The Telangana Science Journal, March 2006, Issue 99

Contents

Diet and Exercise	Miscellaneous	Recipes	Financial Health
Worldwide Obesity Epidemic Diet of Oatmeal Omega-3 Oils Reduce Prostrate Cancer Spread Smoking and Drinking Water Running Alone Magnesium Tummy Fat in Women and ED in Men Clinton against Obesity Food Industry Regulatory Outlook for 2006 Chili Peppers Kill Cancer Fruits and Vegetables Red Cabbage Ginger Fruits and Vegetables may Prevent Asthma Exercise Helps Yoga	When to get a Pet Old and Lonely TV Breast Asymmetry	Lemon Potatoes Banana Maple and Lime Pancakes Creamy Carrot Soup	Education Expenses

Diet and Exercise

Worldwide Obesity Epidemic
We have truly a global epidemic affecting most countries in the world. Nearly half of the children in North and South America will be overweight by 2010, up from what recent studies say is about one-third, according to a report published by the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity. In the European Union, about 38 percent of all children will be overweight if present trends continue, up from about 25 percent in recent surveys, the study said. The percentages of overweight children also are expected to increase significantly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Egypt have rates comparable to fully industrialized nations. Researchers concluded that the prevalence of childhood obesity increased in almost all the countries, for which data were available. The trend is fueled by more sedentary lives and the increasing availability of junk food due to globalization, among other factors. The public health consequences of the trend alarm experts.

Diet of Oatmeal
According to a study, published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people interested in lowering their cholesterol should acquire a taste for tofu and oatmeal. The participants were prescribed a diet that included specific foods, such as raw almonds, tofu and other soy foods, viscous fibers such as oatmeal, barley, okra and eggplant, and plant sterol-enriched margarine. After a year, the group who stuck faithfully to the new eating plan lowered their cholesterol by an average of 29 percent. The rate was comparable to results from participants who had taken a statin drug for one month before starting the diet, as well as general studies of patients on such drugs.

Omega-3 Oils Reduce Prostrate Cancer Spread
Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that work together to promote good health. The body cannot make them, so eating a diet rich in the substances is important. Certain oils such as canola, flaxseed and fish are sources of omega-3, while raw nuts and seeds contain omega-6. In laboratory studies, scientists at the Paterson Institute at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, England found that omega-3 fats could block the spread of cancerous cells. The results of the research published in the British Journal of Cancer suggest a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids might help to inhibit the spread of the disease in men with early prostate cancer. Because omega-3 and omega-6 work together, it is important to maintain a balance of the two for good health.

Smoking and Drinking
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, and doctors generally recommend that patients begin screening for the disease at age 50. Drinking and smoking may contribute to developing colorectal cancer years earlier than average, a new study found. The findings appear in the March 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Everyone knows that smoking kills, but a new study finds it can kill much earlier than most people realize. The study, which is the largest and longest study of smoking and its consequences involving both men and women, appears in the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Not only smoking can shorten lives, but also, a new study finds, it also hampers men's sex lives. Researchers say men who smoke a pack of cigarettes or more a day are nearly 40 percent more likely to have erectile dysfunction compared with nonsmokers, reporting in March issue of the British journal Thorax.

Water
How much water should you drink? Experts now say that drinking eight glasses of water is not necessary. For normal, healthy adults, simply drinking when thirsty — even coffee and other drinks — can meet the body's need for fluids. Fluid intake can include the fluid you get from food, caffeine drinks, and other beverages. Experts haven't set a limit for drinking too much liquid — but some runners actually drink too much water during a race, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and highlighted by the Cleveland Clinic. Exceptions to these guidelines are athletes, those who are sick or who have certain medical conditions, or people living in extreme weather conditions. Exercise, heat, and humidity increase the possibility of dehydration, so you need to drink more frequently. Sickness, a high body temperature, excessive perspiration, vomiting, frequent urination, or diarrhea also increase our fluid needs. Watch your urine: if it's too concentrated and yellow — which indicates a need for more fluid — drink more. (http://www.humana.com/eplanpro/issue_1/article1.asp)

Running Alone
New research with rats suggests that running solo might not offer the perceived benefits and, in fact, may actually be bad for runners when combined with social isolation. The scientists behind the study report that mice forced to live and run by themselves have less brain cell growth than those that get to run with other rats. The rats who ran in groups did a better job of generating new neurons than those that ran in isolation. The researchers also found that the isolated rats had higher levels of corticosterone, a hormone related to stress. The findings appear in the March 12 online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience. The implications for humans aren't clear.

Magnesium
A diet rich in magnesium may help reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome, the cluster of conditions that can lead to diabetes and coronary heart disease, new research finds in a study called The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. The standard recommendations for preventing heart disease are avoiding smoking, getting more physical activity, and eating more fruits and vegetables. Food sources of magnesium include dry roasted almonds, cashews, spinach, whole-grain cereals, avocados, bananas and raisins. About 16 percent of the study participants were taking dietary supplements that contained magnesium.

Tummy Fat in Women and ED in Men
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health and is being presented on March 3rd at an American Heart Association conference in Phoenix, suggests that by just lifting weights twice a week for an hour, women can battle the buildup of tummy fat that often takes hold with aging. The study focused on intra-abdominal fat, the deep fat that wraps itself around organs and is the most unhealthy because it's linked with heart disease.

A major new study of American males suggests that regular exercise and a healthy diet may help banish ED and the heart disease that often accompanies it. "Couch potato" men were much more likely to develop erectile difficulties, suggesting that getting off the couch and getting active might help fight the problem. Lifestyle modifications such as exercise and weight loss for patients with the metabolic syndrome have been shown to prevent almost two-thirds of new-onset diabetes cases. Increasing physical activity, weight loss and control of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes can also reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

Clinton against Obesity
Obesity rates have tripled over the past 40 years for children and adolescents from ages 6 through 19, raising their risk of risks of type 2 diabetes and a range of other diseases. The rise of diabetes among young people has caused the medical community to change its terminology -- what used to be called adult onset diabetes is now type 2 diabetes, because it's turning up in children as young as 9, former President Clinton, a reformed overeater said. Halting the rising obesity rates must be part of a larger challenge to the rising costs of health care, he said. If the country could reduce the nation's spending on health care -- now 16 percent of the gross domestic product -- down to 11 percent, the most other countries spend, it could save $700 billion. Clinton urged the nation's governors to embrace a long-term effort to change the nation's culture of "too much food and too little exercise." But ultimately it comes down to people's choices. "No matter what else you say, no matter what different studies show, you've got to consume less and burn more," Clinton said. "To do that you've got to change the culture."

Food Industry Regulatory Outlook for 2006
The major issues for the food industry in 2006 will continue to be obesity and health. Obesity continues to be of great importance to a variety of groups for differing reasons. Regulators are concerned because of the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with obesity and the resulting increase in expenditures of health care resources. Individual consumers are also becoming more concerned about their weight and health and, as a result, are seeking out diet and functional food products. Consumer groups continue to assert that the food industry is contributing to rising obesity levels through its advertising and promotion of nutritionally deficient foods, as well as its failure to develop and market more healthful products. All of these interests will continue to be factors during 2006, and will drive regulation as well as major shifts within the food industry such as self-regulation of advertising to children and the development of functional and health foods. http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=38722&email_access=on

Chili Peppers Kill Cancer
An ingredient which makes chilli peppers hot, also triggers prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. Tests showed that Capsaicin triggered 80 per cent of the cancer cells to start the process leading to cell death. It also reduced the size of tumours by a fifth with no major side effects in mice. The rodents had been genetically modified to have human prostate cancer cells. Habaneras are the highest rated pepper for Capsaicin content typically containing between 60 to 120 times the levels in the more popular Jalapeno. However, high intake of hot chillies has been linked with stomach cancers. Men with prostate cancer should avoid fatty foods, red and processed meat, increase their Omega-3 fat intake and enjoy a wide and plentiful range of fruit and vegetables every day.

Fruits and Vegetables
Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin that is naturally found in fruits and vegetables Increased levels of dietary folate from food, but not from supplements, appears to reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to results of a large population-based study of Swedish men and women. Beans and green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, which are high in folic acid help, prevent pancreatic cancer but vitamin supplements do not help. The US government recently mandated that manufacturers fortify grain products with folic acid, adding it to flour, rice, pasta and cornmeal. Previous studies have suggested that folate may protect against colorectal and breast cancer, according to a report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Red Cabbage
The average total polyphenol concentration of the red cabbage is 190 milligrams per 100 grams of fresh weight, while white cabbages yields only 45 milligrams per 100 grams. Red cabbages also contain significantly more anthocyanins than the white cabbage variety: 23 versus 0.01 milligrams per 100 grams. In a new study red cabbage was seen to reduce the build-up of certain plaques in the brain that could cause Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia that costs the UK an estimated £15 billion (€ 22 billion) every year.

The news come hot on the heels of a similar report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (doi: 10.1002/jsfa.2409) from New Zealand researchers who looked at blackcurrant extracts and Alzehimer's. The protective effects of the currants were again linked to the high anthocyanin content, and the researchers concluded: “The phenolic extract of blackcurrant demonstrated the highest protective effect and may be a good candidate for inclusion into a processed functional food.”

Ginger
A new study, published on-line in Food Chemistry (doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.01.013), assessed the effects of ginger on the blood antioxidant levels and kidney health of diabetic rat models. Ginger could help protect against kidney damage, a condition said to threaten one in three diabetics, if the results of an animal study published in Food Chemistry are also seen in humans.

Fruits and Vegetables may Prevent Asthma
Women who eat plenty of tomatoes, carrots and leafy greens appear less likely to have asthma, researchers have found. Though it's uncertain whether the foods are the reason, the findings suggest that some vegetables may protect against adulthood asthma, the researchers report in the medical journal Thorax. A number of studies have suggested that antioxidants or certain other nutrients in plant foods may help prevent or ameliorate asthma and other allergic conditions. Carrots, tomato juice and spinach contain nutrients called carotenoids, some of which are converted into vitamin A in the body. Among other jobs, vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and maintain the lining of the respiratory tract.

Exercise Helps
A new study has found that sudden cardiac death during exertion is extremely uncommon in women, and perhaps even more uncommon in women who exercise regularly. And in the same vein, a second study showed that women who are heavier and who exercise less are more likely to have warning signs implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. These two studies appear in the March 22/29 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Yoga

Miscellaneous
When to get a Pet
In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, Austrian researchers found that the risk of dog attacks on children is highest when the children are 1 year old, and then decreases as the children get older. Accordingly, parents should wait before introducing a dog into the home until children are school age, at least 5 years old.

Old and Lonely
Loneliness in people over 50 greatly increases their risk of high blood pressure, researchers say in the latest study to underscore the health advantages of friends and family. The loneliest people studied had blood pressure readings as much as 30 points higher than those who weren't lonely, suggesting that loneliness can be as bad for the heart as being overweight or inactive, the researchers said in the March issue of the journal Psychology and Aging. Loneliness was strongly linked to high blood pressure even when conventional risk factors such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption were also considered.

TV
TV is not only dangerous to kids' brains, but also associated with cognitive decline in adults. Daytime television may be associated with cognitive decline in older women. A study published in the Southern Medical Journal finds that elderly women who watch soap operas and talk shows are more likely to have cognitive impairment than women who don't watch those programs.

Breast Asymmetry
A University of Liverpool team compared mammograms of 252 women who went on to develop breast cancer with a similar number from women who stayed healthy. The study in the journal Breast Cancer Research found the relative odds of getting cancer went up 50% for each 100ml increase in breast asymmetry. The average female breast in the study was about 500ml in size, so a variation of 100ml was quite big. Almost all women had some degree of breast asymmetry, except one woman who had perfectly symmetrical breasts. Accordingly, breast asymmetry should not be considered in isolation. It is important to consider a woman's entire risk profile before assessing her breast cancer risk.

Recipes
Lemon Potatoes
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds new potatoes, 1 teaspoon non/low fat margarine, 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon peel, grated, 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped.
Direction:
Steam potato's for 12-15 minutes. Rinse under cold water and peel. Melt margarine in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining ingredients and potatoes and stir until potatoes are coated with mixture and heated.

Banana Maple and Lime Pancakes
Serves: 4
Ingredients: 115 g/ 40z/ cup plain flour, 1 cup skimmed milk, sunflower oil for frying
For the filling, 4 bananas, sliced 3 tbsp maple syrup or golden syrup, 2 tbsp lime juice
strips of lime rind to decorate.
Direction: Beat together the flour, milk and water until smooth and bubbly. Chill until needed.
Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick frying pan and pour in enough batter just to coat the base. Swirl it around the pan to coat evenly. Cook until golden then toss or turn and cook the other side. Place on a plate cover with foil and keep hot while making the remaining pancakes.
To make the filling place the bananas syrup and lime juice in a pan and simmer gently for 1 minute. Spoon into the pancakes and fold into quarters. Sprinkle with shreds of lime rind to decorate. Serve hot with yogurt.

Creamy Carrot Soup
Ingredients: 2 tsp canola oil, 1.20 lb carrots, peeled and chopped, 1 celery stick, sliced, 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated, 1½-cup lowfat soymilk, 1 onion, medium, chopped, 2 vegetable stock cubes
2½-cup water

Direction: Heat oil in a large saucepan. Sauté onion until soft. Add carrot, potato, celery, water, stock cubes and ginger. Bring to the boil; then cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Cool, then process in food processor until smooth. Gradually add soymilk, processing until well combined. Reheat before serving

Financial Health
Education Expenses & Tax Credits
http://www.military.com/Content/Email_To_A_Freind/1,11492,,00.html?page_url=/Education/Content/0,13302,Education_Ask5,00.html

There are a number of education related tax benefits available to individuals who are paying higher education costs or repaying student loans. These usually fall into two categories tax deducations or tax credits. In this issue we will take a look at the benefits of using education tax credits.

Education Tax Credits
A tax credit reduces the amount of income tax you may have to pay. Unlike a deduction, which reduces the amount of income subject to tax, a credit directly reduces the tax itself. The lifetime learning credit is a nonrefundable credit. This means that it can reduce your tax to zero, but if the credit is more than your tax the excess will not be refunded to you.
There are two tax credits available to help you offset the costs of higher education by reducing the amount of your income tax. They are the Hope credit and the lifetime learning credit.

Tax Tip: You may be able to take a tuition and fees deduction for your education expenses instead of an Education Tax Credit. You can choose the one that will give you the lower tax.

The Hope Credit
You may be able to claim a Hope Credit of up to $1,500 for qualified tuition and related expenses for each eligible student during that student’s first two years of post-secondary education. An eligible student must be taking at least one-half of the normal full-time workload in order to qualify for the credit.

The Lifetime Learning Credit
You may be able to claim a lifetime learning credit of up to $2,000 for qualified education expenses paid for all students enrolled in eligible educational institutions. There is no limit on the number of years the lifetime learning credit can be claimed for each student. The lifetime learning credit you are allowed may be limited by the amount of your income and the amount of your tax.

Tax Tip: If you are eligible to claim the Hope credit and you are also eligible to claim the lifetime learning credit for the same student in the same year, you can choose to claim either credit, but not both. For 2005, if the total qualified education expenses for a student are less than $7,500, it will generally be to your benefit to claim the Hope credit.
There are several differences between these two credits. For example, you can claim the Hope credit based on the same student's expenses for no more than 2 years. However, there is no limit on the number of years for which you can claim a lifetime learning credit based on the same student's expenses. The differences between the two credits are summarized in following table.

Eligiblity
Generally, you can claim either education tax credit if all three of the following requirements are met.
-You pay qualified education expenses of higher education.
-You pay the education expenses for an eligible student.
-The eligible student is either yourself, your spouse, or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return.

Claiming the Credits
You claim the Hope credit by completing Parts I and III of Form 8863 and submitting it with your Form 1040 or 1040A. Enter the credit on Form 1040, line 50, or on Form 1040A, line 31.
You claim the lifetime learning credit by completing Parts II and III of Form 8863 and submitting it with your Form 1040 or 1040A. Enter the credit on Form 1040, line 50, or Form 1040A, line 31. Visit the Military.com Tax Center for more information on using this and other credits and deductions to lower your taxes and increase your return.

This material contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial, tax, medical or health care advice. For information about specific needs or situations, contact your financial agent or physician.
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Source: The primary sources cited above, New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), Mercury News, Bayarea.com, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Intellihealthnews, Deccan Chronicle (DC), the Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, AP, Reuters, AFP, womenfitness.net etc.

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