An allergy is a reaction of the immune system towards a substance that is typically harmless to most people. In a child with an allergy, the body treats the substance, called an allergen, as an invader. At the first exposure to an allergen, the immune system produces an antibody. With each exposure, more antibodies are
The curry leaf tree is a native of Southern India and Sri Lanka. The leaves, originally used mainly in Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, is now found assimilated in the local cuisine in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar. Curry leaves were typically found and used in countries that have, historically, had Indian influences. Today, with
Although 10% of breast cancer are hereditary, lifestyle has a huge impact on the disease. “It’s important for people to understand that factors such as diet and exercise can increase the risk of breast cancer,” says Dr Michelle Harvie, a leading research dietitian with the South Manchester University Hospital, UK. In her book, Genesis Breast
The benefits of Echinacea extraction are found in the roots of the plant. The natives of America used Echinacea for the treatment of a great variety of health problems. Also known as Echinacea Purpurea, this herb is famous for its historic reputation of potentially helping the body fight off colds and infections, and to help
An Australian study has found that women who receive an epidural during childbirth are more likely to have breast feeding problems in the first week. They are also more likely to stop breast feeding before the end of six months than women who don’t receive an epidural. 93% of women in the study breast fed
According to American Institute of Cancer Research, these foods show some potential as cancer fighters: Apricots, broccoli, carrots, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, mangoes, red and yellow bell peppers, red grapefruit, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. They contain carotenoids such as beta carotene, lutein, lycopene and a-carotene. Carotenoids are antioxidants with strong cancer-fighting properties.
Diabetes is a serious disorder that needs to be treated effectively. Obviously, the best treatment for any disease is primary prevention. Can diabetes be prevented? Absolutely! And it’s quite clear that the best way to achieve this goal is through lifestyle, dietary and nutritional supplementation methods. In regards to treating diabetes or pre-diabetes – while
Meet the bacteria that breed plenty of trouble. If you’ve been suffering from a dull, gnawing pain in your stomach that occurs several hours after a meal, which comes and goes over the course of several weeks, or wake up in pain at night, then you might want to say hello to an inhabitant in
Not sleeping enough and not sleeping well is not okay. As a matter of fact, there is quite a price to pay. It may surprise you to learn that chronic sleep deprivation, for whatever reason, significantly affects your health, performance, safety and wallet. There are many causes of sleep deprivation. The stresses of daily life
Meditation can be described as a continued, undisturbed awareness of the mind. It involves the overcoming of distractions and dissipated energies into a blissful awareness. It teaches us to be a ‘witness’. People who meditates realize that they experience a beautiful inner space as they disengage from the outside world and go deep into themselves.
Our beautiful planet is suffering and we are causing it on a global level. Let’s try to ease the burden by learning about causes and taking an active role in the solutions for saving the planet. We’re releasing heat trapping gases into the atmosphere and that has thrown a heat blanket around the planet. This
In today’s society eating unhealthy foods is a norm, fast foods, highly processed foods, fried foods. All of these foods have a serious impact on our body’s ability to eliminate waste in a proper manner. Traditionally herbs were used and have always been highly effective. Some of the herbs that have been used in traditional
The use of the word organic is not as simple as it sounds. Only a product certified by an organic certification body can be called 100% organic. There are various certifying bodies in different countries that have their own standards to determine what would constitute an organic product and only then can they carry an
The feminine beauty has been celebrated across the ages, but an enduring belief is this: what constitutes attractiveness in a woman cannot be pinned down – it depends on the prevailing fashion, culture or ethnicity and on the eye of the beholder. For instance, in Victorian England, a tiny, puckered mouth was the zenith of
Garlic has a long history of medicinal use by cultures around the world for a wide variety of conditions. One of the first medicines, garlic was included in the Codex Ebers, a 1550 BC papyrus that some consider the oldest medical test on record. It has been indispensable to Chinese medicine for thousands of years
The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases, tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are alive due to increased sickness. A
Choosing a diamond – four words: carat, cut, color and clarity. These are the absolute measure of a diamond’s value. Carat Refers to the weight of a diamond. More carats means a bigger diamond, but not necessarily more expensive one; a good cut will enhance the brilliance of the stone. No mater what it’s size
Does bone care become less of a priority after you have hit the big 30? After all, you would have already reached your peak bone mass. You might think there isn’t much to worry about until you reach menopause. The fact is bone care IS important for women in their thirties. It should remain a
There are three kinds of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sun that reach the earth: UVA, UVB and UVC.UVC UVC does not reach us as it is absorbed by the upper levels of the atmosphere. UVA UVA is the most dangerous as it penetrates deep into the skin. It degrades the elastic fibers in
Older adults who uses computers report fewer depression symptoms than seniors who don’t use computers. The reasons for the pattern aren’t clear, and the new study that showed this was relatively small. But the key might be connecting with other people and learning via computers. “Given the social and informational nature of older adults’ computer
These days there is a lot of emphasis on building and maintaining a fitness regimen Fitness however, should be more than a trend. It should be a way of life. There are so many choices available out in the world today. Some of them include Yoga and Pilates. So which one would you choose? Yoga,
An inexpensive blood test may identify which heart disease patients are at the highest risk of a stroke or heart attack, allowing for more aggressive ways to help them, a study reported recently. “We are good at diagnosing heart disease,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, of the University of California-San Francisco, the study’s lead author. “But we’re
Eating soy protein may help people lower their ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides while slightly increase their ‘good’ cholesterol, according to a study conducted at Tulane University. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. Increased LDL and triglyceride levels have been associated with hardened arteries and coronary heart disease. In contrast, high-density lipoproteins
Chemicals found in grape seeds may help ward off skin cancer due to regular exposure to the sun, according to the results of an animal study reported in Chicago at the recent 223rd annual meeting of the American Chemical Society.Researchers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, exposed hairless mice to ultraviolet light. Some of the
In today’s world of stress, violence and competition exist, it is natural to have negative emotions about yourself or the people around you. Thus, a person will have to develop a way to stay away from such negativity in order to have a happy frame of mind.This may seem intricate to many in the beginning.
When it comes to apple juice, ‘cloudier’ may mean healthier, according to a recent study published.In a head-to-head comparison of apple juices, Polish researchers found that pulpy, non-clarified juice carried a greater antioxidant punch than clear juice.Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals, molecules that can damage body cells and contribute to disease. Unlike
Fact 1 – The Major Cause Of High Blood Pressure The cause of over 90% of high blood pressure cases is unknown. Scientists don’t fully understand the causes of high blood pressure, but most cases can be effectively treated. Fact 2 – A Common Symptom Of High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is commonly has
Legumes, also known as pulses, are a group of plant food, which include dried peas, beans and lentils. They are the seeds that grow inside pods. Packed with nutrients, legumes are very healthy, and are a staple of most vegetarian cuisines.Legumes come in lots of colors and sizes. There are different popular names for some
The path to better health and lower blood pressure may be paved with cobblestones. When people over 60 walked on smooth, rounded cobblestones for just a half-hour a day over four months, they significantly lowered their blood pressure and improved their balance, a study showed. Behavioral researchers from the Oregon Research Institute investigated the health
Exercise that targets a weak region of the hipbone may help prevent fractures, but simple walking will not, new research indicates. As people age, the outer cortical layer of bone in a particular region the hipbone or upper femur become thinner, making the hip more prone to fracture, according to the report in The Lancet
What are the Right Numbers? Depending on where you look, recommended blood glucose levels can vary. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) numbers differ from the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) guidelines. The ACE recommendations are more strict than the ADA’s. How do you know which to follow? Ask your health care provider which goals are