Health Biodevicepartnering: November 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008

Nature has blessed us with one of its most precious gifts-Water. It is one of the most vital components of all living beings. Water carries all the essential nutrients throughout the body though it is not a food. Its importance lies in the fact that a person can stay without food for some time, but not without water. It is more important than food.
Water possesses a unique property-versatility. It can be used for various purposes and various needs of the body. It is advantageous in any form be it ice, liquid or steam or hot, cold or lukewarm depending upon the need. The largest constituent of human body is water. About 65 to 70 percent of the total body weight consists water.

The body requires water for smooth and efficient functioning of its various processes. Proper intake of water helps in the absorption of food in the stomach. It eliminates the chances of blood clogging and enables an even circulation of blood to all the blood vessels, even the smallest one. It maintains normal body temperature in all weather conditions and keeps the skin moist, soft and lustrous. It is therefore necessary to drink plenty of water daily to preserve and maintain a healthy glowing skin.

Water also improves the functioning the kidneys by eliminating the wastes from the body in the form of urine and preventing the chances of formation of kidney stones. During hot weather it removes the bodily wastes through skin in the form of sweat.

Water is mainly consumed daily through drinking, other fluids such as juices and to some extent through the food. It is present in most of the vegetables such as tomato, radish and watermelon. The body also has its self mechanism of generating water through combustion going on in the system.

It is necessary to drink plenty of water to replace the rate of water removed from the system so as to maintain a balance. Most of the times there is more water elimination during some physical activity such a walking, exercise and running as there is a great loss through sweat and through lungs. This has to be replaced by drinking water and eating food.

If the normal balance of water in the body is disturbed, there is a direct effect on the vital essential processes. Death may occur within 2-3 days if adequate water is not supplied to the body. Everyday water loss takes place from our body no matter whether we drink or not. So if we don’t provide sufficient water to the body blood thickening takes place which exerts a pressure on kidneys. As a result harmful toxins and poisons get accumulated and may also lead to death.

It also causes several other problems such as acidity, anemia, headache, gas, bloating and nervousness. Sufficient intake of water automatically relieves these symptoms and makes them disappear.

A normal adult should drink at least 10-12 glasses of water per day, whether one feels thirsty or not. This required quantity is necessary to flush out the system and meet the daily needs of the body. Drinking excess water is also considered harmful as it weakens the stomach and kidneys.

Gastric juices get diluted and digestion slowed down, if water is taken along with meals. It should be taken one hour before or one hour after meals. Drinking water early in the morning after getting up is very helpful in preventing constipation and disorders of the stomach. It also aids the formation of saliva which along with some useful enzymes helps in the cleansing up of intestinal tract. Drinking water from a copper vessel early in the morning removes excessive heat from the body and cools the system.

Besides using water internally it is also very useful externally for bathing and personal hygiene. During our regular day to day activities, walking, exertion a small layer of sweat forms outside the skin pores which contain various poisonous substances. It is necessary to wash off these poisons for keeping the skin healthy and glowing. There should be a variation of water use according to seasons. It is beneficial to use warm water in winter, lukewarm water in monsoon and cold water in summer for bathing.

Water used for drinking, cooking and bathing should be free from bacteria and viruses. Proper steps should be taken to purify the water and make it germ free and clean. Boiling water for about 15 to 20 minutes is the most simple process in making it free from bacteria and safe for drinking and cooking. U.V filters can also serve this purpose.

Thus we can say that water is one of the essential needs of mankind. It is necessary for the proper functioning of various body processes and maintaining proper health and vitality. Drinking sufficient amount of water not only protects us from various diseases but also enables our body to flush out various toxins, poisons and wastes which are harmful for our body.

posted by Healthy Life @ 3:11 AM

Monday, November 17, 2008

Various Hazards Posed by Chemical-Based Mosquito Repellents

Around the world, to get complete protection from mosquito bites, millions of people make use of chemical-based mosquito repellents. But the most common insect repellents and bug sprays used in numerous homes may be poisonous and are able to produce health problems in people especially for the children. To the chemicals in the environment, individuals have different tolerances. In the case of insect repellents, children are the most vulnerable group. With the exposure to chemicals, young children are susceptible to change in their brain chemistry. Together with the destruction of ecological balance of the nature, they pose many adverse effects to the life of pets. It can gravely harm your domestic animals, fishes and even plants, even if the chemical ingredients present in these chemical-based mosquito repellents can effectively kill the mosquitoes in your home and locality. This is because of the fact that the skin of children tends to absorbs more chemicals. In addition, this can harshly effect in impaired growth; and affect the development of the nervous system.

DEET is a registered chemical ingredient that forms the active component of every chemical-based mosquito repellents. Permithrin is another chemical that when combined with DEET can cause chronic memory dysfunction and motor deficits. Chemical repellents that include DEET when applied on the topical areas easily penetrate into the skin to our blood stream and cause adverse health hazards on our central nervous system. Some DEET repellents also hold toxic chemical substances like isopropyl alcohol and ethyl that are highly harmful for children. DEET is also easily absorbed by the human’s gut to cause further more health hazards.

Constant and heavy exposure to chemical repellents can also cause constant fatigue, muscle and joint pain, breathlessness, generalized physical weakness, memory loss and persistent headaches. Prolonged skin exposure to these chemicals produce skin allergies, redness, eye irritations, skin discoloration and inflammation. People normally develop tremors and shortness of breath when overexposed to the strong chemicals in these repellents. Some chemicals are even known to bring about genetic damage to animals along with the enumerable toxic issues that have been listed in human. There are lots of botanical and natural mosquito repellents available in the market today that are effective in warding off mosquitoes devoid of causing any health dangers. Other than going for harmful chemical-based mosquito repellents, you can try out some natural repellents prepared with essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, etc.

posted by Healthy Life @ 3:11 AM

Monday, November 10, 2008

Summer Recipes Using Splenda

The much-anticipated arrival of the summer tends to bring out the inner child in everyone, and that child has one big sweet tooth! Ice cream, strawberry shortcake, sherbet and homemade barbecue sauce are usually loaded with unhealthy amounts of sugar. Diabetics and other people practicing sugar free diets should not despair. Almost every summer recipe that calls for sugar can be made using Splenda instead.

Splenda is a no-calorie sweetener made with Sucralose, a heat-stable ingredient. Most people have seen Splenda in smaller packets perfect for adding to coffee and other drinks, but Splenda also comes in a granulated form that is designed to be used in baking and other recipes. The granulated form of Splenda measures just like sugar, making it very easy to create delicious summer recipes using Splenda instead of sugar. You will no longer need to miss out on the mouth-watering treats that summer brings due to being .

How to Use Splenda in Summer Recipes

There are a few things to remember when using Splenda to sweeten your favorite summer recipes.
- Splenda works best in recipes where sugar is used mainly to sweeten. It is ideal for use in gelatin desserts, cheesecake, sorbets, ice creams, and other delicious summer desserts.
- Cakes may need a little extra help to rise when substituting Splenda for sugar. For shortcake and other cake recipes, try adding a half of a cup of nonfat dry milk and a half of a teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of Splenda.
- Splenda can be used in jams and jellies as long as all proper canning techniques are followed to avoid any spoilage or contamination. Once jams, sauces or jellies made with Splenda are opened, they should be refrigerated.

Favorite Summer Recipes Using Splenda

If you love those coffee slushy-smoothies from a national coffee chain, try the recipes listed below for a refreshing, decadent, and healthier coffee smoothie in its place.

Iced Coffee Smoothie with Splenda
Coffee ice cubes
1 cup strong coffee, cooled in refrigerator
Splenda granulated sugar substitute to taste
Skim milk, whole milk or cream

In a blender, combine eight to ten coffee flavored ice cubes, one cup of strong, cooled coffee, and Splenda to taste. Pulse several times on high, then switch to high speed to blend until texture is smooth. Pour into a tall glass, add skim milk or cream if desired and enjoy this wonderful summer treat.

Breakfast smoothies are a great way to start your day with a full serving of fresh, sweet fruit. Splenda brings out the already delicious taste in summer-sweet strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Very Berry Breakfast Smoothie
2 cups frozen whole strawberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen raspberries
1 cup plain yogurt
¼ cup Splenda granulated sugar substitute

In a blender, combine two cups of frozen, unsweetened strawberries, a half of a cup frozen whole blueberries, a half of a cup of frozen raspberries, one cup plain yogurt, and a quarter of a cup of Splenda granulated sugar substitute. Whirl on high until smooth, scraping down sides of the blender if necessary. Serve in tall glasses and top with a few fresh blueberries.

Some of the most delicious summertime treats revolve around the barbecue grill. There are dozens of recipes that require delicious barbecue sauce. Try this healthy Eastern-influenced ginger-sesame sauce for tuna, chicken, beef or pork.

Splend-Oriental Marinade for Grilling
½ cup soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup green scallion, sliced
1 teaspoon minced ginger root
2 tablespoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons Splenda granulated sugar

In a small bowl, combine six tablespoons of Splenda granulated sugar substitute, a half of a cup of soy sauce, one minced clove of garlic, a quarter of a cup of sliced scallion tops, one teaspoon of minced fresh ginger root, and two tablespoons of sesame oil. Stir to mix and pour over meat or fish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours before grilling.

Finish off a special summer dinner with this very sophisticated gelatin dessert that is low on calories and long on flavor.

Espresso Velvet Gelatin Dessert
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
½ cup cold water
1 ½ cups cold water
2 tablespoons finely ground coffee
3 teaspoons Splenda granulated sugar substitute
Whipped cream for topping if desired

Sprinkle one envelope of Knox unflavored gelatin on a half of a cup of cold water in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of finely ground coffee over one and a half cups of cold water. Bring water to a simmer without stirring. When water starts to bubble at the edges, stir coffee into the water and add three teaspoons of Splenda granulated sugar substitute. Stir over heat until coffee foams. Remove from heat and let steep for five minutes. Strain coffee through cheesecloth lined sieve and stir into gelatin mixture. Pour gelatin coffee mixture into blender and whirl on high for one minute, then pour into an eight by eight inch square-baking pan. Refrigerate until firm. To serve, cut coffee gelatin into cubes and pile in serving dishes. Top with fresh, unsweetened whipped cream about five minutes before serving.

posted by Healthy Life @ 3:11 AM

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