Calcium Builds Strong Bones

Minerals and Hormones are involved in bone building process. This can be greatly influenced by dietary factors.

The bone thinning condition called osteoporosis can lead to small and not-so-small fractures. Although many people think of calcium in the diet as good protection for their bones, this is not at all the whole story. To protect your bones you do need calcium in your diet, but you also need to keep calcium in your bones.

How to get Calcium into your bones? and How to reduce Calcium loss in your bones?

How to Combat STRESS

STRESS cannot be done away unless the cause itself is removed. Good health and stress free life is all that one craves for. According to the American Dietary Association, the main hazard of stress is not that we need more nutrients, but that anxiety or pressure can cause us to neglect proper dietary habits. Prolonged periods of stress lead to depletion of Vitamin C, B and D. Food changes our brain chemistry in a way that it influences our moods. The key to our emotion lies in certain chemicals in the blood stream. These are called neuro-transmitters. These are produced from the nutrients in the food. Hence, the need for nutritious and balanced diet is a must to free ourself from the physical and mental diseases.

A balanced diet should be defined from the nutritional point of view. As one which contains different types f food in such qualities and proportions; the micro-nutrients like minerals and vitamins and macro nutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates is adequately met. And a small provision is made for extra nutrient to withstand short duration of leanness (infections in the body)

EGG - A Nutritious Food

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Egg is a healthy and nutritious food. Table eggs being non-fertile, as rightly put forth by Mahatma Gandhiji, are 'as vegetarian as milk and honey', for they can never become the chirpy chicks!

Eventhough eggs contain considerable amounts of cholesterol, lecithin in eggs prevents the absorption of cholesterol of egg and other sources too. (Kansas State University Report, 2001) Several Medical studies have shown that eating eggs is not related to body cholesterol levels or cardiovascular problems (University of Connecticut report 2004), recommending 'people with normal cholesterol levels and no family history of cardiovascular diseases, should not worry about eating one or two eggs a day'.

Beaks are just like the nails, and therefore their trimming need not be done under anesthesia. Debeaked chicks resume feed intake within a few hours, and then all along their life would continue to consume feed. Birds are housed with enough space for their comfort and production and the statement "hudreds of birds crammed into one cage" is not true.

The way eggs are produced in India have been a model to many countries and hence today India is world's fourth largest producer of table eggs exporting them even to quality conscious places like the European Union and the Gulf countries. I therefore, strongly recommend the production and consumption of hen eggs from nutrition, health and economic point of view.

- Prof. G. Devegowda (Head, Division of Animal Sciences)

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Fighting Pests

Pest Management

Office building and food dispensing areas are subject to infestation by a wide variety of pests. Some of these pests are just a nuisance and some contaminate and cause health hazards. In other cases, pests may cause damages to electronic equipments. Conckroaches enter computers and cause short circuits. Sometimes body fluids from insect secretions or froma adecomposing insect body will cause corrosion of circuit and destroy sensitive tape heads.

Factors Favouring Pest and Pest Entry

Food and drink from cafeteria or vending machines may serve to introduce pests. Personal possessions of worker may contain pest. Pest may migrate from other areas through cracks and crevices or conduits. Pests may enter through door and windows. Exterior lighting may attract night flying pests.

Factors Favouring Pest Survival

Warm buildings, Food supplies in cafeterias and vending machine. Garbage, Drains in bathrooms and kitchen, Garbage and Cleaning services may be inadequate.

Factors Favouring Pest Dispersal

Conduits of water, electricity, cooling systems allow lateral and vertical movement of pest within the building. Elevator shafts and stairways provide vertical access. Corridors allow lateral movement. Ceiling voids allow concealed movement of pests. Food carelessly littered provides pest-feeding opportunities.

Pest Management Programme

Preventive pest control as a programme strategy. Extensive customer education. Low potential liability. Use of pesticides only when exclusion, sanitation etc., are inadequate. Extensive inspection and monitoring. Pesticide application only when needed. Emphasis on trapping, sanitation and exclusion. By and large source reduction as a key strategy.

Home Remedies

It is a little known fact that cock-roaches like high places. If you put wet boric acid powder on top of your kitchen cabinets if space allows between ceiling and cabinets, the cockroaches will take the boric acid powder to their nets, killing all of them. Boric acid is toxic by mouth - keep away from small children.

Spraying cockroaches directly with soapy water will kill them.

In an empty can, place one or two pieces of bread, which have been soaked thoroughly with beer. Place it in areas known to have roach infestation.

ALMOND - Myths and Benefits

Consumption of Almond lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases and gives overall wellness.

In Italy wedding hosts often gave sugar-coated almonds wrapped in shear fabric to their guests symbolising good health, fertility, romance, fortune and happiness.

Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. Almonds are appreciated as a staple in the Indian culture not only for their crunch, but also for their nutritional qualities and their health sustaining properties.

A seed from the stone fruit family, almonds are a rich source of nutrients, most notably Vitamin E and protein. A research conducted over the past decade has shown strong links of almond consumption with lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases, and overall wellness. Research into nuts has been so extensive that a qualified health claims for certain nuts such as almonds; ability to reduce the risk of heart disease has been approved by the Food and Drug administration in the US.

- Almonds help in fighting diabetes and heart Diseases

The presence of powerful nutrients like proteins, dietary fibre, mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and Vitamin E make almond a rich diet source for combating degenerative diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases.

- Almonds are the best source of alpha-tocopherol form of Vitamin-E

Almonds are among the best whole food sources and the bet nut source of alphatocepherol form of Vitamin E. The U.S. National Academy of Science (NAS) recommends consuming 15 milligrams of alpha tocopherol Vitamin E per day. Alpha-tocopherol is one of the form of Vitamin E that is most effeciciently used by the human body.

- Almonds are a great cholestrol lowering food

Nearly 70 percent of the fat in almonds is mono saturated, a suggested substitute to saturated fats, to reduce the cholesterol levels. Research also shows that almond and almond oil have similar cholesterol-lowering effects. Infact eating almonds consistently lowers total and LDL cholesterol respectively by four and five percent. This cholesterol lowering effect is similar to heart healthy foods such as oats and soy.

Almonds can be consumed in various ways. Their delicious tasty flavour relieves the monotony of the regular diets for diabetic and heart patients. Whereas there are still some myths associated with almonds that part us with the wide range of health benefits that this tiny fruit offers. Some of the common myths and their explanations listed below will help you do away with them.

- Almonds should be soaked and peeled before eating

Ther is no scientific basis linking the practice of soaking almonds. The almond skin contains fibre, which is good for digestion. This is a misconception that you need to peel almonds before consuming but the fact is that the skin of the almonds contributes to a significant part of the fibre content, a nutrient important for regular bowel movement. The kin also contains anti-oxidants.

- Consumption of almonds results in weight gain

Latest research has shown that a moderate-fat almind-containing diet results in greater satiety and sustained weight loss as compared to a low fat diet containing the same amount of daily calories.

- Almonds can be consumed only in winters

Almonds can be consumed throughout the year. Infact, a nutritious diet consisting of almonds has been shown to be beneficial in combating lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. The common belief that almonds cause body heat has not been verified scientifically. But in peak summers, you can also consume almonds in the form of "Badam Sharbat" or "Thandai".

Summer Care - Sunstroke and First Aid

SUNSTROKE

Heatstroke (commonly known as sunstroke) is a serious life threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. During heatstroke, the person suddenly becomes cold blooded. The person will not be sweating and the skin will be hot and dry. There will be a sudden rise in body temperature, the pulse may become rapid and strong and the victim may slip into unconsciousness. Heatstroke can also affect a person's behaviour. He starts acting strangely or inappropriately or belligerent. Heatstroke victims should receive immediate medical attention.

FIRST AID FOR SUNSTROKE:

• Move the victim to a coller place.
• Apply cold, wet compresses to the extremities and behind the neck.
• Fan the victim lightly; give small amounts of water.
• Watch for nausea and/or vomiting. If this occurs discontinue immediately. If tolerated increase the water intake.
• Avoid salt water solutions
• Make the victim lie down and rest raising his feet 8 to 12 inches above the ground.
• Get in touch with emergency medical service or a nearby hospital.

Summer Care - What to EAT?

Food and what you eat or drink can make or mar your summer. Always remember to carry a bottle of boiled water. Some in Kerala use herbs while boiling water. This has a cooling effect. You could also try adding a pinch of coriander seeds or cumins while boiling water. Avoid roadside fruit juices or sodas when you are not sure of the water that has been used. Do not take cut fruits or pavement food. Eat vitamin rich foods - large amounts of vitamin C and E seem to make skin more resistant to burning. So do carotenoids (found in green and yellow fruits and vegetables). Include plenty of foods that are rich in these nutrients in your diet. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Go easy on you diet. Replace spicy and oil food with lots of fruits and salads. You will feel and look fresher.

Summer Care - How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion

• Get out of the sun, drink plenty of water. Ideally you should have plenty of water atleast half an hour before you go out into the sun.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. This is because they have fairly high water content and good salt balance. Drink diluted electrolytes.
• People who sweat heavily tend to loose a lot of potassium and sodium. There are many over the counter electrolyte packs.
• Avoid salt tablets, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and do not bare your chest.
• Do not suddenly go out into the sun from an air-conditioned room or do the opposite. Learn to acclimatise slowly.
• Dousing your head and neck with cold water will help if it is hot and dry.
• Use a newspaper, handkerchief or a traditional hand held fan to keep yourself in cool breeze.
• Wear light and light coloured clothes. the preferred coloured is white because it reflects the heat. Use cotton or polyester blends because such cloth material can breathe.
• Use an umbrella or a hat, preferably one that also shades the neck and is well ventilated.