Dec 2005 Newsletter
New at COiN:
COiN is conducting a pilot project of its kind in India - project "Senior Citizen Health Care Services" . Under this program, a basic health care package will be provided to a total of 100 senior citizens. The initial survey work has already started, and the first phase of recruitment will start in the second quarter of next year.
We are introducing a recipe section that starts off with recipes for the diabetics. With time, we will include other healthy recipes such as recipes for healthy heart, weight loss, protein rich vegetarian recipes, recuperating patients and elderly.
Non-drug therapies for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a form of dementia, typically associated with old age, where the cognitive and memory faculties degenerate. It gets progressively worse and patients eventually lose their memory, ability to communicate and the ability to do everyday tasks. It is a harsh disease both for the patient and for the family members. In India, about 1% of the population is now diagnosed with AD. This number will rise as life expectancy increases and disease diagnosis becomes more prevalent. There is no known cure. There may be ways of delaying the onset or slowing down the degeneration.
However, the risk of AD is found lower for scientists, engineers and others who stay mentally active. It is now believed that exercising your brain is as important as exercising your body. To give your brain a regular workout, stay curious and involved - commit to lifelong learning - read, write, play learning games, do crossword or other puzzles. For a more challenging brain task, learn a new language. As we age, our ability to learn a new language declines. But this exactly the kind of challenge needed for the brain to stay flexible and young.
Turmeric has long been used in Indian traditional medicine for its anti-bacterial properties. A new study involving genetically altered mice suggests that curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, inhibits the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and also breaks up existing plaques. In earlier studies, curcumin was found to have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which scientists believe help ease Alzheimer's symptoms caused by oxidation and inflammation. Curcumin can be found as supplement as well.
Art therapy, both appreciating art and making it, has been used for decades as a nonmedical way to help a wide variety of people - abused children, depression and cancer patients. There has been an increased interest in using art therapy for Alzheimer's patients ( aka Pablo Picasso Alzheimer's therapy ). For more information, read a copy of a recent article published in New York Times.
Teflon coated cookware pose health risk
An ingredient called PFOA, used in making Teflon and other stain- and stick-resistant materials, is carcinogenic. Animal studies have identified four types of tumors in rats and mice exposed to PFOA. The danger of exposure to PFOA concerns those involved in the manufacturing of Teflon, not users of Teflon-coated cookware. However, pans treated with non-stick coatings and heated to 400°F emits fumes toxic enough to poison caged birds in kitchens. Birds are much more sensitive to these fumes than humans and other mammals. But, if it is poisonous for birds, it can't be too good for humans. DuPont company, which manufactures Teflon, has long acknowledged that heating Teflon cookware to temperatures as low as 464°F is harmful to birds but has said that the fumes aren't a problem for humans because most consumers don't exceed that temperature when cooking. This claim is in fact not true. Rigorous experiments have found that it was in fact quite hard to keep the temperature of the pan surface low enough during everyday tasks such as making an omelette.
So, what is your alternative in cookware? Common cookware include aluminum, copper, iron, and stainless steel. Since 1965 circumstantial evidence has linked Alzheimer's disease to aluminum, but to date there is no proof that the element is involved in causing the disease. Copper is toxic and food cooked or stored in corroded copper vessels in known to cause liver cirrhosis . Modern day copper vessels are lined with stainless steel and are expensive. Iron is a economic and safe alternative unless you suffer from a genetic disorder known as hemochromatosis . Stainless steel is one of the safest. For more information, on various options of cookware and bakeware read on .
AIDS status at a glance:
Theme for Dec 1, 2005, World AIDS day, was Stop AIDS, Keep the promise. India has the second largest number of people living with AIDS. Some highlights are:
> About 42 million people worldwide are now HIV positive.
> Nearly 14,000 new cases of HIV infections occur every day.
> 95% of all AIDS cases occur in the world's poorest countries.
> About 3 million are expected to die of AIDS this year.
> More than 5.1 million people are HIV positive in India.
> After South Africa, India has most people living with HIV.
> More than 37% of AIDS cases are among people under 30.
Conquering constipation
Constipation is one of the top ten problems faced by the elderly population. With age, typically, the amount of food consumed reduces. This leads to a corresponding decrease in the total amount of roughage consumed leading to constipation. It may therefore become necessary to take laxatives and other supplements, or make dietary changes to reduce constipation.
A common used herb called senna (Cassia acutifolia) induces bowel movements quickly, sometimes violently, by irritating the bowel, and can cause cramps and diarrhea. Dependance on such type of laxatives is not safe. Ayurvedic medicine Triphala , among other things, is a good colon cleanser. But make sure that the source is reputable.
Bulk producing laxatives such as flakes of psyllium husk ( isabgol ) are one of the safest. Start with one rounded tablespoon of the powder stirred well into a glass of water. Drink it down and follow with another full glass of water. If you have never taken psyllium before, start with half the dose and take before going to bed at night. Some people may experience gas during the first few days. Increase the dose gradually. Alternately, divide the dose into 2 or 3 smaller portions throughout the day. Make sure you drink plenty of water.
To introduce fiber in the natural diet, add food groups that are rich in fiber, such as pulses with skin, and peas, vegetables such as beans, and fruits such as apples with skin. Add high-fiber foods gradually and increase the amount slowly, as too much fiber at once may produce discomfort. Finally, eat a variety of fiber-rich foods.
Footnote
Please help us raise awareness regarding healthy living by distributing this newsletter to people in your community. If you or anyone you know would like to receive our newsletter on a regular basis, please email us at info@coin-india.org. The printable version is also available.
