Tag: Health

A team of scientists in the UK developed non-invasive measurement techniques and novel analysis methods to decode disease progression and evaluate the effect of potential treatments or lifestyle changes in people with Huntington’s disease.
Huntington’s is a genetic disease where the brain’s nerve cells (neurons) gradually break down and die. The condition leads to dementia, with a progressive decline in an individual’s movement, memory, and cognition. There is currently no cure.
The team from Lancaster University in the UK showed that Huntington’s disease not only affects nerve cells in the brain but also has widespread effects on microscopic blood vessels.
The changes were also observed before symptoms of the disease appeared, demonstrating the potential for this research to predict brain health and evaluate the beneficial effects of lifestyle changes or treatments.
Professor Aneta Stefanovska of Lancaster University said that they hope that the novel method can help “monitor the disease progression and evaluate the effect of potential treatments or lifestyle changes” in people with “Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”
Professor Aneta added that the study would also lead to “new treatments of Huntington’s disease targeting the vasculature and brain metabolism.”
In their study, published in the journal Brain Communications, the team investigated changes in the coordination between neuronal activity and the brain’s oxygenation in Huntington’s disease.
They combined non-invasive measurement techniques and novel analysis methods—probes emitting infrared light were placed on the heads of participants in the study. Source: IANS

Garlic isn’t just your regular spice that lends flavour and taste to your meals. Its powerful nutritional profile can help prevent many chronic health conditions and boost your overall well-being. Even more than its cooked form, raw garlic can work wonders for your health from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure to improving digestive health. Raw garlic has an enzyme called allicin that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Chewing raw garlic can unlock sulphur-containing compounds which in turn translates into a range of benefits.
As per a study, after chewing of garlic, participants experienced decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 5%, 8%. Similarly, cholesterol and triglyceride reduced to 4-10%. Ingestion of garlic by chewing or crushing it can reduce cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA, systolic and diastolic blood pressure even in the presence of increasing fat intake. Swallowing garlic on the other hand has no significant effect on serum lipids (TG, Chol, LDL and HDL), diastolic blood pressure, and BUN, Cr and cyclosporine serum level.
How many raw garlic cloves can you eat?
1-2 garlic cloves are ideal for reaping its many benefits. Eating more than the recommended amount can lead to acidity, heart burn or bleeding.
One clove of raw garlic is packed with manganese, Vitamin C, selenium, fibre, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, and potassium.
Benefits of chewing raw garlic
Chewing raw garlic on an empty stomach can have numerous health benefits.
Here are six impressive benefits, explained by Dietitian Rashi Tantia, HOD – Dietetics , Metro Hospital, Faridabad.
– Boosts immunity: Raw garlic is rich in antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds, which help strengthen the immune system. Regular consumption can help protect against infections and illnesses.
– Anti-inflammatory properties: Garlic contains anti-inflammatory compounds like diallyl disulfide, which can help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially alleviating symptoms of conditions like arthritis.
– Improves heart health: Garlic is known to improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing the hardening of arteries. These benefits collectively reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
– Detoxifies the body: The sulfur compounds in garlic help detoxify heavy metals from the body. It supports liver function and helps cleanse the body of toxins, promoting overall health.
– Enhances digestive health: Consuming garlic on an empty stomach can stimulate digestion and improve gut health. It promotes the production of digestive enzymes and has antimicrobial properties that can help balance gut flora.
– Antimicrobial and antiviral effects: Garlic has potent antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Chewing raw garlic can help fight off pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, reducing the risk of infections and promoting oral health.
Source: HT

Eating sweet and refreshing fruits is a delightful way to beat the heat in summer. A storehouse of important vitamins and minerals, fruits can replenish energy levels and fill you with energy on hot summer days. Fruits are also heart-healthy and promote cardiovascular wellness. Eating fruits like oranges, apples, bananas and berries can benefit your heart and aid in reducing cholesterol levels. Eating these fruits is a flavourful way to nourish your heart and promote cardiovascular wellness.
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are packed with antioxidants called flavonoids, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Oranges
The citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fibre, all of which are beneficial for heart health. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, while fibre aids in reducing cholesterol levels.
Apples
They contain soluble fibre, which can help lower cholesterol levels. They are also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Bananas
They are an excellent source of potassium, which plays a key role in maintaining heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure. They are also low in sodium, which is important for heart health.
Avocados
They are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and raise good cholesterol levels (HDL). They also contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
Grapes
Grapes, particularly red and purple varieties, contain antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been shown to improve heart health by reducing inflammation and preventing blood clots.
Pomegranates
They are rich in antioxidants, particularly punicalagins and anthocyanins, which can help protect the heart by reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels. Source: HT

Commonly used alcohol-based mouthwashes may have adverse effects on oral microbiomes—the community of bacteria that live in the mouth—raising risks of periodontal diseases and some cancers, according to a study.
The oral microbiome plays a role in digestion and keeps the mouth healthy.
The research, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, included men who have sex with men, who regularly use mouthwash as a method to reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Three months of daily use of the alcohol-based mouthwash increased the amount of two species of opportunistic bacteria—Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus—in the mouth of these men, said the team from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp in Belgium.
The two bacteria are known to raise the risk of gum disease, and oesophageal and colorectal cancers.
Further, the researchers also observed a decrease in a bacteria group called Actinobacteria—crucial for regulating blood pressure.
“Alcohol-based mouthwashes are widely available. The public may use them daily to tackle bad breath or prevent periodontitis, but they should be aware of the potential implications. Ideally, long-term usage should be guided by healthcare professionals,” said Jolein Laumen, from ITM’s Unit of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
The researchers also called for larger studies to establish the risk. Source: IANS

It is essential to our general health to keep our kidneys in good working order. The kidneys are essential to many bodily physiological processes, and maintaining good health depends on the kidneys operating properly. Our lifestyle decisions have a big impact on whether kidney illnesses arise or not, as well as on maintaining the health of the kidneys. For the best possible kidney health, consider these healthy lifestyle options and how to incorporate them into your daily routine.
Consume a Well-Balanced Diet
Our kidneys digest everything that we eat or drink. Bad eating habits can eventually cause renal and other health issues. As a result, choose meals like vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits, low-fat or fat-free dairy products that are good for your kidneys and your body as a whole. Reducing your intake of salt and added sugars is also crucial.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity are beneficial for more than simply your weight when included into your daily routine. It can reduce your chance of developing long-term illnesses, such as chronic kidney disease. In addition, it can greatly lower blood pressure and improve heart health, all of which are essential in preventing kidney injury. Including exercise or physical activity in your routine does not require you to push yourself to the limit, like finishing a marathon.
Maintain Hydration
Staying hydrated during the day requires consuming a lot of fluids, as maintaining a regular water intake is beneficial to the kidneys. Water reduces the incidence of chronic kidney disease and aids in the kidney’s removal of toxins and sodium. Aim for 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid each day at the very least.
Control your blood sugar
Kidney damage can occur in people with diabetes or other conditions that result in high blood sugar. Your kidneys have to work harder to filter your blood when the glucose (sugar) in it cannot be used by your body’s cells. Years of exertion may cause potentially fatal consequences from this. On the other hand, damage is less likely if you can control your blood sugar. Additionally, a doctor can take action to lessen or stop further damage if the injury is discovered early.

Using statin therapy as the first line of treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention was found effective in preventing heart disease risk and all-cause mortality, even in adults aged 85 years and older, according to a study on Tuesday. Statins are known to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of CVDs.
Previously, the consensus on using statins for primary prevention of heart disease in adults aged 75 years or older has been little because of a lack of proper representation of the population in randomised controlled trials, said researchers from the University of Hong Kong.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, included adult patients over 60 without pre-existing diagnosed CVDs. The average follow-up was 5.3 years.
Of the 42,680 adults aged 75 to 84 years, 9,676 developed CVDs. Among the 5,390 adults aged 85 years or older, 1,600 developed CVD.
The results showed that in all age groups, initiating statin therapy was associated with a lower incidence of CVD and all-cause mortality, said the researchers.
This was seen “even among the older population aged 85 years or older,” they added.
The new study showed that statin use did not increase the risk for adverse events such as myopathies and liver dysfunction.
The researchers also acknowledged limitations like unmeasured confounders, such as lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity. Source: IANS

Women may be at risk of a range of diseases and infections compared to men due to biological differences and gender inequalities. As per WHO, globally, adolescent girls and young women are twice as likely to be at risk of HIV infection compared to boys and young men. This higher HIV risk is associated with unsafe and often unwanted and forced sexual activity. During pregnancy, malaria, HIV and TB all can pose significant risks to pregnant women, her foetus and the newborn child.
Important tests for women in their 30s and 40s.
Pap smear and HPV tests
This is a test for detection of abnormal cell growth that causes cervical cancer. A regular screening between a time period of 3-5 years is recommended based on age and previous results. Human papillomavirus testing is also important for sexually active women because it can also lead to cervical cancer.
Mammogram and breast self-examination
It is a breast cancer screening test. It can detect breast tumours and abnormalities at an early stage when treatment is most effective. Depending on your situation, annual or biennial tests are recommended. A breast self-examination allows a female to understand the normal look and feel of their breasts. Any changes in the breasts, if and when felt, must be reported to the healthcare professional for consultation.
Thyroid function test
TFT determines levels of the thyroid hormone in the body, helping in detection of diseases like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Blood pressure and cholesterol tests
The risk of cardiovascular diseases increases with age. A test for blood pressure and cholesterol every 4-6 years will help prevent heart diseases and brain strokes.
Blood glucose test
An annual blood glucose test is advised to detect conditions like diabetes and pre-diabetes. This test becomes more crucial for people who are obese or have a family history or have any other risk factor.
Bone density test
A dexa-scan is important for detection of diseases like osteoporosis and bone loss, especially if people have risk factors.
Cancer screening
People at risk may also go for colon and skin cancer screening based on age, family history and other risk factors. Source: HT

Losing weight is the most difficult task in today’s times. For this you have to sacrifice a lot. There are many people who have been sweating in the gym for months and have control over their diet, but still their weight is not changing even an inch. Such people should keep an eye on their diet, there are some things which people consider healthy or less harmful but due to these things your weight gets stuck. Let us know about this from health expert Kajal Aggarwal.
Packaged Idli-Dosa Batter
Nowadays people use packaged or pre-mixed food for ease of work. Idli dosa batter is also included in this list. People who want to lose weight include packaged dosa or idli batter in their diet thinking it to be healthy, but it is not healthy at all. It contains a lot of salt and preservatives which create obstacles in your weight loss journey . If you also eat it thinking it to be healthy, then stop eating it from today itself.
Tomato Ketchup
During the weight loss journey, people often make healthy cheela but they often eat it with tomato ketchup or any kind of sauce made in the market and this is where the biggest mistake is made. According to experts, tomato ketchup or any kind of sauce contains too much salt and preservatives, due to which your weight gets stuck. Instead of this you can consume curd or home made green chutney.
Mayonnaise
If you also use mayonnaise in sandwiches etc. then stop using it from today itself, because it is not healthy at all. Experts say that mayonnaise is a mixture of eggs and a lot of oil, due to which you consume a lot of calories and fat, which is not at all good for your weight loss journey.
Juice
People consider mocktails and packaged fruit juices to be healthy but these only increase your weight. It contains added sugar and preservatives, stay away from it today itself. Instead of this, eat fresh fruit juice or whole fruit.
Source: Herzindigi

A smaller brain region responsible for control over behaviour, processing of emotion, and communication may explain why about one in two children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is likely to experience depression, anxiety, and explosive outbursts, according to a study.
ADHD affects around one in 14 young people under the age of 18 and in around half of these cases it persists into adulthood. Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder, and verbal or physical outbursts due to an inability to regulate their emotions in children with ADHD were previously thought to be a result of problems with cognition and motivation.
But in the study, scientists from Fudan University in Shanghai in China and the University of Cambridge showed that emotional dysregulation occurs independently of these, and is because of a brain region called pars orbitalis.
“The pars orbitalis is a well-connected part of the brain, and if it hasn’t developed properly it might make it difficult for individuals to control their emotions and communicate with others appropriately, especially in social situations,” said Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. For the study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, the team identified 350 individuals with high symptoms of ADHD and found that more than half (51.4 per cent) had signs of emotion dysregulation and this was independent of cognitive and motivational problems.
Children with only low-ADHD symptoms but with a high score of emotion dysregulation at age 13 years were 2.85 times more likely to have developed high-ADHD symptoms by age 14 years.
Using brain imaging data, they found that pars orbitalis was smaller among children who scored highly for ADHD and emotional problems. Source: IANS

Love mangoes but don’t know how many you can safely consume to avoid gaining weight or experience blood sugar spikes? If you are someone who start and end their day and include the ripe fruit in all your snacks, you must exercise caution. Nutrition experts say mangoes must be consumed in moderation and combined with fibre and healthy fats to control glucose spike. Mangoes are full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, but overconsumption can be troublesome and may derail the weight loss journey.
Eating mangoes in moderation can however improve digestion, boost your mental health, heart health and immunity. The vitamin C and carotenoids in mango can help protect the skin from sun damage. The vitamin A in mango is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing age-related vision problems like macular degeneration. Mangoes are a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Besides, mangoes have tryptophan, an amino acid that can help boost mood.
How many mangoes one can safely eat in a day
Nutritionist Juhi Kapoor shares the right portion of mango per day in her recent Instagram post.
“To enjoy the benefits of mangoes while practicing portion control, it’s recommended to stick to a reasonable serving size, such as half a large mango or around 150 grams. This portion would provide approximately 125-150 calories, allowing you to savour the delicious fruit while maintaining a balanced calorie intake,” says Kapoor.
Consider the size of mango
The nutritionist says one must consider the size of a mango before eating giving an example of a large-sized mango that could contain 250-300 gram calories.
“Consider a large mango, typically weighing around 300-350 grams. A mango of this size can contain anywhere from 250 to 300 calories or more. To put this into perspective, a 300-calorie mango accounts for a substantial portion of the recommended daily calorie intake for many individuals. If an average adult requires around 2,000 calories per day, a single large mango would contribute roughly 15% of their total daily calorie needs,” adds Kapoor.
Combine mango with healthy fats
Nutritionist Lovneet Batra recommends half to 1 fruit a day to prevent sugar spikes but suggests adding healthy fats. “One medium mango has about 50 grams of carbs, so if you are having half to 1 fruit a day you are absolutely fine. But most important thing here is also how you combine this high-carb fruit. So I would suggest make sure you are having fibre and healthy fats with this. So you can have a cup of lemon water with soaked chia seeds and soaked almond and walnuts before having your mango. This will decrease the glucose spike after eating the fruit,” she says. Source: HT

Physical activity has a significant effect on brain health, and it can not only rejuvenate your brain but also prevent or delay cognitive decline that comes with ageing, according to a new study on Wednesday.
A team from the University of Queensland in Australia focussed on the expression of genes in individual cells in the brains of mice.
The results, published in the journal Aging Cell, showed that exercise has a significant impact on gene expression in microglia—the immune cells of the central nervous system that support brain function.
Importantly, the team found that exercise reverts the gene expression patterns of aged microglia to those seen in young mice. The results, published in the journal Aging Cell, showed that exercise has a significant impact on gene expression in microglia—the immune cells of the central nervous system that support brain function. Importantly, the team found that exercise reverts the gene expression patterns of aged microglia to those seen in young mice.
Vukovic noted that the study stresses the importance of “tailored exercise programmes”.
“Our findings should help different industries to design interventions for elderly individuals who are looking to maintain or improve both their physical and mental capabilities,” she said.
Further, the study showed that running on a wheel “prevented and/or reduced the presence of T cells in the hippocampus” in mice during ageing.
T-cells are immune cells known to increase with age. They found that microglia cells are required for the stimulatory effects of exercise to help form new neurons in the brain’s hippocampus—a region involved in memory, learning, and emotion. The study can help design interventions for older adults to maintain or improve both physical and mental health.
Source: IANS

Have signs of aging started appearing on your face before your age? Are you looking older than your age despite using expensive skin care products? Let us tell you that behind this there may be deficiency of some essential nutrients in the body. Yes, to stay healthy, it is necessary to have the right level of essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and hormones in the body. Deficiency of some essential nutrients in the body can have a negative impact on your health. To look younger than age, it is very important to have certain nutrients in the right quantity in the body. Deficiency of these nutrients can make you look older. Come, let us tell you what are these nutrients.
– Deficiency of Omega-3 in the body causes skin inflammation. Due to this, skin starts getting damaged.
– If you are deficient in zinc in your body, it can affect oil production and reduce the glow of the skin.
– Vitamin E acts like a shield to protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radicals. Due to its deficiency, signs of aging appear quickly.
– Vitamin C is essential to boost collagen production. It also reduces fine lines and other signs of aging.
– Vitamin A deficiency can cause wrinkles on the face. Due to this, skin health also starts deteriorating.
– UV damage and oxidative stress can cause facial aging. When selenium levels in the body are low, the skin is unable to fight UV damage and oxidative stress.
– Due to deficiency of Vitamin D, the growth of cells is affected and the skin cannot be repaired.
– When the level of Vitamin K decreases, blood circulation does not occur properly and the skin starts losing its elasticity.
– For healthy skin and cell growth, biotin levels must be right.
– Silica is very important for collagen production in the skin and to keep the tissues healthy.
Asparagus tea is beneficial for women
– Asparagus is very beneficial for women and the cure for many diseases of women is hidden in it.
– Shatavari herb works to balance hormones.
– This also reduces the symptoms of menopause .
– It can be included in the diet even in fertile age.
– It is effective in improving the fertility of women.
– This also provides relief from problems related to digestion.
– This tea relaxes the mind and body and removes weakness.
Moringa tea
– Moringa is a superfood. Women of all ages should include it in their diet. But, especially, it must be consumed at the age of 40-45.
– It can be consumed in many ways. Its tea is also very beneficial.
– Iron, calcium and many other essential minerals are found in it.
– This tea improves metabolism. Besides, it also reduces stress, anxiety and mood swings.
– It also reduces the signs of aging.
– This tea is also very beneficial in reducing joint pain after the age of 45 .

In recent years, fruits are being given a lot of importance in the diet. It is believed that consuming it keeps you fit and healthy. It plays a big role in maintaining healthy weight. It contains vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, so it is considered an important component of a balanced diet. Some people, in order to lose weight, start consuming excessive fruits. But do you know that consuming excessive fruits can also harm you.
Compared to other food items, the amount of calories in fruits is very low, but consuming too much of it can cause weight gain. Actually, it contains sugar which can be responsible for weight gain .
Fruits contain the natural sugar fructose, some fruits have higher amounts of it. In such a situation, consuming it repeatedly can cause the blood sugar level to spike. Especially for people who already have diabetes, it can be even more dangerous.
If you consume too many fruits, it can cause damage to your teeth. The natural sugars and acids present in it can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Fruits have a high amount of fiber which promotes digestion, however, if you consume fiber in excess, it can disturb your digestion and cause bloating and digestive discomfort.
According to experts, anything is beneficial only if it is eaten in balanced quantity. If you want to be healthy by eating fruits, then eat your fruits by pairing them with protein i.e. nuts, curd or chia seeds, avocado.
The excessive consumptions of fruits affect several body organs:
Lever
The excessive fructose in the body turns to fat. This extra fat accumulates in the liver, which can lead to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Every year, 20 percent of cases of NAFLD in the world’s population are reported. It is a common liver disease. Fructose is the main cause of this disease. Excessive consumption of fructose can also cause inflammation of the liver.
Brain
Recent studies have shown that consumption of excessive fructose can harm brain health. It leads to neuroinflammation, brain mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Excessive consumption of fructose over a longer period can affect the ability of the brain to function.
According to reports, the intake of excessive fructose can lead to insulin resistance, increased obesity and can also affect the health of the heart. Continuous consumption of fructose disturbs the balance of the leptin hormone, which results in the accumulation of fat in the body.
It also increases the amount of glucose. It increases the level of fat called triglyceride in the body, which gets deposited in the liver.
Heart health, obesity and diabetes
High fructose consumption also leads to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes. Regular function of leptin, the hormone that regulates body weight is affected by excess fructose consumption resulting in fat accumulation, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
A 2016 animal study reported that a two-month fructose supplementation caused triglycerides accumulation in the liver and impaired insulin function. Similarly, a 7-day high fructose diet led to the accumulation of Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides and increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases as reported by a 2009 study.