Tuesday, October 30, 2012

8 Breast-cancer-fighting habits you should follow

Routine to save your life 

In the last week of Breast Cancer Awareness month, here's a plan to defy the odds with breast-cancer-fighting habits

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) says the incidence of breast Cancer has overtaken cervical cancer among Indian women, and it's possibly social taboo that prevents women from discussing the disease.

ICMR studies indicate that breast cancer cases have nearly doubled in the last 24 years. One in every 22 women is likely to suffer from it. In India, almost 80 per cent patients are in advanced stages when they come to hospitals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has projected that India could see around 250,000 new cases by 2015.

While there is no fool-proof plan to protect you from breast cancer completely, lifestyle habits, say doctors, play a crucial part in increasing the risk.

Work out the waist

Experts say breast cancer and abdominal fat are linked. Body fat boosts estrogen storage, so the larger you are, the more circulating estrogen you'll store, and the more circulating harmful estrogen you'll have. But you don't have to be reed thin. Research shows that even losing as little as 5 per cent of your weight or more (in overweight women) can lower breast cancer risk by 25 per cent. Abdominal fat is especially dangerous. The easiest way to ditch a spare tire is to reduce your intake of stripped carbohydrates (white bread and rice, colas, pastries). Vigorous cardio exercises like jogging or speed-walking work best.

Have kids

Starting a family sooner can drastically lower your chances of breast cancer. Women whose first child comes before the age of 20 have half the risk of women who first conceive in their thirties. Having your first baby before the age of 30 also lowers your risk. Additional pregnancies decrease the incidence of breast cancer further.

Stock up on Vitamin D3

Lack of sunlight keeps us from manufacturing vitamin D3, an essential nutrient that may help prevent breast cancer. For breast cancer protection, the recommendation is to get your levels between 40 to 50 nanograms per milliliter. Ask your family doctor to check your vitamin D levels with a simple blood test, and take a vitamin D3 supplement if you are deficient.

Eat cruciferous veggies

What if you could counter cancer with spoon and fork? Doctors say that what's healthy for your heart is probably healthy for your breasts too. And so, high intake of sugars and red meat are associated with many kinds of cancers, including breast. Instead eat foods that are high in fibre (fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains). And ditch processed items and cured meat. Crucifers (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) have a special role to play in reducing breast cancer risk.

Don't stay up

Women who work the nightshift should read this. Several studies have linked overnight work to breast cancer, with an increased risk of 30 to 60 per cent. The additional exposure to light at nighttime decreases the total amount of the hormone melatonin in your body. This, in turn, appears to increase the production of estrogen. If you do work at nights, dim the lights, and get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Go for regular screenings

Even educated urban women in India aren't conducting monthly self-examination and going for yearly mammograms. Experts complain that Indian women seek treatment late — about 60 per cent of them are in stage three or four when they approach doctors. Although mammograms can't prevent cancer, they can reduce your risk of dying from it. Breast cancer is a treatable disease if caught early. It's good to be familiar with your own breasts. If you find something that wasn't there before, and it doesn't go away in a few weeks, have it checked.

Lower blood sugar

Keeping your blood sugar in check can help lower the risk of breast cancer (and type 2 diabetes). After adjusting for other factors, diabetes is associated with a nearly 40 per cent increased risk for breast cancer.

Limit X-rays

Unnecessary X-rays and CT scans, on account of exposure to radiation, can up the risk. The World Nuclear Association says 100 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation a year is the lowest level known to increase the risk of cancer. A single CT scan yields one-fifth of that, at 20 mSv. Other diagnostic tests that emit lesser amounts of ionizing radiation include X-rays, nuclear medicine tests and fluoroscopy. Always ask your doctor if a test is necessary, and check to see if alternatives like an MRI or ultrasound might work as well.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A Statue of Angel with a Secret

A Statue of Angel with a Secret

This statue of an angel stood near a house door.
One day a dog broke its wings and the statue's owners discovered a creepy secret inside it.





Embarrassing pubic hair problem Trina Remedios, Health Me Up


If you opt for a quick shower, there are chances that you do not wash yourself thoroughly. 
Worse so, if your private parts are neglected. This gives rise to bacterial growth; some of these bacteria can cause discomfort. Today we are talking about one such bacterial growth: Trichomycosis axillaris.

What is trichomycosis axillaris?
Trichomycosis axillaris is a superficial bacterial colonization of the hair shafts in sweat gland-bearing areas, such as the armpits and the pubic area. (Via)

Basically, you will find white, orange, yellow substance over the hair, like a coating. But this is not a disease, there are no symptoms and it is curable. Trichomycosis axillaris is common with men than women.

Cause of Trichomycosis axillaris:
The bacterial growth is a result of sweat and moisture. Hence it is commonly found on your underarm hair and pubic hair. But since women shave these areas, trichomycosis axillaris is more common in men.

Treatment for Trichomycosis axillaris:
- Shaving that area.
- Washing the area with water and soap regularly.
- Powder can be applied to keep it dry.
- Antibiotic and gels are available.

Bottomline: Stay clean to avoid Trichomycosis axillaris. Besides, hygiene helps prevent other diseases as well.

How to get rid of dandruff


Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain tells you how to tackle this problem 

Dandruff is a common scalp condition. In its mild form, it consists of loose white flakes, which fall off and may be noticed on the shoulders and back. Sometimes, the flakes may be yellowish in colour. Even mild dandruff can be accompanied by itching. Sometimes, the scales, along with oily secretions, tend to adhere to the scalp, which people commonly refer to as "sticky dandruff." In winter, due to lack of moisture, the scalp may become dry and flaky. This kind of dandruff is the loose kind, which does not stick to the scalp. 

Hot oil therapy is a useful home treatment for the prevention and control of common dandruff. It also relieves dryness of the scalp and prevents clogging of the pores of the scalp. 

Heat olive oil and apply on the scalp with cotton wool. Rub gently to dislodge the flakes. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Leave the oil on overnight. The next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash the hair after half an hour. This can be done once or twice a week. 

The hair should be washed at least three times a week, using less shampoo and rinsing well with water. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Half an hour before shampoo, apply two tablespoons vinegar on the scalp and massage it lightly into the scalp. After shampoo, add two tablespoons of the vinegar to a mug of water and use as a last rinse. 

For dandruff, add 5 drops of Rosemary essential oil to 50 ml rose water. Shake well and keep in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid. Apply this on the scalp after shampoo, using cotton wool and leave it on. Essential oils should never be used by themselves. 

Fenugreek (Methi) seeds: Grind one tablespoon of methi seeds coarsely and soak in two cups of cool water. Leave it overnight. Strain and use the water as a last rinse. 

Neem leaves: Add two handfuls of neem leaves to four to five cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight. Next morning, strain the liquid and use it to rinse the hair. It relieves itching and keeps the scalp healthy and free from infections. It is useful in preventing dandruff. Make a paste of the soaked neem leaves and apply on the scalp, rinsing off with water after half an hour. 

Weekly henna treatments are very useful: They help to restore normal balance and prevent dandruff. They are helpful in general hair care too. Add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, one teaspoon methi seed powder and enough tea water to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Make tea-water by boiling used tea leaves again in enough water, cooling and straining the liquid. Apply the henna on the hair and wash off after an hour. If you do not wish to use egg, add more tea water. This not only helps to remove dandruff, but conditions the hair, adding strength, body and shine to the hair. 

If its is a case of severe dandruff, combs, brushes, pillow covers and towels should be washed daily in hot soapy water, adding a few drops of an antiseptic solution. 

Include fresh fruits, raw salads and sprouts to your daily diet. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Add lemon juice to a glass of water and have it first thing in the morning. Some amount of daily exercise is also necessary. However, before adopting any diet or exercise programme, consult your doctor.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

China’s ‘Don’t Speak’ wins literature Nobel+EU wins 2012 Nobel Peace Prize

Stem cell experts win Nobel prize


Prof John Gurdon has been awarded the Nobel prize



Two pioneers of stem cell research have shared the Nobel prize for medicine or physiology.
John Gurdon from the UK and Shinya Yamanaka from Japan were awarded the prize for transforming specialised cells into stem cells, which can become any other type of cell in the body.
Prof Gurdon used a gut sample to clone frogs and Prof Yamanaka altered genes to reprogramme cells.
The Nobel committe said they had "revolutionised" science.

In 1962, John Gurdon took the genetic information from a cell in the intestines of a frog and placed it inside a frog egg, which developed into a normal tadpole.
Shinya Yamanaka showed that specialised mouse cells could be reprogrammed to become stem cells by intoducing four genes. The resulting stem cells could then be converted to other types of cell.
The Nobel committee said the discovery had "revolutionized our understanding of how cells and organisms develop".

Thursday, October 11, 2012

KFC outlet closed in Thiruvananthpuram after customer finds worm in chicken

KFC outlet closed down after customer finds worm in chickenThiruvananthpuram



The outlet of Kentucky Fired Chicken here has been closed down by the state Food Safety Authorities after a worm was found in a chicken dish bought by a customer from the multi-national restaurant chain, FSA sources said today

Action against KFC's eatery in the heart of the city followed a complaint lodged by the customer who found a dead worm in a dish of 'fiery chicken' he bought from the outlet yesterday, they said. 

Acting on the complaint, FSA officials searched the outlet and claimed to have come across stale items and immediately slapped a temporary closure notice, sources said. 

Though the restaurant staff sought to prevent the officials from conducting searches, they had their way. 

They took samples of various dishes served in the hotel for detailed examination and analysis. The complaint was made by Shaiju, an NRI, who had come to the busy eatery along with his wife, son and two relatives.

Shaiju was overcome by nausea and vomited as soon as he saw the dead worm in the chicken served to him. 

When he brought the matter to the staff's notice, they tried to dissuade him from making an outcry or complaint to the health authorities. 

However, he later contacted the FSA office and urged them to take action. 

FSA sources said the seized samples would be subjected to chemical analysis and further action would be taken based on the result. 

The eatery management has also been asked to give in writing their response to the notice, sources said.

Lakes of Ounianga in Sahara Desert

Lakes of Ounianga in Sahara Desert

The Lakes of Ounianga consist of 18 lakes located in the heart of the Sahara Desert, in an extremely arid region of northern Chad where the average yearly rainfall is no more than 2 mm.

They depend on an underground supply of ‘fossil’ water that fell on this area in ancient times when the Saharan climate was much wetter than it is today.















Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Most Expensive Burgers in the World

                                                                               McGuire's Grand Burger
                                                                                            Price $100


Hamburger "Million rupees"
Price $108

The DB Royale Double Truffle Burger
Price $120

Richard Nouveau Burger
Price $175

The Burger
Price $200

Serendipity Burger
Price $295

Absolutely Ridiculous Burger
Price $499

Douche Burger
Price $666

Kobe Beef and Maine Lobster Burger
Price $777

FleurBurger 5000
Price $5000