All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Learn to detoxify home

Improve your health by detoxifying the home

Not just the food habits, to improve our health we often need to declutter and detoxify the house where we live in. During this second-year pandemic, while most of us are working from home it seems obvious to detoxifying home will help us to feel better. Learn how one can detoxify the house to make you and your family feel better.

  1. Kitchenware: Take out non stick pans and tavas. Go for steel utensils and ceramic instead. To store food consider using ceramic, glass, or steel boxes. Remove plastic storage boxes and replace with metal ones.
  2. Plant based cleaners: Consider replacing regular chemical cleaners with plant-based cleaners. Most chemical cleaners’ effluent toxic chemicals, long-term usage of which can cause illness. These chemicals can interfere in hormonal function, can be neurotoxins, trigger asthma and problem in conceiving.
  3. Limit plastics usage: Plastics are found everywhere and in most products. If you know how plastic usage can harm our health, consider using less plastic or say no to plastic. Start with reusable bags for grocery as we tend to store carry bags inside one another thinking we will be using it.
  4. Take care of air: Instead of using air-refreshers that are hazardous to human health, consider opening the windows for few minutes every day. Not opening the windows and not allowing outside air to enter the house will lead to toxic indoor air. Chemicals that are released from materials inside the house will become stagnant and we keep breathing same air. Circulating fresh air inside the house will remove toxins accumulated.
  5. Indoor plants: Populate house with good indoor plants.  Plants will remove ammonia and formaldehyde odor. Air cleaning plants will improve lung function. Plants detoxify the regular pollutants like formaldehyde found in furniture and ammonia an ingredient in cleaning products.
  6. Avoid fragrances: Fragrances that we use for various purposes like in air fresheners, soaps and shampoos contain phthalates that can cause allergies and affect development. Products that does not have artificial fragrances are good for skin and overall health.
  7. Avoid pesticide: Instead of harsh chemicals to kill pests try natural methods like using water, alcohol and dish soap. Introducing lady bugs in vegetable garden is good ideas as they act as they feed on pests and eggs. Grow marigold and chrysanthemum plants in vegetable garden along with vegetables to repel pests.

Image credit: Image by Sandro Porto from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 20, 2021
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Kids and pets safety

Tips to keep child safe around pets

Owning a pet seems like fun but it also comes with lot of responsibility. Just like children animals also need care and love. Kids generally love to pet animals whether it is dog, cat or bird they love animals. Everyday interaction with the pet that lives with you need lot of attention in terms of safety of your kids.

It is a good idea to learn and teach safety tips when family is around and interact with a pet or pets. Each form of pet has its own way of identifying and interacting with humans. For example, dogs are pack animals and live a social hierarchy life. Dogs always pick on weakest member in the family, which generally is a child. That’s why It is important to show the dog that all members in the family are leaders. Similarly, cats are attached to older adults who feed them. Cats does not like to pet often. Most cats do not like picking up or patted by children and they can retaliate.

It is important to establish a safe and happy relationship between the child and pet. Here are few tips to establish the safe relationship between the two.

  1. Do not leave a young child with any animal. You never know, accidents can happen even with trustworthy pets and children.
  2. Teach child not to approach the pet while it is eating, chewing or when it is caring for its young ones.
  3. Do not make loud noise or approach pet rudely. Do not pull the tail.
  4. Do not pull or tug pet, pet the animal in gentle manner. Never approach suddenly from behind especially.
  5. If child is trying to be approach someone else’s pet or dogs that are not familiar, ask the adults before petting the animal.
  6. Let the pet sniff first to get familiar with child. Tell child not to touch eyes, ear, nose, mouth, or tail of the pet.
  7. With larger animals, do not give leash to child while walking. If the animal runs, child can get injured.
  8. Keep children away from litter box. Cat littler boxes looks like sands in playground. Children get tempted to see and want to play. Cat litter is not good for health.
  9. Do not allow child to feed dogs or cats. Some animals can be aggressive and can overpower child. Tell child to leave a dog alone when it lifts its lips, growls, backs away, raises the hair on its back or stares.
  10. Let child keep away from dogs during times of excitement like chasing, receiving someone at the door or while eating. Do not allow child to go near dogs that are fighting.
  11. Train dog to follow certain commands – sit, sleep, roll, eat, drop, come, stay
  12. If a dog bites the child, call the doctor immediately and ask what precautions one must take.
  13. If you own a cat, keep children away from cat litter. Most cats love to sleep on bed. Clean and dust the bed, bed sheets often so that cat hair does not cause allergy or bother your child.
  14. If a cat bites, act immediately. Cats claws and teeth known to contain nasty bacteria that could worsen the wounds.
  15. Keep pets away from baby or toddler’s nursery. Keep feeding bottle, clothing in places where pets cannot reach.
  16.  Teach children that animals have feelings too. It is important to show them that you care and respect them.  Pets can get hurt if not treated properly. They also long for love, affection, and companionship.

While pets can be fun, they can be dangerous too. Before getting a pet or introducing a pet to your child, teach child what to expect with a pet. If you have a new baby, introduce the pet to baby gently. It is important for the pet to understand that there is another important person will be present in the house. This will build an equal understanding between the two.

Image credit: Image by Kirill Lyadvinsky from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 16, 2021
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zombie genes

Scientist discover Zombie genes – Genes that wake up after death

We think after our heart stops beating or dies, entire body system shuts down and there is no more growth and development occurs in human body. Is that true? Well, a new study conducted by group of scientists suggests that there is one type of cells that remain alive after we die. These cells will remain alive and show increased activity after hours of death. Sometime might show even massive growth!

An article published in the journal of Scientific Reports, scientists from University of Illinois Chicago analyzed gene expression in tissues collected from brain surgery at multiple times after removal to simulate post-mortem interval and death. Their findings are remarkable as the results show that some cells gene expression increased after death!

These zombie genes increased genetic expression after the postmortem interval. Specifically, one type of cells called glial cells or inflammatory cells showed this type of expression. Glial cells grow and sprout long arm like structure for many hours after human death! Glial cells are part of the nervous system, they do not transmit or receive electrical signal, but they support other brain cells, binding neurons and help them function.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Loeb, Head of Neurology and rehabilitation at the UIC college of medicine and corresponding author of the research paper “That glial cells enlarge after death isn’t too surprising given that they are inflammatory and their job is to clean things up after brain injuries like oxygen deprivation or stroke” Glial cells act as cleanup crew after illness and brain injuries.

During analysis it was observed that 80% of the genes analyzed remained stable for 24 hours. This included housekeeping genes, neuronal genes that are involved in memory, thinking and seizure activity and third group are zombie genes in Glial cells. Zombie genes increased their activity while the neuronal genes were degrading, and zombie genes activities peaked at about 12 hours!

Postmortem human brain tissues are used for finding cure and treatments to neurological disorders, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. However, this is the first-time researchers are focusing on gene expression in postmortem studies. General assumption is that brain stops when the heart stops. In the present findings the changes in brain tissues sheds lights on gene expression. Loeb and team observed that global pattern of gene expression in fresh human cells did not match any of the reports of postmortem brain gene expression of people with or without neurological disorders.

Understanding the brain functions is critical for diseases like Huntington’s. In this study brain cell samples were collected from patients who were suffering from epilepsy and other conditions. The findings help to understand which genes and cell types are stable, which degrade, and which genes increase activity in postmortem brain cells helps to understand studies related to brain.

Image credit:

Brain image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ (Free for commercial use)

Zombie genes: ZOMBIE’ CELLS COME TO LIFE AFTER THE DEATH OF THE HUMAN BRAIN. 

CREDIT: DR. JEFFREY LOEB/UIC

Furtrher reading:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/

‘Zombie’ genes? Research shows some genes come to life in the brain after death
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 15, 2021
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Fryingpan nonstick Frying pan

Non stick frying pan can increase cholesterol

There are many foods that we aware of increase of cholesterol and health conscious people avoid and stay away from such foods. When it comes to cholesterol we only think about foods that either increase, decrease good and bad cholesterol. But what about the containers and non stick frying pan that we prepare foods?  Research studies show that both pans and pots that we use or choose for cooking has significant effect on our health.

Yes, it is true!  According to Howard Health Institute research our health and cookware that we use are not independent of one another!

Cookware affects our health

We all are conscious of our health and selective about the food that we eat. But our cookware could cause harm to our health.

When non-stick cookware is used, we should know that the non-stick materials are made of steel or aluminum and contains a chemical coating to make them non-stick. The coating applied on cookware when heated at high temperature releases the chemical coating in our food. The chemical called PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid is a carcinogen substance. If you think that you are cooking organic vegetables and eating fiber food, also think about your cookware that is adding extra chemicals. We should be aware of several such cookware that we use at home.

Types of non-stick coating we should be aware of:

  1. Teflon coating- Teflon is not recommended for cooking due to several health reasons as it contains PFAO that has severe affect on our health.
  2. Titanium coating – Has aluminum with synthetic titanium fused in the coating material and is very much reactive.
  3. Diamond coating: Companies might say diamond coating is safe and there is no Teflon. But we should be careful because Teflon is a trademark of Dupont company, but diamond coating pans and pots contains polytetrafluoroethylene!
  4. In addition to above coatings beware of cooking spray that might claim low in calories but contains propellant substance that is also present in aerosol containers and made of propane, carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide

 What happens when we cook non-stick vessels?

  • Teflon flu: Teflon is one of the popular nonstick cookware. When we cook using Teflon, the breathing from the fumes expelled from high temperature can result in flu-like symptom called Teflon flu. Reason for this is the polluted air that is in the kitchen due to cooking using Teflon.
  • Using such materials causes smaller birth weight of new born as the food particles with chemicals enters fetus during pregnancy.
  • It increases cholesterol – chemicals entered in body elevates cholesterol. Studies reveal that that teens and children who have elevated total and LDL cholesterol were exposed to non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics! (published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine states).
  • Inflammation of liver – to protect our system from toxic substances liver works hard and results in inflammation.
  • Using non-stick pans can cause tumor and cancer of testicles, liver and pancreas (results were shown in rats). In humans those who worked with PFOA higher levels of bladder and kidney cancers.
  • Causes abnormal thyroid functioning – which is due interference of chemicals in hormones and thyroid system.

Which are safe alternatives for non-stick pans?

  • Stainless Steel: These vessels have aluminum or copper between stainless steel sheets. These are great for cooking because of great heat conductivity and safe for cooking food.
  • Cast Iron: You want include traces of iron in system then go for cast iron. It is highly durable and safe at high temperatures unlike non-stick pans.
  • Ceramic: Good for high temperature cooking. If you are buying decorative additions, make sure they are good for cooking purpose

Next time when you are cooking healthy food, consider cooking food in healthy pot.

 

For more reading visit:

Image credit: Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels
(Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 14, 2021
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Pomegranate benefits

Why Eating Pomegranate is Good For us

Pomegranate is one of the most loved fruit due to its taste and appearance. Pomegranate fruits tastes sweet and has tart flavor. Inside fruit is ruby red to dark red in color and will have multiple seeds. Color is due to polyphenol compounds. Fruits are also packed with rich nutrients and antioxidants punicalagins. Seeds of pomegranate are also edible and contain insoluble fiber.

Eating pomegranate promotes heart health, reduces blood pressure, and reduces cancer risks. Hence it is considered as superfood that promotes overall health. Arils inside the fruit contains water. The other important nutrients in this delicious fruits are:  Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Potassium. In fact, pomegranate is one of the rich sources for potassium.

Benefits of pomegranate:

Consuming pomegranate on daily basis improves bowel movement, reduces blood pressure and increases resistance of body to fight diseases.

Pomegranate is useful for:

  1. Protecting body from free radicals
  2. Boosts immunity
  3. Reduces stress level
  4. Prevents atherosclerosis
  5. Reduces body inflammation
  6. Good for heart condition
  7. Reduces high blood pressure
  8. Prevents growth of tumors
  9. In men prevents male dysfunction
  10. Helps in improving fertility
  11. Helps to reduce arthritis symptoms
  12. Reduces intestinal worm infestation
  13. Improves memory
  14. Good for bowel movement and digestion
  15. Seed oil is useful during menopause- reduces hot flash
How to use pomegranate
How to use pomegranate

How to use pomegranate?

Pomegranate fruits can be made into juice, can be added in salad, yogurt, cereals and smoothies. Fruit can be also used for garnishing purposes. One can add pomegranate in raita, vegetable rice and prepare molasses. Pomegranate salsa is delicious dip for chips. Seed oil and fruit skin (dry and raw)  also have multiple application.

  1. During Indigestion – To 10 pomegranate juice add  1 gm. black- salt or and, fried cumin powder with honey. Mix and consume half an hour before taking meal.
  2. For skin: Dry pomegranate peel powder can be mixed with turmeric, curd and honey. Apply on skin to improve skin texture.
  3. For bad breath: Gargling using dry fruit peel powder 3 to 4 times a day is helpful
  4. For pimples: Seed paste in water or curd can be applied twice a day and wash using warm water.
  5. Dysentery: To reduce dysentery, drinking 10 ml fruit peel decoction three times a day is helpful.
  6. For piles problem: Drinking fruit juice with added sugar or jaggery is known to reduces the pile symptoms.
  7. Blood thinning: Pomegranate can thin the blood and people who have trouble with thickened blood can consume pomegranate to smooth blood flow. The seeds prevents blood platelets from coagulating and thus prevent clots.

Sometimes pomegranate can interfere with medications. People who take prescription medicine must consult doctor before considering eating pomegranate with medicines.

Image credit: Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay & Image by Michael Tavrionov from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 9, 2021
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Honey and its benefits

Honey and its benefits

Honey bee population is under great threat. We lost many species of honey bees due to our acts. If we do not take action now, we may regret soon as disappearance of bees can have negative impact on human population too! It is going to be difficult to survive and humans might not get the food that is essential for living on this earth!! It is time to understand the value of honey bee and IT’s honey to preserve these unique species on earth.

There are over 300 types of honey and different honeys are useful for various health issues. Alfalfa a popular honey is good for cardio issues, Eucalyptus for respiration and rare Manuka honey is good for stomach issues.

Honey has several health benefits. Reason for honey’s superior character is because of the way it is produced. Bees are the unique insects that produce honey.

Without bees many plant pollination and reproduction cannot happen on earth.  To make one pound of honey it takes approximately 60,000 bees traveling to get nectar from 2 million flowers. It is around 55,000 miles!

Honey bees are hardworking insects. They work in team to make honey. Bees are fascinating flying machine. They can carry load of nectar or pollen equal to her own weight.

Did you know honey bees have an extra stomach to store the nectar? Bees need two kinds of food – nectar and pollens.  Many bees collect either pollen or nectar. As female bee sucks the nectar from flower it is stored in nectar stomach. They ingest on pollen, which is their favorite food and in the extra stomach they gather nectar and mixes with enzymes to regurgitated into another bee’s mouth – honey making bees in the hive.

Honey is placed in storage cells and capped with beeswax. This arrangement will help the newly hatched baby bees. Pollen with nectar makes bee bread to feed hatched larvae.

Who works hard? Bees!

Who works hard? Bees!

What makes honey special? Why it is in use from centuries?

What makes honey special? Why it is in use from centuries?

 

Honey and Sugar: What is the difference?

Honey and Sugar: What is the difference?

 

Will honey go bad?

Will honey go bad?

 

Types of honey

Types of honey

 

Health Benefits of honey

Health Benefits of honey

 

Home remedies of honey

Home remedies of honey

 

** Honey is not recommended for infants and pregnant women.

After knowing and getting all these benefits it is time to grow bee friendly plants and reduce pollution to preserve these beautiful creation.. don’t you think so?

References:

Images: Pinterest, Pixabay (Free for commercial uses)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 7, 2021
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Helping elders during COVID-19

Why elders are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and how we can help them

According to Campaign to End Loneliness, nearly half a million elders already experiencing protracted period of loneliness and isolation. COVID-19 outbreak is adding more problem to older people. Elders are most at risk from COVID-19. In Italy, China and other countries out of 10 deaths, nearly 8 deaths are reported have been adults who are 65+ years old.  Covid-19 is causing a huge issue worldwide for elders because their life has been switched from social engagement to distancing from social life.  This is the time to show our care, affection and support to elders.

Generally, elders are vulnerable to any such conditions. In addition, if they have any underlying medical conditions then the risk of getting infected and fatality is more. China’s data indicates that the great majority of cases were in elder people. Elders are at highest risk of respiratory illness that could lead to death.

How we can help elders during this outbreak?

  1. Explain the importance of hand hygiene and make sure they have soap, water and hand sanitizer.
  2. Keep a hand sanitizer bottle near their bed and where they generally sit – like next to their chair or sofa.
  3. Keep a flask filled with warm or hot water so that they have access for water if they get cough.
  4. Make sure elderly and vulnerable (including your neighbors) they have enough food at home. Help them to stock groceries, toilet papers and diapers. When you go on for shopping, let your elderly neighbors know and ask them what they might need.
  5. To boost immune system, provide proper nutrient foods and supplements.
  6. Picking up prescriptions or helping with errands is a great help for them. This avoids them to go out themselves and avoids risk of getting infected.
  7. If you see elders, ask them what help you can provide. Donate sanitary supplies and food if they are in need.
  8. Request local stores to reserve couple of shopping hours only for elders.
  9. In many countries’ Restaurants are closed for some time period. Offer home cooked food and bottled water to elders who live by themselves is a good idea.
  10. Give preference to elders at store. Because they cannot stand in queue or fight for items like youngsters. Help them to reach things. If you have bought something and an elder is looking for the same, then offer them that you have. You can always go back to the store to get things.
  11. If you see elders waiting in hospital in queue give them preference. This helps them to get less exposed to cough, cold or any such conditions.
  12. Keep your elders stress free. Stress leads to negative impact on immune system. Fear of COVID-19, fear of being dependent or neglect can cause more stress. Give them assurance of being there.
  13. If you are quarantined as per the rules and cannot meet your elders – pick up the phone and talk to them. This gives them sense of confidence and boosts their energy.
  14. Create online group including older people who use WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter etc. to share regular update, offer help and to make sure they are doing okay. Be mindful and do not spread panic on media.
  15. Mental health is an issue when there is no activity or movement. If impacts their physical wellbeing. Encourage them to be physically active, to attend to their hobbies like painting, knitting, reading, singing, listening to music etc.
  16. Tell elders to interact with nature like attending to house plants, watching birds through window, watching nature shows on TV etc.

We must remember that all of us will get old eventually and we can be in similar situation like present day elders. Helping them and taking care of those who are vulnerable and in need is what we should be doing because that is humanity.

Image credit: Maggie Connolly, Brooklyn NY (widow note image), Image by mage by truthseeker08 from Pixabay, Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay (free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 5, 2021
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Q tips art for kids

Kids creativity with Q tips

Q tips are not just for cleaning ears, kids can be creative and learn painting and do art works using Q tips. It is interesting and enhances creative mind, brings curiosity, helps to understand colors and keeps kids occupied to do interesting work. Q tips are used in pointillism a type of dot arts where simple sketch is made using pencil and filled with colorful dots by dipping Q tips in various water colors or acrylic paints. Q tips can be used for creating arts such as bow, flowers, trees, house, human body, greeting cards etc. These are simple crafts and paints and your will kids love it as it is fun! See yourself Kids creativity with Q tips. These art works helps to keep kids creative in positive way and to stay away from electronic gadgets!

pointillism

kids art with q tips

Q tip paints for kids

q tips art and paint

Image credit:

  • Pinterest
  • http://mistypoe.blogspot.com
  • http://dymphnasong.com
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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