7 Reasons Why Crying Is Good

New York Times reporter Benedict Carey referred to tears in a recent piece as “emotional perspiration.” Given that I sweat a lot and hate deodrant, I suppose it makes sense that I weep often. But I’m not going to apologize for that, because after a good cry, I always feel cleansed, like my heart and mind just rubbed each other’s backs in a warm bath.
 
In his intriguing article, “The Miracle of Tears” in which I found some of the research for this gallery, author Jerry Bergman writes: “Tears are just one of many miracles which work so well that we taken them for granted every day.”

Here, then, are seven ways tears and the phenomenon we call “crying” heal us physiologically, psychologically, and spiritually.

1. Tears Help Us See

The most basic function of tears is that they enable us to see. Literally. Tears not only lubricate our eyeballs and eyelids, they also prevent dehydration of our various mucous membranes. No lubrication, no eyesight. Writes Jerry Bergman: “Without tears, life would be drastically different for humans—in the short run enormously uncomfortable, and in the long run eyesight would be blocked out altogether.”

2. Tears Kill Bacteria

No need for Clorox wipes. We’ve got tears! Our own antibacterial and antiviral agent working for us, fighting off all the germs we pick up on community computers, shopping carts, public sinks, and all those places the nasty little guys make their homes and procreate.

Tears contain lysozyme, a fluid that the germ-a-phobe dreams about in her sleep, because it can kill 90 to 95 percent of all bacteria in just five to ten minutes! This translates, I’m guessing, to three months’ worth of colds and stomach viruses.

3. Tears Remove Toxins

Biochemist William Frey, who has been researching tears for as long as I’ve been searching for sanity, found in one study that emotional tears—those formed in distress or grief—contained more toxic byproducts than tears of irritation (think onion peeling). Are tears toxic then?

No! They actually remove toxins from our body that build up courtesy of stress. They are like a natural therapy or massage session, but they cost a lot less!

4. Crying Can Elevate Mood

Do you know what your manganese level is? Neither do I. But chances are that you will feel better if it’s lower because overexposure to manganese can cause bad stuff: anxiety, nervousness, irritability, fatigue, aggression, emotional disturbance, and the rest of the feelings that live inside my head rent-free.

The act of crying can actually lower a person’s manganese level. And just like with the toxins I mentioned in my last point, emotional tears contain 24 percent higher albumin protein concentration—responsible for transporting small (toxic) molecules--than irritation tears.

5. Crying Lowers Stress

Tears really are like perspiration, in that exercising and crying both relieve stress. In his article, Bergman explains that tears remove some of the chemicals built up in the body from stress, like the endorphins leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin. The opposite is true too. Bergman writes, “Suppressing tears increases stress levels, and contributes to diseases aggravated by stress, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and peptic ulcers.

6. Tears Build Community

In her Science Digest article, writer Ashley Montagu argued that crying not only contributes to good health, but it also builds community. I know what you’re thinking: “Well, yeah, but not the right kind of community. I mean, I might ask the woman bawling her eyes out behind me in church what’s wrong or if I can help her, but I’m certainly not going to invite her to dinner.”

I beg to differ. As a prolific crier, I always come away astounded by the resounding support of people I know, and the level of intimacy exchanged among them. Read for yourselves some of the comments on both my self-esteem file video my death and dying video and you’ll appreciate my point. Tears help communication and foster community.

7. Tears Release Feelings

Even if you haven’t just been through something traumatic or are severely depressed, the average Joe goes through his day accumulating little conflicts and resentments. Sometimes they gather inside the limbic system of the brain and in certain corners of the heart. Crying is cathartic. It lets the devils out before they wreak all kind of havoc with the nervous and cardiovascular systems. As John Bradshaw writes in his bestseller Home Coming, “All these feelings need to be felt. We need to stomp and storm; to sob and cry; to perspire and tremble.” By Therese Borchard

15 spectacular tricks to teach your body

1.) If you've got an itch in your throat, scratch your ear. When the nerves in the ear get stimulated, they create a reflex in the throat that causes a muscle spasm, which cures the itch.

2.) Having trouble hearing someone at a party or on the phone? Use your right ear…it's better at picking up rapid speech.. But, the left is better at picking up music tones.

3.) If you need to relieve yourself BADLY, but you're not anywhere near a bathroom, fantasize about RELATIONS. That preoccupies your brain and distracts it..

4.) Next time the doctor's going to give you an injection, COUGH as the needle is going in. The cough raises the level of pressure in your spinal canal, which limits the pain sensation as it tries to travel to your brain..

5.) Clear a stuffed nose or relieve sinus pressure by pushing your Tongue against the roof of your mouth…then pressing a finger between your eyebrows. Repeat that for 20 seconds…it causes the vomer bone to rock, which loosens your congestion and clears you up.

6.) If you ate a big meal and you're feeling full as you go to sleep, lay on your left side. That'll keep you from suffering from acid reflux…it keeps your stomach lower than your esophagus, which will help keep stomach acid from sliding up your throat

7.) You can stop a toothache by rubbing ice on the back of your hand, on the webbed area between your thumb and index finger. The nerve pathways there stimulate a part of the brain that blocks pain signals from your mouth.

8.) If you get all messed up on liquor, and the room starts spinning, put your hand on something stable. The reason: Alcohol dilutes the blood in the part of your ear called the cupula, which regulates balance. Putting your hand on something stable gives your brain another reference point, which will help make the world stop spinning.

9.) Stop a nose bleed by putting some cotton on your upper gums…right behind the small dent below your nose…and press against it hard. Most of the bleeding comes from the cartilage wall that divides the nose, so pressing there helps get it to stop.

10.) Nervous? Slow your heart rate down by blowing on your thumb. The vagus nerve controls your heart rate, and you can calm it down by breathing.

11.) Need to breathe underwater for a while??? Instead of taking a huge breath, HYPERVENTILATE before you go under, by taking a bunch of short breaths. That'll trick your brain into thinking it has more oxygen, and buy you about 10 extra seconds.

12.) You can prevent BRAIN FREEZE by pressing your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much surface area as possible. Brain freeze happens because the nerves in the roof of your mouth get extremely cold, so your brain thinks your whole body is cold. It compensates by overheating…which causes your head to hurt. By warming up the roof of your mouth, you'll chill your brain and feel better.

13.) If your hand falls asleep, rock your head from side to side. That'll wake your hand or arm up in less than a minute. Your hand falls asleep because of the nerves in your neck compressing…so loosening your neck is the cure. If your foot falls asleep, that's governed by nerves lower in the body, so you need to stand up and walk around.

14.) Finally, this one's totally USELESS, but a nice trick. Have Someone stick their arm out to the side, straight, palm down. Press down on his wrist with two fingers. He'll resist, and his arm will stay horizontal. Then, have him put his foot on a surface that's half an inch off the ground, like a stack of magazines, and do the trick again. Because his spine position is thrown off, his arm will fall right to his side, no matter how much he tries to resist.

15.) Got the hiccups? Press thumb and second finger over your eyebrows until the hiccups are over usually shortly.

PS : please consult a physician before practicing the same.

Best Foods for a Healthy Heart

Wherever you turn, you hear about problems of heart and cholesterol! What actually happens to your heart and why are so panicked about heart disease? Is there any natural way to keep your heart healthy and safe from the danger zone? Yes, you can, if you follow certain food tips to check your cholesterol and keep your heart normal in its functioning.



Try Soluble Fiber!

Soluble Fiber is very important in controlling the LDL cholesterol in your body. Oatmeal is the first food to occupy your dietary chart. It contains a lot of soluble fiber called Beta- glucan, which reduces the bad cholesterol in the body and regulates the heart's functioning. Along with this, you can try barley and beans, which are equally good in absorbing the bad cholesterol. You feel light and fit in the body to work fast and energetically. There is no room for saturated fat and your heart also feels healthy. Nuts such as walnuts and almonds are rich in fibrous contents and make way for a heart healthy diet for you.
A Hearty meal with Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are abundantly rich in antioxidants and carve a healthy dietary life for you to make you feel safe and secure. You can give a big nod to fruits like apple, orange, blueberries, papayaand vegetables like carrots, asparagus, sweet potato, spinach and broccoli in your breakfast and lunch. You can feel the way they absorb the bad cholesterol and boost the good cholesterol levels. The heart doesn't struggle to pump the blood as there is no room for saturated fat diet and you make a life pattern smooth and hassle free. No emergencies and no fluctuations in your blood pressure levels.
Switch over to smart fats

Meat and eggs are high in saturated fat and make you plump and unfit for health, if you do not go in for a lot of exercise. Simpler fats can be the alternative as you find in fish and fish oil, which are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids. Say no to sweets, fried things and snacks which are full of trans fats. Include more of unsaturated fat items in your diet. Olive oil does wonders for your heart with its abundant monounsaturated fat. You can have it as the right substitute for vegetable oil and butter on your table and enjoy your meal at its best with the finest flavor the food renders. Let your meal be good and tasty as well. Take a lot of plant food like flax seeds and soy beans, which contain much of Omega 3 fatty acids. You may also take a glass of green tea to detoxicate your body in the morning and allow it to function normally without complication in the long run.
Prepare different heart healthy meals

You need not feel bad that your taste buds are prohibited and you lose half of the charm of your life. You can try different meal patterns, which are less in saturated fats and high in fibrous content. Why don't you try pumpkin ravioli, instead of the one with mutton? Instead of French fries, you can make sweet potato wedges. Brussels sprouts and hazelnuts can be there to decorate a little piece of meat and push your way for a sumptuous dish. Lots of salads with oranges, red onions and mint give a rich flavor and stomach filling effect.




In general, less of sugar, salt, fats and more of fiber, unsaturated fat and omega 3 fatty acid items pave way for a healthy heart meal and take your life from risk to safe domain in terms of health concerns. Avoid risk, feel brisk and work with energy with the help of smart fats

5 Food Combinations You Should Avoid!

There are many food combinations that are perfectly healthy for us, and even enhance the natural qualities of each other. On the other hand,it's no less important what foods are not advised to mix, as they cancel each other's health benefits,and at times cause digestion and other problems.

1. Coffee and Eggs

This lethal combination is part of many resaurants and families breakfast, and yet the polyphoneles in the coffee actually reduce the absorption of iron from the eggs and decreases the amount of calcium in our bones.
Tip: If you can't get through the day without caffeine, try to switch from coffee to chai tea, which supplies caffeine but also contains spices that improve the flow of blood and mental 

2. Milk and ANY other food

Milk requires a huge amount of effort to be digested - by itself. Any other food you'll consume with it may cause you digestive problems, especially as we grow older.
Tip: If you've got a hankering for a glass of milk, drink it with a spoon of honet, since taking them together creates antibacterial qualities that are very healthy for the body.

3. Meat and potatos

This one may surprise you. It sure as heck suprised us. However, although they make for a full and satisfying meal, the starch from the potatos is digested in the smaller intestine while the protein from the meat is digested in the stomach, so when we eat them together we may suffer from digestive problems and lower metabolism.

4. Fruits and any other food

Fruits are an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants, but they also contain large amounts of acids that make them to ferment in the stomach and slow the digestion of other foods.
Tip: Only beans don't ferment in the stomach. Eat other fruit on an empty stomach to avoid digestive problems and gas eruptions.

5. Greens and Dairy Products

Is this true? After all, creamed spinach, for example, is an excellent side dish. Unfortuantely, research shows that the chemicals in green vegetables (without starch, like spinach, brokoly, cabbage etc) may prevent the abosption of calcium from the dairy products. Instead, try to combine them with lean foods rich in protein, such as fish or chicken.

How to Stay Healthy While Eating Out

While eating out once in a while can be a great treat for you and your family, it doesn't necessarily need to be a guilty pleasure, or a break from your normally healthy diet. Just by paying attention to what you order, you can ensure that your next restaurant dining experience, whether it's at a fast-food chain or a sit-down restaurant won't be a burden to your body.





The most important thing is to see what your options are:

Avoid Sugary Drinks
One very easy way to lower your calorie intake is by being careful about what you drink. Instead of going for the soda, why not a glass of water instead? It helps to cleanse the palate, thus making your food tastier, and drinking plenty of water helps to send the message to your brain that your stomach is full, which helps you to eat less. Also, consider low-fat or fat-free milk for your children, and if you simply must have that soda, go for the diet option! Finally, beware of what you're getting when you order juice; while it might seem like a healthy option, many fruit juices out there today are little better than fruit syrups. When in doubt, go with the water option.

Go Whole-Wheat
Whether it's for your breakfast toast, your lunchtime sandwich, or the complimentary dinner bread, whole-wheat is the clear choice for the health-conscious consumer. White bread is made from refined flour, which loses fibers, vitamins, and minerals in the manufacturing process. Whole-wheat bread retains these essentials, and also acts as a powerful laxative to prevent constipation. Studies have also shown that consumers of whole-wheat bread weigh less on average, and enjoy reduced risks of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.

Pick the Salad
Salad is also a great source of fiber, and contains plenty of antioxidants which help the body deal with harmful free-radicals. The fruit and vegetable content is also very high in vitamins and minerals, while providing many other benefits in addition. Vegetables play a role in reducing the risk of cancer, heart attack, and stroke, especially tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. One thing to keep in mind though: take it easy on the dressing. Salad dressings often contain high levels of fat and preservatives, such MSG, and hydrogenated oils, which contribute to the formation of unhealthy trans-fats. These additives can easily neutralize the health-benefits of picking that salad over a soup or a side of french fries, so order your dressing on the side if you can.

Fish for Your Protein
Fish is a healthy alternative to beef or pork as a source of protein and as a tasty entree. It has a much, much lower fat content, while being high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower the rsik of heart disease by boosting your levels of HDLs (the good cholesterol) and by reducing inflammation. Oily fish are also rich in vitamin A and vitamin D.

Order What You Want

When placing your order, don't be afraid to be as assertive as it takes to get the healthy meal you want. For example, see if you can get a smaller portion instead of eating that plate-sized steak. If a meal comes with a side of mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, ask instead if they have a salad option. Ask about the way your food is being prepared, and if it's possible to change it; get your salmon filet grilled instead of fried, wrap that burger in lettuce instead of white bread. It does not hurt to ask, so get the most for your buck!

10 Ways To Healthy Eating

Healthy eating provides your body with the energy and nutrition for its proper functioning, reduces your risk to many life threatening diseases, and protects you against several disorders and diseases. This article lists 10 ways that would pave way for healthy eating.

1. Never skip your breakfast - Breakfast is the most important meal of a day. Skipping your breakfast can reduce your overall energy levels, lowers your metabolic rate, reduces your concentrating capacity, decreases your blood sugar level, and leads to overeating during the other meal times. Start your day with a healthy breakfast that is low in calorie levels. A breakfast consisting of a cup of milk, some bread and a cup of fresh fruits can be wholesome breakfast.

2. Avoid salty foods - Many people who are used to consuming salty foods, adapt themselves to it too much that when they consume foods that have lower amounts of salt, they find them quite tasteless. A study says that most people worldwide consume twice as much salt as recommended. So, cut your salt consumption and add taste to your food with spices.

3. Maintain a food journal - Research says that maintaining a food journal can bring in discipline into your food habits especially when a dietary change is being implemented. So, write down everything that you eat in a day in a book. This will help you to recognize those areas where you need a healthy change.

4. Eat slowly - Slow eating is a great way to relish your food, to eat less, and to pave way for easy digestion. Eat mindfully and slowly. You can do this by putting down the spoon and cutting down your food into smaller pieces before taking them. Chew whatever goes into your mouth well.

5. Plan before you shop - Make a detailed grocery shopping list before you go for shopping. Evaluate the purpose of each food item on the list. Cut off all the filler foods from the list. This will help you eliminate buying those calorie rich things that are completely unhealthy. Also, be mindful to go for shopping in full stomach, else you will end up buying food stuff high in empty calories.

6. Buy loads of seasonal fruits and vegetables - Nature has its own way of teaching us healthy eating styles. It produces certain fruits and vegetables in abundance in certain seasons to tell us that we need to consume those in plenty during those times. Besides, seasonal fruits and vegetables taste good and they do not make a hole in our pockets.

7. Avoid buying drinks other than milk - Beverages available at stores may seem attractive, but they are loaded with artificial sweeteners and sugar that add to empty calories. Avoid even those packaged fruit juices. You can make fresh and healthy fruit juices at your own home. Besides, they won't cost much if you make them by yourself.

8. Make your own snacks - Cut down buying those commercial snacks. Instead, prepare them at your home. Fruit salad, boiled sprouted pulses, air-popped popcorn, steamed vegetables, baby carrots, rice cakes, dry fruits, etc are healthy snack alternatives. You can come up with lots of them by being a little innovative. You can also prepare homemade soups and stews at home for your family.

9. Variety is the key - Ensure that the food items that you consume in a day contain all the nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, water, and protein. For this, you need to eat a variety of food stuff each day.

10. Take reduced amount of fat and fatty food - Taking too much fat is not healthy. However, you need fats for the proper functioning of your body. So, consume fats in a lower quantity. Let the fats that you consume be of the "good fats" group. The good fats are rich in mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Sunflower oil, olive oil, avocados, peanut oil, canola oil, cashews, etc.

10 Must Have Foods to Beat the Summer Heat

It's hot out there and as the mercury soars across the country, counteracting the hot, sticky summertime heat can be a big task. Most of us try to stay indoors to beat the heat. Indulging in a variety of nutritious foods is another great way to stay comfortable. Being a natural coolant, these foods lend you a hand to beat the summer's heat. Try these delicious and cool options to keep your body cool.

1. Tender Coconut: The first thing that comes to our mind when we think about summer is tender coconut. This delicious water is a great coolant and is a rich source of potassium. It should be a staple diet for everyone in the summer to keep the body cool and hydrated.

2. Mangoes: Mangoes are available abundantly in summer. Indians make complete use of the fruit. In addition to savoring delicious mango pulps and juices, traditionally there are many preparations using raw green mango as well. Raw mango is rich in vitamin C and iron. Aam ka panna is a great summer cooler and help greatly in beating the heat. It prevents you from heat stroke and helps to get rid of stomach problems in the summer.

3. Watermelon: Watermelon is an ultimate summer fruit and contains 90% water. It is not only delicious but also is rich in anti-oxidants, iron, beta carotene and a good source of potassium. Besides a thirst and heat reducer, Watermelon is filling and has fewer calories and hydrates the body. This crunchy, juicy summer fruit is a must to stay cool and healthy in the hot summer. In addition, they are good for cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer and diabetes.

4. Curd: Curd is an excellent coolant. Making curd a part of a meal is necessary in the summer. Buttermilk is a great beverage in the summer and boost digestion. In place of soda and aerated drinks, drinking a glass of buttermilk will help to stay fresh and hydrated throughout the day. For those who do not like plain curd or buttermilk, masala chass with full of spices is the way to go.

5. Lemon: Lemon is packed with vitamin c and serves as a natural antiseptic for all small cuts. Fresh lime water, the good old nimboo pani is not only the easiest to make but also keeps the body intoxicated and cool.

6. Onions: In spite of its tear inducing properties, onions are excellent coolant and adding a raw onion in your meal on hot summer days protect you from sunstroke. It is better to have few mints handy for later use.

7. Mint: Mint is known for its cooling effect and is widely used in India, Middle East and Europe. Besides offering a soothing flavor to the food, adding mint leaves to buttermilk, lemon water and salads provide cooling effect as well. It can be used in many ways. You can have it as a chutney or simply add mint to your drinking water. Moreover, it has therapeutic property and is used in making ointments for burns and other beauty products.

8. Cucumber: This crunchy vegetable is packed with water and lots of fiber and is a popular summer food. In addition to its cooling effects, it has antioxidant properties that help to fight against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Add cucumber in salads, make delicious dishes by combining it with curd and stay as cool as a cucumber

9. Gulkand: It is also known as rose jam and has amazing cooling properties. It is made from the extract of rose petals and is handy to make rose sherbet.

10. Spicy foods: Though it may seem contradictory, spices are cooling aids. They induce sweat and thereby reduce body temperature. Add cardamom in tea to relieve heat and chunk in some turmeric while cooking.

During the summer, our body loses water through perspiration. So, it is imperative to keep the body hydrated. Ensure to drink several liters of water, fresh juices, stews and broths that keep you cool along with pumping essential nutrients.

15 Insects that could Save Life!

1. Blow Fly Larvae to Treat Wounds and Infectious Bone Disease

When the blow fly lands in an open gash, it does what all flies do – it lays maggots. But these maggots are special; they secrete a curative chemical known as allantoin. Today’s doctors use allantoin (extracted from blow fly maggots) to treat osteomyelitis... kind of gross, but effective.

2. Maggot Therapy
Some doctors, however, don’t even bother extracting the allantoin. Instead, they insert maggots directly into the open cut in a process known as maggot debridement therapy (MDT). As the maggots squirm they eat infection-causing bacteria and dead tissue.

3. Bee Venom Therapy
Pat Wagner gets stung 200 times a week. Intentionally. Even though she may seem like a nutcase, her reasoning is sound; bee venom (which is rich in enzymes, peptides, glucocorticoids and other curative components) has been proven to help with everything from rheumatoid arthritis to Multiple Sclerosis.

4. Ant Venom to Treat Arthritis

Interesting fact #1: ant bites contain traces of venom. Interesting fact #2: ant venom reduces swelling and eases joint pains. “Treatment” used to mean haphazardly stepping on a colony, but modern doctors are harnessing the venom and using it as an alternativetreatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Green Tree Ants used as Medicine by Australia Aborigines
Ironically, green ants make for a mean tea... one that gets rid of headaches and colds, or can be used to clean wounds. And yes, the aborigines really drank concoctions made from the crushed carcasses of these ants. Strangely, the ant brew has about the same gustatory quality as actual green tea.

6. Army Ants Used for Wound Sutures
In the jungles of South America and Africa, some natives use army ants to close open wounds. After the ant bites into the flesh, they rip off the body so the head acts a biological “staple”. And just look at those jowls! Hard to picture them having any use besides biting into living flesh.

7. Cobwebs Used for Wound Dressing
Clean cobwebs have been used as a make-shift bandage since the Middle Ages. Just keep an eye for any poisonous inhabitants before ripping apart their home. There is even talk of using manufactured spider silk for ligament replacement and bone grafting.

8. The Power full Cantharidin from BlisterBeetles

It’s only a myth that frogs give you warts, but it’s a verified fact that certain beetles can get rid of them. The secret ingredient, if you want to call it that, is cantharidin – an oil that forms blisters on the skin. When ingested, cantharides are ridiculously poisonous (as little as 10 mg can kill you) so using it to cure mouth warts (or as an aphrodisiac a la Spanish Fly) is not recommended.

9. Cockroaches Brain Could Be Used As Antibiotics
Cockroach brains contain a powerful antibiotic that can obliterate E.coli and MRSA infections. But you have to eat or drink them. The doctors may have to change the name (rochie pills?) if they expect patients to buy in.

10. Curing Syphilis with Malaria Mosquito Stings

Malaria can kill you, but syphilis kills you worse. At least, that’s the reasoning to giving syphilis patients bits from malarial mosquitoes. The malaria feeds on the syphilis, leaving the patient healthy... if the antimalarial agent kicks in fast enough to keep the patient alive.

11. Cartepillar Fungus - An Ancient Chinese Medicine

Caterpillar fungus gained popularity after National Games winning runners claimed a fungus tonic helped by relieving stress. Chinese doctors also believe it can spike energy levels, cure various diseases and jack up sexual drive. Who knows? Take enough caterpillar fungus pills and you may turn into a sex hungry deviant with the energy of 3 men and the overall health of Greek god.

12. Cochineal Beetle Cough Remedy
Cochineal beetles are one of the ugliest insects on the face of the planet (see above). However, a couple of handfuls of them – when doused in alcohol and drank - make for a great cure to whooping cough, urinary tract infection and asthma.

13. Cicadas Used As Diuretics

Cicadas ate the biblical Egyptians out of house and home. Somewhere along the line, humans got hip and starting eating the cicadas instead... leading to the discovery that they can cure urinary tract infections. All across the land, the people finally rejoiced that it no longer burned when they eliminated fluids.

14. Silk Moth to Treat Heart Disease
Silkworms are good for more than cloud soft dress items; they’re also a source of a curious biochemical known as Serratia E15. For silkworms, Serratia E15 helps them transition from slithering abominations into semi-graceful moths by dissolving their cocoons. For men, it helps prevent heart disease through some undocumented process.

15. Insects as Food Supplements

If you’re not a big fan of Brussels sprouts or broccoli, insects are definitely the way to go. They’re rich in vitamins and nutrients. Plus, until you’ve experience the crunch of a roasted termite (iron) or the squish of silkworm moth larvae (copper, iron, thiamine, zinc, riboflavin) you simply haven’t lived!

Know Your Blood type

Most people think that blood type is not very important. One must know that a single drop of blood contains a person's blueprint relating to genes inherited. Among other things, our blood type affects our digestive system. We may drink or eat or avoid food items depending on blood type.

There are four blood types:

O, A, B, AB. O is the oldest; then comes A, then B and then AB.

TYPE O: Our O ancestors lived for the most part as hunters in Africa. They ate a lot of meat. Their digestive system supported the consumption of large quantities of high-protein animal flesh.
As the population grew, these 'O' ancestors were all the time moving to different parts of the world to make a new home. They spilt in to two groups; one headed north into Europe (25000-15000); the other, a bit later (15000-10000 BC), headed towards Himalayas.

Profile: High protein meat eaters.

Type 'O's have higher acidity levels to digest meat. But due to the high natural acidity of 'O's, they have a greater risk of stomach ulcers, if they have a diet lacking balance in proportion.

Avoid: Wheat, maize, plant's seeds used as food, cabbage and cauliflower.

Type A: Over the years, the group that moved north developed by gradual changes into a mainly agricultural society. The cultivation of livestock and grains changed everything.

The lighter skin which they developed provided them better protection against frost bite and was also able to metabolize Vitamin d in a better way in a land known for shorter days and longer nights.

Their digestive system could no longer tolerate feeding on flesh.

The blood type changed in the form, quality, etc in a better way and met the needs of the surroundings.

Blood Type A is still found in its highest concentration in Western Europe.

Profile: Vegetarian

Type 'A's have a lower acidity level than 'O's. They cannot digest animal protein well. They should be vegetarians. If they eat up a lot of animal proteins, they run the risk of stomach cancer.

Avoid: meat, dairy products and wheat.

TYPE B: Similarly, the 'O' group that headed to the Himalayas also adapted genetically to the conditions. This new Type B is found in increased numbers in Japan, Mongolia, China and India.

Profile: agreeable to all kind of food, animal or vegetable.

Avoid: corn (maize), lentil, peanuts, seasame seeds and wheat.

Type AB: Type AB is the newest among all blood types.

Profile: Mixed diet in moderation.

Avoid: red meat, seeds and corns.

People with blood group 'O' are called 'Universal donors' and group AB are called 'Universal receivers'.

Blood group AB can give blood to AB and receive blood from AB, A,B,O,; Blood group A can give blood to A and AB and can receive blood from A and O; Blood group B can give blood to B and AB and can receive blood from B and O; Blood group O can give blood to AB,A,B,O and can receive blood from O.

Our immune system has advanced methods to find out whether a substance is foreign or not. One method consists of chemical markers called 'antigens'. If our blood type finds out that a foreign antigen has entered our body, it creates 'antibodies' to destroy it.

When we eat a food containing proteins lectins found mainly in plant seeds that are not going well together with our blood type antigen, the lectins target an organ like kidney, liver, brain, stomach, etc. and begin to stick together blood cells in that area.

The key is to avoid the lectins that stick to our particular cells, decided by our blood type. For example, gluten, the most common lectin found in wheat and other grains, sticks to the lining of the small intestine. It causes substantial inflammation and painful irritation in some blood types - especially Type O. However, lectins vary widely, according to their source.

If you follow the Blood Type plan you can:

·                     Avoid many common viruses and infections.

·                     Lose weight, as your body frees itself of toxins and fats.

·                     Fight back against life-threatening diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and liver failure.

·                     Avoid many of the factors that cause quick cell decay thus slowing down the aging process.

Regardless of blood types, drink plenty of water daily, eat fruits, vegetables, and avoid sugar and saturated fats. Do physical exercises and avoid mental worries for best absorption of food eaten.

Light after Dark - Manjunath's Story

Ooh! Just wanted to praise Narayana Nethralaya for saving the day again!

Yes, Indeed it is one of the best eye hospitals that provides the best treatments to its patients. I raised this topic because just now I read an article in Bangalore Mirror that a boy named Manjunath G lost his precious eye sight after he waited eagerly watching a gas balloon come down which landed up in a huge crash and the helium cylinder exploded making the life of Manjunath dark forever.

Though Victoria hospital had confirmed that he couldn't see anymore, his father who had faith in God and hope in son's future decided to put him to Narayana Nethralaya which proved them that they are the mother of all the  hospitals. Dr. Himanshu P Matalia, who was able to remove the stones that was stuck in Manjunath's eye, along with  his other team mates told that the boy would recover soon. Manjunath who now has a hope towards new life and is blessed with new life and is in fact given a second chance to lead a normal life is happy that he could play with his friends.

It is indeed a great achievement of the doctors not only in Narayana Nethralaya but all the others who are present in the Health city and work in Narayana Hospitals. Recently Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, founder of Narayana Hrudayalaya in 2001 was awarded with Padma Bhushan award for his work recognised in the field of Medicine.

Any disease is treated in the Health city and the facilities and staff are very advanced and convincing. The advantage of these hospitals are that they have everything within their area and one need not go out for various checkups. Unlike other hospitals, the staff are very caring and nursing and do their duty with all their determination and love. The homely atmosphere and the clean environment is probably the main attraction for the patients from various countries.

One important fact that my father told me about the hospital was that we couldn't smell the phenol and syringe smell which is a common thing in almost all the hospitals! How fascinating!
Glad that we have such an hi-fie hospital in our country where even the poorest of poorest can afford!
AM A PROUD INDIAN!! LET THE TRICOLOR FLY HIGH IN THE SKY :)

For more news related to the boy Manjunath, follow the link - Light after Dark