Alternative Therapies and Health News

Yes, do you think that the proximity shared with parents could compel a baby to pick up the words “daddy” and “mommy”? To some extent, say researchers from University of British Columbia, who reveal that newborns brain is constructed in such a way so as to recognize word patterns. So, it is most likely for mama to hear her baby say mama or papa soon because that’s what she’s teaching him since he or she is born.

Researchers used the optical brain imaging techniques to study this mind game of the newborns. A team of researchers from Chile and Italy, led by Judit Gervain, made an attempt to review the brain activities of nearly 22 newborns that were barely 2-3 days old. As part of the study, these infants were exposed to repeated recordings of words.

The researchers found increased activity of the temporal and left frontal areas of the brain when the kids were exposed to the recordings. In addition, it was observed that non-adjacent repetition of words did not have much of an impact on the brain activities.

Judit also opines that quiet interestingly most languages around the globe have repeated syllables such as daddy and baby in English, tata (grand-dad) in Hungarian and papa in Italian.

Gervain opines that for most right-handed adults, the language abilities are centered at the left side of the brain. This study on infants, which is first of its kind to interpret structural language patterns in the newborns brain, supports the fact that human beings are born with abilities to grasp and develop their mother tongue both systematically and efficiently.

Judit further adds that the adult brain responsible for language abilities does not “learn” to process or develop language but “specializes” to do so right from the start. This study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

It has been traditionally believed that as women have to go through labour during childbirth; their bodies are better equipped to tackle pain. However, experts in their recent studies have found out that the case is quite the opposite.

Leading Facts
Listed below are some facts that tell us why it is so that women suffer from higher chronic pain than men:

• Women Suffer More Pain: Women have to go through longer periods of excruciating pains when they suffer from arthritis, bowel syndrome, migraines etc. Another sad news is that doctors are not being able to come out with any effective remedy for this. So, there is no respite from pain for women at least at present. Women are more vulnerable to pain because the hormone compositions differ from their male counterpart. What’s more? Women complain of different symptoms and they suffer pain in higher degrees as well as in a different way than from men.
• Culture Barrier Increasing Problems: Widespread cultural barriers existing in some countries restrict women to go to a male doctor; this obviously results in a more pitiable condition for women. In some cultures women actually believe that they have to suffer pain because it is a part of their role in society. A shocking revelation at a Glasgow conference was that scientists said that in many cases male doctors do not take women’s symptoms seriously and refer it to be psychological. Thankfully, some organizations like the IASP are trying to make women all around the world aware of their predicament.
• Common Medicines Less Effective: Paracetamol and morphine work differently on women and perhaps, less effectively. The saddest fact is that doctors and nurses all over the world are not aware of this and carry on with their usual approach.

Therefore, women should be aware of their own problems. Doctors should be better educated to treat them better.

Scientists have declared, after a twelve year long research, that burning incense sticks in places with poor ventilation could increase the risk of cancer. Research has it, that the smoke from burning incense contains certain chemicals that can cause cancer.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals present in incense smoke. Experts opine that these chemicals can contribute to the growing chances of cancer. According to scientists, the presence of these carcinogenic chemicals, could cause lung, throat and mouth cancers.

Apart from these PAHs, these burning sticks give out chemicals such as carbonyls and benzene which could affect the DNA in the human cells.

In the research, air samples were collected from temples and roads by the team of China-based scientists. It has been found that smoke from burning incense sticks could create more pollution than that on a local road intersection. In fact, the incense smoke in a poorly ventilated room could be even more risky.

Benzopyrene, a PAH which is believed to cause lung cancer in smokers, was also found in these temples, by the researchers, in high quantity. The presence of this chemical was found to be up to 45 times higher than what is in a smoker’s house.

The team also interviewed middle-aged Chinese people in Singapore and found that the people who burn incense sticks regularly were more vulnerable to some types of cancer of lungs and upper respiratory tract.

Researchers believe that the smoke of incense could potentially increase the risk of cancer but the degree of its seriousness is not certain.

Can you take this – yes, you need to laugh a little to digest your food. A recent study says that laughter is the most natural way to get a massage of your internal organs. In addition, experts say that probably it is one effective way to aid the digestion process.

Recurring studies have also shown that humor can reduce the levels of stress just as adrenaline can help in lowering blood pressure and in boosting the immune system (by raising the level of antibodies).

Stanford University researchers are of the opinion a laugh can also make one more attentive, can exercise the skeletal muscles and in a way also improve circulation. Experts opine that 100 laughs in just one day can reap similar cardio-respiratory response as 15 minutes of stationary biking can do.

Set the Comedian Free
Without much haste, tickle your imagination and get laughing for good health:

• Lie down on your bed a sing a duet with your partner or your kids no matter ho cranky you can get
• Tickle your kids
• Pin up funny cartoons, clippings or photographs at office or home
• Send a funny greeting card to someone
• Watch some comedy flicks
• Share silly jokes with friends and family during dinner or in a post-dinner session

Without much knowledge, you’d be laughing your worries away without having to get too touchy about meeting your exercise schedules and diet (which is of course imperative to maintain). Remember – depression can lead you to indulge hopelessly on food that can add many more pounds. So remain happy and tickle yourself away to good health and happiness.

Yes, a recent study reveals that men are more prone to writing suicide notes than women. They do to such an extent that they even tend to leave behind loads of instructions as to how to manage the family, finances, etc. The study also pointed out that those who died or rather killed themselves during the weekends were more likely to leave behind suicide notes for their family and loved ones.

As the study was conducted in India, Shalini Girdhar, a doctor at New Delhi’ All India Institute of Medical science (AIIMS) says that men actually give detailed instructions as to how to manage their families one he’s gone.

One such example of detailed instructions is, “Anshoo, I love you. The keys are in your dressing table drawer,” wrote a 28 year old man to his wife before departing from Earth. Girdhar who studied almost 425 cases of suicide and picked up about 68 suicide notes in about 2 years revealed that women barely blamed others in their suicide notes.

The study also suggests that the suicide notes had written with a lot of anguish and frustration due to which the notes are torn and the words seem to be hurriedly scribbled. In a rare case for example, a 35 year old man had scribbled his defeat against clinical depression in an empty carton box.

There was another suicide note as Girdhar reveals that had a portrait of his wife with the words “forgive me” on it. Girdhar maintains that most of the suicide notes were found either in the pockets of the men on tables. She also says that sometimes these notes were addressed quiet formally, when addressed to spouse, parents or siblings.

Some notes also revealed failed love and loneliness. Girdhar very emphatically reveals that the suicide notes were written more often by those who belonged to the educated middle-class people. Is this a clear pointer of the failing middle class as against the ever-prevailing strength – both monetary and political of the rich and affluent?

Suicide notes whether out of love or success, they are a clear case of low self-image and insecurities that lead people to commit suicide. Nobody is always crazy or mentally ill to kill themselves say experts; it is only the desperateness that drives them to kill themselves. A suicide attempt can also be perceived to be a call for help suggest experts. If that call goes unattended or unrecognized, then the call is most likely get worse or louder the next time (source).

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Believe it or not, boys manage to escape this ailment as well – short-term asthma is what they are blessed with as compared to girls say researchers from Brigham and the Harvard Medical School.

As many as 1041 kids were examined and those who were aged between 5-12 years. They already seemed to suffer from mild but persistent symptoms of asthma. The kids were studied with the annual spirometry tests with methacholine.

This medical test is called the methacholine challenge test (medical test) where asthma conditions are diagnosed for as the patient breathes in nebulized methacholine. The in turn initiates the narrowing of airways which is detected when a person performs the spirometry (the amount and speed at which air is inhaled and exhaled). Experts opine that people with asthma react to even lower dosage of inhaled methacholine.

Over a few years, the researchers found that the girls required the same levels of methacholine but the boys needed more. The researchers thereby opine that the boys were able to combat the disease much earlier and faster than the girls which helped them conclude that boys suffered from short-term asthma as compared to girls.

Dr Kelan Tantisira, lead author of the study says that the study addressed some basic mechanisms that identified gender differences in asthma severity and incidence. Kelan opines that the gender differences with relation to asthma conditions became more prevalent during the kids early stages of puberty.

The details of the study are published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care ( source ).

Would it suffice to say men are more carefree about the challenges, worries and problems around them and women are not? That would explain it all. A study conducted by the University of Cambridge (England) suggests that women tend to start of as happy in their initial and younger days but grow up to be the sadder ones around midlife. The basis of the study being happiness or satisfaction attained from financial stability and family life.

Anke Plagnol, an economist and lead author of the study says that the researchers looked into the aspirations of people and what they did or how successful were they in meeting their desires.

About 47000 men and women are being studied upon for decades to arrive at some solid results. Finally, researchers from the University of Cambridge are able to tell that women’s happiness decreases than that of men whose increases much ahead of women on attaining 48 years and beyond.

Expert cite an important parameter for judging the levels of happiness – they say that the extent to which one can fulfill his or her aspirations makes a person either happy or satisfied at the end of the day.

This study which is going to be published in the next issue of the Journal of Happiness Studies reveals that women during their earlier years are financially stable, competent and are able to meet their material desires quiet successfully and are hence happy and content with life.

However, towards their late 40s or so, on account of situations like divorce, separation, etc they feel burdened with life and the problems coming their in terms of lack of financial and emotional securities. On the other hand, men feel less burdened (thanks to our patriarchal belief systems) and probably more free from ties, relationships, commitments, sharing wealth and riches, etc.

Of course, divorce or separation can happen much before than expected thereby adding to the trauma of women to become sad much before their time. Refuting traditional thoughts and beliefs, women of today believe in securing their lives in a better way and are hence stealing the top position in almost every second corporate firm. However, emotional grief is something that cannot be met with money.

Though finances and family play a major role in determining one’s happiness, there are yet other factors that contribute significantly in making one content in life – religion, divorce, etc. Arthur Brooks, an economist from Syracuse University says that religion and marriage today have a huge impact on one’s satisfaction and/or happiness levels.

No matter what it takes to be happy or sad; it is the “power of choice” that helps people reach their goals and desires. Sometimes, circumstances and situations don’t favor us but people still believe in trying – trying to be happy and in that sense, we can’t help but surrender to the men for their will to stay happy come what may!

Yes, say experts. Infact, junk food can actually ruin the behavior, concentration and performance of your kids. Researchers do not hesitate in stating that fatty, unhealthy, sugar-laden foods can tickle the naughty side of your kids thereby contributing to poor concentration and unhealthy eating patterns. Such studies tell why organizing lunch campaigns have become as important as of today.

Researchers further opine that if kids as early as in their toddler days of 2-3 or 4 years are exposed to carbonated drinks and other kinds of junk foods, then the damage is already done by the time the kid goes to school.

The study has been revealed by the University of London’s Institute of Education. About 14000 medical reports of kids were studied in order to predict that junk foods can contribute to naughtier kids.

Researchers also revealed that if kids aged 3 years or less were fed with junk foods then there were less possibilities of any improvement when the kids turned 6 and 10 years. Dr Pauline Emmett, a nutritionist at the University of Bristol has emphasized that the study reveals a very important point – that early patterns of eating can have a persistent effect in one’s latter stage of life and performance.

Emmett thereby adds that there is a need for parents to carefully monitor and feed their children with well-balanced and nutritious foods during their early stages of life so that they can get the best out of their academic careers.

The study also clearly revealed that if kids ate junk food in their latter years, their studies and academic performance did not suffer as a result of that. So, if you don’t want to spoil your kids’ when they grow older and cannot be controlled; when you cannot do much to change or correct their behavior, future or education, then you, as parents, should be feeding your tiny tots with healthier foods.

“You are what you eat” – does it ring a bell?

Of course, it’s what we choose is what we get at the end of the day. But how often do we realize the harm done to the body? Consider a typical working day – skipping breakfast, rushing to office, getting caught up with meetings, targets to achieve, scrambling for lunch, returning home late, etc etc! Wake up this is all not worth living for.

In the fret to meet our desires and the needs of this ever challenging time, we tend to ignore the needs of the body. Researchers opine that irrespective of how many calories one consumes, the human body can just utilize nutrients, proteins and energy just at one time.

Much of what we eat is thereby lost through wastes or gets deposited in various parts of the body. Experts claim that changing lifestyles, untimely eating, the need to be “thin” are some requirements of modern day living and that which has come in way for us letting us lead a healthy life ahead.

10 NEVER-FORGET Health Mantras for Life
If you want to lead a healthy life, you would have to consider the following 10 never-forget health mantras for life:

• Never Go On A Fad Diet: There is really no point in going for quick weight loss options through restricted and self-administered diets say experts. Researchers further believe that such quick options are short-lived and very seldom work as a long-term solution for weight loss. The point is not to starve your body of essential nutrients but to feed it right and just enough.
• Never Skip Breakfast: Experts think that the next most important thing that needs to be addressed is that one should never skip their breakfast. Studies have shown that skipping breakfast can not only contribute to irregular patterns of eating during the latter half of the day but can also contribute to weight gain as a result of such binge eating. Our biological clock is adjusted such that we sleep and literally starve the body of nutrients for 6-8 hours at night. As a result the body is hungry and starved in the morning. If you skip breakfast, you are forcing your body to extract energy from the muscles, thereby causing you to look lean but unhealthy.
• Never Miss Out On Fibers: Include loads of fiber in your digestion because it aids digestion and is able to recuperate with the slowing down of your metabolism.
• Never Forget to Drink 8 Glasses of Water: Try drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps to flush the system off all impurities, rejuvenates the skin, aids digestion, reduces weakness, dizziness and headaches and boosts your energy and mood.
• Never Forget Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to your health in a big way – controls weight, boosts energy as they are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancers, lowers the cholesterol levels and controls the ageing process as well.
• Never Forget to Trim Fat from Your Diet: Always look for healthier options to include in your diet such as skimmed milk, less use of oils, low-fat cheese or creams, etc, Let the burgers be occasional, fries and coals be very occasional and if possible stop having them completely.
• Never Forget Vitamins and Minerals: Essential nutrients for the body can be sought through fresh fruits vegetables, juices, etc. However, with due consultation from a doctor, mineral supplements can also be taken. Vitamins and minerals give you strength and energy by enriching the heart, eyes, bones, memory, etc to stay active and healthy.
• Never Forget Healthy Snacks: Experts opine that it isn’t a good idea to starve for a long time and that eating your meals at the right time is essential for proper and quick metabolism. However, given the time challenging schedules and work, you could deny your body of the same. As a buffer, carry healthy snacks to your office and remember to keep your stomach filled with small and healthy snacks like apples, etc to avoid bingeing later during the day.
• Never Forget a Balanced Diet: A balanced diet implies that your diet should include sufficient amounts of fats, proteins and carbohydrates for optimum health and performance.
• Never Stay Glued to the Couch: Finally, never allow yourself to stay glued to the couch while you watch your favorite flicks and commercials on screen. Take to the gardening, car washing, spring cleaning, workouts or simply walking to stay active, agile and fit throughout your life.

The choice is always ours whether we like it or not. So if you’re looking towards leading a healthier life, you have the options to do it!

You never know what put people off – your stinky body odor, your dusty shoes or maybe your rotten breath! Experts opine that fresh breath can be sought simply by eating the right foods and by maintaining some oral cleanliness like rinsing or brushing your teeth after meals, brushing before going to bed, etc. It is suggested that maintaining such healthy habits can help minimize the accumulation of bacteria in our mouth.

5 Quick-Fix Remedies for Bad Breath
Listed below are some quick-fix remedies for bad breath:

• Sugar-free Curd: Experts are of the opinion that curd can reduce the occurrence of a common mouth ailment called “gingivitis,” a disease marked by the swelling of the gums around the teeth which are prone to frequent bleeding. Gingivitis arises from bacterial microorganisms that are also referred to as a plaque which begins to grow around the gums of the teeth. Curd is also reported to interfere with hydrogen sulphide or the rotten eggs smell that is released when an enzyme acts as a catalyst to produce hydrogen sulphide, a natural gas that contributes to foul smell.
• Pineapples: Experts are of the opinion that pineapples contain bromelain (a mix of protein-digestive enzymes) which aids digestion and helps check bad breath naturally.
• Raw Vegetables: Researchers suggest that eating raw vegetables can help in fighting bad breath as chewing on raw vegetables can contribute to increased production of saliva. This in turn helps in cleansing the mouth of all impurities life food particles and acid (teeth).
• Drink Plenty of Water: The next quick-fix remedy for bad breath is to drink plenty of water to keep the teeth and gums washed, moist and clean all the time.
• Sugar-free Gum: Finally, researchers opine that a sugar-free chewing gum can also produce a lot of saliva in the mouth which can help fight food particles and acid generated from the teeth, thereby giving no room for bacteria to creep in and cause bad breath.

The above simple ways can contribute towards achieving a larger and healthier goal – fresh breath energy! Look carefully, water, curd, chewing gum, raw vegetables and pineapples are easily available sources. So, you needn’t fumble your bag for cash to buy the otherwise fancy mouthwash or mints.

Have you ever wondered how quickly your hair grows or why it takes so long for it to reach your shoulders? Stanford scientists are a step away from unveiling this mystery – of hair growth. Earlier nothing much was known about hair growth except for the fact that chemicals signaled hair follicles to grow or rest. Today, scientists have cracked the code claiming that a certain molecule called laminin-511 sent a signal to the cells thereby urging the hair follicles to grow in mice.

Scientists opine that the discovery of the molecule comes in the opportune moment when there is a need for not hair development alone but also hair renewal therapies. Researchers also opine that the signal can also work on other body parts too like the kidneys, ears, face, etc.

The study, which was carried out on mice showed that the molecule laminin-511 brought together 2 compartments of the skin cells and led to the creation of hair follicles. Further research is being dedicated to the discovery of the molecule having anything to do with hair loss.

Peter Marinkovich, from the Stanford’s Program in Epithelial Biology claims that injecting the laminin-511 molecule under the skin can probably help in promoting hair growth in that region. Peter also opines that hair growth can be potentially blocked by injecting antibodies against laminin-511.

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