Calcium

Did you know that 90 per cent of the calcium in the human body is stored in the bones and teeth? Calcium is an extremely important mineral, which helps in the development of a healthy body structure early in life and also minimises weakening of bones as one ages. A balanced and nutritious diet, rich in calcium and vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium, is a must for maintaining healthy bones.

When the level of dietary calcium comes down, the body absorbs calcium from the bones, further weakening them. A calcium-rich diet help in maintaining proper blood pressure, heartbeat and nervous system. Research has also revealed that there is a positive correlation between calcium intake and the premenstrual syndrome.

This mineral play a vital role in controlling osteoporosis, a condition in which calcium deficiency leads to weak and fragile bones, which, in turn, increases the incidence of fractures in elderly people. Obesity tends to worsen the condition.

Some rich sources of calcium include cheese, tofu, yogurt, calcium-fortified soya drink, and fresh fish. Soya products are highly recommended for post-menopausal women as they have bone-building properties. Chinese cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, dried figs and soya nuts should also be included in the regular diet.

GREEN TEA

According to research at the university of Maryland Medical Center, green tea contains the highest  concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols. These neutralise the free radicals that occur naturally in the body or arise due to environmental toxians, including ultra-violet rays from the sun, cigarette smoke and air pollution. Consumption of green tea also reduces cholesterol. The polyphenols block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and promote its excretion from the body.

A study published in the Journal of preventive Medicine also confirms this view  and suggests that green tea has anti-carcinogenic effect that protect humans against the risk of cancer caused by environmental agents.

Cancer cells are constantly attempting to divide and spread, and their endless appetite is satiated by nutrients from blood vessels. It is green tea’s ability to inhibit angiogenesis or the development of new blood vessels that helps starve cancer, suggest the study of Journal of Human Reproduction.

STRAWBERRIES

Few fruits have the provocative charm or the nutrients if red, plump strawberries peeking out from behind their frilly leaves. Rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, flavonoids and ellagic acid, strawberries protect against ailments like heart disease, cancer and cataracts. Doctor says, strawberries contain ellagic acid, a plant compound that fight carcinogens. It is helpful in suppressing colon cancer cells, and inhibiting prostate and breast cancer cells”.

“The vitamin C present in strawberries fights free radicals in the bloodstream or the cell’s interiors,” adds Setelvad.

According to researchers, the unique flavonoids called anthocyanins in strawberries not only give the red hue, but also help protect nerve cells from inflammation, which is related to decline in cognitive function.

GRAPES

Red grapes are not only the world’s greatest source of red wine, but also a great source of antioxidants. They contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps get rid of free radicals, reduces platelet aggregation and keeps blood vessels open and unobstructed. A recent study conducted at the university of Michigan Cardiovascular Center found that a grapenriched diet could help prevent heart damage even after years of blood pressure.

Another study at the Rambam Medical Centre in Israel confirms that grapes contain an abundance of powerful antioxidants that inhibit an array of critical factors that cause atherosclerosis or ‘hardenings of the arteries’.

Atherosclerosis occurs due to cholesterol buid-up on the arterial walls and leads to blockage of blood vessels that supply
blood to the heart and brain, causing heart attack. Blood cholesterol is carried by both LDL (low density lipoprotien) and
HDL (high density lipoprotien). While LDL is called the ‘bad cholesterol’ it is usually benign until it is damaged by free
radicals.

Grapes also contain a bioflavonoid called quercetin that works with vitamin C to stimulate the immune system to fight infection, cancer and inflammation.

GOLD, a safe harbour?

With prices of gold expected to shoot up during the Indian marriage season beginning November, portfolio strategists have begun to advise clients to invest in gold. “with stock and real estate markets are not performing well, I am advising my clients to invest in gold as gold prices are set to boost in future,” says investment adviser. “Gold prices will shoot up to around Rs 16,000 per 10 grams in November during the marriage season.”

At present gold prices are hovering around Rs 14,000 per 10 grams. Investors can earn a return of anything between 15 and 30 per cent in just one month, These experts said. However, not everyone is equally optimistic as gold prices have been showing a lot of volatility in recent times. “The price fluctuations are very erratic. Nothing can be predicted in a market situation like this. No laws work in this kind of situation.” The general expectation is the prices will rise as
supply of the yellow metal is drying up. India is the world’s largest market for gold.

Tomato

The vine-ripened tomato is a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent macular degeneration and cataracts, and can ward off certain type of cancer (particularly of the prostate). “The lycopene in tomatoes is the chemical cousing of beta carotene and helps fight free radicals.” Besides lycopene, tomatoes are also great source of vitamin c, which helps boost the immune system of the body.

The body does not produce lycopene. Hence, benefits can be obtained only by eating food rich in lycopene. Experts recommend cooking tomatoes with a little oil to increase lycopene absorption. However that consumed in the raw and cooked form have equal benefits. “cooking tomatoes destroys vitamin A and to enjoy benefits of both lycopene and vitamin A, one must have it in the raw form” .

EATING TIP: Have a glass of tomato juice or prepare tomato paste sprinkled with basil and olive oil and serve over pasta.

THE LIFE IS LIKE THAT

Sometimes beautiful green
Sometimes peaceful white
Life is sometimes free
Sometimes just a sad gloomy night.

There are times
Which make you feel like hell
when dreams turn into nightmares
Tears roll down your cheeks and fall.

You might be all by yourself
All alone trapped in a shell
Always remember to fight back
Life ultimately come back on track.

After every night there is day
Always sing and convey:
“Life is a song
And you can sing alone1″

You’ll always find someone beside you
Someone who will guide you
Keep walking on and on
And soon friendship will be born.

The years will pass by quick
And you’ll become springs pick
Your heart will dance to every rhythm
Every tone and every symphony will be your life’s sum!

So always remember my pal
Never lose belief in yourself at any call
The bees will sing and the cuckoos will sing
Just remember to hit the right note and you’ll be glad
Then you’ll understand, life is like that!

DO YOU SMOKE ?

Benefits of Quiting Smoking

When you quit smoking

AFTER 20 min:

Blood pressure and pulse rate returns to normal.

After 8 hrs:

Oxygen levels in the blood returns to normal. Chances of heart attack falls.

After 24hrs:

carbon mono oxide is eliminated from the body. Lungs clear out mucus and other debris.

After 48 hrs:

Nicotine no longer detectable in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.

After 72 hrs:

Breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes relax. Energy level increase.

After 2 – 21 weeks:

Circulation improves throughout the body.

After 3 – 9 mnts:

Breathing problems such as coughing, shotness of breath & wheezing improves. Overall lung function increase by 5-10%.

After 5 yrs:

Risk of heart attack falls to about half of that of a smoker.

After 10 yrs:

Risk of lung cancer falls to about half of that of a smoker. Risk of heart-attack falls to about the same as non – smokers.

Explosive Cell Phones

Several Phone battery explosions have been registered in the last two years. Most of them were caused by motorola devices with counterfeit batteries. In the United States at least 83 people were burned from cell phone battery explosions during this period. Most caused by inadequate use of batteries and recharges, according to the consumer product safety commission (CPSC).

To avoid other accidents, manufacturer Kyocera wireless has recently launched a security system to thwart the use of non-authorized batteries in Kyocera handsets, starting in models from Asia. Forthcoming devices from other countries will also use the cipher-based solution.

But why are these incidents being more often in the last couple of years? Besides the fact that more and more people form around the world own a cell phone, nowadays devices use Li-ion batteries, which have lots of advantages but one important drawback: they can explode when damaged or exposed to high temperatures.

ALCOHOL

Alohol is a fermented organic compounds, obtained by distillation of malts and sugars. The alcohol used for drinking is ethyl alcohol. Other common alcohol include methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol. Methyl alcohol is deadly poisonous and causes blindness and even death. Alcohol, when take in small quantities causes intoxication. The heart beats more slowly and the muscles of the blood vessels relax, causing the skin to flush. IF the drink is continued for long period, the speech become indistinct, there is loss of balance and finally reaches the stage where one cannot see clearly and falls asleep. Excessive drinking causes unconsciousness and finally death. The effect of alcohol present in the blood.

Alcoholism generally leads to addiction, because of its effects as a depressant. The person who drinks in an uncontrolled manner is called an alcoholic. He becomes a salve to alcohol. The following saying clearly establishes the consequences of alcohol addition:

“FIRST THE MAN TAKES THE DRINK, THEN
THE DRINK TAKES THE THE DRINK, AND THEN
THE DRINK TAKES THE MAN”.

ADDITION TO THE ALCOHOL IS A STEPWISE PROCESS. Its starts from occasional to moderate and then to heavy drinking. The individual thus becomes completely dependent on alcohol.