How clean is your mobile phone?

You may like to throw your mobile phone after reading this, as a new study has found the average handset carries 18 time more potential harmful germs than a toilet's flush handle.

An analysis of handsets by British researchers found that almost a quarter of them were so dirty that they had up to 10 times an acceptable level of TVC bacteria.

TVC, or Total Viable Count, gives a quantitative idea about the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and mold in a sample.

Elevated levels of TVC indicate poor personal hygiene and act as a breeding ground for other bugs.

One of the phones in the test had such high levels of bacteria that it could have given its owner a serious stomach upset, said the researchers who carried out the study for the 'Which?' magazine.

The findings from a sample of 30 phones suggest that 14.7 million of the 63 million mobiles in use in the UK today could be potential health hazards, they said.

Source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/how-clean-is-your-mobile-phone/652953/

Alarm over chemical-laden fruits & vegetables

Looking to include shiny, green, leafy vegetables in your meal? Think again! The ‘perfect-looking’ veggies may not good for your health after all.

In a letter to the Union Health Secretary, Minister of State for Health, Dinesh Trivedi has warned that the vegetables on sale in the market may be leading to “nervous breakdowns, sterility and neurotic complications” among unsuspecting consumers.

“The health benefits of consuming green vegetables as a staple diet finds a sharp contradiction in the present-day context. Farmers are using hormone shots to expedite the growth of their vegetables. The disturbing part is that these hormones may cause irreparable damage to our health, if taken through these vegetables, over a period of time. The even more shocking element is that the public/authorities may also be aware of this malpractice,” Trivedi said in the letter, seeking action against such farmers.

The minister’s warning has come at a time when it has become a common practice among farmers to inject vegetables with oxytocin, also called ‘love hormone’. Farmers use the chemical to help fruits and vegetables grow faster.

Oxytocin is a hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter to the brain. It is used clinically to induce labour, control bleeding after delivery and stimulate secretion of breast milk.

The chemical is mostly injected in pumpkin, watermelon, brinjal, gourd and cucumber to help them grow faster and look perfect. The irony is that oxytocin is a Schedule-H drug, which is banned in the country for use on animals.

Trivedi, in his letter, also mentioned the use of chemicals like copper sulphates for colouring fruits and vegetables. “The adverse effects of these toxins are being investigated. Both these hazardous chemicals and their use needs to be urgently monitored and looked into immediately,” the minister said.

Source http://www.zeenews.com/news643951.html

Women Treat Pets Like Babies

The new trend of Scottish women has been found out by insurer Petplan as part of the Petplan Census. The survey says that now a days women have started treating their pets as their babies.

These women have gone extremely fond of treating their pet as their babies. They try different things to dress them up. Also they follow cutesy gibberish while talking to them.

Dr Deborah Wells, senior psychology lecturer at Queens University in Belfast, said, "Dogs and cats can offer their owners many of the benefits frequently provided by children, including love and affection, companionship and happiness.”

This survey has brought out some really interesting figures. It states that 75 percent of Scottish women treat their pets with expensive gifts and food items on special occasions like Christmas, and on these pets' birthday. While 82 percent feeds their pet with food that human beings eat. Like cheese, cake and crisps.

The survey also stated that there are pet owners who worry, when they have to leave their pets alone or with some pet care centres when they are out of station or at work.

Wells added that pets can train these mothers for motherhood. These women attain summit of satisfaction when they treat their pet as their child. Also pets act as a blessing to couple who are child less.

Source http://living.oneindia.in/home-n-garden/pet-care/2010/women-care-pets-270710.html

'Brits being denied crucial cancer drugs to save money'

A new report is set to reveal that thousands of Britons are being denied access to drugs crucial in cancer treatments.

The UK's breast cancer patients have 50 percent less chance of the drug Herceptin than elsewhere in Europe.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Health will put pressure on the Government to speed up plans for a 200 million pounds cancer fund that would allow patients to get access to new drugs not currently approved for NHS use.

"It is high time we had a review of access to new drugs. However, I doubt that the 200million pound cancer fund would make us as good as the best countries in the report. We would need around £billion to achieve that," The Daily Express quoted leading cancer specialist Karol Sikora from Cancer Partners UK, as saying.

"Patients in the UK have poorer access to Alzheimer's drugs, Multiple Sclerosis drugs and Rheumatoid Arthritis drugs too. It all needs to be looked at," he added.

Allegedly, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence or NICE has blocked a number of medicines, on grounds of cost, that can extend the lives of those battling more unusual forms of cancer.

NICE has restricted access to the bowel cancer drug Avastin, and Nexavar, the only treatment offering any chance of survival for patients with advanced liver cancer.

NICE agrees the drugs can alleviate symptoms but says the NHS cannot afford them.

The outcry against negative decisions has led to a review by NICE into a controversial decision to block one new bone marrow drug called Azacitidine.

One of the groups suffering most are 400 liver cancer patients denied Nexavar to shrink their tumours and give them the chance of potentially life-saving surgery.

Ian Beaumont, of Bowel Cancer UK, said that for some patients even a few months delay "means the difference between life and death." (ANI)

Source http://sify.com/news/brits-being-denied-crucial-cancer-drugs-to-save-money-news-health-kh0pafjghea.html

Vitamin C ’can block tumour growth’

Vitamin C can help block the growth of cancer cells, found New Zealand researchers—a feat that could be quickly adopted into cancer treatment.

After much controversy over the role of vitamin C in cancer treatment, a team from Otago University at Christchurch have now shown that it has a role in controlling tumour growth.

They have said that their study of tumorous and normal tissue samples from women with cancer of the uterine lining, has given the first direct evidence of a link between vitamin C and a protein called HIF-1.

HIF (hypoxia inducible factor)-1 is considered a key protein in tumour survival.

High activity of it promotes tumour growth and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is linked with a poor prognosis for patients.

The Christchurch study, led by associate professor Margreet Vissers, found that high-grade tumours had around 40% less vitamin C than matched, adjacent, normal tissue.

The study suggests that restoring the vitamin C levels in tumours would limit factors that promote tumour growth, and recommend animal trials to test the hypothesis, say researchers.

Professor Vissers said the study indicated that it would be beneficial for people with cancer cells to have more vitamin C. It could help restrict the rate of tumour growth, increase responsiveness to chemotherapy and might prevent formation of solid tumours.

"There’s enough information now for people to be seriously thinking about doing this, to apply this to the clinic or be setting up some clinical trials," the New Zealand Herald quoted her as saying.

"Anti-oxidant supplementation may not end up delivering any more vitamin C to the tumour. Just supplementing people may not actually have the effect that you want because you haven’t done it in the right way," said Vissers.

She said vitamin C levels in the body could be raised only to a certain level by oral supplementation. Intravenous injections could achieve a higher level.

Source http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?229813

HIV infection rate doubles in over-50s

The HIV infection rate in people aged over 50 has more than doubled over the last seven years, Health Protection Agency figures showed on Wednesday.

The infection rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland soared from 299 new cases in 2000 to 710 in 2007.

Health experts said part of the rise can be attributed to late diagnosis, but a similar jump in other sexually transmitted diseases suggests more unsafe sex among over 50s.

"We estimate that nearly half of older adults diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 were infected at age 50 or over. This highlights the importance of HIV testing, whatever your age," said Ruth Smith, who led the research for the HPA.

"We must continually reinforce the safe sex message ? using a condom with all new or casual partners is the surest way to ensure people do not become infected with a serious sexually transmitted infection such as HIV," she added.

Source http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpFXTHrub6HMi4geMnTe1kRzscdw

Obese teens at increased risk of arthritis

Young adults with psoriasis are at in increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis if they are obese, says a new study.

The study conducted by Razieh Soltani-Arabshahi, M.D., of the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, and colleagues, found that body mass index (BMI) at age 18 was predictive ofpsoriatic arthritis.

Young age, being female and having larger body surface areas affected with psoriasis are other factors that contribute to the disorder.

Additionally, the findings show “the obese group having an earlier onset of psoriatic arthritis, followed by the overweight group and finally the normal BMI group.”

“To determine which patients with psoriasis are at greatest risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, it is essential that risk factors be identified using robust epidemiologic approaches,” write Alexis Ogdie, M.D., and Joel M. Gelfand, M.D., M.S.C.E, of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, in an accompanying editorial.

“Ultimately, identification of risk factors for psoriatic arthritis holds the promise of improving our ability to diagnose this condition and prevent it through risk-factor modification,” they add.

Source http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/07/obese-teens-at-increased-risk-psoriatic-arthritis.html

Vitamin C can help fight cancer

Vitamin C could play a key role in fighting cancer.

People with cancer cells should have more vitamin C to limit tumour growth, a research led by Margreet Vissers, associate professor at the University of Otago, has said.

"Our results offer a promising and simple intervention to help in our fight against cancer, at the level of both prevention and cure," Vissers was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

The study has been published in the latest issue of the Cancer Research journal.

Source http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_vitamin-c-can-help-fight-cancer_1411716

Keep pesky mosquitoes at bay with a wipe

Keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay is now possible with a just a wipe of a tissue costing only Rs.3.

The new technology, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been in use by the military for the past six years as a spray.

In January this year, Jyothy Laboratories, with the backing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, brought over the commercial rights of the technology from the DRDO.

Gwalior-based DRDO scientists had developed a new molecule - diethyl phenyl acetamide (DEPA) - paving the way for a non-toxic, easy to use cosmetic product to keep mosquitoes away.

"I always launch all my new products in my state only," M.P. Ramachandran, chairman of Jyothy Laboratories, told reporters here on Thursday. "Hence I decided to offer our new product Maxo-Military in gel form and in tissue type," he added.

Earlier, the product was launched by Kerala Health Minister P.K.Sreemathi.

A similar product, available in the market, is effective only for two hours, but the addition of the DEPA technology prolongs its protection time.

A tube of gel costs Rs.36 while a 'mosquito tissue' can be bought for Rs.3.

"Our products have been approved by the Drug Controller of India and it is treated as a cosmetic product and the approval from the WHO also has come," added S. Radhakrishnan, who led the team from the DRDO.

Radhakrishnan pointed out that they handed over the new molecule to the private sector so that the benefit could be passed on to the civilian society.

Jyothy Laboratories, which began in a humble way in 1983 as a proprietary concern by Ramachandran, now has a turnover of over Rs.790 crore, selling 80 products ranging from the humble washing soap to liquid fabric whitener.

"We are now the official launderers of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games," said Ramachandran.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Life/Health-Fitness/Health/Keep-pesky-mosquitoes-at-bay-with-a-wipe/articleshow/6175473.cms

H1N1 virus provides clues to universal flu vaccine

Most of the protection comes from antibodies, much of it targeting the hermagglutinin protein on the virus’ outer coat.

The swine flu strain that set off the latest pandemic could do some good too. This 2009 H1N1 virus might, scientists say, hold the key to a universal flu vaccine. Unlike present flu vaccines that need to be matched to a particular strain, a universal vaccine would be able to provide immunity against several different strains.

But creating a universal flu vaccine is no easy task. The flu virus is good at mutating. By endlessly changing the shape of its protein coat in this manner, the virus is able to dodge the human immune system.

Scientists therefore need to find a protein segment that remains almost unchanged across flu strains. In addition, when given as a vaccine, that bit of protein must also evoke a strong immune response.

The 2009 H1N1 virus may help in this search. Scientists at the Emory University in the United States tested mice that had first been injected with non-lethal doses of a mouse-adapted form of the swine flu virus.

More surprising

They found that the mice were then protected against disease and death when given lethal doses of several older H1N1 strains.

More surprisingly, it turned out that the mice survived even when they were innoculated with an entirely different sub-type of flu, a H3N2 strain.

“We may have stumbled upon an influenza virus that can induce cross-reactivity against a larger range of influenza viruses,” observed Joshy Jacob, an associate professor at the university who led the research team, in an email. Their work has been published online by The Journal of Immunology.

Other scientists had shown that the immune response to the 2009 H1N1 virus protects against the H5N1 strain of bird flu as well, he pointed out.

The Emory scientists found that both antibodies and the immune system's killer cells have a part in generating the protection provided by the 2009 H1N1 strain.

Latching on

Most of the protection comes from antibodies, much of it targeting the hemagglutinin protein on the virus' outer coat.

By latching on to this protein, the antibodies prevent the virus from infecting cells and reproducing itself inside them.

But, in addition, the swine flu virus primes CD8 T cells of the immune system. If antibodies are like missiles, “the CD8 T cells are akin to the army that does the hand-to-hand combat and decimates virus-infected cells,” explained Dr. Jacob.

Mice that had their CD8 T cells depleted after being immunised with the 2009 H1N1 virus were more likely to die and show more severe signs of sickness when faced with lethal doses of another flu strain.

Identifying the mechanism behind the protective response evoked by the 2009 H1N1 virus “may help us to design broadly cross-reactive universal influenza vaccine,” the scientists noted in their paper.

Source http://www.thehindu.com/health/medicine-and-research/article515623.ece?homepage=true

Two die of Swine Flu in Delhi, India toll 19

A patient is given a H1N1 swine flu vaccination at the University College London hospital, October 21, 2009.

With two more deaths due to the killer Swine Flu in Delhi in the last five days, the death toll from the virus has gone up to 19 this season in India as it is planning to unveil the first indigenous swine flu vaccine.

The latest Swine Flu death occurred at the Ram Manohar Lohiya (RML) Hospital in Delhi. A 60-year-old man from Karolbagh, who got infected with H1N1 during a trip to Kolkata, succumbed to the disease.

Swine flu situation grave in five states

While seven positive cases were reported from Delhi in the past one week, 330 cases reported across the country.

According to the health ministry, both Maharashtra and Kerala reported eight deaths each while one was reported from Andhra Pradesh.

With 178 confirmed reports Kerala had the highest number of swine flu cases. Maharashtra follows with 91 cases, while Karnataka has 19, Andhra Pradesh 18, and Tamil Nadu 13 H1N1 cases.

Delhi almost swine flu-free, but monsoon could spell trouble

With seven cases in West Bengal, for the first time this week, the infection was also reported from the eastern part of the country.

The numbers of infections are; however, lower than the previous week as 370 cases were reported between June 28 and July 5.

India will soon unveil a second vaccine to battle swine flu that has erupted again, said Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last week.

The disease has affected more than 15,000 people in the past one year.

Source http://sify.com/news/two-die-of-swine-flu-in-delhi-india-toll-19-news-national-kholMNhehab.html

56 kids get HIV, hepatitis after blood transfusion

At least 56 children suffering from thalassaemia tested positive for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C after receiving blood transfusion at government-run Umaid hospital in Jodhpur. They are among the 130 thalassaemic children registered with Jodhpur’s Marwar Thalassaemic Society, said a source.

Terming it as a case of negligence, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the state government was responsible in the case. “It is a case of negligence. It is the responsibility of the state government to take proper precautions,” Azad said in Srinagar.

In the last one-and-a-half years, at least eight thalassaemic children in the city were found to be HIV positive while 46 others were infected by hepatitis B virus prompting a probe by the state government.

In December 2008, five children tested positive for HIV and 29 for hepatitis C virus. In May 2010, three more children were found HIV positive and 17 suffered from hepatitis C. According to the Thalassaemic Society, if all the children who received blood transfusion are tested, the numbers may go up.

Recently, members met the principal of S N Medical College and the divisional commissioner and demanded nucleic acid test at Umaid Hospital blood bank to prevent infection during transfusion.

Medical college principal R K Aseri said a proposal for nucleic acid test — which is a more advanced blood test — has been sent to Rajasthan government which is now studying the expenses involved. The college has also formed a three-member committee to probe if there are any flaws in the blood bank's testing methods.

The Society also demanded special consideration for families below poverty line and adequate staff and resources at Umaid Hospital's thalassaemia ward.Society secretary Vipin Gupta said, “We want the blood banks to have better technology.''

Currently, ELISA test has a longer window period, disabling it to detect any antibody at early stage in the donated blood. Window period is the time taken for seroconversion ater exposure to the HIV virus. tnn & agencies

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/56-kids-get-HIV-hepatitis-after-blood-transfusion/articleshow/6161119.cms

Lauki juice can be injurious to health

Lauki juice or bottle gourd juice can be harmful for health? Yes, says doctors at a private hospital.

A CSIR scientist died after consuming bottle gourd and bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach in New Delhi. The 60-year-old scientist Sushil Kumar and his wife had been consuming the bottle gourd juice for more than four years to keep their diabetes in control.

According to Dr M P Sharma, Head of the Department, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine at Rockland Hospital, the couple had diabetes problem. But Sushil Kumar passed away after the consumption of bottle gourd juice, whereas, his wife complained of vomiting blood and severe diarrhoea, but had a narrow escape. The doctors conducted an endoscopy on his wife and found her entire stomach was inflamed. There were ulcers in her stomach.

Dr Sharma said the vegetables and fruits from the cucumber family have harmful toxins called tetracyclic triterpenoid cucurbitacins compound, which is responsible for the bitter taste.

However, the doctor suggests that old people having diabetes and other problems may go for bottle gourd juice removing the bitter part of the vegetable. Because higher levels of cucurbitacins compound causes harm to health due to either improper storage of vegetables or high temperature. Dr. Sharma said that the bitter parts of fruits are traditionally cut apart and not consumed. In case of vegetables, cooking helps to destroy such toxins.

Doctors said that two more such cases have been reported earlier in India — one at the Himalayan Institute in Dehradun and another from Ahmedabad. "Higher levels of cucurbitacins compounds are triggered by high temperature, wide temperature swings and also due to improper storage of vegetables," said a doctor.

Read more at: http://doctor.ndtv.com/storypage/ndtv/id/004595/Lauki_juice_can_be_injurious_to_health.html?cp

1-yr-old, malformed twin separated

A one-year-old baby from Mahaveerpur underwent a six-hour surgery on Thursday at Narayana Hrudalaya to relieve him of the burden of carrying his malformed twin. The surgery began at 12 noon.

“We are struggling since his birth and it took almost a year to reach the doctors who could assure us that he will be able to live a normal life,” said Krishna, the boy’s aunt.

Dr Ashley D’Cruz, senior consultant pediatric surgeon and urologist and director of Narayana Women and Children Institute, said, “In this surgery there is not much risk, but the only challenge is to do it in such a manner that the control mechanisms of the body do not get affected. The main blood supplying vessel has continued to the malformed twin. So the challenge is to separate the redundant parts and other muscles and soft tissues without affecting the child’s urine and motion control activities.” The boy, Vittal, is a rare case of Dipygus and only 15 of such cases have been reported worldwide, the doctor added.

Source http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/1-yr-old-malformed-twin-separated/188326.html

Sugar in tea helps stress sip away

Stressed at work? Fret not. Just have two spoonfuls of sugar in your tea -- it'll help anxiety sip away, say researchers.

A new study has found sweetened drinks make people less aggressive and argumentative as the sugar rush provides the brain with the energy it needs to keep impulses under control, stopping people from lashing out when under pressure.

"When provocation is likely, for example, when encountering a difficult supervisor at a meeting, drinking a sweetened beverage prior to this encounter might increase one's ability to effectively inhibit aggressive impulses.

"Consuming a sweetened beverage on the commute home following a stressful day could reduce aggression toward family members or fellow drivers," the researchers were quoted by the 'Daily Mail' as saying.

In fact, for the study, the researchers gave lemonade to a group of men and women. Some was sweetened with sugar, the rest with an artificial sweetener.

The volunteers were set a series of stressful tasks, culminating in preparing a speech. After giving their talk, some were provoked by being told the content was boring and disappointing.

Those who had drunk the sugary lemonade rose less to the bait, according to the findings published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology .

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Sugar-in-tea-helps-stress-sip-away/articleshow/6139219.cms

20 L pregnant women may get H1N1 vaccine

Taking a cue from the Kerala government, the state public health department is considering administering an anti-swine flu vaccine to over 20 lakh pregnant women.

"We have carefully studied the Kerala model on the swine flu vaccine. A comprehensive proposal has been submitted to the government, it will cost the state exchequer Rs 80 crore if it is administered free of cost," a senior public health official told TOI on Tuesday.

Ever since the swine flu vaccine was made available, Kerala became the first state to administer it free of cost to pregnant women. In Maharashtra, a comprehensive three-tier plan was drafted for administration of the swine flu vaccine to doctors, paramedical staff and all employees in government hospitals. "It was unfortunate that barring a few doctors and paramedical staff, most have refused it. We have decided to return the remaining quota of the vaccine to the Centre," he said.

According to the official, following last year's outbreak in Maharashtra, particularly in Pune and later in parts of Mumbai, it appeared that the disease, which is accompanied by high fever, was well under control. However, now in view of the emergence of fresh cases and that too in a large number, it is clear that more effort will be required to tackle the disease.

The public health department has also conducted an analysis of the deceased. It was found that of 71 patients, 14 died at home, nine on the first day in hospital, eight after two days, five after three days. The maximum number of patients were in the age group of 21 to 30 (29), followed by 31 to 40 (11) and 41 to 50 (9). In only one case, the patient was not administered Tamiflu.

"We have already launched a massive awareness campaign but more effort is required. Besides educational institutes, NGOs should join our campaign. Even on a slight suspicion, the patient must consult a doctor and if required, start the Tamiflu treatment," the official said.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Mumbai/20-L-pregnant-women-may-get-H1N1-vaccine/articleshow/6136729.cms

MANGO REPUBLIC

Perhaps one of the few things to look forward in hot summers is the mango. This popular fruit has reasons to be the national fruit. It originated in India, thousands of years ago and reached East Asia in 4th-5th century.

With over 2,500 varieties, this sweet and flavourful tropical fruit has several valuable nutritional benefits. Other parts of the fruit, like the kernel, leaves and its bark are also used in traditional ayurvedic medicine.

It provides roughly 70 calories per 100 grams, which is higher from most other fruits. Mangoes have almost double the calories than apples or oranges for the same quantity. The high sugar content provides instant energy, which mainly comes from the carbohydrates (20 per cent) in the form of fructose and glucose. The glycemic index, the ability of a food to raise blood sugar levels, of mangoes is moderately high. Even though the calories in mangoes come primarily from sugars, they can still be incorporated in a diabetic or weight loss diet under professional care.

Mangoes are consumed both as ripe and unripe fruit. There are slight differences in their nutritional properties; unripe varieties are significantly lower in their glycemic index.
Mangoes are rich in vitamin C and 100 grams of mango provides more than half the adult daily allowance of vitamin C. Besides this, mangoes can boast of having the highest content of beta-carotene in any fruit — even higher than that of carrots. Beta-carotene is an anti-oxidant vitamin which is converted to vitamin A in the animal body. It is necessary for membrane formation and vision. It is also helps protect against cancer
, coronary artery disease and premature ageing.

Besides carotene and vitamin C, mangoes have an impressive polyphenol content, which helps in fighting oxidative stress and thereby protecting the body from several degenerative problems.
Mangoes also provide small amounts of iron, copper, potassium, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin B6, K and E. The fruit pulp is high in pre-biotic dietary fibre, which helps in gut health, digestion and immunity. Copper, potassium, vitamin E, omega-3 and 6 fatty acid content of mangoes also contribute to special benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Eating mangoes in the summer and oranges and carrots in the winter can ensure enough supply of vitamin A throughout the year. Excess mango consumption is not desirable and can lead to carotenemia — yellowing of the palms and skin. Contrary to popular belief mangoes do not have a heating effect and can be consumed easily by most people. It is also believed to cause acne boils, which could be due to its ability to induce insulin imbalance. It has a soothing affect on the gut and provides instant energy.

Raw mangoes are lower in their carotene content. Being a good source of potassium, aam panna, a raw mango preparation, is useful in diarrhoea, heat strokes and dehydration. Mango juice and mango shakes are high in calories and a good energy source for sportspersons and the underweight. They are also a useful food for convalescence after a severe illness.

Ripe mangoes are eaten fresh, however, they also have many other culinary uses. They can be used to make jams, preserves, juices, smoothies and yoghurt or enjoyed as aam papad. Unripe mangoes make great chutneys and pickles. Dried mango powder made from sour unripe mangoes, commonly known as amchoor, is part of the Indian spice box, and contributes to a meal’s fibre content. Raw mangoes are also used in salads. In Thailand, sweet glutinous coconut flavoured rice is served with sliced mango as a dessert.

Source http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/MANGO-REPUBLIC/641832/

Dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure--study

If the findings of a new study are to be believed, ‘one chocolate a day keeps blood pressure worries away’ might well become the present day adage.

The research establishes that ingestion of dark chocolates is as good as having half an hour of exercise
for high blood pressure patients.

For the purpose of the study, researchers from Adelaide University examined the impact of flavanols on blood pressure.

Flavanols dilate [relax; expand] blood vessels
Flavanols are the compounds present in chocolates, especially the dark variety, and are responsible for dilation of blood vessels. This dilation enables the blood to flow freely, thereby decreasing the pressure of blood.

The researchers used Medline, Cochrane, and international trial registries between 1955 and 2009 for randomised controlled trials. A total of 18 publications, including 21 trial arms, were assessed in detail to arrive at the conclusions.

"Flavanols have been shown to increase the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and consequently may lower blood pressure," lead author of the study Karin Ried said.

The analysis of the study revealed that flavanols help lower blood pressure for those suffering from hypertension.

After eating dark chocolates, the blood pressure came down by 5mm Hg, which is equivalent to the drop in blood pressure while doing physical exercise.

“You don’t always need medication to reduce blood pressure. This shows that there are some foods that can help,” averred Ried.

Caveat emptor
"There have, however, been conflicting results as to the real-life effects of eating chocolate. We've found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure," noted Ried.

The findings of the study have to be taken with a pinch of salt, for chocolates can be unhealthy too.

Chocolate also contains stearic acid, which partly gets converted to oleic acid in the liver.

It is advisable to get flavonoids from nuts or green tea as well instead of relying only on dark chocolates.

Moreover, further research needs to be undertaken to gauge the long-term effects of chocolate consumption before chocolates can be safely termed as the new drug for hypertension.

The findings of the study have been publishes in access journal BMC Medicine.

Source http://www.themedguru.com/20100704/newsfeature/dark-chocolate-helps-lower-blood-pressure-study-86136801.html

Your grocery bag may save planet but could kill you

The reusable grocery bag that you use to save the planet could kill you.

In a recent study in the United States, about 12 per cent of the 84 bags were tested. Traces of E coli, scarier still, bacteria was found on all the bags but one. Reviewing bags used by grocery shoppers in US cities, such as Arizona and California, the reserachers concluded that the bacteria levels were high enough to make anyone ill. They may even cause death.

The reason: Surprisingly about 97 per cent shoppers admitted of not regularly or not at all washing their bags. About 75 per cent kept meat and produce in the same bag, the LA Times reported.

The solution: Washing your grocery bags regularly reduces the bacteria and makes them safe to use almost 99.9%.

Source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Your-grocery-bag-may-save-planet-but-could-kill-you/Article1-566283.aspx

India Celebrates Doctor’s Day; IMA Marks It As ‘Black Day’

Doctors are very important part of our life and there should be one day when we say thanks to all these professionals for taking care of us and our loved ones. On every July 1 Doctor’s day iscelebrated in India in honour of Bidhan Chandra Roy, a legendary physician and second Chief Minister of West Bengal.

It is the birth Anniversary of respected Physician and Patriot Dr.B.C.Roy. But, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ludhiana has decided to mark this day as ‘Black Day’.

IMA is protesting against Clinical Establishment Bill and will hold the protest march from Gumar Mandi.

According to doctors the government has taken a wrong decision ignoring the problems of medical fraternity. The members also added that the bill will increase the cost of treatment.

Dr Narotam Dewan, IMA president demanded quoted, “This Bill is neither in favour of the people nor the medical fraternity. This move is aimed only to benefit big corporate hospitals. The National Council, which is proposed to be the governing body as suggested in the Bill, will comprise people drawn from Unani, Siddha, nursing and paramedical bodies. The standards of allopathic system cannot be set and monitored by the National Council constituting of non-allopathic systems.Of the 18 members of the National Council, only two may be medical graduates. We refuse to surrender our dignity and profession.”

The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation Act) Bill, 2010 passed by the Union Cabinet has made it mandatory for all clinical establishments to provide medical care and treatment to stabilize any person in an emergency condition.

Source http://www.india-server.com/news/india-celebrates-doctors-day-ima-marks-29324.html