Heel Spurs to Relieve the Pain

7 Natural Home Remedies for Heel Spurs to Relieve the Pain

A heel spur is a condition which causes calcium deposits that lead to a bony intrusion under the heel bone. It is often associated to the inflammation of the connective tissues between the foot and the heel bone and thus, leaving you in pain. It may also lead to swelling, irritation and weakening of the arch bone. While the treatment includes exercise, anti-inflammatory medicines and surgery in some cases to remove the calcium deposits, there are few natural solutions to help you deal with the pain.

Causes of Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are mostly common among athletes but too much strain on the foot muscles and ligaments can put anyone at risk. Here are some of the most common risk factors:

Running or jogging excessively on hard surfaces

Walking abnormally while putting too much stress on the heel bone

Obesity and excessive weight

Wearing ill-fitted shoes regularly that do not support the arch properly

Being diabetic

People who have flat feel or high arches

 

The pain caused by heel spurs can often be sharp and stabbing like pin sticking into your heel, especially when you walk or stand up after a period of rest. A diet rich in magnesium (essential for bone formation and calcium absorption) and alkaline foods to balance the PH levels in out body which can prevent inflammation and calcium build-up can help support speedy recovery. In addition to this, here are seven easy home remedies that can provide a good degree of relief from the throbbing pain.

1. Epsom salt bath

Epsom salt is nothing but magnesium sulphate. Interestingly, most of the magnesium in our body is stored in the bones. Sprinkle some Epsom salt in water and dip your feet in it. You can also gently massage your heels with it.

2. Massage with essential oils

Pure essential oils like rosemary or lavender and even everyday oils such as coconut and olive oil can help reduce pain due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil also acts as a natural moisturizer that softens your heels. Just warm up the oil slightly and rub it deeply but gently into your heel.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is the new super food. It can cure anything from skin and stomach problems to pain. Apple cider vinegar is known to pull out the excess calcium from the bone and bring relief. You can either soak your feet in a tub of warm water with few drops of apple cider vinegar or wrap a wet towel drenched in it around your heel for few minutes.

4. Ice pack

If you’re looking for quick and instant relief you should look at doing cold fomentation. Applying an ice pack on the affected area for few minutes is a great way to soothe swelling and pain. Avoid applying ice directly to your heel – use an ice pack or wrap in in a towel.

5. Baking soda

You’ll be surprised to know the number of things this humble kitchen ingredient can be used for. From giving you beautiful skin to whitening your teeth, baking soda offers a lot of benefits. It works directly on the calcium crystals deposited in the heel. Make a paste by mixing half teaspoon of baking soda in water and apply this on your heel. Baking soda also helps in balancing the PH levels.

 

6. Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid, which attacks inflammation. Pour some flaxseed oil in warm water and dip a towel in it. Wrap the towel around your heel and place a heating pad over it. Leave it on for at least an hour and avoid moving during this period.

7. Have anti-inflammatory foods

Certain ingredients like turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper and cumin seeds are known for their strong anti-inflammatory properties. These foods contain natural antioxidants and polyphenol that act as protective compounds and can help reduce levels of inflammation. You can make a decoction with 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, turmeric or pepper and warm water. Drink this whenever pain arises. With cumin seeds, you can boil them in water, strain and drink up to counter the pain.

Eat Less Live Long

Eat Less Live Long: Cutting Down On Your Calories May SlowAgeing

Who doesn't want to know the secret to long life? What we wouldn't do to prevent those wrinkles and fine lines, which make the process of ageing so obvious. Ageing is inevitable, and it does dampen one's spirit. While there are endless cosmetics products available in the market, each claiming to be a miracle formula to help you prevent signs of ageing or give you an youthful glow, the truth is that they can help only on the surface. If you want to slow down ageing naturally, you need to do so from within. What you eat and how you lead your life play a significant role on your health. Doctors would tell you that if you maintain a balanced diet and lead an active life, it can take you a long way towards good health, and in the process keep you looking youthful and make your skin glow. So yes, cutting down on junk food, processed products and fried items is absolutely necessary.

 

A recent study has suggested that eating less can slow down ageing processes. Published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, the study offers one glimpse into how cutting calories impacts aging inside a cell. The researchers found that when ribosomes—the cell's protein makers—slow down, the aging process slows too. The decreased speed lowers production but gives ribosomes extra time to repair themselves.

"The ribosome is a very complex machine, sort of like your car, and it periodically needs maintenance to replace the parts that wear out the fastest," said Brigham Young University biochemistry professor and senior author John Price. "When tires wear out, you don't throw the whole car away and buy new ones. It's cheaper to replace the tires." So what causes ribosome production to slow down in the first place? At least for mice: reduced calorie consumption.

Price and his fellow researchers observed two groups of mice. One group had unlimited access to food while the other was restricted to consume 35 percent fewer calories, though still receiving all the necessary nutrients for survival. "When you restrict calorie consumption, there's almost a linear increase in lifespan," Price said. "We inferred that the restriction caused real biochemical changes that slowed down the rate of aging."

Price's team isn't the first to make the connection between cut calories and lifespan, but they were the first to show that general protein synthesis slows down and to recognize the ribosome's role in facilitating those youth-extending biochemical changes.

"The calorie-restricted mice are more energetic and suffered fewer diseases," Price said. "And it's not just that they're living longer, but because they're better at maintaining their bodies, they're younger for longer as well." Ribosomes, like cars, are expensive and important—they use 10-20 percent of the cell's total energy to build all the proteins necessary for the cell to operate. Because of this, it's impractical to destroy an entire ribosome when it starts to malfunction. But repairing individual parts of the ribosome on a regular basis enables ribosomes to continue producing high-quality proteins for longer than they would otherwise. This top-quality production in turn keeps cells and the entire body functioning well.

 

Despite this study's observed connection between consuming fewer calories and improved lifespan, Price assured that people shouldn't start counting calories and expect to stay forever young. Calorie restriction has not been tested in humans as an anti-aging strategy, and the essential message understands the importance of taking care of our bodies.

"Food isn't just material to be burned—it's a signal that tells our body and cells how to respond," Price said. "We're getting down to the mechanisms of aging, which may help us make more educated decisions about what we eat."

Lose Belly Fat

Lose Belly Fat and Pear-Shaped Body Type to Cut Risks ofDiabetes

One of every five men and women in India is obese or overweight. While a few prefer to work out on extra body fat to develop a nice physique, medical surgery for weight loss is also a feasible option for some. Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is used to treat people who are dangerously obese. Although surgical removing of fat is an unconventional way of becoming fit yet a bariatric surgery has become a choice for the lazier half. Leaving the fact that it is for people who are extremely obese, other people are also using the bariatric surgery to get in the desired shape. There might be a good news for the ones who are planning to opt a bariatric. Bariatric surgeries may help you in controlling diabetes suggests a new study. The sugar disease is posing an enormous health problem to our country. However, medical experts feel that timely detection and right management can go a long way in helping patients lead a normal life.

 

There are many risk factors for ‘type 2’ diabetes such as age, race, pregnancy, stress, certain medications, genetics or family history, high cholesterol and obesity. However, the single best predictor of ‘type 2’ diabetes is overweight or obesity. Almost 90% of people living with ‘type 2’ diabetes are overweight or have obesity or vice versa, according to the study.

People with a pear-shaped body or lose belly-fat are more prone to 'type 2' diabetes concluded the research conducted at Harvard Medical School. The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests a person’s genetic makeup may cause health problems down the road.

Associate professor of Medicine, Sekar Kathiresan, Harvard Medical School said, “People vary in their distribution of body fat - some put fat in their belly, which we call abdominal adiposity, and some in their hips and thighs.” Previous observational studies have uncovered a link between belly fat and Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but fell short of proving cause and effect.

“We tested whether genetic predisposition to abdominal adiposity was associated with the risk for Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease and found that the answer was a firm ‘yes'," added Kathiresan. Previous observational studies have uncovered a link between belly fat and Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but fell short of proving cause and effect. To investigate further, researchers examined six studies conducted from 2007 to 2015, including some 400,000 participants whose genomes were analyzed. Previous research had identified 48 gene variants associated with waist-to-hip ratio, resulting in a genetic risk score. They found that people with certain genes that predisposed them to higher waist-to-hip ratio also had higher lipids, insulin, glucose and systolic blood pressure, as well as a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

"These results illustrate the power of using genetics as a method of determining the effects of a characteristic like abdominal adiposity on cardiometabolic outcomes,” said lead author Connor Emdin, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital.

 

Since researchers did not find any links between body type, genetic risk score and confounding factors such as diet and smoking, that “provides strong evidence that abdominal adiposity itself contributes to causing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” he added. Emdin said the findings could one day lead to the development of drugs designed to target belly fat, and perhaps lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Childhood Cancer

Childhood Cancer: Why Only 1 in 5 Indian Children SurvivesCancer

A heavyweight in the category of dangerous diseases, cancer ranks high on the list. It is one of the major causes of death among adult, as well as children, and across the globe. It is alarming how the disease is growing and affecting more and more people every year. As per the National Cancer Registry programme of the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR), one out of eight men today has the possibility of developing cancer in his lifetime (0-74 years). Similarly, one out of nine women has the possibility to develop cancer in her lifetime (0-74 years). There are various reasons as to what causes cancer, but one's lifestyle habits are attributed as one of the major factors.While one may assume that cancer affects more and more adults, health experts across the country are painting a different picture, bringing to light that large numbers of children in India are diagnosed with cancer. The shocking part is that most of the cases can be cured, but poor diagnosis of common symptoms like pain in the joints, fever and headache are worsening the situation, leading to death.

 

The Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) revealed statistics of children suffering from cancer disease in Mumbai to mark International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15th. As per the data, five per cent of patients suffering from different types of cancer are below the age of 18 years. In India, every year, there are 45,000 new cases of cancer patients who are under 18.

"The difference between cancer in adults and children is that for the latter it is usually considered to be either controllable or palliable. Most paediatric cancers are considered to be potentially curable," said Dr S Banawali, Head, Medical Oncology. However, the problem is that often, child patients do not know where to go for treatment and get diagnosed wrongly.

Dr A Puri, Head, Bone and Soft Tissues, said, "Earlier, children who suffered from cancer in the limbs had to be amputated, which severely impacted them psychologically. Now with the help of developed technology the limbs can be saved and only the infected part can be removed. In 80-90 per cent of the cases, we have been successful in saving the limbs."

There are different kinds of cancer, of which blood cancer is considered to be a potent type as it spreads rapidly in children. Nearly 30% of children with blood cancers require bone marrow transplant. "The cure rate of cancers with bone marrow transplant is 50%. However, factors such as high cost, unavailability of donors, often push patients away from the procedure," said Dr Naveen Khattry, who heads Tata Memorial Centre's bone transplant unit. In most rural areas, even doctors are unaware of the proper treatment.

 

For solving this problem, doctors are now adopting online platforms wherein experts can discuss special cancer cases and provide inputs in real time.

Control Your FoodIntake

Can't Stop Overeating? A Gene May Help You Control Your FoodIntake

A country where 270 million people live below the poverty line, obesity seems to be a distant issue, meant for the rich folks of the first world. But India is under siege: junk food, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle are leading us to silent self-destruction, making one in every five Indian men and women either obese or overweight. Further, obesity among children and adolescents too is rising rapidly. Over eating or excessive intake of food is one of the major reasons of obesity among the masses. People who overeat have a clinical disorder called binge eating disorder (BED). People with BED compulsively eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time and feel guilt or shame afterward. And they do so often: at least once a week over a period of at least 3 months, thus leading to obesity. A recent research has led to the discovery of a gene that could prevent over-eating. Scientists discovered a gene that triggers a feeling of fullness and could help you prevent the urge to overeat.

Researchers from Monash University in Melbourne and the University of Copenhagen said their findings could lead to the development of a drug that reduces appetite and increases desire for exercise. The gene, which controls signals between the brain and the intestines, was discovered in roundworms, but a similar one is found in people, said the scientists. It is also believed to be behind the need to sleep after eating, which happens only when the body has stored enough fat.

 

Associate Professor Roger Pocock who conducted the research said, “When animals are malnourished they seek out food by roaming in their environment. When they're well fed they have no need to roam, and when they're fully sated they enter a sleep-like state." Dr Pocock further added, "Because roundworms share so many genes with humans they are a great model system to investigate and gain a better understanding of processes like metabolism as well as diseases in humans."

 

The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could pave the way for an alternative method to help people stay slim, said the scientists. The roundworm was chosen for the experiment because its brain is relatively simple, with just 302 neurons and 8,000 synapses. Humans, in contrast, have 100 trillion synapses and billions of neurons - but still share up to 80% of genes with the worm, said Dr Pocock.

The development of such a drug can reduce the urge of eating excess which will lead to decrease in the number of obese people throughout the world. But like other medicines, exploitation of such an impactful invention may lead to anemia, malnutrition and other such diseases which can be a by-product of eating less or insufficient amount of food. Although for now it sounds like a boon for every obese person who is also a sufferer of overeating.

Weight Loss

 Weight Loss Surgery May Cut Diabetes Risks, Says Study

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is used to treat people who are dangerously obese. Leaving the fact that it is for people who are extremely obese, other people are also using the bariatric surgery to get in the desired shape. There are many types of weight loss surgery available depending on the amount of fat percentage you want to surgically remove from the body and their effects on your body. While many of us are afraid to let the needle surgically remove all the excess body fat, bariatric surgeries may help in controlling diabetes suggests a new study.

Losing weight through surgical approaches appears to reduce people's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery resets chemical messages that fat cells send, substantially reducing people’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a study has found. Fat cells — also known as adipocytes — send messages to other cells in the form of exosomes — nanosised blobs whose contents regulate which proteins are produced by genes.  However, the messages contained in exosomes from patients who are obese alter how the body processes insulin, setting the stage for Type 2 diabetes, said researchers from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

 For the study, published in the journal Obesity, the team worked with six adults scheduled to receive gastric bypass surgery, whose average age was 38 years, and had an average body mass index (BMI) of 51.2 kg/m2. Blood samples showed that at least 168 microRNAs — the molecules responsible for sending specific messages — had changed before and after surgery. Further analyses showed that many of these microRNAs were involved in insulin signaling, the pathways that the body uses to regulate blood sugar.

By changing these outgoing microRNAs for the better, adipocytes actively were encouraging higher insulin sensitivity in other cells, warding off Type 2 diabetes, said Robert J. Freishtat, Associate Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Post-surgery each volunteer showed better insulin sensitivity and other improved markers of metabolic health.

“These volunteers were essentially cured of their diabetes after surgery. The changes we saw in their surgery-responsive microRNAS correlated with the changes we saw in their metabolic health,” Freishtat said. The findings offer hope to the nearly 2 billion adults who are overweight or obese worldwide that many of the detrimental effects of carrying too much weight can recede, even on the molecular level, once they lose weight, the researchers noted.  

Vitamin K deficiency

4 Subtle Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency

What is vitamin K? We may be aware of the importance of vitamins for the human body but do we know the significant role played by each of the different vitamins essential for human survival?

Here’s your guide to the importance of vitamin K in our body and the several signs that the lack of it may cause.

 According to Webmd, vitamin K is indispensable for the formation of clots in the blood. Think about it, one may suffer loss of a huge amount of blood, just in case vitamin k is deficient in our body. It is often believed that vitamin K and vitamin D go hand in hand with each other. If the body is deficient in any one of them, the other fails to perform effectively too. Vitamin K ensures stronger bones, overall cognitive well-being among other things. It also helps balance blood pressure and protects you from heart problems.

 There are various indicators to show that one may be suffering from a lack of vitamin K.

 

 According to BN Sinha, ayurvedic expert, some symptoms include:

 1) Blood thinning: As already mentioned above, vitamin K plays an essential role in the formation of blood clots. In case one has a deficiency of vitamin k, the body loses the ability to stop excessive flow of blood even in case of minor cuts.

 2) Weakness: A decrease in vitamin K levels causes anemia. Anemia is widely known to cause weakness in the body. One may feel lifeless, tired and appear to look pale.

(7 Best Home Remedies for Anemia)

3) Stomach pain: A good amount of vitamin k in the body monitors our digestion and facilitates smooth digestion. However, sometimes, stomach pains are common due to a lack of this vitamin in the body.

4) Nose bleeding: Those with low levels of vitamin K are highly susceptible to nose bleeding.

Always look out for these symptoms as an indicator that one is deficient in this essential vitamin.

There are several food products that could be consumed to enhance vitamin K production.

-   It is believed that green leafy vegetables enhance vitamin K production multifold. They help increase the hemoglobin level in the body.

-   Apart from vegetables, Indian spices are very beneficial for vitamin K.
-   Olive Oil is known to enhance vitamin K production in the body. So, apart from being a cooking   essential, it is a great health supplement too.

-   Cabbage and Broccoli are known to be rich sources of vitamin K intake.

Apart from these, it is important to consult your doctor in extreme cases. Our diet always has an impact on our health. Maintaining a balanced diet with a regular fitness regime would help keep us healthy and happy.

Home Remedies

6 Excellent Home Remedies for Piles

Piles or Hemorrhoids can be defined as swellings that develop inside and around the anus. They are cushions of tissue, which consist of blood vessels, muscle and so on. They are present in varying sizes and could also be outside the anus. It is not considered a serious problem and generally they disappear on their own. However, it is important to note that, sometimes, surgical procedures are required to remove piles.

Generally, genetic factors are associated with piles. They could be inherited. It is believed that as one grows older, the risk of developing piles increases. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to this problem. Often, it is seen that excessive abdominal pressure causes the veins in the anal area to swell up, transforming into piles. Obesity is a major factor here. Another important factor, which is often sidelined, is one’s diet. Diet is a predominant aspect of our lifestyle and an unhealthy diet could be the result of innumerable health issues, piles being just one of them.

 

Very often people do not realize that they are suffering from piles. Certain visible symptoms that would help recognize the issue are present. Pain and bleeding in the anus is very common. Mostly people see the development of a lump or a swelling in the area, which means there are piles. Itching and anal discharge is also common.

Fortunately, the cure of this problem lies no further than your own home. You need not worry as the treatment for piles lies in your hands itself.

Here are some home remedies that work wonders in the case of piles. 

According to BN Sinha, Ayurveda Expert, the sole reason for piles is constipation. It is more common among those who are involved in jobs that require sitting for long hours. People who do not indulge in any form of exercise and movement of the body are more vulnerable to piles, BN Sinha believes.

He suggests several home remedies that work as miracles and could help improve one’s condition naturally, in 2-3 weeks.

1) Triphala Powder – As mentioned above, constipation is a major cause for piles, triphala powder must be taken regularly to remove constipation and hence prevent piles from developing.

How to use this ingredient? BN Sinha suggests taking 4 grams of triphala powder every night before going to bed, in hot water. It works like magic if one is regular in its intake. 

 

2) Castor Oil – castor oil has wide ranging properties like anti-oxidant rich, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Hence, this ingredient has the power to decrease the size of the piles and reduce pain in the individual.

BN Sinha advises taking 3ml of castor oil in milk every night. It could also be applied in the affected area. External application and regular intake, works well to alleviate the pain and symptoms of piles.

 

3) No Heavy Food in Dinner- Our dietary habits are often the root cause of most of the health issues we are facing today. Elimination of piles requires one to eat foods that would reduce constipation, which is the number one trigger for piles, and reduce pain. One must make sure not to eat food products that contain too much fiber. Fiber has bulk formation capacities. Hence it must be avoided. Similarly, too many laxatives cause loose stool, which would cause discomfort if one were suffering from piles.  Deep fried food damages hemorrhoids further. They slow down the digestive system causing irregular bowl movement and increasing inflammation. This causes more pain and irritation. Apart from heavy food, spicy food is a big no-no as well. Especially in case of bleeding piles, they cause excruciating pain and hence must be avoided.

 

4) Increase in Water intake- This is the simplest strategy to cure piles. Adequate intake of water supplemented by a healthy diet results in healthy bowel movement. Drinking good amounts of water prevents constipation and thus piles. Having 8-10 glasses of water each day, make one’s digestive system smooth and regulates it. It is often said that prevention is better than cure, then why not take advantage of this simple strategy and live a healthy lifestyle?

 

5) Saladsc-  BN Sinha advises individuals to consume salads like cucumber every day, right after breakfast. Carrot  have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for curing piles. They also include vitamin C and K, which are known to improve vein health. 

 

6) Asafoetida or Heengc- BN Sinha urges one to include heeng in their diet. It could be included in the vegetables on a day-to-day basis or dissolved in a glass of water and must be consumed daily.It is an Indian spice used in cooking as well as curing ailments. It improves digestion and hence cures piles.

 

Consuming these homemade products on a daily basis will definitely help within 2-3 weeks.

Heavy Snowfall

Heavy Snowfall May Put Men At Risk of Heart Attack: Here's Why

There's a different charm in living in a hill station. The mesmerizing view and the cool air can soothe you from within. And being away from all the noise and pollution is no doubt a blessing. You can also enjoy the luxury of walking around to soak in some sun and nature's beauty, and eat clean and healthy. While one can go on about the beauty of cold places, on the contrary, it also brings along with it a set of drawbacks. Cold climate can actually cause havoc as you need to deal with low oxygen content in the air, freezing surfaces, deposition of snow on the roads, etc. In order to cope with the atmosphere and adapt, there are various activities and cautionary measures that are essential. The most dreadful of all is shoveling snow from the road after a heavy snowfall. It is one of the biggest problems faced by the residents in such areas. While we may count it as a medium to burn extra calories, a new study states that snow shoveling may be a contributor of heart attacks.

Researchers from University of Montreal, Canada, found that days following heavy snowfall carry a higher risk of heart attack in men and this is mainly because of them carrying out labourious activities like shoveling snow. "Up to now, there was a theoretical risk that snow shoveling can increase heart attack at a population level. With this study, we are now more certain that snowfall is linked with heart attack in individuals," said Professor Nathalie Auger of University of Montreal.

The researchers collected reports from 1981 to 2014 from 128,073 hospital admissions and 68,155 deaths from heart attack in Quebec from November through April. They corresponded that data with weather information during the respective time frame. Comparing both information they found that higher incidences of hospital admissions and deaths occurred immediately following snowfalls, even more critical during periods of stronger snowfalls that last two to three days. About 60 per cent of the heart attack cases in the study were in men

So what is the cause of these heart problems? "Snow shoveling is very challenging for the heart, and you should be aware that shoveling can be a real strain, especially if you overdo it," said Professor Nathalie Auger. Most of these activities are carried out by men thereby putting them at a higher risk, regardless of age, cardiovascular risk factors and other health conditions.

During heavy snowfalls, cautionary measures are taken to prevent automobile accidents and such, but not activities like shoveling. The researchers therefore shared that their findings should be a reminder that people need to be concerned about potential cardiovascular risks, particularly older men and those who are not at the best of cardiovascular health.

There are some questions regarding the study, however, it is important to note that since the oxygen supply is lesser in colder climates, over-exerting yourself could take a toll on your heart. The study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Sodas, Pizzas and Other Junk Food

Sodas, Pizzas and Other Junk Food May Put Kids at Liver Disease Risk

Junk food is deliciously addictive, there's no denying that fact. Munching on wafers, masala snacks, toffees and candies could make you happy, but don't just fall for the taste trap. They contain nothing but empty calories, and can cause harm to your health. The shocking truth is also that these junk food come laced with artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and what not that you can't be certain of what you are putting into your mouth. Foods like pizzas and burgers do contain veggies, meat and other nutritious ingredients but try and judge the downside - they are made with refined flour, processed cheese, sauces and dressings, that are highly calorific as well. While kids love these food items, it is important to make them understand the consequences of regular consumption of junk food. Junk food can lead to complications like obesity, chronic illness, low self-esteem and even depression, as well as affecting how they perform in school and extracurricular activities. In addition to this list, a recent study has found out that children who eat junk foods are more prone to liver malfunction.

Children who regularly intake fructose present in soda, sweetened beverages, pizza and salty food, biscuits, yogurt may be be prone to liver disease, researchers warn. According to a study, led by researchers from Bambino Gesu Hospital in Italy, dietary fructose increases serum uric acid concentrations. Both uric acid concentration and fructose consumption may be high in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - a condition where extra fat is accumulated in liver cells in people who drink little or no alcohol.

It is estimated to affect up to 30 per cent of the general population in Western countries and up to 9.6 per cent of all children and 38 per cent of obese children across a spectrum of liver disease, including NASH (defined as steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and inflammation). Although NASH is a less aggressive form of NAFLD, it can progress to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, with development of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults. The findings suggested that fructose consumption was independently associated with high uric acid, which occurred more frequently in patients with NASH than in not-NASH patients.

"It is plausible that dietary fructose intake and uric acid concentrations are potential risk factors for liver disease progression in NAFLD," said Valerio Nobili from Bambino Gesu Hospital in Italy. "The study shows for the first time that uric acid concentrations and dietary fructose consumption are independently and positively associated with NASH," Nobili added.

For the study, reported in the Journal of Hepatology, the team analysed 271 obese children and adolescents with NAFLD - 155 males, mean age 12.5 years - who underwent liver biopsy. Nearly 90 per cent were found drinking sodas and soft drinks one or more times a week. Almost 95 per cent of patients regularly consumed morning and afternoon snacks consisting of crackers, pizza and salty food, biscuits, yogurt, or other snacks. The development of NASH may markedly affect life expectancy and quality of life in affected individuals. Thus, "it is crucial to understand the risk factors for NASH in children and adolescents in order to design effective interventions," Nobili said.

High Fat Diet

High Fat Diet Can Mess With Your Immunity, Leading To Cardiac Arrest

It has been known since ages that high-fat diet leads to increase in cholesterol content of the body, which further may lead to heart related problems. High fat diet may harm you in a completely new way suggests a recent study. Along with weight gain, constipation, slower metabolism and heart diseases, intake of a fat rich diet may disturb the functioning of your immune system as well. New research has uncovered a way in which a high fat diet could increase the risk of heart disease, by causing a harmful activation of the immune system. Being obese increases blood pressure and cholesterol — both of which are risk factors for heart disease.

The new study, funded by the British Heart Foundation and led by a team from Queen Mary University of London, has found that obesity could increase the risk of a heart attack by triggering an immune response in the body. The team took blood samples from 1,172 lean, overweight or obese people for the research. It was found that obese people had higher levels of a certain type of

blood cell, also known as a T-cell, in their blood which are essential for protecting the body from infections. Along which they also cause inflammation, making certain cardiovascular diseases worse, as well as contributing to conditions such as atherosclerosis — a build-up of fatty plaques in arteries — which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

In addition the results also showed that those participants who carried more fat around the middle had higher levels of these cells than those carrying fat on their thighs and bottom. The team also found the same results in mice, with those fed a high fat diet also showing higher levels of T-cells, leading the researchers to conclude that it is a high fat diet — which can lead to obesity — that seems to be causing the harmful inflammation. The team agreed that more research into the findings is now needed, with Dr Claudio Mauro commenting, “Our next step is to find out how long these harmful T-cells remain in our blood at high levels.

As yet we don’t know whether dieting will bring the levels of these T-cells down and reduce the risk of heart disease or whether once raised these T-cell levels remain high for life. ” The team added that further research could lead to new treatments that target and prevent this inflammation, lowering a person’s risk of heart disease. Therefore all the extra cheese toppings may lead your T-cells to cause inflammation thus causing heart attack.

3 South Indian Recipes

Drumstick or Moringa: 3 South Indian Recipes for Cooking this Superfood

Moringa. What’s the fuss all about? Yes, the world might have put moringa on the pedestal as a superfood but across South India it has been an integral part of the diet for years. Moringa is also the botanical name (Moringa Oleifera) for drumstick that takes its name from Murungai (Tamil) or Muringa (Malayalam). While it grows in most parts of India, it’s probably more ubiquitous in Southern India. It’s also common in Burma, Cambodia and Thailand where the drumstick is often cooked in curries with seafood.

Drumstick trees are ‘deep rooted’ in folklore and legends across Southern India, it’s also one of those rare trees where every part can be put to good use. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds and flowers are all used in traditional medicine and now it’s become common to see Moringa powder in gourmet and health food stores in the US. The leaves and drumsticks are a significant source of Vitamin C and rich in minerals like iron – one of the reasons why it’s always been recommended as a nutritional source for children or expectant mothers.

At a time when the presence of pesticides in vegetables and fruits have become a huge concern, drumstick is one of the safest options and almost organic by default. The trees don’t need much care or rainfall and there have been quite a few recent instances when farmers have turned to cultivating drumstick in drought hit areas in Tamil Nadu, thanks to the global reach of moringa.

Cooking with Drumsticks

Drumstick and sambar are inseparable; it’s almost the default option for drumstick in kitchens in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The drumstick lends a subtle yet fragrant flavour to the sambar, and most often kids are encouraged to chew on the drumsticks to max out on the nutrients.

The vegetable is also commonly used in avial in Kerala along with an assortment of other vegetables. But the drumstick does more than just float in sambars and avials; it adds a great element to gravies cooked with meat. If you’re willing to labour in the kitchen and remove the inner flesh from the drumstick (after boiling it), you can make scrumptious lentil vadas or add it to the drumstick leaf (Murungai Elai) soup. The drumstick vada can also be made with drumstick flowers.  

Recipes to Try at Home

1. Murungakkai Masala

Recipe by Chef Jagadeesh, Chef de Partie – South Indian cuisine, The Westin Chennai Velachery

Drumstick dishes are usually not common place at luxury hotels, they are certainly not ‘cutlery friendly’. This home-style recipe makes a great accompaniment with pepper rasam and rice.

Ingredients:

5 drumsticks
3 cloves garlic
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tsp red chilli powder
Salt to taste

For the Masala:

1/3 cup grated coconut
½ tsp fennel seeds

For the Tempering:

2 tsp cooking oil
7-8 curry leaves
2 small cinnamon sticks
2 cloves
2 cardamoms

Method:

1. Clean and wash the drumsticks, and remove the ends. Cut it into smaller (finger-sized) pieces.

2. Heat oil, add the tempering items, garlic and onions (after the spices splutter) and fry till golden brown.

3. Add the drumstick, red chilli powder and stir, then add small quantity of water to cover the drumsticks. Cover with a lid and cook till tender.

4. Grind coconut, fennel seeds with a small quantity of water to make masala and add to the drumsticks with salt to taste.

5. Cook till the gravy becomes thick.

2. Drumstick Mutton Masala
Recipe by Latha Natarajan

I first tried this dish at a home in Chettinad and was amazed at the flavour the drumstick adds to the Mutton masala. Mrs Latha Natarajan in Chennai is a storehouse of information on Chettinad recipes. This is her recipe; that works best with steamed rice or dosas.

Ingredients:

½ kg mutton
2 drumsticks, chopped into finger-sized pieces
2 onions
2 tomatoes
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp chilli powder
½ tsp garam masala
½ tsp ground pepper
½ tsp turmeric powder
A small bunch mint leaves
2 sprigs curry leaves
A few sprigs fresh coriander leaves
1 ½ tsp fennel seeds
2-3 small coconut pieces  
1 bay leaf
3 cloves

Method:

1. Pressure cook the mutton with ginger garlic paste, salt and turmeric powder for 5 minutes and keep it aside.

2. Grind separately the onions, tomatoes, fennel seeds and coconut.

3. Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaves, cloves and fresh mint. Then add the onion paste and cook for a few minutes. Add the tomato paste.

4. Add the chilli powder, pepper powder and garam masala; cook well. Then add the coconut and fennel paste.

5. Add drumstick and sauté it. Add the pressure cooked mutton along with the broth to this mixture and boil on a medium flame till the drumstick is cooked. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

3. Thrissur-style Drumstick Sambar
Recipe by Madhavi Kutty

I’ve often found the best sambar in Kerala in the Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palakkad belt. Wedding Sadyas (feasts) in this part of Kerala are almost always judged on the sambar and the payasam (kheer). This is a typical Drumstick Sambar recipe from one of the tharavads (anscestral homes) in the Thrissur area where the strong presence of coconut works really well in tandem with the flavour of drumstick.


Ingredients:

1 cup toor dal
3 drumsticks, chopped into finger-sized pieces
10 onion shallots
2 small tomatoes, chopped
2 green chillies
½ tsp turmeric
1 ½ tsp salt
A small ball of tamarind (size of small gooseberry)
1 ½ Tbsp sambar powder (this usually contains red chilli powder and asafoetida)
1 tsp mustard seeds
2-3 sprigs curry leaves
2 dried red chillies
½ cup freshly ground coconut
4 tsp coconut oil (you can substitute with rice bran oil but it doesn’t taste quite the same)

Method:

1. Soak tamarind in water and keep aside.

2. Pressure cook toor dal and keep it aside.

3. Boil drumsticks, tomatoes, shallots (use half the quantity), turmeric powder, green chillies, and salt.

4. Extract the tamarind water from the tamarind and add it to the above sambar mix and let it boil for a few minutes.

5. Stir fry coconut with the other half of the shallots in coconut oil. Blend this in a mixer once it cools down. Add the sambar powder to this mixture and then blend this with the toor dal. Add this mixture to the boiling water.  

6. For the tempering: add mustard seeds to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil; once it splutters, add curry leaves and red chillies.

7. Add this to the sambar and garnish with fresh coriander.

The Miracle Herb

7 Powerful Health Benefits of Moringa Powder: The Miracle Herb

You’ll be surprised to know that this green herb which is commonly used in South Indian meals is actually a powerful superfood. The multi-purpose moringa tree is mostly found on the foothills of the Himalayas. Every part of the plant can be put to some use. The leaves, flowers and roots of the drumstick or moringa tree are all edible. The seeds are used to extract oil while the flowers can be cooked and eaten.  The most amazing thing about moringa is that every part of the tree offers great health benefits as they are full of essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Therefore, it is rightly called ‘miracle moringa’. The moringa powder is extracted from the leaves that are sun-dried, crushed and finally ground. Interestingly, the moringa leaves contain three times more iron than spinach. They are also very rich in Vitamin A. You may have never used it before, but we’re giving you seven reasons why you should be.

1. Aids weight loss

Moringa is high in fiber which helps in keeping you full for longer. The leaves contain an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid that acts as a natural fat burner and also helps in balancing the blood sugar levels which is linked to your metabolism. It is known to reduce glucose levels in the body which also makes it good for diabetics.

2. Gives instant energy

Moringa powder is highly nutritious and full of minerals and antioxidants. Your body gets energy from the food you eat and most of it is used for repairing the normal wear and tear of cells that occurs. Therefore, moringa powder is great to give you a sudden boost of energy. It is also rich in iron and magnesium that help in fighting tiredness and fatigue.

3. Flushes out toxins
Moringa powder helps in the faster elimination of toxins from your body and supports your liver in doing so. It makes your body more resistant to toxins while the antioxidants help in fighting free radicals to keep your system clean.

4. Good for skin and hair

Moringa leaves are full of Vitamin A which helps in supporting supple skin. It is also a great source of all the essential amino acids that help in the formation of keratin protein needed for longer and thicker hair. With a considerable amount of antioxidants, moringa powder also possesses anti-ageing properties

5. Improves digestion and gut health
Moringa powder is packed with fiber that regulates your digestive functions and relieves constipation. Moringa leaves also have a mild laxative effect. Moringa is known for its strong anti-inflammatory properties and may help in treating stomach ulcers and infections.

6. Fights insomnia

Moringa contains amino acid tryptophan that is required for the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and the sleep cycle regulating hormone melatonin. Being rich in protein, it acts as a great mood boosters by stimulating the feel good hormones in the body.

7. Storehouse of nutrients
Moringa powder contains seven times more potassium than bananas and twice the amount of protein as in milk. Imagine that! It is rich in minerals like calcium, iron and manganese and vitamin A, E and K.