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

Here’s another reason why red wine could be good for you – it contains an ingredient that has the potential to prevent some blinding diseases, according to a new study.  Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that Resveratrol — found in red wine, grapes, blueberries, peanuts and other plants — could prevent and control angeogenesis (formation of damaging blood vessels) in mouse retina.   “A great deal of research has identified resveratrol as an anti-aging compound, and given our interest in age-related eye disease, we wanted to find out whether there was a link,” says Washington University retina specialist Rajendra S. Apte, the study’s senior investigator.   “We have identified a novel pathway that could become a new target for therapies.   “And we believe the pathway may be involved both in age-related eye disease and in other diseases where angiogenesis plays a destructive role," Apte adds.   Another advantage is...

A new research from Queen Mary University of London has revealed that the nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its blood pressure lowering benefits.  The study found that blood pressure was lowered within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets, and people who drank beetroot juice.   Study author Amrita Ahluwalia, Professor of Vascular Biology at Queen Mary''s William Harvey Research Institute, said the investigation was able to demonstrate that the nitrate found in beetroot juice was the cause of its beneficial effects upon cardiovascular health by increasing the levels of the gas nitric oxide in the circulation.   "We gave inorganic nitrate capsules or beetroot juice to healthy volunteers and compared their blood pressure responses and the biochemical changes occurring in the circulation,” Professor Ahluwalia said.   "We showed that beetroot and nitrate capsules are equally effective in lowering blood pressure indicating that it ...

Researchers have found why virgin olive oil is beneficial for health.  For a long time, health conscious consumers have known that virgin olive oil is a good choice when it comes to preparing meals and dipping breads.   Now, researchers, including one with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), have found that phenolic components in olive oil actually modify genes that are involved in the inflammatory response.   The researchers knew from other studies that consuming high-phenolic-content virgin olive oil reduces pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant and pro-blood-clotting biomarkers when compared with consuming low-phenolic-content olive oil.   But they wanted to know whether olive oil''s beneficial effects could be the result of gene activity.   Researchers, headed by Francisco Perez-Jimenez with the University of Cordoba, Spain, fed 20 volunteers-who had metabolic syndrome-with two virgin olive oil-based breakfasts one at a time, after a six-week "washout...

Though summer may bring to mind picnics and chips and delicious chocolate desserts, dietician believe that it is easiest to ‘eat healthy’ during this time.  In summer there is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and the opportunities to grill and roast provide many healthier options. Along with healthy meals and proper exercise you are sure to shed all the unwanted weight you carry around.   Drink water to quench your thirst:  We tend to consume more aerated drinks during the summer, but water is a smarter choice. It keeps the body cool and prevents dehydration and it also helps you avoid adding on the unnecessary calories. Fresh lime water and coconut water is also a great thirt-quencher specially during the summer.   Add at least two servings each of fruits and vegetables to your daily to your diet:  Summer has a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. make the most of them. Fruit smoothies and milkshakes are easy to make, just toss some fruits...

For the past 40 years, researchers were trying to understand why asbestos causes cancer and now the mystery has been unravelled.  Researchers led by Drs. Haining Yang and Michele Carbone at the University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center, found that when asbestos kills cells, it does so by inducing a process called "programmed cell necrosis" that leads to the release of a molecule called high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1).   HMGB1 starts a particular type of inflammatory reaction that causes the release of mutagens and factors that promote tumour growth.   The researchers also found that patients exposed to asbestos have elevated levels of HMGB1 in their serum.   Thus, they stated that it might be possible to target HMGB1 to prevent or treat mesothelioma and identify asbestos-exposed cohorts by simple HMGB1 serological testing.   In the study, the researchers proposed that by interfering with the inflammatory reaction caused by asbestos and HMGB...

Cholesterol is of two types, good and bad. We tell you more...  We’ve all heard about cholesterol at some point in our lives — why too much of it is a cause for concern and how one should keep it in check. But how many of us know what exactly it is? Interventional Cardiogialist Dr Rajiv G Bhagwat says that cholesterol is of two types — good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. “Cholesterol is a vital part of our bodies and cell structure. High cholesterol in the blood and an injury to the arterial wall begins the process of block formation, which is called cholesterol plaques. This progress can be gradual or rapid and causes narrowing of arteries leading to cardiovascular and other diseases. Sources of good cholesterol include salmon, tuna, walnut, almond and moderate consumption of wine/alcohol. Sources of bad cholesterol are meat, prawns, egg yellow, mangoes and fried food. The ideal balance is to have low levels of bad cholesterol and high levels of good cholesterol,” he says. ...

You know it’s diet time when your favourite jeans becomes ‘difficult-to-breathe-in’ tight.  Some do make it and are able to wriggle into those delicious figure-skimming dresses they’ve been eyeing for quite some time. Some try and change their lifestyle and eating habits, but their weight refuses to budge. Here’s why. People tend to think they change their food habits way more than they actually do. Here are three of the most common diet mistakes most people make:   Sneaking in food (and not keeping track!)  Okay, so you are all resolute and don’t order dessert. But what about the ‘not just a couple of’ bites you sneak in from your friend’s rich chocolate gateaux? Doesn’t that count? What about the tea and cookies you have when you drop in for a friendly chat at your neighbour’s? How many cups of coffee do you guzzle while brainstorming at a business meeting? How many glasses of water do you drink in a day? Dietician and sports nutritionist Deepshikha Agarwal says, “...

Healthy lifestyle can be achieved with a suitable combination of exercises and good food habits.  Instead of following diet plans at random, opt for a scientific yet natural approach towards foods which are healthy for you to eat. The cue lies in the fact that the closer a food is to its natural state, the better it is for you. For instance, l Fresh fruits and berries are great and will satisfy a craving for sweets.   Whole vegetables have lots of vitamins and minerals, so eat more green, orange and yellow vegetables. Steam them to retain the most nutritional value and be careful with sauces, they may be high in calories and fats that aren’t good for you.   Avoid sugary snacks and pastries as well. An apple is good for you, an apple pie really isn’t, at most times.   Stick to water, milk and 100 per cent fruit and vegetable juices as your main beverages and limit sugary soft drinks. Here’s how you can get started by sorting out unhealthy and healthy foods. ...

Opt for footwear with broader heel base, instead of wearing stilettos that cause foot problems, knee trouble and back pain.  There’s no doubt about what a sexy pair of stilettos can do to up your sex quotient. On a well-toned pair of legs, they can be the ultimate seductive weapon. Not surprisingly, women spend hours, not to forget money on acquiring the perfect pair. For the fashionably forward, high heels are more than just footwear — they are a fashion statement. However, winning those appreciative glances from men and envious looks from women, doesn’t come without a price. Unfortunately women are willing to pay it even if it costs them their health.   Health experts across the globe would vouch for the ill-effects of the killer stiletto heels. And unless you are a Kareena Kapoor or a Deepika Padukone — who often sport them only for brief public appearances — chances are that in the long run you may actually end up not only with severe foot problems, but also knee...

New research suggests that eating a chunk of chocolate every day could treat high blood pressure.  Chocolate contains chemicals known as flavanols, which naturally open up blood vessels in the body – so blood flows more easily and the pressure drops.   "You don't always need medication to reduce blood pressure. This shows that there are some foods that can help," The Telegraph quoted Dr Karin Ried, at Adelaide University, as saying.   Dr Ried and her team found that for people with hypertension, eating chocolate could reduce the blood pressure by up to five per cent. However, more research is required to find the optimal amount of chocolate that was needed to make the most difference.

The sweet liquid squeezed from sugarcane is the latest food fad here as it is believed to cure diseases like jaundice, help in fighting breast and prostate cancer, maintaining normal kidney function and providing strength to the heart, eyes and the brain. But science suggests that all these claims are baseless. When questioned about the purported miracle properties of raw cane juice, Roger Clemens, professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at the USC, told the Los Angeles Times: "No studies have proven these health benefits."   When asked whether raw cane juice could help soothe a sore throat or energise the body, he replied: "I’ve been working in this field for 40 years, and I’ve never seen any evidence for any of this." What about so-called alkalising properties that can help fight breast and prostate cancer? "Nothing in science backs it up," said Clemens.

June 23, 2010 -- A regenerative treatment that uses stem cells taken from the patient's own eyes is helping some blind patients see again. Italian researchers report that the stem cell procedure resulted in successful corneal transplantation in three-fourths of patients with blindness in one or both eyes, caused in most patients by chemical or thermal burns. Vision was at least partially restored in patients who did not have major damage to other parts of the affected eye, says study researcher Graziella Pellegrini, PhD, of the University of Moderna's Center for Regenerative Medicine. Pellegrini and colleagues have performed corneal transplants in around 250 patients over the last decade using the stem cell technique, but it remains experimental and is not being done in the U.S. Their latest study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The findings were also reported last week in San Francisco at a meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. ...

There are a number of people who experience  tiredness   in their legs all throughout the day. The worst is getting up with a pain in the leg and having a feeling that you cannot walk. If you are one of these people who are suffering from tired legs frequently, then here are some quick home remedies that can help you get relief from tired legs. • Get a bucket of warm water; however make sure that it’s not very hot. Add some salt to it, a tablespoon should be enough, and dip your legs in the water for almost 15-20 minutes. This quick remedy is sure to help you get relief from tired legs. • Alternately, if you do not have much time to spend dipping your leg, then when you go in for a shower, make sure that you have your soles wet in warm water until the time you are showering. Keep repeating the dipping of your legs in the warm water at frequent intervals. This will leave a tingling sensation on your feet, but would definitely give you a relief. • If you are experiencing cr...

A healthy eating habit gets disturbed if you start consuming snacks regularly. It also disturbs your regular meal routine and nutritional intake. It leads to untimely meals and causes an imbalance in the metabolism. Without realizing, you end up gaining weight in the long run and start overeating. Here are some simple tips to avoid the urge of snacking: • Set a convenient meal routine at regular intervals during the day so that you do not feel uncontrollably hungry. • Try and eat meals on time, if you skip, you feel like munching something meanwhile and this disturbs your regular healthy intake. • Even if you want to have a snack, try choosing low fat and low-calorie choices. You can eat diet crackers and cookies, butter-less popcorn, sugar-free chewing gum, pudding or fruit salads without fatty content or even raw salads with lime. • In order to curb untimely hunger, you can drink water or fresh and natural vegetable or fruit juices. Herbal teas are a great choice ...

Moderate doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements don't raise women's coronary artery calcium (CAC) levels, a new study finds. Deposits of calcium in blood vessels have been linked to blood vessel blockages and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Because of this, many women have concerns about taking calcium pills to maintain bone strength, according to the authors of a report published in the June 16 issue of the journal  Menopause . For this study, the researchers used cardiac computed tomography imaging to measure CAC levels in 754 women who were aged 50 to 59 at the time of enrollment. CAC scores were similar among women who took calcium (1,000 milligrams of elemental calcium daily) plus vitamin D3 (400 International Units daily) for an average of seven years and women who took a placebo. "This study provides reassuring evidence that moderate doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements do not increase calcium deposition in the coronary arteries. Thus...

Don't smoke or chew tobacco and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men, mostly due to cigarette smoking. Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fiber and fish. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help prevent prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, both of which are leading causes of death among men. Check your cholesterol and blood pressure. If they are too high, follow your doctor’s advice. Heart disease is a leading men’s health threat. Include physical activity in your daily routine – this helps to manage and reduce stress, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.  Maintain a healthy weight – losing excess pounds can help prevent Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and cause other health problems. Remember to designate a driver before you ...

Recent studies have shown that eating soya products has helped protect Asian women against certain types of cancer. Scientists at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee conducted a study of 120 Asian women. Results produced more evidence that a long-term diet rich in soy can be linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer - as much as a 50 percent in some cases. The soybean is used in foods and beverages, including, soyamilk, soya coffee, butter, veggie burgers, crackers, cookies and flour. Low in cholesterol and high in isoflavones, the benefits of the soyabean are many. Start adding some to your diet today. Better yet, start your babies on it early and continue as a lifelong commitment to healthy eating.

People who eat brown rice or other whole grains seem to have a lower risk of developing diabetes than those who eat white rice, according to a U.S. study  .   A team of researchers from the   Harvard School of Public Health  and Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed about 200,000 adults followed for up to 22 years and found eating more refined white rice was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by high blood sugar levels caused by a body's inability to process sugar properly and is often linked to obesity and poor diet. The illness can sometimes be controlled through diet and exercise but may require drugs. "In general, the public should pay special attention to their carbohydrate intake and try to replace refined carbohydrates, including white rice, with whole grains," researcher Dr. Qi Sun told us.   Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that at least half of carbohydrates in the diet come from who...

Although artificial sweeteners do help you avoid sugar, losing weight depends more on reducing calories from fat. Avoid using artificially sweetened foods to justify eating more high-fat food. Saccharin is considered safe, but the effects of long-term use are not known. Use in moderation. People who have PKU (phenylketonuria-an inborn error of metabolism) should not use aspartame. Be aware that you lose taste buds as you age. Foods may need more sugar or other seasonings to taste like they used to. Try using more sweet spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, in your favorite recipes. Limit foods that list sugar among the first few ingredients on the label. Look for breakfast cereals that have six grams or less of added sugar per serving. You can reduce the sugar in home baked goods by up to one-half without affecting their texture. Make it a habit to eat a sweet piece of fruit instead of a sugary dessert most of the time.

Palak (Spinach) This vegetable gets a high rating from the medical fraternity too in the treatment and prevention of anaemia. Being a valuable source of iron, its regular intake and absorption in the body raises the haemoglobin count. Make it a mandatory part of your diet in the form of sabzi, soup, salads, juice, or use it while kneading the dough for chappatis. Seb (Apple) Fresh apple juice gives beneficial results in cases of anaemia.    Traditionally, it is considered ideal to consume the juice thirty minutes before meals. Zardalu (Apricot) Fresh as well as dried apricots contain various valuable ingredients.    The dried variety are very rich in iron content making them a good food remedy for low haemoglobin count.    Consume a few on daily basis. Kela (Banana) It is said that consuming a banana first thing in the morning {on an empty stomach} does a lot of good for one’s constitution with stimulating the production of haemoglobin in the blood ...