‘1.7 million IVF embryos wasted in 21 years’

London: Millions of human embryos created for in-vitrofertilization (IVF) pregnancies in the UK are being thrown away unused, according to official figures. 
    The shocking figures show that for every woman who conceives a child through IVF, 15 embryos are made, and almost half of them are discarded during or after the process. Over 1.7 million IVF embryos have been thrown away since records began 21 years ago, the Daily Mail reported. 
    The figures were gathered by UK's fertility industry regulator, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which has recorded IVF processes since 1991. Statistics released by UK health minister Lord Howe show that 3,546,818 human embryos have been created since August 1991. These have produced only 235,480 "gestational sacs" — evidence of successful implantation. As a result, 93% of all embryos created — more than 3.3 million — are never used to generate a pregnancy. Among the embryos created, 839,325 were put into storage for future use and 2,071 were stored for donation to others. A further 5,876 were kept for research. PTI

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Blood-on-call in Mum, Pune before March

Mumbai: The state government will roll out the blood-oncall service in Mumbai and Pune before the end of this financial year (March 2013). 

    "The department is ready to execute the proposal to deliver blood directly to hospitals. To ensure smooth functioning, the implementation will be done in phases," public health minister Suresh Shetty said on Monday. "A special helpline number would be set up for the "dial-a-blood-bag" project, so that patients or their kin do not have to run around for blood," Shetty said. 
    A meeting, chaired by Shetty, to review preparation of the project was held at Mantralaya on Monday. It was attended by additional chief secretary (health) T C Benjamin, secretary (health) Meeta Lochan and other seniorhealth department officials. Shetty also took stock of other health programmes, including Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana with CEO of the scheme Dr K Venkatesham. 
    Once the project is implemented, anyone who needs blood will have to dial the helpline number and place a request. Blood packages will be delivered to the specified hospital or clinic by delivery boys. The requested pouches will be delivered from the district blood bank to the nursing home or hospital located within a radius of 40 km or 1-hour distance. "The delivery would be done on motorcycles, which will have cold storage facility to maintain the blood temperature," the minister said, adding, "The transportation will be outsourced. Training will be given to those hired for transportation." 
    A health department official said Mumbai and Pune figure in the phase-2 list of the dial-a-blood-bag project. The first phase will be flagged off from rural areas in January, starting with chief minister 
Prithviraj Chavan's hometown Satara and former chief minister and senior Congress leader Narayan Rane's hometown Sindhudurg. 
    "The first phase was to take off by 2012-end, however, it got delayed by a fortnight due to technical reasons. Now the first phase will start from January," the official added. 
    Another official said the system will curb malpractices. "There is no system to keep a tab on how much blood was donated and where it was utilized. Some times, blood banks demand exorbitant amount," the official said.

A TOI report on July 1

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Eat a morning meal It could save your life and make you a happier person!

Five years ago, Manoj Vasudevan, sales executive with a reputed IT company, finally gave up on breakfast. "It was one of the most irritating things to do," says the 26 year old, who until then was under a strict mother-run regimen of not leaving the house without a good breakfast. "No matter how late I was, I had to have breakfast," recalls Vasudevan. Ditto Yogik Shah. Nothing major changed in their lives, except their mental peace. Until recently. While Vasudcvan began piling on the flab, Shah, now 35. agrees that he has transformed into a person who gets irritated at a snap.      Of course, your lifestyle including exercise and diet decisions, dictates your health status. But, breakfast definitely has a role in the circumstances.  BREAKFAST SKIPPERS There is nothing surprising in the fact that people skip breakfast. A recent study claims that three out of every eight people often skip breakfast. Plus, there is a good chance that two of the remaining will follow suit occasionally. Some of the best excuses for not having the dais first meal range from. "I had a huge cup of coffee," to "I had a glass of juice," to the classic, "I'm not a breakfast person".  BOOST YOUR BEING In spite of our hectic, urban lifestyles, numerous studies still continue to prove, over and over again, that the traditional wisdom of breakfast being the most important meal of the day, still holds true.      Endorses nutritionist Sveta Bhassin, "Breakfast is definitely still the most important meal of the day. The main reason for breakfast is to break the seven-hour, no-food spell. Plus, of course, In give the body nutrition to function properly."      Breakfast helps to rev up your metabolism. This ensures that your brain is well-fed and you can concentrate better. In addition, an active metabolism also means the levels of cortisol and adrenalines are at their highest. That's why people who have breakfast are happier and less nervous.      A healthy breakfast also brings down your serotonin levels, reducing cravings and creating a healthy appetite. Eating breakfast has far.reaching benefits, such as the prevention of diabetes. A recent Harvard School of Public Medicine's research involving about 30,000 men showed that eating breakfast can icduce tile risk of diabetes, even for those who are on the weightier side. EAT BREAKFAST, STAY HEALTHY All those who stay away from breakfast in their attempt at lowering their calorie intake for the day, are just being plain Silly. "Having breakfast not only ensures that the body uses up the nutrition provided effectively and efficiently, but, also keeps cravings at bay," promises Bhassin.      Medical nutritionist, Vishaklia Shivdasani, recommends people have a breakfast that is a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates. This way, "while you get the instant energy that makes you more focussed and happy, it also keeps you satiated  for a long time". This means there is a slimmer chance you will munch on wrong food items pre-lunch.      Bliassin too believes that people put on weight due to irregular meal times. "A satiating breakfast lakes care of this by supplying the body with necessary nutrIents to keep it fuelled."      So, don't just wake up and smell the coffee. Ensure you feed youi'self a bowlful of good health too each  morning.

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Gut bugs, not just food and laziness, tied to weight gain

Beijing: Body fat or obesity is caused by bacteria and not by laziness or over eating alone, according to research by Chinese scientists. 
    The bacteria can actually make genes generate fat, a report in the state-run China Daily said on Wednesday quoting a research team led by Zhao Liping, a professor of microbiology and associate dean at the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. They pointed out the precise link between a particular kind of bacteria and obesity, it said. 
    The paper was published on December 13 in the journal of the International Society for Microbial Ecology. 
    It showed that a pathogen, or infectious agent, isolated from the gut of an obese human induced obesity and insulin resistance in germ-free mice. In the study, researchers found an excessive growth of endotoxin-producing bacteria, accounting for 35% of the gut bacteria, in an obese patient, the report said. PTI

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FOR A HEALTHY MIND Aerobics boost brain power

Melbourne: Regular exercise and remaining physically active not only benefits the body, but also the mind, new research has found.      The study review by Hayley Guiney and Liana Machado from the University of Otago, New Zealand, focused on the importance of physical activity in keeping and potentially improving cognitive function throughout life.      Studies in older adults reviewed by the researchers consistently found that fitter individuals scored better in mental tests than their unfit peers, journal 'Springer' reported. Intervention studies found scores in mental tests improved in participants who were assigned to an aerobic exercise regimen compared to those assigned to stretch and tone classes.      Interestingly, these results were not replicated in children or young adults. The one area where physical fitness or regular exercise was found to have an effect on cognitive function in these age groups was for memory tasks.      Both the updating of working memory and the volume of information which could be held was better in fitter individuals or those put on an aerobic exercise regime. PTI

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Lower back pain main cause of crippled years

New Delhi:Lower back pain — a common phenomenon among Indians — has been found to be the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLD) globally.      The Global Disease Burden study published on Thursday showed that lower back pain caused 83.1 million YLDs across the globe in 2010. Pain in the neck along with depressive disorders and iron deficiency anemia make up the top four leading causes of YLD. In 2010, there were 777 million YLDs from all causes — up from 583 million in 1990. The main contributors to global YLDs were mental and behavioural and musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes or endocrine diseases.      The leading specific causes of YLDs were much the same in 2010 as they were in 1990 like lower back pain, major depressive disorder, iron-deficiency anemia, neck pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anxiety disorders, migraine, diabetes and falls.      The study looked at consequences of 289 diseases and injuries, estimating their global prevalence and impact on health. The study first identified 220 unique consequences of disease and injury as causing disability. Hearing loss was found to be one of the main causes affecting 1.3 billion people, and vision loss affected another 661 million.      The study said that non-fatal health outcomes from diseases and injuries are a crucial consideration in the promotion and monitoring of individual and population health.      In 2010, the two disease categories responsible for almost half of all YLDs — and consequently the largest overall health impact — were musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis and back pain and mental and behavioural disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and drug and alcohol use.      According to Professor Alan Lopez from the School of Population Health of the University of Queensland, who authored the study, "In an era in which the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have focused global health attention on prevention of mortality from selected diseases, it is important to realize thathealth is about more than avoiding death. Health priorities have, for much of the past 100 years or more, been largely driven by the imperative of improving the survival of populations, particularly child survival."      Professor Theo Vos added, "This was justified, in view of the technologies available to treat and prevent childhood illness. However, societies spend substantial and increasing resources on keeping people healthy. As healthcare costs are rising fast, it is essential to provide governments with adequate information on how best to prioritize their health services to most adequately address the prevailing health problems."

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Dissolvable stents to be sold in India

Mumbai:Cardiac patients across India will soon have a new option while seeking treatment for their hearts. Within the next 10 days, they can ask for a bio-absorbable stent, which will completely disappear some 18-odd months after it's fixed in their blocked blood vessel. At present, metallic stents that permanently stay in the blood vessel are the most-sought-after treatment for cardiac diseases.      The bio-absorbable stent's upcoming commercial launch follows an approval given by the Drug Controller General of India to multinational firm Abbott Vascular after a review of the results of a trial, involving 100 patients. "The patients were doing well during a six-month follow-up. The results are as good as metallic stents," said the trial's Delhi-based principal investigator Dr Ashok Seth.      Each of these stents will cost around Rs 3 lakh. Soluble stents mark the 'dawning of a new era'  However, The Treatment For Blocked Blood Vessels Comes With A Price Tag. Each Stent Will Cost Rs 2.8L to Rs 3L      The new bio-absorbable stent, which can dissolve completely after some 18-odd months in the blood vessel, is set to revolutionize the treatment of cardiac problems in India. However, the bio-absorbale stent comes with a premium price tag.      "It will cost Rs 2.85 to 3 lakh for each stent, and the entire hospitalization may cost a patient over Rs 4 lakh for a single stent," said a hospital administrator. In contrast, imported drug-coated permanent metallic stents cost Rs 1.3 lakh each.      Senior cardiologist Dr A B Mehta, of Jaslok Hospital, said, "The absorbable stent may only be used for a few  wealthy people in the city." However, Seth added, "We are still negotiating the cost with the company, because the absorbable stent will be beyond the reach of the common man in India."      But experts said there is no denying that the absorbable stent is an evolution.     "It's the dawning of a new era. From using balloons in the 1970s, we have now evolved to using absorbable stents," said Dr Ganesh Kumar, of Hiranandani Hospital, Powai. He said the bioabsorbable device, in fact, should be called a scaffolding and not a stent. "A stent is a permanent metallic device, while this one will dissolve completely within two years," he added.      Experts list three major advantages of the absorbable scaffolding. "There is no question of stent thrombosis (clotting) because the scaffolding dissolves," said Mehta.      Seth said the biggest advantage of the bio-absorbable stent is that patients will not need to take two anti-platelet (blood-thinning) medicines for years on end.      City-based cardiologist V T Shah said patients will need to take two blood-thinners till the scaffolding dissolves. "Thereafter, they will need to take only one for up to two years," he added. Long-term studies will show whether the blood thinners need to be taken at all in the long run.      At present, patients with regular metallic stents can never be asked to stop taking their blood thinners for fear of some clotting occurring in the stent.      "So the patients w i t h stents w h o need to undergo another operation in the future, such as knee-replacement surgery or dental implants, are at risk of excessive bleeding. They cannot risk stopping taking the blood thinners," said Shah.      The bio-absorbable stent, or scaffolding, may be the best invention for younger cardiac patients who require treatment in their 30s or 40s.      "The scaffolding will dissolve and doctors can use any mode of treatment in the future, even a cardiac bypass surgery," said Seth.

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CBSE topper 83rd victim of TB strain this yr

Mumbai: The death of 2011 CBSE Class XII topper Shreeram Radhakrishnan due to multiple drug-resistant (MDR) TB has once again alerted the city about a surreptitious killer. 
    While graft and terror occupied headlines, MDR-TB cases grew silently but frenetically over the last two years. From just over 50 in 2010, the number of confirmed cases of the strain in Mumbai increased by over 40 times to cross 2,000 this year. As for the number of suspected infections, from 74 in 2010, they crossed 10,000 in 2012. The 19-year-old Radhakrishnan was MDR-TB's 83rd victim this year. Deadly strain of TB has grown 40 times in 2 yrs 
    Multiple drug-resistant (MDR) TB, which has claimed 83 lives in Mumbai this year, including that of 2011 CBSE class XII topper Shreeram Radhakrishnan, is not the only fatal strain of the disease that is stalking Mumbai. There is one even more so, but with a lesser incidence: extremely drug-resistant (XDR) TB, which has killed four in the city and infected 21 in 2012. 
    The BMC says 1,497 of those who tested positive for MDR-TB have been put on treatment. Additional municipal commissioner (health) Manisha Mhaiskar said there were various reasons why the remaining people were not on treatment. "In all, 106 are from outside Mumbai, 88 are seeking treatment in private hospitals, 68 are not traceable and 135 should be put on treatment in the next two weeks." 
    According to Mhaiskar, the reason why MDR-TB has grown by 40 times in the last two years is that there has been better detection owing to better diagnostic techniques in the city. "MDR-TB has always been prevalent. But after the introduction of criteria 'C' by the central government, new diagnostic facilities like gene expertise and data collection from all hospitals and laboratories have ensured that there is better diagnosis of the strain," she said. 
    Criteria 'C' means that any patient suffering from MDR-TB—even those previously on private treatment-—can be included under the government-run Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), which ensures free treatment to patients. 
    But doctors say the city was largely ignorant about MDR-TB till this year. "It was only earlier this year, when the extra-extensively drug resistant (XXDR) TB strain was brought to the notice of the authorities, did the government become alert towards MDR-TB. Prior to this, most doctors tried various drugs and would then come to a conclusion on if the strain was multiple drug-resistant. By the time the correct treatment was found, the patient would die. What's more, MDR-TB+ cases were hardly reported and deaths would be marked as TB deaths," said a senior chest doctor from a private hospital.

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Myth busted: Mind can cope with 4 chunks of info, not 7

Melbourne: Four, not seven, is the "magic number" when it comes to items of information the mind can cope with before confusion sets in.      A new analysis by a leading Australian psychiatrist challenges the long-held view of psychological lore of seven being the number, suggesting it might actually be four.      In 1956, American psychologist George Miller published a study arguing the mind could cope with a maximum of only seven chunks of information. The study paper, "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two. Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information", has since become one of the most highly cited psychology articles and has been judged by the Psychological Review as its most influential paper of all time.      However, University of New South Wales professor of psychiatry Gordon Parker says a re-analysis of the experiments used by Miller shows he missed the correct number by a wide mark. Writing in the Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Parker says a closer look at the evidence shows the human mind copes with a maximum of four 'chunks' of information, not seven. PTI

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Coming soon, triple therapy to make hearts beat longer

Indian-American Doctor Plans To Conduct First Surgery In City In Early 2013

    Soon, people suffering from heart troubles can avail of a new therapy. For the first time in India, to resuscitate weak hearts and make them stronger, an Indian-American surgeon will carry out triple therapy—a combination of angiogenesis, stem cells and bypass surgery. 
    Dr Mukesh Hariawala is all set to introduce the "natural bypass" in Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital in the first quarter of 2013. The surgery involves spontaneous development of new blood vessels in the heart by laser stimulation and subsequent injection of patient's own stem cells harvested from 
bone marrow. 
    "This surgery is like a natural bypass, wherein, we create alternative vessels from body's own functions," Dr Hariawala told TOI. He said the surgery is mainly meant for very sick patients, whose blood vessels degenerate over the years—especially those who suffer from diffused disease, which is more common in diabetics. 
    "We remove the patient's bone marrow, and then the stem cells are separated over the next six to eight weeks. For the triple heart therapy, a hybrid operating suite is required, which would have a combination of a cath lab and operation theatre," said the Harvard-trained doctor. 
    Once the patient is taken for the surgery, with the help of laser, doctors perform angiogenesis—the process in which new blood vessels are grown from the pre-existing ones. In this process, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein produced by cells that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate. 
    "When VEGF is released within the body because of the laser, it forms alternative blood vessels. At the peripheral area where the angiogenesis is performed, we then inject the patient's own stem cells. This patches up or completely restores the blood vessel and the patient will not need further cardiac intervention," said Dr Hariawala. 
    The clinical trial for the triple heart therapy has been successfully carried out on 22 patients worldwide. "Within first quarter of 2013, we will be able to provide this treatment," Dr R R Pulgaonkar, chief executive officer of Jaslok Hospital, said. 
    But Dr Hariawala warned that the triple therapy is not the answer to all heart problems. "Not all patients suffering from heart problems will be able to get this treatment. This is a complex procedure and is done on only those patients, who suffer from extremely degenerated blood vessels and on whom the bypass surgery alone will not work," he said.

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Most of us are ignorant about effective brushing and face-washing

Go to hygiene school

What's to learn? Loads. 

    It's two of many things we do first thing in the morning. Every morning. We've been doing it since we could hold a brush, and soap. So, we imagine, we can't get it wrong. 
    But dermatologists and dentists claim several of us haven't mastered the right technique of washing our faces, and brushing teeth. Mirror gets Dr Jaishree Sharad and Dr Anand Shetye to tell you where you are going wrong. THE PERFECT TOOTH SCRUB 
    Since mornings tend to be rushed, brushing is one of the first casualties. You need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes if you are to maintain optimum oral health. Dr Anand Shetye, prosthodontist and implantologist says, "The morning routine should combine brushing, tongue cleaning and massaging the gums. Always hold the brush at a 45 degree angle, and rotate it in circular motion, not horizontally across the teeth surface. Target a few teeth at a time, and always remember to brush the gum line (where the teeth meet the gums). 
    Tongue cleaning minimises bad breath (halitosis). Gums are the supporting system for teeth. A coral pink colour is a sign of good healthy gums, says Dr Shetye. Use the brush to gently massage the gums and improve blood circulation. 
    Always pick a toothbrush with soft bristles arranged in various directions. Change it once in three months. Brushing should be followed by flossing to help dislodge food debris (plaque) that sits between the teeth and breeds bacteria. While choosing a toothpaste, check for baking soda content. It helps remove stains, but too much of it can lead to deterioration of the enamel (glass-like material layers the teeth). 
    Wash your brush thoroughly, else you will be shoving bacteria leftover on the bristles, back into your mouth. THE PERFECT FACE WASH ROUTINE 
    Washing the face is an important act of the personal hygiene routine, although most of us do it on auto mode. Cleansing helps get rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, make-up and bacteria. 
    If your facial skin feels dry and tight, it could have something to do with how you wash your face. If you are using a lathery soap bar, scrubbing your face with vengeance, and wiping it vigorously with a towel, you are doing more harm than good. 
    The skin on your face is not the same as that on your body. Besides, not all soaps are created equal. First, recognise your skin type — oily, dry, normal or combination. Dr Jaishree Sharad, cosmetic dermatologist, explains, "Soap can alter the pH of skin, making it alkaline and hence, dry." A mild face wash is your best option. Look out for one with the following ingredients —cocamidopropyl betaine or caprylic triglyceride, all sulfate-free surfactants. 
    Sharad suggests that you wash your hands thoroughly before you wash your face, else you will be working dirt into your skin. Apply the cleanser using your finger tips, not palms, with gentle, circular strokes, starting at the base and moving upward on your face and neck. "Don't scrub. A gentle massage is effective at loosening grime and dead skin cells. Scrubbing irritates the skin. Always rinse with tepid, not cold, water. Hot water dries the skin, while cold water cannot dissolve embedded dirt. Don't forget to rinse the cleanser from your neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt," she adds. 
    To dry your face, gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Don't drag the towel across your face. Follow it with a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type. This helps seal in surface moisture. 
    Massaging your face doesn't increase circulation. It can in fact, stimulate sebaceous glands and lead to acne. Exercise is your bet if you want to boost blood circulation.

Dr Anand Shetye

DON'T move your brush across the surface of your teeth, from left to right

DO hold the brush at an angle, and move in up and down in short, vigorous strokes

Dr Jaishree Sharad

DON'T scrub your face vigorously with your palms

DO use the tips of your fingers to gently massage face wash into your skin

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‘RESPIRATORY CASES RISE’

Mumbaikars under the weather as winter sets in Mumbai:The chill in the last two dayshas left Mumbaikars breathless and wheezing.      The temperatures in Santa Cruz soared to 17.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, about three degrees more than the recorded minimum temperatures on Monday. The minimum temperature in Colaba was 22 degrees Celsius. However, during the afternoon the mercury  climbed to 33.5 degrees and 33.3 degrees in Colaba and Santa Cruz.      According to doctors, the swing in temperature is causing havoc on respiratory tracts. "There is a paradoxical situation with the weather, which is causing more of throat infections than anything else," said Dr Hemant Thacker, who consults in Jaslok and Breach Candy hospitals. "More patients are comingwith wheezing and dry cough. They do not get any phlegm, which is even worse as there is no relief from the bouts of cough until the infection is gone. I have seen about 10 cases daily since the temperature started dipping from Saturday," he added.      While many doctors claim that the infections are allergic reaction to a thick layer of smog in the morning, others believe that most are cases of viral infections. "We are seeing a 40-60% increase in the number of OPD patients suffering from respiratory problems," said Dr Shahid Barmare, physician with Kohinoor Hospital at Kurla.      Dr Khusrav Bajan, intensivist at Hinduja Hospital said there was a lull in the cases of respiratory problems last week. "Smokers and those with existing problems are having trouble during the morning and night," he said.

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‘Rainforest’ of bacteria lives in our belly buttons

London: Navels harbour an ecosystem of bacteria which is similar in their biodiversity to the world's rainforests, a new study has claimed. 

    US researchers found 2,368 species of bacteria, 1,458 of which may be new to science, after two years of literal navel gazing. 
    Just eight of these species were found in more than 70% of individuals sampled. However, questions remain as to what factors govern which species will be found on which people, the Daily Mail reported. 
    "The common, abundant species are from a relatively small number of evolutionary lines, indicating that they have evolved traits that make them at home on human skin," said Rob Dunn of North Carolina State University. "However, we are still trying to figure out what determines which of these species are found in a givenperson's belly button," he said. 
    "We've looked at sex, age, ethnicity and a number of other factors — none of them are predictive of which species live in that person," Dunn added. 
    Dunn and his team swabbed more than 500 belly buttons over the past two years, but concentrate on just 60 individuals for their study published in the journal PLoS One. 
    The researchers launched their project in part to investigate claims over recent years that the collection of organisms on human skin forms our first line of defence against pathogens. 
    "We know that without these microbes our immune systems won't function properly," Dunn said. PTI

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FIX YOUR HEALTH AT LUNCH BREAK

10 easy lunchtime changes that can fit wellness into your exhausting work week

If you work full time, your lunch break is probably sacred. But how often do you spend that precious hour at your desk, munching a mayo-heavy sandwich and barely tearing your eyes from your computer screen? 
    Recent research found that half of office workers feel more stimulated after going out for lunch. Yet only 15 per cent actually leave their desk. You're not alone if you feel chained to your desk, but small changes can make a big difference. 
1 Swap your sarnie 
Your packed lunch could be seriously affecting your waistline if it's laden with calories. Aim to eat low glycaemic index (GI) foods, which contain slow release carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, says nutritionists. 
    By swapping a chicken-mayonnaise (535 calories), for an egg sandwich made with wholemeal bread (270 calories), you'll save 265 calories. Or save 136 calories by having a 100g pot of humus (187 cal) with a large mixed salad (222 cal). 
2 Work out at work 
If you really can't get out to exercise, bring your fitness regime inside. No need to limber up in a leotard at your desk, but you can sneak in some exercise without getting funny looks from colleagues. Ab pull-ins are one of the best ways to strengthen your belly. Sitting straight, pull your abdominal muscles in by tightening them. Hold for five seconds, and release. Repeat 20 times. 
3 Stay active 
Sitting down at work all day can have adverse consequences for your figure — and your health. Research has shown that going on a power walk daily can halve the risk of a heart attack. Exercising at lunchtime can energise you, say fitness experts. "It means you're less likely to succumb to the afternoon munchies. Several offices now have in-house gyms, so that makes things easier. Or just head out for a short walk. 
4 Ditch the coffee 
You may love your creamy latte, but it's not doing you much good. Change your order from a large latte 
    (280 calories) to a calorie-free green tea. Green tea is less likely to give you that afternoon slump as there's less of a blood sugar 'peak and trough' effect. It also protects you against degenerative diseases if drunk often. Else, swap your latte for a mug of tea with milk (20 calories), which means you cut out 260 calories. Go easy on the sugar. 
5 Mind your mess 
Finding it difficult to think straight surrounded by all those mouldy cups and piles of paperwork? Use your lunch hour to tidy your desk and give yourself a mental boost. Your subconscious mind doesn't discriminate between positive or negative. It defines your current state of mind and affects how you act. 
    So, messy spaces produce a muddled mind while a tidy desk brings clarity. 
6 Sun substitutes 
You won't get your recommended dose of vitamin D spending all day indoors. Nothing can replace getting out into the sunshine, but adjusting your diet can help. Eggs and mackerel are rich in vitamin D. 
7 Take a screen break 
If you work on a computer all day, getting regular screen breaks — especially at lunchtime — could save your eyesight. Screens subject your eyes to flicker and glare, which can cause myopia or shortsightedness. Staring at the screen can also cause blurred vision, double vision, dry and red eyes, headaches and neck and back pain. Blink often to keep your eyes moist, splash them with water and look away from the screen at regular intervals, to focus on objects that stand at a distance. 
8 Trade your chocolate 
If you can't resist the allure of chocolate at lunchtime, think of the long-term effects it could have on your figure. If you're addicted to colas, why not try a fruit smoothie instead? The micronutrients in a smoothie make it better than a cola. 
9 Take the stairs 
We don't just use calories by exercising. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy used for everything other than sleeping, eating or conventional exercise. By going for a stroll in a shopping area close to work, you could use 30 calories in 'neat' energy. Climbing the stairs every day could tally up, over a month, to the equivalent of a step class. 
10 Do nothing 
At lunchtime, find a park bench and watch the world go by. You might think you can just rest your body but you must never forget to calm your mind. A clear mind gives a feeling of fearlessness, confidence and clarity. Don't feel guilty about taking your lunch break. It's your time. 
    —Daily Mirror

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Diabetes can cause deafness, says study

Washington: Diabetes doesn't just cause blindness — it could also make you deaf, a study has warned.      According to researchers, patients with diabetes have a significantly higher prevalence of hearing impairment than patients without the disease. They note that the finding is likely to be independent of the effect of aging or a noisy environment.      The number of those with impaired hearing more than doubled in the period from 1995 to 2004, researchers said.      "The link between hearing impairment with diabetes is controversial, but it is believed that over time, high blood glucose levels can damage vessels in the stria vascularis and nerves diminishing the ability to hear," said Chika Horikawa from Japan. the lead author of the study.      "We found persons with diabetes had more than two times higher prevalence of hearing impairment than those without diabetes," Horikawa said. PTI

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Mithai as health tonic Ayurveda says eating energy-rich festive foods is good for you

From scrumptious karanjis to ghee-laden anarsas and spiral chaklis, making sweets and savouries during Diwali has been a long-standing tradition. What's probably going to be music to the sweet-toothed's ear is Dr Balaji Tambe's research, which shows that traditional festival foods have been designed to improve health. 

    "Ayurveda has identified important nutrients in almost every food, and the art of Indian cooking is based on this knowledge," says the founder of the ayurveda centre Atmasantulana Village. "Cane sugar, for instance, which has been favoured in Indian tradition, is a cooling agent. It gives you strength, increases shukra dhatu (virya, seminal fluids), and pacifies pitta and vata." 
    Likewise, ghee (ayurvedic or homemade), which ayurveda describes as a life-giving nectar, is considered the best lubricant and digestive regulator. It strengthens sense organs, improves memory, intelligence, and vitality. It detoxifies and rejuvenates the system, he shares. Wheat or rawa, another key ingredient in mithai, has the capacity to strengthen all dhatu (seven levels of tissue), improve complexion, and pacify vata and pitta. 
    The fact that the festive season follows the rains closely has something to do with the reason to eat rich foods now. The monsoon denies us exposure to sunlight. "Once the rains have faded, the digestive fire increases with the sun, and the body must, therefore, be provided with appropriate energy-filled foods. If we deny ourselves rich nutritional foods at this time of the year, the digestive fire could eat into the tissues or even disturb hormonal balance. Feeding the body rich foods now benefits you all year round," explains Dr Tambe. 
1 ANARSA OR SHAALIPOOP 
INGREDIENTS : 200 gm rice dough; 20 gm khus khus; 300 gm ghee; jaggery (as per taste) and water. 
METHOD: Wash the rice dough well with water, and pound it (with mortar and pestle) into flour. Add ghee, jaggery and water to prepare it and knead again. Store the ready dough for two-three days. Make it into flattened round patties (three inches in diameter and half a centimetre in thickness). Sprinkle poppy seeds over one side of the patty, and deep fry in ayurvedic ghee. Keep the poppy side up in the pan. Do not turn. Fry until it reddens. 
BENEFIT: Lubricates the body, increases vitality without producing heat. Helps nourish all the seven tissue levels of the body, and can stop diarrhoea too. 
2 CHAKLI/VESHTANI 
INGREDIENTS: 100 gm fresh urad pith (black gram flour); 6 gm salt; 2 gm asafoetida; 20 gm ginger juice; ayurvedic ghee; cold water. 
METHOD: Mix urad flour, salt, asafoetida and ginger juice into a hard dough with cold water. Apply a little ayurvedic ghee or sesame/groundnut oil on your hands and knead it well. Make three balls. Roll them into sticks (as thick as pencils). Arrange the rolled sticks into spirals of two-three inches in diameter. Deep fry in ayurvedic ghee to make chakli. For veshtani (easier to digest), steam the same preparation for approximately 20 minutes. Serve with coriander chutney. 
BENEFIT: Both chakli and veshtani increase seminal fluids and vitality. The main ingredient, urad, is an important lubricating agent, which increases kapha. It is an aphrodisiac and a strength-giving tonic. This helps clear urination, supports flesh and fat tissue and serves as a medicine for piles, facial palsy as well as vata diseases like paralysis and nervous disorders. 
3 KARANJI 
INGREDIENTS: For the puri: 60 gm fine wheat flour; 6 gm rawa; ghee. For the filling: 150 gm cane sugar; 90 gm fresh coconut; pinch of cardamom, powdered clove, black pepper powder, charoli/chironji (buchanania lanzan) and edible camphor. 
METHOD: To prepare the puris, make hard dough of rawa and fine wheat flour with milk as required to make it soft, and a little ghee (1 tsp). Set dough aside for two hours. Pound in a mortar or mixer, make small balls and roll out like puris. The filling must be prepared separately. Roast rawa in ghee, slowly. Add sugar, cardamom, fresh coconut, powdered clove, black pepper powder, charoli/chironji and a tiny pinch of edible camphor to roasted rawa preparation and mix thoroughly. Now, place two teaspoons of the filling in the puri and fold it over the filling to make a semi circle. Press the edges together and deep-fry in ghee. While hot, immerse in sugar syrup and remove after some time. It is ready to serve. 
BENEFIT: This preparation builds up all seven tissues, particularly vitality and seminal fluids. Although it is heavy to digest, it helps with motions. It is good for bones, strengthens the heart, and reduces pitta and vata doshas. 
AYURVEDA BASICS 
Ayurveda explains that everything in the universe, including humans, exhibit a combination of three tendencies — kapha (matter-inertia-heaviness), vata (flow-movement-activity pressure) and pitta (digestive fire and catalytic agency-warmth-enthusiasm). To understand food and digestion, learning about pitta is essential.

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An egg a day keeps allergies at bay

 Avoiding sweet treats like cakes and cookies might not be necessary for children with egg allergies. New studies presented at the AmericanCollegeofAllergy,AsthmaandImmunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found 56 per cent of allergic children can tolerate baked hen's egg, while 55 per cent outgrow their egg allergy entirely. "More than half of egg allergic children can tolerate hen's eggs when they are baked at 350 degrees in products such as cakes and breads," said allergist Rushani Saltzman, lead study author and ACAAI member."Dietaryintroductionofbakedeggbyanallergist can broaden a child's diet, improve quality of life and likely accelerate the development of an egg tolerance." 

In a separate study also presented at the meeting, Ruchi Gupta, lead study author, found that out of the eight common food allergens, children most commonly outgrew egg allergy. 
"Food tolerance was observed in one in four children, with 55 per cent outgrowing their egg allergy by age seven," said Gupta. 
"Developing an egg tolerance is the most common for children, followed by milk. A small proportion outgrew shellfish and nut allergies." MM

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Lead a controlled lifestyle to prevent diabetes

WHILE DIABETES CAN BE GENETIC, DOCTORS SAY THAT TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS CAN BE PREVENTED BY FOLLOWING A PROPER LIFESTYLE

If you think that diabetes is a disease that afflicts the older folks and you are safe from it, then we beg you to think again. Those overweight, over-stressed and poor lifestyle observers are easy targets for this lifestyle disease, even at the young age of 20. 
    While diabetes can be genetic, doctors say that type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can be prevented by following a proper lifestyle. 
Here are the top 5 ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes: 
Exercise regularly 
Regular exercise for at least 5 to 6 days in a week is a must. Opt for 30 minutes of intense exercise where the heart rate is double. Brisk walking or jogging and muscle building through weight lifting are good. 
    Have an active lifestyle, which means one must exercise at least 20-30 minutes in a day. Aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling and swimming are good. Improving physical activity is one major step in preventing Type 2 diabetes. 
Stress reduction 
    Stress reduction, both - at home and at workplace, is a must. Meditation, music, giving and getting love and respect from children, contentment in life, learning to forgive and keeping pets at home are a few ways through which one can combat stress. 
    Make sure you are sleeping for 8 hours at night as various studies have shown that less than 6 hours of shut-eye time can put you at a greater risk of diabetes. Also, avoid sleeping too much, as sleeping too long because of sleep apnea is also linked to diabetes. 
Maintain your weight 
    Keep BMI (weight in kgs divided by square of height in metres) at around 22- 23. Waistline for males should be less than 90, and for females less than 80 cms. 
    Maintain your body weight, that is, do not gain too much weight above the ideal body weight. And as far as possible, avoid abdominal fat which causes insulin insensitivity leading to Type 2 diabetes. If obese, try and reduce at least a few kilograms in order to get a head start. 
Eat a healthy diet 
    Small frequent meals i.e. total daily calories load is divided into 3 small meals and 3 snacks, roughly at three hourly intervals. Avoid excess of refined carbohydrates and fats. 
    Eat a healthy diet with high fiber, low fat, optimal calories for age and complex carbohydrates. A healthy diet should have sufficient calories as required at a particular age and work type. It should be high in fiber and low in fat. Do not over-eat or over-drink. One must enjoy one's meal or a drink or two once in a while but over-drinking and over-eating adds extra calories, which are converted into fat in the body causing insulin intolerance and thus obesity. 
Annual self risk assessment 
    Those with a family history of diabetes, or those who are overweight/obese, follow a sedentary life style, and have waistlines beyond 102 cms (for men) and 85 cms (for women), or a history of diabetes during pregnancy are at a greater risk of developing diabetes. 
    If one has an underlying disease that must be cured such as hypertension or depression, then the risk of diabetes is higher. One must try to quit smoking in order to prevent diabetes. Annual investigations should be done for early diagnosis and preferably to investigate the disease in pre-diabetic stage in order to reverse the disease.

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Is Mumbai Obe-city?

Obesity is a disease, 

declared by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic! It is one of the major causes of death due to stroke, cancer, blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Excessive accumulation of fat gives rise to diabetes at an early age, while fat in abdomen has strong connection with uncontrolled diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Clinically, higher the waist circumference, higher is the risk of having diabetes and other obesity-related diseases. Abdominal obesity is a better risk predictor than Body Mass Index, body weight and fat. 
    Obese and diabetic patients should undergo lifestyle alterations and advanced non-surgical fat loss treatments, which destroy fat cells on the tummy, waist, hips and thighs, thereby reducing the fat and waist circumference permanently. 
Reduction of fat cells gives rise to more insulin. It thus reduces sugar levels and requirement of insulin/ antidiabetic drugs. 
    — Dr Manjiri Patankar, MBBS, M.D, Obesity Consultant and Cosmetic Physician, heads Instasculpt clinics in India, Dubai and Kuwait. 
For 
appointments, call between 10 am and 8 pm: Thane: 64561313, Bandra: 64561300, Vashi: 64561312, Malad: 64561310, Chembur: 64561307, Borivali: 64561308, Dombivali: 0251-6520005. E-mail:info@insta-sculpt.com 
www.insta-sculpt.com 

Dr Manjiri Patankar

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Want to stay fit in old age? Start drinking lots of milk

London: Children who regularly drink milk are physically fitter in old age, according to a new study which suggests that benefits of milk consumption early in life last through to later years.      Researchers from Bristol University found that elderly people who consumed the highest amounts of milk and dairy foods in childhood were able to walk faster and were much less likely to suffer problems with balance.      "This is the first study to show positive associations of childhood milk intake with physical performance in old age," researchers said. The findings could be important because poor balance raises the risk of fractures in old age, the Daily Mail reported.      Consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy produce has long been thought to help build strong bones by providing calcium in childhood. Researchers wanted to see if the benefits of milk consumption early in life lasted through to later years. The study published in journal Age and Ageing found milk-lovers had 5% faster walking times than those who drank little or no milk. PTI

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Recipes for diabetics too!

 Sure, sugar is an integral part of the sweets prepared on Diwali but for the all the diet conscious people and for those with health concerns, sugar-free cupcake or diet cup cakes are the alternate choices. The sweets can be prepared using artificial sweeteners. Says dietician Pooja Makhija, "Chocolates, mithai, rasgullas, laddoos and peda made from a sugar substitute will have nearly half of the calories as their normal counterparts. You can use naturally sweet ingredients to make mithai. This calls for use of dry fruits like anjeer or dried figs or apricot as a base as well as addition of other nuts like almonds, walnuts and pistachios." 

WATCH OUT 
Nutritionist Priya Karkera presents tips to eat right for diabetic patients. "Hunger pangs are bound to increase during Diwali when one sees so many scrumptious sweets displayed before one's eyes, but beware of the sugars," she says. "They will instantly shoot up blood glucose levels. Thankfully, today's market caters to the plenty of diwali sweets to fulfil the needs of all diabetic patients. Whatever you eat, sugar-free or out, don't binge on it ," she cautions. KHAJUR AND AKHROT ROLL 
Makes: 175 g 
Ingredients 
Dates — 100 g Walnuts — 50 g Almonds — 25 g Pistachios — 25 g Figs — 25 g Ghee — 1 tbsp Edible gum (gond) — 1 tbsp (10 g) Aluminium foil — 1 sheet Poppy seeds — 2 tbsp 
Method 
Dry-roast the walnuts, almonds and pistachios. Coarsely chop the dryfruits and figs. Heat the ghee in a non-stick pan and add the gum resin. Shallow-fry the resin till the grains are swollen. Drain and crush or chop finely. Heat the remaining ghee, add the chopped nuts and gum and saute till fragrant. Set aside to cool. Knead the mixture into a dough, and spread it on a piece of aluminium foil. Tightly roll up the date mixture with the help of the foil and place in a refrigerator for about an hour. Remove the foil and cut the nut roll into oneinch pieces. Roll in poppy the seeds and serve. 
— Sanjeev Kapoor

KHEER 
Boil one litre of milk with dried khajur then add raw rice to this. Keep stirring. There's no need to add artificial sweetener as khajur sweetens the milk. Let the milk get reduced to 2/3 rd or 1/2 as desired by the people you are going to serve. Add small pieces of different dry fruits to it at least 10 minutes before taking it off from fire. Can serve chilled. — Pooja Makhija

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60% diabetics undiagnosed in India: Expert

Mumbai: Nearly 60% of Indians suffering from diabetes remain undiagnosed, said the International Diabetes Federation chief Jean Claude Mbanya at a diabesity summit held in Mumbai on Thursday. 
    Underlining the lack of awareness about the disease, he said one million Indians died every year due to diabetes-related complications. Dr Mbanya made these observations while delivering the keynote address at the Diabesity Summit organized by Times of India and the Sanofi Diabetes Blue Fortnight 2012. look chubby," said Khan. 
    "They don't realize they are contributing to an imbalanced nutrition that will show up as a problem later in life," she added. 
    Khan said India could take a hint from Korea, where companies provided economic incentives to people who keep themselves fit. "We could promote non-stick cookware and train anganwadi and other healthcare workers on the need for proper nutrition," she added. 
    Endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi said, "We live in a concretized world where fat is the next tobacco." He said obesity had surpassed malnutrition. "Because of labour-saving devices, there is a rise in 
    Maharashtra minister of state for public health Fawzia Khan, who was the chief guest, said there is a need for better health awareness in society given the galloping rate of the twin epidemic of diabetes and obesity. "We see mothers giving fatty foods to their children so that they childhood obesity. One in four children are obese," Dr Joshi added. Dr Anoop Misra, chairman of the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, said, "India is facing a tsunami of diabetes."

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Noisy crackers release metal dust, play havoc with Mumbaikars’ health

SPARE OUR EARS

The next time you light a rocket or a sparkler, remember that some amount of metal is loaded on to firecrackers to produce the bright red, blue and yellow colours they give out. These metals are poisonous and banned under the Hazardous Chemicals Act as they can cause a host of problems for people with low immunity or those with chronic ailments. 

    Dr Amita Athavale, head of department of chest medicine at KEM Hospital, said, "Metals 
such as copper and cadmium are added in firecrackers to produce colours when they are lit. These metals settle on tree leaves and other surfaces in dust form. For a long time thereafter, they remain in the environment, are inhaled continuously and affect the respiratory tract of people — especially those who already suffer from some problems." 
    Many components of firecrackers — aluminium, sulphur dioxide, potassium nitrate and barium, for instance — can cause a string of health hazards ranging from headache and breathing difficulties to serious disorders following years of exposure. (See 'Lights, Sound, Chemical Reaction'). 
    Worse, noise from crackers — especially those with highvelocity — can cause hearing damage, said city doctors. Several cases of eardrum damage are so severe that they have to be operated upon. According to ENT specialists, firecrackers can cause three types of hearing loss — adaptation, temporary and permanent. "Most people feel numbness in the ears for a few seconds after very loud bombs are burst. But there are many who cannot hear properly for about 24 hours and a few for whom the loss is much more permanent," said Dr Vikas Agarwal, ENT surgeon at BSES Hospital in Andheri. 
    Several also end up with a buzzing noise in their ear which refuses to abate. "Pressure and noise from the crackers, especially from a long ladi (string of crackers) or a sutli bomb, can cause timmitor or a permanent buzzing sound," said Dr Nishit Shah, ENT surgeon at Bombay Hospital. 
    "I have had cases of people who have suffered holes in the eardrums because of a direct injury or a tear because of sound pressure. Such cases have to be operated upon and still may not regain hearing completely," he said. 
    Breathing disorders, too, skyrocket, especially among asthma patients. Madhav Sharma, therefore, celebrates Diwali in self-imposed solitude. The 81-year-old confines himself to his sixth-floor flat and shuts all doors and windows. On the other hand, Nandini Khare, a 79-year-old Mahim resident, will leave for her Panvel flat this weekend. Her doctor has asked her to be careful as she has only recently recovered from pneumonia. 
    Dr Athavale says avoiding exposure might not be possible. "We tell patients to increase medication and teach them 'early identification of symptoms'... People should understand their short-term celebration affects others in the long run. One can come up with innovative ideas such as laser shows or community celebrations with fewer crackers rather than gifting trouble to others with fireworks.'' 
LIGHTS, SOUND, CHEMICAL REACTION TYPES OF FIRECRACKERS AND THEIR COMPOSITION 
    BOMBS 
These include atom bombs, sutli bombs and even a chain or a string of a thousand crackers 
Chemicals A black powder, also known as gun powder, which contains charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate. A tight paper tube with a fuse is used to light the powder 
Metal A composition used in a firecracker might have aluminum instead of or in addition to charcoal to brighten the explosion AERIAL FIREWORKSThese include all types of rockets or those that shoot up in the air and then explode 
Chemicals 
These, too, contain the black powder which includes charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate 
Metal 
Aluminium 
SPARKLERS 
These include all fireworks that burn up to a minute and produce extremely bright and showery light such as anar, chakri and sparklers 
Chemicals These include charcoal, sulphur, aluminum perchlorate or barium nitrate. A variety of chemicals are added to produce vibrant colours 
Metals Iron or steel powder. Also, it is very common for fireworks to contain aluminum zinc or magnesium dust to create bright, shimmering sparks 
HEALTH HAZARDS OF CHEMICALS AND METALS PRESENT IN FIRECRACKERS 
ALUMINIUM High levels could cause toxicity. People with kidney problems and older people are more vulnerable Effects: It can cause skeletal and neuromuscular problems, apart 
    from weakness, bone 
    pain, digestive problems, 
    confusion, headache, 
    heartburn, emotional instability, disturbed sleep 
SULPHUR DIOXIDE 
Exposure to very high levels can be life-threatening 
Effects It can cause heart, eye, hearing, liver and kidney damage, stomach disorder, suffocation and disturb blood circulation 
POTASSIUM NITRATE 
It can irritate respiratory track 
Effects It can cause shortness of breath, gastric and stomach pain, dizziness, bloody diarrhea, convulsions, mental impairment, redness or itching of skin or eyes 
BARIUM Certain compounds like barium acetate are highly poisonous 
Effects Mild exposure can cause muscle fatigue or weakness, difficulty in breathing, blood pressure changes, facial numbness, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps

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