Precious Kashmir 14th Dec 2015

PRECIOUS KASHMIR
HEALTH
www.preciouskashmir.com
Srinagar | Saturday
12.12.2015
36
Simple blood test can tell if you are at arthritis risk
A simple blood test can indicate your
likelihood of suffering from rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) even 16 years before the
condition takes effect, researchers from
University of Oxford have revealed.
A team from the Kennedy Institute of
Rheumatology at Oxford University found
that a blood test that looks for antibodies
that recognize the protein called “tenascin-C”
could reliably show those who will
contract the condition.
When inflammation occurs in the
body, some proteins are altered.
These altered forms can prompt an
immune response from the body, which
can see it turning antibodies on itself -
causing rheumatoid arthritis.
“We knew that tenascin-C is found at
high levels in the joints of people with RA.
We decided to see if it could be altered
and, if so, whether it was a target for the
autoantibodies that attack the body in RA,”
said lead researcher Anja Schwenzer in a
university statement.
That might also indicate whether
it could be used in tests to indicate the
disease.
“When we looked at results from
more than 2,000 patients, we found that
testing for antibodies that targeting altered
tenascin-C could diagnose RA in around 50
percent of cases,” the authors noted.
According to professor Kim Midwood,
when we looked at samples taken from
people before their arthritis began, we
could see these antibodies to altered tenascin-C
up to 16 years before the disease
occurred.
On average, the antibodies could be
found seven years before the disease
appeared.
“This discovery gives us an additional
test that can be used to increase the
accuracy of predicting RA, enabling us to
monitor people and spot the disease early.
This early detection is key because early
treatment is more effective,” Midwood
noted.
The latest research provides the basis
of tests that could improve diagnosis and,
importantly, detect disease at a very early
stage, with the promise even that people
at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
can be followed before the disease begins.
“This could have great potential to
help patients with rheumatoid arthritis
get the right treatment early to keep this
painful and debilitating condition under
control,” concluded Stephen Simpson,
research director for Arthritis Research UK.
Vegetarian food choices for diabetics
Eating healthy and eating right
is the essence of lowering blood
sugar level. We take a look at
diabetes friendly vegetables that
helps control diabetes.
These are top 10 super foods for
diabetics.
Besides being low in glycemic
index, these vegetables also
provide nutrients and vitamins.
The diabetic diet vegetables are
rich in these:
1) Fibre
2) Vitamin A
3) Postassium
4) Magnesium
5) Calcium
It is important to stay away
from starchy vegetables. So this
will exclude your potatoes and
corn. Non starchy vegetables also
satiate you to a greater capacity.
For a balanced and healthy vegetarian
diet it should be colourful,
mix vegetables and include fruits,
beans, whole grains and fat-free
dairy.
Beans:
Beans are the best and diabetes-friendly
ingredient. It is low
is calories, good source of protein
and is high in fibre, potassium and
magnesium.
Fat-free dairy:
It is recommended to consume
fat-free dairy for diabetics.
Dairy is rich source for vitamin D
and best way to strengthen the
bones and teeth.
Whole grains:
Whole grains provide fibre
especially barley and oats. Whole
grains also contain Omega 3,
folate, magnesium, potassium and
chromium.
Tomatoes:
Lycopene present in tomatoes
is essential to fight diseases. Plus
tomatoes are a good source of
iron, vitamin C, E and K. You can
consume tomatoes in any form -
sauce, puree or whole. Processed
and canned tomato products may
be unhealthy as it contains high
levels of sodium.
Sweet potatoes:
It may be a starchy ingredient,
but it is low in glycemic index and
rich in fibre and vitamin A. Sweet
potatoes makes a great snack as
well as a puree.
Nuts:
Nuts like walnuts provide
essential Omega 3 fatty acids. Nuts
keeps you satiated for a long time,
and provide you with necessary
fats. Nuts also contain fibre which
is good for digestion and heart
health.
Leafy vegetables:
Dark leafy vegetables are a
great way to reduce insulin production.
It is also low in calories,
high in fibre and rich in potassium.
Dark leafy vegetables also a good
source for iron. Diabetes friendly
vegetables are spinach, broccoli,
cabbage, etc.
Bell peppers:
Bell peppers or capsicum are
available in different colours but
they also provide vitamin A and C,
potassium, phosphorus, calcium
and fibre.
Mushroom:
Mushroom does not contain
sugar and good source for vitamin
D. It is also fat free hence great for
those trying to reduce cholesterol.
Brinjal:
Brinjal or eggplant can reduce the
risk of diabetes-induced retinal
haemorrhage. Brinjal is also effective
to reduce cholesterol.
Rules to live by for consistent weight loss
Trying too hard to lose unwanted
kilos and not getting desired results?
The answer is in the affirmative
for most, because despite
working out and following a diet we do not
end up losing as much as we want to.What
many do not realise is that those seemingly
little things that come to us as naturally
as habit, might actually be the reasons we
are putting on weight.Here are some tips to
keep in mind if you want to see results in
your weight loss programme.
STOP REACHING FOR FOOD ALL THE TIME
Eat mini meals every two to three
hours. This keeps your metabolism up
and your body does not end up storing fat.
Avoid grabbing that cookie wafer or any
finger food in between meals. You can’t be
actually hungry in less than two hours between
meals. If you do, take up any activity
that can distract you, like opting for a quick
walk.
MINDFUL EATING IS ESSENTIAL
When you are working and nibbling
on French fries, you don’t realise when an
entire large pack is over. One can avoid
this by being mindful of what one eats.
Eat only when you are sitting down with
your plate and there is no television or
computer or phone to distract you.Mindfulness
involves being in the moment
-so think of the texture, colour and taste
of the food on your plate. Chew every
mouthful before you reach for the next
morsel.
KEEP AWAY FROM FACTORS THAT EN-
COURAGE NEGATIVE EATING PATTERNS
If you stuff your refrigerator with food
that is not healthy (but might be yummy),
chances are you will end up having all
of it at a weak moment. So do not stock
anything that you know you shouldn’t be
eating. Also, friends who urge you to have
unhealthy snacks and meals should not be
FROM FRONT PAGE.....................
Snowfall........
Director MeT Sonam Lotus said that there will be improvement
in weather and from Saturday the weather is expected to remain
dry. He said that there will be increase in day temperature
while night temperature may fall considerably.
The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded
3.2 mm of snow during the night, the MET official
said.
The official said the minimum temperature was minus 3.0
degrees Celsius as against minus 2.6 degrees Celsius the previous
night and was the only place in the Valley to register subzero
temperature.
Kokernag, in south Kashmir, also witnessed a drop in the
night temperature as the town recorded a low of 1.9 degrees
Celsius compared to 2.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the
official said.
He said the mercury in Pahalgam which serves as a basecamp
for the annual Amarnath Yatra settled at a low of 1.3 degrees
Celsius.
The official said all the other places in the Valley experienced
an increase in the night temperature with Qazigund
the gateway town to the Valley - registering a rise
of about five degrees from the low of 1.8 degrees Celsius
the previous night to settle at the minimum of 6.5 degrees
Celsius.
Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded
a low of 2.8 degrees Celsius an increase of one degree
from 1.
8 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said.
He said the mercury in Kupwara town in north Kashmir
settled at a low of 1.5 degrees Celsius, an increase of over a degree
from 0.
Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, was the coldest recorded
place in the state with the minimum of minus 6.7 degrees
Celsius dropping over a notch from minus 5.0 degrees Celsius
the previous night.
The nearby Kargil town experienced a drop on two degrees
in the night temperature as it recorded a low of minus 5.6 degrees
Celsius compared to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius the previous
night, the official said.
India........
change conference.
The meeting between the two Prime Ministers had led to
secret talks between the National Security Advisers of both
countries in Bangkok on Sunday.
encouraged - stay away from them. Opt instead
for a supportive group of friends who
also lead a healthy lifestyle.
STOP EATING STUFF IN TINS, CANS AND
PLASTIC BAGS
Gorging on over-processed food items,
including those that are frozen, pickled and
laced with preservatives will never allow
you to lose weight. Drinking pre-packed
juices and foods that claim to be healthy
could lead to unwanted consumption of
salt and sugar, both of which can be detrimental
to your goal of weight-loss. Rather,
eat real food like organic fruits and vegetable
that can help your body to function
at the optimum level. And when that happens,
your body stops storing fat and you
are your lean self without much struggle.
EAT ONLY WHEN HUNGRY
Eating more than you actually need,
is one of the major reasons of putting
on weight. Nutritionists say that when
sitting down for a meal, make sure you
stop eating as soon as you are around 80%
full, and not till you are bursting at your
seams. You should learn to recognise
that you have overeaten when you don’t
start to feel hungry in the next two to
three hours (seeming to feel hungry due
to stress or just craving for something is
not proper hunger). If you feel full three
hours after your last meal, then it means
you have stuffed yourself during the previous
meal. Keep that in mind when you
sit to eat again and stop before you are
too full.
SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE
Practice all the above habits every day
. Do not be hard on yourself and expect
overnight results.Consistently following
a healthy lifestyle will always fasten your
progress towards your goal of a better life.
If you miss to follow something once in a
while it is okay -just make sure you do it
diligently the next time.
Pak........
it's a bilateral issue which requires no international forum. At
the bilateral level, the Indian argument has been that Kashmir
is its integral part.
Then somebody must explain to this house at what
level the government intends to take it up with India," he
said.
Rehman said that as far as the issue of Kashmir was concerned,
under the UN resolution, no one could bar Pakistan
from highlighting it at any forum in the world.
He called for strengthening the National Assembly's Kashmir
committee which he heads, and making it a powerful arm
of parliament.
However, the JUI-F chief, whose party shares the treasury
benches with the ruling PML-N, praised Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif for organising the Heart of Asia ministerial conference on
Afghanistan which he believed would go a long way in bringing
regional countries together.
Leader of Opposition Khursheed Ahmed Shah, however,
reserved harsh comments for the prime minister for his continued
absence from the assembly.
"Whom should I address? Empty chairs on the treasury
benches? I have decided I will not open the discussion on the
presidential address unless the prime minister attends proceedings
of the house," he said.
Dulat.......
person (Farooq) for uttering truth.
Pertinently, former chief minister and NC leader Farooq
Abdullah had suggested both India and Pakistan to formally
accept the Line of Control (LoC) as permanent border and give
internal autonomy to the parts of Kashmir held by them. (CNS)
Missile.......
deterrence would further strengthen strategic stability in South
Asia.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif congratulated the military scientists and engineers on
the successful missile test.
Pakistan had test-fired the Shaheen-I and Shaheen-II missiles
last year.
Shaheen-I is also capable of carrying nuclear as well as
conventional warheads and has a range of 900 kms while the
Shaheen-II missile can also carry nuclear and conventional warheads
up to a range of 1,500 kms.
Small lifestyle changes that make a big difference
When it comes to your health, no matter how
careful you are, there may still be things that
you may not be doing correctly. And it’s these
small things, say experts, that can actually
make a big difference in your health.
- While brushing twice a day and using a
mouthwash is a part of your regime, dentists
say that flossing is equally important -and
something that a large number of people
seem to avoid doing. Flossing expels harmful
bacteria from your mouth, which can cause
plaque in the long run. And plaque can gnaw
away the bone that helps keep your teeth
together, leading to decay and other dental
problems. Not only this, when this bacteria
enters your bloodstream, it can actually
worsens the symptoms of hypertension and
diabetes.
- When it comes to your diet, don’t just stick to
the `three meals a day’ routine. An increasing
number of nutritionists reckon that having
smaller meals at regular intervals during the
day , is far better than sticking to three large
ones. Not only will this improve your metabolism
but also lessen the chances of binge eating
-a win-win situation.
- Instead of eating at your meals at the office
cafeteria, spend some time each morning in
packing a lunch box. It doesn’t matter if you
eat from the `health counter’, nothing beats
the hygiene and quality of a home cooked
meal. Plan your menu every Sunday so that
you don’t fret what to prepare each morning.
Alternatively , pack your lunch box a night prior
so that all you need to do is to take it from
Singing boosts
memory in early
dementia
refrigerator and leave for work.
- Walking is something that we take for granted.
And we don’t realise the numerous health
benefits it offers. The more you walk, the more
calories you burn -that’s a given. So, make it a
habit to walk short distances instead of hopping
into your car or a cab.Take the staircase
instead of the elevator. Go for a brisk walk
thrice a week at a time that suits you. You’ll
notice the difference in your energy levels in
just a few weeks.
- Pursue a new hobby . Or take up something
that you used to enjoy doing but gave up because
of lack of time. When you spend time
doing things that unwind you physically ,
you’ll find that your mental outlook also improves.
This is because your body is in a state
of relaxation and will be able to perform your
Laadli Beti, Aasra
schemes to change
destiny of poor: Veeri
Anantnag, Dec 11: The Minister for Horticulture, Hajj & Aquaf,
Abdul Rahman Veeri today convened a meeting of district officers
to review the progress of development works in the Anantnag
district.
The Minister took sector wise review of physical and financial
targets achieved by the various departments under district
plan 2015-16.
The meeting was attended by MLA Dooru, MLA Shangus,
MLA Kokernag, MLA Pahalgam, DDC Anantnag, ADDC, CPO,
DPO, SEs of R&B, PDD, PHE, PDC, SDMs, besides other district
and Tehsil level officers.
The meeting was informed that the out of the total approved
outlay of Rs 186.14 under the district plan, Rs 35.29
Crore have been utilized for various developmental activities in
the district.
The minister directed the officers of the various departments
to complete the taken up works in a time bound manner.
It was apprised that under the R&B sector, Rs 11.92 Crore
has been made available in the district so far, which was utilized
to construct and macadamize 43 Km roads, 580 drains,
05 culverts and 90 walls. Similarly, under PMGSY, out of the
approved 171 schemes, 137 have been already completed
with an expenditure of Rs. 184 Crore, catering to more than
80,000 souls.
The PHE department has completed three water supply
schemes in Muniward, Achabal and Katsoo Jarpati while the
Water Supply Scheme, Bumzoo was also commissioned at a
cost of Rs 46 Crore. The minister stressed on the importance of
the minor irrigation works and directed the concerned SE to
prioritize this sector as it is intricately linked with the agriculture
sector. Besides, SE I&FC was also directed to restore
the pre-September 2014 status of various Nallahs and canals
particularly in flood prone areas of Shamsipora, Hassanpora
and Tulkhan. The DDC was asked to personally monitor and
supervise the works.
The minister said that schemes like MNREGA and IAY have
helped to create sustainable assets in the far flung areas of the
district and the change is visible on ground in every part of the
district. Adding that construction of roads in the areas which
did not have any connectivity and construction of bunds near
flood prone areas of the district is of prime importance.
daily tasks better.
- Women, when was the last time you did
some kegel exercises? Don’t wait till you actually
suffer from urinary incontinence to
start doing these exercises that strengthen
your pelvic floor muscles. Make it a habit to
do them at least once a day . The right way to
do it would be to contract your pelvic muscles
and hold them for five seconds. Repeat this
action as often as you can.
- Working hard or being busy aren’t bad
things. But not giving yourself enough time
to do things that help you unwind, is.While
pursuing goals, reaching targets and meeting
deadlines gives you a high, there are times
when you need to slow down and simply go
easy on yourself. Even if this means giving
yourself 20 minutes each day to do absolutely
nothing or doing something that you love,
will make a big difference in the way you face
each day .
- Simple foods like nuts, fruits and leafy greens
can do wonders for your health if had regularly
. These contain essential nutrients that are
great for the body . Make a conscious effort to
curb down your intake of fried and junk food.
The less sugar you consume (and this includes
the sugar in processed food), the more energetic
and fit you will feel.
- Go for regular checkups. You don’t have to
wait till something goes wrong to go to the
doctor. Yearly checks for overall health should
include dental and eye checkups. This way
you know about a deficiency or malady before
it goes out of hand.
Singing favourite songs aloud can not only boost the mood but also improve memory in people with early
stages of dementia, a team of Finnish researchers has found.
Researchers led by Teppo Sarkamo from University of Helsinki revealed that caregiver-implemented
musical leisure activities, particularly singing, are cognitively and emotionally beneficial especially in the
early stages of dementia.
The findings could help improve dementia care and better target the use of music in different stages of
dementia.
Under MGNREGA, 47 % expenditure against the target of
Rs 39.24 Crore has been achieved by November 2015, which
has generated 4.75 Lakh mandays. Similarly, under IAY Rs 2.34
Crore has been made available, out of which 1.89 Crore has been
already utilized to construct 82 houses in the district.
Under the Education sector, an expenditure of 6.83 Crore
has been made against the approved plan of 8.9 Crore to construct
37 primary schools, 249 additional classrooms and 73 toilets.
The minster took a strong note of left-over construction of
schools under SSA and constituted a committee comprising of
ADDC Anantnag, SE R&B and CEO and directed them to furnish
specific recommendations in each case so that the incomplete
school buildings are constructed and utilized for the designated
purpose.
It was given out that under AASRA, 2533 cases have been
registered while as under Laadli Beti scheme, 1703 cases have
been registered in the district since the inception of these welfare
schemes.
In the Health sector, it has been informed that the construction
of sub- centre Lalan, Wantrag, PHC YK Pora, Kamar, Adlach
has been completed and in case of PHC Nowpora, allied works
are in progress and will be completed within the stipulated
timeframe.
The Minister was apprised that Under ICDS, an expenditure
of Rs 2.45 Crore has been made and so far, 2231 AWCs and
199 AWCs for STs have been established in the district, besides
57052 children from 0-6 years and 11155 expecting mothers
and nursing mothers are receiving nutrition under Supplementary
Nutrition Programme.
The minister directed the District Programme Officer to
conduct extensive awareness camps to educate the masses
about the different central and state welfare schemes.
Zahoor chairs Privileges
Committee meet
Jammu, Dec 11: A meeting of the Committee on Privileges
of Jammu and Kashmir, Legislative Assembly held here today
under the chairmanship of MLA Zahoor Ahmad Mir.
Legislators, Shamim Firdous, Shakti Raj, Neelam Kumar
Langeh, Rajesh Gupta and Muhammad Yousuf Bhat attended
the meeting.
The Committee discussed breach of privileges notice given
by MLA Usman Abdul Majid, against the Editor of daily English
News Paper, Early Times.
Senior officers of the Assembly Secretariat were present
in the meeting.