Brain has sixth sense for calories

NEW YORK: The brain has a way of sensing calories in food, independent of the taste mechanism, according to a new study.

The discovery that the brain's reward system is switched on by this "sixth sense" machinery could have implications for understanding the causes of obesity.

For example, the findings suggest why high-fructose corn syrup, widely used as a sweetener in foods, might contribute to obesity.

Findings of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Neuron.

Ivan de Araujo and his research colleagues genetically altered mice to make them "sweet-blind", or lacking a key component of taste receptor cells that enabled them to detect the sweet taste.

The researchers next performed behavioural tests in which they compared normal and sweet-blind mice in their preference for sugar solutions and those containing the non-caloric sweetener sucralose.

In those tests, the sweet-blind mice showed a preference for calorie containing sugar water that did not depend on their ability to taste, but on the calorie content.

In analysing the brains of the sweet-blind mice, researchers showed that the animals' reward circuitry was switched on by caloric intake, independent of the animals' ability to taste.

Those analyses showed that levels of the brain chemical dopamine, known to be central to activating the reward circuitry, increased with caloric intake.

Also, electrophysiological studies showed that neurons in the food-reward region, called the nucleus accumbens, were activated by caloric intake, independent of taste.

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ICICI Lombard to tie up with UnitedHealth Group

Indian insurer's policyholders traveling to US will have access to US-based healthcare firm's programmes and services

Through this initiative, ICICI Lombard's 1.6 million policyholders traveling to the US, who are covered by the insurer's Overseas Travel Insurance or Student Overseas Medical Insurance, will have access to the US-based healthcare firm's programmes and services.

Sudhir Menon, head, travel insurance, ICICI Lombard, said, "This partnership is an innovative benefit for Indians, who are increasingly traveling abroad for both occupational and educational purposes."

"We look forward to leveraging the assets of UnitedHealth Group to deliver the best in service and resources to our customers throughout their travels to the United States," he said.

UnitedHealth International CEO Ori Karev said, "Our new partnership with ICICI Lombard is an important step in making access to cross-border health care more seamless for consumers, a model we are exploring in multiple markets."

ICICI Lombard is a 74:26 joint venture between ICICI Bank Ltd, India's second largest bank with $79 billion in assets, and Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, a Canada-based financial services provider.

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Helpful Tips on Eye Care

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do? First, it's important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits. 

Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips - 

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

 

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don't forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.

 

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

It's all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we're on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

 

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

 

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

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ARE YOU DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?

ON THE HEELS OF WORLD WATER DAY, WE BRING UP THE ETERNAL QUESTION, HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU DRINK IN A DAY?

_DR PARUL R SETH

    Water is a must for good health. Several studies have suggested varying recommendations but the truth is that your daily water intake reqiurements depend on many factors, including your health, where you live.There is no single formula that fits everyone, however, knowing your body’s needs for fluids can help you estimate how much water you need to drink each day.
    DO YOU NEED TO DRINK WATER?
Water comprises 60 per cent of your weight. Every system in your body depends on water.Water carries nutrients to your cells, flushes out toxins from the vital organs and also provides a moist environment for skin, ear, nose and throat.
    You lose about 2.5 litres of water each day. On an average, urine output for an adult is 1.5 litres per day, and another litre of water is lost through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Therefore you need to replenish this loss of water. However, there is another school of thought. Dr Vijaya Venkat who runs the Health Awareness Centre, has something very different to say.“There is no need to drink water”, she says.“It can be harmful to the body.There is no loss of water as it constantly replenishes itself. Dehydration is a myth. Raw vegetables, coconut water, sugarcane juice are all natural alternatives to water”.
    On the other hand, avers Dr Mukesh Shete, head of the department, nephrology, Jupiter Hospital,Thane,“Consuming 2.5 litres of fluid everyday is a must. It can help in preventing urinary infections, stone diseases or constipation. Hydration can also improve the skin texture and can prevent you from having a dry skin.”Sufficient water consumption can keep your joints lubricated, prevent and lessen the severity of colds and flu.
    Says, Anar Shah, nutritionist and manager at the Wellspring Fitness Centre, Mumbai,“It is essential to drink water every two hours, no matter whether or not you are thirsty. This is because thirst may sometimes not be a perfect indicator of whether your body needs water or not. Lack of water can cause dehydration making it difficult for your body to carry out normal functions.Therefore you need to replenish the lost water by drinking water, consuming beverages and foods, which also contain water.
    “There is nothing like drinking too much water because it gets excreted. But individuals with heart, liver and kidney diseases should restrict their water intake as per the doctor’s advice”, adds Dr Shete.

 

 

 

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Headache? Could be brain attack

BANGALORE: Are you suffering from a persistent headache, sudden onset of weakness on one side of the body, loss of sensation or imbalance while walking? Don't wish these symptoms away. It could be a 'brain attack'.

While the term 'brain attack' is new, the condition is not. 'Brain attack', popularly known as 'stroke', is the third leading cause of death in the developed world. While two in every 1,000 persons are prone to brain attack, India witnesses two million new cases every year.

To draw attention to stroke and its catastrophic nature, neurologists are now trying to popularize the term 'brain attack' as it underlines the urgency with which the situation has to be addressed. While both heart attack and brain attack have equally devastating effects, heart attack is easily and widely understood as 'dangerous'. This is not the case with brain attack, rued doctors.

Dr N K Venkataramana, neurosurgeon and vice-chairman of BGS Global Hospitals, said: "In brain attack, the blockage of blood flow or bleeding into the brain depletes glucose and oxygen in the brain, resulting in irreversible damage. It causes paralysis, loss of speech and even death."

Awareness extends to access to emergency care, say hospitals, which are now working towards reducing the risk of mis-diagnosis and neglect. "Creating stand-alone stroke clinics helps. The first three-hour period after a brain attack is considered a 'golden hour'. Proper diagnosis followed by immediate medical attention can reverse a brain attack. To differentiate stroke symptoms from others, we need to educate the community and train physicians."

Strokes manifest themselves in two complex forms. 'Ischemic', where blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked due to a blood clot and accounts for almost 80% of all strokes, and 'haemorrhagic' where blood leaks out of the blood vessels of the brain following rupture. A CT scan would show these up. "Treatment involves administering clot-dissolving drugs to bring about a dramatic improvement in paralysis. To prevent recurrence, we give drugs which prevent clots and advise control of other risk factors," explained the doctor.

Another option is surgery. "A clot in the carotid artery is removed by endarterectomy to improve blood flow. Swelling in the brain is treated by removing a flap of the overlying skull bone. This provides extra space for the swollen brain and is life-saving."

 

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Love you with both my kidneys

Love you with both my kidneys

By Dr. Aley. H. Bilgrami

Kidneys are like our parents. Although we have two of them, we cannot afford to take either one of them for granted.

Are your kidneys okay? This is a question we seldom ask ourselves but one that is being asked every year, on World Kidney Day, as one out of ten adults suffer some form of kidney damage.

The purpose of world kidney day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys, an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well; and also to tell the world that kidney disease is common but can be treated if diagnosed on time.

There are two types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Acute diseases appear suddenly but are generally short lived and reversible if treated promptly. Chronic diseases appear gradually, last longer, and can only be partially reversed or stabilized. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is silent and may go unnoticed for a long time as it takes a while for symptoms to appear.

As we all know, this bean shaped organ performs some very essential functions: the elimination of waste products, control of blood pressure, maintaining the level of certain salts present in the bloodstream within a within safe range in and the secretion of different chemicals (hormones).

We make an assessment of kidney functions by measuring the blood level of certain substances normally eliminated by kidneys. Commonly measured substances are urea and creatinine. If the reading is within the normal range, the kidneys are working properly; high levels mean decreased kidney functions. We can also detect kidney malfunction through a simple urine analysis which includes physical, chemical and microscopic examination by a simple lab test

• Sample of blood – creatinine measurement

• Sample of urine – to detect protein (albumin)

• Ultrasound of kidneys

Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant; it also increases the risk of heart disease and premature death.

A few common causes which can damage our kidneys are:

• Congenital kidney disease

• Diabetes mellitus

• High blood pressure

• Infections

• Kidney stones

Diabetes and high blood pressure

Diabetes (along with other diseases like high blood pressure) is one of the common but treatable causes of end stage kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the industrialised world and most developing countries, including Pakistan and more than 33% of patients on dialysis are diabetics. Currently there are 150 million diabetics in the world; this will go up to 333 million by the year 2025.

Initially there are no symptoms however kidney involvement can be detected early by checking urine for the presence of proteins. Initially protein in urine is in very small quantity and is called microalbuminuria (MAU); this can be checked by a special test. The presence of MAU is an early indicator of kidney disease and allows measures to be taken early to slow or even prevent progression of kidney involvement. It is recommended that maturity onset diabetics (Type II, non insulin dependant) are screened for MAU at the time of diagnosis of diabetes and, from then onwards, on a yearly basis. Juvenile diabetics (Type I, insulin dependant) should be screened for MAU starting five years after their diagnosis.

Kidney stones

While the Stone Age is long past, we still live in a stone belt. The estimated prevalence of stone disease in Pakistan is 8-10%. It is more common in males but affects people of all ages - from three months to 70 years – especially the poor and the malnourished people of rural areas.

While there are many ways of treating kidney stones, one can take a few simple measures to avoid them altogether. Drink plenty of water - at least ten glasses a day under normal conditions; more in hot weather and after exercise as well as in the night.

Our diet should include lemon juice, orange juice and a lot of calcium; milk protects against endemic stones in children and it should be a part of daily diet. Keeping salt intake to minimum and avoiding constipation are also helpful measures against infection and stones.

Kidney stones are of different and rare compositions, and, as such, require different preventive measures. Cystine stones can be dealt with by drinking four litres of fluid per day; prevention of uric acid stones however, requires avoiding red and organ meat. A low purine diet is also advised which restricts consumption of alcoholic beverages, fish, fried beans, soya beans, mushrooms, spinach etc. A high oxalate diet (black tea, chocolate, coca, spinach, coffee) should be avoided as well. High doses of vitamin C and D and vitamin B6 and vitamin E are beneficial for managing excessive oxalate in urine.

Kidney infections in children

The most common, kidney-related problem among the paediatric population is the urinary tract infection, especially in infants, as it can be very non-specific. A high index of suspicion should be emphasized for both parents and physicians. All diagnosed cases should be treated aggressively and investigated for etiology thoroughly.

Among a few causes are:

• Congenital abnormality in urinary tract

• Bladder dysfunction

• Uncircumcised males less than 3 months of age

• Non breast-fed infants

• Exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics

• Constipation

Kidneys are like our parents. Although we have two of them, we cannot afford to take either one of them for granted. Both of them must function well, if we want to live a long, healthy life. Love your kidneys as you love your parents.

 

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ACUPUNCTURE GIVES YOU A GLOWING LOOK

Acupuncture is no longer just a medical treatment, it’s also for attaining that ‘zillion bucks’ look

When you look into the mirror, what is it on your face that you would like to get rid of ? Is it the wrinkles, the dark circles under the eyes, the pores on your cheeks, the double chin, or your complexion…? What takes a lot of make-up to hide, or may be even cosmetic surgery now finds a cure in acupuncture it seems, and all this without pinching your pocket too much.
A steady rise
    “People usually come to get treated for diabetes, psoriasis, reducing pain and anxiety, but now acupuncture is also proving to be a wonderful solution to make you look beautiful as well,” says Dr S Donaparthi, a doctor practising acupuncture. No wonder, acupuncture clinics catering to beauty treatment are mushrooming all over. Although fewer as compared to beauty parlours and allopathic clinics, believers in this therapy are on the rise, and have gone up by at least 10 to 15 per cent recently. Dr Sanghmitra Chari, another practitioner, says that the takers for this branch of medicine has gone up. “It’s because allopathy does not have a permanent cure. Also, there is a growing need for alternative medicine.”
How does it work?
    When an acupuncture practitioner inserts the tiny needles into areas of the body, this stimulates the production of collagen in the general area and the skin is supported and nourished by the body, rather than by some external application. The production of collagen firms the skin and stretches out any fine lines. “In some cases, electric stimulation is given where the needles are inserted,” says Dr R Geeta. But what deters most patients is the thought of needles being pierced, so now a few clinics have laser equipment, which beams rays at strategic points, instead of needles.
    A viable Option?
    Clients for acupuncture include careeroriented women, who want to look good, in a short time. “I had gone for allopathy treatment for blemishes but the condition seems to have only worsened over time. And then someone suggested this. Acupuncture has taken years off my face,” says Swati Sharma.
    However, Dr Kishore Kumar Koya, medical director of a cosmetic surgery centre, disagrees with the view. He says, “Blemishes and wrinkles are caused because of many factors such as overexposure to the sun, pollution, etc. Acupuncture can cure only underlying problems relating to the senses and nerves. Such cosmetic problems can be treated only through chemical peeling or highend lasers.”

 

 

GET THE LOOK: Acupuncture clinics catering to beauty treatment are mushrooming all over

 

 

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Pollution alters brain function: Study

 

LONDON: Breathing dirty air even for an hour could have long-term harmful effects on brain, according to a new study. A team of researchers at Zuyd University in Holland has carried out the study and found that nanoparticles present in exhaust fumes, which reach the brain when inhaled, play a major role in altering the way the human brain functions. According to lead researcher Paul Borm, "We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot particles (nanoparticles) can be very high. "It is conceivable that the long-term effects of exposure to traffic nanoparticles may interfere with normal brain function and information processing." The researchers came to the conclusion after they analysed the brain functions of a group of ten volunteers who were asked to spend an hour in a room filled either with clean air or exhaust from a diesel engine. All the participants were wired up to a device called electroencephalograph (EEG) that records the electrical signals of the brain. The team monitored them during the period of exposure and for an hour after they left the room. After about 30 minutes, the brains of those in the exhaust rooms displayed a stress response on the EEG, which is indicative of a change in the way information is being processed in the brain cortex. This effect continued after they were no longer in the room, the researchers found. The results of the study have been published in the latest edition of the 'Particle and Fibre Toxicology' journal.

 

 

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Eat breakfast, avoid obesity

Although people think that skipping breakfast will save on calories, findings suggest the opposite

Those who eat breakfast every morning are more physically active than those who skip the first meal of the day, especially during adolescence. That’s the conclusion of a study in which researchers examined the link between breakfast frequency and five-year body weight change in more than 2,200 adolescents.
The results of the study indicate that breakfast eaters consumed a healthier diet and were more robust than those who skipped the meal.
Five years later, daily breakfast eaters also tended to gain less weight and had lower body mass index levels, an indicator of obesity risk, compared with skippers.
Mark Pereira, coauthor of the University of Minnesota project EAT, points out that this study extends the literature on the topic of breakfast habits and obesity risk because of its size and duration.
“The dose-response findings between breakfast frequency and obesity risk, even after taking into account physical activity and other dietary factors, suggests that eating breakfast may have important effects on overall diet and obesity risk, but experimental studies are needed to confirm these observations,” he added. Over the past two decades, rates of obesity have doubled in children and nearly tripled in adolescents.
It is estimated that between 12 and 24 per cent of children and adolescents regularly skip breakfast. This percentage of skippers, while alarming, has been found to increase with age.
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer of project EAT said researchers have found further evidence to support the importance of encouraging youth to eat breakfast regularly.
“Although adolescents may think that skipping breakfast seems like a good way to save on calories, findings suggest the opposite,” she said.

FAT TALES: Breakfast eaters tend to gain less weight

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Drink tea to keep diabetes at bay

Some constituents of tea could act as an insulin substitute

Drinking black tea could help prevent diabetes, according to new findings by scientists at Dundee University. The researchers said black tea may have the potential to combat type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.
They believe certain constituents of tea could act as an insulin substitute. In Scotland, it is believed more than 190,000 people have diabetes which develops when the body fails to make enough insulin.
In Tayside alone, latest figures show a 90 per cent increase in the incidence of diabetes in the last 9 years.
There is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect.
The Dundee team, led by Dr Graham Rena, hopes to secure more funding to continue its investigation.
In collaboration with colleagues at the Scottish Crop Research Institute, the researchers discovered that several black tea constituents, known as theaflavins and thearubigins, mimicked insulin action.
“What we have found is that these constituents can mimic insulin action on proteins known as foxos,” Dr Rena said. “Foxos have previously been shown to underlie associations between diet and health in a wide variety of organisms including mice, worms and fruit flies. The task now is to see whether we can translate these findings into something useful for human health.”
Dr Rena stressed that further research was needed. “People shouldn’t be rushing to drink masses of black tea thinking it will cure them of diabetes,” he said. “We are still some way from this leading to new treatments or dietary advice. Our research into tea compounds is at a preclinical, experimental stage and people with diabetes should continue to take their medicines as directed by their doctor. However, there is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect, both in terms of diabetes and our wider health.”

TEA AND ME: A girl sipping a cup of tea in a restaurant

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