Poor diets threaten health more than malaria, tuberculosis, measles

Given the direct impact on wellbeing, learning capacity and productivity, the loss and waste of micronutrients is of particular concern.

Health News: With one-in-five deaths associated with poor-quality diets, the UN food agency has said that regularly eating poor-quality food has become a greater public health threat than malaria, tuberculosis or measles.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) co-authored the report titled 'Preventing nutrient loss and waste across the food system: Policy actions for high-quality diets'.

It urged policymakers to reduce food loss and waste to improve access to nutritious and healthy food as it concluded that regularly eating poor-quality food has become a greater public health threat than malaria, tuberculosis or measles.

Approximately one-third of food produced for human consumption never reaches the consumer's plate or bowl. Nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are highly perishable, rendering them susceptible to losses throughout increasingly complex food production systems.

Reducing food loss and waste, particularly high-nutrient foods, not only has nutritional benefits, but also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and should be a new priority for improving nutrition.

↓↓↓ Read full news report of United Nations FAO ↓↓↓

Poor Diets threaten Health

The evolution of fitness over the years

Not too long ago, being fit literally increased our chances of survival.

Health News: We have grown up listening to the adage "Survival of the Fittest" -- in the context of competitive sports, academics and even business. However, not too long ago, being fit literally increased our chances of survival.

A lot has changed since our hunting and foraging days though. From fitness being a part of our daily routine in the form of walking, cycling or intense physical labour during the pre-digital era, to becoming a fervently adopted lifestyle choice, the evolution of fitness and its significance in our lives has changed dramatically, to say the least.

Evolution of Fitness

Fitness has, over the centuries, traveled quite far from people relying on natural movement like walking or jogging, doing household chores, or following a fitness regime at the local "akhadas", to modern physical exercises that include circuit training, modified yoga programmes, Pilates, parkour workouts among other innovations that have taken place in the industry.

Of course, the need to lead healthier lives has been more pronounced in recent years because of the rise of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes, among others. Naturally, these changes have also provided much-needed fillip to the fitness industry in India which has been largely unorganised and fragmented thus far. With more people focused on leading healthier lives, looking good and feeling good in today's sedentary, digitally-connected world, the onus lies on the fitness industry to keep pace with timely innovation that can deliver better fitness experiences to...continue reading

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News Source: BS

Brain tumors may occur in children with common genetic syndrome

The frequency of brain tumors has been underestimated in children with the common genetic syndrome -- neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Health News: Parents, please take note. The frequency of brain tumors has been underestimated in children with the common genetic syndrome -- neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a new study has found.

According to the researchers, this disorder is characterised by birthmarks on the skin and benign nerve tumors that develop in or on the skin. Brain tumors are also known to occur in children and adults with NF1.

They estimated that only 15-20 per cent of kids with NF1 develop brain tumors. But the study, published in the journal Neurology: Clinical Practice, found that the frequency of brain tumors in this population was more than three times higher.

What is Neurofibromatosis

• A condition that causes tumors to form in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. 
• SYMPTOMS: Type 1 can cause bone deformities, learning disabilities and high blood pressure. Type 2 can cause hearing loss, vision loss and difficulty with balance. Type 3 can cause chronic pain throughout the body.

"I'm not delivering the message anymore that brain tumours are rare in NF1. This study has changed how I decide which children need more surveillance and when to let the neuro-oncologists know that we may have a problem," said senior author David H. Gutmann from the Washington University School of Medicine.

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of children with NF1 characteristically show bright spots that are absent in the scans of unaffected children. Unlike tumors, they are generally thought to disappear in teenage years, the researchers said.

Since brain tumours can be confused with harmless bright spots, it has never been clear whether finding these abnormalities via...continue reading

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News Source: BS

How to Maintain Good Health throughout Summer?

Summers can be a period of extremes and excesses. During this period many a times we find individuals indulging in excess consumption of cold food items such as ice creams and sodas.

Health News : Summers can be a period of extremes and excesses. During this period many a times we find individuals indulging in excess consumption of cold food items such as ice creams and sodas. Other times we will find people all exhausted and dehydrated.

It is very essential to take extra care of one’s health during the summers. Summers are often time for outdoors, travel and holidays for families especially with yearly vacation for children. Thus people especially children are often exposed to heightened health risks in the summer season.

Physical injuries due to accidents both at home and outside with children being left unsupervised also rise in summers. In summers, sun protection is even more imperative for young than for adults and wearing hats and sunglasses is essential. An infant should never be left alone in a car and should be well hydrated during a car ride during hot weather.

Cases of accidental fires and dog bites also rise during the summer season, so extra caution should be practiced especially with kids during the summer season.

Good hydration during summers

• The first and foremost tip during summers is to drink ample amount of water. When it’s hot, we sweat more because the body regulates its temperature by producing sweat to cool off.

Keep up with the Eating Healthy Habit

• Fresh and crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, scented fruits make an ideal safe and healthy meal. Remember that some fruits are sweet too and if one is eating them between meals, then take them into your daily total, around 2-3 servings of fresh fruits are ideal.

Other ways to protect oneself during summers

• Summer is the time for outdoors, picnics and beaches, staying protected when spending an extended time out in the sun is extremely essential. A sun protective cream which suits one’s skin type can provide effective defense and is almost a must during time spent under direct sun.

 → Hair Care Tips for Summer  ←