Challengerlc » Health

Water yoga

maddy — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:59:11 +0000

In the city of Agra, famed for the Taj Mahal, legions of locals perform their “asanas,” or postures, in a pool, which makes them more challenging than on land, and also boosts buoyancy and flexibility.

Harish Chaturvedi, a trained lawyer, teaches the unusual form of yoga free of charge. He says water yoga can be performed for much longer than other forms, as the body does not get tired as quickly.

“Everybody can learn swimming, but if they also learn yoga alongside it, they will never feel tired,” he said. ”The level of oxygen is very high in water, and you will not have any breathing problems.” Chaturvedi believes water yoga really boosts energy and helps ward off disease. He focuses on children, and runs regular classes at the swimming pool of a local sports stadium.

The response to this unusual form of yoga has been positive. ”Pandit Harish Chaturvediji is a lawyer by profession but he is very good at performing yoga in water,” said Sudhir Narayan, a water yoga student. “He is teaching children free of cost and that is a very good thing.”

Yoga, which involves meditation as well as physical activities, has become a mainstream form of exercise around the world, with millions of followers.

Changing hair styles

maddy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:44:59 +0000

Stylelist.com has said that women who constantly go from cropped bob to long extensions and from blond to brunette may be stressed out or feeling overwhelmed.

“Changing hairstyles is really common during life transitions such as a break-up or a new career,” the New York Daily News quoted Los Angeles-based psychotherapist Heather Turgeon as saying.

Frequently changing styles can be a red flag that you”re looking for something more out of life, and think a new do could end your search.

“Someone who is constantly changing her hair is either a natural chameleon whose aesthetic tends to run parallel to her moods, or she”s searching for something and changing her look fills that need,” said Jason Low, stylist at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon”s in New York and Los Angeles.

And an expectant mom is very likely to change her hairstyle.

Low said that he’s seen women in their last few months of pregnancy ask for a short cut or a simple style so they won’t have to fuss as much after the baby is born.

“But then they return days later feeling exposed and unattractive, questioning their stylists’ judgment in making the cut,” he said.

However, Low has advised women that they should try not to cut their hair on impulse, and stick with a reputable stylist who can persuade them from asking for a cut they will later regret.

And they should take comfort in the fact that it’s just hair – and will soon grow back.

Artificial Heart Soon

maddy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:43:12 +0000

The major cause of death among humans is heart disease. Due to the fact extensive researches has been carried in various parts of the world to provide a proper solution for the heart related problems. Since the survival of persons who is affected by a heart disease entirely depends on the availablity of the heart with the same blood group and some other testing getting one that saves a person is a tough task in hand to achieve with a high precision which if not will cost a life.

But the recent extensive and expensive research by a group of french scientist under CARMET funded by the french government, European aeronautic defensive and space company. Carmet is also funded by Turfle Capital which owns its 32% stakes. So this organization is funded by a lot of organizations. So far the organization runs in a state of loss as no operative product hit the market so far. The main scientist behind this research are Alain F. Carpentier and

But they have invented an artificial heart with valves operated by two miniature motors and a micro-controller. Its made of animal tissues and synthetic valves. It works through electromagnetic induction from the skin or by plug imperginated in a patients ear.

But the entire device will cost 315,100$ which cost’s almost equivalent to a heart transplantation. Previously made artificial hearts have ventilators fixed through a back pack. But however this don’t give a permanent solution like a normal person as there’s a possibility for these sought of devices could fail.

Previously the artificial heart manufactured by Syncardia is the only accepeted device that has been operated with more than 900 patients. But Thiss device can’t perform all the cardiac function to the perfection.

However the new invention will get to great heights when the test in the human body proved to be fully functional. However extensive cost and very sophisticated process of manufacturing makes this new invention to reach only to sophisticated people.

Boon For Diabetic

maddy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:30:44 +0000

One of the major and omnipresent disease in the world is diabetis. It has a drastic effect that prevent one from leading a normal life. Sometimes the effects of diabetic leads to fatal. The day to day life a diabetic is pathetic. Most of them are not even aware of its problems. This uncurable disease has not got a special medicine invented by a group of scientiests from National Immunology Institute, New Delhi.

Normally diabetic patients are administrated insullin which has to be adminsitrated regularly to keep the diabetic levels in check. But the new drug found by the scientiests are effective for more than a month. Previously the insulin effect will last for a day at most. This drug reduces the amount of injection pricks to once a month. This drug will is registered and patented. This drug has be tested with various human conditions in various tempratures. Previously this has been tested with rats, mice and rabbits. This innovation is definitely a breakthrough in the treatment of medicine.

Now the question how long it will take for this drug to reach the market. In the start this drug will be costly and cannot be afford by common man. But in the due course its availability in India will takes a sufficient long time though its invented In India

Leprosy-Causes and Cures

maddy — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:53:01 +0000

Leprosy is a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae that causes damage to the skin and the peripheral nervous system. The disease develops slowly (from six months to 40 years!) and results in skin lesions and deformities, most often affecting the cooler places on the body (for example, eyes, nose, earlobes, hands, feet, and testicles). The skin lesions and deformities can be very disfiguring and are the reason that infected individuals were considered outcasts in many cultures. Although human-to-human transmission is the primary source of infection, three other species can carry and (rarely) transfer M. leprae to humans; chimpanzees, mangabey monkeys, and nine-banded armadillos.

Unfortunately, the history of leprosy and its interaction with man is one of suffering and misunderstanding. The newest research suggests that at least as early as 4000 B.C. individuals had been infected with M. leprae (studies are ongoing to prove this by genetic analysis), while the first known written reference to the disease was found on Egyptian papyrus in about 1550 B.C. The disease was well recognized in ancient China, Egypt, and India. Because the disease was poorly understood, very disfiguring, slow to show symptoms, and had no known treatment, many cultures thought the disease was a curse or punishment from the gods. Consequently, leprosy was left to be “treated” by priests or holy men, not physicians.

The Romans and the Crusaders brought the disease to Europe, and the Europeans brought it to the Americas. In 1873, Dr. Hansen discovered bacteria in leprosy lesions, suggesting leprosy was an infectious disease, not hereditary or a punishment from the gods.

Unfortunately, the early signs and symptoms of leprosy are very subtle and occur slowly (usually over years). Numbness and loss of temperature sensation (cannot sense very hot or cold temperatures) are some of the first symptoms that patients experience. As the disease progresses, the sensation of touch, then pain, and eventually deep pressure are decreased or lost. Signs that occur, such as relatively painless ulcers, skin lesions of hypopigmented macules (flat, pale areas of skin), and eye damage (dryness, reduced blinking) are experienced before the large ulcerations, loss of digits, and facial disfigurement develop. This long-time developing sequence of events begins and continues on the cooler areas of the body (for example, hands, feet, face, and knees).

Today, the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy and most endemic countries are striving to fully integrate leprosy services into existing general health services.

To take a dip in oil:Gulf spill

maddy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:26:42 +0000

The unusually high mortality reported among endangered sea turtles in the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico raises legitimate fears for the future of these ocean-dependent creatures. An initial survey carried out 10 days after the Deepwater Horizon well blowout found 156 dead turtles, most of them Kemp’s Ridleys. The case of this species, now in its nesting season, is particularly poignant. It has been saved from critical decline after an oil spill in the Gulf in 1979 from the Ixtoc 1 rig caused severe degradation of its nesting area. Miraculously, its numbers bounced back, from a few hundreds to several thousands, thanks to good conservation. The plumes of oil in the ocean now threaten that outcome.

Decades of painstaking work by scientists, wildlife officials, and lay turtle lovers could now be undone. In a morbid twist, one website started accepting serious bets on the possible extinction of the Kemp’s Ridley due to oil pollution. Such an end for these long-surviving creatures would be a shocking price to pay for the failure of the oil industry and governments to adhere to environmental safety norms. Surely, the time has come to end laissez faire regulatory policies that have allowed the oil industry to throw environmental safety to the winds.

Extinction of a species is irreversible loss and this turtle is one of many other species facing the same danger. Our ecosystem has already suffered a lot in name of industrialization and is currently on the edge of collapsing. Now a collective effort by whole world is the only hope and strong actions should be taken to avoid the disaster we are heading for.

The danger to the Kemp’s Ridley from BP’s Deepwater Horizon has turned the attention of conservation groups to the need for massive community mobilisation for rescue and rehabilitation in the near future.

Soy beans negatively effects

maddy — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:56:42 +0000

Scientists in China have found that a naturally-occurring ingredient of soy beans, increasingly sold as substitutes for dairy-based food, interferes with a part of the male reproductive system involved in sperm production. There is already evidence to suggest that soy beans contain natural chemicals that mimic the effect of female sex hormones.

Soy contains genistein, known to interact with the ‘receptor’ molecules on cells designed to respond to oestrogens. Following ingestion, soy isoflavones are known to reach the reproductive organs. Thus, excessive exposure to agents that exhibit oestrogenic activity may affect male reproductive tract developments and functions.

However there was no evidence that soy products had adverse effects on male reproductive health, either via testis function or any other mechanism such as androgen [male hormone] action.

The study has been published in the Asian Journal of Andrology.

Kundalini Yoga – A Brief intro

maddy — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:50:26 +0000

Kundalini yoga is an ancient form of yoga that has only been practiced in the west relatively recently. Kundalini yoga is a form of physical and meditative yoga that comprises of various techniques using the mind, body and our senses.

It goes beyond the physical performance of asanas with its emphasis on breathing, meditation, mudras and chanting. However, it can be very physically intense and appeals to those who are up for both mental and physical challenges. Here are some of the benefits one can derive from Kundalini yoga.

- Kundalini yoga helps in the better functioning of the digestive, glandular, cardiovascular, lymphatic and nervous system.

- It has a direct bearing with the glandular system and hence can enhance the ability to look and feel great.

- It heightens the senses. So, your ability to taste, smell, feel and see with sensitivity are increased.

- It helps eliminate and get rid of habits such as smoking and alcohol addiction.

- You can experience better sense of self-control and, overcome anger and resentment to find inner calm and mental peace.

- It strengthens the immune system too and helps you fight off several diseases and keep them at bay. A positive mind is a great weapon against all of them.

Mid-Time Snacks

maddy — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:39:55 +0000

While going on an eating binge by snacking on unhealthy foods will only lead to an expanding waistline, having healthy snacks during the day will keep you fit — mentally and physically. Here’s how.

- If you find long gaps of time between your meals, it’s time to include a few snacks in your diet. Snacking will keep your hunger levels to a minimum and also won’t let your body feel like you’re depriving it of food.

- Healthy snacks are great for controlling blood sugar levels especially in people who have problems in maintaining them.

- By opting for healthier options like fruits, salads, yogurt, health and whole wheat grains instead of junk food like fries, chips or calorie laden cookies, you stock your body with a lot of essential vitamins and nutrients. Not only are they great sources of energy, but also provide fibre that helps cleanse the body.

- In children, healthy snacking increases and builds their immune systems. While not all kids will be enthusiastic in having juices, fresh fruits, salads, nuts, curd and cheese, make it a habit early on so that they’re used to the snacks. French fries, candy bars and cookies are high in fats and sodium and can drain out your child.

Take some tips to stay fit

maddy — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:23:49 +0000

From surya namaskar to regular detox sessions, celebs share their fitness secrets…

Neetu Kapoor, Actress
More proteins, less carbs!
I begin my day with a cup of tulsi chai with cinnamon, lime and honey, followed by a plate full of papaya and finally, my breakfast. I make sure to eat more proteins and less carbs, say three egg whites and one toast. Also, I always use jowari or bajra for rotis instead of refined flour. I eat either roti or rice and never combine the two.

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan, Author
Run, run, run!
I am not at all into junk food and stick to home-cooked meals. There are no dietary specifications but this is my bit to ensure that I don’t eat unhealthy and high calorie stuff. Also, I never miss out on my daily run.

Priya Dutt, Politician
Herbal tea after everymeal!
I don’t eat fried foods or red meats and drink a lot of water. I also practice yoga, especially bhastrika, anulomvilom and surya namaskar . I prefer to stretch my body than do weight lifting. I make it a point to have green or herbal tea after every meal. It makes me feel light and helps my body digest the food.

Shahnaz Hussain, Beauty expert
Salads on the move!
Every working woman should avoid fats and eat food that keeps her energised through the day. I start my day with apple juice, followed by a yoga session. Then, it’s time for some fruits and nuts with a glass of cucumber juice. Lunch is a cup of soup, with buttermilk at 4 pm, and dinner minus carbs. I munch carrots or radish in the car when I travel.