Pages

Sunday, May 5, 2013

7 Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

Here are 7 signs that can be taken as warning and could help avert a catastrophic situation:

1. Discomfort in the Chest

The most common warning sign of a heart attack is the feeling of discomfort or heaviness in the chest. This feeling could also be more of a burning sensation. Any of these symptoms should not be taken lightly, and if it occurs more than once, you need to rush to your doctor. If another person is complaining of the problem, chances are they have experienced the feeling before and are only expressing it now. So, rush them to the nearest doctor or hospital immediately for a check up.

2. Shortness of Breath

If your breathing gets heavy and the breath falls short even after a short walk, climb or other form of movement or exercise, it should be a huge cause of worry. Even if this condition is not accompanied with chest discomfort, it should be taken as a warning sign.

3. Sweating

Whilst sweating is inevitable in the scorching heat of May and June, excessive sweating even in cool conditions is uncalled for. If you notice such sweating, consult a medical professional immediately.

4. Nausea

Regularly feeling nauseous of dizzy could imply the onset of a heart attack. Do not treat is callously as a sign of tiredness. This could happen due to the artery getting blocked. It could also display itself via excessive stress, fatigue after short spans of movement or exercise, or a feeling of weakness despite eating and sleeping well.

5. Numbness in Arms

If your arms feel numb and seem to be drifting to the sides, heart problem may be the cause.

6. Unresponsiveness

If certain parts of your body begin to stop responding, do not ignore the circumstance. The affected parts may be the shoulders, arms or back of the neck.

7. Slurring while Speaking

Difficulty while speaking need not necessarily occur after a bout of drinking with the buddies. It could be a graver situation than that! Inability to speak coherently could be the sign of a great attack. If you think you are suffering this ask a friend or relative to help by asking them to understand what you are saying.
A heart attack can be avoided if the warning signs are read correctly and in time. Seek medical aid immediately if one or more of the above symptoms are noticed. They could be the result of a choked artery. Even if heart attack is not the result, a check up should definitely not be avoided! Take care

15 Things You Didn't Know About Fruits


Fruits are indispensable. Its fiber, water, minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients, antioxidants keep us well. But did you know these 15 uncommon facts?


Watermelon beats the scorching summer heat with 95% water and its electrolytes. It wards off unwanted pesticides with its think rind and harbours enormous vitamin A, lycopene and an antioxidant - glutathione preroxidase present at the red pulpy area close to the rind. The white rind which we commonly discard as tasteless contains Citrulline, an amino acid that produces the vasodilator - nitric oxide.  The ability of citrulline to convert to L-arginine promotes heart health. It is worthy to note the edible watermelon seeds hide tryptophan, B vitamins and are relatively rich in proteins and lipids.


Cantaloupe/muskmelon is an excellent source of phytochemicals – vitamin A and C. Lesser known is it being rich in an enzymatic antioxidant known as superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is essential for maintaining strong defence with enhanced reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity to combat stress in the human body.







Kiwi fruit with vitamin C, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids from its numerous edible seeds have potential properties of a natural blood thinner. It also has a protein-dissolving enzyme actinidin that digests proteins. Skip Kiwi in desserts containing milk or dairy  as it will dissolve milk








Pomegranate an exotic fruit is an antidote for heart ailments due to its polyphenolic anti-oxidant compound - punicalagin. Pomegranate seeds are high in inflammatory fighting elagitannins, quercetin and anthocyanins. Pomegranate tea is known to lower cholesterol and reduce LDL oxidation. What you may have not known is Pomegranate rind or peel extract which is a decoction, is packed with phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidines that is traditionally used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery or intestinal parasites.


Citrus fruits are synonymous to vitamin C and vitality. Well you may be allured with vitamin C loaded orange juice but ascorbic acid on exposure to light and air gets oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, highly unstable and further breaks down to 2,3-diketo-L-gulonic acid. It is wise to eat citrus fruits whole.
















Star fruit, Bilimbi or Carambola with its high vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc content is used as a cure for acne and oily skin. The extract of the fruit possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties. The scientists were awed with high total oxidizing activity or TAA of Star fruit due to proanythocyanidin compound epicatechin.







Rope in raw Papaya as meat tenderizer, as it has a powerful digestive enzyme papain/papinase that breaks down tough meat fibres. Marinating meat with chunks of raw papaya, especially the deeply pared skin yields a sumptuous and soft texture to the meat. Papain is also anti-inflammatory.  Unripe papaya in large amounts can be an effective abortant.







Amla is a powerhouse of vitamin C, harbouring 20 times more that of an Orange. Many are averse to the pungent - astringent¬ taste of Amla. The vitamin C in Amla is present in a complex form. What is intriguing is Amla retains substantial vitamin C, unlike other sources in spite of drying, powdering or even when boiled for a few minutes. Traditionally, Amla murabba ( Amla soaked in honey) was used early morning for its health benefits.




Our own berry of India – Zizyphus, commonly known as Ber or Jujuba is under-utilized. It is very high in vitamin C. The extract of boiled fruit is used medicinally as tea, to treat sore throat. Jujuboside A – a chemical found in Ber is used to treat insomnia and anxiety as the saponins of the extract mimic sedation







Avocado, the only fruit with high fat content of 25% is high in mono-unsaturated fats. It is an antioxidant that increases the good cholesterol - HDL. The seed or pit of the Avocado is rich in nutrition and has a long history of medicinal use in traditional culture. The ground Avocado seed can be used in smoothies and other foods. The aqueous extract of the seed is known to control hyperglycemia(high blood sugar).





Pineapple, an excellent source of vitamin C is a natural digestive aid and a meat tenderizer as it contains a proteolytic enzyme - bromelain. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties and significantly alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, sinusitis, gout, sore throat or inflammation due to surgery or physical injury. It also helps in fat burning and weight loss due to its thermic effect.







Guava, a powerhouse of vitamin C, protects us from cold and flu with 4 - 10 times more vitamin C than citrus fruits.. Some are dissuaded from consuming this marvellous fruit due to its seedy core.  Those may seek solace in the rind that contains exceptionally higher levels of vitamin C than the seedy central pulp






Apples contain quercetin an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It also has considerable amounts of pectin, a soluble dietary fibre, known to reduce blood cholesterol level, help burn body fat, improve gut flora and help in binding loose stools, typically therefore used in diarrhoea.









Grapes have garnered attention due to its polyphenol - resveratrol that promotes longevity and several antioxidants shielding cardiovascular system. Grapes contain ellagic acid. Anthocyanins, found abundantly in red grapes and Catechins, a type of flavonoid found in green varieties also have health promoting effects. Grapes seeds also offer essential fatty acids and tocopherol.






Tamarind pulp is commonly used in Asian cuisine and Worcestershire sauce due to its pleasing sour flavor. It aids constipation due to its laxative effect and is anti-helmintic, antibacterial and hypolipidemic. The fruit may promote eye health as it moistens cornea and researchers are investigating its chemical content similar to mucin that is known to wet the eye.
Some fruits like apple, banana, when cut turn brown on exposure to air. This unappealing browning can be avoided by coating the sliced fruit with a layer of sugar, salt or lime juice.
Fruits in rainbow colors synergistically boost immunity, revive and rejuvenate health and well-being.












Thursday, May 2, 2013

Pomegranates can work wonders for your skin!


Best things often come in small packages, and this saying is absolutely true for pomegranates. Who knew that something so tiny would be packed with extraordinary beauty benefits? So let us have a look how pomegranates can work wonders for your skin.


Anti-ageing properties
Pomegranates have anti-ageing properties and can rejuvenate your skin internally as well as externally. The oil from the seeds found in the fruit helps strengthen the epidermis (outer layer of your skin), which reduces or delays wrinkles.

Beauty Tip: Drink a glass of pomegranate juice daily for glowing skin.





Keep pimples at bay

The root cause of pimples is the hormonal imbalance in your body. Pomegranates are a rich source of Vitamin C which regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by your skin and which is the main cause of pimples. Pomegranates also help in improving your blood circulation and improving digestion.

Beauty Tip: If you want to enjoy the skin care benefits of pomegranates then mix pomegranate seeds (1tbsp) with some brown sugar (2tbsp) , honey (2tbsp), avocado oil (2tbsp) and orange peel (1tsp) to make a scrub. Use it daily for a few minutes for best results.
 
Keeps your skin healthy

Collagen, which is the basic component of your skin, ensures that your skin remains soft, smooth and firm. Pomegranates contain certain compounds which stop enzymes from breaking down collagen, which keeps your skin healthy. Pomegranates also help in the growth of fibroblasts (which basically are the cells that produce elastin and collagen) and ensure that your skin remains soft and supple.

Beauty Tip: Pomegranates make a great garnish; be it in raitas, mithais or even salads.

Helps in cell renewal

As you age, you come face-to-face with problems such as skin pigmentation and age spots. This is when, pomegranates act like your knight in shining armour, protecting you from skin damage. Pomegranates help in the production of naturally occurring anti-oxidants produced by your body, which help in regeneration of skin cells.

Beauty Tip: Kick start your day on a healthy note by making a pomegranate smoothie. Mix half a cup of pomegranate juice with some berries of your choice and 2 tablespoons of yoghurt.


Protection against sunburn

If the harsh rays of the sun are damaging your skin then you can use pomegranates to counter its effects. Pomegranates contain a number of anti-oxidants which has skin cancer defying properties. Pomegranates also reduce the effect of sunburns and soothe your skin.

Beauty Tip:
 If you are feeling hungry in between meals, then it is best to ditch that bag of chips and grab a pomegranate instead




Tackle skin inflammation

If you are suffering from skin inflammation, then use pomegranate extracts to soothe your skin rather than any ointment. Pomegranates contain polyphenols along with other compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Pomegranate seed oil is recommended by a number of experts to heal small cuts or skin problems without leaving any scar behind.

Beauty Tip: Consuming pomegranates or applying its extracts over the affected area will ensure that you skin heals quickly.

Nourishes your skin

Pomegranates have a small molecular structure and that is why, pomegranate seed oil can penetrate your skin deeply and hydrate it from within. It contains punicic acid which keeps bacteria at bay and ensures that your skin remains moist and healthy throughout the day.


Beauty Tip: Invest in beauty products which have pomegranates as their core ingredient.