Lifestyle

A new study has found that the number of people who have become dangerously overweight halved in the three years after the financial crisis of 2007.

The results have baffled researchers because they had expected waistlines to expand as the economic downturn affected family incomes, the Daily Mail reported.

Previous studies have found that people with less money tend to buy foods, which are cheaper but higher in calories – such as takeaways and pre-packaged meals – which is why poorer families are more likely to gain weight.

Ice cream buffs, beware! The mouth-watering treat could be as addictive as cocaine, according to researchers who claim to have revealed that the cravings for
the two are quite similar.

A team at the Oregon Research Institute says it has found that the brain is left wanting more while eating ice cream in the same way as a person who regularly uses cocaine, `American Journal of Clinical Nutrition` reported.

The new study seems to support previous claims that some people can become “addicted” to junk food, say the researchers from the US.

Cuba`s top biotech teams have successfully tested a new AIDS vaccine on mice, and are ready to soon begin human testing, a leading researcher told a biotechnology conference in Havana.

“The new AIDS trial vaccine already was tested successfully (on mice) and now we are preparing a very small, tightly controlled phase one clinical trial” with HIV-positive
patients who are not in the advanced stages of disease, researcher Enrique Iglesias said yesterday.

A new technique for treating tooth decay could put an end to painful fillings that prevent millions of people from going to the dentist.

Experts are testing a pain-free way dealing with rotten teeth that dispenses with the dentist’s drill.

It is also done without the need for anaesthetic jabs and appears to be more effective than a conventional filling.

The results of pilot studies have been so promising that the NHS has pumped 3million dollars into a nationwide study of the technique, which involves sealing decay in, rather than scraping it out, the Daily Mail reported.

Effective collaboration between health services to protect people from AIDS and tuberculosis saved nearly 910,000 lives globally over six years, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO asserted that there had been a sharp rise in the numbers of HIV positive people tested for tuberculosis (TB) and vice versa from 2005 to 2010.

This had allowed doctors to treat people more quickly and thwart the spread of TB to other patients, it added.

Scientists have made an important breakthrough that could eventually lead to the development of new treatments for chronic liver illnesses.

At present such illnesses can only be cured by organ transplants.

Researchers have worked out how to stimulate the production of vital liver cells known as hepatocytes that are lost when the liver is attacked by potentially fatal conditions such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, The Independent reported Monday.

Vitamin E, dubbed the “anti-ageing” vitamin may acutally weaken your bones before their time.

Animals fed on a diet supplemented with the vitamin developed bones 20 percent weaker than those that ate normally, within just eight weeks, says a study.

The study looked at the effect of alpha-tocopherol, the most common form of the vitamin, on bone strength, the journal Nature Medicine reported.

A new study has found that people who regularly drink coffee don’t have an increased risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer, and they also have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to sporadic drinkers or non-drinkers, Huffington Post reported.

“Our results suggest that coffee consumption is not harmful for healthy adults in respect of risk of major chronic disease,” said study researcher Anna Floegel, an epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke.

Taking vitamin E supplements may make bones old and frail before their time, Japanese researchers say.

A study found that animals fed on a diet supplemented with the vitamin had bones 20 per cent weaker than those that ate normally.

More worrying is that the effect was seen after just eight weeks, the Daily Mail reported.

The scientists behind the research said that given the popularity of vitamin E supplements, a larger study on people is now warranted.

Superfoods for womenLow fat yoghurt

High in calcium and protein, low fat yoghurt is ideal for women. Nutritionist Pallavi Srivastava says, “Yoghurt, being an excellent source of calcium, helps fight osteoporosis. The consumption of yoghurt is also said to decrease the risk of breast cancer, reduce irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory digestive tract disorders – all of which are common in women.” It reduces the risk of stomach ulcers and vaginal infections.

Quantity: 1 bowl every day

Fatty fish

Eating chocolate is not only a treat for the tongue — it may also have some tangible benefits for heart health, such as lowering blood pressure slightly, according to a study involving more than a thousand people.

The study, which combined the results of 42 smaller studies and was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also found that participants had small improvements in blood vessel function and a dip in their insulin levels.

A number of past studies have found that chocolate lovers seem to have lower rates of certain heart risks, such as high blood pressure.

A new study has found that people who regularly drink coffee don’t have an increased risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer, and they also have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to sporadic drinkers or non-drinkers, Huffington Post reported.

“Our results suggest that coffee consumption is not harmful for healthy adults in respect of risk of major chronic disease,” said study researcher Anna Floegel, an epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke.

A young psychiatrist has come up with a song to fight stigma attached with people suffering from mental disorders and to create awareness in the society on their plight.

The video song `phool kho gaye` composed and sung by Dr Madhusudan, working with the Safdarjung hospital here, is getting support and appreciation from people, NGOs and fellow doctors.

The composition is aimed at bringing awareness towards the suffering of mentally ill people.

A new study has found that having diabetes may cause women to experience a greater degree of hearing loss as they age, especially if the metabolic disorder is not well controlled with medication.

According to the study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, women between the ages of 60 and 75 with well-controlled diabetes had better hearing than women with poorly controlled diabetes, with similar hearing levels to those of non-diabetic women of the same age.

The study also shows significantly worse hearing in all women younger than 60 with diabetes, even if it is well controlled.

The winter sun feels welcome, but not so a summer sunburn. Have you ever wondered how the human body senses a range of hot temperatures?

Well, scientists claim to have found that a few proteins on surface of nerve cells, known as ion channels, distinguish dozens of discrete temperatures, from mildly warm to very hot, the `Journal of Biological Chemistry` reported.

Britain’s biggest-selling brand of babies’ gripe water is being investigated by the Government’s medicines watchdog.

Stocks of Woodward’s Gripe Water have almost dried up at supermarkets and pharmacies – leading to mothers panic buying the remaining supplies.

Until now the reason for the shortage was not clear. But yesterday the manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser confirmed production had ceased four months ago.

Bottles of the tonic, which sell in shops at £2.49, have been changing hands on eBay for up to five times the normal price.

A daily vitamin pill could help prevent skin cancer – particularly among women, the Daily Mail reported Friday.

Scientists say taking food supplements containing vitamin A can make people less likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.

A study found that retinol – a key component of Vitamin A – could protect against the illness.

The strongest protective effects were found in women and in sun exposed sites, suggesting retinol actually combats skin cancer.

In a study, researchers have found that treatment with vitamin D reduced the size of uterine fibroids in laboratory rats predisposed to developing the benign tumours.

Uterine fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumours in women of childbearing age. Fibroids grow within and around the wall of the uterus. Thirty percent of women 25 to 44 years of age report fibroid-related symptoms, such as lower back pain, heavy vaginal bleeding or painful menstrual periods.

People suffering from diabetes for 10 years or more face triple the risk of stroke, compared to non-diabetics, says a new study.

This is the first study to examine whether the length of time a man or woman has type 2 diabetes impacts the risk of ischemic stroke, which is the commonest type of stroke caused by blocked blood flow to the brain.

Want to stave off skin cancer? Pop a vitamin pill daily, recommend researchers.
A new study has found that taking essential food supplements packed with vitamin A everyday could make people, particularly women, less vulnerable to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The researchers have, in fact, that found retinol – a key component of vitamin A — protects against the disease; the strongest protective effects are found in women, the
`Daily Mail` reported.

Washington, March 02: A nutrient found in the dark meat of poultry and some seafood may provide protection against coronary heart disease (CHD) in women with high cholesterol, say researchers.

A study at NYU Langone Medical Center evaluated the effects of taurine, a naturally occurring nutrient found in the dark meat of turkey and chicken, as well as in some fish and shellfish, on CHD.

Sitting at your desk all day, though not physically taxing, can be exhausting.

“Over time you build up tension in your muscles, and end up becoming fatigued and exhausted,” says Erik Peper, professor at the Institute for Holistic Health Studies at San Francisco State University.

In fact, some of the work habits you’ve developed, especially if you’re tied to your computer, may be draining your energy. Here’s what you can do to raise your energy level at work, and avoid that afternoon lull.

A recent study has found that a medication called amantadine can help patients recovering from brain damage. The drug is actually used for the Parkinson’s patients. However, it is believed that if the drug is prescribed to brain damaged patients then they may recovery swiftly.

The study was conducted over 184 patients. The participants of the study were divided in two groups, the first group was provided with amantadine while the other group was provided with a dummy pill. The pill was prescribed for about four months after the traumatic experience of brain injury.

Lung cancerIt is estimated that about 90% of the lung cancer deaths occur because of smoking. A cigarette smoke contains 69 harmful chemicals which can trigger lung cancer. There are various illness associated with smoking.

Heart disease, mouth cancer and lung cancer are few of those diseases which are caused by the ill habits of smoking. Smoke is not only harmful for smokers but also for the non-smokers who breathe in certain chemicals which may prove toxic for them.

Nicotine patches don`t help pregnant women quit smoking, suggests a new study from the UK — in part because so few women use them as prescribed.

While there`s evidence that the patch ups the chance most people will be able to kick the habit, researchers generally haven`t found the same benefit in pregnant women.