Health & Food

Smoking increases the risk of lower back pain that needs to be fixed by spinal surgery, a Swedish study suggests. Researchers focused on a common cause of lower back pain known as lumbar spinal stenosis, which occurs when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The condition often develops as people age, but nicotine’s constriction of blood flow and promotion of...

New York, Jan 5: People who sleep less than the recommended eight hours a night may suffer from anxiety or depression, a study warns. Researchers from the Binghamton University in the US assessed the timing and duration of sleep in individuals with moderate to high levels of repetitive negative thoughts (eg, worry and rumination). Participants were exposed to different pictures intended to trigger...

New York, Jan 2: Children who eat fish at least once a week are more likely to sleep better and have higher IQ, a study has found. For the research, a cohort of 541 9-to 11-year-olds, 54 percent boys and 46 percent girls, completed a questionnaire about how often they consumed fish in the past month, with options ranging from "never" to "at least once per week." The participants also took an IQ...

Exercising twice a week may improve thinking ability and memory in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a guideline by the American Academy of Neurology. Mild cognitive impairment is a medical condition that is common with ageing. While it is linked to problems with thinking ability and memory, it is not the same as dementia. However, there is strong evidence that MCI can lead...

Washington, Dec 28: If you are trying to shed extra kilos after a New Year party as a resolution, then you would want to try a set of recommended exercises at home. Personal trainer Peter Mac has suggested some simple exercises to tone belly fat at home, reports the Daily Star. Leg raises: It is good for building your upper body strength and core muscles. Lie down flat on your back, stretch the...

Dec 27: If you have been struggling to lose weight for quite some time, you may want to pay attention to your diet more than anything else. According to the research published in the Journal Cell Host and Microbe, you should be paying more attention to the diet of your gut bacteria, as the scientists suggests that a fibre rich diet can influence weight gain, blood sugar levels and colon health. It...

Dec 26: Before buying red meat from market, you may want take a complete look at the entire animal, as a study recently warns that consuming processed meat may increase the risk of developing cancer. Cancer Research UK has acknowledged a correlation between processed and red meats and the deadly disease. According to experts, the only way to be certain that it hasn’t been affected by tumours is by...

Dec 25: A premature infant, born more than 3 weeks before the due date, has narrowed upper airways as compared to newborn peers carried to full term. Premature birth leaves these children more susceptible to disordered breathing while sleeping, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an ailment characterized by increased upper-airway resistance that narrows airways. "In addition to finding some...

London, Dec 24: Santa Claus is adored by youngsters the world over, but he could be setting a bad example when it comes to his physical health and mental well being, according to UK doctors. Centuries of sherry-drinking, eating mince pies and working night shifts could be putting Santa Claus at serious health risk, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGPs) - a professional...

Washington D.C, Dec 23: Parents' please-take-note! Just one egg a day given to babies aged between six and nine months for six months, may boost their brain development, a new research suggests. According to researchers, one egg increases a child's choline and DHA levels, both of which are significant for brain health. Eggs deliver their nutrients in a holistic package, or "food matrix," which...