Recipe column-Carrot Juice

Half boil 3 carrot and 1 tomato with skin after cleaning. Remove the skin when it is cool. Make it a smooth paste in a mixer or food processer. Add 1 cup of musambi( sweet lime) or orange juice. Salt and pepper or sugar could be added to relish the health drink.

Recipe column- Carrot Soup

Healthy diet, an appetizer:
10 nos of small carrots skin peeled, 2 small potatoes skin peeled, 50 gms of fresh green peas, few pods of cauliflower, 1 big onion, 2 pods of garlic, 10 pods of black pepper, small bunch of mint leaves, few leaves of spinach, 1 inch piece of ginger.
(Except the carrot,onion, garlic, pepper, ginger and mint other vegetables are optional).Cook all the above vegetables in pressure cooker. Allow it to cool and remove the carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, and potatoes to grind it into a smooth paste. Add this paste to the other vegetables in the pressure cooker and allow it to boil for 2 minutes adding salt to taste. Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice and garnish with butter and corriender leaves.

Love you with both my kidneys

Love you with both my kidneys

By Dr. Aley. H. Bilgrami

Kidneys are like our parents. Although we have two of them, we cannot afford to take either one of them for granted.

Are your kidneys okay? This is a question we seldom ask ourselves but one that is being asked every year, on World Kidney Day, as one out of ten adults suffer some form of kidney damage.

The purpose of world kidney day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys, an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well; and also to tell the world that kidney disease is common but can be treated if diagnosed on time.

There are two types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Acute diseases appear suddenly but are generally short lived and reversible if treated promptly. Chronic diseases appear gradually, last longer, and can only be partially reversed or stabilized. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is silent and may go unnoticed for a long time as it takes a while for symptoms to appear.

As we all know, this bean shaped organ performs some very essential functions: the elimination of waste products, control of blood pressure, maintaining the level of certain salts present in the bloodstream within a within safe range in and the secretion of different chemicals (hormones).

We make an assessment of kidney functions by measuring the blood level of certain substances normally eliminated by kidneys. Commonly measured substances are urea and creatinine. If the reading is within the normal range, the kidneys are working properly; high levels mean decreased kidney functions. We can also detect kidney malfunction through a simple urine analysis which includes physical, chemical and microscopic examination by a simple lab test

• Sample of blood – creatinine measurement

• Sample of urine – to detect protein (albumin)

• Ultrasound of kidneys

Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant; it also increases the risk of heart disease and premature death.

A few common causes which can damage our kidneys are:

• Congenital kidney disease

• Diabetes mellitus

• High blood pressure

• Infections

• Kidney stones

Diabetes and high blood pressure

Diabetes (along with other diseases like high blood pressure) is one of the common but treatable causes of end stage kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the industrialised world and most developing countries, including Pakistan and more than 33% of patients on dialysis are diabetics. Currently there are 150 million diabetics in the world; this will go up to 333 million by the year 2025.

Initially there are no symptoms however kidney involvement can be detected early by checking urine for the presence of proteins. Initially protein in urine is in very small quantity and is called microalbuminuria (MAU); this can be checked by a special test. The presence of MAU is an early indicator of kidney disease and allows measures to be taken early to slow or even prevent progression of kidney involvement. It is recommended that maturity onset diabetics (Type II, non insulin dependant) are screened for MAU at the time of diagnosis of diabetes and, from then onwards, on a yearly basis. Juvenile diabetics (Type I, insulin dependant) should be screened for MAU starting five years after their diagnosis.

Kidney stones

While the Stone Age is long past, we still live in a stone belt. The estimated prevalence of stone disease in Pakistan is 8-10%. It is more common in males but affects people of all ages - from three months to 70 years – especially the poor and the malnourished people of rural areas.

While there are many ways of treating kidney stones, one can take a few simple measures to avoid them altogether. Drink plenty of water - at least ten glasses a day under normal conditions; more in hot weather and after exercise as well as in the night.

Our diet should include lemon juice, orange juice and a lot of calcium; milk protects against endemic stones in children and it should be a part of daily diet. Keeping salt intake to minimum and avoiding constipation are also helpful measures against infection and stones.

Kidney stones are of different and rare compositions, and, as such, require different preventive measures. Cystine stones can be dealt with by drinking four litres of fluid per day; prevention of uric acid stones however, requires avoiding red and organ meat. A low purine diet is also advised which restricts consumption of alcoholic beverages, fish, fried beans, soya beans, mushrooms, spinach etc. A high oxalate diet (black tea, chocolate, coca, spinach, coffee) should be avoided as well. High doses of vitamin C and D and vitamin B6 and vitamin E are beneficial for managing excessive oxalate in urine.

Kidney infections in children

The most common, kidney-related problem among the paediatric population is the urinary tract infection, especially in infants, as it can be very non-specific. A high index of suspicion should be emphasized for both parents and physicians. All diagnosed cases should be treated aggressively and investigated for etiology thoroughly.

Among a few causes are:

• Congenital abnormality in urinary tract

• Bladder dysfunction

• Uncircumcised males less than 3 months of age

• Non breast-fed infants

• Exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics

• Constipation

Kidneys are like our parents. Although we have two of them, we cannot afford to take either one of them for granted. Both of them must function well, if we want to live a long, healthy life. Love your kidneys as you love your parents.

 

ACUPUNCTURE GIVES YOU A GLOWING LOOK

Acupuncture is no longer just a medical treatment, it’s also for attaining that ‘zillion bucks’ look

When you look into the mirror, what is it on your face that you would like to get rid of ? Is it the wrinkles, the dark circles under the eyes, the pores on your cheeks, the double chin, or your complexion…? What takes a lot of make-up to hide, or may be even cosmetic surgery now finds a cure in acupuncture it seems, and all this without pinching your pocket too much.
A steady rise
    “People usually come to get treated for diabetes, psoriasis, reducing pain and anxiety, but now acupuncture is also proving to be a wonderful solution to make you look beautiful as well,” says Dr S Donaparthi, a doctor practising acupuncture. No wonder, acupuncture clinics catering to beauty treatment are mushrooming all over. Although fewer as compared to beauty parlours and allopathic clinics, believers in this therapy are on the rise, and have gone up by at least 10 to 15 per cent recently. Dr Sanghmitra Chari, another practitioner, says that the takers for this branch of medicine has gone up. “It’s because allopathy does not have a permanent cure. Also, there is a growing need for alternative medicine.”
How does it work?
    When an acupuncture practitioner inserts the tiny needles into areas of the body, this stimulates the production of collagen in the general area and the skin is supported and nourished by the body, rather than by some external application. The production of collagen firms the skin and stretches out any fine lines. “In some cases, electric stimulation is given where the needles are inserted,” says Dr R Geeta. But what deters most patients is the thought of needles being pierced, so now a few clinics have laser equipment, which beams rays at strategic points, instead of needles.
    A viable Option?
    Clients for acupuncture include careeroriented women, who want to look good, in a short time. “I had gone for allopathy treatment for blemishes but the condition seems to have only worsened over time. And then someone suggested this. Acupuncture has taken years off my face,” says Swati Sharma.
    However, Dr Kishore Kumar Koya, medical director of a cosmetic surgery centre, disagrees with the view. He says, “Blemishes and wrinkles are caused because of many factors such as overexposure to the sun, pollution, etc. Acupuncture can cure only underlying problems relating to the senses and nerves. Such cosmetic problems can be treated only through chemical peeling or highend lasers.”

 

 

GET THE LOOK: Acupuncture clinics catering to beauty treatment are mushrooming all over

 

 

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Pollution alters brain function: Study

 

LONDON: Breathing dirty air even for an hour could have long-term harmful effects on brain, according to a new study. A team of researchers at Zuyd University in Holland has carried out the study and found that nanoparticles present in exhaust fumes, which reach the brain when inhaled, play a major role in altering the way the human brain functions. According to lead researcher Paul Borm, "We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot particles (nanoparticles) can be very high. "It is conceivable that the long-term effects of exposure to traffic nanoparticles may interfere with normal brain function and information processing." The researchers came to the conclusion after they analysed the brain functions of a group of ten volunteers who were asked to spend an hour in a room filled either with clean air or exhaust from a diesel engine. All the participants were wired up to a device called electroencephalograph (EEG) that records the electrical signals of the brain. The team monitored them during the period of exposure and for an hour after they left the room. After about 30 minutes, the brains of those in the exhaust rooms displayed a stress response on the EEG, which is indicative of a change in the way information is being processed in the brain cortex. This effect continued after they were no longer in the room, the researchers found. The results of the study have been published in the latest edition of the 'Particle and Fibre Toxicology' journal.

 

 

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Recipe column-Avial

Vegetables needed: 9 varieties-3 greens, 3 roots, 3 juicy vegetables.
For example: Greens=All varieties of Beans, Carrot, Green peas, Capsicum, (do not use pungent or bitter tasting vegetables).
Roots=Potato, Sweet potato, yam, and No Beetroot.Juicy= Pumpkin, chow chow, snakeguord.
Cut, wash and clean 9 varieties of vegetablesinto a 2 inch cubes (a large sized with or without skin as you desire). Pressure cook vegetables.
Grind 1 portion i.e half the cocunut,12 medium sized green chilies and 2 teaspoons of cummin seeds into a smooth paste.
Add this paste to the vegetable and mix gently for 5 to 7minutes. Add salt and curry leaves.
Remove from fire and add 2 cups of smooth and thick curd.
Avial is ready to serve. You can add or reduce the amount of curd and green chilies according to the quantity of vegetables and your taste.

Recipe column-besi bele bathe

Chop 2 big onions or 250 gms of small onions skin peeled.
Green peas,Carrots,Tomatoes, Groundnuts fresh are all optional.
Roast each one seperately or one by one; equal measures of i.e 1 teaspoon of urad dal,1 teaspoon of gram dal and 1 teaspoon of corriender seeds. 1 inch piece of cinnamon, 5 pods of cardomom and 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds to enhance the taste and flavour. Add 2 to 3 table spoon of dry coconut and roast it to light brown. Copra available in stores is also fine. Grind these to a coarse powder. you can store this in an airtight container and refrigerate for weeks.
Pressure cook 2 cups of rice and 1 cup of toor dal and keep aside.Heat oil in a kadai fry the onion and other optional vegetables. Add 2 teaspoon of tarmirind paste. if you do not like hot and sour reduce the amount of tarmirind paste. Allow it to cook for 7 minutes and add the cooked rice and dal. Add curry leaves and mix well for 2 minutes.
Add salt and the powder. Pour 2teaspoons of gingily oil and 2 teaspoons of ghee on the dish and mix well. garnish with corriender leaves. Remove from flame and serve it with chips,potato curry or papads.

Eat breakfast, avoid obesity

Although people think that skipping breakfast will save on calories, findings suggest the opposite

Those who eat breakfast every morning are more physically active than those who skip the first meal of the day, especially during adolescence. That’s the conclusion of a study in which researchers examined the link between breakfast frequency and five-year body weight change in more than 2,200 adolescents.
The results of the study indicate that breakfast eaters consumed a healthier diet and were more robust than those who skipped the meal.
Five years later, daily breakfast eaters also tended to gain less weight and had lower body mass index levels, an indicator of obesity risk, compared with skippers.
Mark Pereira, coauthor of the University of Minnesota project EAT, points out that this study extends the literature on the topic of breakfast habits and obesity risk because of its size and duration.
“The dose-response findings between breakfast frequency and obesity risk, even after taking into account physical activity and other dietary factors, suggests that eating breakfast may have important effects on overall diet and obesity risk, but experimental studies are needed to confirm these observations,” he added. Over the past two decades, rates of obesity have doubled in children and nearly tripled in adolescents.
It is estimated that between 12 and 24 per cent of children and adolescents regularly skip breakfast. This percentage of skippers, while alarming, has been found to increase with age.
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer of project EAT said researchers have found further evidence to support the importance of encouraging youth to eat breakfast regularly.
“Although adolescents may think that skipping breakfast seems like a good way to save on calories, findings suggest the opposite,” she said.

FAT TALES: Breakfast eaters tend to gain less weight

Drink tea to keep diabetes at bay

Some constituents of tea could act as an insulin substitute

Drinking black tea could help prevent diabetes, according to new findings by scientists at Dundee University. The researchers said black tea may have the potential to combat type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.
They believe certain constituents of tea could act as an insulin substitute. In Scotland, it is believed more than 190,000 people have diabetes which develops when the body fails to make enough insulin.
In Tayside alone, latest figures show a 90 per cent increase in the incidence of diabetes in the last 9 years.
There is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect.
The Dundee team, led by Dr Graham Rena, hopes to secure more funding to continue its investigation.
In collaboration with colleagues at the Scottish Crop Research Institute, the researchers discovered that several black tea constituents, known as theaflavins and thearubigins, mimicked insulin action.
“What we have found is that these constituents can mimic insulin action on proteins known as foxos,” Dr Rena said. “Foxos have previously been shown to underlie associations between diet and health in a wide variety of organisms including mice, worms and fruit flies. The task now is to see whether we can translate these findings into something useful for human health.”
Dr Rena stressed that further research was needed. “People shouldn’t be rushing to drink masses of black tea thinking it will cure them of diabetes,” he said. “We are still some way from this leading to new treatments or dietary advice. Our research into tea compounds is at a preclinical, experimental stage and people with diabetes should continue to take their medicines as directed by their doctor. However, there is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect, both in terms of diabetes and our wider health.”

TEA AND ME: A girl sipping a cup of tea in a restaurant

Recipe column- Parankikai kootu

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