Foods For Longevity

Tomatoes. A major source of the antioxidant lycopene that reduces the
risk
of cancer by 40% -- notably prostate, lung and stomach cancers -- and
increases cancer survival. Tomato eaters function better mentally in old
age
and suffer half as much heart disease. Concentrated tomato sauces have 5
times more lycopene than fresh tomatoes, and canned tomatoes have three
times more than fresh.
Olive Oil. Shown to help reduce death from heart disease and cancer.
Recent
research shows that heart-attack survivors on a Mediterranean diet had
half
the death rates of those on an ordinary low-fat diet. Olive oil is also
high
in antioxidant activity.
Red Grapes, including red grape juice and red wine. Red grapes have
moderate
antioxidant power, while purple grape juice has four times more
antioxidant
activity than orange or tomato juice. Red wine (not white) has about the
same antioxidant capacity as purple grape juice or tea. French research
show
that drinking red wine in moderation increases longevity, but excessive
drinking has the opposite effect, so limit to two glasses per day. Drink
grape juice.
Garlic. German researchers have found that garlic is packed with
antioxidants know to help fend off cancer, heart disease and all-over
aging,
and prolong cancer survival time. Let crushed garlic "rest" about 10
minutes
before cooking to preserve disease-fighting agents.
Spinach. Second among vegetables only to garlic in antioxidant capacity
and
is also rich in folic acid, which helps fight cancer, heart disease and
mental disorders. New University of Kentucky research shows folic acid
may
help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Eat both raw and steamed for best
benefit.
Whole grains. A University of Minnesota study suggests the more whole
grains you eat, the lower your odds of death by 15%. Whole grains
contain
anticancer agents and help stabilize blood sugar and insulin, which may
promote longevity. Whole-grain "dark" breads, cereals such as All
Bran,
and
old fashioned" oatmeal are an excellent source.
Salmon, and other fatty fish. Contains high amounts of omega-3 fat that
performs miracles throughout the body, fighting virtually every chronic
disease known. Without it, your brain can't think, your heart can't
beat,
your arteries clog, and joints become inflamed. You need one ounce a
day, or
two servings of salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring or tuna per week.
Nuts. Eating more than 5 ounces a week can cut heart-attack deaths in
women
by 40% and help prevent deadly irregular heart beats in men a Harvard
University study found. Almonds and walnuts lower blood cholesterol.
Most of
the fat in nuts is the good-type monounsaturated and/or omega-3.
Unsalted
nuts are best.
Blueberries. High in antioxidants, Tufts University researchers say a
half-cup of blueberries a day can retard aging and can block brain
changes
leading to decline and even reverse failing memory.
Tea. Green or black tea has equal antioxidant benefit. One cup a day can
cut heart disease risk in half Harvard researchers found. Make from
loose
tea or tea bags, instant and bottled tea has little effect Tufts
University
shows.

The 11 Signals Your Nails are Giving You About Your Health

The 11 Signals Your Nails are Giving You About Your Health

Many people put a lot of effort into keeping their nails perfectly trimmed, cleaned and manicured. If the nails aren't perfect, the solution is often to cover them up with fake nails or polish. But ignoring such signs and viewing them as only an aesthetic problem could be dangerous to your health.

Like your skin, your nails are excellent indicators of what's going on inside your body. If your nails are healthy (smooth and pink with a slightly curved surface), your body is probably pretty healthy too. But if your nails are discolored, brittle or otherwise appear unhealthy, it may be because of an underlying health problem.

"The nails can be windows to a patient's overall health, and while the nail itself is dead tissue, the areas under the cuticle and beneath the nail are alive," said dermatologist Richard K. Scher, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City.

Here are 11 signals your nails may be giving you about your health.

	1. Yellow Nail Syndrome: This may cause a yellow or greenish color to your nails, thickening of the nail, slowed nail growth, a lack of a cuticle and the nail may detach partially from the nail bed. This condition often signals a respiratory disease.
	2. Pitting: "If you see pits on the nails, it could be a sign that you are about to develop, or that you already have, psoriasis," said Dr. Amit Pandya, a dermatologist at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center in Dallas. The small depressions on the nail could also be a sign of chronic dermatitis of your fingers or alopecia areata.
	3. Clubbing: This condition describes when the nails curve around your fingertips, which are usually enlarged. It's caused by low oxygen levels in the blood and may indicate lung disease.
	4. Spoon Nails: If your nails look scooped out, like a spoon, it could be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia.
	5. Terry's Nails: In this condition the nails look opaque with a dark band at the tip. This can be due to aging or a more serious illness including cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes or liver disease.
	6. Beau's Lines: These horizontal indentations across your nails could be a sign of malnutrition. They also may appear after serious injury or illness like a heart attack interrupts the growth of your nail.
	7. Nail Separating From Nail Bed: When your nail becomes loose and separates from the nail bed, it could be related to injury, thyroid disease, fungal disease, drug reactions, reactions to acrylic nails or nail hardeners or psoriasis.
	8. Brown or Black Colored Streak: This could be a sign of a melanoma under the nail. "Subungal melanoma should be suspected whenever a nail streak appears without known injury to the nail, the nail discoloration does not gradually disappear as would a bruise or the size of the nail streak increases over time," said Dr. Scher.
	9. Vertical Nail Ridges: These are fairly common and may worsen with age. They do not signal any serious underlying disease.
	10. White, Crumbly Nails: This is often due to a fungal infection.
	11. Small White Spots: These are very common and usually recurring. They're caused by injury to the base of the nail and are not a cause of concern. The spots will grow out as your nail grows.

The Six Foods That are Best for your eyes

The Six Foods That are Best at Helping You
Get and Keep Healthy Vision

 

Your eyes are your window to the world, so protecting them is likely one of your top priorities. One of the best ways to keep your eyes healthy as you age is to include vision-friendly foods in your daily diet.

Egg yolks have gotten a bad reputation for being high in cholesterol, but if you only eat egg whites, you're missing out on some of the healthiest nutrients for your eyes.

And contrary to popular belief, carrots are far from the only food out there that is good for your eyes.

The following foods will not only help to nourish and support your eyes as you age, but many of them can also help to reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration -- the world's leading cause of blindness.

1. Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are the best source of lutein, a yellow-hued antioxidant. One of lutein's most talked about qualities is its ability to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

Lutein (along with zeaxanthin, another carotenoid) forms the yellow pigment of your retina and absorbs blue light, a harmful component of sunlight, says Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. Researchers also suspect that lutein's antioxidant actions help to protect your eyes from light-induced oxidative damage.

Lutein is also found in vegetables, especially green leafy ones, but when 10 volunteers ate different sources of lutein (spinach, eggs or one of two types of lutein supplements) eggs came out on top. Those who ate eggs as their lutein source had blood levels of lutein that were about three times higher than that of those who ate other lutein sources.

The researchers suspect that other components in the egg yolk, such as lecithin, are responsible for its superior absorbability.

2. Brazil Nuts

One Brazil nut contains 120 mcg of selenium, which is about twice the Recommended Daily Allowance. Why is this a good thing? Because selenium's antioxidant activity fights free radicals that may damage your eye's lens and macula at the center of your retina. This may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. Blueberries (and Other Berries)

Blueberries contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that give fruits their red and purple color. Because of this, blueberries can help to prevent age-related damage and improve blood flow to your eyes. Anthocyanins also strengthen blood vessel walls, which can slow the development of diabetic retinopathy.

The blueberry is quite possibly the healthiest fruit there is -- it ranked number one in antioxidant capacity by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Aside from blueberries, cherries, red grape, pomegranates, red cabbage, and beets also contain high levels of anthocyanins.

4. Salmon

Salmon and other oily fish like sardines, herring, and black cod are rich in omega-3 fats. A study from Harvard Medical School found that people who eat fish twice a week while avoiding unhealthy fats like trans fats have less than half the risk of developing macular degeneration as people who do neither. Meanwhile, omega-3 fats help protect light-sensing cells and are linked to a lower risk of cataracts.

When eating fish, be careful to choose wild, low-mercury varieties. As an alternative, you can take a high-quality, animal-based omega-3 supplement, such as fish oil.

5. Papaya

One serving of papaya will give you close to a three-day supply of vitamin C, which is one reason why papaya has been found to protect against macular degeneration. According to a 2001 study by the National Institutes of Health, people with macular degeneration could slow the disease by getting 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 80 mg of zinc every day.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a cancer-fighting compound that's also a powerful antioxidant. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, human retinal cells treated with sulforaphane were protected from oxidizing free radicals for several days.

Not a fan of broccoli? Don't worry, other cruciferous veggies like cabbage, kale, mustard greens and turnips are also rich in sulforaphane.

Making the perfect Cuppa

A 'cuppa' is a cup of tea. Tea is a good source of flavonoids, compounds that contain powerful antioxidant properties. And it is true, in any crisis we turn to tea. Making the perfect cuppa is here below.

1. Select a teapot of the correct size for the number of cups required.  Allow two tea bags or 2.5 to 3 gm of tea per 190 to 200 ml of water.
2. Fill a kettle or pan with freshly drawn cold water (Plenty of oxygen is needed to bring out the full flavour of the tea), and bring to boil.
3. When the water is almost boiling, pour a little into the teapot, swill it around and then pour the water away.
4. Measure the loose tea or count the teabags.  When the water in the kettle is just coming to a rolling boil, pour the water onto the leaves or bags.  Whenever possible, place the leaves inside an infuser that can then be lifted out of the liquid once the tea has brewed.
5. Put the lid on the pot and allow it to brew.  For teabags and small-leafed teas allow three to five minutes.
6. Once brewed, lift the infuser containing the leaves out of the pot and discard.  Immediately strain the tea into the cups, or into another heated pot to keep warm.
7. Keep the pot warm on a special hotplate that is heated by a candle light or cover with a cosy.

HOME REMEDIES FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

Dark circles under the eyes tell us about the health of an individual.
      They are produced due to overstrain, after an illness or an allergy. They
      can also be the result of undernourishment. But these dark circles do not
      produce any harm to the body. So anybody with dark circles should not
      worry about them. In fact, sometimes they're not even an indication of
      physical problems.

      Dark circles can be aggravated by fatigue, allergies, overexposure to the
      sun, menstruation or pregnancy. But they're usually hereditary; if your
      parents have them, there are more chances that you do, too have them.

      Dark circles are the result of the engorged blood vessels under your eyes.
      Because the skin under eyes is thinner than skin anywhere else on body,
      therefore blood vessels there are more noticeable, especially in fair
      skinned persons. Usually, dark circles are caused by hyper pigmentation of
      melanin, the substance that gives color to the skin.

      In western countries, the kidneys are related to the adrenal glands and
      with stress levels in life being so high; these glands are very often
      exhausted. When these glands are weakened, allergies are prevalent.. Dark
      circles under the eyes are known to be a classic symptom of an allergy,
      together other signs including edema and fatigue.

      Dark circles under eyes may also be due to aging which thins the skin
      around the eyes. Eight hours of sleep is essential. Do not leave cream on
      the skin around the eyes for long periods. Circles under the eyes can
      worsen in people who smoke or suffer from allergies.

 

      HOME REMEDIES FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

 

      Apply a cold compress this will help to constrict blood vessels and turns
      tissue white, and dark circles will lighten.
      Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday.
      Put slices of raw potatoes or cucumber by closing eyes over the eyelids
      for 15-20 minutes. Wash with warm water and apply a cream.
      Take out the juice of the cucumber. Prepare a mixture of lemon juice,
      lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15
      minutes.
      Prepare a mixture by adding equal quantity of potato and cucumber juices.
      Dip a cotton swab in this mixture and put the cotton on eyelids and keep
      for 20 minutes. Wash your eyes with cold water.
      Prepare a mixture of lemon and tomato juice (equal parts) and apply it on
      the black circles 2 times a day.
      Make a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles
      under the eyes..
      Apply crushed mint around the eye.
      Another home remedy for dark circles under the eyes is - massage with
      almond oil under and around eyes at bedtime daily for 2 weeks. Almond
      helps to remove dark circles.
      No cream should be left on the skin around the eyes for long periods..
      Rub the area with a powdered Vitamin E capsule and wash off with a mixture
      of honey and egg white.
      Put hot and cold clothes alternatively under eyes for 10 minutes. Then
      apply some almond oil on the dark circles before going to bed.
      The acupressure point for eyes is on the mount below the index finger of
      your palms. Pressing this mount may help.
      Dip some carrot leave in hot water and leave for a few minutes. Drink the
      liquid 3 times a day before meals.
      Dip cotton balls in rose water or cold water and keep under the eyes for
      10 minutes.
      Make a paste of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of
      turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10
      minutes before washing. This is an effective home remedy for dark circle
      treatment.
      Take some freezed parsley. Use the parsley cubes instead of eye creams to
      reduce the dark circles and puffiness. Parsley is packed with chlorophyll
      which helps fade darkness, while the ice cubes reduce the swelling.

      Takes vasoline, put it on a metal spoon and freeze it for 15 minutes. Then
      apply it to the eyes for a few minutes.

      Add some mint leaves, lemon juice, and salt to tomato juice and drink.

      Grate some cucumber and freeze in an ice tray. Massage frozen cucumber
      cubes onto eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
      Avoid excess of chocolates and try to take more fibres in the diet.

      To prevent dark circles take 2 magnesium tablets per day, especially if
      you're taking calcium.
      Use a sunscreen especially made for the face with a sun protection factor
      (SPF) to keep the sun's rays from darkening the skin under your eyes
      Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A for the treatment of dark
      circles under eyes.

TIPS ON BUYING A HOME TREADMILL

I have been in the fitness industry for more than 10 years ...

And it is shocking, to say the least, the ignorance that is still

prevalent about fitness and its allied tools and accessories

among the average person ...

 

And sad to say, this ignorance is rampantly exploited by

those in the business of supplying fitness equipment ..

 

In this short article I would like to give you some tips in

case you are looking to buy a Home treadmill ...

They might help you to make a better purchase

by knowing the right questions to ask .....

 

Everyone who is looking out for a Home treadmill

wants the best. But until you are aware of what you need,

you can't make the right choice ...

 

Make sure you know what you are looking out for……

Here are some tips from an insider to know exactly

what you are looking for ... and How to get it ..

 

Quality Brand, good brands give you durable long lasting parts

e.g. motors, Rollers, Belt quality.

I know they cost more but they come with lesser

if not nonexistent headaches ..

 

Warranty – The longer the better,

- for service/labour ask for at least 1 year &

- for spares and parts demand 2 years.

(Yes, the dealers do get that much from the Parent

company ... sometimes more .. Some of them just

don't pass on the benefit to customers and try to make

some money in supply of spare parts ... )

 

Customer list- Always ask for the past customer users

It can give you an idea as to how the particular model &

company are doing in the market.

 

Features- A Good treadmill must have the following

standard features such as

 

- pre workouts,

- Heart rate control,

- Incline range,

- weight capacity,

- calories,

- speed,

- distance etc.

 

User friendly- It has to be user friendly to you &

                          not your trainer or coach .. 

For example the length of the running deck should be

around 6 to 7 feet for a conmfortable run ....

 

Specs :189cm x 84cm

 

& most important the max user weight that it should be

able to take should be around 150kgs.

(That's a minimum safe limit)

 

Price- That has to be decided by you as to what suits you best ,,

Good treadmills for Home range start anywhere

from 35000/-  and go upto to 1,25,000/-.

Commercial ones for Gyms go from 2,50,000/- to Rs.12,00,000/ -

(Twelve lakh rupees)

 

Here are some technical aspects that you should be  

taking into consideration

 

- stability,

- smoothness,

- space, &

- motor capacity of about 1.5hp to 2 hp (this is for Home range)

- Programs

               - preset programs,

               - weight loss,

               - Heart rate etc

 

- Running area- aprox 45cm x 132cm

- Elevation, 0 to 10% or 12% (Expla)

- Motor, 1.5 hp to 2 hp

 

- Heart rate – Hand grip (hand sensors on the treadmill)

or chest strap (98% more accurate,

but if more than one person is using it,

you may run into hygiene issues –

something you can overcome by cleaning it after every use)

 

- Rollers – 1.9" to 2.5" dynamically balanced.

-Belts – 2 ply poly / Ultra thick 4.4mm orthopedic belt

- Max user weight, 100 kg to 150 kgs

- Speed range, 0.5 mph – 12 mph.

 

The entire family can use it, it not only gets the Heart pumping,

tones & strengthens the body but also a great tool for weight loss.

 

The benefits of using the treadmill to you are.

 

Lowers cholesterol level,

Increases Heart health,

toned muscles,

improved circulation &

maintains weight,

Boosts immune system.

 

Remember, before body building,

you should first strengthen the Heart

 

something that many Gyms and trainers overlook

in their overzealousness to get you a chiselled look ...

 

There is no point in having a muscled look if your heart

action is weak  ..

Treadmills and aerobics ensure that your Heart

action remains strong ..

 

In my experience, Corporates are now going

in for more of treadmills for their employees

in their company gyms than other equipment ...

The stress is now on overall fitness ..

All about breast cancer : A Ray of Hope

While there are things every woman can do to help her body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, minimizing stress, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone's fault. Keeping the same in mind, there is a need for active participation to enlighten the women about this killer disease

   It is surprising but true that in every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, which is the second most common form of cancer amongst women. As per the World Health Organization, more than 1.2 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the world in the year 2004.
   Like in all parts of body, the cells in the breasts also grow and then rest in cycles which are controlled by genes in the cell's nucleus. When the genes are in good working order, they keep cell growth under control but if the genes develop an abnormality and lose their ability to control the cycle of cell growth and rest, cause cancer. So breast cancer is nothing but uncontrolled growth of breast cells.

Who's at risk?

The exact causes of breast cancer are still not known but studies show that the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. But there are certain conditions which increase a woman's chance of getting breast cancer. The most important is personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer face an increased risk of getting this cancer on the other breast.

 

Family history: The risk for developing breast cancer increases if mother, sister, and first blood relation aunts had breast cancer, especially at a young age.
   Late child bearing: Women who deliver the first child after the age of thirty have the greater chance of developing breast cancer than women who have child at younger age.

Estrogen: Evidence suggests that the longer a woman is exposed to estrogen (estrogen made by the body, taken as a drug, or delivered by a patch), the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. For example, the risk is somewhat increased among women who began menstruation at an early age (before age 12), experienced menopause late (after age 55), never had children, or took hormone replacement therapy for long periods of time. Each of these factors increases the amount of time a woman's body is exposed to estrogen.
   Certain breast changes: Having a diagnosis of a typical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) may increase a woman's risk for developing cancer.
   Breast density: Breasts that have a high proportion of lobular and ductal tissue appear dense on mammograms. Breast cancers nearly always develop in lobular or ductal tissue (not fatty tissue). That's why cancer is more likely to occur in breasts that have a lot of lobular and ductal t i s -
   sue (that is, dense tissue) than in breasts with a lot of fatty tissue. In addition, when breasts are dense, it is more difficult for doctors to see abnormal areas on a mammogram.
   Radiation therapy: Women whose breasts were exposed to radiation during radiation therapy before the age of 30, especially those who were treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received her treatment, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer later in life.

 

Alcohol: Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of breast cancer among women who drink alcohol.
   Most women who develop breast cancer have none of the risk factors listed above, other than the risk that comes with growing older. Scientists are conducting research into the causes of breast cancer to learn more about risk factors and ways of preventing this disease.
   In India, various NGOs are working for fighting cancer and one among them is Krishna Breast Cancer Care Charitable Trust (KBCCT). From organising free cancer detection camp to counseling patients and providing them with adequate treatment, KBCCT has been doing it all from past two years. Till date, they have organised 11 camps in various places and treated 25 patients.
   KBCCT was formed by Sanjeev Arora, managing director of Ritesh Properties & Industries Ltd., in the memory of his mother late Krishna Arora who left this world due to this deadly disease. KBCCT is one trust, that's working towards eradicating this disease right from its roots. Like them there is a need that we all should come forward and give our helping hand in order to spread awareness and work towards this noble cause.

Symptoms detection

Generally, early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms of breast cancer at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause changes that women should watch for:
>> A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
>> A change in the size or shape of the breast
>> Nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast
>> Ridges or pitting of the breast (the skin looks like the skin of an orange)
>> A change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, warm, swollen, red, or scaly)
A woman should see her doctor about any symptoms like these. Most often, they are not cancer, but it's important to check with the doctor so that any problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
   
Diagnosing  breast cancer

Clinical breast exam: The doctor can tell a lot about a lump by carefully feeling it and the tissue around it. Benign lumps often feel different from cancerous ones. The doctor can examine the size and texture of the lump and determine whether the lump moves easily.

Mammography: X-rays of the breast can give the doctor important information about a breast lump.

Ultrasonography: Using high-frequency sound waves, ultrasonography can often show whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst (not cancer) or a solid mass (which may or may not be cancer).This exam may be used along with mammography.

Treatment options

Surgery: Surgery is usually the first line of attack against breast cancer. There are two types of surgeries involved in breast cancer i.e. Mastectomy which is the removal of all the breast tissues and Lumpectomy also known as breast conserving surgery is the removal of only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissues.

 

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy;this means it affects the whole body by going through the bloodstream. The purpose of chemotherapy and other systemic treatments is to get rid of any cancer cells that may have spread from where the cancer started to another part of the body. 

   The side effects of chemotherapy come about because cancer cells aren't the only rapidly dividing cells in your body. The cells in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nose, nails, vagina, and hair are also undergoing constant, rapid division. This means that the chemotherapy is going to affect them, too.
Radiation therapy: It is also called radiotherapy — is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery.Radiation can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by 50% to 66%. Despite what many people fear,radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate and its side effects are limited to the treated area.