Fruits and Human Body

CARROTS – EYES

SLICE a carrot and it looks just like an eye, right down to the pattern of the iris. It’s a clear clue to the importance this everyday veg has for vision. Carrots get their orange colour from a plant chemical called betacarotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four over-65s. It is the most common cause of blindness in Britain. But popping a betacarotene pill doesn’t have the same effect, say scientists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore

WALNUT – BRAIN

THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits. Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats. Dr James Joseph, who headed the study, said walnuts also appear to enhance signalling within the brain and encourage new messaging links between brain cells.

TOMATO – HEART

A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Women’s Health Study — an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women — found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was “convincing vidence’ that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.

GRAPES – LUNGS

OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.

CHEESE – BONES

A nice ‘holey’ cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to ‘power’ muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg – equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.

GINGER – STOMACH

Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So it’s interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further. Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours.

BANANA (SMILE) – DEPRESSION

Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.

MUSHROOM – EAR

Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. That’s because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

BROCCOLI – CANCER

Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.

Regular Health Mistakes

Regular Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs
Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush
How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often
There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast
Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"s been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time.. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.

High heels
High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.

Sleeping on a soft bed
You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows
No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support

Not exercising
So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

All About Blood Pressure

What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force created by the heart as it pushes blood into the arteries and the circulatory system. When the heart pumps, it causes blood to flow through the arteries and into the arterioles. As the blood goes through the arterioles, the arterioles either contract or expand altering both the amount of blood flow and the resistance to blood flow. If the arterioles remain in a contracted form, they create high blood pressure. The heart must then pump harder because the arterioles are exerting a greater resistance to blood flow.
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High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer". High blood pressure is called this because there are usually no symptoms. Very high blood pressure can also cause arteries to bulge (aneurysm) or burst (hemorrhage) .
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Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
High blood pressure is a risk for both heart disease and stroke. Unfortunately, high blood pressure usually has no specific symptoms and no early warning signs. It directly increases the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure is a risk for heart disease because the heart is working harder than normal thus putting the heart and the arteries under a greater strain.

When the heart is forced to work harder for long periods of time, the heart becomes enlarged. A heart that is slightly enlarged may function okay but a severely enlarged heart has a hard time pumping a sufficient amount of blood. High blood pressure is also a risk for strokes.
It is estimated that over 60 million Americans have high blood pressure. Of this 60 million, about 35 percent don't know they have it.

Blood pressure and Kidney disease
High blood pressure and kidney disease are closely related. High blood pressure is a common cause of kidney failure in Australia . One mechanism for this is the production of a hormone called 'renin' by the kidneys. If the kidneys aren't functioning properly, renin can be produced inappropriately, raising the blood pressure.

If high blood pressure is left unchecked, it can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to become thickened and narrowed, possibly leading to reduced blood supply and reduced kidney function.

Blood Pressure as a Tool
Blood pressure is an important diagnostic index, especially of circulatory function. It is an important diagnostic index for many reasons. Firstly, any condition that dilates or contracts the blood vessels or affects their elasticity, affects the blood pressure. Secondly, any disease of the heart that interferes with its pumping power, affects the blood pressure. In a healthy animal, the blood pressure normal for its species is maintained within a certain range with great constancy. Thus if blood pressure is abnormally low or high, it usually indicates that greater health problems are present.

How is Blood pressure Measured?
Blood pressure is measured at two points, a high point and a low point. The high point is the point at which the heart contracts to empty its blood into the circulation, called systole. The low point is the point at which the heart relaxes to fill with blood returned by the circulation, called diastole. Pressure is measured in millimeters (mm) of mercury by an instrument called a sphygmomanometer.

In humans, blood pressure doesn't vary greatly. In healthy persons, blood pressure increases from about 80/45 in infants, to about 120/80 at age 30, to about 140/85 at age 40 and over. Blood pressure increases with age because the arteries loose elasticity.

Abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) is considered a contributory cause of arteriosclerosis. Abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension) is observed in infectious and wasting diseases, hemorrhage, and persons who have collapsed.

Causes of High Blood Pressure?
In about 10 percent of patients, the disease can be traced to specific causes: heredity, kidney abnormalities, adrenal gland tumors, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hormone abnormalities, use of birth control pills, pregnancy or a congenital narrowing of the aorta. This is called secondary hypertension. In the other 90 percent of patients, the cause is unknown and is referred to essential hypertension.

Does Blood Pressure stay the same?
No. Your blood pressure varies all the time to meet your body's needs. The pressure will be different when you get up in the morning, to when you are relaxing, exercising or sleeping. Blood pressure is usually at its highest when we exercise, and lowest when we sleep. Blood pressure can also rise due to anxiety, excitement, activity or nervousness. . In general, blood pressure remains fairly constant throughout the day.

How to Decrease Blood Pressure
There are many ways to decrease blood pressure. Blood pressure can be decreased if a person exercises, doesn't smoke, limits salt intake, limits alcohol intake and if obese, loses weight. Individuals who are very active have a lower risk of getting high blood pressure (20 to 50 percent) than people who are not active.

Medications for Blood pressure
Please note: Medications for blood pressure should be prescribed by and taken under the direction of a doctor.
Diuretics: Commonly called "water pills," they lower blood pressure by reducing the body's sodium and water volume
Vasodilators: These drugs relax the muscles in the blood vessel walls, causing them to dilate, or widen

How is Blood pressure controlled?
Blood pressure is regulated largely by the nervous system. Hemoglobin, the iron-protein compound that gives blood its red color, also plays a role in regulating blood pressure. However, hemoblobin's affect is usually localized and is not very useful when trying to control blood pressure on a large scale. Hemoglobin contains nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes the blood vessel walls, thus increasing blood flow. It controls the expansion and contraction of blood vessels, and thus blood pressure, by regulating the amount of nitric oxide to which the vessels are exposed.
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Individuals with high blood pressure can be given medication to lower their blood pressure. Mild cases of blood pressure can be treated through behavior modification like changing diet and increasing exercise. More severe cases of hypertension require medications like diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics rid the body of excess fluids and salt. Beta blockers reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood.

Blood Pressure Statistics
As many as 50 million Americans aged 6 and older have high blood pressure.
One in five Americans (and one in four adults) has high blood pressure.
Of those people with high blood pressure, 31.6 percent don't know they have it.
People with lower educational and income levels also tend to have higher levels of blood pressure.
Non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than are non-Hispanic whites.

Who is at risk for High Blood Pressure?
In the early and middle adult years, men have high blood pressure more often than women. But as men and women age, the reverse is true. Unfortunately, more than half of all Americans over age 65 have high blood pressure.

Garlic and Your Health

Garlic and Your Health

Garlic (allium sativum) is packed full of health-promoting power. It's famous for being one of our most powerful natural health allies. It can be used in poultices and teas or in direct applications. Or you can enjoy more of it in all your favorite foods. In fact, nearly everyone would benefit from a generous boost of garlic in the daily diet, because it...

* is a potent antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and immune-boosting herb

* can be used to treat wounds, infections and sties

* improves circulation * treats ulcers

* attacks cold germs and flu viruses

* prevents and treats respiratory and throat problems, such as chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, tonsillitis and pneumocystis pneumonia

* alleviates allergy symptoms

* retards inflammatory reactions

* can be used directly to treat burns and insect bites and stings

* treats earaches and ear infections

* helps prevent altitude sickness

* is effective at treating breastfeeding- related mastitis with the added bonus of not introducing antibiotics into baby's milk

* helps babies nurse better

* reduces high cholesterol levels

* helps control blood sugar levels

* lowers high blood pressure

* helps prevent ischemic stroke (If you're concerned about hemorrhagic stroke, avoid anti-clotting herbs.)

* helps prevent heart disease and heart attacks

* helps prevent angina and congestive heart failure

* reduces ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation of cardiac arrhythmia

* treats athlete's foot and other fungal infections

* treats vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis) , thrush and vaginitis

* helps prevent some types of cancer

* helps prevent migraines

* helps treat both types of herpes virus

* treats pinworms, roundworms, giardia (an amoeba) and other parasitic infections

* contains more blood-thinnning anticoagulants (9) than any other herb

* may help slow physiological aging and age-related memory loss

* helps prevent opportunistic infections of AIDS, and may inhibit spread of HIV in the body

* helps reduce the leg pain associated with peripheral vascular disease

* fights tuberculosis and enhances the action of standard antibiotics in fighting off tuberculosis bacteria