Generally Athletes seek to build muscle mass for strength, while keeping their body weight low....same could be the requirement for those whose knee joints are not strong and who had undergone knee replacement surgeries too...Doctors suggest gaining muscle mass to few others whose health needs are such..and for those in Athletics and Sports or Body Building business, the more the body weight, the more energy it takes to propel that weight through the motions of the sport and since fat doesnot exert forces or allow them to be fast in motion, it is obvious that their goal should be to reduce the body fat through diet alongside developing the good muscle.   Body needs protein every day amd if we concentrate on the protein levels in our food during only one meal of the day, it disappears by the time its the next meal, and so a recent study in Nutrition and Metabolism suggests one to split the daily protein requirement equally among the different meals of the day so that the body is always running on fuel without falling apart. The study reveals that the new protein requirement per day for an average healthy adult is 0.6 grams per every pound of body weight compared to the old estimate of 0.4 grams of protein per every pound.   If we are looking to get stronger, build muscle and also loose fat, here are some ideal strength building foods to include in ones diet: Nuts: Cashewnuts, Almonds, Groundnuts (peanuts) and other available nuts are ideal as protein sources, especially for the vegetarians. Nuts contain substantial protein and healthy fat levels that reduce body inflammation and excellently improve cardiovascular health. There is always a control on the amounts consumed per day, too much consumption is not beneficial either.   Complex Carbs: To provide good fuel to the body, complex slow release carbohydrates are at their best...they digest slowly and release their energy gradually and provide long-lasting fuel to the muscles during workouts and sports. Quinoa, Oats, Brown rice, Sweet potatoes are perfect examples of top quality carbohydrates.   Lean Meat, Fish and Eggs: There are some good and wide variety of options for those who consume meat, eggs and fish for buidling muscle and also to keep a check on weight. Lean Meats are the white meats with a low saturated fat content, such as Chicken and Turkey, and provide upto 30 grams of protein per serving. Same with Fish, Tuna, Sardines, Salmon are some best examples for high protein options. Just on egg white in a typical sized egg contains about 5-6 grams of protein, making it a power food...but the egg yolk contains fat. Eggs come with other nutrients such as Choline and Vitamins B12 and D which help keep energy levels up. Animal based protein comes along with these nutrients and essential amino acids.   Maintaining a healthy level of protein and muscle mass is essential for every human body...while protein rich foods are various, smartness lies in choosing those which support fat and weight control and also build healthy muscle! ..Prathyusha

ఎక్కువగా స్వీట్స్ ఇష్టపడేవాళ్ళు తీపి తింటే లావుగా అయిపోతామని భయపడుతూ ఉంటారు. అవే స్వీట్స్ బెల్లంతో చేస్తే ఆ ప్రమాదం చాలా మటుకు తగ్గుతుందని చెప్తున్నారు ఆరోగ్య నిపుణులు. బెల్లం పంచదారకన్నా అన్నివిధాల మేలు అని ఇప్పటికే ఎన్నో ప్రయోగాలు తెలియచేసాయ్. మనం అన్నం తినగానే చిన్న బెల్లం ముక్క తింటే అరుగుదల బాగుంటుందిట, అందుకేనేమో మన పెద్దవాళ్ళు అలా తినేవారు.  అంతేకాదు బెల్లంతో కలిగే ప్రయోజనాలు తెలుసుకుంటే, ఇన్ని ఉన్నాయా అని ఆశ్చర్యం కలగక మానదు.   బెల్లానికి ఉన్న ప్రధాన లక్షణం రక్తాన్ని శుద్ది చేయటం. బెల్లాన్ని తరచూ తినటం వల్ల అది రక్తంలో ఉన్న దోషాలని తీసిపారేసి మనం ఆరోగ్యంగా ఉండటానికి దోహదపడుతుంది. అంతేకాదు రోగనిరోధక శక్తిని కూడా పెంచుతుంది.     ఒంట్లో నీరసంగా ఉన్నప్పుడు కాస్తంత బెల్లం తింటే చాలు మళ్లీ పోయిన శక్తి పుంజుకొస్తుంది. ఎందుకంటే ఇందులో ఉండే కార్బోహైడ్రేట్ లు రక్తంలో త్వరగా ఇంకిపోయి మనిషికి బలాన్నిస్తాయి.     దగ్గుగా ఉన్నప్పుడు తీపి తింటే అది ఇంకా ఉదృతం అవుతుంది. కాని బెల్లంలో అల్లం, తేనే కలిపి పరగడుపునే తీసుకుంటే దగ్గు నుంచి ఉపశమనం లభిస్తుంది.     బెల్లంలో ఐరన్ శాతం ఎక్కువగా ఉండటం వల్ల అది ఎముకులకి, కీళ్లకి ఎంతో మేలు చేస్తుంది. రోజులో కనీసం 10 గ్రాముల బెల్లం తిన్నా చాలు (అంటే చిన్న ముక్క) లేదా గ్లాసు పాలల్లో బెల్లం కలుపుకుని తాగినా ఆర్థరైటిస్ లాంటి వాటిని కూడా దూరం చేస్తుంది.         అతిగా ఎక్కిళ్ళు వచ్చేవారు బెల్లంలో అల్లంరసం  కలుపుకుని తాగితే ఉపశమనం కలుగుతుంది. ఇది శ్వాస సంబందిత సమస్యలను కూడా తాగిస్తుంది.     బెల్లంలో పొటాషియం, సోడియంల శాతం ఎక్కువగా ఉండటం వల్ల అది ఆసిడ్ లెవెల్స్ ని సరైన స్థాయిల్లో ఉండేలా చూసి బిపి ని తగ్గిస్తుంది.     ఎండాకాలంలో మన కడుపు చల్లగా ఉండాలంటే బెల్లం షర్బత్ తాగితే చాలు. వేసవిలో వచ్చే అతివేడిని బెల్లం తగ్గించగలదు.     ఆడవాళ్ళకి నెలసరి సమయంలో వచ్చే కడుపునొప్పికి బెల్లం ఒక దివ్యౌషదం. అలాంటి సమయంలో ఒకొక్కరికి అతిగా ఉద్రేక పడటం లేదా విపరీతమైన నీరసం మొదలైన సమస్యలు (PMS సమస్యలు) ఉంటాయి, అవన్నీ బెల్లం తీసుకోవటం వల్ల క్రమంగా తగ్గుతాయి.     రెండు వంతుల బెల్లంలో ఒక వంతు ఆవునెయ్యి కలుపుకుని పరగడుపునే తింటే మామూలు తలనొప్పులే కాదు మైగ్రైన్ లాంటి మొండి తలనొప్పులు కూడా పోతాయి.     పొడి దగ్గు ఉన్నవాళ్ళు కొబ్బరిలో బెల్లం కలిపి కొబ్బరి ఉండల్లా తింటే దగ్గు తగ్గుతుంది. కొబ్బరి తింటే దగ్గు పెరుగుతుందని చాల మంది అనుకుంటారు. కాని ఈ బెల్లం కొబ్బరుండల వల్ల దగ్గు తగ్గుతుందో లేదో మీరే టెస్ట్ చేసి చూడండి చాలు.     వేసవిలో వచ్చే పండగలైన ఉగాదికి, శ్రీరామనవమికి పానకం పంచిపెట్టటానికి ఒక కారణం ఉంది. నీళ్ళల్లో బెల్లం, మిరియాలు, యాలకులు వేసుకుని ఆ పానకం తాగితే చాలా చలవ చేస్తుంది. మన పెద్దవాళ్ళు ఏం చేసినా మనమంచికే అని మరోసారి నిరూపించారు కదా.   ఇది అసలే కొత్త సంవత్సరం మొదలయ్యే సమయం. కొత్త ఏడాదితో పాటు కొత్త బెల్లం వచ్చే సమయం. మరెందుకు ఆలస్యం, బెల్లం తినాలన్నా కొత్త నిర్ణయాన్ని కూడా తీసేసుకోండి మరి ఆలస్యం ఎందుకు.... ----కళ్యాణి

  Morning is the optimal time to get your metabolism revved up for the day and your body ready to fight fat. Changing up your morning routine to lose weight more effectively may feel awkward at first. But once your modifications become habits, you may find your slenderizing efforts very worthwhile.     Get a good nights sleep the previous day: Not only do you have more energy to take on the day after a good night’s sleep, but your body also torches calories, even when you’re not working out. If you’re not getting the sleep your body needs, you won’t drop as much fat even if you work out. An average adult would need 7-8hrs of sound sleep.     Drink warm water: Warm water can boost weight loss by stimulating metabolism. Regular in take will regulate blood sugar better, improve kidney function and reduce sugar cravings. It can also relieve constipation and fires up your digestive system for breakfast.     Sweat it out: Wake up 40 minutes earlier than usual and do a 30-minute workout in the morning, before breakfast, instead of in the afternoon or evening. It’s easy to put off exercise after a hard day of work; in the morning, procrastination is harder to justify. Also, take a stroll in the morning to get your share of Vitamin D, which, when lower than desired levels makes you gain weight     Have a protein rich diet: The golden rule to losing weight is to never skip your breakfast. The heaviest of the meals in the day should be your breakfast as it helps you give an energetic kick start the day. Include a lot of proteins in your diet like paneer, meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans, lentils, yogurt, eggs, nuts, and seeds.     Staying positive and focused helps: Those who were naturally mindful had experienced less irregular mood swings. Rather than trying to kick-start this habit when faced with your first meal, begin your morning with mindfulness instead: Take a few minutes at the start of each day to sit quietly and focus on the rhythm of your breath     Pack a punch for lunch: Taking home made healthy food along while going for work makes you stay away from unhealthy snacking. ..Divya

Lemon juice can do wonders to your health.Here are a few of them just for you   Strengthens your immunity system: Lemon helps to strengthen your immunity system and cleanses your stomach. It is not only a blood purifier but also enables body to fight diseases. Also useful for treating kidney stones, curing heart strokes and reducing the body temperature given this super hot weather.   Aids in having a healthy skin: Lemon juice improves collagen levels and repairs tissue damage. Vitamin C also acts as an anti-oxidant helping prevent wrinkles, sunburn and fights free radicals which can cause blemishes and acne.   Helps in control blood pressure: Lemon is loaded with Vitamin C and Potassium, both of which are found lacking in a High Blood Pressure patient and both of which help control blood pressure.   Helps in dealing with mental stress: Individuals with a weak immune system are prone to lose Vitamin C from their bodies whenever they are faced with stress. Plus lemon juice has a very calming effect on our nerves, which makes it the perfect go to drink this summer.   Helps in normal functioning of heart: The high Potassium content helps those suffering from heart problems immensely as potassium helps in maintaining a normal heart function.   Helps you stay fit: Lemon juice works on the accumulated fat of your body. Regular intake of lemon juice and honey mixed with lukewarm water can do a magic to the shape of your body this summer. ..divya

  According to a new study, published in a sports journal last December, researchers at Kingston University in England found that dark chocolate might be a potent performance enhancer, specially in the case of Athletes, if the Chocolate amounts were consumed carefully. Eight male recreational cyclists, the study subjects were given a little dark chocolate every day. Four cyclists were asked to replace one of their normal sweets or desserts with 40 grams dark chocolate, to avoid weight gain per day. Four others were given 40 grams of white chocolate, every day, for two weeks. After this study period ended, all the athletes were called for a physical examination and surprisingly, thise subjects who were supplemented with dark chocolate ran an extra tenth of mile compared to them who consumed white chocolate for two weeks.     Dark chocolate is proved to be good for health with quite a good number if benefits and studies show that small amounts of dark chocolate every day may have benefits for heart and brain too. Most of the above mentined research focused on the existence of a substance called Epicatechin, a plant nutrient found in Cocoa. It is found more in Dark chocolate as this variety of chocolate has more percentage of Cocoa than Milk chocolate and White Chocolate. Epicatechin is known to enable blood vessels to release extra nitric oxide, improving functioning of veins and arteries, blood flow and cardiac function, and also the ability to pump more oxygen into blood cells.   With all these physiological benfits, Epicatechin in Dark Chocolate is suspected to help improve athletic performance in cyclists and other athletes. Researchers suggest those who want to improve their physical performace in Workouts and Athletics to supplement their diet with not more than 40 grams of Dark Chocolate daily. If thwy want to consume Dark chocolate with milk, then skim/fatfree milk is better to keep a check on body weight. Offering dark chocolate squares to children and adults for snacking in limited quantities, every day, is a healthy habit...then would you buy a dark chocolate bar when visiting a friend's place instead of cakes and sweets, or white chocolates? ..Prathyusha

Allergy...we Indians are pretty aware of this term from childhood....mostly occurs due to dust exposure or an insect bite, according to 90% of us but Allergies are different kinds, among which food allergies are less noticed in India, whereas thet are highly identified if occuring among children and treated well too. Increasing levels of pollution have been doubling up the amount of dust poured into the environment, although the immunity levels have not been doubling up, instead they are slowing down. Natural Immunity of human body was increasing and well maintained during the previous generations due to their better quality of food and lifestyle, and it is reducing due to pollution and drastic fall of food quality and lifestyle too. Increased stress levels and insufficient sleep needs due to technology and personal communication gadgets such as mobiles and tablets, lack of sleep has become so common and highly ignored. Due to all these reasons, body's disease fighting abilities are disturbed. Even the Drug quality has been tampered that they cannot make ones health better, in turn, it deteriorates at times. Allergies are considered not so disturbing in India, they are petty health issues for most of us.   Food allergies, dust allergies, material allergies, sun allergy, pollen allergy, pet allergies are the most commonly heard and commonly occuring alllergies. Some children are allergic to Peanuts ( groundnuts) and dairy. Some start sneezing soon as they come in contact with a dusty item or as they start to clean a house or even wipe a coffee table. Some start to have rashes on skin as soon as they get exposed to Sun, or their facial skin turns red and patchy. Pollen allergy is similar to Flu, with severe cold and sneezing. To experience an allergy sympton and fight it is a big headache.. With proper dietery care and sanitation around, we can keep frequent colds away from children and als make sure we stay safe from falling sick everytime the climate changes or the season changes...avoid back to back sneezing during pollen season and also look funny with patches and rashes due to climatic reasons, and look silly with an itchy hand everytime someone's pet comes closer,to him/her. . A fit and toned body that thrives on healthy diet and happy mind can fight such allergic struggles too !! Parents can teach their kids to be healthy and unaware of the word 'falling sick' by setting up examples of their own - Prathyusha

నీళ్ళతో వ్యాధులు మయమవుతాయంటే నమ్ముతారా. ఇదేమి కొత్తగా కనిపెట్టిన చికిత్స కాదు. మన పూర్వకాలం నుంచి మన పెద్దవాళ్ళు ఆచరిస్తూ వస్తున్నవిధానమే, ఈ మధ్య కాలంలో కొన్ని కొత్త పోకడలతో వాటర్ థెరఫీగా మళ్లీ మనముందుకొచ్చింది. ఈ చికిత్సతో ఎన్నో ప్రాణాంతకమైన వ్యాధులు కూడా తగ్గుముఖం పడతాయని చెప్తున్నారు వైధ్యులు. మనకొచ్చే తలనొప్పి, జ్వరం మొదలుకొని బిపి, షుగర్, ఆఖరికి కాన్సర్ లాంటి వ్యాధుల్ని కూడా నయం చేసే శక్తి ఈ చికిత్సకు ఉందిట. ఇంతకీ ఈ చికిత్సా విధానం ఏంటా అని అనుకుంటున్నారా. మొదట్లో కాస్త కష్టంగా ఉన్నా అలవాటయితే ఇంతేనా అనిపిస్తుంది ఎవరికైనా. నీళ్ళతో రోగాలను దూరం చేసుకోవటానికి మనం చెయ్యాల్సిందల్లా ఉదయం నిద్ర లేవగానే (నోరు కూడా కడుక్కోకుండా) 5 నుంచి 6 గ్లాసుల నీళ్ళు అంటే 1 1/2 లీటర్ల నీళ్ళు తాగటమే. దీనినే మన పూర్వికులు ఉషః పాన చికిత్స అనేవారు.     ఈ చికిత్స మొదలుపెట్టిన వాళ్ళు ముందు రోజు రాత్రి ఎలాంటి మత్తు పానీయాలు సేవించకూడదట. అలాగే ఈ నీళ్ళు తాగటానికి గంట ముందు, నీళ్ళు తాగాక గంట తరవాత ఏమి తినకూడదు. కనీసం కాఫీ, టీ లాంటివి కూడా పుచ్చుకోకూడదు. మొదట్లో ఒకేసారి 5, 6 గ్లాసుల నెలలు తాగటానికి అలవాటు లేక ఇబ్బందిగా ఉండచ్చు. అందుకని ఇది మొదలుపెట్టిన మొదటి కొన్ని రోజులు ముందు 3,4 గ్లాసుల నీరు తాగి కాస్త గ్యాప్ ఇచ్చిమళ్లీ ఇంకో రెండు గ్లాసుల నీరు  తాగచ్చు. ఈ విధానంలో గంటలో మూడు నాలుగు సార్లు బాత్రూంకి వెళ్ళాల్సి వచ్చినా కంగారు పడాల్సిన పని లేదు. శరీరానికి అలవాటు అయ్యాకా ఇలాంటి ఇబ్బందులు కూడా దూరమవుతాయి. కేవలం ఇలాంటి చికిత్స వల్ల మాత్రమే కాదు, శరీరం అలసటగా ఉన్నప్పుడు చల్లటి నీటితో స్నానం చేసినా కూడా మనకి తెలియని బలం వస్తుంది. అందుకే స్నానం చేయగానే హుషారుగా ఉంటారు చాలామంది. అలాగే స్విమ్మింగ్ మనిషిలో ఉండే కొవ్వుని కరిగిస్తుంది. ఆకలిని పెంచుతుంది.శరీరానికి మంచి వ్యాయామంగా పనిచేస్తుంది. ఇన్ని విధాలుగా మనని రక్షిస్తున్న నీటికి మనం ఏమిచ్చి ఋణం తీర్చుకోగలం. దానిని వృధా చేయకుండా ఉంటే అంత కన్నా మించిన మేలు ఇంకోటి ఉండదు.   ...కళ్యాణి

  Most of us have heard of Acupressure and Acupuncture from so many years.. Acupressure seems a little not so scary to try once but Acupuncture creates quite an alarming feeling..due to lack of awareness and no experience in observing others follow the treatment. Sujok is also one similar therapy method which follows pressure points like Acupressure, combining the Modern Nuerology with Ancient Chinese Medicine..instead of using pressure points on the body, Sujok focuses on pressure points only on ones palm and fingers. They are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine that teaches an overall wellness treatment method to those interested in healing diseases and other physical ailments.   This method functions on the belief that human body is made up of a combination of 'Chi' and 'Qui' energies that flow throughout the body via invisible paths called meridians. When these meridians are blocked, an imbalance occurs which results in an ailment or a disease and by regulating the meridians by causing pressure or puncture using needles, the energy flow can be corrected or reactivated on resolving the blocks. These treatment techniques effectively work in relieving muscular tension, regulating blood circulation, and improving the energy flow through out the body, and the result is ..if someone is undergoing a treatment for a severe disease then supplementing it with one of these Chinese techniques helps speed up the healing or recovery process.   For example, if one has a severe headache, then using Acupressure or Sujok and creating pressure on the pulse points that connect to the brain, the blockages in the energy flow are removed and relief is faster, sametime, blood circulation to the brain is improved which also helps in pain relief. Acupressure and similar therapies can positively help with Cosmetic needs to fight aging and reduction of wrinkles, hair growth, regeneration-reactivation of body organs like kidneys, heart and lungs for their optimum functioning, skin disorders such as Psoriasis, Eczema, Allergic bites and such. These techniques have successfully healed Cancers, Skin disorders, depressions, Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal disorders, name it and there are examples. In a wellness combination of nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, these Chinese Wellness Techniques have been excellently helping many fight health problems and continue to be healthier...sametime, many still dont know about their effectiveness and many still dont beleive that they do wonders without the side effects of Over The Counter Drugs. - Prathyusha

A new study has revealed that certain famous Baby Talcum Powders can cause Cancer. Usually, Talcum powders are used by adults and for babies to releive Diaper rashes due to wetness, to prevent rashes and to absorb extra moisture. For years, Parents have been using Talc during diapering babies, until the Pediatricians started discouraging the usage. The American Cancer Society posted on its website that Talcum powder may contain traces of Asbestos, which happens to be a Carcinogen. From Literature of the 1960s, a possible relationship between Talcum powder and Ovarian cancer has been derived with no proof atall.   In a study conducted in 2013, about 20,000 subjects have been studied for their usage of Talcs...those who used Talcs everyday had 20-30% more chances of getting exposed to Ovarian cancer than those who ddnt use powders there. However, the reseearchers say that Talcum powder may be harmful if used around the Genetal areas, as they get absorbed into the personal parts of the human body, and not so hamrful if they are used just for Cosmetic purposes such as around Neck, Underarms and Face, as there was no proof of Asbestos contamination in Talcum powders when a study was conducted.     Some Doctors recommend using Talcum powder for babies, specially in Humid and Hot climatic regions of the Indian subcontinent, some dont suggest powders for pediatric use due to their Dusty and Cosmetic characteristics that could cause Sneezing and Cough. Some Powders contain Corn starch instead of Talc and are harmless..except for other allergies due to the fragrance added or any other existing skin condition. No matter what, either for Babies or for Adult use, dabbing Talcs or Powders down there is not a good idea, keeping the worry of Cancer aside ....Prathyusha

A delicious meal, the previous night or earlier today...so much cherished while consuming but turned out to be a bad tummy feeling and then diarrhea can spoil everything..even those wonderful memorable moments spent with friends or family during that dining time. How long can we stay away from eating out or cooking a special dinner? There has to be a cheat sheet to identify a possible Food Poisoning occurrence in the future. Here are some tips to make sure there is no food poisoned, neither such food consumed.. 1.  Don't leave food outside: Any food item, be it home-made, restaurant-made or store-bought, that is left outside in room temperature tends to develop bacteria and toxins, quickly. Between 5-60 degrees celcius, i.e,.40-140 degrees Fahrenheit, the bacteria-spores thrive on food items, and tend to be dangerous when consumed. Soups, sauces, rice and previous day's leftovers are more prone to developing this bacteria quickly, if left outside, sametime, no food item should be left out in room temperature for more than two hours. With warm climate around, and Summer approaching in India, we should be smart to use our refridgerators well. These bacterial spores maynot cause serious illness, but may leave ones body weak for 24hours, feeling dizzy, nauseous due to diaarhea or tummy aches because of indigestible too. 2. Reheat food properly: Any food item if too cold maynot be conveniet to consume, except for icecreams. Specially, rice and meats should be reheated to consume again. Bacteria in rice grains is killed when cooked, first time. But the spores survive, however, they tend to grow back to bacterial state if rice is left outside for longer or if it is not reheated to steaming hot levels. Hence, it is important to make sure, rice is steaming hot when reheated, donot just heat it to be warm enough..it may contain bacteria in a warm state. Even meats tend to be rotten if left outside for longer. Throwing them away is better than eating them after long hours of leaving them outside or not properly reheating them.     3. Cook meats correctly: Most common food borne illnesses in the Western countries are due to meats, as there are more number of Eat-out Fast-food chains and they sell mostly Meats. Not washing them thoroughly or following proper hygiene when cutting them and processing them for packaging or before cooking causes bacterial damage. Raw meat is another culprit...large quantities of meat and mass range cooking for restaurants, fast food chains or during parties causes under cooking and meat when undercooked tends to provide for bacterial growth. Turkey and Duck are more prone to spoilage due to bacteria than Chicken. Improper thawing and freezing techniques could cause food spoilage problems too. Food once thawed is not appropriate to be refreezed, once thawed it is only fit for cooking or consuming, but never for freezing again. Following proper hygiene while cutting and preparing meats for cooking can hel reduce their exposure to bacteria and spores. 4. Wash fruits amd vveggies thoroughly right before consumption: Fruits and vegetables are grown under Sun, in soil and get exposed to fertilizers or organic manures and many hands, all these conditions force them to be prone to developing bacteria and toxins easily. More than vegetables which we wash and cook, fruits are eaten without cooking. While we wash Apples before eating, we dont bother much to pop a grape or take a bit of a red ripe strawberry without washing thoroughly. It is not only recommended to wash fruits and vegetables, it is also advised to wash them with salt or vinegar diluted water to remove the toxic sprays and pesticides sprayed during farming. Peeling a Cantaloupe and sometimes even an Apple if they are not Organically ( pesticide-free farming) grown is a better practice these days, instead of swallowing those harmful toxins. Food poisoning happens every now and then, just that they are mostly mild and donot make us run to the emergency room but in the long run, we better keep away from recurrences even though mild..their affect on the digestive system and body is definitely harmful, if not big to the human eye. By following few smart steps as mentioned above, we can all make sure food poisoning is out of our books. ...Pratyusha

  మన శరీరంలో కొన్ని చిన్న అవయవాలలాగా కనిపిస్తాయే గాని వాటి పని మాత్రం బ్రహ్మాండంగా ఉంటుంది మన కిడ్నీల లాగా. అవి చూడటానికి చిన్న చిక్కుడు గింజల్లాగా కనిపిస్తాయి. వాటి  పరిమాణం కేవలం 4.5 అంగుళాలు ఇంకా బరువు నలుగు నుంచి ఆరు ఔన్సులు మాత్రమే ఉంటుంది. కాని మన ఆరోగ్యం పట్ల తీసుకునే శ్రద్ద మాత్రం అంతా ఇంతా కాదట. మీకో నిజం తెలుసా గుండెల్లో కన్నా, మన మెదడులో కన్నా రక్తప్రసరణ వేగంగా జరిగేది మన మూత్రపిండాల్లోనేనట. ప్రతి అరగంటకి కిడ్నీలు మన శరీరంలోని రక్తాన్ని మొత్తం శుద్ధి చేసి రక్తంలోని టాక్సిన్స్ ని తొలగిస్తాయట. ప్రతి ఏడాది మార్చ్ 10న మనం వరల్డ్ కిడ్నీ డే ని జరుపుకుంటున్నాం. ఈ ఏడాది థీమ్ Kidney disease&children -Act early to prevent it. చిన్న పిల్లల్లో వచ్చే కిడ్నీలకి సంభందించిన వ్యాధిని కనిపెట్టటమే కాదు దాని నియంత్రణ కూడా త్వరితగతిన చేపట్టాలని దీని సారాంశం.   ఈ రోజుల్లో కిడ్నీ ట్రాన్స్ ప్లాంటేషన్ అనే మాట తరచుగా వింటూనే ఉన్నాం. కిడ్నీలు తమ పని తాము చేసుకుంటూ పోతున్నా మన ఆహారపు అలవాట్ల వల్ల, కాలుష్యం వల్ల, హై బ్లడ్ ప్రెషర్, హై షుగర్ వంటి వ్యాధుల వల్ల వాటి పనితీరు దెబ్బ తిని ప్రాణాల  మీదకి తెస్తోంది. ఇది పెద్దవారిలో మాత్రమే కాదు చిన్నపిల్లలలో కూడా ఎక్కువగా రావటం గమనించాల్సిన విషయం. ఈ సమస్య గురించి కాస్త సమయం వెచ్చించి కొద్ది పాటి జాగ్రత్తలు తీసుకుంటే చాలు కిడ్నీలు  పదిలంగా ఉంటూ మనని పదిలంగా ఉంచుతాయి.     కిడ్నీల పనితీరు బాగుండాలంటే నీరు ఎక్కువగా తాగుతూ ఉండాలి. వీటికి బలాన్నిచ్చే ఆహారం  అంటే పుచ్చకాయ, స్ట్రాబెర్రీ, ఆపిల్, కాలీఫ్లవర్, వెల్లుల్లి, ఉల్లిపాయ వంటి వాటిని ఆహారంలో ఎక్కువగా తీసుకోవాలి. నొప్పులు వస్తే వాడే ఆస్ప్రిన్, బ్రూఫిన్ లాంటి మాత్రలు వాడటం పూర్తిగా తగ్గించుకోవాలి. ఇవి కిడ్నీల మీద తమ దుష్ప్రభావాన్ని చూపిస్తాయి. కాఫీ, టీలను కూడా ఎక్కువ మోతాదులో తీసుకోకుండా నియంత్రించుకోవాలి. రాత్రిళ్ళు మరీ ఆలస్యం కాకుండా భోజనం చెయ్యాలి. దీనివల్ల కిడ్నీల పనితీరు బాగుంటుంది. కిడ్నీ సమస్యలతో బాధపడే వారు ఎక్కువ శాతం సాల్మన్ చేపని ఆహారంలో భాగంగా తీసుకుంటే మంచిది. గుడ్డులోని తెల్ల సొన కిడ్నీలకి మంచిదని చెపుతున్నారు వైద్యులు. అలాగే హై ప్రోటీన్ కలిగిన ఆహారాన్ని కూడా నియంత్రించుకోవాలట. ఆహారంలో ఎక్కువ శాతం ఆలివ్ ఆయిల్ వాడితే మంచిది. ఉదయాన్నే నిద్ర లేవగానే పరగడుపున రెండు వెల్లుల్లి రెబ్బలు తిన్న మంచిదట. గ్రీన్ జ్యూస్ లని ఎక్కువగా తాగితే మంచిది.   మన ఆరోగ్యానికి అన్ని విధాలా దోహద పడే కిడ్నీల పట్ల మనం చూపించే కొద్దిపాటి జాగ్రత్త చాలు, అవి ఆరోగ్యంగా ఉండి  మనని చిరంజీవులుగా ఉంచటానికి. ...కళ్యాణి  

  This grey hair has become a big headache to many in this modern generation. We see more number of people facing this issue, these days starting at a younger age. We see more number of  hair products for coloring grey hair and even more products to color ordinary hair which cause delayed side effects and unforeseen reactions. Hair loss, hair thinning, early hair greying, skin reactions affecting the the scalp, face and eyes are the mostly occuring side effects. Cheaper quality hair products, hair coloring agents, harmful ingredients including chemicals that are used in these products cause such reactions, even though some products claim to have natural ingredients and herbal sources. Genetically and scientifically, It has been understood and proved that hair greying occurs due to aging process in humans, that is when Melanin, the pigment that is responsible for color to the hair, eyebrows, eye lashes and hair on skin is no longer produced...keeping aside the hair greying that occurs in advance due to extensive use of artificial hair colors and their reactions too.   A recent study revealed that a certain gene is responsible for hair greying in humans, which can open doors to creating a remedy to delay or prevent the process or even reverse the already grey hair, in future. Scientists studied thousands of subjects from Latin American Countries belonging to different Ancestral backgrounds, out of whom 55% were women. They accessed everyones hair color, balding pattern and greying along with hair textures and Men were also assessed for their beard, eyebrow and mononrow thickness. After analysing everyones hair characterisitics and comparing them with their genomes, the Researchers were able to conclude that it is the Genes that determine the hair characteristics in each person.     This particular gene controls the production and storage of Melanin and has influence on the Color of Hair, eyebrows and skin, but this study revealed that it has an influence on hair greying too.  Researchers say that understanding this Gene in deep can help come up with various ways and strategies to combat greying problems and also more research in this direction can help know in depth about what influences the hair texture and thickness in humans. I wonder how long this research takes, but until then, proper Nutrition during younger age years, keeping hair products and coloring agents at bay, not resorting to hair straighteners and curlers might make life easier with not-so-grey hair during the not-so-old age years !!   - Prathyusha

      From years, the Health Gurus have been preaching and the News has been printed that Fried food is not good for health. New studies prove otherwise !!! Not a typo...you read it correct ! Fried form of certain vegetables is actually good for health. Vegetables such as Potatoes, Brinjals and Tomatoes when tested for their Phenol levels after they were cooked in two methods, one deep fried in any oil or just sauteed in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the second method is Boiling them in water with a hint of Olive oil, or boiled in just water alone. After each cooking method was complete, the vegetables were tested for their Phenol levels, Antioxidant capacity and Total Fat content.   If you guessed it right, frying method made the veggies possess more Fat, however, the Phenol levels were also found to be high in vegetables that were cooked by the frying method, especially the Sauteeing method using Extra Virgin Olive oil. It is noticed that the vegetables have been enriched with the phenols found in Olive oil whereas those cooked using just Salt and Water don't possess any antioxidant or Phenolic qualities and that is the reason Mediterranean diet is considered beneficial for health. Some use Olive oil for deep frying too, however some say that Olive oil is not meant for deep frying due to its boiling point.     The phenolic content of olive oil depends on the climatic conditions in the geographic region the Olives are produced. when the oare harvested and how ripe they are when picked. Oil production and storage methods also have an influence. Phenols have countless biological properties, for instance hydroxytyrosol inhibits platelet aggregation and it is anti-inflammatory and oleuropein encourages the formation of nitric acid, which is a powerful vasodilator and exerts a strong anti-bacterial effect. Virgin olive oil is one that has not been refined or industrially treated, which is why it is rich in these substances and has a strong antioxidant effect, protecting against damage from free radicals (scavenger activity) and against the formation of cancer.   So why dont some of us who love savoring those deep fried potatoes and Brinjal curries continue to enjoy the flavors, keeping aside worries about cholesterol and fat...however, make them at home and eat, and just occasionally, not-so-often should be the manthra !! ...Prathyusha

    A new research conducted on High Sodium foods revealed that it can not only cause high blood pressure issues, it can also be harmful to Liver. A new study by one University in China published in a Diet Journal states that the so called Sodium Chloride which is notorious in causing Heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure is also capable of harming the Liver in Adults and also in developing human embryos, if comsumed in high quantities.   Some earlier studies also spoke about Sodium Chloride causing harm to the Liver, this study has gone deeper into knowing what happens at the cellular level. They fed adult mice and chicken embryos high sodium diet and observed that there was a high rate of Cell degeneration, low rate of Cell division and occurance of odd shaped cells, all which led to Liver Fibrosis.     A mechanism called Oxidative Stress that occurs at the cellular level causes all this chaos. The researchers also suggested that treating Fibrosis affected cells with a powerful Antioxidant, Vitamin C, can reduce the harmful effects to a certain extent. There is scope for deeper research in this region, where one such a study is yet to prove that Coffee can battle an advanced phase of Liver Fibrosis, known as Liver Cirrhosis. Yet, keeping away from high sodium foods right from a young age is the key.   Most restaurant-made foods and store-bought foods contain high amounts of Salt, Sodium Chloride, as a means of preservative. Canned food and Jarred foods such as Cooked beans, Salsa, Ketchup, Marinara and Sauce contain high salt levels. Chips, Pretzels, Savory Mixtures too contain high lvels of Sodium and they can be avoided by carefully reading the nutrition chart labels on the packages...however, some foods that are sold by Home-based businesses dont spend on printing labels or selling in printed packages, which makes it difficult to judge for a rookie but for someone who knows very well that these market bought obviously contain more salt, it should not be a difficult task to stay away from more salty foods.   These foods maynot taste too salty yet they contain more salt amounts. Spices and Salt tend to settle at the bottom in a package tend to settle, and that is why as you reach the end of a chips packet, the chips taste too salty than the ones eaten earlier from the top of the pack. In Countries like The United States of America, most people consume restaurant-made food or buy ready-made food from stores...from an adult to a two year old child. Other countries havenot been the test subjects yet but anyone can become a target to this problem, stay healthy, eat less salt !!

  'Don't eat chocolates atall'is the manthra for kids...but if it is a dark chocolate..then Parents should not refuse to offer atleast one a day. Dark chocolate has lesser sugar and more cocoa than ordinary milk chocolate and is considered good for health...now, even the Brain says 'its Yumm!!'.  A recent study published in a health journal states that people who ate more chocolate per week compared to those who dont eat as much or regularly, have better and sharper mental skills. This study was conducted by a Southern Australian University in partnership with The University of Maine and Luxembourg Institute of Health on 968 test subjects recently. They examined the subjects with a several tests to measure the brain performance of people who consumed chocolate regularly in a week. Their blood pressure, cholesterol, physical relationships, memory power and alcohol intake were all taken into cosideration while studying the results. Dark chocolate is proven to deal well with high blood pressure issues and heart disease complaints. The Phenols found in Cocoa do the majic. The high antioxidant count in Dark chocolate does wonders to human health.   Further studies need to be conducted to find out the direct relationship between chocolate and brain health but it is thought that the Flavonols in Chocolate along with Caffaine and Theobromine might be the reason. Caffeine and Theobromine both are associated with improving mind alertness and keeping the mind awake..which is why most people find it difficult to unwind and sleep after consuming caffeine-rich foods.     Just because you find this study say that regular consumption of chocolate improves brain health, it doesnot mean chocolate becomes a dish for lunch or dinner....not just any chocolate, dark chocolate is preferred and in limited quantities, like two squares from a bar daily, in the first half of the day to keep the sugars at bay during nights. The amount of Cocoa in milk chocolate ranges between 7-15% whereas in dark chocolate, it ranges between 30-70%. Offering one small square of dark chocolate a day during first half of the day, to kids is a good idea too. Not all kids like dark chocolate, but encouraging them to like it is better than getting them used to eating milk chocolates always. Dont replace healthy foods with Chocolate....let the healthy vegetables, grains and fruits be the main course, only think of Dark chocolate for a dessert. Make sure to balance the calories...sametime, dark chocolate powder or the bar consumed with whole milk is a bad idea, the effective antioxidants dont get absorbed by the body, instead try fat free milk as a combo or eat the dark chocolate as-is.   ---Prathyusha

YOUR LUNGS NEED MORE FIBRE!     There are multiple advantages of including fibre in your diet. It lowers blood sugar levels, brings down cholesterol, keeps constipation at bay and has the potential to deal with colon cancer. These facts are known to all. What many don’t know is the fact that a fibre rich diet can tackle lung diseases too.Experts came to this conclusion after the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted a research to find that people with greater amount of fibre in their diet have a better lung function than those who have the least or no fibre at all in their diet.     In the tests that were conducted in this regard that those who included fibre in their diet everyday had greater lung power than the others. This means that such people could take in greater amount of air into their lungs in one breath in comparison to the others.Since lung disease is considered a major public health issue in the modern world, experts believe that it is extremely important to identify the causes of lung diseases to prevent the same.     Smoking has been identified as the primary cause of lung disease. As a solution, it has also been revealed that increased fibre intake can reduce the effect of smoking on lungs.These crucial facts were published in the American Thoracic Society for people to benefit from the information by improving their lives. ....Kruti Beesam

  Some bodies are volatile, they are slim one part of the year and suddenly they look chubby...some are fatter always.but few are slim no matter what ! How is it possible ? Age, pregnancy, career, health, nothing troubles them. Thankfully, few others tend to stay close to their most slim weight after pregnancy, if women and after aging, if men and women. How do they maintain it ? A University in New York,USA conducted a study, wherein, two groups of adults were studied and given a set of 92 questions to answer, related to their diet and lifestyle. One group consisted 112 adults who ddnt follow any particular restricted diet, they ate healthy, they regulalry cooked at home, exercised daily, consumed fruits and vegetables for snacking even. Their water consumption was good too. The second group consisted of 35 adults. They followed a restricted diet during this period and kept a count of the calories consumed etc.it was not so easy for them to keep a check on their weight. They both answered the 92 questions asked and when the answers were compared, it was a clear difference between the two groups.       The first large group were healthy eaters, they chose nutritious vegetables and cooked at home daily. Thet chose fruits and dry nuts as snack options, their drink was water and freshlymade fruit juices and milk. They even answered that Chicken was their favorite meat for meal time. They ddnt hesitate to consume an egg daily for lunch. Exercise was their dailyroutine too. They knew when to stop eating as they followed their body's cues diigently.....all this, they followed with great interest and desire to stay healthy. Thet other group, consumed store-bought, ready-made food,or ate low-calorie food at restaurants, drank soda (though low-carb) regularly, they would not want to exercise daily. Directly, they were not religious to a schedule. They either went on crash-diets or over-ate. Alcohol and Soda were their favorite drinks. And because they ddnt like exercising, their diet plans would not work out well. They would not loose calories gained in the past. A healthy lifestyle is the whole difference. If one starts a regime just because someone suggested it, without personal interest and dedication, the whole plan fails. That was the case with the second group. The first group was self-motivated, self-interested in seeing themselves healthy and slim, down the lane and forever. Hence, it was easy and achievable for them, sametime, it was a persistant success, whereas the second group was not presistant with the plan and so they failed to maintain the success. We all learnt the same lesson w.r.t., our education , same it is with evert good thing in life..maintain it well and it stays forever...even health and staying slim, effortlessly !!   ... Prathyusha