Wednesday 29 June 2011

Smoking moms' kids more vulnerable to heart disease

Sydney: Children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy have lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known to protect against heart disease in later life.

By the age of eight, children born to mothers who smoked had HDL levels of about 1.3 millimoles per litre as against a more normal level of 1.5 millimoles per litre among children of non-smoking mothers.

This effect was independent of whether children were exposed to cigarette smoke after birth, suggesting prenatal exposure had the most impact on subsequent development, reports the European Heart Journal.

'Our results suggest maternal smoking 'imprints' an unhealthy set of characteristics on children while they are developing in the womb, which may well predispose them to later heart attack and stroke,' cardiology professor David Celermajer said.

'This imprinting seems to last for at least eight years and probably a lot longer,' added Celermajer, who led the study at the University of Sydney.

Celermajer and colleagues examined the effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the thickness of the arterial wall and the levels of lipoproteins in 405 healthy eight-year-olds born between 1997 and 1999.

Ultrasound scans were used to measure arterial wall thickness and they took blood from 328 children to measure lipoprotein levels.

Researchers believe lower levels of HDL cholesterol at this age could lead to serious impact on health in later life.

Thursday 23 June 2011

Cell phones can reduce fertility by 30 percent: Survey

Cell phones, even when not in use, can reduce fertility in males by as much as 30 percent, a recent study has revealed.

The latest warning comes after the World Health Organisation said cell phones could cause cancer.

Conducted in Canada by the Queen's University, the study says that men with poor sperm quality and less sperm count could have been spending too much time on cell phones and were being harmed by the electromagnetic waves emitted by them.

'While cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality in terms of motility and concentration thereby decreasing the chances of fertility,' said the survey.

Interestingly, the researchers believe that cell phones may cause damage while in stand-by mode too as they make regular transmissions to maintain contact with the nearest radio masts.

So, users should avoid carrying phones in a belt holster or trousers, and rather carry them in a bag or a briefcase away from physical contact and absolutely avoid them when not in use, suggested the study.

Putting the study in an Indian context, Shivani Sachdev Gour, director and fertility consultant at Isis fertility clinic in south Delhi, said that about 30 couples with infertility visit her every month and in around 35-40 percent of such cases, it is the male who has the problem.

'Most of the time the reason for this is unknown. Several postulated reasons related to male infertility were environmental toxins,' said Gour.

'Further research is required on cell phones being one of the factors because it is a day to day activity with quite alarming implications,' the survey quoted her as saying.

According to the study, the British government has already advised its citizens to prefer text messages and hands-free over direct calls to avoid the possible negative effects.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Eight tips for healthy eating

Eating well is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. It can be simple too. Just follow these eight tips to get started.

The two keys to a healthy diet are:
  • Eat the right number of calories for how active you are, so that you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you eat too much, you’ll put on weight. If you eat too little you’ll lose weight. The average man needs around 2,500 calories a day. The average woman needs 2,000 calories.
  • Eat a wide range of foods to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.
These practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating, and can help you make healthier choices:

1. Base your meals on starchy foods Starchy foods include potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread. Choose wholegrain varieties when you can: they contain more fibre, and can make you feel full for longer. Starchy foods should make up around one third of the foods you eat. Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram they contain fewer than half the calories of fat. Learn more in Starchy foods.

2. Eat lots of fruit and veg It’s recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. It’s easier than it sounds. A glass of 100% unsweetened fruit juice can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for some dried fruit?

3. Eat more fish Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim for at least two portions a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish is high in omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned; but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt. Oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines and pilchards. Non-oily fish include haddock, plaice, coley, cod, tinned tuna, skate and hake. Anyone who regularly eats a lot of fish should try to choose as wide a variety as possible.

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar We all need some fat in our diet. But it’s important to pay attention to the type of fat we’re eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as cakes, pies, biscuits, sausages, cream, butter, lard and hard cheese. Try to cut down, and choose foods that contain unsaturated rather than saturated fats, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados. Sugary foods and drinks are often high in calories, and could contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals. Cut down on sugary fizzy drinks, cakes, biscuits and pastries, which contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on rather than sugars that are found naturally in foods such as fruit and milk. Food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 15g of sugar per 100g means that the food is high in sugar.

5. Eat less salt Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day. Younger children should have even less.

6. Get active and be a healthy weight Eating well plays an important part in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health. Being overweight can led to health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. Being underweight could also affect your health. Check whether you’re a healthy weight by using our Healthy weight calculator. If you're trying to lose weight, healthy food choices will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. You can find information and advice to help in Lose weight. If you’re underweight, see Underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice. Physical activity can help you to maintain a healthy weight. Being active doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking.

7. Drink plenty of water Try to drink about six to eight glasses of water (or other fluids) a day to prevent dehydration. When the weather is warm or when we get active, we may need more. But avoid soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars. Learn more in Water and drinks. Remember: When thinking about alcohol, there is nothing wrong with the occasional drink, but drinking too much can cause serious health problems. Alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down could help you to control your weight.

8. Don’t skip breakfast Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that eating breakfast can help people control their weight. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. Wholemeal cereal, with fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and nutritious breakfast.

source:www.nhs.uk

Monday 13 June 2011

Fathers,not mothers, influence what children eat

Washington:A man's choice of where to eat could literally tip the scales on his child's health as his perceptions of family meals carry more weight, so to speak, than mothers', according to a new study

Men who have no trouble eating food in a fast food restaurant are going to be more likely to have kids who do so, said Texas AgriLife Research sociologist Alex McIntosh, who led the study, reports The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour.

New research indicates that fathers are more likely than mothers to have an impact on childhood obesity. This study showed that lenient fathers allow their children more trips to fast food restaurants which have been linked to obesity in children, according to an AgriLife statement.

The study began as a 15-month look at parents' use of time and how that impacted meal choices. It aimed at the difference between fast food and full-service restaurants because numerous studies have shown a correlation between fast food consumption and weight gain.

Of particular interest for the research, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, was parental choice of restaurants as a connection to childhood obesity, McIntosh said.

McIntosh said the message to fathers should be that they have some responsibility just like mothers to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. Also, fathers need to know more about nutritional content of fast food.

The only instances of mothers being more lax on the use of fast food restaurants are those who are neglectful and those who are highly committed to their work, McIntosh said.

'So mothers are not unimportant when it comes to eating out choices,' he said, 'but in terms of statistical findings, the father findings are stronger'.

'Traditionally, academics have blamed mothers for everything that goes wrong with children, especially when it comes to food,' he added.

'But I think it's pretty clear that fathers have a substantial influence over what children are eating. And if that's the case, then they need to be the target of education just like mothers

Mobile phones may make planes crash: Study

London: A mobile phone when kept on during a flight can actually disrupt the plane's electronic systems and eventually lead to a crash, a study says.

The study by the International Air Transport Association says pilots and engineers have linked electronic devices to at least 75 safety incidents over the past six years.

One case involved a Boeing 747 flying at 4,500 feet whose automatic pilot disengaged by itself. When flight attendants went through the cabin, they found four passengers using electronic devices. Once they switched them off, the flight carried on without incident, the Daily Mail said.

The study described how a clock spun backwards and a GPS in the cabin read incorrectly while two laptops were being used nearby.

During another flight, the altitude control readings changed rapidly until a crew member asked passengers to turn off their electronic devices, it said.

The study revealed 'older' planes were most at risk to mobiles, Blackberrys and iPads.

The planes were not well shielded from the devices that radiate signals that can disrupt highly-sensitive sensors in the passenger cabin.

Boeing says planes were vulnerable during take-off and in poor visibility.

'It could tell you were left of the runway when in fact you were right of the runway. Or it could wipe out the signal completely so you had no indication where you were,' engineer David Carson told ABC.

Saturday 11 June 2011

Pomegranate juice could ease workplace stress

London : Drinking pomegranate juice daily could ease one's stress at the workplace by reducing blood pressure and lowering stress hormone levels.

Researchers at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, in Britain, studied the physiological effect of daily consumption of half litre of pomegranate juice over a two-week period.

They found that all 60 volunteers, from a range of working environments, reported being more enthusiastic and less distressed after having the drink.

Emad Al-Dujaili, who led the study, said 'on the basis of these findings there is a justified argument for busy workers to drink pomegranate juice to help alleviate chronic stress and maintain good health', reports the Telegraph.

'There is a growing body of evidence that pomegranate juice delivers wide-ranging health benefits that merit further research.

'It is very rare indeed for an all-natural juice to offer the range of health benefits that we are seeing in pomegranate juice.'

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Healthy foods to Eat at Work

We've all heard it times and again that sitting all day long at the desk isn't really good for the health. Sadly, there aren't any feasible alternatives to this mode of working. While you can't just leave your job, you can surely do something which is beneficial for your health. Eating the right kind of fruits can help you overcome the negative effects of sitting like a robot all day.

Here are five power foods you can enjoy while sitting at your desk. They can work wonders for your heart, blood pressure, and can even improve your memory and concentration.

Walnuts
Some new researches have pointed out that walnuts have more (and better quality) antioxidants than almonds, peanuts, pistachios and many other nuts. All nuts have been found to improve lipids and can reduce the risk of heart diseases. Walnuts have also been found to enhance cognitive and motor function in animals with Alzheimer's. Experts recommend seven walnuts a day.


Cup of Green Tea
Polyphenols, one of the major ingredients of green tea, is known to help repair the damaged DNA and stimulate the immune system. Besides, research shows that green tea also helps in reducing the risk of cancers, including skin cancer and prostate cancer.

Popcorn
If there ever was a list of healthy snacks, this is definitely going to be on the list. In fact, many say that popcorn is the healthiest snack available. It is 100 percent whole grain and is big on fiber and antioxidants. If you can air-pop your popcorn and add a minimal quantity of salt, you'd have the best popcorn, say experts. If your office has a microwave, just make sure you bring a pack of low sodium popcorn to work.

Dark Chocolate
This, too, contains those powerful antioxidants called Polyphenols which combat the risk factors (like oxidation of LDL cholesterol) for heart diseases and also inhibit clotting. Studies have also indicated that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate daily can reduce blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Caffeine, another active ingredient of dark chocolate, can give you that much-required kick and a boost in concentration levels.

Fruits
Not only they help you conquer that “false hunger”, they are also brimming with nutrients which are needed to keep you going all day. You can choose between apples, bananas, mangoes, oranges, papayas etc. but make sure you carry some fruits to the office on a daily basis.