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The Journal of JULY 2011
HEALTH &
HAPPINESS
Preventing hay fever Preventing dehydration
Sleep well &
look attractive Power of
Positive Psychology New physical
activity guidelines
Low calorie diet to cure diabetes
Atul Kochhar's
Health & Happiness Recipe
It has been a rewarding journey. In these last six months
we have touched many hearts and minds and the
feedback has been quite encouraging.
I met a gentleman in Osterley Park, whom I had not
seen for months. After greetings
and exchange of smiles, he told
me that as soon as he recovered
from a major surgery, he began
taking his '3,000 steps to keep the
diabetes away' as recommended
in our last issue.
The magazine was a big attraction in several
community functions that we attended. In a gathering of
prominent Hindi poets a senior Asian community leader
said that after reading our article on Pre-diabetes, she
asked her GP many questions to make sure that she was
not suffering from the condition.
Another reader wrote back: "Unlike most freebies, this
is the first free magazine that stays on our coffee table."
We have received valuable support from many
quarters. Prof Martin Seligman, the world renowned
authority on positive psychology welcomed our effort. Dr
Karan Singh, the chairman of the Indian Council of
Cultural Affairs , Prasun Joshi and Javed Akhter,
Bollywood's two leading lyricists and Smriti Irani, India's
biggest televisions star and now a BJP MP, appreciated
our health and happiness mission as well as the
magazine.
Vijay Rana
Editor
3 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
C O N T E N T S July 2011, Issue 3
04 Impact of watching too much TV
on children's eyes
05 Sleep well and look attractive
06 Martin Seligman on the power of
positive psychology
06 Kindness exercise
07 Curing diabetes through low
calorie diet
08 Reducing vision loss with anti-
oxidants and Omega-3
09 New UK physical activity guidelines
10 'Healthy Smiles in Hounslow'
11 Preventing hay fever
13 Atul Kochhar's Health & Happiness
recipe
14 Ayurveda: Three dosha
15 Health & Happiness in the community
The Journal of Health & Happiness is a
publication of Ajivan: The Society for
Health & Happiness
Website: www.ajivan.com
Email: info@ajivan.com,
Tel: 07850 374 595
Disclaimer: The information available in this
magazine is for general awareness only. It is NOT
a substitute for the knowledge and judgment of
qualified medical experts. We make no warranty
as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of
this information. Should you have any health or
medical condition, you are strongly advised to
consult a qualified physician or other health care
professional. Views expressed by our contributors
are their own and we take no responsibility for
their views.
"This is the first free magazine that
stays on our coffee table." A reader's comment
Advertise your business in
The Journal of Health & Happiness
Earn a lot of goodwill for your business by
Investing in community health
. The magazine that looks after your community
and your clients
Contact: 07850 374 595 or info@ajivan.com
News in Brief
Global rise in obesity According to a report by the
Worldwatch Institute, Washington
DC, the number of overweight adults
worldwide jumped from 1.5 billion
in 2002 to 1.9 billion in 2010, an
increase of approximately 25
percent. Some 23 percent of
individuals, aged 15 or older, were
overweight in 2002, while in 2010
the figure rose to 38 percent—even
though the number of adults
increased by only 11 percent during
these eight years. Much of this
change occurred in the industrial
world. Economic, cultural, and
possibly genetic factors all played a
part. But in every country where
people have gotten heavier the result
has been the same: an increase in
preventable medical problems. The
U.S. leads all industrialized countries
with 78.6% of the adult population
qualifying as overweight, but the
fattest nations are Micronesia and
Polynesia, where nearly 88% of
adults over 15 are overweight.
India’s level of 19 percent adults
overweight is up from 14 percent
in 2002 to 16 percent in 2005.
In Mexico the figure has risen by
8 percentage points since 2002,
while Brazil is up by 7 points and the
rate in the U.K. is up by 5 points.
East Asia has seen a 4 point increase
over the period.
Convince others @ 3.5 words per second If you want to convince others and
win their heart then do not speak too
fast, pause frequently and do not be
too animated. A study, conducted by
the University of Michigan Institute
of Social Research, analysed
approximately 1,400 calls trying to
persuade people to take part in phone
surveys. The study found that those
who spoke very fast, did not pause or
were too animated were least
successful.
The study used recordings of
introductory calls made by 100 male
and female telephone interviewers at
the institute. They looked at the
interviewers' speech rates, fluency,
and pitch, and then at how successful
they were in convincing people to
participate in the survey.
Those who spoke at a rate of
around 3.5 words per second
(moderately fast) were much more
successful at convincing people
than those who spoke very fast or
very slowly.
The researchers, led by Jose
Benki, an expert in the psychology
of language, said people who speak
too quickly are often seen as "out to
pull the wool over our eyes", while
those who talk very slow are seen as
"not too bright or overly pedantic".
Does watching too much TV damage children's eyes? Children who spend more time in
front of television and computer
screens and less in outdoor physical
activity have narrower blood vessels
in their eyes, says a new study
published in the journal
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and
Vascular Biology.
Scientists in Australia studied
1,492 6-year-olds randomly selected
from 34 schools in Sydney. The
children’s parents were asked how
much time their children spent in
physical activities and how much
time they spent in front of a TV or
computer. Then the researchers
examined the children’s eyes.
After adjusting for a variety of health
factors, they found that blood vessels
in the eyes of children who watched
the most TV were slightly smaller in
diameter than those in children who
watched the least amount.
The results for physical activity
were similar: the eyes of children
who exercised the least had the
narrowest blood vessels. The reason
was unclear. ―We don’t know what it
means in children,‖ said Dr. Paul
Mitchell, a professor of
ophthalmology at the University of
Sydney and lead author of the study.
―We have to follow them for much
longer.‖
How to prevent dehydration? Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water In the UK, we should drink about 1.2
liters (six to eight glasses) of fluid
every day to prevent dehydration.
You need more in hotter climates. It
is fine to have drinks that contain
caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola,
but they are mild diuretics, which
means they make you urinate more.
Drink these alongside non-caffeine
drinks and increase your intake of
water if you experience any signs of
dehydration.
If you are working hard in hot
conditions, you need to drink more
fluid than you normally would. The
health and safety experts recommend
that you drink about 250ml (half a
pint) of water every 15 minutes or
500ml (a pint) every 30 minutes.
A good night's sleep:
The easiest way to look attractive Want to look attractive? Here is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to enhance your looks. You need to have plenty of sleep. Researchers from the Karolina Institute, Sweden say that the concept of 'Beauty Sleep' is real and now has scientific proof. The study, conducted by John Axelsson and his team, was published in the British Medical Journal. The team set out to determine whether there might be a link between perceptions of attractiveness, health and sleep. Their study involved 23, non-smoking, young adult volunteers, aged between 18 and 31. They were photographed twice, each time between 2pm and 3pm. The first photograph was taken after they had had a good night's sleep, while the second one showed what they looked like after sleep deprivation. All pictures were taken in the same, well-lit room, with a fixed camera and at a fixed distance. None of the participants wore make-up, their hair were combed back, and had undergone similar shaving and washing procedures before each photograph was taken. The photographer asked them to assume a neutral, relaxed facial expression on both photo shoots. For a period of 48 hours before the study
began, the participants were not allowed to consume alcohol. The study then recruited 65 untrained observers to rate the photographs for attractiveness, health aspect, and whether or not the person looked tired. The photograph observers did not know the sleep status of the participants they were asked to rate. The authors reported that in the
vast majority of cases, the observers rated those who had had a good night's sleep as more attractive, healthier, and with more vigour. The study showed that sleep deprived people appeared less healthy, less attractive, and more tired compared with when they are well rested
Bayer AG has introduced a new
aspirin that works twice as fast as
existing ones. It uses the Pro-Release
technology which reduces the aspirin
particles into micro-particles. The
micro-particles are about one tenth of
the usual particle sizes. They
dissolve more easily and arrive at the
site of pain quickly. Bayer claims that
'Extra Strength Bayer Advanced
Aspirin' has been clinically proven to
provide pain relief in half the time.
Consumers have been complaining
for many years saying that aspirin
takes a long time to work. The new
product was tested on dental patients
who had had their wisdom teeth taken
out.
According to the Bayer, a 500
milligram dose of new aspirin starts
to work within 16 minutes and brings
"meaningful pain relief" within 49
minutes. Regular 500 milligram
aspirin takes 100 minutes to do the
same.
Bayer says it is aiming to attract
younger customers. It adds that today
aspirin is better known for its
usefulness in preventing heart attack
and stroke than for its analgesic
qualities. Due to currently stagnant
aspirin sales it is important to
revitalize the brand, they say.
5 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Photo: Laura Martindale
Faster Aspirin that works in16 minutes
Meeting the pioneer of
Positive Psychology
My quest for HEALTH & HAPPINESS took me to a remarkable lecture at the Royal Society of Arts. The inspirational speaker was Martin Seligman, the Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been one of our inspirations, while this journal was being conceived. He is widely considered as the founder of positive psychology. After his lecture, he signed a copy of his book Flourish for me and I presented him a copy of The Journal of Health & Happiness. In an exhilarating lecture he outlined the five pillars of his theory of well-being, a theory that might help many of us to develop positive psychology and to create a healthy attitude towards life. Here is a brief summary. 1. POSITIVE EMOTIONS or trying to follow a pleasant lifestyle. 2. ENGAGEMENT is a state of flow where thoughts and feelings are absent. And only in retrospect we realise how wonderful was our involvement in a task that we had just finished. 3. MEANING in life means belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than the self. 4. ACCOMPLISHMENT for people could also be described as success, achievement, winning and mastery for their own sake. 5. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS is the fifth element of the well-being theory. It's all about other people. "Very little that is positive is solitary. When was the last time you laughed uproariously? The last time you felt indescribable joy? The last time you sensed profound meaning and purpose? The last time you felt enormously proud of an accomplishment? Even without knowing the particulars of these high points of your life, I know their form: all of them took place around other people.
"Other people are the best antidote to the downs of life..." Vijay Rana
"I want you to imagine Positive Education"
Prof. Seligman on teaching Well-Being to Young People First, a quiz:
Question one: in one or two words, what do you
most want for your children?
If you are like the thousands of parents I've polled,
you responded, "happiness," "confidence,"
"contentment," "fulfilment," "balance," "good stuff,"
"kindness," "health," "satisfaction," "love," "being
civilised," "meaning," and the like. In short, well-being
is your top most priority for your children.
Question two: in one or two words, what do schools
teach? If you are like other parents, you responded,
"achievement," "thinking skills," "success,"
"conformity," "literacy," "math," "work," "test taking,"
"discipline," and the like. In short, what schools teach is
how to succeed in the workplace.
Notice that there is almost no overlap between the
two lists. The schooling of children has, for more than a
century, paved the boulevard towards adult work. I am
all for success, literacy, perseverance, and discipline,
but I want you to imagine that schools could, without
compromising either, teach both the skills of well-being
and the skills of achievement. I want you to imagine
positive education.
Martin Seligman, Flourish: A new Understanding of
Happiness and Well-Being - and How to Achieve
Them, p.78 6 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Kindness Exercise: "Find one wholly unexpected kind thing to do tomorrow and just do it. Notice
what happens to your mood."
Low calorie diet may cure Type 2 diabetesBritish researchers have
developed what they
say is a "cure" for Type
2 diabetes, the most
common form of the
disease. And all you
have to do is to
virtually starve yourself
for eight weeks.
Funded by Diabetes
UK, Professor Roy
Taylor of Newcastle
University and his
colleagues studied 11
patients who had
developed diabetes later
in life and those who
had it for several years.
The patients averaged
220 pounds at the
beginning of the study.
Each was put on a 600-
calorie-per-day diet that
included a special diet
drink and non-starchy
vegetables, such as
broccoli, asparagus and
cabbage. The diet was
followed for eight
weeks.
Taylor reported that,
after one week on the
diet, each of the patients' fasting blood sugar level, i.e.
taken before breakfast, had returned to normal. At the
end of the eight weeks, the patients had lost an average
of 33 pounds and had no signs of diabetes. Three
months after returning to a normal diet, seven of them
remained free of the disease. Average weight gain in
that three months was 6.5 pounds.
Researchers surprisingly found that pancreas regained
ability to produce insulin. Taylor believes he has an
explanation for the results. At the beginning of the
study, MRI scans of the patients' pancreases showed
that they held an elevated level of fat, 8% compared
with the normal 6%. He thinks that extra fat impairs the
organ's ability to produce insulin. At the end of the
study, fat levels in the pancreas were down to normal in
each patient and the pancreas was able to reproduce
insulin. "We believe that this shows that Type 2
diabetes is all about
energy balance in the
body," Taylor said in
a statement. "If you
are eating more
[calories] than you
burn, then the excess
is stored in the liver
and pancreas as fat,
which can lead to
Type 2 diabetes in
some people. What
we need to examine
further is why some
people are more
susceptible to
developing diabetes
than others."
He added, "We
used the 600-calorie
diet to test a
hypothesis. What I
can tell you
definitively is that if
people lose
substantial weight by
normal means, they
will lose their
diabetes."
There are 2.8
million people
diagnosed with
diabetes in the UK and approximately 85 to 90 percent
of these have Type 2 diabetes.
WARNING: This diet should only be undertaken under medical supervision Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes
UK, said: ―We welcome the results of this research
because it shows that Type 2 diabetes can be
reversed ...However, this diet is not an easy fix and
Diabetes UK strongly recommends that such a
drastic diet should only be undertaken under
medical supervision. Despite being a very small
trial, we look forward to future results particularly
to see whether the reversal would remain in the
long term.‖
7 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Reducing vision loss
with a diet rich in beta carotene, zinc,
and Omega-3
Researchers from Netherlands have concluded that high dietary intake of nutrients with antioxidant
properties
reduces the risk of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in those at high genetic
risk. Therefore,
clinicians should provide dietary advice to
young susceptible
individuals to postpone or prevent the vision-disabling
consequences of
AMD. The study was published in the Archives of Ophthalmology. AMD is a common condition that erodes the retina and causes vision loss often in people aged 40 and older. It accounts for half of all cases of blindness in developed countries. Research teams from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam and some other universities found that people who got the highest amounts of dietary antioxidants, several nutrients,
including zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, in their diet had a lower risk of developing the condition. The authors studied 2,167 people over the age of 55 who had one of the two genes known to contribute to AMD. The researchers studied the participant's eating habits and followed-up for 10 years to track vision loss; participants received eye exams every three years. The researchers found that people who got the most zinc, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids or lutein/zeaxanthin in their diet were less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who got the lowest amounts. For example, the rate of vision loss in those getting the lowest amount of omega-3s (about 22 mg per day) was 39 cases out of every 100 people; in people who
consumed the most omega-3s (268 mg per day), the rate was 28 cases out of every 100. But in all cases, the researchers found that it wasn't necessary to eat excessive amounts of the nutrients to see a benefit — getting the government-recommended daily allowances of healthy foods was sufficient. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies. Beta carotene is found in a variety of fruits and veggies, including carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots and green peppers. Zinc is available in oysters, red meat, nuts and beans. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in eggs and leafy greens.
Bandlish & Auplish Dentistry
Flat 1 Harmont House, 20 Harley Street
London, W1G 9PH
Tel: 020 7436 9804; 020 7436 9805
Email: info@bandlishauplish.co.uk
www.londondental.co.uk/
DR L K Bandlish & Associates
5 Gipsy Hill
Upper Norwood, London SE19 1QG
Tel: 020 8670 2296; 020 8761 3609
www.bandlish.co.uk
40 Years of dental service in Lambeth
Panel Dentists High Commission of India
New govt guidelines for
physical activity New physical activity guidelines have now been published by the four UK Chief Medical Officers. This is the first
time UK-wide physical activity guidelines have been produced. For the first time guidelines have been issued for early
years (under fives) as well as sedentary behaviour. Physical activity should be encouraged across the population, with
the latest evidence showing there is a clear link between physical activity and chronic disease like heart disease, stroke
and diabetes.
EARLY YEARS (under 5s)
1. Physical activity should be encouraged from birth, particularly through floor-based play and
water-based activities in safe environments.
2. Children of pre-school age who are capable of walking unaided should be physically active
daily for at least 180 minutes (3 hours), spread throughout the day.
3. All under 5s should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (being restrained or
sitting) for extended periods (except time spent sleeping).
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (5–18 years)
1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical
activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day.
2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be
incorporated at least three days a week.
3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.
ADULTS (19–64 years) 1. Adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150
minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to
approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week.
2. Alternatively, comparable benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity
activity spread across the week or a combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity.
3. Adults should also undertake physical activity to improve muscle strength on at least two days
a week.
4. All adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.
OLDER ADULTS (65+ years) 1. Older adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits, including maintenance of
good physical and cognitive function.
2. Older adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150
minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to
approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week.
3. For those who are already regularly active at moderate intensity, comparable benefits can be
achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week.
4. Older adults should also undertake physical activity twice a week to improve muscle strength.
5. Those at risk of falls should have physical activity to improve balance and co-ordination on at least twice a week.
6. All older adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods. "The latest figures show that almost a quarter of adults are obese and on the current trends by 2050 it means 9 in 10
adults will be overweight or obese. We know that more than 60 per cent of adults are not active enough which is why the
UK Chief Medical Officers are launching the fist UK-wide guidelines that draw on the latest science to inform weekly
levels of physical activity."
Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, England
9 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Building 'Healthy Smiles in Hounslow'
This innovative oral health programme provides oral health advice, helps families find a local dentist and children aged 3 years and over can be given extra protection from tooth decay by having a fluoride varnish coating applied to their teeth free of charge. In Hounslow, 47% of children under five have experienced tooth decay compared with 40% across London and 38% nationally. With Healthy Smiles, parents can take their children to a dental nurse to have fluoride varnish applied at the same time as a shopping trip. The dental nurse will also give help, advice and book
them straight into a follow-up appointment with a local dentist. On attending the follow-up visit, children will also be given their own ‘Brush for Life' kit that includes a free toothbrush and advice on oral health. This programme has been welcomed by chief dental officer for England Barry Cockcroft, who said: ‘This scheme combines the evidence-based application of fluoride varnish with the extremely important issue of communicating the availability and value of dental services. All the people involved in developing and running this scheme should be proud of their achievements.' This scheme builds on the
experience of earlier innovative pilots on dental access that NHS Hounslow has lead over the last year. ''Healthy Smiles in Hounslow' will be running throughout August on Sundays and Thursdays in Hounslow ASDA pharmacy consulting room and Wednesdays in Feltham ASDA pharmacy.
Preventing hay fever
Hay fever affects around 20% of people in the UK.
Lindsey McManus of Allergy UK offers some tips on
avoiding the causes and reducing your symptoms.
"The main triggers of hay fever are tree and grass
pollen,” says Lindsey. “The pollen count is always
higher when it’s a nice, bright, sunny day.”
Don’t mow your lawn
If grass makes you sneeze, get someone else to
mow your lawn. “It sounds obvious, but many people
don’t think of this,” says Lindsey. If you react to grass
and you spend time on the lawn, you'll get
symptoms.
Create a barrier
Apply Vaseline inside your nostrils. “This acts as a
filter for the pollen,” says Lindsey.
Time it right
Don’t sit outside between 4pm and 7pm or in the
early morning, as the pollen count is highest at these
times. “If you go out, or need to hang out the
washing, do it after 10.30am and before 3.30pm,”
says Lindsey.
Shut the windows
Don’t sleep or drive with the windows open, as this
will allow pollen to come in.
Damp dust regularly
Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will
collect the dust and stop any pollen from being
spread around.
Wash your hair
“Pollen is sticky and may be in your hair,” says
Lindsey. “It can then transfer to your pillow when you
go to bed, and will affect you during the night.” If
you’ve been out in the evening, wash your hair at
bed time, as clean hair can help you sleep better.
Vacuum
“Pollen can live in carpet for up to three months,”
explains Lindsey, so get vacuuming.
Think about your medication
Talk to your GP or pharmacist about any
treatment you’re taking for hay fever as it might be
worth trying a new treatment. “The same
antihistamine [anti-allergy treatment] doesn’t always
work for someone year after year,” Lindsey says. “Try
something different, such as a nasal spray or a new
antihistamine.”
You can take early steps to avoid symptoms of
hay fever before they start. “Most people wait until
symptoms start before they take treatment, but you
really need to start at least two weeks before, so that
the antihistamine is already in your system when
pollen triggers your hay fever,” says Lindsey.
Look back at previous years to work out what time
of year your hay fever usually starts, and try to
identify what triggers your hay fever. For example,
grass pollen is in the air from May until July or August,
so you could start taking antihistamine in April. Find
out more about the pollen count. You can also talk
to your GP or call the Allergy UK helpline for more
information.
Don’t ignore hay fever
Hay fever can make everyday life uncomfortable
and tiring, with sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose
and an itchy throat. However, there are treatments
available and symptoms can get better.
Hay fever can also increase your risk of asthma.
“There is a definite link between hay fever and
asthma,” says Lindsey. “If you get hay fever, you’re
more likely to get asthma so it’s important to take
hay fever seriously and try to treat the symptoms.” Source:www.nhs.uk/Livewell
Allergy UK helpline: 01322 619898
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Give yourself a pep talk
Try this instant confidence builder: Look in the
mirror and say out loud or to yourself, “I am immune
to criticism, I am beneath no one, I am fearless.”
Dr. Deepak Chopra
Drinking water before meals helps to reduce weight Many of us rely on drinking lots of
water as a weight-loss tool. And
there is a good reason for it.
Research suggests sipping H2O
before meals can help people lose
pounds. Dieters have been
encouraged to employ this trick for
ages, with the reasoning quite
simple: the
water fills
the
stomach,
thus
reducing
hunger.
But only in
recent
years have
studies
borne this out.
In the most recent, a randomized
trial published in the journal Obesity,
earlier this year, scientists at
Virginia Tech followed a group of
overweight people age 55 and above
on low-calorie diets for about three
months. Half the people were told to
drink two cups of water before every
meal. At the end of the study, the
water group had lost an average of
15.5 pounds, compared with 11
pounds in the other group.
Failure to diagnose coronary heart disease In this study researchers studied
180 patients who were later
identified as having coronary heart
disease (CHD). 31.7% had
originally been misdiagnosed by
their family doctors as not having
CHD (―false negative‖). Stefan
Bösner and his colleagues presented
the results of their cross-sectional
study in the current edition of
Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
When a patient presents with chest
pain as the main symptom, the
family doctor has to decide whether
immediate action is called for or
watchful waiting is an option. In this
diagnostic cross-sectional study the
authors evaluated the data of a total
of 1249 patients over the age of 35
years who were referred to 74
participating family doctors with
chest pain. From this data pool,
Bösner and colleagues extracted the
doctors’ initial suspected diagnosis
in respect of coronary heart disease
(CHD). In a total of 57 patients the
doctor wrongly suspected another
cause than CHD for the chest pain.
Nevertheless, the family doctors still
referred one in three of the patients
to a cardiologist. In view of the
number of missed cases of CHD,
there is an argument for considering
a diagnosis of CHD in patients with
less pronounced symptoms.
However, the researchers believe
that if the ―diagnostic threshold‖
were to be lowered, the result would
be a dramatic rise in false positive
diagnoses.
Diesel fume particles may increase the risk of heart attack Ultrafine particles in diesel exhaust
fumes can harm blood vessels,
leading to a greater chance of blood
clots developing in the arteries,
resulting in a greater risk of heart
attack or stroke, researchers from the
University of Edinburgh, Scotland
revealed in the European Heart
Journal.
The scientists measured the diesel
exhaust fume impact on healthy
individuals at levels similar to those
found in highly polluted cities. They
compared how each volunteer
reacted to diesel fume gases, such as
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon
monoxide (CO), versus those caused
by tiny chemical particles from
exhausts.
This British Heart Foundation
funded study demonstrated that,
instead of the gases, the ultrafine
particles undermined blood vessel
function, particularly how they
control blood flow to the body's
organs.
These ultrafine particles are less
than one millionth of a meter wide.
Special filters can be fitted to cars
which trap them. This is already
being done in US public transport
vehicles.
Double diabetes risk for South Asians in the UK
As part of Diabetes Week the British
Heart Foundation reminded the
South Asian community living in the
UK that they are more than twice as
likely to have diabetes compared to
the general population.
Indian men are more than twice as
likely to be affected by Type 2
diabetes and Pakistani women are
over two and half times more likely
to suffer from this serious disease
than the general population.
Qiam Zaidi, BME project manager
at the BHF
says: We are
urging
everyone in
the South
Asian
community
to think
about their
heart health
and be
aware they're at greater risk of Type
2 diabetes and coronary heart
disease. Heart health risks, including
diabetes, high blood pressure and
high cholesterol, can be hard to
spot." Zaidi pointed out that Asian
people normally do not complain too
much, "but it is important if you're
over 40 you get a heart health check
with your GP".
Know your waist size South Asian men are more at risk of
health problems including diabetes
and coronary heart disease if their
waist size creeps over 90 cm (35.5"),
and women need to take special care
if their waists expand beyond 80cm
(32").
Atul Kochhar's Health & Happiness Recipe Grilled Red Bream with spice rub Serves 4, Preparation time 15 minutes, Cooking time 6–8 minutes
This is very much my kind of dish when I want to entertain, but
also to sit and chat with my friends. I love coming up with new
combinations of spices, and the spice rub here is a particular
favourite. Try sea bass or John Dory as an alternative fish. Red
Sea Bream contains a naturally occurring powerful antioxidant
called Astaxanthin, which is where the fish gets it’s red colour
from. This acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and is
beneficial for eye health. Red Sea Bream is also low in
calories, only about 150-200 cal per 100g and it is also high in
iron.
Ingredients
- 4 red bream fillets, about 150g
(51⁄2oz) each
- Lemon wedges, to serve
For the spice rub
- 3 tbsp walnut or olive oil
- 4 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 small green chilli, very
finely chopped
For the tomato salad
- 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
-1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
-11⁄2 tsp walnut or olive oil
-1 tbsp walnuts, toasted in
a dry frying pan and then
lightly crushed
- Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1. Mix all the ingredients for the spice rub together and season with salt.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the fish fillets on it, skin-side down. Brush the spice rub over the fish. Place
under a hot grill for 6–8 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden.
Remove from the heat and keep warm.
3. Meanwhile, mix together all the ingredients for the tomato salad. Serve the fish with the salad and some lemon
wedges. Atul Kochhar: A critically acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Atul is chef-patron of Benares
restaurant in London. His was the first Indian restaurant in Britain to win a Michelin star. Recipe from
'Fish Indian Style' by Atul Kochhar.
Want to work for Health & Happiness
We need volunteers to help us in the production of this exciting
magazine. Write to info@ajivan.com
13 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
AYURVEDA: The concept of Three Dosha
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian ―Science of Life‖ that
deals elaborately with measures of healthy living during
the entire span of life. It's based on the theory of five
elements. It says that everything on earth, living or non
living is made of five elements - air, space, fire, water and
earth.
These five elements then combine with each other
giving rise to three main bio-physical energies (Tridosha),
called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is a result of the
combination of air and space. Pitta is formed from fire
and water. Kapha is made up of earth and water.
The Vata Person: People with a dominant Vata Dosha
are supposed to be spontaneous and restless. They are
lean and thin with irregular appetite, dry skin and scanty
hair.
Lifestyle: The most important thing for a Vata type is
to regularise the lifestyle. This includes eating at regular
intervals, keeping warm, avoiding dry foods and eating
warm foods and soups instead. The tastes that suit their
body type the best are sweet, sour and salty. They need to
moisturise their skin and practise gentle yoga.
The Pitta Person: Those with dominant Pitta Dosha
are authoritative and focussed. They usually get angry due
to the dominant fire element in their constitution.
Physically they are moderate built, with warm and soft
skin. Their appetite and thirst are strong and they tend to
eat several small meals throughout the day
Lifestyle : They need to relax and avoid stress. They are
advised to avoid spicy, sour and salty foods. They need to
do gentle yoga and calming breathing exercises.
The Kapha Person: The Kapha dominant people are
friendly and social but they could be averse to physical
tasks and might be overweight due to the dominant
elements of earth and water which have a stable and cool
property. They like warm weather and avoid cold, wet
and rainy situations.
Lifestyle: They need to wake up early and eat only when
hungry. They have to take up a lot of physical and mental
activities. They should avoid sweet, sour and salty food.
Sun salutations and the breath of fire are good for them.
Every person has all these three principles in him or
her, but it is the dominance of any or all of these that
makes up an individual constitution. According to
Ayurveda each individual has a very different and unique
constitution. Therefore, Ayurvedic treatments are unique
and different for each person. An Ayurvedic doctor would
try to identify this combination and prescribe ways of
how to achieve a balance of all three Doshas.
Dr Rohan Nagar, BAMS (Ayurveda)
We provide services in UK ( HOUNSLOW ), HOLLAND and BELGIUM
In INDIA we have residential AYURVEDIC treatment centre PDI: Situated on the holy Land of Vedas
and Ganges in between Devbhumi Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand
AYURVEDA UK LTD
More than 30 years of experience in the UK & India
We Offer : - Ayurveda Consultation
- Pulse Diagnosis
- Detoxification Therapies
- Yoga, Meditation Therapies
- Panchakarma Therapies
- Astrology Consultation
- Ayurveda Massages
- Shirodhara, Shirobasti
- Enema
- Panchakarma Treatments
Dr. Rohan Nagar BAMS (Ayurveda)
Senior Ayurveda Consultant
Contact:
322-Great West Road
Hounslow, Midd,TW5 0BA
02085777436, 02085727394
07846095768, 07737308767
Email: info@ayurvedauk.com
Web: www.ayurvedauk.com
- Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Tension and
Psychological Problems
- Joint Pains/Arthritis, Backache,
- Spondylitis & Rheumatic Problems
- Asthma, Allergy, Chronic Cough, Sinusitis
& Respiratory Problems
- Diabetes, Hypertension, Hypo or Hyper
- Thyroid and Hormonal Problems
- Obesity & Metabolic Disorders
- Headache, Migraine, Acidity etc.
- Sleep Disorders
- Skin, Nail and Hair Problems
- Pediatric and Gynecological Problems
Under the strict supervision and guidelines of
Dr. Anil K Mehta G.A.M.S Director of:
European Institute for Scientific Research on
Ayurveda, Netherlands
Health & Happiness
in the community
From community leaders to celebrities, everyone showed keen interest in the Journal of Health & Happiness. We visited many community events at the Nehru Centre and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. We made presentations in temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras. Everywhere we received huge support and positive feedback.
India's former health minister and ICCR Chairman Dr Karan Singh with Vijay Rana and Dr Nikhil Kaushik
With Bollywood's leading lyricist Javed Akhter
With Nitin Gadkari National President of India's main opposition party the BJP
Indian television's first superstar and now the BJP MP Smriti Irani
15 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Health & Happiness Day:
National Congress of Gujarati Organisations
National Congress of Gujarati Organisations (UK) held a Free Walk-in Health Awareness Day, in association with Sri Satya Sai
Service Organisation UK on Sunday, 15 May 2011. The event was held at Brent Town Hall. Presentations on diabetes, healthy
eating, stroke, yoga, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis were
held in the impressive Council Chamber. The services
included monitoring, checking and advice on blood
pressure, blood sugar levels, teeth and gum ailments, lung
cancer, eye checks, osteoporosis/osteoarthritis advice and
body mass index measurement.
Over 500 people visited the event which was manned
by doctors, dentists, eye specialists, osteoarthritis
surgeon, pharmacists and nurses. The event was backed
by enthusiastic volunteers who carried out registration,
helped various medical experts participating in the event.
The opening ceremony was performed by the new
Mayor of Brent, Cllr Aslam Chaoudry. He said that this
was the first official event of his term as the mayor. He
said that he has 'never seen an event like this which is so
orientated in helping the people in general'. At the
opening Ceremony, Anita Ruparelia, Secretary General
of NCGO introduced those present. Pravinbhai Amin,
Chairman of NCGO, welcomed the participants. Shitu
Chudasama, the Chairperson of Sri Satya Sai Service
Organisation UK said that his organisation was always
looking to help the community. Councillor Ramesh Patel
promised the continued support of the Brent Council.
Councillor Navin Shah, Member of GLA, was
'overwhelmed by the aim and result of the event'.
The presentations were very useful and many questions
were raised by the audience. Information stalls were set
up by the Diabetic Association, Chandu Taylor Funeral
Services, Smoking Cessation. The Journal of Health &
Happiness got a very positive response from the
audience.
16 THE JOURNNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
YOUR LOCAL LETTING AND SALES AGENTS Serving the community for more than 25 years
Supporting the Society for Health & Happiness PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED
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