you take on the dance floor!

Start smiling a little more often…

These are just a few examples. List a few things you love doing and see how you can include them in your lifestyle to stay fit. Fitness is not about a regime; it’s about how well you understand your body and gives it what it asks for.

And remember, tomorrow never comes. Just go and find your fitness mantra today for health is actually the real wealth.

All u need to know about breast cancer

All u need to know about breast cancer

Here is what i came acroos on the net, found it informative n sharing with u, hoping its not a repost:

The truth behind some of the most common misconceptions about breast cancer.


Images from this article Public awareness about breast cancer has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Yet misleading ideas still persist. Here, we explain the truth behind common misconceptions.

Myth: The "one in eight chance of breast cancer" statistic means that if eight women are randomly selected, one of them must have or will get breast cancer.

Fact: In reality, the statistic -- which comes from the National Cancer Institute -- is an estimate of a woman's chance of developing breast cancer during her entire lifetime. So if a woman lives to be 85, she has a one in eight (12.5%) chance of getting breast cancer. But for younger women the odds are much better. For example, a 50-year-old woman has a 1 out of 54 chance. At age 40, a woman's odds of getting breast cancer are 1 in 235. Of course, these probabilities are based on population averages, so an individual woman's risk may be higher or lower, depending upon various factors, including family history, reproductive history and other factors that are not yet fully understood.

Myth: Only women can get breast cancer.

Fact: Men have breast tissue, so it is possible for them to develop breast cancer. Like all cells of the body, a man's breast duct cells can undergo cancerous changes. Because women have many more breast cells than men do, and perhaps because their breast cells are constantly exposed to the growth-promoting effects of female hormones, breast cancer is much more common in women. This year about 1500 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

Myth: Using deodorant or antiperspirant causes breast cancer.

Fact: This urban legend has suggested that chemicals in antiperspirants are absorbed through the skin, interfere with lymph circulation and cause toxins to accumulate in the breast that eventually lead to breast cancer. There is absolutely no experimental or epidemiological evidence to support this. Chemicals in products such as antiperspirants are tested thoroughly to ensure their safety.

Myth: Mammograms are painful and unsafe.

Fact: Mammograms can be uncomfortable, but the compression of the breast during mammography takes only a few minutes. To lessen discomfort, schedule your mammogram when your breasts are least sensitive (not right before your period). Mammograms result in only minimal exposure to radiation, so they are safe.

Myth: Any mass that shows up on a mammogram is most likely cancerous.

Fact: Most abnormalities will turn out not to be cancer. A mass could be a cyst or another benign breast condition. Your physician can perform an ultrasound or biopsy to investigate further.

Myth: Breast-feeding increases your risk for breast cancer.

Truth: A woman who breast-feeds can get breast cancer, but no studies indicate that breast-feeding causes breast cancer. In fact, some studies indicate that breast-feeding can reduce a woman's risk of developing the disease.

Myth: If breast cancer doesn't run in your family, you won't get it.

Fact: About 80% of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Increasing age is the biggest single risk factor for breast cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated a little, a lot, or not at all. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your physician or a genetic counselor.

Myth: Birth-control pills cause breast cancer.

Fact: Today's birth-control pills contain a low dose of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. They have not been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and, in fact, can provide some protection against ovarian cancer. The higher-dose contraceptive pills used in the past were associated with a small increased risk in only a few studies.

Myth: A monthly breast self-exam is the best way to find breast tumors.

Fact: High-quality mammography is the most reliable way to find breast cancer as early as possible -- when it is most curable. By the time a tumor can be felt, it is usually bigger than the average size of one first detected by mammogram. However, breast examination by you and your health care provider is still very important. About 25% of breast cancers are found only on breast examination (not on the mammogram), about 35% are found using mammography alone and 40% are found by both physical exam and mammography. So it's important that you take a three-step approach: yearly mammograms (for women 40 and older), yearly clinical breast exams, and monthly self-exams.

Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, National Breast Cancer Foundation

Aspirin Only Benefits Diabetics With History Of Heart Disease Or Stroke

Aspirin Only Benefits Diabetics With History Of Heart Disease Or Stroke

A new study by researchers in Scotland suggests that while there is evidence of benefit to non-diabetics with no history of heart disease or stroke, people with diabetes should not take aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke unless they already have a history of these complaints.

The study was the work of Jill Belch, professor of vascular medicine at the University of Dundee in Scotland, and colleagues, and is published online in the BMJ 16 October issue.

Only one in two persons with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosed with cardiovascular disease is likely to survive another 40 years, whereas this figure is nine in ten for non-diabetic cardiovascular disease patients.

Allthough numerous studies have shown diabetics without heart disease do not benefit from taking aspirin, the current guidelines followed by doctors are inconsistent and a lot of patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease are prescribed aspirin for protection against heart disease.

In this study the researchers found that taking aspirin and antioxidant supplements did not prevent heart attacks among people with diabetes and asymptomatic arterial disease, even those at high risk. They said aspirin should be only taken by diabetic patients who already have an established history of heart disease, stroke or limb arterial disease.

Belch and colleagues carried out a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial involving 16 hospital centres and 188 primary care groups in Scotland. The 1,276 participants were aged 40 and over and had either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an ankle brachial pressure index of 0.99 or less, and no symptomatic cardiovascular disease.

Ankle brachial pressure index is the ratio of blood pressure in the ankle to that of the arm. Around 0.9 to 1.3 is considered acceptable to normal.

The researchers randomly allocated the participants to four treatment groups, each taking a daily dose of either (1) a 100 mg aspirin tablet plus an antioxidant capsule, (2) an aspirin tablet plus a placebo capsule, (3) a placebo tablet plus an antioxidant capsule, or (4) a placebo tablet plus a placebo capsule.

The primary outcome measures comprised different combinations of the following events: death from coronary heart disease or stroke, non-fatal heart attack or stroke, and amputation above the ankle for critical limb ischaemia (loss of blood supply to the limb).

Belch and colleagues screened the participants between November 1997 and July 2001 and conducted follow up evaluations every six months where they recorded outcome events, adverse events and any interventions. They also recorded the results of electrocardiograms taken at the start of the study and then every year.

The results showed that:
Overall, 1,074 participants had their final follow up in 2006.

6 moved away and did not take part any more, one withdrew after 4 years and 195 died during the trial.

There was no evidence of interaction between aspirin and antioxidant.


Overall, 116 (18.2 per cent) of 638 primary events occurred in the aspirin groups.

This compared with 117 (18.3 per cent) of 638 in the non-aspirin groups (hazard ratio was 0.9.

There were 43 deaths (6.7 per cent) from coronary heart disease or stroke in the aspirin group.

This compared with 35 deaths (5.5 per cent) from coronary heart disease or stroke in the non-aspirin group (hazard ratio 1.23).

In the groups where participants took antioxidant there were 117 of 640 (18.3 per cent) primary events.

This compared to 116 of 636 (18.2 per cent) in the non-antioxidant groups (hazard ratio 1.03).

42 (6.6 per cent) of the deaths from coronary heart disease or stroke occurred in the antioxidant groups.

This compared with 36 (5.7 per cent) in the non-antioxidant groups (hazard ratio 1.21).
Belch and colleagues concluded that:

"This trial does not provide evidence to support the use of aspirin or antioxidants in primary prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality in the population with diabetes studied."

In an accompanying editorial, William R Hiatt, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, wrote that the evidence of this trial, when taken with that of six other well controlled trials, makes a strong case for revising the international prescribing guidelines followed by doctors so that aspirin is only prescribed for patients with an established history of heart and stroke disease.

Aspirin is one of the top 10 causes of adverse events reported to the Commission on Human Medicines, said the BMJ in a press statement. The drug causes gastrointestinal bleeding, the risk of which goes up with age and prolonged use.

"The prevention of progression of arterial disease and diabetes (POPADAD) trial: factorial randomised placebo controlled trial of aspirin and antioxidants in patients with diabetes and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease."
Jill Belch, Angus MacCuish, Iain Campbell, Stuart Cobbe, Roy Taylor, Robin Prescott, Robert Lee, Jean Bancroft, Shirley MacEwan, James Shepherd, Peter Macfarlane, Andrew Morris, Roland Jung, Christopher Kelly, Alan Connacher, Norman Peden, Andrew Jamieson, David Matthews, Graeme Leese, John McKnight, Iain O'Brien, Colin Semple, John Petrie, Derek Gordon, Stuart Pringle, Ron MacWalter, Prevention of Progression of Arterial Disease and Diabetes Study Group, Diabetes Registry Group, and Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh.

Calories of Various Foods based on......

Calories of Various Foods based on......

Calories of Various Foods

Some foods have significantly more Calories than others but what does the difference actually look like. Each of the photographs below represents 200 Calories of the particular type of food; the images are sorted from low to high calorie density. When you consider that an entire plate of broccoli contains the same number of Calories as a small spoonful of peanut butter, you might think twice the next time you decide what to eat. According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the average adult needs to consume about 2000 - 2500 Calories to maintain their weight. In other words, you have a fixed amount of Calories to "spend" each day; based on the following pictures, which would you eat?








Celery
1425 grams = 200 Calories




Mini Peppers
740 grams = 200 Calories





Broccoli
588 grams = 200 Calories




Baby Carrots
570 grams = 200 Calories





Honeydew Melon
553 grams = 200 Calories




Coca Cola
496 ml = 200 Calories




Red Onions
475 grams = 200 Calories




Apples
385 grams = 200 Calories





Canned Green Peas
357 grams = 200 Calories





Whole Milk
333 ml = 200 Calories






Kiwi Fruit
328 grams = 200 Calories





Canned Sweet Corn
308 grams = 200 Calories






Grapes
226 grams = 200 Calories






Ketchup
226 grams = 200 Calories




Sliced Smoked Turkey
204 grams = 200 Calories




Balsamic Vinegar
200 ml = 200 Calories




Lowfat Strawberry Yogurt
196 grams = 200 Calories




Canned Chili con Carne
189 grams = 200 Calories







Canned Black Beans
186 grams = 200 Calories



Canned Pork and Beans
186 grams = 200 Calories

Eggs
150 grams = 200 Calories



Cooked Pasta
145 grams = 200 Calories




Avocado
125 grams = 200 Calories



Canned Tuna Packed in Oil
102 grams = 200 Calories








Fiber One Cereal
100 grams = 200 Calories



Flax Bread
90 grams = 200 Calories



Dried Apricots
83 grams = 200 Calories



Jack in the Box Cheeseburger
75 grams = 200 Calories



Jack in the Box French Fries
73 grams = 200 Calories



Jack in the Box Chicken Sandwich
72 grams = 200 Calories





French Sandwich Roll
72 grams = 200 Calories




Blueberry Muffin
72 grams = 200 Calories




Sesame Seed Bagel
70 grams = 200 Calories




Tootsie Pops
68 grams = 200 Calories












Hot Dogs
66 grams = 200 Calories



Wheat Dinner Rolls
66 grams = 200 Calories



Corn Bran Cereal
60 grams = 200 Calories





Bailey's Irish Cream
60 ml = 200 Calories



Smarties Candy
57 grams = 200 Calories



Uncooked Pasta
56 grams = 200 Calories




Blackberry Pie
56 grams = 200 Calories



Cranberry Vanilla Crunch Cereal
55 grams = 200 Calories



Cornmeal
55 grams = 200 Calories




Wheat Flour
55 grams = 200 Calories



Peanut Butter Power Bar
54 grams = 200 Calories



Puffed Rice Cereal
54 grams = 200 Calories






Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
54 grams = 200 Calories




Puffed Wheat Cereal
53 grams = 200 Calories






Brown Sugar
53 grams = 200 Calories





Glazed Doughnut
52 grams = 200 Calories




Salted Pretzels
52 grams = 200 Calories





Medium Cheddar Cheese
51 grams = 200 Calories




Fruit Loops Cereal
51 grams = 200 Calories



Gummy Bears
51 grams = 200 Calories



Splenda Artifical Sweetener
50 grams = 200 Calories



Salted Saltines Crackers
50 grams = 200 Calories



Werther's Originals Candy
50 grams = 200 Calories



Snickers Chocolate Bar
41 grams = 200 Calories
Take note...don't always sleep late!!


Good rest and sound sleep is very
Important... if u don't sleep well,
The toxic in your body will accumulate..
Affecting your health and your mood...

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are the 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 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.



We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'


Because: Evening at 9 - 11pm : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (de-toxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.


Evening at 11pm - 1am : The de-toxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state. Early morning 1 - 3am : de-toxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am : de-toxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the de-toxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am : de-toxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.


Morning 7 - 9am : Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood.

Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

TB Treatment For Co-Infections

TB Treatment For Co-Infections

A South African treatment study conducted by researchers in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health shows that mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients can be reduced by a remarkable 55%, if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided with TB treatment at the same time. The randomized, known as the SAPIT (Starting Antiretrovirals at three Points in Tuberculosis) trial, randomly assigned TB-HIV co-infected patients to receive ART. Patients who received ART together with their TB treatment (integrated treatment arm) were compared with patients assigned to receive ART upon completion of TB treatment (sequential treatment arm).

"The study shows that integrating TB and HIV treatment and care saves lives," says Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD, professor of clinical Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health and director of the Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), who led the SAPIT trial. The trial was conducted at the CAPRISA eThekwini TB-HIV Clinic which is attached to the largest TB clinic in Durban, South Africa. The study was initiated in June 2005 and completed enrollment of 645 patients with TB and HIV co-infection in July 2008. It is estimated that about 70% of all TB patients in South Africa are infected with HIV, or about 250,000 of the 353,879 TB patients diagnosed in 2007.

As a result of the higher mortality rate in patients in the sequential treatment arm versus the mortality rate for those patients in the integrated treatment arm, the study's independent Safety Monitoring Committee recommended in their review of the trial in September 2008 that the sequential arm of the trial be stopped and that ART be initiated in this group as soon as possible. The Committee further recommended that the two sub-groups within the integrated treatment arm (early TB-HIV treatment and post-intensive phase TB-HIV treatment) should continue as per protocol.

Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, commented: "These important results show that a ''two diseases, one patient, one response" integrated approach to TB/HIV treatment avoids unnecessary deaths from TB, the leading cause of death in people living with HIV in Africa". TB is the most common disease occurring in the late stages of HIV infection in southern Africa. As a result, many people throughout southern Africa are first identified as HIV infected when they develop TB. The findings of the SAPIT study call for the accelerated implementation of routine HIV testing in TB treatment services.

The SAPIT trial results provide compelling evidence to support the World Health Organization's call for the greater collaboration between TB and HIV treatment services and provide empiric evidence of the benefits from the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in TB-HIV co-infected patients. Dr Paul Nunn, of the Stop TB Department at the World Health Organization commented, "The results to date clearly show the urgent necessity to make ART available to HIV infected patients with TB worldwide." In South Africa alone, it would result in an additional 100,000 to 150,000 TB patients being initiated on ART resulting in about 10,000 deaths being averted each year.

Ambassador Mark Dybul, Coordinator of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) said: "Scaling up collaborative TB/HIV activities is a priority for PEPFAR. We remain committed to increasing screening for both HIV and TB, which will allow greater numbers of patients to benefit from these study results."

Health Risk Created By Early Exposure To Drugs

Health Risk Created By Early Exposure To Drugs

People who began drinking and using marijuana regularly prior to their 15th birthday face a higher risk of early pregnancy, as well as a pattern of school failure, substance dependence, sexually-transmitted disease and criminal convictions that lasts into their 30s.

A study published online by the journal Psychological Science has been able to sort out for the first time the difficult question of whether it's bad kids who do drugs, or doing drugs that makes kids bad.

The answer is both, said Duke University psychologist Avshalom Caspi, who co-authored the report with his wife and colleague Terrie Moffitt. They are part of a team of researchers from the U.S., Britain and New Zealand that analyzed data tracking the health of nearly 1,000 New Zealand residents from birth through age 32.

Half of the study subjects who were using alcohol and marijuana regularly before age 15 were indeed the so-called "bad kids" who came from an abusive, criminal or substance-abusing household and had behavior problems as children.

But the other half were the "good kids" from more stable backgrounds, and they also ended up in poorer health in their 30s.

Caspi said it is clear from these data that adolescent exposure to drugs and alcohol can make a good kid veer off on a bad trajectory. "The good kids who do drugs end up looking like the bad kids who didn't do drugs," Caspi said.

The "good kids," who were without behavior problems as children and didn't have any of the family risk factors, but who began using drugs and alcohol before 15, ended up being 3.6 times more likely to be dependent on substances at age 32. They were also more likely than the other good kids to wind up with a criminal conviction and a herpes infection.

Good and bad, the adolescents who regularly used drugs and alcohol "all had poorer health as adults," Caspi said. "This is consistent with a growing body of evidence that early adolescence may be a sensitive time for exposure to alcohol and other drugs."

He noted however, that the study is not concerned with a kid who tries alcohol a couple of times or who takes a toke at a party. "These are kids who, by the age of 15, are invested in it, purchasing drugs and alcohol and using regularly."

A third of the girls from the "good kids" group were pregnant before age 21 if they had been using drugs and alcohol regularly. That's the same number of pregnancies as the "bad kids" who didn't use drugs. Two-thirds of the "bad kids" who used before 15 were pregnant before age 21. By comparison, only 12 percent of "good" girls who were non-users had early pregnancies.

"Even adolescents with no prior history of behavioral problems or family history of substance use problems were at risk for poor health outcomes if they used substances prior to age 15," said first author Candice Odgers of the University of California-Irvine, who did a post-doctoral fellowship with Caspi and Moffitt. "Universal interventions are required to ensure that all children -- not just those entering early adolescence on an at-risk trajectory -- receive an adequate dose of prevention."

Because the study has tracked these people from birth, "we know pretty much everything about them and we can sort out these things," Caspi said. "We have rich data on these kids' lives and their family situation before they started to do drugs."

Ten foods for happy mood

Ten Foods for Happy Mood

Eating for a better mood boils down to this; control your blood sugars by eating every 4 to 5 hours throughout the day, eat a diet rich in soluble fiber, and incorporate foods rich in omega 3 fats, folic acid, B12 and Vitamin D - four nutrients that researchers have found to be mood lifting.

The following are Top Ten Happy Foods -

1. Wild salmon (rich in omega 3 fats and vitamin D)

2. Spinach - (rich in folic acid and soluble fiber)

3. Skim milk - (rich in Vitamin D and B12)

4. Ground flaxseeds (rich soluble fiber, omega 3 fats and folic acid)

5. Blackberries (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

6. Omega 3 fortified eggs - (rich in omega 3 fats, Vitamin D and B12)

7. Sardines ( rich in omega 3 fats and Vitamin D)

8. Soybeans - (rich in soluble fiber, folic acid and omega 3 fats)

9. Beans (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

10. Brussels sprouts (soluble fiber and folic acid)

Plus an extra for good luck!

11. Sunflower seeds - (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

diss satisfied with your weight

Your weight Expert advice to help you maintain a healthy weight

Dissatisfied with your weight?
We're bombarded with scare stories about weight, from size zero to the obesity 'epidemic'. But a healthy weight is determined by different factors for each of us. Our expert advice is designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, life-enhancing weight.

Overweight or underweight?
Being the right weight has a positive effect on wellbeing but also on our health, as being the wrong weight can cause a range of medical problems.

When you eat, the food's journey through the body is governed by the digestive system.

What is digestion?
Digestion is the process of breaking down food so that it's small enough to be absorbed and used by the body for energy or in other bodily functions.

Digestion involves a number of different stages. The first phase is known as the cephalic (head) phase. It starts before food has even entered your mouth. The sight, smell, taste or even the thought of food will activate saliva in the mouth as well as digestive juices, which contain enzymes to break down food.

In the mouth
Once food is in the mouth, the tastebuds begin determining the chemicals within the food via their nerve endings, in order to give you the taste sensations of salt, sweet, sour or bitter. As your teeth chew and grind the food, breaking it down, it's mixed with saliva. This comprises many enzymes including salivary amylase, which begins to break down the long chains of starch found in foods such as bread, cereals, potatoes and pasta. Saliva also contains mucin, which moistens the food so it can pass easily through the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract.

The oesophagus
After the food has been swallowed, it's carried down the oesophagus (a muscular tube) towards the stomach. The oesophagus can contract and relax in order to propel the food onwards, and each mouthful of food takes about six seconds to reach the stomach once swallowed.

The stomach
The stomach is a sack made of muscle and, when it's empty, it has a volume of only 50ml but this can expand to hold up to 1.5 litres or more after a meal. The walls of the stomach are made of three different layers of muscle that allow it to churn food around and make sure it's mixed with the stomach's acidic digestive juices. The presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach prevents the action of salivary amylase and helps to kill bacteria that might be present. The stomach also produces the enzyme pepsin, which breaks down proteins (mostly found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products).

The hormone ghrelin is produced by cells lining the stomach. Ghrelin stimulates hunger and tends to increase before a meal and decrease after eating. This hormone forms part of the communication system between the gut and the part of the brain that controls hunger and satiety (how full you feel).

Food can stay in the stomach for a few minutes or several hours in the gastric phase where numerous acids and enzymes are released, including the hormone gastrin. When the food has been churned into a creamy mixture known as chyme, the pyloric sphincter (an opening controlled by muscle) opens and chyme passes gradually into the small intestine.

Prebiotics
These are mainly indigestible carbohydrates called oligosaccharides. On reaching the large intestine, they selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial microorganisms already in the colon, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

The small intestine
About 3ml of chyme is squirted into the small intestine at short intervals as the pyloric sphincter opens. This is known as the intestinal phase and causes the secretion of many hormones, which all aid the digestive process. The sphincter is designed to open partially so that large particles are kept in the stomach for further mixing and breaking down.

Digestion and absorption of fats, protein and carbohydrates occurs in the small intestine. Three important organs are involved:

The gall bladder provides bile salts that help to make fats easier to absorb.
The pancreas provides bicarbonate to neutralise the acidic chyme from the stomach, and also produces further digestive enzymes.

The intestinal wall contains cells that make up the wall of the small intestine. These cells help to neutralise the acid and also produce enzymes to digest food.

The inner surface of the small intestine is folded into finger-like structures called villi, which greatly increase the surface area available for absorption - in fact the surface area of the villi is equivalent to that of a tennis court! Blood vessels receive the digested food from the villi where it's then transported through the blood stream to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.

Fat can take much longer to be broken down, with the process of fat digestion and absorption taking between three and five hours.

The unabsorbed residue of this process finally reaches the end of the small intestine and enters the large intestine.

Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria similar to the bacterial micro-organisms that live in the large intestine. They are often referred to as 'friendly bacteria', and come from food sources or dietary supplements. The mix of these 'friendly' bacteria and other gut microorganisms is important for good health, and many factors can alter this delicate balance, such as infection or use of antibiotics. Friendly bacteria are vital for proper development of the immune system, to protect against micro-organisms that could cause disease, and to aid the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.

The large intestine
This is one of the most metabolically active organs in the body. It measures about 1.5 metres and contains over 400 different species of bacteria that break down and utilise the undigested residues of our food, mostly dietary fibres. As the watery contents move along the large intestine, water is absorbed and the final product - faeces - is formed, which is stored in the rectum before excretion from the body.

what cause back pain

How is the back made up?

The major feature is the spine. This is a highly complex and delicate structure which is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae.

In between each vertebra is a disc which acts as a shock absorber, and stops the bones rubbing together.

The discs are made up of a jelly like substance, which is protected by a tough, fibrous outer casing.

The spine is supported by specialised back muscles, and an array of ligaments, nerves and tendons.

What causes back pain?

As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain.

Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.

This can often occur after strenuous activity, or can be a reaction to repetitive strain.

The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area from further injury.

This can be extremely painful, and can lead to muscle tears if undue stress is exerted.

Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.

In many cases experts believe back pain is a manifestation of emotional upset, rather than a physical problem.

More serious causes can include a prolapsed disc, or degenerative diseases of the spine - but these are relatively rare.

Are certain parts of the back more vulnerable?

Yes. The lower - or lumbar - region of the back is particularly prone to injury.

This because it bears the entire weight of the upper body, and is twisted and bent more than other parts.

As a result it inevitably suffers more wear and tear.

Why is back pain on the increase?

Experts believe that a major factor is the modern tendency to lead a sedentary lifestyle, both at work and home.

Spending long stretches of time sitting in one position - often with the back not properly supported - is not good for the spine.

The reliance on comfy soft furnishing may seem appealing - but often it encourages us to adopt a poor posture.

Back pain is much less common in places such as India, where many more people are used to sitting on the floor, which is thought to allow the back muscles to find their own natural position.

What is the treatment?

For most cases of back pain the only treatment is pain relief, often through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Physiotherapy, heat therapy, massage and hydrotherapy can help.

How can you minimise the risk?

The spine is naturally curved into an S shape. The best way to keep it healthy is to try to maintain this shape as much as possible.

This is particularly important when performing tasks, such as lifting, that carry an increased risk of injury.

Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimise the risk of back pain.

It is also important to have a mattress that properly supports the body while you are asleep.

If you do have a bad back probably the worst thing you can do is take to your bed.

Experts believe that it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.

Could there be another explanation for back pain?

Some lumbar and lower spinal pain is caused by patients having one leg longer than the other.

This puts the pelvis out of alignment causing pain, which without correction leads to long term compensatory problems such as back pain.

In this case it might be wise to consult a podiatrist who will measure the patient's limbs and if required provide either an orthoses - an orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities - or arrange to modify the patients shoe to correct the difference.


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How is the back made up?

The major feature is the spine. This is a highly complex and delicate structure which is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae.

In between each vertebra is a disc which acts as a shock absorber, and stops the bones rubbing together.

The discs are made up of a jelly like substance, which is protected by a tough, fibrous outer casing.

The spine is supported by specialised back muscles, and an array of ligaments, nerves and tendons.

What causes back pain?

As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain.

Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.

This can often occur after strenuous activity, or can be a reaction to repetitive strain.

The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area from further injury.

This can be extremely painful, and can lead to muscle tears if undue stress is exerted.

Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.

In many cases experts believe back pain is a manifestation of emotional upset, rather than a physical problem.

More serious causes can include a prolapsed disc, or degenerative diseases of the spine - but these are relatively rare.

Are certain parts of the back more vulnerable?

Yes. The lower - or lumbar - region of the back is particularly prone to injury.

This because it bears the entire weight of the upper body, and is twisted and bent more than other parts.

As a result it inevitably suffers more wear and tear.

Why is back pain on the increase?

Experts believe that a major factor is the modern tendency to lead a sedentary lifestyle, both at work and home.

Spending long stretches of time sitting in one position - often with the back not properly supported - is not good for the spine.

The reliance on comfy soft furnishing may seem appealing - but often it encourages us to adopt a poor posture.

Back pain is much less common in places such as India, where many more people are used to sitting on the floor, which is thought to allow the back muscles to find their own natural position.

What is the treatment?

For most cases of back pain the only treatment is pain relief, often through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Physiotherapy, heat therapy, massage and hydrotherapy can help.

How can you minimise the risk?

The spine is naturally curved into an S shape. The best way to keep it healthy is to try to maintain this shape as much as possible.

This is particularly important when performing tasks, such as lifting, that carry an increased risk of injury.

Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimise the risk of back pain.

It is also important to have a mattress that properly supports the body while you are asleep.

If you do have a bad back probably the worst thing you can do is take to your bed.

Experts believe that it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.

Could there be another explanation for back pain?

Some lumbar and lower spinal pain is caused by patients having one leg longer than the other.

This puts the pelvis out of alignment causing pain, which without correction leads to long term compensatory problems such as back pain.

In this case it might be wise to consult a podiatrist who will measure the patient's limbs and if required provide either an orthoses - an orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities - or arrange to modify the patients shoe to correct the difference.

breakfast is must for a healthy heart

breakfast is must for a healthy heart

Breakfast has another reason to be known as the most important meal of the day, as skipping it may have a bad effect on the heart.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham in the UK found that skipping breakfast can raise the cholesterol levels and diminish the body’s sensitivity to insulin (hormone that regulates blood sugar) in healthy, lean women, Health News reported.

Previous studies have suggested that people who eat breakfast, particularly whole-grain cereals, have lower cholesterol and insulin levels. Recent findings suggest that taking out time for breakfast is likely to have long-term health benefits.


To study the short-term metabolic effects of having and forgoing breakfast, researchers analysed 10 young, normal-weight women who spent two weeks on each of the two diet plans.

Under one plan, women had bran flakes with low-fat milk for breakfast, then had two meals and two snacks through the rest of the day. Under the other plan, they skipped breakfast, but had the cereal around noon; as in the breakfast plan, they had two additional meals and two snacks during the rest of the day. Under each plan, women were allowed to indulge in a mid-morning cookie.

After two weeks, researchers measured the women’s metabolic responses to a test milkshake, using blood samples drawn before and after they had the drink. After the breakfast-free period, women’s cholesterol levels including LDL levels (bad cholesterol) were higher, and they showed poorer insulin sensitivity after having the test drink.

Insulin is released after a meal in order to escort digested sugars into body cells to be used as energy. But body can become resistant to the effects of insulin. Over time, this impaired insulin sensitivity can cause blood sugar levels to soar and possibly lead to type 2 diabetes which, like high LDL cholesterol, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.