Weight loss and long life – Choice is YOURS

Over weight – it is not a problem of the adult anymore. Teens and even children in many countries are facing this problem. Recently , I saw in the television , various exercise programs to reduce the weight of the children in China. Whether the life style, eating habits, junk food is the culprit, for this phenomenon, the fact is over weight causes problems.

A new study, from the Harvard school of Public Health , reports that being overweight at the age of 18 is associated with an increased risk of premature death in younger and middle-aged women. Past studies have also shown that overweight children and adolescents have higher risks of cardiovascular problems and chronic diseases.

Health care professionals and Governments world over are concerned about the overweight problem , especially that of the children and teens. You and I have to take some action to make our lives and that of our dear ones, more enjoyable and meaningful.

Regular exercise , good eating habits and weight loss supplements if needed are few precautionary measures , you can take to keep the weight under control.

Had a date with Dentist ?

I don’t enjoy visiting the dentist, ever since removing my tooth . But it happened again. This time , I narrowly escaped from losing a couple of my teeth. The dentist advised to have a ‘ root canal treatment’. That sounded good , till I opened my mouth. After the usual local anesthesia , I was lying on the dentist chair, while the dentist attended other patient. The dentist came, after some time, sat by my head with the array of tools Then started the treatment. I felt as if he was drilling in to my tooth. The next fifteen to twenty minutes saw him with all sorts of tools rubbing and cleaning. I thought it was all over. But not yet, declared the dentist. I had to go three more times for more of cleaning and dressing.

Perhaps I could have avoided this . As with many, I had my own reasons for not brushing regularly twice a day and flossing. I was surprised to read recently , that I was not alone.

Researchers found that tongue and tooth brushing in combination with dental flossing significantly decreased gingival bleeding by 38 percent after a two-week oral hygiene program. According to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology, these are two tasks that should not be omitted from the daily hygiene routine.

So why take a risk !

Overweight can complicate pregnancy

Overweight and obesity have long been known to complicate pregnancy. Both overweight and obesity increase the chances for such serious and potentially life-threatening complications of pregnancy. According to a study at the University of North Carolina and the national Institute of child health, pregnant women who are overweight or obese progress through labor more slowly than do normal weight women.

The researchers found that, for both overweight and obese women, the active duration of labor took longer than it did for normal weight women. In the current study, researchers analyzed pregnancy and birth records from 612 North Carolina women who gave birth to their first child. The researchers undertook the study to determine why obese and overweight women are more likely to have a caesarean section.

The Researcher cautioned women about beginning a weight loss program without medical advice. Many fad diets might result in some weight loss, but at the expense of good nutrition. So it is important to consult a physician, before beginning a weight loss program.

Lose weight and lower the risk of breast cancer

Keeping the weight under control enhances your beauty. It gives you all the mobility and freedom to engage in all the activities that you enjoy.

According to a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association , gaining 22 pounds increased a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 18 percent. Women who lost the same amount lowered their risk by 57 percent. But age was still the main risk factor for developing the disease, concluded the study. The study tracked 87000 women between the ages of 30 and 55 for 26 years, and monitored how their weight changed after the age of 18, and from menopause onward.

It pays to lose weight !.

Boost your body defense

Eat lot of vegetables, both green and leafy, and fruits ! This is what many suggest. But why ? Because they are good sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body from numerous infections and possibly diseases like cancer. They protect against free radicals. Free radicals are chemicals formed in the body as part of the metabolism and defense against bacteria. But factors like exposure to environmental pollution or ultraviolet light, illness and cigarette smoke can cause the body to increase the production of free radicals to a level more than required. These free radicals have been associated with aging, cancer, blood pressure, immune deficiency etc.,

Recent research suggests that dietary supplements containing such antioxidants may offer protection against certain cancer and may help in premature aging. Science daily, quoting the researchers of Penn State University, reported that the mushrooms are as good a source of antioxidants as vegetables. The commonly consumed Button mushrooms rank with carrots, green beans, red peppers and broccoli as good sources of dietary antioxidants.

Epidemiological studies have shown that those who eat the most fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants have lower incidence of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and atherosclerosis.

“O.K . What if I do not enjoy eating the vegetables ? Can I still get the benefits of antioxidants “ , you may wonder . Yes ! There is an option . And an easier option. This nutritional supplement with many other vital ingredients are available for consumption in liquid form for easier consumption and absorption in to the body system.

Enjoy the healthy life

Five keys to safer food

The World Health Organization had outlined five simple keys for safer food. Following these simple steps, many food borne diseases can be prevented.

1. Keep Clean
- Wash your hands before handling food and often during preparation of food
- Wash your hands after going to the toilet.
- Wash and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used for food preparation
- Protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals.

2. Separate raw and cooked
- Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other food.
- Use separate equipment and utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handling
raw foods.
- Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods.

3. Cook thoroughly
- Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood.
- Bring food like soups and stews to boiling to make sure that they have reached 70
deg C. For meat and poultry, make sure that juices are clear, not pink. Ideally, use a
thermometer.
- Reheat cooked food thoroughly.

4. Keep food at safe temperature
- Do not keep cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable food ( preferably below 5 deg C )
- Keep cooked food piping hot ( more than 60 deg C ) prior to serving.
- Do not store food too long even in the refrigerator.
- Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature.

5. Use safe water and raw materials
- Use safe water or treat it to make it safe.
- Select fresh and wholesome foods.
- Choose foods processed for safety, such as pasteurized milk.
- Wash fruits and vegetables , especially if eaten raw.
- Do not use food beyond its expiry date.

Organic diet reduces pesticide exposure

A recent research study indicates that organic diet is better for the infants and children, with respect to the exposure of pesticides.

Background : The National Research Council, in 1993, reported that the dietary intake represents the major source of pesticide exposure for infants and children. And this exposure may contribute to the pesticide related health risks in children compared to the adults. Many studies have been carried out , since then, to quantify the exposure to pesticides and assess the effect.

Study : A study, supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency was undertaken and published in Environmental Health Perspectives ( EHP ) in Sep 2005. 23 elementary age children volunteered for the 15 day study. Their urine samples were bio- monitored daily while they were on conventional, organic and conventional diet. The diet basically consisted of fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, wheat or corn based items.

Conclusion : There was a dramatic and immediate reduction in exposure to Organophosphorus pesticides such as malathion and chlorpyrifos. These pesticides are commonly and predominantly used in agricultural production.

Back To Nature

Health is wealth . Who doesn’t want to be healthy ? Good health allows a person to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful world and the life. Food is an important contributor to good health. After all “ you are what you eat “.

But in the modern world, with its fast paced activity, eating a balanced food many a time take backseat. You end up eating junk food for convenience or due to lack of time. It starts from skipping the breakfast, having a quick business lunch and ending up with a late night dinner. All of these not-so-good eating habits will have an effect on the body in due course if not immediately.

One possible solution is to look for health , nutritional supplement. Though many such supplements are available , it is wise to choose those which are more natural.