Some sinful, but very nutritious snacks(HEALTH +)

Here are some surprising contenders that have been given a thumbs up by nutritionists.


Organic and natural food products are bursting with nutrients and anti-oxidants. But then so are some sinful snacks! Read on..


Cheddar cheese
Apart from being a good source of calcium, "It is also a good source of phosphorous for strong teeth and bones and even promotes brain tissue in growing children," says sports dietician Deepshikha Agarwal. The zinc content is good for skin, immunity and fertility, riboflavin and Vitamin B12 for energy and Vitamin A for healthy skin and eyes. A cube after a meal will neutralise the acids in your mouth and increase saliva production that helps prevent tooth decay. But its high fat content means you can't go overboard, says Deepshikha.


Peanut butter
This one is amongst the richest sources of heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats. Low in saturated fat, it is an excellent source of protein and fibre which is good for bowel health, and also contains folate that can protect against colon cancer and heart disease. In fact, Harvard Medical School researchers recently reported that snacking on peanut butter five days a week can nearly halve the risk of a heart attack.
Plus, these health benefits seem to occur without also promoting weight gain - researchers found that people eat less after a snack of peanut butter compared with other snacks.


Popcorn
Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's hospital in London, says, "A small serving of popcorn is equivalent to one daily portion of brown rice." Agrees Dr Nupur Krishnan, a nutritionist, and adds, "Popcorn contains more fibre by weight than sunflower seeds, keeping you feeling fuller for longer, as well as balancing your blood sugar levels that helps cut down cravings for sweet snacks. You can enjoy it as long as it's not loaded with too much salt or caramel. However, she adds, due to its high Glycemic Index (GI), obese and diabetic people should avoid snacking on popcorn.


Chocolate and hazelnut spread
These contains lecithin, a soy extract that is high in protein, calcium and iron, that protects bones, and helps you feel full for longer, says dietician Dr Sonia Kakar. "It's also lower in calories than many jams, is lower-GI for slower-release energy." The anti-oxidants in cocoa help balance blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. And hazelnuts are an excellent source of heart-healthy polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats, Vitamin E that boosts immunity and B vitamins that improves mood. The potassium, calcium and magnesium help maintain a healthy blood pressure. But a word of caution. "As it's high in sugar and fat, intake should be moderated," says Dr Kakar. 

Too much television can give you diabetes(HEALTH +)

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has indicated that prolonged TV viewing is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.


"The message is simple. Cutting back on TV watching can significantly reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature mortality," said senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH.



"We should not only promote increasing physical activity levels but also reduce sedentary behaviour, especially prolonged TV watching," he added.


Hu and first author Anders Grontved, a doctoral student and visiting researcher in the HSPH Department of Nutrition, conducted a meta-analysis, a systematic assessment of all published studies from 1970 to 2011 that linked TV viewing with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.




Eight large prospective cohort studies from the United States, Europe, and Australia met the researchers'' criteria and were included in the meta-analysis.


The results showed that more than two hours of TV viewing per day increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and more than three hours of daily viewing increased risk of premature death.


"Sedentary lifestyle, especially prolonged TV watching, is clearly an important and modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease," Grontved added.

Benefits of peppermint oil(HEALTH +)

Peppermint is not just an an ingredient in flavoured chewing gums. Here's more to this herb. The herb is a hybrid of two plants, water mint and spearmint and is beneficial both cosmetically as well as medically.


When extracted as an pil, it is one of the many essential oils and is used extensively in perfumes and colognes. Peppermint oil is both rejuvenating and refreshing. It not only strengthens the immune system but also eases mental exhaustion. The oil can be used to give you a healthy scalp and healthy hair.



Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your daily shampoo and it can help reduce that dandruff. Another benefit is it allows taming frizzy hair and brings about a shine to it. Peppermint oil can also bring about hair growth. The oil usage is not just a boon to the hair but also the skin and lips.







Not only does it help control oil secretion of the skin but also clears it and brightens tired skin. The oil prevents acne and helps open pores. Peppermint oil helps heal cracked lips, and this is the reason why this oil is an active ingredient in chapsticks and lip glosses.



The oil has a soothing effect (because of menthol that's present in it), and so can be used on wind-chapped or sun-burnt lip as it will give a cooling and refreshing effect on the skin.






Please note that pepperment oil is really stong and when used, it should be diluted with a carrier oil, else it can cause side effects.

Orange, honey for healthy skin (HEALTH +)

sorry guys due to examinations it's been delayed. Thanks for interests keep visiting 

Who doesn't like to have a clear complexion? Skin problems are nightmares for people of all ages. Everybody likes flawless skin.

But with the cosmetic industry growing and with it producing numerous beauty products, it's but natural to get confused on what's the best. When you are spoilt for choice, then it's even more dangerous as some products might not suit your skin type.


The best solution under such circumstances is to play safe and opt for tried and tested home remedies. This also helps should you have a sensitive skin.


Here are a few tips to aid your skin health

- It's cliched, the most popular and common advice that you get from people. Yet, drinking lots of water is perhaps the most workable way to keep skin healthy and glowing.


- Squeeze half a lemon and add to warm water with honey. Consume this on an empty stomach everyday. Besides other benefits, this also purifies the blood.

- If you have oily skin, apply a pack of multani mitti mixed with rose water. This not just cleanses the skin but also absorbs excess oil and keeps your skin neat.

- To remove blemishes/scars on your skin make a pack of tomato pulp, haldi, curd and besan. This acts as a natural scrub.

- For a natural bleach, rub lemon peel with honey on the skin and wash off after few minutes.

- Dry orange peel, grind and make a powder. Apply this with water on the face for a glowing skin.

- A pack of corn flour and curd applied everyday helps keep the skin clean.
- If you are going out in the sun, make sure you use an umbrella to shield yourself from the harmful effects of the sun rays.

- If you have a dry skin, massage your face with almond or vitamin e oil to keep your skin nourished


All it needs is a few minutes from your busy schedule to keep your skin healthy and glowing. 

There’s no such thing as empty space

Through the Dynamical Casimir Effect, scientists have stimulated a vacuum to shed some of the myriad "virtual" particles that fleet in and out of existence, making them real and detectable.


Scientists claim to have produced particles of light out of vacuum, proving that space is not empty.


An international team says that its ingenious experiment in which tiny parcels of light, or photons, are produced out of empty space has confirmed that a vacuum contains quantum fluctuations of energy, the ‘Nature’ journal reported.


In fact, the scientists have demonstrated for the first time a strange phenomenon known as the dynamical Casimir effect, or DCE for short.


The DCE involves stimulating the vacuum to shed some of the myriad “virtual” particles that fleet in and out of existence, making them real and detectable. Moreover, the real photons produced by the DCE in their experiment collectively retain a peculiar quantum signature that ordinary light lacks.


The research, led by Chris Wilson of Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, shows that a related dynamic effect can occur when such a mirror moves very fast through the vacuum. The DCE was predicted over 40 years ago, but had not yet been observed experimentally due to the difficulty of creating the required experimental conditions.


“The DCE was conceived as a kind of thought experiment, sort of like Schrodinger’s Cat. According to quantum theory, if one could accelerate a mirror very quickly to near the speed of light, the mirror would radiate light as some of the mirror’s motional energy is imparted to virtual photons lurking in the vacuum, converting them into real photons.


“But it is practically impossible to accelerate a massive mirror to such high velocities. The required accelerations would be greater than the kind of shocks found in supernova or nuclear weapons explosions,” said team member Prof Tim Duty.


Instead, the scientists set out to demonstrate the DCE using microwaves, like those used for mobile phone and wireless communication signals. And instead of a massive mirror, they used a tiny microcircuit called a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, or SQUID.


The SQUID acts as a tunable mirror for virtual microwave photons, fooling them into behaving as if they encountered a moving mirror when in fact nothing is physically moving.


Furthermore, they had to cool the experiment to a small fraction of a degree above absolute zero in order to get rid of unwanted thermal microwaves that would mask the DCE.


“The fact that the quantum vacuum is not empty, as demonstrated in our experiment, is related to lots of other interesting effects such as Hawking radiation of black holes and the Lamb shift in atomic physics,” Prof Duty said.

Why you should avoid yo-yo diets (HEALTH +)

How does Britney drop 5 kilos in a few days - then seems to be back where she started a few weeks later? And how does Jessica Simpson morph from buxom blonde to a denim shorts-clad leggy lass, only to go back to being curvy again?


Yo-yo dieting is rampant in celeb-town, but it's one trend that you shouldn't follow. The combination of near starvation and vigorous workouts is bad for your figure and worse for your health.


The "starving" phase can't be maintained long and will almost always be followed by "stuffing", when your body compensates for everything you have denied yourself. Severely restricting calories also puts the body into starvation mode where it becomes efficient at protecting fat stores and uses muscle to provide calories - so we lose muscle mass. When you start eating normally, the body can't burn calories like before and you pile on fat.


Slashing food means losing fibre and nutrients, so hair, skin and nails start to look dull and flaky and you could suffer headaches, dizziness, irritability and fatigue. Long-term fluctuating body weight has been associated with coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and gallstones.


Then there's the psychological impact. Research reveals that constantly losing and gaining weight can increase stress and make you feel depressed. Of course, obesity comes with health problems like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and joint and back problems - so it makes real sense to get yourself in shape. But if you want to stay healthy and look fantastic, then lose those extra pounds gradually and don't go to extremes. Then keep them off for good with a balanced diet and regular exercise.


What's your perfect weight?
- Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Use an on-line calculator for a BMI of 21.
- Get a tape measure and measure your waist. For women, it should be below 32 inches.
- Measure your percentage body fat. Many weighing scales now also measure body fat and some gyms have facilities to do this. A healthy range of body fat for women aged 20 to 39 years is 21 to 33 per cent. 

Chocolate milk, the best drink after exercise(HEALTH +)

Scientists have claimed that chocolate milk is the best recovery drink to have after exercise, as it helps build more muscles, boost performance and keep off the fat.


After an exhausting session on the treadmill, many athletes usually reach for an isotonic sports drink or good old-fashioned water, but two new studies from The University of Texas at Austin have shown that chocolate milk is the ideal post-workout recovery drink.


"Serious and amateur athletes alike enjoyed physical recovery benefits when they drank low-fat chocolate milk after a vigorous workout," the Daily Mail quoted lead researcher Dr John Ivy as saying.
"The advantages for the study participants were better body composition in the form of more muscle and less fat, improved times while working out and overall better physical shape than peers who consumed sports beverages that just contained carbohydrates," he said.


Ivy and his team compared the recovery benefits of drinking low-fat chocolate milk after exercise to the effects of a carbohydrate beverage with the same ingredients and calories as typical sports drinks as well as to a calorie-free beverage.


They asked 10 trained cyclists to ride a bike for 90 minutes at moderate intensity, then for 10 minutes of high intensity intervals. The scientists found the athletes had significantly more power and rode faster (reduced their ride time by an average of six minutes) when they consumed low-fat chocolate milk rather than a carbohydrate sports drink or calorie-free beverage.


The team also tested 32 amateur male and female cyclists, putting them through five intense spinning sessions a week followed by one of the three beverages.


They found after four and a half weeks that chocolate milk drinkers had twice the improvement in maximal oxygen uptake compared to the others.


Maximal oxygen uptake is one indicator of an athlete's aerobic endurance and ability to perform sustained exercise.
The amateur cyclists also built more muscle and shaved off more fat during training when they drank low-fat chocolate milk.


"We don't yet understand exactly what mechanism is causing low-fat chocolate milk to give athletes these advantages - that will take more research," Ivy stated.
"But there's something in the naturally-occurring protein and carbohydrate mix that offers significant benefits," he added.


Ivy added that a three-minute recovery window after exercise, for people of all fitness levels, was as important as the nutrition supplement. The study has been published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research .

How to quit smoking in 30 days(HEALTH +)

I would like to inform you readers that I have a new topic every day in HEALTH POSITIVE section so keep visiting every day and make your body fit for day to day life.

Every year, millions of people across the world try to quit smoking but fail. One of the main reasons why smokers fail to quit is their inability to formulate and adhere to a fixed quitting program.


After a few attempts, they lose faith in the fact that they can ever stop their smoking habit successfully. But, always remember that you are in control of your body and armed with a solid plan you can reach your ultimate goal. Be a part of our 30 days quit smoking plan to quit smoking and lead a healthier life.


Support from families and friends: A little support and motivation from friends and family always acts as a booster to help you in your struggle against nicotine addiction. By keeping yourself surrounded with friends and family, you will be able to make better progress than by your individual effort. Make your close ones aware of your "quitting goals" and involve them actively in each and every step. However, inform them ahead of time that you might be irritable and even irrational during your smoking withdrawal period.


Start an exercise program: A great way to decrease the cravings is by starting a routine exercise program. Take a walk or hit your neighborhood gym to divert your mind. Remember that exercise relieves stress and helps reverse side effects caused by years of cigarette smoking. Plan your fitness program with initial slow sessions and then gradually move on to more rigorous activities. But, ensure that you consult your physician before embarking on any strict exercise routine.


Deep breathing techniques and visualization : Keep in mind that the secret to a successful quitting plan lies in your own sense of self-determination and control. One way of achieving this is by deep breathing techniques. Regarded by many as one of the most powerful and important techniques, deep breathing helps relax the mind and overcome any kind of stressful situation. When performed methodically, this can act as a great tool during moments of strong cravings.


Drink lots of water: Water helps flush the nicotine and other chemicals from your body and hence, drinking sufficient quantities of water is a must for every smoker. Besides this, it also helps reduce your cravings by fulfilling your "oral desires".


Nicotine replacement therapy: Today, many doctors and physicians suggest remedial administration of nicotine like nicotine gums and patches to overcome the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. NRTs curb cravings in a smoker while, at the same time, allowing them to abstain from tobacco. This enables a person to easily overcome nicotine addiction as it reduces the cravings to smoke.


Get rid of smoking related materials: Any material that adds to your cravings like lighters, ashtrays and old cigarette packets should be removed immediately. These "triggers" may tempt you time and again to turn back to your old smoking habits.


Maintain a "goal" journal: As soon as you plan to stop smoking, set your goals and benchmarks in a personal journal. Whenever you feel like giving in to your temptations, jot down your feelings in your journal and remind yourself to stick to your targets.


Positive self talk: Finally, remember that the only way you can do this is by self-control. Remind yourself everyday about your convictions and tell yourself that you are strong enough to let go of your temptations.

Dieters regain weight after a year (HEALTH +)

More than 80 per cent of obese dieters fail to maintain their reduced weight after one year of initial weight loss due to hormonal changes, a new study has revealed.


The study involved 50 overweight or obese adults, with a BMI of between 27 and 40, and an average weight of 95kg, who enrolled in a 10-week weight loss program using a very low energy diet.


Levels of appetite-regulating hormones were measured at baseline, at the end of the program and one year after initial weight loss.


Results showed that following initial weight loss of about 13 kgs, the levels of hormones that influence hunger changed in a way, which would be expected to increase appetite.


These changes were sustained for at least one year. Participants regained around 5kgs during the one-year period of study.


The study revealed the important roles that hormones play in regulating body weight, making dietary and behavioural change less likely to work in the long-term, said Professor Joseph Proietto from the University of Melbourne and Austin Health.


"Our study has provided clues as to why obese people who have lost weight often relapse. The relapse has a strong physiological basis and is not simply the result of the voluntary resumption of old habits," he said.

Foods that fight age-related disease (HEALTH +)

With increasing age, there is a further need to focus more on what you eat so as to remain fit and healthy. As one grows older, one tends to develop certain chronic conditions that affect the quality of life.


However, most of these age-related ailments like diabetes, obesity and hypertension can be controlled by managing and modifying what we eat.


By making a few dietary alterations, we can prevent the onset of these diseases. Call them superfoods, call them nutritional haven - these foods will help you overcome such age-related health conditions, giving you a chance to lead a long and healthy life.


Leafy green vegetables
Fill up on dark leafy greens if you want to avoid the risk of developing age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have found that people who followed diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins (as found in these vegetables) are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Besides this, leafy greens are also important for bone health among older people and prevent the onset of osteoporosis and age-related bone loss. They also help to protect us against eye conditions like cataract.


Pumpkin
A rich source of potassium, magnesium, alpha carotene and beta carotene; pumpkins can rightly be called a superfood. They not help to boost your body immunity but also fight certain ailments that an ageing body tends to develop. In fact, it is believed that the alpha-carotene can help to slow down the process of ageing besides preventing the formation of cataracts. Hence, a liberal use of pumpkin is a must to obtain all these vital nutrients.


Nuts and seeds
From fighting age-related depression to improving your bone health and improving your brain health - the benefits of eating nuts and seeds are endless. Among these, til and walnut are an excellent source of calcium promoting bone health and preventing the occurrence of osteoporosis in the aged. Moreover, the high levels of omega-3-fatty acids found in walnuts are important for maintaining heart health. Pistachios, on the other hand, are beneficial against the development of heart diseases.


Salmon
Another rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is helpful in treating degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease and macular degeneration of the eye. These fatty acids, in association with selenium, amino acids, Vitamin A and D protect the human nervous system from damages from aging.


Whole cereals and pulses
Include plenty of whole cereals and grains instead of the refined varieties in your diet. This will enable you to combat the common diet related degenerative disease of advancing age. As diabetes has no permanent cure, it can only be controlled by making some important dietary interventions. Moreover, if left uncontrolled, it can also affect other body organs like kidneys. The fact that these processed grains are digested more slowly than processed grains helps them to prevent high blood sugar. Also, the nutrients in them lower the risk of certain age-related ailments like cardiovascular disease.

Green innovations for data centres

What has ‘green' energy got to do with information technology? Plenty, if you ask P. Gopalakrishnan, vice-president, India Software Lab, IBM.


Globally, data centres, which house large stacks of storage and computing power, are one of the fastest growing power consuming segments and, so, they are a prime candidate for a concerted attempt at energy saving, Dr. Gopalakrishnan says.


Based in Bangalore, the lab has spearheaded some of the company's key innovations in energy in the last 10 years, not only in-house but also at its clients' locations worldwide. The lab recently announced that it has deployed an array of solar panels on the rooftop of its facility in Embassy Golf Links in Bangalore.


Dr. Gopalakrishnan says a part of the lab's mandate is to address energy efficiency issues.


“We have two objectives: to drive operational efficiencies and to integrate technologies and showcase them to demonstrate the art of the possible.”


Energy efficiency is not just a matter of use of electrical energy, but also of space in buildings and many other dimensions, he adds. Last year, IBM announced that it delivered a water-cooled supercomputer to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
Three-pronged solution


The lab has been working on the ‘green' energy data centre for about two years. Dr. Gopalakrishnan says there are three major dimensions in reducing energy consumption, not all of which are about the quantum of power that is drawn from the grid. The first aspect of this is the constant endeavour to use technologies that help reduce the “sprawl” of data centres. “When we started, we had about 30 data centres, but we have consolidated them into a dozen centres in the country now. This has been achieved by innovations in server technologies, which made them denser,” he says.


Automation in data centres is the second prong of the strategy to reduce energy consumption. Real-time monitoring enables data centre administrators to find out which part of the IT infrastructure is being used at what time. While virtualisation helps in doing more with less in terms of hardware, automation makes it possible for the administrator to power down parts of the unutilised infrastructure.


The third aspect of the strategy has been the development of systems using new innovations. For instance, IBM has pioneered the use of water-cooled systems in which the doors of stacks that house hardware contain pipes carrying water, which transfer heat in a far more efficient manner. Other innovations enable “finer grain control” of systems by reducing the frequencies of CPUs or voltages.
Targeted cooling


Atop these three dimensions is another layer, not related to a data centre's IT infrastructure per se, but which aims at the energy efficiency of the overall infrastructure. This has to do with the cooling systems, the building layout and other factors that result in lower energy consumption.


Precision cooling systems, for instance, target specific points in a data centre that result in more advanced evacuation of heat from where they are generated. “The systems are reactive in the sense that they not only target but actually vary according to real-time conditions,” explains Dr. Gopalakrishnan. “If a particular storage stack, for instance, is not generating heat, the system will not direct cooler air towards it,” he adds. Thermal mapping technologies, which enable three-dimensional mapping of data centres, provides far more accurate methods of measuring temperature flows inside a data centre.

Going nuts about peanuts!(HEALTH +)

Whole peanuts also known as earthnuts, ground nuts, or pygmy nuts contain high amount of protein, which makes it a preferred diet of those people engaged in body-building and also those who are underweight.


In fact, not many know this but the raw peanut butter with crushed skin contains much higher amounts of nutrient than refined 'nut-only' butter. But whichever form you prefer it in, there's no denying its health benefits.

- Peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid. Roasting peanuts increases its p-coumaric acid levels, boosting it overall antioxidant content by as much as 22 per cent.


Roasted peanuts rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets.

- Unsalted peanuts are good for your arteries. One quarter cup of peanuts contains as much monounsaturated fat as a tablespoon of olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have been shown to lower blood cholesterol.

- Peanuts' high niacin content helps in the recovery of cell damage and provides protection against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive problems.


- Peanut contain vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that is shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.


- Peanuts contain iron, that's essential for the correct functioning of red blood cells.




- Peanut is rich in calcium which helps promotes healthy bones.


- Peanut has high bioflavonoid resveratrol. This bioflavonoid helps improve blood flow in the brain by as much as 30 per cent, thus reducing the risk of stroke. Adding even small amounts of peanut products to the diet can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by 14 per cent.




- Peanuts' fiber content helps lower the risk of colon cancer.




- Peanuts accelerate the growth of male and female hormones.

Begin your day with a glass of juice(HEALTH POSITIVE)

Jumpstart your day with freshly-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. They work wonders for your body and mind. Here are a few options for you.
A juice is not a complete meal
It is unwise to adopt juicing as a meal replacement. Ideally, you have to consume it with your meal or as an in-between snack. It should be an addition to your regular meals.


Acne and pimples
Your skin shows up different types of bumps when sebum (oil) gets blocked and bacteria begin to grow. These bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or cysts.
Your formula: Juice one lemon and add to one cup of hot water. Drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Why: Fresh lemon juice purifies the blood by removing metabolic waste and by changing blood pH from acid to alkaline.


Constipation
Constipation is a common digestive problem that makes it difficult for you to have a regular bowel movement. Your stools become hard, making it difficult for you to pass without strain. It is common in pregnant women.
Your formula: Carrot 20 tbsp + beetroot six tbsp + cucumber six tbsp.
Why: Drinking beet regularly helps relieve constipation. Beetroot and carrot juice, when combined, are excellent in curing gout, kidney and gall bladder problems. Cucumber is also a dependable laxative food. It supplies bulk to aid bowel action.


Allergies
Your eyes are itching or you're sneezing all the time. It indicates that the allergy bug has struck you again. An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people.
Your formula: Carrot 12 tbsp + celery four tbsp + pineapple four tbsp + beetroot two tbsp
Why: Pineapple contains bromelain (enzyme) which is known as a treatment for inflammation and swelling of the nose, ear, and sinus. The natural organic sodium (salt) in celery is very safe for consumption. In fact, it is essential for the body.


Menopause
Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs. Menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether. Hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal bleeding and itching are common symptoms.
Your formula: Carrot 18 tbsp + beetroot six tbsp + pomegranate eight tbsp
Why: Pomegranate is touted as a wonder fruit since it shows promise in improving depression and bone mineral density.


Blood pressure
High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension means high pressure in the arteries. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. If your blood pressure is 140/90 or above, it is considered high.
Your formula: Carrot 16 tbsp + 4 cloves of garlic
Why: Eating garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Allicin compound and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in garlic are responsible for relaxing blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow in the arteries.


Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which your blood sugar levels are high. It doesn't have a permanent solution but the right diet and exercises can help control the sugar level to prevent further problems.
Your formula: Carrots 12 tbsp + brussel sprouts 10 tbsp + string beans 10 tbsp
Why: The pods of string beans or french beans are a medium strength diuretic, stimulating urine flow and the flushing of toxins from the body. Also, brussel sprouts are rich in fibre and vitamin C.


Cold, fever and flu
There is no immediate cure for common cold. It needs to be treated internally. For the flu, your doc might suggest pills or a syrup to fight off the virus. But why become a slave to medication when you can cure yourself with vegetable juice?
Your formula: Carrot eight tbsp + orange eight tbsp + lemon two tbsp + four cloves of garlic
Why: Carrots, oranges and lemons are a great source of natural vitamin C. Garlic is well known as nature's antibiotic and hence can treat common cold and aid in faster recovery.


Obesity
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone or water, as well as from having too much fat.
Your formula: Carrot 22 tbsp + Cabbage 10 tbsp or spinach 32 tbsp
Why: Spinach contains a range of active substances which are indispensable to the body. Also, cabbage juice impedes conversion of carbohydrates to fats and hence is beneficial in controlling obesity.

The best and worst fruits for snacking(HEALTH +)

Yes, all fruits are healthy. But if you are trying to lose weight then snacking away on fruits all day can prove to be a bit dangerous.


Due to their high sugar content (after all fructose does come from fruits) they can be very detrimental to a weight loss plan. So here they are, the best and worst fruits to snack on.


The best fruits to snack on:
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries - they're all packed with antioxidants and vitamins. These little fiber bombs are the smartest, most nutritionally dense fruit you can eat.

Keep in mind that these fruits, especially strawberries and raspberries, are excellent on grilled meats and in salads, so go ahead and experiment! (Glycemic Index: Generally low to mid-20?s)


Cherries:  Cherries are similar to berries in terms of their antioxidant value. They have a bit higher natural sugar content, but they're still very low-carb and are an excellent source of important fiber. Cherries are amazing with bacon, feta and greens. (GI: 22)


Apples and Pears:  They're low in sugar and contain a respectable amount of fiber. While antioxidants aren't exactly overflowing from your average apple, apples (and pears) are still a great way to satisfy a craving for sweetness. (GI: 38)


Peaches and Apricots:  With similar nutritional value as apples and pears, these fruits are a smart way to get a good dose of vitamin C and fiber. (GI: 30s)


Figs:  Figs are just as low in sugar as strawberries, and are packed with fiber (all those tender, tiny seeds). Enjoy these fresh whenever they're in season.


The not-so-good fruits to snack on: 


Melons: Both cantaloupes and watermelons are very high in sugar (GI: 65, 100 respectively). We recommend making melons a rare treat.



Mangoes and Papayas : Though not as sugary as pineapples, these fruits are best enjoyed infrequently. A better choice is the banana, which - although starchy and a 55 on the glycemic index - is a smarter energy source.


Pineapples : Pineapple is very high in sugar, but it's full of valuable nutrients in addition to bromelain, so enjoy it guilt-free from time to time.



So snack on, and snack smart. Whatever your aim, be it energy or weight loss, there is a fruit for you to fill you up, to feed your skin, and to take care of your hunger pangs. Choose your fruits wisely and you will be healthy and happy.

SALTED AWAY FOR ANOTHER DAY (HEALTH POSITIVE)

I would like to inform you readers that I have a new topic every day in HEALTH POSITIVE section so keep visiting every day and make your body fit for day to day life.



The GHMC has teamed up with a private hospital to target the salt monster, Serish Nanisetti and Prabalika M. Borah check out the truth about salt


Salted away for another day


At old-fashioned Indian weddings, when lunch was served on a plantain leaf, a small heapof salt was always placed next to the pickle. On modern dining tables the salt dispenser is as important as the ladle.


When people eat French fries in quick-service restaurants, they not only stuff their mouths with the warm, yellow slivers of deep-fried potatoes, they also lick the residual salt off their fingers.


Medical experts are wary of the effects of salt on the human body.


A hospital has now set the cat among the pigeons with a hoarding that exhorts people to ‘Fight the salt monster'. But can we in India imagine a low-salt pickle or a salt-free Bombay duck? Can we create the tamarind tang of sambar without a generous helping of salt?


“I think we are expecting a very big change in diet,” says Suguna Raman, speaking for Yashoda Hospital. “Salt is such a big part of our culture. But we have to make a beginning. We have to chip it away so that some years down the line there is some change.


That is the reason why our hospital has teamed up with GHMC for this public interest campaign.” Doctors have good reason to focus on salt. “We have seen a rise in the number of people with complaints about cardiac conditions, blood pressure, stroke and more younger people are falling prey. While there are public interest campaigns about diet nobody has targeted sodium, which is the key culprit,” says Suguna.


The harmful effects and benefits of salt are always being debated.


A recent study by the Journal of American Medicine added to the confusion when it revealed the negligible role of salt in physical disorders, while a 1988 study co-related salt intake with high blood pressure.


Facts about salt


Just a pinch of salt on your curd rice or a lick of mango pickle is not likely to send up your blood pressure.


But a pinch here and a dash there can add up to ‘unhealthy' amounts, some studies say. Esther Sathiraj, nutritionist, explains how it works:


Sodium helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body, helps transmit nerve impulses and influences muscle contraction and relaxation.


When sodium levels are low, your kidneys hold on to the sodium.


When sodium levels are high, your kidneys excrete the excess in urine. But when the intake of sodium is very high the kidneys can't eliminate enough of it, and the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, the blood volume increases.


The heart then has to work harder to move more blood through the blood vessels, which increases pressure in the arteries.


Some people's bodies are more sensitive to these effects. If you're sodium sensitive, you retain sodium and fluid more easily, and that increases blood pressure.


If this becomes chronic, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure.

How smart tech are drawing city of tomorrow

SAN FRANCISCO: An operating system is the most vital piece of software in a computer. It makes the hardware components work together and, in large systems, ensures that programs running at the same time do not interfere with each other. Operating systems are so useful that they are now being used in devices like mobile phones, tablets, televisions, washing machines and refrigerators. They are now set to migrate to a different kind of device: the city.


Operating systems will soon be used to manage a city in Portugal, near the tourist town of Paredes. Here, a five-year-old Swiss startup, Living PlanIT, is leading the construction of a new city spread over 17 square kilometres. At the heart of this city is the Urban Operating System (UOS) the company has co-developed.


The UOS optimises all the services in a city, just the way a computer optimises all its resources. It constantly receives data inputs from around the city, and makes sure traffic lights, air-conditioners and other appliances are all working optimally. During emergencies like a fire, for example, it guides people to exit routes, and controls traffic signals so that the fire service can reach the area quickly.

Acity like this could end up being a net energy generator with extremely low carbon dioxide emissions. "It is difficult to estimate the emissions of a city," says Living PlanIT chief technology officer Shaie Selzer. "But we may find it close to zero if we did."


The city, called PlanIT Valley, is the first of what the company calls its design wins. If it proves the concept and the economics in a few design wins, Living PlanIT - pronounced as Living Planet - could rewrite the $4.6 trillion global construction industry. Due to its fragmented nature, the construction industry has innovated little over the recent decades, and has lagged behind other industries in productivity gains. It is also enormously wasteful.

Studies in the US show that 75% of construction adds no value. The industry wastes 60% of the materials and 30% of the cost of construction. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, buildings use 40% of the world's energy. This can be reduced substantially by making them smart.


PlanIT Valley is one of the many smart cities coming up in the world. Other examples include Songdo in South Korea, Masdar in Abu Dhabi, Dongtan in China and parts of Iskandar in Malaysia. These cities use different concepts, but all aim at the same result: an eco-friendly city that optimises all its resources and services.

For example, when complete in 2015, Songdo is supposed to develop into a major carbon-neutral business hub, spread over 6 sq km and with 65,000 inhabitants. PlanIT Valley is being developed as an R&D hub, with companies like Microsoft, Philips, GE, Deutsche Telekom and several others already planning to set up research centres there.

'Aakash' tablet grabbing global eyeballs: Sibal

New Delhi: Aakash, billed as the world's cheapest tablet PC, has evinced a lot of interest among several world leaders and international organisations like UNESCO and World Bank, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said.

"Several prime ministers and ministers have evinced interest in Aakash who want it for their country in thousands," he told reporters without elaborating.


He, however, said that during his recent visit to UNESCO, the president of the general council displayed the tablet to the audience while the World Bank showed it among the board of directors.

He said the International Finance Corporation, which coordinates its activities with other institutions of the World Bank group, can also collaborate with India for improving the device.


The tablet, costing Rs 2,276, was launched on October 5 and it will be available at around half this price to students as part of government's programme to expand education through information technology.

An initial order of one lakh devices has been placed with device maker Datawind. Sibal said phase II of the device will be much more advanced and will be available at the same price of USD 35. "It will have much higher processor, touch screen and longer battery life," he said.

Talking about his trip to the US where he chaired the first Indo-US higher education summit, Sibal said an American delegation will be visiting India next month to carry ahead the partnership in this field.

Wake up to this important factor in feeling fresh(HEALTH POSITIVE)

Those who ever is reading this post i wanna tell you something that i have every day a heath positive section in my blog it will help you to be fit and healthy so keep visiting this site.

How well you sleep at night determines how well you are. And that, believe it or not, depends a whole load on the kind of bed/pillows you use at night.


“The spine is not a straight frame,” C.S. Dhillon, MIOT Centre for Spine Surgery, explains, setting the scientific basis for why orthopaedicians think that the choice of bed is important.

There are certain normal curves, forward at the neck, backward at the upper back region, and forward again at the lower back. “The extent of curve varies from person to person and that determines what sort of bedding is required for that individual,” he goes on to explain.


How do you know if you have the right kind of bed? Simple. Do you wake up in the morning feeling aches and pains? If yes, then it is a clear case of bad bed. It probably is not fair to expect a layman to know the shape of his spine, but the easiest test is to see how he feels when he wakes up, Dr. Dhillon explains. “If you wake up fresh, what you have is the right bed for you,” he says.


There is no undervaluing the importance of waking up fresh, he goes on to say. “Waking up fresh in the morning gives you a whole new approach to life, more positive. Working and living with aches and pains has a definite impact on quality of life,” he adds. Waking up tired will erode a person's efficiency for sure, explains S.H.Jaheer Hussain, consultant, Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital, Kilpauk.

A minimum of seven hours of sleep is essential for that is when the body rests and regenerates itself. To allow the bed or pillow to get in the way of that would be quite foolish.


“We get a lot of people coming in with back and neck aches, and investigations usually reveal bad posture and bad bedding as the reasons behind the problem. Added to this is the factor that people are driving or riding for long distances, these days. So, people who come into the clinic usually ask us what type of bed they can use,” Dr. Dhillon says.

Doctors make a recommendation based on the patient's anatomy, and usually the problems resolve themselves, once the proper mattresses and pillows are used.


Spending on a good bed, appropriate for your comfort is key, Dr. Hussain says. While a range of mattress materials are available in the market, including foam, coir, and cotton, and a huge variety of brands too, people are actually spoilt for choice. “Spending on a bed is important, but spending on the right type of bed/pillow is absolutely essential,” he adds.


Again, depending on the shape of your spine, some one with a flatter spine will be comfortable with a thin pillow and a bed that is not very soft. A thicker pillow and softer bed works for people with more curvature of the spine, Dr. Dhillon explains.


Also, within two years of regular use, the material used for the bedding tends to sink, and even if it started off being the right kind of bed, that sinking would cease to support the back properly, and would lead to back aches, Dr. Hussain added.

When the robots fought for supremacy(Featured Technology Talk)

Watching the spectators enthusiastically cheer on two robots in a fight, one could not help but notice that nearly all of them were boys, while only a handful were girls who often looked at their mobile phones, without really responding to the drama of the arena of “Robot War”.

The event, organised by the National Institute of Technology–Karnataka, saw 30 teams from numerous colleges, all of whom had built their own robots.

Irrespective of whether the women participated in building the robots, the students controlling the proceedings on Friday were all men. The enthusiastic cheering and whistling confirmed the adage that boys will be boys.

It was an interesting competition with the participants putting together a variety of robots on wheels. The goal was to damage the other team's machine and each robot was equipped with some mechanism for that purpose. One had a cutting tool attached to it while another had a hammer that rotated.

Loud cheers went up when one of the robots managed to push the other one off the arena — which was essentially a platform raised on rubber tyres. One team got disqualified for pulling the wires of the opposing team.

There was one team which was not satisfied with the results. The team from a college in Bangalore was upset with the ruling of the judges.

What's on your plate? (HEALTH POSITIVE)

Those who ever is reading this post i wanna tell you something that i have every day a heath positive section in my blog it will help you to be fit and healthy so keep visiting this site.


HBalanced diet is a phrase you would have often heard if you are interested in following a diet. So how do you achieve eating a balanced meal?
You have the food pyramids to guide you. Each country has its own food pyramid. India has its own Food Pyramid and there is a Traditional Healthy Asian Diet Pyramid too. The food pyramid guides you by telling you that the bottom of the pyramid is what you should consume more and what is at the tip of the pyramid is what you should consume least.


Pyramid simplifies
Food pyramids get a little confusing for most of us, and we are unable to understand how to implement the principles on a day to day basis and how much of each that we can eat. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for the same reason has come up with a plate model.
The plate model is a tool that's been used by nutritionists in the past and it is gaining popularity again, thanks to the USDA.
The plate model, as you can see in the attached picture, gives you a break up of what your plate should consist of and in turn when you consume food accordingly, you would have ended up having a balanced meal and ‘voila' a balanced diet. This plate can be adapted for the Indian diet as well.
Let me explain the attached graphic. The graphic suggests that half your plate has vegetables and fruits. The proportion of vegetables has got to be more than fruits. This will ensure that you get your fibre, vitamins, minerals and anti–oxidants in your diet. Vegetables could be cooked form or it could be raw salads. It is always best to consume your vegetables and fruits with the skin and seeds, wherever possible. For example, you could train yourself to eat a sapota or cucumber with the skin, after it has been thoroughly washed.


Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients and will help promote good health. Choose vegetables and fruits of all colours, including red, orange, and dark green vegetables such as tomatoes, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables such as Palak and Shepu.
Cereals should be one quarter of your plate. Its preferred that you consume whole grains and cereals, like red rice or rotis made from whole wheat flour or mixed grain flours. When you consume whole grains, it adds to your fibre consumption and also some vitamins and minerals.


Measure them carefully
Proteins should be another quarter of your plate. If you are a non-vegetarian, quarter of your plate could be lean meat or chicken or eggs. It would be a good idea to include fish at least twice in a week. If you are a vegetarian, quarter of your plate could be dhal or sambar or whole grams like channa, rajma, green gram, etc.
The small bowl which says Dairy can be a cup of milk during breakfast (preferably low fat) or low fat curds or yoghurt.


Along with all this what you need to keep in mind is the oil used for cooking. It's a good idea to use blended oil for cooking, but not more than half a litre of oil per person per month. Blended oils are available in the markets now and help you accomplish the proportion of the fatty oils that you need in your diet. Consuming food rich in oil / fat is going to add to the calories, which in turn can increase your weight.