Experts here, however, discount the findings, arguing that the country might actually be headed to be among the most worst disease (hypertension) afflicted countries in the near future. An estimate touts the number of blood pressure patients in the country to rise to about 214 million by 2030 up from about 118 million in 2000.

Hypertension is defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg — a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.

Dismissing the fact that the hypertension incidence in India is low, Dr.Sailesh Mohan, senior research scientist at Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), says, ‘We have 20- 30 percent of Indians suffering from high blood pressure and the global average stands at 40 percent. Therefore, this is not a small figure. In fact, in absolute numbers the figures are huge and a matter of concern as well.’

Concurring with the view, Dr. Raman Abhi, senior consultant, internal medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, reiterates, “’Hypertension is likely going to be a like an epidemic  in the near future and approximately one –third of our population will suffer from it. The non-detection of hypertension cases in India further makes the situation worse.’

Experts say that the incidence of high blood pressure ranges from 20 to 40 percent in urban areas and 12 to 17 percent in rural areas in India. High blood pressure or hypertension kills nearly 1.5 million people every year in South-East Asia. The standalone figure for India is not immediately available. Pointing out the reasons behind high hypertension levels among urban populace Dr. Abhi at Fortis says, ‘Unhealthy eating habits, stress and environmental factors lead to high blood pressure cases in urban India.’

Outlining the disease symptoms, Dr. K K Aggarwal, consultant, at Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi, says, ‘Symptoms are headache, dizziness, palpitations and breathlessness on minimal exertion.’ ‘Neglect of the disease might affect blood vessels of heart leading to pre-mature heart disease and most significant of all is the irreversible damage to the kidney leading to chronic renal failure,’ warns Dr. Aggarwal.

Low awareness levels have aggravated the situation further. Agreeing with the view, Dr.Mohan at PHFI laments, ‘Many people in India are unaware of the fact that they suffer from hypertension, and hence it is high time that the awareness should be increased to check the rise of the disease.’

Doctors prescribe hypertension patient to reduce consumption of foods containing cholesterol, sugar and fat. Sugar results in easy weight gain, a major cause of high BP.  Aim for less than one teaspoon of salt (1500 mg of sodium) a day. Avoid junk and processed foods that contain a lot of salt.  Avoid pickle, papad, soya sauce, tomato sauce and potato chips that are all high in salt. Eat more fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy foods and foods rich in potassium like bananas, citrus fruits, wheat grass and barley grass.

Ankita Chakraborty/ Zee Research Group/ Delhi

A pair of papers published by A.J. Marian Walhout, co-director of the Program in Systems Biology and professor of molecular medicine at UMMS, describe how metabolism and physiology are connected to diet.

Using C.elegans, a transparent roundworm often used as a model organism in genetic studies, Walhout and colleagues observed how different diets produce differences in gene expression in the worm that can then be linked to crucial physiological changes.

Source: IANS

A study in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that people who had sex an average of 12 times per month had greater heart rate variability (HRV) — a measure of how well the heart responds to subtle changes throughout the day (like standing versus sitting). Higher HRV is a good thing; it may lower your risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death for women.

In a study at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital, people in their 40s who reported having an average of 50 percent more sex than the typical person were judged by a panel of strangers to be about seven to 13 years younger than their actual age. Researchers believe the youthful glow comes in part from the release of the DHEA hormone during sex. DHEA, which is produced by your adrenal glands, has anti-ageing properties that can increase the production of collagen and may reduce wrinkles.

Levels of the hormone oxytocin surge after sex, and its stress-reducing qualities may also help you nod off more quickly.

The relationship between shut-eye and intimacy works the other way, too: One study found that women ages 42 to 52 who reported restless sleep patterns were less likely to get physical pleasure from sex than women who regularly got a good night’s rest. If you pass on sex because your head is pounding, you may be missing out on the very thing that could bring relief. A small study conducted at Southern Illinois University found that nearly half of female migraine sufferers felt better after orgasm.

As endorphins flood the body, they may have an effect similar to morphine, muting your body’s pain response and increasing your threshold for discomfort. A study from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that people who had sex once or twice a week enjoyed a boost in their immune system, thanks to a 30 percent increase in immunoglobulin A, the infection-fighting antibody found in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Subjects who had sex more than three times a week actually had lower levels of the antibody than those who had less sex.

Researchers believe that in moderation, the release of chemicals during orgasm may enhance your immune function, while too much of these chemicals may suppress it. For women, quality trumps quantity when it comes to the lifesaving effects of sex. Simply having positive memories about your sexual past may add roughly four years to your life, according to research at the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. Researchers found that these fond memories may encourage you to continue leading a happier, healthier life.

 Opening of six nursing colleges at sites of AIIMS-like institutes at a cost of Rs.120 crore was also under consideration, the survey said. In the 12th Five Year Plan, the central outlay for health has been increased by 200 percent to Rs.3,00,018 crore compared to the actual outlay of Rs.99,491 crore in the 11th Five Year Plan. This outlay will be directed towards building on the initiatives taken in the previous plan period for extending the outreach of public health services.

The survey noted that due to the government’s Janani Suraksha Yojana, the number of institutional deliveries have increased from 1.08 crore during 2005-06 to 1.75 crore during 2011-12. In 2012-13, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana had a budgetary outlay of Rs.520 crore with a target to cover 12.5 lakh pregnant and lactating women. The survey said allocation of gender budgeting as a percentage of the total budget went up from 2.8 percent in 2005-06 to 5.96 percent in 2012-13. A proposal for strengthening and restructuring of the Integrated Child Development Scheme within an overall budget allocation of Rs.1,23,580 crore during the 12th plan had been approved.

Source: IANS

Christine Proulx, assistant professor in the University of Missouri Department of Human Development and Family Studies, examined the long-term relationship between self-rated health and marital quality. She found that, in all stages of marriage, positive or negative relationships affect the individual’s health. Spouses should be aware that how they treat each other and how happy they are in their marriages affect both partners’ health, and they should think more about their personal relationships when thinking holistically about their health, she said, the Journal of Family Psychology reports.

‘Engaging with your spouse is not going to cure cancer, but building stronger relationships can improve both people’s spirits and well-being and lower their stress,’ Proulx said, according to a Missouri statement.

Proulx analysed data from 707 continuously married adults who participated in the Marital Instability Over the Life Course panel study, a 20-year, nationwide research project started in 1980 with funding from the Social Security Administration’s Office of Research and Statistics and the National Institute on Aging. Proulx co-authored the study with Linley Snyder-Rivas, an alumna of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Source: IANS

Ingredients:

1. 3 pears – Any variety
2. 1 Iceberg lettuce
3. 2 tsp Sesame seeds
4. Honey
5. Lemon
6. Mustard

Method:

• Cut the pears into long thin slices
• Tear lettuce leaves roughly and keep aside
• Dry roast the sesame seeds in a pan and keep it aside
• Mix honey, lemon juice and mustard and grind into a fine paste
• Mix the pears, lettuce and pour the dressing on the mixture.
• Toss the salad and serve.

Before you start with a skincare routine, you’d need to find out your skin type: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. And once you’ve figured that out, you might want to know what products to pick, how to use them and also how to ensure they don’t smell too floral/feminine. Here are a few tips that will help you look your very best and of course make a lasting impression.

Start by Cleansing           
If you are too lazy to do anything else, cleansing your face is the single most important thing you can do. Search for a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. If possible stay away from bar soaps as they often leave your skin feeling dry. According to Rona Berg, in her book, “Beauty,” a French cosmetics executive once told her, “Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.” Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin. But remember not to overdo it.

To shave or not to shave
Hair growth in men is fairly regular. There’s no need  to shave daily. But whenever you do, ensure to choose a good razor and a shaving gel or cream that yields a close shave, kills bacteria, softens follicles and leaves the skin feeling smooth. Avoid using any shaving products that contain alcohol and parabens as they strip the natural oils from the skin leaving it dry and irritated.

Exfoliation is essential
In order to remove dead skin cells and debris, exfoliation is a must. Moreover it stimulates circulation to add a healthy glow to your skin. A recent study proves that one of the reasons men’s skin looks more youthful than women’s is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.

Moisturize your skin
As men usually have oilier skin than women, they tend to wrinkle just as quickly. A light moisturizer and a nourishing cream can do wonders. If at all shaving irritates your skin, try moisturizing your skin after a shave & ideally before going to bed. A good quality moisturizer includes quality vegetable oils that do not clog pores.

Sunscreen
Celebrity Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey’s magazine ‘O’ ran an article featuring interviews with top skin care experts and dermatologists. Everyone claimed that that sunscreen is the most important part of skincare regime. Sunscreen only works if you use it properly. SPF 15 is a good start but apply it half an hour prior to stepping outdoors. If you plan to stay outdoors for longer, use SPF 30.

All said and done, remember that you need not spend lavishly on expensive lotions and creams. And you don’t need to be worried about carrying the label of a metrosexual anymore. Taking care of skin is perfectly normal. So, think of us as your one-stop resource for all things grooming related and then breathe a sigh of relief because looking your best just got easier.

Before you take your wedding vows with him, you need to take your fitness vows seriously. Think of the fitness goal long term rather than just losing kilos for the wedding. Studies show that married people gain more weight than others do in their first few blissfully wed years. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you with your goal:

1. Start early: If you really want to lose some extra pounds just before the wedding, start at least three to six months before the D-day. Plan your fitness regime carefully with a good nutritionist and a trainer.
2. Morning’s the best time: Hit your gym/go for a walk/do some yoga or aerobics earlier in the day. The more you postpone this, the lesser the chances of success due to your hectic schedule before the wedding.
3. Avoid crash diets: Do not fall for any crash diet that promises quick weight loss – you run the risk of looking worn out and depressed on your big day.
4. Small meals are good: Eat small, healthy frequent meals throughout the day. Apart from a good breakfast, lunch and a light dinner, grab something small every 2 hours (it could be just some groundnuts/a cup of milk/ some curd/an orange etc).
5. Rope him in: If you are lucky enough to have your man staying close to you, work out together. Lay the foundation for a healthy (and health-conscious) relationship.
6. Stretch: Get into the habit of stretching – you very well know how supple muscles can benefit you (and your sex life!) soon.
7. Meditate: You need it after all that stress you are going through. More stress = more hormonal imbalance = more weight gain and bloating.
8. Learn to cook: Start spending some time buying veggies and fruits. Try cooking exotic low-fat recipes at home. While it helps control your current weight, you are also consciously learning healthier cooking for your life after marriage.
9. Load up on supplements: Get your daily dose of vitamins with supplements. With all the stress and running around, you need it girl!
10. Don’t get stressed out: Your man has chosen you for what you are, in whatever shape you are. Be confident, just follow these tips and lose weight without fretting!

So, go shopping for your dream wedding dress/saree/ghagra now – you’re worth it.

 Hrithik Roshan: So what does Hrithik do to maintain those Greek God looks? He works out twice a day – morning and evening. His workout consists of cardio exercises, apart from weights. Hrithik keeps away from oily food and milk products, but has protein shakes. He breakfasts like a king, but follows it up with a light lunch, evening snack and dinner.

Salman Khan: B-town’s favorite bodybuilder hunk is going to learn a new form of combat for his next film. A complete fitness freak, Salman Khan makes sure he works out every day. His movie sets probably have more dumbbells and machines than most well-equipped gyms. And if he is shooting on the outskirts of Mumbai, he simply cycles his way there and back leaving many bystanders awestruck! Recently, he did it again to reach the sets of Ek Tha Tiger, his film with Katrina Kaif. Salman is relentless in the pursuit for the perfect physique and has been known to do 1,000 push-ups or 2,000 sit-ups a day. He hates junk and processed food and gorges on organic food mostly consisting of chicken, egg whites, fish, pulses and salads.

Aamir Khan: The chocolate boy bulked up for Ghajini with eight-pack abs and lost it just as easily to play a college kid in 3 Idiots, is at it again. He is all set to undergo yet another transformation, as he wants a lean-yet-fit body for his role in Dhoom 3 (think Brad Pitt in Fight Club). Aamir hired a desi trainer for Ghajini, but for Dhoom 3, Aamir has a British-Filipino expert stationed at his Bandra home. The actor believes that a healthy and balanced diet, exercise and rest are the key ingredients to good health. When he was bulking up for Ghajini, he ate small meals every half an hour, and followed tips from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding.

Shahrukh Khan: His six-pack abs in Om Shanti Om didn’t come easily. Neither did his lean and mean look for playing a superhero in RA.One. The 40-plus actor works out at least four times a week. However, his 100 push-ups and 60 pull ups are a daily affair. A lover of tandoori chicken and cola, Shahrukh reportedly changed his diet to include grilled food and lots of water, avoiding desserts completely.

John Abraham: The hot hunk is a sucker for various sports and kickboxing. He works out for two-three hours every day with a combo of weights, cardio and kickboxing. Although he is a PETA brand ambassador and a strict vegan he still eats egg whites for the protein. His diet includes juices, dry fruits, tofu, corn and dal, apart from toast and tea, chapattis and stir-fried veggies. Soups and protein shakes are also on the menu. John is one of those who believe in eating small meals every few hours keeping in mind the body needs constant nourishment. Like Kareena, John too is against crash dieting. He firmly believes a good night’s sleep is necessary and looking at his Adonis like looks we are inclined to agree.

Akshay Kumar: He is probably the only Bollywood actor in his 40s who wakes up in the wee hours to practice martial arts and yoga. But fitness is also about the mind for Akshay Kumar, who keeps his energy levels high through positive thinking and prayers. And just like our former PM, the late Indira Gandhi did, the actor digs into his inner reserves for that extra dose of energy. Akshay also goes to the gym, plays basketball, swims, meditates, jogs, walks and treks! Most importantly, he eats everything, but nothing in excess.

So we can see our Bollywood celebs do put in a hard shift to keep fit and if they can do it with their round-the-clock schedules and hectic lifestyle so can we.

Source: www.bollywoodlife.com

Cold Turkey – The oldest and most successful method is going ‘cold turkey’ that is quitting smoking without taking any substitute for nicotine.  75% people who’ve quit smoking claim to have done so without the aid of any aid or supplement. Coupled with therapy and intervention cold turkey is supposed to be the best way to quit. There are various websites and helplines which help people quit without the aid of any medicines. Most replacement therapies look to chemically substitute the nicotine hit of smoking but it just means switching from one addiction to another. One of the champions of cold turkey was Allen Carr, a chain smoker who quit smoking and went on to write a book entitled The Easy Way to Quit Smoking which is the most popular book on quitting smoking in the world. Many people have quit smoking after reading his book and this list include celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears, Richard Branson, Anthony Hopkins and closer home Mahesh Babu and Hrithik Roshan.  Allen Carr’s basic principle was despite overwhelming evidence which points out the hazards of smoking people don’t quit because they think of quitting as ‘giving in’ or giving up.

 Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) – NRT looks to take care of nicotine craving by providing a substitute source without the harmful effects of tobacco. It works on the principle that though nicotine is the ‘addictive’ part of cigarettes the more dangerous ones are tar, carbon monoxide and other gases. There are various products under this Nicorette umbrella which look to aid cessation including – chewing gums, lozenges, nasal sprays, patches and inhalers. Some electronic cigarettes also have nicotine filters. Real world studies have shown that NRT’s aren’t as effective as pharmaceutical companies claim. In the real world, 95% who have taken OTC medication have relapsed.

Other medical aid – Several other companies have come out with smoking cessation drugs that don’t look to replace nicotine. One such drug is Bupripion which is marketed as an anti-depressant, smoking cessation drug and anti-obesity pill. It works on the principle that smoking is a form of countering depression and an antidepressant can perform the same function. Another popular drug is Pfizer’s Varenicline which reduces cravings by making the effects of nicotine less pleasurable. There are various side-effects of these drugs. Varenicline is known to cause suicidal thoughts, depression, drowsiness, nausea and the USFDA even claimed that it can cause cardiovascular disease.

  Electronic cigarettes – An electronic cigarette is a device that mimics the entire smoking process by producing a mist which has the same sensation (sometimes the same flavour too) of smoking. Some of them have nicotine and some of them don’t. Click here to read more about e-cigarettes.

It’s not hard to quit smoking. According to WHO, smoking has killed 100 million people in the 20^thcentury alone and is responsible for 60% of all non-communicable disease deaths. There is no moral defence for smoking and it’s time to kick the butt. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones especially your children (second smoke kills 200,000 children every year). So take a stand and say goodbye to the cancer stick this year!  

Also read: War on Cancer