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

Afraid of flu and other respiratory aliments which often resemble swine flu? Use ginger, tulsi (basil) and black pepper as part of traditional preventive measures suggested by experts of Indian systems of medicine.  The Jammu and Kashmir government's department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has set up a group of experts to suggest remedies useful in the prevention and treatment of flu-like diseases.   Participating in a workshop here Monday, the group of Ayurveda experts, physicians from local government hospitals as well as private practitioners and from research councils here said that viral epidemics come under the "Vaata Kaphaja Jwara" discipline of Indian system of medicine, a release said.   The ayurveda experts have advised some preventive measures for building immunity and protection from such diseases which are often seen in autumn and spring with seasonal changes and in moderate climate conditions. "The people should avoid

High levels of phosphate in sodas and processed foods can accelerate the aging process in mice and contribute to age-associated complications such as chronic kidney disease, claims a new study.  "Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the balance of phosphate in the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity," said M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life."   To reach the conclusion, Razzaque and colleague examined the effects of high phosphate levels in three groups of mice. The first group of mice was missing a gene (klotho), which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived 8 to 15 weeks.   The second group of mice was missing the klotho gene and a second gene (NaPi2a), which when absent at the same time, substantially lowered the amount of phosphate in thei

A new British research suggests that a simple blood test could lead to a 'new era' of tailored therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling autoimmune disease in which the  immune system   attacks the body''s own joints.   Studies   have shown patients with certain immune system antibodies may respond more to an advanced form of treatment.  Almost 80 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are believed to have one of the two antibodies. Results of the new study demonstrate the "biologic" drug rituximab, also known as MabThera, which targets the immune system, can help them. However, the drug may not benefit 20 per cent of patients who test negative. "This is an important breakthrough in the treatment of this chronic and debilitating condition, heralding the beginning of an exciting new era for patients, physicians   and indeed the entire RA community," the Independent quoted Prof John Isaacs, from the University o

Diabetes is linked to a 40 per cent greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation— the most common kind of chronically irregular heartbeat, found a new study.  Led by Dr. Sascha Dublin of   Group Health Research Institute  , the researchers also found that this risk rises even higher the longer people have diabetes and the less controlled their blood sugar is.   For three years, the researchers tracked more than 1,400 Group Health patients who had newly recognised atrial fibrillation. They compared these cases with more than 2,200 ‘controls.’ The controls were matched to the cases by age, sex, year, and whether they were treated for high blood pressure; but unlike the cases, they had no atrial fibrillation.  

A glass of hot lemon water and honey (with empty stomach) early in the morning is good for health.If you are planning to lose weight then honey should be replaced by one or two pinch(es) of salt, as honey is as caloric as sugar.Lemon water is more agreeable to drink than plain water and lemon has a high content of vitamin C.You don't get any result if u take it in cold water.When taken with a meal it causes early satiety thereby decreasing the need to eat more.Taken early in the morning, it is refreshing and a good and inexpensive source of vitamin C, to start the day energetically.Due to it's high acid content it is not advisable in persons suffering from high gastric or duodenal (i.e.stomach) acidity problems

When you're under stress, your muscles tense, and your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. one of the simplest (and best) ways to stop this stress response is to breathe deeply and slowly. It sounds simple, and it is. Most of us, however, do not breathe deeply under normal circumstances, so it may help to review the mechanics of deep breathing and how it helps us to relax. Breathing Under Stress: When prehistoric humans were in danger of attack, their muscles tensed and their breathing became rapid and shallow, as they prepared to run or fight. Their high level of tension was a means of preparing their bodies for optimum performance. Today, the causes of our "stress" are different, but our stress response is the same. However, since we're not running or fighting, our tension has no release and our stress response builds. One way to counteract the stress response is to learn how to breathe deeply and slowly -- the opposite of how we breathe when under stres

Vitamin B12 Deficiency:  A deficiency of Vitamin B12 primarily causes anemias the body is unable to make sufficient quantities of normal red blood cells. Severe cases can lead to permanent nervous system problems. The vitamin B12 deficiency can result from absorption problems, insufficient  dietary  intake, certain medications (e.g. metformin), inherited conditions (e.g. transcobalamin deficiency) and certain chronic parasitic intestinal infestations. Causes Vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by an inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12 or a lack of vitamin B12 in the  diet. Vitamin B12  is essential for many aspects of health, including the production of red blood cells in the blood. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious if untreated, because it can lead to decreased production of red blood cells in the blood. Healthy amounts of red blood cells are necessary for the proper delivery of necessary oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A lack of sufficient amounts of