Why junk food is harmful to your body?

Many of us are very fond of fast foods such as pizza, burgers and other junk food. Although food is fuel for your body excessive calories are not good for your health.Fast food is said to harm your health because it is highly processed and most of them contains large amounts of carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt. High calori in junk food leads to obesity and overweight which is a risk factor life threatening health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Junk food has very poor nutritional value.

Junk foods make you prone to diabetes

If you consume high amounts of carbs,it result in a spike in your blood sugar.That will modulate the normal insulin response.These frequent spikes in blood sugar can act as contributing factor in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. 

Junk foods increases your bad cholesterol

Added sugar and fat in junk foods increases your LDL cholesterol and decreases your good cholesterol.

Effect of excessive sodium on your body

Excessive sodium increases water retension on your body and you appear edematous.It increases your blood pressure .Sodium also causes increased chance for renal stone and osteoporosis.

Effect on lungs

As junk food leads to obesity there is increased chance of shortness of breath.

Junk foods may result in depression.

Carbohydrate rich foods can increase the chance of acne 

When you consume food rich in carbohydrate the bacteria in your mouth produces acid which will destroy your tooth enamel and result in dental cavities.

Read More

Significance of involuntary weight loss and its causes

Weight loss may be voluntary or involuntary.Voluntary weight loss occur due to dieting,exercise, starvation or decreased intake in older people.If the weightloss is involuntary particular attention should be given since it may be an indicator of underlying serious disease.Weight loss can be identified from the hospital or general practice weight record.In some patients weight loss occur without an underlying cause,which is regained and stabilise over time.

What is significant weight loss?

Loss of weight more than 4.5 kg or more than 5% of one’s body weight over a period of 6–12 months is called significant weight loss

Important causes of weight loss are the following.

They belong to four main groups 

1.Cancer

2.Chronic infection and inflammation

3.Metabolic disorder such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism

4.Psychiatric disorders

Cancer

It is the cause of involuntary weight loss in upto 25% of cases. Following are the malignancies which are frequently associated with weight loss.

Gastrointestinal, liver, blood, lung, breast, genitourinary, ovarian and prostate.20% of cancer death is due to severe weight loss and cachexia.

Gut problems(gastrointestinal)

Almost any disease of gut can result in weight loss.

Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis cause loss of appetite, fear of eating,loss of protein and nutrients from body. Malabsorption, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis Obstruction/constipation, pernicious anemia are the most common gut problems leading to weight loss.

Infections

Tuberculosis, parasites, fungal diseases, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and HIV are common treatable causes.

Endocrine and metabolic

Hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, adrenal insufficiency

Chronic heart and lung disease

Causes weight loss due to increased metabolic demand, decreased food intake due to disease and decreased appetite

Psychiatric causes

Significant weight loss is seen associated with depression and isolation so that patient fail to take care of nutritional needs. Bereavement is also a well known cause of weight loss.Alcoholism is an important cause of weight loss due to  malnutrition and self neglect .Other psychiatric disease causing weight loss are anxiety and paranoia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia

Neurologic disease

Stroke, parkinson’s disease, neuromuscular disorders and dementia

Old age

Decreased taste and smell, functional disabilities, age related change in body all result in poor nutrition

Drugs

Cause loss of weight due to decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach ulceration, diarrhea, dry mouth, altered taste all these are more common in elderly who are on 5 or more drugs .Examples are sedatives, antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, metformin levodopa ,angiotensin-converting enzyme Inhibitors.

Read More

Use Olive oil to prevent skin ageing

Glowing beautiful skin is a dream of everyone.But as age advances skin will start showing the signs of ageing.To delay the skin ageing you should start caring the skin from young age.This will definitely prevent the skin ageing and help to get young energetic healthy appearance to your skin.

Anti ageing properties of olive oil is known from ancient days itself. The Romans and Egyptians used this for preventing skin ageing.

How olive oil helps in preventing skin ageing?

Olive oil is rich in four antioxidants they are 

Hydrophilic phenols

Vitamin A 

Vitamin E

Other important antioxidants in olive oil are squalene and oleic acid.

These antioxidants will fight with the free radicals and delay the skin ageing. Olive oil because of its regenerative power will help to keep your skin soft, smooth and it will act as a good toner of your skin.

Chief antoxidant in olive oil that prevent skin ageing is hydroxylyrosol.It will prevent cell degeneration and prevent cell ageing

Vitamin E will fight with antioxidants that are produced due to sun exposure.It will also improve the skin elasticity.Thus it can prevent the sagging of skin and skin becomes firm and attribute good glowing look to your skin.

Due to the presence of antioxidants olive oil act as cleanser ,moisturizer and skin protector.

How to apply olive oil?

Take desirable amount of olive oil, gently massage on your face and other body parts and keep it for sometime then wash with lukewarm water.

Read More

Four golden rules for beautiful glowing skin

Glowing skin is the most important element that add beauty to your face. For this you need not try the costly cosmetics available in the market, instead you need to practice basic skin care.This article is aimed to give you basic idea about the skin care.

The four golden rules of skin care are 

1.Cleansing to be done daily

2.Toning to be done daily

3.Moisturising to be done daily

4.Face pack to be done once a week

Before trying these identify the type of your skin because the treatment varry depending on the type of skin.There are three basic type of skin.

1.Oily skin

2.Dry skin

3.Combination skin

Cleansing

First step of skin care is cleansing.Cleasing will help to remove sweat ,excessive oil and other impurities. It should be done in the morning before make up or before going to bed.For skin cleansing you can use face wash or cleansing milk.

For dry skin and combination skin use cleansing milk.

For oily skin use active cleansing gel.

Skin toning

For skin toning use toner or astringent

For dry skin and combination skin use toner

For oily skin use astringent

Astringent contain alcohol, which will make the skin dry, so better to avoid in dry skin.

Moisturising 

Moisturising has different advantages.It help to retain watercontent in skin.Not only it prevent the waterloss but also absorbs water from atmosphere and from innerlayer of skin and keep the skin surface moist.Moisturising also protect your skin from sunlight and dust.

You should select the moisturizer based on the type of your skin.Most of moisturizer contain SPF (sun protection factor).these are more superior.Apply moisturizer all over your body immediately after bath.During day time use moisturizing body lotion.For night time application moisturizing cream with nourishing factors are ideal.

Face pack

Face pack to be used once in a week.Face pack is selected based on the type of your skin.To get an expert opinion about the tye of skin get the help of a beautician. After the age of 25 years it is better to do facial once a month.

Read More

Foods that should be avoided by pregnant women to protect unborn baby

Pregnancy is the most special and  precious phase in every women life. Health of your baby is determined by the type of food you consume during pregnancy. All pregnant ladies should make a sense of what you can eat and what you should not eat during pregnancy.

Here I have listed few foods that all expectant mothers should avoid for the better health of their babies. Because certain foods are rich source of mercury and vitamin A which causes harmful effect on your baby. Certain other foods are well known to produce foodborne illness such as salmonellosis.

All expectant mothers should avoid the following foods to  protect your baby.

Fish with high mercury content

King mackerel, shark and swordfish 

These fishes are rich in mercury content high mercury content is harmful to the developing nervous system. FDA guidelines state that expectant mothers can eat up to 12 ounces (340 grams) of mercury contaminated fish per week, this  averages to about 2 seafood meals.

Food which are rich source of vitamin A

Liver, fish liver oil supplements ,high-dose multi-vitamin supplements and any supplement containing Vitamin A

During the early months of pregnancy high vitamin A content may produce birthdefect in baby. But the beta carotene rich foods which are converted to vitamin A in the body are safe during pregnancy.

Food unsafe due to food born illness

1.Cheese

Certain cheese are not safe during pregnancy. They may be contaminated with listeria and consumption is associated with listeriosis. In pregnancy it can result in miscarriage, premature labor and severe illness.So do not consume any cheese that have “unpasteurized” label. Example is Feta cheese. Brie Cheese, Blue Cheese.Hard cheese are safe during pregnancy.

You can consume pasteurized cheese like mozzarella and cottage cheese

2. Unpasteurized Milk

Drinking raw milk is not advocated due to increased chance of food born illness like listeriosis.

3. Uncooked eggs

Uncooked egg consumption can result in salmonella infection ,which predispose to early labour and dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea.If you want to consume eggs cook it well.

4. Deli meats 

Avoid consuming deli meats if you are pregnant as it may result in listeriosis.

Caffeinated drinks

Better to avoid during pregnanacy as it can cross the placenta and affect your baby’s heart rate.

Read More

Heartburn more information

Heartburn is a common problem seen in general population. It is a burning sensation felt behind the central part of upper chest (retrosternal area), usually seen after meals or awaken the patient from sleep. This is due to regurgitation of small amout of acid and undigested food, and not associated with act of vomiting or retching. Other sumptoms include increased salivation and sensation of lump in the throat.

Mimickers of heartburn

Due to the presence of discomfort in the upperchest and the presence of symptoms at neck and shoulder it may be mistaken for heartdisease.

Pain at night that is relieved by food or antacid is seen in peptic ulcer disease.

Pain on swallowing indicate malignancy or active inflammation.

Pain that is aggrevated by meals and not interfering with daily activities is seen in nonulcer dyspepsia.

Conditions where you get heartburn

Upper gut (gastrointestinal) disorders

• Peptic ulcer disease

• Acute gastritis

• Gall bladder stones

• Oesophageal spasm

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia

• Irritable bowel syndrome

Other gut  disorders

• Pancreatic disease (cancer,chronic pancreatitis)

• Colonic carcinoma

• Hepatic disease (hepatitis,metastases)

Systemic disease

• Renal failure 

• Hypercalcaemia

Drugs

• Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)

• Corticosteroids

• Iron and potassium supplements

• Digoxin

Others

• Psychological (anxiety,depression)

Conditions associated with heartburn

Reflux esophagitis is more in the lying down posture (supine position), and is increased by bending forward and after large meals.Patients also experience chest discomfort, nocturnal cough, hoarseness of voice , repeated clearing of throat and frothy mucus in the throat.

Drugs-There is relaxation of muscle of the lower part of esophagus which is increased by anticholinergics, theophylline, meperidine, calcium-channel blockers, chocolate, peppermint, tobacco and alcohol.

Direct injury to mucosa may be caused by Tetracycline, aspirin, iron.

Gastritis is associated with constant epigastric discomfort relieved by food or antacids.

Pregnancy -Heart burn is more common in pregnancy because of increased pressure in the abdomen and relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter due to hormonal change in pregnancy.

Aerophagia there is recurrent burping due to swallowed air due to anxiety, carbonated beverages, gum chewing

Indicators of early evaluation of heartburn are the following

1. Difficulty in swallowing 

2. Severe nausea 

3. Vomiting 

4. Weight loss 

5. Bleeding

6. Lack of response to treatment ,

7. Aggrevation of  symptoms with exertion ( seen in heartdisease )

Read More