- Compared to patients in other countries, the typical U.S. patient is more often exposed to excessive radiation during myocardial perfusion imaging, a new study suggests. Myocardial perfusion imaging (also called a nuclear stress test) is performed on millions of people a year in the U.S. alone to help diagnose and treat coronary artery disease. A typical patient in the U.S. received a 20% higher radiation dose than someone getting this test outside the U.S., in part because American labs were less likely to adhere to recommended dosing guidelines, researchers report in JAMA Internal Medicine, online December 28. "When it is appropriately performed, the benefits of a nuclear heart scan far outweigh this radiation exposure, however it is still incumbent upon doctors to mini...
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1. Spinach Image source: Teach Like a Champion Spinach is one of the healthiest, nutrient-packed foods you can easily find and eat. It’s also available at almost every local supermarket, and it’s not expensive. You can get it fresh, frozen in leaf form, or even canned. Spinach gives you energy, is low in calories but can make you feel sufficiently full, so it is a great weight loss food too. It is packed with vitamin A and vitamin K (1 serving gives you more than half of your daily needs of vitamin A and twice your daily needs of vitamin K). 2. Goji Berries (Wolfberries) Image source: HuffPost Lifestyle UK Many people are still uninformed about the benefits of Goji berries for their health as they are mainly found and used in Chinese cuisine. They are known as wolfberries in chinese recipes and dishes. The best goji berries come in dried form, so try to avoid Goji berry juices which may have more sugar content than real nutri...
Premature and underweight newborns may have better survival odds if they pass their days with their bare chests nestled directly against their mothers' breasts, a research review suggests. Researchers focused on a practice known as "kangaroo care," which the World Health Organization has long encouraged as a way to reduce infant mortality, particularly in developing countries. This type of infant care includes skin-to-skin contact between the newborn and mother, exclusive breastfeeding, early discharge from the health facility after delivery and close follow-up care at home. In an analysis of 124 previously published studies, kangaroo care was associated with 36 percent lower mortality among low birth weight newborns, compared to conventional care. ...
Consuming higher levels of magnesium—a mineral found in dark leafy greens, nuts, beans, yogurt, and avocado—appears to dramatically reduce one's chances of getting pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. So report Indiana University Bloomington researchers this month in the British Journal of Cancer after sifting through data on more than 66,000 men and women, ages 50 to 76, from the VITamins and Lifestyle study. Looking at whether age, gender, BMI, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and magnesium supplementation have a direct influence on pancreatic cancer rates, they found that for every 100mg-a-day decrease in magnesium intake (ostensibly as compared to those who met the RDA), there's a 24 % increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer. ...
Forget IVF, another way to have a baby soon (Getty Images) RELATED Another city hosp ready to harvest stem cells Docs find some clauses of assisted reproduction Bill objectionable Modi gifts Singapore PM reproduction of 1849 map IVF becoming the preferred choice of treatment IVF makes 52-year-old from Meerut a mother again Mum's picture of IVF baby surrounded by syringes goes viral UK scientists seek nod to edit genes of human embryos A researcher from George Washington University is exploring the possibility of using a new technique for human reproduction and its ethical and practical implications. The method can create the possibility of same-sex couples having children biologically related to both partners. In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) is the method, most advanced in mice, by which gametes are derived from pluripotent stem cells (capable of giving rise to several different cell types) or embryonic stem cells. IVG in humans could...
New genes linked to longevity identified (Getty Images) RELATED Genes linked to peripheral artery disease identified Editing our genes 5 lifestyle rules that guarantee longevity Nalini on Genes Season 2 SUK signs MoU for research for research on Alzheimer and Parkinson's Deleting genes could extend lifespan: Study Blame genes for impulsive choices: US researchers Gene variants linked to cell senescence or biological ageing, autoimmunity, and Alzheimer's disease play an important role in determining whether we would live over 100 years or not, new research has found. The results of the study indicate that several disease variants may be absent in centenarians versus the general population. Previous work indicated that centenarians have health and diet habits similar to the average person, suggesting that factors in their genetic make-up could contribute to successful ageing. However, prior genetic studies have identified only...
Activating 'good' fat can curb obesity (Getty Images) RELATED Declare obesity a disease, says activist Brilliant ways to prevent obesity Major diseases that arise out of obesity Tips to fight obesity and lose weight Spend 25% of day standing to cut obesity risk Mothers with unhealthy pregnancy weight risk obesity The body's ability to harness heat production by converting white fat cells which store calories into beige (good) fat cells that burn energy, can help fight obesity, a new study reveals. The study suggests natural mechanism in the body, which converts white fat cells into brownish fat cells -- known as 'brite' or 'beige' fat cells -- by using heat production and increasing the sympathetic nervous system's (SNS) supply of blood vessels to white fat tissue, could be a new and promising approach to fighting obesity. "Perhaps the most important features of white adipose tissue for the conver...
Image Credit: Getty Images RELATED Drug combo could combat pancreatic cancer Facts you didn't know about magnesium Cancer symptoms: Identifying cancer signs Cancer cause: WHO lets red meat off the hook for now Cancer helped me grow, appreciate life:Manisha Koirala Vodafone's DreamLab app lets you help in cancer research Cancer: 12 foods to battle cancer Daily magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer, researchers from Indiana University (IU) have found. Previous studies have found that magnesium is inversely associated with the risk of diabetes, which is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer. "But few studies have explored the direct association of magnesium with pancreatic cancer. Of those that did, their findings were inconclusive," said Daniel Dibaba, PhD student at the School of Public Health-Bloomington, who led the IU study. Dibaba and colleagues analysed an enormous trove of data on over 66,...
Image Credit: Getty Images RELATED 7 sources of vitamin D Vitamin D pill may improve exercise performance Vitamin D pill a day keeps heart risk at bay Nutritional Vitamin D improves vascular function: Study Why too much vitamin D can be bad for you Vitamin D doesn't cut cold in asthma patients Everything you wanted to know about Vitamin D! Adding calcium, Vitamin D and pre-biotic dietary fibre to a beverage made of whey can have huge health benefits for those who drink it, a team of Lithuanian scientists has revealed. The scientists created -- and tested -- two different versions of whey-based beverages. Both the drinks had Vitamin D and pre-biotic dietary fibre added -- one was enriched with calcium phosphate and other with calcium lactate.fibre added -- one was enriched with calcium phosphate and other with calcium lactate. The aim of the study was to determine how much their chosen health-giving additives would affect the "p...
The saying, "What's in the past, should stay in the past" - doesn't work here. We might already have an idea of what Yoga is but to understand it better, we have to know what it has become as well as its roots and beginnings. A quick look at the history of Yoga will help us appreciate its rich tradition and who knows, it might help us incorporate Yoga into our lives. Although Yoga is said to be as old as civilization, there is no physical evidence to support this claim. Earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga's existence could be found in stone seals which depict figures of Yoga Poses . The stone seals place Yoga's existence around 3000 B.C. Scholars, however, have a reason to believe that Yoga existed long before that and traced its beginnings in Stone Age Shamanism. Both Shamanism and Yoga have similar characteristics particularly in their efforts to improve the human condition at that time. Also, they aim ...
EMERGENCY KIT In case of a disaster, ‘grab it and go’ Natural disasters have no friends or foes, with reports indicating that emerging economies in Asia, including India, are among the top 10 countries facing the greatest financial risk from natural disasters. The most recent example, of floods in Chennai , has also focussed attention on India and its share of major disasters. These include the floods in Kashmir (2014) and Uttarakhand (2013), the Latur earthquake (1993) and the Tsunami (2004). “These are obvious examples that [show how] in times of crises, [a] little preparedness can go [a] long way in helping oneself and its concerns. In [the] golden hour, it’s the individual first who always step[s] in instantly when disasters strike. You have to remember that [the] extent of damage is too large and it may take some reasonable time [before] that help reaches to you. The golden rule is to be prepared. Ensure safety of self, family and then neighbours. Being prepa...
‘Stress can lead to long-term brain injury’ People with stress are 700 per cent more likely to have anxiety, depression, insomnia or memory loss. For people who have already suffered from a traumatic brain injury, stress could be one of the reasons for it to become a long-term injury, Maulik P Purohit, Chief of Medical Services and Research- Neurorehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury, said. Delivering the Appa Rao Lecture here on Sunday, Dr. Purohit said, “For people who have suffered from brain injury, more than a third of them have sleep apnea, over 97 per cent have subjective sleep complaints, 85 per cent of them have fatigue during the day and 54 per cent suffer from sleep fragmentation”. The lack of sleep and a disrupted sleep cycle will further increase stress, he said, adding that integrated therapies including yoga and meditation were now increasingly being prescribed by practitioners. Delivering the Dr. Krishnamoorthy Srinivas Lecture, Prof. K Ganapathy, Sen...
Daily yoga practice at home can help you stay healthy, more productive, calm and happy all day. Besides, these benefits are not just for you to enjoy. Doing these practices at home will not only keep you happy but your family members too will be able to feel the positive energy and happiness around. What’s more, you get a chance to practice them right in the comfort of your home, any time you wish. Once you have learned yoga techniques properly from a Art of Living Yoga teacher, and are comfortable, you can start practicing them on your own. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare yourself for a fun yoga practice at home. 1: Choose a convenient time Practicing yoga in the morning is generally considered to be the best as it keeps energy levels high during the day. Yet, if it doesn’t happen, don’t let it be an excuse to skip your practice. You may choose a time slot which seems most convenient. It could be late mornings, before lunch, or evenings. Yoga a...
National Rural Health Mission + The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is an initiative undertaken by the government of India to address the health needs of underserved rural areas. Launched in April 2005 by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , the NRHM was initially tasked with addressing the health needs of 18 states that had been identified as having weak public health indicators.The Union Cabinet headed by Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss vide its decision dated 1 May 2013, has approved the launch of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as a Sub-mission of an overarching National Health Mission (NHM), with National Rural Health mission (NRHM) being the other Sub-mission of National Health Mission. Under the NRHM, the Empowered Action Group (EAG) States as well as North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have been given special focus. The thrust of the mission is on establishing a fully functional, community owned, decentralized health delivery syst...
New Business and the business of health care The Johns Hopkins MS in Health Care Management Can business be the best medicine? In the era of New Business, we think so. As a student in the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School's Master of Science in Health Care Management program, you'll gain the confidence and skills to make strategic decisions that improve the state of today's health systems. New Business and the business of health care Johns Hopkins' internationally recognized expertise in health and medicine provides the perfect complement to Carey's innovative philosophy of New Business. Here, we'll challenge you to expand your skill set, but unlike other health care admin...
Simple Diet and Fitness Tips Curb your sweet tooth Got a late-night sugar craving that just won't quit? "To satisfy your sweet tooth without pushing yourself over the calorie edge, even in the late night hours, think 'fruit first,'" says Jackie Newgent, RD, author of The Big Green Cookbook . So resist that chocolate cake siren, and instead enjoy a sliced apple with a tablespoon of nut butter (like peanut or almond) or fresh fig halves spread with ricotta. Then sleep sweet, knowing you're still on the right, healthy track Find the best fitness friend A workout buddy is hugely helpful for keeping motivated, but it's important to find someone who will inspire—not discourage. So make a list of all your exercise-loving friends, then see who fits this criteria, says Andrew Kastor, an ASICS running coach: Can your pal meet to exercise on a regular basis? Is she supportive (not disparaging) of your goals? And last, will your bud be ...