INSAF

Figuring out all the factors that can affect your vitamin D level is complicated. Your body makes vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin. You can also get the vitamin from food (mainly because it’s been added; few foods are natural sources of vitamin D) or by taking a supplement. The process by which the body makes vitamin D is complex. It starts when the skin absorbs rays in the invisible ultraviolet B (UVB) part of the light spectrum. The liver and the kidneys also participate to make a form of the vitamin that the body can use. A number of factors influence a person’s vitamin D levels. Here are six important ones. Where you live.   The further away from the Equator you live, the less vitamin D–producing UVB light reaches the earth’s surface during the winter. Residents of Boston, for example, make little if any of the vitamin from November through February. Short days and clothing that covers legs and arms also limit UVB exposure. Air quality.   Carbon particles...

A recent international survey identified Alzheimer’s as the second most feared disease, behind cancer. It’s no wonder. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive damage to nerve cells and their connections. The result is devastating and includes memory loss, impaired thinking, difficulties with verbal communication, and even personality changes. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may live anywhere from two to 20 years after diagnosis. Those years are spent in an increasingly dependent state that exacts a staggering emotional, physical, and economic toll on families. A number of factors influence the likelihood that you will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Some of these you can’t control, such as age, gender, and family history. But there are things you can do to help lower your risk. As it turns out, the mainstays of a healthy lifestyle — exercise, watching your weight, and eating right — appear to lower Alzheimer’s risk. 5 steps to lower Alzheimer’s risk While there ar...

Do you sometimes feel like the Energizer Bunny when his battery runs low? You might start the day strong, but by mid-afternoon, you can’t quite keep going and going. Fatigue afflicts everyone at one time or another. Assuming your doctor has ruled out serious medical causes, there are a few basic steps you can take to “recharge your batteries.” 1. Pace yourself.   If you’re a go-getter, you probably like to keep going — but don’t risk overtaxing yourself. You can pace yourself and still get things done. For example, instead of burning through all your “battery life” in two hours, spread it out among morning tasks, afternoon tasks, and evening activities — with rest and meals in between. 2. Take a walk or a nap.   There’s nothing more satisfying than a short power nap when you’re pooped out. However, if you have trouble sleeping at night, know that napping can make insomnia worse. If that’s the case for you, get moving instead. Get up and walk around the block, or just ...

Figuring out all the factors that can affect your vitamin D level is complicated. Your body makes vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin. You can also get the vitamin from food (mainly because it’s been added; few foods are natural sources of vitamin D) or by taking a supplement. The process by which the body makes vitamin D is complex. It starts when the skin absorbs rays in the invisible ultraviolet B (UVB) part of the light spectrum. The liver and the kidneys also participate to make a form of the vitamin that the body can use. A number of factors influence a person’s vitamin D levels. Here are six important ones. Where you live.   The further away from the Equator you live, the less vitamin D–producing UVB light reaches the earth’s surface during the winter. Residents of Boston, for example, make little if any of the vitamin from November through February. Short days and clothing that covers legs and arms also limit UVB exposure. Air quality.   Carbon particl...

According to a number of studies, about 25 percent of all women and 10 percent of men are affected by varicose veins. Varicose veins are dilated and 'puffed up' veins that are usually in the legs that can be painful and have an unpleasant appearance. But don't stop reading here, because there are a number of at-home remedies for treating varicose veins that could help you or someone you know with the condition avoid expensive and painful surgical procedures. Varicose veins are usually genetic, so if someone in your family has had them, there is a greater chance that you will too. They are caused when the valves in the veins that push blood throughout your circulatory system weaken and become 'flappy', causing fluid to accumulate in the veins. The common signs for the development of varicose veins are tenderness around the area of an enlarged vein, swelling of the legs, a tightening or itching sensation in the legs and a f...

While awareness about cancer should be shared by both of the sexes, a number of surveys show that women are generally more aware and knowledgeable about their risk for certain cancers than men. However, there are a number of cancers that men should know about and actively care for, one of them being prostate cancer. Photo: stockimages/ freedigitalphotos.net Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the male reproductive system and unfortunately spreads slowly. For the latter reason, many men may not know of their risk for prostate cancer until later in life, and it may be too late. Besides consulting your doctor and scheduling regular prostate exams, there are a number of nutrients in the foods that we eat that may help prevent and even treat issues in the prostate. Incorporate some or all of these foods into your diet to keep your prostate health in check. 1. Brazil Nuts These large and delicious nuts are so good for prostate health because they are rich in a...

Fight Off Cough, Ulcers & Constipation With this Desi Superfood Gargi Sharma  , Weight Management Expert Amla   (Indian Gooseberry) or ' amalaki ' is a translucent fruit with many therapeutic benefits. It's considered to be one of the most important plants in   Ayurvedic   medicine and is a unique balance of sour, sweet, pungent and bitter. It's rich in   Vitamin C   and also loaded with a range of polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, luteolin, corilagin etc).   Polyphenols   are antioxidants that prevent damage to free radicals in the body and fight different types of   cancer   and cardiovascular diseases. It is believed that   amla   can help balance all the three doshas (vata/pitta/kapha) in the body and treat the underlying cause of many health problems. What makes this   Desi     Superfood   so super: 1.   Boosts   hair   growth :   Amla   is rich in iron and has ...