INSAF

I’ve never been much of a tea drinker. To me, the flavor is reminiscent of twigs soaked in warm dishwater. I don’t mean to disparage the tea enthusiasts who “ooh” over their oolong and cherish every drop of their chai. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m as green as Japanese sencha every time another study emerges, steeped with praise about the health benefits of the beverage I’m not drinking. This month my envy was particularly strong, when The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition featured not one, but 11 new studies highlighting the many ways in which tea can supposedly improve our well-being. The research was originally presented at an entire symposium devoted to Tea and Human Health, held in Washington, DC. A few of the highlights: Tea drinking appears to lower the risk for heart disease and stroke. Natural compounds called polyphenols in green tea might protect against several cancers, including those of the prostate, GI tract, lungs, breast, and skin. Caff

Even the healthiest people can find it hard to stick with an exercise regimen — and if you suffer from the joint pain of arthritis, moving your body may be the last thing you want to think about. But regular exercise not only helps maintain joint function, it also relieves stiffness and reduces pain and fatigue. If you have arthritis, you want to be sure your exercise routine has these goals in mind: A better range of motion (improved joint mobility and flexibility). To increase your range of motion, move a joint as far as it can go and then try to push a little farther. These exercises can be done any time, even when your joints are painful or swollen, as long as you do them gently. Stronger muscles (through resistance training). Fancy equipment isn't needed. You can use your own body weight as resistance to build muscles. For example, the simple exercise described below can help ease the strain on your knees by strengthening your thigh muscles. Sit in a ch

Every day you can hear one or other advice or myths related to food and health. But have you ever thought about the relevance and facts behind it. You just do not have to believe all those myths and old wives stories which you hear. Here are some well known food myths and facts behind it. * Red wine is healthier than white wine: This myth is true in a sense that Red wine contains more amounts of antioxidants compared to white wine and other alcoholic beverages and the antioxidants in wine can help protect from heart disease. * Drinking Alcohol is Good for Health: The statement is half true and half false, A small amount of alcohol can be better for your health while more than recommended can have a detrimental effect on the brain, liver, heart and many other bodily organs * Swallowed gum can take years to digest: This is a false concept from the old wives' tale that states that swallowed chewing gum may take up to seven years to become fully digested. Chewing gum does resist compl

The holidays are supposed to be filled with peace and joy. But for people struggling with chronic pain, this time of year can be especially challenging. Stress, free-flowing alcohol and pain medication can increase the risk of abuse and send people to the ER during the holidays. Painkiller abuse is a growing problem, and one that takes many people by surprise. “ Many people don’t realize they can become dependent on painkillers,” says Bruce Hill, LCSW , a psychotherapist who counsels people with substance problems at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He often hears, “How can this be? I was just taking this for pain and my doctor prescribed it!” The Problem With Painkillers More than 12 million people in the United States use painkillers for everything from a twisted ankle to a trip to the dentist. When used carefully as directed by the doctor, pain pills help many people ease unbearable pain. But people can become tolerant of painkillers, which means they need more and more t

New York: A high fibre diet is essential for colon health and reduces the risk of severe colon problems, shows research, alerting people not to misuse antibiotics. “A high-fibre diet reduces the risk of colon problems and that when fibre is lacking, vitamin B3 just may help keep the colon healthy as well,” said Vadivel Ganapathy, from Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University (GRU) in the U.S. The researchers found that mice lacking the receptor - Gpr109a - were prone to inflammation and cancer of the colon. Doctors gave mega-doses of vitamin B3 to mice whose healthy colonic bacteria had been wiped out by antibiotics - a frequent occurrence in chronic antibiotic use. It helped steer immune cells in the colon into a safe, anti-inflammatory mode, according to the study published in the journal Immunity. “Good bacteria in the colon thrive on fibre and its digestion produces butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, which naturally activates the receptor,” sa

By Tom Scheve Most families eventually have to deal with a complicated and heart-wrenching question: How do I know when an aging relative needs more help than the family can provide? On the one hand, there are numerous 90-year-olds living completely independent lives; on the other hand, there are lots of people in their 70s and even 60s who find they need more help ifrom day to day. This decision causes families grief. No adult son or daughter wants to admit that a parent -- who provided life, nurturing and help to the child for so many years -- is now in need of care that simply can't be provided in return. Does it make sense to drive back and forth between homes several times daily to make sure your loved one is eating enough, when a care facility would be able to feed him or her on time, every time, every day? Can you afford to take time off your job to provide the level of care that is needed? How much time, given that the situation likely won't improve? Are y

London: Elderly people with high vitamin E levels are less likely to suffer from memory disorders than those having lower levels. “ Our results show that the entire vitamin E family plays a role in memory processes. Measuring the levels of vitamin E from serum is the most reliable way to determine whether they are sufficiently high,” said researchers at University of Eastern Finland. Till date, studies probing the link between vitamin E and memory disorders focused on a single form of vitamin E called ?-tocopherol. However, vitamin E exists in eight different natural forms - tocopherols and tocotrienols - all of which have antioxidant properties, said the study published in the journal Experimental Gerontology. The researchers took a sample of 140 elderly Finnish people with no memory impairment. During the eight-year follow-up, it was discovered that higher total serum levels of vitamin E seemed to protect against memory disorders, added the study. The research took crucial in

-by Margaret Wheatley, Living a simpler life has become a prevalent theme in the past several years. Ideas and methods abound for how we might achieve a simpler life, ranging from how to simplify day-to-day routines to how to decrease the demand for resources we place on the planet. I meet many people who would like to simplify their lives, yet the world grows only more complex. Complexity has taken over how we attempt to get things done in organizations, communities and governments. We can’t seem to do anything simply anymore. Making a decision, creating a plan, holding a meeting—all of these now involve complex and time-consuming processes. A once-simple process, like neighborly conversation, has become a “technique,” an “inter-generational, cross-cultural dialogue,” perhaps. We become exhausted by the intricacy of these processes and frustrated by the lack of productive outcomes. As much as we’d like to leave behind the impotence we experience with these processes,

By Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D. The New Year occasions all kinds of resolutions (which only 8% of people keep, according to Forbes magazine), but almost no one, I imagine, resolves to improve the function of their genes. The fact that this is even possible sounds mystifying, since the specific genes you're born with remain the same throughout your lifetime (except in certain cells as we age, e.g. in tumors). But now geneticists increasingly appreciate that the output of our genes varies considerably, not just from year to year but from minute to minute. The genetic read-out of two identical twins is quite similar at birth, but looks very different by age seventy. This understanding, still in its infancy, belongs to a growing field known as epigenetics. In the coming years research projects are set to reveal just how deeply a person can affect the activity of their individual genome - the findings so far are very promising. Epigenetics was actually

My mom began meditating decades ago, long before the mind-calming practice had entered the wider public consciousness. Today, at age 81, she still goes to a weekly meditation group and quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk known for his practice of mindfulness, or “present-focused awareness.” Although meditation still isn’t exactly mainstream, many people practice it, hoping to stave off stress and stress-related health problems. Mindfulness meditation, in particular, has become more popular in recent years. The practice involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and then bringing your mind’s attention to the present without drifting into concerns about the past or future. (Or, as my mom would say, “Don’t rehearse tragedies. Don’t borrow trouble.”) But, as is true for a number of other alternative therapies, much of the evidence to support meditation’s effectiveness in promoting mental or physical health isn’t quite up to snuff. Why? First, many studies don’

Aging Slowed, Longevity Increased by Controlling Signals to Brain’s Hypothalamus Einstein med school scientists may have found the body's ‘fountain of aging’ - at least in lab mice A new discovery that the brain region known as the hypothalamus controls aging has enabled scientists to slow down the aging process and increase longevity - at least in lab mice - by altering signals to this area of the brain. While the search continues for the Fountain of Youth, these researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, N.Y., may have found the body's "fountain of aging" in the hypothalamus. For the first time, scientists report that the hypothalamus of mice controls aging throughout the body. Their discovery of a specific age-related signaling pathway opens up new strategies for combating diseases of old age and extending lifespan. The paper was published today in the online edition of N

Parents often wish they had a crystal ball to help them figure out whether their sick child needs urgent medical attention. Is the sore arm after a fall really broken? Is the rising fever a sign of serious illness? Palo Alto Medical Foundation pediatrician Lauren Brave, M.D., says everyone wants to avoid unnecessary and costly trips to the emergency room, but it’s also important to trust your instincts as a parent. When in doubt, try to contact your doctor for advice. If you think your child’s life is in danger, don’t hesitate. Call 911 or head for the nearest ER. Here are Dr. Brave’s top tips about how to handle urgent medical care for your child. When should I go to urgent care instead of the emergency room? Urgent care centers can treat moderate, unforeseen medical problems that – while not emergencies – require care within about 24 hours. For example, this might include a cut that needs stitches, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, a sore throat, severe cough, or wo

ave you upgraded your snacks in the interest of more healthful eating? Perhaps you’ve traded in your afternoon candy bar for an energy bar or have become a fan of baked potato chips or fat-free ice cream. Maybe you’re willing to pay a little extra when the label says “organic” or “natural.” It’s a great idea to choose snacks wisely. But many foods that seem to be a great nutrition value are not. Bran muffins and cereal bars can be packed with unhealthy fats and added sugar. Fat-free foods often contain lots of added salt and sugar. Here are 7 tips for smarter snacking. Go for the grain. Whole-grain snacks — such as whole-grain low-salt pretzels or tortilla chips and high-fiber, whole-grain cereals — can give you some energy with staying power. Bring back breakfast. Many breakfast foods can be repurposed as a nutritious snack later in the day. How about a slice of whole-grain toast topped with low-sugar jam? Low-sugar granola also makes a quick snack. Try a

Some people don't have a health care power of attorney or living will because they don't realize how important these documents are. Others worry that such documents mean they are signing their lives away. Not so. These powerful documents make sure that you get the treatment you would want for yourself if you couldn't communicate your wishes. Here are a few myths that shouldn't get in the way of creating a health care power of attorney or living will: Myth: More care is always better. Truth: Not necessarily. Sometimes more care prolongs the dying process without respect for quality of life or comfort. It's important to know what interventions are truly important. It's often impossible to know that in advance. That's where the advice of a healthcare team is invaluable. Myth: Refusing life support invalidates your life insurance, because you are committing suicide. Truth: Refusing life support does not mean that you are committing suicide. Inste

Winter often brings on sniffles, coughs and sometimes the flu. Beyond a flu vaccination, what else can you do to stay healthy? Research suggests you can boost your immune system by getting enough sleep, exercising, and – most importantly – eating key healthy foods. “ The three main antioxidants that help boost our immune systems are vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. And the best way to get those antioxidants is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables,” says Judy Farnsworth, R.D., CDE, a registered dietitian at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Food That Fight Illness Antioxidants help stabilize free radicals, which can damage the body’s cells and compromise the immune system. Different fruits and vegetables contain different types of antioxidants, so it’s important to eat a colorful variety, Farnsworth says. Stock up on green leafy vegetables, broccoli, garlic, citrus fruit and berries. Dark berries such as blueberries are especially potent, antioxidant powerhouses. Vitamin