Best 10 health benefits of eating ivy gourd

Best 10 health benefits of eating ivy gourd

Ivy gourd or coccinia grandis is also referred as baby watermelon, gherkin, gentlemen’s toes or little gourd. The skin of the ivy gourd is smooth with the blend of green and white colors. It consists of white flesh that is similar to the taste and appearance of a cucumber. Their taste is good and consists of many health benefits as described below.

Health benefits of ivy gourd

This vegetable improves the bowel movements of the body due to because it has the laxative qualities, which are resulted due to the existence of vitamin A and beta-carotene in the vegetable. With this property it also cures gonorrhea.

Controls blood sugar levels
Ivy gourd has the ability to control blood sugar levels in a natural way. This is because of the liver enzyme in the vegetable that controls the metabolism rate of sugar in the body with the process of improving glucose production. Hence it is highly recommended for diabetic patients to assist them in a strong way.

Health vitamins
As it is loaded with high amounts of vitamins it got the name of healthy food in various parts of India. Every vitamin is essential for the proper body functioning and is helpful for the defense mechanism. The abundant amount of vitamin C present in the vegetable helps to condition your bones and it also plays a vital role in the development of general structure of the body. On top of the above it is filled with the set of vitamins such as beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B1 and B2, in addition it is thought to have the properties of anti anaphylactic as well as anti-histaminic. It is also believed that consumption of Ivy gourd along with the meals help to lower fever.

Some studies have noticed the presence of anti-oxidants in this veggie, and it assists our body by eliminating various illness conditions.

Heals certain diseases
Ivy gourd has been utilized as a medicine to cure asthma, bronchitis, jaundice and leprosy since time immemorial. The plant of this vegetable is used to control high fever and bowel problems. Also it is added in the diet to heal specific kind of blood diseases. People who are suffering with high cholesterol levels and asthma are suggested to intake the ivy gourd along with their diet inorder to hold it in control.

Include your diet with the Ivy gourd to lock the caring effects of the vegetable on your eyes, kidney, liver and heart. The regular intake of it gradually eliminates negative effects on your kidneys and it aids for the proper functioning of the kidneys. This particular veggie is utilized for the preparation of medicines that cure cough, hepatic problems, anorexia and diabetic wounds.

Ivy gourd is featured with the ability of detoxification and it acts ideal in cleaning our blood also. Ivy gourd not just has the anti-bacterial properties but also the pain killing and anti-ulcer properties. Leaves and the root of Ivy gourd are also responsible for the production of medicinal properties. The plant also got the advantage in the preparation of herbal supplements.

Source: beauty health tips

Amazing Health Benefits from Green Papaya

Amazing Health Benefits from Green Papaya

The unripe green fruit of papaya has a mild flavour. Green papaya has a smooth white flesh and is a rich source of vitamin C. Papaya offers an excellent source of potassium and fiber and is low in calories. It has a high amount of pectin which helps in digestion.

Health Benefits from Green Papaya:
The anti-inflammatory virtue from the papain in papaya greatly reduce inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and asthma.

The rich fiber in papaya bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and is eliminated from the body during bowel movements.
Papaya is commonly known for its fine and natural laxative virtue which aids digestion. Taken regularly, it can help habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea.

The three very powerful anti-oxidants in papayas help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol forms dangerous plagues that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes.

Vitamin A available in papaya helps to reduce lung inflammation. So it is useful for active as well as passive smokers.
The papain in unripe papaya is extremely beneficial for those who are deficient in gastric juice, have excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, dyspepsia and intestinal irritation.

Consumption of unripe papaya juice help to contract the muscle fibers of the womb, resulting in proper and regular menstrual flow. It is especially helpful in cases of menstruation cessation in young ladies due to cold or trauma.
The juice from unripe papaya is highly beneficial in treating skin disorders like acne and psoriasis. When applied to wounds, it prevents pus formation and swelling. Paste made from unripe papaya when applied to the face, may remove pigmentation or brown spots, and making the skin smooth and delicate. Try it.
Immerse cut ripe papaya in vinegar for a week, then consume twice a day with meals until spleen is normalized.

Drink honey mixed in fresh juice from unripe papaya regularly over inflamed tonsils for diphtheria and other throat disorders. It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.

Health Hazards :

Anti-estrogen effects have been noted as well. Green papaya (unripe) can cause abortion due to the presence of a plant compound, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), found primarily in the latex of green papaya tissue, Food forms of papaya, containing papain, are best avoided by pregnant women. This warning does not extend to a fully ripe fresh fruit, which contains much lower levels of papain and is considered very healthy for pregnant women with it’s rich antioxidant and vitamin content.

There are mixed reports from health resources regarding papaya and ulcers. On the one hand, people suffering from severe stomach ulcers are sometimes advised to avoid the fruit, particularly when it’s green, as well as any digestive enzymes with papain. On the other, eating papaya with its many nutrients and enzymes is often said to help prevent stomach ulcers and heal minor ones. It may do this by both increasing the protective mucus secretions in the stomach and, due to its ability to speed up the break down of protein, lessening the amount of time hydrochloric acid sits in the stomach. While the occasional ripe fruit should not cause problems. Doctor,s advice must be solicited in case to case basis.

Papain may increase the blood thinning effects of medications such as Warfarin and other anticoagulants, including daily aspirin taken for this purpose. As such it is not recommended for use at the same time as a course of these drugs. It is best not to take papain for several days before major surgery for the same reason.

People with blood clotting disorders, such as thrombosis and hemophilia, are also advised to avoid papain and green papaya. In cases like these, and any of the above, it is best to discuss using papain enzymes with a knowledgeable healthcare professional.

Papaya and especially the green fruit should be avoided by anyone with a latex allergy. Papaya allergies are rare, but people who experience allergic reactions to papaw may also have an adverse reaction to pineapples, avocados, bananas, figs, kiwi fruit, melons and possibly other tropical fruit as well and should use these with caution and watch for symptoms.

Source: health digezt

15 foods that will keep you calm

15 foods that will keep you calm

Stress and anxiety are nothing but an invitation to disaster. And a mind which is cool, relaxed and calm can take one places. Make sure that necessary changes are made in your eating habits and go for foods which can ensure that the mind stays relaxed and free of stress.

Did you know that what you eat can greatly affect the way you think and feel? Here are the top 15 foods that help you develop a calmer mind and deal with stress better:

1. Chocolates

Give in to your darkest desire by indulging in chocolates. Their anandamine content keeps the dopamine levels of the brain in check, thereby ensuring the mind stays relaxed and free of stress.

2. Nuts

Nuts contain selenium, a mineral whose deficiency causes crankiness, anxiety and fatigue. Therefore, a handful of nuts help you stay calmer.

3. Spinach

Popeye’s favorite food is also rich in magnesium, which keeps the mind from overreacting. The correct dosage of vitamins A and C as well as iron ensures a healthy diet intake as well.

4. Pasta

Pasta made from whole grain is rich in magnesium, the deficiency of which increases stress levels.

5. Whole-Grain Bread

Bread made from whole grain has the same effect as pasta, that is, the reduction of magnesium deficiency. So, make sure you include toasts or sandwiches in breakfast to lead a stress-free day.

6. Blueberries

A delicious fruit, blueberries are also packed with antioxidants, which are known to be highly effective in relieving stress.

7. Almonds

The zinc and vitamin B12 content of almonds makes them super-eligible to make it to this list. These nutrients help maintain a balanced mood and keep anxiety at bay.

8. Green Tea

Nothing can have a calmer effect on the human mind than a cup of green tea to kickstart the day. In fact, it is known to have an immediate relieving effect on many.

9. Fish

Fish types such as salmon and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which provide selenium and tryptophan to the brain, thereby helping it stay calm.

10. Oats

Greatly beneficial in enhancing the levels of serotonin required by the body, oats are a great way to lower cholesterol levels as well as spend a calm-minded day.

11. Milk

Surprised again? Well, milk contains tryptophan, which helps in the build-up of serotonin, thereby helping the mind stay relaxed.

12. Broccoli

Go green! With broccoli, you get your required dose of potassium, the low levels of which can cause tiredness and stress.

13. Kiwi Fruit

Kiwis are also known to convert tryptophan into serotonin, thereby inducing anxiety-relieving experience for the brain.

14. Bananas

Low in fibre, bananas reduce the risk of gas, thereby increasing chances of staying calm and stress-free through the day.

15. Rice

A carbohydrate that has an immensely calming effect, rice is also easy to digest and low in fat.
The above is a list of some of the foods you can include in your daily diet to ensure your levels of anxiety stay low. In addition, remember to drink plenty of water to keep flushing out those toxins and stay healthier and happier!

Source: health digezt

Swinging arms most efficient way to run

Swinging arms most efficient way to run

Ever tried running without swinging your arms? New research has shown that the swing in your arms counter balances the movement of your legs and saves energy at the same time.

“We know from the literature that arm swinging plays an important role in balancing the motion of the swinging legs,” said Christopher Arellano from the Brown University.

Arellano studied 13 runners and measured their oxygen consumption rates and carbon dioxide that they exhaled.

He asked them to run without swinging their arms by holding the arms loosely behind the back, crossing the arms across the chest, and holding the hands on the top of the head.

He found that swinging the arms reduced the runners’ energy costs by three percent (as compared to when they held their arms behind their backs).

Arm swinging also saved energy an impressive 13 percent compared with when they held their hands on their heads.

“I think everyone conceded that the most challenging run was the one with the hands on the top of the head,” Arellano added, recalling how runners complained about how tired their arms were at the end of the session.

The study appeared in the journal of Experimental Biology.

Source: darpan magazine

Starvation effects pass on to next 3 generations

Starvation effects pass on to next 3 generations

Starvation may affect the health of at least the next three generations, says a study.

“Events like the Dutch famine of World War II have compelled scientists to take a fresh look at acquired inheritance,” said Oliver Hobert from the Columbia University Medical Centre in the US.

Starving women who gave birth during the famine had children who were unusually susceptible to obesity and other metabolic disorders, as were their grandchildren.

Starvation induces changes in the cell structure, specifically in the RNAs (Ribonucleic acid) and these changes are passed on for at least three generations, the findings showed.

The research team starved roundworms for six days and then examined their cells for molecular changes.

The starved roundworms were found to have a specific set of small RNAs which persisted for at least three generations, even though the worms were fed normal diet.

The researchers also found that these small RNAs target genes with roles in nutrition.

The study was published in the journal Cell.

Source: business standard

Puerto Rico declares chikungunya epidemic

Puerto Rico declares chikungunya epidemic

The health officials in Puerto Rico declared an epidemic of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that has been confirmed in more than 200 cases across the island as of late last month.

Health Secretary Ana Rius said the majority of those cases were reported in the capital of San Juan and nearby areas.

The virus was introduced into the Caribbean region late last year and the first case in Puerto Rico was reported in late May.

Meanwhile, Jamaican health officials reported the nation’s first confirmed case on Thursday. Dr Kevin Harvey, chief medical officer for Jamaica, said chikungunya was found in someone who had recently travelled to a country where the virus has been transmitted locally.

As of July 11, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recorded more than 354,000 suspected and confirmed cases of chikungunya across the Caribbean.

The first locally-transmitted case in the Western Hemisphere was confirmed in December in the French Caribbean territory of St Martin.

Chikungunya symptoms take three to seven days to appear in those who have contracted it. The virus results in high fever for up to five days and a longer period of severe joint pain in the extremities that renders patients largely immobile.

Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Younger patients usually make a full recovery in 5 to 15 days. Older patients can take up to two months to regain full strength, and elderly patients even longer.

The virus is rarely fatal, according to health officials. There is no vaccine yet, so treatment largely consists of pain medication.

Source; caribbean news now

Protect yourself from skin problems this monsoon

Protect yourself from skin problems this monsoon

We all love the good things that monsoon brings, be it the cloudy weather, the cool breeze gently caressing you, the rain drops or the hot tea. But, don’t just get lost in all this and also devote your attention towards the downside of this humid weather.

Though rain showers keep the scorching heat at bay, but due to constant dampness and humidity they can also lead to various fungal and bacterial infections. During the monsoon season, the air is full of infections so additional care is needed to keep our skin healthy and revitalised.

Here are a few common skin problems that occur during the monsoon season and their treatment.

-Nail infection: Try not to keep your nails long during the monsoon season as long nails attract muck and bacteria thereby leading to fungal infection in the feet.

Tip: If one notices red or itchy skin near the nails, it is a sign of nail infection. One can go for either oral medication as prescribed by the doctor or use anti-fungal cream or powder.

-Prickly heat: It is very common in this season. Prickly heat rash is a red pimply eruption. It is caused by sweating that leads to skin pores to clog and as a result, prickly heat rash pops up.

Tip: The best way to deal with it is to use anti-bacterial soaps and talcum powders to keep your skin dry. Also, try wearing cotton clothes as they absorb sweat and try not to expose your skin in the harsh sun rays without at least using a good sunscreen with a high SPF factor.

-Athlete’s foot: The common symptoms of Athlete’s foot are itchy patches on the feet that are well defined, scaly, and itchy.

Tip: To avoid it one should not wear plastic shoes, leather or canvas ones and instead wear slippers and flip-flops as they let your feet breathe. Or if you are wearing shoes, then apply anti-fungal powder to avoid bacterial infection.

-Eczema: Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which red patches start appearing on the skin with blisters which cause itching and bleeding.

Tip: The best way to deal with it is by using anti-bacterial soaps, talcum powders and face washes to keep your skin dry and also to wear clothes that do not irritate your skin in this weather.

-Ringworm infection: Ringworm infection starts as a small portion and spreads in a ring form. It commonly occurs in the sole of the feet, armpits and behind the ears.

Tip: To avoid it one must use anti-fungal powder and wear full-sleeved clothes to protect body parts from insect bites or stings. Also, never wear wet clothes as they immediately lead to fungal infection.

So, follow these tips and enjoy the blissful rainy season.

Source: Zee news

Oral cancer claims one life every six hours in India

Oral cancer claims one life every six hours in India

One person dies every six hours due to oral cancer in the country, signalling an alarming rise in the incidence of the disease, according to a top orthodontist.

The situation could be still graver as many cases of the disease went unreported, Secretary-General of the Indian Dental Association Dr Ashok Dhoble told PTI from Mumbai.

“Cases of the disease and deaths resulting from it in rural areas and among the poorer sections of society are hardly registered,” he noted.

He pointed out that with the high prevalence of smokers and widespread use of other chewable tobacco products, India has seen a steep growth in the number of oral cancer patients in the past decade.

In fact, Dr Dhoble said, oral cancer approximated to 40 per cent of all cancer-related disease in the country with the Northeastern states mostly affected.

“All Northeastern states are badly affected by the disease. The states like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are also affected,” he said, adding every third person in these states used tobacco-related products.

Talking about measures to curb the prevalence of the deadly disease, he said that nothing short of a total ban on the use of tobacco was the only way.

“There is no other way to curb oral cancer… You have to ban tobacco in its every form,” Dr Dhoble said, pointing out that it was the nicotine present in the tobacco which made it addictive and difficult to kick the habit.

“Our government also understands the problem… But the huge number of people employed with the tobacco industry is the problem… The government has to provide them with an alternative livelihood and then ban tobacco totally,” he said.

He said a dentist was the first person to diagnose it since oral cancer was not just limited to teeth, but mouth, tongue and integral part of pharynx and gums as well.

The orthodontist explained that oral cancer was 100 per cent curable only if it was reported in the first stage. But once it slips into the second stage, the patient is left with a life span of just five years.

“I will advise people to visit a dentist and not to ignore even if there is a slight problem in the mouth… But above all they have to give up using tobacco in every form. That’s the best medicine,” Dr Dhoble said Stressing the need to educate people on the disease, he said that the Indian Dental Association, which will hold the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Delhi in September, had been conducting awareness camps and counselling people for the last five years.

Source; hindustan times

New method for stimulating ovulation may make IVF safer, study says

New method for stimulating ovulation may make IVF safer study says

British scientists have observed a new process of stimulating ovulation that may possibly offer a safer and much more helpful solution for women going through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In a new review revealed in the Journal of Scientific Investigation, researchers discovered that the hormone kisspeptin can be applied to induce ovulation in IVF treatment method, with out the facet results of currently made use of procedures.

Ordinarily, medical practitioners use HCG, which is also a in a natural way transpiring hormone, to stimulate ovulation throughout IVF. On the other hand, mainly because the hormone immediately targets the ovaries, use of HCG places females at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and perhaps lifestyle-threatening aspect outcomes. OHSS can lead to agonizing and swollen ovaries and side outcomes can involve vomiting, rapid fat obtain and kidney failure.

“One of the major difficulties in IVF is excessive stimulation of ovaries,” review author Waljit Dhillo, a professor in endocrinology and metabolism at Imperial Higher education London, informed FoxNews.com. “Each calendar year, balanced gals finish up in the clinic and there are a quantity of deaths each yr.”

Researchers at Imperial Faculty London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Believe in in London examined a team of fifty three ladies, just about every of whom underwent a solitary injection of kisspeptin to induce ovulation. Experienced eggs made in 51 out of 53 contributors and 49 women of all ages had just one or two fertilized embryos transferred to the uterus.

From that team, twelve balanced babies were being born, which researchers deemed to be a excellent outcome when compared to standard IVF therapy.

Key infertility— when a pair has been unable to conceive for at minimum a single year— influences about six.one million people in the United States. In accordance to the Culture for Assisted Reproductive Technology, medical practitioners executed more than one hundred sixty five,172 IVF methods in 2012.

Kisspeptin is a hormone ordinarily present in the overall body and is identified to enjoy a crucial job in puberty and reproduction. It works to market copy by triggering the release of woman sex hormones and stimulating egg development. Large concentrations of kisspeptin are generally present in a healthy pregnancy, so researchers had little problem about the hormone on fetus progress, Dhillo stated.

Scientists mentioned that a profit of utilizing kisspeptin in its place of the typical HCG hormone is that kisspeptin does not specifically goal the ovaries, even though HCG does. Also, they did not notice any unfavorable side outcomes amid participants.

“If you give HCG, the hormone goes straight to the ovary and does its work. But there is no regulation,” Dhillo mentioned. “So the similar dose can have different effects for the reason that some girls may be a lot more sensitive to it.”

Dhillo and his group now approach to check the success of kisspeptin in females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a subpopulation in particular vulnerable to OHSS.

Source: daily news

New drug therapy cures hepatitis C in patients with HIV: Study

New drug therapy cures hepatitis C in patients with HIV

Scientists have revealed that a combination drug therapy cures chronic hepatitis C in the majority of patients co-infected with both HIV and hepatitis C.

In a phase III clinical trial, doctors administered ‘sofosbuvir’ and ‘ribavirin’ to a total of 223 HIV-1 patients chronically co-infected with hepatitis C (genotypes 1, 2 or 3) either for 12 weeks (for treatment-naive patients with genotype 2 or 3) or for 24 weeks (for treatment-naive patents with genotype 1 or treatment-experienced patents with genotype 2 or 3).

It was found that for treatment-naive patients, 76 percent with genotype 1, 88 percent with genotype 2 and 67 percent with genotype 3 were cured.

Researchers said that have always termed this to be ‘sustained virologic response but they now know that means hepatitis C has been cured.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Source: dna