Saturday, August 11, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Qualities of a doctor in general as per Ayurveda
susrutha dealt with 3 essential qualities before a doctor is entitled to surgical practice--ADIGAT TANTRANENA,UPASITHATANTRARTENA,DRSTKARMANA,KRUTHAYOGYENA,SHASTRAM NIGADATHA,RAJANUGNATHENA,NICCHANAKHAROMANA,SHUCHINA SHUKLAVASTRAPARIHITENA,SUMANASA,KALYANABHI VYAVAHARENA,AKUHAKENA,BANDUBHUTENA BHUTANAM,SUSAHAYAVATHA,VAIDYENA VISHIKANU PRAVESHTITHAVYA.
Practice can be started only after having read and thoroughly studied the science of medicine.having seenand performed the operations himself.having passed the appropriate tests and thence obtained the permission of the governing authority.
The hairs should be worn short ,nails pared,personal hygiene and cleanliness should have been take care of.He should wear clean white and sober clothes.
On his visits he should go with calm mind,wishing everybody, without trying to show off but with a attitude to help others.He should be accompained by an able assistant.
(3)Cha-chi or vi-1/4.61
No other gift is better than the gift of life.
He who treats his patients only on humanitarian grounds, without desiring any money or personal benefit ,superseedes all other physcians.
THose who trade their medical skill for personal skill for personal livelihood can be considered as collecting a pile of dust leaving aside heap of real gold.
parobhuta daya dharma iti matva chikitsaya.
vartate yaha sa sidarthha sukhamatyanathamashnute.
He ,who regards kindness to humanity as his supreme religion and treats his patients accordingly ,succeeds best in achieving his aims of life and obtains the greatest pleasures.
Sarvathra mytri karunatureshu shakye preetirupeskhanam.
prakruthistheshu bhuteshu vaidya vruthischathurvidha.
Friendship ,sympathy towards the sick ,interest in cases according to one's capabilities and no attachment with the patient after his recovery -these are the four ethical principles of a doctor.
vaidya samooho nissamshya karanam.
Doubts can be cleared by a group of doctors.
Practice can be started only after having read and thoroughly studied the science of medicine.having seenand performed the operations himself.having passed the appropriate tests and thence obtained the permission of the governing authority.
The hairs should be worn short ,nails pared,personal hygiene and cleanliness should have been take care of.He should wear clean white and sober clothes.
On his visits he should go with calm mind,wishing everybody, without trying to show off but with a attitude to help others.He should be accompained by an able assistant.
(3)Cha-chi or vi-1/4.61
No other gift is better than the gift of life.
He who treats his patients only on humanitarian grounds, without desiring any money or personal benefit ,superseedes all other physcians.
THose who trade their medical skill for personal skill for personal livelihood can be considered as collecting a pile of dust leaving aside heap of real gold.
parobhuta daya dharma iti matva chikitsaya.
vartate yaha sa sidarthha sukhamatyanathamashnute.
He ,who regards kindness to humanity as his supreme religion and treats his patients accordingly ,succeeds best in achieving his aims of life and obtains the greatest pleasures.
Sarvathra mytri karunatureshu shakye preetirupeskhanam.
prakruthistheshu bhuteshu vaidya vruthischathurvidha.
Friendship ,sympathy towards the sick ,interest in cases according to one's capabilities and no attachment with the patient after his recovery -these are the four ethical principles of a doctor.
vaidya samooho nissamshya karanam.
Doubts can be cleared by a group of doctors.
Lessons from life
Spiritually your’s
Life depends upon the liver .
The pleasant morning breeze carried fragrance of flowers, the chirping birds, the red horizon, were all so welcoming when we stepped into the mediation center. The vibrant voice of the teacher that carried conviction attracted us .She was beautiful, yet simple and made a very impressive teacher. We were in an introductory class of the Art of living course. After hearing her, we all decided to take up the course. Before leaving I learnt that her name was Tejaswini (Yes, the name suited her very well, as she had twinkling eyes which lighted up much more when she smiled and she had deep set dimples which made her more attractive), she was a highly placed officer in an insurance company. Her voice, her honest smile, her image lingered even during lunchtime and I happened to mention about her to my colleagues and that is when I heard the whole inspiring story.
It was the reputed, usually silent, skillful surgeon, Dr.Kaza Ali who proclaimed-“who are you referring to? It should be the pretty girl whom we operated eight years ago after her terrible road accident. Tell me, does she smile with those delightful dimples?”
I was reluctant to agree, “Sir, but she had no scars or remorse on her face, and she looked too care free to have under gone any such trauma. Maybe you have mistaken her to some one else. But Dr.Kaza who was nearing retirement said that he was very sure that was the girl and wanted us all to hear his story.
It was a fateful day in November when the enthusiastic Tejaswini was parking her two-wheeler in front of her office, that a speeding bus hit her from behind and she was under the bus, dragged a few feet before the driver could control the brakes. Immediately the driver surrendered as he feared that the lady was dead and the onlookers came near fearing she was dead but when they saw her stir they shifted her to the nearest hospital and ours was the nearest and luckily I was there just having my cup of tea after the busy surgery schedule of the day. When I had a look at the case I thought if she survives this night, maybe she will have to have 3-4 surgeries to put her back on feet, which I very much doubted. (Dr.Kaza hates if interrupted so we did not ask if he doubted her survival or her ability to walk again) But she did survive and was not only on her feet but also back on her scooter in just six months. It is the fortitude of the patient that has made a lasting impression on me. The girl’s strong will to survive, her tolerance, courage, ever ready smile even during so much of pain was exemplary. The whole team warmed up to her vivacious nature.
She, as I had suspected needed 4 surgeries, to put her damaged lower limbs and back into working condition but due to extensive damage, the prognosis was still guarded, but we went ahead with the surgeries and she was wonderful all through. We all wondered how a person could be so calm in such a situation. We found the answer when we became familiar with her mother who was a meditation teacher. She was teaching –Art of living for many years and saw to it that all family members practiced.
Later I did speak to Tejaswini, who said it was all the grace of the Master. She is happy teaching. She has mastered the art of living and so makes an impressive teacher.
Life depends upon the liver .
The pleasant morning breeze carried fragrance of flowers, the chirping birds, the red horizon, were all so welcoming when we stepped into the mediation center. The vibrant voice of the teacher that carried conviction attracted us .She was beautiful, yet simple and made a very impressive teacher. We were in an introductory class of the Art of living course. After hearing her, we all decided to take up the course. Before leaving I learnt that her name was Tejaswini (Yes, the name suited her very well, as she had twinkling eyes which lighted up much more when she smiled and she had deep set dimples which made her more attractive), she was a highly placed officer in an insurance company. Her voice, her honest smile, her image lingered even during lunchtime and I happened to mention about her to my colleagues and that is when I heard the whole inspiring story.
It was the reputed, usually silent, skillful surgeon, Dr.Kaza Ali who proclaimed-“who are you referring to? It should be the pretty girl whom we operated eight years ago after her terrible road accident. Tell me, does she smile with those delightful dimples?”
I was reluctant to agree, “Sir, but she had no scars or remorse on her face, and she looked too care free to have under gone any such trauma. Maybe you have mistaken her to some one else. But Dr.Kaza who was nearing retirement said that he was very sure that was the girl and wanted us all to hear his story.
It was a fateful day in November when the enthusiastic Tejaswini was parking her two-wheeler in front of her office, that a speeding bus hit her from behind and she was under the bus, dragged a few feet before the driver could control the brakes. Immediately the driver surrendered as he feared that the lady was dead and the onlookers came near fearing she was dead but when they saw her stir they shifted her to the nearest hospital and ours was the nearest and luckily I was there just having my cup of tea after the busy surgery schedule of the day. When I had a look at the case I thought if she survives this night, maybe she will have to have 3-4 surgeries to put her back on feet, which I very much doubted. (Dr.Kaza hates if interrupted so we did not ask if he doubted her survival or her ability to walk again) But she did survive and was not only on her feet but also back on her scooter in just six months. It is the fortitude of the patient that has made a lasting impression on me. The girl’s strong will to survive, her tolerance, courage, ever ready smile even during so much of pain was exemplary. The whole team warmed up to her vivacious nature.
She, as I had suspected needed 4 surgeries, to put her damaged lower limbs and back into working condition but due to extensive damage, the prognosis was still guarded, but we went ahead with the surgeries and she was wonderful all through. We all wondered how a person could be so calm in such a situation. We found the answer when we became familiar with her mother who was a meditation teacher. She was teaching –Art of living for many years and saw to it that all family members practiced.
Later I did speak to Tejaswini, who said it was all the grace of the Master. She is happy teaching. She has mastered the art of living and so makes an impressive teacher.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Understand your teenager
Is your teenager truly nourished ?
Don't laugh at a youth for his affectations; he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of his own. ~Logan Pearsall Smith, "Age and Death,"
The teenage years are a time of transition from childhood into adulthood. Teens often struggle with being dependent on their parents while having a strong desire to be independent. They may also feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical changes they are going through.Their diet should sustain growth, promote health - and be enjoyable. During this time a number of physiological and psychocolgical changes occur which affect nutritional needs, including rapid growth and considerable gains in bone and muscle.
Parents either worry that their teenager is over eating,starving,or into food fads.Did you know that most adolescents fail to meet the recommended dietary requirements for caloric and nutrient intake? Many teens in fact receive the majority of their calories from processed and high fat foods. A low intake of essential nutrients including vitamin A, folic acid, fiber, iron and calcium is prevalent among adolescents. A low intake of iron and calcium in particular is common among female adolescents, which can impair cognitive function and physical performance, as well as increase a females risk for osteoporosis later in life! Dietary surveys show that the foods most commonly eaten or perfered by children are white bread, biscuits, savoury snacks, potatoes, chips, chocolate and fizzy drinks. In general, children and teenagers eat too few vegetables, fruit, dairy foods, fish and lean meats. They have also become less active.
Adequate nutrition for teens is vital for overall emotional and physical health It is essential to ensure healthy eating habits in teenagers to prevent chronic illness in the future,including risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity,anorexia nervosa,cancer,diabetes etc.As each individual is unique the nutritional requirement varies ,but generally increase due to the growth spurt and rapid changes.In the short term, it may affect concentration, energy levels, immunity and cholesterol levels.
When the boy is growing he has a wolf in his belly. ~German Proverb
Teenagers seem to eat always or in excess and it might be due to the body's requirement,stress,or for they are still not adjusted to the changes they are experiencing.But it is essential to make sure that they eat the right amount of nourishment for all round development.Among the more common teen eating habits include skipping meals, routine fast food consumption, frequent snacking and dieting. By addressing each of these factors individually one can ensure that your teen is meeting the minimum nutritional requirements. Teens skip meals for a variety of reasons, including irregular schedules, convenience, work and social activities. Up to 50% of teens skip breakfast at one point or another. Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day! What can you do? With regard to breakfast, let your teen know that skipping breakfast can slow their metabolism contributing to weight gain and poor performance. A busy lifestyle or running late are often reasons teens skip meals.Keeping regular sleeping and wakeing hours is a must and waking up early helps prevent the morning rush.
Because of the 'skipping meal' factor, many teens fail to eat three regular meals per day and resort to snacking.Having healthy snack items readily available including yogurt, fresh and dry fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.But snacking should not be encouraged.No parent no matter how well meaning will be able to avoid fast food altogether. Teens are more apt to eat fast food because it is convenient and typically a social affair. Fast food is often jam packed full of fat and empty calories however. What can you do? Educate your teen as much as possible. Help them make smart food choices even when at fast food restaurants. To as great an extent as possible, you should also work to provide wholesome and healthy foods at home.
Teens often diet because of the perception that 'thin is in'. Dieting can lead to dangerous habits including eating disorders in teens. Some signs that your teen may be dieting include: skipping meals, 'binge' eating, fasting or use of laxatives or diet pills. One thing you can do for your teen is encourage a healthy self esteem and body image. Remember that your teen will also model the behaviors that they see at home. If you are constantly obsessed about your weight, your teen is likely too. Always aspire to maintain a healthy and balanced approach to eating and your teen is more likely to do the same. One approach is to attempt to eliminate the term 'diet' and replace it with 'healthy eating.' If you regularly incorporate healthy lifestyle and dietary practices into your life your teen is less likely to diet on a consistent basis. Work with your teen to encourage a healthy lifestyle that incorporates sound eating habits and regular exercise. You might both benefit in the process
Heredity is what sets the parents of a teenager wondering about each other. ~Laurence J. Peter.
Parents should be exemplary and not argue in front of teeangers.Disharmony among adults at home will hit the teenagers the most.This could also lead to eating disorders,depression or other health problems among teens.
"Healthy" or "Junk" FoodsTeens tend to classify foods as either "healthy" (i.e., good) or "junk" (i.e., bad). "Healthy" foods, of which fresh fruit and vegetables are their most cited examples, are described as low in calories, sugar, fat, cholesterol, salt, additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, and as sources of vitamins, minerals and proteins. "Junk" foods such as chocolate bars and potato chips are described as having the opposite profile, and are valued because they taste good and are convenient.Poor health is only one of several negative consequences of "junk" food consumption they name. More frequently mentioned are weight gain, acne, bad mood, laziness and cavities."Junk" food is associated with snacks, friends, being away from home, independence and having fun. However, conflict is apparent as these foods also have the negative connotations of going off a diet, being out of control, overeating and feeling guilty. "Healthy" food is associated with family, home and meals, being on a diet, being concerned with weight and appearance, self-control and being good.Creating health awareness is the watch word here to increase health foods and reduce junk consumption.
Some parental tips
Set your kids a good example.This is the most important anti-obesity rule of all. Rememebering -one should "eat to live and not "live to eat" is a good beginning.
Don’t worry so much about the number of calories they consume in a day.Children need quite a lot of calories to fuel their high energy levels and growing bodies. The important thing is where these calories come from. Day sleeping increases weight and hampers digestion.
No more than 30 percent of their calories should come from fat.The less saturated (animal) fat, the better. Dairy products, fried food, poultry are to be limited.
The family diet should consist mostly of complex carbohydrates.Fruit, vegetables, wholemeal or wholegrain breads and cereals are great sources.
Serve them a balanced diet.Be creative with vegetables and serve them regularly to your kids from the earliest age onwards. Including fruit juices, salads, lassi,fruits, tender coconut water in daily diet helps.
Avoid fast food restaurants, except on rare occasions!Many fast food meals are high fat, high calorie and nutritionally inadequate. Snacking in between meals,frequently drinking cokes, tea and coffee with lot of sugar surely does not help.
Encourage them to drink regular water.Once they get used to it, kids love water. It's great for a balanced, healthy diet. Sipping a cup of luke warm water with two table spoons of honey mixed into it helps. This could be done before walking or exercising in the morning.It helps teenagers to have a lustrous skin,eyes and bubbling energy.
Sedentary life style should be changed Keep them active! Don't just order them outside. If possible, go with them! Get them to stay fit and increase your fitness in the process. Regular walking, jogging, swimming, and any other suitable exercise which makes one perspire is recommended.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests the following ways for parents to prepare for their child's teenage years:
Provide a safe and loving home environment.
Create an atmosphere of honesty, trust and respect.
Allow age-appropriate independence and assertiveness.
Develop a relationship that encourages your teen to talk to you when he or she is upset.
Teach responsibility for your teen's belongings and yours.
Teach basic responsibility for household chores.
Teach the importance of accepting limits.
Don't laugh at a youth for his affectations; he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of his own. ~Logan Pearsall Smith, "Age and Death,"
The teenage years are a time of transition from childhood into adulthood. Teens often struggle with being dependent on their parents while having a strong desire to be independent. They may also feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical changes they are going through.Their diet should sustain growth, promote health - and be enjoyable. During this time a number of physiological and psychocolgical changes occur which affect nutritional needs, including rapid growth and considerable gains in bone and muscle.
Parents either worry that their teenager is over eating,starving,or into food fads.Did you know that most adolescents fail to meet the recommended dietary requirements for caloric and nutrient intake? Many teens in fact receive the majority of their calories from processed and high fat foods. A low intake of essential nutrients including vitamin A, folic acid, fiber, iron and calcium is prevalent among adolescents. A low intake of iron and calcium in particular is common among female adolescents, which can impair cognitive function and physical performance, as well as increase a females risk for osteoporosis later in life! Dietary surveys show that the foods most commonly eaten or perfered by children are white bread, biscuits, savoury snacks, potatoes, chips, chocolate and fizzy drinks. In general, children and teenagers eat too few vegetables, fruit, dairy foods, fish and lean meats. They have also become less active.
Adequate nutrition for teens is vital for overall emotional and physical health It is essential to ensure healthy eating habits in teenagers to prevent chronic illness in the future,including risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity,anorexia nervosa,cancer,diabetes etc.As each individual is unique the nutritional requirement varies ,but generally increase due to the growth spurt and rapid changes.In the short term, it may affect concentration, energy levels, immunity and cholesterol levels.
When the boy is growing he has a wolf in his belly. ~German Proverb
Teenagers seem to eat always or in excess and it might be due to the body's requirement,stress,or for they are still not adjusted to the changes they are experiencing.But it is essential to make sure that they eat the right amount of nourishment for all round development.Among the more common teen eating habits include skipping meals, routine fast food consumption, frequent snacking and dieting. By addressing each of these factors individually one can ensure that your teen is meeting the minimum nutritional requirements. Teens skip meals for a variety of reasons, including irregular schedules, convenience, work and social activities. Up to 50% of teens skip breakfast at one point or another. Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day! What can you do? With regard to breakfast, let your teen know that skipping breakfast can slow their metabolism contributing to weight gain and poor performance. A busy lifestyle or running late are often reasons teens skip meals.Keeping regular sleeping and wakeing hours is a must and waking up early helps prevent the morning rush.
Because of the 'skipping meal' factor, many teens fail to eat three regular meals per day and resort to snacking.Having healthy snack items readily available including yogurt, fresh and dry fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.But snacking should not be encouraged.No parent no matter how well meaning will be able to avoid fast food altogether. Teens are more apt to eat fast food because it is convenient and typically a social affair. Fast food is often jam packed full of fat and empty calories however. What can you do? Educate your teen as much as possible. Help them make smart food choices even when at fast food restaurants. To as great an extent as possible, you should also work to provide wholesome and healthy foods at home.
Teens often diet because of the perception that 'thin is in'. Dieting can lead to dangerous habits including eating disorders in teens. Some signs that your teen may be dieting include: skipping meals, 'binge' eating, fasting or use of laxatives or diet pills. One thing you can do for your teen is encourage a healthy self esteem and body image. Remember that your teen will also model the behaviors that they see at home. If you are constantly obsessed about your weight, your teen is likely too. Always aspire to maintain a healthy and balanced approach to eating and your teen is more likely to do the same. One approach is to attempt to eliminate the term 'diet' and replace it with 'healthy eating.' If you regularly incorporate healthy lifestyle and dietary practices into your life your teen is less likely to diet on a consistent basis. Work with your teen to encourage a healthy lifestyle that incorporates sound eating habits and regular exercise. You might both benefit in the process
Heredity is what sets the parents of a teenager wondering about each other. ~Laurence J. Peter.
Parents should be exemplary and not argue in front of teeangers.Disharmony among adults at home will hit the teenagers the most.This could also lead to eating disorders,depression or other health problems among teens.
"Healthy" or "Junk" FoodsTeens tend to classify foods as either "healthy" (i.e., good) or "junk" (i.e., bad). "Healthy" foods, of which fresh fruit and vegetables are their most cited examples, are described as low in calories, sugar, fat, cholesterol, salt, additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, and as sources of vitamins, minerals and proteins. "Junk" foods such as chocolate bars and potato chips are described as having the opposite profile, and are valued because they taste good and are convenient.Poor health is only one of several negative consequences of "junk" food consumption they name. More frequently mentioned are weight gain, acne, bad mood, laziness and cavities."Junk" food is associated with snacks, friends, being away from home, independence and having fun. However, conflict is apparent as these foods also have the negative connotations of going off a diet, being out of control, overeating and feeling guilty. "Healthy" food is associated with family, home and meals, being on a diet, being concerned with weight and appearance, self-control and being good.Creating health awareness is the watch word here to increase health foods and reduce junk consumption.
Some parental tips
Set your kids a good example.This is the most important anti-obesity rule of all. Rememebering -one should "eat to live and not "live to eat" is a good beginning.
Don’t worry so much about the number of calories they consume in a day.Children need quite a lot of calories to fuel their high energy levels and growing bodies. The important thing is where these calories come from. Day sleeping increases weight and hampers digestion.
No more than 30 percent of their calories should come from fat.The less saturated (animal) fat, the better. Dairy products, fried food, poultry are to be limited.
The family diet should consist mostly of complex carbohydrates.Fruit, vegetables, wholemeal or wholegrain breads and cereals are great sources.
Serve them a balanced diet.Be creative with vegetables and serve them regularly to your kids from the earliest age onwards. Including fruit juices, salads, lassi,fruits, tender coconut water in daily diet helps.
Avoid fast food restaurants, except on rare occasions!Many fast food meals are high fat, high calorie and nutritionally inadequate. Snacking in between meals,frequently drinking cokes, tea and coffee with lot of sugar surely does not help.
Encourage them to drink regular water.Once they get used to it, kids love water. It's great for a balanced, healthy diet. Sipping a cup of luke warm water with two table spoons of honey mixed into it helps. This could be done before walking or exercising in the morning.It helps teenagers to have a lustrous skin,eyes and bubbling energy.
Sedentary life style should be changed Keep them active! Don't just order them outside. If possible, go with them! Get them to stay fit and increase your fitness in the process. Regular walking, jogging, swimming, and any other suitable exercise which makes one perspire is recommended.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests the following ways for parents to prepare for their child's teenage years:
Provide a safe and loving home environment.
Create an atmosphere of honesty, trust and respect.
Allow age-appropriate independence and assertiveness.
Develop a relationship that encourages your teen to talk to you when he or she is upset.
Teach responsibility for your teen's belongings and yours.
Teach basic responsibility for household chores.
Teach the importance of accepting limits.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Cancer and diet
WHO statistics say--Cancer accounts for 7.1 million deaths annually (12.5% of the global total).
Dietary factors account for about 30% of all cancers in Western Countries and approximately up to 20% in developing countries; diet is second only to tobacco as a preventable cause. Approximately 20 million people suffer from cancer; a figure projected to rise to 30 million within 20 years.
The number of new cases annually is estimated to rise from 10 million to 15 million by 2020.
More than half of all cancer cases occur in developing countries
While tobacco use is the single largest causative factor -accounting for about 30% of all cancer deaths in developed countries and an increasing number in the developing world – dietary modification and regular physical activity are significant elements in cancer prevention and control. Overweight and obesity are both serious risk factors for cancer. Diets high in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk for various types of cancer, while high levels of preserved and/or red meat consumption are associated with increased cancer risk.
Dietary factors are estimated to account for approximately 30% of cancers in western countries, making diet second only to tobacco as a preventable cause of cancer. This proportion is thought to be about 20% in developing countries and is projected to grow. As developing countries become urbanised, patterns of cancer, particularly those most strongly associated with diet and physical activity, tend to shift towards the patterns of economically developed countries. Cancer rates also change as populations move between countries and adopt different dietary patterns.
The relative importance of cancers as a cause of death is increasing. The incidence of lung cancer and cancers of the colon and rectum, breast and prostate, generally increases in parallel with economic development, as stomach cancer declines. Cancer is also strongly associated with social and economic status. Cancer risk factors are highest in groups with the least education. In addition, patients in the lower socioeconomic classes have consistently poorer survival rates than those in higher strata.
In recent years, substantial evidence has pointed to the link from overweight and obesity, to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. The composition of the diet is also important since fruit and vegetables may have a protective effect by decreasing the risk for some cancer types such as oral, oesophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer.
Ayurveda always advocates natural food,fresh,seasonal and in moderation.Rtu buka-seasonal,mita bhuk-eat in moderation and hita bhuk-eat that which is nourshing and natural.
Dietary factors account for about 30% of all cancers in Western Countries and approximately up to 20% in developing countries; diet is second only to tobacco as a preventable cause. Approximately 20 million people suffer from cancer; a figure projected to rise to 30 million within 20 years.
The number of new cases annually is estimated to rise from 10 million to 15 million by 2020.
More than half of all cancer cases occur in developing countries
While tobacco use is the single largest causative factor -accounting for about 30% of all cancer deaths in developed countries and an increasing number in the developing world – dietary modification and regular physical activity are significant elements in cancer prevention and control. Overweight and obesity are both serious risk factors for cancer. Diets high in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk for various types of cancer, while high levels of preserved and/or red meat consumption are associated with increased cancer risk.
Dietary factors are estimated to account for approximately 30% of cancers in western countries, making diet second only to tobacco as a preventable cause of cancer. This proportion is thought to be about 20% in developing countries and is projected to grow. As developing countries become urbanised, patterns of cancer, particularly those most strongly associated with diet and physical activity, tend to shift towards the patterns of economically developed countries. Cancer rates also change as populations move between countries and adopt different dietary patterns.
The relative importance of cancers as a cause of death is increasing. The incidence of lung cancer and cancers of the colon and rectum, breast and prostate, generally increases in parallel with economic development, as stomach cancer declines. Cancer is also strongly associated with social and economic status. Cancer risk factors are highest in groups with the least education. In addition, patients in the lower socioeconomic classes have consistently poorer survival rates than those in higher strata.
In recent years, substantial evidence has pointed to the link from overweight and obesity, to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. The composition of the diet is also important since fruit and vegetables may have a protective effect by decreasing the risk for some cancer types such as oral, oesophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer.
Ayurveda always advocates natural food,fresh,seasonal and in moderation.Rtu buka-seasonal,mita bhuk-eat in moderation and hita bhuk-eat that which is nourshing and natural.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Cannot sleep ? Try these to sleep well
12 Tips for Insomnia
1. Regular exercises, oil massage, or relaxed walking helps one fall asleep easily.
2. Consuming coffee, tea, alcohol, smoking, thinking constantly of the opposite sex, should be avoided.
3. To relax and disengage the mind before bed any number of ideas may work: Walking in nature sometime during the day; meditating, Yoga stretches, prayers, singing soulful music, listening to meditative music (including waterfalls, rain falling), reading scriptures, place a small water fountain in your bedroom to hear the relaxing water fall.
4. Just before bedtime places your feet in a warm water bath while covering the head with a wet, lukewarm cloth for about ten minutes, after which the feet are to be wiped dry and the wet cloth removed –this not only helps get better sleep but also helps relax mind and body
5. Meditation is preferred than medication to achieve better sleep.
6. Massage warm sesame oil to the soles of the feet.
7. Try always to be cheerful and replace all negative thoughts with positive
8. In the evening, eating easily digested food in small quantities is advisable. Wait 1-2 hours after the night meal before going to sleep.
9. Constipation could disturb sleep so it is essential to be relieved of it. Regular bowel habits help you sleep better.
10. Include dairy products, whole grains, and fruits in your diet helps you sleep better.
11. Viewing horror movies, reading literature, which makes the mind overactive, prevents the mind from sleeping.
12. The night meal should be light and an hour after that the person should drink half a cup of milk mixed with 4 spoons of onion juice and 1 spoon of powdered crystal sugar.
1. Regular exercises, oil massage, or relaxed walking helps one fall asleep easily.
2. Consuming coffee, tea, alcohol, smoking, thinking constantly of the opposite sex, should be avoided.
3. To relax and disengage the mind before bed any number of ideas may work: Walking in nature sometime during the day; meditating, Yoga stretches, prayers, singing soulful music, listening to meditative music (including waterfalls, rain falling), reading scriptures, place a small water fountain in your bedroom to hear the relaxing water fall.
4. Just before bedtime places your feet in a warm water bath while covering the head with a wet, lukewarm cloth for about ten minutes, after which the feet are to be wiped dry and the wet cloth removed –this not only helps get better sleep but also helps relax mind and body
5. Meditation is preferred than medication to achieve better sleep.
6. Massage warm sesame oil to the soles of the feet.
7. Try always to be cheerful and replace all negative thoughts with positive
8. In the evening, eating easily digested food in small quantities is advisable. Wait 1-2 hours after the night meal before going to sleep.
9. Constipation could disturb sleep so it is essential to be relieved of it. Regular bowel habits help you sleep better.
10. Include dairy products, whole grains, and fruits in your diet helps you sleep better.
11. Viewing horror movies, reading literature, which makes the mind overactive, prevents the mind from sleeping.
12. The night meal should be light and an hour after that the person should drink half a cup of milk mixed with 4 spoons of onion juice and 1 spoon of powdered crystal sugar.
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