Longer Working hours fuel cigarette smoking-Study

A study on  people trying to kick the habit of cigarette smoking  which  has been published in the Journal Social Science & Medicine says that there are less chances of you quitting smoking if you are in the habit of working for more than 40 hours in a week and you have the habit of smoking. Even if you try hard you may not be able to quit and in fact you may even end up smoking more cigarettes every day, is what the researchers at the Loughborough University are saying. The findings are based on a study of data obtained from the British Household Panel Survey. In all the research team studied the smoking behaviors of 20,000 people spread over a period of 19 years and found a clear link between working hours and cigarette consumption. The reason for this according to the team is that smokers perceive it as a pleasurable and stress-relieving activity and working longer hours increases the craving for more of it. Professor Andy Charlwood from the School of Business and Economics, who led the study said, “When smokers increase their hours above a typical 40 hour working week, the chances they will successfully give up smoking fall, and they become progressively less likely to give up as their working hours increase.” The researchers have also warned further that a person who has quit smoking and takes to working longer hours is at greater risk of getting back into the habit. Source:Journal Social Science & Medicine.  

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Eating Healthy during Ramzan

It’s the Holy month of Ramzan and the fasting season has begun. That means we need to know what to eat during non-fasting hours which is essential for good health and endurance during the entire month. Presenting a few tips to help you sail through the holy season. Water therapy It is advised to drink as much water as possible in the morning before fast and after the fast ends at sunset. You could also eat water based fruits like water melons and also have juices to make for the loss of fluids during the day. This also prevents the body from constipating and flatulence so pack in as much fluid you can before and after the fast. Break the fast slowly Start with water, small hot appetisers like soups, light salads and yogurts or a small glass of fresh juice as they’re high in fruit sugar, yet nutritious Eat lot of dates and dry fruits laced with honey as they are filled with magnesium, potassium and fibre. Remember this is not meant for losing weight and its necessary to have the right nutrients to help you tide through the fast and sustain the whole month. Power foods Power foods like whole grains, barley, wheat, oats, whole grain rice and legumes such as lentils or beans and fresh produce like fruits, vegetables and potatoes which are low in sugar, and high complex carbohydrates are recommended to be eaten in the morning. They tend to stay in your stomach and remain in your system for longer, lessening the hunger throughout the day. Protein rich sources like lean meats, fish, eggs, milk, nuts or seeds can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which in turn can help curb hunger cravings. No salty , sugary  & fried foods Foods to avoid are spicy, salty, and processed foods .The faster the body breaks the meal down, the sooner you’ll get hungry. The   fired foods tend to make you thirstier so it’s best to avoid them in the morning session to prevent feeling thirsty. Yes, you can exercise Exercise moderately for  an hour after you break your fast with something light such as walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga. Try to include at least 30 minutes of exercise daily during the month of Ramadan and make sure to drink plenty of water & fluids after the excerices.Its better if you avoid heavy gymming and workout schedules so that it doesn’t tire you out. Wishing everyone a peaceful, healthy and happy time with family & friends  during this Ramzan season.

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Gluten Free Diet Fads

Eating  gluten-free dishes, like pasta made with rice and corn starches, pizzas has become a fad nowadays. Gluten free food is now the order of the day and it was only a decade ago, where only people with  celiac disease, a digestive condition, knew much about the health implications of gluten. But today gluten-free diets , means you are cutting down on gluten or eliminating it entirely from your diet. Diet fads come and go. But observers of nutrition and eating trends in the United States say this food regimen is likely to last longer and have more impact because it comes at a time when food allergies, digestive health, genetic modification of grain and other concerns about the American diet are at an all-time high and food itself is the current cultural currency. Gluten-free eating addresses it all. “We are in this period of cacophony with food, where people are more engaged and more confused,” said Amy Bentley, an associate professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. “It’s touching on very complicated issues in the food system right now.” The number of people for whom eliminating gluten is a medical necessity is small. About 1 percent of the population has been found to have celiac disease, a disorder in which gluten — a protein in barley, rye and wheat — can damage the small intestine. But the diet itself is used by people who want to lose weight, reduce inflammation, curb fatigue and ease other conditions, or because it helps them avoid highly processed grain. Many simply say they feel better without it, though there is not yet much scientific evidence to back up the claims. A gluten-free diet is also unpopular for unexpected reasons. Some question it in light of the many biblical references to grain. In certain immigrant communities, eating the same, traditional food is a way of keeping the culture intact. Rejecting a roti or a flour tortilla can mean feeling like an outcast. In other circles, eating gluten-free is dismissed outright as a trend for the rich, the white and the political left. “There really isn’t much better dietary advice than eating your veggies, exercising and limiting calories,” she said. “People just seem to like making eating difficult for themselves.” Source:NY Times

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Knee Replacement Surgery and Excercise

According to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, current artificial knees generally can be expected to last about 15 to 20 years before needing to be replaced again.One of the biggest concerns that someone should have after total or partial knee replacement surgery “is the longevity and health of the replacement,” said Dr. Freddie Fu, the chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. But a patient’s health and habits can affect that time frame significantly. Obesity shortens the life span of replacement knees, so it’s advisable to remain active — or to start exercising — after surgery to avoid weight gain.   The best activities, Dr. Fu said, are low impact. “Biking and swimming are wonderful ways to get your heart pumping while protecting your replacement,” he said. Walking involves somewhat more pounding, but “generally is tolerated by both total and partial replacements,” Dr. Fu said. Similarly, most people can hike and cross-country ski after knee replacement, he said, but cautiously. Stick to flat, nonskid terrain, since moving up- and downhill or falling can strain the knees. As for running, there is little science about its long-term effects on knee replacements, but in Dr. Fu’s clinical experience, “an occasional low-mileage run on a soft surface is a safe activity for modern knee implants.” Intense distance training, on the other hand, is likely to hasten the deterioration of an artificial joint, he said, although different knees respond differently.   “Some patients continue to run for long distances after knee replacement without significant problems,” he said. Once you get the surgery done it is very important talk to your surgeon and Physiotherapist and discuss your exercise regime and how you should go about doing it. Depending on your age the effects of surgery can last from 5 to 20 years based on the patients will to recover faster and proper physio care. Source: NYTimes  

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Visit the Doctor not Wikipedia when you are sick

There has been a rising number of cases where people when sick refer the Internet especially the Wikipedia for health queries and avoid going to the doctor.A recent study has shown that Wikipedia, the online encyclopaedia, contains errors in nine out of 10 of its health entries, and should be treated with caution. Scientists in the US compared entries about conditions such as heart disease, lung cancer, depression and diabetes with peer-reviewed medical research.They said most articles in Wikipedia contained "many errors". Wikimedia UK, its British arm, said it was "crucial" that people with health concerns spoke to their Doctor first.From a public health standpoint, patients should not use  as a primary resource because those articles do not go through the same peer-review process as medical journals” The open-access nature has "raised concern" among doctors about its reliability, as it is the sixth most popular site on the internet, the US authors of the research, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, said. Up to 70% of physicians and medical students use the tool, they say.The 10 researchers across America looked at online articles for 10 of the "most costly" conditions in the US, including osteoarthritis, back problems and asthma. They printed off the articles on 25 April 2012 to analyse, and discovered that 90% of the entries made statements that contradicted latest medical research. Wikipedia, like any encyclopaedia, should not take the place of a qualified medical practitioner”.Wikipedia also expressed concern at the small sample size used in the research, as it may not be representative.The study did not account for Wikipedia leaving out important information. So the next time you fall sick dont open the Internet and try self medication , visit the nearest doctor. BBC Health news

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E –Cigarettes to help you quit smoking

A large study in England has found that smokers trying to quit were substantially more likely to succeed if they used electronic cigarettes than over-the-counter therapies such as nicotine patches or gum. These results offered encouraging but not definitive evidence in the contentious debate about the risks and benefits of these increasingly popular smoking devices.   Researchers interviewed almost 6,000 smokers who had tried to quit on their own without counseling from a health professional. About a fifth of those who said they were using e-cigarettes had stopped smoking at the time of the survey, compared with about a tenth of people who had used patches and gum. “This will not settle the e-cigarette issue by any means,” said Thomas J. Glynn, a researcher at the American Cancer Society, who was not part of the study, “but it is further evidence that, in a real-world context, e-cigarettes can be a useful, although not revolutionary, tool in helping some smokers to stop.” With little regulation, Oklahoma City has become an e-cigarette boom town where “vapers” flock to vapor shops to buy the smoking alternative products, which include nicotine liquids. The multibillion-dollar e-cigarette industry is not regulated, but the Food and Drug Administration is seeking to change that.F.D.A. Will Propose New Regulations for E-Cigarettes   The use of e-cigarettes has risen rapidly across Europe and the United States, and regulators are scrambling to figure out how to respond in the absence of hard evidence about their effects. The debate is particularly fierce in the United States, where some experts say the devices could lure children to start smoking, while others contend that they are the best hope in generations to get smokers to switch to something less dangerous than traditional cigarettes.They also said the study, one of the largest to date, offered valuable insights into the real world experiences of smokers. “The medical model is great for cancer drugs, but it doesn’t really work for this situation because there’s nothing to stop participants in the patches group from just going out and buying an e-cigarette,” Professor West said. He said the database used for the study was financed by Cancer Research UK, a nonprofit group; England’s Department of Health; and several large drug companies that make nicotine replacement therapy, including Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson. NY Times

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నవ్వితే చాలట...

      ‘‘నవ్వులు నాలుగు విధాల చేటు’’ అనేది పాత సామెత. ‘‘నవ్వు అన్ని విధాల మేలు’’ అనేది నేడు నిరూపించబడ్డ విషయం. అయితే ఆ నవ్వులకే మనం దూరమైపోతున్నాం రోజురోజుకీ. రెండు నెలల పసిపాపగా వున్నప్పుడు రోజుకి 300 సార్లకి పైగా నవ్వుతాం మనం. కానీ, పెరిగేకొద్దీ ఆ నవ్వుల సంఖ్య కొంచెం కొంచెం తగ్గి.. పెళ్ళి, పిల్లలు, ఉద్యోగ బాద్యతల్లో పడ్డాక రోజుకి ఒక్కసారి మనస్పూర్తిగా నవ్వటం కూడా కష్టంగా మారిపోతుంది. దీంతో మనకి మనమే నష్టం చేసుకుంటున్నవాళ్ళం అవుతున్నాం. ఎందుకంటే, నవ్వటం వల్ల శరీరమంతా విశ్రాంతి పొందుతుంది. ఒకసారి మనసారా నవ్వితే కండరాలన్నీ సడలి, మానసిక ఒత్తిడి, శారీరక టెన్షన్ తగ్గిపోతాయి. ఒక్క నిమిషం మనసారా నవ్వినా చాలాు దాని ప్రభావం సుమారు 45 నిమిషాలదాకా మన శరీరంపై నిలుస్తుందట. మరిప్పుడు చెప్పండి. ‘నవ్వు’ తప్పనిసరా.. కాదా?     మీరు బాగా నవ్వి ఎన్ని రోజులైంది? పోనీ కాస్త నవ్వి ఎన్ని రోజులైంది? గుర్తుకు రావడం లేదు కదూ? మీరే కాదు.. ఈ ప్రశ్న ఎవర్ని అడిగినా ఎవరైనా సరే కాసేపు ఆలోచించాల్సిందే. ఎందుకంటే, మనందరం మన మన బాధ్యతల నిర్వహణలో బిజీగా మారిపోయి ఆ నవ్వుని ఎక్కడో జారవిడుచుకున్నాం. అమూల్యమమైన ఆ సంపద మన దగ్గరుంటే చాలు ప్రపంచంలో దేనినైనా సొంతం చేసుకోగలం మనం. కానీ, దానినే జారవిడుచుకుని, ‘ఎంత సంపాదించినా, ఏమి సాధించినా’ నిజమైన ఆనందం కలగటం లేదని వాపోతున్నాం. నిజానికి నవ్వుల్లో తేలిపోయే వ్యక్తి మనస్సు, శరీరం ఎంతో ఉత్తేజాన్ని పొందుతాయి. కష్టాలు, అసంతృప్తి వంటివి ఎదురైనప్పుడు కూడా స్థిరంగా ఉండగలం. జీవితం పట్ల ఆశావహ దృక్పథాన్ని కలిగి వుంటాం. ఇదంతా కేవలం ‘నవ్వు’ వల్ల సాధ్యమయ్యే అద్భుతం. నవ్వును మరచిపోయి జీవించటమే రోగాలకు మూలమంటున్నారు మానసిక విశ్లేషకులు. ఎందుకంటే, నవ్వటం వల్ల రోగనిరోధక శక్తి పెరుగుతుంది. ఒత్తిడి కలిగించే హార్మోన్లు తగ్గిపోతాయి. అలాగే నవ్వినప్పుడు ఆనందానికి కారణమైన సహజసిద్ధమైన రసాయనాలు ‘ఎండార్ఫిన్’ లాంటివి చక్కగా విడుదలవుతాయి. అప్పుడు శరీరం, మనస్సు తేలికయి సంతోషం కలుగుతుంది. అందుకే చూడండి... కడుపారా నవ్విన తరువాత అప్పటి వరకు వున్న బరువేదో దిగిపోయినట్టు అనిపిస్తుంది. సంతోషం ఉరకలు వేస్తుంది. అప్పటి వరకు మనల్ని చిరాకు పెట్టిన విషయాలు కూడా చిన్నవిగా తోస్తాయి. కోపం, విచారం దూరమవుతాయి. ఇదంతా కేవలం ఒక్క నవ్వు వల్లే సాధ్యం. వ్యాయామం చేసినా, చక్కగా నవ్వినా కలిగే ప్రభావం, ప్రయోజనం ఒకేటనట. మనస్పూర్తిగా నవ్వినప్పుడు మానసిక ఆనందం కలుగుతుంది. ముఖంలో, శరీరంమంతటా కండరాలు బాగా కదులుతాయి. నాడీ స్పందనలు అధికమవుతాయం. రక్త ప్రసరణ వేగవంతమవుతుంది. ఉచ్ఛ్వాస నిశ్వాసలు జరిగి కణజాలానాకి ఎక్కువగా ఆక్సిజన్ అందుతుందిట. శరీరమంతా ఆ నవ్వు ప్రభావం వుంటుంది. ఒకసారి నవ్వితే పదినిమిషాలు జాగింగ్ చేసిన దానితో సమానం అని తేలింది ఓ పరిశోధనలో. ఈ నవ్వుపై పరిశోధన చేసిన మేరీలాండ్ యూనివర్సిటీ పరిశోధకులు ‘నవ్వు ఉత్తమ ఔషధం అన్న మాట నిజమేనని, అది గుండెలను పదిలంగా వుంచుతుందని’ చెబుతున్నారు. ‘లాఫింగ్ థెరపీ’ అంటే ‘నవ్వు చికిత్స’. తనని భయంకరమైన కేన్సర్ వ్యాధి బారినుంచి కాపాడిందని చెప్పారు న్యూయార్క్ టైమ్స్ మాజీ సంపాదకుడు నార్మన్ కూజిన్స్. కాబట్టి నవ్వు నాలుగు విధాల కాదు.. నాలుగు వేల రకాలుగా మంచిదని నమ్మి తీరాలి. నవ్వటం మొదలుపెట్టాలి. మరి నవ్వటం మొదలుపెడతారు కదూ..! నవ్వడం కష్టమనకండి. ఆ కష్టం కరగాలంటే నవ్వాలి మరి. సో... మీ మనసుని, మెదడుని నవ్వుకి ట్యూన్ చేయండి. ఆరోగ్యంగా, ఆనందంగా వుండండి. సరేనా? కరెక్ట్.. లైఫ్ లాంగ్ అలా నవ్వుతూనే వుండండి.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -రమ ఇరగవరపు

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Cooking with Olive Oil- Faqs

With the advent of olive oil invading Indian kitchens there has always been the persistent doubt if the fruity oil can enhance Indian Cooking or not or whether olive oil is fit for Indian cooking, Presenting  a few FAQs about this Mediterranean oil and its uses. Is olive oil suitable for Indian foods? Any oil, unless it has a very strong flavour is suitable for Indian food. Olive oil doesn’t have any distinct flavour of its own, so it serves well as a cooking medium for all kinds of Indian foods. Isn’t Olive oil highly overrated in terms of health benefits? In terms of composition it is extremely healthy as it is low in saturated fats. As far as calling it overrated is concerned, it depends entirely on the perception of the people. Those who can afford it, find it highly beneficial. Isn’t it true that olive oil when heated loses its health benefits and Indian foods are cooked at high temperatures? This is not true of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Contrary to the popular belief, it remains stable and gives best results with Indian foods. But it is said that deep frying in olive oil gives an undesirable taste? There is nothing like that, as it releases no smell as it has no distinct flavor of its own.The mindset also plays a great role in trying different oils and accepting new tastes. Which is better for cooking-Extra Virgin, Virgin or Pure olive oil? Extra Virgin Olive Oil is considered the best. Acidity level is the prime factor in determining its grade. The best oil has the lowest acidity. Extra virgin olive oil is valued for its perfect balance of flavour, aroma, colour, and acidity level. One reason extra virgin olive oil is valued so much is its high content of vitamins and nutrients. Also, it is pure and without any additives. The fruitiness of its taste adds to its appeal. Virgin Olive Oil also comes from the first pressing, and is also produced without refining. Its flavour intensity can vary and its taste is less mild than Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Pure Olive Oil actually has the same acidity level as Virgin Olive Oil, and for that reason it has good resistance to high temperatures. But it is lower nutrient content than Virgin Olive Oil and as a consequence it is less expensive. Pomace Oil is the lowest grade of Olive Oil. Pomace is that part of the olive that remains after all the oil and water in it has been removed. To make Pomace Oil palatable, the producer blends it with virgin olive oil. Like Pure Olive Oil, it is suitable for use only in high-heat cooking. What is the best way to store olive oil? Like walnut oil, chances of getting rancid are high with olive oil. It is best to store it in cold places away from sunlight. In fact it is best to buy small 1 or two litre bottles.  

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Troubled Teens can affect Future Relationships

      Negative emotions people may have suffered as young adults can have a lasting grip on their couple relationships, well into middle age, research demonstrates. The study followed 341 people for 25 years, and found that negative emotions they may have suffered as young adults can have a lasting grip on their couple relationships, well into middle age. The fact that depression and anger experienced during the teen years clung to people, even through major life events such as child-rearing, marriages and careers was surprising, researchers note.   The study, published recently in the Journal of Family Psychology, by University of Alberta followed 341 people for 25 years, and found that negative emotions they may have suffered as young adults can have a lasting grip on their couple relationships, well into middle age. The fact that depression and anger experienced during the teen years clung to people, even through major life events such as child-rearing, marriages and careers was surprising, said University of Alberta researcher Matthew Johnson. "We assume or hope that high school experiences fade away and don't necessarily resonate 25 years later. The fact that symptoms of depression and expressions of anger can endure over many large events in life shows how important it is to deal with mental health early. Sometimes, problems don't just dissipate. How you grow and change over those early years becomes crucial to future happiness," said Johnson, an assistant professor of human ecology in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. The research, drawn from a larger study begun in 1985, surveyed 178 women and 163 men through their transition to adulthood from age 18 to 25, again on their perceived stress levels at age 32, and on the quality of their intimate relationships at age 43, to find out whether anger or depression they may have felt as young adults was still affecting those bonds. Findings point to the importance of recognizing that early mental health does influence couple relationships and that in turn, can have social costs later on, such as divorce and domestic violence. As individuals, people can help themselves by "recognizing the fact that where they are in their couple relationship now is likely shaped by earlier chapters in their lives," Johnson added. "It's not only your partner's current behaviour or your current behaviour shaping your relationship, but the story you bring with you." Source:University of Alberta

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