Liver Damaging Habits!!

The main causes of liver damage

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
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2. Not urinating in the morning.
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3. Too much eating.
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4. Skipping breakfast.
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5. Consuming too much medication.
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6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring , and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because:
Evening at 9 - 11 pm: is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music.

If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1 am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3 am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5 am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am : detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9 am : absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30 am , for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30 am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10 am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

Are You Drinking Enough Water!!

I don't have to tell you how important it is to drink enough water. A minimum of eight glasses of water per day is usually recommended. You should try to drink a little more if it is really hot, or you are working out and sweating a lot. Drinking enough water will keep you from getting dehydrated. Are you drinking enough water? According to WEBMD.com the early signs of dehydration include increased thirst, dry mouth, sticky saliva and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. Dehydration is also associated with a lack of energy and a headache.

None of these sound very fun. I know it is hard sometimes to drink that much water and we quickly get bored of plain tab water. However, to stay healthy and feel great, we should strive to drink those eight glasses of water a day.

Here are a few tips to help you remember to drink the water, and to make it a little more pleasant or interesting.

Keeping Track: This can be as simple as a little piece of paper on the fridge, or a page in your day planner. Just make a little checkmark, or dash on the piece of paper every time you drink a glass of water. The log will help you keep track of how much water you have had in any given day. You'll also be surprised how motivating it is to try to get those eight little checkmarks on there every day. Another idea would be to use little stickers instead.

Lemon Juice Adds Favor: I tend to get bored with drinking just water after a few days. Change things up and add a little flavor by adding a teaspoon or less of lemon to your water. You can also try some other fruit juices. Just make sure you are still drinking mainly water. Just a splash of juice should be enough to make things interesting and give the water some flavor without adding a lot of sugar and calories.

How About Some Club Soda: If you are craving the fizz of a soda, try some Club Soda. Most brands have a little too much fizz for me. I end up watering them down with - guess what - water. If you want to get really fancy, check your local grocery store for flavored club sodas. Alternatively, you can also add a splash of fruit juice to your watered down club soda.

Are You Really Hungry? Unfortunately many of us have gotten so out of tune with our bodies that we feel hungry when we are actually thirsty. If you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first. You may just be thirsty.

Carry A Water Bottle: It's much easier to drink water when you have it readily available. Carry a bottle of water around with you in the car, at work, while running errands, in the yard, and even while you are working around the house. You'll be sipping away the water without even noticing it.

Working Out? Drink Some Extra Water: We already touched on this, but it bears repeating. Make sure you drink a few extra glasses of water if you work out, or if you spend some time outside while it's hot. Your body uses and needs more water when it sweats a lot. So don't forget to fill back up on water during and after your exercise.

Just pay attention to how much you drink and implement some of these ideas if you don't get the recommended eight glasses of water a day. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.

Body Care!!

Body care

* Mix six-teaspoon petroleum jelly, two-teaspoon glycerin and two-teaspoon lemon juice. Apply this moisturizing lotion at least twice a week if you have dry and flaky, arms and legs
* Peel and grate a cucumber. Squeeze the juice to this, mix half-a-teaspoon glycerin and half-a-teaspoon rose water. Apply this on sunburns, leave it for some time.
* If you have cracked heels, melt paraffin wax; mix it with little mustard oil and apply on the affected area. Leave it overnight. After 10 or 15 days, your heels will become smooth.
* Massage your body with a mixture of coconut oil and any of your favourite scented oils like lavender or rosemary.
* For rough palms, use a mixture of glycerin and limejuice in equal proportion.
* For cracked heals, massage the foot with coconut oil and keep the foot in warm water for some time. Wipe the water off the feet and apply a mixture of hibiscus flower(10), Henna (1 handful) and juice of half a lemon. when dry wash it off.
* Remove scars on your hands and feet by rubbing them with lemon peel.

Eye care

* Dip wads of cotton in a chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off. Apply a little baby oil.
* For long eyelashes.., apply a thin coat of castor oil every night. It strengthens lashes and cools your eyes.
* Massage a few drops of coconut oil around the eyes to get rid off dark circles.
* To reduce puffiness of your eyes, grate a potato; tie in a cloth and place the cloth over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
* Add a small pinch of salt in water and wash for bright and sparkling eyes.
* Mix tomato juice and lemon juice in equal quantity and apply around the eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold and hot water alternatively.
* Make a paste of sandal wood and nutmeg. Apply the paste around the eyes before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.
* Crush a cucumber and take the juice. Add a little rose water and apply around the eyes and wash it after 30 minutes.
* Place cotton wool swabs dipped in cold milk on closed eyes for removing dark circles.

Lip Care

* You can mix one-tablespoon cranberry sauce juice with two tablespoons Vaseline for a delicious home made lip balm.
* Apply the juice of lemon skin for avoiding black colour of lips
* Massage your lips with coriander leaf juice for soft and rosy lips.

Autism-A Developmental Disease!!

AUTISM is described as a dead soul entrapped in a living body.

AUTISM is a behavioural and neurological disorder. It interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication skills. Autism, in short, can be called Developmental Disability. It is a devastating disease and has already reached epidemic proportions worldwide.

Abuse of antibiotics, heavy metal toxicity and vaccines that contain mercury, and unnatural food in early childhood (like canned baby food, milk powders, which leads to cadmium and arsenic poisoning) are the root cause.

Mercury is a strong nerve poison. It destroys the gut (large intestine) and affects brain, liver and kidneys in particular.

Autism strikes within the first three years. Why it affects mainly male progeny (3/4th) has not been established. My hypothesis is that it is a Y chromosomal disorder. The father who smokes, drinks alcohol or takes narcotic and psychotropic substances has Y chromosome weak. When the male child is born and given about
30 vaccines before the age of 2, coupled with inadequate breast feeding and artificial food intake, that leads to Autism in a male child. Hypothesis can either be proved right or wrong. So, till I am proved wrong, my hypothesis stands.

Secretin is a natural hormone which is found in the body. If LI is clogged Secretin will not be produced. So, we can safely say that AUTISM is largely digestive system disorder not producing enough natural hormone secretin. This leads to :

-- Compromised immune system.
-- Neurotransmitter abnormalities.
-- Nutritional imbalance disorders.
-- Anxiety, sleep disorder.
-- Chronic ear problem.
-- Chronic bowel problem.
-- Candidiasis (due to yeast growth in the gut / which goes to the brain)
-- No eye contact.
-- Child repeats words because of limited vocabulary.
-- Repeatitive body movements like -- hands flapping, legs stomping or kicking, heading movement backward.

TREATMENT
-- Clean up the Large Intestine by enema / colonic irrigation.
-- Remove systematic toxins by detoxifying the body / blood stream by fresh fruits, coconut water.
-- Lots of warm water to drink.
-- Probiotics like Curds, honey, sprouts, amla juice, aloe vera juice, carrot juice, papaya.
-- Vitamins A, B6, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
-- In Homeopathy we can use constitutional medicine or the specific remedies like Magnesium or Zincum.
Kali Phos 30 / 4 pills given daily at night helps in good sleep and improvement of memory.
Nux vomica is another useful remedy to remove constipation and intestinal filth.
-- Full body massage, especially given by parents, will bring in bonding and better results.
-- Music and dance therapy.
-- Yoga Asanas like Paschimtanasan, Halasan, Yoga Mudra, Surya Namaskar.
-- Large Intestine (or gut -- your good or bad feelings -- start there depending on how clean or toxic is your intestine)
-- Intestinal toxins trigger Autistic attacks, because neurotransmitters or neuropeptides are in the gut.
-- The brain has its root in the gut. The quality of blood is based on the health of the Large Intestine.

To conclude, the Brain has its root in the gut. The quality of blood is based on the LI. So, keep your colon clean and enjoy vibrant/perfect health.

Banana!! A nutritional supplement

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose a nd glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number ! one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey unovertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known t! o make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can s t imulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eatin! g bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana c alms th e stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swel ling! and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the ne rvous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food li! ke chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be ea ten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas ca! n help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are s! tressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium leve ls. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'!

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so h appy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

Phobias!!!

A phobia is essentially a human being's irrational fear of something -- it could be an object, an animal, a situation or an environment. Such fears are persistent, intense, excessive and unrealistic, which is primarily why phobias are deemed irrational. A clinically phobic person's reactions to what scares him/ her may seem extreme and the fright may not appear to be justified.

Types of phobias

Phobias can be broadly classified into three groups, depending upon the situation that brings on fear:

~ Social phobias: Acute fears involving a host of social situations are collectively classified as social phobias. These fears are often mistaken for just shyness, but in fact involve a constant terror of public humiliation, self-consciousness and of being in the limelight. Someone suffering from a social phobia may either have social anxiety disorder, or then react to a particular social trigger.

Such people often avoid social situations and become particularly uneasy when in the company of unknown people. Fear of public scrutiny may cause the person to avoid people to the extent of not eating in restaurants or using public restrooms. Social phobias seem to run in families. People who have been shy or solitary as children, or who have a history of unhappy or negative social experiences in childhood, seem more likely to develop this disorder.

Want healthy bones? Calcium tablets may not help

~ Specific phobias: These are related to a specific object, animal or insect, people, environment or situation. Presented here are a few common specific phobias:

Cynophobia: Fear of dogs or rabies
Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes
Batophobia: Fear of height
Tachophobia: Fear of speed
Claustrophobia: Fear of closed spaces
Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns
Latrophobia: Fear of doctors, or of visiting the doctor

~ Agoraphobia: This is a generalised phobia individuals tend to have, of leaving home or a small, familiar comfort zone and of panic that might be brought on by making such a move. This is the only phobia that is treated as a medical condition.

Causes of phobias

Although the definite cause of phobias remains a mystery, these conditions are believed to be at least partly inherited and seem to run in the family. Specific phobias may develop from past experiences, especially in childhood. A bad experience with an object or situation is recorded in the brain by a substance called 'amygdale'. The past encounter invokes fear in a person when faced with a similar situation in the future. Amygdale keeps track of memory and emotions and signals that something is dangerous.

Social phobias also seems to run in families. People who have been shy or solitary as children, or who have a history of unhappy or negative social experiences in childhood, seem more likely to develop this disorder.

Agoraphobia is brought about by similar causes -- a person is likely to become phobic if he/ she has grown up seeing a parent or family member suffering from a phobia. Also, when parents are overcautious and exaggerate danger, children tend to become phobic. Phobias are a little more prevalent in women and very subjective. While some people have a natural tendency to be more cautious, others are bold and uninhibited. When cautiousness rises to the point of sheer panic, there is need for professional help.

Symptoms of phobias

The symptoms of a phobia can be severe and often cause an individual to be caught up in an embarrassing situation. A few of them are outlined here:

~ An individual suffering from a phobia experiences an unexplained, irrational fear of a specific element in his or her surroundings.

~ When the individual in question is suddenly faced with the trigger, he or she will immediately plunge into a state of panic. Severe anxiety may cause the person to escape such a situation at the first opportunity.

~ The individual knows that the fear is irrational, but is unable to control it -- if he/ she is unable to run away from what is feared, he/ she undergoes great distress and trauma.

~ The individual's extreme behaviour interferes with his/ her ability to function normally in any situation. In extreme cases, he/ she is unable to lead a normal life.

~ When the panic attack occurs, the individual is unable to control the fear. There is profuse sweating, palpitation, avoidance behaviour, difficulty breathing, intense anxiety, trembling and hot flushes.

~ Besides irrational fear, the other symptoms of phobic neurosis are physical reactions like headaches, tension, back pain, dizziness and stomach upsets.

Diagnosis of phobias

If you feel that your anxiety is bordering on a phobia, seek professional help at the earliest. When fear begins to interfere with you work and daily routine and relationships, going to a psychiatrist is the only solution. In very few cases, the phobia goes away on its own without professional help. When you go to a psychiatrist, both a physical and psychological evaluation will be conducted. The physical exam can help rule out any physical causes of your anxiety. The psychological exam will tell about your family's history and whether other family members have had phobias. It will also tell the doctor about any experience or trauma that may have triggered the phobia. Then the mental health professional will ask you to explain your symptoms and when and how they occur.

One of the biggest problems with diagnosing a phobia is to distinguish it from other psychological disorders like schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and paranoia. As there are no laboratory tests for phobias, it makes them very difficult to diagnose.

Most people are able to overcome their phobias at some point or the other. The most common form of treatment is behavioural therapy.

The therapist gradually makes the patient face the object of fear. This is done slowly and tactfully. At the same time, the patient is made to relax. Relaxation techniques include relaxed breathing, muscle relaxation training, self-talk, or soothing guided mental imagery. The two elements of fear and relaxation help the brain neutralise the fear and treat the phobic stimulus as any other object which doesn't induce fright. Sometimes, hypnosis is also used. For temporary relief, the doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety pills or anti-depressants too.

Prevention of phobias

There is are no preventive measures one can take when it comes to phobias. However, it is advisable to reduce anxiety levels if you are naturally inclined to be nervous. To do this, avoid substances that make you high-strung -- these include tea (tannin), coffee and cola drinks (caffeine), cigarettes and other tobacco products (nicotine). To avoid children from becoming prone to phobias, never overemphasise danger. Keep the legendary 'boogeyman' away -- scaring a child can have adverse effects on his/ her psyche.

Treatment of phobias is crucial -- if left untreated, they can lead to other illnesses like other anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse. It is better to seek help when the problem is small. After all, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Snoring & sugar levels

Dr S Ramnathan Iyer, Consultant Sleep Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital

Sleep and diabetes -- recent links for better management of diabetes

We have often heard that you are what you eat. But isn't it surprising to know that how and when we sleep tells a lot about our overall health. Ironically in most health check ups -- sleep patterns are seldom brought into focus.

Many people suffer from sleep disorders of one kind or the other, little realising that good sleep is essential for good health. Sleep is a metabolic regulator. But with today's fast paced life, sleep deprivation is fast becoming a common complaint. Sleep deprivation (sleep loss) can result in impaired glucose tolerance ,diabetes and obesity. Sleep deprivation also results in snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).The prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (snoring and OSA) increases with age.

OSA is a life threatening disorder. There is repetitive collapse of the pharynx (a part of the upper airway) in sleep, resulting in fall of the oxygen concentration in the blood -- a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia triggers the release of stress hormones in sleep, which cause metabolic errors like rise in blood sugar levels and rise in blood pressure.

If this condition persists over a prolonged period of time, it affects the cardiovascular system and metabolic systems; this in turn leads to the development of hypertension and diabetes!! Genetically prone individuals are more likely to develop these disorders.

Recent studies have shown that treating OSA results in better blood sugar control. The co-relation is simple, hypoxemia in sleep interferes with insulin action (insulin resistance) resulting in high blood glucose levels.

Sleep disorders is common in diabetic subjects. It can precipitate and aggravate diabetes. Diabetic subjects often experience difficulty in initiating sleep, maintaining sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.

All diabetic subjects should be evaluated for their sleep and if necessary sleep study or polysomnography should be done.If OSA is detected and treated by Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) it increases the insulin sensitivity thereby reducing the blood sugar levels. This is reflected in better management of diabetes and the overall well being of the patient.

Management of OSA in a diabetic subject is highly rewarding since the doses of diabetic medication can be reduced and it is possible that in some cases that required diabetic medicine be withdrawn.

Sweat Towels: The Importance of Using a Sweat Towel

When working out at home or in a public gym, hygiene should be your top priority. Germs and bacteria love to lurk around gyms. This is especially evident with public gyms, where so many people pass in and out of those doors -- the spread of germs and bacteria is almost inevitable.

But before you cancel your gym membership, there is a way to keep yourself protected and it's as simple as using a sweat towel. Use your sweat towel to wipe the sweat off your face and body as apposed to your hands. Your hands are exposed to loads of bacteria from contact with the gym equipment. If your hands do manage to pick up bacteria, you could transfer the infection to your face through your fingers and end up with nasties such as pimples or other fungal infections.

If you can, try to carry a second smaller towel to use for wiping your face and use your standard gym towel to put over the equipment when using it.

You'll also notice that many gyms have spray bottles and paper towels that you can use to wipe the equipment before you use it. Don't be shy -- wipe down and then lay your gym towel over the bench or mat for added protection. If you're naturally sweaty, please don't leave your sweat lying on the bench or mat -- rather wipe it down and be courteous to other members.

Another very important factor is to remember to wash your gym towels each and every day as towels soaked in sweat attract unwanted bacteria.