Agarwal Neena

A season of mood spells and maladies

2011-06-14T11:16:00.001+05:30

The monsoon is when you are most vulnerable to disease. So while that street food may beckon, it’s best to avoid it. Here’s how

The monsoon is the time of the year when your immunity is at its lowest, the time when you need to be almost vigilante-like about what goes into your system.

From flu or stomach bug to the more taxing infections/diseases such as jaundice and typhoid, to the downright dangerous hepatitis A or E , there are any number of monsoon maladies. People with particularly sensitive systems are also susceptible to allergies, skin, respiratory and digestive problems. Doctors and nutritionists say the best way to counter the ill-effects of the season is to boost your immunity through regulated sleep, exercise and, of course, diet.

What your meals must not have

Culturally, the traditional cycle of eating followed by different communities is a good indicator of what foods to avoid when, says Mumbai-based food writer and author of My Mumbai Cookbook, Rushina Munshaw Ghildyal. For instance, she says, for Hindus, the period of Shradh that requires austere eating (when you restrict your diet to vegetarian) starts during the late monsoon. Jains have their annual fasting period about now; that is the time when they stop eating green, leafy vegetables. Gujaratis avoid heavy lentils (that are harder to digest) such as rajma; in Maharashtra, people stop eating seafood from June until Nariyal Poornima in August. “Fish is not a good idea because it degenerates quickly in this weather, and it’s also breeding season,” says Ghildyal.

Most of the diseases that prevail during the monsoon, such as diarrhoea, typhoid and jaundice, are waterborne. At the top of the list of things to avoid is anything that contains water from outside, says family physician and consultant at Breach Candy hospital, Mumbai, Vishakha Shivdasani, who specializes in nutrition. “This means skip the sev puri, bhelpuri, gola,” she says. Also, avoid anything uncooked such as salads, or cold cuts such as ham and salami, as they have a higher chance of bacterial infection. This also means you should maintain strict personal and kitchen hygiene, wash hands religiously, wash vegetables with potassium permanganate, and make sure everything is properly cooked because the high temperature and humidity levels are ideal for the growth of bacteria. Don’t keep leftovers in the fridge for too long; consume them within 24 hours, she adds.

In the monsoon, it is essential to consume foods that build immunity, and a diet consisting largely of junk food, refined sugar, white rice, and refined fats low in vitamins and minerals can weaken the immune system, says Delhi-based nutritionist Ishi Khosla. Care must be taken, therefore, that all your meals and snacks strengthen your immunity.

Must on your food platter

It was the era of no-refrigeration that gave birth to concepts such as consuming pakodas during the monsoon. Traditional monsoon fare, says Khosla, was preferably deep-fried because these were foods that could stay longer. Now these concerns are not quite valid thanks to refrigeration, she says.

“A healthy immune system requires a number of nutrients in balance, including proteins, essential fats, vitamins and minerals. A diet consisting of a variety of foods, adequate calories and rich in wholegrains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy and fatty fish, low in sugar, alcohol and bad fats, along with a healthy lifestyle, is the key to good immune function,” says Khosla. Proteins help the body build antibodies, as do substances that contain beta carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamins C and E.

The body craves something hot and spicy, and instead of eating samosasfrom a roadside vendor or an unreliable eatery (with a spicy chutney that may have been made with tap water), it’s better to have healthier substitutes at home. For instance, if you must have a pakoda, make sure it’s made with vegetables (instead of paneer, which is heavier) in lighter oil (such as olive oil, as opposed to mustard oil), or better still, a cooked salad or corn on the cob, says Dr Shivdasani. Use lots of sprouts—better still if heated. Green, leafy vegetables can be swapped with vegetables such as pumpkin or gourd, and red meat and fish skipped for some lightly cooked chicken, adds Ghildyal.

MONSOON MEALS

Follow these simple dietary guidelines during the rainy season

In general, diet should be light, low on fat and easily digestible. Rich, oily and spicy food must be avoided, as also extremely cold food and cold beverages as you are prone to catching influenza.

• One should avoid street food as the incidence of food-borne illnesses shoots up in this weather owing to favourable temperatures for increased microbial growth (especially bacteria). Also, street food is exposed to dust and flies, which also contribute to food-borne illnesses.

•Leftovers: Precooked food should always be refrigerated

and preferably consumed within 24 hours .

• Water: With the rain, incidents of waterborne infections such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and diarrhoea also tend to increase. Besides general hygiene and precautions in food, the quality of water also needs to be regulated.

Unfortunately, most tap and well water is not safe for drinking due to heavy industrial and environmental pollution. Water supplies from municipalities rarely meet standards.

A good water filtration system at home is the only way to ensure the quality and safety of drinking water. Water from community water systems can definitely be treated/purified at home through any of these processes—boiling, chemical treatment, filtration or reverse osmosis.

Binged on holiday? Try damage control You need to think of regrouping after a vacation, focusing on health and the business of healthy living. Here ar

2011-06-14T11:12:00.002+05:30

Vacations, especially long ones, usually tend to lean towards indulgent food habits. Too much alcohol, wine, pina coladas or draught beer by the beach, and hot-off-the-oven pizzas and pastas, sugary doughnuts and gooey chocolatey deserts can upset the best thought out I-will-keep-fit plans. What is disturbing about such indulgences is that more than 4kg can sometimes be gained in a short span of two-three weeks.

Such “yo-yo” weight gain must be avoided as it can affect your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and make it very sluggish over time. A sluggish BMR affects your health in many ways—your weight can plateau, you can suffer from elevated cholesterol levels and can also become prone to gaining fat easily and resisting weight loss.

Improving your BMR requires a concerted and focused effort, especially after weeks of indulgence. Crash dieting to reduce the effects of overeating while on vacation is unhealthy because it is likely to enhance the tendency for yo-yo weight gain as crash dieting lowers your BMR. That’s why you need to think of regrouping after a vacation, focusing on health and the business of healthy living. Here are a few ways to get back on track.

Assess your health status

• Check your weight. Your ideal body weight (IBW) if you are a man is your height in centimetres less 100. So if youre a 170cm-tall male, your IBW is 70kg. If you are a woman, your ideal body weight is your height in centimetres less 105. So if you are 155cm tall, your IBW is 50kg.

• Check your BMI by dividing your weight (in kg) by height (in m sq.).

• Check your body-fat percentage. For males, it should be less than 15% of total body weight; for females, it should be less than 20% of total body weight.

• Next, set a short-term target. If you are overweight, set a weight loss target of 1% of body weight a week for a three-month period. If your cholesterol levels are borderline high, then you can use a combination of diet and exercise to lower them before opting for medication.

• During this period, make a resolve to give up biscuits, pizza, pastas, pastries, junk food and alcohol. This will also help you lose weight and lower triglyceride levels considerably.

• Next, eat healthy meals at three-and-a-half- to 4-hour intervals. Focus on wholegrains such as oat, wholewheat, brown rice, and around 600g a day of green and cruciferous vegetables such as spinach, ladyfinger, French beans, capsicum, cauliflower, cabbage and bottle gourd. Include a fist-sized serving of protein foods in every meal, three-four times a day. Lower the intake of starchy foods such as potato, peas and corn and very sweet fruits such aschikoo (sapodilla), pineapple, raisins and dates. If you need to lose weight, limit your fruit intake to just the first half of the day.

• Join a gym to ensure that you get your workout, especially now that the monsoon will likely make you miss the outdoors. Three days a week of strength training, three days of cardiovascular training, especially if you have high cholesterol levels, 20 minutes of relaxation and deep breathing three times a week and stretching about 10 minutes every day and, perhaps, a game of tennis or badminton on the weekend is good for health.

Nine things successful people do diffrently

2011-06-02T12:40:00.001+05:30

1. Get specific. When you set yourself a goal, try to be as specific as possible. "Lose 5 pounds" is a better goal than "lose some weight," because it gives you a clear idea of what success looks like. Knowing exactly what you want to achieve keeps you motivated until you get there. Also, think about the specific actions that need to be taken to reach your goal. Just promising you'll "eat less" or "sleep more" is too vague — be clear and precise. "I'll be in bed by 10pm on weeknights" leaves no room for doubt about what you need to do, and whether or not you've actually done it.

2. Seize the moment to act on your goals. Given how busy most of us are, and how many goals we are juggling at once, it's not surprising that we routinely miss opportunities to act on a goal because we simply fail to notice them. Did you really have no time to work out today? No chance at any point to return that phone call? Achieving your goal means grabbing hold of these opportunities before they slip through your fingers.

To seize the moment, decide when and where you will take each action you want to take, in advance. Again, be as specific as possible (e.g., "If it's Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I'll work out for 30 minutes before work.") Studies show that this kind of planning will help your brain to detect and seize the opportunity when it arises, increasing your chances of success by roughly 300%.

3. Know exactly how far you have left to go. Achieving any goal also requires honest and regular monitoring of your progress — if not by others, then by you yourself. If you don't know how well you are doing, you can't adjust your behavior or your strategies accordingly. Check your progress frequently — weekly, or even daily, depending on the goal.

4. Be a realistic optimist. When you are setting a goal, by all means engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve it. Believing in your ability to succeed is enormously helpful for creating and sustaining your motivation. But whatever you do, don't underestimate how difficult it will be to reach your goal. Most goals worth achieving require time, planning, effort, and persistence. Studies show that thinking things will come to you easily and effortlessly leaves you ill-prepared for the journey ahead, and significantly increases the odds of failure.

5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good. Believing you have the ability to reach your goals is important, but so is believing you can get the ability. Many of us believe that our intelligence, our personality, and our physical aptitudes are fixed — that no matter what we do, we won't improve. As a result, we focus on goals that are all about proving ourselves, rather than developing and acquiring new skills.

Fortunately, decades of research suggest that the belief in fixed ability is completely wrong — abilities of all kinds are profoundly malleable. Embracing the fact that you can change will allow you to make better choices, and reach your fullest potential. People whose goals are about getting better, rather than being good, take difficulty in stride, and appreciate the journey as much as the destination.

6. Have grit. Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals, and to persist in the face of difficulty. Studies show that gritty people obtain more education in their lifetime, and earn higher college GPAs. Grit predicts which cadets will stick out their first grueling year at West Point. In fact, grit even predicts which round contestants will make it to at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The good news is, if you aren't particularly gritty now, there is something you can do about it. People who lack grit more often than not believe that they just don't have the innate abilities successful people have. If that describes your own thinking .... well, there's no way to put this nicely: you are wrong. As I mentioned earlier, effort, planning, persistence, and good strategies are what it really takes to succeed. Embracing this knowledge will not only help you see yourself and your goals more accurately, but also do wonders for your grit.

7. Build your willpower muscle. Your self-control "muscle" is just like the other muscles in your body — when it doesn't get much exercise, it becomes weaker over time. But when you give it regular workouts by putting it to good use, it will grow stronger and stronger, and better able to help you successfully reach your goals.

To build willpower, take on a challenge that requires you to do something you'd honestly rather not do. Give up high-fat snacks, do 100 sit-ups a day, stand up straight when you catch yourself slouching, try to learn a new skill. When you find yourself wanting to give in, give up, or just not bother — don't. Start with just one activity, and make a plan for how you will deal with troubles when they occur ("If I have a craving for a snack, I will eat one piece of fresh or three pieces of dried fruit.") It will be hard in the beginning, but it will get easier, and that's the whole point. As your strength grows, you can take on more challenges and step-up your self-control workout.

8. Don't tempt fate. No matter how strong your willpower muscle becomes, it's important to always respect the fact that it is limited, and if you overtax it you will temporarily run out of steam. Don't try to take on two challenging tasks at once, if you can help it (like quitting smoking and dieting at the same time). And don't put yourself in harm's way — many people are overly-confident in their ability to resist temptation, and as a result they put themselves in situations where temptations abound. Successful people know not to make reaching a goal harder than it already is.

9. Focus on what you will do, not what you won't do. Do you want to successfully lose weight, quit smoking, or put a lid on your bad temper? Then plan how you will replace bad habits with good ones, rather than focusing only on the bad habits themselves. Research on thought suppression (e.g., "Don't think about white bears!") has shown that trying to avoid a thought makes it even more active in your mind. The same holds true when it comes to behavior — by trying not to engage in a bad habit, our habits get strengthened rather than broken.
If you want change your ways, ask yourself, What will I do instead? For example, if you are trying to gain control of your temper and stop flying off the handle, you might make a plan like "If I am starting to feel angry, then I will take three deep breaths to calm down." By using deep breathing as a replacement for giving in to your anger, your bad habit will get worn away over time until it disappears completely.

It is my hope that, after reading about the nine things successful people do differently, you have gained some insight into all the things you have been doing right all along. Even more important, I hope are able to identify the mistakes that have derailed you, and use that knowledge to your advantage from now on. Remember, you don't need to become a different person to become a more successful one. It's never what you are, but what you do.

Health benefits of the humble tea

2011-05-17T11:45:00.000+05:30

Be it green tea, milky tea, or a cuppa of strong tea, this humble drink has loads of benefits...

- Flavonoids in tea improve vascular dilation, which leads to the better functioning of the heart.

- Consuming three to four cups of tea each day lowers the risk of getting an Ischaemic stroke by 21%.

- Polyphenol which is abundant in green tea reactivates dying skin cells and protects the body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution.

- Antioxidant polyphenols found in tea have anti-cancer properties.

- L-theanine, found in green and black tea helps in relaxing the mind and helps you to focus on tasks.

- Tea also has fluoride which means stronger teeth.

- Drinking tea regularly means stronger bones.

- Boost your fight against the flu with black tea.

- Tea, if had without milk, has no calories and thus helps in reducing weight.

- Tea is also an allergy fighter. So grab that cuppa!

Vegetarianism rocks!

2011-05-17T11:44:00.001+05:30

Be a vegetarian, achha hai – and the experts tell you why

All of us know of at least one celebrity who's a vegetarian, and there's news every now and then of one who's turning vegetarian. Today, an increasing number of people are turning towards a vegetariandiet. The reasons vary from religious, environmental, cruelty towards animals, to just the desire for a healthier lifestyle. A predominantly non-vegetarian diet poses many health risks. Here's why opting for a vegetarian diet achha hai...

Natural detox
Being vegetarian is a natural way to detox the body, because a vegetarian diet is more rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, which help to cleanse the body's system. Meat and fish contain a lot of residue from toxic chemicals. Dr Richa Anand, nutritionist, says that according to a study, it has been observed that the bodies of carnivorous animals contain 10 times more hydrochloric acid than that of herbivorous ones, but the human body should not have the same amount of hydrochloric acid. This establishes the fact that the human body is basically meant for a vegetarian diet. So digestion of vegetarian food is easier for our bodies.

Colourfully appetising
Good food is not restricted to the taste, its visual appeal is equally important. In fact, if the food served to us is a visual treat, we are bound to eat and enjoy it even more. Vegetables come in an array in colours, which makes them more appetising and appealing to our eyes. Meat and fish usually come in boring shades of brown and beige. Therefore, using many coloured food items in your cooking is a great way to eat a variety of natural foods that will boost your health.

Good for digestion
Dr Anand says that the most important difference between a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian diet is that the former contains dietary fibres, whereas a non-vegetarian diet is lacking in fibre. This dietary fibres is very useful for the human body because people who have a diet rich in dietary fibre have low incidence of diseases like coronary heart diseases, cancer of intestinal tract, piles, obesity, diabetes, constipation, hiatus hernia, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dental caries and gallstones. The food rich in this dietary fibre includes cereals and grains, legumes, fruits with seeds and citrus fruits.

Boosts cardio-vascular health
Yes, it's true. A vegetarian diet boosts cardio-vascular health. Dr Rahul Gupta, interventional cardiologist, explains, "Consumption of a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, and abstaining from meat and high-fat animal products, along with a regular exercise program, is consistently associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity, lower incidence of diabetes and consequently less heart disease."

He says that fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and some legumes, are abundant in folic acid, which has been shown to help lower homocysteine levels (associated with heart disease). Many whole and unrefined plant foods are also important sources of minerals such as copper and magnesium, both of which can protect against cardiovascular disease. The many phytochemicals/flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains have properties that reduce the risk of heart disease. Various nuts are the source of heart healthy fatty acids (omega3, MUFA, PUFA). On the other hand, a non-vegetarian diet (mainly red meat) is associated with an adverse impact on cholesterol levels, and increases the incidence of heart disease.

Reduces risk of cancer
Dr Ian D'souza, neurologist and oncologist, says "A diet with adequate portions of green leafy vegetables and fruits ensures an intake of roughage or fibre. This has been shown to have beneficial effects on a number of cancers, notably cancers of the colon and rectum. A non vegetarian diet, especially one rich in red meats and animal fats, has been shown to have a carcinogenic effect. Carcinogens are substances or agents that are directly involved in causing cancer."

Eases menopause
Menopause is different for every woman and no diet plan will balance the entire effects of menopause. Dr Anand says, however, that being healthy and feeling good about oneself is certainly going to benefit a woman during menopause. Diet and mood swings have a direct connection. So while certain foods like melons and peaches can take the edge off hot flashes, chicken cooked with a lot of masalas adds to the irritation. However, as long as the lady desires to consume non-vegetarian food, it is okay to do so provided it is prepared in a healthy way.

Longevity
Dr Gupta says, "A vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity, less heart disease, less stroke, less diabetes, less cancer, and hence vegetarians have a chance of living a longer life." Dr D'souza says, "Whether vegetarians live longer or not, I cannot say, and I do not have the relevant figures. But based on statistics, it certainly appears that a vegetarian diet is far healthier than a non-vegetarian one."

Exercises for blood circulation

2011-05-17T11:42:00.000+05:30

People who lead an inactive lifestyle need to not only stay fit and healthy but also improve their blood circulation in the body. Sitting for long hours in front of a computer at work leaves one fatigued to regularly exercise. Lack of exercise slows down blood circulation in the body. Good blood circulation in the body is essential for improving one's memory and concentration, preventing toxin-formation in the body and keeping the joints of the body agile. Here are some exercises to follow on a regular basis to help increase blood circulation:

Walking
Walking is the most simplest and easiest form of exercise. Sure, you do not have the time to hit the gym on an everyday basis but no one can stop you from walking. Walk for at least 30 minutes a day. After meals, take a walk in your office premises for at least five minutes.

Swimming
If you hate working out in the gym and wish to do something fun, then swimming is a good option. Swimming is not only loads of fun but it also is a good form of physical activity. Do the butterfly stroke, back stroke, breast stroke, anything that catches your fancy.

Aerobics
If you love music, you will surely love swaying to it too. Aerobics can serve as a good form of workout and eliminate the aspect of boredom that usually accompanies working out at the gym. Enroll for aerobics classes or better still, buy DVDs of aerobics workout that are easily available online and in the market.

Cycling
Cycling provides the heart and blood vessels a good work out, fostering blood circulation. Cycling regularly tones the muscles of the legs and thighs. This is specially beneficial for those with a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by lack of exercise.

Belly Dancing
Dancing, especially belly dancing, is very effective when it comes to blood circulation. It promotes cardio-vascular health, strengthens the abdominal muscles and bowel movements. Besides physical fitness, you can learn to groove seductively and wins hearts too!

1 hr daily exercise fights fatso gene

2011-05-11T12:46:00.001+05:30

One hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day can help teens beat the effects of a common obesity-related gene with the nickname ``fatso,'' according to a new European study.

The message for adolescents is to get moving, said lead author Jonatan Ruiz of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

``Be active in your way,'' Ruiz said. ``Activities such as playing sports are just fine and enough.''

The study, released Monday, appears in the April edition of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

The research supports U.S. guidelines that tell children and teenagers to get an hour or more of physical activity daily, most of it aerobic activity such as running, jumping rope, swimming, dancing and bicycling.

Scientists are finding evidence that both lifestyle and genes cause obesity and they're just learning how much diet and exercise can offset the inherited risk.

One gene involved with obesity, the FTO gene, packs on the pounds when it shows up in a variant form. Adults who carry two copies of the gene variant _ about 1 in 6 people _ weigh on average 7 pounds more than people who don't.

In the new study, 752 teenagers, who had their blood tested for the gene variant, wore monitoring devices for a week during waking hours to measure their physical activity.

Exercising an hour or more daily made a big difference for the teens who were genetically predisposed to obesity. Their waist measurements, body mass index scores and body fat were the same, on average, as the other teenagers with regular genes.

But the teens with the gene variant had more body fat, bigger waists and higher BMI if they got less than an hour of exercise daily. The results were similar for boys and girls.

The teens lived in Greece, Germany, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Spain. The study was funded by the Spanish and Swedish governments and the European Union.

The new study found that most of the teenagers had at least one copy of the variant gene. Only 37 percent had regular genes. The rest had either one of two copies of the pesky fatso gene.

An earlier study in Amish adults in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, found they needed three to four hours of moderate activity daily to beat the gene. The adults in that study did things like brisk walking, housecleaning and gardening.

The teens in the new study may have exercised more vigorously than the Amish adults, Ruiz said. The new analysis was designed to see whether the current U.S. guidelines _ which specify a moderate to vigorous level of exercise for an hour a day _ made a difference for kids.

The lead author of the Amish study, Evadnie Rampersaud of the University of Miami, said the new findings are ``very interesting'' because they suggest one hour daily spent exercising can be enough for teenagers at risk.

University of Miami researchers now are studying adults in an employee wellness program to see what it takes for them to overcome the fatso gene, Rampersaud said.

``The message is clear: genes are not destiny,'' said Dr. Alan Shuldiner of the University of Maryland, a co-author of the Amish study. ``Those with obesity susceptibility genes should be especially motivated to engage in a physically active lifestyle.''

Body fat ratio can measure health risks

2011-05-11T12:44:00.001+05:30

A new study has warned that people with coronary artery disease and expanded waistlines are at more than twice the risk of dying, including those with a Body Mass Index(BMI) in the normal range.

These conclusions result from a large study by the Mayo Clinic, involving almost 16,000 people from five countries around the world.

Authors Dian Griesel, and Tom Griesel claim the problem is deeper. "It is not just the fat you see. Even more dangerous is the visceral belly fat that resides in the abdominal cavity and surrounds the internal organs. This internal fat actually makes up a large proportion of the waist measurement," said the Griesels.

Visceral fat is more metabolically active and can produce hormones and other substances that have a negative impact on your health including increasing the risk of serious health problems like heart disease; high blood pressure; stroke; type 2 diabetes; metabolic syndrome; some types of cancer; and sleep apnea.

Contrary to common thinking, BMI is not the best measurement for overall risk because many people with readings in the normal range still have dangerous levels of (hidden) visceral fat. BMI is just a measure of weight in proportion to height.

"Throw away your traditional scale," say the Griesels. "The only relevant measurement is your Body Fat Percentage. This can be easily calculated with a neck and waist measurement for men, and neck, waist and hip measurements for women."

Interestingly, even if you are not overweight, a waist measurement of over 33 inches, regardless of your weight, increases health risks.

A new study has warned that people with coronary artery disease and expanded waistlines are at more than twice the risk of dying, including those with a Body Mass Index(BMI) in the normal range.
These conclusions result from a large study by the Mayo Clinic, involving almost 16,000 people from five countries around the world.

Authors Dian Griesel, and Tom Griesel claim the problem is deeper. "It is not just the fat you see. Even more dangerous is the visceral belly fat that resides in the abdominal cavity and surrounds the internal organs. This internal fat actually makes up a large proportion of the waist measurement," said the Griesels.

Visceral fat is more metabolically active and can produce hormones and other substances that have a negative impact on your health including increasing the risk of serious health problems like heart disease; high blood pressure; stroke; type 2 diabetes; metabolic syndrome; some types of cancer; and sleep apnea.

Contrary to common thinking, BMI is not the best measurement for overall risk because many people with readings in the normal range still have dangerous levels of (hidden) visceral fat. BMI is just a measure of weight in proportion to height.

"Throw away your traditional scale," say the Griesels. "The only relevant measurement is your Body Fat Percentage. This can be easily calculated with a neck and waist measurement for men, and neck, waist and hip measurements for women."

Interestingly, even if you are not overweight, a waist measurement of over 33 inches, regardless of your weight, increases health risks.

Exercise for health, not looks

2011-05-11T12:43:00.000+05:30

When it comes to losing weight, a study has found that some women benefit more if they exercise, not for the sake of their appearance, but for their health.

The study was carried out on 100 college-aged women with chronic issues with their body image.

The researchers conducting the study were Brian Focht, a study co-author and an assistant professor ofhealth behaviour and health promotion at Ohio State University, Thomas Raedeke and Donna Scales, both researchers at East Carolina University, in Greenville, N.C.

All the women taking part in the study had social physique anxiety – a disorder in which someone chronically worries that others are critiquing his or her body.

The women participated in one of four 45-minute step-aerobics classes. The same instructor taught each class, although she emphasized health over appearance in two of the classes. In the other two classes, she emphasized appearance over health. One class in each scenario included a mirror, which research has shown can negatively affect how someone feels, particularly a woman who is concerned about her physical appearance.

The research showed that the participants not only enjoyed a step-aerobics class more when the instructor focused on the health-related aspects of the workout, telling them how exercise will make them more fit, but were also more likely to say that they would try a similar class in the future.

Women who were taught by an instructor who emphasized appearance by making comments about how the exercise would tone their legs or other body parts, did not have the same reaction.

The women in the health-oriented class reported that they felt more engaged in the workout as well as revitalized and less exhausted after class than did the women in the appearance-oriented classes. From this, the researchers concluded that it was the instructor who made all the difference, and that fitness experts should lay more emphasis on getting fit, than getting slim.

"Women who have this disorder usually are interested in exercise to improve their appearance, but an instructor who emphasizes physique during a workout may deter such students from coming back," said Brian Focht.
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Sure shot ways to burn fat, fast!

2011-05-11T12:41:00.000+05:30

It takes great determination to lose weight. The fat has just been adding up for months or years, as the case may be. However, don't kill yourself with a mean crash diet to get into a bikini, simply follow our expert-backed tips to fall into shape.

'How to get started' is a major cause of concern. Whether it is sweating it out at the gym or going for long jogs, it is a tough call for most fitnessnovices. At such a juncture it is imperative to understand your body and its fitness requirement. And accordingly zero in on a work-out routine. We take a look at five fast fat burning moves...

Cardio exercises
Cardios are the best form of exercise for beginners. There is no refuting the fact that to blast calories you need to break a sweat. A lean body can never be yours without sweating out the excess flab. And cardio exercises help you achieve just that; they boost your stamina, make you energetic and flexible to take up an even rigorous fitness regime. Running on the treadmill, cross-trainer, cycling, swimming and skipping are the most popular forms of cardio. While a treadmill exercises the whole body, cross-trainers are for the hips and thighs. You can even go for the cycling option at a gym; there are two kinds of cycles, one for thighs and the other for thighs and stomach.
Diet
Once you have set up a routine, gradually cut down on red meat, fries, butter, cheese and junk food of every kind. Take a good dose of water depending on your body requirement. Coconut water and fresh fruit juices too can be taken post meals.

Spinning
One might complain of lack of variety in a spinning class, as the exercise routine can get a tad monotonous. However, spinning is a wonderful way to burn calories and keeps your muscles toned. Agreed, cycling in the open is a far viable option as it lets you enjoy the local sights and take in fresh air, but rainy season and foggy winters can put a dampener on your fitness schedule. Request your trainer to come up with varied routines to keep up the interest. At a spinning studio, with the help of background music and varied lighting, a soothing and happy atmosphere is recreated. Not to mention, spinning works best when alternated with cardio exercises. It helps lose fat and build muscles. You can do 30-45 minutes of non-stop spinning once in eight days, if you are combining it with cardio.
Diet
Food intake should be half of your normal diet. You can consume small portions of all kinds of food you like, but say no to fries, butter and cheese.

Trapeze workout
The form of workout is named after the lesser-known trapeze muscle which all of us have, but isn't very prominent. Trapeze muscles are connected at either ends to the collar bone and hence move parts of the skeleton. Little wonder, fitness addicts and body builders sport such a neat shoulder and neck line. To chisel out your trapeze muscles, the 'Dumbbell shrugs' and 'Barbell shrugs' are most effective. The former flexes your side form, while the latter is for the front form. It is to be noted that trapeze exercises are not for beginners, as it requires an already lean body. A few months of rigorous cardio and spinning can have you ready for trapeze. Outside of building swoon-worthy muscles, it helps keep sinus and cervical disorders at bay. A healthy trapeze routine requires each body part be exercised twice a week.
Diet
A wholesome diet, but avoid greasy and junk food at any cost. Drink plenty of water, fresh fruit juices and coconut water.

Aerobics and resistance training
Such an exercise routine is best practiced at a fitness club under the guidance of expert trainers who understand your fitness level better. Resistance and flexibility exercises help increase stamina, and if rigorously followed, bring you in shape. Resistance is a set of weight lifting exercises, while flexibility is for the lower body. With music in the backdrop, aerobic exercises are a fun way to burn extra fat and get fitter. It facilitates a great deal of interaction with your fellow practitioners and one could also pick up some interesting routines together. To achieve best results, do resistance workout at least thrice a week. Warm up with a set of cardio exercises such as jumping and skipping to build stamina. You burn more calories by alternating aerobics with resistance and flexibility exercises.
Diet
Avoid food with high carbohydrate content such as potato, banana etc. If you like eating rice, take a small portion in the afternoon. Simply keep away from all kinds of fried stuff.

Pilates
Pilates is also a kind of aerobic exercise which entails a whole set of routines on the floor - on a mat. Group classes are conducted at a fitness club, where the trainer shows new routines on a regular basis, depending on the ability of the students. After a basic two-day training, the body status of the student is decided and a goal is fixed for the week. Pilates exercises the whole body and burns calories. There are as many as one hundred routines for the abs only. While you are free to buy tapes and practice Pilates in your living room, the knowledge of a live trainer and his ability to access your body strength cannot be negated either. Ideally, about four kilograms a month is the healthiest way to shed weight.
Diet
A wholesome diet, but avoid greasy and junk food at any cost. Drink plenty of water, juices and coconut water. Not to mention, carbohydrate-rich food should be taken only occasionally.

Did you know, to lose a kilo you need to burn 7700 calories! Time you slipped into your track pants and broke some sweat.

Drinking water before meals good

2011-05-11T12:39:00.000+05:30

Have you tried out every trick in the book to lose weight – crash diets, gyms, or simply starving yourself?

Now, try a simple trick – drink a glass or two ofwater before meals, as that's the best way to curb appetite and shed those pounds – says a new research.

Scientists have reported that just two 8-ounce glasses of water taken before meals, can lead to weight loss.

"In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake," said Brenda Davy of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

The simple reason is that it fills up the stomach with a substance that has zero calories. People feel fuller as a result, and eat less calorie-containing food during the meal.

And it gets even better if you replace sweetened calorie-containing beverages with it.

Although there's no exact amount of water one should drink, experts advise that most healthy people can simply let thirst be their guide.

The general recommendations for women are about

28 best age to start dieting

2011-04-26T10:19:00.001+05:30

Want to shed those extra pounds? Then startdieting when you're 28, suggests a new study.

According to a new research, the most successful dieters are those who start slimming at the age of 28.

Women in their late twenties shed flab faster because they have more time and willpower than those of other ages, says the study of 3,000 women aged over 30.

Twenty-somethings are also more concerned about their weight and so remain focused on their weight loss goals.

On the other hand, those in their thirties are often too busy to watch their weight while many in their forties and fifties have simply 'lost interest' in getting the perfect body.

"With women getting married later than ever, many 28-year-old females will be single, on the dating scene and leading an active social life, which may explain why they are so successful at healthy eating and maintaining a good figure," the Daily Mail quoted Sue Beck, of Lambrini Light, which carried out the research, as saying.

"Many will also be at the peak of their career, leading fast-paced lives which will help shift any excess weight alongside a diet," Beck added.

Benefits of coriander

2011-04-26T10:13:00.000+05:30

Commonly used in our daily cooking, corianderhas many health benefits. It is known for building the stomach and promoting digestion.

Adding one or two teaspoons of coriander juice to fresh buttermilk is ideal for treating nausea and dysentery. Dry coriander treats diarrhoea.

- It is also beneficial for women especially those suffering from a heavy menstrual flow. Six grams of coriander seeds should be boiled in 500 ml water and after adding sugar, it can be consumed while warm.

- For those with arthritis problems, coriander has many anti-inflammatory properties. Boil ground coriander seeds with water and drink the concoction.

- Coriander is known to lower blood sugar by stimulating the secretion of insulin. It has also been called as an 'anti-diabetic' plant. It helps the heart by lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol.

- This herb is also great for the skin. Its juice mixed with turmeric powder can help treat pimples and blackheads.

Eat flour, almonds to satisfy hunger pains

2011-04-26T10:03:00.000+05:30

Want to know the trick to control hunger pangs? Here is the clue.

Eating wheat flour and almonds increases the feeling of fullness, leading to reduced food intake and preventing overeating.

"Although it may affect people at different times throughout the day, reducing or satisfying those hunger pains is a common concern for those either trying to lose weight or maintain a certain weight," said the study's author, Linda Milo Ohr.

"Satiety, or the feeling of being full, is a hot topic addressed by the food industry in recent years," added Milo Ohr.

Satiety-increasing foods include:

- Whole grains , such as oats, barley, rye and corn. According to the research, the high-volume, low-energy density and the relatively lower palatability of whole-grain foods may promote satiation.

- Fiber , such as resistant starch and oligosaccharides. Resistant starch escapes digestion in the small intestine of healthy individuals and delivers the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The research found that the quantity of resistant starch in foods correlates with blood glucose response and reduced food intake after two hours. Oligosaccharides are complex carbohydrates that are found in beans and legumes, and they help maintain stable blood glucose levels when eaten as part of a meal. Like resistant starch, they are not digested by the small intestine and end up being metabolized and expelled from the large intestine.

- Protein . The author cited a study by Solae of St. Louis that found consumers understand the important role protein plays in helping to manage hunger, and they are interested in protein-enhanced versions of everyday foods such as soup, yogurt and breakfast cereal. Protein choices for satiety include soy, which animal studies have shown stimulates the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that plays a role in appetite suppression; whey, which stimulates several gastrointestinal hormones that are thought to regulate appetite control in the brain; egg, which provides protein in the form of readily available, essential amino acids; and potato protein extract, which has shown promise for optimal satiety by enabling the release of CCK.

- Almonds . An ounce of almonds contains 6 grams of protein and are often suggested as snacks by popular weight loss programs because of their role in satiety.

Health benefits of corn

2011-04-26T09:58:00.001+05:30

With bhuttawalas putting up makeshift stalls at almost every corner in the neighbourhood during the rains, most people love to have this healthy snack.

Corn is high in nutrients, which are extremely beneficial for you. Rich in Vitamin B1, which is used in the metabolism of carbohydrates, Vitamin B5, which helps with physiological functions, folate, that helps generating new cells and Vitamin C, which helps fight diseases, corn should be a must in your diet.

Corn is also high in fibre, which helps you fight digestive problems like constipation. Fibre also helps lower cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of colon cancer and is also useful in helping to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Folic acid present in corn is known to prevent neural-tube birth defects. Experts also recommend corn for people who suffer from Anaemia. Make a delicious and easy side dish — corn sauteed with green chillies and onions not only tastes good but is healthy, too!

The slim forever diet!

2011-04-26T09:47:00.001+05:30

Followed every diet in the book, but love handles still giving you nightmares? Well, celeb dietician Anita Bean has come to your rescue with her new no-nonsense strategy for a proper diet that can help you shun fat forever.

Anita, 46, has published Slim Secrets , which gives a safe diet based on scientific facts from her 18 years of experience. "Many diets make wild promises but the usual rule of thumb is that the wilder the claim the less likely it is to work. Any diet is going to work in the short term because you are going to eat fewer calories but often the proposed eating plan is not sustainable," the Daily Express quoted her, as saying.

Slim Secrets , addresses the psychology and emotions behind dieting which she feels is the main barrier to long term weight loss. "Before you begin working out whether you are going to have broccoli or a chocolate cookie, the starting point of any diet has to be sorting out your emotions. You have to start taking control, not only of your eating but also your whole lifestyle," she says.

She admits this "all sounds a bit serious," but adds "the reason why many women have weight issues is because they haven't got control over what they are eating. Food becomes tangled up with negative beliefs about yourself and your past. It's got to be a long-term process. If as a child you were hurt or upset and given sweets you might associate food as a reward or use it to hide emotions. I am not talking about heavy-duty psychology here, it's about getting people to be honest with themselves and face up to what they are doing," she added.

Anita offers simple techniques to help you decide which foods to eat and which should be treats. She says there is no need to cut out major food groups such as dairy or carbohydrates if you pay attention to the calorie density of what you eat.

Anita's simple tips for a slimmer future are:

Keep a food mood diary - Write down everything you eat and drink for a week and how you felt before and after you ate. Soon you'll see a pattern and identify what makes you eat when you're not hungry.

De-stress - Emotional eating doesn't actually reduce stress levels. Although you may experience the initial enjoyment of the food, your negative feelings don't go away. The best way to deal with stress is to exercise. Go for a walk, swim or enjoy a yoga session.

Don't buy it - One of the best things you can do is not buy the foods you binge on. Don't bring them into your house. If snacks aren't available you will automatically discover something else to do to change the way you're feeling.

Plan ahead - If you know you've got a stressful time coming up then plan your food strategy to help you cope better. Plan what healthy meals and snacks you're going to eat and keep all others out of sight.

Healthy snacks in a jiffy

2011-04-26T09:45:00.000+05:30

Eating out, eating junk, eating at odd hours and skipping meals due to lack of time are the major reasons for posing health risks amongst people today. And let's face it, working people do not have the luxury of time to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a proper meal for themselves.

Period
So what are you hardworking people who are constantly on the move supposed to do? We tell you how you both women and men too, can prepare simple nutritious snacks that one can prepare in jiffy and most importantly they are very healthy.

Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are not only healthy and delicious but are quite filling and are a good alternative to having a snack. Just toss some fruits like apples, bananas, chikoo, strawberries, etc. in your blender. Add some milk. You need to just a little bit of sugar because fruits are already sweet. But if you must, its better to add some honey and give the ingredients of your smoothie a quick spin. Having smoothies will provide you fibre, vitamins, minerals that are important for the optimum functioning of the body. Also, drinking a fruit smoothie will give you a boost of energy.

Corn Salad
Corn is available all throughout the year, at grocery stores. Corn is fun to eat because it tastes sweet and its texture is crunchy. It is a good source of vitamin B especially thiamine and niacin. Yellow corn is a good source of beta carotene, which generates vitamin A in the body. In a bowl, add a handful of corn nibblets, add some chopped olives, tomatoes, capsicum and a little onion. Add the juice of half a lime, a pinch of sugar and salt. Toss the salad well. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or some french vinaigrette dressing.

Baked beans sandwich
This is one of the easiest sandwiches to prepare. Toast two slices of whole wheat or multi-grain bread. Scoop out some spoonfuls of baked beans from the canned variety that is very easily available in the market. Spread it over your toast and voila! You are ready to eat it. Beans are an excellent source of protein and whole wheat bread provides healthy carbohydrates and fibre that will satisfy your hunger for hours. Also, baked beans contain tomatoes that contain lycopene, and anti-oxidant which help in fighting against cancerous cell formation in the body.

Fruit and yogurt
Roughly chop up some fruits, remember the more the merrier. However, if you have only one variety of fruit available in your kitchen, don't fret as this recipe will still taste yummy nonetheless. In a bowl, mix a cup of yogurt with a little bit of honey. Add your chopped fruits and mix well. Sprinkle a handful of dried fruits like almonds, cashews, walnuts or even dried figs, apricots, or dates over it. This snack will provide you ample of energy that will last for hours. Yogurt is a good source of calcium that is necessary for the strengthening of bones. Also, it contains useful bacteria that aids in better digestion and boosts the body's immunity.

From fat to fit with a health diary

2011-04-25T10:58:00.001+05:30

Did you know that penning down your daily intake of food along with your exercise routine can help you shed those extra kilos?

Maintaining a 'health diary' and keeping a tab on the eating habits, has helped many loose weight.Fitness expert Anuradha Inamdar gives the details.

How it works
It's simple! When you write every minute detail of what's going into your stomach (unhealthy and the unhealthy) and how much you have been working out, you will get to know when you fall pray to the temptation and when you get lazy and skip the exercise routine. When you perform well, it will act as a motivating factor.

Things you should write in your diary
1. List of healthy and unhealthy food items
2. Importance of different food items
3. A food pyramid according to your needs (loose weight, gain weight, or maintain it).
4. The routine you plan to follow- the food you will eat, the exercise pattern and how much water you will drink etc.
5. A page on seasonal diet as your eating pattern should change according to the seasons.

After you are done with the preliminary work, start working on the main diary. Here you have to note down you initial weight, and target to be achieved by the end of a particular week.

What next
Analyse your schedule and keep making changes as per your body requirements. Each week set a new target and you will definitely see the positive change in your body.

I'm too lazy to write!
If you find it tedious to write, then there are many websites that have an online diary. This healthdiary also calculates your calorie intake and analyses how healthy your routine is for you.

5 Tips for outdoor exercises this summer

2011-04-25T10:15:00.000+05:30

Some of us love our morning runs, or our evening walks. Some of us need our quick game of tennis before the end of the week comes around. Some of us may have grown tired of our old indoor routine and may want to try a hand at stepping outdoors this summer. But the summer heat can sap us of energy and make us feel dehydrated and even worse, lethargic! Before you lose all hope, here are 5 tips to stay cool and motivated for outdoorexercises this summer.

Go shopping: Before you think we've lost the plot, I'm talking about workout clothes here. There is a whole range of cooling clothing out there in the market that absorbs sweat quickly and has perforations to ensure that you remain cool on the inside. It's time to save your old cotton t-shirts for a more appropriate season, and get some 'Cool' new workout clothes. And you know what? Sometimes it even works as a motivator to get out there and show off your new great fitting wardrobe!

Lots of fluid: This goes without saying. But sometimes in the quest to stay hydrated we end up drinking sugar rich sports and energy drink. Instead drink natural energy drinks and lots and lots of water. Sometimes if you've sweated more than usual, you may find that you have a headache or feel nauseous later in the day. This is nothing but dehydration and the only answer is fluids and more fluids.

Go out earlier or later than normal: Make the effort to wake up 20 minutes earlier than normal, or go 45 minutes later than normal in the evenings for your run. Try and make sure you are out there before sunrise or after sunset. This is probably more mental than physical, but it will make you feel cooler and less sapped of energy.

Take it slow: You may need to slow down your pace or reduce the number of kms you usually run. The fact of the matter is that it is hot out there, and your body will not be able to perform as well as it could during the cooler months. So listen to your body, and take it slow.

Carry ice with you: If you run long distances you can wrap ice in a cloth or a rag and wrap it around your neck. If you don't want to carry ice then splash your face and head with cool water every now and then. This may seem like a scene from the movies, but its well worth it as it goes a long way in keeping you cool.

The point is that whether it's summer, winter, or the monsoons, there are ways you can find to ensure that you have a great workout, so no excuses work this summer. Yes it is hot, but that's how most summers have always been ever since anyone can remember.

Adopt these healthy office habits

2011-04-25T10:13:00.000+05:30

You spend approximately 6 to 8 waking hours in your office. But are you aware of the fact that for most of us, the office is a hub of bad diet decisions accompanied with a sedentary lifestyle. Bid farewell to these unhealthy office foods with these healthy office habits from Ms. Divya Choudhary, Senior Nutritionist at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi.

Eat breakfast to keep hunger pangs at bay.Office life can wreck your diet decisions if you are are not careful. One of the most common reasons behind our urge to overeat at work is the lack of an adequate breakfast. Skipping breakfast leads to an erratic lifestyle pattern. It's the most important meal of the day, and we end up neglecting it. Come lunch, and we are so hungry that we hog on almost anything and everything. Click here for a few healthy breakfast ideas.

Be friendly with your coffee machine. Caffeine stimulates the heart and respiratory systems. But don't be too friendly. Limit your coffee consumption to just two cups a day. Make sure that for every coffee you drink, you drink two full glasses of water, to help your system replenish what the caffeine takes out.

Try and replace normal water intake with lukewarm water. Warm water has many health advantages, such as:
- It flushes out toxins from our system, which if accumulated can lead to aches, pains and headaches.
- Warm water helps our digestive system work more efficiently, while keeping gastro and colon related - diseases at bay.
- Warm water keeps our skin hydrated. Drinking enough water can combat skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, wrinkles etc.

Carry healthy meals from home. If possible, one should always carry home food because it has all the advantages of being infection free, and hygienic. Canteen or restauran food, when eaten too often, can also lead to all sorts of problems that arise from lack of essential nutrients since most cooking methods in fast food kill the nutrient value of food.

If you must exist in a cubicle, at least make it a healthy one . Eat your meals on time and preferably in a relaxed environment. Drink lots of water through the day. Always carry fruits (excellent snack without making you gain weight). Look at other snacks like roasted chana and 100% whole grain crackers instead of biscuits. Keep them in your desk drawer. You can also try unsalted almonds, walnuts or unsweetened figs.

Health Me Up's Tip for eating healthy in the office: Maintain a well-stocked office box or bag that contains healthy snacks and foods like yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese, your favourite fruits, hummus, and raw veggies and put them in your office refrigerator. Don't forget to seal and mark it with your name. This will give you a great excuse to get off that chair every couple of hours, and will also serve your need to eat healthy at work. And yes, don't be too food-friendly when it comes to enjoying colleagues' birthdays, baby showers and receiving high calorie gifts from clients. Respect your limits!

Motivational

2011-04-20T12:43:00.000+05:30

Everything happens for good...either one should firmly belief in that or else try hard to get d things work...Nothing falls on place itself. One has to try harder & harder to carry out the same…agreed destiny plays very imperative role but it’s you who crafts it…so don’t ever downcast yourself & curse your luck for whatever happens to you…it’s better to be pragmatic n belief in yourself as others perceive you by that.

How to Zero in on Your Dream Job

2011-04-20T11:43:00.001+05:30

Choosing the right job is like trying to hit bull’s eye! Are you feeling like a misfit in your current workplace? Do you often come back home stressed and frustrated? Then chances are that your dart is at quite a distance from the bull’s eye! Read on to find out how you can find your dream job

Understand your aspirations
It’s the first thing that you must look at before you head for your dream job. Swati Salunkhe, iDiva’s career expert and career consultant says, “You must have realistic aspirations. If you want to do Hotel Management, but you’re not ready to work for 14 hours then it doesn’t make any sense. Also, you must understand your worth before you expect your company to give you benefits or whatever it is that you are looking for.”

Understand your field
If you are looking for a job in the IT sector, you must understand its current trend and happenings as it’s a very fluctuating industry. For example, a case like the Satyam scam weakened the IT sector. Also with so many fresh engineers joining the market every year, you must understand how feasible your chances of employment and advancement in the field are.

Swati says, “Everybody likes glamourised job titles, but they refuse to work at the grassroot level. If you are a person who hates coding, and wants to be the manager of a big engineering firm, it won’t happen unless you’re ready to work on coding for the initial years in your career.”

Do a SWOT analysis
You must know your strengths and weaknesses in the context of the job that you are looking for. Once you understand this, you must also work on turning your weaknesses into strengths or minimising them. Also, understand the opportunities and threats that you are bound to face on the job. Once done, analyse them again and see if the job that you are looking for is actually meant or you. The key is to be realistic!

Proper qualification
You must ensure that you have proper qualifications for the job title that you are applying for. If you find that a particular qualification can ensure you better success in your career, go get it! That will ensure a better chance of promotion and will also give you an edge over the other employees with basic educational requirements.

Know the firm
When you finally step out for an interview, ensure that you know everything that you need to about the company. The financial and non-financial perks that it offers, pension plans, work environment, job security, and the scope for your promotion and advancement further in the company.

Swati Salunkhe adds, “You need to be realistic about this. If you are hoping for a 10% incentive from your company, ask yourself if you are actually providing your company with your 100% to be worth the incentive.”

Stay focused
Swati Salunkhe further explains, “Once you are sure about all of the above, walk into your dream job with a positive attitude. Stay focused on your objectives and goals and build good relationships with your colleagues. You never know when you might need their help.”

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” So just make sure that you do what you love and you’ll love what you do!

Lousy Drivers: Women or Men?

2011-04-20T11:33:00.002+05:30

Women are generally ridiculed for their lousy driving skills, but here’s a reality check! A survey in Britain has found that men are worse drivers and twice more likely to have an accident than women since they get distracted while driving. The common distractions that were listed were adjusting the car stereo, eating or having a soft drink, talking on hand-held mobile phones, texting and map-reading while driving, and also shaving, applying make-up and even reading a book! So we asked a few of our readers to tell us who they think is better behind the wheel - men or women.

5 Workouts that don't feel like workouts

2011-04-20T11:18:00.004+05:30

For most of us, the word 'workout' conjures up images of sweat soaked t-shirts, bulging muscles, agym trainer, or running shoes. This image may not be entirely real because there are a few things you can do in your daily life, or maybe weekly life, which have the ingredients of a good workout without necessarily being one. Many of these chores are left entirely up to domestic help, but there is no reason for us not to make them part of our weekly routines, if only just to ingrain more activity into our busy schedules.

However, we are not suggesting that you replace regimented strength and cardio workouts with the following five activities. This post is meant to encourage daily chores or activities that offer variations in your body's activity levels, and not offer any alternatives to real workouts.

1. Clean your house: Start with your bedroom. Re-arrange furniture, pick things up, bend, squat, lift heavy things. Cleaning your house and re-arranging furniture has all the elements of a good gym session though you may not even know it. This may not be a weekly routine, but it can certainly be made part of something you do on a regular basis, when you have time to yourself at home. Not to mention, this one is truly therapeutic with good music to keep you moving.

2. Play with your kids: Anything goes. Your kids will truly love it and there will be no dearth of action. Pillow fights, go to a park and throw a ball around, go to a pool and have races, and of course ask the kids for more ideas. Physical playtime is a great workout and also an unparalleled family bonding time.

3. Bathe your dog: Even better, bathe your cat. If you have a larger dog, or a cat, you will know what a great exercise it is. First the battle to hold on firm, the usage of your body weight to get the upper hand, the scrubbing, the rinsing, and then the drying. All the while holding on to dear life. If this isn't a workout, then we don't know what is!

4. Walk in a mall: Ladies, the ideal workout! For the men, a nice way to spend time in a mall while your better half disappears. Of course the idea is to walk, climb stairs, and keep a decent pace.Walking is a good exercise to stay active and to stay on your feet more.

5. Go on a hike: This one's clearly not for people well encased within miles and miles of metro city traffic. But perhaps even city dwellers can find some park, nearby town, or natural feature to visit over weekends? Try and incorporate hiking into your weekend activity. Sunday's are a great day to take off outside the city and spend time hiking, climbing a hill. Take a picnic basket and soak in all the vitamin D that you have missed out on during the week.

So here they are, 5 completely innocent workouts that you can try and incorporate in your schedule that will ultimately lead to a fitter and more active you.

8 Yoga asanas for the office

2011-04-20T10:23:00.001+05:30

Are you chained to your office desk for long hours at a stretch with little to no daily exercise? Does your life circle around your laptop? Is typing while hunched over a tiny desk how you spend each day? If the answer is yes, then you need to get proactive about your mental and physical state of being. To help you achieve just that, here are eight yoga asanas for the office that will help you combat mental and physical stress by increasing your concentration levels and relaxing any muscle tensions. Read and practise right away!

Office Yoga Asana 1: Wrist Stretches- Perform these simple stretches as a warm up exercise before starting your work and you'll never complain of wrist pain. (1) Extend and stretch both wrist and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand stand position and hold them up for a count of 5. (2) Make a tight fist with both hands and then bend wrist down while keeping the fist and hold it for a count of 5.

Office Yoga Asana 2: Neck Asana- Breathe in as you bend your head in the right direction. Try and aim at a point where your shoulder touches the ear. Exhale as you bring your back to the normal position. Make sure you keep your neck and spine long. Now do the asana on the left side. Perform fivebreathing cycles on each side.

Office Yoga Asana 3: Reversed Shoulder Rotation and Thoracic Wave- Inhale as you move your shoulders in an upward and backward direction. Exhale as you move them in a downward and frontward direction. Pay key attention to the breathing cycle and keep your neck and spine comfortably straight. Perform eight to ten rotations on each side.

Office Yoga Asana 4: Cow Face Pose for your upper back- Take both your hands and clasp your hands behind your back. If you are unable to clasp, don't try too hard, comfortably stretch your fingers towards one another. Release with an exhalation. Now shake your arms for about 30 seconds and repeat.

Office Yoga Asana 5: Cat Asana for the lower back- While exhaling, bend your back in a backward direction creating a sharp curve in your spine. Now bend in a forward direction with the point between the shoulder blades and inhale. Do it for 5 breathing cycles to relieve your body of long hours at the desk.

Office Yoga Asana 6: Konasana for toned arms- Stand straight with legs wide apart. Now bend forward from your waist. Try and touch the ground with the tips of your fingers, if possible place both your hands on the ground while standing. Your upper body should be in a straight line. Look ahead by about 3 inches. Perform konasana for 10 to 30 seconds and breathe normally throughout the asana.

Office Yoga Asana 7: Bhastrika for your abdomen- Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. Close your eyes and start exhaling and inhaling via nose by focusing on the abdominal muscles. As soon as you release your abdominal muscles you'll realize that your diaphragm contracts before you start to inhale. Hear the sound of your breath and perform this asana 5 times at a stretch. Give it a pause. Breathe normally. And start again. Complete one to two rounds on a daily basis and increase the number of your breaths by 5, each week.

Office Yoga Asana 8: Leg Extension Asana- Sit in a comfortable position with one leg bent and placed on a chair or desk in front of you. Place both your hands on your feet. Keeping your spine straight, inhale and extend your leg outward while holding it with your hands. Stay in this position for 3 to 5 breaths. Exhale as you come back to the normal position, while moving your hands and placing them on your waist. Stay in this position for 3 to 5 breaths. Relax. Perform 5 to 10 rounds like this.

You made me special

2009-02-18T18:05:00.002+05:30

@You Made Me Special @!!!

It was an ordinary day, when you came my way;
And the life has been changed
I never expect, I never crave;
But the things are not the same
You have given a new meaning to my life, it was never meant to be same;
You made me smile at least for a while, and the life has been so changed

Talking to you, thinking about you
A new hope has been raised
If I think beyond these days; you mean a life to me
Those days had gone, when I didn’t have you
Don’t know what I have done without you

It’s hard to express, whatever I feel
But the life was never so complete
You made me smile, you made me cry
Had left a meaning to my life
You have given a new meaning to my life; it was never meant to be same
You made me smile at least for a while, and the life has been changed

I was never so happy, never so relaxed
Have no words to express
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true
I own this life to you
So leave your worries and give it to me, I was never so happy
I own this life to you, cannot think life without you …………..
I own this life………………………You!!!!!

JOHN DEVER

2008-07-09T15:48:00.001+05:30

Leaving on a Jetplane
All my bags are packedIm ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin
Its early morn
The taxis waitinHes blowin his horn
Already Im so lonesome
I could die
so kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back againOh babe,
I hate to go
Theres so many times Ive let you down
So many times Ive played around
I tell you now, they dont mean a thing
Evry place I go, Ill think of you
Evry song I sing, Ill sing for you
When I come back, Ill bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more timeLet me kiss you
Then close your eyesIll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I wont have to leave alone
About the times, I wont have to sayOh, kiss me and smile for meTell me that youll wait for meHold me like youll never let me gocause Im leavin on a jet planeDont know when Ill be back againOh babe, I hate to goBut, Im leavin on a jet planeDont know when Ill be back againOh babe, I hate to go

All you wanted to know about wines

2008-06-20T15:56:00.000+05:30

India is no stranger to wine. Tracing the history of the drink, its origins can be found in old religious writings. During the Vedic period, wine was often referred to as ‘Somarasa’. Hindu Gods Indra and Varuna are believed to have tasted a mixture of wine and herbs as per the Yajurveda. It’s no surprise that the drink is once again gaining popularity with Indians. Especially with rising incomes, people now have a reason to flaunt their affluence and there is no better way to do it than to be spotted swirling a glass of wine. Although the wine-growing culture in India is still in its nascent stage, its consumption is certainly witnessing a rapid growth. However, for most of us, the names of wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Beaujolais may be no more than tongue twisters, but if you want to know your drink, here’s a low-down... The wine connection There are a host of wine clubs to help people learn more about wines, host wine tasting sessions and dinners, arrange vineyard visits and other wine-centric events for its members. The Wine Society of India, one of the oldest of these organisations may be just a decade old but has managed to attract people interested in wines. The Delhi Wine Club is another such organisation that allows people to connect with other wine drinkers by hosting events. Ravi Sachdev, a businessman and a member of the Delhi Wine Club says, “I was a whisky drinker and it was the urge to try out something new and socialise that prompted me to become a member of the club. The club hosts wine tasting events and dinners where I get to taste wines from all over the world. I also get a lot of information on pairing wines with food.” And for people who are reluctant to join one of these ‘clubs’, there are other options to explore. The very appropriately named Tulleeho, for instance, is a beverage service provider open to everyone. But not everyone can become a member of these clubs. “We have a screening committee and prefer having only those people who are already wine drinkers,” says Subhash Arora, president of the Delhi Wine Club. “The wine culture in India is growing steadily without a doubt and its future is very rosy, but there is still a woeful lack of knowledge. At present, wine consumption is mainly in the metros but no longer confined only to the affluent consumer. Once Indians begin to enjoy wine with food and we can shop for wine like we buy our general provisions, we will reach the next level in our unfolding wine culture,” says Reva Singh publisher and editor of Sommelier India, the country’s only magazine dedicated to wines. “The most important factor contributing to its growth is that India is producing some really good wines. Many of these wines are making an appearance abroad and are becoming increasingly popular as a natural extension of Indian cuisine," she adds. All that you wanted to know about wines...

Trendy hairstyles

2008-06-18T15:16:00.000+05:30

Last minute party plans?? Don't know what to do with your hair? Here are some tips to help you out. Curl your long or mid-length hair into an up-style. Wearing hair off your neck not only looks stylish but also very elegant. It's perfect for a formal party. If you don't like wearing your hair up, but want to style it off your face, try a hairstyle that's half up, half down. Hairstyles that are half up, half down can look elegant and give your hair a romantic style. Style your hair into large defined curls which sit beautifully on your shoulders while the top of your hair is pulled half back to create height and volume. This is an elegant style that is perfect for any occasion. Style your gorgeous long locks by adding lots of curls to the ends to create lots of weight and texture. To finish, style the top of your hair flat and smooth, making this a great combination hairstyle. Softly pin up your hair into captivating curls and wear a silk headband to add shape to your face and a touch of glamour to the classic style. You're sure to steal some hearts at the party.

Bag it: Bigger the better

2008-06-18T15:15:00.000+05:30

The bigger the better seems to be the latest fashion mantra. This summer big, voluminous handbags have virtually replaced tiny pouches and wallets in offices, colleges and parties alike. So, we have huge bags in leather, jute, mattie and other materials in striking metallic shades of silver, golden, magenta, copper and the likes with big semi precious stones, huge bows and flowers. This chic clutter-carrier is a must-have for would-be fashionistas.And why not? The Summer Spring collection 2008 was titled ‘Big’ so here we have oversized bags, shoes, belts and earrings. Says model Sheetal Menon, “Remember, the Spring/Summer 2008 collection was titled ‘Big’? Now big and voluminous accessories will make their presence felt everywhere. Big bags, chunky jewellery, etc will dominate the fashion scene this season. Personally, I love big bags since they are extremely convenient. I can carry almost everything of my use – right from a water bottle to books to cosmetics. I love silver, golden, brown and green though my favourite is the big black colour bag in sheep leather.” For actress Shreya Saran, trendy big bags have come as a reliever as she used to carry a mini suitcase with her while travelling. She says, “Big bags are a must for me as I need to travel a lot. Earlier, I used to carry a mini suitcase with me. But now that I have a chic looking big bag, I just dump everything in it – be it my I-pod, cell phone, water bottle, books or my small makeup kit. These days I am flaunting a really smart black handbag which looks both formal and casual at the same time.” Trendsetters believe that the size of these accessories will get even bigger in the coming season. Prominent fashion designer of Kolkata, Suchismita Das Gupta, says, “Big size bags in the beach look are in these days. Metallic shades in all colours and especially gold, silver and copper are seen almost everywhere. In fact, next year, I see much bigger bags. Everything fashionable right from earrings, hair accessories to bags to belts, everything will just get bigger.” Not just models and actors but our city girls too have fallen for these big bags! Programming head of one of the popular radio channels, Ruchika Arora, says, “Big bags not just look trendy but they are super comfy as well. Whether it is monsoon or summer, you just put in your umbrella, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen and just about everything you wish to keep with yourself. I have a huge bag with a very sporty look.” These bags are also a great help for women with young children. All those pockets and compartments provide great storage space for items they can’t leave home without! Ravina Wadhawan, who recently had twin daughters, says, “I have to literally carry the entire household along with my twins. I have bought a very fancy pink metallic bag with two big roses embroidered on it. So, it serves both the purposes!” Call it flashy, loud, gaudy or a necessity, but the craze for big bags is here to stay!

Shopping's not just a stress-buster

2008-06-18T15:13:00.000+05:30

Most of the people see shopping as a good stress-buster, and for the rest, it is a nice way of passing time. But, when we actually go out to the market to shop, it becomes a way of interacting with the world around us, says a researcher. According to Swedish ethnologist Erik Ottoson of Uppsala University, our relationship with objects is multi-layered and often very emotional, and this is expressed in the way we shop. Ottoson, in his research, has studied the way we look for things in shopping malls, town centres and flea markets. “Being a consumer sometimes means fantasising and dreaming about objects, and this is boosted when we come face-to-face with things that arouse various feelings of attraction and resistance,” says Ottoson, who has researched the way we look for things we want to acquire. He has observed how people behave in markets, make their way along shopping streets and through malls. According to Ottoson, searching in this way teaches us what is available and how we can track down what we are looking for. Agrees fashion designer Ranna Gill, “Shopping actually serves a manifold purpose for me – I enjoy it immensely. It’s great retail therapy and when you’re out shopping after a very busy and long period of work, it gives you a real high. After all, that’s when you congratulate yourself for a job well done.” At the same time, says Ottoson, shopping becomes an opportunity to look inside ourselves and explore our feelings when faced with what is actually available. “This means searching becomes a way for us to interact with the world around us, an experimental horizon where certain aspects loom large in the foreground while others are pushed into the background,” he says. Entrepreneur Timsy Anand says, “Everytime one goes out shopping, I make the most of the opportunity to interact with myself. And that’s also the time you sometimes strike up an interesting conversation with someone who’s there picking up something – so it also becomes a way of interacting with the world.” In particular, the research focuses on what is actually going on when we are window shopping. The people Ottoson has been studying search patiently for certain things, but more than anything, they are searching for the feeling of having found something that is better and finer that they could have imagined. Says Ranna, “Window shopping is amongst the best ways to stay connected with the latest. What’s more, it gives you a great topic of conversation when you’re with friends.” For Timsy, “Every time you go out shopping, the person you’re dreaming to be, comes alive.” The study also shows that what we call just looking is not just about looking with your eyes, it involves your entire body – walking till your feet ache, picking things up and putting them back and feeling things with your hands.

Drink coffee for a long life!

2008-06-18T15:12:00.000+05:30

Drinking up to six cups a day of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee everyday won't reduce your life span, according to a new research. What’s more, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption is associated with a somewhat smaller rate of death from heart disease. "Coffee consumption has been linked to various beneficial and detrimental health effects, but data on its relation with death were lacking," says Esther Lopez-Garcia, PhD, the study's lead author. "Coffee consumption was not associated with a higher risk of mortality in middle-aged men and women. The possibility of a modest benefit of coffee consumption on heart disease, cancer, and other causes of death needs to be further investigated,” Lopez-Garcia added. Women consuming two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 25 percent lower risk of death from heart disease during the follow-up period (which lasted from 1980 to 2004 and involved 84,214 women) as compared with non-consumers, and an 18 percent lower risk of death caused by something other than cancer or heart disease as compared with non-consumers during follow-up. For men, this level of consumption was associated with neither a higher nor a lower risk of death during the follow-up period (which lasted from 1986 to 2004 and involved 41,736 men). The researchers analyzed data of 84,214 women who had participated in the Nurses' Health Study and 41,736 men who had participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. To be in the current study, participants had to have been free of zancer and heart disease at the start of those larger studies. The study participants completed questionnaires every two to four years that included questions about how frequently they drank coffee, other diet habits, smoking, and health conditions. The researchers then compared the frequency of death from any cause, death due to heart disease, and death due to cancer among people with different coffee-drinking habits. Among women, 2,368 deaths were due to heart disease, 5,011 were due to cancer, and 3,716 were due to another cause. Among men, 2,049 deaths were due to heart disease, 2,491 were due to cancer, and 2,348 were due to another cause. While accounting for other risk factors, such as body size, smoking, diet, and specific diseases, the researchers found that people who drank more coffee were less likely to die during the follow-up period. This was mainly because of lower risk for heart disease deaths among coffee drinkers. The researchers found no association between coffee drinking and cancer deaths. These relationships did not seem to be related to caffeine because people who drank decaffeinated coffee also had lower death rates than people who did not drink coffee.

Lost weight? Now stop putting it back

2008-06-18T15:03:00.000+05:30

It may be quite a struggle, but most of us do manage to lose weight - but keeping it off is another matter. So now an ongoing study has set out to identify the most effective diet to help adults stop regaining weight after initial loss. As part of the study, adult family members were required to lose at least eight percent of their body weight, before the whole family was allowed to enrol in a "dietary intervention" programme involving one of five diets. About 760 participants were successful, losing between them a total of 8,500 kg, equivalent to the weight of four fully-grown bull elephants and 11.2 kg on average for each person. After this successful weight loss phase, 565 families (763 adults and 787 children) were randomly chosen to follow a diet either high or low in protein or high or low in the glycaemic index (ranking carbohydrate foods according to their effect on blood glucose.) The fifth diet, the control diet, was based on the family's usual diet but with additional advice on the inclusion of healthy foods. In Copenhagen and Maastricht centres, supermarkets set up for the study provided families with free food for six months, followed by six months of dietary advice and support. The other six centres (Britain, Bulgaria, Crete, Czech Republic, Germany and Spain) provided families with six months of dietary advice and support only. "The real target in this research study is the prevention of weight regain after initial weight loss," said Arne Astrup of the University of Copenhagen and coordinator of the eight-country study. "Most of us can lose weight if we set our minds to it - but we are not so good at keeping it off." Preliminary results from study will be unveiled at the forthcoming European Congress of Obesity.

Smoking harmful for both sexes

2008-06-18T15:02:00.001+05:30

Women who smoke are no more likely than men to get lung cancer but, among non-smokers, women appear to have a higher risk than men, US researchers reported on Friday. Women who had never smoked were 1.3 times more likely to develop lung cancer than men who had never smoked, Neal Freedman of the National Cancer Institute and colleagues found. "We noted slightly higher age-standardized incidence rates of lung cancer in women who had never smoked than in men who had never smoked," Freedman and colleagues wrote in the Journal Lancet Oncology . His team looked at a survey of 279,214 men and 184,623 women aged 50 to 71 first questioned in 1995 or 1996. "The questionnaire asked participants about their past and current smoking status, demographics, alcohol intake, tobacco smoking, physical activity, and included a food-frequency questionnaire of 124 items," the researchers wrote. They were watched until 2003. "During follow-up, lung cancers occurred in 4,097 men and 2,237 women," the researchers wrote. Among men who had never smoked, 99 got lung cancer, compared with 152 women who never smoked. The researchers did not ask about how much anyone had smoked or whether they were exposed to second-hand smoke. Experts agree that second-hand smoke also causes lung cancer. "But when we compared smokers with similar smoking histories we noted that men tended to have slightly higher incidence rates than women. "Our findings suggest that women are not more susceptible than men to the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoking in the lung," Freedman's team wrote. They said more study needs to be done to see if female non-smokers actually do have more of a risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer worldwide, with almost 1.2 million deaths per year — 162,000 deaths a year in the United States alone.

Goodbye to high BP and obesity-TOI

2008-06-18T14:59:00.000+05:30

Can a single pill treat problems of high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol level and act as a blood thinner? Seems like this may be possible soon. In one of the largest clinical trials being conducted for the first time, the impact of the 'wonder drug' is being assessed across 20 cities in India. The trials of the drug 'polypack' manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals are being conducted on 2,000 subjects, between the age of 45 and 80 years, who have any one of the risk factors - age, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. The 'polypack' contains a combination of five drugs in eight different formulations (three blood pressure lowering agents, an antiplatelet drug, a beta blocker, an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic and a statin) for treating cardio-vascular conditions such as reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. Simply put, the polypack includes blood pressure lowering combinations, aspirin (blood thinner) and a statin, which is a cholesterol lowering agent. The trials are being conducted by St John Research Institute, Bangalore and Canada-based Population Health Research Institute. "We need to assess the impact (efficacy) of the different combinations on an individual who has cardio-vascular risk factors, and also the safety of these drugs taken together. The side-effects of the five medicines will also be studied," says Dr Rajeev Gupta of Fortis Hospital, Jaipur who is involved in the study. The subjects will be given the combination drug for three months and a follow up will be done in the fourth month. The trials will be completed by July and findings put together by end of the year. The second phase of trials will assess whether heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with the combination drug, Gupta added. Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of mortality in the Indian subcontinent, causing over 30% of deaths. It has been predicted that these diseases will increase rapidly and India will contribute to over half the cases of heart diseases in the world within the next 15 years. Coronary heart disease and stroke have increased in both urban and rural areas. The sharp rise in cardiovascular problems including heart disease and stokes is attributed to increasing number of smokers, obesity with high waist to hip ratio, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stress and sedentary lifestyle.

Chocolate-potent anti-cancer agent -TOI

2008-06-18T14:55:00.000+05:30

We have all heard that eating chocolate is good for you - now here's a study that tells you why. A chemical synthesised out of a cocoa compound has accelerated the killing of human tumours in a lab environment, according to the study by Georgetown University researchers. The researchers described how four different tumour cell lines out of 16 tested sensitive to the chemical, known as GECGC. The strongest response was seen in two different colon cancers; growth was cut in half and most of the tumour cells were damaged. GECGC "seems to be safe... because it has a structure similar to a natural product in cocoa beans - the same beans that are used to make chocolate," said the study's lead author Min Kim. Researchers have long studied the beneficial effects of flavanols - molecules in vegetables and fruits that exhibit potent anti-oxidant and potentially anti-tumour properties. As part of these studies, investigators have been testing a new synthetic version of natural procyanidins, a class of flavanols, created and patented by a confectionery company Mars Incorporated. In these studies, the scientists tested the effects of three different doses of GECGC on the cancer cell lines - the first time that a synthetic cocoa derivative has been used to screen human cancer cell lines. None of the doses tested were extreme, Kim pointed out. "The effective concentrations were considered similar to what a person might eat or use," he said. They found sensitivity to GECGC in both colon cancer cell lines they tested, in cervical cancer cells and in one line of leukaemia tumour cells. Other cell lines were resistant, including ovarian and prostate cancer cells. Overall, GECGC showed the most effect in treating cancer cells that are normally fast growing, Kim said. And the fact that it demonstrated the most killing power in colon cancer suggests the chemical "could serve as a promising therapeutic for colon cancer," he said. "So far, these data are very convincing." The researchers do not yet clearly understand the mechanism by which GECGC disrupts tumour growth, but they think it inhibits the physical connections between cancer cells and blocks internal cell signalling pathways. The findings of the study have been published online Monday in the journal Cell cycle

Coffee Drinkers may live longer-Times Of India

2008-06-18T14:52:00.000+05:30

Here's some good news for coffee buffs -- drinking large amounts of the caffeinated concoction does not increase the risk of an early death, and, if you are a woman, it may protect you from developing heart disease. A new research has revealed that drinking up to six cups of coffee a day has no negative effect on the health of a person and it could reduce the risk of women dying from fatal heart attacks and stroke by almost a quarter. Researchers have based their findings on an analysis of 84,000 women and 41,000 men who were tracked for 20 years. The participants completed questionnaires every two to four years about their coffee intake and habits like diet, smoking. According to study's author Esther Lopez-Garcia of the School of Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain, "Coffee consumption was not associated with a higher risk of mortality in middle-aged men and women. "(However) The possibility of a modest benefit of coffee consumption on heart disease, cancer, and other causes of death needs to be further investigated."

Good lifestyle can transform genes

2008-06-18T14:49:00.000+05:30

Comprehensive lifestyle changes including a better diet and more exercise can lead not only to a better physique, but also to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level, US researchers said. In a small study, the researchers tracked 30 men with low-risk prostate cancer who decided against conventional medical treatment such as surgery and radiation or hormone therapy. The men underwent three months of major lifestyle changes, including eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy products, moderate exercise such as walking for half an hour a day, and an hour of daily stress management methods such as meditation. As expected, they lost weight, lowered their blood pressure and saw other health improvements. But the researchers found more profound changes when they compared prostate biopsies taken before and after the lifestyle changes. After three months, the men had changes in activity in about 500 genes - including 48 that were turned on and 453 genes that were turned off. The activity of disease-preventing genes increased while a number of disease-promoting genes, including those involved in prostate cancer and breast cancer, shut down, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research was led by Dr Dean Ornish, head of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, and a well-known author advocating lifestyle changes to improve health. "It's an exciting finding because so often people say, 'Oh, it's all in my genes, what can I do?' Well, it turns out you may be able to do a lot," Ornish, who is also affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, said. "'In just three months, I can change hundreds of my genes simply by changing what I eat and how I live?' That's pretty exciting," Ornish said. "The implications of our study are not limited to men with prostate cancer." Ornish said the men avoided conventional medical treatment for prostate cancer for reasons separate from the study. But in making that decision, they allowed the researchers to look at biopsies in people with cancer before and after lifestyle changes.

Sonnet by : william Shakespeare

2008-05-09T17:29:00.000+05:30

TAKE my Love....shakespeare

TAKE all my loves, my love, yea, take them all:
What hast thou then more than thou hadst before?
No love, my love, that thou mayst true love call;
All mine was thine before thou hadst this more.
Then, if for my love thou my love receivest,
I cannot blame thee for my love thou usest;
But yet be blamed if thou this self deceivest
By wilful taste of what thyself refusest.
I do forgive thy robb'ry, gentle theif,
Although thou steal thee all my poverty;
And yet love knows it is a greater grief
To bear love's wrong than hate's known injury.
Lascivious grace, in whom all ill well shows,
Kill me with spites; yet we must not be foes.

No man is an island) by John Donne

2008-05-09T17:23:00.000+05:30

For whom the bell tolls a poem (No man is an island) by John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to knowFor whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

If you can understand my silence, you can understand my words.

2008-05-07T17:01:00.001+05:30

Tonight I can Write the Saddest Lines (By Pablo Neruda)

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I can write the saddest poem of all tonight

Write, for instance,’ The night is shatteredand
the blue stars shiver in the distance.'

'The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless Sky.

She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.

To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.
And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is shattered and she is not with me.

This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.

The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.
My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing.

Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before.
Her voide. Her bright body. Her inifinite eyes.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long.

Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms
my sould is not satisfied that it has lost her.

Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.

Fitness Regime

2008-05-07T15:12:00.000+05:30

Healthy life style
Today’s life is so far beyond our ancestors wildest dreams they would be amazed at how much we take for granted and if they where to return, would take the story of their adventures in heaven.
We live in a terribly polluted, fast-paced, high stressed, super seized, sedentary life and the first thing we cut out is exercise & movement in general. The Internet, machinery, bio-pharmaceuticals and technology of every shape and kind have had greater lifestyle changes in last 20 years & had made our current world truly astounding! Even the simple luxury of flushing a toilet was something only Kings could afford a little over 100 years ago. Instead of wondering where our next meal will come from, we waste our time with fashion, television, vanity and a host of other distractions - we have so much spare time that many people in our society simply loose focus on who they are and resort towards abusing their own bodies to feel alive via over-consumption.
Obesity in the good old days was hardly seen but now it is common place, families stayed together for generations, now many children send their parents to old age residences. Now people have forgotten what is important in their life and couch potato & modern lifestyle has already started to take a toll of one’s health.
We tend to even look down upon the plight of “uncivilized” cultures and even worse, take advantage of their situation to benefit our own. We are so inundated with worthless junk that any of us have lost the meaning of what it means to be alive.
Life in the good-old-days was extremely difficult as it was full of physical labor, sacrifice and hardship. If you have to fight & work hard for each & every small thing like if you are hungry, catch a fish or hunt, if you are cold, put some more wood on the fire, if you are dirty, jump in a lake or river, if you are tired, sleep.
We are very far away from chemical rehabilitation as the moment we fall sick , we simply get ourselves cured with drug or pills.. We think that life in the past was simple & easy, it was but in many other ways, it was also more complex. Time also has no meaning in nature, it’s either night or day - there are no “landmarks” to indicate the year, day of the week or what the weather will be like tomorrow. Nature is timeless - it’s only our modern lifestyles that require the precision of time. People spend most of the life in materially driven world and forgot that money isn’t necessary for living a fulfilling life - we never saw a squirrel go without nuts because his wallet was empty.
Life before our modern conveniences involved a constant search for food stability and predictability - there where no grocery stores and food spoiled quickly. If you had no food, you starved - if you had no clean water, you took a gamble - if you had no shelter, none was provided. There where no real governments to “back you up”, if you had problems you where mostly on your own to deal with them and if you wanted to travel anywhere, it was done with great reservations. It was truly the survival of the fittest and the further you go back, the more extreme the conditions. Today, Score of people are suffering from health related diseases because of their extreme busy schedule where they have no time for exercises.
Sedentary lifestyle is the foremost factor behind the unhealthy diet and the impact of this lifestyle can put us at serious diseases & early death. The contaminated atmosphere, water supply, food supply are more or less crucial factors.
An unhealthy diet is the primary cause of degenerative disease .An unhealthy lifestyle means more illness and more expense to treat those illnesses. This means a bigger burden on an already challenged health care system. Poor health also means more time lost at work, less quality recreational time, and even shorter life spans.
Based on research, only three percent of population followed four steps of a healthy well being which are very crucial.
· Exercising 30 minutes or more five days per week.
· Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
· Maintaining a healthy weight with a BMI under 25.
· Being a non smoker
Doctors say an unhealthy lifestyle is causing an alarming change in the health of teen-agers: More of them are developing adult diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer at an early age. That means growing numbers of children are at risk for serious complications like kidney and heart disease, blindness and nerve degeneration in their arms and legs.
Researchers claimed, the healthiest people cost the taxpayer more than the others over their respective lifetimes. People who are physically active in their free time may be biologically younger than couch potatoes. The researchers suggest that physically inactive people may be more vulnerable to the damage caused to cells by exposure to oxygen, and to inflammation. A sedentary lifestyle increases the propensity to aging-related diseases and premature death. Sedentary lifestyle is more dangerous for your health than smoking. 20% of all deaths of people 35 and older were attributed to a lack of physical activity.
While smokers and the overweight are often criticized for the financial impact of their unhealthy lifestyles, an obese person's medical bills actually average 10 per cent less overall than those of a person of normal weight and smokers require even less treatment. The reason being that the healthy tend to live longer and so, while they might not have to battle lung cancer, heart disease or diabetes in their fifties, they may need long-term care for illnesses of old age such as Alzheimer's.
Health experts say balance diet & regular exercises can greatly improve our lifestyle and can change our unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one. Exercises have been always very essential for the proper functioning of our body & mind.
Here are some of the basic benefits that people can look forward to, when embarking upon a lifetime fitness outlook that includes some form of exercise:

Increased Energy :By working out on a regular basis, your body becomes more efficient at burning calories. This gives you more energy throughout the day.
Increased Metabolism: Increased physical activity through working out leads to more muscle mass, which in itself leads to a higher metabolism. As per some studies, every extra pound of muscle allows you to burn anywhere from 50-100 calories when at rest.
Improved Muscle Tone: Physical activity, especially weight training allows you to change the shape of your body. Since muscle is denser than fat, one can get bigger or smaller by gaining more muscle mass?
Better Health: Increased exercising leads to a strengthening of the immune system; which means that one is less likely to get sick when exercising the right amount. . When you burn fat, the toxins are released into the bloodstream, and are quickly carried out of the body through sweat. This inoculates you against the probability of developing cancerous and diseased cells. On the other hand, over exercising can weaken your immune system and make you sick.
Stress Reduction; Stress levels are reduced extensively by regular work outs. They allow the individual to take their mind off the daily grind and use pent up energies for productive purposes.

Improved Self-Esteem: When following an exercise regimen for a regular basis, you bring about greater self esteem through the results and accomplishment achieved.
Last but not the least the key method of staying healthy is balanced diet. Balanced diet provides us all essential nutrients which are mandatory for the body .
Exercise can also help control other problems, such as: Sleep apnea, moodiness, stress, decreased energy, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and others. Be assured that this tool can help you become a fit, stronger, disease-free, and overall healthier person.
Performing some form of physical activity daily will significantly boost your “basal metabolic rate”—the number of calories your body burns in order to keep you alive. By having a high metabolism, you burn calories 24 hours a day—even while you sleep! You can literally turn your body into a fat-burning machine!
By keeping physically fit, appreciating everything we have and not forgetting where we came from balance can be easily achieved - it does take time, commitment and work but there really is a way to juggle the advances of the modern day without the hardships of the past. We do not have to choose between modern vs past, we can steer our lives towards the benefits that each provides.

CHandigarh -Fascinating destination

2008-04-03T10:21:00.000+05:30

I have been to north & west parts of India .The city which I have liked the most is Chandigarh .It’s not a small town , but a really developed city. Chandigarh is the best -Planned city in India with well-renowned architecture and a high quality of life.
Chandigarh lies in the north of India on the foothills of the Shivalik hills. It is situated at an altitude of about 365 meters above the sea level. It is enclosed by three states, namely, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. As the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh is an eminent city consists of multi cultural artistic peoples and languages and the city with full of artistic monuments.
There are plenty of places in Chandigarh to visit like rose garden, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden.For the party lovers, there are a few discotheques like in Aerizzona in Sector 9, Jail House Rock in Sector 17-B & Las Vegas Den. People who love spending their time in shopping; there is breathtaking shopping complex in Sector 17, also known as city center. Shopping in Chandigarh is a lively experience, as there are plenty of happening places to shop at. There is a plethora of shopping malls, where you can find the posh crowd shopping and enjoying themselves.
In the list of Chandigarh nearby places, we have some wonderful places like Kasauli and Chail. Though they are not very big modern cities, but definitely they serve as the perfect destinations, when you are trying to escape from your daily routine fast life.
The best time to visit Chandigarh is the period between mid August and November, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. Since Chandigarh is located in the plains; it enjoys a moderate weather like other North Indian cities experience. Summers are sometimes very hot and then the arrival of monsoon comes like a pleasant surprise.