Health ( Page 39 of 41 )

Dancer Shreya coaxed into CCL mood December 22, 2011 11:24

Actress Shreya seems to be a big believer in the concept of Celebrity Cricket League. Shriya is the brand ambassador for the CCL. So, she has prepared herslf to perform an item song the cricket…

How teenagers learn about sex? December 20, 2011 19:42

A new research has claimed that teenagers are learning about sex through magazines. According to a leading Australian sexuality researcher, teenage magazines are making up for the lack of initiative on the part of the…

Do Men think about sex the most than women? December 19, 2011 20:42

A new study has found it's wrong to believe that men think about sex every seven seconds but, of course, they do think of it more than women do, as the latter think more about…

Why Do People Smoke? December 19, 2011 18:46

Why do people smoke? Common sense tells us that it is bad for us -- inhaling smoke and particulate matter into your lungs is bad for you no matter if it is from a fire or a cigarette. Medical science tells us every time we look at a pack of cigarettes that smoking can cause birth defects, heart problems, and other scary medical problems. Why do people smoke when it is obvious so unhealthy for them? Who Are Smokers? While people of every social and economic class smoke, we know that a certain type of person is more likely to smoke than others. People who topped out with just a high school diploma or less education are more likely to smoke than people who are better educated. Could this be because people who have more education simply understand the health effects more? We know that blue collar workers are far more likely to smoke than people in corporate positions. Conventional wisdom holds that these people's jobs are fairly dreary repetitive things that "excuse" the use of cigarettes . . . as if having a crappy job gave you an excuse to hurt yourself with cigarettes. In the same vein, people in lower income brackets are far more likely to smoke than people with more money. Why do people who make less money end up spending a large portion of their money on cigarettes? These questions don't have very clear answers. There are some other interesting facts about people who smoke -- for instance, women who work are more likely to smoke than women who stay at home. Also, we know that children from homes where the parents and siblings smoke pick up the habit more frequently than children in smoke-free homes. Why do People Start Smoking? Why do People SmokeThis is a controversial question. There is no hard and fast answer to the question of why a person would start smoking. Advertising techniques used by cigarette companies are usually the scapegoat. You'll hear anti-smoking activists repeating facts about smoking advertising and its impact on the smoking population -- for instance, it is often said that In the first 4 years of the infamous "Joe Camel" ad campaign, the number of smokers under age 18 raised from 1% to as much as 30%. What is the basis for this story? Unfortunately for the anti-smoking crowd, there's nothing factual to back up this claim. Can't we just agree that marketing cigarettes in a way that appeals to kids is wrong without needing statistics as ammunition? To be sure, cigarette ads in the past were a bit over the top. The message seemed to be "If you smoke, you will be popular and desirable." Thankfully, much of that advertising is now illegal, and you won't see cigarette ads in many places outside of magazines aimed at adults. Gone are the television commercials and cartoon-infested billboards of old. Still -- cigarette manufacturers are finding different ways to get their message across. "Candy-flavored" cigarettes and nicotine products in bright packaging with sweet flavors are coming out all the time, though legislation is being enacted that will put a stop to this, too. Women are a particularly fond target of cigarette manufacturers -- the idea that smoking keeps you thin is often espoused, wordlessly, in ads aimed at the female population. You think that Virginia Slims are called "Slims" simply because the cigarette itself is skinny? Regardless of how you feel about cigarette ads and their impact on the consumer, the cigarette companies themselves feel very strongly about their ad presence -- the six major American cigarette companies spend over three billion dollars a year on advertising. Peer Pressure As an ex-smoker myself I can tell you that a big reason for smoking in teenagers and children is simple peer pressure. When you think "peer pressure", don't assume this means some older bully forcing a younger child to smoke a cigarette. Peer pressure can mean lots of different kinds of pressure -- a parent's smoking may make it seem acceptable to a child, or a teenager who doesn't smoke may see a large number of their friends doing it and simply decide to smoke to stay in line with the group. It is difficult to counteract the powerful forces of peer pressure. Teenagers want to fit in, and let's face it -- many people like to smoke. It can help you get through that last hour of a long day at work, it goes good with a beer, and most of the people you see smoking on TV and in movies seem to be having a good time. Why wouldn't you want to smoke? Answering that last question may be our best defense against peer pressure. Educating children and teenagers about not just the dangers but the downsides of smoking is crucial in allowing them to make a smart decision about smoking. Talk about the smell, the expense, and the social isolation that can come with smoking, not just the fact that it can cause cancer and other health problems. There are plenty of reasons why people start to smoke though I'd argue that cultural and personal influence are the main factors in a person's cigarette habit. Understanding why a person smokes is key to helping them quit -- how can you quit doing something if you don't know why you do it in the first place? Whether you smoke because yo're addicted, because you want to fit in, or simply because you enjoy smoking, having a working knowledge of your body's addiction will only benefit you on the road to quitting a tobacco habit.

1 in 4 girls have sex before they are 16 December 17, 2011 17:10

The annual Health Survey for England 2010 has revealed girls are indulging in sex at far younger age than boys. The trend triggered claims about the "pornification" of British culture. The survey found more than…

Is Chocolate Good for You? December 16, 2011 12:38

According to the German chemist, Baron Justus von Liebig, (1803-1873): "Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power...". These are sentiments with which most modern palates can identify! Chocolate, and by that I mean the quality stuff, has become a highly sophisticated, very adult and often daily indulgence. Throughout its glamorous history, however, chocolate has always been a much-coveted commodity. Chocolate has its origins in a bitter, dark beverage that was first enjoyed by the Mayans and Aztecs of Central America, over 3,000 years ago. Later, during the sixteenth century, Columbus introduced cocoa beans to Spain. From then on, a passion for chocolate swept through the noble houses of Europe. Chocolate first reached England in the 1650s, but it remained an expensive luxury for at least another 200 years. Interestingly, however, it was not until the beginning of the nineteenth century that chocolate was produced in solid form for eating; and to this day, chocolate has remained synonymous with the good things in life. But now for the real chocolate icing on the cake... Several recent scientific studies have come up with encouraging news for chocoholics. A body of research, for example, suggests that eating a daily portion of chocolate may help maintain a healthy circulation, thanks to the naturally occurring compounds in chocolate called flavanols. Based on these findings, a number of chocolate manufacturers are introducing new production procedures designed to retain the optimum levels of flavanols in their chocolate. They are taking the matter very seriously indeed. Many restaurateurs are also jumping on the bandwagon of chocolate respectability by serving up chocolate concoctions that simply cannot be ignored. Morgan Meuniers's Islington restaurant, for instance, even offers a choice of cocoa content for its chocolate moelleux desserts, ranging from 45% milk chocolate to 70% dark. Other restaurants have introduced their own spin on the chocolate issue and any chef worth his or her cocoa beans uses only the very best quality chocolate in their signature chocolate-based creations. So, if you thought that chocolate was wicked and no more than a pure indulgence, think again. Here are some fascinating findings that will have you reaching for chocolate in any shape or form: Research published in the highly respected "Journal of the American Medical Association" reveals that chocolate is good for cardiovascular health. In clinical trials subjects who consumed just 25 grams a day of semi-sweet dark chocolate, which is rich in flavanols showed significant reductions in the platelet activity that causes blood components to stick to the blood vessel walls and impede blood flow. A small daily portion of chocolate, however, may help promote normal blood flow and maintain a healthy cardiovascular system as well as reducing the risk of developing blood clots. Other studies have revealed that the flavanols found in chocolate may help decrease the oxidation of "bad" cholesterol (LDL, Low Density Lipoproteins). Oxidised LDLs increase the build up of plaque on the lining of blood vessel walls. When this happens blood flow is restricted, which may result in the development of conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease. Important European research has also shown that dark chocolate has greater anti-oxidant properties that can protect us from a whole range of life threatening diseases including heart attack and possibly even cancer. But, researchers at the University of Glasgow and at Italy's "Institute for Food and Nutrition Research" concluded that volunteers had to eat twice as much milk chocolate as dark chocolate to obtain the same levels of antioxidants. Further research is ongoing to establish whether dairy products consumed in combination with dark chocolate may actually reduce its antioxidant effects. In all these various studies, dark chocolate, which is higher in flavanols, appeared to contain greater health-giving properties than milk chocolate. Ultimately, as with all good things in life, moderation is called for when it comes to chocolate consumption, largely due to its high saturated fat content. But, hey, it can't be all bad! On the contrary; we now know that chocolate, with its reliable feel good factor can also make us fell fit and well.

Marriage stands as a testimony December 16, 2011 12:31

Marriage stands as a testimony to the cultures and customs of any society. There is no denying the fact that it is an integral part of Indian culture. Have you as an unmarried Indian woman,…

Shruti excited about role in Gabbar singh December 14, 2011 18:12

Shruti Haasan is all excited about her forthcoming Telugu film Gabbar Singh alongside Power Star Pawan Kalyan. Gabbar Singh is the official remake of Bollywood movie Dabangg and Shruti Haasan is reprising the role of…

You Can Control Your Stress December 14, 2011 15:55

Stress is a serious problem. In recent studies Americans respondents said they had experienced moderate to high levels of stress throughout the last year. Women were far more likely to develop symptoms such as sadness, irritability and lethargy and overeating than men. Stress actually does manifests its self physically. Stress releases cortisol and adrenaline which readies the body to fight or run. It speeds up the heart rate, tenses major muscle groups and thickens blood. It this condition lasts long it harms physical health. Over time cortisol wears down protective ends of DNA. This ages the immune system and hastens cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. The trick to achieving calmness and better health is changing how you respond to stress. Outwardly we have no problem pointing our stress triggers. Women who took part in the studies said money was their top stresser followed by work, economy and family responsibilities. These categories are too broad so lets break them down and dig deeper. People are afraid to pinpoint their stresses for fear it will consume them. But in reality, confronting the monster at the door is half the battle. Tension comes from situations that make us feel helpless. Try asking yourself, What aspect of my daily life is overwhelming? Your body knows better than your mind which circumstance is making you stressed. If you still don’t know your stresses, write in a journal when you have symptoms such as impatience, fatigue, headaches and irritability. You will start to see a pattern. For instance if you get a headache while paying bills. Once you realize the problems, they will appear smaller allowing solutions to occur to you. Even when you’ve taken steps to fix stressful situations, life can throw you a curve ball. But allowing nerves to get the better of you puts you in the fight or flight mode, putting those hormones into play again when there is no physical emergency at hand. Scan your mind for negative thoughts such as: Why does this always happen to me? Reverse those thoughts to, This is unexpected but I can manage it. It will be okay. If you have an especially bad day with everything going wrong, Give yourself a break. Do a crossword puzzle. Call a good friend. Your mind will be calmer and you’ll be better able to cope. For a more lasting calm, do deep breathing, meditation, yoga or other regular exercise. The longer you participate in these activities the calmer you will learn to be. You will learn to relax and when you are relaxed you can’t feel stress.

Samantha’s 2012 diary is full!! December 13, 2011 20:01

Gorgeous actress Samantha has stepped into Tollywood with Gautham Menon’s ‘Ye Maya Chesave’ and turned out as hot favorite to millions. The actress has further proved her mettle with Brindavanam and Dookudu and is now…

Health Benefits of Drinking Tea December 13, 2011 17:46

Although it was widely popular throughout the Great Britain, tea was discovered in China. It was in 2737 B.C. when the Chinese Emperor drank a hot water without knowing that a tea leaf had fallen and immersed into it. After many researches done to this beverage, tea is believed to give many health benefits. Strong Bones A study showed that to be compared to non tea drinkers, people who drink tea regularly build stronger bones. Another study reported that old women having this habit have a high level of bone mineral density (BMD) than those who do not. This could happen because the flavonoids in tea helps improve the mass of the bone so as to prevent osteoporosis. Beautiful Smile Not only improving the strength of the bone, the flavonoids also support the oral health by fighting bacteria that cause plaque to form. Tea drinkers are bound to have a beautiful smile as the fluoride in tea protect the enamels. Many people cannot believe this fact since they have met tea drinkers with bad teeth. Instead of tea, sugar is the real cause of this problem. Leave your tea unsweetened or change the sugar with honey to keep your smile sweet. Healthy Heart According to a research published in 2009, drinking a cup of tea per day lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease as the tea enhances the activity of blood vessels. The flavonoids is again named as the substance that do the job. By drinking tea, the amount of lipid oxidation is reduced such that one is protected from stroke and other heart problems. Improved Alertness A 2007 study found that drinking green tea can increase one's attentiveness. Thanks to amino acid L-theanine which improves the activity of the brain and results in a more alert yet calmer state of mind. The fact that this kind of drink increases awareness has made the tea drinking becomes a part of a spiritual ceremony in Japan. Low Stress Drinking tea keeps the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, to be low. A study found that the level of cortisol in tea drinkers dropped by 20 percent bigger than those in non tea drinkers. While drinking tea can give you many health benefits, you must be careful with some potential pitfalls you may commit while sipping the drink. Wait until the tea becomes warm or lukewarm before you drink it. This is so because drinking it hot boosts the risk of esophageal cancer. Adding milk to your tea may enrich the taste but the casein in milk bind the anticancer substance in tea which result in harming tea's ability to prevent cancer.

Tip for Kitchen Medicine December 10, 2011 15:51

Winter is here, and so is the season of the common cold as well as training injuries. In Oriental medicine, there is a therapy termed “kitchen medicine”, which basically means that food is medicine. Living in the Northwest, many patients that complain of feeling cold! One of my favorite “kitchen” remedies is raw ginger. In energetic terms it is acrid and hot and affects the acupuncture channels of the stomach and the lung. It is effective in warming the channels of the body, dispersing coldness, settles/harmonizes the stomach, and can help produce a light sweat. In Western terms, it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant. It is very easy to prepare. Grate 1tsp-1table spoon of fresh ginger, put in tea cup and poor in hot water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and add honey to taste if desired. Sip down slowly and relax! Be sure to keep comfortably warm and not sweat too much! I sometimes drink ginger tea before and or after working out. It’s also good after meals to aid digestion. Bon appetit!

How Juicing Fresh Vegetables Benefits December 08, 2011 21:14

Pressing the juices from produce, juicing, benefits you by allowing you to combine very good nourishment together with a hectic style of living. "Eat your veggies," your mommy told you. We all know we need to, all of us even would like to, however... Getting real, washing, peeling, as well as artfully arranging veggies for a salad requires time that is very scarce in your life. Next, you have to chew all this -- consuming more time than the preparing. Plus the selection is pretty minimal -- lettuce, all kinds of peppers, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes. Truly, what else? Sure, you'll find the "other" highly recommended vegetables; those dark green and leafy ones, and the ones with funny names (along with funnier tastes) which you could purchase, but do not. Boredom beats the unknown. Juicing helps to solve many of the difficulties of eating your vegetables while maintaining the assets of salads. The two versions, salads and juices, keep the produce raw. No one disagrees that raw is actually the ideal way to go. With no cooking, valuable and fragile micronutrients will be preserved. The overall health benefits of specific fresh vegetables tend to be highly recommended, albeit by numerous questionable "authorities" and many fewer reputable sources. However it is most likely that you at least operate on the "it can't harm and may help" belief regarding these kinds of claims, so that's one more reason to consume all that excellent produce -- if you simply had the time. Here are a number of ways juicing benefits you: Juicing benefit 1 -- Preparation time reduction is very genuine. In the juicing world, you still need to wash fresh vegetables going into the juicer, however, you can quickly chop all of them -- simply no art or even much uniformity is needed. Small or softer items may require almost no dicing, depending on the juice extractor. Little skill and little time is needed. Juicing benefit 2 -- Eating time will be minimal. You can easily drink the juice in a quite small fraction of the time you will need to eat a salad! The juice can easily be imbibed all day long -- something you almost certainly don't want to do with a salad. And a glass of juice will go down much easier compared to a slippery concoction of those artfully carved salad pieces! Juicing benefit 3 -- Boredom will be eradicated. Flavor combos from a juice maker are just limited by what is at the grocers. You can try things out. There are absolutely no criteria -- for instance "lettuce is the basic component." You'll be able to juice a single item or possibly a dozen, based on your tastes. The majority of recipes seem to use a half-dozen or fewer, but it is up to your taste buds alone. Juicing benefit 4 -- You are able to cover up the disgusting stuff, but still get its nutrients. Juicing makes it easy to include a lot more variety in your diet plan. You know the list of those oh-so-good-for-you veggies you should consume, but do not, right? When you are juicing, it isn't difficult to also include the products you are not so fond of alone, for instance perhaps kale or collard greens. Actually, juicing is the one practical way you can access the wheat grass benefits. It can be astonishing just how much good-for-you stuff you can cover in a juice heavy in carrots or tomatoes. Do not like tomatoes -- simply no need to use them. Remember, there are no rules.

Lady Thatcher to be honoured with State funeral December 08, 2011 20:55

Margaret Thatcher is to be given the ultimate accolade of a State funeral when she reaches the end of her days – the first British Prime Minister since Winston Churchill to be afforded such an…