Healthy You..

Fiber Helps With Constipation

Fill up your plate with foods like cherries, grapes, crunchy bell peppers, beans, whole grains, and nuts. Fiber-rich foods like these help digestion and keep you regular. Your body needs a recommended 20-35 grams of fiber daily. Fiber can also help keep weight gain, heart disease, blood sugar fluctuations, and hemorrhoids at bay.

Chew Gum to Fight Heartburn

Chewing gum may help relieve reflux and heartburn by stimulating the production of acid-neutralizing saliva. (Since peppermint can irritate heartburn, opt for other flavors.) Skip gum if it causes you to swallow air, which may lead to belching and bloating.

Lose Weight to Cut Gas and Heartburn

Lose just 2 pounds and you could improve gastrointestinal symptoms. Extra pounds, especially around the midsection, can worsen digestive issues like heartburn, gas, and belching. Check with your doctor before starting a weight loss program.

Stop Bloat, Heartburn With Small Meals

A great way to help prevent indigestion, bloating, heartburn, and other digestive health issues is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. And eat them more slowly. This avoids overloading your digestive system and helps shrink your stomach capacity, making you less likely to overeat.

Drink to Stop Constipation

Drinking fluids helps your body get rid of waste and prevent constipation. Fluids can be found in drinks like water and juices, but can also be found in foods. The advice of eight glasses of water a day is no longer considered a goal. Talk to your doctor about how much water is right for you.

Get Moving to Beat Bloating

Exercise may help with most minor digestive problems, from bloating to constipation, say experts. Physical activity helps your body's digestive system move things along and eliminate waste. It also helps reduces stress, a prime irritant of many digestive problems.

Try Probiotics for Diarrhea

Probiotics are living microorganisms often added to yogurts, juices, snacks, and supplements. Research shows they may work -- possibly helping diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). But scientists are still sorting out which probiotics help which conditions and how much you need. Talk to your doctor to learn more

Stress, Ulcers, and Constipation

Ever have an upset stomach due to nerves? That's because your brain and digestive system are connected. Stress can aggravate digestive problems like IBS and ulcers. Help control digestive health by controlling stress. Try physical activity, getting enough sleep, meditation, or relaxation.

Watch Your Diet for a Healthy Gut

Stay away from foods or limit ones that irritate your digestive problems. Some people have problems with gassy foods like beans and soda or fatty items like fried foods and cheese. For others, acidic foods like citrus, coffee, tea, and tomatoes can spell trouble.

Stop Smoking to Stop Heartburn

When you smoke, you wreak havoc on digestion in many ways. Smoking weakens the valve at the end of the esophagus, which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn. And it increases the risk of various gastrointestinal cancers. Smokers also have higher risks of developing peptic ulcers and Crohn's disease than nonsmokers.

Drink Less Alcohol to Ease Stomach Problems

Think twice about drinking a lot of alcohol, especially when you have digestive problems. Alcohol interferes with acid secretion, stomach muscles, and nutrient absorption. Too many drinks can contribute to heartburn, diarrhea, liver problems, and even esophageal cancer.

Don't Gulp to Stop Burping and Gas

Keep air out of your stomach by not swallowing it in the first place. Take your time and eat slowly, being careful not to gulp your food or drinks. Chew each bite thoroughly. Avoid gum and hard candy if they cause you to swallow air.

Fight Diarrhea With Kitchen Safety

Food-borne illnesses can mean diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. To prevent them, keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Use different utensils and cutting boards when preparing fruits and vegetables and raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Make sure to use dairy products that have been pasteurized.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

Talk to your doctor if digestive problems interfere with your daily life. Seek immediate medical help if you have problems swallowing, have episodes of choking, bloody or black vomit or stool, abdominal pain, or have lost a lot of weight. Digestive distress can point to conditions like food poisoning, gallstones, Crohn's disease, ulcers, IBS, or diverticulitis.

For A Healthy Heart

The heart is the most vital organ of our body and must be taken care of all year round. However, winter is a season that calls for special attention. Cold temperatures can lead to an almost 53 per cent rise in the risk of heart attacks.

A dip in mercury levels not only increases blood pressure but also causes the level of certain proteins to shoot up which can lead to blood clots. As the weather gets colder, your heart needs to start working harder to maintain optimal levels of body heat.

Further, the cold weather tightens the arteries which restricts blood flow and reduces the oxygen supply to heart, putting more strain on it and upping the danger of heart attacks. Another factor which leads to heart attacks in the winter is insufficient exposure to sunlight. This leads to a lack of vitamin D in the body which poses a huge risk to the heart. Cold weather also causes changes in the hormonal balance of the body and the hormones involved, such as cortisol, can lower the threshold for cardiovascular strain.

The good news, however, is that heart disease is easy to prevent if one is careful and proactive. Checking your susceptibility is the first step in this direction. There are several ways to detect an impending heart disorder, including blood tests and do-it-yourself home checks. One must also keep a tab on one's lifestyle to ensure good heart health. Maintaining good cholesterol level is most essential. Taking a high-quality omega-3 supplement, exercising regularly by incorporating strength and core training, optimising insulin levels by keeping consumption of grains and sugars to a minimal level are some of the steps that can be taken in this direction.

However, it is important not to stress your heart out too much with an intensive exercise regimen.

Keeping vitamin D levels high is important for preventing heart disease. The right amount of vitamin D in the body can normalise blood pressure and lower the risk of heart problems. The best way to absorb this important vitamin in the body is by exposing the skin to the sun for 30 to 40 minutes daily. But if this isn't possible, taking a high-quality oral supplement is the alternative.

Also, one must not eat large meals in the winter as this puts a load on the heart. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Many of us also tend to consume more alcohol in winter as we feel it keeps us warmer. But too much alcohol can lead to irregular heartbeats. Drink in moderation. Another good way to be safe in the winter is by keeping warm to avoid hypothermia. Consult a doctor and buy certain emergency pills that cure breathlessness and chest pain. Keep these pills handy all the time in the winter.

— The writer is Senior Consultant (Cardiothoracic Surgery), Max Hospital, New Delhi

Signs of heart attack

Traditionally, the first sign of a heart attack is pain in the chest that may radiate down the left arm, but sometimes it may feel more like a muscle-pull pain.

One must never ignore any discomfort in the chest, severe sweating, shortness of breath and pain in the neck, arms, jaws and shoulders. These may seem like muscle-pull pains but could be the result of radiating pain from a blocked artery. All these symptoms are indicators of a heart attack, and you must visit a doctor immediately.

If you have any chronic health condition, especially heart disease, regular check-ups are advisable, especially in the winter.

Fad is not Fit

WEIGHT loss today has become a mandate for most of us. But reasons for losing weight and working towards it vary to huge extents. Nearly 75 per cent of population wishes to lose weight for social acceptance. A very small and negligible percentage of people, seriously attempt weight loss as a compulsion for a disease-free future.

Losing weight, because you need to look your best at the wedding next month, may be a reason to achieve temporary weight loss. Otherwise when there is no such compulsion, you binge on your most favorite food items. This continuous abusing of the body with heavy fat and sugar laden meals alternating with complete deprivation of food can be extremely disastrous to the body.

The Atkins is a high-protein diet that should not be sustained for long as it may be harmful to the kidneys

Food faddism is referred to as idiosyncratic diets and eating patterns that promote short-term weight loss, usually with no concern for long-term weight maintenance, and enjoy temporary popularity. People fall prey to a number of fad diets. These diets can only cause side-effects and health problems in the long run. Most popular fad diets have numerous disadvantages.

The popular fad diets often focus on a single ingredient such as cabbage soup diet or cottage cheese diet! Following is a list of diets that have been adopted by many people, including celebrities.

n Cabbage soup diet: This comes in the category of crash diets and includes substituting major meals of the day with cabbage soup. Consumption of this soup with no limit on the quantity till your stomach is full is an overview of this dietary pattern.

n Lemonade diet: Again a crash diet where no solid food is allowed during the diet period. The lemonade's recipe includes lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper unlike the authentic lemonade. Laxatives, lemon juice and herbal teas are permitted as well. Liquid diets like these must never be followed as health consequences include diarrhea, dizziness and nausea.

The detox diet is very low-calorie diet in which nutrition is obtained solely from various juices

n Chicken soup diet: A healthy breakfast is permitted along with continuous stuffing of chicken soup as and when you feel hungry. So a bulk amount of chicken soup needs to be prepared and only that is to be consumed after breakfast in place of lunch, dinner, etc.

n Atkins diet: Though widely practiced, this low or no-carbohydrate and high-protein diet should not be sustained for long as it leads to the formation of ketone bodies that may be harmful to the body and hence pressurise the kidneys. Hormone imbalances and metabolic disturbances may also be seen with prolong continuation.

n Juice / detox diet: A very low calorie diet in which nutrition is obtained solely from the juices of various fruits and vegetables. This cannot be followed for a long period of time as it can result in severe complications due to energy deficiency.

The side-effects of following these fads diets are many! It goes without saying that weight loss will be pronounced. But the question remains as to what are we wanting to lose.

In chicken soup diet, this soup can be consumed after breakfast in place of lunch, dinner, etc

Our body is made up of two things: Muscle mass or fat-free mass and adipose tissue mass or fat mass. These diets are devoid of proper and healthy nutrition and when followed too often can cause breakdown of the muscle mass resulting in stunted growth due to protein and energy deficit. Constipation and alternatively diarrhoea, gastric pain, acidity, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, increased hunger, no satiety, loss of gastric and intestinal motility, headaches, body ache, skin problems such as darkening and acne, hair loss and thinning of hair, dryness of skin, lack of concentration, low mental energy levels, loss of focus, etc. are all common symptoms, which happen due to loss of vital nutrients. Continuing these diets for longer periods can result in serious complications causing massive disturbances in metabolic activities and organ functions.

Sound health is a feeling of complete wellbeing and a state of optimal physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well being. Good nutrition, exercises, rest and meditation are the answers.

Cabbage soup diet includes substituting major meals of the day with this soup 

One of the biggest problems of modern world is obesity. The need of the hour is a holistic approach in tackling this malaise. Resorting to unhealthy and quick methods like fad diets, starvation diets and over exercising in search of unrealistic goals of weight loss can cause great harm to one's physical and mental health. Regular exercises, good nutritious and balanced diet, yoga, meditation, rest and prayers are the key tools to stay healthy physically, mentally and spiritually due to their tremendous therapeutic benefits like controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes etc. Fitness and good health must be a long-term commitment and never a fad.

Hence follow a dietary pattern that will first suffice the nutrient requirements of your body and then look out for your daily calorie needs. Therefore, don't run after hyped-up tag lines that highlight eight-kg weight loss in one or two months but indulge in a nutrient-dense diet concentrating on the quantity, proportion and quality of foods and daily exercise like jogging, swimming, yoga, Pilates, aerobics etc that will keep you fit not just from the outside but also from the inside. Incorporate natural, wholesome foods like whole grains, vegetables, sprouts, fruits, beans, nuts, herbs etc. Avoid processed foods, deep-fried foods, desserts, alcohol, soft drinks etc and avoid long gaps between meals. Have small helpings of fruits, nuts, salads etc in between meals to prevent binge eating.

— The writer is one of the leading holistic health gurus and has a health portal www.mickeymehtahbf.com

Double Chin Fat

In laser liposuction, a small laser fibre is placed beneath the skin and the laser beam heats the double chin fat. Laser liposuction technology is a targeted therapy which melts the excess fat and helps tighten the skin without possible scarring in the neck and jaw line area. Such double chin procedures are much less invasive and less expensive than other surgical options such as the neck lift. Double chin liposuction can be done under light sedation and is considered to be relatively non-invasive, with no visible signs of surgery and often only a few days of down time.

After the treatment a chin strap has to be worn by the patients over the treated double chin area for two or three days. For more severe cases of loose skin or muscle, the demi-facelift or mini-facelift involving the lower face and neck are the most effective options. The aim of this procedure is to redefine or restore the contours of the lower face and neck while preserving a natural, balanced appearance.

Drug Thearpy

Scientists have developed a new treatment for reducing double chins. The new treatment targets unappealing fat deposits beneath the chin, better known as submental fat. They have created a drug which, when injected, targets and kills off fat cells which build up beneath the face. This research is a very exciting step towards a safe and non-surgical solution to removing unwanted chin fat. There are other non-surgical treatments for submental fat too, but there is limited clinical evidence to prove their effectiveness.

Sound advice

Ultherapy is a skin care treatment that is approved by the FDA. It uses ultrasound technology to stimulate the collagen cells deep within the skin, essentially "waking them up" and making them firm up the skin. The other non-surgical approaches include the non-invasive use of vacuum therapy to break up pockets of fat combined with multiple radio frequency to encourage tightening afterwards.

10 Ways to Reduce Stress & Revitalize Your Life

Shake the Salt Habit

Feeling bloated? Salt may be partly to blame. Too much salt can cause you to retain water. And it can contribute to high blood pressure. Cut back on salt by choosing fresh (not canned or processed) foods and experimenting with other seasonings such as curry powder, garlic, cumin, or rosemary to give your food some zing. You'll expand your culinary horizons and may find that you feel more energetic, too.

Stressed? Climb the Stairs

When you're angry or stressed, it's easy to grab a candy bar, smoke a cigarette, or gulp another cup of coffee to cope. The ideal antidote? Exercise. Next time you're stressed out or riled up, climb a flight of stairs (or two) or go for a quick stroll -- studies show even 10 minutes of exercise can provide a mental boost.

Put Down That Doughnut

Handle stress by eating? In tense times, you may choose comfort foods over fruits and vegetables. But when that rush from refined carbs or sugary food crashes, you’ll be left feeling sluggish. Plus, extra calories can quickly add up to extra pounds -- increasing your risk for health problems. So next time you feel anxious, ignore the sweet stuff. Try munching on an apple or just take 10 deep breaths instead.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

Banish under-eye bags by hitting the hay. Experts recommend 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to recharge and lower stress. Having trouble falling asleep? Don't drink caffeine past noon. Avoid exercise two hours before bedtime. Make your bedroom a sleep-only zone -- no TVs, pets, computers, or other distractions. If these tips don't work, talk to your doctor.

Get Out of That Rut

Mixing it up, whether by altering your routine or trying something new -- like changing your hairstyle -- can improve your outlook and mood. Driving a new route to work, walking the dog down a different street, or eating a new food for breakfast can help keep things fresh. Focus on one easy-to-accomplish change at a time to ensure success.

Walk Around the Block

You don't have to spend hours at the gym -- even a little movement can get you in touch with your body and help you regain your energy. A simple walk around the block can clear your head, and exercises that involve a bit of meditation -- such as yoga or tai chi -- can help recharge both your body and your mind.

Eat More Fiber

Fiber can help you feel fuller faster so you eat less and lose weight. Getting enough fiber also keeps you regular and is good for your heart. So in addition to the health benefits, getting enough fiber can result in fewer things to be stressed about! The good news is that fiber comes in many tasty forms, from oatmeal and whole-grain breads and cereals to fruits such as apples, citrus, and strawberries, and vegetables.3

Focus on the Present

Being aware of where you are and what is happening right now -- some call it mindfulness -- can help you relax instead of fretting over what's looming on the horizon. Let go of thoughts about the past or future, and focus on the present moment. How does the air feel against your skin? How does the pavement feel under your feet? If your mind wanders, just bring it back again to focus on the present.

Call the Doctor

We've all done it -- tried to ignore that miserable headache, persistent shoulder pain, or nagging cough. But ongoing health problems can sap vitality. Resolve to get your symptoms checked out by a physician. If you haven’t had a physical in a while, schedule one now. And if you feel mental health care is in order, don’t be afraid to discuss that with your doctor, too.

Feed Your Head

Sometimes the answer to having a lot on your mind is to do something that takes your brain in a completely different direction. Stretch your mental boundaries by listening to a lecture on your iPod, doing a crossword puzzle, or joining a book club and checking out the latest best seller. Or take up a new hobby that keeps you active mentally and physically, whether it's gardening or hiking.

Heart Health: Foods to Buy...Foods to Avoid

Hectic days and busy nights beg for convenience. Which is why many of us rely on the grab-and-go ease of processed foods. But these meals are often high in fat, salt, and sugar. Just as bad, processed meals are usually low in heart-healthy nutrients like calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.

Fortunately, eating right can be convenient too -- and has rewards beyond great taste. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats can help lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, boost immunity, and protect against heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and some cancers. Food can be powerful medicine, indeed.

To help you make heart-healthy choices, here's list of foods to add to your shopping cart, and a list of items to avoid no matter how convenient they are.

Heart-Healthy Shopping: Foods to Buy

Of course you’ll want to look for heart-healthy whole foods when you shop, but also keep an eye out for functional foods that may fill in nutritional gaps. (Functional foods are those with added nutrients, such as calcium-enriched orange juice.)

Here’s a list to take on your next trip to the grocery store.

Produce: Look for colorful fruits and vegetables: berries, oranges, apples, yams, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers, and more. Cholesterol-free, low-fat, fruits and vegetables are the foundation of any heart-healthy diet.
Whole grains: With fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein, nutrient-rich whole grains like wheat, oat, and barley are beneficial (unless you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease). Look for breads, pastas, and cereals made with whole grains, not just "whole wheat." Be sure to read the label to make sure the products are also low in fat and sugar.
Meat and beans: Look for lean protein such as chicken or turkey breasts, pork tenderloin, or beef round, sirloin or tenderloin. Read labels to ensure the meat is 96% to 98% fat free. Buy protein-rich beans such as black, soy, kidney or garbanzo beans. For snacks, buy plain and raw nuts or seeds.
Dairy/calcium: Look for low-fat dairy products, as well as canned fish such as tuna, sardines, or salmon to get dietary calcium. Low-fat yogurt, reduced-fat milk, and cheese are good sources of calcium. For lactose-intolerant or vegans, fortified cereals and juices and green, leafy vegetables can help fill calcium and vitamin D dietary gaps.
Omega-3-rich foods: Most people aren’t getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. You find these heart-healthy fats in cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, halibut, herring, and mackerel. You can also find omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts and flaxseed. Also look for functional foods enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, such as eggs, dairy, soy products, and some breads, cereal, pasta, and waffles.
Plant sterol-enriched foods: Plant sterols and stanols that help lower cholesterol occur naturally in foods in tiny amounts. You can get some plant sterols from produce, nuts, seeds, and legumes, but not nearly the 2 grams a day recommended for people with high cholesterol. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, look for sterol-enriched foods such as margarine spreads, some yogurt or low-fat milk, some fruit juices, and some cereal. The FDA recommends buying foods that contain at least 0.65 grams of plant sterols or stanols per serving. Be sure to read the food labels to make sure the food is not also high in fat and sugar.
Another way to shop for foods that may benefit heart health is to keep an eye out for health claims on the food labels. For example, to make a health claim about heart disease and fats, a food must be low in fat and cholesterol. To carry a claim about blood pressure and sodium, a food must be low in sodium.

Nutritionists recommend avoiding some aisles in the supermarket completely. Bypass rows with bakery items, crackers, cookies, and other food high in saturated fat. Shop the perimeter of the store, where you’ll usually find fresh foods like produce and low-fat dairy. Read food labels. Ingredients are listed in order of amount of weight, from most to least. In general, avoid items with these ingredients listed high on the ingredient list of food labels:

Unhealthy trans fats: Unhealthy trans fats can still be found in some packaged pastries, cookies, crackers, snacks, and some types of margarine. Read the nutrition facts label to see all the fats in the product. Choose foods with zero grams of trans fats and the least amount of saturated fats per serving. Shop instead for foods with cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as olive and safflower oils.
Salt: We all need some sodium, but there’s no doubt most of us get far more than the recommended 2,300 to 2,400 milligrams per day. Many fast and processed foods, from soups to frozen casseroles, are high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Avoid high-salt soups and frozen foods. When in doubt, read labels. Depending on the brand, one can of soup may contain 500 to 1,000 milligrams of sodium. Remember that the flavor of processed foods is often enhanced with lots of added salt or sugar.
Added sugar: Sugar is added to just about everything, from spaghetti sauce and soda, to peanut butter and fast food. One can of sweetened soda alone contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar and more than 120 empty calories. Here are common added sugars to look for on the ingredients list: Brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, and syrup. Foods that have one or more of those ingredients high on the list may be high in sugars.
One-hit wonders: Beware of prepared foods promoting one particular component -- look at the whole package instead. If a cereal calls itself heart-healthy because it contains oats, for example, check how much sugar and fiber the cereal has. Be sure the whole food is fit to eat.


Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating

Small steps can yield big rewards over time and you don’t have to change your diet overnight. Adding one piece of produce to your daily diet or switching from whole milk to low-fat milk, for example, can get you started down the road to heart-healthy eating. When you’re happy with one change, make another.

At the same time you’re adding good foods, you don’t need to ban high-calorie favorites. Even “bad” foods can be good -- in small amounts. Enjoying a little ice cream now and then can leave you feeling indulged and satisfied -- vital to just about any well-balanced eating plan.

Health Digest

Asthma risk to preemies higher

Premature babies are more likely to develop childhood asthma than those born at full term, says a new research. A worldwide study of more than 1.5 million children found that the risk of developing asthma, or asthma-like symptoms, after a preterm birth is higher than previously thought. In addition, the risks of developing asthmatic symptoms are the same for preschool and school-age children, indicating that children born prematurely do not outgrow the risk, a release by the University of Edinburgh said. Asthma affects some 8 per cent of children born at full term, while this rises to 14 per cent in babies born prematurely defined as at least three weeks early. Babies born more than three weeks before the usual 40-week term early were almost 50 per cent more likely to develop asthma. Many premature babies experience breathing problems because their lungs are immature. The findings were published in medical journal PLOS.

Simple numerical exercises can boost kids' math abilities

A study suggests that practicing simple, instinctive numerical exercise can improve children's ability to solve math problems. The researchers asked first-graders to practice tasks that required them to approximate, or roughly evaluate the number of objects in a set without counting them. Other children did tasks such as comparing the brightness of two objects or adding the lengths of lines. Children who practiced evaluating the number of objects performed better on arithmetic tests immediately afterward than their counterparts who evaluated other qualities of objects, Hyde said. The research is published in the journal Cognition.

ADHD linked to more traffic accidents

People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be in a serious traffic accident, but medication may counteract that risk for some, according to a new study from Sweden. Researchers found that people with ADHD are about 50 per cent more likely to be in serious traffic accidents, compared to people without the condition.

Antioxidants can promote lung cancer

A decades-old medical mystery — why antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene seemed to accelerate the growth of early lung tumours in high-risk populations such as smokers, rather than protect them from cancer, as theory suggests — may have been solved. “Antioxidants allow cancer cells to escape cells' own defence system" against tumours," said biologist Per Lindahl of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg and a co-author of the study. That lets existing tumours, even those too small to be detected, proliferate uncontrollably.

Flavonoid-rich foods lower diabetes risk

Women with diets rich in foods like berries, chocolate, red wine and tea also have reduced inflammation and insulin resistance — a diabetes precursor, according to new UK research. Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in colourful fruits and vegetables. Studies suggest these may offer a variety of health benefits.

Slow reaction time ups risk of dying early

A new research has revealed that having a slow reaction time in midlife increases risk of dying 15 years later. Researchers from UCL and the University of Edinburgh have found that people with slower reaction times were 25 per cent more likely to die compared to those with average reaction times. Lead researcher Dr Gareth Hagger-Johnson said that the reaction time is thought to reflect a basic aspect of the central nervous system and speed of information processing is considered a basic cognitive ability. A simple test of reaction time in adulthood can predict survival, independently of age, sex, ethnic group and socio-economic background. People who are consistently slow to respond to new information may experience problems that increase their risk of early death. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. — Agencies

Caffeine most commonly used drug

Washington: A recent study indicates that more people are dependent on caffeine to the point that they suffer withdrawal symptoms and are unable to reduce caffeine consumption even if they have another condition that may be impacted by caffeine-such as a pregnancy, a heart condition, or a bleeding disorder. These symptoms combined are a condition called "Caffeine Use Disorder." A study coauthored by American University psychology professor Laura Juliano, says even though caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world - and is found in everything from coffee, tea, and soda, to OTC pain relievers, chocolate, and now a whole host of food and beverage products branded with some form of the word "energy"-health professionals have been slow to characterise problematic caffeine use and acknowledge that some cases may call for treatment. "The negative effects of caffeine are often not recognised as such because it is a socially acceptable and widely consumed drug," Juliano said. "And while many people can consume caffeine without harm, for some it produces negative effects, physical dependence, interferes with daily functioning, and can be difficult to give up, which are signs of problematic use," she said. The study summarises the results of previously published caffeine research and shows how widespread dependence is, and the significant physical and psychological symptoms experienced by habitual caffeine users. The study is published in the Journal of Caffeine Research. 

Food And Brain

What We Eat ? Matters a'lot to our Brain. 

Examinations are all about anxiety and hard work. A healthy and balanced diet can help in boosting concentration

Examinations not only put to test our ability to understand a subject but also our ability to retain what we study and be able to recall and put it down again. Examinations are all about tension, anxiety and grueling hard work. They are also about concentration, focus and good health. The intense mental activity that you go through when preparing for and taking an examination requires a high level of mental fitness. The human brain is remarkably responsive to what we eat.
Low nutrient intake, environmental toxins, stress, overwork, stimulants like alcohol, tobacco and junk foods affect our mental functions. And it is the brain that has to be in tiptop condition while one prepares for examinations.

You may have noticed that some people, who normally handle a stressed situation with ease, over react to a similar situation at times. Such overreaction becomes a part of a vicious cycle. You may feel that such a reaction is a part of your personality whereas in reality it may be due to a lack of nutrients that throws you into a stress response that further damages the health of your brain.

We must remember that the brain is the master controller of all the metabolism functions, your thoughts,

emotion and physical state. Most of us tend to ignore the brain's biological needs. And as a result as we grow older we face difficulties in remembering names and dates. Our level of mental alertness dips down. Little tasks are often forgotten. The brain is the largest consumer of the energy that our body produces. To process information efficiently, to access important data, to store necessary information, the brain needs oxygen, glucose and other nutrients. Lack of these leads to short-term memory loss and mental fatigue. Sometimes it can have serious repercussions in the form of mental diseases that involve wide scale, permanent memory loss e.g. Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, etc.

Memory loss occurs due to many reasons. Although it primarily happens due to ageing, stress too can lead to forgetfulness. Remember those horror stories of people going blank while taking an examination?

Activity in the brain is essentially chemical in nature. Which means that signals received from the various senses cause chemical reactions in the brain that then trigger off action. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers responsible for the transfer of information, memory and mood. If your telephone lines don't work you cannot talk to your friend. Similarly if there is a problem with the function of neurotransmitters, information cannot be transferred and retained.

Apart from adequate protein in your daily food plan, there are key vitamins and minerals that supply the raw material for the making of 'no-fun' words like dopamine, nor epinephrine, acetyl-choline, serotonin all of which are neurotransmitters with varied functions.

Key vitamins

Vitamin B6: It protects the brain from stress and helps in the making of neurotransmitters, which boost brain function. About 2 mg per day is sufficient to keep your brain in good condition. Vitamin B6, when taken along with other B-vitamins as in a B-complex supplement and vitamin C, has been proved to be beneficial in improving mood, clear thinking and control of emotions.

Vitamin B12: A deficiency of this vitamin affects memory, concentration, mood, causes disorientation, burning of feet and problems in the nervous system. B12 is found in animal foods such as milk, chicken, fish, and eggs. If you have a good digestive system, B12 deficiency is rare, as it can be provided by the food that you eat. Vegetarians can get this vitamin from dairy products like curd, cheese and milk.

B-complex: Even a mild deficiency of the B-vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin will have an impact on memory and thinking capabilities.

Lecithin & Choline: These play an important part in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Lecithin keeps cholesterol in liquid form and prevents formation of gallstones. It helps improve memory and protects the brain against damage due to stress. It is an effective liver cleanser. It provides 'choline' which is a non-B vitamin which in turn is used in making of acetyl choline, an important neurotransmitter needed for memory.

Lecithin is available naturally in egg yolks, nuts like almonds, sesame seeds, soyabeans, whole wheat and wheat germ.

Vitamins C, E and beta-carotene: Include vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene in your diet. Lack of these nutrients can also hasten the ageing process. Add carrots, citrus fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. If need be, consult a doctor for vitamin supplements. Battle stress levels by correcting your lifestyle, adopting a regular exercise regimen and practicing meditation techniques. Adequate sleep will help you recharge your brain.

Studies reveal that ginseng, too, can increase memory, learning ability and mental functioning. Another nutrient, which has been proved to be remarkably effective, is acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). It helps people who have loss of memory and declining mental alertness due to age. It is known to improve mood, improve logic and reasoning. Presently L-carnitine is being used for patients with cardiac problems as L-carnitine helps improve circulation to the heart and brain. It helps lower blood pressure, increase HDL levels and lowers triglycerides. But apart from promoting the health of the heart, acetyl-L-carnitine plays an important role in protecting the brain from the effects of everyday stress and pollutants.

These supplements definitely help your brain to think and function better. But they have to be used in addition to a healthy eating pattern and lifestyle. Exercising regularly helps to increase circulation to the brain and protects it from stress. Teenagers should avoid alcohol, tobacco and such other stimulants, which damage the brain 'tissue'. Above all, cultivating a spiritual life and awareness within oneself is crucial for longevity, inner peace, destressing and good mental health.

—
Writer:  Dr Anjali Mukerjee
The writer is a nutritionist. She treats obesity and related health disorders online.
She can be reached at ask@health-total.com / www.health-total.com

5 Habits That Are Bad For Your Skin

You have the best intentions for your skin. You probably have a bathroom drawer full of products to prove it, and you use them every day.
But maybe you've overlooked a few things. Do you have any of these five bad skin habits?

1. Making a Sad Face
They're called frown lines for a reason. "Being unhappy creates bad facial posture -- a frown, pursed lips, and tense facial muscles," says New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD.
While you work on getting happier, there's a shortcut you can take for your face. Try moving your ears back without touching them, Day suggests. Even if you can't do it, just trying helps.
"It's a very open expression. You can't frown and pull your ears back at the same time," she says. "You will feel happier, and people will respond to you more happily."

2. Skipping Sunscreen
"You can't emphasize enough how much sunscreen matters when it comes to skin aging," Day says. "Ninety percent of wrinkles are from sun exposure. Only about 10% are genetic. You have a lot of control."
Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. Slather it on, even on cloudy days. Errands, driving, walking your dog   … anything outside requires sunscreen.
Your sunscreen should say "broad-spectrum" on the label, which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays burn. UVA rays tan, but cause wrinkles. Both rays can cause skin cancer.
Reapply it, too. Check the label to see how often.

3. Overindulging Your Sweet Tooth
Too much sugar can speed up skin aging in a process called glycation, says New Orleans dermatologist Patricia Farris, MD.
She explains that sugar attacks collagen and elastin, which your skin needs for fullness and elasticity. The result: Your skin can wrinkle and sag.
So change your eating habits. Go for lots of fruits and vegetables and good fats, like those found in salmon. That's your best diet plan for looking younger longer, Farris says.

4. Skimping on Sleep
While you sleep, your skin repairs itself. Too little sleep means too little time for skin repair.
People who get too little sleep, take a long time to fall asleep, or toss and turn have more fine lines and uneven coloring, and less skin elasticity, than people who sleep well, a recent study shows.
You need to get enough sleep. Adults need about 7 to 8 hours a night. Try to stick to a sleep schedule.
"If you go to bed a few hours later than normal, you can end up with jet lag in your skin, so you have more puffiness, hollowness, and sagging," Day says. "Be consistent, and you'll see the difference in your skin."
Your sleep position matters, too. "Lying on your side pushes your face forward and creates lines," Farris says. She recommends trying a beauty pillow that reduces pressure on the face during sleep. "It's extremely difficult to sleep on your back, but the less you sleep on your side, the better."

5. Smoking
Smoking isn't just bad for your heart and lungs. It's bad for your skin, too.
"When smokers purse their lips to inhale, they get lip lines, and when smoke goes near their eyes, they squint and get crow's feet," Farris says.
Smoking also makes you more likely to get some skin cancers, leaves your skin sallow, and slows wound healing. It can make infection and scars, including acne scars, more likely, too. Do whatever it takes to quit.

15 Tips for perfect manicure

French Manicures: Hot or Not?

Before all else, a manicure lover dreams of her fashion statement.  Is yours the French manicure? Depending on who you ask, this pale pink polish with a white tip is either classic or old-fashioned. If you love the look, you'll be happy to know that it makes nails look longer. And pale shades are just right for serious moments, like a job interview.

Gel and Shellac Can Take a Beating

Maybe your crazy hobbies wreck your nails. A gel or shellac manicure may give you two to three weeks of shiny, chip-free nails. Both types require several layers of polish that need curing under a special lamp. And you probably need to pay a pro to remove these tough polishes.  But fuss-free nails may be worth the price.

Do a Skin Check for Sizzling Color

Will cherry red polish make you look vampire-pale or sizzling hot? The answer is in your skin tone. For skin with blue undertones, choose pinkish nudes, deep violet, fuchsia, or that cherry red. For olive or yellow undertones, pick beige or white nudes, chocolates, and corals. Test new shades on a piece of clear tape stuck to a nail.

Let Nail Shape Flatter Your Hand

Should your nails be short and square or long and pointy? You can play it safe with an oval shape, which flatters most hands. If you want to soften your look, try a round shape. Square nails look best on long fingers. A "squoval" looks like a square, but has rounded corners. A point is more daring and makes your fingers seem longer.

Pearly Pinks Look Good Longer

Shimmery or pearly nail polishes may last longer than matte ones. And a neutral color -- pale pink or a pretty cream -- makes nicks and dents less obvious. To touch up your nails at home, use an extra layer of top coat (instead of any old clear nail polish). Two thin coats are less likely to chip than one thick layer.

How to Go Blue or Bold

Blue, green, yellow and other bold colors are ever more popular.  Keep these fun fashion statements neat and freshly polished, so your bold color is the main attraction. You also may want a fresh manicure a little sooner than with a quiet color.  It's easier to see where your nails have grown, revealing their natural color at the base.

Fake Nails Are an Artful Cover-up

Nail extensions can hide weak, damaged, or broken fingernails. But you have to go to the salon often to keep them looking good. And they may damage your real nails even more. Wet, loose, or chipped acrylic nails can trap moisture and give you an infection. Go completely fake-free once in a while to keep your nails healthy.

Nail Art

When plain colors are simply too plain, tiny stick-on jewels and painted designs can jazz up your look. Some newer trends:  crackle finishes (like old paint), colored tips, and dragging magnets through wet metallic polish for squiggly designs. A "moon manicure" has a pale semicircle at the nail base and the rest is polished in another color.

Wear Sunscreen to the Salon

A manicure shouldn't put you at risk for wrinkles and skin cancer.  And some doctors worry that putting your hands under a UV nail lamp frequently could do just that.  It uses the same UV rays from the sun or a tanning bed. So rub a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your hands. And ask about fans or letting your nails dry naturally.

Forward Thinking Saves Nails

Prevent that "Oops!" moment. Before your manicure, get your wallet and car keys handy. No digging into your purse with wet nail polish!  In winter, keep your coat on during a manicure to avoid smudging polish on your sleeves later. You also can ask for a protective oil on your finished nails. It lessens the chance of smudges.

Quick Fix for a Smudge or Chip

A smudge or chip after you've left the salon is maddening. Not to worry. Dab a little acetone nail polish remover on the trouble spot and smooth it. When it's dry, fill in the area with matching polish. Follow this with a new coat of polish on the whole nail and a clear top coat. Allow 10 minutes to dry.

First Aid for Split Nails

Cut paper strips from a tea bag to give a split or cracked nail extra support while it grows out. Apply a base coat to a clean, dry nail, wet the strips with the same polish, and wrap them around the nail.  Smooth your work with a manicure stick and seal with another layer of polish. For severe nail cracks, see your doctor.

Fight the Manicure's Natural Enemies

Chores are brutal on manicures, so become BFFs with gloves. Get a few pairs to wear when hand-washing dishes, gardening, and painting. Scrape price tag stickers off with a spoon instead of your nails, and buy a soda can opener. Switch from bar soap to a gentle hand wash to prevent drying. And put lotion on your hands to keep your cuticles soft.

Prevent Nail Infections

You probably know that the salon's tools should be clean and disinfected between clients.  You can also bring your own equipment. If you feel any itching or burning after the manicurist uses a product, say something right away. And if your nails or fingers become red, sore, or ooze pus after a manicure, see your doctor. It could be an infection.

Salon Manicures for Girls?

There's no magic age when it becomes OK for little girls to have a manicure. It's usually up to the parents to decide when. Most nail services are safe, as long as the salon cleans equipment properly. Some spas and salons even specialize in serving girls and teenagers. And a mani before the big dance can be a fun mother-daughter event.

7 Essentials

If you think that the symptoms of hormone imbalance are limited to the discomforts of PMS, hot flashes, and other common menopausal discomforts, and that the solution is medication or “white knuckling it”, you’re not alone.

Hormone imbalances contribute to a myriad of common complaints that most people don’t consider hormone related, including inability to shed excess body fat, fatigue, hair loss, palpitations, skin problems, and a host of others. Chronic and debilitating diseases like fibromyalgia, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease are hormone related as well.

There are 7 essential, yet often overlooked strategies for balancing your hormones that are crucial keys to living a vibrant, healthy and balanced life.

1) Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude. Stress is one of the key contributors to hormone imbalance. When you’re in a stressful situation, your body produces a cascade of chemicals—hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters –– that mobilize your body to escape or fight. This is what’s often known as fight flight mode, and most Americans live there 24/7. When this is chronic, the excessive demands of on your adrenal glands, the “stress soldiers”, causes less nutrients and hormone precursors to be available to make other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. Studies show that you can transform a stressful state through the power of deep breathing and appreciation. Take frequent deep breathing and appreciation breaks throughout the day to support your hormones.

2) Get Enough Sleep. While there is not a one size fits all prescription concerning the amount of sleep you need, you do need to figure out what your body really requires, and get it on a consistent basis. During sleep, your body takes out the broom and mop and goes to work cleaning up from the “mess” of the day. Insufficient sleep will leave you tired from the metabolic debris that doesn’t get cleaned up and will throw your hormones into a tailspin. One particular hormone, called leptin, is particularly sensitive to variations in sleep cycle. Leptin controls your appetite and metabolic rate. Insufficient sleep will result in lower leptin levels leading to slower metabolism and weight gain.

3) Optimize your Digestion. Eating on the run, eating processed foods, trans fat containing foods and hard to digest, heavy meals will lead to undigested food particles, damage to your digestive track and physical stress. This can affect the adrenal glands just as significantly as physiological stress, leading to the same hormone imbalances as being “stressed-out”. Stick to unprocessed, whole fresh foods, eaten slowly and with gratitude. You can also take enzymes and probiotics to help your digestion purr.

4) Avoid plastic drinking and food containers. These contain what’s known as xenoestrogens, which are estrogen look alikes that bind to estrogen receptors. Xenoestrogens can cause endometriosis, ovarian cysts, breast cancer and fetal abnormalities. Other sources of xenoestrogens are detergents, some skin lotions and soaps, commercially raised meat and dairy, spermicides, and herbicides. The xenoestrogens leach from the plastic food containers into the food or water. Heat increases the amount of xenoestrogen that gets into the food or water. Use ceramic or glass as much as possible, NEVER heat anything in a plastic container,and use only pure, chemical free body and home care products.

5) Do periodic cleansing. Your liver works hard to keep your blood clean, but the overwhelming number of toxins from both external and internal sources can overwhelm its capacity. As a result, toxins are stored in fat, leading to resistant weight loss. In addition, when the liver is overburdened by toxins it can’t adequately convert “used” hormones, to water soluble forms for excretion. As a result, these”used” hormones recirculate and bind to hormone receptors, thus displacing the active hormones. This is particularly problematic for estrogen, and can lead to such symptoms as PMS, hot flashes, mood swings and uncomfortable menses. Periodic breaks in the action with a green juice or green smoothie cleanse can restore balance.

6) Eat plenty of sea greens. In addition to containing all the minerals known to be important in human health, and most likely many that have yet to be discovered, sea vegetables are powerful detoxifiers. They have the ability to bind heavy metals and carry them out of the body. Heavy metals can disrupt hormone balance. A study in 1998 in the Journal of Human Reproduction linked heavy metals with recurrent miscarriage. Their conclusion was that heavy metals negatively impacted both ovarian and pituitary function. Sea vegetables are especially important for thyroid hormone hormone production, as they contain iodine, a mineral that’s deficient in land vegetables due to mineral depletion of our soils. Studies have shown that a particular species of the sea vegetable kombu, called laminaria digitata actually contains T3 and T4, the thyroid hormones.

7) Run away from heated fats. When heated above about 118 degrees, unsaturated fats oxidize, producing free radicals that damage your glands, organs and cells. Free radical damage is one of the key underlying causes of hormone imbalance and most other health challenges. The heated oils disrupt your natural production of prostaglandins, small messengers that regulate everything from hormone production to smooth muscle contraction. Eat fats in their raw and unprocessed state and be sure to get enough omega 3 fatty acids daily, in the form of chia seed, flax seed, hemp seed, pumpkin seed and blue green algae.
Hormone balance is a complicated process. When the conditions are right, your glands will function normally and you’ll notice a difference in how you feel. It takes a bit of time and diligence to make the lifestyle and diet changes needed to have healthy hormone balance, and it’s worth it. Give yourself time to incorporate the changes. Seek the support of a natural health practitioner who can personalize your program, and add specific herbs and foods that support your uniqueness. Remember to stay focused on the solution rather than the problem, and appreciate the choices in front of you. While this is not a comprehensive list,it’s a great place for you to start to balance your hormones and live a happy, healthy life.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

HRT, also known as hormone therapy or HT, is medication containing hormones that a woman’s body stops producing after menopause. HRT is used to treat menopausal symptoms.

While HRT reduces the likelihood of some debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis, colorectal (bowel) cancer and possibly heart disease, it may increase the chances of developing a blood clot (when given in tablet form) or breast cancer (when some types are used long-term).

For women who experience menopause before the age of 45 (early or premature menopause), HRT is strongly recommended until the average age of menopause onset (around 51 years), unless there is a particular reason for a woman not to take it.

Menopause symptoms that may be reduced by HRT

Hot flushes and night sweats

Vaginal dryness

Thinning of vaginal walls

Vaginal and bladder infections

Mild urinary incontinence

Aches and pains

Insomnia

Cognitive changes, such as memory loss

Reduced sex drive

Mood disturbance

Abnormal sensations, such as ‘prickling’ or ‘crawling’ under the skin

Palpitations

Hair loss or abnormal hair growth

Dry and itching eyes

Tooth loss and gingivitis (gum problems).

Where appropriate, other forms of management for menopausal symptoms, such as oestrogen vaginal creams or low doses of antidepressants, may reduce hot flushes. Seek advice from your doctor.

Added benefits of HRT

HRT reduces the risk of various chronic conditions that can affect postmenopausal women, including:

Diabetes – taking HRT around the time of menopause reduces women’s risk of developing diabetes.

Osteoporosis – weakening of bones such that they break more easily. HRT prevents further bone density loss, preserving bone integrity and reducing the risk of fractures , but it is not usually recommended as the first choice of treatment except in younger postmenopausal women (under the age of 60).

Bowel cancer – HRT slightly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer (bowel cancer)

Side effects of HRT

HRT needs to be prescribed for each woman individually. Some women experience side effects during the early stages of treatment, which may include:

Breakthrough bleeding

Breast tenderness

Bloating

Nausea

HRT-related health risks

While HRT reduces the risk of some debilitating diseases, it may increase the risk of others. These small risks must be balanced against the benefits of HRT for the individual woman. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.

Breast cancer

Women over 50 years of age who use combined oestrogen and progestogen (progesterone) replacement for less than five years have little or no increased risk of breast cancer. Women who use combined HRT for more than five years have a slightly increased risk. Women on oestrogen alone have no increased risk up to 15 years of usage.

There is no evidence to suggest that a woman with a family history of breast cancer will have an added increased risk of developing breast cancer if she uses HRT. The risk with combined oestrogen and progestogen is greater than with oestrogen alone or with newer HRT agents such as tibolone (sold as Livial).

Cardiovascular disease

Women over 60 have a small increased risk of developing both heart disease and strokes on combined oral (tablet) HRT. Although the increase in risk is small, it needs to be considered when starting HRT, as the risk occurs early in treatment and persists with time.

Oestrogen used on its own increases the risk of stroke further if taken in tablet form, but not if using a skin patch. Similarly, tibolone (sold as Livial) increases the risk of stroke in women in their 60s and older.

Women who commence HRT around the typical time of menopause have lower risks of cardiovascular disease than women aged 60 or more, and may have no increase in risk if treated with low doses by mouth or through the skin. 

Venous thrombosis

Venous thromboses are blood clots that form inside veins. Women under 50 years of age, and women aged 50 to 60 face an increased risk of venous thrombosis if they take oral HRT. The increase in risk seems to be highest in the first year or two of therapy and in women who already have a high risk of blood clots. This especially applies to women who have a genetic predisposition to developing thrombosis, who would normally not be advised to use HRT. 

Limited research to date suggests the increased risk of clots is mainly related to oestrogen + progestogen in oral (tablet) form. More research is needed to confirm that oestrogen applied through the skin (as patches, implants or gels) does not have the same effect. 

Endometrial cancer

The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Use of oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of endometrial cancer, but this risk is not seen with combined continuous oestrogen + progestogen treatment. There is no risk if a woman has had her uterus removed (hysterectomy).

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is a disease where gallstones in the gallbladder block ducts, causing infection and inflammation. On average, there is a slightly higher risk that a woman will develop cholecystitis when using oral (tablet form) oestrogen or oestrogen + progestogen for five years, but patch treatment is associated with a lower risk. Treatment for cholecystitis includes surgery to remove gallstones or the gallbladder.

HRT does not cause weight gain

An increase in body fat, especially around the abdomen, can occur during menopause because of hormonal changes, although exactly why this happens is not clear. Normal age-related decrease in muscle tissue, and a resulting decrease in energy levels, can also contribute to weight gain. 

Most studies do not show a link between weight gain and HRT use. If a woman is prone to weight gain during her middle years, she will do so whether or not she uses HRT. Some women may experience symptoms at the start of treatment, including bloating and breast fullness, which may be misinterpreted as weight gain. These symptoms usually disappear once the therapy doses are changed to suit each woman.

Contraception is still needed

HRT is not a form of contraception. The treatment does not contain high enough levels of hormones to suppress ovulation, so pregnancy is still possible in women who are ovulating occasionally in perimenopause. It is generally advised that menopausal women should continue to use contraception until their natural periods have ceased for at least one year if they are aged over 50, or after two years without periods if they are younger than 50.

Long-term use of HRT is not recommended

It is currently believed that, overall, the risks of long-term (more than five years) HRT use outweigh the benefits. HRT should not be recommended for disease prevention, except for women under 60 years of age with substantially increased risk of bone fractures.

No alternative therapy has yet been clinically proven to reduce a menopausal woman’s risk of osteoporosis. Some of the more popular alternative therapies include soy products, phytoestrogens and herbal medicines.

Women with liver disease, migraine headaches, epilepsy, diabetes, gall bladder disease, fibroids, endometriosis or hypertension (high blood pressure) need special consideration before being prescribed HRT, which may be given through the skin in many cases. 

Despite the risks of long-term use, in women with severe and persistent menopausal symptoms, HRT may be the only effective therapy. Seek specialist advice from a menopause clinic or menopause specialist. Regular check-ups are recommended.

HRT for breast cancer survivors

Evidence has not conclusively shown that HRT will increase the risk of breast cancer recurring in a woman with a prior history of the disease. However, oestrogen and progestogens (forms of progesterone) may stimulate some types of cells in the breast and increase the risk of breast cancer in women without a history of breast cancer.

It is advisable for women with a prior history of breast cancer to avoid HRT unless other treatments are ineffective and their quality of life is made intolerable by menopausal symptoms. 

Phytoestrogens and prior history of breast cancer

There is no evidence that phytoestrogens increase the risk of breast cancer recurring but, under certain circumstances, some breast cells may be stimulated. It is not recommended that women at high risk of breast cancer or breast cancer survivors take highly processed soy supplements, but eating moderate amounts of whole soy foods appears to be healthy.

Things to remember

Menopausal symptoms can be managed with support, education, lifestyle changes and HRT.

In the early postmenopausal years, HRT is an effective therapy for menopausal symptoms. In most women with moderate to severe symptoms, the benefits outweigh the small increases in risk.

The long-term use of HRT has some benefits but it also has some risks.

The decision to use HRT, and for how long it should be used, must be based on individual assessment and needs.

Stress Effect on Skin

Effects of Stress on Your Skin

Stress can affect your whole body, including your skin, hair, and nails.  

Your emotions have a powerful effect on your skin. Since stress is a part of life, what matters is how you handle it.

How Stress Affects Skin

Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. It can also make it harder for skin problems to heal.

Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed, you break out more? This is because stress causes your body to produce cortisol and other hormones, which tells your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems.

Stress can also:

Worsen skin problems. For example, stress can worsen psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. Stress can also cause hives and other types of skin rashes and trigger a flare-up of fever blisters.

Interfere with daily skin care. If you are stressed, you might skimp on your skin care, which can aggravate skin problems.

Skin problems can also be stressful.  Some people are so embarrassed by their skin that they keep to themselves, which adds more stress, worsening the problem.

If you have a skin problem that doesn't heal or keeps coming back, rethink how you handle stress.

8 Ways to Reduce the Effects of Stress on Your Skin

Although it's impossible to avoid stress completely, there are ways to handle it better. Try these approaches:

1. Don't neglect your skin. Take care of your skin, even if you're tired or stressed.
2. Get regular exercise. It's good for your skin and the rest of your body.
3. Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy, even if you only have ten minutes. Take a bath or read an article. 
4. Take a walk around the block.
5. Practice stress management techniques, such as breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, or visual imagery.
6. Get enough sleep. Seven to eight hours each night is ideal.
7. Say no. It's OK to set limits and boundaries to lower your stress.
8. Talk to someone. Seek support from a friend or a professional therapist.

Gene Therapy For Blindness

An incurable form of blindness may be improved by gene therapy

Scientists at the University of Oxford in the UK have restored some sight in people who have a
degenerative eye disease by replacing a defective gene in their retinas with a working version
of the same gene.

The people who received the procedure - which is delivered using a single injection - have an
inherited type of genetic blindness called choroideremia, which is caused by a mutation in the CHM gene.

Choroideremia affects about 1 in 50,000, and people who have this condition get progressively worse
vision, eventually becoming completely blind around middle age. Blindness in people with choroideremia is caused by the degenration of the rods and cones (or "photoreceptors") in the eye's retina that send visual information to the brain, and there is no treatment available to correct this.

As part of the first phase of a clinical trial, six male patients aged between 35 and 63 with choroideremia
were injected with a genetically engineered, harmless virus (called a "vector") containing a normal, healthy copy of the CHM gene.
The researchers hoped that this functioning gene would stop the cells in the patients' photoreceptors from dying. The patients in the study were not blind, but the choroideremia was more advanced in some patients than in others.

What happened?
Six months after the injections, the team conducting the trial found the retinas in all of the patients had improved sensitivity to light and that two patients had substantially improved vision.

These two patients had the most advanced form of choroideremia, and after they received the treatment they were able to correctly read an extra two and four lines on an eye chart, respectively. No adverse effects from the injection were recorded in the trial.

These results, which have been published in The Lancet medical journal, are encouraging, though this is just the first phase of a trial with a small sample group. So far the researchers have analyzed only the data from the first 6 months after the procedure, so we do not know what the long-term effects of this kind of treatment are.
Writing on the results of the trial, Hendrik Scholl from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and José Sahel from the Institut de la Vision in Paris, France said:

"The short follow-up of the new study prevents any conclusion about preventing degeneration in the long term. It remains to be determined if gene therapy will have an effect on the progression of photoreceptor degeneration. Even if the effect turns out to be only slight, this might have important positive implications because there are additional therapeutic avenues targeting photoreceptors that could help to save or restore visual function."

This is the first study to look at the effects of this kind of gene therapy in people who have a genetic problem with the photoreceptors of the eye. The researchers think that the results of their study so far show potential for gene therapy to be used not just to treat choroideremia, but also other, more common degenerative eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration.

Written by David McNamee
Article in detail available on http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271257.php