Issue 126

5110 Kali Era, Sarvadhari Year, Jyestha month
2066 Vikramarka Era, Sarvadhari Year, Jyestha month
1930 Salivahana Era, Sarvadhari Year, Jyestha month
2008 AD, June

Contents

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Management
AJIN

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MS

Vegetarian Links

Disclaimer

Soliciataion

Contact

VPC

More Links

Vedah

Diet and Exercise

Healthy Life Style Changes Genetics
Pomegranate
Fats and vegetables

Miscellaneous

Diabetes Menace
Probiotic
Health and Happiness Index

Recipes

Vegan Apple Cinnamon Crisp
Vegan Granola Pie Crust Recipe
Tofu Recipes

Diet and Exercise

Healthy Life Style Changes Genetics
Comprehensive lifestyle changes including a better diet and more exercise can lead not only to a better physique, but also to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level, U.S. researchers said. The test group underwent three months of major lifestyle changes, including eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy products, moderate exercise such as walking for half an hour a day, and an hour of daily stress management methods such as meditation.

As expected, they lost weight, lowered their blood pressure and saw other health improvements. But the researchers found more profound changes when they compared prostate biopsies taken before and after the lifestyle changes. After the three months, the men had changes in activity in about 500 genes -- including 48 that were turned on and 453 genes that were turned off. The activity of disease-preventing genes increased while a number of disease-promoting genes, including those involved in prostate cancer and breast cancer, shut down, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

So, your fate is in your hands, not dependent on your genes or stars!!

Pomegranate
Pomegranate, a rich source of antioxidants, has been linked to improved heart health, but a growing body of science indicates the fruit protect against prostate cancer and slowing cartilage loss in arthritis. It is these antioxidants, and particularly ellagitannin compounds like punicalagins and punicalins, which accounts for about half of the fruit's antioxidant ability, that are reportedly behind the proposed health benefits. An extract from pomegranate may suppress the inflammation and damage in joints linked to arthritis, if results from an animal study can be repeated in humans. The onset and severity of arthritis was delayed and reduced in mice models, according to findings published online ahead of print in the journal Nutrition. The study adds to the joint health science of the fruit, with previous reports indicating pomegranate extracts may block enzymes that contribute to cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis.

Fats and vegetables
Fats and vegetables both have the power to fight cancer, but some are much more effective than others. These fats are packed with cancer-fighting properties:

- Omega-3 Fats: These are fats found in algae, fish, flaxseed, verdelago, canola oil, hempseeds, greens, walnuts, soy etc. The most powerful form of omega-3 oil is its DHA component, which inhibits cancer in a number of ways.

-Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): This is a special type of fat that reduces inflammation, lowers breast cancer development, and melts visceral fat.

-Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA): This is another potent anti-cancer oil, extracted from evening primrose or borage plants. Studies have shown that it not only prevents breast cancer, it suppresses the growth of existing breast cancers. It can also enhance the effectiveness of tamoxifen against breast cancer.

The best vegetables to prevent and treat cancer include: Broccoli (especially broccoli sprouts), Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, Celery, Turnip greens, Spinach, Kale and Parsley.

Miscellaneous

Diabetes Menace
The number of Americans with diabetes has grown to about 24 million people, or roughly 8 percent of the U.S. population, the government said. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on data from 2007, said the number represents an increase of about 3 million over two years. The CDC estimates another 57 million people have blood sugar abnormalities called pre-diabetes, which puts people at increased risk for the disease. Research shows that two out of three people diagnosed with diabetes are not managing their chronic condition, putting them at an alarming risk of serious complications.

The disease results from defects in insulin production that cause sugar to build up in the body. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and can cause serious health problems including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. Among adults, diabetes increased in both men and women and in all age groups, but still disproportionately affects the elderly. Almost 25 percent of the population 60 years and older had diabetes in 2007.

After adjusting for population age differences between various groups, the rate of diagnosed diabetes was highest among Native Americans and Alaska Natives (16.5 percent). This was followed by blacks (11.8 percent) and Hispanics (10.4 percent), which includes rates for Puerto Ricans (12.6 percent), Mexican Americans (11.9 percent), and Cubans (8.2 percent). By comparison, the rate for Asian Americans was 7.5 percent, with whites at 6.6 percent, while Indians (both Indian Americans and Indians) tend to be more prone to diabetes. Part of the blame falls on the adoption of a more Western lifestyle, involving fatty food and too little exercise. Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of diabetes. The world's largest diabetes epidemic is threatening India, which is ill-equipped to cope, say experts. It was estimated that in 2005, there would be 30 to 35 million diabetics in India, and every fifth diabetic in the world would be Indian. That is just the tip of the ice-berg soon to be unraveled.

Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, has a unique around-the-world tour “the Changing Diabetes(R) Bus World Tour and Village” to raise awareness of diabetes prevention and control. The arrival of the 59-foot, interactive mobile showroom and 20,000-square foot village, at San Francisco's Pier 39, East Park, June 6 - June 8, coincided with the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting taking place at the San Francisco Moscone Center. The bus stopped in New York last November to commemorate the first United Nations-sanctioned World Diabetes Day and has since made several additional stops on its way to San Francisco. The tour has taken the bus through Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America to drive awareness of the need for improved diabetes prevention, diagnosis and control as well as better education. Since its 2006 launch in Copenhagen, Denmark, the bus has logged more than 27,000 miles and been visited by more than 100,000 people.

Probiotic
A probiotic drink a day may help keep hay fever away, British researchers said. A small study showed that probiotic, or "good" bacteria in a daily drink can change the immune system's response to grass pollen, a common cause of allergies, and balance antibodies in a way that may provide relief to people with the condition. Probiotics contain live micro-organisms, so-called good bacteria that colonize the intestine. They are sold as supplements but are also found naturally in many fermented foods, including yogurt and certain juices. Humans normally carry several pounds of bacteria in their intestines and they are key to digestion, immune system function and possibly play other beneficial roles. They can also out-compete "bad" bacteria that may cause disease.

Health and Happiness Index
Staying healthy and happy is a struggle for about half of Americans, according to a massive survey that attempts to measure the nation's general welfare, much like the Dow Jones Industrial Average portrays the health of the stock market. Forty-seven percent of Americans are struggling and 4 percent are suffering. Forty-nine percent of respondents are reported to be thriving based on a personal assessment of how they feel about their lives at the time of the survey, and where they think they'll be in five years.

Among all workers, two-thirds reported one or more chronic diseases or recurring conditions. More than a quarter reported back or neck problems; 23 percent cited high cholesterol and 22 percent had high blood pressure. More than one in 10 said they suffered from depression. Nearly two-thirds of workers reported body mass indexes indicating they could be obese or overweight.

Recipes

Sugar- free Vegan Apple Cinnamon Crisp Recipe
INGREDIENTS: 5 - 6 large apples, 6 large dates, diced, approx 1/3 cup water, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1 cup granola, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup vegan margarine
PREPARATION: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Peel the apples, if desired, and slice into thin pieces. In a small bowl, soak the diced dates in water for about 10 minutes, or until soft. Spread the apples in a baking pan or casserole dish. Cover with the granola mixture, then sprinkle with the dates. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

Vegan Granola Pie Crust Recipe
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups granola, 1/3 cup vegan margarine, melted, 1 tsp sugar, water as needed.
PREPARATION: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Process the granola in a blender or food processor until fine. Add melted vegan margarine and sugar. If mixture is still crumbly, add a bit of water, just a little bit at a time. Gently press into a pie tin. Bake for 6-8 minutes.

Tofu Recipes
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/maindishentreerecipes/qt/tofurecipes.htm?nl=1

Health and Nutrition

Issue 126