Archive for 2011

Know the Wonderful Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Benefits of olive oil are varied and many. One of the famous exponents of monounsaturated fat is olive oil. It is also a main component of Mediterranean diet. It is a natural juice, which maintains the taste, vitamins and the properties and aroma of olive fruit. You can find olive in various forms, based on the amount of processing involved.

Different varieties of Olive oil Pure olive oil: It undergoes only some processing i.e. filtering and refining.

Extra virgin: It is considered as the best because it is least processed. This oil is taken from the first processing of olives.

Virgin: This is extracted from the second processing of olives.

Extra light: This variety only contains a mild olive flavor.



Benefits of Olive Oil

The beneficial effects of olive oil are due to the high contents of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances. Most of the studies showed that olive oil decreases the risk of heart disease by reducing LDL cholesterol and rising HDL cholesterol. Also, the oil shows beneficial effect for gastritis and ulcers. The secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones is successfully activated by olive oil. Gallstone formation is also decreased with olive oil.

Olive oil for heart disease: Studies showed that consuming 25 milliliters of olive oil daily for one week reduces the LDL cholesterol and raises antioxidative compounds. This oil is one of the good healing fats and it won’t disturb the omega 6 to omega 3 ratios.

Olive oil for colon cancer: The oil shows great effort in preventing colon cancer. Studies showed that people who consume olive oil supplements are at a less risk of colon cancer when compared to those who don’t receive.

Olive oil for constipation: Taking one tablespoon of olive oil mixed with lemon juice in the morning in an empty stomach can relieve from constipation.

Olive oil for digestive tract: Taking one tablespoon of olive in an empty stomach helps to reduce the heart burn and upset stomach.

Olive oil for hair loss: Massage your scalp with olive oil every day before going to bed for a week. Wash the hair in the morning and after a week you will observe significant improvement.

The Benefits of Ayurvedic Hot Oil Massage

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of healing that incorporates herbal and other medications, certain surgical techniques and also focuses on meditation, yoga and massage.

Various different kinds of massages that are based on Ayurvedic principles have become popular in western countries – variously termed as hot oil massage, Ayurvedic massage, Kerala massage, Shirodhara (which is the gently pouring liquids over the forehead which is thought to be the site for the third eye) and so on.

Hot oil massage is thought to help by reducing tension and swelling in the muscles and help to tone and condition them, to improve the condition of the hair and the skin to prevent premature aging and also for therapeutic uses such as to improve sleep, for controlling arthritis, muscle atrophy for itchy skin and so on.


Medicated or hot oil massage to the body is thought to have the following restorative qualities:

1. It can increase suppleness of muscles and also impart flexibility.

2. It can enhance muscle and bone strength and can tone and tighten the muscles. The Indian concept of ‘dhatu’ which literally means element, but in this context refers to the tissues of the body, can be toned and invigorated with the help of this kind of massage.

3. It can improve eyesight.

4. It can help in relaxation and may aid restful sleep.

5. It is thought that Ayurvedic massage can help improve blood circulation in the body and therefore enhance the functioning of the body’s organs owing to improvement of the quality of blood supplied to them.

6. There is also the belief that hot oil massage can help to enhance immunity for the person, making them better able to withstand infection and disease.


Hot oil massage for the head and scalp as well as the ear area is thought to have the following benefits:

1. It can nourish the skin and the hair, improving the sheen and suppleness as well as prevent premature appearance of wrinkles.

2. The oil can not only condition the hair shaft, it can also help stimulate the hair follicles, causing new hair to grow.

3. Oil massage to the ears can help to alleviate stiffness in the neck and jaw areas.

4. The sense organs such as hearing, vision, and the olfactory senses are invigorated by massage about the scalp and ears.


Hot oil massage to the feet can help in the following ways:

1. Rough or dead skin of the feet is alleviated with massage with hot oil, and ligaments are strengthened. Foot fatigue and numbness is also reduced.

2. Since the soles of the feet are known to correspond to various other parts of the body, massaging there can help with problems such as sciatica pain and can even help improve vision.

The kind of oil used for the hot oil massage and the temperature of the oil should depend upon the climate and the weather and also upon the temperament and nature of the person who is to undergo the massage. Thus the oil massage is required to be customized according to the person’s requirements.


Via: Sejal


Urine Colour

Yellow
Healthy urine goes from clear to pale yellow, dark yellow to amber. This depends on hydration levels, but if you’re somewhere in the yellow team, you can breathe easy.

Green
Some antiseptics and anesthetics give urine a green tinge. This is thanks to methylene blue, a dye which kidneys sometimes struggle with. Nothing too much to worry about though.

Orange
This is a sign of liver dysfunction. If your urine is this color & you notice that your stools are white, it could be
obstructive jaundice.

Brown
Muddy-looking pee means kidney problems. This can be a sign of serious renal disease, even a fistula. That’s when your bowel leaks into your bladder.

Red
This is really bad. Blood in your urine can mean a hemorrhage or cancer.

In anyone over 40 we assume it’s bladder cancer, unless proven otherwise.

Get yourself to the doctor.

VIA EMAIL: MumbaiHangOut



What Your Hands Reveal About Your Health

Our bodies are pretty good at sending out red flags when something’s wrong with our health such as a fever due to infection or itchy hives from an allergic reaction. But sometimes the signs are misleading or easy to miss, even when they’re on one of the body parts you look at most: your hands! For instance, did you know that the length of your fingers, the state of your nails and even the shade of your palms can help predict you how healthy you’ll be in the future? Check out these little hand signals, and if anything sounds familiar, see your doctor today a bright and healthy future is up for grabs!

Swollen Fingers
WHAT THEY MEAN: We all know that salty snacks and PMS can cause bloat. But if you shun the shaker and your rings still don’t fit, and if your period isn’t due soon, this kind of swelling could suggest hypothyroidism, which means the thyroid gland is under-producing the hormones you need to regulate your metabolism and keep your body functioning properly. Thyroid problems can lead to a sluggish metabolism, weight gain and water accumulation, explains Jenny Kim, M.D., a dermatology professor at the University of California in Los Angeles. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, low libido and even (at extreme levels) heart failure. A simple blood test will show if your thyroid is underperforming, and doctor-monitored synthetic hormone pills can help your hormones and your fingers return to normal.

Red Palms
WHAT THEY MEAN: Itchy, burning red palms may point to eczema, a chronic skin disorder that can worsen when you’re stressed; to limit irritation, avoid potential chemical triggers by opting for soap less cleansers and wearing gloves when cleaning or gardening. If those don’t help, redness could indicate an allergy to nickel in jewelry, chemicals in products, or antibiotics (and symptoms might show up on other parts of your body beyond the palms of your hands). Such allergies are usually more annoying than ominous, but your physician can tell for sure by doing a patch test and pinpointing what to avoid, Dr. Kim says. One exception: If you’re pregnant, don’t sweat red palms. During pregnancy, blood flow increases throughout the body, causing temporary redness in more than half of expecting women.

Pale Fingernails
WHAT THEY MEAN: Nails should turn white when you press on them, then return to pinkish when you release, says Anthony Martinez, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California in San Diego. If your nail stays white for more than a minute or two, you may have anemia or low iron. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue or, in serious cases, heart problems, so you’ll want to alert your doctor. To dodge a deficiency, fill up on iron-rich foods (such as lean meats, spinach and other dark green veggies, legumes, and nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds) and foods with vitamin C, which aids iron absorption.

Numb, Blue Fingertips
WHAT THEY MEAN: Blue-hued fingers may signal a condition called Raynaud’s disease, a temporary blood vessel spasm that constricts blood flow to the fingers (hence the numbness) and occurs in five to ten percent of all people. It’s more common in women and typically triggered by cool temperatures or stress, Dr. Martinez says. Raynaud’s is chronic, but it’s not a huge health worry unless numbness lasts more than an hour, in which case your fingers are actually imperiled head to the ER! Stave off a crisis by keeping circulation healthy: Cut out cigarettes and go easy on caffeine, as both constrict blood vessels, and hit the gym regularly to keep your blood pumping.

Discolored Nails
WHAT THEY MEAN: Off-color nails can result from fungus but may also warn of diabetes. Diabetics’ immune and vascular systems can be impaired, creating an environment that allows bacteria and fungi to flourish, Dr. Kim says. Look for green discoloration (yikes!) or thick, dark-yellow nails that detach from the bed (double yikes!). Your M.D. can tell you about habits that keep blood sugar in check, such as swapping out processed foods for healthy complex carbs. If there’s fungus, prescription meds can help clear it up; it not, nails might be yellow from dark polish. Applying tooth-whitening products to nails can help.

Short Index Fingers
WHAT THEY MEAN: Women with pointer fingers smaller than their ring fingers may have a heightened risk for osteoarthritis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can disrupt fertility. The upside? A lower risk for heart disease. More exposure to testosterone in utero, which relates to skeletal health, fertility and cardiovascular development may also create longer ring fingers, says John Manning, Ph.D., author of The Finger Ratio. But don’t regard your ratio as a definite indicator of risks or immunity to them. Controlling your weight protects your joints, fertility and heart, regardless of finger length. Aim for a body-mass index between 18.5 and 25.