15 January, 2013

A milkshake to prevent Alzheimer’s?

A milkshake said to contain ‘memory boosting’ nutrients that reduce symptoms of early Alzheimer’s went on sale in Britain Monday. The drink contains nutrients like those found in breast milk, the Daily Mail reported. The milkshake came after a decade of research into a formula said to improve the brain function of people in the early stages of the disease.

Taken 125 ml once a day, the drink ‘Souvenaid’ has ingredients that work together to boost brain cells important for memory. It contains omega 3 fatty acids, the nutrient found in fish which is known to be good for the brain. It also contains two other compounds normally present in blood – uridine, produced by liver and kidneys and found in breast milk, and choline found in meat, nuts and eggs – along with B vitamins.

Studies carried out by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggest it helps improve memory performance after six months in people with mild Alzheimer’s who are not taking drugs. However, a study on people with moderate Alzheimer’s who were on prescribed medication found no improvement, the daily said. Around 800,000 people in Britain live with dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form.

Source: http://health.india.com

15.01.2013

India sees a dip in new HIV cases in a decade

The number of new annual HIV/AIDScases in India have dropped by 57 per cent in the last decade as against 20 per cent globally, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Saturday.

"In the last decade, the global average declining rate for new HIV infections was 20 per cent, in India it is 57 per cent," said Azad at the closing function of the third phase of the Red Ribbon Express here.

A recent report by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said India has seen new HIV cases go down from 2.74 lakh in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011 - an overall reduction of 57 per cent.

Devoted to fighting HIV/AIDS, the third phase of the express train came to a final halt at the Safdarjung Railway Station here after covering over 160 stations in 23 states.

It was flagged off Jan 12, 2012 on the national youth day.

In its journey of one year, 90,000 people availed the HIV/AIDS counselling in the train, on the platform and around the train halt-stations. In its third phase, the train

Apart from spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS, the train also conducted general health check-ups.

The first edition of the express was launched in 2007 while the second phase was flagged off in 2009.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

15.01.2013

Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable