Tips to Lose Weight

Are you too fat? Are you trying to lose your weight? Are you trying to look slim?, then you are one of the person, those who are trying hard to lose weight. Losing weight is not an easy task, and one thing you have to remember that, don’t expect miracles overnight like some fad diets promise. Your weight should be lost gradually.

Always use to eat fresh foods, and vegetables as could be possible. Avoid package and convenient foods such as fast food, and fried things which are often higher in fat content. Too much salt is one of the causes of obesity, cut down on salt. Adopt vegetarian diet as much as you can. Eat as much as your body requires not your tongue. Eating should not be your habit, make it necessity. i.e. eat only when you are hungry.

Eating by seeing television is a bad habit, which may results in your eating too much. Put the meal on a plate, sit down properly, and have a food. Develop a habit of chewing all food which is essential to add saliva to the food, as it is only in the saliva, that sugar is digested.

Drink plenty of water to wash out all your internal organs and systems. Say no to alcoholic beverages. Now a day’s most of you have a sitting job. Stand up and stretch yourself for every half an hour during working time. Avoid smoking which is bad for weight loss.

Health experts usually recommend one or half hour physical activity likes fast walking, running, or some type of exercises in the early hours of the day to stay healthy. Adding, you can also try weight-bearing exercises at least two times a week. Regular exercises will helps to burn some of the unwanted calories.

Playing during evening time is also a good idea for reducing your weight. These are all very simple tips, and you can adopt these in your lifestyle easily. Try it, and look slim.

Invest your money actively

I think simply putting your money in savings account, or fixed deposits in banks is not the good idea to create wealth. Eventhough savings account or fixed deposits are safety, they are not the best home for your money.
Savings account earns you a mere 3.5% interest rate, a level that is fixed arbitrarily. On the otherhand, fixed deposit contractually fixes the rate of return at the start date of your deposit. You cannot earn more than what you signed up for, even if interest rates in the markets were to rise.
Most of the people put their savings in banks just for 3-3.5% interest rate. Some of them put in fixed deposits. But, they failed to understand that both are highly inefficient investment options for wealth creation.
Investment in shares, and mutual funds are more beneficial compared to bank savings and fixed deposits. Every investment instrument has pros and cons. In the same way investments in shares, and mutual funds also has own risks. Because, profit or returns for your investments depends on market risks.
There is a better chance of you being able to meet your long-term financial goals through equity mutual funds. Almost every one has one or the other goals like marriage, house purchase, taking care of children's financial needs, funding their education and marriage for which they require a substantial amount of money in the future. Or, some one can be planned towards their own retirement. Past experience from all over the world has shown that only savings from salaries are not enough to fund these goals. So, for all these you may need to invest into the capital markets, subject to your risk taking capacity.
By investing in share market, and mutual funds you can take an advantage of the compounding of capital. I.e., money that creates more money, and it allows for the systematic accumulation of wealth.
More over, savings accounts and fixed deposits are highly tax inefficient. Interest you earn through these will be taxable, and you will be liable to pay tax on this income.
At the same time, by leaving your money in fixed deposits, you will loose the purchasing power of that money. If you are already wealthy then fixed deposits might be a good wealth preservation instrument.

Health insurance co-ops are good option

In looking for better ways to establish affordable healthcare for all American citizens, discussions are taking place about the development of health insurance co-ops. In these days it is becoming a hot topic in the country. In terms of healthcare reform, health insurance co-ops, which would be developed by groups as small scale businesses, could be an option for those who need health insurance. For the people those who do not like the idea of the public insurance option, it may be the good alternative.

According to a Harvard Medical School study, 45,000 Americans die due to lack of health insurance every year because they cannot get adequate care. This number is the equivalent in number of deaths to a little more than one 9/11 disaster per month, year in, year out.

Non-profit health insurance cooperative could be third alternative to the traditional private health insurance and newly proposed public health insurance. Cooperative is the good idea to provide around 47 million uninsured and struggling Americans with an alternative to the private health insurance. The co-op proposal come in large part due to some challenges in generating widespread public and political support for a public health insurance option.

Advantages

· Health insurance cooperatives are non-profit organizations, and are neither run by government nor by companies.

· They have some of the strengths of public option in that they are able to give competition for the insurance companies. Moreover, it meets some of the objections from others who do not want a government-run plan, as they are membership-run and membership-controlled, not government-controlled.

· They represent thousands of members, so they have better negotiating power with providers, keeping costs lower than individual insurance company. Additional savings come from the absence of profit pursuit and their non-taxable status.

· Co-ops are driven by health interests of members, and is not beholden to shareholders.

· As non-profit enterprises, they would not have to worry about generating returns for shareholders. They could use that freedom to reduce members' premiums or put more money into improving care. Their primary allegiance and accountability are to that membership base and customer base.

· Having low administrative costs, their big focus is on putting the dollars into health care and not into administration. Being owned by members could make them more accountable to consumers.

Usually medicine has been a mix of state, non-profit, and for-profit actors and it’s worth broadening the mix of insurance options available to ordinary people. But, co-ops are a part of healthy non-profit, private, public health care mix. They accomplish same goal as public plan, and competes with insurers. One thing we need in the system is more competition. In the sense, they are a good idea as they give competition to for-profit insurance companies.

Health insurance cooperatives can generate an independent stream of revenues. This compares favorable against a government-run public insurance option, which is dependent on taxpayer funding and the whims of government budget allocations. In this sense, co-ops offer a good competitive alternative to private health insurance companies.

Co-ops can scale in a decentralized and community-focused manner. The model can work very well in filling the gaps left by the private insurance industry. And, in this sense, co-ops can compete well on a local level. Most important thing is that co-ops are more community-focused than large insurance companies.

In co-ops people like the small community feel. It provides more personal attention. Large insurance companies and bureaucracies lose their community feel very easily. In that scale at local level co-ops can compete more effectively with the idea that they are more community-oriented and it is very easy to deal with them.

Co-ops implement a more holistic, preventive approach. System emphasizes primary care medicine and preventive care which is a major contributor, especially in the time of skyrocketing health costs.

Co-ops are more political feasible than public insurance. The public plan is too contentious to pass. While it has significant support, it also has extremely fervent opposition. Passing it would create a near revolutionary-level of outrage. Avoiding this is important, and adapting a co-op model is a good means of doing this.

In co-ops members would feel in control. There is a sense of transparency. They are cooperatively governed. Members are eligible to vote in the organization, and they have a say in how to organize care and design benefits. Members could participate in reviews of grievances and in discussion about the benefits packages. Most of the work is done by the board of trustees that has elected by members.

Cooperatives can deliver high-quality care, and could do a better job of controlling costs than some of the inflationary models. Co-op model could be a manageable and efficient system, when the question of the cost of medical care arises. It could be a good compromise.

Air Pollution is decreasing in London

With increasing urbanization and industrialization, more pollution has been added to the air by industrial, commercial and domestic sources. When these concentrated gases like Co, Co2, So2, No2, Ozone, and Pm10 exceed safe limits, we have a pollution problem.

Air pollution is increasing in many parts of the world. But in London, air pollution is decreasing over the years due to several steps taken by the government. According to available data, concentrations of six pollutants reduced between 2007 and 2008. Between 1998 and 2008 concentrations of eight pollutants have reduced.

Cause for air pollution

The substances that cause air pollution are pollutants. If they are pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants. Carbon monoxide from car exhausts, sulphur dioxide from the combustion of coal is example for primary pollutants. If primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical reaction, and further cause pollution, they are secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an example for secondary pollutant. Air pollutants mainly occur as a result of gaseous discharges from industry and motor vehicles. There are also natural sources such as wind-blown dust and smoke from fires.

Effects of air pollution

· Inhaling So2 in excess amount would lead to cough, tightening of chest, and irritation of lungs.

· NO2 results in irritation and inflammation of lungs.

· PM10 may cause inflammation of lungs, linkage of long term exposure to coronary heart disease and lung cancer.

· Intake of carbon monoxide in excess amount would leads to prevention of normal transport of oxygen by blood, resulting in the reduction of oxygen supply to the heart.

· Ozone causes pain on deep breathing, cough, irritation and inflammation of lungs. Benzene and 1, 3-butadiene leads to cancer. Lead is responsible for linkage of exposure to impaired mental function and neurological damage in children.

· Long term exposure to air pollution can shorten our life.

· Early exposure to air pollutants can slow down development and growth of the lungs in children.

History behind air pollution in Britain

Air pollution, particularly in cities, is not a new problem. Back in the middle ages the use of coal in cities such as London was beginning to escalate. In UK the industrial revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries was based on the use of coal. Urban air pollution levels often reached very high levels due to the burning of coal in industries, as well as in homes for domestic heat.

During foggy conditions, pollution levels escalated and urban smogs (smoke and fog) were formed. These often brought cities to a halt while disrupting traffic, and may also cause deaths. Effects of air pollution on buildings and vegetation also became obvious.

In the great ‘smog disaster’ in London in 1952, nearly 4,000 people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution.

Decreasing trend seen

According to London air quality network, carbon monoxide has shown a statistically significant decline in annual mean concentration. Concentrations of six pollutants from environment agency regulated industries reduced between 2007 and 2008. Between 1998 and 2008 concentrations of eight pollutants have reduced, with lead (83%) and benzene (78%) showing the greatest reductions.

According to the data, there has been a downward trend in the annual mean concentration of SO2. Since 2000 it had fallen significantly. By the spring of 2009 it had fallen by 80% since November 1996. Annual mean concentration of PM10 has decreased by nearly 26 % between November 1996 and late 2008. The concentration of NO2 has fallen since 2000, and now appears to be stabilizing. The concentration of NOx has stabilized since 2005, and is currently around 40% lower than it was in November 1996.

2009 has seen a general improvement in air quality measures compared to 2008. Significant declines would be expected for pollutants whose primary source is transport because vehicles are replaced over time with models that emit less pollution.

Government’s effort

UK Government has taken several steps to minimize air pollution over the years.

In 1995, it has passed environment Act, requiring the publication of a national air quality strategy to set standards for the regulation of the most common air pollutants. Published in 1997, strategy has set commitments for local authorities to achieve new air quality objectives throughout the UK by 2005. It is reviewed periodically. But, some forms of air pollution create global problems, such as upper atmosphere ozone depletion and global warming. These are very complex, and require international cooperative efforts to find solutions.

Narcolepsy-diagnosis and Treatment

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, which affects the part of the brain that regulates when to be asleep and when to be awake. Narcoleptics can fall asleep wherever, and whenever, even while working, cooking, or driving.
According to medical experts, the main narcolepsy symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy (loss of muscle control). Excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy connected to emotional state. Often, people have these symptoms when they are experiencing intense emotions such as laugh, sadness, surprise or frustration.
Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people, and is thought to be a genetic disorder. Most people experience their first symptoms between the ages of 10 and 25. Even though narcolepsy is a lifelong condition, narcoleptics who make certain lifestyle changes and seek medical help can reduce symptoms, and in turn improve alertness and enjoy an active life.
Scientists have discovered that people with narcolepsy are lacking in hypocretin, a chemical in the brain that activates arousal and regulates sleep. Heredity appears to be a factor in narcolepsy, but environmental triggers may also play a strong role. Research is on to investigate these triggers.

Effects of narcolepsy
· Many activities, including driving, working, cooking, or walking can be dangerous if you fall asleep or lose muscle control unexpectedly.
· It can lead to depression and anxiety.
· Sudden sleep episodes are often found humorous to those not familiar with narcolepsy.
· Often spousal relationships may suffer
· People with narcolepsy may have problems remembering things and concentration.

Treatment

According to health experts, commonly prescribed drugs for narcolepsy are stimulants, antidepressant and sodium oxybate. All medications have side effects and need doctor’s advice. Behavioural changes are usually recommended along with medications to help a person to manage narcolepsy symptoms. Combining the various treatments can improve alertness and help you to control the effects of a narcoleptic episode.

Self-help for narcolepsy

· Schedule your sleep periods.
· Take a few brief, scheduled naps during daytime.
· Try to get a good night’s sleep during the same hours each night.
· Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Beverages containing these elements interfere with sleep when you need it.
· Exercise on a regular basis.

Five Million Die From Cigarette Smoking Every Year

According to World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent report, more than five million people are die every year around the world from cigarette smoking. In addition, passive smoking i.e. inhaling someone else’s cigarette smoke kills nearly six lakh.
Smoking is injurious to our health, No doubt at all. Its effects on human health are serious and often deadly. According to health experts, cigarette contains about four thousand chemicals in which more than hundreds are toxic.
Nicotine, main ingredients of cigarette reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. Further it would reach every parts of the body, even in the breast milk. So, nicotine reaches the body of the newly born child and affects badly, if it’s mother has the habit of smoking. Moreover nicotine is extremely addictive.
Carbon monoxide, another ingredient of cigarette binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells, and prevent affected cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. It is probably the most poisonous and deadly component of cigarette smoke. It depletes the oxygen in our blood and heart, causes nearly instant shortness of breath on exposure, and is the primary factor in heart disease.
Carcinogens in tobacco smoke which is known as cancer-causing agents damage important genes that control the growth of cells, in turn causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly. Smoking affects the function of the immune system. It may increase the risk for respiratory and other infections.
Usually the body produces antioxidant which helps to repair damaged cells. But, smokers have lower levels of antioxidant in their blood when compare to non smokers which makes them more vulnerable to diseases.
Smoking increases chances of cancer including lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, and colon. It also increases chances of heart attack. Smoking causes premature wrinkling of the skin. Bad smell of cigarette emanates from mouth soon after smoking, and this awful smelling may irritate others. Chances of heart attack among smokers is double than non smokers. Smoking in women during pregnancy period may results in miscarriage or a lower birth-weight baby.
Smoking affects negatively on a person’s longevity. According to health experts, adult male smokers will lose an average of 13 years while female smokers lose 14 years of life. Moreover, it costs heavily on smokers’ pocket also. If someone saves spending money on cigarettes, it would become a large amount in their lifetime.
Health experts feel that health warnings on tobacco package have played an important role in helping smokers to understand the risks of tobacco use. But, in contrast the study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that cigarette packets with death related warnings were not effective and even caused more positive smoking attitudes, especially among teenagers. So, stringent actions like imposing ban on smoking in public places, higher taxes on tobacco products, bans on tobacco advertising…need to be taken by the governments to minimize smoking impact.

My Way of Resolving Problem

I come from middle class family, and working as journalist in a leading daily. I am leading a decent life along with my wife and a small baby. But, my past life was not so smooth like now, and was a bed of thorns due to my bad habits, especially cigarette smoking.
In earlier days of my college life I was chain smoker, and used to smoke eight-nine cigarettes for a day. I don’t know how I addicted to cigarette smoking. Smoking was fun and quite a thrill for me at the time. But it damaged my body, ruined my relationships, and created a lot of problems for me.
After some days I experienced a pain in my stomach, and consulted doctor for treatment. As days went fast pain was severe, and I was admitted to hospital. After five days of treatment I was discharged from the hospital. That was an Ayurvedic mode of treatment, and the mode of therapy involved intake of two-three herbal drops dissolved in a glass of water, three to four times a day along with hypnotherapy which was done alongside for an hour daily by a qualified Naturopathy and Yoga doctor. Doctor suggested me to drink lots of water which helped to excrete excessive toxin that was present in the body due to smoking.
Gradually I regained my health, but mentally I was not fully recovered. Often I was getting tired. I was upset. At one stage, I had lost my interest in life. Intentionally I alienated myself from friends and family members. Actually, post-treatment period was very important. Doctor advised me to quit smoking completely. But, I was addicted, and it was very difficult to avoid smoking. Really that was the difficult period of my life. I met one of my close friends who had faced the same problem earlier, and narrated my whole story. In reply, he suggested yoga, according to him that is the best remedy for rejuvenation.
I purchased one book titled Freedom of Body and Mind: Yogasanas, Pranayam and Meditation written by Yogacharya Swami Omkareshwarananda. I started practicing yoga and pranayama (breathing exercise) in my smoking cessation. Later I make it as a routine practice, and still I am doing yoga and pranayama daily. That helps a lot for me. It gave me the best results and confidence to quit smoking. While practicing I got will-power, and peace of mind. It enhanced my concentration power. Gradually I recovered, and succeed to abandon smoking. Now I am leading a happy life along with my wife and a small baby.
I think we should face the problem whenever it comes to us. Initially it may give pain but this pain is much lower than when this would become a bigger problem. My way of resolving problem is face the problem, try to fix that as early as possible, and do not give any chance to the problem to become a bigger one.