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Keep a count on your calories

June 30, 2008

New dietary guidelines issued recently blame excess calories, not carbohydrates, for expanding waistlines. Be sure most of your carbs are from whole grains or fruits and vegetables, which supply energy, nutrients, and fibre. Aim for 6 servings of whole grains, 4 servings of fruit, and 5 servings of veggies per day.

Your body needs all three food energy sources to function properly: carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Diets that restrict certain food groups to less than recommended amounts may deprive you of important vitamins and nutrients. For example, diets that strictly limit carbohydrate intake may rob you of the important B vitamins, selenium, magnesium, and fibre found in whole-grain foods or the disease-fighting carotenoids and flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables. For optimum health, stick to carbohydrates that raise blood sugar levels slowly, such as oatmeal, brown rice, barley, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Steer clear of highglycemic index carbs, such as white rice, and cookies, cakes, bread, and pasta made from white flour, which tend to cause unsteady spikes in blood sugar levels.

Written by James · Filed Under Fats 

Homeopathy to help heal back problems

June 30, 2008

If you regularly wake up feeling stiff with pain in your lower back which becomes better or reduces during the day with exercise or as you ease into your routine, and this has persisted for more than three months, there are chances that it could be more than just simple bodily wear and tear. You could be suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic form of arthritis known to affect 1 in 200 people.

It is three times more common in men than in women, typically affecting young people between the ages of 15 and 30. It is uncommon for this condition to begin after a person is 40. While the exact cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis remains unknown, research suggests a strong possibility of it being genetically transmitted with the HLA-B27 gene detected in 93 per cent of people with this condition. Thought to be an autoimmune disorder where the body’s own defence cells damage the joints of the spine, Ankylosing Spondylitis causes swelling between the vertebrae, and in the joints between the spine and pelvis.

Pain and stiffness are the first symptoms and are usually felt in the lower back and upper buttocks. The rest of the spine and neck can also be affected. In advanced cases where the fusion of the spine has taken place there is complete loss of mobility. The areas become brittle and are prone to fractures. The spine becomes inflexible (bamboo spine) which makes walking and even standing difficult. Early accurate diagnosis and therapy may minimise years of pain and disability. Proper sleep and walking positions along with abdominal and back exercises help maintain posture and joint flexibility. Breathing exercises enhance lung capacity.

AS is a lifelong problem, and people who fail to continue treatment risk permanent loss of posture and mobility. Homoeopathic treatment can be a great boon to the patient especially if the intervention is well in time. If the treatment is started in the initial stages when not too much of the elastic tissue is lost, the prognosis is good and in most cases, the condition can be reversed. At a later stage where extensive bone formation has replaced elastic tissue, homeopathic medicines may not be able to reverse the situation but can still help in easing many symptoms. A 26-year-old man suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis visited us.

Initially, he had been getting by with painkillers. Later he was put on disease-modifying drugs including steroids by his physician. Apart from leading to various side effects, the disease continued to progress. Finally the patient decided to switch over to homeopathy. Post a detailed case history, we prescribed him Lycopodium 200. Within 8 months all his conventional medication had been tapered off. The intensity of his pain had reduced considerably. The disease had stopped progressing and there was no more stiffness of the spine.

Homeopathic remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Rhus Tox 30c: 5 pills twice daily for stiffness and pain in the back which reduces with continous motion. Kali-Bich 30: For sharp excruciating pain, which is well localised accompanied by a lot of restlessness and anxiety.

These findings were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Written by James · Filed Under Health 

Tips for good vision

June 29, 2008

 If you want to see clearly for years to come, then eat your veggies, quit smoking, and wear your sunglasses yearround.


 An eye condition that can lead to blindness is increasing as baby boomers age. It may help guard against this sightstealer — called age-related macular degeneration — if you choose glasses that filter 99-100 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. And that goes for all specs, not just your sunglasses. Here are some vision-friendly foods you should eat:


 Whether you’re buying regular glasses or the latest in cool shades, be sure the lenses block harmful rays. Many prescription lenses now come with built-in protection, but if not, anti-UV coatings are available. Your optometrist or optician can guide you and also may be able to do a quick test to see if your current eyewear is UV-proof.

What’s on your plate can also help your vision. Make a habit of eating fruits and veggies rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Corn and dark, leafy greens are good sources. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc have been shown to protect eye health, too.


Finally, if you still smoke, this might help you quit: Lighting up more than 20 cigarettes a day doubles the risk of macular degeneration.

Written by James · Filed Under Eye Care 

Is Apple a Day really good for you?

June 29, 2008

• According to the latest research, the old saying, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ is fact, not just folklore. The nutritional stars in apples-fiber, flavonoids, and fructose-translate into apples’ ability to keep us healthy.

• Apple’s two types of fiber pack a double punch that can knock down cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of hardening of the arteries, heart attack, and stroke.

• When it comes to bowel regularity, apple’s two types of fiber tackle the job-no matter what it is. Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin help relieve constipation (thus helping to prevent diverticulosis and colon cancer).

Written by James · Filed Under Health 

How to avoid Drowsiness

June 28, 2008

When the afternoon blahs leave us slumped over our desks like an unwatered houseplant, most of us reach for a supersized vat of coffee and/or a calorie-packed sugar snack. There are much better options, whether you need a quick lift to keep you from nodding off in a meeting or something to keep you going for hours.

WATER:
Sometimes what feels like fatigue is just dehydration (often made worse by too much coffee). Drink a cup of
water, take a quick walk around the block or the parking lot (fresh air is an energy booster, too), and then down another cup of water when you get back.

MELON:
Like cookies and candy, watermelon is high in sugar, which metabolises quickly, which gives you a rush. But watermelon’s way healthier: Instead of guilt, you get fibre, a hit of vitamins A and C, plus all that fresh, juicy flavour for almost no calories (fewer than 50 a cup). To make your new diet last longer, eat it with some protein and a little fat — as in low-fat cottage cheese or a fistful of sunflower seeds.

BAKED POTATO:
They are high on the glycemic index — that is, they give blood sugar a quick boost — which is bad for people with diabetes but good in moderate doses for other people in need of an energy surge. Heap on some salsa and top with a dollop of low-fat sour cream to enhance the effect. Spicy foods are stimulating, and hot peppers wake up more than your taste buds.

FEW DRIED DATES:
They were traditionally used in the Sahara to provide quick energy to camels. Like potatoes, dates are a high glycemic snack, but rich in minerals, too — especially potassium. Split the dates and fill with a tad of low-fat cream cheese to slow the sugar absorption.

Written by James · Filed Under Sleep 

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