World stroke day 2015

World Stroke Day 29th October 2015.

The World Stroke Organization’s theme for World Stroke Day 2015 is ‘I am Woman’. The World Stroke Campaign has chosen to focus on this theme because a woman is

more at risk of having a stroke.

more likely to die from a stroke than a man.

less likely to receive acute care and rehabilitation than a man, even though she responds equally well to treatment.

more likely to experience a severe decline in cognitive function, and runs a higher risk of post-stroke depression and instutionalization.

more likely than men to experience hypertension, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), diabetes, depression and obesity, all of which increase stroke risk.

more likely to take on the caregiving role.

Some stroke risks are also specific to women. Pregnancy related diabetes, preeclampsia, the use of birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and hormonal change all increase the risk of stroke for women.

We want more women to understand their stroke risk and take steps that will reduce the likelihood of preventable stroke. This World Stroke Day we are encouraging all women to make healthier lifestyle choices and calling on them to get a health check from a medical practitioner.

Stroke affects women, stroke affects everyone.

We are calling on communities and individuals to use World Stroke Day to show they care. Share information about stroke prevention and ask the women in your community and your life to have a health check to avoid preventable stroke and

#WORLDSTROKEDAY
#cardiovasculardisease.
#hearthealthy #eathealthy #exercise #notransfood #avoidsmoking #cholesterol
#hypertension 

http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org/get-involved/world-stroke-day-2015.html

Sharad Purnima / Kojaagari Purnima

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojaagari Purnima, is celebrated on a full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin.

On Sharad Purnima, the moon and the Earth are very close to each other. The rays of the moon have some healing properties which is said to nourish the body and soul of an individual. That is why food kept in the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is considered equal to Amrit (the immortal drink) or elixir. Hence, people  prepare kheer and keep it open under the moonlight throughout the night of Sharad Purnima. The next day it is consumed by all the members of the family as it becomes 'Amrit' according to local beliefs.

The practice of drinking cold milk and rice flakes  during this fast has its origins in science. Sharad ritu brings in very hot days and cool nights. During this weather, ‘pitta' or acidity becomes predominant in our body. Consumption of milk & rice flakes is a good remedy for ‘pitta'. Thus, it is customary to consume cold milk and rice flakes on Sharad Purnima.

World Osteoporosis Day 2015

World Osteoporosis Day 2015

World Osteoporosis Day takes place every year on October 20, with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) launching a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

The 2015 campaign theme is Serve Up Bone Strength and aims to raise awareness for the right nutrients you need to stay healthy and strong. A balanced diet along with regular exercise will help optimize your bone health at all ages and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

The goal of a bone healthy diet is to help:

Children and adolescents build maximum peak bone mass;
Adults maintain healthy bones and avoid premature bone loss; and
Seniors sustain mobility and independence.

As part of World Osteoporosis Day, IOF is calling on NOF and other national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world to help spread the message and promote better bone health through proper nutrition. 

FIVE STEPS TO BETTER BONE HEALTH

Building strong bones throughout your lifetime will enable you to continue doing the things you enjoy for longer. It will also help you live independently, free of the pain and suffering caused by broken bones.

Take charge of your bone health today.

Regular exercise

Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises jogging brisk walking stair climbing are beneficial at all ages and important for maintaining strong bones and muscles.These should be performed for at least 30 minutes, 3–5 days per week. Muscle-strengthening or resistance exercises at least 2 days per week.

Don’t forget to target the major muscles around the hip and spine.If you have osteoporosis or spinal fractures you need to be cautious when doing activities that could lead to injury and you should have professional guidance when setting up a regular fitness routine.

Bone-healthy nutrientsDon’t let this ‘silent’ disease eat up your bones.Sufficient calcium, vitamin D and protein are essential for your bone and muscle health. Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese, have the highest amounts of calcium and also contain protein and other minerals that are good for bones.While dietary calcium is best, some people may need to take supplements if they can’t achieve their daily calcium goals from food alone.

Most of the vitamin D in the body is produced from exposure of the skin to sunlight.However, depending on where you live, you may not be able to get enough vitamin D from safe exposure to sunlight alone. Small amounts of vitamin D are found in foods (e.g. egg yolk, salmon and tuna).

Avoid negative lifestyle habits

• Stop Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 2 units a day)
• Poor diet (low levels of calcium, less than 600 mg per day)
• Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency
• Lack of physical exercise or excessive exercise that leads to low body weight
• Maintain a healthy weight, low body mass index (BMI <20) puts ypu at risk for fracture

Identify your risk factors

• Age – bone loss accelerates more rapidly at around age 70 years in men
• Family history of osteoporosis means you’re at higher risk
• A previous broken bone at the age of 50 years or over
• Long-term use of glucocorticosteroids (more than 3 months)
• Primary or secondary hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency
• Certain medications – in addition to glucocorticosteroids, other medications can also put you at increased risk. These include, but are not limited to, some immunosuppressants, thyroid hormone treatment in excess dosage, certain antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, anti-epileptic drugs, lithium, methotrexate, antacids and proton- pump inhibitors.
• Some chronic diseases – diseases that place you at risk include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn’s disease), diseases of malabsorption (e.g. celiac’s disease), type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, chronic liver or kidney disease, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, hypercalciuria, and thyrotoxicosis.

Adhere to your treatment

Get Clinical assessment done which may include bone mineral density (BMD) measurement with a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner.This is a quick and noninvasive method to measure BMD at the hip and spine.

 

Make sure you comply with your prescribed treatment regimen Because the benefits of treatment are not always evident, many patients stop taking their medication – don’t let that happen to you.

By continuing on treatment you can protect your bones and avoid damaging and potentially life-threatening fractures.

World Spine day 16th October

Your Back at Work”- World Spine Day 2015

Did you know: your spine starts to age in your 20’s? You need to avoid exercising on hard surfaces in your 50’s? And stretching is the key to a strong spine in your 60’s and beyond?

Spinal disorders, such as back pain, neck pain, scoliosis and disc disease, to name a few are common, and they can have a profound effect on a person’s overall health.

Research has demonstrated that poor postures and inactivity can contribute to the development of back pain and other spinal disorders.

Back and neck pain is one of the most common reasons for workplace sick leave.
50% of the working population will experience back or neck pain symptoms at least once per year.

In a recent study low back pain ranked as one of the most “disabling” conditions and sixth in terms of usage of health funding

Source :-http://www.worldspineday.org/

Nutritional needs vary

Nutritional needs of each individual vary as per age, gender and activity levels.

Everyone is different and there are different diets for different individual…..so please do not follow the diet plan not meant for you.

For example banana may cause weight gain is some individual n weight loss in others.

Act smart, get a customized diet plan for you now.

World Food Day 2015

 World Food Day 2015

The theme of the World Food Day 2015 will be “Social protection and Agriculture." 

 

This year World Food Day 2015, 16 October, will be observed for the 35th time. This auspicious occasion will also mark the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The theme for World Food Day 2015 is “Social Protection and Agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty”, which aims to underline the role social protection plays in reducing chronic food insecurity and poverty by ensuring direct access to food or the means to buy food.  Social protection is, moreover, a viable alternative for stimulating agricultural production and local economic activity. 

Farmers are of the key actors in the process of fighting hunger and finding concrete remedies that address issues affecting food security and nutrition. 

Farmers, in fact, have the task of producing quality safe food in order to achieve the goal of food security for everyone. As FAO has stated, agricultural production must increase by 60% globally to meet the food demand that will be required to feed the 9.2 billion people who will inhabit our planet in 2050. 

In order to guarantee this result and face this challenge, it is crucial to ensure that farmers have access to infrastructures, credit and functioning markets. Farmers also need to have access to science, innovation and knowledge, which are essential for the development of the agricultural sector.

“As a farmer, I must know what food provide proper nutrition to human beings and women should be aware of what we produce and what are the specific characteristics thereof”, WFO Acting President Evelyn Nguleka stated in a recent interview. “I think technology and innovation should work together to produce the quality food that we need to survive.”
WFO is looking forward to the next World Food Day as another great chance to highlight the vital role of farmers in feeding the planet and producing energy for life. 

Leaving aside October 16th, farmers play a global role on every other day of the year.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover