Healthtips , Health News, Health Care and Fitness,Health and Nutrition Tips

In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. Embryonic stem cells are located in the inner mass of a blastocyst (an embryo at a very early stage of development), and they eventually give rise to every cell type of the adult organism. Adult stem cells are found in some tissues in the adult body, such as the epidermis of the skin, the lining of the small intestine, and the bone marrow, where they serve in the regeneration of old or worn tissue. In cancer treatment, blood-forming adult stem cells are routinely harvested from bone marrow, stored, and then reinfused into patients to replace blood cells destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This potential for replacing damaged tissues has aroused great interest in using embryonic stem cells to treat a number of other conditions, such as Parkinson disease, severe burns, and damage to

Curds are a healthy, universally useful food. It is formed by lactic fermentation of milk. Curd is esteemed for its smoothness and its pleasant and refreshing taste. It is highly versatile health promoting and valuable therapeutic foods. Once thought of only as a worthy health food, curd or yoghurt is now the base for tempting frozen desserts and is used as a healthier alternative to cream. The word yoghurt is of Turkish Origin and is believed that the first curd was made in Turkey. People who cannot drink milk may find that they can tolerate curd. Universally cow's milk is used to make curd. But in India, buffalo milk is also used extensively and in Russia, the milk of sheep, goat and mare is largely used for the same purpose. Curd is a sour milk preparation. Curd or dahi or yoghurt is eaten as such with salt or sugar or added to other preparations. The butterfat is removed from dahi by churning and used to make ghee. Curd has almost the same calorific value of cow's milk.

When some hears the word papaya, they’d remember the pungent fragrant of a fully ripe papaya, orange and sweet flesh, and not to forget, endless black and rubbery round seeds. Tropical countries always love to use papaya have decorations for it’s beautiful colour and you can literally see papaya tries growing everywhere in tropical countries like Malaysia. It’s easy to plant and yet quite easy to be uprooted for it’s shallow roots, especially on sandy land. But what’s more is papaya is more than meets the eye. Lets see what our dear orange coloured family of fruits can do for us. Papaya (Carica papaya – Caricaceae family) Papaya called also a tree melon because of its resemblance to a melon; this fruit grows on a giant herbaceous plant and not a tree. Originally from southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America, the papaya is now cultivated in most countries with a tropical climate like India, Malaysia and the Philippines. The cultivated papaya is a melon like

Olive oil the main component of Mediterranean diet is derived by crushing and then pressing fresh olives. There are many types of olive oils available in the market through out the year. Depending on the processing the types of olive oil include - pure extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, pure and extra light olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is however considered the most health promoting as it is derived from first pressing of the olives thus has a natural delicate flavor with the goodness of more antioxidants. Health benefits of olive oil - Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid, a type of unsaturated fat that has health promoting properties. Olive oil is considered one of the healing fats as when it is replaced with other fats; especially saturated fats have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, asthma and diabetes.

Research has found that people who generally live longer do so partly because of good habits. Here, are some of the following good habits for longevity. 1) Laugh and fun, don’t be gloomy 2) Let bygones be bygones. Dwelling on the past inflicts unnecessary stress. 3) Early to bed, early to rise, is healthy & wise 4) Stay lean, being just 30% overweight is bad. 5) Keep learning, reading , socializing – an alert active mind keeps brain cells healthy. 6) Keep working, doing something you like. Don’t retire, it slows down your body. 7) Be the boss of your own life. Letting others push you around produces stress. 8) Too many pills ruin your body, take just what you need. 9) Constantly alternating between weight gain & loss is bad 10) Exercise, quit smoking and eat less fatty foods

Bananas are a great food for all round health benefits, for the average person, dieter or even athletes bananas may provide greater benefits than most fruits. The combination of carbohydrates and B vitamins present in a banana helps provide an energy boost which makes them great to eat 30 minutes before a workout, or even at breakfast to help boost energy at the start of every day. Bananas are not only a good source of B vitamins they also contain vitamin C, A and high levels of potassium. The natural fiber in bananas also contribute to the many health benefits listed below. Health benefits of eating banana healthy bowels cardiovascular health protection from strokes

Surya namaskar or sun salutation, which includes twelve different forward and backward bends with proper inhale and exhale, benefits your body and mind in several ways. The various body movements’ stretch and exercises all the vital organs and parts of the body while the pranayama part of the Surya namaskar ensures the flow of fresh oxygen in your system and mind. As a result, your mind remains fresh and stress free. It is one of the holistic yoga exercises. Benefits of Surya Namaskar: Although going by the well-known yoga guides, there are many benefits of surya namaskar. In fact each pose in the surya namaskar benefits some or the other part of your body .Here are some of the benefits that you can get, while practicing surya namaskar daily, in proper way:

Want immediate results? Researchers found that 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day, such as walking, and switching to a healthier diet dropped health risks dramatically in just 6 weeks. Risks for killers such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease were greatly reduced, according to a study by Brigham Young University professor of exercise science Steven Aldana, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, March, 2005. "This is not a diet, not a trend, not a fad that will go away," said Aldana. "It's adopting a nutritious way of eating and exercise that causes very important positive changes in your body’s health in a short period of time." Body Fat, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Respond Fast to Changes Study participants, age 43 to 81, experienced significant reductions in body fat, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. For the study, they attended a Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP)lecture series, then began a 30-minute-a-day

A cure for coughing is in the offing, thanks to scientist who have identified the process that leads to the reflux. Coughing has largely remained a mystery to science. Now a team in Britain has found that the problem actually lies in the receptors on nerve endings in the lungs which react to irritants. For victims of persistent coughing in which no useful purpose is being served, the receptors on these nerve endings are repeatedly prompting the cough reflux. If those receptors are blocked , coughing could be stopped, according to the scientists from Britain”s National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London Hull University. Lead scientist Maria Belvisi of the National Heart and Lung Institute and Imperial College said: “ For some people , chronic coughing can be annoying and uncomfortable, but for others it can be distressing and can have a severe impact on their quality of life.

If you are looking forward to lose some weight then you must have considered many of the options that are available. You must have also heard about weight loss through surgery. Many individuals lose weight through weight loss surgery. But before opting for choice, you should consider all the factors and then decide if it is best for you because in some cases weight loss surgery may be a right choice. When it comes to determining if weight loss surgery is right for you, there are a number of factors that you will need to take into consideration. One of those factors is your current weight. Most of the time, you will find that weight loss surgeons require their patients to be at least eighty pounds overweight. If you are not as overweight as recommend, you may not even be able to undergo a weight loss surgery. If that is the case, you should keep in mind that there are a number of different weight loss approaches that you can take. Speaking of alternative weight loss methods, have

Have you ever gone into the basement … stopped … looked around blankly … and thought, “now, WHY did I come down here”? Then you go back up stairs, remember, come back down your stairs for the second time, and do whatever it was you had to do. Yes, age-related forgetfulness can increase your daily activity level by making you retrace your steps all the time, but it can also be a cause for concern. Not to worry, though, because these kinds of events are very common as we get older. The key is not to worry about preventing them completely (because, well, you can’t), but to give your brain its best chance of staying as sharp as it can, for as long as it can. Mental “brain-aerobics” can certainly help you stay on top of your game, but certain foods can do just as much for your graying gray matter!! In fact, some edibles are especially good at protecting the brain's delicate nerve cells and blood vessels from the damage that comes from normal aging. Even better, most of the very sma

Diet pills have a great potential to help you lose weight and this can be very appealing, especially if you are someone who has struggled to lose weight in the past and who is obese, with a BMI of over 27. But these advantages should be weighed against the possible dangers of diet pills including some dangerous side effects. Before take any diet pill, you should understand what some of the dangers of diet pills can be. What are some of the dangers of diet pills? rescription diet pills are very strong drugs, and each has the potential for dangerous side effects. Some of the side effects from taking prescription diet pills can be dangerous. Each diet pill has its own set of potential side effects, so instead of listing every possible side effect here, please visit the pages on this site that correspond to the diet pill you are interested in.

What is Arthritis ? Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders that affect your joints and muscles. Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation and limited movement of joints. When a joint is inflamed it may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red. Surrounding each joint is a protective capsule holding a lubricating fluid to aid in motion. Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, covers most joints to assure an even, fluid motion of the joint. With joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making movement painful. For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Your doctor can tell if you have arthrit

What is anemia? Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. The normal level of hemoglobin is generally different in males and females. For men, anemia is typically defined as hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100ml. These definitions may vary slightly depending on the source and the laboratory reference used. What causes anemia? Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused: by a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or by a loss or destruction of blood.

An abrasion is a wearing away of the upper layer of skin as a result of applied friction force. In dentistry an "abrasion" is the wearing away of the tooth substance. Abrasions are very common sports injuries that are usually caused by a fall on a hard surface. As the athlete falls or slides on the ground, friction causes layers of skin to rub off. The skin is composed of an outer layer which provides protection, and a deep inner layer , which provides the firmness and flexibility of the skin. Abrasions typically refer to an injury that removes these layers of skin. Cyclists often refer to abrasions from crashes as "road rash." While a bike crash has the potential to cause a painful and severe abrasion, most abrasions are shallow scrapes that do not extend into the dermis and don't cause a great deal of bleeding. While there is often little or no blood loss from an abrasion, there can be a great deal of pain because of the many nerve endings that are e

Freckles may be described as flat, round, dark colored spots that range in size from about 2mm to 4mm. Freckles could be the result of pigment precipitation in one particular place, as generally the skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles have a hereditary aspect to it and you are likely to inherit it if runs in your family. Freckles are usually of no medical consequence and do not cause any problems. Freckles are sensitive to the UV rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent during or after exposure to sunlight. Though freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun. There are two basic types of freckles - Ephelides - These are flat red or light-brown spots that typically appear during the summer months and fade away in the winter. These types of freckles could be hereditary. Lentigines - Lentigines may be small tan, brown or black spot that is darker than an ephelide. This does not fade in winter. This is also a

Hiccups start from the diaphragm, a dome shaped muscle in the chest. Diaphragm’s function is to pull and push air in and out of the lungs while inhaling and exhaling respectively. Hiccups are caused when the diaphragm is irritated. Generally hiccups last for a few minutes but sometimes they may last for days or weeks. This may be a sign of some other medical problems in the body. Hiccups Symptoms Some of the symptoms of hiccups are as follows Contraction of diaphragm, Continuous “hic “sound from the throat. Hiccups Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet Hiccups Causes Some of the causes of hiccups are as follows. Overstretching the neck, Laryngitis, Heartburn, Irritation of the eardrum, General anesthesia, Surgery, Bloating, Tumor, Infection, Diabetes, Drinking excessive alcohol, Hot and spicy food, Smoking, Eating fast.

Dark circles can make a beautiful face very ugly. Dark blemishes are formed under the eyes due to various reasons. Heredity is believed to be one of the major reasons for its formation. Dark circles are also considered to be a sign of unhealthiness. No specific symptoms except dark under eyes Dark circles are very visible as darkened areas around or under the eyes. Apart from that, there are no other symptoms to this problem. You may also experience water discharge from your eyes in excess which may later give rise to dark circles. Dark Circles Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet Age Ageing is the main factor for the development of dark circles. As you age, the skin becomes dry and the dark circles become very prominent. Stress

Throat infections are very common and almost all of us suffer from it . Regular bouts of infection can leave your immune system weakened and you will therefore be more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. A healthy immune system will also minimize your risks of getting throat infections. A throat infection is often caused by invasive bacteria and the more serious infections are caused by various viruses. The microbes lodge in the respiratory tract and so in order to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible, it is important that you ensure that your tract is free of all mucous. Mucous contains the bacteria or virus causing the infection and so expelling it will go a long way in curing yourself. Mucous often thickens within the tract and this makes it tough to cough it up. Drink plenty of hot water throughout your day as this will help to thin the mucous. The hot water will also help to kill off the bacteria or virus present in your throat. It is better to add a few

If you haven't heard about the acai berry, you've been missing out on one of the most important and powerful superfoods out there. This grape-sized berry comes from the Brazilian rain forest and is purple-green in color. Acai juice is often found in health food stores, and if you're looking for something full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it would be one of the best things to add to your diet. Weight Loss The fiber in acai prevents some hunger signals from reaching the brain. This helps to curb hunger and in turn is good for anyone looking to lose weight. Energy Acai berries help to boost both energy and stamina. It does this by promoting the body's metabolic processes, which includes burning more calories and stored fat.

Various forms of pepper have long been used to satisfy our culinary experience but as it turns out, there is a lot more to pepper than meets the eye. Aromatherapy Use: Massage mainly - excellent for muscle pains and stiffness. Can be used to treat sports injuries. For colds and flu, it can be taken as a steam inhalation, combined with eucalyptus or marjoram. Therapeutic Use: Not compatible with homeopathic treatment. Circulation : anemia, poor circulation

Component of ancient spice makes cells more resistant to infection, report says Modern technology has revealed the ancient secret behind the healing power of turmeric, a spice regarded as "holy powder" in India. Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other ailments. It's long been believed that curcumin -- the main ingredient in turmeric -- is responsible for its healing power, but it hasn't been known how curcumin works inside the body, explained researcher Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy and colleagues. They used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to examine molecules of curcumin and found that they act like a "biochemical disciplinarian." The molecules insert themselves into cell membranes and make the membranes more stable and orderly in a way that boosts cells' resistance to infection by disease-causing microbes. The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The U.S. National Center for Co

Definition of Ulcer Ulcers are crater-like sores (generally 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter, but sometimes 1 to 2 inches in diameter) which form in the lining of the stomach (called gastric ulcers), just below the stomach at the beginning of the small intestine in the duodenum (called duodenal ulcers) or less commonly in the esophagus (called esophageal ulcers). In general, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum are referred to as peptic ulcers. Description of Ulcer The stomach is a bag of muscle that crushes and mixes food with the digestive "juices" - hydrochloric acid and pepsin. If the lining of the stomach (or duodenum) is damaged in one place or another, the acid and pepsin go to work on the lining as they would on food, breaking it down as though to digest it. An ulcer is the result of an imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors. On one hand, too much acid and pepsin can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. On the other hand (and more commonly),

What Is COPD? COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD.

What is restless leg syndrome? Restless leg syndrome is a common cause of painful legs. The leg pain of restless leg syndrome typically eases with motion of the legs and becomes more noticeable at rest. Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of symptoms during the early evening or later at night. The characteristic nighttime worsening of symptoms in persons with restless legs syndrome frequency leads to insomnia. Restless leg syndrome usually begins slowly. Over time, the legs become more affected. Less frequently, restless leg syndrome can affect the arms. What causes restless leg syndrome? The cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown in most patients. However, restless leg syndrome has been associated with pregnancy, obesity, smoking, iron deficiency and anemia, nerve disease, polyneuropathy (which can be associated with hypothyroidism, heavy metal toxicity, toxins, and many other conditions), other hormone disease, such as diabetes, and kidney failure (which can be

Exercise-Induced Asthma What Is Exercise-Induced Asthma? Like it sounds, exercise-induced asthma is asthma that is triggered by vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion. Most people with chronic asthma experience symptoms of asthma during exercise. However, there are many people without chronic asthma who develop symptoms only during exercise. Why Does Exercise Induce Asthma? During normal breathing, the air we take in is first warmed and moistened by the nasal passages. Because people tend to breathe through their mouths when they exercise, they are inhaling colder and drier air. In exercise-induced asthma, the muscle bands around the airways are sensitive to these changes in temperature and humidity and react by contracting, which narrows the airway. This results in symptoms of exercised-induced asthma, which include:

Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis is involuntary passage of urine while the child is asleep at an age beyond which the sphincter control is normally developed. An occasional lapse by child should not cause concern. Bedwetting is of two types - Persistent (or primary) type and the Regressive type. In persistent type child has never been dry at night and in regressive type, the sphincter control is developed at normal age and child remains dry for several months after which child again starts wetting bed at night. Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis at 5 yrs of age is 7% for males and 3% for females. At 10 yrs of age it is 3% for males and 2% for females and at 18 yr of age it is 1% for males and rarely present in females. There is a marked familial pattern. Persistent Type Persistent type of bed wetting is due to delay in maturation of neurological control of sphincters. Persistent type of nocturnal enuresis may also be due to inadequate or inappropriate toilet training. Parents wh

What is seizure? A Seizure or convulsion is a brief period of unconsciousness or altered consciousness. It may be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: falling; muscle spasms; drooling or "frothing" at the mouth, loss of bladder or bowel control , a temporary halt in breathing. Seizures may occur in anyone, irrespective of the age. It can be a terrifying sight when a person suffers a seizure and most often the family members or attendants of the person do not know what to do. A seizure struck person does not respond. Panic and alarm are the first reactions but an understanding of the underlying mechanism can go a long way in alleviating anxiety. What causes them? Our brain is an enormously huge and complex network of electrical circuits. Seizures are the result of abnormal activity in one area of this circuit which causes abnormal currents to spread to the rest of the brain. The result is a seizure with its attendant physical and/or behavioral manifes

Choking is the kind of emergency in which the chance of getting the victim to a doctor in time is almost nil. Without immediate help, the person can die, or at least suffer permanent brain damage, within four minutes. That is all the more reason for you to keep your wits about you and familiarise yourself with the skills and techniques that might one day save a life - including your own. Cough it out: If the airway is only partially obstructed, violent coughing and sputtering will generally dislodge the obstructing mass. Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre: If the victim is not getting air, and his/her throat is blocked, don't wait for medical help. Take first-aid steps for choking immediately. Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around his waist. Place your fist with the thumb side against the victim's abdomen slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull it into the victim's abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repe

What is squint ? Squint is a misalignment of the two eyes so that both the eyes are not looking in the same direction. This misalignment may be constant, being present throughout the day, or it may appear sometimes and the rest of the time the eyes may be straight. It is a common condition among children. It may also occur in adults. What causes squint? The exact cause of squint is not really known. The movement of each eye is controlled by six muscles. Each of these muscle acts along with its counterpart in the other eye to keep both the eyes aligned properly. A loss of coordination between the muscles of the two eyes leads to misalignment. This misalignment may be the same in all directions of gaze, or in some conditions the misalignment may be more in one direction of gaze, e.g., in squint due to nerve palsy.

When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. In a Yogic point of view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in hand with the Asanas. The union of these two Yogic Principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Benefits of Pranayama Patanjali has said that one develops concentration and clarity of thought by practising Pranayama. It helps in increasing the mental and physical powers of endurance. It is the path to deeper relaxation and meditation and is a scientific method of controlling breath. It provides complete relaxation to the nervous system. It provides relief

Dental care is a vital part of personal hygiene. You just cannot afford to neglect it. All it needs is regular care and caution. Halitosis or bad breath can be embarrassing and could cause social and psychological problems. It can even affect marriages. Remember, lack of dental hygiene will not only wreck your personal life, but it could also tell on your health too. Bacteria that live on teeth and gums are the prime cause of bad breath. We need to take extra care and make sure that these bacteria are eliminated regularly and effectively. Here are a few simple but effective ways to keep your breath clean and fresh. Brush your teeth well. Ideally, it takes two to three minutes to brush your teeth well. But most people seem to finish brushing their teeth in less than a minute. That won't be too effective. Drink plenty of water. Bad breath is accentuated by the dryness of the mouth. It helps bacteria flourish. Drinking a lot of water not only helps wash away leftover food pa

Performing breast self examination (BSE) on a monthly basis gives you the opportunity to detect breast cancer. A woman who regularly perform BSE can detect breast cancer at its earlier stage. It is best carried out once a month before the menstrual period. BSE is recommended for ever women from age 20. Self examination is done in two ways: inspection and feeling the breasts Method of breast examination Look into a mirror, undresses to the waist. Study the breasts and become familiar with their normal appearance. Look at the skin texture, height and appearance of the nipples etc. Check for any unusual difference. Look at each breast for any unusual irregularity in shape, drawing in or retraction of the nipple, dimpling of the skin, changes in skin colour or texture, or veins more prominent than normal. This should be done with the arms in different position: By the side hand on the waist arms raised above the head Hands clasped around the head Squeeze each nipple gently to ch

Sleep is not just resting or taking a break from busy routines - it is essential to physical and emotional health. Adequate sleep may also play a role in helping the body recover from illness and injury. Even occasional sleeping problems can make daily life feel more stressful and less productive. How serious is snoring? Snoring does not only keep you awake the whole night, but it can also annoy your spouse and even destroy your happy relationship. Relationships had been terminated and marriages destroyed all because of snoring. Just imagine if you had to use separate bedrooms or even divorce because your spouse can't take it any longer. In addition to posing a strain on relationships, it can also indicate a possibly dangerous and life-threatening disease. What causes snoring? The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the nose and mouth. This area is the collapsible part of the airway. When you

Stomach pain can occur commonly due to indigestion, acidity, menstrual cramps etc. Some women suffer pain after delivery. For pain due to indigestion the following remedies are useful A mixture of nutmeg (optional), ginger juice and lime juice helps to control pain due to indigestion. A mixture of black tea with lime juice For Acidity Boil fried cumin in a cup of a water for some time, strain and have the liquid. Chew a few coriander seeds and swallow its juice. For pain after delivery Make a chutney with small onions, green chilies, salt and 2-3 pieces of cocum ( Kudum Puli) and have it for some days soon after delivery. For menstrual cramps Taking care of your food habits during your periods can help a lot. Reduce salt, sweet and spicy consumption Intake of a lot of food at one stretch should be avoided. It helps to avoid intake of tea , coffee, coke, chocolate, cold water etc during this time. Lemonade, herbal tea etc works better. After food, take vitam

The amount of energy supplied by a nutrient is measured in calories. Technically, one calorie is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree Centigrade (from 14.5 to 15.5). The 'calorie' measure used commonly to discuss the energy content of food is actually a kilocalorie (KCal) or 1000 real calories; this is the amount of energy required to raise one kilogram of water (about 2.2 pounds) one degree Centigrade. Different foods can be used by the body to produce different amounts of energy. 60 to 65 percent of your calories are spent just keeping you alive and keeping your heart beating, your kidneys filtering waste, and maintaining temperature near 98 degrees. Another 25 percent goes for pure movement. The remaining 10 percent of calories is spent processing food. Various national and international Committees have recommended allowances for different nutrients and the total calorie needs for different age groups with different activity l

With increasing work pressures and busy lifestyles, we often fail to pay attention to our body's health and fitness needs. This is when illnesses take over and lead to poor health and fatigue. A healthy and fit person is often happy and positive about life. Each one of us should make it a point to take care of our health and physical fitness. Here are a few simple tips for keeping healthy and happy - - Exercise Regularly - A good half hour of regular exercise and aerobics workout can do wonders for you. Exercise is essential to keep your body fit. Running, cycling, swimming and brisk walking are some of the ways by which you can reduce fat and burn excess calories. - Take the Stairs - If you feel that you do not get enough exercise during the day, look for and utilize simple opportunities to walk and move about. For instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator while going up or coming down. Of course, this depends on the number of floors you need to go up or down and

Lower Your Blood Pressure, Naturally A good way to lower high blood pressure is to simply lose weight. If there’s anything we’ve gotten more out of food, it’s fat. Fast food is full of fat, gourmet food is full of fat as well as so many things around. Don’t get started on buffets either. Thanks to the information age, we’re also much more aware of bad things happening around the world, leading to higher and higher peaks of stress. Information has both good and bad effects, after all. Weight reduction works wonders in making a healthier you. No less than thirty minutes of moderate exercise or physical activity on most, if not all days of the week is preferred. It doesn’t even have to be all at once – three ten minute walks add up to a good day for your blood pressure. This can help lower your blood pressure because it makes your heart stronger. The stronger your heart is, the less it strains to pump blood throughout your body. Salt can contribute greatly to heart problems and blo

There is no better time than now to watch out for your health. Health supplements are exactly that – a way for you to supplement a good diet and help out your body. It’s like premium oil for a machine. Normal oil works fairly well, but premium oil makes it run all the more smoothly than it would with the standard. The problem with people when it comes to omega3 supplements or any health supplement is that people tend to base their health on how they feel that day. If they’re perky, they think that they’re completely fine. The problem is, being energetic and happy all day doesn’t mean that everything is running as smoothly, or that you have the omega3 fatty acids that you need. Then, when something finally goes wrong, then people go clawing for their health supplements. If they had only taken them earlier, perhaps they’ll be doing fine now. Why Should I Take Supplements? Fact is, it’s actually really easy to find yourself nutritionally deficient. Fast food is readily availa