The Telangana Science Journal

Health and Nutrition

(An International Electronic Science Digest Published from the United States of America)
(Click here to subscribe to this free e-journal)
(Dedicated to one of the most backward regions in India, "Telangana," )
Chief Editor: Dr. Sreenivasarao Vepachedu
Associate Editior: Dr. Venktaeswarrao Karuparthy 

Issue 108
5107 Kali Era, Vyaya Year, Margasira/Pushya month
2063 Vikramarka Era, Vyaya Year,  Margasira/Pushya month
1927 Salivahana Era, Vyaya Year, Margasira/Pushya month
 2006 AD, Decmber

Contents

Diet and Exercise
 Recipes
Weight Loss
Vegetarians Have Low Risk of Cancer
High Density Lipoproteins
Brain Exercise





 Cinnamon-Scented Christmas Shortbread
Vegan Fudge Recipe
Vegan Jambalaya

Diet and Exercise
Weight Loss
                                    Weight Loss Reduces Cancer
Losing weight could reduce men's risk of developing prostate cancer. A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that men who lost more than 11 pounds over a 10-year period had a lower risk for an aggressive form of prostate cancer compared to men whose weight stayed the same. While the link between obesity and prostate cancer risk was already shown in earlier studies, this study suggests for the first time that recent weight loss can affect prostate cancer risk.

Children who are still using a bottle by the age of 3 are more likely to be overweight, setting the stage for obesity and related health problems in the future. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked at data on more than 2,000 3-year-olds in low income-families in 20 U.S. cities. They found that 32% of white and black 3-year-olds were overweight or obese, while 44% of poor Hispanic preschoolers were. There was a link between obesity and whether a child was taking a bottle to bed at age 3, and 14% of Hispanics did this, compared to 6% of white kids and 4% of blacks. Having an obese mother was also a major risk factor for childhood obesity. The researchers also said cultural differences, such as a belief that a chubby baby is healthier, could play a role.

Excess calories intake, be they fat or otherwise, are associated with cancer risk. The first experiment ever to show that low-fat diets could help prevent a return of breast cancer now reveals, with longer follow-up, that the benefit was almost exclusively to women whose tumor growth was not driven by hormones.  The new results suggest that these women might be able to cut their risk of dying by up to 66 percent with such diets. The study appears in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Many companies are starting to sound like moms: They're pushing employees to eat their vegetables and go outside and play. And they're not being gentle about it. Besides cost cutting, another factor behind the programs is the amount of time employees spend at work. If workers don't have access to fruits and vegetables on the job, they will need to consume between one and two servings every waking hour after work to meet the goal of eating 5 to 9 servings a day, according to the California Department of Human Services.
           
In the United Kingdom, well over half the population is overweight and more than one in five adults is obese, write Naveed Sattar and colleagues. Obese people are at high risk of multiple health problems, while the cost of obesity to a country's health service is currently estimated at up to 9%, and the overall social cost of the condition is seen as a major hindrance to economic development.

                            Government and Society Should be Involved
If nothing is done, the rising prevalence of obesity could bankrupt the health system, warn doctors in BMJ. People clearly have some responsibility for their health, but society and government also have a responsibility to make the preferred, easy choices healthier ones. It is increasingly apparent that most individuals are unable to make enough “proactive” changes to prevent excess weight gain but are simply “reactive” to their environment. say the authors.

What is provided is what is eaten so what is provided has to change, they add. Thus education alone will fail to halt this obesity epidemic, and environmental changes (physical, food, and fiscal policy) are urgently needed. The authors believe that prevention is the only economic long-term solution to the problem and recommend that:
- The food industry needs to take more responsibility for preventing obesity. And governments, as custodians of public health, should create the conditions for this to happen
-The advertising of energy dense foods needs to be substantially curtailed
-The basic principles of energy balance should be taught in primary schools, and education should be provided at all levels to change attitudes and behaviour towards diet and physical activity
-Obesity should be made a core part of all medical training
-Public health consequences should be considered for all decisions made in public life

Medical practice must adapt to the current epidemic of obesity and nutrition related diseases, while society must also accept that many people now need drugs (and in some cases, surgery) to cut risks of and disability from obesity, and to limit its progression, they write. As the prevalence and costs of obesity escalate, the economic argument for giving high priority to obesity and weight management through a dedicated coordinating agency will ultimately become overwhelming.

The only question is, will action be taken before it’s too late?

Vegetarians Have Low Risk of Cancer
Researchers studying a group of vegetarians who'd maintained a diet with no animal protein and calories found that they had lower blood levels of several hormones and other substances that have been tied to certain cancers. A comparison group of distance runners also had lower levels of most of these substances compared with sedentary adults who followed a typical American diet, that is, relatively high in protein from meat and dairy.  However, the vegetarian group also had a potential advantage over the runners: lower levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a body protein that helps cells grow and multiply. High IGF-1 levels in the blood have been linked to breast, prostate and colon cancers- says a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

High Density Lipoproteins
Men have a higher risk of coronary artery disease than women, and they develop angina and heart attacks about 10 years earlier than their female counterparts. One reason for the gender gap is HDL, the "good" cholesterol: Women have higher levels of this protective form of cholesterol. For decades, scientists have known that high levels of HDL cholesterol protects you from cardiovascular disease.
Brain Exercise
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that "brain training" sessions can keep older people's minds fit and improve their ability to do everyday activities.


Recipes 
Cinnamon-Scented Christmas Shortbread
From Diana Rattray, Your Guide to Southern U.S. Cuisine.
INGREDIENTS: 1 3/4 cups flour (stir before sifting), 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
PREPARATION:Measure the flour, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture just until blended. Shape the dough into a disk shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Cut into rounds, squares, or other shapes. Arrange the cut-outs on prepared baking sheets, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. Heat oven to 350°. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Vegan Fudge Recipe
From Jolinda Hackett, Your Guide to Vegetarian Cuisine.
INGREDIENTS: 6 tablespoons margarine, 3 1/2 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup soymilk, 1 cup chopped nuts (optional).
PREPARATION: Lightly grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan using a little of the margarine. Place the remaining margarine, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and soy milk in a heatproof mixing bowl or the upper part of a double broiler. Place the bowl or broiler over simmering water and stir until smooth. Add the nuts if desired.  Pour the mixture quickly into the prepared pan. Chill thoroughly and cut into squares.
Vegan Jambalaya
From Jolinda Hackett, Your Guide to Vegetarian Cuisine.

Jambalaya is a spicy southern rice dish with tomatoes and veggies. This recipe is Creole style, which means that the rice is simmered in tomato paste, rather than just water. Although this recipe calls for zuchinni and okra, the veggies that you use are really up to you. Eggplant, mushrooms or yellow squash would also work great. This recipe cooks up a generous amount, so plan on having leftovers!
INGREDIENTS: 1 onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 ribs celery, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice; 1 6 oz can tomato paste; 5 cups vegetable broth; 2 zuchinnis, sliced; 1 1/2 cups okra, fresh or frozen)
1 can diced tomatoes OR 4 large tomatoes, diced; 1 cup mock meat, such as Gimme Lean or Morningstar Farms Crumbles (optional); 1 tsp oregano; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste); 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1/2 tsp seasoned salt.
PREPARATION: In a large bowl, mix tomato paste with broth until smooth and set aside. In a large pot, sautee onion, garlic, celery and green pepper until slightly soft, about 5 minutes. Add uncooked rice and allow rice to toast for one minute, stirring. Add tomato and broth mixture. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a separate skillet, sautee the okra, zuchinni and mock meat until just barely cooked, about 3-5 minutes. After the rice has cooked about 10 minutes, add the sauteed mock meat and veggies, spices and diced tomatoes, stirring well. Cover, and allow to simmer 10-15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are fullly cooked and rice is soft. Serve with hot sauce if desired, and enjoy!



This material contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial, tax, medical or health care advice. For information about specific needs or situations, contact your financial agent or physician.
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Source: The primary sources cited above,  New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), Mercury News, Bayarea.com, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Intellihealthnews, Deccan Chronicle (DC), the Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, AP, Reuters, AFP, womenfitness.net, about.com etc.




Copyright ©1998-2006
Vepachedu Educational Foundation, Inc
Copyright Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc., 2006.  All rights reserved.  All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for special medical conditions or any specific health issues or starting a new fitness regimen. Please read disclaimer.



Om! Asatoma Sadgamaya, Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityorma Amritamgamaya, Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih!
(Om! Lead the world from wrong path to the right path, from ignorance to knowledge, from mortality to immortality and peace!)
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