USE COST EFFECTIVE CFLs AND PROTECT ENVIRONMENT

If you are still using incandescent bulb, then you are contributing to the greatest environmental threat facing us today. The alternative is Compact Fluorescent lamps or CFLs, which are more energy-efficient. A CFL lasts 10 times longer and consumes 80 percent less electricity then the ordinary bulbs. CFLs may be costly but you can recover the cost of the CFL in four months.

PINEAPPLE IS FINE

Pineapple has high enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which play a major role in the body's healing. The benefits of this tropical fruit can be achieved through eating fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple or by drinking its juice. Pineapple is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fibre, and vitamin C. Besides, it is low in fat and cholesterol.

Pineapple helps to build healthy bones. Pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is needed for the body to build bone and connective tissues.

Many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when one has a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice. The bromelain contained in fresh pineapple can relieve indigestion as well.

Pineapples are good for one's oral health, because of its high vitamin C content.

MUSIC THERAPY – A REMEDY FOR EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Music therapy offers a safe, secure space for the release of feelings. Music therapists work with children and adults with learning disabilities, physical, emotional and psychological disorders and sensory impairments. People with emotional traumas may find that music therapy can provide a safe setting for expressing their repressed feelings. Music Therapists say that it has most dramatic effect on children in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Irrespective of the degree of their autism, they all respond to the music.

VITAMIN D GIVES LONGER LIFE

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble compound which acts like a hormone, regulating the formation of bone and absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the intestine. It is fact that Vitamin D is definitely good for health, but a new study has revealed that taking a pill of the organic compound everyday could help you live longer. The vitamin D is produced naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight and is also found in salmon, tuna and other oily fish, and routinely added to milk.

QUIT SMOKING, AVOID LUNG CANCER

Smoking is the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer, with nearly nine out of 10 lung cancer cases occur due to smoking. The level of risk is affected by the length of time someone has smoked and also the quantity smoked. For example, if one has smoked 20 cigarettes per day for 40 years, he/ she is approximately eight times more likely to develop lung cancer than if he/ she smokes 40 cigarettes per day for 20 years.

Passive smoking is also a risk factor with a 25 per cent increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancer in spouses of smokers, while people who are exposed to smoke at work have an increased risk of about 17 per cent. So, please avoid smoking.

Diabetes - not cured, but controlled

Control of the blood sugar level becomes unsatisfactory if the insulin secretion is inadequate for the diet consumed. Diabetes sets in once the naturally available insulin is less than 20 per cent. The damaged pancreas may not produce adequate insulin to meet the demand.

Complex carbohydrates and fibre have to be added to delay digestion and absorption and maintain the blood sugars evenly. Instead of vitamin supplements, adequate raw vegetables or fruits can be eaten. The salt should be kept at five gm/day or lower.

If the food intake has been inadequate or activity excessive, the blood sugar levels may suddenly drop in a diabetic on treatment and causes a sudden feeling of tiredness, uncontrolled yawning, slurred speech, sweating, fainting. This is dangerous, and should be tackled immediately by eating or drinking something sweet.

Regular exercise in a systematic way releases body chemicals which help to keep the blood sugar under control all day. Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be well-controlled with diet, exercise and medication.

GOITRE - IODINE DEFICIENCY

The main cause of goitre is the deficiency of iodine in the diet. Goitre is more common among women, swelling of thyroid leads to goitre due to hypothyroidism.

Doctors say, it can be treated by medication or by surgery depending on the cause. Deficiency of iodine occurs when the daily intake, especially from food and water, does not fulfill the iodine requirement of the body. There are regions that lack iodine and crops grown on such soil are deficient in iodine.

Iodine is mainly required for thyroid functioning and for the production of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create thyroid hormone. This hormone is required for the normal functioning of organs in the body. Inadequate quantity of iodine intake cause thyroid glands to bulge and stops the secretion of thyroxin, which is essential for the physical and mental growth of growing children, and thereby leading to goitre.

One should consume at least 150 mg of iodine per day to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). Doctors say IDD leads to mental retardation, development of goitre, lowered IQ, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths. Iodine is required for the essential growth of children. During pregnancy, proper care should be taken to see expecting mothers are not deficient in Iodine.

The deficiency of iodine leads to hypothyroidism, which is common in women than in men, The symptoms include , changes in skin, putting on weight, feeling cold, hair fall, constipation. Among adults, IDD can result in low productivity and lack of energy. Iodine intake in excess can also be harmful and can cause other illness. A very large dose of iodine can lead to iodine goitre and cause hyperthyroidism. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include eye changes (prominent), palpitation, rapid weight loss, and tremors in hands, frequent passing motion. And in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, there will be swelling in the neck.

One can lead a healthy life and can easily prevent IDD by consuming iodised salt.