Good diet
prevents pregnancy complications
Following a healthy calorie controlled diet during pregnancy is safe and can reduce the risk
of serious complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes and premature birth, for pregnant
women, including those who are overweight and obese, according to a new study.
In the UK, more than half the women of reproductive age are overweight or obese, and across Europe and the US, up to 40 per cent of women gain more than the recommended weight in pregnancy. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a number of serious health problems.
Pregnancy is thought to be an ideal time for health professionals to discuss weight management as mothers are motivated to make changes that will benefit themselves and their baby.
So a team of researchers, led by Dr Shakila Thangaratinam from Queen Mary, University of London, investigated the effects of diet, exercise, or a combination of the two on weight gain during pregnancy and any adverse effects on mother or baby.
They analysed the results of 44 randomised controlled trials involving over 7,000 women. Study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
Weight management interventions in pregnancy were effective in reducing weight gain in the mother. Dietary intervention resulted in the largest average reduction in weight gain (almost 4 kg) compared with just 0.7 kg for exercise and 1 kg for a combination of the two. Diet also offered the most benefit in preventing pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, high blood pressure and premature birth.
However, the researchers stress that the overall evidence rating was low to very low for these important outcomes.
Importantly, the results showed that interventions are safe and do not adversely affect the baby's weight. The researchers concluded that dietary and lifestyle interventions in pregnancy improve outcomes for both mother and baby, but acknowledge the lack of data on risk factors such as age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
The study was published on bmj.com.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
19.05.2012
Health
benefits of cold showers
The best
way to beat the summer heat is a cold shower, but there are
more uses to a cold shower than we realise.
For one, a cold shower will cool
your mind after a hot hard day in the city. You ought to know cold showers can
help improve metabolism, prevent post-workout injuries and regulate uric acid levels
in your body. This is just the tip of the iceberg, read further to learn about how
cold showers can rejuvenate you.
Male
fertility: Very few men may know this fact but
heat is bad for your testes, it can potentially lower the sperm count. If you
want a child, it's time to shower in cold water, plus you're saving
electricity. So next time you visit the sauna you may want to think again.
Enhances blood
circulation to eliminate toxins: This
requires some concentration - when cold water hits the surface of your skin,
the blood vessels under the surface contract. This reduces the circulation of
blood, but at the same time your body's automated blood pressure mechanism
kicks in and targets the tissue. This causes the blood to circulate with extra
boost, hence the blood flows with vigour improving the circulation.
Builds
immunity: Do you want to increase white blood
cells? Take a cold shower, it will increase your metabolism, which in turn
increases the body heat, therefore invigorating your immune system, releasing
white blood cells.
Increases
metabolism: When you're cold you reach out for
a sweater. Similarly, when your body is cold it automatically generates heat,
putting the metabolism into fast gear. That's when carbs and fats are burned to
keep you warm.
Avoid
sport or workout injuries: After you
have over exercised your muscles, that is when they are inflamed and you need
them to relax. To improve strength and muscle mass your muscle fibers expand
and contract, hence to prevent ruptured fibers due to over training, cold water
showers are advised.
Additional
benefits: Cold showers can decrease chronic
pain, reduce body aches, improve your hair health, improve kidney function,
reduce swelling and edema, heal and tone skin
and regulate your autonomic nervous system.
Cold water
and body rhythm: It deepens your breathing. If you're tired, a cold shower
will do the trick as it helps to fight fatigue. Can't sleep? A cold shower will
help you hit the snooze button. If your hair products are not giving you the
desired sheen, try cold water. Who knew cold showers had so many health
benefits!
Source: www.timesofindia.com
19.05.2012
Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody
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