The Journal of
JULY 2011
HEALTH & HAPPINESS Preventing hay fever Preventing dehydration
Sleep well & look attractive
Power of Positive Psychology
New physical activity guidelines
Low calorie diet to cure diabetes Atul Kochhar's Health & Happiness Recipe
It has been a rewarding journey. In these last six months we have touched many hearts and minds and the feedback has been quite encouraging. I met a gentleman in Osterley Park, whom I had not seen for months. After greetings and exchange of smiles, he told me that as soon as he recovered from a major surgery, he began taking his '3,000 steps to keep the diabetes away' as recommended in our last issue. The magazine was a big attraction in several community functions that we attended. In a gathering of prominent Hindi poets a senior Asian community leader said that after reading our article on Pre-diabetes, she asked her GP many questions to make sure that she was not suffering from the condition. Another reader wrote back: "Unlike most freebies, this is the first free magazine that stays on our coffee table." We have received valuable support from many quarters. Prof Martin Seligman, the world renowned authority on positive psychology welcomed our effort. Dr Karan Singh, the chairman of the Indian Council of Cultural Affairs , Prasun Joshi and Javed Akhter, Bollywood's two leading lyricists and Smriti Irani, India's biggest televisions star and now a BJP MP, appreciated our health and happiness mission as well as the magazine.
C O N T E N T S July 2011, Issue 3 04
Impact of watching too much TV on children's eyes
05
Sleep well and look attractive
06
Martin Seligman on the power of positive psychology
06
Kindness exercise
07
Curing diabetes through low calorie diet
08
Reducing vision loss with antioxidants and Omega-3
09
New UK physical activity guidelines
10
'Healthy Smiles in Hounslow'
11
Preventing hay fever
13
Atul Kochhar's Health & Happiness recipe
14
Ayurveda: Three dosha
15
Health & Happiness in the community
Vijay Rana Editor
"This is the first free magazine that stays on our coffee table."
The Journal of Health & Happiness is a publication of Ajivan: The Society for Health & Happiness Website: www.ajivan.com Email: info@ajivan.com, Tel: 07850 374 595
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Contact: 07850 374 595 or info@ajivan.com 3 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Disclaimer: The information available in this magazine is for general awareness only. It is NOT a substitute for the knowledge and judgment of qualified medical experts. We make no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information. Should you have any health or medical condition, you are strongly advised to consult a qualified physician or other health care professional. Views expressed by our contributors are their own and we take no responsibility for their views.
News in Brief Global rise in obesity According to a report by the Worldwatch Institute, Washington DC, the number of overweight adults worldwide jumped from 1.5 billion in 2002 to 1.9 billion in 2010, an increase of approximately 25 percent. Some 23 percent of individuals, aged 15 or older, were overweight in 2002, while in 2010 the figure rose to 38 percent—even though the number of adults increased by only 11 percent during these eight years. Much of this change occurred in the industrial
world. Economic, cultural, and possibly genetic factors all played a part. But in every country where people have gotten heavier the result has been the same: an increase in preventable medical problems. The U.S. leads all industrialized countries with 78.6% of the adult population qualifying as overweight, but the fattest nations are Micronesia and Polynesia, where nearly 88% of adults over 15 are overweight. India’s level of 19 percent adults overweight is up from 14 percent in 2002 to 16 percent in 2005. In Mexico the figure has risen by 8 percentage points since 2002, while Brazil is up by 7 points and the rate in the U.K. is up by 5 points. East Asia has seen a 4 point increase over the period.
Convince others @ 3.5 words per second If you want to convince others and win their heart then do not speak too fast, pause frequently and do not be too animated. A study, conducted by the University of Michigan Institute of Social Research, analysed approximately 1,400 calls trying to persuade people to take part in phone surveys. The study found that those who spoke very fast, did not pause or were too animated were least successful. The study used recordings of introductory calls made by 100 male and female telephone interviewers at the institute. They looked at the interviewers' speech rates, fluency, and pitch, and then at how successful they were in convincing people to participate in the survey. Those who spoke at a rate of around 3.5 words per second (moderately fast) were much more successful at convincing people than those who spoke very fast or very slowly. The researchers, led by Jose Benki, an expert in the psychology of language, said people who speak too quickly are often seen as "out to pull the wool over our eyes", while those who talk very slow are seen as "not too bright or overly pedantic".
Does watching too much TV damage children's eyes? Children who spend more time in front of television and computer screens and less in outdoor physical activity have narrower blood vessels in their eyes, says a new study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Scientists in Australia studied 1,492 6-year-olds randomly selected from 34 schools in Sydney. The children’s parents were asked how much time their children spent in physical activities and how much time they spent in front of a TV or
computer. Then the researchers examined the children’s eyes.
After adjusting for a variety of health factors, they found that blood vessels in the eyes of children who watched the most TV were slightly smaller in diameter than those in children who watched the least amount. The results for physical activity were similar: the eyes of children who exercised the least had the narrowest blood vessels. The reason was unclear. ―We don’t know what it means in children,‖ said Dr. Paul Mitchell, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study. ―We have to follow them for much longer.‖
How to prevent dehydration? Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water In the UK, we should drink about 1.2 liters (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to prevent dehydration. You need more in hotter climates. It is fine to have drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola, but they are mild diuretics, which means they make you urinate more. Drink these alongside non-caffeine drinks and increase your intake of water if you experience any signs of dehydration. If you are working hard in hot conditions, you need to drink more fluid than you normally would. The health and safety experts recommend that you drink about 250ml (half a pint) of water every 15 minutes or 500ml (a pint) every 30 minutes.
A good night's sleep:
The easiest way to look attractive Want to look attractive? Here is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to enhance your looks. You need to have plenty of sleep. Researchers from the Karolina Institute, Sweden say that the concept of 'Beauty Sleep' is real and now has scientific proof. The study, conducted by John Axelsson and his team, was published in the British Medical Journal. The team set out to determine whether there might be a link between perceptions of attractiveness, health and sleep. Their study involved 23, non-smoking, young adult volunteers, aged between 18 and 31. They were photographed twice, each time between 2pm and 3pm. The first photograph was taken after they had had a good night's sleep, while the second one showed what they looked like after sleep deprivation. All pictures were taken in the same, well-lit room, with a fixed camera and at a fixed distance. None of the participants wore make-up, their hair were combed back, and had undergone similar shaving and washing procedures before each photograph was taken. The photographer asked them to assume a neutral, relaxed facial expression on both photo shoots. For a period of 48 hours before the study
Photo: Laura Martindale
began, the participants were not allowed to consume alcohol. The study then recruited 65 untrained observers to rate the photographs for attractiveness, health aspect, and whether or not the person looked tired. The photograph observers did not know the sleep status of the participants they were asked to rate. The authors reported that in the
vast majority of cases, the observers rated those who had had a good night's sleep as more attractive, healthier, and with more vigour. The study showed that sleep deprived people appeared less healthy, less attractive, and more tired compared with when they are well rested
Faster Aspirin that works in16 minutes Bayer AG has introduced a new aspirin that works twice as fast as existing ones. It uses the Pro-Release technology which reduces the aspirin particles into micro-particles. The micro-particles are about one tenth of the usual particle sizes. They dissolve more easily and arrive at the site of pain quickly. Bayer claims that 'Extra Strength Bayer Advanced Aspirin' has been clinically proven to 5 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
provide pain relief in half the time. Consumers have been complaining for many years saying that aspirin takes a long time to work. The new product was tested on dental patients who had had their wisdom teeth taken out. According to the Bayer, a 500 milligram dose of new aspirin starts to work within 16 minutes and brings "meaningful pain relief" within 49
minutes. Regular 500 milligram aspirin takes 100 minutes to do the same. Bayer says it is aiming to attract younger customers. It adds that today aspirin is better known for its usefulness in preventing heart attack and stroke than for its analgesic qualities. Due to currently stagnant aspirin sales it is important to revitalize the brand, they say.
Meeting the pioneer of Positive Psychology My quest for HEALTH & HAPPINESS took me to a remarkable lecture at the Royal Society of Arts. The inspirational speaker was Martin Seligman, the Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been one of our inspirations, while this journal was being conceived. He is widely considered as the founder of positive psychology. After his lecture, he signed a copy of his book Flourish for me and I presented him a copy of The Journal of Health & Happiness. In an exhilarating lecture he outlined the five pillars of his theory of well-being, a theory that might help many of us to develop positive psychology and to create a healthy attitude towards life. Here is a brief summary. 1. POSITIVE EMOTIONS or trying to follow a pleasant lifestyle. 2. ENGAGEMENT is a state of flow where thoughts and feelings are absent. And only in retrospect we realise how wonderful was our involvement in a task that we had just finished. 3. MEANING in life means belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than the self. 4. ACCOMPLISHMENT for people could also be described as success, achievement, winning and mastery for their own sake. 5. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS is the fifth element of the well-being theory. It's all about other people. "Very little that is positive is solitary. When was the last time you laughed uproariously? The last time you felt indescribable joy? The last time you sensed profound meaning and purpose? The last time you felt enormously proud of an accomplishment? Even without knowing the particulars of these high points of your life, I know their form: all of them took place around other people. "Other people are the best antidote to the downs of life..." Vijay Rana
Kindness Exercise: "Find one wholly unexpected kind thing to do tomorrow and just do it. Notice what happens to your mood."
"I want you to imagine Positive Education" Prof. Seligman on teaching Well-Being to Young People First, a quiz: Question one: in one or two words, what do you most want for your children? If you are like the thousands of parents I've polled, you responded, "happiness," "confidence," "contentment," "fulfilment," "balance," "good stuff," "kindness," "health," "satisfaction," "love," "being civilised," "meaning," and the like. In short, well-being is your top most priority for your children. Question two: in one or two words, what do schools teach? If you are like other parents, you responded, "achievement," "thinking skills," "success," "conformity," "literacy," "math," "work," "test taking," "discipline," and the like. In short, what schools teach is
how to succeed in the workplace. Notice that there is almost no overlap between the two lists. The schooling of children has, for more than a century, paved the boulevard towards adult work. I am all for success, literacy, perseverance, and discipline, but I want you to imagine that schools could, without compromising either, teach both the skills of well-being and the skills of achievement. I want you to imagine positive education. Martin Seligman, Flourish: A new Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being - and How to Achieve Them, p.78 6 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Low calorie diet may cure Type 2 diabetes British researchers have developed what they say is a "cure" for Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. And all you have to do is to virtually starve yourself for eight weeks. Funded by Diabetes UK, Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle University and his colleagues studied 11 patients who had developed diabetes later in life and those who had it for several years. The patients averaged 220 pounds at the beginning of the study. Each was put on a 600calorie-per-day diet that included a special diet drink and non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus and cabbage. The diet was followed for eight weeks. Taylor reported that, after one week on the diet, each of the patients' fasting blood sugar level, i.e. taken before breakfast, had returned to normal. At the end of the eight weeks, the patients had lost an average of 33 pounds and had no signs of diabetes. Three months after returning to a normal diet, seven of them remained free of the disease. Average weight gain in that three months was 6.5 pounds. Researchers surprisingly found that pancreas regained ability to produce insulin. Taylor believes he has an explanation for the results. At the beginning of the study, MRI scans of the patients' pancreases showed that they held an elevated level of fat, 8% compared with the normal 6%. He thinks that extra fat impairs the organ's ability to produce insulin. At the end of the study, fat levels in the pancreas were down to normal in each patient and the pancreas was able to reproduce insulin. "We believe that this shows that Type 2
diabetes is all about energy balance in the body," Taylor said in a statement. "If you are eating more [calories] than you burn, then the excess is stored in the liver and pancreas as fat, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes in some people. What we need to examine further is why some people are more susceptible to developing diabetes than others." He added, "We used the 600-calorie diet to test a hypothesis. What I can tell you definitively is that if people lose substantial weight by normal means, they will lose their diabetes." There are 2.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and approximately 85 to 90 percent of these have Type 2 diabetes.
WARNING: This diet should only be undertaken under medical supervision Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said: ―We welcome the results of this research because it shows that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed ...However, this diet is not an easy fix and Diabetes UK strongly recommends that such a drastic diet should only be undertaken under medical supervision. Despite being a very small trial, we look forward to future results particularly to see whether the reversal would remain in the long term.‖ 7 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Reducing vision loss with a diet rich in beta carotene, zinc, and Omega-3 Researchers from Netherlands have concluded that high dietary intake of nutrients with antioxidant properties reduces the risk of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in those at high genetic risk. Therefore, clinicians should provide dietary advice to young susceptible individuals to postpone or prevent the vision-disabling consequences of AMD. The study was published in the Archives of Ophthalmology. AMD is a common condition that erodes the retina and causes vision loss often in people aged 40 and older. It accounts for half of all cases of blindness in developed countries. Research teams from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam and some other universities found that people who got the highest amounts of dietary antioxidants, several nutrients,
including zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, in their diet had a lower risk of developing the condition. The authors studied 2,167 people over the age of 55 who had one of the two genes known to contribute to AMD. The researchers studied the participant's eating habits and followed-up for 10 years to track vision loss; participants received eye exams every three years. The researchers found that people who got the most zinc, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids or lutein/zeaxanthin in their diet were less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who got the lowest amounts. For example, the rate of vision loss in those getting the lowest amount of omega-3s (about 22 mg per day) was 39 cases out of every 100 people; in people who
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consumed the most omega-3s (268 mg per day), the rate was 28 cases out of every 100. But in all cases, the researchers found that it wasn't necessary to eat excessive amounts of the nutrients to see a benefit — getting the government-recommended daily allowances of healthy foods was sufficient. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies. Beta carotene is found in a variety of fruits and veggies, including carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots and green peppers. Zinc is available in oysters, red meat, nuts and beans. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in eggs and leafy greens.
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New govt guidelines for physical activity New physical activity guidelines have now been published by the four UK Chief Medical Officers. This is the first time UK-wide physical activity guidelines have been produced. For the first time guidelines have been issued for early years (under fives) as well as sedentary behaviour. Physical activity should be encouraged across the population, with the latest evidence showing there is a clear link between physical activity and chronic disease like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
EARLY YEARS (under 5s) 1. Physical activity should be encouraged from birth, particularly through floor-based play and water-based activities in safe environments. 2. Children of pre-school age who are capable of walking unaided should be physically active daily for at least 180 minutes (3 hours), spread throughout the day. 3. All under 5s should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (being restrained or sitting) for extended periods (except time spent sleeping).
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (5–18 years) 1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day. 2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least three days a week. 3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.
ADULTS (19–64 years) 1. Adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week. 2. Alternatively, comparable benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week or a combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity. 3. Adults should also undertake physical activity to improve muscle strength on at least two days a week. 4. All adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.
OLDER ADULTS (65+ years) 1. Older adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits, including maintenance of good physical and cognitive function. 2. Older adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week. 3. For those who are already regularly active at moderate intensity, comparable benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week. 4. Older adults should also undertake physical activity twice a week to improve muscle strength. 5. Those at risk of falls should have physical activity to improve balance and co-ordination on at least twice a week. 6. All older adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods. "The latest figures show that almost a quarter of adults are obese and on the current trends by 2050 it means 9 in 10 adults will be overweight or obese. We know that more than 60 per cent of adults are not active enough which is why the UK Chief Medical Officers are launching the fist UK-wide guidelines that draw on the latest science to inform weekly levels of physical activity." Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, England 9 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Building 'Healthy Smiles in Hounslow' This innovative oral health programme provides oral health advice, helps families find a local dentist and children aged 3 years and over can be given extra protection from tooth decay by having a fluoride varnish coating applied to their teeth free of charge. In Hounslow, 47% of children under five have experienced tooth decay compared with 40% across London and 38% nationally. With Healthy Smiles, parents can take their children to a dental nurse to have fluoride varnish applied at the same time as a shopping trip. The dental nurse will also give help, advice and book them straight into a follow-up appointment with a local dentist. On attending the follow-up visit, children will also be given their own ‘Brush for Life' kit that includes a free toothbrush and advice on oral health. This programme has been welcomed by chief dental officer for England Barry Cockcroft, who said: ‘This scheme combines the evidence-based application of fluoride varnish with the extremely important issue of communicating the availability and value of dental services. All the people involved in developing and running this scheme should be proud of their achievements.' This scheme builds on the experience of earlier innovative pilots on dental access that NHS Hounslow has lead over the last year. ''Healthy Smiles in Hounslow' will be running throughout August on Sundays and Thursdays in Hounslow ASDA pharmacy consulting room and Wednesdays in Feltham ASDA pharmacy.
Preventing hay fever Hay fever affects around 20% of people in the UK. Lindsey McManus of Allergy UK offers some tips on avoiding the causes and reducing your symptoms. "The main triggers of hay fever are tree and grass pollen,” says Lindsey. “The pollen count is always higher when it’s a nice, bright, sunny day.” Don’t mow your lawn If grass makes you sneeze, get someone else to mow your lawn. “It sounds obvious, but many people don’t think of this,” says Lindsey. If you react to grass and you spend time on the lawn, you'll get symptoms. Create a barrier Apply Vaseline inside your nostrils. “This acts as a filter for the pollen,” says Lindsey. Time it right Don’t sit outside between 4pm and 7pm or in the early morning, as the pollen count is highest at these times. “If you go out, or need to hang out the washing, do it after 10.30am and before 3.30pm,” says Lindsey. Shut the windows Don’t sleep or drive with the windows open, as this will allow pollen to come in. Damp dust regularly Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen from being spread around. Wash your hair “Pollen is sticky and may be in your hair,” says Lindsey. “It can then transfer to your pillow when you go to bed, and will affect you during the night.” If you’ve been out in the evening, wash your hair at bed time, as clean hair can help you sleep better. Vacuum “Pollen can live in carpet for up to three months,” explains Lindsey, so get vacuuming. Think about your medication Talk to your GP or pharmacist about any treatment you’re taking for hay fever as it might be worth trying a new treatment. “The same
antihistamine [anti-allergy treatment] doesn’t always work for someone year after year,” Lindsey says. “Try something different, such as a nasal spray or a new antihistamine.” You can take early steps to avoid symptoms of hay fever before they start. “Most people wait until symptoms start before they take treatment, but you really need to start at least two weeks before, so that the antihistamine is already in your system when pollen triggers your hay fever,” says Lindsey. Look back at previous years to work out what time of year your hay fever usually starts, and try to identify what triggers your hay fever. For example, grass pollen is in the air from May until July or August, so you could start taking antihistamine in April. Find out more about the pollen count. You can also talk to your GP or call the Allergy UK helpline for more information. Don’t ignore hay fever Hay fever can make everyday life uncomfortable and tiring, with sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and an itchy throat. However, there are treatments available and symptoms can get better. Hay fever can also increase your risk of asthma. “There is a definite link between hay fever and asthma,” says Lindsey. “If you get hay fever, you’re more likely to get asthma so it’s important to take hay fever seriously and try to treat the symptoms.” Source:www.nhs.uk/Livewell
Allergy UK helpline: 01322 619898 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give yourself a pep talk Try this instant confidence builder: Look in the mirror and say out loud or to yourself, “I am immune to criticism, I am beneath no one, I am fearless.” Dr. Deepak Chopra 11 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Drinking water before meals helps to reduce weight Many of us rely on drinking lots of water as a weight-loss tool. And there is a good reason for it. Research suggests sipping H2O before meals can help people lose pounds. Dieters have been encouraged to employ this trick for ages, with the reasoning quite simple: the water fills the stomach, thus reducing hunger. But only in recent years have studies borne this out. In the most recent, a randomized trial published in the journal Obesity, earlier this year, scientists at Virginia Tech followed a group of overweight people age 55 and above on low-calorie diets for about three months. Half the people were told to drink two cups of water before every meal. At the end of the study, the water group had lost an average of 15.5 pounds, compared with 11 pounds in the other group.
Failure to diagnose coronary heart disease In this study researchers studied 180 patients who were later identified as having coronary heart disease (CHD). 31.7% had originally been misdiagnosed by their family doctors as not having CHD (―false negative‖). Stefan Bösner and his colleagues presented the results of their cross-sectional study in the current edition of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. When a patient presents with chest pain as the main symptom, the
family doctor has to decide whether immediate action is called for or watchful waiting is an option. In this diagnostic cross-sectional study the authors evaluated the data of a total of 1249 patients over the age of 35 years who were referred to 74 participating family doctors with chest pain. From this data pool, Bösner and colleagues extracted the doctors’ initial suspected diagnosis in respect of coronary heart disease (CHD). In a total of 57 patients the doctor wrongly suspected another cause than CHD for the chest pain. Nevertheless, the family doctors still referred one in three of the patients to a cardiologist. In view of the number of missed cases of CHD, there is an argument for considering a diagnosis of CHD in patients with less pronounced symptoms. However, the researchers believe that if the ―diagnostic threshold‖ were to be lowered, the result would be a dramatic rise in false positive diagnoses.
Diesel fume particles may increase the risk of heart attack Ultrafine particles in diesel exhaust fumes can harm blood vessels, leading to a greater chance of blood clots developing in the arteries, resulting in a greater risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland revealed in the European Heart Journal. The scientists measured the diesel exhaust fume impact on healthy individuals at levels similar to those found in highly polluted cities. They compared how each volunteer reacted to diesel fume gases, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), versus those caused by tiny chemical particles from exhausts. This British Heart Foundation funded study demonstrated that, instead of the gases, the ultrafine particles undermined blood vessel
function, particularly how they control blood flow to the body's organs. These ultrafine particles are less than one millionth of a meter wide. Special filters can be fitted to cars which trap them. This is already being done in US public transport vehicles.
Double diabetes risk for South Asians in the UK As part of Diabetes Week the British Heart Foundation reminded the South Asian community living in the UK that they are more than twice as likely to have diabetes compared to the general population. Indian men are more than twice as likely to be affected by Type 2 diabetes and Pakistani women are over two and half times more likely to suffer from this serious disease than the general population. Qiam Zaidi, BME project manager at the BHF says: We are urging everyone in the South Asian community to think about their heart health and be aware they're at greater risk of Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Heart health risks, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can be hard to spot." Zaidi pointed out that Asian people normally do not complain too much, "but it is important if you're over 40 you get a heart health check with your GP".
Know your waist size South Asian men are more at risk of health problems including diabetes and coronary heart disease if their waist size creeps over 90 cm (35.5"), and women need to take special care if their waists expand beyond 80cm (32").
Atul Kochhar's Health & Happiness Recipe
Grilled Red Bream with spice rub Serves 4, Preparation time 15 minutes, Cooking time 6–8 minutes This is very much my kind of dish when I want to entertain, but also to sit and chat with my friends. I love coming up with new combinations of spices, and the spice rub here is a particular favourite. Try sea bass or John Dory as an alternative fish. Red Sea Bream contains a naturally occurring powerful antioxidant called Astaxanthin, which is where the fish gets it’s red colour from. This acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and is beneficial for eye health. Red Sea Bream is also low in calories, only about 150-200 cal per 100g and it is also high in iron.
Ingredients - 4 red bream fillets, about 150g (51⁄2oz) each - Lemon wedges, to serve For the spice rub - 3 tbsp walnut or olive oil - 4 tbsp chopped coriander leaves - 2 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed - 1 tsp lemon juice - 1 small green chilli, very finely chopped For the tomato salad - 4 plum tomatoes, chopped -1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves -11⁄2 tsp walnut or olive oil -1 tbsp walnuts, toasted in a dry frying pan and then lightly crushed - Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1. Mix all the ingredients for the spice rub together and season with salt. 2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the fish fillets on it, skin-side down. Brush the spice rub over the fish. Place under a hot grill for 6–8 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden. Remove from the heat and keep warm. 3. Meanwhile, mix together all the ingredients for the tomato salad. Serve the fish with the salad and some lemon wedges.
Atul Kochhar: A critically acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Atul is chef-patron of Benares restaurant in London. His was the first Indian restaurant in Britain to win a Michelin star. Recipe from 'Fish Indian Style' by Atul Kochhar.
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13 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
AYURVEDA: The concept of Three Dosha Ayurveda is the ancient Indian ―Science of Life‖ that deals elaborately with measures of healthy living during the entire span of life. It's based on the theory of five elements. It says that everything on earth, living or non living is made of five elements - air, space, fire, water and earth. These five elements then combine with each other giving rise to three main bio-physical energies (Tridosha), called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is a result of the combination of air and space. Pitta is formed from fire and water. Kapha is made up of earth and water. The Vata Person: People with a dominant Vata Dosha are supposed to be spontaneous and restless. They are lean and thin with irregular appetite, dry skin and scanty hair. Lifestyle: The most important thing for a Vata type is to regularise the lifestyle. This includes eating at regular intervals, keeping warm, avoiding dry foods and eating warm foods and soups instead. The tastes that suit their body type the best are sweet, sour and salty. They need to moisturise their skin and practise gentle yoga. The Pitta Person: Those with dominant Pitta Dosha are authoritative and focussed. They usually get angry due to the dominant fire element in their constitution. Physically they are moderate built, with warm and soft
skin. Their appetite and thirst are strong and they tend to eat several small meals throughout the day Lifestyle : They need to relax and avoid stress. They are advised to avoid spicy, sour and salty foods. They need to do gentle yoga and calming breathing exercises. The Kapha Person: The Kapha dominant people are friendly and social but they could be averse to physical tasks and might be overweight due to the dominant elements of earth and water which have a stable and cool property. They like warm weather and avoid cold, wet and rainy situations. Lifestyle: They need to wake up early and eat only when hungry. They have to take up a lot of physical and mental activities. They should avoid sweet, sour and salty food. Sun salutations and the breath of fire are good for them. Every person has all these three principles in him or her, but it is the dominance of any or all of these that makes up an individual constitution. According to Ayurveda each individual has a very different and unique constitution. Therefore, Ayurvedic treatments are unique and different for each person. An Ayurvedic doctor would try to identify this combination and prescribe ways of how to achieve a balance of all three Doshas. Dr Rohan Nagar, BAMS (Ayurveda)
AYURVEDA UK LTD More than 30 years of experience in the UK & India - Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Tension and Psychological Problems - Joint Pains/Arthritis, Backache, - Spondylitis & Rheumatic Problems - Asthma, Allergy, Chronic Cough, Sinusitis & Respiratory Problems - Diabetes, Hypertension, Hypo or Hyper - Thyroid and Hormonal Problems - Obesity & Metabolic Disorders - Headache, Migraine, Acidity etc. - Sleep Disorders - Skin, Nail and Hair Problems - Pediatric and Gynecological Problems Under the strict supervision and guidelines of
Dr. Anil K Mehta G.A.M.S Director of: European Institute for Scientific Research on Ayurveda, Netherlands
We Offer : - Ayurveda Consultation - Pulse Diagnosis - Detoxification Therapies - Yoga, Meditation Therapies - Panchakarma Therapies - Astrology Consultation - Ayurveda Massages - Shirodhara, Shirobasti - Enema - Panchakarma Treatments
Dr. Rohan Nagar BAMS (Ayurveda) Senior Ayurveda Consultant
Contact: 322-Great West Road Hounslow, Midd,TW5 0BA 02085777436, 02085727394 07846095768, 07737308767 Email: info@ayurvedauk.com Web: www.ayurvedauk.com
We provide services in UK ( HOUNSLOW ), HOLLAND and BELGIUM In INDIA we have residential AYURVEDIC treatment centre PDI: Situated on the holy Land of Vedas and Ganges in between Devbhumi Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand
Health & Happiness in the community From community leaders to celebrities, everyone showed keen interest in the Journal of Health & Happiness. We visited many community events at the Nehru Centre and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. We made presentations in temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras. Everywhere we received huge support and positive feedback.
India's former health minister and ICCR Chairman Dr Karan Singh with Vijay Rana and Dr Nikhil Kaushik
With Nitin Gadkari National President of India's main opposition party the BJP
With Bollywood's leading lyricist Javed Akhter
Indian television's first superstar and now the BJP MP Smriti Irani
15 THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Health & Happiness Day: National Congress of Gujarati Organisations
National Congress of Gujarati Organisations (UK) held a Free Walk-in Health Awareness Day, in association with Sri Satya Sai Service Organisation UK on Sunday, 15 May 2011. The event was held at Brent Town Hall. Presentations on diabetes, healthy eating, stroke, yoga, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis were held in the impressive Council Chamber. The services included monitoring, checking and advice on blood pressure, blood sugar levels, teeth and gum ailments, lung cancer, eye checks, osteoporosis/osteoarthritis advice and body mass index measurement. Over 500 people visited the event which was manned by doctors, dentists, eye specialists, osteoarthritis surgeon, pharmacists and nurses. The event was backed by enthusiastic volunteers who carried out registration, helped various medical experts participating in the event. The opening ceremony was performed by the new Mayor of Brent, Cllr Aslam Chaoudry. He said that this was the first official event of his term as the mayor. He said that he has 'never seen an event like this which is so orientated in helping the people in general'. At the opening Ceremony, Anita Ruparelia, Secretary General of NCGO introduced those present. Pravinbhai Amin, Chairman of NCGO, welcomed the participants. Shitu Chudasama, the Chairperson of Sri Satya Sai Service Organisation UK said that his organisation was always looking to help the community. Councillor Ramesh Patel promised the continued support of the Brent Council. Councillor Navin Shah, Member of GLA, was 'overwhelmed by the aim and result of the event'. The presentations were very useful and many questions were raised by the audience. Information stalls were set up by the Diabetic Association, Chandu Taylor Funeral Services, Smoking Cessation. The Journal of Health & Happiness got a very positive response from the audience.
16 THE JOURNNAL OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS
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