My Weight (Loss) Management from 2007-05-28 to 2010-06-28 (weight loss by Calories Restriction With Optimal Nutrition - CRON)

2007-05-28 morning, my weight = 65.0 kg, BMI = 23.588
2007-06-28 morning, my weight = 61.0 kg, BMI = 22.136
2007-07-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410
2007-08-28 morning, my weight = 58.7 kg, BMI = 21.302
2007-09-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-10-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2007-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2008-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-02-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-04-28 morning, my weight = 54.4 kg, BMI = 19.741
2008-05-28 morning, my weight = 54.1 kg, BMI = 19.632
2008-06-28 morning, my weight = 54.6 kg, BMI = 19.814
2008-07-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-08-28 morning, my weight = 54.3 kg, BMI = 19.705
2008-09-28 morning, my weight = 54.9 kg, BMI = 19.923
2008-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2008-11-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2009-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-02-28 morning, my weight = 55.9 kg, BMI = 20.285
2009-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2009-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104.
2009-06-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2009-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431
2009-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2009-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2009-12-28 morning, my weight = 56.1 kg, BMI = 20.358
2010-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2010-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2010-03-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467
2010-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213
2010-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2010-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467

Note:

At 0530 hour of 2010-06-28. Watson Scale = 55.9 kg + 500g = 56.4 kg
But Tanita Scale = 56.2 kg .

At 0650 hour of 2010-04-28. Watson Scale = 55.2 kg and
Tanita Scale = 55.7 kg which is the same as Watson reading (in kg) + 500g.
At 0630 hour of 2010-05-28. Watson Scale = 54.6 kg + 500g = 55.1 kg

At 0650 hour of 2010-04-28. Watson Scale = 55.2 kg and
Tanita Scale = 55.7 kg which is the same as Watson reading (in kg) + 500g.

Note: From 2010-02-01, Watson weighing scale has replaced Camry, which became faulty. In the past reading of Camry was about 500g more than that of Watson. To maintain consistency, so my weight =Watson reading (in kg) + 500g.

On 2010-03-28, at about 7.40 am, my weight by Camry = 55.9 kg + 500g = 56.4 kg. I also used Tanita BC-532 Body Composition Monitor to confirm that my weight was 56.4 kg.

My current BMI is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.

For me, the range of healthy weight is 50.9786 kg (BMI = 18.5) to 63.10324 kg (BMI = 22.9).

People with BMI values of 23 kg/m2 (or 25 kg/m2 according to some sources) and above have been found to be at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

To be healthy, I must have a healthy weight.

Be as lean as possible without being underweight, as recommended by World Cancer Prevention Foundation, United Kingdom.

A person who takes only vegetable juice for lunch. No breakfast. No dinner.

Last update: 2014-02-02

On 2010-06-23, I came across the homepage of Ms. Michiyo Mori who is an acupuncturist and moxibustion.


at http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/TOP012.htm (Intractable disease treatment "Koda Method" (甲田光雄医生 Dr. Kouda Mitsuo Method) ENGLISH PAGE).
Note: Dr. Kouda Mitsuo is the same as Dr. Mitsuo Koda .
I found this link from
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/green7pp/e/5857226892f0847d527cc93b8a52e284
and http://blog.goo.ne.jp/green7pp/arcv (ブログ記事一覧 - gooブログはじめました！)
(自己紹介 趣味＝生菜食、断食、読書。　夢＝世界から病気をなくすこと １９８９年生まれ )

Ms. Michiyo Mori 森美智代 said in http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/pr.htm, 

“I skip breakfast.I usually eat lunch whenever I have time.For lunch, I drink vegetable juice.I don't eat dinner.I'm small eater. And I try to eat vegetables to be healthy.” 


Her New Website is http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/ (Added on 2014-02-02)

Other related web pages:
http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/pr.htm (Her Personal Profile)
http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/NISHI.HTM (Nishi Health Method)
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/green7pp/e/ca8337f6cf7303189ce6bc2503ba16e3 (Profile of Dr. Kouda Mitsuo)
http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mori-harikyu/garally1.htm (Ms. Michiyo Mori’s diet)

What are ROI Foods? (Note: ROI means return on investment)

ROI Foods are the foods that deliver a great return on investment (ROI) in terms of their nutritional value.

For more information, please visit http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness/top-10-roi-foods.html

or http://cookingtexasstyle.com/general/best-roi-foods

“The less men think, the more they talk” by Charles de Montesquieu

“The less men think, the more they talk”
Charles de Montesquieu quotes (French Politician and Philosopher, 1689-1755)


Info Source: http://thinkexist.com/quotation/the_less_men_think-the_more_they/171893.html

What is Cytology (more commonly known as cell biology ? (By wisegeek.com)

Source:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cytology.htm

That fact that we as humans are made up of millions of tiny cells, and that other lifeforms around us are similarly constituted, now barely needs explanation. However, the concept of the cell is relatively new.

The scientific community did not accept the idea of the existence of cells until the late 18th century.

Cytology became, in the 19th century, a way to describe and identify cells, and also to diagnose certain medical diseases.

Cytology, more commonly known as cell biology, studies cell structure, cell composition, and the interaction of cells with other cells and the larger environment in which they exist.

Cytology can also refer to cytopathology, which analyzes cell structure to diagnose disease. Microscopic and molecular studies of cells can focus on either multi-celled or single-celled organisms.

Recognizing the similarities and differences of cells is of the utmost importance in cytology. Microscopic examination can help identify different types of cells.

Looking at the molecules which form a cell, sometimes called molecular biology, helps in further description and identification. All fields of biology depend on the understanding of cellular structure. The field of genetics exists because we understand cell structure and components.

Another important aspect in the discipline of cytology is examining cell interaction. By studying how cells relate to other cells or to the environment, cytologists can predict problems or examine environmental dangers to cells, such as toxic or cancer-causing substances.

In humans and other multi-cellular structures, cytology can examine the presence of too many of one kind of cell, or the lack of enough of a certain kind of cell.

In a simple test like a complete blood count, a laboratory can look at white blood cells and identify the presence of an infection, or it may examine a low level of certain types of red blood cells and diagnose anemia.

Certain autoimmune disorders can be diagnosed by abnormal cell reactions. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, for example, is an autoimmune condition caused by abnormal cell reaction. Instead of white blood cells recognizing the presence of normal thyroid cells, these antibodies attack them, causing low thyroid.

If untreated, this condition can result in retardation, extreme fatigue, obesity, and ultimately death. Through cytology, the abnormal reactions of these antibodies can be recognized, and treatment can be undertaken long before this condition creates irreversible problems.

Cytopathology has similar aims, but tends to look for cells that should not be present in an organism. Urinalysis and blood tests, for example, can scan for the presence of parasites or bacteria which can cause illness and death.

Hence, in cytology, understanding single-celled organisms like many forms of bacteria is as important as understanding multi-cellular structures.

Cytopathology is also one of the main diagnostic tools for detecting cancer. A woman's yearly gynecological exam almost always involves a pap smear, a collection of tissues that are analyzed at the cellular structure to detect early formations of cancer cells.

Early detection can lead to greater survival rates. Similarly, needle biopsies of lumps in the breast or elsewhere can detect cancer cells and provide an excellent means for diagnosis.

The recognition and the study of cells represent huge improvements in medical care and diagnostics. Cytology, by studying cell interaction, helps us to understand ways in which we can care for humans, animals and plants.

Though biology precedes cytology in its development, cytologists are responsible for our modern view of biology and all other life sciences.

Whatever you persistently allow to occupy your thoughts will magnify in your life.

I just came across the following from an email.

"Whatever you persistently allow to occupy your thoughts will magnify in your life."

-Dennis Kimbro, PhD., Author, Small Business

The happiness-health connection (by Harvard Medical School)

Source: http://view.mail.health.harvard.edu/?j=fe5a16737c61067d7c13&m=febb15747d630d7a&ls=fde61c74766101747c1c7574&l=fe57157677630c7b7217&s=fe5d1c797165057f741c&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe25167771610375771675&r=0

Want to improve your health? Start by focusing on the things that bring you happiness. There is some scientific evidence that positive emotions can help make your life longer and healthier.

But to produce good health, positive emotions may need to be long term. In other words, thinking positive thoughts for a month when you already have heart disease won’t cure the disease.

But lowering your stress levels over a period of years with a positive outlook and relaxation techniques could reduce your risk of heart problems.

Pathways to happiness

In an early phase of positive psychology research, University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson of the University of Michigan chose three pathways to examine:

Feeling good. Seeking pleasurable emotions and sensations, from the hedonistic model of happiness put forth by Epicurus, which focused on reaching happiness by maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

Engaging fully. Pursuing activities that engage you fully, from the influential research by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. For decades, Csikszentmihalyi explored people’s satisfaction in their everyday activities, finding that people report the greatest satisfaction when they are totally immersed in and concentrating on what they are doing—he dubbed this state of intense absorption “flow.”

Doing good. Searching for meaning outside yourself, tracing back to Aristotle’s notion of eudemonia, which emphasized knowing your true self and acting in accordance with your virtues.
Through focus groups and testing hundreds of volunteers, they found that each of these pathways individually contributes to life satisfaction.

Things that won’t make you happy

People tend to be poor judges of what will make them happy. While most people say they want to be happy, they often believe in myths or carry assumptions that actually get in the way.

Here are some widely held myths about what will bring happiness:

Money and material things. The question of whether money can buy happiness has, for more than 30 years, been addressed by the “Easterlin paradox,” a concept developed by economist Richard Easterlin. His research showed that people in poor countries are happier when their basic necessities are covered. But any money beyond that doesn’t make much difference in happiness level. This idea has been challenged periodically, as in 2008 when two University of Pennsylvania researchers analyzed Gallup poll data from around the world. They showed, in contrast to Easterlin’s work, that people in wealthier countries are happier in general. The two studies were not directly comparable in method, however. And Easterlin points out that the new study may be flawed by cultural bias, as people from different countries may have different ways of answering questions about wealth and happiness.

Youth. Being young and physically attractive has little or no bearing on happiness. In a study published by Richard Easterlin in 2006 in the Journal of Economic Psychology, not only did being young fail to contribute to happiness, but adults grew steadily happier as they moved into and through middle age. After that, happiness levels began to decline slowly as health problems and other life problems emerged.

Children. Children can be a tremendous source of joy and fulfillment, but their day-to-day care is quite demanding and can increase stress, financial pressures, and marital strife. When ranking their happiness during daily activities, mothers report being more happy eating, exercising, shopping, napping, or watching TV than when spending time with their children. In several studies, marital satisfaction declines after the first child is born and only recovers after the last child leaves home. Personal relationships of all types are important, however. In studies, being married, having more friends, and having sexual intercourse more often are all moderately or strongly associated with happiness.

How do you know if you’re in flow?

You lose awareness of time. You aren’t watching the clock, and hours can pass like minutes. As filmmaker George Lucas puts it, talent is “a combination of something you love a great deal and something you can lose yourself in—something that you can start at 9 o’clock, look up from your work and it’s 10 o’clock at night … .”

You aren’t thinking about yourself. You aren’t focused on your comfort, and you aren’t wondering how you look or how your actions will be perceived by others. Your awareness of yourself is only in relation to the activity itself, such as your fingers on a piano keyboard, or the way you position a knife to cut vegetables, or the balance of your body parts as you ski or surf.

You aren’t interrupted by extraneous thoughts. You aren’t thinking about such mundane matters as your shopping list or what to wear tomorrow.

You are active. Flow activities aren’t passive, and you have some control over what you are doing.

You work effortlessly. Flow activities require effort (usually more effort than involved in typical daily experience). Although you may be working harder than usual, at flow moments everything is “clicking” and feels almost effortless.

Chang Brand Thai Organic Red Brown Rice (2Kg)

On 13 June 2010, Sunday, I bought from market nearby Chang Brand Organic Red Brown Rice (2Kg pack) as an ingredient of my daily multi-grain rice.

Its price is not too much different from Song He Brand 2.5 kg non-organic Brown rice.

Said THE SUKHA HOUSE, "Our special type of red brown rice is known to contain more polyphenolic compounds such as anthocyanins (anti-oxidants) as compared to normal brown rice. It is the poly phenol that gives the redness in the rice. You can mix with normal white rice to suit the taste of your family. It can even be used for Chicken Rice, Sushi, Nasi lemak, etc.”

My allergy to Laksa

Last Friday, I took some laska noodle and soup left by BB.

From last night, I felt slight pain and "somrting poking" at finger tip of my left thumb.

At the same time my right palm also has skin problem (Eczema ?) due the prawn contents of th laksa.

So I should never eat even very little amount of laksa again!

Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes.

Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision.

For detailed info, please visit http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=21

How Anti-oxidants Reduce Free Radicals (by Natucor)

Info Source: http://www.natucor.com/articles/How-Antioxidants-Reduce-Free-Radicals.html

Free radicals, those harmful elements that effect body tissue in the same manner as corrosion and oxidation effect certain metals, are much talked about in modern health prevention circles.

These elements, which are virtually everywhere and cause body tissue to slow down cell reproduction – and even die altogether – are one of the prime factors for that process known as aging.

Numerous health studies have found that the aging process in animals and human beings is largely caused by the body having less protective elements, known as antioxidants, which protect the body from the aging process.

In our modern, fast food oriented and polluted world, people tend to age faster if they do not eat the proper foods, and take vitamin supplements which help to reduce the effects of free radicals, many of which are found in the very air we breathe.

Anti-oxidants are found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as in fish products. The most well known of these are the vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin C, otherwise known as ascorbic acid, is one of the most common and effective antioxidants; and regular daily intake of vitamin C is also known to be effective against viruses such as the common cold.

Just as a few squirts of lemon juice will prevent a peeled apple of half an avocado from turning brown (i.e. oxidizing), vitamin C will help you body fight free radicals as well. Vitamin E, an important antioxidant, is found to prevent body skin cells from aging.

As vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and many kinds of fresh leafy vegetables, vitamin E is found in many vegetable oils, including wheat germ, walnut and hazelnut, soy, peanut, and olive oils.
Tomatoes (photo) are an excellent source of antioxidants, and include several beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C.

General diet, including reduction of fatty foods and carbohydrates also contributes toward reduction in body tissue damage from free radicals.

By consuming less animal proteins and fats, and substituting them with more whole grains and fresh, raw vegetables and fruits, the end result can be a great reduction in the aging process.

A lot of health care products companies are promoting special dietary supplements to give people an increase in antioxidants. While these products may contribute toward slowing down the aging process they often are very expensive and can run into the hundreds of dollars per month.

By eating a more wholesome diet and taking a good multivitamin supplement, one can achieve the same result at a fraction of the cost. Red wine and green tea are also excellent sources of antioxidants.

Finally, with changes in our environment due to ozone layer depletion, we must all be very careful to avoid exposure to one of the greatest sources of free radicals – the sun. While some exposure to the sun's warming rays is beneficial, especially in obtaining vitamin D (for stronger bones and teeth), too much exposure will cause premature aging more rapidly, as well as increasing the risk of contracting melanoma or skin cancer.

Free radicals can be combated. You just have to have the proper 'ammunition'

Which foods are rich in antioxidants? (by www.cancer.gov)(The National Cancer Institute -- USA)

Info Source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants

Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry, and fish. The list below describes food sources of common antioxidants.

Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green, leafy vegetables, including collard greens, spinach, and kale, are also rich in beta-carotene.

Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.

Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.
Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks, and mozzarella cheese.

Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry, and fish.

Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn, and soybean oils, and is also found in mangos, nuts, broccoli, and other foods.

Antioxidants and Free radicals (by MedlinePlus)

Info Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.html

Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation.

Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

Antioxidant substances include:

Beta-carotene
Lutein
Lycopene
Selenium
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Antioxidants are found in many foods. These include fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry and fish.

Antioxidants and Your Immune System: Super Foods for Optimal Health (from : http://www.webmd.com/)

Info Sourec: http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health


One of the best ways to keep your immune system strong and prevent colds and flu might surprise you: Shop your supermarket’s produce aisle.

Experts say a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you ward off infections like colds and flu. That’s because these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants.

What are antioxidants? They are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Many experts believe this damage plays a part in a number of chronic diseases, including hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), cancer, and arthritis. Free radicals can also interfere with your immune system. So fighting off damage with antioxidants helps keep your immune system strong, making you better able to ward off colds, flu, and other infections.

Antioxidants for Immunity: Where to Find Them

Adding more fruit and vegetables of any kind to your diet will improve your health. But some foods are higher in antioxidants than others. The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and vegetables – especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues. To get the biggest benefits of antioxidants, eat these foods raw or lightly steamed; don’t overcook or boil.

Beta-carotene and other carotenoids: Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, mangoes, turnip and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Vitamin C: Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kale, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green or yellow peppers, snow peas, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Vitamin E: Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds.

Other super foods that are rich in antioxidants include:

Prunes
Apples
Raisins
All berries
Plums
Red grapes
Alfalfa sprouts
Onions
Eggplant
Beans

Vitamins aren’t the only antioxidants in food. Other antioxidants that may help boost immunity include

Zinc: Found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products

Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, poultry and fortified breads, and other grain products.

Antioxidant Super Foods: How Much Do You Need?

For optimal health and immune functioning, you should eat the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the antioxidant vitamins and minerals. That’s the amount of a vitamin or nutrient that you need to stay healthy and avoid a deficiency.

Here are the RDAs for some antioxidants:

Zinc: 11 milligrams for men, 8 milligrams for women. If you are a strict vegetarian, you may require as much as 50% more dietary zinc. That’s because your body absorbs less zinc when you have a diet rich in plant-based foods.

Selenium: 55 micrograms for men or women.

Beta-carotene: There is no RDA for beta-carotene. But the Institute of Medicine says that if you get 3 milligrams to 6 milligrams of beta-carotene daily, your body will have the levels that may lower risk of chronic diseases.

Vitamin C: 90 milligrams for men, 75 milligrams for women. Smokers should get extra vitamin C: 125 milligrams for men and 110 milligrams for women.

Vitamin E: 15 milligrams for men and women.

How Foods Boost Immunity

Can’t you get antioxidants from taking a vitamin or a supplement? Yes, but you may be missing out on other nutrients that could strengthen the immune system.

Foods contain many different nutrients that work together to promote health.

For example, researchers delving into the mysteries of fruits and vegetables and the complex antioxidants they contain have discovered benefits of:

Quercetin: a plant-based chemical (phytochemical) found in apples, onions, teas, red wines, and other foods. It fights inflammation and may help reduce allergies.

Luteolin: a flavonoid found in abundance in celery and green peppers. It also fights inflammation and one study showed it may help protect against inflammatory brain conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Catechins: a type of flavonoid found in tea. Catechins in tea may help reduce risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

If you can’t get enough antioxidants in your diet by eating fresh produce, some experts recommend taking a multivitamin that contains minerals, too. But be cautious about taking individual immune system supplements to boost immunity. With antioxidants, as with most anything, moderation is key. Vitamins A and E, for example, are stored in the body and eliminated slowly. Getting too much can be toxic.

Antioxidants to Protect Your Body (from webmd.com)

Another important substance in the fight against colorectal and other cancers is the antioxidant. Antioxidants work by bolstering the body's defenses against potentially dangerous substances called free radicals.

Free radicals are one of the by-products of oxygen use by every cell in our body. These substances damage the body's cells through oxidation, the same process that rusts metal and turns butter rancid. Oxidation has also been shown to contribute to heart disease, cataracts, aging, and infections.

The body's cells have a natural defense strategy against free radicals and are often able to repair the damage caused by them. However antioxidants, such as selenium and beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A), help reinforce this protection. Studies have suggested that antioxidants are best taken as foods as opposed to supplements.

Eat foods that are good sources of vitamin A and C, such as all fruits and vegetables, and vitamin E which is found in foods including wheat germ, nuts, and seeds. Good sources of selenium include seafood, meat, and cereals.

Info Source: http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/eating-good-health

Laughter is good exercise for promoting health (by Ians )

Info Source: http://blog.taragana.com/health/2010/04/28/laughter-is-good-exercise-for-promoting-health-22229/


By IANS --- April 28th, 2010

WASHINGTON - Laughter is as good as exercise in promoting health and a sense of well-being, a new study says.

Lee S. Berk, preventive care specialist and researcher at Loma Linda University’s Schools of Allied Health (SAHP) and Medicine, and Stanley Tan have come up with the study.

They have been studying the human body’s response to mirthful laughter and have found that laughter helps optimise many of the functions of various body systems.

Berk and his colleagues were the first to establish that laughter helps optimise the hormones in the endocrine system, including decreasing the levels of cortisol and epinephrine which lead to stress reduction.

They have also shown that laughter has a positive effect on modulating components of the immune system, including increased production of antibodies and activation of the body’s protective cells, including T-cells and especially Natural Killer cells’ killing activity of tumour cells.

Their studies have shown that repetitious “mirthful laughter,” which they call Laughercise©, causes the body to respond in a way similar to moderate physical exercise, says a Loma Linda release.

Laughercise© enhances your mood, decreases stress hormones, enhances immune activity, lowers bad cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, and raises good cholesterol (HDL).

As Berk explains: “We are finally starting to realise that our everyday behaviours and emotions are modulating our bodies in many ways.” His latest research expands the role of laughter even further.

Berk along with Jerry Petrofsky at Loma Linda University presented their findings at the Experimental Biology conference in Anaheim, CA.

Aging -- Different parts of our body aged at different times

I have obtained the following information from a friend. If you do not agree, please let me know.


WE all accept that getting older is inevitable, and now leading clinicians have revealed the exact age when different body parts start to decline, most alarming being the brain and lungs.


French doctors have found that the quality of men's' sperm starts to deteriorate by 35, so that by the time a man is 45 a third of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Here, with the help of leading clinicians, Angela Epstein tells the Daily Mail the ages when different parts of the body start to lose their battle with time.


BRAIN - Starts ageing at 20


As we get older, the number of nerve cells - or neurons - in the brain decrease. We start with around 100 billion, but in our 20s this number starts to decline. By 40, we could be losing up to 10,000 per day, affecting memory, co-ordination and brain function.


GUT - Starts ageing at 55


A healthy gut has good balance betwee harmful and ‘friendly’ bacteria. But levels of friendly bacteria in the gut drop significantly after 55, particularly in the large intestine, says Tom MacDonald, professor of immunology at Barts And The London medical school. As a result, we suffer from poor digestion and an increased risk of gut disease. Constipation is more likely as we age, as the flow of digestive juices from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine slows down.


BREASTS - Start ageing at 35


BY their mid-30s, women's breasts start losing tissue and fat, reducing size and fullness. Sagging starts properly at 40 and the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) can shrink considerably.


BLADDER - Starts ageing at 65


Loss of bladder control is more likely when you hit 65. Women are more vulnerable to bladder problems as, after the menopause, declining oestrogen levels make tissues in the urethra - the tube through which urine passes - thinner and weaker, reducing bladder support.... Bladder capacity in an older adult generally is about half that of a younger person - about two cups in a 30-year-old and one cup in a 70-year-old.


LUNGS - Start ageing at 20


Lung capacity slowly starts to decrease from th! e age of 20. By the age of 40, some people are already experiencing breathlessness. This is partly because the muscles and the rib cage which control breathing stiffen up.


VOICE - Starts ageing at 65


Our voices become quieter and hoarser with age. The soft tissues in the voice box (larynx) weaken, affecting the pitch, loudness and quality of the voice. A woman's voice may become huskier and lower in pitch, whereas a man's might become thinner and higher.


EYES - Start ageing at 40


Glasses are the norm for many over-40s as failing eyesight kicks in - usually long-sightedness, affecting our ability to see objects up close.


HEART - Starts ageing at 40


The heart pumps blood less effectively around the body as we get older. This is because blood vessels become less elastic, while arteries can harden or become blocked because of fatty deposits forming on the coronary arteries - caused by eating too much saturated fat. The blood supply to the heart is then reduced, resulting in painful angina. Men over 45 and women over 55 are at greater risk of a heart attack...


LIVER - Starts ageing at 70


This is the only organ in the body which seems to defy the aging process.


KIDNEYS - Starts ageing at 50


With kidneys, the number of filtering units (nephrons) that remove waste from the bloodstream starts to reduce in middle age.


PROSTATE - Starts ageing at 50


The prostate often becomes enlarged with age, leading to problems such as increased need to urinate, says Professor Roger Kirby, director of the Prostate Centre in London. This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and affects half of men over 50, but rarely those under 40. It occurs when the prostate absorbs large amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone, which increases the growth of cells in the prostate. A normal prostate is the size of a walnut, but the condition can increase this to the size of a tangerine.


BONES - Start ageing at 35


'Throughout our life, old bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and replaced by bone-building cells called osteoblasts - a process called bone turnover,' explains Robert Moots, professor of rheumatology at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool . Children's bone growth is rapid - the skeleton takes just two years to renew itself completely. In adults, this can take ten years. Until our mid-20s, bone density is still increasing. But at 35 bones loss begins as part of the natural ageing process.


TEETH - Start ageing at 40


As we age, we produce less saliva, which washes away bacteria, so teeth and gums are more vulnerable to decay..? Receding gums - when tissue is lost from gums around the teeth - is common in adults over 40.


MUSCLES - Start ageing at 30


Muscle is constantly being built up and broken down, a process which is well balanced in young adults. However, by the time we're 30, breakdown is greater than buildup, explains Professor Robert Moots. Once adults reach 40, they start to lose between 0.5 and 2 per cent of their muscle each year. Regular exercise can help prevent this.


HEARING - Starts ageing mid-50s


More than half of people over 60 lose hearing because of their age, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.


SKIN - Starts ageing mid-20s


The skin starts to age naturally in your mid-20s.

TASTE AND SMELL - Start ageing at 60


We start out in life with about 10,000 taste buds scattered on the tongue. This number can halve later in life. After we turn 60, taste and smell gradually decline, partly as a result of the normal ageing process.


FERTILITY - Starts ageing at 35


Female fertility begins to decline after 35, as the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries start to fall. The lining of the womb may become thinner, making it less likely for a fertilised egg to take and also creating an environment hostile to sperm.


HAIR - Starts ageing at 30


Male hair loss usually begins in the 30s. Hair is made in tiny pouches just under the skin's surface, known as follicles. A hair normally grows from each follicle for about three years, is then shed, and a new hair grows. Most people will have some grey hair by the age of 35. When we are young, our hair is coloured by the pigments produced by cells in the hair follicle known as melanocytes.

Salt and Cancer (by The Cancer Council NSW, Australia)

Info Source: http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=366


Salt is sodium chloride. Diets high in salt have been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer. Too much salt (sodium) can also lead to high blood pressure.

The body does need some salt to work. However in most circumstances we get all our requirements naturally from foods. There is no need to add salt to foods. It is a good idea to switch to a low-salt diet and try flavouring foods with herbs and spices instead.

But I don't add salt to my food!

Most of the salt we eat comes from packaged and take-away foods such as pizza, pies, sauces, condiments, seasonings, dressings, soups, margarines, bread and breakfast cereals. When shopping, read labels and choose products with less sodium. Some foods that are made salty should be used sparingly such as yeast extract spreads, olives, cheese and anchovies.

Look for “no added salt” or “low salt” foods in the supermarket. A “low salt” food has less than 120mg of sodium per 100g. “Reduced salt” products can be purchased too if these are the lowest salt options available.

How much salt is ok?

You should try and eat no more than 6g of salt (2300mg sodium) each day. This is about 1½ teaspoons of salt.

Tips for eating less salt

Reduce the salt you use gradually - this will help you get used to the flavour
To add flavour to meals, use garlic, onion, chilli, lemon juice, vinegar, pepper, herbs, curry paste and spices

Swap salty snacks like pretzels, salted nuts and potato chips for fruit, low fat yoghurt or low-salt crackers

Limit take-away foods

Cut back on the amount of pre-packaged sauces, condiments and dehydrated foods such as seasoning mixes and soups that you use

Reduce your intake of processed meats, such as sausages and salami

Choose fish canned in spring water rather than fish canned in brine

Include more fresh fruit and vegetables

Salsa your way to less salt

A salsa is simply a sauce or topping for meat, chicken, fish, pasta, noodles, salad or bread. Try the following salsa ideas to add a real flavour boost to your meals. Simply chop ingredients finely and mix.

Thai: fresh coriander, sweet chilli sauce, and crushed peanuts.

Italian: fresh basil, fresh tomato, onion, pepper, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

Spanish: crushed garlic, chopped fresh tomato, Spanish onion, continental parsley.

Mexican: avocado, fresh tomato, red capsicum and chilli paste.

Chinese: shallot, crushed garlic, onion, crushed ginger, sesame oil and a dash of salt-reduced soy sauce.

Indian: cucumber, low fat natural yoghurt, mint, mango chutney and curry powder or paste.