Vitamin D activates immune response to TB: study

This is another breakthrough in science the discovery of vitamin D to combat tuberculosis. I hope you enjoy reading this article.

Vitamin D is needed to activate the immune system's response to tuberculosis, said a US study on Wednesday that could lead to new treatments for the lung disease that kills 1.8 million people per year.

Researchers have long known that vitamin D plays a role in the body's response to TB, but the study in the journal Science Translational Medicine shows it must be present in adequate levels to trigger the immune response.



This finding could be crucial to efforts to treat the disease in parts of the world like Africa, because people with dark skin tend to be more susceptible to TB and also are more likely to have vitamin D deficiencies.



Even though people can get vitamin D through sun exposure, dark skin contains more melanin which shields the body from ultraviolet rays and also reduces vitamin D production.



"Over the centuries, vitamin D has intrinsically been used to treat tuberculosis," said first study author Mario Fabri, who did the research for the study while at the University of California Los Angeles and is currently at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cologne, Germany.



"Sanatoriums dedicated to tuberculosis patients were traditionally placed in sunny locations that seemed to help patients -- but no one knew why this worked," he said.



"Our findings suggest that increasing vitamin D levels through supplementation may improve the immune response to infections such as tuberculosis."



Previous studies by the same research team found that vitamin D played a key role producing a molecule called cathelicidin, which helps the innate immune system kill the tuberculosis bacteria.



The current findings show that vitamin D is necessary for the T-cells, which respond to threats as part of the body's adaptive immune system, to produce a protein called interferon which directs cells to attack the bacteria.



"At a time when drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis are emerging, understanding how to enhance natural innate and acquired immunity through vitamin D may be very helpful," said co-author Barry Bloom, former dean of the faculty at the Harvard School of Public Health.



The World Health Organization reported this week that 8.8 million people had TB last year, with about one quarter of those cases occurring in Africa and 40 percent in India and China.



Source: http://news.ph.msn.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5394962

Why sex is good for your health

SEX IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

This is a question that hangs on everybody's mind, maybe for pleasure? for satisfaction? Most of us know nothing about its health benefits bring to us for having sex. Below is an article why sex is good for our health. I hope you enjoy reading this article.


Nothing as much fun as sex can be good for you, surely? In fact, though it's probably the last thing on your mind when you're doing it, intercourse offers a whole range of overlooked health benefits.



As well as satisfying your desires (when done properly) sex can do wonders for both your physical and psychological wellbeing.


So next time he tells you he's not in the mood, point him towards the following list of reasons why a session between the sheets is the perfect pick-me-up.


It burns calories


Exercise should be fun, and what could be more fun than a good old roll in the hay? It may not burn as many calories as an hour on the treadmill or 50 lengths in the pool, but - when done vigorously enough - sex still gives you a worthwhile cardio workout. It may sound hard to believe (or maybe not, depending on your level of experience), but sex can burn off up to 150 calories every half hour. So if you are having sex four times a week for around 30 minutes, that's an extra 600 calories you're better off without. If you go at it for longer than this - even better!


It's a natural painkiller


"Not tonight darling, I've got a headache." How many times have we heard this old cliche (in books, on film and, unfortunately, in real life)? Well, time to put this particular excuse, quite literally, to bed. Studies show that reaching orgasm is a natural, powerful painkiller. As you approach and then achieve The Big O, production of a chemical called oxytocin surges within your body. Oxytocin is known to reduce all sorts of general pain, including, of course, headaches.


It can relieve stress


The fact that having sex regularly makes people calm, relaxed and less prone to stress won't come as a revelation to many. This indicates that a person is in a happy, loving relationship and has many reasons to be cheerful. But the role of intercourse as a powerful stress-reliever is also backed up by recent research. One study carried out in Scotland found that participants who were more sexually active were far better at dealing with controlled, stressful situations than those who abstained.


It helps you sleep


Sleep deprivation can have a devastating impact on our wellbeing, with sufferers at an increased risk of conditions ranging from stress and depression to poor performance at work and disruption to family life. To combat insomnia, experts recommend, among other things, cutting out alcohol and caffeine, watching less TV and taking a bath before bed. Now it's time to add sex to that list. We know that it makes men fall asleep (almost instantly), but research also suggests that the oxytocin we mentioned earlier that is released during intercourse acts as a sedative for all of us. Also - and this isn't rocket science - rigorous sex simply wears us out.


It can boost your immune system


Sex isn't just good, it is also good for you. According to scientists, having sex at least once or twice a week increases production of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, or IgA, which protects the body from infections like the common cold and flu. And while hitting the sack with your partner can leave you feeling a bit dishevelled, it can actually improve the way you look by boosting levels of oestrogen, which is known to add strength and texture to hair and skin.


It can protect your heart


The very thought of sex with someone you are attracted to or in love with is enough to send your heart rate through the roof, so imagine the benefits on offer to your ticker when you are actually in a healthy sexual relationship. A study carried out at Queen's University in Belfast found that sex three times a week is enough to halve the risk of heart attack or stroke. In women, sex increases production of oestrogen, which is known to protect us from heart disease. And there is good news for your man too - another study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health claims that sex two or more times a week reduces the risk of fatal heart attack, again by 50%, when compared with those men who do it less than once a month.


It improves your confidence


Have you ever been more aware of your body than when in a happy, healthy, physical relationship? There is no greater incentive to stay in shape than spending a lot of time naked in the presence of someone who makes you go all weak at the knees, and this constant awareness of your body image has obvious benefits. You're more likely to exercise, eat well and adopt a strict beauty regime, such as looking after your hair (on various parts of your body), skin and nails. And if you look better, you feel better, thus giving your confidence a considerable boost.


It keeps you young


Sex doesn't just make you feel younger - research shows it can actually hold back the ageing process. When you reach orgasm, the body secretes DHEA, a hormone which is known to improve the health of the immune system, boost cognitive function, aid tissue repair and keep skin looking and feeling healthy. DHEA also encourages the production of other hormones like oestrogen, which as we know can prolong life by improving cardiovascular health. And, as we have already seen, sex is a form of exercise - something we should all be doing regularly to stay looking and feeling younger.


It strengthens your pelvic floor


Kegel exercises, named after Dr Arnold Kegel, involve the contraction and then relaxation of muscles that make up part of the pelvic floor. Experts recommend that all women practise these daily to prepare them for the stresses of the later stages of pregnancy and to treat stress urinary incontinence. To put it more bluntly - they stop you from having a little accident. However, the problem with pelvic floor exercises is that, in order for them to be effective, you need to keep doing them every day for the rest of your life and it can take months before you notice any difference. Fortunately, there is another way to strengthen and tone this part of your core. You won't realise it, but you are actually performing Kegels while having sex, and the stronger they are the higher your pleasure levels.


It can fight depression



There is more to this theory than the fact that satisfying sex can put a great big smile on your face. A 2002 study of almost 300 women by an American psychologist found that sexually active participants who were not using condoms as their contraceptive were less likely to suffer from depression than those who did. The experts involved believe that the hormone prostaglandin, which is only found in semen, may be absorbed into the female body, where it helps to regulate her hormones and thus reduce the risk of mental illness.



Source: http://news.ph.msn.com/photogallery.aspx?cp-documentid=5385546

Dried outer skin of Red Onions beneficial to human health

red onions

Red onion is part of very cuisine in our home, but most of us remove the outer part and throw away as waste. Most of us did not know that the outer covering of Red onion is proven having compounds that is beneficial to human health.

In a research publish in the Journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, fiber and flavonoids are found in the dried outer skin of onions, and also sulfur compounds and fructans contain is in onion bulb.

According to Vanesa Benitez, a researcher at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry University of Madrid, Spain, "Waste of red onion is a source of valuable natural substances. Because this vegetable is rich in compounds that provide benefits for human health,"

Benitez's research group worked with scientists from Cranfield University UK to perform laboratory experiments. They identify the substance and the possible use of every part of the onion.

The studies show that the dried onion skins contain high fiber diet, especially the ones difficult to dissolve. Likewise it also contains phenolic compounds, such as quercetin and flavonoids, and other metabolites that have medicine properties. Last but not the least the, outer layers of onions also contain fiber and flavonoids.

Thus "Eating fiber reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal complaints, colon cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity," as added the researchers.

Coronary disease can be prevented by Phenolic compounds, and an anti-carcinogenic. Phenolic compounds in onion skin layers shows onions as a high antioxidant.

Most of our recipe use red onions and next time we include the outer covering so that we don't miss out some health benefits it contain.

Pregnancy Diet and Nutrition

Pregnant women

Energy - really eating for two?

Energy requirement varies among individuals. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not the ice-cream-free-for-all as we would like it to be. It is generally recommended that pregnant women increase their daily intake by 100 calories in the first trimester and 300 calories in the second and third trimester. For instance, an extra snack before bedtime consisting of a fruit, a serving of milk or yogurt and a few biscuits is often enough. A daily prenatal multivitamin supplement is often recommended during pregnancy.


Folate

Folate, or folic acid, is needed to support the increasing maternal blood volume and to decrease the risk of baby Neural Tube Defects (NTD). Diet alone is not likely to provide enough folate. Therefore, it is recommended that women should start taking a daily folate supplement of 400ug (0.4mg) 3 months prior to conception and should continue through the first 3 months of the pregnancy.

Iron

Iron is essential to maintaining a sufficient level of blood supply to the growing baby and the placenta. As many women's iron stores are not enough for meeting the increased requirements during pregnancy, a daily low dose iron supplement (30mg) is often recommended during the second and third trimesters. You can help prevent iron deficiency anemia by eating more iron-rich foods like lean red meat, fish, poultry, dried fruits, whole-grain breads, and iron-fortified cereals.


Calcium and Vitamin D

Your baby gets the calcium necessary for healthy bones and teeth from the mother's supply. Depending on your age, it is recommended to include 1000mg - 1300mg of calcium and 200IU of Vitamin D in your diet. It means 4 - 6 servings of dairy products or calcium-fortified foods a day. If calcium intake is insufficient during pregnancy, calcium supplements may be needed.


Dietary Cautions

Caffeine: some authorities suggest to limit coffee to 3 - 4 small cups a day; some such as the US Department of Health suggests to avoid it completely.

Seafood: Avoid high-mercury fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. Also limit fish intake to no more than 2 servings per week. For more info - read Is it Safe to eat Fish during Pregnancy?

Artificial Sweeteners: use in moderation. For more info on sweeteners - read Which Artificial Sweeteners are Safe?

Herbal Tea: Some herbal teas are safe to drink during pregnancy. These include citrus peel, ginger, lemon balm, orange peel and rose hip teas. Avoid chamomile tea. 

The Bottom Line: Pregnancy and Diet

You will very likely experience cravings, but eating a balanced diet now is more important than ever. So eat healthy - do not skip meals.

If you are trying to conceive, take folate supplement now.

If you are already pregnant, take your daily prenatal vitamin supplement.

If you do not eat 4 - 6 servings of dairy daily, do some math on your daily calcium intake. Don't forget the calcium content in your prenatal vitamin. If the total is less than 1000mg, you may need to take a calcium supplement.

Source: (HealthCastle.com)

How to use Banaba Plant for Weight loss?

In a study conducted patients who are taking Banaba herbal tea reduce weight without side effects. The corosolic acid in Banaba leaves and flowers acts by delaying and reducing the absorption of carbohydrates by the body, thus continued drinking of banaba tea causes weight loss without any side effects.

Preparation and application of Banaba herbal tea for weight loss management 

•    Dry Banaba leaves and fruits without exposing the sunlight
•    Cut Banaba leaves and fuits into small peices
•    Boil the dried leaves and fruits in water,
•    Boil one cup of dried banaba leaves and fruits to 2 cups of water.
•    Seep for 30 minutes, strain the leaves and fruits.
•    Take the Banaba herbal tea for 2 to 5 times day

According to studies Banaba has no known toxic. But if you feel of discomport please stop using Banaba. And the most important thing is before you take Banaba herbal Tea it must be first consulted to doctor.