Brain has sixth sense for calories

NEW YORK: The brain has a way of sensing calories in food, independent of the taste mechanism, according to a new study.

The discovery that the brain's reward system is switched on by this "sixth sense" machinery could have implications for understanding the causes of obesity.

For example, the findings suggest why high-fructose corn syrup, widely used as a sweetener in foods, might contribute to obesity.

Findings of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Neuron.

Ivan de Araujo and his research colleagues genetically altered mice to make them "sweet-blind", or lacking a key component of taste receptor cells that enabled them to detect the sweet taste.

The researchers next performed behavioural tests in which they compared normal and sweet-blind mice in their preference for sugar solutions and those containing the non-caloric sweetener sucralose.

In those tests, the sweet-blind mice showed a preference for calorie containing sugar water that did not depend on their ability to taste, but on the calorie content.

In analysing the brains of the sweet-blind mice, researchers showed that the animals' reward circuitry was switched on by caloric intake, independent of the animals' ability to taste.

Those analyses showed that levels of the brain chemical dopamine, known to be central to activating the reward circuitry, increased with caloric intake.

Also, electrophysiological studies showed that neurons in the food-reward region, called the nucleus accumbens, were activated by caloric intake, independent of taste.

ICICI Lombard to tie up with UnitedHealth Group

Indian insurer's policyholders traveling to US will have access to US-based healthcare firm's programmes and services

Through this initiative, ICICI Lombard's 1.6 million policyholders traveling to the US, who are covered by the insurer's Overseas Travel Insurance or Student Overseas Medical Insurance, will have access to the US-based healthcare firm's programmes and services.

Sudhir Menon, head, travel insurance, ICICI Lombard, said, "This partnership is an innovative benefit for Indians, who are increasingly traveling abroad for both occupational and educational purposes."

"We look forward to leveraging the assets of UnitedHealth Group to deliver the best in service and resources to our customers throughout their travels to the United States," he said.

UnitedHealth International CEO Ori Karev said, "Our new partnership with ICICI Lombard is an important step in making access to cross-border health care more seamless for consumers, a model we are exploring in multiple markets."

ICICI Lombard is a 74:26 joint venture between ICICI Bank Ltd, India's second largest bank with $79 billion in assets, and Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd, a Canada-based financial services provider.

Helpful Tips on Eye Care

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do? First, it's important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits. 

Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips - 

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

 

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don't forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.

 

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-
After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your
head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This
changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-
Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-
Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes
of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

It's all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we're on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

 

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

 

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

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ARE YOU DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?

ON THE HEELS OF WORLD WATER DAY, WE BRING UP THE ETERNAL QUESTION, HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU DRINK IN A DAY?

_DR PARUL R SETH

    Water is a must for good health. Several studies have suggested varying recommendations but the truth is that your daily water intake reqiurements depend on many factors, including your health, where you live.There is no single formula that fits everyone, however, knowing your body’s needs for fluids can help you estimate how much water you need to drink each day.
    DO YOU NEED TO DRINK WATER?
Water comprises 60 per cent of your weight. Every system in your body depends on water.Water carries nutrients to your cells, flushes out toxins from the vital organs and also provides a moist environment for skin, ear, nose and throat.
    You lose about 2.5 litres of water each day. On an average, urine output for an adult is 1.5 litres per day, and another litre of water is lost through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Therefore you need to replenish this loss of water. However, there is another school of thought. Dr Vijaya Venkat who runs the Health Awareness Centre, has something very different to say.“There is no need to drink water”, she says.“It can be harmful to the body.There is no loss of water as it constantly replenishes itself. Dehydration is a myth. Raw vegetables, coconut water, sugarcane juice are all natural alternatives to water”.
    On the other hand, avers Dr Mukesh Shete, head of the department, nephrology, Jupiter Hospital,Thane,“Consuming 2.5 litres of fluid everyday is a must. It can help in preventing urinary infections, stone diseases or constipation. Hydration can also improve the skin texture and can prevent you from having a dry skin.”Sufficient water consumption can keep your joints lubricated, prevent and lessen the severity of colds and flu.
    Says, Anar Shah, nutritionist and manager at the Wellspring Fitness Centre, Mumbai,“It is essential to drink water every two hours, no matter whether or not you are thirsty. This is because thirst may sometimes not be a perfect indicator of whether your body needs water or not. Lack of water can cause dehydration making it difficult for your body to carry out normal functions.Therefore you need to replenish the lost water by drinking water, consuming beverages and foods, which also contain water.
    “There is nothing like drinking too much water because it gets excreted. But individuals with heart, liver and kidney diseases should restrict their water intake as per the doctor’s advice”, adds Dr Shete.

 

 

 

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Headache? Could be brain attack

BANGALORE: Are you suffering from a persistent headache, sudden onset of weakness on one side of the body, loss of sensation or imbalance while walking? Don't wish these symptoms away. It could be a 'brain attack'.

While the term 'brain attack' is new, the condition is not. 'Brain attack', popularly known as 'stroke', is the third leading cause of death in the developed world. While two in every 1,000 persons are prone to brain attack, India witnesses two million new cases every year.

To draw attention to stroke and its catastrophic nature, neurologists are now trying to popularize the term 'brain attack' as it underlines the urgency with which the situation has to be addressed. While both heart attack and brain attack have equally devastating effects, heart attack is easily and widely understood as 'dangerous'. This is not the case with brain attack, rued doctors.

Dr N K Venkataramana, neurosurgeon and vice-chairman of BGS Global Hospitals, said: "In brain attack, the blockage of blood flow or bleeding into the brain depletes glucose and oxygen in the brain, resulting in irreversible damage. It causes paralysis, loss of speech and even death."

Awareness extends to access to emergency care, say hospitals, which are now working towards reducing the risk of mis-diagnosis and neglect. "Creating stand-alone stroke clinics helps. The first three-hour period after a brain attack is considered a 'golden hour'. Proper diagnosis followed by immediate medical attention can reverse a brain attack. To differentiate stroke symptoms from others, we need to educate the community and train physicians."

Strokes manifest themselves in two complex forms. 'Ischemic', where blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked due to a blood clot and accounts for almost 80% of all strokes, and 'haemorrhagic' where blood leaks out of the blood vessels of the brain following rupture. A CT scan would show these up. "Treatment involves administering clot-dissolving drugs to bring about a dramatic improvement in paralysis. To prevent recurrence, we give drugs which prevent clots and advise control of other risk factors," explained the doctor.

Another option is surgery. "A clot in the carotid artery is removed by endarterectomy to improve blood flow. Swelling in the brain is treated by removing a flap of the overlying skull bone. This provides extra space for the swollen brain and is life-saving."

 

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Recipe column- Carrot Halwa

200 gms of carrots skin peeled and shredded, 250 gms of khoa, 200gms of sugar, 1/2 liter of milk, cardomom 10 pods, 3 tablespoons of ghee, Cashewnuts, raisins, and artificial food colour.
Cook carrot and milk in a nonstick pan. When half cooked add Khoa, a pinch of food color powder and sugar. Mix well and allow it to thicken and add ghee. Fry cashewnuts and raisins in ghee. Add it to the halwa and flovour it with cardomom.To do it easily add all the ingredients in a pressure cooker and cook. Then add sugar and ghee to make delicious Halwa.

Recipe column- Carrot kheer

Clean the 10 small carrots and pressure cook. Allow it to cool and remove the skin. Smash the carrots to a smooth paste in a mixer adding milk and sugar. Boil it to thicken in a low flame, add cashewnuts and raisins fried in ghee. Flavour it with cardomom and kheer is ready to serve.

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.